Serving the Forreston area since 1865
FORRESTON Journal May 17, 2018 Volume 156, Number 4 - $1.00
Softball Moves On
Grad Section
Third on the List
The Lady Cardinals advance to the regional championship after defeating South Beloit. B1
Ogle County seniors are set to graduate this month. Insert
The Black Hawk Statue finishes third in a statewide contest for most scenic spot. A8
Forreston class recognized for success and character By Zach Arbogast zarbogast@oglecounty news.com Another set of Forreston students completed their high school careers and said their goodbyes Sunday afternoon. Each year, Forreston High School holds its graduation ceremony on Mother’s Day, giving not just students, but proud mommas, something another memory for the books. This year’s class motto was a quote from Dr. Seuss: “Sometimes, you will never know the value of a moment, until it becomes a memory.” Memories, and their values, were referenced constantly throughout the commencement, which began with a processional from the Forreston High School Band, a welcoming from Principal Travis Heinz, and an address from Superintendent Sheri Smith. Smith said the students were the very best part of her job. “You affirmed my positive belief about our young generation,” Smith said. “I am confident that our future is, in fact, in good hands.” Smith also honored graduates who were heading into the military: Matthew
Akins, Army National Guard; Mickey Lamping, U.S. Air Force; and Madaline Perez, Army National Guard. In a day filled with addresses, Salutatorian Olivia Krecklow got to take the next turn. Krecklow, who graduated with a 4.37 grade point average, celebrated the hard work of the school staff in getting the students prepared for life after high school, and for her peers who enjoyed the journey with her. “Thank you, for the friendships and memories we have made these last for years,” Krecklow said. “”Maybe you remember a specific day, when everything went right. Memories like these are the ones that will stay around, forever.” Agriculture teacher Robert Nelson was selected to give this year’s teacher address, and while he had plenty of jokes, he kept his focus on the relationships he and the staff had built with the students. “All of the staff here at Forreston High School contributed to the memories that you’ll hold,” said Nelson. “Trust me, your class has provided us with many stories as teachers, as well.” Nelson reminisced with
Forreston graduates move their tassels to the right side of their caps, officially completing their journey as students Sunday afternoon. Photo by Zach Arbogast
inside jokes and favorite sayings we would share with students, as well as adventures had traveling with ag students, but concluded with wisdom to carry with them. “All of you will keep
different memories of high school - teachers, athletic events, homecoming, a big project - but today isn’t all about memories; the past is past, and today we celebrate the future.” said Nelson. “Each
of the stories and memories from your time here at FHS are tiny threads that make up the fabric of your lives.” Valedictorian Anna Snider, GPA 4.43, paid tribute to the way freedom starts out in a
limited scope at birth, and evolves as the years go by into adulthood. “Throughout these past four years of high school, we have Turn To A2
Fire destroys rural Leaf River home Monday By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com Lightning is being blamed for a fire that destroyed a rural Leaf River home Monday morning. Byron Deputy Fire Chief Chris Logsdon said the home of Byron dentist Justin Bonvallet and his family, at 1502 Plum Hill Road about six miles northwest of Byron, was a total loss. Logsdon said the family was on vacation. The fire was reported at 6:36 a.m. by neighbors who saw smoke. Because the house sits back from the road in a wooded Flames totally consume the home of Justin Bonvallet and his family at 1502 Plum Hill Rd. Monday morning. Lightning is area, Logsdon said, the fire had spread before it was noticed. blamed for the fire. Photo courtesy of the Mt. Morris Fire Department
Firefighters arrived to find “a fully involved house,” he said. He said the log home was only a few years old. A Byron firefighter suffered non-life-threatening injuries at the scene and was taken to a Rockford hospital. Logsdon said the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s office assisted with the investigation and helped determine that a lightning strike was the most likely cause. Thunderstorms moved through the area early Monday morning. At least 10 area fire departments, including Oregon, Mt. Morris, Leaf River, Forreston, German Valley, and Stillman Valley were called for mutual aid.
Too few apply for county committees and boards By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecountynews.com The recurring problem of too few people stepping up to serve on local boards and committees is once again plaguing the Ogle County Board. “We have several vacancies again,” Vice Chairman John Finfrock, of Mt. Morris, said at Tuesday’s meeting. After the meeting Finfrock pointed to the Ogle County Civic Center Authority Board and the Franklin Grove Fire Protection District Board, which both have had vacancies for several months and no applicants to fill them. “We’re looking for people who are
willing to serve our communities, that’s what it comes down to,” he said. The county board appoints the members of several county-wide boards such as the 911 Emergency Telephone System Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Regional Planning Commission, Board of Review, Civic Center Authority, Board of Health, Mental Health 708 Board, Farmland Assessment Review Board, Housing Authority, Soil & Water Conservation District Board, and Sheriff’s Merit Commission, and also local boards including several fire protection district boards, the Byron Museum District Board, and the Lost Lake River
In This Week’s Edition...
Church News, A5 Classifieds, B6-B10 Entertainment, A6 Marriage Licenses, A4
Conservancy District Board. Some of are paid positions, while others are not. In recent years, people aren’t always coming forth to apply. Over the years, fire boards have often had seats that went unfilled for several months. While some fire board are appointed by the county board, others are elected by voters within their districts. Having an elected, rather than appointed, board takes a referendum. Several years ago, the nine-member Ogle County Civic Center Authority Board went for a few years with no one applying for sometimes as many as five
Public Voice, A7 Property Transfers, B4 School Menus, A3 Sheriff’s Arrests, B4
vacancies. That problem was resolved in 2015 when several Rochelle residents agreed to serve, but has once again become a problem in recent months. Current vacancies include two seats on the Mental Health 708 Board, two on the Board of Health, five on the 911 ETS Board, three on the Civic Center Authority, and one each on the Byron Museum District, Housing Authority, and Franklin Grove Fire Protection District Board. Finfrock said most of the boards do not require a lot of time, and the application process is simple. Those interested must submit an
Social News, A4 Sports, A10, B1, B2 State’s Attorney, 5 Zoning, B5
Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com
application which is reviewed by the Ogle County State’s Attorney’s & Juvenile & Probation Committee. That committee then schedules individual interviews with applicants and makes a recommendation to the county board, which makes the final decision. The county board announces vacancies and makes appointments on a monthly basis. Finfrock said anyone interested in applying should call the County Clerk’s office at 815-732-1110 for more information. The deadline to apply for the current vacancies is 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 1.
Deaths, B5 Dorothy M. Gilbert Francis C. Oltmanns