TON-02-17-2017

Friday, February 17, 2017

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Earmarking new dollars in Lostant Cellular tax money to go toward special projects

By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com

LOSTANT — While the funds have yet to roll in, Lostant is planning the manner in which tax money from its new cellular tax would best be used.

At the Monday night meeting of the Lostant Village Board, the proposal was to set the funds aside for use in projects which are planned to improve the village.

“Since it’s new money coming in, I would like the board to consider putting that money in a separate file for some of the projects we want to do around town,” Trustee Jack Immel said.

The money would be separated to make sure it went to these specific projects, rather than risk it being pulled in to help pay for other expenses.

“Sometimes I think when it goes in the general fund, we

lose it quicker,” Immel said.

“It goes into the general fund, and it goes into that black hole we’ve got there,” Lostant President Fred Hartenbower said of the general fund issue.

One of the proposed projects for which these funds could be set aside is the task of taking care of some of the flooding in town, which Immel said would benefit the whole town in addition to those areas directly affected.

Immel said that, when one project is complete, the funds can be repurposed for another need.

The board also learned some Lostant residents have noticed something strange about the water.

Recently the village has been receiving complaints regarding effects from water. Some residents are experiencing damage to their laundry.

“We’ve got three that are taking all their clothes out of town,” said Trustee Mike Cooper.

The issue is in the discoloration of clothing after it has been washed.

“With blacks, you can see them fade, like a pinkish,” said Wendy Forrest, village clerk. “Like they’re getting bleached, kind of.”

Hartenbower has also noticed a peculiarity regarding the water recently.

“I’ve noticed an excessive chlorine smell in my shower,” he said. He said an overabundance of chlorine would explain the bleaching.

The complaints appear to center around the east side of town, suggesting he problem is located there. It was proposed flushing the hydrants in that area of town might solve the issue.

The board discussed the option of flushing the hydrants this week, after notifying residents and dependent on the weather.

‘We are HER’

2010 PCHS graduate creates a safe online community for abuse survivors

By Dave Cook

news@tonicanews.com

Tonica News photo/Dave Cook

Happy Valentine’s Day Lostant Grade School student Ireland Johnson-Rockey was one of the several students who had fun decorating a Valentine’s Day box during Lostant’s kindergarten through second-grade art project. According to CNN, more than 151 million cards are annually exchanged on Valentine’s Day.

GRANVILLE — Healed, empowered, restored — these adjectives represent how Stevie Croisant hopes survivors of abuse and assault feel after reading the stories of others and sharing their own in the safe and anonymous online community she’s recently created.

A 2010 graduate of Putnam County High School (PCHS) and former resident of Hennepin, Croisant was inspired to create “We are HER” after ending a physically, emotionally and financially abusive relationship of her own.

Croisant, who lives in Montana now, said, “I found the only way I could heal was to share my story.

I was often asked, ‘Why did you stay for so long?’ or “How could you let that

HER Page 2

New owners for problem building

Board looks at mowing and mail

By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com

LOSTANT — The dilapidated building which has been causing troubles for Lostant has now found new owners, which begins the process anew.

Vol. 143 No. 11 One Section - 8 Pages

“The building on the corner, the Pothoff building, is under new ownership,” said Trustee Mike Cooper.

What this means, according to attorney Kyle Stephens, is any processes the town had previously initiated to tackle the problems and hazards presented by the building no longer stand. For anything to move forward, these must begin anew.

“Even if you have an order against the old owner, it

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doesn’t hold against the new one,” Stephens said.

Village President Fred Hartenbower would rather not put out orders against the new owners right away, opting instead to attempt dialogue and learn what their plans are, as well as make sure they know that something needs to be done about the building.

Lostant Page 2

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2 • The Tonica News • Friday, February 17, 2017

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HER From Page 1

happen to you?’ but the truth is abuse knows no boundaries, and it can happen to anyone.”

Knowing it would be difficult to share deeply personal stories, Croisant began asking those she knew to write of their abusive relationships. Friends also gave assistance with the many other aspects involved in creating an online community.

She also credits one of her teachers at PCHS for providing her with confidence.

“Carmela Rodriguez did wonders for helping me to grow as a writer. She was supportive and pushed me to challenge myself. I switched from pre-med to English in college and don’t regret it. I believe everything happens for a reason, and without my background in English, I don’t know that ‘HER’ would have taken off. Many of my writers are hesitant to share their story simply because they aren’t comfortable writing. Having professional editing and writing experience alleviates that problem.”

The quick growth of the “We are HER” community has mostly been a grassroots effort, and while happy for the success, there’s also a bittersweet side to the achievement.

“It breaks my heart because I’ve gained contributors from word-ofmouth, meaning some of

Lostant From Page 1

“If there’s somebody coming into town, and they’re going to improve the place, I hate to give them a nuisance right off the bat,” Hartenbower said.

Instead, the village plans to reach out to the building’s new ownership and invite them to a board meeting.

Mowing the baseball diamond Lostant has agreed once again to mow the baseball diamond this year, though the proceedings brought questions.

When Carol Stoens came before the board to ask the

Stevie Croisant these writers are women I know. We all know more women than we realize who have been victims of some kind of abuse, and that’s why ‘HER ‘is gaining momentum. Women before were told to be embarrassed and ashamed by the abuse they endured.

Today, women are standing up for one another, and I love that support.”

Identifying patterns

As the amount of stories grows, Croisant has seen some common threads in the stories and the interactions between the authors and readers.

“Most of the stories have a lot of the same elements,” she said. “The abuser was quite charming at first and did everything right.

In many stories you also notice how the female was new to town and didn’t have a lot of friends. There

town to mow the diamond, this year she received questions before the town committed.

“The only part that bothers me is that it’s the school’s diamond,” said Trustee Jack Immel. While he furthered the thought by saying he does not mind the town doing the work, he considered whether requests for the village to mow the area indicate a lack of interest from the school.

Stoens explained that while the diamond belongs to the school, the school does not have any particular involvement in the event.

“It’s the summer league, so the school doesn’t really

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are patterns, and our contributors are proving that.

It’s sad to see them, but noticing those patterns is important.”

The writers have benefited from the catharsis of sharing their story, and those stories have also provided a way for assault victims to know they’re not alone in their experience.

“It’s helpful for the survivors of campus assault to be connected with others.

There are feelings around assault that a survivor of domestic violence doesn’t necessarily share. ‘HER’ has been able to connect these women and facilitate interactions and connections. I think they’re able to find strength in numbers that way,” Croisant said.

