DC_MidWeek_051425 by Shaw Media

Outgoing DeKalb school board members bid farewell

By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com

DeKALB – In her exit speech this week, outgoing DeKalb School District 428 board President Deyci Ramirez touted what she called her commitment to equity, access and accountability.

She spoke about her belief that every student in the district deserves a high quality education in their own neighborhood school.

“Every decision I made at this table was with you in mind,” Ramirez said of students.

It’s something that has not gone unnoticed by her colleagues in District 428.

Superintendent Minerva Garcia-Sanchez heaped praise on Ramirez, saying she is appreciative of what she’s done for the district.

“I feel that your passion and energy, in being at almost every committee meeting and every session that we could hold, you have been there for us on behalf of children and spoken on their behalf and their families,” Garcia-Sanchez said to Ramirez. “On top of that, you have your own student here in our district. So, you were at a lot of our games, a lot of our functions. I know she is excited to have a mom back full-time.”

Ramirez was first elected in 2021 –alongside Ariel Owens and Amanda Harness – and decided not to seek

LOCAL NEWS BRIEF

DeKalb library to host Camelot Care Centers information booth May 20

DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library will host a Camelot Care Centers information booth for residents to learn about its various services. The booth will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. May 20 in the library’s main lobby, 309 Oak St.

reelection to another term. Board member Fred Davis, who had been appointed to fill a two-year unexpired term, also decided not to seek reelection. At the May 6 board meeting, newcomers Nick Atwood, Kristin Bailey, Jose Jaques and Mark Charvat were sworn in and seated.

In her final prepared remarks, Owens expressed appreciation to the community for allowing her the opportunity to serve.

“I am so grateful for what we have accomplished as a board and for the work that was done with former board members,” Owens said.

Garcia-Sanchez commended Owens for her service to the district.

“You have this quiet powerfulness,” Garcia-Sanchez said. “You may not speak all the time, but when you do, watch out. I really appreciate the fact that you have been very thoughtful and very conserved in how you choose your words. We hope that you will continue to help us inspire the youth of this district and continue to inspire other greatness in the work that you do.”

Owens said she wanted to share some advice for the new board members to take into consideration.

“I encourage and I challenge you to enter this role with an open mind, compassionate heart and a willingness to collaborate,” Owens said.

The booth features information on how to become a licensed foster parent, therapeutic mentoring, case management, in-home counseling foster parent support and training and telepsychiatry access. No registration is required to attend. For information, email samanthah@dkpl. org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 1701.

– Shaw Local News Network

Ariel Owens Deyci Ramirez

Fred Davis Amanda Harness

Take a look inside DeKalb’s newest fire station

By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com

DeKALB – The city of DeKalb’s fourth fire station, 1130 S. Malta Road, is officially in service.

DeKalb city leaders recently invited residents to help mark the occasion by hosting a grand opening celebration.

“It was really, really nice getting this project across the finish line,” DeKalb Fire Chief Mike Thomas said. “It is really a testament to all of the different team members that were involved in this project, and to have the community come out was thrilling because their support and comments along the way have all been positive and very welcoming.”

Building tours and public remarks by DeKalb officials were among highlights from the event, helping the city

commemorate the new fire station coming online. Officials estimated that about

100 people came to the April 26 event.

Second Ward Alderwoman Barb Larson said she was blown away by the turnout.

rant near the Schnucks shopping center.

In May 2024, DeKalb city leaders hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction.

“I was amazed because there were tons of firefighters there, of course, but from other places,” Larson said. “If you want to see the new and the best, you go to the newest one that opened. But a lot from other departments were there. The neighbors right behind the fire station, they were there because they wanted to say publicly how fabulous this was.”

Officials have said the project was a long time in the making.

Construction of the fire station was approved by the City Council in July 2023. Officials said it was needed to improve emergency response times for residents in the city’s southwest quad -

An informal ceremony for the station was held April 11, when it first went into operation. At that time, officials said the building’s construction had yet to be completed in its entirety.

Since then, the building has been outfitted with all the latest bells and whistles.

Thomas said the fire station was completed within budget and only took a few days more than expected.

The city had about a $4 million budget to construct the fire station, officials said.

Mark Busch

DeKalb Fire Chief Mike Thomas talks about the apparatus bay April 29 at the newly opened DeKalb Fire Station No. 4 on South Malta Road near the Schnucks shopping center.

