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PLANO RECORD 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 Plano Record, c/o Shaw Media, P.O. Box 250, Crystal Lake, IL 60039-0250. Published every Thursday in Plano, Illinois, Kendall County, by Shaw Media. Periodicals postage paid at Plano, Illinois, 60545. Subscription rates: One year, $28 in Kendall County; $36 elsewhere in Illinois and $47 outside Illinois Plano Record and KendallCountyNow.com are a division of Shaw Media. All rights reserved. Copyright 2017
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ON THE COVER Ansh Chaudhari, a seventh-grader at Plano Middle School, won the school’s annual spelling bee in a marathon-like 36 rounds. See story on this page. Photo provided
Top speller crowned at PMS PLANO RECORD It took 36 rounds, but Ansh Chaudhari emerged as the winner of the recent Plano Middle School Spelling Bee. Chaudhari, a seventh-grader, found himself in close competition with last year’s winner, Hayden Flodstrom, an eighth-grader. Also in the top five finalists were Josh Thoms, Kendal Flodstrom and Jorge Rizo. A total of 16 students competed.
Chaudhari won the event by correctly spelling “liberation,” which one school official noted was not nearly as tough as many of the other words he had to spell to reach what proved the final round. As the winner, Chaudhari qualified to advance to the Grundy/Kendall County Spelling Bee on Feb. 25. The winner of that competition will receive a free trip to Washington, D.C., to represent the area at the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Schools may update security cameras By LYLE R. ROLFE news@kendallcountynow.com Plano School District 88 officials have asked two firms to review and evaluate their security cameras, reported Edgar Palacios, director of assessments, at a recent school board meeting. He said the staff reviewed the proposals and recommended the district go with DAS Security Camera Services. The firm broke its proposal down over a four-year period during which time the work would be done. He said the cost would be spread out over the four-years of the contract ranging from $8,500 to $9,500 per year for a total four-year cost of $36,500. During the first year, DAS would add eight cameras and one 16-channel video recorder to the administration building, four cameras to the maintenance building, and eight cameras and two 32-channel video recorders to Plano High School. The district presently has 12 cameras in the administration building and 49 in the high school. The maintenance building cameras are connected to the administration building system, Palacios said. For the second year, the firm would add nine cameras and one video recorder in the bus garage and five cameras and one recorder in Plano Middle School. There are presently nine cameras attached to a 16-channel video recorder in the bus garage and 16 cameras attached to the 24-channel recorder in the middle school. Only one school is included in the third-year proposal. DAS said it would add eight cameras and one video recorder at P.H. Miller School, which now has 28 cameras attached to its 32-channel video recorder. In the last or fourth year of the pro-
Shaw Media file photo
A proposal from DAS Security Camera Services would add eight cameras and two 32-channel video recorders to Plano High School in the first year of a four-year contract. The high school currently has 49 cameras. Cameras would also be added in the district’s other four schools as well as the administration and maintenance buildings. posal, DAS would add three cameras and one recorder at Emily G. Johns School, and four cameras and one recorder at Centennial Elementary School. Emily G. Johns School presently has 19 cameras attached to its 24-channel recorder and Centennial has 19 cameras attached to its 24-channel recorder. Palacios said the district relied on its tech people to install and maintain cameras and recorders, but added that they would prefer to have an outside firm such as DAS install and maintain all equipment. He said the company suggested they not have all their cameras feed into a server, but have them feed into DVRs like those used in homes. The recordings could be kept in the DVRs indefinitely so they could be accessed any time by staff members and administrators. Palacios said they also wanted to
work with an outside agency because it could suggest where and how to mount the cameras to view the areas the district needs to see. DAS has already provided the district with a map showing all suggested places in each building for the cameras, he added. Superintendent Dr. Hector Garcia said they eventually will be able to monitor all cameras through their cellphones. He said they can now see what is on each camera with laptop computers, but if they’re not inside one of the buildings, they must find a place where wireless internet is available. This would not be the case with cellphones, he said. The goal of the district is to establish a comprehensive plan that will expand surveillance capabilities, improve recording times and update cameras systematically throughout the district. No date was set for taking action on the DAS proposal.
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SHAW MEDIA U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren, R-Plano, released a statement Monday afternoon regarding President Donald Trump’s controversial executive order issued Friday. The order suspended entry of all refugees to the United States for 120 days, barred Syrian refugees indefinitely, and blocked entry into the United States for 90 days for citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries: Sudan, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen. Green card holders from those countries were also prohibited from re-entering the United States. The order set off a wave of protests
at airports across the country, including at Chicago’s O’Hare international airport. In his statement, Hultgren said of the Trump order: “Our nation has a strong and principled tradition as a beacon of hope for the vulnerable and oppressed. Given the nature of the threats we face in the 21st century, Randy I believe it is prudent to Hultgren once again review and strengthen our visa screening processes to ensure those we let into our country have American interests at heart. I believe we can and must continue to strive for that balance of compassion
and security. “I have consistently fought for strengthening our security policies. I believe that the vetting within the refugee program is already extensive and thorough – it is currently the most difficult and lengthy process to get into the United States, typically taking 18 months or more for a vulnerable family to survive while they wait approval to enter our country. I expect the rigor of the vetting process to be confirmed during the 120-day review of our current visa policies regarding refugees. I also urge recommendations that will increase collaboration and the sharing of information between our international partners, federal law enforcement agencies and local com-
munities. “Unfortunately, the president’s executive order is overly broad and its interpretation has been inconsistent and confused. This has led to unintended consequences, like the barring of legal permanent residents and the rejection of Syrian Christians at the airport, a religious minority that was supposed to be protected by the executive order. “Keeping America first means keeping our principles first – both compassion and security. To remain the world’s shining city on a hill and beacon of hope to many, we should have our arms open to those who are fleeing oppression and seeking safety, not turning them away at the door.”
Official: Caterpillar remaining at Montgomery site By JOHN ETHEREDGE jetheredge@shawmedia.com Caterpillar Inc. may shift 800 production jobs from its massive plant just outside Montgomery’s municipal limits, but the firm has no plans to leave the area, according to Char Coulombe-Fiore, executive director of the Montgomery Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Coulombe-Fiore told the village board Jan. 23 that Caterpillar officials have advised her they are “absolutely not interested in leasing or selling” their plant on Route 31 at Caterpillar Drive. “They are not going to leave the area for a very long time,” she said. The future of the local Caterpillar plant has been a source of continuing speculation since company officials announced Jan. 4 they are considering shifting 800 production jobs from the plant to plants in downstate Decatur and North Little Rock, Arkansas. Company officials have confirmed
the local plant currently employs approximately 2,000 workers, including the 800 involved in production. Caterpillar is now in what company officials have described as a “contemplation period” concerning the potential shifting of the local production jobs. The contemplation period is part of the company’s contract with United Auto Workers, the union representing the plant’s employees. “A contemplated decision simply means it’s one the company is considering; no final decision has been made,” said Jamie Fox, a company spokesman in an email. Fox added, “Faced with challenging marketplace conditions, we continue to evaluate reductions in global manufacturing capacity and how best to cut operating costs. We must use our existing space in the most efficient way possible while maintaining the ability to meet demand when it returns. During the contemplation period, Caterpillar will continue to gather additional information to make a final decision.”
the downsizing of operations at the Caterpillar plant would have on the company’s local suppliers and vendors. “One of my biggest concerns is what we the village, county and state can do to get them to stay, but if that is not a possibility, what does that world look like for our area?” Brolley asked. “It sounds like they have many, many other consultants that do work at the building, whether it is the cafeteria, security, snow plows, HVAC maintenance who are probably all businesses in our area that would be impacted, maybe to a great deal.” Brolley said he is hopeful that village officials will get some “clarity from Cat” as to the company’s plan for the local plant in the coming months. “Then we can focus on what the impact will be to our community,” he said, adding, “It’s unfortunate.” Though referred to by company officials as the firm’s Aurora plant, it is physically located in unincorporated Oswego Township adjacent to Montgomery’s municipal limits, west of Ill. Route 31 and east of Orchard Road. Caterpillar has operated the plant at that location since 1957. At one time, the plant employed more than 6,000 workers.
