Kendall County Sheriff’s deputies Zach Tongate and Deputy Casey Kailus with John Clark and Jeff Miller. The deputies responded to call to find Clark had collapsed and administered the AED device to save him. (Photo courtesy of Kendall Co. Sheriff)

Aurora 

Kane Sheriff hosts forum on race relations 

On Feb. 22, 2017, Kane County Sheriff Donald E. Kramer and his Community Outreach Team will host a racial relations forum from 6-8 p.m., at the Aurora Public Library, 101 South River St. Aurora.

This Race Forward conversation will take an intricate look at the persistence of racial disparities and divisions that exist across society and more specifically in our own community.

As a community, it is imperative to better understand the diverse perspectives regarding race, dispel racially-based myths and stereotypes, examine the racial inequities that exist at the institutional/societal levels and address racial tensions that exist in our own community, the sheriff’s office said.

This conversation is an opportunity for the community to hear the perspectives of those who advocate for racial change, share their voice regarding racially based issues/concerns, and bring about social change that is mutually beneficial for all people.

Event speakers include.

• Nadrienne Coleman, Multicultural Education Specialist, IMSA
• Pastor Tim Bailey, Living Purpose Church
• Pastor Josue Valdez, Iglesia El Camino
• Dr. Eva Serrano, Aurora University
• Chief Kristen Ziman, Aurora Police Department
• Ricky Rodgers, African American Men of Unity
• Sadia Covert, Illinois Attorney and Civil Rights Advocate
• Regina Brent, President of Unity Partnership

Come engage with us and others who are reshaping the way we talk about race and address racism in our community today and into the future.

 Kendall County 

Two sheriff’s deputies meet man saved by AED device 

Two Kendall County Sheriff’s Deputies recently reunited with a man whose life they saved in 2015.

Their initial encounter occurred on Dec. 29, 2015, when Kendall County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to the 600 Block of Douglas Street, Oswego, for a report of a man that had collapsed during a bible study session at his home.

Kendall County Sheriff’s Deputy Zach Tongate was close to the home and rushed to respond. When he arrived, he found John Clark unresponsive on the floor.

Tongate learned that Clark had been hosting a bible study group at his home and was in a prayer circle when he collapsed, later found to be of cardiac arrest. Fortunately, John’s friend, Jeff Miller, an Eagle Scout, immediately began CPR.

A retired Aurora Police Officer was also at the bible study group, and immediately called 9-1-1.

Deputy Tongate arrived with Deputy Kailus, and was immediately able to assess the need for an Automated External Defibrillator device (AED), very recently acquired and carried by patrol deputies. Having just been trained in the AED use, Deputy Tongate successfully used the AED, and continued to perform CPR until Oswego Medics were able to transport Clark to Copley Hospital.

Clark was admitted to Copley into the Intensive Care Unit, where he received a pacemaker. Clark was discharged one week later with no lasting effects of his ordeal.

Following the event, Clark felt it was very important to meet the two men who saved his life.

“I felt it was very important to show the positive outcome of what these men did for me,” he said.

Clark got his wish, and came with his friend Jeff Miller to the Sheriff’s Office on Feb. 1, 2017 to meet Deputies Tongate and Kailus.

“God definitely had his hand in the event, there were too many coincidences. Had I had the heart attack minutes later, the prayer group would have been gone,” he said.

Clark stated that once he was at the hospital in recovery, he spoke with his Cardiologist.

“The doctor said I was dead before I hit the ground. The doctor said the only thing that would have, or could have saved my life was an AED,” he said.

Arts On Fire donates to FVOAS 

Arts On Fire’s owner, Kelly Browning, generously has donated a portion of her proceeds to Fox Valley Older Adult Services, (FVOAS) from various Sip and Paint Events that were held at Fox Valley Community Center. Be sure to visit Arts On Fire at their new enlarged location at 217 E. South St., Plano.

This business makes painting pottery, board art, canvas, wine glasses or fused glass fun and relaxing. No reservation is needed. Participants just choose their piece, plan their design, choose their color, create their masterpiece and leave it to be fired. Community support, such as that from Arts On Fire, helps FVOAS continue its outstanding programing and services for seniors in a multi-county area.

Through the generosity of both business and private donors FVOAS, for the past 45 years, has been able to help seniors continue to live vital and independent lives. FVOAS and its partner, Voluntary Action Center (VAC), assist thousands of seniors in DeKalb, Kane, Kendall, LaSalle and Bureau counties. For more information, call (815) 786- 9404 or stop by the Fox Valley Community Center.

Oswego 

Man charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse 

On July 14, 2016, Kendall County Sheriff’s Deputies took a report and initiated an investigation for an Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse in the 0-99 block of Seneca Drive in Montgomery.

The complainant reported that a family acquaintance allegedly made sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl.

Kendall County Sheriff’s Detectives continued the investigation. On Jan. 27, the Kendall County State’s Attorney Office charged Joshua Benjamin, 21, of Oswego, with two counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse, both Class 2 felonies. Benjamin’s bond was set at $25,000 with ten percent to apply.

Benjamin was taken into custody without incident on Feb. 1 by members of the U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task force and transported to the Kendall County Jail. Benjamin posted bond and currently awaits his next court appearance.

Oswego man charged with fleeing crash 

An Oswego man is facing multiple charges after fleeing the scene of an alleged drunken driving crash.

According to the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to a crash at 4:45 p.m. Feb. 13 near Route 31 and East Anchor Drive.

When they arrived deputies found that the vehicle’s driver, Cristian Cid, 36, 2000 block of Route 31, had allegedly ran from the scene.

Cid was located by deputies near Marlin and West Anchor drives, and he was suffering from a head injury.  He was transported to Rush Copley Medical Center for treatment where it was discovered he also had a fractured neck, the sheriff’s office said.

Cid was charged with DUI, improper lane usage, no valid driver’s license and leaving the scene of an accident.

Senior Center accepting donations 

The Oswego Senior Center accepts donations of gently used items to sell in their gift shop. One hundred percent of all proceeds are used to support their meal programs, bus transportation, health / educational/ recreational programs, hobby shops and other activities.

Donations can be delivered to the Oswego Senior Center, 156 E. Washington St. in Oswego. Call (630) 554-5602 for more information.

The gift shop sells jewelry, purses, scarves, home décor, holiday items, games, DVDs & CDs, collectibles, greeting cards, kitchenware, puzzles, books, pottery, picture frames and small stuffed animals.

The shop does not accept the following: TVs, monitors, VHS/audio tapes; microwaves, magazines, Christmas trees, used/loose Christmas lights, furniture, infant cribs, walkers, strollers or car/booster seats, mattresses, children’s toys, clothing.