This is the team logo for DeKalb County United, a new adult semi-professional soccer club. The club will host its first open tryouts Jan. 27 and Feb. 24.

COUNTY

Request for mental health funding being accepted

Agencies that serve the mental health needs of DeKalb County can now request funds from the DeKalb County Community Mental Health Board.

Applications for funding for the 2019 grant year are being accepted until noon Feb. 26. The grant year runs July 1, 2018 to June 2019.

The DeKalb County Community Mental Health Board funds programs serving the needs of people with mental illness, developmental disabilities and substance abuse, as well as prevention and educational programs.

For information about how to apply, call Deanna Cada, executive director of the DeKalb County Community Mental Health Board, at (815) 899-4960 or administrative assistant Kathy Ostdick at (815) 899-4970. Applications can be obtained by email by sending a request to kostdick@dekalbcounty.org.

DeKALB

New semi-pro soccer team to hold tryouts

DeKalb County United, an adult semi-professional soccer club, will be hosting its first ever open tryouts 4:30 p.m. Jan. 27 and Feb. 24. Tryouts are open to all men, ages 18 and up. Registration is available at dkcunited.com. The fee is $30 per person.

DeKalb County United will compete in the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) and play for the chance to compete against professional teams in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The team will play its games at Northern Illinois University’s 1,500-seat Soccer and Track & Field Complex. The tryouts will be held at NIU Chessick Practice Center, 1332 Stadium Drive North, DeKalb.

For more information, send emails to contact@dkcunited.com.

Jazz musicians to raise funds

Area jazz musicians will perform together in a special concert to raise money to support music programs at local high schools and Northern Illinois University. The Egyptian Theatre will present the concert, Jazz at the Egyptian, 7 p.m. Feb. 3, featuring performances by Jazz in Progress, the DeKalb High School Jazz Ensemble, the Sycamore High School Jazz Ensemble and the NIU Jazz Orchestra. The concert will be held at the theater, 135 N. Second St., DeKalb. Ticket prices are $5 and $12. For more information, call (815) 758-1215 or send emails to intern@egyptiantheatre.org.

City council hikes motor fuel tax

The DeKalb City Council has increased the city’s motor fuel tax by 2 cents. The additional funds will provide more revenue for street maintenance. With the increase, gas tax revenues are anticipated to generate an additional $300,000 this fiscal year once it becomes effective March 1.

The ordinance was approved by a 6-1 vote with 6th Ward Alderman Mike Verbic voting no. Third Ward Alderman Michael Marquardt, who voted against the proposal in its first reading, did not attend the meeting.

SYCAMORE

Park district makes $1 million goal

The Sycamore Park District entered the new year with a huge victory under its belt.

Its Leaf a Legacy fundraising campaign achieved its $1 million goal, thanks to donations from ServiceMaster Restoration and Cleaning Services by Skip, several individuals and a Sycamore Charities grant.

The fundraiser was started for the park district’s Action 2020 plan that is executing several long-range projects for the district, including the new community center, sled hill, dog park and two trail extensions.

In addition to Leaf a Legacy, these projects are supported by a $9 million referendum and $3 million expected in grants, according to the news release.

Going into the holidays, a donation from First National Bank had put the park district within $15,000 of its goal.

SANDWICH

Chamber welcomes new businesses

Three new businesses have joined the Sandwich Area Chamber of Commerce. The businesses, allocated in Sandwich, are:

• Triple Threat Customs, 1605 Wright Drive,
• Lee’z Place, 2738 N. 48th Road, and
• CDS Small Business Bookkeeping 1205 W. Northwind Drive.

Jason Plohr is the owner of Triple Threat Customs, a metal art and metal fabrication company. Plohr’s works include many home décor art pieces, as well as specialty signs for businesses. For information, visit triplethreatcustoms.com.

Lee’z Place is owned by Lesa Underhile-Stephens. The restaurant and bar offers a variety of dining options including crab legs and steak nights, burgers and pizza. To find out more, call (815) 498-4499 or visit facebook.com/leezplacebarandgrill.

CDS Small Business Bookkeeping is owned by Colleen Sullivan. She is a freelance bookkeeper who specializes in payroll and quarterly taxes, new business setup, Quickbooks and general book work. She can be reached at cds.biz@outlook.com or by phone at (630) 688-1975.

–DeKalb County News Briefs–