An artist’s view of interior space at the planned new Geneva Public Library, The district will break ground for its new facility at 3 p.m., Friday, July 27, at the site, 227 S. Seventh St., formerly known as 210 S. Sixth. (Geneva Public Library District image)

AURORA

22-year-old charged in armed robbery, beating

A 22-year-old Aurora man has been charged with armed robbery after he allegedly beat a convenience store clerk with a pipe and then stole the clerk’s gun during an attempted hold-up. 

Aurora Police Department’s spokesman Dan Ferrelli said the attempted robbery occurred around 10:40 p.m. on June 30 at a store in the 900 block of S. Lake St. in Aurora.

Police allege that Clayton Vaughan, 900 block of Spruce St., entered the store armed with a pipe and attacked a 59-year-old male clerk who was working inside.

The clerk fought back against Vaughan and was able to retrieve a handgun he had in his pant pocket.

Upon seeing the weapon, Vaughan grabbed the gun and it accidentally went off with a round entering the store’s ceiling. Vaughan gained control of the gun and ran with it from the store. 

The clerk sustained minor injuries and refused medical treatment following the incident. 

According to Ferrelli, as officers began reviewing surveillance video of the attempted robbery an officer recognized Vaughan as the suspect. Ferrelli also credited the public for its help in identifying the suspect. Still photos shared on social media and in the news garnered tips that helped lead to an arrest.

Vaughan was taken into custody on July 11 by Geneva Police and charged with armed robbery and possession of a stolen firearm. His bail has been set at $850,000. 

BATAVIA

Library Board approves tax question for November

Batavia Library Trustees voted unanimously last week to place a proposal on the November, 2018 ballot for a seven-cent increase in the Library’s general operating tax rate to maintain and repair the downtown library building and to maintain and improve services.

The overall tax rate for residents will remain the same since the Library’s tax rate for paying off building construction bonds—slightly more than seven cents—will be eliminated. That debt will be retired in December 2018.

“The Library building is nearly 20 years old,” noted Library Board President Andrew Deitchman. “The community is aware that, over time, equipment and building systems need additional maintenance, repairs, and updates.”

The Library proposal will appear on the ballot on Nov. 6.

COUNTY

Residents recycle 50 tons of material at extravaganza

More than 900 residents contributed to 50 tons or material for recycling at the June 14 Kane County Recycling Extravaganza.

All of these items, which otherwise may have been landfilled, will be reused or recycled:

• Two 52-foot trailers of electronic equipment. Each truck holds 20,000 pounds of electronics.
• Three-and-a-half trucks full of confidential documents, shredded. Each truck holds 11,000 to 13,000 pounds of paper.
• One large box truck of paint. About 910 gallons were collected, representing 7,700 pounds of paint.
• One roll-off dumpster, estimated to hold about 10,000 pounds of books. About 80 percent of the books are recycled, and about 20 percent are reused.
• Twenty-six bicycles, which will be fixed up and redistributed to areas of need in Chicago and globally.
• More than 700 fluorescent tube lights.
• One semi-truck full of Styrofoam packaging.
• A lot of batteries.
• One box truck of textiles, from clothes to shoes to accessories.

For more information on recycling, contact Kane County Recycling Coordinator Jennifer Jarland at 630-208-3841 or recycle@countyofkane.org.

GENEVA

Library District to break ground on new facility

Geneva Public Library District will break ground for its new facility at 3 p.m., Friday, July 27, at the site, 227 S. Seventh St., formerly known as 210 S. Sixth St.

The brief ceremony will include a welcome from Library Director Christine Lazaris, an overview of the new library project from Library Board President Robert Shiffler, and a community welcome from Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns.

Refreshments will follow the ceremony and will be served at the current library at 127 James St.

The 57,000-square-foot facility will offer community members at all ages and stages of life a library with space for additional technology to learn new skills, expanded collections, more programs, on-site parking, drive-up convenience, and many other resources and services.

In June, the Library Board selected IHC Construction Companies LLC of Elgin to build the new library. Earlier this year city agencies reviewed and approved the new library plans. Geneva City Council unanimously approved the library’s application to build a new facility at their April 2 meeting, and Geneva Plan Commission voted unanimously to approve the project March 8.

GENEVA

City Council salutes magician, clown Marshall Brodien

It’s a little thing, of course, when local units of government issue proclamations for this day or that week, honoring a person or an organization or celebrating an event.

But Geneva’s City Council did something that’s worthy of notice recently: a day set aside to honor Marshall Brodien, the famous magician and Wizzo The Wizard character on WGN’s Bozo’s Circus, who presently resides in an Alzheizer’s assisted living facility in Geneva.

