Social News

60 YEARS OF MARRIAGE

Neil and Julia Houzenga to celebrate 60th anniversary

Neil and Julia Houzenga willl be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary on Wednesday, Oct. 28.

A surprise drive-by house parade with social distancing will be held on Sunday, Oct. 18 from 1 to 2 p.m. at 803 North Street, Thomson, IL 61285.

Please begin at the west end of the street.

Anyone unable to attend can send a card to the above address.

IN BRIEF

Mental health club started for local youth

Health is an important part of 4-H. After all, an entire H is devoted to it! Just like exercise and nutrition are a part of good health, mental health plays an important role in our daily living.

University of Illinois Extension is hosting a six-part online series for youth ages 13 and older called Your Thoughts Matter. This state-wide program will be facilitated by local Extension offices, and will help teens learn to define mental health, how to talk about it with family and friends, and how to help themselves and others.

This online program qualifies as a SPIN or special interest club at the local level. Youth, who do not need to belong to 4-H, will log into weekly Zoom calls on November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 and December 7 from 4 to 5 p.m. Register online at: go.illinois.edu/CLWyourthoughtsmatter or for more information contact 815-632-3611.

This SPIN club is not intended as a resource for those in crisis. If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health issue, please seek adult or professional help immediately.

University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. For reasonable accommodation to participate in the webinars, contact Karla Belzer at kbelzer@illinois.edu

Dan and Vicki Bly to observe 50th anniversary

Dan and Vicki Bly of Fulton, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Saturday, Oct. 17.

At this time, the couple will only be celebrating with their children’s families, eight grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

“Love begins in a moment, grows over time, and lasts for eternity. You have been the best role models to your children, grandchildren,

friends and family, and you have shown all of us that true happiness, love and devotion is yours if you want it. Most people find it hard to believe in forever, but seeing the never ending love between both of you makes all of us know that forever is possible!, We love you so much!,” family members said.

“Happy 50th Anniversary- Forever and Always”

ATTENTION VOTERS Morrison Community Hospital District referendum

As you prepare to vote in the general election on Nov. 3, please note that on the ballot, Morrison Community Hospital District is presenting a referendum asking whether or not the District shall have the authority to lease office space and common areas outside of District boundaries.

Due to the addition of specialists to our physician practice group, a remote location is needed for initial

PORT BYRON BOARD BY SARAH FORD

For Shaw Media

The Port Byron board approved spending $12,500 for an engineering study for utilities extensions, but it took the tie-breaking vote of the mayor to push it through.

At their meeting on Oct. 5, Mayor Bruce Peterson, as well as eight residents who live on N. Shore Dr. and N. River Rd., made their case for the project. Peterson recapped the timeline and previous work done to bring the water and sewer line extension to the north end of the village, noting that $3 million dollars has already been spent on extensions, with only seven households out of 48 connecting. and follow up appointments. Please know that all surgical services will be performed at the hospital which brings patients and families to the community. The passage of this resolution simply allows the hospital to share leased office space for the convenience of our patients and their providers by reducing travel time and exposure.

The remote office location one

At issue is whether the village could extend the services, with an estimated cost of $4 million dollars, so that the homeowners will be EPA compliant with their water and sanitary sewer systems.

Most of the residents in attendance agreed that they’d hook up to the sewer lines, but the majority of them had their own well water and would not want to be hooked up to that system.

There were also questions about the ability to do the work, with residents pointing out the bedrock and the need to bore under the railroad tracks.

Kevin Bailey and Jared Fluhr of MSA Professional Services preday a week allows our specialists to expand Morrison Community Hospital services outside of the district at a minimal cost. The value in return is not only beneficial to the hospital but also the local community as the patients and/or family members utilize other Morrison services.

Expanding healthcare services to our community and patients has sented various options for moving forward, including a preliminary engineering study, a working design that could help the village apply for grants or loans, or the ability to combine multiple phases of the project in order to save time and money.

Peterson said the extension project has been in the works for 12 years, and one that was promised to those residents many years ago.

Though expensive, he said those residents pay their taxes and should have access to the village systems. He said one resident has been unable to use their well for the past year, as it was contaminated with e. coli during the flood. Extending the lines will make the village compliant with been a priority for our administration and board of directors for the past several years. We want to assure our District residents that this referendum will not result in an increase to your property taxes. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me, Pam Pfister, CEO, at 815-772-5530. We value your support and look forward to

Utility extension study approved in Port Byron

enhancing our patient services. county, EPA and IDNR mandates.

The split vote to approve the preliminary engineering report meant the mayor could cast the tie-breaking vote. The study will look at the current and proposed systems, prepare and submit a water study report, and will look at whether the extension is even feasible.

In other action, the board tabled action on a sidewalk ordinance and purchasing security cameras for the maintenance shed.

They approved to do the mural removal at the village hall parking lot in-house, noting that it was likely sealed too soon during a week of hot weather, which is why the paint is peeling off.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

No retention for Kilbride

To the Editor:

The Whiteside County Republican Central Committee is formally recommending a vote of non-retention for Illinois Supreme Court Justice Thomas Kilbride of the 3rd Judicial District.

Justice Kilbride is up for retention on the November 2020 ballot and must meet the 60% retention threshold in order to keep his seat on the Illinois Supreme Court. The vote of the Central Committee was unanimous.

The Whiteside County Republican Party recommends removing Kilbride from the bench because of his close ties to corrupt House Speaker Michael Madigan. In 2010, the last time Kilbride faced retention, Mike Madigan made Kilbride’s retention one of his top political priorities because he knew Kilbride was essential to retaining his power over the Supreme Court.

