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ON THE COVER
Judy Bowman, 75, a resident of Heritage Woods of DeKalb, offers her perspective on Medicaid during a discussion July 14 at the assisted-living facility..
See story, page 6.
Photo by Mark Busch
Former County Board member, deputy indicted on PPP loan fraud
Married couple accused of submitting fraudulent applications
By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com
A former DeKalb County Board member and a former DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office corrections deputy are accused of defrauding the federal COVID19 Paycheck Protection Program in multiple charges filed in DeKalb County Court.
District 5, left her role as an elected official at the end of June. When she announced her intention to resign, she told Shaw Local she was stepping down for personal reasons and looked forward to spending more time with family.
On July 11, both of them were indicted on five charges filed by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, according to court documents. They were arrested last week and have since been released.
financial institution with a Paycheck Protection Program borrower application form that falsely said that a business named “Savannah Ilenikhena” had a gross income of $83,746 in 2019.
Bartholomew was indicted on a second forgery count that mirrored his wife’s indictment. In his case, he is alleged to have falsely said his business, named “Bartholomew Ilenikhena,” had a gross income of $89,195 in 2019, according to the indictment.
Savannah Ilenikhena and Bartholomew Ilenikhena, a married couple, were each charged and indicted on one count of loan fraud and one count of theft of between $10,000 and $100,000, court records show. Those charges, Class 2 felonies, are each punishable by up to seven years in prison.
Bartholomew Ilenikhena, a former corrections deputy with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, resigned from his position in May, DeKalb County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Jim Burgh told Shaw Local on July 29.
Savannah Ilenikhena, a former Republican DeKalb County Board member for
ANSWERS puzzlesonpage13
In those documents, prosecutors allege that Savannah and Bartholomew Ilenikhena submitted a fraudulent Paycheck Protection borrower application form and a fraudulent PPP loan forgiveness application form between April and October 2021.
They were also indicted on three counts of forgery, a class 3 felony, according to court documents.
In one forgery count, they are accused of delivering a rapid finance application with false information to the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Bartholomew Ilenikhena said in the application that the sole proprietorship business named “Bartholomew Ilenikhena” had a gross income of $10,482 in 2019, according to the indictment.
Savannah Ilenikhena said in her application that the business named “Savannah Ware” had a gross income of $12,255 in 2019, according to an indictment against her.
In a second forgery count, Savannah Ilenikhena is alleged to have presented a
In a third count of forgery, Bartholomew Ilenikhena is accused of falsely stating in a Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness application form that his business spent $13,585 on payroll.
Savannah Ilenikhena was similarly indicted for allegedly falsely stating that her business, “Savannah Ilenikhena,” spent $12,998 on payroll for a Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness application form.
Savannah Ilenikhena did not immediately respond to a request for comment July 29, nor did the law offices representing her and her husband.
Neither Savannah Ilenikhena nor Barthollomew Ilenikhena has previously been charged with crimes in DeKalb County, according to court records. They were granted pretrial release on July 24, according to court records.
No pleas have been made in either‘s case, and the next hearing for both is currently scheduled for 9 a.m. Sept. 16 in front of Judge Joseph Pedersen.
hear from you. Email us your thoughts at feedback@ shawmedia.com.
Accuracy is important to The MidWeek. Please call errors to our attention by phone at 815-526-4411 or email at readit@midweeknews.com.
Savannah Ilenikhena
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
Enrollment open for Little Lambs Preschool in DeKalb
Little Lambs Preschool now is enrolling children ages 3 to 5 for the 2025–26 school year.
Located at Immanuel Lutheran Church in DeKalb, the faith-based preschool has served local families since 1996.
Classes are held from 9 a.m. to noon, with flexible two- to five-day options that align with the DeKalb School District 428 calendar. The program maintains a 10-student maximum per class, each with a teacher and assistant, offering a blend of structured learning, faith-based activities and play-based discovery.
Led by Director Katie Martinez, who has two decades in early childhood education, the preschool emphasizes spiritual, academic and social development. Daily activities include chapel, music, art, story time and outdoor play on a new playground.
