1 Front Volume 142 No. 9
Friday, February 5, 2016
Single Copy Cost 50¢
Mautino spending comes under fire By Terri Simon
tsimon@tonicanews.com
SPRINGFIELD — Just a little more than a month after former Illinois State Rep. Frank Mautino (D-Spring Valley) took off his legislative hat and put on the one that named him Illinois Auditor General, controversy now surrounds Mautino and his campaign financial reports. Primarily, the issue at question is: Did Mautino appropriately spend campaign contributions and were those contributions reported in a correct manner? Media, as well as some public officials, around the state are calling into question several dollars Mautino spent, primarily from his campaign committee dubbed, Committee for Frank J. Mautino. Specifically in question are also
campaign donations Mautino allegedly received and spent during his transition from Illinois Representative to Illinois Auditor General. Mautino, who became a state representative in 1991, was sworn into the Illinois Auditor General office early in December 2015, but didn’t take his seat until Jan. 1, 2016. A spokesperson for Mautino said the long-time Illinois Representative closed his campaign committee at the end of December 2015. Items among the questionable spending include more than $200,000 spent from Mautino’s campaign fund at Happy’s Super Service Station in Spring Valley throughout the course of more than 10 years, according to the Illinois State Board of Elections. Most of the expenses to Happy’s were listed as gasoline/camp. (cam-
paign) vehicle repair and were drawn on the Committee for Frank J. Mautino account. Those expenditures were first reported by the Edgar County Watchdogs, which is an organization that hosts a website dubbed Illinois Leaks. Since that time, the Illinois Times as well as other media organizations have picked up the story, asking Mautino to explain his expenditures. While Illinois law does not allow the auditor general to participate in political actions, the contributions in question appear to have come before Mautino was actually sworn into the Illinois Auditor General’s seat. Happy’s Super Service was not the only automobile shop; a host of other vehicle repair establishments also received money from Mautino, which was reported to the Illinois State Board of Elections by
Mautino throughout his career. Other financials in question include personal loans to Mautino and campaign workers, vehicle insurance, payments to Spring Valley City Bank, travel and lodging expenditures and more. The Illinois State Board of Elections does not outline what campaign donations can be used for, however, it does list a variety of items that can’t be paid for by campaign funds. Mautino was not available personally for comment, however, a spokesman for Mautino, Ryan Keith, issued the following statement: “Frank Mautino served his north-central district with distinction in the Illinois House for 24 years, where he held a number of leadership positions, provided exemplary service to his communities and built a record of a number of
legislative accomplishments. “During his legislative career, Frank ran for re-election every two years. His campaign committee, Committee for Frank J. Mautino, fully disclosed and reported all spending by the campaign in compliance with Illinois campaign finance and disclosure laws. His reports fully detail campaign expenditures that were made to help defray the standard, reasonable expenses incurred while Frank performed the governmental and public service duties of serving as state representative of his large, mostly rural district. “Upon his nomination as Auditor General, Frank’s career in elected office ended and he closed out his campaign committee at the end of December 2015,” Keith said, adding Mautino would be prepared to address the issue further in the next few days.
Extension will offer Meals for Healthy Heart program Registration and payment are due Feb. 15 Tonica News photo/Zachary J. Pratt
Deborah Anthony and state Rep. John Anthony (R-Joliet) came to Christ Family Foursquare Church in LaSalle recently to speak regarding a proposed after-school program for the community.
Breaking down walls
Proposed after-school program in LaSalle seeks to reach children in need By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com
LASALLE — On Jan. 23, state Rep. John Anthony (R-Joliet) came to Christ Family Foursquare Church in LaSalle to speak regarding a proposed after-school program for the community. Pastor Diana Gilbert of the church was the one who began the movement for the program. She has reached out to the LaSalle Rotary Club for support in the endeavor. “A lot of what we’re being told is, you can’t do this,” Susan Thornton from the Rotary Club, said. “It doesn’t work. Nobody comes.” However, Anthony does not find that assessment to be accurate. Having founded programs to reach children in the past, he understands difficulties will arise, but he also knows they can be overcome. More importantly, he agrees the children of the community need to Vol. 142 No. 9 One Section - 8 Pages
© The Tonica News
be reached. Much of his fervor for reaching children comes from his understanding of their needs, both for purpose and for identity. His understanding is born largely from his own upbringing. A lost beginning His story is not what one might expect. “Normally when I talk about where I’m from — it starts with a ‘C,’ and people cringe because of the city where I’m from,” Anthony said. “Growing up in the city of Chicago with a mom who’s a drug addict and a father whose name I didn’t know,” Anthony said, “I was an angry kid.” He left his mom’s place at an early age, which left him all alone.
Program Page 2
Locally, heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death, higher than the state average. Nationwide, more than 81 million Americans, 37 percent of the population, have heart disease. February is National Heart Month. Join University of Illinois Extension in celebrating National Heart Month by enrolling in their program Meals for a Healthy Heart. Meals for a Healthy Heart is a series of two educational sessions for people trying to prevent or manage heart disease. Learn how to choose low-fat foods, reduce sodium, make healthier choices when eating out, read food labels and prepare for doctor’s visits. Enjoy watching food demonstrations of easyto-prepare recipes that you will taste in class. The program will be offered in the culinary classroom from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursdays, Feb. 18 and 25, at Illinois Valley Community College, 815 N. Orlando Smith Road, Oglesby, Room CTC-123. Advance registration is required by calling the University of Illinois Extension at 815-224-0889 or by registering online at https://web.extension.illinois.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=13723. Registration and payment is due by Monday, Feb. 15. There is a $20 fee, per person, to cover materials and supplies for both sessions. For more information, contact Susan Glassman, Extension educator, nutrition and wellness, University of Illinois Extension, serving Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall and Putnam counties, by calling 815-224-0889 or visit web.extension. illinois.edu/blmp.
