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Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, December 8, 2016

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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.

Subscription rates: One year, $28 in Kendall County; $36 elsewhere in Illinois and $47 outside Illinois The Oswego Ledger and KendallCountyNow.com are a division of Shaw Media.

All rights reserved. Copyright 2016

• Relevant information • Marketing Solutions • Community Advocates

ON THE COVER Jim Bringas of the Chicago Ice Works uses a chainsaw to carve an ice sculpture during the annual Christmas Walk in downtown Oswego on Dec. 2.

See more photos on page 6.

Photo by Steven Buyansky for Shaw Media

New County Board chairman chosen

By TONY SCOTT tscott@kendallcountynow.com The Kendall County Board unanimously chose Scott Gryder of Oswego as its chairman Monday evening during an organizational meeting at the county’s Historic Courthouse in Yorkville.

In addition to Gryder being named chairman, replacing former Chairman John Shaw, newly elected and re-elected board members were sworn into office by Judge Melissa Barnhart.

New board members Matt Kellogg of Yorkville, Tony Giles of Oswego and Audra Hendrix of Yorkville, as well as board member John Purcell of Yorkville, were sworn into office.

New Coroner Jacquie Purcell was sworn into office last Wednesday along with State’s Attorney Eric Weis and Circuit Court Clerk Robyn Ingemunson.

Also during Monday’s meeting, board member Lynn Cullick was chosen unanimously as the board’s vice chairman.

Board member Judy Gilmour was chosen as the Forest Preserve District president, Matthew Prochaska as the district vice president, and Elizabeth

Tony Scott - tscott@kendallcountynow.com

Newly sworn-in Kendall County Board Chairman Scott Gryder addresses the audience Monday evening during the board’s organizational meeting at the Historic Courthouse in Yorkville as State’s Attorney Eric Weis listens.

Flowers as the district secretary.

Following his selection as chairman, Gryder addressed the audience.

“Congratulations to all of you who

were sworn in tonight,” he said. “The hard work begins tomorrow night [Tuesday’s board meeting]. Enjoy it.

It’s fun, it’s a huge responsibility.”

Oswego suspends leaf vacuuming due to snow

By ERIKA WURST news@kendallcountynow.com The village of Oswego has suspended its leaf vacuum program following a record-breaking first snowfall of the season last Sunday.

Public Works Director Jennifer Hughes made the announcement at Tuesday night’s village board meeting.

“We had a record first snowfall and the timing couldn’t have been worse for the leaf program,” Hughes said.

“We’re facing some major challenges.”

With the leaves falling later this year, there are some trees that are not yet bare. And, despite the snow, those leaves are still falling.

“When the snow did hit, it caused problems,” Hughes said. “The leaf vacuums don’t work and the leaves will soon begin to freeze in place.”

Public works staffers who have been collecting leaves daily until this week now have a new mission to focus on, which includes salting and plowing

CIVIC MEETINGS WEEK OF DEC. 12-16 Monday: Oswego ECO Commission, CANCELED. Monday, 6 p.m.: Fox Valley Park District Board, Prisco Community Center, Aurora.

Monday, 7 p.m.: Oswego Fire Protection District Board, Station One, Oswego.

Monday, 7 p.m.: School District 308 Board, Oswego East High School Community Room.

Monday, 7 p.m.: Montgomery Village Board, Montgomery Village Hall.

Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.: Oswe-

streets, Hughes noted.

Instead of vacuuming the leaves, she said the village might go out with end loaders to pick up the now frozen leaf piles along local streets. However, she noted that trucks previously designated for leaf pickup are now being transitioned into snow plows.

“We’re trying to pick up as many leaves as we can before the weather gets worse. But, we know we can’t get 100 percent of them right now,” Hughes said.

BRIEF go Township Board, Town Hall, Oswego.

Tuesday, 6:55 p.m.: Oswego Township Plan Commission, Town Hall, Oswego.

Wednesday, 2 p.m.: KenCom Operations Board, County Public Safety Center, Yorkville.

Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.: Waubonsee Community College District Board, Waubonsee Community College, Sugar Grove.

Thursday, 5:30 p.m.: Oswegoland Park District Board, South Point Center, Oswego.

Church offers recycling of polystyrene/Styrofoam

organizers ask that foam items be divided into three categories in separate plastic (tied-up) bags The Oswego Presbyterian Church will provide polystyrene/ (i.e. garbage bags) as follows: • Foam cups and food service Styrofoam recycling for the holidays in an effort to keep the containers (rinsed; no straws, popular packing materials out of lids, plastic wrap or trash). landfills. The next collection date • Packaging foam peanuts.

• Other packaging foam (with is set for Saturday, Jan. 7, from labels, tape and other materials 9 a.m. to noon in the church removed). parking lot, at 1976 Route 25 in Foam insulation and other Oswego. types of foam (non-PS6) will not Any polystyrene foam or Styrofoam materials having the PS6 be accepted.

– Oswego Ledger symbol will be accepted. Event

As investigation goes on, clients are served, finances stay stable

By TONY SCOTT tscott@kendallcountynow.com

Tony Scott - tscott@kendallcountynow.com

Clients browse the meats, produce and other goods available during a recent distribution day at the Kendall County Community Food Pantry in Yorkville. Greg Witek, chairman of the new food pantry board, said 300 to 350 families representing between 900 and 1,200 households walk through the pantry’s doors every month in need of everyday items.

Law enforcement sources estimated that between $150,000 and $200,000 was taken from the pantry, but a criminal investigation is still ongoing and Witek said pantry officials are still sorting through documents to determine how much was missing.

A week after the raid, the former executive director of the pantry, Maria Spaeth, and the pantry’s treasurer, Maria’s husband Kenneth Spaeth, both of Yorkville, resigned from their positions at the pantry. On June 21, Maria Spaeth was found dead in her vacation home in Lake Holiday of a prescription drug overdose, according to DeKalb County Coroner Dennis Miller.

A Kendall County judge appointed a special prosecutor to the case in July.

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

No criminal charges have been filed

in the case.

Asked for any progress on the case this week, Colburn wrote in an email, “Nothing I can release at this time.”

Grant Wegner of Yorkville, an attorney and retired judge who sits on the food pantry board, has been acting as legal counsel and liaison between the pantry board and Colburn, Witek said. “[Wegner] has been in close contact with the special prosecutor, and my understanding is it’s on his list of to-dos, and he’s just got a lot of to-dos,” Witek said. “So he’s getting through the process but he’s not there yet.”

Wegner said the police and prosecutors had all of the organization’s documents, which made it hard for them to begin building a case for civil litigation.

“What initially happened was they went in with a search warrant and took all of our records and documents,” he said. “So before we could pursue any other avenues of recovery, we had to get access to that. So, Colburn and I worked out an agreed court order, where we have some material they can turn over to us and then there are two other boxes of material that they’re go-

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Thursday, December 8, 2016

Six months after Yorkville police searched the offices of the Kendall County Food Pantry in Yorkville as part of a theft investigation, leaders at the renamed Kendall County Community Food Pantry say they are slowly but surely picking up the pieces.

During a recent distribution day at the pantry, located at 208 Beaver Street in Yorkville’s Fox Industrial Park, families and individuals crowded into a waiting area and then patiently browsed the many food staples available, including meat and produce donated by local grocery stores and other businesses.

Greg Witek, the Little Rock-Fox Fire Protection District fire chief and KenCom dispatch executive board chairman who was named chairman of the new food pantry board when the new board and leadership took over Aug. 11, said 300 to 350 families representing between 900 and 1,200 households walk through the pantry’s doors every month in need of everyday items.

Witek said the issues that occurred six months ago did not impact the clients of the pantry.

“Throughout the entire process, if they didn’t read the papers, they would not know anything had happened,” he said. “So even in the darkest days when there was red ink in the checkbook and the volunteers were barely getting by, they were here every Thursday and the clients came and got food and it all worked out.”

On June 1, Yorkville police executed a search warrant on the pantry, located at 208 Beaver St. in Yorkville’s Fox Industrial Park, and a Yorkville residence following reports by pantry volunteers of suspicious transactions and possible theft of funds from the pantry’s accounts, according to police.

ing to hold onto because they have evidentiary value, but we’ll have access, we can look at them and things of that sort.”

Wegner said that he expects that “we’ll pursue civil remedies... to whoever we have a legitimate cause of action against.” Secondly, there is potential insurance coverage related to errors or omissions by nonprofit directors, he said, so by reviewing the documents they will be able to figure out if they can file such a claim.

