VPR030724

Play at the plate

Graduation day at Willowbrook

Downers Grove South’s catcher tagged Rugg out at home plate for the third out of the inning. The Mustangs went on to defeat the Warriors 7-3 in the West Suburban Gold Conference contest. Wil

Willowbrook High School’s Class of 2021 celebrated its commencement with two separate ceremonies in the school’s main gymnasium on Sunday morning. The en tire class includes over 470 students. About half of those students attended the

lowbrook rebounded from Friday’s loss to post an 11-2 win in Saturday’s game at Hinsdale Central. The Warriors bashed three home runs in the second inning of Sat urday’s non-conference battle against the Red Devils of the West Suburban Silver Conference. Senior Annemarie Knudtson, freshman Isabella Dugo and sophomore Kayleigh Dennison provided the home runs. Dennison (No. 5) is pictured in the background of the above photo. For more about the Warriors, see page 14.

ceremony that began at 9 a.m. The others participated in the ceremony that started at 11 a.m. The photo shows members of the Willowbrook Senior Choir performing during the day’s first service. For more photos, see Page 4.

A signature event

Memorial Day in Villa Park

kdrury@atproperties.com

Villa Park Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2801 held its Memorial Day service on Monday morning at Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park. Post Commander Jim Blankshain is pictured bowing his head as Willowbrook High School students Lily Hendrickson and Anna Seelbach sound taps at the end of the ceremony. The post’s 2020 Memorial Day event was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This 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 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.

The Villa Park Parks and Recreation Department held an event on Saturday morning to give village residents a chance to sign a steel beam that will be lifted into place during construction of the new Lions Park Recreation Center. Residents young and old signed the beam under clear skies at the village’s municipal parking lot at 100-110 S. Villa Ave. That parking lot is a short distance from the site of the new recreation center, which is scheduled to open this fall. The signed beam will not be visible when construction is completed. Villa Park Village President Nick Cuzzone, State Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock and Villa Park Village Manager Matthew Harline delivered brief remarks at the start of Saturday’s signing event.

To receive that recognition, a community must have a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program and an Arbor Day observance.

Freshman Lindsey Rugg of the Willowbrook softball team is pictured while at tempting to score a run during Friday’s game at Downers Grove South. Rugg tried to score from second base on a single by sophomore Katelyn Cox in the top of the second inning, when the game was tied at 2-2.

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Villa Park Review

CHRIS FOX PHOTOS Villa Park Review

Thunderstorms, some large hail, reported in DuPage County

National Weather Service: 11 tornadoes touched down in northern Illinois Feb. 27

Warning sirens went off in DuPage County during the evening of Feb. 27, as the area experienced its first encounter with severe weather in 2024.

No tornadoes were reported in DuPage County, but the National Weather Service confirmed 11 tornadoes that touched down in northern Illinois.

The largest of the 11 tornadoes occurred in Annawan, which is nearly 130 miles southwest of DuPage County in northwest Illinois near the Quad Cities. It was an EF-1,

which produced peak winds of 110 mph with a maximum width of 425 yards and a path of 2.8 miles.

It caused damage to tree limbs and hit two homes, causing damage to siding and shingles and destroying a shed at one of the homes. The tornado also destroyed a shop, and flipped a semi.

The closest tornadoes to DuPage County were confirmed in Geneva, two in Hoffman Estates and one that began in Sugar Grove and went into Batavia.

The tornado in Geneva was an EF-1 with estimated peak winds of 95 mph, a maximum width of 125 yards and a path length of 0.9 miles.

An EF-1 tornado from Sugar Grove to Batavia traveled a path of 8.2 miles with estimated peak winds of 95 mph and a maximum width of 125 yards.

An EF-1 tornado with estimated peak winds of 90 mph, a maximum width of 100 yards and a path length of 0.4 miles was confirmed in northern Hoffman Estates,

while an EF-0 tornado with estimated peak winds of 80 mph, a maximum width of 100 yards and a path length of 0.7 miles was confirmed in southern Hoffman Estates.

Most of DuPage County experienced severe thunderstorms, with some areas reporting large hail.

There were six reports of hail measuring between 1 and 2 inches within a 10-mile radius of Lombard—three reports in Downers Grove, one report in Westmont and two reports in La Grange Park.

Humo Smokehouse, Humo Live comes to Lombard

Addison couple now the owners of former Brauer House and BHouse LIVE venues

By Mike Sandrolini

lombadrdian staff reporter

For years, Carolina Diaz and Cedric Harden worked as chefs at signature restaurants in Chicago.

Since the beginning of the year, however, the couple’s career path has taken a U-turn—out of the city and into the suburbs. And they will put their culinary skills to use in the restaurant they now own.

In late January, Diaz and Harden purchased both the former Brauer House, a popular Lombard restaurant/bar, and BHouse LIVE, which had featured local, regional and national bands and vocalists, and even kickboxing and professional wrestling.

“We saw that it was for sale, and we’ve been here for shows,” Diaz said. “We talked to (Brauer House owner) Steve Brauer. He showed us the space, and we could tell he was really proud of it. He explained the possibilities of what we could do here. He really did reel us in, for sure!”

“We’re very excited,” Harden added. “It’s a new challenge for us and for myself.”

Changing names … and the menu

But the venues no longer will be known as Brauer House and BHouse LIVE. The restaurant is now Humo Smokehouse, and BHouse LIVE is now Humo Live, with new outside signs expected to be in place this week that reflect the respective name changes.

The couple had considered keeping the original names of both places, but decided to change them “in honor of the food that we will be serving here,” Diaz said.

The menu has completely changed,

she said.

“What we’re creating here is a craft barbecue menu that’s Mexican inspired,” she explained. “There’s nothing else like it out here (in the suburbs). We center our lives around gatherings with family and friends, with food and music in the forefront, and we’re excited to bring that to Lombard.”

Diaz said that in addition to owning the facilities, she and Cedric will be the chefs and curating the menu. She said they will be “drawing inspiration from our cultures and childhood favorites” with regard to what will be on the menu.

When asked how patrons have reacted to the sale and the name changes, Diaz said they “have received it very well.”

“We’ve had a few patrons come in and expect to see the old Brauer House still here, which is to be expected,” she said. “Once we introduce ourselves and the menu, for most part, we feel patrons are very open to try the concept and the food.”

“It’s a change of the guard, and a fresh, new vibe and name,” Harden said.

Diaz noted that she and Harden, who live in Addison, will leave the inside layout of the restaurant and the bar as is, but added they are going to put up more art work “from different artists that have a diverse background, from different genres and ethnicities” inside.

The music stage that’s inside the restaurant will remain in place, as well, she said.

Humo Live

As for Humo Live, Diaz said she and Harden “understand the client base here,” with Harden emphasizing they “will keep the rock (music) alive,” despite the new name.

“The live bands and artists will remain the same,” Diaz said. “There’s really nothing like this in the suburbs that houses rock, classic rock and metal. We intend on keeping all the shows

Brauer House used to do and keeping rock alive, and peppering in more diverse artists for variety.”

She said there will be some renovations to the inside of the Humo Live facility, which will get under way this summer. “There’s a lot of red (inside) right now,” Diaz said. “That was the color of Brauer House. We’re going to put in more gray. The floors will get redone, and the bar as well.”

Residents invited to participate in 6th annual Public Works Citizens Academy

The Lombard Public Works Department is pleased to announce its sixth annual Public Works Citizens Academy (PWCA), which will provide residents with an opportunity to learn more about the operations and services provided by the department.

Residents interested in the program are invited to sign up on the village website, as class size is limited.

The free academy is open to Lombard residents 18 and older and offers hands-on training activities, tours of village facilities and presentations by Public Works staff. Lombard’s PWCA will be held on Monday evenings, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., April 15 through May 6, with a graduation event scheduled on Thursday, May 16, prior to a regularly scheduled Village Board of Trustees Meeting.

Throughout the academy, participants will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on activities, tours and demonstrations to better understand the day-to-day work of the department. Topics covered will include streets, electrical and forestry, budgeting and capital planning, as well as underground utilities. Participants will also have the option to tour the Glenbard Wastewater Au-

thority.

“The Public Works Citizens Academy is a great way for residents to learn about the critical role Public Works plays in enhancing the quality of life of our residents,” said Public Works Director Carl Goldsmith. “We’re excited to share this information with another group of residents and encourage everyone to take advantage of this unique oppor-

tunity.”

For additional information or to register, visit the Village of Lombard’s website at www.villageoflombard.org/PWCA. The registration deadline is Monday, April 8, or until the class is filled.

Contact the village’s Public Works Department at 630-620-5740 or email publicworks@villageoflombard.org with any questions.

mike sandrolini photo Rock Valley Publishing

Addison residents Carolina Diaz and Cedric Harden bought the former Brauer House restaurant/bar and the BHouse LIVE venue in January. They now own, operate and are the chefs at Humo Smokehouse and Humo Live.

Naperville man sentenced to 13 years for drug induced homicide

Fatal dose of fentanyl supplied to Addison woman

Your Hometown Newspaper

240 N. West Avenue

Elmhurst, IL. 60126

Main Phone 630.834-8244

Fax 630.834-0900

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced that a Naperville man accused of supplying a fatal dose of a fentanyl to a 35-year-old Addison woman was sentenced to 13 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Courvoisier Thomas, 40, appeared at his sentencing hearing in front of Judge Mia McPherson, who handed down the sentence.

On Sept. 27, 2023, Thomas en-

tered a plea of guilty to one count of one count of drug induced homicide, a Class X felony. Thomas will be required to serve 75 percent of his sentence before being eligible for parole.

He will receive credit for time already served in the DuPage County Jail from Feb. 8, 2022, through Feb. 22, 2024.

On Nov. 17, 2021, officers with the Addison Police Department were dispatched to a residence on Blecke Avenue for a report of an unresponsive woman. Upon their arrival, officers found the victim unresponsive. While at the residence, officers located baggies containing a white pow-

dery substance, later identified as a fentanyl/fluorofentanyl mixture. The victim was transported to Glen Oaks Hospital where she was pronounced deceased.

Through the course of their investigation, officers learned that on Nov. 17, 2021, Thomas went to the victim’s residence and sold the fentanyl/ fluorofentanyl mixture to her. After purchasing the narcotics, the victim ingested the fentanyl/fluorofentanyl mixture supplied to her by Thomas, causing her death.

On Feb. 7, 2022, a DuPage County judge issued a $5 million with 10 percent to apply arrest warrant for Thomas. Thomas was arrested the

following day.

“The loss of a young woman to illegal narcotics is a sad reminder of the heartbreak caused by drug dealers seeking to enrich their lives at the expense of others,” Berlin said. “To successfully rid our streets of illegal narcotics, we must not only continue educating the public about the potentially deadly consequences of drug use, we must also send a message to those who peddle this poison, such as Mr. Thomas, that they will pay a significant price for the death of anyone who dies as a result of ingesting narcotics they supplied. In this case, Mr. Thomas’ price tag is thirteen years behind bars.”

District 88 appoints new assistant principal at Willowbrook

Joseph Helton is a Villa Park resident, and the son of late superintendent

During its Feb. 26 meeting, the District 88 Board of Education approved the administration’s recommendation to name Joseph Helton as Willowbrook High School’s new assistant principal, effective July 1.

Helton, who is currently a dean at Addison Trail High School, is the middle son of the late Dr. Scott Helton, who was District 88’s superintendent for eight years, until his death in December 2020.

Joseph Helton began his career at Morton West High School, where he taught special education, coached football and served as

Obituary

the head wrestling coach. He coached both football and wrestling at Addison Trail.

“Helton quickly connected with and engaged students and families, and his positive influence has been impressive in his short time as an educator,” said Willowbrook Principal Dan Krause.

“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome him to the administrative team, and we look forward to Helton having a long career in District 88.”

