MERLE’S CORNER

 

Mexican Independence Day Festival, organized by Mexican Cultural Center DuPage, is from 1 to 10 p.m. Saturday Sept. 16, and from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept.17, 2023, in the historic downtown district. The festive occasion recognizes Mexico’s freedom from Spain. Food is an important part of any festivity. In addition to the downtown area restaurants, there are various food vendors. Others participating are business and organizations. Entertainment adds the perfect touch. There is no parade this year.

 

Festivities on Saturday begin at 1 p.m. with Steamroller Printing. There is live music all day with Rosalba Valdez performing at 5 p.m. Valdez is a Mexican singer/songwriter from Chicago. Regularly singing and playing guitar for Sunday church services, community events, rallies, and protests. Coming on stage at 7 p.m. is Calaveras, a nine-man band. Mariachi performs at 8 p.m.

 

Sunday the opening ceremony takes place at 2 p.m. The true meaning of the event focuses on “El Grito de La Independencia.” The observance symbolizes the involvement of the Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo, who announced the beginning of the Mexican Revolution with the ringing of church bells September 18, 1810, in the village of Dolores, Mexico. Spain recognized the independence of Mexico September 27, 1821.The bell used in the ceremony here is on loan from the family of long time West Chicago resident, the late Lorenzo Covarrubias, known as the“Patron de La Campana” (Patron of the Bell).

 

Ballet Folklorico Nueva Era is at 3 p.m. and Danza De Michocan is at 4 p.m.The countdown and release of the 13-foot burro piñata, created by West Chicago resident Victor Arellano, is at 5:30 p.m. To view the schedule, visit https://www.facebook.com/MexicanCulturalCenterDuPage/. As a side note: Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023, West Chicago public works crew installed the Papel Picado that showcases the splendid 'Flying Quetzalcoatl'. A remarkable 6,000 feet of this classic Mexican artworks is on Main Street from Route 59 to Washington Street.

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AROUND AND ABOUT

 

• In September, West Chicago Public Library celebrates National Library Card Signup Month with a space theme, which highlights the programs around this year's annular solar eclipse. The library’s new card design features an image from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope. Persons can stop by the library to sign up for a new card or exchange their old card for the new design. New card recipients also can receive additional prizes with visits to the different library departments.

 

• To acknowledge the 51 years of the founding of the West Chicago Park District, the West Chicago Parks Foundation hosts “51K for 51 Years of Play.” It takes place through Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. The cost is $25 with half the proceeds benefitting the Foundation. All registrants receive a log to keep track of their miles and a t-shirt. To register, visit https://www.we-goparks.org/special-events. Participants can walk about one mile a day to complete the milage of 31.7 miles. Upon completion of the challenge, persons turn in their log sheet, which is then entered into a drawing for prizes. Either email the log sheet to info@we-go-arks.org or bring it in person to the ARC Center, 201 W. National St., by Thursday, Oct. 5.

 

• The First Division Museum at Cantigny Park presents its Date with History series program at 7 p.m.Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, via Zoom or in person in the Visitors Center, 1S151 Winfield Road. Susan Eisenhower discusses her book, “How Ike Led: The Principles Behind Eisenhower’s Biggest Decisions.” Registration is required. To register, visit org .Parking is complimentary for those attending in person.

 

Her book, published in 2020, is a retrospective of Dwight D. Eisenhower’s wartime and presidential leadership. The book is part leadership book, part history and part memoir with new insights on the man that only a family member could offer. Copies of “How Ike Led” are available for purchase and signing by the author.

Susan Eisenhower, granddaughter of the 34^th U.S. president, is a policy analyst, business consultant, speaker, and writer with more than 30 years experience in national security, leadership, and related strategic issues. She has provided analysis for major media on such topics as arms control, nuclear energy, and the future of space science. Eisenhower is chairperson emeritus of the Eisenhower Institute and founder of The Eisenhower Group, Inc, a Washington,

D.C.-based consulting company.

 

• WeGo Drama at West Chicago Community High School continues their 23-24 theatrical season with the direct from London premiere of “A Monster Calls” by Patrick Ness and inspired from an original idea by Siobhan Dowd. It is devised by Sally Cookson, Adam Peck, and the Company. The production is the “official” Illinois premiere. Performances are at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 15 and 16, 2023, in the auditorium, 326 Joliet St. The ticket price is $8, $5 for students.Tickets are available at wegotheatre.com or at the door.

