Forreston_Journal-02-09-2024

VOLUME 157 NO. 40 • SERVING THE FORRESTON AREA SINCE 1865

Friday, February 9, 2024 • $1.00

NEWS

Working on new location Moore Tires hustling to open new site just 21 days after fire destroyed the company’s flagship location / 3

SPORTS

LOOKING FOR ROOM

Byron comes up short Byron falls 55-51 to unbeaten Beecher in battle of state-ranked teams / 11

Crime and courts Judge again denies Oregon man’s request for release to help an ailing family member / 6

Earleen Hinton

Forreston’s Keeli Larson puts up a shot between Amboy defenders Addison Pertell (12), Kiera Karlson (2) and Emily Sachs (32) on Feb. 6 at Forreston High School. The Cardinals lost the game 38-25. Regional tournament action begins Saturday, Feb. 10, when the Cardinals travel to Warren for a 4 p.m. game.

One section • 20 pages

INDEX Betty’s Column......... 4 Classifieds.......... 18-19 Colbert Column.......12

4-H News................. 10 Library News............. 2 Otto’s Column........... 4

DEATHS Published every Friday

by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media

No obituaries reported.

Property Transfers...15 Sheriff Activity.........16 Sports...................11-13

IT’S YOUR WRITE

Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 9, 2024

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

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Copyright 2024

Loaves & Fish Food Pantry says thanks to all those who help

Loaves & Fish Food Pantry would like to thank the community for your continued support. With your help, we were able to provide food to an average of 152 families and 376 individuals each month in 2023.

That’s an increase of an average of 29 households every month from the previous year.

In November, we provided 140 Holiday Meals to area families. We also partnered with the Northern Illinois Food Bank to host mobile pantries every month from January to October, which provide additional food to our neighbors – about 120 households every month.

We appreciate all the ways our community helps us. Thank you to the community organizations and individuals who donate food. Special thanks to the Boy Scouts and post office for organizing communitywide food drives and to Sullivan’s in Mt. Morris for its fall and Christmas fundraisers for the pantry. And thank you to everyone who contributes financially.

We couldn’t do it without your help.

A special thank you to all our volunteers – those who work on pantry days, those who work in the community garden and those who help unload deliveries of food.

We are always looking for new volunteers.

If you would like to volunteer or learn more about the pantry, call the pantry phone at

815-613-8776.

Loaves & Fish Food Pantry, located at 409 W. Brayton Road in Mt. Morris, is open on the first and third Thursday from 3:30 to 6 p.m. and the second and fourth Monday from 2 to 4:30 p.m.

Anyone experiencing food insecurity is welcome. Transportation is provided to those who need it on the second Monday of every month, free of charge, by calling LOTS and scheduling a ride.

If you have any questions, please call or text 815-613-8776 or visit our website at loavesandfishmm.com.

Our sincere thanks, Barb Diehl and Jan Francis, co-directors, and the Loaves & Fish Food Pantry board

MT. MORRIS SENIOR & COMMUNITY CENTER NEWS The following events are happening at the Mt. Morris Senior & Community Center: Author talk, Monday, Feb. 12: Come and talk at 11 a.m. with author Len Levinson, who has written many novels and led a very interesting life.

Tea for You, Monday, Feb. 12: We hope you can join us at 6 p.m. for tea and fun. We will make our own soy candles, talk about the language of flowers and enjoy a delicious three-course dinner. Cost is $15.

We will be limiting this tea to 40 people.

Call Melissa at 815-734-6335 to buy your ticket.

Trivia & Tacos, Thursday, Feb. 15: Join us

for a fun night of tacos and trivia. It’s $2 a taco and $2 for the trivia.

Fun Craft, Friday, Feb. 16: Join us for a fun craft with Heather at 11 a.m. in the Coffee Shop at the Center.

Virtual Trip: Be sure to sign up for our next virtual trip. On Feb. 27, we will take a trip to Italy and enjoy a tasty Italian treat.

Upcoming Bus Trips All ages are welcome on the Mt. Morris Senior & Community Center’s trips to Mount Rushmore and New Orleans.

The trip to Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills will be May 26-June 1. Cost is $939.

On Nov. 3-9, the center will head to New

FORRESTON LIBRARY

BERTOLET LIBRARY

Valentines for Vets Everyone is invited to stop in to make Valentines for Vets. We supply all the materials and you supply the creativity.

Cards will be distributed locally and also through state Rep. Tony McCombie’s office to veterans in the 89th District.

Toddler/Preschool Storytime 10 a.m. Wednesdays. Storytime is back. This fun, relaxed program is a great way for you and your little one to meet new friends and experience the joy of reading together.

Community Room Looking for a place to hold your event? Our community room (with a small kitchenette) is available for meetings, parties, showers, family reunions and more. Call the library at 815-938-2624 for information.

Youth Programs Stories with Stacey: 10 a.m. Thursdays.

Join Miss Stacey for fun stories for your toddlers and preschoolers.

Movie: ‘The Little Mermaid’ 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19. The movie shows a headstrong, rebellious mermaid who defied her father, signed a contract with the sea witch and exchanged her voice for legs. Bring your kids and enjoy the classic version of this movie as Ariel and her friends – Sebastian, Flounder and Scuttle – try to outsmart Ursula.

Adult Programs Sip & Solve 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19. Join us for an evening of visiting while we solve puzzles and sip nonalcoholic beverages. Tea, coffee, hot cocoa, water and soda will be available for your enjoyment along with an assortment of puzzles such as crossword, sudoku, word

Orleans. Cost is $935.

The trips include motorcoach transportation from Mt. Morris, six nights lodging, 10 meals, all admissions and tours, entertainment and snacks on the bus.

The center will be hosting an informational meeting about the trips at 5 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 13, at 9 E. Front St. in Mt. Morris.

Ask questions at the meeting and pay a $100 deposit to save your spot.

The trips are limited to 50 people and need a minimum of 35 people.

For questions, call Melissa at 815-7346335.

search and more. Open to all ages.

February Book of the Month Join us in reading “Between Shades of Gray” by Ruta Sepetys. Lina is a typical teenage girl in Lithuania. That is until the Soviet Secret Police take Lina and her family and ship them to Siberian work camps in 1941. A heartbreaking story of courage, love, survival and the trauma that nations of people had to endure.

New Releases Adult Books “Follow Me to Hell” by Tom Clavin, “One in a Million” by Janet Dailey Picture Books “Accidental Inventions: Chocolate Chip Cookies” by Catherine C. Finan “A Very Dinosaur Birthday” by Adam Wallace DVD “Book Club: The Next Chapter”

CORRECTIONS

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Escalating costs, reduced reimbursement cited as reasons for seeking potential partnerships

By CHARLENE BIELEMA

cbielema@shawmedia.com DIXON – Citing escalating operating and staffing costs, as well as changes to health care financing and how patients use health care, KSB Hospital’s board of directors announced Feb. 1 that it has voted to formally explore potential partnerships to make sure quality medical services continue to be delivered.

“Our announcement today is that KSB believes that it’s best going-forward strategy to meet the health care needs and expectations of Lee and southern Ogle County residents is to do so in partnership with an organization that can bring new investment and capabilities to our current operations,” hospital spokesman Kevin Marx said.

KSB Hospital, which employs 920 people and was established by community leaders in the late 1800s, is an independent, not-for-profit organization.

The hospital is an 80-bed facility that offers traditional inpatient and outpatient services in downtown Dixon. KSB also operates an integrated medical group with 70 practitioners providing medical services in primary and select specialty areas at six locations in Lee and southern Ogle counties.

“The health care landscape has changed significantly in recent years and rural hospitals across the country are facing increased challenges to how we have historically operated,” KSB president and CEO David Schreiner

Alex T. Paschal

KSB Hospital’s board of directors announced Feb. 1 that it has voted to formally explore potential partnerships to make sure quality medical services continue to be delivered. said in making the announcement.

“Changes to health care financing systems, along with the COVID-19 pandemic, have impacted the way in which patients use health care. At the same time, inflation has significantly increased operating and staffing costs.”

Marx spoke to those challenges, which come in the form of how the hospital is paid for patient services and how patients are using care.

“On the Medicare side, it is the ongoing shift as to how procedures are classified for payment,” he said. “As an example, surgical procedures that historically were paid on an inpatient basis have been shifted to reimbursement as outpatients, thereby reducing payments to the hospital. Private insurance then follows the Medicare guidelines, which reduces reimbursement for a specific service across the board.”

He said the pandemic also decreased the number of patients seeking services

by putting off elective procedures or accessing care in other settings.

“While most of that patient volume has rebounded, it has not returned to pre-pandemic levels,” Marx said.

As to the hospital’s financial health, Marx said KSB’s financials for the 2023 calendar year are under a routine yearend audit, so the organization is not yet making those numbers available.

KSB Hospital laid off 20 workers in April 2023, citing financial headwinds that began impacting the industry at the beginning of the pandemic. The employees laid off at that time worked mainly in administrative support areas and not in direct patient care, according to the hospital.

“Staffing levels will be evaluated as part of our dialogue with potential partners, so it is premature to predict any impact on employment levels,” Marx said Feb. 1.

As part of the exploration process,

the hospital proactively will consider partners that would invest in the community to maintain and improve access to local health care, according to hospital officials.

The process of identifying and vetting potential partners is expected to take two to three months, Marx said.

“Once a partner is identified and an affiliation agreement reached, we would hope to have them on board yet this year,” Marx said.

In the meantime, all health care operations at KSB and Medical Group clinics will go on as usual, according to the release. Existing appointments will continue to be honored and new services scheduled. Existing phone numbers and contact points still can be accessed.

KSB Board Chairman David Hellmich said the hospital’s board is beginning the effort in a thoughtful and proactive way to ensure they consider relationships that would be the best possible fit for KSB employees and the community.

“The expected outcome of this effort is not only continued local access to high quality hospital care, but also additional capital investment, patient care options and physician coordination for those we serve,” he said.

Hospital officials said that collaboration with other health care entities in the past few years has resulted in expanded local services in areas such as wound care, urgent care and oncology.

“We have a lot to offer in the equation,” Marx said. “KSB’s inpatient beds were full this morning. We have good support from our patients and community. Preliminary conversation with several potential partners have indicated interest on their part for further discussion.”

