A group of Sugar Grove residents are starting a community fund through the Community Foundation of Warren County The Sugar Grove Community Fund will be a component fund of the Community Foundation of Warren County and benefit from the foundation’s 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status Income generated from the fund will be distributed as charitable grants supporting community projects as recommended by the Sugar Grove Community Fund Advisory Committee Operating under the same guiding principles as the Community Foundation of Warren County the Sugar Grove Community Fund’s initial focus is on growing its principal investment ensuring sustainable income for future community initiatives The principal will remain intact to generate income for years to come An example of this model is the Community Foundation of Warren County itself which started 75 years ago with just $25,000 and today holds more than $100 million in assets while distributing more than $4.3 million annually to charitable causes across Warren County The Advisory Committee for the Sugar Grove Community Fund will be composed of members of the newly formed Sugar Grove Community Development Association Their role includes attracting donations and recommending distributions to support local projects Members of the Advisory Committee include Gene Wilston accounts officer; and advisors Dru Freeborough Wilston said the fund’s creation demonstrates Sugar Grove’s long-term commitment to its future and to the well-being of its residents chairman of the Community Foundation of Warren County noting that the foundation is proud to support Sugar Grove in this endeavor Huber announced that the foundation will match the first $25,000 in donations to the Sugar Grove Community Fund Residents will have their first opportunity to contribute through Warren Gives Donations can be made online at WarrenGives.org or by contacting the Community Foundation at 814-726-9553 for instructions on donating by check Contributions made through Warren Gives are eligible for both the foundation’s matching funds and additional match pool dollars The Sugar Grove Community Fund joins a growing list of similar funds established under the CFWC including the Tidioute Area Community Fund and the Sheffield Area Community Fund – each one dedicated to building long-term financial support for their communities For more information on how to donate to the Sugar Grove Community Fund contact the Community Foundation office at 814-726-9553 or stop in to the office at 310 Second Ave. A domestic incident turned into a standoff on State Street in Conewango Township late Thursday night before ending .. Those who volunteer to prepare large quantities of food for the public are welcome to attend a Penn State Extension .. Copyright © 2025 Ogden Newspapers of Pennsylvania LLC | https://www.timesobserver.com | PO Box 188 Sugar Grove voters last week backed an advisory referendum calling for village officials to rescind previous approval of the massive The Grove development near Interstate 88 and Illinois Route 47 interchange 1,366 voters - about 58% of the total - supported the referendum to reverse the plan which calls for a mix of housing and commercial development on the 760-acre site The yes-or-no question was put on the ballot by community members and was neither endorsed nor opposed by the village While the referendum doesn’t have the authority to change what has already been approved by the village board Mayor-elect Susan Stillwell - herself an opponent of the project - said it gives elected officials clear information on what residents want The vote will be useful in refuting claims from developers and project backers that the development is something residents want “Sugar Grove residents really came out and spoke so I will be looking to advocate for them,” Stillwell said “We’re ready to open the lines of communication — Residents on Old Deerfield Road have been fighting against a VDOT burn site for days with no avail Deirdre McGeachy says her and her family have been living on Old Deerfield Road for generations She says her community was not given any notice that this burn site was being placed near them “We were shocked because no one had any indication had not been notified no knowledge of this taking placeit's baffling because sugar grove itself is a small community within this countythis road is a very small road It's a one-way road predominantly historically and predominantly African Americans live on this road,” she said McGeachy says in addition to not being made aware this burn site was going into her community her frustration also stems from not being told why Old Deerfield Road was chosen as the burn site “It's just a lot of unanswered questions and the residents here we are left in the dark and we're basically looking at what's going on and basically being told it's temporary but we're going to be inhaling all of this,” she said Burning has not started on the site but trucks full of debris were unloading throughout the time News 5 was on-site The site is set up to burn vegetative debris collected by the Virginia Department of Transportation News 5 reached out to VDOT and received this statement: "VDOT and our contract partners have been working to address the unprecedented volume of vegetative debris resulting from Hurricane Helene in late September 2024 It is estimated that over 510,000 cubic yards of debris will be removed and processed by the time this clean up and recovery operation is complete Temporary debris management sites are necessary to manage this material and locations of these sites have been established by both VDOT and our contractors criteria such as proximity to debris removal activities size of available property (5 to 20 acres is typically required the ability to meet the requirements in VDOT’s Best Management Practices and consistency with 9VAC5-130-50 VDOT is working with residents of the Sugar Grove Community in Smyth County to address their concerns regarding a debris management site a VDOT contractor established along Old Deerfield Road The contractor elected to burn debris at this site based on the size and location of the site combined with the amount of debris to be managed while vegetative debris has been brought to the site no debris has been burned while VDOT continues to work with residents." Residents tell News 5 they will continue to try to halt this burn site before burning commences News 5 will continue to follow this developing story on-air and online Former Marcy Corrections Officer pleads guilty to manslaughter in case involving the death of an inmate in December 2024 — Sugar Grove Café and Bakery recently opened its doors on South Salina Street in downtown Syracuse right near the Syracuse Library next door to the Galleries of Syracuse and the public library Owner Tonya Duffi says Sugar Grove is named after a picturesque town in West Virginia where she used to live warm place and we wanted to recreate that feeling here for our customers,” said Duffi who previously owned “The Toast” in Cazenovia says Sugar Grove focuses on fresh baked French pastries “Everything is fresh baked every day and handmade We make sure everything we make is fresh,” she said Duffi said she and her daughter traveled to Paris to perfect their baking skills everything we bake here is authentic French Style food,” said Duffi You have a chance to shape the future of the Regional Market Sugar Grove also serves up fresh coffee from Salt City Coffee and Skytop in Manlius and handmade sandwiches for lunch on fresh baked bread The breakfast and lunch menus are printed on paper bags Customers check off every item they want on their sandwiches or with their eggs “You make the order exactly how you want it,” Duffi said For more information, you can visit Sugar Grove Café's website here. Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More — Parts of Watauga County will need some of the greatest resources in the days The unincorporated area of Sugar Grove is by far one of the most affected areas in the county Caked mud clings to a playground beside a field where grass was replaced by riverbed sediment Roy Cooper visited the area earlier in the week and called it one of the hardest hit communities in western North Carolina downed powerlines dangled over debris as cars sat in a nearby creek bed The area outside Rick Rominger’s home is no different (If) you can imagine how high it was out there,” he said Rominger has never lived anywhere else but Watauga County He pointed to a pile of garbage cleared out from inside his house is a man of few words but a person needn’t say much when pain and suffering is all around He said he is happy to have boots covering his feet “What can I do but just sit there and watch it go Grabbed what I could and grabbed my shoes,” Rominger said Directly across the street from Rominger is Cove Creek Baptist Church A crib from the nursery was placed on the curb and several items from the basement had to be removed Down the road is the Henson Chapel UMC Church Charles Henson is a trustee of the church whose namesake founded it Henson said while mud coated every inch of the basement “This is just something we have to go through People here are optimistic about the advent of a temporary bridge being built by the end of the week The goal is reconnecting these communities and residents say hope is sure to be the fuel of the day Pictured are security camera photos released by the State Police at Warren of a man who broke into Darling’s Pharmacy in Sugar Grove on Monday night A Spring Creek man faces additional felony charges after allegedly breaking into Darling’s Sugar Grove Pharmacy in February was charged Wednesday with second-degree felony burglary – not adapted for overnight accommodation no person present; second-degree felony criminal trespassing – breaking into structure; third-degree felony retail theft – taking merchandise valued at more than $1,000 and second-degree criminal mischief – damaging property It’s alleged Hall stole $4,770 worth of items from the Sugar Grove pharmacy while also causing $4,400 worth of damage during the break-in Hall was arraigned Thursday by Magisterial District Judge Laura Bauer According to the Affidavit of Probable Cause the State Police at Warren responded to a burglary alarm Feb 24 at Darling’s Pharmacy in Sugar Grove and saw the front window of the pharmacy had been broken with blood seen on the glass and inside the pharmacy Several swabs of blood were collected as evidence Video surveillance showed a man wearing athletic shorts with facial hair had broken the front window with an ice scraper that was left at the scene along with pills an area resident said he had seen a vehicle driven by a man who looked like the man whose picture had been posted on social media parked near Caitlin Hill Road and Forest Street and the man staggering across the road Additional video footage from the Kwik Fill in Sugar Grove showed a vehicle similar to the one described by the eyewitness while State Police at Corry were investigating another incident possibly involving a similar vehicle A pharmacist at the CVS Pharmacy in Corry also called the State Police at Warren saying he had received a call from the Warren County Jail regarding medications for Hall and the pharmacist then said he recognized Hall from the social media post regarding the burglary at Darling’s Pharmacy The state trooper who arrested Hall for a previous domestic incident showed body camera footage allegedly showing Hall wearing similar clothing to the man who broke into Darlin’s Pharmacy Hall’s wife allegedly owned a vehicle similar to the vehicle seen in video surveillance and it appeared Hall had injuries according to the body camera footage Troopers then went to Hall’s home and spoke with Hall’s wife “(She) immediately reacted to the photographs,” the affidavit states “(She) believes the male inside Darling’s Pharmacy was her husband (Sue) stated she was certain the male in the photograph was Robert Hall but (she) stated he had committed similar crimes in the past.” noted damage to the interior and received a search warrant to search the vehicle as well as Hall’s home including many items with “Darling’s Pharmacy” tags on them “Bulk plastic pill bottles that were missing from Darling’s Pharmacy that were not available for purchase were observed and seized from Hall’s residence,” the affidavit states Hall admitted to breaking the front window of Darling’s Pharmacy and stealing several items “Hall had lacerations to his legs and still had pieces of glass in his legs from the broken window,” the affidavit states “Hall stated he made the decision to break in and steal medication because he had taken his wife’s medication and he needed a way to try and make it right with her.” The Darling’s Pharmacy break-in marks the third series of felony charges stemming from the weekend of Feb Hall has been in the county jail since late February on $100,000 bail after a reported hostage situation in Pittsfield Township That incident resulted in charges of unlawful restraint/serious bodily injury misdemeanor terroristic threats with intent to terrorize another had been “holding her in the house against her will and had been hitting her and her dog.” Hall had allegedly prevented the victim from leaving for three days telling her that if she tried to leave or contact anyone The affidavit also said Hall allegedly punched the woman multiple times dragged the woman by her hair into the bedroom and told her he was going to hang himself and make her watch The woman’s service dog allegedly attempted to bite Hall He then began punching the dog multiple times,” the affidavit states The woman was able to connect an old phone she was given by Hall to play games on to Wi-Fi and send a Facebook message to a friend asking them to call 911 while he slept at her feet with a butcher knife State Police at Corry then filed additional charges in mid-March against Hall after allegedly stealing items the same weekend as the alleged hostage situation Hall allegedly broke into Lottsville Millings Inc in Freehold Township and stole $160 worth of merchandise while allegedly committing $300 worth of damage inside the store on Feb Surveillance footage captured the incident and footage from the Lottsville Millings cameras was similar to footage captured by State Police at Warren who were investigating another burglary at a store in Sugar Grove Two burglaries took place within minutes of each other and were a few miles apart The person identified was driving a dark colored Ford Explorer that had running board brackets but no running boards The State Police at Warren executed a search warrant at Hall’s home on Feb 27 and recovered a calculator allegedly stolen from Lottsville Millings and seized clothing police say was worn by Hall during both incidents Police also report finding the same vehicle as was identified on the surveillance footage Police then interviewed Hall at the Warren County Jail on March 3 Hall was shown still images from the Lottsville Milling burglary and identified himself as the person in the photos,” the affidavit states “He stated that he had taken his wife’s Xanax medication before committing the crime and that he remembered very little of what occurred that night.” Hospice of Warren County is set to host its inaugural fundraising event The League of Women Voters of Warren County has released its updated 2025 Government Directory A county resident has been sentenced to between 21 months and four years in state prison on three separate dockets ExpandSue Stillwell (Photo provided by Sue Stillwell) Sugar Grove Village President Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (Southern Illinois University) Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a Concentration in Project Management (Devry University) Lasagna Love (Baking and delivering homemade Lasagnas to families in our area in need) Kaneland Youth Cheer Team Mom New volunteer with Kane County Forest Preserve I also help the groups 3:11 Project and One Spirit Lakota Okini Donors Program with donations and three children that went to/attend Kaneland Schools I do not support the TIF agreement between Sugar Grove and Crown Development but I understand the next Village President will have a contract in place that will limit the available options Kaneland Schools are currently facing a significant budget shortfall and while they were able to balance the upcoming budget with significant cuts to programs and staff positions they still have building and maintenance needs The TIF provided incentive to the developer to add residential property - this adds students and costs without full amount of tax they would have gotten without the TIF I believe this TIF agreement and related contract were not well negotiated favored the developer’s interests and put Kaneland Schools at a disadvantage when they are already strained If the community vote shows that Sugar Grove residents are opposed to the project I would consult with the future Village Attorney to find out what options are available given that there is already a contract in place Illinois municipal law enforcement departments typically cooperate with ICE when required by law or a criminal warrant is issued but do not detain individuals with only ICE administrative warrants 1) I would like to restore a sense of a healthy community and peace Sugar Grove has been very divided the past few years The current administration has caused many residents stress as evidenced by the hundreds of people that spoke out against their actions detailing how it caused stress in their lives We have a beautiful town and intelligent people that live here We cannot let a developer whose only interest is financial gain continue to divide our community 2) In reflecting on which towns people like to spend free time in people and businesses often gravitate toward nature bike paths and parks can bring our Village back to health I would be looking to improve the natural environment because when people like to be here and spend time here 3) I am not a spender and I would like to make sure the