Kendall County PADS needs about 100 more volunteers in order to open and operate its seven shelter sites from Oct. 21 through April 20, 2019. (Photo courtesy of Kendall PADS)

Aurora

Pumpkin weekends begin at Blackberry Farm

Pumpkin Weekends bring the spectacular fall season to life with autumn festivities amid the dazzling fall colors each weekend in October (plus Columbus Day) – nine days in all.

Carousel rides, hay wagon rides, pony rides, paddle boats, Little Farmer’s Junction (age 6 and younger) and tours on the Pumpkin Train are part of each weekend’s festivities, along with historic museums and interactive farm animal areas.

The Giant Corn Crib and Adventure Playground (with zip line) featured as well. Enjoy seasonal craft-making, harvest decor and pumpkin stories galore! Special events and guests every weekend! It’s all the best of autumn in one place!

When: Weekends in October (Oct. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 27-28) and Columbus Day (Oct. 8), 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day

Where: Blackberry Farm, 100 S. Barnes Road, Aurora

Ages: All

Fee: $7

Aurora man scammed out of $2,500

Aurora police are warning residents about a scam that recently targeted a 64-year-old Aurora man.

The man reported that he applied for a government grant online supposedly through the U.S. Federal Reserve.

He received four calls over the next two days from people telling him that he had to pay assorted fees in order to get the grants with Google Play cards. He was instructed to then call a certain telephone number and read the PIN numbers of the cards over the phone. On the final call he took, the man realized he was being scammed. Unfortunately, he figured it out after he already had lost $2,500.

Police said if anyone finds themselves in a similar situation remember:

• The Federal Reserve does not distribute any kind of grants or any kind of funds or accounts for individuals.
• The Federal Reserve will never engage the public in discussions about fees, wire transfers or accounts at the Fed.
• No government agency (or law enforcement agency or attorneys or utility companies or ((fill in the blank)) will ever demand payment using pre-paid money cards or gift cards; nor will they ask for personal bank information over the phone.
• Remember that “spoofing software” allows scammers to display any name and number they choose on the target’s caller ID.
• Should someone get a call dealing with any of the above, simply hang up.

If you are victimized, contact local police; then file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/complaint or 1-877-FTC-HELP.

Kendall County

Police partnering with Metra for Rail Safety Week

The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (ILACP) has asked the Governor of the State of Illinois to declare Sept. 23-29 as Illinois Rail Safety Week in order to promote vehicle and pedestrian safety around railroad tracks and trains.

Gov. Rauner issued a proclamation and the ILACP is coordinating the fifth, statewide Illinois Rail Safety Week in partnership with Metra, along with support from state,

county, and local law enforcement agencies, railroads, schools, and various private sector agencies.

In addition, Operation Lifesaver has declared the same week as national Rail Safety Week, and the ILACP is part of the national effort. In Illinois during 2017, there were 86 collisions at public highway- rail crossings involving motor vehicles or pedestrians, which resulted in 24 injuries and 21 fatalities.

In addition, there were 41 trespasser incidents that resulted in 26 injuries and 15 fatalities when people trespassed onto railroad property. During 2017, Illinois ranked second in the nation in collision fatalities and eighth in the nation in trespasser fatalities.

According to Illinois Operation Lifesaver, more than 84 percent of all collisions occur at crossings with active warning devices (flashing lights, gates, and ringing bells). For more information about Illinois Rail Safety Week, visit www.illinoisrailsafetyweek.org or contact the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police.

PADS needs more volunteers for this season

Kendall County PADS needs more than a hundred new volunteers in order to launch its ninth season of providing nutritious food and temporary shelter to the area’s homeless community.

“Approximately sixteen volunteers are needed to staff a site each night of the week,” said Anne Engelhardt, executive director of Kendall County PADS. “Each volunteer gives four and a half hours just one time a month.”

PADS needs about 100 more volunteers in order to open up its seven homeless shelter sites at six churches and a Christian school starting Oct. 21 and running through April 20, 2019.

In past years the homeless support group has faced similar shortages of volunteers but has always been able to open its seven temporary shelter sites from mid-October through mid-April.

Anticipating those challenges, a 14-member recruitment team has been established to recruit new volunteers through social media postings; handing out brochures to local businesses; reaching out to churches, senior communities, civic groups, and emergency/medical personnel; and setting up a database of the names of the estimated 600 volunteers who will be needed to operate the seven shelter sites.

Attend a new volunteer training session from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 11, at the Yorkville Congregational United Church of Christ, 409 Center Parkway, on the northwest corner of Illinois Routes 34 and 47.

