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Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Yahoo
Inmate ‘re-entry simulation' demonstrates difficulties that lead to Illinois 50% recidivism rate
FREEPORT, Ill. (WTVO) — Elisabeth Hanson was one of dozens who participated in a simulation of what life can be like after prison, which took place Tuesday at Highland Community College. From getting an ID to applying for a job, Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois put on a 're-entry simulation' to 'make awareness of the difficulties individuals have when they get released,' according to Tiara Sims, who led the simulation. 'I felt really defeated,' Hanson said of her efforts to get her simulated life back on track. Illinois has a recidivism rate of nearly 50%, meaning almost half of released inmates return to prison. Sims said the simulation demonstrated the challenges they face, and why many return to jail. 'They have hope [that] things are going to be better for them. The ID that Social Security card, their birth certificate is a barrier for them,' Sims said. 'You can't get a job, you can't pay for rent, you can't get food unless you go to the food bank. And even then, you still need your ID, correct? So. you just don't have those things, and you're frustrated by week four. So you give up, and you're like, 'You know what? I might as well go back to jail because this is where I was safe. This is where I had food, I had a bed, so I had a roof over my head and I was safe.'' Henson said the experience gave her a greater understanding and she would help others get their lives back. 'This is really an eye-opener, to show what individuals, that have barriers, go through,' she said. 'The biggest thing is to be kind, be willing to help, and help those individuals, to ask, 'How can I help?' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sauk Valley Voter Guide for the April 1, 2025 election
Mar. 30—This spring, Sauk Valley voters get to decide who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries. Early voting has started with voting to conclude on Election Day, April 1. Below are all competitive races in Whiteside, Lee, Ogle and Carroll counties with candidate questionnaires and coverage as available. This voter guide will be updated if additional candidates submit their questionnaires and more coverage completed. [ Listen: "Talk Line with Steve Marco previews the April 1 election in the Sauk Valley with Shaw Local" ] Table of Contents Municipalities * City of Amboy * City of Byron * City of Dixon * City of Fulton * City of Lanark * City of Oregon * City of Polo * City of Prophetstown * City of Rock Falls * City of Sterling * Village of Albany * Village of Ashton * Village of Chadwick * Village of Creston * Village of Forreston * Village of Franklin Grove * Village of Lee * Village of Lyndon * Village of Milledgeville * Village of Nelson * Village of Paw Paw * Village of Shannon Townships * Ashton Township * Byron Township * Cherry Grove-Shannon Township * Coloma Township * Dement Township * Dixon Township * Freedom Township * Genesee Township * Hahnaman Township * Leaf River Township * Lynnville Township * Marion Township * Mt. Carroll Township * Mt. Morris Township * Nelson Township * Newton Township * Oregon-Nashua Township * Portland Township * Reynolds Township * Salem Township * Ustick Township * Wyoming Township Library Districts * Earlville Public Library School Districts * Amboy School District 272 * Ashton-Franklin Center School District 275 * Byron School District 226 * Dixon School District 170 * Geneseo School District 228 * Hiawatha School District 426 * Meridian School District 223 * Paw Paw School District 271 * Pearl City School District 200 * Prophetstown-Lyndon-Tampico School District 3 * River Bend School District 2 * Rochelle Elementary School District 231 * Rochelle Township High School District 212 * Sterling School District 5 * West Carroll School District 314 College Districts * Black Hawk Community College * Highland Community College * Rock Valley College * Sauk Valley Community College Fire Districts * Prophetstown Fire Protection District Referendums * Whiteside County safety sales tax referendum * Close Ohio High School * Establish Flewellin Memorial Library District * New Leaf River Fire Protection District property tax levy * Mt. Moris Fire Protection District's $4.5 million referendum MUNICIPALITIES City of Amboy Alderperson Ward 3, One two-year term Jeffrey Parker Luke Christoffersen (write-in) City of Byron Alderperson Ward 4 Mittzi Fulrath (incumbent) Orlando Dowell Kelly Neslund City of Dixon City Council member, Vote for 2 Dennis H. Considine Chris Bishop Listen to an interview with Bishop on our podcast or read the transcript. Listen to an interview with Considine on our podcast or read the transcript. City of Fulton Mayor Shane Michael Malone Keith King (Mayor pro tem) City of Lanark Mayor Mark Macomber (incumbent) Jerene Rogan Alderperson Ward 3 James Plock Keenan Dickman (write-in) City of Oregon Council member, Vote for 2 Kurtis Wilson (incumbent) Timothy Krug (incumbent) Josiah Flanagan City of Polo Mayor Mark Scholl Douglas E. Knapp (incumbent) Alderperson Ward 2 Jeffrey Short James Busser (incumbent) City of Prophetstown Mayor Bruce Franks John Leoni City of Rock Falls Alderperson Ward 2, One four-year term Brian Snow (incumbent): Candidate questionnaire Marshall Doane: Candidate questionnaire Listen to our podcast for an interview with Doane or read the transcript. Vickey Byrd is running unopposed for a two-year term in Ward 2. Alderperson Ward 3 Steven Dowd (incumbent) Mary McNeill Austin Zink Listen to Dowd on our podcast or read the transcript. Listen to Zink on our podcast or read the transcript. Alderperson Ward 4 Violet L. Sobottka: Candidate questionnaire City of Sterling Alderperson at-Large, Vote for 2 Ryan Nares Allen Przysucha: Candidate questionnaire Kaitlyn Ekquist (incumbent) Jim Wise (incumbent) Our coverage: "Forum brings together Sterling City Council candidates" Listen to our podcast: Interviews with Wise, Nares and Przysucha. Village of Albany Village President Jerry Anglese (incumbent) John "Jack" Seifert Trustee, Vote for 3 Joyce M. Tegeler (incumbent) Richard "Floyd" Boston (incumbent) Robert Griffis Pamela L. Piersol (incumbent) Timothy Alan McDonald Robert J. Brashaw Jr. Village of Ashton Village President Tim Henert (incumbent) John Martinez Village of Chadwick Village President Kimberly Hinrichs (incumbent) Matthew Balsiger Trustee, 2-Year Term Vote for 3 Rick Bosacki (incumbent) Michael Morgan (incumbent) Dannielle Augustine-Heidenreich Dana Lunsford Rebecca Schultz, Robert J. Wyeth (incumbent) and Teri Schnitzler are running for three open full four-year terms. Village of Creston Trustee, Vote for 2 Curt Ward (incumbent) Justin Hibshman Larry Harris (write-in) Greg Hopkins is running unopposed for a two-year term. Village of Forreston Trustee, Vote for 3 Vickye Norris (incumbent) Kenneth Toms Brittany Busker (incumbent) Mark Schweertman Mahmoud Zayed Jeff Freeze Village of Franklin Grove Village President Eric Grendahl John Nicholson Village of Lee Trustee, Vote for 3 Justin Post Mitchell D. Hamm Amber Otterstrom Garet Galbreath Village of Lyndon Mayor Tim Armstrong Tyler Scott (Mayor pro tem) Village of Milledgeville Village President Scott Howard Galen Wirth (incumbent) Village of Nelson Trustee, Vote for 3 Ann M. Devers (incumbent) Sherry L. Armoska (incumbent) Lu Ann Albus Susan Lewandowski (incumbent) Village of Paw Paw Trustee, Vote for 3 John Nicholson Karl "John" Karlsson Donna Chick (incumbent) Amanda Moorehead Austin Clanin Village of Shannon Village President Dawn Heckman Ryan Shaner Trustee, Vote for 3 Steven Miller Talia Allen Julie Harris Marcy Misiewicz (incumbent) TOWNSHIPS Ashton Township Trustee, Vote for 4 Terry Greenfield Mark Meurer