Aurora’s Kayla DeLano, center, poses for a photo at a Pride of the Fox information booth at Aurora University’s first Art Walk outdoors on the campus quadrangle April 17. From left are Julie Farris, executive director, Pride of the Fox, City of St. Charles RiverFest sponsor; DeLano, a junior marketing major; and Nehemiah Goodwin, Tulsa, Okla. junior math major. The Art Walk, by and for AU students under faculty tutelage, featured 23 outdoor stations and two in Phillips Library. (Al Benson Photo)

Geneva police warn of utility collection scam

Geneva Police are warning residents and business owners of a telephone scam where “ComEd representatives” would threaten to disconnect power service unless late payments were made over the phone.

Several businesses reported receiving these phone calls last week. These calls are a scam, and people should not make a payment or provide financial information to the caller.

Commonwealth Edison is not Geneva’s electric utility provider. The city owns and operates its own electric utility and would not call or demand payment over the phone. Residents and business owners can check the status of their utility bill account by visiting the City’s website at www.geneva.il.us.

If people have doubts about the validity of any call regarding their bill, do not hesitate to contact the City of Geneva Finance Division at (630) 232-0854 or visit the office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday at 15 S. First St.

Residents also can report suspicious phone calls to the Geneva Police Department at (630) 232-4736.

Waubonsee offers series of spring performances

Waubonsee Community College again will offer a range of live concerts this spring – and no tickets will be required.

Between April 26 and May 17, the college will host a series of six live performances in an assortment of musical genres. All shows are free and open to the public and will be performed at the Sugar Grove campus, Route 47 at Waubonsee Drive.

The series starts at 3 p.m. Sunday with a Sophomore Recital in The Little Theatre, Von Ohlen Hall, Room 114.

The Waubonsee Jazz Band continues the series the following May 3, with a 2 p.m. concert in the Waubonsee Auditorium. The show includes a special guest performance from the Vern Spevak Big Band.

The Waubonsee Chorale and Concert Band follows on May 8, the Waubonsee Rock Band will present its spring concert on May 14 also and thee Waubonsee Steel Band will follows on May 15. All shows will be at 7:30 p.m. in the Waubonsee Auditorium.

A General Student Recital concludes the series. It is scheduled for 3 p.m. on May 17 in The Little Theatre, Von Ohlen Hall, Room 114.

For more information, contact the Waubonsee Music Department at (630) 466-7900, ext. 2500.

Aurora police arrest 13 in reverse prostitution sting

Aurora Police Special Operations Group investigators conducted a reverse prostitution sting last Wednesday that resulted in 13 men being charged with solicitation of a sexual act.

During the operation, the investigators published ads in an online publication that is known to promote prostitution-related activities.

The advertisements purportedly offered sexual services by women at an undisclosed Aurora hotel. Once the liaisons were arranged and the defendants showed up, they allegedly offered money in exchange for sex to a woman whom they quickly found out was an undercover police officer and were arrested.

All 13 men had their vehicles impounded during the operation meaning they had to pay $500 in order to retrieve them.

Police are not disclosing the location of the sting in order to protect the integrity of future operations.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) assisted Aurora Police in the operation.

Pease moving to chief academic officer in D204

District 204 officials announced Kathy Pease will transition to Chief Academic Officer beginning July 1.

Since 2012, Pease has served as the district’s Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Teaching and Learning. In her current role, she oversees the district’s preschool and 21 elementary schools.

Pease has seen many changes in the district since her first role as principal of Spring Brook Elementary School. She opened that school in 2002. “We’ve seen education evolve over the years and changes are still happening as we prepare our students to compete globally. I’m honored to have the opportunity to lead the curriculum department in a district that always places doing what is best for students first, no matter what challenges we face.”

Pease also held positions in Geneva School District, where she served as principal of Western Avenue School before being appointed Director of Teaching and Learning.

She obtained her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from University of Illinois and her master’s degree in curriculum and supervision from Northern Illinois University.

Pease is replacing Kathy Duncan, who is retiring June 30.

Elgin hosts vaccination clinic at Hemmens

Elgin residents are asked to make sure their furry friends are healthy and vaccinated.

The city will host a Pet Vaccination Clinic on Saturday from 1-4 p.m. at the lower level of the Hemmens Cultural Center.

State law required that dogs and cats over 4 months of age be vaccinated against Rabies. Protect your pet. Have them vaccinated.

Proof of Elgin residency required.

A $50 package includes: rabies vaccine, Kane or Cook County tags and registration and a booster shot which prevents canine distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus and para influenza virus.

There’s also a $65 package for Kane county residents with pets older than one year old and not spayed or neutered

Additional services include $35 microchip and $25 heartworm test.

No appointment necessary, first come, first served and cash only accepted. The event is open only to incorporated Elgin residents. .

Animals must be leashed at all times during the event.