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Proposed new county schools sales tax would not tax groceries, prescriptions, cars
By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com
SYCAMORE – A proposed new sales tax benefiting DeKalb County schools would not tax groceries, prescription drugs or cars, according to Sycamore School District 427.
Voters will be asked in a November ballot referendum whether they back a proposed DeKalb County School Facility Tax, which officials have said could generate about $10 million in revenue for all school districts in the county. District 427 has set up a webpage to inform voters on the proposal, which if approved would enact a new 1% sales tax in the county.
“It’s important to note that if a product or service is not currently subject to sales tax, it will not be taxed under this proposal. Items such as prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, cars and trucks, farm equipment, unprepared foods [groceries] and services will be untaxed,” according to the webpage.
DeKalb, Sycamore, Sandwich and other school districts in the county approved the plan for a referendum earlier this summer.
Officials have said tax revenue collected could go toward buying new school buildings, or funding building renovations; land acquisitions; and building demolitions, according to Sycamore district documents. Improvements to technology infrastructure, parking lots, roofs and other aspects of school facilities could also come through the sales tax revenue.
The tax revenue would be collected by the Illinois Department of Revenue and disbursed on a monthly basis by the state treasurer to the Regional Office of Education, which would be responsible for allocating the collections to school districts.
At a Sycamore school board meeting on Aug. 27, school board member Christian Copple asked officials how the district is disseminating information regarding the referendum to the public.
Sycamore Superintendent Steve Wilder said he coordinated with other districts within the county on a flier on the referendum, but how each district communicates about the referendum will be decided on a per district basis.
“I had a discussion about that [messaging] just this afternoon, through additional messaging, some public meetings where I’ll present some information and then field questions,” Wilder said. “I wouldn’t call those a town hall necessar-
ily but kind of that style. I actually tentatively scheduled two of those meetings. Those will come out through the communications department.”
Wilder said he’s also looking into giving a presentation on the referendum to the Rotary Club of Sycamore, but he said he can’t use that platform to sway voters.
“We are limited to just sharing information, there are laws that prevent us from encouraging the vote either way. So that would be my goal, is just to share as much information as we can but also get an opportunity to answer some questions that come from the public. We’ll kind of see how some of the other communities do it as well,” Wilder said.
Kalista Breda was diagnosed with brain cancer as an eighth grader, and almost a year later she’s still taking part in her favorite sport as a cheerleader for Genoa-Kingston High School.
See story, page 6.
want to hear
Accuracy is important to The MidWeek. Please call errors to our attention by phone at 815-526-4411 or email at readit@midweeknews.com.
Photo provided by Jess Evertsen
Mark Busch file photo
Sarah Frankiewicz, Southeast Elementary School principal, greets students on their first day of classes Aug. 21 at the school in Sycamore. It also was Frankiewicz’s first day as principal at the school she attended as a student.
Kishwaukee College SkillsUSA team earns championship medals
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
MALTA – The Kishwaukee College SkillsUSA chapter recently earned medals, including multiple state titles, during the annual SkillsUSA Illinois Leadership and Skills Conference Championships.
The championships were held in April in Peoria, according to a news release.
The college team was coached by Don Flink, assistant professor of diesel power technology.
“Our students work hard all year to compete at the highest level and showcase the career skills they learn and build at Kishwaukee College,” Flink said in the release. “We are very proud of the results and all our dedicated SkillsUSA team members.”
The championships allow career and technical students to showcase their training and abilities. The Kishwaukee College chapter had 15 students participate. The students competed in diesel equipment technology, heavy equipment operation and power equipment technology.
Lily Goode earned first place and the state title. Cole Wilke placed first and earned the state title in heavy equipment operation. Christian Thorn
received first place and a state title in diesel equipment technology. Chaz Finley earned second place, and Tom Nowicki earned third place in power equipment technology.
Goode, Wilke and Thorn qualified
for the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference Championships. Wilke won the gold medal and national championship in heavy equipment operation. Thorn earned seventh in high school diesel equip -
ment technology. Goode received eighth place in power equipment technology.
SkillsUSA is a national organization that helps prepare students for careers in the trades.
Photo provided by Kishwaukee College
Kishwaukee College assistant professor of diesel power technology Don Flink (left) and Kishwaukee College SkillsUSA team members Cole Wilke, Christian Thorne and Lily Goode
Stage Coach’s production of ‘Rent’ opens Sept. 19
DeKALB – The Stage Coach Players’ next production, the musical “Rent,” will open Sept. 19 and run for two weeks.
“Rent” tells the story of a group of poor musicians and artists struggling under the HIV and AIDS shadow in New York City’s Lower East Side. The disease’s emotional and physical complications penetrate the lives of Angel, Roger, Tom and Mimi. Maureen handles chronic infidelity through performance art and Joanne, her partner, wonders about their relationship. Mark feels like an outsider to life while Benny abandoned his Bohemian ideals for money and is drifting from his old friends.
