As posted by Blackberry Farm April 20, 2017
Our new train arrived this morning from Wichita, Kansas. New features: the engine is propane powered, instead of gasoline and we now have a wheel chair accessible train car. The new cars for this type of train do not have much more leg room, just the seats are wider. There are three benches on our new wheel chair accessible car that are a little bigger.
Come see the new train in action when we open May 1st!
April 16, 2017 By Dan Ferrelli from Aurora, IL Police Department
Next week, April 24 to 28, is the first-ever Illinois Distracted Driving Awareness Week sponsored by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (IALCP), AAA, and supported by the Illinois State Police, SafetyServe.com, the National Safety Council, and the Illinois Insurance Association.
We will join almost 300 law enforcement/fire agencies and supporters from the private sector throughout the state to work together during the week to educate motorists on all aspects of distracted driving. The campaign will also include the enforcement of applicable State distracted driving laws.
Translation: We will be out all next week looking for signs of distracted driving and enforcing applicable laws.
The city council just approved a lease agreement for the 5th Ward and APD to utilize a space in West Plaza next the barber shop. The use will be for neighborhood meetings with the alderman or APD. It will also provide a space for other 5th ward groups who may need a space for a function. Additional benefits will be extra foot traffic for the local businesses and extra police presence. The property management company will start to address some plumbing issues immediately so the space will probably be ready in a month. The 5th Ward will pay the $1 per month rental fee in addition to utilities.
The police and myself will not have set hours there. Once it is decided which city committee I am and the associated meeting schedule, I will try to schedule a time each week that I will be there in order to be available for walk-in visits. This is a new endeavor for the city so schedules and uses will evolve over time.
By: Steve Lord, Aurora Beacon News
April 5, 2017
Richard Irvin will become the 57th mayor of Aurora, the first of African-American descent. Irvin declared victory by about 170 votes late Tuesday night after a tense evening that included computer system crashes at both the Aurora and DuPage County election commissions, and lead changes going back and forth between Irvin and his opponent, Rick Guzman.
With all precincts in the city counted, Irvin held the lead over Guzman, according to unofficial vote totals reported by Aurora and DuPage election officials. Irvin had 7,574 votes to Guzman’s 7,404 votes, according to unofficial numbers.
“I believe in us, I believe in Aurora,” said Irvin in an animated speech to supporters at Gaslite Manor. “Based on the results tonight, Aurora believed in me.”
Mark your calendars for our next event to be held April 23, 2017. Spring Fling will be held at Orchard Valley Restaurant from 4-7pm. Call Alpha Management Services @ 630-892-8823 to RSVP by April 18th. Adults only. Join us!
Wishing everyone a Happy St Patricks Day!
An armed man reportedly robbed a cell phone store.
By Patrick Martin (Patch Staff) – March 15, 2017 10:08 pm ET
The following was provided by the Aurora Police Department:
“We’re investigating the armed robbery of a cell phone store that occurred around 6:25 p.m. tonight in the 800 block of N. Lake St.
The preliminary investigation indicates that an armed, masked, male black suspect, 6’1″ to 6’3″, wearing all black clothing, entered store, ordered people in the business to the floor, exited the business and fled in an unknown direction. It is not known if he ran to a vehicle.
He made off with an unknown amount of cash and merchandise. There were no injuries.
Anyone with information should call Investigations at 630-256-5500, Crime Stoppers at 630-892-1000, or submit tips with our My PD app. Remember that information called into Crime Stoppers that leads to an arrest qualifies for a cash reward.”
AURORA – Spring yard waste collection in Aurora begins on Monday, April 3 and will run for two weeks. The collection of bundled brush begins on the same day and runs through early November.
Yard Waste Collection for Two Weeks
The Spring Yard Waste Collection program runs from Monday, April 3 through Friday, April 14. During these two weeks, residents do not have to use waste stickers to dispose of yard waste.
Yard waste must be placed in a 30-gallon kraft paper bag and not exceed 60 pounds. Yard waste mixed with garbage or yard waste in a garbage can or plastic bag will not be collected.
Beginning Monday, April 17, a waste sticker, which is the same one used for excess garbage, must be attached to the bag.
Bundled Brush Collection through Early November
The Bundled Brush Collection program also begins on Monday, April 3 and runs through Friday, November 3. No waste stickers are required for this collection.
Branches and limbs that are ½ inch to 4 inches in diameter and 2 to 4 feet in length must be bundled and tied. The bundled brush should be placed at the curb in neat, manageable piles with the cut side of the limbs facing the street. Branches and limbs that are less than ½ inch in diameter are considered yard waste.
Brush that is not bundled and tied will not be collected. In addition, brush resulting from commercial tree trimming, which should be removed by the contractor, will also not be collected.
Collection on Regular Garbage Day
Both yard waste and bundled brush collection will take place on the regular garbage collection day and should be placed at the curb by 6 a.m. that morning.
It’s never to early to start “gathering your goods” for our annual Orchard Valley Garage Sale. June will be a busy month in our neighborhood with “Picnic in the Park” on June 3rd and our community garage sale June 9th and 10th!
West Plaza update…Rush Copley is planning on opening a Convenience Care Center where the old Blockbuster used to be. The property management company that owns most of the properties there is also in discussions with a fitness facility and jewelry store for that area. In addition, on Monday the APD and I will be meeting out there to look at an unoccupied store for us to use jointly. It would act as a meeting place for both of us and would increase the police presence in that area. The goal would for the extra presence is to be a crime deterrent. While data shows that crime is not a significant issue there, being proactive as we try to revitalize that area seems prudent. As news about potential use of the old Walmart, Hobby Lobby, etc., arise I will keep all informed.
Carl Franco
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