TON-10-20-2017

Friday, October 20, 2017

Volume 143 No. 46

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TONICA

Flushed with success

Treatment plant soon to become automated

BY ZACHARY J. PRATT news@tonicanews.com

dated be replaced.

Planned over four years and constructed

by Streator’s Vissering Construction, the project was funded through an IEPA loan which will require the village’s water rates to be raised for 20 years.

“Vissering did a wonderful job, they were precise, professional and after they left you’d never know they were here,” Lemrise said of the clean project site.

TONICA — The treatment plant in Tonica has been functioning, but it is expected to soon go into full operation.

So far the facility has been manually operated, “so when everything’s automated, it should be a smooth transition,” Village Engineer Jack Kusek said at the Tonica Village Board meeting Oct. 16.

One purpose of working the facility manually was so the workers could see how it operates.

Marc Lemrise, Tonica’s superintendent of public works, said the facility did not slow down with the deluge this past weekend. In fact, he suggested the plant might have even run better.

In related discussion, Lemrise shared the results of a tour the fire department had requested, in which members were shown the facility.

More fire extinguishers were suggested for different locations around the site.

“It’s pretty unlikely that’s ever going to happen – it’s all modern equipment – but stuff can happen,” Lemrise said.

It was suggested that the insurance company will dictate how many fire extinguishers the plant will need and where.

As Tonica prepares its new TIF, a desirable site appears to have received validation.

See SEWER PLANT Page 2

See AUTOMATED, Page 2

Tonica News photo/Dave Cook

Marc Lemrise, Tonica’s superintendent of public works, has been impressed with the village’s newly-constructed sewer treatment plant and discussed the many improvements over the outdated and inefficient plant it replaced.

Capabilities of new sewer plant far exceeds the previous system

BY DAVE COOK news@tonicanews.com TONICA — After many years of needing an updated sewer plant which would meet environmental regulations, the residents of Tonica can be happy to know that any water which enters the nearby creek is now probably cleaner than the creek itself.

“We haven’t had a chance to test it yet, but it’s crystal clear and well-oxygenated,” Marc

Lemrise, public works supervisor, said.

The new plant was originally estimated to cost $2 million, but $3.2 million later, the funds appear to be worth the expense.

Lemrise said the previous plant was approximately 40 years old and was what he called “an inexpensive package plant.”

He added that some elements of that plant were used and cobbled together to create a complete, yet inefficient and ultimately ineffective system which the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) man-

LOCAL SCHOOLS

Putnam County School Board challenged over newest member

BY DAVE COOK news@tonicanews.com GRANVILLE — As soon as the newest member of the Putnam County School Board finished taking his oath, received congratulations from the other board members and took his seat, a former mem-

Vol. 143 No. 46 One Section - 12 Pages

ber took issue with the process and claimed the board was not following its own policies or those of the state.

Jason Judd was the new member who filled the seat left vacant by Kristina Popurella during the Oct. 16 board meeting and Judith Hopkins, a school

board member from 2005 to 2013, was who claimed Judd doesn’t meet the residential requirements of the board’s own policy and that of the Illinois School Code.

Hopkins said the seat should be filled by a resident of the same township as Popurella and if neither the board nor the

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Regional Office of Education (ROE) could find an appointee that the seat should remain vacant until the next election. She also claimed seating Judd was illegal and all actions taken by the board as long as Judd is a member would be null and void.

James Gibson, PC

School Board president, said the board had the right to adapt their policies as needed and that both the ROE and their attorney had no issue with Judd becoming a school board member.

Hopkins didn’t accept Gibson’s explanation and asked for the minutes of

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the previous meeting where the initial motions had been made to be read out loud.

Board member Adriane Shore later made a motion to ask for an outside attorney to review the situation and the board agreed.

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2 • The Tonica News • Friday, October 20, 2017

Seeking Sources

Basketball tournament held in Lostant

• SEWER PLANT Continued from Page 1

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.

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Contact Publisher Sam Fisher sfisher@tonicanews.com Copy Editor Shannon Serpette sserpette@bcrnews.com

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

Lostant Grade School had an eighth-grade girls basketball tournament Sept. 29-30. Five teams participated in the two-day tournament — Lostant, Lowpoint Washburn, Dimmick, Trinity Catholic and Peru Catholic. Peru Catholic won first place, with Trinity Catholic receiving second place. Dimmick came in third, followed by Lowpoint Washburn in fourth and Lostant in fifth.

Raffle winners included Peggy Miller, Bob Rauba, Sandra Malahy, Helen Mangan and Danell Mertes. All proceeds will go toward the purchase of a new scoreboard.

• AUTOMATED Continued from Page 1 The Village Inn corner has been waiting on its No Further Remediation letter, which demonstrates a compliance with environmental regulations, and now appears to be receiving the document.

“I have heard rumors of the elusive letter,” Village President Kevin Sluder said, following up by saying the rumors might be disbelieved until the document can be seen.

Nonetheless, the letter’s existence has been substantiated, according to Kusek.

“It should be arriving shortly,” Kusek said.

The land will go to the highest bidder, and both Sluder and Kusek expressed an expectation that the going price will not be cheap.

“It might be an interesting bidding war that’s going on with that, because everybody seems to know about it,” Sluder said.

• NEWEST Continued from Page 1 “I can’t go forward if we did the wrong thing. If we made a mistake, we need to fix it,” Shore said.

Board member Laurie Glenn

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“Now that he’s got that letter, that land is gold,” he said.

The Village Inn corner is not the only element that will be involved in the new TIF, and Sluder wants the village to figure out where else might be involved in setup.

“We’ve already started this new TIF; now we need to establish what land will be in it,” Sluder said.

“We need to connect the dots,” he said. “We need to get to the corner and out to 39.”

Sluder noted action and inquiries from parties unrelated to the Village Inn corner.

“Whatever we can get to promote businesses in town is only going to make it better,” Sluder said. “I bet we’re the next hot spot.”

In other news, a representative of the North Central Illinois Council of Governments (NCICG) stopped by Tonica’s board meeting to reintroduce the organization and see what’s going on in town.

Kevin Lindeman of NCICG expressed an interest in represen-

addressed Hopkins.

“Judy, I just want you to know everyone sitting on this board is here to do the right thing for every student in this district, not just the ones from their district. We do it as a whole district. We’ve done what we needed to do. We’ve talk-

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tatives showing up to meetings every so often just to observe current happenings.

“We can’t do it every month, but maybe a couple times a year or so,” he said.

Lindeman noted that programs with NCICG might not currently have funding but that they are keeping watch for projects villages such as Tonica might need.

NCICG has played a part in Tonica’s major projects, such as the village’s new water treatment plant and the water tower work.

Currently, NCICG is working on a sidewalk assessment, which Tonica has entered into.

“It’s not going to give you a cost assessment or anything like that, but it should provide an idea about where you might want to focus,” Lindeman said.

“You guys have been a big, big help with the treatment plant and the water tower and all,” Sluder said. “You guys are top notch in my book.”

ed to the lawyers and we’ve followed protocol,” she said. “I think it’s great we have people who wanted to step up and do this because when there was an election there was nobody who wanted to run. I think we ought to be happy we have somebody to fill the spot so there’s not a

He said if the new plant is maintained well, the foundation of the plant could last up to 100 years with the improvements made in modern concrete.

