Lest 2016 08 04

TH UR SDA Y , A U G U S T 4 , 2016 • 75 ¢

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

KendallCountyNow.com

SYMBOL OF FUN

‘Montgomery in Motion’ logo highlights downtown rec opportunities Taking consignments for our fall military, sportsman, and firearms auction.

Always accepting quality antiques, primitives, coins, and estates.

SM-CL0366441

We are a FFL auction firm

Call Matt at (815) 970-7077 or visit www.BullockAuctioneers.com

/ 11

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, August 4, 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

• Relevant information • Marketing Solutions • Community Advocates

ON THE COVER Jeff Zoephel, Montgomery village administrator, and his daughter, Kaelin, help paint the “Montgomery in Motion” logo.

See more photos on page 11.

Photo by Eric Miller - emiller@shawmedia.com

OSWEGO

Downtown detour starts Monday

By ERIKA WURST news@kendallcountynow.com Downtown Oswego motorists might want to consider taking a detour around the Washington Street (Route 34) bridge next week, as road work begins on Monday.

According to Public Works Director Jennifer Hughes, the railroad crossing on Washington Street at Adams Street will be closed for construction on Monday morning and is expected to remain

that way for seven days.

Motorists are advised to take the Orchard Road bridge and traverse the construction on Route 71 instead of heading toward Washington Street and the village’s downtown.

“Expect a large amount of traffic in the downtown area,” Hughes told village board members on Tuesday evening.

“Find another route if possible.

Come across the river in a kayak, or however you can get across,” she

joked. “Avoid the [Washington Street] bridge. It’s going to be bad.”

Hughes also updated board members on Route 71 construction, and said completion of the project is projected for Thanksgiving.

“There’s lots of work going on that’s not visible to the public right now,” she said of landscaping and traffic signal work being done. “There’s a lot of work to be done, but they do tell me they’re on schedule to finish by Thanksgiving, and the end is in sight.”

Event features vintage fire, police cars OSWEGO LEDGER The Oswego Fire Protection District is bringing the 19th annual Chicagoland Emergency Vehicle Show to downtown Oswego this weekend.

The event begins Friday, Aug. 5, with the Lights and Sirens parade which starts at 6:30 p.m. on Route 31 in North Aurora and winds its way past the North Aurora Days festival on Randall Road, through Aurora and downtown Montgomery, and completing the parade into downtown Oswego to end at Oswego Fire Station No. 1 on

Woolley Road with a private reception sponsored by Navistar International.

The fire district invites all area residents to downtown Oswego for the main event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 6, to see and visit with individual vehicle collectors, government agencies, and manufacturers of all sorts of emergency vehicles, as well as a variety of demonstrations put on by local police and fire agencies.

Participants may register online ahead of time, or beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday in front of the Oswego Public Library at 32 Jefferson St.

The Oswego Fire Protection District Union Local 4773 will be sponsoring a dunk tank at the vehicle show to raise money to benefit its Benevolent Fund.

Scheduled to take a dunk in the tank are: 10 to 11 a.m., surprise participant; 11 a.m. to noon, State Rep. Keith Wheeler, R-Oswego; noon to 1 p.m., Oswego police representative; 1 to 2 p.m., Jerry Nolan from the Oswego Inn; 2 to 3 p.m., Fire Chief Michael Veseling; and 3 to 4 p.m., Union Local 4773 President for Oswego Fire.

Additional information may be found at emergencyvehicleshow.com.

Waubonsee celebrating 50th year SHAW MEDIA With the start of the 2016-17 academic year later this month, Waubonsee Community College is kicking off its 50th anniversary celebrations this month with a full slate of events and initiatives planned to honor the milestone.

The college’s focus for the anniversary will be on honoring those who’ve helped shape the college’s “Proud Past, Bold Future.”

The college was established in August 1966, when the electorate of 12 school districts in most of Kane and portions of Kendall, DeKalb, LaSalle and Will counties voted to establish Community College District 516. A naming contest held in March 1967 drew 600 entries, resulting in the current name, which means “early dawn” or “early day” and comes from a Pottawatomie Native American chief who lived in the Fox River Valley during the 1800s.

Five decades later, the college has proudly served more than 290,000 students – including 33,568 degree and certificate earners – and has grown to four campuses, as well as online offerings. Waubonsee is proud of its reputation as an innovator in the areas of accessibility, distance learning and sus-

tainability, as well as its history of bold initiatives in partnership with the community, including the 2020 College Master Plan and Vision 2050.

The celebrations will begin on campus later this month, when new students will be welcomed to their academic life on campus during the college’s first New Student Convocation on Aug. 25. That event will be followed by a campus-wide welcome celebration.

In September, Waubonsee will host a grand reopening of the Aurora Fox Valley Campus. That event will showcase the college’s renovated space, now home to stateof-art learning facilities for health care programs in addition to its many general education courses.

Alumni and friends of the college will be invited to attend a reunion in March to reconnect and to celebrate the achievements of the many accomplished Waubonsee alumni as well as share stories of the many college and community leaders who made this success possible.

In addition to a number of programs and initiatives to honor the college’s many community partners, the college’s faculty, staff and students are being challenged to complete 50 hours of volunteer work this year for the 50 Hours of Caring initiative.

CIVIC MEETINGS WEEK OF AUG. 8-12 Monday, 6 p.m.: Fox Valley Park District Board, Prisco Community Center, Aurora.

Monday, 6:30 p.m.: Kendall County Board Planning Building and Zoning Committee, County Office Building, Yorkville.

Monday, 6:30 p.m.: Oswego ECO Commission, Oswego Village Hall.

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

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

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

Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.: Oswego Township Board, Town Hall, Oswego.

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

Neighbors oppose plan for property in southern Kendall

By TONY SCOTT tscott@kendallcountynow.com

Tony Scott - tscott@kendallcountynow.com

Neighbors of the proposed Dirt Road shooting range in southern Kendall County at the Regional Planning Commission meeting. “commercial endeavor with a huge increase in traffic.”

Peterson said Delaney and his family and friends already use the property for shooting, and that they are sometimes shooting on the property for eight to 10 hours at a time on the weekends. He said friends of his three miles away can hear the shots.

Peterson said he was also concerned that his property values would decrease, and that he has read a study that a gun range decreases property values greatly.

“No reasonable person would want to live on our property if this is approved,” he said.

Peterson said he was also concerned about an increase

in crime in the area. He was concerned about the security of ammunition that was for sale at the range.

“The fact that there will be advertising and signage will increase the opportunity for undesirable persons to look into our homes and buildings,” he said.

Roy Wake, a Whitewillow Road resident, said he was concerned about noise from the range. He said noise from shooting at the range is already bothersome.

“There’s days that all I hear is bang, bang, bang,” he said.

“It goes on and on and on; it don’t quit.”

Wake’s wife, Kathy, said the noise is bothersome to the retired couple. She said the

A Note From Our Pastor

CHURCH Emmanuel Church…

Meeting The Challenges Of Today’s Family SM-CL0366436

noise also affects her emotionally, as their son killed himself using a gun.

“I work outside a lot and so does my husband, and there are days I’ve heard shooting all day long – Saturday, Sunday,” she said. “We’re a retired couple, we’re older, and we’re not living very peacefully right now where we are because of the gun shooting.

And it bothers me very much because in October of 2014, our oldest son took his life with a gun. We weren’t there, but I relive that, I picture it in my mind, I hear the gun, I hear the shot. And if we have that range there, I don’t know how much I’ll be able to stand.”

See SHOOTING RANGE, page 6

Joe MacDonald

Republicans compete against Democrats. Businesses compete against Pastor businesses. But do churches compete against each other? NO! We may have different kinds of services, different styles of music or perhaps 701 Lions Road even another type of governance, but the message is strikingly Sandwich, IL 60548 similar. We believe that Jesus was born of the virgin Mary, fathered (at the east end of the high school)

by God Himself. Since He lived a perfect life, He would not have to be pastor@EmmanuelChurchSandwich.com punished for His sin but chose to be punished for ours. When we turn from our stubbornness and ask Him to forgive and take control of our *Handicap Accessible life, He will make a tremendous difference! Start your new life today!

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

815-786-2400

Thursday, August 4, 2016

A group of neighbors packed a meeting of the Kendall County Regional Planning Commission in Yorkville on July 27 to voice their opposition to plans for a proposed outdoor shooting range.

Property owner Robert Delaney is seeking to develop the Dirt Road Range on his property at 16502 Church Road, south of Yorkville and just north of the Kendall-Grundy county line. The range would be operational Tuesday t h r o u g h S u nday, starting at 10 a.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and would Robert close at 8 p.m.

Delaney or a half-hour before dusk, whichever comes first.

The range will have 24 shooting lanes with a shooting distance of 75 feet, according to county documents.

Delaney is asking for a special use agricultural zoning so he can build the range.

At the conclusion of the hearing, commission members voted to postpone a vote on the issue until their Aug. 24 meeting, as a number of conditions were added to the Delaney proposal. Tom Casey was the lone commissioner to vote against postponing the vote, while Chairman Bill Ashton and commissioners Angela Zubko, Roger Bledsoe, Claire Wilson, Budd Wormley and Larry Nelson voted in favor of

postponing.

A standing-room-only crowd of neighbors at the meeting voiced objections to the range, saying they were concerned about noise, additional traffic, and its effect on property values.

Daniel J. Kramer, a York­ ville attorney representing Delaney, told the commission that there are more than 30 special uses allowable in the area, including shooting ranges.

Delaney said he would like to sell ammunition at the range, but not firearms. When asked, he said long rifles and shotguns would not be allowed to be fired at the range, just handguns.

Wilson asked Delaney if he had done a decibel study regarding the potential noise from the range. Delaney said he had not.

Wilson also asked Delaney if he had experience running a shooting range. He said he did not but that he had two range supervisors who were trained.

In his proposal, Delaney states that his range would be open to law enforcement officers and FFDOs, or federal flight deck officers, for training.

Greg Peterson, who owns the property directly to the west of the proposed range, said the neighbors are not “anti-gun,” but that he has a number of objections to the proposal. He said Delaney uses an easement on their property to access his property, and that if the shooting range is approved, their residential driveway will be used for Delaney’s

LOCAL NEWS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

Shooting range proposal draws fire

3

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, August 4, 2016

4

OPINIONS OUR VIEW

No need to change Oswego’s ‘prairie’ logo As we reported last week, the village of Oswego has retained a consulting firm at a cost of $60,000 to prepare a “regional positioning plan” for the village to help shape the community’s image.

The plan is part of the ongoing effort by Oswego officials to make the village a distinctive and attractive location for new businesses, tourism and residential growth.

While we understand the need to spend the funds for the plan – especially since a prior village board voted

to assume responsibility of economic development efforts for the community – we do question the consultants’ proposal to update the village’s current logo as part of the plan.

Designed by Jeanne Hester, a lifelong village resident and former village clerk and adopted by the village board in 2007, the current logo can be seen daily by residents on the village’s water towers, on the exterior of village hall, on recently installed decorative entrance signs throughout the commu-

nity and on the village’s website.

In designing the logo, Hester chose a very distinctive font for the word “Oswego,” accented by some prairie plants and underscored the village’s name with a curving blue line that is

symbolic of the village’s location on the Fox River. We’ve always liked the logo because it highlights, in a very subtle way, the village’s location on what had once been the vast Illinois prairie and the Fox River.

We believe the logo works well and would be wary of the costs associated with changing it. Village officials and consultants should retain the current logo and use it as a ready building block for their community image enhancement and marketing efforts.

Do people make history or does history make people?

Unlike Africa where, apparently, the human race evolved, the ancestors of everyone who has ever lived in Kendall County, from prehistoric times right up until the present, have come from somewhere else.

The county’s first inhabitants, the bands of Paleo-Indian hunters who followed their food – herds of giant Ice Age grazing animals – moved into Illinois as the glacial ice retreated to the north at the end of the last Ice Age. Individual hunter bands apparently paused during their nomadic trek in and around Kendall County at least for a while – the stone tools and weapons they crafted and left behind have been discovered by arrowhead hunters over the years. But those earliest residents moved on, eventually to see their way of life end as the giant game animals they hunted became extinct, a process no doubt hurried along by those stone projectile points they left behind.

