Lest 12 22 2016

TH UR SDA Y , D E C E M B E R 22, 20 16 • 75 ¢

OSW EGO LEDGER YOUR NEW LEDGER-SENTINEL • SERVING OSWEGO, MONTGOMERY AND BOULDER HILL FOR MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY

KendallCountyNow.com

MAKING A DIFFERENCE Students, firefighters, Optimists collect toys for local kids in need

2 Day New Years Weekend Auction

Saturday December 31st 9:30am - 100+ Trains, 100+ Ertl & Precision Farm Tractors NIB, 250+ Semi-Trucks & Trucks, 200+ Antique & Vintage Dolls, Tin Toys, and More.

Sunday January 1st 9:30am - 1939 Ford Coupe Deluxe, ECCO Tireflator, Signal Box on Original Stand, 75+ Advertising Signs, Rare Artwork, Antique Cast Iron Bank Collection, Crocks, Furniture, 100’s of Antiques, and much more.

SM-CL0404693

We are a FFL auction firm

Call Matt at (815) 970-7077 or (815) 220-5005 or visit www.BullockAuctioneers.com for more information

/3

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, December 22, 2016

2

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

NEWSROOM 630-553-7034 Fax: 630-553-7085 News@KendallCountyNow.com SUBSCRIBER SERVICES 866-445-6258 Circulation@KendallCountyNow.com 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday 7 to 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday SUBSCRIPTIONS 866-445-6258 CLASSIFIED SALES 877-264-2527 Fax: 815-477-8898 classified@shawsuburban.com LEGAL NOTICES 877-264-2527 PublicNotice@KendallCountyNow.com RETAIL ADVERTISING 630-553-7034 OBITUARIES 877-264-2527 Obits@KendallCountyNow.com General Manager Steve Vanisko 815-280-4103 svanisko@shawmedia.com Editor John Etheredge 630-553-7034 jetheredge@shawmedia.com

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

7 seek highway commissioner post OSWEGO LEDGER

Seven residents have filed to be candidates for Oswego Township highway commissioner in the April 4 consolidated election.

According to a list from Oswego Township Clerk George Hettrich, filing for township highway commissioner were Republican Jeffrey S. Christiansen and independent candidates Claude J. Ainsworth, Aaron Grosskopf, Robert D. Rogerson, Terry Olson, Martin J. Flowers and Tom Cook.

Filing for township supervisor were Republican Michael F. Becker and independent candidates Brian LeClercq and Dan Koukol. Filing for township clerk were Republican Stephen Youhanaie and independent Kenneth Holstrom.

Filing for township assessor was independent candidate David Maher, the incumbent.

Eight residents filed for four township trustee seats. Filing for trustee were Republican candidates Diane Village of Montgomery Selmer and Leah Philpot, and indepenIncumbent Village President Matt dent candidates Tom Yackley, Jan Al- Brolley of 2127 Emma Ave. was the only exander, Bill Small, Herman Johnson, candidate to file petitions to run for the Donna L. Stanley, and Allyson Jacob- village’s top elective position. sen. Yackley and Small are incumbents.

Penny Fitzpatrick of 1807 Winmont Court was the only candidate to file peSchool District 308 titions to run for village clerk.

School District 308 Board of Education member Greg O’Neil was the only incumbent not to file as a candidate this week for the April 4 election. Board President Matt Bauman and board members Danielle Paul and Dr. Mike McDowell all filed for re-election.

The following candidates filed for the School District 308 Board of Education with the Kendall County Clerk’s Office by 5 p.m. Monday: Toni Morgan, 33 Hickory Lane, Oswego; Dominick Cirone, 202 Woodford Road, Oswego; Heather Moyer, 12 Pomeroy Road, Montgomery; Brent Lightfoot, 1934 Clementi Court, Aurora; Robert Graves, 2436 Albany Court, Aurora; Matthew Bauman, 2929 Manchester Drive, Montgomery; Michael G. McDowell, 36 Afton Drive, Montgomery; Danielle Paul, 2443 Avalon Court, Aurora.

Na-Au-Say Township

• Relevant information • Marketing Solutions • Community Advocates

ON THE COVER Traughber Junior High School students Katelyn Krikie (left), Isaac Parris (center) and Jacob Thompson unload an ambulance full of toys that were donated by students and teachers for the annual Toys for Tots drive on Friday, Dec. 16.

See story on page 3.

Photo by Allison Selk for Shaw Media

Johnson, Daniel Hill, Chuck Robinson, Filing petitions to seek election to David Wheeler and Eric Bernacki. All three open seats on the village board except Bernacki are incumbents. were: Tom Betsinger of 3153 Buchanan Lane; Steve Jungermann, 2109 Emma Village of Oswego Ave.; Bill Keck, 104 2nd Ave.; Denny The following candidates filed peti- Lee of 527 S. Main St.; Glenn Macey of tions to run for three open seats on the 3286 Millrace Lane; Josh Salisbury of village board prior to Monday’s filing 1330 Walnut Ridge Drive; and Theresa deadline: Judy Sollinger, 105 E. Jeffer- Sperling of 1659 Lexington Drive. Junson St.; Pam Parr, 45 Sherwick Road; germann, Lee and Sperling are incumbents. and Luis Perez, 516 Waterford Drive.

Two other board candidates filed petitions to run for board seats in a prima- Oswego Public Library District ry election Feb. 28. Filing petitions were A total of three candidates filed peBrian Thomas of 114 Spencer Lane and titions to run for seats on the Oswego Donnie L Soard of 390 Andover Drive. Public Library District Board. The However, since not enough candidates candidates are: Terry Tamblyn, 2052 filed petitions, a primary election will Route 25, P.O. Box 925, Oswego; Aimee not be held, according to information Long, 283 N. Madison St., Oswego; and from the village. Instead, both Thomas Kristine Heiman, 5100 Baseline Road, and Soard will have their names listed Oswego. Tamblyn and Long are incumas candidates in the consolidated elec- bents. Longtime board member and tion set for April 4. Sollinger, Parr and president Vernita Hettrich did not file petitions to seek another term.

Perez are incumbents.

The following candidates filed for Na-Au-Say Township: Supervisor: Brad Blocker; Highway Commissioner: Kenneth W. Hostert; Clerk: Rebecca Wheeler; Trustees (for four seats): Craig

NOTE TO READERS Due to this Sunday’s Christmas holiday, the Record Newspapers office at 109 W. Veterans Parkway (Route 34) in Yorkville will close at 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23. The office will also be closed all day Monday, Dec. 26. The deadline for press releases and letters to the editor for our Dec. 29 edition will be noon on Dec. 23.

Oswegoland Park District

Just two candidates filed petitions to have their names placed on the ballot for two open seats on the park district board: David Behrens of 25 E. Washington St., Oswego, and Jeff Downs of 5475 Half Round Road, Oswego. Behrens is an incumbent.

COVER STORY

3

Students, firefighters, Optimists work to brighten holidays for local kids

By ALLISON SELK news@kendallcountynow.com Once the Oswego Fire Protection District ambulance was snug inside the warm bay at Fire Station No. 1, Traughber Junior High School student Jacob Thompson, along with other students from five School District 308 junior high schools, unloaded the ambulances and trailers which brimmed with boxes, filled with donated toys.

After each box was gently opened, students scurried to organize piles of girl toys and boy toys, all for local children these students may never meet, but had an integral part in shaping their Christmas.

“This is a good thing to do. It’s very nice that these gifts are for kids who aren’t as lucky as we are because they need a nice Christmas as well,” Thompson said.

On Friday, Dec. 16, student elves from Traughber, Murphy, Thompson, Bednarcik and Plank Junior High Schools within School District 308 loaded up boxes of toys for the annual Toys for Tots drive onto Oswego Fire District vehicles at their schools and then headed to the fire station to unload and sort the toys donated by students and staff members.

According to the Toys for Tots website, in 1947 the United States Marine Corps created Toys for Tots. The organization has a mission to collect new, unwrapped toys and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to the less fortunate children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.

During the Toys for Tots drive, students received a raffle ticket for each gift they donated, and 10 students per school are picked as elves to help with the gifts and attend a breakfast afterward, hosted by the fire department.

Before the students entered the fire station with the toys, hundreds of toys donated by the District 308 communi-

Allison Selk for Shaw Media

Traughber Junior High School students Ian Glashagel (left) and Paige Kelly sort toys for boys at the annual Toys for Tots drive between School District 308, the Oswego Fire Protection District and the Optimist Club of Oswegoland on Dec. 16. ty filled the entrance to the station, as well as shiny new bicycles of all sizes.

Assistant Fire Chief John Cornish said in the past the Oswego Meijer store had worked with them on special pricing of the bikes if a certain amount were purchased, but this year, Meijer donated $5,000 toward the purchase of new bicycles for the Toys for Tots recipients and with $1,000 in firefighter donations, over 80 bicycles were purchased.

With a grand total of 7,500 toys donated by students and the community,

this was the most successful Toys for Tots drive to date.

The collaboration between the fire district and District 308 began in 2008 when teacher Kristi Gabeheart, who had organized a Toys for Tots drive while at Bednarcik Junior High School with the Aurora Fire Department, moved to Plank Junior High in Oswego and wanted to involve the local fire department. Gabeheart now teaches at Murphy Junior High School and the drive has evolved to include all five ju-

nior high schools within the district.

“It’s hard to get schools and other community organizations to link up in the community. This is a great way for us to work in conjunction with other people who serve our community.

We want to pay it forward and support families in need because every child deserves a gift on Christmas,” Gabeheart said.

The day of the actual drive, teachers, students and the fire department come together to make the holiday brighter for those in need in the school district, as the toys stay local. After the sorting, firefighters welcomed their guests with a hot breakfast, festive music and the coveted traveling trophy award for the junior high that donated those most gifts.

Cornish awarded the trophy to Murphy Junior High School with a total of 2,570 gifts and Plank Junior High School came in second with 1,430 donations.

“Today we are putting a smile on a kids’ face. Today the world climate is about politics and world issues. Today we set all of that aside and just be nice to kids who are less fortunate,” Cornish said.

The intent of Friday’s event was to show those who may be able to afford gifts at Christmas how to give and put that spirit into action, through community service.

Gabeheart said a former elf, Kylie Schimmel, took her love of Toys for Tots and her community and turned it into a year-long project.

Schimmel now makes hair bows and sells them at craft fairs and school shows, and donated the profits to those in her community who are in need, and Toys for Tots.

“My brother and I are very fortunate and we always have a great Christmas.

My family has always donated to Toys

Wise Men Still Seek Him!!

