Briefs: Fatal crash victim ID'd

St. Charles police Thursday identified the victim of a fatal car crash on Route 31 as 56-year-old Romvaldo Sanchez of Chicago. Sanchez was heading south on Route 31 near Crane Road at 2:12 p.m. Wednesday when he attempted to swerve around several vehicles stopped in traffic and hit a tree on the west side of the road, police said. Sanchez was crushed when heavy cargo in the back of his 1999 Chevrolet truck shifted forward on impact, the Kane County coroner said. The accident remains under investigation.

Five charged with DUI

St. Charles police made five drunken-driving arrests and wrote 18 speeding tickets during a two-week campaign that ended Tuesday. Officers also made two drug arrests and issued 11 citations for unlawful consumption of alcohol, 10 citations for various moving violations, and one citation for driving while license revoked. The safety campaign was part of the "You Drink, You Drive, You Lose" program funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Festival gets $5,000 grant

The 2008 St. Charles Literature Festival has received a funding boost in the form of a $5,000 grant from the Greater St. Charles Education Foundation. The grant will help put on the event, which involves professional authors, illustrators and storytellers, from Feb. 4 to 8 at several District 303 schools and at the St. Charles Public Library.

Christmas tree pickup

Aurora residents can place live Christmas trees by the curb to be recycled on their normal garbage collection day starting Monday through Jan. 11. Trees must be free of all decorations and lights. All stands, plastic or bagging materials also must be removed. Wreaths, garland and other decorations that contain wire must be stickered as garbage.

Nursing program at ECC

Those interested in enrolling in Elgin Community College's professional nursing program are encouraged to attend an upcoming information session detailing the program's requirements. An information meeting for prospective nursing majors will be held at 6 p.m. Monday in the Advanced Technology Center auditorium on the main campus, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. ECC representatives will outline the entrance requirements and admission process, describe the nursing program, and explore employment options in the nursing field. The session is free, but reservations are encouraged. Call (847) 214-7385.