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The TRI-COUNTY PRESS (USPS No. 638-530) is published weekly by B.F. Shaw Printing Co., Shaw Media. Periodical postage paid at Polo, Illinois. POSTMASTER Send address changes to: Shaw Media, P.O. Box 498, Sterling, IL 61081
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Copyright 2025
Nominations sought for Forreston Hall of Fame
FORRESTON – After a very successful inaugural Forreston Hall of Fame ceremony in 2024, Forrestville Valley School District officials are looking for nominations for the Class of 2025.
“As a reminder, this Hall of Fame includes all districts prior to a consolidation (meaning Leaf River High School, etc.) can be nominated and get in,” Forreston High School Athletic Director Kyle Zick said. “All previous nominations are kept by the committee but we need more.”
Nominations for the Class of 2025 are due by May 1. Nomination forms are available at https://forms.gle/j46chJmKFTFXAzdF6.
“Please visit Forreston High School for nomination packets if you prefer putting pen to paper, visit the link or visit the district website under activities – Hall of Fame to nominate or for more information,” Zick said.
2024 marked the inaugural Hall of Fame class.
Inductees were:
Dedication – Collen Alvey, Chip Braker, Bob Brinkmeier
Extra-Curricular – Roger DeVries, Robert DeVries, Marissa (Ludewig) Gurnett, Jonathan Schneiderman Service – Joel Ludwig
BERTOLET LIBRARY
Faux Stained Glass Craft
Follow a template or create your own design in this activity for ages 6 and older at 2 p.m.
Monday, March 24.
Movie Wednesday: 2 p.m. March 26
Join Moana and Maui on a new voyage.
Stories With Stacey: 10 a.m. Thursdays
Join Miss Stacey as she continues to teach us about animals through books and crafts.
March Take & Make Craft
Stop by the circulation desk to pick up the materials to make a cute dragonfly.
March Book of the Month
In “This Is Happiness” by Niall Williams, Faha is a small parish in Ireland. Rain is stopping, electricity is coming to the village,
CORRECTIONS
Teamwork – 1956-57 boys basketball team, 1980-81 girls basketball team, 2014 football team, 1995 and 1996 girls track and field teams.
Name That Tune event to take place March 14
Join the Leaf River Lions Club and other local organizations for an evening of fun,
laughter and lots of music at the Name That Tune event at 7 p.m. Friday, March 14, at the Bertolet Memorial Building, 103 W. Second St. in Leaf River.
Teams will be competing for prize money and people in the audience may win, too. Admission is $10.
Light refreshments will be available.
– Shaw Local News Network
FORRESTON LIBRARY
and Noel Crowe knows change is coming to the parish. A meandering story of a boy growing up in a different time than we know today. Pick up your copy today at the circulation desk. Reading or listening on the Boundless app? Let us know what you think.
New Releases
Adult Books: “Saved By the Matchmaker” by Jody Hedlund, “Paranoia” by James Patterson
Chapter Book: “The Hunt for Scarface” by Lane Walker
Picture Books: “Laugh-Out-Loud Food Jokes” by Caitie McAneney, “20 Bunnies At Bedtime” by Mark Sperring
DVD: “The Cowboy and the Queen”
Accuracy is important to the Polo Tri-County Press. Please call errors to our attention by email at news@oglecountynews.com.
New Materials
“Battle Mountain” by CJ Box “Open Season” by Jonathan Kellerman. Toddler/Preschool Storytime, Wednesdays, 10 a.m. Join us every Wednesday when school is in session for stories, games and crafts. This program is an opportunity for children and caregivers to discover the joy of sharing stories and making new friends.
Community Room
Looking for a place to hold your event? Our community room (with small kitchenette) is available for meetings, parties, showers, family reunions and more. For more information, call the library at 815-938-2624.
HOW ARE WE DOING?
We want to hear from you. Email us your thoughts at feedback@shawmedia.com.
Earleen Hinton file photo
Colleen Alvey (center) was inducted into Forreston High School’s Hall of Fame during a halftime ceremony during the varsity football game Oct. 4, 2024. Alvey taught many subjects but her main focus was mathematics in both Leaf River and Forreston from 1973-2005.
