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Serving Bureau County Since 1847
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Luecke pleads guilty Sentencing set for Sept. 10 By Donna Barker dbarker@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — Ryan Luecke, 31, of LaSalle pleaded guilty in Bureau County Court on Wednesday afternoon to the Class 2 felony of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a child under 13 years of age. Circuit Judge Marc Bernabei set Luecke’s sentencing hearing for 11 a.m. Sept. 10. Luecke remains free on bail. Bureau County State’s Attorney Patrick Herrmann told the judge he (Herrmann) had no objections to Luecke remaining free from custody because Luecke is undergoing counseling and is also employed. Luecke was charged in November 2012 with the Class 2 felony of aggravated criminal sexual abuse for allegedly having sexual contact with a male juvenile during the 2012 summer camp at the Bureau County Metro Center in Princeton. At that time, Luecke was the recreation coordinator for the Metro Center. Luecke had entered a not guilty plea on Dec. 18, 2012, and has been free from custody, having posted 10 percent of a $25,000 bond. Wednesday’s court hearing had been scheduled as a bench trial before Bernabei, but instead, Luecke entered an open guilty plea, meaning no sentencing agreement had been reached between the attorneys. When asked by the judge if he understood the charges against him, Luecke said he is accused of committing an act of sexual conduct to someone under the age of 13 years. The contact was to have the youngster place his hand on top of clothing on Luecke’s penis.
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More ... is better St. Thomas More looks for ways to remain open By Goldie Currie gcurrie@bcrnews.com
DALZELL – St. Thomas More Parish in Dalzell has been given a chance to extend its time until the church doors are permanently closed. If the Catholic parish can double its weekly collection and find a way to fill its pews during masses, it has the chance to remain open until July 2014.
According to the Rev. Patrick Fixsen, however, looking at the current amount of weekly collections and number of parishioners gathered at mass, the church has the possibility of closing in January after it’s merged with Holy Trinity Parish in Cherry. “Unfortunately, if the parish closes, the church will close permanently. There will no longer be a handicap accessible church in Dalzell; a place for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will no longer be avail-
able in the area; and I’m certain many people will be very sad to no longer have a church in Dalzell,” Fixsen said. He explained after St. Thomas More’s suspensions years ago, many parishioners left. But with the Reid Group Study going on within the Diocese of Peoria, the church was given the opportunity to remain open as a worship site while being merged into Holy Trinity if it could remain financially sound to cover expenses.
See Parish Page 4
BCR photo/Mike Vaughn
Finishing her reign in style Olivia Funderberg doesn’t let her queen’s crown, summer dress and flip-flops deter her from making some serious headway during Thursday evening’s tractor pull at the Tiskilwa Pow Wow Days event. Olivia completed her reign as the 2012 Lil’ Spurs Queen on Thursday evening when Hailey Musgrave won the 2013 Lil’ Spurs pageant held at the West Park. Other events today, Saturday, include the annual parade at 10 a.m., plus lots of children’s games, food stands, live music and a beer garden.
Free and reduced lunches Number enrolled in these programs increase By Goldie Currie gcurrie@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON – The Illinois State Board of Education recently released its guidelines for the free and reduced lunch program for the upcoming school year. According to a press release issued by the state board of education, the state has seen an increase in children eligible for free and reduced lunch.
At DePue Unit School District, Superintendent Randy Otto confirmed about 50 percent of the students in his district are now eligible for waivers to receive free or reduced lunches. He said the number has recently increased, adding that increase comes from the consistently changing guidelines in the lunch program. Otto said time will only tell if the increased number of students qualifying for the pro-
gram will affect the district’s budget. He said theoretically speaking, the district will see a change if the number of students continues to increase because it decreases the amount of revenue coming in from lunch fees. At Ohio Community Consolidated School District, Superintendent Sharon Sweger said last year’s records showed about 50 percent of grade school students and 42 percent of high school students qualified for the program.
See Lunches Page 4
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