Briefs: Half Day at 83 partly closed
The intersection of Route 83 at Half Day Road could be partially closed for another day or so as crews work to control a gas main break that occurred Thursday morning. Still closed are two northbound lanes where Route 83 meets Half Day Road, bottlenecking traffic onto the road's two remaining lanes. The break occurred shortly after 9 a.m. Thursday when a contractor digging a ditch for the Illinois Department of Transportation accidentally hit a gas line, said Long Grove Fire Deputy Chief Ken Buckhardt. No fire occurred, but the road was shut down for safety reasons, he said.
Budget OK'd at Harper
Harper College trustees have voted unanimously on a balanced education fund budget for fiscal year 2008. Officials say the Palatine community college will be forced to draw on reserves to pay for new programs, fix aging buildings on campus and cover the loss of state fund cuts by the governor's state budget veto. Gov. Rod Blagojevich vetoed more than $740,000 in state funding for Harper last week. The money included funds to begin a summer training academy for police officers, a bridge program to help at-risk students and a reduction in the state's basic operating grant to community colleges. Over the past five years, state cuts have cost the school nearly $5 million in general revenue, officials say. The budget is $76.5 million, a 6.3 percent increase from last year.
Waste hauling altered
Groot, Barrington's refuse, recycling and yard waste hauler, is still on schedule to be in town today. But because of the recent storms and flooding, the schedule has been slightly altered. Today, Groot will pick up only regular refuse, storm damaged material and yard waste. Saturday, Groot will pick up recycling and any leftover refuse and storm damaged materials. Large branches will be picked up by village crews starting Tuesday. For more information, contact Barrington's public works department at (847) 381-7903.
DUI crackdown for holiday
Several Northwest suburban police departments have in recent days embarked on special anti-DUI enforcement campaigns that will run through and be stepped up for the Labor Day holiday weekend. Officers will be out in force over the three-day weekend, specifically looking for drivers impaired by alcohol or other substances, and some communities are also planning special roadside safety checks to find scofflaws. The federal government provides traffic safety funds for such efforts, money that's administered through Illinois Department of Transportation grants.