Tuition assistance is available through
the Child Care Assistance Program offered by the nonprofit 4-C Community Coordinated Child Care and dependent-care Flexible Spending Account eligibility.
Families are invited to schedule a tour.
More information is available at littlelambsdeKalb.org or by calling 815-7566669.
DeKalb Township to host vision, hearing screening clinic
The DeKalb Township will partner with the local Lions Club to host a vision and hearing screening clinic for residents.
The free screening will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 12 at the township building, 2323 S. Fourth St.
The screenings will check for hearing loss and retinal disorders such as macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. No appointments are required. The clinic is a walk-in only event.
For information, call 815-758-8282.
– Shaw Local News Network
Photo provided by Little Lambs Preschool Little Lambs Preschool in DeKalb now is enrolling children ages 3 to 5 for the 2025–26 school year.
Informational meetings draw interest for DeKalb Barb Boosters
By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com
Less than a month after the DeKalb Barb Boosters announced its end, dozens turned out for a pair of recent meetings to show interest in the fundraising arm of DeKalb School District 428 athletics.
The informational meetings, both held at DeKalb High School, were intended to help the district recruit community members to join the group’s executive board.
Peter Goff, the district’s athletic director, said the district’s outreach to the community is working.
“We’ve had a tremendous amount of people just ask them if they would volunteer,” Goff said. “We had a lot of people [say] that they would. So, things are moving in the right direction.”
Goff, who serves as a liaison to the DeKalb Barb Boosters, began efforts to save the organization in the days after the DeKalb Barb Boosters announced its dissolution.
“I’ve been doing this 31 years,” Goff said. “I’ve been a booster club member when my kids were going through [school]. I’ve been a coach my whole life. I’ve been an administrator. It just flows.”
But Goff wanted it to be clear that this is not a knock against the previous executive board and its recruiting efforts.
“Everyone is busy, and it’s hard to get there,” Goff said. “I just think that that’s the way it goes. Now that they’re made aware and stuff like that, I think all that stuff is the rearview mirror. The board
that was there for the last two or three years did a wonderful job. Like I said before, they didn’t even have kids in the district. They were doing it because they didn’t want to see it falter.”
During the two informational sessions, community members filled out a Google form to indicate which committees and positions on the executive board they’d like to serve in. A temporary executive board for the new fundraising group was also formed.
The DeKalb Barb Boosters executive board typically consists of four board members, all of whom aim to serve out a one-year term. Its membership includes a president, vice president, secretary and treasurer.
All four members of the group’s executive board resigned at the end of the 2024-25 school year.
Also during the informational meetings, prospective new members reviewed what happened to the previous executive board, how the fundraising group is going to move forward, and what the executive board and committees look like.
Not everyone who expressed interest in joining the DeKalb Barb Boosters executive board can serve.
Goff said there will need to be an election of new leadership before anyone is seated to serve.
He said the outpouring of community support has been tremendous to see.
Goff said it’s clear that the district has a lot of positive energy building around its
programs and fundraising efforts.
Mark Busch file photo
DeKalb fans storm the court after their win over Waubonsie Valley on Feb. 21 at DeKalb High School.
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
Zachary Harris to perform Aug. 12 with the DeKalb Municipal Band Vocalist Zachary Harris will perform with the DeKalb Municipal Band at the next concert in its 170th concert season. The free concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 12 at the Dee Palmer Band Shell in Hopkins Park, 1403 Sycamore Road, DeKalb.
Harris will sing “All the Things You Are,” “How About You” and “Catch a Falling Star.” Other music on the program includes “Appalachian Morning,” “Rolling Thunder,” “Big Band Signatures” and “Home Stretch.”
Harris earned a vocal performance degree from Northern Illinois University. He toured with Carnival Cruise Lines in the
Billy Holiday Piano Bar. Harris also performs at local restaurants and venues.
DeKalb library to host NAMI information booth Aug. 11
The DeKalb Public Library will host a National Alliance on Mental Illness information booth for community members to learn about its resources.
The information will be available from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Aug. 11 in the library’s main lobby, 309 Oak St. Participants can meet NAMI staff and learn about upcoming English and Spanish events and programs. No registration is required. For information, email leahh@dkpl.org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 2112.