The cast features Cory Schreiner as Roger, Anaya Evans as Mimi, Ryan Marcotte as Tom, Grant Milam as Angel, Shannon Becker as Maureen, Tamara Heath as Joanne, Denis Vorobyev as Benny and Jordan Christopherson as Mark. The rest of the cast includes Chelsea Banks, Daerielle Balika, Cody Bratcher, Evan Ewing, Leigh Foulk, Karla Gulke, Kelly Hart, Brian Heffernan, Cheri Heinz, Ryan Hoffman, Kaitlin Jacobson, Jon Jaworowski, Angel Larson, Kevin Loeper,
Meg McGarry, Brooke Montavon, Skylar Montavon, Patrick Murphy, Jackson Nielsen, Isaiah Panke, Kasey Pennington, Riley Powers, Jason Reed and Denver Starznski
“Rent” is based on the 1896 opera “La Boheme” by Giacomo Puccini and the 1996 musical of the same name by Jonathan Larson. The Stage Coach production will be directed by Cortney Jo Newby, who previously directed the Stage Coach production of “Jekyll and
Hyde” in 2018. Pit direction is provided by Rex Meyer, vocal direction by Abi Mogge, and stage management by Angela Schiola.
“It’s sad that this show is more relevant today than I think it was back in 1996,” Newby said in a news release. “The amount of struggles that we are still facing almost 30 years later from addiction to poverty to disease. ‘Rent’ is not only about these struggles, but it’s also about outcasts and minorities, and
the LGBTQ plus community. It’s for everyone who feels alone and afraid, even though they’re aware that there are millions of people who feel the exact same way.”
“The importance of ‘Rent’ and the effect that its popularity had on societal acceptance, grace and understanding of a maligned and monstrously misunderstood population of beautiful humans and love cannot be understated,” McGarry said in the release.
Newby said she’s dedicating “Rent” to the memory of SCP member Jeff Hall, who helped ensure the musical was brought to the SCP stage.
“Even though he is no longer with us on earth, he is with me every step of the way, trying to bring his ideas and mine together and collaborate on something gorgeous and profound has been the best part of this whole process.”
Performances of “Rent” will be at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 19-21 and Sept. 26-28 and 2 p.m. Sept. 22 and 29 at Stage Coach Theatre, 126 S. Fifth St. in DeKalb.
Tickets cost $23 for seniors and children ages 12 and younger, and $25 for everyone else. “Rent” contains intimate relationships, adult and sexual themes, and extreme and explicit language. For information, visit stagecoachplayers.com.
Photo provided by Stage Coach Players
Stage Coach Players cast members rehearse a scene from the upcoming production of “Rent”
DeKalb County History Center lists food exhibit events
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
SYCAMORE – The DeKalb County History Center will host several food related events as part of its “Food: Gathering Around the Table” exhibit. The exhibit is a collaboration between the history center and the Smithsonian Museum.
The event schedule includes:
• “Historic recipes in today’s kitchen” with Chef Mary: 6:30 p.m. Sept. 18 in the Hy-Vee club room, 2700 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore. Attendees can learn about pork preservation, preparation and cooking with an emphasis on 1800s methods. The program will be led by Mary Gorski, American Culinary Federation Chicago Chefs president. Registration is required and costs $5. To register, visit zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing.
• “Cooking Seasonally” with Jo Cessna: Noon Sept. 19 at the DeKalb County History Center. Participants will learn about various ways to prepare apples and historic apple recipe examples. The series will be led by Jo Cessna, Northwestern Medicine Leishman Center for Culinary Health culinary instructor. Admission is free. Registration is required; visit zeffy.com/ en-US/ticketing.
• Del Monte “reunion:” 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 26 at the DeKalb County History Center. The reunion includes factory stories and and an opportunity to reconnect with old friends. Attendees can bring a dish featuring Del Monte products. Light refreshments will be served at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free. Registration is required; visit zeffy.com/
LOCAL NEWS BRIEF
NIU center releases age-friendly policy profile
DeKALB – The Northern Illinois University Center for Governmental Studies recently released a “The Emergence of Age-Friendly Thinking in Community Planning” policy profile.
The profile will help civic leaders understand the older population demographic shift, what it means for communities, and how to plan for opportunities and challenges.
The policy profile provides demographic, economic and social aspects of aging population planning information. It also notes that age-friendly communities can be good because older and younger people want similar things.
The profile addresses questions including: What is an age-friendly community? Why should our community
en-US/ticketing.
• “Indigenous Pathways to Food Sovereignty” with Jessica Pamonicutt, Ketapanen Kitchen: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Sycamore Public Library, 103 E. State St. Participants will learn about Indigenous food, maintaining natural resources, and exploring historic and current food habits and practices. The event also will be led by Jessica Walks First, chef and Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin member. Admission is free.
• “Pumpkin Fest Tour of Historic Homes:” Noon Oct. 3 at the DeKalb County History Center, 1730 N. Main St., Sycamore. Attendees will hear about the houses featured in the 2024 Historic Homes Tour. The housewalk committee will discuss the selected houses, their histories and connections. Admission is free.
• “Food and Poetry:” 6:30 p.m. Oct. 3 at the DeKalb County History Center, 1730 N. Main St., Sycamore. The program will explore the history, traditions, and food production through poetry. Participants also will discuss the poets’ ideas. Light refreshments will be served. Registration is encouraged.
• “Etched in Stone:” 1 p.m. Oct. 6 at Elmwood Cemetery, 901 S. Cross St., Sycamore. The history center’s annual cemetery walk looks at the role ordinary people played in DeKalb County history. The walk costs $5 a person.
• “Garden Story time – featuring the fall harvest:” 11 a.m. Oct. 11 at the DeKalb County History Center. The program features crafts, sings and stories read by Sycamore library employees. The program is free and intended for children ages 3 to 6.
• “Evening of Encores:” 7 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at the DeKalb County History Center. Attendees can listen to classical and romantic era music performed by violinist Kara Eubanks. Donations will be accepted. Registration is required; visit zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/.
