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McHenry Plaindealer (McHenry, IL), 19 Nov 1975, p. 1

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Firemen of Company I play their hoses on flames shooting high in the darkness as fire engulfs the landmark Hanly house at the corner of Crystal Lake road and Lillian street. The interior of the fourteen-room structure was entirely gutted when firemen brought the conflagration under control in the early hours of last Friday morning. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD Evidence of the Bicentennial is everywhere. This early in the observance of the 200th anniversary of our country there is criticism that the occasion is being "used" for - special interests or publicized to excess. Our answer is "Good". It has taken the United States a long time to come this far. Whatever is wrong with it, we are the envy of every other nation and we are strong for all the wrongs that exist. If the Bicentennial has become too commercial -- and we suspect some have taken advantage of it -- is it too dif­ ferent than Christmas or Easter? If religious holidays have been strongly tinged with commercialism, one can't be too surprised that the country's 200th birthday should escape. It is our opinion that even commercialism cannot destroy the great amount of good derived from Christmas, Easter or the Bicentennial. Exchanges of messages and gifts in the holiday season ahead have probably provided more happiness for givers and senders than any other act during the entire year. And whatever the arguments presented that the true spirit of the season is being destroyed, the presence of hundreds at church services on Christmas and Easter in our one small community is evidence enough that even today, in a materialistic world, there are more important things to most people than personal possessions. During a recent vacation week, we noted Old Glory flying proudly in a dusty quarry. In a subdivision in a neighboring .city, a light in a child's room focused on a large flag that covered the wall. Here in McHenry at least two homes are displaying flags painted on their garages, as well as the projects undertaken Set Deadlines Ahead For Holiday Issues Because of the Thanksgiving holiday Thursday, Nov. 27, the Plaindealer's first issue next week will be printed one day early. For this reason deadlines will be advanced. General news and display advertising will be accepted until noon Friday, Nov. 21, and classified advertising until 4 p.m. that day. For the second issue, news must be in the office by 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, display advertising by noon and classified advertising by 4 p.m. Correspondents must have copy turned in by Thursday noon this week and Monday noon next week. Newspapers will be placed in the mail for local delivery Nov. 25 and Nov. 28. Other fire pictures ap­ pear on Page 7, Section 2, of this issue. by the Northland Area Art league. And there are other signs tlfet this is a very special year. In the months ahead the Plaindealer photographer will be capturing for our readers more of these displays. Maybe before July 4,1976, we will have been inundated with Bicentennial talk. Again we say, "Good". People will talk about something, and if the proud history of a great nation is what they choose to focus upon, we couldn't be happier. With the cheap fare of por­ nography and X-rated material offered the American people in theatres, on television and in many books, the change will be a welcome one. Maybe this is just what the doctor ordered for an ailing society. KAF Christmas Seal Drive Launched The annual Christmas Seal campaign, which provides support of the DuPage- McHenry Lung association, opened offically Nov. 12 and is now well under way, according to M. Kendall Bird, association president. "Christmas Seal con­ tributions today have reached nearly $75,000, which is within 49 percent of last year's total. The campaign is keeping up with last year, for that is exactly where we were a year ago today", Bird said. He added that the recent benefit dinner dance held at the Branded Steak House yielded an additional $1,300 for the Lung association, with which it has already purchased a pulmonary function analyzer. A pulmonary function analyzer, Bird said, is a device for giving breathing tests which might detect chronic ob­ structive lung disease, such as emphysema or chronic bron- (Continued On Page 8) S t r u c t u r a l d a m a g e amounting to an estimated $80,000 loss destroyed the in­ terior of an unoccupied land­ mark, the Hanly house at the corner of Crystal Lake road and Lillian street, last