Briefs: County tightens smoke ban
Smokers can no longer use the parking garage entrance alcoves at the DuPage County government complex in Wheaton as refuge from the state's smoking ban. The county board voted 12-5 Tuesday to forbid the practice and also moved smokers an extra 10 feet away from doors, operable windows and ventilation systems. State law requires smokers stand 15 feet away from doors and windows, but Wheaton law requires smokers be 25 feet away. Board members said they were simply complying with the stricter city ordinance. The ban also applies to county vehicles and includes smokeless tobacco. An attempt to ban smoking on county property was sent back to the environmental committee for further debate on penalties.
Cops cracking down
Several police departments will be stepping up traffic enforcement on Tuesday along the 75th Street corridor, Naperville police said. The purpose of the crackdown, police said, is to increase safety along the road. Participating departments from Naperville, Aurora, Darien, Downers Grove, Willowbrook and DuPage County will focus their enforcement efforts on different safety issues.
Addison fest band lineup
The village of Addison has announced its entertainment lineup for the 2008 Community Days Festival, to be held Aug. 8 to 10. Entry to the grounds is $2 for adults and free for ages 11 and younger. There is no additional fee for entertainment. On Aug. 8, Covergurl performs rock covers at 7 p.m. and Hi Infidelity plays classic rock at 9 p.m. The lineup for Aug. 9 is PrenZence Led Zeppelin tribute band at 5 p.m., The Lounge Puppets 1980s hair band tribute at 7 p.m. and Greg Rolie, Santana original lead singer at 9 p.m. The schedule for Aug. 10 is Bernie Glim and the Country Roads Band with special guest, radio personality "Wild" Bill Garcia at 4 p.m., Angel Melendez Tropical Band at 6 p.m. and The Ides of March featuring Jim Peterik at 8 p.m. For details, visit the Web site www.addisonadvantage.org.
Property tax info
Learn about how your property taxes are assessed -- and how it could change in the future -- from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. March 25 during a meeting hosted by state reps. Dennis Reboletti of Elmhurst and Franco Coladipietro of Bloomingdale and state Sen. Carole Pankau of Itasca. Addison Township Assessor Chris Kain will speak at Addison Village Hall, 1 Friendship Plaza, to explain how assessments are determined. In addition, legislators will discuss new proposals that could affect your property tax bill. For details, call (630) 530-2730.
New fire chief to lead team
Former Assistant Chief Wayne Messenger is now Darien-Woodridge Fire District's chief. Messenger, 49, started at the department as a paid-on-call firefighter in 1977, then joined the full-time staff in 1980. One of his goals will be to develop a five-year strategic plan by the end of 2008. He also intends to continue open communication with staff and residents of the fire district.
Aurora tobacco sales check
Four of eight stores checked recently by Aurora investigators sold tobacco products to an underage person who was working with police. Clerks at Citgo Gas, on the 300 block of West Galena Boulevard; Walgreens, on the 1200 block of North Randall Road; Gateway Newsstand, on the 100 block of Fox Valley Center Drive; and Sinha Gas, on the 1100 block of East New York Street, were all served with notices to appear in court for delivery of tobacco to a minor. One Stop, on the 200 block of South Lake Street; Thorton's Gas, on the 2800 block of Ogden Avenue; BP Amoco, on the 2500 block of Ogden Avenue; and LaValitta, on the 1400 block of East New York Street, all checked the underage person's identification and refused to sell tobacco. Police said future operations will be staged to ensure businesses are complying with applicable laws.