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DeKalb panel gives initial nod to 38-acre solar farm plans
PureSky Energy development still needs City Council approval
By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com
A DeKalb commission, tasked with advising the City Council on planning and zoning matters, has given its nod of support this week to a developer’s plans for a solar farm at the southwest corner of Illinois Route 38 and John Huber Parkway.
A Denver-based developer, PureSky Energy, has asked for city approval to build a 5-megawatt ground-mounted solar system on about 38 acres of land.
The Planning and Zoning Commission’s decision this week is not the final say on the matter. The City Council still needs to weigh in on the developer’s request.
Michael Larkin, a manager on the development team at PureSky Energy, made a pitch to the commission asking for its support.
According to its website, PureSky Energy is also the developer behind community solar farms in New York, Minnesota, Massachusetts and Maryland.
“We target these states that have this structure ... to develop these projects and share electric savings,” Larkin said.
Around this time last year, the DeKalb City Council approved an annexation and development agreement for the property. That measure required the developer to seek additional approvals this week for a final development plan and final plat for the solar farm.
City Planner Dan Olson urged the
PUZZLE ANSWERS puzzlesonpage16
Commission
urging the panel’s support of the solar developer’s plans for establishing a solar farm at Route 38 and John Huber Parkway in
commission for its support.
“The plan pretty much matches the concept plan the commission previously saw last year,” Olson said.
The developer intends to subdivide the land at the northeast corner of the site and roadway and establish a utility easement along the southeast portion of the property to accommodate future roadway expansion, along with the construction of an overpass on John Huber Parkway.
The plans call for a grid-tied solar system with interconnection to ComEd’s distribution network that, once operational, would provide renewable electricity to about 900 to 1,000 homes per year, city documents show.
In supporting the development, project leaders htave also been called upon to provide a landscape maintenance and
monitoring plan. In it is guidance on seed plantings, tree and shrub installations and ground maintenance requirements.
Larkin said they plan to lean on pollinator-friendly species and others to help stabilize the ground and meet stormwater requirements.
City staff said they have reviewed the petitioner’s plans along with the DeKalb County Highway Department for the future extension of John Huber Parkway.
Olson said the city’s action may help lay the groundwork for extending the roadway.
“I don’t know when the extension will occur,” Olson said. “I think it’s going to be down the road quite a ways, but with this site and the planning, it sets things up [to] make sure that when that does happen, this site dedicates or reserves the area for that future extension of the roadway.”
Under the petitioner’s plans, the two residents living in the farmhouse along Route 38 may remain, city documents show. Neither of the existing farm buildings can be removed from the site, either.
The petitioner intends to lease the land in question from the property’s owner, city documents show. The land is primarily maintained as an agricultural field, with corn and soybean crops rotated in.
Once constructed, the solar farm is expected to operate for 25 to 30 years.
The petitioner has submitted a decommission plan to the city in the event that plans for the solar farm do not materialize or cease to operate, city documents show.
The commission unanimously sided with the petitioner to allow plans for the solar farm to proceed. Commissioner Maria Pena-Graham was absent.
ON THE COVER
John Wright, 74 of Malta, found a photocopy of a Civil War Diary written by Civil War Captain Frederic Stevens Mosher at an estate sale in Sandwich. He shared his findings on Oct. 17, with Shaw Local News Network.
See story, page 6.
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.
Photo by Camden Lazenby
Megann Horstead
PureSky Energy’s Michael Larkin makes a pitch to the DeKalb Planning and Zoning
on Nov. 3,
DeKalb.
Stage Coach Players collecting Thanksgiving items
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
The Stage Coach Players and the DeKalb Salvation Army will host two food-collection events for dinner box items to provide local families a Thanksgiving meal.
The collections will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 11 and 18 at the Stage Coach Theatre, 126 S. Fifth St., DeKalb.
“At this time of year, we are especially thankful for all the community has done for Stage Coach Players over the years,” Stage Coach Players Outreach Committee member Jan Kuntz said in a news release. “It’s our hope that the donations of the members of
for local families
the SCP organization will help those in need during this season of thanks.”
The dinner boxes include enough food for six to eight people and a $15 gift card for a turkey. The boxes also feature canned green beans, diced fruit, cream of mushroom soup, sweet potatoes, whole kernel corn, cranberry sauce, jarred or canned gravy, boxed stuffing, dry potatoes, hot chocolate, brownie mix and bagged white rice.
The Stage Coach Players Outreach Committee will be in the back of the theater to welcome and thank donors.
For information, visit stagecoachplayers.com or the Stage Coach Player’s social media pages.
Busch file photo
Briel shares food resources amid SNAP halt
About 18,200 Bureau,
DeKalb and La Salle
county residents impacted
By BILL FRESKOS bfreskos@shawmedia.com
State Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, is working to connect residents with food resources following the halt of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits caused by the federal government shutdown.
About 18,200 residents across Bureau, La Salle and DeKalb counties stopped receiving benefits Nov. 1, leaving many without access to essential food assistance.
Briel encouraged residents to visit a shared document for a list of food pantries serving the 76th District. She also urged residents to use 211, a 24/7 referral service that connects people to food, housing, utility, health care and mental health resources. The service is free, confidential and staffed by trained professionals.
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
DIY mason jar terrarium program set for Nov. 18
Seniors and adults can learn how to create a terrarium during a DIY program at the DeKalb Public Library.
The free program will be held at 11 a.m. Nov. 18 in the library’s lower-level Zimmerman Meeting Room, 309 Oak St. Participants can learn how to create a mason jar terrarium. No registration is required to attend.
