DuPage County briefs

Food pantry receives grant:

Naperville's Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry has received a $15,000 grant from The DuPage Community Foundation, based in Wheaton, to underwrite the purchase of food and pay direct service expenses. The pantry was one of 39 not-for-profit organizations in DuPage County to receive funds from the 2009 Spring Discretionary Grant Cycle at a June special distribution breakfast. The pantry distributes about 20,000 pounds of food weekly to residents of Naperville, Naperville Township and Warrenville. The number of families seeking help has increased from 1,800 to more than 2,900 this past year.

Aurora man gets gun charge

Calvin S. Nicinski, of the 800 block of Fieldside Lane in Aurora, has been charged with two counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm in connection with a June 14 shooting in the parking lot of a restaurant on the city's near east side. At 2:45 a.m. on June 14, detectives say Nicinski was a passenger in a vehicle being driven by an 18-year-old Aurora man in the parking lot in the 800 block of North Farnsworth Avenue. Police said Nicinski produced a handgun, leaned out the window, and fired several shots that struck a pickup truck that was occupied by a 22-year-old Aurora man and 21-year-old Aurora woman as well as an unoccupied SUV. No one was injured. Police believe the shooting was gang-related.

Work begins on lot:

Railway Plaza 8 LLC broke ground Friday on a new parking lot in Naperville that will allow commuters to purchase their own parking space. The 167-space gated lot is being constructed near the Route 59 Metra station. Prices start at $8,900 and are expected to go up once half the spots are sold. For more information visit parksmartclub.com.