Serving the Forreston area since 1865
FORRESTON Journal August 13, 2015 Volume 153, Number 16 - $1.00
Veteran’s Coin
Police Chase
River Sweep
A commemorative coin will help raise money for a new Veteran’s Memorial in Oregon. A8
An armed robbery suspect was arrested in Oregon after a chase. A2
Volunteers and coordinators are needed for the annual Rock River Sweep A7
Final plat approved for Village East Estates Building permit approved for the subdivision By Chris Johnson cxjohnson@oglecounty news.com
After more than a year of planning commission meetings, hearings, and board meetings, the final plat was approved for the Village East Estates in Forreston. Jon Ludwig, owner of JML LLC, had requested rezoning for the vacant lots in the subdivision on the east edge of the village on Ill. 72 across from the high school. His plans called for five multi-family lots and two business lots. Last week, the Forreston Village Board approved the preliminary plat and the final plat for the property. This allowed the board to grant a building permit for
a condo to be built on Lot 4, which is located in the middle of the block. “With condos is there a fire protection between units?” asked trustee Gary Buss Aug. 3. “It is building code,” said village engineer Mick Gronewold. Ludwig said the project specifications include the fire wall and R&S Builders & Supply, Forreston, will be the contractor for the building. When completed this will be the first new building built in the subdivision in more than two years. The condos will each have a separate water meter. “How is it for taxes?” asked Buss. “Each half will have a tax number,” said Ludwig. Ludwig said if one owner purchased both halves of the condo, then a single tax number could be used instead.
“This has been a long process,” said village president Michael Harn. “Thank you.” The building permit was issued contingent on the final plat being filed with the county. Gronewold said that would be completed by Aug. 11. In other business the board learned that the water service to the wastewater plant would need to be upgraded. “The water does not have enough pressure for the plant,” said Gronewold. “It is 50 psi [pounds per square This drawing of the subdivision that is color coded shows the single family lots in yellow, multi-family lots in orange, and business lots in purple. The new condo will be inch] and we need 75 psi.” Gronewold said a change built in Lot 4 which is west of the purple business lot. order for the wastewater treatment plant project in the amount of $26,000 was requested to make the necessary improvements. The pipes would be increased from 3/4 inch to 1 inch pipes along with By Vinde Wells the modified bond because installing a booster pump. vwells@oglecounty Swisher is complying with The board unanimously news.com other bond conditions approved the change order. that include adhering to a Bond conditions were treatment plan outlined by modified last month for a his psychiatrist and taking Peoria man who led Ogle his prescribed medications. County deputies on a high Swisher has been speed chase in early May. undergoing treatment for Daniel Swisher, 40, will bi-polar disorder for several now be allowed to drive for years. work purposes and may live Swisher’s case was with his wife and children. continued Aug. 10 at a Ogle County Judge hearing before Judge John Robert Hanson granted a B. Roe, who set a pretrial motion filed by Swisher’s conference for Oct. 14. Daniel Swisher attorney Paul Whitcombe, An Ogle County Grand Dixon, on July 28 to modify Jury indicted Swisher on deputies from Castle the bond conditions. seven charges on May Rock State Park through At a June 4 hearing, 27. He is charged with downtown Oregon, west on Hanson had set strict bond four counts of aggravated Ill. 64 to Kings and back conditions for Swisher’s fleeing to elude, all Class to Oregon where he was release from jail that 4 felonies; two counts of finally stopped at the west included no driving under resisting a peace officer, end of the bridge over the any circumstances and both Class 4 felonies; and Rock River. required him to live with possession of cannabis, a Police said Swisher’s his parents. misdemeanor. speed reached as high as According to testimony Swisher pleaded not 104 mph at one point. He presented in court, Swisher guilty to all seven charges. was driving a 2015 Porsche. and his wife were divorcing. The charges stem from a Earlier that day, Swisher Ogle County State’s high speed chase on May had been involved in a Emmalyn Freeze, 6, and her brother Colton, 8, both Attorney Eric Morrow 6, Swisher’s 40th birthday, chase with Jo Daviess said he did not object to when he led Ogle County County Sheriff’s deputies. suffer from a genetic disorder. Photo supplied
Bond conditions modified for man involved in chase
Six-year-old faces illnesses with a smile on her face By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com A Mt. Morris first grader has a brave outlook despite two tough health conditions. Emmalyn Freeze, 6, the daughter of Matt and Stephanie Freeze, has already had two surgeries and is getting ready for another one in a few weeks. “She does it all with a smile,” said her mother Stephanie. “She’s a very resilient little girl.” Emmalyn suffers from severe chronic neutropenia, a rare blood disorder that leaves its victims susceptible Turn to A3
FFA members show livestock at the Stephenson Co. Fair By Robert Nelson Forreston FFA Advisor County fair season brings to mind the countless hours 4-H members spend preparing their animals for the show. However, during the open show, others are allowed to enter and show their livestock. Forreston FFA members recently participated in the annual Section 1 FFA Fair held in conjunction with the Stephenson County Fair, Freeport. Nine FFA members showed at the fair. Results are listed below. Ellie Lenkaitis: Junior Champion Holstein Winter Yearling; second place Holstein Junior two year old; second place Holstein Senior two-year old; third place Holstein Summer Yearling Hannah Hunziker: Junior
Champion Grade Dairy Animal; Senior Champion Grade Dairy Animal; Reserve Senior Champion Grade Dairy Animal; third place Showmanship Kate Person: First place Spring Hampshire Ram; Champion Hampshire Ram; first and second place Spring Hampshire Ewe Lambs; first place Fall Hampshire Ewe Lamb; Champion Hampshire Ewe; first place Pair of Hampshire Lambs; first and third place Southdown Yearling Ewes; and first place Fall Southdown Ewe Person also won awards in the following categories: first and third place Spring Southdown Ewe Lambs; Champion Southdown Fall Ewe; first and third place Spring Southdown Rams; Champion Southdown Ram; Grand Champion Ram Turn to A3 Colton Stake received first place for his rooster, first place for his pullet, and was named champion for his pair of poultry during the Stephenson County Fair. Photo supplied
In This Week’s Edition...
Byron Police, B4 Church News, A5 Classifieds, B6-B10 Entertainment, A6
Fines, B5 Marriage Licenses, A4 Oregon Police, B3 Property Transfers, B4
Sheriff’s Arrests, B3 Social News, A4 Sports, B1, B2 State’s Attorney, B3
Deaths, B5 Mary Virginia Brattrud, Lawrence Martin, E. Dale Peters
Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com