She added she’s been told by her authors that “We are HER” is the one space where they aren’t judged — no doctors, parents or a critical best friends who blame them for staying in an abusive relationship.

“They’re able to get out all the details they want and know other survivors are out there supporting them,” Croisant said.

Unexpected interest

While the website has proven helpful to many women, Croisant said there’s been an additional and unintended effect she’s pleased with — an interest from men.

“Men have become inter-

have anything to do with it,” Stoens said. “They just let us use the diamond.”

Furthermore, Stoens indicated the school does mow the area, just not to a degree necessary for the sport.

“They mow it — previously they mowed it — just not often enough for the games,” she said.

Stoens brought a $200 check as a donation for the village’s work, “because it looks so much better when the town mows it.

“It’s not a lot, but it’s what we can do,” she said of the amount.

Keeping Lostant’s mail in the village Regardless of its chances of success, Lostant is

“Many feel compelled to share their story once they start reading because it helps validate their feelings and know they’re not alone in their suffering.”

Stevie Croisant ested in what the contributors have to say. Several men reached out asking, ‘How do I help?” or ‘What do I say to a female friend who has gone through abuse?’

It’s been great seeing men wanting to get involved and start a dialogue about abuse and assault. That’s huge, and they can do so much to influence their peers,” Croisant said.

Since abuse can strike all demographics, she advocates communities continuing to support those in need, and there are always ways to help make a meaningful difference.

She said, “Abuse knows no bounds. Small-town girl, immigrant, working professional — women of all walks of life are writing and following ‘HER.’ If you want to make a difference, spread the word about organizations like ‘HER’ and the Freedom House in Princeton, or donate your time or money.”

When Croisant isn’t busy with “We are HER” or her work with the magazine Outside Bozeman, she also works with HAVEN (Helping Abuse and Violence End Now), the non-profit

organization which provides shelter, education, advocacy and counseling for victims of domestic and sexual abuse. She does community outreach and education with HAVEN and credits her work there in helping her create her own community.

While “We are HER” is still growing, it’s already made an impact.

“I was really humbled when one writer told me she had moved to a new city after her assault and didn’t need a therapist in her new city because ‘HER’ had helped lift a weight off her shoulders when she was able to share her story,” Croisant said.

She said many of ‘HER’s’ readers become authors on the site. and she thinks stories of abuse in the world are more common than what would be expected.

“Many feel compelled to share their story once they start reading because it helps validate their feelings and know they’re not alone in their suffering. It’s a beautiful process to witness women come full circle with the help of ‘HER,’” she said.

requesting that mail sent from within the village not be taken elsewhere when the recipient is also in town.

“I think the town ought to write a letter to the postmaster and request that town mail stay in town,” village Treasurer/Trustee Ray Brierly said, explaining the mail leaving town introduces hiccups and delays.

“I just got the water bill today (Feb. 13),” Brierly said. “It was mailed on the fourth.”

While the proposal might make sense to some — that post originating in Lostant and sent to a local address not take extraneous trips outside of town —

the postal service appears to disallow the requested action.

Trustee Dave Mertes said the suggested policy used to be carried out, though it might not have been allowed; however, it is currently out of the question.

“They refuse to do it,” Mertes said. “The new lady told me that she’s required to send it to the sorting facility.”

Brierly suggested there might still be a chance, since the village had not previously submitted a formal request.

The village has opted to draft up such a request in hopes it might have an effect.

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Friday, February 17, 2017 • The Tonica News • 3

Soil fertility seminar set for Feb. 28

Hometown National Bank promotes Ksiazkiewicz

PRINCETON — Soil fertility, crop production practices and environmental stewardship will be the focus of the upcoming seminar sponsored by University of Illinois Extension Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall, Putnam Unit on Tuesday, Feb. 28.

Extension will hold the program at Illinois Valley Community College from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Campus-based researchers will deliver their presentations to program participants live through web conferencing. Certified crop advisors in attendance can earn up to five hours (units) of nutrient management continuing education.

“Those attending this seminar will learn about the most current nutrient management research and recommendations to both increase nutrient efficiency and decrease nutrient losses,” said Angie Peltier, educator with the University of Illinois Extension. Diverse presentations from university researchers range from “Are concerns about nitrogen loss justified?” to “Tile nitrate loss: Effect of fertilizer N application method and cover crops,” from “N and P retention as influenced by tillage and cover crops in a corn-soybean” to “Illinois NREC: What have we learned?” and “Increasing importance of sulfur for field crops.”

Extension will hold the seminar at IVCC in Oglesby, Room CTC 124. Presentations will be delivered via PowerPoint and web conferencing. Lunch is included in the registration fee of $50, along with program materials. Advance registration is required by Tuesday, Feb. 21. Registration made be made online at: https://web.extension.illinois.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=15491 or by calling University of Illinois Extension - Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall, Putnam Unit at 815224-0889. If you need a reasonable accommodation, indicate when registering.

Topics and speakers include: • Increasing importance of sulfur for field crops — John Sawyer, Iowa State University.

• Illinois NREC: What have we learned? — Robert Hoeft, Illinois Nutrient Research & Education Council.

• Are Concerns About Nitrogen Loss Justified? — Dr. Emerson Nafziger, University of Illinois.

• Tile Nitrate Loss: Effect of fertilizer N application method and cover crops — Lowell Gentry, University of Illinois.

• N and P retention as influenced by tillage and cover crops in a corn-soybean rotation — Maria Villamil, University of Illinois.

Jim Riley, chairman of Hometown National Bank, announced the promotion of Lorna Ksiazkiewicz to senior vice president.

She has served as the head of the retail team at Hometown since 2004.

She is also responsible for marketing and overall company communications. She also served at LaSalle National Bank, Hometown’s previous name, from 1980 to 1997.

“Lorna’s strong knowledge of our community and her vast experience in customer care have provided our bank clients and friends with excellent service for many years,” said Riley.

“The board of directors recognizes the outstanding contribution she has made and continues to provide our team. We see her leadership skills demonstrated each day with our retail and consumer team.”

Central Bank Illinois announces the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire the First National Bank and Trust Co. of Rochelle.

The First National Bank and Trust Co. of Rochelle has approximately $278 million in assets with three locations serving the communities of Rochelle, Ashton and Oregon, Ill. The combined entity, operating as Central Bank Illinois, will have assets of approximately $850 million upon completion of the acquisition.

John DuBois, Central Bank president and CEO, stated, “Central Bank Illinois and the First National Bank and Trust Co. of Rochelle have very similar cultures and community bank philosophies. This acquisition allows us to match our two organizations and expand into the market area of Ogle and Lee counties.”

