Ryan Ostry
Bugle Reporter
@RyanOstry_BR18
rostry@buglenewspapers.com

The Joliet State of the City address got underway last Tuesday at Joliet Junior College with an array of topics for those in attendance.

“What people need to know is that the city is really doing well due to the economic development that has been taken place,” said Joliet Mayor Bob O’Dekirk.

In the one-hour presentation, O’Dekirk presented topics such as gaming revenue, general fund revenue, construction activity, new construction value, legal expenditures, truck enforcement, infrastructure, public safety pensions, economic development, state championships, the Old Joliet Prison and future water needs.

“I like that the corporate headquarters are relocating to Joliet, the downtown development is important and I really like that there is a lot of diversity as far as the number of jobs that are being created and people are obtaining,” O’Dekirk said.

A few of the main points O ‘Dekirk said he wanted to get across in the short amount of time were the increase from 45 to 50 million in sales tax revenue from 2014 to 2018, a general fund revenue increase from 167.3 million to 181.3 million from 2014 to 2018, the new construction valuation total that has reached 1.4 billion and most importantly the alternative water source conversation.

“Hopefully the projections are right where we will have 15 to 20 years left of the water supply we have right now,” O’Dekirk said. “The infrastructure has been a problem and it has been for some time, so we are hoping the state and federal government recognizes this and the money that has been made needs to be reinvested in the region.”

Alluding to the water supply issue, with Joliet approximately being the home for more than 150,000 residents and being one of the fastest growing cities in the state of Illinois a deficit of water is starting to be a reality.

The Potentiometric Surfaces, which is an imaginary surface that defines the level which water is confined aquifer that would rise were it would completely shatter the wells, has been engrained since 1863 with surrounding areas like Elgin, Aurora, Yorkville, Elmhurst, Shorewood, Sandwich, Chicago and Joliet, but is slowly becoming a victim to attrition.

Alternatives recommended by the Staff and Environmental Commission to be further evaluated are the Kankakee River, Illinois River, Lake Michigan Water by the Chicago Department of Water Management, DuPage Water Commission or Southland Water Commission.

“There’s so many topics to discuss in so little time so again, having to touch on all of those with emphasizing the main few were definitely a must,” O’Dekirk said. “Overall the city is projecting upwards with the growth, job development, obviously all of our state championships, renovations and more, so Joliet has a bright future in store.”

JOLIET, IL — Considered the model for quality compassionate care for people facing end of life, hospice provides expert medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support expressly tailored to each patient’s individual needs and wishes. Hospice can improve a person’s quality of life when curative treatments and technology are no longer effective or desired.

Like various sectors of the medical community, Joliet Area Community Hospice (JACH) includes complementary therapies in patient care plans and with family bereavement. Currently music, art, pet, massage, Reiki and aroma therapies are offered to our patients. These
non-invasive therapies promote comfort and well-being and complement the medical and social support they already receive from their interdisciplinary care teams. Complementary therapies promote relaxation and rest, minimize anxiety and stress, release tension, reduce pain, helps with agitation and improve functional status and quality of life.

Aromatherapy has minimal side effects and is ideal in hospice care. Not only does it benefit the patient but also family members and caregivers. Our trained staff choose the right essential oils and method of application. They incorporate aromatherapy through touch and massage or through diffusers.

Massage in itself is beneficial and when paired with aromatherapy, can boost the mood and ease the tension many hospice patients experience.

Reiki treats the whole person. It is a Japanese therapy for stress reduction and relaxation. Reiki is a popular and beneficial healing modality that is utilized for health and wellness. It is based on energetic principles and is practiced in many hospitals, medical settings, and in private practice all around the world.

Music can be a powerful tool at end of life by bringing peace and harmony to a hospice patient. Studies have shown that patients at end of life engage more easily when music is playing. Music therapy has always proven to enhance verbal and motor abilities for adults, teenagers and children.

Pet therapy promotes conversation, activity and emotional connections during a visit. Some patients enjoy petting the animal and having them lay by them to cuddle. Others like to throw a ball and play fetch, while some give the dog commands to do. People who love animals and have had pets of their own can feel a sense of normalcy from a pet therapy visit.

Art therapy is also beneficial to hospice patients as well as their family member and can help when dealing with anticipatory grief. Art is a perfect outlet to express feelings and in turn reducing anxiety. Adults, teenagers and children benefit from art therapy as a means of relaxation and stress relief. Therapies offered to JACH patients and families are administered wherever “home” is and by licensed staff or volunteers as required.

As a hospice patient or family member, ask your care team about these additional therapies that may provide additional benefits to you.

Submitted by Joliet Area Community Hospice, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, IL 815.740.4104

Troy 30-C Mathletes place 2nd at Joliet West math competition

The Troy Middle School Mathletes placed 2nd Overall at the Mid-High Math Competition, held recently at Joliet West High School and sponsored by the high school’s math honor society, Mu Alpha Theta.

The competition involved 230 students from seven area middle schools.

In addition to the overall team placement, the Troy 8th Grade Mathletes placed 1st in Coordinate Geometry, 2nd in Mental Math and 3rd in Group Problem Solving.

The Troy 7th Grade Mathletes placed 1st in Clocks, in Triangles and in Mental Math.

(Photo Submitted)

“Perfect Papers” recognitions were given to Josie Jarmuz (8th grade) in Truth Tables; Sebastian Rojas (8th grade) in Coordinate Geometry and Caden Baudek (7th grade) and Ivan Chen (7th grade) in Triangles.

