East Dundee Wal-Mart still closing despite rumors

In the past few weeks I have received several calls and heard several rumors about the East Dundee Wal-Mart staying open with plans for an expansion.

This is not the case. The East Dundee Wal-Mart will remain open until the company builds a new store in West Dundee sometime in 2008.

Though the original plan for the store was a December 2007 opening for the West Dundee, Diana Miller, a property manager from General Growth Properties, said the process is taking a little longer than expected.

No other information was provided other than that the explanation was complicated.

A spokesman from Wal-Mart also confirmed that there are no plans for an expansion and that the store would likely close once the new store is built.

All fired up: Congratulations are in order for the dozens of elementary students who won prizes in the Carpentersville Fire Department Fire Prevention Week essay and poster contests.

Fire chief John Schuldt stumbled over about 25 names, causing chuckles from the family and friends who had packed village hall last week.

The sixth-grade essay winner, Tiffany Banuelos from Lakewood School, wrote a piece about implementing a disaster preparedness plan and what to do in case of a fire or other emergency.

Colton Thomas, a fifth-grade student from Liberty Elementary, took home the overall prize for the poster contest. Colton's poster will be featured on the front page of the fire department's annual report.

But Schuldt said the design could pose a problem for the report maker since the poster features a 3-D design and sound effects.

The posters are on display at village hall.

Each student received a trophy at last week's village board meeting where Fire Pup made a special appearance for the presentations. The kids looked chuffed to shake hands and pose for photos with the oversized black and white spotted dog.

Moving up: Congratulations are also in order for the fire department officials who received promotions at Tuesday night's board meeting.

Those honored were: Fire Training Captain Jon Mensching; Fire Lieutenant Kieran Stout; firefighter Jason Ormond; and firefighter Doug Miller.

Mensching was appointed to the position of captain by Village Manager Craig Anderson.

Stout will lead a crew and at times could lead a whole department, Schuldt said.

"He is a vital part of our ranks and will be a great asset to our department," Schuldt said.

Meanwhile, Schudlt commended Ormond and Miller for the big step in their careers, moving from careers in the private sector to firefighters.