2 Local
2 • The Tonica News • Friday, February 5, 2016
Seeking Sources
Program From Page 1
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“I was homeless,” he said. “I had nowhere to go. Name the place, I slept there. I’ll never forget the night I slept in my friend’s backyard,” he said. “I looked up at the sky, and I cried because of where I was. I was lost.” Everything began to change, though, when a car accident caused him to rethink his life. “This is what woke me up. The car went sliding, sliding, tumbling, tumbling, tumbling,” Anthony said, and it was a wonder he survived. Even as he left the hospital, the incident’s effect still kept working on him. “I walked out of that hospital, and I said, ‘God, if you save me, I’ll live for you.’” He could no longer live without a purpose. It is this experience that provides his drive to reach out to children, and it is this drive that led him to speak about the proposed program. “If I can stop one kid from having to go through what I went through in my life, just one,” Anthony said, “I believe I’ve done my job on Earth.” Children, he said, are often overlooked. A perishing state “The problem with Springfield, we never look to generations. We look to the now,” he said. He believes with no eye pointed toward younger generations and no thought of the future, Illinois has fallen to a dangerous place. “There’s no vision; I remember reading somewhere that where there is no vision the people perish,” Anthony said, providing a Biblical perspective echoing Proverbs 29:18, but applied to the current situation in politics. “And the state’s perishing.” He meant it literally. Census data has shown residents leaving Illinois. But he also meant the statement in a more poetic sense.
“The state is losing numbers, but what it is losing is more than mere numbers. We’re losing those idealists — people who are willing to give it all to keep us great,” he said. “If we don’t bring Illinois back now, we can’t wait two, three, four years from now.” The key to everything is children, and that has been Anthony’s focus since long before he entered the political realm. A need to be reached John and Deborah Anthony have started a number of organizations intended to help reach children, trying to pull them out of the mire of their current situations. One of these, called Chosen Daughters of Destiny, focused on girls in bad situations. “We went into some of the toughest high schools in Chicago,” John said. “It hurt to see these girls living as if there is no purpose.” Some of these groups used acronyms to help get their purpose across. One of these organizations is called Young and Restoring Nations to Reach Youth, or YARN. The acronym conveys a simple meaning. The purpose is to build children up, and, as John said, “Yarn is a fabric that can combine, build.” Before starting these organizations, the Anthonys ran an assessment to determine the need for groups such as what they were proposing, and they found that there was not anything in the surrounding areas that provided the help for children they were going to supply. “There are tons of people out there that are hungry,” John said. “There are a lot of people that are looking to be fed.” The issue arises, though, when nobody steps up to help. With as many people as are in need, John said, “There are not a lot of organizations to fill that need.” “There was a strong need for a program to get kids out of the streets,” Deborah said, but nobody was stepping up to take care of it. When the couple began to work to help the kids, some places were open to what they
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were doing, but others continued on as if there was nothing wrong. “Sometimes,” Deborah said, “denial is easier than owning up to something.” A lack of identity One of the things many kids are lacking is a healthy sense of respect. “I believe in teaching respect,” John said. One element is that these children do not have respect for adults or authority, but there is another facet, deeper and perhaps more difficult to see. These kids do not have respect for themselves. For someone to reach these children, it is important to create this respect. These children need purpose and identity. One question the Anthonys would utilize in their children’s programs sounds deceptively simple: “Who are you?” Just like most anyone, they respond with their name, only to be met with, “That’s your name, but who are you?” “You ask most people who they are, what’s the first thing they say?” John asked. “Their name, but that’s not who they are. Most people don’t know who they are.” What he has found is that, once these children find this sense of identity, they want to help others to find it as well.
“If you can get the young people in this community excited,” he said, “You will be surprised how many kids will be excited to give back to their community.” A call for help No organization can reach out to hurting children without help. People need to take it upon themselves to see the need around them. “Volunteers are the most important part in a nonprofit,” Deborah said. “People are very, very valuable.” The whole point is to help these children in need of purpose. “Any time I get an opportunity to talk to kids, I’m there,” John said. “I find it interesting that every time I go somewhere, the kids want to know my story.” He gave one final example of the children’s hunger for something that can help them find a sense of identity and purpose. “I just spoke here at the school, the alternative school,” John said, “the so-called ‘bad school.’ I really laid out my story to them, and those kids did not want me to leave. “People are hurting, and money itself will not help. It only helps insomuch as it can enable people to reach out, and beyond that it is up to those same people to find the need and aid it, to find the hurt and heal it, to find a vision and reach it,” he said.