Dan Hillison Levi Decker Sean Zellers Byron Township Highway Commissioner Mark Rundle (incumbent) Jordan D. Thibodeau Cherry Grove-Shannon Township Clerk Nicole Allen Kristin Derby Coloma Township Highway Commissioner Ruthie Rogers (incumbent) Wayne Eikenberry Trustee, Vote for 4 Becky Williamson Donna Ackland (incumbent) Marlene Detweiler-Flynn George Kelly Brian Stillman Our coverage: "Rock Falls' Coloma Township government unravels; supervisor, trustee, clerk abruptly resign" Dement Township Clerk Amy Kerns Angela K. Ward Dixon Township Highway Commissioner Corey Reuter (incumbent) Cameron Magne Our coverage: "Dixon's April election candidates speak on top priorities for upcoming terms" Freedom Township Clerk Amy Johnson Zackary Kloster Highway Commissioner Lonny Nielsen Ronald "Joe" Myers (incumbent) Genesee Township Supervisor Kenneth A. Reins (incumbent) Richard Koch Trustee, Vote for 4 Steve Elgin (incumbent) Shari Giffin Paul Giffin Theresa Koch Keith Engelkens Katie McCoy Hahnaman Township Highway Commissioner Logan Henrekin Harry Guither (incumbent) Leaf River Township Highway Commissioner Tyler Wiltfang Anthony Peterson (incumbent) Lynnville Township Highway Commissioner David Mayer Anthony Musselman Richard Drendel (incumbent) Marion Township (Ogle County) Highway Commissioner Nathan Summers Thomas Atchison Trustee, Vote for 4 Dana Werckle (incumbent) Douglas E. Boyd (incumbent) Arthur E. Smith (incumbent) William Hagemann Robert Behmer (incumbent) Mt. Carroll Township Highway Commissioner Jon Neuschwanger (incumbent) Marty Hockman Mt. Morris Township Supervisor Cary Bennett John Thompson (incumbent) Nelson Township Highway Commissioner Loren Brad Hirte Guy Covell (incumbent) Newton Township Highway Commissioner James V. Burden (incumbent) Ryon Richardson Oregon-Nashua Township Highway Commissioner Tim Leary (incumbent) Joseph T. Ring Portland Township Highway Commissioner Phillip Watkins (incumbent) Randy Rosenow Reynolds Township Highway Commissioner Albert Gittleson (incumbent) Adam Mairs Salem Township Highway Commissioner Mint J. Jilderda (incumbent) Cody R. Carson Ustick Township Highway Commissioner James Pell Randy Smit (incumbent) William Greeley Trustee, Vote for 4 Andrew Toppert (incumbent) Jim Pessman (incumbent) Josh Dykstra Albert Lewis (incumbent) Brent Stoecker Gale Toppert (incumbent) Wyoming Township Highway Commissioner Matthew Schoenholz Jared Penman Kenneth Mersman (incumbent) LIBRARY DISTRICTS Earlville Public Library Trustee, Vote for 3 Deborah Larson Kathleen Eager (incumbent) Mary Bender (incumbent) Stephanie Eller SCHOOL DISTRICTS Amboy School District 272 Board member, Vote for 4 Elsa K. Payne (incumbent) Mandy (Amanda) Powers (incumbent) Nicholas Brokaw (incumbent) Andrew Montavon (incumbent) Katie Pratt Rory R. White A two-year term is also up, but no one filed for it. Ashton-Franklin Center School District 275 Board member, Vote for 3 Aaron D. Baker Tiffany Willstead (incumbent) Cullen Searing Lea Henert (incumbent) Byron School District 226 Board member, Vote for 3 Christine Lynde (incumbent) Beth Shenberger (incumbent) Hannah Miller-Hosseini Jason D. Mondello Dixon School District 170 Board member, Vote for 4 Brandon Rogers Linda Wegner: Candidate questionnaire Jon Wadsworth Linda Leblanc-Parks Our coverage: "Dixon's April election candidates speak on top priorities for upcoming terms" Listen to an interview with Rogers on our podcast or read the transcript. Listen to an interview with Wadsworth on our podcast or read the transcript. Listen to an interview with Leblanc-Parks on our podcast or read the transcript. Geneseo School District 228 Board member, Vote for 4 Tyler J. Robertson (17N Range 3E) Casey Disterhoft (17N Range 3E) Jackie Mickley (17N Range 3E) (incumbent) Kane Causemaker (17N Range 4E) (incumbent) Only two can come from 17N Range 3E. Hiawatha School District 426 Board member representing Franklin Township, Vote for 2 