• Brown Bag Lunch “Falling in Love with Food with Chef Rudy Galindo:” Noon Nov. 7 at the Ellwood House Museum, 420 Linden Place, DeKalb. Chef Rudy Galindo will share food stories.
Attendees can bring a lunch to the free program.
• Pasta making class with Chef Michael Haines: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13 at the HyVee classroom, 2700 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore. Attendees can learn how to make, roll out, and hand-shape pasta. The class will be led by chef Michael Haines. The class costs $10. Registration is required; visit zeffy.com/ en-US/ticketing. For information, visit dekalbcountyhistory.org or call 815-895-5762.
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be age-friendly? How do we become an age-friendly community?
An “Age-friendly community” is one that supports all ages in a way that allows them to age in place and engage with the community. To view the profile, visit go.niu.edu/policyprofiles.
“The journey towards age-friendly communities begins with a deep understanding of demographic trends and the recognition of the unique needs and challenges faced by older individuals,” policy profile author Mim Evans said in a news release.
The NIU Center for Governmental Studies provides expertise city and county decision-makers need to implement efficient, sustainable and cost-effective policies and programs. For information, visit go.niu.edu/ policyprofiles or cgs.niu.edu. – Shaw Local News Network
‘Kalista’s Krusaders’ ready for battle
Genoa-Kingston rallies around cheerleader with inoperable brain tumor
By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com
GENOA – A Genoa-Kingston High School cheerleader had the support of her peers, coaches and teachers Aug. 30 as they rallied to fundraise and help her through a life-altering illness.
Genoa-Kingston High School and Middle School Athletic Director Philip Jerbi said the event was to support Kalista Breda – a freshman cheerleader who was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor as an eighth grader.
Breda’s mother, Jess Evertsen, wrote in an email to Shaw Local News Network that she and her daughter have been blown away by the ever increasing scope of the fundraiser, which took place during the Cogs’ varsity football game against North Boone High School.
“Kalista was so happy to know that all of these people wanted to support her and cared about her so much,” Evertsen wrote. “Kalista and I were just talking about how so many families going through the same thing don’t always have a community of fighters behind them, so we are so incredibly blessed and thankful for all of these ‘krusaders’ helping Kalista fight this fight!”.
As part of the fundraiser, the Genoa-Kingston athletic department created and sold hundreds of shirts, with the proceeds also going to Breda’s family.
Those shirts will have the words “Kalista’s Krusaders” in gray, the color associated with brain cancer awareness initiatives, across the front and can be picked up at the football game.
Genoa-Kingston High School cheerleading coach Danielle D’Amato said Breda initially had to step away from cheerleading after receiving her diagnosis, but has since rejoined, although she no longer flies or tumbles.
She’s been dealt a very unfair hand, but she never lets it stop her. She still tries to find the positive in every situation.”
Jess Evertsen, Kalista Breda’s mother
“Ever since joining high school cheer and seeing her in this light, knowing what she’s going through, if you wouldn’t have known ahead of time what she’s dealing with you would never guess there was anything wrong, just based on her demeanor and her personality,” D’Amato said Sept. 5. “I think she’s probably the strongest teenager I know right now, going through what she’s going through, and being able to be happy and be so strong for herself and her family right now. She’s a great teammate.”
On Sept. 4, Jerbi said he had sold more than 370 shirts, but the support wasn’t limited to Genoa or DeKalb County. Aaron Sullivan, activities director for the opposing team from North Boone High School, also purchased shirts for his school’s student section.
“Which is amazing, that our opponents are willing to do that for us also, a pretty cool thing,” Jerbi said. “Not just our school, but the conference is basically rallying behind this cause at this particular point in time, and we’re going to honor [Breda] and her family at 6:55 [p.m.], right before kickoff, once the anthem is over, out at the 50-yard line. And all of our proceeds and donations that we take [Sept. 6] night will go directly back to the family.”
Student and adult volunteers also hosted a 50/50 raffle and sell wristbands to benefit Breda’s family.
“We just want to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts to every single person in this community. From
See KALISTA BREDA, page 7
David Toney for Shaw Local News Network
Genoa-Kingston players wear a DR sticker on their football helmets Aug. 30 to honor former coach David Russell, who died in December 2023. Russell was honored during the first game of the season. A yellow ribbon on the Cogs’ helmets Sept. 6 will honor Kalista Breda, a freshman cheerleader who has cancer.
A brain cancer awareness fundraiser was held Aug. 30 during the Genoa-Kingston High School home football game. The proceeds will go to the family of Kalista Breda, a high school freshman diagnosed with brain cancer.
• KALISTA BREDA
Continued from page 6
day 1, the love and support has been remarkable,” Evertsen said. “Our lives changed dramatically, literally, overnight but our community has made sure we know we have so many people behind us fighting this fight with us. It takes a village, and I’m beyond grateful for ours.”
After working for Genoa-Kingston School District 424 for three decades, Jerbi, 53, said he’s gotten to know multiple generations of Genoa students. He said he and his district colleagues want to help Breda and her family any way they can.
When he asked Breda whether she’d be interested in allowing the school to host the fundraiser in her honor, Breda jumped at the opportunity, he said. Her mom had previously broached the idea of hosting a fundraiser to raise awareness for childhood cancer.
“She wants others to understand this is a disease that doesn’t just affect people once they get older, it’s a disease that affects people when they’re younger as well,” Jerbi said. “And she’s not doing this at all for self promotion. She’s doing it to be able to raise awareness. She’s going through something that most of us can’t even fathom, and may never experience something
like this. And as an educator, yes, we want to teach our students our curriculum, but if we can teach our community members as well that even when going through a hardship there are positives involved, I think it’s something we should do more often.”
