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Let’s Talk Turkey returns Nov. 21 in DeKalb
Turkey donations will go to The Salvation Army to help feed DeKalb-area families this Thanksgiving
By KELSEY RETTKE krettke@shawmedia.com
An annual Thanksgiving food drive will have the same host but a new home this year, collecting frozen turkeys and meal fixings for an estimated 750 DeKalb County-area families in need.
TD Ryan’s Let’s Talk Turkey food drive returns Nov. 21 at The Salvation Army food pantry, 830 Grove St., DeKalb. Those interested are welcome to drop off food items between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the pantry.
Ryan will be at the site all day, according to a news release.
Formerly hosted by WLBK 98.9 FM/ AM 1360 radio, the donation drive is now sponsored by Kishwaukee DeKalb Kiwanis.
Hundreds of local families are expected to benefit from charitable efforts through Let’s Talk Turkey.
While turkeys are the focus of the collection, other items also are welcome, including hams, roast beef and lamb shank.
For those unable to purchase a turkey, monetary donations also will be accepted.
Another holiday charity drive hosted by Ryan will be sponsored this year by the Kiwanis group.
PUZZLE ANSWERS puzzlesonpage17
Freezin’ for Food returns the first week of December for its 25th year. Ryan has historically camped out in the parking lot of Hy-Vee, 2700 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore, to encourage donations and interview participants.
Freezin’ for Food collection drive drop-off times in the Hy-Vee parking lot are:
• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 4
• 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 5
• 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 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.
Edward Higgins, a Vietnam War veteran from Rockford, gives a talk Nov. 10 to students at Clinton Rosette Middle School in DeKalb.
Photo by Megann Horstead
Mark Busch file photo
Let’s Talk Turkey, an annual Thanksgiving food drive, returns Nov. 21. It is expected to help hundreds of DeKalb County families enjoy a Thanksgiving meal this holiday.
County could have $2M reserved for highway improvements
By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com
If the DeKalb County Board executive committee approves a draft agenda for the board’s Nov. 19 meeting on Wednesday night, two resolutions that help the county fund road projects will be up for a vote.
DeKalb County Engineer Nathan Schwartz said one of those resolutions is being considered so that the public can more readily see how much money DeKalb County is keeping in its Federal Highway Matching Tax Fund. That balance, used for local road projects, is estimated to be about $2.7 million on Dec. 31, according to a county document.
“The purpose of this resolution is to help be more transparent,” Schwartz said.
The Federal Highway Matching Tax Fund is used to match federal and state spending on county highway improvements. Those projects include roadway improvements, road widenings, bridge replacements, seal coating and more, documents show.
The Federal Highway Matching Tax
Fund is supplied by money collected from the county’s property tax levy, according to county documents.
Schwartz said the county, several years ago, began passing an annual resolution that shows how much money is being kept in the fund.
He said the fund needs to keep a sizable balance so that the county is ready to pay (match) the Illinois Department of Transportation for previous projects, while saving for future large projects.
In fiscal 2026, DeKalb County plans to spend $390,000 from the highway matching fund toward a roundabout for the intersection of Plank and Lindgren roads, documents show.
The other resolution that could advance from committee to the DeKalb County Board on Wednesday would greenlight $2.2 million in motor fuel tax revenue to pay for the maintenance of county highways and other related funds.
Of that total, $779,650 is expected to go toward salaries, while $600,000 would be spent on salt for winter road maintenance, documents show.
Schwartz said those two resolutions
are typical for this time of year, and are an opportunity for the public to understand how their taxes are spent. This is how DeKalb County has used, and plans to use, the Federal Highway Matching Tax Fund to pay for highway projects:
Fiscal 2019-2024 projects
• The widening of Barber Greene Road between Route 23 and Peace Road: $87,500
• Peace Road and Mercantile Drive resurfacing: $71,500
• Peace Road and Route 64 intersection improvements: $381,000
• Plank Road resurfacing: $74,000
• Suydam Road resurfacing from Route 23 to Gletty Road: $50,500
• North First Street resurfacing: $59,000
• Glidden Road resurfacing from Route 64 to Route 72: $24,000
• Barber Greene Road resurfacing from Peace Road to Somonauk Road: $10,000
• Somonauk Road resurfacing from Route 30 to Chicago Road: $175,000
• Peace Road and bridge widening from Route 64 to south of Freed Road: $1,150,000
• Intersection of Plank and Lindgren roads: $550,000
• Annual Seal Coat Program: $225,500
• Annual Striping Program: $120,000
Fiscal 2026 projects
• Peace Road and bridge widening from Route 64 to south of Freed Road: $350,000
• Perry Road resurfacing from Lee County to S. First Street: $30,000
• HMA & Mntn Engineering: $95,000
• Plank Road and Lindgren Road Roundabout: $390,000
• Engineering for the widening of Peace Road north of Freed Road: $25,000
• Annual Seal Coat Program: $160,000
• Annual Striping Program: $123,000
Fiscal 2027 projects
• Engineering for the widening of Peace Road north of Freed Road: $75,000
• Annual Seal Coat Program: $100,000
• Annual Striping Program: $125,000
DeKalb city leaders give initial approval of $8.9M tax levy
DeKalb City Council supports an $8.9 million tax levy for 2025 to aid police and fire pensions
By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com
DeKalb city leaders could be poised to move forward with the final adoption of an $8.9 million tax levy.
