DuPage County briefs

Park districts win top awards:

The Fox Valley, Itasca and Lombard park districts all won the Gold Medal for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management this week from the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration and the National Recreation and Park Association. Officials said it is the most prestigious national honor a park district can receive. The winners were announced Wednesday at a ceremony in Salt Lake City, Utah. Each community won in a category based on its population size. They were judged on criteria such as long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism and program development.

Deputy, firefighter honored:

A DuPage County sheriff's deputy and a Lisle-Woodridge Fire District fire-medic will be honored by the Fox Valley chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution in ceremonies Oct. 25 at Ashbury's at Boughton Ridge, 355 E. Boughton Road, Bolingbrook. Deputy Ron Smith will be honored for his actions to prevent a teen suicide attempt in April. Fire-Medic Chris Murphy will be feted for his community work with the American Cancer Society and the District Honor Guard Pipe and Drum Corp. Tickets are $35 for adults and $20 for children. For details, visit FoxSAR.org.

River trail closed at 87th:

The DuPage River Trail is closed at 87th Street in Naperville from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays to allow trucks and equipment to enter and leave the construction site for the trail's fourth segment. Access is still available at Bailey Road, but trail users must turn around at 87th Street and travel back to Bailey to exit. For details, visit www.naperville.il.us/drt4.aspx.

Hospice clinic offered:

Registration has begun for a program that will help people learn about hospice and palliative care. The Glen Ellyn Public Library will host the program at 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at 400 Duane St. To register, visit www.gepl.org or call the library at (630) 790-6630.

Roselle craft fundraiser:

The Roselle American Legion Auxiliary Until 1084 will sponsor its 15th annual craft show and sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 16 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 17 at the American Legion Hall, 344 E. Maple Ave. Roselle. The show benefits the "Gifts to the Yanks" program of the Illinois American Legion, which provides gifts and other needed items to our hospitalized veterans during the holiday season.

Main Street meeting tonight:

Wheaton is hosting a public information meeting about proposed flood control improvements for North Main Street at 7 p.m. today at city hall, 303 W. Wesley St. Officials will provide an overview and answer questions about the project, which would replace existing culverts with a new, larger structure and widen the creek channel upstream and downstream of Main Street. The improvements are expected to allow more stormwater to flow under the road and reduce flooding of Main Street and surrounding properties. The meeting will videotaped for later broadcast on Wheaton Channel 10 (CWC10) and on the city's Web site at www.wheaton.il.us.

Hispanic board seek members:

Aurora's Hispanic Heritage Board is seeking six new members to help serve as a bridge between the Hispanic community and other portions of the city. The board meets at 9 a.m. the second Monday of the month at city hall, 44 E. Downer Place. The nonpartisan board is funded by the city and members are appointed by the mayor. Their purpose is to educate the public about the history of Hispanics who helped shape Aurora and instill pride in Hispanic heritage. Those interested in applying may contact Chairman Cynthia Hernandez at (630) 768-2027 no later than Nov. 12. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Nov. 13.