Tri County Press

POLO TRI-COUNTY PRESS VOLUME 163 NO. 6 • SERVING THE POLO AREA SINCE 1857

Friday, April 23, 2021 • $1.00

LIVE THEATRE

LOCAL NEWS

Sibling Home

A grand opening is held for this new home in Forreston. / 4

LOCAL NEWS

New Study

Pritzker study suggests subsidies for Byron, Dresden plants. / 6

COVID-19 Ogle County has

vaccines ready, but now the demand has slowed. / 3

Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@shawmedia.com

Kaitlin D. Haley (left), playing the part of Maddie, rehearses with her on stage brothers Joel Megill (Tommy) and Samuel Twining (Rick) and mother Mary Jo Frederick (Ruthie) during a scene of “Making God Laugh” at the Polo Area Community Theatre. The play continues at the Polo Town Hall April 23 and 24. Sunday shows start at 2 p.m.

One section • 24 pages

INDEX Betty’s Column ........ 7 Business News......... 6 Classifieds .........21-24 County Board ........... 3

Oregon Police..........17 Otto’s Column .......... 8 Pine Creek News ..... 2 Polo Police ...............18

Property Transfers.20 Sports..................11-15 Sheriff Activity.......20 Zoning ......................18

DEATHS Published every Friday

by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media

Kelsi M. Bender, Mardell I. Henze, Patricia Ann Lindstrom, Earl ‘Butch’ Masters Jr., Gail N. Westfall, Page 19

POLO TRI-COUNTY PRESS SPECIAL EVENTS POLO TRI-COUNTY PRESS Polo fire department to host RI-COUNTY PRESS breakfast fundraiser on April 25

Tri-County Press / oglecountynews.com • Friday, Apr 23, 2021

TRI-COUNTY BEAT

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On Sunday, April 25, the Polo Fire Department Protection District will be having its first fundraiser after more than a year.

The breakfast, held from 7 a.m. until 12 p.m., will be a drive-through event, with a menu of pancakes, sausage links and biscuits

and gravy.

The cost is a freewill donation.

Orders will be taken and filled via traffic flow heading westbound on East Colden (corner of East Colden and South Franklin).

Fundraising events were suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

All proceeds from the fundraiser will be used to purchase new equipment and/or fund

The Polo Public Works Department will be flushing water mains throughout the city on Tuesday, May 4 and on Wednesday, May 5.

All areas of the city may have rusty water and low pressure on both days.

Polo Area Community Theatre will present “Making God Laugh” on April 23 at 7 p.m. and April 24 at 2 p.m. at the Polo Town Hall. For more information please e-mail info@polotheatre.org.

Garage Sales All Town Garage Sales are just around the corner! The All Town Garage Sales will be the last weekend in April. Call the Chamber to get put on the Google map.

Flea Market Support PCHS Student Council by attending the PCHS Flea market at the Polo High School on May 1, 2021 from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. You may donate items by calling 815-946-3314.

Plant Sale The Polo Woman’s Garden Club will have its plant sale at the Polo High School during the PCHS Flea market on May 1, from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Center Reopening The Polo Senior Center is reopening on Monday, May 3 at 8:30 am.

Polo Car Show Mark your calendars for “The Original Polo, Illinois 32nd Annual Car Show” on Aug. 14, . Call the Polo Chamber at 815-946-3131 to sponsor, register your car, truck or motorcycle.

There will be a craft and Vendor Show in Quick Park call to register for your spot. 50/50 raffle ticket will be on sale soon.

Business After Hours If you are interested and would like to host a Business after Hours or Breakfast before Business call the Chamber at 815-946-3131.

Certificates of Recognition The Polo Chamber of Commerce would like to issue Certificates of Recognition to any Polo Chamber of Commerce business members who are celebrating five years of being in business, or those with five-year increments of being in business in Polo. Contact us so that we can announce your special business celebration during our Annual Dinner.

years, I have received encouragement and support from all over. My PEO Chapter DW sisters have showered me with kind words. This afternoon, I had a welcomed phone call and in-person visit with two of my dear sisters.

In the afternoon, I was able to catch up with Stephanie and João. Matt has been very busy, but we hope to catch up again very soon. Clint’s schedule makes communication a little more difficult, but we will keep trying.

After a very long year, we are starting to see even more events happening. I am looking forward to attending a few craft shows in the near future. Another friend and I have made preliminary plans for a day trip for lunch. It will be great to spend time together safely.

At the end of my driveway, there are little violet weeds that have poked through the cracks in the cement. Even though they are annoying weeds, their endurance and persistence is something we could learn from.

So many of us face challenges every day.

Looking back over the past couple of years, working and going to school has been difficult. Many late nights and early mornings

left me longing for the long, relaxing Sundays that included a nap.

On those nights when I had a list of items to complete and limited time to complete them, I remembered the encouraging words of my friends and family. I would think back to when I was young and my mom would remind me to persevere.

As we face our many challenges each day, we can think back to God’s message of encouragement. We can keep going with His help. God’s encouragement comes in so many ways, like the kind words of a friend or the sight of a persistent weed breaking through the driveway.

When my students voice their frustration with a task, I remind them that they can do the hard things. They can face these challenges and any challenges to come. No matter where we are, we can face what is to come.

I hope to see you next Sunday at our church. Come and join us for a time of worship and encouragement. Our church family gladly welcomes you and your family to join in a service. We look forward to sharing the morning with each of you.

training efforts of the department.

Fire hydrants to be flushed May 4-5

CHAMBER CHATTER Downtown Banner Project The Downtown Polo Banner Project gives local businesses and community members the opportunity to contribute to the beautification of our special town.

Banner sponsors can show community pride by choosing to promote their business, honor a loved one or celebrate their family.

Banners will hang for two years, at which time they will be returned to the sponsor as a commemorative piece of Polo. The cost is $125 per banner. There is a 10% discount if you are a Chamber Member.

For questions or to order your banner please call the Polo Chamber at 815-946-3131.

Coffee with a Cop Would you like to have Coffee with a Cop? The Polo Public Library is resuming the Coffee with a Cop on Wednesday’s at 10:30 a.m. Stop in for a cup of coffee and a nice chat.

PACT

PINE CREEK NEWS

BY KAREN MERLAK

The fresh spring air smells wonderful even if the temperatures do not agree. Each new day brings new growth, sunshine, and spring blooms. God has given us a beautiful world. For all of His creation, we are truly thankful. This is His day, we are truly grateful.

This morning for church, we were greeted by Brian Toms. Pastor Charlotte Hoppe enjoyed some time off. In her place, we heard a message from Vincent Marandino. His wife, Mary, helped with our singing for the morning. It is a blessing to worship together.

This past Saturday morning, I met Sandra Ford and Brian Toms at the church for a small decorating project. Our main spaces are completed for now. I am looking forward to working in the children’s Sunday School rooms this summer.

This week, I move into the last leg of my student teaching and my semester. There are only three weeks left. My students and I talk about the time left with sadness. I try to remind them that we will have lots of memories from our time together.

Throughout the last two and a half

YOUR HEALTH

Auman: ‘We want to encourage folks to get out.’

BY JEFF HELFRICH

jhelfrich@shawmedia.com Ogle County Health Department Public Administrator Kyle Auman said during his monthly presentation to the Ogle County Board Tuesday that he’s seeing decreased demand for COVID-19 vaccinations.

A planned Thursday first-shot Moderna clinic had only seen 57 of 800 available slots filled as of 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Auman believes part of the decrease in demand is due to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine being put on pause due to a very small percentage of recipients seeing Kyle Auman adverse effects.

“Allocations are strong, we have over 1,000 doses in house and our partners have several hundred,” Auman said. “But now people aren’t signing up to get vaccinated as much as they have. That could be a concern due to Johnson & Johnson. We’re holding onto those doses and I think they’ll

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Ogle County residents drive up to the Ogle County Health Department’s mass vaccination drive-thru event on April 12 in Oregon. The event was held in the Oregon Fire Department’s parking lot. Health officials say demand for the vaccine has slowed, but remind individuals they can still receive the vaccines through the health department and upcoming events. approve it again. We want to encourage folks to get out.”

Auman stressed that the J&J vaccine is scientifically different than the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.

28,368 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Ogle County.

1,219 residents are fully-vaccinated, making up 23.6 percent of the population.

“We need to get close to 60 percent, 70 percent would be ideal to get back to normal,” Auman said.

Auman said the health department has been getting creative with reaching out to the community to get vaccinated.

Local radio, newspapers, Facebook, email networks and other ways have been used to reach residents. In the

past week or two, the OCHD finished vaccinating its waiting list, which had around 10,000 people on it.

Ogle County currently has seen 5,780 COVID-19 cases and 78 deaths. Its positivity rate is at 5.7 percent. The region’s positivity rate has reached 6.8 percent.

“We’ve kept a close eye on it,” Auman said. “If we’re over eight percent for three days that could take us back to tier three mitigations. We don’t want that or its impact on our businesses.”

Auman said the OCHD has recently been seeing 20 new cases a day on average and has started to see cases from spring breaks and other activities. This week, daily cases have been around 40 per day.

Those daily numbers are expected to be higher in the next week or two, Auman said.

“A lot are coming from school-age children,” Auman said. “A lot is in high school sports. We got a Pfizer shipment and plan on getting 16-18 year olds vaccinated to disrupt that transmission. We’ve had about 350 students sign up. We’ll continue to reach out.”

Auman said the OCHD is seeing COVID-19 activity in hospitals and regional bed availability is below 20 percent, which is a warning sign.