A tax levy is a tool that determines how much money a governing body will collect in property taxes each year. Other measures that contribute to the funding formula include the equalized assessed valuation of the taxing body and the tax rate.
At its meeting last week, the City Council unanimously voted on an ordinance to help make it happen. A final vote still is needed, however.
City Manager Bill Nicklas noted that the numbers have not changed since the city’s previous presentation on its tax levy.
The city’s proposed $8.9 million tax levy, which includes a pass-through amount of $4.4 million for the DeKalb
Public Library, is projected to carry a total aggregate extension of $13.3 million, city documents show.
For levy year 2025, the tax rate
remains 0.62, city documents show. The estimated EAV for 2025 taxes payable to the city in 2026 is $1.44 billion.
EAV is defined as the taxable value of property within a taxing body. Municipal leaders set levies based on assumptions about property value.
A common question that Nicklas said he’s fielded is why the city doesn’t pay down the public obligation on its pensions.
City staff have said all the property taxes levied by the city go to help fund police and fire pension payments.
“We’re living on our reserve right now,” Nicklas said. “That’s why I’ve been stubborn about saying I don’t think we, right now, have slack.”
The tax levy makes for an estimated 7% increase for the city over the prior year’s aggregate extension of about $8.3 million. Under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law, municipalities are limited to a 5% increase, the consumer price index or the rate of inflation –whichever is the lowest – plus new construction.
See TAX LEVY, page 5
Mark Busch file photo
City Manager Bill Nicklas said the city’s property tax revenue will go to police and fire pensions, as in past years.
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
Lightbeam Players to perform Nov. 22 in DeKalb
The DeKalb Public Library will host a performance of the Lightbeam Players production of the musical “Secrets Lie Beyond.”
The free performances will begin at 10 a.m. Nov. 22 in the library’s lower-level Yusunas Meeting Room, 309 Oak St.
“Secrets Lie Beyond,” written by Lightbeam Players member Elijah Botts, tells the story of Silas as he searches to find his mother after she disappeared a year and a half ago. He travels to the Forest of Fae and receives help from a strange boy named Wally. The musical features mature topics including death and loss and is not recom-
• TAX LEVY
Continued from page 4
As a nonhome-rule community, however, the city of DeKalb is imposing that rule on itself. In doing so, a public hearing on the tax levy was held, inviting residents to come with questions or remarks. No one from the public chimed in.
Since 2019, the city has lowered its tax rate, city documents show. Residents’ property tax bills are based on municipal tax rates and also the value of their home.
Nicklas noted that there’s a “negligible” difference in the lowering of the city’s tax rate this time.
Mayor Cohen Barnes gave kudos to the city manager for his leadership on the matter.
“If we keep bringing in the businesses that we’ve been bringing in and driving more property tax revenue coming in, that’s how we solve this police and fire pension crisis,” Barnes said. “Hopefully, the state’s going to do something. They’re going to have to.”
In a related development, the City Council voted 8-0 to approve an ordinance for the abatement of taxes levied for the city’s corporate purposes in tax year 2025. Final action on the matter is expected at the council’s next regular meeting.
The city has five outstanding bonds, which are being repaid from the general fund, city documents show. Current city practice is to abate the tax levies as alternate revenue sources.
City staff said they have no intention of using property taxes to pay the bonds.
Nicklas said he expects the city to
mended for children ages 8 and younger. No registration is required to attend.
For information, email theresaw@dkpl.org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 3350.
DeKalb church’s annual bake sale set for Nov. 22
St. George Greek Orthodox Church will host its annual Greek bake sale to support DeKalb County charities.
The bake sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 22 at the church, 320 S. Second St., DeKalb.
The bake sale includes Greek pastries, sweets, bread, spinach pies, and pastichio. Parking will be available at the corner of Second and Franklin streets.
–ShawLocalNewsNetwork
have some savings from the general obligation bond debt in about two fiscal years.
“It gives us a little breathing room,” Nicklas said.
Sixth Ward Alderman Mike Verbic expressed some concern about the city’s decision.
“This tax increase is a little tough to take after what we’ve been able to do the last couple of years,” Verbic said.
The levy proposal calls for a tax bill of $941.92 for a DeKalb resident who owns a home with a 2025 EAV of $157,229, city documents show. For levy year 2024, that same homeowner paid $850.67.
As in past years, DeKalb city leaders touted substantial industrial growth on the city’s south side as a reason for taxpayer savings.
Barnes expressed support for the tax levy as presented.
“That additional revenue is going to come in to offset the police and fire pension crisis, which is going to allow us to protect those reserves that we have,” Barnes said. “Because we don’t know when the next great recession or next COVID or whatever’s going to come around, I think we keep staying the course and working hard to diversify our tax base, bring in that new revenue, and protect our fund balance.”
Nicklas urged the council to provide its support.
“This is establishing what the baseline is for our levy,” Nicklas said. “... We feel that our levy will result, if anything, in a very negligible decrease in our city rate of 0.62286 per $100 EAV.”
