| Battle brewing over EJ&E railroad plans
The purchase could mean 15 more freights a day on the EJ&E compared to a handful now. This will disrupt schools and delay ambulances at grade crossings, opponents say. "It definitely will create a negative impact on our community," Darch said. U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo also added his voice to the chorus of disapproval. The Egan Republican wrote the Surface Transportation Board noting that more freight trains crossing Route 14, Route 59 and Lake-Cook Road in Barrington will disrupt driving in McHenry County. 'Triple' traffic The concerns are echoed in west DuPage. Communities that could experience significantly more freights are West Chicago, Aurora, Naperville, Warrenville and Wayne. The spike, in some cases more than 20 freights a day, prompted protests from DuPage County Board Chairman Robert Schillerstrom, who announced the county will notify the national board of its concerns.
Armani To Design Holmes' Wedding Gown
Famed fashion designer Giorgio Armani will design Katie Holmes' dress for her upcoming wedding to Tom Cruise. Although no official wedding date has been announced, media reports have suggested the couple will marry sometime next month. Rod Manley, Director of Public Relations and Media Planning for Armani, tells Us Weekly, "I can confirm that Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes have asked Giorgio Armani to design their official wedding attire for their upcoming marriage." The spokesman added that an Armani photographer will be taking pictures at the wedding, along with photographers hired by Cruise. Fashion bible Women's Wear Daily claims Armani has designed five different outfits for Holmes for various events taking place on the wedding weekend.
Boxford: Man denies mistreating ponies, geese
BOXFORD — A local man, arraigned yesterday on 15 counts of animal cruelty, is forbidden from keeping any pets except for some tropical fish. Frederick Delisio, 52, of 695 Main St. was arraigned in Haverhill District Court, where he pleaded not guilty to charges of withholding food and water from miniature ponies and domestic geese he owned. "You'll see it's a big misconception," Delisio told Judge Stephen Abany. Delisio was arrested Saturday after police and officers from the Animal Rescue League seized three miniature ponies and three geese from his barn — the floors of which court records described as covered inches deep in excrement. Christopher Smalley, communications director for Animal Rescue League of Boston, said Delisio's animals are under veterinarian care at an undisclosed location.
Highwood Towers will rise
After more than a year of review and community debate, the Highwood City Council approved plans for a seven-story building at the site of the former Hotel Moraine on Monday night. The packed council chambers applauded the council's 7-1 decision to develop the Highwood Towers at 700 N. Sheridan Road, said Highwood Mayor Vincent Donofrio. "We're expecting great things out of the new project," he said. "I have to thank my council for sticking with it and not giving up." The developer, Mega Realty, agreed to pay $150,000 in cash donations to the city, $80,000 in school impact fees, $39,750 in parking shortfall fees and an estimated $285,000 in project related items such as a traffic light at the corner of Sheridan Road and First Street. All together it amounts to about $554,750 for the city.
Midwest safaris
All quality big-city zoos have lots of animals, paved pathways, strollers for rent, hot dogs to buy and stuffed critters to bring home. Many have little trains that, for a little extra, haul people around the grounds. Many have artists who will paint butterflies on little girls' faces. Some have carousels . . . .
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