Mustang alum to host Marine pinning ceremony at DGS
On Thursday, October 10 at 10:55 a.m., First Lieutenant USMC Ramarro Lamar will be promoted to Captain USMC at Downers Grove South High School. Lamar graduated from high school in 2016 and chose to hold the pinning (promotion) ceremony at his alma mater.
“I am so excited to get back to where everything started for me and celebrate this moment as I view this milestone as a collective achievement,” said Ramarro Lamar.
Lamar also selected Sheldon Davis, a dean at DGS, and Sean Lovelace, a teacher and wrestling coach, to participate in the pinning and promotion ceremony.
“This is a remarkable achievement for an incredible young man,” said Lovelace, who was Lamar’s wrestling coach. “It is such an honor to be able to share in Ramarro’s success and achievements. Ramarro has always left an indelible mark on anyone he has crossed paths with and we are so incredibly proud of all he has done and for his future.”
“Ramarro was an excellent student leader during his time here at DGS and has always been a person to give back to his community,” said Davis. “He has set the standard for what a DGS alumnus should be. I’m extremely proud of all of his accomplishments and I know he will continue to be a dynamic leader in the United States Marine Corps.”
Lamar was involved in wrestling, football, track and field, the African American Student Union as well as numerous leadership events
while in high school. He also was part of the student planning team that raised funds and established the school’s permanent Memorial Peace Garden, a tribute to the 70 young men who attended both DGS and Downers Grove North High School who lost their lives in the line of service to the United States.
After graduating from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, where he served as a mascot/cheerleader, Lamar served in the elite 1st Marine Division in Pendleton, California. In 2023, Ramarro deployed with the Marine Rotational Force Darwin as the Deputy Director of Communication Strategy and Operations,
participating in a mission aimed at reinforcing U.S. presence in the Indo-Pacific region. During this deployment, he played an integral role at the U.S. Embassy in Australia, where he contributed to the U.S. Force Posture Initiative.
“Our school community is thrilled to welcome Ramarro back
to South High,” said Arwen Lyp, principal. “He touched the lives of so many here, and we are honored to serve as the site for his significant achievement in the military.”
In addition to the pinning ceremony at DGS, Lamar will speak to students who are interested in learning more about the military.
FEMa opens technical assistance center in Joliet
In coordination with the Will County Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has opened a Disaster Recovery Center in Joliet to provide technical assistance to residents applying for federal assistance from damage sustained during the July 1316 severe weather.
The center is located at the Will County Center for Community Concerns (2455 Glenwood Ave., Joliet) and will be open 8 AM to 7 PM on Mondays through Fridays and from 8 AM to 12 PM on Saturdays. It will be closed on Sundays.
Representatives from FEMA, the State of Illinois, and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be at the center to help community members apply for federal disaster assistance, upload documents, and answer questions.
“We appreciate FEMA and SBA for opening this temporary center to support residents applying for assistance,” said Will County Emergency Management Agency Director Allison Anderson. “Even though these storms were two months ago, residents and property owners who experienced damage should consider applying for assistance.”
Federal assistance became available on September 20 after a Major Disaster Declaration was issued for Will County. The declaration allows community members to apply for Individual Assistance to help cover costs incurred during the July severe weather, including home repairs, temporary housing, property damage, and emergency purchases.
The SBA has also made low-interest disaster loans available to property owners. Businesses may be eligible for relief for economic
impact and residents may be eligible for a low-interest loan. Additionally, the Internal Revenue Service will provide tax relief and filing deadline extensions for individuals and businesses impacted by the storms.
“Residents throughout the county experienced thousands of dollars worth of property damage from the July storms,” said Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant. “Anyone who was impacted by this severe weather event should consider applying for assistance or visiting the Recovery Center to ask questions,”
Since the emergency declara -
tion was issued, FEMA has received nearly 900 applications from Will County. Over $650,000 has been awarded to Will County residents as of October 1, including housing assistance and other needs.
A visit to the Disaster Recovery Center is not required to apply for assistance. Applications are available at www.DisasterAssistance. gov, by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, or by using the FEMA App.
For more information about the disaster recovery operation in Illinois, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4819.
MCHS is honor roll school
Minooka Community High School (MCHS) has earned a place on the College Board’s AP School Honor Roll, earning a bronze distinction, for the 2023-24 school year. The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools that have done outstanding work to welcome more students into AP courses and support them on the path to college success. Schools earn this recognition based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing collegegoing culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness.
