COVID-19 Update

COVID-19 & LAW ENFORCEMENT Sheriff ’s office still working around COVID-19

BY JEFF HELFRICH jhelfrich@oglecountynews.com

After scaling back traffic enforcement to protect deputies and the public from the spread of COVID-19, Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle had to make a change in late May.

“We had so many complaints on the road,” VanVickle said. “We let deputies go back to work with safeguards. Things were getting dangerous.”

Ogle County Jail operations are still different from normal with safeguards.

On March 13, Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle closed the county jail to visitors. Visits were changed and done remotely. Intake policies have also been changed. Temperatures are being taken and questions

COVID-19 UPDATE

Documented recoveries stay at 323

BY JEFF HELFRICH

jhelfrich@oglecountynews.com

The Ogle County Health Department reported four new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, July 28, totaling 374. Recoveries of documented cases stand at 323, with no new ones Tuesday.

The OCHD reported its fifth death in the county on July 10, its first

SPECIAL EVENT

The Rock River Center in Oregon will resume Free Lunch Friday starting in August.

The program, sponsored by the Etnyre Foundation, will adhere to Phase 4 guidelines as outlined by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

“We would like to thank the Etnyre Foundation for the $5,000 grant to sponsor lawn games and Free Lunch Fridays the first and third Fridays of each month,” said RRC Executive Director Jamie Nobis. “Lawn games are being asked.

People being brought in for o u t - o f - c o u n t y warrants are being kept separate from Ogle inmates before they’re taken to other counties in an effort to fight the spread of COVID-19. “We’ve had some people tested Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle with contact tracing,” VanVickle said. “All were negative. Early on, we canceled vacations and travel to limit our people’s exposure. We’re a small organization, so we have to be careful.”

VanVickle is also on the counsince June 1. Ages and locations of the individuals are not being released to protect their privacy.

“Last week was more consistent or typical,” OCHD Public Administrator Kyle Auman said. “We are seeing a slight uptick. We had eight Monday and from the weekend. I think we’re going to see more with events taking place, we’re still seeing repercussions from the 4th of July.”

Auman believes the county is in an OK situation, but he believes the county will see cases creep up. He said he’s concerned for the future, will be held in the multi-purpose room beginning at 10:30 a.m. and will be followed by free lunch served at 11:30 a.m.”

Masks are required to enter Rock River Center and reservations for indoor dining will be available for 50 people based on social distancing. Family groups count as one.

Orders for pick-up may be placed by calling 815-732-3252 by the day before.

The menu for the upcoming programs are: ty’s emergency operations team. The emergency operations center was activated until Mid-May. There was talk this week about reopening it with cases high last week, but the EOC team ultimately decided against it.

VanVickle and the EOC are working to provide county schools with personal protective equipment like masks for the fall as they plan to open with them required by the state.

“We put in an additional PPE request at the end of last week,” VanVickle said. “We have a good supply.”

There is a state-wide mandate that masks must be worn in public places. Late in May, VanVickle said he won’t be enforcing any COVID-19 state guidelines in Ogle County, on especially with school slated to start in the fall.

“I’ve heard of graduation parties happening,” Auman said. “Group gatherings will start to impact our numbers. Those will hurt as they • Aug. 7 - Ham & melon on ciabatta, green salad, dessert & a drink • Aug. 21 – Pork tacos, Mexican rice, green salad, dessert & a drink • Sept. 4 – Ham, cheesy potatoes, vegetable, dessert & a drink • Sept. 18 – Turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetable, dessert & a drink

All meals are nut-free and prepared in a nut-free environment. the basis that there “isn’t a mechanism to charge or arrest somebody with.”

VanVickle plans to stay the course on that policy, despite a rise in cases last week.

“That’s still an issue that hasn’t been resolved,” VanVickle said. “It’s not enforceable. Until we get direction otherwise from the state or the state’s attorney, we can’t enforce it. That’s the stance of most sheriffs throughout the state.”

The Sheriff’s Office doesn’t receive many calls about masks not being worn, VanVickle said.

“We don’t get called for those types of incidents. Businesses don’t call for that. It’s when people refuse to wear one. It hasn’t been common.

COVID-19: Ogle County reports four new cases

There’s been one in three weeks.” keep happening.”

The Illinois Department of Public Health site said Tuesday that there are 184 cases in the 61068 zip code that includes Rochelle, Creston and White Rock.

Stillman Valley’s zip code, 61084, has 13 cases in it according to the IDPH site. Byron’s zip code, 61010, has 44 cases. Davis Junction (61020) has 18 cases.

The zip codes that house Oregon (61061) and Mt. Morris (61054) have 30 and 25 cases, respectively.

Polo’s zip code, 61064, has 21 cases

Rock River Center to resume Free Lunch Fridays

in it.

LOCAL NEWS Incident between bar, health official disputed

BY JEFF HELFRICH jhelfrich@oglecountynews.com

Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle has disputed claims made by Sledgehammer’s owner Jason Stombaugh that Ogle County Health Department Public Administrator Kyle Auman “raided” his property and “physically assaulted” him in an interaction on the night of July 17 at the bar off Illinois 2 near Oregon.

The claims were made in a Facebook post by Sledgehammer’s on Friday, July 24.

Auman was there around 10 p.m. doing an inspection of Sledgehammer’s, VanVickle said. Deputies responded after Auman tried to provide guidance that was refused by Stombaugh. The health department then sent closure orders that “weren’t well-received” when deputies returned with Auman.

“[Stombaugh] reported there was a physical altercation prior to when we arrived,” VanVickle said. “They said they had video of it. There was no video evidence that any physical altercation occurred.”

A report that was a “general overview” of the situation was filed and sent to the state’s attorney, VanVickle said.

“We were there to keep everyone safe,” VanVickle said. “Kyle did what the health department was required to do.”

Auman declined to comment on the situation Tuesday, saying it was a “pending legal situation.” VanVickle said he was unsure if Auman was there for a general health inspection or if it was COVID-19 guideline-related.

Sledgehammer’s Facebook post on the matter said the following:

“Sledgehammers came under attack from the Ogle County Health Department when Kyle Auman, the local health administrator raided our property and physically assaulted Jason, the owner of Sledgehammer’s. Due to the physical assault (sic) on Jason, in front of our patrons and staff, Kyle was not allowed on the propery (sic) without the escort of a Sheriff. At which time Kyle refused to do his inspection, and was removed from the property under the guidance of the Sheriff.”

“Sledgehammers and the entire establishment is under attack, resulting in substantial loss of business, and astronomical monetary losses and expenses.”

VanVickle called the post “absolutely incorrect” and said that Auman is allowed on the property without the escort of a Sheriff’s deputy.

Sledgehammer’s replied to a comment on the post it made and said it would be staying open.

The Ogle County Board is also looking into a county noise ordinance after multiple noise complaints per week from the area near the bar since it reopened in recent months.

A phone message left with Sledgehammer’s on July 23 was not returned at the time of publication.

The Ogle County Health Department has posted this informational graphic to help residents understand the COVID-19 Risk Index.

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