County News
www.oglecountynews.com
Ogle County Newspapers, Thursday, June 19, 2014, Page A7
Black bear spotted again on Sunday near Chana A black bear that was seen and photographed in the Roscoe area last week has apparently been photographed again east of Chana. Ogle County Sheriff Michael Harn confirmed that a black bear was seen east of Chana on June 15. He said, via a text message, that the bear’s current location is not known. Chicago’s WGN-TV reported that the bear was photographed by Trisha
Plescia, who lives east of Chana. In recent months a black bear has been sighted in JoDaviess and Stephenson Counties. A bear was videotaped June 9 still in the Roscoe area. A bear was photographed in DeKalb County on June 11 and then north of Rochelle on June 14. Harn again advised residents in the area of the report to take precautions, such as closely supervising pets and small animals when
they’re outside, taking down bird feeders, and not leaving any kind of food outside. On June 11, Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Marc Miller issued a press release regarding the bear sightings. “The recent sighting of an American black bear in northwest Illinois has, understandably, generated many questions. While these animals once roamed the Illinois landscape 150 years
ago, seeing one today can be, at the very least, a startling sight,� he said in the press release. “While the black bear sighted most recently has shown no aggressive behavior towards humans, it should not be approached. Help us keep this bear from being accustomed to people. Always observe wildlife from a distance.� Currently black bears are not protected under state law. According to the press release,
new legislation passed this spring adds black bears, gray wolves and mountain lions to the list of protected wildlife in Illinois. “Even when signed by Gov. Quinn, the law won’t take effect until January 1, 2015. This means that immediate decisions on the fate of these animals reside with local landowners or municipalities. Once the new law takes effect, the Illinois DNR will have the exclusive
statutory authority to manage these animals in Illinois. “Until that time, we recommend that homeowners in the counties where the bear has been sighted should, for a short period of time, remove their bird feeders, keep pet food inside, and secure your trash cans and barbecue grills. By removing easy sources of food for the bear, we can encourage it to stop searching for food near homes,� the press release said.
People helping out the Beltrans after house fire From A1 The Beltrans, who volunteer and help out wherever they are needed, said it is humbling yet difficult to be on the other side. “People all over, even people we don’t know, have been amazing,� Jenny said. Steve agreed. “There are a lot of people doing a lot of things for us, and we really appreciate everything,� Steve said. “You always hear about paying it forward, it’s just, you never think about it like this or expect anything in return. This community has been phenomenal.� The family was at the parade during German Valley Days June 7. Matthew and Jeremy were on separate floats when a neighbor called saying smoke could be seen from their property. “I drove home, only to see it complete engulfed in flames,� Steve said. “Jenny arrived five minutes later and we sobbed in the drive way.� After a couple of devastating minutes, the couple received a call that Jeremy had been run over by a float and was being rushed to the hospital. Jenny left the fire and headed to the hospital. Steve stayed behind.
Since third grade, Jeremy has suffered from immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), which causes the immune system to attack and destroy its own blood platelets. Doctors said his leg was sprained, and he was sent home. By the next day, he was in excruciating pain and his leg was swollen, causing his mother to take him to another hospital. He was rushed to the pediatric hematologist where they discovered he had a broken ankle. As a result, emergency treatments to infuse his body with platelets had to be administered to save his leg. On crutches, he said he isn’t in as much pain, and feels much better since the residual effects of the treatments are gone. With their son finally on the mend and reality of their loss having set in, emotionally it has been draining for Steve and Jenny. Their dream home, built seven years ago, was gone, as was their beloved therapy dog, Bella. “She was a phenomenal dog,� Steve said. He and daughter Julianna, used to visit patients in hospitals and residents of Pinecrest Manor in Mt. Morris with her.
More than that, he said, she was an instrumental part of their family and the loss is devastating. “They say God works in mysterious ways,� Steve said. “Six months ago I lost my uncle [Larry Albeck] to cancer. He was a wonderful man who guided me in so many ways of my life. One of his personal items, which I cherish the most, was his serenity coin, which he carried with him.� Following Albeck’s death Steve kept the coin with him. It was attached to a small bell and whistle. “I carried it with me at work, and at times the bell would chime to remind me of his strength in life and his faith,� he said. “I relished his serenity coin and prayer. I had lost my whole life’s work, my home, my faith and my sacred spirited coin. I am angry. The fire took our family pet, the family photos and family security. “I returned to the massive wreckage in deep despair. I walked over an ocean of black ash searching for answers. I noticed an old steel logging chain laying on the garage concrete floor, which was one of the only recognizable things not burned to ash. “I pulled on the chain and
Donation Fund Established To donate online, visit www.gofundme.com/a1xvhg. To view the list of items needed, go to www.surveymonkey.com/s/Beltranfamily. Funds can also be sent to the Beltran family to any of the branches of German American State Bank. The Illinois Chapter of the Masons will match all funds collected from fellow members. Contact Dave Bjorklund for more information at 815-289-8250.