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Fox said a final decision on the consolidation is expected in the second quarter of this year, which ends in March. Coulombe-Fiore noted that when she started work with the MEDC about seven years ago Caterpillar then employed about 1,200 workers at the local plant. That number increased to the current 2,000 shortly thereafter, she said. In the event the company does shift the jobs, Coulombe-Fiore said the village and surrounding area will not be “any worse off than we were eight years ago” economically. In addition, Coulombe-Fiore said, “We’ve been told this might not happen or if it does it will be phased and that could take three years.” In the meantime, she said the MEDC and village officials should continue their efforts to attract more companies that will bring jobs to the village. She added that she believes village officials have “done everything that you can to reach out [to Caterpillar].” Referring to the MEDC, Coulombe-Fiore told the board “If there is anything you would like us to do we would be happy to do it.” Village President Matt Brolley said he remains concerned about the impact
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Thursday, February 2, 2017
Company in ‘contemplation period’ over moving 800 jobs out of area, but rest of group would stay
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LOCAL NEWS | Plano Record / KendallCountyNow.com •
Hultgren calls refugee order ‘overly broad’
Plano Record / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, February 2, 2017
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FORUM LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Breath of fresh air
To the Editor: What a great time to be alive! There is much excitement; great things are happening. Even though we are all of unique opinions, including in the political realm, we can rejoice in new leadership for our country. For those who disagree, this can be scary, but don’t worry. Remember, we must all take turns walking in other people’s shoes or we gain nothing. It teaches us empathy and compassion. One thing that has bothered me about the “political times” lately is the number of entrenched politicians. I am talking about those indifferent to public opinion, including those who believe they know better than We the People. Donald Trump has indicated a desire to put a portrait of Andrew Jackson in the Oval Office. The mainstream media has often painted Andrew Jackson in terrible light, sometimes with good reason. He was not perfect, but who is? But there are some things about Jackson worth noting, especially his view of cronyism. Jarrett Stepman of The Daily Signal reminds us of certain parallels from Jackson’s tenure to these current times. Stepman says that during Jackson’s time, a “permanent political class had rooted itself in the nation’s capital and needed to be expunged.” He went on to point out how many bureaucrats made careers out of Washington regardless of their general uselessness and incompetence. In quoting from his first annual message to Congress, Jackson stated, “…they [men in political office] are apt to acquire a habit of looking with indifference upon the public interests…” and, “Office is considered as a species of property, and government rather as a means of promoting individual interests than as an instrument created solely for the service of the people…” and, “…offices are created solely for the benefit of the people… not established to give support to particular men at the public expense.” In these times of increasing dependency on a increasingly bloated government, this is a welcome point. I will draw no further parallels between Jackson and Trump. History will show us those things, and Jackson had his issues certainly. But he had a good handle on political cronyism. Since we have just closed the door on what many term an “administrative state,” perhaps we can look to and hope for some bedrock
change in that direction. Likely there may be rough times ahead, but I like the breath of fresh air. Cindy Akre Plano
‘Just the facts, ma’am’
To the Editor: Years ago, there was a TV program called “Dragnet.” Some of us are of an age to have seen Jack Webb and Harry Morgan play sharp detectives. Here’s the punch line: When interrogating a suspect they would demand, “Just the facts, ma’am.” But what are the facts? In Kenneth Fowell’s high school social studies class, we were given this homework: At home, read the newspaper and tell what you found that was guaranteed factual. As I remember, the correct answer was, “vital statistics.” Lo those many years before social media, much less TV, Coach Fowell (he was also a football coach) was hoping to make us aware that everyone writes with a bias. Though the reporting may be factual, if key facts are omitted, the message may not be true. Every parent has experienced a factual, but less than true reply to the question, “What were you doing?” Today, social media has deluged us with “fake news,” or sometimes called “alternate facts.” This week, I heard that the Czech government has put in a “fake news department” to combat the fake news coming out of Russia. They don’t censor the news, but try to fact-check the news, then print both versions that people can decide. Take responsibility. There’s the key – it is Coach Fowell, wanting us to take responsibility, to think for oneself. If we read/listen only to what agrees with what we already believe, we are looking for support, not responsible thinking. Others countries are considering doing the same. Do you think we should have such a department?
Rev. Bob Dell Sandwich
Same side of the coin
To the Editor: Associate Justice Louis D. Brandeis once said, “If we desire respect for the law, we must first make the law respectable.” As I look at Illinois, I see innocent people being killed on the streets of Chiraq, violence on Chicago’s west side and
Submit letters Letters must be no longer than 400 words and must be accompanied by the writer’s full name, address and home phone number. Only the author’s name and city of residence will be printed. We reserve the right to edit all letters for brevity and fairness. Send letters to letters@kendallcountynow.com or Record Newspapers, 109 W. Veterans Parkway, Yorkville, IL 60560.
To date, no state senator or representative will have pay cuts or lose their $10,000 committee stipends. It appears that, like Hillary Clinton, Illinois Republicans blame, and are going to punish, taxpayers for a lack of capital. Obviously Illinois Republicans and Democrats are two different sides of the same tax-andspend coin who believe taxes are for peasants. Jesus Alaniz Yorkville
Trump limits borrowers poverty on the south side. It would then be easy to blame Chicago and Illinois’ Democrats, but I’d be a fool. Republicans have long held the dictum that the power to tax is the power to destroy, so as I did a search to find out what Illinois Republicans were doing to protect us, I discovered that they were much in line with the Democrats. Among the new taxes are a 30 to 40 percent increase in the income tax. A new “opportunity tax” of $225 – $15,000 in taxes on payroll for a taxable year. A new sugar tax plus an increased tax on landscapers are just some of the taxes that I have found to date, and there’s more. In addition to the financial collusion, friends on social media found their anti-tax remarks removed, not off the Democratic social media pages, but rather Republican Illinois Senate Minority leader, as well. Thus they are now showing positive, constructive and support for higher taxes from the commoners. I myself was blocked on Twitter and allowed back in after several supporters seemed to have complained on my behalf. Upon being allowed back I found the funds not in cuts but rather in fundraisers instead. Among the Republican coffers were fundraisers for State Sen. Pam Althoff consisting of $2,500 per person which includes two spas. Sports fans could’ve attended a State Sen. Jason Barickman Blackhawk fundraiser where $3,500 will buy you a gold sponsorship with recognition or another Blackhawks fundraiser for State Sen. Sue Rezin where $2,500 will get you signage, cocktails and food. Now I’m not sure where Althoff and Barickman stand on the proposed taxes, but I have been informed that Rezin is interested in supporting the income tax increase with State Sen. Dave Syverson and Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno.
