The Downers Grove Sun :: News ::

Girls turn out to see their 'Idol'

By Eva McKendrick emckendrick@scn1.com — Thu, 4 Sep 2008 04:00 CST

Sanjaya Malakar may not have won "American Idol" last year, but it's undeniable that he has the "stuff" teen idols are made of.

Blodgett House settles in at new location

By Eva McKendrick emckendrick@scn1.com — Thu, 4 Sep 2008 04:00 CST

The 1846 Blodgett House is officially settled into its new home, at 831 Maple Ave. in Downers Grove.

Special-rec teacher bid farewell at recital

By Eva McKendrick emckendrick@scn1.com — Thu, 4 Sep 2008 04:00 CST

Over the past 12 years, Leona Jones-Gervase has hosted dozens of piano recitals for friends and family of her students in the South East Association of Special Parks and Recreation. But on Aug. 29, it was her turn to take a bow. She is leaving SEASPAR, and students and co-workers treated her to a farewell recital in Downers Grove to see her off.

Virtual bowling offers fun to spare for seniors

By Eva McKendrick emckendrick@scn1.com — Thu, 4 Sep 2008 04:00 CST

Video games are no longer just for kids.

Demonstration to feature accessible voting machines

Sun staff — Thu, 4 Sep 2008 04:00 CST

The Downers Grove-based Ray Graham Association for People with Disabilities, along with the DuPage County Election Commission, will register new voters and offer a demonstration on how people of all abilities can cast their ballots in November and future elections.

YMCA plans open house for adventure program

By Eva McKendrick emckendrick@scn1.com — Thu, 4 Sep 2008 04:00 CST

Between sports, work, school and the countless other activities kids and their parents are involved in, it can be hard to find bonding time outside of a rushed dinner or some TV watching before bed.

Businesswoman picked for Citizen of Year honor

By Eva McKendrick emckendrick@scn1.com — Thu, 4 Sep 2008 04:00 CST

For the past 21 years, Marta Cullen has lived, worked and raised her three children in Downers Grove.

Village Council OKs planning document

By Eva McKendrick emckendrick@scn1.com — Thu, 4 Sep 2008 04:00 CST

The village of Downers Grove has big things on its plate for the future, as listed in its long-range strategic planning documents.

Mark Your Calendar

Thu, 4 Sep 2008 04:00 CST

Light the Night: The walk, a fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, starts at 7 p.m. Sept. 6 at Community Park, 1825 Short St. in Lisle.

DuPage residents treated after rabid bats found

Sun staff — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Several DuPage County residents with potential exposure to rabies are undergoing preventive treatment after three bats have tested positive for rabies this year in DuPage County, the DuPage County Health Department said Aug. 22.

This pumpkin's no pipsqueak

By Eva McKendrick emckendrick@scn1.com — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Remember when Cinderella pulled up to the ball in the giant pumpkin her fairy godmother had turned into a carriage?

Charges against war protesters dropped

By Jennifer Golz jgolz@scn1.com — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Charges have been dropped against two anti-war protesters who believed they were being prosecuted for their political beliefs.

In Brief

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Sex assault charges filed over party

Spoke & lines

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Olga and Ed Ziherl were really hoping to catch "Wicked" when they made their summer trip to Chicago to visit Ed's sister, Veronica Nagel of Shorewood. When it turned out no decent seats were available for the popular Broadway show on the dates they needed, Nagel had another suggestion.

Don't be spooked; Yoda is no 'devil cat'

By Eva McKendrick emckendrick@scn1.com — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Ted and Valerie Rock's cat, Yoda, has a pretty normal cat life - the 2-year-old likes to snuggle, lie in the sun and tease the family dog. But Yoda's unusual set of ears - he has four - have brought this cat's face to newspapers and televisions around the world. The Rocks, of Downers Grove, said Yoda has two normal, working ear canals, but the ear tips never fully joined with the rest of his outer ears.

Vendors go another round in jail food saga

By Paige Winfield pwinfield@scn1.com — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Inmates of the DuPage County Jail may finally have permanent food service after 18 months of wrangling by competing companies ARAMARK and A'viands.

