DuPage eyes emergency funds for environmental group

Help is apparently on the way for SCARCE — but it’s temporary.

The DuPage County Board is scheduled to vote Tuesday evening on allocating $58,500 to keep the environmental advocacy group School and Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education funded through Nov. 30, the …

Batavia chooses second sculpture for Donovan Bridge

BATAVIA — A second sculpture will grace the William J. Donovan Bridge.

On Monday, aldermen voted by secret ballot 8 to 4 in favor of a design from sculptors Oscar Leon & Jessica LoPresti of Highwood from a field of five finalists.

The selection of …

Worker stabbed at Batavia factory

BATAVIA — A Chicago man has been charged with attempted murder in the stabbing of a co-worker at a Batavia company Monday morning. Calvin M. Hayes, 54, of the 300 block of North Pine Street in Chicago, is charged with attempted murder and two counts …

Look back: war sales, distracted motorcyclists and space flights

Aurora is celebrating its 175th birthday this year. The Aurora Historical Society is hosting several events, including a comprehensive exhibit highlighting the city’s history. More information at aurorahistory.net. In commemorating the city’s anniversary, The Beacon-News is revisiting stories from 50, 100 and 150 years ago. …

Passenger killed in motorcycle-truck accident in Geneva

GENEVA — A passenger on a motorcycle was killed Sunday evening in a collision with a pickup truck at a Geneva intersection. On Monday, police identified the victim as Angela Tedesco, 48, of the 500 block of Emerson Circle in Bolingbrook. Officers were called to …

DuPage forest preserve chief announces retirement

Brent Manning thinks the time has come. The executive director of the DuPage County Forest Preserve District has announced he will retire June 15, after nearly nine years in the agency’s top administrative post. “It is something that a person aspires to do during their …

Yorkville preparing for intense REC Center debate

YORKVILLE — The rest of May will be the lull before the stormy discussions on whether or not the city should buy the REC Center.

Mayor Gary Golinski said a purchase contract for the center, on Countryside Parkway just east of Route 47, would come …

NATO visit: Lauzen meets with Romanian president

State Sen. Chris Lauzen of Aurora and his wife Sarah had a 30-minute private meeting with Romanian President Traian Basescu during his visit to Chicago for the NATO Summit. The purpose of the meeting was to strengthen their relationship and to discuss economic development opportunities …

Park upgrades set in Montgomery, North Aurora

Montgomery and North Aurora are in line for some park upgrades. In Montgomery, a new neighborhood park will be built on the village’s far west side, while in North Aurora, Wingfoot Park is in store for several improvements. The Fox Valley Park District Board has …

Auroran sentenced to five years for sexually abusing girl

An Aurora man who fled to Mexico after being confronted by the family of his sexual abuse victim has been sentenced to prison. Juan Herrera-Nunez, 39, 400 block of Iowa Avenue, was sentenced to 5½ years in prison Friday, the Kane County state’s attorney’s office …

West’s Class of 2012

The West Aurora High School Class of 2012 received their diplomas on Sunday at Northern Illinois University’s Convocation Center in DeKalb. Graduates and their families heard from students Lauren Wilson and Edwin Sak and Superintendent Jim Rydland, among others, during the commencement. …

Supreme Court refuses to hear challenge to Illinois redistricting

The U.S. Supreme Court will not hear a challenge to redistricting in Illinois despite complaints from the League of Women Voters of Illinois that the new congressional and legislative lines are unconstitutional.

Will County starts mosquito monitoring for West Nile virus

JOLIET — Will County Environmental Health began 2012 mosquito monitoring May 17. Plans call for personnel to conduct weekly monitoring at more than a dozen locations throughout the county. Weekly mosquito monitoring has been a capstone of Will County’s West Nile virus surveillance and prevention …

Tattoo shop owners to city: rethink licensing rules

AURORA — Tattoo shop owners are asking the city and aldermen to reconsider proposed rules that come along with the city’s attempt to license their businesses.

While three Aurora shop owners said they didn’t take issue with some of the new rules coming forward — …

Oak Park Elementary celebrates 120 years

Hundreds of Oak Park Elementary alumni took a walk on memory lane Friday afternoon during a celebration of the East Aurora school’s 120th anniversary. “I wanted to cry when I walked in. It has been such a long time,” said Evelyn (Maisonet) Cassano, who along …