Morrison’s Sophie Damhoff (1), Ashley Alba (15) and Elaine Gallegos (11) box out Forreston’s Alice Kobler and Eva Hundertmark on Nov. 21 at the Forreston High School Girls Basketball Thanksgiving Tournament. Sports roundup on page 30.
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Adam’s Alliance, MS Crop celebrates another year of successful fundraising
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
The shuffle of scrapbook papers, the hum of sewing machines, and the steady click of knitting needles, as well as laughter, filled the Wild Rose Casino ballroom in early September as Adam’s Alliance, MS Crop hosted its annual fundraiser for multiple sclerosis research.
The Wild Rose Casino is located at 777 Wild Rose Drive, in Clinton, Iowa.
Since its founding in 2007, the local 501(c)(3) organization has united crafters of all kinds – scrapbookers, sewists, card makers, knitters, crocheters, quilters and even the growing community of diamond painters – in a shared mission: to raise funds and awareness for multiple sclerosis.
This fall’s event generated $8,300, pushing the organization’s total fundraising to $172,275 over its 18-year history.
Attendees spent two days creating, socializing and supporting one another, while contributing to a cause that hits close to home for many.
Local food trucks Steam Anchor and Kelley Girls Woodfire Pizza helped keep attendees’ creativity going with delicious pizza, snacks, energy drinks and coffee. Inside, rows of crafting stations, supply
vendors and raffle tables created an energetic, festival-like atmosphere.
Local businesses once again played a pivotal role in the event’s success, donating prizes, supplies and financial support. Organizers said the community partnerships are what keep the MS Crop thriving year after year.
“Every person who attends or supports this event helps push MS research forward,” Adam’s Alliance board member Jaylee Stortz said. “It’s incredible to see how much impact can come from a room full of people doing what they love.”
Sponsorships also played a key role in reaching this year’s total. Sponsors included Apple Crates Quilts and Quilting, Morrison; Casey’s, Camanche, Iowa; D&M Embroidery, Fulton; Erie Foods Inc, Erie; Erie State Bank, Erie; Haning Law Office, Bloomington; Harvest Bakery & More, Erie; Keeping You Sewing, Clinton, Iowa; Paul D Young Farms, Erie; Plates & Pours, Cordova; Rutledge Electric, Erie; Todd’s Barbershop, Erie; Wild Angels Expression, Tipton, Iowa; and Wild Rose Casino.
Event organizers credited both longtime supporters and new participants for helping the fundraiser grow year after year.
“We’re incredibly grateful,” Adam’s
Alliance spokesperson Leanne Stortz said. “Every dollar raised brings us one step closer to better research and better outcomes for people living with MS. The heart of this event has always been the crafters, and once again, they showed up in full force.”
Adam’s Alliance also would like to thank Brenda Larkey and the Camanche High Key Club for organizing volunteers to help with the many time frames over the weekend where the crop needed extra help.
“The kids worked tirelessly throughout the weekend, not because they had to but because they truly wanted to help. Their dedication showed what community service is all about,” Adam’s Alliance board member Jason Stortz said.
As Adam’s Alliance looks ahead to next year’s fundraising, the group remains committed to its mission: bringing people together through creativity to help end multiple sclerosis, one stitch, scrap and sparkle at a time.
Plans for next year’s MS Crop are already underway, with hopes of setting new attendance and fundraising records. For now, organizers and participants are celebrating another successful year of creativity, compassion and community.
For information, visit the Facebook page, Adam’s Alliance, MS Crop.
6 area Rotary Clubs participate in End Polio Now Walk
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Six area Sauk Valley Rotary Clubs on Oct. 11 joined in the effort of Rotary worldwide to eradicate polio, an effort underway since the 1980s.
The 10th annual End Polio Now Walk was held Saturday, Oct. 11, at Centennial Park along the Hennepin Canal to create an awareness of how close the eradication is for only the second disease ever being eradicated worldwide. Small pox was the first.
Rotary members of the local clubs of Dixon, Morrison, Rock Falls, Sterling Noon, Twin Cities Sunrise and Walnut joined in gathering funds from their members for a total of $4,784, which was then tripled thanks to the Gates Foundation for a total of $14,352.
an awareness of the effort to eradicate polio.
World Polio Awareness Day is Oct. 24 worldwide. On Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, the largest End Polio Now Walk is going to take place throughout the Midwest in this Rotary zone, beginning at 10 a.m.
The public will be invited to participate and be part of the legacy in the eradication of polio. The 11th annual End Polio Now Walk will take place locally at Centennial Park in Rock Falls.
Photo provided by Rock Falls Rotary
Members of the six Rotary Clubs of Dixon, Morrison, Rock Falls, Sterling Noon, Twin Cities Sunrise, and Walnut joined in the 10th annual End Polio Now Walk on Oct. 11 along the Hennepin Canal in Rock Falls to create
Thanksgiving turkey prices lower this year
By HANNAH SPANGLER FarmWeek
Although shoppers might notice higher prices for certain ingredients, the overall cost of preparing a Thanksgiving dinner has decreased, according to an annual survey from the American Farm Bureau Federation.
In its 40th year, the Thanksgiving survey reports that a table of classic dishes for 10 people will cost an average of $55.18, or about $5.52 per person, down 5% from last year, but still higher than four years ago. The estimated cost in Illinois is 11% below the national average, with an estimated total meal cost of $49.20.
Taking center stage in the survey and most Thanksgiving tables, the turkey drastically decreased in price, helping lower overall meal costs.
The average price of a 16-pound frozen turkey is $18.03 in Illinois and $21.50 nationally, with the national price down more than 16% from last year.
“It’s encouraging to see some relief in the price of turkeys, as it is typically the
pie mix and pie shell costs stayed about the same as last year.
the Northeast at $60.82 and the West at $61.75.
most expensive part of the meal,” AFBF Economist Faith Parum said.
Parum noted farmers still are rebuilding turkey flocks hit hard by highly pathogenic avian influenza, but overall demand has declined. That combination is helping keep turkey an affordable option for families this Thanksgiving.
Other ingredients that dropped in price nationally include dinner rolls and stuffing because of lower wheat prices reducing the cost of flour-based items, along with fresh cranberries. Pumpkin
However, prices increased for sweet potatoes, frozen green peas, whole milk, whipping cream and a vegetable tray of carrots and celery, which jumped more than 61% from last year.
Labor shortages, transportation delays or trade disruptions are among the factors that can cause sharp, shortterm price spikes. Parum said fresh produce is typically lower-cost, so even small increases can significantly affect yearover-year percentage changes.
“While the average cost of a Thanksgiving meal has eased in recent years, families are still feeling the effects of the dramatic price spikes we’ve seen,” Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan said. “Illinois farmers continue to advocate for solutions to address the challenging farm economy and permanent, enforceable trade agreements to provide long-term certainty for farmers.”
AFBF analysis shows regional differences in meal costs. The classic Thanksgiving meal was cheapest in the South at $50.01, followed by the Midwest at $54.38,
The expanded meal, added in 2018 and including the classic dishes plus boneless ham, Russet potatoes and green beans, also was most affordable in the South at $71.20, then the Midwest at $76.33, the Northeast at $82.97 and the West at $84.97. The expanded meal adds an average of $2.19 per person to the national total and about $2.25 per person in Illinois.
This year’s national average was based on surveys with pricing data from all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Farm Bureau volunteer shoppers checked prices in person and online through grocery store apps and websites during the first week of November, finding the best prices without using promotional coupons or bundled deals.
This survey is considered an informal snapshot of current prices.
• This story was distributed through a cooperative project between the Illinois Farm Bureau and the Illinois Press Association.Formorefoodandfarmingnews, visit FarmWeekNow.com.
Mark Busch file photo
2025 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
2025 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
Unique places for holiday shopping
Although the holiday season is a relatively brief period, it still can consume months of time in regard to preparation, shopping and hosting. According to a SWNS Digital survey of 2,000 adults in the United States, the average American spends six weeks preparing for the holiday season. Five weeks are devoted to planning presents, meals and other essentials, while an entire week is just for decorating.
Shopping for presents can consume a lot of time, especially for those who aren't quite sure what to get. Thinking outside of the typical retail box may help with inspiration, and shoppers may encounter smaller crowds and find better deals. Here are some unique places to shop to grab great holiday gifts.
• Pharmacies: While you're picking up your prescription or medicine cabinet essentials, take a spin around the store to see what else might be available. Typically, pharmacies have entire aisles dedicated to seasonal merchandise, so you might be able to find holiday decorations, gift wrap, candles, pampering items, and even food-related items and gift baskets.
• Farmer's market: Farmer's markets pop up in towns on set days of the week. Although plenty of farm-related produce and plants are available, these markets also attract many other small businesses. You can find craftsmen, jewelry makers, niche food sellers, and so much more.
• School (or church) bazaar: In an effort to raise funds for the PTA or other organizations, schools and churches often host holiday fairs and bazaars right before the holidays. Area businesses rent table space and set up booths with an array of different products for sale. This is a great spot to grab interesting finds all under one roof. Plus, you're supporting the local community in the process.
• Home improvement retailer: Plenty of people will appreciate practical gifts that they can use in and around the home. A visit to a hardware store or home improvement retailer offers up aisles of essentials for the do-it-yourselfer. While new shelving for the garage or a set of flashlights may not be the most glamorous gifts, these items can come in handy.
• Craft store: Cater to recipients' favorite hobbies by ensuring they'll be flush with plenty of supplies. Craft stores have a bevy of items for every interest imaginable. They're also surprisingly good places to grab deals on picture frames, housewares, food-making supplies, and decorative items.
• Specialty food store: Head to small specialty food stores to load up on unique items larger supermarkets might not carry. Ethnic markets may have flavorful and interesting ingredients to group together in a food basket that makes an ideal gift for transplants missing the flavors of home.
Before a person logs on to the internet for online shopping or heads to the nearest strip mall, he or she can explore various unique places to shop for holiday gifts.
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19th annual Lost Mound deer hunt takes place near Savanna
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The deer rut combined with mild temperatures greeted hunters at the 19th annual Lost Mound deer hunt Nov. 15 and 16.
Bucks were intent on finding a romantic partner as they roamed the 4,000 acres of sand prairie and forest at Lost Mound. This special hunt was held on the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge in Savanna.
