Sugar Grove resident Will Gillian and James Tews, Plainfield, deliver holiday gifts from Marmion Academy sophomores to the Dominican Literacy Center in Aurora. Background are sister Kathleen Ryan, center director; and James Sanders, Marmion theology instructor. (Al Benson photo)

SUGAR GROVE

Water main breaks disrupts WCC finals

Right in the middle of finals a water main break closed the Waubonsee Community College Sugar Grove campus last Wednesday

The college was back in operation by Thursday, but students, faculty and staff scrambled to make up previously scheduled finals and contend with other end-of-year activities, including cancellation of a regularly scheduled meeting of the college’s board of trustees.

A robo-call went out to students at around 11:30 p.m. last Tuesday with information on the closure.

“We anticipate that the Sugar Grove Campus will return to normal operations and schedules on Thursday, Dec. 14,” officials said. “If there are any changes to that, updates will be posted on the college website and social media platforms by 5 a.m.

“We understand the frustrations that this causes and we appreciate your ongoing patience as we work through this.”

Students impacted by cancellations will hear from their instructors on how final exams or other remaining course work will proceed. Faculty members will determine the best approach for serving the needs of their classes, while meeting the requirements of the end of the semester.

BATAVIA

Indiana woman charged in Batavia bank robbery

An Indiana woman has been charged with robbing Old Second Bank, 1991 W. Wilson St. last Tuesday.

Melissa Fitzgerald, 26, of Portage, Ind. was apprehended along with a second person in Yorkville after local police found an vehicle allegedly used in the theft was found in a Menards parking lot.

The bank was robbed around 2:05 p.m. on Tuesday, leading to a soft lockdown on Batavia High School.

Witnesses supplied information on the vehicle, which Batavia police pursued before cutting off the chase in Aurora. Yorkville police and the Kendall County sheriff’s office responded to discovery of the vehicle at Menards and the suspects were taken into custody.

COUNTY

Police dog honored for eight years of service

During his years with the Kane County Sheriff’s Office, Dakar has had more than his share of successes.

Thanks to him, illicit drugs have been taken off the streets more than 160 times. He has helped in locating more than 500 pounds of cannabis, 25 kilos of cocaine, 2 kilos of heroin, 600 grams of methamphetamine, 10 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, and 2 grams of Lysergic acid diethylamide liquid, also known as LSD.

In addition to aiding in the detection of harmful drugs, Dakar has helped in locating multiple felons and evidence.

The fact that he’s a dog, well, just adds to the legend.

Dakar was honored at last week’s Kane County Board meeting for his eight years of service. He seemed just a pup when he began his career on Nov. 9, 2009, but he became a veteran crime-fighter who used his experience to better the lives of the citizens of Kane County.

Upon retirement, the Sheriff’s Office donates the retired canine to the handler for the sum of $1. According to a resolution passed by the Kane County Board, Dakar will “live out the remainder of his days with the handler who resumes all responsibility and care.”

ELGIN

Nominations sought for annual Image Awards

Elgin’s Image Advisory Commission is seeking nominations for its annual Image Awards, which recognize individuals, businesses and organizations that have had a positive impact on Elgin. 

Nomination forms are currently available at cityofelgin.org/imageawards, or can be picked up at The Robert Gilliam Municipal Complex, 150 Dexter Court.

The deadline to submit nominations is Jan. 24, 2018. Winners be honored at the annual Image Awards event scheduled for March 15, 2018 at The Centre of Elgin.

Awards will be presented in five categories: individual professional; individual volunteer; projects, such as special events, fundraising projects and neighborhood improvements; organizations or businesses; and citizenship. 

For more information or questions regarding the Image Awards, contact Barb Keselica, special events and community engagement manager at keselica_b@cityofelgin.org or (847) 531-7056.

ST. CHARLES

Police nab Chicago man after assault of girl, 13

The Kane County Sheriff’s Office has arrested and charged a 43-year-old Chicago man with assaulting and attempting to rob a 13-year-old girl on her way home from a bus stop Monday in rural St. Charles.

According to a Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched at around 4 p.m. last Monday to a residence in the 34W500 block of Colley Drive in unincorporated St Charles Township in reference to a report of a subject who attempted to rob a 13-year-old girl.

“The girl was on her way home from the bus stop when the incident occurred,” Kane County Sheriff’s Office Director of Administration Pat Gengler said in the news release.

Kane County Forest Preserve Police, who were in the area, located a subject matching the description of the offender and detained him until deputies arrived.

The preliminary investigation indicates that while the girl was walking home from her bus stop, a male subject confronted her and told her to give him money.

“He then threw her onto the ground and touched her,” the release said. “The girl was able to bite the male and get away. She ran home, and the subject left the scene.”

The subject, later identified as Javier Prado, 43, of the 7800 block of South Yates Boulevard, Chicago, was transported to the Kane County Adult Justice Center.

GENEVA

New signage to greet visitors to Geneva

Residents and visitors driving into Geneva will be greeted with new welcome signage at some of the city’s major gateway points by year’s end.

Two primary arterial signs are scheduled to be installed on State Street (Illinois Route 38)/Bricher Road and Fabyan Parkway/Kaneville Road while secondary signs will be located at First Street (Route 31)/Wheeler Park and Bennett (Illinois Route 25)/Division streets.

The work, which will not impact traffic or sidewalk access, is anticipated to be finished before year’s end.

The primary signage will feature the words “Geneva” and “Est. 1835” engraved into an 8-foot by 5.5-foot limestone slab that sits on top of a concrete base with brick veneer. The back portion of the monument signs will showcase an arched 10-foot steel piece showcasing the city’s logo. New or existing trees will be incorporated to serve as a backdrop along with additional landscaping that will be planted in the spring.

The secondary signage will be a smaller version of the main monument.

The signs were designed by Lannert Group of Geneva with guidance and overview of a design committee consisting of aldermen and city staff. The committee established natural materials would set the tone for the signs, which would be grounded in Geneva’s history.

Toys sought for young patients at two hospitals

Help the families of young children facing illness who are unable to shop this holiday season by donating a new unwrapped toy to the Pediatric Pals program.

Sponsored by the Auxiliary of Northwestern Medicine, the toys will benefit the children at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage and Delnor Hospitals.

Suggested toys include small Lego kits, board games, playing cards, Matchbox cars, toddler toys, teething toys/rattles, superhero figures, art kits and books. Items purchased from the Hospital Gift Shops receive a 20% discount.

Drop off unwrapped toys now through Dec. 24 at the gift shops of Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, 25 Winfield Road in Winfield; and Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital, 300 Randall Road in Geneva.

–Kane County News Briefs–