Joliet Police and prosecutors have kept a tight lid on what happened in the Hickory Street home of Alisa Massaro the night two men were strangled and then left on the floor while their accused killers partied and played games.

Patch obtained the police reports detailing what the two men and two women charged in the double murder supposedly told officers and detectives after the bodies of Eric Glover and Terrance Rankins were found lifeless and hooded with plastic bags.

This is the first in a series of stories about the tale those reports tell.

• Nightmare on Hickory Street Part 1: Sex on the Bodies, on Joliet Patch
• From Rape to Robbery: Accused Killers Changed Their Story, Part 2
• Daddies' Little Girls: One Threatened to Call Cops, the Other Did, Part 3
• Read past Patch coverage of the Joliet Double Murder

Find more crime stories on our Facebook page

Jose Bardi-Morales, 32, 128 Martigny St., St. Jerome, Quebec, Canada, arrested by the Romeoville Police Department and booked into the Will County jail on Feb. 25 on charges of stalking, reckless driving, no license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle and on an arrest warrant from Texas.

Brandi L. England, 35, 39 Arlington, Romeoville, arrested by the Will County Sheriff's Office and booked into the Will County jail on Feb. 25 on two counts of manufacture/delivery of one to 15 grams of cocaine.

Contreal Jackson, 19, 2013 Tuscany Lane, Romeoville, arrested by the Romeoville Police Department at about 4:55 p.m. Feb. 6 and charged with possession of cannabis and possession of drug equipment.

Kara Kuschel, 18, 14620 Samuel Adams Drive, Plainfield, arrested by the Romeoville Police Department at about 4:55 p.m. Feb. 6 and charged with possession of cannabis and possession of drug equipment.

Daniel Knudson, 19, 23804 W. Renwick Road, Plainfield, arrested by the Romeoville Police Department at about 4:55 p.m. Feb. 6 and charged with manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance.

Rachel Zeffield, 36, 607 Fenton, Romeoville, arrested by the Romeoville Police Department at about 12:20 a.m. Feb. 12 and charged with no driver's license, no taillights and no registration light.

Frankie Castillo, 27, 13819 Campbridge Circle, Plainfield, arrested by the Romeoville Police Department at about 1:50 a.m. Feb. 13 and charged with driving while license suspended, no insurance and disobeying a traffic device.

Richardo Rojas-Cruz, 21, 537 King Arthur Way, Bolingbrook, arrested by the Romeoville Police Department at about 4:30 p.m. Feb. 14 and charged with driving while license suspended, no insurance and speeding.

Jorge Palacios, 38, 1005 N. Broadway St., Joliet, arrested by the Romeoville Police Department at about 9:50 a.m. Feb. 14 and charged with no driver's license and speeding.

Maricela Guillen, 22, 232 Beaconridge Drive, Bolingbrook, arrested by the Romeoville Police Department at about 5:05 p.m. Feb. 18 and charged with no driver's license and failure to wear a seat belt.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE DAILY NEWSLETTER

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK

Are you blessed with insight and good humor? Or just bored today? Share your wit with your neighbors by entering Patch's comic caption challenge. Just add your dialogue for today's comic in the comment section of this post. Our only requirement is that you keep it clean!

At week's end, we'll pick the winning punchline based on how many of us here at Patch giggle and smile at your contribution. The user who produces the winning punchline will get a personalized proof of the comic, with the winning words and a credit line, from cartoonist Chuck Ingwersen and Patch.

Congratulations to Oswego Resident, who provided the winning punchline to last week's Kangaroo's cartoon:

"Hop in the sack, you said?"
"Not really what I had in mind."

Plainfield South High School has been awarded a grant made possible by Google to help develop additional Advanced Placement math, science and technology courses.

Plainfield South was selected as one of 14 schools in Illinois and 800 in the nation to participate in the AP STEM Access program to develop Advanced Placement, or college-level, courses aimed at getting girls and minorities interested in the science, technology, engineering and math fields, District 202 officials announced this week.

The AP STEM Access program is being funded by a $5 million grant from Google to DonorsChoose.org as part of Google’s global impact awards to help encourage African-American, Latino, American-Indian and female students to pursue science and technology as potential college majors or careers.

Plainfield South was given a portion of the grant based on its performance on the PSAT exam administered last fall. The results indicated that the school has a significant number of underrepresented minority or female students who are prepared for rigorous AP coursework. The school also qualified for the grant because it serves communities with a median household income of $100,000 or less and has 40 percent or more students qualifying for free or reduced-price school meals.

The grant of up to $9,000 will help provide start-up funds for classroom resources, lab materials and staff development. The funds will also help teachers participate in summer training, said Glenn Wood, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.

