BCR-04-28-2016

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Thursday, April 28, 2016

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How far does the dough go?

Study ranks counties by where Social Security goes the furthest

By Dave Cook dcook@bcrnews.com

PRINCETON — It’s not easy to make ends meet, especially if you’re one of the many relying solely on Social Security payments. Rather than enjoying retirement years in comfort, people can easily find themselves in an ongoing financial struggle. To find where Social Security goes the furthest, New York financial firm SmartAsset has conduct-

ed its second annual study and released the rankings of the nation’s counties.

SmartAsset’s Steve Sabato said, “First we looked at the average Social Security income for each county. Then we calculated the taxes based on the state specific tax rules. We subtracted the taxes from that average Social Security income to determine the net income.

“Next, we calculat-

ed how far that would go in every county to cover basic necessities.

We subtracted the county-level cost of typical living expenses from each county’s net Social Security income. Finally, we indexed the results to 100, with 100 showing where Social Security would cover the most needs.

Higher scores reflect a better environment for living primarily or exclusively of benefits.”

Bureau County was

ranked eighth in the state, up from 12th last year.

The county ranked 234th nationally and was given an index rating of 83.16.

Putnam County by comparison was ranked first in the state with an index rating of 87.82. Annual cost of living expenses for a Social Security recipient in Bureau County was determined to be $16,849 and the typical, untaxed Social Security benefit amount was $18,027.

The Bureau County

Republican recently visited the Bureau County Senior Center to discuss these findings and to talk about the realities of surviving off of Social Security income.

Nancy Carper of the Bureau County Senior Center said, “It’s very difficult without another form of income. So many people depend on us here and our services, it’s why we need a state budget.”

Shirley Holloway, resident of the Clark House

and regular visitor to the senior center, shared her thoughts on the study and whether her income from Social Security is enough.

“It is for me, but it may not be for others. I’m not destitute, but I do have to watch how I spend.

It’s a chore, especially if you’re by yourself, but it can be done. The biggest change for me was when I gave up my car, it was an expensive cost. You can

Social Page 4A

A turbine in the Crescent Ridge wind farm stands as Beau Jensen plants corn in a field outside Tiskilwa on Tuesday, April 26. Farmers were out in force on Tuesday, hoping to beat the wet weather forecast for later this week.

BCR photo/Daniel Acker

Planting progress ...

No trees for free

Spring Valley aldermen trying to keep community fair and safe

By Eric Engel eengel@bcrnews.com

SPRING VALLEY — The Spring Valley City Council engaged in a plethora of pertinent subjects affecting the city during its board meeting on Monday, April 25.

In the absence of Mayor Walt Marini, Spring Valley Alderman Chuck Hansen served as mayor pro temp Monday, and Spring Valley Superintendent of Public Year 170 No. 51 Two Sections - 36 Pages

Works Jeff Norton said he’s having problems with people cutting down trees and expecting the city to chip the branches for free.

“I don’t mind branches from storms, but the city equipment is not in the greatest shape, and we have enough of our own trees to cut down,” Norton said, with the aldermen encouraging Norton to deny the

Trees Page 3A

Policing the policies

PES looks at language in their annual policy reviews

By Eric Engel eengel@bcrnews.com

PRINCETON — The Princeton Elementary School (PES) Board met Monday, April 25, to discuss financial matters and look into the language of policy changes.

The board meeting began with interactions from different faculty members of the district concerning the music program — as

well as media centers in the district schools — which will be expanded upon in upcoming editions of the Bureau County Republican.

Superintendent Tim Smith said there are exciting things coming into the district in terms of the arts and technology, and teachers are grabbing hold of it all with both hands.

Policies Page 4A

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2A • Thursday, April 28, 2016

Bureau County Republican • bcrnews.com

Good news ... not so good news Endress gives BV Board a special report on finances

By Terri Simon tsimon@bcrnews.com

MANLIUS — Bureau Valley Superintendent Stephen Endress addressed the district’s finances at its April board meeting, held Tuesday, April 26, at the district office in Manlius.

Endress began his presentation by looking at the current fiscal year (2016), which ends June 30. Already three-quarters through the fiscal period, Endress said the district has received 86 percent of expected revenue and used 70 percent of the budget for expenses, adding the district spends about $1 million per month.

Regarding expenses, Endress said staff members are constantly being asked to “stretch their dollar,” and he believes their efforts reflect in the expense budget. He said a few line items are over budget at this stage in the fiscal year, but none were unexpected, including technology, special education tuition, operation and maintenance, and the bond/interest fund.

Endress spoke about the state’s payments to the district, saying Illinois’ time line for payment ranges between five and 60 days.

Attempting to forecast Fiscal Year 2017, which begins July 1, 2016, Endress said the district receives the majority of its dollars from district property owners — $8.5 million or roughly 66 percent. The remaining dollars are state/federal money.

Endress said the equalized

assessed valuation in the district has increased about 3 percent, which equates to a lower tax rate that decreased from $6.03 to $5.92.

Endress said the “best case scenario” for the upcoming fiscal year would be for the state to hold harmless the district at the $205,000 which it’s currently being shorted by the state. He also stated other financial obstacles like the increase in the cost of living, special education spending and no state budget, adding the district will “be faced with very challenging decisions” if no state budget is passed.

“I’ve been a superintendent for seven years, and I’ve never known a time when the state has not cut funding. We continue to ask more and more of our taxpayers. ... We appreciate our local taxpayers. On the state side, it doesn’t look quite so rosy,” Endress said, adding general state aid dropped by $205,000 from FY ‘15 to FY ‘16.

Endress also addressed the recent overpayment in Personal Property Replacement Tax Funds, which resulted in an overpayment to Bureau Valley of $55,000. He said he was only notified of the situation last week, and to date, has no knowledge how the state is wanting the money to be repaid.

Board member Don DeWaele had a suggestion for repaying that overpayment.

“They can deduct it from what they owe us,” DeWaele said, adding he’d be happy to write that letter to the state.

Comment on this story at www.bcrnews.com.

BCR photo/Terri Simon

Bureau Valley District staff members and Bureau Valley Foundation members pose for a photo during the Bureau Valley Board meeting, held Tuesday, April 26. Twenty-four teachers were presented with grants to enhance their classrooms/curriculum by the Bureau Valley Foundation. The 24 grants totaled $27,500 and will be used for items/ programs that are not in the district’s budget.

Bureau Valley Foundation delivers Board hears presentation from students on policy change

By Terri Simon

major fundraiser for the foundation is the annual drawdown, where tickets sell out quickly.

The grants represent a variety of projects/curriculum enhancements for Bureau Valley teachers and their students.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting, three Bureau Valley High School juniors — Nick Glubczynski, Olivia Kerber and Rebecca Butler — gave a PowerPoint presentation to the board about the dangers of e-cigarettes. The students, who are a part of a larger group called Bureau Putnam Power (BP Power), are asking the board to implement a policy change in the student handbook that prohibits the use of e-cigarettes by students and adults on all Bureau Valley campuses.

The students had researched the subject and spoke about the dangers of these products and how they can

tsimon@bcrnews.com

MANLIUS — Representatives of the Bureau Valley Foundation attended the April school board meeting, Tuesday, April 26, to deliver the annual grants it bestows upon Bureau Valley staff members.

The BV Foundation was created in 1996, and it allows teachers/staff members to write grants and apply for money for particular programs/ items that aren’t in the district’s budget. On Tuesday, Jason VanLanduit and Laura Reutter, president and vice president of the foundation respectively, passed out certificates to teachers whose grant applications had been granted.

This year, 24 grants were given, totaling $27,000. To date, the foundation has awarded $237,808 in grants since its inception in 1996. The

compromise the health of students/adults alike.

They also presented findings from a survey they had conducted with Bureau Valley staff members, where 82 percent of those surveyed said they believed a policy change prohibiting e-cigarettes would benefit the district.

The board will take the students’ request to the next policy meeting for possible action.

In other business, the board: • Heard from Tom Mott, transportation director, who made the suggestion the district purchase an eight-passenger van, a 53-passenger bus and a 71-passenger bus. He said the district could trade in two, 35-passenger buses. He also gave comparisons between this year and last year; this year the district traveled 529,000 miles compared to 441,000 last year. He said the cost of those travels equates to

$2.12 a mile this year versus $2.02 a mile last year.

Mott said the transportation fund will end the year in the black, even if the state, which is about 120 days behind in payments, doesn’t contribute any more dollars this fiscal year.

• Learned the elementary and high school handbooks are being blended into one document. There will be a second reading of the student handbook in May. • Approved the purchase of 270 Chromebooks for all junior high students — sixth through eighth grade — not to exceed $60,000. The district is hoping to get Title 1 grants to help pay for the purchase. The infrastructure to support the Chromebooks is in place.

• Approved the letting of bids for milk and bread, document copiers and school buses.

Comment on this story at www.bcrnews.com.

Gateway Services awarded $11,000 grant for pollinator garden PRINCETON — The Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation has awarded Gateway Services Inc. a grant which will be used to install a pollinator habitat at the main Gateway Services location at 406 S. Gosse Blvd. in Princeton.

Gateway Services was one of nine grants awarded to six, non-profits and three school systems across the state of Illinois. This grant will cover 90 percent of the costs and approximately 1,000 square feet of pollinator habitat in the front lawn.

The garden will be visible from Routes

6/34 exposing thousands of people every day to the beauty and educational value of this project.

“This project will create opportunities to educate students and the general public in the need to provide food and shelter for butterflies and bees that are so vital to our agricultural heritage,” said Jeff Dean, president/CEO of Gateway Services.

By working with elementary and secondary schools throughout Princeton and Bureau County, Gateway Services will teach programs about the importance

of native pollinators, during the 2016-17 school year. In early September, a community planting day will be held.

Gateway Services Inc., located in Princeton, is a non-profit organization which provides services to individuals with disabilities in Bureau, Marshall, and Putnam counties. The organization has 10 different programs providing an estimated 400,000 hours of service every year.

For more information, visit www.gateway-services.org.

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Through its Natural Areas Land Acquisition Program, the Foundation has helped to protect over 26,000 acres of wildlife habitat across Illinois. The K-12 Pollinator Schools program is a new pilot being tested by the foundation this year. For more information, visit www.illinoiscleanenergy.org.

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Thursday, April 28, 2016 • 3A

Bureau County Republican • bcrnews.com

Meeting Minutes ing did not take on the north side of Ladd Village Board the slag pile and it has eroded.

BCR photo/Dave Cook

Talking politics Loretta Volker (left) joined the roundtable discussion with Congressman Adam Kinzinger at Princeton’s City Hall on April 25. Kinzinger discussed the problems of divisive politics highlighted in the current presidential campaigns, the importance of finding common political ground in order to progress and the need to trim the bloated bureaucracy in government entities such as the Veterans’ Administration.

Trees From Page 1A

yes!

requests and suggest residents hire professional tree chipper companies to assist them with their trees.

Norton continued by discussing a sand issue in Well No. 10. He said the well was built close to 50 years ago, and the original well didn’t produce enough water, so dynamite was used to open the cavity. Ever since it’s produced sand problems.

“We’ll take care of the issue and get it to work well for a bit, but then the problem returns,” Norton said, adding the pumped water goes through a sand separator that backwashes once it gets full, but if it backwashes too often in a short period, the whole operation shuts down and fails to serve its purpose.

Norton said many entities with knowledge of the well functions have provided analysis, and the city is working diligently to solve the issue.

Police Chief Kevin Sangston looked into the situation concerning LED signs in town being too bright, and he is waiting to hear back from a few companies. Alderman Fred West talked to Peru about borrowing its equipment in order to manipulate the brightness of the signs.

There was an issue with who would pay for false alarms at businesses in the city, with Spring Valley City Attorney Jim Andreoni stating there have been multiple attempts to acquire the debts from these businesses, but it would not be financially viable to take them to small claims court.

The aldermen will consult with Marini on

how to move forward.

The aldermen also shared rather intense discourse about how to handle a sinkhole on private property on Fourth Street. The location is a rental property, and although Andreoni sent a letter to the property owner, he is concerned of liability if the city takes the situation over and someone gets hurt.

“It needs to be barricaded, but if we take control of the situation and our work is less than adequate and someone gets hurt, we open ourselves to liability,” Andreoni said.

Chris Insco, assistant superintendent of public works, said he went and found the sinkhole and noted the property owner had put a log over it, yet there was still enough room for an individual to fall down into what is assumed to be an old well. Being a community safety issue, Andreoni advised Sangston to cite the property owner for not capping the sinkhole properly, and Andreoni said they would pursue aggressive action if necessary to keep children and others safe.

The aldermen decided anyone looking to build a new fence on their property — even in the same footprint as an old fence — should be required to get a building permit as to avoid controversy from one situation to the next.

A sewer and water meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 3, with a finance meeting to follow. The Little League parade at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 21 will mimic much of the same route as the routine homecoming parade, except it will start downtown rather than at Hall High School.

Comment on this story at www.bcrnews. com.

LADD — The Ladd Village Board conducted the following business at its Tuesday, March 22, regular board meeting: • Approved paperwork for the 2016 Motor Fuel Tax program.

• Approved up to $40,000 for Hoerr Construction to line sewer in the Ladd Construction Annex.

• Rejected all bids on the electric upgrade program. The scope of the project may change and it will be re-bid.

• Informed the village engineer of the condition of the community center following the recent restroom renovation project. He suggested the bill from the cleaning service be submitted to the contractor.

• Approved a special event liquor license for the Ladd Men’s Club for July 8-10.

• Discussed whether the village should proceed with taking possession of the slag pile and the expenses that will come with it. The village superintendent informed the board the seed-

PCA will present ‘Little Women’ on Friday and Saturday PRINCETON — Princeton Christian Academy will present “Little Women,” a play based on the much loved novel

by Louisa May Alcott, at 7 p.m. Friday, April 29, and Saturday, April 30, in the auditorium of the Princeton Bible Church.

Characters like Old Aunt March and the gossiping Mrs. Gardener make this cherished classic, adapted by Scott Davidson, a smash. The public

is invited to attend these performances, and the admission is free.

The Princeton Bible Church is located two and one-half miles northeast of Princeton on Route 34.

Princeton Christian Academy is housed in the same building as the church, offering education for students in preschool through eighth grade. Registration is now open for fall enrollments.

Park shelter reservations in Spring Valley will be accepted starting Monday SPRING VALLEY — Spring Valley City Clerk Becky Hansen has announced park shelter reservations for Kirby Park will begin at 8:30 a.m. Monday, May 2, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Phone-in reservations will be accepted after 9 a.m.

For more information, call the city clerk’s office at 815-664-4221.

Dog tag fees due in Spring Valley SPRING VALLEY — Spring Valley City Clerk Becky Hansen reminds all residents that city dog tags are due in the amount of $5 and payable by Sunday, May 1, to avoid penalty as provided by city ordinance. This is in addition to the rabies tag provided by Bureau County. Failure to purchase a dog tag by May 1 will result in a $10 penalty.

Questions regarding this information may be directed to the city clerk’s office by calling 815-664-4221.

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• Approved a request of $450 for mulch from Ladd Youth Baseball. The village will also provide porta-potties during the baseball season.

• Heard approximately 20 fence posts along the right field line of the large baseball diamond in Kennedy Park have come out of the ground due to the frost. A fence company has been contacted for an estimate.

• Heard Ladd’s 75th Anniversary Committee has donated its remaining funds to honor Ladd’s baseball teams.

Plaques have been added to the building at the Little League diamond for the Ladd Merchant’s Baseball Team, the Ladd District Championship team coached by Bob Mack, and the Spring Valley/Ladd team that advanced to the state tournament.

• Approved a request from the DePue Men’s Club to solicit Ladd businesses for its boat racing program.

• Authorized the payment of bills in the amount of $134,932.96.

• Accepted the treasurer’s report for February 2016.

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Policies From Page 1A Concerning district economics, Smith said PES has collected 86.79 percent of the revenue due to them, as opposed to 78.4 percent at the same time last year. In terms of the expense side of the budget, PES is running a little better off than the previous year, with the education fund equal to where it was last year. “The building fund is looking very favorable, and I’m hopeful it will be in the black for the first time since I’ve been superintendent because of changes we’ve made, so that’s a big deal,� Smith said.

The district has close to $4,750,000 in its district bank account, earning an average yield of .52 percent, and the state currently owes PES $224,797 total in the education and transportation fund.

Board members Terry O’Neil and Mark Frank joined Smith in reviewing recommended policy changes.

Many only change finite details in language, but there was a particular policy item about social studies that stated the following: “In all schools, United States history must be taught, including: A. The principles of representative government; B. The Constitution of the United States and Illinois; C. The role of the U.S. in world affairs; D. The role of labor unions; E. The role of the contributions of ethnic groups, including but not limited to African Americans, Albanians, Asian Americans, Bohemians, Czechs, French, Germans, Hispanics, including the events related to the forced removal and illegal deportation of Mexican American U.S. citizens during the Great Depression, Hungarians, Irish, Italians, Lithuanians, Polish, Russians, Scots, and Slovakians in the history of this country and state.�

O’Neil said they work with the policies that come to the board for adoption, but the previous policy caused

Social From Page 1A stretch your money if you use the services available at the senior center. Some services are lacking though; people on disability don’t get much, so they have to be even more careful with their spending,� Holloway said.

Carper said the daily meal program is their most attended, and even with recent cuts, the center will continue to provide

Bureau County Republican • bcrnews.com concerns. “This to us is a bit over-inclusive,â€?

O’Neil said, stating they understand the importance of including the details of social studies lessons. “However, we are a little concerned this doesn’t leave much elbow room for our own teachers because if they have to do all this, it doesn’t allow much opportunity for our faculty to teach what they feel locally needs to be covered. That was our consensus.�

O’Neil said they created a sentence to follow the policy statement about social studies lesson plan: “The aforesaid requirement shall not bar district faculty from instructing unit or units of special interest.�

Smith said they felt the inclusion was important because otherwise it paints PES teachers into a corner. “We will be in compliance, but we can be in compliance and still allow what we need to for our students,�

Smith said, with O’Neil adding good, capable teachers are hired at PES, and they should be allowed to insert what they feel their student population needs as well as the state mandates.

The board is expected to consider that policy at its next meeting.

Smith said horrible language was used in a policy which would require a student to cooperate in an investigation by handing over their cell phones or devices if said student’s online activity violates school or disciplinary policy. “Our training is you call the police,�

Smith said, noting they will not grab a student’s phone or iPad but rather allow law enforcement to better handle the situation.

He also noted the state is considering an increase in the fiscal school year from 176 to 181 days, which would require the district to pay teachers and staff more when state aid is historically low. “So they are sending less and requiring more, and we just don’t have the resources to accomplish this.�

Comment on this story at www. bcrnews.com.

meals and help with meeting food costs. “Some days we only have soup and sandwiches, but it’s still a good, enjoyable meal, and everyone is thankful to have it.

We’ll never turn anyone away,�

Carper said.

While the county ranked well in this cost-of-living study, the benefits of the Bureau County Senior Center and its outreach program extend well beyond the financial.

The emotions were clear when Clark House resident and fre-

By Eric Engel eengel@bcrnews.com

PRINCETON — The Princeton Elementary School board approved the following personnel actions during its meeting Monday, April 25.

Hirings: • Ashley Lambert, special education paraprofessional 2016-17; and Maggie Bouslog, Logan pom coach 2016-17.

Resignations: • Karen Kloepping, special education paraprofessional, effective June 2016.

Terminations: • Erica Falk, special education paraprofessional, effective April 25.

Reductions for Fiscal Year 2017: • Janet Becker, Bright Beginnings parent facilitator; Mary D’Ambrosio, Early Childhood secretary; Lynn Ferrell and Marcia Caldwell, Early Beginnings parent coordinators; Shelley Colton, Tracey Newberry and Holly Wright, Bright Beginnings paraprofessionals.

The board also approved the following B.E.S.T. personnel actions: Hirings: • Christine Mitchell, classroom teacher 20162017.

Reductions for Fiscal Year 2017: • James Duffin, technology support person.

Comment on this story at www.bcrnews.com.

quent senior center visitor Carol Knudson said, “I don’t know what I’d have done without them; they rescued me when I was all alone in a big empty farmhouse and helped bring me here. Just being able to come downstairs and have people to visit with and to know they care and want to help means everything.�

For more information, visit www.smartasset.com/retirement/social-security-calculator?year=2016#Illinois.

Comment on this story at www.bcrnews.com.

ROCKFORD — Now that spring has arrived homeowners throughout Chicago and Northern Illinois are focusing on home and yard improvement projects.

The Better Business Bureau is warning this time of the year is popular with crooks and con artists looking to clean-up by taking advantage of those same homeowners.

In the past year, the BBB has received 234 complaints regarding air conditioning and heating contractors, 231 complaints against roofing contractors, and 139 complaints about work performed by landscape contractors. “We are certain to receive a steady stream of home improvement complaints each year, but the number of consumers who become victims can be reduced if they take care in finding the right business to perform the work they want done,� says Dennis Horton, director of the Rockford Regional Office of the Better Business Bureau. “Always be sure you know who you are dealing with�. “The BBB has Customer Reviews available online that can help guide consumers in their search for trustworthy businesses to help with spring home and garden projects,� stated Horton.

Additionally, he notes, “We also have available to consumers our online Request a Quote program where they can ask to be contacted by Accredited Businesses. This makes the task of finding a reputable contractor easier and safer.�

Tips to follow that can help prevent getting ripped-off this spring: • Hire a professional. Research companies for free at ask.bbb.org or use the BBB’s Online Directory to find BBB Accredited Businesses. Ask for references. • Be wary of door-to-door solicitations. Each year, countless homeowners have companies knock on their door and offer to provide their services at a discount. In too many cases, the work performed is shoddy or only partially completed — and the company fails to return, as promised. • Get everything in writing. A contract should clearly state the services you will receive, as well as when the job is expected to be completed, payment terms and conditions, contact information for the company — phone number and address, as well as any refund or cancellation policy. • Verify insurance coverage.

Confirm the company has insurance that covers worker’s compensation, property damage and personal liability in case of accidents.

Horton cautions, “Remember, you’re the customer; it’s your home. Don’t feel pressured to choose a business just because someone is standing on your doorstep. You also want to avoid paying in cash and should never write a check out to a company employee.�

For more consumer information, visit www.bbb.org/chicago.

BMP meeting is May 31 for special education services TISKILWA — A meeting conducted by Bureau Valley CUSD, Cherry Grade School, Dalzell Grade School, DePue Unit Schools, Hall High School, Henry-Senachwine CUSD, Ladd Grade School, LaMoille CUSD, Malden Grade School, Midland CUSD, Ohio High School, Ohio Grade School, Princeton Elementary Schools, Princeton High School and Spring Valley Elementary will take place at 9 a.m.

Tuesday, May 31, at the BMP Special Education Cooperative Offices, 400 Galena, Tiskilwa.

The purpose of this meeting

will be to discuss the district’s plans for providing special education services to students with disabilities who attend private schools and home schools within the district for the 2016-17 school year. If you are a parent of a home-schooled student who has been or may be identified with a disability and you reside within the boundaries of the above-listed districts, you are urged to attend. If you have further questions pertaining to this meeting, contact Gwen Garver, BMP director of special education, at 815-646-8031.

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The Bureau County Republican is located at 800 Ace Road, Princeton, Illinois 61356.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Phone: 815-875-4461 • FAX: 815-875-1235 The BUREAU COUNTY REPUBLICAN (ISSN 0894-1181) is published tri-weekly (three times a week) by the Bureau County Republican, 800 Ace Road, P.O. Box 340, Princeton, IL 61356-0340.

Periodical postage paid at Princeton, Illinois, 61356. POSTMASTER Send address changes to BUREAU COUNTY REPUBLICAN, PO Box 340, Princeton, IL 61356-0340.

Call 815-866-7783 and wish Kaye continued Success!

Clarifications/Corrections

Accuracy is important to us, and we want to correct mistakes promptly.

If you believe a factual error has been made, call the Bureau County Republican at 815-875-4461.

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5 Obit Records

Thursday, April 28, 2016 • 5A

Bureau County Republican • bcrnews.com

Patrols will be part of making prom and graduation season safe for all LASALLE — Troopers from the Illinois State Police District 17 will be doing their part to make this a safe prom and graduation season for everyone by conducting directed patrols with aggressive enforcement of the fatal four (DUI, speeding, seat belts and distracted driving).

District 17 Commander Jon Dively said, “Our goal is to modify teen driving behaviors which include distractions, carelessness, fatigue and inexperience.

These behaviors, when combined with drugs or alcohol can be lethal.”

According to the Illinois State Police, on prom and graduation nights, six out of 10 high school students feel pressure

Police reports Bureau County Sheriff Arrest

Chad C. Stank, 42, of Ladd was charged with domestic battery in the 300 block of East Cleveland Street in Ladd at 11:09 p.m. April 21.