There is also much more water flowing through the new plant.

“The old plant was capable of handling 150,000 gallons a day. The new plant has two units, each capable of 250,000 gallons a day for a total of half a million gallons,” he said.

Lemrise said their plan is to cycle between the two sewer units to allow for longer life and regular maintenance inspections.

“We also now have a million-gallon storage lagoon to handle large storm in-flows,” he added.

Previously, any water which overwhelmed the old system flooded the nearby land and flowed directly into the creek.

There is also a new and larger forced water main which can serve as a backup to the original line to the lift station.

Currently the public works crew is operating the system manually as they become familiar with its characteristics, but Lemrise said they will soon begin transitioning to the plant’s automated features.

“Even operating it manually is much easier than the old plant because everything responds so quickly,” he said.

The plant is also far more efficient in regards to the power it consumes.

Lemrise said the variable frequency motors of the plant can run at 50 percent capability, yet use only 12 percent of the rated power.

The village’s next water-related improvements will be able to increase the capabilities of the current storm drain lines.

tie when we have an important vote. I want you to remember we’re here for the benefit of everyone.”

The next Putnam County School Board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Putnam County Primary School.

Friday, October 20, 2017 • The Tonica News • 3

POLICE REPORTS LASALLE COUNTY SHERIFF

OGLESBY

Traffic stop At 2:12 a.m. Oct. 14, deputies arrested Christina Ash, 37, of Streator following a traffic stop on Route 18, west of Interstate 39 in Hope Township. Ash was arrested following an incident in Streator which occurred prior to the traffic stop. Ash was charged with speeding 78 mph in a 55 mph zone, no valid driver’s license, and failure to yield to an emergency vehicle.

Ash was given a notice to appear and then turned over to the Streator Police Department.

TONICA FIRE DEPARTMENT SEPTEMBER ACTIVITY REPORT TONICA — The Tonica Volunteer Fire Department (TVFD) responded to 18 emergency calls during September.

The department handled one vehicle fire on I-39; one mutual aid structure fire to LaSalle; 12 ambulance calls; one carbon monoxide alarm; two tanker calls to Cedar Point to help with their water shortage; and one good intent call. Through Sept.

30 of this year, the TVFD has responded to 135 emergency calls.

The annual TVFD Town Collection was conducted on Oct. 2.

This door-to-door collection requested a donation from each homeowner, renter and business within the village limits.

These monetary donations allow fire, ambulance and rescue services to be provided without property taxation.

The TVFD also provides ambulance service to Leonore, Cedar Point and a portion of the Standard Fire District. Donations can be dropped off at the Tonica Bank or the Tonica Fire Station.

Seven members reviewed training covering the station, trucks and equipment.

Seventeen members participated in training for brush truck pump operations and nozzles; tender operations; an equipment review, pumper operations; and hose and nozzle advancement.

Two probationary firefighters completed the additional Illinois Department of Transportation traffic incident management training and a review of the standard operating guidelines.

Chief Alan Stremlau reported the TVFD will participate in the Utica Veterans Parade on Nov. 5.

Stremlau again presented a proposal for consideration requiring a revision to the department’s by-laws; that being that currently trained and experienced members who move out of the TVFD fire protection area, but who are still able to respond to emergency calls in Tonica, can remain on the department. After a review and discussion by the members, the proposed revision was passed.

The annual TVFD Chili Supper and Deer Night will be held on Nov. 18 at the fire station.

Information continues to be gathered pertaining to an additional 12x40 storage area that maybe added to the station.

Stremlau reported on the status of reprogramming the department radios due to recent changes made to Val-Com Dispatch center in Peru that effects Tonica mutual aid companies.

He also noted there has been an open burning ban as of Sept. 29. Because of the current dry weather conditions, there’s a ban on all open burning throughout the response area of the department. This includes all trash, recreational fires, bonfires, and yard waste fires. No one is to engage in open burning unless they are specifically permitted to do so by the fire chief.

This ban is in effect until the conditions for open controlled burning are no longer a danger to life or nearby property.

Those living or operating in and around agricultural fields and wooded areas are reminded to be extra cautious.

IVCC to name conference center for Scriba OGLESBY — The Illinois Valley Community College Foundation will host a ceremony to officially name the pre-function area and rooms CTC124-125 of the Peter Miller Community Technology Center the “Ralph Scriba Conference Center” at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23.

Scriba, a 1951 LPO Junior College graduate, will join the ceremony from his California office via web conferencing technology.

A 1945 graduate of Mendota High School who grew up on a farm near Troy Grove, Scriba now lives in Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.

MEETING MINUTES IVCC BOARD — SEPT. 14 OGLESBY — The Dec. 31 retirement of Jeanne Hayden, executive assistant to the president, affiliated with Illinois Valley Community College for more than three decades, was announced by IVCC President Jerry Corcoran at the Sept. 14 board meeting.

An IVCC graduate, Hayden was selected executive assistant and named secretary to the board when president Jean Goodnow arrived in 1996. She was also the executive assistant to president Larry Huffman, interim presidents Chuck Novak and Dave Louis, and has worked alongside Corcoran the past nine years.

In other business, the board

The Social Security Administration introduced the expansion of online services for residents of Illinois available through its my Social Security portal at www. socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. Nancy A. Berryhill, acting commissioner of Social Security, announced that residents of Illinois can use the portal for many replacement Social Security number (SSN) card requests.

This will allow people to replace their SSN card from the comfort of their home or office, without the need to travel to a Social Security office.

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approved: • Extending its lease with Marco Inc., for 12 copiers for one year.

• The bid of Rasix Computer Center of Chula Vista, Calif., for $22,238 for printing supplies.

• Renewal of Cisco SmartNet Maintenance for the phone system, network hardware and software for $19,978 from Burwood Group.

• Appointment of Chris Dunlap as director of information technology services following the retirement of Diann Jabusch. Dunlap has worked at IVCC over 20 years as associate director of networked systems and as a PC specialist.

• Extended the appointment of Robyn Schiffman as interim dean of

humanities, fine arts and social sciences through Dec. 31. The extension coincides with the ongoing reorganization of academic divisions, Corcoran said.

The board also learned: • Linda Hawkins of the counseling office retired Aug. 31.

• Eileen Twardowski of the financial aid office will retire Dec. 31.

• Kaitlyn Bettner, part-time library technician, will resign effective Sept. 15.

• Part-time adult education instructor Kenneth Bock resigned Aug. 25.

• Stephanie Brady-Crite, part-time reading, writing and study skills lab instructor resigned in August.

• Women’s soccer coach Ed Young resigned Aug. 25 and has been replaced by Rey Arteaga.

Social Security has online service for replacement cards

Tonica, IL

Magnolia United Methodist Church

ation parts pioneer for his passion for giving back to institutions that served him well and for always appreciating where he came from.

“Ralph is a modest gentleman who reached out to us in 2013 to see how he could help,” said Corcoran.

“He is among IVCC’s greatest benefactors and so deserving of this honor.”

The event in CTC124-125 will include remarks from Scriba as well as college officials and agriculture student Martha Hoffman of Earlville. The public is welcome.