The City Council is expected to put the tax levy for 2025 to a final vote Nov. 24.
DeKalb middle school students pay tribute to veterans
Annual event offers meaningful interactions between veterans, youth
By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com
Edward Higgins has seen death on more than one occasion.
As a Vietnam War veteran, Higgins said he knows all too well about the casualties incurred.
Some may come home, and others may not.
The Rockford resident was one of nine veterans recognized for their service to the country during a Veterans Day celebration last week at Clinton Rosette Middle School in DeKalb.
Upon their arrival, each of the veterans was greeted with a special brunch in the library, followed by time to visit students in some of the classrooms and take part in an assembly.
Clinton Rosette Middle School puts on a Veterans Day celebration every year.
Clinton Rosette Middle School principal Brant Boyer said it brings great meaning to him to see the tradition continue.
“It’s about celebrating why we have the freedoms we have and celebrating the people that have helped us ... be in the position of the United States that we are, and bringing celebration honestly and allowing our students to hear their voice and talk to them,” Boyer said. “It’s powerful.”
As a DeKalb High School alumnus, Higgins said he enjoyed having the opportunity to share his story with middle school students who will soon attend his alma mater.
This year was Higgins’ second time taking part in the event.
“I explained to them about my daily life while I was in Vietnam, and explained to them all the different types of clothing that I wore, and then told some of the good things and some of the very scary things that I was involved in.”
Higgins said he feels blessed considering everything he sacrificed for the country.
“To be able to come home in one piece and my best friend came home in one piece,” Higgins said.
Not everyone was as fortunate as Higgins.
under attack. They pull all the lights. You’re running back to your barracks, back to the arms room where you picked up your rifle. And you don’t know who’s standing next to you. It’s pitch black. You don’t know if it’s your fellow soldier or if it’s one of the enemies.”
Higgins said there was no escaping some things.
“We had to stay within our compound, and troops on the other side came from one side,” he said. “We were on the other side. And it really didn’t end until the following morning when the sun came up and you could assess the damage.”
During the war, Higgins was assigned to a supply depot in a coastal city and tasked with providing aid to men in the field.
“Any war, it takes 10 people, men and women, to be in the support and behind-the-scenes to support one person in the field,” he said.
Higgins said he is proud of what he accomplished during his time in service.
“They didn’t come home,” Higgins said. “They came home in a body bag.”
Higgins remembers his time in the U.S. Army as “tough.”
“I mean, there were some times where we came under attack, and you talk about being scared,” Higgins said. “... Especially, at night, you come
“I think being a true American and being able to serve my country, even
See HIGGINS, page 8
Clinton Rosette Middle School student George Russell (left) is seen Nov. 10 helping Vietnam War veteran Edward Higgins showcase his military uniforms in front of students at Clinton Rosette Middle School in DeKalb.
Photos by Megann Horstead
Edward Higgins, a Vietnam War veteran from Rockford, gives a talk Nov. 10 to students at Clinton Rosette Middle School in DeKalb.
DeKalb school district outlines proposal for new pre-K building
By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com
Leaders from DeKalb School District 428 recently took the next step in an ambitious plan to build a new home for pre-kindergarten learning, which they said also would provide more space for a growing middle school student population by reconfiguring what buildings fifth through eighth graders attend.
Under the proposal – which hasn’t yet been finalized – the district would build a new Early Learning Development Center for preschool students. And then three existing buildings – Founders Elementary and the two middle schools, Clinton Rosette and Huntley – would be reorganized to house the district’s middle school grade levels.
DeKalb’s early learning space – which has a waiting list of 98 students, officials have said – currently is in the Huntley Middle School building. Under the plan, the preschoolers could move to their own new and bigger building. That would free up space in Huntley, which would transition to teach only seventh and eighth graders districtwide, officials said. Clinton Rosette and Founders Elementary could be reconfigured to teach only fifth and sixth graders districtwide. And elementary schools would be K-4.
District officials have said they intend to build a new early learning center, if approved by the school board, without putting a funding referendum on the ballot for voters.
But not all are in favor of the district’s proposal, specifically questioning why language in the proposed votes tied the new preschool build to the grade reconfiguration plan.
DeKalb resident Keith Cameron said he doesn’t believe the approval process for either has been transparent.
“This reminds me of a terrible TV show that I love to watch right now, which is called ‘Love Is Blind,’” Cameron said. “You’re asking us to sign onto an agreement without actually seeing anything, no details. So yes, I’m comparing you to one of the most sloppiest Netflix shows at this point in time, because that is the treatment that I feel like you are giving the community.”
Up for school board consideration were two resolutions: One to commit funds to build the new ELDC – district documents cite “primarily” through property tax revenue expected to come
from Meta’s DeKalb Data Center “supplemented by state funds.”
A second resolution proposed greenlighting early learning center construction alongside “related improvements for grade re-configuration to existing buildings,” documents state. A final vote on that resolution is not expected until Nov. 18.
The first resolution was passed unanimously Nov. 11. Board member Vanta Bynum was absent. The vote outlined plans to pay for the estimated $42.8 million early learning center off Dresser and Normal Roads by using property tax revenue collected through industry that’s in DeKalb County’s Enterprise Zone.
