Sentinel 4-24-13 by Bugle, Sentinel & Enterprise Newspapers

Sentinel The Shorewood

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Vol. 18 No. 20

Voyager Media Publications • www.shorewoodsentinel.com

THE BATTLE OF VALENCIA DRIVE Residents lose fight against rising floodwaters, but mayor says it could have been worse By Stewart Warren For the Sentinel

he battle began at noon Thursday on Valencia Drive. That’s when Mayor Rick Chapman joined a group of volunteers and neighbors who were filling sandbags after the heavy rains of Wednesday and Thursday.They were trying to keep the steadily rising DuPage River away from several homes on the street. Chapman has been the flood-prone village’s mayor for many years, so he’s sandbagged before. But this time, it was a little more personal.The river was threatening the house in the 1000 block of Valencia Drive that’s owned by his daughter and son-in-law, Jodi and Eli Limacher. “It is a beautiful street — when it is not raining and the water is not attacking you,” Chapman said Saturday afternoon. They have a view of the river from the kitchens.” The local emergency management team had dumped sand on Valencia Drive along and at several other locations around the village. So while some members of the group filled the bags, wheel barreled them to the river and stacked them, Chapman stood in 3 feet of water behind See VALENCIA, page 2

More flood photos Page 9

STEWART WARREN/SPECIAL TO THE SENTINEL

Shorewood resident Eli Limacher hoses mud from his driveway in the 1000 block of Valencia Drive Sunday afternoon.

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 24, 2013

News

Lions honor students of month Shorewood Lions Club / Troy 30C W.B. Orenic Intermediate and Troy Middle School Students of The Month for the month of February were selected on the basis of consistent effort, productive citizenship, positive attitude, participation in class and advisory team. The students were honored and received their awards during the Troy 30C School Board meeting on March 20. The following students were selected, W.B. Orenic Intermediate School sixth graders; Donald Mackowiak son of Donald and Jacqueline Mackowiak, Madilyn Warren daughter of Brad and Nicole Warren, Ambria May daughter of Eric and Christine May, Evelyn Torres daughter of Ismael and Christina Torres, sixth accelerated Tylor Anderson son of Eric and Tina Anderson, seventh graders Simon Herold son of Gary and Kimberly Herold, John Kaphusman son of John and Tracy Kaphusman, Alyssa Betiejeski daughter of Thomas and Carlotta Betlejeski,,

NICK REIHER/MANAGING EDITOR

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Shorewood Lions Club / Wm. B. Orenic Intermediate School sixth grade and Troy Middle School seventh and eighth grade Students of The Month for February include (seated from left) sixth graders Donald Mackowiak, Madilyn Warren, Ambria May, Evelyn Torres, sixth accelerated Tylor Anderson, seventh grader Simon Herold, (back row) seventh graders John Kaphusman, Alyssa Betlejeski, eighth graders Janet Esparza, Alejandra Diaz, Marcus Blackmon and seventh and eighth Accelerated John Mbi and Jonathon Yanello.

eighth graders Janet Esparza daughter of Ruperto and Marcela Espara, Alejandra Diaz son of Juan and Autumn Diaz, Marcus Blackmon son of Robert

and Catrina Blackmon, seventh and eighth accelerated John Mbi son of of Simon and Evelyn Mbi and Jonathon Yanello son of Robert and Kim Yanello. In addition to certificates from both sponsors, the students received awards from the following merchants Sony’s Delite Restaurant,Babes Hot Dogs Restaurant,McDonaldsRestaurant, Pizza for U, Chilis Restaurant, Cemeno’s Pizza Restaurant and Buffalo Wild Wings Restaurant. In addition to Student of The Month program, the Shorewood Lions Club helps any needy person in Troy Township, who has a sight or hearing problem get glasses, hearing aids and other related equipment.

Whiteford Field, south of Black Road near Interstate 55, was inundated by rising floodwaters from the DuPage River after last week’s storms.

VALENCIA Continued from page 1 the makeshift barricade. He was monitoring three different water pumps.They were trying to move the water away from the back doors. “That was my job, to keep the suction on the pumps open.They fill up with sticks and debris,” Chapman said. By 5:30 p.m. Thursday, the battle was over.The water won. The wall of sandbags collapsed. The water drifted inside several homes on Valencia, including the one owned by the Limachers. “We thought we were in good shape, but the river kept coming up. We had the current, and (the wall) caved in,” Chapman said. “I have to give a pat on the back to the neighbors down there. They were all involved. They tried to save a few houses, but they lost.” There were reasons to be thankful, he said. This flood was

nothing like the one in 1996 that practically drowned the older neighborhood once known as The Beach. More than 60 homes in the little neighborhood at Illinois 59 and 52 had to be razed the following year. Westshore Park was built in their place. But Valencia Drive wasn’t the only place in bad shape late last week. The heavy rain caused flooding and road closures throughout Joliet and Shorewood. There were at least 10 streets closed in the village, including Seil, River and Channahon roads, Chapman said. In Joliet, Caton Farm Road was closed between Bronk and Von Esch roads east of Illinois 59, City Manager Tom Thanas said. The Whiteford Baseball complex at Frontage and Black roads was practically floating. There also were some pockets of flooding on the city’s East side, he said. “There were some individual situations where people were evacuated,” Thanas said. “Generally speaking, we have avoided water in houses.” Although the situation was serious, many things have improved during the past 25 years. “There has been an investment by the city to put new storm sewers in the older parts of town. That helped us deal with the 5 to 6 inches of rain,”Thanas said. In Shorewood, the DuPage River crested at 12 feet Saturday morning. By that afternoon, it had dropped a few feet, and things were starting to look better in the village. Chapman, 67, was feeling some pain, however. “I’m still sore,” he said. But he had to look on the bright side. Things could have been much worse. Much worse. “No one was hurt,” Chapman said.“No one was killed.”

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 24, 2013

Homeowners want Saying goodbye McDonough turn lane Old Warren-Sharpe building to be razed By Stewart Warren For the Bugle

McDonough Street will be widened this summer to three lanes between Houbolt Road and Infantry Drive. When the $5.1 million project is completed, the one-mile stretch running past the Inwood Golf Course will have new street lights, curbs and gutters, storm sewers and a path on the south side of the street for walking and bicycling. AlthoughthatpartofMcDonough Street runs through the city of Joliet, that section is under the jurisdiction of Will County, said Jim Trizna, the city’s director of public works. But the county wants to turn the one-mile stretch over to the city once the road is improved. The members of the City Council voted at the April 16 meeting to approve an intergovernmental agreement to pay about $400,000 of the total cost to improve the road. But some residents of the Oakwood Estates subdivision would like a designated right-turn lane to make it easier for motorists traveling west on McDonough Street to turn

into the subdivision.That would add about $50,000 to the total cost of the project, Joliet City Manager Tom Thanas said during the April 15 precouncil meeting. The city has been unwilling to spend the money to do the improvement. In the past three years, there haven’t been any traffic accidents because there isn’t a designated right turn lane, Trizna said.And traffic counts have showed just 22 cars going in and out of the subdivision each day, he added. “We don’t perceive it to be an unsafe situation,”Thanas said. But that might change. Will County Executive Larry Walsh called Thanas this week and asked the city to reconsider. Walsh offered to have the county pay for half of the $50,000 cost if the city would pick up the remaining part of the bill, Thanas said. So the city manager proposed a compromise. “If the (homeowners in Oakwood Estates) will pick up $15,000 (of the cost) the city will pay $10,000,” Thanas said Tuesday, estimating that it might cost each subdivision resident about $300.