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He recently made a $50,000 donation to IVCC’s agriculture program for an endowed scholarship and equipment for the precision ag program.

The donation Ralph brought his five-year Scriba total to $250,000. He had previously donated $50,000 to the CTC capital campaign and made the lead $150,000 gift to the scholarship endowment campaign.

IVCC President Jerry Corcoran praised the philanthropist and avi-

the residents of Illinois the added convenience of replacing a Social Security card through the my Social Security portal,” Berryhill said. “We will continue to work on innovative initiatives to provide people with safe, secure and convenient options for doing business with us online or in person.”

The agency is conducting a gradual roll out of this service; Illinois is one of the states, plus the District of Columbia, where this option is available.

Throughout 2017, the agency will continue to expand the service option to other states. This service will mean shorter wait times for the public in the more

than 1,200 Social Security offices across the country and allows staff more time to work with customers who have extensive service needs.

U.S. citizens age 18 or older and who are residents of Illinois can request a replacement SSN card online by creating a my Social Security account. In addition, they must have a U.S. domestic mailing address, not require a change to their record (such as a name change), and have a valid driver’s license, or state identification card in some participating states.

My Social Security is a secure online hub for doing business with Social

Security, and more than 31 million people have created an account. In addition to Illinois residents replacing their SSN card through the portal, current Social Security beneficiaries can manage their account — change an address, adjust direct deposit, obtain a benefit verification letter or request a replacement SSA-1099. Medicare beneficiaries can request a replacement Medicare card without waiting for a replacement form in the mail. Account holders still in the workforce can verify their earnings history and obtain estimates of future benefits by looking at their Social Security statement online.

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4 • The Tonica News • Friday, October 20, 2017

The Editorial Page The Tonica News Sam R Fisher Publisher

Be kids while raising kids W

riting doesn’t start on a blank sheet of paper – it starts in the head. Yeah-yeah, I know those who know me well are in doubt about that one.

There’s only so much writing material in our house.

Beyond our marital bliss, my brain turns stagnant. So, with my computer in tow, I COMMENTARY headed for the coffee shop, Earlene positive some strong coffee and Campbell a scone would feed my brain and conjure up a brilliant article.

Coffee shops can be busy, sometimes noisy places, where each patron is talking louder than the others, to be heard over the chatter. But walk through the door and you are surrounded by fellowship. I (and obviously others) can sit in this din, shut out all the clamor, and read a book, do school work, bang out newspaper articles, or write a book. I’m not sure how that works, but it does.

Sitting next to me was a young lady I had not met before, who pondered over her work papers. As she got up to leave, we struck up a conversation. She is our city manager, Rachel Skaggs. My having worked at city hall for 17 years left us with much in common. It was worth the trip out this morning just to meet Rachel.

“Honestly, did you like it when your kids were back in school after summer vacation?” I was asked this by Kate, the cute little coffee shop cashier this morning. It was as though she let out a sigh of relief as she said it. It only took a few seconds for a warm fuzzy to wash over me as flashes of fun activities with my kids ran through my mind. My answer: “I had so much fun with my kids during the summer months.”

Memories of riding the bike with them, sitting and reading while the kids played in their little swimming pools in the back yard, or on their swing sets, afternoon snacks of lemonade and homemade cookies, or cooling off with popsicles. When our son, Brad, was little I would give him the end of the water hose and turn it on low. He wouldn’t go any farther than the hose stretched, and he was kept busy all afternoon.

The fall Brad was 2 years old it was our job to gather pine cones for making fall wreaths. My mom was in charge, so I’d say we were “gathering pine cones for Grandma.”

Brad and I spent a lot of time in Oakland Cemetery picking up the good ones, and Brad’s treasures of a few mutilated by mowers. Not long into the project, each time we passed any cemetery with the tombstones sticking up, Brad would excitedly yell, “Grandma, Grandma.” Mamma didn’t appreciate that one bit.

Halloween time – it wasn’t just the kids in costume.

Winter months were fun too. It was the perfect quiet evening snowfall, great for packing and building snowmen, balls, or forts. “Okay, kids, out you go.”

They were all bundled up they headed out. Large snowflakes were filling in the kids’ footprints and snow angels as fast as they were made. It was too much – I had to join them. We wound up dragging the dog house from the backyard to the front (no easy feat), and that great packing snow turned into Snoopy on his house. As we put the finishing touches on him, a missile whacked me in the back. The blame was directed toward the kids until I realized they were all busy with Snoopy. Lurking back in the darker corners of the yard next door was our laughing neighbor, Carol Sledgister.

She joined the kids and the snowball fight was on. Who had more fun?

I was fortunate enough to be a stay-at-home mom until our youngest, Tracy, was in third grade. As the kids passed toddler age and didn’t require constant supervision, there were times I’d send them outside, and go about my business. With time slipping by, I’d suddenly realize, “Gee, I’d better check on them.” By today’s standards, I would go down for child neglect.

But they knew to come at the blast of my Boy Scout whistle.

P.S. – Never having opened my computer, I left the coffee shop with my brain whirling and came home to write.

Don’t forget to FROG.

Earlene Campbell lives by the FROG motto — Fully Rely On God. She resides in Princeton and can be reached at earlenecampbell@rocketmail.com.

Chase the dark clouds away I

believe that all of us have been overwhelmed by so many tragic events in the last few weeks.

Not one, not two, but three hurricanes striking the U.S. and its territories, a heartbreaking accident involving a child in a nearby community, and gun violence like none of us has seen before. I saw personally the reaction of community members dealing with the injury of a child. It was a feeling that no one wants to experience.

How do we carry on when there is so much to be sad about? How do you make it through the day?

What helps to make you believe that our world is not a terrible place? For me, there are some things that drive the dark clouds away.

To begin with, my husband and daughter make life better everyday. My three grandsons are prominent on the list for driving away the blues. Many of you know them or have read about them. They continue to amaze, entertain, and make my heart and smile swell.

Jon with his ready smile and winning personality has always provided a feeling of joy. Even now that he is in junior high and even busier than ever, he still wins me over with a grin.

Then comes Brady, growing into such a special boy. His smile when he gets home from school each day is a wonder. And, with the offer of food, Brady glows. He is always “starving” after school and it makes me happy to see him grin.

Of course, there is lastly our

COMMENTARY Nita Wyatt Cole — 4 years old and a constant amazement. He greets me with a smile and is always full of ideas about what he and grandma should do — let’s swing, let’s play hide and seek, let’s bake brownies.

He’s up for it all.

These three boys can chase away all the dark clouds.

There are other people and places that make me feel better, feel peaceful, feel ready to face another day.

As most of those who know me know, I would have to include playing golf and being on the golf course as a place that makes a dark day brighter. It’s true, I am happy on a golf course. It is a peaceful and pretty place. I like it in the spring and during the summer but I find now, the fall, to be my favorite time. It is so, I don’t know, just restful, just relaxing. It is as if the fairways know that the golfing season is coming to a close.

There is a calmness to the course, a quiet that only comes in the fall. The activity on the course is slowed down, and those who are playing do it for the pure love of the game — not necessarily for the best score ever, but just because the game draws them in.

The leaves left in the trees and on the ground rustle in the breeze. A

sound when you hear it lets you know that the world really is a good place even amid trying times.

