WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 • S h awLo c a l .co m
SMART STETHOSCOPE Ann NIU professor built an AI tool to diagnose childhood respiratory A illness – inspired by a sleepless night with her sick infant / 6
The MidWeek / shawlocal.com/midweek-news • Wednesday, September 2, 2026 MIDWEEK
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Sycamore preps for e-bike law changes By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com Because laws regarding e-bikes are changing in 2027, the Sycamore Police Department has begun a campaign to help the community understand what will and won’t be legal. This fall, Sycamore police officers plan to educate local e-bike, e-scooter, e-skateboard and e-unicycle riders on what the law will say about their riders come Jan. 1, according to a news release from the Sycamore Police Department. “Officers will be using contacts with riders as opportunities to explain the law, answer questions, and promote safe riding practices,” the news release reads. Beginning in 2027, you must be at least 16 to operate many e-bikes in Illinois, according to state law. Fifteen-
year-olds will be allowed to ride e-bikes that do not provide powered propulsion above 20 mph. Class 3 e-bikes, which have power up to 28 mph – as well as electronic skateboards and electric unicycles – will only be legally rideable for people who are at least 16. “The Sycamore Police Department has observed riders disregarding traffic signals and stop signs, riding on sidewalks, and otherwise failing to follow traffic laws,” an officer wrote in the release. To educate the public, Sycamore police officers will be empowered to stop e-bike and e-scooter riders when they see traffic violations and unsafe behavior, according to the news release. “Officers will focus on behaviors that create significant safety risks, including reckless riding, disregarding traffic
lights or stop signs, and operating on sidewalks where prohibited,” an officer wrote in the release. E-bikes and e-scooters cannot be operated on sidewalks, according to Sycamore police. Any electric-powered bike or scooter that provides motorized assistance above 28 mph will be considered a motor vehicle that requires vehicle registration, a valid driver’s license, and insurance to operate. To be classified as an e-bike, the bike must have a motor with 750 watts or less. A low-speed electric scooter, which doesn’t require state registration, must have a maximum speed of 15 mph, weigh less than 100 pounds and be operated by someone who’s at least 16. It cannot be ridden by two people, nor can it be used on roads with speed limits above 35 mph.
DeKalb County nursing center hires administrator By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com A DeKalb woman who graduated from Northern Illinois University has been hired as the new administrator at the DeKalb County Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, the county announced. The DeKalb County Board voted on Aug. 19 to hire Sierra Oladoja, a licensed nursing home administrator, to become the county-owned nursing center’s top employee. She said the career decision was personal because of her ties to the communities.
PUZZLE ANSWERS puzzles on page 14
“As a DeKalb native and NIU graduate, I have deep roots in this community, and the opportunity to professionally serve in the place I’ve always called home is incredibly meaningful to me,” Oladoja said in a news release from DeKalb County government. She was hired after DeKalb County administrators were prompted to begin searching for a new administrator when former nursing center administrator Bart Becker resigned, effective July 2, according to multiple county records. DeKalb County Board Chair John Frieders, a Republican from District 12, said
he thinks Oladoja “is the right person at the right time” for the county-owned nursing center. “Our residents deserve the very best, and we are committed to making sure the DCRNC remains a place where families feel confident in the care their loved ones receive and where our employees can take pride in the work they do every day,” Frieders said in the news release. Oladoja has worked as a nursing home administrator elsewhere for five years and worked in the skilled nursing industry for seven years, according to the county.
ON THE COVER Lichuan Liu, director for biomedical engineering and professor at Northern Illinois University, demonstrates how the data collected by the AI stethoscope she is developing can be used in diagnoses Aug. 26 in the NIU Engineering Building in DeKalb. See story, page 6. Photo by Mark Busch
CORRECTIONS Accuracy is important to The MidWeek. Please call errors to our attention by phone at 815-526-4411 or email at readit@midweeknews.com.
