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1 • Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

394 390 396 445 396917

THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021 THURSDAY, MAY 6,2022 2021 THURSDAY, FEB. 10, THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021 THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

Customers show their support for Villa Park bakery Online fundraising effort brings in over $60,000 to help Kuppie’s Bakery acquire a new oven

ple in my life for 13 years,” Steber The new year didn’t get off to a states on the GoFundMe page she great start for Kuppie’s Bakery, lo- started to benefit Kuppie’s. “She cated at 42 S. Villa Ave., Villa Park. [Hanrahan] has baked for every one But in the last two weeks, the bak- of my son’s birthdays. She made the ery’s loyal customers have provided most amazing donut tower for my heartwarming support. wedding.”

The business typically closes Hanrahan, who describes herself during the first three weeks of both as “computer illiterate,” has been January and July. On the night of shocked by the show of support.

Sunday, Jan. 23, while baker Pedro “That’s insanely overwhelming,” Landa was baking cookies to stock Hanrahan said of the surge of donaKuppie’s for its opening day of busi- tions. “There aren’t any words. What ness in 2022—Tuesday, Jan. 25—he do you say? We’ll have to figure heard a loud crash. something out to really thank everyThe bakery’s 16-shelf revolving one.” oven, which dates back to the 1940s, While she has been surprised by had broken down. Within a few the slew of donations, Hanrahan is days of that mishap, Dawn Hanrah- also aware of the special bond bean—Kuppie’s owner for the last 15 tween Kuppie’s and its customers. years—learned that the oven likely “I love my customers,” she said. couldn’t be repaired.

“I know a lot of them. I know their “That’s the only oven we have,” stories. I’ve made cakes for chilsaid Hanrahan, who went on to name dren’s first communion, and now several of the items the oven normal- those kids are in college. We share ly produces. “Cookies, coffee cakes, so much.” breads, Danishes, scones, turnovers, Hanrahan said she is especially pies, kolackys, a ton of stuff. More appreciative of the donations during than half of the business probably a period when many customers and comes out of that oven.” businesses are facing their own ecoSince the oven broke down in Jan- nomic challenges. uary, Kuppie’s has been able to make “Everybody’s been through the and sell donuts, but little else. In an same two years,” said Hanrahan.

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Villa Park Review effort to help the bakery, some of its “And yet, here they are. That’s real Kuppie’s Bakery in Villa Park suffered a major hardship when its 16-rack revolving oven broke down customers launched an online fund- America for you.” on Jan. 23. The massive oven, which is approximately 80 years old, appears to be beyond repair. “The raising effort to pay for a new oven.

Kuppie’s didn’t close during the guys took one look and said that the parts were probably going to be really hard to get,” said Dawn That effort has produced a substan- COVID-19 pandemic, but the busi- Hanrahan, who has owned Kuppie’s for the last 15 years. Since the oven—Kuppie’s only oven—broke tial amount of bread, so to speak. ness was affected by changes in cus- down, the bakery has been unable to produce several of its most popular items. Some longtime cusCHRIS FOX PHOTO Villa Park Review Michelle Steber, a longtime Kup- tomers’ schedules and routines. The tomers have made an online push to generate support for the bakery. One of those customers, Michelle game at Freshman Lindsey Rugg of the Willowbrook team while at- lowbrook rebounded from Friday’s loss to post an 11-2 win in Saturday’s pie’s customer, created a GoFundMe bakery used to besoftball open six daysis apictured Steber, set up a GoFundMe fundraising page.

As of Feb. 6, that fundraising effort generated nearly Hinsdale Central.

The Warriors bashed three home runs in the second inning of Sattempting to score a run during game at Downers Grove South.

Rugg tried online fundraiser for the bakery on Friday’s week (it’s closed Mondays) until 5 $62,000 in donations to help pay for a new oven. Hanrahan (right) is pictured CHRIS outside of theVilla bakery with FOX PHOTO ParkSilver Review West Suburban score base on ap.m. single by sophomore in the top of urday’s non-conference battle against the Red Devils of the Jan.to29.

As offrom Feb. second 6, that fundraiser It’s still open the sameKatelyn six daysCox her husband, Pedro Landa (left).

Landa, who handles the majority of the baking at Kuppie’s, was making Conference.

Senior Knudtson, freshman Isabella Dugo and that sophomore the second inning, the game tied at 2-2.atDowners Grove South’swith catcher Willowbrook High School’s Class of 2021 celebrated its commencement two ceremony that beganAnnemarie at 9 a.m. The others participated in the ceremony started raised nearly $62,000 in when donations. perwas week, opening 6 a.m.

Instead cookies when the oven broke down last month. “There aren’t any words,” said Hanrahan of the deluge STAFF REPORT

Graduation day Play at the plate at Willowbrook

Arbor Day in Villa Park

tagged Rugg out at home for the third out of theon inning.

Themorning.

Mustangs separate ceremonies in theplate school’s main gymnasium Sunday Thewent en-

Kayleigh the home Dennison (No. 5) is pictured in the at 11 a.m. Dennison The photoprovided shows members of runs. the Willowbrook Senior Choir performing

of donations in thebackground last couple of of weeks.

“What do you say? We’ll to figure something out to really above photo. more abouthave thePage Warriors, on to defeat the Warriors 7-3students. in the West Suburban Conference contest. Wiltire class includes over 470 About half ofGold those students attended the during the day’sthe first service.

ForFor more photos, see 4. see page 14.

Support ‘overwhelming’ See KUPPIE’S, Page 4 thank everyone.”

“This local bakery has been a sta-

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CHRIS FOX PHOTO Villa Park Review SUBMITTED PHOTO Villa Park 390271 Review

Memorial Day in Villa Park KATE DRURY KATE DRURY DRURY KATE

The Village of Villa Park observed Arbor Day with a tree planting on Friday, April 30. Pictured (left to right) at the tree planting at the village’s Franklin Park, located at 218 N. Third Ave., are: Villa Park Village CONTACT ME your local agent Trustee Christine Murphy, Justin Shlensky—chair of the Villa Park Environmental Concerns CommisBUY OR SELL! sion, Margaret Schiefer—a member of the Villa Park EnvironmentalTO Concerns Commission, Villa Park Village Trustee Cheryl Tucker, Villa Park Village President Albert Bulthuis, Villa Park Village Trustee (and Contact me for a Village President-Elect) Nick Cuzzone and Leslie Allison-Seei—chair of the Villa Park Community Pride May your home 630-514-9961 Villa complementary Park Veterans of Foreign Warson (VFW) Post 2801 of held itsApril.

Memorial Day service onDay Monday mornCommission.

Arbor Day is observed the last Friday each The National Arbor Foundation 630-514-9961 always be filled with ing Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park.

