Throughout the growing season, the Kendall County Master Gardeners are available Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at (630) 553-5823 or in the Master Gardener office at the University of Illinois Extension office at 7775B IL Route 47, Yorkville. (Photo courtesy of Kendall Co. Extension)

Kendall County

Master Gardener Help Desk opens for season

Spring is on its way, which means it is time for the Kendall County Master Gardener Help Desk to open for the 2017 season. Trained volunteers field questions on trees, shrubs, lawns, flowers, vegetables and more.

“The winter weather, lawn care, spring blooms, and starting vegetable seeds are popular topics this time of year with the Master Gardener Help Desk,” said Sarah Fellerer, program coordinator. “Master Gardeners can advise on what needs to be done in gardens and yards right now and throughout the season, including questions about pruning, soil sampling, disease control and prevention, project planning and much more.”

Throughout the growing season, the Kendall County Master Gardeners are available Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at (630) 553-5823 or in the Master Gardener office at the University of Illinois Extension office at 7775B IL Route 47, Yorkville. Questions also may be emailed to uiemg-kendall@illinois.edu.

For more information on the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener program in Kendall County, visit go.illinois.edu/extensiondkk. University of Illinois Extension provides educational programs and research-based information to help Illinois residents improve their quality of life, develop skills and solve problems.

Multiple felonies filed from Montgomery gun incident

On March 3, at approximately 12:50 p.m., Kendall County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 0-100 Block of Afton Road, Montgomery, for a report of a man being threatened with a gun.

Kendall County Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation into the incident.

The Kendall County State’s Attorney’s Office charged Seth Magana, 19, of Streator, with Aggravated Assault, Possession of Firearm Ammunition without Requisite Firearm Owners ID Card, Possession of a Firearm Without Requisite Firearm Owners ID Card, all Class A Misdemeanors; Residential Burglary, Class 1 Felony and Possession of a Firearm by a street gang member, Class 2 Felony. Magana was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Kendall County Jail.

Magana’s bond was set at 200,000, with ten percent to apply.

Payton Foundation donates backpacks to Oswego Township

Kendall County Sheriff’s Deputies Karen Hanson and Zach Tongate delivered six back packs filled with school supplies to children in Oswego Township after a fire damaged their homes. The supplies were provided by the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation as part of their back-to-school supply drive.

The Walter and Connie Payton Foundation hosts’ school drives during the summer to collect new supplies and backpacks. They provide businesses with a box and posters to collect the supplies. Once the drive is complete, the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation collects the donations, sorts and fills backpacks with the supplies and distributes filled backpacks to schools, and individual families in need of obtaining supplies for their children.

Each year the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation distribute approximately 2,500 backpacks.

Connie Payton said, “I am happy to see our efforts continue to help those in needs. The Payton Family believes we have been blessed to be a blessing to others.”

Nancy Hewlett, office manager/event coordinator with the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation added, “Partnering with the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office has been a great way to faster get supplies to children when needed. We truly appreciate the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office for all they do for the community.”

For more information on the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation, visit www.Payton34.com

Chicago man faces multiple charges in Kendall jail

On March 6, 2017, at approximately 6:43 a.m. Kendall County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the Kendall County Jail to assist Kendall County Corrections Deputies with a noncompliant inmate. Upon attempting to clear multiple inmates from the pod common area, Deverick Alex, a 25-year-old Chicago man, was identified as the inmate refusing to comply with Corrections Deputies orders.

He allegedly forcibly detained another male inmate in the pod with a weapon. Alex was observed threatening to kill the inmate if his demands were not met. Corrections deputies were able to de-escalate the confrontation with Alex and he was taken into custody without incident.

The Kendall County State’s Attorney’s Office charged Alex with Armed Violence, a Class X Felony, Forcible Detention, a Class 2 Felony, Aggravated Unlawful Restraint, a Class 3 Felony, Possession of Contraband in a Penal Institution, a Class 4 Felony, and Aggravated Assault, a Class A Misdemeanor. Alex remains in custody at the Kendall County Jail.