Hunters with physical disabilities participated in the hunt. Thirty-one hunters and their attendants harvested 12 deer that included seven bucks and five does.
Scott Hansen from Muskego, Wisconsin, harvested the largest buck, a 10-pointer with field dressed weight of 152 pounds.
This special hunt has gained national attention, with hunters representing six states this year. In past years, hunters from as many as 12 states have participated. The hunt provides a boost to the local economy, with most hunters being nonresidents or residents that traveled from central and southern Illinois. Nonresident hunters this year traveled from Florida, Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Down Deer Recovery, a certified United Blood Trackers provider, assisted hunters in recovering wounded deer for a ninth year. Seth Nelson from Mor-
rison is owner of Down Deer Recovery and German shepherd Maverick is his primary deer tracker. His son Oliver and beagle Ruger assisted with the tracking.
Maverick tracks the scent of a stress pheromone that is released from an injured deer’s hooves and is spread along the escape path. The canines assisted six hunters in tracking wounded deer that traveled a con-
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siderable distance.
This special hunt is conducted in areas closed to public access due to ongoing environmental cleanup at this former military installation, the Savanna Army Depot. More than 1,300 youth, adult and disabled hunters have participated in this hunt since its beginning in 2007.
District Manager Ed Britton was excited about the continued success of this program.
“It is a unique hunting experience by an extraordinary group of hunters,” he said. “They provided both inspiration and encouragement to the Refuge staff and volunteers that administered the hunt.”
The youth/family deer hunt was Nov. 22 and 23 at Lost Mound. This hunt previously was held during the annual youth deer season in mid-October. The Refuge moved the youth hunt to the first firearms season to allow family members to also hunt. It is a better time of year for deer hunting due to cooler temperatures and the deer rut is underway, Britton said.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge was established in 1924 and contains 244,000 acres that extend along 261 miles of the Upper Mississippi River.
COFFEE HOUR & BAKE SALE
COFFEE HOUR & BAKE SALE
Resthave Assisted
Resthave Assisted Living 408 Maple Ave, Morrison
408 Maple Ave, Morrison
Resthave Assisted Living 408 Maple Ave, Morrison Friday, December 12th 9:00AM to 10:30AM Come
December 12th 9:00AM to 10:30AM
Friday, December 12th 9:00AM to 10:30AM Come
Photo provided by Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Scott Hansen from Muskego, Wisconsin, harvested the largest buck, a 10-pointer, during Lost Mound’s deer hunt for hunters with disabilities Nov. 15 and 16 in Savanna.
Resthave Care and Rehabilitation honors resident’s wish with act of kindness for local classroom
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
Resthave Care and Rehabilitation in Morrison recently honored the memory of longtime resident John Henson by fulfilling a special request he made in his obituary: to perform an act of kindness in memory of him.
Henson was well-known for his love of history, gourmet cooking, gardening, and sharing delicious meals with family and friends.
Inspired by these passions, Resthave staff brainstormed ways to celebrate his life and decided to do something meaningful for Megan Modglin’s third grade class at Morrison Elementary School – a group that has been pen pals with Resthave residents.
To honor Henson’s memory, Resthave purchased a collection of age-appropriate books for the classroom. Residents also joined in by creating two
handmade tie blankets – one crafted by nursing residents and the other by assisted living residents – so the students could enjoy something cozy and personal from their friends at Resthave.
The gifts were presented to Modglin’s class. In attendance were Henson’s daughter, Margo, and her husband, Herman Rodriguez; his son, Andy, and his wife, Tracy; along with Resthave administrator Jill Smith and marketing director Karla Burn.
During the presentation, Margo and Andy shared heartfelt stories about their father’s kindness and love for life. The students and Modglin expressed deep appreciation for the thoughtful gesture.
Bethel Bible Club children pack 60 gift-filled boxes for Operation Christmas Child
children
the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Bible Club meets from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Sundays. More information is available at facebook.com/BethelBaptistPB.
Notice of Proposed Property Tax Increase for Union Grove Township Road District
I. A public hearing to approve a proposed property tax levy increase for Union Grove Township Road District for the year 2025 collected in 2026 will be held on Monday, December 8, 2025, at 7pm at the Union Grove Township shed meeting room located at 15054 Hillside Rd Morrison, IL 61270.
Any person desiring to appear at the public hearing and present testimony to the taxing district may contact Arnold Vegter, Highway Commissioner 10909 Prairie Center Road Morrison, IL 61270, 815-772-7730.
II. The corporate and special purpose property taxes to be extended or abated for 2024 collected in 2025 were $192,013.00.
The proposed corporate and special purpose property taxes to be levied for 2025 collected in 2026 are $219,750.00. This represents a 14.4 percent increase over the previous year.
III. The property taxes extended for debt service and public building commission leases for 2024 collected in 2025 were $0.
The estimated property tax extension to be levied for debt service and public building commission leases for 2025 collected in 2026 are $0 this represents a 0 percent increase over the previous year.
IV. The total property taxes extended or abated for 2024 collected in 2025 were $192,013.00.
The estimated total property taxes to be levied for 2025 collected in 2026 are $219,750.00. This represents a 14.4 percent increase over the previous year.
John Henson
Photo provided by Bethel Baptist Church
The
of Bethel Bible Club at Bethel Baptist Church in Port Byron packed 60 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child at 27308 108th Ave. North, in Port Byron. Operation Christmas Child is a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse that sends gift-filled boxes to children in need around the world together with
2025 FUTLON
Fulton High School senior B.L.I.N.D. leader profile: Mason Kuebel
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
Hello! My name is Mason Kuebel. I am a senior B.L.I.N.D. leader at Fulton High School.
The future of young adults is what B.L.I.N.D. is all about. I signed up for B.L.I.N.D. for two main reasons. My brother, Conner Sheridan, was a B.L.I.N.D. leader as well. He expressed how much fun he had through it all and I didn’t want to miss that. Secondly, I have always seen myself as a leader. However, outside of sports, I didn’t really lead anything.
So I took it upon myself to get out of my comfort zone and try something new. And I’ve enjoyed every second of it thus far.
A little bit about myself. I have been a three-sport athlete for as long as 11 years. I play football, track, and wrestling. I am a coach and IKWF certified official for youth wrestling.
I am a three-year captain for the
wrestling team, a captain for football, and track captain. I’m an outgoing person who will talk to anyone about anything. My dad always said, “If anyone ever kidnapped you, they would return you with an apology letter. That’s how much you talk.”
And, boy, was he right.
I love fishing and weightlifting in my free time – which I don’t have much of.
And helping people in whatever way I can is always my goal.
After high school, I plan to go to Sauk Valley to achieve my associate degree in criminal justice, with the hope to eventually become a state trooper.
If you ever see me, feel free to say hi and have a chat!
Fulton High School junior B.L.I.N.D. leader profile: Max Owen
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
My name is Max Owen and I am a junior at Fulton High School. My parents are Steve and Liza Owen. In my free time, I enjoy playing pickleball, golfing, watching movies, fishing and taking my dog on walks. The sports I do are golf and baseball.
my leadership skills so that I can more effectively lead and support those around me. These leadership skills are qualities I hope to carry into my future career and life experiences.
After high school, I plan to attend college and pursue a specialty in the medical field. My favorite place to go on vacation is Marco Island, where my grandma owns a house. My favorite color is blue, and my favorite food is chicken alfredo. I am actively involved in several school clubs, including FFA, Key Club, Student Council and B.L.I.N.D.
I chose to join B.L.I.N.D. because I remember how nervous I felt during my freshman year, and I wanted to help incoming freshmen transition to high school life. I understand how hard the transition can be, and I wanted to be someone who could make that experience easier for the freshmen.
Also, I joined B.L.I.N.D. to strengthen
My favorite part of being in B.L.I.N.D. is participating in the various activities with the freshmen and attending the B.L.I.N.D. retreat. The retreat gave me the opportunity to meet many new people, build lasting friendships and develop stronger leadership abilities.
I am glad for the opportunity to be part of B.L.I.N.D. Through this program, I have met incredible people, built meaningful relationships and developed leadership skills that have allowed me to better serve my school and community.
B.L.I.N.D. has made a lasting impact on me, and I hope that I have made the same kind of positive impact on others.
Mason Kuebel
Max Owen
1985: Fulton Food Pantry receives donation from Fulton City Lodge
60 years
Nov. 24, 1965
On the basketball roundup page, Phil Schipper was featured. Schipper, a 6-foot senior forward, is one of five returning letter winners on the 1965-66 Steamers basketball squad. A regular last year, Schipper was the second-leading scorer on the team with a total of 275 points in 24 games for an 11.4 average. He also was second-leading rebounder with 164.
Two Fulton Boy Scouts, Richard Van Zuiden and Danny Bly, provided the program for the meeting of the Fulton Kiwanis Club, giving details of a trip to the World’s Fair last summer. The Fulton Scouts were among a number who were chosen for a week of special duty as guides and assistants at the Fair.
50 years
Nov. 26, 1975
A new building with 3,600 feet of floor space is under construction at the east side of the Sikkema Appliance and Floor Covering building on the
east end of 10th Avenue. When completed, the building will house an expanded carpet business and will be known as Van’s Karpet Korner.
The eighth grade football team of the River Bend schools, Fulton, Albany and Garden Plain, was undefeated during the season and allowed only one touchdown in the four games played. Leading scorers were Kevin Nichols, Dave Workman and Ron Geisler.
40 years
Nov. 27, 1985
Fulton Food Pantry received a donation of five turkeys and gift certificates from the Fulton City Lodge and Merton Chapter to be used for Thanksgiving dinners for the needy.
4-H leaders from the Fulton/Morrison area were honored at the Whiteside County leaders banquet. Pictured were Nancy Woehl, seven years; Marilyn Aggen, 20 years; Sue Gravert, two years; Kent Gravert, four years; Nancy Henningsen Chadwick, five years; and Marc Gravert, six years.
30 years
Nov. 22, 1995
An unfortunate incident marred the celebration of the wedding of Robert Turnow and the former Cindy Whitten when a robbery of their wedding presents occurred shortly after their wedding. Their vehicle was parked on Fourth Street while they joined in a celebration with a large crowd at the Fire Station reception room. Stolen were a variety of wedding gifts and greeting cards. Police have reported no progress in the investigation.