Post Commander Jim Blankshain is pictured bowingthat his recognihead as kdrury@atproperties.com hasatrecognized Villa Park with Tree City USA designation for 36 straight years.

To receive market analysis 630-514-9961 Willowbrook High School students Hendrickson and a Anna Seelbach soundataps at the end ofcomthe kdrury@atproperties.com tion, a community must have a tree Lily board or department, tree-care ordinance, comprehensive ofThe your home!! kdrury@atproperties.com ®an Arbor ceremony. post’s 2020and Memorial Day event was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This munity forestry program Day observance. year’s observance included a reading of the names of the Post 2801 members who have recently died.

That list included World War II veteran Charles “Sid” Bergh, who served as the master of ceremonies I would to help! of the post’s annual Memorial Day service for several years. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Bergh died in October 2020. He was 94 years old. Bergh was the post’s last surviving World War II veteran.

LOW INVENTORY!

Federal judge sets trial date for State Sen. Tom Cullerton--Page 4

2 • Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

Bills to address teacher shortages advance Senate panel endorses bills to let retired teachers work more days

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Two bills aimed at relieving the state’s teacher shortage, at least in the short term, advanced out of a Senate committee Feb. 1.

The Senate Education Committee unanimously endorsed two bills that would allow retired teachers to work as substitutes more days in a school year without losing any of their pension benefits.

“We all know that teacher the shortage is significant and it had been prior to COVID, and we were already trying to find a solution,” said Sen. Kimberly Lightford, D-Maywood, the Senate majority leader. “But once COVID hit, it’s exacerbated because of the social distancing that’s required. Many school districts have classrooms that have far too many children in them, which is requiring that additional staffing.”

Lightford was speaking in favor of Senate Bill 3201, by Sen. Napoleon Harris, D-Harvey.

In its current form, it would extend the returnto-work limit for downstate teachers in the Illinois Teachers Retirement System to 150 days from its current 120 days. But Harris said he intends to amend the bill to drop the proposed limit to 140 days to satisfy concerns from teachers’ unions.

Allowing retired teachers more flexibility to return to work was one of the recommendations of the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools when they released their annual survey in January in which 88 percent of the districts responding said they had a shortage of full-time teachers, while 96 percent said they

had a shortage of substitute teachers.

But that would only be a short-term solution. A similar bill is pending in the House that would extend the return-to-work limit only through June 30 of this year. Harris, however, said he thinks it should be extended through the 2022-2023 academic year as well.

“I’d like to keep it until the following school year due to the fact that this school year is pretty much almost over,” he said.

He said extending it through June 2023 would “give the school districts and administrators time to navigate the teacher shortage” that is happening “all across our state and the country.”

The committee also advanced SB3465, by Sen. Robert Martwick, D-Chicago, which would offer a similar option for teachers who retired from Chicago Public Schools. It would allow those retired teachers to return to work in “subject shortage areas” through June 30, 2024, without losing pension benefits.

Martwick said the bill is identical to one that passed last year that applied only to downstate teachers.

“This extends the same provisions to the Chicago Public Schools,” Martwick said. “It would allow them to hire back retired teachers, but they would have to go through a whole process that would declare them as an area suffering a shortage.”

Both bills advanced out of the committee on 13-0 votes, although Harris said he plans to bring his bill back with an amendment.

The Jan. 31 hearing was held virtually.

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Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022 • 3

Illinois municipalities seek to restore local funding from state Cities, counties support bipartisan legislation to increase revenue, reinvest in communities port, with 39 co-sponsors in the Illinois House and 20 co-sponsors in the Illinois Senate.

“It’s time for Springfield to return the long-overdue dollars it has diverted to subsidize the State budget back to municipal and county governments to ensure our communities have the resources to keep our communities safe and improve infrastructure,” said Rep. DeLuca. “It’s time to restore LGDF so that our local governments can serve their residents without passing additional costs on to homeowners.”

Thornton Village President and president of the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Conference Robert Kolosh agreed.

“Illinoisans already pay among the highest property taxes in the nation,” he said. “Restoring LGDF funding will help us meet the needs of our communities without increasing taxes or fees.”

“We are encouraged by the bipartisan support this legislation has received in both the House and the Senate,” said Mayor Lori Lightfoot of Chicago. “As we continue to recover from the pandemic, this initiative will allow local governments to meet the needs of their residents and make the critical investments in their communities that will improve the lives of everyone in our great State. We look forward to building further support and collaboration amongst our State and local government leaders.”

The Restore LGDF coalition represents municipal and county governments statewide through 13 regional partner organizations: the Illinois Municipal League, DuPage Mayors and

Managers Conference, Barrington Area Council of Governments, Illinois State Association of Counties, Lake County Municipal League, McHenry County

Council of Governments, Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, Metro West Council of Government, Northwest Municipal Conference, South Suburban Mayors

and Managers Association, Southwest Conference of Mayors, West Central Municipal Conference, and Will County Governmental League.

412286

A broad-based coalition of local governments statewide is joining Illinois lawmakers in calling for the State to increase local revenue funds to lessen the property tax burden on homeowners.

Since 1969, local governments across Illinois have received a portion of income taxes generated by residents and businesses, known as the Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF). This shared revenue is distributed on a per capita basis and is a critical component of municipal budgets, funding essential services such as police and fire, road maintenance, flood prevention, and snow removal.

“Local governments depend on LGDF to cover the rising costs of operations and delivering the essential services that we all rely on,” said Mayor Ron Gunter of Westmont and current president of the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference (DMMC).

For years, the State allocated 10 percent of total income tax collections to local governments through LGDF, but since 2011, it has gradually reduced their share to just 6.06 percent today.

These funds can account for between 10 to 20 percent of a municipality’s operating budget, amounting to hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars annually for a municipality.

The group is supporting HB 4169, sponsored by State Rep. Anthony DeLuca (D- Chicago Heights) and SB 3010, sponsored by State Sen. Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) that would increase LGDF funding to 8 percent of individual income tax revenue. The proposed legislation has bi-partisan sup-

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4VP • Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

Villa Park interim village manager faces misdemeanor domestic battery charge

Villa Park reView Your Hometown Newspaper 240 N. West Avenue Elmhurst, IL. 60126

cident and heard them arguing, but none of the children saw Guerra allegedly hit her.

STAFF REPORT

Main Phone 630.834-8244 Fax 630.834-0900 The Villa Park Review is published every Thursday by Rock Valley Publishing, LLC, 240 N. West Avenue, Elmhurst, IL. 60126.

