dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-28--How to fit distance learning into your back-to-school budget

For many students , `` going back to school '' this fall could be just a figure of speech .
As the pandemic persists , the decision about whether to allow in-person learning or keep classrooms closed is coming down to the wire .
The possibilities of distance learning are influencing how much families anticipate spending on back-to-school purchases .
Parents with children in elementary school through high school plan to spend a record $ 789.49 on average this year , according to an annual survey conducted in early July by the National Retail Federation .
This is up from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As consumers get more information on how their specific school is operating and how classes will take place , they might adjust those budgets a little bit , '' says Katherine Cullen , senior director of industry and consumer insights at the NRF .
Here 's how to tailor your spending for distance learning amid the uncertainty .
This year 's back-to-school list may feature items you have n't had to shop for in the past .
Students attending school virtually -- whether part-time or full-time -- will likely need laptops , tablets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tech accessories to access and engage with their classes .
If multiple people will be learning and working simultaneously in your household , you may have to shell out to get everyone their own device .
Consider whether you 'll also need to buy any furniture or materials , like a dry-erase board , to create a functional workspace .
Working parents who need support might also incorporate child care costs , tutoring or other arrangements in their budgets .
Students starting school at home could return to the classroom .
Your budget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and clothes to cover different scenarios .
`` Kids grow regardless of whether or not they 're in school , '' Cullen says .
HOLD OFF ON OTHERS To offset the cost of new supplies , find out which purchases you can skip while remote learning takes place .
Pens and pencils will come in handy at home , but a new backpack or lunchbox probably wo n't get much use .
`` Once you get that list from your teacher , ask them , 'What are the necessary items and what are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ savings expert Andrea Woroch .
Before you shop for necessities , take inventory of what you already have , Woroch says .
You could save money by scrounging up leftover office supplies from last school year .
`` Things like half-filled notebooks can still be used .
Pull out the pages that have already been written on and save the rest , '' Woroch says .
`` See what you can make do with , even if you 're just making do for the next two to three months . ''
Next , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ items you do n't have .
This can reduce or eliminate additional expenses from your budget .
Some schools will lend devices like laptops and mobile hotspots to students without adequate internet access .
If that is n't the case at your school , Woroch recommends checking out organizations that connect people to low-cost internet and computers .
Examples include EveryoneOn and PCs for People .
Many local libraries provide free education resources such as books , tutoring services and test-prep materials .
You can also use social media groups or other online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and supplies from families in your community .
Ultimately , you 'll likely have to purchase several items this back-to-school season .
Strategic shopping can stretch your dollars further .
Establishing a digital relationship with retailers can help you navigate the process , especially if you 're unable to physically shop in stores or are n't comfortable doing so .
Follow retailers on social media or subscribe to their emails to receive news and sale information .
`` Many brands and retailers are trying to be very upfront with what 's in stock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decide to go to the store and what you can order online , '' Cullen says .
Make sure to compare prices from different sellers .
Do a quick internet search and use a price-comparison tool , such as the browser extension InvisibleHand , to track down the best deals .
`` Retailers are constantly fluctuating prices , and with so many people shopping online right now , they 're really trying to maximize their profits , '' Woroch says .
Another savings tip ?
Look for open-box or refurbished tech ( ideally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new .
Give standard shopping advice a try , too : Ask about retailer price matching and price adjustment policies , seek out coupons and loyalty program discounts , and maximize your credit card rewards .
This article was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet .
Lauren Schwahn is a writer at NerdWallet .
Email : lschwahn @ nerdwallet.com .
Twitter : @ laurenschwahn .

How to fit distance learning into your back-to-school budget
This year, many families are dealing with a first: building their back-to-school shopping plans around distance learning. As the COVID-19 pandemic leads students to take on instruction at home rather than in the classroom, consumers expect to spend more on back-to-school purchases in 2020 than last year. (Emily Michot/Miami Herald via AP, File)
For many students, "going back to school" this fall could be just a figure of speech.
As the pandemic persists, the decision about whether to allow in-person learning or keep classrooms closed is coming down to the wire. The possibilities of distance learning are influencing how much families anticipate spending on back-to-school purchases.
Parents with children in elementary school through high school plan to spend a record $789.49 on average this year, according to an annual survey conducted in early July by the National Retail Federation. This is up from last year's $696.70.
"As consumers get more information on how their specific school is operating and how classes will take place, they might adjust those budgets a little bit," says Katherine Cullen, senior director of industry and consumer insights at the NRF.
Here's how to tailor your spending for distance learning amid the uncertainty.
EXPECT EXTRA PURCHASES
This year's back-to-school list may feature items you haven't had to shop for in the past. Students attending school virtually -- whether part-time or full-time -- will likely need laptops, tablets or desktops, plus headphones and other tech accessories to access and engage with their classes.
If multiple people will be learning and working simultaneously in your household, you may have to shell out to get everyone their own device. Consider whether you'll also need to buy any furniture or materials, like a dry-erase board, to create a functional workspace. Working parents who need support might also incorporate child care costs, tutoring or other arrangements in their budgets.
Students starting school at home could return to the classroom. Your budget should still include staples like school supplies and clothes to cover different scenarios.
"Kids grow regardless of whether or not they're in school," Cullen says.
HOLD OFF ON OTHERS
To offset the cost of new supplies, find out which purchases you can skip while remote learning takes place. Pens and pencils will come in handy at home, but a new backpack or lunchbox probably won't get much use.
"Once you get that list from your teacher, ask them, 'What are the necessary items and what are those nice-to-haves?'" says consumer savings expert Andrea Woroch.
Before you shop for necessities, take inventory of what you already have, Woroch says. You could save money by scrounging up leftover office supplies from last school year.
"Things like half-filled notebooks can still be used. Pull out the pages that have already been written on and save the rest," Woroch says. "See what you can make do with, even if you're just making do for the next two to three months."
TAP INTO RESOURCES
Next, research ways to get help acquiring the items you don't have. This can reduce or eliminate additional expenses from your budget.
Some schools will lend devices like laptops and mobile hotspots to students without adequate internet access. If that isn't the case at your school, Woroch recommends checking out organizations that connect people to low-cost internet and computers. Examples include EveryoneOn and PCs for People.
Many local libraries provide free education resources such as books, tutoring services and test-prep materials. You can also use social media groups or other online forums to find free or affordable clothing and supplies from families in your community.
SHOP SMART
Ultimately, you'll likely have to purchase several items this back-to-school season. Strategic shopping can stretch your dollars further.
Establishing a digital relationship with retailers can help you navigate the process, especially if you're unable to physically shop in stores or aren't comfortable doing so. Follow retailers on social media or subscribe to their emails to receive news and sale information.
"Many brands and retailers are trying to be very upfront with what's in stock, what to expect if you do decide to go to the store and what you can order online," Cullen says.
Make sure to compare prices from different sellers. Do a quick internet search and use a price-comparison tool, such as the browser extension InvisibleHand, to track down the best deals.
"Retailers are constantly fluctuating prices, and with so many people shopping online right now, they're really trying to maximize their profits," Woroch says.
Another savings tip? Look for open-box or refurbished tech (ideally with a warranty) instead of buying new.
Give standard shopping advice a try, too: Ask about retailer price matching and price adjustment policies, seek out coupons and loyalty program discounts, and maximize your credit card rewards.
This article was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Lauren Schwahn is a writer at NerdWallet. Email: lschwahn@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @laurenschwahn.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-30--Sánchez pinch slam, Hicks HR help Yanks take 2 from Mets

