Each weekend in October and on Columbus Day, Oct. 10, Blackberry Farm in Aurora will be festively decorated in the spirit of pumpkin season. A picnic area will have pumpkins for purchase, and an assortment of decorating materials will be provided. (Photo courtesy of Fox Valley Park District)

NORTH AURORA

North Aurora warns of

aggressive soliciting

The North Aurora Police Department has sent a warning about aggressive door-to-door sales tactics recently experienced by some residents.

“Over the last few weeks, energy providers have been going door to door soliciting residents to sign up for their services, and many residents have reported aggressive and sometimes rude sales tactics,” said Scott Buziecki of the North Aurora Police Department patrol operations.

Village code in North Aurora regulates solicitors within village limits, as do village and city codes throughout Kane County.

North Aurora, energy solicitors are required to display a valid soliciting permit issued by the North Aurora Police Department and must follow certain regulations and must immediately and peacefully depart the premises when requested by the owner, resident, or occupant.

Solicitation is limited to 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and any solicitors may not contact a resident that has a “No Solicitation” or “No Soliciting” sign on the front door.

Note that some solicitors are exempt from the permitting requirement, such as religious, political, charitable or soliciting for the purchase or subscription of books, newspapers, magazines, and other publications.

North Aurora residents who feel that a solicitor has violated one of the above regulations are asked to call the police department non-emergency line at 630-897-8705 and report the solicitor(s) physical description and direction of travel.

AURORA

Police seek information

on  murder suspect

Aurora Police seek the public’s assistance in locating a 24-year- old man wanted for first degree murder in connection with a Sept. 4 shooting on Aurora’s Near East side.

Efrain Salgado, whose last known address is in the 500 block of Oakwood Avenue, Aurora, is wanted for first degree murder in the shooting death of Andres Ochoa, 31, of the 900 block of Solfisburg Avenue, Aurora.

At around 10:30 p.m., Sept. 4, police responded to a reported shooting in the 600 block of High Street and found Ochoa unconscious and not breathing.

Upon investigation it was learned that both men had been attending a family gathering when a disturbance ensued. Sometime during that disturbance, a handgun was produced and Salgado fired at Ochoa striking him in his upper body. Ochoa was taken to Presence Mercy Medical Center where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

Aurora Police secured the murder charge through the Kane County State’s Attorney on Sept. 5 and a sealed arrest warrant was issued for Salgado. Despite an immense search, Salgado has not been located.

Salgado is a male Hispanic, 5’9”, 180 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone who may come in contact with him should not attempt to detain him. Rather, they should call 9-1-1 immediately.

SUGAR GROVE

Rich Harvest Farms

to host Autism Walk

Rich Harvest Farms golf club is commonly referred to as “ultra-exclusive” but the course — one of Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Courses in America and host of the 2017 NCAA Golf Championships — will be open to those who can take part in Giant Steps’ sixth annual 5K Walk for Autism, set for this Saturday.

Giant Steps and Rich Harvest Farms last year announced plans to construct Canopy, a state-of-the-art living center for adults with autism. Giant Steps hosts a school on the estate, and this year’s fundraising will go toward the school’s operating budget and help fund the daily needs of both students and staff.

“Our annual 5K walk is one of our most important events of the year because it brings together the entire community to work toward a common goal,” said Sylvia Smith, executive director of Giant Steps. “The walk is an event anyone can participate in, no matter what age or physical ability level. It’s also just a great way to celebrate the fall and get students excited about the school year.”

This year’s walk has a goal of raising $125,000. Participants can raise money individually or as a team by creating a profile at campaigns.mygiantsteps.org/walk2016.

GENEVA

Sidewalk worked planned

in seven communities

The Illinois Department of Transportation will be removing and replacing non-compliant ADA sidewalk ramps and curbs along Route 38 this fall in seven communities, including Geneva.

Construction is scheduled to take place at most West State Street intersections between Fourth Street and Bricher Road from Monday, Sept. 26 to Friday, Oct. 14. The project will require the closing of sidewalks and temporary traffic lane closures.

AURORA

Restoration project set

for Waubonsie Lake

The City of Aurora will soon begin the Waubonsie Lake Restoration Project, located on Fox Valley Park District property near the intersection of Montgomery Road and Kautz Road.

The main purpose of this project is to improve water quality and preserve the lake for recreational purposes by removing sediment that has accumulated in the bottom of the lake through a process known as dredging.

Waubonsie Lake was created as a storm water retention system that helps minimize flooding throughout Aurora’s Far East side.

Through a partnership agreement, the City of Aurora and Fox Valley Park District work cooperatively to maintain the lake.

The dredging operation will consist of floating barges that will be placed into the lake to contain the dredging equipment and transport the excavated material.  Material will be excavated from the bottom of the lake with a crane and placed on the other barges where it will dewater. Once the dewatered material is transported to the shore, it will be trucked to and placed on the sled hill at the southwest corner of the park.  

It is expected that the dredging will be completed in early 2017, with final restoration in the park to be completed in the spring of 2017.   

Access to Waubonsie Lake Park will be limited, but the lake and the park will remain open during construction.  It is anticipated that the sledding hill will be closed for the winter, as the final seeding and restoration cannot take place until the spring.

AURORA

First PrepareAthon

session on Oct. 3

In partnership with America’s PrepareAthon, the City of Aurora Emergency Management Agency will host its first Aurora PrepareAthon! to help residents prepare for potential emergencies and disasters.

The Aurora PreparAthon! will be held on Oct . 3 from 6 to 8:00 p.m. at the Aurora Police Department, 1200 E. Indian Trail Rd. in Aurora. .

“This event will ensure that everyone knows exactly what to do in the event of a disaster,” said Joe Jones, Aurora emergency management coordinator. “Attendees will learn how to create a family disaster plan, assemble an emergency kit and prepare for specific hazards through group discussions, drills and exercises. “

The Aurora PreparAthon! is free and open to the public, but space is limited and registration is mandatory. To reserve your seat, sign-up today at  https://aurora.seamlessdocs.com/f/PrepareAthon

America’s PrepareAthon is a national campaign for action to increase individual and community preparedness.

— Kane County events —