News on BB Reporter

On July 22, Kristina Novak purchased a property at 690 Heritage Drive, Bourbonnais from Abraham Kurien.

In the second quarter of 2024, one offender was released on parole and now resides in Illinois ZIP Code 60915, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections.

In the second quarter of 2024, two offenders were released on parole and now reside in Illinois ZIP Code 60914, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections.

In the first quarter of 2024, three offenders were released on parole and now reside in Illinois ZIP Code 60915, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections.

In the first quarter of 2024, four offenders were released on parole and now reside in Illinois ZIP Code 60914, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Vietnam veteran Michael Badeaux, a patient of Dr. Angelica Torres since 2021, received special recognition from VITAS for his service in the United States Armed Forces. Over two years, Dr. Torres became not only his physician but also a close friend.

VITAS Healthcare has taken steps to honor veterans in Brevard County by unveiling veteran walls at two local nursing facilities, Indian River Center and West Melbourne Health and Rehabilitation Center. These installations are part of VITAS's efforts to recognize the contributions of service members residing in these communities.

When the second annual butterfly release event, Celebration of Life and Remembrance, took place on September 11, 2022, attendees were met with gentle rain as forecasted. Nearly 300 people and 30 staff members from three VITAS Chicagoland offices gathered to honor loved ones who had recently passed away.

To honor veterans at Charter Senior Living in Gainesville, Florida, VITAS introduced a veteran wall of honor in July. This memorial displays the names and photos of residents who served in the U.S. military during World War II, the Korean War, and other conflicts.

When 18-year-old Abraham Maldonado expressed his wish to attend his high school graduation, Chaplain Antonio Rivera-Maldonado promptly shared this with the hospice team. Abraham, a VITAS patient in Orlando, Florida, has been living with malignant neoplasm of the spinal cord for ten years and is expected to have six months left to live. Despite his illness, he continued high school through virtual learning.

JC Payne, a patient under the care of VITAS in Florida's Treasure Coast, had not been able to spend quality time with his wife for over two years due to his illness. As he neared the end of his life, he wished to create a lasting happy memory for her.

A recent feature in the Martin County HUGS DEMENTIA magazine highlights the journey of Sharon Cook Jankowski, an artist and teacher who faced Alzheimer's disease with grace and support from her community. Known for her dedication to teaching and volunteer work, Sharon's life was marked by her service to others, as described by her sister Gail Winsor.

After retiring from her career as a surgical nurse, Astrida Shepard joined VITAS in 2015 as a seamstress volunteer. Shepard found purpose in her new role, stating, "I really love it. It’s my ministry." Her initial doubts about the impact of her work were dispelled after receiving gratitude from a social worker who had lost his wife.

VITAS Healthcare is dedicated to providing culturally sensitive hospice care tailored to the needs of Jewish patients. The care respects Jewish teachings, beliefs, rituals, and traditions, with a focus on offering hope and honoring core principles.

When Robert Vaughan, a VITAS patient and US Marine veteran of the Vietnam War, approached the end of his life, he and his wife Victoria faced challenges attending Veterans Affairs (VA) appointments due to mobility issues. Victoria, who uses a wheelchair, was caring for Robert but needed assistance with VA entitlement paperwork to secure benefits before his passing.

When Nicholas Black, a 16-year-old hospice patient with VITAS in Volusia County, Florida, expressed his wish to attend a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) match in Tampa, his care team fulfilled it. Nicholas was diagnosed with Arnold-Chiari Malformation without spina bifida or hydrocephalus, conditions that left him wheelchair-bound and unable to speak or use his hands and arms. Despite these challenges, wrestling remained his favorite pastime.

On a recent Sunday afternoon, 265 family members gathered at the DuPage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton, Illinois, to release butterflies in memory of their loved ones. The event was organized by VITAS team members from northwest Chicago, including music therapists, social workers, bereavement specialists, volunteers, chaplains, hospice team managers, and executives.

The Bradley Utilities Department has provided a guide for accessing utilities accounts online. The process can be completed through the billing portal by selecting "Utility Billing Payments" on the left-hand side of the screen.