Bugle Newspapers 11-9-23

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News from Plainfield • Joliet • Shorewood • Lockport • Crest Hill • Bolingbrook • Romeoville • Downers Grove • Westmont • Woodridge • Lisle • Niles • Morton Grove • Park Ridge & more

Downers Grove North boys earn state championship

The Downers Grove North boys cross country team is the 2023 Class 3A state champion.

The Trojans were led by Philip Cupial, who placed seventh in 14 minutes, 30.56 seconds.

He was followed by Grant Schroder (10th, 14:36.05), Ryan Eddington (13th, 14:38.34), Zach Bender (26th, 14:46.83), Will Surratt (30th, 14:52.23), Caden Weber (29th, 14:59.81), Isaac Moss (43rd, 15:03.07).

The Trojans won the meet with 79 points and were followed by Plainfield North (125) and Plainfield South (134).

Plainfield North was led by Thomas Czerwinski, who was fifth overall in 14:22.40. He was followed

by Quinn Davis (22nd, 14:42.66), Owen Stahl (25th, 14:43.83), Aidan Connors (40th, 15:00.12), James Maso (62nd, 15:08.34), Easton Miller (66th, 15:09.74) and Gavin Hall (74th, 15:16.11) .

Camyn Viger placed second overall individually for Plainfield South in 14:17.93.

He was followed by Dylan Maloney (8th, 14:32.89), Joaquin DeAlba (51st, 15:05.25), Riley Fink (52nd, 15:05.65), Alex Batsala (55th, 15:06.68), Dylan Buturusis (120th, 15:33.68) andGavin Borger (215th, 16:17.00).

On the girls side, Downers North was second to York (77) with 92 points.

Lily Eddington paced the team with a 10th place finish in 17:13.37.

Sarah Paul was 12th in 17:20.84, followed by Alayna Todnem, (14th, 17:20.90), Ava Gilley (24th, 17:37.12), Sydney Hnatiuk (51st, 18:01.87), Hannah Renner (117th, 18:40.50) and Audrey Casten (204th, 19:30.14).

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Joliet District 86 students explore a sheep’s heart Fourth-grade students at several Joliet Public Schools District 86 schools witnessed their learning come alive after reading the The Circulatory Story from their Wit & Wisdom English Arts curriculum.

The book followed a fictitious red blood cell’s journey of the heart, lungs, veins, and arteries. Students then had a chance to explore an actual sheep or pig heart in person. The brave students were broken up into small groups and donned surgical gloves to identify and label the different parts of the heart. Other students in the District enjoyed a virtual learning experience of the heart in 3-D on zSpace computers.

“This was such a wonderful learning opportunity for our students,” said Joliet Public Schools District 86 Superintendent Dr. Theresa Rouse, “Teachers combined their ELA lessons with science and technology.”

“I am sure students will remember this experience for the rest of their lives,” Joliet Public Schools District 86 Assistant Superintendent Dr. Ankhe Bradley added.

submitted photos

(From left to right) Eisenhower Academy Fourth Grade Students Spencer Hoak, Ariana Almazon and Lailah Borunda examine a sheep’s heart.

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Bolingbrook man denied pre-trial release DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Downers Grove Chief of Police Michael DeVries announced Judge Joshua Dieden has granted the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release for a Bolingbrook man accused of illegally possessing a loaded rifle as well as an unloaded handgun.

Gordon Martin, 23 (d.o.b.

1/22/2000) of the 200 block of Dakota Court, appeared at First Appearance Court Nov. 2 charged with two counts of Unlawful Use or Possession of Weapons by a Felon (Class 2 Felony) and one count of Defacing Identification Marks of Firearms (Class 3 Felony).

Martin is also charged with two counts of Misdemeanor DUI. On November 1, 2023, at approximately 7:38 p.m., Downers Grove police officers responded

to a call at the Shell Gas station located at 2212 Ogden Avenue, for an individual, later identified as Martin, who was over-filling his gas tank.

Upon their arrival, officers observed both tires on the passenger side of Martin’s vehicle were completely deflated and the vehicle was missing its front bumper, which was later found at the intersection of Cross Street and Warrenville Road with a portion of the license plate still attached.

It is alleged that after Martin was placed under arrest for suspected DUI, an assisting officer searched his vehicle and located a Palmetto .223/5.56 caliber rifle behind the driver’s seat with a loaded magazine and one bullet in the chamber.

It is further alleged that the of-

ficer also found a Glock 23, .40 caliber handgun with a defaced serial number under the driver’s seat and a magazine for the gun in the center console. Martin, who has a prior conviction for Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon, has neither a FOID card nor a concealed carry license. It is further alleged that Martin’s BAC was a 0.172.

“The danger posed to the public when a convicted felon is found to be in possession of a weapon, let alone a loaded rifle as alleged in this case, is obvious and will not be tolerated in DuPage County,” Berlin said. “The law is very clear, as a convicted felon who is ineligible for both a FOID card or a CCL, Mr. Martin is prohibited from owning a firearm and there is absolutely no justification that would allow him to do so, as alleged in this case. I thank the Downers Police Department for their quick response to the initial call on this case as well as their follow-up work that resulted in removing two dangerous weapons, one of which is untraceable, from our streets. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Alyssa

Rabulinski and Anthony Raimondi for their work in preparing a strong case against Mr. Martin.”

Martin’s next court appearance is scheduled for November 16, 2023, for arraignment in front of Judge Brian Telander.

Members of the public are re-

minded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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Special Olympics of Illinois partners with Bears’ Kmet Special Olympics Illinois is pleased to announce their partnership with Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears tight end, to highlight the organization’s athletic, leadership, and volunteer programming statewide.

“Special Olympics Illinois is thrilled to welcome Cole Kmet as a new ambassador for the organization. Cole has shown strong passion and commitment to our mission and has perfectly fit into our community. Through his partnership, we will continue to celebrate the extraordinary potential within all our athletes, expand our community, and spread the message of inclusion,” said Pete Beale-DelVecchio, President & CEO, Special Olympics Illinois.

A Lake Barrington native, Kmet first connected with this community as a teen, volunteering for local nonprofits serving individuals with intellectual disabilities. “Supporting

athletes of all ages and uplifting those in our community has always been a passion of mine. Special Olympics Illinois is doing phenomenal work championing athletes with and without intellectual disabilities across the state – both on and off the field,” added Kmet. “I’ve had the privilege of meeting several athletes recently, and they are all so incredibly talented. It’s an honor to lend my support to such a worthy cause and encourage others to do the same.”

The partnership kicks off with Kmet’s participation in the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats program this season.

Kmet’s custom designed cleats will be donated to the NFL and auctioned off after Week 13, with proceeds benefitting Special Olympics Illinois.

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