Lakewood student wins Carpentersville fire poster contest
Ruth Rodriguez, a fourth-grader at Lakewood Elementary School, had her artwork selected as this year’s Carpentersville fire prevention poster contest winner.
The theme was “Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home,” according to a village newsletter. Ruth’s poster included a warning not to charge a cell phone under a bed or a pillow.
To celebrate her achievement, the Carpentersville Fire Department invited Ruth and her family to a behind-the-scenes fire station tour, dinner with firefighters and a fire truck ride. She was also honored with a trophy at the Dec. 2 meeting of the Carpentersville Village Board.
Feast of the Three Kings to be held Jan. 3 at Elgin library
The Mexican Organization of Elgin is holding a Feast of the Three Kings event from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, at the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin.
Attendees will be introduced Gaspar, Melchor and Balthazar — the three kings of biblical lore — and can take photos with them in addition to tasting a traditional rosca de reyes, or three kings cake, according to the library’s website. A toy baby Jesus is hidden inside.
The day will also feature stories, crafts and other activities.
No registration is required. For more information, go to attend.gailborden.info/event/13146317.
South Elgin selling used computers through online auction
South Elgin is liquidating its used computer equipment through an online auction that runs through 9:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 5.
The items are available to view at the South Elgin Police Department, 50 S. Water St., by calling community service officer Jen Miklitsch or police assistant Judy Melvin at 847-741-2151.
Viewing hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m Monday to Friday. No items can be reserved. There will be a 13% buyer’s fee and sales tax charged on winning bids.
Available equipment includes an Apple iPad Pro; Microsoft Surface tablet; Getac S410 semi-rugged laptops; Brother TN-350 toner; Dell Optiplex desktop computers; and other various laptops and printers.
ECC collects 34,000 donations during Feed the Need drive
Elgin Community College collected more than 34,000 donations for the 2025 Feed the Need Food Drive, nearly doubling the college’s total from last year.
The drive, which ran from Oct. 15 through Dec. 1, gathered nonperishable food items for the college’s student-run Spartan Food Pantry, ensuring students and local families have access to meals, according to a news release.
The statewide initiative is organized by the Illinois Community College Board. In 2024, ECC collected 17,917 items.
“At ECC, we recognize that students can’t thrive academically if their basic needs aren’t met,” Amybeth Maurer, assistant dean of student experience and engagement, said in the release.
“Feed The Need is a powerful reminder that when we come together as a campus and community, we can make a meaningful difference for students and families facing food insecurity. Every donation, big or small, helps fuel student success.”
Health department says carry naloxone during the holidays
Because the holidays can be a particularly vulnerable time for those struggling with substance use, the Kane County Health Department is encouraging people to carry naloxone with them should they need to intervene in a possible opioid overdose situation.
Naloxone is an easy-to-use nasal spray that reverses the effects of an overdose, according to a news release.
To promote awareness and reduce stigma, the health department has released a video featuring staff from across the department sharing why they carry naloxone and why others to do the same. To view the video, go to youtube.com/shorts/LZQ-3mbtMnE?feature=share.
Free naloxone is available at more than 100 places in Kane County. For more information about naloxone, free pickup sites and local care related to substance abuse, go to overdoseinfo.org.
South Elgin police provide holiday gifts for 31 children
Members of the South Elgin Police Department took 31 children and their families shopping at a local Target store Dec. 6 as part of their Heroes & Helpers program.
Each child received a $100 Target gift card to purchase gifts for family members and themselves, according to a social media post. Families also received a stocking filled with gift cards and coupons provided by The Village Squire Restaurants, Dairy Queen South Elgin, Giordano’s Pizza, Culver’s, Randall’s Pancake House & Restaurant, Jewel-Osco, The Home Depot, Sweetness Cookie Company and the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Donors who made the event possible included Christ Community Church, Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Illinois and the Independent Order of OddFellows Lodge #12.