Thur­ sday night. So intense was the blaze when firemen of Com­ pany I arrived that they could do little except to pour a steady stream of water into the home to bring the fire under control. Owned by Robino-Ladd Co., with offices in Crystal Lake and McHenry, the building was used for storage. Although an inventory has not yet been completed, among items in the house were aluminum screens, doors and siding, a trailer load of nails, tar paper and spare tires. Fire Chief Glenn Peterson said that in spite of the intensity of the fire, he was able to determine that it probably started in the central part of the house, between the basement and first floor landing. However, the exact cause is still unknown. Peterson said he felt it was not of an electrical nature. Instead, he believes vandals may have been responsible, although it may not have been deliberately started. Peterson was the first to arrive on the scene after being alerted to the blaze by Jack Smith of Garden Quarters. He was followed by about twenty- five men of Co. I most of whom remained on the scene from shortly after 8 p.m. to 2 o'clock Friday morning. The fire may have started at least an hour prior to its discovery, ac­ cording to Peterson. Windows of the structure had been boarded up because of vandalism. When flames broke through the roof, which fell along with the chimneys and cupola, the intense heat was released. The last pumper of Company I .remained on the scene until 12:30 a.m., but an equipment truck did not leave until 2 o'clock. Because of a fire call to the silo on the same property a year ago, and another at a storage shed six months previous, an inquiry was begun by local authorities. A tip that involved children known to have frequented the area was investigated, but it was learned the youngsters were elsewhere at the time of the fire. Since then the state fire marshal has been called in and the investigation continues. James Burg, vice-president, construction, with Robino- Ladd, said the firm is working with an architect to determine whether or not, both from a cost and structural standpoint, it might be feasible to restore the landmark. The Hanly house was built about the middle 1800's, a fourteen-room home con­ structed at a cost of $10,000. Brick for the home was made from clay on the family farm. No estimate of damage was given in a fire that damaged the auto of Frank Kooralovich, 502 Ringwood road, last Friday. Company II firemen were called to the scene at 9:30 p.m. A grass fire was reported out of control at 535 Tiajuana drive last Sunday. Firemen of Company III remained on the scene from 11:25 a.m. until 2 p.m. to bring the blaze under control. Eight Slightly Hurt As Car Strikes School Bus A school bus-car accident Thursday afternoon about 2:40 at 3314 W. Elm street resulted in slight injuries to eight students. Three were taken to McHenry hospital by the rescue squad where they were treated and released. According to city police, the school bus, driven by Susan C. Wiese of 4116 Crystal Lake road, McHenry, was east- bound on Elm when an auto entered the roadway from Park street and hit the side of the bus. The car involved was driven by an unlicensed juvenile who was ticketed by police for disobeying a stop sign and no valid driver's license. Donald K. Abraham of 314 N. Valley Hill road, Woodstock, was charged with reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident and failure to give information following an in­ cident Friday afternoon on Bull Valley road. According to county police, Jesse Jernigan of 6411 W. Roundup road, McHenry, was following a slow moving vehicle. As he pulled out to pass it, the pickup truck in back of him, driven by Abraham, also pulled out. It ran into the rear of Jernigan's auto and con­ tinued to push the vehicle about 300 yards east on the roadway. The truck then passed Jer­ nigan's car on the right side and left the scene. Abraham was later apprehended but refused to make any statement to police. A car-motorcycle accident at the intersection of Johnsburg road and Hamlin avenue, north of McHenry, last Thursday evening resulted in injuries to the motorcyclist, Joseph P. Diperna of 3918 Hamlin, McHenry. He was taken to the hospital by the Johnsburg Rescue squad. Diperna told deputies he was west-bound on the roadway and had signalled to turn onto Hamlin when his 'cycle was hit from behind. Carol A. Baldocchi of 1107 Rocky Beach road, McHenry, was also west-bound on the roadway. She reported that when she saw the stopped motorcycle, she . applied her brakes but her foot slipped and she was unable to stop in time to avoid impact. She was cited for following