TON-05-13-2016

1 Front Volume 142 No. 23

Friday, May 13, 2016

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Teacher/coach arrested

Charged with two felonies of aggravated criminal sexual abuse

By Terri Simon

tsimon@tonicanews.com

OTTAWA — A substitute teacher and volunteer baseball coach at LaSalle-Peru Township High School has been charged with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse with a student.

Kyle Pisano, 24, of Peru was arrested with a warrant

by LaSalle and Peru detec-

tives at 3:15 p.m. at his home on Tuesday, May 3. The warrant was for two counts of the Class 2 felonies of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, which alleges Pisano had sexual contact with a female student between the age of 13 and under the age of 17.

The alleged victim will not be identified.

According to a press release from L-P, “Information regarding Pisano was

provided to district administrators late Thursday evening on April 28. Administrators responded immediately early Friday morning to the provided information and began an internal investigation.”

The school immediately contacted the LaSalle and Peru police departments, as well as the LaSalle County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Peru Police Chief Doug Bernabei said the Peru and

LaSalle departments conducted a joint investigation with several interviews on Friday, April 29, and throughout the weekend. On Tuesday, the warrant was issued for Pisano, who was arrested without incident and taken to the LaSalle County Jail, where he posted 10 percent ($7,500) of the $75,000 bond.

Bernabei held a press conference May 4 along with LaSalle County State’s Attor-

ney Brian Towne, LaSalle Chief Rob Uranich and L-P Superintendent Steve Wrobleski. Bernabei confirmed Pisano volunteered his immediate resignation on Friday, April 29. Pisano had been a substitute teacher for 71 days of the current school year.

Bernabei said the investigation continues. At this

Arrest Page 3

May the roads be safe

Kyle Pisano

Bringing the house down

Illinois State Police cracking down on impaired driving during month of May

Dilapidated house could cause danger to residents

By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com

By Eric Engel

news@tonicanews.com

PRINCETON — During the month of May, Illinois State Police (ISP) District 17 Troopers will take extra care in making sure all drivers and passengers make it safely to the warm summer months.

According to ISP District 17 Commander Jon Dively, troopers will be conducting Roadside Safety Checks (RSC), Nighttime Enforcement Patrols (NITE), and Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols (OREP) in LaSalle County during the month of May. Communicating through a press release, Dively said the ISP has zero tolerance for impaired drivers, and officers working RSC and NITE patrols will be watchful for drivers who are operating vehicles in an unsafe manner, driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license, transporting open alcoholic beverages, driving under the influence, and those who are not properly buckled up.

Alcohol and drug impairment is a significant factor in nearly 40 percent of all fatal motor vehicle crashes in Illinois, Dively stated. These nighttime patrols are designed to keep area roads safe by taking dangerous DUI offenders off the road and ensuring all vehicle occupants are buckled up.

The ISP utilizes OREP to target an area with saturation patrols that focus on traffic violations and related compliance with safety belt and child safety seat laws. Safety belt enforcement zones will also be set up to ensure the driver and passengers are

LOSTANT — Lostant is looking to have the owner of a dilapidated building demolish the structure, for fear it might collapse and pose a danger to the town.

The Lostant Village Board now knows who has control of the old Pothoff building at 106 Main St., which they previously discussed as an endangerment for the community; the board is looking to resolve the issue.

“It’s sinking,” Trustee Jack Immel said of the building. “It’s actually in danger right now of falling apart.”

If the building were to collapse, this could endanger the well-being of Lostant’s residents. “We’ve got vehicles parked there, people walking by,” Immel said.

However, the village cannot afford to fix the problem itself.

“We don’t have the cash to take care of it,” Immel said.

With the knowledge Lostant does not have additional revenue to spend resolving the situation, Trustee Mike Cooper has been looking into various methods through which the village might receive aid in tearing the building down.

So far, he has nothing to report. “There are no emergency funds at all,” he said. “There is nothing for that.”

He did note, however, he has another avenue into which he is looking, which might be able to help.

In attendance was Kyle

Victory for all ...

Hundreds of athletes from the Starved Rock/Area 16 Special Olympics gathered together with their biggest fans on Saturday, May 7, at Hall High School to take part in the 2016 Spring Games. The largest area event of the year, the games saw participants from seven counties competing in more than a dozen events. To compete in the games, athletes are required to train for eight weeks. Gold medal winners qualified to compete in the Special Olympics Illinois State Summer Games to be held in June, where more than 3,700 athletes will be competing.

Tonica News photos/Dave Cook

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2 • The Tonica News • Friday, May 13, 2016

Seeking Sources

Rally for the Ranch

Where in the world is The Tonica News? Are you planning a vacation or holiday trip?

Don’t forget to take along a copy of the The Tonica News.

Once you get to your destination, have someone snap a photo of you holding the newspaper, and then send the photo to us along with pertinent information about who is in the photo and where you are. We’ll be happy to share your photo with other Tonica News readers, your friends, family and neighbors. Email your photo and information to news@tonicanews.com.

You can also drop it by our office in Tonica.

(USPS 633340) Published every Friday at Tonica, IL 61370 Entered at Tonica Post Office as Periodical Mail $22 In LaSalle County $25 Outside of LaSalle County

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Community comes together to help animal lover in her fight against cancer

By Eric Engel eengel@bcrnews.com

PRINCETON — About five years back, Frankie Wolsfeld found some baby bunnies in his backyard. He came to the conclusion the babies had lost their mother, and although he didn’t have a good grasp on how to properly care for the cute and furry animals, he knew they would not survive if he did nothing.

His daughter and wife — even the big-hearted Wolsfeld himself — they were all upset over the prospect of losing the bunnies, so they did some research on the web and stumbled upon Second Hand Ranch and Rescue, a not-for-profit wildlife rehabilitation center run by a kind-hearted soul named Nancy Johnson.

Johnson made Wolsfeld look like a hero in his daughter’s eyes by assisting him with the transport and progression of the baby bunnies until they were old enough to go back into the wild. When Johnson was recently diagnosed with B Cell Lymphoma — a curable form of cancer — Wolsfeld knew he and the rest of the community needed to give Nancy what she provides every animal at Second Hand Ranch ... the tender assistance needed to overcome trying times.