Having this new facility has alleviated some of the pressure on the other stations, obviously, for the call volume. We are definitely getting to our calls in that quadrant faster than we were without that facility.”

Mike Thomas, DeKalb fire chief

• FIRE STATION NO. 4

Continued from page 4

Thomas said much of the progress was dependent on waiting for vendors to supply needed electronics to operate, including radio communications and station alerts that help firefighters know when a 911 call goes out.

The DeKalb Fire Department staffs 74 personnel, including recruits for the new station, officials said.

“Our HR department has been very busy recruiting and hiring,” Thomas said. “We’ve been able to keep pace. We have some retirements along the way, also, that put pressure on that.”

Third Ward Alderman Tracy Smith, a retired DeKalb police officer, said he’s glad to see the city take some steps to improve equipment that first responders need.

“The demand on public service, especially police and fire, has gone up, as we know, and especially in the medical field,” Smith said. “We need the fire department. We need the police department, so we need to support them not only with stations but equipment, because there’s newer technology out there constantly.”

Sixth Ward Alderman Mike Verbic

said residents appear to be supportive of the new fire station, which falls in his ward.

“They’re thrilled that that can be home for fire safety and EMS,” Verbic said. “Having it so close, whereas before – certainly response times were still very prompt, but there’s a level of confidence that, not that there was concern before, but now an added level of confidence that we will be responded to as promptly as humanly possible.”

Mayor Cohen Barnes shared that sentiment.

“Everyone that I’ve talked [to] is really happy about it, especially since we didn’t have to raise taxes,” Barnes said. “We continue to have a balanced budget, so taxpayers, when they live in a community, they want to know that the taxes they pay they’re getting a return on that investment. I think the residents of DeKalb are really seeing that with a new fire station.”

Thomas said the new fire station appears to be paying off just as he imagined it would.

“Having this new facility has alleviated some of the pressure on the other stations, obviously, for the call volume,” Thomas said. “We are definitely getting to our calls in that quadrant faster than we were without that facility.”

SM-CL2241916

Photo provided by the city of DeKalb A family tours the fire trucks on display outside DeKalb Fire Station No. 4 at 1130 S. Malta Road at a grand opening event April 26.

• WELCOME BACK

Continued from page 6

a second chance at life.”

Satdei said her family came out of isolation after his operation on May 4, just one day before his eager return to school.

“I think that this has been an amazing journey,” Satdei said in an emotional interview. “I couldn’t be more thankful for Lurie’s and for our awesome cardiac team and of course for Hinckley-Big Rock as well. In a world that could have been so isolated, they continued to do Zoom classes with us. ... They just did really cool things and I just feel so incredibly blessed.”

Marshall’s family found out he was getting a new heart on Feb. 2, months after he’d been at the hospital in isolation waiting on a transplant list. About 3:41 a.m. Feb. 4, the 14-hour operation began.

Ten days later, Marshall was discharged, a record for transplant patients at the hospital, his mom said.

“He’s done amazing. It was a week after he was doing amazing, running up and down the halls,” Dad John Morong said. “It doesn’t seem possible.”

It’d been a long journey for the family: they didn’t realize Marshall’s hospitalization would be quite so lengthy.

Family stayed with him the whole time, commuting daily the two-hour drive from Hinckley to Chicago so Marshall wasn’t alone.

He was admitted to Lurie on April 25, 2024, and discharged Feb. 14.

A constant companion during his stay was big sister Carolynn Morong, a fourth grader at Hinckley-Big Rock Elementary.

“I think it’s so amazing and I can’t thank our donor family enough, just like Mom said,” Carolynn Morong said. “I can’t imagine still being at the hospital.”

Hinckley-Big Rock Principal Deborah Hervey helped plan the school-wide welcome for Marshall and family. After learning on May 1 that he’d be able to return to school the next week, she sprung into action.

“We just had a meeting to plan the return on [May 1], so we pulled it together,” Hervey said.

Satdei said she couldn’t be more thankful for Hervey and the community that’s surrounded Marshall and her family during this time.

“It’s a really beautiful journey, and sometimes I think we miss how truly spectacular it is,” Satdei said. “It finally feels like a chapter’s been closed, and Marshall just gets to be the best version of himself and we get to see him blossom at a second chance at life.”

