ssbet77.open external Many took to social media over the past few days to mourn Matt Verde, Oswego resident and restaurant owner, who died on Sunday after he was struck by a vehicle days earlier. Verde owned Neat Kitchen + Bar, which has locations in both Oswego and Westmont. In a Facebook post, Westmont Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau Board Chair Becky Rheintgen said his death leaves behind “a deep void in the hearts of his family, friends and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. “Matt was more than a business owner — he was a core part of our business community, a passionate entrepreneur and a generous supporter of local initiatives,” Rheintgen said in the post. “Through Neat Kitchen + Bar, he brought people together, fostering a sense of community and creating a warm and welcoming space where countless memories were made.” According to the Oswego Police Department, Verde was attempting to walk across an access road in the shopping center at 2700 Route 34 on Nov. 21 at around 9:40 p.m. when he was hit by a car. Preliminary investigations indicated that a 17-year-old girl was driving southbound on the access road between the Meijer parking lot and the stores in the 1400 block of Douglas Road when she struck Verde, who was crossing the access road westbound, police said. According to the police’s news release, a witness reported seeing a man wearing dark clothing heading diagonally through the parking lot shortly before the crash. No charges have been filed, and the crash is still under investigation, officials said. The girl was not injured in the crash, but it left Verde with serious, life-threatening injuries, which he succumbed to on Sunday, police said. A GoFundMe campaign was set up over the weekend to support Verde. Now, those proceeds are set to go to his family for upcoming arrangements and expenses, according to an update on the fundraiser’s webpage. The campaign was set up by Carrie and Steve Fleck, owners of Dolce Restaurant and Wine Bar in Westmont, after “the request of so many and with the approval from the family,” the two wrote on the campaign’s webpage. As of Tuesday afternoon, the campaign had raised $73,664, surpassing its $50,000 goal with 665 donations. In an update to both the GoFundMe campaign webpage and the restaurant’s Facebook page, the Flecks said that they “are devastated by this ending but know that Matt’s work is not done as he watches over all of us from heaven.” Other local restaurants also remembered Verde in their own Facebook posts. Hinsdale Wine Shop said on its page that Verde was more than just a local business owner, he was also a friend and a “beacon of kindness in our community.” “Matt was a kind, compassionate and genuine man who treated everyone with respect and warmth,” Hinsdale Wine Shop’s post said. Candace Buchanan, owner of Mrs. T’s Pizza, said on the restaurant’s Facebook page that she is “heartbroken and speechless.” Verde would always go out of his way to make her feel welcome after her business opened just over a year ago, she said. “Matt was always thinking about what he could do to help the next person. I am deeply sorry for the loss of a good friend,” Buchanan said in the Facebook post. On the GoFundMe campaign page, the Flecks asked people to continue to support both Neat Kitchen + Bar locations so the family can continue to have income. Both restaurants are set to stay open, Cindy Maquet of Neat Kitchen + Bar told The Beacon News in an email. That is what Verde would have wanted, so the Neat team, which is like a family, will “continue his legacy and the success of both restaurants,” she said. “Matt was truly an incredible person and his presence will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him,” Maquet said. rsmith@chicagotribune.com

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Entrepreneurs starting up businesses or looking toward expansions attended the Northwestern Ontario (NWO) Innovation Centre’s Meet the Funders event to learn about attainable funding sources. Funders have been vital to the survival of local businesses, both large and small. Jeff Coull, executive director of the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre, says it can be intimidating for organizations looking for funding. “When you start searching to find who does what, what do I need or what are the specific eligibility requirements, it can be quite complicated,” Coull said. “Our goal is to introduce people to the different funding organizations and connect them to have a one-on-one conversation.” The Meet the Funders event, which took place at the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre last month, provided a three-minute profile from each funder and an opportunity to speak with them privately. Each of the funding representatives described their organization and how they provide funding for businesses. Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre The Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre offers several funding programs, including the Next-Level program that provides a grant of up to $5,000 reimbursed at a 50-per cent cost share. Eligible activities must focus on scaling or accelerating the organization and eligible expenses include equipment and software, trade show and travel costs, and late-stage product development. Youth Effect is a summer youth subsidy program for any employer with an innovative new project over 15 weeks. The Executive in Residence program helps to find a senior external resource to support a specific initiative temporarily. The Co-Starter program provides $18,000 over an intense 12-week accelerator course for new businesses with an opportunity at the end to pitch for a $250,000 investment. The centre is the local representative for the Sustainable New Agri-Food Products and Productivity (SNAPP) program for Northern Ontario agriculture and food producers and businesses. The program provides up to $10,000 at a 50-per cent cost-share towards the purchase of equipment and materials that result in creating new food products, enhancing productivity or resource use, and reducing ecological impact. Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) supports community enhancement, infrastructure, and community events through funding and internship programs. The main criteria for organizations to apply is for them to bring jobs to Northern Ontario. Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor) FedNor is one of seven regional development agencies established by the Government of Canada to service various regions across the country. Their Northern Ontario Development Program is primarily focused on the private or public sectors and the Regional Economic Growth and Innovation program has funding for both not-for-profits and for the private sector. Thunder Bay Ventures Thunder Bay Ventures offers financial assistance programs for new business starts, maintenance and expansion. The micro-loan program lends up to $25,000, term loans lend a maximum of $150,000 and the Northwestern Ontario investment pool lends larger loan amounts of up to $600,000. Initiatives include the student Enter the Den competitions, the Thunder Bay Area business competence index and a virtual tourism map. Paro Centre for Women’s Enterprise Paro Centre for Women’s Enterprise features peer circles comprised of four to seven women that provide opportunities for peer support and access to peer lending via grants and loans. Paro is also the provider for the Woman’s Entrepreneur Loan Fund with up to $50,000 for startup or expansion. A third grant fund is specific to women entrepreneurs already established in business and looking to expand and scale up into new regions. Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) Entrepreneur Centre Within the CEDC, the Entrepreneur Centre offers programs such as the Starter Company Plus program with a $5,000 grant available for businesses looking to either start up, expand or purchase an existing business or become full-time businesses. The Summer Company Program provides support mentorship and $3,000 in funding for anybody looking to launch a business during the summer. The Miinikaanan-Bakakidoon program is an Indigenous business branch of the Starter Company Plus program with a $5,000 grant for businesses looking to either start, expand or purchase. Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) BDC is a crown corporation that provides funding through financing opportunities. BDC offers loans and advisory services for businesses at a cost or a very good rate of return. Northern Ontario Angels Mary Long-Irwin with Northern Ontario Angels said they are a non-profit group that supports businesses by finding or helping to source an angel investor for your business. They work with you to help launch or grow your business or build your networks. Ontario Centre for Innovation (OCI) The Ontario Centre for Innovation helps to connect Ontario innovators with researchers, industry partners and funding for the next generation of made-in-Ontario academic intellectual property and solutions. eCampus Ontario eCampus Ontario offers funding programs to support the evolution of online and technology-enabled teaching at Ontario colleges and universities. The Ontario Collaborative Innovation Platform is a new matchmaking program that connects Ontario companies with expert researchers at Ontario’s post-secondary institutions to help businesses innovate and get to market more quickly and confidently. It creates opportunities for institutions to bring their vast research capabilities to bear on real-world challenges. Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF) NADF services an area from Timmins to the Manitoba border to finance and support individual or community First Nation-owned businesses through loans and grants. Individuals can tap into $100,000 in grants and the First Nation communities have the opportunity to tap into $250,000 in grants. These grants help to jumpstart startups, help out with expansions or purchase different companies. NADF’s Web program provides loans or grants of up to $20,000 to help women in business build up credit. The E-commerce grant of up to $8,000 is for small businesses that want a jumpstart in website design or to upgrade technology in their business and is a nonrepayable grant that doesn’t require equity. Emergency loans for businesses in the north and winter road access to help with inventory are also available. Futurepreneur Futurepreneur has four main financing mentorship and resource programs. They are the only national non-profit organization specializing in business support, financing and mentorship to young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 39. Confederation College Although Confederation College is not a direct funder, they have access to funding to support economic, social or environmental projects that provide benefits to small and medium enterprises.Question: Can you name the famous author whose brother-in-law’s baby died in Bloomington, whose mother-in-law was a feminist writer who wrote about the mistreatment of alleged witches in the 1800s and had a deep fear of tornadoes? Answer: The author is L. Frank Baum, writer of "The Wizard of Oz." Baum’s fascinating life and Bloomington connection are mentioned in the December issue of Smithsonian Magazine in the article, “The Feminist Who Inspired the Witches of Oz.” It details how Baum drew inspiration from real-life events and people to create the characters in "The Wizard of Oz" and "Wicked." (Thanks to Lou Ann Jacobs of Normal.) Vivian Kong Doctora talks about how to order at Kobe Revolving Sushi Bar Lifelong hockey enthusiast Adam Morris follows the growth of the Bloomington Bison in their first season. Are there parallels between the Bloomington Bison and their primary NHL affiliate? Columnist Adam Morris checks out the New York Rangers in person. The Bison are in their third month of existence, but their presence in Bloomington-Normal has already started to take root. After their five-game run against the Iowa Heartlanders ended with two consecutive losses, the Bloomington Bison can look forward to a change of scenery — and opponent. As we bask in the glow of holiday decorating and Thanksgiving leftovers, columnist Adam Morris takes stock of his gratitude as a Central Illinois hockey fan. When the Bison and Iowa Heartlanders play, penalties will be a factor. There have been 171 penalty minutes handed