
MERLE’S CORNER
With his dedication, commitment and caring to the cause, it is only perfect West Chicago Police Detective Sergeant Robbi Peterson is selected to be one of the 86 participants worldwide to carry the Flame of Hope in the final leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for the 2025 Special Olympics Winter World Games March 8 to 15 in Turin, Italy.
Leading up to his selection is the involvement with Law Enforcement Torch Run. It began in 2007 when police officer Fred Cadena was in charge of the West Chicago department’s fundraising efforts. “After attending my first LETR conference, meeting the athletes and attending some local competitions, I knew this was something I needed to be involved with.” In 2012, Peterson became the LETR liaison, and increased the department’s overall participation in LETR signature events and some local grassroots events. In 2019, he became the regions Co-Leg Leader and a member of the State Committee.
“I believe the reason I became involved and stayed involved was due to the overwhelming feeling of servitude I received from helping an organization bring out all that is good in our athletes. Being a part of a family of officers whose goal is to raise awareness and funds on behalf of the thousands of athletes across the state is truly rewarding. The athletes will tell you how life changing the opportunities provided by Special Olympics is to them but I would have to say that it is even more life changing to the officers who become a part of the LETR.”
Peterson was selected to represent Illinois through the State Committee. In order to be considered to be a part of the Final Leg,“ you must show a commitment to the athletes of Special Olympics Illinois, the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, serve on the State Committee for a minimum of 2 years.” This is his fifth year on the committee.
His venture begins when he flies to Athens Saturday, Feb. 22. “The actual beginning of our mission on behalf of the 2025 Special Olympics World Games is Monday, Feb. 24, in Athens with the lighting of the Flame of Hope from the sun rays as they did in the ancient days of the games.” There are eight teams participating. Peterson is on Team 3; his teammates are from Hawaii, Louisiana, Arizona, Iceland, the Yukon, New York, Australia and Italy. After Athens, they fly to Rome on Tuesday, Feb. 25. for Pope Francis to bless the Flame of Hope and those involved in the run. The train takes them to Turin and the teams start running the Flame of Hope across northern Italy, from Friday, Feb. 28 until Sunday, March 9, with the opening ceremonies.
The terrain in the Piedmont region is not an easy one as there are many hills and cobblestone streets, with the possibility of cold temperatures. Sometimes they are running two to-three segments per day, one to three miles per segment. “Depending on the entirety of the segments, we are anticipating running the equivalent of a marathon when it is all said and done.”
Part of his function is to not only raise awareness, but also to raise money to help further the programs. “As a Final Leg Runner, I have set a goal of $25,000 to raise funds and awareness for the Special Olympics movement.” The donation goes directly to the Special Olympics programs “and is not used to fund this honor and humbling experience.” To make a donation make out a check to LETR Special Olympics and write "Final Leg Runner Sgt. Robbi Peterson in the memo line. Send check to Detective Sgt. Robbi Peterson, 325 Spencer St., West Chicago, IL 60185. Also persons can donate online at https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/FinalLeg/RobbiPeterson ; type in his name. All donations are tax-deductible and go directly to benefit Special Olympics worldwide. As a side note an article about Peterson and Algonquin Police Chief Dennis Walker appeared on the front page of the Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025 issue of the Daily Herald. https://merleburl.com
AROUND AND ABOUT
- The West Chicago Public Library holds the perfect program for Valentine’s Day,“Love Letters,”.The performance takes place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, in the main meeting room, 118 W. Washington St.” The play by A. R. Gurney that was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The comedy/drama centers on two longtime friends, Melissa Gardner and Andrew Makepeace Ladd, who met in second grade. They chose others as mates, and lived to regret it. For more than 50 years, they share their life experiences with one another through a series of letters. https://merleburl.com
- In partnership with Healthy West Chicago, the West Chicago Public Library presents the program, “Seed Starting,” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, in the main meeting room.118 W. Washington St. A DuPage County Master Gardener discusses t starting and maintaining gardening seeds indoors. Patrons can check out fruit and vegetable seeds from the Library’s new winter selection int the Seed Library. To register, visit https://wcpld.librarycalendar.com/events/month/.
