Friday, December 22, 2017
Volume 144 No. 3
Single Copy Cost 50¢
TONICA
New village sewer rate numbers have arrived New average monthly rate to be $55.50 BY ZACHARY J. PRATT news@tonicanews.com TONICA — As Tonica plans for its USDA-mandated sewer rate increase, the village has now received preliminary numbers, Tonica Village
Board members learned at Monday night’s meeting. The average monthly sewer rate is now projected to become $55.50, board members were told. Village Engineer Jack Kusek reminded the board that $58.97 had previously been the proposed average rate for the sewer. However, the interest rates changed, and the USDA provided a larger grant for the project, causing that number to drop.
Included in this rate are items mandated by the USDA, such as short-lived assets, which will replace pieces of the system when that becomes necessary. Kusek said that this should have a few years before it needs to be used, allowing the necessary funds to build up. Kusek also noted the debt-service charge, which is how the loan will be paid back over a number of years.
Tonica Grade School
One item that is not currently accounted for is a charge for capital projects, which would be major work on the system not accounted for in the shortlived assets. Kusek said he would provide numbers with and without such a charge at a later date. The village plans to increase the rate over time, beginning before its deadline, rather than to increase it drastically all at once.
Board discusses festival planning While reviewing the past year’s Tonica Tonica Fest, Bob Beenenga, who directed the Cruise-In this year, addressed the board about plans for 2018 and to make sure everything was set to progress smoothly. One aspect Beenenga said he was checking on was funding. The town provides funds every year for aspects such as a band
and DJ, and the money is then paid back from the earned proceeds. “We always reserve, basically, the money for that,” Village President Kevin Sluder said. “That’s a given.” Moreover, Sluder noted the possibility of putting more toward the festival in the budget. “I would like to see more participation,” Beenenga said.
See FESTIVAL, Page 3
LOSTANT
Winter Concert
Tonica News photo/Dave Cook
Tonica Grade School parents, family and friends enjoyed seeing their smallest family members sing and dance their way through several holiday favorites during the school’s recent Winter Concert. The Tonica Grade School winter break began with a 2 p.m. dismissal on Dec. 21 and will continue until students go back to school on Jan. 8.
Fire Department’s newest member BY DAVE COOK
news@tonicanews.com LOSTANT — After 14 years and more than 100,000 miles of life-saving service, the Lostant Fire Department’s 2003 Ford Ambulance has been retired. “The continuous mechanical issues and maintenance costs on a vehicle with extended mileage is why the department had to get a new ambulance,” Assistant Fire Chief Joe Freitag said. Between the last run of the old ambulance and the acquisition of its replacement, which was more than a month, the Lostant department was assisted through the mutual-aid agreement with Putnam County EMS. “We still responded to all of our calls, but they
helped us with our patient transports,” Freitag said. Putnam County EMS Director Andy Jackson discussed the aid during the recent Putnam County Board meeting. “Some people have asked me why we’re running their calls for them, but that’s what mutual aid is. If they need us, we’ll be there, and if we needed help, they’d be here — that’s just the way it is. This is also why I’m glad we have three ambulances,” he said. “Mutual aid is important to communities because it helps them in time of need,” Freitag said. According to Freitag, the new ambulance is a 2017 Ford F-550, which was purchased for about $200,000.
See AMBULANCE, Page 2
LOSTANT GRADE SCHOOL
Superintendent clarifies information BY DAVE COOK news@tonicanews.com LOSTANT — While the information provided through the state’s Illinois Report Card website regarding Lostant Grade School’s administrator salary was correct, there are some details it left out and which Lostant’s superintendent, Sandra Malahy, said she wishes to clarify. According to the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) of the state of Illinois, Illinois teachers are not, and never have been, participants
Vol. 144 No. 3 One Section - 8 Pages
© The Tonica News
in Social Security. And even if TRS members do pay into Social Security through other employment and build up credit in the system, the resulting Social Security benefit in retirement is reduced because the member is receiving a TRS pension. “The board pays our teachers and administrator TRS, so our salary is a bit higher because of that. TRS comes out of our salary, so the board gives us additional salary to cover the TRS amount,” Malahy said.