To the Editor: Donald Trump’s schizophrenic start of his presidency is making people really nervous. You would think that a man who held up his business acumen as the standard by which all other candidates were to be measured would focus on business promotion as his first presidential action. But he hasn’t, and that is not a good sign. One thing that is disturbing is that a man who made his fortune in real estate would make one of his first executive orders something that would do harm to the real estate marketplace. Just before President Obama left, he ordered the FHA to lower an insurance rate they charge to borrowers by a quarter of a percent. FHA deals mostly with middle-class and lower-income borrowers. This was deemed helpful to those scrimping to purchase the American dream. This insurance cut would lower the payment a borrower had to make by over $500 a year for borrowers who took out the average sized FHA loan of about $200K. FHA makes about 800,000 loans a year and this cut would allow about 40,000 more borrowers to qualify for a loan. You might think so what? The ripple effect of a home purchase is pretty far reaching for a community. Buyer A makes a home purchase and the seller can move up to a better or bigger home for their family. They might buy a home from someone who is downsizing and possibly retiring who might purchase a small home or something else to live in, and the ripple goes on and on. The peripheral costs of home purchases would include upgrading the new home with paint, carpeting, repairs and gardening. They would buy those things in the community. People may get hired to do upgrades to the new home. • Continued on page 5
REFLECTIONS Roger Matile transport down the Mississippi. Cattle and hog drives from the Fox Valley into Chicago were common until railroads were built west of the city in the mid-1800s. But overland transport in the pre-railroad days of the 1830s was both labor and time intensive. In the East, a canal-building frenzy had swept the nation in the early 1800s. When New York State’s Erie Canal, connecting the Hudson River (and the Atlantic Ocean) with Lake Erie and the other Great Lakes, opened in 1825, it became an immediate financial success. In 1829, Illinois officials decided a canal connecting Lake Michigan with the headwaters of navigation on the Illinois River would fuel a similar economic boom. It was not a new idea. Louis Jolliet and Father Jacques Marquette both suggested in their accounts of their epic 1673 voyage of discovery through the heart of today’s Midwest that Lake Michigan could easily be connected to the Illinois-Mississippi river system and the Gulf of Mexico. While it did not prove quite as easy as Jolliet and Marquette believed, a canal was entirely feasible. The idea had received official U.S. blessing when an article was inserted in the Treaty of Greenville in 1795, formalizing the first cession of land by local Indian tribes with an aim towards building a canal. In the subsequent
Treaty of 1816, the tribes ceded a strip of land six miles wide on either side of a line running down the middle of the Chicago, Des Plaines and Illinois rivers. After an initial survey was completed in 1824, it wasn’t until 1832 the map of the surveyed route was published. And it took several more years before construction began. The Panic – depression – of 1837 halted construction, bankrupted thousands of canal speculators, destroyed the state’s financial system, and, tangentially, resulted in the formation of Kendall County in 1841. But that’s a story for another time. As originally planned, the canal was to have been dug at lake level from the Chicago River through the 8-foot-high ridge that divides the Lake Michigan and Illinois–Mississippi river watersheds. However, it was quickly determined the ridge was composed of hard limestone, so an unplanned lock and pumping station – the Santa Fe Slip – had to be built just seven miles from the canal’s start on the Chicago River at Ashland Avenue. From the slip, the canal crossed 30 miles of prairie at a slight gradient to Lock Number I at Lockport, where the canal’s 150-foot drop to the Illinois River began. In all, 16 “pound” locks (so named because they impounded water between two lock gates), including the Santa Fe Slip, were built. Since lake water could not be used to feed the canal, dams were built on the Fox River and AuSable Creek to provide feeders for the canal. Finally, in one of the most inter-
esting engineering solutions, four aqueducts were built to carry the canal across streams whose beds were too low to cross at grade level. The longest aqueduct still stands (in fact it was recently restored) in Ottawa, where a 400-foot span carries the canal across the Fox River on its way to Lock 15 on the Illinois River at LaSalle. The canal finally opened in 1848, and became a mighty engine that lifted the Midwest’s economy for the next decade. Unfortunately for the I&M, railroads were developing at the same time as the canal, with the first rail line laid paralleling the canal route in 1854, just six years after the I&M opened. The canal immediately opened the Illinois grain and livestock market to the rest of the world. But the canal was a two-way street, and northbound cotton from southern plantations passed southbound shipments of white pine from Michigan and Wisconsin, assuring that Chicago would become the center of Midwestern commerce even before the railroad era. The easy transport of crops to distant markets meant the price of corn and wheat in Eastern markets dropped, encouraging more farmers to plant more crops. Technology was refined, and land grant colleges began to make agriculture ever more efficient and productive. Today, the I&M is largely deserted, but as a reminder of how our region was built, it is a historic monument of the first order.
