Sen. John F. Kennedy brought his campaign for U.S. president to downtown Aurora on Oct. 25, 1960. The Aurora Historical Society is offering books for sale on the Kennedy family through Oct. 6.

ST. CHARLES

Woman, 56, charged in hit-and-run murder

A 56-year-old River Grove woman has been charged with first-degree murder after her boyfriend was found dead Thursday night (Sept. 6, 2018) in the parking lot of Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles.

The DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office charged, Kathleen Vulpitta with running over her boyfriend, 61-year-old Earl K. Hagen of Plainfield.

Vulpitta’s bail was set at $2 million. Her next court date is Oct. 1.

Reports said Vulpitta and Hagen had been staying at the resort. Prosecutors say Vulpitta used Hagen’s vehicle to drive over him.

St. Charles police conducted the death investigation along with the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force and through cooperation with the DuPage State’s Attorney’s Office.

According to an earlier St. Charles Police Department news release, police and fire units were dispatched at around 9:20 p.m. Thursday to the Pheasant Run parking lot for the report of an unconscious, unresponsive person.

Upon arrival, an adult male later identified as Hagen was found in the parking lot.

“Hagen was found to be deceased with some apparent injuries to his upper body, indicating that Hagen may have been struck by a vehicle,” St. Charles Police Department Deputy Chief E. Mahan said in the news release.

AURORA

Historical Society offering books on Kennedy family

Five hundred used books about the members of the Kennedy family are being sold at low prices by the Aurora Historical Society.

The society is holding a sidewalk-style sale at its gift shop in the Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Pl. in downtown Aurora, 60506, through Oct. 6.

History Center hours are noon-4 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays. Additional hours will be Sept. 20 from 5 p.m -8 p.m. and Oct. 5 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Books are priced at $1 for paperbacks and $2 for hardcovers. There are a few price exceptions for cocktail-table books.

The sale is a fundraiser made possible because of a generous donation. Although the books were donated, they will not be added to the collection since Kennedy family history is outside the purview of the Aurora Historical Society.

For more information call the Aurora Historical Society at 630-906-0650.

ELGIN

Parents, citizens invited to join U-46 advisory council

Parents and residents who want to learn more about School District U-46, influence Districtwide policies, and inform and engage other parents and community members are invited to join School District U-46 Citizens’ Advisory Council, also known as “CAC.”

The council, which has been in existence over half a century, is made up of volunteer parents and residents interested in local education who represent 53 U-46 schools across 11 communities. CAC members help facilitate communication between District administration, the Board of Education, and individual schools. The CAC also provides feedback to U-46 on Districtwide issues and programs  

Each District U-46 school can have up to five registered representatives on the CAC. To volunteer as a CAC representative, contact the principal at one of the schools in the attendance zone. Residents may also apply for “At-Large-Membership” by calling the District’s School and Community Relations Department at (847) 888-5000 ext. 5003.

AURORA

Police seek public indecency suspect

Aurora police are searching for a man who allegedly exposed himself to an 11-year-old girl as she walked to school on Sept. 11.

Police said that at about 8:20 a.m. the girl was walking to Jefferson Middle School in the 1100 block of Plum Street when she saw an unknown man who was black and approximately 25- to 35-years-old, sitting in an older, white sedan (possibly a Ford) parked in the 1000 block of Charles Street. The man called the girl over to his car, which she refused. As she walked by, she saw that the man had his pants down and he was touching himself.

The only further description of the man is he was wearing blue jeans and a dark T-shirt.

The girl immediately reported the incident to an administrator at the school when she arrived. Police could not locate the suspect when they checked the area.

Anyone who saw or know anything about this incident, please call APD Investigations at 630-256-5500 or Aurora Area Crime Stoppers at 630-892-1000.

REGION

Applications now available for service academy appointments

U.S. Representative Randy Hultgren  is now accepting applications from 14th District residents for congressional nominations to attend the nation’s Service Academies: U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado; U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York; U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York; and U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.

