Briefs: Teen charged as adult
A former Waubonsie Valley High School student who was 14 when Marilyn Bethell disappeared in October 2005 was formally charged as an adult with her murder. Garang Deng, 16, was charged as an adult by Kane County prosecutors Wednesday for the slaying of the substance abuse counselor who worked in Hoffman Estates. In a procedural move, the juvenile case against Deng was dropped. The body of Bethell, an Aurora resident, was found off the Illinois Prairie Path on Dec. 26, 2005. She was shot in the head. If convicted of murder with a handgun, Deng faces 45 years to life in prison. He currently is being held at the Kane County juvenile center. He is due in court Oct. 29 for a bond hearing.
Bridge closed
The Donovan Bridge on Wilson Street in Batavia will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. today to pour concrete for the north bridge piers. Call (630) 845-1234 or go to www.bridgingbatavia.com for the latest updates.
Fire board to meet
A joint meeting of the St. Charles Countryside Fire Protection District Board of Trustees and its citizens advisory group is planned for 8 a.m. Saturday at Century Station, 112 N. First St. Officials will discuss and seek input for a new strategic plan, the fire prevention code and the issue of mandatory sprinklers in commercial outbuildings. The meeting is open to the public.
Time capsule to be buried
The St. Charles Public Library will bury a time capsule Sunday to mark the centennial celebration of the construction of the Carnegie Library Building -- the first library in St. Charles. The event will be at 1 p.m. on the front lawn of the library, 1 S. Sixth Ave. The time capsule is set to include pages of memories written by local families and individuals. It is not to be opened until 2056. There also will be refreshments and, at 2 p.m., a concert featuring the group Silver Rose inside the library.
Richmond School festival
Richmond Elementary School will have its annual fall festival for students, parents and friends from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. The festival will be at the school, 300 S. 12th St. It is slated to include a chili cook-off with prizes. Call (630) 513-5452.
VFW essay contest
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5036 in St. Charles is accepting entries for the national Voice of Democracy and Patriots Pen essay contests. Voice of Democracy is open to all students in grades nine to 12. Participants must write an essay, then record it as a three- to five-minute presentation on cassette or compact disc. The theme is "My Role in Honoring America's Veterans." Patriots Pen is open to students in grades six to eight. Participants must write a 300- to 400-word essay. The theme is "Why I Am an American Patriot." Entries for both contests must be delivered to the VFW, 119 N. Third St., by Nov. 1. Call (630) 377-9845 for details.
Emergency readiness
The Kane County Health Department's emergency preparedness staff is available to teach basic preparedness skills to groups. To schedule a presentation, call (630) 444-3121 or go online to www.kanehealth.com.