Moore Tires hustling to open new location in Rock Falls

By KATHLEEN A. SCHULTZ kschultz@shawmedia.com

ROCK FALLS – Less than three weeks after suffering a devastating loss, the Moore Tires family is in overdrive, hustling to open the new site in Rock Falls that eventually will have a 21-bay repair shop, a company headquarters and a warehouse.

They don’t have an opening date yet, but they’re taking advantage of the unseasonable weather and “we’re moving as fast as we possibly can,” said Chief Administrative Officer Kayla Heiar, who along with her

brother, Regional Manager Kyle Moore, is overseeing the rebuild at 2400 First Ave./state Route 40.

Their parents, Jeff and Angie Moore, opened their first shop at 2411 E. Rock Falls Road/U.S. Route 30 in 1991. It was totaled Jan. 16 in a conflagration that began about 4:25 a.m. in the first-floor shop area. Firefighters from more than 20 agencies responded, but there was no saving the 70,000-square-foot facility. No one was injured and no foul play is suspected, fire officials said.

See MOORE TIRES, page 14

Earleen Hinton

Kyle Moore secures a Moore Tires banner to the business’ new location at 2400 First Ave./ state Route 40 in Rock Falls, just 21 days after a fire burned the company’s flagship location.

OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 9, 2024

KSB Hospital exploring financial partnerships 3 to ensure continued delivery of medical services

Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 9, 2024

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

4 LOCAL HISTORY

The museum was a busy place last week

It is nice that Kevin has the museum open every Saturday and he has the flag flying. Kevin is there until about 2 p.m. People are aware of it being open and stop by. Others see the flag and stop by to see what we have.

This particular Saturday, the museum was a busy place and it was nice to be able to show out-of-town people what we have.

I got there about 10 a.m. and soon two gentlemen from another town arrived for a tour. After I finished pointing out things to them, Ian from the Presbyterian church arrived. I had never met the new owners and it was nice to visit with them.

The history of the church and memorabilia from the church are at Aplington House so they will have to come back on another Saturday.

I also was busy putting out all the history of the White Pines State Park

POLO HISTORY Betty Obendorf on a big table. All of it had been at my house while I worked on the text of the book. So I am clearing out the overflow at my place and cluttering up the museum. But if we need to go back to the information, all is right there.

Elmer Stauffer has given us more exact dates and information since I am following a timeline. If someone asks me a question on the Pines, I think it probably needs to be in the book and I add it.

Beth and I now need to look at the text and see where we plug in pictures. We have a couple of boxes of pictures and they need to be placed out on a table. Lots of work yet to do

on the book.

So on this Saturday I was busy placing Pines info out on a big table and talking to people as they came into the museum. Kevin and Donna were working with old information of the 15th Regiment from the area that went to the Civil War. Linda and I also were trying to put away Christmas decorations but not really getting much of that done. Everyone had a job to do.

Finally, I decided I was getting tired and I put on my coat to go home.

Linda already had left. The door then opened and two women from out of town came in and announced they were here to do research. My coat came off.

They had a list of names: Hammer, Pyfer, Stuff and one more. We started pulling out information and one of the things we found was Margaret Pyfer’s

book on the Pyfer family.

I had never had that out before and as the lady looked though it, she said, “This is very good.” She wondered if Margaret was still alive. I did not know, but Margaret would have been delighted to hear the nice comments on her book.

Margaret had been married to Ernie Pyfer and Ernie would come to the museum in my early days after I retired from teaching. Memories came flooding back on him.

After I found all the information we had, I put my coat back on and let Donna and Kevin handle things. It had been a busy day at the museum and I was tired. It was time for me to go home.

• Betty Obendorf is a retired teacher and volunteer for the Polo Historical Society.

Whipping post, pillory, cropping all part of past punishments

By OTTO DICK Shadrach Bond, Illinois’ first governor, abolished the whipping post and pillory, which were used as punishment for minor crimes.

The pillory consisted of hinged wooden boards forming holes through which the head and arms were placed to secure the captive.

Pillories were set up in public places such as marketplaces and crossroads. They usually were placed on platforms to increase public visibility of the convicted person.

Usually a placard detailing the crime was placed nearby. The punishments generally lasted only a few hours. Being forced to stick their head and hands out in front of them, offenders in the pillory would have been extremely uncomfortable during their punishment.

The main purpose was to humiliate them publicly. People would gather to tease and laugh at the offender on display. Sometimes the viewers would throw rotten food, mud, offal and dead animals at the 17th-century convicted offenders.

While confined to the pillory some were whipped and or branded.

Another form of punishment was called cropping. Cropping was having an ear cut off. So when we crop our photos, remember early in our history we cropped people by removing their ears.

A combined pillory and whipping post was located in the New Castle

County jail in Delaware in 1900. The pillory was elevated and the whipping post was located at ground level under the pillory. Both punishments were carried out at the same time.

Flagellation is the act of beating the human body with special implements such as whips, rods, switches, cat o’ nine tails, the sjambok, the knout, etc. Whipping has been imposed on an unwilling subject as a punishment. However, it also can be subjected to the willingly and even done by oneself for religious reasons.

No matter how light, corporal punishment – sometimes referred to as physical punishment – caused deliberate bodily pain or discomfort. In 1894, corporal punishment was banned in Illinois public schools.

Whipping was a common form of punishment during the early colonial period in America. English colonists brought much of their legal practices with them including whipping as a means of disciplining offenders.

One of the disturbing facts of brutal whippings in American history was its widespread use as a means of controlling enslaved people.

I wonder how many of us have been punished by a whipping?

• Otto Dick is a retired teacher and has researched Ogle County history for several years.

Photo provided by Otto Dick

A combined pillory and whipping post was located in the New Castle County jail in Delaware in 1900.

SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com

FORRESTON – Amy Alber, a local Mary Kay consultant, will be the speaker for the Country Crossroads Quilt Guild’s meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19.

“With February being the month for love, our speaker will focus on loving ourselves,” said Ruth Whitney, guild publicity chair. “She will be sharing her journey with Mary Kay Cosmetics and offering information on personal care products, their benefits and proper techniques in their use. The program will be followed by refreshments, a business meeting and Show ’n Tell.”

Guild meetings are on the third Monday of each month (except December) at the Forreston Grove Church, 7246 Freeport Road in Forreston. There is ample time to meet and greet members before the meeting.

Visitors are welcome for a fee of $5 at the door.

Membership dues are $20.

For more information, call Program Committee chairs Shelly Holverson at 815-297-2381 or Karen Bolen at 815-233-9836 or Guild President Chyree Rohde-Lincoln at 815-275-2759.

Earleen Hinton file photo

The Country Crossroads Quilt Guild displayed more than 150 quilts at the Rock River Center in Oregon in 2022. The Country Crossroads Quilt Guild meets monthly at the Forreston Grove Church in Forreston. Visit countrycrossroadsquiltguild.com for more information.

Sinnissippi Centers offers new Sensory Room at Rochelle office SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com

Sinnissippi Centers’ office in Rochelle now has a sensory room that can be used for clients of all ages.

Sensory rooms are spaces that have been specifically designed to give an immersive sensory experience for people with a variety of needs. The size and features of a sensory space differ depending on the user and their needs.

The main benefit of sensory rooms is they are a humane and effective way for individuals to manage their stress levels and negative thoughts and emotions.

A sensory room typically uses lights, sound, colors and other sensory cues to calm, engage and help users to develop emotionally and cognitively.

They are designed to help users engage with their senses of touch, sight and hearing and reap the benefits of sensory stimulation in a safe and relaxed environment, regardless of their age or ability.

“We created a sensory room based on my personal experience with my son’s occupational therapy,” said Sarah Schulfer-Popp, area office manager at Sinnissippi Centers’ Rochelle office. “It was created around the idea that many children and adults may be seeking sensory stimulation and this makes it hard to concentrate on anything else internally.

“Once my son started occupational therapy, his language started to develop rapidly as his sensory needs were being met. He is now a happy and extremely chatty 5 year old.”

Photo provided by Sinnissippi Centers

Sinnissippi Centers’ office in Rochelle is located at 1321 N. Seventh St. By creating a place where clients can experience increased sensory input that is controlled, they are better able to free up internal resources to work on attention, focus, social skills, anxiety and even other coping skills, Schulfer-Popp said.

In addition, a sensory room creates a calm and safe environment for clients to have their sessions.

“Kids have loved it so far and I have taken one adult into the sensory room and she opened up more than she had before,” Schulfer-Popp said. “We had low lights, she sat on the beanbag and had a weighted blanket on her. Her

subjective report was that she feels safe in my office, but the sensory room was a step above that.”

The sensory room at the Rochelle office features a Lycra swing, a crash pad, fiber optic lights, tap lights, wall panels, a felt storyboard, a beanbag to sit on, chairs with exercise balls in them, weighted blankets, weighted vests, social and emotional games and sensory bins, as well as other things such as a puppet theater, a calm down jar and a white noise machine with meditation exercises on it.

While sensory rooms are newer to behavioral health, they are supported

by peer-reviewed research and readily are endorsed by the Joint Commission (the nation’s oldest and largest standards and accrediting body in health care) and are being promoted by the National Technical Assistance Center, a division of the National Association for State Mental Health Program Directors, Schulfer-Popp said.

Sinnissippi Centers operates two outpatient offices and a residential facility in Ogle County and is looking for office space to expand outpatient services in northwestern Ogle County.

For more information, visit www. sinnissippi.org.

OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 9, 2024

Country Crossroads Quilt Guild to meet Feb. 19 5

Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 9, 2024

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

6 CRIME AND COURTS

Judge denies Oregon man’s request for release Continuance granted as court-ordered evaluation nears completion

By EARLEEN HINTON

ehinton@shawmedia.com OREGON – An Ogle County judge again denied an Oregon’s man request to be released from custody to help an ailing family member as his case proceeds through the court system.

Kris D. Stubblefield, 32, who is charged with possessing videos of children engaged in sex acts, appeared before Judge John “Ben” Roe on Feb. 1 for a status hearing.

Stubblefield was arrested Oct. 21, 2023, by Ogle County sheriff’s deputies after a monthslong investigation and search of his home, prompted by a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Charging documents say all the children were younger than 13 and some were as young as 3, with the offenses occurring in August and October of 2023.

