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Sandwich police talking to residents in their neighborhoods as part of new initiative
By ERIC SCHELKOPF eschelkopf@shawmedia.com
The Sandwich Police Department continues to reach out to residents to find out what is on their minds.
Last month, police officers talked to residents living in the Fairwinds subdivision as part of the department’s new Walk & Talk initiative.
“Residents can meet us and have conversations with us,” Sandwich Police Chief Kevin Senne said. “The objective is to continue to do it during the summer months each year and going into different areas.”
The initiative is an extension of Senne’s efforts to hear from the community since becoming police chief in September. The department also has bimonthly community meetings along with Coffee With a Cop, which is held at different businesses on a rotating basis.
“I look forward to working with the members of the police department, city departments, City Council and the community,” Senne said after being sworn in. “I look forward to building strong relationships with the community and look forward to hearing from them to see what we as an organization are doing well and what we can be doing better.”
Senne said the first Walk & Talk event went well.
“We had good conversations all around,” he said. “The biggest concern is always traffic – speeding cars and people not stopping at stop signs. We had a couple of conversations pertaining to solicitors and what we’re doing to address solicitors.”
Senne said the police department has information on its Facebook page about solicitors and solicitor permits that have been approved by the city.
“And we’re working on developing a
concept of potentially having solicitors wearing a vest of some sort that indicates they are an approved solicitor,” he said.
Rob Wessels, owner of Wessels’ Family Farm, is seen July 18 with his tractor at the market in DeKalb.
See story, page 6.
Photo by Mark Busch
Senne’s next community meeting is set for 6 p.m. July 24 in the training room at the Sandwich police station, 1251 E. 6th St.
Photo provided by the Sandwich Police Department
Sandwich Sgt. Jeremy Eisenberg talked to residents in Fairwinds subdivision last month as part of the department’s new Walk & Talk initiative.
World War II veteran, 107, awarded Women’s Army Corps medal
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
DeKALB – A 107-year-old World Ward II veteran from DeKalb recently was awarded a Women’s Army Corps medal, almost eight decades after she was honorably discharged.
Myrtle Annetta Lusiak, who celebrated her birthday in May at her home in Aperion Care assisted living facility, was presented the medal by the DeKalb American Legion Post No. 66 on July 1, according to a news release.
A certificate and medal were presented to Lusiak by the Legion’s post commander, Manuel Olalde, and U.S. Army veteran and fellow Legion member Charlotte Hodder. Other Legion members also were present during the ceremony, along with members of the Legion’s Auxiliary Unit No. 66, and representatives from the DeKalb County Veterans Association.
“Our profound thanks to Myrtle M. Lusiak for her service and contribution to our Nation’s success in WWII,” Legion members wrote in the release.
During her service in World War II, Lusiak drove prisoner trucks, delivered mail and helped with the motor pool.
The Women’s Army Corps Bill was
signed into law 81 years ago on July 3, 1943. The law converted the Women’s Auxiiliary Army Corps into the Women’s Army Corps, merging the women’s branch into the U.S. Army itself. Before that, President Franklin D.
Photos provided by the DeKalb American Legion
DeKalb American Legion Post No. 66 commander Manuel Olalde (from left), World War II veteran and DeKalb resident Myrtle Lusiak and DeKalb American Legion Post 66 member Charlotte Hodder pose after Lusiak was presented with a Women’s Army Corps medal on July 1 at her home at Aperion Care assisted living facility in DeKalb.
Myrtle Lusiak is seen, circa World War II
DCCG lists August Grow
Mobile food pantry dates
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
DeKALB – The DeKalb County Community Gardens released a list of August locations for the Grow Mobile, a mobile food pantry that offers free food and household items to all who visit, no requirements necessary.
The DCCG is working to ensure the well-being of residents, staff and volunteers. Organizers ask that people practice good hand hygiene and stay home if they are ill.
To receive Grow Mobile alerts, text FreeGroceries to 844-727-2012.
Grow Mobile dates in August:
• 3 to 5 p.m. Aug. 1 at University Village Apartments, 722 N. Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb.
• 3:30 to 5 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Malta Historical Society, 127 N. Third St., Malta.
LOCAL NEWS BRIEF
DeKalb Township to hold I-PASS recycle-and-swap events Aug. 1 and Sept. 12
DeKALB – The DeKalb Township will partner with the Illinois Tollway to host two events for residents to recycle and swap I-PASS transponders.
The events will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 1 at Faranda’s, 302 Grove St., DeKalb, and 1 to 7 p.m. Sept. 12 at the DeKalb Township Road District Building, 2323 S. Fourth St., DeKalb.
• VETERAN
Continued from page 3
Roosevelt established the WAAC in May 1941. The Women’s Army Corps Bill was created in part to help accommodate the number of requests for women’s services.
“The resources provided by the WAACs were desperately needed overseas in 1943, but the Army could not offer them the protection if captured or benefits if injured which regular Army soldiers received, subsequently making it difficult to recruit women to the effort,” Legion members wrote in the release. “Establishment of a Women’s Army Corps with pay, privileges, and protection equal to that accorded to men was seen as a partial solution to the Army’s problem.”
More than 150,000 American women served in the Women’s Army
• 4 to 5:30 p.m. Aug. 6 at Hinckley First United Methodist Church, 801 N. Sycamore St., Hinckley.