NEW YORK -- Gary SÃ¡nchez delivered the first pinch-hit , extra-innings grand slam in Yankees history , Deivi GarcÃa made a strong impression in his big league debut and New York beat the crosstown Mets 5-2 to complete a doubleheader sweep Sunday night .
The Yankees stormed back in the opener , erasing a five-run lead with two outs in the seventh to win 8-7 in eight innings .
Aaron Hicks lined a tying , two-run homer in the seventh , and Gio Urshela hit a game-ending single off Edwin Diaz an inning later .
The Yankees won the final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , snapping a seven-game skid that was their longest since 2017 .
SÃ¡nchez blasted a 2-2 fastball from Drew Smith ( 0-1 ) into the left field bleachers for a 5-1 lead .
It was the slumping catcher 's first career pinch-hit homer and second career grand slam .
GarcÃa took a shutout into the sixth until allowing Dominic Smith 's tying single .
Smith 's hit came after Jeff McNeill reached on an error by first baseman Luke Voit , who had the ball kick off the heel of his glove into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , struck out six , walked none and threw 75 pitches over six innings .
Jonathan Holder ( 1-0 ) allowed an RBI single to Michael Conforto and in the eighth .
Luis Cessa retired pinch-hitter Wilson Ramos with the bases loaded for his fourth career save .
In the seventh inning of the opener , Mets third baseman AndrÃ©s GimÃ©nez made a throwing error , and Jared Hughes walked a batter and plunked another to load the bases before Voit hit a check-swing , two-run single against the shift to pull within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's wild pitch before Hicks lined a two-out , 3-2 fastball just over the wall in right for his third homer of the season .
Chad Green ( 3-2 ) struck out the side to strand the Mets ' automatic runner in the top of the eighth , and Urshela lined Diaz 's 0-2 pitch to right to score Mike Tauchman from second .
Tauchman beat a close throw at the plate and the run was upheld following a brief video review .
ST. LOUIS -- Adam Wainwright turned back the clock with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as St. Louis beat Cleveland .
Wainwright threw a four-hitter for his 23rd career complete game and first in four years .
The Cardinals snapped a four-game skid in which they scored six total runs .
Dexter Fowler homered and had three RBIs for St. Louis , which stopped Cleveland 's four-game winning streak .
The Indians had won nine in a row on the road .
Wainwright ( 3-0 ) settled in after allowing Tyler Naquin 's two-run homer in the second inning .
The right-hander struck out nine and walked two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time since July 2016 against the Marlins .
He threw 122 pitches , most in the majors this season , and gave a much-needed breather to a Cardinals bullpen that worked 15 1/3 innings over the previous two games .
The performance even prompted the entire Indians team to salute him after the final out .
Aaron Civale ( 3-4 ) gave up a season-high five runs in six innings .
ARLINGTON , Texas -- Cody Bellinger and the Dodgers set the National League record for home runs in a month , powering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two-run drive gave the Dodgers 57 long balls in August after solo shots from Corey Seager and Will Smith .
The 10th home run of the season for Bellinger topped Atlanta 's previous mark of 56 home runs in June 2019 .
The record came in the third inning of Los Angeles ' final game of August .
The Dodgers , who have the best record in the majors at 26-10 , are unbeaten in 12 straight series to open the season .
Scott Alexander ( 2-0 ) retired all four batters he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gave up five runs in five innings with eight strikeouts .
CHICAGO -- Prized rookie Luis Robert hit his first game-ending homer , a three-run drive in the 10th inning that lifted Chicago over Kansas City .
Dane Dunning threw five no-hit innings before being pulled from his second major league start , and the surging White Sox won for the 11th time in 13 games to move into a first-place tie with Cleveland in the AL Central .
Tyler Zuber ( 1-2 ) intentionally walked JosÃ© Abreu to start the 10th , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ James McCann struck out , but Robert drove the next pitch to left field for his ninth home run - tops among big league rookies .
Five days after Chicago ace Lucas Giolito tossed the first no-hitter of this pandemic-shortened season , Dunning put on quite a performance of his own .
Cam Gallagher broke up the no-hit bid with a one-out double against Jimmy Cordero in the sixth .
Whit Merrifield had an RBI single and a tying homer in the eighth for the Royals .
Matt Foster ( 3-0 ) struck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 10th .
Joey Wendle , Yoshi Tsutsugo and Kevin Kiermaier also went deep for the Rays , who have won 12 of their last 14 to move an American League-best 13 games over .500 .
Blake Snell ( 3-0 ) allowed two runs in five innings .
Miami starter Sandy Alcantara ( 1-1 ) was lifted after loading the bases with no outs in the fifth .
Adames greeted reliever Robert Dugger with his grand slam , and Kiermaier later hit a two-run blast off Dugger .
Miami dropped under .500 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this season and is 1-8 at home .
PHOENIX -- Johnny Cueto pitched effectively into the seventh inning , Alex Dickerson homered and had two RBIs , and San Francisco won its first road series .
Cueto was sharp in his last start before the trade deadline , allowing a run on three hits in 6 2/3 innings .
Dickerson hit a solo homer in the first inning and lined a run-scoring single in the eighth off Archie Bradley after the Giants put two on against Stefan Crichton ( 2-2 ) .
Evan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tyler Rogers ( 2-3 ) worked a perfect bottom half to push the Giants to their ninth win in 12 games .
Eduardo Escobar homered and Taylor Clarke allowed one hit in five innings for Arizona .
The Diamondbacks had three hits to lose for the 10th time in 11 games .
MILWAUKEE -- Josh Bell and Gregory Polanco homered off Brandon Woodruff and Pittsburgh beat Milwaukee .
Bell broke a 1-all tie in the fourth with a towering , two-run blast that hit an SUV parked well above the wall in right-center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pirates stayed in front the rest of the way to hand Woodruff ( 2-3 ) a rare loss at Miller Park .
The right-hander entered Sunday having gone 10-0 with a 2.89 ERA in 16 home starts over the past two seasons .
He struck out seven but allowed four runs , four hits and three walks in five innings .
Pirates starter Steven Brault pitched three innings , and four relievers took over from there .
Nick Tropeano ( 1-0 ) pitched 2 2/3 innings of shutout relief .
DENVER -- Eric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his three-run homer in the first , Chris Paddack threw six efficient innings and the Padres routed Colorado .
Hosmer 's homer was one of five for the Padres , who rank second in the majors with 66 this season .
Jake Cronenworth added a two-run drive in the seventh before Jurickson Profar and Trent Grisham lined solo shots in the eighth .
Josh Naylor finished it off with a two-run homer in the ninth .
Paddack ( 3-3 ) picked up his first win since Aug. 3 .
The right-hander threw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowing five hits and two unearned runs while striking out eight .
Manny Machado extended his hitting streak to 12 games .
Fernando Tatis Jr. had another big day with three hits , including two doubles .
Before the game , San Diego acquired slugger Mitch Moreland in a trade with Boston .
He was leading the Red Sox with eight homers .
Ryan Castellani ( 1-2 ) gave up five runs in two innings .
CINCINNATI -- Kyle Schwarber , Jason Heyward and Ian Happ became the first starting outfield to hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Cubs pounded the Reds for a split of their four-game series .
Schwarber hit the first and last of the Cubs ' season-high six homers , belting a solo drive in the fourth inning against Luis Castillo ( 0-5 ) and a grand slam off JosÃ© De LeÃ³n in the ninth .
Heyward and Happ also went deep twice .
The NL Central-leading Cubs hit 14 homers in the series .
Help is on the way , too , after they acquired acquired infielder/outfielder JosÃ© MartÃnez in a trade with Tampa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Castillo allowed four runs in five innings .
Cubs right-hander Tyler Chatwood left in the third inning with right elbow discomfort .
JosÃ© Quintana ( 1-0 ) worked three innings for the win .
DETROIT -- Jonathan Schoop hit a tiebreaking homer in the sixth inning , and the Tigers finished off a three-game sweep .
Tyler Alexander ( 2-1 ) pitched 3 2/3 scoreless innings of relief for Detroit , which handed Kenta Maeda ( 4-1 ) his first loss of the year .
Detroit has won five straight to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Minnesota has dropped five in a row .
Jeimer Candelario also homered for the Tigers , and Jorge Polanco went deep for the Twins .
Gregory Soto worked the ninth for his second save .
BUFFALO , N.Y. -- Teoscar HernÃ¡ndez hit a two-run single with two out in the ninth inning , lifting Toronto to its fourth straight win .
HernÃ¡ndez came up with the bases loaded and grounded a single into left field .
Pinch runner Santiago Espinal scored easily and Randal Grichuk slid in safely just ahead of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cole Sulser ( 1-4 ) , who surrendered a game-ending homer to Grichuk on Friday , issued three walks and HernÃ¡ndez 's hit to take the loss .
JosÃ© Iglesias delivered a go-ahead RBI single on a dribbling infield single in the top of the ninth inning against Toronto reliever Anthony Bass ( 2-1 ) .
Ryan Mountcastle hit his first two big league homers for Baltimore , which lost its fifth straight .
The Orioles completed two trades a day ahead of the deadline , dealing right-hander Tommy Milone to Atlanta and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BOSTON -- Bobby Dalbec hit a two-run homer in his major league debut , leading the Red Sox to the win .
The 25-year-old Dalbec started hours after Boston traded first baseman Mitch Moreland to San Diego .
Dalbec struck out in his first at-bat before taking Javy Guerra deep over Pesky 's Pole in right field in the third inning .
Rafael Devers went deep twice for the Red Sox , and Josh Osich ( 1-1 ) tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the win .
Trea Turner had three hits for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a career-high 15 games .
Josh Harrison and Eric Thames homered for the Nationals , and Austin Voth ( 0-4 ) allowed five runs in two innings .
Washington has dropped five of six .
Last year 's World Series champion has the second-worst record in the National League .
ANAHEIM , Calif. -- Pinch hitter Tim Lopes drove in Kyle Lewis with the tiebreaking run in the 10th inning , sending Seattle to the victory .
Lewis homered in the seventh after Justin Dunn threw six scoreless innings for the Mariners .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ career double in the seventh inning to pass George Brett for sixth place in baseball history .
Pujols also scored Los Angeles ' only run on Andrelton Simmons ' single .
Lopes came through in extra innings with another clutch hit in his hometown ballpark for the Mariners , sending Lewis home with his single off JosÃ© Quijada ( 0-1 ) .
Taylor Williams ( 1-1 ) got the win , and Yohan Ramirez earned his first save .
PHILADELPHIA -- Austin Riley homered , doubled and drove in three runs in Atlanta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also went deep and the Braves held on for a wild victory over Philadelphia .
Nick Markakis and Marcell Ozuna each added three hits and two RBIs for the first-place Braves , who avoided a three-game sweep and moved three games ahead of the Phillies and Miami in the NL East .
Every Atlanta starter got at least one hit and scored at least one run .
Andrew McCutchen , Rhys Hoskins , Didi Gregorius and Roman Quinn homered for the Phillies , whose five-game winning streak was snapped .
The teams combined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took 4 hours , 13 minutes .
Every Braves batter scored at least once in the second , which started innocently enough when Markakis grounded out to pitcher Jake Arrieta ( 2-4 ) .
But Arrieta would n't get another out while facing the next seven batters , and he was lifted for David Hale after Marcell Ozuna 's RBI infield single that made it 5-0 .

