Briefs: Reckless homicide ruling

The death of a St. Charles man killed in a two-vehicle crash Oct. 2 was ruled reckless homicide Wednesday by a Kane County coroner's jury. Craig R. Smith, 53, died when his Chevrolet Trail Blazer collided head-on with a Ford Econoline driven by Reginald Hearon, 48, of Plano, on Fabyan Parkway near Hughes Road in unincorporated Kane County, police have said. Hearon was cited for passing in a no-passing zone, operation of an uninsured vehicle and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. He also was named in a wrongful-death lawsuit filed by Smith's widow last week in Kane County. In the jury's ruling Wednesday, blame for the accident was placed on Hearon.

Environmentalists sought

The Batavia Environmental Commission is looking to expand and needs of new members. It meets the second Wednesday of the month. Applicants are encouraged to review the commission's Web page at cityofbatavia.net/environmental. Contact Jim Kirkhoff at (630) 879-9045 or JimKirkhoff@comcast.net, or Don Gatske at (630) 454-2310 or DGatske@cityofbatavia.net.

Hispanic applicants sought

Aurora's Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board is seeking applicants from the 2009 Hispanic Youth Leadership and Service Scholarship for high school seniors and higher learning students 18 to 21. Scholarships are in the areas of Leadership in the School Community, Leadership in the Aurora Community and Leadership/Excellence in Academics. Applicants must live in Aurora and be of Hispanic descent. For applications, call the Mayor's Office of Special Events at (630) 844-4731 or download them from the city's Web site at aurora-il.org. The deadline for submission is Friday.

Get your tree

The LaFox Civic Organization is selling Christmas trees from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays until Christmas on LaFox Road between Keslinger Road and Route 38. A part of the proceeds will be donated to Lazarus House shelter in St. Charles. Winter jackets are also being collected for charity. A $5 discount will be given with a donation.

Oversee a library

Petition packets for running for Geneva Library trustee are available at the checkout desk on the upper level of the library, 127 James St. Three 4-year terms are available in April's election. Petitions must be filed between Jan. 19 and 26. For details, call the library director at (630) 232-0780, ext. 224, or the Kane County Election Office at (630) 232-5990.

Buy Batavia

The Batavia Chamber of Commerce is selling "Batavia Bucks" gift certificates, redeemable at 100 local businesses. To purchase, visit the office at 106 W. Wilson St.; call (630) 879-6134; or e-mail info@bataviachamber.org.

Violence counseling offered

The Community Crisis Center in Elgin provides domestic violence counseling services for northwestern Kane County. A licensed counselor and is available to adult and adolescent females, and services are free. For information or an appointment, call (847) 697-2380.