The Troy Middle School Mathletes coach is science capstone exploratory teacher Dr. Barbara Will-Henn.

“Our Mathletes team has grown considerably this year, and it is wonderful having so many compete,” Will-Henn said. “I am so very proud of all the effort they have poured out in practice, and to have four students with perfect papers is just amazing. At the meet, there was a real camaraderie among all the participants that was truly awe-inspiring to see, especially when it was all about math.”

Troy Middle School Science Club learns about solar energy

Troy Middle School Science Club members are learning all about the solar energy cells that power their school, and Science Club sponsor Dr. Barbara Will-Henn also has plans on incorporating the lessons in her science capstone exploratory classes next year.

Last spring, solar panels were mounted on the roofs of six of Troy Community School District 30-C’s seven schools – the elementary schools Troy Craughwell, Troy Cronin, Troy Heritage Trail and Troy Hofer and William B. Orenic Intermediate School and Troy Middle School.

Ground-mounted panels were also placed at Troy Middle School and Troy Shorewood Elementary School, and a free-standing mobile panel was given to the school district for the purpose of student education.

“Our Science Club students are learning about how these solar panels are made, how they draw in that energy and convert it to electricity and how that energy is stored,” Dr. Will-Henn said. “They are also learning how we can be responsible citizens by using science to diminish our use of fossil fuels.”

Troy’s panels are expected to provide 48 percent of the district’s electricity, with cost savings of an estimated $3.8 million over the next 20-30 years. The district received more than $1 million of renewable energy credits for the project.

Troy 30-C students recognized for Chamber of Commerce Hawk Scholarships

Several Troy District 30-C Community School District students were recognized in February by Illinois State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant for receiving Hawk Scholarships last year from the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Education Committee.

The scholarships of $1,000 each were awarded to students Caitlynn Baranak, Anthony Bedolla, Mason Scott Carpenter, Camdyn Kranz (2017), Cohen Lesniak (2017), Jason Pilapil, Brandon Price, Calloway Walsh and Ryerson Walsh.

The chamber’s scholarship program was created in 2014 to inspire and encourage fourth- through eighth-grade students to go beyond high school education through recognition and financial reward for academic performance and community service. When it comes time, the scholarship money will be sent to the college or university the student has chosen to attend.

Downers Grove, IL— On March 12, 2019, at approximately 1:39 P.M. the Downers Grove Police Department responded to a report of a traffic crash involving a car and a motorcycle in the intersection of Main and 67th Streets. The driver of the motorcycle suffered serious injuries and was transported by the Downers Grove Fire Department to Good Samaritan Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. The driver’s name will not be released pending the notification of family.
The preliminary investigation indicates the car was turning left onto 67th Street from northbound Main Street when it was struck by the motorcycle which was traveling southbound on Main Street. The crash is under investigation by the Downers Grove Police Department and the F.I.A.T. Major Crash Reconstruction Team.
Anyone with additional information is asked to please contact the Downers Grove Police Department at (630) 434-5600.

By Brian Stanley

A Joliet man with a history of violence has been arrested again.

Arsenio K. Peachey, 29, was taken into custody March 4 at his residence in the 1000 block of Lois Place on charges of aggravated domestic battery and domestic battery from separate incidents.

According to reports, officers were called after Peachey choked his girlfriend during an argument in their apartment complex. Peachey was also wanted for allegedly striking the same woman last month at a restaurant on Larkin Avenue.

Court records show the victim had obtained an order of protection against Peachey in 2015, but did not seek to have it extended.

Peachey was the subject of another domestic violence arrest last January after he was accused of choking another girlfriend at an apartment in the 300 block of North Bluff Street. An order of protection was also issued to that victim, but no one appeared in court for an extension.

Court records show Peachey also has a pending criminal trespassing case from December after visiting a public housing complex in the 300 block of North Broadway without authorization.

Peachey spent most of 2018 in the Will County jail after being arrested on charges of being an armed habitual criminal, possession of a firearm by a felon and defacing the identifying markings of a firearm. He was found not guilty in a bench trial last year.

In June 2015, Peachey, who police have identified as a street gang member, was arrested after a traffic stop in the 300 block of Lime Street where police found a loaded black semi-automatic handgun inside his car. After serving jail time, Peachey was initially given two years probation, but was later re-sentenced to 18 months in prison following the domestic incident.

Peachey’s prison sentence also followed his testimony in the murder trial of Christopher Thompson, who fatally shot Gerardo Franchini on Aug. 3, 2013 in Louis’ Family Restaurant on Jefferson Street. Peachey, one of dozens of people inside the restaurant, gave a recorded interview to Joliet detectives identifying Thompson as the shooter – but was unable to recall doing so during the trial two-and-half years later.

Testimony showed before the trial Thompson called Peachey “a snitch” to other inmates while both men were in the jail. Thompson, who’d had an ongoing feud with the victim, was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison.

Ryan Ostry
Bugle Reporter
@RyanOstry_BR18
rostry@buglenewspapers.com

A night of PG-13, outrageous, extemporaneously acted out skits took place at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre, entertaining guests from all walks of life.

The improv troupe started off the show with a, ‘We’ve Said Worse’ scene where the actors and actresses asked the audience for a word, which inspires their characters and scenes all from that one word.

Followed by that act, the troupe was back asking the audience for another one-word inspiration for the next round of who-knows-what-they’ll-say.

