Lest 03 30 2017

2017 BEST OF THE FOX READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

CHOOSE YOUR FAVORITE KENDALL COUNTY BUSINESSES Voting opens on April 1 at KendallCountyNow.com

OSW EGO LEDGER TH U RS D A Y, MA R CH 30, 2017 • $1.00 • Ke n dallCoun tyN ow.co m

BREAKING GROUND Officials kick off work on new Oswego police station site Convenience with Confidence —this is Rush-Copley Convenient Care Walk-ins welcome, no appointment necessary.

Monday — Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday — Sunday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Now open in Oswego. Visit rushcopley.com/convenientcare to learn more.

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Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, March 30, 2017

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OSW EGO LEDGER KendallCountyNow.com OFFICE 109 W. Veterans Parkway (U.S. Route 34), second floor Yorkville, IL 60560 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday 630-553-7034

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POSTMASTER: Please send change of address forms to The Oswego Ledger, c/o Shaw Media, P.O. Box 250, Crystal Lake, IL 60039-0250.

Effective Feb. 4, the Oswego Ledger is the successor newspaper to the Ledger-Sentinel, as contemplated by 715 ILCS 5/5 (e), which was a consolidation of the Oswego Ledger and the Fox Valley Sentinel, published every Thursday in Oswego, Illinois, in Kendall County

by Shaw Media. Periodicals postage paid at Oswego, Illinois, 60543.

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ON THE COVER Oswego Village President Gail Johnson addresses the crowd at the groundbreaking ceremony March 23 for the new Oswego police station. In the background are village board members and Police Chief Jeff Burgner.

See story on page 3.

Photo by Tony Scott - tscott@kendallcountynow.com

Vote for your favorite businesses SHAW MEDIA In April of 2016, the Record Newspapers brought the “Best of the Fox” readers’ choice contest to Kendall County.

It is with tremendous excitement that we announce ... it’s back!

“Best of the Fox – Record Newspapers” is an online readers’ choice contest where you – our readers – will vote on your favorite businesses in more than 50 different categories.

Beginning Saturday, April 1, you can vote for the best of the best busi-

nesses located along the Fox River in the Kendall County area.

The ballots are write-in so you tell us who you think is deserving of the title “Best of the Fox.” Votes can be cast once each day per registered user for each category.

The contest will conclude on April 30 and the winners will be announced

in a special section inserted into the Record Newspapers on June 22.

There also will be an after-hoursstyle reception for the winners in June.

Local businesses and our loyal readers play an important role in our communities. And we want to know from you who deserves to win 2017 Best of the Fox. Beginning April 1, vote and vote often at: KendallCountyNow.com/bofrecord.

For questions or more information, email sdilg@shawmedia.com or call 815-280-4113.

2 plead not guilty in food pantry case Men face 3 to 7 years in prison if convicted

By TONY SCOTT tscott@kendallcountynow.com The husband of the former Kendall County Food Pantry director and the director’s father were formally arraigned on criminal charges and pleaded not guilty in Kendall County court Tuesday afternoon in Yorkville.

Kenneth Spaeth of Yorkville and William Crowley of Scottsdale, Ariz., appeared in court before Kendall County Judge Timothy McCann.

The two men were flanked by their attorneys – Spaeth represented by Edward Edens of Naperville and Crowley represented by Gary Johnson of Aurora.

Kenneth Spaeth is the husband of Maria Spaeth, the former director of the Kendall County Food Pantry, and Crowley is Maria Spaeth’s father.

Yorkville police served a search warrant on the food pantry headquarters in Yorkville and a Kendall County residence last June.

Maria and Kenneth Spaeth, who served as the pantry’s treasurer, re-

signed from their positions at the pantry two weeks later.

Shortly after resigning, Maria Spaeth was found dead in her family’s Lake Holiday home from a prescription drug overdose, according to the DeKalb County Coroner’s Office.

Kenneth Spaeth and Crowley were both charged with theft in January following a months-long investigation by Yorkville police Kenneth and the Illinois Office Spaeth of the State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor, and a Grand Jury indictment.

The men are accused of stealing between $150,000 and $200,000 from the pantry’s cofWilliam fers, according to law Crowley enforcement sources.

A Kendall County judge appointed a special prosecutor to the case in July. Kendall County State’s Attorney Eric Weis, who previously served on the pantry’s board, said he could be called as a witness in the case.

In September, the Yorkville police handed over their completed inves-

tigation to Charles Colburn of the Illinois Office of the State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor’s Special Prosecution Unit.

New leadership took over the pantry in August and it now has a new name, the Kendall County Community Food Pantry.

At a hearing in February, both Johnson and Edens said they would be filing motions requesting a change in venue to a court outside of Kendall County.

However, Edens suggested after Tuesday’s hearing that he would not be pursuing that request.

During Tuesday’s hearing, the two men said they understood the charges filed against them.

Judge McCann said if they are found guilty of the Class 2 felony charges, they could face between three and seven years in state prison followed by two years of probation, as well as a fine of up to $25,000, or up to 14 years in prison if they are considered “extended term eligible.”

A status update on the case was set for 1 p.m. May 10.

McCann approved a request by Johnson to allow Crowley to stay in Arizona and not require him to attend that hearing.

Wednesday, 6 p.m.: Kendall County Board Forest Preserve Commission, County Office Building, Yorkville.

Wednesday, 6 p.m.: Kendall County Veterans Assistance Commission, County Health and Human Services Building, Yorkville.

Thursday, 5 p.m.: Oswego Police Commission, Oswego Law Enforcement Center.

Thursday, 7 p.m.: Oswego Planning and Zoning Commission, Oswego Village Hall.

Thursday, 7 p.m.: Montgomery Plan Commission, Montgomery Village Hall.

CIVIC MEETINGS WEEK OF APRIL 3-7 Monday, 7 p.m.: Kendall County Zoning Board of Appeals, County Office Building, Yorkville.

Wednesday, 6 p.m.: Kendall County Board, County Office Building, Yorkville.

WHEN YOU NEED TO KNOW NOW: Get local news sent right to you. Sign up for KendallCountyNow.com text alerts at shawurl.com/kcntexts. Message and data rates may apply.

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By TONY SCOTT tscott@kendallcountynow.com

Tony Scott - tscott@kendallcountynow.com

Oswego Police Chief Jeff Burgner addresses the crowd at the groundbreaking for the new Oswego police station March 23.

The new headquarters is planned as a public safety campus, including a community room that will be available for public use. It’s anticipated to open in late summer 2018.

Village Administrator Dan Di Santo, in a speech to the crowd, said the project would be completed without raising property taxes.

“A growing community has many challenges,” Di Santo said. “Chief among those challenges is responsibly planning the staffing and infrastructure needs for an increasing population. This new police headquarters will ensure that the Oswego community

forcement: he said ‘Every society gets the criminal it deserves,’” she said.

“And he continued, ‘What is equally true is that every community gets the kind of law enforcement it insists upon.’ In Oswego, we insist upon innovative, fresh and unprecedented public safety. Groundbreaking, if you will.

From its own mission statement, our Oswego Police Department is committed to enhancing this community by enhancing the quality of life, ensuring the safety of the community through the protection of life, liberty and property. We will continue to foster cooperation by building diverse partnerships and serving the community with integrity, professionalism and compassion.

That’s the mission of the Oswego Police Department.”

Village trustees voted unanimously last April to approve a $32 million bond issue that officials have said won’t raise residents’ property taxes. Instead, the $2.8 million in annual principal and interest payments will be made through the village’s home rule sales tax, which was increased Jan. 1 to a total of 8.5 percent. The sales tax is charged on select purchases in local stores and is paid by customers who live in the village and those who live outside the village but shop in the stores.

Cano sent to prison for crimes against officers Faces another trial in June

By TONY SCOTT tscott@kendallcountynow.com An Oswego man accused of threatening a massacre in Oswego in August of 2015, and shooting at police, has been sentenced to state prison for multiple crimes against corrections deputies at the Kendall County Jail in Yorkville, Kendall County State’s Attorney Eric Weis announced Monday.

Judge Timothy McCann sentenced Taylor Cano, 26, of Oswego to 20 years in the Illinois Department of Correc-

tions Friday morning.

Cano was sentenced for three charges of aggravated battery to a corrections deputy and one charge of possession of contraband in a penal institution. He was sentenced to five-year prison sentences on each of the four charges, but by law the charges must be Taylor Cano served consecutively to one another, back to back, totaling 20 years, Weis said.

Cano has been in custody at the county jail since August 2015, when he was charged with attempted murder

ficers at risk.”

“This sentence will help to ensure that he is given the mental health treatment he is requesting while protecting the public and those assigned to guard him,” he said.

There have been several alleged incidents by Cano taking action against corrections deputies. According to a sheriff’s office press release, Cano allegedly struck a corrections deputy Thursday evening, the night before his Friday court hearing.

Public defender Victoria Chuffo represented Cano, and the cases were prosecuted by Weis and first assistant Nemura Pencyla.

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of a police officer, attempted murder and aggravated discharge of a firearm.

Cano was sent directly to the Illinois Department of Corrections after the court hearing on Friday, according to Weis.

Cano, who pleaded guilty but mentally ill to all four charges on Friday, will receive mental health treatment in state prison, Weis said.

Cano still will face charges of the attempted murder of a police officer from back in 2015, Weis said. That case has been set for jury trial in June of this year, Weis said.

Weis said that Cano’s actions “have put the safety of several corrections of-

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Thursday, March 30, 2017

Oswego village and police officials joined representatives from the Yorkville Police Department, Kendall County Sheriff’s Office, Oswego Fire Protection District, and others March 23 to break ground on the new 70,000-square-foot Oswego police headquarters on Woolley Road.

Also present at the groundbreaking were representatives from the building’s design engineers, Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum Inc., as well as representatives from the consulting firm of McClaren, Wilson & Lawrie of Wheaton and the construction management company Gilbane Building Company.

The new facility will be built at 3355 Woolley Road, just east of the Oswego Fire Protection District Station 1.

The new station will replace the current facility on Route 34 across from Fox Bend Golf Course that opened 26 years ago, when the village’s population was 3,876, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The bureau estimates the village’s current population at 33,955 as of July 2015. That station’s building site was a former highway rest area that was donated to the village and the Oswegoland Park District in the 1980s.

has a police department fully equipped to protect and serve now and into the future. I’m thrilled to say that this project is securely financed; that the site was acquired at a tremendous bargain, we’re very thankful for that; that the project is fully funded without the use of property taxes, which was very important; and that the final project will be a world class police facility, built within an aggressive budget.”