For information, email susang@dkpl.org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 2114.
Pianist and violinist Kara Eubanks to perform Nov. 14
The DeKalb Public Library will host an Evening of Encores concert featuring pianist and violinist Kara Eubanks.
The free concert will begin at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 14 in the library’s main lobby. 309 Oak St. Eubanks will perform popular romantic and classical piano and violin music. The doors to the library open at 6 p.m.
Residents can call 211 or text their ZIP code to 898211 for help.
For additional assistance, Briel’s
district office can be reached by email at contact@staterepbriel.com or by phone or text at 815-587-7912.
For information, email samanthah@dkpl. org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 1701. – Shaw Local News Network
Mark Busch
State Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, is helping connect residents in Bureau, La Salle and DeKalb counties with food resources following the suspension of SNAP benefits caused by the federal government shutdown.
New gallery, art supply store opens in DeKalb
By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com
A DeKalb couple has opened their latest muse: an art gallery and art supply store, 125 N. First St., Suite D, downtown.
Off the Tracks Art Supply held a grand opening at 5 p.m. Oct. 31.
Owners Aaron Robertson and Christina Maldonado had a soft opening last week in anticipation of regular business hours starting this week.
Robertson said Off the Tracks Art Supply promises to be more than an alternative to big-box stores.
“It’s an art supply [store], and I have the gallery as well,” Robertson said. “My thing behind it was to help out the local artists, as well as local art students, [to] be able to afford affordable art supplies instead of going through the big-box companies such as Michaels, Hobby Lobby or Walmart. ... I do see our supplies as a necessity.”
At Off the Tracks, patrons will find not only art supplies but also original artwork spanning multiple mediums.
How it started
Robertson said he’s long been into art.
At about age 9, he was inspired by the sight of freight trains passing his neighborhood and taking the CTA train around the city.
Robertson said he’d often see different graffiti art and was enamored by it.
Maldonado said her love for art has been reignited, in part, by seeing the way art moves her partner, Aaron.
“He’s all about art. He’s my muse,” Maldonado said.
Robertson said it was important to them to open a storefront. He said they plan to take part in pop-up markets when their schedules allow.
Off the Tracks Art Supply will provide space where artists using a variety of mediums can showcase their work.
Robertson wants to feature some of his graffiti and urban artwork in the gallery. Maldonado intends to use the space to showcase some of her acrylic paint artwork.
Robertson said he and his partner are excited to show the community what they have to offer.
“I do know a wide range of different artists from all through Illinois and all through the United States, as well as international artists that I may be getting here to display their artwork, as well as have shows for them as well,” Robertson said.
One day, he started dabbling in the arts with some help from a friend.
“A real good friend of mine was actually a graffiti artist, and he showed me the ropes and [taught me] how to do it properly,” Robertson said.
His love for art grew over time. And now a hobby has turned into Off the Tracks.
How it’s going
Maldonado said she’s excited to go on this journey with Robertson.
“It means everything to me,” Maldonado said. “I’m so proud of us, and I’m so proud of all our support.”
Megann Horstead
Off The Tracks Art Supply is seen Oct. 22 at 125 N. First St., Unit D, in DeKalb.
RECOUNTING HIS LIFE
The Civil War captain who became a Sandwich pioneer
By CAMDEN LAZENBY
Wartime chronicles written by a Civil War veteran steeped in Sandwich history have been rediscovered by a Malta man who has a knack for finding historical items.
Capt. Frederic Stevens Mosher, who would go on to be a multi-term Sandwich mayor, served in the 115th New York Infantry during the Civil War. In 1864, he wrote a journal entry for every day of the year.
Many of his entries detail the day’s weather. But others recount the kind of battles he engaged in, the number of soldiers wounded, killed or missing in his company, and other happenings of his life as a Civil War military officer.
“Remained in the woods all day,” Mosher wrote on June 8, 1864. “Very quiet along the lines today, but little firing ... Sent letter to mother.”
Two days after that journal entry, he was promoted to captain.
Earlier that year, he fought in the Battle of the Crater during the Siege of Petersburg, as well as the battles of Chesterfield Heights and Cold Harbor. On June 15, he was part of a successful attack on Fort Fisher near Wilmington, North Carolina.
Mosher’s grandchildren are the reason a photocopy of his wartime journal still exists.
In a Jan. 16, 1992, letter, Frederic’s grandson Henry Mosher of Cambridge, Massachusetts, tells family that Elizabeth Hammond Holdeman (Frederic’s granddaughter) found a small leather-bound pocket diary in an attic trunk.
Henry Mosher took time to photocopy the diary pages. He sent copies to all of Frederic’s living grandchildren, according to the letter embedded in the book.
Malta resident John Wright shared a photocopy of a 1864 diary written by Civil War Captain Frederic Stevens Mosher on Oct. 17. He said he found the document at an estate sale in Sandwich and briefly loaned it to the DeKalb County History Center.
“The leather-bound pocket diary is in surprisingly good condition considering its age and the conditions under which much of it was written,” Henry Mosher wrote more than three decades ago.
In his family letter, Henry recalled memories he had with his veteran grandfather. He said Frederic told his grandchildren that the biggest advantage to being a military officer was getting the first pick of trees to hide behind during battle.
One of the photocopied diaries made its way to DeKalb County, where it was rediscovered in 2025.
The man who found it, John Wright, 74, of Malta, said he saw the plastic comb binding-spined photocopy of Mosher’s 1864 Civil War diary at an estate sale in Sandwich this year.