“The third side of it is completely up to Colburn, and if they do have some criminal charges that develop, obviously one of the things that we’ll be pushing for in any kind of plea agreement or sentencing would be that we get some restitution money,” he said.

However, he said it’s “going to take us some time to figure out who and when and how.”

Wegner said the pantry officials have no estimates right now of how much was stolen, just “ideas,” but that there’s “definitely enough to pursue, I can tell you that.”

Wegner said he understands why the criminal investigation has taken so long, noting that the appellate prosecutor’s office covers cases all over the state when a local prosecutor cannot take the case. He said Colburn has “a lot on his plate, and I get that.”

“Colburn’s all over the state; I get it, it takes a bit longer than if it was local,” he said. “Hopefully they’ll move forward on it and we’ll see what happens.”

Witek said the volunteers stuck with the pantry even during the controversies. He said that according to pantry Director Tandy Pinter, volunteer inquiries through its new website, including those who want to do temporary volunteer shifts, have been more than steady.

“There is a record high in terms of people who want to help,” he said.

Witek said church groups, school groups and others will take temporary shifts, and then there are those who come to the pantry and just say they want to help. He gave the example of a 50-something couple who stopped in the pantry in July.

LOCAL NEWS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

Food pantry works to build back trust

3

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, December 8, 2016

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OPINIONS OUR VIEW

All ideas for parcel should be on table The village of Oswego’s pending purchase of the former Alexander Lumber yard property in the village’s downtown serves to place the responsibility for the successful redevelopment of the long-vacant parcel squarely on village officials.

The acquisition of the property, expected to be completed by the end of this month, will not come cheaply for the village and its taxpayers. The village board’s approved purchase price is just under $1.43 million, the average between the village’s $1.35 million appraisal and the current owner’s $1.635 million appraisal. At this point, village taxpayers appear insulated from a tax increase that would result from the expense.

The village is proposing to use

reserve funds to cover the purchase price and then reimburse those funds later with the proceeds from the eventual sale of the current police station building at 3525 Route 34. That facility has been appraised at $1.5 million. Time will tell if the village will eventually be able to obtain the appraised value for the police station and fully cover its purchase price for the property.

We are hopeful the village’s acquisition of the property will serve to expedite its redevelopment. Had the village not stepped in at this point, it’s conceivable the property could have sat vacant for another several years, generating a minimum of property tax revenues for Oswego and other local agencies. According to Kendall

County records, the total property tax bill on the property was just $4,983 this year.

Now the question becomes how will the village have the property redeveloped? The village’s 2015 comprehensive plan suggests the development of three multi-story mixed-use buildings with first-floor commercial tenants and townhomes on the upper floors.

A parking lot with 86 parking spaces is also shown on the site in the plan.

The reason for recommending the multi-story buildings is straight out of a Planning 101 college textbook.

More dense housing usually works well in traditional downtown areas because the increased population it generates will patronize downtown restaurants and retail stores, helping

those businesses and increasing sales tax revenues for the village.

In addition to proposed commercial/residential uses proposed for the property over the years, we’ve heard numerous other suggestions, ranging from a public parking deck to a downtown public gathering place that for community events that would double as a community destination and focal point.

Should the village’s goal be to maximize the property’s tax revenue potential through private development or should it seek to develop a public space that would serve as a downtown attraction? We believe all ideas should be on the table as village officials work to achieve a consensus among themselves and the community at large.

How grain shaped history of Chicago, St. Louis This year’s harvest season is largely ended, but truckloads of grain still stream from area farms to grain elevators or directly to Illinois River terminals as the end of the crop goes to market.

This “Golden Stream,” as author William Cronon described it, moves corn and soybeans from field to temporary storage to market in a smooth flow that is a marvel of efficiency, one that would astonish our pioneer farmer ancestors.

In the first half of the 19th century, grain traveled to market in burlap bags and cloth sacks. Before it could be shipped off the farm, corn had to be shelled, and small grains – oats, wheat, rye, and barley – had to be threshed (removed from the stalks) and winnowed to separate the grain from the chaff. Then it was placed in cloth sacks, which were sewn shut, loaded aboard wagons and hauled to the nearest market.

Before railroads pushed west of Chicago to the Fox Valley in the late 1840s, that meant taking horsedrawn wagonloads of full grain sacks over the terrible roads of the era to the South Water Street market. There it was inspected and stored in warehouses until it was sold, either to a local user or to be loaded aboard a ship and sent to the eastern markets.

Farmers nearer to the Illinois River hauled their wagonloads of bulging grain sacks over to the Illinois River, where it could be stored in warehous-

REFLECTIONS Roger Matile es until loaded aboard steamboats at Peru – most often the head of navigation on the river – so it could be shipped south to St. Louis, or even all the way to New Orleans. In 1831, a young Abraham Lincoln signed on as a crewman to sail a flatboat owned by New Salem merchant Denton Offutt down the Sangamon River to the Illinois and then on to New Orleans.

Among the flatboat’s cargo were “bags of corn.”

At each point on its journey from northern Illinois to grain markets, either south to St. Louis or New Orleans, or east to New York, sacks of grain had to be handled numerous times, making grain shipment an extremely labor-intensive business.

Individual sacks had to be moved from farm to wagon to Chicago or St. Louis warehouse to steamboat or flatboat to New Orleans or Buffalo warehouse to sailing ship or Erie Canal boat to the grain’s final destination, where it had to be unloaded yet again.

And then the railroads arrived, along with drastic effects, both positive and negative, on Chicago and St. Louis. St. Louis – the Gateway to the West – knew its prominence depended on its access to the Mississippi River’s steamboat traffic. Hundreds

of steamboats delivered their cargoes to the Levee – a broad slope along the riverfront – where slaves hauled sacks and barrels and crates to warehouses and between arriving and departing vessels.

The city’s merchants quickly realized that railroads were antithetical to steamboat shipping on which the city relied. They were so opposed to railroads, in fact, that they forbade bridging the river at their city. As a result, the first bridge across the Mississippi was at Rock Island, which was immediately opposed in court by steamboat interests. Successfully arguing in favor of the bridge in Hurd v. Rock Island Railroad Company was attorney and former river flatboat crewman Abraham Lincoln.

By its opposition to a rail link with the east coupled with geographic problems that didn’t affect Chicago plus rapid advances in grain shipping technology, St. Louis was quickly surpassed as a major grain shipping point.

The main advance in technology that had the biggest impact on grain shipment was the invention of practical grain elevators, which allowed grain to be removed from all those sacks, slashing labor costs. Joseph Dart, a Buffalo, New York, warehouse owner, is credited with inventing the grain elevator in 1842. Essentially, the commercial grain elevator was a collection of vertical grain bins in which grain of various kinds and quality

could be separately stored outside of sacks until shipment. The grain was elevated using steam power to the upper bins, where gravity allowed it to flow through chutes aboard anything from canal boats to rail cars.

While the grain elevator was invented in Buffalo, it was really perfected in Chicago. There, huge grain elevators were quickly built along the Chicago River on South Water Street.

Grain from Chicago’s hinterland was transported to the elevators by wagon, rail, and canal boat, where it was graded by quality and then loaded into the elevated bins, all by machinery instead of on the backs of stevedores.

Which is where geography comes in. Because the Chicago River and Lake Michigan are both pretty much immune to floods, those huge grain elevators could be built right on the riverbank. The Mississippi floods on a regular basis, meaning elevators at St. Louis could not be built along the river or they’d be flooded one or more times every year. Geography, coupled with the city’s disdain for railroads, meant St. Louis was quickly supplanted as a major grain transshipment point. Cut off from rail lines heading east, the rest of its economy was harmed, too.

Meanwhile, Chicago’s economy, based on roads, canals, railroads and lake shipping exploded, making it the premier city in the nation’s Middle West.

See REFLECTIONS, page 7

FORUM To the Editor: As an Oswego taxpayer and local business owner for 45 years I feel I have to address the Oswego Village Board’s decision to acquire the former Alexander Lumber property for $1.4+ million.

This site is underlain with solid limestone, is flood prone, and not served with municipal sewer service. Prior developers have walked away from the site due to many problems such as limited utilities, and buried concrete from the previous structures. Now, with your and my taxpayer dollars, the village board is attempting to redevelop an already blighted site with a hope of success.

I object as a taxpayer for spending our money on a maybe project. If the board has that much extra funds on hand to gamble on real estate development that they are unqualified to understand, and complete, the money would be better spent on a tax reduction. Please let the trustees know how you feel about this project.