He said Police Chief Jeff Burgner “continues to lead an inclusive process that involves the entire police department.”

Burgner said the department is currently housed in a 22,000-square-foot facility designed to hold 50 employees.

“In 1991, when we moved in there, I wasn’t employed there but I imagine they thought this building was going to last forever,” he said. “But it’s not.

We’re up at nearly 70 employees right now, so we’ve really outgrown the building. The operational layout is just not conducive to modern day policing, so with this new police headquarters it’s really going to solve those issues.”

Village President Gail Johnson praised the project for being fresh and innovative.

“Many years ago in a very different time, a man named Robert Kennedy said this about criminals and law en-

LOCAL NEWS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

Ground broken on new police station

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Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, March 30, 2017

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OPINIONS OUR VIEW

Station a costly but necessary investment Village of Oswego officials broke ground this past Thursday on a new police station on Woolley Road, immediately east of Oswego Fire Protection District Station No. 1.

Even though the foundation has yet to be dug, the new facility is already an improvement over the current, under-sized station at 3525 Route 34 because it will be built on a 16-acre site that will include plenty of room for the eventual expansion of the building and adjoining parking facilities. The current station – constructed on a small parcel of land donated to the village by the state of Illinois in the 1980s – was landlocked by other properties and provided absolutely no room for the construction of an addition or more parking.

Village taxpayers should find some assurance in that in planning for the village’s law enforcement facility needs, current village officials sought and obtained a site that will provide room for growth as the village itself continues to grow in population in the years ahead.

Construction of the new station will not come cheaply. Nearly a year ago, the village board voted to approve a $32 million bond issue to finance the proj-

ect. To pay off the principal and interest on those bonds, the board has committed to using a portion of the proceeds from the 0.75 percent home rule sales tax adopted by the board in 2015 and implemented Jan. 1.

Taxpayers should remember that revenues from the home rule sales tax are generated on selected purchases in local stores, excluding food, prescription drugs and motor vehicles.

Importantly, the tax is paid not only by village residents who shop in local stores, but also the many residents of the lower Fox Valley area that come to the village daily to shop and dine in such areas as the Route 34 corridor and Orchard Road.

The village has long maintained a positive reputation as a quality, family-oriented community due in no small part to its continued low crime rate.

By moving forward now with the overdue construction of a new police station, current village officials are taking the necessary steps to provide the village’s nationally accredited police department with the facilities they will require to meet the village’s law enforcement service needs now and in the decades to come.

Building trades teacher taught Oswego students life skills We were saddened to learn of the passing of retired School District 308 teacher David Babcock at age 76 on March 15 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Babcock began his teaching career in local schools in the mid-1960s and along the way also served as a coach and as a principal at the district’s then only junior high school. Babcock, however, is perhaps best remembered for overseeing the Oswego High School Building Trades program.

It was under Babcock’s direction that building trades students each year would construct a single-family home in the school district which, upon completion at the end of the school year, would be offered for sale by the district. Over the course of Babcock’s career OHS students built more than 20 “Panther” homes. Most importantly, the program provided students with

a hands-on education in all aspects of home construction. Many of Babcock’s students went on to work professionally in the building trades, while others gained valuable life skills.

Here at the Ledger we have fond memories of covering the annual open houses that Babcock and his students would host as they completed work David on their latest home each Babcock spring.

We were always impressed by the quality of construction and we especially remember how much pride the students took in their work. Those students were proud of their work because their teacher – David Babcock – had taught them how to do the job right and to do it well.

When black diamonds fueled Illinois’ prosperity When it comes to the nation’s primary source of energy, coal used to be king. But during the past few years, the coal market has collapsed, and along with it virtually all of the coal companies that were once such economic giants.

Coal, which when burned emits a palette of chemicals that are harmful not only to humans but to the entire Earth, was done in by technology. Nuclear power plants started coal’s erosion, and in recent years natural gas, solar and wind energy have both replaced the need for new coal-fired power plants.

Once upon a time – and not all that long ago – coal was used for more than simply producing electricity. When I was a lad living on a farm, I remember well my father’s morning ritual of stoking up the furnace with coal. I have heard it said by those who had to contend with coal-fired furnaces that the sweetest sound in the world is the noise a modern gas furnace makes when it kicks on early on cold winter mornings.

While we tend to think of Kentucky or Pennsylvania when we hear talk of coal mines, western states like Montana have been producing far more coal in recent years from gigantic open pit mines that have caused the death of inefficient shaft mining.

At one time, Illinois was once a major coal producer, though the uses to which coal was eventually put would astound the explorers who discovered the state’s mineral deposits in the 1600s.

In 1673, Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet were on their way up the Illinois River to Lake Michigan when they discovered an outcrop of what they called “Charbon de Terre” near the present city of Utica. Father Hennepin, another French missionary-explorer, also saw the deposit in 1682, noting in his diary that he had “found in Several Places Some Pit-Coal.”

These two instances were, in point of fact, the first discoveries of bituminous coal on the North American continent. Nothing was done with the coal deposits of Illinois for more than a century, however.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, coal’s efficiency for home heating was relatively unknown. It wasn’t until 1810 that coal was first commercially mined in Illinois in

REFLECTIONS Roger Matile mines along the Big Muddy River in Jackson County. That year, several barges of coal were shipped down the Mississippi to New Orleans. As settlements moved further north in Illinois, coal was found near the salt-producing areas in Gallatin and Vermillion counties and as early as 1822, coal was shipped to New Orleans from Peoria.

Like the first settlements, early coal mines bordered the state’s rivers, primarily due to problems with overland shipping. Beginning in 1823, the growing city of St. Louis used coal mined from the bluffs along the Illinois side of the Mississippi.

John Reynolds, an early governor of Illinois, helped promote one of the first railroads west of the Alleghenies in order to increase the production of coal. The line’s cars were horsedrawn over six miles of wooden rails from John the coal seams on the Reynolds bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River to Illinoistown where their cargo of coal was loaded on boats and shipped across the river to St. Louis. In fact, the first macadam road in the state, from Belleville to the Illinoistown ferry, was built to accommodate heavy coal wagon traffic.

By 1840, Illinois was producing 424,000 bushels of coal a year – measurement in tons was several years in the future.

Most of that early coal came from drift or slope mines exploiting easily-reached coal seams exposed along hillsides, river bluffs or stream banks. Shaft mines were required to reach the rich veins of coal that lay deep under the prairie soil of central Illinois. As early as 1842, shaft mining was taking place at Belleville.

Strip mining would have to await a more advanced and rapacious generation.

By 1841, coal was hauled overland to Chicago from mines in the upper Illinois River Valley. Mines

See REFLECTIONS, page 5

FORUM Continued from page 4 on the east bank of the river were easily accessible to boats traveling on the new I&M Canal, which, when it opened in 1848, provided a means to deliver coal to the growing city cheaper than it could be shipped via the Great Lakes from Pennsylvania.

Even before it was known that coal was a more efficient source for fueling locomotives than wood, the Illinois Central Railroad leased coal fields in the Du Quoin area in order to procure fuel for their trains when they crossed largely wood-free Central Illinois prairies. Other railroads soon followed their lead, and mines were sunk along the Rock Island’s right-of-way in Grundy, Bureau and Rock Island counties. The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy located and developed coal deposits in Stark and Knox counties; the Great Western Railroad found, to its pleasant surprise, that its right-of-way crossed a large coal bed in Vermillion County.

Since railroads, mining and manufacturing were all interrelated during that era, abundant coal reserves fueled Illinois’ explosive growth in the mid-1800s. Coal also helped Illinois’ farmers to become independent of wood for heating, contributing to the growth of farming on the state’s timber-scarce prairies.

The Civil War spurred the growth in both coal and steel production in Illinois. After the war, farmers and city residents alike clamored for more coal as railroads maintained a firm grip on its supply. In 1870, in an effort to get more coal at cheaper prices, a rail line, financed by local subscriptions, was built between Streator and Aurora to haul coal from the Vermillion mines. But the CB&Q Railroad managed to seize control of the line, leaving investors worse off than they were before.

First oil, then natural gas replaced coal for heating and cooking in homes and businesses, and now electricity is replacing both of them.

As a result, the days of Big Coal have passed, and the state’s once prominent part in that industry is gradually becoming little more than a historical footnote recalled by place names on maps like Coal City and Carbondale. But the time was, Illinois coal fueled a large fraction of the nation’s industry and progress into modern times.

• Looking for more local history?

Visit http://historyonthefox.wordpress.com.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Consider this candidate

To the Editor: I would like to encourage people to get out and vote in the April 4 elections.

Local elections are very important and are often overlooked. While you are voting, please consider Brian LeClercq for Oswego Township Supervisor. Brian has been a lifelong resident of the Township.

I have known Brian since he was in high school.

Brian served as our Village President for eight years, and drew on his vast financial experience to guide us through a difficult time in Oswego history while keeping his promises along the way. I highly recommend Brian for Oswego Township Supervisor and hope you will consider him also.

Gary Eagleton Oswego

supporting Republican values and fiscal responsibility.

Recommended for Oswego Township: Koukol or LeClercq/Supervisor, Holstrom/Clerk, Rogerson/Highway Commissioner. For Trustee; Diane Selmer, Tom Yackley, Bill Small and Allyson Jacobsen.

Recommended for D308 School Board: Brent Lightfoot, Robert Graves, Michael McDowell and Danielle Paul. I served with Brent Lightfoot on the D308 Finance Committee and he was instrumental in stopping the building of the third high school which would have greatly increased indebtedness.

Leland H. Hoffer

Oswego 11 Republican Precinct Committeeman Oswego

Excellent business person

To the Editor: My husband Greg and I have known Works hard for Montgomery Bob and his family for many years. He has To the Editor: been a wonderful friend and someone I am writing in support of Trustee we can always rely upon for advice and Theresa Sperling for Montgomery Village assistance with any projects. He has Board. I have worked with Theresa been respected by my father-in-law, my on multiple occasions over the years brother-in-law and our family for a variand her integrity and commitment to ety of work, at home and for business. the community shine through. Theresa He is an excellent business person, works hard for the people of Montgomvery organized, great listener and terrific ery and will continue to do so for the next with suggestions and ideas for project four years. Please vote for Theresa Spersolutions. ling on April 4.

I endorse Bob Rogerson for Oswego Township Highway Commissioner. We Doug Marecek Village Trustee know Bob will be focused on what is best Montgomery for all the Oswego Township citizens and will be an excellent leader. He has I endorse the following a terrific support system with his wife To the Editor: Debbie, who is also a talented business As Oswego 11 Republican Precinct professional.

