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wednesday, deCemBer 18, 2019 | BuglenewsPaPers.Com
loCal news >> Joliet west
Students compete in national Journalism convention Journalism teacher and 10 students compete at national level in washington d.C. By ryan ostry Bugle staff
@RyanOstry_BR18 rostry@buglenewspapers.com
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n November 20, Joliet West students had the chance of a lifetime. The Tigers Journalism team boarded a bus and traveled to the nation’s capital, with hopes of winning competitions at a national level. This year, the National High School Journalism Convention took place in Washington D.C., and for the first time, West students were contenders in a variety of contests. “[The experience] was amazing,” said Journalism teacher Jennifer Galloy. “The four-day convention consisted of media tours, workshops, live training, breakout sessions with a pro, evaluations and critiques, keynote speakers, networking, yearbook design and contests.” Galloy, who is a graduate of Saint Xavier University where she earned her BA in English with minors in Secondary education and Journalism with her MA in Instructional Technology from Olivet Nazarene University, is in her 18th year of teaching. “I feel journalism is one of the most relevant and important subjects to teach,” Galloy said. “Journalism integrates such important skills like digital citizenship, media literacy, and creativity in a connective and authentic way.” The 10 students Galloy traveled east with ranged from sophomores to se-
i feel journalism is one of the most relevant and important subjects to teach, galloy said. Journalism integrates such important skills like digital citizenship, media literacy, and creativity in a connective and authentic way. niors, including: Daniela Jimenez (infographics), Aileen Carranza (newspaper layout), Louie Mendoza (yearbook layout), Kailey Staniszewski (broadcast feature story), Haley Maser and Megan Karok (broadcast commercial, honorable mention), Madison Horvat (advertising, honorable mention), Kiersten Jordan (graphic logo design, excellent), Lawson Sizemore (sports writing), Kelly Rappaport (copy and caption writing). During the competition, there were 2,126 competitors in the contests and only 864 students received awards. “Thousands of students compete each year in JEA’s national media contests in everything from broadcast, photography and design to sports, feature and review writing,” Galloy said. “There is a contest for each skill practiced in a 21st-century media classroom.” Besides learning from some of the top professionals in the industry, Galloy and her students also visited the
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the 10 students galloy traveled east with ranged from sophomores to seniors, including: daniela Jimenez (infographics), aileen Carranza (newspaper layout), louie mendoza (yearbook layout), kailey staniszewski (broadcast feature story), haley maser and megan karok (broadcast commercial, honorable mention), madison horvat (advertising, honorable mention), kiersten Jordan (graphic logo design, excellent), lawson sizemore (sports writing), kelly rappaport (copy and caption writing). Newseum, which will close the end of this month, toured the White House, attended an NBA game (which was the first time for all students) and explored the city. Galloy said although it was an ex-
perience none of them will forget, she didn’t want the efforts for those who helped getting the students to Washington D.C. to go unnoticed. “The trip was costly and we had to get creative with fundraising,” Galloy
said. “Besides fundraising efforts we also applied for and received grants and special donations, so without the support of those who helped us the trip wouldn’t have been possible. So we are forever grateful.”
loCal news >> shorewood
village still mulling over marijuana-based businesses
while more than 50 people attended a meeting on the issue last month, only five came to the dec. 10 meeting By Brian stanley Bugle staff
@BugleNewspapers bstanley@buglenewspapers.com Shorewood officials sought a second round of public opinion whether the village should permit marijuanabased businesses. But while more than 50 people attended a meeting on the issue last month, only five came to the Dec. 10 meeting. All of the attendees who spoke were in support of making cannabis available. On Jan. 1, licensed dispensaries will be able to sell marijuana and
other products to adults. About twothirds of the first meeting’s attendees also support allowing cannabis sales. “We’ll make a decision in January or February...to opt in or opt out. But I will say to everyone, we don’t have anybody knocking on our door right now to build a facility in Shorewood,” Mayor Rick Chapman said. Resident Matt Persicketti said all Shorewood residents will benefit from the tax dollars a dispensary would produce. The village could implement up to a three-percent tax on cannabis sales.