Plainfield South High School will launch the new AP courses -- AP calculus BC and AP computer science -- in the fall and remain committed to the new classes for three years. The classes have to have at least 10 students to run, Wood said.

“We’re proud Plainfield South has been recognized for this,” Wood said.

Plainfield South Principal David Travis said the school expects interest in its AP calculus courses to triple over the next few years, adding he is excited to be taking part in the initiative.

Travis said he wants to open students’ eyes to the potential job opportunities that await after high school and college and get them excited about courses in math and computer science.

Plainfield South has seen more students participating in Advanced Placement courses, district officials said. In the last five years, there’s been a 16 percent increase in the number of students taking the AP exam, which gives the students a chance to earn college credit.

During this time, the number of students scoring a 3, 4 or 5 on an AP exam has risen from 58 percent to 68 percent, district officials said. The national average last year was 59 percent.

I want to be clear; I speak only for myself in this letter to the editor.

I recently voted “YES” for administration and non-union support staff to get a 2.5 percent raise. District 202 has really tightened its belt over the last 5 years as the State of Illinois’ financial situation has gone in to the pits. In that time, I reluctantly voted for almost every cut that came before me, trying to walk the very delicate line between balancing the budget and preserving a strong academic and support system for our students. Those cuts have included about 345 full-time teaching, support and administrative positions.

The proposals that I did not support were when changes would have actually added costs back in to the budget. School districts continue to see uncertainty on the financial horizon. At the same time we have asked our administrators to do more, with less resources and support. Yet we have not eliminated or even reduced our administrators’ responsibilities. One administrator that I know was working until 11 pm on evaluations just the other night. That example is more the norm than the exception.

When the Business Department recently did comparisons of our administration pay to our neighboring districts, District 202 was last in a number of categories. Using principals, as an example, the number of students in their school makes a huge difference in their day. District 202 has larger Elementary Schools than most comparable districts. Most District 202 elementary schools are between 800 and 900 students. These schools at times have had many more students than they do now. Most other school districts have between 450 and 600 students. As a result, when we do not support our principals and administrative staff financially, they begin to look at opportunities to go elsewhere. And some have. A principal that I have known for a number of years took a modest salary increase when she left and she now has just over 400 students in her school and much less staff to manage. Each administrator in District 202 has more to do and less recourses with which to do their job. Sometimes that counts double for our confidential secretaries, directors and other non-unions support staff.

I have heard some say “let them go”. We have good and dedicated people who work hard to help run the fourth largest school district in Illinois, help give our kids the best education possible and of course give our taxpayers value in the process. That means to me that I don’t waste your money.

Lots of people in the corporate world have told me that they have not gotten a raise in several years. I have empathy for their situation. What I don’t want to happen here in District 202 is that we turn our education system into the new big box store mentality where cheaper is better. Cheaper in education is not better. Our people are very highly educated and very talented and they know our system. On their resume, it also says that they worked in the 4^th largest school district in Illinois. That is a big plus! The most talented people can go anywhere and work in education. I want the most talented educational staff to work in our town, at our schools, and for our kids. Not in Georgia, Iowa or Indiana where they are now looking for highly talented educators and in some cases paying a lot more.

My question to you our taxpayers is, “What is it that you want?” Ultimately, your answer is what counts. Do you want District 202 to have the cheapest education or something better for your children and grandchildren? Personally, I want the best education for my grandchildren that we can afford to give them. I have worked as a volunteer Board of Education member for 16 + years to offer our students the best future possible.  I have never made my decisions based on the popular sentiment. I have always made decisions on what I thought was best for our students. I am practical in that I don’t want to lose our good people. The $315,000 in raises for administrators and non-union support staff that the Board of Education could have approved was already budgeted in this year’s budget. It would have also gone a long way toward showing these hard-working and valuable employees that we do appreciate them and want them to stay. That’s the same message we gave our teachers and union support staff when we gave them the exact same percentage raise earlier this year. As it turns out we sent our administrators and non-union support staff an entirely different message – one that might not have been intended and does not reflect their real value to District 202. I thought you might want to know why I voted the way I did.  Again, what is it that you as taxpayers want?

Michael E. Kelly

District 202 Board of Education Member 1997-2013

Joliet police conducted a cigarette enforcement check Tuesday -- the second in four days -- and charged 10 more clerks with selling tobacco to minors, report show.

Per state law, the police have to check every business with tobacco products once a year to ensure they're not selling cigarettes to underage smokers. There are more than 130 businesses in Joliet that sell tobacco-related items.

