Season for sales
The return of warm weather coincides with the start of garage sale season throughout the western suburbs, including a community wide event last weekend in Batavia. (Photo by Jack McCarthy / Chronicle Media)

KANE COUNTY

Warm, dry weather leads to house fires

Area fire departments reported two house fires in the past 24 hours last week, both involving homes and requiring assistance from multiple departments.

The blazes were a powerful reminder of Red Flag Warnings issued by the National Weather Service Chicago. Unseasonably warm temperatures, abnormally dry vegetation, and low relative humidity values created conditions for explosive fire growth.

The St. Charles Fire Department was dispatched at 9:06 a.m. on April 30  to a reported grill on fire, close to the house, at 506 Pin Oak Court.

While units were en route, an update was provided by TriCom that indicated the deck and the structure were now on fire.

Firefighters were on the scene by 9:10 a.m. and found the grill and deck burning with fire moving up the back wall of the home and into the attic of the structure. They brought the fire under control in approximately 20 minutes, but investigators and fire units remained on the scene until 11:02 a.m.

Fire loss was  estimated at $25,000 to the structure and contents.

The Elgin Fire Department was dispatched to a house fire at 11:31 p.m. on April 30 in the 500 block of Miller Drive.

The fire was called in by the resident when they heard an explosion outside, then saw the exterior of the house on fire. The explosion was caused by the tire of the car on fire in the driveway.

Multiple calls were received by communications, so the fire was immediately upgraded to a “working fire,” which brought three additional fire units to the scene.

The Elgin Police Department arrived immediately prior to the Fire Department and confirmed that all the residents were out of the house.

The first EFD units arrived on the scene within five minutes of dispatch and immediately began to extinguish the car burning in the driveway, along with the exterior of the house, the Elgin Fire

Extensive damage occurred to the house and destroyed one car. The estimated fire loss was approximately $80,000 to the building, vehicle and contents.

ELGIN

Pair shot to death, police seek two suspects

The Elgin Police Department reports that two people were shot and killed and two persons of interest are in custody following an April 29 incident in the 0-100 block of Longwood Place.

According to a post on the Elgin Police Department Facebook page, officers responded at around 2:08 p.m. Sunday to a reported shooting in which two people were struck by gunfire.

One victim, later identified as Mark McDaniel, 26, of Elgin was taken to Advocate Sherman Hospital and subsequently transferred to Lutheran General. The second victim, later identified as Raymond Dyson, 29, was taken to Presence St. Joseph’s Hospital, after which he was transferred to Good Samaritan Hospital.

Both victims have since been pronounced deceased, police said.

Two persons of interest are with detectives from the Major Investigation Division.

“Detectives are working diligently on this case, compiling statements and evidence,” said Elgin Police Department Deputy Chief Bill Wolf. “Preliminary information indicates that the victims and offenders were in close proximity to one another in the apartment parking lot when the shooting occurred. As the investigation continues, we will provide our community with additional information.”

Anyone with information pertinent to this case is encouraged to call 847-289-2600, or text 847411 and include ELGINPD at the beginning of the text, along with the message and/or tip information.

ST. CHARLES

Fair board names three scholarship winners

The Kane County Fair Board of Directors in St. Charles has named Kristina Drendel, Megan Fidler, and Elaina Studt as its 2018 scholarship recipients.

Each student, who is an active member of a local 4-H Club, will receive $750 per year for four years, or a cumulative total of $3,000, as they continue and complete their higher education.

“We are pleased to continue the tradition of awarding scholarships to worthy young students in our 4-H community,” said Larry Breon, chairman of the Kane County Fair board of directors. “It’s an honor for us to help these three outstanding students who give back to their communities and have set high goals for their future success.”

Since launching its Kane County Fair 4-H scholarship program more than 10 years ago, many Kane County area 4-H students have been awarded financial assistance to further their education.

Drendel of Hampshire ranks 14 out of a graduating class of 370 students at Hampshire High School with a GPA of 3.96/4.  Fidler of Sycamore ranks 33 out of a graduating class of 277 students at Sycamore High School with a GPA of 3.94/4. Studt of Elgin ranks 37 out of a graduating class of 249 at Burlington Central High School with a GPA of 3.88/4.

GENEVA

Cougars host Hall of Famer Randy Johnson June 28

The Kane County Cougars will host legendary pitcher and Hall of Fame member Randy Johnson at an “Out to the Ballgame IV” event on Thursday, June 28 at Northwestern Medicine Field.

Johnson, along with Cougars owner Dr. Bob Froehlich, will speak to attendees in a question and answer format.

For $75, guests will be guaranteed a Randy Johnson bobblehead, a question and answer program featuring Froehlich and the MLB Hall of Famer, along with a buffet dinner and Super Suite ticket that night’s Cougars game that night.

Tickets are available for purchase by calling the Cougars front office at 630-232-8811 or by ordering online at kccougars.com. Seating is limited and tickets are expected to sell out quickly. 

AURORA

Three nominees named for city’s officer of year

The Aurora Exchange Club in association with the Aurora Police Department, will once again name its choice for “Police Officer of the Year” during a luncheon on May 22 at the Gaslite Manor, 2485 Church Road.

Three Aurora police officers who displayed outstanding efforts in 2017 have been nominated for the annual award.

This year’s nominees include:

• Investigator Dave Brian for his outstanding work on the murder of 18-year-old Clarence King of Aurora that still continues today.
• Officer Jay Ellis for his efforts during a six-day period when he secured or assisted in securing charges on several individuals and seized drugs and weapons during proactive patrols at a South East Side public housing complex. He’s also being recognized for his actions to a reported shooting, where a high ranking gang member was a target, and showing compassion to a retired Marine who was the victim of a major theft.
• Officer Steve Pacenti for catching a pair of juveniles who had fled from him earlier in his shift and, four days later, confiscating a gun on a traffic stop which led to two men being charged with felonies. He’s also being recognized for his actions in several incidents that took three guns off the streets in about one month’s time and charges against five suspects.

The luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $20 each and can be reserved by calling 630-256-5008. The deadline to purchase tickets is May 11.

The Exchange Club of Aurora has sponsored and awarded the Police Officer of the Year award since 1963. It is a community service organization founded on the principles of service and patriotism and is affiliated with the National Exchange Club. The club also funds programs to prevent child abuse and help young scholars achieve their dreams.

NORTH AURORA

North Aurora Days committee seeks help

The North Aurora Days Committee is looking for volunteers to help out at this years North Aurora Days event, Aug. 3-5.

Short shifts available during the event.  Contact Kim Haeger at kimhaeger@sbcglobal.net for more information.

–Kane County News Briefs–