Stubblefield has pleaded not guilty

to all eight charges.

Ogle County Public Defender Michael O’Brien told Roe that the defense still was waiting for court-ordered evaluation to be completed on his client. Kris D. Stubblefield “We are still waiting for the results of that evaluation,” O’Brien said. “We think it may be done by March.”

O’Brien requested the next hearing be set for late February.

Assistant State’s Attorney Heather Kruse did not object to the continuance. Roe set the next status hearing for 1:30 p.m. Feb. 26.

In December, Roe ordered an evaluation of Stubblefield and denied his request to be released from jail to serve as a caregiver for his ailing grandfather.

Stubblefield has been held in the Ogle County Correctional Center since his arrest, but has requested numerous times to be released from custody as his case proceeds.

Continuance granted in sexual assault case

On Feb. 1, O’Brien said Stubblefield’s incarceration continues to be a hardship on his family since he would be providing caregiving services to his grandfather if he were released.

“His grandfather’s health has worsened and the situation is made more difficult due to his incarceration,” O’Brien told Roe. O’Brien has argued for his client’s release, citing his cooperation with law enforcement, adding Stubblefield did not try to elude law enforcement and has no history of violence.

Kruse renewed the state’s argument to keep Stubblefield in custody, citing reports from the Illinois attorney general and the sheriff’s office that Stubblefield is a registered juvenile sex offender and was in possession of more than 1,500 images on his phone of children engaged in sex acts with adults and some with other children.

She said in a previous hearing that Stubblefield’s conviction as a juvenile was for aggravated criminal sexual assault of a child younger than 9 years old.

In previous denials of Stubblefield’s request for release, Roe said “criminal

Palatine man accused of killing Rochelle woman to appear in court again in April

By EARLEEN HINTON

ehinton@shawmedia.com

By EARLEEN HINTON

ehinton@shawmedia.com OREGON – The defense attorney for a Forreston man accused of sexually assaulting a 17-yearold girl in 2016 and 2017 asked an Ogle County judge for a continuance until March as an evaluation of her client continues.

Michael A. Gaston, 67, appeared in court Jan. 31 with attorney Rahnesha C. Williams for a pretrial conference before Ogle County Judge John Redington.

Williams said Gaston’s defense team still is waiting for an evaluation of Gaston to be completed.

Assistant State’s Attorney Heather Kruse did not object to the continuance.

Redington granted the defense’s motion to continue the conference to 1 p.m. March 13.

Gaston was charged May 1, 2023, with six counts of criminal sexual assault. According to

court documents, the incidents occurred in May and December 2016 as well as in January, FebruMichael A. Gaston ary and March 2017.

Gaston pleaded not guilty to the charges May 26, 2023, and has requested a jury trial.

Forreston police received a report of a sexual abuse incident Feb. 18, 2023, began an investigation and arrested Gaston in May, Chief Chris Thiel said in a news release.

Bail was set at $100,000. Gaston posted $10,000 bond May 3, 2023, and was released.

Gaston was a bus driver with Forrestville Valley School District 221 but was fired March 1, 2023, according to the March 15, 2023, school board meeting minutes.

acts involving the internet” would be difficult to restrict or monitor if Stubblefield were to be released.

“The court will stand by its previous ruling,” Roe said, denying the motion to be released. The denial marked the sixth time a judge has rejected the request.

Stubblefield filed an appeal of an Oct. 24 decision by Judge Clayton Lindsey after one of his first court appearances. That appeal was denied Dec. 15 by the Appellate Court of the 4th District.

Stubblefield’s appeal was filed under the Pretrial Fairness Act. It argued he should be released because the state did not meet its burden of proving any real threat existed to people or the community if Stubblefield were released.

The appeal followed passage of the controversial SAFE-T Act, which was upheld by the Illinois Supreme Court and allows defendants to be released on no-cash bond. Under the new law, judges still decide whether a defendant is a flight risk or poses too much of a threat to one person or the community to allow release.

OREGON – A Palatine man accused of fatally stabbing a Rochelle woman and then setting her apartment on fire in September 2022 appeared in court Jan. 31 with his attorney and asked for a two-month continuance.

Gary C. Freeman, 28, has pleaded not guilty to four counts of first-degree murder, one count of residential arson and one count of concealment of a homicide.

Freeman is charged in connection with the death of Devin K. Gibbons, 28, of Rochelle.

Freeman, who is being held at the Ogle County Correctional Center on $10 million bond, appeared in Ogle County court Jan. 31 with his attorney, Robert Kerr.

Kerr said he had received additional discovery evidence from prosecutors in asking for the continuance.

“I’d ask for an April date,” Kerr said to Judge John Redington.

Ogle County Assistant State’s Attorney Allison Huntley did not object to the continuance.

In previous court hearings, Kerr said he has received discovery documents provided by prosecutors but needed more time to review the state’s evidence, which included “over 2,500 pages.”

Redington set Freeman’s next hearing for 1 p.m. April 3.

Gibbons was found dead in her Rochelle apartment, 503 Seventh Ave., after Rochelle police and firefighters were dispatched to that address at Gary C. Freeman 10:46 a.m. Sept. 18, 2022, for a smoke investigation, according to a joint news release from the Rochelle Police Department and Ogle County State’s Attorney Mike Rock. Freeman became a suspect during the course of the investigation, according to the release. An Ogle County grand jury in February 2023 indicted Freeman.

The first-degree murder charges, Class M felonies, allege that Freeman “knowingly stabbed” Gibbons “with the intent to kill her or do great bodily harm” and that the “murder was committed in a cold, calculated and premeditated manner, pursuant to a preconceived plan, scheme or design.”

The concealment of a homicidal death indictment, a Class 3 felony, alleged that Freeman knew Gibbons “had died by homicidal means” and “knowingly concealed” her death by leaving her body inside her apartment and then starting the fire. The residential arson charge is a Class 1 felony.

OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 9, 2024

Lost Nation Golf Club has a new owner, renewed hope 7 Club member Dan Whalen said he’s happy to keep site a public course

By KATHLEEN A. SCHULTZ kschultz@shawmedia.com

LOST LAKE – Lost Nation Golf Club has an enthusiastic new owner who lives only a stone’s throw away from the scenic course.

Club member Dan Whalen, 41, of Dixon/Lost Lake, said he closed on the sale Feb. 2.

Whalen, a member of the club for three years, said he is happy that he will be able to keep the site a public golf course, which he said will benefit not only Lost Lake but also the surrounding communities of Dixon, Oregon and Rochelle.

He’s also happy to keep the land out of the hands of any of the others who were interested in buying it to redevelop the land.

The 18-hole, 168-plus-acre course at 6931 S. Lost Nation Road – in a rural Ogle County subdivision with a Dixon mailing address – was listed for sale in November for $1.25 million, which was below the appraised value, according to the listing.

Whalen declined to say what he paid.

Whalen, who’s originally from up the road in Oregon, has been in sales and management since college and said he is delighted with and excited by this new venture.

“I figured it was time to do something for myself and this opportunity came up,” he said. “My job now is the golf course.”

It’s going to be a sweet commute.

“I live across the street from the golf course. It’s one of the reasons we bought the house. The golf course was one of the draws,” he said, adding with a laugh, “I’ll be driving my golf cart to work.”

His goal is to return to Lost Nation some of its lost glory and make it one of the best courses around.

“It’s going to be challenging, but it will be rewarding at the same time,” he said.

Whalen is married to Erika (Meiners) Whalen, who is the human resources director at Crest Foods in Ashton, and – get this – not a golfer, although she likes to sit on the clubhouse deck and read, her husband said. They have a dog named Marge.

Lost Nation began as a private course for Lost Nation Woodland Homesteads, now Lost Lake, in the mid-1960s.

Back then, those who bought a home also got a membership. It opened to the public in the 1970s.

According to its website, it has

Earleen Hinton

Dan Whalen, 41, of Dixon/Lost Lake, is the new owner of Lost Nation Golf Club, an 18-hole public course 10 miles east of Dixon, at 6931 S. Lost Nation Road, in the rural Ogle County subdivision of Lost Lake. earned “numerous” four-star “Places to Play” honors from Golf Digest readers.

There’s a clubhouse with a bar and grill, outdoor seating overlooking the grounds (also good for reading), a banquet room for community events, a pro shop and a small practice area.

The restaurant hasn’t been open consistently since the pandemic, but that’s high on Whalen’s list.

“We’re working to make sure the restaurant is open at least during the golf season and hopefully all year round,” he said.

The club has a staff of about 10 fulltime and seasonal workers, and he plans to hire more, especially for the bar and grill.

Because the soil is sand-based, the course has “very good drainage,” he said.

“We are able to open up sooner and stay open later than other courses,” Whalen said.

In fact, Lost Nation opens for play when the temperatures hit 50 or higher and there’s no snow or rain, so it has no official opening day.

It’s also a versatile course, Whalen said.

“It’s challenging enough for weekend warriors ... and challenging enough for those who consider them-

Lost Nation Golf Club was listed for sale in November for $1.25 million, which was below the appraised value, according to the listing. New owner Dan Whalen declined to say what he paid.

Photo provided by Marge Lindenme

selves good golfers,” he said.

Whalen said memberships and fees will remain as they are for now, but it will be a short while before the system is up and running and new memberships can be taken.

There were 65 members last season, a number he hopes to increase substantially.

Whalen has some general maintenance and upkeep plans for the course in the near future, such as repairing a furnace; getting new flags, cups and tee markers; painting the pro shop; and generally “making it more appealing and inviting for everyone,” he said.

In a post Feb. 1 on the course’s Facebook page, former owner Robert

Peacock Jr. of Chicago wrote: “On behalf of myself and my family I would like to thank all of the patrons of Lost Nation Golf Club for their support. ...

After 42 years, I have met a lot of nice people. I have always tried to be polite, honest and fair with everyone. I will miss many of you.

“Today, I turned the keys over to Dan. I wish him good luck and can’t wait to see him take LNGC to the next level.”

To learn more

Call 815-652-4212, find Lost Nation Golf Course on Facebook or visit lostnationgolf.com for information on the course, membership or hosting events.

Village of Progress Foundation to offer 2 scholarships SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com

OREGON – The Village of Progress Foundation will offer two scholarships in 2024.