Committeeman, I voted against establishing an Oswego Township Republican Kristine Larsen Oswego Organization which was hastily created in a meeting with three days notice on Accomplished much Nov. 7. The meeting was orchestrated To the Editor:

by Kendall Chairman, Jim Marter, with 10 Two years ago I had the privilege of bePCs in attendance, (including two Marter ing elected to the Oswego Village Board. appointees); the vote to organize was It is the first time I have held elected 6 to 4. I am not supporting the Osweoffice, and it has been the honor of my go Township Republican candidates, life to serve the residents of Oswego. with the exception of Diane Selmer It has also given me the opportunity to who deserves a vote. There are better observe firsthand what my fellow Trustcandidates who are Republicans that ees are like.

Trustees Judy Sollinger, Pam had started petitioning as independents Parr, and Luis Perez are smart, dedicated before the Township organization was public servants that truly care about formed and would have had to re-file Oswego. petitions to run as Republican. I endorse Together, we have accomplished so the following independent candidates much in the last few years. Here are my because they have proven records of

top 5 favorites: We’ve implemented the first comprehensive plan for Oswego. Convinced Metra to continue moving forward with the Oswego train station. Broke ground on the new police station. Welcomed the first steakhouse to Oswego; Longhorn opens in August. Announced the re-development of the Alexander Lumber yard.

We need a Board that will continue to represent the desires of the average Oswegoan.

I believe residents want a safe, family friendly, walkable downtown with a variety of stores to shop in and restaurants to choose from. Please join me in supporting Judy Sollinger, Pam Parr, and Luis Perez on April 4.

Ryan Kauffman Village Trustee Oswego

Involved in community

To the Editor: I have had the distinct pleasure to work with an incredible team for the past two years. In that short time we have worked to insure the financial viability of Oswego – even in the midst of uncertainty at the state level. We have moved aggressively to encourage redevelopment in our downtown. We have encouraged and developed shared services agreements to save dollars and efficiencies.

This forward thinking board brings a diversity of thoughts, ideas, and perspectives to our decision making – which results in better outcomes for Oswego.

Judy Sollinger, Pam Parr, and Luis Perez are crucial members of this team and they are running for re-election on April 4. They have earned my vote and I am confident in my solid and unbending endorsement of these three candidates.

They are involved, committed, and engaged residents who want to do their best for you. When you decide who to vote for – listen to what they say, but more importantly, watch what they do.

Do they attend community festivals, volunteer locally, get involved in all aspects of our community, and are they genuinely passionate about Oswego? Of those running for Village Trustee, only Sollinger, Parr, and Perez fit that description.

Gail Johnson Village President Oswego

• Continued on page 6

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, March 30, 2017

• REFLECTIONS

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Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, March 30, 2017

| FORUM

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR • Continued from page 5

Candidate really cares

To the Editor: I am writing this to enthusiastically recommend Donna Stanley who is running for the office of Oswego Trustee in the upcoming election. I want to express my confidence in her ability to be a most capable, hard-working individual who is very talented, can relate well with others, and she has a wide array of work experience for this job.

She has lived in Oswego for 30 years and has been quite involved in the school and community activities with her husband Bruce and their family. She currently works at a township and is familiar with all facets of how a township should be run.

Donna Stanley is a most dedicated and successful individual in anything she pursues.

Self-motivation, intelligence, positive individual, effective communication skills, and Donna Stanley really cares about Oswego.

Her current and past experience speaks volumes for running for this current position of Oswego Trustee. I have 200 percent confidence in Donna Stanley and I recommend her with great enthusiasm.

Please vote for Donna Stanley as she will be an asset to our Oswego community as she is a superior candidate for Oswego Trustee.

Jean Slott Oswego

We can do better

and I ask for your support and vote on April 4. If you have any questions, please contact me. Cell: 708-785-7855, email: battapper13@att.net.

Brian Thomas

More online Read more letters to the editor online at KendallCountyNow.com/ columns/letters.

Oswego

Takes great leaders

To the Editor: With all of the fighting at the state and federal level, it is refreshing to see Montgomery and Oswego enjoy a strong collaborative relationship. It is competitive yet respectful.

Oswego enjoys a balanced budget, an outstanding downtown redevelopment plan, a tax rate freeze, forward movement on Metra and wonderful support for its seniors.

It takes great leaders make all of this happen. Judy Sollinger, Pam Parr and Luis Perez are leading from the front for Oswego and its citizens. Please re-elect Judy Sollinger, Pam Parr and Luis Perez for Oswego Village Trustees on April 4 or during early voting at Oswego Village Hall through March 30.

JC Reveles Montgomery

that $16 billion was stolen from 15.4 million U.S. consumers in 2016, an increase over the $15.3 billion and 13.1 million victims a year earlier. Clearly, the state of Illinois must act in the face of this growing threat.

The Governor’s strategy outlines five strategic goals with specific action plans to protect state operations and the personal information of Illinois residents.

The goals include 1) protecting state of Illinois information and systems, 2) reducing cyber risk, 3) best-in-class cybersecurity capabilities, 4) an enterprise approach to cybersecurity and 5) a cyber secure Illinois.

These goals are being threatened by Comptroller Susana Mendoza, who is putting politics ahead of people by arbitrarily refusing to disburse funds for the implementation of Illinois’ cyber security upgrades. This is a dangerous and reckless policy. Democrat or Republican, we are all at risk of cyberattacks. For the sake of the families we represent, it is time to set politics aside and make the security of their personal information our priority.

(DoIT) announced a comprehensive state cybersecurity strategy for Illinois. As a small businessman myself, owner of an IT services company for over 25 years, I understand the growing challenges in this field and what it will take for the state to meet them.

One recent cyber data breach illustrates how real this threat is to Illinois residents. Last August, Illinois State Board of Elections officials revealed that personal information from fewer than 200,000 voters was hacked through a cyberattack of possible foreign origin.

It is possible that some voter personal information, including driver’s license numbers and the last four digits of Social Security numbers, could have been accessed of voters who entered that information when they registered to vote online.

The 2017 Identity Fraud Study, released State Rep. Keith Wheeler

by Javelin Strategy and Research, found R-Oswego

St. Anne’s dinner

To the Editor: The Saint Anne’s Senior Dinner was held Saturday, March 11, at the St. Anne’s Joachim Center in Oswego. The theme for the evening was Mardi Gras. There were 145 seniors in attendance who enjoyed a spaghetti dinner with all the sides served by teens from the parish and assisted by several adults. The teens entertained the group with jazz music played and sung by several talented teens.

A special thank you to the following for their generous donations: Cosco, Grandma’s Table, Fireside Grille, Select Restaurant, Culvers of Oswego, Chipotle, Giordano’s, Panera, Jersey Mike’s, Floral Expression, Pat and Kelly Davey, Joan Gierden, Peggy and Bridget Flanigan, Erin Hennessy, Jaime and Anne Alvarez, Jim and Laura Doyle, Rob and Bridget Bachara.

Thank you from the Youth Ministry Program to all who helped make this evening a memorable event.

To the Editor: My name is Brian Thomas and I am running for Oswego Village Trustee on the Republican ballot. We are a little over one week from the (Tuesday, April 4) Election, and I believe that this is as an important election as we’ve had here in some time.

The current Board (in 2015) approved a three quarters percent (sales) tax increase (which I want to repeal) after their third meeting of the current administration.

The current Board also approved $44 million in TIF money for the downtown TIF district, along with the Board approval of $1.5 million for the old Alexander Deacon Duane Wozek Lumber property. These decisions by the Director of Youth Ministry, Saint Anne Catholic Church current Board will come with yet another Oswego tax increase that will be on the back(s) of Set politics aside the residents.

To the Editor: I am a conservative Republican that is This week, the Governor and the Defor lower taxes and limited government.

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Hearing held for woman accused of running boarding house A hearing was held Tuesday morning at the Kendall County Courthouse in Yorkville on the Montgomery woman accused of renting rooms out of her single-family home in the Blackberry Crossing West subdivision.

Both the village of Montgomery and the Blackberry Crossing West Homeowners Association filed lawsuits against Catherine L. Boyd in September.

The village’s lawsuit alleges that Boyd has been running her home on Thunder Gulch Road as a “boarding house facility from said property in violation of the village’s zoning code, as well as the village’s code of ordinances.”

“Boyd consistently rents out rooms in the home and receives rental pay-

ments as compensation for the same, and advertises rooms within the property for rent on websites such as Facebook and Craigslist and upon unpermitted signs within the village’s right-of-way,” the village’s complaint states.

The lawsuit seeks a court order that directs Boyd to “cease and desist renting out rooms at the property.”

Boyd was not present at Tuesday’s hearing. Her attorney, Tim Kohn of Ottawa, said she was at home with her children.

Attorney Kirsten Casas represented the village, and attorney Nicholas R. Lange of Wheaton represented the homeowners’ association. Judge Robert Pilmer oversaw the hearing.

The next court date on the issue was set for April 24 at 9 a.m. at the Kendall County Courthouse in Yorkville.

Tony Scott file photo - tscott@shawmedia.com

Village of Montgomery officials are accusing the owner of this home of renting out rooms in violation of village ordinances.

BRIEF Rep. Randy Hultgren gives statement on health care bill

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a primary care doctor. Too many only have one insurer providing one plan in their area. That is wrong. Doing nothing isn’t an option. We must take steps toward real health care reform that will benefit Illinois. If the answer isn’t this proposal, then we must return to the drawing board, hold extensive hearings and figure out a different way forward.”

– Plano Record

Thursday, March 30, 2017

U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren, R-Plano, released a statement Friday afternoon on the withdrawal of the American Health Care Act, which had been scheduled for a House vote that day.

“I have heard loud and clear from thousands of my constituents that they want a health care system that

is more affordable and works for them,” he wrote. “I had great concerns about this bill, and expressed many of those to Speaker [Paul] Ryan and House leadership.

But maintaining the status quo is simply unacceptable.”

Hultgren continued, “Too many are paying monthly premiums higher than their mortgage. Too many Medicaid recipients who need care can’t gain access to

LOCAL NEWS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

By TONY SCOTT tscott@kendallcountynow.com

7

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, March 30, 2017

| OSWEGO LEDGER

8

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’m running to establish trust in the Oswego Township Highway Commissioner’s position, to make sure the office complies with all State and Federal guidelines in relationship to the tax payers monies, to increase property values by improving the infrastructure of the Township and to keep the population that drives the Oswego Township roads safe.

I’ve spent 22 years as a Resident Engineer for Novotny Engineering, a civil engineering consultant. My position included...road design, acquiring monies, prosecuting and inspection of road projects and the closure under budget.

