The Big Ten Conference has announced it will hold its 2020 golf championships at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove. Oklahoma, above, won the NCAA men’s Division I title at the course last May.

AURORA

West Nile Virus case confirmed in Aurora

The DuPage County Health Department has informed the City of Aurora that a case of West Nile Virus has been confirmed on Aurora’s far east side.

The City dispatched a team to immediately spray the designated area in an attempt to control the mosquito population.

According to the Center for Disease Control, West Nile Virus is most commonly transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. There are no medications to treat or vaccines to prevent WNV infection.

Fortunately, most people infected with WNV will have no symptoms. About 1 in 5 people who are infected will develop a fever with other symptoms. Less than 1% of infected people develop a serious illness.

Residents are encouraged to protect themselves from mosquito bites and the risk of contracting WNV by remembering the “4 Ds of Defense”:

• Drain: Drain those items that collect standing water around your home, yard or business. Scrub and refill pet water dishes and bird baths regularly.
• Defend: Use an insect repellent containing DEET when outdoors and reapply according to directions.
• Dress: Wear long pants, long sleeves, and closed-toe shoes when outside to cover the skin.
• Dusk & Dawn: Wear repellent outdoors during these prime times for mosquito activity.

SUGAR GROVE

Big Ten picks Rich Harvest for 2020 golf championships

The Big Ten Conference has announced it will hold its 2020 golf championships at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove.

The Big Ten Men’s Golf Championships have been played since 1920, with 10 current Big Ten institutions having won at least one conference championship. Illinois claimed its 16th Big Ten title in 2018, its ninth championship in the past 10 years.

The course hosted the NCAA Division I Women’s and Men’s finals last year and the Solheim Cup in 2009. It is also home course for Northern Illinois University teams.

“The Rich Harvest Farms team is extremely excited to play host to the 2020 Big Ten Men’s Golf Championship,” said owner and President of Rich Harvest Farms Jerry Rich. “During our hosting of the 2017 NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Golf Championships, seven Big Ten Universities were represented at this prestigious event.

Rich Harvest Farms is a 1,820-acre showcase of nature and agriculture. The course is a par 72 with professional tees at a length of 7,715 yards, that has hosted numerous amateur, collegiate, and professional tournaments. These include the Palmer Cup (2015), Solheim Cup (2009), a the Ryder Cup Captain’s Challenge (2012) and numerous USGA Qualifiers.

A hidden gem at Rich Harvest Farms is the Kids Golf Foundation of Illinois, a nonprofit junior golf organization founded in 1998 by Jerry Rich and longtime friend Don Springer. Today, the Foundation has impacted the lives of more than 150,000 youth through golf and its valuable life lessons.

KANE COUNTY

Waubonsee hosts summer Small Business Expo

Kane County residents are invited to join the Aurora Women’s Business Center, Waubonsee Small Business Development Center and Fox Valley SCORE for the Summer Small Business Expo in Aurora, set to take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, at Waubonsee Community College, 18 S. River St., Aurora.

The Small Business Expo is free, and will provide a great networking opportunity. In addition, three workshops will be available for attendees at a cost of $10 each or $20 to attend all three:

• Business 101 — Begin development of a business plan.
• Financial Forecasting — Planning your business finances for success.
• Digital Marketing for Business — How to create a social media strategy that works.

More information on this and other great events can be found at www.wbdc.org/events.

BATAVIA

Body found near grade school ruled suicide

Kane County Coroner’s Office reported today (Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018) that the cause of death of a body found Saturday at a Batavia grade school was suicide.

The Coroner’s Office staff responded Saturday (Aug. 11, 2018) to a wooded area near H.C. Storm School, 305 N. Van Nortwick Ave., Batavia, for a deceased subject.

The decedent, who was identified as Robert Napierkowski, 22, of Batavia, was pronounced deceased at the scene and transported to the Kane County Morgue.

The preliminary case of death has been determined to be due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, the Coroner’s Office said. Toxicology samples have been drawn and sent to a forensic laboratory for analysis.

The Kane County Coroner’s Office is cooperating with all police and fire agencies in their investigations of this incident.

AURORA

Top lifters expected at Maximum Level Fitness

Top lifters and world record holders are expected to be on hand as Aurora’s Maximum Level Fitness hosts  host a powerlifting meet on Saturday, Aug. 25.

The event, called the First Annual Ray Rodriguez Push/Pull Backyard Meet, is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. at the gym, 129 Spruce St.

Part of event proceeds will be donated to the American Kidney Association in honor of Rodriguez.

For more information call (630) 414-3390 or visit maximumlevelfitness@gmail.com

GENEVA

Childrens’ author at Office of Education fair

Kane County students, parents and teachers will have a chance to meet a best-selling author, find discounts on school supplies and books and make donations to worthy education causes at the Kane County Regional Office of Education’s first ever Back to School Book Fair.

The book fair — set to take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, at the Geneva Commons Barnes and Noble, 102 Commons Drive, Geneva — will feature a book signing session from Mark Poe, the author of best-selling children’s book series Harry Moon, read aloud sessions with local elected officials, pictures with costumed characters and more.

Gift baskets filled with classroom supplies will also be raffled off during the event.

Plus, teachers who bring their teacher’s ID will receive a 20 percent discount on books, games and toy purchases for their classroom.

The book fair will also have a donation table for school supplies for homeless/neglected students in Kane County and a table where books can be purchased to donate to the Kane County Juvenile Justice Center School Library.

–Kane County News Briefs–