The first scholarship in the amount of $1,000 is made possible through a joint effort between The Larry Young & Friends Charities and The Village of Progress Foundation. Larry Young & Friends Charities partner with The Village of Progress Foundation every

year to help make the annual golf outing a success. Young also serves on the foundation’s board of directors.

The second scholarship in the amount of $1,000 is made possible through the generosity of the Cacciatore family. The Cacciatores have been longtime supporters of the Village of Progress. Wanda served on the Village of Progress board of directors for 10 years beginning in 1988. She has served on the foundation’s board for almost 30 years.

The scholarship honors her hus-

band, Pete, who also was an enthusiastic supporter of the Village of Progress. Pete died in 2014, leaving behind a legacy of commitment to the Village of Progress and its mission.

To be eligible for either scholarship, the student must: • Be a resident of Ogle County • Be either a high school senior who is disabled or is planning on attending college and majoring in an area related to the disabled or a full-time undergraduate college student who is dis-

abled or is majoring in an area related to the disabled Applications must be received by March 15, be completed on the foundation application form and include at least two written references. The financial status of the applicant is not a consideration.

Those seeking an application are encouraged to call the Village of Progress at 815-732-2126 or go to the website at villageofprogress.org and download a high school or college application.

Performing Arts Guild scholarship applications available SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com

OREGON – Scholarship applications for the Performing Arts Guild are available at the Oregon High School

guidance office or can be downloaded from the website at www.performingartsguild.com Scholarships are limited to individuals living in Mount Morris and Oregon or attending Oregon School Dis-

trict 220.

Applications are open to anyone interested in studying the arts. This includes, but is not limited to, performing, directing, teaching drama, music, visual arts, technical crafts,

set design, etc.

The scholarship application deadline is March 15.

Scholarships will be awarded in May during the Oregon High School Honors Night Assembly.

SM-ST2141522

Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 9, 2024

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

8 SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Play now by going to ShawLocal.com/games or by scanning the code at the right. eNewspaper readers, click the link above to play now.

9

100 Women Who Care donate $8K to camp for sexually abused girls SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com

OREGON – 100 Women Who Care of Ogle County voted in January to give $8,000 to Camp Cedar Illinois Inc., a faith-based camp in Steward for sexually abused girls ages 7 to 17.

The decision was made after the group heard from six charitable organizations.

“The camp was created four years ago with the mission to empower young survivors of sexual abuse.

Their goal is to create a fun, safe and encouraging environment in order to promote healing and personal growth. They offer various activities over the summer totally free to the campers they serve,” 100 Women Who Care of Ogle County member Deanna Forrest said.

100 Women Who Care Ogle County is a group of women who join together to donate to charities within Ogle County. The local chapter is part of 100 Who Care Alliance, which is international in scope. Meetings are held on a quarterly basis where a 501(c)(3) is nominated and voted on to receive $100 from each member.

No other fees are required. Membership is growing steadily with

80 members. The more women who care, the more we can give.

Anyone interested in becoming a member or learning more about how the donation process works can contact Forrest at forrestdede5@gmail. com or find them on Facebook www. facebook.com/oglegives.

To learn more about Camp Cedar Illinois, visit campcedarillinois.org, or write campcedaril@gmail.com.

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OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 9, 2024

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100 Women Who Care Ogle County pose with the mock check they presented to Camp Cedar. The group of women join together to donate to charities within Ogle County.

Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 9, 2024

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

10

The Leaf River Soaring Eagles 4-H Club participated in the Harvest Time Parade during Oregon’s Autumn on Parade in October 2023. David Bagwell, Lucy Miller, David Wehler and Kaden Lingbeck are on the club’s float.

Photos provided by Grant Johnson

ABOVE: Lydia Sherburne and Kaden Lingbeck from the Leaf River Soaring Eagles 4-H Club worked on cleaning the flower bed around the gazebo in Leaf River in October 2023.

RIGHT: David Wehler finished cleaning the flower bed the next day.

Ogle County 4-H club honored with statewide award

By EARLEEN HINTON

ehinton@shawmedia.com The Leaf River Soaring Eagles 4-H club recently was honored for its achievements with a statewide Excel Club Award.

“Recognition and awards are an essential part of 4-H. Recognition encourages young people and increases their interest in opportuni-

ties as they become more capable young adults,” said Jodi Baumgartner, program coordinator, 4-H Youth Development, University of Illinois Extension.

Leaf River Soaring Eagles 4-H Club was honored with a Community Service Excel Club Award because of a demonstrated focus on their 4-H club’s work in service to and for others, emphasizing youth leadership in plan-

ning and implementing the service work.

“The Illinois 4-H Recognition program focuses on three areas of recognition: Engage, Experience and Excel.

Clubs that excel in their work can compete for state awards. Congratulations to the Leaf River Soaring Eagles 4-H Club for an outstanding year,” Baumgartner said.

To learn more about 4-H or get

involved, visit the Ogle County 4-H website at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/bdo/ or call the Extension office at 815-732-2191. Let us know if you need reasonable accommodations to participate in 4-H. 4-H is the youth development program of the University of Illinois Extension. The University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.

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Lucy Miller from the Leaf River Soaring Eagles 4-H Club did her community service by cleaning the flower bed at the Bertolet Memorial Library in Leaf River in October 2023.

BOYS BASKETBALL

By ANDY COLBERT

Shaw Local News Network correspondent BYRON – With a 55-51 win over Byron on Monday, Beecher remains the lone undefeated boys basketball team in Illinois.

In a game that was scheduled after both schools had an opening because of weather cancellations, the visitors made a two-hour drive from the far southwest suburbs near the Indiana border.

“We’re not running away to hide.

We need experiences like this to get ready for the postseason,” Beecher coach Tyler Shireman said. “Byron had posted on Twitter that they were looking for a game. I saw it and replied.

In a few minutes, the wheels started turning and we were able to get something worked out.”

Had Byron not lost to Rockford Christian three days earlier, it would have been two unbeaten teams going at it. Still, much of the state was focused on a rare Monday 5:30 p.m. tilt between a 25-0 team and a 21-1 team.

Besides the stellar records, it almost looked like a mirror image with both teams playing a similar style of ball.

“After we watched film, I told our guys that they were just like us when it comes to shooting, defending the ball, pass sequence and physical size,” Shireman said. “We thought the game would resemble an intrasquad scrimmage.”

The first quarter was more of a free-wheeling affair, with the Tigers grabbing a 20-17 lead. Ryan Tucker (2), Cason Newton and Carson Buser all hit 3-pointers for Byron.

Early in the second quarter, Byron went up 25-20 and had a chance to go up even more after two consecutive steals by Tucker, but open layups were missed.

“We had at least three possessions with breakaway layups that we missed,” Byron coach Matt Huels said.

“It was kind of deflating for our kids.”

The missed bunnies started a run of nine empty possessions while Beecher went up 29-25 on a scoring flourish by All-State guard Adyn McGinley. Buser came to the rescue for Byron with a halftime buzzer-beating 3-pointer from the other side of the halfcourt line to close to within 29-28.

“That gave us a boost,” Huels said.

Byron regained the lead at 34-33 midway through the third quarter as the Bobcats hit a stretch of one basket in 11 possessions. Not only that, but it was one-and-done. Byron did not allow an offensive board in the quarter.

With the tempo of the game slowing down, the third quarter ended with a 36-35 Tigers lead, aided by two Jack Hively baskets. That was the last time

Photos by Earleen Hinton

Byron’s Caden Considine battles for a rebound with Beecher’s Ethan Rydberg (10) on Feb. 5 at Byron High School.

Byron’s Ryan Tucker drives to the basket and draws a foul from Beecher’s Ethan Rydberg. the Tigers would lead the game.

Beecher scored nine unanswered points to start the fourth quarter.

Tucker got Byron back in it with 10 straight points. He led all scorers with 23 points.

“He did a good job of getting to the basket from the high post,” Huels said.

While Tucker was in the midst of his scoring spree, 6-foot-5 Orlin Nesbitt was being a force on the boards for the Bobcats. On the only team offen-

sive rebound of the second half, Nesbitt demonstratively grabbed a loose carom and put it back in for a 48-41 lead.

“He’s really come along in the last month for us,” Shireman said. “His play allows our guards to be more aggressive on the perimeter.”

Tucker got Byron to within 48-46 with 1:20 left in the game. Going to a press, the Tigers flustered Beecher into two quick turnovers.

But Ethan Rydberg put the game away for the Bobcats on 7-for-8 freethrow shooting in the final minute.

Newton scored to make it 52-49 with 15 seconds left and again to close to within 53-51 with four seconds left.

“It was a good test for us going against a team like this,” said Huels, whose team wrapped up a tough two and a half weeks of facing Pecatonica, Lutheran, Dixon, Rockford Christian and Beecher.

Beecher (26-0) plays in the weak River Valley conference, but had quality wins against Rockridge, St. Joe-Ogden and Peoria Notre Dame. The Bobcats were led by 6-foot-3 guard Rydberg with 20 points. McGinley was held to 10 points.

“That was not [McGinley’s] best game. It is how we can win without him,” Shireman said.

OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 9, 2024

State-ranked battle: Byron falls to Beecher 55-51

11

Byron grapplers stun Lena-Winslow at regional They did it again. Byron, that is.

After dominating 3A football and being state ranked in basketball, the Tigers wrestling team added to the luster with a stunning 196-195 win over Lena-Winslow in regional wrestling.

How stunning?

Other than Le-Win and Dakota, no one else has won this regional since 2011 when Stillman Valley was champion.

Byron has to go back to 2002 for its last regional crown.

It wasn’t out of the question for Byron to pull off the win. Le-Win and Dakota were both down from their glory years and the Tigers have always had quality wrestlers.

Still, Lena-Winslow held a higher state ranking and had beaten Byron 44-21 in a dual meet. It also put whippings on other regional contenders Dakota, Oregon and Stillman Valley.

But an individual-based regional or sectional meet has different dynamics than a standard dual.

Wrestlers from other schools can cancel out results and strange things can begin to happen. Other examples of strangeness are one-point wins that could have gone either way and lower seeds beating higher seeds.

For Byron, there were six weight classes that made the most difference in

GUEST VIEW Andy Colbert the final outcome.