The enforcement involves sending a minor into a store to see if the clerk will sell him cigarettes. The first was conducted Friday and 10 clerks were cited for breaking the law.

The same number were issued compliance tickets Tuesday. Here are the names of those who were cited and the stores for whom they work:

• Donna M. Ferris, 52, 218 Channahon St., Shorewood; Burning Leaf Cigars, 2319 Route 59.
• Bhagwanbhal Patel, 42, 318 N. Larkin Ave., Joliet; BP, 1987 W. Jefferson.
• Gene Qerimi, 18, 2013 Douglas, Joliet; Mobil, 1805 W. Jefferson.
• Mohammad Tommalien, 55, 7017 W. Crandall, Worth; City Convenient Mart, 1102 Houbolt Road.
• Scott C. Ambrose, 22, 4810 Frank Drive, Joliet; Walgreens, 1514 Essington Road.
• Jonathan Aguilar, 21, 1308 Vintage Drive, Joliet; Black Road Food and Liquor, 2787 Black Road.
• William M. Kiley, 64, 18530 W. 3000 N Road, Reddick; Sugar Creek Liquors, 1200 Richards.
• Nora S. Toth, 43, 3723 Bergstrom St., Joliet; 1225 Richards.
• Cheryl A. Koscinski, 40, 827 W. Jefferson, Joliet; 935 W. Jefferson.
• Sarinder S. Kanda, 38, 72 S. Westmore, Lombard; Marathon, 324 S. Larkin Ave.

DON'T MISS THE LATEST JOLIET NEWS. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE DAILY NEWSLETTER

FOR A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT TAKE, FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK

Lauren Vasilakis stared at the man who shot her and remembered what he said before pulling the trigger.

"You told me you'd walk out there and never think about me again, Vasilakis told 20-year-old Matthew Edwards.

"I promise, you'll remember me the rest of your life," Vasilakis said.

The rest of Edwards' life will be spent in prison, unless he manages to reach the age of 101.

Judge Amy Bertani-Tomczak sentenced the Joliet man to 90 years in the Department of Corrections for murder and attempted murder. Edwards was found guilty of the charges in December.

Edwards shot both Vasilakis, 23 and Joshua Terdic in July 2009. He broke into Terdic's apartment and put a bullet in the Channahon man's head. Terdic, who was 21 at the time, died 10 days later.

"I never knew what it was like to look into the eyes of a human being who was truly wicked," Vasilakis said during Edwards' sentencing hearing Wednesday morning.

Three other defendants have already been convicted and sentenced in connection with the murder and home invasion. Jason Orasco, 29, of Channahon got 75 years in prison, and Ashley Hill, 21, of Joliet, was sentenced to 11 years in prison.

Hill had pleaded guilty to home invasion and testified against a fourth defendant, Mary Vetor, 27, of Joliet, who hatched the plan to steal money and drugs from Terdic. Vetor drove Edwards and Orasco to Terdic’s apartment and supplied the weapons—a gun and a baseball bat. Vetor was sentenced to 61 years in prison.

Edwards is the final defendant to be convicted and sentenced. The 90 years he got wasn't enough for Vasilakis.

"I know that whatever sentence he receives today will not be sufficient," she said. "As much time as he may spend behind bars, and as much as he may suffer for the remainder of his life, he will never know the pain he has inflicted on me. He will never know what it was like to be at the other end of that gun barrel. He will never be forced to beg for his life. He will never witness the person he loves being taken from this world."

Edwards declined to take an opportunity to speak prior to his sentencing.

With good time credit applied to his attempted murder sentence, and including the time he spent in the county jail following his arrest, Edwards could be up for parole in July 2093.

Even though Edwards was the one who pulled the trigger on Terdic and Vasilakis, his attorney, Todd Lenzie, said Edwards was merely a "follower" acting at the behest of Orasco.

"Matt's just basically a follower," Lenzie said, telling how Edwards, who was 17 at the time of the killing, cooperated with detectives. Lenzie also said Edwards is bipolar and suffers from ADHD and depression.

Are you a fan of true crime? Then check out our Facebook page.

Felix A. Villanueva, 32, 301 Kent, Romeoville, arrested by the Crest Hill Police Department and booked into the Will County jail on Feb. 27 on charges of residential burglary, possession of burglary tools and knowingly damaging property.

Saul Villanueva, 24, 301 Kent, Romeoville, arrested by the Crest Hill Police Department and booked into the Will County jail on Feb. 27 on charges of residential burglary, possession of burglary tools and knowingly damaging property.

Dustin A. Schuitema, 26, 313 Bonnie Drive, Lockport, arrested by the Romeoville Police Department and booked into the Will County jail on Feb. 27 on a charge of domestic battery and on an Orland Park Police Department hold.