(Photo by Ryan Ostry)

Scenes that were shouted out by the audience included the main character of the scene leaving the auditorium for a period of time, and then the audience blurting out subjects, places, facts etc. that they wanted to see the character guess and perform.

“Improv is unscripted material, and we mix short and long form Improv together,” said Lori Carmine, Park Manager of Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park.

A new game that the performers also tried out was taking suggestions by the audience as they came in, which transpired a Wrestling promo competition.

Following the new game and short form Improv, a version of long form was put to test.

“Long form is one suggestion that can go anytime from 15 minutes to 45 minutes,” Carmine said. “That one word or one suggestion just makes the act go, it’s always a fun time seeing that live.”

In total, 12 performers took the stage Friday night, with Carmine saying that the exciting part is that the group hasn’t been together all that much before, so you never really know what to expect.

“There’s about five of them in the performance that have been together for about a year or year and a half I would say,” Carmine said. “The great part about all of this is that the actors and actresses truly have no idea what they will be performing, so it always keeps you at the edge of your seat.”

Tryouts for the “Improv Uncorked” took place back in August for the long form Improv, with more tryouts coming up March 24.

Rehearsals took place two days a week, with two to three hours of practice each meeting.

The key to good Improv, according to Carmine, is to not be tentative and give anything and everything a try, not knowing where it could potentially lead.

“If you don’t sensor yourself, anything is acceptable and possible which is the great thing about Improv,” Carmine said. “The big thing Improv is, is ‘Yes And’, so if it is said, then it does exist.

“Improv is a really good skill to have, it’s truly good for all areas of life.”

Joliet Catholic Academy President/Principal Dr. Jeffrey Budz is pleased to announce the February Students of the Month: Kurt Weis (Kiwanis Club), Wyatt Simpson (Rotary Club), and Sophie Krzysciak (Lions Club). JCA is proud of the success these students have exhibited both in the classroom and out in the community.

(Kurt Weis)

Kurt Weis, son of Nick and Tricia Weis, currently holds a 4.75 GPA in JCA Honors and AP classes. Weis is a member of National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society. He was also a captain on the Hilltoppers 2018 IHSA Class 5A state champion football team, where he was named to the IHSA Class 5A All-State Team. Weis plans on attending the University of Illinois or the University of Missouri, intending to study finance.

Wyatt Simpson, son of Chuck and Keri Simpson, currently holds a 4.62 GPA in JCA Honors and AP Classes. Simpson is a member of National Honors Society, Spanish National Honors Society, English National Honors Society, and Mu Alpha Theta. He also participated on the JCA varsity golf team, JCA bass fishing (which he founded), Student Ambassadors, Respect Life Club, Spanish Club, Weather Club, and Key/Leo Club. Simpson will attend the University of Tennessee or Indian University, with plans to major in finance and minor in economics/business administration. He enjoys playing the guitar in his spare time.

Sophie Krzysciak, daughter of Robert and Colleen Krzysciak, currently holds a 4.70 GPA in JCA Honors classes. Krzysciak is a member of National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, and was named an Illinois State Scholars. She participates in JCA student council and was also a member of JCA’s IHSA Class 3A third place volleyball team this past fall. She received the Angels’ Most Valuable Player award and was also named to the Joliet Herald News All-Area team. In her spare time she volunteers with bingo at the Timbers of Shorewood, a senior retirement community. Krzysciak plans on attending the University of Dayton or Grand Valley State and will major in physical or occupational therapy.

When Rachel Woodford’s third-grade class at Trinity Christian School became aware that the shelves of the Shorewood-Troy Library food pantry were nearly bare, they decided to make it their mission to fill those shelves.

Woodford shared that the students were greatly impacted to learn that people living very close to their school struggle at times to have enough money to pay for food for their families.

“Hunger is often a hidden problem, said Shorewood-Troy Library Director, Jennie Mills. “A lot of families aren’t comfortable being open about needing a little extra support to get through the month. We don’t monitor it at all – people take what they need and give what they can.   That’s why our food pantry really seems to be used.”

Trinity students collected groceries and personal care items for the food pantry. Some students even purchased supplies with their own money.

One third grader commented, “I could never imagine what it must feel like to go hungry.”

“Partnering with community groups, like Trinity Christian School means everything,”
Mills said. “We always welcome assistance in filling our pantry.  It’s a very local pantry, so items given to us get used by the residents of Shorewood.”

For more information on the Shorewood-Troy Library Food Pantry contact Jennie Mills at 815-725-1715 or jmills@shorewoodtroylibrary.org.

Trinity Christian School is a private, non-denominational school located in Shorewood. The school serves students from preschool through eighth grade. For additional information about the school, visit www.trinitychristian.info or call 815-577-9310.

The fans at the Tyson Events Center were treated to a second-round matchup between two programs that have surged to the forefront of NAIA DII women’s basketball over the last four seasons.

Both Dakota Wesleyan University and University of St. Francis were making their fourth consecutive appearance at the NAIA National Tournament.

Andriana Acosta had 10 rebounds in the Saints’ season-ending loss. (photo courtesy of usf athletics)

In the end, the defending NAIA National Champions were just a little too much for the 14th-ranked Saints on Friday afternoon. No. 3 Dakota Wesleyan closed the game on a 15-3 run, overcoming a resilient USF squad to claim a 63-49 victory in second-round action at the NAIA DII Women’s Basketball National Championship.

The final score was not indicative of how competitive the contest was for 37 minutes.
The teams were separated by just single digits until DWU’s Sarah Carr scored two of her 17 second-half points with 2:32 remaining. After Carr’s basket, the Tigers’ added the next five points and eventually closed out the win.

