Bailiffs in DuPage County, safety in Palatine schools, a woman World War II Marine from Barrington and more
Worth study:
Not at all to disparage the work done by DuPage County sheriff's deputies who provide courthouse security, but we support the idea approved this week to see if there's a cheaper way to get the job done. Maybe it will show this is the most efficient system, but no one will know if the questions aren't asked.
Tragic reminder:
The drowning of a 4-year-old girl in a Gurnee hotel swimming pool last week is a tragic reminder of the care that must be taken when swimming. Regardless of whether it's adults or children, or backyard or hotel swimming pools or Lake Michigan or an inland lake, the potential danger should not be minimized.
An 'A' for safety move:
Give Palatine Township Elementary District 15 and Arlington Heights Elementary District 25 high marks for safety and efficiency. They're installing magnets that allow teachers to more quickly lock classroom doors in a dangerous situation. The cost - about 65 cents per magnet - is minimal, but the time saved could prove invaluable.
Funding for The Bard:
Tonight in Wheaton, Shakespeare fans can enjoy "A Midsummer Night's Dream," the community's third-annual Shakespeare in the Park production. Congratulations to organizers of a GoFundMe campaign to support future productions, so the park district and Wheaton College Arena Theater can concentrate on other, essential programs.
Low on the list but not low:
Tampa, Scottsdale and Boise may be celebrating their top spots in WalletHub's best big cities for retirement in America. But Aurora's response from the bottom made sense. With a median age of 31.5, it's a young city that doesn't long to be a retirement destination. And look where it scored high: low crime, quality hospitals and good emotional health.
Let them sleep
A recent Centers for Disease Control & Prevention recommendation that school start later than 8:30 a.m. poses a dilemma for suburban districts balancing busing costs and athletic schedules. Still, with research showing students need more sleep to avoid depression, weight gain and lowered academic performance, it's worth a good look.
Wondrous Wall Street:
On Tuesday, the future for our 401(k) seemed to hold nothing but disaster. On Thursday, it was "Happy Days Are Here Again." Never dull on the Dow.
Lest we forget the nurses:
Our Tuesday story about Barrington woman who served as a U.S. Marine in World War II reminds us not to forget the nurses who served in that war, most of them who volunteered, some of whom were drafted and many who served under fire.
Keeping the faith:
OK, the Cubs did stumble this week against the Giants, losing their first road series since June. But still, the Cubs remain more than five games ahead of San Francisco for a Wild Card spot. September's going to be fun.
Sportsmanship counts:
At the high school level, we tend to look for examples of good sportsmanship from the coaches and athletes we support. As a new school year begins, it's time to look in the mirror as well and ask more from ourselves. Be a good sport in the stands. Keep those negative thoughts to yourself, and respect officials. The team you came to see will appreciate it.