Briefs: Addison teachers honored
Addison Elementary District 4 honored 12 staff members for their years of service this month during the district's Institute Day Breakfast in Medinah. The honorees were: Laurie Witzke, Judy Rackl, Liz Struc, John Larkin, Jan, Behrens, Terry Sliva and Terri Rafter for 20 years of service; MariJo Kalemba and Judy Giamp, 25 years; Debbie Trinco, Paul Miksan and Debbie Whiston, 30 years.
Local family says 'goodbye'
Visitation for Phillip John Brodnick, one of 14 soldiers who died last week in a Black Hawk helicopter crash in Iraq last week, will be held from 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday and 2 to 9 p.m. Friday at Lawn Funeral Home in Burbank. The 25-year-old's mother, Marian Stockhausen, and one of his sisters, Lisa Brodnick, live in Warrenville. The funeral will be begin at 8:45 a.m. Saturday in Lawn's chapel. A mass then will be held at 9:30 a.m. in St. Albert the Great Church, 5555 State Rd, Burbank. The burial will take place afterward at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 6001 W. 111th St., Alsip. To send condolences, call the funeral home at (708) 636-2320.
It's officially official
Two Republican hopefuls for Illinois House District 96 formally announced the start of their campaigns last week. Commercial insurance broker Michael Bowler and Will County Board Member Michael Wisniewski join a growing number of people seeking the seat held by retiring state Rep. Joe Dunn. Wisniewski said his experience on the county board and as a township trustee have prepared him for the next level. Bowler, a former Illinois General Assembly legislative aide and legislative coordinator believes his background lends itself to a state job. Other candidates are Naperville Councilman Darlene Senger, information technologies consultant Jennifer Brower and possibly businessman John Prichett.
Hubble workshop coming
A group of Wheaton residents and architects will develop a vision for the possible future redevelopment of Hubble School during a community design workshop. The event is scheduled for 9 a.m. Sept. 8 at the Wheaton Park District Community Center, 1777 S. Blanchard in Wheaton. The Wheaton Chamber of Commerce will host the event in cooperation with the city, park district, Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200, the DuPage Homeownership Center and the Northeast Illinois Chapter of the American Institute of Architects or AIA NEI. The Hubble site may become available for development if District 200 is successful in getting voter support to relocate the school to Warrenville. One goal of the workshop, in addition to creating new public spaces and potential commercial development, is to provide ideas for affordable housing options. The results of the eight-hour workshop will be made public after presentations to the Wheaton City Council, District 200 school board and Wheaton Park District in September or October.
Stranded driver charged
A West Chicago woman was charged with two counts of drunken driving after she drove around road barricades and was found sitting on top of her vehicle while it sunk in 5 feet of flood water, Bartlett police said. A Bartlett police officer was on patrol near Stearns and Munger roads around 11:45 p.m. Friday when he saw Megan R. Wood, 20, drive around a set of "road closed" barricades that were blocking Munger Road because of flooding, police said Monday. Before the officer could catch up to her, Wood drove into the flooded part of the road and was fully submerged in 5 feet of water within minutes, police said. Wood was able to escape from the vehicle and sit on top of it until Bartlett firefighters were able to carry her out of the water, police said. Wood was charged with two counts of DUI, disobeying a traffic control device and driving in the wrong lane, police said. Wood was released on bond and has a pending court date in DuPage County, police said.