This recognition is given to schools that meet milestones within three categories— percentage of seniors who take at least one AP exam before graduating, percentage of seniors earning an AP Exam score of 3 or higher on an AP exam, and percentage of seniors taking a total of five or more AP exams across their high school years, with at least one taken in freshman or sophomore year.
MCHS met each criterion to be listed on this year’s AP School Honor Roll as a Bronze school in the following ways:
• 40% of the Class of 2024 experienced at least one AP course before graduating.
• 28% of the Class of 2024 earned college credit by earning an AP Exam score of 3, which can help students lower the total cost of their college experience.
• 9% of the Class of 2024 took at least five APs across their high school years, with at least one taken in ninth or 10th grade.
Additionally, MCHS received the AP Access
Award, which honors schools that demonstrate a clear and effective commitment to equitable access to advanced coursework. Schools earn this award if the percentage of AP Exam takers who are underrepresented minority and/or low-income students mirrors the school’s overall student demographics.
“Research shows students who take AP courses and exams are more likely to attend college and graduate on time,” said Trevor Packer, Senior Vice President of AP and Instruction at the College Board. “We know it takes a considerable schoolwide effort—dedication from teachers, counselors, administrators, students, and parents—to make AP access a priority. I’m inspired by your commitment and grateful for the chance to honor your success.”
Learn more about the College Board’s AP School Honor Roll at https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/exam-administration-orderingscores/scores/awards
Joliet educator earns honor
Joliet Township High School is proud to announce that our very own Christopher McGuffey, Career and Technical Director for JTHS, has been named the Technology Education Association of Illinois (TEAI) Administrator of the Year.
“Each year TEAI awards individuals and programs at the Illinois Technology Education Conference that are making significant contributions to the field of technology education,” said William Merchantz, TEAI Awards Chairperson. “This award is an acknowledgment of an outstanding administrator of technology education who has given years of service to his/her profession by contributing publications, presentations, and leadership at the local, state, and national levels.”
Christopher will be presented with the 2024 Technology Education Association of Illinois Administrator of the Year Award on October 18 on the campus of Illinois State University.
After graduating from Illinois State University and earning his PEL in Technology Education in 2009, Christopher McGuffey proudly served as a Tech Ed teacher at Joliet Central in Joliet Township High School District for eight years. He taught courses such as Intro to Tech, Electricity, Electronics, Drafting, PLTW Engineering, Woods, Computer Repair, and 3D Animation. During his tenure, he started and ran the district’s FIRST Robotics team (The Joliet Cyborgs) for four years, piloted the first PLTW Engineering program at JTHS, trained multiple students to earn their A+ certification, and developed a 3D Studio Max curriculum that was distributed to several Tech Ed teachers in the region.
From the 20172018 school year onwards, Christopher took on the role of CTE Curriculum Director for JTHS. In this position, he supports over 50 CTE teachers and 6,600 students, with 3,300 students enrolled in at least one CTE elective across multiple campuses in Tech Ed, Business Ed, FACS, and Health Occupations programs.
Christophers’ recent accomplishments include planning, building, and implementing innovative programs such as AMPED on Algebra, Workplace Internship programs, JTHS CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities), and Dual Enrollment programs like ACE and Law Enforcement. He has also overseen significant CTE facility renovations, including two auto shops, two metals shops, two electronics shops, and two AMPED on Algebra shops.
Christopher is passionate about preparing students for their post-secondary plans and the workforce through career exploration, handson career skill development in CTE classes, and guided workplace education. He is dedicated to working with stakeholders at all levels to ensure that the students of Joliet Township High School are career-ready and positively impact our communities.