Sánchez pinch slam, Hicks HR help Yanks take 2 from Mets
New York Yankees' Aaron Hicks celebrates with Luke Voit (59) after hitting a two-run home run against the New York Mets during the seventh inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020, in New York. Associated Press
NEW YORK -- Gary Sánchez delivered the first pinch-hit, extra-innings grand slam in Yankees history, Deivi García made a strong impression in his big league debut and New York beat the crosstown Mets 5-2 to complete a doubleheader sweep Sunday night.
The Yankees stormed back in the opener, erasing a five-run lead with two outs in the seventh to win 8-7 in eight innings. Aaron Hicks lined a tying, two-run homer in the seventh, and Gio Urshela hit a game-ending single off Edwin Diaz an inning later.
The Yankees won the final three games of this five-game Subway Series, snapping a seven-game skid that was their longest since 2017.
Sánchez blasted a 2-2 fastball from Drew Smith (0-1) into the left field bleachers for a 5-1 lead. It was the slumping catcher's first career pinch-hit homer and second career grand slam.
García took a shutout into the sixth until allowing Dominic Smith's tying single. Smith's hit came after Jeff McNeill reached on an error by first baseman Luke Voit, who had the ball kick off the heel of his glove into right field.
García allowed four singles, struck out six, walked none and threw 75 pitches over six innings.
Jonathan Holder (1-0) allowed an RBI single to Michael Conforto and in the eighth. Luis Cessa retired pinch-hitter Wilson Ramos with the bases loaded for his fourth career save.
In the seventh inning of the opener, Mets third baseman Andrés Giménez made a throwing error, and Jared Hughes walked a batter and plunked another to load the bases before Voit hit a check-swing, two-run single against the shift to pull within 7-4. Another run scored on Diaz's wild pitch before Hicks lined a two-out, 3-2 fastball just over the wall in right for his third homer of the season.
Chad Green (3-2) struck out the side to strand the Mets' automatic runner in the top of the eighth, and Urshela lined Diaz's 0-2 pitch to right to score Mike Tauchman from second. Tauchman beat a close throw at the plate and the run was upheld following a brief video review.
CARDINALS 7, INDIANS 2
ST. LOUIS -- Adam Wainwright turned back the clock with a complete game on his 39th birthday as St. Louis beat Cleveland.
Wainwright threw a four-hitter for his 23rd career complete game and first in four years. The Cardinals snapped a four-game skid in which they scored six total runs.
Dexter Fowler homered and had three RBIs for St. Louis, which stopped Cleveland's four-game winning streak. The Indians had won nine in a row on the road.
Wainwright (3-0) settled in after allowing Tyler Naquin's two-run homer in the second inning. The right-hander struck out nine and walked two, going the distance for the first time since July 2016 against the Marlins. He threw 122 pitches, most in the majors this season, and gave a much-needed breather to a Cardinals bullpen that worked 15 1/3 innings over the previous two games.
The performance even prompted the entire Indians team to salute him after the final out.
Aaron Civale (3-4) gave up a season-high five runs in six innings.
DODGERS 7, RANGERS 2
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Cody Bellinger and the Dodgers set the National League record for home runs in a month, powering their way past Texas.
Bellinger's two-run drive gave the Dodgers 57 long balls in August after solo shots from Corey Seager and Will Smith.
The 10th home run of the season for Bellinger topped Atlanta's previous mark of 56 home runs in June 2019. The record came in the third inning of Los Angeles' final game of August.
The Dodgers, who have the best record in the majors at 26-10, are unbeaten in 12 straight series to open the season.
Scott Alexander (2-0) retired all four batters he faced. Kyle Gibson (1-4) gave up five runs in five innings with eight strikeouts.
WHITE SOX 5, ROYALS 2, 10 INNINGS
CHICAGO -- Prized rookie Luis Robert hit his first game-ending homer, a three-run drive in the 10th inning that lifted Chicago over Kansas City.
Dane Dunning threw five no-hit innings before being pulled from his second major league start, and the surging White Sox won for the 11th time in 13 games to move into a first-place tie with Cleveland in the AL Central.
Tyler Zuber (1-2) intentionally walked José Abreu to start the 10th, putting runners on first and second. James McCann struck out, but Robert drove the next pitch to left field for his ninth home run - tops among big league rookies.
Five days after Chicago ace Lucas Giolito tossed the first no-hitter of this pandemic-shortened season, Dunning put on quite a performance of his own. Cam Gallagher broke up the no-hit bid with a one-out double against Jimmy Cordero in the sixth.
Whit Merrifield had an RBI single and a tying homer in the eighth for the Royals.
Matt Foster (3-0) struck out Hunter Dozier to end a threat in the 10th.
RAYS 12, MARLINS 7
MIAMI -- Willy Adames hit a grand slam, helping surging Tampa Bay finish a three-game sweep.
Joey Wendle, Yoshi Tsutsugo and Kevin Kiermaier also went deep for the Rays, who have won 12 of their last 14 to move an American League-best 13 games over .500. Blake Snell (3-0) allowed two runs in five innings.
Miami starter Sandy Alcantara (1-1) was lifted after loading the bases with no outs in the fifth. Adames greeted reliever Robert Dugger with his grand slam, and Kiermaier later hit a two-run blast off Dugger.
Miami dropped under .500 (14-15) for the first time this season and is 1-8 at home.
GIANTS 4, DIAMONDBACKS 1
PHOENIX -- Johnny Cueto pitched effectively into the seventh inning, Alex Dickerson homered and had two RBIs, and San Francisco won its first road series.
Cueto was sharp in his last start before the trade deadline, allowing a run on three hits in 6 2/3 innings.
Dickerson hit a solo homer in the first inning and lined a run-scoring single in the eighth off Archie Bradley after the Giants put two on against Stefan Crichton (2-2). Evan Longoria followed with a two-run single and Tyler Rogers (2-3) worked a perfect bottom half to push the Giants to their ninth win in 12 games.
Eduardo Escobar homered and Taylor Clarke allowed one hit in five innings for Arizona. The Diamondbacks had three hits to lose for the 10th time in 11 games.
PIRATES 5, BREWERS 1
MILWAUKEE -- Josh Bell and Gregory Polanco homered off Brandon Woodruff and Pittsburgh beat Milwaukee.
Bell broke a 1-all tie in the fourth with a towering, two-run blast that hit an SUV parked well above the wall in right-center as part of a promotion.
The Pirates stayed in front the rest of the way to hand Woodruff (2-3) a rare loss at Miller Park. The right-hander entered Sunday having gone 10-0 with a 2.89 ERA in 16 home starts over the past two seasons. He struck out seven but allowed four runs, four hits and three walks in five innings.
Pirates starter Steven Brault pitched three innings, and four relievers took over from there. Nick Tropeano (1-0) pitched 2 2/3 innings of shutout relief.
PADRES 13, ROCKIES 2
DENVER -- Eric Hosmer started San Diego's power surge with his three-run homer in the first, Chris Paddack threw six efficient innings and the Padres routed Colorado.
Hosmer's homer was one of five for the Padres, who rank second in the majors with 66 this season. Jake Cronenworth added a two-run drive in the seventh before Jurickson Profar and Trent Grisham lined solo shots in the eighth. Josh Naylor finished it off with a two-run homer in the ninth.
Paddack (3-3) picked up his first win since Aug. 3. The right-hander threw 60 of 85 pitches for strikes, allowing five hits and two unearned runs while striking out eight.
Manny Machado extended his hitting streak to 12 games. Fernando Tatis Jr. had another big day with three hits, including two doubles.
Before the game, San Diego acquired slugger Mitch Moreland in a trade with Boston. He was leading the Red Sox with eight homers.
Ryan Castellani (1-2) gave up five runs in two innings.
CUBS 10, REDS 1
CINCINNATI -- Kyle Schwarber, Jason Heyward and Ian Happ became the first starting outfield to hit multiple homers in the same game, and the Cubs pounded the Reds for a split of their four-game series.
Schwarber hit the first and last of the Cubs' season-high six homers, belting a solo drive in the fourth inning against Luis Castillo (0-5) and a grand slam off José De León in the ninth. Heyward and Happ also went deep twice.
The NL Central-leading Cubs hit 14 homers in the series. Help is on the way, too, after they acquired acquired infielder/outfielder José Martínez in a trade with Tampa Bay.
Joey Votto homered for Cincinnati, and Castillo allowed four runs in five innings.
Cubs right-hander Tyler Chatwood left in the third inning with right elbow discomfort. José Quintana (1-0) worked three innings for the win.
TIGERS 3, TWINS 2
DETROIT -- Jonathan Schoop hit a tiebreaking homer in the sixth inning, and the Tigers finished off a three-game sweep.
Tyler Alexander (2-1) pitched 3 2/3 scoreless innings of relief for Detroit, which handed Kenta Maeda (4-1) his first loss of the year.
Detroit has won five straight to pull back to .500 on the season. Minnesota has dropped five in a row.
Jeimer Candelario also homered for the Tigers, and Jorge Polanco went deep for the Twins.
Gregory Soto worked the ninth for his second save.
BLUE JAYS 6, ORIOLES 5
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Teoscar Hernández hit a two-run single with two out in the ninth inning, lifting Toronto to its fourth straight win.
Hernández came up with the bases loaded and grounded a single into left field. Pinch runner Santiago Espinal scored easily and Randal Grichuk slid in safely just ahead of the throw by left fielder Mason Williams.
Cole Sulser (1-4), who surrendered a game-ending homer to Grichuk on Friday, issued three walks and Hernández's hit to take the loss.
José Iglesias delivered a go-ahead RBI single on a dribbling infield single in the top of the ninth inning against Toronto reliever Anthony Bass (2-1).
Ryan Mountcastle hit his first two big league homers for Baltimore, which lost its fifth straight.
The Orioles completed two trades a day ahead of the deadline, dealing right-hander Tommy Milone to Atlanta and sending right-hander Mychal Givens to Colorado.
RED SOX 9, NATIONALS 5
BOSTON -- Bobby Dalbec hit a two-run homer in his major league debut, leading the Red Sox to the win.
The 25-year-old Dalbec started hours after Boston traded first baseman Mitch Moreland to San Diego. Dalbec struck out in his first at-bat before taking Javy Guerra deep over Pesky's Pole in right field in the third inning.
Rafael Devers went deep twice for the Red Sox, and Josh Osich (1-1) tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the win.
Trea Turner had three hits for Washington, extending his hitting streak to a career-high 15 games. Josh Harrison and Eric Thames homered for the Nationals, and Austin Voth (0-4) allowed five runs in two innings.
Washington has dropped five of six. Last year's World Series champion has the second-worst record in the National League.
MARINERS 2, ANGELS 1, 10 INNINGS
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Pinch hitter Tim Lopes drove in Kyle Lewis with the tiebreaking run in the 10th inning, sending Seattle to the victory.
Lewis homered in the seventh after Justin Dunn threw six scoreless innings for the Mariners.
Angels star Albert Pujols hit his 666th career double in the seventh inning to pass George Brett for sixth place in baseball history. Pujols also scored Los Angeles' only run on Andrelton Simmons' single.
Lopes came through in extra innings with another clutch hit in his hometown ballpark for the Mariners, sending Lewis home with his single off José Quijada (0-1).
Taylor Williams (1-1) got the win, and Yohan Ramirez earned his first save.
BRAVES 12, PHILLIES 10
PHILADELPHIA -- Austin Riley homered, doubled and drove in three runs in Atlanta's 10-run second inning, Dansby Swanson also went deep and the Braves held on for a wild victory over Philadelphia.
Nick Markakis and Marcell Ozuna each added three hits and two RBIs for the first-place Braves, who avoided a three-game sweep and moved three games ahead of the Phillies and Miami in the NL East. Every Atlanta starter got at least one hit and scored at least one run.
Andrew McCutchen, Rhys Hoskins, Didi Gregorius and Roman Quinn homered for the Phillies, whose five-game winning streak was snapped.
The teams combined for 28 hits in a game that took 4 hours, 13 minutes.
Every Braves batter scored at least once in the second, which started innocently enough when Markakis grounded out to pitcher Jake Arrieta (2-4). But Arrieta wouldn't get another out while facing the next seven batters, and he was lifted for David Hale after Marcell Ozuna's RBI infield single that made it 5-0.
A.J. Minter (1-0) pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings for the victory.
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-31--How border states' COVID-19 high positivity rates might affect Illinois