Together for Taft has many obstacles to overcome
Andy Colbert
It was a small group of locals present at the first informational meeting of the Together for Taft on Feb. 19 at the Rock River Center, but Oregon City Commissioner Terry Schuster made it a point to mention that in the restoration of the Blackhawk statue, it also was a small group of individuals in the initial stages before blossoming into a much larger support mechanism.
“Don’t get discouraged,” he told organizers.
The truth is Together for Taft has much bigger concerns. Foremost is navigating all the obstacles in resurrecting Lorado Taft Field Campus.
Communication from Northern Illinois University, which is very tightlipped, has indicated no plans to reconsider its decision to close Taft. September has been set for shutting down maintenance of the property,
which currently is being done by Taft
Director Melanie Costello and another staffer. Whether maintenance is turned over to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources remains to be seen.
Julie Bassett, the lead person for Together for Taft and a retired teacher from Sycamore, feels a calling to bring Taft back to life.
“I believe in all of my heart of this and it’s going to work,” Basset said,
speaking to an audience of a dozen people Feb. 19, including several former employees. “We’ve just got to get everyone involved. It really will take a village – all throughout the world. I see this internationally.”
Bassett wants to work with the city of Oregon and include it in the process. She has a vision for Taft, but it is way too early to see what direction that will take.
The purpose of the informational meeting was to elicit input from those in the area and it is apparent that Bassett wants to share ownership of the endeavor. But she knows millions of dollars are needed and most of that funding would need to come from outside sources such as foundations, grants and wealthy benefactors.
To that end, she and her team are creating a 501(c)(3) charity that will improve chances for donations, but it also can be a hindrance in operating efficiency.
For example, Together for Taft would like to purchase a 76-acre parcel of Lorado Taft property with frontage on River Road. Savvy real estate developers probably also are salivating over the property.
Private businesses operate faster than public charities in making deals. If Northern Illinois University truly wants to rid its hand of Taft Campus as soon as possible, it may not be willing to wait for a private charity to raise funds.
Shaw Local News Network file photo
The Taft House is part of Northern Illinois University’s Lorado Taft Field Campus in Lowden State Park.
Warmer, windy and talking about making bricks
The warmer weather has been a welcome relief and I hear some people are seeing daffodils start to push up. We are not quite ready for that stage and they need to keep their heads undercover. I remember the year I got excited and raked off all the leaves. I was ready for spring.
Well it was not long before they were covered with snow and it took quite some time for them to recover. So do not be in a hurry.
The wind also has picked up and I remember the time Lola Jeanne was knocked over in her driveway by the wind. She broke her arm and I have never forgotten that day. One has to be careful on windy days. When my birdhouses are swinging, this is not the time to be outside. A fall can be an older person’s nightmare. I am glad that my Alexa warns me of what the
POLO HISTORY
Betty Obendorf
weather is doing and I do listen to her.
We have had many comments on the brick making in the area in past years. I had a call from Patsy Springer in Colorado about the Peek Home being made of bricks. We had a wonderful conversation about her life at the Peek Home.
The Springer children, Joan, Jack and Patsy, were very young when they came to live near Polo. Patsy was a baby, Joan was 8 years old and Jack was in between. People still are interested in the children who were raised in the Peek Home. The bricks at the
Peek Home were made in later years and not early bricks.
I then had a call from Barb Woodin about the bricks made in their home in Eagle Point. They were actually made in the yard as they were building the house. Linda and I stopped at the museum and pulled the file.
Peter Runkle built the house and in his handwritten notes he spoke of the house being made of bricks. The house in those early days was called a mansion. Caroline Lockhart then had the house and eventually Hiram Woodin. Linda is writing up the story of the house.
We are finding many places that made bricks close to where they were building and some bricks were hauled by sled across town. It depended many times on the soil of the building site. Linda is putting all this together for a
program someday.
