Articles filed under Darien

Show Articles : next 20

New Philharmonic gets three-concert reprieve Feb 11, 2013 12:00 AM
A 36-year-old professional orchestra that appeared to be playing its last note at the College of DuPage is getting an encore. College officials have agreed to give the New Philharmonic orchestra a 3-concert season in 2013-14 after receiving letters and emails from patrons upset that the 80-member ensemble might have given its final curtain call at a January concert. The orchestra had been performing at the college's McAninch Arts Center in Glen Ellyn until this season, when a $35 million renovation project began that forced the orchestra to schedule concerts off-campus.
College of DuPage moving on in numbers Feb 5, 2013 12:00 AM
The NCAA begins its football signing period Wednesday, and more than two dozen College of DuPage players will be signing.
New work, ear surgery help Wheaton entrepreneur's creative side Feb 4, 2013 12:00 AM
Kukec's People features Nancy Chovancek, whose life turned around after her parents died and she felt life was too short not to do something she always wanted to do. She left behind a 10-year career in project management, returned to school, graduated magna cum laude from DeVry University with a degree in web graphic design in 2009, and launched her own company, Wheaton-based Pegleg Web Designs. She also overcame hearing loss by having surgery in both ears at the same time.
Future uncertain for 36-year-old COD orchestraJan 26, 2013 12:00 AM
A professional orchestra that's been playing for 36 years at the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage could play for the last time Saturday night, while college officials decide if the group will still perform when renovations to the center are complete. The college has canceled the orchestra's remaining three concerts in February and March, and sent letters to the orchestra's general manager, personnel director and librarian that their positions are being eliminated next month.
DuPage murder suspect accused of ordering hit on ex-girlfriendJan 14, 2013 12:00 AM
A DuPage County jail inmate plotted to kill his ex-girlfriend and make it look like an accident to prevent her from testifying against him in a murder case, according to prosecutors. The allegations against Joseph Spitalli were made in a weekend court filing, which also accuses him of hatching an escape plan. Spitalli “wished he had killed (her) when he had the chance,” the informant told prosecutors.
Local dogs a comfort to Sandy Hook studentsJan 13, 2013 12:00 AM
George Schiestel of Arlington Heights was one of six local comfort dog handlers and seven golden retrievers to travel to the scene of last month's deadly shooting for the reopening of school after the holidays. “We were the only outside organization allowed inside the buildings,” says Schiestel, part of the K9 Comfort Dogs Ministry, developed by Lutheran Church Charities in Addison.
DuPage judge: No street clothes in court for murder suspect Jan 11, 2013 12:00 AM
A DuPage County judge has declined to make exceptions for a murder suspect who doesn’t want to be photographed at his arraignment. Attorneys for Joseph Spitalli had asked Judge Daniel Guerin to let their client waive the appearance next week after the news media was granted extended courtroom access.
Darien murder suspect tries to avoid court cameras Jan 9, 2013 12:00 AM
Attorneys for a Darien man would rather he not appear in court for his own arraignment on murder charges because the media will be there with cameras rolling. DuPage County Judge Daniel Guerin could rule Friday whether suspect Joseph Spitalli can waive the appearance. If not, Spitalli's attorneys want him unshackled and allowed to wear street clothes.
Glen Ellyn residents unnerved by man’s arrests, behavior Dec 29, 2012 12:00 AM
A DuPage County judge set tighter bond conditions for a Glen Ellyn man Friday after neighbors unnerved by the school shootings in Newtown, Conn., raised concerns about his growing arrest record and unusual behavior. Christopher Shukin, 22, has been arrested 10 times since November 2011 on a variety of charges, from walking around naked to window peeping and grabbing a 4-year-old child he didn't know.
Cops say Darien death likely alcohol-related Dec 28, 2012 12:00 AM
Alcohol was likely a factor in the death of a 49-year-old man whose body was discovered this week on a parkway in Darien, police said Friday. Police Chief Ernest Brown identified the victim as Joseph Crockett, who had addresses listed in Carol Stream and Westmont.
