Auroran, veteran and Bronze Star recipient, Sergeant First Class (SFC) Christopher Hess

Aurora

Veteran named Grand Marshal of Memorial Day Parade

Lifelong Auroran, veteran and Bronze Star recipient, Sergeant First Class (SFC) Christopher Hess, has been named Grand Marshal of the 2018 Memorial Day Parade.

The parade will begin at noon on Monday, May 28 in downtown Aurora.

“SFC Hess has been in the military for nearly three decades and is still on active duty,” said Mayor Richard Irvin, a veteran of the United States Army. “He put his own life on the line to protect our nation during multiple tours of duty and continues to serve the greater Aurora community by preparing the next generation of young military leaders.”

Born and raised in Aurora, Hess is a 1985 graduate of Aurora Central Catholic High School, where he has been inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. He earned an associate degree from Waubonsee Community College and a bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University.

After college, Hess enlisted into the United States Marines where he served for four years, including a tour of duty in Operation Desert Storm.

Since 2001, Hess has served with the Illinois Army National Guard completing tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he earned the Bronze Star Medal for heroic achievements.

In his current role as career counselor of the Illinois National Guard Armory at East Aurora High School, Hess helps to guide the career paths of the next generation of military leaders.

“This is such an incredible honor,” said Hess when he was informed of the selection. “I’m humbled and grateful to serve my country and my community.”

Hess will be honored at the next meeting of the Aurora City Council on Tuesday, May 22 at 6 p.m. at Aurora City Hall, 44 E. Downer Place.

Kendall County

subSheriff’s Office teams with CarFax for crash reports

The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with Carfax to provide free electronic copies of crash reports at Crashdocs.org.

Citizens involved in accidents will be able to save time by obtaining reports online instead of calling the station or making a trip in-person.

“We’re always looking for ways to better serve our community,” Sheriff Dwight A. Baird said. “Partnering with Carfax will allow us to offer an easier, more convenient way to obtain our crash reports without any additional cost or convenience fees to citizens.”

In addition to the new accident report distribution platform, detectives will also have access to a wide variety of Carfax investigative resources to help combat crime more efficiently and effectively.

Extensive vehicle information can be invaluable in uncovering new leads and solving a wide variety of crimes, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The partnership will ultimately help the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office close more cases and keep residents safer.

Detective sergeant graduates from Northwestern University

The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce the recent graduation of Detective Sergeant Mitch Hattan from Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command.

Hattan has successfully completed a 10- week leadership training program held in Plainfield from Jan. 8 through May 11. This program, which was implemented by the Center for Public Safety in 1983, has graduated over 14,000 students both nationally and internationally.

The School of Police Staff and Command provides upper-level college instruction in a total of twenty-seven core blocks of instruction and additional optional blocks during each session.

The major topics of study include: leadership, human resources, employee relations, organizational behavior, applied statistics, planning and policy development, and budgeting and resource allocation.

Each student is academically challenged through written examinations, projects, presentations, and a staff study paper that are all required parts of the curriculum .

Hattan has worked in the operations division of the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office since 1998. He has served as a patrol deputy, a field training officer, a motors deputy, traffic deputy, detective, and most recently as a detective sergeant.

“This office is dedicated to providing Deputies in leadership roles with training to help them succeed. Doing so enhances their personal abilities, increases the effectiveness of the Sheriff’s Office, and the service we’re able to provide to the community,” Baird stated.

The Village of Montgomery will accept nominations through June 25 for the annual Summer Floral Display Awards. (Photo courtesy of village of Montgomery)

Montogmery

Village sponsors floral display contest

The Montgomery Beautification Committee will be sponsoring a Summer Floral Display Awards again this year.

This is an opportunity for homes and businesses to be recognized for exceptional landscape displays that feature annual and perennial flowers.

Beautification Committee members will give awards to those homes that best meet the contest criteria: displays must be predominantly floral; live plants only (no artificial, silk, etc.); flower displays may be in ground or containers; perennial and annual flowering plants are acceptable; and the display must add “curb appeal” to the property. Residents can nominate their own property or someone else’s simply by submitting the property address.

On Wednesday, June 27, committee members and volunteer judges will visit all nominated addresses in order to select the winners. A sign will be placed that evening in front of the properties selected for an award.

Owners are asked to leave these signs up for at least several weeks. A list of winning addresses will be published. Names will be withheld.

Nominations will be accepted up through June 25, and judging will take place the evening of June 27.

Nominate a property via the village website or by calling the Village of Montgomery Public Works Department at 630-896-9241.

Police Officer Kelli Smith saves choking infant

On May 7, Montgomery Police Department officers responded to the 2400 block of Mayfield Drive for an infant choking and struggling to breathe call. 

Officer Kelli Smith arrived on scene and talked to the  mother who said her four-day old infant was choking.

Smith was handed the infant and without hesitation, she properly supported the infant in her arms and provided multiple pats on the back that dislodged whatever was stuck in the infant’s throat. The infant then began to cry and resume normal breathing patterns.

Oswego Fire paramedics arrived on-scene shortly after and continued care for the infant.

“We have spoken to the mother who advised her infant is recovering well and wanted to thank (Officer) Smith for her swift actions,” the police department said.

Oswego

Board of Education approves new CFO for district

Oswego Community Unit School District 308 Board of Education has approved Christi S. Tyler as the new Chief Financial Officer effective July 1.

Currently, Tyler serves as Homer CCSD 33c’s interim assistant superintendent for business where she has the responsibility for all functions of the business office, including:  budget and levy preparations, payroll and benefits, purchasing and bidding, general ledger and accounts payable, board and state reporting, and account codes.

She also has had the responsibility for overseeing the operations department, including:  building and grounds, custodial and maintenance staff.

Prior to serving in Homer CCSD 33c in northeastern Will County, she also worked for both the East Aurora School District and the West Aurora School Districts.

“Ms. Tyler will be an excellent addition to our administrative team at SD308, her experience and education are a great fit for our district,” said Dr. John Sparlin, superintendent of schools. Tyler has an associate degree in arts from Moraine Valley Community College, Palos Hills; a bachelor of science in elementary education from St. Xavier University, Chicago; and a masters of school business management from Northern Illinois University.

–Kendall County News Briefs–