Right now I am working on the program for the month of April. It will be a program on Harriet Fry, who was one of the eight original airline stewardesses of the world. She had an interesting life and should be a good program for spring.
We can hope by then that our flowers will be coming up, birds will be coming back and our winter will be over. Kevin has just taken down all our Christmas decorations at the museum. Bless his heart. I picked up a virus and working at the museum was just not on my list of things to do.
Glad the dancing Santa has been tucked away for another year.
• Betty Obendorf is a retired teacher and volunteer for the Polo Historical Society.
What exactly was hardtack in the Civil War? Let’s find out
While working on a PowerPoint presentation on JAB Butterfield, a Civil War veteran, I came across the word hardtack. I looked it up on the internet. I found an article titled “(Civil War Hardtack): The Unappetizing Food of the Civil War.”
“During the Civil War, soldiers faced a number of challenges, from the dangers of combat to the difficulties of living in harsh conditions. One of the biggest challenges was finding enough food to sustain themselves. Both Union and Confederate soldiers struggled to find adequate food supplies and what they did find was often of poor quality. One of the staples of their diet was hardtack, a hard dry biscuit that was essential for their survival.
“Hardtack was a common food item during the Civil War due to its low cost and ability to be stored for long periods of time. Hardtack consisted of flour, water and a little salt mixed into
OGLE COUNTY HISTORY
Otto Dick
a thick dough and baked until it was hard as a brick. Confederate soldier Sam Watkins wrote in his memoirs that it was harder than a hickory and not half as good.
“Hardtack, a Civil War recipe. Ingredients: four cups of flour, one to two cups of water and one teaspoon of salt.
“Hardtack is also a symbol of the sacrifices and hardships that the soldiers faced in the name of their cause.”
When at the Riverside Cemetery where 27 Civil War veterans are buried, I will recall the Civil War hardtack biscuits and the challenges the Union soldiers endured to preserve this nation and free the slaves.
Ogle County in the Civil War
A total of 2,445 men served in the Union Army from Ogle County. This was about 10% of the population of Ogle County.
Edward B. Spalding from Byron received the Medal of Honor for action at Pittsburgh Landing in Tennessee on April 6, 1862.
Of the 2,778,304 Union soldiers, 528 from Ogle County died or were killed. Disease and accidents accounted for about two-thirds of the fatalities with one-third killed in combat.
Newspapers would carry the lists of casualties. Many times families would learn about the death of a family member by reading the lists of casualties in the newspaper.
• Otto Dick is a retired teacher and has researched Ogle County history for several years.
or by scanning the code at the right. eNewspaper readers, click the link above to play now.
Image provided by Otto Dick
This old drawing depicts a soldier with hardtack.
Hands On Oregon donates $2,000 to school’s transitional learning program
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
OREGON – Hands On Oregon has donated $2,000 to the Oregon Junior/ Senior High School Transitional Learning program.
“This program serves to enrich the lives of junior and senior students with learning challenges. The mission of Transitions is to assist these students in learning some of the basic life skills required for successful living in our community including banking, cooking and performing household chores,” Cindy Klug, a member of Hands On Oregon, said in a news release.
“In addition, job skills are taught including math in the workplace, workplace etiquette and technology skills. The program also introduces students to internships and work-based learning, as well as providing them with opportunities to access the community for shopping and leisure activities.”
Hands On Oregon is a not-for-profit organization formed in 2015 with the purpose of enriching the lives of Oregon citizens and the community through local caring and creative volunteerism.
Hands On Oregon has donated $2,000 to the Oregon Junior/Senior High School Transitional Learning program. Pictured in the front row (from left) are student Teagan Harrell, teacher Wendy Stevens, Hands on Oregon president Lee Hadick and Hands on Oregon member Cindy Klug. In the back row are student Reiannah Jenkins, student Kainen Gonzalez, Oregon Chamber Executive Director Chance Munroe and student Sarah Blackburn.
Photo provided
Judge hears arguments for and against moving murder trial out of county
Prosecutors say trial should remain in Oregon; defense attorney disagrees
By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com
OREGON – An Ogle County judge will render a decision in April on whether to grant a defense motion to move a 2016 murder/arson jury trial out of the county.
