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Metra chief cool to Kendall County service extension Joe MacDonald Pastor

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POSTMASTER: Please send change of address forms to The Oswego Ledger, c/o Shaw Media, P.O. Box 250, Crystal Lake, IL 60039-0250. Effective Feb. 4, the Oswego Ledger is the successor newspaper to the Ledger-Sentinel, as contemplated by 715 ILCS 5/5 (e), which was a consolidation of the Oswego Ledger and the Fox Valley Sentinel, published every Thursday in Oswego, Illinois, in Kendall County by Shaw Media. Periodicals postage paid at Oswego, Illinois, 60543. Subscription rates: One year, $28 in Kendall County; $36 elsewhere in Illinois and $47 outside Illinois The Oswego Ledger and KendallCountyNow.com are a division of Shaw Media. All rights reserved. Copyright 2016

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ON THE COVER Oswego Village President Gail Johnson discusses bringing Metra commuter rail service to Oswego with Metra Board Chairman Martin Oberman (left) during a meeting Monday in Yorkville. See story on this page. Photo by Eric Miller - emiller@shawmedia.com

Metra chief cool on project

Why trust perfecting your smile to anyone else?

By MATT SCHURY

mschury@kendallcountynow.com Metra Board Chairman Martin Oberman suggested Monday that Kendall County leaders may want to consider using $6.6 million in federal funding currently earmarked for studies for a possible extension of Metra commuter rail service into the county for some other project. “If I were making the decision I’d say if I look at the odds of ever getting a railroad versus the odds of what I need today in terms of infrastructure or public works – I could use that $6.6 million for something I could sink my teeth into right now rather than a study that is going to sit on a shelf,” Oberman said. The former Chicago alderman, who was elected chairman of Metra’s Board of Directors in 2014, spoke Monday during a task force meeting at the Historic Kendall County Courthouse in Yorkville. The meeting was set up by U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren, R-Plano. Oberman stressed that no one was suggesting taking the money away from Kendall County but he added the funds could probably be redirected to another local transportation improvement project. Oberman said it would currently cost between $200 million to $300 million to extend Metra service from Aurora to Kendall County, depending on how far west the service would extend. “If it is physically impossible to do anything else with it, I suppose you might as well do the studies,” Oberman said. “If you want to say to me, ‘Listen, Oberman, we think you’re all wet, we think that we are such persuasive people that if we had our studies in hand we could get Springfield and Washington to give us the $300 million,’ then, OK, make that judgment. I just want us to make the judgment rationally.” Oberman added that Metra has its own financial difficulties funding

See METRA, page 16

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Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, March 10, 2016

Matter questioned by owner of local radio station that is suing office By MATT SCHURY

mschury@shawmedia.com

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Toftoy has been coroner since 1991. He announced last year that he would be retiring once his term is up in November. Larry Nelson, owner of Nelson Multimedia, spoke during the Kendall Country Board meeting March 1. Nelson told the board that his lawsuit is not against the county but against the county coroner’s office. “This surveillance video that is in question, and I think all of you are aware of it, it is what it is and it’s not going to change,” Nelson said. “I would hope that we don’t go down the same road through the FOIA and through the courts because, somehow, I think at the end the county board and me and you, the taxpayers, are going to get stuck with the bill for the lawyer end of it and I don’t think that’s right.” He added that the interests of the County Board are different than those of the coroner, who is an independent officeholder. “I think the person who has signed on to defend the coroner is the state’s attorney office and the state’s attorney,” he said. “I don’t see how he can serve two masters in defending the coroner and representing the best interests of the Kendall County Board and the taxpayers in this case,” Nelson said. Nelson also made reference to the fact that he heard the Illinois State Police were interviewing county employees. “Also, recently, one of your employees, was interviewed by the state police I understand – the man in charge of building and grounds. He is an employee of yours. He is not an employee of the county coroner or the state’s attorney’s office, yet it would be my guess when the state police went in to interview him they said, ‘We’re here at the request of the coroner and the state’s attorney, I’m here to interview.’” “That’s an unfair position to put that employee in and any other employee of the county board. They work for you,” Nelson said.

“Generally in situations of a conflict of interest we are called in to have an unbiased approach to look into any criminal allegations. It’s an active investigation and there’s not a whole lot I can comment on.” Lt. Richard Wilk

Illinois State Police District 5 Investigations Commander Nelson added that there are comments on the surveillance video about things the state’s attorney’s office has said. He said the lawsuit could end up involving the state’s attorney, coroner and county board. “You might need three attorneys before it’s over,” Nelson said. When asked by the media if they had a public comment on what Nelson said, board members declined. Weis added that he didn’t have anything to say. “From the state’s attorney’s side we don’t comment on pending litigation and we’ve been told by the state police that we are not to make any comments, so we will not,” he said. “I guess mum’s the word here,” County Board Chairman John Shaw said after no one on the board spoke up. When asked if the board would appoint a special prosecutor to represent the coroner’s office, Shaw said he didn’t know. “I have no idea if we are going to go with a special prosecutor,” Shaw said. “I’ll defer to Mr. Weis on that.” Weis added, “I have nothing in front of me to request a special prosecutor at this time so I have nothing at this point. And just so it’s clear I don’t choose to represent the coroner, that’s my statutory duty to represent the coroner.”

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The Illinois State Police have been conducting a criminal investigation of the Kendall County Coroner’s Office over the past several weeks, State Police Lt. Richard Wilk, District 5 Investigations Commander, has confirmed. Wilk declined to discuss the nature of the investigation because he said the agency does not comment on active investigations. “It is a criminal investigation,” he confirmed. The investigation began in February at the request of County Coroner Ken Toftoy, according to Wilk. “Generally in situations of a conflict of interest we are called in to have an unbiased approach to look into any criminal allegations,” Wilk said. “It’s an active investigation and there’s not a whole lot I can comment on. We need to find evidence and that will dictate the direction we take.” Toftoy declined to comment when questioned about the investigation. According to Kendall County State’s Attorney Eric Weis, the investigation involves a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request Nelson Multimedia of Plano filed with Toftoy’s office in January. After the coroner’s office denied the FOIA request, the company filed a lawsuit in the 23rd Judicial Circuit on Feb. 8. Nelson Multimedia owns the radio station WSPY-FM. The lawsuit seeks electronic copies of “all of the audio and video recorded from the closed circuit monitoring equipment and system(s) used in the lobby and reception area, the Main Entrance and Sally Port Entrance of the Kendall County Coroner’s Office (in Yorkville) between June 1, 2015 and August 31, 2015.” According to the lawsuit, it ap-

pears Toftoy requested the investigation of his office before he sent a letter of denial to Nelson Multimedia on Feb. 4. The letter says the ongoing police investigation is one of the reasons the FOIA request was denied. The lawsuit includes a copy of the letter of denial from Toftoy’s office. The letter states that Nelson Multimedia filed the FOIA request on Jan. 28 and the coroner’s office requested a five-day extension that is allowed under the Freedom of Information Act. According to court documents, Toftoy’s office denied the FOIA request because it would Ken Toftoy, Kendall Coun- constitute an invasion of privacy and obstruct ty coroner the ongoing criminal investigation by the state police. The letter signed by Jacquie Purcell, chief deputy coroner, states that the records are exempt from disclosure because the records contain “private information and the disclosure of this private information is not required by any other provision of the Freedom of Information Act.” “The requested records contain personal information, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy,” according to the letter. The letter goes on to say that the material is the subject of a police investigation and cannot be turned over to Nelson Multimedia. The letter concludes that turning over the records would “obstruct an ongoing criminal investigation by the agency that is the recipient of the request.” Under the FOIA Act, Nelson Multimedia has the option of having the denial reviewed by the Illinois Attorney General’s Public Access Counselor.