Display Advertising: 630.834-8355 Classified Advertising: 630.834-8244 News: 630.834-8244 General Information: 630.834-8244

E-mail: Advertising Department: ads1@rvpublishing.com News Department: CFox@rvpublishing.com Classified Department: Classifieds@rvpublishing.com

Administration: Chris Fox News Coordinator Debra Hamilton Advertising Director Pete Cruger Publisher

Advertising: Brenda Garcia Marguerite Micken

Subscriptions: The Villa Park Review is mailed to the 60181 zip code areas for $45.00 yearly. Out-of-area mail subscriptions are $50.00 yearly.

For home delivery information call 630.834-8244.

Reprints: Content appearing in the Villa Park Review may not be reprinted without permission of the publisher or editor.

Requests should be directed to Independent@rvpublishing.com or 630.834-8244.

Postmaster: Please send address changes to: THE VILLA PARK REVIEW 240 N. West Avenue, Elmhurst, IL. 60126

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Michael Guerra, who has been serving as Villa Park’s interim village manager since late December, was arrested Nov. 25 in downstate Pekin on a misdemeanor domestic battery charge, according to a Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office report.

Pekin is located just south of Peoria.

Guerra, who was named Villa Park’s public works director in April 2020, had previously been the city engineer of Pekin for 12 years. He took over as interim village manager after Villa Park Village Board members voted 4-3 on Dec. 20 to terminate the contract of Richard Keehner, who had been village manager since 2011.

The Villa Park Village Board held a special meeting on Feb. 3.

The meeting agenda stated the village president and board of trustees were meeting “to consider the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity.”

Board members did not discuss any matters in open session during last week’s special meeting. They went into closed session and adjourned the meeting without returning to open session.

On Dec. 7, Guerra pleaded not guilty to domestic battery, according to Tazewell County Circuit Court records. An order of continuance was granted on Jan. 31, with a hearing in circuit court scheduled for April 25.

According to the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office report, a deputy was dispatched to Guerra’s house in Pekin at 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 25—Thanksgiving Day. The report stated that a woman, identified as Guerra’s wife, told the deputy he hit her, and she was pretending to speak to her mother while on the phone

• Kuppie’s

Guerra statement On Feb. 3, Guerra responded to the Villa Park Review’s request for a comment on his arrest in Pekin.

Guerra issued the following statement:

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Villa Park Review

Villa Park Village President Nick Cuzzone (left) and Villa Park’s interim village manager—Michael Guerra (right)—are pictured during the Villa Park Village Board’s special meeting on Feb. 3. The board didn’t discuss any issues in open session during the meeting. Board members went into executive session and adjourned without returning to open session. Guerra has been the village’s public works director for nearly two years. Since late December, he’s also been Villa Park’s interim village manager. On Thanksgiving Day—Nov. 25— Guerra was arrested in downstate Pekin on a misdemeanor battery charge. The arrest took place after Guerra was reportedly involved in an argument with his wife. According to Guerra, he and his wife are going through a divorce. Guerra noted last week that Villa Park Village Board members were aware of the incident during the board’s Dec. 30 special meeting. During that meeting, Cuzzone stated that Guerra would serve as the interim village manager until the board hires a permanent village manager.

with the dispatcher.

According to Guerra, he and his wife are going through a divorce.

The report said the deputy approached the residence and observed a vehicle backing out of the driveway. The deputy turned into the driveway so the vehicle could not leave. The driver of the vehicle identified himself as Michael Guerra, who, according to the report, stated he and his wife were arguing when he hit the phone out of her hand.

A second Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office deputy arrived on the scene and stood by with Guerra

while the first deputy went inside the house to check on his wife, according to the report. The report stated Guerra and his wife were arguing. She said she did not feel safe and grabbed her phone to call 911 when Guerra allegedly struck her on the arm and cause the phone in her hand to be thrown across the room. She told deputies she retrieved her phone and was able to call 911 because she pretended the phone call was to her mother.

According to the report, she added that she did not need medical attention. She stated their three children were home during the in-

“This unfortunate incident is a private family matter as my family navigates through a divorce.

I have been transparent with the Village regarding the incident by immediately informing the Village Administration, Village Directors, and key members of my department’s staff about the incident.

“The Village Board was aware of this issue during the reaffirmation of my status as Administrative Officer during the special meeting on Dec. 30, 2021. Under the guidance of my attorney and with the approval of the local prosecuting authority, I have been offered an opportunity in Project Safe, a program that promotes safe family environments to better myself as a person, a spouse, and a father. Upon successful completion, this case will be fully dismissed against me. While it is not an admission of guilt, I felt this decision was the best way to resolve the issue for my family and the Village.

“This family issue has not affected my performance as Director, Administrative Officer, or Interim Manager. During my time with the Village, I have dedicated my focus to improving the community and remain committed to the positive momentum generated in the past two years. The Village has several exciting projects that are under construction or will begin construction this year, including the new Community Recreation Center, the expansion of Jackson Pond to mitigate flooding for 83 residents, completion of the Maple Avenue Improvement to separate combination sewers, and rehabilitation of the roadways, along with several more.”

(Continued from front page)

of closing at 5 p.m., it now closes at 3 p.m.

“A lot of people who worked downtown started working from home,” Hanrahan said. “If you’re working from home, there’s no need to buy two or three dozen donuts to take to the office.”

Owner: New oven may take four to eight months to arrive Hanrahan has been looking at new ovens for her business. She said those ovens vary in price.

Additionally, she’ll face a hefty charge for shipping and installation. Removing the current oven, which is about 8 feet high, will be

costly and time-consuming. She said the project to eventually remove that oven would likely take a few days.

Hanrahan said she’s been told it could take from four to eight months for a new oven to arrive.

“We’re hoping it won’t be that long,” stated Hanrahan. “Look at this miracle God just created for us,” she added, referring to the flood of donations.

Hanrahan said there’s a chance that repair workers could find a way to get one of the current oven’s 16 racks up and running.

“We won’t be able to put out a lot with it, but we might be able

to bake something,” she said. “It’s something, but not much.”

For now, Kuppie’s will focus on selling its popular donuts, which don’t require the oven. Hanrahan takes delight in the bakery’s donut sales on Saturday mornings.

“Saturday is my big dad day,” she said. “We get a lot of dads with their little ones, which is just adorable. I think it’s Mom’s first day of the week with a break. She’s been chasing the kids all week, so she sleeps in. Dad comes in with the kids and gets the donuts. These kids know what a real donut is.

They want their Kuppie donuts.”

Several Chicago television stations have contacted Hanrahan in the last several days to discuss the fundraising effort to support Kuppie’s Bakery. CBS Chicago, WGN-TV and Fox 32 Chicago have spoken to Hanrahan and aired stories about the bakery and the flood of recent donations to help replace the oven.

“I’m a very faithful person,” said Hanrahan in discussing what she’s talked about in recent interviews. “I’ve been telling people, we were in the back seat; Jesus was in the front. He was going to take us where we’re meant to be.

You’ve just got to have faith.”