He took it to the Sandwich Historical Society and the DeKalb County History Center so that local experts could have a look.
Joiner History Room Director Rob Glover, who works as an archivist and collection specialist at the DeKalb County History Center, said he and other area historians believe the photocopy is authentic.
“I don’t think there was ever a question of whether the diaries were authentic because Mosher was so prominent,” Glover said. “I was just surprised that
there wasn’t already an available copy here or in Sandwich. The biggest question we had was what the diary contained.”
Zach Oldenburg, a History Center archives researcher, has studied the 1864 diary (and another 1863 diary from Mosher) at length.
“He [Frederic Mosher] reflects on his time as a judge for the Army, his travels onboard multiple naval ships, and participation in well known battles such as Cold Harbor,” Oldenburg said. “Mosher’s diaries provide a personal narrative of late war experience that include detailed accounts of life in the Civil War.”
Personal narratives aren’t always included in Civil War diaries, Glover said.
The photocopy of Mosher’s diary isn’t the only historical document contained within the plastic-bound book. A written presentation, which was created by the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States months after his death to chronicle his military career, also was included.
Frederic Mosher’s service began on Aug. 1, 1862, when he enlisted as a soldier, according to that record. Fifteen days later, he mustered into service as a 1st
See DIARY, page 11
Camden Lazenby
Jazz in Progress to perform Nov. 15 in DeKalb
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
The DeKalb Public Library will host an after-hours concert featuring Jazz in Progress.
The free concert will begin at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 15 in the library’s main lobby, 309 Oak St.
The band will perform modern jazz and big band music. The doors to the library open at 6 p.m. No registration is
required to attend.
Jazz in Progress is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises funds for local community music programs, including the DeKalb, Sycamore, Genoa-Kingston, Hinckley-Big Rock, Indian Creek, Sandwich, Somonauk, Earlville and Leland school districts; St. Mary’s School in DeKalb; and the DeKalb County Community Foundation.
For information, email chelsear@ dkpl.org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 1700.
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
DeKalb library to offer electronic resources workshop Nov. 15 Community members ages 16 and older can learn about electronic library resources during a DeKalb Public Library workshop.
The free workshop will be held at 2 p.m. Nov. 15 in the library’s lower-level Zimmerman Meeting Room, 309 Oak St. Participants will be able to learn how to navigate library resources including Google Scholar, Ancestry.com and Newspapers. com. For information, email leahh@dkpl.org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 2112.
DeKalb library to host media digitation workshop Nov. 17
Teens and adults will be able to learn how to digitize and scan old media at a DeKalb Public Library workshop.
The free workshop will be held at 11 a.m. Nov. 17 in the library’s Nancy D. Castle Collaboration Studio, 309 Oak St. Participants can learn how to scan and digitize photographs. No registration is required. For information, email patrickc@dkpl.org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 2115.
–ShawLocalNewsNetwork
INBODEN’S
Thanksgiving Meal
Photo provided by Jay Monteiro
Jazz in Progress will perform Nov. 15 at the DeKalb Public Library.
Surgeons say robotic tech next step in future of operations
Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital celebrates performing 2K robotic-assisted surgeries
By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com
Late last year, Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital in DeKalb underwent $15 million in upgrades to its surgery suite.
With it came the addition of a second surgical robot, expanding access to minimally invasive robotic surgeries.
Kishwaukee Hospital has since reached a milestone, completing its 2,000th successful robotic-assisted surgery.
Dr. Stephen Goldman, who specializes in general surgery at Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital, said the robotic-assisted platform has the advantage of making minimally invasive surgery much like doing open surgery, but with smaller incisions, quicker recovery and less pain.
“What I would do with my hand, if I
[were] doing an open traditional surgery, can now be done using the robot
because the robot can match those results,” Goldman said. “It can match those movements, turns, bends and twists.”
Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital has used the robotic-assisted technology, called the da Vinci Xi Surgical System, in its operating room since 2022.
The technology enables more than half of all surgical procedures to be performed robotically, according to a news release. The platform can assist with prostate, kidney, bladder and gynecological operations, as well as general surgery procedures like hernia repairs and bowel resections.
“The completion of our surgical renovation and the addition of a second robotic surgery platform mark a significant milestone for our hospital and reflects our unwavering commitment to expanding access to world-class surgical care,” Maura O’Toole, president of Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital, said in a news release. “This investment ensures our patients can
See ROBOTIC TECH, page 15
Mark Busch
Dr. Jack Wagoner, associate chief medical officer at Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital, sits at the controls of the da Vinci Xi robotic surgical system Oct. 28 in one of the operating rooms at the hospital in DeKalb. The hospital recently celebrated its 2,000th successful robotic-assisted surgery.
LOOKING BACK
1925 – 100 YEARS AGO
Our beautiful Wurlitzer Grand Piano will be on display Saturday of this week in the window of Wirtz & Wirtz, furniture dealers, and this means that every active worker will be on hand to take a look at it that day. You are going to be thrilled, ladies, and the weight of it will be just the inspiration you need for next week’s work. It will be a part of a beautiful living room display and you will be wonderfully pleased.
The Meanest Man in Town, his identity unknown, operated in this city sometime last night and as a result big tacks, large enough to puncture the best tire manufactured were spread on the pavement in front of the DeKalb theatre. It is not known if any autoists of this city fell prey to the man’s mean trick. Thomas South, janitor at the DeKalb theatre, discovered the tacks this morning when he arrived at the theatre and immediately swept them and removed them from the street, in order that autoists would not suffer from the practical trick that had been attempted by some person.