Tonica Fire Department reports TONICA — At 5:40 p.m. Jan. 15, the Tonica Volunteer Fire Department was called out for an arcing, downed power line in the area of North 19th Road and East 675th Road in rural Tonica. The fire department secured the scene and provided safety until the power company arrived to make repairs. At 8:40 a.m. Jan. 16, the Tonica Volunteer Fire Department was called to a reported car fire on Interstate 39 at Mile Marker 49. On arrival, the department found the vehicle was not on fire, only overheated, which had caused a cloud of steam. The state police investigated the incident.
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3 Local
Friday, February 5, 2016 • The Tonica News • 3
Tonica Fire Department activity report for Dec. 2015 TONICA — There were 22 emergency calls during the month of December, with two fires, two accidents, 16 ambulance calls, one hazardous condition and one ambulance for firefighter standby at a structure fire. The total emergency calls for 2015 was 157. A significant donation was received from Gayle and Nancy Dauber. Additional donations of more than $100 were received from Tonica United Methodist Women, Ed Hasselman, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Jack and Rita Ashley, and a memorial for George Knecht. The storm and fire siren located near the school is still not operating. Chief Al Stremlau is continuing to work with the village and phone company to correct the problem. Training included treatment of extremity trauma injuries, a four-hour refresher class covering hazardous materials and
driver safety. Seventeen firefighters participated in the annual fit test for their self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) masks. The electrical charging system on Rescue Truck 1715 was repaired. The department received a resignation from Zack Pinter, who moved out of the area. The annual rural mailing will soon be sent. This mailer requests a donation from each homeowner, renter and business outside of the Tonica village limits, but within the Tonica Fire Department and Ambulance coverage area. This includes Cedar Point, Leonore and a portion of the Standard Fire protection area. These donations allow emergency service to be provided without property taxation. Donations can be dropped off at the Tonica Bank or the Tonica Fire Station.
Food service sanitation course offered OGLESBY — Illinois Valley Community College’s Continuing Education Center will offer the food service sanitation eighthour course from 8 a.m. to noon Monday, Feb. 8, and Tuesday, Feb. 9, and from 8 to 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, in room CTC123. Tuition for the course is $119; a textbook is required and available at the IVCC Bookstore. Call 815-224-0427. The course assists the manager or potential manager to apply sanitation principles in the operation of a food service establishment. Students will learn to identify the causes of foodborne illness, identify and apply pro-
cedures for cleaning and sanitizing, recognize problems and potential solutions associated with the facility, equipment and layout. The course is approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). The Illinois code related to food service establishments will be discussed. During the last session, students will take the ServSafe Protection Food Manager exam which is required for the Certified Food Handler license in the state of Illinois. Students will submit their Food Service Sanitation Manager Certification Program request form and $35 fee payable to the IDPH.
Lostant responds to I-39 crash The Lostant Fire Department responded to a two-vehicle crash at approximately 6:37 a.m. Jan. 29, at Mile Marker 42 on Interstate 39. According to the Illinois State Police report, a 2004 Peterbilt truck/tractor combination semi, driven by Donald E. Wooden, 52, of Princeton was rear-ended by a 2014 Freightliner straight truck, driven by Derrick J. Robinson, 27, of Noblesville, Ind.
Both southbound lanes of traffic were closed for approximately two hours while the crash was investigated. The incident remains under investigation. Wooden, who was wearing a seatbelt, was extracted from the vehicle by Lostant Fire Department. Wooden was later transported by OSF Life Flight to OSF St. Francis Medical Center for treatment. No charges were filed.
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Each speaker will present updates from their perspective communities. After the presentations, time will be allotted for written questions from the audience. This is a community-wide event open to IVAC members and the general public. The event is $25 per person. Registration for this event can be made on the IVAC website at www. ivaced.org, by emailing ivaced@ivaced.org or by contacting the IVAC office at 815-223-0227 by noon on Friday, Feb. 5.
Prairie State Legal Services to meet Feb. 13 UTICA — The board of directors of Prairie State Legal Services Inc. will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at Grizzly Jack’s Grand Bear Resort in Utica. The meeting is open to the public. Prairie State Legal Services Inc. provides representation to low-income and elderly individuals and families in 36 counties in Northern and Central Illinois. To be eligible for free services,
clients must meet certain guidelines. Prairie State Legal Services Inc. offices are located in Bloomington, St. Charles, Joliet, Kankakee, McHenry, Ottawa, Peoria, Rockford, Rock Island, Waukegan, Wheaton and Galesburg, Prairie State Legal Services Inc. receives funding from the Legal Services Corporation, Area Agencies on Aging, United Way, The Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois and other sources.
Correction In a story in the Jan. 29 edition of the Tonica News, the story incorrectly said the Tonica Grade School Board was considering cutting its kindergarten program. The story should have read it was considering cutting its pre-kindergarten program. The Tonica News regrets the error.
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UTICA — The Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development (IVAC) will sponsor a “State of the Cities” luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, at Grizzly Jack’s Grand Bear Resort in Utica. Confirmed speakers are mayor Scott Harl, city of Peru; mayor Walt Marini, city of Spring Valley; village president Matthew Jereb, village of North Utica; and village president Kevin Coleman, village of Hennepin; with mayor Don Finley, city of Oglesby, and village president Frank Niewinski of Mark, pending.