Karen Abbott, a member of the River Bend Educational Foundation, presented a plaque to Merredith Petersen, curriculum director of the River Bend Schools, who donated a sum of money to the organization. The plaque given to Merredith is given to all donors who contributed from $500 to $1,000 to the foundation. The foundation accepts mini-grants applications from teachers within the district who are seeking student aides not normally funded through the River Bend budget.
20 years
Nov. 23, 2005
Margery Croy, president of Community State Bank of Rock Falls and Community Illinois Corporation, proudly announced that Vice President Donald Beswick joined the staff of the Fulton office. Now that the new building is open at 1325 17th St., Beswick will be assisting the Fulton staff with business development inclusive of agricultural and commercial lending.
An update on the ad hoc committee formed by Mayor Van Zuiden regarding the Downtown Heritage Preservation Society was given. The committee has met several times and revamped their ideas as to what would be most beneficial for the downtown area to keep it looking as it did when the buildings were built. They requested from the City Council permission to distribute letters and to speak to the downtown business owners about their ideas and gather feedback from these business owners.
Yoga 9:00 AM Hand & Foot Card Game 12:30 PM – 3:45 PM
Triple Food Pantry 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Pool Tables 1:00 PM – 3:45 PM
Phone Friendly Friday 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Line Dancing
Advanced 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Beginners 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Pinochle 12:30 PM – 3:45 PM
Mexican Dominoes 12:30 PM – 3:45 PM
Film Friday 12:30 PM
Pool Tables
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Pinochle 12:30 PM – 3:45 PM
Movies & More
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
City reviewing all options to pay $31.5M in damages to Sterling firefighter’s widow
By PAYTON FELIX pfelix@shawmedia.com and CHARLENE BIELEMA cbielema@shawmedia.com
Rock Falls officials say they’re reviewing all options to pay the $31.5 million a Whiteside County jury awarded to the family of a Sterling firefighter killed in the line of duty four years ago.
At Rock Falls’ City Council meeting Nov. 18, City Administrator Robbin D. Blackert addressed the civil lawsuit verdict in an emotional statement that came four days after the jury found the city of Rock Falls, former Rock Falls Fire Chief Cris Bouwens and Rock Falls Fire Chief Ken Wolf liable for the December 2021 death of Sterling Fire Lt. Garrett Ramos.
The amount owed is “far in excess of the city’s available insurance coverage,” Blackert said Tuesday night. “The city will review all options in determin-
ing the best course of action.” Blackert also noted the changes the
Rock Falls Fire Department has made to upgrade its training standards in the years since Ramos‘s death and expressed sympathy for his family.
She declined to comment further on the issue, saying, “this is the one statement that we [Rock Falls] will make.”
Brittney Ramos, Ramos’ wife, filed the lawsuit in December 2022, claiming Bouwens and Wolf, who was a deputy chief at the time of the fire, showed a willful and wanton disregard that caused her husband’s death. The jury found that Bouwens and Wolf were each 50% to blame for Ramos’s death.
The fire was reported by the home’s basement resident at 11:04 p.m. Dec. 3, 2021, after the fire started in the onestory home’s attached garage. Ramos arrived at the burning home on Ridge Road in Rock Falls at 11:21 p.m. as part
RAMOS TRIAL, page 14
Alex T. Paschal Brittney Ramos reacts Nov. 14 to the $31.5 million verdict a Whiteside County jury awarded her in a wrongful death lawsuit she filed.
Millcreek Crossing
of a Sterling fire crew assisting the Rock Falls Fire Department.
Ramos, who was fighting the fire while inside the home, was leaving the burning structure to replenish his air supply around midnight when he fell through a hole in the floor into the basement. Fire officials did not know the home had a basement at the time he fell.
He was able to issue two mayday calls, but command officers did not know who was issuing them, where the firefighter was located or what the problem was. They initially identified another firefighter as being who they thought was missing; when he was found, no further work was done to make sure no one else had made the call, according to testimony.
About 30 minutes later, firefighters realized Ramos had not been seen for a while and began searching for him. He was found in the basement in a room adjacent to the room where he fell.
Fire investigators said Ramos was not injured during the fall and had been walking around the basement to find a way out. They believe Ramos survived for about 17 minutes after he fell into the basement and died from asphyxia after running out of air. Firefighters recovered his body at 1:13 a.m. Dec. 4.
The trial ran over the course of two weeks and included testimony from firefighters who were at the scene, Bouwens, Wolf, former Sterling Fire Chief Michael Dettman, expert witnesses, Brittney Ramos and Ramos’ parents.
During closing statements Friday morning, Ramos’s attorney, Michael Gallagher, asked the jury to consider a string of failures as it weighed the evidence:
• Bouwens’ failure to ask the residents of the home, who were on-scene, if there was a basement. Firefighters did not learn the home had a basement
• GLIMPSES
Continued from page 10
10 years
Nov. 25, 2015
Central Bank Fulton donated $1,000 to the River Bend Athletic Boosters. The bank has a long-standing tradition of supporting the Athletic Boosters and the student-athletes of the River Bend School District. Market Manger Karrie Kenney states, “Central Bank is proud to provide this
until after receiving mayday calls from a fallen firefighter at 12:03 a.m. Dec. 4.
Not knowing there was a basement put firefighters working the interior of the burning structure at risk because of potential floor collapse and holes developing.
• Bouwens’ failure to appoint a safety officer, as soon as a senior trained official was available, to oversee the scene. Ramos’s attorneys said former Dixon Rural Fire Chief Sid Aurand arrived at the scene at 11:40 p.m., but Bouwens didn’t appoint Aurand as safety officer until three minutes after the two mayday calls were heard at 12:03 a.m.
• Failure to withdraw interior firefighters from the burning home in a timely manner as fire conditions worsened. The fire initially began in the unattached garage. Throughout the next hour, firefighters battled a blaze that had spread into and across the home’s attic, with fire apparent to firefighters as they used tools to pull down ceilings as they worked to save the property. All residents were out of the home safely, yet firefighters were sent back into the burning structure as trusses were falling and holes were developing in the floor.
• Failed to initiate a personnel accountability report in a timely manner so that all firefighters were accounted for.
• Failure to administer PAR properly.
• Failure to properly train for mayday calls and PAR response.
The city of Rock Falls, Bouwens, and Wolf countered that Ramos was partially responsible for missteps that contributed to his own death. Defense attorney Michael Kujawa said Ramos did not maintain crew integrity because he was not with his firefighting partner at the time he fell, and that he should have left the home sooner to get air, as other firefighters had. Kujawa also questioned why Ramos did not provide his name, location or problem when making the mayday call.
donation to help fund programs and projects for the Athletic Boosters. As a community bank, it is our role to offer opportunities for our students’ success, whether it is in the classroom, on the court, the football field or ball diamond.”
Albany Chamber held a ribbon-cutting at Subs 2 Go on Route 84 in Albany. Pictured are Mary Okrasinski, Gerry Kramer, Pat Anglese, Chris Wilson, owner Deb Rieck, Brenda Stillings, Carolyn Stevens, Meridee Bitler and Carolyn Kramer.
Morrison theater group performs holiday movie favorite 1940s radio style
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
Fans of the holiday classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” are in for a double treat the first weekend in December when the Morrison Music Theater Association performs the radio version of the show.
At 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, and 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, the MMTA theater members will turn the stage of Crossroads Community Church, 300 W. South St. in Morrison, into the WBFR radio station in New York City in the year 1942. Back in the days of radio, broadcasts were performed in front of a live studio audience, which provided applause, laughter and various reactions to enhance the listening pleasure.
The cast performed commercials for comical products that aren’t
around anymore. Another enhancement was the Foley artist who added a wide variety of sound effects. While these performances won’t actually be broadcasted on the radio, you will become the live studio audience members, getting a chance to experience a piece of American history.
This year, a special twist will be added. The Friday night performance will offer an all-adult cast, while the Saturday afternoon show will be performed by kids (plus the Foley, keyboard player and stage manager). Folks may want to see both versions to double their fun.
There is no charge for either show, but a donation of $10 for adults and $5 for students is suggested. Light refreshments will be offered and there might just be some Christmas carol singing going on. Audience members are welcome to dress in 1940s attire.
Wild Winter Wednesdays kick off Dec. 3 at Fulton’s Windmill Cultural Center
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
The Volunteer Educators at the Windmill Cultural Center in Fulton invite the public to attend the first program of Wild Winter Wednesday’s 2025-2026 season.
Dana Starkell will play his guitar and regale the audience with stories on Wednesday, Dec. 3, about his epic canoe journey from Winnipeg to Brazil.
He grew up in Winnipeg, Canada, a city known for warm summers and long cold winters. From an early age, his life was filled with adventures. Summer holidays included canoe trips, hiking, sand dune treks, rock climbing and lake swimming.
A year after completing high school, Starkell undertook the two-year canoe trip his father had been planning since Dana was 9 years old. Together, they paddled through 13 countries from Winnipeg to Belem, Brazil. The true story about their adventures became an international best-selling book, “Paddle to the Amazon,” and won them a Guinness World Record for longest canoe paddle.
Dana now lives in the Quad-Cities with his wife, Stacey, and son, David.
Doors open at 8:30 a.m. for coffee, hot cider and Mill treats.
The program begins about 9:20. The building is disability accessible and the program is free and open to the public.
The Windmill Cultural Center is located at 111 10th Ave., Fulton.
Fulton man charged with aggravated domestic battery
Man pushed woman’s head into wall as she held baby: police
By CHARLENE BIELEMA cbielema@shawmedia.com
A Whiteside County man has been charged with aggravated domestic battery and child endangerment.
Blake N. Miller, 22, of Fulton was charged with those two offenses as well as domestic battery in connection with
OBITUARIES
RONALD G. LANCASTER
Born: October 6, 1946
Died: November 17, 2025
Ronald G. Lancaster, 79 of rural Tampico, died Monday November 17, 2025 at his home. He was born in Sterling on October 6, 1946 He attended and graduated from Prophetstown High School. He married Marilyn Kay Brady on June 25, 1966 in Sterling. She died on July 6, 2023. Ron was a Machinery Repairman Petty Officer Third Class in the United States Navy. As a civilian, he began his career with Micro Gear in Prophetstown and later became co-owner of Farm & Track Machine & Hydraulics in Tampico. After selling Farm & Track, he decided to pursue his love of motorcycles to start Lancaster Sprints in Tampico. He enjoyed restoring Harley Davidson Aermacchi Sprint Motorcycles and had rebuilt two that are still on display at the Harley Museum in Milwaukee. Ron was well renowned throughout the country with his knowledge of the Sprint bikes
a Nov. 8 dispute at a Fulton residence.