Ralph Ziegler (incumbent) Andrew Lyons (incumbent) Norma Rutigliano (incumbent) No candidates have filed for an unexpired two-year term, and Timothy S. Hall (incumbent) is running unopposed for a full term representing the rest of the district. Meridian School District 223 Board member, 2-year term, Vote for 2 John W. Smith III (25N Range 11E) (incumbent) Tim M. DeVries (25N Range 11E) (incumbent) Board member, 4-year term, Vote for 4 Cassie Jennings (25N Range 11E) Roger Morrow (24N Range 11E) Jill L. Huber (24N Range 11E) (incumbent) Alyssa Behmer (24N Range 11E) Matthew Rhodes (41N Range 1E) (incumbent) Not more than two candidates can come from 25N Range 11E. Four-year terms will be determined first. Paw Paw School District 271 Board member, Vote for 4 Daniel Truckenbrod Steven B. Richey (incumbent) Joshua Sarver (incumbent) Jennifer Kern Anthony W. Corda Freeland Pearl City School District 200 Board member, Vote for 4 Chad Bremmer (incumbent) Nikki Keltner (incumbent) Carlee A. Tessendorf (incumbent) Samantha Kempel Thomas Brown Prophetstown-Lyndon-Tampico School District 3 Board member, Vote for 4 James Melton (incumbent) Mallory DeMay Whitney M. Mitchell-DeWitte (incumbent) Tya M. Boucher (incumbent) Katie Selburg An unexpired two-year term is also up this election but no candidate has filed in the race. River Bend School District 2 Board member, Vote for 3 Jane Orman-Luker (22N Range 3E) (incumbent) Kyle A. Folk (22N Range 3E) Daniel Portz (incumbent) Travis Temple Only one new board member may come from the 22N Range 3E area. Rochelle Elementary School District 231 Board member, Vote for 4 Evan Tracy (Incorporated) Ashley Jackson (Incorporated) (incumbent) Sara Harley (Incorporated) Stephanie White (Unincorporated) (incumbent) Stacey Dunphy (Unincorporated) Carol Salinas (Unincorporated) Only two can come from the incorporated area. Rochelle Township High School District 212 Board member, Vote for 4 Janet Kacvinsky Joel Thompson (incumbent) Martin W. Ravnaas Jr. (incumbent) Robert Chadwick (incumbent) Trisha Vaughn Sterling School District 5 Board member, Vote for 2 from Sterling Township 21N Range 7E Tyler Holesinger Julie K. Aitken (incumbent): Candidate questionnaire Savannah Mussington (incumbent) Two more board members will be elected from the remaining part of the district: Pamela G. Capes: Candidate questionnaire David Miller Our coverage: "From mental health to teacher retention, Sterling School Board candidates detail plans in run up to election" West Carroll School District 314 Board member, District 7 Morgan L. Murray (incumbent) Zachary Vandendooren Jeff Woodside is running unopposed in District 1, Juliene McCormick is unopposed in District 3 and Fredrick Tipton is unopposed in District 6. COLLEGE DISTRICTS Black Hawk Community College Trustee, Vote for 2 Douglas L. Strand (incumbent) Mark Carlson Jon A. Looney Dougal Nelson Highland Community College Trustee, Vote for 2 James G. Endress (incumbent) Shawn Boldt (incumbent) Gerald H. Podraza Colton Havens (write-in) Rock Valley College Trustee, Vote for 3 Paul Gorski (incumbent) Jerry Simmons Gloria Cardenas Cudia (incumbent) Richard Kennedy (incumbent) Jenna Goldsmith Sauk Valley Community College Trustee, Vote for 2 David Edelbach Tom Demmer (incumbent) Danelle Burrs (incumbent) Brian Duncan is running unopposed for an unexpired two-year term. FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICTS Prophetstown Fire Protection District Two-Year Term, Vote for 2 Valorie Armstrong (incumbent) Joe Pratt (incumbent) Jacob Stanhoff Keith Crady is running unopposed for a six-year term. REFERENDUMS Whiteside County safety sales tax referendum From the opinion page: "Sterling councilman: Support public safety sales tax vote April 1″ "Whiteside County sheriff: Support public safety sales tax when going to the polls April 1″ Close Ohio High School Our coverage: "Ohio residents ask about potential high school closure; question to be on April 1 ballot" Establish Flewellin Memorial Library District, expanding boundaries to include all of Shabbona Township and the village of Lee New Leaf River Fire Protection District property tax levy Mt. Morris Fire Protection District's $4.5 million referendum for a new fire station