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Malahy works what she calls a dual role as both principal and superintendent, and Tonica Grade School’s Chuck Schneider does the same. Malahy said she receives two part-time salaries, depending on the percentage of time she spends working in each position. “I do not receive a $111,918 salary as the superintendent. Of course, the Report Card does not explain any of this, but if we’re putting it in the paper where my taxpayers read about my salary, they should probably know the truth,” she said.
Tonica News photo/Dave Cook
The Lostant Fire Department’s new ambulance was purchased from Foster Coach Sales in Sterling. The vehicle was a demo unit for Foster’s customers, and according to the department, a lot of emergency vehicle manufacturers do this because it allows them to show the quality of their work along with the available options, such as this unit’s powered cot system.
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2 • The Tonica News • Friday, December 22, 2017
Seeking Sources 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.
LOSTANT SCHOOL DISTRICT
Bookkeeper chosen for new duty Merkel can sign paperwork BY ZACHARY J. PRATT news@tonicanews.com LOSTANT — The Lostant School District has realized and patched a need for an additional signature holder for the district. When paperwork needs to be signed, Superintendent Sandra Malahy has been required for the task, but the consideration arose of how that could cause problems for the district if she was unavailable. “If something happens to me, someone else really needs to be on that
• AMBULANCE (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
Contact Editor, General Manager Jim Dunn jdunn@bcrnews.com Associate Editor Rita Roberts rroberts@bcrnews.com
Email to:
news@tonicanews.com. Photos should be sent as an attachment. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Tonica News, P.O. Box 340, Princeton, IL 61356
FIRE REPORTS LOSTANT FIRE DEPARTMENT
Continued from Page 1 One of the improved features is four-wheel drive, which will no doubt be of great assistance in inclement weather, as well as allowing the department to safely venture off the road if an emergency requires it. Another valuable tool featured in the new ambulance is a Stryker Power-LOAD cot system. The powered cot system increases safety for both patients and EMS providers by supporting the cot throughout loading and unloading. This also helps prevent the cumulative spinal damage responders can face through repetitive heavy lifting and eliminates the need to steer
card,� Malahy told school board members. Jennifer Mertel, the school bookkeeper, was selected for the position because she is always on site. Another potential option had been that a board member could take the responsibility, but that was quickly turned down. “I would not put a board member, because we should keep these separate,� board member Jeff Skinner said. “It should be somebody employed by the district.�
In other news:
• The district has renewed its two-year intergovernmental agreements with LaSalle-Peru and Putnam districts, put-
the cot into and out of the ambulance. The system also minimizes the chance a patient can be dropped because the cot is supported until the wheels are on the ground. It’s also met stringent crash test standards for maximized patient safety and also features a convenient manual back-up system. The F-550 comes with a 6.7-liter V-8 diesel engine, which makes 330 horsepower and an impressive 750 lb. ft. of torque. War has spurred many of the advancements made in ambulances, and the first motorized ambulances were on World War I battlefields. War is also where helicopters were first used to transport the seriously injured and are the forerunners of today’s Life
POLICE REPORTS LASALLE COUNTY SHERIFF Traffic stops • At 5:52 p.m. Dec. 13, deputies cited Brandon Sterner, 23, of Stanford, N.C., for speeding 75 mph in a 55 mph zone following a traffic stop on East 950th Road in Richland Township. • At 10:04 p.m. Dec. 13, deputies arrested Ernest Williams, 27, of Bloomington, for no valid driver’s license and operating a motor vehicle with no valid insurance following a traffic stop on Route 18 in Eagle Township. Williams was transported to the LaSalle County Jail.
ting into the agreement language instructions as to how the schools are to work together in disciplinary measures. • Lostant Elementary School is decreasing its tax levy from $5.49 to $5.44 per $100 of assessed valuation. “I think we can manage the budget this way, and I think we should give the taxpayers a bit of a break,â€? Malahy said. “I just think it’s the right thing to do right now,â€? she said. “They’ve hung with us for six years, and I realize taxes increase every year.â€? • The school received a 100 percent rating in its recent health department report.
Flight helicopters. As the decades passed, ambulances evolved from simply transporting the wounded, into vehicles equipped with life-saving equipment so responders could begin to provide medical attention as soon as possible. In the 1970s, the transition from high-roofed cars to van and truck chassis was well under way. Ambulances are now often custom built.
