Connie Estrada of Aurora, right, thanks Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity volunteers for launching her home at 423 Parker Ave. in Aurora on Jan. 18. Left is Rev. Jeff Barrett, Habitat CEO. (Al Benson photo)

MONTGOMERY

Kane SWAT team captures Michigan homicide suspect

A Michigan homicide suspect was arrested shortly before 9 a.m. on Jan. 21 after a Kane County SWAT team entered an apartment complex on Oakton Road in Montgomery and took the 35-year-old into custody without incident.

According to a Kane County Sheriff’s Office report, sheriff’s deputies and the Kane Country Regional SWAT team were requested at about 5:15 a.m. today (Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020) to assist Montgomery police and the U.S. Marshal’s Service with a report of a sighting of Scott Jones, wanted out of Michigan for homicide.

Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain said authorities quickly learned that Jones was held up in the apartment, which was being rented by a relative of Jones, and that there were several people in the home, including an infant girl.

“During the incident, three adults and two kids left the house, leaving Jones and the female infant inside the home,” Hain said. “When SWAT entered the house, the infant was still asleep and found uninjured.”

Kalamazoo police had been looking for Jones since Sept. 21, when officers were sent to a call of a man down with gunshot wounds.

The victim, a 20-year-old Kalamazoo resident later identified as Antonio Dewayne Reese-Manley, had been struck by gunfire. He was rushed to a local hospital, but was later pronounced dead.

When Jones was seen in the Victoria Apartments complex this morning, Kane County Sheriff’s Office deputies, members of the Kane County SWAT Team, the Montgomery Police Department and Oswego Police Department arrived on the scene to begin negotiations of Jones’ surrender.

During the standoff, Sheriff’s Office authorities advised neighboring residents to stay inside their homes, and roads in the area of the Victoria Apartments in Montgomery were blocked.

AURORA

Police release two images of vehicle in fatal accident

Aurora Police Department traffic investigators have released  two pictures of the vehicle whose driver is wanted for questioning in connection to a fatal Jan. 13 hit-and-run crash on Aurora’s near west side.

The vehicle in question is believed to be a light-colored sedan.

The Aurora Police Department is investigating after a 57-year-old man, now identified as Brent Jean of Aurora, was killed in the hit-and-run that took place in the 500 block of South River Street.

According to APD news releases, officers responded at around 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, to reports of a person struck by a vehicle, and found Jean lying in the roadway. The suspect vehicle had fled the scene.

Aurora Fire Department paramedics attempted lifesaving measures but pronounced Jean dead on the scene.

South River Street was closed down between Prairie Street and Second Street while traffic investigators reconstructed the accident.

Police said the investigation into the circumstances of the crash is ongoing. Anyone with information about the accident is asked to call the Aurora Police Department’s Traffic Unit at 630-256-5330 or call Crime Stoppers at 630-892-1000 to report information anonymously.

AURORA

City launches new hub for non-profits, entrepreneurs

The City of Aurora has launched a new hub for non-profits, social innovators and entrepreneurs this week.

The Aurora Thrive Collaboration Center (TCC) officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 24.

Located at 712 S. River Street, TCC is housed in the newly renovated facility that once served as the headquarters of the Fox Valley Park District.

“Research has proven that collaboration leads to significant growth in new and existing businesses,” said Aurora Mayor Richard C. Irvin. “The City of Aurora seeks to support our local nonprofits and social entrepreneurs in achieving such growth by establishing a location that fosters sharing, caring and connection.”

TCC will provide a place and opportunities for organizations and entrepreneurs to enhance their operation through low-cost rental spaces and various curated workshops and training.

Members can choose from a wide range of options for individual or shared office space, including renting a meeting room or obtaining a day-pass for temporary space. Workshops will be designed to provide in-depth learning opportunities in all aspects of organizational and business functioning, including marketing and promotion, strategic planning, fundraising and investment seeking and succession planning.

KANE COUNTY

Sheriff’s police holding Maple Park man in stabbing

Kane County Sheriff’s Office deputies have taken a 43-year-old Maple Park man into custody after an incident at a rural home in Virgil, where a 22-year-old victim was stabbed with a kitchen knife.

According to a Kane County Sheriff’s Office news release, deputies were dispatched at around 6:50 p.m. on Jan. 22 to a residence in the 6N000 block of Meredith Road in Virgil for a report of subject who was stabbed with a kitchen knife.

The initial investigation indicates that the victim and Marcus E. Postawa of Maple Park were fighting in the kitchen. Two other occupants of the home heard the commotion and broke up the fight, sheriff’s officials said.

The two occupants of the home saw that the victim was suffering from a stab wound and threw Postawa out of the house, according to the Sheriff’s Office report.

Sheriff’s deputies located Postawa at a bar just west of the residence. Postawa was taken into custody without incident.

The victim was transported to Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital, with what is believed to be non-life-threatening injuries.

Postawa was charged with one count of Aggravated Battery, a Class 3 felony and two counts of Battery, a class A misdemeanor.