• 11 a.m. to noon Aug. 8 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 830 N. Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb.
• 12:30 to 2 p.m. Aug. 13 at Family Service Agency, 1325 Sycamore Road, DeKalb.
• 3 to 5 p.m. Aug. 13 at the Cortland Lions Club Shelter, 70 S. Llanos St., Cortland.
• 3:30 to 5 p.m. Aug. 15 at the Malta Historical and Genealogical Society, 127 N. Third St., Malta.
• 3 to 5 p.m. Aug. 20 at University Village Apartments, 722 N. Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb.
• 11 a.m. to noon Aug. 22 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 830 N. Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb.
• 4 to 6 p.m. Aug. 27 at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, 340 W. Arnold Road, Sandwich.
Participants can return and recycle transponders for new I-PASS sticker tags. Attendees also will receive an I-PASS account credit equal to the transponder deposit.
Appointments are required to attend. Walk-ins will be accepted at the first event.
To schedule an appointment, call 815-758-8282. For information, call 815-758-8282. – Shaw Local News Network
Our profound thanks to Myrtle M. Lusiak for her service and contribution to our Nation’s success in WWII.”
DeKalb American Legion Post No. 66 members
Corps during World War II, making them the first women other than nurses to contribute to serve in the Army.
Lusiak eagerly signed up for the Women’s Army Corps one month after it was signed into law, serving as a Corporal in the Women’s Army Corps from Aug. 5, 1943, to Nov. 27, 1945, according to a news release. Her medal presentation came about 79 years later.
T-Mobile awards Sycamore $24K grant for city beautification
By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com
SYCAMORE – T-Mobile recently awarded the city of Sycamore almost $23,000 as part of the company’s Hometown Grant program.
The grant was announced during a Sycamore Park District summer concert series event July 11. Sycamore 1st Ward Alderwoman Alicia Cosky, who leads the Sycamore Beautification Committee, said she and fellow committee member Cindy Henderson wrote the grant application to T-Mobile.
“We thank T-Mobile for their huge heart and generous spirit in helping small towns across the country thrive in ways that could not have been possible without your incredible Hometown Grant program,” Cosky said.
The wireless communications company is giving $22,932 to Sycamore for two beautification committee projects, one of which already can be seen near downtown businesses.
Sycamore in Bloom, a beautification committee collaboration with Sycamore High School students and business owners that has brought planter boxes to downtown Sycamore, is one of those projects.
Zarate presented the city with a check for nearly $23,000.
“Come fall, we will be changing the plants over to fall arrangements, and then next year we hope to continue it and make it even bigger and better, and continue to beautify our downtown area,” Cosky said. “The second part of the grant application was for a mural installation. Now, we’re cur -
rently working to find a location, and we have a couple businesses interested in working with us.”
In March, Cosky told the Sycamore City Council that the committee was interested in creating an outdoor mural in downtown Sycamore but had
yet to find a location and funding for the project.
That has not yet changed, but the T-Mobile grant will allow city officials to explore options for the art piece, officials said.
DeKalb T-Mobile retail store manager Jose Zarate presented a check for the grant to Cosky and Sycamore Mayor Steve Braser.
Zarate said the Hometown Grant program began in early 2021 as a part of T-Mobile’s efforts to bring 5G internet access to rural America. That program is expected to provide more than $25 million in grants over the next five years to small American cities and towns.
For this round of grant funding, Sycamore was one of 25 cities selected to receive the Hometown Grant award, Zarate said.
Cosky said there were more than 800 applicants.
Henderson, who helped write the grant application, said she serves on the beautification committee out of her love for Sycamore. She said she’s happy with how the planter boxes have turned out.
“I’m proud for the community,” Henderson said. “If you get a chance, make sure that you walk downtown and look around.”
Camden Lazenby
Sycamore beautification committee members (from left) Cindy Henderson, Mark Zientek, Sycamore Mayor Steve Braser, 1st Ward Alderwoman Alicia Cosky and DeKalb T-Mobil retail store manager Jose Zarate stand together at a July 11 Sycamore Music in the Park event, after
Sweet, sweet corn
Wessels Family Farm, Yaeger’s Farm Market among those that offer the seasonal favorite
By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com
DeKALB – Fresh sweet corn is back in stock at DeKalb County farm stands, and while most Midwesterners know there are many ways to prepare corn, a farm stand worker in DeKalb said sometimes the cobs are so good she’ll eat it raw.
Nancy Guerra, who has worked for Wessels’ Family Farm in DeKalb for more than two decades, said during peak sweet corn season, cooking isn’t always necessary.
“[I] love it grilled, microwaved or the water boiling. Here, when it’s fresh, we don’t even cook it. We eat it cold, fresh,” Guerra said. “When it’s fresh it’s so good, you have the juice running down your face.”
Wessels Family Farm, 2023 Sycamore Road in DeKalb, began its summer season – which centers around sweet corn – on July 17.
The farm stand is not alone. Throughout July, DeKalb County corn
[I] love it grilled, microwaved or the water boiling. Here, when it’s fresh, we don’t even cook it. We eat it cold, fresh. When it’s fresh it’s so good, you have the juice running down your face.”
farmers have begun selling their produce after what some have described as a particularly productive growing season.