ASSESSMENT FREEZE EXEMPTIONS
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VETERANS: Two exemptions for Veterans have been created by House Bill 644, 1 for disabled veterans and 1 for returning servicemen. Forms are available at the LaSalle county assessor’s office and must be filed directly with the county. DISABLED PERSON: An exemption created by House Bill 554, gives a $2,000 exemption for a Class II disabled person. Forms are available at the LaSalle county assessor’s office and must be filed directly with the county. Any questions, call 815-442-8280 (Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. till 3 p.m.) EDEN TOWNSHIP ASSESSOR James P Lock, CIAO 504 Linden St. Tonica, IL 61370 Published in the Tonica News Feb. 5, 2016.
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4 Perspective
4 • The Tonica News • Friday, February 5, 2016
The Editorial Page The Tonica News Sam R Fisher
Terri Simon
Publisher
Editor
The blink It’s been said things happen “in the blink of an eye.” I’ve used the phrase myself — actually quite a few times. My grandmother used to say it too ... It happened “in the blink of an eye.” I have no idea where that phrase came from, who first uttered those words or why they said them. For some reason, I think it’s Biblical, but I don’t know for sure ... and I don’t really know if I care. It doesn’t really matter, I guess. What is important, though, is the Terri meaning behind those six words: “In Simon the blink of an eye.” Fast, lightening COMMENTARY speed, quicker than quick ... and every other word you can think of that describes something that happens in the length of time it takes to blink your eyes — an involuntary action which we really don’t control. But the other day, I was having a fairly intense conversation with a friend, and after saying, “It happened in the blink of an eye,” I found myself really thinking about that statement. The blink. Strange how that word hit me that day, and it’s even stranger how I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. In the blink of an eye ... everything can change. Everything. In less than a second that it takes for you to literally blink your eyes, your world can flip upside down and get crazier than you’d ever imagine it could be. On the other side of that proverbial coin, good things can also happen in the blink of an eye, but for some reason, I associate that phrase with those circumstances that are less than wonderful. The blink. Why it seems like just yesterday I was a carefree little girl. Blink! I am a rowdy teenager who thinks she can change a less-than-wonderful world. Filled with rebellion and a good dose of animosity, I went from a sweet, little girl to one with a chip on her shoulder. The blink. Tumultuous teenage years gave way to a young adult, who was attempting to find her way. Trials and errors — interspersed with a great deal of fun — abounded. The work place officially entered my world, and in the blink of an eye, I was an employee, instead of a carefree, opinionated teenager. Rent, electric bills and telephone bills entered the equation. The blink. A quick decision to move out of state, new friends and colleagues, new jobs, new living arrangements happened faster than fast, and responsibilities grew before I knew what had hit me. While there was a reckless kind of abandon through it all, the past left me in the blink of an eye, as I set my sights on new and very different horizons. The blink. Ten years later and upon returning back to Bureau County, I found a familiar yet very different world waiting for me. Had the world changed, or was it me? I didn’t know, and I had no time to ponder the scenario. Instead, I quickly jumped head-first into the midst of it all — changed significantly by where I’d been and who I had become. The blink. And now ... many, many years later, I find myself reflecting on where I started, where I went, where I am and who I became. It happened so quickly — in the blink of an eye, and I’m left saddened by the fast pace yet thankful for all I’ve experienced, both good and not-so-good for those experiences have made me — like it or not — who I am today. Where did the time go? It escaped me faster than a prisoner who has done his time and runs rapidly from his prison, shackles of life disappearing in the freedom. Seemingly in the blink of an eye, that sweet, little carefree girl turned into an adult who sees life as something much different than she ever expected ... yet ironically the same. The blink. Now I wake up in the morning, and I try to remember that life happens at a speed and a manner in which we really can’t control. Fate brings us and takes us where we are supposed to be, and all of it happens for a reason ... in the blink of an eye. Tonica News Editor Terri Simon can be reached at tsimon@tonicanews.com.