“Our local hospitals, there’s a lot of ICU activity, but medsurge and other beds have freed up more,” Auman said.

COVID-19 & SCHOOLS

16-18-year-old students can get vaccines in school

BY JEFF HELFRICH

jhelfrich@shawmedia.com Oregon School District Superintendent Tom Mahoney never thought he’d see students vaccinated in schools this year.

That’s just what will happen starting this week. After concerns with COVID-19 outbreaks related to high school athletics, the Ogle County Health Department has mobilized and will be visiting county schools and vaccinating 16-18-year-olds that choose to get it.

“We surveyed the families of those students and said if they wanted it, they could get it,” Mahoney said. “The 18-year-olds can do it on their own. It will be during school. We had a total of

72 at the high school that were interested. Probably out of 250 kids. The speed and availability of vaccines has been remarkable.”

As of Thursday, April 15, Oregon hadn’t scheduled dates for student vaccinations and Mahoney said the Illinois Department of Public Health would be working with the school’s nurses to schedule when doses become available.

Mahoney said the vaccinations aren’t due to concern of spread in schools.

“I don’t think it’s unsafe now,” Mahoney said. “There isn’t any noticeable spread in schools. It will lessen the impact of the virus on them, but it won’t make them immune. We want to provide access. But we think it’s safe

now.”

The Oregon football program is currently in quarantine after a player tested positive for COVID-19 on April 9. It hopes to finish its season on April 24.

“I’m really disappointed for our students,” Mahoney said. “Not only the academic losses, but experiences kids learn about themselves and how to

grow up and be an adult through extra-curriculars. That loss is impactful. It’s disappointing for our seniors.

But we have to do what’s best for all of us.”

Polo Polo School District Superintendent Kelly Mandrell said 28 students were scheduled to get vaccinated Tuesday. The second dose will be May 9. 18-year-olds will get the Moderna vaccine and younger students will get Pfizer.

Mandrell said she’s unsure how many total students in the district were eligible.

Mandrell said she sent out an email to families that the vaccine was being

See VACCINES, Page 4

OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, Apr 23, 2021

Demand for COVID-19 vaccines slows in county

3

Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, Apr 23, 2021

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

4 LOCAL NEWS

Believe in the Children opens 310 Sibling Home Non-profit opens Forreston home for siblings in need

BY JEFF HELFRICH

jhelfrich@shawmedia.com While Patti Jennings was excited to see the new 310 Sibling Home filled with people during its grand opening, she’s still looking forward to filling it next week. With kids in need.

The Believe in the Children Executive Director hosted the community on April 17 after the yearand-a-half process of completing the home where siblings in need could be placed temporarily with trained house parents.

Jennings has long said there’s a desperate need for short-term homes where siblings can stay together during circumstances such as a pregnancy, medical procedure or a parent taking care of military duties.

Believe in the Children is a nonprofit in Forreston that works with children and families in the area.

During the home’s renovation, Jennings has seen donations and support from all over the area.

“We’ve had such wonderful support,” Jennings said. :It’s overwhelming. It’s emotional. We made it through COVID-19 when we thought funds would dry up and we’d not be able to do anything. To have it come and have all these people, the family’s been supportive. It’s a relief. I’m ready to start getting kids in here.”

Jennings said she couldn’t begin to add up the hours of work that have gone into the project, both by members of the organization and volunteers. She recalled people working in the home until early morning hours and community members coming in to clean.

Church Women United donated money for the house’s kitchen.

“We went from having a kitchen that would be second hand in use to all brand new,” Jennings said.

“That just lifted us. We keep going back to, imagine a child who walks in here, this is their home. That’s the whole thing. We want everything to reflect the home.”

Jennings anticipates children will be in the home within 30 days, if not sooner. She said that’s just a matter of when the call comes. Believe in the Children is still looking for house parents, but would have enough qualified staff members now to fill the need.

Believe in the Children is working with the program Safe Families on the project.

“The average time in care is 45 days,” Jennings

• VACCINES

Continued from Page 3 offered, but stressed that it wasn’t required. Parents filled out a Google form to complete the process.

Forreston Forrestville Valley Superintendent

Jeff Helfrich/Shaw Media

ABOVE: Believe in the Children held its grand opening for the 310 Sibling Home in Forreston on April 17. BELOW LEFT: Bunk beds are in one of the the bedrooms at the home. BELOW RIGHT: Attendees at Believe in the Children’s new 310 Sibling Home opening in Forreston had a chance to buy bricks that will go into the front area of the home.

said. “If we do six every 45 days, they add up. Some go longer or shorter. I’d love to know exactly. I have no clue how many it could help. If we fill this one up, we’ll get another one. If it stays full, I’m not going to rest. I have too much I want to accomplish.”

Jennings has other projects on her mind. The nonprofit plans to start work on a youth center next door to its current location. A foster care resource center is also planned that would aid parents or

Sheri Smith said the OCHD was scheduled to come Monday and vaccinate 40 students. She was also unsure how many were eligible.

“It was my hope that this would happen at some point,” Smith said. “If one was available we could offer it here. It’s one stop for the OCHD. I’m happy we could do it.”

grandparents thrown into care for children unexpectedly with things like car seats, cribs and more.

“We want to do everything we can,” Jennings said. “I want a village. I want a place where no kid is turned away. If you see a need with a child, come see me. We’ll figure it out. The whole thing at Believe, wherever there’s a need, we’ll figure it out. The answer is yes, what’s the question?”

Smith said the reaction from students and families has been similar to the community as a whole, some see the vaccine as an opportunity for freedom and some aren’t so sure of it.

Forreston saw a COVID-19 outbreak earlier this year in athletics that cancelled the end of its boys basketball season and delayed the start of foot-

ball.

“For us, when we do the cases and we see close contacts, it’s happening in extra curriculars,” Smith said. “If we can have [the vaccine] for that, it makes chances better to be in school and continue sports. You don’t qualify as a close contact if you’ve been vaccinated.”

OREGON

High school, COVID-19 sends 195 students home

BY KATHLEEN SCHULTZ

BY KATHLEEN SCHULTZ

All 49 Oregon Living & Rehabilitation Center residents were moved to other area facilities after a water line in a common area broke around 3:15 a.m. on April 19.

The residents’ rooms were not affected, and no one was injured. They will be returned after the line is repaired, Dana Payton, regional director of operations for Momentum Healthcare, which owns the center, told WTVO in Rockford.

She did not know when the line would be fixed or the water damage repaired, she told the TV station.

A sign on the door of the center at 811 S. 10th St. confirms the evacuation and tells people to call Payton. She would not confirm the reports or provide Shaw Media any additional information when contacted on April 20.

Nothing regarding the evacuation was posted on the center’s Facebook page or website.

Momentum also operates Franklin

Just as they came off spring break, just as they were bringing students back into the building for in-person learning, Rock Falls High School was hit with enough positive COVID-19 cases to send about 190 mostly exposed students back to remote learning until their 2 weeks of quarantine are over.

Just like after Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks – and just like the rest of the Sauk Valley – the high school is experiencing an uptick in COVID-19.

As of Monday, contact tracing has about 180 kids back at home, Superintendent Ron NcCord said.

Ten kids tested positive last week, as opposed to four the week before, McCord said.

The football team was hit hard enough to cancel games and practice for two weeks, and although one or two members of the volleyball team are out, other teams, so far are able to

kschultz@shawmedia.com

kschultz@shawmedia.com

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Oregon Rehabilitation & Living Center were evacuated April 16 when a water line broke around 3:15 a.m.

Grove Living and Rehabilitation Center, The Meadows Assisted Living of Franklin Grove, and Prairie Crossing Living and Rehabilitation and Prairie Crossing Supportive Living, both in Shabbona.

CELEBRATING OUR 2 YEAR ANNIVERSARY! We’ve been fortunate to meet great people and proud to have saved them money on lab testing.

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continue their activities.

Along with those students who chose this year to learn remotely, about half the student body now is learning from home, he said.

Monday was a full remote learning day, but Tuesday and Wednesday students were scheduled to be back for in-person learning as the school closely monitors the situation.

“If the positive numbers continue to pop, we’re going to have to look at maybe a pause,” McCord said.

Depending on when they were exposed, every day some kids come back, but when they all will be back in the building can’t be determined because of the staggered nature of the quarantine, McCord said.

“It’s all over the place.”

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5 OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, Apr 23, 2021

Residents evacuated after water line break April 16

REGIONAL NEWS

Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, Apr 23, 2021

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

6 BUSINESS NEWS

Pritzker study suggests subsidies for Byron, Dresden Exelon plans to close plants in September

BY JEFF HELFRICH

jhelfrich@shawmedia.com A study commissioned by Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration has suggested Exelon’s Byron and Dresden nuclear plants deserve roughly $350 million in ratepayer subsidies over five years to stay open, according to a WBEZ Chicago story by Dave McKinney.

The plants are slated to close in September. The Byron plant has around 700 regular employees. It was licensed to operate for another 20 years. The decision to close it has been “in the works for some time,” according to the Aug. 27 press release announcing the closure intentions.

That release said the two plants face revenue shortfalls in the hundreds of millions of dollars because of declining energy prices and market rules that “allow fossil fuel plants to underbid clean resources.”

Exelon has not ruled out keeping the plants open if things change with policymakers.

According to WBEZ, the study released Thursday, found the plants “do face real risk of becoming uneconomic in the near term.”