By Stewart Warren For the Bugle

The first home of the WarrenSharpe Community Center is coming down. Originally a YMCA, the twostory building at 472 S. Joliet St. has been in shoddy shape for some time, Joliet City Manager Tom Thanas said April 15. It’s at least 60 years old, said Kay Bolden, Warren-Sharpe’s executive director. Now the structure is in such disrepair that the façade’s aluminum panels are falling down. “The best course of action is for the structure to be demolished,” Thanas said. In the 1950s, the building was a branch of the YMCA. During the next two decades, it was run by Clarence Warren and Mary W. Sharpe as a recreational center

that was fun for kids, while also having their parents’ approval. The Y closed in the late 1980s, a difficult time for the city of Joliet because money was tight and the crime rate was high. Local activist Kathleen Bolden – Kay Bolden’s mother and the wife of former Will County Judge Raymond Bolden – decided to do something about the problems plaguing the city. She formed the Warren-Sharpe Committee, and over time, the not-for-profit group created a community center in the old Y building. These days, the Warren-Sharpe Center provides after-school programs, summer day camps, fitness classes and other familyrelated activities for residents of the city’s East Side. But the old YMCA hadn’t been used since the early 1990s when the group moved a few doors away to 454

S. Joliet St. Although their former home was in bad shape, they simply didn’t have the money to raze it. And some people really hated to see the old girl go.The building is a symbol of the past, a visible reminder of just how far they had come, an old friend. Tearing it down was a last resort. “We’ve been emotionally tied to it,” Bolden said at the pre-council meeting, standing outside the Joliet City Council’s chambers. “I had my first job there when I was 14. I was selling candy behind the candy counter.” So the members of the Joliet City Council voted unanimously during the pre-council meeting to spend $59,000 to demolish the building. The money is part of $3.5 million in Neighborhood See SHARPE, page 4

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 24, 2013

SHARPE Continued from page 3 Stabilization Program funds the city can use to buy and redevelop abandoned and foreclosed properties. Once the site is cleared, it will be incorporated into the adjacent Dreams in Action Park, Bolden said. But those plans aren’t fully formed yet. “What we would like to do is create more recreational space. We would like to put in a full basketball court. We are in conversations with the city about that, and we have to do some fundraising,” Bolden said. “It is part of an overall project to green up the neighborhood.

We want to create more of an oasis.” Now that the council members approved the resolution to demolish the building, it will come down in about 30 says, said Jim Haller, the city’s director of community and economic development. That surely will be a sad day for the neighborhood. The old red brick building has been a central figure in so many lives. But time marches along to an unrelenting beat. “It’s a part of the legacy of what we remember from our childhood,” Bolden said. “We have very emotional feelings about letting it go, but it is time. It’s sad. It’s like saying goodbye to a little piece of the past.”

Troy to pickup items damaged by flooding Troy Township Highway Commissioner Thomas R. Ward wishes to inform residents of unincorporated Troy Township who have been affected by the flood that for a limited time the Troy Township Highway Department will perform curb side pick-ups of flood damaged items including furniture, carpet, etc. Residents with questions or who need to schedule for items to be picked up should contact Ward at 815-405-3378.

Rent/mortgage assistance available Catholic Charities’ Daybreak Center currently has funds available for Rent/Mortgage Assistance. Rent/Mortgage Packets can be picked up at Daybreak Center, 611 E. Cass St., Joliet, Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. No appointment necessary to pick up a packet. Catholic Charities also provides assistance with Emergency Services, including

emergency food boxes, food vouchers, vouchers for clothing, furniture, housewares and hygiene items, prescription and identification assistance as funds are available. Call Daybreak Center at 815774-4663 for more information on how to access Emergency Services. Hours are Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed from noon to 1 p.m.

Dongre joins Edward Medical Group Dr. Vinayak Dongre, a board certified family practice physician, has joined Edward Medical Group at its office in Crest Hill, 16151 Weber Road. Dongre is accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment, call (815) 8382888. Dongre received his medical degree from the Ross University School of Medicine in North Brunswick, N.J. and completed his residency in family medicine at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. He has a special interest in preventive medicine

and weight management and believes the key to good health is being proactive and detecting potential problems before they become serious.

County health center has new hours The Will County Community Health Center, 1106 Neal Ave., Joliet, is extending its hours. Effective April 27, the Community Health Center will offer primary care services every Saturday from 7:30 a.m.to 3:30 p.m. Services will also be available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Friday hours will be 8 a.m.to 4 p.m. Dental services will be available Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday dental services will be offered from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and services will also be available from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. two Saturdays monthly. On the first Friday of every month, primary care and dental services are available only from 8 a.m. to noon. For more information, call 815-727-8670.

Calendar APRIL 25 Joliet Troop #5 Pancake Breakfast. Boy Scout Troop #5 from Joliet will sponsor a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at the Stone City VFW Post #2199, 124 Stone City Drive, Joliet (just south of Laraway Road and West of Route 53).Tickets are $6 for adults; $5 for children and seniors. Tickets will be available at the door. The menu will consist of pancakes, eggs, sausage, biscuits, orange juice, coffee and milk. Gravy is available at an extra fee. Carryouts are available. There will be a large bakery sale going on at the same time to benefit the various programs of the Boy Scout Troop #5.

APRIL 26 Friday, April 26, has been proclaimed Arbor Day in the City of Joliet with an official celebration taking place at 9 a.m. at Forest Park I.E. School, 1220 California Ave., Joliet. One hundred four thirdand fourth-grade students will participate in a tree planting ceremony. A representative from Chicagoland Speedway will be present to explain their Green Clean Air Initiative and announce the donation of 50 trees to the City of Joliet as part of this program.This will be the fifth year that Chicagoland Speedway has donated trees. The Fields is also donating trees in honor of Arbor Day, and Homer Tree Service will also participate in the celebration.

APRIL 26 Lockport Moose Spaghetti Dinner. Moose members in Lockport will host an open house and Spaghetti dinner on Friday April 26th from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Moose Lodge, 118 E. 10th St., Lockport.Tickets for the event are $5 for adults, and children eat free.The night also will feature great entertainment with Five Guys Named Moe. For more information, contact Bruce Davis at 815- 838-3944, ext. 301.

APRIL 27 Cantigny VFW Post Veteran Community Outreach Day. Cantigny VFW Post 367 presents Veteran Community Outreach Day for all veterans and their families from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at the post, 826 Horseshoe Drive, Joliet. Service Providers will be:The Vet Center Onsite PTSD, Family, Financial and

Job Counseling the VA Mobile Health Clinic Onsite Health Screenings, Immediate Claims Filing Assistance the Will County VAC Immediate and Interim Financial Aid for Basic Living Expenses.There will be a free hot dog Lunch (while supplies last), cash bar and $1 dessert table. Win two tickets to see Tim McGraw, $5 raffle tickets on sale now. Drawing at 4 p.m. at event. Winner need not be present. All are welcome to visit the Illinois Fallen Heroes Traveling Memorial Wall.

APRIL 27 Free community family health fair at Sator Sanchez. A Community Family Health Fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at Sator Sanchez Elementary School, 1101 Harrison Ave., Joliet. Activities will include interactive presentations, entertainment, student presentations, music, community displays and refreshments. Admission is free. The fair is sponsored by Joliet Partners for Healthy Families, which is a partnership between the Harvey Brooks Foundation, Joliet Park District, Joliet Public Schools District 86, Greater Joliet Area YMCA, Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center, University of Illinois Extension Office of Will County, University of Saint Francis, and the Will County Health Department. For more information, call District 86 at 815-740-3196.

APRIL 27, 28 St. Jude ‘Cash in the Attic’. St. Jude’s Church, 2212 McDonough St., Joliet, is hosting

a “Cash in the Attic” sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 27, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, April 28. Donations can be dropped off/accepted from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 26, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27. For more information, contact Melba at 815-744-9212.

MAY 3, 4, 5 Park District Spring Plant Sale. The Joliet Park District will host its Spring Plant Sale from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 3, 4, 5 at Bird Haven Greenhouse, 225 N. Gougar Road, Joliet. For information, call 815-741-7278.

MAY 4 Reiki Level 3 Master Level. The Lockport Township Park District is offering Reiki Level 3 Master Level for ages 16 years and older at Challenge Fitness Courtside Lounge, 2021 S. Lawrence Ave., Lockport on Sat., May 4 from 10am-4pm. Students will be given both the Tibetan and Usui Master Symbols and instructed in their meaning and use. Fee: $130/Resident-$135/ Non-resident. For more info. visit www.lockportpark.org or call 815-838-3621, ext. 0.

MAY 4 , MAY 13 Lockport Township Park District Summer Registration. Registration for Summer programs for the Lockport Township Park District begins Saturday, May 4, for residents and Monday, May 13, for non-residents. Programs are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors open at 7 a.m. and registration begins at 8 a.m. Register at Challenge Fitness, 2021 S. Lawrence Ave., in

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 24, 2013 Lockport. Registrations will also be taken at Challenge Fitness during regular hours: Mon-Fri 5am-10pm; and Sat/Sun from 7am-8pm. Registrations can also be mailed. On-line registrations also begin May 6th for residents and May 13 for non-residents. For more info., call 815-8383621, ext. 0. MAY 7 Elks Sponsor Free Clinic. The Joliet Elks 296 in

cooperation with the Illinois Elks Children s Care Corporation will sponsor a free children s orthopedic assessment clinic from 4 to 5:30 p.m.Tuesday, May 7, at Hinsdale Orthopedic, 951 Essington Road, Joliet.The clinic is by appointment only.To make an appointment, call the Illinois Elks Children s Care office at 1-800-272-0074 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays.There are no charges for any services at this clinic.