Fire, thought to have been started by some youngsters at the home, yesterday afternoon about 1:30 o’clock called the DeKalb fire department to the residence at 1002 East Locust Street, one of the Haish built homes in that section of the city. The firemen found one of the downstairs rooms blazing, the loose paper on the walls having been ignited in some manner.
Motorists of this city last evening for the first time in the history of DeKalb had their progress on the East Lincoln Highway and Seventh street controlled by an automatic traffic signal, located at Seventh street and Lincoln Highway. The new automatic signal was placed in operation last night for the first time and according to comments about the city today, is a decided improvement.
Tomorrow is Friday the 13th. There are many people in Sycamore who will watch their step tomorrow, as they fear Friday the 14th more than having a black cat cross their path, putting on the wrong shoe first in the morning and a hundred other things. There are railroad men who make it a point to put the right foot first
aldermen from each of seven wards. The present mayor and council members would fulfil that elected terms and then an entire new city council would be chose.
Monthly patient rates at the DeKalb County Nursing Home are going up. The County Home Committee of the county board last night approved a $2.71 per patient per day increase in rates the first increase in three years. The new rate will be $625 per month effective Dec. 1.
Two glass doors were broken at Sycamore Municipal Building last night. Sycamore police said they heard the sound of breaking glass at 11:20 p.m. They found rocks had been tossed through the doors leading to the police department. Rushing outside, they could find no one, police said. A search of the area was then made. Estimated damage was $250.
2000 – 25 YEARS AGO
on their engine in the morning and will pay particular attention to this duty tomorrow morning.
1950– 75 YEARS AGO
On Wednesday of this week at Springfield, Secretary of State Edward J. Barrett issued a charter to the following corporation: The Reliable Building Corporation, 153 East Lincoln Highway, DeKalb. There are 2,000 shares of common stock having no par value and the corporation will deal in real and personal property. Incorporators are listed as C. H. Iskowich, Pauline Iskowich and Philmore Iskowich. The corporation will operate the property recently purchased at the northeast corner of the Lincoln Highway and Second street.
Four business houses were broken into early Thursday morning. All of the places are located on Route 34 in the east part of Sandwich. About $500 was taken from the Moose building and $30 from the D-X Gasoline Station operated by Leonard Barter. Nothing of value was taken from Werner and son Automobile Accessory Store or the Bennett Motor Express Station. Entrance to the Moose building was made by breaking a basement window and at other places first floor windows were pried open.
“Secret Police” of DeKalb will go into action tomorrow. They are a part of this system of determining the person to be honored as “Clerks of the Week,” in the program that is being sponsored by The Chronicle and the Rotary Club. Frank Blitzbau is chairman of the committee that is making the survey to determine the first person to be named for the honor. He and his committee have contacted a number of women whose identity will remain secret, but who will carry on a survey to determine the most pleasant, courteous and service providing clerk.
Everything was quiet at the DeKalb fire department this morning. The smoke eaters have received no calls for the past 24 hours, the only vehicle moving from the station being the ambulance which made several calls both yesterday and this morning.
1975 – 50 YEARS AGO
Abandonment of DeKalb’s city manager form of government would mean returning to a system of a mayor and 14 aldermen. Illinois law says a city must return to its previous form of government if the voters drop the city manager set up in an election. In 1960, when the city manager was adopted, DeKalb had a mayor and two
Some residents of the DeKalb County Rehab and Nursing Center are heading back to school this year. The nursing home residents are spending time at Gwendolyn Brooks Elementary School to visit and participate in activities with students in prekindergarten through fourth grade.
Amid all the uncertainty this week over who will be the next president of the United States, Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., has proposed a constitutional amendment abolishing the usually low-profile and often overlooked Electoral College.
Since 6 p.m. Friday, veterans outside the DeKalb County Courthouse have withstood cold weather and lack of sleep for a chance to reflect. The annual 24-hour vigil in celebration of Veterans Day will conclude at 6 tonight.
The election is over but the campaign continues in the improbable 2000 presidential race, with George W. Bush claiming victory based on an unofficial recount of Florida ballots.
The DeKalb Park District Board considered a proposal Thursday to accept the donation of a downtown building for use as a tourism and cultural center.
– Compiled by Sue Breese
Photo provided by the DeKalb County History Center Archives
The DeKalb Township Honor Roll, looking southwest at 4th Street and Lincoln Highway in 1948. The Honor Roll listed the names of DeKalb men and women veterans who served in World War II.
It’s a no for proposed development in northern Sycamore
By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com
A proposed mixed-use development that would have created dozens of new residential units and retail space in north Sycamore has failed to advance to the next phase of planning.
The Sycamore City Council voted 1-6 Nov. 3 against a request by Chris Youssi, of Youssi Real Estate and Development, to approve the preliminary plat for Plank Road Crossing. Youssi was seeking city permission to build 13 multifamily residential buildings, 13 lots for single-family homes that could be sold to prospective homeowners, and two commercial lots, documents show.
The proposed development, which would have been situated north of Plank Road and west of Luther Lowell Lane, was met with public criticism when it was presented to the city’s planning and zoning commission in September. That continued on Nov. 3 when it was on the Sycamore City Council’s agenda.
Paul Brescia, who’s lived in Syca -
more for the past four decades, told city officials he isn’t in favor of multi-unit residential rental properties.
“What I’d like to see you guys do is not build one more apartment,” Brescia said. “They don’t have a stake in the community like the people that own a house or condo. I would like you to take that into consideration and not build one more apartment.”