- West Chicago Public Library offers a Microsoft Excel computer class at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in the conference room, 118 W. Washington St. Topics covered include layout and basic functions; entering and editing data; using multiple spreadsheets in the same workbook; formatting and sorting data; writing and understanding formulas. To register, visit https://wcpld.librarycalendar.com/events/month/.
- West Chicago City Museum presents the Historiography program, a non-fiction book reading group, at 1 p.m.Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in the Museum, 132 Main St. The book is “Men to Match My Mountains” by Irving Stone. To get a copy of the book or for further information, visit Friends of West Chicago City Museum website, com or call 630 231-3376. It is not necessary to read the book to attend.
It is a nonfiction historical novel following a few dozen men who helped shape the 19th-century American presence in areas now known as California, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado. These include John Sutter, Brigham Young and the Mormons and the silver kings and miners .“The title of this work comes from a Sam Walter Foss poem ,“The Coming American,” which opens: “Bring me men to match my mountains […] Men with empires in their purpose.”
Stone is known for his biographical novels of noted artists, politicians, and intellectuals. Among the best known are “Lust for Life,” about the life of Vincent van Gogh, and “The Agony and the Ecstasy,” about Michelangelo. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley in 1923 and earned his Masters Degree from the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences from the University of Southern California.He was born in 1903 and died at the age of 86 in 1989.
- West Chicago Public Library hosts Trivia Night & Hot Chocolate at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in the main meeting room 118 W. Washington St. The topics range from pop culture to history. Participants compete for bragging rights and a prize. To add to the fun, hot chocolate is provided. To register, visit https://wcpld.librarycalendar.com/events/month/.
- WeGo Community Theater presents “101 Dalmatians Kids” in Norton Creek Elementary School, 2033 Smith Road .Performances are at 7 p..m. Friday, Feb. 21, and at noon and 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22,2025. To order tickets, visit http://Tickets.WeGoCT.org. https://merleburl.com
- 2025 marks the 175th Anniversary of the Burlington Route. To commemorate the anniversary, the West Chicago City Museum opens a new exhibit, “Birth of the Burlington,” on the second floor. The Museum, 132 Main St., hosts an Open house from 2 to 4 pm. Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. Guests not only can view the new exhibit, but also the new railroad display and see the work in progress on the “land” exhibit, to open in May on the first floor.
In 1850, the demand for more rail lines grew. Per the We Go History newsletter, “Batavia and Aurora residents were involved in the building of a third railroad, the Aurora branch. This line (which eventually became the Burlington) laid tracks from West Chicago to Batavia and then to Aurora in 1850 and would become the Burlington Route, now the BNSF, one of the largest railroads in the world. From its local beginnings as a regional railroad to the international company it is today, the Burlington Route played a big role in the development of our community.”
SUPPORT OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES
- Some local eating establishments and businesses have specials for Valentine’s Day.
- Prairie Landing, 2325 Longest Drive, holds a Market Craft Fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 1, 2025.Craftspersons or small business owners wanting to be a vendor, can call 630-208-7641 or email rlynn@prairielanding.com by Thursday, Feb. 20.
- Carnicerias Jimenez celebrates its 50th anniversary in February, and is one of the oldest supermarket operators serving the Hispanic and Ethnic market in the Chicago land area and surrounding suburbs. The first store was a 1,500 square foot unit on Pulaski Road and 26th Street in the heart of La Villita in Chicago. Celebrating iIts 20th Anniversary, the West Chicago store at 559 Main Street.opened its doors in 2005. Prior stores at the location were National FoodStore, Eagle Food, Frank’s Fine Foods and La Chiquita.
REMEMBRANCES
- Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of María De La Paz Nava, who at the age of 96, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025.
- Deepest sympathy is expressed to the family of Henry Gerald Polz III, “Jerry”, who at the age of 70 passed away Friday Jan. 31, 2025.
- Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Judith Ann Johnson, who at the age of 80 passed away Monday, Dec. 23, 2024.
