Briefs: Fire cause determined

Careless smoking caused the Jan. 11 fire that killed a 73-year-old South Elgin man, fire officials said Thursday. South Elgin Countryside fire Lt. Todd Erickson, the lead investigator, said the fire started in living room chair that Edwin Kudsk was sleeping in. He had been smoking before the fire started. The fire killed Kudsk, but his wife and two neighbors in the adjoining duplex at 637 Kenilworth Ave. escaped. Several oxygen tanks exploded during the fire, which destroyed the Kudsks' home. The Kane County Fire Investigations Task Force and state fire marshal's office ruled out electrical failure and other causes. It was the village's first fire fatality in more than 20 years.

Man faces kid porn charge

An Elgin was charged Wednesday with two felony counts of receiving child pornography, a federal crime. Anthony S. Quirin also faces one count of possessing a computer containing video and still images of child pornography, officials said. Court papers allege on July 6, Quirin received two movie files from interstate via a computer.

Senior headed to academy

Ashley Anne Spring of Huntley, a Huntley High School senior, received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, according to Congressman Don Manzullo. Spring, the daughter of Daniel William Spring and Tracey Renee Bacon, will graduate from high school in June. Spring plays soccer and runs cross country at Huntley High. She is the recipient of the Health Excellence Award and is involved in National Honor Society, student council and the Huntley Scholars program.

ECC sets Founders' Brunch

Elgin Community College and the ECC Foundation invite area residents to Brunching with the Stars … Celebrating the Stars of ECC, the college's 10th annual Founders' Brunch, Sunday in the Visual and Performing Arts Center on the main campus. The event, which commemorates the 59th anniversary of the founding of the college, is open to the public and begins with a champagne reception from 11:30 a.m. to noon. A brunch will be served from noon to 2:30 p.m. Funds raised provide financial support to the students and ECC instructional programs. The cost is $75 per person; sponsorships begin at $300. Call (847) 214-7377.