While Plank Road Crossing would have meant new single-family lots would be available for prospective homeowners, it would have also created 43 three-bedroom townhomes, according to city records.
Alden Drive resident Eric Padilla said homes in the area just north of the proposed development had more than 200 trick-or-treaters on Halloween. He worried about the effects of adding more residential units to the area.
He said that he believes crossing Plank Road has become hazardous for pedestrians and drivers.
“You’re playing ‘Frogger’ people out there, you’re trying to cross the Autobahn,” Padilla said, referencing a German highway system that famously
has sections without speed limits. “Peole are speeding, 65, 70 [mph], and it’s just not safe for us. So we have to go the longer way around.”
Padilla told the City Council that he’d love to see expanded pedestrian crossing walks and stoplights at the intersections of Plank Road with Luther Lowell Lane and North Grove and Lindgren roads.
Sycamore resident Mike Carpenter, a managing broker for RVG Commercial Realty, spoke in support of the development. He said he’s worked with multiple businesses, such a Casey’s General Store, Northwestern Medicine and others that are in support of the proposed development.
“I’ve seen businesses come and go,” Carpenter said. “Gone is Eggsclusive Cafe, Subway, Harold’s Chicken, Shelter Insurance, Alpha Graphics, Slow Smoked BBQ, many more. A lot of these were actually national and regional franchises, but they’ve struggled over the years. The turnover in tenants has been enormous out there.”
He said McDonald’s invested more than $3.6 million into the new restau -
rant at 210 W. Peace Road and was supportive of the Plank Road Crossing development. He also said consumer trends have drastically shifted in recent years.
“Let’s face it, e-commerce and remote working, it’s changed the world as we do business today,” Carpenter said. “We need less and less brick-andmortar locations, but we need more density to support the existing buildings that we currently have. The land planning was done years ago, pre e-commerce times, so I think a change in zoning is – I think that’s warranted here.”
First Ward Alderwoman Alicia Cosky was the only member of the City Council to vote in favor of the proposed development. Fourth Ward Alderwoman Virginia Sherrod was absent from the meeting.
Third Ward Alderwoman Nancy Copple, who voted against Youssi’s request, said she was OK with the city keeping the land that Plank Road Crossing would have been developed
See PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT, page 14
Continued from page 5
As a DeKalb resident, Robertson said, choosing to run a business in town made sense. “I’ve been here for a good 10 years,” Robertson said. “The art scene was pretty dead out here. [It] was pretty limited on what was going on out here.”
Similar establishments in the DeKalb area include Jubilee Art Gallery, 128 E. Lincoln Highway, and Artifex Studio, 235 E. Lincoln Highway.
“I’m not trying to take any customers from other local shops downtown,” he said. “I’m trying to collaborate with them, so we could be all one together instead of being a competitor.”
Robertson said he’s wrapped up several projects and looks forward to showcasing his latest work.
“In the summertime, we had a couple
• DIARY
Continued from page 6
Lieutenant of Company C of the 115th New York Infantry Volunteers.
Wright, whose father, Paul T. Wright, served in World War II, has collected military books, artifacts and primary documents for the past 55 years.
A year before finding Frederic Mosher’s photocopied diary, he discovered the journal of World War I veteran Sgt. Albert Walter Leonhard at a DeKalb estate sale.
“[Veterans] deserve all the respect we can give them,” Wright said. “I think it’s a really important thing that people serve their country and that we remember what these veterans did. Not just currently, but going back to the Revolutionary War.”
Glover said Civil War diaries that turn up in the 21st century aren’t always big discoveries. But the efforts taken to uncover them help preserve the stories of those who wrote them.
“Often it’s not a matter of discovering a new Civil War diary,” Glover said. “That does happen with diaries that were kept within families for a long time or some venerable old institutions. But now it’s often more a case of not being familiar with the diaries and not really knowing what they contain.”
Frederic Mosher was born on July 18, 1841, in Ballston Spa, New York, according to the Loyal Legion. His mother was Caroline Castle Mosher, the sister of DeKalb County pioneer Miles B. Castle.
of art shows here and there,” he said. “It was like my big project going for the last six months or more. Now it’s here, and I actually got some of my own personal artwork in the place this way, as well.”
Maldonado said the community’s anticipation for their latest venture to open has been exciting to see.
“Everyone we speak to, they know Aaron’s a local artist,” she said. “They’re constantly asking him, ‘Oh, when are you going to open up your shop when you know we need more art? We need to beautify our community through art.’ So, we’re hoping to make our community proud.”
“My thing is helping out the community,” he said. “We’re trying to give back to our community.”
Gallery and shop hours are from 3 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and Sunday and Monday by appointment only.
After he was discharged following the end of the Civil War, Frederic went to Sandwich, where he partnered with his uncle (Castle) in the lumber and coal business. He also worked as a cashier at the Sandwich Bank. Later, he served several terms as Sandwich mayor, school board president, and president of Sandwich Bank.
He also spent time as the president of the Northern Illinois Telephone Co., the treasurer of the Sandwich Fair and was the commander of the Sandwich Grand Army of the Republic Post, according to information provided to the Joiner room by the Sandwich Historical Society.
When he came to Sandwich after the Civil War, Frederic slept in a room above the Sandwich Bank.
“One night he heard noises downstairs, investigated with his service revolver in hand and fired at two men who were robbing the bank,” Henry Mosher wrote about Frederic in his letter. “The robbery was thwarted and one man was wounded but they escaped on a ‘handcar’ waiting on the railroad nearby.”