“We wanted to show tonight that we could play with them and I think we did, we just didn’t finish it,” said head coach Steve Brooks, whose team suffered a 74-51 loss to Dakota Wesleyan on December 21. “At the end, we didn’t make shots and they made shots. We also gave them a few critical offensive rebounds that were momentum builders. The momentum shifted and we were never able to get it back.”

The Saints (24-9) only led twice during the matchup but withstood a plethora of DWU (30-5) runs, keeping the decidedly pro-Tiger crowd contained until the final minutes.

Dakota Wesleyan led by six in the opening stanza, five in the second period and seven in the third quarter before the Saints clawed their way back within one possession each time.

Facing its largest deficit of the game, 48-40 with eight minutes remaining, St. Francis seniors Ivana Markovic (Wheaton, Ill./Glenbard South) and Nichole Davidson (South Elgin, Ill./St. Charles North) ​combined to score the next six points. When the Saints needed them most, USF’s senior leaders provided a spark that is indicative of their impact on the program.

“Both Ivana and Nichole really bought into the culture we are trying to build, a mindset of pursuing excellence both on and off the court,” Brooks said. “Part of being a senior is progressing in the program as a leader and I think both Ivana and Nichole have done that. They have a real love of their teammates and help them be the best they can be. They do what you hope seniors would do.”
But it was Dakota Wesleyan’s juniors Carr and Kynedi Cheeseman who propelled the Tigers on their 15-3 fourth-quarter run. The two combined for 32 of the team’s 38 second-half points. All 17 of Carr’s came in the second half, while Cheeseman finished with a game-high 28.

“For 33 minutes, we were pretty good at responding to their physicality and the way they play,” Brooks said. “We did a good job of taking certain players out of their offense. We held Carr scoreless in the first half, but she got away from us in the second half. That proved to be the difference in the game.”

Kaitlin Aylward (Elmwood Park, Ill./Trinity) paced the Saints with 12 points while Davidson added 10. Andriana Acosta (Crest Hill, Ill./Joliet Catholic) remained among the tournament leaders in rebounding, grabbing 10 to go along with eight points.

Taking a step back to reflect on the season, Brooks was impressed with the way his team overcame various challenges throughout the season, including close losses and injuries.
“I’m really proud of them,” Brooks said. “We had to overcome a lot throughout the year, and I felt the kids really responded to what needed to be done. I am grateful for how they responded. We were in just about every game.”

The Saints finished the season with a record of 24-9 and are now 46-19 in their two seasons under Brooks’ leadership.

“I think the kids have a better understanding of what we are trying to build, a culture based on effort and team,” Brooks said. “That’s what we want to be about, the name on the front of the jersey. Hopefully, we can continue the momentum we have been building.”

Someone finally figured out those resilient underdogs from Joliet.
USF men’s basketball encountered a deficit it could not come back from on Friday morning when Indiana University East finished the game on a 21-5 spurt, ending the Saints’ magical run 77-61 in the second round of the NAIA DII Men’s Basketball National Championship.
“As coaches, we talk about togetherness and connectedness; the word that we use is neighborhood,” head coach Ryan Marks said, reflecting on the Saints’ last three weeks that turned a seven-game losing streak into the program’s first NAIA National Tournament win. “We are constantly striving to help our neighbors, get help from our neighbors and create a truly harmonious neighborhood. The validation of this message came from the close losses that we experienced. We could have become fragmented. We could have waited for next year. Instead, the relationships of the guys and their dedication to the neighborhood allowed us to turn things around and play our best basketball over the last couple of weeks.”
Throughout that stretch, the Saints (20-15) captured the hearts of many with their resilient ways. No strangers to playing from behind, USF had to do so for much of Friday’s contest. IU East (26-8) jumped out to a lead of at least seven points twice during the first half, but USF clawed its way back. Early in the game, five straight points from Mitch Kwasigroch (Manhattan, Ill./Joliet JC) capped a 12-2 run that knotted the score at 14. And later, a similar run led to a Cole Micek (Los Angeles, Calif./Moorpark College) and-one that put St. Francis ahead for the first time at 34-32.
After a 38-38 deadlock at the break, the teams went back and forth for the majority of the second half. Neither team gained separation of more than four points until IU East’s final push, which started when the game was tied 56-56 with eight minutes to play.
“I think if the game was longer, we would have made another run,” Marks said. “Tremendous credit to IU East. They played some good defensive possessions that got us out of rhythm. They completed plays better than we did. IU East has a tremendous program and this year’s team has the ability to win the whole thing.”
A trio of juniors – Kwasigroch, Micek and Malik Bailey (Tutwiler, Miss./Coahoma CC) – were the Saints’ leading scorers with 13, 10 and nine respectively. Seniors Terrion Howard (Champaign, Ill./Centennial), Pietro Badalassi (Canberra, Australia/Central Maine CC), Antonio Hughes (San Francisco, Calif./Skyline College), Samson Oyediran (London, England/Tennessee State) and Garrett Jackson (Sierra Vista, Ariz./Cochise College) combined for 15 points, 13 rebounds and six assists.
Marks praised the senior class for the example they’ve set.
“You look at the way they’ve represented our program in exemplary fashion in the classroom, in the community and on the court,” Marks said. “The fact that all of them represented us in that way is really heartwarming.”
IU East’s Jaylen McKay scored a game-high 25 points, while Aaron Thomas added a double-double (10 points, 12 rebounds). The Redwolves scored 13 straight points as a part of their game-ending run.
St. Francis wraps up its season with a 20-15 overall record.