CHURCH Emmanuel Church…

Meeting The Challenges Of Today’s Family SM-CL0406247

In the Christmas story, King Herod stated that he wanted to worship the Christ-child, but his motives were all wrong and not like that of the Wisemen!

Let’s check our attitude and be careful that we don’t simply go through the motions this Christmas. Please join our congregation of imperfect but truly seeking worshippers Christmas Day at 10:45am!

The Church That Cares About Everyday People ... Every Day!

See TOYS FOR TOTS, page 13

Joe MacDonald Pastor

701 Lions Road Sandwich, IL 60548

(at the east end of the high school)

pastor@EmmanuelChurchSandwich.com *Handicap Accessible

815-786-2400

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, December 22, 2016

Teaming up to share good fortune

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, December 22, 2016

4

OPINIONS OUR VIEW

Save those packing ‘peanuts’ until Jan. 7 In another 48 to 72 hours, thousands of Oswego-Montgomery area residents will be unwrapping Christmas presents and happily lifting gifts out of boxes. At the same time, they’ll also be finding all manner of polystyrene and Styrofoam packing materials with their gifts.

Instead of throwing out the packing materials, we would like to remind everyone they have an opportunity to

recycle them early next month. The Oswego Presbyterian Church will be hosting a polystyrene/Styrofoam recycling event on Saturday, Jan. 7, from 9 a.m. to noon in the church parking lot, at 1976 Route 25 in Oswego. Any polystyrene foam or Styrofoam materials having the PS6 symbol will be accepted. (Foam insulation and other types of non-PS6 foam will not be accepted.)

Event organizers are asking that

foam items be divided into three categories in separate plastic (tied-up) bags (i.e. garbage bags) as follows: Foam cups and food service containers (rinsed; no straws, lids, plastic wrap or trash); packaging foam peanuts; and other packaging foam (with labels, tape and other materials removed).

Foam insulation and other types of foam (non-PS6) will not be accepted.

In addition, area residents can

recycle their old holiday lights at the event. Traditional or mini-lights or rope-style lights and extension cords will all be accepted for recycling.

The church should be commended for offering the recycling service to the community and we’re hopeful that many residents will take advantage of it by collecting their packaging materials, bagging them and then bringing them to the church on Route 25 Jan. 7.

Recalling long-ago winter of perfect sledding eyes, we could see that wonderful snow cover melting before we’d even had a chance to put it to use.

But then Mother Nature changed her mind one Roger more time, sending a fierce cold front down out of Matile Alberta that froze everything pretty much solid. And that included the surface of the snow – where the When December rolled around, us kids knew light rain had penetrated the first couple of inches, two things: Christmas was getting close, and good it created an icy surface that perfectly supported the sledding was a definite possibility – with a little help weight of us and our sleds. from Mother Nature.

To take full advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opLike so many French fur traders greasing their portunity, friends mapped out a course that ran from traps in preparation for gathering furs or farmers behind Sanderson’s house on Route 25 on a diagonal putting the finishing touches on repairing and storthrough a half-dozen backyards all the way to North ing their machinery until spring, we started making Photo provided by the Little White School Museum Street. Maneuverability was somewhat chancy given our preparations for sledding success to come.

Children enjoy playing in the snow outside the old Red the icy surface we were sledding on, but the course Some of us had toboggans, but not many. Tobogwas basically a straight line.

Brick School in Oswego in the mid-20th century. gans are unwieldy and relatively unmaneuverable, The only possible hazards were the grape arbors and rain of last week made the hill almost a glare of and they take quite a bit of care. But for those who in two or three of the backyards, consisting of sturdy ice and on Friday the bobsleds had trouble in keeping posts set about five feet apart with thick number 9 had them, they were taken down from where they in the track. One bob failed to make the turn and ran wire threaded through the posts, two or three strands were hanging in garages and barns, dusted off, the into the telephone pole in front of Dr. Frazier’s office. high to support the grape vines. It wasn’t difficult to grab ropes along the side checked to make sure they The driver, Clarence DeWitt, was knocked unconwere sound and wouldn’t break during an exciting pass under the first strand, which was a couple feet downhill run, and the pull rope in front inspected for scious by the blow and several of the passengers off the ground, although it was a relatively tight fit. received minor injuries.” wear. Then the bottom was given a good coat of wax But a person had to be careful.

Oswego, too, had its good sledding streets. The pilfered from the parents’ car cleaning supplies.

It was great sledding for a week or more. The icy Record’s Oswego correspondent reported on Feb. Most of us, though, had our trusty coasting sleds surface and well-waxed runners produced a surpris9, 1887 that: “Tobogganing was the rage during the with a wooden deck and steel runners. Getting them ing turn of speed after a running start. But then one last week; there was quite a good natural slide down ready for action meant wiping off the dust and cobof our number, racing with several others, forgot Benton Street from John Young’s, and crowds of old webs, and sandpapering or steel wooling the runhis location in the excitement of speeding along the and young would gather there to engage in the fun or slope. He turned his head to see if anyone was gainners to remove months of rust. Applying wax to the at least witness it.” runners from the candle nub many of us kept handy ing on him, lifting it slightly to look over his shoulder By the time we came along, most of the good in a pocket for emergencies made everything ready just as he reached one of one of the grape arbors. The sledding streets had been paved. But kids living in for action. thick wire bit pretty deeply.

Oswego had access to Herren’s Hill in back of Nellie The trick was finding a good sledding hill, which It really was spectacular, producing, as head Wormley Herren’s elaborate Italianate house at Main wounds will, disturbing amounts of blood, at wasn’t as difficult as it might have seemed. Most and what was then Rosehill, and is today Wilson towns along the Fox River are generally built on the which point we were pretty sure our days of flying Place. The hill ran down behind the Herren house to brow of the river valley, meaning there are plentiful downslope propelled by a good start and gravity on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy tracks, and offered that particular course were at an end. Which they slopes down to the river. The trick was finding one thrills for those who had access. that wasn’t already occupied by a house or business were. We received stern parental lectures about But we lived north of town, and it was a hike down caution and good sense and the other practical things or street. When it came to streets that sometimes just to Herren’s Hill, so we made use of local slopes that didn’t matter, especially in the days when some of with which parents always seemed obsessed. were either terrifyingly steep – and short – or gentler, them were unpaved.

But there for a while, we could engage in the sheer Yorkville youngsters enjoyed great sledding down and less exciting. Until that winter in the late 1950s enjoyment of a crisp day, a fast track, and the exhilthe Bridge Street hill, as this note in the Jan. 20, 1915, that provided almost perfect sledding. aration of a lengthy downhill run right in our own It started with a good covering of snow that ranged figurative backyard.

Kendall County Record reported: “While the coasting from 4” to 6” on the level, which thrilled our hearts to on the Bridge street hill has been fine and called out large crowds for several weeks, there were several ac- no end. But the day after the snow, our thrilled hearts • Looking for more local history? Visit http://hiscidents that lamed some of the young folks. The thaw were crushed when a light rain struck. In our minds’ toryonthefox.wordpress.com.

REFLECTIONS

VIEWS Matthew T. Brolley Q: From time to time pale white or brown stripes appear on my road, as shown in the attached photo. What causes that?

A: Those lines are residue left behind by a com-

bination of liquid de-icers applied by the Montgomery Public Works Department to the roads before many forecasted snow events. This process is called anti-icing. This procedure is widely used and was introduced in Montgomery very successfully last year. Further advancements have been made to the program for this winter season.

Homemade salt brine and/or a beet juice derivative are applied to the roads before a forecasted snow storm to provide improved road conditions at the onset, during a storm, and throughout the cleanup efforts. The solution can be applied as many as three days prior to a forecasted snow event, so Public Works crews may at times begin applying the solution a couple of days before the predicted storm in order to maximize coverage areas and reduce overtime.

This results in a tremendous cost savings in salt procurement, wear and tear on equipment and roads, fuel consumption, and overtime expenses, all while significantly lessening the negative environmental impacts caused by over-salting the roads.

Photo provided

When snowstorms are predicted, Montgomery and Oswego Public Works Departments have been applying liquid de-icers to local streets. The de-icers, a mixture of a beet juice derivative and salt brine, leave temporary streaks on the roads and help keep them clear of ice and snow. unit at a rate of approximately 40 gallons per lane mile. This is much less than the standard application of 150-300 pounds of rock salt per lane mile.

Q: Is this something that Montgomery invented?

A: This program, while recently established in

Montgomery, is a tried and true method of improving safety on our roads during a winter storm. This technology has been employed and refined by various public and private agencies over the past decade and a half. These agencies report that on average they achieve an approximate 40 percent reduction Q: How does this method benefit the environment? in salt costs alone.

A: This treatment utilizes far less chlorides that This year, we have begun collaborating with ultimately make their way into our waterways and Oswego Public Works on our anti-icing efforts. Hisaquifers. By producing a homemade salt brine solu- torically, each town would have two to three people tion with rock salt and water, we are utilizing a very working on anti-icing, with employees making low-cost 23 percent solution of salt water. This brine product as well as applying it to the roads. By partis then applied with a large truck mounted sprayer nering, communities are able to use the efficiencies

of Oswego’s brine making system combined with the efficiencies of our truck for application. In many instances, we anticipate reducing the number of people working on this effort by half, while actually improving our service level in both communities.

This allows us to reprioritize those saved resources to other areas.

To further enhance snow removal efforts, we have also begun using two plows working in tandem in many areas of town. This operational adjustment allows our Public Works crews to clear the streets much quicker than having each truck work independently. One benefit that you may have observed is fewer passes made down many residential streets.

And while it cannot be completely eliminated, this also minimizes the frequency of plow trucks leaving the annoying windrow of snow at the bottom of driveways after they pass by.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to remind Montgomery residents that street parking is prohibited during or after a snowfall in which accumulations of two inches or more are recorded. While village code allows street parking with up to two inches of accumulation, it is wise to remove your vehicles from the roadway as soon as snow begins in order to expedite snow removal operations.

This winter snow season started off with a bang, and unfortunately during the first snow event there were upwards of 2,000 vehicles still parked on the road. This prevented roads from being cleared and resulted in those cars being somewhat plowed in with heavy accumulations of snow around the vehicles.

For more information on our snow operations or other village programs, please visit the village’s website at ci.montgomery.il.us.

• Matthew T. Brolley is the Montgomery village president.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Disc golf club thanks

To the Editor: Fox Valley Metro Disc Golf Club would like to thank the following sponsors for their help in raising a record $15,000 and 1,000 pounds of food for the Kendall County Food Pantry.