R. Budd Wormley

Owner, Wormley Real Estate Oswego

All are welcome here

To the Editor: Friends, this year’s presidential election cycle was dramatic, and a bit unusual.

Half of the country is happy, half are unhappy, perhaps even a bit afraid. As an Oswego village trustee, it is my responsibility to point out that no matter – who you voted for, your race, religion, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation or disability – you are welcome in Oswego.

Oswego has always been the friendliest community around, we pride ourselves on that, so I have no doubt that it will continue to be. We are the kind of community where we respect each other, work hard and see the opportunity in each day. When my wife and I moved here nearly a decade ago, we discovered that we not only found incredible neighbors, but lifelong friends as well. In my heart, I know that other people have had the same experience.

There are 33,078 wonderful residents in Oswego, and I intend to serve each and every one of you. There is so much that unites us. I believe Oswegoans want the same thing at the end of the day: loving families, good schools, safe neighborhoods, prosperity, a sense of community, and a safe place to worship as we see fit. Those things are found in Oswego.

Kristin and I have a 2-year-old boy and

a 4-month-old girl, and we love raising them here. Whether or not I can eventually convince my toddler to wear pants, or not bury the dog in Legos while she’s sleeping, is a matter for another day.

As we go forward, I want you to feel welcome and that you are an integral part of the fabric of this incredible community.

If you ever want to talk, give me a call.

I’ve got big ears that I inherited from my Grandfather and are perfect for listening.

Seriously, my cell number is 630-7889299.

God bless you and may God bless these United States now and forever.

inherently and systematically racist on the basis that a few bad people are able to slip into their ranks from time to time.

I would suggest that you leave the womb of your group think, and start using your own two eyes to see what they see every day. See oppression where it really exists. See the places where human life has no value and where human dignity is reserved only to the powerful. Until you’ve actually seen and done these things, you have no standing for your outrage. You should just remain on the sidelines and quietly wait for them to do what needs to be done to keep you free and safe.

Ryan Kauffman

Bill Shink

Oswego Village Trustee Oswego

What do you believe in?

To the Editor: Before we the willing are allowed to enter into the service of our country, either in the military or in law enforcement, we are required to swear an oath.

Prior to taking this oath, we are reminded of the significance of what we are about to do. This is because, after taking this oath, we would fully be expected to carry out our sworn duty regardless of the probability of our success. We would fully be expected to march forward, even into the face of certain defeat, to fulfill our sacred promise.

Let me ask a personal question: what do you believe in? Is there anything that you believe in enough to face the possibility of losing your life for it? Is there anything that you believe in enough that would make you march forward even though you know you won’t be coming back? If not, are you the kind of person who sits back and waits for other people to do things for what you believe in?

If you’re this kind of person and find yourself sitting around waiting for your next heroes to come along, then my simple advice to you would be to let these heroes fulfill their sworn duty without your constant criticism, without your protest, without your persecution or prosecution before the facts are known, and most certainly without taking their lives from them while they’re having lunch in their squad car.

Unless you’re fully ready to replace them, swear their oath, accept the consequences of that oath, deal with the danger they face every waking moment, or leave the comfort of your sideline existence and join them in their fight, then I politely ask you to stop labeling them as

Yorkville

Money pit

To the Editor: The Money Pit? The Oswego Village Board agreed to pay $1.5 million for an unpaved, flood plain parking lot. We the taxpayers get to foot the bill.

I wonder what investor would pay more than the appraised value for a property that has not been able to sell for more than 10 years? I am sure the seller is doing the happy dance.

The main reasons given were the board wanted power and control over this property. Just like the new TIF district designed to give the board more power and control over winners and losers, and who will be the next benefactor of our tax dollars? Are these the new functions of the village board? Perhaps we should stick to the basics.

Combine the unpaved parking lot purchase with $30 million for a new police station, designed to support the needs of populations yet to arrive in Oswego for another 10, 20 or 30 years, and other spending which nets we the taxpayers since the last election, board approved new spending in the neighborhood of $46 million or more.

This board inherited a $12 million surplus and a fiscally balanced budget. Yet we received a sales tax increase which averages $400 per taxpayer/household based on the net projected proceeds, and spending sure to set us in the red for years to come.

I hope the voters pay attention to the local consolidated elections and vote out all of the incumbents in the village of Oswego who have become a money pit for us taxpayers.

Jim Marter Oswego

Submit letters Letters must be no longer than 400 words and must be accompanied by the writer’s full name, address and home phone number. Only the author’s name and city of residence will be printed. Elected and appointed public officials who write letters will be identified with their titles listed under their names. Officials who wish to write letters that are not necessarily representative of their agency’s view should preface their letters accordingly. We reserve the right to edit all letters for brevity and fairness, and to withhold from publication letters that we determine to be libelous, obscene, untrue or invade personal privacy. Send letters to letters@kendallcountynow.com or Record Newspapers, 109 W. Veterans Parkway, Yorkville, IL 60560.

Joining Oswego race

To the Editor: Hello Oswego residents: My name is Brian Thomas, and I am writing to announce my candidacy for Oswego village trustee on the Republican ballot.

I am a Conservative Republican that is for lower taxes and a limited government. These are just a couple of issues that I have concerns with and is my reason(s) for running. After speaking with the residents, I have heard many of their complaints, I wanted to touch on a few of them today.

The most important issue that I hear about are property taxes. This has been an issue for some time now, and it will not get better any time soon with the recent board approval of the $44 million downtown TIF district along with the board approval of the $1.5 million purchase of the downtown Alexander Lumber property – that looks more like a parking lot. In the last few meetings the board has approved almost $46 million of taxpayer money – which will eventually lead to another property tax increase.

Also, another issue I have been hearing from the residents is the three quarter of the 1 percent tax increase that board approved after the third meeting of the current administration. I will touch on issues going forward but I wanted to bring these up because it is what I have been hearing the most. If you have any issues please contact me anytime.

Email: battapper13@att.net.

Brian Thomas Oswego

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, December 8, 2016

Spending for a ‘maybe’ project

5

“Home for the Holidays” was the theme for Oswego’s annual Christmas Walk celebration held Friday evening in the village’s downtown. Several thousand area residents descended upon the Main Street business district to view an illuminated fire truck parade, visit with Santa and enjoy ice skating, horsedrawn carriage rides and other fun seasonal activities. The event was organized by the village.

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, December 8, 2016

| LOCAL NEWS

6 Big crowd comes ‘home for the holidays’

Photos by Steven Buyansky for Shaw Media

ABOVE: Seven-year-old Jaidan Johnson of Oswego roasts a marshmallow during the annual Christmas Walk. LEFT: Fouryear-old Zaydrian Rodriguez of Oswego decides which lollipop to choose hanging on a lighted Christmas tree.

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ABOVE: Main and Jackson streets were packed with festivalgoers during the Christmas Walk. LEFT: The Toyland Train begins one of its trips in front of the Oswego Public Library on Dec. 2.

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Continued from page 4

• Looking for more local history? Visit http://historyonthefox. wordpress.com.

Zoning panel will not recommend it; proposal to go to hearing officer

By TONY SCOTT tscott@kendallcountynow.com A Kendall County zoning panel has declined to recommend approval of a special use for a shooting range in the southern part of the county.

Landowner Robert Delaney has requested turning his property at 16502 Church Road in Lisbon Township into a full-time gun range called Dirt Road Range, requiring a special use zoning from the county.

The land is currently zoned for agricultural use, according to county documents.

The county’s Regional Plan Commission voted 3-2 at a Nov. 30 meeting against recommending approval of the zoning to the County Board.

Commission members Tom Casey, Roger Bledsoe and Claire Wilson voted against recommending approval, while members Larry Nelson and Budd Wormley voted in favor of approval.

Chairman Bill Ashton voted “present.”

The proposal will now go before a special use hearing officer on March 27 at 7 p.m. Following that process, the proposal will be reviewed by the County Board’s Planning, Building and Zoning Committee and then the full county board.

The proposal faced fierce opposition by neighbors at a July 27 commission meeting. The issue was continued, changes were made to the proposal and it was brought back to the commission on Nov. 30. The Nov. 30 meeting was also crowded, with residents of the area again voicing opposition.

Delaney has used his property as a private firing range, but now wants to open it up to the public.

Attorney Daniel Kramer of Yorkville represented Delaney during the meeting and discussed the issue of accessing the site from Dobson Lane.