‘Mum’s the word’

LOCAL NEWS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

State Police investigate coroner’s office

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, March 10, 2016

OPINIONS OUR VIEW

Candidate info on KendallCountyNow.com

With next Tuesday’s primary election right around the corner, we would like to remind our readers that they can find information on the candidates for Kendall County coroner, the Kendall County Board and the races for Congress from the 11th and 14th districts by visiting our website at KendallCountyNow.com. From the website’s homepage click on the red, white and blue “Vote 16” icon and you’ll be connected to “Election Central.” In addition, voters registered to cast ballots in Kendall County are reminded that today, Thursday, March 10, is the last day they can cast early votes at Oswego Village Hall at 100 Parkers

Mill in Oswego and at Plano City Hall on North James Street in Plano. Early voting is available today at Oswego Village Hall from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and at Plano City Hall from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Early voting will be available at the county clerk’s office at 111 W. Fox St., Room 103, in Yorkville today, Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, March 11 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, March 12 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, March 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Monday, March 14, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, visit the county clerk’s office website at co.kendall.il.us/voter-registration. City of Aurora residents residing

in the Kendall County portion of the city are registered to vote through the Aurora Election Commission. The commission is offering early voting at its offices at 323 W. Galena Blvd.; the Stover Visitor Center in Phillips Park at 1000 Ray Moses Drive; and at the Eola Branch Library at 555 S. Eola Road. All of the locations are in Aurora. For voting hours visit auroravotes. org. Local polling places will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on election day. Candidates seeking election to county office next Tuesday should remember to obtain final unofficial voting results Tuesday evening they

will need to add the ballots counted by the Kendall County Clerk’s Office and those counted by the Aurora Election Commission. The number of registered voters in the Aurora potion of the county is small compared to the rest of the county but there are certainly more than enough Aurora votes to change the outcome of races for coroner and county board district 2. Voters who would like to see the county candidates in person can do so tonight, Thursday, by attending a candidate forum at the Historic Kendall County Courthouse in Yorkville. The forum, hosted by the Kendall County Farm Bureau, will be begin at 7 p.m.

When reindeer were sent to solve a non-crisis in Canada REFLECTIONS Roger Matile On March 9, 1898, the Kendall County Record’s Oswego correspondent Lorenzo Rank noted that a group on its way to the Klondike gold fields in Canada had steamed through Chicago by rail: “The outfit went through Chicago one day last week, and consisted of 539 reindeer and 118 Laps, including the women and children.” Reindeer? Laplanders? Yep, right here in northern Illinois. As you may recall, gold was discovered in the late 1890s up in the Klondike River region of Canada’s Yukon Territory, resulting in the Klondike Gold Rush, and more than a few years later, “Sergeant Preston of the Yukon,” who with his great lead dog King went sledding along on both radio and TV. Back to the reindeer. It took a year for word of the gold strike to get back to the Lower 48 States, but when it did the media created a firestorm of gold lust. Tens of thousands of Americans and Canadians headed to the Yukon, either to Washington State and from there north along the coast to Juneau and then on through Alaska to Skagway, or overland through Canada where Edmonton in British Columbia was the jumping off place for the gold fields. Thousands of miners took those two routes on their way to the isolated arctic wilderness where the gold fields were located. Soon, tales of starving miners began sharing the front pages of newspapers down in the Lower 48 with stories of

striking it rich, stories that caught the eye of politicians in Washington, D.C. Proving that panic-stricken responses to real and imagined crises are not only a 21st Century thing, and at the behest of determined lobbying by Presbyterian missionary Sheldon Jackson, Congress quickly appropriated $200,000 (worth nearly $6 million in today’s dollars) to get relief to the “starving” miners fast. Given his influence, Jackson made sure he got the lucrative supply contract. In reality, however, there was no starvation crisis. Figuring that few of the would-be miners knew one bit about arctic survival conditions like those along the Klondike River, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (hurrah for Sgt. Preston!) strictly enforced “The One-Ton Rule,” under which every miner crossing into Canada had to have an entire year’s worth (2,000 pounds) of food and supplies. So to recap, we have a made-up crisis (check!), based on a story with only a grain of truth (check!), whipped up by the press (check!), strongly promoted by a lobbyist (check!), who stood to gain from government funds spent on said crisis (check!). Sound familiar? As it turned out, Rev. Jackson was fascinated with reindeer and had been working to stock Alaska with them. By 1891 he was somehow able to convince the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service – later renamed the U.S. Coast Guard – to import reindeer to Alaska from Siberia as food and draft animals. At first, the government imported Siberians to teach the locals how to raise reindeer, but then Jackson figured out that Laplanders were better at the whole reindeer thing and he moved on to them.

So with all his previous experience and connections, Jackson convinced Congress reindeer were the answer to the problem of getting food to starving miners in the Klondike. Contract in hand, off he went to northern Norway where he procured 539 reindeer, 118 men, women, and children Laplanders to take care of the reindeer, 418 sleds, 510 sets of reindeer harness, and 250 tons of reindeer moss to keep the animals fed on the trip. The Laps and their reindeer arrived in New York harbor on Feb. 27, 1898 where they were loaded aboard a train and sent west to Seattle, creating the spectacle Rank related as they sped through Chicago. But even before the party reached Seattle, news arrived that thanks to the Mounties and private businesses, nobody was starving on the way to the gold fields. “The provisions now are not wanted, as they only interfere with the trade – private enterprise there,” Rank explained in the Record. But Jackson, Congressional appropriation in hand, forged on to Alaska with the reindeer and their Lap herders. Unfortunately, by that time, the expedition was running out of reindeer moss, and since the animals cannot survive on regular grass, they were beginning to starve to death, 12 dying before they reached Alaska by ship on March 29. The Laps drove the reindeer up into the mountains where the animals found some forage but deep snow prevented them from finding sufficient food. By May when the expedition was ready to move up the Dawson Trail along the Chilkat River into the mountains where forage was said to be

abundant, there were only 228 left. “Of these some were taken to Circle City and there killed for food, and a few of the remaining animals were taken to the Tanana Valley, where they all disappeared in a short time,” according to C.L. Andrews writing in 1919 in the Washington Historical Quarterly. Some said Jackson’s real goal had been to start another profitable reindeer herd with the animals, but Andrews slapped that theory down: “These deer were all sled deer for transport purposes and were gelded males.” Rather, Andrews suggested the real goal was to import the Laplanders into Alaska to make Laps and Norwegians the dominant players in Jackson’s reindeer herding industry. Alas, that didn’t work out, either, since the Laps reached Nome just about the time the gold fever was at its height. “There, nearly all of them left the government service to engage in the search for gold, and the colonization scheme passed into oblivion,” Andrews explained. For his part, Rank was philosophical about the enterprise, which, he suggested was at least attempting to benefit regular folks with tax money instead of the usual gang of plutocrats. And besides, Rank wrote, gold rushes almost always turn out for the worst anyway, suggesting it would be good policy to resist any sort of government support for them in the future: “Instead of protection, gold-seeking rushes should be discouraged; they are demoralizing, breaking up families, and while one man be the gainer by them, nine will be losers.” Good advice that could be applied to all sorts of modern things.