An enterprise zone is a geographical area in which businesses may receive tax benefits and other incentives to help spur new economic growth.
District calculations project that DeKalb District 428 will collect about $19.1 million in 2025 property taxes from the data center, on top of $7.1 million collected in 2024. The district also earmarked $26.2 million for the center, documents show, which also cite plans to use tax revenue to pay for the new preschool “without raising home taxes.” They also cite property tax revenue from other industry in the enterprise zone, like DeKalb’s Kraft Heinz facility.
Resident Scott Oesterlin said he also doesn’t see why plans for the early learning development center are being tied to a middle school reconfiguration proposal. District officials previously said a new preschool means freeing up space to spread out middle schoolers to more classrooms, reducing large classroom sizes.
“It doesn’t make any sense,” Oesterlin said. “It’s not transparent in any way, shape, or form,” Oesterlin said. “I’d just like to know why and what will be done to rectify it to make it transparent, so everybody’s aware of where the dollars are being spent.”
Board President Chris Boyes asked if separating the two measures – a new preschool and middle school grade restructuring – could deter the district’s larger plans.
“Would that impact your ability to build ELDC?” Boyes said.
Tammy Carson, the district’s director of facility and safety operations, said no.
The district still intends to seek public
• HIGGINS
Continued from page 6
though it was not a pleasant situation, but I think back today how God protected me.”
During the assembly, veterans were met with the recital of the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, the choir sang a couple of patriotic songs and the band played an arrangement with five numbers to pay tribute to the different branches of service represented during the event. Higgins said he found the music to be moving.
• BUILDING PROPOSAL
Continued from page 7
input on how to proceed with reconfiguring middle school class sizes.
“They are not specifically tied together,” Carson said. “It is all part of the five-year [plan].”
Before Mitchell Elementary School was built, the district solicited public input on redrawing elementary school boundary lines, including at two public meetings in December 2024 and two in January. During an October 2024 community conversation, the district also previewed that boundary lines may be changing.
The district has yet to host any public forums specifically dedicated to discussing its plans for reconfiguring the middle schools, to date.
But the reconfiguration proposal was first floated by the district last month to reorganize which buildings hold fifth-, sixth-, seventh- and eighthgrade students.
No decision on the grade reconfiguration has been made yet, however.
Officials have said DeKalb doesn’t have enough pre-K learning spaces in district limits. So they’re working to address facility needs to better support more children expected to enter the school district when they come of age.
DeKalb’s Early Learning Development Center has 10 classrooms at Huntley Middle School. If a new building comes to be, the new preschool would include 24 classrooms.
Board member Kristin Bailey wanted clarification on the resolutions before voting.
She said it was her understanding that reducing middle school class sizes was “part of the decision that we were approving the proposal” for, referring to the ELDC build.
“I don’t know that those should be bundled together,” Board President
Boyer said he was satisfied with how the event turned out this year.
“I thought it was a very positive and just a great experience for the students and a good way to celebrate a few of our local veterans,” Boyer said.
Higgins echoed that sentiment.
“I thought the whole organization of that assembly and going from classroom to classroom, it was very good,” Higgins said.
Higgins encourages anyone who may be interested in serving to answer the call of duty.
“It’s a great time to learn,” he said. “It’s a great time to grow up.”
Chris Boyes said. “I’m still in full support of both of them, to be clear, but I don’t know that it makes sense that they’re the same thing. We can build an ELDC without doing the rest.”
Superintendent Minerva Garcia-Sanchez said a vote for both would allow the district to move forward with examining funding options for a preschool build and also needed changes to Huntley Middle School if grade reconfiguration begins.
“The purpose of the funding is initially for ELDC,” Garcia-Sanchez said. “However, funding for additional changes into the HMS, into everything else is also using the same funding style that we would like to be able to do. If we are successful in being able to fund the ELDC and the changes and making sure that building is full, then we would like to continue that same process to be able to build out the rest of the plan.”
Armir Doka, the district’s director of finance and business, urged the board to support the early learning center funding plan.
“We just need to ensure the public that these funds are not going to be touched, that they’re going to be dedicated exclusively to ELDC,” Doka said.
Doka said the board’s decision to earmark property tax revenue for the early learning center helps create a pathway for the district to look at different financing options.
“Once this is approved, we will commit this money so that it doesn’t get mixed in with the operational fund balance,” Doka said.
The school board is expected to vote on another resolution Nov. 18, though it could look different by then. Some board members recommended amending the resolution before a final vote so that the ask – authorizing permission to look into the building of a new preschool, and authorizing grade reconfiguration – is not included in the same vote.
LOOKING BACK
1925 – 100 YEARS AGO
There are a number of autoists in DeKalb who seem to fail to understand what is the aim of the new automatic stop-and-go signs that have been erected at First Street and Lincoln Highway and at Seventh Street and Lincoln Highway. Last evening, in watching the traffic at First Street and Lincoln Highway for a period of about 15 minutes, several autoists were seen to disregard the signal. It is understood that within a short time the police department will make efforts to arrest all persons who are forgetful of the signs. As yet there are many motorists who are not accustomed to the new signals, and for that reason the law is not being enforced to the letter.
