Latest news with #StephensonCounty
Fox News
6 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Ex-WNBA player's mom dies in car crash involving illegal immigrant, officials say
The mother of former WNBA player Sophie Brunner was identified as the victim of a head-on collision involving an illegal immigrant, Illinois officials said on Tuesday. Darcy Connolly-Brunner, 61, and Rolando Ico-Choc, 30, both died when Ico-Choc drove his Nissan Altima crossed the center line on Illinois Route 26 in Stephenson County into Connolly-Brunner's Ford Edge on Aug. 9, Stephenson County Sheriff Steve Stovall said at a press conference. Both were killed in the crash. Stovall said it was believed that Ico-Choc was a Guatemalan national who had lived in Freeport once before and that alcohol may have played a role in the crash, according to WIFR-TV. "One of the lives was someone I knew well, Darcy Connolly-Brunner," Stovall added. "Darcy was more than just a member of the community, she was a friend. She was a kind and giving person who cared deeply for her family and friends." Stovall also revealed that Ico-Choc had a criminal past. Records show that he was charged with aggravated DUI with a license suspended or revoked in 2023. Officials said there was no indication that Connolly-Brunner was under the influence. Illinois state Sen. Andrew Chesney, R-Freeport, said Homeland Security officials confirmed with him that Ico-Choc was in the country illegally. He called for the repeal of the TRUST Act and the SAFE-T Act, which he said contributed to Ico-Choc being in the country in the first place. "A woman who dedicated her life to her family and her community was killed in broad daylight by a man who never should have been in this country or on the road," he said in a statement. "His criminal record includes prior charges of DUI, aggravated (felony) DUI, and battery. "Additionally, it was confirmed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that he was in this country illegally, having crossed the border a few years ago during the Biden administration. Yet, thanks to Illinois' TRUST Act and the SAFE-T Act, he remained in this country and was free to get back behind the wheel of a car and kill an innocent woman. It's unacceptable, and I am sickened by it." Sophie Brunner was a local basketball star in Freeport and attended Arizona State to play college basketball. She joined the WNBA in 2017, playing for the Phoenix Mercury and San Antonio Silver Stars.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Small town museum gets recognition during International Museum Day
CEDARVILLE, Ill. (WTVO) — Nine different museums in Stephenson County helped celebrate International Museum Day and one of them earned recognition for its focus on preserving history. Director of the Cedarville Area Historical Society (CAHS) Wendy Bade said she's been wanting to do something with all of the county museums. 'We weren't going after International Museum Day in the start,' Bade said. 'We were just trying to get all of the museums together as a group. While we were doing that, we realized that today was International Museum Day.' The Historical Society was joined by eight other local museums for Sunday's celebration. 'When we got together and we saw this day was coming up, it's like well, we haven't really done anything in the past to get everybody together and celebrate this day together,' CAHS President Steve Myers said. 'I think so far, it's working well. I've seen a lot of enthusiasm.' Bade said the event brought awareness to the importance of preserving history, and the recognition of area museums. 'We're located at the top of the hill in little Cedarville,' Bade said. 'In talking to some individuals, they do not even know that the museum exists, so really, our biggest focus from all of us, all of the museums is just to get the word out that we're here.' Myers said tons of people are involved in making the magic happen at these museums. 'It's not just one person that does all this,' Myers said. 'It's a community and it's people who care and want to talk about history.' Myers said he is proud of the recognition Cedarville received from the event. 'Every small town has a story to tell, and I think every area deserves to have that said,' Myers said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
