Wendell Minor, third from left, and Aurora native, shows the key to Aurora that he had just received from Richard C. Irvin, mayor of Aurora, at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. Mayor Irvin holds a proclamation for Wendell Minor Day May 28. Minor is a 1962 graduate of West Aurora High School. He has won more than 200 awards as an illustrator and artist. From left is Chuck Nelson, Aurora deputy mayor, and Minor’s wife, Florence.Jason Crane/The VoiceOswego Village Board president Troy Parlier begins the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Oswego Veterans Serenity Park Sunday, Nov. 10.Carter Crane/The VoiceRecipients of The Exchange Club of Aurora Firefighter of the Year Award pose at Piper’s Banquets in Aurora. Thirteen were presented the Award, which this year is for crews involved in the rescue who showed great discipline and critical thinking at a structure fire December 28 around 2 a.m. at a duplex on South Avenue in Aurora. The second duplex unit was evacuated and there was no response from the first unit, which had locked doors. Entry was forced and using only their sense of feel in the pitch black environment, Pvt. Erdmanis and Lt. Equi found an unresponsive two-year old on the couch in the living room and removed the child to paramedics outside. Shortly an unconscious adult male was found between the couch and front door. Both victims eventually were released from the hospital after several days of treatment for smoke inhalation. The award recipients, not in order in the photo, include Asst. Chief Dan Osman, Lt. Jason Smith, Lt. Jason Equi, Lt. Tim Schomer, Pvt. Mark Bachleda, Pvt. Jason Matile, Pvt. Lucas Hanson, Pvt. Jake Erdmanis, Pvt. Angelo R. Minneci, Pvt. Jason Morthland, Pvt. Shawn Hagie, Pvt. Riley Coomes, Pvt. Zack Knasko. Fire Chief Gary Krienitz is at the left, Deputy Fire Chief John Gilbert, second from right, made the presentation, Fire Assistant Chief Dave McCabe is at the right. Jason Crane/The Voice