According to court documents, Miller and a woman were inside the home in the 400 block of 16th Avenue when they had a dispute while each trying to hold a 7-month-old baby. Miller is accused of pushing the woman into a wall, causing a hole in the wall and a large lump on the woman’s head as she was holding the baby.
Fulton police officer Corie Flack testified during Miller’s preliminary hearing in Whiteside County Circuit
Blake N. Miller
Court that the two continued to fight, with Miller pushing the woman into the wall for a second time.
Flack said he was dispatched to the home, where he found the woman outside lying in the yard. The lump on her head was bleeding,
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
and she had red marks on her neck, which Flack said indicated she had been choked.
The woman indicated Miller had beaten her and that he had left the home, Flack testified. The child was not injured, Flack said.
Miller later turned himself into the police, Flack said.
Miller, who entered a not guilty plea, has been held at the Whiteside County Jail since Nov. 8, according to jail records.
Lynne F. Hamilton, 67, of East Moline, IL, formerly of Coal Valley, IL, passed on Sunday, November 16, 2025.
Jane Ann James, 97, of Morrison, passed on November 17, 2025.
Arrangements entrusted to Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home, Morrison. Additional information: www.bosmarenkes.com.
and his abilities to custom make some of their parts. He loved to flat track race and raced in vintage AMA races as well as AMA district races. Ron was a member of AHRMA; AMA; Tar and Track M/X Club; and the Prophetstown M/X Club.
Survivors include his daughters: Shanda (Ed) Milder of Muscatine, IA and Denise Lancaster of Tampico; three grandchildren: Dylan (Jamie) Marschang, Wyatt (Mikayla) Marschang and Hailey (Taran) Daffara; five great grandchildren: Emma, Christopher, Spencer, Adeline & Eloise
He was preceded in death by his parents, Glen and Margaret (Angel) Lancaster; his wife, Kay; his son Ronald G. Lancaster in 1972; an infant daughter; and his grandson, David Curley in 2023.
A gathering of friends and family will take place on Saturday November 22, 2025 from 12 – 2 PM at the Garland Funeral Home in Tampico. Isaac Newman will officiate at a short graveside service with military honors at Tampico Memorial Cemetery. A celebration of life with lots of “Bench Racing” will be held at the Kickback Saloon in Tampico following the service.
SUSAN WRIGHT
Susan Wright, 90, of Morrison, IL, passed on November 20, 2025.
A free community meal is served on from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Wednesdays at CrossView Church, 703 14th Ave. in Fulton.
Nov. 26: Ham and potato soup, chicken noodle soup, crackers, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, pumpkin pie
Dec. 3: Sausage, pepperoni and cheese mini pizzas, veggie and dip, cuties, desserts
Dec. 10: Tater tot casserole, Jimmy John’s bread, pears, dessert
Dec. 17: Chicken and noodles, rolls, green beans, peaches, Scotcheroos.
Crochet classes to begin this winter in Prophetstown
Beginner crochet classes will take place at the Henry C. Adams Memorial Library in Prophetstown in January and February. Four classes will be held during those months, led by Prophetstown crocheter Nikol Hamstra. Cost will be $35 to participate and includes yarn and hook. Youths and adults are encouraged to sign up by calling the library at 309-7142699 or emailing hcadams1@yahoo.com.
Prophetstown man pleads not guilty to aggravated DUI in fatal crash
A Prophetstown man has pleaded not guilty to driving while high on drugs and causing a two-vehicle crash that left another man dead in May.
Jacob Penaflor, 40, is charged with aggravated driving under the influence of drugs, a Class 2 felony that carries a possible 14-year prison sentence, in connection with the death of Benjamin
Weidel, 39, of Prophetstown.
Penaflor entered a not guilty plea Nov. 17 in Whiteside County Circuit Court. Court documents filed in the case in September allege that THC levels in Penaflor’s body, tested within two hours of him driving the vehicle, violated state law, and that the violation was a “proximate cause of death.” Penaflor also is charged with misdemeanor counts of operating a motor vehicle without insurance, causing bodily harm and disregarding a stop sign.
The charges were filed in connection with a crash that happened May 21 on Perkins Road in Whiteside County.
An initial investigation determined a black 2007 Ford 500, driven by Penaflor, was heading south on Perkins Road when it failed to stop at a stop sign at the Mill Road intersection, according to the release.
The Ford collided with a black 2024 Chevrolet Crossover driven by Weidel, who was traveling east on Mill Road. The impact caused Penaflor’s Ford to roll multiple times, with Penaflor suffering injuries that were not life-threatening. He received treatment.
Court documents indicate that an aggravated driving under the influence of drugs conviction carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence of three to 14 years unless the court finds extraordinary circumstances exist and require probation.
Penaflor, who has been granted pretrial release, is next scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m. Dec. 17 for a pretrial conference.
– Shaw Local News Network
LYNNE F. HAMILTON
By CHARLENE BIELEMA cbielema@shawmedia.com
The Whiteside Area Career Center has announced its students of the month for October.
Owen Mandrell is a Rock Falls High School senior studying criminal justice. He is the son of Tim and Amy Mandrell.
Drake Cole is a Newman Central Catholic High School senior studying building trades. He is the son of Chad and Stacey Cole.
Reagan Hammes is a senior at Newman Central Catholic High School who is studying allied health. She is the daughter of Tim and Bernadette Hammes.
Emma Cernich is a senior at Rock Falls High School studying early childhood education. She is the daughter of Marty and Heather Cernich.
Brooklyn Arjes is a junior at Dixon High School studying health occupations. She is the daughter of Jesse and Kristi Arjes.
Jordyn Judd is a Milledgeville High School senior studying culinary arts. She is the daughter of Gary and Christie Judd.
Emma Rumley is a Rock Falls High School senior studying digital media arts. She is the daughter of Shawn Rumley.
Alexzander Pena is a senior at AFC High School studying auto tech. He is the son of Myriah Pena.
ing and manufacturing. She is the daughter of Susan Lance.
Rachel Lance is a junior at Dixon High School studying welding, machin-
The WACC is a cooperative endeavor of 16 member school districts and three parochial schools, educating students who come from five counties: Bureau, Carroll, Lee, Ogle and Whiteside, according to WACC’s website. Most of the population is from Sterling, Rock Falls and Dixon, with the remainder residing in surrounding rural areas and small towns. For more information, visit wacc.com.
Drake Cole Reagan Hammes Emma Cernich Brooklyn Arjes
Emma Rumley Jordyn Judd Alexzander Pena Rachel Lance
Donations will benefit: Albany Food Pantry, Apple Canyon Bread of Life Food Pantry, Chadwick/Milledgeville Helping Hands Food Pantry, East Dubuque Food Pantry, Elizabeth Food Basket, Erie Food Pantry, Fulton/ Thomson Food Pantry, Geneseo Food Pantry, Hanover Food Pantry, Mt. Carroll/Savanna Food Pantry, Stockton Food Pantry, United Churches of Galena Food Pantry, Warren/Caring Neighbors.
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CHURCH LISTINGS
ALBANY
Albany United Methodist Church
502 N. First Ave., 309-887-4781
Pastor Toni Lucas
St. Patrick Catholic Church 1201 N. Bluff St., Albany
Father Timothy Barr, Pastor CORDOVA
Cordova Baptist 602 Third Ave. South, Cordova
Pastor Carmen Jordan 309-654-2501 - www.cordovafbc.com
EAST MOLINE
Sycamore Baptist Church 5323 180th Street North, East Moline 309-200-2505 www.sycamorebaptistchurch.com
Wildwood Baptist Church 18717 Hubbard Road, East Moline 309-496-9397 office@ wildwoodchurch.com
Pastors Brian Smith, Andrew Robinson, Andy Thomaston and Matt Winquist
Zion Lutheran Church 17628 Hubbard Road, East Moline
Rev. Gary A. Wright - 309-496-3592
ERIE
Erie Baptist Church 8th Ave. and 11th Street, Erie Call RonKimball for info: 309-230-3584
Erie Christian Church 715 6th Ave., Erie, 309-659-2561
First Christian Reformed Church 801 15th Avenue, Fulton, 815-589-3790 www.fultonfirstcrc.com firstcrcfulton@live.com
Pastor Michael Hooker
HILLSDALE
Hillsdale United Methodist Church 124 Butzer St., Hillsdale Church 309-658-2340
Pastor Melva England
HOOPPOLE
Calvary Evangelical Congregational Church Rev. Zachary Van Dyke, Pastor 563-370-8779
Hooppole Zion Methodist Church
Pastor Rolando Renteria 311 Main St, Hooppole, 815-948-7591 Parsonage 309-658-2145
LYNDON
Dominion Christian Fellowship Center 104 4th St. W., Lyndon 815-590-6971
Rev. Barbi E. Momolu Sr.
Trinity Baptist Church
403 6th Ave North, Lyndon Pastor Alan Jahn - 563-242-0307 www.trinitybaptistchapel.com
MORRISON
Bethesda Evangelical Lutheran Church 301 W. South St., Morrison Pastor Tammy Anderson 815-414-1758 - Office: 772-4896
Brethren In Christ Church 207 E. Knox Street, Morrison Sunday Worship at 10:30 a.m.
Church Of St. Anne Episcopal
401 N Cherry St., Morrison, 815-772-2818 stannemorrison@frontiernet.net www.churchofstannemorrison.org
Crossroads Community Church
201 W. Market, Morrison Pastor Jon Eastlick - 815-956-0090 morrison@crossroadscn.com
Ebenezer Reformed Church
309 E. Park St., Morrison Pastor J. T. Bean 815-772-2472
www.ercmorrison.com
Emmanuel Church 202 E. Morris St., Morrison 815-772-3890
www.ecmorrison.com
Rev. Luke Schouten, Senior Pastor Rich Criss, Ministry Coordinator
First Baptist Church
406 E. Maple Ave. Morrison Pastor Roy Brown, II Phone 815-772-2696 facebook.com/morrisonfirstbaptist
First Presbyterian Church
Rev. Michael Selburg - 815-772-3510
100 East Lincolnway, Morrison Facebook live services Sundays 10:15 a.m.
YouTube Channel: First Presbyterian Church firstpresmorrison@gmail.com www.firstpresmorrison.org
Kingdom Life Community Church 11429 Ward Road, Morrison 815-772-4098
www.kingdomlife.global
Pastor Stephen Harmon
Morrison Christian Church
201 S. Genesee, Morrison David Manley, Minister, 602-750-6426 d.manley93@yahoo.com
Google YouTube Larry Kidwell for sermons.