 

“Stories are wild creatures…When you let them loose, who knows what havoc they might wreck?” The story is of Conor O’Malley and his backyard monster. He comes “walking” to visit Conor three times and tells him stories to help Conor and his family deal with their tragic situation. Being hypersensitive and aware of the issues, all the characters must confront their feelings as they face the dire situations in this emotional drama. It contains serious subject matters such as bullying, life, death, and symbolic destruction and violence.

The company of actors and crew includes Arson Gutierrez, William Wenberg, Mariana Acosta, Stephanie Alfaro, Noemi Amaro, Antwan Angeles, Michael Angeles, Alex Bradley, Lucas Brown, Wil Cooper, Danais Gomez-Garcia, Sentia Irakoze, Nirali Kadakia and Kayliana Koeune.

Others are Matthew Krysinski, Karidja Monjolo, Edgar Oropeza, Romina Pietanza, Jocelyn Ramirez, Alex Rocha, Ryley Salazar Ja’Nyah Villa, and Dayan Zenteno; and from Winfield: Ryan Blackburn, Carolyn Fleming, Caiden McDougall, Francis Moffatt, Moffatt,and Mariah Varnado.

Mark Begovich is the director Technical Direction is by Christopher Jensen. Costumes are by Kim Maslo. Hair and make-up is by Jaime Elza. As a side note, I think this is one of those plays where you want to go with friends to someplace after you have seen it and discuss.(https://merleburl.com)

• “80 for Brady” is the movie for the West Chicago Public Library adult Saturday Film Series. It takes place at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in the main meeting room, 118 W. Washington St. Snacks are served. https://merleburl.com)

 

• Healthy West Chicago and West Chicago Public Library host a free virtual family cooking class, “Harvest Veggies” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, via Zoom. Chef Maria gives tips on eating healthy, saving time in the kitchen and involving children in food preparation, plus demonstrates how to make the featured recipe, Bean and Veggie Soup. To register visit https://wcpld.info, under calendar. Following the class, all participants attending the class are entered into a drawing to win a $20 gift card.

 

• Partnering with People’s Resource Center, West Chicago Public Library offers a Mock Interview workshop at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in the main program room, 118, W. Washington St. Participants learn some tips for interviewing. To make a reservation, visit https://wcpld.info/, under calendar.

 

• The Young Professionals Group, a part of the Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce, host a “Green & Greet Par-Tee, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, at Coyote Crossing Mini Golf Course, 27W650 North Ave., in Carol Stream. The event is open to the public. The charge is $25 for members, $30 for non-members, and for a foursome $80 for members and $100 for non-members. It begins at 5 p.m. with the shotgun start at 5:30 p.m. Other activities include trophies, food, hole-in-one contest for a new mini car. and raffle, plus food. Raffle proceeds benefit People’s Resource Center in Wheaton. Title Sponsor is Buck Services, Inc. To register, visit https://bit.ly/45p5PfY. For further information, call the chamber office at 630-231-3003. https://merleburl.com)

 

• West Chicago Public Library has a family program, “Stargazing with the Naperville Astronomical Association,” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023 in the main meeting room, 118 W. Washington St. The program focuses on what persons can see in the night sky in the suburbs.Weather permitting, participants go outside for a view with the telescope. Depending on the light, there is the opportunity to see Saturn, multiple stars and various clusters. To make a reservation, visit https://wcpld.info/, under calendar.

 

• In partnership with Robert R. McCormick House at Cantigny Park, the League of Women Voters of Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Central Kane County, Naperville and Roselle/Bloomingdale host the Civic Awareness Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept 21, 2023, via Zoom and in person in the Cantigny Visitors Center, 1S151 Winfield Road. The program is “Racial and Economic Justice.” The speaker is Audra Wilson, President and CEO of the Shriver Center on Poverty Law. Registration is required. Register at https://cantigny.org/.../civic-awareness-series-racial.../ .