House fire Just before midnight Tuesday, Dec. 12, the Lostant Fire Department responded to a house fire south of Lostant on North 14th Road. Lostant Assistant Fire Chief Joe Freitag reported there was extensive damage and that the fire was currently under investigation. No injuries were reported and assistance was received from Wenona, Tonica and Toluca fire departments.
TONICA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT November activity report TONICA — The Tonica Volunteer Fire Department (TVFD) ran 13 emergency calls in November. There were two structure fires, one accident and 10 medical calls. Through November, the TVFD has responded to 164 emergency calls this year. Training involved a pre-plan walk-through of the new waste water treatment plant and the Obermiller fabrication building. Other training included pump operations, hose loads and the operation of various nozzles. Revised MABAS box alarm cards were received from the Utica Fire Department. Radio operator Denise Weik successfully completed her one-year new-member probation period and is now a full member of the department. Dave Huss reported on the success of the annual deer and chili supper fundraiser. Chief Al Stremlau noted all of the department’s radios have been reprogrammed to include the newest ValCom dispatch frequencies. The elected officers for 2018 are President and Chief Stremlau, Secretary Dan Francisco, Treasurer Sue Huss, Assistant Treasure Renee Kohr and Directors Dave Huss and Todd Anderson. After the monthly meeting, members participated in a constructive critique of recent structure fires. Training Officer Rick Turri and the members who actively participated in the emergency calls reviewed the incidents to look for ways to improve the safe and efficient performance of the department.
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Wishing You A Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year! BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Donald Fike, John Pini, Dr. John Ehrhardt, Lisa Olivero, Robert Marshall, Alan Stremlau, Mark Baer and Misty Fike OFFICERS: Donald Fike, Alan Stremlau, Donna Laugal, Dan Gregorich, Lois Peterson, Joyce Obermiller, Sheri O’Brien, Jolene Decker, Chris Paden and Jason Penman EMPLOYEES: Janice Scott, Linda Does, Pam Kreiser, Mary Catalanello, Jolene Salz, Brenda Bickerman, Laurie Rothchild, Kathy Holcman, Julie Baima, Lynn Delvallee, Stephanie Stasiak, Alicia Payan, Kay Giacometti and Debra Naumann
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Friday, December 22, 2017 • The Tonica News • 3
OGLESBY
IVCC to launch Certified Medical Assistant program OGLESBY — Illinois Valley Community College is planning the launch of a Certified Medical Assistant program in 2019, thanks in part to the generosity of 1951 alumnus Ralph Scriba, trustees learned Dec. 14. IVCC President Jerry Corcoran said district hospital officials have Ralph e n c o u r aged IVCC Scriba to consider starting the program as employment opportunities for CMAs are expected to increase dramatically over the next decade. By 2026, the number of working CMAs is expected to rise 29 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. Medical assistants perform both administrative and clinical work in phy-
sician’s offices, hospitals and clinics. Scriba, a philanthropist from Palos Verdes, Calif., has pledged $50,000 in 2018 to assist IVCC with the purchase of equipment, software and licensing to ensure accreditation in advance of the fall 2019 start-up. “Our goal is to add CMA to our already impressive list of health career options,” Corcoran said. “Ralph’s support ensures the program will have the resources it needs to succeed.” Scriba, a native of Troy Grove, was honored Oct. 23 with the naming of the Ralph Scriba Conference Center in the Peter Miller Community Technology Center for his previous $250,000 in donations to IVCC. An alumnus of LaSalle-Peru-Oglesby Junior College, Scriba moved to California in the early 1950s and eventually founded aircraft parts supplier Swift-Cor.
Levy approved
• FESTIVAL
year were selling water and popcorn.” Despite individual calls to move the stage to different locations for the next event, Beenenga considers
the central location to be important, not favoring any particular location or business. Sluder did note that there could be some
Continued from Page 1 For instance, he said,“The Cub Scouts last
In other action, the board gave final approval to an $11.8 million tax levy for 2017, up less than 5 percent over the actual 2016 levy of $11.3 million. As a result of the levy, the owner of a $120,000 home can expect taxes equal to or slightly less than 2016, Cheryl Roelfsema, IVCC vice president for Business Services and Finance, said. Roelfsema said the levy assures the college is at the maximum rate for the education fund and operations and maintenance fund, the two accounts most crucial to IVCC’s daily operations. There will likely be a slight increase in the district’s equalized assessed valuation due to Marquis Energy’s Hennepin plant adding $18 million in EAV and preliminary numbers from LaSalle County, the district’s largest county, showing a 2 percent increase in EAV.