Candidates line up for DuPage school boards facing contentious issuesDec 28, 2012 12:00 AM
Candidates seeking school board seats in the April 9 DuPage County election will face issues ranging from budget deficits to overcrowded buildings to teacher contracts to curriculum questions. As daunting as it seems, relatively large numbers of candidates have filed to pursue seats on several area school boards.
Police probe man’s death in Darien Dec 27, 2012 12:00 AM
Darien police are investigating the death of a man whose body was discovered on a parkway, authorities said Thursday. The DuPage County state's attorney's office confirmed the man was found dead Wednesday morning and police have launched an investigation.
Waterleaf chef quits amid COD faculty complaints Dec 23, 2012 12:00 AM
The resignation of the executive chef of the College of DuPage's professionally-run restaurant has brought to a boil a debate on campus of the purpose and role of the fine dining venue. Jean-Louis Clerc stepped down effective Dec. 14 after more than a year at the helm of the Waterleaf, a 130-seat restaurant that opened on the Glen Ellyn campus in October 2011. It features Italian and French fare, boasts a wine list of more than 200 bottles and has received accolades from local reviewers. But it's also drawn the ire of some faculty members, who argue the facility isn't fully serving the purpose for which it was built: to provide a real-world learning experience for students.
Leader says SBDCs should be part of business owner’s team Dec 10, 2012 12:00 AM
Small Business Columnist Jim Kendall talks with the manager of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at College of DuPage, who is retiring June 1. Cook and the collar counties are home to 18 Small Business Development Centers, nearly half at local community colleges, but many fret that too few businesses are aware of the generally free resources available within the SBDC system.
DuPage man guilty of hate crime in beating at gas station Dec 6, 2012 12:00 AM
A former Darien man has been convicted of a hate crime for the bizarre and apparently unprovoked attack on a man at a Woodridge gas station, authorities said Thursday. Ali Akel, 34, was charged June 20, 2011 after prosecutors said he hurled racial slurs at and spat on a black man waiting in line at a Mobil station, then threw the victim down and began punching him.
Darien man charged in slashing death of ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend Nov 19, 2012 12:00 AM
A Darien man accused of slashing the throat of his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend was held without bail Monday on charges of aggravated kidnapping and first-degree murder. Joseph Spitalli, 34, is charged with the early Friday slaying of Teymur Huseynli, 31. Prosecutors said the killing happened as Spitalli's ex-girlfriend watched helplessly.
All 4 Glenbards will graduate same day Nov 14, 2012 12:00 AM
For the first time in recent years, all four Glenbard High School District 87 schools will hold commencement ceremonies on the same day and on their own campuses. The move comes at the request of principals at the schools, who believed it would be best for students and their families if graduation be held on a Friday night — May 31, 2013, officials said.
McHenry County College leads in enrollment increaseNov 9, 2012 12:00 AM
McHenry County College had the highest rate of growth in head count and full-time equivalent enrollment in the last five years among all community colleges in Illinois, officials said. The fall student head count is up 33.9 percent — from 5,374 students in fall 2008 to 7,914 students now. MCC leads the pack of community colleges that posted five-year gains. In the Chicago suburbs,
Hollywood no 'American Horror Story' for Naperville native Nov 6, 2012 12:00 AM
You'd think an actor with a macho name like "Matt Armstrong" would be in the Hollywood trenches, fighting to become the next Bruce Willis. Nope. "I have a 10-year-old son and he takes up a lot of time," the Naperville native said. Armstrong plays a cop in Wednesday's "American Horror Story" episode.
Glenbard graduations will be on campus Oct 30, 2012 12:00 AM
Students at Glenbard North and East won't have far to travel to receive their high school diplomas at the end of the school year. The school board voted unanimously Monday to allow commencement ceremonies for the two schools to be held on their respective campuses — a decision that follows earlier discussion about the price tag of off-site graduations.