DC_Midweek_030823

Windows

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PEACE OF MIND

Sycamore woman first patient to receive new heart monitor at Kish hospital in DeKalb / 6

State law requires solar and wind energy ordinance changes in DeKalb County

Public hearing set for 1 p.m. March 23

By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com

SYCAMORE – DeKalb County government officials are seeking additional guidance and inviting the public to weigh in on a new state law that requires counties to make uniform existing regulations on solar and wind farm developments.

A public hearing regarding changing local solar and wind ordinances to comply with freshly set requirements by the state Legislature will take place at 1 p.m. March 23 at the DeKalb County Community Outreach building, 2500 N. Annie Glidden Road, Suite F, Sycamore.

NEWS BRIEF

Sycamore man sentenced to 15 years for brutal 2021 attack

SYCAMORE – A Sycamore man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to a 2021 attack on a woman he choked, beat and threatened to kill, court records show.

Timothy R. Geiken, 37, of the 400 block of South Locust Street, Sycamore, pleaded guilty Monday to aggravated domestic battery and strangulation, and aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, according to

WHERE IT’S AT

Amusements 20

Classified 21-23

4412 still put forth an effort that left some items unaddressed,” Deputy County Administrator Derek Hiland told the county’s Planning and Zoning Committee during a recent meeting.

On Jan. 27, Gov. JB Pritzker signed House Bill 4412, setting uniform setback requirements for wind tower and solar energy facilities. The law, now Public Act 102-1123, also stipulates all Illinois counties with existing zoning ordinances regarding solar energy systems or wind tower facilities be in compliance of the regulation within 120 days of its enactment.

The new law stipulates that all Illinois counties must have the same regulations related to future solar and wind farm development, including the amount of setback space between wind turbines or solar farms from surrounding residences, road right-of-ways or properties.

Regulations on solar and wind develop-

DeKalb County court records.

In exchange for the plea, Circuit Court Judge Joseph Pedersen sentenced Geiken to 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Geiken will receive 569 days of credit to his sentence after he was held with no bond in DeKalb

PUZZLE ANSWERS puzzlesonpage20

ments have been a countywide discussion for years, most recently last fall. In October, the DeKalb County Board set countywide solar development requirements and in 2018 the Board approved a similar set of regulations for wind energy developments.

Hiland said there’s a variety of nuances surrounding the law that he believes limits its functionality. Hiland said he thinks there’s a possibility that further legislation could come out of the state General Assembly before June 1. However, until those rumors come to fruition he still has to keep the county on track to make the prescribed ordinance changes within 120 days.

To do that, county officials will seek additional public feedback during the hearing in March. In April, the county’s Planning and Zoning Committee will have a chance to recommend any changes and send the proposals to the DeKalb County Board for an expected vote in May.

County Jail since his Aug. 9, 2021, arrest. He must serve 85% of his sentence.

“The strength and perseverance of our survivor in this case is truly amazing,” DeKalb County State’s Attorney Rick Amato said in a statement.

Although Class 2 felonies, the charges carried a larger sentencing as Class X felonies because of Geiken’s criminal history, according to the DeKalb County State’s Attorney’s Office.

–KelseyRettke

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ON THE COVER

Last month, Diana Morrasy-Carls, 81, of Sycamore was the first person to be implanted with a CardioMEMs device at Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital. On Friday, March 3, she was at her home, enjoying the peace of mind she’s found since receiving the device. See story, page 6.

Photo by Camden Lazenby –  clazenby@shawmedia.com

CORRECTIONS

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“I still sit in front of you with still a lot of questions because I think House Bill

Timothy R. Geiken, 35, of Sycamore

New Sycamore elementary school boundaries a go

By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com

SYCAMORE – Elementary school boundary changes are officially a go and will be in effect this fall for Sycamore School District 427 parents and students.

The school board on Feb. 28 unanimously approved six changes to school boundaries that will impact all five of the district’s elementary schools starting in the 2023-24 school year. Board President Jim Dombek was absent for the second meeting in a row.

Superintendent Steve Wilder formally proposed the changes to the board Feb. 14, two weeks after he finished conducting 11 community and staff meetings regarding his initial proposal throughout January.

The school board also approved Wilder’s request to require future boundary studies done every six years, to ensure elementary students aren’t uprooted from their schools mid-enrollment from kindergarten through fifth grade. The newly approved boundaries were the first changes done in Sycamore’s schools in more than 12 years.

“So it doesn’t mean the student isn’t going to change once, but it does avoid the possibility of a student having to change twice; so long as they stay in that

If

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residence,” Wilder said. “If they move within the community, it’s a different ballgame.”

District leaders have said new boundary changes spurred by last year’s boundary study will help balance larger class sizes and enrollment between schools, especially North Grove Elementary where the city’s population is concentrated.

School board reacts to changes

School board members backed the elementary school boundary changes, with some asserting changes should have come sooner.

“It should have been done two years ago but [COVID-19] got in the way,” board Vice President Steve Nelson said.

Eric Jones, who’s served on the board for 10 years, said district leaders had mulled over the topic for nearly that long.

“As we’ve continued to look at enrollment numbers at the schools and how development has changed throughout town, we’ve just noticed these patterns that are developing,” Jones said.

Board member James Chyllo said he voted to approve the boundary changes because he’d heard from constituents

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Camden Lazenby file photo – clazenby@shawmedia.com

Sycamore School District 427 Superintendent Steve Wilder goes over his recommended changes to the district’s elementary school boundaries on Feb. 28. The district’s school board unanimously voted to approve Wilder’s recommendation.

See BOUNDARY CHANGES, page 4

BOUNDARY CHANGES

Continued from page 3

who felt it was warranted.

“The time has come where something needed to be done about it,” Chyllo said. “[There was] a lot of concern from teachers saying that this needed be done and from community members.”

Board member Michael DeVito II recalled his own elementary experience growing up, having to change schools because of a boundary change.

“I worry about the effect on the directly impacted students, but I know that it’s in the best interest of all the students, and as a board that’s how we need to make decisions,” DeVito said.

Board member Julenne Davey said she still had some questions, but chose to vote to approve the changes.

“But then I’m sitting here thinking, ‘It’s going to happen. It needs to happen. You’re never going to make everybody happy.’ So I don’t want to sound like I’m weaseling out, but I just kind of felt I had to go with the flow,” Davey said.

School board secretary Kris Wrenn said she was on the board when the last boundary study and change occurred, and at the time a lot of family members and friends were affected by her decision.

This time around, Wrenn said she attended all the public meetings to

gauge community feedback and realized boundary changes are part of school district life.

“I think, for me, it’s a necessary evil,” Wrenn said. “I kind of walked away going, ‘So, school districts need to do this. And growing communities, when houses are built, they need to do this, and it’s never going to be easy. Will it ever be perfectly right? Probably not, but this seemed like a really good plan.’ And quite honestly, at a few of our community meetings, there really were barely any questions. So I just think people really supported it.”

What’s next for families of students impacted by boundary changes

With the new boundaries set, district officials said they’ll be communicating with area families impacted by the changes. Wilder said he hopes to send out communication within a week or two.

District leaders said they’ll also work on a transition plan, which will include activities to welcome impacted students at their new schools throughout the spring and summer. Wilder said he hopes to finalize the transition plan by the end of the month.

Updating the district’s student database to reflect the boundary changes also is in the cards for district officials over the coming weeks, but Wilder said the district’s priority is communicating with impacted students and families.

