Organizers of the 2018 Aurora Pride Parade hope to expand the event to a full week in 2019. (Photo by Jack McCarthy / Chronicle Media)

SOUTH ELGIN

Man killed, three cops injured in in early morning standoff

A South Elgin man was shot and killed by police on July 3 after a early morning standoff that resulted in injuries to three officers.

Frank Dripps, 52, was shot and killed at around 2:30 a.m. after he fired a weapon at police.

According to reports, police had evacuated surrounding residences and approached Dripps’ location n the 300 block of Woodridge Circle.

He fired at least three shots at officers as they approached the home.

Injuries to the officers — members of a Kane County SWAT team — were reported to be non-life threatening.

REGION

Bartlett due charged in three bank robberies

A man and woman from Bartlett have been indicted in connection with armed robberies banks in Aurora, Gurnee and Ottawa in May.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation said James D. Williams, 41, and Alexis T. Handelman, 21, were each indicted in U.S. District Court in Chicago.

According to reports, they are charged with robberies of the Aurora Bank & Trust,  at 2287 W. Galena Blvd. on May 31, Old Second Bank at 323 E. Norris Drive, Ottawa, May 11 and NorStates Bank, 5384 Grand Ave., Gurnee on May 21.

The pair reportedly used a weapon — said to possibly be a stolen AK-47— in each of the robberies.

If convicted, Williams and Handelman receive a sentence of up to 20 years in prison for each count.

AURORA

Pride organizers propose weekend event in 2019

Last week, organizers of the inaugural Aurora Pride Parade submitted a Letter of Intent to the City of Aurora requesting to hold the next Aurora Pride Parade on Sunday, June 9, 2019.

“The inaugural Aurora Pride Parade is now a celebration for the history books,” said Chuck Adams, founder and executive director of Indivisible Aurora. “I can tell you that our team is already looking forward to a more expansive event for 2019.”

In addition, the Letter of Intent proposes expanding the celebration into a weekend-long Aurora Pride Festival with the parade on Sunday, a kick-off event on the evening of Friday, June 7 and a full-day of activities on Saturday, June 8, including a 5K race, vendor market, art exhibition, poetry slam, speaker series and film festival.

The proposal has received the endorsement of Mayor Richard C. Irvin.

“The parade was an outstanding success,” said Irvin. “Not only did it exceed expectations, it helped to bring new levels of unity, energy and pride to Aurora. It was well organized, fun and family-friendly. All along the parade route, I spoke with people – some with tears in their eyes – who repeatedly thanked us for being the host city. If there is an opportunity to expand that feeling of pride in our city and inspire people to celebrate and patronize businesses in Aurora all weekend, I’m all for it.”

The Letter of Intent is an administrative procedural step in the City’s event planning process. After a complete application is submitted, it must be approved by the Aurora City Council.

GENEVA

Geneva’s Viking long ship offers tours on July 14, 21

Geneva’s Viking longship, a life-size Viking warship reproduction, will host tours Saturdays, July 14 and July 21, at Good Templar Park, 528 East Side Drive in Geneva.

Guided and self-guided tours are offered from 1 to 4 p.m.

The public is invited. Parking is free. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for teens. Children through age 12 are free. 

Thirty-minute guided tours begin every 30 minutes. The last guided tour is at 3:30 p.m. 

Future visit days are Aug. 18, Sept. 15, Oct. 20 and Nov. 10.

Friends of the Viking Ship, a nonprofit volunteer organization, maintains the Viking.

The boat is an exact copy of the Viking ship Gokstad, built about 850. A Gokstad replica, the Viking, was sailed across the Atlantic Ocean from Bergen, Norway, to Chicago for the 1893 Columbian Exposition World’s Fair.

After being exhibited at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, the Viking was displayed in West Chicago before being moved to its current location in 1996.

For more information, call 630-753-9412, email viking1893@Gmail.com or visit vikingship.us.