The Chicago Sun-Times called Kilbride’s retention Madigan’s “greatest victory” that year.

The Illinois Republican Party stated, “In return for millions in campaign cash from Madigan, Kilbride has reliably voted to protect Madigan’s power and sided with Madigan’s powerful allies. Kilbride successfully blocked term limits, struck down the effort to end gerrymandered maps, and rejected pension reform in spite of criticism that he took millions of dollars from those with a stake in the decision.”

In return for Madigan’s millions, Kilbride has been a guaranteed vote against good government reforms that would limit Madigan’s power. In 2014, Kilbride blocked term limits, and in 2016, Kilbride was the deciding vote and wrote the majority opinion striking down the Fair Maps amendment, a citizen-led bipartisan provision to create a nonpartisan redistricting commission to draw legislative districts, rather than a process controlled by Madigan.

Madigan currently enjoys a 4-3 advantage on the Illinois Supreme Court. If Kilbride is defeated, there would be an open contest for the seat in 2022 in the 3rd Judicial District.

If a Republican were to win that race, the GOP could control the state’s highest court for the first time.

Kurt Glazier

Whiteside County Republicans chairman

IN BRIEF

CGH drive through flu shot clinic

While everyone should stay vigilant in the fight against COVID-19, flu season is right around the corner. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that the U.S. has anywhere between 9-45 million cases of influenza each year and receiving a flu vaccination is more important than ever as we work to keep our immune systems strong and healthy.

In effort to assist the public to take every possible precaution to avoid getting the flu, CGH Medical Center will be offering a drive through flu shot clinic this year.

On Saturday, Oct. 17, from 8 a.m. – 12 noon, a drive through flu shot clinic will be offered for adults age 19+ at the CGH Medical Center Main Clinic front driveway, 101 E. Miller Road, Sterling. Insurance and debit/credit will be accepted. For more information, visit cghmc. com or call 815-625-4790, ext. 6886.

MORRISON Sentencing delayed for teen who murdered mother

BY TIMOTHY EGGERT teggert@saukvalley.com

The teenage girl who pleaded guilty in January to the 2017 murder of her mother won’t know her punishment for at least another four months, after a circuit court judge approved a request Wednesday, Oct. 7 to delay her sentencing out of concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Anna M. Schroeder, now 18, has been awaiting sentencing since May for the second-degree murder of her 53-year-old mother, Peggy Schroeder. Schroeder, who pleaded guilty to that charge on Jan. 8, faces four to 20 years in prison.

Although both sides will make sentencing recommendations, the length of Schroeder’s punishment will ultimately be up to Whiteside County Circuit Judge Trish A. Senneff, who has presided over the case since it first was filed in juvenile court.

Senneff approved an agreed-to motion made by Schroeder’s attorney, James Mertes, and Whiteside County State’s Attorney Terry Costello, to strike a two-day sentencing hearing on Nov. 4 and 6 because of uncertainties amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Mertes, who appeared via video conference, said he intends to call “several witnesses” to testify during the sentencing hearing, and that some, including a Chicago-based psychologist, had expressed discomfort over travelling and testifying in-person.

“They’re unwilling to testify in-person because of risks related to COVID-19,” Mertes said.

Costello, who appeared in the courtroom wearing a face covering, echoed the same concerns Mertes and his witnesses said they have over their potential exposure to and transmission of the virus.

Senneff said the court “will not comment on everyone’s concerns,” but nonetheless granted the joint motion, setting a case management conference for Feb. 26.

Unless regional public health guidelines or local conditions prevent otherwise, a sentencing hearing will likely take place after that date.

Wednesday’s postponement of Schroeder’s sentencing is not the first time the hearing has been delayed because of the pandemic.

Her original sentencing hearing scheduled for May 1 and 15 was struck due to limits on in-person courthouse proceedings, and was rescheduled for July 7 and 8. Those

Anna Schroeder leaves a Morrison courtroom after a motion hearing.

Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com

Jim Mertes appears via video morning during a motion hearing for client Anna Schroeder.

dates were struck in June, also because of concerns related to the pandemic.

Costello said after the hearing Wednesday that nobody could have predicted the coronavirus pandemic or it affecting Schroeder’s case.

“It’s frustrating to an extent, but it’s also understandable,” Costello said. “We want to move forward, but we don’t want to take any chances with anyone’s health.”

The teen was initially charged in juvenile court in June 2018 with two counts of first-degree murder, one count of arson and one count of concealing a homicidal death. Costello that month successfully argued that she should be tried as an adult.

On July 6, 2017, in their Morrison home, Schroeder persuaded Peggy to cover her face with a towel, then shot her mother in the head with Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com

Peggy’s own firearm.

Schroeder then texted a picture of her mother’s body to her then-girlfriend Rachel Helm, of Rock Falls. The couple spent the next two days trying to clean the scene before setting the house on fire to conceal the murder.

Helm believed Peggy disapproved of the girls’ romantic relationship and planned to end it, and repeatedly urged Schroeder via text to kill her mother so they could be together, investigators have said.

Plans made by the couple to run away together fell apart when Helm told her mother, Lois Holland, what happened, and the they ultimately went to authorities.

Schroeder’s charges were all dismissed in January, as part of a limited plea agreement she entered in exchange for the newly entered second-degree murder charge.

Schroeder also agreed to waive her right to any appeals, including the right to challenge her transfer from juvenile to adult court, and to give up the possibility of being sentenced to probation rather than prison.

She has been held in the Mary Davis Home in Galesburg since July 8, 2017, will get credit for time served and will be allowed day-to-day credit, plus any credits she might earn for participating in Department of Corrections programs or employment.