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Village board approves zoning
change Monday
After a short debate, the Rochester Village Board voted 5-1 to change the zoning
classification for property at 100 Park Forest from an R-2 (single family housing) to
R-5 (multi-family) with no restrictions, during its monthly meeting on Monday. (more)
change Monday
After a short debate, the Rochester Village Board voted 5-1 to change the zoning
classification for property at 100 Park Forest from an R-2 (single family housing) to
R-5 (multi-family) with no restrictions, during its monthly meeting on Monday. (more)
A donation of $1,000 has been made by the
Rochester Lions Club to the Land of Lincoln
Honor Flight, local hub of the nationwide
program that transports World War II
veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the
national WWII Memorial. Club president
Louie Daugherty (second from left)
presented the check to Joan Bortolon,
representing the Honor Flight. Ralph Foster,
who heads ground operations for the flights
from Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport is at the
far left. Also pictured are three World War II
veterans from Rochester who attended the
meeting, Bitty Tate, Larry Edwards and
Harold Weaver.
Rochester Lions Club to the Land of Lincoln
Honor Flight, local hub of the nationwide
program that transports World War II
veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the
national WWII Memorial. Club president
Louie Daugherty (second from left)
presented the check to Joan Bortolon,
representing the Honor Flight. Ralph Foster,
who heads ground operations for the flights
from Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport is at the
far left. Also pictured are three World War II
veterans from Rochester who attended the
meeting, Bitty Tate, Larry Edwards and
Harold Weaver.
Rochester Schools Annual Jazz Night
Saturday, April 30
Bring your dancing shoes and relive the golden era of the big bands as the
Rochester Schools Music Department presents its annual “Night of Jazz” Saturday,
April 30 at 6:30 p.m. in the junior high school gymnasium. The evening will feature
vocal and instrumental jazz groups from Rochester High School and Rochester
Junior High School. Tickets are $17, which includes a fully-catered buffet dinner from
Nelson’s Catering. Tickets can be purchased by calling Susan Gleason at 498-2005.
Saturday, April 30
Bring your dancing shoes and relive the golden era of the big bands as the
Rochester Schools Music Department presents its annual “Night of Jazz” Saturday,
April 30 at 6:30 p.m. in the junior high school gymnasium. The evening will feature
vocal and instrumental jazz groups from Rochester High School and Rochester
Junior High School. Tickets are $17, which includes a fully-catered buffet dinner from
Nelson’s Catering. Tickets can be purchased by calling Susan Gleason at 498-2005.
Fire Board to have four new trustees
Change will be coming to the Rochester Fire Protection Board and Village Board
after voters went to the polls in Tuesday’s consolidated election. (more)
Change will be coming to the Rochester Fire Protection Board and Village Board
after voters went to the polls in Tuesday’s consolidated election. (more)
Josi Schmedeke, a 3rd grader at
Rochester Elementary School,
was the overall winner of the
school’s 2011 Young Author
Contest.
Rochester Elementary School,
was the overall winner of the
school’s 2011 Young Author
Contest.
Village board holds routine meeting
Monday
The Rochester village board approved two recommendations made by the Zoning Board for
fence variances; one at 323 Cumberland Drive and the other at 9 Gilson Drive during its April
11 meeting. (more)
Monday
The Rochester village board approved two recommendations made by the Zoning Board for
fence variances; one at 323 Cumberland Drive and the other at 9 Gilson Drive during its April
11 meeting. (more)
Village approves water, sewer rate
increase
Rochester residents will see higher utility bills after water and sewer rate increases go
into effect, beginning next month. (more)
increase
Rochester residents will see higher utility bills after water and sewer rate increases go
into effect, beginning next month. (more)
A team from Rochester Intermediate
School took third place in the State
Future Problem Solvers competition in
the Oral junior division. Pictured with Dr.
Trevor Steinbach are, left to right:
Cameron Denler, Taylor Mitchell and
Savannah Clay; not pictured: Grace
DuRocher.
School took third place in the State
Future Problem Solvers competition in
the Oral junior division. Pictured with Dr.
Trevor Steinbach are, left to right:
Cameron Denler, Taylor Mitchell and
Savannah Clay; not pictured: Grace
DuRocher.
Registration for summer recreation
program May 21
It’s time once again for the Rochester Summer Recreation program. This year,
though, paper copies of the books will not be distributed through the schools but
instead will be available online through the village web page at www.rochesteril.org.