Rauner earns an ‘incomplete’ In his first year, Gov. Bruce Rauner shook up the status quo. In his second, he and the Legislature need to cooperate to find solutions for Illinois’ problems. When Bruce Rauner was sworn into office as Illinois governor a year ago, he said: “Each person here today and all those throughout the state will be called upon to share in the sacrifice, so that one day, we can again share in Illinois’ prosperity. We all must shake up our old ways of thinking.” There was sacrifice in Rauner’s first year as governor, but it did not come from cutbacks and austerity — rather, from things breaking down. It was a year in which Rauner proved adept at disrupting the workings of state government, but not in working with the majority Democrats to pass meaningful legislation that would change the state’s direction. Is our state better off a year into Rauner’s first term than when he took office? The answer is debatable and largely depends on how easy or difficult you expected it would be for Rauner to accomplish his goals. Rauner, a Republican, promised to shake things up in Springfield. No more status quo. He was going to run Illinois like a business and turn around our state, which continues to deal with unprecedented
financial difficulties. Rauner’s first year will be remembered for operating more than half the year without a state budget, which has led to increased spending through court orders and piecemeal funding, and a lot of pain for the state is social service agencies, some of which have closed doors they say will not be reopened. The impasse continues. Democratic leadership in Springfield, namely House Speaker Michael Madigan, passed a fiscal 2016 budget with a $4 billion deficit between expenses and revenue. Status quo in Illinois. Rauner rejected the budget and the status quo, which he was elected to do. Neither side has budged since then. Democrats want a combination of cuts and a tax increase to settle the budget deficit. Rauner is open to increasing taxes if he gets his suggested reforms, saying he won’t “put in a significant new tax and change nothing.” Those reforms deal with reducing the cost of doing business in Illinois, limiting the power of unions, and establishing term lim-
its for lawmakers. They are the kind of reforms voters elected Rauner to enact. By putting him into office, voters expressed a desire to change how business is conducted in Springfield. To think change would come quickly or without pain, considering power in the General Assembly is held by Democrats Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton, would not be a fair expectation. If Rauner were to be graded for his first year in office, he’d get an “incomplete” because of the budget impasse and growing pension liability. There is no doubt the state needs a budget. It needed a budget seven months ago. There’s no doubt Rauner and Republican leadership along with Madigan and Democratic leadership need to treat the situation with more urgency. In his first year, Rauner has made good on his promise to shake things up. In his second, he needs to show he also can work with the Legislature to create a new order that works for the people of Illinois. Tonica News
Globetrotters provide more than just laughs I’ve never been a fan of professional athletes. I don’t follow sports, and the most exposure I have to that world is when I watch SportsNation Jeers of the Month with my husband and children. That show spotlights the most embarrassing or worst things to happen in sports each month, so obviously I’m not going to be overly impressed with the behavior of the athletes I see there. I see grown men acting like spoiled toddlers and coaches behaving so badly I wonder how they aren’t fired on the spot. But, earlier this month, I found athletes I am impressed with — the Harlem Globetrotters. When I was little, I remember being wowed by their tricks when I would see them on TV. They also cropped up from time to time on some of my favorite programs, like the made-for-television movie “The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan’s Island” and my favorite cartoon, “Scooby Doo.” On Jan. 10, my family and I were extremely fortunate to be able to meet them, hang out with the team and sit with them on the bench when they played at the Peoria Civic Center. Every player was kind to us during the whole game, and they seemed to know, without us even
Shannon Serpette COMMENTARY saying, what a big family event this was for us. It’s a rarity in life to have a perfect day, a day where everything seems to go your way. Even though those days are rare, they’re invaluable. Those days and their memories get you through the tough days in life, and they inspire you to keep fighting and reaching for your own dreams. That day, the Globetrotters went out of their way to be nice to my husband and I, but even more important to me, they made my children feel special. For that, I will be forever grateful to Moose, Big Easy, Animal, Too Tall, Viper, TNT and the others we saw that day. They went above and beyond to ensure we had a great day. Every child should have a day like that where they are treated like a super star, and they see what can be possible for themselves if they put in the work and chase their dreams.
We live in a society that embraces instant gratification — we have all night shopping, fast food and so-called friends who like our comments seconds after we’ve made them. It’s necessary for children, especially in today’s society of reality television “stars” and overnight media sensations, to have role models like the Globetrotters who stress the importance of hard work and putting in the time and effort to succeed. One common theme the Globetrotters emphasized in our brief conversations and in the comments they made in the program that was available for purchase was that when they were children in school, they never imagined they would someday become a Globetrotter. Not sure where they would end up, they never stopped practicing or dreaming. That, to me, is their true legacy, more than the laughter they bring and the talent they possess. The idea that hard work, not just dumb luck, can shape your destiny is a powerful lesson for today’s youth, and I’m glad the Globetrotters are sharing it. Tonica News Copy Editor Shannon Serpette can be reached at sserpette@ bcrnews.com.
First Amendment “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” Constitution of the United States, 1789
5 Life
Friday, February 5, 2016 • The Tonica News • 5
Community
Stay Save Local. Local. Photo contributed
Sixth- through eighth-grade students enrolled in Lostant School’s Enrichment Program include (front row) Sydney Miller, Parker Witzman and Jacob Wiesbrock; and (back row) Alexis Hawthorne, Makayla Ritko, Chase Kreiser, Will Daugherty, Ethan Phillips and Bailey Rockey.
Small and Rural Education Equals Academic Success LOSTANT — In order to meet the expectations of College and Career Readiness goals as well as offer a rigorous and challenging curriculum that meets the needs of all students, Lostant School began piloting several innovative instructional models in 2012 that have turned into a win-win situation for teachers and students. The first instructional change includes all students in kindergarten through eighth grades. Students participate in mathematics and English/ language arts classes in Fluid Grouping classrooms. The classrooms are designed for small group instruction at the knowledge level of the group. The learning gap in each classroom is very small, which allows teachers to cover more material than in a traditional classroom. Students often complete
grade level standards at a fast pace and are able to advance to the next level of Common Core Standards. Sandra Malahy, superintendent at Lostant School, reported she is extremely pleased with the test scores of the Lostant students. The new state test that third- through eighthgrade students in Illinois took for the first time last spring proved to be challenging with multi-level questions and high cut scores; but Lostant students scored as well as or better than most Illinois students. In mathematics, 29 percent of the Lostant students met or exceeded performance goals which were higher than all Illinois students in fourth through seventh grades. In the area of English and language arts, Lostant students led by a large margin because no grade level in Illinois
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came close to the Lostant students where 44 percent met or exceeded performance goals. The AIMSweb January 2016 testing proved once again that Lostant School is on the right path with instructional practices. In the area of mathematics, 57 percent of all students in kindergarten through eighth grades met or exceeded national benchmark goals. In the area of English and language arts, 83 percent of all students in kindergarten through eighth grades met or exceeded national benchmark goals. Taking into consideration that 16 percent of the students are in special education, these are extremely impressive scores. The second innovative change at Lostant School
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6 • The Tonica News • Friday, February 5, 2016
Spelling bee announced OTTAWA — The LaSalle, Marshall, Putnam County spelling bee will be Saturday, Feb. 13, in the Ottawa Township High School auditorium, 211 E. Main St., Ottawa. The bee will start at 9 a.m. Contestants are advised to arrive no later than 8:30 a.m. for instructions and seating assignments. The 56th annual spelling bee, sponsored by the Peoria Journal Star, the Ottawa Kiwanis Club, the
LaSalle, Marshall, Putnam County Regional Superintendent’s office staff, and the LaSalle, Marshall, Putnam County schools, is open to the public, and admission is free. Thirty-nine school district winners will be competing for the county championship. LaSalle, Marshall, Putnam County’s winner will then compete in the grand finals to be held in Peoria at WEEK TV Studios at 1 p.m. March 18.
