Briefs: Jury selection begins
Lawyers began picking a jury Tuesday in the trial of a man accused of shooting at a Villa Park police officer during a foot chase. Genaro Villanueva, 29, is facing attempted murder and aggravated discharge of a firearm charges. The pursuit began late on Oct. 27, 2006, after a resident complained of possible gang activity. Villanueva is accused of opening fire in the direction of officer James Krupiczowicz as he chased him. The officer was not struck, but a bullet was recovered. Villanueva has pleaded innocent. The trial before DuPage Circuit Judge Kathryn Creswell is slated to begin this week in Wheaton.
Hearing date for Dist. 204
Indian Prairie Unit District 204 will have a court hearing Jan. 8 to determine if it will get a new trial to set a price for land to build Metea Valley High School, a judge decided Tuesday. In September, a jury set the price of the 55 acres off Route 59 near 75th Street and Commons Drive in Aurora at $31 million, which is about $17 million more than the district believed the land to be worth. Late last month, the district filed a post-trial motion asking for a new trial based on what evidence was and was not allowed to be presented to the jury.
Want to cut phone bills?
The Citizens Utility Board will hold a free phone bill clinic from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Glen Ellyn Public Library, 400 Duane St., as part of a campaign to alert consumers on ways to cut their calling costs. Residents are encouraged to bring their phone bills so CUB experts can analyze them and give tips on where to save money. Officials also will alert customers to new low-cost plans that AT&T is forced to offer under the terms of a legal settlement with the consumer group. CUB is a nonprofit statewide utility watchdog organization created by the Illinois legislature to represent the interests of residential and small -business utility customers. For details, call CUB's hotline at 1-800-669-5556 or visit www.CitizensUtilityBoard.org.
New hire in Lombard:
Lombard Fire Department hired a new full-time fire inspector, Chuck Riforgiate, who brings more than 30 years of experience in the field. Riforgiate is one of less than 500 master code professionals in the country, a title earned after an intensive battery of tests on international fire codes and many years of field experience. He will work in Lombard's fire prevention bureau under Fire Marshal Jerry Howell.
Ballet group in parade
Dancers from Naperville-based Von Heidecke's Chicago Festival Ballet will perform pieces from "The Nutcracker" in Chicago's Thanksgiving Day Parade. This is the first time the group has been selected for the parade. The parade steps off at 8:30 a.m. Thanksgiving Day. For details on the parade, call the Chicago Festival Association at (312) 235-2217.
Milton trustee gets medal
Milton Township Trustee Bob Larsen of Wheaton recently was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal. Larsen is a lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve and has served for 18 years. The citation recognizes his service from June 2003 to February 2007. During that time, he served as staff judge advocate, conducting legal research and providing legal advice to his commanding officer. In the past, Larsen received the Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal.
Violation enforcement
The West Chicago Police Department has received more than $44,000 from the state to step up enforcement of traffic violations involving child restraints, seat belts, speeding and alcohol. The grant is part of the Highway Safety Project Program, which is aimed at making Illinois roadways safer and getting everyone to wear their seat belts.