Oswegoland Park District, Carolyn Murray, Meijer Foods, Patrick Engineering, Chain Seekers Disc Golf Club, Electric Materials, County Mutual Insurance, Ed Stehm, K Johnson Construction and Roofing, John Tiffany, John Deere Tractor, Dr. Brian Tutor, Dr. Lekah, Dave Rygh, Nancy Swann, John Cleaveland, Ron Miller, Moore Family, Elizabeth Davy, Heartland Bank, Dan and Connie Hatland, Tim Jones and family, Blaine and Christie Schepp, Holly Ost, Zac Montrose and family, Rob and Nicki Fitzsimmons, Stanley Consultants, Karen Allred Harvest Baptist Church, Dan Ja-

ramillo, Chris Bianchi, Luci Gernot, Jerry Hall, Erin Reade, Mark, Skryp, Hetts Auto of Oswego, Mike Conlee, My Sister’s Lil Donut Shoppe, Our Salon, Dennis and Mary Lou Zbreski, Will and Collen Convery, Chris Beja, Giordano’s Pizza, Jerry Bomba, Stan Lopez, Johnny Harris, Mike Ventress, Oswego Food and Liquor, Aaron Studer, J Shep, Ray and Amex, Melisa Hoyle, Dan Sanchez, Innova, Axiom Disc, Eric Johns, Discraft, YMCA of Plano, Famous Dave’s Barbecue, Cory Hill, Red Lobster, Outback Steakhouse, Joyce and Jim Frankino, Fruitful Yield, Bradley Evans, 630 G’S, Brock, Munchies, Kendall 10 Theatre, Parkside Bowling Lanes, Cedardell Golf Course, Fox Bend Golf Course, Blackberry Golf Course, Edgebrook Golf Course, Oberweis Dairy, Mike and Denise Bar and Grill, Yorkville Liquors, NCG Cinema Yorkville, Bellagio Nails, Roadhouse Country Bar and Grill,

Pinheadz Bar, Vivid Salon, Pandamonium Discs, Bone Collector, Cracker Barrel, Wedron Office, Amex, Keith’s Car Care Service, Bryan Schepp, Jewel Foods, Jimmy Johns, Man Store, Orchard Cafe, Paramount Arts Center, Jays Liquor Mart, Barcaba Liquors, Hampton Inn of Yorkville, Duy’s Shoes, Bud’s Citco Somonauk, Justin Duckmanton, Scott Pitner, Matt Russell, Ryan Barrow, Walmart of Sandwich, Target of Yorkville, Dana Vicich, Tafe Hemler, Dr. Richard Merrion, The Chocolate Shoppe, Sam’s Club, Sports Clips, Jackie Lamb, Wang’s Garden, Yankee Candle, Jel Sert Company, Sam Steele, Tim Lesak, Wrigley Gum, On The Border Restaurant, Deb and Jay Svitko, Kendall County Community Food Pantry, Suzy’s Pizza, Pizza Hut, Danelli’s Pizza, Pizza Cuccina, Tony Weeds Pizza, all the players who played and last but not least the volunteers.

There were approximately 230 Ice Bowls spread across the world last year to help restock food pantries after the holidays and our club finished in third place with a money donation of $15,000 and 1,000 pounds of food. Over the last three years Fox Valley Metro Disc Golf Club has raised $33,000, making us the top contributor to the KCFP. Coming fast and furious we will be throwing our 11th annual Ice Bowl event on Jan. 28 at Eagle Ridge Park.

The generosity and the amount of participation for these worldwide events speaks volumes about this community, without you it could not have been possible.

Randy Moore

President of Fox Valley Metro Disc Golf Club Oswego

• Continued on page 7

5 Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, December 22, 2016

FORUM Montgomery, Oswego team up to clear ice from roads

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, December 22, 2016

| OSWEGO LEDGER

6

Restore Chri stmas

@ Harvest New w Beginnings Church Three identical Services: Christmas Eve: 4 & 6 PM | Christmas Day: 10

AM

24-HOUR

Drive-Thru Nativity OPEN UNTIL 12-31

Seven life-sized scenes tell the true story of Christmas.

Nearly two football fields long!

5315 Douglas Road, Oswego | harvestnewbeginnings.com

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Don’t take this like sheep

George Hayner Montgomery

Unions a necessity

To the Editor: Unions: good or bad?

When I started working at age 16, I became a union member – the Retail Clerk’s Union. When I worked for Western Electric, where I served my apprenticeship as a tool and die maker, I was a member of IBEW. I firmly believe the unions took good care of me wage and benefit-wise.

When my last manufacturing job was shipped to China, I was working at a non-union company, which had been bought by an English Financial Group like Romney’s. Fortunately, my pension and Social Security allow me to live comfortably enough.

I now enjoy being a school bus driver and a member of IEA, NEA Union for School District 308. I am also an officer on our Union Executive Board.

I firmly believe unions are a necessary and fulfilling part of our working life. The idea of a right-to-work state, such as

Phil Siedlecki Oswego

Invaluable resource

To the Editor: With the holiday season in full swing, I wanted to take time to highlight an invaluable resource for parents and anyone shopping for young children.

December is National Safe Toys and Gifts Awareness Month and each year the Illinois Attorney General’s Office releases their Safe Shopping Guide.

This guide provides a detailed list of 84 toys recalled since January, including pictures and the description of hazard posed. Residents can download the guide by visiting illinoisattorneygeneral. gov/consumers/safe_shopping.html or by calling Madigan’s Recall Hotline at 888-414-7678.

Spending a few moments reviewing this guide to make sure the gifts you purchase don’t pose a danger can help prevent a tragedy.

In addition, parents should also study the packaging of toys to ensure it is age appropriate for their child. Common-sense actions like keeping toys with small moving parts away from younger children due to the risk of choking can help prevent accidents.

Another useful resource is the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website at cpsc.gov/recalls where recall information is available year-round.

I take my responsibility seriously to serve area residents both legislatively and locally.

I want to make sure that you and your family have access to available resources and services like these, which can literally save lives.

If I can help answer your questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach my constituent service office at 630-585-1308 or stephanie.kifowit@ att.net.

Happy Holidays!

Stephanie Kifowit

State representative, 84th District Oswego

Funds for health department, other tax levies approved

By TONY SCOTT tscott@kendallcountynow.com The Kendall County Board unanimously approved all of its property tax levies for the coming year at its meeting Tuesday.

The levies included one for the Health Department, which was initially reduced to allow the county to help pay its employee benefits.

The levies will be reflected on the county portion of local property tax bills that will be mailed to all county property owners of record in late April or early May. Board member John Purcell, the board’s finance chairman, explained after the meeting that there were issues related to the Health Department’s benefits being paid by the county’s funds.

The County Board a year ago approved a budget which asked the Health Department to contribute $350,000 toward the cost of Health Department employee benefits, including IMRF and Social Security, Purcell said. The cost of the benefits last year was a little more than $900,000 and, this fiscal year, the amount of benefits was almost $1 million, he said.

The health department’s entire budget is approximately $4.5 million, but only $1.6 million of that revenue comes from tax levies, Purcell said.

They get the balance of those funds from grants, fees and other revenue, he said.

Purcell said the county asked the health department to contribute $350,000 last fiscal year and $375,000 this fiscal year from its budget to the General Fund to help the county pay for those benefits.

“What we were saying was, because your payroll is about $2.4 million or $2.5 million, the benefits for the employees that are not hired with levy dollars – they’re hired with the money from these other sources – we want you to pay those benefits [by contributing to the county’s cof-

fers],” he said.

As part of an agreement with the county, the Health Department agreed to contribute $350,000 this past budget year to the county’s coffers to help the county pay for the department’s employee benefits, but Purcell said the department had only contributed $125,000 of that amount by the end of the fiscal year in November.

“When we were finalizing the budget [this year] we realized we were $225,000 short, so we said we have to get that from somewhere, so what we did is we reduced their levy request by $225,000,” he said.

Purcell said the department had agreed to pay that $225,000 from its coffers, as long as the county didn’t reduce its levy, but that there still was the issue of the $375,000 that would be coming from the Health Department funds to the county coffers in this budget year.

Dr. Amaal Tokars, executive director of the Health Department, spoke to the board Tuesday morning stating that the department would pay that money through its funds if the board didn’t reduce the department’s levy for the coming year.

As a result, Purcell said he supported a levy that was originally proposed, rather than a reduced levy for the Health Department.

The County Board approved the Health Department’s tax levy of $757,000 in a unanimous vote.

In addition, the board approved the following maximum fund levy amounts unanimously: General Fund: $11,208,725; Veteran’s Assistance Commission: $403,789; Tuberculosis Fund: $15,000; Liability Insurance Fund: $1.1 million; Social Security Fund, $1,535,000; Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund: $3 million; County Bridge Fund: $500,000; County Highway Fund: $1.5 million; Extension Education Fund: $187,527; Senior Citizen Social Services Fund: $350,000; 708 Mental Health Fund: $930,000.

CIVIC MEETINGS WEEK OF DEC. 26-30 Tuesday, 7 p.m.: Montgomery Village Board, Montgomery Village Hall. (Canceled)

Wednesday, 7 p.m.: Kendall County Regional Plan Commission, County Office Building, Yorkville.

7

Thursday, December 22, 2016

To the Editor: It has been bothering me for a long time just who is the main supplier of weapons for ISIS. It turns out that Russia is.

Many items from assault rifles, light machine guns, heavy machine guns and explosives find their way from Russia to the Middle East.

These have caused many American combat deaths and very many wounded soldiers including those who will have to live with missing limbs for the rest of their lives.

Isn’t it ironic that the incoming administration is on such good terms with the Russians? If I were a veteran of Iraq, Afghanistan, or the war against terror and ISIS, I would have some serious reservations about Russia and their modern policy goals.

We gave the Russians billions of dollars worth of military supplies, foods, and medicines from 1941 to May of 1945. Were we ever repaid? No. Now our CIA has informed us that Russia most likely interfered in our recent elections. Is this what they consider paying us back for helping to save them from the Nazi hordes in WWII? I sure don’t. I call it meddling in our affairs, and I don’t think we should just stand by and take it like sheep.

Rauner is pushing, scares me for all of us still in the working class of America and especially here in Illinois because of Rauner’s agenda.

Unions are an absolute necessity, especially since billionaire businessmen are more and more running America and whose only concern is making more money for themselves, at our expense.

Be sure to support all of your local unions.

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

• Continued from page 5

New county chairman talks needs, leadership

By TONY SCOTT tscott@kendallcountynow.com New Kendall County Board Chairman Scott Gryder said this week that the new board will be dealing with a variety of issues, including road projects, union contracts and economic development.