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022 • 5

Warriors advance to this week’s sectional Program secures first sectional berth in nearly 30 years; Addison Trail takes third

STAFF REPORT

The Willowbrook girls gymnastics team competed in last week’s IHSA regional at Glenbard West. The Warriors earned a second-place team score of 133.7 at the regional to advance to this week’s sectional, which will also be held at Glenbard West.

According to Willowbrook coach Andy Isaacson, this is the Warriors’ girls gymnastics program’s first team appearance in an IHSA sectional since 1993.

Willowbrook will join five other teams (Glenbard West, DeKalb, Geneva, Lake Park and Wheaton Warrenville South) in the team competition at this week’s sectional in Glen Ellyn.

Glenbard West won the title at its Feb. 2 regional with a score of 141.25.

St. Charles North (132.1) placed third, while Fenton finished fourth.

The top five individual finishers in each event at the Glenbard West Regional qualified for this week’s Glenbard West Sectional in Glen Ellyn. Several other gymnasts also earned at-large sectional berths.

There are four sectional competitions (at Glenbard West, Oswego, Mundelein and Hoffman Estates) this week.

The IHSA state meet will take place Feb. 18-19 at Palatine High School.

Senior Bella Naumovsky of Willowbrook won the regional’s allaround title with her score of 36.3.

Naumovsky’s total of 36.3 included a pair of first-place scores in individual events. She won the regional title with her score of 9.5 on the uneven bars. She added another victory with her winning score of 9.075 on the balance beam.

Naumovsky and Willowbrook senior Tess Placek landed in a third-place tie in the vault; both Warriors earned

scores of 9.025 in that event. Placek qualified for the sectional’s all-around competition by placing fifth in the regional’s all-around standings with her total of 33.475.

Willowbrook junior Sarah Ball secured a sectional berth in floor exercises with her fifth-place regional score of 8.8. Ball also earned an at-large berth in the sectional’s all-around competition with her seventh-place regional score of 31.45.

Ball and Placek both secured atlarge sectional berths in the vault and floor exercises events. Placek added an at-large berth on the uneven bars, while Ball earned an at-large sectional berth in the balance beam.

Junior Hanna Mitrick contributed to Willowbrook’s regional’s lineup with her eighth-place all-around score of 28.625. Junior Molly Morris of the Warriors competed on the vault, earning a 13th-place score of 8.05, while sophomore Mia McBride contributed a 10th-place score of 7.8 on the uneven bars. McBride also provided an 11thplace score of 7.875 on the balance beam.

Addison Trail Addison Trail competed in last week’s Lake Park Regional. The Blazers earned a third-place score of 124.9 in the team standings of the four-team event. Lake Park won the regional title with its score of 142.325, while Wheaton Warrenville South (139.15) claimed second.

A pair of Blazers earned automatic sectional berths on the balance beam.

Senior Delaney Gregory posted a fourth-place regional score of 8.5 on the beam, while sophomore Nicolette Franczak delivered a fifth-place score of 8.45.

Gregory, Franczak and junior Maddie Muccianti earned at-large berths in the sectional’s all-around competition.

Muccianti secured at-large sectional berths in the uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercises.

Warriors, Blazers both advance to Hinsdale South Sectional

Porro leads Willowbrook to a third-place regional finish; Fiermuga helps Addison Trail claim fourth

STAFF REPORT

The Willowbrook girls bowling team earned a third-place finish in Saturday’s IHSA Metea Valley Regional, which took place at Fox Bowl in Wheaton. By finishing among the top four teams in the 13-team regional, Willowbrook advanced to this weekend’s Hinsdale South Sectional at Bowlero in Woodridge.

The top four teams in each of the state’s six sectionals will qualify for the IHSA state meet, which will take place Feb. 18-19 at the Cherry Bowl in Rockford.

Downers Grove South won the Metea Valley Regional title with its total score of 5,627. Metea Valley (5,565) placed second, while Willowbrook (5,089) finished third. Addison Trail (4,890) qualified for the Hinsdale South Sectional by placing fourth at the Metea Valley Regional.

Willowbrook sophomore Jacquelyn Porro delivered the third-best

individual score at the regional with her six-game total of 1,247. Senior Amia Jackson of the Warriors, who placed 18th in the regional’s individual standings, bowled a six-game score of 998, while sophomore Olivia Williams turned in a score of 964, good for 21st place. Senior Amelia Williams rolled a six-game total of 946 (24th in the individual standings), while senior Megan Beausoleil fired a 25th-place regional total of 934.

Junior Kylie Fiermuga led Addison Trail at the regional with her sixth-place individual score of 1,172.

Senior Sarah Soucie finished 17th with her six-game score of 1,002, while freshman Grace Cannizzo produced a 20th-place regional score of 978. Freshman Val Pizzoferrato contributed a score of 884, while freshman Amelia Leslie provided a 696. Freshman Angie Ayala bowled one game at the regional, turning in a score of 158.

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

Willowbrook’s girls gymnastics team competed in last week’s IHSA Glenbard West Regional in Glen Ellyn. The Warriors posted a second-place team score of 133.7 in the four-team event. Glenbard West won the regional team title with its score of 141.25. The Willowbrook team secured an at-large berth into this week’s sectional at Glenbard West. According to Willowbrook coach Andy Isaacson, this is the program’s first team appearance in a sectional since 1993. The Warriors will compete against five other schools in the sectional’s team competition. One photo from the awards ceremony of the Feb. 2 regional in Glen Ellyn shows Willowbrook senior Bella Naumovsky (center), who won the all-around title with her score of 36.3. Naumovsky delivered first-place finishes in two events at the regional. She won the individual title on the uneven bars with a score of 9.5, and she claimed first-place honors on the balance beam with a performance that received a score of 9.075. Willowbrook senior Tess Placek, who is pictured on the far right, finished fifth in the event’s all-around standings with her score of 33.475.

200 S. MAI N STR E ET • LOM BAR D, I LLI NOIS 60148

Open enrOllment fOr the 2022-2023 schOOl year begins thUrsDay, febrUary 17, 2022

For over 60 years, The Co-Op Preschool, in partnership with our students’ families, has been helping children build the skills they need to become successful students and responsible community members.

We are a non-profit play-based program that fosters a joy of learning and respectful interaction among peers while promoting a cooperative partnership between home and school. Together with our students’ families, we provide a nurturing, safe, and engaging preschool experience for all our children to grow and learn. The involvement parents have in their child’s school has a direct impact on a child’s academic success.

THE CO-OP PRESCHOOL admits students of any race, color, creed, sex, national or ethnic origin, or religion, to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, religion or sex, in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, any other policies of school administered programs, or rights, privileges, programs and activities.