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 24, 2013

The following items were compiled from the official reports of the Joliet Police Department. Appearing in the police blotter does not constitute a finding of guilt, only a court of law can make that determination. Ledontia R. Lockhart, 25, 258 Western Ave., was arrested at 9:25 a.m. April 12 at Collins and Jackson for Possession of Cannabis. Katrina Y. Bailey, 41, 1417 E. Washington, was arrested at 3:56 p.m.April 12 at that address for Disorderly Conduct. Ronald D. Varner, 39, 611 E. Cass,was arrested at 4:35 a.m. April 12 at 120 Scott for Criminal Trespass to Real Property. Velma L. Mabry, 32, 2339 Carnation Drive, Crest Hill, was arrested at 7:42 p.m.April 12 at 1948 Essington for Domestic Battery. Joshua D. Vasquez, 18, 2114 Lawrence Ave., Lockport, was arrested at 4:16 p.m.April 12 at 829 Cora for OBSTRUCTING A P.O. Ray M. Hernandez, 28, 506 Henderson, was arrested at 7:32 p.m. April 12 at 905 Royce for Possession of Cannabis. Charles L. Holmes, 32, 611 E. Cass, was arrested at 5:22 p.m. April 12 at 73 W. Jefferson for Criminal Trespass to Real Property. Carlos N. Johnson, 36, was arrested at 3:17 p.m. April 12 at that address for Domestic Battery. Antwon Anderson, 35, 1415 E.Washington, was arrested at 12:45 a.m. April 12 at 1601 W. Jefferson for an Out Of Town Warrant and Domestic Battery. A. Borland, 24, 503 10 Heber E Jackson, was arrested at 12:13 a.m. April 12 at Creed and Elwood for Obstructing Justice and on a Will County Warrant. Soto, 30, 1023 11 Heladio N. Hickory, was arrested at 4:37 a.m. April 13 at 1415 Plainfield for DUI – Alcohol and Resisting/Obstructing a P.O. Mrozek Sr., 54, 12 Andrzej 1266 Arbor Drive, Lemont, was arrested at 1:32 p.m. April 13 at 151 N. Joliet for Criminal Trespass to Real Property. D.Hendrix,57,1112 13 Rodney Mueller, Decatur, Briana Esquivel, 40, 652 Columbia and Armando Baroja, 55, 603 Gardner, were arrested at 10:37 p.m. April 13 at 603 Gardner for Possession of Cannabis. A.Hernandez,35,5503 14 Edgar Meadowbrook, Plainfield, was arrested at 5:05 p.m.April 13 at 509 Plainfield for DUI – Alcohol and DUI- B.A.C. Over .08.

Police Blotter

4 5

2 3

42 35 29

16 30 40

8 9

Michael D.L. Johnson, 1516 Cambria Court, was arrested at 8:12 p.m.April 13 at that address for Domestic Battery. A. Sobodnik, 53, 507 16 Mark Irene, was arrested at 8:25 a.m. April 13 at that address for Domestic Battery. A. Sanders, 30, 324 17 Jolene S. Joliet, was arrested at 1:30 p.m.April 13 at that address for Aggravated Unlawful Use of Weapon. H. Rouser, 46, 504 18 Donald 2nd Ave., 46, was arrested at 9:39 p.m.April 13 at Robin and Englewood for Criminal Trespass To State-Supported Land. A. Wright Jr., 25, 427 19 Billy Ohio, was arrested at 8:42 P.M. April 14 at that address for Disorderly Conduct. Darnell L. Parrish, 20, 515 E. Fourth Ave., New Lenox, was arrested for Obstructing a P.O. B. Wietting, 25, 300 20 Thad Caton Farm Road, Lockport, was arrested at 9:05 a.m.April 14 at 777 Draper for Unlawful Use of Weapon by Felon, Possession OF a Controlled Substance and Defacing I.D. Marks of Firearm. E. Jarnigin, 50, 3520 21 S.John State, Lockport, was arrested at 2:52 p.m. April 14 at 652 N. Collins for Criminal Trespass to Land. Melchor-Claustro, 22 Antionio 28, 115 Miller Ave., was arrested at 1:07 p.m. April 14 at Cass and Ottawa for Driving While License Revoked – (FELONY).

John B. Lamanna, 75, 909 Magnolia Drive, was arrested at 12:03 p.m. April 14 at 3340 Mall Loop Drive for Theft. Gray, 32, 1550 24 Chadra Plainfield Road, was arrested at 12:06 a.m. April 14 at McDonough and Ottawa for Criminal Trespass to Property. T. Peten, 26, 215 Oak 25 Xavier Ave.,Lockport,was arrested at 11:28 p.m.April 14 at 710 Cass for Disorderly Conduct. E. Hatten, 29, 601 26 James Grant Ave., was arrested at 2:39 a.m. April 14 at Grant and Miller for two counts of Domestic Battery. R. Batozech, 27 Stephanie 46, 810 Western Ave., was arrested at 9:24 p.m. April 14 at 710 N. Raynor for DUI – Alcohol and DUI: B.A.C. over .08. T. Schelke, 18, and 28 Kevin Jonathan J. Medina, 23, 1213 Quail Drive, and Ryan A. Plant, 19, 4701 Mallard Lane, Plainfield, were arrested at 2:40 a.m. April 15 at 1625 Peridot for Burglary from M.V. J. Williamson, 21, 29 Ayviah 2109 Summerset, Ottawa, and Shanora M. McClendon, 22, 2428 Burbank, were arrested at 4:02 p.m. April 15 at 2424 W. Jefferson St. for Retail Theft. Snapp, 34, 102 30 Kenya. Mississippi, was arrested at 11:46 a.m. April 15 at 259 S. Center for Trespassing. Calderon, 39, 608 31 Alberto E. Jackson, was arrested at 3:55 p.m.April 15 at that address

20 19

10 21

11 45 39

38 12 7 22 32 17 24

25 46

43 34

26 13

for Aggravated Domestic Battery. Lakesha N. Johnson, 32, 104 E. 148th St., Harvey, was arrested at 11:20 p.m. April 15 at 777 Hollywood for Trespassing. Winfrey, 45, 7415 32 Dewayne S. Langley, Chicago, was arrested at 11:58 p.m. April 15 at 100 N. Joliet for Disorderly Conduct after police said he made a false 9-1-1 call. M. Pemble, 25, 138 33 Ashley E. Jefferson, was arrested at 1:21 a.m. April 15 at 1642 Sandy for two counts of Domestic Battery. R. Donley, 60, 3101 34 Brad Haven Lane, was arrested at 2:17 p.m. April 16 at 921 E. Washington St. for Theft. D. Stanton, 26, 2961 35 Javid S. Dearborn, Chicago, was arrested at 7:43 a.m. April 16 at 358 N. Broadway for two counts of Aggravated Assault, Resisting a P.O., Criminal Damage to Property, Unlawful Use of a Weapon and on a Will County Warrant. R. Brown, 40, 615 36 Alma E. Benton, was arrested at 11:04 a.m. April 16 at 110 E. Jackson for Criminal Trespass to Real Property. N. Duff, 22, 1208 37 Tawny Partridge Drive, Plainfield, was arrested at 5:10 p.m.April 16 at 1401 Route 59 for Retail Theft. Orsborne, 46, 38 Beatrice 416 Bridge, was arrested at 12:16 a.m. April 16 at 311 N. Ottawa for Criminal Trespass to Real Property.

Jeffrey R. Givens, 28, 759 N. Hickory, was arrested at 12:51 a.m. April 16 at Ross and Elizabeth for Aggravated Domestic Battery and Unlawful Restraint. A. Frowner, 25, 413 40 Kristina Bellarmine, was arrested at 12:06 a.m.April 17 at that address for Aggravated Identity Theft. E. Azar, 51, 1691 41 David Wortman Road, Wentzville, Mo., was arrested at 10:59 p.m. April 17 at 777 Hollywood for Trespassing. D. Bernal, 69, 42 Alphonse 1305 Douglas, was arrested at 12:19 a.m. April 17 at 333 Madison for DUI – Alcohol. S. Long, 21, 808 E. 43 Brian Washington, was arrested at 11:53 p.m.April 17 at 105 Arizona on an Out of Town Warrant and Possession of Cannabis. M. Broadway, 20, 44 Jasmin 4452 Churchill, Richton Park, was arrested at 12:04 a.m. April 17 at 414 Strong for Aggravated Assault. A. Chavez, 22, 45 Nathan 1104 Parkwood Drive, and Edward D. Peterson Jr., 32, 261 Ross, were arrested at 8:20 a.m. April 18 at 261 Ross for two counts of Possession Of Controlled Substance W/ Intent To Deliver, Manufacture/Delivery Of Cannabis and Possession Of Drug Equipment. was arrested 46 Aat 15-year-old 12:43 p.m. April 18 at 201 E. Jefferson for Aggravated Battery to a P.O., Obstructing a P.O. and Assault.

