MDH-2-5-2015

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Heading west Minooka’s Nate Gunn signs to play football for South Dakota / 14 LOCAL NEWS

State of state Local officials weigh in on Rauner’s plans / 4 LOCAL NEWS

For the kids Verona native writes children’s book / 7

A FOCUS ON FAMILY Morris girl raising money for orphanage from which her sister is adopted / 3

OBITUARIES ROBERT BATES

Morris Daily Herald / morrisdailyherald.com • Thursday, February 5, 2015

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2 MorrisDailyHerald.com OFFICE 1804 N. Division St., Morris, IL 60450 815-942-3221 Fax: 815-942-0988 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday NEWSROOM 815-942-3221, ext. 2049 Fax: 815-942-0988 news@morrisdailyherald.com CUSTOMER SERVICE 815-942-3221, menu option 1 circulation@morrisdailyherald.com 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 7 to 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday SUBSCRIPTIONS Tuesday-Saturday: $1.00 / issue Basic annual subscription rate: $260 To subscribe, make a payment or discuss your delivery, contact Customer Service.

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The Morris Daily Herald (USPA 363-560).

This paper is owned and published by the Morris Publishing Company, an Illinois Corporation office and place of business, 1804 N. Division St., P.O. Box 749, Morris, IL, 60450, 815-942-3221, daily Tuesday through Saturday except holidays.

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• Relevant information • Marketing Solutions • Community Advocates

Robert “Bob” Bates, age 76, of Odell, passed away on February 1, 2015. Funeral arrangements are pending.

Arrangements have been entrusted with U.C. Davis-Callahan Funeral Home, 301 W. Washington Street, Morris, Illinois.

For further information visit the website at www.ucdaviscallahan.com or contact the funeral home at 815-942-0084.

Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting the website.

LILLIE CURRY Born: Nov. 15, 1949 Died: Jan. 25, 2015 Lillie Curry, formerly of Morris, passed away in her home on January 25, 2015, in Brooksville, Florida. Born November 15, 1949, Lillie was the daughter of the late Nancy Rodia.

During her career as a bus driver, Lillie drove for Ryder, First Student and Saratoga School.

She is survived by her daughters, Tracy (Jeremy) Harvey-Attaway of Plainfield and Stacy (Seth Watchinski) Pederson of Morris; granddaughters, Gabi Harvey and Bella Attaway; grandson, Austin Shell.

A visitation for Lillie will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2015, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the U.C. Davis-Callahan Funeral Home, located at 301 West Washington Street in Morris. A Celebration of Lillie’s life will be held at 4:00 p.m., at the funeral home, officiated by Dr. Chuck Richardson. Cremation rites have been accorded.

Arrangements have been entrusted with U.C. Davis-Callahan Funeral Home, 301 W. Washington Street, Morris, Illinois.

For further information visit the website at www.ucdaviscallahan.com or contact the funeral home at 815-942-0084. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting the website.

POLICE REPORTS MATTHEW C. MILLER Born: Aug. 6, 1957; in Belvidere, IL Died: Jan. 23, 2015; in Hermiston, OR Matthew Charles Miller, was born August 6, 1957, in Belvidere, IL. At a young age he moved to Minooka, Illinois, where he graduated from Minooka Community High School and worked fifteen years at Mobile Oil Refinery.

He moved to Prosser, Washington, in 1990 where he worked at Umatilla Chemical Depot. He later settled in Hermiston, Oregon where he enjoyed boating, fishing, cooking, woodworking and camping. Matt was an active part of his community. He was the president of the Eagles Aerie #2647 and board member of the Hat Rock Water Company along with the McNary Yacht Club where he lived. January 23rd, his life was cut too short when he suddenly and unexpectedly passed away at his home.

Matt loved life and his smile made anyone feel welcome and accepted. Matt loved being with family and friends, in turn they loved being with him. He loved without conditions. Matt made it a point to visit family members every chance he had. He also enjoyed traveling and experiencing new things.

He had a wonderful sense of humor and eyes that were full of kindness. He, in turn, was adored and loved by others and will be missed tremendously.

Though Matt left their lives too early, he did leave them with wonderful memories that will last forever.

Matt leaves behind his mother, Naomi VanDolson of Minooka, Illinois; his sister, Christine Miller of Richland, Texas; his brother, Mark Miller of Milford, Illinois; his brother, Robert (Amy) VanDolson of Minooka, Illinois; his life partner, Becky Wineland of Hermiston, Oregon, and many nieces and nephews and great -nieces and great-nephews.

Matt was preceded in death my his father, Wallace Miller in 2000; and by his step-father, Raymond VanDolson in 2004.

A private memorial will be held at a later date.

Note to readers: Information in Police Reports is obtained from local police departments and the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office. Individuals listed in Police Reports who have been charged with a crime have not been proven guilty in court.

Morris • Jacob I. Nickels, 27, of Marseilles, was arrested by Morris police and booked into the Grundy County Jail Saturday on charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of cannabis, 10 to 30 grams. He also was cited for possession of drug paraphernalia

and operating a vehicle with loud exhaust. He was given a March 2 court date.

• Tori M. Geffs, 21, of Morris, was arrested by Morris police Saturday on charges of aggravated assault and resisting a peace officer.

She posted bond and was released.

• Brittany A. Countryman, 21, of East Chicago, was arrested by Morris police and booked into the Grundy County Jail Saturday on a DuPage County failure-to-appear warrant on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol.

See POLICE, page 9

ON THE COVER Alexa Rain, of Morris, reads to her sister, Alayah. Alexa is selling T-shirts to raise money for

the orphanage in Africa from which her sister is adopted.

Heidi Litchfield – hlitchfield@shawmedia.com

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COVER STORY

3

Girl wants to provide for orphange from which her sister is adopted

By HEIDI LITCHFIELD

Know more

hlitchfield@shawmedia.com MORRIS – When Steve and Tina Rain went to Africa to adopt their daughter, Alayah, they had no idea the impact it would have on their oldest daughter, Alexa.

“I want to raise money for the orphanage my sister came from,” Morris Community High School junior Alexa Rain said. “I got the idea about a year and a half ago to make T-shirts and I thought it would work.”

That idea has turned into a fundraiser with the help of Erik Enervold, who printed the shirts Alexa designed with the help of her mom.

The shirts say “got family?

Adoption counts” in white lettering on a black shirt – a play off the “Got Milk?” campaign.

The shirts are $15 each, with $7 going to Hannah’s Hope in Ethiopia, an orphanage served by All God’s Children International.

Alexa said she wasn’t sure how much money she would be able to raise, but knew she wanted to do something.

“I had a lady from church who said whether I raise $100 or $1,000 that I will make a difference,” she said.

She wants to make a difference just like second-grader Alayah has made to her.

Alayah was 3½ when she came to live with the family, having been put up for adoption by her father who was unable to care for her after the death of her biological mother.

When Steve and Tina decided it was time to add to their family, they knew they wanted to adopt from a Christian-based organization and soon found All God’s Children International.

Just like the nine-month wait in the womb, the Rains found out nine months later they were getting a beautiful little girl.

“It only took nine months

For information or to buy a T-shirt, email arrain@gmail.com.

Alayah said she loves her home in Morris, where she has made friends and has a big sister to look up to.

Tina said Alayah always has been an affectionate child, who repeatedly says she loves her life.

Alexa had wanted to be an only child until Alayah was brought home when Alexa was 12.

“I loved that they got her,” Alexa said. “For the longest time I wanted to be an only child, but when they brought up adoption I thought it would be cool to have a baby sister.”

The family said there was an adjustment period, but as long as it wasn’t a little brother, Alexa was happy.

Steve and Tina said they Heidi Litchfield – hlitchfield@shawmedia.com like that the orphanage has Steve (from left), Alexa, Alayah and Tina Rain pose in their Morris home in the T-shirts Alexa created to raise a ratio of five or six children money for the Hannah’s Hope orphanage in Africa from which the family adopted Alayah. to every “special mother” She recalls waiting at a whose job it is to get the chilto get her, it moved very were coming home with their second child. window for her mom and dad dren prepared for adoption. quickly,” Steve said.