At 285 pounds, No. 2 seed Jared Claunch pulled off a 3-2 win in the semis over a Lena-Winslow opponent and went on to win the title for the clinching point total. The final match likely was easier than expected as the No. 1 seed from Dakota was upset in the semis.

Kyle Jones got a wild one-point win in the semis to advance to the 190-pound finals against a No. 1 seed from LenaWinslow. Jones, a 2023 state qualifier, really got the Byron crowd fired up with a pressure-packed win over L-W to keep the regional title within reach.

Carson Behn pulled out a 1-0 win in the 165-pound semis against LenaWinslow for more crucial points. At 138 and 150, No. 1 seeds Will Julian and Brody Stien picked up workmanlike wins over No. 2 seeds from LenaWinslow in the championship round.

In the wrestle-back format, Damien Palacios had to beat a Lena-Winslow wrestler for the second time in the third-place match at 113, a 7-4 decision.

But if he had lost after winning the firstround match, no team title for Byron.

All together, Byron wrestlers won seven of the 11 contested matches against Lena-Winslow and if any of those one-point wins go the other way, the regional title would have gone to Lena-Winslow. That’s how close it was.

It also should be noted that one of the officials at the regional, Kevin Barringer of Oregon, is wrapping up a 43-year career in the sport. A longtime friend and fellow Rochelle grad, Kevin has been officiating the sport since he was 18 and is a veteran of many state meets.

Thanks for your service Kevin and the excellent work on the mat.

Back to Byron, and, no, I don’t purposely focus on Byron as some people occasionally suggest I do. Let’s face it.

They got it going there.

Anyway, it was a lot of fun to see the boys basketball team host undefeated Beecher.

Beecher won, mainly because it shot better – 41% to 34%. I appreciated how similar the two teams were to each other.

When you bring a faraway opponent in for the first time ever, you never know what you’re going to get. It seemed Byron got a clone of itself in how Beecher handled the ball and

played defense.

Until this season, Beecher has never been noted much for basketball, but it is one of the premier softball programs in the state with four state titles in the past two decades.

Strangely, this town of 4,600 and school of 350 has never had football.

“We have a few farm kids around that would probably be OK, but it would be hard to keep from losing when you start from scratch,” basketball coach Tyler Shireman said. “When you’ve never had something, you don’t miss it as much.”

For the second time in recent weeks, we had a local coach earn win No. 300 in basketball. This time, it was Byron girls coach Eric Yerly, who pulled off the feat in 13 years to go along with a couple of state trophies.

As Frank Swingel from Mount Morris once told me, Yerly is going to be a decent coach because of the toughness of being a Hall Township grad. Yes, Frank hails from Spring Valley, too.

After playing football against Hall in the old NCIC, I can’t fault that argument.

• Andy Colbert has been a sports writer for Shaw Media and has covered high school sports in Ogle County for more than 31 years.

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Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 9, 2024

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

12

To request your FREE copy, simply call us at (815) 632-2566 or email your requests and address to: knull@saukvalley.com

13

Cullen Shaner tries to get a piece of the ball.

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS ROUNDUP Girls basketball

Jenna Greenfield and Hailee Vogt

Awender, a junior, and Soltow, a

advanced five individuals to the Byron

Rockford Lutheran 56, Oregon 14: The scored eight points each to lead Forres- senior, both reached 1,000 career points Sectional.

Hawks fell behind 20-3 in the first quarter and never recovered against the Crusaders.

Mya Engelkes and Teagan Champley led Oregon with six points apiece.

Polo 52, Fulton 36: The Lady Marcos built a 31-17 halftime lead and held off the Steamers for an NUIC South win.

Camrynn Jones led Polo with 12 points, seven rebounds, four blocks and three assists, Elsa Monaco chipped in 11 points and Sydnei Rahn added five points, nine rebounds and 10 blocks.

Haley Smither scored a game-high 17 points to lead Fulton.

Hall 38, Forreston 34: The Cardinals came up short in a nonconference game against the Red Devils.

Forreston was led by Jenna Greenfield with 10 points and Hailee Vogt with nine.

Polo 45, Milledgeville 20: The Lady Marcos built a 21-4 first-quarter lead and cruised past the Missiles.

Camrynn Jones totaled 14 points and three blocks and Karlea Frey supplied eight points, three steals and two blocks for Polo.

Loren Meiners paced Milledgeville with five points.

Oregon 52, North Boone 30: The Hawks rode a balanced offense to a Big Northern Conference win over the Vikings.

Alease McLain and Sarah Eckardt led Oregon with 10 points each. Ella Dannhorn followed with eight points.

Polo 30, Forreston 28: The Lady Marcos took a 16-6 first-quarter lead and held off a late Cardinals charge in NUIC South play.

Polo was led by Courtney Grobe and Camrynn Jones with nine points each, followed by Carlee Grobe and Sydnei Rahn with eight points each.

ton.

Oregon 55, West Carroll 17: The Hawks

took a 30-13 halftime lead and rolled past the Thunder.

Teagan Champley scored 12 points to lead Oregon. Madi Shaffer and Mya Engelkes added eight points each.

Caitlyn Stingley led West Carroll with nine points, five rebounds and two blocks. Mandy Myers pulled down eight rebounds.

in the game.

Nelson Benesh (113 pounds) and

Forreston 55, Rockford Christian Life 49: Preston LaBay (126) led the way as

The Cardinals built a 28-19 halftime lead and held off the Eagles for a nonconference win.

Forreston was led by Kendall Erdmann with 21 points and six assists, Brendan Greenfield with 17 points and 13 rebounds and Mickey Probst with 12 points.

Dakota 61, Polo 50: Brock Soltow scored 15 of his game-high 24 points in Boys basketball the fourth quarter, but the Marcos sufPolo 62, Milledgeville 52: Brock Soltow fered the loss in NUIC crossover play. scored 30 points as the Marcos downed Gus Mumford added eight points for the Missiles in a Northwest Upstate Polo.

Dixon 71, Oregon 48: The Hawks fell to Illini Conference South matchup.

Gus Mumford scored 16 points and the Dukes at Lancaster Gym in Dixon.

Statistics on the game were not proNolan Hahn added 12 for Polo.

Milledgeville was led by Connor vided by either school.

Nye with 28 points. Micah Toms-Smith chipped in eight points for the Missiles. Boys wrestling Forreston 54, Amboy 31: The Cardinals Class 1A Stillman Valley Regional: Oretook a 27-13 halftime lead and rolled gon placed third as a team and past the Clippers.

Kendall Erdmann and Mickey Probst scored 18 points each to lead Forreston.

Probst also drew two charges to set the single-season school record with 16.

Amboy was led by Quinn Leffelman with nine points and Troy Anderson with eight points.

Eastland 66, Polo 63 (2 OTs): The Cougars outlasted the Marcos in double overtime for an NUIC South win.

Parker Krogman led Eastland with 25 points. Adam Awender scored 19 and Peyton Spears added 15.

Brock Soltow paced Polo with 29 points and Gus Mumford chipped in 16.

Soltow went 12-for-14 from the freeSM-ST2042914 throw line.

regional champions. Anthony Bauer (157) finished second. Ethan Mowry (150) and Quentin Berry (190) each finished third.

Jackson Messenger (120) and Jakobi Donegan (144) both lost their thirdplace matches and finished fourth, ending their seasons.

Class 2A Rochelle Regional: Polo co-op’s Chase Bremmer (138) and Draven Zier (150) each placed third to qualify for the Sycamore Sectional.

Bremmer (27-5) beat Rockford East’s Cameron Terronez and Zier (26-16) beat Woodstock’s Ayden Dobler to advance.

Kaenyn McCarren (157) lost to Woodstock’s Logan Wisner and Lucas Nelson (126) lost to Sycamore’s Thomas Lind to finish fourth and end their seasons.

Polo placed seventh at the eightteam event.

OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 9, 2024

Photos by Earleen Hinton

ABOVE: Oregon’s Jameson Caposey drives to the basket against Dixon on Feb. 3 at Lancaster Gym at Dixon High School. LEFT: Oregon’s Keaton Salisbury shoots as Dixon’s

14 • MOORE TIRES

The city approached the family while the coals still were hot and the Moores soon entered into an agreement with the Rock Falls Industrial Development Commission to buy the site, which is on the west side of Route 40 just north of the Hennepin Canal and a stone’s throw away from Interstate 88.

Tuesday, just 21 days after the fire, was a banner day – banners with the Moore Tires name were hung on the new shop building.

And the company’s signature big red letters are coming back someday, Heiar said.

The transformation so far has been amazing.

When they first saw the building less than a month ago, it was full of road salt being stored there by the city.

“We had to haul out 21 truckloads,” gut the building and design a layout for the space before work could begin, Moore said.

There are three buildings on-site – a former large truck repair shop run by the late

Photo provided by Kayla Heiar

Construction is underway Feb. 5 at the new Moore Tires location in Rock Falls.

George Hallman, the former S.J. Smith welding shop and a building that the city of Rock Falls is using as a recycling center.

As of Tuesday, plumbers, electricians and others were busy working on the interior of the new shop, which one day also will have an addition that will stretch it to 21 bays,

including space for commercial and agricultural repair jobs, Moore said. That’s the building they are concentrating on for now.

The city will continue to use the recycling center for another year or so before it becomes warehouse space and the former welding shop eventually will be remodeled

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into the headquarters for Moore Tires’ six locations – in Rock Falls, at 1315 N. Galena Ave. in Dixon, and in Mendota, Kewanee, Monmouth and Macomb.

For now, they are using temporary office space in Rock Falls for their headquarters’ 10 to 12 administrative workers while the rest of the

company’s 50 workers based in Rock Falls are keeping busy at the Dixon, Kewanee and Mendota locations and some even are helping out at the construction site, Heiar said.

They would be nowhere near this far along without the support of their employees, Heiar said. “They’ve been absolutely amazing.”

There is no word yet on the cause of the fire and it will be two to three months before cleanup can begin, the siblings said.

They’re not yet sure what they’re going to do with it, Moore said. “It’s going to be a long process.”

And a lot of hard work.

They’re not grousing, though.

“We wouldn’t wish this upon anyone,” but the response not only from their employees, but also the community, has been terrific, Heiar said.

“We feel very blessed.”

Follow their progress

Find @MooreTires1 on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn and MooreTires. com for updates.