“A lot of work has gone into this pro-

Probably not, but this seemed like a really good plan.’ And quite honestly, at a few of our community meetings, there really were barely any questions. So I just think people really supported it.”

Kris Wrenn Sycamore School District 427 board secretary

cess, a lot of patience, a lot of input,” Wilder said. “We appreciate everybody’s role throughout the process, and now our goal is just to communicate as much as we can now that the decision has been made as we move through the spring and the end of this school year.”

Boundary changes outlined

Here are the approved Sycamore District 427 elementary school boundary changes:

Residences bordered by Main Street, Mt. Hunger Road and the Kishwaukee River would now fall within the North Elementary School boundary (previously North Grove Elementary School).

Residences bordered by Main Street, Kishwaukee River and State Street (IL64) to the city limits would now fall within the West Elementary School boundary (previously North Grove Ele-

mentary School).

The Stone Prairie Community would now fall within the Southeast Elementary School boundary (previously North Grove Elementary School).

Residences bordered by Sacramento Street, DeKalb Avenue/Elm Street, Somonauk Street and Edward Street would now fall within the West Elementary boundary (previously Southeast Elementary School).

Residences bordered by Meadow Lane, DeKalb Avenue, South Cross Street and Edward Street would now fall within the West Elementary School boundary (previously South Prairie Elementary School).

The Woodgate Subdivision bordered by DeKalb Avenue and Peace Road would now fall within the South Prairie Elementary boundary (previously West Elementary School).

,

March 31-April 2 and April 6-8

The Children’s Hour

by Lillian Hellman

Directed by Andrea J. Dymond

O’Connell Theatre Stevens Building

March 5 NIU Choirs Concert, 7 p.m

March 8 NIU Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble, 7 p.m.

March 10 Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra Spring Pops Concert, 7:30 p.m.

March 12 Kishwaukee Concert Band, 3 p.m.

March 19 Cor Cantiamo, 3 p.m.

March 23 Oberlin College Steelband, 5 p.m.

March 23 Brass Chamber Recital, 8 p.m.

March 31 Opera Theatre, 7 p.m.

April 2 Opera Theatre, 3 p.m.

School of Art and Design – niu.edu/art

Annual Juried Blick Art Materials

Ars Nova Exhibition Jack Olson Gallery, April 3-20

NIU Art Museum - niu.edu/artmuseum

Americans in Burma: The Art of Collecting and Local Visions II

Both exhbitions open March 30

“I think, for me, it’s a necessary evil. I kind of walked away going, ‘So, school districts need to do this. And growing communities, when houses are built, they need to do this, and it’s never going to be easy. Will it ever be perfectly right?

Vintage postcards program to be held March 12

Shaw Local News Network

DeKALB – The J.F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center’s next Soup-er Sunday program will feature a presentation on vintage DeKalb County postcards by librarian EvaAnne Johnson.

The homestead, 921 W. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb, will host the program at noon Sunday, March 12, according to a news release. Admission to the program is free for homestead members and $5 for nonmembers.

Johnson will show attendees some of her postcards, which include local landmarks, businesses and street scenes. She also will discuss methods for collecting and dating old postcards. Johnson is a local history and genealogy librarian with a personal collection of more than 350 DeKalb County postcards.

Proceeds from the program will go towards supporting the homestead. Soup will be served during the program.

The Joseph F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center is a nonprofit organization working to preserve the home and barn while providing educational opportunities to the public. The homestead is open from noon to 4 p.m.

Vintage DeKalb County postcards subject of the next J.F. Glidden Homestead Soup-er Sunday program

on the second and fourth Sunday of the month. For information, call 815-756-7904, visit gliddenhomestead.org or visit the J.F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center’s Facebook page.

BETTER MEDICINE STARTS WITH BETTER LISTENING.

Sometimes, life’s circumstances can feel overwhelming. The Living Room, located within Northwestern Medicine Ben Gordon Center, is a comfortable, calm, nonclinical space where DeKalb County residents age 18 and older can get help to resolve or better manage crises. No appointment is necessary.

You’ll be welcomed by a recovery support specialist who will listen to your concerns, and help you find options. If you need additional support, we can connect you with community resources for services such as housing, health care or food, or make appropriate referrals to other agencies to get the help you need.

You are not alone. There is a place for you in the Living Room. For more information including hours, visit nm.org/dekalblivingroom or call 815.756.4875. TTY for the hearing impaired, 815.748.9459.

BETTER

Photo provided by the J.F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center

A HEART HEALTHY FUTURE

Implant gives Sycamore woman’s doctors timely data

By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com

SYCAMORE – A Sycamore woman suffering from congestive heart failure said she’s been given peace of mind after becoming the first patient to receive a new type of heart implant at Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital in DeKalb.

Considering she was the first to undergo the operation at Kishwaukee Hospital, Diana Morrasy-Carls said she was a little nervous before she was implanted with the device. She said she’s found, however, that it transformed her ability to be at ease regarding her health concerns.

“I was a little nervous when I was going to have it done because I was the first one, but I’ll be honest, it does give you peace of mind,” Morrasy-Carls said. “And I hope that people that are considering this will do it. You have to get on the pillow daily – I’ve skipped a few days but not many – and I just feel, like I said, it gives me peace of mind.”

Congestive heart failure can leave a person short of breath with swollen legs, fatigue and with higher risk of fluid in the lungs caused by a buildup of blood because of the heart not pumping properly. The device Morrasy-Carls had implanted in her heart can monitor artery pressure in the heart daily, providing timely data to her doctors to help troubleshoot issues.

Dr. Christopher Berry, interventional cardiologist and director of the cardiac catheterization lab at Kishwaukee Hospital, performed the operation on Morrasy-Carls last month. Berry said the procedure to implant the novel device shares similarities to a common procedure he does often: a right heart catheterization

“The difference is rather than pulling all the equipment out, which is what we would do with a normal right heart catheterization, we leave a small transmitter behind, which has two coils at the end of it that allows it to adhere to the arterial wall,” said Berry, who performed his second CardioMEMs device the end of February.

Berry said the CardioMEMs gadget he implanted into Morrasy-Carls’ heart is a paperclip-sized pressure monitoring device that uses modern communication technology to allow doctors to keep an eye on Morrasy-Carls without a hospital visit.

“It basically has the ability to provide

continuous, real time monitoring of the pulmonary artery pressure and on the basis of that we can adjust therapy to improve basically fluid balance and keep people more symptom free and keep them out of the hospital,” Berry said.

In order for Berry and other Northwestern Medicine doctors to monitor her health through the device, Morrasy-Carls has to lie on a device (that’s too heavy to be considered a pillow but too soft to be called anything else) that uploads data collected by the CardioMEMS device to them.

The data is reviewed at least weekly, but Berry said it’s looked over more often if adjustments are being made to a patients health plan.

For the device to work, Morrasy-Carls has to lay for a minute once a day, but she said that’s “an easy-peasy thing to do.”

Berry said he typically views new

technology in medical science through a lens of skepticism. But now that the device has been available to the public for a few years, he said he’s confident in the data that demonstrates CardioMEMs devices create a reduction in heart failure hospitalizations and improved quality of life for patients.

“And of course, when you do that, there’s a sort of cascade of benefits to it, including obviously reduction in health care costs that are associated with hospitalizations,” Berry said.