ForuM Guest Columnist

Our Illinois seniors deserve better By Rep. Tom Cross Guest columnist

t should come as no surprise to anyone that our weakened economy over the past several years has led to difficult financial times for the vast majority of Americans. Between the increases we’ve experienced in cost of living, a decline in 401(k) and stock returns and a lack of affordable housing, many have struggled just to make ends meet month after month. Nowhere has this been more felt, however, than with our senior citizen population. As our elderly residents continue to grow in Illinois, it is now more important than ever that we take necessary steps to ensure that our state does what it can to help close the gap between income and expenses and make it easier for our senior Illinoisans. That is why I am advocating for several pieces of legislation this spring that will help ease some of the burdens that seniors are currently facing that make it difficult to make ends meet.

General Manager V.P. Advertising and Marketing Michael James mjames@voyagermediaonline.com Managing Editor Nick Reiher nreiher@buglenewspapers.com Reporters Jonathan Samples Alex Hernandez Laura Katauskas Sue Baker Sports Editor Scott Taylor staylor@buglenewspapers.com Sports Reporter Mark Gregory mgregory@buglenewspapers.com Advertising Manager Pat Ryan pryan@enterprisepublications.com

www.facebook.com/thebuglenewspapers www.twitter.com/buglenewspapers

Increasing the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption from $4,000 to $7,000 (HB 1501) and tying it to inflation would help provide substantial property tax help to senior citizen households. A homestead exemption reduces the assessed value of a home, which subsequently reduces the property tax bill of a homeowner. This legislation would provide beleaguered senior homeowners with approximately $300 in additional property tax relief to senior homeowners struggling on fixed incomes. Another avenue for assisting seniors in Illinois is through the assessment freeze. Expanding eligibility for the Senior Assessment Freeze by raising the income threshold from $55,000 to $75,000 (HB 150) per household for those seniors living in their homes for five years or more, while indexing this program for inflation, would increase the quality of life for seniors on fixed incomes by providing them with more disposable income. See SENIORS, page 8

Production Director Andrew Samaan andrew@buglenewspapers.com Enterprise Newspapers, Inc. 23856 Andrew Road #104 Plainfield, IL 60585 (815) 436-2431 • Fax (815) 436-2592 Mon. - Fri. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m Editorial Deadlines Calendar & News: 3 p.m. Monday, three weeks before date of publication sweditor@buglenewspapers.com www.buglenewspapers.com Ad Deadlines Space and Copy deadlines for Display and Classified Ads is 12 p.m. Friday before date of insertion. classifieds@buglenewspapers.com Legals, Obituaries and Happy Ads are due at 12 p.m. Friday. announcements@buglenewspapers.com

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 24, 2013

Thoughts of ﬂooding past run deep C

an it really be almost 17 years ago? That means my daughter Jillian was 7, and my son Andy was 5. What they were that day in 1996 was scared. And so was I. It had been raining steadily for almost 24 hours as the kids and I piled into the ’95 Escort and headed to their summer program at the Galowich YMCA on Houbolt. Driving west on Jefferson, we saw a lot of water running into the sewers. I think it was Springfield Avenue that looked like the entrance to a zero- entry pool. We plodded west, finally getting to Houbolt. As we turned south, I could see the water starting to overflow from Rock Run Creek onto the road. Still, it was only a trickle, and I was only a few blocks away. By the time I reached the trickle, it was more like 6 inches deep. Still, I thought I had enough clearance to make it across and start heading toward higher points in the road. Before I knew it, the car’s engine had stalled. Even worse, the car felt as though it was starting to move sideways along with the flow of the

Rock Run water. As I thought about getting out and making a run for it, a pickup truck pulled up.The driver offered us a ride to higher ground, which I greatly appreciated. And so did the kids. For years, every time it rained, they would ask if it was going to flood. And if we happened to be in the car while it was storming … hoo boy. Like many, we had water in our basement as well. Tammy and the kids, along with our late, great neighbor Sam, vacuumed the water out of there. We lost some stuff, but nothing like I and other reporters saw in nearby Shorewood where the DuPage was raging. We saw residents trapped in their homes by the swollen river waters, some clinging to trees and whatever they could, hoping and praying the emergency responders’ jet skis could reach them in time. But the current swept away those jet skis like ants, and responders themselves became victims, clinging to trees as well. Helicopters finally were able to get close enough to lift the victims to safety.

Illustrated Opinions

The damage and danger in Plainfield, western Bolingbrook, and all up and down the DuPage River was horrific. Oddly, a dozen or so miles farther east, things weren’t as bad.The storm that ultimately dumped around 10 inches of rain trained over the DuPage watershed. What fell over the DesPlaines watershed was a little lighter, and that river has the luxury of locks that allow a greater flow of water at times like these. Several days later, I talked to the resident who was clinging to the tree. In fact, we talked right next to the tree.The rain had stopped, and the earth was able to take a big gulp. It was just eerie. Sure, I was thinking about all this as area waterways throughout the Six County area and beyond swelled to record levels, consuming all in their way. I hear many areas made up the groundwater losses of the past few years in just those two days last week. Somehow, I don’t feel better about that. Nick Reiher is managing editor for Bugle Newspapers.

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 24, 2013

First Graders Help Minister School Mass Mary Barneys firstgrade class at St. Mary Nativity in Joliet recently planned and ministered the allschool Mass, with the Rev. Ron Neitzke presiding. They also acted out the reading from the Acts of the Apostles. SUBMITTED PHOTO

SENIORS Continued from page 7 I also believe Illinois should move to exempt Social Security income from the definition of income used to determine eligibility for all property tax benefits, including the Senior Freeze (HB 2467). Currently, in order to qualify for a property tax exemption, a taxpayer must have annual household income that does not exceed a statutory ceiling, such as $55,000 for the

Senior Freeze. Finally, we need to remove the mandatory reapplication process for seniors who receive Senior Homestead Exemptions (HB 175).We should provide relief from the onerous re-application process for the Senior Homestead Exemption after the first year of filing for these benefits (the eligibility process is different in Cook County). This can be done by making re-eligibility automatic, which means that senior households will no longer have to fill out a confusing and time-consuming application every year. Protecting our seniors must continue to be one our most important responsibilities in Illinois. Choosing between basic expenses like food, housing, health care and transportation should not be something we force upon them. By enacting these key pieces of legislation, we can enact change that will go a long way to ensuring our seniors make ends meet. House Minority Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego, represents the 97th House District, which includes parts of Plainfield and Shorewood.

storM aFterMatH

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 24, 2013

STORMS CREATE FLOODING PROBLEMS ACROSS AREA

KRIS STADALSKY/SPECIAL TO THE BUGLE

Tabler Road in Minooka was flooded and closed from the north side off Shady Oaks Road.

LAUREEN CROTTEAU/BUGLE STAFF KRIS STADALSKY/SPECIAL TO THE BUGLE

Flood-damaged carpet is removed from one of the homes in Shady Oaks in Minooka.

Water from the Dupage River sweeps in front of the Dupage River Trail foot bridge in Shorewood.

NICK REIHER/MANAGING EDITOR LAUREEN CROTTEAU/BUGLE STAFF

Water from the Dupage River rose nearly to the roadway of the Seil Road bridge.