Scott Tilton, president and CEO of First National Bank and Trust Co. of Rochelle, added, “Since 1934, the First National Bank and Trust Co. of Rochelle has served Rochelle and the surrounding area as a financial partner, helping friends and neighbors achieve financial success. For over eight decades we have built a solid foundation, and as we looked to potential partners, Central Bank Illinois presented as the clear leader to continue to build upon the foundation laid.”

First National Bank and Trust Co. of Rochelle’s three offices will remain open and continue to serve customers under the First National Bank name until the acquisition is finalized, which is anticipated to be in early third quarter 2017, after which time they will transition to the Central Bank Illinois name.

OGLESBY — University of Illinois Extension invites ag producers, agri-businesses and others interested to attend “Agronomy Night” on Tuesday, Feb 21. Russ Higgins, University of Illinois Extension commercial agriculture educator, will provide an update on agronomy research projects.

The special presentation will be at 7 p.m. in Room CTC at Illinois Valley Community College. Topics include weed, plant disease, insect and nutrient management. Higgins will also share current cover crop and soil health projects information.

CEUs have been applied – Certified Crop Advisors are encouraged to attend. Advance registration is required by 4:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20, by calling University of Illinois Extension at 815-224-0889. There is no cost to attend. For more information, call Daryle Wragge, ag program coordinator, at 309-364-2356.

Tonica Volunteer Fire Department At 4:38 p.m. Feb. 8, the Tonica Volunteer Fire Department (TVFD) was called to aid the Oglesby Fire Department with a structure fire. Located at 2606 E. 450th Road, Tonica’s initial response was with an engine company. Oglesby command also requested a mutual aid box alarm system (MABAS) activation which resulted in the LaSalle, Peru, Utica and Spring Valley fire departments responding.

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TONICA — The Tonica Volunteer Fire Department (TVFD) handled 11 emergency calls during January. There were no fires, three accidents, seven ambulance calls and one smoke investigation.

During January, 21 members completed either the initial eight hours of hazardous materials awareness training or the four hour hazardous materials refresher training. This training was in accordance with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards and the Illinois Fire Service Institute.

Sixteen members participated in the National Incident Management System (NIMS) training covering the rural tactical review of the TVFD fire and ambulance areas.

Seven members participated in squad training covering station, truck and equipment reviews.

EMS training covered respiratory emergencies.

Assistant Chief Bill Gray attended a 12-hour training class, held at the Lostant Fire Station and presented by the Illinois Fire Service Institute and the University of Illinois, covering ground fire management for small career and volunteer departments.

Firefighters Derek Keutzer, Brad Keutzer and Steven Ebener participated in an all-day training exercise in Coralville, Iowa, which covered hose advancement, nozzles and fire streams.

Various station and equipment repairs were completed

by Bill Gray, Tom Goskusky, Rick Turri and Scott Lauer.

Significant monetary donations were received from Elaine Ford, Gayle and Nancy Dauber, Hickory Grove, Dennis and Pam Ford and Payne Farms. An additional donation of $100 dollars was received from Sara Engels.

Various items such as an audio-visual projector, safety gloves, safety goggles, hand tools, winter coats, and fuel additive were also donated to the department.

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Ksiazkiewicz serves as a member of the bank’s senior leadership with shared responsibility for overall management of the bank.

She is currently enrolled in the Graduate School of Banking at Madison, Wis. She is on the LaSalle County Casa Board and an active member of the LaSalle Business Association.

Lorna and her husband, Mark, live in Oglesby and are parents of two adult children.

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Betty Scott TONICA — Betty E. Scott, 85, formerly of Tonica, died peacefully surrounded by her daughter and son-in-law on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017, in OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington.

She was born May 22, 1931, in Streator to Lester Arley and Mildred Ann (Hutchison) King. She married Joseph Jean Marconnet Betty Scott July 3, 1949, in Streator and he died on Nov. 10, 1978. She then married Elwin “Jack” Scott Aug. 21, 1981, in Tonica and he died Feb. 24, 2005.

She worked at Westclox and later National Metalwares in Peru.

She was a member of the Tonica United Methodist Church and Tonica Methodist Women’s Club. She also was a member of the Tonica 20th Century Club and Thursday Club. She enjoyed gardening, reading, and spending time with her family and friends.

She is survived by her daughter, Ann (Richard) Ramoino of Bloomington; one son, James Marconnet of Madison, Ala.; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husbands and her daughter-in-law, Patricia.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 17, in the Tonica United Methodist Church with the Rev. Mark Nowakowski officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in Tonica. Visitation will be Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of services in the church.

Memorials may be directed to Tonica United Methodist Church or Tonica Fire and Ambulance Department.

The Hurst Funeral Home in Tonica is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.hurstfuneralhomes.com.

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4 • The Tonica News • Friday, February 17, 2017

The Editorial Page The Tonica News Sam R Fisher

Terri Simon

Publisher

Editor

A solution to the property tax problem Todd Grigg teaches the importance of dollars and cents.

For more than 20 years, students in Grigg’s consumer education class at Triad High School in Troy, Ill., have learned how to buy Austin Berg their first car, how to COMMENTARY pay for college, and how to balance a checkbook.

But last week was different. Grigg taught one of his most painful lessons of the year: property taxes.

“There’s no doubt,” he said. “In our area and in our state, we’re losing people because of high property taxes.”

Grigg is on the front lines of a problem plaguing communities across the state. Illinoisans pay some of the highest property taxes in the nation. And that’s driving people to seek greener pastures elsewhere. Due to Illinoisans’ rapid flight to other states, the Land of Lincoln has been the only shrinking state in the region for the last three years running.

Each year during his tax lessons, Grigg stands in front of a map. And he details opportunities beyond Illinois’ borders.

“I feel I have an obligation to tell them because I care about my students’ well-being more than my state’s well-being,” he said. “I don’t want [my students] to make the mistake of staying here because it’s the only thing they know.”

Local governments shouldn’t be hiking property taxes when so many people are heading elsewhere and teachers feel compelled to offer students an exit plan. That’s a recipe for disaster. Homeowners deserve a property tax system that will give them security in their homes and certainty in the future. They deserve relief.

That’s why comprehensive property tax reform is a key part of a new plan to balance the state budget without tax hikes: “Budget Solutions 2018” from the Illinois Policy Institute.

The first step in the Institute’s plan is a five-year property tax freeze. No longer will Illinoisans see local property taxes rise faster and faster as their personal incomes stagnate. But a freeze isn’t enough. Illinois needs to make its local governments accountable again. Lawmakers must pursue several different reforms.