– Shaw Local News Network
Shaw Local News Network file photo
The DeKalb Municipal Band will perform a free concert at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 12 at the Dee Palmer Band Shell in Hopkins Park, 1403 Sycamore Road, DeKalb.
Residents at DeKalb facility express fears over funding cuts
Some Heritage Woods of DeKalb residents share their experiences on Medicaid
By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com
At a DeKalb assisted-living facility, some Medicaid recipients said they’re proponents of impending federal policy changes to Medicaid, but they acknowledged that they don’t know what they’d do without their coverage.
Eariler this month, six residents and a facility administrator at Heritage Woods of DeKalb, 2626 N. Annie Glidden Road, sat down with Shaw Local News Network to discuss their feelings about the changes to Medicaid. The interviews came 10 days after President Donald Trump signed what lawmakers called the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law. Many of the residents are on Medicaid, which helps supplement their costs to live at the facility.
Betsy Smith, 77, a Heritage Woods resident and Medicaid recipient, said “it’s scary to think” that she could lose the Medicaid benefits that allow her to live at an assisted-living home.
“It’s just a great place, and it’s not a nursing home, and it’s not a high-rise for poor adults,” Smith said. “It’s a good place to be.”
The OBBBA includes $1.2 trillion in cutbacks to Medicaid and food stamps, largely by imposing new work requirements, including for some parents and older people, The Associated Press reported.
The bill institutes Medicaid work requirements for childless adults and adults with children older than 13, according to The Associated Press.
Beverly Wrigley, 96, said she’d recently spoken with her son about the Medicaid changes.
“I don’t think it should affect people here,” Wrigley said, referencing what her son told her.
Heritage Woods Executive Director Rachel Lawson said between one-fourth and one-half of the residents living at the facility pay for the service through Medicaid.
Angeline Salemi, 82, said she thinks the cuts to Medicaid will negatively affect younger people who are unable to work.
“They don’t have sufficient jobs [...] with today’s economy,” Salemi said. “They need Medicaid to survive.”
Jennifer Losselyoung, 80, a Medicaid recipient, said she thinks there should be tighter restrictions on who can receive the health care help.
“I think Medicaid needs to be governed more closely,” Losselyoung said. “I know a lot of people who are on it who don’t need to be on it. They just need to do something. But I think it is very necessary for some struggling families and for older people.”
Gerald Wagner, 85, said he’s a current Medicaid recipient and agrees with Losselyoung.
“I hope I don’t lose any of it; otherwise, I’m fine with it because what insurance doesn’t pick up, the other one will,” Wagner said. “What Blue Cross doesn’t pick up, either Medicare or Medicaid will pick it up.”
Asked what she would do if she lost her Medicaid benefits, Losselyoung said she didn’t know.
“I don’t know what I’d do if we did get it cut,” Losselyoung said. “It’s very necessary.”
Judy Bowman, 75, who is not a Med-
I don’t know what I’d do if we did get it cut. It’s very necessary.”
Jennifer Losselyoung, a resident of Heritage Woods of DeKalb
icaid recipient, said she was curious to know if people are illegally taking advantage of the government service.
“I’m sure those on Medicaid really need it, but you wonder how much Medicaid fraud is out there,” Bowman said. “That’s concerning because we’re using tax dollars to pay for the Medicaid recipients.”
In fiscal 2024, a total of 23,755 DeKalb County residents received Medicaid, according to data provided by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. During that same fiscal year, Illinois received more than $20 billion from the federal government for Medicaid spending, amounting to
about 62% of the total funding for the state’s Medicaid programs, according to a separate HFS document.
HFS officials wrote that cuts in federal funding will lead to reduced Medicaid services and enrollment because the state cannot make up the funding gap. As a result, home and community-based services, hospice care and community and behavioral health services will be at risk.
Lawson said people who initially paid out of pocket to stay at Heritage Woods have been able to live at the facility for longer because they signed up for Medicaid when their savings were exhausted.
Salemi said the fact that Medicaid is accepted is the main reason she chose to live at Heritage Woods of DeKalb.
