Tickets on Sale for Santa’s Trolley Express

Santa’s Trolley Express Winter Event

Experience Christmas in June at the Fox River Trolley Museum in South Elgin. Tickets are now available for Santa’s Trolley Express rides, which will occur on select weekends from Friday, November 28, to Sunday, December 20. The rides start from Blackhawk Station in the Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve, located at 35W003 Route 31.

The journey on a 1959 subway train includes festive holiday stories, free hot chocolate, singalongs, and a meeting with Santa. Tickets are priced at $38 per person until July 31, increasing to $45 from August 1 through October 31, and then $50 starting November 1. For further details or to purchase tickets, visit foxtrolley.org.

New Leadership in U-46 Schools

School District U-46 has announced three new administrative appointments for the coming school year. Luis De León steps in as principal at Streamwood High School. He has extensive experience in education, serving as an assistant superintendent for Oak Park Elementary School District 97 since 2023. Prior to this, he was principal at Tefft Middle School and Laurel Hill Elementary School, and also worked at Harriet Gifford Elementary School and Nature Ridge Elementary School.

Rafael Martinez-Ortiz has been appointed as the principal of the Dream Academy in Elgin. He has been the associate principal there since 2023 and has previously served in various roles at Elgin High School, including assistant principal for freshman success and dean of students.

Angela DeMay is the new assistant director of specialized student services compliance. Her recent positions include director of student services in Skokie School District 73.5.

New Certificate Programs at Elgin Community College

Elgin Community College is introducing two new basic vocational certificate programs in the fall. These programs focus on pipe welding and quality control technician skills.

The pipe welding program covers gas tungsten arc welding, gas metal arc welding, and shielded metal arc welding techniques. The quality control technician program includes instruction in interpreting engineering drawings, precision measurement, and the use of necessary tools. Students can complete the program in two semesters without any prerequisites. More information is available at elgin.edu/manufacturing.