Village is adequately prepared for possible economic challenges in the future This includes review of current spending and making cuts in places that may be needed in order to ensure the Village continues to have sufficient reserve funds I would like to increase the number of native species including aesthetically pleasing plants native to Illinois such as milkweed that are often available through native plant programs can reduce mowing costs and add healthy habitat and green spaces to our town I would also like to assist with application to the Illinois DNR Illinois Park District Habitat Improvement Grant I believe by focusing on the environmental health in our community we can attract high quality businesses in sensible areas instead of projects that may pose a threat to our environment and the residents that live in surrounding areas I would look to support Sugar Grove Township Senior Transportation Service and Dial-a-Ride in Kane County I would also look to expand bike paths throughout the Village I feel the current Village Administration went too far to cater to a developer and put the developer’s interests ahead of the concerns of the Sugar Grove residents As a Village we can identify areas for healthy growth and make the Village owned areas attractive but our entire Village is not for the purpose of financial gain organic growth and encourage residents to support our local businesses but the Village does not work for a developer The developers should not be drafting contracts with extremely unfavorable terms for the Village that put the Village at risk of future litigation and what has been happening goes far beyond supporting local businesses and is to the level of forced economic growth at any cost I would look to maintain local business support and economic growth I would look to continue support of the Sugar Grove Police Department and any needs they may have I would also look for a safer way to cross Route 47 for bicyclists - currently there are only a couple of safe places to cross but if riding a bike from outside of the current downtown area of Sugar Grove it is quite difficult to ride down and cross Route 47 The Village of Sugar Grove does not discriminate and anti-discrimination policies would be maintained Currently Sugar Grove is not a sponsor of Ride in Kane / Dial-a-Ride for residents with disabilities although Sugar Grove is in the service area Supporting this service may be something to be considered if there are unmet transportation needs for residents to access services conflicts of interest should be disclosed on the Annual Financial Disclosure Statements HR policies should continue to prohibit hiring family into a government position Campaign donations should not be a means of directing government actions and should be reviewed closely by the Village Board to verify the local government is not acting in a way that was influenced by donors My campaign spending is under $1,500 and there are no potential conflicts related to any development I am extremely responsive to emails and I can be emailed at SueStillwell@gmail.com at the current time. Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network The State Police at Warren is investigating a burglary at Darling’s Pharmacy in Sugar Grove troopers responded to a burglary at the pharmacy an unidentified man forcibly entered the pharmacy by smashing the front window the man stole an undisclosed amount of medication along with lollipops before fleeing through the same broken window The man’s direction of travel after leaving the establishment isn’t known Law enforcement officials are requesting assistance from the public in identifying the man Anyone with information related to this crime is encouraged to contact the Warren Barracks at 814-728-3460 ExpandSugar Grove village officials held a groundbreaking event for the new Starbucks location at 421 N Sugar Grove Parkway on Jan developers and Starbucks representatives were in attendance (Photo Provided by the Village of Sugar Grove) Kane County coffee drinkers who commute on Route 47 will have a new drive-thru option for their morning joe this fall, once construction of Sugar Grove’s first Starbucks location is complete. The Seattle-based coffee powerhouse plans to open its first stand-alone location in Sugar Grove this fall at 421 N Sugar Grove Parkway. The site is located in the shopping center at the northeastern corner of Route 47 and Galena Boulevard, between the Shell gas station and Auto Zone. The 1.42-acre site is currently vacant. The development plans consist of a 6,000 square foot building with a drive-thru and 370 square foot outdoor patio. Design renderings for the new Sugar Grove Starbucks location under construction at 421 N Sugar Grove Parkway. (Photo Provided by the Village of Sugar G) Starbucks will operate out of a roughly 2,500 square foot unit with the drive-thru and patio, and the adjacent 3,500 square foot unit will be leased to another retailer. The property is owned by Graham C-Stores, who also own the neighboring Shell gas station. They will maintain ownership of the property and lease the space to Starbucks. Northbrook-based developer GMX Real Estate Group is developing the site for Starbucks. GMX director of development Todd Smutz said GMX has been developing commercial retail space for about 20 years, working mainly with national retailers like Chipotle, Sleep Number and Raising Cane’s. He said they have built about a dozen Starbucks locations in the Midwest, most recently in Waukegan. While the Jewel-Osco grocery store on the same lot already has a Starbucks kiosk inside, developers said it is common practice in the Starbucks business model to have a stand-alone shop right outside a grocery store with a kiosk. Smutz said the two Starbucks locations will attract entirely different clientele. He said the café in the grocery store will mainly serve daytime shoppers, and the stand-alone shop will serve morning commuters and those looking for a café atmosphere to sit and work or study. In addition to an outdoor patio and drive-thru options, the stand-alone location will offer a more extensive food and drink menu than the kiosk. Smutz said GMX’s portion of the development is expected to be complete by June. The site will then be handed over to Starbucks to build-out the interior, which is expected to take about three months. The coffee shop is expected to be open and operating by mid-September. The village held a groundbreaking ceremony at the site on Jan. 28 with Village President Jennifer Konen, other village officials, local economic groups and representatives from Starbucks and GMX. Sugar Grove economic development director Michael Cassa said the village began conversations with Starbucks developers in spring of 2023 and approved development plans last May. Cassa said Sugar grove is an attractive location for restaurants and retailers like Starbucks because of the potential growth it is poised to see in coming years. He said the multiple, sizable residential developments the village has planned means thousands of potential customers for area businesses. Sugar Grove Fire Chief Ben Chase confirmed that the fire is under investigation by the Sugar Grove Fire Department, the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), and the Pennsylvania Fire Commissioner’s Office. First responders arrived promptly at the scene and successfully contained the blaze, preventing it from spreading to nearby structures. Neighbors took precautions by evacuating their pets and staying ready in case they needed to leave quickly. Multiple fire departments responded to the emergency, including Sugar Grove, Busti, Wrightsville, Lander, Starbrick, North Warren, and Youngsville, showcasing a coordinated effort to combat the fire. Chase said the freezing conditions add to the danger of firefighting, including “keeping first responders safe on the ice, protecting them from exposure, and keeping the trucks from freezing.” He also reminds the public to “avoid areas where an emergency is happening.” The cause of the fire remains unknown, and officials are continuing their investigation to determine its origin. Residents are urged to remain cautious and report any relevant information to the investigating agencies. No injuries have been reported at this time. Hospice of Warren County is set to host its inaugural fundraising event, Warren County Wonders, on Saturday, May ... The League of Women Voters of Warren County has released its updated 2025 Government Directory, a resource designed ... A county resident has been sentenced to between 21 months and four years in state prison on three separate dockets. ... Copyright © 2025 Ogden Newspapers of Pennsylvania, LLC | https://www.timesobserver.com | PO Box 188, Warren, PA 16365 | 814-723-8200 ExpandAnthony Speciale (Photo provided by Anthony Speciale ) What office are you seeking? Village of Sugar Grove Trustee Occupation and employer: Retired/Sugar Grove Public Works Director What offices, if any, have you previously held? I serve as a Sugar Grove Plan Commissioner and represent