FORUM Department keeps no official time clock records of their hourly employees time spent working for which Mr. Grosskopf is responsible. Mr. Detzler stated to me in the open monthly township meeting on Nov. 10, 2015 that there will never be any electronic time tracking of Oswego Township hourly employees. Mr. Detzler stated Mr. Grosskopf has always recorded hourly employee time by the “honor system” and will continue to do so in this manner. I am most concerned with two things: why wasn’t Road Commissioner GrossElizabeth Flowers Candidate for re-election to the Kendall County Board kopf behind a snowplow or present in District 2 Oswego to manage the 8-9 person road Montgomery crew for which he is responsible during the three significant snows Oswego had Has what it takes in recent weeks? To the Editor: Secondly, if Mr. Grosskopf returned to Please join me in voting for Jacquie his home in Florida, how can he accuPurcell for Kendall County Coroner. I have rately report the hours worked by his had the pleasure of working with Jacquie employees? over the past several years and know If private companies managed their hands down Jacquie has what it takes to hourly employees’ time in this manner, serve the people of Kendall County. they would go out of business. Why do Not only does she have the dedication the taxpayers of Oswego permit elected and devotion, she has the education Township public servants to intentionally needed to keep the coroner’s office runignore well established practices of using ning smoothly as well as improve and ensome form of hourly time clock to prophance the functions of the office. Jacquie erly account for and document employee has a genuine concern for the people of time on the job? Kendall County and the experience we It is your taxpayer dime, but good all need and deserve as residents. I am luck calling anyone currently in Osweproudly voting for Jacquie for Kendall go Township government to properly County Coroner on March 15. account for work performed or how our excessive tax dollars are being spent. Jill Ferko To the Editor: To the residents of Kendall County please join me in voting Democratic on March 15. Early voting is underway so please contact the Kendall County Clerk’s Office at 630-551-4103 for details. With your help and vote, we can achieve a high voter turnout and send our Democratic Ticket to November with great support. Thank you for all your continued effort and support.

Candidates should be selected based on character, qualification for the presidency and a proven record of success. The most qualified candidate is John Kasich who has demonstrated excellent character, presidential stature during the debates, Congressional budget and armed service committee experience, and outstanding success as Ohio Governor. Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio are good candidates, have excellent character and qualifications but do not have Kasich’s executive experience and record of success. We can elect a true Illinois Republican Senator by electing James Marter, who is for less government, lower taxes and more jobs. He will not embarrass us by voting for liberal issues with the Democrats like our current Senator. I recommend: for coroner, Carl Gutierrez, who will operate the office with the highest efficiency; for county board, District 1: Diane Selmer, Jeremy Swanson and Tony Giles. Leland H. Hoffer Oswego

Force waste out of Kendall County

To the Editor: Diane Selmer is a candidate for Kendall County Board District Two representative. She needs your vote. More importantly, the people of Kendall County need you to vote for Diane Selmer. In a recent mailing, Diane states she has Treasurer “watched as the Kendall County Board Kendall County Leah Philpot and Forest Preserve continue to spend Oswego Oswego with no regard to the needs of seniors, purchasing additional land, pay increases Your taxpayer dime Ballot recommendations for administrators, pension and health To the Editor: To the Editor: benefits for themselves, and per diem Have you ever played “Where’s Waldo” The media has made the Republican investigations resulting in paying back with your child? Oswego Township debates into a circus of sensationalism smaller amounts.” Trustees like to play it with the local road instead of focusing on issues, policies Diane further states she “will do commissioner. and realistic plans for solving governeverything I can to fight for you and to One week after being investigated by ment problems. Personal attacks and help make sure that our communities are Sheriff Dwight Baird for allowing his wife insults should have been stopped. Public good places in which to mature and grow to use the Township’s cell phone for over dissatisfaction with our government is older; instead of forcing seniors out of a year after she quit working for Oswego understandable but should not be the their home, we need to force the waste Township, Road Commissioner Gary main reason for selecting a candidate for out of the Kendall County government Grosskopf went on vacation. When asked president. at the Feb. 9, monthly Oswego Township Trump plays to that dissatisfaction with and Forest Preserve.” In addition to asking you to vote for meeting why Mr. Grosskopf was missing, verbal promises, but does not present Diane Selmer, we support the candidacy Township Supervisor Jim Detzler stated realistic, factual plans for solving probof Matt Kellogg, also Kendall County Mr. Grosskopf was on vacation without lems while demonstrating an egotistical, Board District Two representative. Vote an estimated return date. He would not narcissist, bully nature. He seldom anfor Matt to represent the agricultural state where Grosskopf was nor how long swers questions and skips events where community from District 2 to the Kendall he had been away, only that Grosskopf he could be questioned individually on County Board. had his taxpayer-funded cell phone and policy, plans and foreign affairs. He conlaptop. stantly insults others, which makes him Ron and Pam Wynne an unacceptable candidate for president. Minooka To date, Oswego Township Road

Vote Democratic

To the Editor: Please join me in voting on March 15 and exercising your right to vote. This primary season please join me in voting Democratic. We have an opportunity to nominate a strong ticket that will represent the values that we support of building a stronger quality of life for our shared communities. 2016 is shaping up to be an exciting election from our presidential candidates, national, state and local candidates. Having spent time with so many residents across Kendall County throughout the primary season and hearing their commitment to building a stronger quality of life for our shared communities reminds me why I am so proud to be a resident of Kendall County. Early voting us underway. Please call the Kendall County Clerk’s office at 630-553-4103 to find out early polling locations. Thank you again for all your continued support and please join me in voting Democratic this March 15. Thank you. Martin Flowers

Democratic Candidate for Oswego 19 Montgomery

Exercise your right

To the Editor: Fellow Democrats, Spring is in the air and the March 15 Illinois Primary is upon us. Early voting has begun and there are three polling locations – at Oswego Village Hall in Oswego, the county offices in Yorkville, and now at Plano City Hall, North James Street in Plano. Early voting ends on March 10 in Oswego and Plano, and on March 14 in Yorkville. Please note that you have to show ID to early vote. Whether Hillary or Bernie, exercise your right to vote. The Kendall County Democrats are continually growing and if you want to get involved, please visit our website at kendall-democrats.org. There are many things you can help us with as we head toward November. We will also have yard signs to show who you support. Lastly thanks to all the volunteers, precinct committeepeople, and election judges for doing what you do and attending our events. Vote and encourage your friends and family to vote. Chuck Sutcliff

Chairman Kendall County Democrats Yorkville

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, March 10, 2016

Candidate writes

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, March 10, 2016

|LOCAL NEWS

Board hears senior funding request

Center’s grant money has decreased in 2016 By ERIKA WURST

news@kendallcountynow.com Oswego Senior Center Executive Director Sandra Pastore doesn’t have to look far for proof that the work she does is changing lives. She can quickly rattle off story after heart-warming story about the guests she’s seen grow as a result of the senior center’s programs. The local seniors who thrive and transform thanks to programs offered through the center are the reason Pastore continues to do what she does – but, that can’t happen without help, she said. During an Oswego Village Board Committee of the Whole meeting March 1, Pastore pleaded with trustees for additional funds for the center at a time when grant money has been reduced and dollars are short. Grant money provided by the area’s agency on aging amounted to about $55,000 last year and was enough to cover the cost of Pastore’s and a few other staff members’ salaries, she told the board. This year, because the grant has been opened up to eight counties instead of

