Briefs: Travel agent pleads guilty
A Des Plaines travel agent has been sentenced to two years' court supervision after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor theft charge. Police say Jacqueline Soriano, of the 900 block of North Wheeling Road in Mount Prospect, took $27,284 for 18 airline tickets to the Philippines and $5,475 for three other international tickets without issuing them to customers. Soriano is the owner of Jethro Manilla Inc., which police say isn't licensed to do business in Des Plaines. Investigators said Soriano was in debt and used the money to pay for trips for other customers. She pleaded down from two counts of felony theft.
Calendar makes nice stocking stuffer
So what do you get that person from out of town who you really don't want to buy anything for, but can't ignore? How about a free calendar from the Cook County Forest Preserve? The calendar features 13 pictures featuring the beauty of the Cook County Forest Preserves. Those interested can pick one up for free at any of the forest preserve's six nature centers (with the exception of Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center in Willow Springs which is currently undergoing remodeling), its two volunteer centers, its general headquarters at 536 N. Harlem Ave. in River Forest, Ill., or by mailing a 9x12 self-addressed, stamped envelope with $1.48 postage to Forest Preserve District of Cook County, 536 N. Harlem Ave., River Forest, IL, 60305, ATTN: Calendar Giveaway. The district asks that those requesting calendars by mail allow five business days for internal processing of their request.
Man admits to robbery
A Hanover Park man has been sentenced to 30 months' probation and 140 days in Cook County jail after pleading guilty to his role in a robbery scheme. Prosecutors say Stanley Lind, 20, was part of a foursome that on Sept. 27 lured a man to a Hanover Park parking lot and robbed him of $107, his car keys and a cell phone. Two of his codefendants, Jessica Adams and Bryant Blegen, both of Hanover Park, also pleaded guilty and received 30 months' probation. The fourth, Jackie Yeazell, is to appear in court Dec. 27. Lind, of the 5300 block of Cinema Road, could have faced three to seven years in prison on the robbery charge.
Gala concert next week
The Northwest Festival Orchestra has announced that its Gala Holiday Concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 at Harper College's Performing Arts Center in Palatine. The Arlington Heights-based, all-professional orchestra will perform festive holiday music by Mozart, Tchaikovsky and others. Steve Larsen, music director of the Rockford Symphony Orchestra, will join orchestra Resident Conductor Verne Schwager at the podium, and four young vocalists -- Emily Lyday, Sarah Ponder, Jay Decker and Charles Martin -- will also perform. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for seniors and students. For tickets or information, call (847) 392-9003. For credit card orders, call (847) 925-6100.
Family displaced after fire
A family was displaced from their house for the night after a small fire in Elk Grove Village Tuesday. Firefighters were called to 22 Ridgewood Road at 11:51 a.m. by one of the two residents who were home at the time of the fire. The residents were able to put most of the fire out with water and an extinguisher, officials said. Firefighters put out the remaining fire and ventilated the house. The fire caused about $30,000 in damage. No one was injured and the fire was contained to a utility area of the house, officials said.