Rally for the Ranch will take place at the Princeton Moose Lodge at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 21. The event will be dedicated to Johnson and her gracious efforts to the community. Silent auctions and live auctions, a DJ, a wing bar and much more will aim to raise money for Johnson and her animal sanctuary, as her medical condition is limiting her ability to perform her normal regeneration of the animal kingdom.

“We’re going to have runway auctions, but there’s a little bit of a twist on your usual auction,” Wolsfeld said, stating the runway auctions will be more like a skit, with characters sporting costumes, dance moves and entertaining theatrics used to hand out helicopter rides, Cubs and White Sox tickets, skydiving opportunities or invites to ghost-hunting

Editor Terri Simon tsimon@tonicanews.com

Photo contributed

Nancy Johnson adventures.

“It’s going to be a unique experience in that it’s not just the item being sold but the presentation, and we have a lot of people coming in from out of town to support Nancy in her battle against cancer,” Wolsfeld said, adding he’s honored to know a person as kind and compassionate as Johnson because so many animals end up at Second Hand Ranch and Rescue, and Johnson dedicates her life to the well-being of baby squirrels, raccoons, deer and foxes; let alone finding forever homes for domesticated animals.

“My wife Karla and I got together with Fundraising Innovative Support Team (FIST) and contacted other individuals and businesses to put together a charity event for Nancy,” Wolsfeld said, noting Johnson is obviously

Grass, cars and a new Lostant business Long grass could result in a ticket ... and a bill

Email to:

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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Tonica News, P.O. Box 340, Princeton, IL 61356

By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com

LOSTANT — At the Lostant Village Board meeting Monday, May 9, ongoing efforts to keep the town desirable were discussed, which include removal of inoperable vehicles and the trimming of grass, plus the possibility of new local businesses.

Moving cars, cutting grass In an effort to keep the town an attractive location, Lostant is having vehicles moved which cannot move themselves.

“As far as I know, we removed two on one property,” Lostant Village President Fred Hartenbower said. “And two or three on another one where the person was going to start his own car repair place — I’m assuming that’s what it

was.”

The issue in question is that residents are not allowed to keep inoperable vehicles on town or personal property. The issue is related to current problems with keeping the grass mowed in that the goal is to keep the village a desirable place to live and own property.

“This is grass that’s out of control that we’re well within our rights to mow and charge them (property owners),” Hartenbower said of the grass problem.

The current typical setup is that an officer will visit the resident with long grass and issue a written warning, after which the resident has seven days to cut their lawn lest the village takes care of it itself.

“We’re not here to give out tickets,” Hartenbower said. “We’re here to get the grass mowed.”

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not able to do the work she usually would in her present condition. “I understand it’s hard to get everybody to donate all the time, but Nancy is very thrilled and touched by the people trying to help her out.”

Wolsfeld said he started FIST because he likes to think people pull together as a unified force to help each other out when times get tough, and when strength and compassion is considered as the foremost goal, much is accomplished.

“People might think the word fist is violent, but you’ve got all your fingers, and when you put them together as a fist, it’s stronger than the individual fingers,” he said, adding people like Johnson are fabulous, and the community needs as many of them as they can get. Sometimes it’s easier to focus on the negative news in the world, but people are doing great things to help their surroundings every day.

“Let’s try to change the approach and share the positive aspects of each other so people can come together,” Wolsfeld added, aware people can’t give all their money away to every cause, but can give their time and energy — with a willingness to be a caring and contributing individual.

“You’ve got to have a passion to help people, and it’s a great feeling when you do,” he said, adding true generosity isn’t about glory or promoting one business over another, but rather about building up every member of the community.

“Rally for the Ranch doesn’t pertain to my business, but it’s someone in the community who needs a helping hand, so we walk out of there knowing whoever we are helping is better off because of it. It doesn’t matter what their position in life is — we’ve got to help them out.”

Tickets for Rally for the Ranch are $15 each, and they can be acquired by visiting the Princeton Moose Lodge at 1339 N. Euclid Ave.; or ServiceMaster DSI at 123 W. Progress Drive. For further details, check out Rally for the Ranch on Facebook.

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A seven-year resident of Lostant talked to the board about turning a residential property into a business.

Aaryn Brooker is looking to begin a pet grooming business, which would also sell pet supplies to her clients, and she hopes to be able to use her residential property for the purpose.

“I think it would be an added benefit,” Brooker said, noting it could be good for both the village and community to have another local business, rather than forcing residents to travel to other towns for their needs.

She said she has been living elsewhere, and nobody would be residing in the building. However, she indicated a concern about her ability to have the building rezoned back into residential, should the need arise.

Brooker hopes to have the business open by Fourth of July weekend.

3 Obit Records

Friday, May 13, 2016 • The Tonica News • 3

Arrest From Page 1 time, there is no other credible evidence of any other victims. Part of the continuing investigation will revolve around the specific circumstances regarding the alleged school relationship.

“We are going through records to see how many times he substituted with the girl in his class,” Bernabei said. “Possibly the charges could be elevated to Class X felonies regarding the position of trust a person would hold with a student/teacher.”

Class 2 felonies can be probationable or hold a 3- to 7-year prison sentence. Class X felonies, a decision which will be made by the LaSalle County State’s Attorney, can hold a sentencing range from 6 to 30 years in prison.

Pisano will be in court June 6 before LaSalle County Circuit Judge Cynthia Raccug-

Driving From Page 1 buckled up, as Illinois law requires all vehicle passengers — front and back — to be buckled up.

“Safety belts are one of the most effective safety devices in vehicles today, estimated to save over 12,000 lives each year,” Dively said, noting over half of vehicle occupants killed in a traffic crash were not properly buckled up, so the objective of this program is to increase compliance of occupant restraint laws through education, child seat inspections, and enforcement.

“Greater awareness, acceptance and use of occupant protection equipment will save many lives.”

Dively also noted troopers will conduct special Traffic Enforcement Patrols (sTEP) between May 14 and May 29 in LaSalle and Bureau County.

Troopers will concentrate on speeding, failure to use occupant restraints, and other driving offenses

House From Page 1 Stephens, attorney, who provided advice regarding the village’s options.

“You can either file a lawsuit to make them demolish it, or you can file a lawsuit to demolish it yourself and put a lien on it,” Stephens said, then adding, “and then, of course, you have to foreclose the lien.”

Without additional revenue for the village to tear the building down itself, the board opted for the first option, motioning to file a court order to make the

lia for his first appearance/ arraignment.