Alayah, now 8, always has to come back from a shopAlexa hopes the money she At the time, families only had to take one trip overseas known she was adopted. She ping trip they made while at raises can be used to buy supto meet and pick up a child, has vague memories of the the orphanage, and running plies for the children who are so, as they boarded the plane orphanage she called home in to her mom when they came still in the orphanage waiting back. for adoption. to Africa, they knew they Africa.

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Morris Daily Herald / morrisdailyherald.com • Thursday, February 5, 2015

4

LOCAL NEWS

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Local officials look forward to specifics of Rauner plans

By VIKAAS SHANKER vshanker@shawmedia.com MORRIS – State, county and local officials said the plan Gov. Bruce Rauner outlined in his State of the State address Wednesday is bold and comprehensive.

But many are waiting to see more details emerge for how his plan will be funded and how it will affect Grundy County.

In a plan he calls “The Illinois Turnaround,” Rauner in his address focused on economic growth, reforming government and increasing state support for education.

“Rauner clearly outlined it’s a new beginning for a state and local partnership,” said state Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris.

“I thought his speech was bold and comprehensive, but necessary. He laid out many issues of what other states are doing better, and what we can do to be more competitive.”

State Rep. John Anthony, R-Plainfield, said in a news release that Rauner’s address was a message of competitiveness and compassion.

“I’m encouraged by the governor’s emphasis on education, specifically his com-

Sue Rezin

John Anthony

mitment to increase funding for early childhood and K-12 education, as well as re-investing in technical and vocational training and strengthening our community colleges,” Anthony said in the release.

Specifically, Rauner announced plans to raise the minimum wage to $10 per hour in seven years, a 25 cent increase each year, among other pledges.

He also added workers’ compensation reform as a priority to help Illinois compete economically with neighboring states that have lower unemployment insurance and liability costs.

“Working together, we can create a common sense system that protects and fairly compensates those who are injured on the job, while also assuring that both public and private employers are not overbur-

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Nancy Ammer, CEO of the Grundy Economic Development Council, said workers’ compensation was an issue with the county as well as the state.

“If a business has a lot of employees, that expense is a real disadvantage,” she said, noting that insurance and liability costs also were an issue.

Ammer said the minimum wage increase isn’t too much of an issue in Grundy, but she hopes it’s a statewide policy so municipalities can work together instead of against each other.

“At the end of the day, you look at how competitive you are compared to other states,” she said.

Rauner said Illinois isn’t very competitive.

“The worst performing of our neighboring states has had six and a half times the job growth per 1,000 people as Illinois has had,” he said.

Education also was a major focus of Rauner’s plan.

“Too many students are trapped in failing schools or schools that are not a good fit for them,” Rauner said. “We can give them better. We must give them better.”

Rauner announced his plan to lift the cap on public charter schools, ease the burden of testing on students and teachers, and to increase education funding and kindergarten through 12-grade education support, especially in the state’s most disadvantaged school districts.

While Rauner didn’t specify where that funding would

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come from, Morris Community High School Superintendent Pat Halloran said it will be interesting to see how Rauner’s plan works.

He also found Rauner’s focus on eliminating unfunded mandates refreshing.

“We spend a great amount of time and resources preparing for the new state assessment system, PARCC. And there are different curricular mandates for various classes that are a big expense,” Halloran said.

“We should rightfully spend on those, but we’re only allowed to levy a very small portion of taxes for that.”

Grundy County Board Chairman David Welter said unfunded mandates affected the county as well, such as when the previous administration shut down mental health facilities and the county was left with caring for people’s psychiatric needs and paying for prescription drugs.

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One of the Rauner’s suggestions that Ammer said could help Grundy County economically is an emphasis on technical and vocational training.

“We used to emphasize these programs in our high schools and community colleges, but those efforts have faded,” Rauner said.

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To receive daily weather forecast text alerts on your mobile phone, visit MorrisDailyHerald.com.

Seven-Day Forecast for Grundy County TODAY

SAT

FRI

SUN

MON

National Weather

Shown are noon positions of weather systems and precipitation. Temperature bands are highs for the day.

TUE

WED

Seattle 57/52 Billings 50/41 New York 31/10

Minneapolis 20/12

Sunshine and frigid

Rather cloudy and chilly

Turning cloudy and warmer

Snow, up to 1”, ice late

158

32 24

37 33

35 23

Colder with low Chilly with plenty clouds of sunshine

28 14

Dresden Is. L&D through 3 p.m. yesterday Temperatures High/low ....................................... 31°/19° Normal high ......................................... 33° Normal low .......................................... 17° Peak wind ................................ 9 at N mph

2

Noon

Oak Lawn 16/10

Ottawa 15/10

Streator 15/11

0

2 p.m.

4 p.m.

Air Quality

Reading as of Wednesday

79 300

500

0-50 Good; 51-100 Moderate; 101-150 Unhealthy for sensitive groups; 151-200 Unhealthy; 201-300 Very Unhealthy; 301-500 Hazardous Source: Illinois EPA

Weather History Pacific winds usually regulate San Francisco’s climate. On Feb. 4, 1887, however, 4 inches of snow accumulated. Excited residents staged a massive snowball fight.

City Aurora Bloomington Champaign Deerfield Gary Hammond Joliet Kankakee

Friday Hi Lo W 30 21 c 35 30 pc 36 31 pc 30 23 c 32 27 c 39 31 pc 31 20 c 32 27 c

Peotone 14/6

Kankakee 13/6

City Kenosha La Salle Munster Naperville Ottawa Peoria Pontiac Waukegan

Today Hi Lo W 15 9 s 16 11 s 15 7 s 13 7 s 15 10 s 19 13 s 14 10 s 15 8 s

Friday Hi Lo W 31 21 c 33 26 c 31 24 c 31 22 c 33 25 c 37 29 c 34 29 c 30 23 c

Illinois River Stages Fld: flood stage. Prs: stage in feet at 7 a.m Wednesday. Chg: change in previous 24 hours.

Station Fld Prs Chg Station Fld Prs Chg Morris .................. 13 ..... 5.38 .... -0.02 Near La Salle ....... 20 ... 12.02 ... +0.02 Marseilles L&D ... 473 ... 11.71 .... -0.41 Henry ................... 23..... 15.23..... +0.13 Ottawa ............... 463 . 459.87 .... -0.01 Peoria .................. 18..... 12.10..... +0.10 Starved Rock L&D 450 441.92 .... -0.16 Peoria L&D ......... 447... 440.24..... +0.09

Sun and Moon Sunrise Sunset Moonrise Moonset

Today 7:02 a.m.

5:14 p.m.

7:12 p.m.

7:36 a.m.

Friday 7:00 a.m.

5:16 p.m.

8:08 p.m.

8:05 a.m.

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Joliet 15/8

Morris 15/8 Coal City 16/8

Today Hi Lo W 13 6 s 16 11 s 17 10 s 15 9 s 17 9 s 21 14 s 15 8 s 13 6 s

Dr. Sean F. Gibbs, DC • Dr. Christa Velos, DC, DICCP

Please Recycle Your Newspaper

Atlanta 49/27

El Paso 65/38

Regional Weather

2

0-2 Low; 3-5 Moderate; 6-7 High; 8-10 Very High; 11+ Extreme

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Los Angeles 74/54

Chicago 15/8 Hammond 21/14

Oak Park 15/10

Sandwich 14/7 Yorkville 15/7

Washington 37/19

Houston 57/43

Aurora 13/6

The higher the AccuWeather.com UV Index™ number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.

50 100 150 200

Bill Bellis Chief Meteorologist

Chicago 15/8

Detroit 14/8

Kansas City 32/21

Evanston 16/10

De Kalb 11/6

UV Index

0

Denver 62/41

32 15

28 15 Elgin 15/7

Precipitation 24 hours through 3 p.m. yest. ............ trace Month to date ................................... 1.03” Normal month to date ....................... 0.19” Year to date ...................................... 1.68” Normal year to date .......................... 2.00”

10 a.m.