SCHOOLS
- Toby Morden represented Wheaton Academy as a percussionist in the Illinois Music Education Association Conference l-State Orchestra. Adelyn Cathey earned third place at State in the singer/songwriter category of the music composition contest. https://merleburl.com
- The third grade reading enrichment class at Indian KnollSchool had a Skype call with climate scientist Pablo Martinez Sosa in Paris. After studying natural disasters, the students asked him questions about weather, climate, and his work,
Broadly speaking he is interested in the application of statistical analysis to the intersection of geosciences, biology and climate. “I am trained as a multidisciplinary researcher, with experience on both producing and interpreting climate data from sediments, as well as the application of this data on a bigger scale using Bayesian and machine learning techniques.” https://merleburl.com
- West Chicago Community High School seeks nominations for the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award. The purpose of the program is to recognize West Chicago Community High School graduates whose accomplishments serve as an inspiration for current students to dream and achieve. Nomination deadline is Thursday, May 1, 2025. The nominee must be a graduate of the high school for at least 10 years prior to the nomination, be distinguished by accomplishments in academics, the arts, athletics, business, community service, the environment, human rights, justice, medicine, research or science that reflect outstanding ability and dedication which contributes to the betterment of the community. Also the nominee must be available by telephone, email or in-person interview by the selection committee, willing to participate in the Distinguished Alumni Award Ceremony, willing to submit a photograph and available to interact with WCCHS students in a forum, seminar or assembly. To submit a nomination, visit d94.org/alumni/awards .
Past honorees are 2008, Kirk Johnson, Class of 1998, Human Rights; Class of 2009, Pam Kuhl Davis, Class of 1967, Justice; 2010, Michael Lach, Class of 1986, Education, and Tom Marziani, Class of 1943, Entrepreneurship; Class of 2011,Butch Hansen, Class of 1955, Education, and Scott Dierking, Class of 1973,Athletics; Class of 2014, Beth Barrett, Class of 1986, Visual Arts; 2015, Ray Stejskal, Class of 1982, Community Service; 2016, Chris Voelz, Class of 1966, Athletics; 2018, Bruce Guevara, Class of 2006, Entrepreneurship, and Dr. Don Stockton, Class of 1979, Academic Leadership; 2019, Abe Mashal, Class of 1998, Justice, and Rachel Moguel, Class of 2003, Immigration Law; 2022, Karina Villa, Class of 1996, Public Policy, and Matthew Potts, Class of 1997 Humanitarian; and 2023, Sarah Toney, Class of 1996, Restorative Justice. https://merleburl.com
- With its win over Batavia High School with a score of 58-24 Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, Charle East High School girls basketball team won its first DuKane Conference title since joining in 2018.
- In the boys basketball gamesMonday, Feb.3, 205, West Chicago Community High School won over Aurora Central Catholic High School with a score of 58-33.In the boys basketball games Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 St. Charles East High School lost to Lake Park High School with a score of 41-49. In the girls basketball games Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, West Chicago community High School won over Oswego High School with a score of 54-53. In the boys basketball games Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, Bartlett High School won over Smith Elgin High School with a score of 71-52, West Chicago Community High School won over Ridgewood High School with a score of 40-37, St. Charles East High School won over St. Charles North High School with a score of 56-51 and Wheaton Academy won over Timothy Christian High School with a score of 59-42. In the girls basketball games West chicago community high School won over Ridgewood High School with a score of 52-34.In the Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025 girls basketball games, St, Charles East High School won over Geneva High School with a score of 58-47.
CHURCHES
- Faith Community Church, 910 Main St., hosts “Love” a Chamber Music Concert, at 3 p.m.Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. Jake Muzzy performs on cello, Hannah Muzzy on harp, Joyce Anne Wilder on flute and Michael Wilder on clarinet. To reserve seats, visit us. The concert also will be streamed at: https://realconcerts.us/. There is a pay what you want with a request for a one dollar minimum.