That sound and that place make me smile when the world is weighing me down.

So, I have my family and I have my special place. What more do I need? What more do I need to restore my faith in the world? I need the people who make up the rest of the material of my life.

There are the ones who I meet for coffee one day a week. There are the close friends I play golf with every week. There are the women who I take a train trip to Chicago with twice a year. There are the professional people I work with on a part-time basis who are supportive and fun. There are the friends of my youth recently reconnecting and realizing that we have missed each other and those long-ago friendships quickly and wonderfully rekindled. Thank you, my friends, you make me smile, you make me forget the bad and remember the good.

As we remember and care about the victims resulting from the tragedies in the last months and weeks, take time to remember the good in your life — be it your family, your favorite place, your friends. Make a list of the people and places that bring you joy, bring a smile, bring laughter into your life. It helps, well, at least it helps me.

Nita Wyatt of Wyanet can be reached at wyattnm1950@yahoo.com.

Forming a lifelong alliance

B

efore there were reality television shows that allow participants to form alliances and kick people off the show each week, there was my family. In the Crawley family, every week felt like a game of “Survivor” or “Big Brother.” You never knew if you were going to be billed as the hero or the villain among your housemates from week to week.

My parents had nine children and we were all great frenemies – part friends, part enemies. When we got along well, we were as close as siblings could be. But when times were rough, it was like gang warfare, or on a milder day, like an episode of those reality shows that are so popular now.

Those days when fights erupted over the heavy-hitting subjects of that era, like which team really won the impromptu wiffleball game in the yard or who got to pick the television channel we would watch, things spiraled out of control quickly. You never knew when a day would turn on a dime, going from hysterical laughter to hostile looks to an all-out bloodbath.

The siblings who found them-

COMMENTARY Shannon Serpette selves at odds quickly tried to get to the other siblings first so they could tell their side of the story.

If you were too slow getting to the other siblings, their minds would be poisoned by the next time you saw them. That one-sided story would turn them against you before you had a chance to defend yourself.

Once you found you were the odd man out, the long, arduous task of winning them back over to your side would begin. You would try to sidle up to them, always being there when they needed anything. There was no task too big or too small to help them with. Some siblings even resorted to bribery, using pieces of gum or other candy to gain friends and make alliances.

Candy was our drug of choice and we’d do almost anything to fuel our sugar cravings.

We employed a variety of techniques to convey our anger – we

used silent treatments, passive aggressive comments, screaming, punching and gossip. Things were pretty intense at times, but, on the flip side, we learned to roll with emotional punches and even physical ones. It’s helped us all, I think, to deal with the harsh realities of the world.

And somehow through it all, throughout the high school, college and adult years, we’ve managed to stay the best of friends. We often laugh about our fights and hijinks of our younger years and we know there’s no one else anywhere who would understand what life was like for us while we were growing up.

These days, all nine of us live within an hour and a half of our childhood home in Lake Thunderbird. I don’t think any of us go a full week without calling, texting, making a Facebook comment to each other or having a face-to-face visit. And we wouldn’t want it any other way.

Shannon Serpette is a copy editor for Tonica News. She can be reached at sserpette@bcrnews.com.

LEGISLATIVE DIRECTORY U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois Washington, D.C., office 711 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 202-224-2152 durbin.senate.gov/contact/ Illinois office 230 S. Dearborn

Kluczynski Federal Building Suite 3892 Chicago, IL 60604 312-353-4952 U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois Washington, D.C., office

G12 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 202-224-2854 Illinois office 230 S. Dearborn Suite 3900 Chicago, IL 60604 312-886-3506

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

Friday, October 20, 2017 • The Tonica News • 5

Lostant Grade School receives donation

MENUS LOSTANT GRADE SCHOOL

COMMUNITY NOTES

Breakfast Oct. 23 — Yogurt parfait, yogurt, granola, fruit, cereal, juice, milk.

Oct. 24 — Bacon egg tornados, yogurt, granola, fruit, cereal, juice, milk.

Oct. 25 — Waffle and syrup, yogurt, granola, fruit, cereal, juice, milk.

Oct. 26 — French toast and syrup, yogurt, granola, fruit, cereal, juice, milk.

Oct. 27 — Pop Tart Friday, yogurt, granola, fruit, cereal, juice, milk.

Lunch Oct. 23 — Meatball sub, bread, mozzarella cheese, cucumber slices, fruit, milk.

Oct. 24 — Deli meat pita, cheese, lettuce, chips, fruit, yellow peppers, milk.

Oct. 25 — Chicken and waffles, tater tots, corn, fruit, milk.

Oct. 26 — Chili, corn bread, fruit, milk.

Oct. 27 — Sausage pizza, lettuce, fruit, cookie, milk.

LOSTANT — The Lostant Athletics will raffle a Phillips 55-inch Clas 4K Ultra HD TV. Tickets are one for $5, four for $10 and 10 for $20. The drawing will be held during the championship game of the boys Prairie Conference Tournament on Jan. 20, 2018.

You do not need to be present to win.

The TV was donated by the Wal-Mart Distribution Center in Spring Valley. The item can not be returned/exchanged to any Walmart or Sam’s Club facility for a refund or exchange.

Tickets may be purchased at home basketball games or from the school office during Photo contributed operating hours.

Lostant Grade School is the recipient of the LSCRTA (LaSalle County Retired Teacher Association)

TV raffle planned

TONICA GRADE SCHOOL Breakfast Oct. 23 — French toast stick and syrup or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk.

Oct. 24 — Pancake and syrup or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk.

Oct. 25 — Scrambled eggs (add cheese or ham) or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk.

Oct. 26 — Breakfast pizza or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk.

Oct. 27 — Powdered sugar or chocolate doughnuts or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk.

Lunch Oct. 23 — Make your own sandwich: flat bread, ham, turkey, salami, cheese slice or peanut butter and jelly sandwich, carrots and celery, fruit side kick, chips, milk.

Oct. 24 — Asian chicken nugget bites, mashed potatoes, green beans, fruit, pudding, milk.

Oct. 25 — Pizza crunchers, lettuce, fresh fruit, milk.

Oct. 26 — Hot dog, bun, baked beans, applesauce, juice box, pretzels, milk.

Oct. 27 — Cheese or sausage pizza, lettuce, fruit, graham cookie, milk.

PUTNAM COUNTY COMMUNITY CENTER Oct. 23 — Beef and cheese ravioli in red sauce, mixed vegetables, roll, pears, apple slices.

Oct. 24 — Baked ham, scalloped potatoes, corn, pineapple, dessert.

Oct. 25 — Grilled turkey and cheese sandwich with lettuce and tomato, tomato soup, steak fries, apple slices.

Oct. 26 — Chicken salad on bun, macaroni salad, threebean salad, fruit cocktail, dessert.

Oct. 27 — Beef tacos with cheese, lettuce, tomato and salsa, corn and black beans salad, applesauce.

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.

Joanne Lanham benefit on Oct. 28 LASALLE — A benefit for Joanne Lanham, who was diagnosed with lung cancer, will be from 4 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Knights of Columbus, 209 Gooding St., LaSalle. A Halloween costume is optional. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Knight of Columbus in LaSalle, Rudy’s Liquor and LaSalle State Bank, LaSalle location. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.