San Francisco 63/57

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Almanac

2

Mostly cloudy with snow

Last

New

First

Full

City Anchorage Atlanta Baltimore Billings Boise Boston Charlotte Chicago Cincinnati Dallas Denver Des Moines Honolulu Houston Indianapolis Kansas City Las Vegas Los Angeles

Today Hi Lo W 17 -2 s 49 27 pc 35 13 sf 50 41 c 54 45 c 33 2 sn 50 18 pc 15 8 s 26 16 s 46 35 pc 62 41 pc 22 14 s 79 67 pc 57 43 sh 21 14 s 32 21 s 71 47 pc 74 54 pc

Miami 77/61

Friday Hi Lo W 16 -5 s 54 33 s 37 24 s 60 42 c 54 45 r 20 15 pc 48 29 s 30 22 c 40 30 pc 65 47 s 66 44 pc 40 25 pc 79 66 sh 64 47 c 37 28 pc 53 32 pc 75 50 pc 73 53 pc

City Louisville Miami Milwaukee Minneapolis Nashville New Orleans New York City Oklahoma City Omaha Orlando Philadelphia Phoenix Pittsburgh St. Louis Salt Lake City San Francisco Seattle Washington, DC

Today Hi Lo W 31 21 s 77 61 t 16 10 s 20 12 s 38 21 s 57 39 pc 31 10 sn 46 31 pc 25 15 s 68 48 r 34 13 sn 81 55 s 15 6 sf 31 24 s 63 42 pc 63 57 r 57 52 r 37 19 sf

Friday Hi Lo W 46 33 pc 73 63 pc 30 23 c 29 20 c 49 33 pc 58 42 s 25 21 pc 68 45 s 42 21 pc 68 46 pc 34 23 pc 81 54 s 28 23 pc 51 36 pc 63 45 pc 64 58 r 56 49 r 42 31 s

Friday Hi Lo W 63 48 r 69 45 s 50 27 pc 31 23 s 85 68 s 84 57 pc 27 17 sn 71 53 pc 76 60 pc 41 32 pc 41 28 c 84 71 c

City Mexico City Moscow Nassau New Delhi Paris Rio de Janeiro Rome Seoul Singapore Sydney Tokyo Toronto

Today Hi Lo W 68 40 pc 20 7 c 82 65 sh 73 46 c 37 27 pc 89 77 t 54 41 r 40 21 s 84 76 t 74 65 pc 42 37 sn 13 1 sf

Friday Hi Lo W 69 36 pc 18 16 c 77 63 s 73 52 c 35 26 s 90 76 t 53 42 r 40 24 s 85 76 t 77 67 pc 48 35 s 24 14 pc

World Weather City Athens Baghdad Beijing Berlin Buenos Aires Cairo Calgary Jerusalem Johannesburg London Madrid Manila

Today Hi Lo W 65 56 s 69 45 s 47 24 s 32 23 sf 85 69 s 75 61 c 19 11 sf 64 51 s 84 57 s 40 31 pc 43 28 pc 85 71 pc

Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow flurries, sn-snow, i-ice.

Feb 11

Feb 18

Feb 25

Mar 5

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2015

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Morris Daily Herald / morrisdailyherald.com • Thursday, February 5, 2015

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DAILY FORECAST

Morris burglary suspects may live in Will County

By CHRISTINA CHAPMAN-VAN YPEREN cchapman@shawmedia.com MORRIS – Police still are searching for four people of interest authorities believe are connected to a number of recent residential burglaries in Morris.

“Through our investigation and subsequent interviews, we believe possibly some or all of these subjects/persons of interest may have some connection with Will County and/or the Joliet area,” Morris Police Chief Brent Dite said Wednesday in an email to the Morris Daily Herald.

“We believe they may have either lived there in the past, or have acquaintances in that area,” he added.

On Tuesday, descriptions of the four suspects, as well as a photo of one of them, were released to the public.

Police have investigated numerous residential burglaries

Photo provided

A photo of one suspect Morris police say is connected with recent burglaries in the area. during the past few months, the most recent over the weekend on the 100 block of Carriage Drive, on the 100 block of Candlelight Lane and on the 500 block of Brentwood Drive.

The first suspect is described as a male, black, short, thin build, short/tight curly hair, 18 to 20 years old, possibly wearing a black jacket with reflective striping on the sleeves. The jack-

et may be Polo brand. A photo of this person was obtained from video surveillance from a local business.

The second suspect is described as male, black, 6 feet tall, thin build, light skin, possibly wearing a dark-colored hoodie and stocking cap with a ball on top.

The third suspect is described as male, black, 5 feet 7 inches tall, possibly seen wearing a Cubs sweatshirt.

The fourth suspect is male, black, 6 feet 2 inches to 6 feet 3 inches tall, thin build, possibly wearing a black hoodie.

Additionally, a possible vehicle involved in the burglaries was identified. It is a 2002 or 2003 maroon Pontiac Grand Prix with a rear spoiler, Dite said Tuesday.

During most of the crimes, the burglaries have occurred in the late afternoon or evening while homeowners were away.

Anthony tapped for ag, education, energy and special needs committees MORRIS DAILY HERALD SPRINGFIELD – State Rep. John Anthony, R-Plainfield, has been assigned to several committees for the 99th General Assembly.

Anthony has been appointed to serve on the following committees: Agriculture & Conservation, Energy, Appropriations – Public Safety, Elementary & Secondary Education: Charter School Policy, Judiciary – Criminal, the Special Committee on Restorative Justice and Special Needs Services, according to a news release from his office.

“My new committee assignments provide me with a stronger voice to be an even more effective advocate on the issues that matter most to local families,” Anthony said in the release. “Our agriculture and energy industries are the heart of our economy and a catalyst for economic activity throughout Illinois. We are going to protect and strengthen ag and energy jobs in our district.”

“I am also very excited to serve on the brand new committee on Special Needs Services,” he said. “I want parents of kids

“My new committee assignments provide me with a stronger voice to be an even more effective advocate on the issues that matter most to local families.”

State Rep. John Anthony R-Plainfield

with special needs to know that their child’s education is just as important to us as that of every other child. Students with special needs must be embraced, not overlooked. Together, we are going to make sure we fulfill our responsibility to them and every student in the state of Il-

linois, including charter school students.”

The 75 th District includes portions of Grundy, Kendall, LaSalle and Will counties.

Anthony can be contacted through his website, www.repanthony.com, or by calling 815416-1475.

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Morris Daily Herald / morrisdailyherald.com • Thursday, February 5, 2015

| LOCAL NEWS

6

The criminals have forced entry, mostly through side and back doors.

Cash, electronics and jewelry are some of the items stolen at the multiple residences.

Police remind people to be vigilant and pay attention to their neighborhoods. Unusual

activity, suspicious vehicles or people should be reported to police.

Morris police advise that anyone with information, or video surveillance from their homes they are willing to share, call Det. Alicia Steffes at 815-9416283.

Nettle Creek School PTO would like to thank the following corporate and family sponsors for their support in making the 3rd Annual Wine & Stein a HUGE success.

• AFT Local 604 • Alama & Michael Stan • Associated Orthodontics • Attorney Mark Rigazio • Aux Sable Liquid Products • Baish Excavating • Brian Zabel & Associates, PC • Butterield Family • Casey’s General Store • Century 21 Coleman-Hornsby • Coldwell Banker Honig Bell – Mike Johnson • Country Financial Terri Gilmoure • D Construction • Downers Grove Sportsman’s Club • Dr. and Mrs. de la Hera • Dr. Peter C. Roumeliotis • Edward Jones – Mike Wright • Ellis Ace Hardware • EZ Auto Sales • Fergy’s Bar and Grill • Fred C. Dames Funeral Home • Grundy County Coroner – John Callahan • Illinois Truck & Equipment Rental • J & M Auto Body • Janet L. Brown, CPA • Jay M. Heap & Associates • Jerry and Becky Kleinmaier • Johnson Pediatrics • Kay Olson County Clerk • Kirwan Mechanical Services

• Mark and Peg Jorstad • Midwest Industrial Sales • Mike Meyer - State Farm Insurance • Morris Dermatology - Carry Ann Jenkins, MD • Morris Shell Fast and Fresh • Newark Truck & Tractor, Inc. • Ortiz Eye Associates • R.L. Lyon, Inc. • Republic Services • Ritchey Orthodontics • Ron & Jeannine Evenson • Southwest Cardiovascular Consultants • Springbrook Marina • Standard Bank & Trust Co. • Stott Contracting • The Evenson Family • The Ferguson/Handel Family • The Miller Family • The Nelson Family • The Pfaff Family • The Robbins Family • The Turf Team • The Voss Family • Tria Architecture, Inc. • Trotter Insurance, Inc. • UC Davis - Callahan Funeral Home • Wilkinson Chiropractic • Zukowski Law Ofices A special thank you to our event sponsor John Sparrow & West Side Liquors.

