Articles filed under Kendall County

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  Train safety too costly for some suburbs Dec 21, 2012 12:00 AM
  How much is saving someone from death or injury at a railway crossing worth? The deadly statistics don't match the dwindling funding. “Everyone understands the need to do (upgrades in the suburbs), but the lack of funding is a major detriment,” ICC Rail Safety Program Administrator Michael Stead said. And the safety varies greatly from suburb to suburb.
  

   
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  Images: Holiday lights in the suburbs 2012 Dec 20, 2012 12:00 AM
  More than 60 people entered the Daily Herald's 2012 holiday lights contest. Jeffery Lawnicki, 19, of Hampshire is the winner. Here are pictures from all the entries, including the other top vote-getters. Thanks to all who entered; we hope you enjoy the lights. An interactive map with addresses for all contest entries can be found at http://bit.ly/URMiez
  

   

• Counselors and advisors help students learn the ropes Dec 13, 2012 12:00 AM
  Have you ever traveled to a foreign country where you don't speak the language? The entire experience can be disorienting. For some students, going to college is equally foreign. When traveling, it's always prudent to consult a map to make sure you reach your destination. It's no different in college. Taking advantage of the counseling and advising services available at Waubonsee and other colleges is a smart decision.
  

   
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  Weekend in Review: Fatal hit-and-run, pension fix and Bears burn out Dec 10, 2012 12:00 AM
  What you may have missed over the weekend: Family mourns teen killed in hit-and-run; Naperville Central investigates cheating; deadline could force pension flipflops; how new pension system would work; Geneva chef creates largest candy cane at 51 feet; Bears' season coming apart at the seams; Mexican-American singer's plane crashes; gas prices fall again; and former Congressman Joe Walsh running for governor?
  

   
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  Voting is open in holiday lights contest Dec 10, 2012 12:00 AM
  Traditional or modern? White or multicolored? Now's your chance to voice your preference by helping to pick the winner in our annual holiday lights contest. Voting opens today and runs through midnight Dec. 16.
  

   
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  Holiday lights contest deadline is midnight tonight Dec 9, 2012 12:00 AM
  Traditional or modern? White or multicolored? Blinking, chasing or constatly lit? It doesn't matter what your preference, we want to see your holiday lights. The deadline to enter the Daily Herald's holiday lights contest is midnight tonight.
  

   
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  History of Christmas lights Dec 8, 2012 12:00 AM
  Do you know when the first Christmas tree was adorned with lights? Or when blinking lights were invented? Here are some random Chrsitmas lights facts to chew on while we remind you about the Daily Herald's holiday lights contest.
  

   
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  Safety first when it comes to holiday lightsDec 6, 2012 12:00 AM
  Roughly 12,500 people are treated for injuries sustained while hanging holiday lights or decorating Christmas trees, whether real or fake. Christmas trees are involved in about 300 fires annually, resulting in an average of more than $10 million in property loss and damage. To help keep your holiday safe, here are some tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
  

   
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  Suburban mayors accuse agency of mismanagement, nepotismDec 5, 2012 12:00 AM
  The Illinois Municipal League was formed as a way for towns across the state to stand as one on legislative and other issues that affect them. Now, however, the group itself is divided, with several suburban mayors claiming mismanagement of the taxpayer-supported organization and calling for the jobs of agency leaders.
  

   
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  LED lights v. regular holiday lights Dec 5, 2012 12:00 AM
  If you're interested in keeping down your electricity costs this year, you might try LED lights. In addition, LED lights last longer and are safer than traditional lights.
  

   
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  Hope for the Holidays raises $10,000 so far to help needy children Dec 5, 2012 12:00 AM
  The Daily Herald's "Hope for the Holidays" fundraising drive, sparked by 90-year-old Arlington Heights resident Walt Meder, has raised more than $10,000 so far from 183 donors to buy toys and gifts for children served by WINGS, an agency serving homeless and abused women in the suburbs and their children. Meder isn't surprised by the outpouring, saying, "People are pretty good if they just get the chance." Donations will be collected through Dec. 17.
  