Sugar Grove on the Aurora Airport Advisory Board. Additionally, I previously held the position of Board Director in my subdivision and served as the President of the Lion’s Club. Education: Associate of Science degree, Chemistry, Illinois Certified Drinking Water Operator Community Involvement: Lions Club, Sugar Grove Plan Commissioner, Village of Sugar Grove Appointee to the Aurora Airport Advisory Commission, and Village of Sugar Grove Town Center Committee. Marital status/Immediate family: I have been married to my wonderful wife, Rita, for 34 years. We have three children, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. No, I do not like the TIF agreement. From my experience, it’s challenging to speculate about what was proposed and discussed during negotiations when you weren’t present in the room. That said, I would prefer to exclude the residential component. I am very concerned about this referendum because the information from the Village Attorney on the Village of Sugar Grove’s website indicates it may pose legal risks to the Village. From the Village website: “The ordinances and resolutions were passed pursuant to an annexation agreement between the Village of Sugar Grove and Sugar Grove LLC. Because the annexation agreement commits the Village to granting certain entitlements, a “reversal” by the Village of the resolutions or ordinances could open up the Village to a “breach of contract” giving rise to liability on the part of the Village (65 ILCS 5/11-15.1-4).” I believe that law enforcement should follow the law. I have dedicated much of my life to Sugar Grove, as a long-time resident and serving as the Public Works Director for nearly 20 years. I see fantastic opportunities here, and my four decades of municipal government experience will enable me to be an effective Village Trustee. I support controlled development. We must continue to diversify our tax base to benefit the Village’s taxing bodies. We need to work diligently to achieve this goal. A diverse tax base also generates revenue that is needed to enhance and maintain our residents’ quality of life, by ensuring that our infrastructure—such as water, sanitation, sewer, sidewalks, and road maintenance—runs smoothly and efficiently. Lastly, as a retiree, I am dedicated to making our community more livable for our aging residents. Over the past decade, we have added two age-restricted senior apartment complexes and one assisted living facility in Sugar Grove. I will actively advocate for improved resources within our community, such as transportation options, shopping facilities, and services tailored to our senior residents. I would identify opportunities for improving mobility within the Village. Additionally, I plan to further develop our trail network and work towards creating a comprehensive community-wide trail system. I will also seek grants and collaborate with our government partners. Our Village is safe, and the Police Department is doing an excellent job. However, it is important that our police department remains properly funded, staffed, and equipped to maintain its success. One area I would like to collaborate on with the police department is the expansion of education programs focused on cybersecurity and scam prevention. Fraud and identity theft have nearly tripled over the past decade, with an identity theft occurring every 22 seconds. This initiative would be beneficial for residents of all ages, but I particularly want to work with our senior residents. Having worked here for over two decades, I believe our Village has been welcoming and inclusive of all residents. However, as we now have additional living spaces for older residents, it is important that we also provide the appropriate services and resources to support them. Yes. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/) provides that certain elected municipal office holders, candidates, officials and employees are required to file a Statement of Economic Interests Being retired gives me a unique advantage. It takes effort and dedication to do the job correctly. I want to establish office hours to meet with residents and respond to emails and phone calls. I am flexible and can meet people at their convenience. Additionally, I can meet with business owners during their operating hours to observe their operations. My previous experience in the Village has prepared me well to be accessible to our community. ExpandKaneland School District 302 offices The Board voted unanimously in favor of fighting back during Monday’s regularly scheduled meeting. “I’m not happy with the IGAs (intergovernmental agreements) that have been proposed,” Board President Addam Gonzales said. “I’m in no way prepared to agree to anything at this point and I feel we’ve come to a point where we need to make a decision in proceeding one way or another. I think we’re all aware of the costs, the risk and the potential of lost revenues.” Board Member Bob Mankivsky was offended by what the Village of Sugar Grove proposed. “Their IGA proposal was insulting,” he said. “It purely puts on us the burden of giving millions of taxpayer money that should be educating our students and giving it to billionaires. Let’s just call it what it is.” He does not trust the Village of Sugar Grove. “Quite frankly, I don’t trust a single thing on the basis of what they’ve represented to us,” he said. “Their own words have shown them to be untrustworthy in any respect. Heaven help the folks who live in Sugar Grove.” These feelings weren’t just from the board, but from the board speaking on behalf of many in the community. Attorney Kevin B. Gordon of Kriha Boucek, the K-12 boutique education law firm that represents schools boards and public school districts like Kaneland, shared procedural details of what will occur now that the board has voted unanimously in support of challenging the TIF in court. “The next steps would be to develop a complaint, asserting a cause of action and identifying the defects in that TIF that would be filed in Kane County Circuit Court,” Gordon said. “And from there the litigation commences.” Gordon explained it could take years to get through the circuit court and additional years to get through the appellate court. “And God help us if somebody appeals to the Supreme Court from there,” he said. “It’ll be an additional amount of time.” It’s not like the American TV legal drama, Suits, as Gordon explained. “They would give the lawsuit to some young associate (on Suits) and say ‘Go file this with judge so-and-so and tell him what we want - trial date on Tuesday. That’s not happening,” he said. “It will take an extended period of time to get to a point where the case is even ready for motions for summary judgement, much less a bench trial if that were to come to that.” It’s about doing what’s best for the district said board member Jennifer Simmons. “I think it’s time to unite,” Gonzalez added. “And do what we can to proceed and fight for our kids.” Village of Sugar Grove President Jen Konen said she respects the board’s decision but stands by the Village’s decision to approve the project. ExpandJennifer Konen (Photo provided by Jennifer Konen) Village of Sugar Grove President Village of Sugar Grove President 2021-Present citizensforjenniferkonen.com BS Business Administration with a concentration in Professional Golf Management I am currently involved with the Kiwanis Club of Sugar Grove Township and St. Katharine Drexel Church in Sugar Grove. I have previously participated as a Girl Scout troop leader, as well as a softball coach and golf coach. I have been married to Eric for 21 years and we have three children: Lilly, Sydney and Henry. While no one wants to use tax dollars to support a development project, my role is to analyze the situation and weigh the options. We determined that the land use and TIF agreement are in the best interest of the Village, its residents, and other taxing districts. I will continue to support the development to ensure that it aligns with the community’s expectations. The revenue generated in the TIF district will provide financial assistance to all taxing districts over the 23-year period. For example, it is anticipated that the school district will receive impact fees of approximately $2.3 million, tuition assistance up to $95 million, and surplus funds of around $26 million conservatively throughout the 23 years. The agreement provides 80% reimbursement to the developer for backbone infrastructure improvements only. Not all development infrastructure costs are reimbursed. This arrangement was negotiated to allow the Village to pay the developer less interest and potentially terminate the TIF early. However, should the TIF extend to 23 years, substantial revenue in the fund would still be surplused to all taxing districts. Overall, this represents a long-term solution for the financial health of the Village and the other taxing districts. This is a non binding referendum question. The ordinances and resolutions were passed pursuant to an annexation agreement between the Village of Sugar Grove and