Briefs: Schaumburg mother arrested

The mother of a 4-year-old boy was arrested in Schaumburg Saturday after police said she left her son home alone. Schaumburg police said Ayumi Kato, 38, of 200 Glasgow Lane, was arrested around 3:50 p.m. and charged with endangering the life of a child after a neighbor reported seeing the boy walking around outside alone. The boy told the neighbor no one was home, and they walked to the house, which was unlocked, police said. The neighbor waited with the boy for 15 minutes hoping an adult would come home, but when no one arrived she called. Officers called the boy's father, police said. The parents arrived around 3:50 p.m., and the mother was arrested, police added. Kato's Rolling Meadows court date was set for Aug. 25.

School begins new year

The summer might not be over for most students, but the school year began Tuesday for Iroquois Community School in Des Plaines students. Iroquois is a year-round school with 451 students and a newly appointed principal, Michael Amadei. Students are in class the same number of days as at traditional schools, but time off is distributed throughout the year. The school is part of Des Plaines Elementary District 62.

Hoffman Relay For Life

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life comes to Hoffman Estates from 6 p.m. Friday lasting until 6 a.m. Saturday at Hoffman Estates High School, 1100 W. Higgins Road. The fundraiser will feature food, live music, a DJ with karaoke and a bean bags competition. Committee chairman Bob Swan once against organized the event. Check outrelayforlifehoffman.com or call (847) 368-1166 for more info.

Elk Grove ducklings saved

Five ducklings that had fallen through a sewer grate were rescued Wednesday morning in Elk Grove Village, firefighters said. People attending the village's weekly farmer's market outside the Pavilion, 1000 Wellington Ave., noticed the mother looking down the grate, and firefighters were called. Using some corn from the market, they dropped the kernels down to draw the ducklings together so firefighters could use a net to retrieve them, said witness Casey Miller, a Chicago resident visiting relatives in Elk Grove Village. The ducklings appeared fine after the rescue, Lt. George Burger said.