Julie Lam, assistant principal of Curriculum and Instruction for Oswego East High School

Aurora

Fox Valley’s Got Talent

Join in the fun and see the talent of the Fox Valley area on Aug. 11. Singers, dancers, gymnasts, comedians, jugglers and performers with special skills will be chosen to perform this evening of entertainment! A panel of judges will provide feedback to soloists, duets, and group acts. By the end of the evening winners in multiple age brackets will be awarded the title of Fox Valley’s 2017 Top Performer. Tickets will be available at the Prisco Community Center and online

$5 in advance; $7 day-of. Show goes from 7-9 p.m.

Friends of Extension and the Kendall County 4-H Foundation served more than 530 meals at the annual Pork Chop fundraiser dinner on Sunday, July 16 at the Kendall County Fairgrounds. (Photo courtesy of Kendall County 4-H)

Aurora police mourn retired officer

The Aurora Police family is mourning the death of one of our beloved retired officers, Officer John “Salti” Saltijeral who passed away on July 19 at the age of 64.

Officer Saltijeral began his Aurora Police career as a cadet on July 5, 1972. He was appointed as an Aurora police officer on Oct. 31, 1974.

During his career, “Salti” was assigned to Patrol, Investigations and the Drug Unit. He was also assigned to one of the NABS trailers which were satellite police stations set up strategically to enhance police-community partnerships.

Officer Saltijeral received 14 commendations and many letters of appreciation. He retired on March 8, 2004 with 29 years of service.

In his retirement, he worked at his popular restaurant, “Pancho’s,” on East New York Street.

Kendall County

Oswego and Montgomery Fox River clean up

The Village of Oswego’s Environmentally Conscious Oswego (ECO) Committee plans a clean-up along the banks of the Fox River on Saturday, Aug. 12. ECO is seeking volunteers to help clean up the Montgomery and Oswego riverfront and collect trash out of the river and off the shorelines.

The clean-up will take place along the Fox River, starting at Violet Patch Park, downstream to Hudson Crossing Park, including the confluence of Waubonsie Creek and the Fox River. Volunteers on land will clean the shoreline of public property along the river, including the bike trail and parks. Volunteers on the water will clean the shoreline between these parks.

ECO will award a $25 prize for the most unusual item retrieved from the river.

Volunteers will meet at Violet Patch Park at 9 a.m., then divide into teams with specific assigned areas. Volunteers are encouraged to bring work gloves and wear mud boots. Volunteers will continue the clean-up until noon, then gather for lunch at Hudson Crossing Park.

In addition to the ECO Committee, the Prairie State Canoeists will contribute to the clean-up. The Prairie State Canoeists (PSC) will lead the clean-up on the water, using their own canoes, kayaks and tools. Car shift will be at 9 a.m. from the park on the east side of the Fox, downstream from the Montgomery Dam and upstream from the Mill Street bridge. Canoeists and kayakers can sign up for the clean-up at: http://prairiestatecanoeists.org/event-schedule.

Safety of the clean-up volunteers is paramount. If the Fox River is above 1000 cubic feet per second (cfs) as measured on the gauge at the Montgomery Dam, the Fox River Clean-Up will be postponed to another date.

To volunteer for the Oswego Fox River Rescue, contact the Village of Oswego at (630) 554-3242.

Increased reward offered in shooting death

A reward offered by a private group has been increased to $45,000 for any information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the subject(s) responsible for the shooting death of Matthew Lange, age 37, of Oswego.

On Jan. 27 at approximately 7 p.m., Lange arrived at Scullen Middle School, located at 2815 Mistflower Lane, Naperville, to pick up his son, who was attending Polish School. Lange was shot while seated in his vehicle, a silver 2013 Hyundai Elantra, and died a short time later of his injuries.

Police said Lange was a professor at Lewis University at the time of his death. Naperville Police are looking for any witnesses to the shooting and/or information about Matthew Lange or his vehicle on the day of or the days prior to the homicide that may assist with the investigation.

Anyone with information about the homicide is asked to please contact the Naperville Police Department at (630) 305-5453 or (630) 420-6006.

Multi-Jurisdictional sex offender verifications checks

On July 25, the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office hosted a multi-jurisdictional police initiative to check compliance on all registered sex offenders and registered violent offenders against youth residing in Kendall County.

Investigators from 8 police agencies worked together to check a combined 83 offenders. The police agencies involved were the Oswego Police Department, Yorkville Police Department, Montgomery Police Department, Plano Police Department, Joliet Police Department, Plainfield Police Department, Kendall County Sheriff’s Office, United States Marshals in Northern Illinois, and the United States Marshals Great Lakes Task Force.