Wishing you warm hearts and joyous thoughts this holiday season.
The assessment for Exelon’s LaSalle Station nuclear power plant remained at $430 million but will rise to $435 million in 2018 and $460 million in 2019. IVCC draws taxes from all or parts of eight counties: LaSalle, Bureau, Putnam, Marshall, Lee, Livingston, Grundy and DeKalb.
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• An Associate of Applied Science degree in agronomy that will begin Jan. 10. By fall, the college’s revitalized ag program will be offering 14 courses, up from three classes two years ago. • The appointments of Patrice Hess as director of Learning Resources, Shane Lange as dean of Workforce Development, and Judy Day as secretary to the Board. • The bid of Southern Bus & Mobility for the lease of two vans for 36 months for $9,498 annually. The vehicles will
replace the existing shuttle buses when their leases expire in February. • An intergovernmental agreement for “joint action in regard to certain real estate valuation proceedings” with Exelon’s Generating Plant. The taxing bodies want to negotiate an extension of the 2008 agreement they signed with Exelon that expires at the end of 2019. • Board meeting dates and times of 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, Feb. 8, March 8, April 12, May 10, June 14, July 12, Aug. 16, Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 8 and Dec. 13. • Release of closed session meeting minutes from Jan. 15, 2015 “Reduction in Force” and destruction of audiotapes of closed session meetings from June 18, 2013, to May 12, 2016. • A bid for multi-purpose paper from Midland Paper for $23,472 for use in printers, copy and fax machines. • Renewal for 2018 of the
changes to the overall festival this coming year, as a committee has been put in place for the 165th anniversary. The event is planned for
Aug. 25, 2018. In other news, it was announced the village of Tonica is donating $100 to the Red Cross this year. The amount was chosen
after Village Treasurer Jessica Bonnell said that Tonica usually donates $50, but that she thinks it increased that amount to $100 the year prior.
The board also approved:
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• Board Chairwoman Jane Goetz recognized retiring Executive Assistant to the President Jeanne Hayden for 34 years of exemplary service. Goetz said Hayden served five presidents and interim presidents and 55 trustees during her tenure. Hayden, working her last of more than 300 board meetings, was credited for her “unerring exactitude and reliability in managing records” and for being respected across the college for her “competence, work ethic and professionalism.” • The Nov. 15 fall open house attracted 150 prospective students and family members. In evaluations of the event, guests complimented IVCC’s “knowledgeable and accommodating staff,” Corcoran said.
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4 • The Tonica News • Friday, December 22, 2017
The Editorial Page The Tonica News Jim Dunn Editor, General Manager
GUEST EDITORIAL
‘Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus’ Note to readers – The following editorial, perhaps the most famous ever written, appeared in The New York Sun in 1897 and remains appropriate for this holiday season 120 years later.
IS THERE A SANTA CLAUS?
W
e take pleasure in answering at once and thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of The Sun:
Dear Editor!
I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, ”If you see it in The Sun it’s so.” Please tell me the truth: Is there a Santa Claus? Virginia O’Hanlon. 115 West Ninety-Fifth Street. Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal life with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished. Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world. You may tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernatural beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding. No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
Write to us Letters to the Editor should not be more than 500 words in length. Only one person can sign a Letter to the Editor. The author of the letter must include his/her name, hometown and telephone number. The author’s name and hometown will be published, however, the telephone number is only used to verify the authenticity of the author’s signature and will not be published. . The Tonica News reserves the right to edit or refuse any Letter to the Editor.
Face to face with a predator I
felt the hay scratch through the back of my thin white T-shirt. The man’s hands gripped my spindly arms as his weight bore down on me. As I struggled beneath his powerful frame, he kissed my sweaty face, and I struggled to break free. I gasped, “Let me go,” as his hands grasped on my writhing form. I was 12 years old, and I had come face to face with a predator. Most folks who know me now think of a big man. But back then, I was slight, no match for a fullgrown man. But somehow, I broke free and ran. In my 52 years, I’ve never had a more terrifying moment. Never. I told my mother what happened. She listened quietly as we sat at the kitchen table. She told me to take a shower and then instructed me to never speak of it again. The predator had come to work on our farm to help bale hay that day. He’d graduated from college and was an aspiring academic. An adult. For years, I blamed myself for what happened. Like many 12-yearold boys, I could be loud and sometimes obnoxious. But I was a child. And he was an adult.
