Briefs: Teen in hit-and-run out of jail
The Mount Prospect teen charged in the hit-and-run death of a 15-year-old girl last weekend has been released from jail. Kevin Schuh, 17, is out of custody after putting up the required $50,000 of his $500,000 bond. Schuh, a Hersey High School senior, has been charged with reckless homicide, aggravated DUI and hit-and-run after authorities said he'd been drinking before his car struck and killed Hersey sophomore Monika Skrzypkowski of Arlington Heights as she was crossing Elmhurst Road in Prospect Heights late Saturday. As he awaits trial, Schuh is not allowed to drive or have contact with the victim's family and is can only leave home for school, religious services and medical treatment.
Flood aid deadline looms
The deadline to apply for federal disaster assistance for Hurricane Ike related flooding from September rains that hit the area is Tuesday, Dec. 16. People can register can register for disaster assistance by calling toll-free (800) 621-3362 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., or by going to fema.gov at any time. So far, assistance of $52 million to 45,726 Illinois residents has been approved.
Oakton meeting is tonight
Des Plaines will hold a community meeting tonight to unveil redevelopment options for the Oakton Street and Elmhurst Road corridors at 7 p.m. in Room H106 at Maine West High School, 1755 S. Wolf Road. The options were developed by a consultant based on a meeting last August. They relate to items such as signage, landscaping and traffic controls.
Passport fair Saturday
The Rolling Meadows Post Office, 3266 Kirchoff Road, will host a Passport Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, to help residents with passport applications, fees and photos. Border crossers will be asked to present documents denoting citizenship and identity when entering the U.S., a change that primarily affects U.S. and Canadian citizens who've previously been permitted entry by oral declaration alone. More information on fees and requirements and a downloadable application is at usps.com/passport.
Literary fund honors teacher
A fund to promote literacy in children has been set up in memory of Eleanor "Elly" Taheny, who spent nearly 40 years as a teacher and reading specialist in Palatine Township Elementary District 15. Taheny, a Lake Zurich resident, died of cancer Nov. 25. District 15 literacy director Maria McClurkin said Taheny "had such a heart for children who didn't necessarily have access to books because of poverty." Donations can be sent to Elly's Literacy Fund, c/o American Chartered Bank, 459 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich, IL 60047. For more on Taheny and the fund, contact District 15 Assistant Superintendent Mary Zarr at (847) 963-3106.