Putnam County Record_07262023

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La Salle camp to help youths handle pressure, make good life choices

With social media, technology and instant information, youth face challenges not prevalent in the past.

Many youth access information beyond their maturity level, or false. They can easily be pressured by peers or influencers, and sometimes make poor decisions. This is especially true for youth in their tween years that are at a critical age developmentally, socially and emotionally.

The University of Illinois Extension and 4-H is offering an opportunity for youth, ages 8-12, to attend a camp and have some positive, informative, discussions and activities on how to han -

dle these pressures and make good choices for their future. The camp will take place 9 to 11 a.m. July 31-Aug. 3 at Hegeler Park in La Salle.

The focus of this camp is making healthier life choices by avoiding drug and alcohol use, developing skills to thrive emotionally and socially, avoiding risky behaviors, and pursuing healthy habits. The camp is based on lessons from the National 4-H Council’s Health Rocks! curriculum.

The four-day camp will begin each morning with group lessons, crafts and activities, followed by a 1-mile walk with four stations along the way. The stations will provide a fun game, sport or snack for the youth to experience. A

yoga instructor and school presenter will teach yoga practices and mindfulness; a local high school coach will talk about how important it is to make good choices in order to be successful in high school activities; a community worker will present a hydration station featuring infused water; and Extension staff will provide games and prizes.

To register, visit LaSalle-il.gov and click on “park & rec.” Free to La Salle residents and $10 for nonresidents. Space limited to the first 20 to register.

For info, visit https://extension.illinois.edu/blmp or call University of Illinois Extension-Bureau, La Salle, Marshall, Putnam Unit Office at 815-224-0889.

Putnam County libraries announce August activity schedule

Libraries seek help designing 2024 calendar

Shaw Local News Network

The Putnam County Library District announced its August activity schedule for all locations.

District

Putnam County libraries are asking for help to design the 2024 calendar. Submission deadline is Thursday, Aug. 31, and participants can stop by any of the locations to pick up adult or kids coloring pages.

Hennepin, 214 N. Fourth St.

Cricut MakerSpace will be all day from Aug. 7-11. Call ahead to participate. This month’s craft is wood burning cutting board.

Hennepin story time will be at 11 a.m. Tuesdays. The event will feature a story and activity.

Granville, 214 S. McCoy St.

PCCC’s Outreach worker will be at the library from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Aug. 17 to answer questions and discuss available benefits and services for older adults. No appointment is necessary.

Arts and Crafts will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesdays. Crafts include torn paper art, sun catchers and other school age activities.

Summer story time will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays in Hopkins Park. Story time will include stickers, chalk and bubbles. Toddler-appropriate activities and siblings are welcome

Steam projects will be from 10:30 to

11:30 a.m. Fridays in August in Hopkins Park. Projects will include DIY bouncy balls, shaving cream cards and a seed sprouting jar.

Book discussion group meets at 1 p.m. the second and fourth Monday of every month. No book is assigned to read. Group directed.

Putnam, 105 N. Center St.

Books and brunch will be the first Saturday of the month. The event will feature food, books and friends.

Magnolia, 112 N. Chicago St.

Summer games will be during library hours Tuesday, Aug. 1. Games will include red light/green light, jump rope, Frisbee and more.

Summer movie morning will be at 10 a.m. Aug. 5.

Blow bubbles paint will be during

library hours Tuesday, Aug. 8.

Book sale will be during Magnolia Days on Friday, Aug. 18 and Saturday, Aug. 19.

Diabetes wellness strategies event will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22. Susan Glassman from the University of Illinois Extension Office will be discussing strategies.

Board games will be available during library hours Saturday, Aug. 26

Diabetes wellness strategies event will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22. Susan Glassman from the University of Illinois Extension Office will be discussing strategies.

McNabb, 322 W. Main St.

Build a barn event will be at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2. Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom’s Sarah Poignant will be presenting the program.

Standard, 128 First St

No events are scheduled.

Shaw Local News Network

Illinois Valley officials denounce cash-free bail ruling

Prosecutor warns of unintended consequence

By TOM COLLINS tcollins@shawmedia.com

Law enforcement officers in the Illinois Valley were swift to denounce lawmakers when, in 2022, they enacted measures that overhauled the criminal justice system in Illinois.

On Tuesday, there were more denunciations, but this time they were directed at the Illinois Supreme Court for a ruling that upheld a state law ending cash bail across the state. Illinois becomes the first state to fully abolish cash bail, effective Sept. 18.

In a 5-2 ruling Tuesday, the state’s top court overturned a lower-court ruling that ending cash bail was unconstitutional.

“The Illinois Constitution of 1970 does not mandate that monetary bail is the only means to ensure criminal defendants appear for trials or the only means to protect the public. Our constitution creates a balance between the individual rights of defendants and

the individual rights of crime victims,” wrote Justice Mary Jane Theis. “The Act’s pretrial release provisions set forth procedures commensurate with that balance.”

Local prosecutors joined local legislators in condemning the Tues -

day ruling.

“I am disappointed in the decision that was released today by the Illinois Supreme Court but will follow the law that will go into effect,” said Bureau County State’s Attorney Thomas Briddick. “The Bureau County State’s

Joe Navarro, La Salle County State’s Attorney

Attorney’s Office will continue to strive to protect members of the community and victims of crimes.”

La Salle County State’s Attorney Joe Navarro said he believes the ruling will usher in a host of unintended consequences.

Among these are a slew of new appeals. Navarro said any perceived breach of a detainee’s rights can be addressed through appeal. This will result in a massive influx of cases that will overwhelm the appellate prosecutor and appellate defender offices and require additional personnel at no small cost to the taxpayers.