“This has implications for Illinois’ policy goals because the plants generate carbon-free electricity that is currently undervalued or even ignored within current wholesale electricity markets,” the report by Cambridge, Mass.-based Synapse Energy Economics concluded.

“In addition, the plants employ hundreds of workers directly and contribute to the economies of numerous Illinois communities,” the report continued. “Illinois could reasonably determine that it is in the public interest for the plants to remain in operation, warranting public support.”

The WBEZ story said Pritzker “has expressed a desire to pass a clean-energy package this spring,” and the

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

The Byron plant is located on German Church Road between Oregon and Byron. Exelon has said it will close the plant in September. nuclear subsidies are expected to be incorporated into the governor’s push.

Deputy Gov. Christian Mitchell was quoted in the story questioning the possibility of Exelon asking for more than the study-suggested subsidies.

“To anyone who’s making a proposal on this that says these numbers are too low, we’re going to want to see their math,” Mitchell, the governor’s point person on utility legislation, said. “The governor is deeply committed to keeping these plants open.

They’re 54% of our power in the state of Illinois. They are a massive percentage – like the lion’s share – of our clean power. But we want to do it at the lowest possible cost to ratepayers.”

The Byron Station Response Committee, a local group that has been working to raise awareness and support for keeping the plant open, told Ogle County Newspapers last week that Pritzker’s study would set the stage for legislation this year.

Byron School District Superintendent and committee member Buster Barton reacted to the news of the study coming back.

“The Byron School District is very concerned over the future status of

Byron Station which is vital to our educational program,” Barton said.

“We are closely monitoring all legislative proposals, as well as the independent study commissioned by the Governor. We look forward to the Governor‘s response to that study and his proposals for a clean energy future for Illinois.

The Board of Education and the School District will continue to monitor all legislative proposals and process in our efforts to keep Byron Station open for decades to come.”

On Tuesday, Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) participated in a hearing of the House Energy and Commerce’s Energy Subcommittee in which he offered a case for preserving nuclear power in Illinois and across the country.

Kinzinger said there is a disparity in e n e r g y c o s t s t h a t s h o u l d b e addressed. The congressman named Byron and Dresden specifically, saying they’re slated for closure due to non-market government forces giving preferential treatment to certain renewables.

“When I visit schools in Byron or talk to control room operators and

engineers at Dresden, I’m able to see the incredible impacts and legacy of this technology,” Kinzinger said.

“These two plants represent 1,500 direct jobs and millions of dollars in municipal revenues.”

“If these plants shutter, the lost revenue would devastate my communities and make it extremely difficult to pay for high quality schools, hospitals, emergency personnel, and other critical services.

All this, not to mention the prospect of blackouts, unreliable electricity costs, increased carbon emissions, and job losses,” In December, Kinzinger and colleague Mike Doyleand introduced the Preserving Existing Nuclear Energy Generation Act, which he says would help save nuclear plants that are on the chopping block, including Byron and Dresden, by providing financial credits through an Emissions Avoidance Program.

“It is long past time that elected officials, pundits, business organizations, and environmental lobbyists put down their pitchforks and come to the table to have an honest discussion about the future of America’s energy strategy,” Kinzinger said.

Challenge is a collaboration between cities to document wildlife using the website and app iNaturalist. Wildlife observations are collected from April 30 to May 3.

It’s an opportunity for local residents of all ages and backgrounds to participate in citizen science and help scientists track biodiversity data, all while maintaining physi-

cal distancing protocols. This year, 22 events are scheduled between the 14 partner organizations.

Anyone in Winnebago, Boone, DeKalb, Ogle, and Stephenson counties can participate in the Rock River Valley City Nature Challenge. First, locals must make an iNaturalist account on the website or the

free app available for all phone types. After creating an account, simply go outside and start taking pictures of plant and animal observations. An iNaturalist Scavenger Hunt available on the website adds to the challenge. From May 4 to 9, the observations will be identified. To learn more visit www. seversondells.com

YOUR ENVIRONMENT City nature challenge will document wildlife

Andrea Wallace Noble, Naturalist at Severson Dells Nature Center, Rockford, is coordinating local participation in the community science challenge, the City Nature Challenge.

The Rock River Valley City Nature

LOCAL HISTORY

This column first ran in the Sept. 3, 1998 TriCounty Press.

COMMENTARY

R

ecently Joan and Ed Raley, Polo, spotted a framed picture saluting Amboy’s history which was honoring two former Amboy businessmen, merchant Samuel Carson and merchant John T. Pirie.

It seems this business, we all recognize as Carson Pirie Scott & Co., had its beginning in 1855 in Amboy.

The business venture of two young Scotch men netted $40 the first day which pleased them. They had only been in America eight months and they were well on their way with a successful business in this area.

Two years later, they branched out in what could very well have been the first chain operation and Polo was a part of that new venture.

Two young brothers from Ireland, George and Robert Scott, accepted the scotch men’s offer to work for them in Amboy. With this additional help they opened up new stores in Mendota, Galena, Polo, and Sterling.

Polo would have been a new town at that time frame. In 1864 the five stores were sold when the four businessmen decided to leave retail and go into the wholesale part of that type of business in Chicago.

This change only lasted until 1867 when they reentered the retail world to become a giant in the merchandising arena with over 400 stores. In 1891 Scott & Co. was added to Carson Pirie to make the

Betty Obendorf

Polo Historical Society name we are all so familiar with as the store showed tremendous growth.

I found all this information very interesting and I knew in the back of my mind I had read of a connection with Bracken’s Style Shop with Carson Pirie Scott & Co. H. B. Hunt’s scrapbook came to the rescue where I found a Tri-County Press article dated Nov. 25, 1920. That year Bracken’s moved from across the street to the new Masonic Temple building.

The store was closed all day Thursday getting ready for the grand opening the next day. Carson Pirie Scott & Co. had graciously loaned them one of their decorators, Mr. Gorham, and he had been in town all day Wednesday and Thursday doing the windows. We obviously still had a close relationship with the owners of Carson Pirie Scott & Co. Thursday evening the canvas was taken away from the windows and the lights were turned on for a display that stunned Polo. Everyone must have flocked to downtown Polo and the south side of the street for a look that was probably breathtaking.

Photo supplied by Betty Obendorf

This photo of Bracken’s New Style Shop was on the cover of an old plat book which was not dated.

The baby window caught the eyes of everyone with giant bouquets in a floral display beside the latest baby fashions. Mr. Gorham also decorated the inside of the store and outdid himself with the all white baby department that had cages of canaries that sang amid fall leaves and flowers.

At least I presume they were in their cages as they warbled for this wonderful grand opening. Remember how people used to have canaries in their homes?

Talk to your neighbors, then talk to me.

You’ve been through a LOT

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See OBENDORF, Page 10

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OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, Apr 23, 2021

Polo possibly part of first “chain store” operation

7

Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, Apr 23, 2021

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

8 LOCAL HISTORY

French named Grand Detour for river’s “Big Bend”

Editor’s note: Otto Dick, Oregon has researched the people, places and events important in the Oregon area’s history for the Ogle County Historical Society. The following is one of a series of the articles he has written.

I

BY OTTO DICK

n the early 1800s, what is now Grand Detour, was occupied by the Indians and French fur traders. The French named this area Grand Detour meaning the Big Bend as it goes around their settlement.

Looking at a map of the Rock River, there is only one big jog in its path as it meanders from its source in the Horicon Marsh of Central Wisconsin to its merger with the Mississippi River at Rock Island, Illinois.

This big jog is a three-mile horseshoe detour at Grand Detour.

Until 1901 the only way to cross the Rock River was by ferry. At the suggestion of John Dixon the first settler Leonard Andrus canoed up the Rock River from the city of Dixon to view the largest bend of the Rock River in Illinois.

He established a claim and returned to the East to persuade friends and relatives to join him in establishing a town later named Grand Detour. In 1835 Andres brought his twin cousins, Willis and Willard House to his claim at the Big Bend.

The Village of Grand Detour was laid out by Andrus in 1836. This included plans for a canal to cross through the southern part of Grand Detour where the John Deere Museum is now located and several homes. On the original Grand Detour Plot by Andrus he proposed a Canal and labeled it the Canal Reservation. The proposed canal never happened which would have eliminated the bend in the river. Canal Street is located on the south edge of this Canal Reservation (Proposed Raceway).

The first settler in Grand Detour, Leonarde Andrus, petitioned the Ogle County Commissioners to operate a ferry. The Commissioners set the initial ferry rates at a meeting held on March 7, 1837. (Just a reminder Ogle County was founded in 1836 and included what is now Ogle and Lee Counties).

The fee was $.25 for each man and horse and $ .03 for a hog or sheep. The upper and lower ferries crossed Rock River at the East and West ends of Canal Street.

The first ferry license was granted in 1838. The lower ferry connected Grand Detour to Dixon and points south and west.

The Upper ferry shown on an 1853

ABOVE: The Upper Ferry. BELOW: The Upper Ferry Shed. BOTTOM: The Upper Ferry Bell.

map was the way to Chicago. The ferries operated from 1838 to 1901, 63 years before the first bridge. We have the bell that was at the upper ferry on display at the Ogle County Historical Society. This bell was used to signal the ferry operator.

We also have a photo of the small building located in Grand Detour at the upper ferry.

May 4, 1901 the Dixon Evening Telegraph had a picture of the first Grand Detour Bridge. “A Strong and Substantial Engineering Work, Erected by S. C. Jacobs of Amboy Occupies a Beautiful Site and will be jointly paid for by Lee and Ogle Counties.”