• Looking for more local history? Visit http://historyonthefox.wordpress.com.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR • Continued from page 4
Jr. Women’s Club sends thanks
helped on our distribution day. Thank you to the Record and the Ledger To the Editor: The property tax rates get adjusted On behalf of the Yorkville Junior Wom- for helping spread the word. and most likely increase. The flow of The Yorkville Congregational Church, en’s Club, I would like to offer a huge money throughout the community is thank you to everyone who participated Advanced Physical Medicine, Trinity endless. Yet President Trump made the United Methodist Church, Club 47, Bristol in some way with our Club’s 24th year elimination of this relatively insignificant of Operation Santa Toy Drive. We were Grade School, Yorkville Middle School, change one of his first courses of action able to provide just over 1,100 children Heartland School, Grande Reserve, as president. Autumn Creek, Yorkville Intermediate in need in Kendall County with toys for The Wall Street Journal noted that Christmas who may have otherwise gone School, Bristol Bay, all in Yorkville. economic growth since Harry Truman Keith’s Car Care, South Point, Prairie without. has decreased every time a Republican Point, Little White School Museum, Civic The YJWC relies on the help and conpresident took over from a Democrat Center, Boulder Point, St. Anne’s Catholic tributions of our community every year and increased when the Democrat took to pull this program off. Thank you to the Church, Prairie Point School, District 308, over from a Republican. Obama left office Kendall County Community Food Pantry all of Oswego. with a 2.2 percent growth in his second St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Plano, Cub that allowed us the use of their space term. If Trump keeps going in the many and all of the volunteers that helped this Scout Pack 350, St. Patrick’s Religious directions he has displayed, he will have year. Education and Parish families, YPAC, YHS a hard time even sniffing that number. RHO KAPPA, YHS Cross Country Team, A special thank you to the schools, YHS Boys and Girls Soccer Teams and all churches and businesses that collected Ed Washak Yorkville of their coaches, Wheatland Title, Amertoys, and for the groups of people that
ican Legion Post 489, Char Madura and the Bunco girls, The “Golden Girls and Guys,” 7-11 of Yorkville, Dana Wood and family, Rosie Ralston, Lula Roe, Brendan and Josh Reifsteck, and to anyone that dropped a toy off to the Food Pantry or any of the drop off locations. And to any of the Junior members past or present that came and helped. Thank you to all – I know that this is a busy time for students and families and we appreciate the time you took out of your busy schedule to help with this. If I have missed anyone, I am sorry for the oversight, we really do rely on many people to help us with this program and we could not do it without any of you. Thank you. Teresa Wedeen and Kayla Shick Operation Santa Co-Chairs Yorkville
Thursday, February 2, 2017
From the earliest times, farmers worried about getting their crops to market. But during most of man’s history, it wasn’t all that big a worry, since the average farmer grew just about enough to feed his own family. But in the 19th century, agriculture began to quickly advance. Individual farmers were finally able to grow enough food to feed several people besides their own families, thanks to improved varieties of grain and livestock, using more scientific ways of approaching farming itself, and mechanization. By the time the first permanent American settlers arrived in the Fox Valley, American farming was well on its way to becoming the world leader it is today. But there was still that nagging problem: How to get crops to market. In some areas, the problem was solved by turning corn, barley and other grain into whiskey and other such products. Several bushels of grain could thus be compressed into a single keg of a valuable, easily transportable product. But people could only drink so much – man does not live by whiskey alone (even single malt). Besides, there was a growing market for crops like wheat, corn, oats, rye, barley and all the other grains grown on the Illinois prairie, along with the pork, beef and other meats local farmers produced. At first, farmers took their produce to Chicago, where it was loaded on sail and steam ships for transport east, or hauled it south to Ottawa, where it could be loaded aboard steamboats, flatboats and barges for
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FORUM | Plano Record / KendallCountyNow.com •
I&M Canal’s brief, but important, career
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Each year the Plano Area Chamber of Commerce selects a “Business of the Year” recipient from its membership. In addition to being a Chamber member in good standing, nominees must demonstrate unique or innovative approaches to business, provide excellent customer service and show strong community involvement. Based on those and additional criteria, the Plano Area Chamber of Commerce selected Just In Time as the 2016 recipient of the “Business of the Year” Award. The award was presented to owners Justin and Janeen Norquist at the Chamber’s recent annual dinner.
Just In Time began as a one-person home-based residential HVAC business in January of 2010. In subsequent years, the company has expanded to include commercial HVAC, refrigeration, plumbing and carpentry with 23 employees. In addition to providing the area with quality service at affordable prices, Just In Time is actively involved in area communities. The company is not only a member of the Plano Area Chamber of Commerce but also the Sandwich Area Chamber of Commerce, Yorkville Area Chamber of Commerce, Rochelle Chamber of Commerce and the Hinckley Business Association. Just In Time is located at 115 S. Wolfe St., Sandwich.
PLANO LIBRARY PROGRAMS Plano Community Library has announced upcoming programs. The library is located at 15 W. North St. in Plano. For information, call 630-552-2030 or visit planolibrary.info. Knit and Crochet Group: Thursdays, Feb. 2 and 9, 10 a.m. to noon. This informal group works on their own projects, discusses types and colors of yarns, and helps each other with new or tricky patterns. They love to watch each other’s projects develop. Participants bring their own supplies. They invite you to stop by and “yarn” awhile. No registration required. Writers’ Group: Thursday, Feb. 9, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Come join other writers to discuss your work. Meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month in the Library Board Room. No registration required. Open to adults and high school students. New Life for Old Bags: Saturday, Feb. 11, 10:30 a.m. to noon. Help make sleeping mats for the homeless. Volunteers will meet at the library on the second Saturday of every month
to make “plarn” (discarded plastic shopping bags cut into strips for crocheting). Volunteers are also needed to crochet mats at home. Donated plastic bags for the project can be dropped off at the library. For more information, contact Ceil Carey at jackandceil@att.net or 708-846-1704. Wednesday Night Book Group: Wednesday, Feb. 15, 1 to 3 p.m. Get together with other readers for an interesting discussion. “Dead Wake” by Erik Larson will be discussed. The book for March, “A Walk in the Woods” by Bill Bryson, will be available at the Check-Out Desk. No registration required. Newcomers are welcome any time. Be Prepared for an Emergency or Natural Disaster: Saturday, Feb. 25, 10:30 a.m. to noon. Meeting Room. Do you know what to do if a tornado is headed your way? What if a family member is burned or has a seizure? Find out how to be ready in this free program from the American Red Cross. Registration is required. Call 630-552-2030, stop by the library, or email jvalentine@planolibrary.info to sign up.
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Pictured (from left) are Mike Browning and Kelly Browning of Arts on Fire (last year’s recipient of the “Business of the Year” Award), Justin Norquist and Janeen Norquist of Just In Time, and Rich Healy, president/CEO, Plano Area Chamber of Commerce.
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ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10TH AT 7 PM TEAM WILL FACE OFF AGAINST THE SCHOOL! THAT NIGHT A CHECK WILL BE ON BEHALF OF THE 2016-2017 FIRST PLEASE HAVE EACH GIVEN TO SUPPORT OUR PLANO Please keep the ind businesses in m em th e iz and patron le. ib ss po whenever
THE PLANO REAPERS VARSITY BASKETBALL WILMINGTON WILDCATS AT PLANO HIGH PRESENTED TO THE PLANO SPORTS BOOSTERS NATIONAL CHALLENGE CORPORATE SPONSORS. JOIN US IN SUPPORT OF THESE SPONSORS WHO BETWEEN $500 AND $1,500 ATHLETES. If you would like to join the First National Challenge to support our Plano athlet es please contact Kristen Ada ms at (630)552-2500
2016-2017 Corporate Sponsors that helped support the Challenge are:
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Plano Record / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, February 2, 2017
| LOCAL NEWS
REFUND
First National Bank
Dunkin Donuts of Plano
The Logo Shirt Factory
G-Force Labels & Printing, Inc.
Edward Medical Group
KishHealth System, part of Northwestern Medicine
First Insurance Group
Midwest Environmental Consulting Services, Inc.
HomeTown Lanes
Olde Timers Antique Centre
Plano BP Station
Illinois Community Credit Union
Plano Record
Advanced Surveying & Mapping
Plano Synergy Outlet Store
BMO Harris Bank N.A.
Krentz, Salfisberg & Swanson Haggard, P.C.
Cooper Home Furnishings
Leon Burson Post 395 American Legion
Suzy’s Pizza of Plano
Dos Caminos Mexican Restaurant
Lite Construction, Inc.
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Pictured are Students of the Month for January at Plano High School including Austin Buis, Bradi Gann, Brandon Sheehy, Eric Heiden, Kailey Westrope, Teyonna Blevins and Art Padilla. Not pictured are Hannah Tipescu and Elijah Maisonet.
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Pictured are Staff Members of the Month for January at Plano High School including Doug Holm, Lauren Vaclavik, Nicole Billips, Tom Dean, Joe Kampf, Eric Benson and Mary Rose Coker. Not pictured is Sue Killebrew.
