Briefs: Two sick from beef

A person from Kane County and another from Grundy County have confirmed cases of food poisoning, E. coli O157:H7, from frozen ground beef produced by Topps Meat Co. of New Jersey, the McHenry County Health Department said Friday. The two people became ill in early September. A ground beef sample from one of their houses is being tested at the Illinois Department of Public Health laboratory. E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration and lead to death. Information on the meat's recall can be found at www.fsis.usda.gov.

Disaster relief offered

People who suffered damages from the storms and flooding Aug. 20-31 in Kane, DeKalb and LaSalle counties may apply for assistance from Disaster Recovery Centers operated by state, local and federal officials. The centers are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday through Oct. 13. Bring your Social Security number and that of any spouse; private insurance, if applicable; address of the damaged property; directions to the damaged property; and a daytime telephone number. The offices are at 530 S. Randall Road, St. Charles; 308 W. State St., third floor, Sycamore; and the Seneca Village Hall, 340 N. Cash St. Call (800) 621-3362, or TTY (800) 462-7585.

Elgin leaf pickup starts

Elgin residents can begin placing yard waste by the street for free collection. Residents in bagging areas are required to place their leaves in paper yard waste bags. Residents in non-bagging areas can rake their loose leaves into the street along the curb beginning Monday. The special leaf pickup program ends Nov. 30. To learn about bagging restrictions in your area, visit the city's Web site, www.cityofelgin.org. Or for more information, call the public works department at (847) 697-3160.

Local principal wins honor

Elgin's Judson University selected Westfield Community School Principal Bill Doran as the university's Alumnus of the Year. The Community Unit District 300 school board is recognizing Doran for the achievement at its Tuesday meeting at Perry Elementary School, where Doran was principal for nine years. Doran also serves on the board of the Cambridge Lakes Charter School.

Wine classes at MCC

McHenry County College will offer a wine classes for aficionados or wannabes at 1776 Restaurant, 397 W. Virginia St. in Crystal Lake. "Pinot Noir Relatives" will be taught by Andy Andresky from 6:30-8 p.m. Oct. 14, Oct. 21 and Oct. 28. Cost of the class is $89. Call (815) 455-8588.