OSWEGO

Local YMCA will shut down this summer

Residents enjoying the Oswego Family YMCA facilities will have to find a new place to let loose come Aug. 15 when the facility closes for good.

Heather Appling, associate executive director, announced the closure June 28.

“As you may know, our member center leases space within the former Traughber Junior High School, which Oswego School District 308 has decided to sell. While we do not want to leave this location, after a thorough review including an assessment of nearby facilities for a potential alternative, we found no suitable option and have made the decision to close the Oswego Family YMCA on August 15, 2018,” Appling said.

Since the Oswego Family YMCA is just one of the YMCA of Metro Chicago’s 18 member centers, members have several options.

They can continue enjoying their YMCA membership at the Fry Family YMCA, 2120 95th St., in Naperville. Memberships will be automatically transferred there on Aug. 15.

Or, Oswego members can transfer to a different YMCA of Metro Chicago center.  Contact Member Services at 773-905-5115, for more information and assistance.

“In appreciation of your ongoing support, we will honor your current membership rate at any of our locations for as long as you remain a member, subject only to future Association-wide increases if and when they might occur,” Appling said.

Anyone wishing to cancel their membership needs to inform the YMCA no later than Wednesday, July 25 by visiting the membership desk or calling 773-905-5115. If they are notified by that date, your membership will end on Aug.15, the closing date of the Oswego Family YMCA.

The Oswego YMCA encourages members to call 630-608-6707 with any questions or concerns.

AURORA

July 14 Art of Rap fest at RiverEdge Park cancelled

RiverEdge Park has announced the cancellation of a July 14 The Art of Rap fest.

In an eblast to ticket buyers and RiverEdge Park patrons, the venue confirmed:

“While it didn’t work out this year, we plan on meeting with local rap/hip-hop/R&B artists and presenters in the fall. Our goal is to put together a show or festival next summer showcasing local rap artists and possibly a national headliner. We’ll keep you updated as plans progress, so check back for more information. RiverEdge Park apologizes for the inconvenience and thanks you for your support.”

All tickets will be refunded in full to ticket buyers’ original form of payment. If paid with cash or gift card, a refund check will be mailed. If paid with an account credit, the credit will be reissued to the patron’s account.

Ticket buyers are advised to call the RiverEdge Park box office at 630-896-6666 with questions.

NORTH AURORA

Street improvement project now under way

The Village of North Aurora 2018 Streets Improvement Project is now under way, starting at Oak St. and White Oak Dr. and progressing north.

Streets scheduled fir improvement work include: White Oak Drive, Spring Court, White Oak Court, Whitney Court, Stevens Court, West Mooseheart Drive, Brenson Court, Wilkenson Lane, Patterson Ave., Martinson Court, Cromwell Court and Carlson Court.

The project will consist of the removal and replacement of the asphalt pavement, the removal and replacement of hazardous sidewalk and curb, the installation and repair of some storm sewer, and the restoration of the areas that are disturbed by the construction activities.

During this project the Village of North Aurora will try to minimize inconvenience and, mail delivery and garbage pick-up will continue as regularly scheduled. Emergency response vehicles will have access at all times.

For more information contact John Laskowski, Public Works Director at 630-906-7373.

WINFIELD

Emergency Nurses Association award goes to Central DuPage Hospital

Central DuPage Hospital’s Emergency Department is one of 19 departments in the country and the only department in Illinois to be recognized by the Emergency Nurses Association with it prestigious Lantern Award.

The Lantern Award is in reference to Florence Nightingale who was also called the “Lady of the Lamp.” In her work during the Crimean War she used a lantern at night as she cared for wounded British soldiers. She was credited with transforming nursing from an untrained job to a skilled profession. Excellent practice, innovative performance in leadership, practice, education, advocacy and research are some of the characteristics of an emergency department that is given this award.

The hospital is at 25 N. Winfield Road, Winfield.

–Kane County News Briefs–