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Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 9, 2024

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

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ENTERTAINMENT

Timber Lake Playhouse to hold auditions for summer season

By CHARLENE BIELEMA

cbielema@shawmedia.com MOUNT CARROLL – Timber Lake Playhouse announced auditions for local children, teens and adults for the 2024 season will be Feb. 17.

Timber Lake Playhouse again will cast local performers. Roles are available for local actors and actresses ages 6 and older to perform ensemble roles in “The Nerd,” “Footloose,” “The Wizard of Oz” and “Anything Goes,” as well as children for the munchkins in “The Wizard of Oz.” TLP also will be

casting two local actors ages 7 to 10 for the role of Thor in “The Nerd.”

Auditions will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb 17, at the playhouse. Those auditioning are asked to prepare 32 bars of a song and to bring sheet music as TLP will provide an accompanist. You also can sing using accompaniment tracks. There will be a dance combination taught at the end of every hour. Make sure you are in attendance for one of the dance sessions and wear clothes you can move in with appropriate shoes (no heels).

If you can’t make the audition, you

may send a video. Your video audition should include a short monologue, 32 bars of a song showing off your voice and a short dance. Include a picture of yourself and resume. Videos can be sent to casting@timberlakeplayhouse. org with Local Audition in the heading.

To schedule an appointment, visit the audition page on the TLP website at www.timberlakeplayhouse.org and follow the instructions. If all of the time slots are taken, come to the theater and you will be worked into the schedule.

Other youth performance opportunities at TLP include roles that are open to all elementary, middle and high school aged performers. Next Stage Jr Theatre will be performing “The Lion King Jr.” and TLP’s All Area High School Production will be “Ride the Cyclone,” both on TLP’s mainstage. Watch for more information about these opportunities. Local actors ages 5 through 18 will be cast for these productions.

For questions regarding auditions, visit www.timberlakeplayhouse.org or call the TLP office at 815-244-2048.

Maple Grove Fields LLC to Sergio and Alexis Janelle Barrientos, 401 S. Third St., Oregon, $249,000.

Jason and Melissa Stombaugh to Cody A. Thompson, 905 Madison St., Oregon, $120,500.

Everett G. Albright to Shane Logan, one parcel in Oregon-Nashua Township, $169,900.

Lakeview Loan Servicing LLC to Springboard CDF1, 307 S. Mckendrie St., Mt. Morris, $79,520.

Alex Guzman and Erin Morris Wagner to Ian and Toni McLaughlin, 9984 N. Pecatonica Road, Leaf River, $287,500.

Estate of the late Charlotte Hermann by executor to Crabapple Court LLC, 105 N. Crabapple Court, Dixon, $0.

Robert and Sara Hoovler to Dakota Allen Patton, 105 S. Elm St., Davis Junction, $170,000.

Aaron Harms to Quint and Melinda Burkhart, one parcel in Lafayette Township, $48,000.

The late Carol L. Beers by heirs to Megan L. Elvin, 109 and 111 N. Pleasant St., Polo, $35,000.

P and N Properties LLC to Maria De Jesus Palacios, 309 W. Center St., Mt. Morris, $15,500.

PROPERTY TRANSFERS Filed Jan. 26-Feb. 1 Warranty deeds

Mick Schoenholz to Rhylie Erdman, 312 W. First St., Mt. Morris, $125,000.

Dwayne and Lisa Decker to Larson Chandler and Kaylee Marie Consoer, 504 S. 12th St., Rochelle, $148,000.

Edgewood Golf Club II LLC and Burkardt Golf Course LLC to Marty and Christie Cox, 10484 W. Edgewood Road, Polo, $30,000.

Edgewood Golf Club II LLC and Burkardt Golf Course LLC to Marty and Christie Cox, one parcel in Woosung Township, $10,000.

Executors deed

Quit claim deeds

Estate of the late Galen K. Russell by executor to Steven G. Hoffman, 11584 W. West Grove Road, Forreston, $200,000.

David and Kathleen Ingram to David and Kathleen Ingram Irrevocable Trust, Tiffany E. Moberg and Danielle K. Parli, trustees, 8434 E. Winnebago Lane, Byron, $0.

Timothy Hayden to Haywell LLC Westwood, 825 N. 12th St., Rochelle, $0.

Source: Ogle County Recorder’s Office

OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 9, 2024

Photos by Earleen Hinton

February Finds was held Feb. 3 at the Moose Family Center in Mt. Morris. The event included hundreds of collectibles and antiques for sale.

Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 9, 2024

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

16 OGLE COUNTY SHERIFF REPORTS Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle reports the following police activity.

Jan. 30

About 2 a.m., deputies responded to the area of Leaf River and Byron in an attempt to find a vehicle involved in a domestic disturbance and suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. The vehicle was found in the area of Blackhawk Drive and Fox Run Lane in Byron, where deputies initiated an investigative traffic stop. After further investigation, Buddy List, 47, of Leaf River, was arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol. A passenger, Samantha Manley, 28, of Creston, also was taken into custody for two outstanding warrants in Ogle and Lee counties. Both individuals were taken to the Ogle County jail.

Jeffrey Rose, 66, of Grand Detour, was arrested at 11:31 a.m. in the 8000 block of South Green Street in Grand Detour for a Lee County failure to appear civil warrant. Rose was handed over to Lee County Sheriff’s deputies.

About 8:47 p.m., deputies responded to the intersection of state Route 251 and state Route 64 for a reported two-vehicle crash. After a brief investigation, it was determined that a Ram 1500 pickup, driven by Daniel Miller, 75, of Abbotsford, Wisconsin, was westbound on state Route 64 and disregarded the stop sign at state Route 251. A Chevrolet Tahoe, driven by Priscilla Rodriguez, 38, of Rockford, was southbound on Route 251 and was struck in the intersection on the driver’s side by the Ram pickup. Rodriguez was extricated from her vehicle and taken to a local hospital by Rochelle Fire for suspected non-life-threatening injuries. Miller was cited for failure to obey a stop sign and was released on scene by medical personnel. Miller will appear in court at a later date. Deputies were assisted by the Illinois State Police, Lynn Scott Rock Fire and Rochelle Fire.

Jan. 31

At 7 a.m., the sheriff’s department received a driving complaint in the area of Kishwaukee Road and state Route 72.

The vehicle was found and stopped in the 4000 block of North River Road. The driver, Lokana Kabagame, 57, of Rockford, was taken into custody for no valid driver’s license. He later was released on a notice to appear and given a court date in Oregon. He also was issued a written warning for speeding.

Emanuel Hernandez-Hernandez, 19, of DeKalb, was arrested at 10:04 a.m. on an outstanding no bond Ogle County warrant for reckless driving. Hernandez-Hernandez was taken to the Ogle County jail, where he was held pending an appearance before a judge.

James Westness, 55, of Davenport, Iowa, was arrested at 10:08 p.m. for driving while license revoked after a traffic stop in the 200 block of South Fourth Street in Oregon. Westness was taken to the Ogle County jail, where he was released with a notice to appear.

About 11:10 p.m., deputies responded to a single-vehicle accident on state Route 64 near the intersection with Pine Rock Road. After further investigation, it was determined an eastbound vehicle being driven by Micah Coffman, 24 of Mount Morris, lost control and drove off the roadway. The vehicle then struck a driveway, causing the vehicle to overturn.

Coffman was evaluated by Oregon EMS for treatment of minor injuries.

Feb. 1

Mark V. March, 58, of Byron, was arrested at 6:06 a.m. for driving while license suspended after a traffic stop in the 8000 block of North Kishwaukee Road. March also was issued citations for expired registration, failure to display two red tail lights and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. March was released on a notice to appear with a future court date.

At 7:24 a.m., deputies were dispatched to Castle Rock State Park, 3100 S. Route 2, for a report of a car in the river. Through the course of the investigation, it was determined a gray 2006 Saturn Ion was traveling south on Route 2 when the driver, Douglas G Hollister, 66 of Rockford, lost control of the vehicle on the frost-covered

pavement. The vehicle slid off the roadway, through the ditch and entered the Rock River. The driver was able to exit both the vehicle and the river before first responders arrived on scene. The driver was uninjured.

Deputies were assisted on scene by the Oregon Fire Department and Dixon Rural EMS. The vehicle was removed from the river and no citations were issued.

At 9:05 p.m., deputies conducted a traffic stop at state Route 38 and Main Street in Creston. After a brief investigation, Carlos De Los Reyes, 24, of Rochelle, was arrested for driving while license suspended, possession of cannabis more than 100 grams but less than 500 grams and manufacture, delivery and possession with the intent to deliver cannabis more than 30 grams but less than 500 grams.

De Los Reyes was taken to the Ogle County jail and released with a notice to appear. De Los Reyes also was issued citations for suspended registration and inoperable registration light.

Jose G. Fuentes-Santos, 30, of Chicago, was arrested at 11:19 p.m. for driving without a valid driver’s license after a traffic stop in the 6000 block of East Montague Road. Fuentes-Santos also was cited for illegally backing in a roadway and operating a vehicle with a suspended registration. Fuentes-Santos was taken to the Ogle County jail, where he was released with a notice to appear.

Feb. 2

About 1:21 a.m., deputies tried to conduct a traffic stop in the 3000 block of South Lowell Park Road on a black Chevy HHR that previously had fled from Illinois State Police in Whiteside County and the Dixon Police Department in Lee County. After a brief pursuit, the vehicle lost control in the 5000 block of West Lowell Park Road and went into the ditch where it became stuck. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Adan Trujillo, 37, of Park Forest. The passenger of the vehicle was identified as Demarious S. Gamill, 27, of Rockford. Gamill was arrested on an outstanding Rockford police warrant for failure to appear for a residential burglary. Gamill was taken to the Ogle

LOCAL NEWS BRIEF Illinois State Police Troop 1 announces January activity

STERLING – Illinois State Police Troop 1 troopers issued 726 citations and 997 written warnings and made 26 criminal arrests during the month of January.

Troopers issued 241 citations for speeding, 18 citations for distracted driving violations and 17 citations for occupant restraint violations and investigated 138 traffic crashes,

assisted 612 motorists and conducted 316 commercial motor vehicle inspections, 33 of which were placed out-of-service for safety reasons.

There were 22 arrests for driving while under the influence.

Troop 1, which encompasses Boone, Carroll, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside and Winnebago counties, investigated one fatal traffic crash in January.

