Tri-Cities briefs: No one hurt in fire

A small fire prompted the evacuation of a St. Charles apartment building Tuesday, but no one was hurt. Firefighters were called to Surrey Hill Apartments, 201 N. Tyler Road, at 7:52 a.m., when a fire broke out in a maintenance area in an underground garage. Officials evacuated the building and got the flames under control in about 15 minutes. An investigation found the fire was caused by a faulty freezer unit, authorities said. Damage was estimated at $1,000. Geneva and Batavia fire departments helped at the scene.

Aurora officer honored:

Aurora Police Officer Nicholas Gartner has been honored as July's Employee of the Month for catching two men who were in the act of burglarizing a far east side home, officials said. He saw two people acting suspiciously before breaking into a home in the 900 block of Windemere Lane in early June. While on patrol, Gartner saw one of the men pry open a window while the other acted as a lookout. After calling for backup, officers surrounded the home. The men were taken into custody without incident. Nothing was taken. Police said they believe the pair may be involved in other east side burglaries.

Rush-Copley wins honors:

Aurora's Rush-Copley Medical Center has been selected one of "Chicago's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For" by the National Association for Business Resources. The group honored companies it felt most effectively demonstrated employee dedication. An independent research firm evaluated each company's entry in nine categories: communication, community initiatives, compensation and benefits, diversity and multi-culturalism, employee education and development, employee engagement and commitment, recognition and retention, recruitment and selection and work-life balance. Rush-Copley is one of the largest employers in the Fox Valley with more than 1,700 employees and nearly 500 physicians on staff.

Donate to MDA:

Donation pledges for the Muscular Dystrophy Association will be accepted at a networking event Aug. 22 in St. Charles. Thirsty Fox Pub, 104 E. Main St., will host the free "business after hours" gathering from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Guests will be invited to make pledges to the MDA. Call (630) 228-0689.

Sign up for hoops:

The St. Charles Storm youth basketball organization, a feeder program for School District 303, will continue registration for Bitty, in-house and travel leagues until Sept. 4. Register online at www.stcstorm.com or call (630) 584-6505.