Serving the Forreston area since 1865
FORRESTON Journal December 5, 2013 Volume 151, Number 32 - $1.00
Second Place
Theater Show
Angel Project
The Forreston Lady Cardinals tied for second in the annual Thanksgiving Tournament. B1
The Polo Area Community Theater will perform Dec. 6-8. A11
An annual program to purchase gifts for children is underway in Forreston. A3
Man: “I’m not a trouble-maker� By Vinde Wells Editor
Santa Claus is visiting children at the Forreston Library Friday evening. Last year a line of children, including Mason Rogin, visited with Santa.
Santa to appear at celebration Forreston will usher in the holiday season with its annual Christmas in the Country celebration on Friday, Dec. 6. Forreston school choir groups will entertain shoppers with carols at various locations throughout the village. Sweetwood Interiors and Forreston Hardware, 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
Appreciation Day from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., offering refreshments. 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 4:30 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.
A Mt. Morris man charged with a hate crime and battery told an Ogle County judge Monday that he is not a trouble-maker. Justin W. Coltrain, 33, is charged with a hate crime, a Class 4 felony, and battery, a Class A misdemeanor, in connection with an underage drinking party in Oregon on Aug. 10 where a fight broke out that resulted in the death of 18-year-old Jonathan Williams, Oregon. “I’m not a trouble-maker,� said Coltrain after his lengthy criminal history was recounted by Assistant State’s Attorney Josh Versluys in a hearing before Judge Robert Hanson. Coltrain is accused of making racial slurs to another party-goer and striking him. Ogle County State’s Attorney Michael Rock said the racial slurs were directed at an African American. Coltrain’s adult criminal history dates back to 2000 and includes aggravated battery and burglary charges. He told Hanson that he did not commit all the crimes he has been accused of, but pleaded guilty just to get out of jail. Hanson left Coltrain’s bond at $100,000, saying he is concerned over Coltrain’s history of “significant batteries.� “You went to the
““I’m not a trouble-maker,� — Justin Coltrain, Mt. Morris Department of Corrections for some of them,� Hanson said. Coltrain replied that he has put that all behind him. “They’re charging the wrong people,� he said. Hanson advised him to get an attorney and to not discuss what happened at the party with anyone other than his attorney. A woman who identified herself as the mother of Coltrain’s ex-girlfriend urged Hanson to lower the bond. “He’s not a flight risk,� said the woman who would not give her name after the hearing. “He lived at my house for two and onehalf years, and we had no problems.� She said she is trying to hire an attorney for Coltrain but is struggling to come up with the $10,000 bail plus a retainer for an attorney of $2,000 to $3,000. Coltrain, who had bruises under both eyes, told Hanson he was attacked by another inmate in the Ogle County Jail after his arrest Nov. 27 and wants to press charges against the person who hit him. Hanson told him to discuss that with his attorney. Coltrain and Matthew Steder, 22, Mt. Morris, who is also charged with
three counts of hate crimes stemming from the same party, are being held in the Whiteside County Jail. Ogle County Sheriff Michael Harn declined to comment on the alleged incident at the jail. Rock said Tuesday that he has not yet received a report on the incident. However, Coltrain told Sauk Valley Media that he was attacked Nov. 27 by African American inmates sharing his cell after they heard a TV news report that said he was charged with a hate crime. Steder also appeared before Hanson on Monday. He is also charged with one count of aggravated battery, a Class 3 felony, as well as three counts of battery, in additional to hate crimes. Both Coltrain and Steder, who are scheduled to appear in court Dec. 6, are two of the seven adults charged last week in connection with the party that took place Aug. 10 at the Heck residence at 804 Monroe St., Oregon. Williams died Aug. 11 at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center, Rockford, after being injured in the fight which occurred in the wee hours of Aug. 10. Rock announced the following charges on Nov. 27, what would have