Floodwaters flow across part of the Interstate 55 frontage road south of Black Road.

taKe 5

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 24, 2013

C ro s s w o rd P u z z l e

Across

Down

1 *Rock conqueror? 6 Ilk 10 *Soy milk brand 14 Diminish, as trust 15 Court target 16 Singer with the platinum 1992 album “The Celts”17 *Dental checkup freebie 19 Hungarian spa city 20 “30 Rock” is loosely based on it, briefly 21 Georgia campus 22 Transparent personality? 23 Webber’s partner 24 Stink ending 25 Are proper for 28 *Wile E. Coyote buy 32 Napoleon, before seeing Elba? 33 Its symbol is “$” 34 West Bank initials 35 *Gets creative 39 *Extent 41 “Alice” spinoff

42 Gives goose bumps, maybe 44 Pennsylvania port 45 *Flashy display 48 Umbrella brand 49 Idiot 50 Finalize, as a comic strip 52 Pub drinks 54 Sudden outpouring 55 Sch. with a Phoenix campus 58 Comic book buyer of old? 59 *Beginner’s piano piece 61 Analogous 62 Forceful takeover 63 John who played Gomez Addams 64 *Forged check 65 Maker of Kate Moss fragrances 66 It celebrates National Day on October 1 (and it’s where the answers to starred clues were invented)

1 Bo and Barney, e.g. 2 Mountain climber Ralston, subject of “127 Hours” 3 Hustler’s game 4 Atlanta summer hrs. 5 Warm up 6 Crowd 7 Words to one on deck 8 Nosegay 9 Bk. before Philippians 10 Envision a way 11 To a great extent 12 Caustic fluids 13 Go-__ 18 ASCAP rival 22 Union member? 23 Like pintos 24 Lhasa __ 25 Alberta national park 26 “Christ Stopped at __” 27 Amount requiring a credit card authorization 29 Japanese chip maker 30 Borden mascot

31 Derby prize 36 Some green acres 37 “Star Wars” treedweller 38 Sun. talk 40 Drudge 43 Abandon, with “on” 46 Oregon Ducks’ home 47 Irritable 48 Pin in a shirt 51 Gold units: Abbr. 52 Mt. Rushmore’s state 53 Joint Web project 54 “Buzz off!” 55 When Emile sings “Some Enchanted Evening” 56 Word with care or cream 57 Oliver North’s alma mater: Abbr. 59 V x LX 60 -like relative

H o ro s c o p e s It isn’t necessary to strive to fit in when you are given a chance to stand out. You can just be yourself without artifice or restraint. Welcome praise and appreciation in the upcoming week without guilt.

No one else can decide what is right or wrong for you. Listen to the little voice inside that cheers you on in the week ahead. This will counterbalance any doubts and negativity that others voice.

Meditate on the wisdom of your actions. Sometimes in the week ahead, you may be so consumed by making progress that you forget to enjoy whatever you progressed to. Enjoy the fruits of your labors.

Make a list of your own personal greatest hits. Play them over and over again in your mind. Improve your confidence and bolster spirits in the week ahead by reminding yourself of all your triumphs.

Both pleasure and pain serve a purpose. You can’t appreciate one without the other. It is possible to form a lasting connection early this week. This might take the form of a new friendship or group association.

Think outside the box unless you can figure out a way to make a new, improved box. Use originality and creativity to your advantage in the upcoming week. Understanding brightens your love life.

Cheer them on. An honest compliment can turn someone’s life around. In the week ahead, be straightforward. Remember that everyone needs encouragement - and that most people can detect insincerity.

It would be wise to get your most important tasks completed in the early part of the week. You might be burdened by extra duties late in the week and not have as much time to meet a deadline on time.

No harm, no foul. You may have been rebuffed in the past or felt excluded from a group, but in the week to come you may be given an opportunity to try again. Expect a warm welcome.

Put a halt to hesitation. You will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did. Grab every chance to embrace new experiences in the first half of the week.

Turnabout is fair play. You might be called upon to pinch hit or take over for someone else. An ability to get along with people from diverse backgrounds is a decided asset during the week ahead.

Open the floodgates. Once you put your heart on the line with a romantic partner or commit to a creative project, the feelings come rushing though. Let your heart be your guide in the week ahead.

Sudoku

J umble

Tribune Media Services 2013

Previous puzzle ’s answers

Previous puzzle ’s answers Jumbles: • LARVA • AUGUR • TALLOW • FLABBY

Answer:

How the poker player ended up when he went all in -- ALL “OUT”

INSIDE: Joliet native ends career as one of winningest ever at Notre Dame, page 12; JCA doubles ready for state, page 13

www.buglenewspapers.com

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 24, 2013

Slammers making final push toward opener By Mark Gregory Sports Reporter

With less than a month to go before the season begins, new Slammers General Manager Chris Franklin and the entire front office staff are working to finalize all the game-day promotions and food deals while field manager Mike Breyman and his staff continue to round out the roster of players on the field. All-in-all, despite the race to opening day, Franklin says the team is in good shape. “We are ready,” Franklin said. “We know we can’t be everything to everybody, but we are going to try. We are all about our relationship to the community. This is truly the city’s venue and we are trying to bring out things that everyone can enjoy.” The Slammers recently unveiled their newest food special for the upcoming season, the ‘J.L. Early Bird Menu’ features five menu items for $2.25 or less, available every game for 30 minutes beginning when the gates open. For a 7:05 p.m. game, fans can arrive at 6:05 p.m. and enjoy the values. The special items include a hamburger for $2.25, soft pretzel

for $1.50, a 16-ounce fountain Pepsi product for $1.25 and a hot dog or small popcorn for only $1 each. The early bird menu joins promotions already in place, which includes the ‘Blue Collar Buffet’, an all-you-can-eat and drink meal available every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday game. The menu includes one entrée, three sides, a dessert and Pepsi products and is served for 90 minutes. The cost for the buffet and a reserved seat ticket for the game is only $20. The Slammers have also included their ‘Thirsty Thursday’ promotion to be available at every window, not only in one location. “We are not reinventing the wheel here, everyone does a thirsty Thursday,” Franklin said. “But this year, instead of having it available at one window, it is available everywhere. That was an easy one to me, there was no reason we couldn’t.We have also increased the size as well.” Franklin said all the changes in food and drink promotions come from listening to the fans. “We try to listen to what our fans are telling us and now you can see that we’ve listened

Mark Gregory/Bugle Staff

New Slammers GM Chris Franklin is tying up all the loose ends before opening day May 17.

and responded,” he said. “In an industry where product costs continue to rise, we’ve held our ground on all menu items in an effort not to pass the buck to our fans. Our restaurant partner, Levy Restaurants, has been fantastic to work with as we balance value with variety and welcome fans with a truly exceptional

experience.” Also new for 2013 is an all-youcan-eat and drink menu made available in the Luxury Suites for the first time. Companies and organizations looking to entertain this summer can purchase a climate controlled, indoor / outdoor Luxury Suite loaded with hamburgers, hot

dogs, pasta salad, potato salad, baked beans, cookies and Pepsi products for only $40 per ticket. The food and beverage won’t stop for 90 minutes, and the price includes your ticket to the game. “We are very group sales See PUSH, page 15

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 24, 2013

Sports

Turner among winnest ND players in history Joliet native Kaila Turner finished her basketball career at the University of Notre Dame. Since her freshman year in 2009, the Irish have lost a total of 20 games.Turner joined Notre Dame All-American Skylar Diggins as the only players on the Notre Dame roster to know the feeling of losing before reaching the Final Four. Turner and Diggins ended their career Notre Dame as the winningest class in the history of Notre Dame women’s basketball with an overall record of 130-20. They won two regular season Big East conference championships, three straight final fours, two championship games, and the first Big East Tournament Championship in Notre Dame history. •Lockport grad Brad Johnson finished third as a freshman for Oklahoma at the Big 12 Championship after he topped West Virginia’s A.J. Vizcarrando with a 6-2 decision in the thirdplace bout. During the season, Johnson faced back-to-back top25 ranked opponents in a matter of three days when OU faced No. 20 Wyoming and No. 2 Oklahoma State. He lost to both, falling to No. 4 Alphonso Hernandez (196) and No. 14 Blake Rosholt (11-9). Johnson went 2-1 at the 2012 Journeymen/Northeast Duals with wins over Hofstra’s Tim Murphy (8-3 decision) and Central Michigan’s Jackson Lewis (6-5 decision). •Lockport grad Richaun Holmes is at Bowling Green University where he played in all 32 games for the Falcons,

Courtesy of University of Notre Dame Sports Information

Joliet native Kaila Turner went 130-20 in her career at Notre Dame.

starting two. On the season, Holmes averaged 6.5 points and five rebounds per game for Bowling Green. •Shaun’qae McMurtry from Lockport is a freshman 165-pound wrestler at Nebraska. He posted a record of 22-5, including six pins. He was not pinned at all this year. •Minooka graduate Jake Residori, a Shorewood resident, is a freshman wrestler at Southern Illinois-Edwardsville. He split time between 165 and 174 pounds. At 165, he posted a 9-4 overall and a 4-4 record in dual meets. At 174, Residori was 15-10 overall and 9-5 in duals. •Former JolietWest guard Remy Roberts-Burnett is a sophomore on the Western Illinois University

men’s basketball team. He played in 23 of the Leathernecks’ 31 games, starting 19 after an injury at the beginning of the year. He averaged 6.5 points and 2.0 rebounds per game, with 47 assists, 12 steals and five blocked shots. •Former Lockport basketball standout Karrington Ward has signed a letter of intent to play for Eastern Michigan University next season. A sophomore at Moraine Valley Community College, Ward played last year at Kankakee Community College and was named to the National Junior College Athletic Association All-American First Team after averaging 19.6 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.5 steals per game.