Breda has undergone chemotherapy treatments for the past seven months, and has more still to go, Jerbi said. The tumor in her brain isn’t expected to be completely eliminated, however.
“The type of tumor it is makes it not only inoperable, but it’s never really going to go away, something that’s going to be watched for the rest of Kalista’s life,” Jerbi said.
Asked how she thinks she’s handled the inoperable cancer diagnosis, Kalista’s mother wrote that her daughter is the “strongest, bravest person” she knows.
“She’s been dealt a very unfair hand, but she never lets it stop her,” Evertsen wrote. “She still tries to find the positive in every situation. Her phrase quickly became, ‘I’m fine’ from the day of her diagnosis and has stuck with her throughout this process. You’ll see her smiling more than not, and she’s always thinking of helping others, even though her life has gotten turned upside down. She’s taught me so much about staying positive and what true strength looks like.”
Photo provided by Jess Evertsen
NIU Homecoming Coloring Contest
Deadline to drop off at the DeKalb or Sycamore Library is Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. For details: go.niu.edu/homecoming.
Student first and last name, grade and school, and parent/guardian phone number.
Sponsored by State Farm agents Micah Stoddard and Scott Zeimet
LOOKING BACK
1924 – 100 YEARS AGO
Probably the automobile has cut into the railroad’s business to such an extent that traveling on a train is more of a rarity than an accommodation at the present time, and perhaps that is one of the reasons railroad stations are usually allowed to go the way of the forgotten, even though some people find it necessary to patronize the railroads.
Several complaints, the last coming from Burt H., have been received at the police station relative to a flock of ducks that have been running wild on South Sixth Street in the neighborhood in which Mr. H. lives. According to the complaint made by the South Sixth Street resident the fowls are the property of a well-known resident of the street. It is more than likely that the city officials will petition the owner to pen the ducks up.
Hundreds of people who wished to see “Powder River,” the official war department film that is appearing again tonight and tomorrow at the Princess theatre under the auspice of the American Legion post of this city, had to be turned away from the theatre last evening. The show is the greatest hit that has ever been in this city at a theatre.
Traveling from Geneva to Dixon and from DeKalb to Sycamore every day for one month causes the several busses of the Northern Illinois Service company to travel more than the distance around the world. The distance around the world, according to figures in a dictionary is a little over 24,910 miles. The buses each month average a distance of 25,000 miles. The busses make several trips each day the entire length of the highway from Dixon to Geneva. The average run for the month so figures in the special trips that are taken, of which there have been several during the summer months.
Employees of the Illinois Power company began yesterday to tear up the tracks on the Sycamore end of the line. The work was started just west of the city where the double pavement begins. The rails have been taken from the crossing by the Fracey home and a crushed rock foundation has been laid. Drivers will find this much improved now since the crossing was formerly a bad spot between here and DeKalb. Linemen were also busy on the lines between the
two cities today, which will probably be taken down soon as the line has been abandoned.
1949 – 75 YEARS AGO
Even though it has been years since Illinois levied a state property tax, the state’s public schools still were receiving money from that source today. The schools are still getting a share of delinquent tax payments which were due in 1930, 1931 and 1932. The payment to DeKalb County amounted to $225.
Many have been wondering why a fund was not started for the purpose of purchasing an iron lung for DeKalb, which could be used in cases of emergency. It seems that nearly all have forgotten that a few years ago the DeKalb lodge of the Loyal Order of Moose presented a portable iron lung to the city, the outfit costing nearly $1,400. The portable lung is kept at the DeKalb fire station and all firemen have been instructed and trained to handle and operate it, and it is ready for all emergencies. The polio wave this summer has brought the need for portable lungs to the front and many in this city had forgotten that the valuable piece of equipment was given the city by the Moose Lodge.
The grape season is at hand and Daniel J. Conerty, district supervisor, Alcohol Tax Units, Chicago, warned prospective winemakers that the head of the family is allowed to produce tax-free 200 gallons of wine per year for the use of his own family, he must first register his
have argued parades should be on other streets and not on the city’s main street, which also is a state highway.
Community Cable 8, the Public Access Television channel, will present a timely program tonight. A panel discussion of the subject of Amnesty for those who chose not to serve in the Vietnam war will be cablecast at that time. The subject of amnesty is being discussed these days all over the country. President Ford, who just granted a full and unconditional pardon to ex-President Nixon is expected to take action soon.
intention to produce such wine with the Alcohol Tax Unit, Bureau of Internal Revenue.
The DeKalb Daily Chronicle trophy for the best cook at the Sandwich Fair was won by Mrs. Vincent Brando of Somonauk. The other trophy in the baked goods department was a Betty Crocker silver cake plate, which was won by Mrs. Alvina Humistion of Sandwich. There were 19 chiffon cakes entered in this class.
The foundation is being laid for a new house on the old Gardner farm east of Fairdale, where Mr. and Mrs. Buster Britton now live. The other house burned down three years ago when it was occupied by the Frank Hawes family.
Another load of 15 poles for the new Sycamore business district lighting system was received today from the Chicago manufacturers and promptly placed in position. Contractor Glenn Gustafson placed thee poles on South Maple and South Main streets. This makes 30 poles of the 75 needed which have been received and set in position. There are 45 to come of which 34 are of extra length to be placed on State Street.