I am the only candidate: • Who is certified by the state in documentation and road construction methods and practices.

• Who has worked with Local, State and Federal authorities in the acquisition, inspection, and the finalization of road projects.

• Who has prosecuted President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act also known as “ARRA” shovel ready program.

• Who has dealt with Washington D.C. in the inspection, audit, and completion of road projects.

• Who is certified by the state to do a forensic audit on previous road projects.

• Who has prosecuted over $200,000,000.00 of infrastructure improvements.

I’ve spent 22 years representing 13 different municipalities helping them with issues such as drainage, safety, and traffic conveyances. My 22 years of experience and 40 years residency of Boulder Hill makes me the best qualified candidate for Oswego Township Claude Ainsworth Highway Commissioner.

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Local election is Tuesday OSWEGO LEDGER

State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, and State Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora, are hosting a town hall meeting on Wednesday, April 12 at 6:30 p.m. in The Wheatlands Elementary School, located at 2290 Barrington Drive W in Aurora.

“There are a number of important decisions that need to be made in Springfield, and I am working to address them – from the budget, to economic development, to how we take care of our returning veterans – by listening to the people I represent and making their voices heard,” Kifowit said.

Kifowit and Holmes will update attendees about the latest news from Springfield and discuss their legislative priorities for the rest of the spring session. Residents are asked to enter the school using door 13.

Those unable to attend can find information about Kifowit’s upcoming events by visiting

ILDistrict84.com.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Kifowit’s constituent service office at 630-5851308 or Stephanie.Kifowit@att. net.

Sign up now for park district’s Spring Trail Run

The Oswegoland Park District’s three mile Saw Wee Kee Spring Trail Run Challenge will be held in Saw Wee Kee Park on Saturday, April 15.

Runners begin the challenge anytime between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. in the park located along the banks of the Fox River off Sundown Lane, south of Oswego.

The race will conclude with a moisture wick trail run shirt and post-race chili from Pearce’s Pub and Grill.

For more information about the Saw Wee Kee Spring Trail Run Challenge or any of the events in the Oswego Triple, visit oswegolandparkdistrict.org or contact Caroline Griffin at 630-554-4482.

– Oswego Ledger

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Thursday, March 30, 2017

Voters in Oswego and Montgomery area voters will find a number of local races on their April 4 ballots.

Voters who reside in School District 308 are being asked to cast ballots for four of eight candidates for seats on the Board of Education.

The candidates are Dominick Cirone, Toni Morgan, Heather Moyer, Brent Lightfoot, Robert Graves, Matthew Bauman, Michael G. McDowell and Danielle Paul.

A total of six candidates are vying for three open seats on the Montgomery Village Board.

The candidates are: Steve Jungermann, Denny Lee, Theresa Sperling, William C. Keck, Jr., Glenn Macey and Thomas Betsinger. Jungermann, Lee and Sperling are incumbents.

In the Oswego Village Board race, the candidates are Brian Thomas, Donnie L. Soard, Judy Sollinger, Pam Parr and Luis Perez.

Sollinger, Parr and Perez are incumbents.

A record number of candidates are seeking election in races for Oswego Township offices.

In the race to succeed Gary Grosskopf, as Oswego Township Highway Commissioner, a total of six candidates are seeking election: Jeffrey S. Christiansen, Robert D. Rogerson, Aaron Grosskopf, Claude Ainsworth, Terry Olson and Tom Cook. All are first-time candidates.

Seeking election as township supervisor are Michael Becker, Dan Koukol and Brian LeClercq. All are first-time candidates for the position.

There are a total of seven candidates seeking election to four open seats on the township board. The candidates are: Diane Selmer, Leah Philpot, Jan Alexander, Tom Yackley, William B. Small, Donna Stanley and Allyson Jacobsen. Small and Yackley are the incumbents.

Two candidates are running for election as township clerk: Stephen Youhanaie and Kenneth Holmstrom. Both are first-time candidates for clerk.

More information on the candidates and where they stand on local issues can be found on the Ledger’s website at KendallCountyNow.com.

State representative sets Town Hall meeting

LOCAL NEWS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

School, township, village board races on ballots

BRIEFS

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, March 30, 2017

| LOCAL NEWS

10

School District 308 Board A total of eight candidates are seeking election to four open seats on the School District 308 Board of Education in the April 4 election. The successful candidates will serve four-year terms. The candidates are: Dominick Cirone, Toni Morgan, Heather Moyer, Brent Lightfoot, Robert Graves, Matthew Bauman, Michael G. McDowell, and Danielle Paul. Incumbents are Bauman, McDowell and Paul. The Ledger mailed a questionnaire to the candidates late last month. Graves and McDowell did not return questionnaires.

Visit KendallCountyNow.com/election/2017 to read all responses in this race, as well as more coverage of the April 4 election.

Why are you seeking a seat on the School District 308 Board of Education?

MATT BAUMAN Funeral Director, Salerno’s Rosedale Chapels

DOMINICK CIRONE Senior Treasury Analyst, Ulta Inc.

BRENT LIGHTFOOT Sr. Director of Research/ Segmentation, iHeartMedia

TONI MORGAN Teacher,Yorkville SD 115

HEATHER MOYER Program Manager, Teen Parent Connection

DANIELLE PAUL Director, Recruitment Solutions, cors, Inc.

What differentiates you from the other candidates?

If elected, what would be your top priority?

I would like to continue moving the district in the right direction, continuing forward with the great programming we have in 308.

I don’t feel that I have one particular agenda coming to the board. The district, and all involved deserve equal attention.

Balance funding/deficits. Continue inviting our local legislators into our offices to discuss how school districts are funded, and educate them on the needs and differences that our district is facing.

To use my background to help the district make wise decisions for students and taxpayers during this time of looming deficits and inconsistent state funding.

Fourteen years of finance experience; service on the district’s Finance and Operations Committee; leadership roles with parent and community groups. I bring to the board a unique combination of experience and perspectives to help navigate the next few years of budget deficits and reduce the likelihood of perpetual deficits.

Every decision should be guided by the principle that we want every child to be the best that he or she can be.

I want to support classrooms, providing teachers with the proper tools. Great teachers will help increase academic achievement for all students. I will provide fiscally sound long-term financial solutions.

The board passed a back-door referendum to raise taxes. If elected I will never support the use of such a loophole. Taxpayers should always have a say.

I’m not afraid of challenges, and I would like to serve my community by helping to make reasonable, practical decisions that serve students, their parents and other residents of our district.

I am the only candidate that knows the district as an employee and have seen how it works under different circumstances. I have seen the amazing work done by so many of the staff members to give our students their best. I intend to do everything possible to make sure their contributions are honored and that students continue to receive top quality caring and education.

We have financial problems in our district. This need to be vigorously addressed at the state and local level. We need to have a plan to get the financial situation on the right track and stick to it. The community is counting on us to thoroughly and carefully review contracts, bidding and expenditures. I am committed to not cutting where it would diminish a high quality experience for the students and I am determined to increase all that a district can do for free to improve quality.

I believe in our public education system, and the importance of volunteerism. As the mother of two young children who are entering the school system, I am passionately committed to the success of our public education system.

I have been serving families in the non-profit sector for 15 years; I have an extensive knowledge of non-profit management, early childhood programming, and advocacy work. The perspective I am bringing to the school board is unique and will add a valuable lens in supporting the healthy growth and development of all children in our community.

Maintaining a fiscally responsible budget, while mitigating the impact on the quality of our kids’ education will be one of my top priorities.

I am interested in continuing on the BOE because we have updated our curriculum, increased test scores, and increased our student’s college and career readiness. Our AP and Dual Credit programs have allowed students to complete college credit saving the parents tuition. Our spending per pupil is still one of the lowest in the area.

What differentiates me from the other candidates is my experience on the BOE.

(Did not submit a response)

(Did not submit a response)

• Candidate questionnaires are continued on page 11

11

School District 308 Board candidate questionnaires

School District 308 is facing a growing budget deficit. What actions would you support as a board member to eliminate the deficit?

MATT BAUMAN Funeral Director, Salerno’s Rosedale Chapels

DOMINICK CIRONE Senior Treasury Analyst, Ulta Inc.

Sr. Director of Research/ Segmentation, iHeartMedia

TONI MORGAN Teacher,Yorkville SD 115

HEATHER MOYER Program Manager, Teen Parent Connection

DANIELLE PAUL Director, Recruitment Solutions, cors, Inc.

I am in support of what we can do in the short term. Eliminated positions that are not needed, reduction in staff, in a way that will harm the students the least.

Long term, I do not believe we can balance the budget without involvement at the state level. Without changing how public education is funded, the programming and supports that the district provides will change dramatically, for the worse.

That is ultimately up for the voting public to decide. If we get to a point where we must drastically cut our offerings both in the classroom, and extra curricular, than yes, I would support putting a referendum on the ballot. Our community must be involved in deciding what type of education we are going to provide.

I will work to limit the negative impacts of budget deficits on students by prioritizing resources for classrooms over central administration. I will take a critical look at current practices to see how we can improve delivery so that we are operating as efficiently as possible. I also support continued efforts to persuade legislators to fix state funding, although we need to have muted expectations.

It doesn’t make sense to operate under the assumption that a referendum is an option.

Cuts are being proposed, I would ensure that minimal impact comes to classrooms. I also will advocate for paying down debt. Had we not started refinancing debt in the early 2000’s our tax rate would be lower today.

Step one is to never approve a budget that is not balanced. I think that is a requirement. I’d review the size of administration and match revenues to expenses.

I do not support increasing property taxes as they are some of the highest in the state already. Families can’t afford it and higher taxes would crush home values.

You have to find ways to save money. We need to keep pressure on the state and look at possibilities within our parameters. In addition, the board would have to examine carefully which staff salaries give us the most value for helping students and sort out those which do not impact students as much and are unnecessary or overpaid.

No, it is not possible to keep raising taxes and maintain the attractiveness of our community.

I believe we need to streamline current administrative positions. I commit to continuing advocating on behalf of our children with local legislators, insisting on change to the current education funding formula. I would continue to dialogue with village officials about the need for further economic development in the area.

We should exhaust all other options to reduce the budget deficit, and explore all other possible revenue solutions before considering a property tax increase.

We need to work together and see how we can work together while least penalizing the children of the district. As of February, we have not received any categorical payments for 2017 from the State of Illinois, which is over $6 million and a total payments of $70 million.

At the high school level, we are looking to combine smaller classes. We have cut our administration and haven’t backfilled positions. Everything will be on the table, including extra-curricular activities. I would also say that we will have to look at the potential for an operating fund referendum or a sales tax increase.