For questions on enrolment please call: 630 629-2630 ext. 214 or email director@thecooppreschool.com

412285

6 • Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

Police Reports

improper lane usage and no insurance near Diversey and Vista at 7:43 p.m.

A 37-year-old Addison man was charged with domestic battery in the 700 block of N. Swift at 7:18 a.m.

Villa Park Jan. 29 Colton Malinowski, 22, of Elmhurst, was charged with DUI, operating a vehicle while using an electronAddison ic communication device and no seat Jan. 22 belt near W. St. Charles and S. Route Hashiem Y. Abulhaqq-Jamison, 20, 83 at 12:38 a.m. of Chicago, was charged with illegal possession of ammunition/FOID at Jan. 28 8:42 p.m.

Attempted burglary was reported at an auto dealership at 10:14 a.m.

Jan. 21 A complainant reported that an unPaul A. Bertin, 43, of Western known suspect(s) broke a lock and Springs, was charged with DUI near entered a trailer. Nothing appeared to I-290 and W. Irving Park at 2:18 a.m. be missing.

A 22-year-old Cicero man was Burglary to a vehicle was reported charged with two counts of domestic in the 1600 block of S. Michigan at battery, criminal damage to govern- 11:44 a.m. A complainant reported ment property and for causing bat- that an unknown suspect entered an tery/bodily harm in the 400 block of unsecured vehicle parked in a parkW. Stevens at 10:45 p.m. ing lot. The suspect removed money, credit cards and a state ID card from Jan. 17 the vehicle.

Cameron C. Cornette, 35, of West Burglary was reported at an auto Chicago, was charged with resisting/ dealership in the 300 block of W. obstructing a police officer in the 700 North at 12:26 p.m. A complainant reblock of E. Lake at 8:25 a.m. ported that an unknown suspect used a brick to break a window on the west Jan. 16 side of the building. The suspect reDaniel Nervis-Ortiz, 45, of Addi- moved items from inside the business son, was charged with DUI, driving and stole a vehicle from the property while license revoked or suspended, as well.

Attempted retail theft was reported at a store in the 900 block of S. Route 83 at 1:50 p.m. A complainant reported that an unknown suspect removed multiple items from display shelves and attempted to leave without paying.

Damage to property was reported at a store in the 900 block of S. Route 83 at 10:14 p.m. A complainant reported that multiple subjects were throwing around a football and broke a light.

The complainant wanted all of the subjects removed from the premises.

An officer spoke with the subject, and they were all issued no-trespass notices.

Jan. 27 Theft of a vehicle was reported in the 600 block of N. Addison at 2:59 p.m. A complainant reported that an unknown suspect stole a vehicle they were selling.

A complainant in the 800 block of N. Yale reported at 7:27 p.m. that a suspect has been removing items that are not theirs. The complainant wanted the suspect removed from the premises and the suspect was issued a no-trespass notice.

A complainant in the 1-100 block of W. Terrace reported at 9:19 p.m. that a subject was sending threatening text messages.

Jan. 23 Retail theft was reported at a store in the 900 block of S. Route 83 at 12:25 p.m. A complainant reported that a suspect removed multiple items from display shelves and a cash register and left the store without paying.

Theft was reported in the 600 block of W. Ridge at 3:37 p.m. A complainant reported that a suspect removed items they were selling from their porch without leaving money for the items.

Theft was reported in the 700 block of S. Princeton at 7:25 p.m. A complainant reported that an unknown suspect removed a package that had been delivered to the complainant’s front porch.

Jan. 22 Retail theft was reported at a store in the 900 block of S. Route 83 at 10:58 p.m. A complainant reported that a suspect removed multiple items from display shelves and left the store without paying.

Fraud According to information provided last week by the Villa Park Police Jan. 25 Department, police reported three inA complainant at a store in the 200 cidents of residents being a victim of block of W. North reported at 4:10 fraud.

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Area police departments recently reported the following arrests and citations. Readers are reminded that an arrest does not constitute a conviction, and that suspects are considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Persons charged with domestic battery are not named in order to protect the privacy of victims. Juveniles age 17 or younger are not named.

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Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022 • 7VP

Warriors pick up two home victories Team moves to 7-2 in conference play with a win over Downers Grove South; Willowbrook finishes the week with a narrow non-conference win over Romeoville

STAFF REPORT

The Willowbrook boys basketball team improved its overall record to 17-9 with a pair of home victories last week.

The Warriors moved to 7-2 in West Suburban Gold Conference play following a 52-39 win over Downers Grove South on Feb. 1.

The Warriors picked up another victory on Saturday, when they edged Romeoville 72-70 in a non-conference contest.

Willowbrook led Downers Grove South 12-10 after one quarter and 32-18 at halftime. The Warriors held

a 41-32 advantage at the end of the third quarter.

Senior Noah Campbell scored 10 of his team-high 12 points during the second half. Senior Marquel Saleek provided all 11 of his points in the first half. Senior Terrell Walker and junior Isaac Sobieszczyk both provided eight points. Senior Evan Stubblefield supplied five points. Senior Alex Simmons contributed four points. Junior Joey Tumilty added four points by sinking four free throws during the fourth quarter.

The Warriors and Romeoville were deadlocked at 14-14 after one

quarter. The two teams were tied at 29-29 at halftime. Sobieszczyk drained a shot from 3-point range at the end of the first half to even the score. Willowbrook held a 43-34 edge with about three minutes left in the third period, but the Spartans cut the Warriors’ lead to 44-42 by the end of the quarter.

Willowbrook held a 64-54 lead with 3:30 to play, but Romeoville made a 3-point shot with about one minute to play that cut the Warriors’ lead to 68-64. The Spartans drained two more 3-point shots during the game’s final minute.

Campbell’s driving layup gave Willowbrook a 72-67 lead with about 16 seconds to play. The Spartans drove down the court and connected on a 3-point shot to cut the lead to 72-70 with 6.9 seconds on the clock.

Following a timeout, the Warriors drove to the basket and missed a shot. Romeoville tried to get the ball up the floor, but was unable to launch a shot before the buzzer sounded.

Saleek scored 18 points in Saturday’s win. Campbell added 15 points, while Sobieszczyk, who made three

baskets in the fourth quarter, provided 14 points. Walker contributed 11 points. Stubblefield scored all 10 of his points during the fourth quarter.

He made three baskets, including a 3-point shot, and sank three of four free-throw attempts in the final eight minutes.

The Warriors’ schedule this week includes Friday’s conference battle at Leyden, followed by Saturday’s conference home game against Proviso East.

See WARRIORS, Page 14

Warriors finish a perfect conference season Second-half surge propels Willowbrook to a win at Downers Grove South; Warriors wrap up the WSGC season with a 12-0 record

STAFF REPORT

The Willowbrook girls basketball team completed an undefeated West Suburban Gold Conference season with last week’s 51-39 victory at Downers Grove South. The Feb. 1 win gave the Warriors a conference record of 12-0 and an overall season mark of 21-4.

