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VOLUME 106 NUMBER 75 "SERVING THE CHAIN O LAKES REGION SINCE 1875 FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 1982 1 SECTION 18 PAGES 25' gj • ' w wmm ... - X ' $f|§| **• 's^®P v^ ' ": * - • ->r £ • L McHenry Home ' Vmo young children were killed and thfejaother was found seriously injured Wwbesday morning in their home in the Fox Ridge subdivision on McHenry's southwest side. Amy Iwert, age 2Vfe, and Jeffrey Iwert, age 3 months, were found dead by McHenry police in the garage of the Ivttrt residence, at 109 Augusta, McHenry, according to McHenry Police Chief George R. Pasenelli. ?fhe mother, Susan M. Iwert, was critically injured and taken to McHenry »tal by the McHenry Area Rescue She was listed in critical con- Thursday morning. "Pasenelli said autopsies had been performed on the two children, who suffered multiple stab wounds, but the pathologist's report and exact cause of death are not expected for at least two VgMu. A police investigation into the deaths is being conducted by the McHenry Police department. No charges have been brought as yet. Pasenelli said a neighbor had gone to the Iwert residence shortly before 11:30 a.m. The neighbor, Mrs. Patrick Daubs, of 108 Augusta, McHenry, was going to take a walk with Susan Iwert. Mrs. Daubs refused to talk to the Plaindealer Wednesday afternoon. About half-way up the driveway, Mrs. Daubs heard the car running in the enclosed garage and called the McHenry Police department at 11:27 a.m. When police arrived, they found the home locked from the inside. With a key from the neighbor, McHenry Police Officers George Erkenswick and Roger Pechous entered the home. Pasenelli said blood was found on the kitchen floor and the two children were found on the floor of the attached garage. The chief also said the car was running. The officers shut off the automobile and administered first aid to Mrs. Iwert. Shortly thereafter, the McHenry Area Rescue squad responded to the scene and treated Mrs. Iwert. Chief Deputy Coroner Marlene Lantz was called and the two children were pronounced dead at the scene The husband, Gary Iwert, was out of town Wednesday when the tragic in­ cident occurred. He was notified Ipter in the day. A McHenry woman, who was a for­ mer classmate of Mrs. Iwert in Paris, 111., called a friend in her hometown Wednesday afternoon to confirm arrangements concerning a family wedding. In the course of the con­ versation, she told of the tragedy in the Iwert family. Later the same day, the McHenry woman received a return call asking that someone inform Mrs. Iwert s parents, who were still unaware of the death of their grandchildren. A neighbor of the Iwerts described the couple as "nice people". He said Mrs. Iwert, a college graduate, was quiet and reserved, but friendly The neighbor said the death of the children was "terribly disturbing" "What do you tell your children," he continued, "that Amy is with Jesus?" Spring Walks At Volo Bog Homicide In Baby's Death McHenry Police secure the Iwert residence following a tragic double slaying that occurred Wednesday morning sometime before 11:30 a.m. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD ; " ; ^ Spring guided, and self-guided walks at" the Volo Bog state natural area are among numerous activities planned this spring. A spring wildflower migration walk is scheduled for Sunday, April 18, at 2 It is one of a series of wildflower which will follow the emergence spring flowers throughout the state. On Friday, May 21, there will be a frog walk at 7 p.m., giving an op­ portunity to get acquainted with the local frog and toad species by their calls or 'croaks' at night. The parking lot gate will open at 6:45 and be closed jj|t 7 for the duration of the walk. ^ Sunday afternoon walks of the Volo S&" of spri bog interpretive trail will be conducted at 2 p.m. from June 13 through Aug. 28. A new spring trail guide is available for use during sits hours, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. The visitor center is open weekends and holidays during the spring from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Persons interested in becoming Volo Bog volunteers are encouraged to call 344-1294 during site hours or stop by the visitor center. For more information, or to schedule a guided walk, call the above number or write Volo Bog State Natural Area, 28478 W. Brandenburg road, Ingleside, 111., 60041. Debate County Transportation Plans Occasionally we are greeted by readers of this column who are in­ terested in the progress of our window garden. In answer, we would like to pre-date our writing to the period before Easter, when 13 sturdy tomato plants and at least 39 pepper plants were thriving. The fact that the number of tomatoes was reduced to a third of the peppers is accounted for by a weekend lapse of memory some time ago. We had promised faithfully to make at least one trip into the office to water them. And for our neglect each of the 26 small plants was silently droooping as it cried out for water Monday