7

‘Sarah & Katy’ available on Amazon, at local libraries

By JESSICA BOURQUE Shaw Media correspondent

Do it for your special Valentine.

Photo provided

Local author Julie Stroebel Barichello wrote “Sarah & Katy and the Imagination Blankets” to encourage her nieces to use their imaginations. The book is available on Amazon and at local libraries. the right book, for even one kid,” the author said.

“That would pretty much make my life.”

With that in mind, Barichello has worked with local communities to donate copies of her book.

Copies are available at Prairie Creek Library in Dwight, Seneca High School, Streator Public Library and Dwight Grade School, with more on the way.

“Libraries are nonprofits, and they’re only a benefit to the community, so I hate to see them pay for it when I can just give them a copy,” Barichello said.

After almost 10 months of writing, editing, designing, testing and printing the book, Barichello presented her finished copies – accompanied by a pair of blankets – to Sarah and Katy on Christmas morning.

The devoted aunt spent months visualizing her nieces’ faces when they opened the surprise presents. Barichello said that image was sometimes “the only motivation I had to finish.”

“It was just wonderful watching their reactions,” Stroebel remembers of Christmas morning. “The girls loved it.”

Barichello said her nieces began going on unscripted adventures with their imagination blankets. The girls actually wrote a collection of their own stories, and gave copies to their aunt.

“Nothing is for certain, but I’m considering a sequel,” she said.

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• Thursday, February 5, 2015

VERONA – After publishing her first book, local children’s author Julie Stroebel Barichello feared the critical reception from two important readers – her adolescent nieces.

The two girls are not-so-secretly the inspiration behind Barichello’s recently published book, “Sarah & Katy and the Imagination Blankets,” which is available for purchase at Amazon.com and for rent at libraries throughout the area.

Barichello, a Verona native who now lives in Streator, said Julie Stroebel the book centers on sisters Sarah and Katy who embark on sevBarichello eral whimsical adventures after their aunt Julie gifts them each a magical blanket for Christmas.

Of course, the blankets aren’t really magic.

They are powered by pure imagination, capable of transforming the sisters into anything – pirates, magic carpeteers and whatever else they dream up.

The idea for the book germinated during a Nintendo video game battle between Barichello and her nieces. The girls handed their aunt a “sound whomping” despite being decades less practiced.

The experience stuck with Barichello.

“It’s great that they love playing with technology, but when I was a kid, I could be playing Legos and be happy for five hours,” she said. “Part of the magic of childhood is that any object can be anything.”

Barichello set out to write the book specifically for her nieces. The book was intended to be an elaborate, thoughtful Christmas gift that hopefully would inspire the girls to unplug and get back to the basics of childhood.

“I knew that they had this unbridled imagination,” Barichello said. “I wanted to witness that more, and see that come out more.”

After reading early drafts of the book, friends and family, Barichello’s test readers, encouraged Barichello to market the story to more than just close family members.

Barichello’s mom, Donna Stroebel, of Verona, said she encouraged her daughter to be a writer since childhood.

“She’s written stories since she was a child,” Stroebel said. “Her teachers from second grade onward were always telling me what a good writer she was. She was always writing something.”

Barichello said she always has wanted to write fiction, but never dreamed she would write children’s literature. Now, she doesn’t know if she will write anything other than children’s books.

“There’s a quote that is something along the lines of, ‘No child dislikes reading. They just haven’t found the right book.’ And I would love to be

MORRIS DAILY HERALD | Morris Daily Herald / morrisdailyherald.com

Verona native pens first children’s book

Morris Daily Herald / morrisdailyherald.com • Thursday, February 5, 2015

| LOCAL NEWS

8

GOTTA DO IT new equipment. Anyone who would like to bring sausage, MORRIS – Calling all writ- applesauce, paper products or ers! The Morris Area Public other items, call the fire staLibrary is hosting a writers tion at 815-695-5147. group from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of Morris High School Band each month in the multipur- Boosters plan dinner MORRIS – The Morris High pose room.

The group is headed by lo- School Band Boosters Spaghetcal author Donna Shelton and ti Dinner will be from 4 to 7 is open to all writers, begin- p.m., Sunday at the Eagles Hall ners to advanced, published in Morris.

For adults, the dinner is or not published. Shelton has been writing since she was a $8, $5 for children age 12 and young girl and has published younger. Spaghetti, salad, numerous short stories and bread, dessert, lemonade and newspaper articles as well as coffee will be served. Carryouts are available. a few books.

Tickets are available from Shelton offers her best adband students and from Direcvice for aspiring writers.

“Write what you know,” tor Jeff Muraida. For informashe said. “You do not have to tion or tickets, call 815-941-5306, know everything to get start- email jmuraida@morrishs.org ed, and there will always be or visit morrishs.org. something new to learn.”

Gather your rough drafts Seneca grade school sets and head to the Morris Area district screenings Public Library’s Writers SENECA – Preschool and Group. Registration is not re- kindergarten screening for all quired, but for questions, call Seneca Grade School District the Morris library at 815-942- 170 residents who are 3, 4 and 5 6880. years of age, will be Feb. 23 and 24. The screenings will be from Take Off Pounds Sensibly 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. All children who will attend kindergarten group to host meetings CHANNAHON – Take Off or preschool during the 2015-16 Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) meets school year must participate Wednesday mornings at the in the screening.

To be eligible for kindergarChannahon United Methodist Church, 24751 W. Eames St., ten, a child must be 5 years old on or before Sept.1. To be eligiChannahon.

Weigh-in is at 8:45 a.m. For ble for preschool, a child must information, call Theresa Pan- be 3 years old on or before Sept. 1. Should space be an iszier at 815-351-5417. sue, preference will be given to those children who are older.

Community blood drive A birth certificate from planned for Feb. 28 MINOOKA – A blood drive the courthouse, not a hospital by the Knights of Columbus certificate, will be required at “Our Lady of Knock Council the time of screening/registra#12882” St. Mary’s of Minooka tion.

Parents also will need to will be from 7:30 a.m. to noon Feb. 28 at the Minooka Village attend the new student regisHall Community Center Room. tration on July 31. Returning Appointments now are be- student registration will be ing accepted. To make an ap- Aug. 3.

To schedule your child’s appointment, call or text Sean at 815-693-7449 or visit Heart- pointment or for any questions land’s Blood Center’s website, concerning the screening, call heartlandbc.org. Walk-ins also Rhonda at 815-357-8744, option 2. are welcome.

Writers group to meet at Morris library

follow at 7:30 a.m. The cost of the event is $10 and reservations are due by noon Feb. 24.

There will be a table available for flyers, brochures, business cards, etc., so bring items you would like to share with everyone.

Everyone who is involved in agriculture personally or professionally is invited to the breakfast.

Send reservations and checks to Grundy County SWCD, 3605 N Route 47, Suite B, Morris, IL 60450.

For information, call 815942-0359, ext. 3.

MORRIS – The Grundy County Soil & Water Conservation District will host an Agriculture Breakfast on Feb. 25 at R-Place Restaurant Meeting Room in Morris.

Buffet breakfast begins at 7 a.m. with a small program to

UTICA – The Bald Eagle Trolley Tours are offered at 11 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays; 9:30 a.m. Saturdays and 10:30 a.m. Sundays.

The tour leaves from Starved Rock Lodge in Utica.

Ride a Starved Rock trolley to the Illinois Waterway Visitors Center for eagle viewing and an educational presentation.

Includes lunch during the week and brunch on Sunday.

Dress warmly and bring binoculars.

Reservations are required.

To book, call 815-220-7386.

