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FIGHTING FOOD INSECURITY NIU grads give back to alma mater and Northern Illinois Food Bank / 6

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The MidWeek / shawlocal.com/midweek-news • Wednesday, September 30, 2026 MIDWEEK

2 ShawLocal.com 1985 DeKalb Ave. Sycamore, IL 60178 833-584-NEWS Office hours: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday SUBSCRIBER SERVICES 866-979-1053 customer-support@shawmedia.com 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday, closed Sunday SUBSCRIPTIONS The MidWeek is delivered free of charge to households throughout DeKalb County every Wednesday. Those who do not wish to receive delivery may contact customer service at 866-979-1053, or subscriptions@shawsuburban.com, to request a delivery stop. SUBMIT NEWS readit@midweeknews.com CLASSIFIED SALES classified@shawlocal.com HELP WANTED employment@shawlocal.com LEGAL NOTICES midweeklegals@shawlocal.com RETAIL ADVERTISING lshaw@shawmedia.com OBITUARIES midweekobits@shawlocal.com Market manager Laura Shaw lshaw@shawmedia.com Executive editor M. Eileen Brown ebrown@shawmedia.com Editor Emily Ayers 815-526-4411 eayers@shawmedia.com The Midweek and ShawLocal.com are a division of Shaw Media. All rights reserved. Copyright 2026

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DeKalb County History Center’s annual Cemetery Walk set for Oct. 4 SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com The DeKalb County History Center will host its annual “Etched in Stone” Cemetery Walk, giving residents an opportunity to learn about lesser-known stories from Sycamore’s history. The walk will begin at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 4 at Elmwood Cemetery, 901 S. Cross St., Sycamore. “Cemetery Walks are always popular presentations,” DeKalb County History Center Executive Director Michelle Donahoe said in a news release. “These programs require months of research, but they are incredibly rewarding. They give us an opportunity to uncover and share stories about the people in our community whose lives and contributions may have been forgotten over time.” Attendees will meet at the cemetery’s mourning house for a welcome and Elmwood Cemetery history overview. Highlights include Richard W. Atwood, Byron Wyman, Richard A. Smith, Edward Persons, Benjamin Paige, William H. Ball, Sarah Bacon Wood, John Burst, William H.S. Beaver and Revolutionary War service members. Participants who find standing for extended periods challenging are encouraged to bring a chair. The event costs $5 and will be led by volunteers, including representatives of

PUZZLE ANSWERS puzzles on page 19

Photo provided by the DeKalb County History Center

The DeKalb County History Center will hold its annual “Etched in Stone” Cemetery Walk on Oct. 4 at Elmwood Cemetery. For information or to register, call Brig. Gen. E.F. Dutton Camp #49, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. Regis- 815-895-5762 or visit dekalbcountyhistration is encouraged. tory.org.

ON THE COVER Kelly Olson (from left), dean of students at Northern Illinois University, speaks as donor Joe Intrakamhang and Julie Yurko, president and CEO at Northern Illinois Food Bank, and student volunteers look on Sept. 23 at NIU’s Huskie Food Pantry 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.

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The DeKalb County History Center will host a Pumpkin Fest Historic Homes Tour Sneak Peek on Oct. 1.

Get a sneak peek of Pumpkin Fest Historic Homes Tour SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com The October Brown Bag Lunch and Local Lore will feature a sneak peek of the annual Pumpkin Fest Historic Homes Tour. The free program will begin at noon Oct. 1 at the DeKalb County History Center, 1730 N. Main St., Sycamore. This year’s Pumpkin Fest Historic Homes Tour theme is “Red, White and Blue Houses” and includes homes with unique architecture and stories. The History Center’s Walk Committee will discuss the tour’s featured homes. Attendees also will learn about the tour’s volunteer opportunities. “We are excited to connect the Pumpkin Fest theme ‘Patriotic Pumpkins’ and the 250th Anniversary of the U.S. to this year’s House Walk. Guests

will be delighted to explore the featured homes and discover unique architecture as well as the stories attached to each home,” DeKalb County History Center’ Executive Director Michelle Donahoe said in a news release. The Pumpkin Fest Historic Homes Tour will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 24. Volunteer training begins at 10 a.m. Oct. 17. Volunteers who attend training and work three hours will receive a free ticket. To volunteer, call 815-895-5762 or email info@dekalbcountyhistory.org. The Homes Tour sneak peek is part of Brown Bag Lunch and Local Lore, a free lecture series offered as a collaboration between the DeKalb County History Museum and Ellwood House Museum. For information, visit dekalbcountyhistory.org or call 815-895-5762.

