Illinois will be joining the rest of the country in observing the full solar eclipse on Aug. 21. State police are stressing traffic safety during the hours of the eclipse.

STATE  

IDOT focuses on safe traffic flow during eclipse  

 The Illinois Department of Transportation says it will make sure traffic keeps moving and the traveling public remains safe leading up to the solar eclipse. Carbondale is in the path of the total eclipse, making it one of the prime viewing areas in the country for the Aug. 21 event. The rest of the state will experience a partial eclipse of approximately 90 percent.      

Unlike some states, Illinois is placing no special restrictions on truck activities because of the eclipse. To help with traffic flow, lane closures on major IDOT projects in the southern part of the state will be temporarily lifted during the weekend before the eclipse and the following day. Throughout the state, digital message boards will communicate traffic and safety messages.  

 The department also is coordinating with Illinois State Police and local law enforcement to ensure that traffic control points are appropriately staffed.   

 If you are traveling during the eclipse, here are some commonsense tips:  

• Plan ahead: Do not expect to park and view the eclipse from the side of the road.  
• Anticipate increased pedestrian and bike traffic near popular viewing areas.  
• Do not wear special viewing glasses or take photos of the eclipse while driving.  
• On the day of the eclipse, drive with your headlights on.  
• Use the Getting Around Illinois website to get the latest on traffic conditions.  

DeKALB  

State of the City  slated for Aug. 10  

The general public is invited to attend the eighth annual State of the City address Aug. 10. The event will provide a status of current activities and future plans. The event will be held at 8 a.m. at Faranda’s Banquet and Conference Center, 302 Grove St., DeKalb. A full breakfast buffet will be provided with registration. Tickets are $25. Register at dekalb.org.  

Free school supplies available Aug. 19  

New Hope Missionary Baptist Church will host the Back to School Bash from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 19, at the DeKalb Park District Sports and Recreation Center, 1765 S. 4th St., DeKalb. Free school supplies will be given out, and the event is open to any child living in DeKalb County needing school supplies. There also will be food, live music, games and information about community benefits.  

Everyone can help with the Back to School Bash by donating backpacks and school supplies. Items can be dropped off at New Hope Baptist Church or picked up by a volunteer by contacting Treveda Redmond at travedamichelle@yahoo.com.  

Shuttle bus transportation during the Bash will run continuously from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. between Littlejohn Elementary, 1121 School St., DeKalb, and Huntley Middle School, 1515 S. 4th St., DeKalb.   

ROCHELLE  

Group will gaze at stars, discuss meteor shower  

Northern Illinois University’s STEM Café will host an evening of stargazing and discussion with astronomy experts during the annual Perseid meteor shower.  

The free, family-friendly event will be from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Aug. 12 at Rochelle Municipal Airport, 1201 E. Gurler Road. Food will be sold, including a $15 build-your-own burger or vegetarian option, cash bar, and an $8 chicken tender meal for children.  

The discussion will begin at 7:15 p.m. After dark, guests can watch the meteor shower and view the night sky using their own telescopes or ones provided by NIU. Although the weather can interfere with viewing, the event will be held rain or shine.  

STEM educator Jeremy Benson will set up telescopes for night viewing and talk with guests about what they can expect to see and what causes a meteor shower.  

Paul Stoddard, an associate professor of geology and environmental geosciences, will talk about the solar eclipse that’s set to happen Aug. 21, and explain what causes the phenomenon and what to look for.  

NASA Solar System Ambassador Joel Knapper will discuss NASA’s future missions.  

For information, call (815) 753-4751 or email jdymond@niu.edu.  

SYCAMORE   

SHS grad leads international Circle K  

What began as an interest in Key Club as a freshman has grown into a commitment to Circle K, the college-level association of Kiwanis Club.   

Justin Crofoot, 21, a Sycamore High School 2014 graduate, has been appointed international president of Circle K.  

The University of Alabama senior studying political science and philosophy is now part of a 10-member international board. His previous positions for Circle K included lieutenant governor for the Alabama district and international trustee for the southeast U.S. district.  

As international president, Crofoot will serve in an administrative role for Circle K, guide the international board, speak on behalf of the organization and run leadership training. His Circle K district’s current service work includes fundraising to give books to local schools through the nonprofit Reading is Fundamental.  

Crofoot’s term as international president runs until next summer.

–DeKalb County News Briefs–