Serving the Forreston area since 1865
FORRESTON Journal October 6, 2016 Volume 154, Number 24 - $1.00
Tough Regional
Wellness Fair
Fall Festival
No Cardinal golfers advance out of Tuesday’s regional match . B1
The Wellness & Resource Fair for adults is on Oct. 7. A6
The John Deere Historic Site will hold its first Fall Festival on Oct. 8. A6
Forreston Fire district asks for two tax hikes By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com The Forreston Fire Protection District is asking taxpayers for its first tax increases in decades. The Nov. 8 ballot will include two referenda — one for the fire department and one for the ambulance service. Both are asking district residents to hike the taxes
by a maximum of 10 cents, from 30 cents to 40 cents, per $100 of equalized assessed valuation (EAV). That means the annual real estate taxes on a $100,000 house would increase by approximately $33 for each levy or a total of $66 if both are approved. Jack Daws, president of the district’s board of trustees, said the increases are needed to cover the mounting costs of equipment, insurance,
A public meeting to discuss the need for the tax hikes has been set for Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. at the Forreston Fire Station. personnel, and operations. “We need this because of the cost of operation,” he said. “We’ve had to hire people for the ambulance and the cost of equipment has gone up.” Daws said this is the first time the fire service has asked for an increase in its 68-year history.
When the district was formed on Nov. 7, 1947, the tax rate was set at 30 cents per $100 EAV. The fire district took over the ambulance service in March of 1976 and the present tax rate of 30 cents per $100 EAV was set then. Daws said that the district has always taxed only what
was needed and not at the 30-cent maximum. Currently the fire service taxes at 25.3 cents per $100 EAV and the ambulance at 24.7 cents. “The Forreston Fire Protection District has the lowest tax rate of all surrounding fire districts,” Daws said. “These increases will only be used if and when needed.” The ambulance service has had a $40,000 deficit during
the past year, he said. “The district will not be able to continue operating the ambulance service at the present tax rate,” Daws said. He explained the reason for the red ink. “In 2014 we were having problems getting volunteers to staff the ambulance,” Daws said. “At that time we started to pay EMTs to be at the station or to be on call at home.” Turn to A3
Defendants ask court to dismiss zoning lawsuit By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com
Senior Night Senior Amanda Anderson walks out with her parents Monday night during the volleyball Senior Night. Photo by Chris Johnson
Four of the defendants in a civil case over zoning have asked an Ogle County judge to dismiss a lawsuit brought against them by their neighbors. Attorneys for Mike and Colleen Stukenberg, Forreston, and STKE LLC, a company owned by the Steve and Kevin Moring, also of Forreston, filed a motion Sept. 22 to “strike and dismiss” the lawsuit brought against them by Walter Paul and his daughter and sonin-law Linette and Curtis DeHaven, all of Forreston. Paul and the DeHavens are also suing the county. Judge Robert Hanson set
another hearing for Nov. 29. The lawsuit stems from the county board’s decision in May to grant a special use permit requested by Mike Stukenberg and the Morings to allow a Class 2 Motor Carrier Facility on property zoned for agricultural use. The property, at 11123 W. Ill. 72 just east of Forreston, was owned by the Stukenbergs and recently purchased by STKE LLC. Paul and other nearby property owners, including the DeHavens, objected because of environmental issues. The lawsuit, filed July 21 by Paul’s attorney Dan Fishburn, Freeport, asks the court to reverse the board’s decision and to issue a Turn to A3
Max Armstrong visited with old friends Sunday By Chris Johnson cxjohnson@oglecounty news.com It did not take long for farm reporter Max Armstrong to reconnect
with old friends when he visited Oregon for Autumn on Parade. He was talking with Remmer Schuetz, Ashton, about a tractor show, a magazine, and farming on
Sunday afternoon. “Coming to Oregon you get to meet friends and talk about the crops,” said Armstrong. “I have known so many of the local farmers and we
meet throughout the year. Today I had the chance to reconnect.” Armstrong hosts “This Week in AgriBusiness” with his friend and fellow farm broadcaster Orion Samuelson. Armstrong said the fields locally are wet in places, but not as bad as other portions of the Midwest.
“The forecast presented during the program was for a wet and slow harvest and it looks like that is the case this year,” said Armstrong. “It rained by the foot in parts of Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin and that rain is going to make it difficult for farmers to complete the harvest. I think we will reair the forecast.”
Armstrong was riding his 1953 Farmall Super M in the parade and waved at fans. While he owns Farmall’s, Armstrong enjoys all tractors. “It is nice when you go to a show and see all the colors on the field,” he said.
Autumn on Parade had perfect fall atmosphere By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com
The right elements came together last weekend for another successful Autumn on Parade festival in Oregon. Festival goers had fun, the vendors did well, and even the weather cooperated. “It turned out very well,” said Marseyne Snow, AOP Committee President. “We had a lot of positive comments and everyone seemed to have a good time. Max Armstrong took the time to chat with Robert Groenhagen while walking past the People liked the booths and the parade especially. They Autumn on Parade Food Court on Sunday. Photo by Earleen Hinton
In This Week’s Edition...
Church News A5 Classifieds, B6-B10 Entertainment, A6 Fines, B4 Library News, A3
Marriage Licenses, A4 Public Voice, A7 Property Transfers, B4 Sheriff’s Arrests, B3
Social News, A4 Sports, B1, B2 State’s Attorney, B4 Weather, A3
also liked watching the donut-eating contest.” The rain predicted for Saturday was only an occasional light mist and peeks of sunshine broke through the clouds from time to time. Clouds prevailed on Sunday, too, but the temperature stayed in the perfect range — mid 60s — for both days. The turnout for the festival was large both Saturday and Sunday, Snow said. “I don’t have numbers yet, but several people commented that they didn’t
know when they had seen so many people in town,” she said. The volunteers who helped out were key to the festival’s success, Snow said. “We had more volunteers this year and that was great,” she said. “We couldn’t have done it without them.” Down on the Food Court Saturday morning, Glen Weatherwax, Sterling, picked up an early lunch of gyros for himself and his wife at the Forreston Sheep Association’s stand. Turn to A3
Deaths, B5 Helen E. DeWall, Dale R. Drexler, Howard W. Fox, Dennis S. Johnson, James C. Smith
Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com