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com The Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra will celebrate its 50th concert season with a lineup featuring iconic and contemporary works spanning centuries and musical genres. All concerts will be held at Boutell Memorial Concert Hall in the Northern Illinois University Music Building in DeKalb. The season will begin with a preview event at 3 p.m. Sept. 12 in the Freight Room of the DeKalb County Community Foundation Building, 475 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore. Music Director Linc Smelser will discuss the upcoming concert season. Registration is required for the preview event and is limited to 100 attendees. To register, visit kishorchestra.org. The 50th season includes: Romantic Splendor: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10. The fall concert will feature SaintSaëns’ “Symphony No. 3,” Mendelssohn’s “Fingal’s Cave” and Rachmaninoff’s “Piano Concerto No. 2.” Pianist Adam Nieman will be the featured solo-
Competition: 10 a.m. Jan. 9. Young Illinois
musicians will compete for the opportunity to perform with the KSO during its Feb. 27 concert. The competition is free and open to the public.
Arthur D. Montzka Memorial Concert:
7:30 p.m. Feb. 27. The concert will honor former KSO conductor and educator Arthur D. Montzka and feature the winner of the Young Artists Concerto Competition performing with the orchestra. The program also will include Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherazade.” Admission is free for all students. The KSO Goes to Broadway: 7:30 p.m. March 20. The spring pops concert will celebrate Broadway with selections Photo by Chrissy Deming provided by KSO from a variety of musicals and composers. The Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra will open its 50th season on Oct. 10, 2026. Happy Birthday, KSO!: 3 p.m. April 25. ist. Nieman has performed with sym- ly-friendly concerts encourage audience The season finale will mark the orchesphony orchestras in Chicago, San Fran- members to come dressed in costume. tra’s 50th anniversary with a perforcisco and the National Symphony Holiday Pops Concert: 7 p.m. Dec. 11 and mance of Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana” Orchestra in Washington, D.C., among 2 p.m. Dec. 13. The orchestra will cele- and Antonio Vivaldi’s “Gloria.” The others. brate the holiday season with festive KSO will be joined by the NIU Concert Halloween Concerts: 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. music for family, friends and the com- Choir and NIU University Chorus. Oct. 30. The orchestra will perform a munity. The DeKalb Festival Chorus For season tickets and individual selection of Halloween favorites while also will perform. concert information, visit kishorchesdressed in costume. The free, famiArthur D. Montzka Young Artists Concerto tra.org.
MIDWEEK The MidWeek / shawlocal.com/midweek-news • Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra celebrates 50th
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Photo provided by DeKalb County History Center Joiner History Room
The DeKalb coal chute is seen in 1937 looking east. The Milwaukee Road bridge (Peace Road) can be seen in the background.
Public invited to dedication of historic coal chute site By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com The legacy behind a nearly 100-yearold coal chute in DeKalb will soon be remembered with a dedication ceremony and the public is invite. Organizers will dedicate a new interpretive sign to the now-demolished coal chute, installed at Rotary Park. The event will take place at 10 a.m. Sept. 5 at Rotary Park, 1504 State St., DeKalb. The coal chute has been out of service since the 1950s. Around that time, the use of steam engines was largely phased out. The coal chute, when operable, had been run and operated by the former Chicago and North Western Railway and was later placed under the jurisdic-
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Mental heath workshop set for Sept. 8 in DeKalb
The DeKalb Public Library will host an interactive workshop focused on suicide prevention and mental health support Sept. 8. Led by Sarah Peterman, education coordinator with Ben Gordon Center and Behavioral Health Services, the program will teach participants how to recognize signs that someone may be struggling, start supportive conversations and find help for themselves or someone they
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tion of the Union Pacific Railroad. The coal chute was demolished by the Union Pacific earlier this summer, as officials said the structure had been decaying for years. It took several weeks to complete the demolition. A GoFundMe campaign was set up by Teresa Lewis, of Kentucky, a descendant of the Burdick family who operated the coal chute. She previously said she is working to help raise money to memorialize the now-demolished structure and its place in DeKalb history. Lewis had said she needs help raising $3,000 to help offset the cost of purchasing an interpretive sign. She previously said she’s been working with leaders from the DeKalb Park District to have it installed at Rotary Park.
care about. The workshop also will provide information about local mental health, crisis, addiction and suicide prevention resources available throughout DeKalb County. The program is open to everyone, and no registration is required. It will begin at 7 p.m. in the lower-level Zimmerman Meeting Room at the library, 309 Oak St. For more information, contact Lynnanne at lynnannep@dkpl.org or 815-756-9568, ext. 2100. – Shaw Local News Network
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Tails Humane Society will hold its annual Mutt Strut 5K Walk and Run fundraiser at 9 a.m. Sept. 12 in DeKalb’s Hopkins Park.
