Briefs: West Nile strikes again
Two additional cases of West Nile virus were reported in DuPage County Wednesday by the Illinois Department of Public Health. The individuals include a 55-year-old man from Lombard who contracted the disease in late August and a 64-year-old woman from Burr Ridge who fell ill early this month. The total number of virus cases in Illinois is 34. Three people have died from West Nile this year. Experts advise residents to use bug spray when outdoors.
No one hurt in Addison fire
The Addison Fire Department said it responded to a structure fire early Wednesday morning at an Addison business. No one was injured in the blaze at 710 W. Belden Ave., which is registered to Toyo Ink America, a maker of graphic arts products and printing inks. Officials said the fire caused $55,000 in damages and was under control within 30 minutes of arrival on the scene. The department said it received the alarm triggered by the building's automatic sprinkler system. Authorities said an investigation revealed that a plastic drum of discarded rags spontaneously ignited, causing the fire. Elmhurst and Lombard Fire Departments assisted.
COD christens new center
The new Early Childhood Center at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn will have its grand opening today and the public is invited to tour the building. Children attending programs there will plant a tree at the center on the west side of Lambert Road following a 4 p.m. ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony. The building is the first one completed in the Glen Ellyn school's massive Facility Master Plan. For details, call (630) 942-2704.
Addison disaster drill today:
Addison will conduct a full-scale emergency disaster drill from 8 a.m. until noon today, simulating a wide-scale storm event that affects schools, houses and residents. The drill will be held at St. Joseph Catholic School at 33 E. Fullerton Ave.; the wastewater facility at 333 S. Vista Ave.; and near several homes along Palmer Avenue. It will include a mock disaster area, victims, evacuations and transport.
Finance input for Dist. 203
Naperville Unit District 203 is seeking adult community members to serve on the new finance advisers committee for the 2007-08 school year. Responsibilities include providing financial information to the school board and the public; reviewing the District 203 budget and other financial documents; recommending financial policy and funding for school facilities; and developing policy positions on school finance issues. Advisers will meet quarterly. Residents wishing to apply must write a letter expressing their interest and qualifications. Letters and resumes should be sent to the attention of Dave Zager, assistant superintendent for finance, Naperville School District 203, 203 W. Hillside Road, Naperville, Il. 60540. The deadline for submitting an application is Sept. 28.
Warrenville delays decision
Warrenville officials have put a $9.5 million reconstruction plan for the city's community building on hold in hopes a DuPage Forest Preserve District bid for the Cenacle Retreat House will be successful. Mayor David Brummel said the district is primarily interested in the Cenacle's 72 acres, so city leaders are hopeful they can use the site's buildings and save the expense of refurbishing the Depression-era community building downtown. The city council has put a decision on the future of the building off for six months. If the forest preserve district is successful in its bid, one of Warrenville largest open spaces will be preserved.
District 87 hires consultant:
Glenbard High School District 87 renewed its contract with PMA Financial Network Inc. of Warrenville. The one-year agreement will cost the district $7,000. PMA Financial will provide detailed analysis for the district, including developing a historic database by analyzing multiple years of the district's financial reports and combining it with current budget information and forecasts, as well as ongoing updates as needed, according to district reports.