“Children see, children do” is among drawings depicting gun violence in “Caught Red-Handed,” a free exhibit by Aurora artist Ashanday Hayles at Santori Aurora Public Library, 101 S. River St. in Aurora, through Aug. 22. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Admission is free. The East Aurora High School graduate is a fire science student at Elgin Community College Hayles will sell her works from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, at the library. (Al Benson photo)

COUNTY

McMahon appointed special prosecutor in Chicago case

Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon has been appointed special prosecutor in a Chicago case involving police officer charged with first-degree murder in the shooting of a Chicago youth.

Cook County Circuit Judge Vincent M. Gaughan announced last week that he had appointed McMahon as special prosecutor in the case of People v. Jason Van Dyke.

Van Dyke is the Chicago police officer charged with first-degree murder in the October 2014 shooting death of Laquan McDonald, who was 17 years old at the time. Video of the shooting was released by the city of Chicago in November 2015, and the case has sparked numerous protests, high-level media attention and reforms in the Chicago Police Department.

ELGIN

Expanded U-46 schools to welcome more students

Coleman, Highland and Laurel Hill Elementary Schools will welcome almost 250 more students this school year with the help of new building additions that add much-needed classroom space.

Crews from various District departments were wrapping up work at the additions to be ready for the first day of school on Aug. 17, as the district launches Full-Day Kindergarten for more than 2,600 students.

The additions add 26 classrooms to each school, with 10 at Coleman, 10 at Highland and six at Laurel Hill.

Coleman will gain 114 students for a total enrollment of 664, Highland will have an additional 105 students for an enrollment of 598 while Laurel Hill will see an increase of 27 for 528 total students.

The additions, along with boundary changes that go into effect this school year, allow the District to use elementary school space more efficiently and will help the District remove about 12 mobile classrooms over the course of the year. /

AURORA

Poverty documentary at Methodist church

“Poverty, Inc.,” a 2014 documentary about the business of global charity, will be screened at a free dinner and discussion at 6 p.m. on Aug. 17, at Wesley United Methodist Church, 14 N. May St. in Aurora.

The public is invited. Admission is free. The 94-minute film has earned 40 international film festival honors and 12 awards and screenings in 16 countries.

Director Michael Matheson Miller conducted over 200 interviews in more than 20 countries during filming. The film was made by the Acton Institute, a Michigan-based think tank which promotes free enterprise within the framework of Christian theology.The filming started in 2010. 

Dinner reservations are requested. Call (630) 896-1033.

Historic Auto Row once again hosts auto show

The Roosevelt-Aurora American Legion Post 84 has partnered with the Friends of LaSalle Street Historic Auto Row for the 8th Annual Auto Show on Aug. 21 on South LaSalle Street. 

In building on the historical significance of this block, Dispensa worked to organize the first annual Historic Auto Show seven years ago. Again this year the FLSHAR has identified the Roosevelt-Aurora Post No. 84; one of the oldest American Legion Posts in the Nation, as a partner in not only this auto show, but future auto shows

The auto show will feature military vehicles on display, including the popular Vietnam UH-1 Helicopter (HUEY).

All proceeds of the auto show will go to the Roosevelt-Aurora Post 84 to continue supporting Aurora area veterans and their families.   

ST. CHARLES

Program explores history of Primrose Farm Park

Residents will have the opportunity to learn about one of Kane County’s lesser-known agricultural and historical treasures on Aug. 18.

Primrose Farm Park in St. Charles will be open from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on for an in-depth look at the Peck family and their legacy during “The Sense of Place” program series conducted by park district naturalist Pam Otto.

The farmyard at Primrose is filled with cows mooing, roosters crowing and children learning. But how did we get here? What did our present-day living history farm actually look like in the 1930s? What led people to settle this land in the first place?

The program includes a tractor-drawn wagon ride and a sunset snack in the summer kitchen.

Advance registration is required. Registration fee is $10 per person. Learn from the Experts programs are for ages 18 and above. Call 630-444-3190 or e-mail programs@kaneforest.com to register.

–Kane County News Briefs–