Serving the Forreston area since 1865
FORRESTON Journal January 16, 2014 Volume 151, Number 38 - $1.00
Sixth Place
Tax Time
Spending Studied
Marco wrestlers place third Jan. 11 at the 20 team annual Polo Invitational. B1
Get help with income tax prep at THE 2OCK 2IVER #ENTER B2
&OUR /GLE #OUNTY $EPARTMENT HEADS TALK ABOUT their credit card practices. A7
Taylor suspended - no reason provided By Vinde Wells Editor Forrestville Valley school officials suspended the district’s superintendent without pay last week but would not say why. Superintendent Lowell Taylor, who has been on medical leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) since Aug. 26, was suspended without pay pending a dismissal hearing Jan. 8 at a special school board meeting.
Board president Robert Ebbesmeyer declined to give the reasons for the action. “I can’t go into any more detail,� he said after the meeting, which was attended by more than 30 people, most of them teachers and school staff members. The board unanimously took the action after a 30-minute closed session. Taylor was on sick leave for approximately two weeks prior to the board approving his medical leave under FMLA.
I can’t go into any more detail,� — Robert Ebbesmeyer Board President Ebbesmeyer said no date has been set for a dismissal hearing. Hand-outs made available at the meeting detailed the board’s policy on suspensions without pay. The hand-out reads as follows: “The board of education may suspend
without pay: (1) a professional employee pending a dismissal hearing, or (2) a teacher as a disciplinary measure for up to 30 employment days for misconduct that is detrimental to the school district. Administrative staff members may not be suspended without pay as a disciplinary
measure.� The hand-out defined “misconduct that is detrimental to the school district� to include: s )NSUBORDINATION INCLUDING any failure to follow an oral or written directive from a supervisor; s 6IOLATION OF BOARD POLICY or administrative procedure; s #ONDUCT THAT DISRUPTS OR may disrupt the educational program or process; s #ONDUCT THAT VIOLATES AN state of federal law that relates to the employee’s duties;
s /THER SUFFICIENT CAUSES Taylor’s employment contract with the board runs through June 30, 2018. It was signed Jan. 18, 2012. In Taylor’s absence, Interim Superintendent Jane Eichman has been overseeing the district. She was hired by the board on Aug. 26. In accordance with state guidelines, Eichman is being paid $550 per day. Because she is a retired superintendent, pension requirements limit her to work 100 days per school year.
Judge finds Mitchell not guilty of stabbings Declared legally insane Jan. 8 By Chris Johnson Reporter
Redington then asked Mitchell if he had signed the document waiving his right to a jury trial. “Yes,� said Mitchell. In each of these questions the tone of Mitchell’s responses was in the same flat voice that did not waver or show any signs of emotion. After the questions were answered, Redington proceeded with the bench trial. “The facts will be presented stipulated,� said Redington. He said all parties were willing to proceed. Assistant States Attorney Aaron Wiles had written reports from the officers who responded to the scene in July of 2011. (E SAID /GLE #OUNTY Deputy Robert Gemmell was the first on the scene. Wiles read the reports from Gemmell which included a description of where the two victims were in the home and what the victims said occurred at the home. These reports stated David Zellers received a phone call from Mitchell earlier that day in which he, Mitchell, complained about the quality of the village water supply. A report from Sergeant Turn to A3
A man accused of stabbing a Leaf River couple more than two years ago showed no emotion while answering questions during a Jan. 8 BENCH TRIAL IN /GLE #OUNTY #OURT Judge John Redington found Michael Mitchell, Michael Mitchell 29, Leaf River, not guilty by reason of insanity on 10 five-hour manhunt. counts. After more than twoMitchell was charged with years the case was set for a four counts of attempted stipulated bench trial before MURDER ALL #LASS 8 FELONIES Redington. two counts of home invasion, Redington said the state BOTH #LASS 8 FELONIES AND and defense would present four counts of aggravated the evidence they would use BATTERY ALL #LASS FELONIES if the case went to a full trial. Mitchell, 29, was accused Before proceeding with of breaking into the home of the trial, Redington asked David and Denise Zellers on Mitchell if he agreed to waive July 3, 2011 and repeatedly his rights to a jury trial. stabbing them with two “Yes,� said Mitchell. Roxy Bloomberg, class of 92 puts up a layup over Leann Akens Saturday. Photo by knives he brought with him. Mitchell was then asked if Chris Johnson Both suffered serious it was his desire to give up a injuries and were taken to jury trial. the hospital. They have since “Yes,� he said. recovered. Redington asked Mitchell After fleeing on foot from if he had any questions for the scene, Mitchell was taken the court before the bench into custody a short distance trial. from the Zellers home after a “No,� said Mitchell. By Vinde Wells earlier in the week. when a semi jack-knifed and Editor Deputies had their hands struck a snow plow in the full as vehicles collided or “cut� around 5:30 p.m., Harn Portions of three state slipped off the road in rapid said. highways were closed for succession. #ARS WERE BACKED UP FOR A SEVERAL HOURS IN /GLE #OUNTY Harn said deputies working mile and a half on each side Jan. 10 while emergency that day extended their shifts of the accident, Harn said. crews dealt with the dozens by several hours and those on “There were 40 cars on this of accidents caused by the night shift came in several (north) side of the accident,� freezing rain. hours early. he said. “There were probably /GLE #OUNTY 3HERIFF The sheriff’s department at least that many on the other Michael Harn said Monday was assisted by the Illinois side.� morning that he did not yet 3TATE 0OLICE /REGON 0OLICE /NE OF THE VEHICLES CAUGHT have a count on how many Department, and Illinois in the traffic stoppage was accidents occurred from mid- #ONSERVATION 0OLICE a Rock Falls High School afternoon Friday until late #RASHES THROUGHOUT THE bus bringing players to a into the evening. afternoon and evening led BASKETBALL GAME IN /REGON “It was probably well over to portions of Ill. 72, Ill. The game was canceled and 50,� he said. “There were no 2, and Ill. 64 being closed, rescheduled. serious injuries that I know with traffic backing up for Harn said the road was of but at least of couple of extended periods. reopened around 9:30 p.m. people went to the hospital.� With local wreckers all Reports of cars sliding off Although the temperature at crash scenes, Harn told the icy roads began around Friday was several degrees telecommunicators to call 2:30 p.m. when two cars above freezing, the rain Dixon-based tow services for went into the ditch on Ill. 64 turned to ice as soon as it help. approximately four miles east hit the pavement, which The biggest back-up closed OF /REGON remained much colder after )LL NEAR #ASTLE 2OCK 3TATE Turn to A2 One and a half year old Brantley Butler, Forreston, gets ready to dunk a ball, with several days below zero Park for about four hours dad’s assistance, Saturday afternoon. Photo by Chris Johnson
Alumni Game
Ice-slickened roads led to numerous accidents
Slam Dunk
In This Week’s Edition...
Business Briefs, B3 #HURCH "ELLS ! #LASSIlEDS " " Entertainment, A6 Fines, B4
Marriage Licenses, A4 Public Voice, A9 Property Transfers, B4 Sheriff’s Arrests, B2
Social News, A4 Sports, B1 State’s Attorney, B3 Zoning, B3
0UBLISHED EVERY 4HURSDAY BY /GLE #OUNTY .EWSPAPERS A DIVISION OF 3HAW -EDIA s WWW OGLECOUNTYNEWS COM
Deaths, B2 William S. Giles John R. Long Lois M. Scheffler