morning. Like humans, some tomato plants are temperamental. Although we ran for the sprinkling can and relieved the drought immediately - although we talked to them in encouraging terms - only a few responded. But the peppers, planted later, eventually poked their heads through the earth and thrived - all 39. Then came Easter weekend and another promise that we would have ample time to stop in and care for the needs of our greenery. How could we forget? We had received promises of substantial amounts of cash from co­ workers for the first tomato or for one of the plants. Saturday evening took us into stores where we searched for the right size peat pot so the quickly growing vegetables could continue their progress. But not until Monday mor­ ning did we open a sleepy eye to the realization that we had once again committed the sin of omission with the Watering can. Hurriedly we" left the house at 7:45 and walked up to the office window with the southern exposure. There they were - 39 peppers and 13 tomato plants drooping as low as anything can droop. Some had already turned dark and crisp; a few were partially green -- but all were bent double. We grabbed the container with water and drenched each one, then left lest someone might learn of our inadequacy as an indoor gardener. We needed time to think. What do you tell interested friends when your errant ways have wiped out an entire garden in one weekend? ,-••• Reactions were different, ranging from supressed chuckles, to outright J laughter. That we had not expected. Discharge papers? Possible, but hot (Continued on page 16V by Anthony Oliver Representatives of the Regional Transportation Authority presented financial information indicating a bleak future for the existing mass transit system in McHenry county should nothing be done. The information was given at a joint meeting of the McHenry County Transportation committee and the Transportation committee of the county Municipal association. According to the data, if the system were to continue in its present form, the RTA would be facing a $4,537 million debt in fiscal year 1986. County Transportation committee member Edward Buss pointed out that the information provided did not in­ clude any kind of fare increase for the five-year planning period. "I am a firm believer that license fees and cost of living should go up in one vote," Buss said. He noted, for example, that on the county level when labor expenses go up, so should the means to pay for them, like the various license fees. "I find it insulting that you (the RTA) bring a financial report where the revenues hold constant and the ex­ penses go up," Buss said. "That's no way to run a hot dog stand...or any other kind of business." RTA General Manager Bernard Ford commented that possible fare increases were not included because some upper echelons of the RTA were "sensitive" concerning the subject. Ford said the information was merely a prediction and added that the RTA was meeting with the county and municipal association committees in order to determine what was wanted, needed and possible, in terms of mass transit. Buss also expressed dissatisfaction with the notion, which many people are led to believe, that if the county has input into the RTA planning, it is heeded. The county board member explained that he has pointed to three big problems for four years, and nothing has yet been done. Buss cited the Milwaukee Road, which is not very cost effective, the size of the buses that drive the county, and paratransit (Dial- A-Ride) services in cities that do not make a local contribution to the cost of operation. McHenry Mayor Joseph Stanek commented that the only "legitimate" means of mass transit in the county was rail. Stanek said that when a ride on a train is subsidized and a ride on a bus is subsidized, the distance has to be considered as well. The mayor said there was more benefit in a subsidized ride from McHenry to the Loop, than from "Green street to the library." "If we demand all kinds of other services, then we better be prepared to raise taxes and not kick and scream when the one-quarter of one percent sales tax goes to one-half of one per­ cent," Stanek said. According to financial information for FY 1981, fixed route bus service in McHenry county costs $698,000 to operate. With an annual ridership of 206,700, that leaves a cost per passenger of $3.34. On a county-wide basis, the fare boxes generated $108,600, leaving an RTA subsidy of $589,400. This translates into a subsidy per passenger of $2.82. RTA Manager Ford commented, "The RTA would not be here if all the carriers could cover their costs through the fare box." Ed Buss also voiced a sentiment common in the collar counties that the residents of this area will never get their "fair share" of state monies for any kind of a project. "State income is generated here," Buss said. "Whether the state gives it to you (the RTA) or anyone else, until the legislature gives it back, we will never get a fair share for whatever reason." Buss pointed out that more than 60 percent of