Henry wrote that his grandfather slept with a revolver under his pillow until the day he died.
Frederic Mosher died on Oct. 14, 1925. Henry, who photocopied his Civil War diary more than 65 years later, was there.
“Grandpa was fortunate to survive three years of that bloody war without being wounded,” Mosher wrote. “I happened to visit the old home with my father the night grandpa slumped over and was gone. They say ‘Old soldiers never die – they just fade away.’ ”
Sycamore Catholic school honors former employee
St. Mary’s Catholic School in Sycamore recently installed a plaque honoring former school employee Bess Andersen. Andersen and her
were members of a group that
to keep the school open during the 1970s. Andersen worked as the school’s secretary, helped families with funeral arrangements, started senior luncheons, facilitated women’s retreats and assisted couples with marriage and baptism preparation. She also earned a lay ministry certificate.
LOCAL NEWS BRIEF
DeKalb American Legion Auxiliary collecting candy for ‘Sweets4Troops’ program
The DeKalb American Legion Auxiliary will host this year’s “Sweets4Troops” program to collect unused, leftover Halloween candy to donate to military personnel deployed overseas.
The candy will be sent in holiday packages
to overseas military member units and domestic locations. Participants also can send in thank you cards.
The drop off locations include:
• DeKalb Fire Department, 700 Pine St.
• Sycamore Fire Department, 535 DeKalb Ave.
• DeKalb American Legion Post 66, 1204 S. Fourth St.
• Le Print Express, 1950 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore
• County Liquors, 625 E. State St., Sycamore
• FunME Events Office, 650 Peace Road, Suite F, DeKalb
• Genoa Area Chamber of Commerce, 113 N. Genoa St.
The Sweets4Troops program was started
by Michael Embrey, DeKalb businessman and U.S. Air Force veteran, in 2014. The program has collected more than 1,000 pounds of candy for military support groups. For information, call 815-751-2424, 815-540-7364, or 815-761-1263 or email sarahmassier@ymail.com, hupkecynthia@ gmail.com, or FunMEevents@aol.com. –ShawLocalNewsNetwork
Photo provided by St. Mary’s Catholic School
husband
worked
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
Northern Rehab to offer running injury prevention presentation Nov. 20 in Sycamore
Northern Rehab Physical Therapy Specialists and the Kishwaukee Family YMCA will hold a “Running Injuries & Prevention” presentation as part of its Lunch and Learn educational series.
The free presentation will begin at 11 a.m. Nov. 20 at the Kishwaukee Family YMCA, 2500 Bethany Road, Sycamore. Participants can learn about common running-related injuries and strategies to avoid injuries.
Refreshments will be provided by Hy-Vee. Because of limited space, registration is required to attend.
To register, visit kishymca.org or call 815-375-5392.
Northern Rehab Physical Therapy Specialists is a physical therapist-owned and -operated physical therapy practice, providing clients with customized care for more than 46 years.
The Kishwaukee Family YMCA is a nonprofit that seeks to enrich the spirit, mind and body of all those in the commu-
nity. For information, visit northernrehabpt.com/events, call 815-375-5392, or visit kishymca.org.
Northern Rehab food drive runs through Dec. 3
Northern Rehab Physical Therapy Specialists will hold a community food drive to support T.D. Ryan’s “Freezin’ for Food” event. The food drive will be held from Nov. 10 through Dec. 3.
The rehab is collecting nonperishable food items. The “Freezin’ for Food” event will distribute the food to the DeKalb Salvation Army Food Pantry and provide meals to DeKalb County families. Donations may be dropped off Northern Rehab’s DeKalb location, 3266 Sycamore Road, or Genoa location, 540 E. Main St.
Northern Rehab Physical Therapy Specialists is a physical therapist-owned and -operated physical therapy practice, providing clients with customized care for more than 46 years. For information, call 815-756-8524 or visit northernrehabpt. com/freezin-for-food-drive/.
– Shaw Local News Network
Officer Harris of Cortland police dept, Mayor Mark Pietrowski, Rich Jonutz owner, son Rich Jonutz and Sandra Office Manager
Shaw Local News Network file photo
Swe Swe Aung, 27, from Myanmar, and Liliana Romero, 36, from Mexico, work together on an assignment during a free ESL class March 11 at the DeKalb Senior Center.
DeKalb library to offer ESL workshop Nov. 13
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
Community members with small children and adult learners of English as a Second Language will be able to engage in conversations at a workshop in the DeKalb Public Library.
The free workshop will begin at 1 p.m. Nov. 13 in the library’s Story
and Activity Room, 309 Oak St.
Participants can engage in conversations on topics including community resources, needs, children and daily life.
The workshop will be led by Kishwaukee College adult education programs. No registration is required.
For information, email susang@ dkpl.org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 2114.
• PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT
Continued from page 10
on zoned for commercial use.
“I never would have thought we would have a McDonald’s, that’s what I’m thinking,” Copple said. “I’m like ‘Well, then who’s to say what other businesses in the future are going to come?’ We don’t know what kind of business we’re going to have interested to come out to Sycamore, so I’d hate to lose that.”
Fellow 3rd Ward Alderman Marvin Barnes, who also voted against the request, said he wants the city to get away from having a property tax base that is largely residential. He also pointed out the Sycamore Planning and Zoning Commission’s vote against recommending the development’s approval, as well as the commission’s decision not to reconsider the development at a subsequent meeting.
“I think there’s a message there,” Barnes said.