County jail, where he was held in lieu of bond. Trujillo was taken by Mount Morris Ambulance to KSB Hospital to be treated for suspected minor injuries. While at the hospital, Trujillo was issued citations for driving while under the influence of alcohol and an intoxicating compound, no registration light, improper lane use and speeding 35 mph over the speed limit. Trujillo also was issued a notice to appear for possession of controlled substance and aggravated fleeing to elude. Trujillo was released on a notice to appear at the hospital, with a return court date for all charges.

About 2:39 p.m., deputies responded to the intersection of Freeport Road and Route 52 for the report of a two-vehicle accident between a pickup truck and a semitruck. Upon further investigation, it was learned the pickup truck drove through the stop sign and impacted with the semitruck. The driver of the pickup truck, Joseph Emmerson, 52, of Rockford, was cited for disregarding a stop sign. No injuries were suffered in the accident. Ogle County deputies were assisted by Polo EMS, Ogle County Emergency Management and the Polo Police Department.

Feb. 4

Misael Ocampo-Nolasco, 46, of Rochelle, was arrested at 2:49 p.m. for driving while license revoked after a traffic stop at Route 251 and Fladd Road. Ocampo-Nolasco was relased on a notice to appear with a future court date given.

Adrian Piceno, 36, of Rockford, was arrested at 11:20 p.m. for driving while license suspended after a traffic stop on Interstate 39, mile marker 108, northbound. Piceno was released on a notice to appear.

Feb. 5

Katie Hintzsche, 36, of Mount Morris, turned herself in on an outstanding failure to appear Ogle County warrant at 6:36 a.m. Hintzsche appeared in court, was released on a recognizance bond and is scheduled to return to court Feb. 26.

Charges are accusations and all subjects are presumed innocent unless proved guilty in a court of law.

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OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 9, 2024

12 T E G 2 1 Y U E! B E R F MORE

Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 9, 2024

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

18

CLASSIFIED To place an ad

EMPLOYMENT

833-584-NEWS (6397)

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

classified@shawlocal.com EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

WE ARE HIRING! The Lost Lake Utility District is hiring a part-time employee to perform:

Disciples United Methodist Church in Mt. Morris, IL, is searching for an Administrative Assistant to work approximately 20 hours per week.

The candidate must be a motivated selfstarter who can be comfortable working independently with a varied range of tasks, including typing bulletins and newsletters, input of bills into database, answering the phone, relaying messages, and greeting visitors. Microsoft Office experience is essential and familiarity with database programs and website input is desired. A background check will be required. Candidate should send their resume with a cover letter to 102 Maple Avenue, Mt. Morris, IL 61054 by February 13, 2024. Contact the DUMC Office at 815-734-4853 with questions or, for a copy of the complete job description, send an email request to secretary@disciplesumc.org

EMPLOYMENT

Sauk Valley Community College has the following openings:

Adjunct Faculty, CNA

Instruct CNA courses as assigned. Current license as RN (or eligibility for license) in IL, two years of experience, Train the Trainer & an approved evaluator certification or MSN & approved evaluator certification required.

https://jobs.svcc.edu/postings/1684

Water Tower readings testing Wastewater Treatment Plant readings and testing Meter Readings Monthly, drive water samples to testing facility in Peru, IL using LLUD provided truck Must hold a valid driver's license with a good driving record Must be able to use a computer for recording and sending reports to proper entities Some electrical and/or plumbing knowledge preferred Learn how to do JULIE Locates for water and sewer lines Learn how to read schematics of water and sewer line locations Learn how to do water shut-offs and water turn-ons Attention to detail a must Willing to learn new tasks and expand knowledge of water and wastewater Ability to work with various contractors as needed such as during sludge removal done on every even numbered month Various maintenance such as snow removal, mowing, painting as needed and other routine maintenance as needed 15 Hours per week (3 hours daily to do required daily readings and testing). Hourly wages to be discussed at interview.

Send resume to: LLUD2007@outlook.com

by February 16, 2024

Adjunct Faculty, Art

Teach art courses as assigned Fall 24 - Spring 25 Art 119 Art Appreciation Art 120 Prehistoric through Medieval Art Art 121 Renaissance through Romantic Art Master's degree in Art or relevant Master's degree with 18 grad credit hours in subject required.

https://jobs.svcc.edu/postings/1845

Adjunct Faculty, Speech

Teach Com 131 Oral Communication Summer 2024.

Master's degree in Speech or Communication or relevant Master's degree with 18 grad credit hours in subject required.

https://jobs.svcc.edu/postings/1805

Custodial / Security 3rd Shift, Full Time

$14.55 / hour.

https://jobs.svcc.edu/postings/1841

Assistant Baseball Coach

Annual Salary $10,150

https://jobs.svcc.edu/postings/1836

Assistant Softball Coach

Annual Salary $10,150

https://jobs.svcc.edu/postings/1696

Sauk Valley Community College Attn: Human Resources 173 Illinois Route 2 Dixon, IL 61021 EOE e-mail: employment@svcc.edu

REAL ESTATE

LEGAL NOTI

REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE

BUSINESS PROPERTY Building for lease: apx., 4200 sq. ft., laydown area apx 2 acres, (2) 12'x 14' OHD shop area & office.

815-535-3282

WANT TO BUY

ARROWHEADS WANTED!!

Sell your Arrowheads today!

I'm a local Artifact collector and I'm paying top dollar for Native American Artifacts of any kind.

Call or Text pictures for a free evaluation:

Sometimes it really is as simple as

black & white.

630-824-8902

ROCK FALLS EFFICIENCY -FurnishedUtilities incl. $175/wk.

815-626-8790

REAL ESTATE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF OGLE - OREGON, ILLINOIS PLANET HOME LENDING, LLC Plaintiff, vs.

ZACHARY BUNN; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants, 23 FC 21 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above entitled cause the Sheriff of Ogle County will on Friday, March 8, 2024, at the hour of 10:00 a.m. in the Sheriff's office, 202 S. 1st Street, Oregon, IL 61061, sell to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 24-15-303-002.

Commonly known as 5531 S. FORESTER DR., ROCHELLE, IL 61068.

The improvement on the property consists of a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance within 24 hours, by certified funds. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call Mr. Chad Lewis at Plaintiff's Attorney, Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 205 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60601. (708) 668-4410 ext. 52109. 23-102744 SHERIFF I3237209 February 2, 9, 16, 2024

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STATE ILLIN IN THE C COURT THE 1 JUDIC CIRCU COUNT OGLE PROB IN THE MA OF THE ES OF MATTH MUTCHLE Deceased PROB 202 NOTIC CREDITO CLAIMA Notice is creditors a mants of t of MATT MUTCHLE Lindenwoo nois.

Le Office wer on Septem 2023, to MUTCHLE is the lega sentative estate. Th ney for tate is CHERYL SELL SMI So. Main Belvidere, 61008.

Claims ag estate may in the offic Ogle Cou cuit Clerk, Division, 10 Street, #3 gon, IL 6 with the for the Es both on o August 2 that date least six (6 from the first public within th months fr date of m delivery o to credi mailing or is require 755 ILCS whichever later.

Any claim on or bef date is Copies of filed with must be m delivered attorney estate wi (10) days has been f

MUT

Feb. 2, 9, 1

IN THE C COURT O FIFTEE JUDIC CIRCUIT COUN ILLINO In the inter Varrick Ma Adahlia Ma Ettie Maste a minor

ck

e.

ve ing ns our !

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF OGLE – IN PROBATE IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MATTHEW J. MUTCHLER, Deceased PROBATE NO. 2023 PR 55 NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND CLAIMANTS Notice is given to creditors and Claimants of the death of MATTHEW J. of MUTCHLER, Lindenwood, IlliLetters of nois.

Office were issued on September 29, 2023, to MARK MUTCHLER, who is the legal Representative of the estate. The attorney for the estate is Attorney CHERYL RUSSELL SMITH, 519 So. Main Street, Belvidere, IL 61008.

Claims against the estate may be filed in the office of the Ogle County Circuit Clerk, Probate Division, 106 S. 5th Street, #300, Oregon, IL 61061, or with the attorney for the Estate, or both on or before August 2, 2024, that date being at least six (6) months from the date of first publication or within three (3) months from the date of mailing or delivery of notice to creditors, if mailing or delivery is required under 755 ILCS 6/18-3, whichever date is later.

Any claim not filed on or before that date is denied.

Copies of a claim filed with the clerk must be mailed or delivered to the attorney for the estate within ten (10) days after it has been filed.

MARK MUTCHLER, Executor Feb. 2, 9, 16, 2024 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS In the interest of: Varrick Masteller Adahlia Masteller, Ettie Masteller, a minor

fice, located at 105 W Lincoln Street, Mt. Morris, IL 61054. Please feel free to contact the Township office if you have any LEGAL NOTICES questions at 815734-4525.

Dated this 5th day of February, 2024.

Paula Diehl, Township Clerk John Thompson, Township Supervisor

19

February 9, 2024

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC PLAINTIFF, v.

UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF REX CORSON, DECEASED; DARREN CORSON; DAVID CORSON; DARIK CORSON; ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE; AMIR MOHABBAT, SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE ESTATE OF REX CORSON, DECEASED; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS; DEFENDANTS. CASE NO.: 2022FC55 PROPERTY ADDRESS: 357 PHYLLIS AVE ROCHELLE, IL 61068 NOTICE BY PUBLICATION The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you: UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF REX CORSON, DECEASED that Plaintiff commenced this case in the Circuit Court of Ogle County against you and other defendants, for foreclosure of a certain mortgage lien recorded against the real estate described as follows: LOT NINE (9) IN BLOCK ONE (1) IN EARL CLEVELAND SUBDIVISION NO. 3 IN THE CITY OF ROCHELLE, OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS; BEING A SUBDIVISION OF PART OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER (1/4) OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER (1/4) OF SECTION 25 AND PART OF THE NORTHWEST QUARTER (1/4) OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER (1/4) OF SECTION 25 IN TOWNSHIP 40 NORTH, RANGE 1 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN BOOK H OF PLATS ON PAGE 80A IN THE RECORDER'S OFFICE OF OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS; SITUATED IN THE TOWNSHIP OF FLAGG, THE COUNTY OF OGLE AND STATE OF ILLINOIS, Common Address: 357 PHYLLIS AVE ROCHELLE, IL 61068 PIN: 24-25-329-020 Said mortgage was executed by REX CORSON, as mortgagor(s) and MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. ACTING SOLELY AS NOMINEE FOR FINANCE OF AMERICA MORTGAGE LLC., as mortgagee, on 7/14/2021 and recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Ogle County, Illinois as Document Number 202105614.