At this time the bridge is the route to Dixon from Grand De Tour.

All the roads in Grand Detour

Township were originally dirt or gravel. During the rainy season it was almost impossible to take a horse and buggy up the steep Ridge Road north to Mt. Morris. In 1913 Convicts from Joliet Prison repaired Ridge Road.

These prisoners were placed on their honor and were promised a reward for good behavior.

So the Ridge Road hill at the north

Photos supplied by Otto Dick

edge of Grand Detour was called Convict Hill. Their camp called (Camp Hope) was located in the north edge of Grand Detour. Several of these convicts were pardoned and released for good behavior and work.

When driving through Grand Detour you pass two landmarks. At 8107 is the remains of a cheese and butter factory built in 1877. The mill race still in existence was powered a water wheel providing power for the machinery.

Later former Chicago Cubs baseball player Stan Hack built a dining room overlooking the race way.

The Riverside Cemetery Board held a meeting in the dining hall and Stan Hack welcomed us to (Stan Hack’s Landmark)

SPORTS COLUMN

F

inally took in my first full 2021 high-school sporting event with a trip to Forreston to watch the Cardinals take on Freeport Aquin in football.

I did not realize how good Aquin is. In speaking John Reed of the Freeport radio station and longtime grid expert, he said it would be a toss-up between Le-Win and Aquin.

In the A.P. poll, Le-Win is No. 1 and Aquin No. 2, garnering further statewide acclaim for the NUIC. Forreston is 2-2 and unranked, but it should be noted that they were also 2-2 on their way to a state title in 2018.

A huge advantage for Aquin was having 12 players with some kind of all-conference recognition on its roster compared to none from Forreston. Though the school of 88 kids is going to 8-man next year because of declining numbers, this year’s Aquin team has a star-studded senior group.

Quarterback Will Gustafson is the type of kid you want on your team because of physical talents and leadership. Every play, he has the option of either running or passing.

That’s the faith the coaching staff has in him. The passing patterns were a lesson in precision, especially the slant routes that are indefensible.

No matter what you do on defense, it is almost impossible to stop the Aquin offense. Forreston is no slouch, but were no match for the quick-strike capability of their opponent.

COMMENTARY Andy Colbert

Coach Kyle Zick felt the Cardinals still needed work on execution. That makes sense with the season being so young in the year.

I don’t have the same discerning eyes of the coaching staff, but I was impressed with how they performed. They weren’t as physically imposing as in the past, nor had the big-time playmakers. Still, it was classic Cardinal football.

Covid has played havoc with football scheduling and Oregon hopes to get its finale in with Stillman Valley at Saturday. About half the teams in the BNC and NIC-10 have had games cancelled.

It hasn’t been as bad in the NUIC, though Dakota shut down its season a couple weeks ago. At least the seniors for all schools had a chance to get a few games in.

It seemed like a glorified spring football practice instead of an actual season.

Cooler heads at the IHSA prevailed and it was recently announced that masks are not required for athletes competing in low-risk sports, such as track,

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baseball and softball. That will help diffuse situations of coaches or officials to be constantly being on watch for “mask violations”.

In another state, one coach was fired from his job for refusing to make his runners wear masks while competing. In many cases, extreme health measures have gone overboard.

This weekend, I am in Des Moines for the Drake Relays. It is an event I’ve always wanted to see, but have never been able to because it the Hawk Classic track meet was at the same time.

It’s very sad that the Hawk Classic has been put on pause for a second year in a row, but it is a treat for me to see world-class athletes compete at Drake.

A nice touch the Drake Relays does is having a high-school competition, allowing kids from all over Iowa to run at such a prestigious site.

One blowback though, was a large number of parents upset that they weren’t able to score tickets to see their children compete. With limited sales and scattered seating, there was a very limited opportunity to snatch up tickets.

And no, I don’t feel guilty about depriving a parent of a seat because my tickets are for different days than the high school competition.

With the BNC volleyball tournament wrapping up this week, mention needs to be made of Oregon upsetting league favorite Rock Falls the week before.

Maybe the two teams will get another chance to play this week.

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OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, Apr 23, 2021

Freeport Aquin proved its ranking in NUIC football

9

10 NEWS BRIEFS

Chana Family Clothes Closet back to summer hours

Oregon Park Board President Steve Pennock presents Dave Bakener with a plaque honoring his years of service.

Bakener recognized for park district service

The Oregon Park District Board of Commissioners and staff recognized Dave Bakener on April 13 for 14 years of dedicated service as an Oregon Park District Commissioner.

Bakener served as a member of the board

• OBENDORF

Continued from Page 7 I had one bird and found out it threw stuff all over and sang very little!

The ready-to-wear department must have looked elegant with the mahogany showcases against the gray-blue carpet.

Garments were hung in dust proof

Their goal is to encourage an interest in gardening with plants for both sunny and shady locations.

Community members who wish to donate plants or gardening items to the club may contact Diane Kuhns at 432-413-9291 or Carol Lindstrom at 815-973-2058 for help digging or for items to be picked up.

There is a wide variety of styles and sizes with many current and new, never been worn clothing.

All of the clothing is offered at no cost, and everyone is welcome.

Visitors must wear face masks. Safe gathering practices must be followed.

Plant sale is May 1 at FFA greenhouse in Polo

The Chana Family Clothes Closet at Chana United Methodist Church will return to summer hours starting on May 1.

Summer hours are the first and third Saturday of each month, from 9 a.m. to noon.

During the week, the Closet is available from 9 a.m. to noon on Monday, Wednesday and Friday if you make reservations by calling 815-732-6783 New clothes selections for spring and summer are available for the entire family. (infant through adults)

The Polo Woman’s Garden Club and Polo High School FFA will have their combined plant sale from on Saturday, May 1 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the high school, 100 Union Ave., in Polo.

The FFA will feature hanging baskets, many varieties of annuals, ornamental grasses, garden vegetables and herbs.

Through the leadership of Stephanie Schultz, the FFA members and her various classes have planned, planted and tended to all the items they are selling.

The Garden Club members will be busy digging perennials from their gardens to share with novice and seasoned gardeners.

cabinets along with a display of furs and fur coats. Anyone remember Bracken’s with fur coats? That would never have stuck in my mind since fur and myself did not see eye to eye.

I remember years ago ordering a coat in Dixon minus the raccoon collar and receiving a look of tremendous disdain from the clerk.

Now it was not that I did not like fur, just that I liked mine alive and wiggling. The petable kind that one

could hold and cuddle. So I would never have visited the fur section of a store.

Bracken’s had other parts of their store that were very new to Polo. In the balcony Mrs. Emily Watts had a lovely beauty parlor which was probably a new feature for our town. When you visit the Polo Senior Center now, look up to the balcony and you can just imagine Mrs. Watts keeping the Polo women looking quite lovely.

Thank You

Thanks to all my friends and family for the birthday cards and well wishes for my 80th birthday.

All were greatly appreciated.

Derald Devries

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708 S. Division St., Polo • 946-2714

Polo Fire Department’s fundraiser breakfast is Sunday, April 25

On Sunday, April 25, the Polo Fire Department will be having its first fundraiser in more than a year due to the COVID=19 pandemic.

The breakfast will be a drive thru event with a menu of pancakes, sausage links and biscuits and gravy from 7 a.m. until noon.

Orders will be taken and filled via traffic flow heading westbound on East Colden (corner of East Colden and South Franklin).

All proceeds from the fundraiser will be used to purchase new equipment and/or fund training efforts of the department.

Opening day was quite successful as Mrs. Harry Bomberger, Mrs. Alvis Buck, Mrs. J. E. Bracken, and Miss Mary Williams became extra help in various ways.

The store evidently was so elegant that one lady stepped outside after shopping and waited a full 15 minutes for a street car before realizing that she was not in Chicago.

She was shopping in Polo at the Bracken’s Style Shop in 1920.

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Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, Apr 23, 2021

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

from 2007-2021.

“Mr. Bakener always acted in the best interest of our residents. He is and always will be an advocate for parks and programs in our community,” said board member Steve Pennock. “Please join the Oregon Park District in thanking Mr. Bakener for his service and unwavering dedication to our community.”

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SPORTS

BY ANDY COLBERT For Shaw Media

Facing No. 2-ranked Freeport Aquin on a beautiful Saturday evening at home on April 16, the game could not have started any better for Forreston, with the Bulldogs fumbling the ball away on its first play from scrimmage.

Led by quarterback Lukas Lingel, Forreston efficiently moved downfield with its no-huddle offense to a firstand-goal situation. Unfortunately, a potential touchdown never came, as Lingel fumbled the ball back to Aquin at the 4-yard line.

“The opportunity was there,” Forreston coach Kyle Zick said. “We can’t turn the ball over against a good team like this.”

Will Gustafson then quickly showed why he is the MVP of the conference with a 74-yard touchdown run to give Aquin a 7-0 lead with 6:14 left in the first quarter.

Taking over at the 35-yard line after the kick off, Forreston picked up where it left off on its first drive and responded with a touchdown to make it 8-7. It was Lingel crossing the goal line from less than a yard away on fourth down.

It was one of three fourth-down conversions the Cardinals needed on that particular drive, a foreboding of how difficult it would be to move the ball against Aquin. It would be the last score for Forreston in a 41-8 loss.

On Aquin’s next possession, they needed 12 plays to go 59 yards to take a 14-8 lead, with Gustafson scoring from a yard out.