Sugar Grove LLC. Per the Village’s attorney, because the annexation agreement commits the Village to grant certain entitlements, a “reversal” by the Village of the resolutions or ordinances could open the Village to a “breach of contract,” giving rise to liability on the part of the Village (65 ILCS 5/11-15.1- 4). Local law enforcement will adhere to the law. We have successfully brought six new businesses to Sugar Grove this past year, and more economic development is on the horizon. Proactively growing our local economy is essential for the Village’s financial independence. I will continue to meet with prospective business owners and our existing businesses to identify opportunities for collaboration and to advance our local economy. For the past two years, we have kept property taxes stable in our community. By attracting new businesses and practicing fiscal responsibility, we are lowering costs and keeping more money in our residents’ wallets. I aim not only to avoid property tax increases but also to lower them through continued economic development. When discussing economic development and community growth in the Village, our decisions must benefit everyone. It’s important that our actions today strengthen the foundation for all who call Sugar Grove home. Our goal is to find the right balance, and we are making progress. For example, The Grove will feature mixed-use development, which includes residential areas, a Village Town Center, retail outlets, commercial spaces, and a national data center. Additionally, it will provide over 200 acres of open green space, including parks, trails, and natural areas that will preserve more than 70 acres of mature tree groves in the area. Sugar Grove does not have public transportation. The Sugar Grove Township partners with Freedom 1st to provide transportation options for seniors and the disabled who want to drive safely to appointments, activities and shopping. We are continually seeking ways to improve navigation throughout the Village. We have increased our road improvement program by 21%, which allows us to resurface and repair more roads. Additionally, we secured a $250,000 grant to install new sidewalks near John Shields Elementary School, creating safer pathways for students and families. A new crosswalk has also been approved at the intersection of US 30 and Municipal Drive to enhance safety for residents. By providing safe routes for travelling on foot or by bike, we make our entire community safer for everyone. We have begun constructing a new pedestrian bridge over Blackberry Creek, as well as a shared-use path that will connect Belle Vue Lane in the south with the Virgil Gilman Trail to the north. Through fiscal responsibility we have been saving toward a few major capital water projects. This includes the relocation of water and sewer in the IDOT Right of Way along IL 47 and the replacement of water main on Maple St. We anticipate the two projects will be underway within the next 1-2 years. The Village is committed to supporting our local businesses. Village staff, Board Trustees, and I collaborate with our Economic Development team to create opportunities for Sugar Grove and to help develop and retain the businesses that already call Sugar Grove home. One of the most important ways to support our local economy is by connecting with these businesses. Our Business Retention and Expansion Visits allow us to check in with business owners. During these visits, we discuss their current operations and explore how the Village can better assist their success. We have worked with local businesses to secure additional office space, utilize our Commercial Property Enhancement Program, and support a start-up proprietor as they expanded into a thriving venue that is now under construction. What sets us apart is our dedication to working with local businesses, listening to their needs, and helping them succeed within our community. We are a welcoming and inclusive community, dedicated to creating a space where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to participate fully, regardless of their background, identity, or perspective. We offer several methods of communication with our residents—public forums, Village Board meetings, social media, email, the Village website, mail and phone calls. Additionally, many staff members and I have offices at the Village Administration building, where we can meet in person with residents who wish to schedule a meeting or drop by. Our goal is to respond to your questions quickly and honestly. I ran for Village President on the principles of trust and transparency, and I remain committed to those values. My guiding principle must always be what best serves all residents of Sugar Grove Absolutely, every government official and elected official is required to disclose annually their personal and family economic interest in the municipality in which they work. Additionally, we have annual ethics training and we proactively use our attorney to discuss any potential conflicts of interest. Enforcement is done by our ethics ordinance. I will continue to be accessible to my constituents. I keep office hours for in person meetings. I meet with residents in small groups and will continue to offer those opportunities. I am also active with groups in the community and always available for impromptu conversations. I can always be reached by email or phone call. More than a year after a decision to cease operations as they were known at the Sugar Grove Nature Center in rural McLean County some members of the settler-era families who oversee that land and its assets are hoping to change the way their governance board functions Some 153 members of the Funk and Stubblefield families have signed their names to a petition aimed at changing the bylaws of the Funks Grove Cemetery Association [FGCA] board whose members also sit on the Sugar Grove Foundation [SGF] board — which oversaw the operations of the Sugar Grove Nature Center [SGNC] outlines a series of concerns partly raised by a board decision in 2023 that led to drastic changes to the SGNC's operations: Its staff members were terminated and much of its programming and festivals ceased though the grounds themselves remain open to the public The letter also includes worries that new decisions to close parts of the grounds and trails over the winter violated terms of a nearly $2 million grant agreement between the Sugar Grove Foundation [SGF] and the private Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation we believe these decisions are in direct conflict with the wishes of the majority of our family members whom they are implicitly representing in their decisions,” the letter states “...All of this has resulted in overwhelmingly negative public sentiment not only toward SGF since it is family members serving on the SGF board who have taken these actions.” The hope for the authors of the letter and the 153-plus petition signers is that the reversal of 1990s-era bylaw will allow members of the roughly 238-person strong families to vote on who sits on the family’s central-most board board members alone decide who will sit on the FCGA board family member and former SFG board member Eric Funk said but the most significant to modern issues came in 1990 That’s when the FCGA changed from having family vote for board members after an annual reunion to having already-appointed board members choose who sits on the board The petition that will be presented to the board on Saturday asks that the bylaws be changed to what they had previously been for years Funk himself is a former FCGA board member of more than 30 years but lost his seat on the board after he spoke out publicly regarding the situation that befell the Sugar Grove Nature Center in 2023 Funk acknowledged the proposed bylaw changes could benefit the board by bringing in fresh faces “If [current board members] are of a strong character the kind of character that my family grew up with the kind of character that many of the Funk and Stubblefield people think their forefathers’ characters were then they will agree to change the bylaws,” he said “Then it's a matter of let[ting] the cards fall where they may and if the family votes in a new board one of six family members who signed or penned the letter urging other family members to sign the petition for a bylaws request wrote in it that the change would hopefully bring some “accountability “This change in FCGA bylaws will allow others in the family the opportunity to serve and they could then work with legal counsel to write new bylaws governing the SGF board the SGF bylaws do not establish term limits and the board members are self-selected which means there is no way to hold them accountable for the decisions they have made that have adversely affected the nature center,” the letter reads did not return a request for comment from WGLT Of all of the natural resources made available to the public in Funks Grove the SGNC arguably is the most prominent and widely known though there are other ventures in the area that celebrate its