Thank you to the Menta Group for hosting the March Joliet Public Schools District 86 Board
of School Inspectors meeting at Thompson Instructional Center. Congratulations to the

Thompson students who received awards:
Find the Gift Awards
Aiden Abenante, Sandra Alvardo, Donald Clayton, Destini Clopton, Tayvon Green, David
Holycross, Gabriel Hughes, David Juelz-Sullivan, Angelo Nino, Angel Pedroza,
Damarion Wade
Peace Builder Awards
Avanti Hinton, Gabriel Hughes, Jose Ochoa, Julian Ortega, Cristian Salinas, Andrew Shell-
Curry, Henry Vaughn Jr., Devin Williams
Top Reader Awards
Jacob Boss, Kingston Edwards, Elijah Jones, Madison Sanders, Andrew Shell Curry,
Devonta Stevens

In addition, the following students were named Students of the Month for February:
M.J. Cunningham Elementary
Daisy Alvarez, Jimena Ascencio Meza, Alfredo Caballero, Evelin Calderon, Aislinn Camargo,
Kamani Fox, Melody Gonzalez, Kathleen Hernandez, Brennan Martinez, Rihanna Manzo-
Velasco, Vanity Matthews, Maite Melecio-Hernandez, Sebastian Morales, Nathan Norman,
Ariana Razo, Vanesa Rodriguez, Adelaide Sanchez, Yaniah Santos, Rylan Washco, Julian
Zamudio, Denise Zepeda

Sator Sanchez Elementary
Shaila Aguirre, Karen Berumen, Dylan Cervantes, Angel Cortez, Christopher Diaz, Fergie
Escobedo, Daniel Garcia, Mia Garcia, Abigail Guzman, Adrian Hernandez, Alan Hernandez,
Dahilyne Hernandez, Alexander Idiaquez, Sherlyn Leon, Laurn Martinez, Fernando Mora
Hernandez, Fernanda Moraira, Kevin Murillo, Maria Ochoa, Katia Ramirez, Roland Reyes,
Yoselin Rodriguez, Yarisley Rodriguez Yepez, Juan Rosales, Ramiro Saenz, Francisco
Sandavol, Brizeyda Santiago, Jasmine Wallace, Karyme Xicara, Stephanie Yepez

Congratulations to the students who were invited to the Joliet Public Schools District 86 Young
Authors’ Celebration. Over 1,300 students and parents attended the event held at Sator Sanchez
Elementary School to honor “Rock Star Writers” in District 86. The students and families
enjoyed two interactive presentations with authors, illustrators, and performers at the event.

“Amy Logan” (from left to right) – Students (from left to right) Culbertson Kindergarten student
Zukari Moss, Farragut 1 st grader Colby Williams, and Sandburg Kindergarten student Erica
Schadeberg enjoyed meeting author Amy Logan at the event.

Student manuscript winners from each District 86 school included: T.E. Culbertson Elementary:
Emily Victor (4 th grade); M.J. Cunningham Elementary: Roxana Perez (3rd grade); Eisenhower
Academy: Colton Coughlen (3 rd grade); Farragut Elementary: Donavan Layne (5th grade);
Forest Park Individual Education (I.E.): Lily Dyche (2 nd grade); Thomas Jefferson Elementary:
Dylan Diaz (2 nd grade); Edna Keith Elementary: Jade Cordova (5 th grade); A.O. Marshall
Elementary: Cristofer Hernandez (5 th grade); Marycrest Early Childhood Center: Agustin
Moreno (PreKindergarten); Pershing Elementary: Daniela Macias (5 th grade); Sator Sanchez
Elementary: Romeo Rojas (5 th grade); Carl Sandburg Elementary: Taylor Vargas (5 th grade);
Isaac Singleton Elementary: Tessa Cole (2 nd grade); Taft Elementary: Eri Gutierrez (1 st grade);
Lynne Thigpen Elementary: Amber Cisneros (4 th grade); Thompson Instructional Center:
Destini Clopton (7 th grade); Woodland Elementary: Colin Kuchar (5 th grade);
Dirksen Junior High: Regina Zavala (7 th grade); Gompers Junior High: Tania Herrera (6 th
grade); Hufford Junior High I.E. Program: Joana Contreras (8 th grade); and Washington Junior
High: Jasmin Rojas-Jimenez (7 th grade).

In addition, congratulations to Sanchez fifth grade student Casandra Reyes and Washington
eighth grade student Anderson Tucker for designing the winning Tshirt designs.

Let’s start the conversation! Joliet Area Community Hospice is hosting “Remembering
from the Heart” Annual Dinner Fundraiser on Monday, April 22 beginning at 5:00 p.m. at
Bolingbrook Golf Club, 2001 Rodeo Dr., Bolingbrook, IL. The public is invited to the dinner,
presented by Signature sponsors: Busey Bank, D’Arcy Buick GMC, The Horton Group and Kurtz
Ambulance and Emergency Services.* Tickets are $75 per guest, with tables of 10 available.

Dinner, cash bar, raffles, auction and other fun activities will fill the evening. All proceeds
benefit Joliet Area Community Hospice adult and pediatric hospice and palliative care programs
and community bereavement services.

JACH will honor this year’s Heart of Hospice Award recipients: IL Representative Natalie Manley
(D-Shorewood) for envisioning a better hospice future and improving access to quality
end-of-life care through legislation and Margaret and Bill Benoit for unwavering support, love
and advocacy for JACH with gifts of time, talent and treasure.

