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POLO
Tri-County Press March 6, 2013 Volume 156, Number 9 - $1.00
Season Previews
Nativities
Votes Needed
The Polo Lady Marcos and Forreston Lady Cardinals prepare for the season. B1
A variety of Nativity scenes will be on display in Oregon Nov. 30. B6
Centennial School in is eighth place in the Calling All Communities Contest. A2
Residents learn about gun laws By Chris Johnson Reporter Safety and an understanding of the law were stressed during a recent concealed carry class. Certified instructors from the Twin Towers Gun Club were offering Nov. 16 class in Oregon to train a dozen people with the rules and regulations. A second portion of the class, practical skills, includes range shooting and additional safety demonstrations. “A gun is a tool of self defense,� said instructor Scott Schultz. “No one needs to know you have the gun.� He said having a concealed carry permit does not give the weapon’s owner the right to go up to people and wave their gun around. Students in the class learned that Illinois defines a concealed firearm as a loaded or unloaded handgun on or about a person. A firearm is concealed if it is completely or mostly concealed. “If you can see the gun it is not concealed,� Schultz said. “If it is accidentally visible that is allowed.� Times a concealed gun could be revealed is when bending over or raising arms above your head, he said. Training is required to earn the privilege to carry a concealed carry permit. “In Illinois you need to be
21 years old, and complete the training,� said Schultz. “The license is only valid for five years.� Training consists of an 16 hours which includes classroom time and pistol class at a gun range, both with certified instructors. To qualify for a license a shooter needs to be 70 percent accurate on a target over 30 rounds. Ten are at 5 yards, 10 at 7 yards, and 10 at 10 yards on a standard B-27 target. “In addition to being accurate, you need to follow all of the instructors instructions during the range class,� said Schultz. To renew a license, an additional three hours of training is required. The permit fee is $150. During the application process, local police agencies will have the ability to view Part of the concealed carry gun classes is learning about gun safety including who is requesting a permit techniques on how to hold a gun. Here instructor Scott Schultz demonstrates one and can make an objection to way to hold a firearm during a class. Photo by Chris Johnson the application. A situation that will come up for concealed carry permit-holders are routine else Sunday when a tornado were wearing and the car traffic stops. destroyed their home in they were driving. Any interaction with a Washington, Ill. Jason was an announcer police officer, including a Friends in Oregon have for Oregon Hawks athletic traffic stop, the officer can organized a drive to help events for several years, request a concealed carry Jason and Sarah Earl get worked at the Blackhawk license. By Vinde Wells back on their feet. Center, and was one of the Schultz said the permitEditor Wendy Kresheck and founders of the Oregon holder does not need to Roberta Fassler are taking Booster Club. disclose the permit or if a A former Oregon couple donations of money and gift Sarah chaired the 5K run at Turn to A10 and their family escaped cards for the Earls and will Autumn on Parade for several with their lives and little deliver them this weekend. years and raised money for Jason and Sarah were at the Oregon and Polo cross church Sunday with their country teams, Focus House, three young children when and the Village of Progress. the sirens, as well as the She coached the Oregon electricity went off. High School cross country They returned to their team and the David L. Rahn nearby home to find it Junior High track team. completely destroyed, along For for information with their possessions. call Kresheck at 815They are staying with 218-1420 or email her at family members, but all they wendykresheck@yahoo.com have left is the clothes they or Fassler at 815-440-0969.
Former residents lose home Tornado struck Washington, Ill homes Sunday
Village of Progress held annual awards banquet By Jeannette Mingus Correspondent More than 300 people gathered last week to pay tribute to the men and women whose contributions help a local organization remain successful after more than four decades in operation. The Village of Progress (VOP) held its 44th annual banquet celebration Nov. 13 at St. Mary’s Learning Center, Oregon. Professional speaker Tom Wadsworth served as the evening’s emcee. Karen Young was awarded the John Herrmann Personal Achievement Award for her consistent progress and willingness to accept any job assignment. She has been enrolled at the VOP for the past 34 years. Young’s current responsibilities include working in the production area and walking Chana, the VOP dog, daily. Named after Bob Moehle who served 36 consecutive years as a board member, the Robert Moehle Personal Achievement Award is presented to someone enrolled in the Developmental Training Program who shows persistence in reaching their goals despite obstacles.