Helton earned his bachelor’s degree in special education from Elmhurst University and his master’s degree in principal leadership from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

“I want to build strong connections with

our staff and students,” Helton said. “I want to collaborate with our staff to make the best decisions for our students individually and as a school. My goal is to enhance the comprehensive system with the Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) staff to ensure student success at Willowbrook High School. I am most looking forward to meeting the students and getting to know the Willowbrook community. It is filled with an amazing culture that I can’t wait to be involved in.”

Helton lives in Villa Park with his family.

“I am surrounded by educators and family who are just as excited about this opportunity as I am, especially my wife, Lizzy Helton [Kalal], who’s a Willowbrook alumna, and my son, JT Helton, future Warrior.”

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

Kate McCarty

On Feb. 20, 2024, Sandra “Stare” Dollinger peacefully passed away. Born Oct. 28, 1938 in Aurora, Illinois. Beloved wife of Robert J. Dollinger; loving mother of Steven (Julie) Dollinger, Deborah Dollinger, and Julie (Albert) Dollinger DeSalvo; devoted grandmother of Ryan, Jacob and Christopher DeSalvo, Philip Dollinger, Crystal Doll-

inger; cherished great grandmother of Caden, Ellery and Ainsley Stear, and Charlie and Ben DeSalvo.

Sandra was the daughter of Paul and Marian “Goodwin” Stare of Aurora, IL. She was in the Holy Angel Grade School in the 4th grade when she started singing with the children’s choir and continued through 8th grade and into Madonna High school for girls, where she also sang with the Palestrina Choir of Aurora and attended Alverno College for girls in Milwaukee, WI, on scholarship.

Sandra also performed using her vocal talent with the West Suburban Symphony. She married the love of her life, Robert J. Dollinger of Aurora, IL in 1958. After living for four years in Aurora they moved to Villa Park, IL. This is where her husband was teaching in 1966 with their 3 children, Steven, Deborah, and Julie. They lived there until June 2023.

Sandra started her Antique Furniture business, Astorville Antiques, in 1990 and retired with a great deal of success in 2001. Sandra and her husband, Bob, traveled to Ireland four

times, Germany three times, also Scotland, Paris, Jamaica and many U.S. States.

Sandra is survived by her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, her sister, Suzanne Ellis, brother Paul (Mary) Stare and sister-in-laws Joan Lutz and Linda Dollinger.

Services were held Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. Interment Private. Memorials to Alzheimer’s Association or Dementia Society of America are appreciated.

Funeral info: steuerlefh.com or (630) 832-4161.

Commission is accepting nominations for the 2023 Green Champion Award

Nominations are due by March 21 nies in Villa Park.

The Villa Park Environmental Concerns Commission advises the village president and board of trustees on matters relating to the preservation, protection and improvement of the environment, including the quality of land, air and water.

In 2016, the commission created its Green Champion award program to recognize any outstanding environmental achievements of individuals, groups, organizations or compa-

The annual certificate will be presented in one of the following nine categories:

• Energy efficiency

• Renewable energy

• Conservation of natural resources

• Recycling programs and use of recycled content products

• Green produce use and use of recycled content materials

• Water conservation

• Transportation

• Outreach and education

• Other innovation projects and

programs

How do I nominate a deserving candidate?

You can submit an online nomination form by accessing the Village of Villa Park website and searching for Green Champion Award or using the link on the Commission’s web page. When accessing the online form, use the username public@villaparkvillage.com and password “public”. A print version nomination form is also available at http://www.invillapark. com/DocumentCenter/View/6355/ Green-Champion-Award-Nomination-Form and may be submitted to

the Village of Villa Park Environmental Concerns Commission by email at EnvironmentalConcerns@ invillapark.com or to the Village of Villa Park (Attn: Environmental Concerns Commission) 20 S. Ardmore Ave., Villa Park, IL 60181.

Nominations are accepted for residential and nonresidential properties in Villa Park and may be submitted by property owners, business owners and by others who feel a project or site deserves recognition.

For more information, contact Commission chair Bob Wagner at 630-484-8856.

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

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 11am-3pm

Courvoisier

Thomas

Joseph Helton

Opinion Life’s queue

What the Glenbard District 87 referendum means to students

By David F. Larson

As the old saying goes, “The only constant in life is change.”

Just as the world around us is constantly evolving, so too is the school classroom experience. It’s important that our buildings support these changes.

Here in Glenbard High School District 87, we use best practices to maximize both instructional time during the school day and the spaces in which students learn.

The passage of time has had an effect on our buildings. Our four high schools vary from 51 to 101 years old, and their age is showing. As we look to make facility improvements, we are seeking voter approval of our referendum on the March 19 election ballot.

Our 10-year facility master plan is focused on making improvements at all four high schools, with prioritized lists tailored for each building’s needs. These priorities fall into the following categories:

• Safety and security

• Classroom and science lab improvements

• Infrastructure

• Overcrowding

• Access to student support services

The most important factor in our facility master plan is what the work means to student learning. The proposed facility improvements will have impacts in the following areas:

• Reflect current educational

standards in regards to science, technology, art and design, music, etc. Our facility master plan is focused on both bringing our buildings up to the present, and allowing us to effectively serve the generations of students to come. We want this to be reflected in all aspects of academic life at our high schools.

• More flexible spaces that support best practices in curriculum and instruction. Versatile settings promote student agency and collaboration that support a variety of learning styles.

• Provide easier access to student resources, including college and career counseling. Our talented staff at each school supports our students in their academic pursuits and helps them develop plans for future success. Coupling counseling resources with student commons spaces removes barriers to seek guidance and support.

• Create accessible and versatile areas for student project development and presentations. Adaptable common spaces throughout the building will benefit student productivity, such as group projects that require more open space.

• Align with our Profile of a Graduate values: Communicates, Creates, Collaborates, Thinks Critically, Embraces Diversity and is Self-Empowered. Meaningful engagement with their peers and instructors helps our students develop agency and characteristics that will serve them throughout their lives.

• Address needs for student extracurricular activities and community group meetings. Seventy percent of our students were in-

My family and I are amusement park geeks. Always have been. Non-amusement park aficionados see the long lines as a deterrent. Why spend so much time in line just waiting for the 90 seconds of roller coaster wonderment?

Seems like a waste.

Admittedly, there is a lot of waiting time while in the parks. Down time. Standing-in-line time. Ho-hum time. Fidget time. Mom, I’m bored time. Dad, I’ve got to go real bad time.

People who don’t appreciate the parks, or places like them, point out the long waits as reason enough to avoid the magic altogether.

That logic used to cause me to pause (often while waiting in line), but then I realized: isn’t most of life about waiting?

Waiting for the park to open. Waiting in line for the biggest rollercoaster.

Waiting for the wedding. The births. The birthdays. The holidays. Vacation. The family gettogethers. For graduation. For the new job. For retirement.

Waiting for lunch or dinner. Waiting for the water to boil. Waiting for the garden to grow or the flowers to bloom.

Waiting for the next really big moment, or even the not-sobig moments. Standing in the proverbial queue.

Isn’t that life? The majority of the time, day in, day out?

By JILL PERTLER Columnist

spent driving to work or pumping gas. Even at home, while waiting for the bathroom.

Standing in the queue is a reality for all us—whether it’s at a theme park or inside our own home.

Waiting is a part daily existence. It is inevitable and unavoidable. It is commonplace.

What we do while waiting, however doesn’t have to be.

Waiting can be meaningless or meaningful. I propose we attempt to make it the latter.

And it doesn’t have to be anything monumental or life-changing. It can be as inconsequential as putting together a mental grocery list. Or, better yet, a mental gratitude list. Maybe you hum a little tune or repeat a positive mantra or prayer. Maybe you just take a moment or two to focus on the peace within your own being.

If you are standing in a line with others you can tell a joke or play 20-questions or a hearty game of “I spy with my little eye.”

volved in extracurriculars (activities/ athletics) during the 2022-23 school year. We want to meet their needs for available spaces, which can also be used by our community for events.

We are focused on providing the best educational experience possible for our community.

These potential renovations and improvements will be pivotal to achieving that goal.

Referendum summary

On the March 19 election ballot, Glenbard District 87 will ask voters to approve a $183 million bond issue to fund its new 10-year facility master plan.

If approved, the referendum will cost the owner of a $300,000 home about $4 per week.

Over the next 10 years, the district will fund an additional $129 million of improvements from its operating budget. This amount combined with the referendum proposal comes to a total of $312 million for facility projects.

The proposed improvements would address facility needs in our four high school buildings. We must make sure our educational spaces support today’s best practices in curriculum and instruction.

Be sure to vote on March 19, or vote early via mail-in ballot or in-person early voting. For more information about the referendum, visit https://www.glenbard87.org/referendum-march-2024/.

David F. Larson, Ed.D., is superintendent, Glenbard Township High School District 87

Aren’t we just waiting for the Next Big Thing, or maybe even just waiting for the bathroom?

This, honestly, caused me to gulp. And ponder. And really, really think. We’re all standing in a queue of one sort or another. It’s inevitable. We can’t ride the rollercoaster every hour of every day of our life.

So we stand (or sit or lie) and we wait. But does waiting have to be simply just that?

I don’t think so.

Therein lies the key.

Waiting in line (in the true or proverbial sense) is a life truth we all experience daily. In rushhour traffic. At the airport and the grocery store. While on hold with the cell phone company. Waiting for the coffee to brew or the shower water to get hot. Time

Bottom line, you can be present and do whatever you can to enjoy the moment—with yourself or with others. You can find fun in what appears to be the absence of it. You can discover and create meaning in what seems to be the absence of it. You can corral peace and contentment anytime, anywhere, while simply waiting for the next big moment. Your next big moment.

Even if that moment is waiting for the coffee to brew.

It might not be as exciting as a roller coaster, but it can be just as satisfying.

Am I right? Ponder that. But not for long. There are lots of other, bigger life truths worthy of your time and consideration—while waiting in line, of course.

Jill Pertler is an award-winning syndicated columnist, published playwright and author. Don’t miss a slice; follow the Slices of Life page on Facebook.

Letter to the editor Reader: Past three years ‘disastrous for America’

The past three years have proven disastrous for America. We have watched our quality of life and our Constitution slowly and systematically being destroyed by the carelessness and incompetence of the current leftist administration which heralds BIDENOMICS as a viable course of action.

We now see people being appointed and/or promoted on the color of their skin and/or their gender. Excellence is only visible today in the world of sports!

I believe this is all by design and not just a BI-product of the obvious

incompetence of the current “democratic-socialist” party.

In addition, we now have BI-grant crime sweeping our nation due to the influx of the open border policy which promotes the invasion of the millions of illegal aliens who come in at will through our southern border.

This careless attitude and encouragement endangers our country, and impacts our economy and quality of life.

BI-den may be the most divisive

Yes, I live in town and I was wondering what’s going on with Eastgate shopping center. It looks like a ghost town now and the driver’s license facility is moving out next year onto Roosevelt Road. What is happening? Is it going to continue to be a commercial property or, I heard rumors that part of it was going to be knocked down for apartments or condos? Could you please keep us informed? The only thing in Eastgate shopping center is the Ace Hardware. Okay. Thank you. Bye.

Editor’s note: Your inquiry was forwarded to the Village of Lombard for a response, which is as follows: “The property ownership has been making significant exterior aesthetic enhancements to the north and east commercial building facades. They have been repositioning tenants within the Center over the past year and along the eastern portion, the following tenants are operational: Ace Hardware (with a new and expanded outside garden area), Eastgate Cleaners, Eastgate Laundromat, La Michoacana Ice Cream, LA Tan, and Clarity Eye Care. Eastgate Barber Shop and the Reserves Network also remain in the center.

“To encourage further investment, the Village Board approved a modification to the village’s Economic Incentive Policy to include Eastgate as a Key Development site. As a success measure, Prairie Food Coop is proceeding with their new grocery store on the north side of the Center, and they are in the process of completing their build out activities this year, with an anticipated opening by year’s end. The village and PFC are completing a performance-based incentive agreement, which is slated to receive final Village Board consideration later this year.