In Maple Park, Wiltse’s Farm at 50W379 Illinois Route 38, is now picking sweet corn and produce for the season. Wiltse’s is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Theis Farm Market, 6N953 County Line Road, also in Maple Park, offers a variety of sweet corn and seasonal produce, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Yaeger’s Farm Market, 14643 Route 38 in DeKalb, began selling sweet corn as early as July 7.
Jessica Stark, whose parents own the farm market near Cortland, said the 2024 sweet corn season has had a great start.
“It kicked in earlier than what we were expecting, but we’re really happy about that and thrilled. It’s always nice to have fresh produce, the earlier the better. It’s going really well so far,” said Stark, before explaining why the
harvest came earlier than usual. “A little bit of the rain, in that it was timely and we needed it. We got it and we weren’t necessarily overly wet or overly dry. So, that really helped and then just the weather in general, too. The consistently warm days without the crazy extremes. So the corn really loved it, and that kind of kickstarted that to come early.”
Ironically, it was the weather that almost brought catastrophe a week ago, however. DeKalb County was battered with severe weather multiple days, a tornado in Esmond and even
an earthquake north of Somonauk on July 15.
Storm damage was found throughout DeKalb County after the midsummer storms, including at Yaeger’s Farm Market. Stark said a large pine tree was ripped from the ground near the market’s parking lot.
“That pine tree out there, you can see that kind of fell over, so we had that damage. As far as the garden and the vegetables and everything, we were very thankful we didn’t really
Rob Wessels, owner of Wessels’ Family Farm, and employee Nancy Guerra shuck an ear of sweet corn July 18, at the market in DeKalb.
Photos by Mark Busch
Nancy Guerra, Wessels’ Family Farm
Some of the produce available for sale July 18 at Wessels’ Family Farm Market in DeKalb.
• SWEET CORN
Continued from page 6
have much damage out there, but some of the surrounding trees did have some damage,” Stark said. “At least it wasn’t the vegetation besides the trees though.”
Rob Wessels has operated the Wessels’ Family Farm store at the corner of Route 23 and Greenwood Acres Drive since 2001. He’s said construction on the building’s parking lot forced patrons to park in the grass, where Christmas trees are staged in the winter.
He called the first couple of days of the sweet corn season a success for his family business.
“It’s been good. People are excited to get fresh produce again, and we’re excited that we’re back for the summer,” Wessels said.
Sweet corn is the predominant crop of the season in DeKalb County, but peaches from southern Illinois also do well, Wessels said. His business also sells cantaloupes, watermelon and tomatoes that were grown in Alabama,
Kentucky and, when they’re in season, DeKalb County.
With about a month left until Corn Fest, sweet corn is the biggest seller this time of year at both local farm markets. As for what corn is best, Wessels said it comes down to personal preference.
“Different people have different ideas of what they’re looking for in sweet corn,” Wessels said. “Some are just going for as big as they can find and they don’t really care as much about tenderness. Some people come in and they’re looking for a smaller one because they know smaller [is] more tender, and so it’s personal preference.”
There’s no consensus on determining the best ear of corn to buy, and while most prefer to cook it, don’t expect everyone to get on the same page when it comes to how to prepare the cobs.
“People are very die-hard about the different ways that they like it. Personally, I love it boiled. that has always been my favorite, but I do love the taste that grilling has,” Stark said. “I feel like whatever way you prepare it, it has its own unique flavor.”
Photos by Mark Busch
Wessels’ Family Farm Market is seen July 18 in DeKalb.
Rob Wessels, owner of Wessels’ Family Farm, shucks an ear of sweet corn July 18 at the market in DeKalb.
LOOKING BACK
1924 – 100 YEARS AGO
When a person drives in Chicago it is a fact generally understood that all trucks and busses have the right of way. Not because the city laws and ordinances say they may proceed all other traffic, but because they are heavy enough to follow Teddy Roosevelt’s example of carrying a big stick. They sure are there with the big club when it comes to accidents, for an ordinary touring car smashed by a truck has no more chance of escaping a convalescent period in the garage, than congress has in holding a discussion-less session.
Sycamore’s proposed cement street plan will soon be a reality in so far that three of the streets mentioned in the plans are about completed. These include Waterman Street on the south side which runs west a distance of about three blocks, West Ottawa Street, approximately the same, and West High Street, which is about completed, except for a small distance which will probably be finished today.
Painters will begin the latter part of this week or the first of next on the Hotel DeKalb. The place will be given a new coat of paint and a general cleaning up which should improve its exterior and give it a dressed-up appearance. It is understood the hotel will be painted a buff color similar to The Chronicle building. This will add materially to the appearance of the downtown section and make the well-known hostelry one of the best appearing buildings in the city.
In an effort to still the Anti-American agitation, the Japanese have made the American colony at Tokio the gift of a valuable site of land and much material to be used for the erection of an American school. Three Japanese societies have donated cash and material to build the school to the value of approximately $50,000.
Camp Grant’s Eagle and Flag monument may be torn down withing the near future according to statements made yesterday by military and civic organization heads. The monument, erected by G. D. Roper in 1917 when the cantonment was in process of construction, is showing signs of decay and is falling apart.