Property Crimes

The following property crimes were reported to the Romeoville Police Department:

Concrete shoring parts valued at $9,400 taken from the parking lot of a business in the 200 block of Roc Barr Drive. Report made at 1:27 p.m. Feb. 12.

An unknown object was used to damage a window of a residence in the 300 block of Macon. Damage estimated at $100; report filed at 5 p.m. Feb. 15.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE DAILY NEWSLETTER

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK

The trial of a Chicago man jailed since October 2007 in connection with a Plainfield murder is set to start Thursday morning.

Jury selection for Ricardo Gutierrez's trial started and finished Wednesday.

Gutierrez, 23, allegedly gunned down Javier Barrios, who was 18 when he was killed.

Barrios, a Romeoville resident, was first shot by his ex-girlfriend, 24-year-old Gabriela Escutia, police said.

Escutia allegedly set up a rendezvous with Barrios in a field on Route 59 near a Meijer service station. Gutierrez reportedly joined her for the meeting.

Escutia has confessed to shooting Barrios as he sat in his car, according to a complaint for a search warrant. After firing once, the complaint said, the gun jammed.

Escutia cleared the gun but Gutierrez took it from her and shot Barrios twice more, the complaint said. Gutierrez told police he tossed the gun away on Interstate 55 after shooting Barrios, the complaint said, but Escutia believed he held on to it and brought it back to his home in Chicago.

Escutia and Gutierrez were captured at the residence in Chicago. A search of the home failed to turn up the handgun.

Escutia had sought and secured an order of protection against Barrios two and a half weeks prior to the killing. In her petition for the order she claimed Barrios pushed her down, slapped her, and broke her car window and a headlight. Escutia also accused Barrios of harassing her and "calling and leaving messages."

Escutia's case remains pending. She has a March 8 court date.

Before picking a jury, prosecutors and Gutierrez's attorney, Jeff Tomczak discussed what witnesses might be called at the trial and pointed out that a detective who investigated the case, Troy Kivisto, is no longer a member of the Plainfield Police Department.

In January 2011, sources identified Kivisto as the off-duty Plainfield cop who barricaded himself in his car in Chicago's South Loop. The officer reportedly threatened to harm himself but was coaxed out of the car by Chicago police after about two hours.

A Chicago police spokesman said at the time the off-duty officer was "distraught for personal reasons."

A source said Kivisto was recently arrested outside Will County.

Elmhurst Patch reported that a Troy A. Kivisto, 46, was arrested twice in November. On Nov. 24, he was charged with trespass and possession of liquor on public property after a woman walked into a garage in the 200 block of North Larch and allegedly saw him crouching behind her vehicle, police said. On Nov. 26, he was charged with criminal trespass after police found him passed out in the back yard of a home in the 200 block of North Larch, police said. He was reportedly taken to Elmhurst Memorial Hospital because he was intoxicated.

Check out all the area's court news on our Facebook page

"Da Coach" will stump for a Romeoville mayoral candidate next month.

According to a campaign release from Steve "Mongo" McMichael, the candidate's former coach Mike Ditka will endorse him at a March 5 fundraiser in Chicago.

McMichael is running against incumbent John Noak in the April 9 election.

The $100-per person benefit will also feature appearances by some of McMichael's teammates from the Chicago Bears 1985 Super Bowl championship team, including Dan Hampton, Gary Fencik and Matt Suhey.

"Several well-known Chicagoans, political figures and surprise guests will be in attendance," McMichael's press release said, calling the benefit a "star-studded event."

The benefit will start with a private VIP reception from 5 to 6 p.m. for $150 per person at the Old Town Pour House, 1419 N. Wells St., Chicago, followed by the $100-per-person general admission event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

McMichael said the March 5 benefit was organized by friends after Ditka was unable to make it to a fundraiser held in January at his restaurant, MongoMcMichael's, in Romeoville. 

"He couldn't be there and he wanted to be," McMichael said. 

Noak, who is seeking reelection, questioned the timing of the press release from the McMichael campaign.

"The timing is interesting because they sent out the release the day before my event," Noak said, referring to a Feb. 28 campaign fundraiser slated to take place at Stone City Saloon in Romeoville.

Noak also accused his opponent of using his celebrity to further his campaign instead of tackling the issues.

"Obviously, this is another attempt from Mr. McMichael to take away from my event and avoid talking to me about the issues in a substantial way," Noak said, adding he would be more than happy to take on McMichael in a debate.

"There's no surprise here," Noak added, referring to Ditka's endorsement. "There's nothing shocking that he would be endorsed by the individual that coached him and his teammates ... Those individuals don't represent this area and they don't live here."