Did these primitive hunters really destroy their own culture by over-hunting the major game animals of their day? Some paleontologists believe they did. Certainly they had the intelligence, the organization, and the tools to hunt giant mammoths, huge paleo bison and giant sloths to extinction.

If they did, such an event would seem to be a clear example of men changing history, since the descendants of the paleo-hunters became the ancestors of the Indian tribes who were living here when the first Europeans arrived.

While Indian cultures were sorting themselves out, Europe was also being changed by a combination of natural and cultural forces. Drastic changes in climate on the steppes of today’s Mongolia drove whole nations of hard-bitten horse barbarians west, where they, in turn, drove the people occupying the land even further west.

REFLECTIONS Roger Matile Invasions of Huns, Goths, Vandals, and other displaced people driven from their homelands by fierce invaders from the East led to the destruction of the Roman Empire in the West.

The Eastern Empire, protected by its efficient and professional armies, continued to sputter along for several hundred more years. It would seem these events are clear examples of history, and nature, shaping men.

The sack of Rome and the Western Empire’s destruction led to centuries of civil and religious upheaval as Europe slowly fought its way back to civilization, culminating in the Renaissance.

As nationalism surged in Europe, Spain, with its grim, ruthless and highly skilled soldiers, turned its eyes west across the Atlantic Ocean – with the assistance of an unemployed Italian navigator named Christopher Columbus – and began to loot the brand new world they “discovered” beyond the Ocean Sea. Spain’s professional and merciless military made short work of under-armed and politically disorganized South American Indians, and soon convoys of Spanish galleons heavily laden with tons of gold and silver began arriving in Europe.

Unfortunately for the Spaniards, supply and demand being what they are, the resulting glut of precious metals, emeralds and other plunder depressed the value of gold, moving the world more towards a barter and trading economy that benefited trading nations like the Netherlands and Great Britain. The efficiency and greed of

Spanish conquerors in effect destroyed their nation’s economy.

Spanish stagnation – why worry about technological innovation when shiploads of riches arrived with no real work on behalf of the wealthy – followed, greatly benefiting those aggressive maritime nations including Holland, Portugal and England, leading eventually to England’s domination of world politics.

Also a European continental power, France, too, entered the colonial trading sweepstakes and for a while did pretty well, especially in North America.

When French explorers Louis Jolliet and Father Jacques Marquette finally arrived in Illinois in 1673 (remember Lake Superior had already been explored and mapped by that time) they found a rich country ­occupied by the Illinois Confederation.

Just six years later, however, when Robert Cavalier de La Salle arrived, other Indian groups had invaded the Illinois’ territory, pushed west like ranks of tumbling dominoes by the highly organized Iroquois Confederacy. The Iroquois were motivated by the determination to control the trade in furs between the Native Americans living in the western Great Lakes and the European traders who had arrived along the Atlantic coast.

Although greatly aided in their conquests by obtaining firearms and other advanced goods (iron axes, brass cooking pots, steel knives, wool blankets) from their English and Dutch allies, it is probable the Iroquois would have erupted from their homeland and attempted to conquer neighboring tribes anyway. Like the Spanish, the Iroquois’ best weapon was their superior organization, which they used with ruthless, devastating effect against

other, less organized Native people.

Beset first by the Iroquois, then by disease, and then by other Indian invaders who took advantage of their growing weakness, by the time Americans settled in Kendall County in the 1820s, the Illinois Confederacy had ceased to exist as an organized federation and almost ceased to exist as a people.

By the time the Potawatomis, Chippewas and Ottawas were removed from their lands in Kendall County in 1836, they considered the area their homeland, although their tribes had only lived permanently in the area for a little over 90 years.

Historians are probably one of the most ambivalent groups in America.

Few historical events are so clear-cut as to have a single definite cause or effect. For instance, the Salem Witch Trials forever labeled 17th century New England as a region where religious fanatics controlled the justice system, even though all those convicted of witchcraft were eventually pardoned and the families of those put to death were compensated for their losses.

It was, admittedly, too late for those falsely accused of superstitious, supernatural crimes, but their eventual legal absolution did show that what eventually became the United States was on its way to becoming a nation of laws.

So after looking at centuries of evidence, one of the questions historians frequently ask themselves is does history control people, or do people control history? And being the ambivalent, strong-minded folks they are, it’s not surprising that many historians will answer with a firm “yes.”

• Looking for more local history?

Visit http://historyonthefox.wordpress.com.

FORUM

5

Connecting, joining, linking, involving, relating – this is how I will remember the summer of 2016. In February, the Oswego Village Board made the commitment to connect to our residents, businesses, surrounding communities and our environment. Here’s how we are honoring that pledge: First: Community Conversations are taking place throughout the village.

These are programmed opportunities to connect with the village board and staff in a less formal setting. A wealth of information is shared and there is opportunity to ask questions and get immediate responses. The last Community Conversation of the summer will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 23 at Churchill Elementary school. We would love for you join us.

Second: Public safety remains a top priority for Oswego residents, businesses and visitors. Keeping our community safe requires attention to infrastructure. So several infrastructure projects are in full swing – literally connecting our residents to daily life. Roadway improvements and a new

VIEWS Gail Johnson police facility lead the way to make our community safer – both fully funded without an increase to property taxes.

In addition, the first step to widening Wolf’s Crossing Road was embraced by the village board with the understanding that an engineering study is vital to securing state and federal funding that will be needed to complete this project.

Third: Redevelopment efforts throughout the village are connecting businesses to ever-growing customer wants. We are working diligently to fill vacant spaces in our retail corridors on Routes 34 and Orchard to offer you more shopping and dining experiences.

Recognizing the importance of a vibrant downtown, we are considering tax increment financing (TIF) in our downtown redevelopment area. TIF is

a widely used tool to help government make improvements – like roads, sewers, and parking – without tapping into general funds or raising taxes. Yes, I said “without raising taxes.” Here’s how it works: Taxes collected annually and distributed to the various taxing bodies (schools, parks, fire, county, etc.) are maintained at their current levels.

When a property located in the TIF district increases in value (for example: a vacant lot now has a building) the increase in property tax revenue, or increment, goes into a TIF fund the village can use for qualified projects such as public improvements. There are no hidden fees or assessments on our residents, the properties or our businesses. Additional and detailed information is available on the home page of the village website (oswegoil. org) – click the TIF District Overview tab.

Fourth: We are connecting to nature more consciously than ever before. We are reviewing all of our ordinances to insure we protect the environment

even as we continue to grow. The board negotiated a lower fee for your waste removal and added curbside electronic recycling as well as composting options. We planted butterfly gardens around the Village Hall parking lot to increase opportunities for pollination necessary for butterflies and bees – a vital part of food production.

Lastly: We continually look to the future to make certain Oswego is always connected to the larger community around us. That means planning for future transportation needs, analyzing our water supply to make sure it is safe and sustainable, always working with our neighbors.

You are a vital part of keeping Oswego connected, joined, linked, and involved. Please come to our meetings, follow us on social media, call, email, or just pop in. All of us in the village appreciate your suggestions and support.

• Gail Johnson is the Oswego village president.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Crate-free challenged

To the Editor: This letter is in response to the article, “Room to Roam: App Aims to Boost Awareness of Crate-Free Livestock Operations” (July 14). It quoted a group called Crate Free Illinois. As a livestock farmer, I would challenge some of the claims about the treatment of farm animals raised indoors.

Producing good quality meat and milk requires providing good care. Because our animals are raised indoors, we can make sure they’re getting the right type and amount of feed; diets are tailored to the needs of individual animals. We can also ensure 24-hour access to fresh water.

We take a number of steps to keep herds healthy. When animals do get sick, we work with a licensed veterinarian and we use antibiotics sparingly to bring them back to good health.

Raising animals indoors enables us to protect them from weather extremes – freezing winter temperatures and excessive summer heat. It means they are protected from parasites, predators and diseases spread by wild animals.

Monitoring systems in our barns alert us if ventilation, feeding or watering systems aren’t working properly.

As a farmer, it is in my best interest to

101, also known as Religious Freedom Restoration Act, allowing discrimination against gay people. Maybe it was the Letters must be no longer than 400 words and must be accompanied by the writer’s governor’s support of HB1337 requiring full name, address and home phone number. Only the author’s name and city of that parents have a funeral for any miscarresidence will be printed. We reserve the right to edit all letters for brevity and fairness. riage or abortion. A woman, Purvi Patel, Send letters to letters@kendallcountynow.com or Record Newspapers, 109 W. Veteris currently serving 20 years in jail due to ans Parkway, Yorkville, IL 60560.

Indiana’s abortion bill which makes having a miscarriage a form of child neglect.

Mr. Hultgren is attracted to Pence’s take good care of my animals. Proper Where is the edge of Mr. Trump’s positions on flat tax, adopting the gold animal care is not determined by whether behavior as a politician? Back in January standard, maintaining troops in Middle animals live indoors or outdoors. The most in Iowa he announced to the world “I successful and sustainable farmers are could shoot someone in the middle of 5th East, belief that climate change is a hoax, desire to defund Planned Parenthood, supthose who really care about their animals Avenue and not lose voters.” It looks like – wherever they are raised. he has some room before he reaches what port of Right to Work for states, support of not identifying GMO foods, support of would be referred to as his jumping the Kurt Schobert shark moment. His supporters better have all job-killing trade agreements, including Chairman, Kendall Co. Farm Bureau Young Leaders NAFTA and the TPP. He supports privatizthick skin.

Yorkville He further continued to tweak the party ing Social Security and making Medicare a voucher. faithful by remarking “I know it’s not a Hultgren, Trump, Pence Hultgren admires the man who balances Republican thing to do” in response to his To the Editor: Indiana’s budget by cutting education and It should not be startling to anyone that saying he wants to help people by raising the Family and Social Services Dept. The the minimum wage to $10 per hour on the Republican nominee, Donald Trump, man who eliminated Planned Parenthood, continues to push the envelope regarding FOX. which was testing for HIV, now epidemic Last week the Record said our reprewhat he says. in two Indiana counties because that was His plea to the Russian intelligence com- sentative in Congress, Randy Hultgren, the preview of that organization.

You R-Plano, was warming up to Trump as munity to hack and find emails from an mean that Mike Pence?

the nominee because of his choice of American politician is really pushing the boundaries. Enough so that Google report- Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana as his running Ed Washak mate. So what attracts Mr. Hultgren to ed that using the search term “treason” Yorkville had increased almost twofold the day the Gov. Pence?

• Continued on page 6 Maybe it was his support of Indiana SB story broke.

Submit letters

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, August 4, 2016

Oswego board, staff working to connect with residents

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, August 4, 2016

| LOCAL NEWS

6

County Board renews pact with Cook County to house inmates

By TONY SCOTT tscott@kendallcountynow.com The Kendall County Board voted unanimously Tuesday evening to renew a two-year agreement with Cook County to house some of that county’s prisoners in the Kendall County Jail in Yorkville.

Before the vote, Kendall county Undersheriff Harold Martin said he expects that the jail could house as many as 20 to 25 Cook County inmates a day.

Cook County will pay the county $60 an inmate per day, and will transport the inmates to and from Kendall County, according to the agreement. Martin said Kendall County is paid the same rate as other counties that house Cook County inmates.

Board member John Purcell asked Martin if the agreement allows Kendall County to “restrict the types of individuals” being housed at the jail. Martin said the county will “not be getting the worst of the worst.”

“If there are any issues with any in-

mates, we can send them back,” Martin said.

Assistant State’s Attorney Leslie Johnson pointed out that the agreement specifies that the county is not obligated to house Cook County inmates who “exhibit physical or mental health problems or incorrigible behavior.”

Asked about the vacancy rate at the jail, Martin said the jail’s capacity is 203 and that they are averaging 118 inmates a day. The jail also houses inmates from Kane County, DeKalb County and prisoners from the U.S. Marshals Service.

The board also voted unanimously to renew a contract between the Sheriff’s Office and the village of Newark to provide that town with police services.