   
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  How would you spend a Powerball windfall? Nov 28, 2012 12:00 AM
  Paying bills, buying homes and boats, sending the kids to college and at least one Maserati are among items mentioned by suburban folk talking about what they'd spend their Powerball winnings on. And quite a few mention giving a portion of their imaginary winnings to charity, feeding the hungry and building a school.
  

   
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  Powerball jackpot boosted again to $550MNov 28, 2012 12:00 AM
  With $550 million at stake in Wednesday's Powerball drawing, lottery ticket machines in the suburbs are getting a workout. From the frivolous to the altruistic, suburban residents ideas of how to spend the fortune. But financial planners urge restraint. "Don't make any quick decisions," one says. And buying an island is "a terrible idea."
  

   
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  Shoppers clear out suburban stores from the get-go Nov 23, 2012 12:00 AM
  Armed with newspaper ads, smart phones and game plans, Black Friday shoppers were on a mission at suburban stores early this morning. Did they get what they were after? "We really killed it," said Linda Haber of Woodstock. "I was shocked," said Steve Kenney, who works at Penney's in Yorktown Center. "Everything was gone 10 minutes after the store opened. They were polite, but everyone was working it."
  

   
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  “Black Friday creep” another sign of changing times Nov 22, 2012 12:00 AM
  At 8 p.m. today, some of the suburbs' biggest national retail chains — including Target, ToysRUs, Walmart and Hoffman Estates-based Sears — will start their big holiday shopping sales.“Black Friday creep,” as it's known, has drawn mixed reactions from suburban shoppers. "Shopping is a sport to many people, and this is the Super Bowl," Sears spokesman Brian Hanover said.
  

   
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  Aurora, Wheaton have to fill vacant seatsNov 20, 2012 12:00 AM
  After losing city council members to the state legislature, Aurora and Wheaton are taking very different steps to electing new people to fill those vacancies. Candidates interested in Stephanie Kifowit's former Ward 3 aldermanic post in Aurora have until Monday to file nominating petitions, while those interested in filling out the at-large Councilman term of Jeanne Ives in Wheaton must file between Dec. 17 and 24.
  

   
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  New 84th District rep Kifowit stepping down from Aurora council Nov 16, 2012 12:00 AM
  Aurora Alderman Stephanie Kifowit will resign her seat on the city council Tuesday after winning election to the state legislature, she announced this week. Kifowit, 41, said she will step down from her post as alderman for Ward 3 following a 5 p.m. meeting Tuesday so she can concentrate on preparing for her new role as 84th District state representative. "It's important that I dedicate time in the upcoming weeks to transition into the new position so I can really hit the ground running," Kifowit said.
  

   
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  Service set for Big Rock firefighter mauled by own dogNov 15, 2012 12:00 AM
  A memorial service will be held Saturday for a Big Rock firefighter who authorities say was mauled and killed by a dog she recently adopted. Coworkers at the Bristol Kendall Fire Protection District said Dawn R. Brown, 44, loved animals and children, and worked in public outreach at the district, giving tours of the station and visiting schools.
  

   

• Textbook prices affect college affordability, accessibility Nov 14, 2012 12:00 AM
  Across the country this fall, many colleges and universities reported a decline in student enrollment. For years now, declining state and federal support has been a major factor in causing the average college tuition to grow at a much higher rate than overall inflation. However, textbook prices, which have also been on an upward track, are another key part of college affordability.
  

   
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  Pension loophole could mean $500,000 more for ex-Grayslake copNov 14, 2012 12:00 AM
  A loophole in the state's police pension law could cost Grayslake taxpayers an extra $500,000 over the next 20 years that would benefit just a single former police sergeant. Former Grayslake Police Sgt. Conrad Gutraj is entitled to not just one annual 3 percent cost-of-living pension increase, but two, a Lake County judge has ruled.