Taxpayers can reasonably expect

See SAFE-T RULING on page 7

Scott Anderson - sanderson@shawmedia.com Bureau County State’s Attorney Thomas Briddick said he was disappointed in Tuesday’s Illinois Supreme Court ruling.

All I can say is I’m disappointed it wasn’t held unconstitutional, but we will adapt and do what the law says. That’s my job.”

Boggio’s Orchard & Produce to stay within the family

Migliorinis plan to keep tradition set by Boggio family

By MARIBETH M. WILSON mwilson@shawmedia.com

Joe and Christine Migliorini hope to preserve family traditions after purchasing Boggio’s Orchard & Produce farm in Granville.

Keith and Denise Boggio transferred ownership of the business to their nephew Joe and his wife Christine. Boggio’s has been farming vegetables for more than one hundred years, with Keith and Denise expanding it with an orchard and fall entertainment in the 1990s.

“The spirit of growing things,” Joe Migliorini said. “It’s been passed on in our family. Most of the time everybody wants to do that, but sometimes it doesn’t work out. It’s a significant investment in the future. We plan to continue to keep it in the family.”

Keith Boggio said Migliorini is a hard worker and he hopes locals will continue to support the business.

“It stayed in the family, which was a good thing,” Boggio said.

The Migliorinis want to preserve the farm and plan to expand the fall activities over the next few years without losing its simplicity.

Along with an orchard, pumpkin sales, bakery and produce shop, Boggio’s features a petting zoo, corn maze, an apple slide, jumping pillow and wagon rides, among other family activities, drawing sizable crowds on fall weekends.

“Agri-tourism has gotten very commercialized and we get a lot of traffic

from the suburbs and they have just a ton of commercialized agri-tourism out there and they’re very nice farms, but people don’t feel like they’re down on the farm,” Migliorini said.

Boggio’s allows visitors to pick their own apples from the orchard.

“We kind of take it for granted. But, a lot of people from the suburbs don’t see this stuff. They want to interact with animals and climb on a tractor,” Christine Migliorini said.

The couple said they will continue to provide the service and products the community has come to know, including hot and fresh apple cider doughnuts, produce, local honey and the craft show.

The couple said they are most looking forward to growing their family on the farm and continuing to build on lasting relationships with their customers in the store.

“Raising our kids in this environ-

ment, Gio is only 14 months, but he already gets super excited when I pull into the drive and he wants to go on the gator and see the tractors,” Christine Migliorini said. “He wants to see Daddy.”

Boggio’s is open seven days a week. The bakery is open 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the market is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The final day of the season is Oct. 31. For information, visit boggiosorchardandproduce.com or call 815-339-2245.

Scott Anderson – sanderson@shawmedia.com

Joe and Christine Migliorini pose with their son Gio on Wednesday, July 19, at Boggio’s Orchard & Produce in Granville. The couple bought the orchard this year from Keith and Denise Boggio after 30 years of operation. Joe is a nephew of Keith and Denise. He, along with his wife, look forward to keeping the operation in the Boggio family while continuing to provide the same experience Keith, Denise and their family have worked to build.

Pierre Alexander named to Starved Rock Country Community Foundation board

Shaw Local News Network

Reed Wilson, of McNabb, chair of the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation Board, recently announced Pierre Alexander of Putnam County has joined the board.

Alexander is director of strategy and finance at Heritage Harbor, a resort development east of Ottawa. He formerly was a financial services adviser and business

analyst for Halcyon Financial Services in East London, South Africa.

Alexander holds a bachelor of commerce degree in economics and management from University of Fort Hare, East London. Together with his wife Emily, they nurture and support their three sons, eagerly anticipating the arrival of their fourth child.

Wilson was elected to a twoyear term as chairman in January. Previous chairs include Jay

McCracken, Tom Justice and Bob Eschbach.

The foundation, founded in 2015 by Pamela and Chuck Beckett of Ottawa, has established 85 funds, administered 132 grants and scholarships totaling more than $1.8 million and has $1.85 million in assets under management.

For information, call SRCCF President and CEO Fran Brolley at 815-326-1945.

Photo provided by Fran Brolley Reed Wilson (right), of McNabb, chair of the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation Board, recently announced Pierre Alexander (left), of Putnam County, has joined the board.

IVCC’s real estate broker pre-license course will start Aug. 22

Students required to attend all sessions

Shaw Local News Network

Illinois Valley Community College ’s Continuing Education Center will offer a Real Estate Broker Pre-License course (REA-1200-300) from 6 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays from Aug. 22 through Dec. 5 and from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, and Nov. 18,

LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS

IVCC to offer GED testing through Sept. 30

Illinois Valley Community College’s Adult Education program has learned that the Illinois Community College Board is offering free General Educational Development/Diploma, known as the GED, testing now through Sept. 30.

“This month, the cost of the full battery GED test has increased from $120 to $140,” Adult Education Director Sara Escatel said. “ICCB is offering free testing by using the promo code ILSAVE for first-time test takers or ILRETAKE for one free attempt at retaking the GED.

“This option for free GED testing is a

led by Carol Wlodarchak.

The Real Estate Broker Pre-License class will provide students with instruction in real estate fundamentals. Students are required to attend all sessions that include introduction to license law and real property; the basics of agency, seller and buyer relationships and counseling; local state and federal laws; brokerage; property management; leases; independent contractor and employee sta-

great opportunity for students, especially those who struggle with finding the funding to take the test. IVCC is here to help guide you through the process,”

For those without a high school diploma, the GED is an opportunity to certify high school aptitude, knowledge and skills. By taking the GED test and successfully passing, a person is certifying that they have met the requirements of high school-level skill development.