Forreston got the ball back with 2:40 left in the first half in the fastpaced game with a chance to tie or take back the lead. This time, they were stuffed on a fourth-down attempt and Aquin only needed 40 seconds to increase its lead to 21-8.

Gustafson found Brennan Carlson in the end zone on a 27-yard scoring strike, with the Cardinal bench claiming Carlson pushed off.

In the second half, Jordan Neuschwander romped 15 yards to give the Cardinals possession in Bulldog territory. The drive stalled on the next play, on a fumbled snap.

With speedy Ty Stykel carrying load for Aquin, it was a 10-play drive to make it 28-8, with Stykel scoring from four yards out.

Forreston started its next drive at midfield after on onside kick by Aquin, but could not take advantage. DeVonte King-Black had Forreston’s longest play of the game with a 29-yard run, but the drive stalled on a failed fourth

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

ABOVE: Forreston’s Lukas Lingel scores during April 17 action against Freeport Aquin. BELOW: Forreston’s Jacob Fiorello (3), Matthew Beltran (2), and Logan Dyson (7) chase Freeport Aquin’s William Gustafson.

down, as Lingel couldn’t find an open receiver and was tackled 3 yards short of the chains.

It was Carlson making a 1-handed grab in tight coverage by Jacob Fiorello to keep Aquin’s next drive alive on a third-and-9. The Bulldogs were 7-for-7 on third downs and neither team punted.

“This was the best four quarters we’ve played all year,” Aquin coach

Broc Kundert said. “Forreston’s a good team. The hardest thing to do is keep them from gaining three yards on every play.”

On the same drive early in the fourth quarter, Gustafson hit Carlson with a 29-yard touchdown pass on a fly pattern. Gustafson was never pressured or had to leave the pocket in his 16-of-20 passing performance.

For an encore, he added his 50 th

career rushing touchdown to make it 41-8 late in the fourth quarter.

“The effort was there. The kids have gone above and beyond.” Zick said. “I’ll stand by these guys any day of the week. This was the second week with the entire team. There is a ton of potential. In such a strange year, we’ve made strides.”

The Cardinals wrap up the season with a game at EPC on April 23.

OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, Apr 23, 2021

State-ranked Aquin handles Forreston Cards 41-8

11

OHS to attempt to play football finale after quarantine Stillman Valley game scheduled for April 24

BY JEFF HELFRICH

jehlfrich@shawmedia.com Oregon High School Activities Director Mike Lawton said the Oregon football team will attempt to play its season finale against Stillman Valley on Saturday, April 24 if all goes well during the Hawks’ COVID-19 quarantine.

The Oregon School District announced last Monday that football activities would be suspended for 14 days due to a positive COVID19 case within the program.

“We were informed by the Ogle County Health Department one player tested positive and had contact with a large number of students,” School District Superintendent Tom Mahoney said. “We quarantined every contact, all of varsity and junior varsity. I’m not aware of more positives.”

The suspension took effect retro-

actively to Friday, April 9. The game against Stillman was scheduled for April 23 but was moved a day in order to make it possible.

The Hawks have already played three games in what was supposed to be a five-game season.

Oregon stands at 1-2 after falling 25-12 to North Boone April 9 and defeating Mendota 30-26 earlier this year. The Hawks opened the season with a 24-16 loss to Byron.

Mahoney said the timeline is not precise, but said the student tested positive prior to the North Boone game and the district did not find out until after afterwards.

“I’m really disappointed for our students,” Mahoney said of the quarantine. “Not only the academic losses, but experiences kids learn about themselves and how to grow up and be an adult through extra-curriculars. That loss is impactful. It’s disappointing for our seniors. But we have to do what’s best for all of us.”

Head Football Coach Nick Schniederman declined to comment on the situation.

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Oregon’s Daniel Dominguez fights off a North Boone defender at Landers Loomis Field.

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Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, Apr 23, 2021

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

12 SPORTS

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SPORTS ROUNDUP

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Polo def. Milledgeville 25-20, 25-22: The Marcos pulled out a pair of close sets to beat the Missiles at home.

Nicole Boelens led Polo with nine assists, seven digs, five kills, a block and an ace.

Marah Blake chipped in eight kills and two blocks. Victoria Buser had three kills and a block. Becca Wagner had three kills and six digs. Abby Gorzny had two aces, a kill, a block and a dig.

Adriana Miller had five kills and nine digs for the Missiles. Alyssa Mertz added eight assists and five digs. Carissa Hubbard had 13 digs. Rylee Matthews had eight digs.

Football River Ridge 38, Polo 6: Polo was only able to muster one late score in its 38-6 loss to River Ridge on Friday night.

Tyler Merdian rushed 11 times for 43 yards and scored the lone Marcos’ touchdown on the ground. Caleb Rhodes of River Ridge ran 19 times for 125 yards and three touchdowns.

April 17 Girls volleyball Oregon def. AFC 25-12, 25-11: The Hawks picked up a win in two sets over the Raiders at the Blackhawk Center.

Ella Martin had 13 assists, eight digs, three kills and two aces for the Hawks. Jenae Bothe added eight kills, and Lyndi Kenney had five aces and three digs.

Brittney Mundell had five digs, a kill and a block for AFC. Madison Runkle had three kills.

Jessica Milligan had four assists, three digs and a kill.

April 19 Girls volleyball Rock Falls def. Byron 25-16, 31-29: The Rock Falls volleyball team advanced to the

April 16

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

See ROUNDUP, Page 14

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OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, Apr 23, 2021

April 15 Girls volleyball Oregon def. Rock Falls 25-17, 12-25, 25-20: The Rockets suffered their first Big Northern Conference loss at the hands of the Hawks at Tabor Gym. Claire Bickett had 14 kills and 11 digs, and Cara Goff added nine kills, 16 digs and three aces for Rock Falls (15-2, 9-1). Denali Stonitsch had 31 assists and seven digs, and Carli Kobbeman chipped in 10 digs. Mallory Pinske finished with seven kills and five blocks.

Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, Apr 23, 2021

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

14

• ROUNDUP

Continued from Page 13 semifinals of the Big Northern Conference Tournament, winning its quarterfinal 25-16, 31-29 over Byron on Monday night at Tabor Gym. Claire Bickett had nine kills and 14 digs, and Mallory Pinske added eight kills and two stuff blocks for the Rockets. Nicolette Udell had five kills, and Denali Stonitsch dished 22 assists. Carli Kobbeman had 12 digs, Cara Goff added 11 digs, and Sophia Moeller chipped in seven digs in the win..

Oregon def. Winnebago 12-25, 25-22, 25-17: The Hawks rallied to win their BNC quarterfinal at the Blackhawk Center.

Jenae Bothe had 12 kills for Oregon, as well as three blocks and an ace. Brenna Noon had nine kills and a block. Ella Martin had 26 assists, two kills, three aces and five digs. Olivia Ankney had 13 digs, and Natalie Roesslein had five digs and three aces.

Polo def. Orangeville 25-16, 24-26, 25-14: The Marcos came away with a home win.

Nicole Boelens had 13 kills, two blocks, seven assists and nine digs for Polo. Harper Clark had three aces, a kill, two assists and 10 digs. Natalie Nelson had two aces, a kill, 15 assists and four Trish Patterson/For Shaw Media digs. Emileigh Williams had five kills and a block. Polo’s Nicole Boelens sets the ball as Marah Blake moves in to Abby Gorzny had two aces and four kills. spike during action against Orangeville.

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Oregon’s Jenae Bothe spikes against Rock Falls. The Lady Hawks won the match in three sets.

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SPORTS

15

The Hawks boys soccer team posted two wins last week in the consolation bracket of the Big Northern Conference Tournament to finish in fifth place.

In April 14 action, Oregon downed Winnebago 2-0 at Oregon Park West.

Issac Nelson and Alan Acosta scored for the Hawks. Nelson and Joey Gelander each had an assist.

On April 16, Oregon defeated Byron in penalty kicks after regulation and overtime.

Owen Ketter had six saves in the goal.

Dixon won the tournament followed

by Rockford Christian, Mendota and Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media Genoa-Kingston.

ABOVE: Cardenas and Byron’s Aydin ball during consolation Oregon’s Sebastian Lambert (16) and Reuben Brinkmeier race for a loose action The Hawks ended the shortened April LEFT: Liam Dickson-Harriett, Owen Ketter, and Adam go to goal during against on 16.

BELOW Thorsen up stop a shot on action COVID-19 season with a record of 5-7.

Winnebago on April 14. BELOW RIGHT: Grant Cermak dives for the ball. BOTTOM RIGHT: Ryan Hussung gets a leg on a pass.

OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, Apr 23, 2021

Hawks win two at BNC tournament

Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, Apr 23, 2021

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

16 REGIONAL NEWS

Dixon fifth-grader needs handicap-accessible van

BY BRIAN WEIDMAN BWEIDMAN@SHAWMEDIA.COM

Kelli Weidman and her 12-year-old daughter, Addy, have a typical mother-daughter relationship in many ways.

Kelli works as a school bus driver in Dixon 5 days a week, working three 2-hour shifts each weekday.

A single mom, it allows her to spend time each day with Addy, who is a fifth grader at Reagan Middle School. Addy gets out of school early in the afternoon, and she is one of the students on Kelli’s route. They have evenings and weekends for family time.

That’s where things get a bit tricky.

Addy was born with cerebeller hypoplasia, a neurological condition in which the cerebellum is smaller than usual or not fully developed. She was diagnosed at 7 months and has never been able to walk.