Noak, meanwhile, touted his own endorsements by local organizations and elected officials.

In a press release issued last week, Noak cited endorsements by local mayors including Brian Reaves of Lemont, Mike Collins of Plainfield, Rick Chapman of Shorewood and George Pradel of Naperville, along with Congressman Dan Lipinksi (D-3) and Will County Board members Don Moran, Liz Collins, Lee Ann Goodson, Suzanne Hart and Chuck Maher.

Noak has also been endorsed by the Romeoville and Bolingbrook firefighters' unions, Will-Grundy Trades and Labor Council, Will & Grundy Counties Building Trades Council and Operating Engineers Local 150.

"I'm very proud to have that broad base of support," Noak said.

McMichael took exception to Noak's comments about his endorsement by Ditka and other Chicago celebrities.

"I could care less what John Noak thinks," McMichael said. "Most of [Noak's supporters] don't live in Romeoville either ... The gall of Mayor Noak to make that comment about an icon of Chicago and Illinois and his country, I can't believe it."

McMichael said he believes the Chicago event could lead businesses to discover Romeoville.

"Being mayor of your town to me isn't just about your landlocked borders," he said.

"The business fairy doesn't show up at your town borders. You have to go out and solicit," McMichael said, adding he believes the buzz surrounding the benefit could draw attention from businesses throughout the state, leading to more tax revenues for the village. "They know there's a place called Romeoville," he said.

McMichael said his campaign is considering the possibility of a debate with Noak.

"I don't know," he said. "Am I privy to all the information he is being mayor of the town? If not, how can I show up and have an informed opinion on some of the things he's done?"

Even so, he said, "The campaign will be discussing a fact-based debate. We're going to talk about it."

Sign up for our free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts in JolietandRomeoville.

A four-bedroom, five-bathroom, single-family house at 27030 Thornwood Blvd., Plainfield, recently sold for $442,500.

The 4,313 square foot house was built in 2005. Its gourmet kitchen has granite counters and stainless steel appliances, and the first-floor guest suite has a full, private bathroom. Additionally, the two-story family room has a floor-to-ceiling fireplace, and the professionally landscaped yard has a paver patio.

These other properties recently sold, according to public property records.

Bolingbrook

• 458 Rockhurst Rd.: $112,750
  
• 363 Kirkwood Cir.: $82,500
• 437 Yorkshire Sq. G:$162,272
• 351 S. Palmer Dr.: $240,000
• 341 Hanover Dr.: $100,000

Plainfield

• 27030 Thornwood Blvd.: $442,500
  
• 7310 Southworth Cir.: $195,000
• 13228 Wildwood Pl.: $349,000
• 26504 Silverleaf Dr.: $440,000
• 26414 Silverleaf Dr.: $453,000
• 1911 Crosswind Dr.: $239,000

Romeoville

• 428 Camden Ave.: $100,000
  
• 51 Tahoe Ln.: $125,000
• 1654 Ashbury Ln.: $186,500
• 244 Williamsburg Ct.: $78,000

About this column: Each week, Sold! highlights a bit of information about a recent home sale to offer some perspective on the housing market. Looking to buy, sell or rent a property? Consult the Bolingbrook, Plainfield and Romeoville Patch Real Estate Directories.

When Ricardo Gutierrez shot Javier Barrios twice in the back in October 2007, he was trying to protect his girlfriend, her young daughter and himself, his lawyers said Thursday.

"It's about domestic violence. It's about self-defense. It's about fear and how people react to fear," attorney Jeff Tomczak said of what led Gutierrez, 23, to shoot Barrios, who was 18 when he died.

"It's not a case of murder," said Gutierrez's other lawyer, Paul Napolski. "It's about a set of circumstances wherein a young man is forced to protect the woman he loves and the 10-month-old child he adores from the threat of immediate harm."

Regardless, both Gutierrez and the woman he loves, Gabriela Escutia, 24, are up on murder charges, and Gutierrez's trial started Thursday.

Gutierrez's lawyers claim Escutia lived in fear of Barrios. She and Barrios had a romantic liaison that she fit in between relationships with Gutierrez. Escutia and Barrios linked up while Gutierrez was incarcerated, she reportedly told police, but the relationship soured.

Just two and a half weeks before the killing, Escutia obtained an order of protection against Barrios. In her petition for the order she claimed the Romeoville man pushed her down, slapped her, and broke her car window and a headlight. Escutia also accused Barrios of harassing her and "calling and leaving messages."

On the night of the killing, Tomczak said, Barrios called Escutia and demanded she meet with him.