Judge John “Ben” Roe told attorneys he would review written motions and oral arguments they made Thursday, Feb. 27, and announce his decision April 23.
Duane Meyer, 42, of Stillman Valley is charged with four counts of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated arson and one count of concealment of a homicidal death in connection with an Oct. 19, 2016, Byron house fire in which Meyer’s ex-wife, Margaret “Maggie” (Rosko) Meyer, 31, was found dead.
The couple’s 3-year-old son, Amos Meyer, who also was home at the time of the fire, was later pronounced dead at a Rockford hospital.
Meyer has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges and has been held in the Ogle County Jail since his arrest Oct. 9, 2019.
Meyer’s attorney, Christopher DeRango of Rockford, filed the motion in January to move the trial out of Ogle County only three weeks before the jury trial was scheduled to start Feb. 3. The jury trial was expected to take the entire month.
In his “change of place of trial,” motion, DeRango argues that because of “heavy” media coverage of Meyer’s numerous pretrial hearings since 2016, Meyer “cannot obtain a fair trial in Ogle County, Illinois.” He also has claimed that derogatory comments on social media pages about his client are prejudicial.
A change of venue motion typically asks the judge to move the trial to a different location. Those motions usually cite reasons that the filing party believes would prevent a fair trial in the county in which the case was filed. Pretrial publicity often is listed as a reason for a change of venue motion.
A change of venue survey is one of the tools that can be used by defense attorneys before filing a motion for a change of venue.
“There is no evidence that the pretrial publicity in the Meyer case is so pervasive and prejudiced that juror responses to voir dire questions concerning potential bias are unreliable,” the state’s motion reads.
The state’s motion goes on to cite reasons in detail – including “flawed methodology” – as to why the survey should be discounted and the trial should not be moved.
“Pretrial publicity is to be expected,” Huntley argued. “We expect our residents to know something about a case as interested citizens. Not everyone reads the newspaper, watches TV or engages in social media.”
She also questioned the “expert” status given to the survey company by DeRango.
“Where are their credentials?” she asked, noting only 184 residents had been questioned, less than 1% of the county’s total population.
At a December hearing, DeRango said the company conducting the survey had to “adjust their methods” because of Ogle County’s smaller population size.
“There is no reason to change the venue in this case,” Huntley argued. DeRango disagreed, arguing that the results of the survey indicate “reasonable apprehension” that Meyer cannot get a fair trial in Ogle County.
“Reasonable apprehension exists,” DeRango said. “My client simply cannot get a fair trial in this county.”
Roe said he had reviewed written motions made by the defense and the state and would now review their oral arguments.
“I will have my response on April 23,” Roe said.
DeRango said a survey, paid for by Meyer’s parents, asked Ogle County residents from December 2024 through January 2025 about the case. In that survey, DeRango said 34% of respondents recalled the fire and 59% had preformed an opinion regarding the defendant’s guilt. He did not say how many people responded to the survey.
On Feb. 27, Ogle County State’s Attorney Michael Rock and his assistants replied to the defense motion, calling the survey “flawed” and arguing that the trial should stay in Ogle County.
“The survey shows that this defendant will absolutely receive a fair trial,”
Huntley said just because someone is aware of a pending case does not mean they have formed an opinion as to innocence or guilt. She said the pretrial publicity was primarily updates about the case as it moves through the court system.
And, she argued, potential jurors could be eliminated during voir dire –the Latin phrase meaning “to speak the truth” – used to describe the process where potential jurors are asked questions by attorneys and the judge before being selected to serve as jurors.
Maggie Meyer was a teacher at the Chana Education Center at the time of her death. She filed for divorce in 2014 and court records show the divorce was finalized in September 2016.
Prosecutors have argued that their evidence will show Duane Meyer planned to end Maggie’s life.
In previous hearings, DeRango and prosecutors have said numerous cellphone records and data will be part of the evidence presented.