Gryder, who has been on the board since 2012 and was previously a trustee for the Oswego Public Library District and a member of the village of Oswego Plan Commission, was unanimously selected by board members to be chairman at a Dec. 5 organization meeting. The chairman serves a two-year term.

In addition to Gryder, board member Judy Gilmour was named president of the Forest Preserve District Board, replacing Jeff Wehrli, who has retired from the board.

In all, there are three new members joining the board this month: Matt Kellogg of Yorkville, Audra Hendrix of Yorkville and Tony Giles of Oswego. Gryder said there will be some learning to go along with the new leadership and new board members.

“There’s going to be some growing pains, I’d guess, but we’ll try to get it down,” Gryder said.

Gryder said some union contract negotiations are ongoing for some county offices. “We’re going to have to get up to speed quickly on those,” he said.

Infrastructure, including roads, must also be addressed, as the fast-growing county did not address those needs quickly enough over the years, he said.

“Our infrastructure needs, I don’t think we were able to address as quickly as the growth came,” he said.

Tony Scott - tscott@kendallcountynow.com

Kendall County Board Chairman Scott Gryder was unanimously selected by board members Dec. 5 to be chairman.

Gryder said east-west corridors have been addressed, such as Route 34, but now the county needs to look to north-south routes, such as the proposed Wikaduke Trail at the Kendall-Will County line, Orchard Road and Eldamain Road.

“There’s a study that’s going to be done in the fall as to the Wikaduke Trail,” he said. “That’s something that’s been in the 20, 25 years discussion. Right now there’s a centerline recorded by the county, and the village of Oswego shows a different route on their comprehensive plan. So we thought it would make sense for us to decide [on the route]. Should we align with Oswego? That’s the kind of stuff we’re looking at.”

The Eldamain Road bridge over the Fox River between Yorkville and Plano is still in the long-term plans, Gryder said.

The road has seen improvements over the last two years, thanks in part to grant funding via the Kane-Kendall Council of Mayors.

“That bridge is gonna need to go in there at some point,” he said. “We need to figure out how to make that happen. There’s not going to be a bucket full of money from Washington like there used to be so, what do we do and how to we make that happen?”

Regarding Metra commuter rail service, the study on bringing such service out to Kendall County is “in process,” Gryder said.

“I know the Metra staff has spoken with county officials ... just trying to get all the stakeholders’ input on it,” he said. “So I expect that to be coming out in the next probably six months or so. That will provide a roadmap to what really needs to happen if that’s ever going to happen.”

Economic development in areas of the county that aren’t within municipal boundaries is another issue the board will need to tackle, Gryder said.

“The county has historically not been real involved in that,” he said. “Overall, it’s been more of a village/city-pushed idea. I don’t know how involved or how deep the county can get. Some of it is out there cheerleading and supporting our municipalities, but it’s also looking at some of the unincorporated areas as well. We should all be working together keeping jobs here in Kendall County.”

See GRYDER, page 12

Give Her What She Really Wants...

An Enzo Spa Experience!

Spa Packages: RELAX - 60 minute relaxation masage and lavender serenity pedicure $123 ESCAPE - 60 minute therapeutic massage, citrus bliss facial, manicure & pedicure $231 SERENITY SPA DAY - 60 minute hot stone therapy massage, lavender serenity facial, paraffin manicure & paraffin pedicure $275 SPA RETREAT - 60 minute relaxation massage, lavender serenity facial, manicure, pedicure, make up application, and blow dry style $318 Gift cards are available in any dollar amount, and we are happy to help you customize a spa package of your choice.

Shop online at www.enzospa.com or order by phone

SM-CL0406215

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, December 22, 2016

| LOCAL NEWS

8

630-896-9494

Enzo Salon & Spa 256 N. MerchantsDrive, Oswego

Open Sunday 10am-4pm Monday-Thursday 9am-9pm Friday 9am-7pm Saturday 8am-5pm adno=0343136 www.enzospa.com

By BRENDA SCHORY bschory@shawmedia.com

Sandy Bressner - sbressner@shawmedia.com

Local seniors listen as state legislators and community partner agencies discuss the value of supporting home and community-based services for older adults and family caretakers during the 28th annual Kane County Legislative Forum on Aging and Disability Issues on Dec. 12 at the Pottawatomie Community Center in St. Charles.

– from a few hours a week to 35 hours a week.

Cutting those services to place those individuals in nursing homes would cost at least $106,000 a year – an increase of $70,000 to $90,000 per year per person, Schoenholtz said.

“We are going to have to try to keep them in their homes with many less dollars,” Schoenholtz said. “It does not sound like it’s realistic at all.”

Schoenholtz said with a stop-gap budget and no budget, it leaves these agencies not knowing what money is coming in.

U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-Naperville, warned that the state faces the risk of real cuts to funding for human services.

“The cuts will be called ‘reforms,’ but they will be cuts,” Foster said.

Foster also spoke about what Illinois loses to low-population states through what it pays in federal taxes. The state gets back 75 cents per dollar for what it pays in federal taxes, he said.

“Business and income taxes is about $25 billion,” Foster said. “If we got rid of the ‘payer’ state problem … we could eliminate all state taxes in Illinois.”

But State Sen. Jim Oberweis, R-Sugar Grove, took Foster to task.

“Which side of the moon have you been living on?” Oberweis said. “Certainly not in Kane County. We are in an

incredibly difficult financial situation.

We are the family that goes out and spends and spends and spends … and all of a sudden the credit card runs out.”

Politicians are to blame, Oberweis said.

“Thank God we have a governor who said we’re not doing this anymore,”

Jackets, Shirts, Caps, Caps, Team Uniforms & Bowling Shirts Shirts

Silk Screening & Embroidery, Inc. 1256 1256 S. Bridge St. (Rt. 47) Yorkville

Kendall County

RECORD Plano Record

Ledger-Sentinel

Sandwich Record

SM-CL0405258

VFW

Montgomery VFW Post 7452 121 North River Street Montgomery, Illinois

FISH FRY

BRIEF Christmas tree pickup set in Oswego through Jan. 13

The village of Oswego’s solid waste hauler, Groot Industries, will collect Christmas trees after the holidays through Jan. 13. Residents are asked to place their bare tree (no lights, ornaments, tinsel or any decorations) by the

630-553-7710 630-553-7710 630-553-7710

curb on their normal scheduled garbage day without a yard waste sticker and not in a bag. After the second full week in January, residents will be required to wait until April when the yard waste program starts up again and a sticker will be needed at that time.

– Oswego Ledger

FRIDAYS

5:00-8:00 PM 8:00 - 10:00 am

1ST SATURDAY

8:00 - 10:00 am

NOVEMBER through MARCH ADULTS $7.00 6-12 YEARS $4.00 5 AND UNDER FREE

Thursday, December 22, 2016

ST. CHARLES – Illinois’ continuing budget issues and delay in paying service providers puts agencies that care for senior citizens and those with disabilities at risk of cutting services – or closing entirely.

Marla Fronczak, the community planning division manager for the Northeastern Illinois Area Agency on Aging, and others painted a dire picture for agencies that serve the elderly and those with disabilities.

“The notion that government cannot afford these programs really misses a huge reality,” Fronczak said. “This is the most cost-effective way to do it – with nonprofits – rather than hospitals or nursing homes or prisons.”

Fronczak, other service providers and several elected officials participated in the 28th annual Kane County Legislative Forum on Aging and Disability Issues, held at the Pottawatomie Community Center in St. Charles, with about 65 people in attendance.

Local agencies that provide in-home care are nearing a “tipping point,” where many may never recover, if lawmakers and Gov. Bruce Rauner do not address budget issues, Fronczak said.

The stop-gap budget appropriation bill will end on Dec. 31, she said.

“Without these programs, tens of thousands of Illinoisans will not receive services … threatening the life and well-being of Illinois’ most vulnerable residents,” Fronczak said. “Serving people in the community ... costs a third less than what serving them in institutions would be.”

Without a state budget, funding can be released only through appropriations bills, court mandates or consent decrees, Fronczak said.

“We are slowly dismantling human services,” Fronczak said. “Our providers will shut down, and some will never open again.”

Bette Schoenholtz, executive director for Senior Services Associates, described six seniors who receive care

Oberweis said. “[House Speaker] Mike Madigan will not allow a balanced budget to pass, and the governor is not going to accept a tax increase.”

Oberweis advocated supporting Rauner’s initiatives to reform worker’s compensation and to encourage business to build the state’s tax base.

State Sen. Linda Chapa LaVia, D-Aurora, then took Oberweis to task for his comments about Foster.

“That was uncalled for,” Chapa LaVia said. “We don’t do that. That’s bullying. That does not get us anywhere.”

State Rep. Anna Moeller, D-Elgin, said there seemed to be more effort at casting blame than finding solutions.

“I also speak for the House Democratic caucus,” Moeller said. “We are willing to negotiate and sit down with the other side to negotiate for reforms.

We want to make Illinois as competitive as we can, as well ... but they have to be reforms that do not harm middle-class families and actually save the state money.”

Other legislators who spoke at the forum were state Rep. Robert Pritchard, R-Hinckley; state Rep. Steven Andersson, R-Geneva; state Sen.-elect Cristina Castro, D-Elgin; state Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora; and state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Aurora.

adno=LV23654

Foster, Oberweis spar over financial troubles

9

LOCAL NEWS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

Forum on aging, disabilities focuses on funding

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, December 22, 2016

| LOCAL NEWS

10

Boulder Hill man faces DUI charges in crash

By TONY SCOTT tscott@kendallcountynow.com The Kendall County State’s Attorney’s office has filed felony aggravated DUI charges against a Boulder Hill man who was involved in an accident the evening of Dec. 14 on U.S. Route 30.

Oswego police say that an SUV driven by Brian E. Neupert, 51, of the 100 block of Circle Drive West, was

traveling eastbound on Route 30 near Treasure Drive at approximately 7:30 p.m. when it crossed the center line and struck head-on a Chevy sedan traveling Brian E. westbound.

Neupert The driver of the Chevy, a 55-year-old female, suffered serious injuries and had to be extricated from her vehicle,

police said. The drivers of both vehicles were transported to a local hospital for injuries received in the crash, police said.

There were no passengers in either vehicle, police said.

The State’s Attorney filed criminal charges against Neupert related to the crash: felony aggravated driving under the influence, felony aggravated driving on a revoked license, along with improper lane usage, illegal

transportation of alcohol, and operating an uninsured vehicle.

Neupert was released from the hospital last Friday and was processed and booked at the Kendall County Jail in Yorkville, police said.

Neupert has a court date at the Kendall County Courthouse in Yorkville of Jan. 17, police said.

Route 30 was closed for approximately one hour during the crash investigation, police said.