“Of the applicants from last year, an impressive 11 students from the 14th Congressional District were selected to attend a United States Service Academy as a part of the class of 2022,” Hultgren said in a statement. “If a student desires to pursue this rigorous education and career, it is important they pursue a congressional nomination. I look forward to seeing the strong talent our local high schools have to offer our nation.”

An appointment to a U.S. Service Academy requires at least a nine-year service obligation, including four years at an academy and five years of active duty. Selections are evaluated on character, scholarship, leadership, and physical aptitude. Nominations are given by Members of Congress and the Office of the Vice President.

To apply, applicants must be in the military or high school seniors or graduates under the age of 23, and residents of the 14th Congressional District.

Interviews for each applicant will be held Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.  Congressional nominations will be submitted to the respective academies and candidates will be notified by Jan. 1, 2019.

Information regarding each Academy application procedure is available on each of the Academy’s websites, which include important information regarding each academy’s specific deadlines and requirements.

The deadline for applications is Oct. 26, 2018. Visit https://hultgren.house.gov/serving-you/service-academy-nominations for more information and an application packet. For additional questions about the process, contact Carol Berger at (630) 584-2734.

ST. CHARLES

City names coordinator of Emergency Management

Mark Allan Chmura has joined the St. Charles Fire Department as Emergency Management Coordinator.

Chmura comes to St. Charles after 31 years with the Naperville Fire Department, where he held many positions, most recently the rank of Captain. There he also served on the Hazardous Materials Response, Public Education and Fire Investigation teams.

He also previously worked as a firefighter and senior paramedic for the North Palos Fire Protections District and as a paramedic for Daley’s Ambulance Service in Dolton, Illinois.

Chmura holds an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science from Moraine Valley Community College, a Bachelor’s Degree from Western Illinois University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Management from Benedictine University. He is also a certified Fire Apparatus Engineer, Fire/Arson Investigator, Training Program Manager, Hazardous Materials Technician, and Professional Emergency Manager.

“We are very excited to have Mark join the department,” said Fire Chief Joe Schelstreet. “His education and career paths give him a vast range of education and experience, not just in fire suppression, but also in various emergency management and public safety situations. Having him with us will benefit both our department and our community.”

ST. CHARLES

Veterans invited to Town hall at VFW post

Veterans are invited to attend a Town Hall meeting on Wednesday, Sept 19 featuring veterans services and federal officials.

Featured speakers include  Hughes Turner, Chicago VA Regional Office director;  Sean Baumgartner, Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery director; Elaine Adams, M.D., Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital chief of staff; and 14th District Rep. Randy Hultgren.

-Congressman Randy Hultgren, 14th Congressional District

The session is set for 1:30 p.m. at the St. Charles VFW Post 5036, 311 N. 2nd St., Suite 109.  Doors open at 1 p.m., capacity is limited to 100 people.

Information will be available on  benefits, health care, burial, and legislation for our guest speakers. Doors open at 1:00pm, seating capacity is 100 people.

ELGIN

Police seek Chicago man in shooting death of brother

Elgin police are searching for Shannon Smith, the 23-year-old brother of Shaprie Smith-Tate, 25, of Chicago, who was shot and killed Sept. 9 outside the D Hangout Bar, 550 S. McLean Boulevard in Elgin.

According to a statement by Elgin Police Chief Ana Lalley, four subjects were shot during the incident that took place at around 12:22 a.m. Sept. 9. Shaprie Smith was later pronounced deceased at a local hospital.

Detectives learned through their investigation that what started as an argument in the parking lot between several subjects including the suspect and the victim escalated into the shooting.

The suspect, now identified as Shannon Smith, fled in a vehicle that was later recovered in Chicago with the assistance of the Illinois State Police.

Lalley said the facts of the case have been reviewed by the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office, which authorized the issuance of an arrest warrant for multiple charges including first degree murder for Shannon Smith.

“We have continuously attempted to locate Mr. Smith through contact with his family and at this point have exhausted all investigative means to locate him,” Lalley said. “We encourage Mr. Smith to contact a law enforcement agency to arrange a peaceful surrender.”

Anyone with information about Smith’s whereabouts is asked to call Elgin police at 847-289-2700.

–Kane County News Briefs–