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Oregon Police
LOCAL NEWS
Eight students caught vaping on school g rounds
By ALEXA ZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com
OREGON – Eight Oregon school district students were caught vaping on school grounds between Feb. 17-23.
“We’ve been seeing an issue with vaping devices,” Oregon School Resource Officer Matt Kalnins said. “It’s not necessarily tobacco. I’ve been finding kids anywhere from 10 to high school [vaping].
“They bring them to school, they keep them with them, they’re constantly using them,” he said. “It’s a huge issue with nicotine with them.”
Of the eight students, one was 10 years old, another 11, four were 12, one was 14 and one 18.
Kalnins said when these situations happen, he issues city citations – often carrying a penalty of a fine.
It’s not an arrestable offense, and it’s not something that goes on a legal record, he said.
The school usually contacts the parents at that point, Kalnins said.
There can be additional consequences the student faces from the school, Kalnins said.
The high school has installed vape detectors, which work similarly to smoke detectors, he said.
The devices can detect vaping, smoke and THC –tetrahydrocannabinol, the chemical in marijuana that causes most of the drug’s psychological effects.
“They either know somebody who could get them [the vape pens] for them or they’re taking them from their parents,” Kalnins said when asked where the children could be getting the vape pens. “I believe they know somebody that is getting it for them.”
It’s a big issue with teenagers and children, he said.
“Just the addiction level that these things have. There’s got to be more knowledge and info out there,” Kalnins said.
OREGON POLICE
Oregon Police Chief Shawn Melville reports the following police activity.
Feb. 14
Irene J. Scott, 22, of Chicago, was issued a citation at 12:07 a.m. for speeding, 60 mph in a 40 mph zone. This violation occurred in the 100 block of East Washington Street.
Randale L. Wilkinson, 37, of Mt. Morris, was issued a citation at 6:23 a.m. for driving while license suspended. This violation occurred in the 300 block of West Washington Street.
Olyvia M. Micko, 22, of Rockford, was issued citations at 9:35 p.m. one for speeding, 48 mph in a 30 mph zone, and the other for operating an uninsured motor vehicle. These violations occurred in the 600 block of North Fourth Street.
Feb. 15
Jahlen A. Bell, 21, of Sterling, was arrested at 5:25 p.m. for possession of adult use cannabis as a driver, improper container. Bell was transported to the Ogle County Jail.
John R. Gillett, 25, of Fennville, Michigan, was issued a citation at 8:19 p.m. for speeding, 43 mph in a 30 mph zone. This violation occurred in the 600 block of North Fourth Street.
Feb. 17
At 5:23 p.m., police responded to a two-vehicle traffic crash in the 200 block of North Third Street, involving a 2019 Jeep belonging to Keiri A. West, 16, of Oregon, and a parked 2017 Chrysler belonging to Andrea L. Messenger, 40, of Oregon. No citations were issued.
Feb. 19
Carlos Gonzales, 19, of Oregon, was arrested at 10:17 p.m. for no valid driver’s license. Gonzales was also issued a citation for disobeying a traffic control signal. He was transported to the Ogle County Jail. These violations occurred in the 400 block of West Washington Street.
Feb. 20
Esmeralda Diaz, 17, of Rockford, was issued a citation at 12:28 a.m. for operating an uninsured motor vehicle. This violation occurred in the 600 block of Gale Street.
At 4:25 p.m., police responded to a car vs. train traffic crash at the intersection of Second ad Collins Streets involving a 2008 Chrysler driven by Rochelle D. Beaty, 62, of Dixon, which had been struck by a BNSF train that was traveling westbound. Beaty was issued a citation for disobeying a stop sign.
Feb. 21
Ray C. Allen, 74, of LeClaire, Iowa, was issued a citation at 7:26 p.m. for speeding, 48 mph in a 30 mph zone. This violation occurred in the 600 block of North Fourth Street.
Feb. 22
Feb. 23
At 1:15 p.m., the Oregon Student Resource Officer issued a city citation to one juvenile male, 14, of Mt. Morris, for violating the Tobacco Ordinance Sec. 22-15, Tobacco products and alternative nicotine products. This violation occurred at the Oregon High School, 210 S. 10th St., Oregon.
At 1:15 p.m., the Oregon Student Resource Officer issued a city citation to Ethan C. George, 18, of Oregon, for violating the Tobacco Ordinance Sec. 22-15, Tobacco products and alternative nicotine products. This violation occurred at the Oregon High School, 210 S. 10th St., Oregon.
Feb. 26
Jasmine B. Gasmund, 20, of Oregon, was issued citations at 9:57 a.m. for operating a vehicle with registration suspended for non-insurance and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. These violations occurred in the 800 block of Pines Road.
Thirty-eight parking citations and 22 verbal warnings were issued Feb. 14-27.
Please note: Any arrests listed are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proved guilty in a court of law.