Oswego man gets 7 years for paying to have sex with teen OSWEGO LEDGER A Kane County judge has sentenced an Oswego man to state prison for paying for a sexual encounter with a child.

Judge Donald M. Tegeler Jr. sentenced Eric F. Ziemba, 42, of the 700 block of Wilmore Drive, Oswego, to seven years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Tegeler found Ziemba guilty on Oct. 18 of involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, a Class X felony, traveling to meet a minor, a Class 3 felony, and grooming, a Class 4 felony. Ziemba

waived his right to a jury trial.

Kane County prosecutors presented evidence during the trial that on Dec. 2, 2014, Ziemba traveled from Oswego to an Aurora ho- Eric F. tel with the intent to pay Ziemba to have a sexual encounter with what he believed would be 15-year-old girls. When Ziemba arrived at the hotel, he met a person he thought was the girls’ mother, paid the person $150, and was arrested by officers from

Homeland Security Investigations and the Aurora Police Department. During the investigation, Ziemba told police that he had expected sexual favors in return for the $150.

In addition to imprisonment, Ziemba must register for 10 years as a sexual offender in accordance with the Illinois Sexual Offender Registration Act. According to Illinois law, Ziemba is eligible for day-for-day sentencing. He received credit for 62 days served in the Kane County jail.

The case was prosecuted by Kane County Assistant State’s Attorney

1% CASH BACK

Auto

•

Christine Bayer and Kane County First Assistant State’s Attorney Jody Gleason.

“Illinois’ laws prohibiting sexual servitude and child sex trafficking and exploitation reflect a very real threat to children by adults. The General Assembly has chosen to address both the supply side and the demand side of human trafficking and exploitation. I hope this sentence and other recent sentences like it show that law enforcement at the state and federal levels is working to suppress the demand,” Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said.

Motorcycle

•

RV

Up to $2501 when

REFINANCING OR PURCHASING Fast, Easy & Secure with eSIGN ANYTIME! Federally Insured by

myICCU.org

Apply online or call (815) 895-4541 All loans subject to approval. Offer is 1% of the refinanced or new loan amount and available to qualified borrowers for secured loan refinances or purchases approved and funded through December 31, 2016. Minimum loan amount of $10,000 as well as minimum of 36 month loan terms. Offer does not apply to refinances of existing Illinois Community Credit Union loans. The 1% cash back will be deposited into member’s share account immediately after the title has been received and ICCU lien has been perfected. The 1% cash back amount will be based on the total payoff amount of a refinanced loan or total purchase amount of a new loan. Offer applies to consumer secured loans. Offer subject to change or discontinuation at any time without notice. All Credit Union loan programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change at any time without notice. Call us at (815) 895-4541 for current rates, terms, and conditions. Illinois Community Credit Union membership is required.

1

‘God bless us, every one’

11

Photos by Steven Buyansky for Shaw Media

TOP LEFT: Christine Spleha as ‘Lt. Collins’ performs her part in the Holiday Radio Play “A Christmas Carol.” BOTTOM RIGHT: Narrator Ryan Sendef sets the scene on Friday night.

Thursday, December 22, 2016

The Oswegoland Park District’s Limelight Theatre Company presented Charles Dickens’ classic story “A Christmas Carol” as a radio play before a packed house at the Little White School Museum in Oswego Friday evening. ABOVE: Sound effects crew member Lucie Kupres produces the sound of walking with a pair of shoes on a wood board during the Limelight Theatre Company’s Holiday Radio Play “A Christmas Carol” at the Little White School Museum in Oswego on Dec. 16. LEFT: Colin Sullivan provides music during the production. BELOW: Narrator Ryan Sendef (left), Mark Melton as Bob Cratchit and Tyler Mabrey as Ebenezer Scrooge voice the open of the Holiday Radio Play “A Christmas Carol.”

LOCAL NEWS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

Limelight Theatre presents radio play of ‘A Christmas Carol’

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, December 22, 2016

| LOCAL NEWS

12

Study: Update Oswego library job descriptions

By LYLE R. ROLFE news@kendallcountynow.com When Sarah Skilton, Oswego Public Library District director, learned that the district might be eligible for a free employee study offered by a graduate program at Purdue University, she jumped at it.

Skilton said she heard Purdue had done studies for some very large global and international corporations as well as for public agencies such as police departments and libraries. The university’s graduate students have a program where they visit a business or organization, study what, how and why the employees are performing their jobs, and suggest possible changes to improve their performance and service to customers.

Skilton said she visited the university and presented her reasons why the district should be considered for the study, one that if completed by a private company could cost several thousand dollars.

“I applied and I was hoping they would select us,” she said. She was surprised to learn that the district was chosen for the study and a team of six

graduate students were soon at the district’s two libraries to interview each of the district’s 72 employees.

“They did in six months what would have taken me a very long time to do and they did it very well. They were as passionate about what they were doing as our staff members are about their jobs,” she said.

Skilton said the team members met with the employees to talk about employee reviews, frequency of reviews, what is discussed, how to keep their job descriptions updated, and other items. She received a copy of the recommendations about two weeks before the team addressed the board.

There were no surprises in the recommendation, Skilton said.

The students met with board members at a special meeting recently to discuss their findings and answer questions of board members. They said at least two team members interviewed each employee and discussed their findings with them. They said the employees were impressed with the study team’s recommendations and agreed that changes should be made.

The team members said they learned that the job descriptions of

Visiting Angels of Plainfield is looking for experienced caregivers.

If you love working with seniors call 815-254-0152 or fax resume to 815-254-0175

district’s employees were outdated by as much as 20 years. In their report, the team wrote, “Needs to be addressed in all current positions are the gap between both the past and the present knowledge, skills, abilities, tasks, technology, duties and responsibilities.”

They said the reason is to align staff duties, align company vision, make informed hiring decisions and communicate expectations for performance management. Their recommendations included updating job descriptions every two years, but added that this would not be needed for all positions.

They also said every employee should have a monthly one-on-one discussion with their director to see if there are any gaps in their skills and qualifications.

Skilton said library officials have looked at various job descriptions over the years, but there had not been a full review for at least 20 years.

The team members said the recommended changes would not be noticed by library patrons, but they would help the employees be more productive and make their jobs run more smoothly, which could mean better service for patrons.

One of their recommendations is that employees know about the various genres of books so if a young adult asks for suggestions on something to read in a specific genre the employee could help them. She said library employees should be up-to-date on things such as trends, new books, new authors, and new genres.

They also recommended cross-training of some employees so they could fill in for others if necessary.

The final recommendation was that the library hire a human resources director. The team member said this person could work with payroll, job descriptions development, compensation and numerous other things. She said the present job descriptions would not be 20 years old if they had an HR director.

She said some employees were in favor of having an HR director, while others were hesitant about having someone new hired into a new position.

Members of the study team said Oswego was their final study project for receiving their MA degree in various fields doing studies of this type. From here they will go elsewhere for their first jobs in their new field.

• GRYDER

a cumbersome process for truckers to navigate through the Chicagoland area. There’s a new study that came out with some recommendations and we’re going to take a look at that. The question is, is there a way for us to streamline that process in the Chicagoland area? That’s something that could help our manufacturing here, like Caterpillar or Plano Molding, or whoever else that relies on logistics.”

Gryder said Kendall County will also be hosting a regional economic outlook meeting in March. He said the meeting will include all the County Board chairmen in the Chicago region.

“It’s exciting to be able to showcase Kendall County a little bit,” he said.

Continued from page 8 Gryder said he recently attended a meeting of the Chicago Metropolitan Area for Planning, of which Kendall County is a member, and that the topic of regional truck permitting was discussed.

“It’s not something that sounds real exciting and it’s not something that people are probably even aware of unless you’re directly involved in the industry,” he said. “But there are 300 municipalities in the Chicagoland region and many of them have different ways that they permit trucks to drive on their roads. So it can be quite

“Making sense of investing” www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC

Jim Cargo

Financial Reviews • 401k Rollovers Financial Advisor 60543 (630)896-1701 Bonds • Roth IRAs jim.cargo@edwardjones.com 25 W. Merchants Dr. • Oswego, IL 60543

IRAs

KendallCountyNOW.com is the official website of the Kendall County Record.

SM-CL0406144

Montogmery Post# 7452 121 N. River St. Montgomery, IL.

S H I F ial Spec ouat AllaY C nE

P M I R SH

Frid Nighay 5PM- ts 9PM 630-8 59-3 988

F RY $10.00

MONTGOMERY POLICE REPORTS

Meadowview Lane crash Montgomery police reported that a motorist received minor injuries when a red Mazda left the roadway and struck a fire hydrant at Meadowview Lane and Prescott Drive Dec. 19 at 8:43 a.m. Police said the driver of the vehicle was cited for driving too fast for conditions.

Identity stolen A Montgomery resident told police Dec. 19 that someone used his personal information to open a credit card account and an account with a cellphone company.

DUI arrest Montgomery police arrested Manuel Lopez de Santiago, 51, of Aurora after stopping his vehicle on Douglas Road at Melrose Avenue Dec. 18 at 1:14 a.m. Police said he faces charges of driving under the influence, driving too fast for conditions and illegal transportation of alcohol.

By TONY SCOTT tscott@shawmedia.com Oswego police arrested a 16-yearold male Friday afternoon after he refused to leave Oswego High School.

Police said they were called to the school at around 12:30 p.m. Friday after it was reported that the juvenile, an Oswego resident, entered

• TOYS FOR TOTS

Continued from page 3 for Tots and helping kids is what I love to do. I want to help kids have a Merry Christmas,” Schimmel said.

This year, Schimmel was able to spend $750 of her earned money on toys for the older children.

“Cornish said the bigger kids don’t get so many toys, like the younger kids. I wanted to make sure the older kids had enough toys as well. We bought block sets, Star Wars toys, sleeping bags, princess castles and super hero dolls,” Schimmel said.

Gabeheart said this act was exactly what the teachers hope happens when the students get involved with Toys for Tots.

“We are making a difference and that’s exactly the intent. We are teaching our students to be compassionate members of society. We are coming together as a community to help those in need,” Gabeheart said on a Facebook

the school without permission as students were leaving for the day.

Police said the teen did not comply when he was asked to leave the school and, during the incident, he battered school staff members. The Oswego police school resource officer eventually took the juvenile into custody and arrested him, police said.

The Kendall County State’s Attor-

ney’s Office has charged the juvenile with two felony counts of aggravated battery, along with resisting/obstructing a peace officer and disorderly conduct.

The juvenile was booked and processed at the Oswego police station and was transported to the Kane County Juvenile Justice Center pending court proceedings, police said.

post to honor Schimmel, currently an Oswego High School senior.