“The property is commercially zoned, and there are no pending residential plans for the Center before the Village. If any plans were being advanced, there would be a full public hearing process and consideration by the Village Board before anything could occur.

“The Illinois Secretary of State DMV facility is still open at Eastgate Shopping Center and the State has been communicating with the Center’s ownership on their intentions.”

* * *

So our illustrious governor proposes over $52 billion in spending, and says increasing taxes on corporations and sportsbooks is one way to get the revenue. How typically Democrat is that: Let’s raise taxes so we can spend more money? I don’t use sportsbooks, so that doesn’t affect me, and probably most people. But, in raising taxes on corporations, it will undoubtedly drive businesses out of Illinois and/or stop others from moving in, further hurting our economy. Businesses will undoubtedly raise prices to offset the increases, so as with a “domino effect,” that certainly will affect all of us who are consumers. And with the governor talking about reducing grocery taxes, critics say it would hurt local governments; think Lombard and Villa Park. The governor’s response?

According to a Capitol News Illinois report: “Municipalities seeking to replace the tax money can issue grocery taxes at the local level instead.” That statement proves my point that this tax-and-spend mentality has got to stop. *

I hope my neighbors are all keeping up with the U.S. Supreme Court decisions—not just rulings, but decisions on which cases to hear, and how long to “decide” to take the case.

How Speak Out works

• Speak Out is a forum in which readers can express their opinion anonymously concerning local, state, national and international topics. Each call is limited to 200 words whether the caller calls 630-629TALK or emails their opinion to speakout@rvpublishing.com.

• The views expressed by callers are their own.

• All calls are checked by four editors. If a consensus of editors believes a particular call is deemed to be in poor taste, erroneous, inaccurate, libelous, doesn’t make sense, or if claims stated in a call cannot be verified, the call will not be published.

• With regard to calls of a political nature, it is not possible to have an equal balance of calls with liberal and conservative viewpoints during any given week. The editors of Speak Out don’t have control of who calls in, what their political leanings happen to be, and the topic(s) they want to discuss.

• If you have further questions about Speak Out, email: news1@ rvpublishing.com.

In the Colorado case, the court decided in record time to allow Trump to stay on the ballot— it has taken them over two months just to “decide” to take the Trump “immunity” case, and now the case will most likely not be decided until after the election. And there are three justices who want to retire, but want Trump to be president so other Republican justices can be appointed. Never in our history has the Supreme Court been so political and so dominated by a former president with 91 more indictments yet to be adjudicated. We must elect Joe Biden, no matter his many flaws; it’s better than becoming subject to a dictator!

* * *

As for five Venezuelan migrants who were charged with burglary in Oak Brook, this is how they thank our country for taking them in? The Feb. 29 Lombardian article says the judge denied the state’s motion to detain these men pre-trial. Like they are going to show up for court? One has no known address. So I am assuming we are all paying for them to have a public defender(s), and if they get thrown in jail, we will pay for that, too. But, they will have a place to sleep and three meals a day, which is more than some people have.

* * *

What I don’t get is this: If Trump continues to say that he did “nothing wrong,” then why does he need immunity from punishment? This just doesn’t make any sense, but that’s Trump!

* * *

Capitol News Illinois provided another Democrat press release in the Feb. 15 paper. The so-called story is about “cost estimates for a pair of state-funded health care programs serving certain low-income non-citizens.” This story says that cost estimates for these programs have declined by $60 million since August. Did anyone else read the story? It says that “current estimates now project the programs will cost $773 million in the current fiscal year.”

The story adds that those estimates have declined by $60 million since August. So the state’s taxpayers are paying $700+ million in the current fiscal year for health care programs for non-citizens? $700+ million! And the story portrays that as a good thing because that’s less than a previous estimate. The Democrat shills at Capitol News Illinois are pathetic.

* * *

To those who say there are too many coffee shops in town, I say just like any business, the best will be successful. Isn’t capitalism wonderful?

* * *

Greetings, neighbors. I am alarmed to read a regular stream of xenophobic comments in this forum. Consider this entry from Feb. 22: “We need to send the Proud Boys down to protect the border.” Remember: the Proud Boys is a fascist, white supremacist, terrorist organization that participated in the attempted coup on Jan. 6. Our grandparents, who fought and died to preserve democracy and defeat the Nazis, would be rightfully ashamed. But, this column serves a noble purpose. May we unearth the foul ideas that linger in our community, bring them into the light and change hearts and minds of our fellow citizens. Lombardians: Reach

out to your neighbors. Have productive conversation. Listen. Find common ground. Be kind. And, simultaneously, shut down the un-American notion that we would not welcome our human neighbors into our community with open arms. In the words of a famous, radically progressive, Middle Eastern-born, Jewish refugee who championed “woke” ideals like social justice, health care for all, and inclusivity: “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

* * *

I was listening to some commentator on CNN going on about how Republicans are politicizing the death of Laken Riley. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. Anytime there’s a mass shooting, the Democrats and commentators on CNN politicize that, not to mention how they’ve politicized the death of George Floyd.

* * *

Hi, a Lombard resident and District 87 taxpayer here. How about District 87 stop wasting our tax dollars on promoting their referendum? A glossy color mailer to the entire district, staff member presentations at village board meetings, informational forums and on it goes. Also, please stop touting that it’s only $4 a week, Yeah? Well, that’s also $208 a year on top of an already crazy high tax bill! Please also stop pointing out that the buildings are between 51 and 101 years old; did you just realize that and not plan accordingly all this time? FYI when you came to the taxpayers 10 years ago for the last referendum, the buildings were between 41 and 91 years old. My home is 83 years old and I have to take care of it along the way ... I sure don’t go asking anyone for more money to do that. And, lastly, please stop spinning the promotion that the district is going to “chip in” $129 million from its operating budget. Oh, thank you (sarcasm intended), because you know what? That money came from the taxpayers too! Please vote no, folks, and spread the word to your neighbors too!

* * *

I was talking with a relative of mine last week about the crisis on our border. She is a Democrat and when I started talking about all of the people streaming across our border she acted very surprised and denied that there were any problems on our southern border. Yikes! It seems we have about half the country living in the fictional world as presented to them by the legacy news media. Heaven help us.

* * *

Does anybody remember the good old days when we had Obama as president and Vice President Biden was taking a nap in the background on national TV? Poor sleepy Joe has to take the stage now front and center reading a teleprompter while trying to avoid reporters and address real issues. Our Democratic Party needs to put him out to pasture and the beaches he really enjoys. * * *

I’m a citizen of my society and I participate in my community. I do my part. I keep it clean. I make this world a better place for you and me. I love my neighbor. I treat them good. I show respect and dignity like I should I love my family. I follow all rules I take responsibility for what I need to do. There’s so much going

on around me. Sometimes I think it’s all about me, then I look around and see what’s in front of me. It’s you and me; we help others in need. I do all I can to make this world a better place, show respect to my neighbor and the whole human race. Citizenship is who I am; everything that I do. I take care of the environment. How about you?

* * *

Well, we all see that Mr. Pritzker has set aside $182 million, in his words, for asylum seekers. What about people here in Illinois or the citizens in Illinois? Now, he’s thinking about a bid for presidency. In my opinion he can’t even oversee his own state. Chicago is now a fourpeat as the most corrupt city in the United States per PBS News. Take care of Lombard. I don’t know about you guys. My pockets are empty and I can’t afford much more.

*

* *

A District 87 resident here. Want some more information on our Glenbard High School District 87? Each of the four high schools has one principal and four assistant principals and they each have their own administrative assistants. Between all the schools there are 14 deans! That’s 54 leaders running four high schools! It’s only published in salary ranges, but I’d be willing to bet that we’re talking over $5 million a year in their salaries alone! And at the district level, there’s one superintendent with three assistant superintendents and two executive directors (they’re referred to as the superintendent’s Senior Cabinet ... look on their website); and how many folks assist them in their jobs? Let’s not even start with their benefits and retirement packages. This school district needs to make do with the truckload of money that they’re already getting from its hardworking taxpayers! Say no to their referendum on March 19!

* * *

Hello Lombard and District 87 residents. Do you find it interesting that District 87 planned their referendum vote for a non-presidential election, when attendance is even lower than

See SPEAK OUT, Page 7

• Letter

(Continued from page 4)

president in American history and he is nothing more than a BI-product of the current extreme leftist global movement which he has chosen to embrace.

We need to ask, “How many more BI-furcations” can we tolerate or will we tolerate? At what point is enough enough?

Former president Obama once said “elections have consequences.”

Perhaps he has finally succeeded in fulfilling his stated desire to “fundamentally transform America” … via his former vice president with his borderless policy?

The last three years has proven how vulnerable our country is to radical leftist forces and totalitarian movements.

However: “The only way for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing” … by Edmund Burke (who warned about complacency).

Marilyn Fawell Lombard

out& about

Feral Fixers to host TNR workshop in Lombard

Tammy McAuley and other likeminded individuals with the nonprofit Feral Fixers she founded in 2007 have been working to eliminate the feral cat population in DuPage County through a process called “trap/ neuter/return,” or TNR.

McAuley announced that Feral Fixers is planning a TNR workshop on Sunday, March, 24, to help educate the public on how they can help the nonprofit organization with the TNR of feral cats.

Feral Fixers was able to move into its own facility in Lombard in the spring of 2021, before which the founder and president would keep

the cats awaiting surgery, then during recovery, at her residence.

She mentioned how she had been a volunteer with the West Suburban Humane Society, on the cat side, and observed that both the society and other shelters just did not have the capacity to keep taking in cats.

Then a postal carrier told her about some homeless kittens, and that sparked the idea to form a TNR nonprofit. She sold craft items to help provide the seed money, and since then the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization has TNR’d 14,925 cats, thus preventing as many as four kittens per litter among the female cats—the

female kittens of which could go on to perpetuate the birth cycle.

In one trapping event alone, McAuley recalled, Feral Fixers found 75 cats in need of trapping.

In 2023, Feral Fixers TNR’d 928 cats and was able to adopt out over 360 cats and kittens.

Feral Fixers is able to get the cats fixed through DuPage County Animal Services and A.D.O.P.T. in Naperville. The process also includes vaccinating and microchipping the cats, and snipping the tip of the animal’s left ear to indicate that it is feral and has been spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped.

The cats are held for up to a day or two before surgery and then recover for a day before being released.

The cats are almost always returned to the location where they were trapped, McAuley said, because that is their “home,” and often residents, or caretakers, have been feeding them and looking after them.

There are times, she continued, where the caretaker has passed away, moved or is no longer able to care for the cat(s), and those animals may be considered for a “working cat” program, to help control the rodent population in situations such as in a building or on a farm.

“We try to keep that percentage super low,” she said, and return cats to the original locations as much as possible.

Typically, Feral Fixers operates from spring through fall, McAuley noted.

“We try to do it April through Oc-

tober,” but this year, “The weather has been so wacky, we haven’t been able to stop a hundred percent.”

So far in 2024, Feral Fixers has TNR’d 45 cats, she said, which is not the usual protocol for this time of year.

She explained that the organization doesn’t TNR during the colder months for several reasons, one being, “We don’t want to do the procedure when the temperatures are 30 [degrees] or below,” because the cats must be shaved for the surgery, and would have less protection against the cold.

Also, “Vaccinations lower the immune system,” she added.

Feral Fixers has been holding TNR workshops to educate the public about how and when to trap feral cats, and now that it has a facility, “People feel much more comfortable

See FERAL , Page 18

mail the coupon below.

___ Yes. Please send the print version of the newspaper by mail at the special rate of $45 for a full year.

___ Yes. Please send me an eSubscription with a weekly email link for only $35 per year. Enclosed is my check for $35.

16, and a TNR workshop will be held March 24, both at 330 Eisenhower Lane N in Lombard.

