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#romeovillebugle
EVENTS
Calendar Events Upcoming events in your area SEE PAGE 4
SPORTS
Youth movement Young Spartans ready for the season SEE PAGE 5
Spring home IMPROVEMENT
ROMEOVILLEBUGLE.COM
INSIDE!
NEWS
THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2019 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM
VILLAGE NEWS >> BOLINGBROOK
Middle school hosts ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People: The NSA Way’ Students perform correlating the NSA to everyday life BY RYAN OSTRY Bugle Staff @RyanOstry_BR18 rostry@buglenewspapers.com
The students of Jane Addams Middle School took the stage to present “How to Win Friends and Influence People: The NSA Way.” Embracing the surveillance state, because the surveillance state is embracing you was a common theme during the presentation. “It’s the idea that there is a government agency and they can help people who are trying to make friends or be cool in school,” said Christina Miller, Director of the play. The acronym NSA stands for National Security Agency, which is a national-level intelligence agency of the United States Department of Defense, under the authority of the Director of National Intelligence. NSA is responsible for global monitoring, collection and processing of information and data for foreign and domestic intelligence. Where NSA ties in with the play is that NSA is tasked with U.S communication networks
as well. “The play goes over those kids who are struggling in high school to have a cheat sheet to navigate those difficult waters in high school,” Miller said. Miller said they always try picking something that is socially relevant for the middle school students to perform, and the idea of being bullied, trying to make friends or asking out a girl brings the “dry sense of humor” aspect to the play. The NSA was first formed in 1952 by Harry S. Truman to decipher coded communications in WW2, and since that date, it has become the largest of the U.S intelligence organizations in terms of personnel and budget. Currently, the NSA conducts worldwide mass data collection and has been known to physically bug electronic systems as one of their methods. One scene from the play that represented that logic was a family of three, a father, mother and daughter who tried having a nice dinner with dialogue but the daughter didn’t glance up from her phone, not even once. The parents decided to “disconnect everyone’s internet throughout the world” in order to get their daughter to have dialogue. Towards the end of the scene, which took up almost a third of the shows time, the daughter regained the internet, but learned her lesson. That one scene drew a lot of reaction from the crowd with shouts of laughter as the relevance not only from that scene, but many others tried to correlate to everyday life in people’s homes. “We tried to make all the scenes you saw as relevant as possible,” Miller said. “The crowd really seemed to enjoy it, and everybody did a great job, you can tell all of their hard work really paid off.”
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NEWS
THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2019 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM
VILLAGE NEWS >> ROMEOVILLE
Romeoville Crime Rate Drops nearly 21% in 2018 Police Chief attributes many factors for why crime declined in Romeoville BY RYAN OSTRY Bugle Staff @RyanOstry_BR18 rostry@buglenewspapers.com
Things are looking up for the city of Romeoville, as the Romeoville Police Department experienced a 20.62 percent decrease in total reportable crimes in 2018. The numbers, released in March, showed the crime rate last year was the lowest in Romeoville since 2010. In 2017, Romeoville experienced 617 reportable crimes and in 2018 there was a total of 489. “The reduction of 127 reportable crimes in Romeoville is something to be proud of,” said Mark Turvey, Romeoville Police Chief. “You have to analyze in what areas and what sections crime went down in, we usually have a pretty good crime rate percentage.” For Turvey, there is no silver bullet for lowering crime rate, however, there are numerous factors that
MORE INFO A big part of the reduction for the crime rate percentage was thefts. A significant drop of 477 in 2017, to 361 in 2018 was a reality for Romeoville, which Turvey said played a large role in the percentage.
affect the number including the economy, the social makeup of the community, parental supervision, available recreational activities and the quality of the police department. A big part of the reduction for the crime rate percentage was thefts. A significant drop of 477 in 2017, to 361 in 2018 was a reality for Romeoville, which Turvey said played a large role in the percentage. “Burglary to a vehicle is counted as a theft, which that went down by 42 and are felonies that get reported to the state,” Turvey said. “Retail thefts went down by 31, and other thefts went down by about 40 all together.” More serious crimes such as homicide resulted in zero in 2017 and one in 2018, rapes went down from
13 to eight, robberies stayed the same at 15, aggravated battery went up by two, burglaries went down from 53 to 42 (home, residential, building), arsons stayed the same at two and human trafficking went from one in 2017 to zero in 2018. There are several ways the community can help the police keep the crime rate low according to Turvey, which he said needs to keep progressing in order for the percentage to keep dropping. Being observant in your neighborhood and reporting any suspicious activity, locking the doors of your house and keeping your garage closed and remembering to remove valuables from your car and to lock the doors at all times were all apart of his plan to have the percentage keep decreasing. “There’s a lot of things I have always believed that have affected the crime right including the economy, parental supervision, demographics, recreational activities and the quality of the Police Department,” Turvey said. “It’s a combination of all those things and more, that help deter crime in our area and to make it the safest possible place we can for the community.”