Tickets are $20 per person and include food and music.

Bands and artists include She’s A Maybe, Darrell Data, Carley Baudino and The Steve Sharp Band.

SM-PR1467753 SM-PR1467753

for MAP dollars, students should really file their FAFSA as soon as possible,” said Williamson. “This is an opportunity to complete the online FAFSA with financial aid staff available to assist you.”

The workshop is free and both students and parents are invited with no appointment necessary. Participants should bring their 2016 taxes and W-2 forms. To save time, students and parents may want to create their FSA ID

and password at https:fsaid. ed.gov.

Spring course schedule now available online OGLESBY — The spring 2018 Illinois Valley Community College course schedule is now available online and in hard copy. Registration begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7.

A link to a pdf of the schedule is available at the bottom of the college home page at www.ivcc.edu. Hard

OGLESBY — Illinois Valley Community College’s Financial Aid office will host a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Completion on Saturday, Oct. 21, in E214.

Walk-in assistance is available 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Director of Financial Aid Patty Williamson recommends students file their 2018-19 FAFSA by Nov. 15 for Monetary Award Program (MAP) eligibility.

“With the FAFSA deadlines moved ahead and the demand

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copies are available at the main campus in Oglesby and at IVCC’s Ottawa Center, 321 W. Main St. To request a hard copy through mail, call 815224-0447.

The schedule includes important dates, phone numbers, enrollment steps, a registration form and a listing of all Ottawa Center and main campus classes. Classes begin Jan. 10. Spring tuition is due by 7 p.m. Dec. 6, and spring preview for new students is Jan. 8.

IVCC will host FAFSA Completion Saturday

LEONORE VOLUNTEER Friday, Nov. 3rd FIRE DEPT. Doors open: 6PM

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Bucks for Books program. The donation of $100 will be used for library books and materials for teachers and students to use. Norma Lightle, LSCRTA member and former Lostant librarian, presented the donation to librarian Ruthann Brizgis and students from third through fifth grade.

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6 • The Tonica News • Friday, October 20, 2017

– 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:

450 • Under $1000 Nordictrak manual treadmill walkfit, $150; roll top desk $150; Baldwin upright piano, $75.

Call 847-727-4032 Twin bookcase headboard with 3 drawer base $50; Cross Bar Max resistance equipment $75.

Call 815-875-4089 ************ HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL? Put your ad in for FREE

Call 815-875-4461 classified@bcrnews.com

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.

- 200 Employment

E-mail information to: classified@ bcrnews.com (include your name, address & phone number)

• Friday Paper deadline Friday before by 3pm We Accept

228 • Help Wanted LIBRARY POSITION AVAILABLE Must be 21 years or older.

Must be able to pass background check and drug screening. Have computer experience.

Please send resume to: Lostant Community Library, PO Box 189, Lostant, IL 61334

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 2 beautiful end tables, $60; box of Kendall/Kerlix large roll gauze pads, $85; vintage doctor's scale, $20. 815-488-2934 20 Starburst punch cups & saucers, $10 /offer; lots of new & like new winter boys 4/5 clothing, $2 each/offer. 815-646-4741 3 hand painted plates (2 France, 1 Bavaria) $100 each; Carvel federal shape Syracuse China pieces $700/best. 815-878-5415 7' Picnic table, double sided, painted steel frame, $50; folding twin daybed, with mattress, rollers. $50. Call 815-875-4122 Gas stove, bisque color, good condition, $200 or best offer Call 815-699-7788 Nice coffee table & end table, $35 for both.

Call 815-875-4203

No Phone Calls!

Variable speed scroll saw $35, with table $40; 4 old oak dining chairs for $40.

Call 815-875-4077 Yamaha electric piano, $850; girl's 20" Trek bicycle, $60; exercise bike $25. Call 815-915-6933

460 • Garage Sales PRINCETON 23 South Fairground Road. Friday, October 20, 8am-5pm; Saturday, October 21, 9am-12pm.

MULTI-FAMILY SALE. Furniture, household, glassware, toys, Barbies, dolls & doll patterns.

Much More!

PRINCETON 2830 South Main Street. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, October 19, 20, 21; 8am-5pm.

MOVING SALE. Tools, Furniture, Clothing, Kitchen stuff. You name it I've got it!

PRINCETON 518 South Fifth Street. Friday, October 20, 9am-5pm; Saturday, October 21, 8am12pm.

HUGE MULTI-FAMILY GARAGE SALE. Furniture, household misc., holiday decorations, Longaberger baskets. Alot of brand name men's & women's clothing in good condition & various sizes. Everything Must Go!

- 700 Real Estate For Sale 767 • Mobile Home Sales **************** 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 DELINQUENT TAX LIST LASALLE COUNTY (Note - Because tax payments may have been received by this office after copy was forwarded to the newspapers, names of certain people who have paid their taxes will appear on this list.)

AMOUNTS SHOWN ARE THE AMOUNT FOR TAX ONLY. AN ADDITIONAL AMOUNT WILL BE ADDED FOR THE DELINQUENT COSTS. STATE OF ILLINOIS ) ) SS. COUNTY OF LASALLE ) Public notice is hereby given that I, James L. Spelich, Treasurer Collector of LaSalle County, in the State of Illinois, aforesaid, will apply to the Circuit Court for the 13th Judicial Circuit, LaSalle County, Illinois on November 3, 2017 for judgement against the lands,lots and mobile homes mentioned and described in the following list for taxes, special assessment, interest and cost due severally thereon, for the year 2016 and previous back taxes for real estate; the year 2017 for mobile homes and for an order to sell said lands, lots and mobile homes for the satisfaction thereof and for a judgement fixing the correct amount of any tax paid under protest.