Photo courtesy of tammy mcauley Rock Valley Publishing Feral Fixers last March tallied its 14,000th feral cat to be fixed and returned to its home, but almost exactly a year later, that number has climbed to 14,925. The nonprofit organization traps the cats, and thanks to local veterinarians, has the animals spayed/neutered before they are returned to where they were picked up; thus the idea of “trap/neuter/return,” or TNR. An adoption event will be held March

Obituaries

WANDA O. EHRHARDT, 77

Wanda O. Ehrhardt, nee Olejniczak, age 77, of Lombard, died Feb. 29, 2024.

Visitation was held on Monday, March 4, 2024, at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard. Interment at Queen of Heaven, Hillside. Info: www.brustfuneralhome.com or 888-629-0094.

GERALD KONRARDY, 88

Gerald “Jerry” Konrardy age 88, passed away Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Ben Atchley State Veterans Home in Knoxville, TN. He was born in Epworth, IA, and grew up in Dubuque, IA. He served in the United States Marine Corps (Korean War ERA).

He is preceded in death by his parents Leona Konrardy (McDermott) and Raymond Konrardy, and siblings Marvin Konrardy, Kenneth Konrardy, Gene Konrardy, Richard Konrardy, Lloyd Konrardy, Neil Konrardy, Linda Manders, and Sheila Konrardy. Survivors include spouse of 69 years Betty Konrardy (Poole) of Maryville, TN, and children Karen Kenote (Maryville, TN) and Joe Konrardy (Maryville, TN). Siblings include Marie Knape (Phoenix, AZ), Roger Konrardy (Fort Walton Beach, FL), Norma Jean Schuster (Dubuque, IA), and Phillip Konrardy (Dubuque, IA).

There will be a private service at a later date. Smith Funeral and Cremation Service, Maryville, TN, (865) 983-1000.

WILLIAM “BUD”

LEE MARKS JR., 63

It is with heartbreaking sorrow we share the passing of William “Bud” Lee Marks Jr., age 63. Bud was born in Oak Park, IL, Jan. 29, 1961, and left us on Feb. 28, 2024.

Bud fought three cancers with courage, dignity & stoicism.

We celebrate his life of service, generosity & kindness.

He joined the US Marine Corps in 1983; 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Tank Battalion, Charlie Company. He served for 4 1/2 years earning both a rifle and pistol sharpshooter distinction.

Bud joined the Marine Corps League DuPage County in 1989 and served as an exemplary member for 35 years.

Bud dedicated 30 years to the Lombard Police Department serving his community as patrol officer, detective and retiring as Sergeant in 2016. He then joined the Lombard Fire Department as a Fire Investigator for almost 2 years.

He earned his BA from Benedictine University in 2013 and continued his quest for lifelong learning.

Never short on generosity he participated in raising funds for the DuPage Marine Corps League “Toys for Tots” and the Lombard Police Department “Shop with a Cop,” and Special Olympics events “Cop on Top” and the “Torch run”. He also assisted in the relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina.

Bud was instrumental in forming the Lombard Police Honor Guard and was an Honor Guard for the DuPage Marine Corps League.

He was awarded the DuPage County “Marine Of The Year” in 2007. For 12 years he volunteered for the Chicago Marathon.

Bud was selfless to all those who knew him always being willing to help in any capacity. Despite his illness he chose to care for his ailing mother for his last four years.

Bud was passionate about his family, friends, football, kayaking, hiking, shooting pool, astronomy & philosophy.

He is the beloved son of Patricia and the late William Lee Marks Sr.;

(Continued from page 5)

normal? It’s more than interesting. I bet it is intentional. And do you remember Lombard’s last proposed referendum during a non-presidential election?

Look no further than 401 S. Main St. in Lombard and the almost $30 million Helen Plum Library and their tax rate increase with no end in sight. Folks this is important, especially to your wallet.

Vote no to District 87’s referendum on March 19. Thank you.

* * *

Get ready for another four years of heated debate about who won the presidential election. America needs to eliminate fraud ahead of time. The more people involved with mailing and ballot harvesting are just a few of the things in question. The people in Washington need to concentrate on what they are hired and paid for. Proper voter ID should be a priority. * * *

I am still following a proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons. We have Mariano’s and Jewel right down the street from one another, and both are very pricey, so I don’t shop there, besides living at the other end of the village. I don’t know anything about the employee/union pros and cons of

loving brother of Richard Marks, Cherie (William) Krejci, Ronald (Cindy) Marks and Nancy (Mel M.D.) Wichter; loving uncle of Rana (Jeremiah) Doehne, Robert (Tatiana M.D.) Krejci, Tim (Eden) Krejci, Kate Krejci, Sarah (Nate) Sullivan, Ronald Marks Jr., Nick (fiancee Debbie) Marks: devoted grand uncle of Jackson, Roman, Lily, Liam and Ariya. He was an inspiration to all who knew him.

Bud made the world a better place for all.

He was the BEST of us.

Once a Marine ... Always a Marine Semper Fi!

Visitation Thursday, March 7th, 2-9 p.m. at Knollcrest Funeral Home, 1500 S. Meyers Rd. (3 blks. S. of Roosevelt Rd.), Lombard. Funeral viewing Friday 9 a.m.; service to begin at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment Memory Gardens, Arlington Heights. For Funeral info: 630-9321500 or www.Knollcrest.net

In Lieu of Flowers send donations to: DuPage County “Toys for Tots” or Lombard Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association “Shop with a Cop.”

RONALD E. NOFSINGER, 88

Ronald “Ron”

E. Nofsinger, age 88, passed away. Born on Dec. 28, 1935, in Martwick, Kentucky. Ron was born in humble surroundings without indoor plumbing or paved roads. He attended Marshall High School in Chicago before continuing his education at the University of Illinois- Urbana and later graduating from Wright Junior College in Chicago in 1956. On Jan, 30, 1957, Ron eloped with Jacqueline M. Arrigoni, his beloved wife of 67 years. During his life, Ron made a signif-

icant impact in the community as a respected business owner. For over 40 years, he operated the Shell Service Station on the corner of Roosevelt and Meyers Road in Lombard, and the Shell Station on the corner of Park and Roosevelt in Glen Ellyn. He later converted the Meyers location to a mini mart and car wash. His dedication to his work earned him numerous accolades from Shell Oil. In his leisure time, Ron enjoyed reading, golfing, smoking cigars, and indulging his passion for history. He leaves a lasting impact on all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Family was at the center of Ron’s life, and he found the greatest joy in spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline “Jackie” Nofsinger, and his children Dawn Manherz, Scott (Kellie) Nofsinger, Mark (Carol) Nofsinger, and Lynn (Jim) Effner; grandchildren Jonathan, Sabrena, Dustin, Nicholas, Ethan, Micah, Jill, Eric, Brittney, Briana and Bryce; several great-grandchildren; and sister Mary Lou. Ron is preceded in death by his parents Bennett and Juanita Nofsinger and sister Linda (Bruce). Ron leaves a legacy of love and dedication to his family.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 5, at Knollcrest Funeral Home, 1500 S. Meyers Road, Lombard, IL 60148. Interment Chapel Hill Gardens West Cemetery. Memorials to American Heart Association, Dementia Society of America, or Boys Town are appreciated. Funeral info: knollcrest.net or (630) 9321500.

SHARYN KAY PIETRAS, 57

Sharyn Kay Pietras, nee Reimann, 57, passed away at her home, surrounded by family, on Feb. 26, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer.

such a move, but the Federal Trade Commission wants to block the merger, saying it would eliminate competition and lead to higher prices. The two food giants say they want to merge in order to keep up with the competition: Walmart, Costco, Amazon, etc. They claim the merger would lead to lower prices to stay competitive, but picture if either Jewel or Mariano’s was the

only grocery store around Lombard; no ALDI, no Trader Joe’s, no Pete’s Fresh Market, etc. I have a relative in another state, where Walmart, ALDI and Meijer are the only options for groceries within a reasonable driving radius; the nearest stand-alone grocery store is at least 20 minutes away. And with a small child, that is impractical. I will be interested to see what happens.

Sharyn was born on Aug. 14, 1966, to Diane (Kalas) and Allan Reimann in Hinsdale, Illinois. She grew up in Westmont, Illinois, and was active in girl scouts, band, soccer and family camping trips. One of her favorite places was canoeing in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota.

Sharyn is predeceased by her father, Allan Reimann. She is survived by her husband, Robert, their children Michael and Katelyn, her mother Diane Reimann, and her brother Mark (Maria) Reimann.

Sharyn graduated from Northern Illinois University with degrees in Operations Management and Finance.

In 1988, Sharyn met Robert Pietras while both were working at the Westmont post office. They married in 1990 and have two children, Michael and Katelyn.

Sharyn was a devoted wife and mother, and a strong advocate for those she loved. She played in a racquetball league for more than 30 years and was an avid reader.

Vacations were spent with her family and dogs crisscrossing the USA with their RV, visiting many national parks and more than 45 states. Sharyn was funny, inquisitive and loved to play games and tell jokes. She was a loyal friend to many.

A memorial service was held Saturday, March 2, at Brust Funeral Home 135 S. Main St., Lombard.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the West Suburban Humane Society, 1901 Ogden Ave., Downers Grove, IL 60515.

Info: www.brustfuneralhome.com or 888-629-0094.

Court grants state’s petition to detain woman charged with fleeing police at a high rate of speed in Bensenville

DuPage Coun -

Mariyah Moore

ty State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Bensenville Chief of Police Dan Schulze have announced that Judge Joshua Dieden granted the state’s petition to detain pre-trial a Chicago woman accused of fleeing from police at a high rate of speed.

Mariyah Moore, 23, appeared at First Appearance Court and is charged with two counts of aggravated fleeing and eluding a police officer (Class 4 felony) and more than a dozen misdemeanor traffic offenses, including reckless driving.

On Feb. 7 at approximately 12:02 p.m., Bensenville police responded to a call of a retail theft in the 400 block of W. Irving Park Road and learned that the alleged offender, later identified as Moore, fled in a black Mitsubishi SUV. While en route to the location, the officer allegedly observed the Mitsubishi traveling southbound on Church Road near Plentywood Lane, at

Police Reports

The Villa Park Police Department 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.

Feb. 27

A suspect driving a stolen vehicle fled from officers at 12:12 a.m. near Roosevelt Road and Route 83 in Oakbrook Terrace. The suspect fled the scene on foot after the vehicle had become disabled. The vehicle was recovered.

An unknown suspect broke two windows at an apartment in the 400 block of W. Division at 1:34 a.m.

Feb. 25

Nicholas R. Krentiras, 30, of Arlington Heights, was charged with disorderly conduct and trespassing in the 200 block of S. Euclid at 2:37 a.m.

Feb. 24

Two suspects at a store in the 900 block of S. Route 83 failed to scan several items in the self-checkout station and walked out of the store without paying for all merchandise they selected.

A suspect at a store in the 900 block of S. Route 83 used counterfeit currency to purchase a Visa gift card.

A complainant in the 400 block of W. Division found a tire slashed on their vehicle while it was parked unattended in a parking lot.

Feb. 23

Michael C. Wright, 38, of Villa

which time the officer activated his emergency lights and sirens and conducted a U-turn to follow the vehicle.

It is alleged that Moore then accelerated away from the officer, crossed into oncoming traffic and disobeyed a stop sign at Church Road and Grove Avenue. It is further alleged that Moore continued driving away from the officer, committing multiple traffic offenses including traveling in excess of 70 mph in a 25-mph school zone while school was in session, driving into oncoming traffic, and driving in excess of 100 mph on Route 83 approaching I-290.

It is alleged that Moore entered I-290 where officers lost sight of her due to heavy traffic. On Feb. 29, officers observed the Mitsubishi parked in Hillside. As Bensenville police prepared to tow the vehicle, Moore approached officers. She was taken into custody at this time.

“The allegations that Ms. Moore sped past a school at 75 mph while school was in session and then led police on a high-speed chase in excess of 100 mph are unconsciona -

ble,” Berlin said. “Last year’s epidemic of this type of dangerous behavior is behind us and our efforts so far this year have resulted in a 20 percent decrease in individuals attempting to outrun the police. The message remains the same, fleeing from law enforcement threatens public safety and will not be tolerated in DuPage County.

