Serving the Forreston area since 1865
FORRESTON Journal May 8, 2014 Volume 152, Number 2 - $1.00
Tough Competition
Jamboree
Disaster Plans
The Marcos track team finished eighth during a tough 23 team meet in Oregon. B1
The fifth annual garden tractor jamboree will be May 17. A7
Illinois residents should update disaster plans to include the family pets. B2
Village board tables demolition permit By Chris Johnson Reporter Renovation plans for the Forreston Mutual Insurance Company building at 208 S. Walnut were tabled Monday night. The Forreston Village Board had some questions about the plans and decided to wait to approve a demolition permit until they discussed the plans with Nola DeVries, manager of the insurance company. “I talked to Nola and they are aware of our concerns,� said trustee Mark Metzger. Village president Michael Harn said a variety of concerns were presented to the insurance company. One concern was fixing the seven feet of sidewalk that would be altered during construction. A second was with the appearance of the building during construction. “The windows would need to be
boarded up,� said Harn. He said if the window opening were not refitted during early stages of construction they would need to remain boarded up until new windows were installed. Construction would also impact a water service on the block that would require the village to change the location of pipes. “We need to have a plan,� said Harn. The board will discuss the project with DeVries before bringing the permit back to the board for discussion in two weeks. In other business trustee Gary Buss asked about the status of seal coating village roads. “Have we sent out bids for seal coating?� he asked. “I am concerned about doing radiuses.� Harn said they did the corner radiuses last year and they would Shirley Vietmeier, Forreston, chooses flowers May 3 at the annual Forreston High School FFA Plant be include in this year’s road Sale. An array of plants, including flowers and vegetables, are available at the FFA’s greenhouse. The maintenance plan. plant sale continues through Saturday, May 24. Photo by Vinde Wells
FFA Sale
Family thinks dog owners need to be responsible By Vinde Wells Editor After rescuing his wife from an attack by three dogs two weeks ago and likely saving her life, Larry Ebert has altered his views somewhat on tightening laws. “I’ve never been a huge proponent of leash laws, but unstable dogs shouldn’t be allowed to run free either,� he said Friday afternoon. “Dog owners need to be responsible.� Ebert, 62, rural Ashton, was out for a morning bike ride April 21 and as he rode down Dugdale Road, heading home, he saw the neighbor’s three dogs attacking something in the ditch. To his horror he soon realized what they had was his wife, Aneda, 63, who had been out jogging and was about a tenth of a mile from home. “When I got close enough to see it was her, I rode as
fast as I could,� he said. “I saw them drag her at least 15 feet.� He said he ran at the dogs, two pit bulls and a smaller brown dog, and yelled at them, scaring them off. “I don’t know what I would have done if they had decided to stay and fight,� Ebert said. Larry called 911 on Aneda’s cell phone and assisted her as best he could as she lay bloodied and torn in the ditch. “His timing was wonderful,� Aneda said. “He came along at the right time.� Aneda, who is 5’1�, suffered numerous bite wounds to her arms, the back of her neck, and her leg. She was able to protect her face, and the dogs landed only one bite on her cheek. The wounds on her arms are deep, large tears, requiring stitches, and the ones on the back of her neck were stapled. Bruises from the bites are everywhere.
Aneda and Larry Ebert sit together on a couch in their family room. Photo by Vinde Wells
Her leg is polka-dotted with puncture wounds, where the dogs bit deeply into her muscle. Deep scratches on her upper back are healing. She said the dogs ran at her and began biting at her elbows, quickly knocking her down and dragging her in a savage frenzy. “It hurt so bad. I just wanted
to die,� she said. “I couldn’t get that growling out of my head for about a week.� The dogs tore off the red T-shirt she was wearing over top of her tank top. Aneda remained conscious throughout the ambulance ride to KSB Hospital, Dixon, and remembers making a stop in Lost Nation to pick up a paramedic who could start
an IV. Once at KSB, she was x-rayed and then had surgery to clean the wounds and put drains in them. She was released from the hospital April 25, and the staples came out a few days later. Aneda’s daily work-out routine has stood her in good stead. “They said she has good muscle texture and good circulations, which are two good things to have going for you with something like this,� Larry said. “They were afraid some of the tissue would die, but that hasn’t happened and won’t now.� Aneda praised the doctors and staff at the hospital. “They worked their magic,� she said with a grin. All three dogs were impounded by Ogle County Animal Control officers shortly after the attack and later euthanized with the owner’s consent.
Both Larry and Aneda said the dogs had never behaved in threatening way in the past. “They’ve been in our yard when our grandchildren have been here,� she said. Larry said he and Aneda bike and run past the house where the dogs were almost every day, weather permitting. “I can’t imagine why one day they decided to trip out like that,� he said. “We’ve lived out here almost 40 years,� Aneda said. “Who would think it wasn’t a safe place?� The Eberts home is filled with flowers and cards from well-wishers. Several were handmade by the children Aneda teaches at Tilton Elementary School, Rochelle. A retired physical education teacher, she teaches one day a week. “Everyone has been just Turn to A2
Ground broken on new Habitat for Humanity Home By Chris Johnson Reporter A new home will start taking shape in Oregon following a ceremonial ground breaking last week. Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County is helping future homeowner Jennifer Larson and her son Vincenzo build a house at 210 S. Sixth St. “We are here to dedicate our next build,� said Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County President Bob Van Stedum on May 3 “We would not be here if it were not for the generosity of the Marie Black family.� The lot at the corner of Sixth and Monroe Streets was Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County broke ground May 3 on a new home in Oregon. Pictured here are Tom Hughes, donated by the family. An old house was torn Oregon Mayor Tom Stone, Lori Wagner, Josh Franks, Randy Wagner, Dave Starke, habitat president Bob Van down to make room for the Stedum, and family Vincenzo and Jennifer Larson. Photo by Chris Johnson
In This Week’s Edition...
Church News, A5 Classifieds, B6-B10 Entertainment, A6 Fines, B4
Forreston Police, A3 Marriage Licenses, A4 Public Voice, A9 Property Transfers, B5
Sheriff’s Arrests, B5 Social News, A4 Sports, B1, B2 State’s Attorney, B3
Habitat home. “We are very excited,� said Larson. “It was touching to have the support.� Larson said she expects her family and friends to support her throughout the build. Oregon Mayor Tom Stone said Larson’s family will enjoy living in Oregon. “I want to welcome you and I am sure you will be a wonderful addition to our community,� he said. Pastor Brion Brooks offered a blessing for the project before Habitat board members, the buildings, and family did the ground breaking. Wagner Construction and Plum Electric will offer their services during the construction. Turn to A2
Deaths, B3 Donald E. Dusing, Iola J. Geyer, Elaine R. Mowry, George W. Rundlett, Robert W. Wolfley
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