Brodien’s wife, Mary Doyle, has written a book, “Navigating Alzheimer’s: 12 Truths About Caring For Your Loved Ones” and has been a champion of Alzheimer’s research and patient care.

“Everyone should have a special birthday, a day that celebrates a precious life. But who gets a day that is officially proclaimed in their honor? My husband, Marshall Brodien, does,” Doyle wrote in her blog.

Tuesday, July 10, 2018, was Brodien’s 84th birthday, and Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns on Monday proclaimed July 10 “Marshall Brodien Day” in the city of Geneva.

The mayor spoke about Brodien and showed a brief video of Brodien performing magic in his early days.

“He then invited me, Marshall Jr., longtime friend, comic magician Ken Mate, and friend Tom Holbrook, dressed as Wizzo the Wacky Wizard, to speak,” Doyle wrote.

Holbrook had sought the recognition for the Chicago icon, known for his production of magic sets and cards and the character named Wizzo.

The document states that on behalf of the more than 22,000 people that call Geneva home, they honor Marshall’s career, magical talents, and the family’s mission for Alzheimer’s Awareness. 

AURORA

Department recommends paid holiday for MLK Day

The City’s Human Resources Department has submitted a recommendation to the Aurora City Council to designate Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday as a paid holiday for City of Aurora employees.

The recommendation was made to the Finance Committee this week and forwarded to the Committee of the Whole for further discussion next Tuesday. 

All unions affiliated with the City of Aurora have confirmed support of the proposal and each group will have the additional designated holiday included as part of their respective bargaining agreement.

“Not only will this allow us to be one the same accord with the federal government, state government and all of our bargaining units, it will also provide an opportunity for our staff to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. King,” said Mayor Richard C. Irvin. “Staff can now enjoy time with family and participate

in community activities. Each year, the Aurora MLK Committee sponsors volunteer opportunities to serve the community on MLK Day that our staff can now contribute to prior to attending the community-wide celebration in the evening.”

WHEATON

St. Francis High School names new president

An educator who sued her former employer for pay discrimination has been hired as the new president of St. Francis High School in Wheaton. Betsy Ackerson was scheduled to assume her new duties at the Catholic high school on July 23.

Attorneys are attempting to settle a discrimination lawsuit the former assistant vice provost at the University of Virginia filed against the school. Ackerson sued in 2017, claiming in court documents that the university knowingly paid her less than her male counterparts since her hiring in 2012. She also claimed in the suit that officials reassigned her to a smaller office space and lowered her performance ratings after she complained about the situation.

On July 2, a federal judge granted joint motions to stay proceedings and cancel a jury trial, according to court documents.

At the University of Virginia, Ackerson was assistant vice provost and project manager for strategic planning. Before her time there, Ackerson worked in Ireland as the co-principal of a venture to start a Catholic, liberal arts, higher education institution. She served in a variety of roles at the College of William and Mary and Sweet Briar College including fundraising for a $115 million capital campaign, communications and marketing, admissions, alumni relations, and external affairs.

Ackerson began her career as a high school youth minister. She earned a bachelor’s degree at Duke University, an MBA from the College of William and Mary Mason School of Business, and a PhD in higher education administration from the University of Virginia. Her dissertation was on Catholic culture and student spiritual development in Catholic higher education. 

St. Francis, in its 62nd year, recently completed major investments in academic and athletic facilities and in technology. Last year, the school was named a Microsoft Showcase School for its innovative use of Surface Pros and other technology in the classroom. 

AURORA

Downtown Taste event being held this weekend

Treat yourself to an eating extravaganza on July 31 at the Downtown Taste in downtown Aurora. Come get a taste of downtown’s eclectic cuisine as you visit some of its more than two dozen restaurants while supporting scholarships for East High and West Aurora High students.

The event takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. in Downtown Aurora.

Ticket Books cost $30 and include four (4) tickets to participating restaurants. More than a dozen eateries to choose from throughout the evening.

Take a free trolley around to drop off points that serve participating restaurants. Aurora Downtown’s welcome table at Santori will be open from 4 to 6 p.m. Ticket books can be purchased in cash during this time and at David L. Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Pl. from 12 to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Purchase online at any time.

STATE

Art wanted for state’s bicentennial celebration

Local artists are invited to enter their work for possible inclusion in a juried fine art exhibit being held to celebrate Illinois’s Bicentennial. The exhibit will be held at Gallery Seven, located in the historic Gaylord Building in Lockport, in October.

All artists of Illinois, 18 and older, can submit their work by Aug. 15. The prospectus can be found at galleryseven.net. All media except film and video are welcome.

Gallery Seven is managed by a group of local artists at 200 W. 8^th St., Lockport. The gallery is open free to the public Noon-5 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday, and Noon-3 p.m. Sunday.

–Kane County News Briefs–