the Motor Fuel Tax monies generated in the state come from the collar counties and less than 40 percent of these funds are used on the six- county roads. Buss also noted that of all the tax money collected in the state, ap­ proximately 61 percent of the funds are generated in northeastern Illinois. He added that, as far as transit systems were concerned, the state does assist nearly every other system in Illinois. The RTA representatives presented further information on a number of alternatives that could be instituted to reduce the expected deficit. One of these is local participation in the cost of operating paratransit services, like Dial-A-Ride. At the present time, McHenry county municipalities which sponsor paratransit services (Crystal Lake, Harvard and Marengo) do not con­ tribute to the subsidy required to operate the system. The subsidy is fully funded by the RTA. In other locales, the RTA requires at least 25 percent participation from the sponsoring agencies. The requirement was deferred in McHenry county due to FOX RIVER CLOSES Because of high water, the Fox river is closed to all boat traffic until further notice, McHenry County Sheriff Hank Nulle announced Tuesday. limited service and a positive funding balance. By FY 1986, the local shares required would be about $230,661 of Crystal Lake, (Continued on page 16) A ruling of homicide brought on by gross neglect is the coroner's jury verdict in the death of a 5-month-old baby Feb. 5. The child, Earl Lee Ket- chum, Jr., died at the home of his grandmother in rural Harvard. Parents of the baby are Earl Lee Ketchum.Sr., and Ann L. Adams of Burton's Bridge. The child had been left in the care of his grandmother for about two weeks prior to his death. County Coroner A1 Querhammer conducted the inquest and produced the pathology report, which showed the child died from malnutrition due to neglect. The jury's verdict included a recommendation that the state's at­ torney's office and sheriff's department continue investigating the case to determine if criminal charges should be filed. A relative of the dead baby, Ethel Blevons, said she has documentation to prove that for three years she has (Continued on page 16) Teacher Honored "C V . &' i.; New Jewel-Osco To Open April 22 Jewel Food stores and Osco drug have announced the opening of a modern, up-to-date combination food and drug store at 4222 Elm street, McHenry, to replace the store wfiich has been at 3718 Elm street for 23 years, and which closes April 21. The former location first opened in December, 1958, as a 12,500 square feet Jewel Food store, and was enlarged to 24,000 square feet in 1966, to include an Osco drug with a separate entrance. Further remodeling was done in 1976 to up-date the location. The grand opening of the new 52,717 square feet facility (33,092 square feet of which is Jewel area and 19,625 Osco area) is set for 9 a.m. Thursday, April 22, after Mayor Joseph B. Stanek arid various city and community leaders participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Jewel-Osco concept of modern merchandising techniques is brought to area shoppers with its various shops, capturing a friendly feeling, unique graphics decor and festival at­ mosphere. Shoppers will find individual atmospheres separating the shops specializing in food, general mer­ chandise and medicine items to make an exciting shopping experience in the store's flower market, bakery, large generic products section, liquor department, prescription drugs, health and beau ty a id s , t o name on ly a f /ew highlights. One of the specialty shops is the fresh bake shop. Special services, such as cake decorating for birthdays, an­ niversaries, weddings and other oc­ casions are offered in this bakery. The Fresh Meat department will contain 48 feet of multi-deck meat cases displaying meats and fresh fish at eye level for shoppers, in addition to the 24 feet flat fresh meat case and 30 feet of frozen fish and poultry cases. A complete Chefs Kitchen area specializes in a full range of special (Continued on page 16) V ;i y;\' f- s , ... • - SRf-yfc* X .W-£. •• ' ; HESTER CURRY Mrs. Hester Curry, of McHenry, a teacher in the Carl Sandburg Junior high school of Mundelein, has been honored for outstanding service by the Early Adolescent Education association of Illinois. She was recognized for the state award along with one building principal and one board member. Mrs. Curry, an American History teacher, was recommended for the award by her school administration. It recognizes her for her contributions to Middle and Junior high school education during her 25 years of teaching. Dedication to her chosen career played a large part in her selection. Mrs. Curry arrives at school early in the morning to tutor and remains long after classes are dismissed. Besides her work in the classroom, she has served as department chair­ man and as faculty chairman for the National Honor society. Initiative Goal Within Beach Need 100,000 Signatures Page 4 FREE TV Guide In Today's Edition U.S. Presidents' Roots In Illinois Page 15