DuPage County briefs

Aurora honors Rodgers: The former director of youth services for Aurora, Fred Rodgers, has been named the city's Outstanding African-American for 2010, officials announced Tuesday. Rodgers will be honored by the city's African-American Heritage Advisory Board at its sixth annual Heritage Dinner at 6 p.m. Feb. 4 at Piper's Banquet Hall, 1295 Butterfield Road, Aurora. Tickets are $50 with a portion going to the Henry Cowherd Scholarship Fund. Rodgers spent more than two decades working to improve the lives of Aurora's youth and he was the first employee of the youth services department. For details, call (630) 844-4731.Jury selection begins: Lawyers began screening potential jurors Tuesday ahead of 35-year-old Christy Lentz's murder trial. Twelve jurors and three alternates will be selected to hear the case that is expected to last about two weeks. The Villa Park woman is accused of shooting her father to death three years ago. Lentz is claiming self-defense and is expected to testify that her father was an alcoholic who abused her for years. Prosecutors have not laid out a motive, but authorities have indicated the father was upset with his daughter's handling of his financial matters. She worked for her father at his Villa Park business. Jury selection could wrap up as early as today and opening statements from both sides would follow.VFW seeks nominations:Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 is accepting nominations for police officers, firefighters and educators of the year. Residents of Naperville, Naperville Unit District 203 and Indian Prairie Unit District 204 can make nominations through the VFW Web site, www.napervfw3873.org, or mail the form to the post at 908 W. Jackson, Naperville, IL 60540. Awards will be presented at a banquet at 5 p.m. March 6 at the post. Tickets, which include a prime rib dinner, are $15 and can be reserved by calling Mike Barbour at (630) 527-0738.Repairs continue at Nichols:The stairway in Naperville's downtown Nichols Library will be closed, probably until Jan. 28, to allow repairs to replace a deteriorating skylight, officials said Tuesday. Patrons are being urged to use the Jackson Street entrance for visits to children's services, the computer lab or the community room. The library's elevator will be accessible. The skylight work is part of a renovation project involving all three Naperville libraries.Tax help for seniors: Applications are being accepted by DuPage County Treasurer Gwen Henry's office for senior citizens who qualify for a real estate tax deferral program. Residents 65 and older with a household income that doesn't exceed $50,000 annually can qualify for the program that allows them to defer property taxes for the coming tax year. The deferral is a loan and accrues at a 6 percent interest rate until it is paid. For more details visit dupageco.org/treasurer or call (630) 407-5900.