Sgt. Branden Gentry, left, Kane County Sheriff’s Department; and Elgin attorney Jamie Mosser, a former Kane prosecutor, discussed domestic violence at “Seeking Help and Hope,” a domestic-violence forum at Santori Aurora Public Library Tuesday, Oct. 25. Panelists seated are Stephanie Austin, left, domestic violence victim who founded a legal aid firm and Kane Sheriff Donald E. Kramer who hosted afternoon and evening forum sessions. (Al Benson photo)

COUNTY

Metra fare hike subject of Kane open house

Metra has proposed a $1.06 billion budget that calls for more fare increases, and the agency seeks public option during an open house set for Nov. 3 at the Kane County Government Center in Geneva.

Metra’s 2017 Preliminary Operating Budget provides $781.2 million for operating costs and $279.5 million for capital improvements in 2017. The budget would increase fare revenue by 5.8 percent and spend the resulting $16.1 million on the agency’s huge capital needs.

The preliminary budget, which covers the day-to-day costs of running the railroad, increases costs by $21.4 million or 2.8 percent over 2016. Key drivers of 2017 operating cost changes include a projected savings of $9 million in diesel fuel prices locked in in 2016, a projected $11.6 million increase in employee health care costs and an average 3 percent increase in employee wages.

If approved, fare hikes would take effect on Feb. 1, 2017. In summary:

• Customers who buy One-Way Tickets will pay 25 cents more per ticket, or 2.4 percent to 7.1 percent more depending on the Metra zone. If these customers take the train 30 times a year, they will pay an additional $7.50 annually to ride Metra.
• Customers who buy 10-Ride Tickets will pay $2.75 more per ticket, or 2.9 percent to 8.9 percent more. That works out to an additional 27.5 cents per trip.
• Customers who buy Monthly Passes will pay $11.75 more per month, or 4 percent to 12.3 percent more. That works out to about 27 cents more per trip and $141 more annually to ride Metra.
• Other proposed fare increases include an additional 25 cents on the reduced fare One-Way Ticket, an additional $1.50 on the reduced fare 10-Ride Ticket and an additional $7.50 on the reduced fare Monthly Pass.

County offers pumpkin recycling for first time

Kane County will offer free pumpkin recycling from 9 a.m. to noon on Nov. 5 at the Evelope Farm700 Averill Rd. in Geneva.

“Jack-o’-lanterns, pumpkins and decorative squashes are highly compostable,” Kane County Recycling Coordinator Jennifer Jarland said. “And it is a real shame to just send them to a landfill, when the nutrients they contain could instead be returned to soil that will grow more healthy food!”

The county will accept pumpkins and squashes for composting right on a farm but must be  contaminant-free similar to food scrap composting.

Anything attached to or inside the Jack-o’-lantern — candles, yard hair, stickers, googly eyes, plastic ears or plastic of any kind — cannot be recycled. Only the jack-o’-lanterns themselves can be composted.

ST. CHARLES

Landscaping, floral displays earn honors for city

The city of St. Charles has earned Five Blooms, the highest rating, in the America in Bloom program. St. Charles also was recognized with an Outstanding Achievement Award for Landscapes over the 39 other entrants across the country.

The results were presented at the Oct. 17 St. Charles City Council meeting and previously announced by the America in Bloom Committee, which judged the city’s floral displays, landscaped areas and environmental project sites during an intense three-day tour from July 10 to July 12. The two ABC judges also reviewed St. Charles’ heritage preservation, urban forestry, community involvement and overall community impression.

St. Charles was recognized for Best Combination of Plants in Hanging Baskets and Best Use of Local Bloom Committee Logo, which were used in the yard signs that were on display at tour stops.

SPRINGFIELD

Attorney General’s office offers energy switch info

Recent stories of aggressive energy company solicitations in Kane County, mainly in Big Rock Township and North Aurora, are now on the radar of the Office of the Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

The Attorney General’s Office offers this advice:

Check your utility bill to determine the source of your supply. Are you purchasing natural gas or electricity supply from your utility company or an alternative supplier?

Find out how much you are paying by locating your supply rate on your utility bill. How much is the rate for supply? What type of rate is it? (A fixed rate charges a different rate each month based on market conditions.) Is it a temporary introductory rate? If so, how long will it last? Is there a monthly fee or other additional charge? Compare your rate. You can compare utility and alternative supplier prices online. Decide if you should switch. If the utility is cheaper, consider switching back to the utility company. You may be charged a fee of up to a maximum of $50 for cancelling with the alternative supplier, but it may save you money in the long run.

Be careful when shopping around. If you are considering switching, do not share your account information unless you are ready to enroll. Take a couple of days to consider every offer.

Consumers can also file a complaint using the consumer fraud hotline by calling 1-800-386-5438 or using the Consumer Complaint Online Submission Form.

AURORA

Orchard Valley named No. 6 public course

Orchard Valley Golf Course is ranked as the sixth best public golf course in Illinois by GOLF magazine in its “Best Courses Near You” ratings for each state in a recent  issue and online at GOLF.com.

Orchard Valley is one of 15 golf courses in Illinois selected among the state’s top public golf destinations by Travelin’ Joe Passov, writer and ranker for GOLF magazine.

With its pristine bent grass fairways and greens, Orchard Valley measures 6,745 yards from the longest tees. Designed by award-winning golf course architect Ken Kavanaugh, Orchard Valley opened in 1993 and features four sets of tees that create an enjoyable golf experience for all different skill levels.

Owned by the Fox Valley Park District, Orchard Valley and Orchards Restaurant are maintained by Billy Casper Golf, which handles daily operations for both facilities. Orchard Valley is routinely recognized as one of the top public courses in Chicagoland, enjoying a 4½ star rating from Golf Digest magazine and a Zagat Guide rating of “extraordinary.”

–Kane County News Briefs–