After a 20-year absence, the AMOCO brand name is back in the Chicago area, including an station on Ogden Ave. in Aurora. (Photo by Jack McCarthy / Chronicle Media)

AURORA

AMOCO brand name returns to select towns

The torch is back.

After a 20-year absence, AMOCO signage has returned to at least one Aurora area gas station and others throughout the Chicago area.

The red, white and blue signs were once ubiquitous around the nation, with an estimated 9,000 stations carrying names of AMOCO as well as previous identities as Standard and American outlets.

British Petroleum bought the company in 1998 and AMOCO stations  were converted to the BP brand.

According to a BP statement, the company’s consumer research found that the Amoco brand still resonates with many American consumers, and that both it and the BP brand appeal to similar audiences.

In light of the findings, the two brands will share a similar marketing strategy, leveraging the strengths of BP’s programs and the familiarity of the Amoco brand.

The new signage features a stylized torch and has subtle differences in typography and graphic details. But at a quick glance the new signage is nearly identical to the old.

The renamed Aurora AMOCO is located on Ogden Ave. near Rush Copley Hospital.

KANE COUNTY

Early voting under way at two locations

Early voting is now underway at two sites in Kane County — the County Clerk’s Office, 719 S. Batavia Ave. in Geneva, and the new Aurora satellite office, 5 E. Downer Place in downtown Aurora.

Additional early-voting locations will be open on Oct. 22.

According to the Clerk’s website, early voting allows voters to cast a full ballot before the observed election day.

Although voters can still go to their polling place on Election Day, “this is intended to make voting easier for everyone,” the Clerk’s Office stated. “This cuts down on lines at the polling place as well as allowing voters to vote when it fits their schedule.”

Regular polling places will only be open for voting on the observed Election Day.

KANE COUNTY

Forest District, U of I to monitor ground water

Forest preserve users may notice new groundwater-monitoring wells in four preserves, as a result of an intergovernmental agreement between the Forest Preserve District of Kane County and the University of Illinois.

Through the agreement, signed last November, the University of Illinois will install up to two wells at each of four preserve locations. The wells will monitor the St. Charles Bedrock Valley Aquifer over a 20-year period.

Wells will be flush with the ground and locked.

The research project allows the university to conduct long-term water monitoring, periodically sample water quality, and better understand the natural groundwater resources in Kane County. The university will provide data to the Illinois State Water Survey as well as to the National Groundwater Monitoring Network for the purpose of making the water-level data publicly accessible.

Well-digging began in mid-September and will continue through mid-October. Wells will be located at: Sauer Family Prairie Forest Preserve in Elburn; Kenyon Farm Forest Preserve in South Elgin; Fox River Bluff (East) Forest Preserve in St. Charles;  and Almon Underwood Prairie in Elburn.

For more information, call the Forest Preserve District at 630-232-5980.

TRI-CITIES

Health Partnership to host casino fundraiser

The Tri City Health Partnership hosts its 2018 All In for Healthcare Casino Fundraiser on Oct. 20 at the St. Charles Country Club.

The evening will be filled with casino gaming such as roulette, craps, blackjack and poker, raffles for items such as a custom Christmas decorating package, a luxury cabin in Minocqua, Wis., Chicago Cubs items and more.

The live auction prizes include once-in-a-lifetime trips such as badges to the 2019 Masters Tournament, Broadway tickets, and an African Safari.

Tickets include $50 in starter betting chips, an open bar, food, entertainment, and the chance to truly have an impact on the lives of your neighbors.

As the only free clinic serving low-income, uninsured and underinsured residents of Central Kane Country, Tri City Health Partnership provides care to patients who have no other options for medical and dental services.

With the support of more than 120 medical and dental volunteers and the small staff provides over 1,800 visits annually. Whether chronic issues such as diabetes, hypertension, COPD or acute issues such as infection, dental problems, pain and more, TCHP treats in a mutually respectful environment. Services range from exams, labs, radiology, medications and more.

For tickets, call 630-377-9277.

ST. CHARLES

Manholes, sanitary sewers to be inspected this month

The city of St. Charles will begin testing its sanitary sewer system this week to identify faulty lines or connections where water runoff from rain or snow melts may enter the system or where sewer gases may escape.

The testing is required by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and includes two phases: Manhole inspection and smoke testing.