“We are all grateful that no one was injured in this incident. I thank the Bensenville Police Department for their work on this case and for their continuing efforts in keeping our roadways safe.”

“These incidents are becoming so common lately it is disheartening, and unfortunately for the offenders, we continue to catch even those who thought they had escaped,” Schulze said. “In every instance the penalties would have been less severe if they had merely stopped.”

Moore’s next court appearance is scheduled March 25 for arraignment in front of Judge Mia McPherson.

State’s motion to deny pre-trial release granted for felon charged with armed habitual criminal/ reckless discharge of a firearm

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Wood Dale Chief of Police Chris Zito have announced that Judge Joshua Dieden granted the state’s motion to deny pre-trial release for a convicted felon accused of illegally possessing a firearm.

Park, was issued a citation for retail theft at a store in the 300 block of N. Ardmore at 8:23 p.m.

Feb. 22

Matthew Schmit, 42 of Villa Park, was charged with violation of pre-trial release in the 400 block of S. Yale at 12:47 p.m.

Two juveniles were reported fighting at a middle school in the 300 block of W. Jackson at 2:06 p.m.

A resident in the 700 block of N. Biermann advised their residence had been burglarized.

Feb. 21

A 34-year-old Lombard man was charged with two counts of domestic battery for an incident that occurred June 29, 2022. The suspect was transported to the DuPage County Jail.

A juvenile student battered another student at a middle school in the 200 block of W. Vermont.

A complainant at a fitness center in the 300 block of W. North reported he lost a black iPhone 13 while at the location. The complainant retraced his steps and was unable to locate the phone.

A complainant at a store in the 900 block of S. Route 83 reported that a subject refused to move their vehicle from a fire lane. The subject then backed up towards the complainant while they were behind the vehicle, and the complainant was able to jump out of the way. The store only wants the subject trespassed from store. The subject was contacted and notified not to return to the store.

Identity theft, fraud, forgery

According to information provided by the Villa Park Police Department, police reported four incidents of identity theft or fraud.

Free parking Wednesdays at Cantigny for those who register

Cantigny plans to offer free parking on Wednesdays for those who register in advance, effective now through Oct. 30.

“This is another step toward expanding our reach in the community and making Cantigny even more welcoming,” said Matt LaFond, executive director. “We hope to inspire first-time guests and repeat visitors to explore Cantigny and all that we have to offer.”

The park previously offered complimentary parking only on the first Wednesday of the month. Starting next week, guests can enjoy free parking every Wednesday by signing up online at Cantigny.org. Those who register receive a QR code for scanning at the park entrance.

Also in 2024, Cantigny will close on Tuesdays. Closing one day per week enables maintenance work in high-traffic areas without disrupting the visitor experience.

Cantigny parking fees in 2024 are as follows:

• $5 weekdays, through Oct. 31

• $5 weekends, through April 30

• $15 weekends, May through October

• $20 Concert Sundays, June through August

For frequent visitors, Cantigny now offers a season pass for $199. Pass holders receive unlimited free parking throughout 2024 along with five guest passes, each redeemable for 2024 Cantigny parking on any day.

Upcoming events at Cantigny include the Easter Egg Hunt and Brunch Buffet on Sunday, March 24, and Easter Brunch on Sunday, March 31. Details about these and other activities are posted at Cantigny.org.

Charles Starnes, 50, of Northlake, appeared at First Appearance Court and is charged with one count of armed habitual criminal (Class X felony) one count of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon (Class 2 felony) and one count of reckless discharge of a firearm (Class 4 felony).

Charles Starnes

On Feb. 25 at approximately 8:45 a.m., Wood Dale police officers received information regarding the discharge of a firearm earlier that morning at a sober living house located in Wood Dale.

Following an investigation into the matter, it is alleged that at approximately 12:30 a.m., Starnes was in his room handling a gun when the gun went off into the floor of his room. When processing the scene, officers found a bullet hole in the floor of Starnes’ room, a bullet hole in the ceiling of the living room directly below Starnes’ room and a bullet hole in the floor of the living room.

It is alleged that at the time of the discharge, approximately seven to eight people were in the home. After receiving consent to search Starnes’ vehicle, officers found a 9 mm Stoeger STR-9 pistol and a magazine loaded with nine rounds in a cooler in the trunk of the car. Starnes was taken into custody at this time.

“The law is crystal clear. Because of his extensive criminal history including multiple felony convictions, Mr. Starnes is prohibited from legally owning a firearm,” Berlin said. “What I find particularly troubling in this case is the allegation that Mr. Starnes discharged a firearm inside a home while people were present. We are all very thankful that no one was injured as a result. I thank the Wood Dale Police Department for their efforts in this case that allowed us to file these charges against Mr. Starnes.”

“The reckless conduct that is alleged to have been committed by Mr. Starnes in his handling of a firearm that he illegally possessed is alarming,” Zito said. “Mr. Starnes’ alleged reckless discharge of a firearm is a serious offense that unnecessarily put lives at risk. The Wood Dale Police Department is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents, and anyone found engaging in such reckless behavior will be swiftly apprehended and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. The safety of our community is paramount, and we will continue to work diligently to uphold the law and protect our citizens from harm.”

Starnes’ next court appearance is scheduled March 25 for arraignment in front of Judge Brian Telander.

VFW Post 2801 to hold Friday Fish Fry dinners during Lent

Villa Park Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2801 is holding its Friday Fish Fry dinners each Friday during Lent.

The dinners will run from 5 to 8 p.m. at the post, which is located at 39 E. St. Charles Road. The post is open to the public.

The first of this year’s dinners at the post took place on Feb. 16. The dinners will continue each Friday

through March 29.

Each dinner includes fries or a baked potato, as well as cole slaw, coffee and dessert. Children 3 and under eat for free.

The post’s menu includes beer-battered lake perch, beer-battered walleye, shrimp (eight pieces), a fish and shrimp combo, hot dogs, grilled cheese sandwiches and macaroni and cheese.

Coming events

Rep. Costa Howard taking

donations of socks

In honor of World Down Syndrome Day (March 21), the office of state Rep. Terra Costa Howard is participating in the Rock Your Socks Drive, collecting new, unused socks throughout the month of March, which will be given to the People’s Resource Center. If you would like to schedule a time to drop off donations, please email reptch42@gmail. com or call 630-812-9292.

FPDDC seasonal career fair March 9

Learn about open positions, meet with staff from a variety of departments, and interview in person for current job openings at the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s Seasonal Career Fair on Saturday, March 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Forest Preserve District headquarters, 3S580 Naperville Road in Wheaton.

The career fair will allow job seekers to engage directly with representatives from the Forest Preserve District and learn about the diverse range of seasonal employment opportunities.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to discuss job responsibilities, requirements, and expectations with knowledgeable staff members.

Information about career opportunities with the Forest Preserve District and links to current opening are available at dupageforest. org/get-involved/work-for-us. Individuals interested in scheduling an interview during the career fair should call 630-933-7682 weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Forest Preserve District

headquarters office is on the west side of Naperville Road one mile south of Butterfield Road in Wheaton.

GPS program March 13

The Glenbard Parent Series: (GPS) Navigating Healthy Families will present “The Science of Why We Are Socially Awkward and Why That is Awesome: Social Skill Building” with social scientist Dr. Ty Tashiro at noon and 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, via Zoom. Tashiro is a professor and psychologist who transforms psychological research into pragmatic solutions for common interpersonal problems. He is the author of “Awkward: The Science of Why We’re Socially Awkward and Why That is Awesome.” Go to glenbardgps.org for further information and the link to this webinar. To be placed on a reminder list for GPS events or submit a question in advance, contact Gilda Ross, Glenbard District 87 student and community projects coordinator, at gilda_ross@ glenbard.org or 630-942-7668. Continuing professional development units are available for these webinars.

Helen Plum Library program

Family Fun on a Budget: Virtual presentation available Friday, March 15. Planning for spring break family fun? Learn about all the local and budget-friendly attractions that are available to you with your Helen Plum Library card. Sign up to receive a virtual presentation and digital handouts with activity ideas; Helen Plum Library card required. Sign up at helenplum.org or by calling 630-627-0316.

Lombard Chamber Pop Up

Lunch March 8

Pop Up Lunch - Penn Station East Coast Subs, 801 E. Butterfield Road, Lombard. Do you have a taste for a delicious grilled sub sandwich and fresh-cut fries? Well we do too, so join your fellow chamber members in indulging on our next Pop-Up Lunch. Friday March 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit lombardchamber. com to register.

Single mothers group to meet March 10

SHE Single Mothers Support Group Monthly Event on Sunday, March 10, 12:15 p.m. at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 W. Brush Hill Road, 60126. We offer a complimentary lunch for all who attend, free child care (ages infants -12 years), and support from other single mothers. Come hear our motivational speaker, Eve Senti, and participate in a craft. RSVP to elmhurstcrc.org/she.

Glenbard South Floral Symphony March 12

Come to Glenbard South High School on Tuesday, March 12, at 7 p.m. for the Floral Symphony. This event is in its 31st year, and is a fundraiser benefiting the Glenbard South Music Program. Come watch local florists create beautiful floral arrangements right before your eyes. Those floral arrangements will be raffled off throughout the night to attendees, and there will be separate raffles of donated items from businesses in the community. On top of this, Glenbard South music students will perform beforehand and at intermission. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at:

https://www.gsboosters.org/floralsymphony24/p/tix.

Challenge of today’s workplace seminar March 14

Drawing from her role as a leadership and organization development specialist at the management consulting firm ADVISA, Krista Warn will talk about the realities of these challenges when she presents “Future-Proofing Against the Challenges of Today’s Workplace” at Elmhurst University on March 14. The lecture begins at 7 p.m. in the Frick Center, Blume Board Room (190 Prospect Ave., Elmhurst, elmhurst.edu/campusmap). The talk will also be livestreamed. Admission is free but reser-

vations are encouraged, at elmhurst. edu/cultural. For more information, email marketing@elmhurst.edu. Craft Open House at Villa Park Library March 15-16

Luck of the Leprechaun Craft Open House: Children of all ages are invited to come to the library to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a craft. The Villa Park Public Library will hold two sessions of Luck of the Leprechaun craft open house from 2-4 p.m. on both Friday, March 15, and Saturday, March 16. Young children will need some adult help. Registration is required, but supplies are limited. For more information, visit the library’s website at www.vppl. info or call 630-834-1164.

Dr. Kelly talks straight about sciatica

Are you suffering from back pain or sciatica? Then it’s likely your biggest problem is pain. But there’s another major problem: bad information.

To end sciatica misery you must have the right information. Pay close attention because local doctor Kelly Synowiec-Moroney DC is going to destroy sciatica myths and give you the facts.

MYTH: Sciatica will just “go away” with some rest.

FACT: If you are dealing with back pain, buttock pain or leg pain, then you must seek help from a doctor who is knowledgeable in sciatica immediately. Left untreated, sciatica can lead to permanent nerve damage - and lifelong pain.

MYTH: Pain is the only problem associated with sciatica.

FACT: In severe cases, sciatica can lead to the inability to control your bowels or bladder - leading to embarrassing situations.

MYTH: You must take pain medications to deal with sciatica.

FACT: Drugs like muscle relaxants, pain killers, narcotics, antidepressants, and anti-seizure medications have serious potential side-effects and do not cure the root cause of sciatica.

MYTH: “I must have done something wrong to get sciatica.”

FACT: Physical work or simply sitting at a desk for long periods can lead to sciatica. Accidents and trauma can also be the culprits. Pregnancy can cause sciatica.

Sciatica can affect anyone - including super-fit celebrities like Tiger Woods, Sylvester Stallone, and British Olympic medallist Ian Wynne.

MYTH: Stop exercising and get several weeks of bed rest to overcome sciatica.

