Briefs: Borrower uses lost card

A Des Plaines youth about 13 years old who took 49 items valued at $1,166 from the Des Plaines Public Library was identified through library security tapes and has returned many of the items, police said Thursday. Des Plaines Library Director Sandra Norlin said the items were taken Sept. 15 and 16 through the second-floor self-checkout system using a library card someone else had lost. The library reported the theft Tuesday after discovering the items had been taken out on a lost card. Checkout times were matched to security tapes, and the youth was someone the library had previous contact with, Norlin said. Further details on the investigation weren't immediately available from police.

Sign comes down

A Barrington Hills man has taken down a sign on his property that he'd posted to announce that he'd fired his architect, David A. Schulz of St. Charles. William Kaper Jr. confirmed Thursday he took down the sign, which was about 4 by 8 feet and said in big black and red letters that he'd fired the architect who worked for years on Kaper's $30 million mansion. Having the sign come down will be a welcome sight to Barrington architect David F. Schultz. With the similarities in names, Schultz was concerned the sign would hurt his business. Kaper disputed Schultz's claim that Kaper asked Schultz for $7,000 to adjust the sign to clarify that the architect in question was not him. "Why would I want to ask him for $7,000, when I have put $30 million into that place?" Kaper asked. "It is absurd."

Gas leak closes roads

A gas leak closed down several roads in Long Grove Thursday morning. The fire department was called to the leak at Hicks and Lake-Cook roads around 8:45 a.m. after a gas line ruptured during construction work. The Cook and Lake county sheriff's police closed Hicks Road between Lake-Cook and Long Grove roads and Lake-Cook Road between Hicks Road and 53. The leak was stopped around 11:20 a.m., and crews left the scene around 11:40 a.m.

Parks up for 'Challenge'

Bartram Park in Elk Grove Village and Dove Park in Palatine have been chosen as participants in the "Staples Dream Park Challenge with the Bears," in which 15 parks in the Chicago area will compete for the chance to win $25,000 for park improvements. Additional prizes include $10,000 and $5,000 in park improvements. Until Nov. 17, people can vote for their favorite park once per day after registering at StaplesDreamPark.com/Bears. Shoppers who pick up a "power card" at any area Staples get 10 extra online votes. Dove Park is at 1802 Green Lane South. Bartram Park is at Crest Avenue and Verde Lane. The money could be used to build a new playground, picnic shelter and enhance the ball field, flower beds and landscaping, Elk Grove Park District officials said.