In October, the test code will cover the $26 fee per test but not the $10 test center fee.

Anyone interested in the free GED test preparation or wanting more information

tus; financing contracts; and title records and transactions.

The 75-hour class fulfills the requirement for obtaining an Illinois real estate broker license and will prepare students for entry into the field. Upon successful completion of this course, students have met the pre-license requirements to be eligible for the Illinois Real Estate Broker Examination. The cost of the class is $853.

concerning the GED can call Cindy Lock at 815-224-0358.

NCICG announces coronavirus business resiliency grant program

The North Central Illinois Council of Governments (NCICG) has announced that eligible businesses can apply for up to $20,000 for the durable permanent or semi-permanent equipment purchased or rented to prevent, prepare for or respond to COVID-19.

This opportunity is offered through the Illinois Department of Economic Opportunity’s CDBG-CV Business Resiliency Program.

NCICG is also working with multiple

All real estate brokers and managing brokers must be licensed by the state to conduct transactions in Illinois. To obtain the license, applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number and have a high school diploma or GED certificate.

For information, call Jennifer Scheri at 815-224-0390. To register, visit www.ivcc.edu.

counties in the region to submit applications for the program.

Interested businesses can find more information about the program at www. ncicg.org.

The page provides a description of eligible businesses, eligible activities and expenses, along with the forms a business needs to complete and a video explaining how to fill out the forms.

The site also has deadlines and information regarding where businesses must submit information for the county application.

NCICG operates in Bureau, Grundy, La Salle, Marshall, Putnam and Stark counties. –ShawLocalNewsNetwork

Winners announced for 2023 Taste of Marshall-Putnam Fair Cook Off

second Kenny Poignant, third Rose Bogner

The Marshall-Putnam Fair announced the winners of the 2023 Oreo Cookie Stacking Contest and M-P Fair Cook Off contests.

Winners of the Oreo Cookie Stacking Contest are as follows:

Ages 6 and older: First Olivia Erjavsek, second Kole White, third JP Lojas

Ages 7-10: First Rhett Kocher, second Ryden Griswold, third Cassidy Leach

Ages 11-14: First Chloe Ritter, second Leo Martinez, third Sam Nauman

Ages 15 and up: First Anna Kirbach,

SAFE-T RULING

Continued from page 3

and public defenders anticipate an increase in what Navarro described as “onerous” paperwork.

“All I can say is I’m disappointed it wasn’t held unconstitutional,” Navarro said. “But we will adapt and do what the law says. That’s my job.”

State Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) issued a statement Tuesday reminding voters she opposed the legislation, which was “passed in the middle of the night with little-to-no input from law enforcement, state’s attorneys and judges.”

In her statement, Rezin assailed the state’s top court for passing on the opportunity to reverse that error.

“The Illinois Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the SAFE-T Act in its entirety is disappointing,” Rezin said. “While I understand the movement to reform our cash bail system, there is a way to do that fairly while also better ensuring the public safety of our communities.”

In spring 2020, the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Pretrial Practices endorsed bail reform, finding a defendant who can’t afford bail sees his or her life unravel within days –

Winners of the Fair Cook Off Contest are as follows:

Best Pumpkin Recipe: First Kelley Larimer for pumpkin cheesecake squares, second Rosana Benson for pumpkin cheesecake

Best Apple Recipe: First Kelley Larimer for apple broccoli salad

Junior Chef Contest: First Garretson and Shaw Dean for chocolate hazelnut cookies, second Raylen Campbell for earth cookies and third Hadley Campbell for Lucky Charms cookies

loss of a job, loss of child custody, health problems without access to medication. Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker issued a statement saying the reform ensures pre-trial detainment is determined by the danger an individual poses to the community instead of by their ability to pay their way out of jail.

Sen. Tom Bennett (R-Gibson City), whose district includes La Salle, Livingston, Putnam and Bureau counties, joined his Republican colleague in criticizing the decision.

“Eliminating cash bail without providing judges with broad discretion to hold dangerous individuals pre-trial will decrease public safety and make it harder for law enforcement to keep violent criminals off the streets and out of our communities,” Bennett said.

Bennett fears the SAFE-T Act will drive people from serving in law enforcement.

“It is an ill-conceived rewrite of our state’s criminal justice system that puts criminals above law enforcement and public safety,” Bennett said. “We have already seen police officers and sheriffs leave to find new careers because of the SAFE-T Act. With the ruling today, I fear it will be harder to find individuals to fill those positions and keep our communities safe.”

Shaw Local News Network

Photo provided by Marshall-Putnam Fair Winners of the Taste of M-P Fair Cook Off’s Junior Chef Contest includes: 1st, Garretson and Shaw Dean for chocolate hazelnut cookies; 2nd, Raylen Campbell for earth cookies; and 3rd, Hadley Campbell for lucky charms cookies.

Best in show: 4-Hers display their hard work

4-day Marshall-Putnam 4-H show wraps up Thursday in Henry

The Marshall-Putnam 4-H Show in Henry wraps up Thursday, after four days of shows and exhibits. The 4-H Show is the culminating

event for the 4-Hers to exhibit the projects in which they have enrolled. The youth are conference judged with their project and awarded a blue, red or white ribbon.

Top projects are chosen for trophies and State Fair honors.

Photos by SCOTT ANDERSON sanderson@shawmedia.com

LEFT: Kylee Cook (right) of Toluca shows her ram during the Marshall-Putnam 4-H Fair on Wednesday, July 19, in Henry. RIGHT: Eden Johnson of Hennepin and Reese Lenkaitis of Mark pet their cow before showing it at the Marshall-Putnam 4-H Fair on Wednesday, July 19, in Henry.