1974 – 50 YEARS AGO
The DeKalb City Council earlier this week was on the verge of denying a permit for the senior high school’s homecoming parade. Aldermen opposed to the permit said Lincoln Highway should not be closed during a busy traffic hour. In the past aldermen also
The Genoa City Council vowed to give full support to Genoa Chief of Police, Mel Shaw, in making Genoa a better place to live at the Tuesday night council meeting. It was learned that the job of clearing out abandoned vehicles had reached a stumbling block when two residents threatened to take action because of an attempt made to two of the abandoned vehicles.
1999 – 25 YEARS Ago
Construction on DeKalb Avenue in Sycamore from South Cross Street to California Street will being Monday. Construction will include new storm sewer, sidewalk, curb and milling and resurfacing. DeKalb Avenue will experience one-lane traffic with flag signalers during working hours. Stark Street will be closed from DeKalb Avenue to Center Avenue. There will be traffic delays.
The 1999 DeKalb Airshow is a dynamic way to promote the DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport. Although its 5,000 feet of runway meet a number of minimum requirements in the aviation community, it is unusual for an airport the size of DeKalb to host this type of event.
About a third of DeKalb Swine Breeders Inc. employees will be looking for new jobs by the end of the year. The company, a subsidiary of DEKALB Genetics, will be moving to St. Louis and merged with other swine-breeding operations.
The city has received an overwhelming positive response from citizens concerning the installation of four speed humps on Hillcrest Drive in DeKalb. The speed humps have successfully slowed traffic by 5 to 10 mph on the highly traveled residential road.
– Compiled by Sue Breese
Photo provided by DeKalb County History Center
The northeast corner of First and Main streets in DeKalb is seen, circa 1900. Main Street was later named Lincoln Highway
The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated the 150th anniversary of the “The Winner” barbed wire patent at the J.F. Glidden
Chamber staff, board and community members and ambassadors marked the occasion with a ribbon-cutting Aug. 13. The J.F. Glidden Homestead and
Highway, DeKalb, shares the migration, innovation and philanthropy story where “The Winner” barbed wire was invented. For information, visit gliddenhomestead.org or call 815-756-7904.
Photo provided by DeKalb Chamber of Commerce
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
Bilingual play and learn event set for Sept. 12 in DeKalb
DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library will partner with 4-C to host a bilingual play and learn event on Sept. 12.
The event will be held at 10 a.m. in the library’s Story and Activity Room, 309 Oak St.
The event is free and intended for children ages newborn to 5.
The event will support language development, early literacy, fine and gross motor skills, listening skills and concentration through rhymes, parent-child interactions, and songs.
No registration is required.
For information, email theresaw@dkpl. org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 3350.
DeKalb library to host healthy aging workshop Sept. 12
DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library will partner with Home Instead to host the first of three workshops on various healthy aging topics.
The workshop will be held at 11 a.m. Sept. 12 in the library’s lower-level Bilder Family Meeting Room, 309 Oak St. The workshop is free and intended for seniors and adults.
Participants can learn about fraud prevention and how to avoid scams. No registration is required to attend. For information, email chelsear@dkpl. org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 1700.
DeKalb Fire Department to hold Patriot Day Ceremony Sept. 11
DeKALB – The DeKalb Fire Department will hold a Patriots Day Ceremony to honor the memories and sacrifices of those who died on 9/11.
The ceremony will begin at 8 a.m. Sept. 11 at DeKalb Fire Station One, 700 Pine St. It will feature a presentation of colors by the DeKalb Firefighters Color Guard. Light refreshments will be served. For information, call 815-748-8460.
Eight Countries in One Day event to return Sept. 14 to DeKalb
DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library will host its annual “Eight Country in One Day” event to showcase various countries and cultures.
The free event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 14 at the library, 309 Oak St. Jordan, France, Madagascar, Mexico, Brazil, Scotland, Japan and the Philippines will be featured.
The event will include food, activities, and crafts. Passports and “luggage” will be available at the welcome table. Coffee and chocolate also will be provided by Off the Leash Coffee Co.
Passports will be stamped at every visited country. Attendees also can enter for a chance to win prizes. Patrons who donate canned food items will receive raffle tickets.
Performances also will be held in the library’s main lobby. Performers include: 11 a.m.: Ballet Folklórico Aztlán
Noon: Heather and Thistle Highland Dancers and Bagpiper
1 p.m.: Global Rhythms with the Harambee Percussion Ensemble
For information, email samanthah@ dkpl.org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 1701.
Upcoming NIU STEM Cafe to explore green energy’s hidden materials
DeKALB – The next Northern Illinois University STEM Cafe will explore the hidden materials green energy requires.
The discussion will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 11 at Fatty’s Pub and Grille, 1312 W. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb.
Admission is free, but egistration is encouraged.
Attendees will hear about how the technology green energy needs is made from materials that exist in small proportions. The minerals and metals can be difficult to locate and little is known about their formation process.
The featured speaker is Mark R. Frank, NIU professor of earth, atmosphere and environment.
“The metals and minerals critical for the transition to low-carbon energy sources have to be developed as quickly as the technology is developed, or we risk having found an answer to climate change but not being able to do anything about it,” Frank said in a news release. Food and beverages will be available to buy from Fatty’s.
NIU STEM Cafes are part of NIU STEAM and are designed to increase public awareness of the critical role that STEM fields play in everyday life.
For information or to register, visit go. niu.edu/stemcafe.