In an official statement from L-P, the following comment was made: “The district is appalled by the alleged morally reprehensible behavior. District students and employees have access, as always, to a team of professional school counselors and other service providers capable of providing support throughout this process and ongoing investigation.”

Anyone with additional information regarding these allegations against Pisano is urged to contact the LaSalle County State’s Attorney’s Office – Investigations at 815-434-8389; the LaSalle Police Department’s Investigations Office at 815-223-2131; or the Peru Police Department’s Investigations Office at 815-2232151. Individuals with information may also call Illinois Valley CrimeStoppers at 800-340-4045. as part of their enforcement efforts. The sTEP program involves a combination of increased enforcement and public information designed to raise public awareness and compliance to all traffic laws.

Speeding is a contributing factor in 31 percent of all fatal crashes nationwide. In Illinois, speed-related crashes account for over 40 percent of all traffic fatalities.

Safety Belt Enforcement Zones may also be used during the sTEP program.

Troopers will enforce the primary safety belt law to ensure drivers and all of their passengers are buckled up. Dively said someone dies in the U.S. every hour simply because they are not wearing their safety belt, with statistics showing half of all people killed in traffic crashes are not properly buckled up.

“You can save your life by driving safely and simply buckling up,” Dively said.

All aforementioned projects are funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Traffic Safety.

property owner demolish the building.

In other discussion, loose dogs have been sighted in town by Lostant Village President Fred Hartenbower and Trustee Ray Brierley.

“I want to let it be known we have to keep the dogs under control,” Hartenbower said.

Also, a tree is blocking the view with its low-hanging limbs on the corner of Third and Sheridan, making it difficult to turn. The village is looking into trimming it back. Similarly, Chris Dose mentioned two dead trees on Second Street which need to be taken care of.

Hope Township meetings Notice is hereby given that on April 12 it was voted at the annual township meeting that all township meetings will be held at 7 a.m. on the last Monday of each month in the township building.

The next monthly meeting will be held at 7 a.m. on Monday, May 23. Hope Township residents are encouraged to attend.

Talking points ...

Marjorie Palm

Lostant looks at cell phone tax

By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com

​ LOSTANT — Lostant residents will be able to use their cellular phones without additional tax until the start of the next year, as revealed at the village board meeting held Monday, May 9.

“The cell phone ordinance will not go into effect until January,” Trustee Jack Immel said.

The situation is not that the village is wanting to go a longer time without collecting revenue from the tax. Instead, the village’s issues emanate from a larger, outside source.

“Because of the state, we have to re-pass it,” Immel said.

Attorney Kyle Stephens provided an insight as to the cause of the delay. “The state only does it twice a year,” he said regarding the process of getting the tax set up. “They require three and a half months to enact it.”

Timing, however, is not the only barrier to setting up the tax. Illinois also needs the information sent in a specific manner, with which Lostant will need to comply.

“They require that it has to be a certified copy with a city seal that you send,” Stephens said.

While this postpones the added taxes on taxpayers, it also delays additional revenue the village could use. This point was illustrated when Immel brought up the topic of profit and loss.

“We have to do something, gentlemen,” Immel said of the village’s standing, which he described as minus. Even when the tax comes into effect next year, Immel does not expect it to solve the village’s issues.

“The cell phone tax is going to be implemented,” he said. “But I don’t think it’ll be enough to cover our negativity.”

After looking through the numbers, Immel said he does not see much room for removal, but he suggested the village try cutting out 5 percent from each department in order to save on costs.

“Five percent savings per department would help us a great deal,” he said.

He also suggested drawing up a temporary budget, flexible in case of unforeseen circumstances but solid enough the village can use it as a guide.

VARNA — Marjorie Mae Palm, 86, of Varna passed away at 4:30 p.m. Monday, May 2, 2016, at Advocate Hospital in Eureka.

She was born Oct. 18, 1929, in rural Lostant to Raymond J. and Emily Lock Shawback. She married Lloyd E. Palm on Jan. 27, 1949, in Marjorie Lostant. He preceded her in death Palm in 2009.

She is survived by three sons, Steve (Karen) Palm of Des Moines, Iowa, Jeff (Kathy) Palm of Wenona and Scott (Lisa) Palm of rural Varna; one daughter, Angie (Bob) Crank of rural Toluca; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and one sister. Marilyn (Art) Schafer of rural Tonica.

She was also preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Richard Shawback.

Together with her husband, Marge farmed and was a homemaker all of her life. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.

She was active in the Varna United Methodist Church for more than 50 years. She enjoyed roller-skating, collecting ladybug figurines, reading and was an avid letter writer. Her happiest moments were when her family was together.

Cremation rites have been accorded and a memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 15, at the Varna United Methodist Church.

Memorials may be made to the Varna United Methodist Church.

Online condolences can be left at lenzmemorialhome.com.

••• Questions about obituaries can be directed to 815-875-4461.

Tonica Volunteer Fire Department April activity report The Tonica Volunteer Fire Department (TVFD) ran 17 emergency calls during April with yearto-date calls at 56. There was one field fire, one mutual aid tender request to Standard, one auto aid fire to Oglesby, four accidents, nine ambulance requests and one gas leak. Three of the accident calls were considered major incidents.

The TVFD training with Lostant covered interior fire tactics, forced entry and overhaul.

Other training included pump operation, hose advancement, forcible entry, hose rolls, traumatic injuries, hazardous materials, confined space rescue and dispatch-

ing.

TVFD assisted the Utica Fire Department with a 16-hour certification training which covered ladders, conscious and unconscious victim removal, hose advances, forcible entry, SCBA, fire suppression, fire behavior and other aspects of fire fighting.

Also, 500 feet of new 1-3/4 inch fire attack hose has been ordered to replace outdated or damaged hose.

The Cutter’s Edge ventilation saw is back in service after extensive maintenance work. Maintenance was also completed on the power rescue saw, the gas powered

ventilation fan and the Echo ventilation saw.

Upgrades and repairs to the TVFD roadside information sign have been proposed, including a conversion to LED lighting.

The department has discussed various fund raising events including the upcoming drawdown on June 11, the Tonica Fest 50/50 drawing and a pancake sausage breakfast on Sept. 11.

A donation was received for the Marilyn Christman Memorial. A significant donation was received from Don Fike, and the department also received three other donations of more than $100.

St. Bede Auction breaks multiple records PERU — A sold out St. Bede auction broke records this year in not only dollars for St. Bede students but in several areas.