too closely. Raymond G. Ortiz of 1106 Oakleaf, McHenry, escaped serious injury Friday morning about 2:45 after his car went out of control, rolled Over and came to rest on its top. The accident occurred on Ringwood road, just west of Wilmot road, north of Johnsburg Filings of petitions for candidacy will be received Dec. 8 through Dec. 15 in the prin­ cipal office of the state board of elections at 1020 S. Spring street, Springfield, for state filings or in the office of the county clerk for county filings. Petitions of candidacy for several county offices are to be filed in the office of Vernon W. Kays, county clerk, 2200 North Seminary avenue, Woodstock, between the dates specified above. The office hours of the county clerk are between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Therefore, the time for filing ceases at 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15. County Men Hospitalized After Shooting Two Huntley men were taken to Memorial hospital, Wood­ stock, Sunday night, following a shooting at the Tures Nursery, 9810 Dundee road, Huntley, which occurred about 8 p.m. Deputies arrived on the scene and discovered that Arturo Camargo of 9810 Dundee road, Huntley, had been shot four times.^ The offender, Adolfo Cortes of the same address, was also found at the nursery suffering from face injuries received from a broken beer bottle. Both men were reported in satisfactory condition at the hospital Monday afternoon. A charge of aggravated battery is pending against Cortes as county detectives continue their investigation of the fight which allegedly took place between the two men. There are openings for clerk of the Circuit court, recorder of deeds, state's attorney, coroner, county auditor, County board members (four members to be nominated for each district, three districts) and (one member to be nominated to fill vacancy for District Three), precinct committeemen (one to be elected for each precinct); and for members of the Regional board of school trustees. 30 Tons Collected For Goodwill Workshops With sunny weather prevailing, the Scouts of Kish- waukee district, Blackhawk Area council, carried out a successful Good Turn day Saturday, Nov. 15, according to Frank Meenach, district executive. The Scouts and volunteer Scouters collected nearly thirty tons of clothing, housewares and small ap­ pliances. This material will be taken to the Abilities Center Goodwill Industries workshops where it will be used in a rehabilitation program for handicapped people. This is the only salvage rehabilitation agency serving local residents. Some 1,500 Scouts and volunteer Scouters participated in this Good Turn day. The Scouts distributed 18,000 Good Turn day leaflets. Goodwill in this area requires three and '/» million pounds of clothing and 75,000 boxes of miscellany and pieces of fur­ niture to employ and train 500 disabled men and women. Nationally, the agency serves over 110,000 handicaps at no cost to the taxpayers. Jail Two Brothers In Death Of Third Four brothers from Elgin were sentenced in Circuit Court Thursday afternoon by Judge James H. Cooney in connection with the murder of another brother, Rogelio Alfaro, 33, also of Elgin, on June 22 in Hebron. Mario S. Alfaro, 28, was sentenced to serve 14 to 25 years and Ernesto S. Alfaro, 14 to 20 years, after they both pleaded guilty to murder Thursday in court. Name Winter Prince, Princess For Parade Ortiz was ticketed by county police for having no valid driver's license. Terrance Woolwine of 509 Mineral Springs drive, McHenry, was issued two tickets after he left the scene of an accident at 3830 W. Mc- Cullom Lake road Sunday afternoon. He was charged with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident or too fast for conditions and leaving the scene of an accident. Woolwine told deputies he was east-bound on McCullom (Continued On Page 8) In conjunction with the an­ nual Christmas parade, the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring an event that will produce a winter prince and princess and their royal court. The lucky boys and girls whose names are drawn will be eligible for some special gifts donated by local mer­ chants, and most importantly, will accompany Santa Claus when he comes to town Saturday, Nov. 29, at 1 p.m. The only requirements are that the child be between the ages of 6 and 10 and reside within the boundaries of School Districts 15 (McHenry), 12 (Johnsburg), or 36 (Harrison). No purchases are necessary to enter. Parents who would like to enter a boy or girl should send the name, address, telephone number and age to Chamber of Commerce, Winter Royal Court, Post Office