The Aurora Public Art Commission’s 20th annual Winter Garden of Youth Art exhibit runs Dec. 8 to Jan. 20 at the Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Place. (Photo courtesy of city of Aurora)

Aurora

Police investigate bank robbery

Aurora police are assisting the FBI in the investigation of a bank robbery that occurred around 11:30 a.m. Nov. 21 at the Fifth Third Bank in the 2000 block of Ogden Avenue, Aurora.

According to police, a man walked up to a bank teller and demanded cash then walked out of the bank with an undisclosed amount of money.

The suspect was described as a white man, thought to be in his 20s or 30s, standing about 6-feet with a small build, the FBI said. He was carrying a black messenger bag and wearing a brown hat, dark blue winter coat, black winter gloves and black sunglasses.

The FBI, which warned the man should be considered armed and dangerous, is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest.

Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to contact the FBI at (312) 421-6700. No injuries were reported.

Annual Winter Garden of Youth Art opens

The Aurora Public Art Commission will host the Opening Reception of the 20th annual Winter Garden of Youth Art exhibit on Friday, Dec.  8 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Place.

On display through Jan. 20, 2018, the Winter Garden of Youth Art is a dynamic exhibit of works of art by Aurora students in kindergarten through 12th grade from 31 schools. All the works of art are chosen by art teachers or other faculty members from each school.

Participating schools include: Allen, Aurora Christian, Bardwell, Beaupre, Brady, Benavides, Dieterich, East High, Fred Rodgers, Freeman, Gates, Greenman, Hall, Herget, Hermes, Hill, Hope Wall, IMSA, Jewel, Johnson, Krug, McCleery, Nicholson, Oak Park, O’Donnell, Rollins, St. Rita, Simmons, Smith, Studio Nafisa and West High.

In this year’s exhibit, a variety of mediums will be on display, including paintings in acrylic, tempera, oil and watercolor; drawings in charcoal, pastel and pencil; printmaking, photography, sculptures, computer arts, jewelry, ceramics and 2D and 3D collages.

Visitors can view the exhibit for free during the opening reception and every Wednesday through Saturday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Kendall County

Woman arrested and charged with home invasion

On Nov. 27 at approximately 3:42 a.m., Kendall County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to a residence in the 2700 block of Light Road in Oswego for a report of a subject armed with a metal pipe and a box cutter.

Officers from neighboring agencies responded to assist as well.

During the investigation, it was determined that 39-year-old Angela Joy Varriale- Yelm from the 500 block of Declaration Lane in Aurora entered an apartment through an unlocked bedroom window.

Varriale-Yelm confronted the two victims, a 26-year-old male and a 25-year-old female from the 2700 block of Light Road, in the bedroom where she struck the female with the pipe and cut the male with the box cutter. It was later determined that Varriale-Yelm and the male victim had recently been in a dating relationship.

A third occupant of the apartment was able to exit the apartment and call 9-1-1.

Both victims declined medical treatment on scene from Oswego Fire Department, but later drove themselves to Rush Copley Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Varriale-Yelm was arrested and charged with four counts of Home Invasion, Aggravated Domestic Battery, Aggravated Battery, and Criminal Trespass to Residence.

Varriale-Yelm is currently in custody at the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office awaiting a bond hearing.

Kifowit hosting coffee stops in December

State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, is inviting area residents to meet with her to discuss state and local issues at her “Coffee with Kifowit” stops throughout her district in December.

“It is important for me to hear directly from residents on what I can do to improve our community and state,” Kifowit said. “I enjoy responding to questions, concerns, and ideas face to face.”

All “Coffee with Kifowit” events are free and open to the public. Attendees will be treated to a refreshment of their choice. The events are scheduled from 8:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m., and will take place at the following locations:

• Monday, Dec. 4 at Pomegranate Cafe, 55 S Commons Drive, Aurora;
• Monday, Dec. 11 at Maxfield’s, 2290 Ogden Ave., Aurora;
• Monday, Dec. 18 at Benny’s Place, 1158 Douglas Road ,Oswego

“In a diverse state like ours, it is vital that citizens are able to voice their unique concerns directly to those that represent them,” Kifowit said. “Hearing from my residents helps me better represent their interests in Springfield.”

For more information on these or other events, visit www.ILDistrict84.com, or contact Kifowit’s constituent service office at (630) 585-1308 or by email at Stephanie.Kifowit@att.net.

Montgomery

Nominations being taken for decorations award

Now is the time to nominate a property for a Holiday Decorations Award! Committee members will visit the nominated addresses on Dec. 20 in order to select the winners. A sign will be placed in front of the properties selected for an award. Owners are asked to leave these award signs up through the holidays.

Nominations will be accepted through Dec. 17, and judging will take place on Dec. 20. You can nominate a property by calling Public Works at (630) 896-9241, Ext. 2444 or via the link below: http://ci.montgomery.il.us/FormCenter/Other-4/Holiday-Decorations-Contest-65

Oswego

Police earn accreditation with Excellence Award

The Oswego Police Department has again earned reaccreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA).

The Oswego Police Department was recognized at the CALEA National Conference in Jacksonville, Florida, Nov. 18, and was awarded the CALEA Advanced Law Enforcement Accreditation with Excellence.

The department was evaluated by CALEA assessors in August. Using the CALEA Gold Standard model, which measures the impact of accreditation on the department and its community, as opposed to simply confirming compliance through agency file review, the assessors spent several days determining the department’s compliance with over 400 law enforcement standards.

In addition to a review of the department’s reports, policies and procedures, the process included in-depth inspections of the police department operations as well as extensive interviews with agency personnel and community members.

Originally accredited in 2005, this is the fifth time Oswego Police have received accreditation and the third consecutive time they have received the Excellence Award, signifying the Oswego Police Department is at the forefront of the best practices in the profession and is committed to providing the level of professionalism and service delivery expected by the community and business members of Oswego.”

–Kendall County News Briefs–