Starting out with 342 guests in attendance, and 125 new attendees, the auction was a sellout. Most impressive was the representation of 42 classes of alumni beginning with the Class of 1949 up to the Class of 2015 including 11 classes of Golden Bedans. The return of mobile bidding was a success with bringing in $27,000 and breaking last year’s totals for the silent auction.

The live auction kicked off with a tribute to 94-year-old Brother George Matsuoka, St. Bede Abbey’s eldest monk. In honor of St. Bede’s 125th anniversary, St. Bede honored him by naming a Teddy Bear after him, as their 2016 auction signature

item. “George” was sponsored by their platinum sponsor, Geneva International. Forth Teddy Bears were auctioned off to the guests after a slide show showing pictures of Brother George was shown and St. Bede junior Harleigh Rice sang “Unforgettable.”

The evening added even more excitement with a generous match from Jerry Rich for the live auction donation of the Rich Harvest Farms Weekend.

The exclusive golf weekend donation was sold three times and brought

in a total of $30,000 with final bids of $10,000 each.

Those winning bids were then matched by Rich.

The auction continued on with more momentum when students emerged to Fund-A-Need and raised $60,380 for Project Lead the Way. Leading off with paddles raised for two gifts of $10,000, the St. Bede family showed their strong support for technology again this year with raising $60,380 to fund the implementation of adding computer science classes to the St. Bede curriculum this fall exceeding their

goal by $10,380.

The numbers are still being finalized, but St. Bede Development Director Julia Yaklich has stated the totals for this auction year have already exceeded last year’s total of $223,830 and has set a new auction record of at least $275,000.

Each year the Auction Gala raises money to help offset the cost of tuition for each and every St. Bede student. Over a third of the students and over 100 volunteers assisted with the school’s largest fundraiser.

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4 Perspective

4 • The Tonica News • Friday, May 13, 2016

The Editorial Page The Tonica News Sam R Fisher

Terri Simon

Publisher

Editor

Leaving well enough alone I’ve been watching a robin build her nest on a ledge on my front porch. As in years gone by, the nest equates to problems ... for us. It actually means a plethora of problems, if you want the absolute truth.

First, the mother robin is less than careful when Terri she builds her Simon nest, which translates to a variety COMMENTARY of grasses, weeds, twigs and other nest-building items scattered on the front porch — not to mention she and her new brood will also use my front porch floor and railings as their bathroom with no modesty involved. A mess? Well, that’s putting it lightly.

Secondly, Mama Robin will cause complete and utmost chaos for Tootsie, the cat, who will sit in the front window for hours on end. She’ll paw at the front window, run to the front door for a better view through the glass there, and then head back to the window. Now that might sound like a good pastime for the lovely, cantankerous feline friend of ours, but keep in mind Purrcee, the just-turned-2-yearold Mini Goldendoodle also lives in the house ... which brings me to the third problem.

Third, Purrcee feels it necessary to keep track of the cat at all times. If we say, “Where’s Tootsie?” she searches every space in the house and the basement, until she rounds up the cat for us. While we could consider Purrcee a fairly good baby (cat) sitter, her main focus in finding the cat is to terrorize her and then act like she didn’t do a thing. Consequently with the cat acting up in the front window, it drives Purrcee absolutely nutty — nuttier than usual, and the battle between the two, four-legged creatures looks more like a battle between the Incredible Hulk (Purrcee) and Broom Hilda (Tootsie). Neither of them care their names have been said (OK, shouted) a bazillion times. It will eventually shatter my last nerve, which is already fairly unstable.

So what’s the remedy to this potentially crazy situation? It should be simple. I know right now you are thinking, “Well, just go get a broom and knock down the makings of this soon-to-be nest. How hard could it be? Come on, Ter, use your head!”

I wish it was that simple, but it’s not. You see, I’ve watched Mama Robin make and remake her nest quite a few times now. She’s worked tirelessly to construct a home for her soon-to-be laid and hatched babies. She’s watched gusts of wind blow the makings of her nest to the ground or the porch, only to start again ... and again. It’s clear she’s trying her hardest, so for me to take a broom and destroy her diligence and persistence ... well, it just doesn’t seem right.

I know if I leave the nest alone and deal with the chaos inside and outside the house, there will soon be tiny babies that will hopefully remain in the nest and not meet their demise on the concrete floor of the porch. Their frantic chirping when Mama Robin brings a bug or a worm to the nest will cause a smile to form on my frazzled (Thanks Purrcee and Tootsie) face, and even if it’s for a moment, it will have all been worthwhile.

Furthermore, Mama Robin’s parental instincts will warm my heart. After all, as far as I know, nobody taught her how to be a good mom. She just knows what to do instinctively. That’s why she’s working so hard on making this stupid nest — just like a human mom would do whatever it takes to make a home for her children and keep their bellies from being hungry. Sometimes in today’s world, I tend to wonder occasionally where the human instincts went ... but that’s another column.

So it’s up to me, and just like in years gone by, Mama Robin will win ... while the livestock in my home will cause us all kinds of grief ... the porch will be a mess thanks to the untidiness of this feathered friend and her offspring ... and the miracle of life will happen before our very eyes right on our front porch.

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

Observations from The Field of Dreams A mother’s talk with God Norma Puetz wrote God the same day she received the news her son, Mike, was killed in Cambodia while serving in the U.S. during the Vietnam War. The Puetz family were farmers in rural Tonica. Mike Puetz’s brother, Jim, asked me if I could have this printed: Here I am again Lord, praying to you. It seems like I’ve been doing so much of it lately, have you noticed.

Probably more in the last 18 months than all in my lifetime.

Little did I realize when I sent my oldest son off to war how much I would depend on you to watch over him. I would pray for 24 hours a day, and some days it seemed like more, especially when he lay so ill and so far away from home. Vietnam is so far, far away. But the young know this better than I. I couldn’t be there to comfort him. How my heart ached to do so, but I sent you instead Lord to watch over him, inspire words of comfort to him. He needed it so. You never let me know, Lord, for soon he was well and strong.

But back into the fields he went with his friends to fight a war, a war that’s so hard for us to understand.

But for him, a job that must be done.

“I’m here, Mom, to protect my loved ones. Yes, Dad and the kids.

Especially baby Bill and Danny.

Maybe by me being here now, it will keep them from going in the future years. I don’t want them to have to see and know the horrors of war. It’s hell, Mom.” (This is what he wrote in one of his letters.)