four, the center saw a decrease of about $36,000 in funds – or about 15 percent of the center’s budget. Pastore said this cut will weigh heavily on the center. “We have six people on staff now,” Pastore said of the center, which served 1,160 seniors in 2015 on a budget of less than $300,000. “We’re a partially paid part-time staff. We volunteer as much as we’re paid for.” The center, which offers activities ranging from yoga to bingo to tai chi, aims to keep seniors connected to the community and each other during their retirement years. Pastore said its funding comes from the North Eastern Illinois Agency on Aging, the Kendall County Senior Tax Levy, the village of Oswego, Oswego Township, as well as fundraisers and donations. Still, volunteers worked about 13,000 volunteer hours last year to keep the center going. “We’re a volunteer-driven machine,” Pastore said. “As you know, the state budget is a mess and senior services are getting cut. There needs to be an understanding of aging.” Through the center, seniors are afforded opportunities for exercise, interaction and education. They learn about healthy cooking, signs of aging, car care, gardening, tax preparation and other is-

sues pertinent to the senior community. An intergenerational program, which Pastore began last year, gets seniors into local school classrooms as a way to share their stories and give back. This year, 13 seniors have been assigned to 13 classrooms at Prairie Point Elementary School. “That means about 260 kids are getting past that generation cohort,” Pastore said of the program. And, it means 13 seniors are given the opportunity to interact with the community in ways that they wouldn’t, had the center never opened. “When I think about community, I think about connectivity and how generations can connect with each other. There’s little to no interaction between [senior and student] populations, but there’s so much to learn,” Pastore said. She said she hopes to expand the intergenerational program, and has also began podcasting and blogging as a way to share seniors’ stories and living histories with community members. “We’re going to continue being a connecting point for residents and continue bringing the community together,” Pastore said. Village President Gail Johnson said additional funding for the Oswego Senior Center will be discussed at a budget workshop.

BRIEF Easter egg hunt Saturday in Montgomery Park

The village of Montgomery and the Community Christian Church are teaming up to offer a free Easter egg hunt and related events for children from 10:30 a.m. until noon Saturday, March 12, in Montgomery Park at the corner of Mill and River Street, with more activities to follow at the Montgomery Village Hall, 200 N. River Street. In case of inclement weather, the Easter egg hunt will take place inside the Village Hall. The egg hunt will take place in three stages, based on age groups (1-3, 4-6, and 7-10) with the youngest children first. All participants should be at the park by 10:15 a.m. After the egg hunt, the Easter Bunny will preside over fun activities at the Village Hall, including popcorn and other refreshments, a cake walk, cookie decorating, face painting, a police car and fire truck, live bunnies, and much more. There also will be an opportunity to take pictures with the Easter Bunny.

– Oswego Ledger

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OSWEGO LEDGER | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

CARL 4 CORONER

VOTE TUESDAY 3/15

DWIGHT BAIRD - Kendall County Sheriff “ C a r l ’s e x t e n s i v e l a w e n f o r ce m e n t t r a i n i n g a n d investigative experience with the Illinois State Police and FBI proves him to be the most accountable and qualified candidate for Kendall County Coroner!”

Thursday, March 10, 2016

ERIC WEIS - Kendall County State’s Attorney “Carl’s long list of proven leadership and experience is exactly what Kendall County needs. There is no other candidate in the race for Coroner that shows more leadership than Carl Gutierrez!”

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GAIL JOHNSON - Oswego Village President “Carl has spent more than half his life serving not just people across the state but the people of Kendall County. His dedication to public service, experience and leadership is unparalleled!”

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KENDALL COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS DUI arrest County sheriff’s deputies arrested Christopher Adam Garza, 32, of the 2000 block of East 61st., Hobart, Indiana, after they stopped his vehicle on Douglas Road at Old Post Road in Oswego on March 6. Police said Garza faces a charge of driving under the influence. He was taken to the Kendall County jail in Yorkville pending court proceedings. Investigate juveniles fighting The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a report of two juveniles battering each other over a two-day period last week on Harbor Drive, Oswego. No charges had been filed as of press time this week. Warrant arrest County sheriff’s deputies arrested Kimberly Lynn Trichardt, 49, of the 50th block of Sierra Road, Boulder Hill, March 6 on an outstanding warrant at her residence. Police said Trichardt was taken to the Kendall County jail pending court proceedings. Speeding motorist arrested County sheriff’s deputies arrested Martrial James Burns, 26, of the 100 block of Schoolhouse Road, Yorkville, after stopping his vehicle on Ill. Route 71 at Regal Oak Drive near Oswego on March 5. Police said Burns was ticketed for driving 75 mph in a 55 mph zone and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Burns was also found to be driving on a sus-

pended license and was wanted on a Kendall County warrant for failure to appear in court on a prior charge of domestic battery. He was also wanted on an Aurora warrant for domestic battery, according to the sheriff’s office. Burns was taken to the Kendall County jail pending bond proceedings. Alcohol arrest County sheriff’s deputies arrested Donnal William Riley, 20, of the 200 block of South Commonwealth, Aurora, after they stopped his vehicle for having an expired registration on North Bereman Road in Boulder Hill March 4. Police said Riley faces charges of possession of alcohol by a minor and illegal transportation of alcohol.

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Warrant arrest County sheriff’s deputies arrested Amanda E. Harding, 30, of the 200 block of South Madison Street, Oswego, at her residence March 5. Police said Harding was wanted on a Kendall County warrant for failure to appear in court. Harding was taken to the Kendall County jail in Yorkville. Vehicle burglary Two light bars were stolen from a vehicle parked in the 100 block of Harbor Drive in Oswego on March 2, the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office reported. • Continued on page 10

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Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, March 10, 2016

|LOCAL NEWS

OSWEGO POLICE REPORTS

DUI arrest on Canterbury Oswego police arrested Joan E. Anderson, 76, of the 300 block of Canterbury Court, Oswego, after stopping her vehicle on Canterbury Court near Wiesbrook Drive in the village March 5 at 8:44 p.m. Police said Anderson faces charges of driving under the influence and driving without a license. She is scheduled to appear in court later this month, according to police. Hit and run reported Oswego police took a report of a hit and run accident in the parking lot of a store in the 2700 block of U.S. Route 34 in the village March 4.

Fraud reported An Oswego resident reported a fraud incident to village police March 4. Police said the victim lost $1,800 in the incident. Custody exchange incident Oswego police responded to a child custody exchange which turned physical at a residence in the 10-20 block of Beau Meade Drive in the village March 6 at 9:20 a.m. Police said a female involved in the exchange was struck by another individual, but refused to file charges. Public indecency arrest Oswego police arrested James E. Rozema, 60, of the 200 block of East New York Street, Aurora, at 12:20 p.m. March 4 in the 1600 block of Douglas Road in the village. Police said Rozema faces charges of public indecency, disorderly conduct and criminal trespass. Police said Rozema posted bond and was released pending a court appearance

next month.

on March 1, village police reported.

Alcohol arrest Oswego police arrested Tamera L. Davis, 19, of the 500 block of Metropolitan Street, Aurora, at a store in the 2700 block of U.S. Route 34 in the village March 5 at 8:11 p.m. Police said Davis has been charged with unlawful possession of alcohol by a minor.

Unauthorized charges An Oswego resident told village police March 2 that someone used her debit card to make unauthorized purchases online.

Vehicles burglarized Two vehicles parked and left unlocked on a driveway in the 10-20 block of Sedgwick Road in Oswego were found burglarized March 2, village police reported. Police said property worth $103 was taken. Vehicle burglarized A vehicle parked and left unlocked in a driveway in the 50th block of Brock Way in Oswego was found burglarized March 2, according to village police. Police said cash and coins valued at $180 was taken.

