Beware of door-to-door scam in Batavia
Batavia police are warning residents about a woman who stole items from a house on the city's west side this month.
The woman told a teenager who opened the door that she was selling candy. After the teen said his parents weren't home, she asked to use the restroom.
After she left, the family discovered a cell phone and wallet were missing out of a purse near the door.
Police are concerned that similar incidents may happen again. Residents are asked not to let anyone in their home they don't know and to call 911 if someone who says they are a solicitor tries to come into their house.
Help a prairie: Volunteers are needed to help Fermilab maintain the 1,100-acre native prairie on its Batavia campus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Helpers will pick seeds from flowering plants to redistribute in sparser areas of the prairie. This keeps birds and butterflies throughout the campus' trails and has brought the return of several animal species to Fermilab.
Other seeds are donated to area schools and municipal groups.
Anyone interested in helping should use the Pine Street entrance, and follow signs to the harvest sites.
Volunteers are asked to wear long sleeves and gloves, and bring hand clippers and paper grocery bags if possible. Lunch will be provided.
More information is available at www.fnal.gov/pub/about/campus/ecology/prairie/.
Musicians honored:ŒFifteen Batavia High School students were recently selected for the Illinois Music Educators Association performing ensembles for District 9. They had to audition against hundreds of students for the spots.
They will perform with other top musicians in the area in concerts throughout November.
Alyssa Rick and Adam Nicholson were selected for the band, and Eric Decaro was selected for the jazz band.
For the orchestra, Natalie Broadhurst, Josh Broadhurst, Laura Pantley, Andrew Pedersen, Rebecca Rudy and David Sands were chosen.
For the Concert Choir group, Ashley Coussens, Matt Dealy, Kevin King, Peter Kuhn, Autumn McGarr, Alyssa Rick and David Sands were chosen.
For the jazz choir, Matt Dealy, Peter Kuhn, Kevin King, Alyssa Rick and Denzel Tsopnang were chosen.
The IMEA organization is the largest fine arts group in the state.
Trick-or-treating times: Recommended trick-or-treating times in Batavia are 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday.
The Batavia Police Department encourages residents to carry flashlights if out after dark and not wear costumes that obstruct their vision.
Parents should always check their children's candy stash before allowing them to eat it.
lhague@dailyherald.com