For one, the state must make it far easier to consolidate units of local government, which often do not provide unique services and come with expensive and duplicative bureaucracies that residents must fund through property taxes.

Illinois has by far the most units of government in the nation, at nearly 7,000. But right now, it can be more difficult to get rid of a unit of local government than it is to amend the Illinois Constitution.

Further, curbing wasteful spending habits at the local level requires eliminating state subsidies that block accountability.

That includes ending revenue-sharing agreements that fuel excessive spending; stopping pension subsidies that allow school districts to dole out higher administrative pay, pension spikes and other unsustainable perks; and doing away with the special carve-outs in the education funding formula that shift state dollars to districts with property tax caps and special economic zones.

Some local governments will cry foul at losing even a dime of state money. That’s to be expected. But this is where the final step of real reform comes in: eliminating costly state mandates imposed on local governments.

Local leaders who actually want reform are currently handcuffed by Springfield. The state must empower local officials to drive the best bargain for taxpayers.

Right now, one-size-fits-all collective bargaining rules drive up the cost of contracts for public projects. The most expensive workers’ compensation costs in the region consume hundreds of millions of public dollars. And outdated prevailing wage rules often mandate six-figure salaries and benefits for basic construction work.

All three of these items require bold reform because all three are baked into property tax bills.

Ultimately, until state and local lawmakers can look residents in the eye and say they’ve tackled the property tax problem head-on, don’t expect families to stick around.

Mentors like Mr. Grigg will continue to tell the truth.

And Illinoisans will continue to listen.

Austin Berg is a writer for the Illinois Policy Institute. He wrote this column for the Illinois News Network, a project of the Institute. Austin can be reached at aberg@illinoispolicy.org.

I’ll take every one I can get I had a birthday a couple of weeks ago. Like always, I prefer to spend my birthday with little fanfare, as little chaos as possible, and in a quiet manner with those I hold most dear to me.

I get a bit frustrated with those people who jokingly say, “I’m not having any more birthdays.” What does that mean? I know it’s not a literal statement, rather a tongue in cheek declaration about getting older, but from my perspective and my past, I’ll gladly take every birthday I can get. Bring ‘em on — for the alternative of not having any more birthdays — well, we understand that statement all too well.

I don’t talk about my age. A staff member recently asked me how old I was, and like always, I skirted the issue. After all, there are two things one should never ask anyone: 1. How old are you? and 2. How much do you weigh? I’m never going to answer either question; at least I’m not going to answer either question honestly, so don’t bother asking.

Quite frankly, the answers to either of those questions elude me. With my age, I actually forget what number I’m on, causing me to have to literally do the math. On top of that, I know my limitations — I’m pretty good with words, not so good with numbers, so the age answer usually requires a calculator. And if you’re around my age and the memory isn’t as good as it used to be, the location of the calculator is just as elusive as my actual age.

Regarding my weight, that number can be debatable. Do you mean my weight with my clothes on? My weight with or without my shoes? My weight before or after I kicked my proverbial diet to the curb and ate something that had more calories than I should have had in the entire day? I mean — come on. There are so many variables to that question. One of my doctors — bless

Terri Simon COMMENTARY his heart — never asks anyone to get on the scale; his nurse just asks, “About how tall are you? And how much do you weigh?” I love that doctor.

Anyway, back to the age thing. I had a dear friend/close family member who always said, “Getting old isn’t for sissies.” We’ve all heard that statement, but until some of those telltale signs of age start knocking on your own door, we just smile, giggle and nod our heads like we understand.

But the truth of the matter is until you arrive at that magical number — which is different for every one of us — that “getting old isn’t for sissies” statement doesn’t hit home.

But eventually, my dear friends, it will. And when it does, it will slap you into next Sunday with the realization you aren’t as young as you used to be.

OK, the other well-known phrase — “Age is just a number” — is true, but after a while, there’s no denying the changes one undergoes with the passing of every birthday.

Here’s an example: If you are around my age, can you actually read the words on the bottle of Tylenol or Aleve? What about the words in the telephone book? Did that small print actually get smaller, or have my older eyes gotten worse? Either way (and I’ve said it before), I think there’s a conspiracy between the manufacturers of pain relievers/telephone books and optometrists. I dare say it has nothing to do with my age.

And speaking of Tylenol, Aleve and other meds that ease my aching joints or muscles or tendons or whatever is

hurting, do you find yourself buying more and more of these little gems, just to keep those aches and pains away? And then there are the ones with the “arthritis caps.” Talk about adding insult to injury.

There are a myriad of other issues that start cropping up as the birthdays come and go. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve run (I use that term loosely) up the stairs to get something out of my bedroom, only to forget what I needed. The same holds true as I stand in the middle of my basement and desperately attempt to remember what little item needed to come upstairs with me. Do I need to go on?

• Technology, which gets more difficult every day, is an enemy now. I’ll catch on, but it’s going to take a while.

• I know where every public restroom is in Bureau County, LaSalle County, Putnam County, in the Quad Cities, Peoria and on the interstate.

Enough said.

• I read articles and stories about what people refer to as senior citizens, only to realize they are younger than me.

• I find myself asking Clare, who does my hair, how much gray is showing. Is it time for color?

• I no longer get angry when a kid at a fast food restaurant automatically assumes I’m a senior citizen and gives me a discount.

• I look over at the person stopped at a stop light, and the kid behind the wheel looks like he’s about 12.

You get the idea. It’s a new day, my friends, and despite the issues associated with growing older — guess what?

I’ll take each and every one of them.

Growing older is a privilege many don’t get to experience. I’ll take all the birthdays I can get.

Tonica News Editor Terri Simon can be reached at tsimon@tonicanews.com.

We live in a dicey cyber world I was at a desktop computer in a public library recently when the Internet went down. The distraught looks of my fellow library patrons stimulated me to wonder how they (and I) would react if a real digital disaster struck.

That same afternoon my New Yorker arrived, carrying a disturbing article about how so many Silicon Valley centi-millionaires and above are making plans for the apocalypse (“Survival of the Richest,” Evan Osnos, Jan. 30).

Osnos reports that as many as half of these entrepreneurs are preparing, for example, by having laser eye surgery (to anticipate loss of access to glasses and contacts). They are also buying luxury condos in underground bunkers in Kansas (I kid you not) as well as whole islands offshore and retreats in New Zealand.

What do these mostly young, very smart, tech-savvy, to say the least, people know that I don’t?

According to Osnos, some worry their advances in artificial intelligence will result in even fewer jobs for those further down the economic food chain. This might in turn cause the hoi-polloi to bring out their pitchforks and someday storm the redoubts of the one-percenters.

