Ten-year-old Oswego triplets Abigail, Isabella and Olivia Strickland, served as Honorary Bat Kids during the Chicago Cubs game on April 15 against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field. (Photo courtesy of Advocate Health Care)

Aurora

Mid-American Canoe and Kayak Race Registration Begins

Registrations are currently being accepted for the 56th annual Mid-American Canoe and Kayak Race that will be held Sunday, June 4, on the Fox River.

The historic event will feature two different lengths for paddlers to choose from ­—  a 10-mile run starting in St. Charles and a 6-miler from Batavia — with both races finishing at McCullough Park in Aurora.

The Mid-Am is open to paddlers of all ages and abilities, featuring 11 canoe divisions, 8 kayak divisions and 1 open (non-competitive) division.

“The Mid-Am is meant for everybody —from ultra-competitive, seasoned paddlers to first-timers and young families who want to enjoy a memorable paddling experience on the Fox River,” said event director Jeff Long. “It’s a celebration of river recreation.”

The 10-mile race begins at 9 a.m. from Mount. St. Mary Park in downtown St. Charles, with the 6-miler starting at 10:30 a.m. from the VFW in Batavia, just south of downtown.

Boats will be staged in heats of 10 and then launched individually at 15-second intervals from both start areas. Free shuttle buses for participants and spectators will run continuously from McCullough Park to both starting sites beginning at 7 a.m.

All-inclusive canoe and kayak rental packages are available for both races at discounted prices, with start area delivery and finish line pickup of rental boats included.

A riverside party for all paddlers, friends, families and spectators will take place at the finish area at McCullough Park and feature food, music, beer, prize drawings, local vendors and live interviews with paddlers. An awards ceremony will conclude the event, with awards for first, second and third-place finishers in each division for both races.

All registered paddlers will receive a commemorative T-shirt, goodie bag, grilled lunch with chips and drink and be eligible for prize drawings.

Visit www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org to register online. Registration forms also are available at all Park District community centers. Registration closes at noon on May 31, and day-of registration will not be available. For more information, call (630) 859-8606.

Kendall County

Sheriff’s Office warns residents of scam

The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind you that we will not ever ask for money over the phone to pay for warrants nor will we accept Walmart gift cards, Green Dot cards, Money Gram, or any other non-traditional payment methods.

If you receive any suspicious call stating that you have a warrant or that a loved one is in jail, call your local law enforcement agency directly at their published non-emergency phone number to make sure that this is not a scam before sending any money. The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency number is (630) 553-5856

Chiefs of Police group offers scholarship

The Kendall County Association of Chiefs of Police is currently accepting applications for their annual college scholarships. The purpose of the scholarship fund is to provide financial assistance to outstanding students who meet eligibility guidelines and are pursuing an undergraduate degree from an accredited University or College in Illinois.

Two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded and are intended to defer the cost of tuition, books and/or fees for the two recipients.

Eligibility requirements include being a resident of Kendall County and verification of admission for the 2017-18 year to an Illinois school. All requirements are listed in the application.

Applications must be received no later than Friday, April 28, and can be found on the Association’s website or at any Kendall County area police department.

Montogmery

Police warn of vehicle burglaries

The Montgomery Police Department would like to make you aware that we have experienced recent burglary to motor vehicle crimes in the Village.  Many of the recent burglaries have occurred to motor vehicles that were unlocked with no forced entry. 

These crimes of opportunity occur when suspects enter unlocked vehicles, remove their contents, and leave in short period of time.  These crimes are being investigated but we are asking for assistance from residents in this matter.

Please follow these simple reminders.

• Always lock your car doors and windows no matter where you park.
• Close your garage door.
• Do not leave valuable items in your vehicle and in plain sight.
• Report suspicious activity to police.  If you are witnessing suspicious behavior call 9-1-1 immediately.
• Make a police report if your vehicle/property is taken.  We want to charge suspects with all crimes when they are apprehended.

You are the eyes and ears of the community. Our partnership with the community is essential in executing effective crime prevention strategies. 

