News Briefs 9/26/2024

Hononegah High School forfeited its Sept. 13 football win against the Harlem Huskies because of an eligibility concern over a transfer student. Athletic Director Andrew Walters informed the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) on Sept. 18 about the problem. The student didn't play in the Sept. 20 homecoming game against Guilford, which Hononegah won 35-0. Hononegah won't have to forfeit any more games, and will continue competing in the IHSA, but the school is on probation until the end of the 2024-2025 school year.

Walters says, "I take full responsibility for the oversight that led to this sanction. This athletic transfer's timing and particular circumstances led to an oversight in my office’s protocols to ensure the student’s eligibility. I acknowledge this failure and assure our athletes and the community that we have taken immediate steps and will continue to be vigilant to ensure it does not happen again."

Events for Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024: Roscoe Lions Blood Drive at Roscoe United Methodist Church from 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm and the Public Opening Event at William & Gayle Keefer Nature Reserve beginning at 4:00 pm - RSVP by noon. We'll have twenty more upcoming events in tonight's story and tomorrow's newsletter.

Upcoming stories: Scholastic book fair, Hononegah Homecoming, Chemtool, update on Gil Wierschke,  La Croûte Bakery Cafe, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, disc golf, and South Beloit Fire.

Early voting begins Thursday, September 26, 2024. Winnebago County residents outside of Rockford can vote in-person at the Administration Building, 404 Elm Street, Room 401, Rockford, Illinois, 61101. On Oct. 9, early voting will also become available at the Harlem Alpine Shopping Center, 1965 Harlem Road, Loves Park. Roscoe's John Guevara, chairman of the Northern Illinois Republican National Hispanic Assembly, says, “By voting early, Republicans enable our candidates to focus their time and resources on persuading swing and undecided voters.” Of course, Democrats also encourage their members to vote early. All registered voters can also vote early by mail. The popularity of early voting and vote-by-mail, where all votes aren't counted until after Election Night, means that Election Night results will not be final.

Congressman Darin LaHood traveled to South Beloit in early September 2024. The Republican from Peoria says, "I view my role as having 750,000 bosses, all facing a wide range of issues." He says his office helped to get $750,000 for improvements on the South Beloit’s wastewater treatment process. He also toured PBC Linear in Roscoe, which is expanding its product line.

Perfectly Seasoned Catering is moving their sales and productions team to their new building at 11013 Main Street in Roscoe. Their culinary team will still operate out of the Williams Drive location at Main Street Square, where customers can enjoy PS To-Go orders, Wednesday Night Specials, and event tastings. They purchased the former furniture store months ago, but they say, "With ever rising construction costs and logistics of keeping the doors open while we do construction, we have opted to take on the project in multiple phases. Phase one is getting into the new space with our offices set up, while organizing all the various rental options we offer. Linens, dishware, and more!"