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MIDWEEK The MidWeek / shawlocal.com/midweek-news • Wednesday, September 30, 2026

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The MidWeek / shawlocal.com/midweek-news • Wednesday, September 30, 2026 MIDWEEK

Rooted For Good lists October Grow Mobile dates SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com Rooted For Good released a list of October locations for Grow Mobile, a mobile food pantry that offers free food and household items to all who visit, with no requirements necessary. Rooted For Good works to ensure the well-being of residents, staff and volunteers. Organizers ask that people practice good hand hygiene and stay home if they are ill. To receive Grow Mobile alerts, text FreeGroceries to 844-727-2012. Grow Mobile dates in October include: • 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 1 at University Village Apartments, 722 N. Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb. • 3:30 to 5 p.m. Oct 6 at the Malta Historical Society, 127 N. Third St., Malta. • 4 to 5 p.m. Oct. 7 at Hinckley First United Methodist Church, 801 N. Sycamore St., Hinckley. • 11 a.m. to noon Oct. 8 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 830 N. Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb.

Shaw Local News Network file photo

Rooted for Good is making sure residents stay fed with Grow Mobile pop-up food pantries at locations throughout DeKalb County. • 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Cortland 127 N. Third St., Malta. Lions Club Shelter, 70 S. Llanos St., • 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 20 at University VilCortland. lage Apartments, 722 N. Annie Glidden • 3:30 to 5 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Malta Road, DeKalb. Historical and Genealogical Society, • 11 a.m. to noon Oct. 22 at Westmin-

ster Presbyterian Church, 830 N. Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb. • 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 27 at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, 340 W. Arnold Road, Sandwich.

Oct. 5-11

Join the celebration when our community gathers to welcome all Huskies back home to NIU. Now in its 119th year, NIU’s Homecoming festivities feature something fun for everyone from Oct. 5 to 11, 2026. Thursday, Oct. 8 5 to 8 p.m.

6 p.m.

NIU Homecoming Block Party sponsored by Rocky Valley Credit Union. Downtown DeKalb on Lincoln Highway. March of the Huskies sponsored by Midwest Tents and Events.

Friday, Oct. 9 4 to 6 p.m.

7 to 9 p.m.

Huskie Hour at Jonamac Orchard sponsored by The Law Office of Doyle and James LLC. Jonamac Orchard. Huskies S’mores N’more sponsored by State Farm Agent Scott Zeimet. NIU’s MLK Commons, between the Holmes Student Center and Founders Memorial Library.

Saturday, Oct. 10

12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Lunch with Mission and Victor E. Altgeld Hall Auditorium. 6:30 p.m. NIU Football: Huskies vs. Air Force Falcons. NIU’s Huskie Stadium.

See our complete list of events: go.niu.edu/homecoming

MIDWEEK The MidWeek / shawlocal.com/midweek-news • Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Homecoming is for Everyone