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NEWS BRIEFS
Romeoville HS Names Class of 2019 Valedictorian, Salutatorian Romeoville HS held their Senior Department Awards Assembly on Thu. Mar.28 and among the announcements were the naming of the Class of 2019 Valedictorian and Salutatorian. Corinne Doty (pictured above left) is the Valedictorian. She will be attending Coe College in the fall majoring in Business Administration and Economics while she also competes as a member of the Coe College women’s volleyball team. Corinne also attended Skoff and R.C. Hill Elementary Schools and John J. Lukancic Middle School prior to becoming a Romeoville HS Spartan. The Class of 2019 Salutatorian is Katrina Cotten (pictured above right) and she is planning on attending the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign next fall. She will be majoring in Natural Resources and Environmental Science. Katrina began attending VVSD schools in 8th grade at A. Vito Martinez Middle School.
Neal, drawing; Bryson Rivers, chemistry; Jordan Sharber, dramatics; and Avia Wideman, poetry written, and poetry performance. Those students advance to the national ACTSO competition to be held in Detroit July 18-21. Also earning bronze medals were: Alena Morrissette, entrepreneurship; James Morrissette, computer science; and Avia Wideman, dramatics.
Mr. Alan Holtz Battle of the Books Goal 4 Our thanks to the Valley View Educational Enrichment Foundation for everything they do to raise money and fund additional programs throughout VVSD. On Fri, Mar. 29, the VVEEF hosted one of their two major fundraisers for the year, their annual Dinner and Auction. Theme of the event was “Derby Days”. Attendees were asked to dress just as those who attend the Kentucky Derby would attire themselves. Brooks Middle School Library Director Mr. Alan Holtz and his wife Joanne took, shall we say, a little different angle on dressing as those of the equine persuasion who attend the Derby! Those who attended the event were shown the video below which explains how important the support of the VVEEF is to events such as the annual VVSD Elementary School Battle of the Books.
Bolingbrook HS ACT-SO Students Lead the Way at DuPage County Giveback Competition Students from Bolingbrook HS dominated the 40th Annual DuPage County Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technical, and Scientific Olympics by claiming seven of the 18 gold medals awarded and earning ten overall medals, the most of any school in the competition. Bolingbrook’s gold medalists are: Justin Bolden, oratory; Eva Martinez, contemporary vocal music; Erica
Eighteen Bolingbrook HS freshmen are among only 50 students statewide who have been awarded Give Something Back Scholarships. These are full scholarships (tuition, room, and board) to either Blackburn College, Illinois State University, Lewis University, or the University of Illinois at Urbana/ Champaign. The following are the BHS students who have received this incredSEE BRIEFS PAGE 8
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CALENDAR
UPCOMING EVENTS IN YOUR AREA THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2019 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM
April 12 • Romeoville The Bunny Bash. From 6-8 p.m. at the Recreation Center. Hop In for Fun with Peter Rabbit and His Sister Cottontail. SIGN UP BY MARCH 31ST! Indoor activities include light food with a drink, crafts, a children’s entertainer, inflatables and a picture with a bunny to bring home. Child must be accompanied by a paid adult. Everyone attending must be pre-registered. No day of registration. Cost: 12 yrs. and under- $9/R -$13/NR; 13 yrs. and older $5/R-$7/NR.
April 12 • Romeoville FREE Egg Hunt on the Dale Blum football field at Village Park (900 W. Romeo Rd.) Start time will begin promptly at 8:15pm with the first age group. Each age group will follow directly after. Dress for the weather as this event will be held outdoors. Remember to bring a basket or bag to collect eggs with. Parents are welcome to accompany their child but unable to assist in the collection of eggs. Parents of children age 7-12 are encouraged to stay along the sidelines. Age Groups: 0-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-9 & 10-12.