Martin said the deputies are paid $30 an hour by the village. He said the village also is paying the Sheriff’s Office by the mile for the use of the squad car, plus $2 an hour for every hour worked by the deputies.

The agreement with Newark is in effect through May 12, 2017.

• SHOOTING RANGE Continued from page 3

John Wolfinbarger, who lives in Plattville, said he has sent complaints to the county about Delaney using his property as a gun range currently without a special use zoning.

“This organization has not followed the law,” he said. “And we are now supposed to assume that they’re gonna come out of the shadows and do it all legally and legit?”

“They didn’t give a crap about anybody,” he added.

Wolfinbarger said he lives a mile from a range and can hear the noise.

“Every weekend, pop pop pop,” he said. “That’s what you hear. It’s like a barking dog, when you work the midnight shift and you come home and you’re trying to sleep. It’s like a barking dog, or a dripping, leaky faucet.

That’s all you hear.”

John Sterrett, the county’s senior planner, confirmed that complaints had been filed about the usage of the property as a firing range.

“We did receive some concerns that the shooting range was operating prior to the special use [being approved],” he said.

However, while Wolfinbarger said Delaney had been operating the range for two to three years, Kramer pointed out that Delaney had purchased the property in December of 2014.

Kramer said Delaney and his close family and friends have used the property for private shooting purposes.

Bledsoe asked if keys to the property would be given to members, and Delaney said they would be. However, Delaney said there must be range supervision whenever the range is open. However, Nelson asked, what would stop a member from entering the property after hours if they had a key?

Delaney agreed that only the range masters should have keys.

Jeff Manning, a Whitewillow Road resident, said he was a commercial airline pilot and knew about the training FFDOs undergo. He said he did not want the range near his home.

“I am not anti-gun; I am pro-gunrange,” he said to Delaney. “If you move your location I might even give you my business. But I ask this commission to please reject this proposal.

If you wouldn’t put a 24-lane outdoor gun range in your backyard, don’t put it in mine.”

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR • Continued from page 5

away their right to eat the fat-producing fast foods of their choice? Isn’t that a ridiculous intrusion on our It was sarcasm, folks right of free choice?

To the Editor: Shouldn’t all members of Congress be required to In another embarrassing turn of events, a wide range carry a gun? Just imagine, during a heated debate what of over-educated people foamed at the mouth and ac- one well-placed shot would do as Donald Trump would cused Trump of encouraging the Russians to interfere say. with American politics when he suggested, against a Before the creation of child labor laws, children could background of the recent DNC hack, that they might work long hours in very dangerous conditions. Weren’t find those 30,000 emails that Hillary lost. those kids earning money while learning responsibility?

It appears that I, my wife, and Rush Limbaugh were Another right violated. among the relatively few that, instantly, recognized it Social Security, the 40-hour work week, paid vacaas a joke. tion, paid sick leave are more examples of interference Of course, the acceptance of tens of millions of dollars in our rights. What about the worker’s right to labor, as by the Clinton Foundation from Middle-East countries many hours he or she wants? Why should a worker be that are not the best friends we have ever had in told to take a vacation or stay away from work when anticipation of the possibility of Hillary becoming Prez, sick? What has happened to our rights? can, in no way, be seen as an attempt to interfere with Isn’t it refreshing to have a presidential candidate tell American politics. us what we should hear? He tells us that an opponent That last was sarcasm – for those of you that do not is crooked, goof, a liar, crazy, misuses power or is not a understand the subtleties of the English language. legal citizen. Perhaps he will even question an opponent’s religious identity. He may do all of these things Charles Christensen while giving support to our rights to take part in the Oswego killing fields as he says that everyone should have a gun.

Enough is enough With all of the happenings in our country, Congress To the Editor: remains inactive, asleep. Oh. That Congress should Hasn’t our national government interfered with our right to have our very own choices? Enough is enough. perform its job is not mentioned in the Bill of Rights.

Is there any reason to question the people from other How dare that the president should encourage people to have medical insurance. What happened to our free- countries who want to move to the United States, the dom to go to the emergency room of our choice and be land of the free, home of the brave, and a stage for political insanity? treated at someone else’s expense?

While I watch the Trump Convention, I cannot help What about the audacity of the president’s wife enbut think, Donald Trump condemned immigrants, howcouraging children to eat healthy foods? Is she taking

ever he is ready to bring one into the White House. The English have their saying: God save the Queen. We just might be saying: God, please, save our country.

Richard Kastner Boulder Hill

Globalist vs. Nationalist

To the Editor: A few days ago I saw a news release saying that the “globalist” billionaire Koch Brothers were going to support Clinton for president. This is very interesting because the Kochs were presumably conservatives, supportive of Republican values. Apparently, globalism is the real agenda in this election with at least some of the power brokers.

The Globalists are those who move our jobs overseas, open our borders to indiscriminate migrations, run up the debt with reckless spending, negotiate treaties and trade deals that put our country at a disadvantage.

The Nationalist promises to protect our country and negotiate better deals for its citizens. The Nationalist promises to make America great again. This is threatening to the ruling elite.

This election is not about the traditional differences between Democrats and Republicans. It is about continuing to weaken our country to move toward a new world order that is not to our (you and me) benefit. It is to benefit the ruling elite. They will lie and deceive to convince us otherwise. But the real agenda is globalism. The British saw through the charade and said “No.” We can do it also.

Rod Beary Oswego

Family-friendly event opens Thursday and runs through Sunday

By BEN DRAPER bdraper@shawmedia.com

WOW 7 CINEMA

Friday, Aug 5 Saturday, Aug 6 Sunday, Aug 7 (815) 246-9700

RT.

34

www.rt34drivein.com

15 MIN. WEST OF SANDWICH AT EARLVILLE Box Office Opens at 7:00 p.m. • Shows Start at Dusk

Now Playing Friday–Sunday

1. Ice Age: Collision Course 2. The Secret Life Of Pets SM-CL0374724

Rated PG Rated PG

101 Duvick Ave., Sandwich (815) 786-1999

SUICIDE SQUAD PG-13 3D

BAD MOMS R

2:00 7:15 9:50**

12:05 2:20 4:35 7:20 9:40**

NINE LIVES PG

SECRET LIFE OF PETS PG

12:15 2:15 4:20 7:05 9:05**

12:20 2:25 4:40 7:00 9:05**

Showtimes starting before 3 pm do not play Monday - Thursday.

Showtimes starting after 8 pm do not play Sunday -Thursday.

For more info & links, www.wow7.com or call the Movie Line (815) 786-1999

Thursday, August 4, 2016

The 2016 Kendall County Fair will take place Aug. 4 to 7, and Mike Drendel knows the ins and outs of the fair better than almost anyone.

President of the fair’s board of directors for 24 years, he has been involved with the fair for over 26 years, and involved in 4-H before that.

Drendel says the fair, which takes place at 10826 Route 71, Yorkville, is all about the people.

“Our slogan is ‘A place where friends and family meet,’” he said.

“You see a lot of hand-shaking going on there.”

While main events include the 15th annual Western Speed Show (11 a.m.

Aug. 4), ISP Truck and Tractor Pull (6 p.m. Aug. 5), Freestyle Madness (7 p.m. Aug. 6) and the return of the Demolition Derby Sunday, it’s the hidden gems that stand out to Drendel. He hopes that when visitors see a blue ribbon, they learn how the participant earned it.

“There’s so many [gems]. The things I look at are the shows that and the judging that goes on with the livestock and the kids. The interaction between the kids, the judges and the animals – to learn why they’re doing the project they’re doing,” he said. “It doesn’t have to be livestock, it could be rocketry, growing veggies in a garden, or rock collecting. All are special, and the kids are learning. We’re trying to teach about agriculture and responsibility.”

Check-in and judging for projects began Aug. 2, and livestock check-in was Aug. 3. To learn more about entering, ­visit kendallcountyfair.org/ex-

watermelon-eating contest and sweet corn chowdown. The 2016 fair will also have new mud volleyball tournament at 10 a.m. Aug. 7.

“We’ve seen [mud volleyball] be successful at some other events around the area with a lot [of people] interested in it. So we said we’re going to try it,” Drendel said. “It’s popular in the area, and hopefully it’ll be an annual event.”

A number of local food vendors will be joined by others from all over the country. Local vendors include the Kendall Grundy Beef Producers, Drendel/Kraber pulled pork and breakfast, Little Jimmy’s Italian Ice, Kendall County Pork Producers, Feeding Frenzy Concessions, Kendall County Corn Growers and Taco Fiesta. Vendors will have funnel cakes, tacos, Italian sausage, corn dogs, beef products, fried veggies, kettle corn, desserts, pulled Shaw Media file photo pork, breakfast food, corn, Italian ice, Aubree Thompson-Pincuspy, 8, of Newark, takes a big bite out of her funnel cake at the pork burgers, hot dogs, smoked chickKendall County Fair last year. en and ribs, ice cream and more.

“If [visitors] are still hungry, they ticipants have been in top 10 in the could always buy a whole cow during hibitors.

“There’s a young lady that has a state contest the last five years.” the 4-H Livestock Auction held 6 p.m.

The fair has its share of contests on Saturday,” fair board vice president 4-H project that has a disability. She showed goats as a kid, and still does. and tournaments available to the Dan Ralston said in an email.

She’s going to be 30 years old now,” community, from Saturday’s Culver’s Drendel said. “To see her participate, ice-cream-eating contest, to Sunday’s See COUNTY FAIR, page 9 and the pride she has, brings a tear to my eye.”

On the entertainment side, local artists will dominate the lineup. Deluxe will take the stage from 8 to 10 p.m. Aug. 4, while the Ethan Bell Band will perform from 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 5, followed by Bill Croft and the 5 Alarm Band from 10 p.m. to midnight. On Aug. 6, the Blue Sky Band will perShowtimes In Parenthesis ( ) form from 7 to 9 p.m. before Whiskey Showtimes listed for Play Friday - Sunday ONLY Romance closes out the night from 10 Fri., 08/5 to Thurs., 08/11 p.m. to midnight.

Showtimes Followed By Asterisks Showtimes subject to change “The bands that play are terrific. ** Play Friday & Saturday ONLY You can’t beat the local talents that we have in the area,” Drendel said.

“There’s a talent contest Sunday – we SUICIDE SQUAD PG-13 2D JASON BOURNE PG-13 have kids in that contest that go down to the state contest, and all of our par12:30 4:00 4:35 7:10 9:45** 12:35 4:10 7:00 9:35**

7

LOCAL NEWS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

Kendall County Fair ‘all about the people’

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, August 4, 2016

| LOCAL NEWS

8

Montgomery Fest schedule announced OSWEGO LEDGER The 2016 Montgomery Fest schedule is packed with a wide variety of fun activities and entertainment for all age groups, from live music to car shows, to a parade, a carnival, food, fishing and fireworks. The fest will be held Aug. 12, 13 and 14.

Friday, Aug. 12

Food and craft vendors kick off the weekend at 5 p.m. on Friday in Montgomery Park and the Montgomery Foundation’s Craft Beer Tent just north of the main stage will be open from 5 to 10 p.m. The carnival will be offering a $20 wristband good for unlimited rides from 6 to 10 p.m. The popular country band Back Country Roads takes the stage at 6:30 p.m. and will perform until 10 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 13

If you arrive at the Fest early on Saturday, you can take advantage of the $20 wristband special good for unlimited rides from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., or participate in the Downtown Walking Tour at 11 a.m. Settler’s Cottage will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday’s Main Stage will host local talent at noon when “Montgomery’s Got Talent” hits the stage. You also won’t want to miss the annual Montgomery Fire Department Water Fights at 1:30 p.m. in front of the Village Hall, or the chance to “Drive a Bot” from noon to 3 p.m. at the Robotics Scrimmage area in the VFW parking lot.

At 4 p.m. Colonial Ice Cream will host an Ice Cream Eating Contest with heats for all ages in front of the Main Stage; signup begins at 3 p.m. At 7 p.m., Mr. Freeze from Fermilab will entertain all ages with his cryogenics show as he blows things up in front of the Main Stage.

The Craft Beer Tent will be open from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday.

