Fox Valley Philharmonic orchestra will offer its perennially popular, free admission Children’s Concert at 3 p.m. on Feb. 19. During the 20-minute intermission, an “Instrument Petting Zoo” will be offered where youngsters can have direct, hands-on experiences by trying out various string, wind, and percussion instruments. (Photo courtesy of Fox Valley Philharmonic)

Aurora

Free fitness fun fwair for kids

Families and children are invited to the Vaughan Athletic Center on Saturday, Feb. 18, when the Fox Valley Park District will stage its annual Fitness Fun Fair for Kids.

The educational and interactive event runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is free to all who attend. Children will have opportunities to take part in fun and healthy activities that include an obstacle course, KidFit demo, basketball toss, age-divided bounce houses and many other activities to get kids moving and exercising.

Entertainment will take place throughout the event, including Kids Karate Club demonstrations, KidFit Instruction by Vaughan’s personal trainers and a new baby crawl contest. Other scheduled features include WBIG Fox Sports Radio with special giveaways and continuous tunes provided by a live DJ.

In addition, vendors and local businesses – ranging from sports camps to health and fitness professionals – will be on hand to promote active pursuits and healthy lifestyles. Vendors include The Kids Golf Foundation, Boys Baseball of Aurora, Plexus Worldwide, Do or Dye Design Salon and more.

For additional information, visit the Vaughan Athletic Center Facebook page or call (630) 907-9600.

FV Philharmonic to perform Children’s Concert

At 3 p.m. on Feb.  19 the Fox Valley Philharmonic orchestra, directed by James Yarbrough, will once again offer its perennially popular, free admission Children’s Concert.

This year the concert will be both entertaining and educational, focusing on “What Makes Music ‘Musical’ depends on your Brain” as manifested in the brain’s experience of pitch, meter, and tone color.

Guided active audience participation will be encouraged to prompt a physical and mental experience of these three music elements rather than merely learning about them.

The event will incorporate age-appropriate clear explanations and insights illustrated by various demonstrations by individuals and sections of the orchestra, and reinforced by performance of similarly age-appropriate audience-friendly music. Guided active audience participation will be encouraged to prompt a physical and mental experience of these three music elements rather than merely learning about them.

During the 20-minute intermission, an “Instrument Petting Zoo” will be offered where youngsters can have direct, hands-on experiences by trying out various string, wind, and percussion instruments.

Admission to the concert is free, but donations are solicited. The Philharmonic orchestra’s 6th annual Children’s Concert will be held at Our Savior Lutheran Church, located at 420 West Downer Place in Aurora.

This concert is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. For information for this and future events, visit the Fox Valley Academy of Music Performance website at www.fvacademy.org or call (708) 579-2878.

Kendall County

Deputies issue cell phone warning

The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office is reminding citizens to take extra security precautions with their mobile devices. Not only are phones and tablets expensive to replace if stolen, but many hold sensitive personal information that can further harm the victim.

To help minimize the negative effects of theft and help law enforcement recover your stolen property, we recommend using some form of antitheft application.

Remember that apps such as these are supplements, not replacements, to basic theft protection measures such as locking your device with a strong passcode/password, as well as, photographing your device and its serial/imei number. For more information on other anti-theft apps check out your app store for reviews.

Protect yourself from ‘Grandparent Scam’

The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office Senior Services Deputy has received some calls from seniors claiming they have been receiving calls from someone claiming to be friend or relative. The caller says there is an emergency and asked to send money.

But beware, there’s a good chance this is an imposter trying to steal money.

How the scam might work, the phone rings from a number you don’t know or it comes up unavailable. You answer and the voice says, “Hi Grandma or Hi Grandpa’, hoping that you actually have a grandson. If you say “David, is that you?” The scam is on.

From here the scammer can go many different ways but usually it’s something like the grandson is in Jail or been in a car accident and needs money. They may also have someone else come on the phone posing as Law Enforcement or an Attorney, no matter what they will want you to send money and send it right away, they will be very high pressure and mean.