And know I am praying to you for help. Something is happening that is almost like a dream. It doesn’t seem real but yet I know in my heart that it is real, it’s happening and I can’t and don’t know how to stop it. Only you, Lord, can help him, only you. My son, my wonderful boy, is losing his most

Darrell Alleman COMMENTARY precious possession. His faith.

Oh, I am not angry at him. Not hurt or bewildered. If I was in his place, I wonder how strong my faith would be. I probably would have lost it long ago, for I am not strong.

We have seen so much God, and he is so young. We will never know perhaps all that he has been through. The aging, the cruelty, the horror that is war. But, God, you know how I prayed for you to watch over him, and I know you would.

But there was something I didn’t know. I was being selfish, I guess. I prayed for you to protect him, but I forgot to pray for the most important thing. The courage and understanding to accept death. The death of his friends, his buddies that have been a part of his life for almost a year.

Friends that have become so much a part of his life, they were probably closer than brothers. They had to be, for that’s all they had was one another.

He prayed so hard that you wouldn’t take Cody from him, but you did, and his heart was full of grief.

He liked him so. He said, “Mom, if only he didn’t have to die in Vietnam.

Vietnam is such a hell place Mom, you just can’t imagine.”

There were others that have died.

I know because he doesn’t mention their names any more. But today God the letter came. Sadly I wrote Scott. I thought he should know. So I wrote him his best Buddy is gone now.

You took Doc to be with you. Cody is happier and so is Doc, more so than

we can ever imagine. But this is why I am praying to you again, for how do I explain to Mike that they are happy when all he can see is the uselessness of it all? He said to me one time that man is living in the most modern, the most well-learned era of all history, but we still haven’t learned how to get along with our fellow men. He is right, God, so very right.

So if you see his faith starting to crumble before him, have mercy, have pity on him. I can not help him, only you can. Pick him up before he starts to falter too far. Take his hand in those lonely hours when he has to be alone, alone to think, and press his hands to your heart. Let him feel the warmth, the love, the peace that is there.

Whisper in his ear the words he wants so much to hear. The answer to his question, “Why God do you let these things happen?” Only you can answer that question, so please God, I pray be with him every minute of every day, so close to him that he can feel your presence everywhere.

Show him you took his friends, especially Cody and Doc, to be with you for a special reason. Let him know that you never close a door but that you don’t open a window. Do it for me, God, because you know I loved him so. And I know how much you must love him because it was you who gave him to me in the first place, and you know as well as I that he was something very special from that very first moment. He is special to lose and so very, very special to win.

So don’t let him get away, God. He would be great to have on your team.

This is not the end of my prayer, God, only the beginning. I loved him too much, and I know you love him even more. I know you won’t let me down, you never have.

Darrell Alleman may be reached at news@tonicanews.com.

The art of juggling A handy skill in this profession Years ago, as I browsed a store loaded with novelty items of many descriptions, a book promising to teach me how to juggle caught my attention. Juggling always seemed pretty cool to me, especially when the spinning items were on fire or contained a razor sharp edge. I bought the book and, as promised, I quickly learned the art of keeping multiple things flying through air without dropping them.

I’ve never juggled anything that could start a fire or sever a finger, but I can juggle clubs, rings and balls. I can also juggle by bouncing the balls off of the ground. The late, great comedian George Carlin once included people who can juggle, but only a little bit, as one of the types of people who annoy him. I’ve practiced enough to not be that guy, but there are still many things left for me to learn. I occasionally grab the multi-colored balls out of my drawer or pick the clubs up off of the shelf just to keep in practice.

There are even times when I’m in the produce department and can’t resist grabbing a few pieces of fruit.

I also get quite a bit of juggling practice doing this job.

As I approach the end of my first year here, I’ve reflected back on what I’ve enjoyed, learned and what I can improve on. I enjoy everyday being different and the ebb and flow of the news cycle.

Thankfully, I was warned when I began that everything here was a juggling act of writing, deadlines

Dave Cook COMMENTARY and events. Depending on when you ask me, I’ll either say I feel like my plate is frighteningly empty or overflowing all over my desk.

When empty it tends to quickly refill, and when approaching the overwhelming a couple of days of concentrated effort solves the problem.

I’m immensely thankful for my co-workers. When deadlines approach and the tension rises, someone has always been there with a story of their own to help fill any holes, giving me more time. In return, I’ve hopefully shouldered some things to help them with their own juggling acts.

I’ve managed to successfully keep things in the air for a year, but I’m now focused on improving my speed. I’m comfortable with the creativity; I enjoy the challenge of a catchy headline, opening paragraph or getting a captivating photo. It’s fun. I’ve also enjoyed covering the many different events I otherwise would’ve never attended. I’ve met so many dedicated people. I take satisfaction in knowing I’ve been able to help them with their respective causes. Our communities are filled with committed, devoted people fighting the good fight. The only place I feel like I’ve failed this year

was with two of my furry friends at the animal shelter.

I hope my work on that story resulted in the shelter receiving additional donations, extra volunteers or for some of the other animals to be adopted, but my heart still breaks for Hannah and Stuart.

My biggest desire for that piece was to help each of them find a warm and loving home and to never see a shelter again. Poor Stuart, 11 years old, has been at the Friends of Strays Shelter since he was 3.

Timid and shy, he’s undoubtedly been passed by hundreds of times.

I know the volunteers at the shelter love and care for him, but I’d love to hear he’s become the newest addition to a home. Hannah, the opposite of Stuart in the kennel, reveals herself to be gentle and affectionate once she’s away from the commotion of the shelter. Perhaps this mention will be the one to catch the attention of a loving family in need of some canine companionship.

As my second year begins I’ve begun to anticipate the area’s multitude of events and how to cover them in a better way than last year. I’m looking forward to attending them for pure enjoyment as well. I feel unbelievably fortunate to have finally landed in a career where I feel right at home and have to opportunity to not only help people, but to have fun doing it as well.

Tonica News Staff Writer Dave Cook can be reached at dcook@ bcrnews.com.

5 Life

Friday, May 13, 2016 • The Tonica News • 5

Community

Photo contributed

A walk through time

Photo contributed

Peg Kramer (left), with IVCC Dean of Health Professions and Director of Nursing Bonnie Campbell.