SPRINGFIELD SCOOP Scott Reeder That kind of behavior is never acceptable. If I hadn’t broken free, far worse things could have happened. It is never acceptable to touch someone against their will, let alone throw a person on the ground and kiss and grope them. That isn’t “roughhousing” or “horseplay.” It’s criminal assault. I know that now. But back then, I blamed myself. It was especially hard because I was forbidden to ever speak of it. I wondered what I did to provoke him? What did I do to bring this on myself? Was I a bad person because this happened to me? Those aren’t unusual things to contemplate. Over the years, as a reporter, I’ve talked to plenty of survivors of assaults. They, too, wondered what they did wrong. The answer is, nothing. No one but the perpetrator is responsible. The lasting impact of such crimes is great. A decade later, I’d wake up in terror in my college dorm room reliving the incident. It shaped me. I’ve always been a
bit shy and awkward in my personal interactions, and this incident made me sink even further into myself. And I became reticent to trust others. After more than 20 years passed, I thought only I remembered what happened. Then my mother mentioned it, her voice cracking. She was a good woman, unprepared to deal with something like this. In the 1970s, such incidents almost always were swept under the rug. It was often viewed as “workplace misbehavior” or “boys being stupid.” But such incidents rarely were viewed as the criminal acts that they are. So, why do I bring this up now? After all, 40 years have passed. Well, I’m now the father of a 12-year-old. I don’t want anything like this to happen to her or her two sisters. I survived. And it has made me wiser and stronger. I know this: crimes like this should never be swept under the rug.
Note to readers: Scott Reeder is a veteran statehouse journalist. He works as a freelance reporter in the Springfield area and produces the podcast Suspect Convictions. He can be reached at ScottReeder1965@ gmail.com.
The reality of Santa and belief SPOILER ALERT: Do not let your Santa believers read this, or read it first and judge from there. I’m not arrogant enough to think that anyone under the age of 40 even wants to read my columns, but just in case, you’ve been warned. ••• ith the Christmas season upon us, and a young child in the house several years ago, I had somewhat prepared myself for the age-old statement, “I don’t believe in Santa any more.” I don’t think we can ever fully prepare ourselves for the loss of innocence of our oldest child. There is something disheartening about knowing they have moved on to another stage of belief. As much as I had pondered how I would respond, I was quite impressed with myself when I was finally confronted with the issue. I don’t believe in lying. It’s all too messy of an affair and with my feeble memory – too hard to keep track of which story has been told to which person. Truth is always best, but there are occasions when the truth sometimes seems too harsh, or when it seems just a tad inappropriate for the situation. The loss of Santa in a child’s world is one of those occasions. Many have great issues with
W
COMMENTARY Lori Boekeloo the fat man in the red suit and his commercialization in the Christmas season. I choose to focus on the essence of Santa. His concept is good. He gave toys to children who had nothing. He was selfless. He worked hard to make others happy. When we speak of Santa in our house, it is not to detract from the celebration of Jesus’ birth, but to enhance the celebration of giving and the spirit of love. My daughter one day declared to me, “Santa isn’t real.” I asked her why she felt that way. Her response was, “I know YOU put the packages under the tree. I know YOU wrote the note he left last year. I know YOU put the stuff in our stockings. I know YOU did all the things you let us believe that Santa did.” ( I also eat the cookies every year. Why should they go to waste?) So I said to her, “Does that mean God isn’t real?” She would never dream of questioning that reality at her age, and I knew it. Indignantly, she said, “Of course God is real!”
So I told her that I do God’s work. I help out at church. I perform tasks that many attribute to godly work. I said that her argument against Santa meant that God didn’t exist either. I left it at that, walking away and sweating the whole time. I was hoping to invoke in her some thinking. I did. (Yeah!) Time went by and I went about my business, waiting for her response to the whole situation. Shortly she came to me and said, “Mom, I was thinking about what you said, and I think Santa IS real.” Chalk one up to Fat Old Mom ingenuity! “It’s not what we see that makes something real, it’s how we perceive it and how it makes us feel.” I know it won’t last forever, and someday she will know that the bearded man doesn’t come down our chimney (if we had one!) on Christmas Eve, but I have held back her innocence for one more year, and now she understands the reason for the season just a little better.
