Briefs: Sheriff urges seat belt use

The DuPage County sheriff's office is among 12,000 law-enforcement agencies participating in stepped-up seat belt safety enforcement through June 1. The nationwide "Click It or Ticket Campaign" begins May 16. The campaign follows on the heels of two successful enforcement programs DuPage sheriff's deputies participated in alongside state troopers that resulted in more than 75 citations and five arrests. Those campaigns targeted speeders, drivers without insurance or driver's licenses as well as seat-belt scofflaws.

River cleanup planned

Volunteers are being sought for this year's "River Sweep" project June 7, which uses armies of helpers to clean up the DuPage River and adjacent waterways. The program is sponsored by The Conservation Foundation, Waste Management and the DuPage County Stormwater Management Division. Volunteers will be coordinated by location and provided with garbage bags, work gloves, trash pokers and refreshments for the duration of the event that runs from 9 a.m. until noon. The program has been in operation since 1991 and had its biggest haul in 1995 when 20 tons of garbage was removed. In 2007, six tons were removed. For details, visit www.conservationfoundation.org or call (630) 428-4500.

Roselle gets roadside grant

Roselle police received a $17,300 grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation's Mini-Grant Alcohol Enforcement Program to cover overtime for DUI enforcement. The program's designed to reduce fatal and alcohol-related traffic crashes through increased DUI enforcement and education activities throughout the year. Roselle police will have additional officers working on a dedicated DUI enforcement between May 19 and June 1. Officers also will be conducting seat belt checks.

Chorus changes name

The Glen Ellyn Children's Chorus has changed its name to Anima. Although the group will continue to rehearse in Glen Ellyn, 60 percent of its participants are from other towns, and many remain in the group through high school and are no longer children. The Glen Ellyn Children's Chorus was founded in 1964, provides music education and tours internationally.

Roadside checks planned

The Bensenville Police Department is planning to conduct roadside safety checks Friday morning in the area of Hillside Drive and Marshall Road. Police said motorists will be directed into a checkpoint area and asked to provide their driver's license and proof of insurance. Motorists in compliance with laws and vehicle safety regulations will be guided back onto the roadway. The goal is to aid in the identification of motorists who may present a danger to others while on the road, police said.

Fundraiser nets $13,000

A fundraising brunch to benefit the DuPage County Children's Center garnered $13,000. The event was sponsored by the Friends of the DuPage County Children's Center and held late last month at Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. Besides donations, a silent auction was held to help spur fundraising and a pair of tickets to a taping of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" went for $500, organizers said. The children's center investigates and processes all cases of child sexual and severe physical abuse in the county and works with children who witness violent crimes. The center receives some government funding, but there is little money for programs to support victims and their affected families. The brunch is the center's primary annual fundraiser.

Vehicle road show

The Carol Stream Police Department will sponsor its eighth annual "Wheels of Justice" emergency vehicle show from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. May 24 at the Carol Stream Town Center, 110 W. Lies Road. Admission and all activities are free. Last year, more than 35 law enforcement agencies participated in the event, displaying police patrol cars, DARE cars, fire vehicles, police motorcycles, and a helicopter. Activities for children include games, face painting, balloon twisting, a McGruff coloring contest and prizes. For details, contact officer Chuck Ranweiler at (630) 871-6215, or e-mail questions to cranweiler@carolstream.org.

Dist. 45 hires administrator

Lisa Vito is the new assistant principal at Jackson Middle School in Villa Park. School board members approved hiring the longtime district employee for the administrative job. She currently works as the student assistance coordinator at the school. Vito joined the district in 1993, working at Jackson, and helped start the English as a Second Language/Bilingual program.