Kramer donates $5,000 annually for nursing scholarships OGLESBY — Retired registered nurse Peggy J. Kramer of rural Ottawa will support Illinois Valley Community College nursing students through $5,000 in annual scholarships.

“It is a noble and challenging profession, and I want to help those who are determined to achieve a career in nursing,” said Kramer, adding, “And I have a very good feeling about IVCC.” The award, named in memory of Kramer’s late husband, Dr. Robert Kramer, will provide five, $1,000 scholarships to first- and second-year students each fall and is part of the IVCC Foundation’s Scholarship Campaign, bringing it within $25,000 of its $500,000 goal.

“We were fortunate to be introduced to Peg by (former foundation director and current trustee) Jane Goetz,” said IVCC President Jerry Corcoran. “Like Jane, Peg is a selfless individual concerned only with doing everything she can to make this a better community to live in.”

Kramer’s career is a model for future nurses to aspire to. Following high school, she went to work at Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet as a practicing nurse.

She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing from College of St. Francis and later a master’s degree in nursing administration from Aurora University.

Kramer was promot-

ed to Silver Cross Director of Emergency Nursing and Executive Director of Ambulatory Care – where she oversaw “everything outpatient.” As such, she supervised numerous departments including mental health, emergency medical services, the ER, chemical dependency, outpatient surgery, house-keeping, safety and even wrote the hospital’s disaster response plans.

“ER was fun and challenging – you never knew what was coming through the doors on any given day,” she said.

Kramer moved to Ottawa with her husband in 1998 and joined the Ottawa Hospital Auxiliary and was a charter member of the board that started and assisted at The Health Center of Eastern LaSalle County until it closed in 2014.

Her husband died April 30, 2005, at age 67.

A graduate of Northwestern University’s College of Medicine and a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy, he had private practice offices in Joliet, Ottawa, Kankakee, Morris, Streator, Princeton, Mendota and Peru. He was the founder and CEO of Kramer Enterprises, Cardinal Sleep Centers of America and AmSurg of Joliet.

“His legacy is one of compassion, generosity and service,” said Peg Kramer. “This scholarship is an appropriate way to honor all the good works he performed so gracefully.”

On Wednesday, April 27, the fourth- and fifth-grade students at Lostant Grade School made a visit to Aitken School. The students participated in a variety of learning activities that were popular in the early 1900s. As an introduction to

the field trip, the students stopped at the old school and learned what it was like to be a student in 1901. The school teacher then took the students through a reenactment of early explorers coming into Illinois. The students also learned about spinning

materials and making thread for various items. In addition to learning about spinning, the students were able to participate in how to shoe a horse, how horseshoes were formed and put on a horse, and crafts from the pioneer days.

Photo contributed

Photo contributed

Townwide garage sales in Lostant

Children’s theater workshop at Stage 212 LASALLE — Stage 212 in LaSalle will offer a summer workshop, running June 13-17, for students entering Grades 2-9 in the fall.

Under the guidance of instructors Aubrey Smigel and Sophie Smigel, students will have the opportunity to dabble in many creative drama activities.

They will strengthen their imagination, develop physicality and learn to work with others creatively by engaging in improv, role-playing, pantomime, movement, expression, voice exercises and more.

The cost of the workshop is $60 per student. Pre-registration is required. For a registration form and more information, call 815224-3025 or visit Stage 212 online at www. stage212.org or Stage 212 on Facebook.

LOSTANT — Lostant will host townwide garage sales on Friday, June 3, and Saturday, June 4, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Everyone is invited to join the fun and host a sale at their house. A $5 fee per participating household is asked to help with advertising expenses.

The name, address and a short description of items

you are selling is needed.

A map will be assembled with addresses and item descriptions.

Anyone interested in hosting a sale should contact Jill Bruner by calling 309-531-7324 or by email to jillbruner@yahoo.com or Andrea Poole by calling 815-252-6552 or email to andrearenee313@gmail. com.

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6 Life/classifieds

6 • The Tonica News • Friday, May 13, 2016

Menus and Activities

IVCC honors employees at annual reception OGLESBY — Illinois Valley Community College recently held its 20th annual recognition awards event at Grand Bear Lodge in Utica.

Among the honorees were Patricia Pence, recipient of the Stephen Charry Memorial Award for Teaching Excellence; Andrea Kowalski, recipient of the Outstanding Part-Time Faculty Member Award; and Paula Hallock, recipient of the Connie Skerston Memorial Award for Support Staff Distinguished Service.

Employees honored for five years of service were Annette Barr, Teresa Bowen, Michelle Carboni, Lori Carey, John Carter, Walter Curtin, Gina Czubachowski, Sherry Dockins, Jean Forst, Vicky Jackson, James Mahoney, Tracy Makransky, Michael Mills, Dr. Jared Olesen, Vicki Smith, Rodney Spayer, Donna Stone, Delle Vercimak and Christopher Winn.

Ten-year honorees were Dr. Jason Beyer, Timothy Bias, Diane Bishop, Christine Blaydes, Craig Castaneda, Mark Christmann, Debra Cooper, David Dodge, Christopher Herman, Bonnie Jasiek, Tammy Landgraf, Paul Leadingham, Paul Nickel, Kathleen Ricci, Betsy Sobin, Fred Thatcher, Robb Watson and Don Zellmer.

Fifteen-year honorees were Richard Ault, Barbara Bouxsein, Roxanne

Cherpeske, Amanda Cook Fesperman, Scott Curley, Angela Dunlap, Norman Engstrom, Jeff Fesperman, Jo Ellen Fiorentini, Lorri Foockle, Jeannette Frahm, Kathryn Gibbs, Dr. Nora Hamilton, Tina Hardy, Jill Hejl, Kowalski, Helen Lenkaitis, Sheri Mitchum, Pence, Richard Serafini, Francie Skoflanc and Barry Whited.

Twenty-year honorees were Wes Black, Dawn Lockwood, Kirk Lockwood, Dr. Richard Mangold, Donna Swiskoski and Jill Urban-Bollis.

Twenty-five-year honorees were Dr. Rebecca Donna, Kimberly Eccles, Kaushalya Jagasia, Elizabeth Klopcic, Susan Mertel, Anthony Ruda, Sara Smith, Katherine Sramek and Mary Tully.

Honored for 30 years were Harold Barnes, Jamie Gahm, Ronald Groleau, Sandra Kosciewicz, Edna McManus, Gene Montgomery and Eileen Twardowski.