i think the united states as a whole is moving in this direction and it s an opportunity for us to get in front of it with the tax revenue. and the people who smoke it here will get the munchies and eat at our restaurants. - shorewood mayor rick Chapman “To me this is a very simple decision. You’re not going to decide (whether or not) people smoke pot. You’re deciding whether those that do spend their money here,” Persicketti said. Persicketti noted while several residents at the last meeting emphasized concerns about marijuana and youth
in the community, dispensaries can be easily compared to liquor stores, which ban minors. “We want to make our village inviting to everyone,” resident Cynthia DeRobertis said. “Going into dispensaries is not something I frequently do, but I went into one in Colorado and it was just like a (regular) busi-
ness.” Chapman said regulating recreational marijuana sales is a “pragmatic reduction of harm” and monitoring what drugs are sold is safer that street sales. “You can’t (be sure) that someone didn’t drop angel dust on your joint and put you on the highway to hallucinations,” Chapman said. Trustee C.C. Debold also supports allowing cannabis sales. “I think the United States as a whole is moving in this direction and it’s an opportunity for us to get in front of it with the tax revenue,” he said. “And the people who smoke it here will get the munchies and eat at our restaurants,” Chapman said.
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JJC students experience Disney’s Culinary & College Program JJC students selected for a program that will help enhance their skills in the field they have chosen for a career path By ryan ostry Bugle staff
@RyanOstry_BR18 rostry@buglenewspapers.com
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nce in a lifetime opportunities don’t come around all the time and for 12 Joliet Junior College students — they did not pass theirs up. The Walt Disney Company selected 12 students from the junior college to work at its Orlando, Florida location theme parks and resorts next year through its culinary and college programs. “For me it’s pretty special because I’m a graduate of the Disney College Program myself,” said JJC career advisor and Disney College coordinator Christen Mazura-Morris. “Through the experience I was able to develop amazing skills, and I tell my students in every interview I have ever been in, this has been at the top of every conversation.” With more than 16,000 cast members employed in Disney’s awardwinning food and beverage program, the chance to go was just too much to pass up for Brandon Perez, who was selected for the Disney culinary program for bakery and pastry. At a young age, Perez started making cookies and other pastries with his father and he said that’s where his love for the field started. “It all just progressed and I fell in love with it after that,” Perez said. “All my classes and any chance I’ve had throughout my schooling I’ve always taken culinary classes.” What started off at the Joliet location, ended at the Romeoville location where Perez said he learned he want-
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ed to become a master pastry chef. “I definitely plan on studying a lot more, go to different schools and travel around the world to learn as much as I can,” Perez said. The 12 students selected were: Alyssa Stonesifer (merchandise), Emilio Gaytan (cook), Kellie Jarose (front desk), Emily Nichols (watercraft), Thomas Neises (specialty beverages), Tyler Doughty (cook), Alexandra Craig (baker), Alexis Carlson
i can t even begin to say how excited i am for all these students to have life changing experiences at the program that they will never forget. - JJC career advisor and disney College coordinator Christen mazura-morris
(quick service food and beverage), Bryce Herron (cook) and Lexy Martin (lifeguard) and Emily Ferneau (fashion merchandise), and Perez said because it was selective the interview process was not easy, and it was nerve-wracking. “I made a new resume with Christen and I got told what I have to dress like and how I should speak to the chef I spoke to,” Perez said. “When I walked into that interview I was immediately intimidated. “He asked me questions on how to make certain things and I told him how, I was shaking but I think he un-
derstood that I was aware of what I was doing and talking about.” Before the trip, students at the Romeoville campus got together and collaborated with alumni who previously were selected for the program. During the meeting, the students that were recently selected learned more about the internships, the JJC and Disney Company expectations and received advice and tips from the alumni. Out of the 12 members selected, five of the students will participate in the six-month Disney Culinary Program, where they will work at one of the park’s 300 restaurants as a cook or in a pastry or bakery role. The other seven students were invited to the Disney College Program, which allows the students to build transferable skills through personal and career development opportunities. For the program, paid internships will include on-site housing and transportation to and from work locations, where students will also receive discounts on food and souvenirs as well as free entry into theme parks, water parks and other Disney properties. Most JJC students will begin their internships in January, and MazuraMorris said she’s felt each of her student’s excitement for this trip, and can’t wait for each student to gain the experiences she once did from the program. “I can’t even begin to say how excited I am for all these students to have life changing experiences at the program that they will never forget,” Mazura-Morris said. “The Disney Program helped changed my life in so many great ways, and I know it will also do the same things for these students as well.”