Reflecting on how technology has evolved during her life, Morrasy-Carls called the CardioMEMs a miracle and marveled over what additional health care advancement younger generations might see in their lifetimes.

Morrasy-Carls also wondered what life would have been like for her had the technology come along a few decades earlier, before her first husband died from something her device is supposed to help reduce the likelihood of – a heart attack.

“When you think about where we were at – my first husband died of a heart attack – and where we’re at now, in comparison to where we were then, he would have lived longer had we had these,” Morrasy-Carls said.

Camden Lazenby – clazenby@shawmedia.com

On Friday, March 3, Diana Morrasy-Carls smiles while talking about the peace of mind she’s found since she was implanted with a CardioMEMs device at Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital.

“When you think about where we were at – my first husband died of a heart attack – and where we’re at now, in comparison to where we were then, he would have lived longer had we had these.”

Diana Morrasy-Carls Sycamore patient

SELECT IMPORT LOT

DeKalb OKs upgrades for emergency alert system

By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com

DeKALB – DeKalb city leaders last week approved a plan to upgrade a 30-year-old DeKalb Fire Department alert system for $124,500, meant to bolster emergency response technology used for communications between departments.

The DeKalb City Council last week voted to buy a new station alert system from US Digital Designs. The cost the city is responsible for amounts to $124,557, according to city documents.

A station alert system is the product of police dispatches to the fire department’s internal communication system once a 9-1-1 call is received.

City Manager Bill Nicklas said the current alert system provides challenges to the city as it may be difficult to find replacement pieces for it.

“It’s a 30-year-old system,” City Manager Bill Nicklas said. “This helps not only with the alerting but it has to

do with integration of the police dispatch system and the fire noticing system.”

The new station alert system, as approved, will consist of lighting alerts and tone alerts that ramp up as well as voice-over-text technology, cellphone application alerts and mapping.

Nicklas said the city has known for some time that it’s needed to take action to address the issues with its station alert system.

“I think it’s imperative that we do something,” Nicklas said. “This has been discussed for a couple years at the staff level. We now have the [Ground Emergency Medical Transport] fund to provide some funding for it.”

The city had received four bids for station alert systems, according to city documents. The lowest qualifying bid came from US Digital Designs.

In a related action, the City Council voted to authorize the installation of the station alert system for the DeKalb Fire Department for $20,180.

DCCF gets new board members

Shaw Local News Network

SYCAMORE – The DeKalb County Community Foundation has elected new leadership for its board of directors.

The foundation elected Christine Johnson as president and Jim Stoddard as vice president during its annual meeting in January, according to a news release.

The additional existing board officers will continue in their roles, including David B. Castle as treasurer and Dan Templin as secretary, while he fulfills his other role as the foundation’s executive director.

The board of directors is made up of volunteer representatives from throughout the county who govern the foundation as contributors and connec-

tors to the foundation’s mission. The board members serve three-year terms and can serve a maximum of nine years.

The board sets policy, formulates strategic priorities, inspires donor interest in partnering with the foundation, and determines the use of grant-making and other foundation resources, according to the release.

The DeKalb County Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that enhances the quality of life in DeKalb County through endowments, donor services, stewardship, grant-making and community initiatives through more than 430 charitable funds.

For information, call 815-748-5383 or email dan@dekalbccf.org.

Jim Stoddard

Christine Johnson David Castle

Dan Templin

LOOKING BACK

1923 – 100 YEARS AGO

Now that spring will soon be here, Sawyer & Sons are preparing for the time with an attractive show room for their cars. The DeKalb men have taken the store recently vacated by the Co-Operative people and also the place formerly occupied by Ben Peck. It is the intention to remodel both rooms so they may be able to use them for sales rooms and keep a stock of cars on display. In this manner the men will have ample room for their cars and be able to give customers an idea of each model.

Merchants along the street are now complaining of children on skates who seem to make much noise when they enter a store or are about to leave it. This causes the merchants and helpers much confusion and in some cases it is very irritable. There are a few merchants who have now placed signs on their doors, that they will not allow children on skates to enter their place and that they must remove their skates or else enter quietly. In most cases they come in with a push which sends them down the aisles at a mad pace, often times disturbing large piles of merchandise.

Two salesmen, who evidently had a better idea of themselves than anyone else, gave a DeKalb merchant a little trouble last evening. It seems when the men arrived in town they had imbibed too freely of moonshine and from their first entrance began to make trouble. Going to a dance last night, they made themselves very obnoxious. When they were asked to leave by the owner of the place, they were highly insulted and threatened to do him bodily injury. An officer was called who took the men under collar and put them in a cell for the night. When they appeared this morning two meeker individuals could not be found and they were sorry they had let their thirst get the best of them.

Since taking over the business of the City Cleaners, Gus Youngstead has been busy making alterations to suit his convenience and arranging the place into two large rooms. The front will be used for patrons while the rear will be turned into a tailor shop. It will be here that all altering and pressing will be done.

1948 – 75 YEARS AGO

The Boardman Memorial Chapel, an auxiliary worship room at the First Methodist Church in DeKalb, was dedicated in

strikingly simple ceremonies before an overflow crowd Sunday morning by Bishop J. Ralph Magee of Chicago. The beautiful new chapel, designed for small weddings, prayer services, and other smaller occasions when the large sanctuary would be considered too large, was named for the late Sherman W. Boardman, who was a worker in the church for many years. Mr. Boardman left some property to the church and this was sold and the money used to finance the remodeling.

On Saturday afternoon shortly before 4 o’clock an auto driven by R.J. McAllister of South Third Street in DeKalb was struck by a North Western engine at the Sixth Street crossing. The auto was going south over the tracks at the time of the accident. Although the auto was damaged some, Mr. McAllister escaped injury. The car was hit by train 51. This is the second vehicle to be hit by a train within two days as on Thursday morning of last week the city of Denver nicked a truck at the Third Street crossing.

But few notations were made on the police blotter from yesterday noon through late this morning with calls for the city ambulance being the principal items of note. One accident was reported yesterday afternoon. James

Crews driving a Vets cab, was going south on South Third Street, and John Snyder of Kirkland was driving east on Franklin Street, the vehicles colliding at the intersection.

The interior of the court house has had a bath with most of the walls in the halls and rooms being washed. The painters are now touching up the bad places. Even the wooden box under the statue of Queen Isabella, which is located on the landing to the third floor, received a coat of white paint after seven years.

It is quite a sight to watch Superintendent of Public Works, Fred Foster, manipulate the tractor with a scoop attachment while removing the snow from the curbs. He receives a lot of kidding about it. While it entails a thankless job that it is taken for granted, many of the citizens, especially the motorists, are deeply appreciative of the work being done by Fred and his crew.

Mr. and Mrs. Chester Freeman and Danny of northwest Malta were Sunday-supper guests at the Lennox Elliott home.

1973 – 50 YEARS AGO

Edward Diedrich today said he had asked DeKalb Mayor Jesse Chamberlain

to refuse to allow William Brown to sit as an alderman. Diedrich, who was knocked off the April 17 ballot as a mayoral candidate by the electoral board for failing to file his ethics statement by Feb. 12, also told the Mayor he felt it would be a misuse of taxpayers money to try and defend Brown’s claim to the seat in court.