Saturday after the toy drive, firefighters drove the toys to the Oswego YMCA, where Optimist Club of Oswegoland members and volunteers took over to sort and bag up gifts to be delivered to 94 homes, with a total of 251 children from District 308.

Optimist Club of Oswegoland president Bryan Noble said each child received five gifts between the Toys for Tots gifts and personal sponsored gifts through the Optimist Club, canned goods, hats, mittens and socks, which were all delivered within a three-hour period on Saturday morning.

Noble said the Optimist Club is a national organization with a mission to help the youth within the community it serves, and the Toys for Tots campaign has been its largest “give back to the community” project each year.

“This event is geared toward the little kids who still believe in Santa, and we want to provide that Santa experience as long as we can,” Noble said.

Noble said being a driver to deliver gifts can be an emotional experience because he never knows the family situation.

“These families may have a nice house, but you never know. It may be in foreclosure and gone in six months.

The best part is that the families don’t know what they are getting, so we show up with food, bicycles and presents and they see the quantity of presents, they usually break down and cry,” Noble said.

Noble received a thank you letter in the mail and shared it with the Ledger.

A portion of the letter reads: “There are no words. I just gave ComEd a huge chunk to avoid disconnection. I was so worried and didn’t know what I was going to do about Christmas. Felt like a failure as a parent. Being alone with four kids after losing their dad to suicide and losing our home, I had lost all optimism. … There are just tears of gratitude and restoration of faith in mankind. I don’t know how I could ever repay you.”

KENDALL COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS Route 71 home burglary Jewelry and an iPad were stolen from a residence in the 11000 block of Route 71 in Kendall Township, the county sheriff’s office was notified Dec. 19. Police said forced entry was made into the residence sometime between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. Dec. 19. Police said they are investigating.

Minor injuries in Route 47 crash Tristen L. Beck, 18, of the 100 block of West Wall Street, Ancona, and a juvenile passenger in her vehicle were injured when the vehicle they were riding in on Route 47 left the roadway near Helmar Road in Kendall Township Dec. 12 at 10:32 p.m. and overturned in a ditch. Police said the vehicle left the road due to icy conditions. Beck and the juvenile passenger were transported to Morris Hospital, where they were treated for minor injuries and released, police said. Both Beck and the juvenile were wearing their seat belts, according to police.

Funds stolen A Boulder Hill resident told county sheriff’s deputies Dec. 19 that someone used her bank account information to withdraw

money from her debit account.

DUI arrest on Route 52 County sheriff’s deputies arrested Oscar Miranda, 41, of the 1800-1900 block of Dearborn Street, Crest Hill, after his vehicle rolled over onto its side on Route 52 at Line Road in Seward Township Dec. 17 at 1:48 a.m. Police said Miranda was treated at the scene by Troy EMS personnel. Police said he has been charged with driving under the influence and ticketed for improper lane usage. Miranda was transported to the Kendall County Jail in Yorkville pending court proceedings.

Checks stolen, cashed A Boulder Hill resident told county sheriff’s deputies Dec. 16 that an individual had stolen checks from his business and cashed them for an undisclosed amount of money.

Police said they are investigating the theft of the checks and the victim’s identity.

Boulder Hill man cited County sheriff’s deputies cited Shane M. Glover, 25, of the 0-100 block of Long Beach Road, Boulder Hill, Dec. 16 at 9:19

p.m. on charges of possession of cannabis and drug paraphernalia on Route 30 east of Dickson Road in Bristol Township. Police said Glover was also ticketed for improper use of registration.

BB gun damage Someone used a BB gun to shoot out the back windows of three vehicles parked in the 100 block of Harbor Drive in Oswego Township Dec. 18, according to the county sheriff’s office. Police said there were no suspects in the case as of press time.

Minkler Road crash An Oswego resident, Melissa A. Austin, 45, of the 0-300 block of Buck Tail Drive, was transported to an area hospital after the vehicle she was driving was involved in a crash on Minkler Road at Reservation Road Dec. 12 at 12:05 p.m., according to the county sheriff’s office. Police said the driver of the other vehicle involved in the crash was not injured, but Austin was cited for failure to yield the right-of-way at a stop intersection.

Stranded motorist arrested County sheriff’s deputies arrested Josh

Ryan Wil Brand, 27, of the 400 block of Prairieview Drive, Oswego, after the vehicle he was driving left the road and landed in a ditch in the 200 block of Plainfield Road in Oswego, Dec. 13. Police said Brand was cited for improper lane usage and charged with driving on a revoked license.

Warrant arrest County sheriff’s deputies arrested Amaru Smith Martin of the 2700 block of Route 34 in Oswego after stopping his vehicle for a speeding violation on Eldamain Road at Faxon Road in Little Rock Townships Dec. 14.

Police said Martin was found to be wanted on a DuPage County warrant for driving on a suspended license. He was also cited for speeding, having no insurance and no valid registration.

ID theft reported A resident of Bristol told county sheriff’s deputies Dec. 14 that someone used his personal information to open a credit card account at a national retail store. Police said two gift cards valued at $817.03 were subsequently purchased in the victim’s name in Allenton, Pennsylvania.

13

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Motorist facing charges Montgomery police arrested Reyna Martinez, 20, of the 800 block of Fulton Street, Aurora, after stopping her vehicle for having only one working headlight in the 1600 block of Douglas Road Dec. 19 at 11:55 p.m. Police said Martinez was cited for improper lighting and charged with driving on a suspended license.

Teen arrested after incident at OHS

LOCAL NEWS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

Respond to five-vehicle crash Montgomery police responded to a five-vehicle crash on Route 30 at Route 31 Dec. 19 at 7:56 a.m. Police said all vehicle occupants were treated on the scene and the driver of the vehicle at fault was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and operating a motor vehicle with no insurance.

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, December 22, 2016

| LOCAL NEWS

14

Bristol Twp. man charged with trespassing at clerk’s office

By TONY SCOTT tscott@kendallcountynow.com A Bristol Township man was arrested Dec. 14 for criminal trespass at the County Office Building in Yorkville.

Kendall County sheriff’s deputies arrested Carl Bodnar, 72, of the 7000 block of Galena Road, Bristol, for

criminal trespass to land following a dispute with the County Clerk’s Office. Sheriff’s deputies said he had been asked to leave the premises earlier this year.

Carl Bodnar “Earlier in the year, he had an incident with some discrepancies with the County

Clerk’s Office, and they had asked that he be trespassed from the property,” sheriff’s office spokesman Deputy Michael Mrozek said. “He was back there the other day, and he was violating that trespass, and that’s why he was arrested.”

Mrozek said once a person is served with a trespass violation, they are not allowed to come back to the property

for one year. If the victim decides to extend that trespass order beyond that year, they need to contact the sheriff’s office, he said.

The Kendall County Board has been discussing increasing security at the County Office Building following requests from County Clerk Debbie Gillette and County Treasurer Jill Ferko.

Safe at rollover crash Oswego police said two juveniles escaped injury when their vehicle left the roadway on Harvey Road near Townsend Drive and flipped over due to snow on the pavement Dec. 14 at 2:40 p.m. Police said the juveniles’ vehicle was not damaged in the crash.

a parking lot in the 2900 block of Route 34 in Oswego Dec. 17, police reported.

conditions.

OSWEGO POLICE REPORTS Investigate gunpoint robbery Oswego police detectives are investigating the robbery at gunpoint of a gaming company employee at a shopping center at the northwest corner of Route 34 and Douglas Road Dec. 16 at 1:39 p.m.

Police said a suspect approached the employee with a gun and took boxes of cash from the employee. Police said both the boxes and cash were later recovered. Police said they consider the robbery to be an isolated incident and there is no threat to the general public.

Numerous wrecks Oswego police responded to numerous traffic accidents due to icy and snow-packed roads over the weekend. Police said no injuries were reported in any of the crashes.

Juvenile cited Oswego police cited a juvenile motorist for driving with an unlawful number of passengers after the juvenile’s vehicle was involved in a crash at Panther Lane and Route 71 in front of Oswego High school Dec. 14 at 7:15 a.m.

Rt. 34 vehicle burglary Property worth $100 was stolen from a vehicle that was left parked and unlocked in

Hit-and-run reported Oswego police took a report of a hit-andrun crash involving a parked car in the 300 block of Kensington Drive in the village Dec. 16. Police said damage to the vehicle was estimated at over $1,500.

Cited in crash Oswego police ticketed Nicholas Theodor, 45, of the 100 block of Oaklawn Avenue, Oswego, after the vehicle he was driving in the 200 block of Lombardy Lane Dec. 16 struck another vehicle as it was turning into a driveway.

Police said Theodor was cited for driving without insurance and driving too fast for

Investigate crash Oswego police investigated a two-vehicle crash that occurred at Pearce’s Ford Drive and Waterford Drive in the village Dec. 18 at 3:30 p.m.

Police said an unoccupied vehicle that was parked near the intersection was struck and damaged by another vehicle. Damage to the parked vehicle was estimated at over $1,500.

Traffic violations • Mijarez Asuena Montes, 33, of the 200 block of Springbrook Trail South, Oswego, improper lane usage.

• Jevon M. Pitts, 19, of the 1500 block of Elder Drive, Aurora, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

You are cordially invited to attend a

Retirement Open House honoring

Nicki Butterfield Over 40 years of community banking service

December 30, 2016 1:00 to 4:00pm 128 S Depot St, Somonauk

Mark Erickson

Janna Misek

Mark McGee

1136 Douglas Rd. Oswego

1335 Douglas Rd. Montgomery

630-554-8800 Mark Erickson

630-554-1540 Janna Misek

630-859-8848 Mark McGee

630-554-8800

630-554-1540

@statefarm.com

630-859-8848

Se habla espanol janna.misek.nhv0 @statefarm.com

Se habla espanol mark@foxvalley insurance.com

72 W. Washington Oswego 72 W. Washington www.markerickson.net Oswego www.markerickson.net

1136 Douglas Rd. Se habla espanol janna.misek.nhv0 Oswego

1335 Douglas Rd. Se habla espanol mark@foxvalley Montgomery insurance.com

SM-CL0406152

15

Gjovik Chevy-Buick-GMC NEW 2016 BUICK

NEW 2017 CHEVY

NEW 2017 GMC

ENCORES

SPARK LS

TERRAIN

MSRP: $14,975

MSRP: $28,755

MSRP: $25,385 Stock# C70227

SALE PRICE

10,990

$

*

Stock# T60587

19,385

$

SONIC LT

15,990

*

NEW 2016 GMC

CANYON SLT DIESEL 4X4

LEATHER GROUP

MSRP: $44,345

22,210

$

*

Stock# T60662

SALE PRICE

SAVE $7,000!

