Sudan to Mooseheart

Four young men from war-ravaged Sudan are awaiting a decision on whether they’ll be able to play competitive sports for a school in suburban Chicago. The question of how these athletes came to tiny Mooseheart High School has placed them at center court in a controversy over high school sports recruiting. The Illinois High School Association board will consider Monday whether the three basketball players and one cross-country runner are ineligible to compete.

Speeding kills a friend

The Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle charged with intoxication manslaughter following a car accident that killed his teammate was arrested for driving under the influence in Illinois in 2009. Josh Brent and linebacker Jerry Brown were teammates for three seasons at the University of Illinois. Brent was arrested in North Texas yesterday morning. Police say he was speeding when he hit a curb and flipped the vehicle he was driving, killing Brown.

Cities with big debt

A published report says at least 52 towns in the Chicago area have debt that exceeds 5 percent of the community’s property tax base. The Chicago Tribune reports in its Sunday editions on its analysis of municipal debt in more than 270 communities in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties.

 

Rotary Park update

Progress on Rotary Park isn’t moving in baby steps, says Gary Gearhart. It’s moving in leaps. Gearhart is the chairman of the Rotary Park Foundation Board that met Thursday night. Gearhart believes Phase 1 of the facility will be completed sometime in May and funding for Phase II has been secured. The State of Illinois is requiring the Foundation to add a shelter and six benches. LaSalle County is requiring the addition of turn lanes into Rotary Park from Troy Grove Blacktop at a cost of a quarter million dollars. Gearhart told AM 1220 WLPO news, two high school soccer fields are ready and only need to be seeded. Also expected to be completed in the spring are an area for frizbee golf and a dog park.