Briefs: Lions Club gets cooking

South Elgin Lions Club will host its first Cookin' On The Grill Summer Meat Spin at 6 tonight at 500 Fulton St. A raffle to raise money for Lions charities will be held for prime cut meats and a gas grill. The night also includes music, dancing and cash bar. Call (847) 888-9575.

St. Charles garden tours:

The Pottawatomie Garden Club of St. Charles will have a Grand Gardens by the Fox garden walk from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The club's 80th anniversary event includes tours of six St. Charles gardens of various styles. Tickets are $18 the day of the walk or $15 in advance. Proceeds fund environmental college scholarships. Call (630) 584-0702 or go online to www.pottagardenclub.org.

U-46 thanks interim super

At her last board meeting, interim Superintendent Mary Jayne Broncato was presented with a certificate of service by Elgin Area School District U-46 board members. Board Vice President Donna Smith thanked Broncato for "coming in without much notice. You took us forward in our efforts to improve academic achievement," Smith said. Broncato took the helm of the state's second-largest school district in October, after former Superintendent Connie Neale went on indefinite sick leave. Broncato, of Joliet, will retire Tuesday.

Burglary suspect indicted

A Sugar Grove man is facing felony burglary charges on suspicion he tried March 5 to break into Bad Boyz Toys on Route 59 in Naperville. A DuPage County grand jury earlier this week indicted Ryan J. Newcomer, whose last known address was 4S036 Hazelcrest.

Death penalty debated

A DuPage County judge presiding over the criminal case into the Feb. 25, 1983, murder of Jeanine Nicarico of Naperville denied Thursday defense motions to declare Illinois' death penalty statute unconstitutional. Brian J. Dugan, 51, might face the death penalty if convicted of abducting, raping and killing the 10-year-old girl. His defense team argued the death penalty is arbitrary and illegal, among other issues. DuPage Circuit Judge George Bakalis denied the defense motion. Such defense motions are standard, and trial judges routinely deny them, instead opting for the state's high court to decide the issue since it hears such appeals. A. preliminary Jan. 20 trial date has been set. Dugan is back in court July 10.

Child actors sought

Young actors and actresses are sought for open auditions of "A Christmas Story" Monday at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. The production is being presented by Noble Fool Theatricals, which seeks children to portray characters ranging in age from 7 to 11. Auditions are open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. No appointment is necessary, but participants are asked to prepare a selection from the script, available at www.noblefool.org, and to provide resumes and photos of themselves. Performances are planned for Nov. 15 to Dec. 27 in St. Charles. Call (630) 443-0438.