Clayton Muhammed, Aurora’s chief communications officer, greeted His Excellence King Aklasou of the Republic of Togo during a visit to Aurora last week. Togo is led by a president, but the country acknowledges spiritual leaders as “kings.

DUPAGE COUNTY

First death attributed to West Nile virus

The DuPage County Health Department confirmed the first human death due to West Nile virus  infection in an announcement last week.

The victim was identified as a county resident over the age of 65 who became ill in early September.

There have been 14 human cases reported in DuPage County in 2018.

“The report of a death is a sad reminder that it’s still important to protect yourself, protect your family against West Nile virus,” said Karen Ayala, DCHD Executive Director.

Residents are reminded to “Fight the Bite” and follow the 4 Ds of Defense:

• Drain: Drain those items that collect standing water around homes, 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 to Dawn: Wear repellent outdoors during these prime times for mosquito activity.

The Health Department’s Personal Protection Index  remains at Level 3 (high risk) because of the number of mosquito batches testing positive for WNV. Level 3 indicates high numbers of infected mosquitoes in most areas, and multiple human cases of WNV disease in DuPage County. View the PPI at www.dupagehealth.org.

AURORA

City of Lights is fit for king  of Togo

The City of Lights became a city fit for a king last last month when Togolese officials including His Excellence King Aklasou Mawuko Kwami Adelan, the Traditional Ruler of Canton De Bè in the West African country the Republic of Togo visited the city.

The short trip included stops at Mayor Irvin’s 500-day celebration, dinner at La Quinta de los Reyes in downtown Aurora, a breakfast and press conference at City Hall, and a tour of Aurora Public Art’s “Finding Home” exhibit featuring photographs of local immigrant families taken by local photographers.

His Aurora visit was the first in an official trip to the United States.

KANE COUNTY

Senior Council needs drivers to deliver meals

Kane Senior Council is in need of volunteers to deliver meals to frail and homebound seniors in Aurora.

Meals on Wheels are delivered five days a week, from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Deliveries typically take an hour.

Requirements to volunteer are a valid driver’s license, car insurance, a background check and to attend a volunteer training.

In addition to Meals on Wheels drivers, KSC is always in need of volunteers for its community dining locations to help serve food to those seniors who attend community dining.

If interested in delivering meals or any of our volunteer opportunities, visit www.KaneSeniorCouncil.org or contact KSC at 630-338-0999 for more information.

AURORA

In celebration of Manufacturing Day on Oct. 5, Invest Aurora and Valley Industrial Association will be hosting a free job fair for manufacturers in the Aurora region.

The event runs from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave. Aurora.

To date, 16 manufacturers have committed to being there with immediate openings.

These companies include Carl Buddig and Company, Greencore USA, International Paper, Weldstar, and others.

In addition to employers, there will also be available resources form local groups for potential job seekers and employers. Groups such as the Association for Individual Development, the Illinois Department of Employment Security, and Illinois Work net will be at the event to help those seeking employment strengthen their chances.

Resources at the event will help with resume writing, interview skills and navigating online job hunting.

Starting at noon, there will be free workshops hosted by the resource partners. Topics to include what employers are looking for in an interview, paid apprenticeship programs and available resources that will help you get the job.

For more information contact Invest Aurora at 630-256-3160 or info@investaurora.org.

BATAVIA

Run for Mental Health benefits local agencies

The National Alliance For Mental Health is hosting its 2018 Run For Mental Health on Saturday, Oct. 6, in downtown Batavia.

The proceeds from each participant registration will benefit NAMI of Kane-South, DeKalb and Kendall Counties to help others who struggle with mental health conditions.

The run/walk along the Fox River Trail starts at the Peg Bond Community Center at 151 N. Island Ave., Batavia, IL at 9 a.m.

Advance registration is $35, and all pre-registrants will receive a free technical racing shirt. Day-of registration is also available for $40.

All walkers and runners are welcome. Top finishers will receive trophies and medals. Register at www.nami5k.com.

REGION

IDOT stats Orchard Road interchange reconstruction

The Illinois Tollway has started ramp reconstruction at the Orchard Road Interchange on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), with the major portion of the work scheduled to begin near the end of next week.

The westbound exit ramp from I-88 will be reconstructed, and the eastbound entrance ramp to I-88 will be widened and reconstructed. The ramps will be constructed in stages.