Morong, 7, a first grader at Hinckley-Big Rock Elementary School, greets his classmates May 5 as he arrives for his first day back at school after missing months waiting for, and eventually receiving, heart transplant surgery at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. Morong arrived in style in a Tesla Cybertruck donated for use by Telsa of Naperville, along with an escort by Hinckley and Big Rock first responders.

Mark Busch

Marshall

TOP: Marshall Morong, 7, a first grader at Hinckley-Big Rock Elementary School, high-fives his teacher Mindy Spinney as his mom Jessica Satdei and sister Carolynn Morong, a fourth grader, exit their ride May 5 as he arrives for his first day back at school after missing months waiting for, and eventually receiving, a heart transplant. Morong arrived in style in a Tesla Cybertruck donated for use by Telsa of Naperville, along with an escort by Hinckley and Big Rock first responders. RIGHT: First grade classmates of Marshall Morong peer down Lincoln Avenue May 5 outside of Hinckley-Big Rock Elementary School, as they await his arrival.

Back to school

Photos by Mark Busch

Artifex Studio opens new storefront in DeKalb

DeKALB – The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated the opening of Artifex Studio’s new storefront and welcomed it to the Chamber’s membership. Chamber staff, community and board members and ambassadors celebrated the opening and joined the Chamber with a ribbon-cutting March 28. Artifex Studio, 235 E. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb, is a gallery and studio featuring sculptures and oil paintings created by artist Elisa R. Boughner. For information, visit boughnerart.com or call 847-657-8140.

Photo provided by the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce

LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS

DeKalb County History Center to host seasonal cooking series

May 15

SYCAMORE – The DeKalb County History Center will host the next program in its seasonal cooking series to build its “Food Gathering Around the Table” exhibit. The program will be held at noon May 15 at the history center, 1730 N. Main St., Sycamore.

Attendees can learn about how to use herbs. The program also will feature a demonstration on how to use herbs in a salad and herb tea. The program will be led by Jo Cessna and Rachael Koroscki, Northwestern Medicine’s Leishman Center Culinary Health culinary instructors.

For information, visit dekalbcountyhistory.org or call 815-895-5762.

DeKalb County History Center garden story time program begins May 23

SYCAMORE – The DeKalb County History Center will partner with the Sycamore Public Library to host monthly garden story times for children ages three to six and their families.

The story time will begin at 11:30 a.m. May 23 in the history center’s garden spaces, 1730 N. Main St., Sycamore.

The program features a stories, songs, and crafts. The story times will be held the fourth Fridays of the month. No registration is required to attend.

“We’re thrilled to partner with the Sycamore Public Library to bring this unique outdoor story time to our community,” DeKalb County History Center executive director Michelle Donahoe said in a news release. “It’s a great opportunity to enjoy the summer, engage in interactive stories, and explore the History Center’s gardens.”

For information, visit dekalbcountyhistory.org or call 815-895-5762.

‘Evening at Ellcourt’ event set for May 16 at the Ellwood House Museum

DeKALB – The Ellwood House Museum will host its third annual “Evening at Ellcourt” event for community members ages 21 and older.

The event will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. May 16 at the museum’s Ellcourt House, 420 Linden Place, DeKalb.

The event features 1920s parlor games,

live jazz music and handcrafted cocktails. Food will be catered by Fatty’s Pub & Grille.

Registration is encouraged to attend. Tickets cost $30 for general admission, $25 for museum members, $20 for students and $15 for designated drivers. To register, visit the museum’s visitor center or visit ellwoodhouse.org/evening-at-ellcourt.

For information, visit ellwoodhouse.org/ evening-at-ellcourt.

Pete Seeger program set for May 17 in DeKalb

DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library will host a “Where Have All the Flowers Gone? Ballad of Pete Seeger” program featuring award-winning singer and songwriter Barry Cloyd.

The program will be held at 2 p.m. May 17 in the library’s lower-level Yusunas Meeting Room, 309 Oak St.

Attendees can learn about singer and songwriter Pete Seeger. Cloyd also will perform Seeger songs such as “If I Had A Hammer,” “Turn, Turn, Turn,” “The Sinking of the Reuben James,” and “Where Have All the Flowers Gone.” No registration is required to attend.

For information, email samanthah@dkpl. org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 1701.

