Serving the Forreston area since 1865
FORRESTON Journal December 4, 2014 Volume 152, Number 32 - $1.00
Champions
Watercolors
50 Year Plan
The Forreston Cardinals took home their first football state championship Nov. 28. B1-B3
Pinecrest has received a grant to help memory loss by painting. A9
The Ogle County Board has plans for property acquisitions over the next 50 years. A7
Board approves Christmas gifts By Chris Johnson Reporter All village employees in Forreston will have extra spending money this holiday season. The Forreston Village Board approved Christmas gifts for the 13 employees. “Christmas gifts, does anybody have an opinion?” said village president Michael Harn. “Last year the full-time received $100 Forreston Dollars.” He suggested the five fulltime employees receive $100 this year and the eight parttime employees receive $50 each. “About $900 total,” said trustee Jeff Freeze. A motion to award the gifts was approved unanimously. In other business the board learned a survey will be mailed to every water customer in the village. “The survey is to make
Cards Are #1
The Forreston Cardinals won the Class 1A State Football title Nov. 28. Above, the team holds up the Class 1A State Champions Football trophy. At right, Forreston’s Evan Watz gets a congratulatory hug from band member Nathan Schneiderman after the Cardinals defeated Carrollton 20-15. Photos by Chris Johnson
Christmas event is Friday night
Sheriff Brian VanVickle sworn in By Chris Johnson Reporter There is a new sheriff in town now that Brian VanVickle took the oath of office Monday morning. VanVickle, Rochelle, defeated Michael Harn in the spring primary and was elected in November. VanVickle was a Rochelle Police Officer before becoming Ogle County’s newest sheriff. He was sworn in by Ogle County Judge John B. Roe
sure there is no cross contamination of the water supply,” said Alan Cruthis, the superintendent of public works. “We have to be assured we will not suck anything back into the water supply.” He said the survey is required due to a Illinois Environmental Protection Report on the village water supply. A full discussion on the report will be held during the Dec. 15 board meeting. The board also learned that no discussion on the planning commission meeting could be held until the Dec. 15 meeting. The planning commission made numerous recommendations about the subdivision across the street from the high school Nov. 20. The village board has the option to discuss the recommendations and overturn them with a 3/4 vote.
in front of a crowd of more than 80 friends, family, and supporters. “We have worked so hard. Everyone has been so supportive,” said VanVickle Monday morning. “I can’t say anything but thank you. Thank you for coming out today. I am at a loss for words.” Following VanVickle’s swearing in, Ogle County Clerk Rebecca Huntley was sworn in by Roe. Huntley ran unopposed. In a separate courtroom,
Ogle County Treasurer John Coffman, was also ran unopposed was sworn in by Ogle County Judge Robert Hanson. A crowd of more than 80 was in this courtroom to witness the swearing in ceremony. Following his swearing in Eric Morrow, Oregon, was sworn in as the new State’s Attorney. He is taking over the post previously held by Mike Rock, who Morrow defeated in the primary.
“I want like to thank my family and everyone that supported us, and the members of the bar,” said Morrow. “I don’t take this office lightly. This is a responsibility I take seriously. I want to work with my staff to represent Ogle County well.” His assistant state’s attorneys, Ann Switzer, Joshua Versluys, Robert Schuman, and Andrew Wilt were also sworn in by Hanson. Later in the day members of the Ogle County Board took office.
The annual Christmas in the Country celebration will officially start the holiday season in Forreston on Friday, Dec. 5. Local businesses will show their appreciation for their customers with open houses and bargains. Forreston Hardware and Sweetwood Interiors, along with other businesses, will have extended hours until 8 p.m. and offer treats and specials. Forreston State Bank will host its annual Customer
Gouker remains board chairman By Vinde Wells Editor
History was repeated Monday evening when Ogle County Board Chairman Kim Gouker, Byron, was elected to his second two-year term as chairman by the same vote margin as two years ago. Gouker, a 16-year board veteran, was elected by a vote of 13-11, the same vote he received in December of 2012. He also faced the same opponent as two years ago. Board member Lyle Hopkins, Polo, was also nominated for chairman. “We have a lot of work to do in the next couple of years,” Gouker said. “I appreciate the opportunity to lead.” Board member John Finfrock, Mt. Morris, was elected to his second twoyear term as vice chairman. Ogle County Judge John B. Roe swears in Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle Monday morning in front of a crowd The vote for Finfrock was of more than 80 friends, family, and supporters. Photo by Chris Johnson unanimous.
In This Week’s Edition...
Church News, A5 Classifieds, B8-B12 Entertainment, A6 Fines, B6 Marriage Licenses, A4
Oregon Police, B6 Public Voice, A8 Property Transfers, B7 Sheriff’s Arrests, B6
Social News, A4 Sports, A11, B1-B3 State’s Attorney, B6 Weather, A3
Appreciation Day from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., offering refreshments and hospitality. The First United Methodist Church will hold a luncheon and bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Faith Lutheran Church will hold its annual cookie sale from 4 p.m. until sold out in the Sweetwood Annex next to Village Hairstyles. Kids are invited for cookies and cocoa with Santa from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Forreston Public Library.
Kim Gouker
Before Gouker and Finfrock were elected, Judge Robert Hanson swore in eight recently elected board members: J. Nick Bolin, Holcomb, in District 1, Pat Nordman, Oregon, in District 2, Bobbie Colbert, Rochelle, in District 3, Bruce McKinney, Rochelle, in District 4, Dan Janes, Stillman Valley in District 5, Lee Meyers, Byron, in District 6, Rich Gronewold, Forreston in District 7, and Hopkins in District 8.
Deaths, B5 Richard F. Lee, Prudence F. Peterson
Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com