Briefs: New principal for St. Martin
St. Martin de Porres High School President the Rev. Charles Bolser has announced the hiring of Michael Odiotti as the school's principal for the 2008-2009 school year. Odiotti previously worked as an assistant principal in the Boston Public School system and earned his Bachelor of Science in finance and a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from Boston College. He is a graduate of Loyola Academy in Wilmette. Odiotti replaces Sister Judy Murphy, who served as principal for three years.
Officer honored
Round Lake Beach Police Officer Blake DeWelde was honored with an award for lifesaving by the village board Monday. He was honored because, on Feb. 2 at 5 p.m., DeWelde answered a call of an unresponsive subject in the 400 block of Clearview Court. He arrived prior to the rescue department, met with a man on the premises who said his wife was not breathing. DeWelde performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the subject until rescue arrived. The woman survived.
Chain levels to drop
Water levels on the Chain O' Lakes have crested and should begin to fall, baring any additional rainfall over the next few days, officials said Wednesday. Water levels have reached about 15 inches over flood stage and about 8 to 10 inches over the point where homes start to become damaged. The National Weather Service has predicted a 60 percent chance of thunderstorms on Friday.
Group recognized
Grass Lake Elementary District 36 school board officials recently honored Open Arms Mission for a new program the organization helped facilitate this year in its special-education self-contained classroom. Open Arms Mission provided a backpack each Friday to students who come from families with financial need. The backpack is filled with kid-friendly foods, which the oldest child in the family carries home. The purpose is for the family to have some extra food for the weekend, so children will not go hungry. The child's homeroom teacher discreetly gives the backpack to the child, so it is less obvious to other students. Helping to run this program are Kristine Weisenberger, who teaches the special-education class, and the Rev. Scott Keenan from Open Arms Mission.