Fox Valley in 60 seconds
Garage fire in Elgin
Elgin firefighters responded to a detached garage fire on the 400 block of South Liberty Street at 6:36 p.m. Sunday. There were no injuries and the fire was controlled within 15 minutes, but both the garage and a vehicle inside were destroyed, firefighters said. No monetary estimate of the damage was determined Sunday. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Board sets graduation goal
Huntley Unit District 158 school board has set new goals for its high school graduation rate. Huntley High School's graduation rate declined from 97.2 percent in 2003 to 90 percent in 2007, according to the district. The graduation rate is still well above the 2007 state average of 72 percent, but board members and district officials say that isn't good enough. The district's graduation rate goal for 2008 is 92 percent. After this year, the district's goal will be a range: between 94 and 97 percent, the highest realistic graduation rate, according to district officials.
MCC gets budget award
For the sixth consecutive year, McHenry County College has received the distinguished budget presentation award from the Government Financial Officers Association of the United States and Canada. The school qualified for the honors by meeting nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. It is one of five community colleges in Illinois to receive the distinction.
S. Elgin artists recognized
Drawings by two South Elgin High School students were selected for this year's Illinois Youth Art Month poster. Works by Kristen Gianaris and Steven Erst, both South Elgin juniors, were chosen from more than 100 entries. Youth Art Month posters are distributed each March to educators and state legislators.
Answers to legal queries
The Kane County Bar Association's next Ask A Lawyer Day will be held April 12. As part if its 150th anniversary, the association is holding the event on the second Saturday of each month. People may call (630) 762-1900 between 9 a.m. and noon for a free consultation with a volunteer attorney. For more information, visit www.kanecountybar.org.