Students, staff of month announced for January PLANO RECORD Plano High School recently announced its students and staff of the month for January. PHS staff nominated students for Student of the Month for the month of January. Students are nominated for PRIDE behavior (Personal Responsibility, Respect, Involved Academically, Demonstrates safe behavior, and Excellence in what they do). Some reasons for nomination include hard work, determination, dedication, constant respect to staff and students, tutoring other students, taking the initiative in writing and implementing a virtual reality program, volunteering at events, showcasing model student behavior, going beyond expected requirements and helping other students feel at ease. Students of the Month for January are Austin Buis, Brandon Sheehy, Teyonna Blevins, Hannah Tipescu, Elijah Maisonet, Bradi Gann, Art Padilla,
Kailey Westrope and Andrew Heiden. Students and administration nominated staff members for Staff Member of the Month for January. Some reasons for nomination include going beyond helping students, showing “fearless” leadership, supervising test makeups, flexibility, seeing the positive qualities in students and handling situations in a difficult environment. Staff Members of the Month for January are Eric Benson, Lauren Vaclavik, Sue Killebrew, Doug Holm, Mary Rose Coker, Joe Kampf, Tom Dean and Nicole Billips. Students and staff members received a certificate and a breakfast in their honor. The staff and student of the month process is coordinated by Kate Collingbourne, social worker with Student Services at Plano High School. This process is part of the Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) in place at Plano High School.
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LOCAL NEWS | Plano Record / KendallCountyNow.com •
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Middle school names ‘Students of the Quarter’
Plano Record / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, February 2, 2017
| LOCAL NEWS
8 PMS students honored at school board meeting
Photos provided
Plano Middle School seventh-graders honored as Students of the Quarter are (from left) Lucas Cotal, David Nunez, Luca Schoensee, Josh Thoms, Mea Roberts and Priscilla Castaneda. Plano Middle School eighthgraders honored as Student of the Quarter are (from left) Anna Gonzalez, Bethany Chernick, Molly Herbig and Zenaida Puga. Absent for the photo were Rayven Belk and Natalie Floresare.
Photo provided
Four Plano Middle School students were recognized at the January school board meeting for their recent achievements. Pictured (from left) with Superintendent Hector Garcia are eighth-graders Sarai Dominguez and Jacob Gugala (for their participation in the District 9 Illinois Music Education Association Honor Festival in November), Molly Herbig (representing Plano Middle School in Argonne National Laboratory’s “Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day” in February) and seventh-grader Ally Spencer (who earned second place in the Daughters of the American Revolution writing contest).
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Fellowship of Christian Athletes donation
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The United Methodist Church of Plano made a donation to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes from Plano High School on Jan. 22. Congregation members and KIDS ZONE children donated dollar bills that were collected from October through December. Pictured (from left) are UMC Ad Council Chairman Tony Curtis, Pastor Stevan Saunders and Fellowship of Christian Athletes coordinator Brad Kunz. For more information about the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and UMC of Plano, visit fca.org and like the United Methodist Church of Plano Facebook page.
Holocaust survivor set to speak
the school, 804 S. Hale St. Call the main Holocaust survivor Marion Blumenthal office at 630-552-3608 to pre-register Lazan will speak at Plano Middle School on or before Monday, Feb. 6, if you are in an event open to the public at 9 a.m. interested in attending. – Plano Record Wednesday, Feb. 8, in the cafeteria at
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Students enrolled in the Indian Valley Vocational Center EMT program recently helped to “Make the Grinch’s Heart Grow” as was their theme for the class’ second year of participation in the Toys for Tots drive. Again this year, the class partnered with the DeKalb County Marine Corps League to help local children to have a happy holiday. Emergency Medical Technician students collected 191 new toys in drop boxes placed at IVVC and the Somonauk schools.
The class sponsored a school-wide competition between the IVVC programs, awarding a donut party to the Graphic Design class for donating the highest number of toys. Many hours were spent helping to set up and work at the toy distribution held at the Sandwich VFW on Dec. 1718. The EMT students and some of their parents worked to organize toys and stationed people for the distribution. Marine James Hill expressed his gratitude for all of the help, especially with students’ organizational ideas and assistance with bilingual communications.
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BRIEF
IVVC EMT students honored
9
LOCAL NEWS | Plano Record / KendallCountyNow.com •
Capt. Sarah Speerly, EMT instructor at Indian Valley Vocational Center, and the p.m. EMT students accept a plaque from James Hill, DeKalb County Marine Corps League representative, for the students’ help with the Toys for Tots drive. Also pictured is IVVC Director Joe Barbic.
Plano Record / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, February 2, 2017
| LOCAL NEWS
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Police: Man used fake debit card at dealership SHAW MEDIA Plano police arrested Cornelius L. Norwood Jr., 25, of the 900 block of Second Avenue, Aurora, while serving an arrest warrant in the 300 block of South Louis Street, Jan. 26 at 8:17 p.m. Police said the Kendall County State’s Attorney Office has filed charges of unlawful possession of a counterfeit debit card, unlawful use of a counterfeit debit card and unlawful possession of a fraudulent ID card with intent to commit debit card fraud against Norwood. Police said all three charges are Class 3 felonies. Police said Norwood has posted bond and was released pending a court appearance later this month. According to police, Norwood was
arrested in connection with an incident that occurred Nov. 14 at 11:38 a.m. at an auto dealership in the 500 block of West Route 34. Police said a person entered the dealership and purchased a vehicle with a counterfeit debit card. Eventually, police said the person was Cornelius L. Norwood Jr. questioned about the debit card by employees, became nervous and fled the business to a waiting vehicle. Police said during their investigation a victim of the credit card fraud, a resident of New York, was located and Norwood was identified as a suspect and arrested last Thursday.
Sheriff warns residents: IRS does not call for payments SHAW MEDIA As tax season approaches, the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind citizens to be aware of potential scammers claiming to represent the Internal Revenue Service. In recent years, thousands of people have lost millions of dollars and their personal information to tax scams and fake IRS communication. These scammers claim to be from the IRS and tell intended victims they owe taxes and that their taxes must be paid promptly by using a prepaid debit card, money order or a wire transfer. If the victim refuses to cooperate, they are often threatened with arrest, deportation or suspension of a business or driver’s license. In some cases, the scammer becomes hostile and insulting. The victims may also be told they are owed a refund to get them to share private information. Do not give out any information – hang up immediately. If the phone isn’t answered, the scammers often leave an “urgent” message advising legal action
may be taken against them if they do not call back. The IRS will never: • Call to demand immediate payment over the phone, nor will the agency call about taxes owed without first having mailed you. • Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law enforcement groups to arrest you for not paying. • Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe. • Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card or other gift cards. • Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone. The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office encourages taxpayers to be alert to phone and email scams that use the IRS name. The IRS will never request personal or financial information by email, text message or any social media. For more information on IRS tax scams, visit www.irs.gov/uac/taxscams-consumer-alerts.
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X-rays, cleanings and routine extractions at no charge. Priority will be given to those Sandwich dentist Dr. Mark Weinhold and in pain. No fillings will be done. The event his staff are offering a Valentine’s present is from 8 a.m. to noon at 1E County Line for those in need. For the 10th consecutive Road, Suite A, Sandwich. No appointments year, they are participating in the Dentist or phone calls. Services will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. with a Heart program on Friday, Feb. 10. – Plano Record The office will provide exams, necessary
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KENDALL COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS
Boulder Hill damage County sheriff’s deputies are investigating a case of criminal damage to property at a residence in the 0-100 block of Saugatuck Road in Boulder Hill Jan. 30.