What to do? Hang up. Call a family member. Never give any personal information or wire money.

Homicide charges filed in Oswego man’s death

On Aug. 24, 2014, Kendall County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched for an unresponsive male subject in the 0 to 50 block of West Anchor Drive in Oswego Township.

The male, identified as 44-year-old Chester Secor of Oswego, was pronounced dead at the scene. The Kendall County Coroner’s Office conducted an autopsy, which indicated that the cause of death was a drug overdose from heroin.

Kendall County Sheriff’s Detectives began an investigation and during the investigation, it was determined that an acquaintance of Secor had provided him with a fatal dose of heroin.

On Jan. 27, the Kendall County State’s Attorney Office charged Stevi Myerscough, a 29- year-old female from Aurora, with Drug Induced Homicide, a Class X felony. Myerscough’s bond was set at $100,000, with 10 percent to apply.

Members of the U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force took Myerscough into custody without incident on Feb. 1 and transported her to the Kendall County Jail where she remains in custody.

Deputies seek info about shots fired call

Kendall County Sheriff’s Office is Seeking Information in Reference to Reckless Discharge of a Firearm

The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information in reference to reckless discharge of a firearm that occurred in the 15000 block of County Line Road in NaAuSay Township. The incident occurred at approximately 1:50 am on Feb. 1.

Unknown subjects fired several shots from a firearm in the area during the incident. The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office report number is 2017-0396.

Anyone with information on this or other crimes is urged to call Kendall County Crime Stoppers at (630) 553-5999. Callers remain anonymous and are eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00 for information leading to the arrest of the offenders.

Cyber-Smart parent presentation for all parents

Join the Kendall County Juvenile Justice Council and Det. Rich Wistocki of the Naperville Police Department and hear important information about what kids are doing on their cell phones and online.

His involvement in high profile cases and key legislation makes him one of the most sought-after speakers in this critical area. The event will be at Traughber Junior High School, 570 Colchester Drive, on Oswego, on Feb. 21 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

For more information, contact State’s Attorney and Chairman of the JJC, Eric Weis at (630) 553-4157

Oswego

Reward grows in Veterans Memorial vandalism

Oswego Police are still seeking tips and information regarding several incidents of

vandalism in the downtown area that occurred in late December and early January.

A larger reward is now being offered for information leading to an arrest of those

responsible for the vandalism that occurred at the Veterans Memorial, located at

Main and Jefferson streets.

On Jan. 3, police received a report that the back wall of the Oswego Veterans Memorial had been spray-painted. Similar reports were received from several area businesses.

Oswego Police have been following up on leads and information however police are still asking anyone who may have information to come forward.

Kendall County Crime Stoppers has increased the reward from $1,000 to $2,000

specifically for information leading to the person or persons responsible for the

Veterans Memorial defacement. The increase was made possible by donations to a fund started by local residents.

If you have any information, please contact the Oswego Police Department at (630)

551-7300 or report it anonymously to Kendall County Crime Stoppers at (630) 553-

Healthy habits for successful living

The Oswego Senior Center presents a weekly class to introduce methods and work toward goals of a healthier lifestyle. Diet is a four-letter word in this class, as diets have a beginning and end. W

The program encourages and teaches ways to make lifestyle changes, so people don’t feel deprived and fall back into old habits.

Set personal goals, learn tools to achieve them, be introduced to different styles of exercise, cook and taste a variety of healthy foods, bring in old favorites for a recipe renovation with a dietician, go on a grocery store tour with a dietician, and more.

The classes are held on Fridays from 9-10:30 a.m. through April 7 at the Senior Center.

It was created by Oswego Senior Center, Rush-Copley Medical Center/Healthplex, University of Illinois Extension, and Kendall County Health Department. Call (630) 554-5602 to register, or stop by the Senior Center at 156 E. Washington St.