RAMP accepting Summer Youth Leadership Initiative applications

DeKALB – RAMP Disability Resources and Services will host a Summer Youth Leadership Initiative for disabled youth ages 16 to 22 to build self-advocacy and leadership skills.

The program will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 8, 15 and 22 at RAMP’s Rockford office, 202 Market St.

Attendees will learn about self-advocacy and leadership; ableism and language; civic engagement and disability; and understanding the American with Disabilities Act. The program also features a $100 stipend, networking opportunities, a T-shirt and lunch.

The application deadline is June 20. To apply, call 779-774-1020 or email jwexell@ rampcil.org.

RAMP is a United Way Member Agency whose mission is to build an inclusive community that encourages individuals with disabilities to reach their full potential.

DeKalb city extends SRO contract with D-428 schools

New contract runs through 2030

By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com

DeKALB – School resource officers from the DeKalb Police Department are here to stay for at least the next five years in DeKalb schools.

The DeKalb City Council last week voted to extend an agreement with DeKalb School District 428 through 2030 for the officers, which are stationed at various buildings throughout the school day.

Police Chief David Byrd touted the collaboration between the city and the school district.

“What we have in place is working,” Byrd said. “The collaboration between the DeKalb Police Department and District 428 has never been stronger.”

Since 2022, the DeKalb Police Department has provided two officers at DeKalb High School, one officer each at Huntley and Clinton Rosette middle schools, and one officer who rotates among the district’s six elementary schools that fall within city limits.

Under the extended agreement, the district reimbursed the city up to 75% of the total costs for each SRO. Costs include base salary, benefits and overtime pay directly arising from their work in the district.

Byrd said he feels encouraged by the numbers.

According to council documents, the city reported an almost 10% difference in

LOCAL NEWS BRIEF

Dolly Parton Imagination Library event set for May 17 in DeKalb DeKALB – The Dolly Parton Imagination Library will hold an event for children ages newborn to four at the DeKalb Public Library.

the number of police reports across all the district’s schools between 2023 and 2024.

Mayor Cohen Barnes questioned whether adding another SRO would make sense for DeKalb schools.

“With Mitchell Elementary coming online as an additional elementary school at this point, has there been discussions about maybe a need to have someone that’s not doing all the elementary schools?” Barnes said. “Have another SRO potentially?”

Kyle Gerdes, the student services director in District 428, said the district is exploring alternatives.

“The district has considered other supports that we can provide for Mitchell,” Gerdes said. “We’re going to look at adding another restorative dean to Mitchell because we’ve seen our restorative deans be really effective in reducing what would be out-of-school suspensions and expulsions, things like that. So, I can’t really speak directly to an SRO, but we have looked at other ways to support our code of conduct implementation.”

Second Ward Alderwoman Barb Larson expressed appreciation to the SROs for all they do.

“You know the kids’ names,” Larson said. “They come running up to you. They care about you as much as you care about them, and you see it every time we see any of you around the kids.”

Fifth Ward Alderman Andre Powell shared that sentiment. Powell left his role on the school board to take up a City Council appointment about a year ago.

“Coming off the school board, I used to see all you guys inside the buildings,” Powell said. “The kids love these guys. It doesn’t look like policing. It looks like protection and building relations. I can appreciate that having kids in the district.”

The event will be held at 10 a.m. May 17 in the library’s main lobby, 309 Oak St. The event features a brief welcome, storytelling, dancing, crafts and cupcakes. Attendees also will be able to take a picture with a life-sized Dolly Parton cutout. Children also can register to receive free monthly books through the program. To register, visit the Imagination Library website. For information, email theresaw@dkpl.org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 3350. –ShawLocalNewsNetwork

• Receive a free training on administering Narcan

• Receive a free box of Narcan after the training

The community trainings are informal and community members can stop by anytime between the times below.

Visit us at one of the locations below:

Genoa Public Library

May 8, 2025 2pm–4pm

240 W. Main St., Genoa, 60135

Sandwich District Library

May 16, 2025 1:30pm–3:30pm 925 S. Main St., Sandwich, 60548

Sycamore Library

May 23, 2025 3:30pm–5:30pm 103 E. State St., Sycamore, 60178

DeKalb Public Library

May 27, 2025 9:30am–11:30am 309 Oak St., DeKalb, 60115

https://health.dekalbcounty.org

NARCAN can be lifesaving if administered in time. Narcan (Naloxone) is used to reverse an overdose from opioids.

