Briefs: Warning for speeders
Wheaton police are using a traffic enforcement grant to spend extra time looking for speeders along four major thoroughfares in the city: Roosevelt Road, Butterfield Road, Naperville Road and Geneva Road. Officers will be assigned to enforce vehicle speed laws along these roadways at varied intervals. Extra patrol efforts will begin in April and extend through September.
Tree City USA honors
Roselle is among the communities that have received Tree City USA honors from the Arbor Day Foundation to honor its commitment to community forestry. This is the 22nd year the village has received the national recognition.
Glen Ellyn tree meeting
Glen Ellyn will hold a public information meeting to discuss the storm water facility project that entails cutting down more than 300 trees at Ackerman Woods in coming months. Residents looking for additional information can attend the meeting at 6 this evening at the Glen Ellyn Civic Center at 535 Duane St. in the second floor Clayton Room. While the village is overseeing the flood control project and leading the construction, Glen Ellyn Park District is donating the land. In return, two new soccer fields will be created as part of the project; one will serve as the detention facility. Glen Ellyn trustees agreed in November to go forward with the project.
Police charge purse thief
Naperville police have arrested David A. Pullen, 28, of 1540 Watkins Lane, Unit 206, Naperville, for an attempted purse snatching in the parking lot of Linens N Things, 204 S. Route 59 in Naperville, authorities said. He is charged with one felony count each of robbery, aggravated battery and theft. On March 26, Pullen allegedly stole the purse of a 35-year-old Naperville woman as she was putting a small child into her car, according to police. The victim fell during the struggle and was dragged on the ground a short distance, sustaining minor injuries to her hands. She and a 46-year-old Aurora woman who witnessed the incident pursued Pullen who dropped the purse and drove away. The women noted his license plate number and upon investigation, police issued a warrant for Pullen's arrest with a $75,000 bond. He was arrested April 1 at his residence without incident but has since posted bond and was released.
Police help with bike safety
The Naperville Police Department's community education/crime prevention unit will be on hand at the Fry Family YMCA's Healthy Kids Day to help participants learn more about bicycle safety. The event is being held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at 2120 W. 95th St. Children of all ages will learn how to properly fit their bicycle helmets, the correct hand signals to use while biking, the ABCs of bike maintenance and other important information for staying safe while riding. Additionally, McGruff the crime-fighting dog will be on hand to encourage bike registration. Be sure to bring the bicycle's make and serial number in order to register your bike and receive a bicycle license. There is a $1 registration fee. For details, call (630) 420-6731.
Elmhurst waste event
DuPage County is co-sponsoring a household hazardous waste cleanup event with Elmhurst and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. The event will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 3 at the Elmhurst public works facility at 985 S. Riverside Drive. Residents are invited to properly dispose of a variety of items that no longer serve a purpose in the home, but shouldn't be tossed out with regular garbage. Organizers will accept acids, oil-based paints, thermostats, insecticides, wood stain, varnish, asbestos, pool chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides, poisons, thermometers, fluorescent light bulbs, cleaning solvents and automotive fluids. For a complete list of what can and cannot be accepted at the event, visit www.dupageco.org/edp and click on "waste and recycling."
Family history
Author and genealogist Jeff Bockman will demonstrate the best way to preserve family history and where to look to fill in the gaps with "Tell the stories only you can tell -- Courthouse Research -- Where Do I Start" at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the DuPage County Historical Museum, 102 Wesley St., Wheaton. The fee is $5 and includes admission. For details, call (630) 682-7343.
Fighting child abuse
Friends of the DuPage County Children's Center is reaching out to help make the nonprofit group's annual fundraiser a success. The family brunch and silent auction is April 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Drury Lane in Oak Brook. Last year, the center investigated 363 cases of abuse involving 396 children. Proceeds from the fundraising event help pay for victim counseling, family support programs and staff training. Tickets are $50 for adults, $15 for children 12 to 5, or free for kids under 5. Corporate sponsors also are needed. For more information, visit www.fdccc.org.