Joliet Area Community Hospice has served the community for 37 years, now in the
counties of Will, Grundy, Kendall, Livingston, LaSalle and parts of DuPage, Kankakee and
Southern Cook. Pre-registration is required and can be made at www.joliethospice.org under
events or call 815-740-4104. Pre-registration required by April 12, 2019.

* To date, other event sponsors include, Medline, Silver Cross Hospital, Elite Therapy,
Edward Jones/Ed Dollinger and Mark Karner, Financial Advisors, and AdvaCare. Joliet Area
Community Hospice, a not-for-profit United Way Agency and this community’s choice for
quality end of life care.

Carl Sandburg students from Susan Vanisko’s second grade classroom practiced their reading
skills at a field trip to Wags 2 Wishes in Plainfield. The activity not only gave the seven- and
eight-year-old children a chance to improve their reading aloud skills, but it also engaged the
animals.

The field trip was the grand prize the class won from a Facebook contest sponsored by Wags 2
Wishes. The class submitted a picture and an essay about why the students would like to read
to the rescue dogs. The essay described how reading to dogs is proven to improve a reader’s
fluency, as well as their confidence. The essays were voted on and the Sandburg essay was
selected as the top winner.

At the shelter, the students were able to read to the rescue dogs and play with the puppies. In
addition, the students learned how to take care of pets and what the rescue center does to help
animals. The students were also treated to a complimentary pizza lunch.

By Randy Whalen

For the Bugle

www.buglenewspapers.com

It was quite a couple of days for Kendrick Williams.

On Saturday, March 16, the Joliet Central forward announced on Twitter that he had committed to play college basketball at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

The next day, Sunday, May 17, he went out and earned MVP honors at the Voyager Media Boys Basketball All-Star Shootout at the University of St. Francis in Joliet. He scored 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds as the South squad rallied for an exciting 136-133 victory over the North team.

Joliet Central’s Kendrick Williams wins MVP at all-star game. (Photo by Matt Evans)

Williams is the second straight Joliet Central player to win MVP honors at the all-star event, which started in 2009. Ryan Saunders, who played at Kaskaskia College in downstate Centralia this season, won it last year.

“Not getting all-conference showed me that had to do some things with my game,” Williams said of not making the All-Southwest Prairie Conference team. “So I did. I’m happy that I just signed at Wisconsin-Eau Claire.”

He was also happy to help the Steelmen to an 18-win season and a regional final appearance this season.

“We had to rebuild our chemistry this season after we had some injuries around Christmas,” Williams said of the Steelmen. “But I’m happy with the results this season.”

He was happy with the results in the all-star game too.

Especially the end.

The North team was trying to rally back but Williams had the last of his many slams with 36 seconds to play to give the South a 136-130 lead. Downers Grove South’s Justin Eagins (16 points), who hit four 3-pointers in the second half, made a final one with 21 seconds left to cut the lead to three, but that held up for the final score as the South team was able to run out all but the final second or so of the game.

The end of the game was much different than the start.

There were 24-minute halves with a running clock in all but the last two minutes of the half. In the first 3:10 of the game the North team was on fire, jumping out to an 18-0 lead. Williams finally put the South team on the board on a layup with 20:40 left in first half.

“It was like we had to step up,” Williams said. “We had to start playing and take off.”

The South team did just that, closing back within 26-16 with just under 18 minutes to play in the first half. Its deficit remained at double digits until just over eight minutes to play in the half. Jake Karli (8 points) from Lockport scored on back-to-back baskets to rally the South team all the way back for leads of 59-58 and 61-60. The score was tied 71-71 at halftime.

The South took off with an 11-2 burst to start the second half and never trailed again.

There were ties at 98-98 and 100-100. Ahead 114-113, Lockport’s Tommy Halatek (5 points) scored on a layup and Romeoville’s Mike Salter (6 points, 9 rebounds) scored on a layup with exactly seven minutes to play in the game to give the South some breathing room. It never got closer the three the rest of the way.

Ikenna Okeke, from Romeoville, finished with a game-high 21 points for the South squad. He transferred from Bolingbrook before the start of the season.

“In my senior year, team-wise we didn’t finish the way we wanted to,” Okeke said of the Spartans record. “But I was happy with how I played myself in my senior year.”

He was also happy to go up against his former teammates at Bolingbrook.

“It was fun to play them,” Okeke said. “Those are my guys.”

Also contributing to the South win was Plainfield East’s Yamani Shareff (11 points), Joliet Central’s Keaton Gregory (10 points), Plainfield South’s Diamond Presniakovas (10 points), Plainfield South’s Levert Shields (8 points), Plainfield East’s Noah Woulard (7 points), and Joliet West’s Jamonte Benton (6 points).

“It was a great time being out here with my old teammates and everyone else,” said Presniakovas, who almost missed the game because of an injury. “I just wanted to play with my boys and wear my jersey one more time.”

Kendrick Tchoua (18 points, 9 rebounds) from Benet Academy led the North team, while Downers Grove South’s Wesley Hooker was right behind with 17 points.

“It was fun playing with guys from other schools,” Hooker said. “We were trying to win, but it was still fun. I like to get above the rim and show off a little, but towards the end, you play defense more and try and win.”

A bevy of Bolingbrook guys were in double figures. They were Kameron Leonard (17 points, 7 rebounds), Tyler Cochran (10 points), and Ty McMurrin (10 points, 8 rebounds).

