Dr. Jay R. Ebbesen Is Retiring

Six days a week, for 42 years, I went into the office because I wanted to. I loved my “job”. I loved being a part of your lives.

THANK YOU to this community for the decades of loyalty and trust, for allowing me to care for your eyes, and for sharing stories with me about your family, your joys, and your hardships. I looked forward to seeing each one of you. In addition, I was blessed with helpful and caring staff that kept me going throughout the years.

One year ago, I had a health scare which required our full attention. It became clear that an early retirement was best for my family and me. As we come up for air, we are now healthy and doing well, enjoying our kids and their spouses, and 7 grandchildren.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. It has been a great run, and I shall miss you all. See you around town!

Jay R. Ebbesen, O.D.

Remnes said she had long wanted to become an SRO after joining the DeKalb Police Department.

“I worked the road for six years,” Remnes said.

As an SRO, Remnes said, there are some parts of policing she cannot help but miss.

“I miss the camaraderie of hanging out with the entire police department and seeing everybody who’s on the different shifts,” she said. “When you’re on the SRO unit, there’s five of us, and we just only see each other.

“But with that being said, our SRO unit is a very tight-knit team. We call each other family. We have an SRO Thanksgiving. We get together even when we’re not working. I miss the camaraderie on patrol, but I do still get that in the SRO unit.”

Remnes said she is glad she took the

See OFFICER, page 11

Local News Briefs

Estate planning workshop set for Aug. 3 at DeKalb Library

DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library will host an estate planning or downsizing solutions workshop at 2 p.m. Aug. 3 in the lower-level Yusunas Meeting Room.

Patrons can learn about the pros and cons of private sale, charitable donation and consignment.

The workshop will be led by Carolyn Law, who is a certified personal property appraiser and antiques researcher. She also owns Carolyn Law Antiques LLC in Sycamore.

No registration is required to attend. The library is located at 309 Oak St. For information, email samanthah@ dkpl.org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 1701.

Kishwaukee United Way school supply drive begins Aug. 11

DeKALB – Area residents looking to help provide school supplies to DeKalb students in need are invited to contribute to a Stuff the Bus drive that kicks off Aug. 11.

Kishwaukee United Way will partner with Transdev to host a Stuff the Bus drive to collect school supplies for the 2023-24 school year.

The drive will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Aug. 11, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 12 and noon to 4 p.m. Aug. 13 in the Walmart parking lot, 2300 Sycamore Road, DeKalb, according to a news release. Participants can drop off school supplies for the upcoming school year. The donations will be given to DeKalb residents.

• OFFICER

Continued from page 10 path she did to become an SRO.

She said she studied and earned degrees in criminal justice and elementary education.

“The elementary SRO job is the perfect combination of those two things,” Remnes said. “My grandfather was a police officer, and my mom was a teacher. So I guess I had trouble deciding between the two. Then, I ultimately decided on becoming a police officer but sort of always had it in my mind that I wanted to become an SRO. Then, when they created the elementary SRO spot, that was the perfect timing for me in my career. … I’ve been at it ever since.”

Remnes said the key to connecting with the youth as an SRO is easy to pinpoint.

“I think just listening and showing them that you care about them,” she said. “I tell them that I care about them,

Donations also will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kishwaukee United Way, 2201 N. First St., DeKalb.

For information, call 779-255-1267 or email info@kishwaukeeunitedway.com.

DeKalb Township offering computers to low-income residents

DeKALB – The DeKalb Township will partner with PCs for People to give low-income residents internet service and computer access.

The program is open to residents enrolled in General Assistance, Medicaid, TANF, SNAP or WIC, according to a news release.

Social Security Disability, Veterans Pension Benefit Program, Supplemental Social Security Income, and Federal Public Housing Assistance recipients also are eligible. Residents with a household income below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines can apply.

Desktop computer packages with Windows 10 cost $10. Computer packages are available at DeKalb Township. PCs for People will provide pick-up instructions.

Because of limited supplies, residents can check their eligibility. Registration is also encouraged. To register, visit pcsrefurbished.com/event/registration.

PCs for People is a nonprofit organization that provides low-cost, rebuilt laptops and computers to low-income residents.

For information, call 708-843-8450. – Shaw Local News Network but then I try to do all these extra things to show them that I care about them. For me, it’s made a difference so far.”

Remnes added that she considers herself a good listener and is always willing to consider new ideas, tips and suggestions that can be applied on the job.

“Part of it is also just listening to staff members in the buildings that I am in and trying to figure out what it is that they need or what they think would help and then trying to implement them based on what building I’m talking about,” Remnes said. “Like at [Gwendolyn] Brooks [Elementary School], one of the big things that I did new this past year was I had a free general store where the kids can come in and get snacks.

“That really increases the traffic in and out of my office and helps me become more familiar with all of the kids and have a better relationship with them so that they feel like they can talk to me.”

We are offering “Countering The Mass Shooter Threat” classes which are designed for every House of Worship, School, Business and Family. Please contact us for further information and/or scheduling dates. These classes can be taught at any location. Please call or e-mail for further information.

Local News Brief

DeKalb chalk art event to raise money

for Barb Food Mart

DeKALB – Barb Food Mart will host “Art for the Mart, a Colorful Fundraiser for BFM” to support the food pantry. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 5 at Palmer Court in downtown DeKalb.

Participants can draw chalk art on sidewalk squares. Guest artists also will create chalk art.

Food will be available for purchase from Sweet Butts Cotton Candy and Big D’s Hot Dogs. Chalk will be provided. Attendees can buy a 3-by-3-foot square for $15 or a family four-square for $45. To buy a square, visit secure.givelively.org/ event/barb-food-mart-nfp/art-for-themart.

Barb Food Mart is a food pantry that serves DeKalb School District 428 families.

– Shaw Local News Network