Bureau County receives Natural Disaster Designation after early April storms

By JAYCE EUSTICE jeustice@shawmedia.com

The USDA has issued four separate disaster declarations for the state of Illinois due to tornadoes and drought that occurred during the 2023 Illinois growing season. Two of these declarations directly affect Bureau County residents.

The USDA reviewed the loss assessment reports and determined there were sufficient production losses to warrant natural disaster designation.

The first designation stems from a tornado that occurred on March 31 and primarily affected Bureau, Clark and Crawford counties and contiguously affected Cole, Henry, Lawrence, Putnam, Stark, Cumberland, Jasper, Lee, Richland, Whiteside, Edgar, La Salle and Marshall counties.

The second designation stems from

tornados and high winds that occurred during March 31 through April 5 a primarily affected Henry, Mercer, Rock Island and Sangamon counties and contiguously affected Bureau, Knox, Menard, Stark , Cass, Logan, Montgomery, Warren, Christian, Macon, Morgan, Whiteside, Henderson and Macoupin counties.

A natural disaster designation allows the USDA Farm Service Agency to provide emergency loans to producers recovering from natural disasters. This assistance includes FSA emergency loans.

Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the Secretarial disaster declaration to apply for emergency loans. Those eligible can contact their local USDA Service Center for more information or to file a notice of loss.

The Bureau County USDA Service Center is located at 312 E. Backbone Rd. Suite 1 in Princeton and can be reached at 815-875-8732.

Farmers in eligible counties have eight months to apply for emergency USDA loans

Scott Anderson – sanderson@shawmedia.com

The USDA has issued four separate disaster declarations for the state of Illinois due to tornadoes and drought that occurred during the 2023 Illinois growing season. Two of these declarations directly affect Bureau County residents, including the March 31 storm.

Girl Scouts builds girls of courage, con dence, and character who make the world a better place.

New IVCC President Tracy Morris presides over 1st meeting

ors, campus enhancements and inaugural events at Nell’s Woodland in Ottawa.

financial officer and accounting clerk in patient financial services.

Burr Ridge at a cost of $102,379.

Illinois Valley Community College President Tracy Morris was the first IVCC alumnus to preside over a Board of Trustees meeting Thursday.

She was named the 11th president by trustees in December.

Morris is a first-generation college student with a doctorate in adult and higher education. She has 28 years of experience in education, with 21 of those years in higher education.

Morris returns to IVCC as the president where she began her career in higher education as a counselor (2001 to 2003), the director of admissions and records (2003 to 2010) and then served as associate vice president for student services (2010 to 2014).

In 2014, she joined Illinois Central College in Peoria, serving as the vice president for student services.

In 2018, she stepped into the role as the first compliance officer at Joliet Junior College. In her role at JJC, Morris developed a compliance program and performed oversight for on-time reporting, meeting legislative and accreditation requirements, reviewing board policies and institutional procedures, and conducting assessments and reviews of programs across campus.

With her inaugural presidential report, Morris shared with the board information related to events on campus, including the Explore IVCC event, Get Set program, Kids Camps and the Coping with Job Loss Symposium. Morris also shared information related to student-athlete hon -

“There are so many amazing things happening on our campus and in our community,” Morris said. “Each month, I will be excited to share with you some of the great work our employees are doing every day.”

With the approval of the board, Morris welcomed the newest member of her cabinet with the transition of Kathy Ross as the college’s controller to the vice president of business services and finance.

“I am so thankful to everyone who participated in the process and submitted feedback,” Morris said. “Kathy has over 25 years of professional knowledge in the field, including nine years as the controller for IVCC. She has experience in accounting, finance and management in both higher education and health care that will be invaluable in this next role with the college.

“Kathy had the primary oversight of the college’s budget for over five years and continually worked to improve finances for IVCC’s Foundation and the college with her thorough analysis and planning. Her knowledge and expertise in her role as controller will help her to understand the financial health of the college and assist in the guidance of appropriate decisions.”

Before joining IVCC in 2014, Ross was employed for 13 years (1998 to 2014) as the controller and accounting manager of the former Mendota Community Hospital. In that time, she also served as the interim chief

Ross began her career in business working with Unisys Corp. (1991 to 1993) in Lombard as a financial analyst and billing specialist, moving on to work for Kankakee Community College as the equal employment opportunity officer and monitoring specialist for the Job Training Partnership Act.

The audit finance committee met before the board meeting to discuss the tentative 2024 budget, with the full board approval of a tentative $39 million budget for fiscal 2024. The resolution for acceptance of the final budget will be submitted for board approval in August after a public hearing.

The budget represents a 4% increase in revenue from the 2023 budget mainly because of $4,865,236 of federal funds. The 2024 budgeted expenditures for all funds are $38,638,297, a 1% decrease from the 2023 budget.

In other action, trustees:

• Approved the resignation of welding instructor and program coordinator Anthony Sondgeroth.

• Approved student athletic insurance coverage with 1st Agency for $45,657 and student athletic catastrophic insurance coverage with Zevitz Student Accident Insurance for $3,250.

• Approved the adoption of the resolution as presented to authorize North Central Illinois Council of Governments, as grant administrator, to sign all Economic Development Administration payment checks and grant modifications requests.

• Accepted the proposal for the Mary Margaret Weeg Cultural Centre theater lighting upgrade from Theatrical Lighting Connection in

• Approved the reimbursement of $223 in travel expenses for a board member attending the 2023 Illinois Community College Trustees Association annual conference June 2 to 3 in Normal.

