Briefs: St. Charles streets to close

Trench work to install a gas main today will cause lane closures in the area of First and Illinois streets in St. Charles. The work is expected to be complete in one day, and all lanes are scheduled to be open by evening.

Help kids in St. Charles

The St. Charles Police Department is looking for volunteers to have their home designated as a "McGruff House." Residents would get a sticker to put on their window and children could go to their house in emergency situations, such as being followed, hurt or bullied. Applicants have to be 18 and older and complete an application and background check. Minor traffic violations are not grounds for disqualification. Applications can be obtained from the city's Web site, www.stcharlesil.gov/forms/index.html or picked up from the police department at 2 State Ave.

Tour Batavia water facility

Batavia residents can get a tour of the city's new water treatment facility on the west side of town Thursday. The city's Water Department will host an open house from 2 to 6 p.m. at the facility, 38W503 Fabyan Parkway, about two miles west of Randall Road. Residents can see how their water is treated for removing iron and radium. Call (630) 879-1424, ext. 319, or visit www.cityofbatavia.net.

District 303 screening

St . Charles School District 303 will have screenings for children who might be eligible for special education services Oct. 24 and 25 at the Little Woods Facility, 5N466 Route 25. Families whose children are 3 to 5 years old and not currently enrolled in kindergarten can attend. The screenings assess development of vision, hearing, cognition, speech, language and motor coordination. Registration is required by Friday. Call (630) 377-4847.

Adopt a kitten

A kitten adoption drive is planned for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Mid America Bank, 2600 E. Main St., St. Charles. The drive is a project of Homes for Endangered and Lost Pets (HELP), a local non-profit group. At least 20 kittens will be up for adoption. Fees vary. All animals have received vaccinations, parasite control treatment, spaying or neutering, viral testing and micro-chipping. For more information, call (630) 406-8460 or go to www.helpinganimals.org.

Horse rescue fundraiser

The St. Charles North High School Equestrian Club will raise money for a local horse-rescue group at a charity garage sale Saturday. The sale will be all day in the high school cafeteria, 255 Red Gate Road. Proceeds will benefit Field of Dreams, a horse-rescue organization. For more information, e-mail lfeiza@hotmail.com.