The property that the range would sit on is landlocked, and Kramer suggested that the best way to access the site is using a private drive that is shared with the landowner to the west of the shooting range property. That access would be initially gravel, but the commission recommended it be tar and chip or hard surface.

Kramer said they looked into going east, but that it’s “not in the picture” as

they would have to get easement permission from ComEd. It would be “cost prohibitive” to build a road all the way to Church Road to the west, Kramer said.

Greg Peterson, the landowner to the west of the property, told the commission that he did not want a hard surface road on his property. Peterson pointed out that Delaney owns the property north of his and could use that to access Church Road.

“What they wanna do is use my driveway,” Peterson said.

Tim Wallace, a Whitewillow Road resident and the chief of the Lisbon-Seward Fire Protection District, said the district requested the property have a Knox Box, which is a master key system used by fire departments to gain entry to a property during an emergency. He said they also requested fire extinguishers on the property, and an annual fire inspection.

Wallace said he has a business on Whitewillow Road, and has had customers visiting his business on Saturdays who ask about the noise coming from the firing range property.

Kramer said nothing the fire department asked for was “unreasonable.”

He said there would also be a defibrillator on site.

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Thanks to its extensive transportation web, Chicago’s hinterland underwent a massive expansion that, in economic terms at least, eventually took in entire states including Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. The grain, timber, livestock, iron ore and other commodities that flowed in a seemingly never-ending and always growing stream into the city by the lake led to at least one historian to dub it, without exaggeration, “Nature’s Metropolis.”

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It’s the end of another year’s cycle that’s been going on here in the Fox Valley for more than 180 years thanks both to accidents of geography and the genius of people who were interested in making a buck and who ended up changing the world.

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LOCAL NEWS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

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Oswego police said they were dispatched at approximately 4:05 p.m. Friday to a rollover accident at the intersection, after a vehicle driven by Blaine M. Allen, 21, of the 0-100 block of West Highland Drive, Bristol, was traveling westbound on Mill and struck a vehicle traveling northbound on Orchard. Allen was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, police said.

Police said a preliminary investigation indicates that Allen’s Ford Ranger entered the intersection at a red light,

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struck a northbound Hyundai Accent driving on Orchard, and then rolled over, landing partially on the hood of a third vehicle sitting in the southbound left turn lane on Orchard. Debris from the crash also struck the windshield of a fourth vehicle going south on Orchard, police said.

Allen had to be extricated from his vehicle and was airlifted to a hospital for his injuries. The driver of the Accent, a 33-year-old Montgomery man, was transported by ambulance to a local hospital to treat his injuries.

No information was available from the police on the condition of those taken to hospitals. The intersection of Orchard and Mill was closed for about eight hours while police reconstructed the crash as part of their investigation.

Montgomery Village President Matt Brolley told a gathering of friends and supporters last week he believes the last four years have been “very positive” for the village.

In formally announcing his bid for a second term as village president in the April 4 municipal election, Brolley said the village’s community development department has “embraced a pro-business mindset” that has helped the village gain new businesses, from smaller firms to the construction of the massive American Crystal Sugar Dome off Aucutt Road on the village’s west side.

The one-week period for candidates to file petitions to have their names placed on the April 4 consolidated election ballot starts next Monday, Dec. 12, and concludes on Monday, Dec. 19, according to the Illinois State Board of Elections. In addition to village president, Montgomery residents will be asked to cast ballots for three village board candidates. Board seats up for election are currently held by Theresa Sperling, Steve Jungermann and Denny Lee. Brolley said the village has continued to “retool and refine” the way it delivers services to village residents in an effort to increase efficiencies.

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In addition, Brolley said village officials have not shied away from making difficult or unpopular decisions over the past four years. For example, he noted that when officials found themselves confronted with a “huge funding shortfall” to pay for street maintenance in the years ahead, they agreed to ask village voters to approve a referendum increasing the village’s sales tax. To entice voters to support the referendum, Brolley said village officials pledged to rebate 15 percent of the village’s portion of local property tax bills on an annual basis.

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LOCAL NEWS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

By TONY SCOTT tscott@kendallcountynow.com

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Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, December 8, 2016

| LOCAL NEWS

10

• FOOD PANTRY

Christmas tree brightens Montgomery

Mark Busch - mbusch@shawmedia.com

The village of Montgomery’s community Christmas tree, in front of Village Hall at 200 N. River St., was officially lit Sunday evening, just as several inches of snow had fallen. The annual tree lighting was hosted by the village with support from the Greater Montgomery Area of Chamber of Commerce. The event included local students decorating the community tree, followed by the arrival of Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus on a fire truck.

Santa and Mrs. Claus later met with children inside Village Hall. Chamber members served free cookies and cocoa throughout the evening. ABOVE: A reflection of the entrance to the Montgomery Village Hall could be seen Monday in one of the ornaments on the Christmas tree.

Continued from page 3 “He had recently retired and they live in Oswego, and said we want to help, and they have been here every single Thursday like clockwork since the beginning of July,” he said. “They’re a part of the family now.”

Witek said it’s difficult to tell how the donations compare, for example, to previous years because the records are not complete.

“The disappointing part of analyzing the finances is that we just don’t have any history to work with,” he said. “There was incomplete record-keeping of the finances before the new board took over, and what was done has this aura of ‘Well, is that all of it?’ And we know the answer is no, it’s not.

The stuff that we do have is inadequate and it’s also missing dollars.”

He said the new board has been in the process of building a new budget.

“We’re on our way to building a budget but it will be a slow, slow go,” he said.

Witek said the pantry has paid off most of its debt – except for a truck loan – and has money in the bank.

“There have been a lot of questions about the finances because in the past, every time finances were discussed, the volunteers were told ‘Well, you know, we’re barely making it, we hardly have money for this or that or the other thing,’” he said.

“Now, the good news I delivered to them today is, we are a month ahead in our payments to the Northern Illinois Food Bank,

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that’s our main food source, all of our debt is completely paid off except for a traditional truck loan.”

He continued, “We have several months of cash in the bank, the bills are all paid, it’s a huge blessing. The going commentary for that is we know that all the incoming donations are all making it into the bank and are all being used on bona fide bills.

That’s about as delicately as I could possibly say it.”

There is still pain from the incidents, however, Witek said.

“We’ve got 91 volunteers who are all hurting from that whole process,” he said.

Witek said that Maria Spaeth did good work in the county, but that there is a “black mark” on that work now.

“No doubt, over the course of almost 30 years she did some wonderful things for the county, no doubt, and I never want to take that away from her,” he said. “It doesn’t make the bad any less bad. Wonderful stuff got done, but unfortunately it’s got a black mark on it.”

When reached via cellphone this week, Kenneth Spaeth said he could not comment on the investigation or other aspects of the case, but that he wished the organization well.

“All I can say is that I wish nothing but the best for the food pantry,” he said.

“It’s just a terrific organization, and I wish nothing but the best for the people that are running it as well as for the patrons. That was something that was near and dear to Maria’s heart and I know she’d want to see it prosper and continue on without her.”

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MONTGOMERY POLICE REPORTS

Bicycle found A green man’s bicycle was found on the side of the road at Route 31 and Route 30 Dec. 4 at 10 a.m., police reported. Police said they could not locate the owner of the bicycle.

Warrant arrest Montgomery police arrested Fillistine Johnson of the 2200 block of Hagamann Lane, Montgomery, on Montgomery Road at Hill Avenue Dec. 2 at 5:52 p.m. Police said Johnson was wanted on an Aurora police department warrant and cited for driving on a suspended license.

battery warrant issued by the Aurora police department.

Respond to crash Montgomery police responded to a personal injury accident in the 1100 block of Route 34 Dec. 4 at 3:40 p.m.

Motorist arrested Oswego police arrested Nina N. Reyes, 27, of the 800 block of North May Street, Aurora, after stopping her vehicle on Douglas Road at Old Post Road Dec. 5 at 9:47 a.m. Police said Reyes faces charges of obstructing identification, driving on a suspended license and speeding.

Farmington Lakes arrest Oswego police arrested Maxwell R. Black, 26, of the 0-10 block of Stolp Avenue, Aurora, on a charge of domestic battery on Farmington Lakes Boulevard Dec. 4 at 7:13 a.m.

Police said Black was detained at the Kendall County jail in Yorkville and is scheduled to appear in court on the charge later this month.

Hit-and-run reported An unknown vehicle struck and damaged another vehicle parked in the area of Manhattan Circle and Columbus Drive in Oswego Dec. 2, police reported.

