South Elgin police warn teens not to play ‘Senior Assassin’
The South Elgin Police Department has posted warnings on its website and social media pages about the “Senior Assassin” game in which high school students ambush each other with water guns.
Police said they have heard that students at South Elgin and St. Charles North high schools have been preparing to play the game, which involves actions like hiding in yards, wearing masks and chasing each other in cars to avoid elimination, officials said.
Police are concerned that people may mistake game play as an actual threat, leading to unnecessary 911 calls and police responses. Players running through neighborhoods, hiding in yards or driving recklessly put themselves and others at risk and students could end up being charged with crimes like disorderly conduct, trespassing, reckless driving and aggravated assault, police said.
Kairos Counseling Center closes after 50 years of service
Kairos Counseling Center in Elgin announced on its website that it has closed after 50 years.
The center’s board of directors held an open house March 16 to celebrate those who have served and supported the organization over the years, according to the website. It was held at First Presbyterian Church, 240 Standish St., where the center was founded and had been operating.
Center officials did not respond to requests for more information about the closure.
The website says the nonprofit organization provided therapy to families, couples and individuals and was committed to responding to requests for appointments within 24 hours. It was formed in 1975 by two mental health professionals and a minister to address the lack of family therapy services available in the Elgin area at the time, according to the website.
Police department’s helicopter egg drop at attendance capacity
The Elgin Police Department announced on social media this week that its “heli-cop-ter”” Easter egg drop scheduled for Saturday, April 19, in downtown Festival Park is at participant capacity.
“We regret any disappointment this may cause. Please stay tuned for future events. Thank you for your understanding,” the post says.
Elgin Police Sgt. Marcy Kogut said 3,000 people registered to attend the event within hours of it being announced.
The egg drop will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with four times set up for different age groups. More than 25,000 eggs are to be distributed.
Longmeadow, Carpentersville win top engineering awards
The American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois recently honored projects done by the Kane County Division of Transportation and the village of Carpentersville.
KDOT and consulting firm Crawford, Murphy & Tilly were presented with the Lincoln Grand Conceptor Award, the council’s highest honor, for the Longmeadow Parkway Bridge Corridor project
The $200 million 5.6-mile, four-lane highway with a 788-foot bridge over the Fox River runs from Barrington west to Algonquin. The recognition highlighted the project’s impact on regional connectivity and its role in enhancing transportation across Kane County, according to the county’s newsletter.
Carpentersville is the recipient of a National Recognition Award for its lead water service removal project, according to a news release from the village.
Carpentersville worked with Engineering Enterprises to remove 400 lead service lines in the village in just over three years, according to a social media post by the engineering firm. The village received $4 million through the Illinois EPA’s State Revolving Fund to pay for the project.
Elgin police officer named Kane County Officer of the Year
Elgin police officer Cameron Dirck has been named the 2024 Kane County Officer of the Year by the Kane County Chiefs of Police Association.
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Dirck was recognized for his quick response July 25, 2024, to a call involving a woman being attacked by a dog, according to a post on the Elgin Police Department Facebook page. His swift actions were critical in stopping the attack and preventing further harm.
The incident occurred in the 900 block of High Street when the dog attacked its owners and Dirck was forced to kill the animal, according to police reports. The owners recevied serious but non-life-threatening injuries.