The Village of Montgomery Police Department is committed to providing exceptional public service by protecting the life, liberty and property of citizens in the Village.  We strive to build community partnerships that preserve public trust, foster mutual respect and enhance the quality of life for all.

Announces 7.5 miles of roadway resurfacing for 2017

The Village of Montgomery has contracted with Builders Paving to reconstruct and resurface over 7.5 miles of roadway. This is one of the largest improvement projects ever undertaken by the Village, especially in recent history.

The streets to be resurfaced are located in Lakewood Creek, the area east of Route 25 and north of Montgomery Road, and in the industrial area on the south side of Aucutt Road, as shown on the map below.

Village staff and our engineering consultants … are committed to managing the monumental task with as little inconvenience to the community as possible.

However, it is important to remain mindful that an improvement of this magnitude will come with inconvenience for some. For instance, at times throughout the season, parking on affected streets will be prohibited between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. to allow for this work to remain efficient. Please be alert for signage in the construction area as the work progresses.

Visit the village’s website for updated information, or call (630) 896-9241 with your inquiries.

Oswego

Triplets to serve as Cubs’ Bat Kids

Ten-year-old Oswego triplets Abigail, Isabella and Olivia Strickland, served as Honorary Bat Kids during the Chicago Cubs game on April 15 against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field.

This once-in-a-lifetime experience is sponsored by Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital and Advocate Health Care that provides young patients the opportunity as a way to give back to its patients, families and community.

Born six weeks early at 34-weeks gestation on April 25, 2007, all three girls weighed on average five pounds and were admitted to Good Samaritan Hospital’s Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Each of the girls stayed in the NICU between 10 and 14 days until they were well enough to go home with parents Shane and Leesa, who works as a registered nurse in the NICU.

“The doctors and my co-workers really supported my family during a difficult time,” she said. “Ten years later, the girls are doing well; they are healthy, tall and in the fourth grade.”

The triplets attended the game with their parents.

Wine On the Fox traffic alerts announced

The Oswego Police Department is reminding the public to expect increased traffic congestion and delays on Saturday, May 6 and Sunday, May 7, 2017, due to Wine on the Fox activities taking place at Hudson Crossing Park, located on Harrison Street.

Motorists should expect delays in particular while travelling on U.S. Route 34 through the downtown area on Saturday between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. and on Sunday between noon and 6 p.m. Delays on Madison, Washington and Main streets in the downtown Oswego area are also expected. Motorists may want to consider alternate routes around these areas if they are not coming in for the festival.

Parking for this event will be available at Hudson Crossing Park, the Village Municipal Lot on Harrison, Village Hall and on-street parking in the downtown area.

Trish Beckjord of the Conservation Foundation and Midwest Groundcovers will present “Native Plants: First Steps to Success” on May 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the U of I Extension office, in Yorkville. (Photo courtesy of Conservation Foundation)

Yorkville

Learn to successfully add native plants to your yard

Native plants are attractive, easy to grow, and support our local ecology. However, some homeowners are unsure about adding them to their home landscape or gardens.

Join the University of Illinois Extension and the Conservation Foundation for an upcoming free program to learn more about the benefits of native plants and how to successfully add them to your yard.

Trish Beckjord of the Conservation Foundation and Midwest Groundcovers will present “Native Plants: First Steps to Success” on Wednesday, May 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the U of I Extension office, 7775B IL Route 47 in Yorkville. Beckjord will help participants set conservation-at-home goals and build a “visual dictionary” of the native plants available in our region.

“Everyone will go home with a list that will enhance the beauty and functionality of your garden,” said Sarah Fellerer, U of I Extension master naturalist program coordinator for DuPage, Kane and Kendall counties. “This program is a great fit for anyone interested in learning about or working with native plants in northern Illinois.”

To learn more or sign up, visit the “Register Online” section at go.illinois.edu/extensiondkk. There is no charge for this program, but registration is required. Space is limited.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, contact the Extension office at (630) 553-5823 at least two weeks prior to the program.

University of Illinois Extension provides educational programs and research-based information to help Illinois residents improve their quality of life, develop skills and solve problems. 

–Kendall County News Briefs–