Juveniles arrested Oswego police arrested two juveniles on Franklin Street near Washington Street Dec. 2 at 11:23 a.m. on charges of disorderly conduct.

• Continued on page 12

As residents of the Oswego area, we affirm that our caring community respects and celebrates the diversity around us. We are proud of our roots as a small farming town, just as we embrace the changes that have brought us to where we are today. Our differences do not divide us, but rather make us stronger and inform us. Therefore, we will not stand by when signs of hate and intolerance emerge.

Some of us were born and raised here, as were generations before us, while some of us have chosen to make Oswego our home. We all, however, share in the belief that this community is stronger because we respect different ideas and are united in our love of family. No matter our race, religion, color, ancestry, or sexual orientation, we are all Americans, and proud to call the United States our home.

Kim Adorjan Matt Adorjan Max Benstine Mark Benstine Charlotte Benstine Jim Best Sherri Brigham Andrew Burk Debora Burk Lauri Carr & Family Matt Chase Heidi Chase Dave Danca Julie Danca Amy DeFreitas Dave DeFreitas John Denbo

Amber Denbo Pat Doud Lisa Doud Jim Ferone Kim Ferone Jennifer Finlen Robin Frisch Gary Frisch Tim Gburek Rev. Steve Good Keith Grabarek Jackie Grabarek John Graff Pat Graff Ellie Hansen Karen Harvey Dave Harvey

Marsha Hollis Steven Jack Gail Johnson Mark Johnson Lauchlan Jones Ryan Kauffman Sally Kempton Jill Ko Jack Ko Kelly Lee Kevin Lee MacKenzie Lee Jeannie LeMarre Bruce Livingston Kim Livingston Greg Mason Donna Mason

Chandler Mason Andy Mast Jacki Mast Ellen McDonald Diana Mewmaw Jake Miller Hannah Miller Renita Miller Mike Miller Jackie Morrison John Morrison Laurie Nevills Phil Nevills Sharon O’Brien Janis Olson Dave Patush Nancy Patush

Don Reese Jean Reese Bridget Reese Liam Reese Pam Roberts Christina Roberts Tim Roberts Cali Roberts Trent Roberts Barb Schilling Rich & Judy Sollinger Kerri Soumar Miles Soumar Kim Soumar Kaleigh Soumar Jack Stees Mary Ann Stees

Paula Takacs Ron Takacs Pam Weaver Keith Wilcoxson Jane Wilcoxson Kiley Wingstedt William Wingstedt Lindsay Wintermute Len Woelfel Mary Woelfel The Rev. Conley A. Zomermaand, Interim Pastor, Oswego Presbyterian Church (OPC listed for identification purposes only.)

11

Thursday, December 8, 2016

Traffic violations • Vanessa Serrano-Pitts, 26, of the Warrant arrest 900 block of Sard Avenue, Aurora, Montgomery police arrested Migule driving on a suspended license.

Hit-and-run crash Tellez of the 500 block of Bangs Street, • Marcus Payner, 26, of Aurora, drivAn unknown vehicle struck and Aurora, on Montgomery Road at Doug- ing on a revoked license. damaged two parked vehicles on South las Road Dec. 2. Police said Tellez was • Carmen Godinez of the 600 block of River Street at Webster Street Dec. 4 at wanted on an Aurora police department South River Street, Aurora, no valid driv2:30 p.m., police reported. warrant for a prior domestic battery er’s license and improper lane usage. charge and cited for driving on a sus• Raul Tavison-Reyes, of the 10000 Whirlaway vehicle burglaries pended license and with no insurance. block of New York Street, Aurora, Montgomery police are investigatspeeding and driving on a suspended ing vehicle burglaries that occurred Warrant arrest license. in the 3100 block of Whirlaway Drive Montgomery police arrested Jaquar • David Gaines of the 2000 block of overnight Nov. 26. Police said someCorrea of the 700 block of Richards Chad Circle, Montgomery, driving on a one entered unlocked cars and went Street, Aurora, Dec. 1 in the 1500 block suspended license and no insurance. through the vehicles. Police said a of Douglas Road on an Aurora police de• Sara Hartman of the 300 block purse containing $600 in cash was partment warrant for failure to appear of Grant Place, Aurora, driving on a stolen from one of the vehicles. in court on a prior charge of aggravated suspended license, no insurance and assault. driving on an expired registration Property damage sticker.

A resident of the 2300 block of Rebec- Warrant arrest • Raul Tavizon-Reyes, 36, of Aurora, ca Circle, Montgomery, told police Dec. Montgomery police arrested Gabriel driving on a suspended license.

2 that someone broke into a shed on Guajardo of the 100 block of Bluff • Jhony Luna-Ramos, no address the property and caused approximately Street, Aurora, Dec. 1 in the 200 block given, no valid license and driving on an $500 in damage. of Montgomery Road on a domestic expired registration sticker.

Felony theft charge Oswego police arrested Dainielle L. Retterer, 23, of the 30th block of Old Post Road, Boulder Hill, Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. at a store in the 2500 block of Route 34 in the village. Police said Retterer faces charges of felony retail theft and obstructing a peace officer. Retterer attempted to leave the store without paying for merchandise valued at $401, police said.

LOCAL NEWS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

Graffiti damage Graffiti damage was found on the side of a building in the 600 block of Railroad Street Dec. 4, police reported.

OSWEGO POLICE REPORTS

KENDALL COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS Fox Twp. hit-and-run A motorist from Sheridan received minor injuries but refused medical treatment when another vehicle sideswiped his vehicle on Fox River Drive at Fox Road in Fox Township Dec. 4 at 6:30 p.m., according to the county sheriff’s office. Police said the other motorist left the scene without leaving any information.

grass at his residence Nov. 30 at 11:35 a.m. causing $300 in damage. Police said they are investigating.

DUI among charges County sheriff’s police arrested Jessica Lee Mattson, 23, of the 500 block of Ramsden Road, Plano, after her vehicle was involved in a crash Dec. 4 at 12: 58 a.m. in the 12000 Warrant arrest block of River Road in Little Rock Township.

County sheriff’s deputies arrested Isaiah An- Police said Mattson’s vehicle left the roadway gel Contreras, 21, of the 0-100 block of Long and struck several trees and a utility pole. PoBeach Road, Boulder Hill, Dec. 3 at 9:50 a.m. lice said Mattson sustained minor injuries in on a Kendall County warrant for domestic the crash and was treated at an area hospital. battery.

Police said she has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, illegal transDamaged on Rocky Way portation of alcohol, improper lane usage and County sheriff’s deputies are investigating possession of drug paraphernalia. an incident in which someone scratched a vehicle parked in the 0-10 block of Rocky Way Three face charges in Boulder Hill Nov. 30. Police said damage to County sheriff’s deputies arrested two the vehicle was estimated at $500. people while investigating a suspicious vehicle parked in the 80th block of SpringLawn damaged dale Road in Boulder Hill, Dec. 5 at 12:31 a.m.

A resident of the 15000 block of Griswold Police said Austin Gregory Oidtman of the Springs Road, Plano, told county sheriff’s 3200 block of Kenilworth Lane, Aurora, was police that someone drove through the arrested on an outstanding warrant, while Tia

OSWEGO POLICE REPORTS • Continued from page 11

struck by a vehicle backing out of a parking space in a parking lot in the 3300 block of Orchard Road in Oswego Nov. 30 at 3:29 p.m., according to police. Police said Garcia-Ramirez was transported to an area hospital.

Resisting, battery charges Oswego police arrested Justin D. Noel, 19, of the 200 block of Ashcroft Lane, Oswego, at his residence Dec. 3 at 3:49 a.m. on charges of Fraud reported consumption of alcohol by a minor, resisting Oswego police are investigating a fraud officers and battery. Police said Noel posted incident that occurred at a business in the bond and is scheduled to appear in court on 2900 block of Route 34 in the village Aug. 10. the charges Jan. 23.

Police said the incident was reported to them Nov. 29 and the loss to the business totaled ID theft reported An Oswego resident told village police Nov. $26.79.

22 that someone opened two credit card accounts in her name without her permission. Traffic violations • Richard P. Pisarczyk, 46, of the 200 block Police said the cards had not yet been used at of Madison Street, Oswego, driving on a the time the victim filed the report. suspended license.

• Julian A. Gonzalez, 20, of the 1300 block of Pedestrian struck A Wauconda resident, Jorge Garcia-Ramirez, Hawthorne Court, Mendota, no valid driver’s license and expired registration.