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sauk Valley Voter Guide for April 2025 election
Mar. 21—This spring, Sauk Valley voters get to decide who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries. Early voting has started with voting to conclude on Election Day, April 1. Below are all competitive races in Whiteside, Lee, Ogle and Carroll counties with candidate questionnaires and coverage as available. This voter guide will be updated if additional candidates submit their questionnaires and more coverage completed. [ Listen: "Talk Line with Steve Marco previews the April 1 election in the Sauk Valley with Shaw Local" ] Table of Contents Municipalities * City of Amboy * City of Byron * City of Fulton * City of Lanark * City of Oregon * City of Polo * City of Prophetstown * City of Rock Falls * City of Sterling * Village of Albany * Village of Ashton * Village of Chadwick * Village of Creston * Village of Forreston * Village of Franklin Grove * Village of Lee * Village of Lyndon * Village of Milledgeville * Village of Nelson * Village of Paw Paw * Village of Shannon Townships * Ashton Township * Byron Township * Cherry Grove-Shannon Township * Coloma Township * Dement Township * Dixon Township * Freedom Township * Genesee Township * Hahnaman Township * Leaf River Township * Lynnville Township * Marion Township * Mt. Carroll Township * Mt. Morris Township * Nelson Township * Newton Township * Oregon-Nashua Township * Portland Township * Reynolds Township * Salem Township * Ustick Township * Wyoming Township School Districts * Amboy School District 272 * Ashton-Franklin Center School District 275 * Byron School District 226 * Dixon School District 170 * Geneseo School District 5 * Hiawatha School District 426 * Meridian School District 223 * Paw Paw School District 271 * Pearl City School District 200 * Prophetstown-Lyndon-Tampico School District 3 * River Bend School District 2 * Rochelle Elementary School District 231 * Rochelle Township High School District 212 * Sterling School District 5 * West Carroll School District 314 College Districts * Black Hawk Community College * Highland Community College * Rock Valley College * Sauk Valley Community College Fire Districts * Prophetstown Fire Protection District Referendums * Whiteside County safety sales tax referendum * Close Ohio High School * Establish Flewellin Memorial Library District * New Leaf River Fire Protection District property tax levy * Mt. Moris Fire Protection District's $4.5 million referendum MUNICIPALITIES City of Amboy Alderperson Ward 3, One two-year term Jeffrey Parker Luke Christoffersen (write-in) City of Byron Alderperson Ward 4 Mittzi Fulrath (incumbent) Orlando Dowell Kelly Neslund City of Fulton Mayor Shane Michael Malone Keith King (Mayor pro tem) City of Lanark Mayor Mark Macomber (incumbent) Jerene Rogan Alderperson Ward 3 James Plock Keenan Dickman (write-in) City of Oregon Council member, Vote for 2 Kurtis Wilson (incumbent) Timothy Krug (incumbent) Josiah Flanagan City of Polo Mayor Mark Scholl Douglas E. Knapp (incumbent) Alderperson Ward 2 Jeffrey Short James Busser (incumbent) City of Prophetstown Mayor Bruce Franks John Leoni City of Rock Falls Alderperson Ward 2, One four-year term Brian Snow (incumbent): Candidate questionnaire Marshall Doane: Candidate questionnaire Listen to our podcast for an interview with Doane or read the transcript. Vickey Byrd is running unopposed for a two-year term in Ward 2. Alderperson Ward 3 Steven Dowd (incumbent) Mary McNeill Austin Zink Alderperson Ward 4 Violet L. Sobottka: Candidate questionnaire City of Sterling Alderperson at-Large, Vote