Sue Isermann was honored for 35 years of service.

Retirees honored were Diane Christianson, Maria Drapa, Engstrom, Gahm, John “Jack” Immel, Isermann, Jagasia, Joyce Loebach, Mertel, Ronald Nadolny, Catherine Nelson, Kristine Renn, Tully, Martha Vera, Kathy Vesper and Christine Warren.

LIFT event on June 12 LASALLE — Christian women of all ages are invited to attend a Ladies In Fellowship Together (LIFT) event at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 12, at the Grace United Methodist Church, 1345 Chartres St. in LaSalle.

The theme for the afternoon, “In the Bag,” will center on what we carry with us as Christians. Siobhan Moss from Rue 21 will present new

purse styles and trends with the topic, “Having Purse-on-ality.”

All women in the Illinois Valley area are encouraged to attend.

Refreshments will be served.

RSVPs are encouraged but are not required to attend. For information, call Lois at 815-663-1724 or send email to vcroasdale@comcast. net.

Putnam County Community Center May 16 — Chili dog on bun, french fries, carrots, applesauce.

May 17 — Chicken tenders, mashed potatoes and gravy, buttered corn, rolls and butter, grapes, dessert.

May 18 — Baked ham, sweet potatoes, carrots, pineapple.

May 19 — Barbecue on bun, coleslaw, peas/ carrots, chips, applesauce, dessert.

May 20 — Smoked sausage, tator tots, corn, apricots.

Bread, butter, fruit juice and 2% milk are available with meals. For reservations, call 800-7574579 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.

Lostant Grade School Breakfast May 16 — Blueberry muffin, yogurt, cereal, fruit and juice.

May 17 — Pancakes and syrup with sausage, yogurt, cereal, fruit and juice.

May 18 — Bagel with cream cheese, yogurt, cereal, fruit and juice.

May 19 — Honeybun, yogurt, cereal, fruit and juice.

May 20 — Doughnut, yogurt, cereal, fruit and juice.

Lunch May 16 — Tortellini in meat sauce, carrots, bread, fruit cocktail, milk.

May 17 — Mini corn dogs, french fries, peaches, milk.

May 18 — Chicken in a biscuit, peas, pears, milk.

May 19 — Nachos and cheese, broccoli and cauliflower, strawberries, milk.

May 20 — Mandarin orange chicken, rice, pineapple, milk.

––––––––––– 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

Buy It! Sell It! See It Right Here!

The Tonica News Classifieds 815-875-4461

- 200 Employment 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

- 400 Merchandise 450 • Under $1000 2003 Dodge Caravan, 191,000 miles, starts and runs, needs bearings, rotors, brakes on front, $800. Call 815-542-6261

450 • Under $1000

460 • Garage Sales

460 • Garage Sales

4 solid quality maple chairs, $45 each/best; child's wooden rocking horse. $20; microwave, $16. Call 815-830-8153

PRINCETON 1227 North Vernon (next to Lumber Yard).

Saturday, Sunday, May 14, 15; 10am-3pm Rummage Sale to Benefit IL Animal Rescue Misc. items.

Treasures to be had.

Great bargains.

Pets available for adoption, on-site.

Refreshments available

WALNUT 17477 2400 North Avenue. Friday, May 13, Saturday, May 14, Friday, May 20, Saturday, May 21; 8am – 4pm COUNTRY PRE-MOVING SALE From Princeton, 7 miles North on Rt 26, turn west (left) on 2400 N., go 3 miles. Watch for signs.

Stop on your way to Walnut City Wide Garage Sales. Deck chairs, pads, air mattress kerosene heater, deck box (new) for storage, camper supplies such as bedding, pots, pans, etc, bicycle, mens clothing, shirts, jackets such as Winchester, Lands-End rain coat.

Nascar “Wallace”, Carhartt & more. Life preserver vests, wading boots, cap collection, old fishing rods, “Save Phace” sports utility mask, handy man books, magazines, electric treadmill, exercise machine. Camper & pontoon.

Free pine wood for camp fires

Full set of ladies Northwestern graphite golf clubs. Very good condition. Right hand. $80 or fair offer. 815-879-0970

YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU MIGHT FIND right here in the Tonica News Classified!

************ 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 CHERRY Holy Trinity Church, Main Street, Rt 89. Holy Trinity Church Hall & basement of Cherry Church of Christ. Thursday, May 12, 5pm-8pm; Friday, May 13, 8am-4pm; Saturday, May 14, 8am12pm. CHERRY CHURCH RUMMAGE SALES. Furniture, fancy glassware, books, collectibles

PRINCETON 211 West Warren Street. Friday, May 13, 3pm-6pm & Saturday, May 14, 8am-2pm.

Downsizing and need to re-home many items: Appliances, home decor, desk, lamps, kitchen items, bedding, quilts, shelving, free paint & cement stain, nightstand, mirrors, new yard dart game and much more!

PRINCETON 325 North Main Street. Saturday, May 14; 8am – 1pm.

PLANT SALE Daisy, Siberian Iris, Iris, Hosta varieties, Lily of the Valley, Day Lily, Lambs Ear, Coneflower, Sedum, Solomon Seal PRINCETON 11 South Pleasant Street. Friday, May 13, 8am-5pm; Saturday, May 14, 8am-1pm.

ANNUAL SPRING GARAGE SALE! 1 Hand Corn Sheller, 1920 vintage Shell gas can, Craftsman power shaper, wrought iron items, machinist tools, beer glass sets & memorabilia, glassware & collectibles, Avon red glass, Longenberger baskets, ladies clothing, household items, wooden storage chest, old steamer trunk, DVD's & CD;s, books, garden & hand tools

PRINCETON 664 East Central Avenue. Thursday, May 12, 4pm-7pm; Friday, May 13, 8am-5pm; Saturday, May 14, 8am-12pm.

GROUP GARAGE SALE. 3 piece sectional, air conditioner (12,000 btu portable), Thirty-One Items, Scentsy, good clean clothing (some plus), glassware, Denim Days, much more!

TISKILWA 140 South State Street. Thursday, May 12, 3pm-7pm; Friday, May 13, 8am-12pm.

In style décor. Longaberger, misses size 8-10, tools & hunting. 3 drawer oak dresser. Wall oven & hood

PROMOTE YOUR GARAGE SALES Call 815-875-4461

Tonica Grade School Breakfast May 16 — Waffle and syrup or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk.

