Briefs: Des Plaines robber sought
Police are looking for a man after an armed robbery at a Des Plaines restaurant Friday night. An unidentified man went to Taco Bell, 945 S. Elmhurst Road around 6:35 p.m. and displayed a sliver handgun and demanded money from the register, police said. The man, described as about 30 years old with a thin face, bushy eyebrows, short brownish hair, goatee, weighing about 170 lbs., about 5 feet, 8 inches tall and wearing a black New York Yankees hat, fled on foot with an undetermined amount of money, police said. Anyone with information is asked to call police.
Man charged with battery:
A Des Plaines man is charged with aggravated domestic battery and aggravated unlawful restraint in an attack on a woman, police said. A judge set no bond for Patrick J. Worley, 24, of the 500 block of Vassar Lane, in the Tuesday night attack, police said. He was arrested in Chicago after fleeing the Des Plaines home. Worley is accused of gagging a 23-year-old woman, restraining her arms and putting a blanket over her head. She kicked out a window during the struggle to distract Worley, and then she fled to the kitchen, where her children were, police said. But Worley dragged her to the bathroom, where he bludgeoned her with a handgun and threatened to kill her until she fought him off and ran from the home, police said. Worley's next court date is Oct. 22 in Skokie.
Another fire in Streamwood
A lit candle that accidentally ignited bedding was determined as the source of a fire that caused $30,000 of structural damage to a house at 421 Walnut Drive in Streamwood early Friday. Firefighters received the call at 3:30 a.m. Four adults were able to escape without injury, despite attempting to extinguish the fire themselves for five minutes before calling 911. The fire was contained to the bedroom where it started, but smoke and water damage occurred throughout the house. Also damaged was an estimated $20,000 worth of personal property inside the house. This was the second house fire resulting in property damage this week in Streamwood.
Church celebrates 50th
St. Joseph the Worker Parish at 181 W. Dundee Road in Wheeling will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a special Mass at 10:30 a.m. Sunday with Cardinal Francis George officiating. The church has been next to the Wheeling village hall for 50 years. Most recently, the church sold 20 acres of land, including baseball fields, to the park district. For more information on the church and the anniversary, call (847) 537-2740.
Pumpkin events today
The eighth annual Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off will be held noon today at Didier Farms, 16678 W. Aptakisic Road, Prairie View. A custom-made championship belt valued at $1,500 will be awarded to the winner of the heaviest pumpkin. Pumpkins in the contest range from 100 to 1,500 pounds. The weigh-off also will include hayrides, pony rides and a corn maze. For more information, call the farm at (847) 634-3291. Also today, the Streamwood Park District hosts its Pumpkinfest from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Hoosier Grove Park, 700 W. Irving Park Road. Features include pumpkin decorating, a pet show, kiddie run, family entertainment, food, warm apple cider, a pie-eating contest, moonwalk and pumpkin launch. For details, see streamwoodparkdistrict.org.
Fall fests this weekend
The 17th annual Autumn Harvest in Arlington Heights will start at 11 a.m. today at North School Park, at Eastman Street and Arlington Heights Road. The event will include a scarecrow building contest, pony rides, a petting zoo, a scavenger hunt, hayrides, kids craft corner and more. The "Harvest Heat Chili Cook -off" will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Individuals, groups and restaurants will compete for the title of "People's Choice Best Chili" and "Best Chili in Arlington Heights." Sunday, the Schaumburg Park District's Autumn Harvest Fest runs from noon to 5 p.m. at Spring Valley Nature Center's Volkening Heritage Farm, 1111 E. Schaumburg Road. This free family event includes crafts and games for children, horse-drawn hayrides, homemade foods and old-time music. Visitors can help with the harvest, taste freshly pressed cider and view hands-on demonstrations at the farm. Parking is available at the Nature Center and at nearby Olympic Park, 1675 E. Schaumburg Road. For information, call (847) 985-2100 or visit www.parkfun.com.
History of Arlington Heights:
Local Arlington Heights historians and authors Gerry and Janet Souter will give a free presentation called "Celebrate Arlington: Our Hometown, Our Heritage" at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N Dunton Ave. The Souters will discuss life 100 years ago in Arlington Heights using photos, nostalgic paintings by Jack Musich, stories, anecdotes and more. Register at the library's reception desk or by calling (847) 392-0100.