Tri-Cities in 60 seconds
Tax deferral for seniors:Real Estate Tax Deferral applications for seniors are available through the Kane County Treasurer's office. The program permits qualified senior citizens to defer all or a portion of their real estate taxes. Once completed the forms should be returned to the treasurer's office no later than Monday. To qualify, a senior citizen must be 65 or older by June 1, have a household income of $50,000 or less, have lived on the property for at least three years, not owe any delinquent property taxes, and have homeowners insurance. If you have a mortgage, you should also submit proof that your agreement allows you to participate in the Senior Tax Deferral Program. The deferral is similar to a loan against the property's market value. Deferred amounts are "borrowed" from the state, which pays the tax bill. To ensure repayment, a 6 percent simple interest rate is charged on the deferred amounts and a lien is filed on the property. Forms can be picked up at the treasurer's office at 719 Batavia Ave., Building A, in Geneva or obtained by mail. For assistance, contact Della Winckler at the treasurer's office at (630) 232-3565.Railroad wayside horns:There will be a demonstration of railroad crossing wayside horns at two locations in Kane County Saturday. The first will be at 9 a.m. at the La Fox Road crossing, one-quarter mile north of Keslinger Road. The second will be at 12:30 p.m. at Rhodes Road crossing, one block south of Route 30 in Big Rock. Wayside horns are a system of crossing gate mounted horns that eliminate the need for trains to sound their horns at railroad crossings. Kane County Board member Drew Frasz has been working to secure funds for the installation of several of these systems at crossings in western Kane County. For more information, contact Frasz at (630) 514-2153.Batavia bags tournament:The Batavia Parks Foundation and Baggo Inc. are hosting "Toss for a Cause" bags tournament for those 21 and older at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Eastside Community Center, 14 N. Van Buren St. Two-person teams will play at least three games. Cost is $50 per team. There are cash prizes; refreshments including beer and wine; child care for children ages 5 to 11. Register at the center or the Civic Center, 327 W. Wilson St. Visit bataviaparks.org.Literature lauded:The Geneva High School literary magazine, The Skaldic, received a rank of Excellent in the 2009 National Council of Teacher of English Program. The Skaldic was one of 29 to receive an award out of the 425 submitted magazines. Student editors for the 2009 Skaldic were 2009 graduates Patrick Donovan and Clayton Guse.