Briefs: West Nile strikes teen
A Naperville teenager's bout with West Nile virus shows the disease can strike anyone, officials said Wednesday. The Illinois Department of Public Health reported that the boy, who has recovered, fell ill in late August. Individuals older than 50 are at the highest risk of catching the virus. It's somewhat unusual for a teen to contract West Nile "but it can never be ruled out," DuPage County Health Department spokesman David Hass said. As a precaution, use bug spray when outside, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, and stay indoors after dark, experts advise.
New Oak Brook official
After searching for almost six months to find a new village manager, Oak Brook officials named David Niemeyer to the post this week. Niemeyer comes to the position with 24 years of experience managing five different communities, most recently Des Plaines. He served as Oak Brook's acting village manager since mid-July, when then-acting village manager Jeff Moline left to take a position in Woodridge. Moline was appointed after former village manager Richard Boehm left Oak Brook early this year.
Lisle seeks nominees
Lisle residents who know a person or group that deserves a pat on the back can nominate them for a Pillar Award presented by the Lisle Community Character Counts Alliance committee. The deadline for nominations is Oct. 5. Awards are given to individuals, businesses and groups or organizations that display one or more of the organization's six pillars: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. For nomination forms, go to www.villageoflisle.org and click on "Quick Links" and then Character Counts! Forms also are available at the Lisle Library and village hall.
Central hosts parent talks
Naperville Central High School is holding two parent awareness programs this fall. "Parenting in the Millennium," featuring adolescent psychiatrist Michael Feld, begins at 7 p.m. Sept. 19 at the school's Little Theatre, 440 W. Aurora Ave. The second program, "Student Athletes: Stresses and Performance," featuring clinician Marc Anderson, will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 11 at the school.
Dist. 204 seeks celebrities
Indian Prairie Unit District 204's parents council is seeking local celebrities to play in a charity basketball game at 8 p.m. Nov. 16 at Waubonsie Valley High School, 2590 Ogden Ave., Aurora. Staff members from the district will play against celebrities to raise money for the council's scholarship fund. Anyone who knows of a sports, radio, or TV celebrity who lives in the area is asked to call (630) 536-6230.
Hospital recruits canines
Edward Hospital is seeking more dogs for its animal-assisted therapy program. Temperament testing will be held Sept. 29 at the hospital, 801 S. Washington St., Naperville. The registration form must be submitted by Sept. 18 and is available at www.edward.org or may be faxed to (630) 305-8690. Handlers must be 18 or older. Mandatory training for dogs and handlers will be held 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 7, Oct. 13 and 14. Handlers pay a $30 fee for temperament testing and a $125 fee for training. For details, call Patty Kaplan at (630) 527-7335.
Schools chief search on
The Itasca school District 10 board Wednesday hired the Libertyville-based search firm BWP and Associates to find the district's next superintendent. Kenneth Cull, the district's leader since 2002, announced his retirement last month, effective at the end of the current school year. The district will pay $14,900 in fees and approximately $5,000 more in additional costs, including expenses, to advertise the search and travel expenses for candidates.
Six seek Dist. 10 seat
With the application period ending Friday, six candidates have applied to replace former District 10 board member James McCann, who resigned in late August. The board will interview all six candidates on the morning of Sept. 22. Board President Nancy DiColla said she hopes to seat the new member at the district's Oct. 10 meeting.