News Briefs: NTHS GoBabyGo program gets more funding; Lake County Sheriff will patrol lake again; Free tech training available for local veterans

A donation from the New Trier High School class of 1981 will power the GoBabyGo program to continue providing electric cars for children with disabilities, according to information from the New Trier Educational Foundation.

The GoBabyGo program makes electric toy vehicles accessible to children with spina bifida and other mobility issues by modifying and adapting the vehicles. The vehicles are adjusted and fitted for the young recipients during on-site workshops run by New Trier engineering students in partnership with the Illinois Spina Bifida Association, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and True North.

The funding from the Class of ’81 will allow the program to continue providing the necessary services for the foreseeable future, says the foundation.

Lake County Sheriff’s Office is back on the water

With more than 900 square miles of Lake Michigan in its coverage area, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office will resume patrols with the help of a new boat, according to a release from the department.

The Fluid Watercraft inflatable patrol boat was delivered this spring and is equipped with two 225 horsepower engines and can carry 14 passengers, the release says.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office stopped its water patrols in 2018 when its previous watercraft was retired with mechanical and safety issues.

The new boat is named after Gary D. Murphy, a fallen sheriff’s deputy who was killed in the line of duty in June of 1976.

The boat reportedly will be stored in a secure dock at North Point Marina in Winthrop Harbor when not in use.

“Adding a sheriff’s office watercraft on Lake Michigan is very significant,” Sheriff John D. Idleburg said in a statement. “Response time in an emergency is crucial, and having a sheriff’s boat available will increase the likelihood of lives saved during search and rescue missions. We are grateful for our partnership with North Point Marina and thankful for their assistance in allowing us space to dock our boat.”

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office will coordinate patrols in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police.

Free tech academy for area vets

As part of an effort to support veterans with their transition to civilian life, Cook County is offering a free training program that will help them gain valuable skills in the technology industry.

The Chicago Cook Technology Academy is a collaboration between the Cook County Department of Veterans Affairs, Microsoft and National Able Network that will provide veterans with the skills and knowledge necessary for success in the modern tech industry, a release from the county says.

The 11-week program is free of charge. Past programs reportedly have prepared 32 graduates, 24 of whom have secured employment with an average starting salary of $30.27 per hour.

The program is open to veterans living in the Chicago area, including suburban Cook County, who are interested in pursuing a career in the tech industry. Individuals who are transitioning out of military service are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity.

The application process for the Tech Academy is open through July 14. Interested veterans can apply online.

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