“We anticipate the largest delay to be with the westbound exit ramp during the evening rush,” North Aurora officials said. “Some delays may occur due to the reduced turn lanes and vehicle storage. A message board has been added to use IL Route 31 as an alternate route.”

Work is anticipated to be completed by early November. Final landscaping and striping will be completed in early spring of 2019.

KANE COUNTY

Two men charged with cocaine possession

Two Carpentersville men were charged and about 16 kilos of suspected cocaine were seized from a Lake in the Hills warehouse late last month after a month-long investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration along with the Kane County Heroin Initiative Task Force.

Ivan A. Moreno-Gollego, 18, and Juan C. Sanchez-Cacho, 40, each were charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a controlled substance. Charges were authorized by the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Officials said the 16 kilos of suspected cocaine, found in a warehouse in the 9100 block of Trinity Drive, has an estimated street value of $512,000.

The investigation was under the direction of the Kane County Heroin Initiative Task Force and involved members of the DEA’s Chicago Office, Kane County Sheriff’s Office, McHenry County Sheriff’s Office and McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Kane County Sheriff Don Kramer said multi-agency teamwork was key to the investigation into a local narcotics distribution network.

“The cooperation between other county law enforcement agencies and our federal partnerships have proven to be a successful tool in the fight against narcotic distribution,” he said.

HAMPSHIRE

Community mourns death of physical education teacher

The Hampshire community is mourning the loss of Hampshire Middle School physical education teacher and coach Barbara Taylor, 57, who died late last month after a fall at the school.

According to a Kane County Coroner’s Office news release, Taylor fell at the school Thursday and was taken to Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin, where she was pronounced deceased at 9:29 a.m.

An autopsy was performed and the preliminary cause of death was “cranio-cerebral injuries due to a fall.”

Toxicology samples were sent to the forensic laboratory for further analysis.

According to the Fredrick Funeral Home website, Taylor was a 1979 graduate of Hampshire High School and received her teaching degree from Northern Illinois University.

Her teaching career spanned 35 years, the past 21 years with District 300. She was a physical education teacher at St. Charles Borromeo School and director of the Hampshire Park District before teaching full time, and previously worked at Eastview Elementary and Golfview Elementary as a physical education teacher.

In addition to teaching at Hampshire Middle School, she served as girls volleyball coach and seventh-grade girls basketball coach.

ST. CHARLES

Police host comedy night to benefit Special Olympics

The St. Charles Police Department is hosting a night of comedy at Zanie’s Comedy Club on Oct. 25 to raise funds for Special Olympics Illinois.

Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 and must be purchased in advanced before 12 p.m. on October 25.

This is a 21 and older event. There is a two-menu item minimum, which includes beverages and food, for purchase during the show.

The scheduled comedian for that evening is Jeff Arcuri. Contact Officer Jen Larsen or Administrative Assistant Sara Cass for more information on the event at 630-377-4435.

Purchase tickets at https://stcharlescomedynight.eventbrite.com.

ELGIN

Veterans resource, job fair at ECC on Oct. 17

Veterans, their family members, students and community members in need of support services and employment assistance are invited to Elgin Community College on Wednesday, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the annual Veteran Resource and Job Fair in the Building B Jobe Lounge, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin.

The event which is free and open to the public, serves Cook, DuPage and Kane counties and will feature 25 veteran-friendly employers from the State of Illinois, federal agencies, local government and veteran-owned companies. Representatives from various legal services, county agencies, senior and homeless services, and education will be on hand to assist veterans with their needs.

Two Department of Veteran Affairs Mobile Vet Centers will be on site in the parking lot directly across from the Building J Events Center. Illinois Secretary of State employees will be in attendance as veterans will be able to get their Illinois driver’s license or State ID updated to show “veterans” status on them.

The Mobile Vet Centers are two of 50 units that travel nationwide and provide readjustment counseling services for veterans who served in combat and their families. They are equipped with a satellite dish that connects to communications and audio-visual equipment, six phone lines, a fax line, notebook computers, four encrypted computer lines and Wi-Fi gear. Two dividers separate the motor coach into private counseling rooms. All services are free and strictly confidential.

The event is sponsored by Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), Veterans Assistance Commission of the Kane County Office of Community Reinvestment | Workforce Development Division, and ECC’s Dean of Student Services and Veteran Services Office.

For more information, contact Anitra King, ECC veterans’ coordinator, at 847-214-7531. Visit elgin.edu/veterans for a list of resources available to veterans.

–Kane County News Briefs–