Briefs: Senators want a hearing
Illinois' two U.S. senators called on federal regulators Wednesday to hold a public hearing on a proposed wastewater permit for U.S. Steel's Gary Works mill that recently was blocked by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In a letter to EPA Region 5 Administrator Mary Gade, Democratic Sens. Dick Durbin and Barack Obama and U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel, a Chicago Democrat, said a hearing is needed so the agency can "explain its objection" to the permit and "consider the concerns of regional stakeholders." Environmentalists contend that the wastewater permit proposed by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management would relax or eliminate limits on toxic chemicals the company dumps into the Grand Calumet River, which flows into Lake Michigan. Under federal rules, the Indiana agency may not issue the permit over an EPA objection.
Two charged in cover-up
Two people are charged in connection with a gruesome hit-and-run accident in the South suburbs in which a man's legs were severed and his body dumped about 12 miles away. Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart says 28-year-old Shawanda Smith and her 26-year-old brother Anthony Smith Jr. are charged with obstruction of justice and arson. Dart says a third man hit 60-year-old Michael Cranston along a Matteson roadway on Friday, severing his legs and propelling his body through the windshield and into the car. The driver is accused of eventually dumping Cranston's body in Alsip. Cranston's legs were found Friday night, and his body was found Sunday afternoon. Dart says the Smiths helped the driver set the car on fire.
Casting call for kids
Duracell, the battery manufacturer, invites kids ages 6 to 15 to a casting call from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the DuPage Children's Museum, 301 N. Washington St., Naperville. The call is to find one child in the Chicago area to become a Duracell Holiday Ambassador for the "Power A Smile" program this holiday season. The Chicago winner will join actress Abigail Breslin in the Power A Smile campaign to spread smiles and cheer to children in hospitals across the country. The five ambassadors will win a trip to New York City to meet Breslin, a $500 shopping spree and Duracell batteries to power all their holiday toys. Children will demonstrate their most enthusiastic smile by being handed a gift and being asked to re-create the moment they open it for the first time. They also will be asked about the best gift they have received and why it made them smile. Winners will be selected by Nov. 26. For details, call (847) 949-0097.
Retreat for parents
Parents As Advocates will host its annual retreat for mothers of children with special needs Friday through Sunday at the John Stewart Victorian Mansion in the Great Lakes Leadership Campus on Route 47 in Elburn, across from the Elburn and Countryside Community Center. The retreat includes movies, food, manicures and massages. Cost is $150, which includes two nights' lodging and five meals. Call Carrie Capes at (815) 827-4902 or e-mail capesfamily@verizon.net.
Freshmen have staph
Two Naperville North freshmen involved with the football program have been diagnosed with a contagious staph infection, according to a news release from Naperville Unit District 203. The students, who have methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, also known as MRSA, will not be allowed back in school until a doctor releases them. To prevent the infection from spreading, which occurs through direct contact, school officials are carefully cleaning locker rooms and equipment using guidelines from the Illinois Department of Public Health. MRSA is a strain of bacteria than can be found in the nasal passages, skin, or bodily secretions but does not necessarily produce the disease. Health officials say proper hygiene such as hand-washing is the most effective way to keep it from spreading.