Oscar Johnson of Sycamore, driving the family Ford sedan down Lincoln Highway
between First and Second streets early Monday evening staged a race that furnished plenty of amusement to everyone who saw it. The rear left tire of the Ford slipped off the wheel and started a race down the street ahead of the Ford Mr. Johnson was driving. For a few minutes Mr. Johnson did not realize what happened to his auto, as it bumped along the street on the tireless wheel. Had Mr. Johnson been traveling at a more rapid speed the mishap might have not been so funny to those who witnessed it from the sidewalk.
1949– 75 YEARS AGO
Approximately 92 Soap Box Derby racers are expected to compete in the district races at Derby Downs in Phillips Park, Aurora, tomorrow afternoon. There will be 20 racers from DeKalb and three from Sycamore competing for the honor to go to the National Soap Box Derby at Akron, Ohio, next month.
Hobo Jungle in the heart of Sycamore has a shattered old chimney, small trees and brush. The Lions Club is cutting down brush and cleaning out debris and may make it into a small park or playground.
Back in 1898 DeKalb was all a go. The Post Office established daily carrier service. There were three foot-carriers to handle the task of distributing mail to about a thousand DeKalb residents. On August 1 another major step in mail service will be instituted in DeKalb. Again, the service increase will bring twice-a-day
provide acute hospital care.” This agreement would have meant the end of DeKalb Public’s 52-year operation as an acute care hospital. However, the agreement never went into effect because the DeKalb City Council never signed the document. As a result, the expression of support for the Kishwaukee hospital never became legal or binding.
With the end of the cement strike, ready-mix cement trucks began hauling tons of cement to area construction sites. Two trucks brought loads of the long-awaited hard stuff to the NIU library, where construction was delayed by the nine-week strike.
mail delivery to an additional 1,200 individuals and four full-time carriers are expected to be added to the staff.
Bet there hasn’t been a building erected in the county since the courthouse was built that has caused as much comment and rubbernecking as that Lustron steel house on DeKalb Avenue, Sycamore.
Electricians are working like mad wiring up the lights in the picnic area of Sycamore Community Park so that they can be used for these fine nights remaining this summer. Hope to have them ready soon.
A University of Michigan philosophy professor had to stop a class because of a disturbance in the last row. Upon investigation he found the student trying a difficult “loop-the-loop” with a yo-yo, the latest college fad. Once apparently buried with raccoon coats, goldfish swallowing, crew haircuts and midget golf, stores in Michigan report a huge sale of the spinner discs to Michigan students.
1974 – 50 YEARS AGO
The DeKalb Hospital Board delayed for one month a move to nullify a previous board agreement supporting the Kishwaukee Community Health Services Center. The May 8, 1972, agreement provided that “no later than six months following the date of the admission of the first patient to the new hospital, the DeKalb Public Hospital will cease to
Public opinion expressed in the Chronicle Sidewalk interview indicated the city of DeKalb does need some type of airport facility. Earlier this week, the DeKalb County board approved the plans to build a 9.5-mile tollway bypass road. The planned route of the bypass road would be through, rather than around DeKalb’s present airport on Pleasant Street.
1999 – 25 YEARS AGO
The DeKalb Park District’s $4.2 million indoor sports facility is near completion. The 62,000-square-foot building immediately will be home to a walking track and winter soccer and softball leagues. The high school will have the use of the building during the day for gym classes and athletics.
The annual Ellwood House Association Ice Cream Social will offer a variety of entertainment and traditional fun for adults and children. Ice cream, a large selection of homemade cakes, band music and old-time amusements make this an event to enjoy with family and friends.
Last night’s storms lit up the DeKalb County skies with severe lightning and dropped approximately 2.8 inches in a two-hour stretch. There were scattered power outages throughout the DeKalb County region, but no significant long-term losses.
The wreckage of John F. Kennedy Jr.’s plane was located off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard with Kennedy’s body still aboard, and the Navy readied a recovery mission.
– Compiled by Sue Breese
Photo provided by DeKalb County History Center
A barn on the Ellwood Farm, on North First Street north of DeKalb, became the site for the newly formed Stage Coach Theatre from 1947 to early 1950.
Drum Corps show returns to NIU’s Huskie Stadium
By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com
DeKALB – The sounds of brass and ballads filled the air at Northern Illinois University’s Huskie Stadium July 13 as crowds filed in to check out the Drum Corps and its Midwest Classic.
The event has drawn thousands of spectators to catch the sights and sounds of the show in years past, and this time around appeared to be no exception. The Drum Corps International Midwest Classic featured a lineup of eight drum corps from around the country, with teams heralding from Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and New Hampshire, among others.
Daniel Belcher, director of The Cavaliers drum corps of Rosemont, was among those on the field at Huskie Stadium. Belcher said he feels good about how far the band corps has come this season.
He is wrapping up his first season leading The Cavaliers drum corps.
“We are in the middle of our season here,” Belcher said. “This is our last stop in the Midwest until toward the very end of the season when we come back to Indianapolis in the middle of
August. So this is wrapping up a great chapter in the Midwest for us, and I think it was a great performance for us
today and a great stadium. [We’re] feeling really good about the performance we just had today.”
The Midwest Classic takes place toward the end of the drum corps season for many.
In August, all drum corps will head to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis to compete in the Drum Corps Championships.