• Approved annual ICCTA membership renewal for $11,014.

• Approved the purchase of janitorial supplies from Home Depot Pro in Atlanta at an estimated annual cost of $40,000 through the Illinois Public Higher Education Cooperative.

Trustees learned about:

IVCC entering into a building and grounds license agreement with Nell’s Woodland, a 501(c)(3) foundation in Ottawa providing protection and preservation of wildlife and ecology.

The extension of the interim status for the dean of health professions, Heather Seghi, through Dec. 31.

An increase in the College Insurance Program contributions for retirees as required by law of 0.75% of each individual salary for affected employees.

Approval of two-year contracts for Vice President for Academic Affairs Gary Roberts and Vice President for Student Services Mark Grzybowski.

The appointments of Aseret Loveland as a federal TRIO grant counselor in IVCC’s Project Success beginning July 16, Polly Ragazincky as administrative assistant III in academic affairs, Peggy Schneider as communications coordinator and James Black as programmer/ analyst.

The resignation of Angela Partridge, administrative assistant in student services, and Alicia Rokosz, a part-time emergency medical services instructor.

Shaw Local News Network

Morris becomes 11th president, 1st IVCC alumna to hold position

Tracy Morris

Cops 4 Cancer to celebrate 20 years with 2-day bash

By TOM COLLINS tcollins@shawmedia.com

Cops 4 Cancer was hoping to be out of business by now – members are eager for science to find a cure – but nonetheless has much to celebrate.

The organization marks 20 years assisting families grappling with cancer – 714 families and counting – and members decided to mark the milestone with a two-day fundraiser bash Friday evening and Saturday in Cedar Point.

Cops 4 Cancer grew from a private fundraiser held by Terry Guisti and Nick Smudzinski at Guisti’s home in 2003; each had a parent who died of cancer. The effort officially became a not-for-profit seven years later after they joined forces with Betty Glynn, an advocate for breast cancer patients. Together, they thought they could do more to help families reeling from a common foe.

“It feels great,” Guisti said of celebrating two decades of service to the sick and to their families. “None of us

would have thought we’d go from raising $20,000 to a running total of $2 million. It’s crazy.

“And most of that is because of the

local businesses and the people who help,” he said, “otherwise we wouldn’t be able to do this.”

Cops 4 Cancer hope to draw many

Adam Conness, longtime volunteer

participants this weekend because the need for support is, sadly, undiminished. Also, corporate donors have restructured how they donate, with the result that Cops 4 Cancer is more dependent than ever on individual donors.

Tickets are $20 and include live entertainment 5-10 p.m. Friday and 1-11 p.m. Saturday at Cerri Memorial Park. A food truck will be available for purchases Friday. Saturday’s celebration is from 1-11 p.m. and includes food and soft drinks plus a beer garden, raffles and 50/50 drawing.

(A continuous loop shuttle will be offered to ferry people from Cedar Point to Peru taverns including Edge’s Tap, Bridgetender’s Pub, Riverfront Bar & Grill and Elle’s Tap.)

Tickets may be purchased at Rudy’s Liquors or at the event.

See COPS 4 CANCER on page 14

‘We’ve helped so many people,’ organizer says

Scott Anderson

Cops 4 Cancer is hoping for an even bigger crowd this year because the organization is celebrating 20 years of service to families grappling with cancer. The annual fundraiser, pictured here July 30, 2022, returns to Cerri Memorial Park in Cedar Point with a two-day bash Friday and Saturday.

It’s amazing that we’ve made it 20 years

Chester Weger gets OK to seek more hairs for testing

Forensic evidence will be key to overturn Starved Rock murder conviction, Weger’s lawyer says

By DEREK BARICHELLO dbarichello@shawmedia.com

Attorney Andy Hale believes forensic evidence is the path to clear his client Chester Weger’s name and on Wednesday he received a favorable ruling in La Salle County court to keep moving forward.

Judge Michael Jansz said Hale can send a hair from the glove of Starved Rock murders victim Frances Murphy, which was previously found to have a man’s DNA that wasn’t Weger’s, for genealogy testing. Jansz also said Hale can move forward in sending more hairs collected from the scene to determine whether any of the strands are good candidates for DNA extraction and analysis.

Weger, 84, appeared in the Ottawa courtroom in his ongoing effort to overturn his murder conviction. He was sentenced to life in prison for the 1960 murder of Lillian Oetting, who was found bludgeoned to death along with two companions in the state park.

He was paroled in 2019.

The genealogy testing will be conducted by Othram, a Texas company known for its work in cold cases, to

try determine whose DNA was on the previously tested hair. The company uses a genealogical database to identify possible suspects through a

genetic profile.

The DNA sample was crosschecked against a state-run database (although not the federal database), and the analysis didn’t yield a match.

“This is a big step for us,” Hale said after Wednesday’s hearing. “It gives us the opportunity to collect forensic information.”

With the other strands of hair, scientists retained by the defense would first use microscopes to determine whether any of the strands are good candidates for DNA extraction and analysis. If hairs are determined to be good enough, the defense can move forward with DNA testing.

“We’ve heard that all there is is one hair,” Hale said. “We want to test more.”

Hale said he believes forensic evidence will be the key to overturning Weger’s murder conviction, noting the genealogical analysis is some of the most state-of-the-art technology being used.

Additionally, Hale said some clothing found at the 1960 murder scene will be further tested for possible more information.

A status hearing was set for 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1, in Jansz’s courtroom.

