AREA BRIEFS

Gamblers Set Record Gamblers lost a record $107.7 million on Illinois riverboats inJuly, breaking the previous monthly high of $101.4 million set in May1995. Elgin's Grand Victoria held on to its top spot with $18.7million in adjusted gross receipts. Cincinnati Train Stays Amtrak said it is dropping plans to cancel the Chicago-to-Cincinnatilink of its Cardinal service to Washington, D.C. However, theHoosier State route from Chicago to Indianapolis, which runs on thesame tracks, will be discontinued Sept. 10. Homes Get City Help Ground was broken for 25 single-family homes in the Kenwood-Oaklandneighborhood. The three-bedroom homes will sell for $94,900. Thecity is providing a subsidy of $20,000 for each house and is sellingthe lots for $1 each. Man Killed By Train A man whom police said had lived at homeless shelters was struck andkilled early Wednesday by a Metra train near the station in Palatine.David English, 41, was pronounced dead at Northwest CommunityHospital in Arlington Heights. Betting Raid Nets 12 Twelve people were charged with gambling, including Edward Skrypec,chairman of Burbank's police commission, in a raid Tuesday at UnitedGreek-American Cafenio in Hickory Hills. School Aide Charged A teacher's aide has been charged with molesting two boys at hishome. Arnold Nimox, 26, of the 12400 block of South Normal, ischarged with aggravated criminal sexual assault and abuse. Theboys attended Ralph Metcalfe Magnet School, where Nimox worked.