Briefs: Vision, hearing screening
The Lake Zurich Lions Club will offer free vision and hearing screenings from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday. Testing centers will be set up in the parking lot of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 135 S. Buesching Road, in Lake Zurich. The Lions Club's Mobile Hearing Screening bus is equipped with audiometric equipment to test for hearing losses at a variety of pitches. People 18 years and older can be tested for free. Anyone between the ages of 10 and 17 will need parental consent. Vision tests will be conducted inside the church. The test checks for diabetic retinopathy, a condition that often results in blurred, distorted, darkened, or double vision. People with diabetes, a family history of diabetes, or people older than 55 years are encouraged to have their eyes checked for this potential problem.
Radon testing kits available
The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center urges residents to check the radon levels of their homes or apartments. Short-term test kits are available through the health department for $10. The cost includes return postage, laboratory analysis and interpretation by health department staff. Test kits are also available from area hardware and building supply stores. Radon is an odorless and colorless gas naturally found in rock and soil. It seeps into homes from the soil through cracks in the basement floor and foundation, crawl spaces, poorly sealed sump pumps, floor drains, porous cinder block walls and other foundation floor and wall penetrations. Radon gas is measurable everywhere, but the highest readings are normally found in the basement and first floor levels of homes and apartments. For more information, call (847) 377-8030.
Volo to flush water system
The village of Volo will flush the water system in the Terra Springs and Remington subdivisions Oct. 11. Residents may experience some water discoloration, pressure variations and some stirred up particles in the water. People with questions should contact the village at (815) 344-4471.
Gavin staff contract OKd
Support personnel in Gavin School District 37 ratified their first collective bargaining agreement during a meeting Sept. 24. Employees ratified the new, three-year agreement by a wide margin, union officials said. The agreement covers wages, hours and working conditions for 60 non-teaching personnel in the district including custodians, secretaries, aides, nurses, lunchroom aides, bus drivers and kitchen staff. The new contract includes salary increases for new hires and further job security, union officials said. The board is expected to approve the new deal in October.