FACT: Staying active can help to relieve sciatic pain and prevent the pain getting worse. Staying inactive in bed could be the worst advice - based on a recent study in the Netherlands.

MYTH: Sciatica requires surgery.

FACT: NO! There’s been a huge breakthrough in the treatment of sciatica and lower back pain. It’s a new procedure called Non-Surgical ReConstructive Spinal Care. The excellent results from this treatment have been published in major medical journals. Success rates are up to 88%.

MYTH: “There’s nothing anyone can really do. I’m just stuck with this for the rest of my life.”

FACT: With the correct treatment from a healthcare professional who specialises in sciatica, you can find relief from the core cause - and the symptoms.

MYTH: Getting Sciatica properly diagnosed is expensive.

FACT: Not true. We are currently offering an initial consultation right here in Elmhurst for Just $43.

We have helped over 1,483 patients find relief from agonising back pain and sciatica. We are one of the first places to use Non-Surgical Re-

Constructive Spinal Care.

This procedure does not require a hospital stay. The focus is on finding - and correcting - the original cause of the back pain and sciatica.

According to Dr. Kelly, “We use a combination of ultra-advanced technology, not found elsewhere in the region, for precisely diagnosing the cause of your low back pain and sciatica. This means superior long-term results for most people.”

Because the treatment is non-surgical, safe, and easy, most patients report an almost immediately relief from their back pain.

Patient Jeff P. from Berwyn wrote, “My back pain was unbearable but the worst thing was the searing burning pain I felt in my buttock and leg... my wife insisted I see doctor Dr. Kelly. I’m 95% better in just a couple of weeks.”

Take the Next Step - END the Suffering... Initial Consultation Just $43

Call 630-941-8733 to schedule your appointment. Mention this article (CODE: IND43SCS12)

Only 100 reader consultations are available at this exclusively discounted rate.

Call her office now and get a full and thorough examination to pinpoint the cause of your problem for just $43.

You can even call on the weekend as there is always a staff member ready to assist you. During the week they are very busy, so if they don’t pick up straight away do leave a message.

Recognizing 18 years of service

York Township Supervisor John W. Valle (right) presented Jeff Redick with a resolution honoring his 18 years of service as chairman of the York Township Senior Advisory Committee. He will graciously remain a member of the committee and continue to serve York Township as a guiding light for the incoming chairman and the rest of the members of the Senior Advisory Committee. Valle said, “We honor Jeff Redick and express our deepest appreciation and profound gratitude for his years of public-spirited service to our community and his ongoing efforts to improve the quality of life in York Township.”

Pritzker touts manufacturing training funding, announces cultural districts

Proposed budget includes another $24 million for manufacturing training academies

CAPitoL NeWS iLLiNoiS

Gov. JB Pritzker was in Normal last week to call attention to recent state funding for manufacturing training academies, including at Heartland Community College.

The governor and college officials celebrated the new 45,000-squarefoot facility that opened in January. It includes remodeled space to support programs such as robotics, HVAC, welding and digital media, as well as a newly constructed EV lab.

It was partially funded with a $7.5 state investment in a previous fiscal year from the Rebuild Illinois capital infrastructure program. The state at the time also allocated $7.5 million for a similar facility at Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville.

The training academy program was designed to develop advanced manufacturing training centers to house programs such as electric vehicle technology, renewable energy and robotics. State leaders said a goal was to help community colleges prepare the workforce for area industries—such as EV manufacturer Rivian in Bloomington—and create partnerships between community colleges, businesses and economic development organizations.

Pritzker’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2025 would include another $24 million in infrastructure funding for similar projects at other community colleges.

“Heartland now serves as a model,” Gov. Pritzker said at the ribbon cutting. “That’s why in the budget that I proposed last week, I’ve proposed an investing another $24 million for manufacturing training academies so that other communities can benefit from the trail that you’re blazing right here in central Illinois.”

At the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture last week, Gov. JB Pritzker and other government officials announced the creation of 10 “cultural districts” in Chicago, Champaign and Springfield.

These cultural districts include ethnic enclaves in Chicago and historically Black neighborhoods in Champaign and Springfield.

New birth center to open on Chicago’s South Side as Pritzker touts proposed maternal health spending State and community leaders on last week celebrated the planned opening of a new freestanding birth center on Chicago’s South Side while emphasizing proposed maternal health spending increases in Gov. JB Pritzker’s budget.

The nonprofit Chicago South Side Birth Center will mark the city’s second active midwife-led birth center, but the first for the South Side. Advocates say the Black-led center offers safe birthing alternatives in a medically underserved area of the city.

Reduce, reuse, recycle

Last week, SCARCE (School and Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education) held a recycling event for everything from books and school supplies to musical instruments, such as these drum sets (top right); and even a model of an

said on this day, Wednesday, Feb. 28, she received four prom dresses alone. The next upcoming SCARCE event will be Lisle Sustainable Saturday on Saturday, March 16, from 9 a.m. to noon at Benedictine University, 5700 College Road, Lisle. SCARCE is located in Addison. For information on volunteering, items that SCARCE accepts, and making a monetary or recycling donation, visit www.scarce.org.

ear, as pictured (above) being held by Resource Rescue Specialist and Volunteer Coordinator Rachel Carlson. In another photo, (below - left to right) Founder and Executive Director Kay McKeen and Development Coordinator Allison Henley are pictured with a prom dress and shoes. McKeen

PUZZLE Page

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!

CLUES ACROSS

1. Chaps

5. Currently fashionable

9. Collision

11. More slim

13. European city

15. Implicitly

16. The side of something that is sheltered from the wind

17. The Mount Rushmore State

19. Gold or silver wire cord

21. Muscles along insects’ diaphragm

22. Trent Reznor’s band

23. Sweet juicy gritty-textured

fruit

25. Broken branch

26. Indicates ten

27. Expression of annoyance

29. Brings together

31. Ancient city in Thrace

33. Sailors’ spirit

34. Looked into

36. Muckraking woman journalist Rheta

38. A type of cast

39. One’s responsibility

41. Where golfers begin

43. Make a mistake

44. Semitic Sun god

46. Ancient Italian-Greek colony

48. Beheaded

52. A place to stay

53. Unwise

54. Most supernatural

56. “Dennis” is a famous one

57. Ointments

58. Exam

59. Leaked blood

CLUES DOWN

1. Baseball managers assemble it

2. Revised

3. Mountain is a popular kind

4. Takes to civil court

5. Pouches

6. A type of veil

7. Chants

8. Boston hoopster

9. Elongated appendage

10. Sailboat

11. 2017 Oscar-winning film

12. Actor Gosling

14. Monetary units

15. Assembly

18. Russian pop duo

20. Embellished with expressions

24. Infrequent

26. Temperature unit

28. Hydrophilic amino acid

30. Honk

BANK BASKETBALL CENTER COURT DEFENSE DRIBBLE FORWARD FOUL FREE THROW GUARD HOOPS LAYUP LINEUP NET OFFENSE OPEN OVERHEAD PALMING PASS REBOUND SHOOTER SIDELINES TRAVELING WALKING

32. Legislative body

34. Swinish

35. Russian assembly

37. Take over for

38. Put in advance

40. Satisfy

42. Felt

43. Dutch cheese

45. Witnesses

47. Strong insects

49. Gasteyer and de Armas are two

50. Ancient people of Scotland

51. Cheerless

55. Sick

St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church

547 N. Main St., Lombard, IL 60148 630-627-2435

Lent Services at 7pm

Lent and Easter Services at 7 p.m.

“The Crucial Hours”

Second Lenten Service March 9, 2022

“The Passion of Jesus in the Gospel of John”

Rev. David Ernest “Satan Has Asked to Sift All of You” Jerusalem Lutheran, Morton Grove Matthew 27:15-26

Fifth Lenten Service March 13, 2024

Third Lenten Service March 16, 2022

THREE SCENES ON THE CROSS John 19:16b-27

Rev. Paul Spaude “What to Remember When Your are St. Matthews, Niles Seized with Remorse” Matthew 27:3-4

Sixth Lenten Service March 20, 2024

THE CONQUEROR WINS THE VICTORY John 19:28-42 ✝ ✝ ✝ ✝ ✝ ✝ ✝ ✝ ✝ ✝

Fourth Lenten Service March 23, 2022

Rev. Jonathan Bergemann “I Will Keep the Passover” Good Shepherd, Downers Grove Matthew 26:18

Maundy Thursday Communion 7:00pm, March 28

Fifth Lenten Service March 30, 2022

Good Friday Tenebrae 7:00pm, March 29

Rev. Tom Nicholson “They Bound Him” Resurrection, Aurora John 18:12

Easter Festival 10:15am, March 31 ✝ ✝ ✝ ✝ ✝ ✝ ✝ ✝ ✝ ✝

Sixth Lenten Service April 6, 2022

Sunday Worship at 10:15 am

Rev. Phil Schupmann “The Semblance of Legality” Resurrection, Aurora Luke 22:66

Sunday School & Bible Study 9am

Wednesday Service at 7pm

Maundy Thursday Communion 7 p.m., April 14

Ladies Bible Fellowship Mondays at 6:30pm

Good Friday Tenebrae 7 p.m., April 15

Saturday, March 23 Game Night at 4pm

Easter Sunrise 6:30 a.m., April 17

Easter Breakfast 8 a.m., April 17

Everyone is Welcome!

Easter Festival 10:15 a.m., April 17

All services are live streamed. SaintTimothy.org

451773

Gather with us for weekend worship!

Saturdays 5:00 p.m.

Sundays 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

Education Hour between services at 9:45 a.m.

Mid-week Worship during Lent Wednesdays at 12:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

142 E. Third St. Elmhurst, IL ImmanuelElmhurst.org 630-832-1649 450691

449337

Handicapped accessible and hearing loop enabled

Weekend Masses:

Saturday: 4 PM (Vigil)

Sunday: 7:30, 9:30 & 11:30 AM and 6 PM

Daily Masses:

Monday—Friday: 6:15 and 8:15 AM

Saturday: 8:15 AM

Visitation Catholic Church 779 S. York Street Elmhurst, IL 630 834 6700

www.visitationparish.org

Confessions:

Saturday: 3�3:45PM

Sunday: 5�5:45 PM

Adoration:

Available in Our Lady Mother of the Eucharist Chapel 24/7

Stations of the Cross: Fridays during Lent at 7 PM

451772

Sports

Broncos hoist IHSA Class 3A third-place trophy in Normal

After losing to eventual state champion in semifinal round, Montini beats Hinsdale South in third-place game; Broncos close season with record of 30-8

The Montini Catholic girls basketball team finished its 2023-24 season by winning the third-place trophy in the IHSA Class 3A state tournament.

The Broncos won five straight post-season games to earn a berth in the Class 3A state semifinals at CEFCU Arena in Normal. Montini lost 58-41 to undefeated Lincoln in one of Friday’s semifinal contests.

Later on Friday, the Broncos faced Hinsdale South in the Class 3A thirdplace game. Montini edged Hinsdale South 45-42 to claim the third-place trophy and earn its 30th victory of the season.

Montini completed the season with an overall record of 30-8.

Lincoln concluded its undefeated season by beating Chatham’s Glenwood High School 60-44 in Saturday’s Class 3A state final. Lincoln posted a 38-0 record during its dominant championship campaign.

Loyola Academy of Wilmette won the Class 4A title on Saturday evening in Normal. The undefeated Ramblers edged Nazareth Academy 44-40 in the Class 4A title contest to complete a perfect 38-0 season.

Montini faced Loyola Academy in a pair of Girls Catholic Athletic Conference (GCAC) games during the 2023-24 season. The Ramblers won both contests. Three of the Broncos’ eight losses this season, therefore, came against state champions.

Montini advanced to the state semifinals after last week’s 44-25 victory over Grayslake Central in a Class 3A super-sectional at Concordia University in River Forest. The Broncos earned the super-sectional berth after winning two playoff games to win a regional on their home court, and delivering two more victories to capture the title at the Glenbard South Sectional.