The MidWeek / shawlocal.com/midweek-news • Wednesday, September 30, 2026 MIDWEEK

NIU grads give $100K to fight student hunger One in seven Illinois children at risk of hunger By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com With food insecurity on the rise across northern Illinois, a couple of Northern Illinois University graduates decided to give back to their alma mater and Northern Illinois Food Bank. Joe and Giselle Intrakamhang of Barrington donated $50,000 to the NIU Foundation and another $50,000 to Northern Illinois Food Bank in support of reliable access to nutritious food for students pursuing their education. Joe Intrakamhang, a board member with Northern Illinois Food Bank and the NIU Foundation, said their decision to donate was personal. “Growing up, realizing what it means firsthand – food insecurity. What it takes away from your energy, your passion, your concentration and being able to thrive,” Intrakamhang said. Julie Yurko, president and CEO of Northern Illinois Food Bank since 2014, said one in seven children in Illinois are currently “at risk of hunger.” “We are at a historically high sustained need for help across northern Illinois,” Yurko said. Current NIU students facing food insecurity can turn to Huskie Food Pantry, which was created 10 years ago after a student studied the effects of food insecurity on education. There, students can take food and other items from the pantry, including fresh produce, meat and more. The pantry operates out of the Chick Evans Field House, 1050 Lucinda Ave. in DeKalb. It’s open from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays. Ryan Goodman, 24, a second-year graduate student studying physical therapy, volunteers at Huskie Food Pantry. “Things are certainly expensive, and unfortunately a lot of the food programs have been cut recently, so I think the need for it is definitely high,” Goodman said. In May, Yurko said the Northern Illinois Food Bank is “deeply concerned” about recent changes to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The nonprofit serves 13 counties through more than 900 food pantries, shelters, soup kitchens and

Mark Busch

ABOVE: Donor Joe Intrakamhang speaks as Kelly Olson (left), dean of students at Northern Illinois University, and Julie Yurko, president and CEO at Northern Illinois Food Bank, look on Sept. 23 at the NIU’s Huskie Food Pantry in DeKalb. Intrakamhang, who is an NIU alumnus, and NIU Foundation board member, is making a significant donation to the food pantry. BELOW: Julie Yurko, president and CEO at Northern Illinois Food Bank, speaks Sept. 23 as Huskie Food Pantry student volunteers look on at Northern Illinois University’s Huskie Food Pantry in DeKalb.

Growing up, realizing what it means firsthand – food insecurity. What it takes away from your energy, your passion, your concentration and being able to thrive.” Joe Intrakamhang, board member with Northern Illinois Food Bank and the NIU Foundationr feeding programs. In November 2025, northern Illinois food pantries saw a spike in visits after SNAP benefits lapsed for many Illinoisans. The need to help people combat food insecurity has increased this decade, Yurko said. Before the pandemic, the Northern Illinois Food Bank served about 300,000 people a month. “For the last three years the average has been 570,000 every month, so we’re nearly double,” Yurko said. That total is higher than it was during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic,

Yurko said. She also thinks the pandemic “I believe finances are harder, the expanded the public’s knowledge of the economy is harder, a living wage is help the Northern Illinois Food Bank harder for people to achieve,” Yurko provides. said. “Food insecurity is financial insecurity.” See FOOD PANTRY, page 11

NIU STEM Fest showcases science, hands-on learning

FALL

Photos provided by Northern Illinois University

LEFT: No one’s afraid to get their hands dirty at an interactive table surrounded by youth during Northern Illinois University’s 17th annual STEM Fest on Sept. 19 in DeKalb. ABOVE: Children line up to interact with beads at an exhibit during NIU’s STEM Fest.

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MIDWEEK The MidWeek / shawlocal.com/midweek-news • Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Families and science lovers visited Northern Illinois University’s campus in DeKalb on Sept. 19 for the 17th annual STEM Fest, an interactive festival highlighting innovation, technology and science. – Shaw Local News Network

The MidWeek / shawlocal.com/midweek-news • Wednesday, September 30, 2026 MIDWEEK

RAMP receives $25K donation from golf tournament committee SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com RAMP Disability Resources and Services recently received a $25,000 donation from Golf for the Cure to support its mission to empower disabled individuals and promote community independence, inclusion and accessibility. The check was presented Sept. 15 at RAMP’s DeKalb office, 115 N. First St. The check was awarded to RAMP CEO Jackie Sundquist, RAMP CSO Katie Lee, RAMP community engagement coordinator Jessica Wexell, RAMP development associate Amanda Fair, RAMP board of directors vice president John Wett and Hidden Talents 360 manager Autumn Gabriel. The donation was also presented by Golf for the Cure committee members Cindy Monsess, Janeen Vogeler, Steffanie Barringer, Denise Frost, Cheri Johnson, Susie Tompkins, Peg Kopek, Rosalyn Richardson, Ruth Hart and Joanne Burton. “RAMP is incredibly grateful to Golf

Photo provided by RAMP Disability Resources and Services

The Golf for the Cure committee presents a $25,000 donation to RAMP Disability Resources and Services on Sept. 15. for the Cure for this generous $25,000 donation,” Sundquist said in a news release. “Support from organizations like Golf for the Cure makes a meaningful difference and helps us continue our

work to ensure individuals with disabilities have the resources, opportunities, and support they need to live independently and fully participate in their communities.”