They apparently see a fragility in our civic society that could cause it to collapse. It’s not that they think an unraveling of society is likely, but that “apocalypse insurance” is worth taking out, since they have the money to do so.

Americans have always been captivated by doomsday scenarios.

Older readers will remember the drills in grammar school where we learned to crouch under our desks to protect ourselves somehow from nuclear attack.

Today I worry less about conventional warfare than I do about the disruption of our nation’s electrical

Jim Nowlan COMMENTARY grid by computer hackers, [something maybe less evocative than marauding mobs with pitchforks out of a Frankenstein movie, but more likely].

How would American society handle a total, lengthy blackout of electricity. And all that is dependent upon electricity, like digital communications and all the stuff of our daily life that requires juice from the grid? Not well, I’m thinking.

I think this is a real threat, though I am clueless when it comes to technology. There are, we all know, thousands of hackers out there, in bedrooms, or in terrorist cells, and in nations like Russia and China. They are probing for weaknesses continuously. The Holy Grail for them is to disrupt and harm.

Russia recently brought down the Ukrainian power grid for six hours, and the U.S. and Israel, as I understand it, a few years ago used malware called Stuxnet to bring down Iran’s nuclear centrifuge processing machines.

I called around to federal and state agencies, and to electrical utilities sources. In large part, they bounced me around, as if nobody wanted to talk on the record about cyber-security and the grid.

(There are probably a score of federal and state agencies, plus the electric companies, in the web of cyber-security responsibility — DOE, DHS, FBI, NSC, ICC, ILCC, ILDOIT (a new one: Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology) and more.)

Scott Aaronson is executive director for security for the Edison Electric Institute, the research and trade group in

D.C. for our nation’s 300-plus electric utility companies.

Aaronson said basically: Trust us. No problems. There has never been a cyber-attack that has affected electrical grid operations — but we must do a better job of protecting the grid!

Aaronson called the electric grid “one big North American machine (it includes Canada).”

That worries me. I do know that in our electrical-digital world, everything seems connected, as in the old Gospel tune about how the leg bone’s connected to the thigh bone, and so on.

So, could a successful attack in one part of our system cascade rapidly throughout the whole? I don’t know, as I’m still awaiting unreturned phone calls.

I have heard knowledgeable folks say that it isn’t a matter of if, but rather when there will be a successful cyber-attack on our grid.

I have a shirt-tail cousin John who is a coureur des bois, a re-enactor of the 18th Century French trapper world.

He makes his own knives, shoots and field dresses his deer, scrapes the hides and make supple leather from them, turning the leather into exquisite luggage.

When I sense the apocalypse coming, I will run out to John’s place in the country to tell him I’m signing up to be on his team. He can survive anything, I’m sure.

Until then, I will, finally, take up the recommendation of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and purchase a kit of supplies to weather a three-day electrical outage.

After all, it’s a dicey world out there.

Jim Nowlan of Toulon served two terms in the Illinois House and worked under three governors. He co-wrote “Fixing Illinois: Politics and Policy in the Prairie State.” Nowlan can be reached at jnowlan3@gmail.com.

Friday, February 17, 2017 • The Tonica News • 5

Community TCOC announces 2017 scholarships ROCK FALLS — At least 12 scholarships will be awarded by Tri-County Opportunities Council to income eligible students residing in the agency’s service area. The scholarships are worth up to $1,250 and have been made available by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) through its Community Services Block Grant funds. All low-income students, racial or ethnic minorities and previous scholarship winners are encouraged to apply.

To be eligible for the scholarship competition: • The applicant must be a member of an income-eligible household.

• The applicants must be attending an Illinois accredited post-second-

ary educational institution of higher learning during the fall of 2017.

• Applicants must be a resident of Bureau, Carroll, LaSalle, Lee, Marshall, Ogle, Putnam, Stark or Whiteside County in Illinois.

• Students must be considered full-time (minimum of 12 semester hours) to qualify for the full $1,250 scholarship. Part-time students will be considered in the competition, however, scholarship awards will be pro-rated if they are selected as a winner.

The application deadline has been extended to April 7.

Further information and application forms may be obtained by contacting the office at 800-323-5434, ext. 15, or on the website at www. tcochelps.org.

Z Tour registration is now open Event set for July 15 PRINCETON — Registration for the 2017 Z Tour Bike Ride to be held in Princeton on Saturday, July 15, is now open. Riders can save by registering prior to June 16 and join more than 700 cyclists who will enjoy some of the best paved, low-traffic roads that North Central Illinois has to offer.

Cyclists in the Z Tour Bike Ride enjoy wellmarked routes, outstanding support at the themed rest stops, Peru Bike Works mechanics and a post-ride meal.

Additionally, organizers are planning for local band favorite, 212, to entertain from noon to 3 p.m. at Zearing Park on ride day.

One of the best fea-

tures of the Z Tour Bike Ride is that there is something for every level of cyclist. Participants can choose from routes of 10, 30, 50, 65 (new), and 100 miles (new).

To register online, visit www.eventbrite. com. Detailed information about the Z Tour Bike Ride can be found on the website, www.ztour.org or at our Z Tour Bike Ride Facebook page. For specific questions, send an email to ztourinfo@gmail.com.

Proceeds generated from the ride benefit the Zearing Child Enrichment Center, a not-forprofit early childhood education center serving the Princeton area for 44 years.

Gibson, Lynch part of NSF mentoring OGLESBY — Illinois Valley Community College’s success in landing National Science Foundation grants has led to a mentoring opportunity with a North Dakota college.

IVCC electronics instructor Jim Gibson and former instructor Rose Marie Lynch are mentoring a team from Williston State College’s petroleum automation and control program.

“This speaks to the strategic success we have had in acquiring NSF grants and also to our willingness to share hard-earned knowledge about the process with colleagues at other institutions,” said IVCC President Jerry Corcoran.

Since 2005, IVCC has procured more than $1.3 million from three NSF grants: Building an engineering technology workforce: A plan for reaching young people, adults and women; Preparing a new workforce for a sustainable economy; and, Embedding CQI methodology in twoyear technical curricula.

Williston State will work with IVCC in NSF’s Mentor-Connect Program, an initiative providing guidance for its Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Program.

Assigned experts Gibson and Lynch will assist WSC in a 10-month program to draft an ATE proposal. In addition to one-onone mentorship, they will facilitate faculty and leadership development, offer technical assistance and ensure the grant is ready for review.

“Williston State was chosen from 29 schools representing 22 states,” said WSC’s Pamela Rasmussen.