Education
monitored by a teacher. Over one-third of the students in sixth through eighth grades are enrolled in the Enrichment Program this year. Malahy stated there is a potential for over one-half of the sixth through eighth grade students next year to enroll in the Enrichment Program. This is an extraordinary opportunity for students attending a small and rural school. While many schools are eliminating programs, Lostant School is creating new and advanced learning opportunities for students. The Lostant Board of Education, Malahy and the teachers have found innovative ways to offer state-of-the art technologies and instructional practices to meet the needs of all students.
From Page 5 School was implementing an Enrichment Program within the school day. Malahy partnered Lostant School with two online resources, the North Dakota Center for Distance Education and Illinois Virtual School. All Lostant students in sixth through eighth grades have an opportunity to participate in coursework offered through both institutions. Lostant students learned computer programming and gaming first semester. Students are currently enrolled in high school Biology, Algebra I, Introduction to Agriculture, Spanish I and World Languages. The Enrichment Program is part of the school day and
Nine Patch Quilt Guild will meet on Feb. 9 OGLESBY — The next meeting of the Nine Patch Quilt Guild will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, at the Dickin-
The Tonica News reserves the right to classify correctly, edit, reject or cancel any advertisement at any time in accordance with its policy. All ads must be checked for errors by the advertiser, on the first day of publication. We will be responsible for the first incorrect insertion, and its liabilities shall be limited to the price on one insertion. CLASSIFIED LINE AD & LEGAL DEADLINES: • Friday Paper deadline Friday before by 3pm We Accept Call 815-875-4461 classified@bcrnews.com
- 200 Employment 232 • Business Opportunities ********** THE CLASSIFIED Advertising Department of the Tonica News Does not have the opportunity to fully investigate the credibility of each advertiser appearing within these columns. If an offer sounds “too good to be true” it probably is. Proceed with caution if you are asked to send money or to give a credit card number. Proceed with caution in calling 900 phone numbers. All phone numbers prefixed by”900” are charged to the CALLER. Charges may be assessed on a “per minute” basis rather than a “per call” basis. The Tonica News Classifieds makes every effort to qualify these charges for the reader. If you have a concern about an advertiser, please contact: Better Business Bureau 330 North Wabash Chicago, IL 60611 312 832-0500
- 400 Merchandise 450 • Under $1000 Rebounder trampoline, $35; stationery bike, older mode, $30. Call 815-228-7350 Teardrop lites, 20 brand new in box, amber magnetic. Last time I'm advertising em !! $180. Call 815-876-6083 ************ HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL? Put your ad in for FREE Items $1,000 or less can run FREE for 1 time. Limit of 5 lines. Up to 3 items with price and price totaling under $1,000. 1 ad per household per week. No commercial ads, firearms or animal sales. E-mail information to: classified@ bcrnews.com (include your name, address & phone number) No Phone Calls!
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Tuesday of each month. For more information, call Jean at 815-8838725.
Menus and Activities Lostant Grade School Breakfast Feb. 8 — Biscuits and gravy, yogurt, cereal, fruit and juice. Feb. 9 — Pancakes and syrup, yogurt, cereal, fruit and juice. Feb. 10 — Cinnamon bun, yogurt, cereal, fruit and juice. Feb. 11 — Breakfast burrito, yogurt, cereal, fruit and juice. Feb. 12 — Muffin, yogurt, cereal, fruit and juice. Lunch Feb. 8 — Macaroni and cheese, broccoli, fruit cocktail, milk. Feb. 9 — Tortellini with meat sauce, green beans, pears, milk. Feb. 10 — Grilled cheese, tomato soup, applesauce, milk. Feb. 11 — Sloppy joe on bun, chips, peas and carrots, peaches, milk. Feb. 12 — No lunch, 11:45 a.m. dismissal.
