Briefs: Robber pleads guilty
Piotr Jaworowski, implicated in the robberies of 17 suburban gas stations, convenience and liquor stores over a period of seven months beginning in October 2007, pleaded guilty Thursday to 10 counts of armed robbery and one count of attempted armed robbery and received an 11-year sentence. Police had described the 31-year-old Arlington Heights resident as a "one-man crime wave" following his arrest in May for robberies in Arlington Heights, Lake Zurich, Prospect Heights, Palatine, Wheeling, Mount Prospect, Buffalo Grove and other Cook and Lake County communities. Assistant State's Attorney Cathy Nauheimer said Jaworowski used a BB gun to commit most of the robberies.
Speeding car stopped
Gary Tocci, 39, of 796 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Palatine, has been charged with DUI, speeding more than 40 miles over the limit, illegal lane usage and not wearing a seat belt after an officer's radar clocked him driving at 108 mph late Tuesday night on Lake-Cook Road, Buffalo Grove police said. Tocci failed field sobriety tests and his blood-alcohol level registered more than twice the legal limit, reports said. He's to appear in court Nov. 5.
Contract signed for levee
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Chicago awarded $26 million in contracts this week for construction of Levee 37 along the Des Plaines River in Prospect Heights and Mount Prospect. The announcement comes just weeks after another massive flood on the river. Construction of two miles of floodwall, pump stations, outlet closures, backflow structures, swing gates and other features intended to reduce flooding will begin in the spring. Work along Palatine Road is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2010, while work along Milwaukee Avenue and River Road is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2011. Local officials welcomed the announcement. "Completion of construction can't come soon enough," Mount Prospect Mayor Irvana Wilks said in a prepared release, referring to the hardships endured by homeowners and business people in recurrent rounds of flooding.
New creek group holds walk
Friends of McDonald Creek, recently formed by residents living along the creek in Prospect Heights, is holding a creek walk from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. It starts at Country Gardens Park, 901 Schoenbeck Road. The goal is to meet others interested in restoring and protecting a beautiful asset. Walkers should wear hip waders. More information is available at savemcdonaldcreek.com, or call Agnes Wojnarski at (224) 659-0002.
Piano festival is Sunday
The Festival of Pianos, formerly held at Randhurst Shopping Center, will be from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, at Northbrook Court. About 500 students, parents and teachers will perform a free concert sponsored by the Northwest Suburban Music Teachers' Association. Twelve pianists at a time will play on six Yamaha grand pianos. For more information, go to northbrookcourt.com or call (847) 498-8161.
Log home expo
The Log Home and Timber Frame Expo continues through Sunday, Oct. 5, at Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Dr., Schaumburg. About 75 industry companies and craftsmen are exhibiting wares and services and there are a series of seminars. Admission is $15; kids under 16 are free. For information, go to logexpo.com.