Niles 11-29-12

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INSIDE

SPORTS Alviti tabbed football player of the year Page 11

NEWS Niles Taste celebrates local diversity

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Our Village, Our News

www.nilesbugle.com

NOVEMBER 29, 2012

Vol. 57 No. 8

Skokie company distances itself from fatal hit-and-run By Alex V. Hernandez Staff Reporter

Photo courtesy of Cook County Sheriff’s Office

Kristian Hernandez

Niles wins award from EPA

A Skokie-based private ambulance company released a press release Nov. 12 distancing itself from the fatal hit-and-run crash involving a now former employee that killed a Park Ridge man in Des Plaines Nov. 5. Kristian Hernandez, 36, of the 8200 block of Knox Avenue, Skokie, was charged with intentionally leaving the scene

of an accident and the failure to report an accident resulting in a death, a Class I felony. He appeared in bond court Friday, Nov. 9, where bail was set at $100,000. Cook County Sheriff’s Police said they were notified of the accident by a bicyclist who discovered the body of 53-yearold Park Ridge resident Ronald Bougan on Nov. 5. The body was in a grassy area adjacent to Touhy Avenue near Axehead Lake.

Soon, authorities learned a man had taken his black Dodge Challenger to a repair shop in Skokie, and that the car had damage that matched what police were looking for. This led police to arrest Hernandez on Nov. 7. Cook County Sherriff’s Police said Hernandez has an extensive criminal record that included a violation of an order See HIT-AND-RUN, page 5

Santa celebrates Festival of Trees By Alex V. Hernandez Staff Reporter

The Village of Niles was recognized by both the U.S. EPA and Chicago Wilderness with their 2012 Conservation and Native Landscaping Awards for the community’s efforts to create the Niles Community Rain Garden. “Recognition such as this means two important things for this sustainable project,” said Assistant Village Manager Steven Vinezeano. “First and foremost, it is a big pat-on-the back for all those community volunteers and sponsors who believed in the project and its message. Second, it establishes the Niles Community Rain Garden as a legitimate and sound environmental/stormwater case study for all of us to learn from and enjoy.”

Riding a red fire truck decorated by the Niles Fire Department, Santa rode into town Nov. 17 as part of this year’s Festival of Trees giving program. As Santa lighted the trees in the competition, kids received goody bags, candy canes, movie posters, cookies and refreshments. Parents received Golf Mill savings booklets containing more than 48 mall coupons. People who donate food are allowed to vote for their favorite decorated tree, with each non-perishable food item delivered to the Customer Service Center counting as one vote.All food donations will be donated to the Maine Township Food Pantry. “Golf Mill Shopping Center is energized to see this program become an annual tradition. The friendly competition brings organizations together this year to support the Maine Township Food Pantry” said Monika Kalicki, Golf Mill Director of Marketing. The tree that gets the most votes will win a trophy and a $100 Sears gift card. Shoppers can track the progress of donations on

See EPA AWARD, page 3

See SANTA, page 2

By Alex V. Hernandez Staff Reporter

Sheriff’s Department spokesman Frank Bilecki said Bougan’s injuries were consistent with those of being struck by a car Once the body was discovered, police said, detectives began to canvass auto body shops in the area to locate a vehicle that sustained damage consistent with the accident. Additionally, police said pieces of the vehicle recovered at the scene also were being examined to determine the type of vehicle involved.

Photo courtesy of Golf Mill Shopping Center

Santa greets kids and parents as he attended the annual Festival of Trees giving program on Nov. 17.


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