for 2 Ryan Nares Allen Przysucha: Candidate questionnaire Kaitlyn Ekquist (incumbent) Jim Wise (incumbent) Village of Albany Village President Jerry Anglese (incumbent) John "Jack" Seifert Trustee, Vote for 3 Joyce M. Tegeler (incumbent) Richard "Floyd" Boston (incumbent) Robert Griffis Pamela L. Piersol (incumbent) Timothy Alan McDonald Robert J. Brashaw Jr. Village of Ashton Village President Tim Henert (incumbent) John Martinez Village of Chadwick Village President Kimberly Hinrichs (incumbent) Matthew Balsiger Trustee, 2-Year Term Vote for 3 Rick Bosacki (incumbent) Michael Morgan (incumbent) Dannielle Augustine-Heidenreich Dana Lunsford Rebecca Schultz, Robert J. Wyeth (incumbent) and Teri Schnitzler are running for three open full four-year terms. Village of Creston Trustee, Vote for 2 Curt Ward (incumbent) Justin Hibshman Write-in Greg Hopkins is running unopposed for a two-year term. Village of Forreston Trustee, Vote for 3 Vickye Norris (incumbent) Kenneth Toms Brittany Busker (incumbent) Mark Schweertman Mahmoud Zayed Jeff Freeze Village of Franklin Grove Village President Eric Grendahl John Nicholson Village of Lee Trustee, Vote for 3 Justin Post Mitchell D. Hamm Amber Otterstrom Garet Galbreath Village of Lyndon Mayor Tim Armstrong Tyler Scott (Mayor pro tem) Village of Milledgeville Village President Scott Howard Galen Wirth (incumbent) Village of Nelson Trustee, Vote for 3 Ann M. Devers (incumbent) Sherry L. Armoska (incumbent) Lu Ann Albus Susan Lewandowski (incumbent) Village of Paw Paw John Nicholson Karl "John" Karlsson Donna Chick (incumbent) Amanda Moorehead Austin Clanin Village of Shannon Village President Dawn Heckman Ryan Shaner Trustee, Vote for 3 Steven Miller Talia Allen Julie Harris Marcy Misiewicz (incumbent) TOWNSHIPS Ashton Township Trustee, Vote for 4 Terry Greenfield Mark Meurer Dan Hillison Levi Decker Sean Zellers Brookville Township Byron Township Highway Commissioner Mark Rundle (incumbent) Jordan D. Thibodeau Cherry Grove-Shannon Township Clerk Nicole Allen Kristin Derby Coloma Township Highway Commissioner Ruthie Rogers (incumbent) Wayne Eikenberry Trustee, Vote for 4 Becky Williamson Donna Ackland (incumbent) Marlene Detweiler-Flynn George Kelly Brian Stillman Our coverage: "Rock Falls' Coloma Township government unravels; supervisor, trustee, clerk abruptly resign" Dement Township Clerk Amy Kerns Angela K. Ward Dixon Township Highway Commissioner Corey Reuter (incumbent) Cameron Magne Our coverage: "Dixon's April election candidates speak on top priorities for upcoming terms" Freedom Township Clerk Amy Johnson Zackary Kloster Highway Commissioner Lonny Nielsen Ronald "Joe" Myers (incumbent) Genesee Township Supervisor Kenneth A. Reins (incumbent) Richard Koch Trustee, Vote for 4 Steve Elgin (incumbent) Shari Giffin Paul Giffin Theresa Koch Keith Engelkens Katie McCoy Hahnaman Township Highway Commissioner Logan Henrekin Harry Guither (incumbent) Leaf River Township Highway Commissioner Tyler Wiltfang Anthony Peterson (incumbent) Lynnville Township Highway Commissioner David Mayer Anthony Musselman Richard Drendel (incumbent) Marion Township Highway Commissioner Nathan Summers Thomas Atchison Trustee, Vote for 4 Dana Werckle (incumbent) Douglas E. Boyd (incumbent) Arthur E. Smith (incumbent) William Hagemann Robert Behmer (incumbent) Mt. Carroll Township Highway Commissioner Jon Neuschwanger (incumbent) Marty Hockman Mt. Morris Township Supervisor Cary Bennett John Thompson (incumbent) Nelson Township Highway Commissioner Loren Brad Hirte Guy Covell (incumbent) Newton Township Highway Commissioner James V. Burden (incumbent) Ryon Richardson Oregon-Nashua Township Highway Commissioner Tim Leary (incumbent) Joseph T. Ring Portland Township Highway Commissioner Phillip Watkins (incumbent) Randy Rosenow Reynolds Township Highway Commissioner Albert Gittleson (incumbent) Adam Mairs Salem Township Highway Commissioner Mint J. Jilderda (incumbent) Cody