Click on the Activities tab and then select “Summer Recreation Program.” All
necessary forms and information are located on the web page and will be available
the week of May 2. Registration will be held at the Community Room of the village
hall/library Saturday, May 21. Rochester village residents will register from 9:30 to 11:
30 a.m. (proof of residency, such as a current water bill is needed). Open registration
for all community members will be held from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Late registration will
be held Friday, May 27 from 4 to 6 p.m. For more information, call 529-8489 or 585-
0967.
program May 21
It’s time once again for the Rochester Summer Recreation program. This year,
though, paper copies of the books will not be distributed through the schools but
instead will be available online through the village web page at www.rochesteril.org.
Click on the Activities tab and then select “Summer Recreation Program.” All
necessary forms and information are located on the web page and will be available
the week of May 2. Registration will be held at the Community Room of the village
hall/library Saturday, May 21. Rochester village residents will register from 9:30 to 11:
30 a.m. (proof of residency, such as a current water bill is needed). Open registration
for all community members will be held from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Late registration will
be held Friday, May 27 from 4 to 6 p.m. For more information, call 529-8489 or 585-
0967.
Annual children’s holiday party
Saturday, Dec. 10
The annual children’s holiday party will be held Saturday, December 10 from 2 to 4 p.
m. at the Rochester Firehouse, located at 700 East Main Street. The Rochester
Public Library and Rochester Fire Department are joining together again to give the
children of the community a fun and exciting holiday celebration with crafts,
refreshments, holiday music, fire trucks and Santa Claus. The Fire Department is
also conducting its annual Toys For Tots Drive, asking everyone to bring a new,
unwrapped gift that will be donated to the children in need in Rochester. Due to
limited parking at the firehouse, a shuttle will be provided between the firehouse and
Rochester Intermediate School.
Saturday, Dec. 10
The annual children’s holiday party will be held Saturday, December 10 from 2 to 4 p.
m. at the Rochester Firehouse, located at 700 East Main Street. The Rochester
Public Library and Rochester Fire Department are joining together again to give the
children of the community a fun and exciting holiday celebration with crafts,
refreshments, holiday music, fire trucks and Santa Claus. The Fire Department is
also conducting its annual Toys For Tots Drive, asking everyone to bring a new,
unwrapped gift that will be donated to the children in need in Rochester. Due to
limited parking at the firehouse, a shuttle will be provided between the firehouse and
Rochester Intermediate School.
RHPS holiday potluck Dec. 5
The Rochester Historical Preservation Society’s annual holiday potluck will be held
Monday, December 5 at 6:30 p.m. at Rochester United Methodist Church. The public
is invited to attend. The potluck also serves as the RHPS’s annual meeting as
officers and board members for the coming year will be confirmed. In addition to the
dinner, a silent auction will be held and winners of raffles for a “Remembering Abe”
quilt and four 20-inch bicycles will be drawn. Tickets for the raffles will be sold up
until the drawing and can be purchased by calling 585-0079 and 523-1068. Those
attending are asked to bring a covered dish as well as an item for the silent auction.
Baked ham, beverages and table service will be provided.
The Rochester Historical Preservation Society’s annual holiday potluck will be held
Monday, December 5 at 6:30 p.m. at Rochester United Methodist Church. The public
is invited to attend. The potluck also serves as the RHPS’s annual meeting as
officers and board members for the coming year will be confirmed. In addition to the
dinner, a silent auction will be held and winners of raffles for a “Remembering Abe”
quilt and four 20-inch bicycles will be drawn. Tickets for the raffles will be sold up
until the drawing and can be purchased by calling 585-0079 and 523-1068. Those
attending are asked to bring a covered dish as well as an item for the silent auction.
Baked ham, beverages and table service will be provided.
The Rochester High School Madrigals
presented their annual Madrigal Celebration
last weekend at the Fine Arts Auditorium.
Pictured are (top) King Bryan Webber and
Queen Devin Dinora and (bottom) Jester
Keegan MacDonna and Wizard Kyle Bernzen.
presented their annual Madrigal Celebration
last weekend at the Fine Arts Auditorium.
Pictured are (top) King Bryan Webber and
Queen Devin Dinora and (bottom) Jester
Keegan MacDonna and Wizard Kyle Bernzen.
