News Briefs: Kenilworth goes with interim police chief; Incoming smoke alarm law; Wilmette schools win tech awards; State champs recognized

The Village of Kenilworth has hired former Evanston police chief Richard Eddington to replace retiring Chief David Miller in the interim.

Village officials said the process to find a permanent replacement will begin soon and last three to four months.

Eddington was also formerly a chief in Roselle and Rosement. He retired in 2018 from the Evanston Police Department and then served the department as interim chief until recently.

“We are honored to have such an experienced chief of police serve as our interim chief in Kenilworth,” Village President Cecily Kaz said in a statement. “I am confident that Chief Eddington will be a great addition to our team while we search for a permanent replacement.”

Miller retired on Sept. 30 after more than 28 years with the Village of Kenilworth.

New smoke-alarm requirements go into effect Jan. 1

Local fire departments are working to spread the word on new smoke-detector law that goes into effect Jan. 1, 2023.

According to the law, all single and multi-family homes that are still using smoke alarms with removable batteries are required to install new alarms that feature 10-year sealed battery alarms.

Wilmette Fire Chief Brian Lambel was doing outreach about the law at Central Station Coffee and Tea in September.

Exemptions to the law include: homes built after 1988 that already have hardwired smoke alarms and homes with wireless integrated alarms that use low-power radio frequency communications, Wi-Fi, or other wireless capability.

According to the Wilmette Fire Department: Three out of five home fire deaths result from fires in properties without working smoke alarms; more than one-third (38%) of home fire deaths result from fires in which no smoke alarms are present; and the risk of dying in a home fire is cut in half in homes with working smoke alarms.

If you know of a resident in need of fire safety education or smoke alarms, contact the fire department at (847) 251-1101.

Highcrest Middle School, Wilmette Junior High School Named Apple Distinguished Schools 

Two Wilmette schools are celebrating recognition from tech giant Apple, according to a press release from Wilmette District 39.

Highcrest Middle School and Wilmette Junior High are Apple Distinguished Schools for 2022-’25 for using “Apple technology in innovative ways that inspire creativity and critical teaching and learning among its learning community.”

You can read more about technology usage at Highcrest HERE and WJH HERE.

Wilmette Village Board formally recognizes championship New Trier student-athletes

Wilmette trustees took time out of their regularly schedule programming on Sept. 28 to celebrate local state champions.

During the 2021-’22 school year, four New Trier High School athletics programs — girls swim and dive, girls lacrosse, boys water polo and field hockey — earned team state championships

Village President Senta Plunkett during the meeting read proclamations honoring each team.

“By issuing these proclamations, the Village recognizes their incredible talent and dedication and congratulates the Trevians, families, and coaches on their achievements,” notes from the Village read.

The proclamations can be viewed online.

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