There is a general feeling of satisfaction among the people of Sycamore at this time on account of the news that actual cement laying has started on South Somonauk Street, with every indication that the street will be completely paved before the contractor is compelled to stop operations. Work of pouring cement was started yesterday and last night there had been more than 300 feet laid and covered.
Mrs. Ben White is a patient at the Glidden hospital, suffering from a broken arm and a broken nose, following a fall on the sidewalk in front of the Glidden school early in the week. Because of Mrs. White’s advanced age her condition is somewhat serious, although reports from the hospital are that she is resting comfortably. Mrs. White is 81 years of age.
Charges that babies could be bought in Cincinnati for prices ranging from $25.00 to $100.00 were made by Mrs. Helen Samuels, 22, when her husband sued her for divorce. She declared she had bought both of her children, known as Earl Ward and Tommy Samuels from a Kentucky woman who delivered them to her in a downtown office building. She paid $40.00 for Earl and $30.00 for Tommy. Fake birth certificates accompanied the children, she said, and she added that the woman did a flourishing business.
1950– 75 YEARS AGO
A 1,200-pound steer, valued at more than $300 was shot and partially butchered at the Van Quincer farm, just west and north
65 percent of the residents would use the bus service, and only about 60 percent of the persons favor using local taxes to pay for a bus service.
Jay Pontiac and GMC Trucks in DeKalb has found a new home. Mike Jay, owner of the West Lincoln Highway dealership, this morning said he plans to move his operation to the present University Motors facility at Sycamore and Bethany roads sometime in December.
Production employees at the A. O. Smith Harvestore plant, south of DeKalb, Tuesday voted to reject union representation.
2000 – 25 YEARS AGO
of Malta. The carcass was found in standing corn yesterday when Willard Quincer, son of the operator of the farm was operating a corn picker. He came across the remains of the animal in a spot of the corn field where the corn had been broken down and tramped.
With the arrival of the new street sweeper, it has been possible to clean the DeKalb streets, in a proper manner in record time, it was stated this morning by Joe O’Brien, superintendent of the department of public works. The sweeper was placed in action the early part of the week and all of the streets have been cleaned. The new equipment worked to perfection and the only difficulties encountered were parked cars which forced the sweeper to detour around them.
A corn yield of 19 bushels an acre this year is reported from the continuous corn plot on the world-famous Morrow plots at the University of Illinois College of Agriculture. L. B. Miller, soils man at the college who reports the results, says that the corn on the untreated plot was mostly nubbins.
Baton twirlers of the Shabbona school, who are under the direction of Mrs. Watne, gave an interesting exhibit between games on Tuesday evening. The twirlers were
dressed in red and white uniforms and were led by Donna Nelson, Shirley Holmes and James Kitner. Their performance was skillful, well timed and a fine addition to the evening. After the fame the members of the squad and the squad were treated to a luncheon at a restaurant.
Work of placing the new water mains in the City of DeKalb is continuing and will continue as long as the weather is favorable. Nearly eight miles of new mains are to be placed as a part of the extensive water works improvements being carried on in this city. The Middle States Construction Company of Evanston has the contract for the placing of the new mains.
1975 – 50 YEARS AGO
The planets and stars in the universe have always fascinated mankind, and yesterday’s sky show was no exception. Area residents who had a chance to glance upward after 4 p.m. watched a full eclipse of the moon. The eclipse lasted about two hours and was brighter than the eclipse in May since this time the moon passed through the southern part of the earth’s shadow.
A public transportation system is desired by more than 80 per cent of the persons in the DeKalb-Sycamore area. But about
Plans to revitalize the Pleasant Street neighborhood appear to be well on track, according to community leaders and one city official. Since the Sept. 28 neighborhood meeting in which the city’s revitalization strategy and the community’s concerns were discussed, an eight-member Neighborhood Advisory Team has been chosen from a list of about 60 people.
Having stood boarded up and vacant for 21 months, the burned-out building at 324 E. Lincoln Highway will begin coming down on Tuesday. Tearing down the narrow two-flat will require the closure of part of the eastbound lane of Lincoln Highway, three to four parking spaces and the sidewalk. Apartment tenants and business owners in the area have been notified of the demolition and warned about the noise it likely will create.
After 10 weeks of training, a group of local citizens has graduated to a greater awareness of the DeKalb Fire Department. Each week starting in Sept. 14, the academy students participating in activities designed to show how the fire department is organized and operated.
Citing the need for future expansion of its offices, the DeKalb County Board voted Wednesday night to purchase a third home near the courthouse. The home at 130 N. Locust St., joins two other houses on Exchange Street slated for immediate or eventual demolition.
Photo provided by the DeKalb County History Center Archives
The DeKalb Western Union Telegraph Company, looking northeast on South Fifth Street between Girard Street and Lincoln Highway in DeKalb in 1961.
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
Norse winter festival set for Nov. 22 in DeKalb
The DeKalb Public Library will offer Norse winter festival for children ages four to 12.
The free festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 22 in the library’s Story and Activity Room, 309 Oak St. Attendees will be able to listen to a Viking story, create Viking gear, compete in skill games, and raid the library for treasure.
Young children must be accompanied by an adult. Chair seating will be limited. No registration is required to attend. For information, email stormye@dkpl. org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 3310.
