Kendall County Sheriff Dwight Baird presents a $500 Illinois Sheriff’s Association Scholarship to Yorkville High School Senior Dakotah Kinsella. (Photo courtesy Kendall County Sheriff’s Office)

Kendall

Sheriff presents scholarship to Yorkville High School senior

The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce that a Yorkville High School Senior was recently chosen to receive a $500 scholarship, provided through the Illinois Sheriff’s Association. The recipient, Dakotah Kinsella, is a senior at Yorkville High School and plans to attend the University of Illinois Urbana, North Central College, Loyola University, or Augustana College. Dakotah plans to major in Neuroscience and Music.

Applicants were asked to write an essay regarding what can be done to combat the rise in heroin usage in the United States. In her essay, Dakotah wrote that increasing communication and education about heroin between family and friends would be the best step in combating the rise in usage. Dakotah also wrote that people who have an active involvement in their community may be less likely to use heroin.

“It is important for our community to recognize young adults for their contributions to society and academic achievements throughout high school. This financial support provided for future educational opportunities will help keep these young adults on the path to becoming leaders in our community,” said Sheriff Dwight A. Baird.

Detective receives Investigator of the Year Honors

On May 6, Kendall County Sheriff’s Det. Byron Maggos received the Investigator of the Year Award at the 31st Annual Respect for Law Banquet held at Whitetail Ridge Golf Club in Yorkville. Maggos was nominated for his efforts in an investigation into a murder for hire incident in the Kendall County Jail. An inmate in the jail was allegedly soliciting the murder of an acquaintance. Maggos was assigned as the lead investigator at the sheriff’s office.

Throughout an eight month long investigation, Maggos worked with other investigators from the sheriff’s office and investigators from the Oswego Police Department. On March 8, Daniel Perkins, 40, from Oswego, was charged with solicitation of murder for hire, solicitation of murder, and conspiracy to commit witness intimidation.

Throughout the investigation, Maggos was not only interested in collecting the facts to investigate the crime but also to protect the victim and the community he serves as a whole, Sheriff Dwight Baird said.

“This guardian mentality drives Det. Maggos every day and his work on this case is an example of teamwork with a focus aimed at safeguarding the community,” the office said in a press release. “Det. Maggos is the type of person that residents of Kendall County deserve in a law enforcement officer.”

The Annual Respect for Law Banquet is an annual event where Kendall County law enforcement personnel receive awards and recognition for their efforts. The event was sponsored by Kendall County Association of Chiefs of Police and the Oswegoland Optimist Club.

Kendall County Fair Golf Outing

There is still time to sign up to spend the day outdoors golfing and later enjoying a steak dinner, all while supporting the local fair organization.

The annual Kendall County Fair Golf outing will be on June 15 with tee off at noon at Bliss Creek Golf Course in Sugar Grove. Prizes will be offered for first scramble, mixed team or women’s team, hole-in-one on all par threes, closest to pin, longest drive, longest putt and more.

Funds generated by the outing are used for operation of the Kendall County Fair Open & 4-H Shows. Golf, including dinner, cart, and 18 holes, and a steak buffet dinner is $90 per person. If you don’t golf, dinner tickets also are available for $20. Entry deadline is June 8.

The Kendall County Fair and 4-H Shows will be Aug. 4 to 7 this year, and the fairgrounds are located at Highpoint Road and Route 71, about one mile west of Routes 71 and 47.

Sponsorship opportunities also are still available. To sponsor a hole or door prize, or to register to golf by June 8, contact Dan Reedy at the Kendall County Farm Bureau at 630-553-7403 or Kim Eisnaugle at University of Illinois Extension at 630-553-5823.

Oswego

Associate superintendent named for Oswego schools

Community Unit School District 308 Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Dr. Judith Minor will be the district’s new Associate Superintendent. Dr. Minor will begin her new role effective July 1.

In her new role as associate superintendent, Minor will oversee her current departments, services and programming, as well as serve in the number two leadership position for the seventh largest public school system in Illinois. 