"He said to her, 'If you don't meet me, you know what I'm going to do to your daughter,'" Tomczak said.

In a written statement he gave to Plainfield police detectives, Gutierrez said he was at Escutia's Plainfield home when Barrios called her.

"We got the call and he started talking crazy to Gabby," he said in the statement. "That made me real mad."

Gutierrez and Escutia reportedly headed for a field next to the Meijer service station on Route 59 to rendezvous with Barrios. Tomczak said another woman, identified only as "Troubles," accompanied Gutierrez and Escutia. The police have yet to track down Troubles, he said.

"The government did nothing to find out who Troubles is," Tomczak said.

In the statement, Gutierrez said he and the women got there first and waited for Barrios.

"Then he came and Gabby was supposed to scare him by aiming the gun at him and told him to stop messing with her and her daughter," he said in the statement. "I heard the gunshot so I ran out of there."

The police said Escutia shot Barrios once before the gun jammed. But even after taking a bullet, Barrios continued to menace Escutia, Gutierrez said.

"Javier started threatening Gabby and her daughter," he said in the statement. "That pissed me off even more. Gabby ran up and we met each other and she gave me the gun. Then I shot him twice in the back."

Gutierrez said he ran back to the car and he and Escutia returned to his home in Chicago. On the way up, he said, he tossed away his gun.

"We went home. We then went to watch Saw 4," he said. "Then we went to sleep."

Do you like true crime stories? The you'll love our Facebook page

Drew Peterson wasn't one to be tied down, managing to marry four times in 29 years. And even now that he's been packed off to prison, he's still a rambling man.

Peterson, 59, was transferred to his third prison since he was sentenced to serve 38 years a mere seven days ago.

Peterson was whisked from the Will County jail to the Northern Reception and Classification Center on the grounds of Stateville prison the day after he was sentenced by Judge Edward Burmila. Ordinary inmates wait for the weekly bus to Stateville, but Drew Peterson is apparently no ordinary inmate, as the Will County Sheriff's Department set up a special trip to get him out quickly.

Then at Stateville, where it takes an average of three weeks to two months before a prisoner is classified and transferred to a facility, Peterson was taken away to Pontiac Correctional Center in a matter of hours.

It's unlikely Peterson had time to make many friends at Pontiac, as he was transferred to Menard Correctional Center today, confirmed Stacey Solano, a spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Downstate Menard, a 135-year-old prison on the banks of the Mississippi River, is about 320 miles from Peterson's former home in Bolingbrook, where he served for nearly 30 years as a police officer.

Peterson abruptly quit the police department after his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, mysteriously vanished in October 2007. A year and a half later, Peterson was arrested and jailed on charges he murdered his third wife, Kathleen Savio.

Savio had been found drowned in a dry bathtub in March 2004. Until Stacy Peterson disappeared, the Illinois State Police insisted Savio's death was nothing more than a freak bathtub accident.

Peterson was found guilty of Savio's murder in September following a five week trial.

Solano said she could not comment on the reasons for Peterson's move to Menard due to safety and security reasons.

Peterson will be sharing his new home with former Oswego resident Christopher Vaughn, who executed his wife and three children in June 2007 as part of a plan to start life anew in the Yukon Wilderness.

Vaughn's trial took place at the same time as Peterson's and was held in the courtroom next-door on the fourth floor of the Joliet Courthouse.

Vaughn is pulling a pair of life sentences for the killings, which he tried blaming on his slain wife, Kimberly Vaughn.

One of Peterson's attorney, Joseph "Shark" Lopez, said he had no prior knowledge of the prison switch.

"You can't control IDOC," Lopez said. "IDOC moved him because IDOC wanted to move him. IDOC marches to its own drum."

Lopez said Peterson's new home is a tough place and that there are "more murderers in Menard than anyplace else in the state." But he is confident that Peterson will get along with the other prisoners, who he said were "rooting" for him during his trial.

"They were rooting for him because they think he got the shaft like they did," Lopez said. "It doesn't matter that he was a cop. They thought Drew got screwed."

Check out all the latest true crime news on our Facebook page

The numbers here show the federal employees in Illinois by county in 2012, according to the latest figures from Eye on Washington, a DC-based lobbying firm that tracks federal employment. It compiles the data from the Office of Personnel Management, Federal Employment Statistics and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

While much has been written on how the current sequestration battle in Washington could affect the national economy, these numbers are meant to give readers a sense of the sequestration at the local level.

Will County has 277 federal employees, with the most working in the department of defense.

Army base operation funding would be cut by about $19 million, while funding for Air Force operations in Illinois would be cut by about $7 million. Four planned Naval Station Great Lakes demolition projects ($2 million) could be canceled and a scheduled Blue Angels show in Rockford could be canceled.