Box 306, McHenry, 60050. Entries must be in by Tuesday, Nov. 25. Anyone with questions should call the Chamber of Commerce office, 385-4300. Murder charges against Cesareo S. and Octavio S. Alfaro were dismissed on a motion by the State's Attorney. New charges of aggravated battery were filed by Assistant State's Attorney Richard Kelly Thursday against the two men.' The complaint charges that they attacked another brother, Saul Alfaro, on the day of the murder in Hebron. Cesareo and Octavio Alfaro pleaded guilty to the aggravated battery charge and were placed on three years' probation and fined $1,000 each. The charges were the result of a shooting which took place at th*e intersection of Routes 47 andl73, at a Hebron gas station. Rogelio Alfaro, the victim, was shot in the back four times with a 30-60 rifle. During Thursday's court proceedings, Mario Alfaro admitted to firing the gun which killed his brother. The incident allegedly started during a family argument at a gathering in Lake Geneva early in the day and came to a climax when the brothers were enroute home in separate cars. Macek Fails To Appear At Murder Attempt Trial The trial of Richard O. Macek of 2017 Woodlawn Park drive, McHenry, who was indic­ ted by the Grand jury for attempted murder and aggravated battery, was scheduled to begin in Circuit court Monday. The trial had to be postponed because Macek failed to appear in court. Macek was released from the county jail Sept. 30 on $200,000 bond. It was reported a relative put up $20,000 bond to allow Macek to leave jatl. He was to appear in court for trial Nov. 17. The home rented by Macek and his family at 2017 Woodlawn Park drive was allegedly vacated sometime over the past weekend. According to authorities, if it is determined Macek has left the area and fails to appear for his trial, he will be considered a fugitive from justice and warrants will be issued for his arrest. Macek was arrested July 26 and charged with attempted murder and aggravated bat­ tery in connection with the beating of a Woodstock girl, Sharon Kulisek. The attack took place in a laundromat on Route 47 in Woodstock about 2 a.m. July 26. Macek was taken into custody later that same day and charged with the of­ fenses. The Kulisek girl spent several days in the intensive care unit of Rockford hospital in poor condition suffering from head wounds. She has since returned home to recuperate. State's Attorney William J. Cowlin is handling prosecution of the* case for the state against Macek. a THE Fire Guts Lan Seek Murderer Of McHenry Man Michael Polanec, 23, of 1911 Crystal Lake road, McHenry, was pronounced dead on arrival at McHenry hospital Friday morning, Nov. 14. He was found shot in the chest by a roommate when she returned home at 12:39 a.m. McHenry county Sheriff's detectives were called to the residence after being informed that Polanec was found lying unconscious on the kitchen floor. He had been shot in the chest with a 45 caliber weapon. The bullet went through the body and was found in the home. According to Detective Lieutenant George Hendle, the murder weapon has not been found and a motive has not been established. "Everyone we have questioned has had nothing but good to say about Polanec, he was well liked by everyone." Hendle said. It was reported that from 5 to 50 young people live in the residence at various times. The home is on the former Paul Doherty farm. Detectives have reportedly questioned a large number of young people but have not yet found any definite suspects. Their investigation revealed that marijuana had been harvested in sheds behind the home. However, it was not determined if drugs were in­ volved in any way with the homicide. County authorities are continuing their investigation while waiting for the results of a toxicology report from a state lab. Polanec was employed as a roofer and had worked for various firms in the county. Public To Hear Social Security Speaker The branch manager of the Social Security office in Woodstock, William Biscomb, will address the public Wed­ nesday, Nov. 19, at 8 p.m., at the VFW clubhouse in McHenry. Mr. Biscomb will present an up-to-date revue of Social Security programs. There will be ample time for questions. Refreshments will be served. This program is sponsored by the McHenry Township Republican Women's club. Everyone is welcome to attend this informative meeting. Set Filing Dates For County-State Offices VOLUME 100 NUMBER 31 * 100 TEAIS * MCHENRY PLAINDEALER SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875" R 19, 1975 WEDNESDAY, 2 SECTIONS 24 PAGES 15*

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