Mutt Strut 5K returns Sept. 12 to support Tails SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com Tails Humane Society will hold its annual Mutt Strut 5K Walk and Run fundraiser to benefit its homeless animal adoption services on Sept. 12. The event will begin at 9 a.m. at Hopkins Park, 1403 Sycamore Road, DeKalb. Participants can walk or run the
race. A 1-mile option is available. Attendees are encouraged to bring their pets or furry friends. Registration is required and includes a race packet, dog bandana and event T-shirt. The fee is $35 for participants and $5 for dogs. To register, visit tailshumanesociety.org/mutt-strut. For information, visit tailshumanesociety.org or email marketing@ tailshumanesociety.org.
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customer service representatives will be DeKalb County disaster loan outreach center open until Sept. 5 available to explain the application The U.S. Small Business Administration recently opened a Disaster Loan Outreach Center to assist DeKalb County businesses, homeowners, renters and private nonprofit organizations affected by severe storms that occurred from July 2-4. The center will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays through Sept. 5 at the Hinckley Community Building, 120 Maple St. U.S. Small Business Administration
process, answer disaster loan program questions and help complete applications. Walk-ins will be accepted. The deadline for the U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loans is Oct. 5. The Economic Injury Disaster Loans application deadline is May 5. To apply, visit sba.gov/ disaster. For information, call 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. – Shaw Local News Network
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NIU professor hopes AI stethoscope could change pediatric healthcare By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com A Northern Illinois University professor’s response to her son’s health scare is the reason an AI-assisted stethoscope could soon help doctors detect respiratory illnesses in young children more quickly. About 1 a.m. about a decade ago, Lichuan Liu was awake, trying to understand what was bothering her infant son. He was sick, but too young to explain his nonvisible symptoms. Her understanding of her son’s health relied on a medical professional’s opinion, but few healthcare facilities in northern Illinois were open at that time of night – lengthening her wait for answers. That experience inspired her research into a new kind of stethoscope – one with a tiny microphone that uses AI to digitize, analyze and visualize the sound doctors have been listening to for generations. “The smart stethoscope can listen to your heart or chest sound and translate it to something we can understand,” Liu said. “AI can understand and analyze it as if it was a physician or nurse.” Liu, a Batavia resident, earned a Ph.D. in Electrical engineering at New Jersey Institute of Technology in 2006 and has been employed at NIU for the past 19 years. Her work has most recently focused on acoustic signal processing in biomedical settings. She said she believes AI can be used as a tool to help doctors, physicians and parents to “understand what’s embedded inside those acoustic cues.” By creating data from sounds picked up by stethoscopes, Liu has created a system that a computer program uses to identify specific respiratory illnesses. The technology could give doctors another way to analyze sounds coming from a patient’s respiratory system. Right now, Liu’s prototype consists of a regular stethoscope with an attached microphone that’s connected to an audio receiver hooked to a computer. However, that’s not Liu’s ultimate vision. She said she wants to take her increasingly proven concept and design a Bluetooth-enabled small device that parents can put on their
Mark Busch
Professor Lichuan Liu, director for biomedical engineering at Northern Illinois University, demonstrates how the data collected by the AI stethoscope she is developing can be used in diagnoses Wednesday in the Engineering Building at NIU in DeKalb. children – similar to some at-home medical devices currently in use. Liu said testing the system has shown it can identify pneumonia, asthma or croup with 83% accuracy. Dave Grewell, dean of the NIU College of Engineering and Engineering Technology in DeKalb, described Liu’s research as innovative in a statement provided by the college. “For years, she’s embraced AI to tackle problems and try to improve people’s quality of life. Lichuan is an insightful researcher with a remark-
able ability to build new ideas from existing knowledge, which is the foundation of meaningful breakthroughs,” Grewell said. The AI stethoscope isn’t Liu’s only research into biomedical acoustic signal processing. She has helped develop a device that prevents hearing damage in patients admitted to neonatal intensive care units – where she said the sound of medical equipment can reach volumes comparable to jet engines. “Research like hers deserves continued support because it strengthens our
society and helps keep the U.S. globally competitive,” Grewell said. Liu’s AI stethoscope isn’t a research project contained to NIU’s campus. “We do have some major schools, hospitals and clinicals that are working with us,” Liu said. Liu was not at liberty to share which medical institution she’s working with, but said, “It’s a pretty good one.” She said other medical institutions that want to help refine her invention are welcome to reach out.