“Illinois is one of the few states with a formal Medicaid-funded supportive living model,” Lawson said. “That’s why this is important to our seniors here, especially in Illinois.”
Mark Busch
Jennifer Losselyoung (right), 80, a resident of Heritage Woods of DeKalb, talks about Medicaid on July 14 at the assisted living facility, and what cuts to the program could mean to seniors.
NIU Homecoming Coloring Contest
Deadline to drop o at the DeKalb or Sycamore Library is Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. For details: go.niu.edu/homecoming.
— Welcome Home Huskies —
Sponsored by
Student first name and last name, grade and school, and parent/guardian phone number.
• MEDICAID
Continued from page 6
Citing Manatt Health estimates, state officials reported that the change in federal policy could force Illinois – which reimburses health care providers for services given to Illinoisans through Medicaid – to lose about $52 billion in Medicaid funds over 10 years.
How state legislators will seek to shore up that potential loss of federal funding remains to be decided, and that’s causing anxiety over the financial viability of smaller, rural hospitals.
“I see a lot of the smaller hospitals in the poorer areas are saying they are going to have to close down if there are big Medicaid cuts,” Losselyoung said. “It’s going to be a tragedy.”
Local government financial impact not yet known
Although cuts to Medicaid are expected to put home- and community-based services on the chopping block, how the policy changes will affect the DeKalb County Rehabilitation and Nursing Center is still up in the air.
The once-beleaguered nursing home is owned by the county government. Since 2022, elected officials have sought to rightside financial troubles that plagued the facility, which also accepts residents on Medicaid.
Mary Hatch, vice chair of the DCRNC’s relatively new oversight committee, said she’s keeping a watchful eye on state legislators. Those officials will be responsible for determining how federal Medicaid cuts affect Illinoisans.
“As a citizen and member of the oversight board, we’re watchful,” Hatch said. “We’re waiting to see how things settle out, and hopeful that we can weather the uncertain climate.”
Hatch, who is not a member of the DeKalb County Board, said other DeKalb County officials, such as County Board President John Frieders, might be able to speak more freely on the topic.
Frieders, a Republican from District 12, said he thinks it’s too early to say what specific effects might be locally to the publicly owned nursing center.
“It’s still up in the air,” Frieders said. “When things are definite, we will adjust. I don’t know how else we can handle it because we just don’t have enough information yet from the state or from [the] federal [government].”
DCRNC officials have written that Medicare, Medicaid and private pay make up the majority of revenue sources for the facility, which was almost sold to a private buyer in 2023.
Since the sale fell through, county
As
a citizen and member of the oversight board, we’re watchful. We’re waiting to see how things settle out, and hopeful that we can weather the uncertain climate.”
Mary Hatch, vice chair of the DeKalb County Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
officials have taken steps to increase the number of Medicare recipients able to use their benefits to pay for services at the facility.
Mellissa Kula with the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services said there were six nursing facilities in DeKalb County serving Medicaid customers in 2023. That year, 27,841 DeKalb County residents were enrolled in Medicaid – the largest total in the past five years, according to department data. Of that five-figure total, Kula said 264 used Medicaid to pay for nursing home services.
In May, the county-owned nursing center had an average daily census, or resident population, of 109, according to DeKalb County documents. Of that average, about 65 residents were Medicaid recipients.
Also in May, the rehab center collected $1.3 million in net patient revenue, $332,323 below the goal set by Jordan Healthcare Group, according to county documents. Of that total, $654,262 was collected for services received by Medicaid recipients, $495,151 was collected from private payers, and $152,979 was collected from Medicare A and Medicare Advantage recipients.
Frieders said he expects county officials will need to address potential effects if and when information comes forward.
“When we get details, we’re going to have to make our plans then, because we just don’t know at this time,” Frieders said.
The exact effects of the new federal policy on Medicaid recipients in Illinois also isn’t yet known, but the changes likely will impact lower-income families, single adults and retirees.
“I think most of us thought we had put away enough money for retirement, and with the cost of everything going up so high, and that, it just is not enough,” Losselyoung said. “So that’s where Medicaid has to come in and help.”