 

Wilson has been a champion for racial and economic justice for more than 20 years as a public interest lawyer and teacher, policy shaper, community mobilizer, and experienced executive manager. Wilson began her legal career as a Welfare Advocacy Staff Attorney with the Shriver Center on Poverty Law, where she focused on welfare reform implementation and food security issues in Illinois. She served as Director of Diversity Education and Outreach and Adjunct Professor at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law for seven years. At Northwestern, she co-founded the first formal consortium of law school diversity professionals in Chicago, seen as a national model. As Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of Illinois, Wilson advanced the League’s advocacy on issues of race equity and voting rights and built organizational capacity for fundraising and communications. Wilson is also a board member for Bucknell University and Woodstock Institute, and serves on the Illinois Commission on Poverty Elimination and Economic Security and the Illinois Commission to End Hunger.

League of Women Voters of Wheaton includes West Chicago, Warrenville, Winfield, Wheaton and Carol Stream. The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan organization that does not support or oppose any political party or candidate, but whose purpose is to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government. (https://merleburl.com

 

• West Chicago City Museum presents the Historiography program, a non-fiction book reading group, at 1 p.m.Sept. 21, 2023, in the Museum, 132 Main St .The book is “Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI” by David Grann. To get a copy of the book or for further information, visit Friends of West Chicago City Museum website, com or call 630 231-3376. It is not necessary to read the book to attend.

 

• Per the National Book Foundation, “The book tells the story of the brutal murders behind white settlers’ attempted dispossession of an Osage family’s Oklahoma lands, under which lay some of the world’s most valuable oil fields. That this conspiracy of theft, terror, and genocide helped launch J. Edgar Hoover’s FBI deepens the narrative’s moral complexity.” Time magazine listed Killers of the Flower Moon as one of its top ten nonfiction books of 2017 and was a finalist for the National Book Award and a winner of the Edgar Allen Poe Award for best true crime book.

Grann is an American journalist, a staff writer for “The New Yorker, ”and best-selling author. He received a master’s degrees in international relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in Medford, Massachusetts and creative writing from Boston University. After graduating in 1989 from Connecticut College in New London, he received a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship and did research in Mexico, where he began his career in journalism. ((https://merleburl.com

 

• West Chicago Park District holds an adult Puzzle Pursuit at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in the ARC, 201 W. National St. Teams of two to four people race against each other to finish the same 500 piece puzzle, with up to two hours to complete it. There are prizes for the first three teams. Participants can bring their own adult beverages and snacks; concessions are available. The cost is $35 per team for residents and $42 per team for non-residents. Each team keeps their own custom puzzle. Registration is required and may be made at https://www.we-goparks.org/special ((https://merleburl.com

 

• The West Chicago 5K Fun Run, organized by Healthy West Chicago, is at 7:30 a.m.Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, by Zone 250 at Reed-Keppler Park, 250 W. National St. The 5K Certified Course Run is on the Illinois Prairie Path.The One Mile Youth Run is at 8:30 a.m. All funds received assist with the enhancement of nutrition and physical activity programs organized by Healthy West Chicago.

The registration fee is $30 for adults, student price, aged 17 and under, is $10, youths aged 10 and under can participate in the 1-mile youth run for $5. To register, visit https://raceroster.com/events/2023/74652/healthy-west-chicago-5k-fun-runwalk. For further information, visit https://www.healthywestchicago.org/. To volunteer, email Carly Smitherman at caryls@healthywestchicago.org.

 

• We Grow Dreams Greenhouse and Garden Center, 1055 W. Washington St., hosts its annual “Fall Festival of Color” formerly known as Fall Fest, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday Sept. 23, 2023. In addition to the 50 different colors of mums, fall flower and decor, kale and cabbage, there are small business vendors, fall food and drinks. (https://merleburl.com)

 

• Prairie Landing Golf Club, 2325 Longest Drive, hosts OktoBEERfest at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, in the tent. The $42 charge includes German style buffet and live music. There are assorted beer samplings from local vendors. Reservations are due by Monday, Sept. 25, and may be made by calling 630 208-7641. (https://merleburl.com)

 

• West Chicago Park District offers a Morton Arboretum Tour Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. Scheduled hours are 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The tour includes a scheduled tram tour of the arboretum and the opportunity to walk the trails before or after the tour.The charge of $28. includes entry into the arboretum, the tram tour and transportation. Persons purchase lunch in the Gingko Restaurant located in the visitors center. Registration deadline is Wednesday, Sept. 20. To register, visit https://www.we-goparks.org/adult-programs. (https://merleburl.com

 

• West Chicago Park District offers the Paramount Theater series season program for adults. The first of the four musical productions is “Little Shop of Horrors” The time frame is noon to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. The $48 charge includes the bus ride and the show. Persons purchase lunch at a local restaurant.Seats are on main lower floor. Registration deadline is Saturday, Sept. 23. To make a reservation, visit https://www.we-goparks.org/adult-programs.