Men arrested after firing several rounds flores and the driver, martin hernandez, 19, were taken into custody more info By Brian stanley Bugle staff
@BugleNewspapers bstanley@buglenewspapers.com
Two men were arrested after Joliet police reportedly heard them fire several rounds from their car on Dec. 7. Shortly before 8 p.m. police were in the 400 block of East Jackson Street when they heard gunfire and saw a vehicle speeding northbound on Parks Avenue. Police pursued the vehicle to the 500 block of Clay Street where Angel A. Flores, 20, ran out the passenger door while clutching the waistband of his pants, police said. After a foot pursuit, Flores was taken to the ground by police and a loaded handgun came out of his shirt, police said. Flores and the driver, Martin Hernandez, 19, were taken into custody and officers searched the vehicle to find spent shell casings inside, according to police reports. Investigators believe Hernandez had fired several rounds in the air and Flores took the gun before the car pulled over. Hernandez, was arrested on
Police pursued the vehicle to the 500 block of Clay street where angel a. flores, 20, ran out the passenger door while clutching the waistband of his pants, police said. after a foot pursuit, flores was taken to the ground by police and a loaded handgun came out of his shirt, police said.
charges of aggravated discharge of a firearm, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful possession of ammunition and disobeying a traffic control device. Flores, was arrested on charges of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful possession of ammunition and obstructing a police officer. Both men live in the 500 block of Ohio Street, according to Will County jail records. Nothing was reported struck by the shots fired from the vehicle.
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Calendar
DECEMBER 21 DOWNERS GROVE samantha s viCtorian Christmas. 1 – 2:30 p.m. at the Downers Grove Museum. Make crafts and play games related to American Girl Samantha’s story to learn what Christmas was like in the Victorian period. Step back in time and see Victorian Christmas holiday decorations and traditions by exploring the Victorian Blodgett house. DECEMBER 21 WESTMONT snow muCh fun. 4-7 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park. Enjoy some holiday cheer at our Snow Much Fun night. Be sure to bundle up because this is an indoor/outdoor event. Meet our friendly long eared mules when you take a free wagon ride around the park. Be sure to take a photo in the giant snow globe or visit Santa in his workshop. Take a lamplight tour of the Gregg House to see how Christmas was celebrated by early settlers. Enjoy games, crafts, hot cocoa, s’mores and much more. Bring your family and friends and delight in a most enchanting winter experience. DECEMBER 31 DOWNERS GROVE noon year s eve Party. 11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Downers Grove Public Library. Say goodbye to 2019 a little earlier in the day. We will be reading a book, having a dance, giving a toast, and more. DECEMBER 31 PLAINFIELD noon year s eve Party. Children can ring in the New Year and still make their bedtimes with Plainfield Park District’s Noon Year’s Eve celebration. The midday event includes all of the trappings of a real, late night New Year’s Eve party but at the kid-friendly hours of 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on DECEMBER 31. The event will take place at the Prairie Activity & Recreation Center, 24550 W. Renwick Rd. Young revelers can dance to a DJ spinning music, play games, and make crafts. Commemorate the “night” with a photo at our family photo station. Kids can also jump in the inflatable and enjoy balloon art created by a professional balloon artist.
uPComing events in your area wednesday, deCemBer 18, 2019 | BuglenewsPaPers.Com
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wednesday, deCemBer 18, 2019 | BuglenewsPaPers.Com
BASKETBALL SOCCER CROSS COUNTRY FOOTBALL SOCCER TENNIS BASEBALL SOFTBALL VOLLEYBALL TRACK & FIELD SWIMMING CHEERLEADING DANCE Bowling BasketBall
team
Building
first-year head coach Jeremy kreiger said the key to recent tiger success has been because of built relationships By ryan ostry Bugle staff
@RyanOstry_BR18 rostry@buglenewspapers.com Although it’s only the middle of December, Joliet West seems to be for real. The Tigers (8-1, 4-0) are off to a sizzling start, winning their first six games of the season by an average of 20 points. West recently took care of crosstown rival Joliet Central (3-5, 2-3), 86-59. “Any win for our very young kids is going to be enjoyable after the season we had last year,” said coach Jeremy Kreiger. “To eclipse the five wins we had last year through the first seven or eight games this year, just shows how every win matters.” Kreiger, who is in his first year as a head coach for the Tigers, is a 2004 Joliet Central graduate. With a Tiger team who only had five wins just a year ago, Kreiger said he has tried to bring one very important thing to the 2019-20 Tiger squad — relationships. “From day one after tryouts all I cared about was building relationships,” Kreiger said. “My staff as well, we wanted to build relationships and treat the basketball team like how I treat my classroom so if I build the more positive relationships with players they are more willing to work hard and dedicated themselves to their craft.” Dedicating themselves to their craft is something the Tiger players have done, most notably their senior starting point guard Jamere
Hill (24 points against Central), who Kreiger said has been just as good off the floor as he has on the floor. “Jamere is an unbelievable young man,” Kreiger said. “It goes so far beyond basketball because he’s never had a referral in school, he cares about the classroom, he gets out of school a period early but decides to stay after and shoot or lift with the football team and it just blows my mind a young man with those kind off gifts has zero college offers.” Although Hill isn’t focused on his basketball career after high school at the present moment while the Tigers are in season, he attributes much of the success to his coach and teammates for the hot start. “Last year there were days we would go hard and there would be days that we weren’t,” Hill said. “This year we have consistency, we always go hard, bring the energy and our coach really stresses defense on us so that’s why I think we’ve been so successful.” For Central, a team-high 22 points for senior forward Kee Hargrove just wasn’t enough as the Steelmen trailed by 13 at the end of the third quarter, and couldn’t contain Hill’s 14 fourth quarter points. “Getting a group of kids together who didn’t even play in the summer together has been the biggest thing for us so far,” said coach Larry Thompson. “Having trust in each other and playing at both ends of the floor are the biggest challenges for us at this point in the season.”