Saturday’s musical entertainment continues at 2 p.m. on the Main Stage with Whiskeyfist, a local country band. After a performance at 5 p.m.

by Centerfold, the evening wraps up with “EVOLUTION” at 8 p.m. This band features the original members of Hi-Infidelity. With music ranging from classic to current rock sounds, these talented musicians energize their listeners. They will rock the Fest with cover songs from favorites including Bon Jovi, REO, Styx and Journey.

Sunday, Aug. 14

Sunday, Aug. 14, kicks off early with a 6 a.m. start time for the Family Fun Carp Fishing Derby and 8 a.m. registration for the Car Show in Austin Park.

The Community Christian Church will

Mill Street, continuing south to Watkins, over to River Street and back up to Mill.

This year’s parade will include a performance by the 180-member East Aurora High School Band in addition to other local favorites.

A highlight of Sunday’s entertainment will be the world famous Division BMX Stunt Team with performances at 3 and 5 p.m. in front of the Village Hall.

The Division BMX Stunt Team knows how to entertain and keep an audience on their edge of their seats. Watch as stunt riders perform tricks at heights reaching more than 25 feet above the ground.

Car show winners will be announced at 3 p.m. in Austin Park.

The Craft Beer Tent will be open from noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

Photo provided Sunday’s Main Stage will feature Montgomery Cub Scout Pack 331 displays the musical talents of a local reggae the colors in last year’s Montgomery Fest band called Dabylon at 2 p.m. while the parade. This year’s parade will step off on Next Tuesday Band will entertain with classic rock favorites at 4 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 14, at 1 p.m.

The fun continues as The Nygel provide a worship service on the main Ajax Band takes the stage at 6:30 p.m. with their classic rock and dance party stage at 11 a.m.

The Montgomery Fest Parade, led music. The weekend concludes Sunday

by Grand Marshal John Behnke, be- evening with an expanded fireworks gins at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Main and show beginning at 9 p.m.

More details

Montgomery Fest also includes craft and vendor booths, free pony rides and a petting zoo. The Community Christian Church will host a family tent offering diaper changing and rest areas, free water and freeze pops.

Parking is limited, so take advantage of the free shuttle bus service to downtown Montgomery on Saturday and Sunday from Lakewood Creek Elementary School and from the parking lot in front of U-Haul on Douglas Road (the former Kmart). Buses will run about every half hour from 11 a.m. until about 10 p.m.

Visit www.ci.montgomery.il.us to print a Montgomery Fest brochure.

This year’s Montgomery Fest sponsors include: Fox Valley Park District, FCL Builders, Ozinga Ready Mix Concrete, 95.5 The River, Kart Werks, RJ Keck, The Lakone Company, VVF, Aurora Township, Blain’s Farm and Fleet, David Murray/Country Financial, Engineering Enterprises, Engler, Callaway, Bastian, et al., Euclid Beverage, First National Bank, Geneva Construction, Oswego Ledger, Mickey, Wilson, Weiler, Renzi & Andersson, Montgomery VFW, Passanante Home Food Services and Republic Services.

some things

JUST FIT

Happy 102nd

Birthday

Faye Turner!

With features like Mobile Deposits and Free ATM Withdrawals, our Totally Free Checking Account fits with your life.*

888-897-2276

hbtbank.com

*Totally Free Checking has $50 minimum opening deposit. Not all checking accounts are free. * Heartland Bank will not charge a fee for using a non-Heartland Bank ATM, but the owner of the non-Heartland Bank ATM may charge a fee.

BRIEF

Dates set for community garage sale

Antique Study Group scheduled to meet Aug. 10

Get registration forms online or at Village Hall OSWEGO LEDGER The village of Montgomery’s annual fall community garage sale will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 22, 23 and 24.

Each year nearly 100 households participate and the event draws people from a wide area.

The fee to participate will be $10 per address.

Registration forms are available at the Village Hall, 200 N. River St. in Montgomery, and on the village website at ci.montgomery.il.us.

The registration form gives the option of participating on all three of the scheduled dates or selecting specific days to participate.

The community garage sale will be advertised in local newspapers beginning on Sept. 21.

Garage sale flyers will also be created

featuring a map showing all garage sale locations, plus a 15-word ad for each address describing the items for sale.

Maps will be available at the Village Hall and on the village website starting Sept. 19. The deadline to be included in the advertising is 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 9.

This event is sponsored by Montgomery’s Historic Preservation Commission. The $10 participation fee will help support Settler’s Cottage on River Street.

For additional information, call Debbie Buchanan at 630-896-8080, ext. 9003.

MONTGOMERY

Family Fun Carp Derby part of annual festival OSWEGO LEDGER

• COUNTY FAIR

Continued from page 7 A day pass for the fair for adults is $8, seniors are $5 and children $4, and four-day passes are available for $24 for adults, $16 for seniors and $12 for children. A “megapass,” which includes a day’s fair entry and all-day carnival rides, is $20 for adults, and $8 for children 5 and under. An all-day carnival pass is $12 for adults, $16 for children ages 5 to 13, and $15 for seniors. Active

Derek Przybyla, 5, of Minooka, enjoyed the rides at last year’s Kendall County Fair. The 2016 Kendall County Fair will take place Aug. 4 to 7.

Shaw Media file photo

service military members are free with a service identification. VIP parking spaces are available for $20.

Drendel said it takes a lot of help to produce a quality fair. “[There are] a lot of volunteers – not just the fair board. Hundreds of people help to make this happen, and have made it successful for many generations.”

For a full schedule of the 2016 Kendall County Fair, or for more information, visit KendallCountyFair.org or call 630-553-2860.

River between the Ashland Avenue bridge and Route 30 bridge the day of the event.

Trophies will be awarded for the grand champion (largest carp by weight) as well as trophies according to two age groups. For ages 15 and under, there will be trophies for the first, second, and third runners up. For those 16 and up, similar trophies will be awarded.

– Oswego Ledger

Thursday, August 4, 2016

The 30th annual Family Fun Carp Derby will again be held as part of Montgomery Fest on Sunday, Aug. 14, from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. along the banks of the Fox River.

Everyone is invited to participate.

Registration will begin at 6 a.m. and continues through 10 a.m. at the judge’s

table on the west side of the Mill Street bridge in downtown Montgomery.

Fees are $2 for ages 15 and under and $10 for those 16 and over. Contestants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

All carp must be live and weighed in by 2 p.m. at the judge’s table at the Mill Street Bridge. Also, no live bait or worms can be used.

All carp must be caught in the Fox

The Boulder Hill and Oswego Antique Study Group will meet Wednesday, Aug. 10, at 12:30 p.m. in the home of Ruth Craver.

Mary Swynenberg will serve at co-hostess.

The program will be “Show and Tell,” sharing treasures found over the summer at garage and estate sales, or while cleaning out attics and basements. While the articles found vary widely in value, the stories of the hunt and capture are priceless.

The study group has met continuously since its founding in 1964 by longtime Boulder Hill resident Berniece Clouse. The group meets August through June, eliminating January and February to avoid inclement weather.

If you admire antiques, love history and are interested in learning more about this organization, contact Kay at reputation@ameritech.net. Membership is limited to Boulder Hill, Montgomery and Oswego residents.

9

LOCAL NEWS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

MONTGOMERY

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, August 4, 2016

| LOCAL NEWS

10

Special prosecutor takes food pantry case State’s attorney is possible witness in probe of missing funds Attorney Appellate Prosecutor.

Weis said the special prosecutor was needed “due to me being a potential witness in the case.”

Kendall County State’s Attorney Eric Weis anThe Yorkville Police Department served search nounced Friday that a special prosecutor has been as- warrants on the food pantry building in Yorkville and signed to the case of missing funds from the Kendall on a Kendall County residence June 1. Police said the County Food Pantry. search warrants were part of an investigation, which Weis said Judge Timothy McCann appointed a spe- is ongoing, regarding “suspicious transactions and cial prosecutor from the Illinois Office of the State’s possible theft of funds from the Kendall County Food

By TONY SCOTT

tscott@kendallcountynow.com

Pantry accounts.”

Six days after the search warrants were executed, Maria Spaeth, then the food pantry’s executive director, and her husband, Ken, resigned from their duties at the pantry, according to food pantry officials.

Maria Spaeth, a Yorkville resident, was found dead in her Lake Holiday vacation home June 21. DeKalb County Coroner Dennis Miller said Spaeth died of a prescription drug overdose, but that it was undetermined whether it was intentional or accidental.

A new group of leaders were announced for the food pantry last month.

New law raises fines for FOIA non-compliance

By KEVIN P. CRAVER kcraver@shawmedia.com A new state law will make it expensive for local governments that choose not to comply with orders to turn over documents ruled public under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. Last month, Gov. Bruce Rauner signed House Bill 4715 into law, which significantly increases fines that can be levied against local governments if they violate court orders or binding attorney general’s opinions that a FOIA request denied by the body

must be made public. The law is one of two signed by Rauner that collectively are called “Molly’s Law,” named in honor of a family that encountered roadblocks trying to investigate their daughter’s death.

House Bill 4715 allows the court to fine a government up to $1,000 a day if it does not comply with an order to comply with a FOIA request and turn over disputed records. It also gives people the ability to sue should a government fail to comply after 35 days with a binding opinion from the attorney general that a record must be released.

Molly Young was 21 when she was found dead of a gunshot wound to her head in 2012 at the apartment of her former boyfriend, a Carbondale police dispatcher. The family, who did not believe the Southern Illinois University student’s death was a suicide as had been ruled, repeatedly sought documents regarding the case from the city police and the Illinois State Police.

Their efforts were stymied to the point that a wrongful-death lawsuit they filed in 2015 was tossed out due to the two-year statute of limitations. No one was charged in Young’s death.

The companion bill to Molly’s Law that Rauner also signed, House Bill 6083, extends the statute of limitations for wrongful death cases to five years after the date of death or one year after the criminal case against the perpetrator concludes.

State lawmakers in 2009, following the arrest and impeachment of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, strengthened the state FOIA, which media and good-government groups had long complained was too easy to abuse and contained no punishments for violating it.

Molly’s Law takes effect Jan. 1.

Purcell Ace Hardware

$20 Voucher for $10 good for all products

PLANO RECORD

www.PlanitSave.com Facebook.com/PlanitHerald

SANDWICH RECORD

Montgomery logo highlights downtown rec opportunities

11

Eric Miller - emiller@shawmedia.com

Eric Miller - emiller@shawmedia.com

ANDERSON FARM PRODUCE Quality Fruits & Vegetables

SWEET CORN

Tomatoes & Southern IL Peaches 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

WATERMELON

NOW OPEN

$1 OFF One dozen ears of corn

Anderson Farm Produce Montgomery • 630.896.8835 With this coupon. Not valid with other offers. Offer Expires 9/30/16

Other Quality Fruits & Vegetables:

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

Nectarines • Plums • Potatoes • Onions Cantaloupes • Cucumbers • Pickles • Green Beans Zucchini • Green Peppers • Yellow Squash & More

Open 7 Days 9am-6:30pm

SM-CL0374951

251 Montgomery Rd., Montgomery • 630-896-8835

SM-CL0374916

Thursday, August 4, 2016

Members and friends of the Montgomery Rotary Club gathered on North River Street in front of village hall Saturday morning with paint brushes and rollers in hand to paint a giant “Montgomery in Motion” logo on the street.

Designed by local high school student Luke Torrez, the logo is intended to highlight the village’s Montgomery in Motion campaign. The village board implemented the campaign last year to showcase the many recreational opportunities available in the downtown area. In addition to the logo on the streets, banners will be hung on the streetlight poles featuring the logo. ABOVE: Tegan Zoephel works on a large yellow triangle. TOP RIGHT: Work on the painting of the Montgomery in Motion logo nears completion Saturday afternoon. BOTTOM RIGHT: Montgomery Rotary Club member Theresa Sperling paints on North River Street on Saturday morning.

LOCAL NEWS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

Photo provided by Stan Bond

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, August 4, 2016

| LOCAL NEWS

12

Delegate talks of Dem convention experience Kendall County resident attended to cast vote for Sanders for president

By TONY SCOTT tscott@kendallcountynow.com A Kendall County woman experienced the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia first-hand as an elected delegate for U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Elizabeth Braun Wilke, who lives in the Kendall County portion of Aurora and serves as the Kendall County Democratic Party’s treasurer, was in Philadelphia last week and on the convention floor.