Bad check received Oswegoland Park District officials reported receiving a bad check that was written to the agency March 1, according to Oswego police. Police said they are investigating. One hurt in Rt. 25 crash A Paw Paw resident, Danielle Esposito, 41, was injured in a two-vehicle crash on Ill. Route 25 at North Street in Oswego on March 1 at 3:19 p.m., village police reported. Police said the driver of the other vehicle involved in the crash, Robert Lucas, 52, of Oswego, was not hurt.

Traffic citations issued Oswego police issued traffic citations to the following motorists over the past week: Bogus checks passed Jonah A. Rojas, 18, of the 0-100 block of SurA total of two fraudulent checks were passed Feb. 29 at a men’s clothing store in the rey Road, Boulder Hill, driving on a suspended 2100 block of U.S. Route 34 in Oswego, village license and speeding. Angel A. Castro, 20, of the 1200 block of police reported. Johnston Drive, Aurora Township, driving on a suspended license. Cash stolen Jacqueline L. Johnson, 31, of the 400 block Someone stole $300 in cash from the countertop of a gas station convenience store of Pottowatamie Court, Oswego, driving on a in the 6000 block of U.S. Route 34 in Oswego suspended license.

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Cannabis arrest Oswego police arrested Anthony G. Kelley, 25, of the 30th block of Brock Way, Oswego, on Fifth Street at Kensington Drive in the village March 5 at 10:40 p.m. Police said Kelley faces charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of less than 2.5 grams of cannabis. Kelley is scheduled to appear in court on the charges next month, according to police.

DUI arrest Oswego police arrested Jon A. Fixmer, 49, of the 200 block of Isleview Drive, Oswego, on Morgan Valley Drive next Danbury Drive on March 5 at 11:30 p.m. Police said Fixmer has been charged with driving under the influence and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. Fixmer posted bond and was release pending a court appearance.

LOCAL NEWS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

Incident on Cornell Oswego police took a report of an attempted burglary and criminal damage to property at a residence in the 700 block of Cornell Drive in Oswego on March 6. Police said the incident is under investigation.

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, March 10, 2016

| LOCAL NEWS

MONTGOMERY POLICE REPORTS Theft reported An unknown suspect concealed merchandise worth $81 at a store in the 1300 block of Douglas Road in Montgomery March 6 at 12:26 p.m. Police said the suspect managed to leave the store without paying for the merchandise. Purse stolen A purse was stolen from a 2012 Dodge Durango parked in 400 block of South River Street in Montgomery on March 6 at 12:40 p.m., village police reported. Police said the vehicle had been left unlocked.

BRIEF Suspect apprehended Montgomery police arrested Waneesha Jackson, 24, of the 2300 block of Mayfield Drive, Montgomery, on a charge of retail theft at a store in the 2000 block of Orchard Road in Montgomery on March 5 at midnight, village police reported. Police said Jackson concealed merchandise and attempted to leave without paying. Vehicle stolen A white 2002 Lexus LS430 was stolen from a parking lot overnight March 5 in the 1900 block of U.S. Route 30 in Montgomery, according

Traffic citations issued Montgomery police issued traffic citations to the following motorists Graffiti damage Graffiti was found spray painted on over the past week: Devon Mayes, 24, of the 0-100 a sign owned by the Fox Valley Park block of Circle Court, Montgomery, District in the 500 block of Montoperating a vehicle when gomery Road in Montgomery on registration is suspended. March 4, village police reported. Shawn Gammill, 40, of the 100 block of LaSalle Street, Aurora, Warrant arrest Montgomery police arrested Quion- driving on a revoked license and operating an uninsured motor dre Collins, 19, of the 1800 block of vehicle. Waverly Way, Montgomery, at the Christian Olujare, 20, of the 400 village police station March 1 at 7:54 a.m. on a Kendall County warrant for block of Sherman Avenue, Aurora, no valid driver’s license. battery. to police.

KENDALL COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS • Continued from page 8 Two vehicles burglarized Two vehicles that had been left unlocked on the driveway of a residence in 100 block of Circle Drive West in Boulder Hill were burglarized overnight March 2, the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office reported.

March 2. The vehicle was unlocked, the sheriff’s office reported.

someone had used their personal information to file a tax return.

Domestic battery arrest County sheriff’s deputies arrested Christopher M. Blomquist, 44, of the 100 block of South Bereman Road, Boulder Hill, on a charge of domestic battery at his residence March 3.

Vehicle burglary The sheriff’s office is investigating a vehicle burglary which occurred March 1 in the 10th block of Fieldcrest Drive in Boulder Hill.

Vehicle burglary County sheriff’s deputies are investigating a vehicle burglary that occurred in the 10-20 block of Fieldcrest Drive in Boulder Hill overnight

Identity theft A Yorkville couple told sheriff’s deputies March 1 they had received a letter from the Internal Revenue Service informing them that

Unlocked vehicle burglarized An unlocked vehicle parked at a residence in the 100 block of Circle Drive West in Boulder Hill was found burglarized March 2, the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office reported.

Traffic citations issued Raynard Donnall Paige, 27, of the 400 block of Denali Circle, Naperville, driving on a suspended license. Cleveland Smith 42, of the 3700 block of West Cermak Road, Chicago, driving on a suspended license. Jose Demecico Sandoval, 32, of the 1000 block of Rural Street, Aurora, driving on a suspended license. Jose Fernando Colin-Proa, 34, of the 800 block of South Hugh St., Plano, driving without a valid license and speeding.

PTAG 308 (Parents for Talented and Gifted education) invites all School District 308 students and families to the Hands on STEAM (STEM+ART) Night from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 11. This will be an evening of over 50 hands-on science, technology, engineering, math and arts activities. Presenters will engage guests of all ages with brain stimulating hands-on activities. This event is being held at the Oswego High School LRC and Cafeteria (enter through door #11, soccer field side). There is no cost, but there is a suggested donation $1 per person or $5 per family. Raffle and concessions will be available. To register for the event, visit ptag308.org and follow the registration link and instructions.

– Oswego Ledger

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OSWEGO LEDGER | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

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Thursday, March 10, 2016

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Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, March 10, 2016

| LOCAL NEWS

BRIEF Oswego American Legion plans dinner, ham raffle events

The Oswego American Legion will offer a corn beef and cabbage dinner or ruben sandwich with fries on Tuesday, March 15, from noon to 7 p.m. Carry-outs are available.

The annual ham raffle will be held on Friday, March 18, beginning at 5 p.m. The Oswego American Legion is located at 19 W. Washington Street in Oswego. For more information, call 630-5548751.