Deadline to drop off at the DeKalb, Genoa or Sycamore Library is Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. For details: go.niu.edu/homecoming.
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Student first name and last name, grade and school, and parent/guardian phone number.
MIDWEEK The MidWeek / shawlocal.com/midweek-news • Wednesday, September 2, 2026
NIU Homecoming Coloring Contest
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SkillsUSA team earns state awards
Retired teachers group to meet Sept. 8 Members of the DeKalb County Retired Teachers’ Association will meet at 11 a.m. Sept. 8 at Lincoln Inn at Faranda’s, 302 Grove St., DeKalb. DeKalb County police officers will be the featured speakers and will discuss common scams. Retired teachers are encouraged to attend. Lunch will be available for purchase. Registration is required by Sept. 3. To register, call 815-895-5494.
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com The Kishwaukee College SkillsUSA chapter recently earned several state and national title medals during the annual SkillsUSA Illinois State Leadership and Skills Conference in Peoria. The conference allows career and technical education students to showcase hands-on abilities and training. The Kishwaukee College chapter saw 22 students participate in April in Peoria, according to a news release. The team was coached by Don Flink, assistant professor of diesel power technology. “We had an outstanding season thanks to our students’ dedication and teamwork. I’m proud of every member who pushed themselves to compete this year, and the results reflect their hard work,” Flink said in a news release. The students participated in power equipment technology, diesel equipment technology, nurse assist-
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DeKalb library to hold voter registration program Sept. 8 Photo provided by Kishwaukee College
Members of the Kishwaukee College SkillsUSA team pose for a photo at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Pictured (from left) are Abel Huerta, Brayden Zuke and Don Flink, assistant professor of diesel power technology and coach of the Kish SkillsUSA team. ing and heavy equipment operation. Brayden Zuke earned first place and the state title in power equipment technology. Matthew Stalcup received second and Walter Popp was awarded third in power equipment technology. Abel Huerta won first place and the state title and Regan Fletcher earned second in
nurse assisting. Ryan Mehochko received third place in heavy equipment operation. Zuke and Huerta qualified for the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference. Zuke was awarded 13th in power equipment technology. Huerta won fourth place in nurse assisting.
The DeKalb Public Library will offer voter registration for adults age 18 and older on Sept. 8. The event will run from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the library’s Nancy D. Castle Collaboration Studio, 309 Oak St. Library staff will guide people through the registration process and answer questions. Attendees must bring a valid photo ID and proof of current address. For information, email amyf@dkpl.org, call 815-756-9568, ext. 6108, or visit dekalbcounty. org/departments/county-clerk-recorder. – Shaw Local News Network
LOOKING BACK
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With the arrival of a large consignment of lumber and other material, the roof boards for the building being constructed by the Creamery Package Company have been put down. The tinners are now at work. As soon as the spouting has been taken care of, it is probable that the permanent roof will be put on and the work on the interior of the addition will be forward much more rapidly.
Books, books, and more books, over 2,000 to be exact. That is what the DeKalb Lions Club had for sale Aug. 21. Over $400 was raised in the book sale, which was the first of what the club hopes to make an annual event. Hope is dwindling among county officials that a federal public works job bill can be used to finance a new jail or renovate the old one. Federal application forms for the grants are expected to arrive next week. The county has about 60 days to make an application, and there is doubt whether a decision on the jail can be reached in time. Photo provided by DeKalb County History Center Archives
Lincoln Highway, looking east toward Third Street in DeKalb, is pictured in July 1948.
1951 – 75 YEARS AGO Some time during the night, the safe located in the manager’s office of the Beatrice Foods Company, 233 Gurler St., was entered and cash and checks stolen. A check was being made late this morning to determine the amount stolen. The theft was discovered this morning when the office was opened. Entrance to the building had apparently been made through an opening on a west door.