see team Page 6
Joliet west continued its fast start to the season against rival Joliet Central.
PHOTO BY RYAN OSTRY
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wednesday, deCemBer 18, 2019 | BuglenewsPaPers.Com
College
St. Francis men drop high-scoring affair to GSU The University of St. Francis men’s basketball team turned in a balanced scoring effort as six Saints recorded double-digit points but not enough to come away with a victory as Governors State posted a 98-91 win this Saturday (Dec. 14) afternoon in Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) play at GSU’s Athletics and Recreation Center (The ARC). The top scorer for USF, which is now 4-6 overall and 2-4 in the CCAC this season, was Lewis Holey (JR/ Sydney, Australia). The Saints’ forward netted 19 points to go with a game-high seven rebounds. Holey was joined in the double-figure scoring column by guard Eric Ting (JR/ Taoyuan, Taiwan), who tallied 15 points and distributed a game-most seven assists. Guard Cole Micek (SR/
Los Angeles, Calif.) pumped in 13 points, guard Carlos Tovias (JR/Corsicana, Texas) had 11 off the bench, and with 10 points each were forward Mitch Kwasigroch (SR/Manhattan, Ill.) and guard Jorden Thornton (SR/ Hoffman Estates, Ill.). Chris Pride led all players with 32 points to pace the scoring attack for Governors State, which improves to 7-4 overall and 4-3 in the CCAC. Justin Siorek poured in 21 points, Theo Owens added 13, and DeAndrey Robinson contributed 12 as four of the five Jaguar starters attained double-digit point totals. St. Francis, which shot 49.2 percent (30-61) from the floor in the contest, held a four-point (26-22) advantage midway thru the first half. The two teams would tie the score
for the 10th time with 7:16 to go in the half at 29-all before the Saints snapped the deadlock on a pair of Malik Bailey (SR/Tutwiler, Miss.) free throws and led the next four minutes. GSU managed to take a 39-37 lead at the 2:16 mark on a three-pointer and USF replied by pulling into another tie on an Eric Ting layup with 1:42 remaining on the clock. The first half would feature a 12th and final tie of 41 with 1:10 to go before halftime as Jorden Thornton drained a pair of free throws. A jumper by Carlos Tovias with a second left was good as the Saints headed into the lockerroom leading 43-41. The second half featured a combined 105 points between the teams. The game would be tied up on three
occasions in the first six minutes of the second half before a GSU basket put the hosts out in front. The teams exchanged points from there and a pair of Cole Micek free throws with under 12 minutes remaining gave the Saints a 64-61 lead. The Jaguars clawed back to draw into a 64-all tie, which marked the 16th of the game, a minute later and surged ahead albeit for another elapsed minute. Three straight jumpers, including two by USF, proceeded as the Saints led 70-69 with 8:14 left on a Lewis Holey jumper. Unfortunately, USF would never lead again as a threepoint goal by Justin Siorek put GSU back in front for good at 72-70. The Saints were able to get within a deuce (76-74) approaching the five-minute mark, but then fell back into a dou-
team from Page 5 The Steelmen started out of the gate with a 0-2 record before putting together a three game winning streak, but since then, have not won. The loss of last year’s stars including Keaton Gregory and Kendrick Williams have hurt the Steelmen so far in the early part of the 201920 season, but Thompson said the leadership and hard work from his
ble-digit deficit at 12 points (89-77 with 1:44 showing on the scoreboard. The final minute of play was action-packed as USF trailed by nine points (93-84) with 49 seconds left and managed to draw within two points (93-91) on two Eric Ting free throws with 16 seconds remaining. GSU converted a pair of free throws a second later and the Jaguars’ Lamar Crenshaw made all three of his free throw attempts in the final five seconds to seal the victory. The Saints’ bench outscored GSU 30-17 and held a 15-8 edge in second-chance points. The Jaguars converted 12 USF turnovers into 22 points while the Saints had six off nine GSU miscues. The Saints posted a 22-20 points advantage in paint area scoring.