 

Seymour Krelborn ekes out a living at the failing Mushnik’s Flower Shop. Until one day, he discovers a strange and unusual plant he names Audrey II, one that feeds on human blood. Seymour becomes caught up in a wild scheme of trying to acquire fresh blood for his carnivorous plant, all while attempting to save the love of his life from her evil dentist boyfriend. The musical is a wild ride filled with some of the catchiest songs including “Suddenly Seymour” and “Suppertime.” As a side note: I just attended with my son and grandson. We truly enjoyed it, the plant is unforgettable.

 

• West Chicago Park District offers a trip to see the Andrew Sisters Sweet Reminder, a dynamic duo that entertains audiences with the hits of yesterday in their unique playful style it takes place Saturday, Oct. 7, in the Jacob Henry Mansion in Joliet. Scheduled hours ar 9:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.The $65 fee includes transportation, lunch and the show. Reservations are due by Monday, Sept. 25, and may be made at https://www.we-goparks.org/adult-programs. Nancy With their upbeat personalities, Baumet and Dia Madden, former Legacy Girls, provide an entertaining time with their great vocals.

 

SUPPORT OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES

 

• For the fall season, We Grow Dreams Greenhouse & Garden Center, 1055 W. Washington St., are open daily. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. (https://merleburl.com

• The Sonny Acres Farm Pumpkin Patch and Fall Festival is open from Saturday, Sept. 16, through Sunday, Oct. 23, 2023. For hours, visit the website https://sonnyacres.com/.Activities include classic hayride through the landscape, food from the outdoor grill, food from the outdoor grill amusement park rides and selecting the perfect pumpkin to take home. The haunted hayride, barn and trail begin Friday, Sept. 29. (https://merleburl.com

 

• The law firms of Nery & Richardson and Konewko & Associates joined to create the new firm Nery Richardson & Konewko, LLC, 29W204 Roosevelt Road. The new firm with offices in Chicago and West Chicago has a combined legal experience of more than 90 years and is bilingual. Practice areas include real estate, family law and banking, estate planning/will and trusts, business and corporation, personal injury, litigation and bankruptcy.

 

COVID-19

 

The DuPage County Health Department developed a dashboard to provide information on the total number of people, in DuPage County, who have tested positive for COVID-19. In addition, the dashboard includes a map which shows the distribution of reported cases by municipality and is updated at 4:00 p.m. daily. DuPage County's "COVID-19 Dashboard" is a one-stop-shop for all the information it offers including a town-by-town breakdown of cases. As of Monday, Sept. 4, 2023, there were 12,105 cases and 67 deaths; this is the number from the beginning of track recording.

 

REMEMBRANCES

 

• Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Donald R. Wurtz, who at the age of 73 passed away Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023.

 

• Deepest sympathy is expressed to the family of Willard Hensel, who passed away Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023.

 

• Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Mary Patricia Ellena, who at the age of 69, passed away Sept. 3, 2023.

 

• Deepest sympathy is expressed to the family of Carl E. Feulner, who at the age of 83, passed away Thursday, 7, 2023.

 

• Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Patricia “Pat” Ann Johnson, who at the age of 78 passed away Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023.

 

• Deepest sympathy is expressed to the family of Wayne Mortenson, who at the age of 73 passed away Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023.

 

SCHOOLS

 

• West Chicago Community High School Head Football Coach Adam Chavez is the recipient of the Chicago Bears High School Coach of the Week award. It recognizes him for the win against Bartlett High School.Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, Head Coach Adam Chavez guided his team, the West Chicago Wildcats to a close 27-21 home conference victory against the powerhouse Bartlett Hawks .In just his second year as coach, he achieved the Wildcats' first-ever win against the Hawks in school history.These recognitions are part of the Coach of the Week and High School All-Stars award programs, which are provided by Athletico Physical Therapy. In support of these initiatives, the Bears will make a $2,000 donation to the West Chicago football program.