Internet scam reported An Oswego Township resident told county sheriff’s deputies Jan. 27 that someone used his name in an attempt to obtain a loan online. Police said they are investigating the incident as an internet scam.
in the street at the time of the crash.
DUI among charges County sheriff’s deputies arrested Theodore John Cole, 54, of the 2600 block of Caton Farm Road, Joliet, after stopping the vehicle he was driving for a lane use violation Jan 28 at 6:28 p.m. on Schlapp Road at Caton Farm Road in NaAuSay Township. Police said Cole was ticketed for failure to signal and driving without insurance. He was also charged with driving under the influence, according to police.
Medications stolen Numerous prescription medications were taken from a residence in the 0-10 block of South East Street, Newark, Jan. 25, according to the County Sheriff’s Office. Police said the medications were taken sometime between Jan. 19 and 24.
Respond to domestic County sheriff’s deputies responded to a domestic disturbance at a residence in the 0-100 block of Boulder Hill Pass in Boulder Hill Jan. 27 at 10 p.m. Police said a juvenile damaged a door inside the residence during the incident. Investigate threats County sheriff’s deputies are investigating an incident in which an intoxicated male threatened a female employee at a business in the 1300 block of Route 30 in Oswego Township Jan. 29 at 1:19 a.m. ID, fund stolen A Boulder Hill resident told county sheriff’s deputies that someone used his ID information to take money out of his Illinois Department of Employment Security Account and deposited it into a bank account Jan. 27 at 3 p.m.
Burglary attempt reported ID theft reported County sheriff’s deputies took a report of A Boulder Hill resident told county sheran attempted residential burglary at a resiff’s deputies Jan. 27 that someone used her idence in the 0-10 block of North Cypress debit card in an attempt to purchase gift Drive in Bristol Township Jan. 28 at noon. cards online. Police said they are investiPolice said unknown suspects attempted gating. to force their way into the garage of the residence. Warrant arrest County sheriff’s deputies arrested Boulder Hill hit-and-run Jasmine Damarie Garcia, 23, of the 10 block County sheriff’s deputies took a report of of Harbor Drive, Oswego, at her residence a hit-and-run crash that occurred Jan. 29 while investigating a domestic battery between 6 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. in the 0-20 Jan. 29 at 1:38 a.m. Police said Garcia was block of Codorus Road in Boulder Hill. Police wanted on an outstanding warrant from said the victim’s vehicle was legally parked
Vehicle burglary County sheriff’s deputies took a report of a motor vehicle burglary on the 0-100 block of Sonora Road in Boulder Hill Jan. 25. Police said they are investigating. Juvenile suspect arrested County sheriff’s deputies arrested a 15-year-old in 100 block of Harbor Drive in Oswego Township Jan. 23 in connection with the theft of a motor vehicle stolen in Henry County. Police said the Henry County Sheriff’s Office supplied them with suspect information and they located both the suspect and the vehicle on Harbor Drive. Police said the investigation is continuing. Vehicle found damaged County sheriff’s deputies are investigating an incident in which someone broke the windshield and slashed all four tires on a vehicle parked in the parking lot of an apartment complex in the 2300 block of Light Road in Oswego Township Jan. 24. Warrant arrest County sheriff’s deputies arrested a 15-year-old from Coal Valley at the Kendall County Jail in Yorkville Jan. 23 on a warrant for a probation violation. Traffic violations • Alhaji Kamara, 22, of the 1700 block of Glenwood Avenue, Joliet, speeding and driving on a suspended license. • Kenyada Jaquese Campbell, 24, of the 1700 block of Newport Lane, Montgomery, driving on a suspended license. • Kristyn N. Morrill, 26, of the 1100 block of Kilbery Lane, North Aurora, speeding, no insurance and driving on a suspended license.
GO, CUBS, GO! GHTS I N 1 1 DAYS & 12
A Newark man has been charged with non-consensual dissemination of private sexual images. The sheriff’s office took a report Sept. 1 from a female victim who said an ex-boyfriend had posted private sexual images of her on social media without her consent. Deputies arrested Brandon M. Colyer, 23, on Jan. Brandon 24 after prosecutors charged M. Colyer him with two counts of non-consensual dissemination of private sexual images, both Class 4 felonies. Colyer posted bond Jan. 24. He awaits his next court date, police said.
– Tony Scott
PLANO POLICE REPORTS Cannabis citations Plano police cited Seth A. Magana, 18, of the 800 block of East Broadway Street, Streator, with possession of cannabis after stopping his vehicle at Hale and Main streets Jan. 26 at 12:07 a.m. Warrant arrest Plano police arrested Rachelle A. Ross, 20, of the 1000 block of Vermillion Street, at her residence Jan. 25 at 10:24 p.m. on a Kendall County warrant for failure to appear in court on a prior charge of retail theft. Police said Ross was released on bond pending a court date later this month. Warrant arrest Plano police arrested a male juvenile at a residence in the 300 block of Gregory Lane on a warrant for domestic battery Jan. 25 at 1:54 p.m. Police said the suspect was transported to the Kane County Juvenile Justice Center in St. Charles, where he is being held pending a court hearing. Plano man arrested Plano police arrested Rodney T. Crater, 40, of the 2900 block of Courtney Street, Plano, in the 2600 block of Eldamain Road Jan. 25 at 12:33 p.m. Police said Crater was wanted on a warrant for a domestic battery incident that occurred in the 2900 block of Courtney Street, Dec. 19. Crater was taken to the Kendall County Jail in Yorkville pending a bond hearing.
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Tax scam reported A Boulder Hill resident told county sheriff’s deputies Jan. 29 that she received a 2016 W2 tax form in the mail that contained her personal information from an employer she did not work for during the year. Police said an attempt to reach the business was unsuccessful.
the Aurora police.
LOCAL NEWS | Plano Record / KendallCountyNow.com •
‘Open air sniff’ leads to arrest Kendall County sheriff’s deputies were aided by their K-9, Luke, in making an arrest in Oswego Jan. 30. Police said they stopped a vehicle driven by Tabitha Kay White, 34, of the 1900 block of Garden Hills Drive, Champaign, for a speeding violation at Rt. 31 and Mill Road at 11:52 p.m. Police said a deputy had Luke conduct what they described as an “open air sniff” on White’s vehicle. Luke subsequently alerted deputies to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle and recovered cocaine and cocaine paraphernalia. Police said they charged White with possession of a controlled substance.