Jordan Myrick (7 points), Anthony Thompson (5 points), and Isiah Burd (4 points) also contributed for the Raiders, who won their third sectional title in the past five years this season.

Westmont had a pair of all-stars in Matt O’Leary (8 points) and Caden Anderson (6 points).

By Randy Whalen

For the Bugle

www.buglenewspapers.com

Anyone that walked in right after tip-off of Voyager Media Girls Basketball All-Star Shootout would have thought there was a lot of scoring in the opening moments since the scoreboard read 18-18.

Sam Galanopoulos wins MVP. (Photo by Matt Evans)

But it was all by design.

The 18-18 score to start the game was in honor of Beth Dunlap.

The Downers Grove North junior was fatally struck by a car on Feb. 19. She wore No. 18 as a setter on the Trojans volleyball team, helped them to a state runner-up finish last fall and was a member of the Voyager Media All-Area volleyball team.

Throughout the end of the basketball season, Dunlap had been honored, so Voyager Media Publications decided to open the scoring at 18-18 in her memory.

The 18-18 start meant a higher scoring total than usual as the North team, which included the Downers Grove North players, pulled away for a 91-81 victory at the Voyager Media Prep Shootout All-Star game on Sunday, March 17 at the University of St. Francis in Joliet.

Niles West’s Sam Galanopoulos scored a game-high 20 points to lead the North squad to victory, 15 coming in the second half.

“The first half, I was just feeling everything out.” She said. “Then we got down by one and they got it to three and I was not losing that game. I didn’t care what it takes, so I turned it on. It is all fun and games until it gets real and then it is do whatever it takes to win the game.”

Galanopoulos, who will be featured next week as the 2019 Girls Basketball Player of the Year, was also named the Most Valuable Player of the Shootout.

Galanopoulos was on the bench in the final minutes.

She was informed that she was just a few points away from tying Plainfield East’s Gabby Williams All-Star game record with for most points with 24, set in 2013. Galanopoulos, however, choose not to go back in the game.

Galanopoulos was not the only one that lit up the scoreboard. Maine South’s Nicole Scales helped tip those in the North’s favor with 18 points, four rebounds, and three steals.

“Sam and I have been teammates forever (in AAU), so getting to play with each other on the high school level is fun,” Scales said. “There are a lot of players from schools we never play, even in tournaments, so it is nice to see their styles of play and how they work.”

Jennifer Krizka wins character award. (Photo by Matt Evans)

Jalyn Harris from Downers Grove North also contributed big time as she sank a trio of 3-pointers in scoring 11 the first half. She finished with 13 points and nine rebounds.

“It was really fun to play with a different group of girls,” Harris said. “It was a lot of fun and it was competitive — it was a nice Sunday.

Caya Apostolou from Maine East tallied nine points, while Elisha Dunlap from Bolingbrook tallied six and Kaeli Ford from Lockport added five points.

Jennifer Krizka finished with seven points and five rebounds for the South team. But the multi-athlete at Joliet Catholic Academy has made contributions not only in sports but off the field too. With that in mind, she was awarded the Jeremy Izzo Character Award, which is named after the former JCA boys basketball coach, who passed away in 2010.

“It’s a great honor to receive the award,” Krizka said. “It’s great to keep and carry on that tradition that Jeremy Izzo started at JCA. This is what they preach at JCA, to be a character person.”

The basketball game was also the final one for Krizka, who is a softball standout for the Angels. She will continue to play softball at Oakland University in Michigan.

“When I was a freshman I came here to watch some of the senior’s play in this all-star game,” Krizka said. “I imagined myself playing in this game. So it was just a great experience to play with all these different players out here.”

The game was played with 20-minute halves and a running clock except in the last two minutes of the half. Ahead 27-25 the North team went on an 8-0 run and that built to a 30-15 spurt for a 57-40 lead heading into the final minute of the half. It was 57-45 at halftime.

Trailing 65-55 five minutes into the second half, the South squad had a 13-2 stretch to take its first lead ay 68-67 on a layup by Joliet Central’s Shawnton Brown.

“I loved the comeback there,” Brown said. “I had fun and it was fun to play with all the different girls from the different schools.

During this past season, Brown and her Steelmen teammates went 24-7 and advanced to the sectional title game. In the regular season, they had a couple of close losses to Minooka in Southwest Praire games. But in the all-star game, Brown (17 points, 7 rebounds) and Minooka guard Cierra Bachmann (16 points, 9 rebounds) were quite the duo.

“It was fun to play with Cierra,” Brown said. “Her basketball IQ is off the charts. She drew up a play for us and we executed it.

“Going 24-7 and setting records at Joliet Central was an accomplishment. It was a blueprint for our young girls to go out and accomplish more.”

The South team’s last lead was 73-72 on a 3-pointer by Brown’s Joliet Central teammate, Anette Hymon (6 points). But Galanopoulos earned her MVP honor by scoring the first five points in a 9-0 run that gave the Noth the lead for good at 81-73 with 3:33 to play.

Shannon Smith, from Plainfield South with six points, and Savanah Johnson, from Minooka with four points, also scored multiple baskets for the South team,

Information on recent arrests is provided by the Joliet Police Department. Persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

Christopher L. Jackson, 28, of the 1100 block of North Center Street, was arrested March 8 in the 1000 block of Cora Street on charges of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unauthorized possession of a firearm by a felon, unauthorized possession of ammunition and resisting arrest.

