Kane County Assistant State’s Attorney Katy Flannagan, seen here with her husband, Bronson, has been named a 2022 MADD Hero by Mothers Against Drunk Driving for her work enforcing DUI laws. (Mothers Against Drunk Driving / HANDOUT)

Mothers Against Drunk Driving has named Kane County Assistant State’s Attorney Katy Flannagan a 2022 MADD Hero for her work enforcing DUI laws.

Flannagan, who supervises the state’s attorney’s office DUI unit, had more than 80 pending felony DUI cases at any given time, many of which involve crashes that caused serious injuries or death, a news release said.

State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser and Assistant State’s Attorney Jake Matekaitis nominated Flannagan for the award based on her willingness and ability to tackle DUI cases, the release said.

Larkin High School’s Visual and Performing Arts Academy in Elgin is one of three U-46 academies to receive national magnet certification. (Gloria Casas / The Courier-News)

Larkin High School’s Visual and Performing Arts Academy in Elgin, the Leadership Entrepreneurship Action and Design Academy at Streamwood High and the Science, Engineering and High Technology Academy at Bartlett High have received national certification as magnet academies.

The certification comes from Magnet Schools of America and required the schools to undergo a yearlong process during which evidence had to be provided demonstrating they met or exceeded the criteria set by the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit association, a news release said.

South Elgin High School’s Beacon Academy of Media & Digital Arts earned magnet status in 2021 and Elgin High School’s Gifted and Talented Academy is preparing for International Baccalaureate accreditation.

U-46 launched academies, which are themed-based schools within the high schools, at each of its five comprehensive high schools more than 20 years ago. For more information, go to www.u-46.org/magnetacademies.

Graduation ceremonies for the five high schools in School District U-46 will remain at the NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates for the next two years.

A $168,000 contract was presented to the U-46 School Board this week and is expected to be approved Sept. 26.

Lela Majstorovic, assistant superintendent of schools, told the board that past agreements had been for five years, but arena management requested a shorter contract due to concerns about rising costs, including labor.

The tentative agreement keeps all five graduation ceremonies on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and covers the cost for the space, cleaning, utilities, support personnel, parking, set-up/tear-down, security and insurance. The arena seats more than 11,200.

The district has been using the facility for graduation ceremonies for more than a decade.

A free concert featuring pianist Anne-Marie McDermott and the Chamber Music on the Fox’s Chamber Players will be presented Sunday as part of Inspired Elgin. (Courtesy photo)

“Inspired Elgin,” a family-friendly celebration of the arts, will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, at the Civic Center Plaza in downtown Elgin.

Organized by Chamber Music on the Fox, the city of Elgin and Seigle Foundation, there will be pop-up performances, food trucks, arts activities and an appearance by the Gail Borden Public Library’s Book Mobile.

A concert featuring pianist Anne-Marie McDermott and Chamber Music on the Fox’s Chamber Players be held from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at The Hemmens Cultural Center at 45 Symphony Way and relayed to the plaza via speakers.

To attend the free concert, go to hemmens.org/tickets. For more information on the event, go to www.chambermusiconthefox.org and www.oddballartlabs.org.

A free concert by ‘60s-style rock band Wooden Ships will be presented from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, at the East Side Neighborhood Garden at Channing and Division streets in Elgin.

Light refreshments will be provided. Attendees should bring their own chairs.

For more information, email ourgarden2019@gmail.com or go to www.facebook.com/eastsideneighborhoodgarden.

As part of the state’s Let’s Ride initiative, Elgin Community Bikes will hold a slow-rolling ride through Elgin neighborhoods starting at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, at Festival Park in downtown Elgin.

The ride will cover about five to seven miles. Completion of a waiver for first-time riders this year is required by going to waiver.fr/p-kyDSC.

For more information, call 224-407-2124, email info@elgincommunitybikes.org or go to elgincommunitybikes.org.

The Midwest Racing Preservation Association will host its final cruise night of the season from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19, on North River Street in East Dundee.

There is no charge to attend or to exhibit a vehicle of any make or model.

The main gate entrance for display vehicles is at North Street and Barrington Avenue. Food will be available from Duke’s Blues N BBQ, Mockingbird Bar + Garden and DC Cobbs.

For more information, email eastdundee@eastdundee.net or call 847-426-2822.