- Andrew Lutheran Church, 155 N. Prince Crossing Road, hosts a Valentine’s Party at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. The cost is $25, $15 for children under the age of 15. To make a reservation, visit https//forms.gle/peUMUIYLijn56KPn9. https://merleburl.com
COMMUNITY MEMBERS HIGHLIGHTS
- Maggie Capettini, former West Chicago City Museum education director, hosts Second Fridays from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 14. 2025, at Water Street Studios,160 S Water St., in Batavia. Persons can visit her in her studio and see her finished artwork, what artwork on she is working and chat. https://merleburl.com
CLUB/ORGANIZATION NEWS
- We Grow Dreams Greenhouse and Garden Center, a not-for-profit organization, hosts its 18th Annual Bowl-A-Thon from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, at Parkside Lanes, 34W185 Montgomery Road in Aurora. Persons bowl three games; there are prizes for various levels of achievement. Additionally, there is food, raffles and silent Winners are drawn around 3 p.m.with all of the proceeds helping to support the greenhouse job training program and greenhouse facilities. To register bowlers, sponsor a lane, or create a whole team, visit https://www.bowlathon.net/we-grow-dreams-2025. For persons unable to attend, donations also are welcome. As a 501c3, all donations received are tax deductible. For further information, call the greenhouse at 630 293-0100.
The greenhouse mission is to provide people with disabilities the opportunity to lead fulfilling lives and to train and work in a supportive, safe and caring environment while producing and providing products and services to the community. In this pursuit, we honor the concepts of human dignity, respect, hard work, fellowship and friendship. (https://merleburl.com)
- Gallery 200, 103 W. Washington St., holds 2025 winter art classes. To view the classes and to register, visit https://www.gallery200.net/gallery-200-shop. .Also there are brochures in the gallery. Classes are beginner friendly; intermediate and advanced artists are welcome. For further information, call 630 639-2599.
Hoop Necklace class is at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17. Britta R. the instructor, demonstrates how to make the necklace, either one stranded or looped. All supplies are included in the $30 charge.
Felted Landscape, taught bySharon M. is at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22. The landscape is inspired by a photo, either of the attendee or one from the instructor. The charge is $35.
The two-day Paper Mache Clay Sculpting Class-Butterfly is at 6 p.m. Mondays, Feb.24 and March 3. The charge is $65 and includes all supplies Britta R. is the instructor. In the first class, attendees attach pre-made butterfly wings to the canvas with paper mache clay and shape the tree bark background. The second class attendees paint their project.
Calligraphy Fun with a Pointed Pen is from 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays, starting Feb. 24, and ending March 10. The $85 charge covers the basic tools and materials, basic strokes and letter formation Unlike broad edge nibs, the pointed nib allows for varying the line thickness depending on the pressure applied. It is known for its graceful curves and intricate detail, ideal for formal invitations, decorative documents and artistic projects, Teaching the class is Starla S. https://merleburl.com
CITY OF WEST CHICAGO
- The lobbies at City Hall, 475 Main St., and the Police Station, 325 Spencer St., are open until 6 p.m. each Wednesday, in addition to the regular hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. During these extended hours, City staff is available to assist residents with questions or services.
- The City’s recycling program for incandescent and LED holiday lights and extension cords went very well this year. Groot Recycling and Waste Services reported they collected 2,120 pounds during the 2024 holiday season. The total in 2023 was 840 pounds.
- The City of West Chicago recently formed the Business & Community Relations Department to provide a cohesive approach to outreach, engagement and investment. The department wants to foster greater collaboration and engagement with residents, the business community, not-for-profits and others looking to invest in West Chicago. It consolidates multiple city services—economic development, marketing and communications, special events, and museum management into one department. Its mission is “to drive economic vitality, celebrate cultural heritage, and strengthen community connections through strategically promoting local assets, organizing engaging events, and enhancing West Chicago’s unique identity.” The department’s website is https://westchicago.org/business-and-community-relations/.
Leading the Department as Director is Kelley Chrisse, who offers extensive experience as the City’s former Economic Development Coordinator. Others in the department are Daniel Peck, Marketing & Communications Manager, and Nicolette Stefan, Special Events Coordinator, with support provided by Valeria Perez, Executive Office Manager. The Department also oversees the contracted museum management currently provided by Phalen Consulting. https://merleburl.com
WEST CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT
- DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced that following a four-day-long sentencing hearing, Judge Brian Telander sentenced Tia Brewer, 22 to forty years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for her role in the 2018 murder of Luis Guerrero, 18, of West Chicago. Brewer, who was sixteen-years-old at the time of the murder, is the third of four individuals charged in the murder to be sentenced. She was prosecuted as an adult pursuant to Illinois law. Co-defendants Jesus Jurado-Correa, 25 and Saul Ruiz, 24, both formerly of West Chicago, each entered a plea of guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Commit First-Degree Murder, a Class1 Felony, and in exchange for their cooperation, were sentenced to fifteen years in the IDOC and ten years in the IDOC respectively. On November 9, 2022, co-defendant Francisco Alvarado, 25, formerly of West Chicago, in exchange for his cooperation, entered a plea of guilty to one count of First-Degree Murder and one count of Aggravated Kidnapping His next court appearance is scheduled for February 26, 2025.