– Oswego Ledger

CIVIC MEETINGS WEEK OF MARCH 14-18 Monday, 6 p.m.: Oswego Fire Protection District Board, Station One, Oswego. Monday, 6 p.m.: Fox Valley Park District Board, Prisco Community Center, Aurora. Monday, 6:30 p.m.: Oswego ECO Commission, Oswego Village Hall. Monday, 6:30 p.m.: Kendall County Board Planning Building and Zoning Committee, County Office Building, Yorkville. Monday, 7 p.m.: Montgomery Village Board, Montgomery Village Hall. Monday, 7 p.m.: School District 308 Board, Oswego East High School Community Room. Tuesday, 6 p.m.: Kendall County Board of Health, County Health and Human Services Building, Yorkville. Tuesday, 6 p.m.: Oswego Village Board Committee of the Whole, Oswego Village Hall. Tuesday, 7 p.m.: Oswego Village Board, Oswego Village Hall

Wednesday, 9 a.m.: Kendall County Board, County Office Building, Yorkville Wednesday, 9 a.m.: Kendall County Board Forest Preserve Commission, County Office Building, Yorkville. Wednesday, 9:30 a.m.: Fox Metro Water Reclamation District Board, Main Treatment Plant, Oswego Township. Wednesday, 10 a.m.: Oswego Public Library District Board Personnel Committee, Oswego Campus Library. Wednesday, 2 p.m.: KenCom Operations Board, County Public Safety Center, Yorkville. Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.: Waubonsee Community College District Board, Waubonsee Community College, Sugar Grove. Wednesday, 6 p.m.: Montgomery Beautification Committee, Montgomery Village Hall. Wednesday, 7 p.m.: Kendall County Historic Preservation Commission, County Office Building, Yorkville. Thursday, 5:30 p.m.: Oswegoland Park District Board, South Point Center, Oswego.

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CARL’S EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS CURRENT KENDALL COUNTY DEPUTY CORONER 13 YEAR MILITARY VETERAN - 1st LIEUTENANT ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARD RETIRED LIEUTENANT WITH THE ILLINOIS STATE POLICE, 28 YEARS SUPERVISING SPECIAL AGENT, FBI - ILLINOIS STATE POLICE JOINT TERRORISM TASK FORCE LIFE-LONG RESIDENT OF KENDALL COUNTY

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The Coroner’s Office, by definition, is a law enforcement entity of county government. As Kendall County continues to grow, we need a Coroner who has the necessary law enforcement background and training to properly administer death investigations. I am the only candidate with this experience! My high level leadership positions in law enforcement and investigative experience on state and federal levels, equipped me with the knowledge and skills making me the most qualified candidate to serve residents of Kendall County.

OSWEGO LEDGER | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

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Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, March 10, 2016

| LOCAL NEWS

Robotics Extravaganza

Photo provided

The Thompson Junior High Robotics Team participated in the Robotics Extravaganza held Feb. 20. The Extravaganza was hosted by School District 308’s Team No. 2338 Gear it Forward, who invited local high school FIRST robotic teams to scrimmage. Thompson’s team demonstrated their FIRST Lego League competition robot to local children and dignitaries. The robot, “Cybertooth Tiger,” was programmed by the students to perform specific missions for the competition held in December for the 2015 FLL Trash Trek Challenge. Through the FLL program, students learn programming, problem solving, research and presentation skills.

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• METRA

Continued from page 2

its existing infrastructure. He said the agency has $11.7 billion in capital needs. “If we had the funds I’d put a train in every town where anybody wanted a train,” Oberman said. “We’re not against providing service to Kendall County or any place else.” Michael Gillis, a Metra spokesman, said after the meeting the $11.7 billion in capital expenses the agency is facing is the amount of money the RTA estimates that Metra needs to spend over the next decade to maintain its facilities in good repair. “At best, we can expect about $2.8 billion during that same timeframe from traditional state and federal sources,” Gillis said. Among those listening to Oberman during the meeting were elected officials, staff and mayors from Plano, Yorkville, Oswego, Montgomery and Kendall County. Also in attendance were former State Rep. Tom Cross and State Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, D-Shorewood. Cross said only a few years ago most people thought an Oswego Metra station was going to happen sooner rather than later. “There was an expectation that this was going to get done,” Cross said. Kendall County Board member

Scott Gryder said he agreed with Cross that it felt like just a few years ago Metra service might become a reality here. “It’s something that we expected to have happen and I think many people thought it would be done by now,” Gryder said. “We all know that government can move very slowly at times.” Cross recalled about six or seven years ago the Illinois General Assembly passed a capital bill that was to include a portion of the estimated $125 million to bring the line from Aurora through Montgomery to Oswego. Cross said there was also talk that former U.S. Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, R-Plano, was going to get about $75 million in federal funds for the project. Cross said he recalled Hastert secured that $75 million for the project before leaving office. “It may have been in or it may have been out – it sounds like it’s not there,” Cross said. “I realize life changes but that’s where the municipalities were coming from and where Oswego was coming from,” Cross said. “I was told to my face by Phil [Pagano, former Metra executive director] that this was going to happen.” Pagano died in 2010. Hultgren said they looked and can’t find the money to pay for the service extension anywhere. “There has been some misunderstanding of what dollars are actually available and what dollars have actually been allocated,” Hultgren said.

“There have been other things floated out that there have been $75 million. I don’t believe that’s true, we have not been able to find that anywhere – if anybody can help us identify that.” Oswego Village President Gail Johnson said she felt they should move forward with the studies. “If the study is going to tell us some of these things and I think we ought to get that information from the experts rather than me making up whether my constituents will bear it,” Johnson said. “I don’t mind continuing the conversations about what if – I mean I’m from the generation that thought we were going to have George Jetson-style hovercrafts by now,” she said. “My concern is that the faces around this table change every two years and so if we don’t have the willpower to pull the trigger and say ‘Let’s get this study done’ … we’re going to keep pushing it out.” Johnson added that Kendall County’s population is expected to grow exponentially over the next few decades. “We’re going to have an onslaught and are expected to double within the next 20 years. Kendall County is still the fastest growing county in the state by quite a bit,” Johnson said. “We just want the studies done so that when federal money becomes available we can say we need a piece of that – without that [study] we have nothing.” The village of Oswego funded a study in 2002 that examined the feasibility of bringing a Metra station to the village.

That study put the cost for a station at about $100 million. Hultgren suggested the group meet again in a few weeks to discuss how to move forward with the remaining funding. He said that in the next few months they need to figure out if they want to move forward with the engineering studies. “What I think we take away from this is common commitment to look forward to what’s good for Kendall County, a common commitment that this money was intended to be used here and should still be used here,” Hultgren said. Johnson said they need to get beyond “guesstimates.” “Right now we have nothing ready,” Johnson said. “Right now all we are asking for is those studies to be completed so that we know the true costs and we can talk to our residents about joining the RTA if that’s the direction we decide we are going.” Cross said everyone in the room realizes it’s going to take some time and financing is hard to come by at the state and local level, but they have to at least ask if they expect to make progress. “For folks that don’t live out here – it takes me, if I’m lucky, an hour and a half to two hours to drive into the city of Chicago; on a bad day it takes three hours – that’s insane. That’s bad for the economy, that’s bad for my blood pressure, it’s bad all around,” he said.

