Briefs: Batavia says 'no' to Raddant townhomes

The Batavia City Council Monday voted 14-0 to deny a proposed Aurora townhome development east of Raddant Road access to a sanitary sewer easement through Batavia. Aldermen said they would prefer the Villas of White Oaks site be annexed and developed in Batavia, because it is in included in the city's comprehensive plan. Two years ago it refused to annex the property, because it didn't like what was planned.

Charity choo-choo

Win a Lionel model train set in a raffle to raise money for the Geneva Community Chest. Tickets, suggested donation of $5 apiece, are on sale at Sweet Nostalgia, 318 W. State St., Geneva, through Thursday. The drawing is at noon Friday. For more information about the raffle, call (630) 208-9664. For details about the train, call Structures and Trains by Fred, 12 N. Second St., at (630) 208-9011.

Toys needed for giveaway

For more than 20 years the Elgin Community Holiday Toy Giveaway has collected and distributed more than 5,000 toys and gifts to 2,500 children in Elgin and South Elgin. Organizers are anticipating the need for even more gifts this year. New toys or monetary donations to purchase toys are acceptable; a list of toys is available atcrisiscenter.org. Toys can be dropped off at three locations: Grand Victoria Casino, Elgin Township Office, or Habitat for Humanity Re-Store in Elgin. This year's giveaway is from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin. For details, call Lea at (847) 742-4088.

Your coats and toys needed

The South Elgin Fire Protection District has teamed up with the Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots program to help make sure needy children in the area receive a new toy this holiday season. New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off until Friday at Fire Station 1, 150 W. State St., and Station 2, 2055 McDonald Road. The donation of toys will help less fortunate families in the South Elgin area. In addition to serving as a toy drop-off location, the fire district is again serving as a drop-off site for state Rep. Randy Ramey's annual coat drive. New and gently-used coats for all ages will be collected at both fire stations and distributed to needy families.