Ivan Echevarria

Fundraiser started for Aurora student who drowned in Lake Michigan

A fundraiser has been set up for 18-year-old East Aurora High School student Ivan Echevarria, who died on Feb. 25 after drowning in Lake Michigan.

“We are asking anyone with a great heart to help the family with this dent in the expenses they will be faced with,” the family wrote on its Gofundme page, which raised a couple thousand dollars in just two days.

According to the Chicago Fire Department, Echevarria and a friend were walking near Lake Michigan that afternoon when Echevarria was swept into the lake near Diversey Harbor. Divers found his body the following morning.

Echevarria was a senior at East Aurora High School. He had previously attended Simmons Middle School, where he was an honor roll student. Echevarria was the youngest of four siblings.

East Aurora High School staff member Kim Kereluik said Echevarria was a funny and friendly student who had a lot of friends.

“He had one of those personalities that attracted people,” Kereluik said. “He had that ‘it’ factor; he won people over.”

Kereluik said Echevarria was interested in working in information technology or as a mechanic. He was passionate about cars and computers. He had been part of the East Aurora Chess Club at the high school.

East Aurora High School counselor Brian Melvin had met with Echevarria a few weeks before his death to talk about graduation and future goals. Echevarria had started to open up this year about his plans, Melvin said.

“He was a quiet kid but very popular,” Melvin said. “He was a normal high school kid who wanted to be successful. This is very sad that this happened.”

To donate visit https://www.gofundme.com/h3refxrw.
Aurora

Police warn of IRS scams

Aurora police are warning residents to be aware of IRS scams this tax season after receiving a wave of reports from potential victim.  According to police, victims reported receiving calls from supposed IRS employees demanding immediate payment for taxes they supposedly owe. The good news, Aurora police said, is that not many people seem to be falling for the scam.

Police are reminding residents that the IRS does not operate in this manner. Residents are asked to visit https://www.irs.gov/uac/IRS-Urges-Public-to-Stay-Alert-for-Scam-Phone-Calls for tips on avoiding scams, and encouraged to share the site with friends and family, especially seniors. Remember, the IRS will not call you if you owe taxes without first sending you a bill in the mail.  They will also not require that you pay your taxes a certain way. For instance, require that you pay with a prepaid debit card.

According to the IRS, many phone scams use threats to intimidate and bully a victim into paying. They may even threaten to arrest, deport or revoke the license of their victim if they don’t get the money. If you believe you been contacted by a scammer visit https://www.treasury.gov/tigta/contact_report_scam.shtml to report the incident.

Yorkville

Parents asked to take district survey

To help guide school improvement, Yorkville teachers, parents, and students across Illinois have an opportunity to participate in the annual Illinois 5Essentials Survey. The survey, which will be given to all teachers and students in grades 6-12,  is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of Yorkville schools.

According to the district, it also affords everyone in the school community the opportunity to share thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains.

5Essentials Reports will be generated for schools if their teachers and/or students meet the response rate threshold of 50 percent. These reports will be sent to schools and districts in May 2016 and will also be included in the State School Report Card.

Additionally, the district has chosen to provide the optional 5Essentials parent survey. If at least 20 percent of Yorkville parents complete this survey, a parent supplement will also be generated.

To take the survey please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ and select the appropriate survey to begin.
No citations in tobacco compliance checks

Late last month, Yorkville police conducted tobacco compliance checks on all local businesses selling tobacco to ensure they were complying with local ordinances and laws. On Feb. 23 police used undercover agents to purchase products at each location, and all businesses were found to be in compliance, according to Yorkville Police.

The results are in contrast with a December 2015 check, when four businesses were not found to be in compliance with local laws.

“The Yorkville Police Department will be conducting tobacco compliance checks throughout the year and hopes to reduce violations through enforcement education of licensees,” the release said.
Kendall County

New senior services deputy added to department

The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office has added a senior services deputy to the Community Policing Unit. Deputy R. Wayne Dial was assigned the duties of senior services deputy at the beginning of the year.

According to the department, the main purpose of this initiative is to reduce victimization of seniors through partnerships and education.

The sheriff’s office plans to partner with Kendall County TRIAD, Kendall County Senior Providers, Kendall County Seniors Advisory Council, Oswegoland Center Senior Advisory Council and other organizations working with senior citizens to give presentations regarding current financial scams and on other crimes targeting senior citizens.

The goal of these presentations is to educate seniors and their associates throughout Kendall County, the department said in a release.

“Dedicating a deputy full time to partner with senior citizen organizations is the first step in helping senior citizens avoid becoming victims of a crime,” Sheriff Dwight A. Baird said. ”The goal of these partnerships is to educate senior citizens on how to avoid becoming victims of a crime and what to do if they unfortunately become a victim of a crime.”

Deputy Dial, a 20-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, earned a bachelors of business administration degree from Northwood University. Deputy Dial is an experienced deputy who has served as a Motor Cycle Officer, Dignitary Protection Officer, D.A.R.E. Officer, Child Restraint Technician, Defensive Tactics Instructor, School Resource Officer, Public Information Officer, Third Party SOS Non-CDL Class B Instructor, Juvenile Officer and Emergency Vehicle Operations Instructor.

Kendall deputies seek fugitives in new ways

The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office will begin listing Kendall County’s most wanted fugitives on their website, www.co.kendall.il.us/sheriff.

There, citizens will be able to view and provide information on wanted fugitives to help the sheriff’s office locate and arrest these suspects. Citizens will be able to provide information on fugitives by contacting the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office at (630) 553-5856.

People can also call Kendall County Crimestoppers at (630) 553-5999.

In conjunction with the most wanted list, the sheriff’s office will begin a “Fugitive Friday” feature on their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/kendallcountysheriffsoffice. Every Friday, a wanted fugitive will be featured with the goal of utilizing social media in order to receive information to apprehend the fugitive.

“The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office is committed to bringing wanted fugitives to justice. We look forward to achieving this goal through the use of social media and information received from the public. The key to maintaining a safe community is good communication and partnerships with our citizens,” said Sheriff Dwight A. Baird.
Oswego

Spring Children’s Clothing/Toy Resale

The Oswego chapter of the national advocacy group Mother’s and More is having its Spring Children’s Clothing/Toy Resale on March 12 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The bi-annual sale will be held at Long Beach Elementary School, 67 Long Beach Road, Montgomery. Items will be half price from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. There is a $1 admission fee at the door and no strollers are allowed on the sale floor.

Please park in the rear parking lot of the school. Shoppers and Sellers wanted! Items for sale include children’s spring/summer clothing, indoor/outdoor toys, infant equipment, maternity clothes and much more. Proceeds will benefit Mother’s and More of Oswego and Long Beach Home & School. Visit (www.mothersandmoreoswego.com/resale).
Used Sports Shoe Exchange

Got used cleats from last season that are feeling a bit snug? Don’t buy a new pair. Trade in your old cleats and shin guards for used ones in your new size during the Used Sports Shoe Exchange. Drop off your used shoes and guards to the Civic Center, 5 Ashlawn Ave, until March 11 in exchange for a ticket that can be redeemed for new equipment on March 12.

Stop by the Civic Center from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. with your ticket and try for a new pair of cleats or guards. Anyone without an exchange ticket may purchase shoes or shin guards for $5 after the exchange from 11 a.m. to Noon. For more information visit www.oswegolandparkdistrict.org or call (630) 554-1010.

–Kendall County News Briefs–