BRIEF
Plano Record / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, February 2, 2017
| SPORTS
12
Plano man to join Ill. Martial Arts Hall of Fame Compiled a 44-1 record in his kickboxing career
knocked down. I was never knocked out. I was never really hurt, other than one time. I had a lot of pride in that.” That notorious “one time” came in 1999, when Manson Gibson landed a devastating spinning back kick to By KEVIN DRULEY Stellwagen’s liver in a bout for the Innews@kendallcountynow.com ternational Kickboxing Federation Pro Rick Stellwagen retired from pro- Full-Contact light heavyweight United fessional kickboxing about a decade States title. ago, yet he remains quick with his Writhing in sudden pain, Stellwahands, feet and one-liners. gen slumped to the canvas. As with many in his sport, the “I thought we were going to have to 46-year-old Plano resident balanced stop so I could help him get his foot out kickboxing with a career in the work- of me,” Stellwagen said. force. Stellwagen is a safety coordinaRob Zbilski, a longtime trainer who tor for Elburn-based Electric Conduit worked Stellwagen’s corner that night Construction by day, and he senses and had helped book the fight with Gibyou’re grinning. son, a future world champion, hardly “What’s the irony of that? Stellwa- was surprised at what came next. gen said. “A safety coordinator, and I “Most people would have went used to beat guys up.” down [for good],” Zbilski said. “And Stellwagen compiled a combined Rick took it and pressed on and ended 44-1 record as an amateur and profes- up beating this guy who had over 100 sional, but leave it to a recent phone wins.” call to humble him more than most Stellwagen earned titles in two othopponents did. Stellwaer federations and had gen will be inducted into 17 knockouts in 22 prothe Illinois Martial Arts fessional bouts. Hall of Fame during a A Plano resident banquet in Glen Ellyn for the past 15 years, on April 1, an honor that he still is no stranger includes a plaque, polo to Rocky’s, volunteershirt and dinner. ing his expertise to upThe plaudits of nuand-coming fighters merous supporters from on Wednesday nights. his past and present Stellwagen sometimes may be the best course. brings his young son, Rocky Troutman, a Joshua, for exposure 2009 inductee who once to self-defense traintrained Stellwagen at ing, but notes he is not his Sugar Grove gym pushing him into fightRob Zbilski and now welcomes him ing. Joshua loves baseKickboxing trainer as a volunteer instrucball and is a third-gentor, calls Stellwagen “by eration left-hander. far the best fighter and most natural Meanwhile, Stellwagen’s wife, Jill, fighter” he has trained in 42 years in realizes her husband’s dedication martial arts. hasn’t dissipated and doesn’t mind Stellwagen began as a would-be him continuing to ply his kickboxing practitioner of karate in his youth, but craft. he and his brother, Brian, frequently “Just giving back to Rocky, who were disqualified from tournaments spent all those hours with me helping for over-aggressiveness. me to be a better fighter,” Stellwagen Sensing their frustration, an on- said. “I just felt that it’s only fair that I looker suggested kickboxing, which give back and help out. And plus, I realsteered Stellwagen to Rocky’s Dojo and ly enjoy it. And not to mention, it’s way Gym, now a two-level, 6,400-square-foot easier on the body helping somebody.” training facility in Sugar Grove. AlFatigue fades and injuries heal, though Stellwagen debuted as an ama- but such gestures can endure through teur at the admittedly “late age” of 26, time. As Troutman awaits the splenan unfettered passion for kickboxing dor of another Rocky’s-affiliated Hall helped him account for lost time. of Famer – his father, Ron, was induct“As he started fighting and doing ed in 2012 – he tells others not only of more fights, he started coming down Stellwagen’s fighting skill, but also of in weight; he started getting in better his exemplary humility. shape; he started training more; he “Rick, after he stopped competing, started running,” Troutman said. he was very much wanting to give Winning naturally followed. back, and that’s a great attribute for a “Technically, I never really lost as fighter,” Troutman said. “A lot of them an amateur or pro,” said Stellwagen, are so self-absorbed in themselves that noting his lone amateur defeat came they don’t give back. So I think that’s via disqualification. “I was never very admirable.”
“Most people would have went down [for good]. And Rick took it and pressed on and ended up beating this guy who had over 100 wins.”
Photo provided
Rick Stellwagen of Plano will be inducted into the Illinois Martial Arts Hall of Fame during a banquet in Glen Ellyn on April 1. “Technically, I never really lost as an amateur or pro,” said Stellwagen, noting his lone amateur defeat came via disqualification. “I was never knocked down. I was never knocked out. I was never really hurt, other than one time. I had a lot of pride in that.”
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VIEWS Joshua Welge suburbs of Chicago 13 years ago. I’m still learning where all the pizza places and Paneras are in Kendall County, but in a sense I feel right at home. Newark and its stuffed gym reminds me of my salad days covering Rock Falls’ state champions in 1999. (How do they fit all those people in a place the size of my junior high?) Oswego East almost IS home, a stone’s throw from where I live with my wife in Aurora. I’ve covered more big playoff basketball and football and baseball games than I can remember, but that isn’t what I love about my job. It’s telling stories. I’ve already shared some great ones here. Like the story of the Plano basketball player who didn’t even “know what basketball was” until a year ago. Now he’s a budding star for a conference champion. Or the Yorkville girl who was scared coming from a Lutheran grade school, and will leave her high school as one of its best girls basketball players ever. I’ll be waiting to tell those stories, in print, on your computer or on your iPhone. Look me up on KendallCountyNow.com, or on Twitter at @KCNpreps or @jwelge96. If you’re like me, you want your scores, highlights and stories ASAP, and at your fingertips. That’s a good place to start. Until then, it’s great meeting you. I can’t wait to find out the next story waiting on the back of the baseball card to tell you.
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Plano has hit a bump in the road. The path is still clear, though, to a program first. The Reapers dropped their third straight game on Monday, losing at Peotone 65-58 in the Interstate Eight Conference. MaKayli Vann scored 16 points, MaKenzie Vann added 12 and Jazreil Hill had 13 points and nine rebounds for Plano (16-7, 8-1), which fell into a tie for the conference lead with Herscher. Plano, which has never won the I-8 regular-season title, won the head-tohead with Herscher, and both lead Peo-
tone (8-2) with a week left. The Reapers host Streator on Thursday and finish up conference at Sandwich Feb. 9. “It’s a big deal for us,” said Plano coach John Chernick, asked about winning the league title. “We’re going to have to play a lot better than we are right now to do it.” Plano, which was the top seed in the conference tournament, dropped the third-place game 51-44 to on Jan. 27 in Coal City. MaKenzie Vann had 14 points and 14 rebounds and Demetra Phylactos added 11 rebounds for Plano. The Reapers trailed 14-6 after a quarter and 27-14 at halftime, and were done in for the second straight game by cold shooting.
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Thursday, February 2, 2017
Who out there still collects baseball cards? Long before Twitter and Instagram brought our sports heroes into the palm of our hands, we met them through pieces of cardboard wrapped with a stick of bubblegum. It’s where my love was born. Those baseball cards I bought every week at the 7-Eleven counter told so many stories. Where my favorite player was from. What he looked like. How old he was. And, most important to me, all those statistics permanently burned in my brain like my favorite flavor of ice cream. I’ve grown older. I no longer collect baseball cards (do they still sell them?). Now, it’s my turn to tell the stories. Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Joshua Welge, the new sports editor of Kendall County Record Newspapers. Some of you already know me. Others, like the coach who called last week asking to speak to the “sports guy” are still learning my name. Since I first scanned the agate page for box scores, before I even read my first book, I felt a connection to sports through newspapers. I’ve lived all over, from Pennsylvania to Connecticut to the cornfields of western Illinois to the south suburbs, Park Forest to be exact, but I feel I’ve come full circle. My father grew up just a short drive down Routes 34 and 30 in Joliet. He remembers towns like Oswego when there were more cornfields than Costcos. I got my start writing in the city, in college at Marquette, but I cut my teeth professionally in Dixon (some may know it as the hometown of Ronald Reagan). My writing took me to New York state, an hour from the city, and eventually back to the western
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SPORTS | Plano Record / KendallCountyNow.com •
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Shaw Media file photo
Plano’s Jake Krotz tries to turn Sharrod Hill of Chicago Uplift during the Class 1A Plano Sectional tournament in 2016. Krotz, a three-time state qualifier, begins his bid for a fourth trip at Saturday’s regional meet at Plano.
