DeKalb County News Briefs

Chronicle Media Staff

 

Joseph Glidden received a patent and manufactured what would become the most widely used barbed wire in frontier America in ared brick barn next to his home on West Lincoln Highway in DeKalb. The Taste, a culinary feast, will raise money April 22 to continue to preserve the Glidden homestead.

ELECTIONS

 

 

Smith easily wins in Dekalb, Lang new Sycamore mayor

Jerry Smith captured nearly 50 percent of the vote in a four-candidate field to win election to a four-year term as DeKalb mayor last week.

Smith, former executive director of the DeKalb County Community Foundation, collected 2,362 votes (47.9 percent) to 946 votes (19.2 percent) for runner-up Misty Hall-Sheikh.

Incumbent mayor John Rey was third with 942 votes (19.1 percent) while Michael Embry trailed in fourth with 674 votes (13.7 percent).

Sycamore also elected a new major as Curt Lang received 1,376 votes (nearly 45 percent) in a three-way race. Candy Smith was second with 1,095 votes (35.7 percent) while Rick Spider Kramer was third with 591 votes (19.3 percent).

Incumbent Ken Mundy did not seek reelection.

 

COUNTY

 

Fundraiser supports Glidden center

Area cooks will cook up tasty treats as a way to raise funds for the Joseph F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center. The center’s ninth annual fundraiser, The Taste, will be held 5:30 to 8 p.m. April 22 at Northern Illinois University’s Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center. Tickets are available by calling (815) 756-7904 or visiting gliddenhomestead.org, First National Bank locations, Glidden Homestead, Sycamore Chamber of Commerce and American Title Guaranty.

The Taste will feature women and men from DeKalb County and beyond, dishing up their favorite recipes, including appetizers, bread, soups, salads, entrées and desserts.

Many who participated in the past are returning with new recipes. Participants include: Kristin Anderson, Linda Anderson, Lucio Bortolin, Sarah Glidden DeMink, Gwen Fox, Katherine Gannon, Marge Hash, Stacie Haugk, Debbie Armstrong, Jayne Higgins, Destiny Johnson, Jeff Lawson of KishHealth System, Susan Johnson, Dale Pestered, Dan Kenney, Janann Marshall, James and Lynn Morel, Mary Pritchard, Latsis Bakery and Janice Devore. More are welcome. Call (815) 756-7904, if interested.

Joseph Glidden was granted a patent in 1874, for what would become the most widely used barbed wire in frontier America. He invented his wire in the red brick barn next to his home. Both structures still stand on West Lincoln Highway in DeKalb, and will benefit from the fundraiser.

 

 

DeKALB

 

Public asked to submit questions in school superintendent search

Think of a question you would ask someone who is applying to be DeKalb School District 428 superintendent. The School Board wants to know.

In its search for a new superintendent, the board is seeking questions from the community. District 428 recently hired the Illinois Association of School Boards to aid in the search for the replacement for Doug Moeller, who will resign April 30.

Moeller was put on paid administrative leave in September after accusations of sexual harassment, and was replaced by interim Superintendent Brad Hawk.

Six to eight candidates will be vetted and brought to the district to meet with district staff and community members. The board will then interview the top three final candidates. The target employment date for the selected candidate is July 1.

Questions can be submitted to the district at suptinterviewquestions@d428.org.

 

 

Easter egg hunt has a charitable bent

An upcoming Easter egg hunt is being held for fun and a charitable purpose. Admission to the April 15 egg hunt is free, with the donation of an item for use at Safe Passage, a domestic violence shelter in DeKalb.

Children ages 2-10 are invited to participate in the hunt, which will begin at 10:45 a.m. in the Shelter House of Hopkins Park, 1403 Sycamore Road, DeKalb. Registration is not required.

Items most needed by residents of Safe Passage include gas cards, Walgreen’s gift cards, twin bed sets and blankets, dish soap, detergent, personal hygiene items and diapers.

Before the egg hunt, a Breakfast with the Bunny will be held in the Terrace Room at Hopkins at 9 a.m. The menu, prepared by Fatty’s Catering, will include eggs, pancakes and sausage. Price is $7 per adult and children older than 2. Space for the breakfast is limited, and registration is required. Go to dekalbparkdistrict.com.

 

 

SYCAMORE

 

Library is accepting unwanted books

The Sycamore Public Library will accept donations of unwanted books and other materials April 15. The public may bring their items to the circulation desk at the library, 103 E. State St., Sycamore, starting at 9 a.m. Items that the library will accept include new and used books and books that need to be recycled. Items donated may be added to the library’s annual book sale, proceeds of which go to support youth and teen programming at the Library. Donations may be tax-deductible. Receipts may be obtained at the circulation desk.

 

 

Use of police force Is topic of seminar

The Sycamore Police Department is hosting seminars to educate people on topics including child internet safety, police use of force, IRS scams and trends in illegal drug use. The next seminar, “When Can the Police Use Force?,” will be held at 7 p.m. April 18. This presentation is designed to put the use of police force into context. The capabilities of special operations teams will be discussed. The seminar is free and will take place at the Sycamore Police Department, 535 DeKalb Ave. Reservations are not required, but are requested. Call (815) 865-3435.