You have been sued. Read all documents attached to this Summons. To participate in the case, you MUST file an official document with the court within the time stated on this Summons called an "Appearance" and a document called an "Answer/Response". The Answer/Response is not required in small claims or eviction cases unless ordered by the court. If you do not file an Appearance and Answer/Response on time, the court my decide the case without hearing from you, and you could be held in default and lose the case.

After you fill out the necessary documents, you need to electronically file (e-file) them with the court. To e-file, you must create an account with an e-filing service provider. For more information, go to ilcourts.info/efiling. If you cannot e-file, you can get an exemption that allows you to file in-person or by mail.

You may be charged filing fees, but if you cannot pay them, you can file an Application for Waiver of Court Fees.

It is possible that the court will allow you to attend the first court date in this case in-person or remotely by video or phone. Contact the Circuit Court Clerk's office or visit the Court's website to find out whether this is possible and, if so, how to do this.

Need help? Call or text Illinois Court Help at 833-411-1121 or go to ilcourthelp.gov for information about going to court, including how to fill our and file documents.

You can also get free legal information and legal referrals at illinoislegalaid.org. All documents referred to in this Summons can be found at ilcourts.info/forms. Other documents may be available from your local Circuit Court Clerk's office or website. ¿Necesita ayuda? Llame o envie un mansaje de texto a Illinois Court Help al 833-411-1121, o visite ilcourthelp.gov para obtener información sobra los casos de la corte y cómo completer y presenter formularios.

Unless you file your Appearance and Answer/Response in this case in the office of the clerk of this court by 3/11/2024 A JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE OR DECREEE BY DEFAULT MAY BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU FOR THE RELIEF ASKED FOR IN THE PLAINTIFF'S COMPLAINT. David Mazzella 6344319 Robertson Anschutz Schneid Crane & Partners, PLLC 205 N. Michigan Suite 810 Chicago, IL 60601 Phone: (561) 241-6901 E-mail: ILmail@raslg.com File: 22-032762 THIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. 8190-939522 February 9, 16, 23, 2024 939522

OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 9, 2024

mes is le

LEGAL NOTICES

a minor ship of the minor. you appear you will IN THE CIRCUIT Case No: not be entitled to If the Petition reCOURT OF THE 2023 JA 9 further written noquests the termiFIFTEENTH NOTICE BY nation of your tices or publication JUDICIAL notices of the proparental rights and PUBLICATION the appointment of CIRCUIT OGLE To: Lindsey ceedings in this a guardian with Roberts, COUNTY, Jeremy case, including the OTICES OTICES LEGALILLINOIS NOTICES LEGAL Nto LEGAL&NAll LEGAL NOTICES Whom It filing power consent Gray of an to adoption, you May Concern, re- amended petition In the interest of: and for a motion to may lose all spondent(s), Varrick Masteller parental rights to all whom it may terminate parental Adahlia Masteller, the child. Unless concern, take no- rights.

Ettie Masteller, you appear you will tice that on Jan- Unless you appear a minor the hearing Case No: not be entitled to uary 16, 2024, a at 2023 JA 15 further written no- petition was filed and show cause 2023 JA 16 tices or publication under the Juvenile against the peti2023 JA 17 notices of the pro- Court Act by ASA tion, the allegations ceedings in this R. Russo, In the of the petition may NOTICE BY case, including the Circuit Court of stand admitted as PUBLICATION of an Ogle County enti- against you and To: Cassandra filing Masteller, respon- amended petition tled “In the interest each of you, and dent(s), and all for a motion to of Nickolas Lee an order for judgwhom it may con- terminate parental Roberts, a minor”, ment entered. and that in court- Dated this 16th day cern, take notice rights. that on October Unless you appear room 304 at 106 of January, 2024 Kimberly A. Stahl the hearing South Fifth, Ore24, 2023, a petition at Clerk of the was filed under the and show cause gon, Illinois on Circuit Court Juvenile Court Act against the peti- February 13, 2024 By: JLG,

by ASA R. Russo, tion, the allegations at 11:00 a.m. or as Deputy Clerk In the Circuit Court of the petition may soon thereafter as of Ogle County stand admitted as this cause may be entitled “In the in- against you and heard, an adjudica- Jan. 26, Feb. 2, 9, terest of Varrick, each of you, and tory hearing will be 2024 Adahlia & Ettie an order for judg- held upon the Petition to have the Masteller, minors”, ment entered.

NOTICE of and that in court- Dated this 17th day child declared to MEETING DATE of January, 2024 be a ward of the room 304 at 106 CHANGE FOR Kimberly A. Stahl court and for other South Fifth, OreMT. MORRIS Clerk of the relief under that gon, Illinois on TOWNSHIP Circuit Court act. The court has Notice is hereby February 13, 2024 By: JLG, authority in this given at 2:00 p.m. or as that the Deputy Clerk proceeding to take Mount soon thereafter as Morris from you the cus- Township this cause may be and tody and guardian- Mount Morris Road heard, an adjudica- Jan. 26, Feb. 2, 9, ship of the minor. tory hearing will be 2024 in the District If the Petition re- County of Ogle, held upon the Petiquests the termition to have the IN THE CIRCUIT State of Illinois, will nation of your hold it's regular child declared to COURT OF THE parental rights and be a ward of the FIFTEENTH Township meeting the appointment of at 1:00 PM on court and for other JUDICIAL a guardian with relief under that CIRCUIT OGLE February 22, 2024 power to consent instead of February act. The court has COUNTY, to adoption, you authority in this ILLINOIS 15th. may lose all Said meeting will proceeding to take In the interest of: parental rights to be take place in from you the cus- Nickolas Lee the child. Unless the Township oftody and guardian- Roberts, you appear you will fice, located at 105 ship of the minor. a minor If the Petition reCase No: not be entitled to W Lincoln Street, quests the termi2023 JA 9 further written no- Mt. Morris, IL tices or publication 61054. Please feel of your nation NOTICE BY notices of the proparental rights and PUBLICATION free to contact the the appointment of To: Lindsey ceedings in this Township office if case, including the a guardian with Roberts, Jeremy have any you of an questions at 815power to consent Gray & All Whom It filing to adoption, you May Concern, re- amended petition 734-4525. may lose all spondent(s), and for a motion to Dated this 5th day parental rights to all whom it may terminate parental of February, 2024.

EGAL NOTICES EGAL NOTICES L L LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES the child. Unless concern, take no- rights.

Paula Diehl, Unless you appear you appear you will tice that on JanTownship Clerk at 15TH the JUDICIAL hearing CIRCUIT not be entitled to CIRCUIT IN THE COURT uary 16, 2024,OFa THE John Thompson, and showILLINOIS cause further written no- COUNTY petition OF wasOGLE filed - OREGON, Township tices or publication PLANET HOME LENDING, Supervisor under LLC the Juvenile against the petinotices Plaintiff,of the pro- Court Act by ASA tion, the allegations ceedings in this R. Russo, In the of the petition may February 9, 2024 vs. stand admitted as CLAIMANTS case, including the UNKNOWN ZACHARY BUNN; OWNERS NON-RECORD Circuit Court of AND filing of an Ogle County enti- against you and Defendants, amended petition tled “In the interest 23 FCeach 21 of you, and anSALE order for judgfor a motion to of Nickolas NOTICE Lee OF ment entered. terminate PUBLIC parental NOTICE isRoberts, hereby given that pursuant to a thJudgment of Foreclosure a minor”, day will on Friday, March Dated this 16 rights. entered in the above and entitled the Sheriff of Ogle County thatcause in courtof January, 2024 Unless 8, 2024,you at appear the hour of 10:00304 a.m.atin 106 the Sheriff's office, 202 S. 1st Street, Oregon, room Kimberly A. Stahldescribed mortgaged atIL 61061, the sell hearing to theSouth highestFifth, bidderOrefor cash, the following Clerk of the and show cause gon, Illinois on real estate: Circuit ACourt against peti- 3 February LOT 2 INtheBLOCK OF HIGHLAND ESTATES, BEING PART OF THE SOUTH13, 2024 By:RANGE JLG, 1, EAST OF THE tion, the 1/4 allegations WEST OF SECTION 15, a.m.

TOWNSHIP at 11:00 or as 40 NORTH, Deputy Clerk ofTHIRD the petition may MERIDIAN, PRINCIPAL ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED soon thereafter as stand admitted as PLATS, IN BOOK "K" OF PAGE IN THE RECORDER'S OFFICE OF OGLE this cause may8,be against you and SITUATED Jan. 26, Feb. 2, 9, COUNTY, ILLINOIS, IN OGLE COUNTY, STATE OF ILLINOIS. heard, an adjudicaeach of 24-15-303-002. you, and tory hearing will be 2024 P.I.N. an Commonly order for known judg- as 5531 S. FORESTER held upon the Peti- DR., ROCHELLE, IL 61068. ment The entered. improvement ontion the to property of a single family residence. If the have consists the th Dated thismortgaged 17 day real subject is a unit childestate declared to of a common interest community, the ofpurchaser January, 2024 of the unitbe other than aofmortgagee shall pay the assessments required a ward the A. Stahl byKimberly subsection (g-1) ofcourt Section of the Condominium Property Act. and18.5 for other the down Sale Clerk terms:of10% certifiedthat funds, balance within 24 hours, by certified relief byunder Court The funds.Circuit No refunds. will NOT act.property The court has be open for inspection.

By: JLG,callauthority For information Mr. Chad Lewis at Plaintiff's Attorney, Robertson, Anschutz, in this Deputy Clerk Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 205 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois proceeding to take 60601. (708) 668-4410 ext.you 52109.

SHERIFF from the 23-102744 cusJan. 26, Feb. 2, 9, I3237209 tody and guardian2024 February ship of the minor. 2, 9, 16, 2024 If the Petition requests the termination of your parental rights and the appointment of

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