Belcher said it’s clear that the crowds continue to be enthused by the show the drum crops puts on year after year.
“The art of drum corps has really progressed recently,” Belcher said. “It used to be more of your military-style marching band, more of what you would think of traditionally, but it has in the last decade and maybe a little before that, really changed, been innovative and has become a whole production. There’s complex themes, motifs and touching on sensitive topics, light topics. There’s a whole array of what your show can be on and it has become much more of a choreographed artistic production more so than your traditional military-type marching band show.”
Paige Shaumney, a member of the Madison Scouts drum corps from
See DRUM CORPS, page 11
David Toney for Shaw Local News Network
The Madison Scouts of Madison, Wisconsin, perform July 13 during the Drum Corps International Midwest Classic at Northern Illinois University Huskie Stadium in DeKalb.
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
DeKalb library to host reptile shows July 25
DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library will host three Cold-Blooded Parties reptile shows for patrons to learn about reptiles, invertebrates and amphibians.
The shows will be at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 1 p.m. July 25 in the library’s lower-level Yusunas Meeting Room, 309 Oak St.
The shows are free and intended for children ages 5 and older.
Participants can learn about the animals and their behaviors, habitats and importance to the ecosystem. Attendees also will be able to touch a snake. No registration is required to attend.
For information, email theresaw@dkpl. org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 3350.
DeKalb library to host special needs play group July 25
DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library will partner with Hillmann Pediatric Therapy to host a play group for children with special needs.
The group will meet at 10 a.m. July 25 in the library’s Story and Activity Room, 309 Oak St. It is intended for children ages newborn to 5. Children can participate in activities that cater to their interests and abilities. Attendees also can meet and engage with families. Activities include books, cars, stepping stones, magna-tiles and puzzles. Children must be accompanied by a parent. No registration is required.
For information, email theresaw@dkpl. org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 3350.
• DRUM CORPS
Continued from page 10
Madison, Wisconsin, said she was especially moved by having the opportunity to interact with the crowd as part of her drum corps performance.
“Especially, when I did the salute –this was my first time doing the salute to the audience – it took my breath away, honestly,” Shaumney said. Shaumney’s drum corps director, David Lofy, said that seeing the crowd’s reaction to their performance was amazing.
Make-a-lava lamp STEM event set for July 27 in DeKalb DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library will host a make-a-lava lamp STEM event led by the Society of Women Engineers.
The free event will be held at 2 p.m. July 27 in the library’s Story and Activity Room, 309 Oak St. It is intended for children in second through fifth grade.
Participants can learn about chemistry basics, create a lava lamp from oil and water, and learn about chemical reactions fundamental principles.
The facilitators include data scientist Michael Cha and tech support manager Sahara Becker.
Because of limited space, the event is first-come, first-served.
For information, email theresaw@dkpl. org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 3350.
Interview tips workshop set for July 30 in DeKalb
DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library will partner with Kishwaukee College to host a workshop for patrons to learn interview tips.
The free workshop will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. July 30 in the library’s lower-level Zimmerman Meeting Room, 309 Oak St.
Attendees can learn interview suggestions and tips. Topics include the elevator pitch, dressing for success and questioning techniques.
No registration is required to attend.
For information, email susang@dkpl. org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 2114.
– Shaw Local News Network
“Every time we come out we want to make sure that we’re entertaining, that we get the crowd on their feet and that they have a great time,” Lofy said. “To have that opportunity yet again in DeKalb is amazing. It’s an incredible stadium with great fans. So we enjoy every time we get the chance to perform here.”
Here’s a list of the final scores from the Midwest Classic:
• Blue Coats – 87.050
• Phantom Regiment – 84.750
• The Cavaliers – 79.600
• Blue Stars – 78.900
• Colts – 78.850
• Madison Scouts – 74.750
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Plea agreement could be coming for Sycamore woman accused of stealing from music boosters club
By KELSEY RETTKE krettke@shawmedia.com
SYCAMORE – A plea agreement could be coming for a Sycamore woman accused of stealing about $90,000 from the Sycamore Music Boosters Club and using the funds for gambling and buying alcohol, her lawyer said July 15.
Deborah J. Baugus, 50, was charged in December with felony theft. Prosecutors allege that she stole the funds while she was the club’s treasurer between 2017 and 2023, according to DeKalb County court records.
Baugus appeared alongside her Yorkville-based defense attorney, Dan Transier, on July 15 for a status update on her criminal case.
“I believe we are going to have a plea agreement, part of it is obviously pending a substantial payment toward restitution,” Transier said to Circuit Court Judge Marcy Buick. “She needs a bit of time to move some funds around.”
Baugus did not speak during the brief hearing. If convicted, she could face up to seven years in prison. She has been free on pretrial release since her Jan. 4 arrest, records show.
Prosecutors allege that while booster club treasurer, Baugus siphoned off thousands of dollars from the nonprofit through cash withdrawals from the club’s bank account, according to a Sycamore police synopsis filed in DeKalb County court on Dec. 8. Baugus then allegedly used those funds, which amounted to about $90,000 over six years, to pay for alcohol and gambling, according to records.
Club officials told Shaw Local News Network in January they reported the missing funds to Sycamore police as soon as they became aware.