– Shaw Local News Network
Mark R. Frank
The link between sleep and healthy aging
A good night’s rest can be just what the body needs to feel revitalized and ready to tackle a new day. Indeed, rest is important for people of all ages, including seniors.
The National Council on Aging notes the brain needs sleep to regulate the body, restore energy and repair damage. Recognition of that is vital for aging men and women, some of whom may be more vulnerable to sleeping problems than they realize. In addition to being more vulnerable to age-related health problems that can interrupt their sleep, thus affecting its quality, aging men and women may find their sleep routines change over time. For example, a 2019 study published in the journal BMC Geriatrics found that active elderly people reported it took them longer to fall asleep as they got older.
The NCOA says it’s a misconception that older adults need more sleep than younger people, noting adults of all ages require the same amount of nightly rest. However, things may change for seniors in regard to how much time they need to spend in bed. The NCOA notes this is because adults may be more likely to experience poor sleep quality and continuity. When that occurs, adults still need the recommended minimum of seven hours of nightly sleep, but they may need to spend more time in bed since it’s taking them longer to fall asleep.
It’s important that aging adults recognize that they can spend too much time sleeping as well. A 2019 study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that too much sleep is linked to the same health problems as too little sleep, issues that include an elevated risk for heart disease and falls.
Sleep issues affecting older adults also may be a byproduct of various contributing factors. The NCOA notes that frequent contributors to sleep concerns include:
¥ Pain that affects the back, neck, or joints
¥ Mental health issues, including anxiety and depression
¥ Neurodegenerative disorders that are more frequent among aging populations, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s
¥ Sleep apnea or disordered breathing at night Restless leg syndrome, a condition that tends to worsen with age and is characterized by an urge to move limbs often
¥ Nocturia, a condition marked by a need to urinate at night
¥ Stimulating medications or medication interactions
¥ Decreased exposure to sunlight
¥ Sedentary lifestyle
Aging men and women who are experiencing difficulty sleeping should know that such issues are treatable and not something that needs to be accepted as a normal part of growing older. For example, individuals whose sleep is routinely interrupted by a need to urinate can avoid certain beverages, including alcohol and caffeinated drinks.
Sleep and healthy aging go hand in hand. Aging adults experiencing difficulty sleeping can consult their physicians and visit ncoa.org to learn more about overcoming sleep-related issues.
Sycamore dissolves inactive committees
By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com
SYCAMORE – Long-inactive Sycamore City Council committees were dissolved Sept. 3 when council members voted to create a special committee system the mayor will oversee.
As a result of council action, Sycamore’s finance, public safety and public works standing committees have been dissolved. The beautification committee and other city commissions and boards, including for planning and zoning, remain intact.
Sycamore Mayor Steve Braser now has the power to appoint special committees as the city deems necessary, or as directed by the City Council, according to the ordinance that was passed. Before the vote, Braser told city officials he’d never been invited to a committee meeting in the 16 years he’s been an elected official and thinks there’s no reason to keep the old system in place.
Previously, city code mandated that three committees – finance, public safety and public works – remain standing in perpetuity, although the mayor still had the power to appoint special committees as he deemed necessary.
City Council members seldom have anything to say during the reports of standing committees agenda item in every council meeting, however.
When 4th Ward Alderperson Ben Bumpus asked what would happen after approving the ordinance changes, 3rd Ward alderperson Nancy Copple said, “We don’t have to hear them say, ‘No report, no report, no report.’”
Bumpus, who was the only alderper-
OBITUARIES
MARGARET “PEGGY” CHAMNESS
Born: November 7, 1936
Died: September 2, 2024
Margaret “Peggy” Chamness, age 87, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Sept. 2nd, 2024. She was born in Dwight, IL on November 7th, 1936, the daughter of Francis and Josephine (Ready) Neville. She married William Chamness on Sept. 25, 1965 and lived in Kankakee, IL prior to moving to DeKalb in 1975. Margaret was a Registered Nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee and continued
son to vote against the ordinance change in a 6-1 vote, said he doesn’t see the change benefiting the city.
“It’s almost like we’re addressing the wrong problem,” he said. “We’ve got an opportunity, which at one point I think these three committees were vehicles to help the city either stay accountable or move forward. We’re going to say, ‘We’re going to do away with those and possibly add new ones.’ I don’t see that creating value. I’m interested in what are we doing to help move forward with these committees, and the actions I think at one point they were designed to accomplish.”
First Ward Alderperson Alan Bauer told Bumpus the city used to not have a finance department, necessitating a finance committee, but things have since changed.
“Committees had to make deliberation on finance issues,” Bauer said. “I mean, we used to sit and go through every line item of the budget and sometimes it would take three, four hours in two different nights. ... So now we have have a finance department that creates a budget that we review, and ask questions about and approve. We have a city manager that’s managing things. The city manager is doing evaluations, and so that’s all happening because of our internal management structure.”
In March 2023, with a finance department in place, City Manager Michael Hall submitted a 2022 tax year computational report to the DeKalb County Clerk and Recorder Office with a total levy rate that was more than what the City Council had approved three months prior, a Daily Chronicle review of tax records found.
Saturday, September 28th, 2024 9:00am-12:00pm at DeKalb Municipal Airport, located at 2200 Pleasant St, DeKalb IL 60115
her career at Pine Acres Nursing Home in DeKalb until she retired in 1996.
