Tri-Cities briefs

Motorcycle death an accident

The death of a Campton Hills man killed in a St. Charles motorcycle crash last fall was ruled an accident Wednesday by a Kane County coroner's jury. William F. Brown, 47, was driving west on the 2900 block of West Main Street about 7:20 p.m. Nov. 2 when he lost control of his Harley-Davidson and crashed; he and his wife were thrown from the vehicle. Police testified that Brown's wife, who survived, said Brown was cut off by another motorist, but a different witness indicated there was no other vehicle. Deputy Coroner Eric West said Brown, a well-known activist who once ran for office in Campton Hills, had alcohol in his system at the time of the crash. Neither Brown nor his wife wore a helmet, police said.

Elburn fatal crash a homicide

A Kane County coroner's jury Wednesday ruled the Oct. 11 vehicular death of a Burlington man a homicide. Ryan Campbell, 24, was driving north on Route 47 in Elburn when his pickup truck collided at Beith Road with an eastbound sport utility vehicle driven by 57-year-old Earl Wilkison of Elburn, police said. Campbell was ejected from the vehicle and died of multiple blunt force trauma three days later. Police testified that Wilkison failed to stop at the intersection, causing the crash. He has been charged with aggravated drunken driving and other traffic violations.

Senior tax program open

The application period is open for DuPage County's Seniors Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral Program. Applications will be accepted through Feb. 27. The program allows qualifying seniors ages 65 and older to defer their property taxes until the time they sell their home. To qualify, an applicant's household income cannot exceed $50,000 and the property must be used exclusively for residential purposes. The deferral is treated as a loan that accrues 6 percent simple interest until paid. Call (630) 407-5900 or visit dupageco.org/treasurer/.

High school prep

Geneva High School has its eighth-grade Parent Night at 7 p.m. Jan. 29 in Viking Commons at the school, 416 McKinley Ave. It will provide information about the departments and progression of courses, and services provided by the counseling department. For details, call assistant principal Scott McPeak at (630) 463-3800.

Ice harvesting program

You can learn how farmers once harvested ice and stored it in their own icehouses during a program from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 22, 24, 25 and 29 at Kline Creek Farm in Winfield. Staff members and volunteers will take to the frozen surface of Timber Lake - weather permitting - and demonstrate the age-old techniques. The program is free. The farm is on County Farm Road, about a half-mile south of North Avenue. For details, call (630) 876-5900.