Computer programming introduction program set for Nov. 23 in DeKalb
Teens and adults can be introduced to computer programming during a DeKalb Public Library program.
The free program will begin at 2 p.m. Nov. 23 in the library’s lower-level Zimmerman Meeting Room, 309 Oak St. Participants can explore Python language basics with Google Colaboratory. Laptops will be provided. Participants must have a Google account. Because of limited space, the program is first-come, first-served. No registration is required to attend. For information, email emilyb@dkpl. org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 2150.
Will creation program set for Nov. 21 in DeKalb
The DeKalb Public Library will hold a program for adults to walk through the steps of creating a will.
The free program will be held at 11 a.m. Nov. 21 in the library’s lower-level Zimmerman Meeting Room, 309 Oak St. Participants can learn why a will is important, will basics and how to fill out a will. The program also will provide a local resources list and library materials. Legal advice will not be provided. No registration is required to attend. Because of limited space, the program is first-come, first-served.
For information, email amyf@dkpl.org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 2150.
‘The Drummer Boy of Shiloh’ program set for Nov. 22 in DeKalb Singer and songwriter Barry Cloyd will perform “The Drummer Boy of Shiloh” at the DeKalb Public Library.
The free program will be held at 2 p.m. Nov. 22 in the library’s lower-level Yusunas Meeting Room, 309 Oak St. Participants can learn about Civil War drummer boy Joseph Henry Monroe. Monroe fought in more than 27 major Civil War battles including Shiloh, Corinth and Sherman’s “March to the Sea.” Cloyd also will perform two songs about Monroe. No registration is required to attend.
For information, email samanthah@ dkpl.org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 1701.
DeKalb library to offer fraud workshop Nov. 19
The DeKalb Public Library will offer a workshop for adults to learn about common scammer tactics.
The free workshop will be held at 2 p.m. Nov. 19 in the library’s lower-level Bilder Family Meeting Room, 309 Oak St. Attendees will be able to learn about scamming tactics which deceive, defraud and manipulate victims. Participants also can learn how to spot red flags to protect themselves and loved ones. No registration is required to attend.
For information, email amyf@dkpl.org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 2150.
DeKalb library to host tattoo workshop Nov. 24
Adults will be able to explore the world of tattoos during a workshop at the DeKalb Public Library.
The free workshop will be held at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 24 in the library’s lower-level Bilder Family Meeting Room, 309 Oak St.
Participants can learn about tattoos history and cultural significance, explore different tattoo styles and tattoos artistic process. The workshop will be led by DeKalb Tattoo Company tattoo artist Jaime. No registration is required to attend.
For information, email amyf@dkpl.org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 2150.
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2 DeKalb aldermen want more say in agendas
By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com
In his own defense, the DeKalb city manager sought to clarify the way City Council meeting agendas are set, only to find that two aldermen who spoke out in concern at a recent meeting aren’t backing down from their claims that they have faced pushback.
The city’s municipal code stipulates that two or more council members who want a matter to be placed on a meeting agenda must notify the city manager with all the backup materials needed to support the item’s placement on an agenda.
It also asserts, however, that including such items on a meeting agenda falls to the discretion of the city manager.
Among those on the City Council claiming the city manager wants to assume authority that he doesn’t have were 6th Ward Alderman Mike Verbic and 7th Ward Alderman John Walker.
Verbic said there is an issue that needs to be addressed.
“I’m hearing from council that coun-
are supposed to do, if the city manager doesn’t place an item on the agenda.
“Let’s say we don’t agree on the same thing and we do come to you and want to get something on the agenda, but for whatever reason, you don’t want it on the agenda,” Walker said. “We ran in this position to make change. So, I guess if [the mayor] and the city manager doesn’t believe that it should be on the agenda, then really what’s the point of us being alderpeople and how can we make a difference?”
One such issue that some aldermen have wanted to see up for potential discussion on an agenda is downtown parking fees for large special events, like DeKalb Corn Fest.
The topic hasn’t been discussed among the current sitting council to date.
Mayor Cohen Barnes acknowledged there is more than one way to get items on the agenda.
“We just did it, but I don’t think that’s providing the support that I know our administration would like to have when it comes to agenda items,” Verbic said.
Verbic said he wanted clarity on how the process is supposed to work.
Second Ward Alderwoman Barb Larson said she is not sure the city’s process needs to be changed.
“It worked well the one time I tried to use it and it was up for discussion,” Larson said.
Verbic said he’s been successful in the past with getting items included on the agenda, as well.
But he said he has a list of items awaiting inclusion on council meeting agendas dating as far back as 2019.
cil wishes to again lead the agenda in collaboration with the city manager versus the city manager leading the agenda,” Verbic said.
Walker questioned what alderpersons
The council’s discussion on how to get items on the agenda was not originally scheduled for inclusion at the meeting.
It wasn’t until Verbic made a motion to amend the agenda, it was seconded, and a council vote ensued that the issue was discussed.
Nicklas said the process hasn’t changed.
“I’ve never said it’s any different than that,” Nicklas said.
Barnes echoed that sentiment, saying
Mark Busch file photo
DeKalb 7th
How nutritional needs change with age
The human body undergoes an assortment of changes over the course of a lifetime. Some of those changes are visible to the naked eye, but many more are not. The body’s changing needs in regard to nutrition is one alteration that people cannot see.
