Latest news from Evanston: Your Wednesday daily digest

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Good Wednesday morning, Evanston.

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City Council on Monday dropped further discussion of a proposal to require large landowners that don’t pay property taxes – like, say, Northwestern – to pay a fee for city fire services they now receive for free. Fire Chief Paul Polep told the council he worried the fee, suggested by Council Member Devon Reid (8th Ward), could create an incentive for not calling 911, even in an emergency. Several council members expressed a desire to negotiate a voluntary agreement with Northwestern instead.

The Evanston Health and Human Services Department has confirmed an estimated 60 cases of norovirus linked to a $1 burrito promotion Nov. 18 at Big Wig Tacos & Burritos. The Church Street restaurant, which passed a health inspection the day before the incident, closed for a day last week to deep-clean its kitchen and equipment, owner Jose Manolo Estrada said. “We’re taking extra precautions, like we shut down the restaurant, and we’re actually retraining our employees in our food safety procedures,” he said. “We’re being very open and honest, and hopefully the Evanston community can see that. … This is our livelihood.”

More RoundTable reads

Residents got their first look Tuesday at possible designs for a new boat launch on the North Shore Channel near the Evanston Ecology Center. The Evanston Environmental Association would raise funds for much of the $2.36 million project, which would be one of the few ADA-accessible launches in the region.

After a 39-year career with the City of Evanston, Deputy City Manager Dave Stoneback will retire this Friday. At Monday night’s City Council meeting, Mayor Daniel Biss called Stoneback’s knowledge and experience “invaluable.”

Evan Nielsen grew up in Evanston and played hockey for the University of Notre Dame and the Chicago Wolves. Now, after years working in finance and education, he’s back home coaching the Evanston High School Hockey boys varsity team.

Theater review: Part puppet theater and part on-stage play, Manual Cinema’s Christmas Carol at Writers Theatre “is a creative and innovative mix of traditional and technical,” writes RoundTable critic Cissy Lacks, who deems lead performer LaKecia Harris (above right) “a treasure.”

The ETHS girls basketball team stifled Glenbrook South with a new-look zone defense at Tuesday night’s home opener, beating the visitors 60-39. Kailey Starks (above, at a game last season) scored 19 points, with 7 rebounds and 5 steals.

Bulletin board

Holiday Grooves & Disco Moves is Friday, Dec. 8. Bring an ugly sweater and dance the night away from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Levy Senior Center, 300 Dodge Ave.

Tickets now on sale for McGaw Y Gala. The celebration will feature food from local restaurants, raffles and music from DJ Corey Bless from 7 to 10 p.m. Jan. 20.