Some thought Kelli should give Addy up. She has another daughter, Mikayhla, who is 16 and a sophomore at Winnebago High School, but Kelli does not have custody of her. She decided to raise Addy.

“The thought crossed my mind, and I’ve thought where my life would be at had I [given her up],” Kelli said. “My kids are my world. I do everything for my children. I’m glad I stuck with it.

Even the days I just want to break down, I keep going.”

Weidman has worked several different jobs over the years to support herself and Addy, and has been driving a school bus for almost 5 years. Her co-workers have been very supportive, and look forward to daily visits with Addy.

In fact, it was a co-worker who suggested Kelli apply for a Habitat For Humanity home.

She had lived in a small apartment that was not handicap-accessible, and getting Addy’s wheelchair in and out of the place was a chore. After filling out paperwork, Kelli was approved for a home.

She moved into the home, complete with a handicap-accessible ramp, on the west side of Dixon in December.

Another Habitat For Humanity home is under construction right next door.

The new home has been a tremendous upgrade for Kelli and Addy, but life threw them another curve ball in February. Addy had to have surgery for scoliosis, a curvature of the spine and a by-product of her condition. She was out of school for a month, but is on the mend.

“She’s doing amazing,” Kelli said.

“She was a little rock star through all of this. She’s getting all healed up, and

Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@shawmedia.com

Kelli Weidman places Addy into her wheelchair at their Dixon home. Addy was born with cerebeller hypoplasia, a neurological condition in which the cerebellum is smaller than usual or not fully developed. She was diagnosed at 7 months and has never been able to walk. now she’s off of pain meds. She’s the happiest kid ever.”

One of Addy’s happiest times is when she’s in the family vehicle, a 2016 Grand Caravan. It has a DVD player, and she always has to watch either Finding Nemo or Happy Feet.

“Anything with water or fish or animals, she loves it,” Kelli said.

The van, however, has become an issue as well: It is not handicap-accessible, and getting Addy in and out of it is a problem.

“It’s difficult having to lift her and her wheelchair when I’m going to and from places,” Kelli said. “I worry that I’m going to hurt her, getting her in and out of her car seat. She’s getting heavier. We used to go, go, go all of the time, but now I’m more home-bound.”

Kelli looked into a company in Peoria that installs handicap lifts in vans, but it only works on vehicles that have fewer than 70,000 miles. Kelli’s van had 72,000 miles at the time, and she was turned away.

That’s when one of her friends, Krysta Hassard, stepped in. They have been friends for about 30 years. Hassard started a GoFundMe campaign to help with the cost of a wheelchair-accessible van. It was news to Kelli.

“People have been pushing me for a while to ask for help, but it’s just not in

me to do that,” Kelli said. “I kept saying, ‘I’ll make it work.’ Even at work, people were asking, ‘How do you do this every single day?’ I do what I’ve got to do.

“Then Krysta said, ‘Kelli, you deserve it. You don’t ask nobody for nothing. You’ve done for yourself. You don’t get any help anywhere. So I did this for you.’ I was appreciative. I’m thankful.”

People who want to donate can go to gofundme.com and search for Kelli Weidman. A post titled “Wheelchair

accessible vehicle for Addy” will appear.

About $1,000 has been raised thus far. Kelli has also received private donations of about $450, and another $200 from her co-workers. There is a goal of $50,000, but Kelli isn’t expecting that amount, she said.

“Anything to put towards it just to lower my payment would be amazing,” she said.

Editor’s note: Reporter Brian Weidman and Kelli Weidman are cousins.

Thank you to everyone who sent cards, on-line messages, flowers, gifts, called or stopped by on my 90th birthday. Your wonderful birthday wishes made my day very special!

Thank You, Dorothy Clothier

OREGON POLICE

April 6 Meghan R. Kurzac, 28, of Byron, was issued a citation at 1:09 p.m. for disobeying a stop sign. This violation occurred in the 1100 block of Jefferson Street.

Nathaniel C. Anderson, 22, of Sterling, was arrested at 8:06 p.m. on an outstanding Lee County Failure to Appear warrant. Anderson was also issued a citation for possession of cannabis as a driver. Anderson was transported to the Ogle County jail. These violations occurred in the parking lot of Carnation Park.

April 7 Nicholas R. Ellison, 28, of Rockford, was arrested at 12:14 p.m. on an outstanding Ogle County warrant for possession of a stolen vehicle. Ellison was transported to the Ogle County Jail.

At 3:43 p.m., police responded to a disturbance call in the 200 block of N. 7th Street resulting in the arrest of Shauntez D. Coleman, 31, of Oregon, for battery. Coleman was transported to the Ogle County Jail.

April 9 Shane A. Imel, 28, of Oregon, was arrested at 7:15 p.m. on an outstanding Whiteside County warrant. Imel was transported to the Ogle County Jail.

Martin Trejo, II, 37, of Machesney Park, was arrested at 7:59 p.m. for driving while under the influence of alcohol, possession of a controlled substance. Trejo was also issued citations for improper lane usage, failure to signal, and illegal transportation of alcohol as a driver. Trejo was transported to the Ogle County Jail. These violations occurred at the intersection of Daysville Road and E. Washington Street.

Jacob R. Elsbury, 23, of Byron, was arrested at 10:09 p.m. for driving while under the influence of alcohol, driving under the influence of alcohol with blood alcohol content greater than .08%. Elsbury was issued citations for improper lane usage and illegal transportation as a driver. Elsbury was transported to the Ogle County Jail. These violations occurred in the 800 block of S. 4th Street.

April 10 Tanis J.H. Obrien, 21, of Dixon, was arrested at 8:26 p.m. for improper cannabis container

as a driver. Obrien was transported to the Ogle County Jail. This violation occurred in the 100 block of N. 4th Street.

April 11 Damonjio D.D. Acree, 19, of Mound City, was arrested at 3:02 p.m. for improper cannabis container as a driver. Acree was also issued a citation for no front registration plate. Acree was transported to the Ogle County Jail.

April 13 Brian F. Hermes, 49, of Franklin Grove, was arrested at 1:46 p.m. on an outstanding Lee County warrant for failure to appear. Hermes was transported to the Ogle County Jail.

At 2:31 p.m., police responded to a disturbance call in the 200 block of Madison Street resulting in the arrest of Dylan R. Pline, 26, of Oregon, for battery. Pline was transported to the Ogle County Jail.

April 15 At 6:50 a.m., police took one 14-year-old female, Oregon, into limited custody for being a runaway. The juvenile was released into her parent’s custody with the report being referred to Juvenile Probation.

Robert D. VanDyke, 40, of Oregon, was arrested at 9:52 a.m. for domestic battery, which had occurred the previous day.

VanDyke was transported to the Ogle County Jail.

Robert A. Judge, 45, of Byron, was arrested at 5:57 p.m. on an outstanding Ogle County warrant for failure to appear on a DUI charge.

Eight parking tickets and 14 verbal warnings issued April 5-18.

Please note: Any arrests listed are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

General Calls for Service Through dispatch April 5 - 18 Checking a Subject / Vehicle ............ 13 Citizen Complaints .............................22 Citizen Assist / Civil Problem .............9 Assist EMS / Other Department......... 7 Disturbance / Domestic........................9 Vehicle / Building Lockout .................. 9 Open Door / Window ........................... 1 911 Hang-up / Open Line ......................4 Ordinance Violations............................ 9 Traffic Stops ........................................ 24

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17 OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, Apr 23, 2021

Oregon Police Chief Shawn Melville reports the following police activity.

Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, Apr 23, 2021

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

18 LOCAL NEWS

Believe In The Children is thankful for donation

Believe In The Children provides multiple services and programs to assist at-risk families navigating crisis situations.

From Parenting and Anger Management classes to supervised visitations and parenting time exchanges, Believe In The Children is dedicated to the children they serve as families work through challenges.

The recent $1,000 donation from the 100 Women Who Care is earmarked for completing renovations on the 310 Sibling Home.

The transformed home will provide temporary non-traditional foster care to sibling groups.

The large home will keep siblings together while families work on bettering their family unit.

“There is great deal of need in our community and many very deserving organizations,” said Believe in The Children Executive Director Patti Jennings. “We are honored that the 100 Women Who Care of Ogle County selected Believe In The Children as their most recent recipient. This generous gift will be used to complete work on the 310 Sibling Home in Forreston.

“Thanks to the generosity of these women and many others, we are moving one step closer to providing a safe,

Photo supplied

Members of 100 Women Who Care of Ogle County presented Patti Jennings of Believe in the Children a check for $1,000. Pictured, left to right, are: Linda Corwin-Graber, Arlene Sangmeister, Patti Jennings, Terri Johnson, and Deanna Forrest. comfortable home for sibling groups in times of crisis,” she said.

POLO POLICE Polo Police Chief Tim Rockwood reports the following police activity.

April 18 Carlson W. Jones, 31, Oregon, was arrested at 11:35 a.m. for driving while license revoked. He was also issued a citation for no front registration plate. Jones was transported to the Ogle County Jail.

For more information or to contact Believe In The Children, call: 815-837-

1500 or email info@believeinthechildren.org.

SPECIAL EVENT General Calls for Service April 5-18 Citizen Complaints/Assist..................17 Juvenile....................................................1 Animal Complaint ................................. 6 Disturbance/Domestic......................... 4 Fire/Medical Assist............................... 5 Lock Out ................................................. 2 Traffic Stops..........................................16

Oregon Lions to sell pork chop sandwiches May 1

The Oregon Lions Club will be selling pork chop sandwiches from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

May 1 at SuperValu parking lot, 204 N. Fourth St. The sale is a drive through. Follow signs to be served. The cost of a sandwich with a bag of chips is $6.