The testing will take place on the west side of the city. All affected residences and businesses have been notified. Signs also will be posted in the neighborhoods being tested.

Phase I includes manhole Inspections from Oct. 8-19. Manholes are inspected with 360-degree imaging. There will be no interruption to sanitary sewer service during the test.

Residents may notice the contractor’s vans parked outside and workers lowering imaging equipment into manholes. RMS Utility Services of McHenry is the city’s contractor for this project.

Some of the city-owned manholes are in the back yards; crews will be entering yards to complete these inspections.

Phase II will feature Smoke Testing from Oct. 15-26. Smoke testing pushes air combined with liquid smoke into sewer lines to disclose the location of leaks and faulty connections to the sanitary sewer system.

The smoke is non-toxic, and safe for humans and pets. It is similar to the special effects smoke used in concerts and haunted houses. During the test, smoke may be seen coming from vent stacks on the roof and out of the ground.

Smoke will not enter homes or buildings unless the plumbing is defective or drain traps are dry. The smoke has no odor, is non-toxic, non-staining, does not create a fire hazard, and will dissipate in a few minutes.

Pouring water into any floor drains and into any unused sinks prior to the test will seal the drain traps so smoke will not enter through the drains.

The city has contracted with EEI, Engineering of Sugar Grove and RMS Utility Services of McHenry to perform the smoke testing.

“We appreciate everyone’s cooperation during the sanitary sewer assessment process,” said Environmental Services Manager Tim Wilson. “While we have notified businesses and residents in the neighborhoods to be tested, we ask residents to help us get the word out, especially to elderly neighbors. We want to be sure people are aware of the testing so they are not alarmed by the smoke.”

GENEVA

Bridge repair work begins on Kirk Road

Bridge repair work is scheduled to begin this week on Kirk Road south of IL Route 38 in Geneva.

The Kane County Division of Transportation reports that one lane of both northbound and southbound Kirk Road will be closed to traffic between Cherry Lane and IL Route 38 in order to safely and efficiently patch portions of the concrete bridge deck over the Union Pacific railroad.

The anticipated duration for the deck repairs is four weeks. This improvement is intended to extend the life of the existing bridge structure.

The improvements will include: concrete pavement patching and bridge joint repairs.

All bicyclists and pedestrians are advised to avoid using the area during construction for the safety of both the workers and the residents.

Questions and concerns may be directed to Ken Mielke at 630-406-7172.

ELGIN

Tree trimming project to close Fox River Trail

A utility tree-trimming project will prompt intermittent closures of portions of the Fox River Trail, in Elgin and Dundee in October.

Lewis Tree Service will be trimming and removing dead ash trees under ComEd’s power lines. Work will take place along Williams Place on the north, to Richardson Drive on the south. Also, on Route 90 on the north to Slade Avenue on the south.

The tree-trimming/removal projects is expected to be completed by Oct. 31.

The Forest Preserve District asks trail users to be mindful of the project, heavy machinery being used, and of the possibility of intermittent trail closures during the time frames indicated. Signs on both ends of the project will alert trail users.

For more information, contact the Forest Preserve District of Kane County at 630-232-5980 or visit www.kaneforest.com.

GENEVA

Kane County Counts symposium on Oct. 12

Join Kane Health Counts from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 12, for the first Kane Health Counts symposium highlighting the programs, partnerships and strategies of the Kane Health Counts Community Health Improvement Plan.

Dr. Steven Lome, the founder of HeartStrong.com and a board certified cardiologist at Rush Copley, will share his beliefs and how they align with Kane Health Counts goals to improve one of three identified priorities in Kane County: chronic disease.

Also on the agenda will be short presentations highlighting the bright spots from the three actions teams focused on the CHIP’s priorities: Behavioral Health, Chronic Disease and Income and Education.

The symposium is free and will be held at the Northern Illinois Food Bank, 273 Dearborn Court, Geneva. Seating is limited.

Kane Health Counts is a collaboration of public health partners striving to improve the health of Kane County. Partners include the five local hospitals: Presence Mercy Medical Center, Presence Saint Joseph Hospital, Northwestern Medicine/Delnor Hospital, Rush Copley Medical Center, Advocate Sherman Hospital, the INC Board, a mental health alliance serving the southern part of the county, and the Kane County Health Department.

For more information please contact Community Health Planner Stacy Zeng at zengstacy@co.kane.il.us.

–Kane County News Briefs–