NEW 2017 GMC

REGAL

ACADIA SLE-2 MSRP: $42,795

MSRP: $30,935

15,997

$

*

RED TAG SALES EVENT

Stock# B70192

38,997*

$

SAVE $5,348!

NEW 2017 BUICK

MSRP: $21,195

25,497*

$

NEW 2016 BUICK

SALE PRICES

TRAX LS

SALE PRICE

SALE PRICE

SAVE $3,258!

Stock# B60524

NEW 2016 CHEVY

Stock# T70095

SALE PRICE

28,935*

$

Stock# T70182

SAVE $2,000!

* To qualified buyers. See dealer for details. Prices plus taxes, title, license and doc fees, All prices, subject to change due to changes in factory incentives. These offers not available on prior sales. All vehicles subject to prior sale. Dealer not responsible for unintentional inaccuracies, if any, in vehicle descriptions or prices. Actual sale vehicles may vary from above photos. Prices expire three days from publication. **On select 2016 vehicles in stock. ***On select 2016 models.

SALE PRICE

39,997*

$

SAVE $2,798!

Sales Hours

Mon-Fri 9am-9pm Saturday 9am-6pm

Service Hours

Mon-Fri 8am-6pm Saturday 8am-12pm

GM CERTIFIED USED VEHICLES | CERTIFIED SERVICE 815.786.2177 630.552.3422 800.378.3325

WE’RE NOT HERE TO SELL YOU A CAR, WE’RE HERE TO HELP YOU BUY ONE!

GJOVIKAUTO.COM

Thursday, December 22, 2016

SALE PRICE

$

*

SAVE $6,000!

MSRP: $29,210

MSRP: 21,005

WRAP UP THE DEALS, WRAP UP THE YEAR.

20,490

VERANO

$

Stock# T60676

Stock# T60595

$

*

NEW 2016 CHEVY

Stock# C60491

SALE PRICE

MSRP: $26,490

OSWEGO LEDGER | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

TIS THE SEASON TO BE SAVING AT

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, December 22, 2016

16

BULLETIN BOARD D-308 gets OK to move ahead with State Seal of Biliteracy

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

Christmas program at St. Luke’s Lutheran School

OSWEGO LEDGER The Illinois State Board of Education has given School District 308 approval to move forward with implementing the State Seal of Biliteracy, a seal given to students literate in English and at least one other language.

In anticipation of the approval, District 308 has taken steps to prepare for the implementation of the initiative. Both Oswego High School and Oswego East High School posted large posters, disseminated brochures, held assemblies, sent letters to parents, shared information and applications through World Language classrooms, and reached out directly to targeted students to promote the State Seal of Biliteracy.

In total, the district received more than 200 applications for participation from students interested in earning the State Seal of Biliteracy. In spring 2017, District 308 expects to award seals and commendations in the following languages: Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Portuguese, Russian and Arabic.

The district is now planning the next steps to ensure that the first year of the initiative runs smoothly. Participating students will be formally assessed in the spring.

Students who qualify based on their assessment scores will receive a state-approved seal on their diploma and a special message of qualification on their transcripts.

The seal and transcript message will indicate to employers and universities that the students have met standardized criteria for their bilingual and biliteracy skills in English and at least one other language.

These students will also be recognized for their achievement at graduation.

While the deadline for application submission occurred at the end of September, both high schools will still accept late applications. To obtain an application, visit sd308. org/Domain/3722 on the district’s website.

Photo provided

St. Luke’s Lutheran School students and choir – preschool through eighth grade – recently performed their Christmas program, “A Tree Lot Christmas: Joining Jesus’ Family Tree.” Families joined in singing Christmas carols and enjoyed the program with its blessed message that we are part of Jesus’ family – the family of God. St. Luke’s School is located at 63 Fernwood Road, in Boulder Hill.

Thompson students learn about raku pottery As part of their pottery unit, 3-D Sculpture students in Mrs. Robinson’s art class at Thompson Junior High recently were able to experience and participate in a raku firing. The Hernandez brothers, Joe and Manny, walked students through the process on Dec. 2. Joe taught at Waubonsee Community College for 20 years and Manny taught at Northern Illinois University for 30 years; they are both retired.

Raku is a traditional Japanese style of firing pottery.

Photo provided

W E N R U VISIT OE BAR! INSID 630-385-2477 | 129 E. Hydraulic St., Yorkville IL

17

OSWEGO LEDGER | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, December 22, 2016

GOOD SPORTS

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

BOYS BASKETBALL

SPORTS BRIEF

Panthers refocus before Jack Tosh

Team Oswego gymnasts place at Gymkhana event

By KRISTIN SHARP ksharp@kendallcountynow.com With more than a week without a scheduled contest, the Oswego boys basketball team will get back to basics.

The Panthers will limp into York’s Jack Tosh Holiday Classic with a 2-8 overall record and on a two-game skid after a pair of Southwest Prairie Conference losses to Joliet Central and Plainfield East last week.

Without a game between Dec. 16 and Dec. 26, Oswego will use the 10day stretch to focus on productive practices.

“We’re really focusing on skill development and conditioning this week,” Oswego coach Matt Borrowman said. “That’s our main focus during our seven-day stretch here. We know what needs to be worked on. It’s been pretty evident in our games.

“We need to work on our decision-making, both offensively and defensively, and limiting our turnovers and taking better shots. It’s been a common theme. We’re losing every game by seven to 10 points and we’re going in stretches where we turn the ball over too much or we’re taking quick shots in our possessions, and it’s not winning us games right now.”

Oswego opens bracket play at York against Chicago St. Patrick (8-1) at 6 p.m. Dec. 26. The winner of that game will face either Schaumburg or Riverside-Brookfield on Dec. 27, while the other two teams move into the consolation bracket. Play continues through Dec. 30.

“It is once again a stacked tournament. The top eight seeds were like 28-5 at the time they were announced,” Borrowman said. “It’s not easy. It’s a great test for us, and that’s what we want. We want to have one of the

toughest non-conference schedules around and I think ours will be darn close – especially after we finish with Jack Tosh. We open with St. Pat’s, and they’re a loaded team. They have seven kids who can play; they’re big, quick and experienced. It’s going to be a good test for our guys.”

Oswego trailed Plainfield East by seven points midway through the fourth quarter, but the Bengals finished what they started and picked up the 57-47 win last Friday. Dylan Engler, Jaylen Jones and Jack Kahoun shared the scoring with 12 points each.

“We ended up finishing the game with 24 turnovers. Plainfield East does pressure you, but a lot of those turnovers were just unforced,” Borrowman said. “It wasn’t one player; it went down the line and every player had three or four. Plainfield East had 18 points off turnovers, and you’re not going to win games like that.”

The Oswegoland Park District’s Team Oswego gymnasts participated in Gymkhana’s annual Santa’s Workshop & Gift Drive Meet. This event was not only the team’s first chance to showcase their talents for the season, but collected toys for kids in need. As a team, the USAG Level 3 squad placed second with a team score of 109.175 and Level 4 brought home first with a score of 107.850.

For the Level 3 team, Makenzie Lorhman was first on beam, floor and all around. Alexis Wyngard-Clark was first on vault and third in all around. Emily Kroll took first on bars, beam, floor and all around. For the Level 4 team, Bryli Elizondo was first on vault, bars, and all around. Bella Yanos took first on vault.

Gabby Baier was first on beam.

For the Level 6 squad, Avery Reichert was first on vault and Brooke Abel took third on beam and second in all around.

– Oswego Ledger

4 local dancers bound for London parade OSWEGO LEDGER

Photo provided

Oswego East dance team members Julia Carranza, Christyn Robinson, Grace Nelson and Bayley Ingalls will represent the Wolves in the London New Year’s Day Parade.

Four members of the Oswego East dance team were selected to represent the Wolves in the world famous London New Year’s Day Parade.

Julia Carranza, Christyn Robinson, Grace Nelson and Bayley Ingalls qualified for the trip after being awarded All-American honors at UDA Dance Camp in June.

Dancers are selected to try out for All-American based on superior dancing and leadership skills at dance camps

across the country.

The theme of this year’s parade is “Lights, Camera, Action” and will pay homage to the wonders of film and television.

The Oswego East dancers will be among 10,000 performers representing 20 countries in the 2017 parade which is known as one of London’s biggest events and is viewed by millions worldwide.

In addition to dancing in the parade, the All-Americans will also be able to tour London’s most historic sites during their stay.

CHECK OUT OUR BURGER PLAYBOOK. HOME

100 specially created burgers designed to satisfy your whole team’s hunger!

OF

GS

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, December 22, 2016

18

THE HOG WIN

Burgers • Sandwiches Wraps • Baskets

210 S Bridge St. • Downtown Yorkville

PREP ROUNDUP

OSWEGO LEDGER

BOYS BASKETBALL

Oswego East Varsity: The Wolves (71) came from behind to beat Plainfield Central 65-53 on Friday and improve to 3-0 in Southwest Prairie Conference action. Stephon Harris and Tahj Oliver had 16 points each while AJ Hughes knocked in 10 in the win.

Oswego East Sophomore: On Friday, the sophomore Wolves traveled to Plainfield Central for a conference matchup. The Wolves got off to an early lead in the first half, but Central continued to battle back and the Wolves led by five at the half. In the second half, turnovers and foul trouble plagued the Wolves, and Central took the 55-48 victory.

Parkview Christian: The Parkview Christian High School Falcons split two games recently. They soundly

Steven Buyansky for Shaw Media

Oswego’s Gannon Hughes lifts Plainfield East’s D’Anthony Hopkins off the mat in the 138-pound bout during a varsity dual wrestling meet at Oswego High School on Dec. 15.

The Panthers won the meet, 44-26. Read more on page 20. defeated last year’s Illinois Christian Conference champion, Community Christian from Manhattan, on Dec. 16 by a score of 68-49. The Falcons were led in scoring by Austin West with 22 points, Stephen Brennwald with 13 and Jack Swenson adding 10. Center Jake Angelo contributed 14 rebounds. West was honored before the game becoming the first player in the four-year history of the program to score 1,000 points. He has been a starter for all four years and is this year’s team captain.

On Dec. 19, the team traveled to Mooseheart and suffered a tough loss, 54-43. It was a two-point game with about three minutes to play, but Mooseheart converted 5 of 6 free throws down the stretch to seal the victory. The Falcons were led in scoring

by Austin West with 24 points and 11 rebounds. The Falcons are 5-7 on the season.