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East alum will take final bow at nationals

SPORTS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

UW-La Crosse senior caps career at NCAA D-III championships By KRISTIN SHARP

ksharp@kendallcountynow.com

Thursday, March 10, 2016

Jordan Anderson found her love for diving the summer before her freshman year at Oswego East. Eight years later, the Montgomery native and University of Wisconsin-La Crosse senior will put an exclamation point at the end of her diving career with a trip to the NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships. UWL will send four individual qualifiers and five relays to the Greensboro Aquatic Center in Greensboro, North Carolina, next week. “She is one of the hardest workers I’ve ever seen,” UWL diving coach Barry Schockmel said. “It’s been the same Jordan for four years. This year I Anderson don’t think she’s worked any harder, but she’s more refined. Her best board has always been the 3-meters and this year she’s probably more consistent on it this year. She’s done well all year and I was excited for her.” The diving competition will begin March 17 with the 1-meter list and continue March 19 with the 3-meter dives. A total of 24 divers were selected to participate – Anderson will be joined by teammate Kayley Alioto. “I’m really hoping to make finals. My goal was just to go to Nationals, and everything now is just extra,” Anderson said. Anderson is a two-time conference champion in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) and finished fourth in the 2016 meet with a score of 430.80 on the 3-meter board – her second highest score of the season. UWL won its fifth consecutive WIAC title on Feb. 26 before the regional diving championships Feb. 26-27 at Denison University in Granville, Ohio. In the 1-meter competition, Anderson was 14th (385.70). She finished third (450.80) in the 3-meter diving one day earlier. Anderson’s dive list consists of six optionals and five voluntary dives, which will be her first five of the competition next week. “I’ll be competing the same list that I had last weekend [at regionals],” Anderson said. “I’m a fan of the 3-meter more; you get more air time to do some

Photo courtesy of Denison University

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse senior Jordan Anderson competes in the Division III Central Regional Championships in the Trumbull Aquatics Center at Denison University in late February. fun things. The voluntary dives are the first five that you do, and everyone has to do the same dives. In the optionals, you can kind of show off. The voluntary dives, I love doing those because I feel really confident and I get a high starting score with those. Plus, with those being first, if I feel like I hit those, I can go into the next part of the meet calmer because I know I was solid in the first half. We’re focusing on those dives.” Anderson will be greeted in North Carolina by many family members, including her parents and grandparents as well as her brother, Noah, who is a freshman at Southern Illinois. “I have family in Maryland who are driving down too, so it’ll be a little family reunion,” Anderson said. “Noah is actually flying out with my parents since he’ll be home for spring break. I’m really close with him too, so I’m glad that he gets to be there. He actually showed up at my conference meet to surprise me and I was so happy to see him.” Anderson, who is majoring in exercise and sport science, plans to continue into a physical therapy program after graduation. “It’s been eight years of diving that I’m not going to do anymore, which is kind of sad,” Anderson said. “I’ve been so thankful for it because it’s taught me how to balance and time manage, how to push myself more to try something new, and when I’m having a bad day it’s definitely a stress reliever for me to go to the pool.”

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Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, March 10, 2016

| SPORTS

18 Traughber wins back-to-back conference titles

BOYS BASKETBALL: CLASS 4A ANDREW REGIONAL

Stagg gets defensive to rally past Wolves East ends season with 67-57 semifinal loss By KRISTIN SHARP

ksharp@kendallcountynow.com

Photo provided

The Traughber seventh-grade girls’ basketball team had an opportunity to write the perfect ending to their storybook season as they played in the conference championship against Jefferson Middle School. After leading 16-10 at halftime, the Panthers held off a late charge by the Hawks to win 32-18 on March 1. McKenna Engler led all scorers with Taylor Williams, Grayson Turner and Kaitlin Tillmon also making vital offensive contributions. Adriana Drossos, Megan Lemley and Emily Tully played crucial roles in stunting the Hawk offense. This is the second consecutive championship for the girls’ squad.

PREP ROUNDUP

Wrestlers qualify for IWCOA state tourney OSWEGO LEDGER Five area frosh/soph wrestlers advanced out of the IWCOA frosh/soph sectional to qualify for state. The IWCOA frosh/soph state meet will be held March 12-13 at the Prairie Capital Convention Center in Springfield. State qualifiers include Oswego wrestlers Geno Lukowski, who took third place at 170 pounds, Allen Swanson, who was the 132-pound sectional champion, and Sam Saravia, who finished fourth at 113 pounds. Oswego East had one qualifier in Tyler Eby, who finished third at 113 pounds. Oswego resident and Marmion wrestler Nathan Callaway also advanced after winning the 101-pound bracket.

IKWF Sectional: Oswego’s Team No Ego Wrestling Club has two 2016 IKWF state qualifiers as Noah Zukauskas and Jacob Phlor advanced out of sectionals by winning their final matches by pin. Team No Ego had eight kids make it through to the sectional tournament: Jacob Baird, Josh Elizarraraz, Braeden Grisham, Jeremiah Mitchell, Phlor, Matt Rodarte, Brayden Swanson (pin) and Zukauskas. Team No Ego also had 12 wrestlers compete at the IKWF regionals held at Oswego East High School: Jacob Baird (pin), Aidan Cullen (two pins), Josh Elizarraraz (pin), Braeden Grisham, Caden Johnson, Jeremiah Mitchell, Phlor, Matt Rodarte, Brodie Slou, Brayden Swanson, Jonah Zukauskas (pin) and Noah Zukauskas (pin).

Stagg had six days to prepare for its Class 4A Andrew Regional semifinal game, but the Chargers were forced to make halftime adjustments against Oswego East after trailing the Wolves at the break. In contrast, the Oswego East boys’ basketball team had a quick turnaround after winning the Feb. 29 regional play-in game over Plainfield Central to set a date with Stagg (17-11) on March 2. Despite a strong start and a seven-point lead at the half, Oswego East could not remain in control in the second half and ended its season with a 67-57 loss. Stagg, seeded fifth in the Lockport Sectional, advanced to Friday’s regional final against No. 4 Oswego and ended its season with a 66-52 loss to the Panthers. After struggling to score 19 points by halftime, Stagg had a 48-point second half while limiting the Wolves to just eight points in the third quarter. That difference allowed the Chargers to take a 38-34 lead – one they would never relinquish. “We struggled to get stops. Offensively we tried to do too much on our own,” Oswego East coach Steve Szymanski said. “Our defense got us a lot of points in the first half, and the second half not as much. In our style of team, we have to get our points off defense and it wasn’t quite there.” Oswego East’s Stephon Harris (12

points) was ready for the alley-oop from teammate Tahj Oliver early in the fourth quarter, and after Trevor Ross took a charge under the Stagg basket, Harris converted on the opposite end to cut the Chargers’ lead, 41-38. Stagg’s Josh Strama (19 points) came through with a long jumper before Jaswon Finley scored the Chargers’ fifth 3-pointer of the night to push Stagg ahead 46-39 with 5:50 to play. Oswego East struggled to catch up from that point and was forced to foul Stagg to steal more time. Stagg went 14-for-14 at the line in the fourth quarter, led by John Contant’s 7-for-7 effort for an 18-point night. In the first half, Oswego East had a strong effort from Mitchell Glende, who knocked in three triples for 11 points before halftime, but the senior ran into foul trouble and spent time on the bench with four fouls by the third quarter. Glende’s final 3-pointer gave Oswego East a 26-19 halftime lead, and he went on to finish with a team-high 16 points. Stagg won the rebounding game with 27 boards to Oswego East’s 17 – the Wolves’ lowest rebounding output of the season by a large number. “That really hurt us,” Szymanski said of the rebounding effort. “They killed us on the boards, and that’s been a strength for us this year.” Oswego East caps the season with a 13-15 record and graduates five from its roster including starters Glende, Kaelub Newman and Kyle Singleton. “This is a special group and it’s the most fun I’ve had as a head coach. They’re real good kids,” Szymanski said.