Music Boosters funds are solicited from the public, through grants pursued
by the club and often from parents of students who participate in Sycamore School District 427 music programming. The school district does not provide any funds to the club. Club members are volunteers and not district employees.
Baugus’ charge came after a monthslong investigation started by Sycamore police on July 15, 2023, after a witness came forward alleging Baugus had admitted to misappropriating club money, according to court records.
The witness told police that Baugus allegedly came to their house and confessed to the theft and falsifying her treasurer’s report. The witness told police that Baugus said she “spent the money on alcohol and gambling,” court records allege.
When the witness asked Baugus why she stole the money, Baugus allegedly told the witness that “it was because there was no one to stop her,” according to court records. Baugus also allegedly told the witness that she began taking money from the club’s bank account before the COVID-19 pandemic, and that “the thefts got worse following it,” according to records.
An audit by the club’s new treasurer showed tens of thousands in missing funds from the club’s bank account, records state. Sycamore police later discovered that Old National Bank – formerly First MidWest Bank – showed multiple cash withdrawals from the account, each with Baugus’ signature.
Police said the total amount of withdrawals – minus about $3,000 withdrawn for the Sycamore Pumpkin Fest Craft Fair – totaled about $83,000. But they believe additional funds that aren’t as easily tracked are missing, according to court records.
Buick ordered Baugus to appear for an update on the restitution and agreement status at 9 a.m. July 31.
Kelsey Rettke
Deborah J. Baugus, 50, of Sycamore (right) stands with her defense attorney, Dan Transier, (middle) as Circuit Court Judge Marcy Buick (second from left) presides from the DeKalb County Courthouse on July 16.
Weather
breaks
in time for DeKalb’s Family Fun Fest
DeKALB – The 12th annual Family Fun Fest on July 17 at Hopkins Park offered games, food, prizes and an opportunity to meet DeKalb area organizations and businesses.
The event was co-hosted by the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce and the DeKalb Park District.
In contrast to the severe weather that battered the area the first half of last week, the temperatures and sunny skies set an ideal scene for the affair.
– Mark Busch
TOP LEFT: Dianatha Hardesty of DeKalb has some fun in the bubbles at the DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau booth during Family Fun Fest on July 17 at Hopkins Park in DeKalb. TOP RIGHT: Aaron Martinez, 9, of Cortland competes in a sack race at one of the booths at the Family Fun Fest. ABOVE: Jetta Thompson, 2, tosses a ring as her grandma Therese Muir of Sycamore holds her at the event. LEFT: Jonathan Sass, from FBI Entertainment, talks to Mia Marquez, 9, of Genoa as he makes her a balloon animal.
Photos by Mark Busch
MIDDLE LEFT: Sass hands an attendee a ballon creation.
Image provided by US Geological Survey
Some northern Illinoisans likely woke to a loud boom or their homes shaking about 3 a.m. July 15 as an earthquake was recorded about a mile northwest of Somonauk, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. The 3.4-magnitude earthquake recorded at 2:53 a.m. was reportedly 6 miles in depth, according to the USGS.
Ancient fault line likely responsible for localized earthquake
Earthquake reported on July 15 north of Somonauk was on Sandwich fault line
By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com
The earthquake July 15 in southern DeKalb County near Somonauk was likely caused by an ancient fault line that runs through northern Illinois, a Northern Illinois University professor said.
A 3.4-magnitude earthquake struck at 2:53 a.m. July 15 about a mile northwest of Somonauk at the border of DeKalb and La Salle counties, according the U.S. Geological Survey.
Mark Frank, chair of NIU’s department of earth, atmosphere and environment, said he wasn’t surprised to discover an earthquake had occurred in that area, even though earthquakes aren’t particularly common in northern Illinois.
“The earthquakes we get here in northern Illinois are associated with ancient cracks in the earth’s crust,” Frank said. “So this one is plotting very close to a known fault called the Sandwich fault, which kind of runs from
Dixon through and then south of DeKalb through DeKalb County.”
Frank hypothesized that the Sandwich fault, which runs northwest from Will County, through Kendall, La Salle, DeKalb, Lee and Ogle counties, was the culprit behind the shaking that many northern Illinois residents reported feeling July 15.
“So that ancient crack in the earth –400-ish million years old – that is a weak point,” Frank said. “And so whenever there is a little bit of motion in the earth between, along that fault, along that crack in the earth, it’ll build up stress between those two sort of pieces that are moving in a slightly different way. Then, when the stress reaches the point that the fault can no longer hold, it breaks. There is offset of motion along that fault, and then that releases the seismic waves, or the energy then goes out that everyone feels.”
U.S. Geological Survey research geophysicist Oliver Boyd said he wasn’t aware of the Sandwich fault line, but said it’s not uncommon for earthquakes in the central and eastern U.S. to occur along old, often largely dormant fault lines.
“Most of the faults in the central and eastern U.S. are pretty old and sometimes they get reactivated, like in the
New Madrid seismic zone there are a series of faults associated with old rifting that had been reactivated and generated pretty large earthquakes,” Boyd said. “So, it’s certainly possible that an older fault had been reactivated.”