May 17 — Sausage, egg and cheese biscuit or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk.

May 18 — Cheese omelet or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk.

May 19 — Bagel and cream cheese or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk.

May 20 — Powder sugar or chocolate doughnuts or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk.

Lunch May 16 — Appetizer like cheese sticks, marinara sauce, celery, carrots, frozen fruit bar, milk.

May 17 — Chicken fajita meat, cheese cup and tortilla or peanut butter and jelly sandwich, shredded lettuce and salad dressings, rice, fruit, milk.

May 18 — Popcorn chicken, corn, fruit, milk.

May 19 — Ham, cheese slice on bun, baked beans, fruit, chips, milk.

May 20 — Cheese or sausage pizza, green beans, fruit, Rice Krispies treat, milk.

Bridges Senior Center May 16 — 9 a.m., Tai Chi; 12:45 p.m., Bingo; 1:30 p.m., open cards.

May 17 — 9 a.m., Forever Fit; 12:30 p.m., open euchre; 1-3 p.m., Alzheimer’s Association Savvy Caregiver; 5-6 p.m., Grandparents Raising Grandchildren support.

May 18 — 9 a.m., Forever Fit. May 19 — 9 a.m., Tai Chi; 11 a.m.-noon, blood pressure check; noon, Memorial Day potluck; 12:45 p.m., Bingo; 1 p.m., park tour; 1:30 p.m., open cards.

May 20 — 9 a.m., Forever Fit; 1 p.m., open Wii bowling.

The Bridges Senior Center is a congregate meal site. Meals, provided by Voluntary Action Center, are served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday for a suggested donation of $3.50.

A 24-hour advance reservation is required. For more information, call 815-431-8034.

999 • Legal Notices

999 • Legal Notices

999 • Legal Notices

ADOPTION NOTICE STATE OF ) ILLINOIS ) ) ss COUNTY OF ) LASALLE ) In the Matter of the Petition for the Adoption of MICHAEL JERMAINE KEFFER, a Minor No. 2016-AD-3 TO: MICHAEL JOHNSON and ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: TAKE NOTICE that a Petition was filed with the Circuit Court of LaSalle County, Illinois, for the adoption of a child named MICHAEL JERMAINE KEFFER. NOW, THEREFORE, unless you, MICHAEL JOHNSON and ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, file your answer to the Petition in the action or otherwise file your appearance therein, in the said office of the Circuit Court of LaSalle County, in the City of Ottawa, Illinois, on or before the 31st day of May, 2016, a default may be entered against you at any time after that day and a judgment entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

NOTICE OF RIGHTS: You, MICHAEL JOHNSON, have the right to be present, to be heard, to present evidence material to the proceedings, to cross-examine witness-

es, to examine pertinent court files and records and also the right to be represented by counsel.

At the request of any party financially unable to employ counsel, the Court shall appoint the public defender or such other counsel as they case may require.

JIM OLSON, Circuit Clerk Gary L. Gearhart #0927864 GEARHART LAW OFFICE 951 Fifth Street LaSalle,IL 61301 Phone: (815) 223-8009 Published in the Tonica News May 6, 13 and 20, 2016.

Illinois 61350, or with the representative, or both, within 6 months from the date of issuance of letters and any claim not filed within that period is barred.

Copies of a claim filed with the clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney within 10 days after it has been filed.

Dated this 18th day of April, 2016.

John Balestri Attorney For Petitioner 149 Gooding Street LaSalle IL 61301 Phone: 815-223-6600 Published in the Tonica News Apr. 29, May 6 and 13, 2016.

CIRCUIT COURT OF THE THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT LASALLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS ESTATE OF ) AGNES A. TURCZYN ) DECEASED ) No. 2016-P-74 CLAIM NOTICE Notice is given of the death of AGNES A. TURCZYN. Letters of office were issued on April 7, 2016 to KATHY KNAFELC, 312 Pershing Road, LaSalle, IL 61301 as Executor whose attorney is JOHN BALESTRI, 149 Gooding Street, LaSalle, IL 61301.

Claims against the estate may be filed in the office of the clerk of court, LaSalle County Courthouse, Ottawa,

STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT LASALLE COUNTY Notice Of Filing A Request For Name Change (Adult) Request of: ) Norah Wallis Orteza ) 2016-MR-123 There will be a court hearing on my request to change my name from: Norah Wallis Orteza to the new name of: Norah Wallis Toraason.

The court hearing will be held: on June 16, 2016 at 9:45 a.m. at 119 West Madison Street, Ottawa, LaSalle County, in Courtroom #300. /s/Norah W. Orteza Norah Wallis Orteza Published in the Tonica News Apr. 29, May 6 and 13, 2016.

Friday, May 13, 2016 • The Tonica News • 7 999 • Legal Notices

999 • Legal Notices

NOTICE OF FILING OF TENTATIVE BUDGET AND APPROPRIATION FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AND FOR PUBLIC HEARING OF HOPE TOWNSHIP AND HOPE TOWNSHIP ROAD DISTRICT, LASALLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS NOTICE is hereby given that tentative Budget and Appropriation Ordinances for HOPE TOWNSHIP and HOPE TOWNSHIP ROAD DISTRICT, in the County of LaSalle and State of Illinois, for the fiscal year beginning on April I, 2016, and ending on March 31,2017, will be on file and conveniently available for public inspection at the office and home of Stacie A Mertes, Township Clerk, 306 Grant Street, Lostant, Illinois, from and after the 23rd day of May, 2016.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that a public hearing on said Budget and Appropriation Ordinances

will be held at 6:45 a.m. on the 27th day of June, 2016, at the Township Building, Fifth Street, Lostant, Illinois, and that final action on said Budget and Appropriation Ordinances will be taken by the Board of Trustees of said Township at its regular meeting to be held immediately following the public hearing at 7:00 a.m. on the 27th day of June, 2016, at the Township Building, Fifth Street, Lostant, Illinois.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF SAID TOWNSHIP. DATED THIS 29TH DAY OF APRIL, A.D., 2016.

HOPE TOWNSHIP AND HOPE TOWNSHIP ROAD DISTRICT LASALLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS STACIE A. MERTES HOPE TOWNSHIP CLERK Published in the Tonica News May 13, 2016.

E-mail items for sale to: classified@bcrnews.com

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8 • The Tonica News • Friday, May 13, 2016

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