Group of drug-free pledges ring through local grade school

     “Drugs are for garbage cans, not people” reads the poster of recent DARE graduate, Erin Biccochi. She and 16 fifth grade students at Ladd Elementary School received certificates for completing the anti-drug and alcohol program. Deputy Dan Smith of the Bureau County Sheriffs Department passed medals out to Brooke Tonozzi, Eric Cissell, and Biccochi for their first, second and third place essays. Biccochi, Austen Biskie, and Austin Cisco placed first, second and third for their colorful posters. The entire class received the Deputy Dan Above and Beyond Award, usually reserved for one student. Smith says that more than any other class in any other school, these are his “all stars”.