Andre Powell

LOCAL NEWS BRIEF

County museums participating in summer museum program

SYCAMORE – The DeKalb County History Center, Ellwood House Museum, and Joseph F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center will participate in the Blue Star Museums program for the summer. The program will be held from May 17 through Sept. 1.

The program offers active-duty U.S. military personnel and five family members free admission to museums. The museums’ goal is to show military families appreciation and connect the families to local history. Blue

• WATER PIPES

Continued from page 2

services of Engineering Enterprises, Incorporated around that time to develop a lead service replacement plan that might qualify the city for grant assistance.

By August 2024, DeKalb city leaders were notified that the final IEPA grant allocation amounted to a little more than an estimated $3 million, city documents show.

The city extended EEI’s contract in July 2024 to prepare and coordinate IEPA application forms in advance of a bid letting, city documents show.

On Feb. 10, the City Council authorized an additional contract with EEI to help enable what officials call the “daylighting,” or the exposing of service lines to help identify the type of piping material.

City officials said EEI identified an additional 260 lead and galvanized service lines need to be replaced.

City Manager Bill Nicklas said the city has faced challenges trying to replace its lead service lines.

“We’ve had trouble for years and years, decades really in trying to identify all of those services that consist of lead and now galvanized has been added to the

Star Museums program members must present a Geneva Convention common access card.

The Blue Star Museums program is a collaboration between the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense and nationwide museums.

For information, visit dekalbcountyhistory. org, ellwoodhouse.org/, arts.gov/initiatives/ blue-star-museums, or gliddenhomestead. org.

–ShawLocalNewsNetwork

state list of unacceptable service lines,” Nicklas said.

This is no longer the case, however.

Nicklas touted where the city stands with lead service line replacements.

“The city’s been keeping pace with the state’s guidance on what needs to be done and how we’re to do it,” Nicklas said. “We’re checking all the boxes.”

Nicklas said the city hopes to have the lead service line replacements completed by the end of 2026.

Also at the meeting, the City Council amended a contract agreement with EEI for professional engineering services in an amount not to exceed $290,952.

The city has been working with the Elburn-based engineering and land surveying firm for more than three years, officials said.

According to the terms of the agreement, EEI’s responsibilities include individual project management, preparation of on-line field maps, preparation of pre-construction meeting, home assessment with contractor and city, on-line data management using field maps, on-site meetings with the city as needed, punch-list walks, and more.

The agreement, as approved, amends the contract that received the City Council’s backing in February 2025.

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Housing Authority of the County of DeKalb 310 North Sixth Street DeKalb, Illinois 60115

Housing Authority of the County of DeKalb

310 North Sixth Street DeKalb, Illinois 60115

Phone 815.758.2692 • Fax 815.758.4190

Housing Authority of the County of DeKalb 310 North Sixth Street • DeKalb, Illinois 60115 Phone 815.758.2692 • Fax 815.758.4190

Phone 815.758.2692 • Fax 815.758.4190

The Housing Authority of the County of DeKalb is accepting pre-applications for the Low Income Public Housing Program from applicants who are income eligible and have two (2) or more local preferences. Sequoya Apartments in Shabbona is accepting applications from the Elderly and/ or Disabled. The Housing Choice Voucher Program is accepting applications from households who are income eligible and whose Head, Spouse or Sole Member is Elderly (62 or older) and/or households whose Head, Spouse or Sole Member has a verifiable Disability.

The Housing Authority of the County of DeKalb is accepting pre-applications for the Low Income Public Housing Program from applicants who are income eligible and have two (2) or more local preferences. Sequoya Apartments in Shabbona is accepting applications from the Elderly and/or Disabled. The Housing Choice Voucher Program is accepting applications from households who are income eligible and whose Head, Spouse or Sole Member is Elderly (62 or older) and/or households whose Head, Spouse or Sole Member has a verifiable Disability.

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Sycamore mayor sworn in for 2nd term

‘It’s such an honor’ says 3rd Ward Alderperson in emotional thanks

By KELSEY RETTKE krettke@shawmedia.com

SYCAMORE – Sycamore Mayor Steve Braser was sworn in for a second term last week, after he ran unopposed, campaigning on what he said was a desire to continue needed progress in the city.