Along with other improvements that are contemplated at the Wurlitzer Piano company, the decorators have started operations in the office of the concern. While the employees there are inconveCloudy skies prevented the viewing of nienced to some extent by the work of the the annular eclipse this morning by the resipainters, the walls and ceilings are being painted much lighter, thus affording better dents of DeKalb and the area. The eclipse started at 6:16 a.m. and ended at 7:05 working conditions. o’clock this morning, but the overcast sky prevented the early risers from viewing the With the exception of some interior phenomenon. The last annular eclipse was work, including the installation of the observed in the United States in March, and glass window panes, painting and the permanent roof, work on the Woolenwe- the last total eclipse was in 1945. In the ber garage on Locust Street near First, is annular eclipse, the moon is farther away nearing completion. After the building is from the Earth and cannot completely cover completed, it will be well fixed for show the sun. rooms and also a service station, for Announcement has been made that the which it is understood the owner plans Whitcomb Locomotive plant at Rochelle to use it. will quit manufacturing locomotives at the end of the year. The firm has been manufacWorkmen have been busy for two or three days making some necessary repairs turing locomotives for the past 50 years. Orders for locomotives will be filled before on the steeple of St. John’s English production is halted. Lutheran church across from the courthouse. It is understood that several other Throngs of people took advantage of the improvements of a minor nature will be open house at the new DeKalb County Farm made while the men are working at the Bureau building yesterday to inspect the building.
“It’s the best thing that’s happened to Sycamore.” That was one of the comments Monday night as the Sycamore City Council forwarded the pre-annexation agreement for a K-Mart department store to the city Plan Commission.
advantages of the modern structure. Records of registrations were admittedly incomplete since many of the visitors did not register, but it was estimated that at least 3,000 visitors were present during the 2001 – 25 YEARS AGO A recent survey by employment agency day. Manpower shows 30% of companies in At the Sandwich Airport the past week, DeKalb and Sycamore are planning to hire Jerry Faber of Sandwich and Lloyd Vogen of workers in the fourth quarter and only 3% are looking to cut back. Newark soloed. Bruce Watson and Robert Ament made a cross-country trip to Lincoln, Neb. Charles Howison flew to Oshkosh, Wis. Saturday, Sept. 8, will be the final day of the campaign for funds, which will be used for the purchase of new firefighting equipment for the DeKalb Rural Fire District. That is the deadline date, and after that time, no other memberships will be accepted. The fund drive opened on June 20, and while the contract work has been slow, steady progress has been made, and to date $11,587.50 has been received. 1976 – 50 YEARS AGO “Just like the federal government, they take a few years to do everything.” That’s how one Sycamore official described progress being made on repairs of the northsouth railroad tracks by the Chicago and North Western Transportation Co., of Chicago. Chicago and North Western agreed last spring to repair the north-south tracks as a result of its petition to the Interstate Commerce Commission to abandon the Sycamore-St. Charles line.
Kishwaukee College students returning for their fall semester last week were greeted by a number of ongoing building projects that, once completed, will increase the total size of the college’s facilities by nearly 40%. After 68 years of business in Sycamore and weeks of whispers about the future, B. B. Distributors closed its doors for good Friday afternoon. Earlier this week, B. B. President Jay Haka confirmed the sale of his distributorship to a number of other wholesalers. The 30,000-square-foot building was not sold and will be available for occupancy. Three local schoolteachers have taken their first steps toward starting a vineyard and winery in Waterman. Terrie Tuntland, Larry Engelsman and Clem Stiely, all teachers at Huntley Middle School in DeKalb, want to operate Stiengtunt Vineyards and Winery on Tuntland’s property. – Compiled by Sue Breese
MIDWEEK The MidWeek / shawlocal.com/midweek-news • Wednesday, September 2, 2026
1926 – 100 YEARS AGO Several Cortland students who have been enrolling in the DeKalb High School are expected to resume their high school work at Cortland this fall, according to information from that community, as residents of Cortland have decided to institute a two-year high school course in connection with the present school system. Cortland had a two-year high school department until a few years ago, when the department was discontinued and the students went to the DeKalb High School, where it was possible for them to secure four years of work without an interruption.