Montini’s offense didn’t display its sharpest form in the Feb. 26 super-sectional. The Broncos, who made four of 24 attempts from the field in the first quarter, eventually pulled away from Grayslake Central, which committed several turnovers during the game.

Montini led the Rams 10-5 after one quarter and 21-14 at halftime. The Broncos’ lead over Grayslake Central grew to 32-21 by the end of the third quarter.

Montini senior Victoria Matulevicius scored a team-leading 15 points in her team’s super-sectional victory.

Senior Alyssa Epps and junior Shea Carver provided nine points each for the Broncos, who never trailed Grayslake Central. Junior Nikki Kerstein, who made all six of her freethrow attempts during the fourth quarter, added eight points. Senior Riley White scored two points with a second-quarter layup. Junior Peyton Farrell contributed one point with a second-quarter free throw.

The Broncos met a team on a mission when they faced the Lincoln

Railsplitters in Friday’s semifinal contest. Lincoln, led by senior standout Kloe Froebe, who will play collegiately for Colorado State University, crushed most of its opponents during the season. The team’s two narrowest wins were a 62-55 win over O’Fallon (on Feb. 2) and a 57-49 victory over Alton (on Feb. 3). The Railsplitters earned a 63-52 win over Peoria Notre Dame (which won the Class 2A state title on Saturday) on Jan. 20.

Lincoln led the Broncos 16-10 after one quarter of Friday’s game. Farrell sank a 3-point shot as the second quarter ended to cut Lincoln’s halftime advantage to 31-22. The Railsplitters led Montini 43-32 at the end of the third quarter.

Lincoln unleashed a 10-0 run in the fourth quarter to increase its lead to 53-32. The Broncos didn’t score during the first five minutes of the quarter. Farrell provided Montini’s first points of the period when she sank her third 3-point basket of the game with 2:23 to play.

Matulevicius connected on a 3-point attempt with 2:06 left in the game. Junior Natalie Gartlan of the Broncos scored the final points of the game when she made a 3-point shot in the closing seconds.

Matulevicius scored 12 points in Friday’s semifinal battle against Lincoln. Farrell provided nine points with her three baskets from 3-point range. Kerstein also contributed nine points by draining three 3-point shots. Epps scored five points, while Carver and Gartlan provided three points each with separate 3-point baskets.

The Broncos made 15 field goals during the semifinal. They sank 10 of 23 shots from 3-point territory and added five 2-point baskets. Montini shot only two free throws during the game. Matulevicius made one of two free throws in the second quarter.

Lincoln sank 18 of 25 free throws in the semifinal. Froebe scored 27 points for the Railsplitters. Senior Jenna Bowman added 15 points by making five of seven attempts from 3-point range.

“We knew we had to slow down Kloe Froebe,” said Montini coach Shannon Spanos while speaking about Friday’s semifinal game. “It’s hard to defend outside shooters when you have such a factor like her on the inside. We came out very well against Lincoln and shot the ball well.”

The Broncos’ semifinal game against Lincoln ended around 1 p.m. After losing to the Railsplitters, the Broncos checked out of their hotel, had a quick meal at Noodles & Company, and returned to their hotel’s conference room to scout their opponent in the third-place contest.

Shortly after 6:30 p.m., Montini tipped off the third-place game against Hinsdale South. The Hornets

Montini Catholic’s girls basketball team won the third-place trophy in the IHSA Class 3A state tournament. The Broncos advanced to the state semifinals following their 44-25 win over Grayslake Central in a super-sectional at Concordia University in River Forest on Feb. 26. On Friday, Montini faced undefeated Lincoln in one of the Class 3A semifinal games in Normal. Lincoln defeated the Broncos 58-41. (Lincoln went on to win the Class 3A final on Saturday). Later on Friday, Montini beat Hinsdale South 45-42 in the Class 3A tournament’s third-place contest. The Broncos finished their season with a record of 30-8. One photo from Friday evening’s battle against Hinsdale South shows Montini junior Shea Carver (No. 23 - below right), who scored a team-leading 18 points in the game. Another photo shows senior Victoria Matulevicius (No. 5 - below middle), who scored 11 points in the final contest of her four-year varsity career with the Broncos. One more photo from the third-place game shows Montini junior Nikki Kerstein (No. 3 - below left), who made six of eight free throws during the fourth quarter and scored eight points.

Chris Fox photos Rock Valley Publishing

Broncos’ season ends with loss to Christ the King

Shepherd scores 14 points in season finale; Gladiators open fourth quarter with 14-0 run

The Montini Catholic boys basketball team’s season ended with a 45-35 loss to Chicago’s Christ the King School in last week’s semifinal game at the IHSA Class 2A Timothy Christian Sectional in Elmhurst.

The Broncos finished their season with an overall record of 15-19. Montini’s program won an IHSA regional title for the third consecutive season.

The Broncos won a pair of post-season contests to win the championship at the Northridge Prep Regional in Niles. Montini defeated Northridge Prep 46-43 in the regional final on Feb. 23.

Montini waged an even battle with Christ the King through the first three quarters of the Feb. 28 sectional semifinal. The Broncos held a 7-6 lead at the end of the first quarter. Montini led the Gladiators 18-15 at halftime.

An offensive rebound and basket by junior Drew Church gave the Broncos a 27-24 lead in the closing seconds of the third quarter. Moments later, Montini senior Maddox Shepherd delivered a steal and layup to extend the lead to 29-24. Christ the King made two free throws in the final second of the third quarter to trim Montini’s lead to 29-26 with eight minutes to play.

The Gladiators opened the fourth quarter with a 14-0 run to pull away to a 40-29 lead. Montini didn’t score during the first six and a-half minutes of the final quarter. Senior Nick Lombardi scored the Broncos’ first points of the quarter with an offensive rebound and layup that cut the Gladiators’ lead to 40-31 with about 1:10 left in the game.

Lombardi added another field goal to reduce Christ the King’s lead to 42-33 with less than 50 seconds to play. Senior Danny Petersen scored Montini’s final points of the game. His basket cut the Gladiators’ lead to 43-35 with about 30 seconds left.

Christ the King made two free throws with 15.9 seconds to play to account for the game’s final points.

Shepherd, who made a pair of

3-point shots during the first half, scored a team-leading 14 points for Montini in the sectional semifinal.

Senior Tyler Pavlik, who made two 3-point shots during the third quarter, added seven points. Petersen supplied six points, while Lombardi provided four points with his two field goals in the fourth quarter. Church and junior Maxwell Bell contributed two points each.

“We came out hard, but they [the Gladiators] finished the game,” said Shepherd after the post-season loss.

Montini faced Christ the King in a Dec. 26 game at a holiday tournament in Westmont. The Gladiators defeated the Broncos 70-59 in that contest, which resembled last week’s rematch. The December meeting was also tight through three quarters, with Christ the King pulling away in the final minutes.

“Our problem all year has been offense,” stated Montini coach Adam DeMong after last week’s loss. “That’s what it was tonight. We couldn’t score enough to win. We did everything we could to beat them, except score enough.”

Christ the King’s season ended with a 43-42 loss to Latin School of Chicago in Friday’s sectional final. The Romans of Latin School of Chicago advanced to this week’s super-sectional against Byron at Sterling High School.

The winner of that game earned a berth in the IHSA Class 2A state semifinals, which will be played today in Champaign.

While they were disappointed with last week’s loss, both Shepherd and DeMong were proud of what their program.

“We won a regional three years in a row,” Shepherd noted. “This is one of the toughest teams I’ve played for—all heart; never give up. I’m proud of them.”

“This school had not won a regional [in boys basketball] in 39 years, and now we’ve won three straight,” said DeMong. “What I’m most proud of is building a program, not just a team.”

The Broncos,

Christ

played in the day’s first Class 3A semifinal, losing a 46-33 decision to Glenwood.

Montini led Hinsdale South 9-6 after one quarter and 17-14 at halftime. The Broncos owned a 30-26 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Carver led Montini to its win over the Hornets by erupting for 15 second-half points. Carver, who made one 3-point shot during the first quarter, sank a 3-point attempt in the third quarter to give the Broncos a 20-18 lead. Carver’s next 3-point basket of the quarter broke a 20-20 tie. In the closing seconds of the quarter, Carver drove for an inside basket. She was fouled on the play, and made the ensuing free throw to give the Broncos a 30-24 lead. The Hornets scored as the third quarter ended to cut Montini’s lead to 30-26.

Carver scored the first six points of the fourth quarter to boost the Broncos’ lead to 36-26. She made a 3-point shot to provide the first points of the quarter. Carver’s second three-point play of the second half raised Montini’s lead to 36-26.

Kerstein made six of eight free throws during the game’s final two minutes. The Broncos led the Hornets 43-36 with 45 seconds to play. Hinsdale South, which finished its season with a 26-12 record, made a pair of 3-point shots in the game’s last 19 seconds. The Hornets made a longrange shot to cut Montini’s lead to

45-42 with six seconds to play. After a time out, the Broncos inbounded the ball and ran out the clock.

“Our expectation coming down here was to be a state champion,” said Spanos after the Broncos won the season-ending third-place game. “It’s difficult to play two games and have a quick turnaround like that. It wasn’t our prettiest effort, but we grinded through it.”

Carver made four of seven shots from 3-point range and scored a teamhigh 18 points in Friday’s third-place game. Matulevicius provided 11 points and eight rebounds in the final game of her four-year varsity career at Montini. Epps supplied seven points, while Kerstein netted six points with her six fourth-quarter free throws. Farrell added three points.

“Shea had a huge game and really stepped up for our team tonight,” said Spanos of Carver’s performance against Hinsdale South. “She shot the ball well. She was shooting with confidence.”

One year ago, Kerstein was a member of the Deerfield team that claimed the fourth-place trophy in the Class 3A state tournament.

“Ending the season on a win is huge for us,” said Kerstein after Friday’s victory over Hinsdale South. “We’re proud we were able to make it this far. It’s not the outcome we wanted, but we’re happy we got down here.”

Kerstein and Matulevicius both talked about the Broncos’ growth as a team in the last few weeks of the season.

“As the season went on, our chemistry got better,” said Matulevicius after Friday’s win over the Hornets.

“This past month, I feel like we really came together. We were a real team.”

Last week, the IHSA announced the 2024 Illinois Media All-State girls basketball selections in the Class 3A and 4A levels. Matulevicius was named to the Class 3A second team.

Kerstein received Class 3A honorable mention status.

Montini last advanced to the IHSA Class 3A state semifinals four years ago, in 2020. The Broncos earned a third-place finish in that tournament, losing to Chicago’s Simeon High School in a state semifinal and beating Springfield’s Lanphier High School in the third-place game.

Montini’s girls basketball program won three straight Class 3A state titles from 2010 to 2012. After finishing third in the 2013 Class 3A tournament, the Broncos won the program’s fourth Class 3A state title in 2014.

Montini’s program has now won four state titles and captured six thirdplace trophies. The Broncos have won five of their third-place trophies at the Class 3A level and earned one thirdplace trophy in the Class 4A division. Montini won the second-place trophy at the Class 4A tournament in 2018.

Chris Fox photo Rock Valley Publishing

Montini Catholic’s boys basketball team concluded its season with a 45-35 loss to Chicago’s Christ the King School in a semifinal matchup at the IHSA Class 2A Timothy Christian Sectional on Feb. 28.

who ended their season with a 15-19 record, led the Gladiators 29-26 at the end of the third quarter.

the King scored the first 14 points of the fourth quarter to take a 40-29 lead. Senior Maddox Shepherd (No. 1 - bottom left) scored a team-high 14 points for Montini in its season-ending loss. Senior Tyler Pavlik (No. 4 - bottom right) added seven points. Pavlik is shown while firing and making a 3-point shot during the third quarter. One more photo (above) from last week’s game shows the Montini bench celebrating after Shepherd’s steal and basket in the closing seconds of the third quarter.

