Serving the Forreston area since 1865
FORRESTON Journal January 8, 2015 Volume 152, Number 37 - $1.00
Girls Win
Staying Safe
Family Tradition
The Lady Cardinals edge out Polo for 36-30 victory at home Tuesday. B1
Agencies offer tips for staying safe in the bitter cold. A7
Three Mt. Morris families continue a 68-year-old Christmas tradition. A4
Winter arrives with cold, snow By Vinde Wells Editor
Snow Returns Snow returned to Ogle County during the first weekend of 2015. Above, Ill. 26 between Forreston and Polo was snowcovered Sunday afternoon. At right, A Forreston homeowner at Willow and First shovels his driveway Sunday afternoon. Photos by Chris Johnson
Five arrested after armed robbery By Christi Warren Sauk Valley Media Dixon police arrested five people, including two Mt. Morris residents, on Dec. 30 after a man was robbed at knifepoint in Dixon in his car the night before. According to Police Chief Danny Langloss, a Dixon man in his early 20s agreed Dec. 29 to drive his friend, Jordan A. Brake, 19, Mt. Morris, to pick up one of her
friends, William J. Bankhead, 21, Mt. Morris, in Oregon, and then drive the two back to what the driver thought was Brake’s apartment in Dixon. When the three drove up to the address in the 700 block of West Second Street that Brake had given him, at least three men wearing masks approached the car. The driver was pulled from his seat at knifepoint, and his money was taken. Brake and Bankhead also
were threatened before the three masked men fled, as did Bankhead. Brake stayed behind. Police say that Brake had helped to orchestrate the robbery, and that she and Bankhead were threatened as part of the ruse. The three masked men, police said, were Shawn P. Beets, 26, Brian S. Galor, 23, and Galor’s roommate, Devin T. Williams, 22, all of Dixon. Police say Beets had
the knife. No one was injured. All of the men are charged with armed robbery and vehicular invasion. Armed robbery is a Class X felony, which could carry a sentence of up to 30 years in prison. Vehicular invasion is a Class 1 felony, which could mean 15 years in prison. Beets, Galor, and Williams
Icy roads put cars in the ditch as Old Man Winter finally made his appearance last weekend and early this week, bringing ice, snow, and bitter cold to Ogle County. After a warmer than normal December with just a trace of snow, area residents were in for a reality check when a winter storm Saturday brought fog, freezing rain, rain, snow, more freezing rain, all topped off by a couple of inches of snow. The temperature hovered above the freezing mark for a few hours. Sunday brought a little more snow, a little sunshine, and plummeting mercury. By Monday morning the temperature had nose-dived to a bone-chilling -5 degrees. A second storm Monday evening added another three inches of fluffy snow as the temperature stayed around the zero mark with significant wind chills. Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle said deputies responded to a few accidents and several cars in the ditch throughout the county during and after Monday night’s storm. “We have nothing really serious,” he said. “It was pretty much the same conditions all across the
Sheriff advises limited travel With a forecast of extreme cold and strong winds Tuesday afternoon through Thursday morning, Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle advised limited travel until weather conditions moderate. A posting Tuesday on the sheriff’s department website advised that north-south roads were expected to drift as the winds whipped up snow that fell over the weekend and Monday evening. VanVickle said road conditions will be updated frequently on the department’s Facebook page and at least twice daily on the website. county.” The situation was much the same on Saturday and Sunday. “We had an hour and half of slushy snow on Saturday,” VanVickle said. “A number of vehicles were in the ditch. I-39 was the most affected.” A forecast of sub-zero temperatures and gusty winds starting Tuesday afternoon into Thursday morning promised more headaches for motorists. “The big concern now is Turn to A2
School canceled Jan. 7
With the high temperature predicted to be -9 Wednesday and winds expected to gust up to 30 mph, all Ogle County schools called off classes by suppertime on Tuesday. With wind chills expected to be in the -30 range, schools across northern Illinois canceled classes and other activities scheduled for Jan. 7. The National Weather Service called for Wednesday night’s low to reach a bitter -17 with windy conditions continuing. The mercury was expected to return to positive numbers on Turn to A2 Thursday, however, with a high of 11 in the forecast.
Byron Park District to get grants for projects
Path, fishing piers planned for Hamas Park By Vinde Wells Editor
Byron is one of 72 Illinois communities that will receive park and recreation grants. Illinois Governor Pat Quinn announced $26 million in investments for 75 projects in 72 communities across Illinois. The investments will help communities acquire land for parks and enhance recreational opportunities, a press release issued by Quinn stated. “The availability of firstrate parks and recreation facilities helps Illinois attract and keep businesses and families in Illinois,” Quinn said. “By providing these
opportunities, we enhance the quality of life in Illinois and help build a strong economy at the same time.” The Byron Park District, will receive $298,500, to redevelop and enhance Hamas Park and $46,700, to acquire land along the Rock River. “We’re very excited to receive the grants,” said Byron Park District Executive Director Michael Perkins Tuesday. “We have some good projects planned that will put the funds to good use.” Projects include making the path at Kathryn A. Hamas Memorial Park handicapped accessible and looping it, adding fishing piers, creating an entrance plaza with a play area, and erecting a marquee sign to advertise local programs and events. The land the park district is seeking to buy is on River Drive on the north side of the
In This Week’s Edition...
river, Perkins said. Just over $24 million in funds is provided through the state’s Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) program that is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. An additional $2 million comes from the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Together, these sources can provide up to onehalf of a project’s funds. The announcement of $26 million will support more than $52 million in local park development projects and land acquisitions statewide. “These programs help protect critical open space in Illinois, especially in areas of the state where development is occurring at a fast pace,” said IDNR Director Marc Miller. “These resources also help communities maintain and modernize facilities they
Church Bells, A5 Classifieds, B6-B10 Entertainment, A6 Fines, B4 Marriage Licenses, A4
already own, protecting the value of public investments.” The OSLAD Program started in 1986. Prior to this year, OSLAD has made $390.5 million available for 1,678 local park projects. The program receives dedicated funding from a percentage of the state’s Real Estate Transfer Tax. LWCF has been in existence since 1965. Prior to this year, $122 million has been available for 724 park projects in Illinois. Ogle County Byron Park District, $298,500, to redevelop and enhance Hamas Park. Byron Park District, $46,700, to acquire land along the Rock River.
The Byron Park District is slated to receive two state grants totaling almost $345,000 to enhance Kathryn A. Hamas Memorial Park on the north bank of the Rock River adjacent to Ill. 72 and to purchase additional land along the river. Photo by Vinde Wells
Park. Stephenson County Village of Rock City, DeKalb County $62,300, to add new Genoa Township Park playground equipment at District, $60,600 for Rock City Park. enhancements at Chamberlain
Oregon Police, A9 Public Voice, A8 Property Transfers, B4 Sheriff’s Arrests, B2 Social News, A4
Sports, B1 State’s Attorney, B2 Weather, B2
Whiteside County City of Rock Falls, $400,000, for initial development of the RB&W District Park on the Rock River.
Deaths, B3 Chester L. Garrison, Richard L. Holby, Clifford H. Jacobs, Debra L. Pierce
Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com