Morrison United Methodist Church 200 W. Lincolnway, Morrison Pastor Sun-Ah Kang - 815-772-4030
Erie, Illinois
Warranty Deeds
•Terry Wolf Construction Inc to Joshua D. Weber and Lyndsey R. Weber, KNIEF RD, ROCK FALLS, $35,000
•Nathan Hubbard to Michael L. Doyle and Bobbie A. Doyle, 702 HUMPHREY AVE W, ROCK FALLS, $165,000
•Thomas J. Bieneman to Mackenzie Simester, 2012 13TH AVE, ROCK FALLS, $115,500
•Pr 63 Properties Llc and Paul A. Rosengren to Gelacio J. Valdez, 300 4TH AVE, ROCK FALLS, $100,000
•R&l Farms Inc and R & L Farms Inc to Christopher W. Brown, Angela M. Brown, Drew Temple Trust and Jennifer R. Temple Trust, 5TH AVE, ERIE, $162,500
•Margarita Macias and Jose Alberto
Ambriz Bernal to Nicole Wilson, 1304 12TH AVE, STERLING, $102,000
•Amber Schaefer to Blake Werner and Steven Werner, 104 MAPLE AVE, MORRISON, $140,000
•Margaret M. Barton to Sandra Lynn Hudson, 2003 11TH AVE, STERLING, $189,900
•Patrick D. Balsley, Anne M. Balsey, and Anne M. Walter Fka to John R. Stewart Jr. and Sneha E. Stewart, 10260 CALHOUN RD, ROCK FALLS, $166,000
•J. Darwin Olsen to Andrew Byard, 818 16TH AVE, FULTON, $42,500
•Regal Investments Llc to Relo Property Llc, 409 5TH ST E, ROCK FALLS, $24,200
•Brett A. Chappell. Stephanie A. Chappell, Stephanie A. Kester Fka to Andrew Aquilar, 217 THIRD AVE, ROCK FALLS, $190,000
•Joseph Tanner to Flat Land Investments Llc, 502 10TH AVE NORTH, ALBANY, $85,000
•Eric Mccubbin and Shannon Mccubbin to Mhb Homes 1 Llc, 828 MAIN STREET, ERIE, $45,000
•Josh L. Johnson to Jeremiah Harts, 1304
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
MLK Committee announces Peace & Justice Award honoree
Each year, the Clinton, Iowa, community MLK Committee awards the MLK Peace and Justice Award to an individual or organization whose work in the community honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of nonviolence, equality, peace and justice.
On Nov. 14, the committee announced this year’s honoree is Information, Referral & Assistance Services.
“Information, Referral & Assistance Services has long been a beacon for individuals and families facing hardship,” Ottens said in his nomination. “Whether
4TH ST E, STERLING, $97,900
•Erica R. Linton, Erica Partridge Fka, and Denise A. Linton to Benjamin Linton and Erica R. Linton, 2511 HUBBARD RD, STERLING, $0.00
•Ascentra Credit Union to Cory J. Kramer and Amanda Kramer, 12465 FROG POND RD, FULTON, $195,000
•Kendrick Properties Llc to State Of Illinois Dot, 401 11TH AVE, STERLING, $300
Quit Claims
•Angela M. Perna to Angela M. Perna and Ty P Hudson, 302 8TH AVE, ROCK FALLS, $0.00
•Barbara A. Tretteen to Michael L. Tretteen, 2105 15TH AVE, STERLING, $0.00
•Nicholas T. Kohl, Judith A Kohl, Kimberly K. Brausam, and Clay D. Kohl to Judith A. Kohl, 606 7TH AVE, ROCK FALLS, $0.00
•Viola Elaine Hapke, V. Elaine Hapke Aka to Dorothy A. Kaufman, 2 Parcels: 09-35300-007, 15-02-200-001, $0.00
•William D. Zink, and Linda L. Zink to Ryan M. Zink and Tracy L. Stanley, 900 16TH PLACE, FULTON, $0.00
•Dornbush Ag Venture Llc and Albany Farms Llc, 2 Parcels: 12-01-200-004 and 12-01-400-003, $0.00
•Dornbush Ag Venture Llc to Ofi Properties Llc, 2 Parcels: 12-01-200-004 and 12-01-400-003, $0.00
•Sondra L. Horn to Horn Forest Preserve Llc, 1 Parcel: 03-16-100-004, $0.00
•Industrial Development Commission and City of Rock Falls to Relo Property Llc, 1115 19TH STREET W, ROCK FALLS, $11,111
Trustees Deeds
•Lynn M Cassens Trust to Thomas A. Gasso and Jennifer J. Gasso, 1814 5TH AVE, STERLING, $53,130
CHURCH LISTINGS
St. Mary’s Catholic Church Rev. Slawomir Zimodro 13320 Garden Plain Road, Morrison 815-772-3095
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church 601 N. JacksonSt., Morrison www.stpetersmorrison.com
Interim Pastor Mark Peters
Sunday service is at 9:30 a.m. Bible study and Sunday School at 10:45 a.m. Sundays
PORT BYRON
Bethel Baptist 27308 108th Ave. N., Port Byron Church Phone: 309-523-3352
Pastor Josh Matthews
Church of the Cross United Methodist Church 22621 IL 2 and 92, Port Byron
Pastor Mark Graham Parish Office: 309-523-2201
Countryside Christian Church 3817 230th St. N., Port Byron
Pastor Steve Allison Church Phone: 309-523-2834
Fairfield United Methodist Church
235th St. at 115th Ave. North, Port Byron
Pastor Larry Misfeldt - 309-523-3767
Messiah Lutheran Church
302 11th St., Port Byron - 309-523-2421
Pastor Gwen Sefrhans-Murphy
Peace Lutheran Church ELCA 20828 Friedens Road, Port Byron Interim Pastor: Nancy Jaster www.peacelutheranil.org - 309-523-2295
Port Byron First United Methodist Church 9412 228th St. N., Port Byron, IL Church Office: 309-848-4050 Email: portbyronfirstumc@gmail.com
Roberta Robbins, Lead Pastor
Becky Butterfield, Associate Pastor
PROPHETSTOWN
Advent Christian Church
200 Elm St., Prophetstown
Pastor Diana Verhulst 815-537-5646 - ptownac.org
First Lutheran Church
Interim Pastor Susan Davenport Office: 815-537-2758 www.firstlutheran-ptown.org
Leon United Methodist Church 17173 Lomax Road, Prophetstown Pastor Joey Garcea - cell 815-656-0362 pastorjoeygarcea@gmail.com
Prophetstown
United Methodist Church 200 W. 2nd St., Prophetstown Pastor Joey Garcea - 815-537-2496
River Church 218 E. 3rd St., Prophetstown 815-876-6226 - www.riverchurchag.com
St. Catherine Catholic Church of Prophetstown 815-537-2077
RAPIDS CITY
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church 1416 Third Ave., Rapids City Fr. Glenn H. Harris Phone 309-496-2414
Tampico First United Methodist Church Pastor Leanne Keate - 815-564-2302
it’s providing food to the hungry, clothing to those in need, or emergency shelter to the displaced, their work is rooted in compassion and driven by a profound sense of responsibility to serve.
The awards will be presented at the 38th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, in the Clinton Community College Auditorium, 1000 Lincoln Blvd.
The event is free to the community. For more on the MLK Committee or Living Peace 365 initiative, call Mardell Mommsen Flippen at 563-244-7006.
– Shaw Local News Network
– Shaw Local News Network
AL NOTICES
to creditors claimants of death of Betty Mills, last a resiof Albany, Illi, who died on bruary 5, 2025. tters of office reissued on ril14, 2025, to cqueline Hersey, 6N779 Foxborough St. Charles, IL 61075, as IndepenExecutor. The rney for the tate is: Rebecca Huizenga, 1011 St., Fulton, IL 61252 Claims ainst the estate be filed with Clerk of the Circuit Court, hiteside County Courthouse, 200 E x Street, MorriIL 61270, or the Represenative or both, on before May 18, 2026. Any claim filed within that riod is barred. Copies of a claim with the clerk must be mailed or livered to the presentative and attorney for the tate within 10 s after it has een filed. ated this 18th of November, 5 ECCA L. HUIZENGA rney for Estate 1011 4th Street Box 102 Fulton, Illinois 61252 815/589-2859
Nov. 18, 25, Dec. 2, 2025
Need to place an ad? Call us today! 833-584-NEWS
ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION School Business Services 217-785-8779
ANNUAL STATEMENT OF AFFAIRS FISCAL YEAR ENDING June 30, 2025
SCHOOL DISTRICT/JOINT AGREEMENT NAME: Riverdale C.U.S.D. #100 DISTRICT TYPE RCDT NUMBER: 49-081-1000-26 Elementary
ADDRESS: 9624 256th St N, Port Byron, IL 61275-9054 High School COUNTY: Rock Island Unit X
NAME OF NEWSPAPER WHERE PUBLISHED: The Review - From WNS Publications Joint Agreement
ASSURANCE
The Annual Statement of Affairs has been posted on the district's website and published in accordance with Section 10-17 of the School Code no later than December 1. (Put “X” in blue box if yes.) Yes X
SIZE OF DISTRICT IN SQUARE MILES 87 NUMBER OF ATTENDANCE CENTERS 3
The ASA must be posted on the school district’s website and published in a newspaper of general circulation no later than December 1, 2025. Refer to Section 10-17 and Section 10-20.44 of the School Code.