Congregation Beth Shalom sets Rosh Hashanah services
Services for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur will again be offered by Congregation Beth Shalom in DeKalb, serving DeKalb and neighboring counties. The congregation’s rabbi, Brandon Bernstein, will lead services accompanied by rabbi Ilana Axel, as cantor. All are welcome to attend. High Holy Days services will be held at Beth Shalom’s synagogue in its new location at 1200 S. Malta Road in DeKalb. Services will also be streamed online via Zoom. Those who wish to attend virtually may request the Zoom link by contacting president@BethShalomDekalb.org. Doors will be locked after services begin. Ring the bell for entry. Rosh Hashanah services will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, and will include music by the congregation’s choir, Koleynu, directed by Harvey Blau. Rosh Hashanah services will continue at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12. For the second day of Rosh Hashanah, a less formal service (with a discussion instead of the Torah reading) will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 13. Since the holiday begins on Shabbat, the shofar will only be blown on Sunday. The Kol Nidre service, which ushers in Yom Kippur, will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20. The choir will again be singing. The Yom Kippur morning service will begin at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 21, and will include the Yizkor memorial service. Yom Kippur services will continue at 6 p.m., concluding with the final shofar blast and Havdalah. For more information, visit BethShalomDeKalb.org.
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“Nonprofit Day brings together people who are passionate about serving local communities,” DCNP Director Ben Bingle said in a news release. “Participants leave with fresh ideas, relevant tools and valuable connections they can put to work immediately, helping strengthen the collective impact of nonprofits throughout DeKalb County.” Nonprofit Day training topics focus on communications, management, grant writing and more. Paula Jenkins, founder and CEO of LFS Consulting, will deliver the keynote presentation on effective team communication. DCNP is a program of the DeKalb County Community Foundation. DCNP offers year-round training and initiatives designed to strengthen nonprofit organizations, including Give DeKalb County. Learn more, download the full agenda, and register today at dcnp.org. DCNP members attend for free, and nonmembers are welcome for $30, payable online during registration. Contact dcnp@dekalbccf.org or 815748-5383 with questions.
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Resource Bank names 2026 scholarship recipients
Resource Bank recently awarded its 2026 Centennial Service Award Scholarship to 15 high school graduates from DeKalb, Kane and La Salle counties. The scholarship recipients are selected based on a commitment to their communities through participation in volunteer and civic activities during high school. Resource Bank awarded each student $1,000 toward their continued education. The 15 students, chosen from more than 60 applicants, awarded this year are: DeKalb High School: Hunter Kaelin, LilDeKalb County Nonprofit Day lian Hetland conference registration open Earlville High School: Shelby Garbacz Nonprofit leaders, staff, volunteers, and Genoa-Kingston High School: Hope Harboard members from across DeKalb grave County will gather on Sept. 23 for NonHinckley-Big Rock High School: Luke profit Day at Faranda’s Banquet Center in Badal, Delilah Butler DeKalb. Indian Creek High School: Bethany Odle Hosted by the DeKalb County Nonprofit Kaneland High School: Brady Brown, Partnership, the annual conference offers Brooklyn Brown a full day of professional development, Somonauk High School: Cole Gudmunnetworking and practical learning designed to strengthen the county’s non- son Sycamore High School: Morgan Cook, profit sector. Attendance is limited to 125, and early Mia Gulke, Lillian Jones, Julia Weaver, registration is encouraged before the Sept. Rayna White – Shaw Local News Network 16 deadline.
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The MidWeek / shawlocal.com/midweek-news • Wednesday, September 2, 2026 MIDWEEK
10 LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
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11
DeKalb Chamber celebrates Hampton Inn DeKalb’s renovations
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MIDWEEK The MidWeek / shawlocal.com/midweek-news • Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Photo provided by the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce
The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated Hampton Inn DeKalb’s newly renovated guest rooms and breakfast area. Chamber staff, ambassadors and board and community members celebrated the renovations with a ribbon-cutting on July 14. The Hampton Inn DeKalb, 663 S. Annie Glidden Road, is a smoke-free hotel that features 80 rooms, a free hot breakfast, free parking and an indoor saltwater pool.