Only 18 states have a lower two-week average COVID-19 positivity rate than Illinois , but few appear to be at a greater risk of seeing that rate increase .
According to the Johns Hopkins University and Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center website , Illinois ' two-week average positivity rate is 4.3 % .
All five states that border Illinois have higher average positivity rates -- in the case of Iowa , more than four times higher .
Kentucky has the lowest average rate of any of Illinois ' border states at 6.8 % .
Indiana 's two-week average rate is 8.4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Illinois ' at 8.6 % .
Missouri 's average positivity rate over the past two weeks is reported at 14.4 % .
And Iowa 's is highest at 18.4 % .
Illinois Department of Public Health officials have warned against traveling to all of the bordering states .
Health officials have also blamed the higher risk of contracting the virus in bordering states as the reason for a recent uptick in cases in Illinois .
Michigan and Ohio , with two-week average positivity rates of 2.7 % and 3.5 % respectively , are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % , according to Johns Hopkins researchers .
Most of the East Coast states are reporting positivity rates well below 5 % over the past two weeks .
Meanwhile , Illinois health officials Monday announced seven more Illinois residents have died from COVID-19 and another 1,668 new cases of the disease have been diagnosed .
The brings the state 's death toll to 8,026 , while 235,023 have been infected since the outbreak began .
Illinois has conducted 4,064,161 tests for the disease .
The results of 47,379 of those tests were announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a day over the past two weeks , according to state public health data .
Johns Hopkins researchers are reporting only Alaska , Connecticut Montana , New York and Rhode Island are testing more per capita than Illinois .
Currently , Illinois is conducting 3.5 new tests every day for every 1,000 residents , according to the Johns Hopkins testing tracker website .
Illinois ' five border states are all testing at 2.1 tests for every 1,000 residents or fewer .

How border states' high COVID-19 positivity rates might affect Illinois
Only 18 states have a lower two-week average COVID-19 positivity rate than Illinois, but few appear to be at a greater risk of seeing that rate increase.
According to the Johns Hopkins University and Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center website, Illinois' two-week average positivity rate is 4.3%. All five states that border Illinois have higher average positivity rates -- in the case of Iowa, more than four times higher.
Kentucky has the lowest average rate of any of Illinois' border states at 6.8%. Indiana's two-week average rate is 8.4%. Wisconsin's rate is double Illinois' at 8.6%. Missouri's average positivity rate over the past two weeks is reported at 14.4%. And Iowa's is highest at 18.4%.
Illinois Department of Public Health officials have warned against traveling to all of the bordering states. Health officials have also blamed the higher risk of contracting the virus in bordering states as the reason for a recent uptick in cases in Illinois.
Map outline: Creative Commons/Share Alike 3.0 Unported -
Michigan and Ohio, with two-week average positivity rates of 2.7% and 3.5% respectively, are the only other Midwestern states below 5%, according to Johns Hopkins researchers.
Most of the East Coast states are reporting positivity rates well below 5% over the past two weeks.
Meanwhile, Illinois health officials Monday announced seven more Illinois residents have died from COVID-19 and another 1,668 new cases of the disease have been diagnosed.
The brings the state's death toll to 8,026, while 235,023 have been infected since the outbreak began.
Illinois has conducted 4,064,161 tests for the disease. The results of 47,379 of those tests were announced Monday. Illinois is averaging 47,076 tests a day over the past two weeks, according to state public health data.
Johns Hopkins researchers are reporting only Alaska, Connecticut Montana, New York and Rhode Island are testing more per capita than Illinois.
Currently, Illinois is conducting 3.5 new tests every day for every 1,000 residents, according to the Johns Hopkins testing tracker website. Illinois' five border states are all testing at 2.1 tests for every 1,000 residents or fewer.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-31--'Shockingly violent': Three charged in DuPage home invasions

Three suspects are behind bars facing attempted murder and other charges stemming from a pair of violent home invasions last weekend in Lombard and Wheaton .
The trio is charged in two break-ins about 20 minutes apart early Aug , 23 that left two men with gunshot wounds , including one of the suspects , and a 74-year-old grandmother injured after she was struck in the face while trying to protect her granddaughter , authorities said .
`` The conduct alleged in these charges is shockingly violent , '' DuPage County State 's Attorney Robert Berlin said during a news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It demonstrates a complete disregard for our laws and human life . ''
Charged with attempted murder , home invasion and aggravated battery with a firearm are Malik Pitts , 22 , of the 2400 block of West Cermak Road in Broadview ; Isaiah Johnson , 21 , of the 12000 block of South Vincennes Road in Blue Island ; and Keytori Jackson , 22 , of the 2400 block of West Cermak Road in Broadview .
All three made initial appearances Sunday morning in DuPage County court .
Pitts and Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without bail .
Jackson is being held on $ 500,000 bail .
Authorities say the events of last weekend began to unfold shortly after 5 a.m. Aug , 23 , when a noise woke a Wheaton family .
Two adults stepped outside the home to the investigate and discovered chairs and patio furniture stacked up beneath a window .
The couple were then confronted by two men later identified as Pitts and Johnson , who was armed with a gun , Berlin said .
While Johnson demanded money , Berlin said , Pitts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bedroom where two young girls were sleeping .
He attempted to pull down one of the girls ' covers and clothing , but her 74-year-old grandmother intervened , Berlin said .
She was struck in the face by Pitts , who then fled the home with Johnson and sped off in a stolen vehicle driven by Jackson , Berlin added .
About 20 minutes later , authorities said , a Lombard man was awakened his living room by two men demanding money .
When the man said he did n't have money and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , one of the men went upstairs , pulled a teenage daughter from her room and forced her into the basement , where he demanded she undress , Berlin said .
The daughter refused and was able to flee the home after a struggle , Berlin said .
When the suspects either chased after her or fled , the male resident and Pitts got into a struggle outside , he said .
Johnson came up behind them and shot the homeowner , Berlin said , sending the bullet through the man and into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injuries as nonlife-threatening .
The suspects again fled in a vehicle driven by Jackson , Berlin said , but blood was left behind at the scene .
By Thursday , Berlin said , DNA testing of the blood identified Pitts , who was arrested Friday in Broadview .
Jackson also was arrested Friday , and Johnson was captured Saturday , Berlin said .
Berlin credited the work of the Lombard and Wheaton police departments and the forensic testing by the DuPage County sheriff 's office lab for the arrests .
`` These charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loud and clear message to would be criminals that if they commit a crime in DuPage County , they will be arrested , they will be charged and they will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law , '' he said .
Berlin noted that Pitts already was wanted on a Cook County warrant alleging he removed an electronic monitoring bracelet , and that Johnson told authorities he was wearing a monitoring bracelet as a condition of a probation sentence in a possession of a stolen vehicle case .
The next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Sept. 28 arraignment in front of Judge Alex McGimpsey .