Data previously included in the Annual Statement of Affairs can be found at: Payments to certified personnel Posted on district website per 105 ILCS 5/10-20.47
Student Counts Included in district’s report card Illinois Report Card
Financial Data
Included in district’s Annual Financial Report posted on ISBE’s Cerberus Server How to access Cerberus Server
SALARY SCHEDULE OF GROSS PAYMENTS FOR NON-CERTIFICATED PERSONNEL
PAYMENTS TO PERSON, FIRM, OR CORPORATION OVER $2,500 EXCLUDING WAGES AND SALARIES
Alltest Inc 3,560; Amazon Capital Services 12,090; Anchor Lumber Co Inc 4,464; Apex Metals 26,610; Arnold Motor Supply 17,891; BAPCC LLC 451,034; Bernard Food Industries Inc 2,515; Bhased 336,575; Big Rock Auto Rebuilders 3,588; Black Hawk College 20,502; Blackbird Landscape 23,870; Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Il 1,018,060; Br Bleachers 20,137; Breedlove’s Sporting Goods Inc 4,356; Bureau Of Education & Research 3,025; Bush Sports Turf 34,250; Busright Inc 22,951; Byrne & Jones Construction 119,500; Cady Business Technologies 10,820; Cengage Group 6,492; Centennial Contractors Of The Qc 41,024; Central Excavating Inc 18,915; Central States Bus Sales Inc 29,939; Common Goal Systems Inc 26,282; Cones 14,259; Cutting Edge Services 47,136; Data Tenant LLC 7,350; Davenport Electric 99,014; DMI Plumbing Services 21,715; Doug’s Heating & Air 82,710; Douglas Machine & Engineerings 3,500; East Moline Glass 63,033; Eastern Communication Ltd 4,311; ElectroCoat 19,850; Ems Linq Inc 10,929; Environmental Control Solutions Inc 30,895; Enyeart Distributing 53,707; Fbg Service Corp 478,935; Fineline Design & Building Solutions 168,700; Ford & Sons 25,985; Franczek Pc 21,815; Fuhr Excavation Co 6,341; River City Turf
5,988; Gorenz And Associates Ltd 23,400; Grainger 6,805; Great Plains Blind Factory 13,176; Ground Up Seed And Soil LLC 17,580; Haddock Corp 27,011; Hammond Henry Hospitals 7,358; Iasa 2,685; Iasb 11,436; Industrial Seel Erectors Inc 10,598; Iowa Illinois Termite Co 2,768; Ixl Learning 15,754; J L Brady 25,707; J&J Access & Security 7,021; Jim Giese Commercial Roofing 9,091; Johnson Controls Fire Protection 14,273; Johnson Distributing 3,174; Johnson H20 Equipment Inc 2,836; Jostens Inc 6,810; Journeyed.com Inc 6,075; Kirk R Wainwright Construction Inc 11,602; Kohl Wholesale 186,738; KS State Bank 76,203; L&L Flooring 166,664; Larson Company 322,250; Leaf 37,921; Learning Without Tears 3,646; Lovewell Fencing Inc 4,700; Mcmaster-Carr 12,400; Mechanical Service Of Galesburg Inc 469,484; Menards 48,173; Mfac LLC 3,801; Midamerican Energy 150,960; Millenium Waste Inc 9,238; Mo-St Plumbing And Mechanical 25,176; Mystery Science Inc 4,185; Neurorestorative 105,851; Newsela Inc 2,915; Northwest Mechanical Inc 12,128; P&K Midwest 3,649; Paragon Interiors 186,609; Per Mar Security & Research Corp 14,456; Play With A Purpose 11,983; Prime Constructions Services 139,304; Providence Capital Network LLC
66,564; Prairie State Insurance Co-Op 268,930; Qc Custom Tees & More 9,804; Quad City Tech 4,713; Quality Ready Mix Concrete Co Inc 3,138; Randy Newburg 6,647; Raynor Door Co Inc 6,458; Reliance Standard Life Insurance Co 5,509; Renaissance 10,363; Republic Electric Co 3,138; Richard L Johnson Associates 122,816; Richey & Son Inc 8,490; Riddell 11,935; River Valley Construction Inc 26,958; Rock Island County Sheriffs Dept 55,000; Rock River Electric 488,484; Russell Construction 330,451; Scholastic Inc 5,916; School Health Corp 8,827; School Specialty Inc 5,772; Scorevision LLC 7,500; Smc Auctions 4,955; Special Educations Services 22,760; Sphero Inc 6,774; Sports Depot Inc 3,444; Stalker Sports Floors 53,945; Stichter Construction Co 44,230; Strada Communications 18,000; Stryke Security Inc 46,188; Tailored Turf Inc 6,000; Taylor Ridge Paving & Construction 6,375; Tem Environmental Inc 12,325; Test Inc 8,815; The Cincinnati Insurance Co 3,204; The Paper Corp 8,928; Tri State Fire Control Inc 3,046; Tri-City Electric Co Of Iowa 6,690; Tyler Reagan 2,713; United Township Area Career Center 32,000; Verizon Wireless 3,598; Vestis 7,043; WF Scott Decorating 40,467; Woodhull Oil Co 105,002; Worthington Direct 2,617;
PAYMENTS TO PERSON, FIRM, OR CORPORATION OF $1,000 TO $2,500 EXCLUDING WAGES AND SALARIES
A & A Refrigeration 1,260; Act Education Corp 1,213; Adolphs 1,556; Anderson Repair Service 2,168; Blick Art Materials 1,948; Bureau Valley High School 1,400; Connections Education Solutions 2,155; CTL Hydraulics Inc 1,400; Culligan Water Conditioning Inc 1,974; Dave’s Door Of The Qc Inc 1,250; David Krupke 2,000; Eastern Iowa Tire 1,230; Embrace 1,008; EMS Detergent Services 1,834; Filter Tech Systems Inc 2,356; Firm Systems 1,602; Follett Software LLC 2,478; Freshworks Inc 1,596; Frontier 1,016; Geneseo
Community Unit School District 1,000; Girard Graphics & Design 1,249; Gold Star FS Inc 1,628; Golf Team Products Inc 1,218; Gopher Performance 1,239; Hartson Auto Body 2,012; HD Supply 1,623; Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Co 1,027; Lesa 1,145; Illinois Principal Association 1,605; It-Savvy LLC 1,789; Jim Gill Inc 2,000; Junior Library Guild 1,550; JW Pepper & Son Inc 1,918; Kami 1,940; Lakeshore Learning Materials 2,319; O’reilly Auto Parts 1,998; One Step 1,457; PS3 Enterprises Inc 1,480; Regalia 2,359; Regional Office Of Ed- Atkinson 1,648; Republic Services 2,090; Sauk Valley Media 1,791; SBM 1,575; Seesaw Leaning Inc 2,001; Sherwin-Williams 2,370; Stewart Signs 1,639; Studies Weekly 1,793; Team Services Inc 1,946; United Rentals 1,876; United States Postal Service 2,300; Vernier Science Education 1,572; West Music Oc 1,044; Xtech Protective Equipment 1,900; REPORT ON CONTRACTS EXCEEDING $25,000 AWARDED DURING FY2025
In conformity with sub-section (c) of Section 10-20.44 of the School Code [105 ILCS 5/10-20.44], the following information is required to be submitted in conjunction with publication of the Annual Statement of Affairs [105 ILCS 5/10-17].
1. Total number of all contracts awarded by the school district: 43
2. Total value of all contracts awarded: $6,403,600.69
3. Total number of contracts awarded to minority owned businesses, female owned businesses, businesses owned by persons with disabilities, and locally owned businesses:
*If there are no contracts of this nature, please enter “0” in box to the right.
4. Total value of contracts awarded to minority owned businesses, female owned businesses, businesses owned by person with disabilities, and locally owned businesses:
*If there are no contracts of this nature, please enter “0” in box to the right. $0.00
ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION School Business Services 217-785-8779
ANNUAL STATEMENT OF AFFAIRS FISCAL YEAR ENDING June 30, 2025
SCHOOL DISTRICT/JOINT
AGREEMENT NAME: Erie CUSD#1 DISTRICT TYPE RCDT NUMBER: 47-098-0010-26 Elementary
ADDRESS: 520 5th Avenue, Erie, IL 61250 High School COUNTY: Whiteside/Rock Island/Henry Unit X NAME OF NEWSPAPER WHERE PUBLISHED: The Review Joint Agreement
ASSURANCE
The Annual Statement of Affairs has been posted on the district's website and published in accordance with Section 10-17 of the School Code no later than December 1. (Put “X” in blue box if yes.) Yes X
SIZE OF DISTRICT IN SQUARE MILES 157 NUMBER OF ATTENDANCE CENTERS 3
OF NON-CERTIFICATED EMPLOYEES
The ASA must be posted on the school district’s website and published in a newspaper of general circulation no later than December 1, 2025. Refer to Section 10-17 and Section 10-20.44 of the School Code.