Between Dec. 16, 1811, and Feb. 7, 1812, a set of three earthquakes with magnitudes occurred along the Mississippi River near Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee, Kentucky and Arkansas, according to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
“That earthquake was so powerful that it actually caused the Mississippi River to reverse flow, and it caused a whole bunch of damage,” Frank said.
Compared with the New Madrid seismic zone in far southern Illinois, Frank described the rocks below the feet of northern Illinois residents as “benign.”
“When I say benign, there’s a lot of energy, but there usually isn’t much damage from northern Illinois earthquakes,” Frank said.
Boyd said strong earthquakes are exceptionally rare in northern Illinois. Earthquakes with a magnitude of 3 are the average, and a once-in-10-years event.
If another earthquake does occur, Boyd said Illinois residents should get under a sturdy object and cover their
head until the shaking subsides. No injuries were reported from the earthquake, Somonauk and DeKalb County authorities said.
Somonauk Police Chief Bill King said no significant property damage was reported either.
Frank wasn’t surprised to hear Somonauk avoided catastrophe. He said Illinoisans shouldn’t be too concerned by the possibility of future earthquakes.
“I wouldn’t be too worried about it, and the building codes are good enough that with the amount of shaking we’re going to get from an earthquake, we shouldn’t see substantial damage,” Frank said. “Even if you’re very, very close to the focus or the epicenter of the earthquake, it shouldn’t be a big deal.”
Frank said he thinks Illinois residents are at greater risk of being in an earthquake while traveling than they are at home.
“The only thing I would caution people about is that don’t get lulled into a false sense of security knowing the way earthquakes are here,” he said. “If you go to other parts of the country, or other parts of the world, those earthquakes that can occur can be significantly more massive. So the only way I’d be worried if I lived in this area is if I lived someplace else.”
Bids for District 428’s transition program renovation project OK’d
By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com
DeKALB – The DeKalb School District 428 Board last week awarded an $899,000 base bid and a $66,500 alternate bid to Gehrke Construction for the renovation of its transition program building on Charter Street.
The transition program is dedicated to serving students with intellectual and developmental disabilities ages 18 to 22. The program has been based out of DeKalb High School but is expected to have a new location come January.
The board’s decision comes on the heels of the district going out to bid for renovations in February.
Advertisements to bid were sent to seven companies. Of those, five companies provided a range of pricing, school board documents show. Four contractors took time to attend the bid opening at the DeKalb Education Center.
The district determined that the lowest bidder was DeKalb-based Gehrke Construction, school board documents show.
Tammy Carson, the district’s director of facility and safety operations,
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
Summer Reading Extravaganza set for July 26 in Sycamore SYCAMORE – The Sycamore Public Library will host a party to celebrate the end of its Summer Reading Challenge. The Summer Reading Extravaganza Party will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. July 26 at the library, 103 E. State St. Activities include games, face painting, crafts, a bounce house and an inflatable slide. Music will provided by DJ Southside Irish. Food and beverages will be provided by Culver’s, Country Store and Catering and Raising Cane’s. No registration is required to attend. For information, call 815-895-2500 or visit sycamorelibrary.org.
Waterman church to offer free car wash, cookies July 29
WATERMAN – Waterman Bible Church will host a free car wash and cookie giveaway for residents July 29. The event will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
said the district has a $1.5 million budget for renovating the transition program’s new home at 530 Charter St.
“With the bids that were collected, there were several alternates that were put forth because we wanted to make sure we were able to stay within our budget but provide some flexibility in this project, and some of those items could be managed by our in-house staff,” Carson said.
Of the alternate bids presented for consideration, the board decided to reject all except for one, which is the building of an additional handicapped-accessible ramp in front of the building. Carson said the district already budgeted the ramp for the back of the building.
Carson said that with the bid results before the board, the district is looking at a renovation project valued at $1,103,640, which includes $50,000 in contingency and an estimated $12,000 cushion from $1.5 million.
Carson urged the board to approve the bids as presented.
“We plan to be moved in starting in December and occupy the building with our students as of January,” Carson said.
at the church, 500 S. Birch St. in Waterman.
Church volunteers will wash participants’ cars and cookies will be provided. For information, call 815-990-1567 or email Kyle@watermanbible.org.
Crosswinds Flute Choir to perform July 28 in DeKalb
DeKALB – Crosswinds Flute Choir will present a summer concert at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.
The free concert will be held at 4 p.m. July 28 at the church, 1915 N. First St., DeKalb.
The group, directed by Lynn Hansen, will perform “Railroaded,” “Simple Gifts” and “Contrafusion,” among others. Donations will be accepted for the choir and the Bethlehem Feed My Sheep Food Pantry.
The choir is comprised of flutists of all ages who use a variety of flute sizes to perform various music styles.
– Shaw Local News Network
CALLING ALL CHICAGO BEARS FANS! ENTER A FAN PHOTO FOR A CHANCE TO WIN!
Chicago Bears fans across the region will have a chance to show off their best Chicago Bears fan photos. Fans dressed up in their favorite Chicago Bears gear, fans displaying their terrific tailgating set-up and fans showing off their at-home Chicago Bears fan caves will all be showcased!
The fan that receives the most votes on their photo will win two tickets to the Chicago Bears home game October 6, 2024 at 12pm vs. Carolina Panthers.