Note to readers: Lori Boekeloo of Hennepin is a mother of three. She can be reached at lorianne67@hotmail.com, or friend her on Facebook for more humor and inspiration on a daily basis.
LEGISLATIVE DIRECTORY Gov. Bruce Rauner 207 Statehouse Springfield, IL 62706 800-642-3112 President Donald Trump The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W. Washington, D.C. 20500 202-456-1414 Comment: 202-456-1111 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 U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger R-Channahon, 16th District 628 Columbus St., Suite 507 District office Ottawa, IL 61350 815-431-9271 Washington, D.C., office 1221 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 202-225-3635 www.Kinzinger.house.gov State Sen. Sue Rezin R-Morris, 38th District
District office 103 Fifth St.; P.O. Box 260 Peru, IL 61354; 815-220-8720 Springfield office 3091 Capitol Building Springfield, IL 62706 217-782-3840; SenatorRezin@gmail.com State Rep. Jerry Long R-Streator, 76th District 210A-W Stratton Office Building Springfield, IL 62706 District office 201 Danny’s Drive, Suite 2 Streator, IL 61364 815-510-9686
Friday, December 22, 2017 • The Tonica News • 5
LASALLE
UTICA
Stage 212 seeks directors for 2019 season LASALLE — Stage 212 in LaSalle is currently seeking submissions from directors for the 2019 season. The organization is seeking well-known, highly recognizable shows for the winter, spring, summer and fall slots, but will also entertain proposals for a special “Off-Season” production, typically small cast and a little out of the ordinary, to run in a slot outside of the regular season. Winter productions are typically small musicals or comedy/dramas, the spring and fall shows are comedy/dramas and the summer production is traditionally a big musical, but other proposals will be considered. The organization will consider all submissions, including repeats of past shows if they have not been performed in the last 20 years. Anyone interested in submitting a play for con-
sideration should contact Stage 212 at 815-224-3025 or email stage212@att.net for application information. Visitors to stage212.org will find a reference list of all productions Stage 212 has put on in their history, as well as a director’s resume and application available for download. Applications are due Feb. 15, and should be mailed to Stage 212, Inc., P.O. Box 198, LaSalle, IL 61301 or emailed to stage212@att.net. Arrangements may also be made to drop off an application at the Stage 212 box office by calling 815-224-3025. A final selection will be made for recommendation to the Management Committee of Stage 212 in March of 2018. Stage 212 has been the Illinois Valley’s community theater since 1968, and welcomes anyone interested in participating in a stage production, regardless of previous experience.
TV raffle planned LOSTANT — The Lostant Athletics will raffle a Phillips 55-inch Class 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.
Photo contributed
The Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center recently presented a check to the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life. Pictured are Des Ratajczak (from left), Back Door Lounge manager; Mitch Wagner, executive chef; Amy Trimble, CEO/Starved Rock Lodge; Aimee Holland, Relay for Life/American Cancer Society; Kathy Casstevens, marketing director; and Missy Krolak, front desk supervisor.
Starved Rock Lodge presents donation to fight cancer UTICA — A check for $3,000 was recently presented to the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life by Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center as a result of several fundraising efforts during the month of October. The first fundraiser was “Hike for a Cure,”
We’re sending good wishes for a happy holiday season & a healthy, wonderful new year.
where participants made a donation and walked to the top of Starved Rock. The event also included raffle prizes. Throughout the month, pink buckets were sold with cocktails or ice cream and a portion of the proceeds was donated. Also, a portion of the proceeds from an overnight stay package called “Think Pink for the Cure”
was added to the total. Lodge employees donated to the cause every Friday in October when they were allowed to wear pink T-shirts with the “Hike for a Cure” logo and jeans. “We were so pleased with what we were able to do for this worthy cause,” said Lodge CEO Amy Trimble, “We’ve already set Oct. 14, 2018,
for the next year’s Hike for a Cure!” “The purpose of both events is to celebrate breast cancer survivors, help those in the fight and remember those we’ve lost,” said Aimee Holland of the Relay for Life team that works with the Utica Business Association. Donations will go directly to the American Cancer Society.