Visit KendallCountyNow.com/election/2017 to read the full questionnaires in this race, as well as more coverage of the April 4 election.

Thursday, March 30, 2017

BRENT LIGHTFOOT

Would you support a property tax hike referendum to reduce the deficit and to provide additional funding for District 308?

LOCAL NEWS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

• Continued from page 10

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, March 30, 2017

| LOCAL NEWS

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MONTGOMERY POLICE REPORTS Obstruction charge Montgomery police arrested Jerome Yankieway 26, of the 1600 block of Ridgeway Avenue, Chicago, after stopping his vehicle for having only one headlight on Douglas Road at Sherman Avenue March 25 at 12:21 a.m. Police said Yankieway provided officers with a fake name. Police said they later learned that the suspect was wanted on three warrants issued in Aurora. He was charged with obstructing and transported to the Aurora police station.

BRIEF Stephen Drive March 25 at 12:03 a.m.

Obstructing, possession charges Montgomery police arrested Lavonte Willingham 20, of the 1700 block of North Linder Avenue, Chicago, March 14 at 6:59 p.m. in the 800 block of Victoria Drive on charges of forgery, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and obstructing identification. Police said in making the arrest they responded to a report of shots fired on Victoria Drive. When officers arrived they spoke with Willingham who gave them his consent to search his person. Police said while searching Willingham they discovered a small baggie containing a white powdery substance. Police said the suspect also provided them with a false name along with two forged documents with the same false name. Police said no one was injured by gun fire in the incident.

Warrant arrest Montgomery police arrested Darandon Freyerson, 25, of the 1000 block of Commonwealth Avenue, Aurora, after stopping his vehicle for failing to obey a stop sign on Montgomery Road at Sycamore Street March 25 at 3:13 a.m. Police said the suspect was arrested when they learned he was wanted on a Kendall County warrant for failure to appear in court on prior cannabis DUI, heroin arrest charges. He was transported to the Kendall Montgomery police arrested Michael J. County jail in Yorkville.

Salerno, 26, of the 0-99 block of South River Street, Aurora, after officers located his veDomestic battery charge hicle in a ditch off Ogden Avenue March 22 Montgomery police arrested David Jones, at 9:31 p.m. Police said Salerno was charged 66, of the 3000 block of Kenilworth Drive, with driving under the influence of drugs Montgomery, March 24 at 11:08 p.m. at his and unlawful possession of a controlled residence on a charge of domestic battery. substance when they found him in possesPolice said the suspect allegedly placed sion of heroin. another household member in a headlock.

One hurt in crash Warrant arrest A Big Rock resident, Carol J. Nussle, 67, of Montgomery police arrested Joshua John Street, was injured when the vehicle Johnson, 27, of the 2100 block of Lilac she was driving was struck from behind on Lane, Aurora, on an outstanding warrant for Route 30 at Orchard Road by another vehicontempt of court on Brentwood Drive at cle driven by DeMara Urban, 58, of the 1900

block of Little Rock Road, on March 20 at 2:29 p.m. Police said Nussle was transported to Rush Copley Medical Center in Aurora.

Purse stolen A purse was stolen out of a vehicle that was parked in the garage of a residence in the 2300 block of Rebecca Circle March 21, Montgomery police reported. Police said the door of the attached garage had been left open at the time of the theft.

Motorist arrested Montgomery police arrested Christopher R. Ocasio, 44, of the 300 block of Evans Avenue, Aurora, after stopping his vehicle on Route 30 and Orchard Road after he drove into the oncoming lane of traffic on Route 30 to bypass several cars to access a turn lane. Police said they learned that Ocasio was driving on a suspended license and he was also wanted on a Kendall County warrant for failure to appear in court on a prior driving on a suspended license charge.

Traffic violations Fred Miller, 28, of the 0-100 block of Crofton Road, Oswego, driving on a suspended registration and no insurance.

Juan Jaquez, 33, of the e170 block of Spring Mist Lane, Aurora, speeding and driving on a suspended license.

Steven Hathorne, 21, of the 1000 block of Monticello, Aurora, driving while license suspended.

Marcos Rizo, 36, of the 900 block of Windsor Avenue, Aurora, 36, disobeying a traffic control device, no valid driver’s license and driving without insurance.

OSWEGO POLICE REPORTS Domestic arrest Oswego police arrested a juvenile on a charge of domestic battery March 26 at 7:42 p.m. at a residence on Century Drive.

Mailbox damaged Oswego police were notified March 26 that a mailbox was found damaged in front of a residence in the 300 block of Amston Drive.

Warrant arrest Oswego police arrested Katelynn Marcous, 30, of the 3000 block of Veronica St., Plano, on a warrant on Orchard Road at Concord Drive March 26 at 6:48 p.m. Police said the suspect posted bond and was released pending a court appearance.

appearance.

ID theft reported An Oswego resident told village police March 24 that someone used his personal information to open financial accounts last April 1.

ID theft reported An Oswego resident told village police March 24 that someone used her personal information to purchase items on ebay worth $579.58.

Juvenile arrested Oswego police arrested a 15 year-old juvenile on a charge of criminal damage to property in the 300 block of Fox Chase Drive DUI arrest North March 25. Police said damage was Oswego police arrested Jason L. Acosta, 30, estimated in excess of $500. of Austin, Texas, on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol after stopping his Domestic inquiry vehicle in the 2400 block of Route 30 March Oswego police are investigating a report 24 at 5:10 a.m. Police said the suspect posted of a domestic battery that occurred at a bond and was released pending a court residence on West Washington Street, March

15 at 11 p.m. Police said the incident was reported to them on March 24.

Pedestrian struck A 13 year-old juvenile was checked for injuries at a local hospital after being struck by a motorist on Grove Road at Plainfield Road March 24 at 4:44 p.m., Oswego police reported. Police said the juvenile ran in front of the motorist’s vehicle.

Credit card incident Oswego police are investigating an incident in which someone attempted to use a fraudulent credit card at a residence in the 15000 block of Douglas Road March 24 at 11 a.m.

Traffic violations Daniel Olivaries, 45, of Yorkville, driving while license suspended.

Richard Perez, 27, of the 200 block of Edgehill Drive, Bolingbrook, driving while revoked.

Shkayla J. Wilson, 24, of the 600 block of North Edgelawn, Aurora, driving on a suspended license.

CALL 866-445-6258 TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE OSWEGO LEDGER

Oswego police issue 36 seatbelt tickets in crackdown

The Oswego Police Department issued 36 seatbelt citations – 11 of which occurred during nighttime hours – as part of a targeted enforcement program. Police also issued four citations for drivers using an electronic communication device.

Oswego Police joined forces with other state and local law enforcement and highway safety partners in the St. Patrick’s Day “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click it Or Ticket” crackdowns.

The enforcement effort was funded by federal traffic safety funds through the Illinois Department of Transportation and is part of the statewide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It or Ticket” campaigns.

– Oswego Ledger

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KENDALL COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS

Motorist cited in hit, run County sheriff’s deputies cited and summoned Emily Lynn Little, 20, of the 3000 block of Hoffman Street, Plano, to court on a charge of hit and run in a property damage accident.

Police said the suspect left the scene of a crash in the parking lot of the Kendall County Courthouse in Yorkville March 21 at 9:27 a.m. Police said Little was given a court date on the charge.

Domestic under investigation County sheriff’s deputies said they are continuing their investigation into a domestic battery incident that occurred March 26 at 8 p.m. in the 8000 block of Van Emmon Road in Bristol Township.

Motorist injured, cited A Plano resident, Jesse M. Martinez, 20, of the 700 block of East Church Street, was injured March 25 at 12:26 p.m. when he lost control of the vehicle he was driving and it struck a utility pole in the 200 block of Creek Road in Little Rock Township, according to the county sheriff’s office.

Police said Martinez was treated for minor injuries and released from an area hospital. Police said he was cited for operating an uninsured motor vehicle, driving while license suspended and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

Inmate charged in battery An inmate at the County Jail, Taylor J. Cano, was arrested at the jail March 23 at 11:40 p.m. on a charge of aggravated battery. Police said Cano struck a correction’s deputy in the face, causing minor injuries.

Warrant arrest County sheriff’s deputies arrested Robert Scott Hatcher, 33, of the 400 block of North Eddy Street, Sandwich, March 23 at 1:46 p.m. at the county sheriff’s office in Yorkville on warrants for aggravated domestic battery and theft.

Identity theft reported A 58-year-old Yorkville man told county sheriff’s depu-

ties March 22 that someone used his name to finance the purchase of some furniture.

Police said there are no suspects at this time and the investigation is continuing.

Fight investigation County sheriff’s deputies are investigating a fight that was reported to have occurred March 23 between 3:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. in the 100 block of Harbor Drive in Oswego Township. Police said a 35-year-old female was the victim in the incident.

Windshield struck An 86-year-old Riverside resident told county sheriff’s deputies that an unknown object struck his windshield while he was driving on Route 71 at Walker Road in Fox Township March 21 at 6:40 a.m. Police said the motorist believes that someone intentionally tossed something at his vehicle.

Facing interference charge County sheriff’s deputies arrested Axiry Gamino, 31, of the 3700 block of 59th Avenue, Cicero, March 21 at 3:34 p.m. in the 2200 block of Light Road in Oswego Township. Police said the suspect was charged with interfering with the reporting of a domestic violence incident.

Police said the suspect allegedly attempted to prevent another female subject from calling 911 to report the incident.

Traffic violations • Jonathan Patrick Zidek, 20, of the 9800 block of Chicago Road, Newark, driving while license suspended.

• Christopher S. Bishop, 20, of the 200 block of Bertram Drive, Yorkville, driving while license suspended.

ELECT

BOB ROGERSON Oswego Township Highway Commissioner

• Local Business Owner for over 15 years • Oswego Township Resident for over 45 Years • 32 Years Construction & Management Experience • Member Oswego Chamber of Commerce (8 Years) If elected as your next Oswego Township Highway Commissioner, I will dissolve my successful business and work full-time at giving the infrastructure and the people of this community the attention that is deserved.

MY TOP PRIORITIES:

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13

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Warrant arrest County sheriff’s deputies arrested Michael D. Bryant, 46, of the 100 block of Harbor Drive, Oswego, while investigating a domestic incident at his residence March 27 at 6:01 p.m. Police said Bryant was wanted on an outstanding warrant issued in Kane County.

DUI charge after crash County sheriff’s deputies arrested Scott Donald Ahearn, 34, of the 7300 block of Fordham Lane, Plainfield, after the vehicle he was driving was involved in a single-vehicle crash in the 10000 block of Corneils Road in Bristol Township March 26 at 12:54 a.m.