long natural history a creamery that produces three-ingredient ice cream with the sirup and an organic farm But the SGNC’s nearly two-decades of operation its reliance on the public for donations and its reputation are part of why the families’ inner workings drew attention last year: The decisions that impacted the center impacted the center-supporting and center-loving public “I used to get that over and over again from people it was so good and so good for young people “'Some of the young people that were out there early on back in the early 2000s and when I say early and they talk about the nature center and what an impact it had on them They came out maybe when they were five or 10 years old the former executive director of 19 years who helped build it from the ground-up said the termination of herself and staff members saddened more than just them: There were dozens of volunteers homeschooling groups and others who lamented the changes and Funk said public opinion soured “Whether it's Funks Grove the natural area the historical aspect of the cemetery or the newest venture — which was Sugar Grove Nature Center — those are things to be take pride in and be happy that you were able to do and create for the rest of the community,” she said “What has happened has tarnished that and is unfortunate So many of those people were so good to me and so supportive over the years it's sad to see them having to deal with and feel the way that they do.” Funk said she disputes the financial picture presented of the SGNC as a struggling nonprofit that was too costly to remain in operation; Eric Funk the former board member [and Angela’s husband] said he regrets often the decision to go along with what the SGF board’s finance committee had concluded: That laying off the center’s staff ceasing many operations and hiring back an educator was the only thing to do “Why didn’t I argue harder in the finance committee sessions we should get an accountant — we’re not qualified to do this?’” he said we really can't afford this.’ I disagreed with that and we didn't go to an accountant to have them determine it We sat at a table and met five or six times and each of us did our own financial stuff.” Debby Funk and other signatories also dispute the imminent nature of the SGF’s financial situation since the decision to terminate staff last year “SGF had enough money to retain the staff and continue programs for at least a year and we are confident that if supporters had been informed of the need for more funds they would have rallied to provide them,” the letter reads the nature center could be restored and resemble the asset that it was long known as the letter describes it as a “misstep,” something that can be corrected in the interests of not only the SGNC’s supporters but the legacies of the area’s original founders “The Funk and Stubblefield names have always been highly respected in our community This year our families are celebrating 200 years of maintaining goodwill with our surrounding communities,” the letter reads “We can and should do our part to preserve that trust for the next 200 years.” The petition and its accompanying signatures will be presented during the two families' annual reunion on Saturday Become a WGLT sponsor Old Order Amish families in their tiny community in northern Warren County have resisted local officials over a critical component of daily Amish life — outhouses the families have refused to abide by local ordinances that require them to abandon their privies and pay fees and hook up to the municipal sewer system in Sugar Grove Township where the Old Order Amish make up about a quarter of the population of 1,500 Abiding by the ordinances would require the use of electric grinder pumps The fight over the privies is nearing an end in U.S The Justice Department and Sugar Grove Township and the Sugar Grove Area Sewer Authority have filed a proposed consent order that would exempt certain Amish households from mandatory connection to the township's sewer system The Justice Department and the Pittsburgh-based U.S Attorney's Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania filed the lawsuit and the proposed consent order on Thursday in the Erie Division of U.S District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania The division encompasses Warren and Erie counties and five other counties in northwestern Pennsylvania "No one should have to choose between keeping their home or practicing their faith," Troy Rivetti attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania "This office will continue to defend religious communities against zoning ordinances that penalize them for adhering to their religious beliefs." deputy assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division said the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act "protects the rights of religious communities across the country from the enforcement of land use rules that unreasonably burden their religious exercise." Lawyers for the Sugar Grove Township and the Sugar Grove Area Sewer Authority did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment The proposed consent order would exempt the Old Order Amish in Sugar Grove Township from two ordinances mandates connection to the public sewer system for every structure within 150 feet of it bans privies on property intended for permanent residence The lawsuit claims the township and the sewer authority violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act by using the ordinances to penalize the Amish who refused to connect their privies — which have no running water or electricity — to the municipal sewer system The system was finished in 2011-12 after about 10 years of construction imposed municipal fines and liens and got judgments totaling $200,000 against the Amish for failing to comply A total of 14 Amish properties are affected One couple were convicted in criminal court and sentenced to pay fines It states the family nearly lost their house in a sheriff sale over what the local authorities said was a violation of the connection ordinance The Old Order Amish in Sugar Grove Township lost their schoolhouse The township and the sewer authority forced a sheriff sale over unpaid sewer connection fees the authority padlocked the building and took ownership of it other monetary penalties against AmishThe consent order aims for a resolution fines or other monetary penalties against Amish households for prior noncompliance with the two ordinances It also requires Sugar Grove Township and its sewer authority to train its officials and employees on the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act establish a procedure for dealing with complaints related to the law and provide reports to the federal government the Justice Department said the Amish's use of privies "poses no material threat to the health or safety of the Township or its groundwater." Just as significant is that the use of privies comports with the religious beliefs of the Old Order Amish "are the only feasible bodily waste disposal option that complies with the Old Order Amish's religious tenets requiring separation from modern technology." Contact epalattella@timesnews.com or 814-870-1813. Follow him on X @ETNpalattella. After years of legal wrangling, Sugar Grove’s Old Order Amish residents will legally be allowed to use their outdoor privies rather than be required to use Sugar Grove’s municipal sewage system. In August 2006 Joseph and Barbara Yoder were required to connect to the municipal sewer system and refused, citing their religious beliefs and practices. The Yoders eventually agreed to keep using their privy and not connect to the sewer system in exchange for paying a one-time, $1,000 tap-in fee, past due charges of $864 and ongoing monthly payments to the Sugar Grove Area Sewage Authority. At the same time Sugar Grove officials changed the township’s privy ordinance, something the Justice Department said only affected the Old Order Amish. There are currently 14 Old Order Amish who live within 150 feet of the municipal sewer. An Old Order Amish schoolhouse was padlocked and sold for unpaid sewer connection fees in February 2021, while the Yoders were each charged and convicted of criminal offenses and sentenced to pay criminal fines. The U.S. Justice Department announced an agreement with Sugar Grove Township and the Sugar Grove Area Sewage Authority to resolve claims from Old Order Amish in Sugar Grove that Sugar Grove’s attempts to force Old Order Amish to hook up to the sewage system, pay hook-up fees, fines and fees associated with the sewer system violate the Old Order Amish residents’ religious rights. “No one should have to choose between keeping their home or practicing their faith,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti for the Western District of Pennsylvania. “This office will continue to defend religious communities against zoning ordinances that penalize them for adhering to their religious beliefs.” “The Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act protects the rights