Tyler Welch, 20, of the 4500 block of South Indiana Avenue in Chicago, was arrested March 9 in the 3300 block of Mall Loop Drive on a charge of retail theft.

Samuel Howell, 58, homeless, was arrested March 9 in the 200 block of Cass Street on a charge of theft.

Otoniel Leon-Parra, 45, of the 1100 block of Draper Avenue, was arrested March 9 at Francis Street and Lloyds Avenue on a charge of possession of a controlled substance.

Patrick K. Beck, 28, of the 300 block of North Bluff Street, was arrested March 10 in the first block of East Clinton Street on a charge of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon.

David J. Plopsky, 19, of the 15200 block of Poplar Creek Lane in Orland Park, was arrested March 10 in the 2500 block of Highland Park Drive on charges of aggravated battery and criminal damage to property.

Andrew G. Seat, 33, of the 7300 block of North Claremont Avenue in Chicago, was arrested March 12 in the 1800 block of McDonough Street on a charge of aggravated domestic battery.

Ryan Ostry
Bugle Reporter
@RyanOstry_BR18
rostry@buglenewspapers.com

Joliet Library served as the local Planetarium for just one evening, as it hosted a Family Stargazing Night for viewers.

Activities ranged from a telescope being brought over from Adler Planetarium, starry night crafts being displayed and used by children, robots that kids were able to learn how to move moon rocks, a documentary about stargazing, space books and a solar system walk.

“The solar system walk is pretty cool because people can see the relative distance between the planets and learn facts about each of the planets as they go back,” said Laura Yanchick, Manager of Youth Services. “Looking for constellations throughout the building, making their own constellations and learning things about space they previously didn’t know is great as well.”

Family Stargazing Night was the first time ever the library hosted an event such as this, but events at the Joliet Library are constant according to Yanchick.

A sheet was given to each person in attendance Friday night, with a plethora of Constellations and telescope numbers that said when each viewer was allowed to step outside to see through the telescope.

Antila, Ara, Aries, Chamaelon, Circinus, Corona-Australis, Corona-Borealis, Corvus, Crater, Delphinus, Dorado, Equuleus, Horologium, Lacerta, Libra, Microscopium, Musca, Norma, Orion’s Belt, Pyxis, Sagitta, Telescopium, Ursa-Minor, Vela and Volans were all displayed during the search, as well as in the documentary and in the wide variety of books.

To Yanchick, she said she is always learning for experts and those with years of knowledge within each activity to come and help the community and other participants gain better knowledge and enjoy activities at the library.

“We know a little bit about a lot of things is something I like to say,” Yanchick said. “We love finding experts such as the visitor from Adler Planetarium, we’re going to do a field trip this summer that’s a virtual field trip with the Shed Aquarium where they will web cam into us and take us through the shark exhibit and we do family field trips through Joliet all the time.

For someone that deals with youth services and that provides a lot of entertainment especially for kids, she said that she was pretty surprised and enjoyed seeing the many faces Friday night, including adults that showed up and took a large interest in the first time activity.

“We are so excited seeing everyone, but we’re really excited seeing adults here that have come without children, as well as people with children,” Yanchick said. “For people to really find an all ages thing is something we really love, and we’re excited to see the science, art and experience everything with the robots.”

By Brian Stanley
bstanley@buglenewspapers.com

Police were depending on more than luck to keep Shorewood roads safe from drunk drivers during St. Patrick’s Day weekend.

Officers were assigned to a special enforcement detail that targeted drivers who were operating unsafe vehicles, driving with a suspended license, not wearing seat belts, transporting open liquor or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

“The message is simple and clear – we have zero tolerance for drunk drivers in Shorewood,” Deputy Chief Eric Allen said.

Alcohol and drug impairment remain a significant factor in more than 40 percent of all fatal crashes in Illinois and 29 percent nationwide. Drugs account for 16 percent of all traffic crashes nationwide.

The roadside safety checks are funded by federal traffic safety funds through the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Division of Traffic Safety.

Allen said the checkpoint was to be set up for one night during the weekend at a well-traveled location in the village, but did not want to provide specifics in advance of the operation so the road was not avoided.

Based on the number of available officers, every “X” number of cars that pass the checkpoint will be diverted through the cones for an inspection.

“It’s whatever that number will be so that it is completely random and we’re not stopping specific vehicles,” Allen noted. “Drivers are flagged into the zone where an officer will walk around their vehicle and ask to see their license and proof of insurance.”

Allen said police are required to assume the license and insurance card are valid unless there is probable cause for further investigation.

“If they aren’t buckled up, have signs of impairment or an equipment violation like a headlight out or a tail light out, the officer has to accept the license and insurance at face value,” Allen said. “An overwhelming majority of the vehicles that are stopped for inspection will be finished in less than two minutes.”

Allen said few drivers have complained during previous traffic checkpoints.

“It’s almost surprising, but a lot of drivers tell us they appreciate that we’re out doing this,” he said. Shorewood Police have also run traffic safety checkpoints for Super Bowl Sunday, Halloween and other holidays depending on grant availability.

Information provided by the Drive Sober Illinois organization said 16 percent of traffic deaths involving children are alcohol related. Nationally, over 1 million drivers are arrested on DUI charges each year and over 100 million drivers have admitted operating a vehicle under the influence at least once in their lives.

Court costs, higher insurance, license reinstatement, mandatory classes, monitoring devices, legal fees and loss of income put the average cost of a first-time DUI conviction at more than $10,000.