CHICAGO

Police agency struggles to fill several vacancies

With more violent crimes being committed in Chicago, the Police Department can't get approval from City Hall to hire enough officers to keep up with the number of officers who are leaving.

Like other city agencies and departments, the Police Department is caught up in the budget problems plaguing the city. Mayor Richard Daley has said the city must cut personnel costs but hasn't said where those cuts can be made.

The Fraternal Order of Police said firings and retirements have whittled down the department by 250 officers and it could be down by 400 by the end of the year.

CALUMET CITY

Veterans can seek info on benefits at post fair

Ehinger Bros. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8141 is making its facilities available for a veterans fair starting at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 4 at 664 Hirsch St.

On hand during the fair will be state leaders and representatives of Veterans Affair, federal agencies and the VFW to help with VA medical claims, financial benefits, education and jobs.

Ehinger Post Chaplain Michelle Smith and an assistant state service officer with the VFW will help answer questions about veterans' benefits. All veterans and their families are welcome.

For more information, call (877) THANK-A-VET.

CALUMET CITY

City gearing up for mini marathon on Sunday

The Calumet Memorial Park District's 36th annual mini marathon is planned for Sunday.

The 13.1-mile course is flat and fast. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., and the race starts promptly at 8:30 a.m.

The advance fee is $15 per runner, and the fee on the day of the race is $20. Race begins and ends at Memorial Park, 612 Wentworth Ave.

For more information, call (708) 862-6443 or visit www.calumetmemorialparkdistrict.com.

EVANSTON, ILL.

Local students compete for national scholarships

Thirteen local students are among more than 1,600 black high school seniors who have been named semifinalists in the 45th annual National Achievement Scholarship Program that the National Merit Scholarship Corp. announced recently.

Those recognized are Kandace Rose and Ayana Worthey, of Marian Catholic High School, Chicago Heights; Christen Elion, Raven Fisher, Ariel Fluellen, Maia Griffith and Elise Smith, of Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School; and Roberto Landin, of Thornton Township High School, Harvey.

In Indiana, students honored are Aleisha Matlock and Cheryl McCoy, of West Side High School, Gary; Anita Murrell and Khari Thompson, of Andrean High School, Merrillville; and Brian Aggrey, Valparaiso High School.

The students will compete for about 800 scholarships worth more than $2.6 million, which will be awarded in the spring. The National Achievement Scholarship Program is a privately financed academic competition that operates without government help. It was initiated in 1964 to recognize promising black students throughout the nation.

SOUTH HOLLAND

Village invites seniors to monthly breakfasts

Village Trustee Arthur Bennett, also chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee, announced the village has started hosting a monthly senior breakfast club.

The buffet-style breakfast will cost $4 per person for those age 55 and older.

Residents can call (708) 331-2940 for information.

UNIVERSITY PARK

GSU offers open house on graduate programs

The College of Business and Public Administration at Governors State University hosts a graduate programs open house from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 11.

The free event is open to the public and will be held on the main campus at 1 University Parkway.

Faculty advisers, administrators and current students will be on hand to discuss master's degree programs in accounting, business administration, management information systems and public administration. Breakfast also will be served.

To RSVP or for information, call (708) 534-4391 or e-mail bpa-info@govst.edu.