R. Carson Ustick Township Highway Commissioner James Pell Randy Smit (incumbent) William Greeley Trustee, Vote for 4 Andrew Toppert (incumbent) Jim Pessman (incumbent) Josh Dykstra Albert Lewis (incumbent) Brent Stoecker Gale Toppert (incumbent) Wyoming Township Highway Commissioner Matthew Schoenholz Jared Penman Kenneth Mersman (incumbent) SCHOOL DISTRICTS Amboy School District 272 Board member, Vote for 4 Elsa K. Payne (incumbent) Mandy (Amanda) Powers (incumbent) Nicholas Brokaw (incumbent) Andrew Montavon (incumbent) Katie Pratt Rory R. White A two-year term is also up, but no one filed for it. Ashton-Franklin Center School District 275 Board member, Vote for 3 Aaron D. Baker Tiffany Willstead (incumbent) Cullen Searing Lea Henert (incumbent) Byron School District 226 Board member, Vote for 3 Christine Lynde (incumbent) Beth Shenberger (incumbent) Hannah Miller-Hosseini Jason D. Mondello Dixon School District 170 Board member, Vote for 4 Brandon Rogers Linda Wegner: Candidate questionnaire Jon Wadsworth Linda Leblanc-Parks Our coverage: "Dixon's April election candidates speak on top priorities for upcoming terms" Geneseo School District 5 Board member, Vote for 4 Tyler J. Robertson (17N Range 3E) Casey Disterhoft (17N Range 3E) Jackie Mickley (17N Range 3E) (incumbent) Kane Causemaker (17N Range 4E) (incumbent) Only two can come from 17N Range 3E. Hiawatha School District 426 Board member representing Franklin Township, Vote for 2 Ralph Ziegler (incumbent) Andrew Lyons (incumbent) Norma Rutigliano (incumbent) No candidates have filed for an unexpired two-year term, and Timothy S. Hall (incumbent) is running unopposed for a full term representing the rest of the district. Meridian School District 223 Board member, 2-year term, Vote for 2 John W. Smith III (25N Range 11E) (incumbent) Tim M. DeVries (25N Range 11E) (incumbent) Board member, 4-year term, Vote for 4 Cassie Jennings (25N Range 11E) Roger Morrow (24N Range 11E) Jill L. Huber (24N Range 11E) (incumbent) Alyssa Behmer (24N Range 11E) Matthew Rhodes (41N Range 1E) (incumbent) Not more than two candidates can come from 25N Range 11E. Four-year terms will be determined first. Paw Paw School District 271 Board member, Vote for 4 Daniel Truckenbrod Steven B. Richey (incumbent) Joshua Sarver (incumbent) Jennifer Kern Anthony W. Corda Freeland Pearl City School District 200 Board member, Vote for 4 Chad Bremmer (incumbent) Nikki Keltner (incumbent) Carlee A. Tessendorf (incumbent) Samantha Kempel Thomas Brown Prophetstown-Lyndon-Tampico School District 3 Board member, Vote for 4 James Melton (incumbent) Mallory DeMay Whitney M. Mitchell-DeWitte (incumbent) Tya M. Boucher (incumbent) Katie Selburg An unexpired two-year term is also up this election but no candidate has filed in the race. River Bend School District 2 Board member, Vote for 3 Jane Orman-Luker (22N Range 3E) (incumbent) Kyle A. Folk (22N Range 3E) Daniel Portz (incumbent) Travis Temple Only one new board member may come from the 22N Range 3E area. Rochelle Elementary School District 231 Board member, Vote for 4 Evan Tracy (Incorporated) Ashley Jackson (Incorporated) (incumbent) Sara Harley (Incorporated) Stephanie White (Unincorporated) (incumbent) Stacey Dunphy (Unincorporated) Carol Salinas (Unincorporated) Only two can come from the incorporated area. Rochelle Township High School District 212 Board member, Vote for 4 Janet Kacvinsky Joel Thompson (incumbent) Martin W. Ravnaas Jr. (incumbent) Robert Chadwick (incumbent) Trisha Vaughn Sterling School District 5 Board member, Vote for 2 from Sterling Township 21N Range 7E Tyler Holesinger Julie K. Aitken (incumbent): Candidate questionnaire Savannah Mussington (incumbent) Two more board members will be elected from the remaining part of the district: Pamela G. Capes: Candidate questionnaire David Miller West Carroll School District 314 Board member, District 7 Morgan L. Murray (incumbent) Zachary