ELGIN

League releases schedule for 2020 primary forums

The League of Women Voters of the Elgin Area has released its schedule of 2020 primary election candidate forums for the month of February.

The primary election is set for March 17, 2020. Early voting begins March 3.

Candidates in contested primary races have been invited to attend, and the forums will include candidates for county, state and U.S. congressional seats.

Forums will be held at  7 p.m. on Feb. 4 at the Rakow Senior Center, 665 Barrington Ave., Carpentersville;  7 p.m. on Feb. 5 at the  Gail Borden Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin; 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 18 at the Rakow Senior Center, 665 Barrington Ave., Carpentersville; and 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 19 at the  Gail Borden Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin.

MONTGOMERY

Fox Valley Habitat breaks ground for fourth Faith Build

Montgomery-based Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity broke ground on Jan. 18, at 423 Parker Ave. in Aurora for Habitat’s fourth annual Faith Build, a partnership of area faith communities.

The location will eventually  be the home of Connie Estrada. The two-bedroom, one-bath frame ranch with detached garage will be Habitat’s 65th new or upgraded home in Aurora, North Aurora and Montgomery since the volunteer group’s founding in 1988.

Twenty-two area churches have signed up to support the Faith Build. Aurora partnering churches are: Advent Christian, Flowing Forth United Methodist, Our Lady of Mercy Catholic, St. John United Church of Christ, St. Mark’s Lutheran and Westminster Presbyterian; Batavia church partners are: Bethany Lutheran and Congregational; Geneva church partner is: Rejoice Lutheran; Montgomery church partner is Genesis Community; Napervillle church partners are: Community United Methodist, Grace UMC, Wesley UMC, Good Shepherd Lutheran, River Glen Presbyterian and Trinity Church of the Nazarene; Oswego church partner is: Oswego Presbyterian; Sugar Grove church partners are St. Katharine Drexel Catholic and Sugar Grove UMC; Yorkville church partners areTrinity Church UMC and AuSable Grove Presbyterian,More faith communities are invited to join the Faith Build in construction, fundraising or support roles.

Additionally, the Oswego office of Thrivent Financial Services has pledged a $105,000 matching grant to the Estrada home.

In addition to offices at Genesis Community Church in Montgomery, Habitat maintains a warehouse at 250 S. Highland Ave. in Aurora.

Call 630-859-3333 for more information.

AURORA

Hall of Fame doors open to four former Tomcats

Four former athletes will be inducted into the East Aurora High School Sports Hall of Fame on Jan. 31 in honor of their contributions to the Tomcat athletic tradition.

The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place prior to the start of the boys’ varsity basketball game against Glenbard East.

A 4:30 p.m. reception will take place in the cafeteria, prior to the ceremony. All guests attending the reception should enter Door #8. The reception is free and open to the public. Tickets for admission to the basketball game must be purchased to attend ceremony in-between games.

Inductees for this year are:

Chuck Mennecke (Class of 1973)  a member of the 1971-72 team that was Upstate Eight Conference champions and finished 3rd in the 1972 State Tournament.

Andy Toma (Class of 1985) one of the few athletes in East Aurora Track history to qualify in four events for the state meet. At the state meet in Charleston he brought home a 5th place medal in the 300m low hurdles.

Lou Hernandez (Class of 1989) an an outstanding football and baseball player at East High. He earned two varsity letters in football and was team captain his senior year. In baseball, Lou earned three varsity letters. In both his junior and senior years, Lou was team captain,

April Nelson (Class of 1993) during her four years at East High, April was a three-sport athlete, excelling in cross country, basketball and track & field.

MONTGOMERY

Two people injured in armed robbery

On Jan. 21, at approximately 9:15 p.m., Montgomery Police officers responded to a retail establishment in the 1300 Block of Douglas Road for a report of an armed robbery. Upon arrival, officers learned that two black men, who were armed with handguns, entered the store and ordered the victims to the ground.

While on the ground, both victims sustained minor injuries after the offenders allegedly struck them in the face. The offenders made off with an unspecified amount of cash and several cell phones.

Prior to leaving the store, the offenders took one of the victim’s vehicle keys and they fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle.

The vehicle was later recovered a short distance from the scene. The two offenders remain at large.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Commander Palko at 331-212-9054. You can also remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 630-892-1000.

Callers to Crime Stoppers can qualify for a cash reward up to $5,000 for information that leads to any arrests.

Branch out and trace your family tree for free

A free community event, “How to Trace Your Family Tree,” will be featured at Montgomery Village Hall at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11.

This presentation is perfect for beginners and will focus on how to start a family tree and locate records that can be used to document your family’s history and expand your family tree.

Debbie Buchanan, an accredited genealogist with 40 years of experience, will be presenting.
This seminar is sponsored by Montgomery’s Historic Preservation Commission. This program is free for all to enjoy and is handicapped accessible.

For additional information on these activities, please call the Montgomery Village Hall at 630-896-8080, ext. 9003.