On August 14, 2018, at approximately 11:30 a.m., while conducting a nearby training exercise, personnel with the West Chicago Fire Protection District observed a smoldering object in a fire pit located at 1325 Joliet Street. Upon inspection of the object, fire personnel discovered the object to be a human body, later identified as Guerrero. Fire personnel immediately contacted the West Chicago Police Department who began an investigation into the matter with the assistance of the Major Crimes Task Force. The investigation quickly led authorities to Alvarado, Brewer, Correa, and Ruiz. The investigation found that all four defendants had planned the murder of Guerrero for approximately one month and that in the early morning hours of August 14, Brewer arranged to meet Guerrero at the West Chicago Public Library. At the library, Alvarado ambushed Guerrero from behind and strangled him with a belt around his neck. Alvarado and Brewer then began stabbing and punching Guerrero. After stealing Guerrero’s backpack, Alvarado and Brewer loaded him into their Jeep Cherokee, traveled to the location on Joliet Street and removed Guerrero from the Jeep. They stabbed and beat Guerrero as he begged to be taken to a hospital. The investigation further found that Correa arrived at the fire pit with a container of gasoline after Guerrero was unconscious. Correa gave the container of gasoline to Alvarado and Brewer who then poured the gasoline onto Guerrero and then lit him on fire. While on fire, Guerrero got up and began to run away at which time Alvarado and Brewer stabbed and beat him. Alvarado and Brewer dragged Guerrero back to the fire pit, threw Guerrero into the pit and lit him on fire again.
WEST CHICAGO FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
- West Chicago Fire Protection District is accepting applications for firefighters; there is one immediate opening. To apply download, complete, and submit your application at https://iosolutions.com/and submit all required supporting documentation to l/O Solutions by hand or mail by the application deadline Friday, March 14, 2025. For the complete list of firefights minimum requirements and testing information, visit https://www.wegofpd.org/. https://merleburl.com
ODDS AND ENDS
- February is Bring a Friend month at the ARC, 201 W. National St. Members can bring one friend to enjoy the fitness center, gym and track. Each day members bring a friend, they can add one sticker to the tracking poster. Each sticker is an entry into the drawing, when the randomly chosen winner receives a choice of one month free classic fitness membership, a 30-minute personal training session or one week of fitness classes. https://merleburl.com
- Attendees at the West Chicago Park District Candyland Carnival had such fun strolling through Lollipop Lane , playing gumdrop games and meeting Queen Frostine. It also was an enjoyable for both parents and district staff. https://merleburl.com
- The Prince Crossing station, 2N 166 Prince Crossing Road, was built in 1903 and was closed in 1957. The station's primary purpose was to act as one of 19 electrical substations strategically located along the railroad. Today, only two of the original six passenger substations survive. They are: Substation No.5, Prince Crossing and substation No.6 Clintonville located in South Elgin.-From 1945 to 1957, students from Wheaton Academy High School used this station to attend school. After abandonment, the station had a variety of interesting tenants.
- The West Chicago Park District is the recipient of a $299,911 sub-grant from the Morton Arboretum’s Chicago Region Trees Initiative. It is for the District to improve the community tree canopy. Through this, the Park District will create a Planting Plan and Urban Forestry Management Plan, remove trees as suggested in its current Tree Inventory, plant trees, remove invasive plants, enroll staff to become certified arborists, hold public outreach opportunities, and provide volunteer options and educational sessions to the community by June 2, 2028. The competitive sub-grant is among nearly 40 provided to not-for-profits, government entities, and other eligible groups in communities that meet federal guidelines as disadvantaged areas through federal Inflation Reduction Act funding provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.
My email address is merleburl@earthlink.net.