Still, no one knows for certain what the sequestration cuts, some $85 billion, will mean exactly. Even if the March 1 federal cuts are enacted, the full effects would not be felt immediately. The government is required to alert impacted agencies of what cuts are to be made and what workers are to be furloughed.

It should be noted, however, that even the suggestion of cuts and the notification process itself could be felt in some community economies. Uncertainty for federal workers means they are likely to tighten their belts until they see what the cuts look like – and how long they last. It means those workers will likely spend less money at local shops and restaurants.

In some communities there may be only a handful of federal workers and the impacts may be small. But, as these figures show, in other counties federal employees numbers in the thousands and in those places the sequestration could become a more significant pain, particularly if it drags on for weeks or months.

(U.S. Postal Service Employees are excluded in this count. The USPS receives no tax dollars in its operations and would not be affected by the sequestration cuts.)

Ryan Fitzpatrick and Lauren Williamson contributed to this report.

A Tuesday Morning store is to open in Joliet in late spring, filling a North Ridge Plaza strip mall location near Marshalls and Hobby Lobby.

Remodeling work could begin as soon as next week on the 13,710-square-foot space at 1489 Larkin Ave., depending on how quickly the Texas-based company can complete their building permit application, said Jim Haller, director of community and economic development for Joliet.

Tuesday Morning is a national company that specializes in mix of items found in specialty stores, upscale department stores and online, but at discounted prices, according to tuesdaymorning.com. Among the items it sells are decorative home items, bed and bath lines, toys, gourmet foods, cookware and diningware, clothing and seasonal items.

The company has 28 stores in Illinois, the nearest to Joliet being in Frankfort, Naperville and Orland Park.

The last long-term tenant in tenant in the space it will be filling was Minnesota Fabrics.

Tim Wimberly, a development coordinator for Tuesday Morning, said he was not certain when the store would be open but it would definitely be before summer.

Haller said the new business was good news for Joliet, and not just because of the new tax dollars that would be generated.

"Anytime you can fill up a vacant space, it's a good thing," he said. "It increases (a shopping center's) vitality, and this type of addition is going to allow the other tenants to benefit from additional foot traffic."

Sign up for our free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts in JolietandRomeoville.

Kelly Janette Taloff, 34, 209 Pell, Romeoville, arrested by the Will County Sheriff's Office and booked into the Will County jail on Feb. 28 on a charge of driving on a revoked/suspended license.

Michael J. Schultz, 31, 220 Murphy, Romeoville, arrested by the Will County Sheriff's Office and booked into the Will County jail on Feb. 28 on a charge of battery.

Keith Gaines, 18, 13658 S. Jonesport, Plainfield, arrested by the Romeoville Police Department and booked into the Will County jail on Feb. 27 on a charge of domestic battery.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE DAILY NEWSLETTER

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK

Editor's note: The following is a press release from the Plainfield School District:

Artists of all ages from the area are invited and encouraged to take part in the 2013 Great Read community literacy program’s “All About Abe Lincoln Art Contest.”

The 2013 Great Read celebrates the 150^th anniversary of Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, made in 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation is one of Lincoln’s greatest achievements. It led to the passage of the 13^th Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1865, which abolished slavery.

Plainfield-area community members are encouraged to read any books about the 16^th president and take part in the Great Read’s numerous fun, historical and educational programs dedicated to Lincoln.

Artists from pre-kindergarten through adult can submit entries in any medium focusing on an idea or scene from the life of Abraham Lincoln. Entries can be up to two feet high and wide, and weigh up to five pounds.

Entries can be dropped off at the artist’s local library by April 16, 2013. Participating libraries include:

• Plainfield Public Library, 15025 S. Illinois St., Plainfield
• Fountaindale Public Library, 300 W. Briarcliffe Road, Bolingbrook
• Shorewood-Troy Public Library, 650 Deerwood Drive, Shorewood
• Joliet Public Library – Black Road Branch, 3395 Black Road, Joliet
• Joliet Junior College Library – 1215 Houbolt Road, Joliet

All entries will be digitally displayed and winners will be announced at The Great Read’s Grand Finale at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 2, 2013 at the Fountaindale Public Library, 300 W. Briarcliff Road, Bolingbrook.

Barnes and Noble gift cards for $25 will be awarded for the top entry in three age groups: pre-k to 5^th grade; 6^th-12^th grades; and 18 and older.

All artwork must be picked up between May 3-9, 2013 at the artist’s local library. Artwork not picked up by 4 p.m. Thursday, May 9, 2013 will be recycled. 