ZONING CERTIFICATES The following Ogle County zoning certificates were issued in March.

Tony and Kara Kettleson, Section 20, Flagg Township, residential accessory building, two decks, pergola.

Frank Krumwiede, Section 1, Monroe Township, residential accessory building.

Rob’s remodeling-Batten, Section 8, Taylor Township, single-family dwelling, $280,000.

Angela Doane, section 04, Pine Rock

Township, map amendment.

Angela Doane, Section16, Lynnville Township, map amendment.

Daniel Blum, Section 9, Taylor Township, residential accessory building.

Doug Collins, Sections 1 and 36, Pine Creek and Grand Detour Townships, single-family dwelling, $600,000.

John Boelens, Section 29, Buffalo Township, addition to residential accessory building.

Adam Frisbie, Section 26, Monroe Township, residential accessory building.

Steve Pennock, Section 33, Rockvale Township, residential accessory building.

Joe Frewin, Section 23, Oregon-Nashua Township, above-ground pool.

GRNE Sloar-Koke, Section 23, Mt. Morris Township, private ground mounted solar array.

Jan Zalega, Section 30, Monroe Township, residential accessory building.

Irwin Immel, Section 1, Mt. Morris Township, agricultural storage building.

David Dill, Section 15, Byron Township, agricultural storage building.

Derek Wheeler, Section 8, Marion Township, agricultural storage building.

Richard Gann, Section 10, Leaf River Township, grain bin.

Trenton Magnuson, Section 15, Marion Township, agricultural storage building.

OBITUARIES OREGON - Kelsi Marie Bender, 30, of Oregon, died Friday, April 16, 2021, unexpectedly at her home.

Kelsi was born on April 11, 1991 in Sterling.

Kelsi was the daughter of Jenny and Dave Baker of Polo and Ron and Sheila Bender of Dixon.

Kelsi graduated from Polo High School in 2009, where she participated in volleyball, basketball, track and cheerleading, as well as the No Limits Volleyball Club.

She went on to graduate from the University of St. Francis in Joliet in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing.

At the time of her passing, Kelsi was employed as a registered nurse II at The Jack Mabley Developmental Center in Dixon.

A loving granddaughter, daughter, sister and aunt, Kelsi was dedicated to her career as a nurse and to her patients. She looked forward to yearly vacations to spend time with her grandparents and, in more recent years, traveling to Colorado to visit her brother.

Although the past year of the pandemic was especially overwhelming, the love and support of her family helped her get through the difficult moments.

Above all, she was deeply devoted to her loved ones and fur-babies, Thor and Bolt.

She is survived by her parents; siblings, Lucas (Sarah) Bender of Centennial, Colorado, Hanna (Dre) Kerley of Dixon, Kellianne (Kyle) Baker of Harvard, and Nick Baker of Polo; nieces and nephews, J.R. Bender of Centennial, Colorado, Trey Wilslef, Sylas Barclay, Jerreck Kerley and Aaliyah Montgomery of Dixon, Katie Baker of Harvard and Lilly Baker of Polo; grandparents, Donna Wolf of Dixon and Glen and Dianne Thomas of Okeechobee, Florida, and Bob (Sharon Bowers) Baker of Polo; aunts and uncles, Dale (Deejah) Thomas of Okeechobee, Florida, Craig (Mele) Thomas of Redmond, Washington, David Thomas of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Chad Thomas of Lakeport, Florida, Jason (Laverne) Thomas of Okeechobee, Florida, Elizabeth (Andrew) Foster of Sterling, Barb (Mike) McSorley of North Las Vegas, Nevada, Pam (Dennis) Weigle of Queens Creek, Arizona, Rick (Beck) Weigle of Dixon, Andrea (Alex) Passas of Wheaton, Angela (Tyler) Wilcox of McFarland, Wisconsin, Scott (Brenda) Grobe of Mendota, Kathy (Marty) Toms of Polo, and Lenny Grobe of Polo; as well as numerous beloved cousins.

Kelsi was preceded in death by her sister,

Ericka Kerley; grandparents, Donald Bender, Herb and Lois Hoover, Robert Wolf, and Rod and Judy Weigle; and great-grandparents, Fern Bramm, Alton Bramm, Howard and Faye Hahn, Clyde Thomas, and James and Gladys Wolf.

Visitation was Thursday, April 22, at Preston-Schilling Funeral Home, Ltd in Dixon.

The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., on Friday, April 23, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Dixon, with Pastor Dale Thomas and Pastor David Schweppe, co-officiating.

Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Mt. Morris.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established. Arrangements were completed

by Preston-Schilling Funeral Home in Dixon.

Condolences may be sent to www. prestonschilling.com.

MARDELL I. HENZE

SHANNON - Mardell Ivy (Frey) Henze took a seat on the bleachers of Heaven on Friday, April 16, 2021 at Manor Court in Freeport, surrounded by family who celebrated a life well-lived.

Ernest and Edna (Zier) Frey and big brother Gordon welcomed their baby girl on Christmas Day 1931 in rural Shannon. The family moved to Main Street Shannon, in 1936 to open The Gamble Store franchise and allow Mardell to begin first grade “in town.”

Mardell graduated valedictorian of her 1948 class and maintained lifelong friendships with her classmates and town friends.

She attended Coe College in Iowa and married Robert “Bob” Henze on May 4, 1952 in Shannon.

They farmed on the Shiley family farm south of Shannon in tandem with Bob’s career in the United States Postal Service plus his five decades as a fast and slow pitch softball player.

Mardell kept everything running smoothly for a family who never sat still! Their life was filled with friends, family, sports, music, dancing, community events, travel, and fun times.

Bob and Mardell, along with five other area couples, formed a 500 card club after the Korean War that met faithfully for over five decades forming bonds between the families which continue to this day.

After Bob’s untimely death in 1988, Mardell continued the tradition of attending every game, meet, play, concert, match, and ceremony involving her family.

Mardell was extremely proud of her

heritage and made sure details of ancestors who travelled from Germany to America in the 1740s and from Leishershire, England to America in the 1830s were relayed via oral histories, artifacts, documents, and structures still standing around the Spring Valley area of Cherry Grove Township.

Mardell was preceded in death by her parents; husband Bob, brother and sister-inlaw Gordon and Charlene Frey; mother-and father-in-law, Mae and Harvey Henze; and niece Tara Frey.

She is survived and will be dearly missed by her daughter Kay (Joel) Brooks, and sons Scott (Jan) Henze, Karl (Colleen Finn) Henze; and grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Koel (Maggie) Brooks and Sofie Joy; Jorden (Ben) Sasscer, Allie Elizabeth and Jack William Lee; Allison Henze, Lea Henze, Kaden Henze, Erin Henze, Kellen Henze; niece, Paula (LeRoy) Pilsner; and nephew, Steve (Delores) Frey.

The funeral service is Saturday, April 24, at Bethel United Methodist Church in Shannon.

Interment was at Brethren Cemetery in Shannon.

In lieu of flowers an Eastland and Forreston scholarship memorial fund has been established. Condolences maybe shared at www.hermannfuneralhome.com.

PATRICIA ANN LINDSTROM

MIDLOTHIAN - Patricia Ann Lindstrom, 53, passed away at Ingalls Memorial Hospital, Chicago, on April 10, 2021.

She was born to Paul A. & Teresa A. “Terri” Lindstrom in Freeport, on April 24, 1967. She graduated from Leaf River High School in 1985.

Patty had suffered with epilepsy from the age of 7 but in 1991, after three years of extensive research and testing she became part of a group of candidates for experimental brain surgery to control seizures, at the Cleveland Clinic Hospital in Cleveland Ohio.

After she had her surgery, she became 90% seizure free and was able to start living an independent life.

She attended Highland Community College and worked at Amity Day Care. At the time of her passing she was living in Midlothian, Illinois.

She is survived by her parents Paul and Terri Lindstrom; extra special family of Prvt.

Dominick, Marrissa (Luke), Karen, Keith and Jackie; sister, Mary (Daryl) Thrower; brother Paul D. (Tracie) Lindstrom; special friends Carrie and Kimmie; nine nieces and nephews;

and eight great nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her paternal grandparents, Vernon and Betty Lindstrom and Elmer and Thelma Kaufman; maternal grandparents Howard and Berniece Griffith; and niece Brianna Kelsey Lindstrom.

Due to COVID-19, a celebration of life will occur later. Per her sister Mary’s request, in Patty’s memory, would you please be kind to a less fortunate and challenged individual.

EARL ‘BUTCH’ MASTERS JR.

BULL SHOALS, Ark. - Earl H. Masters Jr., 83, known to all as Butch, died April 6, 2021.

He was born June 15, 1937, in Rochelle,, the first child of Earl H. “Dutch” Masters Sr. and Rose Melton Masters. He later was joined by two brothers, Eugene “Skip” and Kenny. The family settled in Oregon, where he attended public school, played sports and graduated from OCHS in 1955.

For a career, he followed in his father’s footsteps in the plumbing business. In 1973, Butch and wife Linda, moved to Bull Shoals where he worked for Garkey Plumbing and later owned Masters Plumbing for 28 years before retiring in 2010.

Butch was a former volunteer fireman with Oregon Fire Department. One great joy in his life was the clown act with his friend, Jim Barnes, which Linda also joined.