Wilke answered a few questions about her experience.

Q: What was the atmosphere like on the convention floor Monday evening?

A: The atmosphere was certain-

ly tense in the convention center Monday night [July 25]. Although I did not experience that within the Illinois delegation. Everyone in Illinois treated one another with respect and kindness (at least those were my experiences).

Q: What did you think of Bernie Sanders’ speech?

A: I thought Bernie’s speech was fantastic. It was passionate, honest,

and inspiring. I support Bernie and have voted for him here, as his delegate.

Q: Who were/are you most looking forward to seeing speak (in addition to Sen. Sanders)?

A: I loved hearing Bernie speak and

Michelle Obama was incredible as usual.

Q: Would you recommend this experience to anyone else who wants to get involved in politics?

A: I would recom-

mend running for delegate or simply attending the convention.

It’s a critical part of the presidential political process.

Q: Was this your first convention?

Your first time as a delegate?

A: This [was] not my first conven-

tion. I attended in 2012; however, this [was] my first convention as an elected delegate.

Q: Are you planning on supporting the Democratic nominee, whether it be Sanders or Clinton?

A: I’m excited to vote for the most

to cast my nominee vote for Senator Sanders on behalf of the tens of thousands of people who elected me to do so. The roll call of those votes [took] place [Tuesday evening].

Q: How did you become a delegate?

A: The Democratic delegate selec-

tion process is overseen by the Illinois Democratic Party. I reached out to the party and expressed my interest in being a Sanders delegate last September. In October the campaign began putting together their slate and I applied with the campaign. I was vetted in November and slated by the campaign for my district (the 11th Congressional District). I then had to gather petitions (500 signatures for the district for the entire slate) to get on the ballot. The signatures were turned in during the required window according to the state board of elections in January. I was placed on the March 15 primary ballot and the voters of the 11th Congressional District voted me

in. I was highest female vote-getter for Sanders delegates.

Q: Where did you stay during the convention?

A: I [was] at the Illinois delegation

hotel, Courtyard Marriott City Center.

I [shared] a room with a close friend who is a Clinton delegate from [the 16th Congressional District].

Q: How long were you in Philadelphia for the convention? What costs were involved to attend the convention?

A: I arrived Sunday and [left]

Friday. Costs included the hotel room, flight (the hotel was cost prohibitive at nearly $800 per night for two queen beds) and then food and incidentals.

Q: What was the security like at the convention? Was it similar to that at an airport or is it more stringent?

A: I would liken the security to the

airport though there is a list of prohibited items. You can find them on the Democratic Convention website. It’s interesting.

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

progressive Democratic platform in the history of the party on Nov. 8.

Q: When does the nominating of candidates take place at the convention?

A: Nominee voting takes places

with your delegation. Illinois voted on paper [Monday and Tuesday] after our delegation breakfast. I was honored

OSWEGO

Volunteers needed to help clean Fox River Saturday OSWEGO LEDGER The village of Oswego’s Environmentally Conscious Oswego (ECO) Committee plans a cleanup along the banks of the Fox River this Saturday, Aug. 6. ECO is currently seeking volunteers to help clean up the Oswego riverfront, collecting trash out of the river and off the shorelines and recycling it or disposing of it properly.

The cleanup will take place along the Fox River, starting at Violet Patch Park, downstream to Hudson Crossing Park, including the confluence of Waubonsie Creek and the Fox River. Volunteers on land will clean the shoreline of public property along the river, including the bike trail and parks. Volunteers on the water will clean the shoreline between these parks.

ECO will award a $25 prize for the most unusual item retrieved from the

river.

Volunteers will meet at Violet Patch Park at 9 a.m., then divide into teams with specific assigned areas.

Volunteers are encouraged to bring work gloves and wear mud boots. Volunteers will continue the cleanup to Hudson Crossing Park, where they will meet for lunch.

In addition to the ECO Committee, the Prairie State Canoeists will contribute to the cleanup. The Prairie State Canoeists will lead the cleanup on the water using their own canoes and kayaks and tools supplied by PSC. Canoeists and kayakers can sign up for the cleanup at prairiestatecanoeists.org/event-schedule.

To volunteer for the Oswego Fox River Rescue, contact the village of Oswego’s Community Development Department at 630-554-3622 or evonohlen@comcast.net.

“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-CL0374753

Montgomery Park (River & Mill St.)

SPECIAL EVENTS

ON THE MAIN STAGE

Friday, August 12th

Friday, August 12th 6:30pm Back Country Roads

6-10

$20 Carnival Wristbands

10-3

Car Show (Austin Park)

11-4

Settlers Cottage Open

1:00

Parade (Main St.-WatkinsRiver-Mill)

3:00

Car Show Winners Announced

3:00

SM-CL0370003

9:00

Fireworks

Friday: 5-10pm Sat/Sun: 10am-10pm Craft Beer Tent (21 & Up): Friday: 5-10pm Saturday: Noon-10pm Sunday: Noon-9pm Friday: 5-10pm Saturday: 10am-10pm Sunday: 11am-10pm

Petting Zoo: Sat/Sun: 11am-7pm

Free Pony Rides:

4-6:30 95.9 The River Road Crew Division BMX Stunt Team

FEST HOURS

Carnival:

Division BMX Stunt Team (Village Hall)

5:00

tr y Roads

Don’t mis s Montgom the Foundatioer y ★ Craft Bee n’s r Tent!

★

12:30 Fire Dept. Demonstrations Sunday, August 14th (Village Hall) 11:00 Church Service 1:30 Fire Department 2:00 Dabylon Water Fights 4:00 Next Tuesday Band Sunday, August 14th 6:30 The Nygel Ajax Band 6am Family Fun Carp Fishing Derby

Back Coun

Sat/Sun: Noon-4pm

Craft Booths: Division BMX Stunt Team

Sat/Sun: 10am-5pm

View a complete schedule online at www.ci.montgomery.il.us

Thursday, August 4, 2016

Saturday, August 13th Noon Montgomery’s 11am Downtown Walking Tour Got Talent (Village Hall) 11-3 $20 Carnival Wristbands 2:00 Whiskeyfist 11-4 Robotics Scrimmage (VFW 4:00 Ice Cream Eating Contest Parking Lot) 5:00 Centerfold 11-4 Settlers Cottage Open 7:00 Mr. Freeze 12-4 Ask an Arborist 8:00 Evolution (Village Booth) Saturday, August 13th

OSWEGO LEDGER | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

Montgomery Fest - August 12, 13 & 14

13

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, August 4, 2016

| LOCAL NEWS

14

OSWEGO POLICE REPORTS Vehicle burglary Oswego police are investigating the burglary of a vehicle that was parked in the 400 block of Cascade Lane on Aug. 1. Police said the vehicle had been left unlocked.

Park incident reported Oswego police took a report of a battery that occurred in Hudson Crossing Park on Harrison Street on July 28 at noon. Police said the victim was allegedly slapped by a female while in the park. The incident was reported to police on July 31.

after stopping his vehicle on Route 34 at Chesterfield Drive in the village on July 31 at 2:45 a.m. Police said Gomez faces charges of unlawful possession of alcohol and consumption of alcohol. He was also cited for speeding, according to police.

Domestic battery arrest Oswego Police arrested John P. Eckert, 54, of the 60th block of South Madison Street, Oswego, at his residence on July 31 at 12:48 p.m. on two count charges of domestic battery.

Juvenile charged Oswego police arrested a juvenile on a charge of criminal damage to property on July 30 at 3:54 p.m. in the 400 block of Brookside Drive in the village.

Liquor stolen Someone stole two bottles of liquor from a retail store in the 2300 block of Route 34 in Oswego on July 29 at 4:15 p.m., village police reported.

Faces alcohol charges Oswego police arrested Samuel Gomez, 20, of the 300 block of S. Center Street, Plano,

Cannabis charge Oswego police arrested Chase A. Werle, 20, of the 2000 block of Farmington Lakes Drive,

Oswego, on Route 34 at Fifth Street on July 27 at 3:09 a.m. Police said Werle has been charged with possession of cannabis.

Warrant arrest Oswego police arrested Robert C. Yarbrough, 45, of the 900 block of Fieldside Drive, Aurora, in the 1000 block of Douglas Road on July 26 at 11:45 p.m. on an warrant for failure to appear in court.

Theft reported Merchandise valued at $37.96 was stolen from a retail store in the 2700 block of Route 34 in Oswego on July 26 at 6:46 p.m., village police reported.

Hit-and-run reported Oswego police took a report of a hit-andrun crash that occurred in a parking lot in the 2700 block of Route 34 in the village on July 29 between 8:15 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. Police said damage to the victim’s vehicle was estimated at between $500 and $1,500.

Gazebo damaged The gazebo on Springbrook Trail North was found damaged on July 27, village police reported. Police said damage was estimated at $4,000.

Purse theft An Oswego resident told village police that someone broke into her car and stole her purse on July 27 at 8:40 p.m. while she was in a fitness center in the 200 block of Ogden Falls Boulevard in the village.

Traffic violations Karla S. Silva-Devora, 32, of Aurora, no valid driver’s license and speeding.

Chad R. Monehan, 29, of the 2000 block of Farmington Lakes Drive, Oswego, driving on a suspended license.

Martin Ortiz, 32, of the 100 block of Ashland Street, Oswego, no valid driver’s license and no insurance.

northbound on Route 31 crossed over into the southbound lane and then entered a ditch where it struck a tree. Police said the driver of the vehicle, a male Hispanic, was last seen traveling southbound on Route 31.

Graffiti damage at school Gang graffiti was found on the exterior of St. Luke’s School in the 60th block of Fernwood Road in Boulder Hill on July 28, according to the sheriff’s office.

Burglary attempt reported County sheriff’s deputies took a report of an attempted residential burglary at a home in the 0-100 block of Sierra Road in Boulder Hill on July 30.

Vehicle burglary Sheriff’s deputies took a report of a vehicle burglary that occurred in the 100 block of Route 30 in Oswego Township at 7:14 a.m.

July 28. Police said they are investigating.

Spray paint damage Someone spray-painted the exterior walls of Long Beach Elementary School on Long Beach Road in Boulder Hill on July 30, according to the county sheriff’s office.

Two hurt, cited in crash Two motorists were injured and ticketed after their vehicles were involved in a crash on Blackhawk Road at Hale Road in Little Rock Township at 11:15 a.m. July 28. Police said Alexis Avila, 17, of the 800 block of Christopher Street, Plano, was cited for failure to yield turning left, while Emily Gabriel Metcalf, 26, of the 900 block of Christopher Street, Plano, was cited for operating an uninsured vehicle. Police said Avila and Metcalf were treated at Valley West Hospital in Sandwich.

KENDALL COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS Frazier Ct. burglary County sheriff’s deputies are investigating a residential burglary and a criminal damage to vehicle case that occurred at a residence on Frazier Court in Little Rock Township sometime between 1 p.m. and 11 p.m. July 31.

Police said someone entered the garage at the residence and took two Milwaukee drills and a Bostich impact driver set valued at $300. A vehicle parked at the residence was also damaged, police said.

vehicle he was a passenger in the 8000 block of Van Emmon Road in Bristol Township at 3:29 p.m. July 30. Police said Roach has been charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia. Police said the driver of the vehicle, Kirstin Lee Miller, 20, of the 300 block of East First Street, Cedar Point, Illinois, was cited for failure to wear a seat belt.

Warrant arrest County sheriff’s deputies arrested Charles D. Cheffer, 31, of the 8000 block of Van Emmon Road, Yorkville, at his residence Aug. 1 at 2:48 p.m. on a Kane County warrant for failure to appear in court.

Facing battery charges County sheriff’s deputies arrested David Valencia, 45, and Karen Albrecht-Valencia, 42, both of the 9000 block of Wilcox Court, Newark, on charges of domestic battery at a residence in the 8000 block of Millbrook Road in Fox Township at 11:12 p.m. July 31.