A group of Rochester Boy Scouts recently
came to the assistance of a fellow Scout,
who was trying to complete his Eagle Scout
project prior to Christmas. Jack Lourash of
Troop 103 of Mahomet was working to
replace some hardwood trees at the 4-H
Camp at Allerton Park near Monticello
Saturday, December 17 and was doing so
with little volunteer help due to the timing
prior to the Christmas holidays. Lourash was
attempting to replace trees that had been
destroyed by a storm this past summer,
planting 16 new trees. The project involved
removing the heavy wire cage and burlap
wrap that surrounded the ball of roots,
placing the tree, filling the hole with soil and
then watering and mulching each tree. About
one hour into his work, four members of
Rochester Troop 40, who were spending the
weekend at the 4-H camp, came over and
offered their assistance. With the help from
Mitchell McDevitt, Justin Hughes, Chris
Puckett and Nicholas Halteman, Lourash
was able to finish his Eagle Scout project
that afternoon for which he was very grateful.
came to the assistance of a fellow Scout,
who was trying to complete his Eagle Scout
project prior to Christmas. Jack Lourash of
Troop 103 of Mahomet was working to
replace some hardwood trees at the 4-H
Camp at Allerton Park near Monticello
Saturday, December 17 and was doing so
with little volunteer help due to the timing
prior to the Christmas holidays. Lourash was
attempting to replace trees that had been
destroyed by a storm this past summer,
planting 16 new trees. The project involved
removing the heavy wire cage and burlap
wrap that surrounded the ball of roots,
placing the tree, filling the hole with soil and
then watering and mulching each tree. About
one hour into his work, four members of
Rochester Troop 40, who were spending the
weekend at the 4-H camp, came over and
offered their assistance. With the help from
Mitchell McDevitt, Justin Hughes, Chris
Puckett and Nicholas Halteman, Lourash
was able to finish his Eagle Scout project
that afternoon for which he was very grateful.
21 RHS seniors named Illinois State
Scholars
A total of 21 Rochester High School seniors have been named Illinois State
Scholars for the 2011-12 school year. Honorees from RHS include Ross Blumhorst,
Rebecca Borowiecki, Christopher Campe, Zenia Garcia, Sarah Headman, Reese
Hofstrand, Alison Kay, Matthew Kluge, Kirsten Landers, Keegan MacDonna, Caitlin
Maxwell, Jalen McAfee, Seth McMinn, Kimberly Miller, Cameron Monari, Thomas
Nelson, Winnie Nuding, Erica Peak-Nordstrom, Lauren Thompson, Linsey Torchia
and Aspen Williams. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission recognized
17,335 students from 749 high schools across the state this year. Illinois State
Scholar winners rank in the top 10 percent of all high school seniors. Selection is
based on SAT, ACT and/or Prairie State Achievement Exam scores and class rank at
the end of the junior year.
Scholars
A total of 21 Rochester High School seniors have been named Illinois State
Scholars for the 2011-12 school year. Honorees from RHS include Ross Blumhorst,
Rebecca Borowiecki, Christopher Campe, Zenia Garcia, Sarah Headman, Reese
Hofstrand, Alison Kay, Matthew Kluge, Kirsten Landers, Keegan MacDonna, Caitlin
Maxwell, Jalen McAfee, Seth McMinn, Kimberly Miller, Cameron Monari, Thomas
Nelson, Winnie Nuding, Erica Peak-Nordstrom, Lauren Thompson, Linsey Torchia
and Aspen Williams. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission recognized
17,335 students from 749 high schools across the state this year. Illinois State
Scholar winners rank in the top 10 percent of all high school seniors. Selection is
based on SAT, ACT and/or Prairie State Achievement Exam scores and class rank at
the end of the junior year.
Fire Department offering free CPR
classes
The Rochester Fire Department will be offering two CPR classes that are free of
charge for residents of the Rochester Fire Protection District. A CPR refresher class
will be held Wednesday, January 25 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Rochester
Firehouse. This class is for those who are already certified and are looking to renew
their license. A class for those wanting to be certified in CPR will be held Saturday,
January 28 from 9:30 a.m to 1:30 p.m. at the firehouse. The fee is $20 per class for
those who reside outside of the fire protection district. Call (217) 498-7121 to reserve
a spot in either class.
classes
The Rochester Fire Department will be offering two CPR classes that are free of
charge for residents of the Rochester Fire Protection District. A CPR refresher class
will be held Wednesday, January 25 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Rochester
Firehouse. This class is for those who are already certified and are looking to renew
their license. A class for those wanting to be certified in CPR will be held Saturday,
January 28 from 9:30 a.m to 1:30 p.m. at the firehouse. The fee is $20 per class for
those who reside outside of the fire protection district. Call (217) 498-7121 to reserve
a spot in either class.