Kendall County

Plant sale raises money for gardening program

The annual plant sale and open house drew many residents to the University of Illinois Extension Kendall County office in Yorkville on May 16. Master Gardeners provided free presentations and demonstrations on home gardening topics and offered hundreds of vegetable, herb, native and perennial plants for sale. Funds raised from the event will go to support the volunteer Master Gardener program, which serves the Kendall County community through projects and partnerships.  For more information, call 630-553-5823.

Kendall County

Summer road project along Route 71

Motorists should take note of a road construction project that is expected to begin this month along Illinois Route 71 beginning at Schlapp Road. The project will involve improvements to a six-mile stretch of the road and will involve periodic lane closures, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. The work is expected to be completed by Aug. 1.

Minooka

Public’s input sought on superintendent search

School District 201 is conducting a public survey to get the community’s input on finding its next superintendent.  Superintendent Al Gegenheimer is retiring at the end of his contract, which expires June 5, and the district is conducting a national search for a successor. The survey is meant to gauge what qualities the community wants in a new superintendent to lead District 201 schools, according to the district. Minooka residents and all District 201 families are encouraged to participate.  Those who wish to take the survey, can go to www.surveymonkey.com/s/5VB6FGW  to take the survey.

Minooka police will be at Dunkin Donut locations in the village on Friday May 29 to collect donations for the Special Olympics of Illinois. Photo / Sgt. Daniel Schroeder

Minooka

Help police help Special Olympics

Minooka police will be at Dunkin Donut locations in the village on Friday May 29 to collect donations for the Special Olympics of Illinois. Officers will be out between 5 a.m. and 2 p.m. at both Dunkin Donuts along Ridge Road. Over the years, Minooka Police Department has been among the top fundraisers in the state for the program.

Oswego

School, state leaders meet about funding

Officials from Community Unit School District 308 and local state legislators recently held a breakfast meeting to discuss education funding in the state. School District 308 has lost more than $22 million in state funding over the past five years, according to District 308. In addition, the district is still waiting for the state to come through with $49 million in state building grants.  Some specific pieces of legislations were discussed including ones that address school construction grants, general state aid and unfunded mandates, according to the district.

Oswego

Celebrate music and food on Main Street

Main Street in downtown Oswego will be the location for the summer Oswego Beats & Eats Celebration. The free event, to be held the last Saturday of each month from 4 to 10 p.m., promotes a variety of music, art, food and culture. The events will be on May 30, July 25, and Aug. 29 and showcase musicians from the region as well as on a national level. For more information, visit www.oswegobeatsandeats.com.

Plainfield

Mayor gives update on village projects

A pet supply store is expected to move into a location along 135th Street and Route 59, according to village officials. Village officials talked about the Pet Supplies Plus development along with other village projects at the monthly Coffee with the Mayor on May 13. Pet Supplies Plus is expected to be one of two retail operations at the southwest corner of 135th and Route 59, according to reports. In addition to the retail development, residents got updates on the resurfacing on Lockport Street downtown and on the redesign of 127th Street.

Plainfield

Park Board commissioner resigns

Janet Silosky has resigned her seat on the Plainfield Township Park District board effective May 13. Silosky told the board she did not have enough time for the Park Board because of increased responsibilities in her family’s business, according to reports. Silosky’s announcement came at the same meeting at which commissioners Mary Kay Ludemann, Larry Newton, Mimi Poling and Rob Ayres were sworn in after winning re-election last month.

Yorkville

Alderman honored for her long service

Fourth Ward Alderman Rose Spears was honored May 12 by the City Council and mayor for her many years of service. With 17 years as an alderman, Spears in the longest serving elected official in Yorkville’s history.   Spears did not seek re-election this spring. Mayor Gary Golinski and other council members honored Spears and praised her for her service to the city and its residents.  Seaver Tarulis was elected April 7 to be the new alderman for the Fourth Ward.  Tarulis was sworn into his seat at the May 12 meeting along with re-elected aldermen Carlo Colosimo, Jackie Milshewski and Chris Funkhouser.

Yorkville

Plans for sports dome project up uncertain

KBL Community Center LLC has told the city it is no longer pursuing plans for a sports dome across from the Hoover Forest Preserve and Nature Center.  KBL reportedly has offers from Yorkville property owners to work on a deal for the sports dome, which was originally sited for Fox Road near Pavilion Road.  The original development plan had called for a large sports community center with a dome that would be a place for not only sports but other recreational activities and programs for special needs children and adults.