Tonica Grade School Breakfast Feb. 8 — Pizza breakfast bagel or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk. Feb. 9 — Muffin or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk. Feb. 10 — Scrambled eggs or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk. Feb. 11 — Toaster pastry or cere-
––––––– Classifieds ––––––– General Terms and Policies
son House in Oglesby. New members are always welcome. Meetings are held the second
460 • Garage Sales *MODEL TRAIN FAIR & FARM TOY SHOW* Saturday, February 20, 9am to 3pm. Bureau County Fairgrounds Working Train layouts, Cars, Trucks, Farm Toys and all scales of model railroad equipment. For info call 815 866 3606 2nd SUNDAY *FLEA MARKET* February 14th: 8am-2pm. $1 Admission. @ Bureau County Fairgrounds, Princeton. For Information Call 815-303-2905
ADVERTISE GARAGE SALES OR YARD SALES! The Tonica News MarketPlace can promote your garage sale or yard sale to let everyone know about the treasures you have for sale. Just call 815-875-4461 and we’ll help you “Clean Up!” YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU MIGHT FIND right here in the Tonica News MarketPlace Classified!
- 700 Real Estate For Sale 767 • Mobile Home Sales **************** PUBLISHER'S NOTICE All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject 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 intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in 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 tollfree at 800 669-9777. The toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 800 927-9275
999 • Legal Notices STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT LASALLE COUNTY-IN PROBATE IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ) RAYMOND LAVERNE VOGEN, ) Deceased. ) CASE NO. 16 P 12 NOTICE OF CLAIM DAY Notice is given of the death of the above on December 20, 2015, and that Letters of Office were issued January 21, 2016, to JANE VOGEN WILLIAMS whose attorney is DICK L. WILLIAMS of WILLIAMS, WILLIAMS & BEMBENEK, P.C., 139 E. Washington Street, East Peoria, Illinois 61611. Claims may be filed on or before the 8th day of August, 2016, or six (6) months from the date of the first publication of this Notice of Claim Day, whichever is later. Any claim not filed on or before
al, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk. Feb. 12 — Powdered sugar or chocolate doughnuts or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk. Lunch Feb. 8 — Hot dog on bun, baked beans, fruit, zert pudding, milk. Feb. 9 — Pizza bosco stick, carrots, apple slices, caramel, milk. Feb. 10 — Macaroni and cheese, green beans, fruit side kick, cookie, milk. Feb. 11 — Hot ham and cheese or chicken noodle soup, lettuce with salad dressing, fruit, milk. Feb. 12 — Shaped chicken nuggets or peanut butter and jelly sandwich, fruit, mashed potatoes, gelatin with Cool Whip, milk.
Bridges Senior Center Feb. 8 — 9 a.m., Tai Chi; 10 a.m., Sewing Circle; 12:45 p.m., Bingo; 1:30 p.m., open cards. Feb. 9 — 9 a.m., Forever Fit; 11 a.m., blood pressure check; noon, soup and chili potluck; 12:45 p.m., Heart Health. Feb. 10 — 9 a.m., Forever Fit. Feb. 11 — 9 a.m., Tai Chi; 12:45 p.m., Bingo; 1:30 p.m., open cards. Feb. 12 — 9 a.m., Forever Fit; 10 a.m., Family Caregiver Support; 1 p.m., Wii bowling tournament. The Bridges Senior Center is a congregate meal site. Meals, provid-
ed by Voluntary Action Center, are served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday for a suggested donation of $3.50. A 24-hour advance reservation is required. For more information, call 815-4318034.
Putnam County Community Center Feb. 8 — Mostaccioli with meat sauce, Sicilian blend vegetables, salad with dressing, Jell-O with fruit. Feb. 9 — Chicken tenders, mashed potatoes and gravy, buttered corn, rolls and butter, apricots, dessert. Feb. 10 — Pork roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, carrots, sliced peaches, bread. Feb. 11 — Chef’s Special Day; Valentine’s Day party. Feb. 12 — Breaded fish with tartar sauce, tater tots, broccoli and cauliflower, sliced pears. Bread, butter, fruit juice and 2% milk are available with meals. For reservations, call 800-757-4579 24 hours in advance of the day’s meal. The menu is subject to change. Meals are available to senior citizens 60 plus at no cost, but donations are appreciated. The meal program is partly funded by donations, so they have a suggested donation of $5 per meal. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m.
