Briefs: Bartlett woman charged with shoplifting
A Bartlett woman faces several charges after a shoplifting arrest escalated Monday night. Jessica J. Byant, 38, of 1330 Northgate Drive, has been charged with felony criminal damage to state-supported property, resisting a police officer and retail theft, Bartlett police said in a news release. Police gave this account: Officers responding to a shoplifting complaint at Bartlett Fresh Market found Bryant in the parking lot of Bartlett Plaza and discovered alcohol and food believed taken from the market in her purse. After she was arrested and placed in a squad car, she kicked out a back window and attempted to kick officers who moved to subdue her. Bryant was taken by ambulance to Northwest Community Hospital for psychological evaluation.
FEMA reports flood aid
The Federal Emergency Management Agency reports that as of Wednesday, it had approved $29.8 million in federal assistance in Illinois for victims of flooding from September's heavy rainfall following Hurricane Ike. It has registered 27,988 requests for assistance, with 25,406 of those coming from Cook County. Of those, 325 claimants visited the Des Plaines Disaster Recovery Center before it closed last Saturday. People who have not yet registered for assistance can call (800) 621-3362 or go to www.fema.gov.
Analog signals and your TV
You can learn about the transition to digital television, with analog signals used by many older sets disappearing from the airwaves Feb. 17, in a program at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Des Plaines Public Library, 1501 Ellinwood St. The topics include coupons for converter boxes to enable analog sets to continue operating, installing a converter box and the answers to basic questions about digital television. William Soderberg, media specialist for the city, will speak, along with a representative of the Federal Communications Commission. Registration for the program is available at (847) 376-2787 or by visiting www.dppl.org and clicking on events. Soderberg can be reached at (847) 391-5327.