Braser was joined by his wife, Beth, and family members May 5 for the swearing-in and the latest Sycamore City Council meeting. He joined city officials an hour earlier for the groundbreaking of the city’s new fire station.

“I would be remiss not to thank my family for showing up here tonight,” Braser said. “I really appreciate those guys all coming out, including my in-laws.”

Several others also started another term, and one newcomer joined the Council. City Clerk Mary Kalk was sworn in after seeking reelection unopposed.

Third Ward Alderperson Marvin Barnes was sworn in after he ran unopposed for the seat.

“I’m honored, sincerely am honored to be able to sit up here with all of you,” Barnes said. “And I look forward to the next four years.”

And incumbents 4th Ward Alderperson Virginia Sherrod and First Ward Alderperson Alan Bauer also were sworn in. Sherrod ran a successful reelection campaign against Rob Dancey.

Sherrod, who began her third term, gave an emotional message of gratitude to voters.

“Im so honored and so blessed I feel l so blessed to be with such a awesome group of people,” Sherrod said. “I’m just so grateful that I won, and I had an opponent so it was hard. But I think all things comes to those who honor God. So thank you all so much. It’s such an honor”

Kelsey Rettke photos

Sycamore Mayor Steve Braser (left) takes the oath of office as his wife, Beth Braser, hold the Bible while City Clerk Mary Kalk (right) swears him in to begin his second term in office on May 5 at the Sycamore City Center.

Sycamore City Council (from left) 3rd Ward Alderperson Marvin Barnes, 4th Ward Alderperson Virginia Sherrod and 1st Ward Alderperson Alan Bauer are sworn into office by Sycamore City Clerk Mary Kalk (right) on May 5 at the Sycamore City Center.

Sycamore City Clerk Mary Kalk (right) is sworn in to office on May 5 at the Sycamore City Center, after she sought reelection unopposed in April.

Sycamore Education Foundation names 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients

SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com

SYCAMORE – The Sycamore Education Foundation recently named Virginia Sherrod, Wright B. George and Chad McGehee as the recipients of the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award.

The awards are presented annually to Sycamore High School alumni. Recipients are alumni who have maintained a high standard of excellence and have made contributions to their fields. The award also serves as a tribute to graduates’ personal, community or professional achievements, according to a news release.

Virginia Sherrod

Sherrod graduated from Sycamore High School in 1972. She was a member of the school’s Pep Club, Girls Athletic Association and Future Homemakers of America. Sherrod also was a homecoming court representative.

“As a student at Sycamore High School, Virginia demonstrated not only academic excellence but also a deep sense of community and kindness,” foundation members said in a news release. “Her passion for learning, combined with her commitment to helping others, set her apart.”

She became the Sycamore Moose Lodge 1506’s first African American acting administrator and the first Black

woman on Sycamore’s City Council.

Sherrod is a League of Women Voters board member, a DeKalb County Democrats vice chair, a SIMBA/SIMA elder, and a Rooted for Good – formerly DeKalb County Community Gardens –board member.

Wright B. George

George was junior class president, an ROTC member, named a Little Seven all-conference linebacker in 1960, and earned two varsity football and varsity wrestling letters.

“Raised by a single mother and grandmother, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, the Boy Scouts Troop 16 and, most of all, the high school and grade school administrators, teachers and coaches provided the needed structure for Wright’s upbringing and development,” foundation members said about George. “Seventh-grade teacher Mr. Norman W. Graper was instrumental at a critical time in that process.”

George graduated from Sycamore High School in 1961. He received a mathematics and economics degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1966. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. George completed undergraduate pilot training and was assigned the C-141 Starlifter Transport plane for military airlift command. He flew Air-Lift, Air-Evac and mortuary combat support missions for four years. George was awarded a Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Star and the Air Medal with an Oak Leaf Cluster on Aug. 26, 1971. He also served as an instructor pilot rating and flew international missions in the U.S. Air Force Reserves for three years.

George attended the Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration in 1971. He was a pilot for Eastern and United Airlines for 30 years and the Eastern Airlines Pilots Pension Trust Committee chairman. George began the real estate investment company DEC Management in 1979. He also is a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. George is retired and lives in Fort Myers, Florida, and

Vail, Colorado.

