75 cents
Breaking news at Daily-Chronicle.com
Serving DeKalb County since 1879
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
AUTUMN TREATS • FOOD, C1
PREP VOLLEYBALL • SPORTS, B1
Tasty apple pie as easy as it is delicious
DeKalb rebounds in time to knock off Sycamore
Heather Bemis
Moeller next D-428 superintendent Contract approved by unanimous vote By CHRIS BURROWS cburrows@shawmedia.com DeKALB – Former DeKalb High School Principal Doug Moeller will be DeKalb School District 428’s next superintendent after a vote by the school board. At its regular meeting Tuesday, the board voted unanimously to approve a four-year contract that has Moeller re-
placing retiring Superintendent Jim Briscoe, whose contract expires at the end of June. “First and foremost, he’s a very qualified candidate,” board President Tom Matya said after the meeting. “Secondly, he’s been a principal in our district. He’s been a leader in our curriculum here in our administration, and he gets the sense of community.” Moeller was the only can-
didate interviewed for the position and he’ll be paid a base salary of about $190,000 a year to start, Matya said. Moeller spent the past Doug two years Moeller serving as the district’s assistant superintendent for curriculum and
student services. Before that position and his three years as DeKalb High School principal, Moeller worked as a teacher, dean and assistant principal in Elgin School District 46. He earned a doctorate in education administration from the University of Illinois in 2010. Before his educational career, Moeller spent a decade in the finance industry as a corporate actuary. “I’m incredibly excited, thoroughly honored and yet humbled,” Moeller said. “For
seven people to say they’re putting their confidence in you to carry out the duties of the superintendent is phenomenal.” Matya said Moeller’s swift hiring will allow plenty of time to find his successor. “It’s a very competitive spot,” Matya said. “We’ll be posting that position so that we make sure whether externally or internally, we can attract the best possible candidate for that position.” Moeller said his work under Briscoe has prepared him
LOCAL FARMS RIPE FOR THE PICKING
‘Simple, wholesome and fun’
to step into the new role seamlessly and that already plans are coming together. Briscoe spent six years as the district’s superintendent and leaves behind a base salary of about $211,000, Matya said. “I anticipate a very smooth transition,” Moeller said. “Jim and I have already talked about later in the year how some things will start transitioning from him over to me. ... It’s about maintaining continuity for the district going forward.”
Navy yard gunman had history of mental illness The ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photos by Monica Maschak – mmaschak@shawmedia.com
Luke Cunningham, 13, of La Grange, bites into a freshly picked early Fuji apple Saturday at Jonamac Orchard. The orchard offers barnyard activities and apple picking through October. BELOW: Laura Vesely, 7, of Woodridge, pulls back on an apple launcher before letting go Saturday at Jonamac Orchard.
Farms combine entertainment, activities and fresh produce By FELIX SARVER fsarver@shawmedia.com When it comes to entertaining customers during the fall, Honey Hill Orchard co-owner Steve Bock tries to keep things simple. Bock, who owns the orchard at 11747 Waterman Road in Waterman with his wife, Kathy, has operated the almost 50-year-old orchard for more than 20 years. He says he sees an advantage in providing simple fun for people of all ages at his orchard. “My adage is if you want the big thrills, go to [Six Flags Great America],” he said. “But out here, we try to keep it simple, wholesome and fun, and more
economical for people.” As new crops are harvested for the fall season, such as pumpkins, squash and gourds, many farm businesses in DeKalb County are treating customers not only to the fall pickings but also to entertainment as well. Apple picking, pumpkin picking, petting zoos, hayrides and corn mazes are just some of the simple outdoor fun farm businesses have in store. Some of the activities provided by these orchards can cost less than $10 with no admission or parking fees. Malta-based Jonamac Orchard, 19412 Shabbona
See PRODUCE, page A4
Know more
Voice your opinion
To know more about the fall season activities for orchards and farms, visit the following websites: n Jonamac Orchard: jonamacorchard.com n Honey Hill Orchard: www.honeyhillorchard.com n Wiltse’s Farm: www.wiltsefarm.com n Kuipers Family Farm: kuipersfamilyfarm.com
What is your favorite fall activity? Vote online at Daily-Chronicle.com.
Inside Welcome fall with an easy, delicious apple pie that’s ready in an hour. PAGE C1
WASHINGTON – A month before he went on the rampage that left 13 dead, Washington Navy Yard gunman Aaron Alexis complained to police in Rhode Island that people were talking to him through the walls and ceilings of his hotel rooms and sending microwave vibrations into his body to deprive him of sleep. The account, contained in an Aug. 7 report from Newport, R.I., police, adds to the picture that has emerged of an agitated and erratic figure whose behavior and mental state had repeatedly come to authorities’ attention but didn’t seem to affect his security clearance. Alexis, a 34-year-old information technology employee at a defense-related computer company, used a valid pass Monday to get into the Navy Yard and killed 12 people before he was slain by police in a shootout that lasted more than a half-hour. A day after the assault, the motive was still a mystery. U.S. law enforcement officials told The Associated Press that investigators had found no manifesto or other writings suggesting a political or religious motivation. Alexis, a former Navy reservist, had been undergoing mental health treatment from Veterans Affairs since August but was not stripped of his security clearance, according to the law enforcement officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the criminal investigation was still going on. He had been suffering a host of serious mental problems, including paranoia and a sleep disorder, and had been hearing voices in his head, the officials said. The assault is raising more questions about the adequacy of the background checks done on contract employees who hold security clearances – an issue that came up recently with National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus ordered two security reviews Tuesday of how well the Navy
Suspect
Aaron Alexis The FBI has identified Alexis, 34, as the gunman in the Monday shooting at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington that left 13 dead, including himself.
Reaction
Ray Mabus, secretary of the Navy, ordered two security reviews Tuesday of how well the Navy protects its bases and how accurately it screens its workers.
See SHOOTING, page A4
Inside today’s Daily Chronicle Lottery Local news Obituaries
A2 A2-4 A4
National and world news Opinions Sports
Weather A2, A4 A5 B1-4
Advice Comics Classified
C4 C5 D1-4
High:
77
Low:
64