In addition to beating Downers Grove South twice during the conference season, Willowbrook earned a pair of West Suburban Gold wins over five other opponents—Addison Trail, Proviso East, Morton, Leyden and Hinsdale South.

Willowbrook will face Lyons Township—

which finished first in the West Suburban Silver Conference standings—in this week’s crossover game at Addison Trail. The Warriors will begin the IHSA Class 4A post-season by hosting a regional in Villa Park. The Warriors will face Conant in a regional semifinal contest on Feb. 14. If Willowbrook defeats Conant, it will face either St. Charles East or Glenbard North in a regional final on Feb. 17.

Willowbrook is the No. 5 seed in the Bartlett Sectional. St. Charles East—the Warriors’ likely opponent in a potential regional final matchup—is the sectional’s No. 4 seed.

The Warriors led Downers Grove South 15-

11 after one quarter of last week’s conference game. The Mustangs delivered a 15-8 run in the second quarter to take a 26-23 halftime lead. Willowbrook regained the lead in the third quarter and held a 38-33 advantage with eight minutes to play.

Sophomore Calli Kenny and her younger

sister—freshman Hannah Kenny—both scored 16 points for the Warriors in the recent victory at Downers Grove South. In addition to scoring 16 points, Calli Kenny grabbed 16 rebounds.

Senior Sophie Sullivan added seven points, while junior Sara Stout and sophomore Elle Bruschuk both scored five points.

CHRIS FOX PHOTOS Villa Park Review

Willowbrook’s girls basketball team closed out an undefeated West Suburban Gold Conference season with last week’s 51-39 victory at Downers Grove South. The Warriors finished their conference season with a 12-0 record. Willowbrook moved its overall season record to 21-4 with its Feb. 1 win over the Mustangs. One photo from the game shows sophomore Calli Kenny, who scored 16 points and pulled down 16 rebounds for the Warriors. Another photo shows her sister—freshman Hannah Kenny (No. 10)—who provided 16 points and five rebounds. Willowbrook will play Lyons Township—the first-place team in the West Suburban Silver Conference—in this week’s crossover game at Addison Trail. The Warriors will open the IHSA Class 4A post-season by hosting a regional. Willowbrook will meet Conant in a regional semifinal in Villa Park on Feb. 14. If the Warriors beat Conant, they will battle either St. Charles East or Glenbard North in a regional final on Feb. 17.

8 • Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

Viewpoint

Feb. 10, 2022 • 8

The importance of U.S. support of Ukraine’s sovereignty

By U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi I recently appeared on CNN to discuss Russia’s heightened military aggression toward Ukraine and the need to help Ukraine defend itself through military aid and conveying to the Kremlin that any attack will be met with severe sanctions on Russia and its leadership.

While I oppose putting American military forces on the ground in Ukraine, I strongly support other efforts to help Ukraine preserve its independence and democracy.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, with the support of the White House, have introduced the Defending Ukraine Sovereignty Act. This legislation would impose unprecedented economic consequences on Russia should it invade Ukraine, such as sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline and Russian financial institutions.

As a member of the Intelligence Committee, I will continue to monitor the situation in Eastern Europe to protect U.S. national security and stand with our NATO allies in the region.

Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis hearing on state response to pandemic During a Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis hearing this month, I highlighted the hypocrisy of Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts’ rhetoric on vaccine and mask mandates. Governor Ricketts has been outspoken against private and public sector mandates, including telling local government officials that they would not receive federal Coronavirus relief funding

if they required individuals to wear face masks in government buildings. He also argued against businesses implementing such mandates.

However, Governor Ricketts’ rhetoric is at odds with his family business, the Chicago Cubs, which has been requiring masks at their facilities during the pandemic in order to keep millions of fans like my family and me safe.

Politically motivated rhetoric against public health mandates is a detriment to our pandemic recovery, and it’s especially offensive to the American people when it’s wrapped in hypocrisy.

I’m committed to working with my colleagues on the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis to strengthen our efforts against COVID-19 and end the pandemic.

My investigation into meat processing companies’ rising prices and gaining profits Recently, I launched an investigation through my Oversight Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy into meat processing companies raising product prices as they made record profits, while they blame the price increases on market forces.

Over the last year, beef prices have risen nearly 19 percent and poultry prices have gone up by almost 10 percent. Meanwhile, four of the biggest meatpacking companies saw net profit margins rise by over 300 percent during the same period.

Rising prices for meat products are a challenge for American families struggling to put food on the table. I intend to see this investigation through and expose any practices through which these companies preyed upon American consumers.

Raja Krishnamoorthi represents Illinois’ 8th Congressional District, which includes parts of Addison, Wood Dale, Elmhurst, Bensenville, Villa Park and Lombard.

Many readers tell us the Independent is their preferred source for local community news.

Shouldn’t your business be advertising? Call (630) 834-8244.

Slices of life

Life without wheels

There are two types of people in this country: those who have a car and those who don’t.

There are good reasons for living on each side of the roadway. People without a vehicle often live in areas where public transportation is the norm and street-space is not. If you don’t have a garage or a driveway, you might have to pay for parking on a daily basis. That adds to the cost of car ownership, which is no fun. Multiply that if you have to drive around the block multiple times in search of an open space.

Parking aside, the act of driving on populated roadways requires a special skillset.

I traveled to New York City a few years back and saw this firsthand. The space between cars on all sides of the vehicle while traveling at 30-plus miles per hour is mere inches, and that is no exaggeration. It takes an especially talented, level-headed and barbaric person to dare to navigate such treacherous conditions. I may be barbaric, but not that talented or levelheaded.

Give me black ice and the most white-out snowstorm in memory. I’ll drive through it with a confidence instilled by 4-wheel drive, a good set of snow tires and decades of experience navigating blizzard conditions.

But bumper to bumper traffic with the possibility of road rage in the mix?

I’m opting out, thank you very much.

Still, I’ve lived all my adult life with a vehicle to call my own. I didn’t live in New York, or any other highly

By

JILL PERTLER Columnist

populated area where taxis trump personal transportation. I was rural, and rural demands a car of your own.

I always had one. At least one.

Until recently, when I found myself 1,500 miles from home, in a new home. My son and I moved across country with his car. Thankfully it got us here in one piece.

Then the problems started.

The car wiggled when accelerating. It coughed up disturbing noises when making a sharp turn.

One tire habitually went flat. The vehicle got us from point A to point B, but it didn’t feel right. It felt very, very left. We brought it in for diagnostics and, while opinions differed between mechanics, one thought rang consistent: It was time to get rid of the car.