Chad McGehee

McGehee graduated from Sycamore High School in 1999. He works as a performance coach, meditation teacher, and scientific collaborator in elite performance and rigorous meditation training. McGehee is the co-founder of Inner Edge Meditation, Center for Healthy Minds at UW-Madison honorary research affiliate, and University of Wisconsin athletic department’s meditation training director.

“Through his trainings, talks and consulting, he supports individuals, teams and organizations,” foundation members said of McGehee. “He uses a teaching approach that incorporates findings from his cutting-edge research along with accessible ways to integrate meditation practices into overall training. He is passionate about the benefits of meditation training for individuals and teams interested in greater performance and well-being.”

McGehee is a meditation training and high-performance environments research expert. His training has been featured in NPR, The Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, on ESPN, and co-authored in scientific journals. McGehee also has been integrated in K-12 education, athletics, Fortune 500 companies, FBI SWAT teams, and the Hostage Rescue Team in Quantico, Virginia.

Oakwood Cemetery expansion planned in DeKalb

DeKalb city panel gives initial OK to proposal, City Council support still needed

By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com

DeKALB – Oakwood Cemetery, 611 to 615 N. First St. in DeKalb Township, could be getting ready for an expansion thanks to a local church.

The petitioner, DeKalb Township, submitted an application to the city seeking a special use permit to expand the cemetery with 0.82 acres of vacant land

adjacent to First Congregational United Church of Christ, 615 N. First St.

A DeKalb commission last week voted 5-0 to put its initial support behind the petitioner’s request to allow the cemetery’s expansion. Commissioner Maria Pena-Graham was absent.

“We believe they meet all the standards for a special use permit,” City Planner Dan Olson said.

The DeKalb City Council still needs to have its say on the matter.

The proposed improvements to the added land may provide a number of new amenities to the cemetery, including an eight-car parking lot with one accessible parking space, a concrete walk, a memo-

rial plaza with donor brick pavers, columbaria, woodland trail, remembrance pollinator garden and stormwater, and more.

The expansion is anticipated to be completed in two phases, officials said.

Commissioner Jerry Wright sought to clarify the petitioners’ plans.

“Did you say there were no plots for this new development?” Wright said.

DeKalb Township Supervisor Mary Hess said the expanded cemetery will not have space to accommodate any more burials.

“There will be no burial plots,” Hess said. “What we’re going to be doing is putting in above ground columbarium.

Cremations are on the rise. ... To start with, we’re going to have one columbarium with probably 48 niches. And then there’s something called an ossuary. That’s an even more affordable burial option. People are put together in an area. These will be more affordable burial options.”

Under phase two of the cemetery improvements, the township is looking to start a scattering garden.

“The state allows for remains to be scattered, but there’s a process to it,” Hess said. “Those individuals are memorialized and they’re captured in state records. So, that’s what we’d like to do with that path in the back.”

Virginia Sherrod Wright B. George Chad McGehee

Sycamore city officials break ground for newest fire station

Fire chief: Station expected to be ready in about 9 months

By KELSEY RETTKE krettke@shawmedia.com

SYCAMORE – Sycamore city officials and retired and active duty firefighters helped break ground Monday on the South Prairie Drive land that will, in about nine months, be home to the city’s newest fire station.

Fire Chief Bart Gilmore thanked Ideal Industries and the Juday family for helping make the build possible with the land. He also thanked Sycamore residents for their feedback as the planning process unfolded.

“Two years ago we started this process.” Gilmore said to the dozens gathered. “And watching it go from sketches on the table to diagrams to ultimately this is amazing. This is not a project that was just completed by the fire department. This could not have been done without full community support.

The $10.5 million build will replace the aging 68-year-old fire station No. 1 at 535 DeKalb Ave., Gilmore said.

The 19,000-square-foot new fire station on the corner of Borden Avenue and South Prairie Drive will be constructed on about six acres of land and include a classroom and community meeting space, training tower, and a larger space to house the city’s first ever ladder truck.

Mayor Steve Braser said he was pleased with the public turnout to help

celebrate the fire station’s construction Monday.

“I just can’t thank the Juday family enough and Ideal Industries,” Braser said. “The work that the staff has all done on everything is just fantastic. And the support of the community.

...Very pleased with the show up. And it’s a diverse part of town, and seeing retirees come here. It was very nice.”