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Krotz has tough road to 4th state bid at 126 By JOSHUA WELGE jwelge@kendallcountynow.com Jake Krotz won’t look. Illinois Matmen is one of the most detailed websites out there for a specific sport, but the Plano senior refuses to peek at its weekly rankings. “I used to look at them, but not anymore. They get in your head,” said Krotz, who wrestles at 126 pounds. “You get caught up in them, you beat yourself before you’re even on the mat.” Krotz doesn’t need rankings to tell him how difficult a road he has back to state. Krotz, a three-time state qualifier, starts his bid for a fourth trip this Saturday at the Class 2A Plano Regional. Just how tough is the 126-pound bracket? The top three wrestlers in the state and six of the top eight, according to the latest Illinois Matmen rankings, are at the Sterling sectional that Plano’s regional feeds into. Leading that group is No. 1-ranked Ottawa junior Ethan Harsted, who will be at Plano. Krotz is coming off a third-place finish at the conference meet, which put his season record at 23-5. Plano coach Sean Masten said Krotz needs to wrestle “out of his comfort zone” this weekend. “He’s putting the legs in a lot lately. He’s a better wrestler than a leg wrestler,” Masten said. “When he puts the legs in he kind of gets trapped in the status quo. A lot of times he’s looking
to control matches instead of going out there and winning them. Against some of these guys he won’t be able to stick the legs in and ride them out. He needs to wrestle.” Plano will be wrestling up at Class 2A for the first time since wrestling was expanded to three classes. How that affects Krotz is up for debate. “There’s more tough guys but wrestling is wrestling,” Krotz said. “You have studs in 1A and 2A.” “He knows what he’s getting into,” Masten said, “but I don’t know if he knows what he’s getting into.” Krotz isn’t alone in a tough field. Plano junior Ivan Garcia is wrestling down at 132, where five of the top 10 wrestlers in the state are at the Sterling sectional. “That [132] is the spot he needs to be at,” Masten points out. Plano won’t have Nico Nunez on Saturday. Third in the state as a freshman, the 120-pound sophomore has been injured since the Reaper Classic. Two others that Masten think have a reasonable shot at advancing to sectionals are junior Eric Boutin at 145 and senior Michael Marshall at 152. Krotz is the guy that all the Plano wrestlers lean on, and he hopes to lean on that experience this weekend and perhaps beyond. “I think my experience helps in a meet like this. I know how to go the distance,” Krotz said. “It would mean a lot to get back to state and maybe get on that podium.”
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Plano Record / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, February 2, 2017
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BOYS BASKETBALL: PLANO 61, LISLE 44
Senior racks up rebounds, blocks; Shead scores 17 By JOSHUA WELGE jwelge@kendallcountynow.com
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Jermaine Boyd’s job description on the basketball court boils down to two tasks. “Block shots and get rebounds,” said Plano’s 6-foot-8 senior. “That’s my job.” It was a job well done Friday. Boyd had 13 rebounds and six blocks to go along with seven points – including two big blocks in succession late – to preserve Plano’s 61-44 win over Lisle in the Interstate Eight Conference tournament championship at Coal City. Nathan Shead scored 17 points, Elijah Maisonet 13 and Brandon Contreras added 11 points for Plano (15-5), who led from a 7-0 start to finish. The Reapers’ I-8 tournament championship is believed to be the first in program history, a distinction not lost on fourthyear coach Kyle Kee. “It’s huge for our program,” Kee said. “We’ve always been at the top of our conference, but we’ve never even played in this game. To finally get that trophy and take it home is something special.” Special, too, is the rapid development of Boyd. He played football his first two years at Plano, but didn’t touch a basketball until he was a junior. “I didn’t even know what basketball was,” Boyd said. “I got talked into it by coach.” “He was pretty raw,” Kee said. “When we first had him last season in November he couldn’t even run down the floor and dribble at the same time. He’s come a long way, and he’s a hard worker.” Boyd, with a rangy build and tremendous wingspan, cleaned up on the glass at both ends for Plano Friday. He altered a few Lisle shots, and in the third quarter soared to pin a Lions layup attempt off the glass. Midway through the fourth quarter, when Lisle closed a 15-point gap to 48-40 and threat-
SPORTS | Plano Record / KendallCountyNow.com •
Boyd, Reapers are I-8 tourney champs
15
Photos by Steven Buyansky for Shaw Media
ABOVE: Plano’s Jermaine Boyd and the rest of his teammates celebrate their Interstate Eight conference championship win over Lisle at Coal City High School on Jan. 27. RIGHT: Plano’s Elijah Maisonet (22) shoots and makes a jumper against Lisle’s Josh Jamison (32) on Jan. 27. ened to draw further, Boyd blocked back-to-back shots at the rim. At the other end, Shead buried a 3-pointer to stem the tide. Later, Boyd dove to the floor to snag a loose ball and alertly called a timeout. “He was huge,” Kee said of Boyd. “He’s probably the most dominant big man in our conference. I just wish we could have had him for more than two years.” Plano started strong – and to no surprise Shead led the way. The senior guard scored eight of his 17 points in the first quarter. He scored on a driving layup on Plano’s first possession, then hit a 3-pointer from the left wing as part of a 7-0 start. Later, Shead knocked down a deep 3-pointer from the right corner. It was 17-9 by the end of the quarter. Plano hit six 3-pointers in the first half, taking a 29-21 lead into the break. “We came in with a lot of confidence because we knew we had beaten [Lisle] before,” Shead
said. “We just had to keep the same aggressive mindset. We’ve struggled in tournaments so this feels good.” Kee is used to Shead showcasing his abilities offensively. “He’s one of the top players in the area,” Kee said. “When he’s hitting shots we’re really tough to guard.” The lead eventually swelled to 42-27 on two Contreras free throws late in the third quarter. Lisle, led by Mark McGrath’s 23 points, rallied to get the margin to eight. Plano, though, closed well, Boyd’s blocks and Shead’s 3-pointer sparking a decisive 10-0 run. Maisonet, one of five seniors in Plano’s starting lineup, was a force late with nine of his 13 points in the fourth quarter. “We should be able to finish,” Kee said. “We have a bunch of seniors out there. “If they’re not out there ready to play at the end of games now they’ll never be able to play at the end of games. This is one of the best games we’ve played. We got after it.”
Plano Record / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, February 2, 2017
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SPORTS
JOB WELL DONE
Boyd, Reapers roll to first I-8 tourney title / 15
Steven Buyansky for Shaw Media
Plano’s Jermaine Boyd (15) blocks a shot by Lisle’s Josh Jamison (32) during the Interstate Eight conference championship game at Coal City High School on Jan. 27.