Oswego’s Grande Park Elementary School’s community service club recently collected 40 cases of water, more than 55 gallon-jugs of water, and $910 in cash donations for Flint, Mich. (Photo courtesy of Community School District 308)

Kendall County

Coffee with Kifowit

State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, will be meeting with residents in different coffee shops around her district this month to discuss the state and local issues that are most important to them.

“Illinois has been without a budget for over nine months, and the people of this state are in dire need of answers and solutions,” Kifowit said. “These coffee shop stops give me the opportunity to meet with people who have been personally affected by the impasse, and answer any questions they may have. I will continue working to take a balanced approach to solving our state’s outstanding budgetary issues.”

All “Coffee with Kifowit” events are free to the public, and those who attend will be treated to a refreshment of their choice. The next event is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., and will take place at Maxfield’s, 2290 Ogden Ave., Aurora.

Oswego

Oswego student give back to Flint

Grande Park Elementary School’s community service club, Grande Park Gives Back, held a fundraiser for Flint, Mich. recently, raising water and cash for residents affected by lead contamination.

According to a release from the district, from Feb. 22 to March 4, the students, staff and community collected 40 cases of water, more than 55 gallon-jugs of water, and $910 in cash donations.

Then, on March 12, Tamara Hettinger, teacher and supervisor of Grand Park Gives Back, delivered more than 450 cases of water to Flint, Mich. with the help of her husband and parents. The water weighed more than 10,000 pounds and required the use of two trucks.

Owner of Rankin Construction Heaters, Jack Rankin, donated the trucks and fuel for delivering the water and an additional $250 towards the cause.

“Click it or Ticket” campaign citations

During a recent St. Patrick’s Day “Click it or Ticket” crackdown, the Oswego Police Department handed out 38 seat belt citations, and documented more than a dozen other violations.

Extra police enforcement utilized for the campaign was funded by federal traffic safety funds through the Illinois Department of Transportation, and is part of the statewide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It or Ticket” campaigns.

A total of 17 citations were issued to drivers for using their cell phones while driving during the campaign period. Oswego police said no drivers were found to be under the influence of alcohol during their stops.

Spring waste pick-up

Oswego residents are reminded that spring garbage amnesty day is almost here.

Groot Industries, which hauls Oswego’s waste, will be collecting household waste, yard waste and bulk items for all residents the week of April 11 on normally scheduled garbage days.  During this week, no garbage stickers will be required.

The amnesty pick-up happens every spring and fall.

Residents must place yard waste in the 30-gallon Kraft yard waste bags not plastic bags. Appliances or electronics are not part of this amnesty day. 

Items should be placed along with your regular garbage and recycling at the curb by 6 a.m. on your normal scheduled garbage day. 

If you have any questions regarding this pick up, contact the village’s Public Works Department (630) 554-3242.

Teacher career fair

Those interested in job opportunities within Community Unit School District 308 are invited to attend a teacher career fair on April 16 at Benardick Junior High School, 3025 Heggs Road, Aurora Participants can introduce themselves to District 308 principals and other administrators, and learn about career or opportunities within the 23 district schools. Pre-registration is required. Visit www.sd308.org for details. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Oswego Community Garage Sale

Sign up now for your chance to participate in the Village of Oswego Community garage sale that will take place this summer.

The event will be held throughout the village on May 13-14.

Residents can sign up to participate and be included in advertising for the sale at the Oswego Village Hall. A list of Community Garage Sale participants will be published in several media outlets and on the village website. The cut-off date to sign-up to be included in the Ledger-Sentinel advertisement is April 22.

According to a village release, the fee to be included in advertising is $15. Each paying participant will also receive a sign to place in their yard during their sale.

After the sale, garage sale signs can be returned to the Oswego Village Hall for a $10 refund. All signs should be returned by Friday, May 27.

Sandwich

Earth Day in Sandwich

Celebrate Earth Day in Sandwich by walking trails, removing weeds and planting trees with others during this park district event. The event, which will take place from 10 a.m. to noon on April 22, is free, but registration is required. Visithttp://www.sandwichparkdistrict.org/ to register. Participants will learn about the earth by identifying birds, trees and animal footprints. Depending on the participant’s age, heh/she will be able to take home a drawing or poster. Scout troops are welcome to attend. Children under 7-years-old must be accompanied by an adult.

Library hosts poetry contest

The Sandwich Public Library District is hosting a month long poetry contest for all ages during the month of April.  Interested participants can come into the library to pick up a cover sheet explaining the contest rules. The deadline to turn in poems is April 22. Five of the strongest poems in each age category will be publicly, but anonymously,  displayed at the library for two full weeks for voting by the community. One winner per age group will be selected and on May 6, the contest winners will be notified and receive a special prize. You may turn in your poems either in person at the library or via email at contact@sandwichpld.org. If you have any questions, please call the library at (815) 786-8308.

–Kendall County News Briefs–