 

Chavez started as Head Coach in the WCCHS football program in the spring of 2022. He had 22 years of coaching experience across four different states, including Illinois, Indiana, Nevada and Florida. “Since his arrival at West Chicago, he has diligently worked to increase player participation and excitement within the football program. The youth program has experienced significant growth under his leadership, as he and his staff have actively engaged with community members to help develop the sport.” Chavez also is a teacher at the school,, specializing in driver's education and bringing expertise in Special Education to his role. https://merleburl.com

• This is a a special year for the elementary students and staff at Pioneer School since it is the last year the building will house them. On the first day of school, students wore Pioneer shirts in the color that represented their grade level, and students and staff gathered for a colorful photo representing a rainbow.https://merleburl.com

 

• At the Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, football game, West Chicago Community High School lost to Glenbard East High School with a score of 47-6.

 

• At the Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, football game, Wheaton Academy won against Chicago Christian High School with a score of 35-0.

 

• Six members of the Benjamin Middle School band program performed with the West Chicago Community High School band, and members from Leman Middle School and Winfield Middle School at a the Friday, Sept. 8, 2023 football game. They played the “National Anthem ”and “We’re West Chicago,” the high school song. .https://merleburl.com

 

CHURCHES

 

• Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, celebrates its 100 Cornerstone Anniversary in 2024. Leading up to that occasion, the church plans a number of events, which are open to the public. The first one, a Pie and Ice Cream Social, takes place from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, at the church, 328 George Street.Also from September 2023 through April 2024, there is an ongoing historic photo display. The church has been on this site, the corner of Sherman and George streets, since 1884. Prior to that local and nearby Lutheran members worshipped in private home or in the Methodist Church building. Replacing the earlier wooden structure, the cornerstone for a new brick building was laid in 1923.

 

• Some members from St. Michael’s United Church of Christ recently volunteered at the Northern Illinois Food Bank. They bagged 5,195 donated by a farm in Marengo, and picked by Food Bank volunteers. (https://merleburl.com

 

COMMUNITY MEMBERS HIGHLIGHTS

 

• Gallery 200 artist Marge Hall and West Chicago resident Laurie Politer Eskenazi are participants in the 38th Annual Riverwalk Fine Art Fair presented by the Naperville Art League from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 16 and 17, 2023. Hall is in Booth 96 with her mixed media paintings. Eskenazi is in Booth 136 with her ceramics. In booth 40 is Gloria Contreras, whose Alebrijes sculptures were some of those featured at the 2022 Cantigny Park exhibit. This booth has Latino inspired children’s arts and craft activities sponsored by Arts DuPage, Pura Vida Talk and DuPage Hispanic Alliance. (https://merleburl.com

 

• West Chicago resident Tom Knutson won first placer the month of August in the Your Images Daily Herald Photography Contest. His photo was of a bear grabbing a snack, which he took at Brook Falls in Kati National Park in Alaska.

 

• The photograph by West Chicago resident Gib Van Dine was featured in the Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023 issue of Your Images Daily Herald Photography Contest. The photo was of the pet wild turkey nestled under the shade of a hickory tree, down into the bed of pachysandra to keep cool when the temperature was above 100 degrees.

 

• West Chicago resident Eileen Niccolai, an actress, performs as Beatrice Carbone in “A View from the Bridge” by Arthur Miller in the Shattered Globe Theater production at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Performances are at 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday, from Sept. 13 through Oct. 21, 2023.

 

• Elinor Olsen celebrated her 97th birthday, Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. West Chicago resident Janet Olsen-Ianno is her daughter.

 

• During Winfield Good Old Days, Scott MacKay interviewedWest Chicago resident Susan Wells on the 95.9 River radio station.

 

• Lori and Pete Kennedy celebrated their 45th Wedding Anniversary Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.

 

• Cindy and Don Voelz celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.