In a word: Ugh. Then life happened. I won’t bore you with the details, but in amidst of life happening, I went about six weeks without a car. Luckily I had a bike and a backpack. It’s amazing how many groceries you can fit into a small space when you are hungry.

I also blessed the gods for delivery of bulky items like toilet paper and cat litter.

So, as dire as I make it seem, it

wasn’t. It was only irritating. But irritating gets old quickly. Especially when irritating denies you access to the super store, or, worse yet, the dollar-point-two-five store, which it now is, if you’ve done your research.

Never mind eating, it felt as though my crafting days were over.

But back to the bike. The bike saved me. It got me from here to there, and I even figured out how to fit a frozen pizza into a backpack.

That is no small effort.

I decided to embrace the adventure. I was able to bike to the grocery store in the middle of a January winter. I haven’t been able to make that claim to fame for most of my life, so why not look on the bright side. Yes, leaking chicken juice into the back pack was not a desired outcome so rotisserie chicken was probably out of the question.

But I had other options. I figured out the frozen pizza backpack challenge. I also figured out how to find a new (used) car.

It was another adventure, which I conquered—successfully.

I now have reliable wheels—two on a bike and four on a little SUV. I can head to the superstore and fill my cart with a mega pack of toilet paper, a couple of rotisserie chickens and as many frozen pizzas as my heart desires.

Life is good.

Jill Pertler is an award-winning syndicated columnist, published playwright and author. She invites readers to follow the Slices of Life page on Facebook.

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Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022 • 9

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10 • Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

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Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022 • 11

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12 • Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

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Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022 • 13

Warriors open post-season at Wheaton North Regional

EEH: Staying active may lessen symptoms of ‘chemo brain’ Time and again, studies have shown that exercise can improve overall health and reduce risks for chronic illness.

Now, a new study suggests staying physically active can help women with breast cancer maintain memory and cognitive function and avoid “chemo brain.”

Roughly 75 percent of breast cancer patients report having cognitive impairment during chemotherapy. Symptoms of “chemo brain” or “chemo fog” can include memory loss, difficulty concentrating, confusion and a shorter attention span, and can linger months after chemotherapy has ended.

In a study of more than 500 breast cancer patients, researchers found that women who met minimum national standards for exercise (150 minutes of exercise per week) during their treatment performed better on cognitive

tests than those who were inactive. Even women who were active before treatment began, but were inactive during treatment, performed better than those who were inactive during treatment, according to the findings.

Studies have also suggested that exercise has other health benefits such as boosting mood, aiding in sleep, improving energy levels and strengthening bones. Exercising can also help maintain a healthy weight and help lower the risk for chronic health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease.

While exercising has many benefits, it is important for people (particularly for those undergoing medical treatments) to recognize their body’s needs and limitations and to rest when needed.

Consider these tips for starting an exercise routine: • Talk to a doctor. Patients

should let their cancer care team know that they’d like to start exercising and discuss a plan with the team. Keep the team informed of any health changes that could affect the exercise plan.

• If needed, take small steps.

People don’t need to go for a mile run to see the benefit of regular exercise. Taking a brisk walk or going for a bike ride is beneficial.

Even walking laps around the house or up and down a hallway can help.

• Break up exercise time. Instead of exercising for 30 minutes at once, break it up into smaller chunks and do 10 minutes at a time if needed. The goal is to get moving.

• Check in with local breast cancer survivor groups. They may have a walking club or exercise group.

Get more information at EEHealth.org/services/cancer.

Answers

Mabutas wins event’s 170-pound title; AT’s Skamra earns sectional berth STAFF REPORT

Willowbrook’s wrestling team competed in Saturday’s IHSA Class 3A regional at Wheaton North High School. The Warriors finished sixth in the team standings of the eightteam regional.

Glenbard West won the regional’s team title with its total of 209 points.

The Hilltoppers advanced to the upcoming dual team sectional at South Elgin. Glenbard North placed second at the regional with its total of 176 points, while West Chicago (113) and Wheaton North (107) landed in third and fourth place, respectively.

Glenbard East delivered a fifth-place team score of 87 points, while Willowbrook wound up sixth with its total of 74.5 points. Addison Trail placed eighth with 46 points.

The wrestlers who earned topthree finishes in each weight class at the regional advanced to this week’s

individual sectional at Conant High School. Wrestlers who earn top-four finishes in each weight level at the sectional will qualify for the IHSA Class 3A state meet, which takes place Feb. 17-19 at State Farm Center in Champaign.

Willowbrook senior Nick Mabutas won the Wheaton North Regional’s individual title in the 170-pound division. Mabutas, who received a bye in the event’s quarterfinal round, delivered a first-period pin in the semifinal round. Mabutas added another first-period pin in the championship match.

Chris Giroux of the Warriors advanced to the Conant Sectional by placing third in the 113-pound level of the Wheaton North Regional. Willowbrook’s Isaiah Smith qualified for the sectional by battling to a thirdplace showing in the 126-pound division.

Addison Trail Addison Trail’s Seth Skamra earned his team’s only berth in the individual sectional by turning in a third-place effort in the regional’s 182-pound level.

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14VP • Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

We are so very disappointed in our neighbors in Villa Park north of the Sugar Creek area. So many of us walk in the blocks around that area, and some homes had not shoveled any snow after the snowstorm. This is wrong and I think against village ordnance. Does Villa Park have a way of fining these people? I hope so. *** Too bad the Iowa border is 2½ hours away. I’d go patronize their businesses and restaurants on a regular basis now that their governor is ending their COVID-19 emergency declaration this month. She said, quote, “The flu and

other infectious illnesses are part of our everyday lives, and coronavirus can be managed similarly.” Exactly! That will never happen here because our authoritarian Governor Billionaire likes issuing his mandates too much. *** I heard the Washington football team has a new name, the Commanders. I don’t know about you, but I’m offended by that name because when I think of commanders, I think of someone in authority commanding me, or ordering me, to do something. Why not name the team the Washington Variants or the Washington Vaccines? That’s all

Remembering a Warrior

most Democrats in Washington obsess about anyway—COVID variants and vaccines. *** Whoever thought one man, who obviously has cognitive problems, would have the power to bring down a country as strong as America? America has changed in the past year. Do Americans make things happen or do they wait to see what will happen? The world is watching. *** So Gov. Pritzker wants to help us regular folks out by suspending grocery taxes and freezing gas taxes, which are roughly 39 cents a gallon. That is a help. But a $300 rebate on property taxes is an insult, a drop in the bucket compared to what we pay in DuPage County. And from what I read it may only count for people who can claim deductions, which many of us cannot, so it might not matter. Come on, representatives, even the Donald gave us over $1,000 one time, which I used to help pay my property taxes and it was still a drop in the bucket. I also had to think: if the governor makes all these cuts to help the little guy, who will end up making up for all that money the state won’t be making? I pity the fool. *** I would love to see Lombard and Villa Park take a page from Aurora’s

playbook, kind of like Small Business Saturday, and do a one- or two-day “Love Local” event to attract more shopping at our businesses in town. *** Egomaniacs like Pritzker aren’t scared about ending the mask mandate because they’re worried about kids. They’re afraid that nothing will happen to kids if and when the masks come off, as has been the case in neighboring states and countries around the world. If the masks come off and kids are fine, Pritzker will look like a fool.

