Briefs: ComEd makes upgrades
ComEd has recently completed about $1.6 million in improvements in and around Round Lake, Round Lake Beach and Grayslake. The improvements include the installation of a new 40-megawatt transformer at the ComEd substation near Rollins Road and Route 83. The new transformer increases the electrical capacity for local residents by 70 percent and up to 7,000 average-size homes. The upgrade comes on the heels of $1.7 million in improvements and the installation of 4.3 miles of new and upgraded distribution line in Lake Forest and Mettawa. That work added about 8 megawatts of distribution capacity needed to serve more than 1,800 residential customers. Since 2000, ComEd has invested more than $5 billion to expand, upgrade and maintain the reliability of its system serving 3.8 million customers in northern Illinois.
Essay winner in Grayslake
Grayslake eighth-grader Matthew Rasmussen, who is home-schooled, recently won a six-day trip to Space Camp in Huntsville, Ala., as part of an essay contest. Matthew and the other entrants were asked to consider the variety of jobs it takes to complete a space mission. They then had to draft a 200-word essay on how science class lessons and everyday life would assist them in a space exploration career. The contest was sponsored by Adler Planetarium and ComEd. Matthew is expected to meet Capt. James Lovell of Lake Forest at the planetarium Monday.
Police checking for safety
The Wheeling and Buffalo Grove police departments will conduct child safety seat inspections and installations from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in a parking lot at Target, 1400 E. Lake-Cook Road in Wheeling. The Wheeling Wal-Mart has provided a number of discounted child safety seats, which officers can distribute to families in financial difficulty. Parents or grandparents who transport young children in their vehicles are encouraged to attend to assure that their child safety seats are properly installed and in good working order. Technicians also will check seats for any recalls that may be in effect. Child fingerprinting services will be provided by crime prevention officers.