Proper budgeting of finances and the stock market are being taught to sixth graders in Southeast School in Sycamore. Teaching economic education are sixth grade teachers Jim Klink and Terry Desmond, who combine mathematics with social studies lessons. Other areas being explored include credit power and interest rates, fundamentals of banking and the tax structure.

Harrison Sawyer of Sawyer Auto Imports, announced this week that Automotive Midwest Ltd. of DeKalb has purchased the American Motors dealership from Sawyer.

The county highway this morning decided to present four alternate routes for the proposed tollway access road to the March 1 meeting of the County Board. If two of the four routes suggested by the committee are chosen, it would necessitate building a new airport or building new airport hangers. The city of DeKalb has said it would not close the airport unless another were built.

1998 – 25 YEARS AGO

Northern Illinois University has seen an increase in the number of drug-related arrests this year. However, University Police officials believe the increase is due to more reports of crime from students and the community, not to an increase in drug use.

Linda Chesser has become the 13th director of the DeKalb Public Library. The first director was Mrs. Ernest Carter, who was offered the position of reading room attendant in 1896 at $3 per week to keep the room open every weekday afternoon and evening, plus Sunday afternoons. Over the next 102 years, 11 women held the title.

Because of the discovery of water on the moon, Americans could be living in a permanent lunar base, the first outpost beyond the Earth, in as little as a decade, a NASA scientists says. –CompiledbySueBreese

Photo provided by DeKalb County History Center

The DeKalb Township High School 1906 champion team. Line-up was Nan Glidden, Mabel Ronan, Elva Lundberg, Marie Moorehead and team captain Ruth Earle (photo order not specified).

NEWS BRIEFS

Sycamore church offers special service for the hearing impaired

SYCAMORE – Saint John Lutheran Church recently held a special divine service for the hearing impaired.

The church, 26555 Brickville Road, held the service Sunday, Feb. 19, according to a news release.

The service was joined by a guest interpreter, Pastor Thomas Dunseth of Ephphatha Lutheran Mission Society in Hartland, Michigan. The church is planning to provide more worship services for people with hearing impairments.

For information, call 815-895-4477.

Women’s history STEM Cafe taking place March 9 at library

DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St., will host a women’s history

Teen STEM Cafe at 5 p.m. Thursday, March 9, in the library’s lower-level Yusunas Meeting Room.

The STEM Cafe is open to people of all ages.

The cafe’s featured speakers, including women leaders from NASA, will discuss

women in STEM who made a difference. The differences include how women of color learn to navigate the STEM landscape. The cafe also will feature free pizza, STEM activities and short talks about STEM fields. Registration is required to attend. To register, visit dkpl. org.

For information, email susang@dkpl.org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 3400.

Read to Rover program to be held March 10 at the DeKalb library

DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St., will host sessions for its Read to Rover program at 1 p.m. Friday, March 10, in the library’s children’s department. The program is free and intended for children.

Emma, a collie and Canine Good Citizen, will visit the library to listen to children read. Children can register at the Youth Reference Desk for a 10-minute time slot to read to Emma during the program. For information, call 815-756-9568, ext. 3350, or visit the Youth Services Desk. –ShawLocalNewsNetwork

Hosted by Kandi Baars

Talley & Mike Baars

Photo provided by Saint John Lutheran Church Pastor Thomas Dunseth (from left), Wendy Maulding, Joyce Freeman, Diane Mills, Barbara Pinkham, Pastor Paul Mumme and Marvin Jedicker (seated).

Kishwaukee Concert Band performing spring concert March 12

Shaw Local News Network

DeKALB – The Kishwaukee Concert Band will perform a spring concert for their 21st concert season.

The concert will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 12, at the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall in the Northern Illinois University Music Building, 550 Lucinda Ave., DeKalb, according to a news release.

The concert, directed by Dave Lehman and Deb Shofner, is free and handicapped accessible. Parking is available in lots 3, 4 and 14.

“Back Home Again in Indiana,” arranged by John Tatgenhorst, is a jazzy, toe-tapper featuring section interplay. “Deep River,” by James Swearington, is a harmonization of the familiar hymn. “The Big Cage” is a fun-filled Karl King march arranged by Andrew Glover.

“Joy,” by Frank Ticheli, gives a

NEWS BRIEFS

KSO performing spring pops concert March 10

DeKALB – The Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra will perform a Spring Pops Concert to celebrate the arrival of spring.

The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 10, at the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall in the Northern Illinois University Music Building, 550 Lucinda Ave., DeKalb, according to a news release.

The orchestra will perform classical music favorites. The music being performed includes the Waltz from “Sleeping Beauty” by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky; “Raiders March” from “Raiders of the Lost Ark” by John Williams; “On the Beautiful Blue Danube Waltz, Op. 314” by Johann Strauss Jr.; and “Horn Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major, Op. 11” by Richard Strauss, featuring Mark Robinson on the horn.

Tickets, available at the door or online at kishorchestra.org/ticket-info, are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors, $7 for students with a valid school ID, and $7 for children ages 12 and younger. For information, visit kishorchestra.

feeling of simple, unabashed joy.

Henry Mancini’s “The Pink Panther,” is an American comedy-mystery series media franchise featuring an inept French detective.

“Scenes of Wonder” is a threemovement suite expressing different emotions when visiting Europe by Mark Williams. “Serenata” is a short orchestral work that senses the country’s optimism two years after the end of World War II by Leroy Anderson.

“An American Fanfare,” arranged by Rick Kirby, takes the hymn-like strains of “America” and incorporates them into a fast, energetic fanfare.

The Kishwaukee Concert Band is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization comprised of volunteer players older than 18 who have played an instrument in the past.

For information, visit kishconcertband.org or the band’s Facebook page.

org or the orchestra’s social media pages.

Sycamore church hosting Agape Ringers Concert March 12

SYCAMORE – Saint John Lutheran Church will host a concert featuring the handbell ensemble group, the Agape Ringers.

The church, 25666 Brickville Road, Sycamore, will hold the concert at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 12, according to a news release.

The concert is free and open to the public.

The concert will feature various musical styles, including Dmitri Shostakovich’s “Waltz No. 2,” “Waltz” from “Sleeping Beauty” and “Once Upon a December” from the movie “Anastasia.” The concert also includes an arrangement of Karl Jenkin’s Palladio, “Malaguena” from the Spanish Suite “Andalucia” and other original handbell compositions.

The Agape Ringers are a Chicago area handbell ensemble that has made more than 300 appearances since its founding in 1992.

D-428 SRO police update gets thumbs up from city

By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com

DeKALB – A six-month report delivered at a recent meeting of the DeKalb City Council indicated that DeKalb schools are in good standing with promoting safety given the expansion to the school resource officer program in the fall.

Last June, the city authorized a three-year pact with DeKalb School District 428 to boost support for SROs by adding two more, bringing the total districtwide to five.

Officer Chris Sullivan, who works as an SRO at DeKalb High School, said it’s clear that the effect of the expanded SRO program is felt.

“We cannot say there are no issues happening in the schools this year, but we are working along with the school district on a daily basis to improve conditions for safety and learning,” Sullivan said. “Everything’s a work in progress, but it seems like we’re in a better place now than we were in last year.”

The district now has two SROs for the high school, one for both of the middle schools and one for the six elementary schools in DeKalb city limits, according to city documents. Previously, the district assigned one SRO to the high school, one to the middle schools and one to the six elementary schools.

Police Chief David Byrd championed the cause that the district’s SROs are fighting for.