Scott Anderson file photo – sanderson@shawmedia.com

Attorney Andy Hale believes forensic evidence is the path to clear his client Chester Weger’s name and on Wednesday he received a favorable ruling in La Salle County court to keep moving forward.

Guisti, a former Oglesby and Peru patrol officer who retired in 2020 as a detective in Oswego, held the first couple of all-day fundraisers at his home. When the event outgrew his yard, at which point they moved it to Cedar Point.

That’s not to say the early fundraising was easy. Adam Conness, who retired recently from Peru police, is among the original supporters. He remembered asking businesses to donate and having to explain what Cops 4 Cancer was and what the organization would do with the money.

A few early donors were initially skeptical, he recalled, and required a bit of persuasion before they donated. With time, the Illinois Valley has come to know and support Cops 4 Cancer and the wallets fly open more readily.

“It’s amazing that we’ve made it 20 years,” Conness said. “We’ve helped so many people and they tell their friends who tell their friends – and that’s why we’re as big as we are.”

Glynn, now board president for Cops 4 Cancer, cheered on the early efforts even as she conducted her own work for breast cancer when, in 2010, they banded together and formed a not-for-profit entity.

“As a two-time breast cancer survivor, I feel my dream of making difference is now a beautiful reality thanks to our dedicated C4C Nation,” Glynn said. “Cops 4 Cancer has enriched my life and touched my soul. I’m so proud of how we have remained steadfast and dedicated without any grants or government funding.”

The joint effort yielded plenty of aid for distressed families, but it also brought more distressed families to their doorstep.

“It actually got to the point where it was a little overwhelming because we had so many applications come in,” Guisti said. “We haven’t had to turn anybody down – unless they’re outside our coverage area – but now we’re to the point we’re pretty confident we can help everybody.”

And they help with a diffuse array of needs. The application is worded to let families from many forms of aid –gas cards for travel to out-of-area hospitals, for example – but Cops 4 Cancer has also reached out to local businesses for help with in-kind services that otherwise might break the bank.

“We’ve had people to ask for their furnaces repaired,” Guisti said. “We’ve helped people with auto repairs. Anything people need we will, within our means, try to accommodate them.”

For more information, visit cops4cancer.com.

Scott Anderson – sanderson@shawmedia.com

Hundreds attend the 18th annual Cops 4 Cancer event on July 30, 2022, at Cerri Memorial Park in Cedar Point.

Except in the states of MD, NY and DC, where the gift card offer is limited to $25. Not available in the states of CA, IN, PA and MI. Consumer Disclosure/Award Rules: All participants who attend an estimated 60-90 minute in-home product consultation will receive a $50 VISA gift card. Retail value is $50. Offer sponsored by LeafGuard Holdings, Inc. Limit one per household. Company procures, sells, and installs seamless gutter protection. This offer is valid for homeowners over 18 years of age. If married or involved with a life partner, both cohabitating persons must attend and complete presentation together. Participants must have a photo ID and be legally able to enter into a contract. The following persons are not eligible for this offer: employees of Company or affiliated companies or entities, their immediate family members, previous participants in a Company in-home consultation within the past 12 months and all current and former Company customers. Promotion may not be extended, transferred, or substituted except that Company may substitute a gift card of equal or greater value if it deems it necessary. Gift card will be mailed to the participant via first class United States Mail or e-mailed within 30 days of receipt of the promotion form provided at presentation. Not valid in conjunction with any other promotion or discount of any kind. Offer not sponsored or promoted by VISA and is subject to change without notice prior to reservation. https:// mblink.it/1XPC for gift card restrictions. Expires 12/31/23.

* Guaranteed not to clog for as long as you own your home, or we will clean your gutters for free.

Carus concludes 21st Summer Science Camp at St. Bede Academy

More than 600 students have graduated from the camp since 2001

Shaw Local News Network

Carus Summer Science Camp concluded with a graduation ceremony at St. Bede Academy.

The popular summer program is conducted annually, and this year marked the 21st year Carus has offered the free camp to local students entering the sixth grade. To date, more than 600 students have graduated from the camp, which began in 2001.

Dan Fitzpatrick, science teacher at St. Bede Academy, directed the camp once more with the help of Angelique Depenbrock, science teacher at La Salle-Peru High School.

Throughout the week, students of the camp had the opportunity to explore the world of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) through demonstrations,

hands-on experiments and educational games. Additionally, students were given a water treatment facility tour by Carus volunteers Tim Postula, regional sales manager, and Dylan Kemmerer, key account manager.

Friday, ahead of graduation, students participated in competitive rocket launches.

“At Carus, we’re thrilled to help offer local students a positive learning experience in STEM as they enter the sixth grade this fall,” said Lyndsay Bliss, vice president of human resources and communications at Carus. “We are also very fortunate to have Dan and Angelique as wonderful partners eager to share their passion in science and make this camp possible.”

Are you a graduate of the Carus Summer Science Camp from the past? Did you pursue a career in science, technology, engineering or math? Carus would like you to share your story with them by visiting carusllc. com/campsurvey.

Photo provided by Jake Kowalczyk

Camp director Dan Fitzpatrick (far right), and Carus retiree Ken Pisarczyk (far left), are pictured with this year’s Carus Science Camp participants. Pisarczyk helped Fitzpatrick and Angelique Depenbrock for several days during this year’s weeklong camp. Not pictured are Angelique Depenbroch and Friday’s assistant John Steban.

Scott Anderson – sanderson@shawmedia.com

Alex Garncarz of Spring Valley and Scout Fitzpatrick of Earlville launch a rocket filled with water that shoots rapidly in the air on Friday during the Carus Science Camp at St. Bede Academy in Peru. The free camp was open to all students entering sixth grade this fall. The camp wrapped up its final day with students making rockets and launching them.