RAMP is a United Way member agency that aims to build an inclusive community to encourage individuals with disabilities to reach their full potential.

RAMP is incredibly grateful to Golf for the Cure for this generous $25,000 donation.” Jackie Sundquist, RAMP CEO

ART MUSEUM MUSIC

NIU.EDU/MUSIC Sept. 29 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 9 Oct. 10 Oct. 11 ..

NIU Wind Ensemble, 7 p.m. Avalon String Quartet with screening of Ménilmontant featuring new score, 7 p.m. Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble, 7 p.m. NIU Philharmonic, 7 p.m. Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra, 7:30 p.m. Concert Choir, Chamber Choir and University Chorus, 7 p.m.

THEATRE/DANCE

NIU.EDU/ART MUSEUM The Olmec Heads Experience and Celebrating 40 | Burma Art Collection Both shows open Sept. 16

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NIU.EDU/ART The Risk Worth Taking exhibition by Kevin Cole, MFA ‘84 Open through Oct. 15

LOOKING BACK

9 rural communities such as Sandwich and Kirkland have only one emergency home to serve their respective youth populations. Other towns such as Malta, Hinckley and Shabbona lack any emergency foster homes.

During the last two or three days electric lights have been installed at the viaduct on Pearl Street in DeKalb, which will go far toward preventing any accidents on the part of the driving public. At the time the lights were put in, Commissioner of Public Works suggested that a clearance sign be painted there so tall motor cars might not attempt to drive under and become stalled. The improvement is noteworthy and there should be no accidents of any kind at that particular spot on DeKalb’s many miles of paved streets. Material used in constructing the new hotel at Locust and Third streets in DeKalb, has been arriving more rapidly than it can be used. If one or two more carloads of sand and gravel are unloaded there, it is probably that Third street will be practically clocked at the intersection of the two streets. Much of the sand is unloaded into the street and the sidewalk has not been kept open, making it necessary for pedestrians to use the other side of the street or walk on the pavement.

Clothing and household items are being collected for a family left homeless Saturday by a fire. The Ed Smith home on Irene Road, Kirkland, was totally destroyed around noon Saturday. Faulty electrical wiring is blamed for the blaze, said a member of the Boone County Rural Fire Department.

Photo provided by the DeKalb County History Center Archives

Glidden Elementary School is shown at First and West Garden streets in DeKalb, looking northwest from First Street, circa 1920.

A personal message from President Truman to Prime Minister Clement R. Attlee, giving American recommendations in the Iranian oil crisis, was considered by Silo filling operations have started on the cabinet today at a tense three-hour some farms in this section of the country, meeting. It was indicated, but not consome farmers being disgusted with the firmed, that the President repeated his corn and cutting it up for feed for the win- advice to the government not to use ter without further delay. Some cornfields armed force to keep the Iranians from carnear here will be in such shape that it will rying out their threat to throw British oil pay to pick, while there are others that are technicians out of the great Abadan refinnot producing good corn to a great extent. ery and oil port. Several fields were also planted to silo corn and these are being given first attenThis morning Fire Chief Clayton Kention by the crews that go from one place nedy was making an effort to determine to another to do this work. the identity of the person who turned in the box alarm for the fire Saturday evening 1951 – 75 YEARS AGO at the Beatrice Foods company dairy plant. That white covering on fields and pas- Chief Kennedy stated that name of the tures was pretty this morning, but it killed person was being sought as a matter of hopes many farmers had for a few days record and that he hoped that the one more of summer growing season. It was a who turned in the alarm would call the killing frost and it cut off the corn crop station and give his name. with many fields still short of maturity and with probably not a single soybean field in Lightening struck twice this morning in the county but what suffered severe dam- Leland township. A barn on the Jarvis age. Knight farm located six miles northwest of Leland was completely destroyed. The Don Wilson of Fairdale has completed barn was filled with hay. Other machinery his work in Rand Ridge and has accepted a was stored in the building. The Leland fire position with the Scanderola Roofing Com- department was called and Fire Chief Lespany in Belvidere. He will move his family ter Miller gave no estimate of the loss. On there as soon as a home is located. the Donald Sawyer farm, lightning struck a