Storm misses most
of Ogle By Vinde Wells Editor
A violent late season storm that wreaked destruction in central Illinois early Sunday afternoon brushed past Ogle County leaving relatively little damage. Sheriff Michael Harn said Monday that the fast-moving storm was strongest on the south and east edges of the county where it brought down trees and tipped over at least four semis on Interstates 39 and 88. Harn said an emergency drill at Exelon’s Byron Generating Station scheduled for Nov. 20 has been cancelled because Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) personnel have been dispatched to Washington, Ill., where a tornado packing winds of more than 190 miles per hour destroyed at least 400 homes in its path. The tornado was classified as an EF-4 by the National Weather Service. That tornado was part of a storm system that spawned 11 tornadoes in central and southern Illinois, leaving six dead and hundreds injured. Tornadoes from the system also touched down in Missouri, Kentucky, Indiana, and Michigan. Rochelle Police Chief Eric Higby said power outages and damage were reported throughout the community, as the storm brought down trees and electrical wires. Rochelle police were called out to assist the Illinois State Turn to A3
$39.3 million budget passed By Vinde Wells Editor
Village of Progress Executive Director Craig Carpenter was recognized for 40 years of service during the annual VOP banquet last week. Photo by Jeannette Mingus
This year’s recipient was Patrick Bryson, an 11-year member of the village family. Bryson remained positive and committed despite setbacks associated with a ruptured hernia and recurring grand mal seizures. Oregon High School student
In This Week’s Edition...
Johnathan Prose received the Janie Etnyre Volunteer of the Year Award for his selfless commitment to the consumers at the Village of Progress. Don Etnyre, son of Janie and current village foundation Turn to A13
Agriculture, A7 Church News, A5 Classifieds, B7-B14 Entertainment, A6 Fines, B3
Only one Ogle County Board member cast a no vote Tuesday against the 2014 budget. The $39. 3 million budget was approved 22-1 with only Skip Kenney, Rochelle, voting against it. John O’Brien, Rochelle, did not attend the meeting. “It’s not a balanced budget,� Kenney said after the meeting. “You’ve got to live within your means.� He said too much is being taken out of the Long Range Planning Fund to bolster other funds. Revenues in that fund come from the host fees paid by garbage collection firms to dump refuse in the landfills within the county. The fees bring approximately $2.5 million per year into the county’s coffers. According to the budget, the Long Range Planning Fund,
Marriage Licenses, A4 Polo Police, A2 Public Voice, A8 Property Transfers, B4 Sheriff’s Arrests, B4
Social News, A4 Sports, A13, B1,B2 State’s Attorney, B3 Weather, A3
“It’s not a balanced budget,� Kenney said after the meeting. “You’ve got to live within your means.�— Skip Kenney, Rochelle which is earmarked for major capital projects, is projected to start the new fiscal year Dec. 1 with a balance of $13 million, add approximately $2.5 million in revenues throughout the year, and end with a balance of $9.5 million. The largest budgeted expenditures in the Long Range Planning Fund are $4.1 million for a new sheriff’s administration building, $1 million for a highway department storage building, $435,000 for repairs and maintenance of existing buildings, and $250,000 to establish a new fund for purchasing county-owned vehicles. During the budget discussion, board member
Ron Colson, Mt. Morris, also questioned some of the expenditures from the Long Range Planning Fund. He said he planned to vote for the budget, but voiced concern that the fund is being used to pay for projects outside its intended purpose. He did not specify which expenditures he was questioning. Board chairman Kim Gouker, Byron, disagreed. He said he believes paying for the repairs and maintenance of county buildings is within the fund’s stated purpose. The fund has been used to pay for the construction of the $15 million judicial center built in 2005 and for the remodeling of the courthouse in 2010, a $7.5 million project.
Deaths, B3 James H. Mattison, Lois B. Rayhorn, Jacob A. Taour
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