TO: Willie Byron Williams; Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. (MERS) RA: CT Corporation System, Nationstar Mortgage, LLC RA: Illinois Corporation Service Company, Nationstar Mortgage, LLC; B & W Heating & Air, Edward Young, Will County Clerk, Town Centre Parc Condominium Association RA: Brett Nemanich; Occupant, 301 Arbor Ct., Bolingbrook, IL; Parties in occupancy and possession; any unknown owners and occupants. TAX DEED NO. 2024TX000234. FILED: September 3, 2024. TAKE NOTICE. County of Will. Date Premises Sold 1/10/2022. Certificate No. 20-00946. Sold for General Taxes of (year) 2020. Sold for Special Assessment of (Municipality) and special assessment number N/A Warrant No. N/A Inst. No. N/A. THIS PROPERTY HAS BEEN SOLD FOR DELINQUENT TAXES. Property located at. 301 Arbor Ct., Bolingbrook, Illinois. Legal Description or Property Index No. 12-02-15-107-093-1006. This notice is to advise you that the above property has been sold for delinquent taxes and that the period of redemption from the sale will expire on January 9, 2025. The amount to redeem is subject to increase at 6 month intervals from the date of sale and may be further increased if the purchaser at the tax sale or his or her assignee pays any subsequently accruing taxes or special assessments to redeem the property from subsequent forfeitures or tax sales. Check with the county clerk as to the exact amount you owe before redeeming. This notice is also to advise you that a petition has been filed for a tax deed which will transfer title and the right to possession of this property if redemption is not made on or before January 9, 2025. This matter is set for hearing in the Circuit Court of this county in the Will County Courthouse, 100 West Jefferson Street, Joliet, IL 60432, on 2/20/2025 at 9:00 AM in room 905. YOU ARE URGED TO REDEEM IMMEDIATELY TO PREVENT LOSS OF PROPERTY. Redemption can be made at any time on or before January 9, 2025 by applying to the County Clerk of Will County, Illinois at the Office of the County Clerk in Joliet, Illinois. For further information contact the County Clerk. ADDRESS: 302 N Chicago St, Joliet, IL 60432. TELEPHONE: (815) 740-4615. FIG as Custodian for FIG IL 18 LLC & Secured Party, Purchaser or Assignee. Dated: September 16, 2024.
Published 9/19/2024, 9/26/2024, 10/3/2024
TO:
as
Lara
Iman Rab; Samha Rab; Occupant at 825 Clearcroft Avenue, Bolingbrook, IL 60490; August R. Butera, as Registered Agent for ATG Trust Company, under the provisions of Trust No. 98-060; Lauren Staley Ferry, County Clerk of Will County; their spouses, heirs, devisees, successors or assigns, if any; persons in occupancy or actual possession and unknown owners or parties interested in the above described real estate.
TAX DEED NO. 2024TX000215
FILED: August 6, 2024
TAKE NOTICE
County of Will
Date Premises Sold: January 10, 2022
Certificate No.: 20-00994
Sold for General Taxes of (year): 2020 Sold for Special Assessment of (Municipality) and special assessment number: N/A
Warrant No.: N/A Inst. No.: N/A THIS PROPERTY HAS BEEN SOLD FOR DELINQUENT TAXES
Property located at: 825 Clearcroft Avenue, Bolingbrook, Illinois
Legal Description or Property Index No.: 1202-19-401-018-0000
This notice is to advise you that the above property has been sold for delinquent taxes and that the period of redemption from the sale will expire on January 8, 2025. The amount to redeem is subject to increase at 6 month intervals from the date of sale and may be further increased if the purchaser at the tax sale or his or her assignee pays any subsequently accruing taxes or special assessments to redeem the property from subsequent forfeitures or tax sales. Check with the county clerk as to the exact amount you owe before redeeming.
This notice is also to advise you that a petition has been filed for a tax deed which will transfer title and the right to possession of this property if redemption is not made on or before January 8, 2025.
This matter is set for hearing in the Circuit Court of Will County in Joliet, Illinois (100 W. Jefferson Street) on January 16, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in Room 905. You may be present at this hearing but your right to redeem will already have expired at that time.
YOU ARE URGED TO REDEEM IMMEDIATELY TO PREVENT LOSS OF PROPERTY Redemption can be made at any time on or before January 8, 2025 by applying to the County Clerk of Will County, Illinois at the Office of the County Clerk in Will County, Illinois (302 N. Chicago Street, Joliet). For further information contact the County Clerk
ADDRESS: 302 N. Chicago Street, Joliet, Illinois 60432
TELEPHONE: (815) 724-1880
Sabrina Investments, LLC
Purchaser or Assignee
Dated: September 13, 2024
8147-946453
Published 9/19/2024, 9/26/2024, 10/3/2024
Syed Abdur Rab; Farah Abdur Rab; Martha M. Barton,
Clerk for the Village of Bolingbrook;
Becke;