Peggy is survived by her three children: Karen Isham, Lisa Angel, and Michael Chamness; all of DeKalb, four grandchildren, Ali (Evan) Froehlich, Austin (Samantha) Isham, Lauren Angel and Matthew Angel; as well as 3 great-grandchildren: Everleigh, Josephine, and Knox. She was proceeded in death by her husband William, parents Francis and Josephine Neville, her two sisters Mary Legner and Regina Snyder, and brother Joseph Neville.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Tom Lehan from Transitions Hospice as well as Father Etheridge from St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sycamore. Private services will be held with a celebration of life at a later date.
For more detailed information on acceptable and unacceptable items, visit health.dekalbcounty.org or scan the QR code to the left. Have questions? Contact the DeKalb County Solid
Lehan Drugs to close DeKalb pharmacy
Owner, CEO says closure due to unrelenting cost pressures from pharmacy benefit managers
By KELSEY RETTKE krettke@shawmedia.com
DeKALB – The longtime multigenerational family business Lehan Drugs will close its DeKalb pharmacy service this month, although it will continue to supply home medical equipment to clients, owner and CEO Jon Lehan said.
Lehan Drugs first opened its doors to patients in 1946 and has since expanded into multiple locations across northern Illinois. Its only pharmacy is in DeKalb, however. Although the pharmacy services will cease after Sept. 11, home medical equipment supplies and its other locations in Rockford, Freeport, Dixon and Aurora will remain open. Its DeKalb home base, 1407 S. Fourth St., also will remain open to supply medical equipment.
“We’re proud of our long history serving the DeKalb community and how our family business has grown over the years to include pharmacy services and home medical equipment,” Lehan said in an email to Shaw Local News Network on Thursday. “Treating each of our patients with personal attention and care remains our standard and the hallmark of our family business.”
Lehan Drugs will transfer its prescription services to Walgreens, effective Sept. 12. Home medical equipment including CPAP machines, oxygen tanks, breast pumps, walkers, wheelchairs and other items will remain available to customers at all six locations in Illinois and Wisconsin, according to a statement provided by Lehan.
Current clients can have their prescriptions filled at Lehan Drugs through Sept. 22. Customers are urged to call Lehan at 815-758-0913 if they have questions or concerns.
“We know this is a difficult time for our employees and patients as we navigate this transition,” the company said in the statement. “We have proudly served as DeKalb’s hometown pharmacy since 1946. Sadly, we could no longer sustain the downward pressure on reimbursement for medica -
tions from pharmacy benefit managers. Walgreens has been a tremendous partner in fighting against PBM abuses on a national level and does not own a PBM like some of their competitors.”
What are pharmacy benefit managers? What role do they play for independent pharmacies?
Lehan said there’s a national crisis facing independent pharmacies and pointed to what he called PBMs – middleman agencies that have come under increased scrutiny in recent years for pushing profit over patients.
In July, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission published a report that alleged how prescription drug middlemen profit at patients’ expense by inflating drug costs and negatively affecting accessibility and affordability of needed prescription drugs for people across the country.
According to the FTC report, six middleman companies – Caremark Rx LLC, Express Scripts Inc., OptumRx Inc., Humana Pharmacy Solutions Inc., Prime Therapeutics LLC and MedImpact Healthcare Systems Inc. –manage almost 95% of all prescriptions filled in the U.S. The three largest are owned by health care giants CVS Health, Cigna and UnitedHealth Group, The New York Times reported.
A New York Times investigation published in June reported that while PBMs are meant to reduce drug costs for patients, they often do the opposite. PBMs will negotiate drug prices,
often pointing patients to pricier options and also impose hidden fees.
The New York Times reported that PBMs also are responsible for paying pharmacies. That’s something that has fallen short at Lehan Drugs, Lehan said.
“The FTC’s interim report lays out how dominant pharmacy benefit managers can hike the cost of drugs –including overcharging patients for cancer drugs,” FTC Chair Lina M. Khan said in a news release. “The report also details how PBMs can squeeze independent pharmacies that many Americans – especially those in rural communities – depend on for essential care. The FTC will continue to use all our tools and authorities to scrutinize dominant players across health care markets and ensure that Americans can access affordable health care.”
Independent pharmacies such as Lehan Drugs often are at the mercy of middleman companies, according to the FTC report. That’s because they impose “unfair, arbitrary and harmful contractual terms that can impact independent pharmacies’ ability to stay in business and serve their communities,” according to the FTC.
Costs of needed, and often lifesaving, prescription drugs have become an increasing burden to Americans. In 2022, U.S. prices for both brand-name and generic prescription drugs were almost three times as high as prices in 33 other countries, according to the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Federal legislation this year has tried to alleviate some of that burden, especially for elderly Americans often on fixed incomes.
The issue has taken its fair share of airtime on the campaign trail leading up to the presidential election in November. In August, President Joe Biden announced that his administration had successfully negotiated with Medicare to lower the prices of 10 drugs.
Discounts for a 30-day supply of drugs – including diabetes medication NovoLog and Januvia, heart medication Farxiga, Stelara used to treat Crohn’s disease, blood pressure medication Entresto, stroke medication Xarelto, blood thinner Eliquis and cancer drug Imbruvica – range from 37% to 79%, according to AARP.
Some still carry a hefty price tag, however. The listing price for a 30-day supply of Stelara was $13,836. The negotiated new price is $4,695. Imbruvica, often given to patients with leukemia, was listed as $14,934 for a 30-day supply. The discounted price is $9,319, according to AARP.
For Lehan Drugs in DeKalb, that price tag became too much, leading to a difficult decision for the long-standing family business.
“It has been our honor to serve you and your families for four generations of Lehan’s pharmacists,” the company said in a statement.