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Renee Fisher of the 1200 block of Quarterback Lane, Fishers, Indiana, has been charged with unlawful possession of alcohol by a minor and cited for unlawful possession of cannabis. A third individual, Taylor Ann Grissom of the 2400 block of South Farnsworth Avenue, Aurora, was cited for unlawful possession of cannabis, police said.

Hit-and-run crash County sheriff’s deputies are investigating a hit-and-run crash that occurred in the 0-100 block of Winding Creek Road in Oswego Township Dec. 4 at 8:53 p.m. Police said it appears that an eastbound vehicle on Route 71 left the roadway and struck a tree in a yard on Winding Creek Road.

Warrant arrest County sheriff’s deputies arrested Kevin Robert Bryant, 38, of the 1400 block of Light Road, Oswego Township, at his residence Dec. 2 at 9:47 p.m. on Cook County warrant for contempt of court/non-support.

Garage burglary A mini-bike and a John Deere generator were stolen from a detached garage in the 10th block of Pioneer Court in Oswego • Continued on page 14

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KENDALL COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS • Continued from page 12 Township sometime between Nov. 27 and Dec. 2, county sheriff’s deputies were told.

Police said the investigation is continuing.

DUI arrest County sheriff’s deputies arrested Samantha Rose Donaldson, 34, of the 4500 block of Douglas Road, Oswego, on a charge of driving under the influence Dec. 3 at 10:06 p.m. on Plainfield Road at Collins Road in Oswego Township. Police said they found Donaldson and her vehicle stuck in a ditch near the intersection.

Newark gas theft Gasoline worth $60 was reported stolen from a gas station in the 300 block of Route 71 in Newark Dec. 3, according to the county sheriff’s office.

Cannabis arrest County sheriff’s deputies arrested Adrian Herrera, 21, of the 500 block of South Hugh Street, Plano, after stopping his vehicle on Hugh Street and Dearborn Street in Little Rock Township Dec. 3 at 3:56 a.m. Police said Herrera has been charged with driving on a revoked license and possession of between 10 and 30 grams of cannabis. He was also ticketed for driving without taillights and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.

Bogus bill passed County sheriff’s deputies took a report of a counterfeit bill being passed at a gas station in the 300 block of Route 71 in Newark Dec. 3. Police said the incident remains under

investigation.

Oswego Township, at his residence Dec. 1 at 2:30 a.m. on charges of domestic battery Two hurt in Rt. 71 crash and criminal damage to property. Police Two Yorkville residents, Dee E. Hobbs, 48, of said Cleary was involved in a fight with his the 1300 block of Spring Street, and Vinetta L. roommate during which he bit off a portion Hobbs, 43, of the 0-100 block of Timbercreek of his roommate’s left ear. Police said the Place, were injured and transported to an roommate was transported to Rush-Copley area hospital after their vehicle was involved Medical Center in Aurora for treatment. in a three-vehicle crash in the 11000 block of Route 71 in Kendall Township Dec. 4 at 2:29 Bristol burglary p.m., according to the county sheriff’s office.

A cellphone and keys were stolen from a Police said the accident occurred when Zach- residence that had been left unlocked in the ary M. Latino, 26, of the 3700 block of 2708th 2000 block of Bristol Ridge Road in Bristol Road, Sheridan, lost control of his northbound Township Nov. 29, according to the county vehicle on Route 71 and it went into the sheriff’s office. southbound lane, striking a vehicle being driven by Dee Hobbs. Police said Latino’s vehicle Speeding on Rt. 52 then went back into the roadway and struck County sheriff’s deputies ticketed Antolin another northbound vehicle, which caught Terrazas, 40, of the 800 block of West South fire. Bristol-Kendall Fire Protection District Street, Plano, for speeding 35 mph over firefighters extinguished the blaze. the posted speed limit after they stopped his vehicle on Route 52 at Church Road in Cannabis arrest Lisbon Township Nov. 29 at 8 p.m. Police said County sheriff’s deputies arrested Thomas Terrazas’s vehicle was traveling at 94 mph in Hinkey, 24, of the 400 block of Prairieview a 55 mph zone.

Drive, Oswego, after stopping his vehicle for an equipment violation at the intersection of Traffic violations Bereman and Greenfield roads in Boulder Hill • Erin M. Vitro, 30, of the 0-10 block of SurNov. 30 at 9:15 p.m. Police said Hinkey has rey Road, Boulder Hill, driving on a suspended been charged with possession of between license.

30-500 grams of cannabis, a class 4 felony, • Annette M. Kavanaugh, 37, of the 200 and possession with intent to delivery, a class block of Hemlock Avenues, Romeoville, 3 felony. Police said Hinkey was transported speeding more than 35 mph over the posted to the Kendall County Jail in Yorkville pending speed limit. court proceedings.

16

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Bites off part of ear County sheriff’s deputies arrested Ryan W. Cleary, 26, of the 2100 block of Light Road,

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Travis Kinley of Aurora won an outdoor planter in a raffle sponsored by the Hilltop Gardeners at the Oswego Christmas Walk on Friday. Kinley, who attended the Christmas Walk with his family, said he already has plans on where to display the planter in his home. The club also gave out over 325 pinecone bird feeder kits to children attending the Christmas Walk. For information about the garden club, call Diane at 630-551-1970.

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Highlighting students and activities in Oswego and Montgomery-area schools. Email details to news@kendallcountynow.com.

St. Luke’s Christmas boxes Preschoolers at St. Luke’s Preschool in Boulder Hill recently helped fill shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse. St. Luke’s School, preschool through eighth grade, filled over 75 boxes.

SHAW MEDIA School District 308 recently announced the October 2016 winners of its PRIDE (Proudly Recognizing Individuals Demonstrating Excellence) Recognition Program at a Board of Education meeting.

The PRIDE program allows the Board of Education to formally recognize the efforts of teachers, employees, and volunteers who are engaged in exceptional work across School District 308.

The October 2016 teachers of the month are Lindsay Curtin, second-grade teacher at Grande Park Elementary School, and Marilyn “Mickey” Ewalt, fifth-grade teacher at Long Beach Elementary School and head of the committee that implemented AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) at Long Beach.

The employee of the month award is given in appreciation of an employee’s ability to not only go above and beyond but also to reflect the true meaning of servitude.

October 2016 employees of the month are Gina Gordey, literacy specialist at East View Elementary School, and Kathy Schwerin, district transportation dispatcher.

The volunteer of the month award is a means to encourage and celebrate those who generously donate their time to support District 308 and its students.

Jennifer Bocik, who volunteers in classrooms and at special events held at Churchill Elementary School, and June Charlett, organizer of Senior Celebration and provider of Muffin Mondays at Oswego East High School, were named volunteers of the month.

Each month, the PRIDE program recognizes two individuals from three separate categories: teachers, employees and volunteers. A committee made up of various district groups and organizations selects the winners, and committee members serve six-month terms.

If you know someone deserving of the award, you can nominate him or her using the link on School District 308’s website (sd308.org), the SD308 phone app or via mail. Details for the nomination process are also listed on the website. Any School District 308 colleague, administrator, student, parent, community member or alumnus can make the nomination. Self-nominations are not accepted.

Photo provided

Celebrating Thanksgiving

Photo provided

St Luke’s preschoolers and kindergartners celebrated Thanksgiving with their families at the school in Boulder Hill. The feast included pumpkin pudding, blessings mix, and popcorn, all prepared by the children.

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15 Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, December 8, 2016

BULLETIN BOARD Oct. PRIDE winners named

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, December 8, 2016

| SPORTS & LOCAL NEWS

16 GIRLS BOWLING

Teams gear up for competitive Strikefest Oswego picks up Fremd Valhalla Invite title; dry conditions hamper Oswego East

By KRISTIN SHARP ksharp@kendallcountynow.com

After rolling some impressive scores in the early weeks of the season, area girls bowling teams will find out just how they stack up against the state’s elite at Plainfield North’s Strikefest Invite at Town and Country Lanes in Joliet on Saturday.

The prestigious tournament is one that both Oswego and Oswego East have circled on their calendars at the close of 2016.

“It’s the most competitive tournament, and you could argue it’s more competitive than the state tournament because they invite the top teams to this one,” Oswego coach Dan Okoren said. “They bring in a bunch of college scouts and it’s highly competitive. This weekend is going to be the true test, I think. We’re just looking to go in and

finish respectable, learn some things about ourselves and about our competition, and go back to work.”