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6 • The Tonica News • Friday, December 22, 2017
BIRTHS
OGLESBY
DeVries Matthew and Lynn (Prostko) DeVries of Tonica are the parents of a daughter born Dec. 5 at Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru.
Layhew Brian and Christine (Lane) Layhew of Tonica are the parents of a daughter born Dec. 6 at Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru.
MENUS LOSTANT GRADE SCHOOL Dec. 25-29 — No school.
TONICA GRADE SCHOOL Dec. 25-29 — No school.
PUTNAM COUNTY COMMUNITY CENTER Dec. 25 — PCCC closed. Dec. 26 — PCCC closed. Dec. 27 — Chili with beans and crackers, salad with toppings, diced pears, corn bread. Dec. 28 — Barbecue pulled pork on bun, pasta salad, baby carrots, peaches, dessert. Dec. 29 — Fish square, macaroni with cheese, peas, fruit cocktail, grape juice. 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.
OGLESBY
IVCC Foundation scholarships available OGLESBY — Current Illinois Valley Community College students, high school seniors and any individuals planning to enroll at the college in fall 2018 have until Feb. 8 to apply for more than 160 IVCC Foundation scholarships. The application is available at www.ivcc. edu/foundation, from the Foundation office in Room C202 or from IVCC’s Ottawa Center at 321 W. Main St. Applicants must also file a
2018-19 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online by Feb. 8. Scholarships are available in specific disciplines ranging from agriculture to healthcare to STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). In addition, there are nearly 40 “open scholarships” available to students in any program. Awards range in value from $500 to $2,000 and more. For information, call Donna Swiskoski at 815-224-0551.
IVCC students participate in etiquette dinner OGLESBY — Illinois Valley Community College’s Career Services office recently hosted a Business Etiquette Dinner for students in the Ralph Scriba Conference Center. Thirty-one students, along with IVCC faculty, administration and six local employers, experienced a meetand-greet with hors d’oeuvres and a four-course meal. Instructors Bob Reese and Cory Tomasson presented proper business etiquette before each course. Reese said, “Resumés get you in the door, your business etiquette and charisma get you the job. The simplest faux pas in dining etiquette can show an employer that you make decisions abruptly or without an open mind.” In addition to learning about business etiquette, students practiced networking with employers and learned what to do in awkward social situations. While most employers were from career program industries, students were encouraged to think outside the “industry” box and remember there are many facets to managing a business, such as accounting and/or payroll departments, customer service or marketing.
Photo contributed
IVCC instructor Chris Jauch makes a point at the ninth Etiquette Dinner at IVCC recently. Students sent thank-you notes following the event. Martha Hoffman of Earlville wrote, “I learned so much and I’m better prepared for my future career. I can now confidently interact and network and I know I will use these skills frequently.” Career and Student Services Associate Lisa Witalka said, “This is our
ninth Etiquette Dinner and we are grateful for our employers that were willing to give up their evening to participate. While we aim to educate our students, our employers also commented that they learned a few things and will benefit from knowing just how well prepared our students are to enter the highly competitive job market.”