Illinois State Police Arrests

At 11:57 p.m. on April 24 on eastbound Interstate 80 at Mile Post 70, a trooper observed a vehicle traveling at a low rate of speed, 43 mph in a 70 mph zone, while driving in the left lane, with one headlight, hazard lights activated and swerving all over the roadway. Upon contact, a strong odor of burnt cannabis was emitting from within the vehicle. The driver, Maurice J. Banks, 22, of Dolton admitted to smoking cannabis a few hours prior to driving. A probable cause search of the passenger, Devante Banks, 21, of Dolton yielded 6.9 grams of cannabis in bags ready to distribute. The driver of the vehicle was charged with DUIDrugs and improper lane usage. The passenger of the vehicle was charged with delivery of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both were taken to Bureau County Jail.

Arrests

Obie D. Thornton, 53, of Chicago left the roadway and drove his truck tractor semi-trailer combination into the median on Interstate 80 westbound Mile Marker 78 at 9:08 a.m. April 22. Thornton was found to be under the influence of drugs and was charged with numerous traffic and federal commercial motor vehicle violations.

Nicole Rockey, 28, of Oglesby was charged with driving under the influence on Interstate 39 southbound Mile Marker 54 at 4:09 a.m. April 24.

to drink and or use drugs. More than eight in 10 teens say students who drink or use drugs at prom will likely get behind the wheel and drive. Car crashes kill more teens during the weekends of prom and graduation season than any other time of year.

In addition to the directed patrols, seat belt enforcement zones will also be conducted.

“The goal of these concentrated efforts is voluntary compliance. We ask all of you to please help us ensure memories of this year’s proms and graduations are positive ones. Don’t use alcohol or drugs, buckle up and stay alive, focus on the drive,” Dively said.

Meeting Minutes Sheffield Village Board SHEFFIELD — The Sheffield Village Board met in regular session on April 4 at the Sheffield Community Center.

Minutes of the March 21 meeting were accepted.

Bills of $7,290.34 were paid.

Adam Ossola from Chamlin and Associates reported the water tank will be drained and inspected on May 17 with a boil order to follow for the two days after the inspection. Ossola is also working on the motor fuel resolution.

Dr. Tim Pratt approached the board regarding the expansion of the OSF Medical Clinic and handed out information on the economic benefit of such an expansion.

The board voted to donate $1,000 to the Sheffield Baseball Association.

The board had no objections to the zoning variances at 431 S. Church St. and at 111 S. Church St. It was the consensus of the board that any gravel or white rock added between the roadway and the sidewalk will be the homeowner’s expense with prior approval of the village superintendent. Superintendent Leif Porter felt the village should look into USDA grants and assistance.

The board went into closed session to discuss village property; no action was taken when the regular session resumed.

Obituaries Joan Clausen

Mary Macklin

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Mary Lee (Jones) Macklin, born May 2, 1940, the daughter of the late Harvey and Lillie Jones of Princeton, went home to be with Jesus on Wednesday, April 6, 2016, in Riverside, Calif.

She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Edwin; her son, David (Rebecca) Macklin; five grandchildren, Cassandra (Scott) Alexander, Brandy (Joshua) Dawson, Core (Toni) Macklin, Joshua (Stacey) Macklin and Brent Macklin; 11 great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Corda Macklin (Dwight) Jones of Peoria; a niece, Ann (Rick) Goggil of Farmington; a nephew, William (Pam) Larson of Peoria; and friends.

She was preceded in death by a sister and her son, Stephen Macklin.

She attended school in Princeton, graduating with honors from high school. She then attended Western Illinois University in Macomb where she met Edwin. They were married in April 1959. She graduated with honors from Western Illinois University in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science.

She was a member of the Magnolia Church, where she was involved in teaching the Bible to 3- and 4-year-olds.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, May 6, at the Magnolia Church in Riverside, Calif.

At the courthouse Marriage licenses Jerad L. Goforth of Princeton to Jennifer R. Sutherland of Princeton.

Ryan J. Markham of Princeton to Sydney F. Young of Princeton.

Divorces

Jason P. Kolb of Deer Grove and Tiffany J. Thomas of Princeton; married March 6, 2013; divorced April 15, 2016.

Quinzell F. Affeldt of Putnam and Shannon L. (Sommer) Affeldt of Putnam; married April 7, 2012; divorced April 13, 2016.

Traffic court

Display registration plate/decal — Daniel J. Stroud,

24, of Malden.

Disregard stop sign — Lisa M. Errio, 38, of Seatonville.

Driving under the influence of alcohol — Bryce T. Freeman, 21, of Princeton.

Operate uninsured motor vehicle — Bryce T. Freeman, 21, of Princeton; Larry J. Werdenick, 51, of Ohio, Ill. Seat belt required (driver) — Steven R. Inskeep, 55, of Princeton; Rhonda J. Perino, 58, of Spring Valley.

Speeding (1-10) — Michael J. Yuvon, 20, of Ladd.

Speeding (11-14) — Jason J. Fox, 31, of Princeton.

Speeding (15-20) — Kelly J. Delhotal, 55, of Spring Valley; Raechael M. Sergeant, 30, of Walnut; Taylor A. Zemke, 19, of Walnut.

Speeding (21-25) — Junedale M. Straka, 76, of Princeton.

SHEFFIELD — Donald E. Vyneman, 80, of Sheffield died Sunday, April 24, 2016, at Perry Memorial Hospital in Princeton.

Don was born Donald Dec. 12, 1935, in Vyneman Concord Township, Bureau County, the son of Peter and Marjorie (Morman) Vyneman. He graduated from Mineral High School in 1953. On May 10, 1958, he married Marlene Driessens in Sheffield. She survives.

Don had worked at Kraft Foods and then for many years at F.S. in Sheffield until retiring. In his retirement, he worked as a bailiff in Bureau County for several years.

His memberships include: St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Sheffield, Sheffield Knights of Columbus, Sheffield Lions Club, Hidden Lake Country Club and the Mineral Boulders Club. For many years Don had been active with the Sheffield Homecoming Association. Don enjoyed, golfing, rolle bolle and playing cards.

Survivors include his wife, Marlene; two sons, Gary (Darlynn) Vyneman of Newport Beach, Calif. and Thomas (Stacey) Vyneman of Brentwood, Tenn.; one daughter, Karen Keegan of McKinney, Texas; seven grandchildren, Alexandria and Andrew Vyneman, Tyler, Allison and Kyle Keegan, and Britton and Brynn Vyneman; and a sister, Mary Ann Dwyer of Pinellas Park, Fla. His parents and a brother in infancy preceded him in death.

A funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 28, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sheffield, with Father Mark Miller officiating. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery, Sheffield.

Visitation will be one hour prior to services on Thursday at the church.

Memorials may be made to the Sheffield-Mineral Rescue Unit or to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Sheffield.

Stackhouse-Moore Funeral & Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed by visiting Don’s obituary at www. stackhousemoore.com.

PERSONAL SERVICE

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See us for a FREE consultation about pre-planning and pre-funding your funeral.

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Obituary deadlines

Deadlines for obituaries are 2 p.m. Monday for Tuesday’s paper, 2 p.m.

Wednesday for Thursday’s paper and 2 p.m. Friday for Saturday’s paper.

Donald Vyneman

ARANSAS PASS, Texas — Joan Christine Clausen, 92, of Aransas Pass, Texas, formerly from Princeton and Machesney Park, Ill., died Friday, April 8, 2016.

She was born Nov. 20, 1923, in Granville to C. Algott and Johanna C. (Olson) Johnson.

Together with her husband, John, they raised 10 children. Formerly a nurse, she dedicated her life to raising her family. They Joan were members of the Illinois Unit Avion Clausen Travel Club.

She was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Rockport, Texas, and Grace Lutheran Church of Loves Park, Ill. Survivors include her children, Christine, Jacqueline (Donald) Bauer, Peter (Karleen), Michael (Mona), Steven, Karen (Van) Osuga, James (Lori Erickson) and Jeffrey (Beth); 22 grandchildren; and 35 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John H.; and two sons, Rev. John A. and infant Richard.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 30, at Grace Lutheran Church, 343 Grand Ave., Loves Park, with visitation one hour prior. Private family burial will be at Sunset Memorial Garden.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Grace Lutheran Confirmation Camp Fund.

SERVING YOUR FAMILY IN PRINCETON THE HEART OF AMERICA SM-PR6395391-0428

6 Perspective

6A • Thursday, April 28, 2016

Bureau County Republican • bcrnews.com

Perspective Bureau County

Republican

Serving Bureau County Since 1847

Sam R Fisher

Terri Simon

Publisher

Editor

The only way home The experience of writing a series on heroin was brutal. It tossed me backwards, off my feet and into the dirt. The expectations I had heading in were severely naive, to be generous, and upon completion of my task, I know to expect nothing rationale from Eric this ferocious subEngel stance ever again.

The denial of COMMENTARY heroin’s existence in our communities is as great a disease as use of the substance itself. To have congregation with a reality is by no means a deterrent to personal growth, as you do not have to be a heroin addict to care about releasing others from their addiction.

If I say war is coming, up on over the hill, and they who listen take stand or take flight to heights of safety — and they who don’t rejoin the jungle — what would you choose to do? Would the war not still arrive to surround you, even if you stood flat-footed?

From the initial stages of my research, I heard things I could not believe. I shed tears dozens of times while compiling the details because no stone was left unturned, and some uncovered utterly rotten earth.

I was constantly reminded of those in my life who have died because of the market of regulated opiate transfusions, and I found strangers who included their devastation in our introduction. It was tough to continue listening to some conversations, due simply to the depths of their truth.

Yet I did continue listening because someone needed to. We all need to. Heroin is a blanket of chaos spread across our nation, and to be ignorant to the flames of the fire as they rise around us is to perish where we stand.

I made friends out of those strangers. Every moment of my interaction with heroin during these last eight months, they were vital to my recent growth, as are the words we share. Each participant joined the chorus, and we continued forward with a mighty roar.

I learned a harsh existence results from heavy drug dependency, and someone using heroin won’t stop because we don’t like them. They will only stop if we take the time to realign their qualities within their perspective.

It is highly unlikely heroin will ever be fully defeated, for the economy generated from illegal transactions is as immense as it has ever been, and individuals are driven to turn toward their vices by the influences around them and within them. That will not stop us, though, for we are meant in our finest hour to improve that which defines our greatest faults.

What do they say about the stretching beach of starfish, withered and wilted outside of their source of life?

A man chucks one at a time back into the ocean, and in answering someone who claims his efforts do not matter, he answers simply … it matters to the one that just felt the water on its flesh.

It was one of the greatest privileges of my life working on this series because it taught me more about my ability to right what is wrong than I ever encountered before. It introduced me to an opportunity to place a light in the grasp of those wandering in darkness, and it reaffirmed my belief in a better existence. If 99 people walk in the wrong direction — even if they know they shouldn’t — be the single person who leads the way back toward the base of existence, and you will be amazed by how many follow.

I say thank you to every person who helped me accomplish this achievement, as the list cannot fit into this space, and I want to encourage each person in my proximity to sit down and enjoy the testimony as I did.

Please read “Heroin Hits Home” in today’s newspaper, and then give it to your friend, your child, your neighbor — give it to the stranger walking down the street — because we need each other during our time here, or we will certainly fail to accomplish anything good. If you take the time to read this series, you —the soldier — will be strengthened in your fight to defeat the enemy that robs us of our humanity.

There is no alternative route.

BCR Staff Writer Eric Engel can be reached at eengel@bcrnews.com.

Photo contributed/Bureau County Historical Society

The portrait of a prim Lilian Steichen (bottom left in the Photo contributed/Bureau County Historical Society 1907 Princeton High School yearbook) belies the rebel Bryant’s Woods in an earlier era. spirit and politics of the 25-year-old teacher.

Lilian Steichen on Poets, Princeton and the World — 1908

By Sarah Cooper Special to the BCR

Editor’s note: This is the final installment in a three-part series on Carl Sandburg and his wife, Lilian Steichen Sandburg.

That Lilian Steichen fell in love with Carl Sandburg while she was a teacher at Princeton High School is quite the romantic story, told through the many letters they exchanged during the first five months of 1908. Their “Princeton letters” make clear that Steichen quickly became his muse, convincing a discouraged Sandburg that he had great talent and should keep writing poetry.

America might never have known the poet of “Chicago,” and “Fog,” without Steichen’s influence. “Have you really turned from poetry for good?” she wrote from Princeton on Feb. 15, 1908. “Shaw is our dramatist – why shouldn’t you be our poet?” Since they were both committed Socialists at the time (and he a Socialist Party organizer in Wisconsin), she asked whether it might be possible for him to be both organizer and poet. A few years later, we know which won out.

Steichen was extremely intelligent,

unconventional and – unlike Sandburg – very well educated. Though Steichen could clearly hold her own, she felt out of place in Princeton. Dinner table conversations at her boarding house (323 E. Peru) mostly bored her. But there was a saving grace for her here: The beauty of the landscape. A teacher of literature and expression, she wrote quite poetically about it in her letters to Sandburg.

A favorite jaunt of Steichen’s was walking west out of town. From the description in her March 7, 1908, letter to Sandburg, her route was likely down Park Avenue West: “The other evening I came in to supper after a splendid walk – in an exuberance of joy! It had been raining hard all day till late in the afternoon ...

The air was sweet and fresh after the rain. At sunset the sky had cleared in the west along the horizon – The rest of the sky was still overcast with great heavy clouds – slate blue. I was walking toward the sun-set. The street was bordered with elm trees. Thru this vista of arching elms, I saw the sky aglow!

And the ruts in the road caught the glow – two ribbons of burning gold.

And my heart caught the glow – burn-

ing intense. So there I stood and looked and looked. “Let it be said I have lived!”

Besides long walks, nothing seems to have made Steichen happier than escaping to Bryant’s Woods south of town. She raved about it several times in her letters to Sandburg. Sometimes she took a “flock of children” for the day. They’d pick flowers (like hepaticas which she pressed and sent to Sandburg), play ball, run up and down the ravines and have a picnic (as Princeton children did for many years before the Bryant Woods subdivision was built).

The 25-year old Steichen felt constrained in the town of Princeton, for sure, and was ready to experience “the World” (as she called it) with her soon-to-be husband Carl Sandburg.

But, while here, she clearly found a joy and beauty about which she wrote to Sandburg with great passion in 1908.

Or maybe it’s simply that then, as now, spring feels especially wondrous when you’ve just fallen in love.

All quotes from “The Poet and the Dream Girl: The Love Letters of Lilian Steichen & Carl Sandburg,” Margaret Sandburg, ed. (University of Illinois Press, 1987).

Lilian Streichen on Bryant’s Woods (From a letter to Carl Sandburg, April 11, 1908) “Bryant’s Woods is a winding ravine – a stream meandering thru the bottom – with side ravines and tributary brooks branching off — the banks of the ravines very high and finely wooded with beautiful old trees and young ones scattered between and lots of underbrush — the banks sloping gradually sometimes, but mostly sheer and steep, or terraced. Imagine there winding ravines flooded with sunshine — swept by strong yet sun-warmed winds — fragrant with spring-odors of earth and flowers. Hear now the poignant call of a bird from the shadows of some side-ravine — or now the tinkle of the brook clear and sweet below.— Oh heart — heart — heart!”

TO Letter THE Editor

Politics are dirty?

To the Editor, The people throughout the country cried out in anger; why are there so many problems in our land? While grumbling, they were quick to point their fingers at their leaders, crying politics are dirty, and so is everyone involved in politics.

Often, when people get angry they can lose their ability to reason and think clearly. And when one has a cloudy mind, he can, at times, be easily persuaded to do irrational things.

The Bible says, “In your anger do not sin” (Ephesians 4:26).

From time to time a voice cries out as from a desert with a message for the masses that is meant to prick their consciences, a message that points their pointing finger back at the people themselves. A voice wanting them to recall their history, their roots and the foundation on which their country had been built. But sadly there are often many younger people who have never been taught about their history and even been lied to about its origin.

So it is a voice that wants all to know, both those who never heard as well as those who had forgotten, about six laws, laws that had been embraced and followed, not by all but by the majority, regardless of religious or ethnic background. Laws that when followed, benefit and bless and even bring joy to the masses though many might not know the origins of these laws.

Theses laws are the last six of God’s Ten Commandments. They deal with how man is to relate to his fellow man.

1. Honor your father and mother. 2.

Do not murder. 3. Do not commit adultery. 4. Do not steal. 5. Do not give false testimony against your neighbor.

6. Do not covet. I would hope that most would want to live under the protection these principles provide.

We have also been blessed with a wonderful constitution. John Adams, who was the second president of the United States, said, “Our constitution was designed only for a moral and religious people.” He understood that

each person had to do his or her part by being honest and doing right. Abraham Lincoln said, “Elections belong to the people. It is their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.”

And Jesus said, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded (required); and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”

Has our consciences become hard and calloused? We should ask ourselves: Where was I when the orphans needed my support ... when the hungry needed food ... when the naked needed clothes ... when the children needed hugs and kisses ... when the church doors were opened ... when the elderly needed visiting ...where was I on voting day?

Do we not all have responsibilities?

None of us can do everything, but we all can do something.

Ted Roberts Princeton

7 Life

Thursday, April 28, 2016 • 7A

Bureau County Republican • bcrnews.com

Life&Arts

Cool Kids’ Corner — Logan Serpette shares the first chapter of his book. See this and other cool stuff on Page 10A.

Religion notes — Area churches and group announce upcoming events. See Page 8A for more information.

Community Notes Spring recital on Saturday Breakfast planned LAMOILLE — Team Thrive will sponsor a pancake and sausage breakfast from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, May 1, at the LaMoille Lions Club. The menu will consist of pancakes, “Nuco’s” sausage, ham, eggs (made to order), toast and beverage. The cost is $6 for adults and $4 for children 5 to 10 years of age. Tickets will be sold at the door.

Carry-outs are available. A bake sale will also be held. All proceeds benefit the Relay for Life of Bureau County.

Water main flushings Photo contributed

Bureau County 4-H Junior Horsebowl and Hippology Team

Horsebowl and Hippology Team competes in regional contest est club available to 4-H members ages 8-18.

Youth meet with a volunteer coach to practice for the regional competition, as well as studying practice materials on their own at home.

Like all 4-H programs, Horsebowl and Hippology provide the opportunity for youth to feel a sense of belonging, develop independence, practice generosity, and experience mastery. In particular, practicing and competing in Horsebowl and Hippology encourages youth to become engaged in learning, to set achievable goals, and to develop and practice self-responsibility.

For more information on this or other 4-H Youth Development programs in Bureau County, contact the University of Illinois Extension office by calling 815-875-2878. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, call 815-875-2878.

PRINCETON — The Bureau County 4-H Junior Horsebowl and Hippology Team participated in a regional contest on April 2 at Dixon High School.

Team members Sarah Freeman (Ohio Windmillers 4-H Club), Beth Rachel Freeman (Ohio Windmillers 4-H Club), Sierra Spohn (Ohio Windmillers 4-H Club), JenaLee Ohda (Walnut Winners 4-H) and Addison Ohda (Walnut Winners 4-H Club) worked with their volunteer coach Christina Christensen to practice and prepare for the contest.

During the Hippology portion, youth are tested individually on their knowledge of equine terminology and concepts. Horsebowl is a team competition, where youth answer questions related to equine science in a quiz bowl-type format.

Horsebowl and Hippology is a special inter-

State Bank of Cherry accepting donations for Jason Brokaw bar and a silent auction. Raffle tickets may be purchased for a firearm donated

by MMC Armory in Mark. Three bands have donated their time to play — The Craig’s; Road Angel, whose drummer is the brother of a deceased Peru Police officer; and 303, whose lead bass player is a sergeant on the Peru Police Department.

Donations should be forward to State Bank of Cherry, Box 189, Cherry, IL 61317.

Checks should be payable to: Jason Brokaw Benefit. The bank also has tickets for the fundraiser.

CHERRY — State Bank of Cherry has opened an account for Peru Police Sgt. Jason Brokaw and placed the first $100 in it.

A benefit will be held Saturday, May 28, to assist Brokaw and his family as he battles a debilitating medical condition. The benefit, being organized by members of the Peru Police Department and the Peru Police Association, will run from 6 p.m. to midnight at the LaSalle Knights of Columbus at 209 Gooding St. Admission is $20 which includes food, a chance for a $500 door prize, cash

WYANET — The village of Wyanet will begin flushing water mains on Monday, May 2, and continue until all water mains are completed. Residents may experience some low water pressure and discoloration.

Screening announced PRINCETON — Perry Memorial Hospital in Princeton will offer its free monthly blood pressure and blood sugar screen from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 10, in the main lobby of the hospital. According to the American Heart Association, high blood pressure or hypertension is a disease that can have health consequences if not treated. 76.4 million U.S. adults have been diagnosed with high blood pressure. Those wishing to have their blood sugar checked should fast 12 hours before the screen.

Bake sale PRINCETON — The Relay for Life Bee Team will have a bake sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at TSC in Princeton. All proceeds will go to Relay for Life.

PRINCETON — Just for Kix in Princeton will perform its spring recital, “Trained in the USA”, at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, April 30, in Prouty Gymnasium at Princeton High School. Tickets are $7 for adults, $4 for students, and 5 and under are free.

Lions Club will sell food SHEFFIELD — The Sheffield Lions Club will sell brats, hot dogs, pork patties, chips, soda, water and cookies in front of Royal Super Mart, Main Street, during the Sheffield townwide garage sales on Saturday, April 30.

DAR meeting PRINCETON — The Princeton-Illinois Chapter NSDAR will meet at 1:30 p.m.

Friday, May 6, at the Prouty Building in Princeton. State conference reports will be featured, and a musical program will be presented by students of the Princeton Christian Academy.

Retired teachers to meet KEWANEE — The Henry/Stark Counties Retired Teachers will meet Wednesday, May 11, at the First United Methodist Church, 303 N. State St., Geneseo. The afternoon will start with a noon luncheon. Reservations for the luncheon are due on or before Wednesday, May 4, to Lynda DeMoss, 920 Kadel Court, Geneseo, IL 61254 or by calling 309-945-4011. The cost of the luncheon is $10. The program will be “Bees and other Pollinators” with Al Curry. All retired teachers of Henry and Stark counties are invited to attend. Any first-time attendee, with a reservation, is invited to be a luncheon guest.

Make Someone Happy • Happy birthday on Thursday, April 28, to Tim Smith. From your friends at Princeton Rotary.

Slow cooker class on May 4 SPRING VALLEY — University of Illinois Extension Nutrition and Wellness Extension Educator Susan Glassman will present a “Maximizing Your Slow Cooker” class from 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, at the Richard A. Mautino Memorial Library, 215 E. Cleveland St. in Spring Valley.

Normally we think of using our slow

cookers for fall and winter comfort foods, but spring and summer are also a great time to prepare dinner in the slow cooker. Participants will learn how to quickly put together delicious, healthy meals in the slow cooker.

To register, call University of Illinois Extension at 815-224-0889. Registration is needed by Monday, May 2.

BUREAU VALLEY PLANT SALE

8 am - Noon • Saturday: April 23, April 30, & May 7

t

127 E. Main St., Tiskilwa, IL

815-646-4661

WILL DELIVER WITHIN 15 MIL LES OPEN Wednesday - Sunday 4-10 pm CLOSED Monday & Tuesday

VE A S

30

%

SM-PR8127680-0428

Off any Regular Priced or *Reduced Items

+

A TR

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% OFF

All proceeds go to the BV Advanced Science Club

2 or more *Clearance Items

April 26 - May 3, 2016

One time use only. Must present coupon. *Reduced items have been “red-lined” once.

Everything is grown by the Horticulture & Botany Class!

NO LIMITS, *Clearance items have been “red-lined” at least twice. Not valid on previous purchases or with other offers.

643 South Main Street • Princeton 815-872-2225 www.fourseasonsdirect.com

9154 - 2125 N Ave, Manlius, Illinois 61338 Sale is located in the greenhouse behind the school SM-PR8127673-0505

8 Life

8A • Thursday, April 28, 2016

Bureau County Republican • bcrnews.com

Religion Briefs Illinois Valley Midday Connection will meet May 17 OGLESBY — Illinois Valley Midday Connection, a non-denominational Christian Women’s Group, invites all women from the Illinois Valley area to come to its monthly luncheon and program at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 17, at the Deer Park Country Club, 100 Deer Park Lane, Oglesby.

The theme for the May luncheon is “Growth Occurs in the Valley.” The program will include Connie from Valley Flowers and Gifts, who will do a presentation as the special feature. Special music will be sung by Yolanda Dunnagan from Peru.

The speaker will be Christine Bassett from Washington, Mich. She is a former college professor who loves to live life to the fullest. She will tell a humorous story of life and love, titled “Stress, to A Humorous Life of Love.”

There are no membership fees or special requirements to attend. Deer Park is all handicapped accessible and everyone who would like to meet new people and enjoy a good program is welcome.

The cost for the lunch and program is $19 inclusive, paid at the door.

It is essential that most reservations and or cancellations are made by Tuesday, May 3. Free child care is available if a reservation is made by the deadline.

After May 3, call Vickie at 815-223-4687 or Anita at 815-223-2852 anyway to let them know you want to come and they will advise. Email reservations can be sent to scolari12@comcast.net. Any special prayer requests are also accepted with reservations.