Data previously included in the Annual Statement of Affairs can be found at: Payments to certified personnel Posted on district website per 105 ILCS 5/10-20.47 Student Counts Included in district’s report card Illinois Report Card
Financial Data Included in district’s Annual Financial Report posted on ISBE’s Cerberus Server
SALARY SCHEDULE OF GROSS PAYMENTS FOR CERTIFICATED PERSONNEL AND NON-CERTIFICATED PERSONNEL
Salary Range: Less Than $39.999; Darien Achs; Aiden Almanza; Mallory Baar; Christina Barton Howard; Bridget Brown; Christopher W. Brown; Heather Bruns; Joy L. Burns; Rhonda E. Carlile; Phillip J. Coers; Jennifer J. Cole; Montana N. Cole; Bobbi Jo Cox; Baylee A. Crane; Veronica Daughenbaugh; Shannon C. Davis; Shauna A. DeBlieck; Lori R. Decker; Damian M. DeMay; Landen Derrer; Ryan Derrer; Erin Eckberg; Kelly A. Elder; Alicia A. Eyrich; Jodi R. Farral; Owen C. Farral; Paul A. Farral; Jeremiah W. Fish; Rhonda K. Foree; Elijah C. Friedrichsen; Joseph M. Froeliger; Tiffany L. Garcea; Phillip D. Garrison; Lorann L. Geerts; Hunter W. Graham; Jonah T. Green; Thomas L. Green; Madison Grennan; Kristina J. Hamm; Deborah S. Hancock; Kelly A. Hart; Arianna Lee Henderson; Brandon M. Heppner; Grace M. Heyvaert; Leanne Holland; Montana K. Houzenga; Brandon Howell; Cade A. Huisman; Courtney Huizenga; Sarah B. Huizenga;
5MILE CREATIONS $12,047.00; 7 MINDSETS ACADEMY LLC $10,500.00; ABEL PLUS SERVICES, INC $24,980.00; AC SYSTEMS, INC $7,024.23; ADVANCED BUSINESS SYSTEMS $38,712.07; ADVANCED BUSINESS SYSTEMS, INC $12,888.00; ADVANCED SERVICES $18,000.00; ALAN’S AUTOMOTIVE SER INC $13,225.48; ALLTEST INC $2,586.29; AMAZON CAPITAL SERVICES $126,267.06; AMERICAN FIDELITY $76,495.82; AMERICAN FIDELITY-FLEX $46,526.96; APPLE INC $6,982.00; APPLE INC. $58,649.75; APPTEGY $11,805.00; ASSURED PARTNERS GREAT PLAINS, LLC $176,360.00; ATLANTIC COCA-COLA $2,934.49; BHASED $45,417.00; BI-COUNTY SPECIAL EDUCATI $519,335.80; BLICK ART MATERIALS $7,908.18; BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD $2,156,721.28; BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD-DENTAL $32,022.02; BOOKSOURCE $5,404.25; BPI SEWER & DRAIN $7,526.03; BRAY ASSOCIATES ARCHITECTS, INC. $19,158.00; BRBLEACHERS $76,454.08; BREEDLOVE’S SPORTING GOOD $3,758.43; BSN SPORTS LLC $31,689.00; BULK BOOKSTORE $4,595.82; CAMELOT THERAPEUTIC SCHOOLS, LLC $158,758.60; CAPITAL ONE $4,080.35; CASEYS BUSINESS MASTERCARD $3,189.51; CDW GOVERNMENT INC $17,081.45; CENGAGE LEARNING $9,586.76; CENTRAL STATES BUS SALES $117,675.57; CINTAS LOC 23M $6,905.52; CLAYTON HOLDINGS LLC $108,000.00; CLOCKTOWER COMMUNITY BANK $86,330,000.00; CLOCKTOWER COMMUNITY BANK-AF 403B $36,480.00; CLOCKTOWER COMMUNITY BANKVOYA 403B $47,452.00; COM ED $186,729.30; COMPANION CORP $3,485.00; CONES $2,920.54; CORRECT DIGITAL DISPLAYS $16,189.38; CULLIGAN OF THE QC $3,906.90; D.W. ZINSER CO., INC $258,290.00; DEARBORN NATIONAL LIFE INS CO $8,280.11; DEARBORN VISION INSURANCE $5,465.25; DECKER EQUIPMENT $7,435.22; DOORS INC. $18,659.26; DOORWAY TO COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC $2,760.00; EAST MOLINE SCHOOL DISTRICT #37 $14,036.40; ECKBERG, ERIN $9,805.35; ENYEART DISTRIBUTING
3 GUYS & A BUS INC. $2,175.00;
PAYMENTS TO
$1,642.65; AWARDS AMERICA INC $1,896.06; BIG ROCK AUTO REBUILDERS $2,044.20; BLACK HAWK COLLEGE $1,164.00; BLUE CHIP ATHLETIC $2,453.52; CENTURYLINK $2,235.58; ED PUZZLE $1,750.00; EDMENTUM $1,730.00; ENCYCLOPAEDIA BRITANNICA
Salary Range: $55,000 - $74,999; Teresa M. Brown-Paxton; Tina M. DeShane; Linda J. Floming; Elizabeth A. Green; Taylor A. Howard; Amy S. Littrel ; Rose A. Morine; Amanda B. Schanze; Lisa C. Wiebenga
Salary Range: $75,000 and Over; David W. DeShane; Michelle L. Misfeldt; Gregory E. Pons; Joshua R. VanDeWostine; Tiffany C. Vittori;
Scott E. Jacobs; Thad Jacobs; Tara L. Johnson; Kimberly T. Karstens; Hunter L. Kenniston; Jeremiah Q. Kochevar; Karl J. Kovarik; Ronni Kropp; Don Kuhnen; Koby S. Kuhnen; Elmo F. Lawson, Jr. ; Olivia D. Limkemann; Antonio E. Lopez; Lindsey M. Milem; Denise L. MooreStablein; Melissa L. Moore; Jessie Lee Papineau; Shannon L. Parrish; Stephanie A. Pest; Zakkary Pritchard; Bradley J. Punke; Mason Quinn; Linda S. Reisenbigler; Amanda M. Reymer; Tina L. Rice; Taylor A. Robshaw; Shane A. Ryan; Laykin J. Scanlan; Kara B. Schipper; Angela M. Schroeder; Shelly K. Schroeder; Haily A. Schultz; Traci M. Scobee; Megan A. Seefeldt; Connor J. Sibley; James W. Sikardi; Sheila M. Sikardi; Cynthia R. Slock; Kory W. Sommers; Casondra D. Stephens; Terry W. Stephens; Jill E. Stewart; Ryder D. Sumner; Nathan J. Swanson; Anna Tate; Justin L. Tate; Amanda L. Trent; Bryce A. VanDeWostine; Landon L. VanDeWostine; Ryan L. VanZuiden; Sherrie Verkruysse; Sarah C. Voeltz; Megan M. Weeber; Sherry Wilkins; Taylor R. Wilson; Marta J. Wirth; Noah C. Wiseley; Jaclyn R. Wright; Jeffrey A. Wunderlich; Cynthia A. Young; Salary Range: $40,000 - $54,999; Mary C Bebon; Amber D. Bramm; Kayla S. Frohling; Courtney A. Hawk; Angela M. Howell; Lori A. Huizenga; Kelly A. Johnston; Patricia A. Mallary; Leslie A. Miner; Amy S. Ryan; Allison R. Steimle; Kristina L. Stubbs; Sheila A. Wildt
PAYMENTS TO PERSON, FIRM, OR CORPORATION OVER $2,500 EXCLUDING WAGES AND SALARIES
LLC $28,616.22; ERIE EDUCATION ASSOC $17,790.29; ERIE EDUCATION FOUNDATION $2,822.00; ERIE HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITY $58,222.71; ERIE MIDDLE SCHOOL $17,723.42; ERIE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION $52,270.21; ESTES CONSTRUCTION $3,705,644.66; EZCOMMERCIAL-VISA $18,978.30; FAIRCOM $5,000.00; FARMERS NATIONAL BANK $2,985,000.00; FIRST TRUST & SAVINGS $1,177,492.74; FISHTANK LEARNING $5,120.00; FRONTIER $38,124.51; FUN & FUNCTION $9,652.62; FYR-FYTER CO $3,856.10; GLOBAL EQUIPMENT COMPANY INC. $5,208.84; GOLD STAR FS INC $110,167.99; GORENZ AND ASSOC LTD $24,300.00; GRAINGER $3,260.02; GREAT WESTERN SUPPLY CO $94,752.18; H2I GROUP $3,956.00; HAMMOND HENRY HOSPITAL $11,946.86; HARVEST BAKERY & MORE
$13,037.35; HOTSY $7,195.00; HUDL $10,000.00; HUSAR ABATEMENT, LTD $69,000.00; ILLINOIS ASSOC OF SCHOOL $3,396.30; ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF $9,498.00; ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE $356,550.48; ILLINOIS MUNICIPAL $372,912.25; ILLINOIS PUBLIC RISK FUND $62,094.00; ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF $25,310.00; INFOBASE LEARNING $3,458.00; INTEGRATED SYSTEMS CORPORATION $6,000.00; IRONWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL INC $41,000.00; IXL LEARNING $14,082.00; JCE CO-OP $111,445.59; JJ KELLER & ASSOC INC $3,056.00; KAGAN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT $20,107.00; K-LOG, INC $4,335.82; KOHL WHOLESALE $128,519.05; LAKE ERIE COUNTRY CLUB $2,500.00; LANGE SIGN GROUP $8,119.00; LEAD EM UP LLC $8,550.00; LECTRONICS INC $3,969.60; LEGAT ARCHITECTS, INC. $254,377.00; LEXIA LEARNING SYSTEMS LLC $11,457.00; LIVENGOOD, KALI $5,795.72; LOWERY MCDONNELL COMPANY $600,445.64; LRS, LLC $2,699.00; M AND A MECHANICAL CORPORATION $2,687.59; MCMASTERCARR $6,461.88; MEDIACOM BUSINESS $16,740.00; MENARDS $13,572.88; MIDWEST ALARM SERVICES $17,096.04; MILES TRUCK AND TRAILER WORKS $2,626.24; MILLS ELECTRONICS
$1,000.00; EPS OPERATIONS, LLC $1,316.37; ERIE AFTER PROM $1,000.00; ESSENCE CHEMICAL COMPANY $1,416.29; FINE LINE $1,218.63; FIRM SYSTEMS $1,717.50; FISCH MOTORS, INC. $1,884.00; FLINN SCIENTIFIC, INC $1,441.35; FORCEUSA $1,614.05; GENESEO DONUT $1,008.46; GENESIS OCCUPATIONAL
REPAIR $9,710.00; MORLAND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES $9,700.00; MYSTERY SCIENCE $6,310.00; NATIONAL INVENTORS $8,600.00; NATIONWIDE ENV. & DEMO LLC $108,900.00; NWEA $7,250.00; OTTSEN OIL CO, INC $2,804.53; PIONEER $3,796.05; PLUNKETT’S PEST CONTROL, INC $2,924.22; POMP’S TIRE SERVICE, INC. $11,507.93; RAGAN MECHANICAL $2,850.00; REALLY GREAT READING $7,672.00; REGIONAL OFF OF EDUC #47 $6,153.00; REISY DOOR $7,014.00; REPUBLIC SERVICES #015 $15,645.00; RIDDELL/ALL AMERICA SPORTS CORP $11,301.28; RIVER CITY FENCING INC $21,127.00; RIVERSIDE TECHNOLOGIES, INC $39,021.72; ROBBINS SCHWARTZ $63,724.69; ROCK FALLS ELEM CUSD #13 $4,423.35; SCHOOL SPECIALTY, LLC. $11,470.33; SCHUTT SPORTS, LLC $11,668.11; SECURLY, INC $2,686.00; SEESAW $4,225.00; SHAHEEN VILLAGE MARKET $5,662.97; SHAW MEDIA $2,910.50; SHERWIN-WILLIAMS CO $4,045.97; SIGMA ATHLETICS $3,370.00; SKYWARD ACCT DEPARTMENT $28,597.62; SPECIALTY FLOORS $38,250.00; STAPLES $8,670.47; STATE DISBURSEMENT UNIT $28,800.00; STEIMLE’S LAWN CARE $299,324.00; STERLING COMM UNIT #5 $38,577.00; STICHTER CONSTRUCTION $348,923.00; STRADA COMMUNICATIONS LLC $10,617.65; STRATUS NETWORKS $6,667.64; STUCCO SOLUTIONS INC. $10,250.00; TEACHERS’ RETIREMENT SYS $634,317.09; TEGELER MUSIC $18,507.43; TEXAS LIFE $10,804.98; THIS FUND $103,181.20; TRANE U.S. INC. $15,629.00; TREASURER-STATE OF IOWA $7,581.98; TRI CITY EQUIPMENT COMPANY $3,638.66; TRI-CITY ELECTRIC CO $58,250.93; TRI-COUNTY LOCATORS $3,077.00; TRIPLE E SALES & SERVICE $18,738.15; TRIPLE PLAY $4,398.00; UNITED STATES CELLULAR $4,572.41; VILLAGE HOME STORES, INC. $2,737.96; VILLAGE OF ERIE $60,950.66; VISA $97,508.13; WASHINGTON NATIONAL INS $7,429.92; WISDOM HEATING AND AIR $18,147.63; WORTHINGTON DIRECT $4,557.43; ZORO TOOLS INC $10,490.07;