The male inmate who was detained by Alex did not sustain any physical injuries.

Kendall-Grundy organization provides scholarships

Kendall-Grundy Community Action Services, a division of Kendall County Health

Department, is pleased to make available the Community Action Scholarship.

These scholarships provide financial assistance to eligible individuals for education or occupational training at an accredited Illinois educational institution. Approximately $6,000.00 in scholarship awards will be given in 2017.  Deadline for applications for 2017 is April 21.

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria when applying for the Community Action Scholarship:

• Applicant(s) must be income eligible under DCEO/CSBG income eligibility guidelines.
• Applicant(s) must be a resident of Kendall County or Grundy County.
• Funds must be used to secure formal or occupational training at an education institution accredited in the State of Illinois.
• Applicant(s) must be pursing short-term training (two years or less) in occupational training, general post-secondary education or in exceptional circumstances consideration will be given to applicants for general education.
• Applicant(s) must have demonstrated positive community/school involvement.
• Scholarship funds may be used for books, tuition, fees, etc.
• Scholarships will be awarded in June 2017

Applications will be evaluated on the basis of financial eligibility, scholarship potential, commitment to civic affairs, career goals and personal interviews.

Applications are available from High School Guidance Counselors or visit Kendall-Grundy Community Actions Services office located at 1802 N. Division St. Suite 602 Morris, (815) 941-3262 or Kendall County Health Department, 811 W. John St Yorkville, (630) 553-9100 to obtain an application.

Montgomery

Candidates forum set for March 23

The Greater Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce (GMACC) recognizes that the business climate in Montgomery can be influenced by decisions of the Village Trustees. In turn, it believes that its members and community residents deserve to hear what the candidates have to say about issues that may impact the future of Montgomery.

That’s why the GMACC will host a public Candidates Forum where the six candidates (for three open Trustee positions) will have the opportunity to present their views on a variety of topics.  WSPY will moderate this event. 

All area businesses and residents are invited to attend on Thursday, March 23 at 6 pm in the Board Room at the Montgomery Village Hall, 200 N. River St.

For more information about other GMACC programs and upcoming networking events, contact the Greater Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce: gmacc@chamberofmontgomeryil.org, or, contact Cindy Ferchen at (630) 897-8137.

Oswego

Oswego senior center accepting donations

The Oswego Senior Center accepts donations of gently used items to sell in their gift shop. All of the 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 center 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.

Volunteers needed for local senior center

The Oswego Senior Center has multiple opportunities for volunteerism, for all ages, individuals and groups throughout the year. Anyone interested in volunteering, please call Ruth Mattson for a volunteer application and interview, (630) 554-5602 or email volunteer@oswegoseniorcenter.org. Current positions available:

Culinary Expo: Tuesday, April 4 (Monday afternoon set-up crew; Tuesday afternoon tear-down crew)

Adaptive Living Fair: Wednesday, April 12 (Tuesday afternoon set-up crew; Wednesday afternoon tear-down crew)

Kids younger than 14 are needed to make Easter or spring crafts or cards at home and drop off at the senior center for distribution.

Yorkville

Bunny Breakfast and Egg Hunt

Join the Yorkville Parks and Recreation Department and Senior Services for this fun, family event beginning at 8 a.m. on April 8 at the Beecher Community Center, 908 Game Farm Road, Yorkville.

Families will eat a hot breakfast with the Easter Bunny, create crafts, play games, and then at 9:15 a.m. hunt for Easter Eggs. The Hunt will be held outside so please dress appropriately. This cost of the hunt is $6 per person and includes breakfast, activities, and the egg hunt.

Pre-registration is required and all ages are required to register.

For more information or to register, contact the Yorkville Parks and Recreation Department by phone at (630) 553-4357, by email, or visit www.yorkvilleparksandrecreation.com. Anyone interested in sponsoring the event should contact Shay at (630) 553-4357 or by email.

–Kendall County New Briefs–