 

CLUB/ORGANIZATION NEWS

 

• Mexican Cultural Center DuPage acknowledges several individuals and organization with awards. They are Sara Phalen with The Vanguadia Award, Luzma Funtes and Ed Funtes with Lifetime Achievement Awards and Casa Michoacan with the 2023 Community Service Award.“This acknowledgement shines a light on the incredible impact and leadership these people or groups have shown in the wider Latino community.” The presentation of the awards is at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, during the Mexican Independence Day Festival.

 

• Girls of Today Leaders, of Tomorrow host and USAgain hold Quince Dress Drive, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, at 1555 W. Hawthorne Lane. It is open to girls age14 and attend Leman Middle School or West Chicago Community High School. The girls have a private dress fitting for quinceañeras dresses. Pre-registration is required. The suggested donation is $20 with proceeds benefitting Girls of Today Leaders of Tomorrow. (https://merleburl.com

 

WEST CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

 

• Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023, DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin and West Chicago Chief of Police Colin Fleury announced bond was set for West Chicago resident Jose Barrera Munoz, accused of leaving the scene of a fatal accident in which he was allegedly involved. Munoz, age, 40, of the 300 block of Church Street, appeared at a the bond hearing, where Judge Joshua Dieden set bond at $500,000.Munoz is charged with one count of Leaving the Scene of an Accident Causing Death (Class 1 Felony) and one count of Driving While License Suspended – 2nd Offense (Class 4 Felony). Munoz’s next court appearance is scheduled for October 2, 2023, for arraignment in front of Judge Brian Telander.

 

At approximately 7:15 p.m Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023,.West Chicago police officers responded to a call of a crash involving a car and motorcycle near N. Neltnor Boulevard and Kings Circle. Upon their arrival, officers found a male victim in the roadway. Witnesses advised the victim was the driver of the motorcycle and reported the other driver had left the area on foot. West Chicago Fire Protection District paramedics responded and transported the victim to Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield where he was pronounced dead at 8:10 p.m. Court records identify the man as Zuber Shethwala.

Through their investigation, officers learned that Munoz was allegedly making a left-hand turn northbound onto Neltnor Boulevard in front of the victim ,who was riding a motorcycle southbound on Neltnor Boulevard. It is alleged that the victim was unable to stop his motorcycle in time and crashed into the driver’s side of Munoz’s Toyota Corolla, causing him to fly off his motorcycle and land on the ground. It is further alleged that after the crash, Barrera Munoz fled the scene on foot. West Chicago police officers located Barrera Munoz at approximately 2 a.m. the following morning at a West Chicago residence. He was taken into custody at that time without incident.

ODDS AND ENDS

 

• Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, the DuPage Health Department announced a human West Nile virus case in West Chicago.

 

• DuPage County Judge Bonnie Wheaton will serve as the next chief judge of the 18th Circuit Court, starting Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. She succeeds Chief Judge Kenneth Popejoy.

 

CITY OF WEST CHICAGO

 

• At the Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023, City Council meeting ,a proclamation recognized September as National Service Dog Month. It stated, “in the United States, 64 million adults and children have a disability and only 16,000 service dogs from accredited training programs exist nationwide and the need is growing.” The proclamation further described the service Canine Companions provides. Canine Companions is a not-for-profit organization enhancing the lives of people with disabilities by providing expertly-trained service dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships. Their service dogs empower people with disabilities to lead lives with greater independence, by providing best-in-class training, ongoing follow up services and a deeply committed community of support. Several members of Canine Companions were on hand to accept the proclamation. They were Pete and Fran Vlasses and Nanny, their service dog in training; Julia Harvey and Dazzle, her service dog; and West Chicago resident Suzanne Treudt and Denny, her service dog in training. .https://merleburl.com

 

Also at the meeting, Council approved the adoption of the Community Park Plan. The Item Summary states based on the feedback Upland Design received at public forums and through the two surveys, “Upland has prepared a Plan for the future park site depicting its development. The project is expected to be phased over the next five to seven years. The first phase is anticipated to occur in one to two years once the northern portion of the property is fully remediated and turned over to the City and will include the establishment of a natural planting area. The remainder of the phases will include the installation of other amenities, such as trails, parking lots, a sensory garden, a playground a challenge course, pickleball and tennis courts, picnic pavilion and shelters, and multi-use field.

My email address is merleburl@earthlink.net.