Domestic arrest County sheriff’s deputies arrested Kyle David Mitchell, 34, of the 14000 block of Budd Road, Yorkville, at his residence on two count charges of assault July 31 at 7:05 p.m.

Trailer burglarized County sheriff’s deputies are investigating the theft of tools from a trailer in the 100 block of Route 30 in Oswego Township on July 30.

ATV stolen An ATV valued at $1,400 was reported stolen July 30 from a residence in the 13000 block of McKenna Road, Minooka, according to the county sheriff’s office.

Cellphone stolen A cellphone was stolen from a car while it was parked in the 1800 block of Light Road in Oswego Township at 3:53 p.m. July 30, according to the county sheriff’s office.

Protection order violation Sheriff’s deputies arrested Demtrius C. Peterson, 22, of the 12000 block of Mitchell Drive, Plano, at 4:55 p.m. July 29 at his residence on a charge of violation of an order of protection.

Cannabis arrest County sheriff’s deputies arrested Jeffrey Robert Pearson, 29, of the 0-10 block of Frazier Court, Sandwich, while executing a search warrant on his property July 31 at 1:37 p.m. Police said Pearson faces charges of possession of cannabis plants and resisting a peace officer.

Car, phone stolen An Aurora resident told county sheriff’s deputies that an acquaintance took his car and his cellphone without his permission while he was a customer at a motel in the 1100 block of Route 30 in Oswego Township on July 30.

Garage burglary Items valued at approximately $1,200 were reported stolen from a garage in the 1900 block of Cannonball Trail in Bristol Township on July 29, according to the county sheriff’s office.

Hit-and-run on Rt. 31 County sheriff’s police are seeking information on a hit-and-run accident that occurred in the 900 block of Route 31 in Oswego Township at 6:20 a.m. July 30. Police said a silver 1994 Honda Accord that was traveling

Declines to press charges Warrant arrest Sheriff’s deputies took a report of a domesSheriff’s deputies arrested Christopher Tyler tic battery, assault and criminal damage to Glover, 21, of the 40th block of Afton Road, Boulder Hill, on a warrant at his residence July property at a residence in the 7500 block of 28 at 3:17 p.m. Police said Glover was taken • Continued on page 15 to the Kendall County Jail in Yorkville.

Possession arrest County sheriff’s deputies arrested Demetrius Dean Roach, 25, of the 10 block of Third Street, Standard, Illinois, after stopping the

Scrap metals stolen Steel and aluminum scrap were reported stolen from a property in the 1000 block of McHugh Road in Bristol Township on July 24, according to the county sheriff’s office.

Minkler Road fight Sheriff’s deputies are continuing their investigation into a fight involving five individuals, one from Sugar Grove and four from Aurora, at a residence in the 3400 block of Minkler Road near Oswego. Police said the fight started after two individuals arrived at the residence, which is owned by their father, and found other individuals inside who had entered without permission. Two individuals were injured in the fight and taken to an area hospital, according to police.

KENDALL COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS

15

East Highpoint Road in Kendall Township at 6:21 p.m. July 28. Police said the victim was not injured and declined to press charges.

Graffiti investigation Sheriff’s deputies are investigating graffiti found spray-painted on the side of a garage in the 20th block of Roulock Road in Boulder Hill July 27. Police said there have been other reported incidents of graffiti in the same area that appear to be related.

Boulder Hill fight Sheriff’s deputies responded to a fight between two men at a residence in the 10-20 block of Roulock Road, Boulder Hill, at 8:51 p.m.

July 24. Police said no complaints were signed and the two men separated for the night without further incident.

Domestic battery Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a domestic battery July 27 at a residence in the 0-100 block of Heathgate Road, Boulder Hill.

Skateboard stolen A green and black Bustin Push longboard skateboard valued at $300 was reported stolen from the 1100 block of Light Road in Oswego Township at 2:44 p.m. July 27. Police said the longboard had been left in front of the residence.

Underage drinking County sheriff’s deputies arrested six suspects on charges of unlawful consumption of alcohol at a residence in the 0-100 block of South Linden Drive in Little Rock Township at 1:19 a.m. July 31. Police identified the suspects as: Khalil Ibraham Guisse, 20, of the 80th block of South Linden Drive, Plano; Ignacio Toscano, 20, of the 1800 block of Broch Way, Montgomery; Jordan Taylor Sullivan, 19, of the 1700 block of Marilyn Drive, Montgomery; Tadeo Lara, 18, of the 14000 block of King Edward Court, Palatine; Airianna Desiree Quintanilla, 19, of the 1300 block of Prairie Street, Aurora; and Arture Gomez, 20, of the 400 block of Sherwood Drive, Aurora.

Traffic violations Rilando Nunez, 44, of the 600 block of Sweetbriar Lane, Plano, no valid driver’s license.

Forrest Kenneth Pewett, 19, of the 2300 block of Georgetown Circle, Aurora, driving on a suspended license.

Jimmy Ray Wilson Jr., 25, of the 10-20 block of Circle Drive East, Boulder Hill, unlawful display of license plate.

Pilot makes emergency landing No injuries reported after small plane comes down in local farm field

By TONY SCOTT tscott@kendallcountynow.com A pilot made an emergency landing in a farm field in the 9000 block of Millbrook Road south of Plano at approximately 11:38 a.m. Sunday, according to the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office.

Police said the pilot, Kurt Englemann, was the sole occupant of the plane and was not hurt. Police did not release Englemann’s age or address.

Englemann told police he was fly-

ing from Wisconsin when his plane lost power, prompting him to make the emergency landing.

Representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration have been notified, and will complete an investigation, police said.

The 9000 block of Millbrook Road is south of Silver Springs State Park.

Steve Graves, who lives in the 9300 block of Millbrook Road and owns the property on which the plane landed, said he and his wife were working in their yard when the landing occurred but didn’t hear anything.

“We didn’t see it,” he said. “It came down so quietly because the engine had failed, we didn’t hear a thing.”

Graves said he saw emergency vehicles came down the road, and

BRIEF

MONTGOMERY POLICE REPORTS Charged with obstructing Montgomery police arrested Adrian Ochoa, 22, of the 400 block of Seminary Avenue, Montgomery, on July 30 at 3:13 a.m. on Montgomery Road at Briarcliff Road.

Police said Ochoa has been charged with obstructing identification and was found to be wanted on an Aurora police warrant for possession of cannabis. iPod stolen An iPod was stolen from a Chevy Trailblazer that was parked and left unlocked in the 200 block of River Street on Aug. 1, village police reported.

Property damage charge Montgomery police arrested Antonio Trujillo, 49, of the 2000 block of Kate Drive, Montgomery, on July 30 at 9:22 a.m. in the 2000 block of Kate Drive on a charge of criminal damage to property. Police said

“didn’t think anything of it.”

“Ten minutes later, a fire department vehicle came in our driveway with the lights flashing,” he said.

“I told the individual there was no problem here, and he said ‘We have a plane down in the area.’ And then upon further walking around the house we saw, by golly, there it is.”

Graves said it appeared there was minor damage to the plane.

“Some of the landing gear collapsed and there’s dents in the plane,” he said.

As of Monday morning, Graves said the plane was still on his property. He said he didn’t know when the plane would be removed.

“Nobody’s talking much to me,” he said. “We haven’t had any further communication since [the crash].”

Trujillo allegedly used a knife to puncture a tire on a 2016 Kia Sorento.

Warrant arrest Montgomery police arrested Jose Moreno, 34, of the 800 block of Talma Street, Aurora, on a Kendall County warrant on Orchard Road at Knell Road on July 27 at 9:14 p.m.

Traffic violations Eduwardo Olivares, 32, of the 5000 block of Richmond Street, Chicago, no valid driver’s license.

Gracie Rodriguez, 29, of the 800 block of Victoria Drive, Montgomery, operating a motor vehicle while registration is suspended.

Jonathan Herrera, 18, of the 900 block of New York Street. Aurora, driving on a suspended license, Rodney Simms, 32, of the 12000 block of Second Avenue, driving on a suspended license.

Senior scammed out of $2K

Yorkville police said an elderly resident told them July 20 he received a phone call that his granddaughter had been in an accident out-of-state and needed $2,000 to be issued to a bail bondsman. Police said the victim agreed to pay the caller with iTunes gift cards. The next day, police said the victim received another phone call stating that he needed to pay another $3,000. Before paying the second amount, the victim contacted his granddaughter, who told him she was not out-of-state and was not in an accident. The victim then called police.

Police said they are investigating the incident as a financial exploitation of the elderly case, which is a felony.

– Oswego Ledger

Thursday, August 4, 2016

Campground fights Sheriff’s deputies took a report of a fight between two men at a campground in the 8000 block of Van Emmon Road in Bristol Township at 2:14 a.m. July 27. Police said they learned the men had been involved in an altercation earlier in the evening but had left the campground.

Police said a second altercation occurred when the men returned.

Photo provided

A pilot flying south from Wisconsin made a safe emergency landing in a farm field south of Plano late Sunday morning.

LOCAL NEWS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

• Continued from page 14

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, August 4, 2016

| LOCAL NEWS

16 Country, blues night at Beats & Eats fest

ABOVE: A patron gets his order from Taqueria Señor Taco during Oswego Beats & Eats.

Photos by Tony Scott - tscott@kendallcountynow.com

The second of three free summertime Beats & Eats music and food festivals was held on Main Street in downtown Oswego on Saturday evening. An all ages crowd enjoyed the country and blues music of PolySci from Aurora, JD Eicher & the Goodnights and Tony Lucca. The next Beats & Eats fest is set for Saturday, Aug. 27. ABOVE: Members of the band PolySci play on stage during the Oswego Beats & Eats festival Saturday evening. RIGHT: A visitor to Beats & Eats takes advantage of the photo booth set up by the Garden Faire in downtown Oswego.

School, police, fire officials conduct joint meeting OSWEGO LEDGER School District 308 administrators met recently with leaders of local police and fire departments to discuss a variety of topics.

The first-of-its kind meeting, hosted by the district, was held in the community room at Thompson Junior High School in Oswego.

Officials attending included: Kendall County Sheriff Dwight Baird, Oswego Police Chief Jeff Burgner, Oswego Fire Chief Mike Veseling, Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman, Aurora Fire Chief Gary Krienitz, Montgomery Police Chief Daniel Meyers and Plainfield Police Chief John Konopek.

“I am extremely happy that we were able to bring all of the police and fire chiefs who serve District 308 together for this meeting. A conference of this nature was long overdue. Bringing this group of community leaders together helps to solidify the relationships that District 308 has with local fire and police departments and other first responders. Working together, these relationships will benefit the district and the communities we all serve in

Photo provided

School District 308 Superintendent Dr. John Sparlin (center) talks with Oswego Police Chief Jeff Burgner (left) and Oswego Fire Chief Mike Veseling. the event a crisis unfolds,” said Superintendent Dr. John Sparlin.

At the meeting, district and community leaders discussed topics that included: Command and communication structures, emergency operations updates, best collaborative practices for agencies with public information officers, enhanced lockdown information, training and refresher courses,

collaborative project ideas such as mass casualty practice drills, and community events that provide information for parents on drugs, social media and safety in schools.

“Working in partnership with the schools in our district ensures that all first responders, district staff, and faculty are up to speed and ready to handle the tough situations that communities

unfortunately sometimes face,” noted Oswego Police Chief Jeff Burgner. “We are appreciative of School District 308 hosting this leadership meeting, and we look forward to continuing the open lines of communication in the future.”

Oswego Fire Chief Mike Veseling agreed with Burgner and said getting the departments and schools together will benefit everyone.

“Hats off to School District 308 officials for setting up this meeting,” said Chief Veseling. “The relationships strengthened by it and the actions resulting from it, are pivotal in keeping our children, faculty, and community safe.”

The Annual Crisis/Safety Meeting, which will also be hosted by School District 308, will be scheduled for early fall of 2016.

School District 308 is the seventh largest and one of the fastest growing public school systems in the state of Illinois, with an enrollment of more than 18,000 students in 22 schools, serving pre-kindergarten through grade 12. District 308 serves all of Oswego, as well as portions of Aurora, Joliet, Montgomery, Plainfield, and Yorkville.