Nelson wins 4-H scholarship Trevor Nelson, the son of Rick and Michelle Nelson, Mt. Morris, was recently named the recipient of the Stan Eden 4-H Scholarship. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually by the Ogle County Farm Bureau. This marks the eighth year for the scholarship, established to honor longtime Ogle County Extension Service Adviser Stan Eden, who is retired. Nelson plans to attend Michigan State University this fall, majoring in psychology. He is a 2014 graduate of Oregon High School. Nelson has been very active in the Circle M 4-H Club and community. While in 4-H he held the
Trevor Nelson officer position of president. He also participated in other 4-H activities including the 4-H Fair, livestock showing, and won several awards including swine showmanship and grand reserve champion.
While attending Oregon High School, Nelson was involved with the FFA, earned several varsity athletic letters, and was a class officer and member of the band. “We are excited to recognize Trevor for his achievement, said Keith Poole, Ogle County Farm Bureau Vice-president, who served on the scholarship selection committee. “He has been an asset to his 4-H and community. He exemplifies the dedication and hard work that Mr. Eden demonstrated during his tenure as Extension Educator in Ogle County, and the Farm Bureau is proud to name Mr. Nelson as the recipient of the Eden Scholarship.�
Scholarship is available The Ogle-Lee Retired Teachers Association IRTA - is offering a $750 scholarship to a college junior or senior from Ogle or Lee County who is currently working toward a degree in education and enrolled at an
accredited school. An application may be downloaded from the OgleLee RTA website at www. ogleleerta.weebly.com. Applications are due by July 31 to Phil Bratta, 5631 Fairoaks Drive,
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angrily fought the soot and debris, as it anchored to the ground and after a defiant pull, it broke free. “I felt angry, frightened, and standing alone, I hung my head low, looking down only to hear a slight ring. Melted to the middle of the chain was the bell, whistle and coin my uncle proudly carried.� “I was frozen with emotion,� Steve continued. “Truly a divine moment, I felt as if I were set free. The chain I pulled were of the chains binding me. I had restored my faith. As I stood in the coal of my life, I rubbed the front and back, and looked over and over again for the spirit and message of hope it sacredly held. It’s not there, I cannot see the words, I cannot feel the warmth, and the spirit has faded.� The support of his family, friends and his community are what keep the despair from swallowing him whole. June 7 was the second time a fire swept through the Beltrans’ home, taking away many of their possessions. The first in 2004, on Christmas Eve, when the Beltran family, who lived in Durand at the time, awoke and rushed out of their smoke-filled house with
nothing, in 20 degrees below fire would claim everything, zero temperatures. including some of Steve’s A faulty fireplace left them faith. homeless then. The second
Jackie Schultz unloads her van as Barbara Miller, carries a set of pots and pans into Forreston Junior-Senior High School on June 12. The pots and pans were one of many household items donated to the Beltran family, who lost everything in a fire on June 7. Photo by Kimberly Watley
Local 4-H shooters did well at state competition Gregory Bolhous, Mount Morris and Matthew Davies, Polo, competed in Compound Archery division of the Illinois 4-H Shooting Sports State Shoot held Saturday, May 31 at the Brittany Shooting Park in Bunker Hill. The competition was the first state contest held since the shooting sports program began in Illinois in 2009. Approximately 100 competitors from throughout the state participated in the contest. Dan Dawson, state Extension specialist, said the meet followed the strict guidelines established by the National 4-H Shooting Sports program. Shooting sports is one of
the fastest-growing project areas for Illinois 4-H and includes small bore rifle, air rifle, shotgun, compound bow archery, and recurve bow archery. More than 70 adult volunteers helped coordinate the day’s contest, a credit, Dawson said, to the dedicated following the new sport has in the 4-H arena. Dawson also praised Larry and Carole Mohr, owners of Brittany Shooting Park, for their gracious support in this first state shoot. 4-H members must have been at least 14 years of age and be a member of a local 4-H Shooting Sports club to compete. “Success in shooting sports is 90 percent mental
discipline,� said Don Wulf, one of the state’s nationallycertified rifle instructors and range master for the contest. “You have to forget what you just did and think of every shot as your first shot of the day.� 4-H Shooting sports is offered in 96 of the 102 counties in Illinois. Volunteers must complete 15 hours of training in their specific discipline and pass screenings and certification before they are allowed to work with 4-H members. To learn more about 4-H shooting sports in the community, call the Ogle County Extension office at 815-732-2191 or go to the website http://web.extension. illinois.edu/bdo/.
Scouts return to Sand Ridge to finish project Josh Stromberg returned to Sand Ridge on June 7 to finish a job he began last October when he and most of Troop 99 from Mt. Morris cut about 250 overgrown Scotch pines. On their second work day, they dragged them to a collection site for disposal. Three men drove fourwheelers with trees tied behind. Following a predetermined
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route, they pulled the trees to where a waiting crew removed and tossed them, then continued on, never needing to reverse themselves. Stromberg, who is working for the rank of Eagle Scout, explained that he wanted to come to Sand Ridge since that is where his family cut Christmas trees since he “was a little kid.�
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He also wants to help the community while working for his rank. “It’s hard work, but in the end we have a prairie that people can come to and walk through,� he said. “The Prairie Preservation Society of Ogle County is grateful to Troop 99 and their leader, Jay Provo, for helping with this big job,� said PPSOC member Sonia Vogl.
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