Briefs: Accident in Bensenville

Two people were transported to Elmhurst Hospital Wednesday following a car crash at York Road and Jefferson Street in Bensenville. A Ford van struck the side of a small Mitsubishi car, authorities said. The accident occurred around 1 p.m. Emergency responders had to use the Jaws of Life to extricate both victims from their vehicles, authorities said. Their injuries were serious but not life threatening, officials said. The cause of the crash is under investigation though weather appears to be a factor.

Science Olympiad winners

Several students were recognized this week at West Chicago Middle School's second annual Science Olympiad. Entrants constructed a Rube Goldberg-style device that could either water a plant or throw a tennis ball 20 feet. In the plant watering division, first place was awarded to the team of Sarah Ratliff and Kaitlyn Tynczuk. Second place went to the team of James Morgan, Luke Smith, Davis Steinbrecher and Ben Stibal. Third place was awarded to the team of Isle Briseno and Pam Campos. In the tennis ball throwing division, first place was awarded to Tony Carroso, second place to the team of Jonathan Cunningham and Dylan Dewey and third place to the team of Rabely Banuelos, Noemi Cinto, Edgar Esteban, Dulce Flore, and Zimeon Zenteno.

Public comment extended

The Surface Transportation Board has extended to Feb. 15 the comment period on the proposed Canadian Railway acquisition of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway. The rail line, which runs through several DuPage County communities, arcs around the Chicago metro area from Wauconda to Gary, Ind. Canadian National officials said if the $300 million sale is approved, they will use the EJ&E railroad lines as a Chicago bypass route for all current and future freight traffic from its Canadian and U.S. rail network. All correspondence should refer to STB Finance Docket No. 35087. Written comments should be sent to the Surface Transportation Board, 395 E St. SW, Washington, D.C. 20423.

'Green' compact signed

The Warrenville City Council passed a resolution this week endorsing the Greenest Region Compact proposed by the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, a set of proposed initiatives meant to spur communities into pursuing more environmentally friendly actions. Warrenville's environmental advisory commission will head and coordinate the public education and information efforts related to the new compact.

Y debuts new Web site

Heritage YMCA has debuted a new and improved Web site at www.heritageymca.org. The site features an upgraded online registration process; more health and wellness resources; an enhanced listing of child-care services for all ages; and pools, gyms and group exercise schedules. Summer camp registration online and at Heritage YMCA branches starts Feb. 14. The Y serves Naperville, Aurora and Oswego.

204 makes honor role

The Illinois State Board of Education and Northern Illinois University named seven of Indian Prairie Unit District 204's schools to the Illinois Honor Roll in recognition of continued academic success. Academic Excellence Award recipients include Clow, Watts, Patterson, White Eagle, Graham, and Fry Elementary Schools. In order to be recognized in the Academic Excellence category, 90 percent of students must meet or exceed state standards in reading and math for at least three consecutive years. District 204's Still Middle School was recognized in the Academic Improvement category for making significant gains in reading and math scores.