Small-sized footprints and distinct fingerprints found by DeKalb police this morning at the scene of a break-in at DeKalb Toys, Inc. factory should soon lead to the apprehension of vandals who did more than $7,000 damage there last night.

2001 – 25 YEARS AGO

Increases in population and diversity in the county may be leading some schools to make changes in the ways they accommodate students. According to the latest City workers have been busily engaged Census information, numbers are up in each of the six ethnic background categoin giving the city rest room across from City Hall a thorough cleaning, the job being ries. The most significant change was in made necessary by the lack of respect for the Hispanic category. public property. At the time that the rest Although the calendar said it was a room was established in its present location the entire place was redecorated and Saturday in September, and Northern Illinois is a long way from New Orleans, all new fixtures were installed. People using the rest room have marred the walls and in the feathered boas, balloons and colored many other ways shown a lack of respect beads were proof enough that it was Fat Tuesday in DeKalb. About 40 people gathfor public property. ered in an alley between Maplewood and Evans avenues to play games, socialize 1976 – 50 YEARS AGO and vote for the best decorated porch, Mayor Carroll Van Patter his morning announced DeKalb has been chosen by the among other honors, in the first “Mardi Department of Housing and Urban Devel- Gras on Maplewood.” opment as the site of a 110-unit elderly The Board of Trustees took a step housing complex. The complex will be sitcloser last Monday to going ahead with uated on a three-acre site between Ace the development of a 77-acre subdivision Hardware and Welcome Lanes bowling southeast of the intersection of Somonauk alley on Sycamore Road. Road and Pleasant Street. DeKalb County continues to face a For the second time in a week, Genoa shortage of emergency foster homes residents turned out for a town meeting to according to a recent survey taken by discuss the types of stores, industry and DeKalb County Juvenile Court Services. housing they would like to see in their The shortage is seen not only in the total growing community in the years to come. number of foster homes used by the – Compiled by Sue Breese agency, but also in their locations. Several tree which fell on a hay stack causing it to catch on fire. The stack was completely destroyed.

MIDWEEK The MidWeek / shawlocal.com/midweek-news • Wednesday, September 30, 2026

1926 – 100 YEARS AGO

The MidWeek / shawlocal.com/midweek-news • Wednesday, September 30, 2026 MIDWEEK

10 Aperion Care in DeKalb completes renovation

Photo provided by the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce

The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated Aperion Care’s newly renovated spaces. Chamber ambassadors, community and board members and staff marked the occasion with a grand ribbon-cutting June 12. Aperion Care, 1212 S. Second St., DeKalb, offers clients personal care beyond post-hospital rehabilitation and long-term skilled nursing care.

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“They’ve learned to trust us,” Yurko said. “So they come to us and use us as a strategy to make ends meet.” Goodman has done more than volunteer for the Huskie Food Pantry. He said he used the pantry while furthering his education and wanted to support the cause. “What they have to offer is incredible,” Goodman said, noting that personal hygiene products also are available at the pantry. “I figured I have time, and I have the ability to help, so I might as well help them once in a while on top of using the pantry.” He said attending college almost inherently means living below your means, which makes a food pantry vital. “Knowing that you have it is extremely wonderful,” Goodman said. “I think it’s something that a lot of people should utilize, and if they are questioning if they should come, then I think that’s the opportunity that they should come check it out.” Kelly Olson, NIU dean of students, said university officials should do everything they can to make sure students on campus have food to eat. Huskie Harvest, the university’s

