Tri-Cities briefs
Seeking haunted houses
If your house has ghoulish Halloween decorations it has what it takes to be entered in the second annual Halloween Decorating Contest. Winners will be selected in two categories: scariest and most original. The contest is open to park district residents who live in Aurora, North Aurora and Montgomery. The entry fee is $10. Judging will take place between 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. today through Thursday. Each household that enters receives free admission to Halloween Family Night on Oct. 30 in the Prisco Community Center, where the winners will be announced. Winning households will receive gift certificates from local businesses. Registration forms may be picked up at Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave., Aurora, or at Eola Community Center, 555 S. Eola Road, Aurora. For details, call (630) 859-8606.
Water tests in Geneva
The Geneva Fire and Water departments will conduct water flow tests west of the Fox River from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The tests are done to gather information on water supplies for firefighting and also to determine whether upgrades to the water supply system are needed. Residents might experience rust in the water during or immediately after the testing. The water is safe; however, refrain from doing laundry until the water is clear. If rusty water discolors clothes while being laundered, keep the clothing wet and contact the Public Works Department at (630) 232-1501 to request a rust-removing solution packet. For additional information, contact Deputy Fire Chief Jerry Koster or Chief Steve Olson at (630) 232-2530.
Burgers for South Elgin parks
The McDonald's at Spring Street and McLean Boulevard in South Elgin will donate 20 percent of its proceeds today to the South Elgin FUNdation, a nonprofit arm of the village's parks department. Members of the FUNdation will be at the restaurant from 5 to 8 p.m., which also is the time for the fundraiser.
Aurora cops plan 5K race
The Aurora Police Department, in association with Special Olympics Illinois, Blackberry Farm and Fox Valley Park District, will stage its second annual Run for Athletes at 9 a.m. Nov. 7 at Blackberry Farm, 100 S. Barnes Road. The 5K run and walk is part of the department's yearlong fundraising effort for Special Olympics. Entry fees are $20 before Tuesday and $25 after. For details, call (630) 973-6761 or visit signmeup.com.
ECC's Spartan Drive closed
Spartan Drive, the primary access road to Elgin Community College, will be closed to traffic until roughly Dec. 1 from McLean Boulevard to Renner Drive. The 3,000-foot section of roadway on the east side of the college will undergo resurfacing and reconstruction. To access the college from McLean during construction, use Fleetwood Drive or Weld Road to Second Street. From Randall Road, Spartan Drive closes at its intersection with Renner Drive, forcing drivers to turn north on Renner to access the campus. Final surfacing is expected in the spring. For details, call (847) 214-7364.