players will keep them fighting all season long. “We only have five seniors this year but we need those guys to be leaders and some of them have stepped up in that role,” Thompson said. “It’s a long season, but I know the fight in these guys can once we can establish that trust and playing at both ends of the court, we will be just fine.”
ne w s a B o u t lo Ca l B u si nesses i n yo u r C o mmu ni t y
Business + real estate
wednesday, deCemBer 18, 2019 | BuglenewsPaPers.Com
Column >> dave says
Dave Says: ‘Why not just budget and save for holidays?’ dear dave, I’ve never heard you talk about store layaway programs. With Christmas coming, I wanted to ask your opinion of using layaway for buying gifts.
meg dear meg, If you know me, you probably have a good idea what’s coming next. I’m not a huge fan of layaway programs, because they’re not the answer to a problem. I mean, Christmas comes at the same time every year. It’s not like it snuck up on you. What’s wrong with just saving up money for Christmas ahead of time? Here’s a good rule of thumb: if you don’t have the money on hand, you can’t afford it. Now, sometimes there are instances when certain popular items are on sale, and you can take advantage of them through layaway if you don’t have enough cash at that very moment. I don’t have a huge problem with this sort of thing, as long as it’s not habitual behavior, and you’re already saving money and living on a budget. Still, I would never, ever recommend using a layaway plan with fees attached.
dave says By dave ramsey
@DaveRamsey daveramsey.com
It may be too late to budget for this Christmas, but I want you to make plans to start living on a written, monthly budget in January. Make it a resolution! Give every dollar a name, on paper, before the upcoming month begins. You can include Christmas spending in those monthly budgets, too. If you set aside a little bit each month from January until next December, you won’t have to worry about layaways or Christmas debt. Remember, Christmas is about God and it’s about love. There are many, many ways to bless people and make them happy without overextending yourself financially!
dave
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deadline for cl assifieds: friday at 11 a .m. Wednesday, December 18, 2019 | buglenewspapers.com
Business & Private Party Classified Ads: $21 per week, 20 words or less. Weddings, Births & Engagements: Black & White - $45, Color - $55. Obituaries: start at $45.
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real estate IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE 12TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT WILL COUNTY - JOLIET, ILLINOIS American Advisors Group Inc. PLAINTIFF Vs. Bryan D. Johnson, as Executor; United States of America - Department of Housing and Urban Development; Bryan D, Johnson; Bruce A. Johnson; Wayne A. Johnson; Unknown Heirs and Legatees of Marvin W. Johnson; Unknown Owners and Nonrecord Claimants DEFENDANTS 19CH1489 NOTICE BY PUBLICATION NOTICE IS GIVEN TO YOU: Unknown Heirs and Legatees of Marvin W. Johnson Unknown Owners and Nonrecord Claimants That this case has been commenced in this Court against you and other defendants, praying for the foreclosure of a certain Mortgage conveying the premises described as follows, to-wit: COMMONLY KNOWN AS: 512 Western Avenue Joliet, IL 60435 and which said Mortgage was made by: Marvin W. Johnson the Mortgagor(s), to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as Nominee for American Financial Network, Inc., as Mortgagee, and recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Will County, Illinois, as Document No. R2018006398; and for other relief; that summons was duly issued out of said Court against you as provided by law and that the said suit is now pending. NOW, THEREFORE, UNLESS YOU file your answer or otherwise file your appearance in this case in the Office of the Clerk of this Court, Andrea Lynn Chasteen Clerk of the Court 57 N. Ottawa Street Joliet, IL 60432 on or before January 3, 2020, A DEFAULT MAY BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU AT ANY TIME AFTER THAT DAY AND A JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PRAYER OF SAID COMPLAINT. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Attorneys for Plaintiff 15W030 North Frontage Road, Suite 100 Burr Ridge, IL 60527 (630) 794-5300 DuPage # 15170 Winnebago # 531 Our File No. 14-19-07936 NOTE: This law firm is a debt collector. I3138537 Published 12/4, 12/11, 12/18
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