The event is sponsored by Stonecroft Ministries of Overland Park, Mo. The group will have an Illinois Valley Prayer Connection at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 10, at the home of Carole Ledbetter, 204 Forest Park Place, Ottawa. All women are invited for prayer and fellowship. For more information, call 815-474-9528.

May Friendship Day on May 6 PRINCETON — All Bureau County women are invited to join Church Women United at 9 a.m. Friday, May 6, at Open Prairie United Church of Christ at 25 E. Marion St. in Princeton for May Friendship Day.

Community coffee SHEFFIELD — The First United Church of Christ in Sheffield will host its monthly community coffee from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 7, in the UCC Parish Hall. Fresh-baked cinnamon rolls will be served.

Open Table supper SHEFFIELD — The Sheffield free Open Table supper will be hosted by the Sheffield United Church of Christ from 5 to 6

‘Methodists on the Move’ event is May 1

p.m. Sunday, May 1, (note date change due to Sunday, May 8, being Mother’s Day) at the Sheffield United Methodist Church. The menu will be pulled pork sandwiches, baked beans, applesauce and dessert.

Annual Mother-Daughter Salad Buffet in Van Orin VAN ORIN — The Van Orin Gospel Church WMA (Woman’s Missionary Aid) will sponsor its annual Mother-Daughter Salad Buffet at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 1, in the church fellowship hall. The special speaker and musician will be Judy Olsen Dagraedt of Ottawa.

Dagraedt has been ministering in music since 1971. She has been writing and singing gospel music, leading in “praise and worship” for various events and church services, and recorded nine gospel albums. Her concerts have taken her to various churches, clubs, prisons, women’s retreats and senior citizens groups, and even a tour of Israel where she plans to organize future trips. She has appeared on various television and radio programs and hosted a television program titled “Gentle Moments” for years. She frequently speaks on the subject “How to Have Peace in the Midst of Turmoil,” and also when asked demonstrates her musical instruments involving audience participation using various rhythm instruments. Her concerts consist of new contemporary gospel songs, scripture choruses and some of the old gospel favorites. She frequently accompanies herself on various instruments such as the hammer dulcimer, auto harp, keyboard and the Q-chord. Her concerts also consist of the sharing of her testimony, as well as scriptures and uplifting words of encouragement.

For reservations, call Diane at 815663-7107, Lynn at 815-643-2307 or call the church at 815-638-2552 to leave a message. Participants are asked to bring a dish to pass and there will be a love offering at the door.

Banquet in Seatonville will honor mothers and daughters SEATONVILLE — The Seatonville Congregational Church, Independent will host an all-community banquet to honor mothers and daughters on Friday, April 29.

The banquet will begin at 6 p.m. and the church will provide all meat and table service, but each guest is asked to bring a side dish or dessert to share. Following the banquet at 7 p.m., critically acclaimed folk/gospel duet Alathea will be singing their songs and sharing their stories.

Reservations are not required for the program, but they do ask for advance reservations for the banquet portion. Reservations may be secured by calling Mary Michael at 815-875-1697.

PRINCETON — The First United Methodist Church of Princeton will hold its first-ever “Methodists on the Move” on Sunday, May 1.

The congregation will gather at 8 a.m. as usual for worship, but then they will leave the church to go serve the community in a variety of projects after a short time of prayer.

“We always talk about how God wants us to love and serve other people on Sundays … but we never really go do that as one body all at the same time,” said the Rev. Brian Gilbert. “So this Sunday, we decided the best way we could worship God was by getting out there and being love to the people we meet. The whole idea seemed a bit odd at first, but now many members have gotten behind it and are excited about going out and helping people in the community this Sunday.”

Members of First UMC will be engaging in a variety of activities from yard work and mowing for people who are in need to writing letters of encouragement for deployed military service personnel,

firemen and police officers in the community.

“We want to make sure that there is something for everyone to be able to do.

Some people are gifted with handyman talents — so they are going to be using those to help people. Others can mow yards, so we will do that for people in the neighborhood around the church that we’ve talked with that have agreed to let us mow their yards. Some can cook, so they will deliver meals; others shop and will buy canned goods for area food banks. The key is that everyone will be doing something to help someone, so that they can feel, if for a moment, loved

by God the church,” Gilbert said.

“Methodists on the Move” is being organized as a part of the Re Think Church movement within the United Methodist denomination. The primary purpose of this movement is to help congregations rethink and redefine what it means to be the church in the 21st century … placing an emphasis on how churches can engage the local community in mission and service.

Photo contributed

The Bureau Valley High School FFA 2016-17 officer team includes Stephanie Gripp (from left) of Sheffield, Cale Buysse of Sheffield, Lexie Jacobs of Walnut, Chase Gripp of Sheffield, Marissa Lewis of Walnut and Katie Smith of Walnut.

FFA chapter holds annual banquet MANLIUS — On March 15, the Bureau Valley FFA Chapter held its annual banquet in the high school commons.

The meeting was called to order by 2015-2016 president Tom Brummel and the meeting started with a meal catered

by Bureau Valley. After dinner, numerous awards were given out, including 24 Greenhand degrees, 18 Chapter degrees and 13 academic awards.

Rick Lootens, Chase Gripp, Jay Norden and Lexie Jacobs were recognized for being eligible to receive their state FFA degrees at the state convention in June.

Stephanie Gripp recited the FFA creed

which she won the section contest with.

Members who competed with their record books were recognized for their accomplishments. Ten of the 13 members that attended section interviews moved on to district and Jay Norden and Chase Gripp advanced to state.

The 2016-27 officer team was installed: Chase Gripp, president; Lexie Jacobs, vice president; Marissa Lewis, secretary; Cale Buysse, treasurer; Katie Smith, reporter; and Stephanie Gripp, sentinel.

After the meeting, FFA members participated in a labor auction bringing in $13,505 for the chapter.

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9 Life

Thursday, April 28, 2016 • 9A

Bureau County Republican • bcrnews.com

Are you caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s?

Join us for An Alzheimer’s Support Group at Liberty Village on the third Thursday of every month at 1:00 pm

Photo contributed

Camryn Heiden (left) and Emilee Merkel were recognized at the second annual placemat design contest for the National Ag Week’s Salute to Ag breakfast.

Placemat winners announced PRINCETON — Winners of the second annual placemat design contest for the National Ag Week’s Salute to Ag breakfast have been announced.

Third-grade students from around the county were asked to create placemats following the theme “I Can’t Go A Day Without Agriculture.” Students were encouraged to think of ways agriculture impacts their daily lives, whether that be through the food they eat, clothes they wear or even the games they play. This year there were 178 entries.

Two prizes were awarded for Best of Show and Closest to the Theme. Camryn

Heiden from John F. Kennedy School in Spring Valley was the winner of closest to theme. Emilee Merkel from Lincoln Elementary School in Princeton was the best of show winner.

Each of the winners, their parents and their teacher were invited to be recognized at the breakfast, held at Wise Guys in Princeton on March 16. During the Ag Appreciation breakfast, all 178 placemats were used during breakfast.

Attendees of the breakfast wrote a thank you note to each student who shared their ideas about living a day without agriculture.

Photo contributed

Rotary makes donation to Work Camp Brenda Streit with the Princeton Rotary Club recently provided Pastor Scott Schmitt with Work Camp a check for $2,600. This donation to Work Camp was made possible by the generous donations from last year’s auction. Work Camp will be taking place beginning on June 19. Princeton Rotary continues to be engaged in the community through its monetary donations, as well as community and international service projects. The club meets every Tuesday at noon at the Elks Club in Princeton.

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10 Life

10A • Thursday, April 28, 2016

Bureau County Republican • bcrnews.com

Dawn of the Tikis I have started writing a book called “Dawn of the Tikis.” I hope you enjoy the first chapter. I plan to run a new chapter in each Cool Kids’ Corner. Thanks for reading. — Logan

Jumble Mumble Can you unscramble these types of animals?

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

gdo ________________________ negpniu _____________________ atc _________________________ yeknom _____________________ hfsi _________________________

6. sterham _____________________ 7. bartib _______________________ 8. roehs _______________________ 9. lowf ________________________ 10. goonarak ___________________

Answers: 1. dog; 2. penguin; 3. cat; 4. monkey; 5. fish; 6. hamster; 7. rabbit; 8. horse; 9. wolf; 10. kangaroo.

Yum Yum recipes Blueberry Lemon smoothie Ingredients 1 cup milk 2 bananas, fresh or frozen 1 cup of blueberries, frozen 1 tablespoon of lemon juice Add all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.

I love smoothies, and I like to experiment with different flavors when I make them at home. If you aren’t a fan of blueberries but you like bananas, try blending a banana, milk and unsweetened cocoa powder for a chocolatey treat. That is my mom’s favorite!

Want to see your name in the paper?

Hey, kids!

My name is Logan Serpette. I am a fifth-grade student at Henry-Senachwine Grade School, and I am the author of Cool Kids’ Corner.

Do you have something you want to see in the newspaper? Email your jokes,

recipes and other items to me at coolkidscorner@outlook.com. I can’t wait to read your stories and try your recipes.

When you email me, make sure you include your name, your hometown and how old you are, so you can be famous in the newspaper. Celebrate being a kid!

Chapter 1: Surprise “Jeffrey, don’t let the tikis touch you!”

“Luke, you’re the one with five around you!”

Jeffrey and Luke both sighed when they saw “Game Over” appear on the screen.

Jeffrey was about 4 feet and 9 inches tall, with black hair and light blue eyes. Luke, his older brother, was about 5 feet and 3 inches. He was blond and had green eyes.

“What are you two nerds doing?” their sister, Lindy, demanded as she walked in their room. “You know Mom doesn’t want you playing video games before homework.”

Lindy was about 3 feet

and 6 inches tall, with black hair and blue eyes.

She was the youngest and the sassiest one in the family.

“Mom, Luke and Jeffrey are playing video games again!” Lindy yelled.

“It’s fine,” their mom said as she walked into the room. “Tomorrow is the last day of school before summer vacation.

I’m sure they’re just excited. Oh, I have a surprise for summer.

We’re going on vacation!

Here is the pamphlet.”

Jeffrey was shocked when he saw it. Every page in the pamphlet was scribbled out.

“Now, that’s strange.

I don’t remember this pamphlet being all

marked up like this,” their mom said. “Oh well, wait until you see this place.

It’s to die for.”

Jeffrey had a sudden bad feeling she might be right, literally. At the top of the pamphlet someone had written the words tiki, haunted and cursed.

LOL jokes Q. Why did the dog sit in the shade?

A. Because he didn’t want to be a hot dog.

••• Q. Which day of the week do chickens hate most?

A. Fry-day.

••• Knock knock.

Who’s there?

Cow goes.

Cow goes who?

No, cow goes “Moo!” •••

Knock knock.

Who’s there?

Owls.

Owls who?

That’s right. Owls hoo!

••• There were two snakes talking. The first one said, “Are we the type of snakes who wrap ourselves around our prey and squeeze them until they are dead? Or are we the type of snakes who bite our prey and they are poisoned?” The second snake said, “Why do you want to know?” The first snake said, “Because I just bit my lip.”

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Wednesday May 4th, 2016

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Hospital 1st Floor Presentation Room

St. Margaret’s Health invites mothers and their daughters between the ages of 9-12 to join us for an evening of Girl Talk, a fun and informative event!

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Discover tips to more effectively manage nutrition, skin care, physical and emotional changes, and more that occur during puberty.

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5:30-6:00 pm Light Supper

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Program (Panel of Speakers)

Speakers include: Donna Sweetland, MD(6pm) Katie Kaufman, RD, LDN, Dietitian Jennifer Kennedy, MSW, LCSW

Sponsored by: Sponsored by: CPASA-Community Partners Against Substance Abuse, Princeton Police Department, Bureau County Sheriff’s Office, Spring Valley Police Department, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Ladd Police Department, Walnut Police Department, Granville Police Department, Tiskilwa Police Department, 10:00am to 1:00pm Wyanet Police Princeton Police Department 605 Elm Place, Princeton, IL Department & Buda Police 9:00am to 12:00pm Department

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11 Sports

Thursday, April 28, 2016 • 11A Ringnecks shoot — The Bureau County Pheasants Forever will host a free Ringnecks trap shoot May 7. There are spots for 10 shooters on a first-come, first-serve basis. Call Eric Paull at 815-646-4844 to sign up or for more details.

DeMay comes home to BV

Bureau Valley’s Dana Kepner tags out Princeton’s Alyssa Holmbeck to complete a double play after snagging a line drive at third base Monday at Little Siberia Field in Princeton.

The Tigresses won 6-5.

By Kevin Hieronymus

at the time.

DeMay also coached two years for Club Storm MANLIUS — Bureau volleyball.

“I am excited and honValley has turned to a ored to be able to familiar face to coach at Bureau take over its high Valley.

I am school volleyball thrilled to coming program. to Bureau ValCaitlyn DeMay, ley to teach and a BVHS alum coach volleyball, I who coached six have enjoyed my seasons at neartime at Annawan by Annawan, and I am up for was named as the next chalthe Storm’s new lenge in my life,” head coach at Caitlyn DeMay said.

Tuesday’s school DeMay DeMay was board meeting. hired in FebruThe former Caitlyn Corwin graduat- ary as science teacher ed from BV in 2005 and at Bureau Valley South, played for BV co-athletic where she attended and director Vicki Litherland, her mother taught. Then formerly the Storm’s head the volleyball job opened coach. DeMay’s mother, up at BVHS. Pat Corwin, was an assistant in the Storm program DeMay Page 12A khieronymus@bcrnews.com

BCR photo/Kevin Hieronymus

Softball: Princeton 6, Bureau Valley 5

Taking advantage

Tigresses make most of Storm errors

By Kevin Hieronymus khieronymus@bcrnews.com

PRINCETON — The Bureau Valley Storm jumped out to a 3-0 lead with three runs in the top of the second inning during the rivalry softball game at Princeton on Monday, April 25.

Then the Storm gave them all back and then some.

The Tigresses took advantage of

the Storm’s erratic defense, scoring four runs with the help of five Storm errors, in the home half of the second inning. Princeton tacked on single runs in the third and fifth innings and held on for a 6-5 win over the rival Storm.

“It’s fun playing Bureau Valley.

It’s a rival, it’s a conference game. I thought our girls did very well today,” PHS coach Alyssa Rose said.

Fun was not how BV coach Danny Kolb would describe the day as things quickly unraveled defensively for the Storm in the second.

The first two Tigresses reached

on an error, and then BV made a throwing error on a sac bunt by PHS catcher Rachel Jensen, scoring two runs. Miranda Sorenson walked and senior Julia Bauer singled as the Tigresses tacked on two more runs to erase the Storm lead.

“We executed when we needed to. Rachel getting that bunt down opened up the inning,” Rose said.

Lack of execution is what did the Storm in, Kolb said.

“We’ve got to play better than that.

Defensively we gave them the game.

Softball Page 12A

Baseball: Princeton 7, Bureau Valley 0

Allen, Tigers blank the Storm

By Kevin Hieronymus khieronymus@bcrnews.com

Bureau Valley’s Rusty Fargher dives back to the bag on a pickoff attempt Monday at Princeton.

The Tigers won 7-0.

PRINCETON — Aaron Christiansen parked his lawn chair behind the center-field fence at Prather Field Monday, April 25, waiting for a home run ball hit by his cousin Jett Wedekind. While Christiansen, a former Tiger, wasn’t quite in the right location, both he and the Tigers got what they were looking for.

Wedekind, the Tigers senior catcher, blasted a three-run

BCR photo/Kevin Hieronymus

homer to left-center field to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead over rival Bureau Valley.

Sophomore pitcher Garrett Allen made that lead stand up for the final winning score for another Three Rivers Conference win, improving the Tigers to 6-1 in league play, 13-2 overall.

Allen pitched a three-hit shut out, striking out six Storm batters.

Sophomore Josh Reinhardt led the Tigers with three hits and

Baseball Page 12A

Killer steps down at St. Bede

By Kevin Hieronymus

certainly leaves the program in a very good place. We feel khieronymus@bcrnews.com St. Bede is better for what he PERU — Mike Kilmartin has helped build with qualihas long lived to coach ty assistant coaches on staff basketball. He has decid- and very prepared young ed it has become time to men, both past and present, that have been involved take care of himself. with the basketball Kilmartin has program.” stepped down “Killer” was as head boys the 2015-16 BCR basketball coach Coach of the Year after five sealeading the Bruins sons. He told the to a 19-10 record.

BCR he had to He had the best resign for health five-year stretch at reasons. the academy with a Athletic direc96-49 record. Only tor Tom McGuntwo other coaches nigal said KilmarMike in school histotin will be missed.

Kilmartin ry, Bron Bacevich “Mike handled and Ken Anderson, our program for five years with the same produced two 20-win seaprofessionalism and class sons.

Kilmartin said he was that we anticipated he would when he was hired,” disappointed in not McGunnigal said. “He is a achieving his goal to bring Hall of Fame coach and we the first regional title to are grateful for his commit- the academy since 2000. ment to our student-athletes Kilmartin Page 12A for the time he was here. He

Introducing the TRAC All-Sports championship A few years ago, when I first arrived here, the BCR sponsored the former Indian Valley Conference all-sports trophy.

That was a fun, friendly competition where we matched up the old teams of the Indian Valley in all the sports across the board the now defunct conference offered. Those schools in the good old days included Annawan, Bradford, DePue, LaMoille, Manlius, Neponset, Ohio, Tiskilwa, Walnut, Western and Wyanet.

Kevin Hieronymus HIERONYMUS’ HYPOTHESIS

With that conference long departed as well as many of its schools, I am revisiting the all sports championship with the Three Rivers Conference, where four of our local schools call home.

I take a look at each sport and award a point for place-finishes based on the number of teams competing. In sports with all 15 members competing, first place nets 15 points, second gets 14 and so forth.

In football, which has two divisions, the first-place finisher gets seven points. There are just eight schools fielding girls golf programs so that league champ gets eight points.

The schools with sports across the board will receive more

points than those who don’t. I awarded both Erie and Prophetstown the same points in which they co-op.

After tallying points through the winter sports season, Princeton finds itself standing in third place right behind front-runner Rockridge (67) and Sherrard (62.5).

The Rockets bolstered their perch with a tie for first place in boys basketball (14.5) and second in boys golf (14).

Sherrard gained 14.5 points as co-champs in girls basketball, 11

as runner-up in wrestling and 10 points in volleyball.

Princeton has used a firstplace finish in football (7), fourth in volleyball (12 points) and sixths in boys basketball (10) and boys golf (10) to parlay a narrow third place standing behind the Tigers of Sherrard.

I’ll tally the points once again at the end of the spring sports and declare the TRAC All-Sports champion.

Hieronymus Page 13A

12 Sports

12A • Thursday, April 28, 2016

Bureau County Republican • bcrnews.com

Diamond roundup

Senior Night victory

Reinhardt, Tigers blank Chargers

By Kevin Hieronymus khieronymus@bcrnews.com

Senior ace Jake Reinhardt pitched a one-hit shutout to pitch the Princeton Tigers to a 10-0 victory over Orion Tuesday, April 26, at Prather Field.

Reinhardt had 10 strikeouts and two walks, improving his record to 5-1. He just missed a no-hitter, giving up a seeing-eye single up the middle just out of the reach of his brother, Josh.

It was a one run game 1-0 going into the bottom of the fifth when the Tigers scored nine runs after two outs to win 10-0 in five innings.

PHS was led in hitting by Levi Bates with three hits and Josh Reinhardt and Jake Reinhardt with two hits. Every

Kilmartin

Tiger scored at least one run.

The Tigers improved to 7-1 in the Three Rivers Conference and 14-2 overall.

St. Bede 6, Kewanee 5: Nick Plankenhorn’s bases-loaded, two-run double in the fourth inning gave the Bruins the lead for good in the game on Monday, April 25. Kewanee had runners in scoring position in both the sixth and seventh innings, but did not score with Plankenhorn in relief for the save.

Kewanee led 4-2 at the end of one before the Bruins (8-8, 3-5) rallied.

Hall 7, Newman 0: Sophomore right-hander Ty Rybarczyk struck out 15 without a walk in a three-hitter for Hall (17-5, 9-1) in a Three Rivers victory Monday in Spring Valley. Senior Jake Merkel

Baseball

From Page 11A

From Page 11A

He finished with a career record of 472297, including stops at AlWood, Putnam County and DePue. He also led his hometown Mendota boys and girls programs to state.

Kilmartin started his Hall of Fame career as a freshman coach at St. Bede from 1973-75 and now ends it there.

Comment on this story at www. bcrnews.com.

Tanner Kuhne added two.

The Storm stayed around for a while, battling the TRAC front runner Princeton Tigers. It was still just 4-0 until Wedekind stepped to the plate and the bottom.

“We showed some improvement. We just need to score some runs to give ourselves a chance to win.

We hit the ball better so hopefully that will continue. Robert (Rouse) pitched a solid game,” said BV coach Bret Helms, who has returned for his second tour of duty with the Storm.

had two hits, including a home run, and three RBIs. Brant Vanaman also added two hits.

Softball

Newman 9, Hall 4: Rena Barroso and Hunter Galassi each had two hits for the Lady Devils in defeat at home Thursday. The Lady Devils had 10 hits overall.

Princeton 13, Fulton 7: The Tigresses picked up their second TRAC win in as many nights, defeating the Steamers Tuesday at Little Siberia Field. Mads Menzel (2 RBIs) and Courtney Oeder (4 RBIs) led the Tigresses (7-10, 4-4) with three hits each and Miranda Sorenson and Julia Bauer added two each.

Comment on this story at www.bcrnews.com.

The Tigers plated two runs in the first with some help from the Storm, scoring on a dropped pop up in the infield and a throwing error on a steal attempt.

Kuhne poked an RBI hit up the middle in the second inning. The Tigers added another run on a double steal with Kuhne taking second and courtesy runner Vince Vergamini racing home to make it 4-0.

Notes: Bureau Valley won the F/S game at Manlius over Princeton 12-6. ... The Tigers added another league win Tuesday, defeating Orion 10-0. ... The rival varsity squads are scheduled to play at 4:30 p.m. Thursday in Clinton, Iowa.

BCR photo/Mike Vaughn

Eight is more than enough for Tigresses The Princeton Tigresses soccer team marked Senior Night with an 8-0 win over Mendota Tuesday, April 26 at Bryant Field on the campus of PHS. Michaela Mall continued her scoring ways with a hat trick, now tallying 15 goals on the season. One was assisted by Jenna Grimmer and by Meg Fisher. Anna Murray netted two unassisted and her sister, Sarah, scored one assisted by senior Eliza Young. Jaimie Kuhn and senior Arraia Hicks finish the PHS scoring. Mendota’s keeper turned away another 27 shots. His team now 9-5-1, PHS coach Ed Young said the Tigresses “are maturing into a dangerous team. Scoring can come from seven different players and defense is solidifying possession and shape.”

DeMay From Page 11A Litherland describes DeMay as “a Bureau Valley graduate who is bringing her classroom excellence and Volleyball coaching expertise back home.”

Jason Spang, BV co-AD, said he believes BV

Softball From Page 11A game. Honestly, I think we only gave up one or two earned runs. We played terrible defense in the beginning of the game and we didn’t recover,” he said.

“Offensively, their pitcher is pretty good. We did what we needed to do. Defensively, we’ve got to pick it up. We’re not going to win games making seven or eight errors. They weren’t difficult plays. Just catch the ball and throw the ball, and we didn’t do our job today.”

With two outs in the third, Lexee Camp doubled deep to left and Jensen followed with a bloop RBI single to left

Princeton third baseman Miranda Sorenson tags out BV’s Laura Phillips in the fifth inning of Monday’s game.

BCR photo/Kevin Hieronymus

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knocked it out of the park with DeMay’s hiring.

DeMay is also AD at Annawan and assistant girls basketball coach. She played volleyball two years at Black Hawk East.

DeMay’s former teammate/classmate at BV, Sam (Durham) Taylor will also return to her alma mater as sophomore coach. Dan DeVenney will become

to stretch the Tigresses’ lead to 5-3.

The Storm’s Darcy Kepner and Laura Phillips traded places with doubles in the fifth to make it 5-4. Phillips was thrown out at third on the back end of the play at home and a strikeout ended the BV rally.

Ashley Phillips drew a leadoff walk in the seventh for the Storm and stole second and third. She scored on a flair to right by Darcy Kepner to draw the Storm within 6-4.

PHS pitcher Alyssa Holmbeck got the next two Storm batters to ground out to good buddy Mads Menzel at second base to end the game. The crafty senior righthander struck out 13 Storm batters, pitching around nine

freshmen coach.

He coached the seventh-grade volleyball team at BV South and has helped coach for Club Storm Volleyball, The Storm head job opened two weeks ago when former coach Abbi Bosnich resigned to pursue other coaching opportunities at a higher level.

Comment on this story at www.bcrnews.com. hits and three walks.

Rose said Holmbeck remained steady when she needed it most.

“I thought she threw well today. A.J. is extremely strong mentally. She does not let anyone get in her head or anything. She just throws,” Rose said.

