Briefs: Funeral for young mother
Gabriela "Gabby" Dawson died this week after crashing her speeding car into a tree in Villa Park as police pursued. As authorities investigate what led up to the tragic crash, her family and friends will gather Monday to remember the 20-year-old single mother. Gabby grew up in Addison but most recently lived in Decatur, where she was raising her 2-year-old daughter. She dreamed of becoming a nurse or fashion designer. Visitation is from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday at Christian Funeral Home in Chicago. The first hour is for family only. A graveside memorial service begins at 2 p.m. at Mount Emblem Cemetery, at the intersection of Grand Avenue and County Line Road, in Elmhurst. To help Dawson's daughter, contributions may be mailed to the funeral home at 3100 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago, IL., 60618. For more information, call (800) 910-6000.
Annual pest fight begins
The DuPage County Health Department has begun its annual surveillance for mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus. Officials also are warning residents to protect themselves against deer ticks as part of Lyme Disease Awareness Month. As the temperatures outside draw folks outdoors more frequently, department officials are advising residents to protect themselves from disease-carrying bugs. Officials say residents should wear protective clothing and apply insect repellent when trekking through wooded areas. The county monitors more than 70 mosquito traps for West Nile virus throughout the summer. Tick activity peaks from May through July, and the county has about 15 species of ticks. For more information about pest protection, visit the state health department's Web site www.idph.state.il.us.
Habitat starts project
Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity will launch its 39th volunteer-built home at 8:30 a.m. today at 1338 Grand Blvd. in Aurora. The service starting will be led by the Rev. Jeff Marrett, executive director of the Aurora-based agency. The project is expected to take about four months with volunteers working on Thursdays and Saturdays.
Pancake breakfast today
The Itasca Lions Club is hosting its annual pancake breakfast this morning at St. Luke's Church near Rush and Washington streets. Breakfast will be served from 6:30 to 11 a.m. Adult admission is $5 and children younger than 5 are free.
Police urge seat-belt use
The DuPage County sheriff's office and Naperville police are among 12,000 law enforcement agencies participating in stepped up seat belt safety enforcement through June 1. As part of the nationwide "Click It or Ticket" campaign, law enforcement agencies are intensifying their efforts to enforce seat belt laws among motorists. The campaign follows two successful enforcement programs DuPage sheriff's deputies participated in with Illinois State Police troopers that resulted in more than 75 citations and five arrests. Those efforts targeted speeders, drivers without insurance or driver's licenses and seat belt scofflaws, officials said.
Downtown clean up
A group of Glen Ellyn residents are organizing a downtown clean up day from 7 to 9 a.m. Sunday. Everyone's meeting in front of the Starbucks, at 536 Crescent Blvd. Residents should bring work gloves and a broom or scraper. Trash bags will be provided. There also will be Starbucks coffee and breakfast snacks for a limited number of volunteers.