Registration is now open for the 57th annual Mid-American Canoe and Kayak Race that will be held Sunday, June 3, on the Fox River. (Fox Valley Park District photo)

ST. CHARLES

Suspect shot after pointing gun at police

A 19-year-old man was shot and injured on Thursday by St. Charles Police after he allegedly pointed a handgun at officers responding to reports of a break-in. 

Police were called to the 3400 block of Voltaire Lane around 12:03 p.m. for reports of a break-in in progress. A man reported that an armed suspect had entered his home.

When officers arrived, they saw a man, later identified as, Christopher Kemble, Jr., fleeing toward a park near the home. Officers set up a perimeter, and when closing in on Kemble, Kemble allegedly pointed a handgun at police.

Officers fired and struck Kemble and then immediately rendered first aid, according to St. Charles police. 

During the investigation, police learned that Kemble had called 9-1-1 himself that afternoon to falsely report the break-in. He then fled with a handgun when police arrived.

According to police, Kemble had told friends that he was in possession of a gun and had intended to kill himself or to put him in a situation where he would be shot and killed by police.

After he was struck, Kemble was transported to a local hospital and later airlifted to a Level 1 trauma center where he was listed in stable condition.

Kemble was charged with Disorderly Conduct, a Class 4 felony, for falsely reporting a crime. He was also charged with three counts of Aggravated Assault to a Peace Officer, Class 3 felonies, and one count of Reckless Conduct. 

Police are working to obtain a warrant for Kemble’s arrest upon his release from the hospital.

The involved officers were taken to an area hospital as a precautionary measure and released. They are on paid administrative leave, per department protocol. 

The Illinois State Police are investigating the officer-involved shooting and the St. Charles Police Department is conducting an internal administrative investigation. 

“This is an unfortunate and isolated incident,” police said in a news release. “We are supporting our officers through this difficult time and we sympathize with the Kemble family during this tragic event.”

For information on suicide prevention visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org, or call 800-273-8255.

ELBURN

Rockford area man charged in attempted bank robbery

A 33-year-old Machesney Park man was captured and turned over to the FBI following an April 24 robbery of the Old Second Bank, 749 N. Main St., Elburn.

Robert J. Johnson Jr. entered Old Second Bank around and “implied a gun and demanded cash.”

Bank employees provided a bank cash bag, and the suspect left the scene in a vehicle, Elburn Police Chief Nick Sikora said in s news release.

Johnson’s vehicle description was broadcast to responding officers and was located.

“After a short pursuit, the suspect surrendered to officers at Keslinger Road and I-88,” Sikora said.

Officers recovered a bank bag in the vehicle and a gun that the suspect had thrown out of the vehicle during the pursuit.

The suspect and investigation has been turned over the Federal Bureau of Investigations, according to the news release.

COUNTY

Bartlett cop saluted as officer of the year

Not once, not twice, but four times during the past year, John Maertzig saved a person’s life in a high-risk situation.

For that and other courageous actions, the Bartlett police officer has been named this year’s winner of the Louis Spuhler Award for outstanding police work.

The award was presented recently by the Kane County Chiefs of Police Association, in partnership with the Batavia Moose Lodge #682 during a ceremony at Pheasant Run Resort.

On Feb. 25, Maertzig played a critical role in saving the lives of two individuals during the same 12-hour shift. He successfully revived an unresponsive male after performing CPR. Within hours of that incident, Maertzig revived an unresponsive man who had apparently overdosed on heroin by administering two doses of Narcan.

Last October, Bartlett police officers were dispatched to a domestic situation involving a firearm. Maertzig volunteered to carry the ballistic shield and make contact with the husband, who was armed with a handgun. He resolved the situation peacefully, and the husband voluntarily surrendered the weapon.

In November, Maertzig was recognized for his quick thinking and actions to help coordinate the evacuation of residents during a house fire. Later that month, he revived another unresponsive man who apparently overdosed on heroin.

MONTGOMERY

Smith gets unanimous approval as new chief

Phillip J. Smith was unanimously appointed as Montgomery’s new Chief of Police at the Village Board Meeting at an April 23  Board Meeting.

He has been serving as chief of police in west suburban Berkeley for the past four years, and will succeed Chief Daniel J. Meyers who was scheduled to retire April 30. 

Smith’s appointment will be effective as of May 1.

“Phil Smith has had an extensive law enforcement career that has prepared him well to serve as Chief of Police for the Village of Montgomery,” said Village President Matt Broley.  “He is a proven professional with the education, experience and leadership skills necessary to lead our Police Department.  We look forward to working with him as we continue to move Montgomery forward.”

Smith has 27 years of experience in law enforcement.  During his 23-year career with the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office he served in diverse roles, including deputy sheriff, narcotics investigator, detective, sergeant and police operations commander. 

His experience also includes eight years as the Tactical Commander for a multi-jurisdictional Tactical Response Team.

Smith holds a master of arts in law enforcement and justice administration from Western Illinois University.  He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Northwestern University’s Executive Management Program and the School of Police Staff and Command.

