The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has announced over $1.6 million in funding to the City of Sycamore to replace lead service lines. This funding comes through a low-interest loan from the Illinois EPA’s State Revolving Fund, which provides funding for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater projects. The city of Sycamore will replace about 120 lead service lines with the funding. According to the most recent Service Line Material Inventory Report, the city has 224 known lead service lines in the community water supply.
Northern Illinois University hosted a community vaccine booster clinicat the Convocation Center. The clinic is the result of a partnership with the DeKalb County Health Department.
Melissa Edwards coordinates the county’s health promotion. She says most of the people who signed up for the shots did indeed end up showing up and they administered more than 100 shots.
Edwards says the county will continue to offer opportunities to get vaccinated and boosted.
To date, the DeKalb County Health Department reports over 22,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and one additional recent death. The county positivity rate stands at just above 10%.
Community Calendar
For all the art lovers out there, Common Grounds in downtown DeKalb is hosting Paint and Sip with a Book every remaining Monday in February. Select a book or two from the coffee shop’s ever-growing supply and paint what inspires you. Invite a friend and enjoy coffee, tea and baked goods from Common Grounds’ artisanal menu. Event entry is free, but the suggested donation is $7 as Common Grounds is collecting art supplies and recruiting artistic folks to lift up youth and local talent.
The Egyptian Theatre is hosting the Rocky Horror Picture Show Friday. The iconic show will feature a live shadowcast performance from the “Irrational Masters.” Tickets can be purchases onlineand the show starts at 8 p.m.
For those with small children and pets, the Sycamore Library is hosting Books & Barks this coming Wednesday. Children aged 5 and older can practice their reading skills in front of an adorable furry friend. The event is free and all readers and pet owners will be wearing masks.
Sports
The IHSA state wrestling finals will be held this weekend. A dozen DeKalb wrestlers will compete for medals. Sycamore is sending four athletes to the state tournament.
The DeKalb High School varsity boys basketball team beat Naperville 60 to 46 last Friday and beat Neuqua Valley 54 to 48 on Tuesday. The team now has a record of 22 and 9 for the season.
The Sycamore girls varsity basketball team won their game on Monday against Rochelle at Rochelle Township High School 66 to 31.
The Sycamore boys sophomore and varsity basketball teams are set to face off against Plano on Friday at Sycamore High School.
Contributions by Nanette Nkolomoni, Waleed Alamleh, Kurt Bitting, Madelaine Vikse, and John Jurgens