1-Front Volume 140 No. 23
Friday, August 2, 2013
The Tonica News
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Learning together Classroom grouping an issue at Lostant By Ken Schroeder news@tonicanews.com
LOSTANT – Lostant Grade School will be using a sliding class schedule,
which will group students in some classes according to academic ability instead of actual grade level. The board found out at its meeting on
July 24 that decision is not appreciated by every parent in the district. “Is there any reason why you didn’t send any letters home with anybody last year that you were going to do this?” said Trisha Kreiser, parent of a student entering
eighth grade this year. “I just picked up my registration yesterday, and now I have three weeks to decide if I’m going to send my daughter to a different school.” The program will be spread throughout fourth through eighth grades,
and some parents fear older students might be demoralized by being in the same classroom as a child four years younger. Board member Andy Urbanowski pointed out that was not necessarily the case. “We may have fourth-
graders who are incredibly advanced, but they’re not necessarily going to be advanced in everything,” Urbanowski said. “If we have seven students who are at the same level, that seven
See Learning Page 4
More people, more unemployment U.S. Census Bureau releases latest statistics By Ken Schroeder kschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Unemployment in U.S. Congressional District 16 totaled 10.7 percent, according to figures just released from the U.S. Census Bureau. Of the 370,499 people in the district’s labor force, 39,599 were listed as unemployed in the 113th Congress survey. There’s also been an increase in the number of people in the district with 7,977 new residents reported. The total
number of residents is 713,840. The congressional district covers parts of DeKalb, Ford, Stark, Will and Winnebago counties, and all of Boone, Bureau, Grundy, Iroquois, LaSalle, Lee, Livingston, Ogle and Putnam counties, as of the 2011 redistricting which followed the 2010 Census. All or parts of Belvidere, Channahon, DeKalb, Dixon, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Ottawa, Morris, Pontiac, Rockford and Streator are included.
See Census Page 3
Remembering Gladys Klehm By Dixie Schroeder dschroeder@tonicanews.com
TONICA — In 1911, many important things were happening in the world. Stamps cost only 2 cents; Tonica celebrated its 58th year as a village; and on May 10 of the year, Gladys S. Klehm was born. Klehm, Tonica’s oldest resident, died July 25 at the age of 102. Klehm was part of a family who understood hard work. As she got older, she became known for what today would be called, a creative side. Klehm was a great seamstress and upholsterer. “Gladys made all her own clothes,” said Sharon Klehm, Gladys’ daughterin-law. “In fact she was
wearing clothing that she created up until the time she passed away.” Sewing and upholstery work aside, the many area residents remember Klehm for her skills in the kitchen. Sharon said Klehm found her true calling as a head cook at the Village Inn. Eloise Laiele, former co-owner of the Village Inn, was happy to have Klehm working at the restaurant. Laiele said Klehm set a professional tone with not only the day cooks but also the younger kids who worked at night as well. “She was such a hardworking person,” said Laiele. “You would never believe all the work she used to do.”
See Klehm Page 3
Tonica News photo/Dixie Schroeder
Upside down fun With temperatures in the low 70s, Lily Rose Dombrowski, 7, of Leonore enjoyed the cooler weather and spent some time playing in the Tonica Park on July 23. While the Midwest enjoyed some cooler temperatures this past week, the thermometers will show more seasonable temperatures in the coming days.
Inside
Vol. 140 No. 23 One Section - 8 Pages
© The Tonica News
A look back
Hot wheels
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