The junior varsity (top) and varsity Oswego East scholastic bowl teams were recently crowned conference champions. In an event hosted by Oswego East, the home teams combined for a record of 14 wins to 2 losses. (Photo courtesy of School District 308)

Aurora

Police search for information about shootings

Aurora police are seeking information on a couple of shootings that occurred on Tuesday, Jan. 30 on the Near East Side.

Around 3:35 p.m., shots were fired in the 200 block of Beach Street. Nothing was apparently hit, there were no injuries, and police could not find out any information about suspects or vehicles that may have been involved.

Around 11:30 p.m., a 19-year-old man told police he was driving northbound on East Avenue, when he came under fire just south of Benton Street by someone in a gold sedan that was headed eastbound on Benton. The victim’s car was struck several times causing him to quickly accelerate while turning westbound, according to police.

He ended up losing control of the vehicle and striking a tree in the 700 block of Benton. He was treated and released from an Aurora hospital for minor injuries related to the crash.

During the initial investigation, it was discovered that a home in the 800 block of Benton Street was also hit. There were no injuries from the gunfire. The victim could not provide any further description of possible suspects or the suspect car itself.

If you have any information on either incident, please call Investigations at (630) 256-5500 or Aurora Area Crime Stoppers at (630) 892-1000. Callers to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and qualify for a cash reward for any information that leads to an arrest.

Kendall County

Sheriff’s Office investigates shots fired call

The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office continues the investigation into the shots fired at a residence in the 0-99 Block of Amesbury Road, Oswego Township.

During the course of the investigation, sheriff’s detectives executed two search warrants, one at a residence in the 1200 Block of Pearl Street, Aurora, and the second on the vehicle suspected of being involved in the incident.

Sheriff’s deputies seized three handguns, and multiple rounds of ammunition from the residence on Pearl Street.

The Kendall County State’s Attorney’s Office subsequently charged Kenzail Marshawn Taylor, a 20-year-old man from the 400 Block of Sherman Avenue, Aurora, and Nikko Najee Muhammad, a 19-year-old man from 1300 Block of Fourth Street, Aurora, with Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm; a Class 1 Felony.

The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information related to this, or any case, is urged to contact the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office Investigations unit at (630) 553-7500, Ext. 1105. Callers can also remain anonymous by contacting Crimestoppers at (630) 553-5999.

Assisting in the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office in the search warrant were the Aurora Police Department, Illinois State Police, Kendall County Criminal Intelligence Team and the Kane County Sheriff’s Office.

Kifowit responds to recent veterans’ home deaths

Following the revelation of no notification to residents and during a recent investigative hearing on the deaths of veterans at the state-run Quincy veterans’ home, state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, introduced legislation to mandate prompt notification in the event of a future outbreak of an infectious disease.

“It is due to mismanagement that the residents and their immediate family members were left in the dark and unable to properly respond to and prevent the spread of this deadly disease,” Kifowit. “Those who served our country deserve the best care we can possibly give them.”

A recent report by WBEZ documented that between 2015 and 2017, there were 13 deaths and 61 infections due to outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease at the state-run veterans’ home located in Quincy.

During a recent joint House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committee hearing, it was discovered that once the most recent outbreak was discovered by state officials, it took nearly a week before a public statement was released, and no formal notification was ever given to residents or their families.

Kifowit introduced legislation in an effort to prevent further tragedies. House Bill 4278 mandates that any veterans home must notify residents and their families in the event of an outbreak of an infectious disease. In the event that two cases are found within a month period, staff at the facility must notify all residents, their next of kin or emergency contacts, and the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs and the Illinois Department of Public Health.

“Our veterans and their families must be informed when there is an outbreak so they can do what they think is best to protect themselves,” Kifowit said. “This bill will help to ensure future tragedies, like what happened in Quincy, won’t happen to any more of our veterans.”

Another joint House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committee meeting will be held on Feb. 7 to listen to expert testimony about the spread of Legionnaires disease and to listen to the families of the victims who lost their lives in the Quincy Veterans Home.

Senior Services offers Matter of Balance program

Many older adults experience concerns about falling and restrict their activities. A Matter of Balance is an award-winning program designed to manage falls and increase activity levels. This program emphasizes practical strategies to manage falls.

You will learn to view falls at controllable, set goals for increasing activity, make changes to reduce fall risk at home, and exercise to increase strength and balance. Who should attend?

Anyone concerned about falls, interested in improving balance, flexibility and strength, fallen in the past, and who has restricted activities because of falling concerns.

Senior Services Associates will be offering A Matter of Balance Class at 908 Game Farm Road, Yorkville, starting at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6. This is an eight-session class that will meet on Tuesday’s until April 24. If you are interested in attending the event, contact Senior Services Associates, at (630) 553-5777

Oswego

Library hosts movie poster displays

Visit the Montgomery Library from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10 to view an exciting, vibrant display of full size movie posters for popular culture films. Furthermore, participate in a short, but fun matching activity- match several descriptions correctly to movie posters displayed in the lobby of the library for a chance to be the lucky winner of a $30 Visa Gift Card.

There also will be a second Prize of a $25 gift card awarded also. Six additional winners will receive a “Movie Theater Admission & a Concession Voucher” (good for one free admission and a free small popcorn and free small drink) at the local Kendall 11 GQ Theater. Limit one entry per participant due promptly by 4:30 p.m. Parents and guardians are welcome and encouraged to work with your young children.

Senior art class seeking participants

Join us at the Oswego Senior Center for a five-week art class Friday afternoons, led by Michelle Mattson. Cost is $10 to cover supplies and must be paid by Feb. 23 to secure your place in class. No refunds for cancellation.

Come by the senior center at 156 E. Washington St. to sign up, or you may pay online at www.oswegoseniorcenter.org. Call (630) 554-5602 for more information.

OEHS scholastic bowl teams win conference titles

In the second time in school history, both the varsity and junior varsity Oswego East scholastic bowl teams were crowned conference champions.   In an event hosted by Oswego East, the academic home teams combined for a record of 14 wins to 2 losses. 

The varsity squad’s victory was their fifth conference title in nine years – winning every other year since the school’s first scholastic title in 2010.  According to varsity coach Dave Carlisle, the “key to OE’s success is exposing players to highly competitive teams outside the conference, the engaging curriculum in our classrooms, and the supplemental classical education students are exposed to as members of the team.”    

Entering the semi-final round at 3-1, the team came from behind to best Joliet West 280-170.   In the final match, despite being edged in the morning rounds by the same team, Oswego East dominated Minooka for the conference championship.

The JV Scholastic Bowl Team, coached by business teacher Graham Brown, went 7-1 in round robin play, besting three teams finishing 6-2.   This is the second ever conference championship for the JV academic squad in OE history. 

After the come from behind win against runner-up Minooka, Brown was, “impressed with the team’s resiliency and ability to bounce-back.”

In addition to team accolades, two players from each team earned conference “Top Ten” medals.  Both captains, senior Alpesh Chapagai and freshmen Varun Rajesh, won first and fourth respectively in their divisions.  While the JV season has come to an end, the varsity season extends through mid-March.

–Kendall County News Briefs–