“I know the mayor, myself [and] city manager really fought hard to add the additional SROs,” Byrd said. “I think it

was a long fight, but it was needed. I want to thank the City Council for helping us in improving what we thought was very important.”

When the city originally entertained the agreement with the district last summer, officials weighed the idea of adding two SROS with an option for a third at a later time. Both sides ultimately decided to move ahead with increasing the program’s ranks to five in total.

At the same time, both the city and the district have until 90 days before the start of the fall term to submit in writing a reduction in the number of SROs during the term of the agreement, according to city documents.

The agreement included language directing the district to distribute a revised code of conduct to all students and their parents at the onset of the 202223 school year. The pact between the city and the district prompted officials in the fall to distribute a new parent/student handbook, including district disciplinary policies and rules, to each students’ parents or guardians within 15 days of the first day of school, according to city documents.

This year marks the first in which the district is implementing its revised code of conduct.

Kyle Gerdes, the district’s director of student services, said he feels encouraged by the district’s student discipline data.

“Anecdotally, I can tell you I get fewer calls for consultation at this point

See SRO OFFICERS, page 13

Mark Busch file photo – mbusch@shawmedia.com

Chris Sullivan, DeKalb Police officer and student resource officer at DeKalb High School, talks Oct. 20, 2022, at the school about what he enjoys most about working with students and some of the challenges that it can create.

NEWS BRIEF

Sycamore church evening Lent services begin March 1

SYCAMORE – Saint John Lutheran Church will offer weekly prayer services

Wednesday evenings during Lent.

The church, 26555 Brickville Road, Sycamore, will host the services at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, March 1, through Wednesday, March 29, according to a news release.

The services are free and open to the public.

SRO OFFICERS

Continued from page 12

in the year than I did in August and September from our building administrators, and that’s encouraged to talk through some of our more complicated situations,” Gerdes said. “But they are through training, through professional learning communities where we discuss various scenarios getting a better grasp of how to implement it themselves.”

DeKalb police data indicates that since August and the winter break that ensued, discipline referrals for physical altercations have risen to 367 at all of the district’s schools, of which 76 have occurred at the high school. During that same timeframe the year before, authorities reported 245 at all of the district’s schools, of which 70 occurred at the high school, data shows.

This is a product of a new Illinois State Board of Education policy prohibiting police from issuing citations to students and their families or guardians on school grounds and during class time.

City Manager Bill Nicklas said authorities can arrange for an opportunity off the premises to discuss what led to the violation, and there may be another process that ensues.

Gerdes acknowledged that the district is seeing a higher number of documented physical altercations and other incidents of aggressive behavior.

“Research would say that it’s not atypical to see an increase in the number of office discipline referrals related to that code of conduct,” he said. “For a few things, I think primarily what we’re looking at is there’s a focus on implementing this code of conduct from our administrators and from our staff. … There’s a little bit more of a targeted focus on it this year. We do contribute some of our numbers being up due to that.”

Gerdes maintains that restorative practices are a focus in District 428 schools.

“Regardless of what the consequence would be, as determined by our student code of conduct, our goal would be to hold the student accountable for their behavior but also engage them in a restorative process that allows them to engage back in the school [and] class-

The 45-minute long services sermons will explore the King betrayed, the King denied, the King condemned, the King mocked, and the King on the cross. The services also include the scripture, prayer, and songs. A free supper is being served before the services from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

For information, visit stjohnsycamore. org/home.

–ShawLocalNewsNetwork

room community with success so they don’t repeat that same incident in the future,” he said.

DeKalb police data shows that from August to winter break, authorities issued 21 citations to students and their parents/guardians. That makes for a 12-count decrease from the start of fall term to winter break the previous school year.

DeKalb police data saw the arrest of students involved in physical altercations drop from 33 during the fall term through winter break of the 2021-22 school year to zero during the same timeframe in 2022-23.

Gerdes cautioned people from trying to draw conclusions from six months worth of data.

“I’m not saying we weren’t necessarily looking for behaviors and having a process to respond to those, but there’s a little bit more of a targeted focus on it this year,” Gerdes said. “We do contribute some of our numbers being up due to that.”

Byrd credited the versatility of the SROs for enabling them to excel in their roles.

“We can never forget that their job is to protect those students, the faculty from outside threats and that’s what they do every day, but then all of a sudden they have to play life coach,” he said. “They have to deal with a kid who got hurt or who needs a Band-Aid. This is how versatile they have to be.”

Byrd stressed that all the city’s SROs are after is compliance.

“Most of the time we would prefer that the school district handle most of the discipline administratively,” he said. “That way we can walk the other way. Those officers, their No. 1 goal is to keep everyone safe from external threats – not internal but external.”

Gerdes said that although the expanded SRO program has shown promise to this point, he looks forward to assessing what progress is made after a year.

“It’ll be very interesting as we go into next school year, where we have a baseline number to look at,” Gerdes said. “We have our first year of implementation, and then as we get into maybe this time next year to look at ‘How has the needle moved as we as a district learned how to implement our code of conduct, worked through some kinks?’ ”

NEWS BRIEFS

Grief support group meeting to meet at the DeKalb library

DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St., will host two grief support group sessions from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 14 and 28, in the library’s lower-level Bilder Family Meeting Room.

The group is free and intended for adults.

Attendees can join other people experiencing loss and grief to receive support in a confidential and safe setting. Participants can learn more about grief, share their grief experiences and receive insight on the grieving process from peers and the group facilitator. The group will be facilitated by ProMedica Hospice Bereavement Coordinator Marianna Galligani, M.S. No registration is required to attend.

The support group doesn’t replace other mental health services. If you need individual counseling or other mental health services, call 815-397-3691 or 211. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or need immediate attention for a non-life-threatening mental health need, call 988. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911.

For information, email samanthah@ dkpl.org call 815-756-9568, ext. 1701.

St. Mary’s School hosting breakfast fundraiser March 12

SYCAMORE – St. Mary’s Catholic Church will host a Green Eggs and Ham breakfast fundraiser to fund the church’s Youth Ministry Mission Team’s upcoming trip to Huntington, Indiana.

The fundraiser will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, March 12, in the parish hall of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 322 Waterman St., Sycamore, according to a news release.

Admission is free for children ages newborn to 4, $5 for people ages 4 and older, and $20 for families.

The breakfast includes green eggs, ham, pancakes, fruit, baked goods, orange juice, coffee and milk. There will be activities available for children, including an appearance by the Cat in the Hat.

For information, email youthministry@ stmarysycamore.org.

Northern Rehab offering blood pressure health series March 15

SYCAMORE – Northern Rehab Physical Therapy Specialists will partner with the Kishwaukee Family YMCA to host their next Lunch and Learn Education Series, “Safe & Effective Exercise for High Blood Pressure.”

The series will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, at the Kishwaukee Family YMCA, 2500 Bethany

Road, Sycamore, according to a news release.

Admission to the series is free. Registration is required.

Physical therapist Nick Pedraza will discuss the causes and risk factors for high blood pressure, how exercise can assist in its management, and when to seek medical or physical therapy evaluation and treatment. Lunch is being provided by Hy-Vee. To register, visit kishymca.org, call 815-375-5403, or email abrodarick@kishymca.org. Registration closes Tuesday, March 14.

Northern Rehab Physical Therapy Specialists is a physical therapist owned and operated physical therapy practice providing clients with customized care for more than 40 years.