Dr. Jack Wagoner, associate chief medical officer at Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital, slides an attachment into place on the da Vinci Xi robotic surgical system Oct. 28 in one of the operating rooms at the hospital in DeKalb. The hospital recently celebrated its 2,000th successful robotic-assisted surgery.
• ROBOTIC TECH
Continued from page 8
receive the highest levels of advanced, minimally invasive procedures, close to home.”
Dr. Jack Wagoner, who specializes in general surgery at Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital, said he tends to see a lot of patients with hernias.
“You know, DeKalb, Sycamore, we kind of live in farm country, so we do have a lot of laborers,” Wagoner said. “It’s definitely more common in people who have physical jobs. We see incisional hernias, people who have had prior surgeries elsewhere, and they have a hernia from an incision. So, between the groin hernias, inguinal hernias, incisional hernias, a classic belly button, or umbilical hernias, we do see a lot of hernias.”
The addition of robotic-assisted technology in DeKalb brings patients access to advanced, less invasive options for general surgeries. That allows for gallbladder removal, adrenal gland removal and appendix removal – all closer to home, according to the health system.
To operate the machine, surgeons sit at a console to view three-dimensional images of the surgical site and control the arms of the robotic instruments inside a patient’s body. This allows surgeons to toggle with the device’s tiny robotic arms and magnifying lenses to make incisions and maneuvers, according to the health system.
Wagoner, who has been a surgeon in practice since 1999, said the transition to the robotic-assisted platform was not something foreign to him.
When he was in medical school, he said he was trained in using the laparoscopic surgery platform.
“It really is the next iteration of laparoscopic surgery,” Wagoner said. “There’s always a learning curve to new technology, but nowhere near what it was for the old-time surgeons who had never done laparoscopic surgery. They had always done open surgery, and now they had to learn laparoscopic surgery. That, I think, was a difficult transition 30, 40, 50 years ago.”
Robotic-assisted surgery may not be recommended for all ailments and injuries.
But Wagoner said the patient outcomes and recovery times are vastly improved using the robotic-assisted platform.
“Especially in this day and age when narcotic use is front and center, the rate of narcotic use with the robotic platform is minimal,” Wagoner said. “I have probably half of my hernia patients never even get narcotics filled. But an open incision, patients had to have narcotics. It just hurt too bad.”
Goldman said he believes there is room for more progress as new technologies come down the line.
“I think there’s more to come,” Goldman said. “Obviously, AI is coming and what that advantage will have. ... We look at these as all tools in adjunct to our medical decision-making and our medical care. They’re not supplements. They’re not substitutions.”
The da Vinci Xi Surgical System is available at locations across the Northwestern Medicine system, including at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital, Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital, Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital, Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, and Northwestern Medicine Grayslake Outpatient Center.
Gobbler Gallop 5K Walk/Run
Register
Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 9 a.m. Indian Creek Middle School in Waterman, Illinois
On-line registration fees are the same as last year if you register before November 1.
Thanks to our previous sponsors:
1803 Candles Inc.
Baie and Baie Trucking
Bayer
Betty Thuestad - Mary Kay
Boehne Farms of Shabbona, LLC
Conserv FS
Dekalb Optometric
Dekalb Sycamore ChevroletGMC
Dr Storey
First State Bank
J&D Door Sales, Inc.
Kevin Buick
Linda Swenson, Century 21 Broker
Martenson Turf Products, Inc
MassMutual - Norm Gaston and Matthew Gaston
Mike Davis Electric, Inc.
Mike Nelson Construction
Mortenson
NextEra
Pub West
Resource Bank
Spex Expressions
Superior Diesel, Inc.
Sycamore Dentistree
Thrivent - Shawn Blobaum
Tom Sparks Auto
Vision Pickling and Processing, Inc
Waterman Bank
Mark Busch
AMUSEMENTS
JERSEYS
BIRD CAGES
HUNTLEY
new for sale. Furniture, home decor & patio. See pics @ estatesales.net
All Cars must park on the same side of the street as the house is on $$ Cash is King $$ Kathy's Estate Sales Liquidations, Auctions, Junk Removal Consignments, Buyouts & Clea n-Outs 847-363-4814
GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on 03/13/2025, the Sheriff of DeKalb County, Illinois will on December 4, 2025 at the hour of 1:00 PM at Public Safety Building, 150 North Main Sycamore IL 60178, or in a place otherwise designated at the time of sale, County of DeKalb and State of Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described real estate: PIN 12-21-100-004 Improved with Residential 14934 Somonauk Rd Dekalb, IL 60115
COMMONLY KNOWN AS:
Sale terms: 10% down of the highest bi d by certified funds at the close of the auction; The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Resident ial Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to genera real estate taxe s, special assessments, or special taxes levi ed against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in "AS IS" condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.
If the property is a condominium and the foreclosure take s place after 1/1/2007, purchasers other than the mortgagees will be required to pay any assessment and legal fees due under The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4) If the property is located in a common interest community, purchasers other than mortgagees will be required to pay any assessment and legal fees due under the Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).
If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee's attorney. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser shall receive a Certificate of Sale, which will entitle the purchaser to a Deed to the real estate after Confirmation of the sale The successful purchaser has the sole responsibility/expense of evicting any tenants or other indivi duals presently in possession of the subject premises
The propert y will NOT be open for inspection and Plaintiff makes no representation as to the cond it ion of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the Court file to verify
of the sale The successful purchaser has the sole responsibility/expense of evicting any tenants or other indivi duals presently in possession of the subject premises
The propert y will NOT be open for inspection and Plaintiff makes no representation as to the cond it ion of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the Court file to verify all info rmation.
IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDAN CE WITH SECTION 15- 1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.
For information: Examine the court file or cont act Plaintiff's attorney: Codilis & Associ ates, P.C., 15W030 North Frontage Road, Suite 100, Burr Ridge, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876 Please refer to file number 14-2403002. I3275449
(Published in The MidWeek, Oct. 29, Nov. 5, 12, 2025)
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE 23RD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT DEKALB COUNT YSYCAMORE, IL LINOIS SELENE FINANCE, LP PLAINTIFF Vs John Ku bus; et. al DEFENDANTS No 2024FC000044 NOTICE OF SHERIFF'S SALE OF REAL ESTATE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on 03/13/2025, the Sheriff of DeKalb County, Illinois will on December 4, 2025 at the hour of 1:00 PM at Public Safety Building, 150 North Main Sycamore, IL 60178, or in a place otherwise designated at the time of sale, County of DeKalb and State of Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash as set forth below, the following described real estate: PART OF THE NORTH HALF OF SECTION 21, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 5 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, DEKALB COUNTY, ILLINOIS, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT THE NORTHEAST CORN ER OF THE NORTHW EST QUARTER OF SAID SECTION 21; THENCE WESTERLY ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF SAID SECTION 21, A DISTAN CE OF 240.7 FEET TO THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF THE TOWN HALL SITE DESCRIBED IN QUIT CLAIM DEED IN BO OK 69 OF DEEDS, PAGE 18 IN THE DEKALB COUNTY RECORDER'S OFFICE; THENCE SOUTHERLY AT AN ANGLE OF 85 DEGREES 45 MINUTES MEASURED CLOCKWISE FROM THE LAST DESCRIBED COURSE, ALONG THE EAST LINE OF SAID TOWN HALL SI TE, A DISTANCE OF 113.0 FEET; THENCE WESTERLY AT AN ANGLE OF 88 DEGREES 44 MINUTES MEASURED COUNTERCLOCKWISE FROM THE LAST DESCRIBED COURSE, ALONG THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID TOWN HALL SI TE, A DISTANCE OF 105.8 FEET TO THE CENTER LINE OF A PUBLIC RO AD; THENCE
SAID TOWN HALL SI TE, A DISTANCE OF 113.0 FEET; THENCE WESTERLY AT AN ANGLE OF 88 DEGREES 44 MINUTES MEASURED COUNTERCLOCKWISE FROM THE LAST DESCRIBED COURSE, ALONG THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID TOWN HALL SI TE, A DISTANCE OF 105.8 FEET TO THE CENTER LINE OF A PUBLIC RO AD; THENCE SOUTHEASTERLY AT AN ANGLE OF 82 DEGREES 59 MINUTES MEASURED CLOCKWISE FROM THE LAST DESCRIBED COURSE AND ALONG THE CENTERLI NE OF SAID PUBLIC ROAD, A DISTANCE OF 423.24 FEET; THENCE EASTERLY AT AN ANGLE OF 100 DEGREES 00 MINUTES MEASURED CLOCKWISE FROM THE LAST DESCRIBED COURSE, A DISTANCE OF 381.5 FEET; THENCE NORTHERLY AT AN ANGLE OF 90 DEGREES 29 MINUTES MEASURED CLOCKWISE FROM THE LAST DESCRIBED COURSE AND PARALLEL WITH THE WEST LINE OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SAID SECTION 21, A DISTANCE OF 538.3 FEET TO THE NORTH LINE OF SAID SECTION 21; THENCE WESTERLY AT AN ANGLE OF 87 DEGREES 58 MINUTES MEASURED CLOCKWISE FROM THE LAST DESCRIBED COURSE ALONG THE NO RTH LI NE OF SAID SECTION 21, A DISTANCE OF 121.7 FEET TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING, SITUATED IN DEKALB COUNTY, ILLINOIS. PIN 12-21-100-004
Improved with Residential 14934 Somonauk Rd Dekalb, IL 60115
COMMONLY KNOWN AS: Sale terms: 10% down of the highest bi d by certified funds at the close of the auction; The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Resident ial Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300 in certified unds, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxe s, special assessments, or special taxes levi ed agains said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in "AS IS" condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.
If the property is a condominium and the foreclosure take s place after 1/1/2007 purchasers other than the mortgagees will be required to pay any assessment and legal ees due under The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4)
If the property is located in a common interest community, purchasers other than mortgagees will be required to pay any assessment and legal fees due under the Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).
If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee's attorney Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser shall receive a Certificate of Sale, which will entitle the purchaser to a Deed to the real estate after Confirmation of the sale The successful purchaser has the sole responsibility/expense of evict-
The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee's attorney Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser shall receive a Certificate of Sale, which wil entitle the purchaser to a Deed to the real estate after Confirmation of the sale The successful purchaser has the sole responsibility/expense of evicting any tenants or other indivi duals presently in possession of the subject premises. The propert y will NOT be open for inspection and Plaintiff makes no representation as to the cond it ion of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the Cour file to verify all info rmation.
IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDAN CE WITH SECTION 15- 1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.
For information: Examine the court file or cont act Plaintiff's attorney: Codilis & Associ ates, P.C., 15W030 North Frontage Road, Suite 100, Burr Ridge, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876 Please refer to file number 14-2403002. I3275449 (Published in The MidWeek, Oct. 29, Nov. 5, 12, 2025)