The Storm strung back-toback RBI doubles in the second inning by Laura Phillips and Savannah Dean. Ashley Dean added a RBI single to make it 3-0.

Notes: Princeton also won the F/S game that followed the varsity. ... The same teams will meet again Thursday at Manlius for a non conference contest.

Comment on this story at www.bcrnews.com

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It’s On The House!

13 Sports

Thursday, April 28, 2016 • 13A

Bureau County Republican • bcrnews.com

Track & field Bureau Valley wins at home Trey Dale picked up two wins and a second to help the Storm to first place at a five-team boys track meet Monday in Manlius.

BV scored 109 points followed

by Amboy-LaMoille (94, St. Bede (91), Riverdale (56), and Ohio (12).

Dale won the 200 (25.09) and the 400 (56.62). He was second in the high jump (5-4).

Amboy-LaMoille had six wins, including the 1600 and 3200 relays. Alan Stamberger, Thomas Stamberger and James Blackburn ran legs on both relay wins. Thomas Stamberger took the 800 (2:18.23) and Blackburn won the 1600 (4:49.49).

Also for A-L, Josh Gross won the long jump (19-8 1/2).

Girls track

At Bureau Valley: Kaneland scored 84 points to win Monday followed by the host Storm (74), Amboy-LaMoille (51), St. Bede (40) and Ohio (14).

BV went 1-2 in the discus with Lexie Jacobs (97-0) and Saige Barnett (96-3) and reversed its placing in the shot put with Barnett first (37-2 1/2) and Jacobs second (35-5 1/2).

Addison Moreland won the long jump (15-9), and Jessica Loudenburg took the pole vault title (9-0). The Storm also won the 4x400 relay, as Marissa Mungia, Marissa Endress, Haley Weidner and Tiana Kennedy finished just ahead of Kaneland in 4:17.72.

Erika Zimmerlein of Amboy-LaMoille won the 100 (12.64) and anchored the Clippers’ winning 400 relay (52.11). Kaitlin Boers won the 400 (1:05.12), and Jennifer Popovich picked up a 3200 win in 14:25.09.

Junior high track & field

BVS Invite at Manlius 7th GRADE GIRLS: 1. BVS 119, 2. BVS 106, 3. PLT 62, 4. Ladd 43, 5. Annawan 42, 6. LaMoille 22, 7. DePue 4, 8. Bradford 2, 9. Neponset 1, Malden 1.

Hurdles - Wirth (S) 16.93; 100 - 1. Kolb (No) 13.23; 1600 - Kepner (No) 6:27.04; 4x100 - PLT 50.04; 4x200 - BVS 2:01.56; 400 - Kolb (No) 1:03.8; 200 - Broer (No) 30.07; 800 - Birkey (S) 2:46.56; shot Manuel (A) 29-5; LJ - Kolb (No) 14-10; discus - Schmidt (Pl) 81-3; HJ - Aber (So) 4-7.

8th GRADE BOYS: 1. BVN 140, 2. BVS 78, 3. PLT 56, 4. (tie) Ladd 47, DePue 47, 6. Annawan 32, 7. Bradford 1, Malden 1.

Hurdles - Lantz (Pl) 18.94; 100 Eckberg (No) 12.88; 1600 - Davis (No) 5:20.8; 4x100 - Ladd 1:00.12; 4x200 - BVN 1:53.16; 400 - Haggard (PL) 1:00.12; 200 - Johnson (No) 27.01; 800 - Johnson (No) 2:25.8; shot - Johnson (No) 37-8; LJ - Johnson (No) 15-10 1/2; discus - Foster (S) 94-9; HJ - Davis (No) 4-10.

Visit www.bcrnews.com for more scoreboard

Softball: St. Bede 13, Kewanee 1

Lady Bruins hit 13-run pool

By Dan Dwyer sports@bcrnews.com

KEWANEE — Senior pitcher Brianna Lau and the St. Bede Academy Lady Bruins steamrolled the Kewanee Boilermakers 13-1 in a Three Rivers Athletic Conference Monday, April 25, at Northeast Park in Kewanee.

“We played well again and we’ve been getting better every game. Our defense was good today, and we have been attacking the ball at the plate,” SBA coach Rob Ruppert said. “Brianna came out and threw well for us today.

She had a little in her last outing, but I told her to come out and pitch with confidence and that’s exactly what she did. Confidence is everything and she had it today.”

SBA got rolling early with two RBIs in the first inning as senior catcher Maty Nowakowski came through with her bat and an RBI double to start the relentless SBA attack.

Lau pitched a five-hit, one-run gem but that wouldn’t have been possible without the stellar play of the Bruin defense behind her.

“It’s big getting those runs early on the road.

It boosts our confidence, gives us an edge and kind of puts the other team back on its heels.

We’ve scored a lot of runs early in ball games and that’s something we aim to do and we hope to continue that trend,” Ruppert said.

The Bruins defense was crisp and played errorfree softball on a day that the blustery conditions gave its opposition fits when the ball came off the bat in the air to the tune of five errors over the course of the game for the Boilermakers.

“We need to work on everything all year. We never stop working at getting better whether it be fundamentals, bunting or defense, we can always improve,” Ruppert said. “We may be playing well, but there is always something we can work on.”

SBA’s huge inning came in the fourth as the Bruins took advantage of three Kewanee errors and batted around the order for five hits and seven runs in the inning to blow the game wide open at 12-1.

BCR photo/Dan Dwyer

SBA pitcher Brianna Lau keeps her eye on the ball on a comebacker Monday at Kewanee.

The Lady Bruins had a ball with a 13-1 win.

Kewanee’s only hit came in the second inning off the bat of catcher Dani Neuleib as she crushed a Lau offering over the fence for the Boilermakers only tally on the day.

Lau got the victory on the bump over Kewanee’s Mackenzie Devilder, going the distance in the five-hit effort.

Nowakowski delivered at the plate going 4-for-4 with four singles and an RBI to lead the Bruins offense.

“We’re running the bases very aggressively and that puts pressure on the other team to make plays,” Ruppert said. “We’ve been doing it all year and hopefully we can continue to play well, take advantage of the other teams’ mistakes and possibly help create opportunities for ourselves on the base paths.”

Comment on this story at www.bcrnews. com.

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From Page 11A Remaining schools down the line in order of the TRAC All-Sports race are: Erie (60): Cardinals were league champs in wrestling (13), picked up 10.5 points in girls basketball and eight points in boys basketball.

Orion (59): The Lady Chargers won volleyball (15) and gained 12 points in boys golf.

Newman (57): The Comets’ big point-getter was as co-champions (14.5) in boys hoops.

Morrison (55.5): The Mustangs benefited from boys golf (11), boys basketball (11.5) and volleyball (10), but did not field girls golf or cross country squads, which kept them from contending for top honors.

Prophetstown (54): Not as many points as its co-op partner, gaining 10 though on its own in volleyball.

Fulton (52.5): The Steamers placed second in volleyball (14) and third in boys golf (13), but had no girls golf or cross country squads.

Kewanee (51.5): The Boilers were co champs in boys basketball (14,5) and third in girls basketball (13).

Hall (51): Hoops were also the top points producer for the Red Devils with the girls tying for third place (12.5) and the boys taking seventh (9).

Riverdale (46): The Rams won boys golf (15) and took third in volleyball (13), but had no cross country teams.

St. Bede (49): Another strong hoops showing at the academy with the boys sharing fourth place (11.5) and the girls fifth (10.5).

Amboy (33): The Lady Clippers won the cross country crown (10), but zeroed out with the boys.

Bureau Valley (32): Girls basketball gave the Storm nine points (seventh) and cross country seven each; they missed out on any in wrestling and girls golf.

Kevin Hieronymus is the BCR Sports Editor. Contact him at khieronymus@bcrnews. com.

Saturday, May 14th 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

ealth aret’s H St. Marg 16 20

St. Margaret’s Foundation

Portly Promenade Restaurant Tasting Tour Promenade Host Restaurants Spring Valley: Valley Bar and Grill Spring Valley Boat Club Verucchi’s Ristorante LaSalle: Mickey’s Massive Burritos Pink Chihuahua Social Kitchen The Chilli House Haze Smokehouse Peru: Hy-Vee Market Café Jalapeno’s Bar, Grill & Patio Waterstreet Pub & Eatery The Igloo

Call to see how an Energy Savings Plan can benefit you!

Hieronymus

• Present your ticket at each Portly Host Restaurant for a portion of one of their specialties.

• Start your tour at any host restaurant.

• Visit the hosts in any order.

• Present your ticket at each location.

• Receive a map at your first stop.

• Door Prizes from Portly Hosts and Others!

20.00 per person

$

Ticket sales end Thursday, May 12th. No tickets are available the day of the event.

For more information, contact Frank Kobilsek, Fundraising Coordinator, at 815-866-5757 or by emailing fkobilsek@aboutsmh.org.

Electric 815-643-2354 HVAC 815-643-2631 Electrical Contractors Heating & A/C Contractor

• Farm • Commercial • Residential • Industrial • Maintenance

aboutsmh.org

14A • Marketplace • Thursday, April 28, 2016

The Bureau County Republican 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.

LINE AD DEADLINES: • Tuesday, BCR deadline Monday 9 am • Thursday, BCR deadline Wednesday, 9 am • Saturday, BCR deadline Friday, 9 am We Accept 815-875-4461

- 200 Employment 227 • Drivers Craine Farms Trucking Is hiring part-time & fulltime DRIVERS who are looking for a variety of work; hauling locally & regionally. Drivers home most nights & weekends.

Call 815-454-2736

228 • Help Wanted Experienced COOKS & DISHWASHERS needed.

Please apply in person, no phone calls please.

Alexander Park Tavern, 815 Park Avenue West, Princeton CONVENIENT STORE CASHIER CLERK needed.

Duties include working the quick mart and deli.

Weekends are required.

Previous convenient store experience & food service license preferred.

Interested persons should stop by 302 North Main, Ohio, IL 61349 or submit a resume COMMUNITY LENDERS is looking for a Customer Service Rep. This is a full-time position. Must have a great personality & a good work ethic. Will train.

Apply to: www.commlenders.com NIGHT TIME WAIT STAFF needed. Apply in person: BIG APPLE, 2136 North Main Street, Princeton, IL

229 • Professional/ Clerical TEMPORARY OFFICE POSITION. Office position open through September/October 2016. Please send resume & letter of interest to: PO Box 677, Walnut, IL 61376

PROMOTE JOB OPENINGS We can help get your business fully staffed.

Call 815-875-4461

229 • Professional/ Clerical

448 • Pets & Livestock

If you are looking for a great place to work, Perry Memorial Hospital invites you to apply!

Our Surgery Department has an immediate opening for: OPERATING ROOM REGISTERED NURSE. 32 hours/week, Days with call. Please visit our Careers Page at: www. perrymemorial.org to apply!

EOE

DONATE NOW! “The animals are crying” Tri-County Humane Society. LaSalle, Bureau, Putnam Counties.

Call 815-875-6145 or 815-872-9781 or send donation to: PO Box 1601, LaSalle, IL 61301

230 • Work Wanted

Love seat, $25.

LAWN CARE Want someone to help with your mowing and other basic lawn care?

Call 815-303-1722.

Great Rates & Reliable!

PAINTER LOOKING FOR INDOOR/OUTDOOR PAINTING WORK. Reasonable prices.

Call Rich: 815-719-2291 Wanted: LAWNS TO MOW Commercial or residential.

Fully insured.

Call 815-303-9665

232 • Business Opportunities ********** THE CLASSIFIED Advertising Department of the Bureau County Republican 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 Bureau County Republican 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 444 • Farm Equipment *2005 Chevy 3500 4X4 Dump Truck; also *2005 Sterling Acterra 6x4 Dump Truck.

Sold AS IS. Please Contact: Thomas Le @ 815-439-5289, for more details

450 • Under $1000 7- 4'x6' sliding windows; thermopane; white vinyl clad; good condition; $100 each or best offer.

Call 815-646-6665 Call 815-879-8001 Scotts 1000 Broadcast Spreader, excellent, $20; Lawn Boy Sens A Speed mower, paid $375, asking $225. Call 815-875-1596 Scotts Accu Green 3000, 24” drop spreader, like new, $25; large tri pod sprinkler, will do 100' area $20. 815-875-9348 Scotts drop style fertilize spreader, $15; maple dining table and 4 chairs $300.

Call 815-875-4077 Speed Queen washer, 2 years old. Works well.

CAP 16 pound. $200.

Call 815-875-1413 Steel bicycle rack. 10 feet long, good condition. $50.

Call 815-876-6861

WANTING TO SELL YOUR CAR? Call 815-875-4461 ************ HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL? Put your ad in for FREE Items $1,000 or less can run FREE for 1 week. 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.

Go to: bcrnews.com, to place an ad. Use category merchandise and then bargains or E-mail information to: classified@ bcrnews.com (include your name, address & phone number) No Phone Calls!

451 • Free FIREWOOD, bring heavy duty chain saw to cut to smaller size.

Call 815-875-6053

DRIVERS $2,000 Sign-on!

Home Weekends!

Benefits & Bonuses!

Paid Vacation, Holidays. CDL-A, DOT knowledge required.

855-445-9624

460 • Garage Sales

460 • Garage Sales

GRANVILLE 14228 N 1100th Avenue (¼ mile east of Rt. 89 on Granville (Silverspoon) Road). Saturday, April 30, 9am-5pm.

INSIDE ESTATE SALE. Hopkins Family Home.

Antiques, furniture, glassware, old books, pictures & frames, quilts, rugs, toys, Christmas decorations, lamps, kitchenware, John Deere riding lawn mower, old tools & many more unique items going back generations!

PRINCETON United Pentecostal Church, 2303 South Main (by WZOE).

Thursday, April 28; 12pm-5pm; Friday, April 29, 8am4pm.

GARAGE SALE. Children's toys, housewares, some tools, furniture, clothes, books

HENNEPIN 325 North 5th Street. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, April 28, 8am4pm. Townwide on Friday & Saturday.

HUGE GARAGE SALE. Potted flowers, fishing tackle, rods & reels, vinyl records, glassware, tools, books, home décor, lamps, much more HENNEPIN TOWN-WIDE GARAGE SALES Friday & Saturday, April 29 & 30, 8am–3pm.

Maps available at North Central Bank, Hennepin Food Mart and Country Stop Restaurant. Something on every street in Hennepin!

LAMOILLE 302 East Wade Drive. Thursday, Friday, & Saturday, April 28, 29, & 30; 9am-5pm.

MOVING SALE!!!

Time to down-size!

Everything must go!

Come see what bargains you can find for your home!

PRINCETON 3525 North Main (People Church). Friday, April 29, 9am-5pm; Saturday, April 30, 9am1pm.

HUGE YARD SALE & BAKE SALE To Benefit Youth Mission Trip PRINCETON 437 East Central. Friday, April 29, Saturday, April 30, Sunday, May 1; 9 am-4pm.

Brand new bras size 32B to 44D, $1 to $2, briefs, body shapers, nylons, tube bras, All New!!

Area rugs, clothing, Beanie babies, misc.

GARAGE SALES HERE!!

PRINCETON Someone's in the Kitchen (1619 North Main).

Saturday, May 7, 9am-12pm.

Kitchen & Bath Bargain Sale!

Odds & ends, overstock

SHEFFIELD TOWN WIDE GARAGE SALES Saturday, April 30, 8am-2pm Garage, yard & sidewalk sales. Crafts, antiques, clothes, food stand, bake sales & more. Maps available at Winger's grocery store. Lots & lots of sales WENONA TOWN-WIDE GARAGE SALES. Friday, April 29, Saturday April 30; 8am to ?

Maps available at local businesses and home sales

-600Transportation 614 • Car Sales ******* $$ CASH PAID $$ We pay top dollar for junk (cars, machinery, etc.)

Call 815-878-9353

ADVERTISE YOUR VEHICLE SALE HERE! In the Classified. Just call 815-875-4461.

618 • Recreational 40' MOTORHOME. Diesel Pusher, 75,000 miles. Air brakes, auto leveling, queen bed, sleeper sofa, micro/convection combo.

Over $250,000 in it's glory days. Very clean. Exterior small bruises.

Call 815-739-6842 PONTOON BOAT and CAMPER. Call 815-875-6053

619 • Boats 2001 20' BENNINGTON PONTOON BOAT with 40hp mercury motor. Low hours. $9,800.

Can be seen @ J&J Mobile Marine, 1108 West Peru Street, Princeton, IL or call 815-741-1829

LAUNDRY AIDE Heritage Health currently has a part time opening for someone to join our laundry team. This position will be working afternoon/ evenings 3-4 shifts a week. Applicant must be a team player and have favorable references. Please apply in person.

Heritage Health Attn: Brenda Chapman 308 S. Second Street Walnut, IL 61376 www.HeritageOfCare.com

- 700 856 • Apartment Rentals 856 • Apartment Rentals Real Estate For Sale PRINCETON Main floor. 1 bedroom apartment. Recent paint & carpet. Carport, laundry. $470 a month. 775-537-7694

767 • Mobile Home Sales 2 BEDROOM MOBILE HOME FOR SALE. Central air. $1,200 down, $375.42 a month for 3 years. Includes lot rent & water.

3 Bedroom also available.

Call 815-303-2948

BUREAU (2) 3 bedroom apartments. Downstairs $575; Upstairs $550; also 1 bedroom, upstairs, $350. Water & sewer included in all. Deposit & references required.

Call 815-878-3084

768 • Homes For Sale

MANLIUS 2 bedroom apartment with garage.

Water, sewer, garbage services included. No pets. 1 year lease. $450 per month + $450 security deposit. Available Immediately. reReferences quired. 815-445-6731

FAMILY HOME for Good investment property, 920 North Church. Cute 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath,, large living room, sun room, ac, basement, 2 bed down, 1 up. Large attic for storage, oversize 2 car garage.

Call 815-739-6842

769 • Condo/Duplex Sale Condo for sale. Bryant Woods, Princeton, IL. Approximately 1,820 sq feet. 2 bedroom, 2 bath, dining room, living room, den, utility room, 3 season room, all heat & air conditioning. 9' ceilings. 2 car garage. Corner lot.

Completely updated. New wood & ceramic floors.

36” doors. No steps. Concrete crawl space. Movein ready. 815-866-8212 or 815-875-2743

PRINCETON 1 bedroom, large living room with fireplace. Recently remodeled. New appliances, washer & dryer hookup. $550 includes gas/water.

No pets. 815-876-7320 PRINCETON 2 bedroom apartment. Laundry on site. $525 per month, lease & deposit required.

Call 309-238-0168

PROMOTE YOUR RENTAL We can help!

Call 815-875-4461 PRINCETON 2 bedroom, 2 bath, like new apartments.

Walk in closets. 1 car garage. 1 year lease. No large pets. 815-872-1847

852 • Mobile Home Rental

PRINCETON 2 bedroom.

Remodeled. Great neighborhood. Lease, deposit. $600. 810 South Euclid.

Call 217-766-8497

2 MOBILE HOMES FOR RENT $300/$320 a month.

Deposit. No pets.

Call 708-805-1950

PRINCETON Just remodeled apartment. Includes water, heat & garage.

Central location. No pets.

Lease. Call 815-224-1454

PRINCETON large, 1st floor, 2 bedroom apartment. Garage. $575 a month. 815-875-1923

PRINCETON Spacious 1 bedroom. Eat in kitchen.

Plenty of closets. Laundry facility available. No pets. $450 includes water.

Call 815-878-4149 PRINCETON upper, 1 bedroom, efficiency apartment. Utilities included. $425/month. Deposit required. Call Robin @ 815872-3456

DO YOU HAVE A PLACE TO RENT? The Bureau County Republican Classified can help you find the right person to move in.

858 • Homes for Rent LAKE THUNDERBIRD 12 Hemlock Drive. Small 2 bedroom A Frame. 2 car detached garage. Stove & fridge. $650 a month. $1,650 moves you in.

Call 815-664-2808 PRINCETON 2 bedroom, 2 car attached garage, big back yard, stove, refrigerator, washer, dryer included. 2 blocks from High School. Security deposit, 1st months rent No pets. $650. Available April 15th.

Call 815-878-7744 PRINCETON 3 bedroom home. Basement, central air, 2 car garage. $700 a month. 815-875-1923 PRINCETON 3 bedroom, 1-1/2 bath, appliances. $650 per month. Good references only.

Call 352-502-6754

FIND YOUR NEXT HOME RIGHT HERE!

NEED EXTRA CASH??

Routes are available delivering the Bureau County Republican in Princeton.

Delivery days are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings by 7:00 am.

No Collecting Involved.

Ask About Our $25 Sign-On Bonus.

For more information, please call Tom Long, District Manager (815) 875-4461 Ext. 6350

800 Ace Road PO Box 340 Princeton, IL 61356 815-875-4461 Fax 815-875-1235

SM-PR890149-0531

General Terms and Policies

Bureau County Republican • bcrnews.com

Bureau County Republican • bcrnews.com

Thursday, April 28, 2016 • Marketplace • 15A

999 • Legal Notices

999 • Legal Notices

999 • Legal Notices

999 • Legal Notices

999 • Legal Notices

999 • Legal Notices

999 • Legal Notices

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT BUREAU COUNTY, ILLINOIS PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, ) ex rel. GENO J. CAFFARINI, ) Bureau County State’s Attorney, ) Plaintiff, ) vs. ) $190,000.00 Unites States Currency, ) JENNIFER BROOKE BELL, ALL OWNERS, ) UNKNOWN OWNERS, CLAIM HOLDER ) AND/OR INTEREST HOLDERS ) Defendant. ) NO. 2016-MR-21 PUBLICATION NOTICE TO: JENNIFER BROOKE BELL, ALL OWNERS, UNKNOWN OWNERS, CLAIM HOLDERS AND/OR INTEREST HOLDERS The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to Jennifer Brooke Bell, all owners, unknown owners, claim holders and/or interest holders that a COMPLAINT FOR FORFEITURE has been filed by the Bureau County State’s Attorney Geno J. Caffarini filed on April 25, 2016 in Bureau County Circuit Court. The COMPLAINT FOR FORFEITURE seeks to forfeit property ($190,000.00 United States Currency) to the State of Illinois in which you may have an interest as owner, claim holder and/or interest holder.

The property was seized by the District 17 Illinois State Police March 15, 2016 on Interstate 80 in Bureau County, Illinois. The property is described as follows: One Hundred Ninety Thousand Dollars in United States Currency.

NOW THEREFORE unless you file an ANSWER to the said COMPLAINT FOR FORFEITURE with the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Bureau County, Princeton, Illinois, by June 28, 2016, judgment by default for the relief requested in the COMPLAINT FOR FORFEITURE shall be entered against you. /s/Geno J. Caffarini Bureau County State’s Attorney /s/Mary Dremann Clerk of the Circuit Court GENO J. CAFFARINI Bureau County State’s Attorney Bureau County Courthouse 700 South Main Street Princeton, IL 61356 (815) 879-4941 Published in the Bureau County Republican Apr. 28, May 5 and 12, 2016.

NOTICE Public Notice is hereby given that on April 25, 2016, a certificate was filed in the Office of the County Clerk of Bureau County, Illinois, setting forth the names and post office addresses of all of the persons owning, conducting and transacting the business known as Mike’s Garage located at 151 South 6th Street, Princeton, IL 61356.

Dated this 25th day of April, 2016. /s/Kamala S. Hieronymus Bureau County Clerk Published in the Bureau County Republican Apr. 28, May 5 and 12, 2016.

must be accompanied by a proposal guaranty as provided for in the bidding specifications.

Selected bidder shall be required to pay prevailing rates of wages.

The sealed envelope containing the bid proposal should bear on the outside the bidder’s name and address and

be marked “2016 Street Work.” Bid specifications are available in the office of Jyll Pozzi, Village Clerk, 402 Lucy St., Dalzell, IL 61320 on Monday evenings from 6:30 p.m.- 9:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. – Noon and 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. or by calling Clerk Pozzi

at 815-252-4377. The Village reserves the right to waive technicalities and to reject any or all proposals. This Notice published at the direction of the Village Board of Trustees.

Published in the Bureau County Republican Apr. 28, 2016.

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Members of the County Board of Bureau County, Illinois, will meet at the Court House in Princeton, Illinois, in Regular Session On Tues, May 10, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. and that all claims must be filed with the County

Clerk of said County on or before Friday, April 29, 2016. /s/Kamala S. Hieronymus County Clerk Published in the Bureau County Republican Apr. 28, 2016.

LEGAL Notice to Bidders The Village of Dalzell (the “Village”) is soliciting bids for its 2016 street improvement work. Sealed proposals for the 2016 street improvement work will be received at the office of the Village Clerk, Village of Dalzell, 402 Lucy St., P.O. Box 255, Dalzell, IL 61320 until 6:30 p.m. on May 11, 2016.

Proposals will be open and read publicly at a meeting of the Village Board of Trustees to be convened at 7:00 p.m. on May 11, 2016 at the office of the Village Clerk, Village of Dalzell, 402 Lucy St., P.O. Box 255, Dalzell, Illinois. All proposals

Visit us at www.bcrnews.com

ILLINOIS CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING NETWORK HELP WANTED

ADVERTISING SERVICES To place a Regional or Statewide classified ad, contact the Illinois Press Advertising Service at 217-241-1700 or visit www.illinoisamp.com

AUCTION

Entry Level Heavy Equipment Operator Career.