Sports

JCA doubles team ready for run at state By Scott Taylor Sports Editor

In their last year together, Joliet Catholic’s doubles team of senior Zach Siegried and junior Nate Nall hopes to improve on state performances. Two years ago the duo went 0-2 at the state meet, while last year they went 1-2. “As a team, our two times at state we didn’t do so well together,” Siegried said. “We plan on having a better run at state if we do make it there again.” They both have spent some time in the offseason getting their games in tune for this year and are off to solid starts. “Personally, I’ve been working on my forehand and my overall consistency,” Barr said. “Overall I think we are in midseason form.” “Over the summer we play a little bit together,” Siegried said. “We don’t play matches, but we do hit together. I think we picked up where we left off.” Playing together for their third year has helped them know each of their strengths and weaknesses and they have gotten along well with each other during their time. “Our team chemistry is pretty good,” Barr said. “This is our third year playing together, so I think we are learning what our strengths are. We never really fight with each other, so that is a good thing, obviously.” “We know where our weaknesses are,” Siegried said. “As partners we try to cover up those weaknesses with what our strengths are. We know where each other is and I think that helps out a lot. It is good to know where our partner is on the court.” As they gear up for state, it will help to be playing against several strong doubles teams throughout the season. “We play in a strong conference, in doubles especially,” Siegried said. “Hopefully we can do well in it and make us stronger for sectionals.” If they make it back to state this year, they hope to be luckier in their draw and play up to See JCA, page 14

Mark Gregory/Bugle staff

Zach Siegried (pictured) and doubles partner Nate Nall hope to advance to and have success at the state meet.

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 24, 2013

Sports JCA Continued from page 13 their potential. “Our first two years we got stuck playing a top seed early,” Barr said. “I think this year we are just hoping we get a better draw.” “I think we lost some matches we probably shouldn’t have,” Siegried added. “I know our last match we should have won. I think if we play better together, we will do better.” To get to that next level at state, they will have to do better in tiebreakers. They lost both sets in tiebreakers last year to Downers North which eliminated them from the tournament. “We have to be stronger in tiebreakers,” Barr stated. “We kind of fall apart sometimes in them. But I think this year we are going to do a lot better in them.”

BASEBALL • Lockport fell to LincolnWay East 4-1. Austin Kolmodin posted a run-scoring single for Lockport (9-5, 1-2). • Joliet West defeated Lockport 5-2. Zack Thomas went 3-for4 with three RBI and a run for the Tigers. Quinn Ahern tossed a complete game allowing only four hits. Ron Sessler had an RBI

for Lockport. West then defeated Oswego 6-3. Zack Thomas hit a a two-run single and Cody Grosse scored twice for the Tigers (10-3). • Joliet Catholic Academy dropped a double header to Carmel, falling 4-2 and 6-3. In game one, Aaron Markley tallied an RBI single, while in game two, Ryan Peter and Chris Tschida tallied RBI singles for the Hillmen (9-7, 2-2 ESCC). • Joliet Central dropped a pair of games to Valley View schools, falling 8-6 to Romeoville and 13-3 to Bolingbrook. Troy Carlson went 2-for-3 with a run and a pair of RBI against the Spartans, while he tallied two RBI and scored a run for Joliet Central (1-11-1) against Bolingbrook. • Minooka (9-6, 5-2 SPC) fell to Plainfield South 4-2. Tyler Desmairais went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run. Josh Mitchell pitched six innings allowing one earned run on seven hits while striking out five.

GIRLS SOCCER • Lockport fell to LincolnWay East 1-0. The Porters also defeated Joliet West 2-0. Ally Brehm scored a goal and posted an assist.

BOYS TENNIS • Lockport fell 5-2 to LincolnWay East in SouthWest Suburban Blue action.

• Joliet Catholic beat St. Viator 4-2. Ryan Hippman and Seth Stockl won at No. 2 doubles in the East Suburban Catholic dual. • Mike Hasler and Jake Polke teamed up to place third in Flight A doubles as Lockport finished second with 30 points at the Lockport Invitational. Marmion won with 45 points. •Minooka defeated Plainfield North 5-2. Alec Shannon, Ryan Bozue and Andrew Juhnke swept the singles spots, while Dane Christensen and David Kohler teamed up for a win at No. 2 doubles, while Nick Miller and Josh Sutton won at No. 3.

SOFTBALL • Lockport 9 defeated LincolnWay East 9-3. The Porters (11-4, 4-0 SWSC) were paced by Sarah DeMasi’s two-run home run and a two-run double. The Porters also beat Sandburg 8-7. Gabby Voulgaris’ tied the game with a two-run triple in the top of the ninth inning and then scored the winning run. • Joliet West defeated Metea Valley 14-1 in a five-inning game. Jennifer Ames and Alysia Rodriguez each hit two-run home runs for West (10-5). West also defeated Homewood-Flossmoor 5-1 behind a complete game from Katie McKay. Lorelei Tokarczyk hit a solo home run. • Minooka beat Plainfield South 4-2, as Sara Novak hit a solo home run and scored the go-ahead run (6-3, 3-2). Jackie Lilek tossed a complete game and gave up four hits and struck out seven. • Joliet Catholic lost to Nazareth 10-3 and 6-1. Kayla Bennett has two RBI in game one and Josie Henderson had an RBI double in game two for the Angels (1-10, 0-3).

BOYS WATER POLO Dan Oldendorf scored seven goals to lead Lockport (20-4) to an 8-7 win over Hinsdale Central in the championship of the Brother Rice Invitational. The Porters also beat Latin (166) and St. Rita (12-1). In regular season play, Lockport beat Andrew 16-13. Oldendorf had goals in the win.

BOYS VOLLEYBALL Joliet Central fell to LincolnWay North 25-20, 25-18. Mark Gregory contributed

Sports PUSH Continued from page 11 driven,” Franklin said. “So far this year, we sold more suites than we did last year and I think it is because of that food option. We have also exceeded our season ticket revenue from last year and are close to exceeding our season ticket numbers from last year.” The Slammers’ promotional schedule is also released, which includes fireworks every Friday again this season. The full schedule can be found at w w w. j o l i e t s l a m m e r s . c o m / gameday/promo-days. Franklin also said the new owners, Joliet Community Baseball & Entertainment, LLC, also plan to keep their plan to bring other entertainment to

Silver Cross Field. “We are looking to bring other things that might reach a different demographic,” Franklin said. “We want to serve the community.” Franklin said serving the community means not only bringing entertainment to the community that everyone can afford. “Times are a little bit different, people don’t have the disposable income and if we aren’t flexible, we won’t be around,” he said. “We have to look at all walks of our business, not only food and beverage, but all of it. How can we serve the most people? That is what we want to do. “I think people will want to be here opening weekend, it will be a big social gathering place. It will be a good time.” Follow Mark @2Mark_My_Words mark@buglenewspapers.com

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 24, 2013

buglenewspapers.com

THE BUGLE APRIL 24, 2013

No place like Kansas for Kenseth Matt Kenseth apparently has the “new” Kansas Speedway figured out. Kenseth made it two-in-a-row at Kansas Speedway, winning the STP 400 on Sunday. Kenseth said his car was fast all weekend, and it showed on track, with Kenseth qualifying on the pole and becoming the first driver since Jimmie Johnson in 2008 to win at Kansas Speedway from the first

starting position. “We had a good car,” said Kenseth. “Everything worked out at the end. We were in the front for that last pit stop and able to hold station there and get out in clean air, so that was the key.” Kenseth has finished in the top 10 in nine of the 15 races he has run at Kansas Speedway. He led four times during Sunday’s race for a total of 163

laps—the most of any driver today. Kenseth’s win marks the first time since 1985 that, for three consecutive races, the pole winner has also won the race. “The fastest car’s supposed to win, right?” Kenseth asked. “That’s what racing’s all about.” Kenseth said that his car was fast out front, but Kasey Kahne seemed to have something for him at the end. Kahne whittled

away at Kenseth’s lead as the laps wound down but couldn’t quite catch him. Kahne finished second on the day for his sixth top-10 finish in 12 races at Kansas Speedway. “Felt really good,” Kahne said of his car and race effort. “I thought we were pretty decent yesterday in practice, and so today we started 28th and just had to really take our time.” Kahne said he moved forward

thanks to “small adjustments” made to the car during the race and the track being “rubbered” in. He said he could catch Kenseth but was unable to make a move when he got close to the #20 at the end. Jimmie Johnson finished third, giving him his 12th top-10 finish in 14 races at Kansas Speedway. Johnson said he lacked speed in qualifying and practice but had what he needed for the race.