• Shaw Local News Network reporter Megann Horstead and The Associated Press contributed to this story.
LOOKING BACK
1925 – 100 YEARS AGO
Local people, who remember the Gathercoal family, which formerly lived here, will be interested in the report from Chicago of the fact that three aviators, one of them Norris M. Gathercoal, have been missing from Chicago for ten days past. Young Gathercoal is the great grandson of Mrs. Norris Sweet, of Roosevelt Street, and a grandson of Mrs. John Carr and Mrs. Scott of South Sixth street. The Gathercole’s moved away from DeKalb some years ago and have since lived in Chicago. The three aviators who took off ten days ago in a plane owned by one of them, were reported missing last night. Relatives of the men and fellow fliers fear they may have fallen into Lake Michigan.
Bert Weilert of Hinckley was taken to DeKalb yesterday to receive treatments for a broken wrist. The mishap occurring yesterday morning while he was working in the hay mow on his farm. Mr. Weilert was working in the mow and in some manner lost his balance and fell. In trying to protect himself from striking the floor of the mow he broke his wrist.
Ed Milledge, building mover of Sycamore, has been doing a difficult job over near Hampshire on the farm of the S. E. Keyes estate. The task was that of raising and moving a large barn, 34 by 80 feet, which had blown off an 8-foot foundation and badly damaged by a strong wind.
The threshing machines are very plentiful in Paw Paw. The grain is fair, but help is very scarce.
1950– 75 YEARS AGO
The 74th annual Northern Illinois Old Settlers and DeKalb Farmers’ picnic will be held in the Kingston Township Park at Kingston on August 18 and 19.
Homes have become smaller but more convenient and comfortable, according to the United States Savings and Loan League. The league said a study of housing during the first half of this century shows that the size of homes has decreased with the size of the average family. There also is considerably more architectural variety available to home buyers today than there was 50 years ago.
Three flying saucers were noted at 12 o’clock noon today by two DeKalb women while they were hanging out clothes. One woman of North Seventh Street and a neighbor were hanging out clothes when their attention was attracted by what they first thought was an airplane. Scanning the cloudless sky discs which appeared to be spinning and very high. They looked to be about be 6 feet across but being so high it made it difficult to judge the size of them. They watched as the saucers seemed to rise higher and higher and then disappear from sight.
Violators of the regulations on the oneway streets which became effective last Saturday are being issued warning notices by the DeKalb police department. Red cards have been printed which read: “This is to warn you that you have entered this oneway street the wrong way. It will prove to be an advantage to you and all motorists to have these streets one way. Your co-operation will be appreciated.” The warning notices will be used until such time as motorists have an opportunity to become accustomed to the new regulations after which regular arrest tickets will be issued the violators.
The exterior of the DeKalb County courthouse is in the process of receiving its first complete maintenance work since built in 1903. Arthur Dimond, Genoa maintenance contractor, and a staff of three
cable television, they have produced the first of a cable television series with a soap opera format called “Life is Like That.” Themes written into the series include feeling older, how to get around in DeKalb without a good bus service, where to sit down in DeKalb’s downtown, how to find housing and changing roles in a family.
Sycamore City Council last night voted to postpone, for two weeks, a decision on the Sycamore Municipal Hospital’s recommendation that a detoxification unit be constructed with proceeds of the Jackson trust fund.
2000 – 25 YEARS AGO
men began work Monday on tuck pointing the entire building. The project includes resealing mortar joints, dressing up broken and chipped cement and replacing broken columns. Several of the small columns which decorate the outer edge of the courthouse roof are in a bad state of repair and will be replaced with columns which Dimond molds himself.
The Midland Hotel Corporation, composed largely of Sycamore people, has purchased the building and business of the Hotel Fargo from the present owner and operator, W. H. Tifft, Sterling, it has been announced.
1975 – 50 YEARS AGO
President Ford today assured Japan on the 30th anniversary of the Hiroshima atomic bomb that the United States will defend its World War II enemy in the event of any “nuclear or conventional” attack.