Get Trained - Get Certified Get Hired! Bulldozers, Backhoes & Excavators.

Immediate Lifetime Job Placement.

VA Benefits.National Average $18.00-$22.00 1-866-362-6497

HELP WANTED DRIVERS

FINANCIAL BECOME A HOMEOWNER Low & No Down $$ FHA/VA/USDA Grant & Manufactured Home Programs Paula Wykoff "A real person helping real people" (217) 522-5191 NMLS#137830 Flanagan State Bank 919 S. 8th St. Springfield, IL 62703 NMLS#408461 Apply online: https://Paula.Wykoff@Flanagan StateBank.com Equal Housing Lender

CDL-A Drivers: WEEKLY HOME TIME! Get up to $0.48 CPM w/bonuses PLUS up to $10,000 Sign On Bonus. Call 877-277-7298 or DriveForSuperService.com CDL A Training. $500 - $1000 INCENTIVE BONUS. No Out of Pocket Tuition Cost!

Get your CDL in 22 days.

Paid training after graduation.

Accommodations provided if you live 50+ miles from Chicago Heights. 6 day refresher courses available.

Minimum 21 years of age.

888-460-1019. EOE. www.kllmdrivingacademy.com

Class A CDL Drivers Wanted!

Company and Lease Purchase.

Mid-States Freight Lanes, Consistent Home Time and No Northeast! www.Drive4Red.com or Call 877-811-5902, Class A CDL Required

SPORTING GOODS GUN SHOW: April 29, 30, & May 1. Bella Vita Banquet Hall (formally Morines), 34816 Geneva Rd (corner of Hwy 50 & Co KD, 8 miles East of Lake Geneva). Burlington, WI. Fri 3-8pm, Sat. 9am-5pm, Sun 9am-3pm. $6 (14 & Under FREE) Buy/Sell/Trade, 608-752-6677 www.bobandrocco.com

LEGAL SERVICES ASK A LAWYER DAY Free Legal Consultation SATURDAY APRIL 30TH 9AM-NOON Call: Chicagoland: 800-678-4009 Outside Chicago: 800-252-8908 Email: askalawyerday@isba.org Skype: isbalaw1 PSA from the ISBA

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE 20 Acres - $0 Down Only $128/mo.

Near El Paso, TX Owner Financing NO CREDIT CHECKS! Beautiful Views, Free Information 1-877-443-9828 www.lonestarinvestments.com

TRAINING/EDUCATION AIRLINE CAREERS START HERE BECOME AN AVIATION MAINTENANCE TECH. FAA APPROVED TRAINING. FINANCIAL AID IF QUALIFIED - JOB PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE. CALL AIM 866-315-0650

WANTED Wanted to Buy: OLD COINS, PAPER MONEY, GOLD & SILVER JEWELRY. Littleton Coin Company trusted since 1945.

Call 1-877-857-7850 or E-mail CoinBuy@LittletonCoin.com Mention code B9E805

Business Directory Marketplace

BOB’S DRYW YWALL, PAINT, ETC

• Drywall • Paint • Texturing • Bathrooms • Plaster Repair • Remodeling • Tiling 19 Aztec Circle, Putnam, IL 815-342-1385 bcmolik@yahoo.com

Bob Cmolik

•NEW HOMES•GARAGES •ROOM ADDITIONS •ROOFING•SIDING •POLE BUILDINGS •REMODELING

Post Office Box 114 Walnut, IL. 61376

FREE ESTIMATES

Home: 815-379-9317 Email: haroldrollo@yahoo.com Ans. Machine: 815-379-2350 Website: Cell Phone: 815-303-9321 www.rolloconstruction.com

Timber Falls Tree Service

Residential • Commercial • Sales • Installation • Service Sectional Steel Doors • Automatic Door Openers

•Tree Trimming & Removals •Stump Grinding •Lot & Land Clearing •Fully Insured •Seasoned Firewood •24 Hour Service

Princeton, IL • 815-875-3100 Toll Free

(877) 324-9517

AUTHORIZED DEALER

County’s 1 st Stop For Plumbing & Heating!

FREE Estimates

(815) 872-2615

815-882-2111 815-875-2540

PLUMBING & HEATING, INC. www.grassersplumbingheating.com 404 W. Main, McNabb (State ID No. 58-100249)

Adam Stegmann 815-503-9121 RT Piper 815-866-2637

• Business Cards • Envelopes • Booklets • Forms • Pamphlets • Letterheads For all your printing solutions call

875-4461

Quality Pre-Owned Vehicles

Towing Available

FOLEY MOTORS Inc.

Sales & Service

Rt. 29, Henry, IL 309-364-4711 www.foleymotorsinc.com

WYANET LOCKER, INC. 218 RAILROAD AVE. WYANET, IL

(815) 699-2208 Scott Sabin, Owner Wholesale & Retail Meats

Pat Wood, Owner wyanetlocker.com

FREE ESTIMATES • FULLY INSURED

T P.O. BOX 33 • Malden, IL 61337

800 Ace Road PO Box 340 Princeton, IL 61356 815-875-4461 fax 815-875-1235

Full Service Store

815-866-6858

To add your lisTing To This page conTacT us aT (815) 875-4461, exT. 6341

16A • Marketplace • Thursday, April 28, 2016

Bureau County Republican • bcrnews.com

999 • Legal Notices

LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the following petition in accordance with Article 11E of the Illinois School Code was filed on March 24, 2016, with Christopher Dvorak, Regional Superintendent of Schools for LaSalle, Marshall, and Putnam Counties: IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF DIMMICK COMMUNITY CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 175 AND BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CHERRY GRADE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 92 TO ORGANIZE A NEW COMBINED ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE TERRITORY COMPRISED OF ALL OF THE TERRITORY OF DIMMICK COMMUNITY CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 175 AND CHERRY GRADE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 92 AND THE SUBMISSION OF THE SAME TO THE VOTERS OF SAID TERRITORY AT AN ELECTION TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 8, 2016.

The prayer of the petition is as follows: 1. That the Regional Superintendent of Schools grant the petitioners a hearing as provided in Section 5/11E-45 of the Illinois School Code; 2. That after the conclusion of hearing, the Regional Superintendent of Schools approve the petition for the formation of the combined elementary school district; 3. That after approving the petition for the formation of the combined elementary school district, the Regional Superintendent of Schools submit the petition and all evidence to the State Superintendent of Education; and 4. That after the State Superintendent’s approval,

999 • Legal Notices

999 • Legal Notices

the Regional Superintendent of Schools submit the proposition to establish a combined elementary school district that will include all of the territory currently located in District No. 175 and District No. 92 to the Bureau and LaSalle County election officials for election at the next regularly scheduled election.

A description of the territory comprising the districts proposed to be dissolved and those to be created is as follows: This petition seeks to comprise all of the territory currently located within Dimmick Community Consolidated School District No. 175 and Cherry Grade School District No. 92 into a new combined elementary school district.

A public hearing on this petition will be conducted on Tuesday, May 24, 2016, at 10:00 a.m., at the Etna Road Complex, 707 E. Etna Road, Room 250 (County Board Meeting Room), Ottawa, IL 61350. Any resident in the proposed district or any district affected thereby may appear at said hearing and provide written or oral testimony in relation to the action proposed in the petition.

Published in the Bureau County Republican Apr. 28, May 5 and 12, 2016.

NOTICE Public Notice is hereby given that on April 11 2016, a certificate was filed in the Office of the County Clerk of Bureau County, Illinois, setting forth the names and post office addresses of all of the persons owning, conducting and transacting the business known as Kuhlemier Painting located at 28401 Woodside Dr., Rock Falls, IL 61071.

Dated this 11th day of April, 2016. /s/Kamala S. Hieronymus Bureau County Clerk Published in the Bureau County Republican Apr. 14, 21 and 28, 2016.

OPEN HOUSE

Your Next OPEN HOUSE Home Could Sunday, May 1st 10AM-12PM Be Found Right Here!

815-875-4461 815-878-1981

OPEN HOUSES Saturday, April 23

1:0

JAN’S NEW LISTING!

1032 S. Main

0-

1:0

:00

2

1:00 - 3:00 PM

935 S. Church

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5 2:1 3 BD, 2 BA, Enclosed Porch, 2 Driveways $84,500

(Rt.89 S.of McNabb. Turn W.on 350 N.to Holiday Fin Rd.) Country Estate nestled among timber, hills, waterfalls, & ponds on 7.25 acres (mol). 4 BR, 3 Bath home w/3400 sq.ft. Must see! MLS# 09095469

Jan Heaton

thepropertymerchants.com

815-866-7590

815-872-0080

www.thepropertymerchants.com

LAWN AND GARDEN CONSIGNMENT AUCTION

The following items will be offered by Public Auction located at “The Shed” (REDIGER AUCTION SERVICE), 401 W. Main St., Wyanet, IL 61379 on: Look for this and upcoming auctions on rickrediger.com & to see additional consignments

SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2016 @ 9:00 A.M. LAWN MOWERS: JD 650, diesel lawn mower, 2 wd, 3 Dixon ZTP 427, 42” deck, runs good; point, 780 engine hours, 60” deck w/turf tires, 540 pto, very nice; JD X540, 26 hp, 48” deck, hydro; JD X748, 24 hp, 60” deck, hydro, JD X304, 18 hp, 48” deck, diesel; JD LT155, 15 hp, hydro; JD X300, 18 hp, 48” deck, hydro; JD LX279, 18 hp, 48” deck; JD STX 38, 12.5 hp, 38” deck, Cub Cadet LTX 1046, hydro, hydro; 46” deck, 15 eng hrs; JD 320, 22 hp, hydro, 48” deck; JD 317, 18 hp, hydro, front hyd, 48” Cub Cadet LTX 1040, Automatic, deck; Cub Cadet LTX 1050, hydro, 50” deck, 63 eng hrs;

SM-PR890181-0505

42” deck; IH Cub, Woods belly mower, Runs Good;

MISCELLANEOUS LAWN EQUIPMENT: NEW MI-T-M 6000 watt generator; NEW MI-T-M 3600 Watt generator; NEW MI-T-M 14 hp, 4000 psi pressure washer; NEW MI-T-M Compressor/Generator, 14 hp, 16.3 CFM, 4000 watt; Woods RM 660, 3 pt finishing deck, 540 pto; LMC 72” 3 pt finishing deck, 540 pto; MTD 5 hp chipper/shredder, Like New; Toro Garden cultivator; leaf blowers; Stihl 015AV chain saw; Poulan 2150 chain saw; Cyclone pull type seeder; 1 bottom garden plow; Cambell air compressor, 1 hp; Die Hard jump start; shop vacs; Aluminum pick-up tool box; McCormick cast iron seat; NUSERY STOCK: Techny Arborvitae; Dark Green Arborvitae; Emerald Green Arborvitae; Green Giant Arborvitae; TIRE EQUIPMENT: CEMB P-200 tire balancer; CEMB K-9 tire balancer; CEMB SM 915 electric tire changer; Coats pneumatic tire changer; Tire/wheel cages; Branick semi tire spreader; small tire spreader; MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS: Rough cut oak lumber; misc. lawn furniture; lawn/garden art; bikes; steel wheel engine cart; hand tools; hardware; organizers; old wrench collection; chains & binders; homemade bird houses; numerous items; MUCH, MUCH, MORE – CONSIGNMENTS DAILY Currently Accepting Consignments – Many more by Sale Day – Watch for additions on www.rickrediger.com NUMBER SYSTEM WILL BE USED – I.D. REQUIRED – TERMS: CASH OR GOOD CHECK – NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCIDENTS

SM-PR6395635-0428

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

:15

-3

1105 W. Central

SM-PR6395653-0428

Terms of sale: 10% due at time of sale by Cashiers’ Check, Payable to US Marshal Service; balance within 30 days Rural Development credit is not available Minimum Bid: $11,500 Rural Development has a security interest in the property For additional information contact: USDA Rural Development 233 S. Soangetaha Rd Galesburg, IL PH: (309) 342-5138 ext 4; www.resales.usda.gov Property will not be available for inspection

“Let us help you buy or sell your home!”

Team Noble

Real Estate Brokers

815-872-0080

Property located at: 1227 S. Church St Princeton, Illinois 61536 Property is sold “AS IS”

1807 Fletcher

5 2:1

11879 Holiday Fin Rd., McNabb

5 3:1

SM-PR6395651-0428

102 W. Maple St., Malden $149,900

Broker Associate

10:00 AM, May 10, 2016 Bureau County Courthouse 700 S Main, Princeton, Illinois

Sunday, May 1st 1 PM-3 PM

:00

2 0-

Sat. April 30

GOVERNMENT FORECLOSURE SALE May 10, 2016 at 10:00 AM Bureau County Courthouse 700 S Main, Princeton, Illinois

GOVERNMENT FORECLOSURE SALE

(Look for sign on Rt.89 at south edge of town near church.) Amazing home with 3 stories of living space (3285 sq.ft.) on 1.17 acres! MLS# 09105521

AND DEVELOPMENT

325 W. Peru St., Princeton

Property located at: 112 Scott St., Dalzell, Illinois Property is sold “AS IS” Terms of sale: 10% due at time of sale by Cashiers’ Check, Payable to US Marshall Service; balance within 30 days.

Buyer is responsible for 2ND Installment of Real Estate Taxes.

Rural Development credit is not available Minimum Bid: $100.00 Rural Development has a security interest in the property For additional information contact: USDA Rural Development 312 E Backbone Rd, Suite B, Princeton, IL PH: 815-875-8732 ext 4; www.resales.usda.gov OPEN HOUSE May 2, 2016 2 – 4 pm.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

SM-PR6395638-0430

22305 3150 East St., Arlington

Harvest REALTY

REDIGER AUCTION SERVICE, WYANET, IL 815-699-7999 Auctioneers: Rick Rediger Jon Moon Jeremy Rediger

Roxana 815-878-7171 Kaye 815-866-7783 Beth 815-866-3630

LANDMARK REALTY

MATTHEW BULLOCK AUCTIONEERS 409 E. Stevenson Rd., Ottawa, IL 61350

SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 2016

9:00AM DOORS OPEN 7:00AM Special Preview Day April 29th 10:00am-6:00pm FIREARMS, MILITARY, HUNTING, & COINS Over 225 quality firearms-best collection we’ve ever sold!

HIGH QUALITY COLLECTION OF SMITH & WESSON HANDGUNS including Model Pre Model 15 K38, 22A-1, 12-3, 14-4, 15, 29-3”The Silhouette”, 25-5, 27-2, 36, 37, 38, 39-2, 41, 39, 59, SW9E, 5906,61-3, 629-1, 686-1, and other early models, some of the Smith & Wessons would be hard to upgrade!!!

COLLECTION OF COLT’S- Colt Commander 45, Gold Cup Trophy, Pre Woodsman Model, Woodsman Match Target, Woodsman Target, Model 1911, Huntsman, Combat Commander, MK IV Series 70 Government Model, Police Positive 32, Police Positive 38, Officers .38 Target, Sheriff’s Model 1877 38 Long Lightning Revolver, Model 1877 38 Long Lightning Revolver, Frontier Scout Arizona Ranger Commemorative, Nebraska Centennial Frontier Scout, Frontier Scout, 45 Auto World War II Commemorative European Theater of Operations Pistol, Government Model 45 Cal. MK. IV Series ‘70 United States Marine Corps Limited Edition Pistol with Box, John Wayne Commemorative Revolver with Original Box, D.A. 38 Cal 1892 Army/Navy Revolver, and others.

German Lugers, P38’s, and Broom Handle Mauser, Japanese Type 14’s, and other Military Firearms.

Other Highlights include 2 Browning High Power 9mm, Magnum Research 45/70, Ruger Super Redhawk, Heckler & Koch, Sig Sauer P 229 & P230, Beretta’s, High Standard’s, Glock’s, Dan Wesson, Over 150 quality handguns.

QUALITY SHOTGUN AND RIFLES-Winchesters Model 94’s, model 1886, model 1890, Engraved Model 101 O/U, Springfield 1898 Krag, Remington 01-A3, US Model 1917 Eddystone, Marlin Model 336, Mdl 1892 & 1894, Marlin 1895CB 45/70, Uberti-Winchester 1866 Yellowboy, Browning A-5 3 barrel set, Enterprise Commando Mark III, Farbique National Arms Rifle, Springfield Armory Socom 16 US Rifle M1A, Universal .30 Cal M1 Enforcer Rifle, Engraved SKB Model 600 12GA Shotgun, AR Uppers, Foreign Military Rifles, large amount of ammo, large amount of handgun parts, Reloading Dies, and much more!!

MILITARY-Nice Collection of German WW1 &WW2 items- Helmets, Daggers, Swords, Patches, Hats, Flags, & Medals, US military items, Bayonets, Uniforms, Helmet, Knives, Patches, Medals, Rings, and other, Early Edged Weapons, and many other items OTHER- Randall Knives, Remington Knives, Remington recast Bronzes, 1892 5th Regiment of Illinois 34th Division GAR Uniform, Winchester Dealer sign, Dupont TNT Blasting Box, and other.

COINS (To be sold at 2:00pm)- Large amount of 90% US Silver Coins100’s of Walking Liberty Half Dollars, Franklin & Kennedy HD’s, Quarters, & Dimes, Morgan & Peace Dollars, Type Coins, Lincoln Cents, Indian Head Pennies, Buffalo Nickels, Gold Coins, Silver Rounds, Currency, and more.

SELLERS FROM ACROSS THE MIDWEST!

Terms: Cash, Check, & Credit Cards(add 5% for CC’s) 10% Buyers Premium All Local, State, and Federal Gun Laws will be followed. Illinois residents must have valid FOID card to purchase/handle all firearms. $20 transfer fee for all firearms.

No Out of State Checks, No Checks over $500 unless known

by Auction company. No Business Checks www.BullockAuctioneers.com Auction Zip ID 23761 815-970-7077 Need an Auction? Contact Matt for more information on how we can maximize you collection or estate.

Matthew Bullock IL Lic # 441.001731 • Brian Bullock IL Lic # 441.002146

Bureau County Republican • bcrnews.com

Thursday, April 28, 2016 • Marketplace • 17A

999 • Legal Notices

999 • Legal Notices

999 • Legal Notices

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 13TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT BUREAU COUNTY, ILLINOIS CHANCERY DIVISION FIRST FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK, a ) Federally Chartered Savings Bank, ) Plaintiff, ) vs. ) GREGORY TOEPFER, Deceased; MARK ) TOEPFER, Heir at law of Gregory Toepfer; ) LAURA HOOPER, Devisee of Gregory ) Toepfer; MICHAEL HENNEBERRY, as Special ) Administrator of the Estate of Gregory ) Toepfer; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DEVISEES ) OF Gregory Toepfer; and UNKNOWN ) OWNERS and NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS ) Defendants. ) NO. 16-CH-09 NOTICE OF PENDENCY OF ACTION PUBLICATION NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given to Unknown Owners and Non-record Claimants of the real estate described in the Complaint for Foreclosure filed in the above entitled case, Defendants in the above entitled case, pursuant to the provisions of 735 ILCS 5/2-206, 5/2-413, 5/15-1218 and 5/15-1502, that the above entitled mortgage foreclosure suit is now pending in said Court and the day on or after which a default may be entered against said Defendants is That the undersigned certifies that the above entitled mortgage foreclosure action was filed on February 8, 2016, and is now pending. (i) The names of all Plaintiffs and the case number are identified above. (ii) The name(s) of the title holder(s) of record is/ are: Gregory Toepfer, Deceased (iii) A legal description of the real estate sufficient to identify it with reasonable certainty is as follows: Lot 30 in Blakely’s Estates Subdivision to the Village of Dalzell, being a part of the East Half of the Northeast Quarter and the Southeast Fractional Quarter of Section 25, Township 16 North, Range 11, East of the Fourth Principal Meridian, Bureau County, Illinois, excepting therefrom the underlying coal, fireclay and other minerals, together with the right to dig, mine and remove the same without entering upon the surface thereof, all lying and being situated in the County of Bureau, in the State of Illinois.

P.I.N. 18-25-200-057 (iv) A common address or description of the location of the real estate is as follows: 219 Anderes Circle, Dalzell, Illinois 61320-9760 (v) An identification of the mortgage sought to be foreclosed is as follows: Name of Mortgagor: Gregory Toepfer Name of Mortgagee: First Federal Savings Bank, a Corporation existing and organized under the laws of the United States of America Date of Mortgage: February 17, 2012 Date of Recording: February 21, 2012 County Where Recorded: LaSalle County, Illinois Recording Document Identification: 2012R00702 (vi) Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that the law firm representing First Federal Savings Bank of Ottawa is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt, and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Dated: April 12, 2016 Mary Dremann Clerk of the Court WILLIAM T. SURIN, # 02777622 Armstrong & Surin 724 Columbus Street Ottawa, IL 61350 Telephone: (815) 431-1234 aslaw@mchsi.com Published in the Bureau County Republican Apr. 14, 21 and 28, 2016.

Tract 2: Lot 2 in Block 5 in the Village of Dover, County of Bureau and State of Illinois.

Permanent Index Number: 10-25-204-002 Permanent Index Number: 10-25-204-005 Commonly known as: 300 W Washington, Dover, IL 61323 will be offered for sale and sold at public vendue on May 11, 2016 at 10:00 a.m., in the Lobby of the Bureau County Courthouse, 700 S. Main St. #B5, Princeton, IL 61356.

The Judgment amount is $139,157.01.

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Sheriff of Bureau County. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the mortgaged real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments or special taxes levied against said real estate, and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to the Plaintiff and in ”As Is” condition. The Sale is further subject to confirmation by the Court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser shall receive a Certificate of Sale, which will entitle the purchaser to a Deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection.

Prospective bidders are admonished to check the Court file to verify all information.

For information, contact the Plaintiff’s Attorney: Heavner, Beyers & Mihlar, LLC, 111 East Main Street, Decatur, IL 62523, (217) 422-1719.

The purchaser of a condominium unit at a judicial foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, who takes possession of a condominium unit pursuant to a court order or a purchaser who acquires title from a mortgagee shall have the duty to pay the

proportionate share, if any, of the common expenses for the unit which would have become due in the absence of any assessment acceleration during the 6 months immediately preceding institution of an action to enforce the collection of assessments, and which remain unpaid by the owner during whose possession the assessments accrued. If the outstanding assessments are paid at any time during any action to enforce the collection of assessments, the purchaser shall have no obligation to pay any assessments which accrued before he or she acquired title. If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by the Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5 (g-1).

If the sale is not confirmed for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the purchase price paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee’s attorney.

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701 (c) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. Note: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act you are advised that the Law Firm of Heavner, Beyers & Mihlar, LLC, is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt, and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Published in the Bureau County Republican Apr. 14, 21 and 28, 2016.

NOTICE OF SALE STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF BUREAU PRINCETON, BUREAU COUNTY, ILLINOIS SELENE FINANCE LP, ) Plaintiff, ) vs. ) LAURA L. FRANK AKA LAURA FRANK AKA ) LAURA SEITZ AKA LAURA L. SEITZ, ) Defendant. ) CASE NO. 15-CH-45 PROPERTY ADDRESS: 300 W WASHINGTON DOVER, IL 61323 PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of the above Court entered in the above entitled cause on January 29, 2016, the following described real estate, to-wit: Tract 1: Lot 1 in Block 5 in the Village of Dover, excepting therefrom an area consisting of 10 square feet in the Northwest corner of said lot; all lying and being situated in the County of Bureau in the State of Illinois.

STATE OF ILLINOIS CIRCUIT COURT BUREAU COUNTY NOTICE OF FILING A REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE (ADULT) Request of: Rachel Marie Winius Bandaly There will be a court hearing on my request to change my name from: Rachel Marie Winius Bandaly to the

new name of: Rachel Marie Bandaly.

The court hearing will be held: on 6/14/16 at 1:30 p.m. at 700 S. Main St., Princeton, Bureau County, in Courtroom #210. /s/Rachel Winius Bandaly Published in the Bureau County Republican Apr. 28, May 5 and 12, 2016.

OPEN HOUSES MALDEN SATURDAY APRIL 30TH 1 PM - 2 PM 304 Chestnut - Malden 408 Cherry St. - Malden

1221 North Main Street, Princeton, IL

2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

815-875-1221

26052 Angling Rd. - Malden

www.illinoisvalleyhomeshow.com

Price Reduced! $60,000 Dalzell Home w/ 2 BR and large back yard, attached garage PLUS central air.

Roof & furnace 2009. Vinyl siding, Additional shed. #09154880

New Listing! $99,500 Princeton! 3 BR, great location. Oak woodwork, stained glass window.

Cupboards, oven & cooktop 2013. Wood FP (gas start).