of religious communities across the country, including the Old Order Amish, from the enforcement of land use rules that unreasonably burden their religious exercise,” said Deputy Assistant Attorney General Kathleen Wolfe of the Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is proud to support this longstanding Amish community’s religious rights.” A Sugar Grove teen has been jailed on $50,000 bail after being accused of a rash of vehicle break-ins in Sugar Grove last fall. According to an Affidavit of Probable Cause filed by the State Police at Warren, Perrett and a juvenile co-defendant from New York state stole a .22 caliber revolver stolen from a vehicle in Sugar Grove as well miscellaneous items valued at $2,029 from several vehicles parked in Sugar Grove on Sept. 21. “During the course of the investigation, the actors were identified by two different people from a picture of the actors taken from one of the victim’s home surveillance cameras that was published in the Warren Times Observer as part of the investigation,” the Affidavit of Probable Cause states. What happened to the firearm is still up in the air, according to the Affidavit of Probable Cause. The unnamed second defendant allegedly told police they found the revolver in the glove box of a vehicle, but Perrett grabbed the gun from the youth and allegedly said he was keeping it. The youth told police he didn’t remember seeing the revolver when the teen and Perrett returned to Perrett’s bedroom and dumped the contents of the backpack on Perrett’s bed. “I asked (the youth) if he could recall any conversations he had with Perrett, while conversing over Snapchat, if the whereabouts of the firearm was mentioned, to which (the youth) stated he couldn’t remember,” the affidavit states. Darling’s Sugar Grove Pharmacy has launched a medication delivery service for Warren, North Warren, and Youngsville residents. Based at the Sugar Grove location, pharmacy officials want to make it easier for customers – particular senior citizens, to get their prescriptions. The service was available to the patients residing in Sugar Grove. “It is something we have wanted to do and seeing the needs in the community rise, it made sense to give it a try,” said owner and pharmacist Chris Darling. The launch of expanded deliveries was set for the first of the year, but a few snowstorms delayed the announcement of the services’ commencement. The pharmacy employs Medication Synchronization (Med Sync) to coordinate prescription refills. This allows refills to occur on the same day each month, making deliveries more convenient. Darling’s Sugar Grove Pharmacy has been offering the service to residents of Sugar Grove with success. “We appreciate our community in Sugar Grove, and want to reach more of the Warren community,” Darling said. “We are excited to expand our service area and look forward to serving our patients.” Keith Robert Clark, 81, of Sugar Grove, PA, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. He was born on Sept. 20, 1943 in Jamestown, NY, a son to the late Robert and Helen (Stearns) Clark. Keith served his country in the US Navy. He then went on to own and operate KC Auto Glass/Keith Clark Auto Service and was an Owner/Operator with Crossett Inc. for 35-plus years. He was a member of the Sugar Grove American Legion Post #758 as well as a lifetime member of the Sugar Grove AMVETS Post #50. He was also the Vice President of Sanders Egg Farm many years ago. Keith loved to go to the casino and the race track; He was once a race car driver himself. He enjoyed vintage cars and car shows. He also helped start the annual Sugar Grove Car Show and spent a lot of time on his tractor. Keith will be missed by all of those who had the pleasure of knowing him. He is survived by his children, Aldeena (Dan) Tolley of Lexington, N.C., Kimberly Blanton of Henderson, CO and Brion (Allison) Clark of Sugar Grove; his grandchildren, Lauren, Jordan, Brooke, Garret, Cody, Cailyn, and Trystan; his great-grandchildren, Willa and Adelyn; his sister, Karen Rutsky of Sugar Grove; a close cousin, Dale Clark of Frewsburg as well as others who held a special place in his heart, Gillian Melquist (Ryan), Zella, Kenley, Maisy, Reagan and Mikael. In addition to his parents, Keith was preceded in death by a sister, Kathy Clark and a brother, Michael Clark. Visitation will be held on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 at the Nelson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 314 N. Main St., Youngsville, PA 16371, from 1-3 p.m. at which time a memorial service will be held there with the Rev. PJ Cathcart, pastor of the Sugar Grove Free Methodist Church, officiating. The American Legion Honor Guard will provide full military honors. Burial will take place in the Sugar Grove Wesleyan Cemetery at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to a charity of choice. If you have any pictures you would like to share with the family please bring them with you. Condolences to the family may be made at nelsonfuneralhome.net. Sugar Grove police are continuing to investigate the death of Elaine Zielke, 69, who died Oct. 13 after being hit by a vehicle as a pedestrian, the family’s attorney, George Acosta, said. “They took a vehicle into custody that morning,” Acosta said. “They impounded it.” The state crime lab is involved in forensic testing of the vehicle to confirm whether it was involved in the crash that killed Zielke, he said. Acosta said the state crime lab “is notoriously backed up – but they have requested some urgency from them as well.” Not only does forensics have to connect the vehicle to Zielke’s death, police also have to ascertain who was driving, Acosta said. “You have to have someone to identify as the driver,” Acosta said. He said the police are doing “everything that they can do.” There is a hope that the driver will come forward, he said. “They know what they did, and they can unburden themselves at some point by coming forward,” Acosta said. If the driver was impaired, there is no way to prove a DUI at this point. So the driver already has avoided the most serious consequences, Acosta said. “Leaving the scene of an accident with injuries is a crime. It’s not negligent homicide or DUI leading to the death of someone – which is much more serious,” Acosta said. Sugar Grove police did not respond to a request for comment. A Sugar Grove woman will spend the next decade in prison following her November guilty plea to a third-offense drug distribution charge. Sentenced on Wednesday, 55-year-old Angela Kay Sheets was convicted of selling more than four grams of methamphetamine out of her home in 2022. Commonwealth’s Attorney Phillip “Bucky” Blevins said the case demonstrates the importance of collaboration between his office and law enforcement agencies. “The conviction and sentencing of Sheets are a significant step in our ongoing efforts to combat the illegal trade of methamphetamine in Smyth County,” he said. Under regular sentencing guidelines, Sheets would have faced between two and four years in prison, but Virginia law mandates those convicted of three or more drug distribution charges to serve a mandatory minimum of 10 years. Sheets had previously been convicted of two counts distributing cocaine in 2011. On Wednesday, she was sentenced to a total of 30 years in prison with 20 suspended. “Time is up for those who choose to profit from poisoning our community with illegal drugs,” Blevins said. Our dedicated team of law enforcement partners and my office are relentless in our pursuit of justice. We will find the dealers, prosecute them, and ensure they face the full weight of the law.” In addition to her prison sentence, Sheets will be placed on probation for a two-year period after her release and is fined $2,000. A Wytheville felon accused of gang-related activity will now stand trial in Wythe County Circuit Court. Two women, one of whom recently started a program for first-time drug offenders, were charged with felony drug crimes on April 27 after Bland … In a proactive effort to combat the escalating opioid crisis, the Claytor Lake Drug Task Force, comprised of the Wytheville Police Department,… A June 3 preliminary hearing has been set for a Max Meadows man accused of having child pornography on his cell phone. Bland County Volunteer Rescue Squad Capt. Ricky Bowers was behind a Nissan Pathfinder on April 22 when the SUV, which had been weaving and spe… Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account. Village of Sugar Grove President Jen Konen made her 2025 State of the Village on Friday morning, Feb. 7 at Waubonsee Community College. Konen called Sugar Grove a village on the rise. “It’s about more than just new developments,” she said. “It’s about growth that strengthens our community, opportunities that make life better for our residents and a shared vision of what the Village of Sugar Grove can be.” In that vision is the 760-acre development, The Grove. “This is a transformative opportunity for the Village,” she said. “The Grove is designed to open our doors to new