The Kishwaukee Family YMCA is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to enrich the spirit, mind and body of all those in the community, especially families and children, regardless of ability to pay.

For information, visit kishymca.org or northernrehabpt.com/events or call 815-756-9577 or 815-756-8524.

DeKalb library hosting history event on Carole King March 9

DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St., will host a history event on songwriter Carole King at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 9, in the library’s lower-level Yusunas Meeting Room.

The event is free and intended for people of all ages.

Attendees will learn about King’s history and her rise to fame from Gary Wenstrup. Wenstrup teaches courses on the Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel and Motown Records for the College of DuPage and Oakton Community College. No registration is required to attend.

For information, email samanthah@ dkpl.org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 1701.

Doodling program to be held March 11 at the DeKalb library

DeKALB – The DeKab Public Library, 309 Oak St., will host a doodling program at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 11, in the library’s Nancy D. Castle Collaboration Studio.

The program is free and intended for teens ages 12 to 18.

Patrons can participate in the program to explore their creativity through doodling. After a doodling warm-up, attendees will be able to draw whatever they want on a whiteboard. Because of limited space, the program is first come, first served.

For information, email juanb@dkpl. org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 2450.

–ShawLocalNewsNetwork

Meat

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Liquor

DeKalb school district announces ILMEA District Festival students

Shaw Local News Network

DeKALB – The DeKalb School District 428 Music Department celebrated middle and high school choir, band and orchestra students who participated in the 2022–23 Illinois Music Education Association.

The students auditioned to participate in ILMEA Honor Ensembles during the fall, according to a news release.

Music students who qualified during their auditions attended the District VIII Festivals. The students participated in all-day workshops and concerts at the festival.

Students who qualified for the district festival in November include:

Clinton Rosette Middle School Junior Band: Tuba – Theodore Grych, Johnathon Holtz; Clarinet – Alivia Harris; French Horn – Jeremy Mays, Jacob Slawsky; Trumpet – Ryder Vander Bleek.

Huntley Middle School Junior Band: Trombone – Kylee Bollow, Jason Goode; Clarinet – Addisyn Borota, Foster Doll, Samantha Vander Bleek, Kara Zimmerman; Trumpet – Jacob Foltz; Percussion – Miles Lundin; Flute – Tiffany Nedelcu.

Clinton Rosette Middle School Junior Choir: Roxie Bell, Melody Foster, Madison Hernandez–Keene.

Huntley Middle School Junior Choir: Erin Duffin, Tilly Erickson, Abigail Gil, Camilla Izaguirre, Shareba Johnson, Madison Mansfield, Delany Martin, Tessa Mayne, Adeline Wyruchowski, Natalie Zamora.

Clinton Rosette Middle School Junior Jazz Band: Alto Saxophone – Sophia Dorantes; Trumpet – Corrigan Foster, Ryder Vander Bleek; Guitar –Johnathon Holtz.

Huntley Middle School Junior Jazz Band: Alto Saxophone – Foster Doll, Alexi Rodriguez; Trumpet – Clark Storey; Drum Set – Joseph Stratton; Piano – Benjamin Sword; Trombone – Henry Vander Bleek; Bass Trombone – Jason Goode, Ron Ramadani

Clinton Rosette Middle School Junior Orchestra: Violin – Chloe Kaiser, Jolie Ni, Edmund Solares–Jaeger, Keira Vermonte; Double Bass – Connor

MacNeille, Huck Specht; Cello –Anthony Ortiz, Lucy Wheaton; Viola – Hiram Roman Ortiz, Maria Elena Bello Rodriguez.

Huntley Middle School Junior Orchestra: Violin – Andy Duran, Luis Hernandez–Cruz, Addison McKiness,

Maddyson Myers, David Perea–Perez, Lillian Raih, Faven Smith; Viola – Sarah Foltz, Qausem Tawil; Cello – Breleela Lawson, Yotam Reed.

DeKalb High School Senior Band: Clarinet – Corman Anderson; Bb Clarinet – Brooklyn Burks, Sarah Haley, Megan Medina; French Horn – Seth Ford, Mia Lundin; Trumpet –Ryan Mays, Jackson Vander Bleek; Trombone – Gary Nedelcu, Liam Wakeland; Tuba – Abigail Slater; Percussion – Jenna Zimmerman.

DeKalb High School Senior Chorus: Anaya Aguilar-DeCleene, Gabriel Galindo, Eduardo Garcia, Julia Glover, Grace Leopardo, Raegan Mann, Jisela Marquez, Maurice Mullen, Miranda Perez, Iliana Rigaud, Piper Schiola-Williams, Adrian Sommerfield.

DeKalb High School Senior Jazz: Jazz Trumpet – Erik Castro, Ryan Mays; Jazz Alto Sax – Sarah Haley; Jazz Guitar – Ethan Kellen; Jazz Trombone – Gary Nedelcu; Jazz String/ Elec. Bass – Grace Thurman; Tenor Saxophone – Aidric Walters.

DeKalb High School Senior Orchestra: Cello – Giuliana Alvarez, Emma Cohen, Evelyn Heuschel, Christopher Thunder, Cooper Warren; French Horn – Dice Clarence; Piccolo – Daniel Clements; Viola – Areilla Cork, Chloe McKendry; Violin –Angel Fernandez, Megan Gates, Lauren Gates, Alexus James, Juliana Leon, Akemi McHan, Lindsey Nichols, Keira Specht, Grace Thurman; Trombone – Taylor Hennessee; Flute – Emma Kimmel; Harp – Jessica Ni, Ellison Xu; Double Bass – Nathaniel O’Neal, Roman Pfeifer; Bassoon –Julia Rasmussen; Percussion – Jaden Teague–Nunez; Oboe – Reagan Vander Bleek.

DeKalb High School music students who attended the IlMEA All–State Conference Thursday, Jan. 26, through Saturday, Jan. 28:

All–State Band: Taylor Hennessee, Mia Lundin, Emma Kimmel, Megan Medina

Honors Band: Jenna Zimmerman

All–State Choir: Julia Glover, Jisela Marquez

Honors Choir: Gabriel Galindo, Eduardo Garcia, Grace Leopardo, Maurice Mullen, Iliana Rigaud

All–State Orchestra: Emma Cohen, Chloe McKendry, Jessica Ni, Nathaniel O’Neal, Kiera Specht

Honors Orchestra: Julia Rasmussen, Ellison Xu

SM-CL2057877

Dennis Leifheit

IVVC receives donation from TC Energy Foundation for tools purchase

Shaw Local News Network

SANDWICH – Indian Valley Vocational Center recently received a $20,000 donation from TC Energy Foundation.

The grant will be used to buy tools and equipment for hands-on training in IVVC’s auto body repair, construction trades, emergency medical services, fire science and welding, and fabrication programs, according to a news release.

The grant is being used to provide funds for a prep station exhaust bench for the auto body program, which will draw sanding dust downward to prevent it from being inhaled.

The construction trades program is building a residential house off-site during the 2022-23 school year. Funds from the donation will be used to buy two scaffolds and a generator so students can power up their tools and safely access work at all the buildings levels.

EMS students are receiving a 1-year-old patient heart and lung sounds skills trainer. The

trainer is an important aspect to first responder training because children have very different anatomies than adults. The grant also provides funds for a wound-packing trainer to help students prepare for handling bleeding emergencies.

