Three new recruits join the Prospect Heights Police Department

• The city of Prospect Heights welcomed three new recruits to the Prospect Heights Police Department. Officer Tyler Farina, Officer Daniel Savas and Officer Wilberth Blanco were officially sworn in during a ceremony officiated by Mayor Nicholas Helmer.

Newly appointed Police Chief Jim Zawlocki helped congratulate the three rookies in front of a crowded council chamber full of family and friends. The three recruits will undergo extensive training at the police academy before patrolling the streets of Prospect Heights.

• Erin Jackle, District U-46 transition facilitator for early learners, was among 20 professionals from across Illinois who were named as an Early Childhood Education Fellow by Teach Plus, a nonprofit organization of more than 15,000 teachers from across the United States.

Jackle and other Fellows will spend seven months together pursuing policy and advocacy on pressing issues that affect early childhood education policies in Illinois. The group is the first fellowship in Illinois announced by Teach Plus.

Jackle began working in U-46 in 2004 as an early childhood special education teacher. In 2013, she moved into the role of instructional coach and, in 2016, took on her current role.

As the district's transition facilitator, Jackle provides support to families of children who are entering kindergarten, and works with kindergarten teams developing and implementing strategies for students who may be experiencing difficulties adjusting to the classroom.

• Park Ridge resident Jim Argionis, an attorney at Cozen O'Connor in Chicago, was named a 2018 Community Star by the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce. Argionis will be honored for his community involvement during "A Night of Stars," a recognition dinner being held Feb. 16.

Argionis has distinguished himself in community service in his hometown of Park Ridge and beyond. He has served by governor appointment and state senate confirmation, through three administrations, as chairman of the Illinois Department of Employment Security advisory board. He is also a commissioner of Park Ridge's Planning and Zoning Commission and chairman of its O'Hare Airport Commission.

In addition, Argionis has volunteered his legal and mentoring skills to the Maine South High School Mock Trial Team, both in annual Illinois State competitions and in a national competition. He has also volunteered his time with local school districts 64 and 207, the Park Ridge Police Parent Patrol, the Chicago Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association and the National Immigrant Justice Center.

• Hoffman Estates resident Peter Caliendo, a former USA Baseball National Team coach with three gold and three silver medals in the Pan Am Games as coach and general manager, will be inducted into the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame on Saturday, Jan. 26. The annual dinner will be held at the Westin in Lombard.

Caliendo is currently the president of Caliendo Sports International, a baseball organization specializing in the training of individuals, teams and coaches, as well as dealing with professional baseball operations worldwide.

Caliendo Sports travels with teams and players all over the world to bring a valuable international and cultural experience through sports. He has specialized in the training of volunteer baseball coaches for more than 30 years to better train young players.

• Submit you 'Neighbors in the News' items to Norrine Twohey at ntwohey@dailyherald.com/share.