Dillard feels fallout from Obama ad

By Paige Winfield pwinfield@scn1.com — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

State Sen. Kirk Dillard extolled Barack Obama on television, but he didn't follow the presidential candidate to the Democratic National Convention this week.

Park District again considers pool

By Eva McKendrick emckendrick@scn1.com — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Could a public pool finally be in the future of Downers Grove?

Sun Calendar

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

St. Mary of Gostyn School 5K: The event for runners and walkers starts at 8 a.m. Aug. 30 at McCollum Park, 6801 S. Main St. in Downers Grove.

Rockin' for the Troops raises $425,000

Sun staff — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Operation Support Our Troops-Illinois sold out its Rockin' for the Troops benefit concert for the third year in a row and raised $425,000, the organization has announced.

Charges against 2 war protesters dropped

By Jennifer Golz jgolz@scn1.com — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Charges have been dropped against two anti-war protesters who believed they were being prosecuted for their political beliefs. Sarah Hartfield and Jeff Zurawski were joined by about 50 supporters in court Wednesday. Prosecutors moved to dismiss the charges against the pair when the state's complaining witness did not appear.

Sun Calendar

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Friday

Memorial's removal rekindles pain for family

By Eva McKendrick emckendrick@scn1.com — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

On July 25, a year after Dotty Hetman's son, Steve, died in a motorcycle accident, she created a memorial for him at the accident site in Woodridge, placing yellow flowers around a light pole and adding a cross, candles and wreaths.

Wish come true

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

The first thing Adrian Diaz planned to do when he got home was open his new PlayStation 3 and take it for a spin.

In Brief

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Suspect accused of witness tampering

DuPage older, more diverse, census shows

By Paige Winfield pwinfield@scn1.com — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

DuPage County's safety net of social services is stretching wider than ever to keep up with the county's diversifying population.

Pace buses allowed back on Yorktown property

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

After the announcement earlier this month that Pace buses would no longer stop at Yorktown Shopping Center in Lombard, the mall's management company has agreed to allow the buses back on the property.

Marching bands get season off on right foot

By Eva McKendrick emckendrick@scn1.com — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

With the start of football season around the corner, the Downers Grove North and South High School marching bands are kicking their practice into high gear.

Education Briefs

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Pihos announces legislative scholars

College Notes

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Downers Grove resident Megan Thomson made the dean's list for the fall semester at the University of Findlay.

DuPage considers 45 red-light cameras

By Paige Winfield Staff writer — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

About 45 intersections in DuPage County might be eligible for red-light cameras under a policy suggested Tuesday by the Division of Transportation. Although county officials began discussing red-light enforcement last November, they likely will not agree on a plan until December.

Police: Suspect made contact with witness

By Jennifer Golz jgolz@scn1.com — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

New: A Downers Grove man on trial for allegedly abusing a young girl could be facing witness tampering charges. Investigators with the state�s attorney�s office have discovered Santiago Diaz contacted the alleged victim�s residence Wednesday evening after she took the stand earlier that day.

In Brief

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Police seeking couple in lottery ticket scam

YMCA steps in to offer girls-only soccer

By Eva McKendrick emckendrick@scn1.com — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

It turns out there will be a league of their own for fifth- and sixth-grade girls interested in playing soccer this fall.

Gridlock costs area $7.3 billion a year

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Gridlock on area highways costs the Chicago region an estimated $7.3 billion a year, according to a report released this month by the Metropolitan Planning Council.

Buses banned from Yorktown after mall's policy change

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

For nearly four decades, Pace passengers could ride a bus onto the grounds of Yorktown Center shopping mall in Lombard. But as of Aug. 1, that has changed.

School repairs wrapping up for opening day

By Eva McKendrick emckendrick@scn1.com — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

The Downers Grove Grade School District 58 staff is busy making preparations to open school doors to students Aug. 22.

Event carries on fallen Marine's love of fishing

By Eva McKendrick emckendrick@scn1.com — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

On Aug. 9, family and friends of a Marine who died in Iraq hosted the second annual Sgt. Thomas Gilbert Memorial Day of Fishing at Herrick Lake. Children and their families gathered for a day of fishing lessons, food and fun. Gilbert, right, learned to fish at the lake.