YESTERYEAR

17 Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, August 4, 2016

Compiled by Roger Matile and John Etheredge from articles previously published in the Oswego Ledger, the Ledger-Sentinel, Fox Valley Sentinel and the Kendall County Record.

2001: 15 years ago this month...

In a series of unanimous ballots, the Montgomery Plan Commission endorsed a proposal to develop a large, flood-prone parcel along the north side of U.S. Route 30, east of Douglas Road. Commission members approved advisory recommendations in support of the Inland Land Development Corporation’s plans to develop the 400 plus acre parcel.

Contractors for Kendall County were nearing completion of construction on the new Orchard Road bridge spanning the Fox River on Oswego’s west side. The bridge had been proposed decades earlier.

When classes started for the 2001-02 school year in the Oswego School District, school officials were anticipating 750 new students to walk through the doors of district schools. Officials, however, were surprised when 1,100 new students showed up for the first day of class. The new enrollees served to increase the district’s total enrollment to 7,856 students, up from 6,778 students who attended the first day of class in district schools just one year earlier.

1996: 20 years ago this month...

Many area residents were still dealing with flood damage caused by a record rainfall on July 17-18. Residents in Montgomery’s Parkview Estates subdivision were the hardest hit. John DuRocher, village administrator, estimated the village’s extra cost due to the flood cleanup at $200,000.

Oswego was “bombed” by a restored World War II aircraft. A replica bomb fell off the vintage plane as it passed over Ill. Route 31, just south of Mill Road. The bomb, approximately five feet in length, wedged several feet deep into the front yard of a home along the east side of the highway. No injuries were reported.

In a pivotal vote for the future of development along the Orchard Road corridor, the Oswego Village Board rejected a rezoning request for a 635 lot manufactured home housing development for senior citizens proposed at the southwest corner of the Orchard Road-Galena Road intersection. When board members deadlocked in a 3-3 vote, Village President Budd Bieber cast the deciding vote against the rezoning. “I like the concept, but not the location,” Bieber told the Ledger-Sentinel later.

1991: 25 years ago this month...

Construction of a Metra commuter rail station in Montgomery was among the many transportation improvements recommended in the village’s new comprehensive land use plan. The village board voted unanimously to approve the plan.

Tom Cross, a Yorkville attorney, confirmed

Photo provided by the Little White School Museum

Crossing guard Ed Donnelly leads students across Madison Street (Route 34) at Jackson Street in downtown Oswego in 1957. The Ledger reported on Dec. 20, 1957 that “Mr. Ed Donnelly, who has been acting as crossing guard at the intersection of Rt. 34 and Jackson Street for the past month, is a man who certainly enjoys his job. Mr. Donnelly reports that the youngsters are easy to get along with, extremely courteous and eager to do what is right. Ed, who enjoys working with the youngsters, has no fear for the outcome of the present generation, and he is a person who has experienced some of the seamier sides of life, having been a guard at Joliet Penitentiary for over 20 years.”

1976: 40 years ago this month...

The Oswego Village Board agreed to have a three-ton weight limit on Main Street strictly 1986: 30 years ago this month... enforced. The board acted after receiving The dormant new housing market in several complaints from homeowners about Oswego and Montgomery was showing some heavy truck traffic on the street. signs of picking up. Contractors for Primus Volunteer members of the Osweogland Corporation began excavation work on an Heritage Association began renovation on addition to Oswego’s Windcrest Subdivision, the proposed Little White School Museum at along the east side of Boulder Hill Pass near Jackson and Polk streets in Oswego.

St. Anne’s Catholic Church. In Montgomery, 1971: 45 years ago this month... village officials were reviewing plans for the The doubling of the Oswego police force proposed Seasons Ridge Subdivision along from two to four officers was questioned by the north side of U.S. Route 30. some village residents, the Ledger reported.

1981: 35 years ago this month...

In an editorial, the Ledger supported hiring What the Ledger-Sentinel described as the two additional officers due to the village’s a “long hot summer of on again, off again population growth and a rising local crime contract negotiations” between the Oswego rate.

School District Board of Education and the Ground-breaking ceremonies were held off district’s teachers union ended when both Route 71 in Oswego for the proposed Tillers sides agreed to a new basic agreement Nursing Home. just days before the first day of school.

Elmer’s White Paste was a ‘Back to School’ The contract granted the teachers salary sale item at Grimm’s Pharmacy at the Boulder increases averaging about 10.5 percent. The Hill Market. The paste was priced at just 17 base pay for starting teachers was also raised cents a jar. from $12,250 to $13,100, according to the 1966: 50 years ago this month... contract.

Boulder Hill’s community bus went out Workers took down the Bohn’s Food Store of service Aug. 12. Don L. Dise, Boulder Hill from the former store at 60 Main Street in developer, had started the service in October downtown Oswego. The grocery store, the last to operate on Main Street, had closed its of 1960 to provide subdivision residents with an alternate mode of transportation to stores doors earlier in the year. he was considering seeking election to a seat in the Illinois House of Representatives.

in downtown Aurora.

After nearly 17 years as a free distribution newspaper, the Ledger changed to become a subscription newspaper, delivered weekly in the mail. In a letter to readers, Ann Krahn, editor, explained the change was necessary due to rising costs. Effective Sept. 1, 1966, the cost for a one-year subscription was set at $3.

In his weekly column in the Ledger, State Sen. Robert Mitchler, R-Oswego, noted that the Republican Party had issued a statement detailing the party’s position on a variety of issues, including Civil Rights. Mitchler noted that the GOP supported equal opportunity for all when deciding where to live, but that the party also believed that one of the nation’s fundamental concepts was the right of the property owner to use and dispose of his property as he wishes.

The Oswego School District’s calendar for the 1966-67 school year, published in the Ledger, included Christmas vacation from Dec. 23 through Jan. 2 and a Good Friday holiday on March 24.

1961: 55 years ago this month...

All boys and girls were invited to participate in a children’s parade on Main Street in Oswego Aug. 11. “They may wear any kind of costume such as cowboy, Indian, hobo, • Continued on page 18

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, August 4, 2016

| LOCAL NEWS

18

ON CAMPUS Jessica James, a native of Oswego graduate of Oswego East High School, was named to the 2015-16 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Honor Roll. To be eligible for the list, student-athletes must have carried a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

••• Kayla Larsen of Oswego has received recognition on the Indiana Wesleyan University Dean’s List for the Spring semester of the 2015-16 academic year. Indiana Wesleyan is located in Marion, Ind. ••• Lauren Larsen of Oswego has received recognition on the Northern Illinois University College Of Health and Human Sciences Dean’s List for the Spring 2016 semester.

••• Oswego resident Jennifer Greenwood was named to the spring semester 2016 Academic Dean’s List at the University of Dubuque.

••• Holly Schwarz of Oswego earned high honors on the dean’s list at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point for the spring semester of the 2015-16 academic year. High honor citations go to those with grade point averages from 3.75 to 3.89.

••• Local students were recently named to the Dean’s List at Millikin University for spring 2016. Katherine Meyer, Therese

O’Shaughnessy and Michaela Ponstein, all of Oswego, earned these honors.

••• Collin Bradley of Oswego was named to the 2016 spring semester Dean’s List at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.

••• Local students were recognized at Monmouth College’s Honors Convocation, held during the spring 2016 semester.

Ryan Draksler of Oswego received the Nottleman Scholarship. A junior communication and public relations major, he is the son of Donald Draksler and Denise Draksler, both of Oswego.

Elizabeth Smith of Oswego received the Grooms Scholarship and the Monmouth College Fine Arts Scholarship. A freshman international studies major, she is the daughter of Laura Cavanaugh of Oswego.

••• Augustana College announced students named to the Dean’s List for the 2016 spring term. Local students listed include Brittany Beard, Natalie Kilpatrick, Jake Lewis, Mitchell Lewis, Eleni Metrou, Lauren Nicholson, Helen Offerman, Jordyn Sundberg and Alexandra Watts, all of Oswego.

••• Alan R. Shramuk of Oswego has been named to the Dean’s List for academic achievement for the spring 2016 semester at

the University of Rochester.

••• Jacob Schien of Montgomery was placed on the Dean’s List at Greenville College for the Spring 2016 semester.

••• Aurora University recently announced local students who earned Dean’s List honors for the spring 2016 semester.

Montgomery students named include: Dean’s List with High Honors (4.0 GPA) – Amanda Augustine, Zachary Bell, Deyaneth Castanon, Ashly Cosmano, Kristen Diaz, Octavio Donatlan, Gina Galanis, Alyssa Herndon, Quincy Jones, Rene Keener, Amanda LaDew, Michael Lauderdale, Chad Lewandowski, Zachary Maroney, Melissa May, Yvelisse Mendez, Nicole Rewinkel, Amy Rieger, Tomasz Sobieraj, Patrick Sofer, Heather Soto, Karyn Stiefbold, Nathanael Underwood, Nevena Varagic, Tara Wagner, Andrew Zink.

Dean’s List (3.6 GPA and above) – Marea Ammari, Hannah Bauman, Aimee Beutke, Jacob Brazzil, Jacob Bunce, Maximiliano Calderon, Liliana Cepeda, Megan Clark, Nathan Gonzalez, Veronica Gracia, Maria Hernandez, Andres Jacquez, Laura Magana, Brenden Nelson, Mandy Rieger, Kassandra Rojas, Ashlyn Temaat, Eboni Thomas.

Oswego students named include:

Dean’s List with High Honors (4.0 GPA) – Emily Baron, Sean Bergan, Kyle Borowski, Jena Buss, Tia Carr, Alyssa Cosme, Jacob Felker, Megan Fenske, Taylor Fenske, Paige Fisher, Sara Gilbert, Michelle Ginn, Kelly Hauge, Tait Hillmer, Daniel Kline, David Lozano, Kristyn Lykken, Margo MacKay, Rebecca Mohan, Ashley Pfennig, Ann Podrasky, Melissa Portillo, Carissa Robbins, Rachel Scott, Holly Smith, Sarah Thies, Madison Throneburg, Evan Tkaczyk, Christina Young.

Dean’s List (3.6 GPA and above) – Michael Berger, Nikas Bilinskas, Christopher Boes, Amanda Borvan, Rachel Burkhart, Hunter Coppes, Grace DeVries, Paige Dodson, Kiana Fuller, Thomas Giese, Sarah Herbik, Matthew Hill, Ashley Jolley, Emily Kearns, Rachel Kutschke, Alisa Meurer, Erik Mickelberg, Daisy Mijarez, Gina Pardino, Nick Schaeflein, Eileen Skowronski, Miranda Wehrli, Kevin Zmuda.

••• Area students were named to the 2015-16 Dean’s List at MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Ill. Erin Janusz, of Oswego was named to the fall 2015 Dean’s List.

••• Oswego resident Heidi Arnold was named to the 2016 Lawrence University dean’s list for maintaining a 3.4 grade point average or higher for the full 2015-16 academic year.

1896: 120 years ago this month...

Farming a century ago was dangerous for both man and beast in Oswego Township. ­dress-up, etc. Boys and girls who participate 1926: 90 years ago this month...

According to the Aug. 19, 1896 Record: “While will receive a coupon good for ten cents in “Building operations started Monday on the threshing at Andrew Shoger’s, a horse of trade at Gil’s Dari-Boat (now the Dari Hut) on Oswego school,” the Record reported from Charles Shoger, when near the [threshing] Main Street,” according to the Ledger.

Oswego on Aug. 4, 1926. “A large addition will machine, by switching his tail, had it caught be added to the front of it.” The old Red Brick in a pulley and instantly torn off. The horse 1956: 60 years ago this month...

School stood where today’s Byline Bank and was brought to town where the stub, which is Oswego Grade School Board members Oswego Post Office are located. now but a few inches long, was put in shape held a special meeting following the first for healing.” day of school to resolve problems caused by 1916: 100 years ago this month... an unexpected increase in enrollment. The “The concert given by the Junior Moose 1891: 125 years ago this month...

Ledger reported that 49 more students had An Oswego advertisement in the Record shown up for class compared to the first day Band of Aurora Tuesday evening on Main street was well patronized by an appreciative reported: “The famous medicine ‘Indian Blood of school the previous year. audience. Over 100 autos were parked in the Syrup’ may now be obtained from Mrs. Carrie business portion,” the Record reported from Young.”