DeRango has argued that text messages sent by Duane Meyer before the deaths were only part of a “contentious” divorce and not indicative of anything nefarious. Prosecutors disagree.
Roe remanded Meyer to the Ogle County Jail. The next motion hearing is set for 3 p.m. April 23.
Earleen Hinton
Duane Meyer smiles at family members as he is escorted into a courtroom Feb. 27 at the Ogle County Judicial Center in Oregon for a motion hearing. Meyer is charged with murder and arson.
Man admits to stabbing, killing Rochelle woman in 2022
Victim’s aunt: ‘She was taken from her children by the selfish act of one man’
By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com
OREGON – A Palatine man pleaded guilty Friday, Feb. 28, to killing a Rochelle mother in her apartment in September 2022 and will spend the next 33 years in prison for first-degree murder.
In an emotional hearing in a packed courtroom at the Ogle County Judicial Center in Oregon, Gary C. Freeman, 29, admitted to stabbing Devin K. Gibbons, 28, on Sept. 18, 2022, in her apartment at 503 Seventh Ave. in Rochelle.
Through a plea agreement, Freeman was sentenced to 35 years in prison with 731 days of credit for time served.
Freeman was charged in February 2023 with four counts of first-degree murder, one count of residential arson and one count of concealment of a homicide after Gibbons was found dead inside her apartment when Rochelle police and firefighters were dispatched to her address at 10:46 a.m. for a smoke investigation.
The fire was deemed suspicious and additional investigators arrived after Gibbons’ body was discovered.
The first-degree murder charges, Class M felonies, said 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.”
Freeman pleaded not guilty to all of the charges March 1, 2023, and had been held in the Ogle County Jail since his arrest Feb. 28, 2023.
On Feb. 28, Assistant State’s Attorney Allison Huntley told Judge Anthony Peska that a plea agreement had been reached on one count of the charges. The other charges were dismissed, according to the plea agreement.
Freeman, who appeared in court with his attorney Robert Kerr, sat motionless at the defense table as Huntley told the court that if the case were to go to trial, the state could prove that Freeman – the father of one of Gibbons’ two children –stabbed her with the intent to kill her.
“The defendant stabbed Devin Gibbons, causing her death,” Huntley said.
“We concur that those would be the facts,” Kerr said.
Freeman’s jury trial had been scheduled to begin in June.
“If you plead guilty today, there will not be a jury trial,” Peska told Freeman. “You are waiving all those rights. Do you understand that?”
“Yes, sir,” Freeman said.
“How do you plea as to count one of first-degree murder?” Peska asked.
“Guilty,” Freeman said as some of Gibbons’ family and friends attending the hearing sobbed and gasped. At least 25 other people watched the proceedings via video through Zoom with their microphones muted.
Freeman declined to make any statement, and Kerr said the defense had no witnesses to call in his defense.
Huntley asked that three people be allowed to make victim impact statements.
Lisa Gleason of Palatine, Gibbons’ aunt, took the witness stand first.
“In our family, Devin was the beginning of the next generation. She was the first daughter, granddaughter, niece. When she was 3, she was enveloped in the love of the Jackson clan and became more. Sister, goddaughter, cousin,” Gleason said. “As she matured, she became friend, best friend, confidant, coworker, mentor, role model and, last but not least, mother.
“Mother. That word holds so much meaning. Love, comfort, support, strength, protection, safety, home,” Gleason continued while wiping tears from her eyes. “Devin embodied all of those words. She came into her own when she became a mother.
“She was determined to raise her children in a safe, stable and loving home, and she was succeeding. She was awe-inspiring. She was taken from her children by the selfish act of one man. This man,” Gleason said, looking briefly at Freeman, who sat at the defense table with Kerr.
Gleason said Freeman’s actions had brought “anguish, grief and pain” to Gibbons’ entire family.
“Nine years ago, he refused to accept the birth of his daughter. Like the poor excuse of a man that he is, he did not step up to the responsibility of fatherhood and chose to not tell his family or fiancee
he had a child,” Gleason said. “On Sept. 18, 2022, our world was shattered, our spirits and our hearts broken. I still flash back to the phone call I got from Michaela [Devin’s sister]. That call changed the trajectory of our lives.”