COUNTY

Signup now under for Mid-American river races

Registration is now open for the 57th annual Mid-American Canoe and Kayak Race that will be held Sunday, June 3, on the Fox River.

The event will feature two different lengths for paddlers to choose from — a 10-mile run starting in St. Charles and a 6-miler from Batavia — with both races finishing at McCullough Park in Aurora.

The Mid-Am is open to paddlers of all ages and abilities, featuring 11 canoe divisions, 8 kayak divisions and 1 open (non-competitive) division.

The 10-mile race begins at 9 a.m. from Mount. St. Mary Park in downtown St. Charles, with the 6-miler starting at 10:30 a.m. from the VFW in Batavia, just south of downtown.

Boats will be staged in heats of 10 and then launched individually at 15-second intervals from both start areas. Free shuttle buses for participants and spectators will run continuously from McCullough Park to both starting sites beginning at 7 a.m.

All-inclusive canoe and kayak rental packages are available for both races at discounted prices, with start area delivery and finish line pickup of rental boats included.

A riverside party for all paddlers, friends, families and spectators will take place at the finish area at McCullough Park and feature food, music, beer, prize drawings, local vendors and live interviews with paddlers.

Visit www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org to register online. Registration forms also are available at all Park District community centers. Registration closes at noon on May 30, and day-of registration will not be available. For more information, call 630-859-8606. ST. CHARLES

ST. CHARLES

Fine Art Show returns Memorial Day weekend

Thousands of creative and beautiful pieces of artwork will grace the downtown district when the St. Charles Fine Art Show returns to town Memorial Day Weekend. 

The show opens at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 26 along Riverside Drive with over 100 artists, whose work was juried for acceptance into the show.  The show runs through Sunday at 5 p.m.

This show features painting, sculpture, photography, glass, wood, jewelry and other media, all of which draws thousands of visitors to downtown St. Charles to both view and purchase the work of artists from across the entire country.

For more information, visit www.downtownstcharles.org/dscp_events/fine-art-show/   or call 630-443-3967.     

ELGIN

U-46 board seeks to fill vacancy

The School District U-46 Board of Education has announced the selection process it intends to follow to fill a vacant seat on the Board. The successful candidate will serve until the next Board election, which will occur in April 2019.

Interested individuals who now live within School District U-46 and who meet the requirements of state law to serve as a Board member can send a one-page letter of interest and resume to: Miguel Rodriguez, Secretary to the Board of Education, 355 E. Chicago St., Elgin, IL 60120 or by email to: miguelrodriguez@u-46.org

The deadline for receipt of the required materials is 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 9, 2018. Questions may be sent toBoard@u-46.org.

AURORA

Police charge women with store clerk injury

The Aurora Police Department has secured felony charges through the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office against a 52-year-old Montgomery woman in connection with an incident in which she allegedly dragged a grocery store security employee with her car.

Lori R. Federman of the 100 block of Keck Avenue in Aurora faces aggravated battery and felony retail theft charges in connection with the Feb. 19 incident at a grocery store in the 1900 block of West Galena Boulevard.

A 24-year-old female employee told police that she witnessed Federman shoplifting several items including meat and vitamins at around 6:15 p.m. Feb. 19. When the employee confronted Federman, she allegedly ran to her car with the employee chasing after her.

After getting into the vehicle, police said Federman grabbed onto the employee’s collar, pulled her partially into her car and took off. After she let the employee go, Federman sped away through the parking lot’s east exit.

The employee suffered only minor injuries and was treated on-scene by Aurora Fire Department paramedics, police said.

Detectives were able to secure several forensic items that pointed to Federman’s alleged involvement in the case. A warrant was issued for her arrest earlier this month, and she turned herself in to Aurora Police on April 18.

The charges against Federman are not proof of guilt. She is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which it is the burden of the state to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

SUGAR GROVE

Waubonsee celebrates commencement May 12

Waubonsee Community College will celebrate the accomplishments of its students with commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 12, at the college’s Sugar Grove Campus Field House.

This marks the third consecutive year that the college is holding two ceremonies in the Field House. Ceremonies will take place at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Oswego Village President Gail Johnson will serve as this year’s commencement speaker. Johnson graduated from Waubonsee with an Associate of Science degree in 1992. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism in 1993 and a Master of Arts in Communication Studies in 1995, both from Northern Illinois University.

Johnson was elected as a trustee in the Village of Oswego in 2011 and was elected as the village president in 2015. In addition to her service to the village, she has and continues to serve on numerous civic boards, to include the executive board of Northwest Water Planning Association, the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus representing Metro West Community of Governments, the Executive Board of the Kendall County Community Food Pantry and the Executive Board of KenCom.

Johnson was recognized by Waubonsee Community College as a Distinguished Alumni in 2006.

Waubonsee’s first graduating class in 1968 was made up of only 16 students. Last year, more than 1,100 students graduated from Waubonsee.

–Kane County News Briefs–