There was unpacking and unloading this morning as participants prepared for the Northern Illinois Steam Power Show and Threshing Bee on the Taylor Marshall farm north of Sycamore.
In the process of growing older in DeKalb, senior citizens are using their unsuspected dramatic talents to help each other. Using the facilities of People for Public Access, DeKalb’s own community program for giving people public access to
The Sycamore Road retail boom will continue this year, as two developers work to bring more stores, restaurants, and maybe a bank or two to an area already ripe with strip malls. Plans to build a shopping center on the old DeKalb County Rehab and Nursing Center property have received preliminary approval, and a proposal to renovate Northland Plaza soon will come before the City Council.
About 50 to 80 more jobs will be eliminated at Monsanto’s local operations, but the company said it plans to remain in DeKalb and be a vital force in the community. The 50 to 80 positions will be integrated into headquarters operations in St. Louis. Some employees will transfer and others will be given severance packages, company officials said.
Alexander Lumber is in the process of purchasing 20 acres from Ellen Engstrom north of the Cortland Industrial Park and along Loves Road. The company plans to construct a truss-manufacturing plant in the new future, and to add 25 new jobs. Alexander also is planning to construct new retail lumber outlet to replace its facility on Locust Street.
The depth of a proposed Guardian natural-gas pipeline is drawing concern from DeKalb-area farmers. The 36-inch-wide pipeline would extend from near Joliet to southern Wisconsin. Its 149-mile route includes a 36-mile stretch through the eastern edge of DeKalb County. – Compiled by Sue Breese
Photo provided by the DeKalb County History Center Archives
The Knolls Subdivision in DeKalb seen as another phase of construction began in August 2000.
Vote on St. Mary’s Hospital proposal delayed
Staff recommended reversing 3-year-old decision for apartments
By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com
A divided DeKalb City Council last week sought to give one last chance to the local developer behind plans to turn the former St. Mary’s Hospital building into apartments.
Three years ago, the City Council approved a zoning change that allows the 103-year-old building at 145 Fisk Ave. to hold 32 apartments, but staff this week recommended reversing that change and putting an end to the possibility.
In the three years since that approval, neither a final development plan nor an extension had been requested by the petitioner, city officials said.
The city should go in a different direction with the property, City Manager Bill Nicklas suggested.
“There are other ideas,” Nicklas said.
“I’m not saying that’s the best idea, but let’s get together with the neighborhood and figure it out. And Mr. [Jon] Sauser,
who’s the owner, is welcome to join in that. And maybe he could convince us the error of our ways. But as I sit here
right now, how many times do you want to be fooled? First time, shame on me. Second time, shame on you.”
The DeKalb City Council decided, however, against taking action on a measure to repeal the proposal, only to postpone the matter until the council’s Sept. 9 meeting.
Dissenting votes were cast by 2nd Ward Alderman Tracy Smith and 5th Ward Alderman Andre Powell. Seventh Ward Alderman John Walker was absent.
The delay was intended to provide Sauser with time to pay fines owed to the city for nuisance and property management code violations.
As of Tuesday, Nicklas said a check was brought in to pay the fines.
Sauser was required to pay both outstanding fines of $1,147.50, which had gone to collection, and an additional $850 in fines, which were in adjudication, city documents show.
DeKalb resident Nancy Dougherty, who lives across the street from the vacant 5th Ward property, said she’s
See ST. MARY’S, page 11
Thur sday, August 14th @ 7:00 p.m.
SUNDAY, SEPT. 28, 2025
Beginning & Ending in Downtown DeKalb, both routes take runners with on course entertainment through historical neighborhoods, along the Kishwaukee River, through NIU's campus, ending in Van Buer Plaza. FREE BEER & Taste of DeKalb Event at the Finish Line!
Mark Busch
The back of the long-vacant former St. Mary’s Hospital at 145 Fisk Ave. is seen July 30 in DeKalb.
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
Stage Coach Players to present ‘The Miscast Projection’
The Stage Coach Players is set to open its next production, the cabaret “The Miscast Projection,” Aug. 8. The show is scheduled to run for two days.