Photos by Kelsey Rettke

City of Sycamore officials, including members of the Sycamore City Council, Mayor Steve Braser (second from right), City Manager Michael Hall (middle) and Fire Chief Bart Gilmore (fourth from right) pose May 5 after shoveling the first dirt during a groundbreaking ceremony for the city’s new fire station at 1351 S. Prairie Drive, Sycamore.

Retired members of the Sycamore Fire Department stick shovels in the land that will in about nine months be home to a new fire station. City officials held a groundbreaking ceremony for the city’s new fire station on May 5.

LARGE PUBL IC AUCTION

CLASSIFIED COUNTRY ESTATE AUCTION

In Order to Settle the Estate of Bill & Yolanda Butenas, the following items will be sold at no reserve

bidder at auction located at 9527 Shabbona

Saturday , May 17th St arting at 10: 30 am * Cadillac * Horse/Pony Tack * Furniture * Country Collec tibles * 2009 Cadillac DTS 4-door Sedan 106,159 miles, front wheel drive, 4.6 L V-8. Last driven on th e road in 2023. Car has been stored inside. Seems to run and drive fine, however it has been off th e road fo r 2 years, so, you need to run it in, for a road worthy check- up Simplicity Regent lawn tractor. 48” mower deck, 23 hp hydro. Mower was used to mow approximately 3 times JUST LIKE NEW!; IH 2500 Series A gas Loader tractor w/ IH Hyd loader, 3pt. PTO. Tractor has been stored inside and has not b een used in several years. We might have it running by sale time. Tractor will need new battery and most likely rear tires as they have dry rot and leaking. 1979 Shelby 20 x6 Gooseneck livestock trailer. Tires are dry rotted and will need replacement. Trailer was last on the road in 2006. Several Pony carts, including a nice parade wagon. Lots of Pony and Horse tack, harnesses and the like. 25Ft Bale conveyor; 10ft x 18ft across wire corn crib with steel cone roof Great for the back yard; Safe T Mill Hors e treadmill, has not been used in several years; Horse/Pony carousel exerciser; Several 14-16 ft pipe and galvanized gates; Lots of old barn lumber; misc. tools and old country coll ectibles; Lots of household furniture, dressers, tables, chairs, household furnishings and housewares; Nice antique china hutch; Like new Ariens Deluxe 30 s nowblower w/ electric start; Craftsman Trax 5- 23 snow blower; Electri c dryer and washer, both in good working order; 6ft. Aluminum side tool box, 6ft long; Other yard and garden tools and decor and other items of interest and collect-ability.

Auctioneers Note: Bill and Yolanda have been on the farm since 1965 and were well respected members of the Waterman Community They participated in many parades over th e years and well known for showing their fine pony hitch teams.

Terms: Cash, Checks, Credit Cards w/ 3% convenient fee added Not Responsible For Accidents, Injury or Theft. Announcements made day of sale take precedence over all other advertisement. Bring your truck and a friend All items sell to the highest bidder Join us for this great Estate Auction. Almburg Auction, Malta, Illinois. 815 -739-3703 Pictures on website: www.almbur gauctions.com

PUBLIC NOT ICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS

ss COUNTY OF DEKALB

In the Circuit Court of DeKalb County. In the Matte r of the estate of Donald Mitchell, decedent. Adoption No 2024PR76 NOTICE IS GIVEN of the death of the within named Letters of Office have been issued as set forth herein to the appropriate Ex ecutors, whose attorney is as shown:

Decedent: Donald Mitchell of Sandwich, Illi nois

Date of Deat h: March 9, 2024

Type of Letters Issued: Letters Testamentary

Issued to: Megan Konczal, Administrator

Attorney for Estate: Attorney William L. Hotopp

222 E. Church Street Sandwich, Illinois 60548

Claims against the Estate may be filed in the office of the Clerk of the Ci rcui Cour of DeKalb County, DeKalb County Courthouse, Sycamore, Illinois, or with the Admin istrator or both within six (6) mont hs from the date of issuance of Letters of the date of the first publication of this Notic e, whichever is later. Any claim not filed within that period is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered within ten (10) days after it has been filed. Letters of the Office were issued on October 2, 2024

Dated: May 1, 2025

Lori Grubbs, Clerk.

Wedn esday in The MidWeek

Attorney William L. Hotopp 222 E. Church Street Sandwich, Illinois 60548

815-786-7770

(Published in The Midweek May 7, 14 21 2025) 2243594