Also, that on the 2nd Tuesday in November 2017 all the lands and lots, for the sale of which an order shall be made, will be exposed at public sale at the LaSalle County Office Building, in said County, in Ottawa, Illinois, for the amount of taxes, and special assessments and cost due thereon. Said tax sale will commence at the hour of 9:00 o’clock on the said 14th day of November, 2017, and continue until all lands and lots are sold or offered for sale James L. Spelich LaSalle County Treasurer and Ex-Officio County Collector EDEN 25-04-200-006 ESPINOZA, TOM & KIM 2,640.99 25-04-300-002 MERRIFIELD, JAMES - WALKER, A 2,918.76 25-04-321-000 OLSON, PATRICE W 1,923.36 25-04-407-000 BIGGS, JOHN W-CAROL A 1,918.49 25-06-102-000 GEHM, ANDREW H/JENNA M 42.22 25-08-210-009 TURCZYN, JUSTIN M 158.40 25-09-101-013 KENNY, DANIEL L 1,485.05 25-09-105-008 SCHLESINGER, TODD G / TAMARA L 2,111.45 25-09-105-012 MARGIS, MICHAEL/ADELINE J 718.91 25-09-105-013 SCHLESINGER, TODD G/TAMARA L 2,710.27 25-09-108-002 OSENKARSKI, CARRIE A/TROY A 326.69 25-09-108-003 OSENKARSKI, CARRIE 69.84 25-09-108-004 HIGHT, ANTHONY P 1,830.93 25-09-108-010 HIGHT, ANTHONY / CHARLENE 1,811.09 25-09-112-004 GUISTI, RICHARD SANDRA 2,461.29 25-09-300-001 STRADER, RICHARD L JR 2,038.67 25-22-103-000 WALTER, LAWRENCE TRUST 2,433.03 25-22-403-000 ALLEMAN, KENNETH R 3,663.84 25-23-208-000 MICHELI, ROBERT ETAL TTEE 120.07 25-25-101-004 TLI INC 1,561.94 25-25-109-006 PEREZ, ELVIA / RAFAEL 2,006.23 25-25-116-004 LEMRISE, JACOB / HEATHER 2,387.54 25-25-119-018 YERUSKI, ANDREA S 1,525.10 25-25-142-000 ALLEMAN, KENNETH 97.88 25-26-103-000 TONICA NURSERY INC 961.04 25-26-111-000 TONICA NURSERIES INC 1,890.29 25-26-115-000 TONICA NURSERIES INC 293.85 25-26-202-008 ALLEMAN, KENNETH R 224.88 25-26-203-001 TONICA NURSERY INC 2,571.73 25-26-203-002 TONICA NURSERIES INC 1,491.73 25-26-203-003 TONICA NURSERIES-INC 270.51 25-26-206-022 HICKS, WILLIAM / MELISSA A 1,979.29 25-26-206-023 HICKS, WILLIAM / MELISSA A 76.50 25-26-206-027 COYNIK, DAVID J, TTEE 4,232.41 25-26-207-012 FOLTYNEWICZ, GREG E/ ROBIN L 2,157.71 25-26-207-016 FRANCISCO, DANIEL J 117.70 25-26-404-000 TONICA NURSERY INC 2,392.29 25-30-404-000 MALCOM, IRIS K 511.32 25-30-405-000 MALCOM, IRIS K 446.75 25-31-208-000 LOPEZ, JOSE JUAN/MARTHA 923.03 25-31-302-000 STORM, HOWARD D / WEIER, THOMAS M / C YVONNE TTEE 2,921.61 25-35-103-000 GOSKUSKY, MICHAEL EDWARD / MEGAN LYNN 1,518.71 25-35-200-000 TONICA NURSERY INC 1,541.89 25-99-010-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 109.65 25-99-011-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 104.47 25-99-020-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 100.52 25-99-021-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 95.01 25-99-030-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 117.87 25-99-031-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 116.69 25-99-040-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 225.16 25-99-050-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 180.15 25-99-051-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 59.76 25-99-060-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 165.76 25-99-071-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 41.59 25-99-072-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 150.79

A1

999 • Legal Notices

25-99-082-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 25-99-083-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 25-99-084-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 25-99-085-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 25-99-086-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 25-99-087-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 25-99-090-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 25-99-091-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 25-99-100-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 25-99-101-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 25-99-110-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 25-99-120-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 25-99-130-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 25-99-131-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 25-99-132-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 25-99-133-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 25-99-134-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 25-99-135-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 25-99-140-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 25-99-142-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 25-99-150-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 25-99-151-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 25-99-160-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 25-99-161-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 25-99-162-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 25-99-163-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 25-99-170-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 25-99-171-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 25-99-180-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 25-99-181-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 25-99-211-000 AMERICAN COAL CO 25-99-230-000 AMERICAN COAL CO VERMILLION 26-09-304-000 HAUGER, DAVID / MARY 26-09-311-002 ROSSI, ELENA 26-16-122-000 JOHNSON, JEFFREY H 26-16-302-002 HINCE, KARL KEVIN 26-16-302-003 HINCE, KARL KEVIN 26-26-305-000 BORNEMAN FAMILY TRUST #1 26-33-104-000 QUAKA, CHRISTOPHER L 26-33-405-000 SHORT-JAEGER, SUZANNE ETAL 26-34-110-000 SHORT-JAEGER, SUZANNE ETAL 26-36-105-000 ZAVADA, CLARENCE-LINDA ETAL 26-36-204-000 BRENNAN, CHARLES HOPE 30-05-406-000 WOODLAND WATER COMPANY 30-15-404-000 GRAY, NICOLE A / ROBERT J 30-16-101-000 WOODLAND WATER CO 30-17-100-000 KENNELL, JAMES R 30-20-101-000 DOSE, RONALD 30-20-102-000 DOSE, RONALD 30-20-301-000 DOSE, CHRISTOPHER W 30-21-303-000 VALDEZ, YESENIA 30-24-117-010 DEBATES, DEBRA M 30-24-120-003 MERCER, WILLIAM 30-24-121-001 FREEMAN, DALLAS 30-24-121-008 FORREST, CHERYL 30-24-122-009 BROOKER, DEXTER / AARYN 30-24-125-005 MERTES, DANIEL 30-24-205-006 DOSE, ROBERT 30-24-205-007 DOSE, ROBERT 30-24-205-013 DOSE, RONALD/SHERRY 30-24-208-011 SIPES, COREY A 30-24-304-002 ROEHRIG, JARETT A 30-24-306-009 DOSE, RONALD / SHERRY 30-24-306-010 POWELL, FRANK-SANDRA 30-24-310-012 SHEMPERT, CHARLEEN 30-24-315-011 DOSE, RONALD W / CHRISTOPHER W 30-25-104-000 DOSE, CHRISTOPHER W 30-25-108-000 DOSE, RONALD 30-27-300-000 GTO FARM LLC 30-34-201-000 STASELL, MARK W/LAURIE J RICHLAND 31-03-201-025 MESSICK, SHANE R 31-03-207-000 BRENNAN, CHARLES 31-03-209-000 BRENNAN, CHARLES 31-15-208-000 SHAWBACK, JASON ETAL 31-15-209-000 SHAWBACK, JASON L 31-28-201-000 MC CLENNING, LLOYD H Published in the Tonica News Oct. 20, 2017.

NOW HIRING! FULL TIME - ORDER SELECTORS Online Application required to Schedule onsite interview Interviews will be given at SUPERVALU, INC. MRDC – 501 Mallick Road – Oglesby, IL 61348 APPLY TODAY, Go To: About the Supervalu Positions: www.supervalu.com Onsite interviews are open to: • Applies Online • 18 Years or older • High School Diploma/ GED • $14.50/per hour & 1st shift

• Careers • Job Search • Supply Chain Services • Search Position # 93871

No Phone Calls Please!

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status. SUPERVALU is an EO employer – M/F/ Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

E-mail items for sale to:

classified@bcrnews.com

59.67 65.00 37.24 35.42 33.43 33.49 53.37 140.19 149.19 64.57 199.74 193.70 104.47 45.51 28.24 24.69 24.69 24.69 57.70 24.69 104.47 33.43 104.47 45.51 24.69 24.69 104.47 108.37 59.67 108.37 24.69 24.69 892.37 3,347.06 1,818.59 498.11 498.03 2,114.52 453.94 350.13 658.38 160.84 865.59 2,293.68 871.37 1,923.90 2,064.78 435.99 1,068.81 800.81 131.96 167.92 782.24 743.90 1,036.87 2,411.32 604.09 149.39 149.39 3,400.92 1,600.36 460.25 515.17 969.24 1,052.11 1,704.52 111.97 185.77 4,870.78 2,959.79 2,004.79 1,855.70 609.52 518.66 2,658.64 1,926.31

999 • Legal Notices

A2

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT LASALLE COUNTY, OTTAWA, ILLINOIS ESTATE OF ) JUDITH ROGERS,) DECEASED. ) NO. 2017-P-209 NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS AND HEIRS AND LEGATEES WHOSE NAMES OR ADDRESSES ARE UNKNOWN AND CLAIM NOTICE

Friday, October 20, 2017 • The Tonica News • 7

999 • Legal Notices

999 • Legal Notices

999 • Legal Notices

999 • Legal Notices

999 • Legal Notices

999 • Legal Notices

999 • Legal Notices

Estate of JUDITH ROGERS, Deceased.