Fire science will buy Cairns helmets, fire boots, gloves and Scba air pack bottles for enhanced training scenarios such as search and rescue, hose and fire streams, and ladders.

The welding and fabrication program will install a new lab with additional welding booths to accommodate the increase in student enrollment and purchase a power MIG welder and four power TIG welders.

The IVVC is a center for surrounding school districts to send students looking to hone their technical skills by providing classes on practical skills so they can enter the workforce or prepare for college.

For information, visit ivvc. net.

Photos provided by Indian Valley Vocational Center

LEFT: Indian Valley Vocational Center Fire Science students train with equipment purchased through the TC Energy Foundation grant. RIGHT: Indian Valley Vocational Center EMS students practice with a 1-Year-Old Patient Heart and Lung Sounds Skills Trainer.

Resource Bank honored by Sycamore Chamber

By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com

SYCAMORE – A downtown Sycamore bank was awarded the Sycamore Chamber of Commerce’s top business accolade Thursday for what area leaders said was Resource Bank’s commitment to local service.

Business owners, government officials and community leaders gathered in St. Mary’s Memorial Hall, 244 Waterman St., Thursday to attend Sycamore Chamber of Commerce’s 106th Annual Meeting and find out who would win the Chamber’s yearly awards.

Resource Bank, Manny Peña American Family Insurance, the DeKalb County Courthouse, Sycamore State Theatre and Thomas Doty of Doty & Sons all took home awards during the two-hour luncheon. The Outstanding Business of the Year award is given to a Sycamore Chamber member that has positively influenced the economic vitality of the Sycamore community.

“It’s just a rewarding feeling to know that our customers have rewarded us with their business,” said Resource Bank CEO Diana Shott. “We’ve now been recognized by this wonderful community called Sycamore, we want to be here, we have a long commitment to this

area, and we’ve been around since 1901, so full circle for us.”

RoseMarie Treml, the Chamber’s executive director, said getting to tell businesses they won an award with the Chamber is among the highlights of her occupation.

“It’s awesome! Probably one of my most favorite parts of the job, is going to the businesses, and the outstanding citizen, and telling them that they’re going to be receiving the award at the annual meeting,” Treml said. “My staff and I go, we go together because it’s something I want to share but it definitely is my most favorite thing to do.”

Treml said Resource Bank, which has more than a dozen locations in DeKalb, Kane and LaSalle counties, was given the Outstanding Business of the Year award for its commitment to serving the Sycamore as a local financial institution.

“They’ve always been like this, but in particular now, they’re one of our few local banks we can really consider local and they just had an excellent nomination,” Treml said. “It was really hard to even compare anybody else.”

Shott said she was honored and grateful to represent Resource Bank at

Mark Busch – mbusch@shawmedia.com

Resource Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Diana Shott accepts the Sycamore Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Business of the Year Award on behalf of the bank from Robert Heck the president of the Chamber’s board of directors during the 106th Annual Chamber Meeting Thursday, March 2, in Memorial Hall at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sycamore. See CHAMBER EVENT, page 19

“I say this because without them it doesn’t happen. I’m the face, it’s my name, but I’m only able to do what I can out in the community because of my team here. And if it’s not for them being back in the office working with clients, and making sure their insurance needs are being done, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.”

Manny Peña

• CHAMBER EVENT

Continued from page 18

the Chamber event, and she noted the impact the local community had on the bank’s business.

“We feel like we have good neighbors, but more importantly it’s really just the Sycamore community has so many businesses that really are supportive. We would not be here without our customers,” Shott said. “That’s what I thought about when we received this award. I’ve been with the bank a long time, 36 years coming on, and when I think of all the changes we’ve been through ... we’re very grateful, it was a very nice thing.”

The Spirit of Small Business Award was presented to a small business associated with the Chamber that shows community spirit and a dedication to Sycamore. The award was presented to Manny Peña American Family Insurance. Manny Peña heralded the hard work and dedication of the business’ staff members.

“I say this because without them it doesn’t happen. I’m the face, it’s my name, but I’m only able to do what I can out in the community because of my team here,” Peña said. “And if it’s not for them being back in the office working with clients, and making sure their insurance needs are being done, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.”

Savannah Walsh – a social media, marketing and sales specialist for insurance agent – said the award came as “huge shock” to her and the five other staff members.

“We weren’t expecting it but we feel so honored and humbled,” Walsh said.

Kari and Makie Maratos, owners of Sycamore State Theatre, earned the Chamber’s 2022 Community Diamond Award for the significant positive impact the couple has made in the community.

In June 2021 Kari and Makie Maratos bought the downtown Sycamore theater and reopened it to the public later that summer. In part because of Kari and Makie Maratos’ purchase, the theater is well situated to celebrate its 100th anniversary in November 2025.

“New owners Makie and Kari Maratos firmly believe that this theater is Sycamore’s theater,” Sycamore Chamber of Commerce President Robert Heck said. “There’s a quote on the wall from an old theater bill that reads ‘This

is your theater Sycamore, and we are here to just maintain it for you.’ And thanks to Makie and Kari we will continue to have one of the few downtown theaters in operating as a theater in the United States.”

Kari Maratos said she and her husband couldn’t believe they had the opportunity to buy the almost century-old venue, but since that acquisition they’ve been humbled by the welcome the Sycamore community has given them.

“We just feel so blessed to have been able to buy a building like this, I mean you don’t find stuff like this all the time anymore – especially such a cool space – and we are really looking forward to continuing to make it a space for the community to enjoy,” Kari Maratos said.

The 2022 Chamber Champion Award was given to the DeKalb County Courthouse, and county officials Circuit Clerk Lori Grubbs, County Administrator Brian Gregory, County Sheriff Andy Sullivan, State’s Attorney Rick Amato and Public Defender Chip Criswell were on hand.

23rd Judicial Circuit Court Chief Judge Bradley Waller said when the courthouse in downtown Sycamore was built in 1906 it quickly became what he called the place to go for local gossip. In the century since, the courthouse lawn also has played host to community staple events such as Sycamore Pumpkin Fest, Sycamore’s annual Walk with Santa and Tree Lighting event and Sycamore Farmers Market.

Waller thanked Gregory, Sullivan, Amato and Criswell while accepting the award, but made special mention of Grubbs for her work as the court’s clerk.

“I left Lori Grubbs for last because I joke I probably talk to her more than her husband Jeremy – no offense to Jeremy – but I couldn’t ask for a better person to deal with on a daily basis. She is our Circuit Clerk, without her our courthouse doesn’t run,” Waller said.

Thomas Doty, the third-generation owner of Doty & Sons, was awarded the Clifford Danielson Outstanding Citizen Award for he and his family’s business’ community leadership.

“It’s really quite the honor to receive this award,” Doty said. “I’d like to thank my family and friends for coming, especially my wife of 43 years. Thank you so much for your love and support.”

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Manny Peña American Family Insurance, winner of the Spirit of Small Business Award

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Lost mens gold with red stone ring, left in suit coat pocket and suit was give n to Goodwill in 2021. Call or text 815-751-6383

Our Great Garag e Sale

Guarantee!

If it rains on your sale , we will run your ad again the next week for FREE!

Place online: ww w.shawlocal.com/garagesales Call 833-584-NEWS or email: clas s ified@shawsuburban.com

The MidWeek Classified

NO TE : Ch eck in time as follows: Thur sday, Apr il 6th

fr om 8- 6, Fr iday , Ap ril 7th from 8-4.