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11 MIDWEEK The MidWeek / shawlocal.com/midweek-news • Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Continued from page 6

food recovery program, creates 700 meals a week from food that would otherwise go to waste. “There’s food that’s recovered from campus dining, from our catering events, from local restaurants,” Olson said. “They’re put into a meal package, frozen, and then students can eat those.” Those meals can be picked up from Huskie Food Pantry, but also from food lockers placed throughout NIU’s campus. As part of the ever-expanding mission to combat food insecurity on campus, two new freezers were delivered to Huskie Food Pantry Wednesday morning. Olson said the Intrakamhangs helped make that facility upgrade happen. Intrakamhang, a 2002 NIU graduate and former data science lead at Google who now serves as chief technology officer at SWARM Engineering, said, “People don’t realize that one in three college students are food insecure.” He wants students not to have to worry about where their next meal will come from. “We don’t want people to not perform well, or not do well, or drop out because it’s just – they just don’t have the right nutrition to actually study and get what they need,” Intrakamhang said.

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• FOOD PANTRY

Glidden Homestead to hold Open Barn Day Oct. 4 SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com The Joseph F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center will host its annual Open Barn Day on Oct. 4. The event will be held from noon to 4 p.m. at the homestead, 921 W. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb. Guests can see barn restoration updates including newly installed flooring and the tack room restoration. The renovations are part of the homestead’s ongoing efforts to preserve the barn and improve accessibility. “This is a chance to see history being preserved in real time,” Joseph F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center Executive Director Jessi Haish LaRue said in a news release. “Visitors can walk into this remarkable historic space and see not only where an important piece of American history happened, but also the work being done today to ensure this building remains part of our community’s future.” The barn tours will be led by his-

LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS

Keicher, Syverson to offer mobile DMV event Oct. 14 in Sycamore

State Rep. Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore, and state Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Cherry Valley, will partner with the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office to offer a mobile DMV event to complete basic driver services. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 14 at the DeKalb County Farm Bureau, 1350 W. Prairie Drive, Sycamore. The mobile DMV offers organ and tissue donor registration, REAL ID and driver’s license renewal and corrections, license plate sticker sales and state ID issuance, renewal and corrections. Driver’s tests will not be administered. Accepted methods of payment include a money order, credit card, check or debit card. Proof of identification is required. To learn about identification requirements, visit ilsos.gov. Registration is required; visit repkeicher. com/sycamore-mobile-dmv-event. For information, visit repkeicher.com or call 815-748-3494.

toric preservationist and historian Roger Keys. The tours run at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Live blacksmith demonstrations will be given at the Phineas Vaughan Blacksmith Shop. Activities and crafts also will be available for children. The event costs $5 for adults and is free for homestead members and children ages 14 and younger. The barn was built by Joseph Glidden in 1870. Glidden invented and manufactured the first barbed wire in the barn’s manufacturing office. He also was inducted into the Illinois Manufacturing Hall of Fame for his barbed wire development contributions and philanthropy. The Joseph F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center is a nonprofit organization working to preserve the home and barn while providing educational opportunities to the public. The homestead is open from noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. For information, visit gliddenhomestead.org, call 815-756-7904 or visit the homestead’s social media pages.

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The DeKalb and Sycamore townships will hold a drive-thru shred and recycle event for township residents. The free event will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Oct. 3 in the Kishwaukee Family YMCA parking lot, 2500 Bethany Road, Sycamore. Residents will be limited to two paper bags or banker-sized boxes of CD-Rs or documents. Staples do not need to be removed. Volunteers will remove items from residents’ vehicles. Attendees must bring a valid ID to show proof of DeKalb or Sycamore township residency. Participants also can donate new or used hearing aids, sneakers and tennis shoes, cellphones and chargers, keys and key fobs, domestic and international prepaid calling cards, eyeglasses, tablets, iPads and chargers, aluminum can tabs and inkjet cartridges. The items will be donated to the Lions of Illinois Foundation. For information, call 815-758-8282. – Shaw Local News Network

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The MidWeek / shawlocal.com/midweek-news • Wednesday, September 30, 2026 MIDWEEK

Photos by Mark Busch

ABOVE: DeKalb County Sheriff Andy Sullivan speaks Sept. 23 during the Deputy Christina Musil Memorial Highway dedication at Afton Forest Preserve in DeKalb. A section of Route 23 between Perry and McGirr roads was named for Musil, who was killed in the line of duty in March 2024. BELOW: Sullivan (left), state Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, and state Rep. Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore, (right) unveil the sign Sept. 23.