“The Miscast Projection” features a storyline and songs from more than 20 Broadway shows. The cabaret performers will sing music from roles not typically played in a production of the song’s show. The cabaret is not part of the Stage Coach Players 2025 season.
The cast includes LJ Banda, Katy Beyren, Natalie Boone, Cody Bratcher, Deb Brubaker, Brock Demeter, Emma Gawaran, Kelly Hart, Brian Heffernan, Amy Jackson, Katie Johnson, Keely Loughman-Eckert, Daniel Maciel, Jackson Nielsen, Isaiah Panke, Riley Powers, Victoria Schultz, Laura Venneri, Mandy Wescott and Carissa Williams.
Show proceeds will be used to purchase new projection equipment. Attendees also can enter a raffle to win raffle baskets and season ticket giveaways.
The production will be directed by Jon
Jaworowski, who previously directed “Legally Blonde the Musical” in 2025. Music direction is being provided by Kasey Pennington and choreography by Summer Arwood.
Performances of “The Miscast Projection” will take place at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 8 and 9 at the Stage Coach Theatre, 126 S. Fifth St., DeKalb. A matinee performance is set for 2 p.m. Aug. 9.
Tickets cost $17 for adults and $15 for students and seniors ages 65 and older. To buy tickets, visit stagecoachplayers.com or call 815-758-1940.
Author fair scheduled Aug. 9 at DeKalb Library
The DeKalb Public Library will host its annual event for local authors to showcase their work.
The free author fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 9 in the library’s main lobby, 309 Oak St.
Attendees can meet local authors, ask questions, and listen to readings of book excerpts. Book copies also will be available to buy.
For information, email samanthah@dkpl. org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 1701.
Kishwaukee College to hold Discover Kish event Aug. 13
Kishwaukee College will host Discover Kish, an event for new students and their families to explore and learn about the college.
The event will be held from 10:30 a.m. to
• ST. MARY’S
Continued from page 10
concerned about safety. She said she had contacted her alderman hoping to resolve her concerns, but it didn’t help matters.
“I’m still concerned about debris from the deteriorating building falling off and blowing across the street, possibly hitting one of the many cars that travel on one-way Fisk [Avenue] or any of us walking in the neighborhood,” Dougherty said.
DeKalb resident Sharon Nicola, who lives near the vacant property, said something has to give with the project’s delays.
“There is no viable reason why residents in this neighborhood should suffer because of the building’s neglect,” Nicola said. “Blight spreads. Witness Detroit. We are not Detroit. We are DeKalb. Keep us DeKalb proud.”
Sauser cited several reasons for delays not related to the COVID-19 pandemic, saying it was all about communication breakdowns between the engineering firm he has enlisted, as well as a change to the project’s lead engineer. He’s also had his share of health issues along the way.
1 p.m. Aug. 13 at the college, 21193 Malta Road, Malta.
The event will feature a resource fair from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., student ID photos, course material and textbook pickup, and college swag. Guided tours also will be held at 10:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., noon and 12:45 p.m.
“Discover Kish offers new students a valuable opportunity to begin their college journey with confidence. It allows them to explore campus, connect with supportive staff and take care of important steps before the start of classes. Our goal is to ensure students feel well-prepared, informed and welcomed into the Kishwaukee College community,” Kishwaukee College outreach and enrollment coordinator Sandy Castillo Guzman said in a news release.
Check-in will be in the college’s student center. Attendees can park in lot A and enter through door 6. Registration is encouraged.
For information or to register, visit kish. edu/discoverkish.
– Shaw Local News Network
“I think we can all understand sometimes constructions get delayed,” Sauser said. “What we really need to complete is the final plat, the landscape design and the lighting design. But beyond that, there’s the architectural plans that have to go, and all that’s been working at the same time in the background.”
Mayor Cohen Barnes said the city is grappling with how to make this development work for all parties involved.
“Like I said, I respect the family name,” Barnes said. “And I respect [the] council’s opinion on we want to move this forward, but we’re not going to tolerate it for too much longer is what I’m hearing.”
Second Ward Alderwoman Barb Larson said she doesn’t want to see a commercial development in this spot, which excites her about the petitioner’s plan.
