FOR_06182015

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Serving the Forreston area since 1865

FORRESTON Journal June 18, 2015 Volume 153, Number 39 - $1.00

All Conference

Microchipping

The NUIC has announced the 2015 All Conference baseball lineup. A11

Summer Music

Keep your pets safe by having them microchipped Saturday. A7

Free summer concerts will be held in Mt. Morris Friday and Byron on Sunday. A6

Ebbesmeyer is surprised twice at German Valley By Chris Johnson cxjohnson@oglecounty news.com What happens when an award recipient leaves the area before being surprised with the award? The German Valley Days committee found out Friday night when they were presenting Bob Ebbesmeyer the Most Valuable Person Award. Just seconds before Donna Smith began the presentation for the award, Ebbesmeyer took a call and bolted from the area. He helps with the festival and is always on the go to make sure the festival has no problems. The problem Friday,

“You got me. I am not going to lie. For what it is worth I am speechless.” — Bob Ebbesmeyer however, was a missing MVP recipient. A member of the German Valley Lions Club caught up with Ebbesmeyer at the picnic shelter and directed him back to the MVP presentation in time to receive the award. Ebbesmeyer only heard parts of the speech announcing him as the 2015 German Valley MVP. “You got me,” he said. “I am not going to lie. Thank you. For what it is worth I am speechless.” Ebbesmeyer said the

community and school district has been good for his family. Being named the MVP turned out to be only one surprise for Ebbesmeyer that night. “Martha my wife has been there to support me and I appreciate that,” he said. “She is in Missouri at this Hannah Kasten celebrates as she competes against Arlen Heeren’s team during The Feud at German Valley Days on June 12. Photo by Earleen Hinton point.” Smith pointed to a woman standing to the right of the stage. Turn to B1

County will move ahead with parking lot plans

Speech on GV MVP Editor’s note: The following is the speech given by Donna Smith June 12 when she introduced Bob Ebbesmeyer as German Valley’s Most Valuable Person. By Donna Smith German Valley Lions Club We are once again excited to honor one of our citizens for their service to our community. This year we had four nominees, all very deserving of our Most Valuable Person Award, so, I hope to see the Turn to A3

By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com The Ogle County Board moved ahead Tuesday with plans to create more parking space near the judicial center in the next few months. The board approved a resolution to accept a proposal for $15,283 from Stiles Inc., Loves Park, to remove five underground storage tanks on the county’s property at 501 W. Washington St., the corner of Washington and Fifth Streets. Board member Don Griffin, who is coordinating the project, said he expects Bob Ebbesmeyer and his wife Martha. Photo by Chris the project to be completed in time for the Autumn on Johnson

Parade festival on the first weekend in October. Board member Lee Meyers, Byron, questioned why the resolution appropriated $18,000 for project when Stiles’ bid was less than that. Griffin said the extra money was allocated in case unexpected costs arise during the tank removal. He said two of the tanks still have oil in them. Board member Pat Saunders, Polo, said that the bid includes a price per yard to remove any contaminated soil from around the tanks. The price will vary depending on how much is found. Board chairman Kim Gouker, Byron, said the bid

also includes a price per gallon to pump out the oil left in the tanks. Neither amount can be determined, he said, until the excavation is underway. The removal of the tanks is part of a three-phase project that will likely take place over the next few years to remove the former Jackass BBQ building from 501 W. Washington St., and the house next door to the south at 102 S. Fifth St. and create a parking lot with 39 spaces. Gouker said last month that the project will be done in phases, with the removal of the underground tanks, demolition of the Jackass BBQ building, and completing that part Turn to A11

Special Olympics Torch Run went through Oregon By Chris Johnson cxjohnson@oglecounty news.com Local athletes received the send off of a lifetime last week when the Flame of Hope made its way through Oregon. Individuals from the Village of Progress (VOP), including athletes, lined downtown Oregon to see the torch as it passed by June 10. The torch, carried by law enforcement workers, was headed to Bloomington for the annual summer Special Olympics for track and field. “This is the 29th year the Torch Run has been organized for Special Olympics,” said run leader Assistant Deputy Chief Patrick Hoey, of the Rockford Police Department. First responders from the Oregon, Mt. Morris, and Byron Police Departments, and Ogle County Sheriff’s Department were participating in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics “I am so proud of Sheriff (Brian) VanVickle to do their

first ever Torch Run,” said Hoey. “We had a fantastic turnout today. It is fantastic seeing everyone in town.” Along the route the officers participating in the run were greeted by athletes from the VOP and lots of heat and humidity. “We are from the Village of Progress,” said Karen Kereven. “We have our athletes out supporting the group today. It is a good cause.” She was with two athletes from the VOP who have participated in Special Olympics. “Our athletes all love playing in the sports,” said Kereven. “It is fun.” Jenny Meyer is a basketball standout on the team that went to the state competition this year. “I like basketball,” Meyer said. “It is good to play on the team.” Earlier this year, Meyer practiced her skills during the annual game between the VOP and the Ogle County Village of Progress’ Robert Brown was one of greeters who held signs to encourage runners as they passed Turn to A3

In This Week’s Edition...

through Oregon on the Torch Run. also, pictured, left to right, are: Victoria Barnhart, Gary Moats, Cindy Barnhart, and Elizabeth Bastuk. Photo by Earleen Hinton

Church News, A5 Classifieds, B7-B12 College News, A4 Entertainment, A6 Fines, B6

Forreston Police, A3 Marriage Licenses, A4 Property Transfers, B5 Public Voice, A9

Sheriff’s Arrests, B3 Social News, A4 Sports, A12, B1 State’s Attorney, B4

Deaths, B5

Kathryn L. Donaldson, Everette R. Henderson, Bryan K. Peltz, Roger E. Satterfield, Homer Snyder, Michael J. Stevens

Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com


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