COUNTY 

Ornaments such are as these are being sold at the first Christkindlmarket Naperville. (Photo by Karie Angell Luc/for Chronicle Media)

Reward being offered for dog fighting information 

The Illinois State Crime Commission hopes that a $5,000 reward will prompt people with information about dog fighting will come forward.

In a news release, the commission says it is offering the money to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest of conviction of people taking part in dog fighting in DuPage County.

The commission says a big problem is the theft of dogs to be used as “bait’ for the fighting dogs to “practice on.” It also says that besides stealing from dogs from yards in suburban and rural areas, the people involved in dog fighting find the “bait dogs” on web sites where people offer free dogs because they are moving or can no longer handle their pets any more.

New app reports road issues 

DuPage County’s Division of Transportation has launched a web-based application that allows residents to report potholes, signal outages and other road maintenance or safety issues.

The web app can be accessed directly at gis.dupageco.org/citizenreporter or through the county’s Navigate DuPage app for iOS and Android devices.

County officials say that by using the application, motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians can alert the county to an unsafe condition immediately, which will lead to quicker repairs.  The app allows users to provide information about the road issue, a photo detailing the nature of the problem and the exact location of the issue on a map. Users can also look at other existing maintenance or safety issues in their area and add information to those reports.

The app was developed internally through a cooperative effort between the Division of Transportation and the Geographic Information Systems Department. For a video demonstrating the app, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZ-gm8aWpks.

‘Ultimate’ Christmas party to aid three charities 

A charity event, Pat Capone’s Ultimate Christmas Party, will be held Dec. 22 at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St Charles. Proceeds will benefit the Fox Valley Area Salvation Army, Mutual Ground in Aurora and Little Angel in Elgin.

All attendees are asked to bring nonperishable food and/or toys.  A Salvation Army trailer will be in front of the Arcada from 2-10 p.m. to accept the donations.

Pat Capone, Chicagoland’s No. 1 On-Air Radio Personality on The Fox Radio 103.9 FM, will host his live radio show from 3-7 p.m. at the Arcada. The public is invited to bring their favorite vinyl records for the radio show’s Vinyl Vault segment, at which audience members will get picked to play a song. The show will also have an ugly Christmas sweater contest, special guests and other segments.

Then, the main show will be on stage 7-10 p.m. The show, A Christmas Variety Show with an Awesome Rock Twist, will feature Mr. Capone’s Bootlegger Band, The Nick Bell Band, special guests, wrestling Santas, contests and giveaways.

Tickets are $15 ($25 for VIP tickets) and are available at Arcada box office, (630) 962-7000 or online at www.arcadalive.com.

NAPERVILLE 

Christkindlmarket features German-made goods   

The popular Chicago Christkindlmarket has a Naperville location through Dec. 24. Admission is free.

The space is at the Naper Settlement, which features vendors from Germany, other parts of Europe and around the world. Traditional wooden huts are filled with hand-made holiday ornaments, woodcarvings and seasonal wares harkening back to the original Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremburg, Germany which began in 1545. German food such as sausages and potato pancakes and sweets such as stollen, strudel and roasted nuts are for sale.

The Christkindlmarket Naperville has a large festival tent for additional seating and entertainment. Visitors can sit, toast and enjoy refreshing imported German beers or warm up with a cup of glühwein (hot spiced wine) served in a unique collectable souvenir mug.

The market will be open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 18.

For the week of Christmas, the hours will be 11 a.m-9 p.m. Dec. 19-23 and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 24.

DOWNERS GROVE  

Promotion, contest supports local businesses 

Downtown Downers Grove shops, restaurants and boutiques are holding a special promotion and contest.

Through Dec. 18, businesses are participating in the Gingerbucks Reward Card promotion. For every $10 spent at certain businesses, patrons receive a stamp on their reward cards. Once they spend $100, cards can be turned in to a participating business for a chance at a weekly drawing for downtown Downers Grove gift certificates.

Many businesses also are taking part in the Find the Gingerbread Man contest around the area. The cookie men are hiding somewhere in 28 shops. Those who spot them and collect a card from the businesses where they found them can turn in 14 different cards for a prize at Anderson’s Bookshop. Those who collect all 28 will get an additional prize, running through Dec. 24. For a full list of participating businesses, visit downtowndg.org.

WOODRIDGE 

Applications are due for citizen police academy 

The Woodridge Police Department is accepting applications for the Citizen Police Academy through 4 p.m. Dec. 16. The Citizen Police Academy is part of the Woodridge’s Community Oriented Policing initiative, designed to reduce and prevent crime, as well as maintain partnerships within our community. Participants will learn about police operations, as well as department procedures and policies from certified police officers and other department personnel. The ten-week session is scheduled to begin Jan. 11, and will run from 7-9 p.m.  on Wednesdays.

To be eligible, applicants must be:

• At least 21 years old,
• Live, work or are directly associated with the village of Woodridge,
• Have no felony arrests, and
• Have no misdemeanor convictions.

A background investigation and criminal history check will be conducted. Application are at www.vil.woodridge.il.us/DocumentCenter/View/2445. Completed apps are only accepted in person in the Woodridge Police Department, 1 Plaza Drive.