Dupage Digest
GED and career training
The Early School Leaver Program is accepting applications for fall semester at its Addison campus, 301 Swift Road. The next informational meetings will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday and Aug. 29 at the campus. The program offers free, GED preparation, workplace skill-building, and career training for DuPage County residents ages 17 to 21. For details or to register, call, (630) 691-7577 or visit www.tcdupage.org/esl.html.
Aurora road closure
Mitchell Road will be closed until 3 p.m. Friday due to water main construction, officials said Monday. Traffic will be detoured using Sullivan Road, Indian Trail and Route 25. City officials ask motorists to avoid the area. The timeframe for the street closure may be changed in the event of bad weather.
Two arrested in Aurora
Two people were arrested after a confrontation with protesters outside the Planned Parenthood on Aurora's east side. Shawn R. Pawlak, 24, of the 100 block of N. Oakhurst Drive, and Kelly L. Mahan, 27, also of the 100 block of N. Oakhurst Drive, were walking on Oakhurst Drive when they shouted obscenities at the protesters and kicked small white crosses that had been placed in the parkway, police said. Officials say they believe alcohol was involved. A 32-year-old protester attempted to stop Mahan from kicking crosses, at which point Pawlak shoved him in the chest and threatened him, police said. Mahan and Pawlak were arrested and taken to the police department. Mahan was charged with disorderly conduct and Pawlak was charged with battery. Both posted bond and are due in the Aurora branch court Sept. 11. Planned Parenthood protesters are in the middle of a 40-day prayer vigil that ends when the facility is scheduled to open on Sept. 18.
Fundraiser nets big cash
Operation Support Our Troops Illinois announced Monday the agency made $248,000 in profits from a July 21 fundraiser at Cantigny Park near Wheaton. The "Rockin for the Troops" event featured Chicago-area actor Gary Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band. Much of the proceeds will be used by the agency to pay for postage of care packages sent to troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Illinois Support Our Troops sends about 140 packages each week, with postage costing about $100,000 per year. The group also plans to make a $75,000 donation to the Fisher House for Hines Project, which aims to create a home for family members of military personnel receiving medical care at Hines VA Hospital in Maywood.