The MidWeek / shawlocal.com/midweek-news • Wednesday, September 2, 2026 MIDWEEK
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Buena Vista Golf Course pond dredging moves forward By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com In a bit of par for the course, leaders from the DeKalb Park District took steps recently to address the potential for public health concerns over the pond at Buena Vista Golf Course. A pond dredging, as approved by the DeKalb Park Board in a 4-0 vote on Aug. 20, is not anticipated to interfere with course operations as golfers take to the green for the remainder of this season or the next. Executive Director Paul Zepezauer noted the variables that the park district has to weigh to mitigate the public health concerns surrounding the pond. “While some pond algae can be toxic, this pond is located in an area that doesn’t see regular foot traffic from anyone but golfers, so it’s relatively low risk for public health concerns,” Zepezauer said. “Although we certainly would not want anyone swimming in this pond. This is being addressed because it’s a long-term solution to remove the conditions that cause the algae.” Year after year, algae begins to form in the pond, which Mike Siefken, the
that pond that the nutrients are just in abundance and that’s fueling all the algae that we have,” Siefken said. Zepezauer said timing is of the essence for the park district. “It’s not necessarily a clean process,” Zepezauer said. “If they’re not going to show up and be gone, there’s going to be a leftover pile of stuff that we have to deal with. That’s why I want to do it in the fall, because that way, by the time it dries out in the spring, we can hopefully get it out before the peak in the fall season.” The park district has decided to contract with Necedah, Wisconsin-based Organic Sediment Removal Systems to perform the pond dredging for $126,825. Zepezauer said the park district does not anticipate operations will be affected much, if at all. “There will be at least one collection bag near the pond outside of the playing Megann Horstead area that will be visible for about 6 Mike Siefken, golf maintenance superintendent for DeKalb Park District, speaks to the DeKalb months and will need to be reseeded Park Board of Commissioners on Thursday, Aug. 20, during its regular monthly meeting. once it’s removed, but that should be the extent of what affects operations,” district’s golf maintenance superintenOne such thing, he said, that’s helped he said. dent, said is problematic, as it has is setting up an air diffuser to add oxyWork on the pond at Buena Vista prompted the park district to have to gen to the water. Golf Course is expected to get underway treat it every two weeks. “But there’s so much sediment in within the next 6 weeks.
McCammon named head of property assessments in DeKalb County By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com Change is expected in the DeKalb County Assessment Office in September, with the county’s chief assessment officer poised to retire. Bridget Nodurft, who has served as the county’s chief assessment officer for more than a decade, will retire on Sept. 11, according to DeKalb County documents. Her replacement, Mia McCammon, received DeKalb County Board approval on Aug. 20. Nodurft said she was “thrilled to welcome” McCammon to DeKalb County in a statement provided by DeKalb County officials. “The assessment office is in highly capable hands, and I am confident the residents will be well served,” Nodurft said. McCammon, who began her career in real estate in 2009, said she is “honored
to take on” the job in a provided statement. She currently serves as the vice president of the Illinois Chapter of the International Association of Assessing Mia McCammon Officers’ executive board. That chapter was named chapter of the year during the 2025 IAAO annual conference, according to a DeKalb County news release. McCammon was appointed to a fouryear term, county documents show. “I look forward to serving the residents of DeKalb County and building on the excellent foundation Bridget Nodurft has provided,” McCammon said in the news release. “Throughout my career, I have prioritized maintaining fair and accurate property assessments.”
DeKalb public, District 428 libraries awarded state money SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com Two DeKalb libraries recently received state funding to aid library services, new technology and support programming and security upgrades. State Sen. Cristina Castro, D-Elgin, recently announced local community and school libraries will earn more than $585,000 in grant funding. “Libraries serve as welcoming spaces for residents to grow their knowledge and cultivate curiosity and imagination,” Castro said in a news release. “I look forward to seeing this funding expand opportunities for our local libraries to expand programs and opportunities for 22nd District families.” The DeKalb Public Library was awarded $68,493. DeKalb Community Unit School District 428 received a $5,534 grant.