Waubonsie Valley High School Band Boosters

11th Annual Craft Fair and Vendor Showcase

Friday Nigh t F IS H F RY

Saturday March 19, 2016 9:00am-3:00pm

Waubonsie Valley High School 2590 Ogden Avenue, Aurora, IL (Ogden & Eola Roads) There will also be a Rafﬂe and a Bake Sale Admission: $2 Adults, $1 Students, Kids 5 and under are free Questions: Contact Lori Eschbach at wvbandcraftfair@gmail.com

Frid ay Nigh ts

5:30 PM Untill 8:00P M

630-859- 3988

Fu l l M e n u Av a i l a b l e

BOYS BASKETBALL: CLASS 4A ANDREW REGIONAL

By DENNIS NELSON

sports@kendallcountynow.com

Thursday, March 10, 2016

Adversity comes in many shapes and sizes. During the regular season, it was injuries and poor stretches of play that slowed the Oswego boys basketball team. During the Class 4A Andrew Regional championship game Friday, it was a slow start and pesky Stagg. The Panthers (19-9) overcame both obstacles to post a 66-52 win and earn a spot in the Lockport Sectional semifinal game. “We’d love another shot at Minooka,” Oswego coach Matthew Borrowman said after winning the regional. “They are a great team and that’s going to be a fun game.” (No. 4 Oswego advanced through to Friday’s sectional championship game after a 55-38 win over No. 1 Minooka on Tuesday.) Having the most fun Friday were seniors Brice Robinson and Malique Ross. Robinson came up with 21 points and eight rebounds and Ross added 18 points, four rebounds and four assists. “Malique drove, found me for some 3s and I got hot,” Robinson said. “We’ve been playing together since seventh grade. I know where he is and he knows where I am on the floor.” In the third quarter, Robinson and Ross combined for 19 of Oswego’s 24 points. “We are a pick-your-poison team,” Borrowman said. “Who are you going to go after? They denied Brice hard and Malique took over in the third quarter.” The duo combined to miss 11 of their first 12 shots. They went 12-of-16 after that to send Oswego to its sixth regional title in school history and fourth in the last eight seasons. “In the third quarter, we had to put it on them,” Ross said. “We started hitting everything. I don’t know what hit me, but I started feeling something and so did Brice. That really got our confidence going.” A disastrous start found Oswego trailing 14-3 after a quarter. The Panthers made just 1 of 14 from the field during the first quarter. They turned the tables in the second quarter to take a 23-19 lead at the half. “I told our guys they were going to make their run and to be poised and stick it out and we did,” Borrowman said. “We didn’t panic. We got back to playing defense and doing what we do.” “Offensively, shots were not falling,” Ross said. “Coach said before the

SPORTS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

No-panic Panthers get the job done

Photos by Steven Buyansky for Shaw Media

The Panthers celebrate their IHSA Class 4A Andrew Regional championship after beating Stagg at Andrew High School in Tinley Park on Friday. BELOW: Oswego’s Jacob Niesman eyes the basket as he splits Stagg defenders Josh Strama (left) and John Contant (right). game, they are going to make a run and to not panic.” Trailing 18-16, Stagg’s Tom Kazanecki intentionally fouled Steven Frank on a sure breakaway. Frank hit one free throw and two possessions later, Ross’ driving layup gave the Panthers their first lead at 19-18. Another basket by Ross pushed the lead to 23-19 at the half. Ross hit back-to-back 3-pointers to start the quarter, then found Robinson for back-to-back 3-pointers later in the quarter to bump the lead to 42-27 with 3:35 left in the third. Stagg was no closer than 10 points the rest of the way. “This is great,” Robinson said. “I’ve been playing with a chip on my shoulder all season for this moment.” “We’ve had a lot of injuries and we had a few losing streaks during the season, which was tough,” Ross said. “We went through some ups and downs during the season. Right now, we’re bringing our best every night.” On the down side, senior Derrick Chaney left the game with 1:02 left in the third quarter after separating his shoulder. “I feel for him,” Borrowman said. “It’s back in place and we hope he’s OK.”

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, March 10, 2016

SPORTS

A win when it matters most After two conference losses, Panthers top Indians in sectional semiﬁnal By CURT HERRON

cherron@shawmedia.com During the Southwest Prairie Conference season, the Minooka’s boys basketball team enjoyed the upper hand against Oswego, beating the Panthers twice to help capture the Indians’ first title in the league. But the stakes were much different when the teams met for a third time on Tuesday in the Class 4A Lockport Sectional semifinals. With the Panthers looking for their first trip to the sectional finals since 2010, the third time proved to be the charm as they used a strong third quarter to help them capture a 55-38 victory over the Indians. Minooka managed to grab a 20-19 halftime lead, but the Panthers took control by using a 19-6 edge in the third quarter to advance to Friday’s 7 p.m. sectional championship against the winner of Wednesday’s Joliet Central-Joliet West game. Oswego (19-9) led 25-24 early in the third quarter when it used a 9-0 run to take control. Minooka (23-9), which also was hoping to reach its first sectional final since 1977, never got closer than eight points after that. “We came out of the gates pretty strong,” Oswego coach Matt Borrowman said. “I thought our defense throughout the entire game was pretty solid. We kind of practiced and preached all week that you have to get to 50 to beat Minooka. We had 19 at half so we switched up our offense a little bit and attacked more. Jaylen [Jones] and Malique [Ross] got hot and when our offense gets going like that, it amps up our defense a little bit more. We had a lot of guys score tonight. “We’ve had about four or five games now where we’ve had our team and we’re starting to develop that chemistry that we wanted to have in late November or early December, but better late than never. Our conference is so balanced and Minooka is an incredible team.

ABOVE: Oswego’s Malique Ross (22) eyes the basket in front of Minooka’s Jonathan Butler in the Class 4A Lockport Sectional semifinal Tuesday. LEFT: Oswego’s Jaylen Jones (11) brings the ball up court on a fast break in front of Minooka’s John Carnagio. Photos by Larry W. Kane for Shaw Media

four different players during its key third-quarter run. Jaylen Jones (six points, seven rebounds) and Malique Ross (22 points) started things with jumpers, and Brice Robinson (14 points, seven rebounds) also hit a jumper before Jacob Niesman (five points) capped the spurt with a 3-pointer to make it 34-24 with 2:08 left in the period. After scoring just four A big thing for us tonight was [Larry] Roberts. We thought if that Brice [Robinson] was tre- we could take those two guys points in the teams’ last meeting, Ross was determined to mendous on Joe Butler and away, we liked our chances.” Oswego got buckets from turn in a much better perforJaylen completely shut out

mance this time around and he did just that. “After losing two times to them, that really got us going. We knew that we hadn’t played our best and we weren’t 100 percent healthy as a team,” Ross said. “We came out in the second half and decided to put the clamps down on defense. In the third quarter, I was taking what they were giving me, but I was also being aggressive and I knew that that would help us.” In the third quarter, the Panthers made good on 8-of-13 shots while the Indians were 3-of-10 from the field. Oswego owned a decisive 9-2 rebounding edge during that period to help it to a 28-18 advantage for the contest. The Panthers finished 20-of-34 (59 percent) from the floor, while Minooka wound up shooting 16-of-45 (36 percent) for the game. “When we last lost to them, I think that was our third overtime loss in a row, and I was sick and tired of it. So we really had to get back at them this time and we all played really well for the whole game,” Robinson said. “I just took what they gave me tonight. In the third quarter, we just made stops and Malique got hot. It wasn’t just one person, it was the whole team, everyone was playing well and locking up on defense.” Nick Clemmons (11 points) hit a 3-pointer early in the final quarter to pull the Indians to within 38-29. But then they went 3:50 without scoring. When Larry Roberts (six points) hit two free throws with 3:56 left, Minooka trailed 44-31. The Indians only collected seven field goals in the final half, but three of those came during the final 1:26. The opening half was pretty even with Oswego owning a pair of early five-point leads while Minooka had two late three-point advantages. Clemmons scored eight of his 11 points in the first half while Joe Butler collected six of his eight points in before the break. Jon Butler also tossed in 11 points for the Indians.