Enclosed porch. #09199184

New Listing! $85,000 New Listing! Princeton Country Home - $67,500 Ladd. 3 BR w/ great open 2.4 Acre farmette. Newer floor plan, upper level loft, roof, 5 car garage, beautiful large eat - in kitchen, back wooded area, (Property sold yard w/ deck. Full unfinished as-is). Home w/ 3 BR & 9’x15’ basement. Vinyl siding, CA, pantry. #09195009 FP in LR. #09193631

New Listing! $89,500 Fantastic Opportunity!

New Listing! $324,900 New Listing! $159,000 9 Hole Golf Course! Newly Country Home! Brick 5 BR, on Princeton! 3 BR ranch style w/ Gorgeous 3 BR, updated kitchen, hardwood floors, remodeled clubhouse. Turn 15 acres w/ partially finished 1 bath. Central air, basement partially finished. Newer key business includes carts, lower level. Newer thermal large corner lot, roof 2015, windows, high efficiency shed & inventory. Priced at windows. Screened in porch stainless steel appliances. furnace, whole house fan. $325,000 - Call for additional overlooks timber. 32’x48’ (upper storage room possible Deck. #09194660 4th BR). #09189933 info. #09195133 shop. #09194948

Price Reduced! $89,900 Princeton! Spacious 45 BR, 2 full baths, wrap around porch, large back yard, 35’ deep heated garage Plus concrete pad, Wood floors.

Plus MORE! #09065607 SM-PR6395462-0428

Price Reduced! $229,000 New Listing! Sheffield $149,000 New Listing! $165,500 4 BR Home - Nearly fully Princeton! 5-6 BR, LR w/ Princeton Home on 6 renovated. Open floor plan, vaulted ceiling & gas FP, Timbered Acres! In-ground pool, 3 sided deck, balcony, white kitchen cabinetry, remodeled kitchen, jetted SS appliances, hardwood tub, includes appliances. 2 brick patio, 4 BR, walkout basement, woodburning FP in floors, deck. Home Warranty. Furnaces & 2 CA. Garage is 2.5 #09195877 car space. #09199574 LR & FR. #08934289

NOTICE OF SALE STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF BUREAU PRINCETON, BUREAU COUNTY, ILLINOIS SELENE FINANCE LP, ) Plaintiff, ) vs. ) LAURA L. FRANK AKA LAURA FRANK ) AKA LAURA SEITZ AKA LAURA L. SEITZ, ) Defendant. ) CASE NO. 15-CH-45 PROPERTY ADDRESS: 300W WASHINGTON DOVER, IL 61323 PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of the above Court entered in the above entitled cause on January 29, 2016, the following described real estate, to-wit: Permanent Index Number: 10-25-204-002 Permanent Index Number: 10-25-204-005 Commonly known as: 300W Washington, Dover, IL 61323 will be offered for sale and sold at public vendue on May 11, 2016 at 10:00 a.m., in the Lobby of the Bureau County Courthouse, 700 S. Main St. #B5, Princeton, IL 61356.

The Judgment amount is $139,157.01.

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Sheriff of Bureau County. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the mortgaged real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments or special taxes levied against said real estate, and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to the Plaintiff and in “As Is” condition. The Sale is further subject to confirmation by the Court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser shall receive a Certificate of Sale, which will entitle the purchaser to a Deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the Court file to verify all information.

For information, contact the Plaintiffâ ™s Attorney: Heavner, Beyers & Mihlar, LLC, 111 East Main Street, Decatur, IL 62523, (217) 4221719.

The purchaser of a condominium unit at a judicial foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, who takes possession of a condominium unit pursuant to a court order or a purchaser who acquires title from a mortgagee shall have the duty to pay the proportionate share, if any, of the common expenses for the unit which would have become due in the absence of any assessment acceleration during the 6 months immediately preceding institution of an action to enforce the collection of assessments, and which remain unpaid by the owner during whose possession the assessments accrued. If the outstanding assessments are paid at any time during any action to enforce the collection of assessments, the purchaser shall have no obligation to pay any assessments which accrued before he or she acquired title. If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by the Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5 (g-1).

If the sale is not confirmed for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the purchase price paid.

The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee’s attorney.

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701 (c) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. Note: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act you are advised that the Law Firm of Heavner, Beyers & Mihlar, LLC, is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt, and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Published in the Bureau County Republican Apr. 14, 21 and 28, 2016.

18 Biz Ag

18A • Thursday, April 28, 2016

Bureau County Republican • bcrnews.com

Business&Ag

Do you have a new business? Has someone from your company received an award? Is your ag operation doing something different or unique? — Contact BCR Staff Writer Lyle Ganther at 815-875-4461, ext. 6360, or email him at lganther@bcrnews.com with your story ideas or press releases.

Energized by improvement

Ameren Illinois working to expand efficiently while rewarding customers who join them

By Eric Engel eengel@bcrnews.com

PRINCETON — A bill arrives in the mail, and there’s an additional charge on it, mandated by legislation. Here are the two choices … you can get rewarded for paying that charge while helping the public in the process, or you can choose to receive nothing while still paying the additional cost. Which would you prefer?

Kenny Blum, communications advisor at Ameren Illinois, stopped by the Princeton Public Library Tuesday, April 19, to inform community members how Ameren Illinois is improving their system and to encourage them to take advantage of cost-cutting measures in their homes.

Blum, who’s been with the company for 20 years, said Ameren makes safety their No. 1 concern because electricity is dangerous to work with. The power company serves 1,200 communities over a 44,000-square-mile service territory. With Ameren supplying juice to 1,200,000 electric customers and 813,000 natural gas customers, Blum wanted to make sure they are not viewed as the “big bad utility company taking everyone’s money.

“We’re investing $3,500,000,000 over the next 10 years to improving our aging infrastructure,” Blum said, admitting the system is old and there are many ways to improve reliability.

He talked about a tornado he experienced years back in his hometown of Elmwood where people were out and about after the disaster — near downed power lines still fervent with electricity. There’s nothing normal about a storm, and the conditions are bad to work in, so Ameren is constantly working

to improve their response and recuperation times, even in this fast-paced environment.

When Blum first started, the call volume at the call center after a terrible disaster wouldn’t pick up for hours, and the callers would be patient, but today it’s different. People ask him why Ameren doesn’t put their electric lines underground, yet they as taxpayers would pay for such monumental work, and Blum said it takes four times longer to restore electricity on an underground circuit — as it’s much easier to see a blown transformer hanging off a power pole than one buried underfoot.

“Part of the improvement is putting in stronger power poles more resistant to wind, and installing smart meters with two-way communications with customers,” Blum said, stating Ameren would be able to remotely read meters and tell if the power is out, saving snowbirds in Florida from losing their halfrack of beef in the deep freeze. “With smart meters we can remotely turn the electricity on and off, so I’m excited to improve the system because the technology is out there.”

Blum said if a person is considering a backup generator for their house, they must meet with a certified electrician and are mandated by law to have a transfer switch installed. A ground fault interrupter outlet is now installed next to any water source as well, because 120 volts of electricity can run through the body like a swarm of angry wasps.

“When electricity grabs hold of you, it boils your blood,” he said, solemnly directing a bystander to unplug the power cord of an item — rather than make physical contact with a victim of electrocution. “Also, call 911 immediately after because the (victim’s) organs could shut down, and you just don’t

get a second chance around this stuff.”

Seeing Green Blum said by 2025, 25 percent of the electricity Ameren purchases for customers must be from renewables like wind, solar or hydro.

Right now they only receive 6 percent from renewables, so there is work to be done.

“Illinois is going green, and one of the ways we get there is through an energy efficiency program called Act on Energy,” Blum said, explaining Ameren looks forward to paying out customers who want to go green.

He suggested homeowners replace their incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents or LED light bulbs, as they use 75 percent less energy, last 10 times longer and are cool to the touch. Be sure to recycle the incandescent light bulbs properly — at county health departments, Lowe’s or Home Depot — or the mercury will seep from landfills into our drinking water.

“We’ve discounted light bulbs to make them more affordable, and our refrigerator or deep freeze recycling program will get the ones that aren’t energy efficient off the grid,” Blum said, noting Ameren will pick up the old “coffin” for free, dispose of it, and send you a check for $50.

For every degree you lower your thermostat, you will save 2.5 percent in energy costs.

Ameren energy advisors — who aren’t salesman — can do a home energy audit, where they look at heating, cooling, lighting and insulation for $50 instead of $400. Act on Energy will pay up to $1,200 for blown insulation, and new washing machines or low flow shower heads use less water and put less strain on the water heater.

“Trust me, these energy efficient programs are not going away,” he said, adding Ameren

BCR photo/Eric Engel

Ameren Illinois Communications Advisor Kenny Blum stopped into the Princeton Public Library on Tuesday, April 19, to enthusiastically share with residents ways to save money on their energy, like recycling appliances and switching to efficient light bulbs. uses their clients’ money to make things affordable. “You should get something out of it because you’re the ones paying into these programs.”

Blum informed those looking for a good-paying job with quality benefits to check out amerenillinois.com, and anyone interested in learning more about safety and electricity can visit safeelectricity.org, or actonenergy.com.

Comment on this story at www.bcrnews. com.

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19 Biz Ag

Thursday, April 28, 2016 • 19A

Bureau County Republican • bcrnews.com

Property Transfers

Photo contributed

Gail Pyszka, chief executive officer, Illini Valley Association of Realtors congratulates Beckie Chismarick, ReMax Country, as the recipient of the 2016 Realtor of the Year for the Illini Valley Association of Realtors, with Alice Green, United Country Starved Rock Realty, president of the Illini Valley Association of Realtors.

Photo contributed

Gail Pyszka, chief executive officer, Illini Valley Association of Realtors congratulates Linda Taglia, 1st Farm Credit Services, as the recipient of the 2016 Affiliate Recognition Award for the Illini Valley Association of Realtors with Alice Green, United Country Starved Rock Realty, President of the Illini Valley Association of Realtors.

IV Realtors receive awards The Illini Valley Association of Realtors’ annual awards banquet was held at Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Club in LaSalle.

Alex Finke, Illinois Realtors’ local governmental affairs director, was the guest speaker. Finke presented an update on governmental issues affecting Illinois Realtors and the need for realtors to be active in the political realm. Voting in every election and being vigilant of ordinances affecting the real estate industry were the main points of Finke’s presentation.

Two members of the Illini Valley Association of Realtors who completed the GRI Program thereby earning the GRI Designation were Katie Troccoli, Managing Broker, Washington Square Realty; and Jarrett Myers, Broker, eXp Realty.

People who successfully completed the Illini Valley Orientation were Mark Clark, eXp Realty; Patrick Chismarick, RE/MAX Country; Ryan Coss, McConville Realty & Auctioneering; Jennifer Ellena, Koyak Appraisal Service; Steve Haun, Gonet

Realty; Cheyenne Khounnha, Landmark Realty of Illinois; Kaye Pearson, Landmark Realty of Illinois; Beth Mulcahy, Landmark Realty of Illinois; Angela Stirbis, United Country Starved Rock Realty; Jackie Thompson, Coldwell Banker Today’s Realtors; and Dara Weikel, Janko Realty & Development.

2015 Bronze President’s Club Award recipients were Alice Green, Broker, United Country Starved Rock Realty; Brenda Stanfield, Broker, Landmark Realty of Illinois; and Katie Troccoli, Managing Broker, Washington Square Realtors. The Bronze Life Award was presented to Roxana Noble, Broker, Landmark Realty of Illinois. The Silver Life Award was presented to Roxana Noble, Broker, Landmark Realty of Illinois. The Gold Life Award was presented to: Alice Green, Broker, United Country Starved Rock Realty.

The 2015 Platinum Life Award recipient is Roxana Noble, Broker, Landmark Realty of Illinois. The 2015 Diamond Life

Award was presented to Roxana Noble, Broker, Landmark Realty of Illinois.

Beckie Chismarick, Broker, RE/MAX Country received the Garnet President’s Club Award. The Sapphire President’s Club Award was presented to Beckie Chismarick, Broker, RE/MAX Country. The Emerald President’s Club Awards was presented to Beckie Chismarick, Broker, RE/MAX Country. The Ruby President’s Club Award was presented to Janelle McCarter, Managing Broker, Landmark Realty of Illinois. The Ruby Life Award was presented to Bonnie Lester, Broker, Coldwell Banker Today’s Realtors.

The recipient of the 2016 Illini Valley Affiliate Recognition Award is Linda Taglia, vice president; Rural Consumer, 1st Farm Credit Services. The 2016 Realtor of the Year Award is Beckie Chismarick, Broker, ReMax Country.

The Illini Valley Association of Realtors jurisdictional territory includes LaSalle County, Putnam County and a major portion of Bureau County.

Welcome

The following property transfers were recently recorded at the Bureau County Recorder of Deeds’ office in the Bureau County Courthouse: April 11, 2016 Joann Pozzi, Evelyn Smoode Revocable Trust and Joseph Smoode to Blake Moreno, trustees’ deed, Lot 6 in Block 14 in Greenwood’s Addition, Spring Valley, $35,000.

Konnie and Peter Swanson to Dawn and Ronald Swanson, warranty deed, part of Section 20 in Bureau Township, $26,500.

April 13, 2016 Patricia Wlodarchak to Steven Michelini, executor deed, part of Section 13 in Westfield Township, $715,000.

Gloria and Norman Hostetler to Joyce and Lester Kropf, joint tenancy deed, part of Section 13 in Fairfield Township, $55,000.

Gloria and Norman Hostetler to Jesse and Kendra Hostetler, joint tenancy deed, part of Section 6 in Gold Township and part of Section 31 in Fairfield Township, $980,000.

Wells Fargo Bank to John Bauer, warranty deed, part of Section 25 in Dover Township, $49,500.

Scott and Tammy Taylor to Nicholas Roberts,

warranty deed, Lots 6-8 in Block 25 in Wyanet, $110,000.

April 14, 2016 Carol and Mark Shearburn to Molly and Russell Blogg, joint tenancy deed, part of Section 21 in Princeton Township, $220,000.

Jeremy and Julie Rediger to RW Miller and RW Miller Portion 1 Trust, deed in trust, part of Section 6 in Wyanet Township, $115,000.

Kerry Jaggers to Jack and Lauren Brimm, joint tenancy deed, Lot 3 in J.B. Johnson Subdivision, Princeton, $92,000.

Annette and John Fox to Vangelis Fousekas, warranty deed, Lot 12 in Block 123 in O’Beirne’s Third Addition, Spring Valley, $51,000.

April 15, 2016 Gary and Jacquelyn Sinclair to Taylor Kalhammer and William Meyer Jr., joint tenancy deed, Lot 20 in Block 14 in West Addition, Princeton, $137,000.

Richard and Robert Ioder to Koehler Enterprises LP, warranty deed, part of Section 29 in Milo Township, $698,000.

Karen and Mark Townsend to Cara and Daniel Kniss, joint tenancy deed, Lot 6 in Timber Ridge Phase 3, Princeton, $284,000.

ATTENTION READERS: Sauk Valley Media and Bureau County Republican are publishing a

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Owner(s) of barn: __________________________________

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Address of barn: ___________________________________

Serving the Community Since 1894 SM-PR6395576-0428

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20

20A • Thursday, April 28, 2016

Bureau County Republican • bcrnews.com

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1

2

2B • Spring 2016

Heroin in the Illinois Valley

“Every day I wake up I know I need drugs, but the only thing I can think is ... am I going to get enough drugs today to kill myself?

Am I going to be able to die because I am so miserable?

I don’t want to be alive anymore because I know I don’t want to use drugs, but I don’t know how to stop. That’s how deep it gets.”

Breaking the chains

Former addict finds a better life only after countless overdoses

By Eric Engel Shaw Media Service

A Bureau County man in his 30s was a heroin addict for a decade. Out of respect for his family, he will be known as “John.” This is his story.

John said he never really felt normal, and although he was raised by two great parents, he always behaved like a kid who just didn’t fit in.

He can’t recall a time in his life when he was ever truly happy or at peace, and like so many agitated youth who defer to simply surviving, he began searching for outlets to his anger in the shadows of the sun.

“I started hanging out with misfit and unique people who were rebellious in my early teens, and that’s when I was introduced to my first drink of alcohol and to smoking marijuana,” John said, claiming he felt more alive and accepted while intoxicated than during any days of his confusing adolescence.

What started as drinking with friends on the weekends turned into multiple citations and driving under the influence tickets, as well as severe concern from his parents about their son’s social and psychological well-being.

“My parents thought I might have a substance abuse problem, but I didn’t see it that way,” John said. “I was just having fun, and thought it was pretty normal.”

John dropped out of high school because he was skipping more classes than he attended, and felt no agenda to follow authority. “Doing what he wanted” mostly included getting drunk and using drugs, including marijuana, prescription pills like Oxycontin and essentially anything that camouflaged his lackluster reality.

“At one point someone who had never met me personally came up to me and said, ‘I’ve heard you’ll do any drug put in front of your face.’

That was my reputation,” he said, adding he now sees clearly the red flags that flapped like bloody threads on the side of that desolate trail.

The fateful evening

came when John was introduced to heroin. He was worried about shooting up ever since studying D.A.R.E. in grade school, but overstepping boundaries had grown routine as a regular stride in his life ... so he did not fear the potential plummet of the oncoming stumble.

“I go ahead and use for the first time and spent the entire night throwing up. I couldn’t speak straight or keep my eyes open, and when I woke the next morning, I thought it was the best thing ever,” John said, having tasted a flavor never to find his tongue again.

“I wanted it; I craved it, and over the next few years, I actively sought out heroin,” he said, stating a two and one-half hour drive for a Chicago score eventually became a daily chore.

“I was always hiding, living a double life. In the smack dab middle of my active addiction, my only reality was getting high, and at some point, that front goes away,” said John, who began a vicious cycle of lying to family and stealing from friends, anything to still the unavoidable illness of withdrawals. “I started doing things I never would have dreamed I’d do.”

Felony possession charges led to jail time; 30 days here, 60 days there, and although John testified of the sheer distaste for the serpent’s fire, it would be but mere hours outside the cell before the venom coursed his veins again.

“Nothing I would tell myself would help. As soon as I was around it, the gears got turning in my brain, and I’d be right back in.”

John overdosed — as in a “revived from certain death at the hospital” overdose. He admitted he can’t remember how many times he has overdosed in his life, but the number exceeds double digits. Drugs found in his pocket landed him in the Illinois Department of Corrections, and he was behind bars when his son was born.

“I vowed to never use heroin again — that I just want to be a good father and family member, and

I really believe all this is possible. Within three days of being on parole, I shoot up and overdose,” John recalled painfully, stating that was the basement where he finally found numbers for treatment centers.

Denial runs deep in addiction, John said. It’s virtually impossible for an addict to see reality because their denial is so deep. The only way to keep the needle buried as the engine rages like a volcano is to dismiss any witness of the flames.

John was locked up for 11 months and vowed he’d never touch that filthy drug again, yet it took him three days to be buried in dirt.

“When I’m in my active addiction, the parts of my brain that make all rational decisions are virtually turned off, and all I can do is feed my addiction,” he said. “A big part in the beginning of my recovery was finding out I don’t have a moral deficiency, I have a brain disease.”

John found an in-patient treatment center.

He was not a worthless person, simply a drug

John Page 3B

Shaw Media photos/Eric Engel

3

Spring 2016 • 3B

Heroin in the Illinois Valley

A D.A.R.E.-ing approach Police officer teaches children the dangers of drugs and harmful behavior

By Eric Engel Shaw Media Service

Define the problem. Assess what your choices are.

Respond by making a choice. Evaluate that decision to see if you think it’s a good one or not. Dare to exist as if life is a gift to be handled with the utmost care.

Rob Jensen has been the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) officer in Princeton for the past 18 years. Throughout that time, he has witnessed the D.A.R.E. program’s constant evolution, because drug abuse and violent behavior stand like weeds cloaked in a robe of thorns and must be ripped at their roots.

Jensen said current D.A.R.E. curriculum is called “Keeping it Real,” and although it certainly still covers information on the harmful effects of drug use, it is now more focused on how to make good decisions in a step-by-step process. Define, assess, respond and evaluate. Where will you be if you choose rebellious behavior? Suspended from school? Sitting in jail? In the hospital? Even worse?

“Every drug addiction could be traced back to one single moment in time where a bad decision was made to try that drug,” Jensen said, a firm believer in the notion of consideration before the jump instead of leaping blindly without defining any possible consequence. “’Keeping it Real’ is more of a forward-thinking approach.”

Jensen said when he first started teaching D.A.R.E., the lesson plan was centered around advising against tobacco, alcohol and marijuana, considered the three gateway drugs for junior high and high school kids.

Like a small town that develops into a flourishing city, the D.A.R.E. program has expanded to add general safety techniques, conflict resolution, quality communication and violence prevention to drug prevention.

“We teach kindergartners through fourth-graders everything from avoiding strangers, following directions, staying out of the medicine cabinet, and watching for dangerous things around the house, to calling 911 and obeying traffic signs,” Jensen said, comment-

Does the D.A.R.E. program really work? ing they still teach about the dangers of drugs but wait until the fifth grade level and beyond to further intensify the lesson plan, as to avoid souring adolescent innocence.

Jensen said fifth-graders are taught how to deal with stress properly instead of bottling it negativity or turning to drugs. Peer pressure is lessened to a good degree through the curriculum as well. By the time students get to seventh and eighth grade, they are essentially offered refresher courses of all they’ve learned in their D.A.R.E. history and advised on how to handle and avoid violence and conflict, as their independence at that stage of life affects their surroundings more than

ever before.

Does D.A.R.E. really work?

Jensen said he’s heard that question multiple times, adding people on a national level tend to lean toward the opinion the program doesn’t work, but residents of Bureau County have always been in his corner concerning the education he provides.

“The unfortunate problem is it’s hard to gauge the program’s effectiveness because the only statistics you can look at are the ones that don’t succeed, as they end up in the system,” Jensen said. “You don’t hear from the ones that do succeed.”

Jensen emphasized D.A.R.E. is not a stand alone program but designed to work along with parents, schools and communities. Responsibility should be taken accordingly instead of passing the buck on to Jensen and others who try to hand out the necessary information and hope students take the initiative to follow through.

When it comes to heroin, Jensen said all officers are aware of its rising prevalence, and they take as much of an active approach as they can, including enforcement action.

“Our department always keeps searching and making arrests. Heroin doesn’t stand out necessarily because all drugs are bad, but you keep your wits about you and work through it all.”

Although Jensen doesn’t openly explain the harsh reality of heroin or methamphetamine to a 10-yearold child, he always answers any question asked, in the classroom or outside of it. He said you never know who will hear and receive an accurate message, and a healthy discussion makes little impact if confined.

“The goal is still to help people, even the ones who are on drugs,” Jensen said, adding action has to be taken against those who break the law, but not with the intention of harming another human being, even if they have deteriorated their surroundings.

“It’s difficult to see them go through things when mistakes are made, but you still try to treat people with respect.”

“The goal is still to help people, even the ones who are on drugs.” D.A.R.E. Officer Rob Jensen John From Page 2B

addict. He had believed in his demise — that addiction was his only vice — until his closest friend came around the bend in the mirror with arms outstretched like wings of hope. There is always a choice, and it’s not stopping the inferno as it burns down the house, but whether you choose to rebuild.

“In the treatment center I’m introduced to the 12-step program, and this is where I learn even more; not about addiction, but about recovery,” John said, surrounded by people who abused and lamented as he had, and fought for their very lives like he wanted to. “I hear people talking about things they did, the way they felt that day or felt while using, and I know I’m in the right place.”

John stated that which

is brutally obvious — it’s hard to understand an addict if you haven’t experienced an addiction. Toward the end of his addiction he was lying, cheating, stealing and homeless; a bad son, a poor father and a constant criminal, and yet every breath was spent chasing the dragon that continually flies further away.

“For anybody’s who’s the type of addict I am, it may not be to that point yet, but it’s progressive, and it only gets worse,” he said, demanding addicts amputate their source of poison, for mothers dressed in black have yet to find the clock turned back.

John said there is no shame in searching for help; that 12-step is a “we” program full of loving souls who delight when the sun breaks through those shadows in the night. John has

been off heroin for more than two years, minus a single relapse. It is said relapse is part of recovery. Judgment is not.

“When I had a double life, I lived separate from my addiction. Then it was all my life consisted of, and I lived in my addiction. When I was miserable and hated myself and the things I was doing, I lived against my addiction, and it sucked the life out of me. Today, I live with my addiction. I can acknowledge it will always be a part of me, and learn more about myself and my emotions ... how to be a better person living a better life.

You have the key. Open the gates, and let the horse run free.

“I built a prison for a decade, and today I have freedom from it,” he concluded.

“If I can help even one person, then this is all worth it.”

Shaw Media photo/Eric Engel

“When I had a double life, I lived separate from my addiction. Then it was all my life consisted of, and I lived in my addiction. When I was miserable and hated myself and the things I was doing, I lived against my addiction, and it sucked the life out of me. Today, I live with my addiction.

I can acknowledge it will always be a part of me, and learn more about myself and my emotions ... how to be a better person living a better life.”

WE SUPPORT the fight against heroin in the ILLINOIS VALLEY. TOGETHER we make a difference!

SM-PR2650716-0428

Granville Police Department, Kevin Moore, Chief Village of Granville, Douglas Gimbal, Village Pres.

