Briefs: FEMA to open local office
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, Illinois Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Small Business Administration will open a St. Charles office Monday to serve as a local resource for residents and business owners affected by last month's floods. Agency representatives can answer questions about registering for disaster assistance, help with disaster loan applications and provide contacts for other programs. The disaster recovery center will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at 530 S. Randall Road, St. Charles, across from the Kane County Fairgrounds. Residents are encouraged to register by calling (800) 621-FEMA before visiting the local office. The help line is answered from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.
Two more West Nile victims
Two more Kane County residents -- a 54-year-old Elgin woman and a 31-year-old St. Charles man -- have been infected with the West Nile virus, the Kane County Health Department announced Friday. That brings to five the number of human cases in the county this year. Also, a Batavia mosquito pool tested positive for the virus, bringing the county's total number of positive mosquito pools to nine. Positive pools have been found in Geneva (four locations), Batavia (three locations), South Elgin and Hampshire. Heavy rains in August offered excellent breeding grounds for the Culex species, the mosquito that most commonly carries the potentially fatal virus. Last year there were four human cases of West Nile, down from 17 in 2005. West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird.
Police looking for driver
Aurora police are searching for information on the driver of a vehicle that hit a 6-year-old boy and left the scene Thursday night. The boy, Christian Sanchez, of the 400 block of North Union Street, suffered a broken leg. He was apparently playing on the sidewalk adjacent to the family's home when a black SUV, possibly an older Chevrolet Blazer, backed into the boy's leg and then left south on Union Street, police said. The boy was taken to Provena Mercy Hospital by paramedics. Anyone with information is asked to call (630) 801-6549.
Chambers to host luncheon
Chambers of commerce from Bartlett, Batavia, South Elgin, St. Charles and Warrenville are teaming up Oct. 11 for a Fall Into Business luncheon. The networking event is set for 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Villa Olivia Country Club, at Route 20 and Naperville Road in Bartlett. Reservations are required by Monday. Admission is $20 for chamber members and $30 for the general public. Call (630) 584-8384 for details.