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Drinking death suit set to expand Attorney for Bogenberger family adding 16 women to litigation By JEFF ENGELHARDT jengelhardt@shawmedia.com DeKALB – The family of a 19-year-old fraternity pledge found dead Nov. 2 after a night of heavy drinking plans to add 16 women to a wrongful death lawsuit – and could add more later. Peter Coladarci, the Chicago attorney representing David Bogenberger’s family, said more students would likely be included in the lawsuit after he learns
their full names. A separate lawsuit could be filed against Northern Illinois University. “People have to understand if they participate in an event like this and someone dies, they are going to be held legally and morally accountable,” Coladarci said. Bogenberger, an NIU freshman from Palatine, was found dead at the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity house Nov. 2 after an unsanctioned “parents night” party
where Greek members paired into “moms” and “dads.” The “parents” asked pledges questions where wrong answers resulted in pledges drinking excessive amounts of vodka. The lawsuit alleges, fraternity members put Bogenberger on a couch or bed in the house after he passed out from excessive drinking rather than seeking medical attention. His blood-alcohol content when he died was 0.351 percent, which is more than
Five killed in downstate Ill. shooting
four times the legal driving limit. If a Cook County judge ultimately approves the motion to add the 16 women named Wednesday, the lawsuit would include a total of 38 students. Coladarci said the judge did not approve the motion Wednesday because of a technicality, but indicated it would be allowed at a May 3 court date once Coladarci separates complaints under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act and Illinois Survival Act.
DeKalb police have said the women were not actively involved in providing the alcohol or encouraging the drinking, which is why they were not included in the criminal charges brought against 22 fraternity members. Five face felony hazing charges, while the rest are charged with misdemeanors. But Coladarci said after reading police reports, he believes the
David Bogenberger
See LAWSUIT, page A6
SEASONAL SHOPS FLOURISH IN DeKALB COUNTY
Enterprises renewed
By REGINA GARCIA CANO The Associated Press
Rick O. Smith Illinois State Police have identified Smith as the suspected gunman in the shooting deaths Wednesday in Manchester. Five people were killed, including two women, one man and two children. A sixth victim, a 6-year-old girl, was injured and taken to the hospital.
MANCHESTER – The nephew of a small-town Illinois mayor shot and killed five people, including two boys, before leading police on a chase that ended in an exchange of gunfire that killed him, authorities said Wednesday. Illinois State Police said they believe Rick O. Smith, 43, entered a Manchester home through the back door and shot the victims at close range with a shotgun, leaving two women, one man and the boys dead. Two people were found in a bedroom, two in a second bedroom and the man in the hallway. A sixth victim, a 6-yearold girl, was injured and taken to a Springfield hospital. “The offender took the 6-yearold out of the residence and put her in the hands of a neighbor,” State Police Lt. Col. Todd Kilby said. Officials have not revealed a motive for the killings. Police said the victims are related. Authorities believe Smith and the victims were acquainted, but they didn’t provide details of the relationships. A bystander called police and told them that Smith fled the home in a white sedan. A car chase ensued, leading authorities to the town of Winchester, where Smith and officers exchanged gunfire. Officers shot Smith, and he later died at a hospital. Police said they found a rifle, shotgun and large hunting knife in Smith’s car. Coroner officials said autopsies on the victims are planned for today in Bloomington and identities would be released at that time.
See SHOOTING, page A6
AP photo
Police officials investigate the scene at a house in Manchester where five people were found slain in the tiny southwestern Illinois town Wednesday.
Photos by Rob Winner – rwinner@shawmedia.com
On Monday afternoon in downtown Sycamore, Troy Oltman and his wife, Cassie, prepare Cassie’s Popcorn Stand for their opening Sunday. The stand has been owned by the family for 30 years.
Summer means sales for mom and pops By STEPHANIE HICKMAN shickman@shawmedia.com When Sycamore pedestrians saw Cassie and Troy Oltman inside their popcorn stand this week, several stopped hoping to get their hands on their famous popcorn. The Oltmans aren’t open yet for business, but the interest from residents was something Cassie Oltman was glad to see as they were cleaning and preparing Cassie’s Popcorn Stand for the upcoming season. “They’re all excited,” she said. The stand, at 200 W. State St. in Sycamore, is one of the area’s many businesses that operate on a seasonal basis. Cassie’s is set to open Sunday in Sycamore while the DeKalb location in the Van Buer Plaza at North Second and East Locust streets will open May 1. Both locations
Cassie Oltman (left) cleans the windows of Cassie’s Popcorn Stand on Monday while her husband, Troy, paints the interior as they prepare to open for the season Sunday. will remain open until Christmas, Cassie Oltman said. Meanwhile, Dairy Dogs, 675 E. State St. in Sycamore, opened for the season in March, which owner Margret Schrant said was probably a little too soon given the less-than-favorable weather
conditions. But now that Schrant and her husband, Helmut, are open for business they are committed to being available for their customers who visit the drive-in. “We want to be very consistent to the customers,” Mar-
gret Schrant said. “Our hours stay true to form.” For seasonal businesses like Cassie’s and Dairy Dogs, maximizing the short period of time they are able to operate is critical, said Rose Treml, executive director of the Sycamore Chamber of Commerce. Dairy Dogs holds several community events and activities during the summer, which helps them generate more business, Margret Schrant said. The restaurant hosts fundraisers for local organizations such as the Opportunity House and Sycamore schools’ athletic programs. “That’s great fun to us,” she said. “And I think that helps spread the word of mouth, so to speak.” The small window of time during which these seasonal shops operate can easily be hindered by weather conditions. But the Dairy Dogs staff
See SEASONAL, page A6
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