DuPage County briefs

Bird death accidental

A police investigation has found the January death of six raptors inside Itasca's Spring Brook Nature Center was an accident. Caretakers at the center discovered the dead birds inside the building, which was undergoing renovations. Officials said the temperature inside the room where the birds were being housed was above 100 degrees. The facility is owned by the village, but the birds are cared for by Barrington-based Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation. Itasca police Chief Scott Heher said authorities interviewed everyone involved in the construction project and everyone at Flint Creek. "It was just an unfortunate set of circumstance and certainly nothing criminal or nefarious," Heher said.

Addison man wins $75,000

Patrick Pitello of Addison won $75,000 when he hit the winning reel combination on a stand-alone progressive slot machine this month at the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin. Located in the casino's high limit room, the top progressive on this Five Times Pay slot game is currently at $349,148.

Job workshop slated

A Job Search Strategies Workshop will be held from 9 a.m. until noon Saturday, Feb. 28, at Community Fellowship Church, 28W240 North Ave., near West Chicago. The workshop is sponsored by the Pathways Ministry of Community Fellowship and will offer instructions on how to best use your time and talent. The seminar will be headed by Eric Peterson, a recruiter and trainer. The cost is $10 and includes a light lunch. To register or for details, call (630) 562-9184.

Township to host open house

To commemorate Local Government Week in Illinois, Winfield Township will sponsor an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. March 7 at 130 Arbor Ave., West Chicago. Visitors are invited to ask questions and learn more about township government. During the open house, cell phones, eyeglasses and hearing aids will be collected for recycling. Worn American flags will be accepted and turned over to a veterans organization for proper disposal. Nonperishable items for local food pantries may be dropped off during the open house or on any business day at the township office. For details, call (630) 231-3591.

Scholarship applications open

The Naperville Park District and Citizens Appreciate Public Safety are seeking applications for the third annual Officer David White Scholarship. The scholarship was established in 2007 in honor of Naperville Park District police office David White, who saved the life of a young man while on duty. The $2,000 scholarship will be awarded for the 2009-10 school year to a student who is accepted or attending a two- or four-year college or university who has demonstrated compassionate public service. Students who are 25 or younger and are the son or daughter of the Naperville Park District police, city of Naperville police or firefighters, or are themselves serving in one of those roles are eligible. This year, eligibility also is extended to Naperville Police Explorers. Applications are available at napervilleparks.org. Applications are due at 5 p.m. April 17. Winners will be selected in early May. For details, call (630) 848-3572.

Itasca earns top honor:

Itasca was named an International Safe Community by the National Safety Council, which falls under the umbrella of the World Health Organization. The village is the first municipality in Illinois to win the honor and the fifth in the nation, officials said. Safety council and WHO officials visited the village earlier this month to check out programs that prevent injury and promote safety. Officials are planning a designation ceremony that will be open to all residents. For more details, visit safecommunitiesamerica.org.