Vandendooren Jeff Woodside is running unopposed in District 1, Juliene McCormick is unopposed in District 3 and Fredrick Tipton is unopposed in District 6. COLLEGE DISTRICTS Black Hawk Community College Trustee, Vote for 2 Douglas L. Strand (incumbent) Mark Carlson Jon A. Looney Dougal Nelson Highland Community College Trustee, Vote for 2 James G. Endress (incumbent) Shawn Boldt (incumbent) Gerald H. Podraza Colton Havens (write-in_ Rock Valley College Trustee, Vote for 3 Paul Gorski (incumbent) Jerry Simmons Gloria Cardenas Cudia (incumbent) Richard Kennedy (incumbent) Jenna Goldsmith Sauk Valley Community College Trustee, Vote for 2 David Edelbach Tom Demmer (incumbent) Danelle Burrs (incumbent) Brian Duncan is running unopposed for an unexpired two-year term. FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICTS Prophetstown Fire Protection District Two-Year Term, Vote for 2 Valorie Armstrong (incumbent) Joe Pratt (incumbent) Jacob Stanhoff Keith Crady is running unopposed for a six-year term. REFERENDUMS Whiteside County safety sales tax referendum From the opinion page: "Sterling councilman: Support public safety sales tax vote April 1″ "Whiteside County sheriff: Support public safety sales tax when going to the polls April 1″ Close Ohio High School Our coverage: "Ohio residents ask about potential high school closure; question to be on April 1 ballot" Establish Flewellin Memorial Library District New Leaf River Fire Protection District property tax levy Mt. Morris Fire Protection District's $4.5 million referendum for a new fire station
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Highland Community College fires head men's basketball coach for misconduct
FREEPORT, Ill. (WTVO) — The board of trustees at Highland Community College recently terminated Luke Norman's position as the head men's basketball coach. On February 20, Highland played a game against Kennedy-King College and won 70-69. After the game ended, the players went to shake hands, and there was a skirmish that was allegedly started by a Kennedy-King player. The Highland team had to forfeit two games as a result of the fight. The athletic department and administration were then approached by the Region IV Ethics Committee, ruling the team to forfeit two more games. Coach Norman asked the athletic director to appeal the ruling, claiming his players served their punishment. The athletic director and administration decided not to appeal, thus ending in frustration from Norman. Norman was put on administrative leave through March 10, meaning he could not speak or see players for that period of time. The board of trustees decided to discuss the Norman's future at Highland. Wednesday night's meeting saw over 200 people watching via Zoom and 40 people in person. Norman had 23 supporters speak out on his behalf. 'We don't want to lose someone like Luke,' Freeport resident Mike Marten said. 'What will that say for our city? Will they save our community? If we lose a young person trying to do his best, to better his career, what's that going to say about this community and this college?' The board ultimately decided to terminate Norman, four members voted against him and two voted to keep him. College President Chris Kuberski said the decision was based on Norman's inability to lead by example. 'College is about students and student learning,' Kuberski said. 'Whether they win or lose. the most important thing to us is that they have a good role model, and they have someone who will lead them and help form good character.' Norman said he is not giving up. 'I want to extend my thanks to everyone who came for me on Zoom and in person,' Norman said. 'All we're doing is advocating for my players and we have proof and of their allegations against us and we'll see who wins in court.' Kuberski said the college will begin its hunt for a new coach effective immediately. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
