Mutual Ground marks national Domestic Violence Awareness Month with its annual Walk for Hope at Blackberry Farm in Aurora on Oct. 22. (Photo courtesy of Mutual Ground)

Regional

Mutual Ground hosts 9th Annual Walk for Hope

Mutual Ground will be hosting the annual Walk for Hope on Oct. 22 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Blackberry Farm in Aurora.

The walk, which is in its ninth year, raises money which will allow Mutual Ground to continue to provide domestic and sexual violence services free of charge to local residents.

Each walker is encouraged to create a fundraising page to help raise money. All proceed will support Mutual Ground’s mission to provide education, awareness and life-changing services that empower individuals, families and communities to end the cycle of domestic and sexual violence.

To register, please visit www.mutualground.org.

Aurora

Kifowit hosting community meeting on heroin, opioid crisis

State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, will host her Third Thursday Speaker series on Thursday, October 20th, at 6:30 p.m. at the Aurora Public Library, 555 S. Eola Road, in Aurora.

Kifowit has invited DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Jim Scarpace, the executive director at Gateway Foundation, to discuss the crisis.

Heroin and opioid abuse has been significant in recent years in DuPage County, with 43 deaths attributed to the drug in 2015, according to county officials.

Berlin is a frequent lecturer on a variety of criminal justice issues and has participated in numerous heroin education forums.

Scarpace has over 22 years of experience in mental health, substance abuse and criminal justice field. He has a master’s degree in clinical psychology and a licensed clinical professional counselor for the last 16 years. His areas of expertise include addiction, trauma, group therapy, crisis intervention, family therapy and advocacy.

This event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited, to RSVP or for more information; contact Kifowit’s constituent service office by phone at (630) 585-1308, by email at Stephanie.Kifowit@att.net, or by visiting www.ILDistrict84.com.

Montgomery

Third annual Halloween Safety Event

The Montgomery Police Department is inviting the public to attend its annual Halloween Safety Event which will be held at the Montgomery Police Department on Sunday, Oct. 23, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The department said the free family friendly event guarantees a lot of fun. Safety tip stations along with many games and prizes, hourly costume contests, and other surprises will keep everyone entertained.

The cost of this event is free to the public and is only made possible by the generosity of our community businesses and members.

Contact Sgt. Liz Palko at (331) 212-9054 with any questions.

Winning scratch-off ticket sold at Poor Boys Pub

An Aurora man won $100,000 after buying a lottery ticket at a Montgomery pub.

Steven White instantly won $100,000 after buying an Illinois Lottery $2,000,000 Extravaganza! ticket from Poor Boys Pub, 283 Montgomery Road, in Montgomery. He bought and scratched his winning ticket, which Poor Boys will receive one percent of.

“This is great! I’m going to pay my bills and invest,” White said.

Oswego

District 308 sets record high in Fight to End Hunger

Over the last couple of weeks, the district collected over 113,181 items, shattering last year’s record donation to the Kendall County Food Pantry of 85,000 items.

“Part of our responsibility as the local school district is to give back to the communities we serve,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Sparlin. “We are extremely proud of this year’s efforts by students, parents, and employees within the district. This was a team effort, and I am thrilled that each year, we continue to collect more items for local families and people in need.”

Of the district’s 22 schools, Churchill Elementary led the donations with 16,775 items. Murphy Junior High and Oswego East High School (OEHS) also received awards in their individual school categories for collecting 3,915 and 5,998 items, respectively.

The drive is also used as an opportunity to teach students about hunger and poverty, which adds to its success.

Kendall County Food Pantry Director Tandy Pinter said the pantry was grateful for such a large and generous donation of food and household items. She estimated that the food might feed around 4,500 people for the next six months.

“This is such a wonderful blessing to have the school district come together and do this for those in need,” she said. “It will significantly change lives for the better. It is great for those who will receive the items, but it is also great for the volunteers to see all of the support we are receiving. It gives all of us goose bumps.”

Village holds Business Conversation event Wednesday

During this year’s State of the Village address Village President Gail Johnson unveiled the village’s new theme #OswegoConnects, which is intended to connect the Village of Oswego with residents, businesses, regional partners and more.

In an effort to connect with its businesses, the Village Board is inviting residents to attend its “Business Conversation” on Oct. 12, 2016 at 7 p.m. in the Oswego Village Hall, Village Board Room, located at 100 Parkers Mill, Oswego.

During the Business Conversations, the Village will present information that is important to your business. Topics will include the Downtown Tax Increment Financing District, new businesses coming to town, the Metra extension, details on Village finances, the village’s future water system needs, major road projects and more. Connecting is also a two-way street; business owners are encouraged to come with questions to ask that we can help answer.

You can start connecting with the village on social media (Facebook at Village of Oswego, IL – Village Hall and Village of Oswego Police, IL or Twitter @OswegoIL60543) or through the Everbridge emergency notification system at oswegoil.org.

Free yard waste pick up scheduled

Groot Industries provides a clean-up day in the spring and fall. They will collect additional household waste, yard waste and bulk items for all Oswego residents the week of Nov. 7 through Nov. 11, on your normal scheduled garbage day. 

Residents must place yard waste in the 30 gallon Kraft yard waste bags. No Plastic bags, please. No stickers will be required (this week only).  Please note that you cannot put out appliances or electronics. 

Place all items, 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 Public Works Department at (630) 554-3242.

Yorkville

Senior Services AARP smart driver course

The Senior Services Associates’ enhanced smart driver course is based on the latest driver safety research and insights. Take the course at Senior Services Associates where you will learn evidence-based safe driving strategies, and refresh your knowledge of the latest rules and hazards of the road.

After course completion you may be eligible for a multi-year car insurance discount.

You will learn defensive driving techniques, proven safety strategies, and new traffic laws and rules of the road. Plus, there are no tests to pass. You simply sign up and learn.

This class will be offered at Senior Services Associates at 908 Game Farm Road, Yorkville on Monday, Nov. 7, and Wednesday, Nov. 9 from 1-5 p.m.

If you are interested in attending this course, contact Gina R. Dunlap, Activity Director or the main desk at Senior Services Associates, at (630) 553-5777

–Kendall County News Briefs–