“At the end of the program, we will seek funding from the NSF to sustain and grow its petroleum automation and control program.”

The idea came from WSC petroleum technology instructor Alberto Bellina when he attended IVCC’s summer training in Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and Automation taught by Gibson.

During one of the sessions, Gibson explained

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IVCC instructor Jim Gibson (second from left) and former IVCC instructor Rosie Lynch (far right) meet with Williston State College representatives Alberto Bellina, Pamela Rasmussen and Ken Quamme. IVCC was selected to mentor WSC’s petroleum automation and control program for the National Science Foundation’s Mentor-Connect Program. where IVCC was as a college before being awarded NSF grants and where it is now.

“When we began, we were in the basement without any equipment,” he said. “Now the first thing people see when they come to our college is our technology center. The square footage committed to our programs has increased by three-and-ahalf times.”

Seeing the passion Bellina had for WSC’s petroleum program, Gibson and

Lynch agreed to mentor the college during its application process. Gibson and Lynch joined forces with Bellina, Rasmussen, and Business Technology Chair Ken Quamme to form WSC’s Mentor-Connect team.

“We look forward to learning from Jim’s knowledge and experience in building his own automation and control program,” explained Bellina.

Gibson, Lynch and the WSC team are attending a Mentor-Connect work-

shop in New Orleans this week to begin the process.

“NSF did not have Mentor-Connect when we applied for NSF Grants,” Gibson noted. “The program teaches you what to do and what not to do when applying. It would have helped us get accepted earlier and avoid mistakes when we initially applied.”

More than 80 percent of participants in the Mentor-Connect program receive their ATE grant upon completion.

6 • The Tonica News • Friday, February 17, 2017

Area students graduate from IVCC OGLESBY — More than 210 students graduated after the fall 2016 semester at Illinois Valley Community College. Area graduates include: Cedar Point — Joshua Bright.

Lostant — Savanna Beavers.

Tonica — Amanda Knoblauch and Aaron Walgenbach.

Menus Lostant Grade School

Amy Olson’s 6-8 grade math class

Breakfast Feb. 20 — Pancakes, sausage and syrup, yogurt, cereal, fruit and juice.

Feb. 21 — Honeybun, yogurt, cereal, fruit and juice.

Feb. 22 — Doughnut, yogurt, cereal, fruit and juice.

Feb. 23 — Danish, yogurt, cereal, fruit and juice.

Feb. 24 — Muffin, yogurt, cereal, fruit and juice.

Lunch Feb. 20 — Tortellini soup, peaches, bread, milk.

Feb. 21 — Ham, scalloped potatoes, corn, applesauce, milk.

Feb. 22 — Hot dog on bun, macaroni and cheese, carrots, pears, milk.

Feb. 23 — Chili, cornbread, fruit cocktail, milk.

Feb. 24 — Hamburger on bun, baked beans, peaches, milk.

Math class equals success The students in Amy Olson’s 6-8 math class recently won first place in the Region 35 Sumdog math contest.

All math classes in ROE 35 were invited to play.

The contest is through the math website, Sumdog, and ran from Jan. 27 through Feb. 2. Students were limited to 1,000 questions to answer during the contest and the questions are grade specific.

By winning first place, her students have earned a classroom subscription to Sumdog which will allow them to play all the games offered on the website.

Two other classrooms at Lostant participated as well. The 3-5 kids who have Tricia Haynes as their teacher gave the older students a run for their money.

The two classes went back and forth leading the contest. The final score was 6-8 with 810 points and the 3-5 with 788. The students who have Melissa Einhaus as their math teacher also participated and ended up in sixth place.

The 3-5 students were the daily winner on Day 1, and the students in Olson’s

Tonica Grade School

Top eight students class won the daily contest on Day 3. Classes could only be the daily winner once.

There were several Lostant students who ended up with the Top 10 scores overall. They were:

• Landon Mertel, fifth grade, third place.

• Lucas Wiesbrock, sixth grade, fourth place.

• Devin Forrest, eighth grade, fifth place.

• Chase Kreiser, seventh grade, sixth place.

Tricia Haynes’ 3-5 grade math class

• Miles Walder, fifth grade, seventh place.

• Will Daugherty, seventh grade, eighth place.

• Bailey Rockey, eighth grade, ninth place.

• Mariska Beck, third grade, 10th place.

Melissa Einhaus’ 6-8 grade math class

Smile! Spring is just around the corner.

Putnam County Community Center Feb. 20 — Center closed.

Feb. 21 — Hamburger, baked beans, coleslaw, yogurt with fruit, dessert.

Feb. 22 — Turkey/bacon/cheese wrap, hash browns, cooked cauliflower, pears.

Feb. 23 — Chicken salad on bun, macaroni salad, fruit cocktail, green beans, dessert.

Feb. 24 — Baked ham, scalloped potatoes, peas, grapes.

Bread, butter, fruit juice and 2% milk are available with meals. For reservations, call 800-757-4579 24 hours in advance of the day’s meal. The menu is subject to change. Meals are available to senior citizens 60 plus at no cost, but donations are appreciated. The meal program is partly funded by donations, so they have a suggested donation of $5 per meal. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m.

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Breakfast Feb. 20 — No school.

Feb. 21 — Waffle and syrup or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk.

Feb. 22 — Cheese omelet or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk.

Feb. 23 — Sausage, egg and cheese biscuit or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk.

Feb. 24 — Powdered sugar or chocolate doughnuts or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk.

Lunch Feb. 20 — No school.

Feb. 21 — Chicken strips, carrots, fruit, cookies, milk.

Feb. 22 — Hamburger, cheese slice, bun, french fries, fruit, gelatin and Cool Whip, milk.

Feb. 23 — Chicken wrap: flat bread, grilled chicken, cheese cup, shredded lettuce, fresh fruit, milk.

Feb. 24 — Hot dog, bun, baked beans, applesauce, zert pudding, milk.

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Friday, February 17, 2017 • The Tonica News • 7

Arts-on-the-Go headed to Chicago Symphony Arts-on-the-Go, a part of North Central Illinois Artworks, is hosting a trip to hear the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on Friday, April 7, for a matinee performance.

The orchestra will be performing Dvorak’s Cello Concerto and Prokofiev’s Fifth Symphony. The pieces will be conducted by Daniel Dutoit, who is a master in interpreting Rus-

sian music and an accomplished conductor.

The cost for main floor seats and the bus, which leaves from Peru, is $118.

The deadline for calls for reservations is Feb. 27, and payment no later than March 2.

