1 • Thursday, May 13, 2021 - The Elmhurst Independent
Elmhurst
Independent
Live Plants, Flowerin g Baskets, Planters and Veggie Plants • Garden • Mulch • So il •
LeDonne
Elmhurst’s Locally Owned and Operated Hometown Newspaper
VOL. 19 • NO. 21
WWW.THEINDEPENDENTNEWSPAPERS.COM
Fire Chief Tom Freeman announces retirement
According to the City of Elmhurst, Fire Chief Tom Freeman has announced his retirement from the City of Elmhurst, effective April 30. Freeman assumed his role as the City of Elmhurst Fire Chief on October 10, 2016. He brought more than 44 years of experience and expertise in firefighting, coming to Elmhurst after serving as the fire chief for the Lisle-Woodridge Fire District for 22 years. He also served as a firefighter for the Village of Evergreen Park where he was promoted to several positions, eventually becoming Assistant Fire Chief. During his time with the City of Elmhurst, Freeman had many accomplishments, most significantly, his instrumental role in improving the Elmhurst Fire Department to an ISO Class 1 rating. He was also vital in the implementation and success of Rescue One, the department’s rapid response vehicle. Freeman has been involved in the Fire Service for more than 40 years. In addition to numerous state and national certifications and memberships, including the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Chief Fire Officer (CFO) designation, he was an active member of the DuPage County Emergency and Crisis Management Team. During his career, he was President of MABAS Division 16, a member of MABAS Division 12, the Illinois Terrorism Task Force Committee on Training, appointed
See FREEMAN, Page 3
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THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021
ARCHIVE PHOTO Elmhurst Independent
By golly, it’s a convoy
Here is photo from the line-up of last year’s Memorial Day Convoy that took place as an alternative to the annual Parade. This year, the usual parade is cancelled again due to COVID-19, but another convoy is planned as well as a Memorial Day ceremony in Wilder Park on Monday, May 31. The convoy begins at the American Legion at 9:30 a.m. The ceremony is planned for 11.
Police conclude investigation of nooses found hanging at York football field
Student hoped to send message about allowing sports to continue; no charges to be filed
By Dee Longfellow FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT
According to a release issued by Elmhurst Police Chief Michael Ruth and Beverly Redmond of Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205, the investigation into the incident in which nooses were found hanging on the bleachers at the football field has concluded. In January, the Elmhurst Indepen-
Inside:
Police Reports...........7 Sports ��������������� 20-22 Viewpoint.................9 Classifieds..............18
dent reported the story about the incident which occurred on Monday, Jan. 18, when the Elmhurst Police Department and Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 were notified of an incident that occurred on Sunday, Jan. 17 at the York High School’s Clarence D. East outdoor football field. Sometime between 12 noon and 2:30 p.m., a group of adults gathered to play an informal soccer
game at the field. During the course of their visit, the adults discovered two rope nooses hanging from the top of the metal bleachers. The adults removed the ropes themselves and took them away with the intent to give them to school administrators later. School administrators were contacted and informed Elmhurst Police investigators of the incident.
An examination revealed both ropes had tape affixed to them with two messages. One rope’s message read “Let them play!” and the other rope’s message read “Hear us now! Please!” Elmhurst Police evidence technicians processed the evidence and sent it to the crime lab for analysis. The investigation subsequently
See NOOSES, Page 3 370248
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