COLLEGE BASEBALL: LANSING COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Q&A: Lansing CC pitching coach Jarret Olson

Former St. Bede standout helped Stars to back-toback World Series berths

By KEVIN CHLUM kchlum@shawmedia.com

Jarret Olson has been around sports his entire life.

He remembers being in the gym as a very young child as his father, Scott, coached high school basketball.

Olson also had a very successful career of his own in multiple sports, playing golf, basketball and baseball at St. Bede for three years before transferring to Galesburg for his senior year.

After high school, Olson pitched for two years at Parkland College, helping the Cobras place top five in the NJCAA Division II World Series both years, before going on to pitch at Michigan State University.

When his playing career was finished, Olson wanted to stay around baseball, so he followed his father’s footsteps into coaching.

Olson has been the pitching coach at Lansing Community College the past two years, helping the Stars to the NJCAA Division II World Series each season. The Stars placed fifth last season and third this year.

This season, the Lansing pitching staff ranked eighth nationally in ERA at 4.20 and ranked 17th in strikeouts in the nation with 455.

NewsTribune sports editor Kevin Chlum caught up with Olson about his coaching career.

How did the opportunity at Lansing come about?

I was initially hired as the pitching coach in July before my first year. That head coach ended up leaving and going to Western Michigan. So I was kind of in a limbo period for about two months. That’s when Steven Cutter ended up getting the (head) job. I was scouring the internet on Indeed and the ABCA (American Baseball Coaches Association) website. I sent my resume in, had a call two days later and things got rolling from there.

Is coaching something you’ve always wanted to do?

I wanted to become a physical therapist throughout my college days. I had some injuries that kept me in the training room a lot, which kind of pushed me away from that setting.

Being the son of a coach, that was always option No. 2 and it really made a lot of sense to me. As I got to the end of my playing career, I still wanted to be around the game. I still have a major love for the game.

Did you have coaching experience prior to this job?

No, I did not other than being around every single basketball team that my dad ever coached since I was about 4 years old.

What kind of philosophy do you bring to the job?

I bring a very, very similar philosophy that I brought when I was a player. The two words I always use with my pitching staff are compete and attack. There are certain measurables that you can and can’t control in the game of baseball. So we’re going to focus on the ones we can control. It’s a game of failure. The mindset we have to take into every individual battle is what we bring to the table as pitchers is better than what a hitter brings to the table.

What has been key to the pitching staff’s success the last two seasons?

We are very developmentally based

at Lansing Community College. We utilize a bunch of technology. For me personally, I utilize the technology to supplement my coaching and get the most out of every individual athlete. We do a lot of mental performance stuff. We worked with Brian Cain, who’s a guy who worked with Corbin Burnes with the Brewers. He’s given us a lot of really good stuff. Obviously, the game of baseball is very mental. We give them tools to put in their toolbox so when they’re out there competing, their toolbox is full of things they can utilize whatever situation they run into.

What type of technology do you use?

We utilize TrackMan, Rapsodo, Pulse, which is kind of at its most basic form a throw counter, but it spits out a bunch of stuff like arm speed, arm angle, torque on the elbow. What it really does is it makes sure we’re not using the arm too much and putting a pitcher in a spot where he’s susceptible to injury. We use Blast Motion for hitters, K-Vest for hitters.

Are you involved in recruiting or identifying talent?

A little bit. At the junior college level, you can bring athletes in and

have them go through a practice, so my biggest piece of the recruitment is when athletes come in, I put them through practice. I watch them throw a bullpen session. I communicate with them. See the adjustments they can make and pretty much evaluate their talent.

What has it been like being part of two World Series runs?

Going to Parkland and going to two (NJCAA World Series) as a player set me up to be able to handle it as a coach because I had already been there. It wasn’t anything new to me. Going back as a coach twice was very special because I knew what it took. My first year (at Parkland) we got fifth, which we also got fifth my first year coaching. We got second (at Parkland) and this year we got third. I was very aware of what it took to get to that point and what we were going to have to do with bats and pitching wise and how we were going to have to manage things. Having that experience as a player definitely paid off as a coach.

You mentioned your dad influencing your coaching career. Who are some other coaches along the way who have had an influence on you?

I would definitely say (Putnam County graduate and former PC coach) Dave Garcia at Parkland. Also Jon Goebel. He was my pitching coach (at Parkland). He was very good at the relationship side of coaching. That was something I definitely took with me because at Parkland, that was the most fun I ever had playing baseball. Coach (Jake) Boss at Michigan State. He’s a guy who is very good with the public. That’s something I tried to take with me as well – interacting with parents, interacting with the administration. He definitely showed me what that looked like. There are definitely bits and pieces I really took with me from every stop I made. The good aspects that I saw I definitely wanted to take with me in my own coaching career.

What are your goals for your coaching career?

Continue moving up. I want to coach at the highest level possible. I’ve played at a high level and I certainly believe I can do that as a coach. I know what it takes to do that as a coach and I’m willing to put in the hours and the service time needed to make those next steps up.

Photos provided by Lansing Community College

After playing baseball at Parkland College and Michigan State University, former St. Bede standout Jarret Olson now is the pitching coach at Lansing Community College.

CLASSIFIED

Sales

PUBLISHE

R'S NOTICE

All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subjec t to the Fair Housing 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 inte ntion, to make any such preference , limitation or discrimination .”

Familial status includes children under the age of 18 livin g with parents or le gal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of child ren under 18. This newspaper will not know in gly ac cept any advertising for real estat e which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis.

