Briefs: New Des Plaines city manager hired

Des Plaines aldermen made their city manager choice official late Monday. They voted 5-2 to elevate Jason Bajor, who had served as acting city manager, and agreed to a new contract with him. Officials set his salary, starting Monday, at $138,000. The previous city manager made $123,188. Third Ward Alderman Laura Murphy and 8th Ward Alderman Rosemary Argus voted against the contract. Bajor took over for David Niemeyer, who left last May after aldermen declined to renew his contract. In March 2006, Bajor won a 15 percent raise so he could afford to live in the city and meet the residency requirements. At that time, Bajor's pay rose to $103,172, up from $89,715. Niemeyer now works as Oak Brook's village manager.

Police: Delete e-mail threat

Arlington Heights police are advising residents to delete fake e-mails threats if they receive them. In the past few weeks, three Arlington Heights residents have reported similar threatening e-mails, said Sgt. Tom Seleski. The e-mails stated the recipient was being watched and, unless they paid the anonymous sender $15,000 to $20,000, the recipient would be killed. The e-mails vary in content and style and generally contain misspellings and broken English, Seleski said. Other people besides Arlington Heights residents probably received similar e-mailed threats, Seleski said. None of three Arlington Heights residents fell victim to the scam. It's not necessary to report fake e-mails to police, but residents should delete them and not reply to the sender.

Crash victim still critical

A 60-year-old Bartlett woman injured in a four-vehicle collision in Streamwood last Wednesday remained in critical condition Tuesday, but her husband and a Schaumburg man have been released. Streamwood police said their investigation hasn't yet concluded why the 48-year-old Schaumburg man's vehicle apparently crossed over into oncoming traffic on Route 59 and struck the Bartlett couple's vehicle. Detective Paul Petrick said alcohol is not thought to be a factor in the crash. The Bartlett woman was a passenger in the vehicle her husband was driving. Two other vehicles were involved in the aftermath of the initial collision, but no one in those vehicles required treatment. Police are still asking that people who may have seen the collision from northbound Route 59 call them at (630) 736-3700.

Fire under investigation

An accidental kitchen fire at 315 S. Waterman Ave. in Arlington Heights caused about $100,000 in damage Monday, said Deputy Fire Chief Ken Koeppen. Two women were hospitalized after the fire with nonlife-threatening injuries, he said. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation because officials have not yet interviewed the women, Koeppen said. Firefighters responded to the fire around noon on Monday. The house did have working smoke detectors, but the fire destroyed the kitchen and caused smoke and heat damage throughout the house. Despite the fire, the home is livable, Koeppen said.