Oswego

The Panthers traveled to Arlington Lanes to compete against 18 other teams in the annual Fremd Valhalla Invite and captured the tournament championship last Saturday.

“We were really happy with a firstplace finish,” Okoren said. “More importantly, we’re seeing improvements in our girls’ skills. I’m really pleased with that. What we need to work on is consistency and getting all the girls to bowl together, and if we can do that, we’re going to be pretty competitive by the end of the season.”

Oswego controlled the pocket in the morning and had a high spare shooting percentage, which propelled the Panthers into an early lead. The team

pushed through the afternoon to finish 260 pins ahead of Rockford Guilford in the final results.

Two Panther bowlers finished in the top 10 individually and earned medals for their performance. Senior Alyssa Lang (1,153) finished in 10th place and Rachel Clifton (1,235) took third. Also contributing for the Panthers were Taylor Kies (1,152), Shannon Torrez (1,090), and Megan Douglas (1,051).

Oswego opened Southwest Prairie Conference play against Minooka at Town and Country Lanes on Dec. 1, and fell 10-0 to the Indians. The Panthers bowled games of 793, 829, and 871, while Minooka put up impressive scores of 940, 1,016, and 1,031. Lang (571) and Kies (509) led the way for Oswego.

Oswego East

Coming off a 10-0 sweep over defending state champion Joliet West, the Wolves were riding high heading into the Jefferson Invite in Rockford last Saturday. Unfortunately, the conditions presented other challenges for the 16 competing teams.

Donate now to Optimist food drive OSWEGO LEDGER The Oswego Optimist Club has teamed up with Panera Bread for the holiday season to collect food for local families in need.

The Oswego Optimist Club is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing out the best in children, our community, and ourselves.

The club works with School District 308 in order to find families in need this holiday season. They select a sponsor to put together gifts and clothing for the children, as well as groceries to

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help provide a delicious holiday meal for entire families.

This year, Oswego Panera Bread has been selected to challenge the community to a can drive to help the Oswego Optimist club provide for families in need. Panera will be providing French baguettes to each of the families.

The goal is to bring in enough canned goods to assist in helping out more than 85 families. This goal can be met by collecting at least 1,000 cans.

Drop off canned goods to the Panera Bread in Oswego, 1450 Douglas Road.

The can drive will end Friday, Dec. 16.

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Oswego East settled for a sixth-place finish after competing in dry afternoon conditions.

“It was a very, very tough house,” coach Jeremy Hillman said. “They had a problem with the oil machine. I wanted to go there for more experience bowling in Rockford being that’s where the state championship’s at, and if you’re fortunate enough to make it there, any experience you can draw from is great experience. The only problem is, I’ve never seen a house play like that. It was extremely dry, and we had girls throwing their spare balls down there because nothing else they had could hold pocket. It was an experience.”

Earlier in the week, Oswego East had a strong day against Joliet West, rolling 130 pins under 3,000.

“Taking all 10 points against the defending state champs is a bonus,” Hillman said. “Our goal is just to grow some experience. I have two or three girls who have no varsity experience that are bowling for us, so we just want to make sure they get that experience and we get a little better because of it.”

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OSWEGO LEDGER | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, December 8, 2016

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, December 8, 2016

18

GOOD SPORTS

Share your great youth sports moments! Email a high-resolution image and caption to sports@kendallcountynow.com.

Oswego Bears Junior Pee Wee wins Pop Warner Region title OSWEGO LEDGER The Oswego Bears Junior Pee Wee football team won the Pop Warner Mid America Region championship.

Over Thanksgiving weekend, the Bears beat the Kearney Bulldogs (Missouri State Champs) 35-8 at Ames Field in Michigan City, Indiana.

The Pop Warner Mid America Region includes 12 states surrounding Illinois.

The Bears took a 7-0 lead on a 23-yard touchdown run

by Jackson Gillen. The Bulldogs took an 8-7 lead, but the Bears came up with a safety to regain the lead, 15-8, before halftime. The backfield of Gillen and Tyler Bibbs pounded the ball all day for 100-plus yards each and had great blocking from the offensive line. Defense was stingy again allowing only eight points.

The Bears finished the season 12-1 and Mid America Pop

Photo provided

The Oswego Bears Junior Pee Wee football team won the Pop Warner Mid America Region championship over Thanksgiving weekend.

Warner Regional Champs, putting up 399 points offensively and allowing only 27 points for all 13 games.

The Oswego Bears’ roster includes: Chase Gerwig,

Christian Martyn, Tyler Knizner, Aiden Moriarty, Bryson Mello, Jackson Gillen, Ethan Brauer, Nick Tickle, Zack Clarke, Derek Gordon, Kian Triplett, Colin Ryan,

Maddox Gerwig, Tyler Bibbs, Chris Dicosola, Isaiah Logan, Ryan Murray, Colin Brown, Zach Sempetrean, Hunter Smith, Grant Adams, Andrew Wiggins and David Dren-

del. The Bears are coached

by Kevin Gerwig, Matt Gerwig, David Drendel, Jeremy Smith, Paul Dicosola, Jason Martyn, Ernie Brown and Gary Tickle.

Chicago Rush soccer team reflects on successful season The Chicago Rush 05 Girls Premier team had a busy Fall 2016 season. The team took first place in the IWSL U12ABS division with an undefeated record of 10-0. They also took first place, with a 4-0 record at the NSA Chicago Shootout Tournament. Pictured are (back row, from left) Coach Brian Udy, Rylie McCauley, Amara Loghmani, Bailey Abbott, Sophia Kalusniak, Lauren Petrauskas, Abbie Kearney, Lainey Hallick, (front row) Lauren Widmer, Hannah Bolte, Grace Williams and Lana Bomstad.

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BOYS BOWLING

By KRISTIN SHARP ksharp@kendallcountynow.com

points from Plainfield South in a SPC meet. Will Clark led the Wolves with a 632 series while Travis Sturk rolled a 618.

Now, Oswego East looks to keep pace with Minooka in the final stretch of the SPC season. The Wolves will face Plainfield Central and Minooka in key matches next week leading into the league tournament.

“If we can take care of Plainfield Oswego East North and Plainfield Central and take The Wolves suffered their first lost six or eight points, it will come down of the year, dropping all 10 games to to us and Minooka. We’re just a few Glenbard East at Brunswick Zone. points behind Minooka, but we have to That loss came after a series of posi- go down to their house where they’re tives for Oswego East, including a sec- shooting 1,000 and 1,200,” Oswego East ond-place outing at the Minooka Invite, coach Frank Johnsen said. which featured three team games in the morning before bowling Baker Oswego The Panthers closed last week with games in the afternoon.

On Nov. 30, Oswego East took eight a tough outing at the Minooka Invite,

as Oswego was eliminated in the first round of the afternoon session.

Earlier, Oswego rebounded from a tough outing against Joliet West, dropping eight of 10 points. The Panthers rallied on Nov. 30 with a win over Plainfield East, taking all 10 points with the score of 2,886-2,694. Parker Bradford led the Panthers with his 666 series followed by Trevor Rife’s 605 series.

“We managed to take eight from Plainfield East, but we’re about 12 of 28,” Arnold said. “We have talented bowlers with a ton of potential, but other teams have talented bowlers who have been playing. They start young.

The consistency just isn’t there for us right now because we haven’t been playing. I know what they’re capable of and I’ve seen spurts. I know the team can do it, but we don’t see it everywhere.”

AREA ROUNDUP

East boys basketball moves to 5-1 after big OT win OSWEGO LEDGER The Oswego East boys basketball team (5-1) came back from a 12-point deficit to defeat Plainfield East in overtime, 89-82, last Friday. AJ Hughes led Oswego East with 38 points and Stephon Harris knocked in 12. Oswego East also earned a 67-62 win over Glenbard East on Nov. 30. Tahj Oliver scored 25 points, Harris scored 19 points and DJ Thurman had nine points and eight rebounds.

Oswego Varsity: The Panthers (1-5) traveled to Plainfield Central on Friday to open the Southwest Prairie Conference season and notched their first win of the year, 50-46 over the Wildcats. Jaylen Jones led all scorers with 24 points.

The Panthers fell to visiting Quincy 49-35 last Saturday. Jones led Oswego with a game-high 20 points.

Oswego East Sophomore: On Nov. 30, the Wolves picked up a 54-42 win over Glenbard East. Leading the Wolves in scoring were Julian Holland with 12, Kamron Battle with 10, and Sam Schultz and Carson Harmon with eight each.