PRINCETON
Extension announces scholarship opportunities The University of Illinois Extension’s 4-H program has several scholarship opportunities available. For more questions or more information, contact your local University of Illinois Extension Office. • Extension to ACES Scholarship — Incoming freshmen and transfer students to University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences may apply for a new $2,500 scholarship. This year, 54 scholarships (two per each of Extension’s 27 units) will be awarded. To learn more, visit academics.aces.illinois.edu/scholarships/new-students. Click on “Incoming freshmen and incoming transfer students scholarship application.” In Step 2, select “Extension to ACES” scholarship. • Farm Credit Illinois Scholarships — High school seniors planning careers in agriculture may apply for a $2,000 scholarship. Farm Credit Illinois will provide 30 schol-
arships to youth who live or farm in one of the 60 counties in their service area. The first $1,000 will be distributed for the fall 2018 semester, and the second $1,000 will be applied during the fall 2020 semester. Apply online at farmcreditIL.com before Feb. 28. For those going to University of Illinois College of ACES, the college is matching this scholarship, dollar for dollar. • Illinois 4-H Livestock Scholarship — This $1,000 Illinois 4-H Livestock Scholarship is open to members who have demonstrated mastery in the livestock area and plan to continue their education in the area of agriculture. Members must have been involved in the livestock project a minimum of three years. You must have been a member for at least five years and attending either a four-year university, community college or trade school. The scholarship is open to high school seniors and college freshmen. Appli-
cations are due March 1. Download the application at go.illinois.edu/4Hscholarships. • Legacy of Leadership Scholarship — Eight $1,000 Legacy of Leadership Scholarship are offered to members who have demonstrated overall mastery and leadership in the 4-H program. You must have been a member for at least five years and attending either a fouryear university, community college or trade school. The scholarship is open to high school seniors and college freshmen. Applications are due March 1. Download the application @ go.illinois.edu/4Hscholarships. Finalists must submit a video of your 4-H accomplishments. If you have questions or need more information, call University of Illinois Extension, Bureau-LaSalle-Marshall-Putnam Unit at 815-2240889. Extension offices are located in Princeton, Ottawa, Henry and in Oglesby on the IVCC campus.
––––––––––––––––––––– 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 815-625-3600 classified@bcrnews.com Need To Get The Word Out? We Can Help You Get It Out Right Here! Give Us A Call 815-625-3600
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
450 • Under $1000 1” Craftsman socket set, 13 sockets 11/8 to 2” breaker bar 18” long & short ext. 16&6” rachet handle 20” $200 815-875-3570 3 large formica shop/ craft tables, $150, a power wheelchair, $150, needs 1 battery, 5 Christmas tins, $60 815-488-2934 Ladies clothes: size XL & 1X jeans, shirts, new sweat suits, new pjs - $2 each, Mackintosh hooded coat 1x - $5, new black pantsuit $5 – many never worn 815-875-3257 New 8x40 Bushnell XLT binoculars, camo, water proof, shockproof. Call 815-303-9456 Princeton: 1922 Indian Motorcycle wrench 6” handle opens to 8 ½” handle of wrench, ½” thick, perfect cond. $500 815-875-3570 ADVERTISE YOUR SERVICES RIGHT HERE! The Tonica News can promote your services and let people know you are out there wanting there business. Just call 815625-3600 and let us help.
450 • Under $1000 ************ 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) YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU MIGHT FIND right here in the Tonica News Classified! You could find furniture, appliances, pets, musical instruments, tools, anything. You might even find a kitchen sink!
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
999 • Legal Notices
999 • Legal Notices
IN THE THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LASALLE COUNTY Estate of ) DONALD L. ) SALISBURY, ) Deceased. ) No. 2017-P-249 NOTICE TO CLAIMANTS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the death of DONALD L. SALISBURY. Letters of office as Independent Administrator were issued on November 22, 2017 to DONNA L. FINNEY whose is address is 215 S. Bloomington Street, Streator, Illinois 61364 and whose attorney is M.G. GULO & ASSOCIATES, LTD., 123 S. Monroe Street, Streator, Illinois 61364. The estate will be administered with-
out Court supervision, unless under Section 5/28-4 of the Probate Act (Ill. Compiled Stat. 1992, Ch. 755, Par. 5/284) any interested person terminates independent administration at any time by mailing or delivering a petition to terminate to the Clerk. Claims against the estate may be filed in the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court, 119 W. Madison Street, Ottawa, Illinois 61350, on or before June 20, 2018, or if mailing or delivery of notice from the representative is required by Section 5/18-3 of the Probate Act of 1975, the date stated in that notice. Any claim not filed within that period is barred. Copies of any claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the estate representative and to the attorney within 10 days after it has been
filed with the Clerk. Dated this 8th day of December, 2017. Greg Vaccaro, Clerk of the Circuit Court 13th Judicial Circuit, LaSalle County, Illinois Published in the Tonica News Dec. 8, 15 and 22, 2017.
Buy It! Sell It! See It Right Here!
The Tonica News Classifieds 815-625-3600
A2
Friday, December 22, 2017 • The Tonica News • 7
E-mail items for sale to: classified@bcrnews.com
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8 • The Tonica News • Friday, December 22, 2017
Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year! Happy holidays!
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