HEALTH $1,411.00; GONZALO’S TOWING SERVICE AND REPAIR LLC $1,311.65; HERFF JONES, LLC $1,211.97; HERITAGE PRINTING $1,636.75; HOMETOWN HARDWARE, INC. $1,357.64; IDEAL ENVIRONMENTAL $1,665.00; JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL $1,238.33; JOHNSTON, KELLY A $1,066.90; JR SIGN COMPANY $1,855.00;
LAKE ERIE COUNTRY CLUB $2,500.00; LEARNING ALLY, INC. $1,899.00; LEGO EDUCATION $1,599.80; LIVENGOOD CHARTER, LLC $1,870.00; LOWES BUSINESS ACCOUNT $1,531.85; MACGILL & CO, WILLIAM V $1,147.64; MIDAMERICA BOOKS $1,518.25; MIDWEST TRANSIT EQUIPMENT $1,537.68; MUTUAL WHEEL CO $1,111.68; NELCO $1,752.87; NORMAN, JASON $1,111.93; OFFICE DEPOT $2,423.54; OVERDRIVE INC. $1,600.00; PAYLESS MAGNETS $1,053.00; PEPPER & SON, JW INC $1,698.38; PERMABOUND $1,474.62; PINNEY PRINTING COMPANY $2,185.00; PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS SYS $1,157.16; PUNKE, SHELLY $1,187.90; QUILL CORPORATION $1,606.22; RENAISSANCE $1,495.55; REVOLVING FUND $1,901.89; RIVER CITIES HEATING AIR CONDITIONING AND REF $2,452.76; RIVERSIDE INSIGHTS $1,192.50; ROBOLINK, INC. $1,494.00; SCHOOL LUNCH SOLUTIONS $2,475.32; SCHOOL MATE $1,518.10; SHENANDOAH RIDING CENTER $1,950.00; STERLING COMMERCIAL ROOFING INC $1,112.39; SUMMIT FINANCIAL RESOURCE $1,781.12; TEAMBUILDR $1,500.00; THE HOME DEPO PRO INSTITUTIONAL $1,275.69; THE MATH LEARNING CENTER $1,906.24; TIMBERLINE BILLING SERV $1,059.36; TRS - SSP $1,557.94; US AWARDS INC $1,752.06; VECTOR SOLUTIONS $1,781.38; VERNIER SOFTWARE & TECH $1,018.91; WINCKLER, RYAN $1,431.44;
REPORT ON CONTRACTS EXCEEDING $25,000 AWARDED DURING FY2025
In conformity with sub-section (c) of Section 10-20.44 of the School Code [105 ILCS 5/10-20.44], the following information is required to be
Affairs [105 ILCS 5/10-17].
1.
*If there are no contracts of this nature, please enter “0” in box to the right.
4. Total
SPORTS ROUNDUP
Forreston girls cruise past Morrison at basketball tournament
By DRAKE LANSMAN dlansman@shawmedia.com
Monday, Nov. 17
Boys bowling
Sterling 3,006, Erie-Prophetstown 2,520: Sterling’s Bryce Kooy rolled a 679 high series in the win. Brice Howell led E-P with a 491 and Jaqin Glines was next with a 423.
Tuesday, Nov. 18
Boys bowling
Oregon 3,417, Erie-Prophetstown 2,502: The Oregon bowling program recorded its 400th dual victory with a boys team win Tuesday at Town & Country Lanes in Mt. Morris. Coach Alan Nordman has been a part of all 400 wins, which include victories from the boys and girls. The program was started in 2003. The boys have gone 220-94, and the girls have gone 180-102.
Caleb Ehrler led the Hawks with a 625, and Andrew Stahl rolled a 616. Jaqin Glines led E-P with a 527.
Thursday, Nov. 20
Girls basketball
Eastland 42, Morrison 6: At the Forreston tournament, Trixie Carroll had 11 points and nine rebounds. Tatum Grim and Sienna Peterson each scored nine points for the Cougars (2-0).
Boys bowling
Dixon 2,919, Erie-Prophetstown 2,437: Dixon’s Sam Gingras rolled a 584, and Aaron Fitzanko had a 533 series in the dual win. Max Gingras (415) wasn’t far behind.
Brice Howell led the Panthers with a 466.
Friday, Nov. 21
Girls basketball
Forreston 45, Morrison 26: Hailee Vogt scored 16 points for the Cardinals in the win at the Forreston tournament. Alice Kobler (10 points) also was in double figures for Forreston. Remzije Dzeladini had eight points for Morrison. Forreston pulled away with a 19-2 advantage in the second quarter.
Other top returners: Derek Naftzger, jr., F; Sawyer Copeland, jr., F; Landon VanDeWostine, jr., G
Key varsity newcomer: Ethan Lavine, sr., F
Worth noting: The Panthers return a solid base of experience this season. Keegan Winckler has a chance to eclipse 1,000 career points. “They have worked very hard in the offseason and are looking to compete at a high level each game,” coach Winckler said. “We have some injuries with last year’s starter Max Milem tearing his ACL and missing this season. Ethan Lavine is a senior that is coming back after tearing his ACL in back-to-back seasons. We are excited about the depth that we will have with new players adding to our rotation.”
Fulton
Coach: RJ Coffey (13th season)
Last season: 18-15, 8-2 NUIC South (2nd)
Returning starters: Landen Leu, sr., F; Jacob Voss, sr., G; Braeden Meyers, sr., G; Owen Van Zuiden, jr., G
Key varsity newcomers: DeAngelo Dodd, fr., G; Ben Huisenga, jr., F; Tate Norman, jr., G
Worth noting: Coffey said the team has a lot of potential. “We have made a lot of system changes from last year and it may take some time, but I am excited to see what this group will look like once they get comfortable with all the new stuff we are throwing at them,” he said. “We always work to be one of the best teams in the area so that we put ourselves in a position to compete for a conference title and have postseason success.”
Forreston’s Grace Holaday and Morrison’s Avery White battle for the ball Nov. 21 at the Forreston High School Girls Basketball Thanksgiving Tournament.
Earleen Hinton file photo
Fulton’s Landen Leu shoots a free throw against Forreston during a Dec. 27, 2024, game at the Cliff Warkins Memorial Basketball Tournament at Erie High School.
• PREVIEWS
Continued from page 31
Other top returners: Jeremiah Callan, sr., C/PF; Hunter Oudekerk, sr., G/SF; Ritchie Lopez, sr., G; Joshua McDearmon, jr., G
Worth noting: Swaim takes over as head coach after three seasons coaching the JV team. He said speed is a strength of the team and the Mustangs hope to finish in the top three of the conference once again.
Worth noting: Brown said the team’s size, speed and athleticism look to be strengths this season. “We bring back a lot of experienced players from last year’s team that learned a lot through the season, but really played some good basketball down the stretch,” he said. “I feel like we have 10 to 12 girls that can contribute for us every night at the varsity level which is super exciting. I feel like we can match up with anyone on any given night with the athletes we have.”
Other top returners: Breleigh Hayton, so., G; Brianne Brennan, so., G; Ella Folk, so.
Key varsity newcomers: Ariah Mitchell, sr., G; Lauren Falls, fr., F
Worth noting: Menchaca said this year’s team may be small and young, but it has some experience and talent. It can shoot from deep and has speed on defense. “We are hoping to build on last year, which we view as a success with double-digit wins with an inexperienced group,” he said. “I think we have some of the best guards in the area, and one of the best all-around players in Haley Smither, playing around a cast of kids
that can push the ball. Wrenn Coffey will be the floor leader, and together with a pair of seniors in Curley and Smither, we have some quality shooters.”
Morrison
Coach: Kyle Schipper (1st season) Last season: 4-27, 3-7 NUIC South (4th) Top returners: Anaya Perales, sr., SG; Avery White, jr., C; Remzije Dzeladini, jr., PG; Sophie Damhoff, PF
Worth noting: Schipper is an Erie graduate. He said the team has multiple players over six feet tall but will need to work on free throws and rebounding. “We have a very focused and driven mentality that we hope correlates to our success this season,” he said. “While we want to have fun, we want to improve more than anything. At the end of the day, I want my players to look back on this season with a positive mindset and not a negative one.”
Earleen Hinton
Morrison’s Amelia Wetzell looks to pass during a game against Forreston at the Forreston High School Girls Basketball Thanksgiving Tournament on Nov. 21.
Earleen Hinton file photo
Fulton’s Wrenn Coffey dribbles as Eastland’s Sienna Peterson defends during a Dec. 13, 2024, game at Eastland High School in Lanark.
SPORTS
TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY
1981: Rollie Fingers becomes the first relief pitcher to win the American League MVP award.
1986: Jose Canseco wins the American League Rookie of the Year award.
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
BALL CONTROL
Forreston turns back Morrison / 30
three
on Nov. 21.
Boys and girls basketball previews / 30-31
Forreston’s Xairyn Goeddeke protects the ball from
Morrison players at the Forreston High School Girls Basketball Thanksgiving Tournament