Castro awarded $27 million to over 640 public libraries and 2,500 school libraries through the Illinois Secretary of State’s Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants, Security and Construction Grants and School Library Grants. The grant will help support libraries’ ability to invest in technology and books, make security and construction upgrades and improve security measures. The annual school library grants support students’ learning and literacy from kindergarten through 12th grade. The investments build on state efforts to strengthen information fair access and support libraries amid the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services. “I will always fight for libraries to receive the resources needed to support their community,” Castro said in the release.
13
Opportunity DeKalb awarded $100K Director Chad Glover said the grant
After entrepreneurs complete their that there would be an academy loca-
Grant to help expand means a lot. experience in Opportunity DeKalb’s tion somewhere outside of DeKalb “The receipt of the grant is huge for Breakthrough Community Business County at some point in the future. And horizon for entrepreneurs us, and I think maybe most importantly Academy, they will have access to a then, that could open the door to collabBy MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com Opportunity DeKalb, a nonprofit community development corporation working collaboratively to bolster the Annie Glidden North neighborhood in DeKalb, has been awarded $100,000 to support local entrepreneurs. The Social Innovation and Impact Seed grant came from the Illinois Innovation Network. A network of 15 hubs from across the state, the Illinois Innovation Network strives to boost the economy through entrepreneurship, research and workforce development, according to a news release. Most hubs are located on the campuses of the state’s public universities. Opportunity DeKalb Executive
we hope for the entrepreneurs in the community that we’re supporting and that we’ve had the chance and the privilege to work with,” Glover said. The funding, made possible through the University of Illinois System, will enable Opportunity DeKalb to build an entrepreneur support organization for post-academy services, regional site evaluation, and human-centered design for Breakthrough Community Business Academy in greater DeKalb and beyond, according to a news release. Opportunity DeKalb makes for one of three new seed grant recipients, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 10. Funded projects include sustaining digital literacy in rural Illinois through intergenerational digital storytelling in public and school libraries and the Illinois Youth Media Innovation Network.
suite of programs, including mentorship, business coaching, workshops, and webinars relevant to their business, for up to two years. Glover said the academy wasn’t able to extend this offering to graduates previously. He said the grant will provide the seed to help make the initiative possible. “We really think our ... business assistant services will really focus a lot on partnerships with other organizations like Chambers of Commerce and other business support organizations in the region,” Glover said. “Across the region, particularly to the south and to the west of us, we’ve had other communities interested in what we’re doing. This provides us some funds to deepen our conversation and exploration with those communities with the potential
oration across counties on this, as well.” Breakthrough Community Business Academy is preparing to start programming for its fifth cohort in the coming days. Glover said he sees the grant as a way for the program to potentially expand its reach moving forward. “There are a number of communities outside of DeKalb County that have expressed an interest in partnering with us,“ he said. ”This grant provides some resources to deepen that exploration together with [Western Illinois University] and NIU. That exploration could lead to additional cohorts of the business academy occurring outside of DeKalb County in the future. We believe there are some great opportunities to work together with other communities in the region to the benefit of everyone.”
MIDWEEK The MidWeek / shawlocal.com/midweek-news • Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Photo provided by Chad Glover
Graduates from the latest cohort of Opportunity DeKalb’s Breakthrough Community Business Academy are all smiles at their graduation ceremony in June.
The MidWeek / shawlocal.com/midweek-news • Wednesday, September 2, 2026 MIDWEEK
14
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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given by the Governing Board of the Kishwaukee Education Consortium, a Joint Agreement regional vocation education delivery system, in the County of DeKalb and State of Illinois, that a tentative budget for the Consortium for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026 will be on file and conveniently available for public inspection at the Consortium office at 21255 Malta Rd, Malta, Illinois, within the boundaries of this Joint Agreement, from and after 8:00 a.m. CDT August 13th, 2025 Notice is further hereby given that a public hearing on said budget will be held September 16, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. in the DeKalb County Superintendents Regional office. Dated this 17th day of August, 2026. Tom Crouch Executive Director Kishwaukee Education Consortium (Published in The Midweek Sept. 2, 2026) 2346800
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Advertising Notice: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise "any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation of discrimination." Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD 1-800-669-9777 Hearing impaired number is 1-800-927-9275
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The MidWeek / shawlocal.com/midweek-news • Wednesday, September 2, 2026 MIDWEEK
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