Briefs: Patrols on Washington

Naperville police will conduct a directed traffic safety initiative Friday along Washington Street to increase the safety of drivers using the thoroughfare. Their efforts will concentrate on speed and occupant restraint violations as well as other safety violations.

Underpass approved

The Illinois Commerce Commission has approved plans for construction of a pedestrian underpass at the Union Pacific Railroad tracks near Church Street in Winfield. The total estimated cost for the new bridge is $3,949,134. The village has several state and federal grants to help pay for the project but would still need to borrow money to fund the work. Last week, the village board put off a vote on an agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation that would have allowed the village to seek bidders for the project. Residents, teachers and school officials from Winfield Elementary District 34 have urged trustees to pursue the plan, arguing the crosswalk would provide a safe route for children crossing the train tracks daily to go to Winfield Primary and Central schools, as well as the elementary school run by St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.

Rain barrel grant program

Lombard is offering a new rain barrel grant program for village residents. Village officials say $5,000 has been set aside in the town's budget to reimburse homeowners who buy and install up to two rain barrels. The reimbursement amount is up to $80 per barrel. Homeowners can pick the type and color of the barrel. Barrels are screened or closed to prevent mosquito breeding. Applications are available at www.villageoflombard.org. Call the village's public works department at (630) 620-5740 for details.

Hot plate causes fire

A hot plate left on by accident in a detached garage apparently sparked a fire that damaged a year-old car in Lombard, officials said. Firefighters were called to the 100 block of South Graig Place around 6 p.m. Monday for a garage fire and said they had the flames quickly extinguished. The hot plate was sitting on a wooden shelf, officials said. Damage was estimated at $14,000.

5 paramedics graduating

Five Lombard firefighters will graduate July 1 from Paramedic Training at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove. They are: Robert Hopper, Joseph Shark, Chris Wilmot, Jeff Abruzino and Nick Soprano. They went through more than a year of classroom, clinical and practical education to receive their Illinois Department of Public Health paramedic licenses.