'Shockingly violent': Three charged in DuPage home invasions
Three suspects are behind bars facing attempted murder and other charges stemming from a pair of violent home invasions last weekend in Lombard and Wheaton.
The trio is charged in two break-ins about 20 minutes apart early Aug, 23 that left two men with gunshot wounds, including one of the suspects, and a 74-year-old grandmother injured after she was struck in the face while trying to protect her granddaughter, authorities said.
"The conduct alleged in these charges is shockingly violent," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said during a news conference Sunday to announce the arrests. "It demonstrates a complete disregard for our laws and human life."
Charged with attempted murder, home invasion and aggravated battery with a firearm are Malik Pitts, 22, of the 2400 block of West Cermak Road in Broadview; Isaiah Johnson, 21, of the 12000 block of South Vincennes Road in Blue Island; and Keytori Jackson, 22, of the 2400 block of West Cermak Road in Broadview.
All three made initial appearances Sunday morning in DuPage County court. Pitts and Johnson were ordered held in the county jail without bail. Jackson is being held on $500,000 bail.
Authorities say the events of last weekend began to unfold shortly after 5 a.m. Aug, 23, when a noise woke a Wheaton family. Two adults stepped outside the home to the investigate and discovered chairs and patio furniture stacked up beneath a window.
The couple were then confronted by two men later identified as Pitts and Johnson, who was armed with a gun, Berlin said. While Johnson demanded money, Berlin said, Pitts went inside the home and into a bedroom where two young girls were sleeping.
He attempted to pull down one of the girls' covers and clothing, but her 74-year-old grandmother intervened, Berlin said. She was struck in the face by Pitts, who then fled the home with Johnson and sped off in a stolen vehicle driven by Jackson, Berlin added.
About 20 minutes later, authorities said, a Lombard man was awakened his living room by two men demanding money. When the man said he didn't have money and suggested the men had the wrong house, one of the men went upstairs, pulled a teenage daughter from her room and forced her into the basement, where he demanded she undress, Berlin said.
The daughter refused and was able to flee the home after a struggle, Berlin said. When the suspects either chased after her or fled, the male resident and Pitts got into a struggle outside, he said.
Johnson came up behind them and shot the homeowner, Berlin said, sending the bullet through the man and into Pitts. Police described the homeowner's injuries as nonlife-threatening.
The suspects again fled in a vehicle driven by Jackson, Berlin said, but blood was left behind at the scene. By Thursday, Berlin said, DNA testing of the blood identified Pitts, who was arrested Friday in Broadview. Jackson also was arrested Friday, and Johnson was captured Saturday, Berlin said.
Berlin credited the work of the Lombard and Wheaton police departments and the forensic testing by the DuPage County sheriff's office lab for the arrests.
"These charges and no bond orders should send a loud and clear message to would be criminals that if they commit a crime in DuPage County, they will be arrested, they will be charged and they will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law," he said.
Berlin noted that Pitts already was wanted on a Cook County warrant alleging he removed an electronic monitoring bracelet, and that Johnson told authorities he was wearing a monitoring bracelet as a condition of a probation sentence in a possession of a stolen vehicle case.
The next scheduled court appearance for the defendants is a Sept. 28 arraignment in front of Judge Alex McGimpsey.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-31--Teachers in District 220 find creative ways to teach virtually

While their students remain at home , teachers in Barrington Area Unit School District 220 are back in their classrooms -- and finding all sorts of creative ways to teach classes on Zoom .
The first day of school was Aug. 18 and virtual learning in the district will be in place through at least Oct. 16 .
The district already had a blended learning model -- which allowed students to do some online-based independent work outside the classroom -- and had equipped all students with iPads , plus some with MacBooks for things like computer science .
While that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easier , the teachers said , they still spent time this summer figuring out how to better and more effectively teach remotely in the new school year .
Caroline Milne , who teaches biology and honors human biology at Barrington High School , set up her desk in her classroom with a ring light for shadow-free illumination , her laptop and a stand for her iPad so she can share her screen with students while she does things like examine a cow 's eye .
She prerecords videos of herself doing dissections and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who can also watch them again if they wish .
`` It 's so funny , I feel like a blogger , '' she said .
Milne said she misses seeing her students in person -- not only are they faces on a screen now , but some of them keep their cameras off , perhaps to keep their home environment private .
One unexpected advantage , she said , is that she 's learning their names much faster because she sees them written on her screen daily .
Jennifer Siegel , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ School in Barrington , is complementing her Zoom classes with a virtual , colorful Bitmoji classroom that she learned to set up by watching lots of YouTube videos this summer .
The customized cartoon classroom will be a resource hub for her students , she said .
It will be updated daily with agendas and morning announcements , and comes with lots of `` clickable '' features like a `` word wall , '' an ongoing list of words the students learn , and a `` book room , '' with recordings of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Siegel even tried to make the virtual classroom look like the real thing , with similar furniture and a photo of the classroom 's actual calendar .
So far , the students have been responding really well , she said .
`` Technology is great when you sit with a child and guide them through it , but when you are trying to teach them remotely and they are little ... the more streamlined , the better . ''
Barrington High School ceramics teacher Jason Burke came up with giving each students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clay and a kit with ceramics tools , glazes , spray bottles and canvas to make sure their furniture at home does n't get dirty .
Burke said he adjusted the curriculum to have only hand building because the students do n't have pottery wheels at home .
In a few weeks , the students will be able to drop off their clay work at the school , so it can be hardened in the kiln , and then pick it up , he said .
All of it will happen without contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the school 's fine arts department also made at-home kits for classes like jewelry , music and woodworking .
`` Our department chair and the administrative assistant spent three weeks putting all these together .
I could not believe it . ''
No matter their dedication , teaching virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic can be tough , also because they ca n't interact with each other as they used to , the teachers said .
`` I cried on the first day , '' Milne said .
`` I really miss the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the others said they are doing their best to make the most out of the situation .
`` People are definitely finding creative ways to make our kids feel like , even though you 're at home , you 're still in school , '' Siegel said .
`` We are doing everything we can to make this a good experience ... despite the fact that it 's odd . ''

Teachers in District 220 find creative ways to teach virtually
At-home ceramics kits. Ring lights to video-record anatomy dissections. Interactive Bitmoji classrooms.
While their students remain at home, teachers in Barrington Area Unit School District 220 are back in their classrooms -- and finding all sorts of creative ways to teach classes on Zoom.
The first day of school was Aug. 18 and virtual learning in the district will be in place through at least Oct. 16. The district already had a blended learning model -- which allowed students to do some online-based independent work outside the classroom -- and had equipped all students with iPads, plus some with MacBooks for things like computer science.
While that made the transition to virtual learning somewhat easier, teachers said, they still spent time this summer figuring out how to better and more effectively teach remotely in the new school year.
Caroline Milne, who teaches biology and honors human biology at Barrington High School, said she feels like a blogger with her detailed setup to record anatomy dissection videos. - Courtesy of Barrington Area Unit District 220
Caroline Milne, who teaches biology and honors human biology at Barrington High School, set up her desk in her classroom with a ring light for shadow-free illumination, her laptop and a stand for her iPad so she can share her screen with students while she does things like examine a cow's eye. She prerecords videos of herself doing dissections and then watches them with students, who can also watch them again if they wish.
"It's so funny, I feel like a blogger," she said.
Milne said she misses seeing her students in person -- not only are they faces on a screen now, but some of them keep their cameras off, perhaps to keep their home environment private.
One unexpected advantage, she said, is that she's learning their names much faster because she sees them written on her screen daily.
Jennifer Siegel, a second-grade teacher at Grove Avenue Elementary School in Barrington, is complementing her Zoom classes with a virtual, colorful Bitmoji classroom that she learned to set up by watching lots of YouTube videos this summer.
Jennifer Siegel, a second-grade teacher at Grove Avenue Elementary School in Barrington, complements her Zoom classes with a virtual Bitmoji classroom. - Courtesy of Jennifer Siegel
The customized cartoon classroom will be a resource hub for her students, she said. It will be updated daily with agendas and morning announcements, and comes with lots of "clickable" features like a "word wall," an ongoing list of words the students learn, and a "book room," with recordings of Siegel reading book chapters during Zoom class.
Siegel even tried to make the virtual classroom look like the real thing, with similar furniture and a photo of the classroom's actual calendar. So far, students have been responding really well, she said.
"Technology is great when you sit with a child and guide them through it, but when you are trying to teach them remotely and they are little ... the more streamlined, the better."
Barrington High School ceramics teacher Jason Burke came up with giving each student a plastic tub with 10 pounds of clay and a kit with ceramics tools, glazes, spray bottles and canvas to make sure their furniture at home doesn't get dirty.
Jason Burke, ceramics instructor at Barrington High School, set up at-home kits for his students, each with 10 pounds of clay and a variety of tools. - Courtesy of Barrington Area Unit District 220
Burke said he adjusted the curriculum to have only hand building because the students don't have pottery wheels at home. In a few weeks, the students will be able to drop off their clay work at the school, so it can be hardened in the kiln, and then pick it up, he said. All of it will happen without contact.
Burke said many of his colleagues in the school's fine arts department also made at-home kits for classes like jewelry, music and woodworking.
"Our department chair and the administrative assistant spent three weeks putting all these together," he said. "I could not believe it."
No matter their dedication, teaching virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic can be tough, also because they can't interact with each other as they used to, the teachers said.
"I cried on the first day," Milne said. "I really miss the human connection."
But she and the others said they are doing their best to make the most out of the situation.
"People are definitely finding creative ways to make our kids feel like, even though you're at home, you're still in school," Siegel said. "We are doing everything we can to make this a good experience ... despite the fact that it's odd."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-31--Glenbard High School District 87 is sticking with remote learning for at least another six weeks, de