April 12 • Shorewood Flashlight Egg Hunt. Join us for a fun night under the stars searching for hidden eggs. This event will be held at Cene’s Four Seasons Park. This event will begin at 8 p.m.
April 13 • Shorewood Breakfast with the Bunny. Take pictures with the Easter Bunny and enjoy a pancake breakfast. There will be coloring pages provided and other fun activities. This event starts at 9 a.m. at the Troy Fire Station #2.
April 13 • Lisle Easter Egg Hunt. 10:00am Sharp • Ages: 2 & Under, & 3-4. 10:20am Sharp • Ages: 5-6, & 7-10. Community Park Bandshell - 1825 Short Street, Lisle. REGISTER EARLY & SAVE. Pre-Registration is suggested. Please arrive 10 minutes before your hunt time. Bring your basket and join us for this fun, festive annual tradition! • Children will hunt for colorful eggs by age groups in different areas of the park. Ages 2 & Under and 3-4 at 10:00am. Ages 5-6, and 7-10 at 10:20am. • Each egg contains a prize (big or small). • Parents, be sure to bring your camera so you can take your kids’ picture with the Easter Bunny. • Remember to dress warm for the weather. Cost: If Registered by By April 5: $5/$8. After April 12: $7/$10. On April 13: $10.
GeNeRAL MANAGeR Vice President - Advertising & Marketing AndREw SAMAAn 815-436-2431 ext. 104 andrew@buglenewspapers.com
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THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2019 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM
SOFTBALL
YOUTH IS
SERVED Young Romeoville squad brings energy, passion and a will to always compete
BY RYAN OSTRY Bugle Staff @RyanOstry_BR18 rostry@buglenewspapers.com
After getting off to a 2-0 start to the season, Romeoville dropped its third game of the season to Plainfield South, 17-5. The Spartans were victimized by a six run first inning by South, followed by a four run second inning. The Spartans scored two in the third, and three in the fourth, but errors and the Cougar offense was just too much. “Our kids did a good job staying positive throughout the game and we were still aggressive at the plate,” said coach Amy Ligmanowski. “However, when their hitters are hitting the ball and putting it into play and we don’t make the necessary outs, that obviously hurts us.” With the hot start off the bat to the season with wins over Resurrection and Joliet Central, Ligmanowski said that the Spartan leaders will really need to step up if they want to make noise when the post-season starts. “Jena Almodovar is someone who really stands out for us because she’s our senior captain and is so great on and off the field,” Ligmanowski said. “She’s
a key player and will play multiple positions for us this year, the girls really look up to her and she’s very positive and outspoken for the girls to get their job done.” Sophomore Larissa Ortiz is another player who will anchor the core group of young players on the Spartans, playing multiple positions and hitting at the top of Ligmanowski’s lineup. Freshman second basemen Annabella Picchi will also look to add stability to the lineup, as Ligmanowksi said she “plays beyond her years” and is very “reliable” out on the field. Going forward, Ligmanowksi said she has a couple of core principles when it comes to what she wants people to know about the Spartans going forward under her reign, and so far, the girls have done a great job exemplifying that. “Even though we are small in numbers this year, these girls just bring so much energy and passion for the game which is what we love about them,” Ligmanowski said. “They just never let each other down, they come to the field ready to go every single day, and for a long season like we have to have a group like this is pretty exciting.”
PHOTO BY RYAN OSTRY
The young Romeoville softball team opened the season 2-1.
IMPROVEMENT
Page 1B
V OYA G E R M E D I A
Spring home 2019
IMPROVEMENT
Choice for staying put or moving on
MANY HOME IMPROVEMENT TELEVISION SERIES SHOWCASE PEOPLE DECIDING WHETHER TO IMPROVE UPON THEIR CURRENT HOMES TO MAKE THEM INTO THE HOUSES OF THEIR DREAMS OR TO PUT “FOR SALE” SIGNS IN THEIR LAWNS AND MOVE ON TO SOMETHING NEW
T
_ he question of whether to move or stay put depends on various factors.
