Your Performing Arts Center will stage Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast Jr.” May 18-19 in Plainfield. The shows features youth, ages 5 to 16, from Yorkville, Sugar Grove, Plainfield, Plano, Montgomery, Newark, North Aurora, Oswego, Somonauk, Aurora, and other communities. (Photo courtesy of YPAC)

Kendall County

Heartsaver CPR AED and first aid class

Senior Services Associates has coordinated a Heartsaver CPR AED and First Aid Class to be held at Bristol Kendall Fire Department, 103 East Beaver Street Yorkville. The class will be held on Thursday, May 31 at  1 p.m.

The cost of the class is $40. BKFD will be collecting the cost on the day of the class. Please have cash or check made out to Bristol Kendall Fire Department.

If you are interested in attending this class, contact Senior Services Associates, at 630-553-5777.

Community Youth stage in ‘Beauty and the Beast Jr.’

Your Performing Arts Center will stage Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast Jr.” May 18-19 in Plainfield. The show embraces the adage of “don’t judge a book by its cover,” according to Beth Jackson, Your Performing Arts Center’s (YPAC) Theatre Community Director.

The shows features youth, ages 5 to 16, who have been working closely together on the colorful, lively show since January. The 117 youth within the two casts represent several communities, including Yorkville, Sugar Grove, Plainfield, Plano, Montgomery, Newark, North Aurora, Oswego, Somonauk, Aurora, Naperville, Joliet, Lockport, Romeoville, Crest Hill, and Channahon.

“The students in the production have been working hard to create a vibrant show, with strong vocals,” said Jackson. “And with an eye-catching set and costumes that are larger than life, this show is sure to please at any age.”

In addition to Jackson, the YPAC theatre team for the spring 2018 production includes Creative Director Mia Mellecker; Plainfield cast’s Director Aaron Flynn-Holbach, Choreographer Amanda Arnold; Assistant Choreographer Shaheen Kapambwe; Stage Manager Emily Schreiber; and amazing instructor and parent volunteers.

There are two casts – one from the Yorkville center and one from the Plainfield center – with four shows May 18 at 7 p.m. and May 19 at Noon, 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Community Christian Church, 24035 Riverwalk Court, Plainfield. To order tickets through May 16 online, visit www.tututix.com/client/yorkvilleperformingartscenter and they also will be available at the door for additional fee.

To learn more about YPAC programs in music, dance and theater, visit ypacarts.com. 

Inspector Robert Lechowicz was recently honored as the Kendall County 2017 Officer of the year at the Annual Respect of Law Banquet. (Chronicle Media photo)

Respect for Law Banquet recognizes officers

The Kendall County Association of Chiefs of Police in conjunction with the Oswegoland Optimist Club hosted its 33 Annual Respect of Law Banquet at Whitetail Ridge in Yorkville on May 4.

The respect for law banquet recognizes law enforcement officers from agencies in Kendall County for Lifesaving, Valor, Investigator of the Year, Telecommunicator of the Year, Civilian of the Year, and Officer of the Year.

At this year’s banquet, multiple Kendall County Sheriff’s Office Deputies were recognized for their efforts in these different categories. The following Kendall County Sheriff’s Office Deputies received awards:

Life-Saving Award

• Deputy Mark Snead
• Deputy Tim DeCamp
• Deputy Karen Hanson
• Deputy Tyler Riffell

Valor Award

• Deputy Commander Joseph Gillespie

Nominated for Investigator of the Year

• Detective Tom Hagerty

Nominated for Civilian of the Year

• Tracy Page

Nominated for Officer of the Year

• Deputy R. Wayne Dial
• Deputy Zachary Schmitt
• Inspector Robert Lechowicz

Inspector Lechowicz was honored as the 2017 Officer of the year. Lechowicz is part of the Criminal Intelligence team (CIT) he was nominated for his  work ethic, along with his knowledge and exemplary investigative skills in the areas of narcotics and gang enforcement. Inspector Lechowicz had previously been recognized as officer of the year in 2013 as well.

Sheriff’s Office and partners discuss opioid epidemic

On May 2, the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office participated with U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren, R-Plano, and leaders of surrounding counties to join the U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams at Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove on Wednesday afternoon for discussions on opioids.

This event aimed to provide a space for community leaders to discuss the nation’s challenge and generate ideas that could make a difference.

Opioids are a diverse class of moderately strong painkillers, including oxycodone (commonly sold under the trade names OxyContin and Percocet), hydrocodone (Vicodin), and a very strong painkiller, fentanyl, which is synthesized to resemble other opiates such as opium-derived morphine and heroin.

According to 2016 data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 42,249 people died from opioid-related drug overdoses and 11.5 million misused prescription opioids.

Sheriff Dwight Baird said, “Victims and their families deserve justice. The opioid epidemic is destroying our communities and killing many of our young people. We must join together to combat this problem. The opioid epidemic has had an incredible impact on our community, and fighting this problem has to be a priority in order to save lives. Any law enforcement assistance or additional community resources are greatly appreciated”.

Plano

High school set to host community garage sale

Plano High School will be hosting a community garage sale in the PHS auxiliary gym on Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Any community member is welcome to reserve a space for $25 and participate as part of the garage sale. Spaces will include an 8-foot table and an 8-by-10-foot space.

The people selling the items keep any profits made at an individual table. This event will also be open to the public and anyone can come and browse through the different spaces.

Only household items may be sold. This event benefits numerous activities at Plano High School.

Contact swebb@plano88.org or call 630-552-3178, ext. 7546 with questions or to reserve a space.

Board of Education names new superintendent

The Plano School District Board of Education announced that Mr. Tony Baker was officially approved as the new Superintendent of Schools effective July 1. 

Baker was unanimously approved at the special board meeting held on May 8.

Board President Tim Campbell said, “Mr. Baker has administrative experience and an amazing track record of leadership, works on various initiatives, and possesses a great vision for the future of our students.  Mr. Baker will be able to successfully continue, and even enhance, the work that has been taking place over the last few years.”

Baker began his career in the Plano School District in 2000 as a sixth-grade language arts and social studies teacher at Plano Middle School.  Two years later, he was promoted to dean of students and athletic director at Plano Middle School. 

In 2007, he began as principal of Emily G. Johns School when the school opened. 

Baker holds degrees from Monmouth College, Aurora University and Northern Illinois University.

Baker will replace Dr. Hector Garcia who announced his resignation in February after six years with the district to take a position as Superintendent in Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Elementary School District #181.

–Kendall County News Briefs–