To complain of discrimination call, HUD toll-free at 800- 669-9777. The toll-free telephone numbe r for the he aring impaired is 800-927-9275

PUBLIC NOT ICE Legal

A Public Hearing on the 202 3 Tax Appropriation of the Standard Fire Protection District will be held at the Standard Fire Station located in Standard, Illinois, on Wednesday, 2 August 202 3, from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm The Tax A ppropriation is available for inspection at the Standard Post Office during its regular business hours

PUBLIC NOTICE

Clarification of Publication

The factor applied to residential lots/lands in Senachwine Township is 1.0000

The land values remain the same Should you have any questions, please call my office at 815-925-7238.

Tamara Mehalic C.I.A.O. Putnam County Supervisor of Assessments

(Published in Putnam County Record July 26, 2023) 2094794

(Published in Putnam County Record July 26, 2023)2094798 Visi t Putnam County Record onli ne at : putnamcountyrecord.com

PUTNAM COUNTY (17TH ANNUAL) FFA AUCTION

P.C. FFA ALUMNI

CONSIGNMENT AUCTION

Held at: Putnam Co. High School in Granville, IL. Directions: Exit I-80 at Spring Valley, IL. (Rt. 89, Exit #70) & go south 8 miles to Granville, IL. (North End of Town). Watch for signs.

Saturday, July 29, 2023 at 9:00am

• EARLY CONSIGNMENTS •

FARM EQUIPMENT & TRAILERS: 1982 3 Axle 20 Ft. Flatbed

Gooseneck, 4 Ft. Beaver Tail w/Ramps; Load Trail 18’ Flat Bed Trailer 7,000 GW; Homemade Trailer – made from a Reo Truck; Tandem Axle 1000 Gal. Water Tank w/Inductor & 2” Honda Pump; Bush Hog BX780 Box Scraper; 120 Gehl Grinder Mixer; Mayrath 8” X 62’ Bottom Drive Auger; Dual Hopper Tank; 3 Steel Hopper Tanks – 5’ X 5’ X 11’; Kelly Duplex Vertical Mixer; Iowa Portable Mill Co. Small Mixer; 5” X 15’ Universal Leg; Misc. Conveyors; Super 238D Cleaner; 3 Aluminum Truck Toppers; 200 Bales of Wheat Straw (in small lots); MOEWS ADVERTISING SIGNS: Large Metal Moews Sign – 17’ Long; Misc. Moews Advertising; There Will Be Metal Moews Seed Field Signs

Notice is given of the death of SANDRA V. ZIEGLER of rural Putnam , Putnam County Illinois. Letters of Office were issued on May 18, 2023, to Gloria V. Dunn, 2619 N. 400th Ave., Putnam , IL 61560, and Merna E. Krietemeyer, 13520 N. Wayne Rd., Chillicothe, IL 61523, whose attorney is Ryan J. Anderson, 611 Second Street, P.O. Box 174, Henry, Illinois 61537.

Claims against the estate may be filed in the Office of the Clerk of said Court at the Putnam County Courthouse in the Village of Hennepin, Putnam County, Illinois, on or before January 26, 2024. Any claim not filed on or before said date is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the clerk must be mailed or delivered by the claimant to the representative and to the attorney within 10 days after it has been filed, and proof of such mailing must be filed with the Court.

Dated: July 20, 2023.

TOOLS & MISCELLANEOUS: Craftsman 29” 3.0 HP Snowblower – Electric Start; Craftsman Gas Pressure Washer; Husqvarna 3100 PSI Pressure Washer; Portable Air Compressor; New Red Oak Floor Boards & Door/Window Trim; Craftsman Rear Tine Roto-Tiller; Agri Fab Lawn Sweeper; Stihl Weed Trimmers; Stihl Chain Saw; Dewalt, Milwaukee, Black & Decker, Hand Tools – Corded & Battery Operated – Like New; Craftsman Bottom Tool Cabinet; Oscillating Spindle Sander; Parts Washer; Drill Press; Band Saw; 2 Laser Levers; Old Stoneware Crock Jugs; Longaberger Baskets; 4 Cast Iron Skillets; Misc. Shop Tools; Small Refrigerator; Metal Yard Art; Consignments still being accepted but WILL NOT be accepted on Saturday July 29th (sale day) by calling alumni members listed below or emailing pc_ffa_alumni@hotmail.com. All items must be saleable and will be accepted by the discretion of an alumni committee person. Firearms or hazardous materials will NOT be accepted. All cars, trucks and trailers MUST have a clear title present. Tires will be charged a disposal fee by size. Fee will be refunded if sold or reclaimed.

NOTE: Large Equipment & Vehicles will sell at Approx. Noon. AUCTIONEERS’ NOTE: THIS IS A PARTIAL LISTING OF EARLY CONSIGNMENTS, MUCH MORE BY AUCTION DAY, 2 AUCTION RINGS WILL SELL SIMULTANEOUSLY! See photos & updates at www.bradleyauctionsinc.com

Accepting Consignments: July 27 & 28, from 8am to 8pm. OR: call Gary (815) 257-2565 John (815) 488-2873 Mike (815) 866-6105

BRADLEYS’ AUCTION SERVICE, INC.

SM-PR2093476

Gloria V. Dunn 2619 N. 400th Ave. Putnam, IL 61560

Merna E. Krietemeyer 13520 N. Wayne Rd Chillicothe, IL 61523

Ryan J. Anderson, Attorney for Executor 611 Second St., P. O. Box 174 Henry, IL61537

Telephone: (309) 364- 2354

(Published in Putnam County Record July 26, August 2, 9, 2023)2095339