‘Remember the love and hope she gave’ Deputy Christina Musil Memorial Highway sign unveiled By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com On Sept. 23, near the scene of the crash that killed DeKalb County sheriff’s deputy Christina Musil in 2024, a sign for the stretch of highway now named in her honor was unveiled to her family. Musil, 35, was killed while on duty in March 2024 after her squad car was struck from behind by a truck. The driver responsible, who later admitted to being under the influence of fentanyl, is serving 14 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. A judge denied his motion to reconsider that sentence in March. On the morning of Sept. 23, from under the shade of a shelter in the Afton

Forest Preserve, Musil’s family, joined by her colleagues at the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, watched the formal unveiling of the Deputy Christina Musil Memorial Highway sign. Musil’s mother, Diane Caporaso, said she’s “honored and grateful for what they have done to keep her memory going on.” Deputy Christina Musil Memorial Highway stretches along Route 23 from Perry Road to McGirr Road, according to state legislation. DeKalb County Sheriff Andy Sullivan said Musil “was the absolute best mother” to her three children, and a genuine friend to many.

See MUSIL, page 16

Volunteers plant trees at Glidden Homestead By MEGANN HORSTEAD

We thought it would take a couple years to be able to distribute and plant 250 trees, but a large portion of that we’re counting Daizre Martin never knew how much the trees that we planted at Peace Park because that is an enhancement he’d be into planting trees. On Friday, he tried his hand at planting a blackaw of the community. Those helped us get closer to our goals.” mhorstead@shawmedia.com

viburnum tree. Several of Martin’s colleagues from the Target Distribution Center in DeKalb joined him at the J.F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center this week for tree plantings made possible thanks to a collaboration with DeKalb Township, Morton Arboretum and the Student Conservation Association. “This was my first time planting a tree,” Martin said. “Now I want to plant one at home.” The tree planting event was held Friday to help continue the community’s recognition of the nation’s 250th anniversary this year. Glidden Homestead Executive Director Jessi Haish LaRue said she knew Glidden Homestead wanted to host a

Mary Hess, DeKalb Township supervisor public tree planting after seeing how Elder Care Services did it this past spring. “I think this is the perfect fit,” Haish LaRue said. “Thinking about our American history and then the American history and innovation that happened here at the Homestead, it’s like the perfect pairing.” As part of the event, 10 trees were available for planting on the grounds of the Glidden Homestead. DeKalb Township helped coordinate the tree distribu-

tion as part of its “250 Trees for Tomorrow” initiative. DeKalb Township Supervisor Mary Hess said the township is 27 trees shy of its goal of planting 250 trees since announcing the program in the spring. “We thought it would take a couple years to be able to distribute and plant 250 trees, but a large portion of that we’re counting the trees that we planted at Peace Park because that is an enhancement of the community,” Hess said. “Those helped us get closer

to our goals.” More than 20 volunteers took part in the tree plantings outside the homestead. Martin said he was enjoying the experience. “I think it’s amazing,” Martin said. “I’m learning something new with the oxygen portion.” Trees, like many organisms in nature, require oxygen to survive. Martin’s colleague, James Ward, said he is glad he decided to join in. “I feel this is going to be great,” Ward said. “The Glidden Homestead is a super historic piece in DeKalb County. I’m glad to help beautify it.” Hess said she felt the event had a wonderful turnout. “I love to see the community members stepping up,” Hess said. “Obviously, there’s corporate participation. ... I love when people invest in our community because it just builds the sense of community.”