Warriors and Rams open their seasons at the Vic Lesch Invitational

Srey wins four individual events and claims the all-around championship

The Willowbrook and Glenbard East boys gymnastics teams joined five other teams to participate in the season-opening Vic Lesch Invitational, which took place last week in Villa Park.

The Glenbard West Hilltoppers won the title in the Feb. 29 competition with their total of 102.65 points.

Willowbrook, which hosted the invitational, placed second with its total of 91.8. Glenbard North (83.4) finished third, while Glenbard East (82.95) landed in fourth place. Glenbard South (64.85) delivered a fifthplace finish, while Addison Trail (56.35) and York (53.85) claimed sixth and seventh, respectively.

The Vic Lesch Invitational features a unique format, with each team having two gymnasts compete in each event.

Glenbard East senior Vaden Srey won the invite’s all-around title with his total score of 53.65. Srey captured four first-place medals during the meet. He won first-place honors in floor exercises with his score of 9.55. He also produced first-place

finishes in the still rings (9.5), the vault (9.3) and the parallel bars (9.3).

Srey finished second on the horizontal bar (8.2) and third on the pommel horse (7.8).

One year ago, Srey won the championship on the pommel horse at the IHSA state meet.

Glenbard East junior Gregorio Monroy earned a top-10 finish at the invite with his eighth-place score of 6.1 on the still rings.

Junior Daniel Javier represented Willowbrook in each event at the invite. Javier finished second in the vault with his score of 9.2. He delivered a fourth-place score of 6.4 on the pommel horse. Javier finished fifth on both the still rings (7.95) and the horizontal bar (7.35).

Javier posted eighth-place scores in floor exercises (7.55) and on the parallel bars (6.2). He finished fourth in the invite’s all-around standings with his total of 44.65.

Willowbrook sophomore Jae Newman finished fourth on the still rings (8.2). He also finished fourth in two other events—the parallel bars

LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE

CERTIFICATE NO. 79355 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on FEBRUARY 20, 2024, wherein the business firm LITTLE SPROUTS

LITERACY, 319 S. NAPERVILLE RD. STE. 101, WHEATON, IL 60187 was registered; that the true or real name or names of the person or persons owning the business, with their respective post office address(es), is/are as follows:

Jennifer Collander, 918 Maryknolll Cir., Glen Ellyn, IL 60137.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 20TH day of FEBRUARY, A.D. 2024.

Jean Kaczmarek

DuPage County Clerk (Published in The Lombardian Feb. 29, March 7 & 14, 2024) 451548

PUBLIC NOTICE:

Invitation for Bid and Contract (IFB) to Provide Food Service Management Company Services

Notice is hereby given that Lombard Elementary School District 44 (“the School Food Authority-SFA”); is requesting bids to provide Food Service Management Company Services for the operation in the Federally funded School Nutrition Programs.

Bids will be accepted at:

Attn: Pam Hernandez Payroll/ Operations Support Coordinator Lombard Elementary District 44 150 W Madison Street Lombard IL, 60148

Bids will be accepted by 10:00 AM CST on Monday, April, 29, 2024, at which time they will be opened and read aloud. Bids must be submitted in full as outlined in the solicitation.

A meeting to tour the facilities will be held at 1:00 PM CST on Monday, March 25, 2024 at Glenn Westlake Middle School, 1514 S Main St.,Lombard IL

60148. Attendance at this meeting is highly encouraged.

Beginning March 7, 2024, IFB specifications will be available. Contact Pam Hernandez at phernandez@sd44.org

Questions related to the solicitation may be submitted, in writing, via email to phemandez@sd44.org by April 12, 2024. Questions will be answered via email in the form of an addendum to all potential bidders.

Bidders must be fully aware and comply with USDA and state regulations regarding School Nutrition Programs.

The District reserves the right to reject any and all bids or parts thereof, waive any irregularities or informalities.

All vendors must comply with applicable Illinois law requiring payment of prevailing wage by contractors working on public funded projects,and with Illinois statutory requirements regarding labor, including Equal Employment Opportunity Laws. This Institution is an equal opportunity provider.

(Published in The Lombardian March 7, 2024)

NOTICE

451961

CERTIFICATE NO. 79356 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on FEBRUARY 20, 2024, wherein the business firm of JENNIFER COLLANDER FINE ART, 918 MARYKNOLL CIR., GLEN ELLYN, IL 60137 was registered; that the true or real name or names of the person or persons owning the business, with their respective post office address(es), is/are as follows:

Jennifer Collander, 918 Maryknolll Cir., Glen Ellyn, IL 60137.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 20TH day of FEBRUARY, A.D. 2024.

Jean Kaczmarek

DuPage County Clerk

(Published in The Lombardian Feb. 29, March 7 & 14, 2024)

451549

(7.8) and the horizontal bar (7.7). Newman placed fifth on the vault (8.65).

Senior Isaac Smith of the Warriors claimed fourth in floor exercises (8.85). Junior Jacob Seremak provided Willowbrook with a sixth-place score of 5.95 on the pommel horse.

Willowbrook’s boys gymnastics team hosted last week’s season-opening Vic Lesch Invitational. Six other teams joined the Warriors at the Feb. 29 competition in Villa Park. Each team at the invitational had two gymnasts compete in each event. Junior Daniel Javier represented Willowbrook in all six events at the invite. He is pictured (above right) while approaching the vault. Javier earned a second-place score of 9.2 on the vault. He placed fourth in the invite’s all-around standings with his total score of 44.65.

Javier placed fourth on the pommel horse (6.4), fifth on the still rings (7.95) and fifth on the horizontal bar (7.35). Sophomore Jae Newman of the Warriors is pictured (above left) during his fourth-place performance on the parallel bars, which earned a score of 7.8. Newman also delivered fourth-place efforts on the still rings (8.2) and the horizontal bar (7.7). He posted a fifth-place score of 8.65 on the vault.

A dominant performance

Senior Vaden Srey of the Glenbard East boys gymnastics team won the all-around title at last week’s seventeam Vic Lesch Invitational at Willowbrook High School. Srey delivered first-place performances in four of the Feb. 29 invite’s six events. He earned his firstplace scores in floor exercises (9.55), the still rings (9.5), the vault (9.3) and parallel bars (9.3). Srey, who is pictured during his winning performance on the still rings, finished second on the horizontal bar (8.2) and third on the pommel horse (7.8) on the way to posting his winning all-around total of 53.65. Glenbard West’s Louie Diab finished second in the invitational’s allaround standings with his score of 52.6.

CHRIS FOX PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing

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

(Continued from page 6)

coming to our building,” versus to rented spaces that were previously used for the workshops.

The workshop is for “people who want to learn how to trap, and do it the right way,” McAuley emphasized. “People should not just go out and buy a trap and trap without a plan.”

As in, “‘I caught this cat; now what do I do with it?’” she added.

The main reason for scheduling a TNR through Feral Fixers is because “We have to have the spay/neuter arrangements first [with the veterinarian services],” McAuley said, so they cannot hold on to cats for an indefinite period of time.

And, she noted, “There is a huge shortage of veterinarians to spay/ neuter. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a shortage by 2030, but we’re already there.”

So, in addition to learning about the various types of traps and equipment Feral Fixers uses, the workshop will educate about the methods

of trapping, such as baiting the trap and timing.

“There isn’t a two-word explanation of the methods,” McAuley quipped, reiterating that potential trappers need to call Feral Fixers first before attempting to trap a feral cat.

She added that the workshop also educates residents/caretakers on how to feed and care for a feral cat prior to trapping it, and during cold weather.

“Timing is everything,” she summed up.

The TNR workshop will be held Sunday, March 24, from 1-3 p.m. at Feral Fixers, 330 Eisenhower Lane N, Lombard.

Feral Fixers will also be holding an adoption event on Saturday, March 16, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lombard facility.

Visit feralfixers.org for an adoption application in advance for pre-approval, and for more information on the organization. You can also email info@feralfixers.org.

LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE

CERTIFICATE NO. 79354 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on FEBRUARY 20, 2024, wherein the business firm of SHELLI CHIQUE BOUTIQUE, 473 N. PIONEER DRIVE, ADDISON, IL 60101 was registered; that the true or real name or names of the person or persons owning the business, with their respective post office address(es), is/are as follows:

Michele J. Davenport, 473 N. Pioneer Drive, Addison, IL 60101.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 20TH day of FEBRUARY, A.D. 2024.

Jean Kaczmarek

DuPage County Clerk

(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review Feb. 29, March 7 & 14, 2024) 451496

NOTICE

CERTIFICATE NO. 79350 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on FEBRUARY 13, 2024 wherein the business firm of MF-MAINTENANCE, 21 N. HARVARD AVE., VILLA PARK, IL 60181 was registered; that the true or real name or names of the person or persons owning the business, with their respective post office address(es), is/are as follows: Cristian Lopez, 21 N. Harvard Ave., Villa Park, IL 60181.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 13TH day of FEBRUARY, A.D. 2024.

Jean Kaczmarek

DuPage County Clerk

(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review Feb. 29, March 7 & 14, 2024) 451668

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

THE VILLAGE OF BENSENVILLE, DuPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS, will receive sealed bids for the 2023 RESIDENTIAL STREET IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM until Eleven A.M. (11:00 A.M.) (prevailing time), March 26, 2024 at the office of the Municipal Clerk in the Village Hall, 12 South Center Street, in the Village of Bensenville, Illinois, at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.

The contract documents, including plans and specifications, are on file at the office of the Owner, Village of Bensenville – Department of Public Works, 717 East Jefferson Street, Bensenville IL 60106,

(630) 350-3411. Copies of the bid documents may be obtained from the Village of Bensenville website https://www. bensenville.il.us/bids.aspx or email Brad Hargett, Assistant Village Engineer, at bhargett@bensenville.il.us at no charge for each set along with a copy of the Contractor’s “Certificate of Eligibility” issued by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

A bid bond, certified check, bank draft or irrevocable letter of credit on a solvent bank, payable to the Village of Bensenville, or cash in an amount of not less than five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid shall be submitted with each bid.

The successful bidder will be required to furnish a satisfactory performance bond in the amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract sum as a security for the faithful performance of the Contract and also a Payment Bond in the amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Sum as a security for the payment of all persons performing labor on the Project under the Contract and furnishing materials in connection of the Contract. The successful bidder shall also furnish a Certificate of Insurance. No bid shall be withdrawn after opening of bids without the consent of said Municipality for a period of sixty (60) days after the scheduled time of opening bids.

The Village of Bensenville reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive any informalities in bidding and to accept the bid deemed most advantageous to it, all in accordance with the standard specifications.

(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review March 7, 2024)

451907

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that on February 20, 2024, the Board of Police Commissioners of the Village of Addison amended the existing Rules and Regulations of the Board of Police Commissioners of the Village of Addison. These amendments to the Rules have been printed for distribution and may be obtained from the Addison Village Clerk, One Friendship Plaza, Addison, Illinois. The new Rules and Regulations shall go into operation ten (10) days from the date of publication of this notice.

By Order of the Board of Police Commissioners of the Village of Addison.

(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review March 7, 2024)

451952

Contest winner

During its Feb. 26 meeting, the District 88 Board of Education congratulated Willowbrook High School junior Maggie Brennan (pictured) on being named the winner of the District 88 Foundation Pickleball Tournament Marketing Contest. Brennan is a Villa Park resident. The foundation received 22 contest entries from 13 students. The judges selected Brennan’s submission. Entrants were asked to come up with a creative name for the foundation’s pickleball tournament, along with a marketing flyer to promote it. The event—named by Brennan as the “Pickleball Paddle Battle”—took place at Willowbrook on Saturday, March 2. Brennan’s design was used to promote the event through the district’s newsletter, website and social media outlets. Her design was also distributed throughout the community. The District 88 Board of Education and administration presented Brennan with a certificate and a $100 gift card for her winning submission.

Correct answers to last week’s Sudoku Puzzle 2

SUbmittED PhOtO Rock Valley Publishing

PUZZLE 2

Create Healing