Glenbard High School District 87 is sticking with remote learning for at least another six weeks , delaying plans for hybrid instruction as a result of rising COVID-19 case counts .
In a letter to families Monday , Superintendent David Larson announced the roughly 8,000 students in the district will continue learning online .
The new academic year began Aug. 17 .
Larson cited an increasing number of infections in Glenbard communities and data in the county health department 's newly released `` Return to School Framework , '' a set of metrics and guidelines for operating schools during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks , the total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 has jumped from 195 to 428 in Glen Ellyn ; from 452 to 684 in Lombard ; from 557 to 758 in Carol Stream ; and from 764 to 865 in Glendale Heights , according to the health department .
Larson said officials are aware of individuals becoming infected at social gatherings in the community and then transmitting the virus to others .
`` Communities and schools that experienced increased COVID-19 cases have had to revert to increased restrictions and close schools after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote .
`` We can learn from these cases that our diligence and dedication to following all precautions in the community and in our day-to-day lives can have a direct impact on each other 's well-being and our collective desire to return to some level of in-person learning . ''
Administrators will continuously monitor the metrics and re-evaluate the learning model every six weeks .
The four-school district has released a survey to gather feedback on student and staff experiences with fully remote learning .
The district has made `` substantial changes '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mandated school shutdowns in the spring , Larson wrote .
The superintendent also made a plea for families to adhere to public health guidelines .
If someone in a household is sick or awaiting COVID-19 test results , do n't attend athletic events or school-related events and activities , Larson cautioned .
`` We strongly urge families to not have social gatherings at their home or elsewhere in the community , '' he wrote .
`` We implore Glenbard families to strictly adhere to social distancing guidelines , wear a mask in public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they are sick to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and get us closer to offering in-person learning . ''

District 87 sticking with remote learning for at least six more weeks
Glenbard High School District 87 is sticking with remote learning for at least another six weeks, delaying plans for hybrid instruction as a result of rising COVID-19 case counts.
In a letter to families Monday, Superintendent David Larson announced the roughly 8,000 students in the district will continue learning online. The new academic year began Aug. 17.
Larson cited an increasing number of infections in Glenbard communities and data in the county health department's newly released "Return to School Framework," a set of metrics and guidelines for operating schools during the coronavirus pandemic.
In the last five weeks, the total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 has jumped from 195 to 428 in Glen Ellyn; from 452 to 684 in Lombard; from 557 to 758 in Carol Stream; and from 764 to 865 in Glendale Heights, according to the health department.
Larson said officials are aware of individuals becoming infected at social gatherings in the community and then transmitting the virus to others.
"Communities and schools that experienced increased COVID-19 cases have had to revert to increased restrictions and close schools after trying to open safely," Larson wrote. "We can learn from these cases that our diligence and dedication to following all precautions in the community and in our day-to-day lives can have a direct impact on each other's well-being and our collective desire to return to some level of in-person learning."
Administrators will continuously monitor the metrics and re-evaluate the learning model every six weeks.
The four-school district has released a survey to gather feedback on student and staff experiences with fully remote learning. The district has made "substantial changes" to scheduling, instruction and grading since mandated school shutdowns in the spring, Larson wrote.
The superintendent also made a plea for families to adhere to public health guidelines. If someone in a household is sick or awaiting COVID-19 test results, don't attend athletic events or school-related events and activities, Larson cautioned.
"We strongly urge families to not have social gatherings at their home or elsewhere in the community," he wrote. "We implore Glenbard families to strictly adhere to social distancing guidelines, wear a mask in public, wash their hands and stay home if they are sick to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and get us closer to offering in-person learning."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-31--Man charged in bomb threat at Aurora Branch Court

An Aurora man threatened to blow up the Aurora Branch Court Friday because he was unhappy about the outcome of @ @ @ @ @ say .
Larry Streit , 50 , of the 500 block of South Union Street @ @ @ @ @ disorderly conduct , according to a news release from police .
Around 3:30 p.m. , @ @ @ @ @ received a bomb threat during a telephone call .
The caller said he was near @ @ @ @ @ at 1200 E. Indian Trail Road .
It is connected to the Aurora police headquarters @ @ @ @ @ , and called in the Kane County sheriff 's office bomb squad and explosives-detecting dog @ @ @ @ @ Streit was arrested at his home Friday .
He was released Saturday on a personal-recognizance @ @ @ @ @ did not say what court case Streit was upset about .
His next court date @ @ @ @ @ Kane County Judicial Center .

Man charged in bomb threat at Aurora Branch Court
An Aurora man threatened to blow up the Aurora Branch Court Friday because he was unhappy about the outcome of a case, Aurora police say.
Larry Streit, 50, of the 500 block of South Union Street, is charged with felony disorderly conduct, according to a news release from police.
Around 3:30 p.m., a clerk at the court received a bomb threat during a telephone call. The caller said he was near the court, which is at 1200 E. Indian Trail Road. It is connected to the Aurora police headquarters.
Aurora police began investigating, and called in the Kane County sheriff's office bomb squad and explosives-detecting dog to check the building.
Streit was arrested at his home Friday. He was released Saturday on a personal-recognizance bond.
The news release did not say what court case Streit was upset about.
His next court date is Oct. 14 at the Kane County Judicial Center.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-31--How remote PE classes will work this fall

Getting elementary-age students to focus in gym class from the other side of a computer screen can be exhausting , says Andrea Rodino , a virtual physical education teacher at Frank C. Whiteley Elementary School in Hoffman Estates .
Remote learning is dramatically changing the way physical education classes are taught this fall at most suburban public schools .
Teachers are using live and video instruction and prescribing activities students can perform safely at home using household materials .
They also are emphasizing how staying active during the pandemic can help improve students ' mental and social-emotional health .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Rodino said , `` but the kids love their time in PE even virtually .
They are craving the physical activity , so it has n't been that hard to keep them engaged .
They are excited to get up and moving . ''
Rodino said the biggest challenge with remote learning is connecting individually with her kindergarten through sixth-grade students during live group classes through the Google Meet videoconferencing platform .
It 's harder meeting students where they are and getting to know how they feel about physical education in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a half-hour class from her living room , Rodino models the locomotor skills students need to master , such as walking , running , skipping , hopping , jumping , and leaping .
She creates games to keep it interesting .
`` In the spring , it was more of a choice , '' Rodino said .
`` And now they are going to be assessed for their skills . ''
Setting expectations for how students conduct themselves in a virtual classroom is part of holding them accountable .
Students must find a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , wear appropriate clothing , be ready to move , and follow proper classroom etiquette , said Jenn Wills , a traveling elementary physical education teacher in Aurora-based Indian Prairie Unit District 204 .
That was the greatest challenge in the spring when the pandemic forced schools to switch to virtual learning .
`` I had younger siblings dancing and making faces in the background , parents sitting next to their students and doing classwork for them or answering the question .
I had a few animals who made cameo appearances ... ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zoomed from their beds in their jammies , '' Wills said .
`` It was a learning experience even for the teachers . ''
With restrictions on team-based sports and on students engaging in outdoor play with peers , there is a greater focus now on getting students to set personal fitness goals and take charge of their own health and nutrition .
`` We might be developing better lifelong healthy habits for our kids , '' said John Bruesch , assistant superintendent of teaching and learning for Barrington Unit District 220 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on creating healthy and health-wise 35-year-olds rather than maybe developing college athletes through participation in sports .
Not that athletics is n't important to us , but right now we do n't have the opportunity . ''
Teachers also are helping students develop coping skills and understand the connection between physical health and mental health .
At the high school level , building strength and endurance remain primary goals , but students also need to learn what is happening within their bodies , said Andrew Burton , physical education teacher and wellness department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily 50-minute periods , students will perform repetitive exercises involving push-ups , squats , situps , stretches and other movements and will set their own limits .
They also will create their own workouts incorporating essential fitness components -- flexibility , muscular fitness , strength and endurance -- he added .
While most students do n't have access to athletic facilities or equipment , they can use available resources , such as sidewalks , parks , trails , weights or other household items like soup cans , milk jugs and laundry detergent for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gyms in their houses , some kids do n't have anything , '' said Tracey Jakaitis , student wellness coordinator for Elgin Area School District U-46 .
`` We are not asking kids to go outside , because it might not be safe .
We 're just trying to get to know where they are at and what they have before we can put lessons into place .
We 're personalizing PE . ''
Last fall , U-46 debuted new curriculum allowing high school students to choose from among courses on functional fitness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wellness , and officiating and coaching .
`` We always want physical activity to be deliberate , '' said Stephanie Katzenberger , physical education teacher at South Elgin High School .
`` We have a real opportunity now to emphasize the education part of physical education .
When students take more ownership of their own physical activity , it could really be a game-changer in PE . ''

