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Thursday, October 31, 2013
The fate of Reagan PES makes no decision on school’s future By Donna Barker dbarker@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — A group of Tiskilwa residents have voiced their concerns about the possible closing of Reagan Middle School, which residents say would destroy “the remaining pulse” of their small community. About 40 residents attended Monday’s meeting of the Princeton Elementary School Board, which was held in the Reagan Middle School gymnasium. Four of those residents addressed the board, with one of the speakers referring to a petition signed by nearly 300 people opposing the possible closing of the Reagan building. Resident John Brokaw said Tiskilwa residents want to keep Reagan open and operating as it currently is, as a school. The Tiskilwa community has lost its bank as well as other businesses and does not want to lose its grade school too. The closing of Reagan would destroy the “remaining pulse of the small community,” he said. Resident Trent Goodale said he would like to see more discussion about the district’s long-term plan and goals. Money is tight and getting tighter, but there might be other ways to cut costs. The school district is a multimillion corporation, but his investment is in his kids, he said. Long-time Tiskilwa resident John Funderberg said he’s also concerned about the possible closing of Reagan, especially since the community has lost its bank and gas station, and the other school (former Tiskilwa High School) is sitting in shambles. Closing Reagan would affect property values. Also, the Tiskilwa Community Association raised money for new playground equipment at Reagan and was assured at that time the money would stay in the town, he said.
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Crash ruled a homicide By Donna Barker dbarker@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — A Bureau County coroner’s jury has returned a homicide ruling on the May 20, two-vehicle crash that resulted in the death of Tzantera Tyler Bach-Dalton, 48, of Rockford.
In his testimony Tuesday afternoon before the coroner’s jury, Illinois State Police trooper and site reconstructionist Jonathan Kueker said the May 20 crash occurred on Interstate 80 near Mile Marker 41 during a rainy period. Upon arrival, Kueker found the Dalton vehicle partially in the ditch along the north side of the interstate. Dalton was
deceased in the vehicle, he said. Kueker said the Dalton vehicle was parked partially on the roadway when it was struck by a Jeep driven by Christina Elmers, 18, of Albany, Ill. The Elmers’ vehicle was in its lane at the time of the crash, the site reconstructionist said.
See Homicide Page 3
BCR photo/Goldie Currie
Freshman Leah Peek (from left) and sophomores Selena Campos and Maricela Garcia, members of the DePue High School Activities Club, hang skeleton and rat decorations as they prepare for the community spook walk, which will take place tonight, Thursday, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the school gymnasium. Aside from a spooky maze, the students have also decorated the gymnasium lobby as a “kid-friendly” spooky section for the young trick-or-treaters.
DePue students ready for a scare By Goldie Currie gcurrie@bcrnews.com
DEPUE — The DePue High School Activities Club is all set for a spine-chilling good time, as they’ve reinstated the community spook walk in the school gymnasium. The haunted walk will be during trickor-treat hours from 5 to 7 p.m. tonight (Thursday) and is open to all students and community members. A section of the gymnasium’s lobby has been decorated as a “kid-friendly” section for the young trick-or-treaters, where students will be handing out candy. Inside the gymnasium is where the haunt begins for those who dare to enter. The school used to put on a spook walk years ago, but eventually the event faded away. Activity Club Director Gabriel Larios said he can’t recall there ever being a
spook walk at DePue during his teaching years, but when he took over as Activity Club director last year, his goal was to put on an activity once a month. When thinking of an event for the month of October, the idea to build a spook walk for trick-ortreaters seemed obvious. Activity Club students gathered earlier this week after school to begin constructing the spook walk. Each student incorporated ideas and plans to build up the maze, which walkers will have to find their way through. Sophomore Selena Campos said she was excited to be starting up a new tradition for students. “I was a little nervous at first, but as we talked it out and started planning what we we’re going to do, I got excited for it. Hopefully, we will be able to bring a few scares,” she said.
Sophomore Maricela Garcia said the club is just hoping to bring in a lot of people from the community, so they can check out what they’ve put together this year. “Whatever we do this year, we will be able to improve next year,” she said. “People should just come out for a good time, get free candy, spend time with friends and just have a really fun time.” While the students were a little hesitant on giving out complete details of the haunted walk, they said walkers should enter with caution and watch out for skeletons, witches and maybe a clown or two around the corners. The spook walk takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. tonight in the school gymnasium and is free and open to the public. Comment on this story at www. bcrnews.com.
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Liberty Village of Princeton’s T.O.T.S.
( Trick or Treat Safely ) Start at the Hawthorne Inn and work your way thru the Village!
Thursday, October 31, 2013 • 5:30 - 7:30 pm
140 N. 6th St., Princeton, IL • 815-875-6600 • www.libertyvillageofprinceton.com