999 • Legal Notices
999 • Legal Notices
that date is barred. Claims against said Estate may be filed in the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court, LaSalle County Courthouse, Ottawa, Illinois, or with the representative, or both. Within 10 days after a claimant files its claim with the Court, the claimant must mail or deliver a copy of the claim to the representative AND to his attorney of record AND file with the Court proof of mailing or delivery of said copies. NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS AND HEIRS WHOSE ADDRESSES AND WHEREABOUTS ARE UNKNOWN TO: All unknown heirs and heirs whose addresses and whereabouts are unknown, including JOHN PETER DAVITO, nephew of RAYMOND LAVERNE VOGEN. NOTICE IS GIVEN to the unknown heirs and heirs whose addresses and whereabouts are unknown of RAYMOND LAVERNE VOGEN, deceased, that an Order was entered by the Court on January 21, 2016, admitting the will to probate. Take notice that RAYMOND LAVERNE VOGEN, died on December 20, 2015, a resident of LaSalle County, Illinois, and Letters Testamentary were issued on January 21, 2016, to JANE VOGEN WILLIAMS, Executor, whose attorney is DICK L. WILLIAMS of WILLIAMS, WILLIAMS & BEMBENEK, P.C., 139 E. Washington Street, East Peoria, IL 61611. Within 42 days after the date of the Order Admitting Will to Probate and Appointing Representative, you may file a petition with the court to require proof of the will by testimony of the witnesses to the will in open court or other evidence, as provided in 755 ILCS 5/6-21. You also have the right under 755 ILCS 5/8-1 to contest the validity of the will by filing a petition with the court within SlX months after the date of filing of the Order Admitting will to Probate and Appointing Representative. RIGHTS OF INTERESTED PERSONS DURING INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATION; FORM OF PETITION TO TERMINATE INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATION An Order Granting Independent Administration of decedent’s estate has been entered by the court. This means that the executor or administrator will not have to obtain court orders or file estate papers in court during probate. The estate will be administered without court supervision, unless an interested person asks the court to become involved. Under Sec. 28-4 of the Probate Act of 1975 (755 ILCS 5/28-4) any interested person may terminate independent administration at any time by mailing or delivering a Petition to Terminate to the clerk of the court. However, if there is a will that directs independent administration, independent administration will be terminated only if the court finds there is good cause to require supervised administration; and if the petitioner is a creditor or nonresiduary legatee, independent administration will be
terminated only if the court finds that termination is necessary to protect the petitioner’s interest. In addition to the right to terminate independent administration, any interested person may petition the court to hold a hearing and resolve any particular question that may arise during independent administration, even though supervised administration has not been requested. 755 ILCS 5/28-5. The independent representative must mail a copy of the estate inventory and final account to each interested person and must send notice to or obtain the approval of each interested person before the estate can be closed. 755 ILCS 5/28-6, 5/28-11. Any interested person has the right to question or object to any item included in or omitted from an inventory or account or to insist on a full court accounting of all receipts and disbursements with prior notice, as req~ired in supervised administration. 755 ILCS 5/28-11. A petition in substantially the attached form may be used to terminate independent administration. STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT LASALLE COUNTY-PROBATE IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ) RAYMOND LAVERNE VOGEN, ) Deceased. ) Case No. 16 P 12 PETITION TO TERMINATE INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATION I,______________________, on oath states: 1. On ___________, 20__ an order was entered granting independent administration to __________________, as Executor under independent administration. 2. I am an interested person in this estate as heir/nonresiduary legatee, residuary legatee, creditor or representative. *3. The will does not direct independent administration. 4. I request that independent administration be terminated. ______________________ Signature of Petitioner SUBSCRIBED and SWORN to before me, a Notary Public, this ______day of , 20___. __________________ NOTARY PUBLIC Dated: January 26, 2016 JANE VOGEN WILLIAMS Executor of the Estate of RAYMOND LAVERNE VOGEN, Deceased DICK L. WILLIAMS WILLIAMS, WILLIAMS & BEMBENEK, P.C. 139 E. Washington Street East Peoria, Illinois 61611 Telephone: (309) 694-3196 Published in the Tonica News Feb. 5, 12 and 19, 2016.
Friday, February 5, 2016 • The Tonica News • 7
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8 Life
8 • The Tonica News • Friday, February 5, 2016
IVCC holds 15th annual therapeutic massage graduation OGLESBY — Illinois Valley Community College’s therapeutic massage program recently held its 15th annual graduation. Certificate graduates included Taylor Beck of Toluca, Melissa Coleman of Ottawa, Kayla Matheson of Peru, Michaela Russell of Utica and James Van Fleet of Princeton. Advanced certificate graduates included licensed massage therapist Megan Casterella-Russell of LaSalle, Jeffrey Johnson of Earlville, Jon Lowers of Mendota and Rosalinda Torres of Mendota. IVCC President Jerry Corcoran opened the ceremony and was followed by Dean of Health Professions and Director of
Nursing Bonnie Campbell and guest speaker Dr. Wendy Lamboley, an IVCC graduate. Since its first graduating class in 2000, the program has produced more than 150 massage therapy graduates working full- and part-time in private practice, spas, sports, health care and a variety of other areas. The program has also graduated licensed massage therapists with AAS degrees and advanced certificate. “Research continues to demonstrate the benefits of massage therapy, particularly in reducing pain, soreness and stiffness, recovery from injury and in relieving stress-relat-
ed issues,” said program coordinator Cherie Monterastelli. “The growing number of referrals from healthcare professionals indicates increased integration of massage therapy in that environment,” Monterastelli said. “More licensed massage therapists are finding employment opportunities in healthcare in and outside the district.” Both the AAS and advance certificate programs focus on health Photo contributed care, projected to be the IVCC’s 2015 therapeutic massage advanced certificate graduates are Jon Lowers (from fastest growing job market left), Rosalinda Torres, Megan Casterella-Russell and Jeffrey Johnson. for licensed massage therapists during the next five years. For information, contact Monterastelli at 815-224-0507.
Free tax assistance available at library LASALLE — The LaSalle Public Library will host a free tax assistance program on Wednesdays, Feb. 24, March 2 and March 30. Three experienced tax preparers from AARP will be available at the LaSalle Public Library from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. to assist low and middle income families and senior citizens with filing their tax returns. All federal and state forms will be filed electronical-
ly. Individuals are asked to bring last year’s tax returns, a copy of their property tax bill if applicable, Social Security or Medicare Card, picture I.D., and proof of insurance if not covered by Medicare. Appointments may be made by calling the LaSalle Public Library at 815-2232341. All appointments will take place in the meeting room on the first floor of the library. This program is
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