Justin Coltrain
been Williams 19th birthday: s "RIAN 'ALOR Rockford, delivery of alcohol to a minor; s -ARIA #OLEMAN Oregon, reckless conduct; s #ODY -UNROE reckless conduct; s #AMERON #LARK Rochelle, reckless conduct; s +YLIE (ECK /REGON reckless conduct. Two juveniles were also charged. Rock said the reckless conduct charges were filed because the four did not seek medical help for Williams for several hours. Munroe, who Rock said is in Missouri, has not yet been arrested. 'ALOR ALSO APPEARED BEFORE Hanson Monday. He remains in the Ogle County Jail. The others are scheduled to appear in court later this month. Turn to A3
Two contested races are up for grabs March 18 By Vinde Wells Editor Voters will have a choice of candidates for only two Ogle County posts in the March 18 primary election. Three Republican candidates have filed for their party’s nomination for Ogle County Sheriff. Sheriff Michael Harn, Forreston, is being challenged by Brian E. Van Vickle and Joe Drought, both of Rochelle. State’s attorney Michael Rock, Byron, faces opposition from Oregon attorney Eric Morrow. Both are Republicans. County clerk Rebecca Huntley, Chana, and treasurer John Coffman, Polo, also both Republicans, are running unopposed. On the Ogle County Board, all races are uncontested and all but one candidate are Republicans. Current board member Kimberly Kirkolis, Davis Junction, who was elected to her first term in 2012, is not seeking another term in District 1, which includes Dement, Lynnville, Monroe, and Scott Townships. Instead J. Nick Bolin, Holcomb, is seeking the party
Ogle County Sheriff Sheriff Michael Harn, Forreston Brian E. Van Vickle, Rochelle Joe Drought, Rochelle Ogle County State’s Attorney State’s Attorney Michael Rock, Byron Eric Morrow, Oregon nomination. Incumbent Patricia Nordman, Oregon, is the sole candidate in District 2, which includes White Rock, Pine Rock, Lafayette, and OregonNashua Townships. Veteran board member Bobbie Colbert, Rochelle, the only Democrat running for a county post, is seeking selection in District 3, which includes Flagg Township, Precincts 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7. Incumbent Bruce W. McKinney, Rochelle, is running in District 4, which includes Flagg Township, Precincts 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, and 11. Richard Daniel Janes, Stillman Valley, is seeking another term on the board in District 5, which includes Marion, Rockvale, and Leaf River Townships. In District 6, which includes Byron Township,
In This Week’s Edition...
incumbent Leroy Meyers, Byron, is on the ballot. Incumbent Rich 'RONEWOLD &ORRESTON IS seeking another term in District 7, which includes Maryland, Mt. Morris, and Forreston Townships. Longtime board member Lyle Hopkins is running in District 8, which includes Brookville, Lincoln, Eagle Point, Buffalo, Pine Creek, 7OOSUNG 'RAND $ETOUR AND Taylor Townships. All terms are four years in length. The configuration of the county board changed in 2012 after board districts were reapportioned following the 2010 census. The county board candidates running in 2014 drew two-year terms. The population shifts indicated by the census meant increasing county board districts from four to eight. Consequently, some board members elected in 2012 drew two-year terms, while others drew four-year terms. Each district is represented by three county board members. Candidates successful in the March primary will be on the ballot for the November general election.
Church News, A5 Classifieds, B6-B12 Entertainment, A6 Fines, B5 Marriage Licenses, A4
Police Report, A3 Public Voice, A10 Property Transfers, B5 Sheriff’s Arrests, B4
Candlelight Walk Scenes Above, Bruce Bowman, Leaf River, and Kathy Corbin, Oregon, had a perfect view of the Candlelight Walk crowd from the balcony at Conover Square Nov. 30 while they await the arrival of Oregon High School Madrigals. At left, the Salty Strings, Connie and John Nicholas, play Christmas music for shoppers at Conover Square. Photos by Vinde Wells
Social News, A4 Sports, B1, B2 State’s Attorney, B4 Weather, A3
Deaths, B3 Warren E. Bastian, Anna R. Bowman, Craig D. Brinkman, Nellis E. Cherry, *AMES - #ORCORAN 0AUL 7 'RAEHLING
0UBLISHED EVERY 4HURSDAY BY /GLE #OUNTY .EWSPAPERS A DIVISION OF 3HAW -EDIA s WWW OGLECOUNTYNEWS COM