Notice is given of the death of JUDITH ROGERS, of Oglesby, Illinois . Letters of office were issued on October 5, 2017, to HOLLY G. ELTER, 199 N. Columbia Avenue, Oglesby, IL 61348, whose attorney is GERALD M. HUNTER, 129 W. Walnut Street, Oglesby, IL 61348.

Notice is given to any heirs or legatees whose names or addresses are not stated in the

Petition for Letters of Office, that an order entered by the Court on October 5, 2017, admitting the decedent’s will to probate.

Within 42 days after the date of the order of admission you may file a petition with the Court to require proof of the will by testimony of the witnesses to the will in open court or other evidence, as provided in 755 ILCS 5/6-21.

You also have the right under 755 ILCS 5/8-1 to contest the validity

of the will by filing a petition with the Court within 6 months after admission of the will to probate.

Claims against the estate may be filed with the office of the Circuit Clerk, Probate Division, LaSalle County Courthouse, Downtown Courthouse, Ottawa, IL 61350, or with the representative, or both, within 6 months from the date of issuance of letters , or if a claim notice is mailed or delivered personally to a creditor

of the decedent, on or before the date stated in that notice. Any claim not filed within the time allowed 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.

Greg Vaccaro Clerk of the 13th Judicial Circuit Court Ottawa, Illinois Published in the Tonica News Oct. 13, 20 and 27, 2017.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT LASALLE COUNTY, OTTAWA, ILLINOIS ESTATE OF ) DOROTHY H. ) VISNIKAR, ) DECEASED. ) NO. 2017-P-210 PUBLICATION FOR CLAIMS CLAIM NOTICE Estate of DOROTHY H. VISNIKAR, Deceased.

Notice is given of the death of DOROTHY H.

VISNlKAR, of Oglesby, Illinois. Letters of office were issued on October 5, 2017, to WILLIAM JOSEPH PYSZKA, 6645 Hatton Rd., Hennepin, IL 61327, whose attorney is Gerald M. Hunter, Ltd., 129 W. Walnut Street, Oglesby, IL 61348.

Claims against the estate may be filed with the office of the Circuit Clerk, Probate Division, LaSalle County Courthouse, Downtown Courthouse, Ottawa, IL 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.

Greg Vaccaro Clerk of the 13th Judicial Circuit Court Ottawa, Illinois Published in the Tonica News Oct. 13, 20 and 27, 2017.

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

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

Quality Pre-Owned Vehicles Towing Available

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8 • The Tonica News • Friday, October 20, 2017

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FINANCE MATTERS

Friday, October 20, 2017 • The Tonica News • 9

A Publication of

Q&A

Debt consolidation can be a relief if done correctly COMPILED BY SHANNON SERPETTE Shaw Media

PRINCETON — Those who live with a huge debt load or make several monthly payments to various entities know how tough it can be to juggle debt.

When the worry gets too much, however, help can be just a phone call away. Places like Community Lenders in Princeton offer debt consolidation services.

Sarah Brown, Community Lenders assistant manager, and Katie Hayungs, Community Lenders customer service representative, recently answered some questions about debt consolidation and when it might be beneficial.

Shaw Media: What is debt consolidation and how does it work?

Community Lenders: Debt consolidation is combining all, or part, of your debt into one monthly payment.

Community Lenders, for example, would look at the customer’s debt, whether it be credit cards or loans, and ask the customer what they want to consolidate most. We would analyze the request, do a budget check, and make sure that it is in the best interest of the customer to do that consolidation.

Shaw Media: What are the advantages to debt consolidation?

Community

Lenders:

Instead of making multiple payments to many companies each month, the customer will have one lower monthly payment.

Shaw Media: How can a

person tell if they need debt consolidation?

Community Lenders: If a person is making multiple payments to many companies every month, and isn’t getting anywhere on lowering their balances, then debt consolidation might be a good option.

Shaw Media: What are some of the emotional benefits to debt consolidation?

Community Lenders: Some benefits of consolidating your debt are that it will help improve your credit, and having less monthly obligations can be a huge stress reliever.

Shaw Media: Are there any drawbacks to debt consolidation?

Community Lenders: One of the biggest drawbacks we see is that once we have consolidated the customer’s debt into a lower monthly payment, they sometimes charge their cards back up and take out more loans. That can get them back into a worse predicament than before.

Shaw Media: In today’s world of instant credit and with credit card companies sending out card offers to young people who are inexperienced at handling financial matters, what are somethings people can do to keep their debt load under control?

Community Lenders: We would recommend that people budget themselves to see what they can afford.

Typically, we suggest that customers have, at most, one credit card, one loan, and their car loan. Comparing their income versus their monthly fixed expenses (such as rent/ mortgage, utilities, and entertainment), will help them determine how

Shaw Media photo/Dave Cook

To learn more about debt consolidation and if it is right for you, Sarah Brown, Community Lenders assistant manager in Princeton, can be reached at 815-872-1900. many credit cards or loan payments they can afford for expenses that might be considered “wants” instead of “needs.”

Shaw Media: How can people make sure they are choosing the debt consolidation company that is right for them?

Community

Lenders:

Choose a debt consolidation company that will

All Treats No Tricks AT Community Lenders

give you a lower monthly payment and a lower rate, and if possible, do so by paying off the balances you owe completely. That way, you are not at risk for getting behind on your minimum payments, and you can save more money each month.

Shaw Media: After going through debt consolidation, what are some steps

people should take to make sure they don’t end up right back where they started by accumulating too much debt again?

Community Lenders: If your debt consolidator pays off your debts, do not reopen a new credit card or loan. To avoid getting into debt, resist the urge to raise your credit limits.

And our final advice is to

WHEN YOU PLACE CLIENT RETURNS FIRST, YOU GET RECOGNIZED

• Lowest Payments • Lowest Rate • Fastest Service

Sarah

AN INVESTMENT STRATEGY NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED BY

Katie

Your Think Differently, Invest Differently 124 South Main Street Princeton, Illinois 61356 815/872-1900 Tel. SM-PR1465896 SM-PR1465896

save, save, save. Pay yourself first – make sure you can put money away for emergencies – and then pay your bills. Live within your means – if you do not have money to pay yourself and pay your bills, or if you can’t pay for it with cash, then you probably don’t need that extra credit card you were thinking about opening.

