Players from the Woodstock American Legion baseball team volunteered at Turning Point Tuesday June 30th as part of their fundraising activities to support their team. They are also working on a food drive to replenish the TP food pantry! Pictured are players Trevor Kroll, Drew Furlano, Jake Murphy, Ryan Melson and Anthony DiMair with sponsor Pat DiMaio.
June 30 2009 | Fundraising and Volunteers | No Comments »
“Thomas A. Brown, of 2912 Michael St., pleaded not guilty Monday to four counts of first-degree murder and a single count of aggravated criminal sexual assault. Authorities allege that he killed Vitriza M. Wedward, 33, by beating her with his fist, slamming her into a wall, and raping her when she was unable to give consent.”
If you’re keeping track, this is the fifth DV related murder to touch our county in 2009. You can read the whole story here.
June 30 2009 | Uncategorized | No Comments »
“With a “doomsday” 2010 state budget set to go into effect Wednesday, agencies have spent the past week making big cuts to stay alive.
Gone will be Turning Point’s program to assist police with after-hours orders of protection and having a domestic violence victim’s advocate in the courtroom. Pioneer Center for Human Services plans to close several of its group homes for the mentally ill, and about one-sixth of its 1,800 clients will be turned away.
Agency directors are angry, they are scared, and to a man and woman, they are wondering just how it came to this.”
What does this cut mean to Turning Point clients? There will not alwaysbe advocates in the courtroom to provide advice and support, but Turning Point staff will still be at the courthouse and can provide support there. The Board of directors chose this cut as it impacts the least amount of clients.
As you may remember, this program was de-funded by the federal government last year. If new funding is found, the program could be revived. You can read the whole story here.
June 29 2009 | In the news and Programs | No Comments »
A nice overview of the good work our county prosecutors are doing with evidence-based prosecutions from our friends at the Northwest Herald.
“WOODSTOCK – Former Algonquin police Sgt. Wade Merritt’s wife asked prosecutors twice to drop charges that he hit her in the head March 4.
She took the stand and explained to Judge Gordon Graham that she had called 9-1-1 after having a few drinks herself because she was upset that her husband was drinking more than she thought, not because – as she told the operator that night – he had hit her in the back of the head and threatened to kill her.
When prosecutor Patrick Kenneally questioned her motives for changing her story, she denied that it was because she was worried about Merritt losing his job or the effect it would have on their marriage.
“He’ll lose his job, but we’ll stay married,” she testified. “I’m not here, Mr. Kenneally, because of his job. I’m here because I made a mistake that night.”
McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi called the case a “classic example” of evidence-based domestic violence prosecution, in which prosecutors use other witnesses, 9-1-1 tapes and crime scene photographs when an alleged victim denies the abuse or doesn’t show up. ”
You can read the whole story here.
June 29 2009 | In the news | No Comments »
WOODSTOCK - An Algonquin police sergeant who resigned last week after being convicted of domestic battery was sentenced to a year of non-reporting probation Thursday morning.
Prosecutors requested jail time because Merritt was drunk during the incident, because his wife had indicated to a 9-1-1 operator that he had hit her before and because the incident happened in front of Merritt’s ill 10-year-old son. Assistant State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally said prosecutors did not treat the case differently because of Merritt’s profession.
You can read the whole story on the Northwest Herald website.
June 25 2009 | In the news | No Comments »
From The Gallery in the Garden website:
“We are pleased to annouce that the 4th Annual Gallery in the Garden will be held on July 25 & 26, 2009.Come and experience the synthesis of art and nature in a private garden in Woodstock. The 4th Annual Gallery in the Garden offers a unique opportunity to experience local artists in a natural setting, featuring a water garden,
Our artists include painters, sculptors, photographers and jewelers, and who present a variety of styles, both traditional and non-traditional.
The two-day event will feature a variety of live music to entertain you throughout both days.
Every year the Gallery benefits local charities and donates 20% of its proceeds to those causes. This year, we have again selected Turning Point, a domestic violence program serving families in McHenry County for over 25 years.
Located in the heart of McHenry County, Woodstock provides charming village ambience combined with a strong cultural base. It features historic homes, a variety of one-of-a-kind shops, and conveniently located restaurants. While you’re here, visit the beautiful, historic Woodstock Square and tour the points of interest from the movie Groundhog Day which was filmed here.”
Jennifer is seeking volunteers to help at this wonderful event- call her at (815) 338 8081 to sign up!
June 25 2009 | Events and Fundraising | No Comments »
June 24 2009 | Fundraising and Volunteers | No Comments »
Ladies from the Cadette Girl Scout Troop 1011 of Algonquin & Lake in the Hills delivered a beautiful game cart to Turning Point! It’ll be a great addition to the playroom in the shelter! Pictured (from left) Dana Keen, Meg VanDerBosch, Katherine Garcia, Dianna Ricotta and Marie Milaonvich.
June 24 2009 | Volunteers | No Comments »
“One modest proposal would be to turn the tables on the hostage takers.
Place the governor, House speaker and minority leader, and Senate president and minority leader in a locked room.
No more excuses. No more posturing. Just keep them there – hold them hostage, if you will – until they do their jobs and come up with a budget compromise that is amenable to all sides.
With a July 1 fiscal year deadline looming, we would much prefer this kind of hostage-taking to that so cold-heartedly employed by the leadership gang in Springfield.”
You can read the whole editorial here.
June 23 2009 | Uncategorized | No Comments »
“Chris Brown pleaded guilty Monday to assaulting Rihanna and the two were ordered to stay away from each other, in a deal that keeps the singer out of prison but requires him to clean up graffiti or roadside trash.
Mark Geragos, Brown’s lawyer, said the plea represented the singer taking responsibility for his actions — which included beating, choking and biting Rihanna during a fight early Feb. 8, according to police.”
The Tribune has the full story here.
June 23 2009 | In the news | No Comments »