Such factors may include emotional attachment to a home, the current economic climate and the cost of real estate. Current data points to a greater propensity for people to invest and improve upon their current properties rather than trading up for something new. According to information collected by John Burns Real Estate Consulting, the percentage of homeowners moving up to their next home is the lowest in 25 years. Many are opting to make starter homes permanent by expanding them and repairing homes for the long haul. The National Association of Realtors said that, between 1987 and 2008, home buyers stayed in their homes an average of six years before selling. Since 2010, however, NAR says the average expected length of time people will stay in their homes before selling is
now 15 years. Part of what’s fueling this permanency is that many home buyers were able to acquire rock-bottom mortgage interest rates shortly after the 2008 recession. As a result, they’re not inclined to walk away from those rates, even if doing so means getting more house. Also, a low inventory of available houses has stymied repeat buying for many people. Those factors and others have led many homeowners to invest in renovations instead. The experts at Bankrate say realistic budgeting and comparing renovation project costs against mortgages and interests rates can further help individuals decide whether to remain in their current homes or move out. Very often a smarter layout and more efficient floor plan can make meaningful differences in spaces. Renovations and redesigns can make sense and often are less expensive and disruptive than moving.
IMPROVEMENT
Page 2B
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DEADLINE FOR CLASSIFIEDS: FRIDAY AT NOON THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2019 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM
BUSINESS & PRIVATE PARTY CLASSIFIED ADS: $21 PER WEEK, 20 WORDS OR LESS. WEDDINGS, BIRTHS & ENGAGEMENTS: BLACK & WHITE - $45, COLOR - $55. OBITUARIES: START AT $45.
PHONE: 815.436.2431 WEB: buglenewspapers.com/classifieds EMAIL: classifieds@buglenewspapers.com BRIEFS FROM PAGE 3 ible honor: Ariana Battle, Mia Contreras, Jalaila Fisher, Isabella Gutierrez, Dillon Hinojosa, Ruby Huerta, Selene Lazcano, Kimmeca McGinnis, Kelly McNulty, Hassaan Mian, Dulce Porcayo, Dua Rehman, Victor Segundo, Aiysha Shamsi, Ariadna Ugalde-Rivero, Heidi Velazquez, Macey Walker, and Valeria Zaragoza. The scholarships are funded by the Give Something Back Foundation. Humphrey Middle School students and staff are displaying an amazing level of support for Dean of Students Mrs. Dana Mandolini, who was recently diagnosed cancer. The Humphrey Middle School family was able to give over $1000 to Mrs. Mandolini that came from the sale of t-shirts. In addition, the fundraising led to the purchase of tickets for Dana to see “Hamilton”, and for a contribution to the Meal Train program so that meals are sent to her and her family at home. Jane Addams Middle School Principal Ms. Teresa Polson and Asst. Principal Ms. Pauline Zdonek have been selected by the Illinois State Board of Education’s IL-EMPOWER initiative to serve as Learning Partners for other schools. Jane Addams was designated as an Exemplary School by ISBE earlier this year, and through this program, Ms. Polson and Ms. Zdonek will support other schools seeking to build capacity for student learning.
Kindergarten Enrollment Now Open VVSD is welcoming the Class of 2032 during Kindergarten enrollment for the 2019-20 school year. Students who will be five years old as of Sept. 1, 2019 are eligible to enroll in kindergarten. Enrollment takes place at the VVSD Administration Center, 801 W. Normantown Rd. in Romeoville 7:30 am- 4 pm. Click here for complete enrollment information including the documents needed for enrollment.
