Briefs: Dist. 53 board member resigns

A member of the Butler School District 53 school board has resigned, citing personal reasons. Tanuja "TJ" Rathi served on the board since April 2005 and as secretary of the board from April 2007 until last week. During her three-year tenure, she was instrumental in the district's expansion of enrichment activities, an advocate for small class size, improving the district's overall communication and strategic plans and an advocate for gifted education. Board President Jacky Parker said Rathi has been a valuable volunteer, focusing on students and families. "I will miss the insight and compassion she brought to the board" said Parker. The board has 45 days to fill the vacancy.

Police Memorial Day today

The public is invited to join police officers from several departments in the Northwest and West suburbs who will gather in West Dundee tonight for the annual Peace Officer Memorial Day celebration. The event, which honors police officers who've died in the line of duty over the past year, will feature an honor guard and flag presentation, prayer readings and keynote address by Schaumburg's Tom Jensen. His son, Jared, was working for the Colorado Springs Police Department when he was shot and killed while chasing a suspect in 2006. Tonight's event also will feature a display of law enforcement equipment in the parking lot. Participating departments include Schaumburg, Lake in the Hills, Itasca, Prospect Heights, Hoffman Estates, Sleepy Hollow and the Cook County bomb squad. The observance takes place at First Congregation Church of Dundee, 900 S. Eight Street/Route 31. The equipment will be on display starting at around 5 p.m., with the program beginning at 7 p.m.

204 student off to Paris:

Neuqua Valley High School senior Nathan Piette won a scholarship to study this summer at Sorbonne University in Paris, France. This is the result of Nathan's national ranking in Le Grand Concours, the 73rd annual national competition sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of French. Students who competed for scholarships were evaluated for their written, oral and listening comprehension skills in French. More than 100,000 students in all 50 states competed in the 2008 event. To win the scholarship, Nathan wrote an essay and interview with the Alliance Française in Chicago.

Police fundraiser complete:

Carol Stream police collected more than $2,600 last week for Special Olympics of Illinois during the department's "Cop on Top" fundraiser. The goal statewide was to raise more than $100,000 during the one-day event last Friday. Officers from several area police departments were stationed on the roofs of 71 Dunkin' Donut stores throughout the state. Total state-wide results from the fundraiser are available at www.soill.org.

Accused prostitute posts bond

A Chicago woman faces misdemeanor charges after allegedly agreeing to perform a sex act for money where she worked at Spa Soigne, 1184 Roosevelt Road, Glen Ellyn, authorities said. Na Gu, of 2825 S. Halsted St., was released on $100 bond. Police said they received a tip about possible illegal activity at the spa and sent in an undercover officer. Other employees were on site when Gu was arrested, but the owner was not. Police still are investigating.

Facility accepts waste

Naperville residents can dispose of their old medications at the city's Household Hazardous Waste Center, 1971 Brookdale Road. The facility accepts unwanted prescription drugs along with other hazardous waste between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. Prescription medications brought to the facility are turned over to a special waste hauler and incinerated at EPA-inspected facilities. The facility also accepts unwanted cleaning supplies, lawn chemicals and automobile fluids for disposal or recycling. A complete list of recyclables can be found on the city's Web site, www.naperville.il.us, or by calling (630) 420-4190.