WRESTLING

Oswego East Varsity: The Wolves placed seventh in the 15-team Ralph Krupke Classic at Lake Park on Saturday with six placewinners. At 152 pounds, Andrew Okayama was the champion by default after previously pinning Naperville North (1:38) and winning a 7-4 decision against Highland Park in the semifinals.

Jarrod Robles took fifth at 132 with a 2-2 record in the bracket, Nico Patch took sixth at 145 going 3-2, and Jackson O’Reilly placed fifth at 170 pounds, winning the fifth place bout by pinfall in 3:39. Zach Smith was fifth at 195, ending his day with a pinfall in 4:13. Sean Clabots posted a 1-2 finish at 285.

Oswego Frosh/Soph: The Panther freshman/sophomore wrestling team wrapped up the first half of its season Saturday with a first-place finish at the Plainfield East Holliday Tourna-

ment. The Panthers got off to a slow start, but managed to pull into the lead entering the semifinal round. Despite falling behind Romeoville near the end of the tournament, the Panthers pulled through to win it with a strong finish from their upper weights.

The Panthers were led by champions Thomas Dennehy (160), Jake Duncan (170), Geno Lukowski (195), and Justin Bensinger (220). Other contributions came from runners-up Michael Greene (152), and Luke Hunter (285).

Rounding out the placewinners were fifth-place finishers Jaiden Speer (132) and Aiden Griffin (152). Oswego is currently 10-3 in team duals.

GYMNASTICS

BOYS BOWLING

Oswego East Varsity: The Wolves beat Oswego-Oswego East co-op: The Os- state-ranked Plainfield North 8-2 and

Plainfield Central 10-0. They are now 9-1 on the season and return to action on Jan. 4, hosting Plainfield East at Parkside Lanes.

Oswego Varsity: Having a quick turnaround with three meets in three days, the Panthers (4-9) traveled to Town & Country Lanes to face Plainfield South. The Panthers came ready to bowl shooting 1,018 in its first game, but Plainfield South had an answer shooting 1,203. After a tough second game, Oswego came back in its third game shooting an 1,117 series almost coming back to win. At the end though GIRLS BOWLING Oswego East Varsity: The Wolves Oswego took two out of the possible 10 improved to 3-1 in duals with a 10-0 points losing 3,026-3,047. Sophomore win over Joliet Central on Dec. 15 at Phil Schmidt led the way with his 622 Parkside Lanes. Samantha Perez led series.

Oswego East with a 655 series while Ashley Smith also broke the 600 mark BOYS SWIMMING AND DIVING Oswego-Oswego East co-op: The Oswith a 627. Oswego East finished with a 2,966 total while Joliet Central rolled wego co-op team scored 34 points at the Neuqua Valley Invite on Dec. 17. Max a 2,369.

Oswego Varsity: The Panthers trav- Padlo was sixth in the diving event eled to Town and Country Lanes to take with a score of 360.60. Matt Gorney was on defending state champion Joliet 10th in the 200 free. wego co-op team competed in a fiveteam event on Dec. 14 and scored a 126.90 to place third behind DeKalb (147.20) and Glenbard East (135.95). Ellina Butolph led Oswego on vault with a score of 8.5 while scores from Alex Salinas (7.95), Butolph (7.8) and Kaylee Gatenby (7.8) helped the team total. Butolph was fourth on the balance beam with a score of 8.75, and Salinas led the team on the floor exercise with an 8.65.

She was fifth in the all-around competition with a score of 33.55.

Thursday, December 22, 2016

The Oswego East girls basketball team (9-2) improved to 4-0 in Southwest Prairie Conference play with a 69-20 win over Plainfield Central on Dec. 16.

The 49-point victory comes one week after a 53-point win over Romeoville, as Oswego East is averaging a 34.7-point margin of victory in SPC action.

Oswego East established a 22-0 lead against the Wildcats, and Sydney Schultz led all scorers with 15 points, six rebounds, three steals and two assists. Ty Battle had 14 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals. Taylor Peck and Amaya Johns knocked in seven points each and Jesinde Thomas had six rebounds and three steals.

Oswego East will start its Holiday Classic on Dec. 27 against Rockford Jefferson on Dec. 27 at 1 p.m.

Oswego Varsity: The Panthers (3-6) fell to Plainfield East 66-43 last Friday to move to 2-2 in Southwest Prairie Conference play. Oswego trailed 19-10 after the first quarter, but quickly fell behind 34-19 by halftime and could not recover in the second half. Kira Sneed led the team with 18 points.

“We were disappointed with the Plainfield East game. We prepared for them and they didn’t throw anything at us that surprised us,” Oswego coach Dave Beebe said. “Unfortunately, we just turned the ball over way too many times. We didn’t match their physicality. Hopefully we can correct some things and get ready for Downers South on Tuesday.”

Oswego will open the first round of the Oswego East Holiday Classic at 8 a.m. Dec. 27 against Downers Grove South.

“I think our bracket is nice because we’re not playing other conference teams. They’re all competitive,” Beebe said.

West. After falling behind by 89 pins in the first game, the Panthers bounced back with an excellent 981 team game in the second game of the night and were trailing Joliet West by just 13 pins heading into the final game. Oswego could not repeat their game two success and after shooting 878 in game three, they found themselves behind the Tigers in the series by just 42 pins.

Oswego’s game two total of 981 was in large part due to a career-high single-game total of 290 by senior captain Alyssa Lang. After sparing the first frame, Lang threw 11 strikes in a row to help the Panthers secure what would be their only two points of the match. Lang finished with a 613 series on the night. Joining her in eclipsing the 600-mark was Taylor Kies, who had a solid 605 series.

Oswego JV: The Panthers put up their best score in game two of the match.

The team bowled games of 667, 746, and 675 to finish with a total of 2,088 on the night. Although this was the highest three-game series they have put up this season, it was not enough against the Tigers whose scores of 717, 836, and 838 shut out Oswego in the match. Four Panther bowlers eclipsed 400 including senior Viveca Zuffante (407), juniors Alicia Lautwein (440) and Theresa Ronning (411), and sophomore Megan Guerra (414).

Oswego East JV: The Wolves took all 10 points from Joliet Central on Dec. 15.

Kyleigh Rogers (542) and Maile Harper (533) led the Wolves to a 2,245 total.

SPORTS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

Oswego East girls basketball stays perfect in SPC

19

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, December 22, 2016

20

SPORTS PREP WRESTLING

COMEBACK VICTORY

Oswego battles through late bouts to rally past Plainfield East

By KRISTIN SHARP ksharp@kendallcountynow.com After two tough losses to start the night, the Oswego wrestling team was trailing Plainfield East 23-4 in Thursday’s Southwest Prairie Conference match.

But Oswego coach Andrew Cook wasn’t worried. Junior Gannon Hughes stepped into the circle for the 138-pound match and staked an 8-0 lead through two periods before pinning Plainfield East’s D’Anthony Hopkins in 3:04. From that point, the Panthers only lost one other match for the 44-26 comeback victory.

With the win, Oswego improves to 10-1 in duals and remains undefeated in the league at 4-0.

“I can never count us out. Our guys will compete every match and do what it takes to get there,” Cook said. “We had some frustrating circumstances to get us to that point, but they battled back and fought through adversity to win. ... Our goal is to win eight matches and with bonus points. If you win eight matches with bonus points, it’s pretty hard to get beat. That’s our big focus. We moved people around based on matchups, and you don’t hear anything. Everyone does what they need for the team, and that’s awesome.”

Jared Romero was the first to wrestle for Oswego as the match opened at 285, and although the Oswego senior battled back to tie the match in the third period, he fell by a 5-4 decision.

After Plainfield East staked a 9-0 lead, Mike Aguirre won a 13-3 major decision at 113, but Plainfield East won by tech fall at 120 and secured a 7-5 sudden victory at 126 before winning by fall at 132.

With eight bouts remaining, Oswego got to work. Hughes took a 5-0 lead through the first period and continued to keep Hopkins scoreless in the second before finding his way to the pin.

“We knew we were going to start out slow. We’re pretty good at bouncing back from adversity,” Hughes said. “We weren’t scared. We were down, but we knew we could come back. I was feeling him out in the first minute, and once I took him down I was able to turn him.”

Sophomore Allen Swanson followed at 145 and didn’t waste any time in securing six points for Oswego. Af-

Steven Buyansky for Shaw Media

Oswego’s Josh Torres pins Plainfield East’s Elijah Hickman in the 182-pound bout during a varsity dual wrestling meet at Oswego High School on Dec. 15. Torres won by pinfall at the 3:47 mark. For more photos from the meet, visit KendallCountyNow.com.

“We knew we were going to start out slow. We’re pretty good at bouncing back from adversity. We weren’t scared.

We were down, but we knew we could come back.”

Gannon Hughes Oswego wrestler ter scoring early for a 5-0 lead, Swanson pinned Michael Shreiber in 1:27.

Plainfield East gave up a forfeit at 152 to cut its lead, 26-22, before senior Dan Majewski came onto the mat at 170.

Dan Majewski staked a 5-0 lead in the first period, added two more points in the second period and secured an 11-0 lead in the closing minutes, but found his way to an eventual pinfall

against Jarvis Wardiow in 5:06 to give Oswego its first lead of the night, 2826.

“I had the major, but I knew we needed the team points so I just kept working,” Dan Majewski said. “We’ve all wrestled together since we were younger, so we’ve trained together and we know that if we’re in a bad spot, we can pick each other up. It’s nice having that on the team,” Dan Majewski said.

Junior Josh Torres built an 8-2 lead against Elijah Hickman in the second period before picking up the win at 182 points by a pinfall at the 3:47 mark. Senior Joe Majewski clinched a 13-3 major decision at 195, and senior Kevin Alvarez ended the night with the win at 220, pinning his opponent in 1:30.

“We’re the best we’ve been in my time here,” Hughes said. “We have so much potential on our team, and I definitely think we’re going to win conference.”

Oswego will close out December at the Palatine Berman Classic Dec. 27-28 before the SPC schedule resumes at Romeoville on Jan. 4.

“Everything is preparing us for February and the state series,” Dan Majewski said. “We’re ranked 25th as a team, and that’s the highest we’ve been ranked. The guys last year just have grown up a little bit and we’re much more solid.”

Glenbrook South Invite: Oswego finished second at Glenbrook South’s Rus Erb Invite on Saturday. The Panthers had nine placewinners, including five champions. Luke Pradel was the champion at 120 pounds, Hughes won at 138, Swanwon won the bracket at 145, Torres captured the title at 170 and Joe Majewski clinched the title at 195.

Aguirre was fifth at 113, Sam Saravia was third at 126 pounds, Dan Majewski placed third at 160 and Alvarez took fourth at 220.