WEEKLY RACING UPDATE PENSKE PENALIZED

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

Matt Kenseth, driver of the No. 20 The Home Depot/Husky Toyota, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series STP 400 at Kansas Speedway on April 21, 2013 in Kansas City, Kansas.

The No. 2 and No. 22 cars have were penalized after the race at Texas Motor Speedway. Both cars were found to be in violation of Sections 121; 12-4J and 20-12 (all suspension systems and components must be approved by NASCAR.) • Crew chief Paul Wolfe (No. 2 car) and crew chief Todd Gordon (No. 22) have been fined $100,000 and suspended from NASCAR until the completion of the next six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship points events (including the non-points Sprint All-Star Race) and placed on probation until Dec. 31. • No. 2 car chief Jerry Kelley, team engineer Brian Wilson and No. 22 car chief Raymond Fox and team engineer Samuel Stanley as well as Travis Geisler, team manager for both cars have been suspended from NASCAR until the completion of the next six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship points events (including the non-points Sprint All-Star Race) and placed on probation until Dec. 31. • Drivers Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano lose 25 championship points and owners Roger Penske and Walt Czarnecki lose 25 championship owner (points. The violations involving the No. 2 and No. 22 cars occurred during pre-race inspection at Texas Motor Speedway.

STANDINGS 2012 Sprint Cup Series 1) Jimmie Johnson 311 2) Kasey Kahne -37 3) Brad Keselowski -38 4) Greg Biffle -47 5) Dale Earnhardt, Jr. -48 6) Carl Edwards -49 7) Kyle Busch -54 8) Matt Kenseth -59 9) Clint Bowyer -64 10) Paul Menard -71 11) Jamie McMurray -84 12) Kevin Harvick -87

2013 Nationwide Series 1) Sam Hornish, Jr. . 2) Regan Smith 3) Austin Dillon 4) Justin Allgaier 3) Brian Scott

221 -2 -8 -9 -9

2013 STP 400 finishers 1) Matt Kenseth 2) Kasey Kahne 3) Jimmie Johnson 4) Martin Truex, Jr. 5) Clint Bowyer 6) Brad Keselowski 7) Jamie McMurray 8) Aric Almirola 9) Mark Martin 10) Paul Menard 11) Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. 12) Kevin Harvick 13) Jeff Gordon 14) Ryan Newman 15) Kurt Busch 16) Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 17) Carl Edwards 18) Jeff Burton 19) Greg Biffle 20) Marcos Ambrose

News

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 24, 2013

Easy to Use, Easy to Kill Forum provides resources for those affected by heroin By Laura Katauskas Bugle Reporter

Fifty-three people died of a heroin overdose in Will County alone last year. Easy to get, easy to use, easy to kill. Heroin is becoming a drug of choice, and advocates are striving to not only call attention to the matter, but to how it is being addressed. More than 80 volunteers and speakers from local and federal organizations came together April 19 to take a lead in organizing a community approach to find preventative solutions to opiate use. HERO (Heroin Epidemic Relief Organization) and Will County HELPS (Heroin Education Leads to Preventive Solutions) in conjunction with the Southwest Coalition for Substance Abuse Issues, presented a free resource fair and conference on “A Community’s Public Health Response to the Heroin Epidemic: Healthcare and Educational Settings hosted at Lewis University. For ex-heroin addict Michele Lowman, standing near a memorial tent fashioned to remember those lost, the fair was an opportunity to get the word out to others that you can survive an addiction. Without much family support and on a road to what she saw was certain death, Lowman sought the help of the Southwest Coalition after a fast downward spiral. It was an injury that led her to pain killers, which became a very easy way to dull the pain and with it, everything else. Pain meds became too expensive; heroin was easy to get and it was relatively inexpensive until the addiction led her to siphon through $70,000 in a disability settlement she received in 2009. It was gone by 2010. “I never thought my life would turn out like that,”said the 52-yearold. “I felt nothing. I was numb. I remember thinking this is so easy. I can get it on the street. But then I began a vicious cycle. I was sick

of being sick and tired all the time. I was afraid I was going to die, so I went to Stepping Stones and got help.They are my family now.” She is currently house manager there, understanding the pressure addicts feel. “In the depths of addiction, you feel like there is no way out—THIS is the way out,” said PHOTOS BY JOHN PATSCH/SPECIAL TO THE BUGLE Lowman. People that lost loved ones to heroin stand up at the HERO HELPS Brian Kirk came home to take conference at Lewis University. Photo by John Patsch his 18-year-old son Matthew to an appointment to discuss his upcoming graduation and found him lying dead with a syringe in why can’t we do the same with using the method in some areas. his arm in April 2009, victim to a this,” said Kirk. “We are not all He said administration is also heroin overdose. facing up to it. The fact is, this promoting Good Samaritan laws This resource fair and the HERO problem is huge, and it is all over that allow those standing by to organization for him and a fellow the United States.” step up and help those around father who lost his son, came to The community forum aimed them. be a venue where users, parents at creating a dialogue between He said the single biggest and the community could learn public officials, law enforcement, game-changer is the increase in there is a way out and a way to health care providers, educators, the Affordable Care Act. The act prevent it. This is the third year and the public, allowing everyone proposes to allow prevention such an event has been organized involved to learn more about the and treatment to be covered by in conjunction with other groups drug overdose crisis and talk insurance. throughout the county. about solutions. “For years, parents, families, “I was oblivious at the time, and Keynote speaker Michael loved ones go to get treatment now that I know the signs, I think, Boticelli, Deputy Director, Office and then are denied coverage by ‘How could I have missed it all?’” of National Drug Control Policy their insurance,”said Boticelli.“We said Kirk. “Parents—wake up. It’s gave promising news, saying can’t let that happen any longer. in your son’s high school. It’s in there is a new approach to the We can’t have it treated differently your daughter’s high school. I’ve war on the drugs, that “we can’t than any other benefit.” seen the list of those who have just arrest our way out of it.” “I share not only in your pain, been killed from an overdose. He said there is a commitment but in your solutions—what we There are 12-year-olds dying. And based on the model that addiction are learning is that solutions there are 50-year-olds, too.” is a disease and that treatment need to be community based. I He said the numbers are already works. have hope that we can change on the rise for this year, and that “Things are beginning to the situation. Solutions are it is time for people to stand change; no longer should people locally driven, from parents together and fight the spread of be riddled with guilt and shame and community leaders, to law use and face the truth. to admit their addiction … we enforcement and high school “We need to treat this like an are working in this area,” said providers we need to come epidemic; look at the information Boticelli, a recovering addict together,” concluded Boticelli. that got out there with H1N1— himself for 24 years. “Fifty-three Making a commitment to the people have died in Will County; community approach, speakers nationally 17,000 have died of also included Kathleen Burke, opiate overdose. Administration Robert Crown Center for Health; has a goal to reduce that number James Roache, Supervisory by 15 percent by 2015. I hope we Senior Agent; FBI-Chicago can do better.“ Division; Dr. Lamar Hasbrouck, He said the key is to target Illinois Department of Public overdose prevention with Health; Theodora Binion, treatment as key. Medications Illinois Department of Human are now being used as a reversal Services; Dr. David Mikolajczak, antidote to an overdose with Silver Cross Hospital; Dr. Seth police officers being able to Eisenberg, Illinois Department Michael Botticelli, Deputy Direc- administer and hospital protocols of Human Services; Dr. Steven being reviewed to promote such Aks, Toxikon Consortium tor of National Drug Control medication for treatment. Illinois and Cook County Health and Policy, talks at HERO HELPS at Lewis University. is one of the progressive states Hospital System.