A nutritious diet can be a building block of a long and healthy life. Nutritional needs change as the body ages, and recognition of those changes can help people rest easy that their diets are working in their favor and not to their detriment.
Calorie needs
The body requires fewer calories as individuals reach adulthood. That’s because muscle mass begins to decrease in adulthood while fat increases. The National Institutes of Health notes that muscles use more calories than fat throughout the day, so it makes sense that a body experiencing a decline in muscle mass will require less calories than one in which muscle mass is on the rise. No two individuals are the same, and some adults exercise more than others. So it’s best for adults to consult their physician to discuss their own calorie needs and then adjust their diets based on such discussions.
What to eat
The American Heart Association notes aging adults’ calories should come from nutrient-dense foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean meat, and low-fat dairy. This recommendation aligns with adults’ declining calorie needs, as nutrientdense foods contain ample amounts of protein, vitamins and/or minerals but do not contain a lot of calories.
Water needs
It’s vital for aging adults to make a concerted effort to drink water each day. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion notes that the sensation of thirst declines with age. Aging adults who are unaware of that unique biological reality may be risking dehydration because they are not compelled to drink water throughout the day. The Cleveland Clinic notes that dehydration can contribute to dizziness, weakness and lightheadedness, among other symptoms. Those symptoms can be particularly menacing for older adults, who are at increased risk for potentially harmful falls even if they are not dehydrated. The body still needs water as it ages, and seniors taking certain medications may need more than usual due to medication-related fluid loss. These are just some of the ways nutritional needs change with age. Adults are urged to pay greater attention to diet as they age and make choices that can counter age-related changes in their bodies.
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DeKalb 6th Ward Alderman Mike Verbic said in a recent City Council meeting that he has ideas waiting to be put on meeting agendas dating back to 2019.
• ALDERMEN
Continued from page 11
“It’s already on the books,” he said. Walker asked the city’s legal counsel to provide clarity on how aldermen can get items on the meeting agenda.
“The executive sets the agenda, and the legislature will vote on the agenda,” City Attorney Matt Rose said in response. “Now that means that the legislature here can determine the policy. It can make an amendment. ... It does set out the fact that the power of the manager is to make recommendations for the council’s approval.”
In accordance with the city’s municipal code, aldermen must file a written request to the city manager that includes any accompanying information by noon on the Monday preceding each council meeting. It further states that the meeting agenda must be prepared and released by 7 p.m. on the Thursday before each council meeting.
Verbic said he believes he’s provided city staff with ample time and sufficient background on the issues. Nicklas said it’s his job to act as an intermediary.
“But in the council-manager form of government, that’s what’s supposed to happen,” Nicklas said.
One suggestion raised during the meeting was for council members to carbon copy (CC) the mayor on any written requests made to help get matters listed on the agenda.
In an interview, Walker, who works for UPS, said he takes issue with that idea.
“For me and this is only me, giving the mayor a heads up for items I would like on the agenda would be like UPS giving FedEx and Amazon information about how UPS rates will get raised in January,” Walker said.
Nicklas questioned if aldermen want
to remain in a council-manager form of government.
“If we want to go to some other form of government, we’ll have to go back to referendum and do that,” Nicklas said. “Whether you want it to be a strong council-administrator form of government, where the administrator is just your employee, we have to then undo what we have and go in that direction.”
When asked for their thoughts, both Verbic and Walker denied that assertion.
“I don’t see any issues with the city manager other than not following municipal code,” Verbic said. “So long as the city manager follows our municipal code or comes back to council to say I recommend that the municipal code be improved to reflect this or that, I truly believe that, you know, again, Bill and staff do a terrific job.”
“I’m comfortable with,” Walker said. “Like I said in those council meetings, to the mayor, I’m not comfortable with only certain people being able to put anything on the agenda because they want to.”
Verbic said the issue has since been resolved.
Barnes directed city staff to take a close look at the municipal code.
“Let’s clean up whatever the language is to solidify we are a city manager-run government,” he said.
The council ultimately reached a consensus that they had received clarity on the matter.
Verbic said he was satisfied with the council’s discussion.
“It was a very good discussion,” Verbic said. “And I’m confident that council will be able to proceed with public ideas and recommendations in a way that is open to the public and involves the public. ... What we’re trying to avoid is behind-the-scenes discussion and work. Our work needs to be public.”
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DeKalb arcade celebrates 40 years in gaming business
By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com
The owners behind Star Worlds Arcade in DeKalb, celebrating 40 years in business, are leveling up this year with their latest expansion into a new market.
Star Worlds Arcade, 1234 E. Lincoln Highway, expanded in October with the launch of gaming machines inside ice cream shop Roiel Scoop, 316 N. Sixth St., in Rochelle.
Owner Pat “Pac-man Pat” O’Malley said he is excited to see that the new spot is a go.
“I think it’s a good pairing because [the owner of Roiel Scoop’s] already got good family-based customers,” O’Malley said. “And Rochelle does not have anything like this.”
The Rochelle gaming location is not the first expansion of Star Worlds Arcade.
In a social media post, O’Malley said the Rochelle spot is one in a series of five new locations planned for this year.
