Dear Residents,

The Village Hall Administrative offices will be closed Monday, January 1 in observance of the New Year’s holiday.  We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, January 2 at 8 a.m.  Although the offices are closed, our police officers are on duty 24 hours a day, including holidays and weekends.  If you need to contact the police department, do not hesitate to call 9-1-1.

Groot garbage pick-up service is delayed one day due to the holiday; collection will be on Tuesday, January 2. Groot will also be collecting Christmas trees on regular pickup days during the month of January. Trees must be free of all lights, ornaments, garland and tinsel.  Place your tree alongside your trash near the curb. This pickup does not require a yard waste sticker or a call to Groot.

Have you received unsolicited mobile text messages with an unfamiliar or strange web link that indicates a USPS delivery requires a response from you?  If you never signed up for a USPS tracking request for a specific package, don’t click the link! This type of text message is a scam called smishing.

Smishing is a form of phishing that involves a text message or phone number. Victims will typically receive a deceptive text message that is intended to lure the recipient into providing their personal or financial information. These scammers often attempt to disguise themselves as a government agency, bank, or other company to lend legitimacy to their claims

The Postal Service offers free tools to track specific packages. Customers are required to either register online or initiate a text message, and provide a tracking number. USPS will not send customers text messages or e-mails without a customer first requesting the service with a tracking number, and it will NOT contain a link. For more information about the services USPS provides, visit their website.

To ensure a safe and enjoyable New Year’s Eve, here are some safety tips from the Illinois Department of Transportation:

• Plan ahead: Decide on your transportation method before the night begins.  If you plan on drinking, consider using a ride share service, uber-type transportation or public transportation to get around safely.
• Stay alert: Be aware of your surroundings and stay alert to avoid any potential dangers.
• Avoid distractions: Keep your phone and other distractions away while driving or walking.
• Be visible: If you are walking, wear bright and reflective clothing to make yourself visible to drivers.
• Stay warm: Dress appropriately for the weather and stay warm if you are outside.
• Secure your home: If you are going out, make sure your home is secure and locked.

Our local Girl Scout troops will selling cookies in the Village starting January 5 through January 21.  They have been given permission to sell cookies door to door for their annual fundraising event.

You can always reach me by email at pmccombie@southbarrington.org on our website. Anonymous comment boxes are also available in the lobbies of Village Hall and the Police Department. I read anonymous messages privately, so please do not hesitate to contact me.

I hope that you and your family have a Happy and Safe New Year!!

Paula McCombie

Mayor

Read more of my Friday message by clicking here.

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