Sun Calendar

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Concert: Songwriter Kitty Donohoe performs at 8:15 p.m. Aug. 15 at Two Way Street Coffee House, 1047 Curtiss St. in Downers Grove. Admission is $5. Call 630-969-9270 or visit www.twowaystreet.org.

County finances on track for balanced budget

By Paige Winfield pwinfield@scn1.com — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

DuPage County should bring in predicted revenues this year, despite the economic downturn. The county collected nearly $80 million from January to June, putting it on track to reach an estimated $151 million for the corporate budget this year.

Man kills self walking in front of Metra train

Sun-Times News Group — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

About 1,400 commuters on a Metra express train from Naperville to Chicago were delayed for two hours this morning after a man walked in front of the train in an apparent suicide attempt, police said.

Second DuPage proton center on hold

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Union carpenters demonstrated Tuesday in favor of a second proton beam radiation treatment center in DuPage County, but they will have to wait another month to see whether it can be built. The Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board deferred a hearing for the Warrenville proton center until its Sept. 17 and 18 meeting.

Bond set at $500,000 in Woodridge hit-run

Thu, 7 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Bond was set at half a million dollars Thursday for a man who surrendered to police for allegedly hitting a woman and her 11-year-old son with his vehicle in a Woodridge parking lot, then fleeing the scene last weekend.

Sun Calendar

Thu, 7 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Thursday

In Brief

Thu, 7 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Man seriously hurt in motorcycle crash

Heavy storm blows through area

Thu, 7 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Severe storms that rolled through Downers Grove on Aug. 4 cut off power to residents on the south side of the village and caused one minor injury, the Downers Grove Police Department reported.

Battle of the Bands also a battle for the bucks

By Eva McKendrick emckendrick@scn1.com — Thu, 7 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Five bands will be going head to head during the first Downers Grove Park District Teen Battle of the Bands on Aug. 9.

Gardening guru helps others cultivate food

By Eva McKendrick emckendrick@scn1.com — Thu, 7 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Vicki Nowicki of Downers Grove hasn't purchased an onion or a head of garlic for 25 years. When she needs fruits and vegetables, the backyard is her produce aisle. This summer, amid concerns about rising food prices, Nowicki began helping others save money at the grocery store with her new company, Let's Grow. She and her crew will install and maintain vegetable gardens for people in the community.

Grocery buyers facing sticker shock

By Eva McKendrick emckendrick@scn1.com — Thu, 7 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

As the worldwide surge in food prices continues to take its toll, area residents are feeling the pinch and are starting to consider what they buy, how much they buy and where they buy.

Community Briefs

Thu, 7 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Residents honored for volunteer work

Number of teen parents rising in DuPage

Thu, 7 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

From 2005 to 2006, DuPage County experienced an almost 9 percent increase in teen parenthood, with 557 births to mothers ages 10 to 19, according to the latest figures from the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Kiwanis donation aids needy children

Sun staff — Thu, 7 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

The Kiwanis Club of Downers Grove recently donated $300 to continue its sponsorship of six children served by the Humanitarian Service Project, a social service agency based in Carol Stream.

Motorcyclist's foot severed in Winfield crash

STNG Wire — Wed, 6 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

A motorcyclist's foot was severed Wednesday morning when his cycle was struck by a forklift near a construction site off I-355 in Woodridge. About 7:45 a.m., a front loader construction vehicle was carrying a forklift west on 63rd Street in Woodridge near the entrance ramp to I-355.

Railroad may sue to speed EJ&E sale

BY DAN CAMPANA dcampana@scn1.com — Wed, 6 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Canadian National Railway plans to take legal action after the federal Surface Transportation Board recently denied the company�s request to set a timetable relative to its purchase of the Elgin, Joliet & Elgin Railway.

Aurora police looking for lotto swindle suspects

Beacon News Staff — Wed, 6 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Aurora police are hoping someone will help identify a woman who scammed a 57-year-old man out of thousands of dollars in cash. The July 2 incident began at 10 a.m. at a Downers Grove home improvement store near Route 56 and Interstate 355.