The Great Read is proudly presented by the Plainfield School District 202, the Plainfield, Fountaindale, Joliet and Shorewood-Troy public libraries, Joliet Junior College, Plainfield Township, Troy School District and the Joliet Barnes and Noble store. 

Please see The Great Read web site for additional contest rules and submission requirements: www.psd202.org/greatread

1. 142 Gorman Dr., Romeoville: Priced at $130,000, according to listings.

This is a four-bedroom, three-bathroom, 2,192 square foot, single family house built in 2003.

The home includes a combined living/dining room, a loft and a large family room. Its master bedroom has a private bathroom and a large walk-in closet, and the home also has a full basement. Laundry facilities are located on the second floor, and the house also has a two car garage.

Realtor source/information: Bob Morgan.

2. 24236 Leski Ln., Plainfield: Priced at $130,000, according to listings.

This is a two-bedroom, two-bathroom, 1,527 square foot townhouse built in 2004.

The home has nine-foot ceilings on the main level, and its living room opens to the dining room. THe kitchen has oak cabinets, and the home has upstairs laundry facilities. The townhouse also has a loft with two closets, as well as central air conditioning and a two car garage.

Realtor source/information: Lesa & Jeff Meade, (815) 436-2232.

Need More Info? Want to know what's selling in your Patch and throughout the area? Check our Local Home Sales tracker, published every Thursday.

Plainfield // Romeoville // Bolingbrook

Out of these two homes, which one would you buy? In the comments, tell us how your house hunt is going. Those selling homes can use Patch to help spread the word.

Eleven men were arrested this week and charged with transporting heroin from Chicago's west side to buyers in DuPage County, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. 

The men are from Warrenville, Naperville, West Chicago, Geneva and Chicago. The DuPage County Sheriff’s offices, U.S. Homeland Security agents and West Chicago and Woodridge police assisted in the two-month investigation, the Sun-Times reported. 

One man, Miguel Fernandez, 23, of West Chicago, was charged with 10 felony drug conspiracy and delivery charges. 

Police said Fernandez bought heroin on Chicago's west side and then delivered it to "numerous" west suburban residents, who either used the drug or resold it, the Sun-Times reported. 

"He was caught reselling the drug to a juvenile on at least one occasion, and selling heroin within 1,000 feet of a school two other times," the Sun-Times reported. 

Read more about the 11 men charged in the "heroin conspiracy" from the Chicago Sun-Times. 

READ MORE: 

• Grieving Valley View Mom Speaks Out on Heroin Epidemic
• Bolingbrook Woman Found with Heroin, Needles: Police
• Woodridge Drug Ring Leader Sentenced to 20 Years
• 51 Bags of Heroin Seized Near Bolingbrook Denny's: Cops

Jane Addams Middle School 8^th grader Trey Mack has been selected to participate in the seventh annual Eighth Grade Junior Prospects Boys All-Star Basketball Game in Decatur April 13.

Mack is the first middle school basketball player in Valley View School District 365U history to play for three state championship trophy-winning teams. The Addams 7^th grade squad finished 2^nd in state when he was in 6^th grade, his 8^th grade squad finished 2^nd in state last year, and this year’s 8^th grade squad finished 3^rd in state.

A straight “A” student and a member of the Jane Addams National Junior Honor Society, the 5-11, 150 pound basketball star has been a VVSD student since he began kindergarten at Jamie McGee Elementary School. He readily admits math is his favorite subject because “when you don’t get something, it’s a challenge and I like challenges. Math makes me think. It’s cool once you get everything.”

He did give football a try when he was younger but decided to focus on basketball because he says playing outdoors in cold weather isn’t for him. When he’s not studying or playing AAU basketball (he’ll play for Illinois Wolves this year), he does volunteer work at McGee, helping students with their homework after school.

Playing professional basketball is one of his goals but that likely won’t come until after he has that college degree in hand because “not going to college is not an option. I want a full education…four years.” Although Mack hasn’t given a whole lot of thought to a career, he says architecture might be a possibility because he likes to draw.

As for advice for a current 5^th grader in VVSD who wants to play basketball for the outstanding program guided by coaches Josh Gage and Jared Ploger, he says “Work hard, especially in practice. Be the guy you want to be.” Oh yes, and, he adds it’s critical to show some respect for your coaches.

The 8^th Grade Class 3A and 4A All-Star game will be played at 7 p.m. April 13 at Eisenhower High School in Decatur. The event will include halftime 3-point shooting, slam-dunk, free throw, turn-around jumper, full court down-and-back, and skills & drills contests. 

Editor's note: This is a press release from Valley View School District 365U.