NO SA TURDAY MO RN IN G EN TRIES! FOOD AVAI LA BLE ON GROUND S BY GRANGE RS!!

No titled vehicles to be sold unless valid title in sellers name!

Consig nment Fee s: To tal lot sale: $0- $100 Do nat io n to Grange, $101-$3000 , 25%, $3001-$5000 20%, $5001 and up 15% $10 De posit each required fo r the following ite ms : ti res, gas tanks, major ap pli ances $50 Deposit re qui red on t itl ed items, no sale fee on ti tle d ite ms $50. Buy back fe e on n on- t itl ed items $10.00

CLASSIFIED

** Online in ternet bidding beginning at 11 :30 AM - Tractors, Combine & Equipment **

1986 De utz Allis 6275, 2W D, CAH, 5376 hrs., 3 ra nge, 12 forward sp., 4 reverse sp., 2 hyd., 3pt., quick hitch, 540 pto, diff lock, 18.4-30 tir es, S/N 77560863; 1 982 Deutz DX 130, Powermatic, 2WD, CA H, 3757 hrs ., 3 range, 12 forward sp., 4 reverse sp., 2 hyd., 3pt., 540/1000 pt o, di ff lock, 18.4-38 tires, S/N 76320090; Hefty HI-G, diesel, 4 sp high/low, creeper gear, Mits ubi shi KE 130 Motor, power steering, front & rear hy d., 12.4-24 tires , w/ belly mount & rear culti vators; Hefty HI-G 540 pto unit; Hefty-G, gas, motor stuck; IH H, NF, 540 pto, belt pulley, S/N 33461 3;

IH H, NF, 54 0 pto, fe nders, S/N 93000; B obcat ZT 2 23LC Zero Turn mower, 399 hrs., ne wer Ko hler 26 hp motor, 60” de ck; 1978 AC Gleaner F2 Co mbine, corn soybean special, Hydro-Tracti on drive, hrs., unknown, ga s, 18.4-26 ti res, S/N 40531, sells with AC A-43 8 Corn head and 13' Grain pla tform w/ running gear

Equipment

IH 400 Cy clo Air Planter, 6 row, 540 pto, hy d. Markers, dry fert., insect. Bo xes, corn & soybean drums, Dickey John monitor; Glencoe 11 shank So il Sa ver, spring lo aded shanks; Case F 219 Disk 14', 9” spacing; Chain drag 18' w/ cart, hyd. lift; JD Va n Brunt 10 ' Grain Drill, w/grass seed, hyd. l ift; IH 720 4 bo ttom plow, spring lo aded coulters w/drag; IH 6 ro w cultivato r; Ford 953 Mower 7', 3pt; box scraper 6', w/ shanks, 3pt; Knoedler Burr Mi ll, pto; 7' x14' ha yrack; 7'x 13' hayrack; 2'x7' & 2'x8' hay feeders; Harl ey Davidson Golf Ca rt, electric w/char ger, needs batteries; Agri-Fab 45 ga l sprayer, 10' bo oms, pull type, electric; livestock water t anks; t ank he aters; Misc. ho rse equipment; dog huts; 4 ½' x 6 ½' Trai ler; pet crates; Artic Cat 550 EF I Snowmobi le; 197 1 Corvette Stingray 350 bl ock.

Shop Equipment - Tools - Misc.

Jet JW P-12DX, deluxe, 12½ ” wood planer; Jet M-JJ-6CS deluxe, 6” join ter; Delta 10” t able saw; Total Shop Dust Collecto r; Simpson WS 2245 Pressure Washer; Cummings 20 gal, upri ght Air Compressor; Craf tsman 10” radial arm saw, w/ cabinet: Craftsman roll ing t oolbox; Generac MC 4000 Generator; Honda EU 200 0i companion 30a Generator; Dyna Pro 170 000 Ke rosene heater; Stihl MS 250 Chain Saw; Husqvarna 450 Ra ncher chain saw; Husqvarna 350 ch ain saw; fla mmable storage cabi net; ½ ton engine stand; Cra ftsman sand blaster; Heat Buster 45” portable fan; Briggs & Stra tton 5.5 hp water pump; Scafoldi ng: Biljax, adj ustabl e, 6' x 5', (8 ) sections, (2) planks; Ba ker Biljax 6', (4) sections; Baker, regul ar, 6' (10) sections, pl atform de cks; 4' x 6' la dders; (7) stretch planks; set of ou trig gers fo r scaffold; mi sc wheels, cross braces, ladder jacks, stackable Baker sections; wood ext ension la dders: (1) 32', (2) 28', (2) 24' & (2) 16'. (2) Select -A-Spring storage cabinets w/springs; Ace Taps an d Dies cabi net, w/ threading to ols; Hanson dri ll bits cabinet w/ bits; (2) saw bl ade cabinets w/saw bl ades; Hudson cabi net w/ sprayer service parts; No. 300 Speedy reseating set; Murry 2hp, 10” roto tiller; (4) 15 panel window Oak doors; Yard Machine 6hp, 22” push mower; St ate 75 gal . water heat er (little use); Dewalt power tools & ot hers; hand to ols, large assortment of hardware & electrical suppl ies; lawn & garden tools.

Antiques & Collectibles

Massey-Har ri s Sales & Service Metal Sign; Couristan, bl ack/rose ha nd formed rug, 5'x8'; Feizy, Al exis Collection, made in Turkey rug, 10'11” x 7' 11 ”; Weinman sofa, 81 ”; Zeni th upright ra dio w/ tubes, working; walnut Kim ball pump organ; oak ornate secretary w/beveled mirror; walnut parl or lo ve seat; mahogany dini ng room ta ble w/ 6 chairs; mahogany buffet w/ tear drop pulls; stuffed c hair; (2) Standard Oil grease ba rrels; Ellio tt's We t Paint Signs; player piano rolls; (2 ) Jay L Warre n In c., gated compression amplifiers; Chas H Irwin dri ll bits; Renulife Violet Ray generator; Sylvani a Sun Gun movie light; Dayton Hobart bakers scal e; (2) Herman Mille r vintage plywood chairs & (2) partial Herman Mi ller vintage plywood chairs; D.H. Baldwin WPP speakers; furniture; misc. furniture.

Quigley West Farm

Richard Gambla - Owner 630-330 -4764

Terms: Cash, check, Visa/MC, 4% convenience fee for cr edi t card use. Number system will be used. Have proper ID. Not responsible for accidents or merchandise after sold Statements made on sale day by au ctioneers or owners take precedence ov er all printed matter. All items are sold as is where is.

Auct ioneers: Mike Espe 630-669-2667 Chris W ege ner 815-451-2820 J oel Pres tegaar d 815-761- 7426 El burn, IL 60119 630-365- 9838 www.espeauctions.com

MOTORCYCLES WANTED

All

Class

2009 FLEETWOOD PULSE 24A

THRIFT & GIFT SHOP FOR SALE

If you have ever w anted to open your ow n store we have the inve ntory for you to start tomorrow. After 30 years we are getting ready for retirement. Asking $28,500. Inventory located in DeKa lb, IL If this sounds like you give us and call and leave a message or email us at es sentials 1154@live.com or call 815-762-5054

of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18 This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violat io n of the law. Ou r readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis

To complain of discrimination call HUD 1- 800-669-9777 Hearing impaired number is 1-800-927-9275