out, including 13 roughing calls and nine major penalties. Power plays, leadership and stamina: Three takeaways from the Bloomington Bison's first winning weekend at Grossinger Motors Arena. As the Bloomington Bison lose their top goaltender to a higher league, a grueling schedule in the coming weeks could become the team's proving ground. The Bloomington Bison's owners believe fans will be impressed with the higher level of play at Grossinger Motors Arena — but that only works if they're there to see it. Are you struggling to keep up with the Bison's ever-changing roster? You're not alone. Here's why the new Bloomington hockey team is uniquely positioned in its league — and how it could be an advantage. "Was it a little disappointing that the Bison did not come out of last weekend with a win? Of course. ... What I did see, though, felt just as encouraging." It's always exciting to see the start of something new. That's what fans are getting with the Bloomington Bison — on the ice and behind the glass. When the Bloomington Bison drop the puck in their preseason matchup Saturday, it will represent potentially best chance for sustained professional hockey in the Twin Cities. Catch the latest in Opinion Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly! {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

Poor-quality housing is putting the over-50s in England who have health conditions “in harm’s way”, a charity has said, as it said living in a home that damages their health was “the norm for far too many people”. The Centre for Ageing Better said data analysed on its behalf suggested more than a fifth of people in this age group are living in a poor-quality home that could be making their existing health condition worse. It said people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, those living in London and those who have a serious health condition or disability are more likely to be affected. Data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing covering 2022/23 was analysed by the National Centre for Social Research on behalf of the charity. It found an estimated 4.5 million people aged 50 or older in England with a health condition aggravated by the cold are living in a home with one or more serious problems. Some 2.8 million were aged between 50 and 70, while 1.7 million were aged 70 and older. Health conditions included respiratory diseases, congestive heart failure, heart disease and lung conditions, including asthma. Housing problems identified in the research included damp, water leaks, bad condensation, electrical or plumbing problems, rot and decay. While some 2.2 million people over 50 with health and housing problems owned their home outright, the biggest proportion of people (51%) with such issues lived in rented accommodation. The charity said older renters with a health condition were up to three times more likely to have five or more issues with their home than someone in the same age group who owns their home. Those with a health condition that can be affected by poor housing who had a significant issue in their homes were most likely to live in London (52%) followed by the North East (35%) and the North West (35%), the West Midlands and the East of England (both on 28%), and the South West (27%). Almost half (46%) of people aged 50 and above from black and minority ethnic backgrounds with one of the health conditions had at least one problem with their home, which the charity said amounted to almost 500,000 people. Among white people in this age group it was just under one in three (32%). The research also suggested people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds living with a health condition were also more than twice as likely to have five or more issues with their housing compared with their white counterparts – 15% compared with 6%. Dr Carole Easton, the charity’s chief executive, said not only does the research show the difficulties faced by those living in poor housing, but it is also “very bad news” for both the economy and the NHS. She said: “Our latest research shows that our poor-quality housing crisis is putting people with health conditions in their 50s, 60s and beyond, in harm’s way. “This is obviously terrible for those individuals who live in homes that carry a very real risk of making them sick, particularly when winter comes around. “But it is also very bad news for the country. Older workers living in homes that are making their health conditions worse are going to be less likely to be able to work and help grow the economy. “Older people whose serious health conditions are made worse by their homes will require treatment, putting additional winter pressures on our health system. “All could be averted if we tackled poor-quality housing with the urgency and priority it demands.” Holly Holder, deputy director for homes at the charity, said the Government must “fix this hidden housing crisis by delivering a national strategy to tackle poor quality housing across all tenures and committing to halving the number of non-decent homes over the next decade”. She added: “No-one should have to live in a home that damages their health, yet it is the norm for far too many people in England today. “By failing to address poor-quality homes we are limiting the lives of some of the country’s poorest and most vulnerable people. “Our new analysis shows that the combination of health and house problems are most likely to impact groups of people who are already disadvantaged by multiple health and wealth inequalities.” A Government spokesperson said: “Despite the challenging inheritance faced by this Government, through our Plan for Change we’re taking action to improve housing conditions across all tenures and ensure homes are decent, safe and warm – especially for the most vulnerable. “We’re consulting on reforms to the Decent Homes Standard next year to improve the quality of social and privately rented housing, and introducing Awaab’s Law to both sectors to tackle damp, dangerous and cold conditions for all renters in England. “Our warm homes plan will also help people find ways to save money on energy bills and deliver cleaner heating, with up to 300,000 households to benefit from upgrades next year.”