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Reporter | Progress • mysuburbanlife.com • Wednesday, February 6, 2013 • WSD
| NEWS
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Man charged with killing Woodridge woman pleads not guilty WOODRIDGE — A man accused of stabbing his former girlfriend to death inside her Woodridge apartment pleaded not guilty last week. Adam Belmont, 23, of Northlake, pleaded not guilty in DuPage County Circuit Court on Jan. 29 in connection with the death of his former girlfriend, Alyssa Van Meter, 25, of Woodridge. Belmont is charged with several counts of murder, home invasion and sexual assault, and is being held in DuPage County Jail without bond. His next court date is scheduled for Feb. 20, according to the Office of the Clerk of the DuPage County Circuit Court. In this case, DuPage County Judge Blanche Fawell has allowed media outlets to video and photograph
court proceedings. It was the third time a DuPage criminal defendant was photographed in court since the Illinois Supreme Court last year launched a pilot program offering extended access media outlets, according to reports. Woodridge police officers responded to a burglary/death investigation call at about 11:30 p.m. Dec. 15 on Forest Drive in Woodridge. Upon their arrival, officers discovered a deceased Van Meter on the bedroom floor of her apartment, the victim of an apparent stab wound to her chest. Authorities alleged that at approximately 9 p.m. that evening, Belmont went to Van Meter’s apartment and entered the apartment by climbing up the outside balcony and climbing through a window.
It is alleged that once inside the apartment, Belmont confronted Van Meter and after a brief verbal confrontation, a physical altercation between the two ensued during which Belmont choked Van Meter until she was unconscious then stabbed her one time in the chest, piercing her heart. Belmont allegedly sexually assaulted her after stabbing her, according to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office. An investigation by the Woodridge Police Department led authorities to Belmont, who was arrested later that evening. Authorities said Belmont and Van Meter had dated, and that the woman had broken off the relationship about a week before she was killed. - Suburban Life Media
individual style. This program is for anyone who is curious about what goes into creating a work of art. Steinhaus will be raffling one of his limited edition Giclee Prints during the program. The winner will be able to choose from a group of 14 prints that will be available. For information on the program, call Kay Kohut at the library at 630-487-2568.
DuPage County. Residents can view the village’s recycling page on the village website www.vil. woodridge.il.us for a list of options for properly disposing of electronics.
8NEWS BRIEFS Police: Woodridge student approached by suspicious person walking to school WOODRIDGE — The Woodridge Police Department is investigating a suspicious incident that occurred last week in which a female student reported she was approached by stranger on her way to school. Police said the fifth-grade student was walking on her way to school at about 7 a.m. Jan. 31 along the 7800 block of Woodridge Drive when a man exited a vehicle and approached her and said “Hey, you coming with us?” The child continued walking to school and reported the incident. The suspect is described as a white male, possibly Hispanic, in his mid 20s with short, dark hair wearing a light and dark gray knit jacket with dark pants. The subject was driving a dark blue newer minivan, according to police. A second person in the van was described as a white female, in her early 20s, with long dark hair, who had no communication with the student. Woodridge School District 68 has notified parents about the incident, and police are investigating it, while adding more police patrols around area schools. Police said the incident is a reminder that students should never talk to or accept rides from strangers, and report any suspicious incident to a parent or school official immediately. Anyone with information on this incident is being asked to contact Sgt. Tom Stefanson at the Woodridge Police Department at 630-719-4733.
Woodridge watercolor artist to hold program at library WOODRIDGE — The Woodridge Public Library will be holding a presentation featuring local artist Bret Steinhaus who will bring his work in and talk about the inspiration behind it. The program will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, at the library, 3 Plaza Drive. Steinhaus, a renowned watercolor artist, award winner, and Woodridge resident, will share his process of creating art. He will discuss materials, inspiration, execution of artwork, and evolution of
Holocaust victim to speak at Woodridge Rotary Club meeting WOODRIDGE — The Woodridge Rotary Club will host Holocaust survivor and Wilmette Harbor Rotary Club member Water Reed during a lunch later this month. The event wall be held at noon Tuesday at Seven Bridges Golf Club, 1 Mulligan Drive, in Woodridge. Reed was born in Germany and will speak about his experiences before, during, and after the Holocaust. Reed was 14 years old when he was rounded up during Kristallnacht. He eventually escaped Germany for Belgium and then France where he and 90 other boys and girls lived for some time in a barn and later an abandoned chateau before coming to the U.S. in 1941. Anyone interested in attending can call 630487-2549 for information. Guests are welcome to attend.
Woodridge reminding residents not to dispose of electronics in garbage pickup WOODRIDGE — The village of Woodridge is reminding residents that it is against state law to dispose of electronics in waste landfills. Garbage crews will not take these items as part of the weekly garbage pickup, they must be properly recycled. These include televisions, computers, appliances, and others. Residents can have these items picked up by Waste Management, the village’s trash hauler, only if arrangements are made with them in advance as part of a fee pickup. Officials said there are options to properly dispose of these items in Woodridge and throughout
Woodridge Boy Scout troop to host annual spaghetti dinner event WOODRIDGE — Boy Scout Troop 512 of Woodridge will be holding their 29th annual Spaghetti Dinner from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17 at the St. Scholastica Activity Center, 7800 Janes Avenue in Woodridge. The dinner includes bread, salad, spaghetti and dessert. Many prizes will also be available through raffles being conducted by the Knights of Columbus during the event Tickets are $25 for a family, or $8 for individual meal tickets. The spaghetti dinner is the largest annual fundraiser for the scout troop and scouts are involved in all aspects of the event. Proceeds are used for leadership training, equipment and outdoor scouting events for boys in grades 5 through 12. Tickets can be purchased at the door, or by calling 630-985-5628.
Nominations taken for Woodridge Park District Coach of the Year
WOODRIDGE — To recognize its volunteer coaches, the Woodridge Park District annually gives out its Coach of the Year award to one volunteer coach, nominated by players. Any coach who has coached in the 2012 calendar year is eligible to be nominated this year. This coach should have demonstrated the following qualities: good sportsmanship, player development, leadership and other positive qualities, according to Park District officials. All nominations must be received by Feb. 15, and the winner will be chosen on March 1. For information and nominating forms, visit the Woodridge Park District website at www.woodridgeparks.org. - Suburban Life Media