Nearly $12,000 of a hoped-for $25,000 has been raised in an on-line fundraiser for the planned bronze statue which would depict Diesel in a famous “High Five” pose.

NIU

Fans of ‘Diesel’ raising funds for bronze statue

Supporters of an effort to immortalize Diesel, the late Northern Illinois Huskies mascot, with a statue outside Huskie Stadium are almost halfway home in a fundraising effort.

Nearly $12,000 of a hoped-for $25,000 has been raised in an on-line fundraiser for the planned bronze statue which would depict Diesel in a famous “High Five” that was immortalized on an national ESPN telecast.

The statue is being created by renowned sculptor Renee Bemis. An agreement has been reached with the NIU Foundation to place the sculpture in a prominent place outside Huskie Stadium.

For more information or to donate visit: https://www.gofundme.com/uqs9qmrn

STATE

State releases boating Infractions during holiday

While much attention is focused on drunk driving on a holiday, this year the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police participated in Operation Dry Water, a nationwide boating safety and boating under the influence awareness initiative.

During Operation, Dry Water and the 4th of July holiday weekend, the Illinois Conservation Police reported the following activity:

• 617 written warnings,

• 346 citations,

• 30 boating OUI (Operation Under the Influence) arrests,

• 1378 vessel inspections,

• 3 DUIs (Driving Under the Influence),

• 12 criminal/warrant arrests,

• 108 vessel/person assists, and

• 29 drug arrests.

COUNTY

Lawyer to be honored for helping free wrongly convicted man

The American Bar Association will honor former DeKalb County State’s Attorney Richard Schmack for his post-conviction work on what, at one time, was America’s longest lasting cold case.

Schmack’s work resulted in a vacated conviction and Certificate of Innocence for Jack McCullough was convicted in 2012 for the 1957 murder of Sycamore resident Maria Ridulph. Schmack re-examined the evidence and found phone records showing that McCullough was in Rockford at the time of the crime.

A series of hearings in the DeKalb County Courthouse eventually led to the vacated conviction and Certificate of Innocence.

Schmack will receive the Norm Maleng Minister of Justice Award in November. The award recognizes prosecutors who embody certain principles, especially the duty to “seek justice, not merely to convict.”

Schmack is semi-retired, and working in private practice.

Survey of low-income residents asks what they need

A survey to identify the needs of low-income people and help make them self-sufficient is being conducted by the DeKalb County Community Action Department. County residents are being asked to take the needs assessment survey that will help the department to assist low-income households.

Results from the survey will be used to develop a community action plan. A link to the survey is available at dekalbcountycommunityaction.org, and takes around five to 10 minutes to complete. Surveys must be completed by July 28.

For clients who qualify for aid, a family support specialist will be called in to identify the areas of greatest need for an individual or family, whether that be housing, employment, food or mental health services. For more information, call (815) 758=3910.

County’s attractions showcased at Kishwaukee Fest

Kishwaukee Fest 2017 will be held July 22 – July 30. The weeklong festival, to be held throughout DeKalb County, features Concerts in the Park, a Friday evening parade, farmers’ markets and a Sunday car show. In addition to the main events there will be additional activities, entertainment and attractions to showcase DeKalb County.

Kishwaukee Fest began in 2010 as an entertainment salute to the county. For more information, contact Michael Embrey at M.Embrey@FunMEevents.com or visit kishwaukeefest.com. The website will have the latest schedule of events.

One event, the Family Fun Fest, will be held from 4-5:30 p.m. July 25, for the fifth consecutive year by the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce. This is a free family event, that this year will provide more space to offer a family friendly event leading up to the special children’s concert in Hopkins Park, 1403 Sycamore Road, DeKalb.

For more information, contact the DeKalb Chamber at (815) 756-6306.

KIRKLAND

Chamber welcomes family-owned bakery

Allyn’s Going Bananas Bakery was recently welcomed into the DeKalb business community by the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber ambassadors, board members and staff congratulated the business on its chamber membership. The Kirkland home-based baking enterprise specializes in banana-based quick breads and St. Louis gooey butter cakes, with an expanded menu offering muffins, fudge, cakes, cupcakes and brownies. The bakery also sells Drunken Fudge, a line of alcohol-infused, melt-in-your-mouth desserts for a more adult taste.

Located in Kirkland, Allyn’s Going Bananas Bakery is a family-owned business, operating out of an at-home kitchen. For information, visit allynsgoingbananas.com or call (815) 980-2268.

SYCAMORE

Park district has new recreation superintendent

A new superintendent of recreation started July 17 at the Sycamore Park District. Meghan Jourden-Messerich has now in charge of overseeing recreational facilities, services and initiatives throughout the park district. The need for a superintendent of recreation arose with the planning and development of Action 2020 projects, including the community center, splashpad, dog park, sled hill, trail connections, sports complex expansion and golf irrigation system.

For the next several months, Jourden-Messerich will focus on staffing needs for the community center, expanding the district’s program offerings, and determining operations and fees for new facilities, among other duties.

Jourden-Messerich earned her bachelor’s degree in travel and tourism management in 2003 from Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania. Before taking the role in Sycamore, she served as the assistant superintendent of recreation for the St. Charles Park District for three years.

–DeKalb County News Briefs–