MIDWEEK The MidWeek / shawlocal.com/midweek-news • Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Megann Horstead

Volunteers and community leaders are all smiles Sept. 28 at a tree-planting event at the Glidden Homestead in DeKalb.

The MidWeek / shawlocal.com/midweek-news • Wednesday, September 30, 2026 MIDWEEK

16 LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS

Succession plan for District 428 facilities director approved

A succession plan has been developed for DeKalb School District 428 and its facilities department. DeKalb School District 428 Board members voted 6-0 this week on a memorandum of understanding detailing how an arrangement will work when Tammy Carson retires next month from her full-time position as facilities director. Board member Vanta Bynum was absent. Melissa Yu, who previously served as an

assistant principal at Cortland Elementary School, was reassigned in July to her current position as co-director of facilities operations and services for the district and is expected to replace Carson. Carson’s planned last day is Oct. 26. Afterward, she intends to continue her working relationship with the district on a consulting basis. District documents outline that Carson will work an abbreviated schedule from August through October, allowing her to schedule banked time.

District staff have said they would like to keep Carson on in some capacity to help Yu as she navigates the ongoing architecture and design work on the new Early Learning Development Center for preschool-age students. That building is expected to be operational in fall 2028. – Megann Horstead

DeKalb Area Garden Club to meet Oct. 8

The DeKalb Area Garden Club will host a meeting featuring retired Morten Arbore-

tum vice president in charge of collections Kris Batchell. The free meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Ellwood House Museum visitor center, 420 Linden Place, DeKalb. Batchell’s program, “Chicagoland Areas Legacy Trees,” includes insights into important regional trees. Attendees also can learn where and what the trees are and how to protect the trees. For information, call 815-909-0101. – Shaw Local News Network

• MUSIL

Continued from page 14 Musil served in the U.S. Army National Guard and was deployed to Afghanistan from 2008 to 2009. At the time of her death, she’d been with the sheriff’s office for five years, working in the corrections division and later in patrol. “It continues to remain difficult to understand why she was taken from us far too soon, but today we gather in remembrance of the life she brought into our lives,” Sullivan said. The memorial highway dedication follows action in Springfield. State legislators passed a joint resolution to honor Musil with the dedication in the spring. Sullivan was in the Illinois House chamber when the resolution came up for a vote. It passed unanimously in both the House and Senate. “That means something, her service means something, and Christina will never be forgotten,” Sullivan said of the unanimous votes. “This sign permanently memorializes her, and it will allow others, as they drive by this sign, to continue to say her name.” State Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, and state Rep. Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore, sponsored the legislation and helped organize the dedication. Tony McCombie, the Republican minority leader of the Illinois House of Representatives, state Sen. Jason Plummer, R-Edwardsville, and Bradley Fritts, R-Dixon, also sponsored the resolution. “There was never a question that Christina’s service and sacrifice deserved to be permanently remembered here in DeKalb County,” Rezin said. Keicher said he hopes the “highway stands as a lasting reminder” of Musil, who was assigned badge No. 42 at the

Mark Busch

The Clinton Rosette Middle School Choir sings the national anthem Sept. 23 during the Deputy Christina Musil Memorial Highway dedication at Afton Forest Preserve in DeKalb. A section of Route 23 between Perry and McGirr roads will be named for Musil who was killed by an impaired driver while on duty in March 2024. DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office. “Dedicating this highway may seem like a small act, but every time someone drives through this stretch of Route 23, they’ll have an opportunity to remember her, to remember her sacrifice and love, and to make the choice that brings everyone home safe by slowing down, moving over and honoring the badge,” Keicher said.

State Sens. Li Arellano Jr., R-Dixon, and Dave Syverson, R-Cherry Valley, attended the dedication ceremony but did not speak. Color Guard from DeKalb American Legion Post 66 presented the American flag, and the Clinton Rosette Middle School Choir sang the national anthem. At the end of the ceremony, Caporaso was presented with flowers and

told she could take two memorial signs home. Sullivan encouraged everyone in attendance to frame their grief around the acts of service Musil gave to her community and country. “Today, let us remember not in the shadow of our grief, but in the light of the hope and love that she gave to this world,” Sullivan said.

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