Valentine’s Day dance scheduled MINOOKA – American Legion Post 1188 in Minooka will host a Valentine’s Day dance with music, cash bar, hors d’oeuvres, raffles and auctions from 7 p.m. to midnight on Feb. 14 at Chapin’s East in Minooka.

Tickets are $15 a person and can be purchased by calling Post Commander Dave Corbin at 815-693-9162.

– Morris Daily Herald

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4April 8th and 9th 4June 3

Newark pancake, sausage Ag Breakfast to take place Feb. 25 in Morris supper set for Tuesday NEWARK – The Newark Fire Department will host its 56th annual pancake and sausage supper next week.

Serving will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Newark Fire Department.

Proceeds will be used for

Starved Rock hikes, tours offered

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• RAUNER Consolidating governments Rauner also proposed reducing the number of local governments in Illinois. In turn, the governor suggested the tax dollars spent on services could be rolled together through consolidation.

“Empowerment means giving taxpayers the ability to consolidate local governments to control costs. ... The taxpayers of Illinois can no longer afford all of them,” he said.

In Morris, the topic of consolidating some or all of the

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• Thursday, February 5, 2015

iff’s deputies Saturday on a charge of driving under the influence. He Continued from page 2 also was cited for improper lane usage, failure to reduce speed to Grundy County • Alyssa R. Moore, 21, was arrest- avoid an accident and operating an ed by Grundy County sheriff’s dep- uninsured vehicle. He was given a uties and booked into the Grundy Feb. 23 court date.

• David B. Funte, 22, of Ottawa, County Jail Friday on a charge of was arrested by Grundy County unlawful use of a credit card. sheriff’s deputies and booked into • Kevin M. Gallagher, 42, of the Grundy County Jail Wednesday Morris, was arrested by Grundy County sheriff’s deputies Saturday on a failure-to-appear warrant for burglary. on a charge of driving under the influence. He also was cited for improper lane usage. He was given Minooka • Hussein H. Sheikh, 46, was a Feb. 23 court date. arrested by Minooka police and • Teneso G. Rodriguez, 54, of booked into the Grundy County Bolingbrook, was arrested by Jail Wednesday on a charge of Grundy County sheriff’s deputies domestic batery.

Saturday on a charge of driving under the influence. He also was cited for not having a valid driver’s Dwight license and operating an uninsured • Gerald D. Sadnick, 57, was vehicle. He was given a March 2 arrested by Dwight police and court date. booked into the Grundy County Jail • Javier Garcia, 32, of Morris, was Friday on a charge of battery. He arrested by Grundy County sherwas given a Feb. 23 court date.

• POLICE

LOCAL NEWS | Morris Daily Herald / morrisdailyherald.com

Continued from page 4

four public school districts serving the city has been an issue for decades, Morris Elementary School District 54 Superintendent Teri Shaw said.

“We’ve discussed the feasibility of consolidating,” Shaw said. “But there is no more momentum now than 50 years ago.”

Halloran said with Rauner’s focus on the issue, he expects it to be a topic on local people’s radar.

Welter said on a municipal level, consolidating is definitely an option to consider.

“We need to take a good hard look and see where we need to consolidate,” Welter said, adding that the state could consider condensing townships.

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HOROSCOPE TODAY – This is the year to explore and expand your dreams, hopes and wishes. Interacting with people who share your interests will give you a large pool of potential partners. The time for contemplation and procrastination has passed. It’s time to move onward and upward.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) – Positive action will be your best bet. Your ingenuity and charisma will attract interesting and influential partners. A love relationship will take a favorable turn, leading to greater stability.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) – Work on developing your ideas until you are ready to present and market what you have to offer. Sharing your ideas prematurely will result in lack of interest.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) – Making personal changes to your appearance or attitude will go a long way. If you ask for what you need, you will get the response necessary to move forward.

Progressive action will result in a host of positive alternatives.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) – Slowly but surely, you will pick up momentum.

You may feel energetic, but in the end, you will make mistakes and miss your mark if you overload your plate.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) – Apologize if you want to keep the peace at home.

There are always two sides to every situation. Respect the fact that everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) – Stick to what you are good at doing. Starting a new venture when you still have one in the works will distract you from your ultimate goal. Use your energy wisely.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) – Focus on love and togetherness. Do whatever is necessary to provide a dramatic and dynamic day for someone special.

Make the time you spend together memorable.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) – Check the information you receive before you make a decision. Changing course without having all the details will result in confusion. Don’t make a choice based on someone else’s recommendation.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) – Rely on your resources. Someone who reneges on a commitment will disappoint you.

A personal relationship will take a meaningful turn. Make your move and make it count.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) – Plenty of opportunities are on the horizon. If you reduce your expenditures, you may be able to get in on a lucrative venture. A long-term investment will pay off.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) – You will be faced with numerous decisions.

Put off making a commitment until you have explored all your options. Hasty actions will be your downfall.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) – Someone you know well will offer the tips you need to make a sound financial decision. Share your concepts and use the voice of experience to help you chart your course.

Neighbors runs every Thursday and Saturday, and features community news, including events.

Submissions can be emailed to news@morrisdailyherald.com. High-resolution photos should be sent as attachments to an email.

Seneca high school names students of month youth group at the First Christian Church in Morris.

MORRIS DAILY HERALD The following students were selected by the Seneca Township High School teachers and staff as the December 2014 Students of the Month:

Ryan Fitzgerald Fitzgerald is the son of Joanne Fitzgerald of Seneca. He is a sophomore and plans to attend college after graduation.

He is a member of Scholastic Bowl, band, and chorus. Fitzgerald also is an athlete who competes on the track team.

Brandon Chopp Chopp is the son of Michael Moore and Mary Chopp of Gardner. He is a senior and plans to attend Illinois Wesleyan University to pursue a degree in history. Chopp is a member of WYSE, the Math Team, and he also writes for the Ottawa Times newspaper.

Photo provided

The December 2014 Seneca Township High School students of the Evelyn Odum Odum is the daughter of month are (from left) Eve Odum, Kassidy Maierhofer, Sage Freise, and Alby and Kelly Odum of SenBrandon Chopp. Not pictured: Ryan Fitzgerald.

Society, 4-H, and HOBY- Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Organization. Maierhofer also is Kassidy Maierhofer Maierhofer is the daughter an athlete who competes on of Les and Nadine Maierhofer the cross country and track of Seneca. She is a senior and teams. plans to attend Murray State University next fall to major in Sage Friese agriculture education. She is a Friese is the son of Samumember of the FFA, T.R.U.S.T. el Cato, Stephanie Cato, Jay club, WYSE, National Honor Friese, and Jen Pesch of Mar-

seilles. He is a senior and plans to attend Ozark Christian College to pursue a career as a youth minister and wrestling coach. He is a member of the National Honor Society, and competes on the wrestling team. Outside of school, Friese is an IKWF wrestling coach for grade and middle school students, and is a member of the

eca. She is a freshman and plans to attend college to pursue a career in either book editing or neuropsychology. She is a member of the Math Team, HOSA, T.R.U.S.T., band, and FCCLA. Odum also is an athlete who competes on the cross country, track, and basketball teams. Outside of school, she enjoys playing the oboe, piano, and ukulele.

COLLEGE BRIEFS Two Morris students make SIU Dean’s List CARBONDALE – Two Morris students have made the Dean’s List for the fall semester at Southern Illinois University.

Brooke Smith and Tyler Thuente, both of Morris, made the Dean’s List.

To make the Dean’s List, students had to be full-time students and achieve a 3.5 grade point average or higher.

Local students make Bradley Dean’s List PEORIA – The following area students have received recognition on the Dean’s List for the fall semester at Bradley University in Peoria.

Coal City – Kylie D. Lauterbach Morris – Sydney L. Corrigan, Lauren E Galloway, Alexander R .Giordano and Shiva A. Lennon-Rios.

To be eligible for the Dean’s List, a student must achieve a minimum 3.5 grade point average for the semester on a 4.0 scale.

Morris student makes honors list at Concordia CONCORDIA, Wis. – Alexandra Menozi, Jr. of Morris has made the Concordia University Wisconsin Fall Honors List for the 2014-2015 academic year.

To be eligible for the honor, students must achieve a minimum 3.50 GPA.

