Briefs: Methane gas leak probed
The DuPage County Forest Preserve and BFI Waste Systems Tuesday formalized an agreement to thoroughly explore the extent of methane gas escaping from the Mallard Lake landfill near Hanover Park. Gas was found to be leaking from the landfill before Thanksgiving, prompting officials to go door-to-door in neighborhoods near the site, checking to see if the gas, which is explosive, was at high levels. So far, it appears the gas is contained to areas about 40 feet below the surface. The agreement also requires BFI, which operates the landfill, and the forest preserve, which owns the land, to find a way to contain the leak.
Theoretical new building
Argonne National Laboratory is growing -- in theory. The Darien-area lab announced plans Tuesday to build a new theory and computer sciences building. The facility will house about 600 Argonne employees and enable workers to use the lab's supercomputers to solve questions on topics ranging from nuclear reactor design to cures for disease. About $61 million in bonds were issued to pay for the new construction that will be about 200,000 square feet.
Aurora targets speeders
Aurora police officers targeted speeders in a crackdown last week that resulted in 39 citations issued in a 4½- hour period. Police staged the crackdown after numerous residents complained about speeders in the area of Indian Trail Road and Stonebridge Boulevard on the city's far east side. Police issued 31 speeding tickets and three tickets for driving without insurance. Police also ticketed and arrested five motorists: two each for not having valid drivers licenses and driving with suspended licenses and one for not having a license on them. Speeders were clocked traveling at least 15 miles over the 35 mph limit. Future operations are possible in the area.
Seat belt enforcement
Carol Stream police ticketed 227 motorists during a two-week seat belt enforcement period from Nov. 16 to Dec. 2. In addition to the safety belt violations, 16 motorists were ticketed for child safety seat violations, another 15 drivers were ticketed for driving without a valid license, and one driver was arrested for drunken driving. The two-week "Click It or Ticket Mobilization" campaign is coordinated by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Tobacco sales violations
Naperville and Lisle police announced results of tobacco sales stings conducted in recent weeks in both municipalities. In Naperville, 80 businesses were tested and all but six complied. In Lisle, 33 businesses were checked and three did not comply. In each instance of non-compliance, the employees of the businesses were cited for selling tobacco products to minors. The employees are subject to fines, while the businesses could have their tobacco sales permits suspended or revoked.
Dist. 15 to hold Pre-K tests
Marquardt Elementary District 15 will test three-to five-year-old children in vision, hearing, speech/language and general concepts as part of its Early Childhood Screening program. While the free one-hour-long tests will take place on Jan. 8, appointments must be made prior to Dec. 28. To make appointments, call (630) 469-7615 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. For concerns regarding a child's development under two years, please contact the district special education director at (630) 469-7615 or Family Connections of DuPage at (630) 493-0400.
Aurora cites five stores
Aurora police cited five businesses for selling to an underage person who was working with police during a Nov. 30 compliance check. Five of the 10 stores checked were served with notices to appear in court for selling tobacco to a minor. Police say future similar operations will be staged. Cited were: Kwik Pick on the 900 block of W. Lake St.; Speedway on the 300 block of W. Galena Blvd.; Aurora Tobacco on the 3000 block of E. New York St.; Aurora Food Mart on the 300 block of West Indian Trail Road; and Stop 24 on the 2200 block of Ogden Ave.
Property owners honored
Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner will recognize three downtown property owners for improvements they made to their buildings this year at a ceremony at 8 a.m. Thurday at the Paramount, 23 E. Galena Blvd. Winners of the Mayor's Awards for Excellence in Downtown Property Improvements are: Lennie Loberg, 37 W. New York St., Heather and Dawson Harvard, 73 S. LaSalle St., and Salvatore Arenella, 26 E. Downer Place.