PREP EXTRA
For full game coverage, see Prep Extra in today’s Sports section or visit McHenryCountySports.com.
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Alden-Hebron.........0 R. Christian Life....56
Harvard ................17 Burlington Cent...13
McHenry ..............14 Jacobs ................. 42
Marmion ............. 28 Marian Cent.........10
Grayslake N. ........21 Johnsburg ............13
Prairie Ridge........14 CL South................ 9
Marengo ............. 23 Rich.-Burton ....... 48
Grayslake Cent....16 Hampshire .......... 35
CL Central ........... 34 Huntley ............... 27
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2013
A place to make friends Senior centers offer camaraderie in the golden years
Woodstock N...... 22 Woodstock ..........21 Dundee-Crown ..... 0 Cary-Grove.......... 34
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FBI crime statistics released Police: Data can be misleading By CHELSEA McDOUGALL cmcdougall@shawmedia.com
Photos by Lathan Goumas – lgoumas@shawmedia.com
Jerry Toussaint, 72, of McHenry prepares to throw a bocce ball Tuesday as he plays with other seniors at the McHenry Township Senior Center in Johnsburg. “It’s nice for us old people,” Toussaint said of the center. By JOSEPH BUSTOS jbustos@shawmedia.com
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utside the McHenry Township Senior Center, 72-yearold Jerry Toussaint lines up his shot on the bocce ball court. He’s hoping the 3-to-5-pound red ball he’s tossing will end up closer to a small yellow ball than his opponents’ green bocce balls. The players, who have been playing at the senior center for seven years, are yelling “curve, curve” during Toussaint’s shot. “It almost looks like we know what we’re doing,” said Toussaint, of McHenry. The game is just one of the ways senior centers help form friendships and camaraderie among senior citizens. Because they became friends while doing activities together, the seniors have people they can rely on to help run errands or pick them up from doctor’s appointments, Toussaint said. “It’s nice for us old people,” Toussaint said. At the McHenry Township Senior Center, there is a computer lab for seniors to learn about technology, such as how to use a tablet, how to attach a photo to an email, or how to use the Windows operating system. Seniors come in and are playing Mahjong, dominoes or cards. “There’s always something going on,” said Julie McFarlin, activities director at the senior center. “It doesn’t have to be the playing of anything.” Some seniors even get over their
Joanne Erbin (left), 62, Margaret Siegel (center), 84, and Bill Fenwick (right), 85, play dominoes at the McHenry Township Senior Center with other seniors in Johnsburg. The senior center offers a computer lab, art classes and many games.
“We hear every single day that they are so thankful they found the senior center. It opened something new for them, in this phase of life, things they feel are rewarding.” Jayne Anderson
As the FBI released its national crime statistics this week, local police officials say the figures, while useful, may not paint the most accurate picture of what’s happening in their towns. Through its Uniform Crime Reporting program, the bureau collects information on crimes – both violent crimes and property crimes – reported by law enforcement agencies. Violent offenses tracked are murder, motor vehicle theft, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault. Property crimes include burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft and arson. Each year, the FBI compiles an exhaustive report searchable by region, state, county and town. A total of 18,290 city, county, state, university and college, tribal and federal agencies participated in the Uniform Crime Reporting program in 2012, the bureau says. The most current data is for crimes that occurred in 2012. As McHenry County’s most populous municipality, Crystal
House also targets Obamacare funding By DAVID ESPO The Associated Press
LOCALLY SPEAKING
independent. Activity directors even organize blood pressure checks and flu shot clinics. “That’s a good reason to come, but what I see, and what I hear, is this buzz of camaraderie, and I think that is really special about this place,” McFarlin said. “They’ll be here all day, they’ll drink coffee,
See SENIORS, page A7
WASHINGTON – Charting a collision course with the White House, the Republican-controlled House approved legislation Friday to wipe out the 3-year-old health care law that President Barack Obama has vowed to preserve – and simultaneously prevent a partial government shutdown that neither party claims to want. “The American people don’t
CRYSTAL LAKE
SKILLS FOR SPECIAL-NEEDS STUDENTS Special-needs students who have graduated from Community High School District 155 now will have the opportunity to learn independent living and job skills at Prairie Ridge High School in a new program called Students Training for Recreation, Independence, Vocation and Education. The program has nearly 60 students. For more, see page B1.
Jim Dallke – jdallke@shawmedia.com
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CRYSTAL LAKE: Apple fans lined up early Friday outside Best Buy to get new iPhone models. Business, E1
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Have you ever reported a crime to police? Vote at NWHerald.com.
On the Net To see the FBI’s latest nationwide crime data, and search by town, visit www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/ crime-in-the-u.s/2012/crime-in-theu.s.-2012.
Lake also had the highest crime rate, followed by Woodstock and McHenry. Still, at a rate of 15.2 crimes per every 10,000 residents, the crime rate in Crystal Lake is low when compared with larger major metropolitan areas. Most of Crystal Lake’s crimes are property related, Police Cmdr. Dan Dziewior said, and the FBI statistics reflect that. In 2011, Crystal Lake logged 651 property crime offenses, and 804 in 2012. Violent crimes remained relatively flat from the previous year at just over 60 offenses reported.
See CRIME DATA, page A7
GOP aims to keep government open
Senior coordinator at the Cary Senior Center
shyness by coming to the senior center. During the day, there is beanbag toss in one of the rooms. Then the room will switch over for the bridge club. Art classes also take place to help seniors paint or make jewelry or greeting cards. Speakers will come to talk about different topics, such as staying safe in a house and how to remain
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want the government shut down, and they don’t want ‘Obamacare,’ ” Speaker John Boehner said as members of his rank and file cheered at a celebratory rally in the Capitol after John the 230-189 vote. Boehner He stood at a lectern bearing a slogan that read, “#Senate must act.” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said it will – but not the way Boehner and his tea party-heavy contingent want.
See HOUSE, page A7