Resources • HERO—www. theherofoundation.org; Family Support, 815-4853004 ext. 201 • Crisis Line of Will County —815-722-3344 • South Suburban Council of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse; www. sscouncil.org; 708-647-3333 • Parents Toll-Free Helpline—1-855-DRUGFREE • Tips for Teens— Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; www. samhsa.gov/SHIN • Gateway Foundation: 24hour Helpline: 877-505-HOPE; RecoverGateway.org Resources listed from HERO’s website. For a full list, visit www.theherofoundation.org • Addiction medicine; Dr. Gawtham Gutta, 330 North Madison Street, Suite 303 across from Provena Saint Joseph’s Hospital at the corner of Glenwood and Madison St. in Joliet, Illinois. (815) 744-0029 • Rehab Stepping Stones 1621 Theodore Street, Joliet, IL 60435. (815) 744-4555 Stepping Stones is a highly rated and affordable rehabilitation option for anyone struggling with an addiction. It is well known throughout the state and is highly recommended by HERO. • Legal Will County Drug Court, Will County Court House, Chicago Street, Joliet, Illinois. (815) 7278453 The Will County Drug Court Program gives addicts who are charged with felonies a second chance by giving them opportunity to have their charges dropped by completing a rigorous recovery program.While the program may seem too good to be true, participation means that the defendant waives the right to a trial if they fail the program. The program is only open to first time offenders who committed a crime as a direct result of addiction.

Business & Real Estate

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 24, 2013

Stop getting hurt by the boss in workplace jungle Q. My boss is mean, rude and ungrateful. I have been nothing but nice and hard working and he just seems to get worse. I have coworkers who are also rude, and he seems to leave them alone. Why is being nice making me a target? How can I get my boss to back off? A. Unfortunately, human beings often treat people they fear better than people who behave well.

You’ll get your boss to back off if you play by the same rules that people far less nice than you play by. The first hurdle you will face is that you’ll want to argue with reality that the business world should reward niceness and punish meanness. While you are pouting about that, you’ll continue to be treated shabbily by your boss. Many, many people get

into a power struggle with reality believing that if they hold their breath long enough reality will become what they believe it should. Have empathy for yourself that work is often truly unfair and the world often isn’t what it should be but that doesn’t mean you can’t get what you want. Your first step is to look around your workplace and notice who is well treated and how their behavior differs from yours.You’ll see that employees who are less nice, more focused on their own goals, and not overextending themselves are often treated with respect. Consider carefully whether you can choose to be respected over being liked. The trouble with being exceptionally nice at work is others may see your behavior as weakness.They may decide that if there is anyone they can treat badly ... well, it is someone who will be nice about it.Thus, they are late, drop the ball and are verbally abusive because, hey, you will probably tell them that it is OK.They understand that a not so nice coworker might bite

their head off. Contemplate the behavior in the animal world. No one messes with a panther, a cobra or a crocodile mostly because they are pretty clear it would hurt.The panther, cobra and crocodile don’t go out of their way to behave badly; however, the rest of the animal kingdom knows each animal has power it will use if threatened. It’s not for nothing that the workplace is sometimes called a jungle. People mostly do what they do because they consider it in their best interests, and empathy is not widely used. Here are some “cobra” tricks you can use to discourage others from running you over: • Don’t talk too much. Keep your conversation more concise, terse and to the point. • Don’t smile so much. Smiling is literally a way of showing your teeth and letting people know you won’t use them. A more serious expression will get you taken more seriously. • When people screw up around you, don’t be so quick to make them feel better. Every

time you reflexively say,“That’s OK,” the other person figures you mean it. • Don’t overextend yourself by doing extra nice and personal things at work (baking cookies, volunteering for everything and listening to everyone’s problems). Overextending yourself puts on a neon sign on your head identifying you as a doormat. For my clients who are proud of their amiability, it is a real difficult transition for them to understand the dark side of niceness. Wake up and realize there is no equal sign between you being nice and other people treating you well. You don’t have to turn into the office reptile to command respect; just turn down the volume on offering too much all the time.

Last word(s) Q. Do people think about anybody other than themselves at work? A. No, thinking about other people, if it happens at all, is always only a second thought.

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 24, 2013

News THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 24, 2013

Minooka High School offering community garden plots The Minooka Community High School chapter of FFA is once again offering Community Garden plots at its Central Campus in Minooka. For $10 each, community members can rent a small plot of land to be used for gardening items of their choice. Garden plots are located on the north end of the Minooka Community High School Central Campus behind the Cafeteria. Parking is located off Wabena Avenue directly in front of the garden plots. Weather permitting, the plots will be made available sometime before May 5. Once the gardens are tilled and assigned, you will be allowed to begin your gardening for the summer. Individuals may rent multiple plots, depending upon availability. For more information or an application, please visit the MCHS –Central Campus main office, or visit www.mchs.net. You may also direct questions to FFA sponsor Sara Strache at sstrache@ mchs.net.

School funding study finds disparities By Kris Stadalsky For the Sentinel

The debate over pension reform for Illinois school teachers has sparked a fire under another educational issue – the unfairness in the distribution of state aide between Chicago and rural communities. In a press conference at Morris Community High School April 15, state Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, and state Rep. Pam Roth, R-Morris, met with area school superintendents. Rezin and Roth identified state funding sources and how a disproportionate amount goes to the Chicago Public School District, which has just 18 percent of the state’s student population. House Speaker Michael Madigan used the term “free lunch” to refer to the state’s contributions to downstate teacher pensions, said Rezin. “We are here to acknowledge there is no free lunch downstate,” Rezin said.“We believe it’s Chicago who is receiving the free lunch.” Rezin commented several times that neither she and Roth nor Senate Republicans are trying to start a war with CPS, nor do they have anything against the district or the school children in Chicago. “Every school district in the state is struggling,” Rezin said.“But there are false claims about downstate. Chicago gets a disproportionate share (of funding).”

Foundation Level Grants are supposed to assure a minimum level of funding per student in all districts. While it’s meant to “level the playing field,”the portion of state aid it funds decreased by 6 percent from fiscal year 2000 to 2012. At the same time, Poverty Grant funding and PTELL adjustments (PropertyTax Extension Limitation Law) have increased, Rezin said. Foundation Level Grants now make up just 53 percent of the general state aid formula, compared to 88 percent in 2000, whereas Poverty Grants now comprise 34 percent and PTELL adjustments 13 percent. What this means, according to Rezin, is that a disproportionate amount of state aid is now being diverted to CPS through the other components of the state formula. With just 18 percent of the state’s students, CPS gets 37 percent of Early Childhood funding, 27 percent of the distribution of Corporate PPRT (Personal Property Replacement Tax) money and 49 percent of PTELL adjustments. Chicago schools have 31 percent of the state’s low income students, but receive 47 percent of Poverty Grants money. An impoverished child in Edwardsville gets barely 15 percent of the state support available to a child in Chicago living in the same economic circumstances, Rezin said. CPS’s special education

population is 17 percent of their students, but they automatically receive 30 percent of special education funding. The balance of special education money is distributed by reimbursement of submitted applications. “Every other school district must compete for the remaining dollars,” Rezin said. When all funding sources are added up, CPS gets $772 million in what’s being referred to as “free lunch,” dollars over and above what should be their fair share for the percentage of student population, Rezin said. The result is a budget disparity that treats Illinois’ school children differently based on where they live. A preschool child in a downstate or rural district will receive less education service dollars than a child in Chicago. Roth talked about the state’s plan to hold spending flat as they face a $9 billion backlog of bills. One of the plans is to cut mandated school transportation from the current 60 percent down to 19 percent, said Roth. “For a shortfall this big, schools will be forced to increase property taxes,” said Roth. Most CPS students live within

a one mile radius of their schools, said Coal City Schools Superintendent Kent Bugg. Buses in Coal City cover 52 square miles;in Minooka High School District it’s 96 square miles, in Morris it’s 108 miles, 150 miles in Wilmington and 158 square miles in Mazon. “When transportation funding is cut, it’s not cut for Chicago or the collar counties,” said Bugg. “The government’s cut is a direct affront to us. The reduction in transportation funding will result in fewer resources for the classrooms, increased taxes and cuts in programs, Bugg said. Rezin’s staff spent about six months researching school funding and were astounded to find out where the state’s money is going, she said. There will be a big push this year by Roth, Rezin and education committees for transparency in funding sources and relief from unfunded mandates, said Rezin. “There’s only one pot of money for education, it’s very difficult,” Rezin said. “We are not taking money away from Chicago, but we need to have an honest discussion about the money for suburban and downstate schools.”

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 24, 2013