Police said Ahearn was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.

LOCAL NEWS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

Endangerment among charges County sheriff’s deputies arrested Megan Nicole Hobbs, 23, of the 1000 block of Douglas Street, Ottawa, after they stopped her vehicle for speeding on Route 71 at Walker Road in Fox Township March 26 at 5:05 p.m.

Police said Hobbs faces charges of driving while license suspended, possession of a controlled substance, resisting a peace officer, and endangering the life/health of a child.

Police said Hobbs was also cited for failing to properly secure two children under the age of 8 in a safety belt and speeding.

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, March 30, 2017

| LOCAL NEWS

14

Library to survey area residents

By LYLE R. ROLFE news@kendallcountynow.com Residents of the Oswego Public Library District may soon be receiving phone calls from Northern Illinois University’s Center for Governmental Studies.

They will be asked to participate in updating the library district’s strategic plan for the future by participating in a survey.

During a recent committee meeting, trustees heard a presentation from Craig Rapp, senior advisor of CGS and Mindy Schneiderman, director of the survey research team for CGS. Following the committee meeting, the board voted unanimously during their regular monthly meeting to hire the CGS to complete the survey.

The cost of the survey will be $17,200 but the funds are in the budget, Vernita Hettrich, board president said.

Rapp said they will meet with library officials to help them prepare questions relative to the library district.

“We try to find out what your information needs are,” Schneiderman said. “We don’t use standardized questionnaires. We do custom research questions,” she said, noting that they are based on what district officials want to know.

They have done strategic plans for several area cities and public agencies including the Aurora and Joliet libraries and the Village of Oswego. Rapp noted that his firm did a public opinion survey for the library district in 2004.

“We try to find out what your information needs are.

We don’t use standardized questionnaires. We do custom research questions.”

Mindy Schneiderman Director of the NIU Center for Governmental Studies survey research team They do all types of studies but for the library district they would start with personal phone calls to residents within the district.

From a purchased list of cellphone and landline phone numbers, they choose who will be called and when, Schneiderman said. If the phone lists show that 60 percent of the residents have cell phones, 60 percent of their calls will be to cell phone numbers. All calls are manually dialed, she said.

“To complete 500 surveys, we make over 20,000 phone calls, depending on the community,” she said.

They will call each landline up to eight times and cellphones up to six times, and the calls are made at different times of the day and days of the week. If people refuse to participate in the survey, they are no longer called, Schneiderman said.

She said they have 70 part-time interviewers on their staff, about half of whom are NIU students. Their work is monitored by professionals on her staff. The interviewers are trained for

about three weeks for each project, Schneiderman said.

“When they call, they are representing the library so we want to be sure they represent you properly,” she added.

Residents of the district will be notified in advance through the news media that they may receive a phone call from the study team Schneiderman said.

The majority of their calls are made during the evening hours, 7-days a week, but some calls will be made other times to catch people who may be working evenings. They also try to have a balanced mixture of male and female respondents, and sometimes even by age. They often ask about the language spoken in the home, number of children in the home and other questions to tailor the results to district’s needs, she said Once all information is obtained Rapp said they will hold three meetings with library officials. They will decide at the first meeting on 4-6 priority items to focus on in the surveys.

They will then meet with library staff members to work on the plan and set priorities, he added.

During the regular board meeting, following Rapp’s presentation, trustees discussed this firms proposal and the one made last month by Donna Fletcher who does the same type work. They chose Rapp’s firm by unanimous vote.

According to the agreement, the firm will present its completed plan within three months, at a total cost of $17,200 which includes all expenses.

Sign up now for park district Easter Egg events OSWEGO LEDGER The Easter Bunny will be hopping over to Fox Bend Golf Course in Oswego on the morning of Wednesday, April 12, the Oswegoland Park District has announced.

This meet and greet will happen rain or shine and includes breakfast featuring kid-friendly cuisine and an egg hunt. Everyone attending must register. The Bitty Bunny Brunch is $20 for park district residents and $25 for non-residents. Registration ends

April 7.

School-aged kids will celebrate the season with a Flashlight Egg Hunt held at Fox Chase Elementary and Wormley Heritage Park in Oswego on Wednesday, April 12. Kids will embark on a search for Easter eggs with only the beam from their flashlight. Select eggs are designated as winners with prizes that include an Action Pro Camera, Tablets, VR viewers, stuffed animals.

Everyone walks away a winner with a goody bag filled with candy and prizes.

Interested egg hunters are encouraged

to remember their flashlight and dress for the weather, as the hunt is on rain or moonshine.

A limited number of 250 participants will receive their egg hunter’s license at check in from 7:30 to 7:55 p.m.

The Egg Hunt fee for park district residents is $7, $9 for non-residents. Registration ends April 10 at 4:30 p.m.

For more information on these or other upcoming special events, contact Kristie Vest at the Oswegoland Park District, kvest@oswegolandpd.org or at 630-554-4425.

will include pancakes, French Toast, sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, juice and coffee.

Small Plates will be $4, Large Plates $6, children 2 and under are free.

Proceeds will benefit Grace Children’s Hospital and Pediatric Clinic in Haiti.

Good Shepherd Oswego United Methodist is located at 5 W. Washington at the corner of Rt. 34 and Madison. Handicap accessible. For more information call 630-554-3269 or visit goodshepherdoswego.org.

BRIEF Church hosting benefit Bunny Hop Brunch

The Church of the Good Shepherd in downtown Oswego will host its second annual Bunny Hop Brunch on Saturday, April 8 (during the Downtown Oswego Bunny Hop) from 9 to 11 a.m. The menu

– Oswego Ledger

Boulder Hill, Montgomery water main flushing set OSWEGO LEDGER

The Village of Montgomery Public Works Department crews will be flushing water mains in the village and unincorporated Boulder Hill Subdivision during the weeks of April 10, 17, and 24.

This procedure clears sediment from the water distribution line, helps maintain water quality, and verifies proper operation of the hydrants.

Residents are encouraged to refrain from washing laundry when flushing is done in or near their neighborhood as the temporarily discolored water may cause laundry staining. Residents should also run their cold water taps first to clean out any sediment that may enter the water lines inside the homes.

Public works crews will flush hydrants from approximately 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily according to the following schedule: Week of April 10: Areas east of Orchard Road to Hill Avenue (includes Parkview Estates) and north of Route 30 (Seasons Ridge) up to Ashland Avenue.

Week of April 17: In unincorporated Boulder Hill, South of Route 30 to Circle Drive West and from Route 25 to Douglas Road; within the Village of Montgomery, Lakewood Creek West, Fairfield Way and Foxmoor.

Week of April 24: Areas west of Orchard Road to Dickson Road and from Galena Road to Jericho Road, including: Montgomery Crossings, Lakewood Creek, Lakewood Creek West, Fairfield Way, Foxmoor, Blackberry Crossing, Blackberry Crossing West, Huntington Chase, Balmorea, Orchard Prairie North, and Saratoga Springs.

If you have any questions about the hydrant flushing program, or any other Public Works service, call 630-896-9241.

PREP ROUNDUP

OSWEGO LEDGER

SOFTBALL

BASEBALL

Oswego East: Shane Schatz struck out five over six one-hit innings in his first start and JD Ludacka went 2-for-3 with three runs scored for the Wolves (7-0).

Picha, A.J. Freund and Nathan Wagner each had two hits for Oswego in a 10-2 season-opening win over Bolingbrook on March 20.

Alex Perez’s bases-loaded walk scored A.J. Freund with the winning run to beat West Aurora 2-1 on March 27. Ethan Over, Nikolai Sardo, and Michael Noesges combined on a strong pitching effort, recording eight strikeouts. Sardo delivered the game-winning home run as Oswego rallied past Crosscroads Christian on March 24. Josh Grimes pitched 2.1 innings of scoreless relief, striking out four, for the win.

BOYS TRACK

Top Times: Oswego East’s Kijana Caldwell ran a 1:58.61 800 to finish in third place, leading local finishers at the Top Times indoor championships on March 24 at Illinois Wesleyan. Wolves’ teammate Dylan Zangri was fifth in the 1,600 (4:22.37), Oswego’s Brian Jimenez was 15th in the 400 (52.26), Oswego’s 3,200 relay of Collin Boone, Mitchell Bradford, Dalen Brown and Joe Fioresi took fourth (8:12.51) and Oswego’s Nick Janca cleared 6 feet for 12th in the high jump.

GIRLS TRACK

Top Times: Oswego sophomore Isabelle Christiansen ran a 2:21.09 1,600 for ninth place at the Top Times indoor championships on March 24 to lead area competitors. Teammate Jennah Rogers took 14th in the 60-meter dash (8.02), Oswego’s 3,200 relay of Christiansen, Jaycie Simon, Isabelle Aguado and Jenna Yakesh took sixth (9:38.46) and Oswego East’s Maya Taylor took 11th in the long jump (15 feet, 9.25 inches).

Montgomery brush pickup starts soon OSWEGO LEDGER The Village of Montgomery’s free brush removal service is offered to residents each year from spring through early fall, specifically during the first full week of each month from April through October. Once the crew has gone through your area, they will not return.

Brush pick-Up cycles will begin on the following dates: April 3, May 1, June 5, July 10, Aug. 7, Sept. 11, and Oct. 2.

The village has set the following rules for the program: ·Brush must be stacked neatly in the parkway by the Sunday evening of pick-up week. Crews will begin Monday morning and will make only one pass through each neighborhood. Brush placed after Village crews have passed

will not be collected. ·Brush should be neatly piled in one direction, unbundled, with the larger trunk portions or cut ends facing the street. Brush piles should not be taller than three feet high and should not obstruct the sidewalk. ·For safety reasons, branches must be no smaller than 1 inch—but no larger than 4 inches—in diameter and no shorter than 3 feet in length. Public works crews will not pick up piles that include bushes with roots and dirt attached, grape or other vines, lumber, plywood or construction materials (including but not limited to metal objects, concrete/stone chunks, etc.). Piles that are not neatly stacked or contain any of these items will not be picked up. ·Twigs, leaves and smaller yard debris need to be placed in yard waste

bags for removal by the Village’s regular garbage hauling service, Republic Services. ·The program is not intended to handle branches, logs or tree stumps as a result of large scale tree trimming or removal. ·This service is provided to residential properties only. ·If your brush pile is not picked up, a tag will be left behind explaining the reason it wasn’t collected. ·Brush must be placed on the parkway in front of the property from which it originates. Brush piled in the right-ofway behind your address, or brush not originating from the address in which it is placed in front of, will not be collected. Brush may be placed in the parkway for removal up to one week before the scheduled pick-up dates.