How remote PE classes will work this fall
Getting elementary-age students to focus in gym class from the other side of a computer screen can be exhausting, says Andrea Rodino, a virtual physical education teacher at Frank C. Whiteley Elementary School in Hoffman Estates.
Remote learning is dramatically changing the way physical education classes are taught this fall at most suburban public schools. Teachers are using live and video instruction and prescribing activities students can perform safely at home using household materials.
They also are emphasizing how staying active during the pandemic can help improve students' mental and social-emotional health.
"There is no replacing face-to-face instruction," Rodino said, "but the kids love their time in PE even virtually. They are craving the physical activity, so it hasn't been that hard to keep them engaged. They are excited to get up and moving."
Frank C. Whiteley School teacher Andrea Rodino gives throwing instructions during a virtual gym class. - Paul Valade | Staff Photographer
Rodino said the biggest challenge with remote learning is connecting individually with her kindergarten through sixth-grade students during live group classes through the Google Meet videoconferencing platform. It's harder meeting students where they are and getting to know how they feel about physical education in the virtual setting, she said.
During a half-hour class from her living room, Rodino models the locomotor skills students need to master, such as walking, running, skipping, hopping, jumping, and leaping. She creates games to keep it interesting.
"In the spring, it was more of a choice," Rodino said. "And now they are going to be assessed for their skills."
Setting expectations for how students conduct themselves in a virtual classroom is part of holding them accountable. Students must find a quiet place to actively engage in class, wear appropriate clothing, be ready to move, and follow proper classroom etiquette, said Jenn Wills, a traveling elementary physical education teacher in Aurora-based Indian Prairie Unit District 204.
That was the greatest challenge in the spring when the pandemic forced schools to switch to virtual learning.
"I had younger siblings dancing and making faces in the background, parents sitting next to their students and doing classwork for them or answering the question. I had a few animals who made cameo appearances ... (and) a couple of students who Zoomed from their beds in their jammies," Wills said. "It was a learning experience even for the teachers."
With restrictions on team-based sports and on students engaging in outdoor play with peers, there is a greater focus now on getting students to set personal fitness goals and take charge of their own health and nutrition.
"We might be developing better lifelong healthy habits for our kids," said John Bruesch, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning for Barrington Unit District 220. "The focus right now is squarely on creating healthy and health-wise 35-year-olds rather than maybe developing college athletes through participation in sports. Not that athletics isn't important to us, but right now we don't have the opportunity."
Teachers also are helping students develop coping skills and understand the connection between physical health and mental health.
At the high school level, building strength and endurance remain primary goals, but students also need to learn what is happening within their bodies, said Andrew Burton, physical education teacher and wellness department chair for Wauconda High School.
Andrew Burton
During daily 50-minute periods, students will perform repetitive exercises involving push-ups, squats, situps, stretches and other movements and will set their own limits. They also will create their own workouts incorporating essential fitness components -- flexibility, muscular fitness, strength and endurance -- he added.
While most students don't have access to athletic facilities or equipment, they can use available resources, such as sidewalks, parks, trails, weights or other household items like soup cans, milk jugs and laundry detergent for training.
"Some kids have full gyms in their houses, some kids don't have anything," said Tracey Jakaitis, student wellness coordinator for Elgin Area School District U-46. "We are not asking kids to go outside, because it might not be safe. We're just trying to get to know where they are at and what they have before we can put lessons into place. We're personalizing PE."
Last fall, U-46 debuted new curriculum allowing high school students to choose from among courses on functional fitness, strength and performance, walking for wellness, and officiating and coaching.
"We always want physical activity to be deliberate," said Stephanie Katzenberger, physical education teacher at South Elgin High School. "We have a real opportunity now to emphasize the education part of physical education. When students take more ownership of their own physical activity, it could really be a game-changer in PE."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-31--Former Elburn mayor Willey remembered for community involvement

Dr. Jim Willey 's life was deeply rooted in Elburn , his home for more than 40 years and where he served as mayor for three terms .
Willey , who died Aug. 23 at age 66 , will be remembered as the mayor when Elburn opened its commuter rail station .
But he was heavily involved in the community as coordinator of the Elburn Days parade , for playing taps on his trumpet at the annual Memorial Day ceremony at the local cemetery , as a leader in Boy Scout Troop 7 , and owner of a popular dental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He also served as a director of the American Dental Association ( ADA ) , helping young dentists as they embarked on their trade .
Willey grew up in Batavia , where his father , Elwood Willey , was the longtime band director at Batavia High School .
Jim Willey 's son , Andrew Willey , said his father always wanted to be a doctor .
`` He wanted to help people and thought being a doctor would be the way to do it , '' he said .
In 1979 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late wife , Catherine Whitmer Willey .
The two had met during their freshman year at Cornell College during a chemistry study group .
His practice focused on family dentistry and drew on his rapport with children and his ability to make them laugh .
David Willey said that when children would visit for a checkup , his father would take photos of them with their mouths open .
The photos would grace the office walls and the patients were nicknamed the Crocodile Club .
`` For a while , his logo outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a dental chair , '' David Willey said .
After joining the Lions Club , Jim Willey found his niche as coordinator of the annual Elburn Days Parade .
`` He met a lot of people through that , '' David Willey said .
It was only a short step to a political career .
He was elected to the village board in 1995 , and won election as village president two years later , serving through 2009 .
It was during his term as mayor that the Metra 's Union Pacific West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sons said connecting Elburn 's streets was also high on his agenda .
`` He made a big push to make sure all of the sidewalks were connected all over town , so that people could walk from one neighborhood to another , '' Andrew Willey said .
In 2006 , Jim Willey said his childhood in Batavia influenced his plans for Elburn .
Noting that in 2005 , Elburn spent $ 200,000 fixing sidewalks in the older sections , he told the Daily Herald , `` One of the things that impressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There were sidewalks everywhere .
I could hop on my bike and go around my block when I was little and when I got older sidewalks took me to the library , and downtown . ''
Jim Willey left his dental practice in 2006 to join the ADA , where he was instrumental in establishing the association 's Center for Professional Success , which provided resources and guidance for young dentists .
After retiring in 2019 , he devoted time to his hobbies , which included Civil War history , trains and photography @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grandson , Arthur .
Services will be Tuesday , Sept. 1 , at Conley Funeral Home , 116 W. Pierce St. Video of the service will be available Tuesday evening on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook page .

Former Elburn mayor Willey remembered for community involvement
Dr. Jim Willey's life was deeply rooted in Elburn, his home for more than 40 years and where he served as mayor for three terms.
Willey, who died Aug. 23 at age 66, will be remembered as the mayor when Elburn opened its commuter rail station. But he was heavily involved in the community as coordinator of the Elburn Days parade, for playing taps on his trumpet at the annual Memorial Day ceremony at the local cemetery, as a leader in Boy Scout Troop 7, and owner of a popular dental practice, Elburn Dental on Main Street.
He also served as a director of the American Dental Association (ADA), helping young dentists as they embarked on their trade.
Willey grew up in Batavia, where his father, Elwood Willey, was the longtime band director at Batavia High School.
Jim Willey's son, Andrew Willey, said his father always wanted to be a doctor.
"He wanted to help people and thought being a doctor would be the way to do it," he said.
In 1979, Jim Willey moved to Elburn with his late wife, Catherine Whitmer Willey. The two had met during their freshman year at Cornell College during a chemistry study group.
His practice focused on family dentistry and drew on his rapport with children and his ability to make them laugh.
David Willey said that when children would visit for a checkup, his father would take photos of them with their mouths open. The photos would grace the office walls and the patients were nicknamed the Crocodile Club.
"For a while, his logo outside of his office was a crocodile in a dental chair," David Willey said.
After joining the Lions Club, Jim Willey found his niche as coordinator of the annual Elburn Days Parade.
"He met a lot of people through that," David Willey said.
It was only a short step to a political career. He was elected to the village board in 1995, and won election as village president two years later, serving through 2009.
It was during his term as mayor that the Metra's Union Pacific West Line was extended to Elburn.
His sons said connecting Elburn's streets was also high on his agenda.
"He made a big push to make sure all of the sidewalks were connected all over town, so that people could walk from one neighborhood to another," Andrew Willey said.
In 2006, Jim Willey said his childhood in Batavia influenced his plans for Elburn.
Noting that in 2005, Elburn spent $200,000 fixing sidewalks in the older sections, he told the Daily Herald, "One of the things that impressed me about Batavia was the sidewalks. There were sidewalks everywhere. I could hop on my bike and go around my block when I was little and when I got older sidewalks took me to the library, and downtown."
Jim Willey left his dental practice in 2006 to join the ADA, where he was instrumental in establishing the association's Center for Professional Success, which provided resources and guidance for young dentists.
After retiring in 2019, he devoted time to his hobbies, which included Civil War history, trains and photography. He also spent time with his grandson, Arthur.
Services will be Tuesday, Sept. 1, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St. Video of the service will be available Tuesday evening on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook page.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-31--Snoop Dogg, Twista reschedule Aurora concert

Snoop Dogg and Twista have rescheduled their postponed concert at RiverEdge Park in Aurora to July 18 , 2021 .
@ @ @ @ @ have shared a concert bill on July 19 this year , but RiverEdge 's 2020 @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic .
Tickets to the rescheduled show are $ 45- $ 70 and @ @ @ @ @ Tickets for the 2020 concert are valid for the new date .
Ticketholders who would @ @ @ @ @ or to make a donation must make a decision before a deadline of May 19 @ @ @ @ @ has rescheduled nearly every artist on their 2020 season roster to 2021 .
Highlights include @ @ @ @ @ Fox featuring Buddy Guy , Kenny Wayne Shepherd and more artists on June 18 and @ @ @ @ @ on July 15 .
RiverEdge also issued a thank you to its newest sponsor Zen @ @ @ @ @ cannabis dispensary is specifically sponsoring the Snoop Dogg and Twista concert .
For more information @ @ @ @ @ 896-6666 or visit riveredgeaurora.com .