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:
Title: Supporting:
AMUSEMENTS
CLASSIFIED
ST GENOA, IL 60135. The improvement on the property consists of a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection
ACCOUNTING CLERK
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 23RD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF DEKALBSYCAMORE, IL LINOIS NATION STAR MORTGAGE LLC
REAL ESTATE AUCT ION
SU NDAY, AU GUST 25th, 2024 11:00 AM SHARP! LOCATION: 11083
MOTORCYCLES WANTED
https://fvoas.org/careers/
Belvider e, IL 61008
815-988-0249 cell OW NER: S. UDEL L AUCTI ONE ER: LYLE LEE IL State Licen se #440.000200 WI # 2863-52
CLERKS & CASH IE RS: LEE AUCTION SER VICE
TERMS: SOLD “AS IS”. REQUIRES $10,OOO DOWN (NON-REFUNDABLE) DAY OF SALE BY CERTIFIED FUNDS OR CHECK WITH BANK LETTER OF GUARANTEE. TITLE POLICY TO BE FURNISHE D AT CLOSING. CLOSING TO BE HELD WITHIN 30 DAYS OR LESS. SALE IS SUBJECT TO OWNER'S APPROVAL.
Makes, Cash Paid, Reasonable Will Pick-Up. 630- 660-0571
Plaintiff, vs AMY J. CONNER; EDDIE A. CONNER; UNKNOWN OWNERS AN D NONRECORD CLAIMANTS
Defendants, 24 FC 12
NOTICE OF SALE
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above entitled cause the Sheriff of DeKalb County will on Thursday August 22, 2024, at the hour of 1:00 p.m., DeKalb County Public Safety Building, 150 North Main Street, Sycamore, Illinois 60178, sell to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 03-30-251-011.
Publis her's Notice: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housin g Act which makes it illegal to advertise "any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation of discrimination." Familial status includes children under the age 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
Commonly known as 519 S SYCAMORE ST., GENOA, IL 60135. The improvement on the property consists of a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance within 24 ho urs, by certified funds No refunds The property will NOT be open for inspection.
For information call Mr Chad Lewis at Plaintiff's Attorney, Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 13010 Morris Road, Alpharetta, Georgia 30004. (708) 668-4410 ext. 52109. 24-174110 SHERIFF SL I3247943
Published in The MidWeek , July 17, 24, 31, 2024
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 23RD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF DEKALBSYCAMORE, ILLINOIS NATION STAR MORTGAGE LLC Plaintiff vs AMY J. CONNER; EDDIE A. CONNER; UNKNOWN OWNERS AN D NONRECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants, 24 FC 12 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above entitled cause the Sheriff of DeKalb County will on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at the hour of 1:00 p.m., DeKalb County Public Safety Building, 150 North Main Street, Sycamore Illinois 60178, sell to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate: A TRACT OF LAND IN THE NORTH HALF OF SECTION 30, TOWNSHIP 42 NORTH, RANGE 5, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF LOT 7 IN WATSON'S SECOND SUBDIVISION AS SHOWN ON THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK "M", PAGE 74; THENCE WEST ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF SAID LOT 7 AND SAID NORTH LINE EXTENDED WEST A DISTANCE OF 140 FEET; THENCE NORTH ALONG A LINE RUNNING 88 DEGREES 29 MINUTES MEASURED COUNTERCLOCKWISE FROM THE LAST DESCRIBED LINE A DISTANCE OF 80.03 FEET; THENCE EAST A DISTANCE OF 140.0 FEET ALONG A LINE RUNNING 91 DEGREES 31 MINUTES MEASURED COUNTERCLOCKWISE WITH THE LAST DESCRIBED LINE TO THE WEST LINE SYCAMORE STREET; THENCE SOUTH ALONG THE WEST TINE OF SYCAMORE STREET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF DEKALB AND STATE OF ILLINOIS. P.I.N. 03-30-251-011. Commonly known as 519 S SYCAMORE ST., GENOA, IL 60135. The improvement on the property consists of a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance within 24 ho urs, by certified funds No refunds The property will NOT be open for inspection. For information call Mr Chad Lewis at Plaintiff's Attorney, Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid Crane & Partners, PLLC, 13010 Morris Road, Alpharetta, Georgia 30004. (708) 668-4410 ext. 52109. 24-174110 SHERIFF SL I3247943
MEASURED COUNTERCLOCKWISE FROM THE LAST DESCRIBED LINE A DISTANCE OF 80.03 FEET; THENCE EAST A DISTANCE OF 140.0 FEET ALONG A LINE RUNNING 91 DEGREES 31 MINUTES MEASURED COUNTERCLOCKWISE WITH THE LAST DESCRIBED LINE TO THE WEST LINE SYCAMORE STREET; THENCE SOUTH ALONG THE WEST TINE OF SYCAMORE STREET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF DEKALB AND STATE OF ILLINOIS. P.I.N. 03-30-251-011. Commonly known as 519 S SYCAMORE ST., GENOA, IL 60135. The improvement on the property consists of a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance within 24 ho urs, by certified funds No refunds The property will NOT be open for inspection. For information call Mr Chad Lewis at Plaintiff's Attorney, Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 13010 Morris Road, Alpharetta, Georgia 30004. (708) 668-4410 ext. 52109. 24-174110 SHERIFF SL I3247943