“It’s the first thing in Rochelle, but I mean, we’ve expanded game-wise all over Illinois here and to the edge of Wisconsin,” O’Malley said.
This all comes to a head as Star Worlds Arcade celebrates its 40th anniversary in the gaming business in 2025.
O’Malley said hitting this milestone means a lot to him and his partner, Glenn Thomas.
“We’re honored to still be in our community, and we’re still doing what we do best,” O’Malley said.
Thomas shared that sentiment.
“I think it’s great, especially nowadays, with video games being made more available to people who weren’t around in the ’80s when the boom started,” Thomas said. “Right now, people play on their cellphones, so it’s interesting to see some younger generations come in and see the original game or something that was a cellphone game is now an arcade game.”
O’Malley said he’s given some thought to the arcade and the plan for going forward.
“I wouldn’t mind finding a place bigger to expand the brand,” he said. “I don’t want it to be huge because I like the intimacy of what Star Worlds is. But if another location came along, I would like to at least double the size of Star Worlds.”
The arcade occupies about
2,000 square feet in a space along Lincoln Highway, right across the street from the DeKalb Moose Lodge.
The space is home to more than 40 gaming machines. The entire collection consists of about 1,400 game titles.
O’Malley said they strive to offer something for everyone. He said he thinks it can be difficult for some to find things they can do for family-friendly entertainment in the area.
At Star Worlds Arcade, families have options.
One such game title, O’Malley said, that keeps patrons coming back for more is the Pac-Man Battle game.
“A lot of families come in,” O’Malley said. “That’s the first game they play, and they save their last tokens to be the last game they play. But parents and kids actually enjoy time together, and we’re honored for that to actually happen.”
O’Malley touted the loyalty of the
arcade’s customer base.
“We’re seeing four generations of families, which is incredible,” he said.
When visitors enter the arcade, they are greeted by games, more games and prizes amid music blaring and lights glaring.
O’Malley said this is all done by design.
“To me, an arcade should have energy,” he said. “A lot of the arcades in the ’80s were dark and dingy. I don’t like that.”
O’Malley said it’s important to him to be able to connect with the customers.
“I love our customers and getting to talk to people,” O’Malley said. “It’s kind of like Star Worlds is the modern-day version of the show from the ’80s called ‘Cheers.’ When people walk in here, we all know each other.”
Thomas said he does a lot of behindthe-scenes work at Star Worlds
Arcade.
He usually repairs the gaming machines in the arcade when they need maintenance.
“We work with equipment from back in the ’80s all the way up to some present-day stuff,” Thomas said. “And you know that they’re machines, so it’s always something to do – especially the pinball games.”
Thomas said he loves being able to expand the availability and the legacy of the games.
“My favorite part is me versus the game,” Thomas said. “Sometimes the game wins. Most of the time, I do. And nowadays, some of the equipment we maintain they don’t make the parts for anymore, so then it becomes a research game to find the parts or something that will work.”
The gaming industry has seen a
See ARCADE, page 16
Photos by Megann Horstead
Owner Pat “Pac-man-Pat” O’Malley poses for a picture on Oct. 22 outside Star Worlds Arcade in DeKalb.
• ARCADE
Continued from page 15
variety of changes over the years, with the rise of gaming consoles such as Xbox, Nintendo and PlayStation.
“It’s definitely something I’ve had to pivot on. I remember the first console that came out was the Nintendo NES, the first one,” Thomas said. “And when I saw the TV commercial, I was like, ‘OK, that’s the same graphics that I now have in my arcade games. Where is this going to go?’ And I had to pivot into watching the console market because the graphics had gotten better.”
For O’Malley, nothing beats the attraction of an arcade, even as he’s faced competition.
“More and more people wanted to stay at home and play games, and that’s where, as an arcade, you need to be involved with your customers,” he said.
O’Malley said having a presence on social media has helped Star Worlds Arcade find ways to stay relevant in the gaming industry.
“I’m always constantly out there on social media, engaging,” O’Malley said.
At the same time, O’Malley always has his head in the game.
“There’s always new stuff coming
out,” O’Malley said. “I’m constantly going to shows.”
Some of the newer game titles available for play at Star Worlds Arcade are Crossy Road, a “Godzilla” pinball machine and more.
O’Malley said he knows where Star Worlds Arcade aligns in the gaming world.
“Something that feels good to me, that I kind of know our customers are going to go after, I grab it,” he said. “And the same thing with the used market on the classic games.”
O’Malley said he has a knack for picking gaming machines.
“I’m always looking for those games that people remember and haven’t played in a while,” O’Malley said. “I know that they’re going to go for that. I also listen to what our customers are saying, too.”
O’Malley has some rare game titles in his collection. They include a Dance Dance Revolution gaming machine from Japan, Chunithm and more.
Rare game titles can often be hard to come across, but O’Malley said it all comes down to relationships.
“It’s about knowing people and knowing a community,” O’Malley said. “It’s pretty scary sometimes spending money on something that’s in another country. It takes forever to get here, and you hope it does get here. So, it’s a risk.”
Photos by Megann Horstead
Some of the gaming machines are seen Oct. 22 at Star Worlds Arcade in DeKalb.
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