We know this is a difficult time for our employees and patients as we navigate this transition. We have proudly served as DeKalb’s hometown pharmacy since 1946. Sadly, we could no longer sustain the downward pressure on reimbursement for medications from pharmacy benefit managers. Walgreens has been a tremendous partner in fighting against PBM abuses on a national level and does not own a PBM like some of their competitors.”
Lehan Drugs
Kelsey Rettke
Lehan Drugs, 1407 S. Fourth St., is seen Sept. 2. The longtime multi-generational family business recently announced it will close its DeKalb pharmacy service on Sept. 11, although will continue to supply home medical equipment to clients, owner and CEO Jon Lehan said.
TH E BEND MINNEAP OLIS MOLINE
COLLECTION AUCTIO N
1057 Shabbona Grove Rd
, Shabbona, IL 60550
Directions: 2 1/2 mile s sout h of Shabbona (RT 30) on Shabbona Rd to Sh abbona Grove Rd , then west 2 1/2 miles to sale site Watch fo r auction signs
Saturday, September 21, 2024 10:00 AM CS T
Live Onsite Auc tion wi th Simulcast internet bidding starts at 11:00 AM
Doug has spent 30 years collecting & Tractor Pulling MM Tractors He has put together a great co llection fe aturing 30+ Tractors. The collection also includes Implements, Pa rts, Toys & Collectibles. Plus , consignment tractors.
Minneapolis Moline Tractors and Pull ing Tr actors
1938 MM UDLX #310558 great condition, early 2000's restora tion of motor, tires, paint, glass, upholstery, gauges etc. 13.50-32 Re ars; MM G VI Stan dard “High Hopes” Alco hol Pulling Tractor, #16000100, 7000 lb class; MM G VI Standard “Lil Alli” Alcohol Pulling Tractor, #16000274,7000 lb class; MM G705 Stan dard, Gas, Pulling Tractor; MM G VI Standard Pulling Tractor, 7000 lb class; MM G1000 Standard “G oofy” Alcohol Pulling Tractor - Not Running; MM G1000 Vista , LP Gas, Row Crop ; MM G1000 Vista, Diesel, Row Crop; MM G1000 , LP Gas, Row Crop ; MM G1000, Di esel, Row Crop; MM UTI, Gas, Sta ndard WF , w/ Factory Allen Cab; 195 6 MM U Special LP Gas, Standard; 1956 MM U Special Gas, Standard; 1 956 MM U Special Diesel, Standard; MM M5 Gas, Row Crop; MM M5 LP Gas, St andar d; MM GB LP Gas, Standard; MM G VI Standard WF, LP Gas; MM G705 Standard WF, LP Gas; MM G707 Standard WF, LP Gas; MM M670 , NF, LP Gas; MM M6 70 S uper, Gas, Row Crop; MM M670 Super , Diesel, Row Crop; MM 602, LP Gas, Row Crop; MM GB Standard LP Gas; MM Jet Star 3 LP Gas, Row Crop; MM ZB Gas, NF; MM UB LP Gas, NF; MM 445 Gas, Row crop; MM UTI Standard 371 Detr oit Diesel Engine - Not running; MM 5 Star, NF, Gas, not runni ng; MM G VI Stan dard, LP Gas 4 cyl, Not Running; MM U Standard, Diesel Not Running.
Other Tractors and Im plements
McCormick OC- 6 Standard Orchard , Gas, restored; Oliver Super 88, NF, Gas w/ New Idea 305 2 row wide mounted corn pi cker; Friday, Standard Orchard, Gas; Improved Love, Standard Orchard, Gas; Ford 95 0, NF, Gas; Farmall M, NF, Gas; Bean Ro yal ant ique pull type sprayer; MM H320 2 row wi de pull ty pe corn pi cker; Moline 2 bottom 2-way plow
Parts and Power Units
3- MM 605 Long Blocks; 2- MM 403 Long Blocks LP; MM 800 S hort Bloc k; MM 605 S hort Bloc k; 4-71 Detroit Power Unit on trailer ; Large assortment of Minneapolis Moline Parts includi ng, blocks, heads and other engine parts, pull ing parts; Large assortment of MM weights including suit case, banana, and wheel weights, IH 75# an d 10 0# suitcase wei ghts.
Signs & Collectible s
Minneapolis Moline Power & Machiner y Neon Dealership Sign, single sided, 67”x39”x6 ”, works, refurbishe d; MM Lighted hanging dealership sign, 2 sided, 49”x2 4”x7.5”, works; Gas Boy Gas Pump wi th MM paint scheme and gl obe, lighted; Minneapolis Moline Eastern Division tin si gn, single sided, 59”x42”; “MM is on the March” paper poster; Wayne Feeds sign 48”x4 8”; 2- Buddy Lee Dolls; Sandwich Corn Sheller; New Idea sales brochure rack; 4 orig inal Coca-Cola coolers; Wood display cases; Assort ed MM and other 1/16 and 1/64 Toy tractors and pulling tractors; Assorted manuals, brochures, and MM ad vertising; Oil cans
Doug Bend - Ow ner 815-739-4789
Consigned By Dave and Carol Bend - Shabbona, IL Da ve: 815- 751-3014
, gas, NF; 1953 MM UBE , Row Crop WF, Gas; 194 9 MM RTS, St andar d WF, Gas; 195 1 MM ZAS, Standard WF, Gas; MM 5 -14 pull type tra iler plow, hyd lift; MM 4
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Vicky B.
AMUSEMENTS