opportunities for our families, children and businesses. It’s a project that positions our village for sustainable growth and creates spaces and services that truly benefit the community.” The Grove aims to bring a lively town center, a wide range of housing options for all ages, community-focused retail and services, flourishing parks and green space and job opportunities to Sugar Grove. During her presentation, which was hosted by the Sugar Grove Economic Development Corporation, Konen shared that Crown Community Development would soon be breaking ground for The Grove and that site construction and utility movement would follow. “By 2026, the developer will have residential mods ready for builders to start construction,” she said. “This is an exciting opportunity to bring much needed homes to Sugar Grove and position our community as a leader in meeting housing needs in the future.” Konen, who is running for re-election and facing challenger Sue Stillwell, has been pushing for growth since her first State of the Village in 2022. Konen announced Jiffy Lube, Starbucks, the Cilantro Taco Grill and the BrightPath Sugar Grove Child Care Center as some of the new businesses coming to Sugar Grove soon. “BrightPath is now enrolling and set to open in early 2025,” she said. “This center is addressing the growing need for childcare options and revitalizing a long vacant building with updated landscaping, making it fresh and a welcoming addition.” While Konen’s advocation efforts for a stoplight at the intersection of Rt. 47 and Park Avenue fell short, a different solution is in progress. “When I took office, I knew we needed to make safety improvements at Park and Illinois 47,” she said. “The State said there was nothing we could do to qualify for a traffic light but those of you who know me can imagine I refused to stop there. Today, we are at phase two engineering with intersection improvements that will prohibit through movements on Illinois 47 and left turns off of Park.” Konen praised the Village Board for two straight years without property tax increases. “This is something that hasn’t been done for 25 years,” she said. “This reflects the Village Board’s commitment to keeping costs manageable for our residents. On top of that, Village reserve bonds are now exceeding $20 million, putting Sugar Grove in its best financial position its ever been. And there’s more good news. Over the past five fiscal years utility rates have been decreased by 5% saving you more money thanks to the Board’s focus on responsible fiscal management.” Subscribe Now By Mark Powell We live just west of Boone in the Sugar Grove community on a steep gravel drive and there is a culvert near the bottom that is given to clogging My wife and I woke particularly early Friday morning and rode down in the dark to check it I had been digging it out every few hours for the past two days it was clogged with debris from the rain that had been falling slowly but steadily we caught it minutes before it overfilled and flooded the road We drove back home in time to make coffee just before the power went out an apple tree coming down across our driveway it didn’t seem that bad when we emerged around one to walk down to the main highway gradually realizing that what felt like a small private inconvenience was actually a communal disaster Much of the flooding in Western North Carolina at least the small corner to which I am privy and walking down to the Highway 321 bridge my children and I were stopped in our tracks had spread over the entire valley and was now rushing over the highway bridge Pinned against it was a shipping container we knew to belong to neighbors it was easy enough to make out what belonged to friends: someone’s front porch a bright white propane tank that moved with incredible speed before it was sucked under which seemed incongruous with an otherwise lovely late fall afternoon But like so many of the folks standing on the highway Driving toward Boone this morning was much the same Houses inundated with mud as the water begins to recede Fields of trash and cars washed from driveways The slide off a children’s swing set caught in the upper limbs of a tree otherwise stripped bare a little checkmark of bright blue in a landscape washed to a monochromatic gray The county is clearing fallen trees from the road We’ve cut the apple tree blocking our drive My wife and children and I were clearing debris off the highway in front of our road when our dog came barreling down and disappeared behind a house We began to call for him and a few minutes later found him being petted by a neighbor.  We were walking him back across the road when a man came running up to us Here’s how to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene Mark Powell is a novelist and directs the creative writing program at Appalachian State University in Boone ATC president Sandi Marra discusses the long road to recovery and shares ways to help  A grassroots Instagram account seeks to reconnect neighbors with their washed-away memories but food and fencing are still desperately needed in agricultural communities  The future of conservation in the South just got a little bit brighter—and not just for salamanders but they’re the craftsmanship of local crustaceans called lawn lobsters The drawls are receiving a lot of flak across the internet but a North Carolina linguist argues they’re actually pretty accurate The troop has been doing this for many years leader Shauna Sanders upped the ante by making a deal that for every 10 items donated “We had over 800 items collected to donate to the food pantry and over 80 pies were thrown,” said Sanders Sanders has been leading Troop 36682 since 2013 and credits the others who volunteer with her “I have nine other leaders and three helpers within my group in Sugar Grove I couldn’t keep 50 girls going in our troop.,” Sanders said “The food pantry is amazing; it helps so many families Members of the Sugar Grove Girl Scout Troop line up to pie leaders as reward for food pantry items donated Sugar Grove Free Methodist Church’s food pantry is located at 210 Jamestown St. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is preparing to begin a $1.3 million project to replace the bridge that carries Route 27 over Patchen Run in Sugar Grove Township in Warren County.  The project includes the replacement of the existing structure with a new concrete bridge PennDOT says work will also include minimal paving on both sides of the bridge Construction is expected to begin on Monday March 31 and is expected to be completed by October 2025.  A detour will be required during construction and is expected to be in place from March 31 to August 22 the existing concrete T-beam bridge was built in 1931 PennDOT says the bridge is classified as poor condition.  More information on the project can be found on PennDOT's website.  Commuters on Route 47 will have a new drive-through option for their morning coffee cravings this fall once construction of Sugar Grove’s first Starbucks is complete The Seattle-based coffee powerhouse plans to open its first stand-alone store in Sugar Grove at 421 N Sugar Grove Parkway The site is in the shopping center at the northeastern corner of Route 47 and Galena Boulevard between the Shell gas station and Auto Zone The development plans call for a 6,000-square-foot building with a drive-through and 370-square-foot outdoor patio Starbucks will operate out of a roughly 2,500-square-foot unit with the drive-through and patio and the adjacent 3,500-square-foot space will be leased to another retailer which also owns the neighboring Shell gas station It will maintain ownership of the property and lease the space to Starbucks Northbrook-based developer GMX Real Estate Group is developing the site for Starbucks GMX director of development Todd Smutz said GMX has been developing commercial retail space for about 20 years working mainly with national retailers such as Chipotle He said they have built about a dozen Starbucks locations in the Midwest While the Jewel-Osco grocery store on the same lot already has a Starbucks kiosk inside developers said it is common practice in the Starbucks business model to have a stand-alone shop right outside a grocery store with a kiosk Smutz said the two Starbucks locations will attract entirely different clientele He said the café in the grocery store will mainly serve daytime shoppers and the stand-alone shop will serve morning commuters and those looking for a café atmosphere to sit and work or study The stand-alone location also will offer a more extensive food and drink menu Smutz said GMX’s portion of the development is expected to be complete by June The site then will be handed over to Starbucks to build out the interior which is expected to take about three months The coffee shop is expected to open by mid-September Village Economic Development Director Michael Cassa said Sugar Grove is an attractive location for restaurants and retailers like Starbucks because of the potential growth it is poised to see in coming years with multiple