9 THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2019 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM
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LEGAL LISTINGS
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWELFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF ILLINOIS WILL COUNTY, JOLIET, ILLINOIS SPECIALIZED LOAN SERVICING, LLC, PLAINTIFF, VS. FRANCES DEHMER A/K/A FRANCES H HAWK; JEFFREY O HAWK; ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, DEFENDANTS. 19 CH 180 124 NORTH PINECREST ROAD BOLINGBROOK, IL 60440 PRESIDING JUDGE NOTICE BY PUBLICATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO YOU, Frances Dehmer a/k/a Frances H Hawk Unknown Owners and Non-Record Claimants defendants, that this case has been commenced in this Court against you and other defendants, asking for the foreclosure of a certain Mortgage conveying the premises described as follows, to wit: LOT 7 IN BLOCK 31 IN BOLINGBROOK SUBDIVISION UNIT NO. 6, BEING A SUBDIVISION IN SECTIONS 11 AND 12, IN TOWNSHIP 37 NORTH, RANGE 10, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED NOVEMBER 5, 1962 AS DOCUMENT NUMBER 970256 IN WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Commonly known as: 124 North Pinecrest Road Bolingbrook, IL 60440 and which said Mortgage was made by, Frances Dehmer a/k/a Frances H Hawk Mortgagor(s), to JPMorgan Chase Bank. N.A. Mortgagee, and recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Will County, Illinois, as Document No. R2010112799; and for other relief. YOU MAY STILL BE ABLE TO SAVE YOUR HOME. DO NOT IGNORE THIS DOCUMENT. By order of the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of the Twelfth Circuit Court, this case is set for Mandatory Mediation on May 28th, 2019 at, 1:00 p.m. at the Will County Court, Annex 3rd Floor (Arbitration Center) 57 N. Ottawa Street, Joliet, Illinois. A lender representative will be present along with a court appointed mediator to discuss options that you may have and to pre-screen you for a potential mortgage modification. For further information on the mediation process, please see the attached NOTICE OF MANDATORY MEDIATION. YOU MUST APPEAR ON THE MEDIATION DATE GIVEN OR YOUR MEDIATION WILL BE TERMINATED. UNLESS YOU file your answer or otherwise file your appearance in this case, on or before May 13, 2019, A JUDGMENT OR DECREE BY DEFAULT MAY BE TAKEN AGAINST
YOU FOR THE RELIEF ASKED IN THE COMPLAINT. E-filing is now mandatory for documents in civil cases with limited exemptions. To e-file, you must first create an account with an e-filing service provider. Visit http://efile.illinoiscourts.gov/serviceproviders.htm to learn more and to select a service provider. If you need additional help or have trouble e-filing, visit www.illinoiscourts.gov/FAQ/gethelp.asp, or talk to your local circuit clerk’s office. PURSUANT TO THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT, THE PLAINTIFF’S ATTORNEY IS DEEMED TO BE A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC Attorney for Plaintiff 1 N. Dearborn St. Suite 1200 Chicago, IL 60602 Ph. (312) 346-9088 File No.269029-184452 I3117139 Published 4/11, 4/18, 4/25
S TAY I N F O R M E D W I T H L E G A L L I S T I N G S THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2019 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM
COUNTY
NEWS
FROM THE SURROUNDING COUNTY AREA
THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2019 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM
11
COMMUNITY
Belmont Little League helped by community After robbers left it scrambling just weeks before the start of the season, the Joliet league is ready for baseball, thanks to donors BY MARK GREGORY Editorial Director @Hear_The_Beard mark@buglenewspapers.com
On March 22, just weeks before the start of the 2019 season, Belmont Little League suffered a big blow when much of its equipment was stolen from a shed on the property. Rolls of fencing, fence posts, draggers, stainless steel stuff from the concession stand that was stored in the shed and even some equipment for the teams was all gone. “We went a couple of days trying to come up with a game plan,” said vice president of Belmont Dan Vestal. “We dug into our own pockets and realized that wasn’t going to put a dent in it – the police estimated it at like $3,000 of stuff gone.”
“This is a chance to talk about something good that came from something bad....” - VICE PRESIDENT OF BELMONT DAN VESTAL
Vestal then turned to the local media and WJOL host Scott Slocum. “I had met Scott Slocum like four or five years ago at an event and his name popped back into my head and I reached out to him and explained the situation and told him that we didn’t know what way to turn and asked him for direction,” Vestal said. “He put us on the radio and it has taken off. “It has been a humbling expe-
rience. I never expected the outpouring of support from the city. So many times you hear about the bad things, not the good things. It has been a wonderful response. We have had cash donations, we are getting equipment from all over to make sure the kids have it for the start of the season. There is never a good time for this to happen, but for it to happen right before the start of the season, it just compounds the matter.”
Belmont Little League has been around since 1951 and is all about helping the community. The league is less worried about team records and is more concerned about teaching the game the right way. Vestal said board members have even assisted with league fees if a family falls on hard times. It is that sense of community and family that has helped good things come out of a bad situation, teaching the Belmont players life
lessons. “It has renewed my faith in people. It has been an emotional roller coaster – we have older people, kids, everyone coming to help. We had a sports store donate boxes of equipment. We have had families donating some of their stuff. It puts it all in perspective,” he said. “I coach a 13-year-old team and two of the kids said, we understand what happened, but they didn’t understand why people who don’t know them are stepping up and helping. We told them it’s a chance to pay it forward. We told them that someday there will be a moment that defines them and if they remember this, it will only make them a better person. This is a chance to talk about something good that came from something bad. “Our official opening day is April 20 at 10 a.m. and we are inviting everyone that has helped us so that as a group we can say thank you.”
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