OSWEGO LEDGER The Village of Oswego has implemented brush collection by zones in the village.

There are two zones.

Zone A includes all properties east of the Fox River and north of Route 34 as well as those properties west of the Fox River and north of Mill Road.

Zone B includes all properties east of the Fox River and south of Route 34 as well as those properties west of the Fox River and south of Mill Road.

The village will collect brush from each zone once each month beginning in April. The last pickup will be in October just prior to the start of the leaf collection program.

Collection weeks are as follows: Zone A: weeks of April 3, May 1, June 5, July 3, Aug. 7, Sept. 4 and Oct. 2.

Zone B: weeks of April 10, May 8, June 12, July 10, Aug. 14, Sept. 11 and Oct. 9.

Place all brush at the curb by 7 a.m. on Monday morning of the designated week but no earlier than noon the Friday before.

The public works trucks will pass through an area once and will not return for brush placed after the deadline.

Brush is defined as tree and bush branches that are less than 5” in diameter. Place unbundled brush parallel or perpendicular to the street in neat bundles with all cut ends facing the same direction.

Do not put brush in a container or in the street.

The village will not pick up logs, wood, root balls, cuttings, or grass clippings. Crews will place an orange tag on your door indicating the reason they did not pick up the brush if it is the wrong material or placed at the curb prior to the deadline.

The village provides this service for residents. The village does not accept landscaping generated by contractors.

If you have any questions, call the Public Works Office at 630-554-3242.

To submit a news item to the Oswego Ledger, email news@kendallcountynow.com

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Oswego East: Emily Schultz went 4-for-5 with two doubles, two runs batted in and three runs scored to lead the Wolves to a 20-0 win over Elgin on March 27. Juvia Davis went 2-for-3 with a double, triple, three RBIs and two runs scored, MacKenna Mittelstaedt went 2-for-3 with a double, homer and two RBIs and Ashley Schultz went 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs. Emily Schultz went 4-for-5 with a homer, triple, five RBIs and three runs scored, Jamie Haas homered and drove in three runs and Davis had a triple and four RBIs for the Wolves in a 22-2 win over Bolingbrook on March 24. Mittelstaedt allowed just one hit in five innings for the win.

Mittelstaedt homered and drove in four runs and Davis went deep and had two RBIs for the Wolves (3-0) in a 14-2 win over Rosary on March 28.

Oswego: Jenna Veber struck out six batters over four innings to lead the Panthers to a 2-1 win over Naperville North on March 23. Alex Schultz and Ashley McCance each collected one hit.

Annie Scaramuzzi struck out nine and allowed just two hits for Oswego in a 10-0 win over Kaneland on March 24. Caitlin Eckert and Rebecca Pieroni each had two hits for Oswego. Natalie Ethridge went 1-for-3 for the Panthers (2-1) in an 8-0 loss to West Aurora on March 27.

BJ Graves went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBIS. Garrett Goetz went 2-for-4 with a double, triple, 3 RBIs and a run scored and Mason Madalinski had two hits and two runs scored for Oswego East (6-0) in a 9-3 win over Westmont on March 27. Daniel Nelson struck out three over six innings to earn the win. Jake Stock also went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Devon Zielke squeezed in Sean Schumacher with the winning run in a 2-1 win over Sterling on March 24. Goetz homered and Schatz allowed just one hit over three innings to earn his second win in relief.

Goetz struck out 11 in a complete-game one-hitter in the Wolves’ 11-0 win over West Aurora on March 23.

Goetz also went 2-for-3 with three runs scored and Madalinski had three RBIs. Oswego East sophomores: Winning pitcher Connor Gill struck out five and Grant Davis had three of Oswego East’s 11 stolen bases in a 7-4 win over West Aurora on March 23. Gill and Davis each collected multiple hits. Ed Borwick, Nick Boissiere and Davis combined on a no-hitter for the Wolves in a 26-0 win over East Aurora on March 28. Adam Green went 4-for-5 at the plate.

Oswego sophomores: Winning pitcher Jason Crafton struck out two and allowed two hits for the Panthers (2-0) in a 5-0 win shortened by lightning. Garry Maynard was 3-3 at the plate with a double and RBI. Oswego East freshmen: Nick Miravete had three hits and Nathan Campbell homered for the Wolves in a 10-8 win over West Aurora on March 24.

Oswego freshmen: Nikolai Sardo had three hits and three RBIs and Tommy

15

LOCAL NEWS & SPORTS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

Wolves open with three big wins

Oswego announces schedule for brush pickup

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, March 30, 2017

| SPORTS

16 GIRLS SOCCER

Taylor Peck, Wolves hold off Yorkville East keeps close eye on Foxes’ speedy junior Peyton Willie

Oswego East’s Rachel Mieritz, gets away with a hold, and stops a breakaway shot by Yorkville’s Peyton Willie (19) during a varsity girls soccer game at Yorkville High School on Monday.

By JOSHUA WELGE jwelge@kendallcountynow.com Taylor Peck and Oswego East are all grown up now.

Peck, a senior, was one of nine Wolves promoted to the varsity soccer team as a freshman.

She can laugh at the memory now.

“It was a rough season, all of us coming from different clubs,” Peck said.

“Now that we’re all seniors it’s going to be an exciting year.”

So far, so good.

Peck had a goal and an assist early Monday, and played big defensively late as Oswego East held off host Yorkville and junior sensation Peyton Willie 4-2.

Willie, a junior committed to Illinois, has scored 51 goals her first two seasons at Yorkville and showed why Monday. She scored twice, closing a 3-0 Oswego East lead to 3-2.

In the closing minutes Peck was called on to mark Willie, to preserve the Wolves’ lead.

“Once we got up by two, we wanted to make sure we wouldn’t let another one in,” Peck said. “(Willie) was very dangerous, very fast. We needed an extra player on defense. Coach told me to stay on her, stay within five yards, don’t let her get the ball. I just tried to stop all the through balls, stay right on her hip.”

Peck earlier did her part offensively, part of an early flurry of Wolves’ goals against a Yorkville team playing its season opener.

Maddy Lambert scored in the fourth minute for the Wolves (4-1), and less than six minutes later Villanova-bound Jasmine Ruiz scissored in a nifty shot in traffic inside the far left post. When Peck blasted in a close shot inside the left post, assisted by Sydney Conway, it was 3-0.

Juan Leal, in his first year as Wolves head coach, is already used to getting a little bit of everything from Peck.

“She’ll do anything you ask for her,” Leal said. “If i ask her to man mark somebody, ask her to put the ball in the back of the net, ask her to play in the center, ask her to flush players out wide, she’ll do it all. She’s just so valuable.”

The same can certainly be said for Willie.

The Foxes’ junior made several long runs with the ball throughout the first

Steven Buyansky for Shaw Media

half, but couldn’t cash in. She finally did just before the half, and added a spectacular goal early in the second.

Willie had a long run down the left side of the field, outran two Oswego East defenders and punched in a left-footed shot from a difficult angle inside the left post.

It left even Yorkville coach Lauren Anderson, used to Willie’s talents by now, awestruck.

“Left foot, extremely difficult shot to make and she pulled it off,” Anderson said. “She’s just an incredible player, great speed, a fun player to watch. I’m glad she’s on my team.”

Alexe Anderson gave Oswego East back its two-goal lead in the 23rd minute of the second half, her shot from right of the box trickling inside the left far post.

Willie had a few opportunities late, but one shot went wide and another was blocked by Wolves’ goalkeeper Julia Peters.

She noticed the extra attention come her way.

“They had two outside backs, a third in the center, (Peck) was on me the whole game, at least toward the end. I could feel her,” Willie said. “It felt good to get those two goals in but I missed a couple toward the end. They’re not all going to get in.”

Oswego East 4, Joliet West 1: Jasmine Ruiz scored three goals and Alexe Anderson added a score for the Wolves.

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| SPORTS

18

JACKIE MEIER SHELTER INSURANCE / LEDGER ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: KIJANA CALDWELL

To Caldwell, no need for a rest day Oswego East 3-sport athlete 3rd in 800 at indoor track state meet

By JOSHUA WELGE jwelge@kendallcountynow.com Kijana Caldwell makes rest look so overrated.

Caldwell, a senior committed to Division II Findlay for football, is a threesport athlete at Oswego East.

His break from basketball to track this March? Caldwell took one day off.

“Usually I take about a week,” Caldwell said. “Practicing right away, that helped me out a little bit. I had two weeks to prepare for my first race, two weeks of training hard.”

Indeed, Caldwell’s quick turnaround has him off to a fast start on the track.

He ran a 1:59 800 at the Southwest Prairie Conference meet, at the time the fifth-best time in the state. Last Saturday, Caldwell did it better. His 1:58.61 at the Top Times indoor championships at Illinois Wesleyan earned him third place.

For these efforts, Kijana Caldwell is the Ledger Athlete of the Week.

“It’s a great start for as short a time as he’s been out,” Oswego East distance coach Jim Milner said. “This is his fourth year making the transition so he’s got it figured out. Getting inside 1:59 indoors is a good spot to be in, knowing he’s looking to run much faster than that.”

Caldwell got out to a good start at Top Times, leading after the first quarter-mile. The pack came back to him, but Caldwell made a good run at eventual winner Will O’Keefe of Granite City.

“I like to get out to a good pace in

Shaw Media file photo

Oswego East’s Kijana Caldwell (right), shown passing the baton to Trevor Nold at last year’s sectional meet, took third in the Class 3A 800-meter run at Saturday’s Top Times indoor championships at Illinois Wesleyan in Bloomington. Caldwell, a three-sport athlete, is committed to Findlay University for football. order for me to manage where I can be for the end of the race,” Caldwell said.

“Right now I’m feeling pretty set for the outdoor season. I was going for the school indoor record (1:57), and didn’t get it. For sure I’m going for the outdoor record (1:53).”

Caldwell’s long strides out of a lanky 6-foot-2 frame seem tailormade for the 800. He started out as a freshman, though, as a 300-meter hurdler.

He injured his hips hurdling at the end of sophomore year, and transitioned to the 400 and 3,200 relay.

Caldwell had the top split for a 3,200 relay conference champion, and ran a

1:57 split leading off at state.

“If you’re going to build an 800 runner you’d build one to be like Kijana,” Milner said. “He’s already made a statement that he’s one of the guys to watch this year.”

He’s stronger, too.

Caldwell estimated that he’s gained about seven to eight pounds of muscle since the end of football season, 10-12 pounds since last track season. Right now he’s on a rigorous workout plan that Findlay laid out for him. Monday is the heavy leg workout day.

