GENEVA

FONA International one of nation’s top manufacturers

FONA International’s headquarters in Geneva features twin ponds, an employee garden, volleyball court and an auditorium open to community use.

It may seem a surprising location for what Fortune magazine has named a top manufacturer in the nation.

Last week FONA ranked as the No. 3 manufacturing and production workplace in the nation. The listing, by Fortune magazine and Great Place to Work, is irrespective of size. This puts FONA — a 220-person flavor company — alongside (and in fact ranked above) multi-billion-dollar corporations like Michelin and 3M.

Family owned and operated, it’s a business that has grown 15 percent year-over-year in its 31-year history, with a growth rate and a culture that earned it a placement on Forbes “Small Giants” list of 25 companies that strive to “be great instead of just big.”

However,  FONA’s most recent accolade is just as noteworthy.

ELBURN

Autopsies indicate couple dead of cardiac incidents

Preliminary results of the autopsies indicate that an Elburn couple found dead in their home on Sept. 15 both died of cardiac incidents.

According to a news release from the village of Elburn Police Department, Herman Beyer, 78, and Elaine Beyer, 74, died of natural causes.

The Elburn Police Department and the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force have been investigating the death of the couple who were found around 3:43 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 15, 2018) in their home in the 500 block Main Street, when officers were called to do a well-being check.

Upon arrival, the officers found the residence secured but noticed through a window that a person was lying on the floor of the lower level.

Officers called for emergency medical and fire personnel to be dispatched and forced entry into the residence, where they found a second subject. They confirmed that both subjects were deceased and later identified them as Herman and Elaine Beyer.

The Elburn & Countryside Fire Protection District determined there was not a carbon monoxide problem.

Police are awaiting full results from toxicology reports, Sikora said.

KANE COUNTY

Chicago man sentenced in heroin death of Kaneville man

A north side Chicago drug dealer is headed to prison for selling fentanyl-laced heroin to a Kaneville Township man, who died after ingesting it.

Kane County Circuit Judge James C. Hallock today sentenced 30-year-old Aaron Moore to 10 years’ imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Moore on August 9, 2018, pleaded guilty to drug-induced homicide, Class X felony, in the April 23, 2016, overdose death of 34-year-old Richard Gregorie of unincorporated Kaneville Township. Judge Hallock accepted the plea.

Kane County Assistant State’s Attorney William Engerman stated in court that on  April 23, 2016, Gregorie and an acquaintance drove to Chicago, where they purchased fentanyl-laced heroin from Moore. Gregorie and the acquaintance returned home to Kaneville and ingested the illegal drugs. Gregorie died as a result.

According to Illinois law, Moore must serve at least 75 percent of the sentence. He receives credit for 7 days served in the Kane County jail.

Moore had been free on $15,000 bond.

AURORA

Tomcats’ car show to benefit homeless teens

East Aurora High School’s DECA program will host the sixth annual Forgotten Teens Car Show on Saturday, Oct. 6, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Goody’s Restaurant, 1250 N Farnsworth Ave., in Aurora. 

DECA started the Forgotten Teens Project nearly 20 years ago as a way to help fellow Tomcats enjoy their holidays. Students who are homeless are anonymously presented with Christmas gifts purchased through funds raised by East Aurora DECA members as a way to remember the season is about giving. 

Last year DECA was able to provide 40 VISA gift cards valued at $100 each as the homeless population has grown in recent years.

Parking for show participants will be available in the field next to Goody’s. Enter through the Old Second Bank parking lot on Reckinger Rd.

The day includes music, food and prizes. Gift items will be available to the first 50 vehicles registered, and awards will be presented for the Top 10, truck, alumni and Best of Show.  A special holiday-themed award will also be presented—any holiday theme, including but not limited to Halloween or Christmas. 

Registration is $10 per vehicle, and spectators are welcome to attend and be eligible to win prizes from local businesses as well as the Chicago White Sox. Registration ends at 2 p.m.

For more information.contact DECA advisor Mark Lyons at mlyons@d131 or 630-997-6982. 

AURORA

Free Emergency/Disaster preparedness session at APD

The Aurora Emergency Management Agency is offering a free, two hour emergency/disaster preparedness presentation from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26, at the Aurora Police Department Community Room, 1200 E. Indian Trail.   

The public is invited. Admission and parking are free.

Celebrating September as National Emergency Preparedness Month, the Aurora Emergency Management Agency encourages you to plan and prepare to be able to react and respond when an emergency or disaster strikes.

Assemble an Emergency Kit, have a minimum of three days of food and water for every member in your household and to establish and practice an Emergency plan.

Sessions include pet preparedness and safety precautions during a disaster and post disaster event.

Emergency Management will have some vehicles on display prior to the presentation.

For more information call the Emergency Management Agency at 630-256-5800 or email at ema@aurora-il.org.

AURORA

After 127 years, Methodist church closes Sept. 30

After 127 years of community ministry, Fourth Street United Methodist Church., 551 S. Fourth St. in Aurora, will close with a final worship service at 9 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 30.

Rev. Derek Rodgers, pastor of Flowing Forth UMC of Aurora, will preside. Flowing Forth UMC was born in April in a merger of the former Fourth Street UMC and the former Flowing Grace UMC, Aurora. Flowing Forth UMC will continue to meet Sundays at Aurora Christian School.

The closing service will feature a Litany of Leaving in which Pastor Rogers will lead congregants.

Additionally, the service will include music, a reunion of former members and guests and a display of historical photos, memorabilia and other artifacts. A reception with light refreshments in the church fellowship hall will close the event. 

The public is invited. Admission and parking are free. A freewill offering will be taken.

Former members, friends and others are invited to write memories of experiences at Fourth Street UMC. Contributed reflections will be included in a memorial book. 

Contributions for the book should be emailed to fourthstumc@sbcglobal.net or sent by U.S. mail to 551 S. Fourth Street, Aurora, IL  60505. The deadline is Tuesday, Sept. 25.

Call (630) 897-5257 for more information.  

–Kane County News Briefs–