On Dec. 2, Oswego East defeated Plainfield East 72-53 after a tied game at halftime. In the second half, Jordan Williams and Jermaine Stanciel helped sparked a double-digit lead, and the shooting of over 90 percent from the free-throw line helped seal the win.

Leading scorers were Williams with 16 and Stanciel with 13. The Wolves move to 5-1 on the season.

Thompson 8th grade: The Tigers endured a tough week, defeating Murphy 31-30 before falling to Jane Adams in overtime and dropping a 33-29 game to Traughber. On Nov. 21, Thompson had a strong defensive effort in the second half led by Evan Brown, and Sam Gwodz paced the offense with 11 points against Murphy. The Tigers lost the second game, 48-27.

On Nov. 28, Thompson was led by Beau Miller’s 17-point night against Jane Adams. On Nov. 29, Thompson fell to Traughber despite 11 points from Gwodz. The Tigers won the second game 29-23. Jayden Aracho led the offense with nine points.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Oswego East Varsity: The Wolves (7-1) improved to 2-0 in Southwest Prairie Conference play with Friday’s 70-45 win over Plainfield East. Oswego East built a 13-point lead heading into the fourth quarter and had another big offensive fourth quarter and huge defensive quarter by allowing only seven points to eventually get a big lead where everyone was able to get into the game.

Oswego East finished the game with a steal by Camryn Smiley, a pass to Riley Kelsch, and then an unselfish pass

by Kelsch to Maya Taylor to get 70 on the board. Amaya Johns led the Wolves with 21 points and four rebounds, Sydney Schultz had 13 points, eight rebounds and four assists and Christine Corpuz and Jesinde Thomas had eight

points and combined for seven steals – four for Thomas and three for Corpuz.

Oswego Sophomore: The Panthers notched two conference wins at home last week. On Nov. 29, the Panthers defeated Plainfield South 28-21. Janessa Martinez and Danielle Dorilio led the team in scoring with seven points each and combined for seven steals.

On Friday, Henrikson scored 15 points, helping Oswego claim a 58-27 victory over Plainfield Central. With a 19-3 run during the first quarter, the Panthers pulled ahead and led 35-15 at halftime. The Panthers are now 5-1 overall.

GYMNASTICS

Oswego Co-op Varsity: Oswego-Oswego East co-op competed in the Big Purple Invite at Downers Grove North last Saturday and scored a 92.825 with a limited roster and a newly-formatted invite. Elliana Butolph led Oswego on the vault with a score of 8.25 while Kaylee Gatenby had the high team score on the uneven bars with a 7.75.

Alex Salinas scored a 7.925 on beam to break into the top 20, and was 19th on the balance beam with a score of 7.925.

Salinas also had the high team score on floor with an 8.05.

WRESTLING

Oswego Varsity: The Panthers (51) had a big start to SPC action with a 33-32 win over Minooka on Dec. 1.

Aric Nieves won by pin (4:51), Gannon Hughes won by decision (5-0), Dan Majewski won by major decision (13-1),

Josh Torres won by tech fall (5:55, 216) and Joe Majewski won by pin (2:38) while Kevin Alvarez won by decision (7-4). On Dec. 2, Oswego improved to 2-0 in conference with a 38-30 win over Plainfield North. Luke Pradel won by fall (1:32), Allen Swanson won by tech fall (5:07, 18-0), Julian Vargas won by pin (1:34) and Torres won by pin (3:30).

On Saturday at the West Aurora Mega Duals, Oswego lost to West Aurora on the sixth criteria tiebreaker, but defeated Neuqua Valley 42-24 and Wheaton South 29-21. Hughes (132 pounds), Swanson (145) and Torres (182) all went 3-0 on the day.

Oswego East: On Dec. 6, Oswego East lost 55-7 to Joliet West. Jackson O’Reilly won by major decision at 170, and Ian Smith won a 6-1 decision at 113 to end the match. On Dec. 8, the Wolves topped Romeoville, 41-33. Evan Bauer won a 13-10 decision, Tyler Eby won by pin (1:18), Nicholas Patch won a 4-0 decision, Andrew Okayama won by pin (1:27), Jackson O’Reilly won by tech fall (17-0) and the Wolves picked up several forfeit wins.

GIRLS BOWLING

Oswego JV: The Panthers traveled to Arlington Lanes to compete in the annual Fremd Valhalla Invite. The team shot a solid morning total of 2,105 (140 team average). In the afternoon, they ended with a total of 2,194 (146 team average) to beat their morning performance and finish with 4,299, good for second place in a field of 17 teams.

Thursday, December 8, 2016

The Oswego East and Oswego boys bowling teams are taking different approaches in the final month of the season.

The Wolves continue to chase Southwest Prairie Conference leader Minooka with a near perfect run through four meets and come off an impressive runner-up finish at the Minooka Invite last Saturday. Meanwhile, the Panthers finally got into the win column against Plainfield East after a grueling November schedule.

Both teams will enter the Lincoln-Way East Invite on Saturday at Orland Bowl and will close out the schedule with dual matches next week before an extended winter break. The SPC tournament arrives Jan. 7 at Echo

Lanes in Morris.

“Right now we need to build our consistency,” Oswego coach TJ Arnold said. “Once break hits, there’s not a lot left. One of the things we have working in our favor is the regionals are at Parkside, so at least it’s something we’re familiar with. That should help giving us some confidence. That will play a key role.”

SPORTS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

Wolves, Panthers work to strike consistently

19

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, December 8, 2016

20

SPORTS GIRLS BASKETBALL: OSWEGO 37, PLAINFIELD CENTRAL 14

Panthers gut out SPC win Team uses 15-2 run in third quarter to defeat Plainfield Central

By KRISTIN SHARP ksharp@kendallcountynow.com Friday night’s Southwest Prairie Conference game was the definition of an ugly win, but the Oswego girls basketball team persevered to fight back to the .500 mark and a 2-0 start in league play.

Oswego and visiting Plainfield Central kept a slow pace from start to finish, but the Panthers used a 15-2 run in third quarter to clinch a 37-14 victory.

After an 0-12 start to the 2015-16 season, Oswego coach Dave Beebe is pleased to see the Panthers improve to 3-3 heading into Saturday night’s non-conference game against Quincy.

“For about 90 percent of the game, we played good. To hold a team to 14 points, I’m happy with that. But I told the kids in the locker room that if we made half our layups, we’d be up by 20.

We have to make those,” Beebe said.

“The fortunate thing is we won, but it’s probably the ugliest 20-point wins I’ve seen in a long time.”

Plainfield Central (1-6, 0-2 SPC) committed three early turnovers to trail Oswego 6-3 after one quarter of play, and Bayer called a timeout with 3:46 remaining in the first half after the Panthers knocked in four more points from Angelina Schlinger (10 points) and Kira Sneed (10 points).

With Oswego holding an 11-5 lead in the closing seconds of the first half, Plainfield Central’s Kayley Grabowski’s three-point attempt at the buzzer missed and Oswego was called for the foul. Grabowski sank all three free throws to cut Oswego’s lead, 11-8, at intermission.

The second half, however, belonged to Oswego. The Panthers (3-3, 2-0 SPC) came out on a 7-0 run, and despite a Wildcat timeout, Oswego extended that run for several more minutes as the lead swelled, 22-8. Sneed provided the early momentum with a pair of free throws and a three-pointer to start the third quarter.

Oswego’s biggest lead of the night came on Sneed’s basket, 30-10, with 4:16 to go.

“Kira gave us a spark coming out of the locker room and gave us a better lead,” Beebe said. “We needed that spark on defense.”

“In the second half, we came out

ABOVE: The Oswego defense of Kira Sneed (20), Gillian O’Neil (center) and Angelina Schlinger (30) forces Plainfield Central’s Vivian Median to pass the ball back outside on Dec. 2. RIGHT: Oswego’s Emma Janiak (10) drives around Kacie Moran (22).

Photos by Steven Buyansky for Shaw Media

stronger and better,” Sneed said. “We got into a faster pace and held them to only two points.”

Coming up, Oswego travels to Plainfield North on Dec. 9 to resume SPC play and move into a busy second half of the month that includes the Oswego East Holiday Classic.

“We have a lot of momentum after this week,” Sneed said.

Quincy 57, Oswego 30: On Saturday, Oswego dropped a non-conference game to visiting Quincy. After holding a 9-8 lead after one quarter, Oswego gave up 20 points before halftime as Quincy pulled ahead, 28-21. Gillian O’Neil led Oswego with eight points while Megan Rasmussen knocked in six.