The associate superintendent also serves in various leadership roles as the district spokesperson when the superintendent of Schools is unable or unavailable to do so.   

As Associate Superintendent, Minor will work closely with new Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Sparlin, managing the district’s day-to-day operations. She has over 21 years of education experience serving in multiple school districts in Illinois.

“Having the benefit of working closely together the past few years, I have seen firsthand Dr. Minor’s hard work and commitment to assure that we are providing the best education for all School District 308 students,” Incoming Superintendent Dr. John Sparlin said. “I am certain Dr. Minor will bring a high level of dedication to her new role. She has what it takes to help our district succeed.”

Minor will replace current Associate Superintendent for Administrative Services Dr. John Sparlin, who will take over as School District 308 Superintendent of Schools on July 1. 

Moving Wall Coming to Oswego

The Vietnam Moving Wall, a replica of the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial wall, will be coming to Oswego next summer, and hundreds of volunteers are being sought to help with the massive undertaking.

Although the official announcement isn’t expected until Flag Day, on June 14, the news has been announced on the Fox Valley Veterans Club Facebook site.

Montgomery resident and veteran Herschel Luckinbill, who helped bring the Moving Wall to Aurora in 2013, will head the Oswego project.

Luckinbill said the wall will be in town from June 29 to July 3, 2017 and will be located on Plainfield Road at the Oswegoland Park Districts Prairie Point Park.

“We are beginning to put together committees to help with this project,” he wrote. “We are going to need to raise money, recruit hundreds of volunteers and put together a 5-day presentation that goes 24 hours each day. You will be incredibly impressed with the program that will be part of this moving tribute to veterans.”

The project is a joint effort between the Montgomery Veterans Breakfast Club, village of Oswego and the Oswegoland Park District, and will expand to include other major organizations in Oswego, Luckinbill said.

To sign up to volunteer, visit http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0c4aacac22a1f49-vietnam.

To keep up to date on the project visit https://www.facebook.com/Vietnamwalloswego2017/?fref=nf

Sandwich

Letter Writing Campaign

On Tuesday, June 7 at 1 p.m.,  Senior Services Associates we will be hosting a letter writing campaign at 908 Game Farm Road, Yorkville. Executive Director Bette Schoenholtz will be speaking. State Rep. John Anthony, State Rep. Keith Wheeler, State Sen. Sue Rezin and State Sen. Jim Oberweis. If you are interested in attending the event, please contact Gina R. Dunlap, Activity Director at Senior Services Associates at (630) 553-5777

Yorkville

SPARK Electricity Workshop

Youth can learn about electricity through static, attraction and repulsion – and experience a little of what 4-H has to offer – during the 4-H Electricity Workshop on Monday morning, June 13 at the University of Illinois Extension office, 7775B Route 47 in Yorkville.

Designed for ages 5 to 10, this workshop will allow youth to explore electricity through various interactive stations, including fun, hands-on experiments, a “bright idea” craft and even an educational snack. Experiments and activities include: Balloon Attraction, Electro “Flea” Circus, and Light Tube Circuits.

“This is a fantastic learning opportunity for youth from Kindergarten through second grade, and you don’t have to be enrolled in 4-H to take part,” said Kim Eisnaugle, 4-H Youth Development Program Coordinator. “This interactive workshop can spark their interest in science, as we learn by doing.”

The cost is $5 per youth, and advanced registration is required.  To learn more or register, visit web.extension.illinois.edu/dkk/ or call the office at (630) 553-5823.

E-Waste Recycling event

The city will be hosting a E-Waste Recycling Event from May 23-27. Drop-off is for Yorkville residents only, and participants must prove they live within city limits. Drop off hours will be 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Yorkville Public Works Facility located at 610 Tower Lane.

Residents are reminded that event volunteers we will not be able to assist in carrying electronics. Recyclable items include answering machines, calculators, camcorders, cameras, televisions, facsimile machines, DVD Players, cell phones, computer monitors and more.

For more information and a list of accepted items visit http://www.yorkville.il.us/170/E-Waste-Recycling

–Kendall County News Briefs–