Prospective volunteers are encouraged to attend the training, a panel presentation by experienced shelter coordinators as well as representatives of the Kendall County health department and the sheriff’s office. 

Attendees will hear about the needs of people experiencing homelessness and how the shelter program addresses those needs. 

They will also learn the roles and responsibilities of various volunteer positions such as shift worker, laundry driver, and food team member.

Those who wish to donate or volunteer may call 630-553-5073 or visit the website at www.kendallcountypads.org

DUI charges filed in 2017 Crash

On Dec. 25, 2017, Kendall County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the 13000 block of Galena Road, Little Rock Township, for a report of a head on collision with another vehicle.

Sheriff’s detectives began an investigation, and on Aug. 29, 2018 the Kendall County State’s Attorney’s Office charged Savaughn A. Strickland, 33,  0-20 block of Loucks Street, Aurora, with seven counts of aggravated DUI, a class four felony and one count of driving while license revoked; a class four felony.

A warrant was issued, with a bond set at $1 million with 10 percent to apply. Strickland is currently incarcerated in the Kane County Justice Center on an unrelated incident.

Oswego

Village presents free cemetery walk

During this popular annual event, small groups will be guided through the cemetery to visit with the “ghosts” of early Oswego residents and pioneers at their gravesites. No registration is required.

The event takes place from 7-9 p.m. on Oct. 4. Arrive anytime during the event, as tours will leave every 5-10 minutes. Please bring a flashlight, wear comfortable shoes, and expect moderate walking. Participants should park on Main Street and use the South Entrance to the cemetery.

The rain date is Friday Oct. 5, 7-9 p.m. No reschedule if both dates are rained out.

National magazine features local swimmers

Swimming World Magazine creates a Virtual Swim Meet using the final results from state championship meets in all 50 states and classes.

Based on the meet times of swimmers, the magazine creates a “Mythical National Championship Team Standings” awarding points to the top 16 fastest performances.

The results have Oswego’s Co-Op Swim Team ranked as sixth in the nation for public schools and in combined public and private school, ranked eighth. Individually Grace Cooper placed fifth in the 50-yard freestyle and the relay team of Grace Cooper, Georgia White, Emily Giles, and Mari Kraus, were ranked fifth in the 200- and 400-free relays. The team is led by Coach Deryl Leubner.

Yorkville

New education foundation officers elected

A new vice president and treasurer were elected to help lead the Yorkville Educational Foundation (YEF), the nonprofit fundraising partner of Yorkville CUSD 115.

Steve Fisher, president of Fisher Consulting, will begin a two-year term as vice president. Doug Williams, vice president at Earthmover Credit Union, will serve a two-year term as treasurer.

YEF is seeking candidates to expand the board to strengthen its impact.

Since its inception, the foundation has raised more than $25,000 and has made a profound impact on students and staff through its programming.

The all-volunteer board is comprised of parents, alumni, and business owners invested in the success of the Yorkville community. The Board of Directors seeks people who bring a diverse range of life experience, work, wisdom, and wealth to the organization. While prior Board experience is helpful, it is not a requirement.

The YEF Board meets the third Tuesday of the month, at 6 p.m.

To apply for the YEF Board of Directors, visit http://www.yef115.org/join.

City sees rise in home, business construction

The  summer construction season has been extremely busy for Yorkville. Between May 1 and Aug. 31 the city has issued a 107 new single family residential permits, which is the highest total since 2007.

The most active subdivisions were Grande Reserve, Caledonia and Windett Ridge.  New commercial construction is heating up as well with permits issued for the following businesses:

• 171 Saravanos Drive (Stagecoach Crossing)
• Banquet Hall
• 1835 Marketview Drive (Menards)
• Burger King
• 2001 Whitekirk Lane (Prestwick)
• Yorkville Christian High School
• 147 Commercial Drive (Yorkville Business Center)
• Self Storage facility

Openings of commercial projects under construction are also on the horizon and include Aldi’s (Rte. 47) grand re-opening after major expansion and renovation in October; Grace Coffee and Wine shop (42 W. Countryside) plans to open in November; Cedarhurst assisted living facility (Cannonball Trail & US 34) is expected to be complete and operational in December; Hacienda Real (Kendall Crossing), new Mexican restaurant is expected to break ground soon and open its doors in spring 2019; and finally, the Holiday Inn hotel (Kendall Crossing) anticipates completion by winter 2019.

More renovations and new occupancy of existing commercial buildings are also expected in 2018-19.

–Kendall County News Briefs–