During the checks, investigators made contact with 37 offenders and completed a verification check on each. Investigators identified two offenders that were possibly in violation of the Sex Offender Registration Act and criminal investigations were opened into these allegations. Investigators visited 46 additional residences, but were unable to complete the verification process due to not making contact with the offender. In total, investigators checked 83 residences in 3 hours.

The Sex Offender Registration Act places legal mandates on persons convicted of sex crimes. The act requires the sex offender to register his residence, employer, school, vehicles, and many other items with the police agency where they reside.

The act also has stiff penalties for violations of the act. Persons required to register as Violent Offender Against Youths are persons who have been convicted of an offense listed in Illinois Compiled Statutes 730 ILCS 154/5 when such charge results in the finding the offense was not sexually motivated. Most of these crimes are crimes against persons who are under the age of 18.

Pork Fundraiser supports Kendall County youth

The community provided generous support for the Friends of Extension and the Kendall County 4-H Foundation at the annual Pork Chop dinner on Sunday, July 16 at the Kendall County Fairgrounds.

The two groups served more than 530 meals with the help of Master Gardeners, 4-H families and leaders, and other Extension volunteers, who also help sell tickets for the fundraiser. According to Executive Director Diane Morris, the annual event raised about $7,000 this year, which will support University of Illinois Extension and 4-H Youth Development programs in Kendall County.

“We want to thank the community for supporting 4-H and Extension programs,” said Morris. “We especially appreciate those organizations and individuals who made a monetary gift towards our expenses. It is a huge financial help that these sponsors give us. A heartfelt thank you also goes to the Kendall County Pork Producers who volunteer their time to cook the meal and the Kendall County Fair Association for use of the fairgrounds.”

All proceeds will help support the community programs provided by the University of Illinois Extension in Kendall County, including 4-H Youth Development, Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists and Nutrition and Wellness.

For more information on University of Illinois Extension programs in Kendall County, visit web.extension.illinois.edu/dkk/ or call (630) 553-5823. University of Illinois Extension provides educational programs and research-based information to help Illinois residents improve their quality of life, develop skills and solve problems.

Oswego

Senior Center celebrates 10th anniversary

In August, the Oswego Senior Center will be celebrating its 10th year of serving meals to senior community members through Older American’s Act funding from Northeastern Illinois Agency on Aging. Over the years, OSC has expanded from its Village of Oswego Senior Advisory Commission grass-roots beginnings, serving 56 people that first day, to a full-fledged not-for-profit senior center serving more than 1,500 area seniors for more than 29,000 interactions in the fiscal year 2016.

In a short time, OSC has become an integral part of the Oswegoland community, providing a place for connection through a variety of opportunities and resources.

The celebration will take place on Aug. 9 at 11 a.m. at 156 E. Washington St. A program is planned featuring an address by Sandra Pastore, MSW, Executive Director, and James Feeley, Board President, music by the Senior Singers, followed by lunch.

Call (630) 554-5602 for more information or to sign up for the celebration. Suggested donation of $5 for lunch.

Oswego East gets new administrator

Community Unit School District 308 Board of Education has appointed Julie Lam to serve as the new assistant principal of Curriculum and Instruction for Oswego East High School. The position was formerly held by Laura Pastirik-Bankowski.

Executive Director of Teaching and Learning Dr. Lisa Smith stated that Lam’s experience as an accomplished high school science teacher, a senior educator for the Museum of Science and Industry and Assistant Director of Secondary Education has prepared her for this role. Her strategic thinking skills and collaborative style will continue to be assets to SD308 as we continue our work in advancing student learning opportunities.

Lam earned her bachelor’s degree with honors in biology and secondary education from Loyola University Chicago. She earned her master’s degree in general biology from the University of Arizona in Tucson after successfully defending her research thesis in plant genetics and bioinformatics. She also earned a general administrative K-12 endorsement from Lewis University in Romeoville. Lam is currently a doctoral candidate at Northern Illinois University focusing on educational leadership. Lam speaks three dialects of Chinese: Teochew, Cantonese and Mandarin.

“Julie will make an excellent addition to the Oswego East administrative team. Her extensive knowledge in curriculum and unique professional background will be an asset to East as we continue to embrace the EAST motto of Excellence, Academics, Spirit and Tradition. We look forward to working with her and welcome her into the Wolf Pack,” said Principal Laura Pastirik-Bankowski.

“I am excited to serve as OEHS’s next Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction. I have worked very closely with Laura and many Oswego East staff members over the past three years while serving as SD308’s Assistant Director of Secondary Education. I am looking forward to providing Oswego East with a smooth transition in leadership in preparation for the new school year,” said Lam.

–Kendall County News Briefs–