2017 YTD

Investment Results

9 Mos Ended 09/30

Full Year

DynaMax 2X

33.5%

12.9%

DynaMax 1X

16.5%

8.1%

DynaMax Low Vol

12.6%

9.2%

60/40 Benchmark

9.7%

8.2%

2016

Performance verified by Theta Research (www.indextrackerpro.com/cyrfinancial)

Results shown are actual investment results of actual clients and are net of fees including advisory fees, transactions costs, underlying investment costs and custodial fees. Past performance is not an indication or guarantee of future results. Investments are NOT guaranteed and can lose value. All net performance results are presented in U.S. dollars and reflect the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Benchmark = 60% S&P500 Total Return Index and 40% Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index.

(815) 925-7501

w w w.CyrFinancial.com

CYR FINANCIAL, INC. IS A REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISOR

FINANCE MATTERS

10 • The Tonica News • Friday, October 20, 2017

DOLLARS AND SENSE

‘Dividend Stocks are the Worst’

BY CHRISTIAN CYR The terms “Dividend” and “Yield” make investors salivate.

Marketing-focused asset managers leverage this knowledge to sell unsuspecting investors financial products. Everyone loves getting a dividend check in the mail. After all, dividends are good, aren’t they? One expert’s answer may surprise you, however.

Recently Mebane Faber, co-founder and Chief Investment Officer of Cambria Investment Management, and author of five books pro-

vided the answer in a piece titled “Dividend Stocks Are The Worst” (http://mebfaber. com/2017/01/09/high-dividendstocks-worst/). In his piece, Mr. Faber highlights what many shrewd investors already know … “Historically, focusing on dividend yields rather than value, has been a suboptimal way to express value.” In other words, buying something because it is a good value has proven over time to be superior to buying something that pays a dividend.

Using actual data, Mr. Faber demonstrates that over the last

40 years, a portfolio of the top 100 value stocks outperformed a portfolio of the top 100 dividend paying stocks by 3.5 percent.

This outperformance takes into account the reinvesting of dividends. The 3.5 percent difference may not seem like much, but over 40 years it’s actually huge. I will spare you the math.

This conclusion however, does not take taxes into account. Under the current tax legislation, U.S. taxpayers pay anywhere between 0 percent to 50 percent combined income tax on dividend distributions, depending on several

factors including an investors tax bracket, which state an investor lives in and the type of dividend. As a CPA who has prepared taxes for nearly 20 years, it would be fair to say the average American citizen pays a 20% income tax (federal plus state) on a dividend distribution.

When taking taxes into account, Faber demonstrates the value portfolio has actually outperformed the dividend portfolio by as much as 6.3 percent, depending on your tax bracket! And that is why he postulates that dividend stocks are the worst.

Improve the value of your trade-in vehicle to mileage.

• Address any issues: Vehicle owners should address any issues before taking their vehicles to the dealership. Fix any doors that stick or minor scratches on the vehicle’s exterior, remembering to have the car detailed, washed and waxed. Investigate if any major problems, such as engine troubles, are worth fixing on your own, or if you’re better off receiving less for your trade-in and letting the dealership address such issues.

• Keep maintenance records: Maintenance records illustrating that

the vehicle was taken care of can help owners get more for their trade-ins.

• Shop around: Drivers who are not satisfied with the trade-in value assigned by a specific dealership can shop around until they find better offers. Some dealerships may not offer much for a vehicle because they already have a similar car or truck sitting on their lot, while others may jump at the chance to make their preowned inventory more diverse.

Exercise patience when shopping around to reduce any frustration that might develop during the negotiation process.

Some Things

JUST FIT

Christian Cyr

Christian Cyr, CPA is president of Cyr Financial Inc., a registered investment advisor.

If you have questions or comments, Cyr can be reached at Cyrfinancial.com or by calling 815- 925-7501.

Need Help With Your Fall Projects??

PERSONAL FINANCES

When the time comes to purchase a new vehicle, many drivers explore trading in their existing cars or trucks. Trade-ins can reduce the cost of buying new vehicles and save drivers the hassle of selling their vehicles on their own.

Motorists who think trading in is the best way to unload their current cars can take various steps to improve the trade-in value prior to visiting the dealership.

• Know the trade-in market: Some trade-ins are more valuable than others, even if the cars are relatively similar with regard

Dividend paying stocks are not necessarily bad. But as with most things in investing, a little perspective always helps. Keep this in mind when picking stocks, and happy investing.

Stop in and see Jay or Eric 35 years of experience helping customers in Princeton and the surrounding areas!

GLEASON FINANCE

815-872-1000 928 North Main St. • Princeton, IL

How do you plan your financial future?

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Steve Bouslog*

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With No Minimum Balance and Secure Mobile Payments, our Totally Free Checking Account fits your life.*

Melissa Brisbin Executive Assistant

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306 Backbone Road East • Princeton, IL 815-915-8646 • www.kbelliot.com

hbtbank.com 888-897-2276

*Totally Free Checking has $50 minimum opening deposit. If the account balance falls to $0 for 45-days or more, the account will be closed. Not all checking accounts are free.

Named 2016 & 2017 Bureau County Republican’s Favorite Financial Planner

Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Appointments available after hours or on Saturdays *Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisory Services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. Kestra IS and Kestra AS are not affiliated with KB Financial Advisors.

SM-PR1463897

FINANCE MATTERS Get the money you need to make your home your own.

Friday, October 20, 2017 • The Tonica News • 11

WORK WITH THE LEADER IN HOME LOANS!

Discuss your home improvement options with a PNB Lender today!

Tracy Makransky NMLS #1087072

Jaimie Rosenthal NMLS # 1253864

Visit our Real Estate Center 210 S. Main Street, Princeton

Peoples National Bank of Kewanee 207 N Tremont St, Kewanee, IL 61443

Also in: Annawan • Bradford • Manlius • Sheffield • Tampico

We’re always open at www.pnb-kewanee.com

www.central-bank.com

NMLS # 462098

Member FDIC

SM-PR1465890

2.50

%

APY*

on balances up to $25,000

0.03 % X.XX %

APY*

on all balances even if APY*

Just do the following transactions & activities in your Kasasa CashŽ • Have at least 1 direct deposit or automatic payment (ACH) post and settle • Have at least 10 debit card purchases post and settle • Be enrolled to receive eStatements

checking

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Minimum to open is $1.00.

To receive rewards, have least 10 debit card (PINduring or Signature based)cycle postwill and be enrolled to receive eStatements, and have at least 1 direct deposit automatic and settle.

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FINANCE MATTERS

12 • The Tonica News • Friday, October 20, 2017

Reaching your goals Whatever goals are on your horizon, we can offer products and services that can help you work towards achieving them. Together, we can make sure your plan is keeping pace with your changing lifestyle, and can work to help you protect what matters most. We may even find ways for you to save more money.

Call today to get started!

COUNTRYFinancial.com

Jim Scruggs Princeton

Mike Morris Princeton

Ron Behrends Tiskilwa

Tyler Hansen Walnut

Ben Schmidt Princeton

Dan Kniss Agency Manager

815-872-3333

815-379-9297

815-872-3333

815-872-0914

815-646-4121

815-221-3075

Auto, home and business insurance policies issued by COUNTRY Mutual Insurance Company®, COUNTRY Preferred Insurance Company® and COUNTRY Casualty Insurance Company®. Life insurance policies issued by COUNTRY Life Insurance Company® and COUNTRY Investors Life Assurance Company®, Bloomington, IL. SM-PR1464397