Trustees & Employees

4

4B • Spring 2016

Heroin in the Illinois Valley

Shaw Media photo/Eric Engel

‘Enough is enough’ Area ER nurse has seen the lies in heroin; shoots users with brutal truth B y Eric Engel Shaw Media Service

Editor’s note: The source in this story asked to remain anonymous to protect her privacy. While Shaw Media knows her name, she will be referred to as Jane throughout the story.

An emergency room registered nurse, in her last semester of nursing school, was training for her future profession at a local hospital. The calm tranquility of a medical clinic tending a slow shift was ruptured by a bag of bones under the comatose characteristics of a heroin overdose. Jane prepared herself to save someone’s life.

The breathless body was likely dropped at the emergency room door by a friend who was “going to go park the car.” The nurses rarely see the friend again.

Jane remained calm, as any medical professional must for the sake of the weak and wounded. The heart continues beating during a heroin overdose, but the lungs seem to drag their feet.

Most overdose victims are not breathing, so Jane waited. As the overdose victim landed on the trauma room bed, his head flopped back, and she saw a face she recognized. Her heart dropped to the floor as she thought, “I know this person.”

That was the first time Jane encountered a heroin overdose; for an emergency room registered

nurse in the area, it’s seemingly never the last.

Jane shared her emotional experience as an ER nurse because each time heroin tries to take a life, she is tasked with giving it back.

“I’ve seen a lot of overdoses come in, and only a few have woke up cooperative and thank us for what we did,” Jane said.

“Most times they’re mad we took away their high.”

Jane explained heroin blocks the receptors in the body that regulate breathing, so an overdose victim is given Narcan — also known as Naloxone — an opiate antagonist used for partial or complete opiate overdose.

When given the opiate reversal, an individual usually wakes up within 30 seconds, as Narcan instantly removes all opiates from the body and its systems.

Imagine a bear with its leg caught in a trap, swatting razor sharp claws with snarling ferocity even as you attempt to free it ...

“They wake up, their high is gone, and they don’t know where they are,” she said, indicating many are incredibly cranky and swearing en route to the closest exit.

“We can’t hold people against their will, so if they want to go, they can go.”

Jane said an overdose victim who is saved from sure death can simply walk out the door back to their addiction with no legal ramifications or family members being

notified. Legislation is in the works which will allow Narcan to be sold over the counter with a doctor’s prescription, which makes Jane’s skin crawl.

“It almost seems like they’re encouraging people to take heroin until they overdose because you’ll have Narcan in your medicine cabinet just in case you need to stumble over there and use it,” she said, adding heroin addicts have no problem pricking themselves with the medicine cabinet savior.

Overdoses come in spurts, Jane said. Months would pass by without one, and then two or three in one week would be tossed onto the cement in front of the ER door. Heroin not only decreases your drive to breath, but it kills pain receptors, so graduating from a lower to a higher dosage or quality will ultimately cause problems for a user.

“It almost seemed like you could tell when a bad batch came out of Chicago or the manufacturer,” Jane said. “Heroin is a mix of all kinds of junk the body can’t handle, so if they put too much of one thing in, you’re sitting there, and then you’re gone.”

Jane will never touch heroin, but she is no fool as to why users continue once they make their first mistake. A heroin high eliminates pain and makes the body feel good, but only on a surface level.

“I’ve heard people who have used in the past and successfully make it through rehab can’t drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes or even drink caffeine because any of these addictive substances will make you relapse and go back to it.”

Jane knows what heroin does to a person on a personal level as well.

A family member was hooked on heroin and burned all bridges. She said supporting someone’s habit with lodging, money or transportation — anything besides love — will only do further damage. Her family member went to rehab, but only by choice, as medical employees have no legal ability to force rehab upon anyone.

“You can tell people to get clean and take them to rehab, but until they say, ‘You’re right, it’s time to quit,’ they’re just going to go use again,” Jane said. “They have to want to stop.”

Research indicates it takes 28 days to break a habit, and heroin addicts aren’t known for holding a steady job with health insurance, so rehabilitation likely seems like an uphill climb in both directions to many users.

“There needs to be more resources available,” Jane said, indicating many people call the hospital looking to be admitted to rehab, and when told to find a treatment center they have no idea where to direct their first step. “There are a couple places in Peoria,

“You read about it in the morning paper and see it in the news, yet people continue to take that first shot. You think you’re not going to get hooked, but you do, so it amazes me why people even start to begin with.” some in the Quad Cities and maybe Bloomington, but that’s an hour away.”

Jane must console screaming family members who dread a death notice in the hospital waiting room. She has seen track marks so severe people are literally carrying around dead limbs on their body. She has seen children crying in the backseat as their father is wheeled into the hospital on a stretcher.

“It is heartbreaking to see this happen, but at the same time you know it’s going to,” she said, adding nothing is more maddening than repeat customers who get their Narcan and are on their way. “You read about it in the morning paper and see it in the news, yet people continue to take that first shot. You think

you’re not going to get hooked, but you do, so it amazes me why people even start to begin with.”

After five years as an RN in the emergency room, Jane has no time for judgment.

She would ask users to be truthful about what they’ve taken as a way to help them help themselves.

Don’t ever experiment with heroin, she encouraged, but if you do, you have to deal with it.

“Enough is enough.

Let’s grow up and get over this. There are resources out there, and I’ve given you rehab centers, names of doctors, methadone clinics … look into it!” she pleaded.

“I can’t make you want to do that. You have to take that step to get clean and change your life.”

5

Spring 2016 • 5B

Heroin in the Illinois Valley

Shaw Media photo/Eric Engel

A stranger in his own skin Princeton native speaks of bravery in throwing away the needle

By Eric Engel Shaw Media Service

Zach Mortensen lost his truth when he found the needle. He lost the relationships with those closest to him, his self respect and the ability to inspire other people to succeed.

He said once a person becomes an addict, they are a stranger in their own skin because they’ve lost the world they know and love.

Mortensen grew up in Princeton, and he rode the rickety and ruptured rails of methamphetamine into the early stages of his adult life while down in Florida. To distance himself from that proverbial speeding bullet, he moved to Missouri to live with his father and began working at a factory. He said it was there the painted lady known as heroin quickly kissed his skin and crawled within.

Mortensen would go to work to make money to buy drugs. Rather than providing a solution to the problems already in his life, heroin provided a further retreat into the clutches of isolation. It asked for his attention like flood waters ask the buildings to bow.

“Heroin made me destroy myself and everything around me,” Mortensen said, as he recalled shoving real emotions out the door if ever they attempted to veer closer than the choking chemicals. “I made it my girlfriend, my mom, my relationships — whatever I wanted it to be at the

time.”

Mortensen sold Oxycontin to fund his fix, and pawned off personal possessions like his bicycle for money, cashing in pennies to afford a single “button” of heroin. He said his family was dirt poor, so “you can’t steal what they don’t have,” but he would stumble through the streets in search of every crutch he could muster only to be splintered by the broken posts in his hand.

The man became a machine. Score some smack. Get high. Enjoy it for five minutes, and then start worrying about when and where your next fix will be found. Get sick from the withdrawn tick that bites worse than the most furious flu. Become the demon to find the means. Score some smack.

Get high.

“Withdrawals are beyond painful. They feel like needles running through your blood — like razor blades cutting the inside of your skin,” said Mortensen, who would live off banana Popsicles and milk for a month straight, literally throwing up from the smell of a burger. “Your body tells you it needs food, but you say nope, and when you do eat, you get sick because you can’t physically go to the bathroom.”

Mortensen dropped from 200 pounds to 135 pounds and told his coworkers he was on a diet and had gotten into Pilates, as lies directed toward yourself quickly filter through to every-

one else. The polite and respectful administrator of peace was nowhere to be found, replaced by a critic of all loyalties, a statistic waiting to be checked off the sheet that wears only invisible ink.

Mortensen acquired multiple felonies and more than 40 misdemeanor charges in his life, so getting busted with six pounds of marijuana and multiple pharmaceuticals was nothing more than another punchline to him. He strolled into court wearing shorts and whistling a carefree tune ... and was told promptly to take 50 years in the slammer much more seriously, as that’s what approached him with overwhelming haste.

“I just took it as a joke and thought they were going to slap me on the wrist like any other time,” Mortensen said, adding he’d calm his worries by going home and getting high, as was the case associated with the before and after of most every action.

“A lot of people I talk to now say they hoped I would have confronted my issue, but if I wouldn’t have gotten busted and been in that courtroom I probably never would have gotten to that point.”

Mortensen realized he had no fulfillment in his career; he never saw a smile glancing back from the mirror, and the depth of the hole he had dug for himself halted all progress.

Old-timers in rehab shot him straight — “Do you want to be like me when

you’re 50? Getting drunk, doing drugs, altercations with your family, destroying your possessions, living to die?”

“Respect is the one thing you have as a human, so if I’m not respecting myself, why would anyone else respect me,” Mortensen said, stating the people who put the medicine in his hand and put a microscope over his routines was what finally dethroned his stare down with a double-barrel needle.

It’s been seven and onehalf years since Mortensen last danced with the dragon of heroin, and eight years since he wrestled the ravenous bear of methamphetamine ... yet he still struggles on a daily basis.

That putrid juice is incapable of eliminating nature’s responsibilities, though, for love is now his drug of choice.

“Every day I pick my son up from day care, and when I look at him, it makes my heart ache to even think about not being here for him,” Mortensen said. “He’s one of the main reasons I’m alive, and if he saw the way I used to live, it would break my heart.”

Mortensen said it takes

many steady hands to fix a broken mirror, and a thousand cycles around the clock for self-induced wounds to heal. He never expects forgiveness, yet constantly asks for it, for he knows trust is not taken, but given.

He said he often crosses paths with individuals he used to sell drugs to, and the remorse he feels for such actions overwhelms him at times.

“They made their choices, but I influenced those choices, and you can’t take that away for the rest of your life,” Mortensen said, fully aware he’s opened many doors that should have stayed closed. “Once you’re sober, you think about the damage you’ve done, and it kills you inside.”

Mortensen decided to reveal his true identity to help tell his tale, because he feels he owes it to his fellow man to save them from the horrors he’s encountered.

He has felt much shame in his life, and he has embarrassed his family, his friends and himself, but love, acceptance and understanding are binds in the rope that hangs to

the bottom of even the deepest holes.

Mortensen speaks from experience when he said people want to recover but have no means to, and even if it’s your granddaughter, your son, your mother — even if it’s you — we have to pry the evil mask from our faces and stop lying to ourselves and each other.

“We need to put it on every sign and every billboard in town, so when people drive through they think about how many children and families are being hurt by heroin,” he said. “When we have small town people overdosing, getting eaten up by the big world, we have to open our eyes.”

Mortensen said with a straight face for anyone to call him if they need a ride to rehab or a hand to hold while they stand on shaking legs in the face of change. This is a subject people are afraid to talk about, but when all you see in the mirror is an empty pane of glass, you have nothing left to lose.

“We have two choices.

We continue letting each other die, or we die trying to stop this disease.”

City of Spring Valley We Support the fights against Heroin

Walt Marini, Mayor SM-PR6395606-0428

215 North Greenwood Street, SPRING VALLEY, ILLINOIS 61362 City Hall • (815) 664-4221 Fax • (815) 664-2114 e-mail: svclerk@comcast.net • http://www.spring-valley.il.us

6

6B • Spring 2016

Heroin in the Illinois Valley

Plugging the leaks Bureau County State’s Attorney explains how hard it is to fight heroin

By Eric Engel Shaw Media Service

Imagine you’re trying to stop a leak in the boat. You plug it, patch it and plaster away in an effort to seal the hole entirely. But then another leak ... and another ... and suddenly the vessel resembles a slice of Swiss cheese.

You move like the wind to eradicate the liquid invasion, flooding your efforts toward the waves spewing aboard. The single enslaved wave rages violently around its dungeon, inviting the entire crew on a journey they won’t survive.

Shipmates stumble overboard, never to find their feet again, as the ocean laughs like a hurricane ... yet no good captain will ever abandon their ship until the ocean has eaten it whole, and 20,000 leagues thereafter.

Bureau County State’s Attorney Geno Caffarini never heard of heroin cases as a prosecutor in the early 1990s. Cocaine was the drug of choice, with a few prosecutions taking place each week in the area. Everybody knew you had to jab a needle into your arm to shoot up heroin, and only a rare few attempted to scale that rocky cliff. No one dared become a slave to smack — as it’s known on the street.

Not anymore.

“Heroin is relatively cheap — $10 a hit – and apparently you get this high you will never experience again,” Caffarini said, noting he hardly ever sees cocaine cases anymore, but heroin charges seep into the courtroom regularly.

“Heroin can be snorted, smoked or shot, so it’s gotten to the point where it’s easy to ingest, and you’re addicted from the get go.”

Even if a user snorts or smokes heroin, they will eventually have to inject it on the blind trail back toward that first high.

Comparing it to a deadly tornado, you look just to get a glimpse, but when you turn to run you can’t, as the funnel has found you. Young or old, rich or poor, clean or filthy; heroin does not differentiate.

“Prosecuting heroin is hard if you don’t have the local, state and national government behind you,” Caffarini admitted, stating every county in Illinois, and likely the country, has a heroin problem. “You definitely have to stop the use, as supply and demand is basically the law of economics.”

If people want the drug, dealers are going to get it to them. If people need the drug, they are going to find the dealers. Caffarini said people don’t understand what addiction is. They think they’ll take a one-time dip in the waters to cool off, so to speak, but end up sucked under the pool of churning lava.

“In my years of prosecuting, there are rare cases when someone stops using heroin,” he said, adding he knows more people who have died from an overdose than addicts who have gotten clean. “Cook County is no longer prosecuting Class 4 felonies for possession of controlled substances but instead referring them to treatment because we want people off the drug.

The first line of defense is getting them clean.”

Treatment is expensive. In-patient treatment costs thousands of dollars. Some don’t have insurance, and no one can be held in a treatment center against their will. Illinois is short on funds in many categories, the least of which is money toward heroin rehabilitation.

Caffarini would rather see his own father, brother or son sit in prison if they fail treatment rather than play Russian roulette with the needle’s venom, but it appears as if such actions only prolongs some user’s lives.

Three years in prison is often followed by three days of freedom before the saw reinserts its blade and grinds away.

“There are three things that can happen – you get treatment and get off the drug; you go to jail; or you go to the grave,” Caffarini said, having yet to find a 20-year heroin junkie, as every dope calendar eventually flips the final page. “We have to put a face on a heroin overdose, to know this person was once a successful person full of dreams.”

Peer pressure and a lack of understanding lead to heroin use.

We all think we’re mentally and physically stronger than a stigma, but as Caffarini knows all too well, that is a fallacy with heroin.

Give a young user or first-time offender probation, a few months in jail to clean the canals.

Fine them, and if they reach their paw into the honey jar again, send them to the Department of Corrections. For years, if need be.

“People need to be shaken up, and it’s hit-

Shaw Media photo/Eric Engel

Bureau County State’s Attorney Geno Caffarini

“We used to think all users came from dysfunctional families, but people from good families make the decision themselves, and then they are addicted to drugs. Heroin isn’t just here in the Illinois Valley and the state of Illinois, but the whole nation.”

Bureau County State’s Attorney Geno Caffarini ting home because now most every person knows someone who’s died of a heroin overdose,” he said.

The state’s attorney said people drive to Chicago, score some heroin and drag the poison back to their stomping grounds.

The law enforcement community is not dull as to who’s contaminating the waters, but you need probable cause to afford broken door frames and ultimately arrests.

“People who get in trouble want to work with the task force to avoid conviction,” Caffarini said, noting it’s great when the snakes are hissing at each other. “We break the ties any way we can.”

Caffarini said the

badge understands the law and its limitations, and yet men and women who carry a badge have families, emotions and community pride, and they see the same landscape stained by heroin as the rest of us. If the protectors of justice are not given the support they need to keep people safe, who will control the chaos?

“Users don’t think logically, so we need self-awareness and programs that make people aware,” he said, adding he’s witnessed too many tragedies where a family member seemingly signs a death sentence by posting bail for a user. “When you see people you know dying because of drugs, it becomes real.”

The minute you take heroin, you’re addicted, yet Caffarini understands why junkies don’t shout their affairs from the rooftops.

He knows people keep alcoholism, abuse and addiction swept under the rug, out of society’s view, because a heroin addiction is embarrassing to a scoundrel or a scholar.

“I would like to see more grants from the government if there’s money, and laws where you go to treatment and have to stay there,” Caffarini said, as everyone’s time is wasted if a user won’t admit they have a problem. “We have to stop the demand for it and make it personal so people understand.”

Step 1 is admitting we, and not they, have a problem.

Fix the leaks. Talk about heroin out loud, and don’t blink when it gets hard to deal with.

Go to an autopsy of an overdose victim.

Leave your brother in jail.

As Caffarini said, sending them into a cell is better than tossing them into the ground.

“We used to think all users came from dysfunctional families, but people from good families make the decision themselves, and then they are addicted to drugs,” he concluded.

“Heroin isn’t just here in the Illinois Valley and the state of Illinois, but the whole nation.”

7

Spring 2016 • 7B

Heroin in the Illinois Valley

Heroin IS AMERICA’S #1

SERIAL KILLER

Heroin Leaves-

• Families Devastated • Parents Grieving • Children Orphaned

10,500 deaths in the United States in 2014 692 deaths in the State of Illinois in 2015* 8 Deaths in Bureau County in 2015

DON’T BE ITS NEXT VICTIM! WORKING TOGETHER TO KEEP HEROIN OFF OUR STREETS AND AWAY FROM OUR FAMILIES: Bureau County State’s Attorney Geno Caffarini Burearu County Sheriff James Reed • Princeton Police Chief Tom Root Spring Valley Police Chief Kevin Sangston Bureau County Coroner Janice Wamhoff CPASA- Community Partners Against Substance Abuse

If you suspect drug activity in your community contact your local police department or Bureau County Crime Stoppers at 800-939-6929 Ad paid for by the Bureau County State’s Attorney’s Drug Asset Forfeiture Account SM-PR8127691-0428

*provisional data provided by the IDPH

8

8B • Spring 2016

Heroin in the Illinois Valley

Shaw Media photo/Eric Engel

Each purple ribbon on each cross represents someone who was loved by their family and friends — and taken from them by the unforgiving clutches of substance abuse.

Always forgiven, never forgotten Two women share the pain and what they gained in losing their son and brother to heroin

By Eric Engel Shaw Media Service

There is purpose in death. That purpose has never been to enrage us, but to engage us with the understanding that when a loved one passes we are awakened from our state of endless expectation to begin existence anew. Through every swing of the reaper’s blade we see more clearly the life within ourselves, for as the poet Khalil Gibran scribed, “Ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.”

Justin “Buddy” Pratt was a jester in the flesh, a man made for center stage. When he was young, he learned the length of the greatest fishing stories, and roasted the rubber off one set of go-kart tires after another on his way down victory lane. Nature was the sound of his middle name, and the fire inside spoke like lightning, flashing glimpses of unadulterated radiance to the corners of the room.

Alas, some fires burn so warm they scorch the very borders intended to keep them calm. Buddy never connected with his academics and dropped out of high school at 16, with test results later confirming he had a learning disability. He would tell you what you wanted to hear, yet rarely share what he needed to say.

“He struggled with drugs for a decade, and it wasn’t always heroin,” said Buddy’s mother, Lori Brown, mentioning cocaine, pills and marijuana were but different faces in a deck of playing cards for her son, and like any gambler, he was all in on every hand. “In his eyes he ‘never had a problem.’ Someone was always doing worse than he was, and you want to believe your child.”

Buddy’s older sister, Amber Pratt, said her brother would twist the truth and then believe his own lies as long as she’d allow them to survive. Amber would find Buddy sleeping on a couch in her garage or in the backseat of his car at the hospital she worked at, as if close enough to be just out of reach.

“His mind, I think, played fast in his head, and he couldn’t keep up with it,” Amber said. “The addiction really took him for a ride.”

Buddy was always in trouble with the law, and yet never seemed to sit behind bars for very long. Brown said she must admit her son was a rat, spelling out every name but his own to officers who arrested him.

She said she was always nervous to visit Buddy’s apartment because of the shady nature of the game he played.

Amber said her brother would avoid much of the affection directed toward him, pulling away on purpose from those who knew him best. She said sadly there were moments when it was easier to ignore Bud’s addiction, avoiding the pain caused by his

Photo contributed

Justin “Buddy” Pratt, the inspiration for Buddy’s Purpose, put a face to the disease of addiction on billboards across Central Illinois. rejection of her affection.

Brown said her son’s drug problems were obviously embarrassing, but he “could ask for $20 and go home with $30.” He’d slide on that mask with the printed grin, and make his way back into their lives with momentary smiles. As hard as it may have been to accept, Brown considered whether her son had a mental illness. When she offered the idea of rehab to him, he would tuck back into his shell and yell, “I don’t want to be different!”

“You don’t want to be different, but you’re doing illegal drugs, and your name’s in the paper. You are different — the stigma’s already there,” Brown said.

Buddy’s life consisted of endless drama, the trauma wrenched from a twisted grasp on sanity, and acquaintances who knew nothing of commitment.

When Bud walked away from a car crash that took the life of one of his last true friends on the planet, he finally slipped into the gravity of his addiction, as a string can only sacrifice so many strands before it must give way to the weight.

Buddy Page 9B

“My stomach started burning, and I said, ‘This is it. Either something bad happened; someone got hurt; or he’s gone.’ This kid came walking out of the house and just shook his head, and I screamed and fell to my knees. When I went in, Amber’s dad was holding our son.”

Lori Brown, whose son died of a heroin overdose

9

Heroin in the Illinois Valley

Spring 2016 • 9B

Buddy From Page 8B “His addiction took who he was from us way before he passed away.”

Brown woke up early to head into work. Amber was vacationing in Colorado, and when Brown stepped out of the shower, she had missed calls from her mother and her job.

She called her husband and her employer, and the many words she heard seemed to repeat only one sentence to her.

Go to your son.

“My stomach started burning, and I said, ‘This is it. Either something bad happened; someone got hurt; or he’s gone,’” Brown said, arriving to a circus of police sirens and the darkest day she’ll ever know. “This kid came walking out of the house and just shook his head, and I screamed and fell to my knees. When I went in, Amber’s dad was holding our son.”

On Nov. 11, 2011, Justin “Buddy” Pratt was drug from this earth by the noose that hangs like a shadow off the black horse of heroin.

The Purpose

Heroin does not just ruin the experience of the user. It stretches fast as shrapnel, exploding all notions once trusted. When heroin becomes the only thing that survives, the branches are violently ripped from the tree, that even as the trunk continues to stand it will never again produce its sweetest fruit.

Lori Brown stood back up. She called her daughter, wept into her husband, and went to her mother. From the great depth of flood waters she saw a light, shining so very bright, through the darkened distance.

“I looked at my Mom and said, ‘I will talk about this. People need to know what’s going on,’” said Brown, sifting through the ashes of disaster to find her voice. “I was quiet for so long when Bud was fighting.”

People can change. Recovery is possible. A man can break the needle, but he must travel to the eye of the storm to find reform. When the mountain seems impossible to conquer, look down at your feet and witness the single step swinging.

If that first shaking step seems impossible to land, look up at the mountain and find it standing strong as stone.

Brown waged her battle against the addiction instead of the swimmers amidst the hurricane.

“I did not want to feel alone. He was my son. I carried him as my child,” Brown said, finding people around every curve of her new journey robbed of their greatest riches. She said at first she was timid to broadcast harm reduction, but kept finding answers to questions she’d never asked.

Do you want any other person to feel this fire burn? Do you want to watch another child die? Will you do what you must to save their lives? Do you hope to smile again?

“We want people to research this disease and educate themselves on addiction,” Brown said. “It’s not that I’m stronger than the next person. I have just chosen to find a purpose in the tragedy that has come into our lives.”

Lori, Amber and the army against addiction began “Buddy’s Purpose,” a nonprofit organization aimed to “end the silence for those loved, lost and still struggling with substance abuse.” The emancipators began a mission to solidify the future by speaking at overdose awareness campaigns, providing free overdose prevention kits equipped with the anti-opiate medication Naloxone, and offering a shoulder that carries the greatest weight imaginable.

“Nobody wants to tell this story because it’s not a fun story,” Brown shared, as the only thing that saves us from drowning is the plunging arms of those who care. “Our mission continues to evolve and change, as things are now important that once weren’t.”

Brown said her family is encouraged to feel shame and embarrassment from some bystanders, as if she failed as a mother, and Amber as a sister, to teach Bud the proper tools in life.

“How was I a bad mom? I raised them the same way, and they had a lot of the same friends,” Brown said, citing Amber is a generously patient and loyal nurturer of her community — a loving mother, a homeowner and a nurse — while Buddy was a heroin addict. “There are all kinds of addictions. We all have our own vices, and you have to accept that individuals make their own choices.”

Brown openly approaches the loneliest souls, as “it’s a fog you walk through for a long time,” and encouragement makes her want to keep going. People may tiptoe around the emotions linked to such a loss, but she invites them to walk beside her, as her tears wander the trail of recollection with a person she will always love.