The property currently is zoned for neighborhood commercial district use, and the petitioner seeks to maintain the zoning change to a planned development residential district.
“If we just leave it in place and Mr. Sauser doesn’t do anything, it might be that somebody else sees it and buys the property from him and develops that,” Larson said.
Mark Busch
The front entryway of the long-vacant former St. Mary’s Hospital at 145 Fisk Ave. is seen July 30 in DeKalb.
Turning Back Time Car Show draws crowd
The 25th annual Fizz Ehrler Memorial Turning Back Time Car Show showcased vehicles of all shapes and sizes July 27 as it took over downtown Sycamore.
– Shaw Local News Network
Many car enthusiasts stop and look
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Photos by David Toney for Shaw Local News Network
LEFT:
at the 1954 Kaiser Manhattan during the Fizz Ehrler Memorial Turning Back Time Car Show on July 27 in downtown Sycamore. ABOVE: A flyover takes place during the opening ceremony of the car show.
AMUSEMENTS
Frid ay 8/8 & Sat urday 8/9 8am to 4pm Fender US A, Gibson and more; Echopl ex EP4; viny l, posters,
wlhotopp@hotopplaw
wlhotopp@hotopplaw
in
Jewel Elburn on face 5:30 & 7:30pm 43 -9489
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 Estate of Logan Biens, minor
Adoption No 2024GR83
NOTICE IS GI VEN The requi-
site affidavit for publication having been filed, Notice is hereby given you, Adam Biens that this case has been commenced in this court by the petitioner against you for the Petition for Guardianship and other relief.
Unless you file your answer or otherwise file your appearance in this case in the offic e of the clerk of this court, DeKalb County Courthouse, Sycamore Illinois, on or before August 27 2025
a Judgment or decree by defaul may be taken against you for the relief asked for in the Petition for Guardianship.
Lori Grubbs, Clerk of the Court.
Attorney William L. Hotopp
Attorney for Petitioner, 222 E. Church Street
Sandwich, Illinois 60548
815-786-7770
wlhotopp@hotopplaw.com
Dated: July 15, 2025
Lori Grubbs Clerk.
Attorney William L. Hotopp
222 E. Church Street Sandwich, Illinois 60548
815-786-7770
wlhotopp@hotopplaw.com
(Published in The Midweek July 23, 30, August 6, 2025) 2259656
MidWeek Clas sified 833-584-NEWS
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 Estate of Navaeh Christopher, minor Adoption No 2024GR84
NOTICE IS GI VEN The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, Notice is hereby given you, Robert Christopher that this case has been commenced in this court bythe petitio ner against you for the Petition for Guardianship and other relief.
Unless you file your answer or otherwise file your appearance in this case in the offic e of the clerk of this court, DeKalb County Courthouse, Sycamore Illinois, on or before August 27, 2025, a Judgment or decree by default may be taken against you for the relief asked for in the Petition for Guardianship.
Lori Grubbs Clerk of the Court.
Attorney William L. Hotopp
Attorney for Petitioner, 222 E. Church Street Sandwich, Illinois 60548
815-786-7770
wlhotopp@hotopplaw.com
Dated: July 15 2025
Lori Grubbs Clerk. Attorney William L. Hotopp 222 E. Church Street Sandwich, Illinois 60548 815-786-7770 wlhotopp@hotopplaw.com
(Published in The Midweek July 23, 30, August 6, 2025) 2259656
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 Estate of Nolan Biens, minor. Adoption No 2024GR85
NOTICE IS GI VEN The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, Notice is hereby given you, Adam Biens that this case has been commenced in this court by the petitioner against you for the Petition fo and other relief. Unless you file or otherwise pearance in offic e of the court, DeKalb house, Sycamo or before Augus a Judgment default may be you for th for in the Guardianship. Lori Grubbs Clerk of the C Attorney Willia Attorney for Pe 222 E. Church Sandwich, Illinoi 815-786-77 wlhotopp@hotopplaw
Dated: July 15 Lori Grubbs, Attorney Willia 222 E. Church Sandwich, Illinoi 815-786-77 wlhotopp@hotopplaw