MYTH: If I accept a referral to hospice it means that I have given up.

TRUTH: Accepting a referral to hospice simply means you have chosen to focus on the quality of life for however much time as you have left. The goal of hospice is to reduce physical pain, create emotional well being and enhance spiritual peace.

Morris student makes Elmhurst Dean’s List

When Service, Comfort and Quality Matter Most Choose Joliet Area Community Hospice Where Patients Come First

ELMHURST – Gregory Struck of Morris has made the Dean’s List for the fall term at Elmhurst College.

Students who have attained a grade point average of 3.75 or higher are placed on the Dean’s List.

– Morris Daily Herald

815-740-4104 www.joliethospice.org adno=0305830

11 Morris Daily Herald / morrisdailyherald.com • Thursday, February 5, 2015

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Morris Daily Herald / morrisdailyherald.com • Thursday, February 5, 2015

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OPINION OUR VIEW

New plan evident in Rauner’s speech New Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s first State of the State address was a different take on the real state of things in the Land of Lincoln.

For the first time in years, our governor acknowledged things have not been going so great. He admitted that neighboring states have been “kicking our tails” when it comes to providing a welcoming environment for businesses and families.

Rather than talking about tax increases and new ways to spend money, Rauner’s focus was on how the state could be efficient with the $35 billion it already spends, and how it can create an employment-friendly environment that naturally will grow revenues without asking more of taxpayers.

Rauner’s speech outlined ideas, many of which Republicans have floated before but without any hope of having them go anywhere.

There were the savings that could be realized through reforming Illinois’ justice and correctional systems, changing the way governments seek bids for construction and set the “prevailing wage” laws.

Rauner talked about the burden that worker’s compensation costs place on employers, and the need to undertake real reform to keep businesses in Illinois and attract new ones.

Taxpayer empowerment, or the idea that local property taxpayers be allowed to take control of their local governments and how they pay their employees, was a welcome proposal, as was talk of eliminating some of the almost 7,000 units of local government that Illinoisans must pay to support.

Maybe if Illinois’ taxpayers were more empowered, we wouldn’t be in this situation.

Rauner said local voters should have a choice whether they want to be a “worker empowerment zone,” where people can decide whether they want to join a labor union or not.

He also said the state’s tax code was too narrow – not enough people are paying the taxes, presumably alluding to his plan to tax consumer services that we expect to hear about when he gives his budget address Feb. 18.

That address and the budget plan that follows it will be critical, as the public and legislators deserve some specifics on how Rauner will put his plans into action and how he will follow through on a pledge to increase state spending for elementary education.

There wasn’t a lot of clapping from the Democrats, whose party members have more than a two-thirds majority in both the state House and Senate. But then, why would we expect cheers from the party whose leaders have led the state into the morass in which it is mired?

Democrats in the Legislature don’t need to become cheerleaders for Rauner. But they should allow his ideas to move through the Legislature, and vote on them.

Perhaps it’s misguided optimism, but we think Democratic leaders in the Legislature grasp that voters want a new approach to the fiscal catastrophe Illinois has become on their watch.

We hope so, and hope to see some legislative debate and votes on some of these proposals in the months ahead.

THE FIRST AMENDMENT

Use your freedom of choice In recent months, I’ve interviewed a flower shop owner in Washington state and a baker in Colorado who have found themselves in legal fights involving same-sex weddings.

In just the matter of a few years, we’ve gone from “live and let live” rhetoric to a mandated acceptance under threat of ultimatum. This isn’t freedom. And it’s an injustice to people who are truly deprived of human rights in North Korea or the Middle East when we use those words to refer to such trivial matters.

I mention human rights specifically because of the most recent example of this pernicious abuse of those words in Washington, D.C. The new mayor of our nation’s capital has just signed into law a “Human Rights Amendment Act,” along with a “Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Act.” Both are attacks on religious freedom.

As Patrick Reilly, president of the Cardinal Newman Society puts it: “It’s ludicrous to call this ‘human rights,’ when the primary effect of both laws is to deny the fundamental right of conscience according to one’s religious beliefs. These laws would punish D.C. citizens for living and teaching their own faith, in schools and programs that are clearly religious in purpose and inspiration.”

The anticipation is that the reproductive health bill would

VIEWS Kathryn Jean Lopez force coverage for abortion in employee health plans. The “human rights” component involves stripping a 25-year peace treaty of sorts, which protects the conscience rights of religious schools; with the new law, schools would be mandated to sponsor gay and lesbian clubs, allow “Gay Pride” days and the like. It’s an example of government mandating a new normal at the expense of religious freedom.

We could talk about the controversy surrounding a conference for Catholic professionals, Legatus. For the second year in a row, it made news because of bullying campaigns accusing the group of being on the wrong side of human rights. While speakers dropped out, the group itself wouldn’t surrender to the pressure to silence one speaker in particular, Paul Darrow, who I met this summer at the premiere of a documentary he co-stars in, “Desire of the Everlasting Hills.”

A former model, Darrow was living as a gay man, but has stopped engaging in homosexual activity. You could say he has chosen an alternative lifestyle. But his testimony is not about “gay vs. straight,” and certainly not “conversion therapy,” as it has been

mischaracterized, or even sex or politics. It’s about choice, family and love. His story isn’t a “happily ever after” in the way our fairy tales end. It’s a love story of a much more everlasting sort, one in which he encounters the love of a creator.

Congress can fix this latest D.C. situation. But the current political environment doesn’t require just legislative diligence but a cultural meditation of the kind that Darrow testifies to with his personal witness. What is freedom? What is our commitment to it? What trumps it? That’s the debate we’re not having as words are manipulated, sometimes even with the best of intentions.

There should be some meeting ground, whatever one’s positions or beliefs about “love and marriage” – the bullying, the silencing and the assaults on conscience should not be tolerated. They are not who we are. Or are they?

Those are decisions we can make when we decide how to respond to a law, or speaker, or florist or cake controversy – with each one of these, increasingly, we determine whether we will remain a beacon of freedom and human rights.

• Kathryn Jean Lopez is senior fellow at the National Review Institute, editor-at-large of National Review Online and founding director of Catholic Voices USA. She can be contacted at klopez@ nationalreview.com.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

SPORTS

13 Morris Daily Herald / morrisdailyherald.com • Thursday, February 5, 2015

GO

WEST, YOUNG

MAN Minooka’s Nate Gunn signs to play football for South Dakota / 14

Minooka running back Nathan Gunn signed to play football with University of South Dakota on Wednesday.

Photo provided

Morris Daily Herald / morrisdailyherald.com • Thursday, February 5, 2015

| SPORTS

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“

I just want to go and get my education, and then shine on the football field. ... If I grind on the field and grind in the classroom, after four years, it should all work out for me and I should have my degree.

Nate Gunn Minooka running back who has signed to play football at University of South Dakota

Minooka’s Gunn signs with South Dakota

By RYAN WOODEN Shaw Media correspondent MINOOKA – With 11 hours of coverage dedicated to National Signing Day on ESPNU and four major Internet services charging in excess of $7.95 a month for recruiting information, it’s easy to get lost in the spectacle of college football recruiting.

It’s a big business now, so we lose sight of the intended purpose. Football is supposed to be used as a conduit to further the education of young men across the country, and in the case of guys like Minooka’s Nate Gunn, it has provided exactly that.

Gunn was an all-conference-caliber running back at Minooka High School. A big, bruising back, in the past two seasons, he’s run for 2,021 yards and 26 touchdowns.

His performance caught the attention of the University of South Dakota, and on Wednesday afternoon, Gunn signed his letter of intent to play for head coach Joe Glenn and the Coyotes. He verbally had committed two weeks prior.

“I really liked the coaching staff,” Gunn said a couple days after he committed. “I also liked the campus and the dorms and everything. I felt like a lot of other schools I visited gave off that high school vibe, but at South Dakota, I’ll be playing in a dome and in a great weight room.”

Gunn’s senior season at Minooka was a personal success.

In the season opener, he scored all four of the Indians’ touchdowns in a 28-21 defeat of Morris and he had three 200-yard rushing performances during conference play.