“If I had a few moments with my son, I’d ask him for forgiveness that I wasn’t more understanding; that I didn’t push harder, and I would tell him how much I love and miss him,” Brown said, with Amber adding she isn’t angry at her brother anymore, as the forest is defined by the distinction of every tree.

“The day he was born I didn’t want Mom to bring him home, but as much as I wanted you to stay at the hospital, I didn’t want you to leave when you did,” Amber said. “We still love him and wanted him to see his future and experience more.”

Life is short. Do not stand in the cold waiting for the sun to shine. Search out your warmth.

“I lied in bed listening to the rain this morning, and told my husband I didn’t want to do it, but then the dog licked my face and I thought, ‘Get out of bed, Lori. You’re alive and you can make a difference,” Brown said.

Whether seeking help or providing it through “Buddy’s Purpose,” contact Lori Brown at 815-993-6294, buddyspurpose@yahoo.com, or visit www.buddyspurpose.org.

Shaw Media photo/Eric Engel

Lori Brown, founder of “Buddy’s Purpose,” speaks at an awareness walk in Ottawa in 2015. After her son, Justin “Buddy” Pratt, died from a heroin overdose in 2011, Brown has raised her voice against substance abuse so no parent will have to experience what she has.

Every balloon in the crowd of an awareness walk in Ottawa is held high for someone who was defeated by substance abuse. Heroin can reach any family in any setting, and only by admitting that and coming together will the population be able to gain victory in their battle against substance abuse.

Shaw Media photo/Eric Engel

Crowd members at an awareness walk in Ottawa do not let the memories of their loved ones float away, but rather assist the pain in their hearts by supporting each other, forgiving the victims of substance abuse and fighting the vicious disease.

Shaw Media photo/Eric Engel

Shaw Media photo/Eric Engel

Lori Brown (center, white shorts) and her daughter, Amber Pratt (right center, purple headband) honor their family member, Justin “Buddy” Pratt, by opening their hearts to the crowd at an awareness walk in Ottawa, where so many individuals have lost a loved one to substance abuse.

10

10B • Spring 2016

Heroin in the Illinois Valley

Junk collectors

Local police fight the heroin battle from all angles

By Eric Engel Shaw Media Service

Addiction is extremely embarrassing and keeps many truths concealed. It forces a facade to be placed in front of the faces of family members, a veil draped over the eyes of friends. That embarrassment and shame often gives way to absolute avoidance, and tails tucked into their run as if searching for the edge of the earth.

There is a moment no officer has the option to run from — a place they cannot avoid. He sucks in his breath and puts one foot in front of the next. Standing on the doorstep, he composes, and then knocks. A face that looks so similar to one he’s recently studied answers the call, and in an instant, the emotions seem to fall from this stranger’s face into the center of their heart. The officer remembers his first day, and pictures his last. These are his words ...

“I’m very sorry, ma’am.

Your child has died of a heroin overdose.”

Imagine, if you can, a truth more embarrassing to share.

Kevin Sangston has been chief of police in Spring Valley since 2009, and honored the shield since 1989.

He said heroin hides in the shadows at times and strikes like a lion at others, but its devastating force is evident within every exchange.

“Heroin has had a profound effect on this community. There have been times in the past we’ve had multiple overdoses in one month, then it wanes off for a while, and now it’s back with a vengeance,” Sangston said, adding it also fuels so many different property crimes like theft, burglary, identify theft and forgery — its very existence a constant driving force of chaos.

“Addicts have to continually feed the monster, so they have to find financial ways to do that,” he said, as new users self-prescribe to the prevalence and popularity of the cheap drug that often begins in the bottom of an opiate prescription bottle. “They ruin themselves and their family financially, and once all those revenue sources are shut off, they look for criminal avenues to locate those funds.”

Tim Trevier, a lieutenant for the Bureau County Sheriff’s Department, said heroin is a black plague. He was once a member of the Illinois State Police Drug Task Force, so he’s fought the war from the inside out, and said heroin is now cheaper than it’s ever been. It’s all about money for the dealers; many of which don’t use the drugs they sell, so they can dish out two or three bags to an addict at $25 a pop.

“We must stop the problem at it’s source — stop the distributors — because once a person is hooked, it’s

a long, dark road to travel,” Trevier said.

Bureau County Sheriff Jim Reed said there are a few heavy dealers in the area, and limiting the supply from Chicago will only increase the supply from other avenues.

“We have to make a substantial effort to stop it at the border because the poppy (used to produce opium) is grown in Afghanistan and comes into the United States, creating a national epidemic,” Reed said, citing water will leak into a house through every crevice it can find.

Trevier pointed out our prison systems are overflowing, and although a person has a hard time getting their hands on drugs while behind bars, many of them jump right back into the fire when they get out, which is one of the main reasons an overdose takes place. A break from heroin creates a lowered tolerance for the drug, and a five ounce glass cannot hold 10 ounces of water.

“It’s a crap shoot taking anything; not just heroin, but meth, crack and cocaine because you don’t know what it’s laced with or if a bad batch has come into town,” said Trevier, who along with his area colleagues is looking into a drug court program, which would stipulate court-ordered rehabilitation.

The problem all three men face, along with every other agent of enforcement in the Land of Lincoln, is there are a limited number of treatment centers in the area.

Area addicts looking for a treatment facility have to travel to Peoria, the Quad Cities or Chicago to find it, and even then, they might be turned away at the door.

“There’s such a backlog, and for those people who want to get help, it’s not always readily available, which just makes the situation worse,” Sangston said, claiming it’s going to take an overhaul of the entire health care system to right the ship, so to speak.

Reed said the federal government needs to stand behind the small towns to get in front of the problem because those enlisted within civility are doing everything they can to find solution, but all the weight shouldn’t rest on the shoulders of law enforcement agencies.

Sangston said this is not the first time heroin has robbed the human race blind, and to raise your voice after hearing of each overdose, instead of before, does as much good as watering flowers in the dead of winter.

“It’s devastating to the community and to future generations, so there has to be education in the schools and in the families,” Sangston said, adding a web of long-term support for an

Shaw Media photo/Eric Engel

Princeton Police Chief Tom Root plays an instrumental role in the battle against the heroin epidemic — as do all members of the law enforcement community. Chief Root does not want to arrest his way out of the problem, but encourage people to make choices that will benefit and fulfill their lives. addict and their family is the only savior available. “It’s so huge that unless there’s real change on a federal and state level concerning the amount of resources dedicated to stopping this issue, it’s not going to change.”

Trevier has been frustrated for years over the lack of soldiers sent to fight this war. The conversation shouldn’t be centered on money or means, but on mankind.

“We live in a ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ society, where people say they are too good for the problem, but this is a drug and a disease that will eventually affect your family, and by then it will be too late,” Trevier said.

Sangston said it makes an officer sick to stand on a doorstep with such a burden on their tongue, for as humiliating as it is for a person to admit they’re a heroin junkie, it pales to looking into the eyes of a father for the first time without his son.

“We can’t give up, and we’re not going to give up because we’re talking about people’s lives,” Sangston said, urging every addict to seek help and every critic to provide it. “Whatever embarrassment there is, it’s nothing compared to talking to a parent who just Shaw Media photo/Eric Engel lost a child to an overdose Worldly influences can pressure curious teenagers to try many different substances, but and telling those parents law enforcement agents on every level plead with individuals to steer clear of poor habits, their child is dead.” as the consequences can be devastating — and sometimes deadly.

11

Spring 2016 • 11B

Heroin in the Illinois Valley

‘The single greatest threat ...’

Peru Chief of Police holds nothing back in his fight against heroin

By Eric Engel Shaw Media Service

Peru Chief of Police Doug Bernabei has been fighting crime and violence on the streets of the United States for 35 years.

He witnessed the crack cocaine explosion in the 1990s while an officer down in Florida, and yet he has never seen any drug flood the streets of cities small and large alike as heroin has in the last number of years.

“You or I could throw on a sweatshirt and go buy heroin on the south side of Chicago right now,” Bernabei said, noting many factors play into the disruption of social sobriety, including peer pressure, experimentation and the affordability of dangerous drugs compared to year’s past — let alone the filthy economic gain drug dealers rely so heavily upon.

Bernabei spoke about Peru being an area epicenter of culture — with the mall, Illinois Valley Community College, and quality restaurants and attractions galore — making it a breeding

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ground for area dealers.

“If you deal drugs in this area, you’re going to set up shop here,” he said, noting a multitude of individuals locate to the city each day for work or play, and a disease will search for a setting where it can blossom the quickest.

Bernabei said he saw how viciously heroin abuse was attacking the city and area he is responsible to protect, and didn’t know how to tackle the beast, so to speak, but knew he needed to start somewhere.

He brought the community together at LaSalle-Peru Township High School in November, filling the stage with medical and law enforcement professionals, clergy members, State’s Attorneys … and those who had experienced heroin themselves through use or the death of a loved one.

“If people knew how many were using heroin and who was using it, they’d be shocked,” he said, having gained velocity from the initial forums and discussions to continue adding to the

Tri-County area’s fight against a powder that offers permanent rest.

Bernabei unleashed the Peru Police Department Special Investigations Unit (PPD SIU) on dealers in the area, and like a canine trained for combat, the unit has been busy targeting heroin and cocaine distribution in the Illinois Valley.

The only way to eliminate the swarming sting of drug use in the area is to start attacking the hives themselves.

On April 20, Bernabei stated proudly the PPD SIU had made their 12th arrest relating to the delivery of heroin and cocaine since Jan. 27.

The police chief said he has a number of officers on his force who are allowed to pause their progress on a task unrelated to drug prevention if they get wind of sinister activity involving heroin or cocaine.

Undercover operations have been vital in pinpointing the true adversaries to community advancement, not to mention removing their ability to degrade the landscape.

Shaw Media photo/Eric Engel

Peru Police Chief Doug Bernabei Bernabei said they are not part of the TRIDENT drug task force, but are looking into forming their own branch of justice — a force dedicated to the Peru area whose purpose is to eradicate, or at the very least, diminish drug use and distribution. He said the specifics of the Peru task force are still in the works, but he should have more information by summer as to the fruition of such an entity.

Bernabei is a father himself, and his heart aches from the damage heroin creates in his community. He knows a drug can clutch a user and drag them to unspoken places, regardless of what setting and social standing that user knew before their addiction.

He constantly studies the most effective means of treatment and rehabilitation for addicts, so they may get back to contrib-

uting — first to their own well-being, and secondly to the betterment of everyone else.

Bernabei will charge against heroin with an iron fist, for his experience in life foretells the destruction that can take place if able individuals do nothing to grab the wheel and right the ship.

“Heroin is the single greatest threat to public safety we’ve ever seen in the Illinois Valley.”

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12B • Spring 2016

Heroin in the Illinois Valley

Teamwork ... or tragedy CPASA enlists every caring citizen to fight heroin

By Eric Engel Shaw Media Service

You disgust me.

You animal, you parasite ... you’re everything that’s wrong with society. You chose this life, and you deserve what’s coming your way. Are you ignorant, or just stupid? I’d never dream of touching that filth and neither would my kids because I actually raised them the right way. This town doesn’t have a problem.

You’re the problem, you worthless junkie!

Wait, what? No, stop. Just wait a minute! What are you talking about? That can’t be. He would never do that; she’s not that type of person. You’re wrong! My child is not an addict ... Oh no. Oh please God, no!

My baby, not my baby! That’s my only son! That’s my mother. That’s my neighbor. That’s my friend. That person on the coroner’s table, that’s ...

That’s me.

Key players of Community Partners Against Substance Abuse (CPASA), a Princeton-based organization aimed at eradicating drug abuse, spoke about the local effects of the heroin epidemic.

Princeton Police Chief Tom Root said heroin is now the No. 1 drug of choice in Bureau County, and it is always accessible to users. Root said heroin comes in waves, flowing into town from Rockford, Peoria, the Quad Cities and Chicago like a flash flood. Having gained volume and velocity for half a decade now, those waves come crashing down on anyone in its path..

“The cost of heroin has decreased so much that it’s available to anyone for $5 to $10 a bag,” Root said, adding heroin has devastating addictive qualities similar to methamphetamine or crack cocaine and sinks it’s claws to the bone from the first encounter onward.

“It always seemed like it was somewhere else, but now it’s anybody and everybody doing heroin.”

Bureau County Coroner Janice Wamhoff’s records indicate there have been at least eight heroin overdose deaths in Bureau County since the beginning of 2015, not to mention overdose survivors. Dawn Conerton, director of CPASA, said individuals don’t always know what they’re taking, thinking heroin might be cocaine or “something to get high,” so addicts begin their journey unprepared for the initial step.

Root said they’ve seen a huge increase in the number of heroin arrests and individuals in possession of heroin for the last half decade, and users are now scarred with more than just track marks.

“Heroin can be utilized by snorting, smoking or injecting, so the problem is we associate heroin users with shooting up, but that’s just not the case anymore,” Root said, stating young adults go to a party, see a line of powder on the table, and jump in blindly without consideration of a substance’s ferocity. “We’re seeing it younger, and it’s mind boggling; 16 and 17 year olds are using and dealing, so by the time they’re 18 or 19, Janice (the coroner) is their last contact.”

Root said an addict’s ability to reason logically becomes atrophied because the craving for a fix is so high they are willing to sever ties with everyone and everything that once mattered.

“People who don’t use don’t understand addiction,” Root said. “An addict gets tunnel vision and can only see that next fix.”

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has stated heroin is on a greater rise nationwide than at any other point in history, and Wamhoff said many users start out because they have low self-esteem issues.

“A lot of these kids are tormented, and that’s when they start experimenting,” Wamhoff said. “The child looks for something to make themselves feel better and fit in with the crowd.”

We have a mental picture of an addict slouched over against the cold brick wall in an alleyway, drooling and senseless, yet no one looks at the football team huddled up in discussion over the evening’s drug menu. Heroin does not differentiate between gender, race, age or ability — it only moves like an airborne infection.

“When Mom and Dad look at that picture they think, ‘That can’t be happening here,’ but it covers all levels,” Root explained, stating no one sees the choir member in the tennis outfit being a junkie, but only the dark path travelers stumbling out of broken homes. “That’s not who addicts are anymore.”

Root said law enforcement agents hear those statements every day of the year from residents too proud to admit there is a heroin problem among us. Princeton is clean. Tiskilwa doesn’t dance with the devil.

Spring Valley would never stoop so low. Walnut is better than that. It is always another at fault.

Shaw Media photo/Eric Engel

CPASA members battle the entire spectrum of substance abuse in an attempt to promote a healthier culture, both physically and mentally.

Shaw Media photo/Eric Engel

Shaw Media photo/Eric Engel

Naloxone can save the life of someone who has overdosed on heroin, and many area officers are looking into having it available in their squad cars.

Heroin is so powerful in shutting down proper body function that the lungs become negligent in their function, and the addiction is so powerful it causes addicts to return to a substance that causes them to literally stop breathing.

CPASA Page 13B

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Spring 2016 • 13B

Heroin in the Illinois Valley

Searching for a ‘Safe Passage’ Lee County has sent nearly 50 addicts to rehab in six months

By Eric Engel Shaw Media Service

In a time of war, an army can lay waste to their opposition.

They can slay their opponent one blow at a time, destroying the enemy invading their landscape for the betterment of every soldier. They can claim to have taken the battle, and yet the war rages onward.

What if the only way to truly win the war was through an elimination of violence — an alliance between all sides involved? Could a man lay down his weapon, while trusting his nemesis to do the same? Could they join together as one with their eyes on a unified humanity? Lee County enforcers fighting the global heroin epidemic intend to find out.

John Simonton has been a police officer for 34 years, 27 of which was with the Illinois State Police. The Lee County Sheriff said heroin has always been around since he began his career in law enforcement, but in much the same way a small flame eventually turns into a furious inferno if given the means, heroin now wrecks lives at an epidemic proportion.

Simonton said the unfortunate overdose deaths of five individuals in the county, three in the city of Dixon alone, prompted his police force to look at things differently in early 2015. The death of one addict wasn’t curtailing the abuse of heroin by other addicts, so he searched for a solution.

Simonton said heroin may be even more severe on the coasts of the U.S. than in the heartland, and he heard of a program that originated in Gloucester, Mass. — called Gloucester’s Angel program and led by Police Chief Leonard Campanello — that was unlike anything officers had tried before.

Simonton knew the same approach would work in the land he loved and protected. He knew area addicts needed a Safe Passage away from their addiction.

“Campanello would ask addicts to come into the police department, bring in their drugs and paraphernalia without worrying about being charged, and the officers would help the addicts get treatment,” Simonton said, speaking of the Angel program that parallels the Safe Passage initiative area departments are teaming up to promote in Central Illinois.

“It’s something that hadn’t crossed my mind before.”

Simonton got together with the health department, hospitals and local agencies — those who knew more about the effects of heroin on the body and the treatment of it compared to enforcement of it. These were people who wanted to get something done through effort and initiative, and yet

CPASA From Page 12B

When do addicts seek recovery? They don’t.

“Some might get to the point where they ask for help, but experience tells us otherwise,” said former Circuit Judge Terry Madsen.

Conerton said each revelation depends on the person and the support they receive, while Root added it’s easier to fall back into the darkness than it is to face the consequences of their actions.

“This is not going to enslave me, I can get through this,” Root said, speaking as every addict without an addiction. “I’m not addicted, but I gotta head to Chicago and get my next fix.”

Let’s be real

There is light beyond even the darkest nights.

Unreasonable resources, active access, a stubborn society, personal pain — these excuses serve no purpose. They are stones blocking the road to redemption.

CPASA members spoke about the need for more therapeutic resources, and for the entire community to awaken to the reality that surrounds them — not full of hatred, but rather fueled by hope.

“We need to get to where we have more mental

health counseling available before the addiction takes hold,” Root said, with Madsen adding socio-economic decisions dictate whether our eyes and wallets open wide enough for the truth.

“Substance prevention is the first line of defense against all substances and addiction,” Madsen said, hopeful no child will ever begin the end game.

“CPASA is a coalition campaign, and kids say the people with the most impact on them is their parents.”

Madsen said an addiction death of a young person will raise questions of responsibility, and yet even loving, caring and attentive parents have buried children beneath the needle.

The chain of encouragement and tough love must remain intact, Root added, because heroin disguises itself as a soulmate awaiting your open arms, only to rob you blind of all that promotes life.

“Talking to a family is heartbreaking, but a lot of these families are in such denial,” Wamhoff said, having witnessed parents who attempt to plead their child back to life. “From when the child is 10 until they’re out of your house, you should have control over that child.”

“Be your child’s parent, not their friend,” Conerton added.

Drug dealers don’t care who they are killing. They are deaf to the cries of the

the biggest hurdle was finding treatment centers willing to take an abundance of individuals with few means and even less money.

“They have to get paid or their business won’t run,” Simonton said, speaking of rehabilitation facilities. “They get their reimbursement through the state, and they are largely underfunded.”

Simonton said plainly once an addict chooses recovery, there is a small window of willpower before their quicksand addiction sucks them back down. Many have no insurance, no real friends fighting for their benefit, and a minimal perception of security outside their habits. Most every person on earth who hits rock bottom needs assistance and generosity to rise from the vice that claims them.

“Another hard part is the police department is doing this program, and we are usually arresting them for doing drugs, so we had to develop that trust early on,” Simonton said, adding former addict Tim Ryan, founder of A Man in Recovery, provided great examples of how to interact with addicts when they came in. “It’s a big step for them to walk across the threshold of the Sheriff’s Department and say, ‘I’m an addict; I need help.’”

The Lee County Sheriff’s Department developed partnerships with every person and establishment they could, and open arms held the notion together. The Safe Passage program started Sept. 1, 2015, and to date close to 50 addicts have been checked into treatment.

“The biggest cultural hurdle is we must look at this as a disease. Once we look at it like this, the availability and the money for treatment centers will develop,” he said, adding it costs taxpayers a lot more money to put people in jail than in treatment.

Simonton said the future of the program can only expand, with deputies and officers in every area town buying in with incredible commitment — connecting every soldier attempting to halt heroin’s ruthless regime.

“We want to give them a place to go and help them find gainful employment because so many of them are good, smart, talented individuals,” Simonton said. “When I see them on the street someday, I won’t be putting them in handcuffs … I’ll be shaking their hand.”

Safe Harbor Anna Sacco-Miller, Lee County State’s Attorney, expanded upon the Safe Passage initiative by speaking about Safe Harbor, a grassroots establishment where former addicts and family members of addicts try to provide support outside of innocents slaughtered by their greed, but Madsen reminded everyone there’s a difference between hearsay and evidence when it comes to Root and his troops hunting down the enemy.

“After prevention there’s law enforcement, criminal intervention, and over the years the burden’s fallen on law enforcement to deal with these issues, which doesn’t make any sense,” Madsen said.

All Root can do is provide resources to help addicts because the jails are overflowing.

“Police officers are not clinical psychologists, but people are still blaming us,” Root said, adding police can’t monitor everyone’s kids, even as they care for them greatly. “We’re in a small community, so we get to know everybody.

The kids, the parents — it affects us personally.”

CPASA members agree that treatment facilities are far past due in this area, and CPASA is constantly climbing the ladder toward greater continuity and organization on a county, state and national level.

“We’re not winning the war on drugs, no matter what anyone says, and if you say we are a drug-free community, you are lying,” Root exclaimed, stating nobody under the sun has a drug-free community.

“It takes a partnership of people with a belief in the

movement who are willing to donate their time, but the first thing we have to recognize is we have an addiction issue.”

Whether through a drug court or rehab program, giving users an extended period — and possibly a lifetime — without heroin relapse is vital to the success of this humanitarian mission. Addiction is not a crime but a disease.

“Law enforcement, parents and neighbors all need to support each other and perform their specific roles effectively,” Madsen said, with Conerton adding she’ll never lose faith in the

the criminal justice system.

She also brought up PRISM — Psychiatric Research Interview for Substance and Mental Disorders — which is a multi-disciplinary group with members of the health department, law enforcement, State’s Attorney’s office, faith-based organizations, treatment centers and members of the general public fighting the issues of addiction.

“These focus on all harmful drugs,” Sacco-Miller said, noting many addicts have been the victim of traumatic events and use drugs to ease the pain. “Our goal is to reform, educate and prevent while providing treatment for addiction and mental health.”

Sacco-Miller said alcohol is dangerous and can result in death, but because it’s legal we don’t focus on it as much, so educating the public on heroin abuse requires patience and persistence.

“We must keep in mind addicts are a difficult population to deal with because they have such high needs, and we expect them to address the problem on our time line rather than theirs.”

An addict uses heroin so they don’t feel sick — even as the drug originates their ailment — and as many addictions begin with prescription drugs, Sacco-Miller spoke of keeping the prescription bottles from overflowing.

“There’s a push from public health agencies to limit what physicians can legally prescribe,” she said, adding online access to drug shopping must be limited as well. “We want it where the physicians only prescribe short-term, and make the patients come back and tell them if they are in still in pain because we don’t want pain or addiction.”

She said drug court involves the prosecutor, the defense and the judge all being on the same page, and even as law enforcement is extremely aggressive against the dealers who prey on the weak, the addicts need to be nudged back into the workforce after coming home to their families.

Sacco-Miller encourages everyone to recognize heroin can affect all classes and pockets of society by putting information on the front burner. If we take the shame away from it, anyone fighting addiction — whether using drugs or not — will take a step forward.

“We need to look in the mirror so we stop blaming others for the problems we don’t deal with,” Sacco-Miller said, stating all administrators of change must make time to come together as one huge web of fortitude to dismantle the chaos of addiction. “This is a completely different model, and all factors involved are part of one team.” good nature of each human being, regardless the tragedy of their experience.

“No one is going to say, ‘I want to be a heroin addict today,’” she said, urging parents to seek greater understanding on the entire subject. “Talk to your child because no one wants this to happen to themselves.”

“This is not a blame game.

We all need to do better because this problem is not going away,” Root added, speaking of a goal that will eventually combine the forces of LaSalle, Putnam and Bureau counties in rehabilitating our future.

“The one thing we can’t do is believe this is too big, or we are already defeated.”

Madsen left the envelope open, for all to add to the cause. We won’t save the world. We will just save ours.

“There aren’t thousands of heroin addicts here, but every single death from a heroin overdose is unacceptable,” he said. “CPASA members from all walks and professions of life are trying so hard to get them back on the right track because drugs, alcohol, suicide, depression, violence, anger, crime … it’s all intertwined.”

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14B • Spring 2016

Heroin in the Illinois Valley

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Spring 2016 • 15B

Heroin in the Illinois Valley

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16

16B • Spring 2016

Heroin in the Illinois Valley

If this was your child’s room, could you… recognize the signs of substance abuse or depression?

CPASA presents

HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT Join us for: • Free interactive live display • Discussion about local trends • Learn signs of substance abuse and depression that could be found in your child’s room

For information about bringing Hidden in Plain Sight or any of CPASA’s substance abuse programs in your community contact CPASA at 815-872-5091 or info@cpasa.org

SM-PR8127657-0423