After moving to Bull Shoals, he and Linda continued to clown, often appearing in parades and at community events.

He was an avid NASCAR and St. Louis Cardinal fan. His gift was creating laughter and fun for others, and in retirement, loved a weekly shopping trip to Walmart where he kidded and joked with every child in the store.

He is survived by wife Linda; four children, Scott (Sandy) Masters, Stephen (Linda) Masters, Jill (Paul) Inman and Cindy (Griff) Wirth, all of Colorado; brother Kenny of Dixon; 12 grandchildren, Michael, Tom, Matt, Amanda, Samantha, Shane, Samantha, Taylor, Katie, Joseph, Desmond and Danielle; five great-granddaughters, Sydney, Mariah, Mackenzie, Paislee, Abigail and Emily; two nephews, Kenny Jr. and Mark; a niece, Molly; and two great-nephews, Griffin and Wes. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Skip. A private service will be June 1 in Bull Shoals.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Ozarks or Christ by the Lake Lutheran Church. Arrangements are by Kirby and Family Funeral & Cremation Services - Bull Shoals.

See OBITUARIES, Page 20

OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, Apr 23, 2021

KELSI M. BENDER

19

Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, Apr 23, 2021

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

20

• OBITUARIES

Continued from Page 19

GAIL N. WESTFALL

OREGON - Gail N. Westfall, 85, passed away on Tuesday, April 13, 2021, in her home after a long illness.

Gail was born on August 16, 1935 in Syracuse, New York, the daughter of Charles and Ella (Minnow) Nettleton.

Gail graduated from St Anthony of Padua High School, Syracuse, New York, and she received a bachelor of science degree in elementary education and a master’s in library science from Northern Illinois University, DeKalb.

Gail loved gardening and reading, and was active in the Girl Scouts.

Gail is survived by her daughter, Jennifer; son, Marty (Pam); grandchildren, Jason (Shawnte) Westfall, Travis (Dustin) Westfall, and Chelsea (Jeff) Miller; and great-grandchildren, Chance and Miranda.

Gail is preceded in death by her parents; husband, David; and son-in-law, James Travis.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 24, at 11 a.m. at Finch Funeral Home, 405 East Hitt, Mt. Morris, with Father Thomas Lamb officiating.

Burial will be held in Daysville Cemetery, Oregon. Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 24, from 10 a.m. until service time at Finch Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Dixon, and/or PAWS of Rockford.

PROPERTY TRANSFERS These Ogle County property transfers were recorded week of April 9-15.

• Alexander J. and Catherine L. Gall to James R. Lies, 5776 S. Daysville Road, Oregon, $363,000.

Warranty Deeds • Jeffrey L. Newman to Kabbage Patch LLC, 14836 E. state Route 64, Chana, $25,000.

• Jeffrey M. Scanlon to Patrick J. and Sharon R. Lafleur, 5032 E. Walden Road, Stillman Valley, $163,729.

• Stacy A. Reedy and Ann M. Macias to 135 North Union Street LLC, 135 N. Union St., Byron, $200,000.

• James E. and Catherine Hovis to BPF Rock River Conservation Lands LLC, two parcels in Rockvale Township, 1950 N. River Road,and one parcel on state Route 2, Oregon, $1,449,000.

• Edward C. Vock to Zarko and Ljiljana Sijan, one parcel in Byron Township, $538,000.

• Kim T and Douglas S. Calabro to Jacob and Ann Brandt, 873 E. Equestrian Pointe Drive, Oregon, $450,000.

• Alfredo and Maria Lopez to Rebecca Petersik, 1096 Forest Court, Rochelle, $188,000.

• Seth B. and Cynthia L. Gelander to Beau and Nichole Becker, 4402 S. Chana Road, Chana, $220,000.

• Raymond Scott and Susan M. Pilkerton to Omni Rockford LLC, 105 West St., Davis Junction, $193,500.

• Gary Hopkins to Paul Harrison, 203 W. Fifth St., Rochelle, $117,000.

• Joseph and Sarah Brooks to Matthew Cascio, 2780 N. David Court, Oregon, $308,500.

• Richard L. and Connie S. Mongan to Thomas E. Felker, 102 E. Hitt St., Mt. Morris, $100,000.

• Quinn Martin and Hannah M. Hogan to Elizabeth and Steve Beerli, 205 E. Fifth St., Byron, $110,000.

• Katherine M. Janicke to Keynon and Abbie K. Janicke, 604 E. Avon St., Forreston, $150,000.

• Keynon and Abbie K. Janicke to Lawrence Grisko, 8091 N. Ryan Circle, Byron, $220,000.

• Kristin Folk and Matthew Gecan to Nathan Lee and Kearsti-Rae Elizabeth Knowles, 817 N. Tomahawk Drive, Oregon, $156,000.

Trustee’s Deeds • Richard K. and Evelyn J. Devries Trust and Ogle County Recorder, Richard K. and Evelyn J. Devries trustee to Daryl J., Steven L. and Pamela J. Greenfield, two parcels on Harper Road, Forreston, $0.

• Ryan D. and Colleen E. Sawatzky to Chicago Title Land Trust Co TR8002385314, Chicago Title Land and Trust Co., trustee, 3012 N. River Road, Oregon, $450,000.

• First Midwest Bank TR1280643803, First Midwest Bank, trustee to Kishwaukee Community Hospital and Northwestern Memorial Healthcare, one parcel on North Pointe Road, Creston, $0.

• Clarence C. and Crystal M. Borowiak Revocable Living Trust, Jeffrey Borowiak, trustee to James Stoudt, 205 Cuyahoga Drive, Dixon, $1,900.

• Waynes L. Schumacher Trust, Connie Schumacher, trustee to SBCB002 Trust, Stillman Banccorp NA, trustee, one parcel in Pine Rock Township, $336,853.

• Harold L. Green TR97, Mary A. Green, trustee to Raymond Scott and Susan M. Pilkerton, 105 West St., Davis Junction, $130,000.

• Ida Lorene Coy Trust, I. Lorene Coy, trustee to DLMJ Investments LLC, 108 N. Fifth St., Oregon, $32,000.

• Hedrick Trust75, Mary L. Block, trustee to Nikolas Cruz, 11852 W. Canada Road, $215,000.

• Cynthia L. Bunk Trust, Cynthia L. Bunk, trustee to Nevin Maxwell, 14965 E. McNeal Road, Davis Junction, $95,000.

• Ruth M. Stopka Revocable Living Trust, Earl P. and Debbra E. Sirchia trustees, to Robert and Dale Giomi, 1306 Illinois St., Oregon, $265,000.

Executor’s Deed • Delores A. Ludwig Printz Estate, the late Delores A. Ludwig Printz by executor to Daniel and Sherry Hammer, 306 N. Maple Ave., Forreston, $60,000.

Source: Ogle County Recorder’s Office

OGLE COUNTY SHERIFF Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle reports the following police activity.

April 14 Christopher R. Taylor, 32, of Oregon was arrested at 4:40 p.m. for driving while license expired (more than a year) after deputies conducted a traffic stop on Ridge Road at Pines Road. Taylor was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Ogle County Jail where he was held in lieu of bond. Taylor was also cited for no front registration plate and given a written warning for improper turn signal.

At 10:53 p.m. deputies along with the Creston and Rochelle Fire Departments responded to a one vehicle roll over crash at Illinois 38 and East County Line Road.

Investigation by deputies revealed that an eastbound Mercury operated by Kaiya Smith, 30, of Rockford skidded off the north side of

Illinois 38 and then overturned after striking a culvert. Smith was transported to Rochelle Hospital by ambulance for what appeared to be non life-threatening injuries. The crash remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office.

Tyrone Carter, 36, of Rockford was arrested for driving while license suspended after being stopped by deputies for a registration violation on Illinois 64 near Interstate 39. Carter was held in lieu of bond at the Ogle County Jail.

ed a traffic stop in the 1,000 block of West Illinois 64 for an equipment violation.

Rothermel was also issued citations for no front registration and improper use of registration. Rothermel was transported to the Ogle County Jail and held in lieu of bond.

April 16 Oscar Regalado, 27, of Stillman Valley was arrested at 10:54 a.m. for driving on a revoked license after deputies conducted a traffic stop in the 12,000 block of East Illinois 38. Regalado was transported to the Ogle County Jail where he is being held in lieu of bond.

April 17 Tyler Woltmann, 27, of Belvidere was arrested at 4:46 p.m. for driving while under the influence of alcohol after deputies located a gray 2018 Jeep unlawfully parked at Illinois 64 and Stone Hill Road. Woltmann was also issued citations for unlawful parking and unlawful transportation of alcohol. Woltmann was transported to the Ogle Co Jail and held in lieu of bond.

April 19 Gina Ellis, 34, of Lyndon was arrested at 2:34 a.m. for an in-state warrant after deputies conducted a traffic stop in the area of Blackhawk Drive and Lincoln Street in Byron for an equipment violation. Ellis was transported to the Ogle County Jail. After arriving at the jail, Ellis was additionally charged with possession of hypodermic syringes, possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) and possession of methamphetamine. Ellis was held at the Ogle County Jail pending an appearance before a judge.

Elizabeth Williams, 30, of Dekalb was arrested for driving while license suspended after being stopped for speeding by deputies on Illinois 64 near Mulford Road. Williams was released on a I-bond and will appear in court at a later date.

April 18 Quinn Rothermel, 23, of Oregon was arrested at 3:32 a.m. for driving under the influence of alcohol after deputies conduct-

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OGLE COUNTY NEWS

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