However, Minooka failed to make the playoffs, finishing the season at 4-5. It was the third time in his varsity career his team hadn’t qualified for the postseason, and the bad taste left in Gunn’s mouth now drives the young back to help build a winner in Vermillion.

Lathan Goumas file photo – lgoumas@shawmedia.com

Minooka’s Nate Gunn runs the ball during the fourth quarter of the Sept. 12 game at Romeoville High School. Gunn officially has signed his letter of intent to play football for the University of South Dakota.

“I only had one winning season when I was at Minooka and that was my freshman year, so I’ve never gotten to play in a playoff game,” Gunn said. “So that gives me more fire to go out there and help [South Dakota] make it back to the playoffs.”

Though he hasn’t made a playoff appearance in his three seasons at South Dakota, Glenn has had success at the FCS level before (then Division I-AA), piloting the 2001 Montana Grizzlies to a national championship. He also won a pair of Division-II titles at Northern Colorado.

Now, after a failed stint at the FBS level in Wyoming, Glenn hopes to make South Dakota a contender in the preeminent FCS league, the Missouri Valley Conference. Defensive line coach Marquice Williams

has been a member of Glenn’s staff for three years, and he served as Gunn’s primary recruiter.

Shortly after Gunn made it official by faxing his National Letter of Intent to the coaching staff and the NCAA, Williams spoke glowingly about the Minooka running back.

“Obviously, he showed a lot on his film from his junior year,” Williams said of Gunn’s 860-yard, 14-touchdown 2013 campaign. “He’s a big, athletic kid that can run, and that’s one of our top priorities.

“We got an opportunity to watch him in practice and watch him move around, and it became obvious that he was the real deal.”

In a league that saw five of its member institutions qualify for the FCS Playoffs, including

North Dakota State and Illinois State, who met in the national championship game, physicality is at a premium. Both the Bison and the Redbirds earned their way to the title game by controlling the line of scrimmage and running the ball effectively. South Dakota hopes to mimic that approach with a big back like Gunn.

“The Missouri Valley football conference is a physical league,” Williams said. “His size was a big difference-maker for us. Seeing what we go against in our conference, you can size him up and compare him to the guys we compete against – guys like David Johnson at Northern Iowa.”

That’s particularly high praise when you consider that Johnson ran for 1,553 yards and 17 touchdowns on a team that

went 9-5 before losing to Illinois State in the second round of the playoffs. However, while getting the chance to be a Johnson-like back for South Dakota sounds great, it’s education that’s first and foremost for Gunn.

“Me not having to pay a penny to go to college is a big deal for my family,” Gunn said. “So, I just want to go and get my education, and then shine on the football field. They told me they don’t want me to redshirt my freshman year, so I’m hoping to compete at the running back position next year.

“If I grind on the field and grind in the classroom, after four years, it should all work out for me and I should have my degree.”

Gunn plans on majoring in business.

AREA ROUNDUP

BOYS SWIMMING Kankakee 103, Morris 82: The 400-meter freestyle relay team of Jordan Ramirez, Jackson Riley, Dan Anfield and Sean Smith won for Morris with a time of 3:59.66, while Smith claimed victories in the 200 freestyle (2:04.97) and the 100 freestyle (56.01). Ramirez took first in the 100 butterfly (58.93) and second in the 50 freestyle (24.61). Riley won the 100 backstroke (1:04.09) and was second in the 200 individual medley (2:24.69). Bailey Rath won the diving with a score of 148.10, while teammate Kevin Sheridan (143.45) took second. Anfield finished second in the 500 freestyle (6:22.06), while the 200 medley relay team of Luas Riley, Anfield, Sheridan and Marcus Schluntz was second in 2:06.84 and the 200 freestyle relay of Ramirez, Jackson Riley, Anfield and Smith was second in 1:43.21.

Shaw Media file photo

Julie Jurasits (center), shown in a game against DeKalb earlier this season, led Morris with 14 points Tuesday in a 54-21 win over Serena.

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Minooka 8th Boys 43, Ottawa Shepherd 40: Minooka was led by 17 points from Jaedon Johnson, while Adrian Gutierrez had a team-high 11 rebounds. Minooka advances to the Ottawa Shepherd Regional GIRLS BOWLING title game, taking on ChannaMorris 3,218, Yorkville 3,047: hon, today at 5.

Seniors Taylor Warwick (581 series) and Jessica Winter (551) led the Redskins (9-2, 8-0) GRADE SCHOOL to the Northern Illinois Big VOLLEYBALL Channahon 8th Girls 25-25, Mi12 victory. The junior varsity tearm picked up a 2,227-2,194 nooka 19-23: Bella Alessio led win, led by Hayleigh Knott Minooka (6-1) with 11 kills and with a 560 series. Morris takes two aces. Cierra Bachmann part in the NIB 12 Tournament had nine service points in today in DeKalb.

Game 2.

Channahon 7th Girls 25-25, Minooka 22-20: Taryn Sandwi had BOYS BASKETBALL Coal City 57, Beecher 45: The eight points in Game 2 for MiCoalers (6-15) were led by Segal nooka (6-1).

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MORRIS – Defense was the name of the game Tuesday night as the Morris girls basketball team defeated nonconference rival Serena, 5421. The Redskins (17-7) shut out the Huskers, 14-0, in the first quarter and took a 30-9 lead into halftime. Morris increased the lead to 53-12 by the end of the third.

Julie Jurasits led Morris offensively with 14 points, while Meghan Smith scored 11 and Leona Burton added eight.

Smith had a team-best six rebounds, with Jurasits adding five. Six different Morris players made a 3-pointer, as Rylee Harr, Jessica Jurak, Jessica Ponce, Alissa Bojovoc, Mya Shannon and Jurasits all connected from long range.

The Morris sophomore team scored a 40-38 victory. Meghan Jurak led the Redskins with 12 points, while Meghan Smith scored nine and Camryn Lewis added six.

Coal City 50, Clifton Central 20: Coal City (18-6) led 13-7 at the end of the first quarter and 3317 at halftime before holding Clifton Central to only three points in the second half. Nicole Borgetti led the way with 13 points and five rebounds, while Mackenzie Bugg had 10 points.

Minooka 50, Oswego East 35: Minooka (19-5, 10-2) used a balanced scoring attack Tuesday to secure the Southwest Prairie Conference victory. Sydney Arlis led the Indians, who increased a 24-21 halftime lead to 39-26 at the end of the third quarter, with 14 points, while Emily Knaub and Brooklyn Bachmann each scored 13.

Arias, who scored 14 points, in the nonconference win. Nick Micetich, Kursit Smith and Isaiah Washington all scored nine points for Coal City.

Families of Faith Christian Academy 57, Homeschool Resource Center 28: Amari Morgan led Families of Faith with 19 points and 14 rebounds, while Cody Blan scored 15 points. Thomas Larson also collected nine boards.

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SPORTS | Morris Daily Herald / morrisdailyherald.com

Morris girls’ defense shuts down Serena in victory

15

BEARS

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Bears free-agent options: Wide receivers, tight ends

Morris Daily Herald / morrisdailyherald.com • Thursday, February 5, 2015

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By KEVIN FISHBAIN kfishbain@chicagofootball.com With a new general manager and coach, and plenty of questions about which players are returning, the Bears are a difficult organization to gauge when it comes to adding free agents, and how much the team will be willing to spend.

We know GM Ryan Pace believes in building through the draft, but you can count on some free-agent additions when it all begins on March 10.

We’ll go position-by-position breaking down where the Bears stand, who their options are and who they could target next month. Today, we analyze the wide receiver and tight end positions.

Current Bears situation: Alshon Jeffery is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and despite some struggles in 2014, the Bears should want to keep him moving forward, even if it’s under the franchise tag in 2016.

Marquess Wilson is back, and we’ll see if the new offensive staff is as enamored with his potential as the last one.

Brandon Marshall could be a question mark. He is under contract, and according to a Chicago Tribune report, his base salary of $7.5 million for 2015 guarantees on March 12, so that will be decision day – assuming there’s a decision to be made. He battled injuries and had his least productive season since 2006, and made more headlines off the field than the organization probably would prefer. Even if he’s back, depth is needed at this position.