“Some people would say that added weight would hurt a runner. It helped

me,” Caldwell said. “It gave me more leg strength and more core strength.

With a stronger core I feel I can run faster.”

Caldwell, the rare three-sport athlete in an increased age of specialization, advocates for sticking with multiple sports.

And just for athletic reasons.

“Of course I’m glad I did it,” Caldwell said. “They say that colleges like high school athletes that do multiple sports because you learn to manage school work with three sports. It helps you with one sport for college to learn time-management skills.”

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BOYS VOLLEYBALL

By JOSHUA WELGE jwelge@kendallcountynow.com

Steven Buyansky for Shaw Media

Oswego’s Jacob Bentz (5) pops a shot between St. Patrick defenders Chris Lara (4) and Frankie Mott (13) during the championship game of the Oswego High School Boys Varsity Volleyball Invite on Saturday.

BASEBALL

Senior catcher Panza turns on the power for Panthers Oswego senior catcher slugs two homers in win at West Aurora

By JOSHUA WELGE jwelge@kendallcountynow.com When Gabe Panza swings his bat now, it has go.

Oswego’s senior catcher was called up to the varsity team midway through his sophomore year. At the time, it seemed his soft hands and strong throwing arm behind the plate would benefit the Panthers the most. He bulked up, and hit .341 as a junior with a .939 OPS. But he only hit two home runs all year.

Hard to believe, by the display he put on Monday.

Panza homered in his first two at bats at West Aurora, powering the undefeated Panthers to a 12-5 win on a

cool, wet morning.

He kept a modest tone in explaining his sudden power surge.

“I think it’s a lot of getting stronger, getting experience at the plate, reading the ball. I’m able to read the pitch and drive it,” Panza said. “It seems like I’m getting more barrel on the ball.”

His first homer Monday was a sight to see.

After JD Miller’s leadoff single, Panza drove an offering from West Aurora starter Jacob Gray that sailed well over the fence in left field, bounded past the street beyond the fence and into a neighboring front yard.

Oswego coach Joe Giarrante, from the third base box, had a good albeit brief viewpoint.

“It got over me and it was moving at a very fast rate,” Giarrante said. “I’d like to see the velocity, he got all of that one. When Gabe’s on he can match any pitcher.”

“I just saw the pitch in, read it and took a drive on it,” Panza said. “I didn’t

even know it was out. I just hit and ran.”

His second homer was impressive in its own right.

With Cody Peterlin on third after a leadoff double, the right-handed Panza went with an outside pitch. The ball kept carrying over the fence in right.

Giarrante isn’t surprised, considering Panza’s packed on 10 or so pounds of pure muscle since last spring.

“Those balls that were being caught at the fence last year are going to sail out of the ballpark now,” Giarrante said. “He’s got a good, compact swing.

If he’s getting a good barrel on the ball it’s going to take off.”

The bat isn’t all Giarrante likes.

“His defense is a weapon,” Giarrante said. “He blocks the ball well and his arm is as good as any in the area. We value him a lot.”

Giarrante, in his first year as Oswego head coach, can’t complain with the start his team’s lineup is off to.

The Panthers (4-0) have scored 43

runs in four games. Peterlin doubled twice Monday, and Tanner Sohst had two hits and reached base three times.

Cole Aughenbaugh had an RBI double in a seven-run seventh inning that blew open what was a 5-4 game.

“Usually at the beginning of the year the arms are ahead of the bats,” Giarrante said, “so hopefully this is an indication of what we have.”

Sohst also made two stellar plays in right field behind Oswego starting pitcher Dustin Wayne. Sohst laid out for a diving catch in the second inning and doubled off a runner at first base, then doubled off another runner in the fourth.

“Tanner has been a very consistent outfielder for us the last two years,” Giarrante said. “He has a good arm and he gets good reads off the bat.”

Oswego 7, Coal City 0: Andrew Schimmoler struck out five over six shutout innings, JD Miller scored three runs and Panza and Nick Cecchi had two RBIs each for Oswego on March 24.

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Jacob Bentz rides the emotional rollercoaster on the volleyball court.

Oswego’s senior outside hitter hammered the match-winning spike Saturday, ran to the center of his team’s side, and fell to the court. His teammates swallowed him up in a dogpile.

Quite a thrill ride.

“It’s the first championship I’ve ever won,” Bentz said. “That’s the best feeling I’ve ever had for competition.”

He was feeling it, for sure. Bentz’s 23rd kill of the day was the capper in a come-from-behind 25-21, 1825, 15-13 win over St. Patrick in the championship of the Oswego Invite.

Oswego (4-0) trailed 13-10 in the clinching game, but scored the last five points to secure its second championship in the three-year run of the tournament. ‘”It’s a great character win for us,” Oswego coach Zach Splitt said. “We really needed to dig our heels and come back. It speaks to where we are mentally.”

Hayden Castle and Al Dunah each had 10 kills and Ben Williams nine for the tournament for Oswego, which was playing with its leading hitter – Jerell Rogers – out of town. Ben Ruggles had 58 assists and Ryne Anders 30 digs.

Oswego dominated the early going in Game 1 against St. Patrick, but things seemed to slip away midway through the second. As St. Patrick built a lead in Game 3, Bentz stalked the court, biting the top of his jersey.

Giving in? Hardly.

“No, we definitely had that all the way. Maybe,” Bentz said with a laugh. As soon as we started to pick up the energy, we flowed. I just had to get myself back into the game, get hyped. That’s what won us the game.”

Bentz stumbled, but still dropped in a tip kill to get it to 12-10, then drove home a hit to pull within 13-11. Two St. Patrick errors sandwiched around a Dunah block set up Bentz’s heroics on the final point.

Splitt is used to Bentz’s emotions running hot, and accepts it with a condition.

“Jake rides that wave of emotion a lot,” Splitt said. “I don’t stifle that in any way but at the same time he has to be aware that you have to be able to sustain that wave a lot longer than you might be able to. We can’t have peaks and valleys. We knew we’d be leaning on him a lot today.”

Oswego leaned on its serving game early.

Ruggles had two aces off his jump-serve in Game 1, and so did Bentz. Castle got in on the act.

With an undersized team like Oswego’s, that aggressive serving is a necessity.

“We need to do anything we possibly can to push teams out of system offensivley,” Splitt said. “We’ve been really focuing on our first contact, not only receiving but serving.”

The Panthers will be busy the next couple weeks.

They’re at the West Aurora Invite April 1, then open the conference season with Plainfield Central and Plainfield North before heading to the St. Charles East Invite April 8.

Getting Rogers back, Bentz looks forward to seeing what they can do.

“As soon as we get Jerell back, we can really go somewhere I think,” Bentz said.

SPORTS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

Bentz boosts Oswego to tourney title

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Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, March 30, 2017

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SPORTS BASKETBALL

TESTING THE WATERS

Montgomery native declares for NBA Draft, keeps option to stay in school

By JOSHUA WELGE jwelge@kendallcountynow.com As far as decisions go, Thomas Wilder said he’s had tougher.

The Montgomery native, a 6-foot-3 junior point guard at Western Michigan, announced this past week that he’s declared himself eligible for the 2017 NBA Draft.

Wilder will not hire an agent, therefore giving himself the option to return to Kalamazoo for his senior season if he chooses.

Under rules adopted by the NBA in 2016, players declaring for the draft may attend workouts scheduled by NBA teams, and may compete in the NBA Draft Combine in May if invited. Players have until 10 days after the combine to remain in the draft or return to school, provided they don’t hire an agent.

Wilder, an All-Mid-American Conference selection, made his decision with the blessing of his coach, Western Michigan’s Steve Hawkins.

“The decision was actually pretty easy,” Wilder said, “with the fact that with the new rules you can test the waters without hiring an agent with the possibility of coming back. A couple weeks before the season ended I went to coach and asked what he thought and he said he thinks I should do it. He got enough feedback that teams were interested and stuff like that.”

Wilder, on track to graduate in December, actually told his parents before the season that he wanted to enter the NBA Draft if he had an “OK enough” season.

Wilder, who led the MAC in scoring as a sophomore with a 20.4 point per game average, didn’t skip a beat.

He averaged 19.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists, and led the conference with a .444 shooting percent from 3-point range.

“My parents were supportive of my decision,” Wilder said.

Wilder found a home in Western Michigan after a circuitous path there.

Wilder averaged 17 points per game as a sophomore at Oswego East, but district boundary changes moved him to Oswego the next year. A hip injury limited his minutes as a junior, and following that school year Wilder

Photo provided by Gary Shook/Western Michigan Athletics

Western Michigan’s Thomas Wilder (10), a Montgomery native who averaged 17 points a game as a high school sophomore at Oswego East, has declared his intention to enter the NBA Draft. made the decision to transfer to Quakerdale Prep in Iowa.

It was a difficult move, more so even than Wilder’s decision to enter the NBA Draft.

“All my friends and family were back home, I was about to be a senior, I knew I was going to miss out on prom and everything about my senior year back in Illinois,” Wilder said. “It was very difficult but I knew where I wanted to go. My family felt this was the best way to get there.”

Wilder never looked back.

“I went (to Quakerdale) for two years, I basically got a two-year head start on the normal freshman life,” Wilder said. “It helped me a lot to be prepared to be alone, to take on responsibilities and mature quicker than normal freshmen.”

Wilder more than held his own this

season against three other elite point guards.

He scored 19 points against Villanova and fellow Illinois native Jalen Brunson, and had 22 points versus UCLA and All-American point guard Lonzo Ball. Wilder also had 14 points against Washington and Markelle Fultz, considered the likely No. 1 pick in the draft.

“I feel I have a pretty high ceiling, that I’m more than capable of playing at the next level,” Wilder said. “A lot of these other guys that go to Kansas or Duke or Kentucky, it’s obvious that they are going to get more attention than me because I go to a mid-major.

I’m not going to limit myself and think of myself as just a role player. When you have God-given abilities and work hard the sky is the limit.”

Wilder, still in Kalamazoo, keeps to

a normal routine these days. He wakes up, eats a good breakfast, and goes to class. Later he hits the weights and heads to the gym.

NBA teams can start bringing in prospects for workouts in late April.

He could be on the cusp of living his dream, but Wilder is keeping his head on straight.

“I do talk to my cousin and roommate sometimes and they’ll say ‘Next year I could be watching you on TV,’” Wilder said. “We talk about it, but for the most part I’m just worried about getting in my work. If I keep hearing that teams will pick me up as a free agent I’m not going to jeopardize my education. If I hear things like that it’s a no-brainer. If I hear good things and think it’s a good opportunity after talking to coach and my family the decision will be made.”