Snoop Dogg, Twista reschedule Aurora concert
A postponed 2020 concert featuring rap stars Twista (pictured) and Snoop Dogg has been rescheduled at RiverEdge Park in Aurora. The new date is July 18, 2021. Courtesy of RiverEdge Park
A postponed 2020 concert featuring rap stars Snoop Dogg (pictured) and Twista has been rescheduled at RiverEdge Park in Aurora. The new date is July 18, 2021. Courtesy of RiverEdge Park
Snoop Dogg and Twista have rescheduled their postponed concert at RiverEdge Park in Aurora to July 18, 2021.
The rap stars were to have shared a concert bill on July 19 this year, but RiverEdge's 2020 season was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Tickets to the rescheduled show are $45-$70 and are on sale now. Tickets for the 2020 concert are valid for the new date. Ticketholders who would prefer a credit, refund or to make a donation must make a decision before a deadline of May 19, 2021.
RiverEdge also has rescheduled nearly every artist on their 2020 season roster to 2021. Highlights include the 24th Blues on the Fox featuring Buddy Guy, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and more artists on June 18 and 19 and Tedeschi Trucks Band on July 15.
RiverEdge also issued a thank you to its newest sponsor Zen Leaf Aurora. The adult-use cannabis dispensary is specifically sponsoring the Snoop Dogg and Twista concert.
For more information, call (630) 896-6666 or visit riveredgeaurora.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-31--Feder: WBBM Newsradio leads radio ratings for 7th straight month

For the seventh consecutive month , WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM took front and center in Chicago 's radio ratings during August @ @ @ @ @ Monday showed the Entercom all-news combo boosting its first-place lead among all listeners .
WBBM @ @ @ @ @ mornings with Pat Cassidy , middays with Cisco Cotto , and afternoons with Keith Johnson @ @ @ @ @ host Keith Sweat topped evenings on iHeartMedia R & B WVAZ 102.7-FM , which ranked @ @ @ @ @ .
See more of Robert Feder 's report at robertfeder.com .

Feder: WBBM Newsradio leads radio ratings for 7th straight month
Lisa Fielding is part of the afternoon team on WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM. Courtesy of WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM via Robert Feder
For the seventh consecutive month, WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM took front and center in Chicago's radio ratings during August.
Nielsen Audio figures released Monday showed the Entercom all-news combo boosting its first-place lead among all listeners. WBBM Newsradio also finished first in mornings with Pat Cassidy, middays with Cisco Cotto, and afternoons with Keith Johnson and Lisa Fielding.
Syndicated host Keith Sweat topped evenings on iHeartMedia R&B WVAZ 102.7-FM, which ranked second in the market overall.
See more of Robert Feder's report at robertfeder.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-31--Crowds at St. Charles marijuana dispensary 'creating nightmares' for neighbor

As the clock ticks closer to 4 p.m. , Aamir Bandukda knows it 's time to shut down for the day .
It 's not that he 's trying to get home early .
He 's just hoping to avoid the growing crowds near his unit at the St. Charles Commons office complex .
Bandukda , who is in real estate , says it 's worse in the late afternoon when his neighbor at the complex -- the Zen Leaf marijuana dispensary -- begins its daily window for recreational sales .
With the entrance to his unit only 4 feet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't avoid a traffic jam .
`` The amount of foot traffic that 's coming in , it 's not suitable for an industrial warehouse office building , '' said Bandukda , whose entrance shares a walkway with Zen Leaf .
`` It 's creating nightmares . ''
`` If I went to St. Charles and said I wanted to open a 7-Eleven here , they would never allow it , '' he said .
`` So why do they allow it for a dispensary ? ''
For months , the St. Charles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a zoning exemption to expand its medical marijuana business to include recreational sales .
Tenants of the 10-unit complex spoke out against the zoning allowance at city meetings .
The approval came in a 6-4 city council vote in May , after Zen Leaf agreed to stipulations including a sundown provision where after 18 months the business will either move within a proper zoning area or cease operations .
Zen Leaf requires permission from the state to change the location on its license .
Zen Leaf representatives did not respond to requests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say the company has been a cooperative business partner since it opened in 2015 .
That includes during the last four months since the dispensary was approved for recreational sales .
`` We 've been in constant contact with Zen Leaf , and I 'm aware of the complaints , '' said St. Charles Police Chief James Keegan .
`` We 've been doing our best to police the crowd in terms of the COVID concerns with masks and that kind of thing .
From an unruly perspective or a crime perspective , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in police activity . ''
When Bandukda closed on the purchase of a unit in the complex in June , he did n't anticipate the impact Zen Leaf 's dispensary would have on his ability to rent the unit .
But when potential renters stop by , he said many do n't even make it to the door because of the number of marijuana customers lined up outside .
The crowds lead to other problems as well , he said .
Finding parking spots can be an issue , and an armed guard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a welcoming presence , Bandukda said .
During a recent Cannabis Cup promotion event , Bandukda said customers lined up around the building in the early-morning hours waiting for samples .
Some sat in lawn chairs until the dispensary opened .
St. Charles Alderman Ron Silkaitis , whose ward includes the property , said he voted against the expansion to recreational sales because he did n't like the idea of changing the zoning .
He also said , however , he 's received no complaints about Zen Leaf since the addition of recreational @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to change zoning , I did get emails from some of the owners there , but I have n't heard anything since , '' Silkaitis said .
`` I 've driven by there and have n't seen any issues . ''
Keegan said his officers regularly patrol the area and Zen Leaf has been responsive to requests regarding crowd sizes and social distancing .
Once COVID-19 restrictions fade , Keegan said some of the crowd issues might fade as well .
For Bandukda , though , it could be a long 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this space , they 'd have to wonder if visitors would be able to get to the door , '' he said .
`` No one objects to their business .
It 's just that they 're not being good neighbors . ''

Crowds at St. Charles marijuana dispensary 'creating nightmares' for neighbor
As the clock ticks closer to 4 p.m., Aamir Bandukda knows it's time to shut down for the day.
It's not that he's trying to get home early. He's just hoping to avoid the growing crowds near his unit at the St. Charles Commons office complex.
Bandukda, who is in real estate, says it's worse in the late afternoon when his neighbor at the complex -- the Zen Leaf marijuana dispensary -- begins its daily window for recreational sales. With the entrance to his unit only 4 feet from Zen Leaf's, Bandukda can't avoid a traffic jam.
"The amount of foot traffic that's coming in, it's not suitable for an industrial warehouse office building," said Bandukda, whose entrance shares a walkway with Zen Leaf. "It's creating nightmares."
"If I went to St. Charles and said I wanted to open a 7-Eleven here, they would never allow it," he said. "So why do they allow it for a dispensary?"
For months, the St. Charles city council debated Zen Leaf's request for a zoning exemption to expand its medical marijuana business to include recreational sales. Tenants of the 10-unit complex spoke out against the zoning allowance at city meetings.
The approval came in a 6-4 city council vote in May, after Zen Leaf agreed to stipulations including a sundown provision where after 18 months the business will either move within a proper zoning area or cease operations. Zen Leaf requires permission from the state to change the location on its license.
Zen Leaf representatives did not respond to requests for comment, but St. Charles officials say the company has been a cooperative business partner since it opened in 2015. That includes during the last four months since the dispensary was approved for recreational sales.
"We've been in constant contact with Zen Leaf, and I'm aware of the complaints," said St. Charles Police Chief James Keegan. "We've been doing our best to police the crowd in terms of the COVID concerns with masks and that kind of thing. From an unruly perspective or a crime perspective, we've not had an uptick whatsoever in police activity."
When Bandukda closed on the purchase of a unit in the complex in June, he didn't anticipate the impact Zen Leaf's dispensary would have on his ability to rent the unit. But when potential renters stop by, he said many don't even make it to the door because of the number of marijuana customers lined up outside.
The crowds lead to other problems as well, he said. Finding parking spots can be an issue, and an armed guard standing outside the dispensary isn't exactly a welcoming presence, Bandukda said.
During a recent Cannabis Cup promotion event, Bandukda said customers lined up around the building in the early-morning hours waiting for samples. Some sat in lawn chairs until the dispensary opened.
St. Charles Alderman Ron Silkaitis, whose ward includes the property, said he voted against the expansion to recreational sales because he didn't like the idea of changing the zoning. He also said, however, he's received no complaints about Zen Leaf since the addition of recreational sales.
"Before when they were trying to change zoning, I did get emails from some of the owners there, but I haven't heard anything since," Silkaitis said. "I've driven by there and haven't seen any issues."
Keegan said his officers regularly patrol the area and Zen Leaf has been responsive to requests regarding crowd sizes and social distancing. Once COVID-19 restrictions fade, Keegan said some of the crowd issues might fade as well.
For Bandukda, though, it could be a long 18 months.
"Anyone wanting to rent this space, they'd have to wonder if visitors would be able to get to the door," he said. "No one objects to their business. It's just that they're not being good neighbors."