At tight end, the Bears are in great shape with Martellus Bennett, who is coming off a Pro Bowl season. As for his backup, that is an offseason question for the third year in a row.

Dream on: The only reason the Bears would be looking to splurge at receiver is if they part ways with Marshall, but even then, the cream of this year’s WR crop, Dez Bryant, certainly will be out of their price range. Coming off a 16-touchdown season, Bryant

H. Rick Bamman - hbamman@chicagofootball.com

Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Pace meets with the media Jan. 19 at Halas Hall after the introductory news conference for head coach John Fox. should break the bank. The other star is a curious one for the Bears, and that’s Demaryius Thomas, who played for coach John Fox and offensive coordinator Adam Gase, but is likely to stay in Denver.

Green Bay is expected to keep Randall Cobb, but boy would he fit well inside a Bears offense with two big wideouts on the outside.

Thomas’ Denver teammate, Julius Thomas, is the top tight end on the market, another player who won’t be on the Bears’ radar.

Chicago connections: A l though Demaryius and Julius are not realistic for the Bears, another free agent from Denver could fit what they need at wideout: Wes Welker. The Bears don’t have a true slot receiver, but Welker turns 34 in May and with a lengthy concussion history, he should be thinking of retirement.

Eddie Royal has been pro-

ductive in his career, and he played for Fox in 2011 and Gase in 2009 to 2011, two of those years with Gase being his position coach. The 5-foot10 wideout had 627 receiving yards in 2010 and 778 last season for the Chargers.

Michael Crabtree’s Achilles injury from 2013 will caution teams. He did have 68 catches last season and 1,105 receiving yards in ‘12. Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has watched Crabtree in practice the past few seasons, and will know if the former Texas Tech star is worth a look.

Former Saints wideout Robert Meachem’s career has trailed off the past three seasons after catching at least 40 passes and five touchdowns each year from 2009 to 2011.

Pace knows Meachem from New Orleans, and if he still has that speed, Meachem might be on the Bears’ radar, but he was extremely ineffec-

tive last season with seven catches.

Speaking of former Saints, Lance Moore reportedly wants out of his contract with the Steelers. He’ll be 32 in August and had only 14 catches last season, but Pace would be the GM to give Moore a chance to make a team.

It is a new staff, but the Bears retained receivers coach Mike Groh, and Josh Morgan would be available for cheap. Morgan is a good run blocker and knows the receiver group and Jay Cutler, but he caught only seven of the 16 passes Cutler threw his way.

At tight end, Jacob Tamme is available after three years playing for Fox and Gase in Denver, and would complement Bennett well while providing a better receiving option at the No. 2 tight end spot. The Bears also should consider bringing back Zach Miller, who showed flashes in

the preseason before suffering a season-ending foot injury. Dante Rosario has been Bennett’s backup for two years and is a fine option, if he fits with the new offense.

Other options: This is a deep class at receiver, which also includes Torrey Smith and Jeremy Maclin, two players who should get lucrative deals. The Bears need speed, and preferably someone who can play inside. Denarius Moore showed off the wheels early in his career with the Raiders, but was hobbled by injuries last season. Vincent Brown also is someone who showed promise out of the slot with the Chargers, but has a lengthy injury history.

At tight end, other big names include Jermaine Gresham, Jordan Cameron and Charles Clay, No. 1’s the Bears don’t need. With as often as Bennett is on the field, look for the Bears to go cheap here, and/or look to the draft.

PUZZLES SUDOKU

BRIDGE by Phillip Alder

What is the danger to your contract?

CELEBRITY CIPHER

Ian Fleming, of James Bond fame, said, “A horse is dangerous at both ends and uncomfortable in the middle.”

That is similar to an airplane flight.

The takeoff is the most dangerous part, the landing the second most dangerous, and the middle bit sometimes uncomfortable when the turbulence is severe.

In today’s deal, how can South avoid a turbulent post-mortem with his partner? South is in six hearts, and West leads the spade king.

West used a Michaels Cue-Bid, which showed at least 5-5 in spades and either minor. North’s threespade jump was a splinter bid. He announced four-card or longer heart support, game-forcing values or more, and a singleton or void in spades.

After East sacrificed in four spades, South made a forcing pass. (When your side is known to have the highcard values for game, you either buy the contract or the opponents play in something doubled for penalty.) Here, North had excellent slam potential, so he control-bid (cue-bid) in diamonds, and South took a shot at six hearts.

Declarer seems to have 13 easy tricks: one spade, five hearts, five diamonds and two spade ruffs in the dummy. But if he takes the first trick, ruffs a spade, and plays a heart to his hand, he goes down with this layout.

Instead, after trumping the spade, South should cash dummy’s heart ace. When the 4-0 break is revealed, declarer continues with dummy’s heart 10. After East covers with his jack, South wins with his king, plays a diamond to the dummy, leads a heart to his eight, cashes his heart queen and claims. **

Morris Daily Herald / morrisdailyherald.com • Thursday, February 5, 2015

CROSSWORD

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Morris Daily Herald / morrisdailyherald.com • Thursday, February 5, 2015

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COMICS Arlo & Janis

Garfield

Big Nate

Frank & Earnest

Crankshaft

Soup to Nutz

Stone Soup

The Born Loser

Dilbert

Rose Is Rose

19 TELEVISION & ADVICE | Morris Daily Herald / morrisdailyherald.com • Thursday, February 5, 2015

Treat minor skin wounds promptly to prevent cellulitis Dear Doctor K: My son developed a large, red, swollen area on his arm. The doctor called it cellulitis. My son is better now, but I’d like to learn more about cellulitis and what can be done to prevent it.

Dear Reader: Cellulitis is a serious bacterial infection of the skin. Bacteria live on the surface of our skin, but the skin is built to keep the bacteria from getting inside us.

If they get beneath the surface of the skin, and then into the tissues below the skin, they can make trouble.

When our skin gets injured, bacteria can break through the skin’s protective outer layer. This typically happens at the site of an injury, such as a cut, puncture, sore, burn or

ASK DOCTOR K Anthony L. Komaroff bite. It’s even more likely if we have had recent surgery that cut through the skin, or have a catheter carrying medicines into a vein. Other things that make a person vulnerable to cellulitis are edema (swelling), poor blood flow, or a skin rash that creates breaks in the skin.

Once beneath the skin’s surface, bacteria multiply. They make chemicals that cause inflammation. Cellulitis is the most common type of bacterial infection.

With cellulitis, the affected skin feels warm and is usually

red, swollen and painful. There may be a spreading network of red streaks in the skin. (I’ve put a photo of an arm affected by cellulitis on my website, AskDoctorK.com.) Fever and a general feeling of illness often accompany cellulitis.

Many types of bacteria can cause cellulitis. However, by far the most common are streptococcus (“strep”) and staphylococcus (“staph”).

Cellulitis is treated with antibiotics. Doctors don’t need to identify which specific bacteria caused the infection. They can prescribe a “broad spectrum” antibiotic that will treat most types of bacteria that cause cellulitis. In most cases, cellulitis improves within a day or two after antibiotics are started.

If you have mild cellulitis, you can usually treat it at home with antibiotics taken by mouth. Applying warm compresses and elevating the infected area can help. If you have severe cellulitis, you may need to be treated in the hospital with antibiotics given into a vein.

If symptoms don’t improve or if they worsen within the first two or three days of treatment, contact your doctor.

It could mean you need a different antibiotic.

To help prevent cellulitis: • Prevent skin injury. Wear protective gloves while gardening and working outdoors.

Wear long sleeves and trousers while hiking. Avoid going barefoot outdoors.

• Treat minor skin wounds promptly. Gently wipe away dirt and wash with antibiotic soap. Apply antibiotic ointment and cover with a clean bandage.

• Contact your doctor to treat all deep wounds and animal bites.

Finally, call your doctor whenever a skin injury becomes red, warm, swollen or tender. Other conditions besides cellulitis may be the cause. But it takes a health professional to make the diagnosis accurately, and to know when antibiotics are necessary.

• Contact Doctor K at askdoctork.com, or write: Ask Doctor K, 10 Shattuck St., Second Floor, Boston, MA 02115.

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Morris Daily Herald / morrisdailyherald.com • Thursday, February 5, 2015

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