People may make reservations or receive additional information about the trip by calling Sue Johnson at 815-223-1910.

Knights of Columbus donates funds raised during Tootsie Roll drive PRINCETON — The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic Fraternal Organization committed to supporting people who are mentally challenged and those with learning disabilities in our community.

In past years, the Knights of Columbus have contributed thousands of dollars to organizations to help people with intellectual and learning disabilities. Each September, the Knights of Columbus hold a Tootsie Roll drive to raise money for these worthwhile local organizations.

This year, with the help of the community and donations from several area businesses, two local organizations were given checks to continue the work of the worthwhile programs.

On Jan. 7, Dave Roden, Tootsie Roll Drive chairman, distributed $613.32 to Allison Nichols, director of the Area 16, Starved Rock Division of Special Olympics Illinois, at their

District Winter Games held at the Bureau County Fairgrounds. Area 16 – Starved Rock encompasses Henry, Stark, Bureau, Putnam, Marshall, LaSalle and Grundy counties.

As an added bonus, Roden served as announcer for several of the winners in snowshoeing.

“It’s amazing not only how much effort they put into the sport, but how much they truly love and support each other,” he said.

On Jan. 12, Roden distributed another check for $2,453.31 from the Knights of Columbus Father Farrell Council to Jeffrey Dean, president and CEO of Gateway Services, Inc. Gateway Services is a non-profit organization which provides services to adults and children with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in order for them to live as independently as possible.

Roden credits the generosity of the community

Photo contributed

Lostant kindergarten, first- and second-graders with teachers Amy Roach, Morgan Sondgeroth and Debra Wiesbrock.

Lostant students celebrate 100th day LOSTANT — Lostant Grade School students and staff members celebrated the 100th day of school on Thursday, Feb. 2. The students and staff dressed like they were 100

years old.

Students in grades kindergarten through second made a project out of 100 Cheerios. They also went to the gym and did jumping jacks,

Tonica News photo/Goldie Rapp

Photo contributed Dave Roden (right), Tootsie Roll Drive chairman, presents Allison Nichols, director of the Area 16 Starved Rock Divia check in the amount of $2,453.31 to Jeff Dean, presision of Special Olympics, stands with an athlete and Dave dent and CEO of Gateway Services.

Roden, Tootsie Roll Drive chairman, at this year’s Starved Rock Area Special Olympics event. The Knights of Columand the understanding ebrates and promotes the bus donated $613.32 to Special Olympics.

that the noble work that these organizations do cel-

quality of life for those they serve.

––––––––––– Classifieds –––––––––– General Terms and Policies The Tonica News reserves the right to classify correctly, edit, reject or cancel any advertisement at any time in accordance with its policy. All ads must be checked for errors by the advertiser, on the first day of publication. We will be responsible for the first incorrect insertion, and its liabilities shall be limited to the price on one insertion.

CLASSIFIED LINE AD & LEGAL DEADLINES: • Friday Paper deadline Friday before by 3pm We Accept Call 815-875-4461 classified@bcrnews.com

- 200 Employment 228 • Help Wanted *Looking for* PIZZA MAKERS, SHORT ORDER COOK, WAITSTAFF Also: Nice extra money DELIVERING. Drivers must have valid license & insurance.

ALFANO'S, 115 West St. Paul Street, Spring Valley, IL

232 • Business Opportunities ********** THE CLASSIFIED Advertising Department of the Tonica News Does not have the opportunity to fully investigate the credibility of each advertiser appearing within these columns. If an offer sounds “too good to be true” it probably is.

Proceed with caution if you are asked to send money or to give a credit card number.

Proceed with caution in calling 900 phone numbers. All phone numbers prefixed by”900” are charged to the CALLER. Charges may be assessed on a “per minute” basis rather than a “per call” basis.

The Tonica News Classifieds makes every effort to qualify these charges for the reader.

If you have a concern about an advertiser, please contact: Better Business Bureau 330 North Wabash Chicago, IL 60611 312 832-0500 NEED MORE INCOME? Check out the Tonica News Classified. You might find opportunities to earn that extra income!

counting by 10s to 100. They ran for 100 seconds and also played catch and counted to 100.

The Mertes family was thanked for the ice cream treat.

- 400 Merchandise 441 • Wanted to Buy Wanted to Buy: Old books and comic books.

Call 815-481-4922 Wanted: Queen size bed in very good condition.

Prefer wood.

Call 815-646-6665

450 • Under $1000 7 rolls of picket fence, $80; 2 buckets for Farmall tractor loader, like new, $60. 815-646-4321 Bathroom portable electric heater, $15; pet taxi, medium size, $15. Both like new. 815-878-5851 Beautiful medium oak color roll top desk, 6 bottom pull drawers, multi storage inside top. 53”x51” $800. 815-646-4090 Craftsman contractor series 6-1/8” jointer/planer, lightly used, wheeled stand and manual. $275.

Phone 815-643-2198 GM truck floor mat, heavy duty. $50.

Call 815-878-3538 Healthmaster 800 stationary bike, $40; Hill Rom hospital bed & table, $200.

Call 815-224-2931

450 • Under $1000

460 • Garage Sales

Table tennis ping pong table, with wheels, net, paddles, misc $49; cast iron pedestal sink, white, 100 years old $95.

Call 815 539-7146

Huge Winter Garage Sale Saturday, March 11; 8am-2pm.

BUREAU COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS. Sell your stuff here!

10x10 space with 3 tables $35. Call Kathy after 5pm 815-866-3606 to reserve a space

************ HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL? Put your ad in for FREE Items $1,000 or less can run FREE for 1 time. Limit of 5 lines.

Up to 3 items with price and price totaling under $1,000. 1 ad per household per week.

No commercial ads, firearms or animal sales.

E-mail information to: classified@ bcrnews.com (include your name, address & phone number) No Phone Calls!

460 • Garage Sales *MODEL TRAIN FAIR & FARM TOY SHOW* Saturday, February 18, 9am-3pm.

Bureau County Fairgrounds Trains, Toys and Farm Toys For info call 815-866-3606, after 5 pm

PROMOTE YOUR GARAGE SALES Call 815-875-4461

- 700 Real Estate For Sale **************** PUBLISHER'S NOTICE All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.”

Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18.

This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis.

To complain of discrimination call, HUD tollfree at 800 669-9777.

The toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 800 927-9275

999 • Legal Notices

999 • Legal Notices

999 • Legal Notices

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF LASALLE MARTIN ERNAT JR. ) and ) MARTIN ERNAT III ) Plaintiffs ) vs. ) ALETA ERNAT, ) CHET M. ERNAT and ) KIM J. ERNAT ) Defendants ) 2017-CH-11 PUBLICATION NOTICE The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed in this proceeding, notice is given to you, CHET M. ERNAT and KIM J. ERNAT, defendants in the above entitled cause of action, which cause of action has been brought by Martin Ernat Jr, and Martin Ernat III as plaintiffs against you and other defendants. The cause of action seeks to quiet title and reformation of a deed pertaining to the following described real estate, towit: Three and 38/100 (3.38) Acres off the Southwest Corner of the East Half

of the Southeast Quarter of Section 31 Township 33 North, Range 1 East of the Third Principal Meridian, described as follows: Beginning at the Southwest Corner of the said East half of the Southeast Quarter, thence East one hundred and forty one and two tenths (141.2) feet, thence North One thousand one hundred forty-eight and five tenths (1,148.5) feet to the center of the Peru and Granville Road, thence South fifty one degrees 17 minutes along the center of said road one hundred and sixty four (164) feet, thence South along the West line of said East half of the Southeast Quarter one thousand forty-seven and four tenths (1,047.4) feet to the place of beginning. Situated in LaSalle County, Illinois, Now, therefore, unless you, CHET M. ERNAT

and KIM J. ERNAT, defendants, file your answer or otherwise appear herein, in the Circuit Court of LaSalle County, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, State of Illinois, Case Number 2017-CH-11 on or before 7th day of March, 2017, default may be entered against you and each of you at any time after that day and a Judgement entered in accordance with the prayer contained in plaintiffs complaint.

This notice given the 27th day of January, 2017.

Greg Vaccaro Greg Vaccaro, Clerk of the Circuit Court of the Thirtieth Judicial Circuit, LaSalle County, Illinois Published in the Tonica News Feb. 3, 10 and 17, 2017.

LEGAL NOTICES The Tonica News Classified MarketPlace brings you the public and legal information you have a right to know.

Check out each publication for information about your community and stay informed!

8 • The Tonica News • Friday, February 17, 2017 999 • Legal Notices

999 • Legal Notices

999 • Legal Notices

999 • Legal Notices

999 • Legal Notices

999 • Legal Notices

2017 NOTICE OF ELECTION OF DIRECTORS To All Owners And Occupiers Of Lands Lying Within The Boundaries Of The LaSalle County Soil And Water Conservation District: Notice is hereby given that an Election will be held on the 28th day of February, 2017 between 7:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the USDA

Service Center, 1691 N 31st Road, Ottawa, IL. Two Directors will be elected to serve the LaSalle County Soil and Water Conservation District of the State of Illinois.

All persons, firms or corporations who hold legal title or are in legal possession of any land lying within the boundaries of the said district are eligible to vote at said election, whether as lessee, renter, tenant or otherwise.

Only such persons, firms or corporations are eligible to vote.

Ross Adams Chairman LaSalle County Soil and Water Conservation

District DATE: 23rd day of January, 2017.

Published in the Tonica News Jan. 27 and Feb. 17, 2017.

HEIRS AND LEGATEES NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the death of ANN MARIE REIHL. Letters of office as Independent Co-Executors were issued on January 20, 2017 to MATTHEW L. MASCAL and BETH C. MASCAL, 1415 S. Vermillion Street, Streator, Illinois 61364 and whose attorney is M.G. GULO & ASSOCIATES, LTD., 123 S. Monroe Street, Streator, Illinois 61364.

The estate will be administered without Court supervision, unless under Section 5/28-4 of the Probate Act (Ill. Compiled Stat. 1992, Ch. 755, Par. 5/28-4) any interested person terminates independent administration at any time by mailing or delivering a petition to terminate to the Clerk.

Claims against the estate may be filed in the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court, 119 W. Madison Street, Ottawa, Illinois 61350, on or before September 1, 2017, or if mailing or delivery of notice from the rep-

resentative is required by Section 5/18-3 of the Probate Act of 1975, the date stated in that notice. Any claim not filed within that period is barred. Copies of any claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the estate representative and to the attorney within 10 days after it has been filed with the Clerk.

Further, notice is hereby given to the UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES of ANN MARIE REIHL, deceased; that an Estate has been opened for ANN MARIE REIHL and MATTHEW L. MASCAL and BETH C. MASCAL, were appointed as Independent Co-Executors of the Estate on January 20, 2017 and said Estate is now pending in said Court.

Dated this 17th day of February, 2017.

Greg Vaccaro, Clerk of the Circuit Court 13th Judicial Circuit, LaSalle County, Illinois Published in the Tonica News Feb. 17, 24 and Mar. 3, 2017.

IN THE THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LASALLE COUNTY Estate of ) ANN MARIE REIHL, ) Deceased. ) No. 2017-P-14 NOTICE TO CLAIMANTS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN

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Call Now at 815-437-9026 • 630-569-0734 Doing business as Peach Construction Co. Since 1981

See Castles Built at facebook.com/Peach1981

Fully Insured

COMPLETE CAR AND TRUCK CARE 24 HOUR TOWING SERVICE Rt. 89, McNabb, IL • Jack Bima, Owner

• Wedding Invitations • Napkins • Matchbooks • Thank You’s For Quality Carlson Craft Products See

Open 7 days/week 8-5pm

815-878-7367 Home www.proremodeling.org Improvement 815-224-3371 Specialist!

air Shop

Selling & Repairing all makes of tires

Owner/Operator

For the World’s Best People

Al Cioni Ford inC.

Sieg Tire & u e R

Johnny Sieg

,

815-339-4108 815-481-2639

116 South 2nd St. Standard, IL 61363

112 S. St. Paul St. Mark, IL 61340

red CArpet ServiCe Our Customers

PASSINI PLUMBING & HEATING Licensed-Bonded-Insured

• TUNE UPS

Full Service Store

Inc.

14049 IL HWY 18 MAGNOLIA, IL

• FULL MECHANICAL REPAIR

Quality Pre-Owned Vehicles Towing Available

815-869-3152

815-224-1506

EMERGENCY: 815-252-0032

JACK’S GAS & SERVICE 882-2191 Monday-Saturday 882-2250 Evenings & Sundayss

NEED TO REMODEL YOUR OLD TUB? We install and service walk-in tubs and regular tubs.

Experienced installers Financing available

PLUMBING & HEATING, INC.

One day installation

815-875-2540 | 815-882-2111

404 W. Main St., McNabb, IL | www.grassersplumbingheating.com

To add your lisTing To This page conTacT ashley aT (815) 875-4461, exT. 6345

SM-PR265160 08-1025

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