He’s more concerned about his reputation than he is about kids. *** Mr. Biden referred to a news correspondent as a son of a (expletive delete). I just wonder how he would like it if somebody called his wife something derogatory. I know he wouldn’t like it. I don’t care if he told the correspondent it’s nothing personal. I mean, Mr. Biden got caught with his pants down. You Biden lovers, you got sold a bill of goods. *** The Democratic Party has lost me. I no longer look at them as a party that represents me as a patriotic American.

• Warriors

They put Biden in charge to take all the blame for all their bad policies now that they have major control. We all need to wake, not woke, up. *** History says Nero fiddled while Rome burned. Will President Biden eat chocolate chip ice cream cones while America goes to war with Russia? *** In light of the growing frustration of the ongoing activity at our southern border, you can’t help but wonder if the people in Washington are getting a payout from the drug cartels. There doesn’t seem to be any other logical explanation other than the Democrats are looking for more voters to further their agenda. *** So Whoopi Goldberg is being suspended for two weeks from “The View” for saying the Holocaust was not about race. Imagine if a conservative had said that. An apology and suspension wouldn’t have been good enough. Regressive leftists everywhere—especially on that godawful program—would demand that person be fired.

(Continued from page 7)

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Villa Park Review

Willowbrook High School sophomore Cecelia “Cece” Meier passed away on Jan. 29. Willowbrook students and staff honored Meier by wearing purple and green to school on Friday, Feb. 4. “It is always difficult to lose a member of our Willowbrook family, and we will continue to help each other through this difficult time,” said Willowbrook Principal Dan Krause. Pictured (left to right) on Friday are: Krause, Willowbrook Guidance Counselor Carmen Avdiu, junior Olivia Mattia, senior Hannah Webster, junior Madison McTighe and Willowbrook Social Worker Erik Engel. In addition to wearing purple and green to school on Friday, Willowbrook students honored Meier by decorating the rock outside of the school and leaving flowers nearby.

CHRIS FOX PHOTOS Villa Park Review

Willowbrook’s boys basketball team won a pair of home games last week to improve its overall season record to 17-9. The Warriors beat Downers Grove South 52-39 in a West Suburban Gold Conference game on Feb. 1. Four nights later, Willowbrook beat Romeoville 72-70 in a non-conference battle. One photo from Saturday’s win over Romeoville shows senior Noah Campbell (No. 25), who scored 15 points. Another photo from Saturday shows junior Isaac Sobieszczyk (No. 15), who provided 14 points. Senior Marquel Saleek scored a team-high 18 points in Saturday’s win. Campbell scored a team-leading 12 points in the Feb. 1 victory over Downers Grove South. That win pushed the Warriors’ conference record to 7-2. Willowbrook’s schedule this week includes conference games against Leyden and Proviso East.

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022 • 15

It’s National Children’s Dental Health Month.

Did you know that dental-related ailments are responsible for the loss of more than 50 million school hours each year? That’s right. Thousands of children miss school every year because of some dental-related ailment. Fortunately, many of these ailments can be prevented through good oral care.

This National Children’s Dental Health Month, make your child’s smile a priority.

Take them to the dentist regularly and teach them to care for their teeth properly.

York Street

Save $200

917 South York Street • Elmhurst, IL 60126

917 S. York Street Elmhurst, IL 60126

410709

16 • Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

CLUES ACROSS 1. One point east of due south 4. City in Maine 10. Inquire too closely 11. Make dirty 12. Small Greek island 14. Bitterly regret 15. Millisecond 16. __ the ante 18. Without value 22. Eurasian ryegrass 23. Authentic 24. Having a mournful quality 26. Not out 27. Salvador __, Spanish artist 28. Cargo (abbr.)

30. This (Spanish) 31. Sino-Soviet block (abbr.)

34. Slang for trucks with trailers 36. Helps you hear 37. Steer a boat 39. British School 40. Genus of olive 41. Computer term (abbr.)

42. Horse gear 48. Give off 50. A type of salt 51. Exposing human vice or folly to ridicule 52. One who watches birds 53. Sailboat 54. A major division of geological time 55. Sodium 56. American state 58. Soak in water 59. Thin decorative covering of fine wood 60. Affirmative CLUES DOWN 1. One of the four seasons 2. Its sultan is famous

SUDOKU

Fun by the Numbers Like puzzles? Then you’ll love sudoku. This mind-bending puzzle will have you hooked from the moment you square off, so sharpen your pencil and put your sudoku savvy to the test! Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

3. A lens for correcting defective vision in one eye 4. College degree 5. Soldiers need it 6. Japanese car manufacturer 7. A way to address 8. Obstruct 9. Atomic number 45 12. Ill-mannered 13. Opaque gem 17. Indicates before 19. Remove 20. Populous Argentine city 21. More cunning 25. Rich dessert

29. Payment (abbr.)

31. Footwear 32. Famed Alabama city 33. Sheep’s cry 35. Arrogance 38. Clergical vestment 41. Serving no practical purpose 43. An evening party 44. Print errors 45. Not good 46. Egyptian Sun god 47. Industrial German city 49. Scottish island 56. Early multimedia 57. Atomic number 18

AUTOLYSE BAR BATTER BLEND BREAD BUTTERCREAM CAKE COMBINE COOKIE CREAM CUT DOUGH DRIZZLE FLOUR FOLD FONDANT GANACHE GLUTEN ICING KNEAD PASTRIES PROOF RADIANT YEAST

Puzzle answers on page 13

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022 • 17

Serving Addison, Bensenville, Elmhurst, Lombard & Villa Park

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Announcements CLASSIFIED IN-COLUMN ADS cannot be credited or refunded after the ad has been placed.

Ads canceled before deadline will be removed from the paper as a service to our customers, but no credit or refund will be issued to your account.

DISCLAIMER NOTICE This publication does not knowingly accept fraudulent or deceptive advertising. Readers are cautioned to thoroughly investigate all ads, especially those asking for money in advance.

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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, disability, familiar/ 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 toll-free at 1-900-669-9777. The toll-free tele phone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275.

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18 • Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

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Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022 • 19

Pedersen Ryberg Funeral Home Since 1958

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20 • Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

Heartfelt Care for Your Loved One And peace of mind for you!

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