1951: 65 years ago this month...

Oswego on Aug. 16, 1916.

Ledger editor Ford Lippold noted in his 1881: 135 years ago this month... weekly column that the newspaper had come 1906: 110 years ago this month...

Communications technology was in the in for criticism from readers upset about the On Aug. 27, the Record reported from news in August of 1881. The Record reportamount of space devoted each week to local Oswego that construction was booming: ed from Oswego that “L.N. Hall is always sports and summer recreation programs.

“The new steel water tank is completed and foremost in this community and is keeping up Lippold defended the Ledger’s coverage by noting that almost every home in the commu- is being tested. The cement sidewalks are to with the times. He now has his store and residence, which are six blocks apart, connected nity had a participant in some sports-related be largely extended and graveling of them in the park addition is now underway. The with a telephone, not yet, however, in talking local activity. Lippold added, “Perhaps more park addition is growing: Two new dwelling order.” interest in sports on the local level would houses are under construction and two old Considerable excitement was reported in be helpful to the sorry state of affairs that the Aug. 18, 1881 Record by the paper’s Oswecollege and professional sports seem to be in, ones were moved upon it. The Clinton building [now the McKeown-Dunn Funeral Home], go correspondent: “Saturday evening a disjudging from the startling headlines of late.” which will be by far the grandest and most pute arose between Henry Sanders, who had complete structure Oswego ever expected to been drinking, and Cash Mullineaux and it is 1941: 75 years ago this month... alleged that the former, in order to emphasize “Jimmy Johnston has closed the blacksmith have is going forward with plumbers in the basement, carpenters in different parts of it, his points, exhibited a pistol, which caused shop on Main and is moving his equipment and slaters on the roof.” his arrest and lodgement in the townhouse. to the place recently purchased at the town

During the night, someone released him by breaking out a part of a window and cutting open the door of the cell. The authorities seemed to be aware that he had gone to Mrs. Minick’s [boarding] house [in Troy] and a posse went there. Upon their approach, Henry left the house and ran to the river where he surrendered. Ambrose Darby, who was with him, was also arrested.”

YESTERYEAR • Continued from page 17

limits on the Oswego-Plainfield road,” the Record reported on Aug. 13, 1941.

1876: 140: years ago this month...

The Record reported that the Oswego Cemetery Association had been formally established with capital stock of $5,000. The officers were the Rev. Henry Minard, president; Charles L. Roberts, vice-president; Henry C. Cutter, secretary; and David Hall, treasurer.

Also that month, the Record’s Oswego correspondent reported: “Thomas Wayne has built an engine house to his cider factory; also bought a new press of the late T. Patterson, and means to make cider on an extensive scale.”

1871: 145 years ago this month...

The Record’s Oswego correspondent, Lorenzo Rank, wrote that “The new hearse is ready for delivery. The ladies who brought about this achievement of a free hearse through raising of moneys in fairs, socials, Etc. now with to finish their labors and enjoy the fruits of it. ... it is now hoped that no jealousy will spring up between them, and that the honor of its first usage may not create any envy among them.”

CHICAGO SUBURBAN BASEBALL LEAGUE

Team reaches NABF regional semifinal, falls 5-1 to New York lineup

By LAURA M. MEDINA sports@kendallcountynow.com

“Overall, the season was a success. We didn’t know what we were going into [at the NABF]. We’ll take a few days off before looking at things for next year, but I consider this a success. It was another year with 20 wins … but it was a good rebuilding year.”

Todd Miller Oswego Cats field manager ley (2-for-2, walk, stolen base) scored in the bottom of the third.

“We didn’t really hit, but we had a ton of baserunners,” said Miller, noting that the Cats stranded 11 of 12 on base.

“But they didn’t really threaten, and Brandon was in control.”

After going 2-for-3 at the plate in Thursday’s game, Kevin Loukota went the distance on the mound in an exciting 3-2, eight-inning win over the Portland (Indiana) Rockets on Friday afternoon.

The right-hander conceded seven hits, two runs and two walks while striking out eight for the Cats, who

Cedardell announces winners from Two-Man Tournament OSWEGO LEDGER Cedardell Golf Course held its annual TwoMan Tournament on July 23.

The 27-hole tournament was open to Cedardell members and the public. The event consisted of 18 holes with a scramble format, followed by 9 holes of alternate shot. The winners of each flight are shown below.

Cedardell is hosting its annual Medal Play on Aug. 6-7.

Visit www.cedardellgolfclub.com for more information.

Championship Flight

1st Place: William Rolf and Tim Wardrop 2nd Place: Bob Wright and Wilson Wright Skins: Bob Wright/Wilson Wright – 4, Lynn

Christenson/Andrew Pfister – 2; Victor Mendez/ Misael Valles – 1

A Flight Photo provided

Cedardell Golf Course held its annual Two Man Tournament on July 23. Pictured are Bob Wright, Wilson Wright, Tim Waldrop, Bill Rolf and Jon Kolka.

1st Place: Jon Kolka and Steve Kolka 2nd Place: Mike Bartholomew and Jon Helland Skins: Jon Kolka/Steve Kolka – 5; Keith Dil-

low/Dean Krause – 4; Jeff Dollman/Doc Hynek – 1

Thursday, August 4, 2016

For the Oswego Cats, the road to the playoffs was paved with the typical ups and downs of winning streaks and losing skids, unexpected and unpredictable weather delays, and a rash of injuries that wrenched the everyday lineup.

In spite of the tough spots, the Cats put together another successful season, surpassing the 20-win mark (21-171, 13-15-1 Chicago Suburban Baseball League) for the fifth time in six years and ending sixth in the realigned CSBL. They even reached the league’s inaugural championship game before it was called off because of lightning.

All of this set the stage for Oswego’s first appearance in a National Amateur Baseball Federation (NABF) Regional last weekend in Cincinnati, where it opened with three wins before a 5-1 semifinal loss to Buffalo-Orville’s (New York) on Sunday morning to end its summer season.

“Overall, the season was a success,” Cats field manager Todd Miller said.

“We didn’t know what we were going into [at the NABF]. We’ll take a few days off before looking at things for next year, but I consider this a success.

It was another year with 20 wins … but it was a good rebuilding year. We were

hit with injuries, but hopefully, those guys will recover and will be able to come back and do what they’ve done before.”

Buffalo eventually lost to the Ohio-based Lake Erie Buckeyes, who grabbed the Cincinnati Regional title and will head to the Charles Blackburn Major Division World Series that starts Wednesday and concludes Sunday at Bailey Park in Battle Creek, Michigan.

It was Oswego’s first venture into NABF competition. Previously, the Cats competed in the American Amateur Baseball Congress (AABC) Regional. A new direction within the CSBL, however, made the team one of seven from the league to compete in postseason NABF major tournaments.

Though they were the newcomers, the Cats opened the bracket impressively to advance to the championship round.

“We played some very tight games,” Miller said.

One such contest was last Thursday’s opener in which right-hander Brandon Thielk tossed a three-hitter for a 1-0 victory over the Cincinnati Mudcats.

Thielk, who finished 4-3 on the mound with a 4.44 ERA in eight starts this summer, walked two and fanned six in his second shutout of the season.

He was supported by the run Mike Riss-

trailed 2-1 after the bottom of the sixth inning and tacked on single runs in the seventh and eighth.

Catcher Mike Cherven went 2-for2, while Jeff Woods went 1-for-3 with a walk and a RBI and Jose Camacho, hitless in three at-bats, had a sacrifice-fly RBI. Oswego then took advantage of pitching and defensive miscues in Saturday morning’s 12-2 drubbing of the Yorkville (Ohio) Yaks.

Down 1-0 after the top of the first, the team scored six in the bottom portion and cruised from there. Right-hander Ryan Millan was solid on the mound, allowing two runs (one earned) in the effort, while Ryan O’Dell homered and had two RBI, and Camacho had a tworun home run.

“We hit the ball pretty well, but really, we had the benefit of walks and some of their fielding errors,” Miller said.

Sunday’s loss was a difficult one, as Oswego scored one in the bottom of the second before Buffalo responded with three in the top half of the third inning and scored a pair as the game progressed.

“It was OK. We played well defensively, but we didn’t hit well, and that was our downfall,” Miller said. “Every hit we had was right at someone.”

Left-hander Adam Eck, who conceded four walks and hit two batters, gave up those first three Buffalo runs and didn’t make it out of the third inning, when Thielk came on in relief.

SPORTS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

Oswego Cats end season with loss in Ohio

19

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, August 4, 2016

20

SPORTS

Lacrosse team in works

Oswego, Oswego East anticipate forming boys co-op in 2018

By CHRIS WALKER sports@kendallcountynow.com Oswego and Oswego East high schools anticipate adding a boys lacrosse team to their sports offerings beginning in the spring of 2018 to coincide with the first year that it becomes an IHSA sport.

Oswego athletic director Darren Howard confirmed the potential addition to the school’s already long list of athletic opportunities.

“It’s currently planned for 2017-18 when it becomes an IHSA series sport,” he said.

“It would be a co-op for at least one or two years. We certainly are hopeful that it all works out and we can move forward with our plan to have it as a co-op for 2017-18, but that is a wait-and-see situation currently.”

At this time, there aren’t plans for a girls lacrosse team to be added, but that could change. Currently, both Oswego and Oswego East offer 12 boys sports and 14 girls sports, including co-op teams for girls gymnastics, as well as girls golf which was added last fall.

There are currently nearly 30 more Illinois boys high school lacrosse teams than girls teams, with 91 schools fielding boys teams last spring.

While the sport continues to grow, it’s making a bigger impression with boys.

While lacrosse has been gaining widespread popularity nationwide, it’s shown particular growth at the high school level in Illinois, especially in recent years as it continues to extend out west after beginning as primarily a North Shore sport.

All the neighboring Naperville schools have their own teams or co-ops now while West Aurora and Kaneland offered teams for the first time in the past two years. In the past five years, Waubonsie Valley, Naperville Central and Geneva have each won the Lacrosse Cup, which is the B

Sarah Nader file photo - snader@shawmedia.com

The Jacobs High School lacrosse team huddles before the NILAX semifinals against Prairie Ridge in Algonquin in May 2012.

“It’s currently planned for 2017-18 when it becomes an IHSA series sport. It would be a co-op for at least one or two years. We certainly are hopeful that it all works out and we can move forward with our plan to have it as a co-op for 2017-18, but that is a wait-and-see situation currently.”

Darren Howard Oswego High School athletic director Division of the Illinois High School Lacrosse Association, which runs boys lacrosse in the state, which shows that not only are schools adding teams, but they’re finding success relatively quickly too.

“In general we’ve heard from boys and community members looking for it for boys,” said Oswego East ath-

letic director Bobby Kaminski.

“The tentative plans are for us to add boys lacrosse, but with the state of Illinois and budget concerns, there are a lot of variables that go into it, but there’s definitely been some interest the last couple years and we do plan on doing it.”

Locally, many kids are being introduced to lacrosse

through programs that are being offered by the Oswegoland Park District, which has teamed up with experts at New Wave Lacrosse to offer a variety of lacrosse programs.

“We handle the registration and administration and New Wave has been providing the training and the league itself,” said Oswegoland Park District athletic supervisor Brian Everhart. “We’ve been with them for about four or five years now and it’s been a pretty good relationship. They use our space and the program has grown consistently the last few years with a big league in the spring, summer camps as well as a smaller fall program.”

Some current Oswego and Oswego East athletes are playing for the Southwest Jaguars team, which offer a similar

opportunity to what IHSLA teams have been offered, except the team is independent from any high school affiliation. The Jaguars compete in the Northern Illinois Independent Lacrosse Association and were the state runner-up this spring.

Southwest has been a godsend for any high school lacrosse players, including a handful all the way from Kaneland in Maple Park, as they left the team to help the Knights debut a high school team last spring.

Until lacrosse is added as a high school sport as Oswego co-op, the Southwest team and programs provided through the park district likely will continue to be popular destinations for up-and-coming lacrosse players in the area.