She said the family learned more “horrifying” details of Gibbons’ death in the next few days, noting that Freeman had “stolen so much from so many people.”
“She won’t be with us for holidays, for birthdays, weddings, other special events that happen in life. She will not be there for her children: for their first lost tooth, the first words they learn to read, carving pumpkins and decorating Easter eggs. She will not be there for their high school experiences. She will not be able to help [them] get ready for prom, graduation, a wedding, for grandchildren. She would have been an amazing grandmother,” Gleason said.
“She worked hard for the life she had and would have continued to prosper and shine. This man robbed Devin’s family and friends of her smile, her love, her cheerfulness and the joy of simply having her in our lives. Our loss is immeasurable. The thought of this crime and why it was committed is unfathomable. How is this justice? This man is still alive. He can still talk to friends and family. We don’t have that option. She is gone. We will be walking wounded for the rest of our lives.”
Gibbons’ brother, Matthew, said his sister’s murder had left a void in all of her siblings’ hearts.
“Every day since this happened, we have had overwhelming grief,” he said. “The trauma has affected us in many ways. Losing Devin is something we will carry for the rest of our lives and that cannot be undone.”
Another family member chose not to give their statement, having to leave the courtroom as they were overcome with emotion.
Peska then asked Freeman if he wanted to say anything.
“You don’t have to say anything, but the floor is yours,” Peska said.
“No, sir,” Freeman said.
That prompted one person to abruptly leave the courtroom, yelling that they
Every day since this happened, we have had overwhelming grief. The trauma has affected us in many ways. Losing Devin is something we will carry for the rest of our lives and that cannot be undone.”
Matthew Gibbons, Devin Gibbons’ brother
hoped Freeman died in prison. Another person also was asked to leave the courtroom.
Peska told Freeman that he would be in custody for the next 33 years – until 2058 – and then be subject to three years of mandatory supervised release.
After the sentencing hearing, Ogle County State’s Attorney Mike Rock said his office had reviewed the plea agreement with Gibbons’ family and law enforcement officers who had worked on the case.
“This brings closure and certainty to the family,” Rock said. “[Freeman] took responsibility and pleaded guilty to stabbing her. This is someone who took their loved one. This term of imprisonment shall be served at 100%.”
Rock said the guilty plea follows an extensive criminal investigation led by the Rochelle Police Department and his office, which included Huntley and Assistant State’s Attorney Heather Kruse.
“I would like to thank the Rochelle Police Department’s Detective Sgt. John Kaltenbach and Detective Elvis Baneski and Assistant State’s Attorneys Allison Huntley and Heather Kruse for their hard work on this case,” Rock said.
At the time of Freeman’s arrest, many agencies worked on the investigation, including the Rochelle Police Department, the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois State Police, the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office, Illinois State Police crime scene investigators, the Ogle County Coroner’s Office, the OgleLee Fire Protection District, the FBI Rockford and Chicago offices, the Schaumburg Police Department, the Palatine Police Department, the Sterling Police Department and Shining Star Children’s Advocacy Center.
Gary C. Freeman Devin Gibbons
Oregon firefighter/EMT wins state medal from VFW
By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com
OREGON – Firefighter/EMT Greg Hunter received his official state medal as Illinois VFW’s EMT of the Year from his wife, Lyn, at a special March 3 ceremony at Oregon VFW Post 8739, the local organization that started the nomination process.
Hunter, 65, was presented the award at the post by Senior VFW Vice Commander Lee Ossmann, Assistant VFW Quartermaster Robert Coulter and Oregon Fire Chief Michael Knoup.
“Greg won the award at the local level and then went on to compete and won the state award for EMT of the year from the VFW,” Knoup said.
“I’m just a little bitty cog in all this,” Hunter said after he humbly received his certificate from Ossmann and his wife, Lyn, pinned the medal on his dress uniform. “These folks here are wonderful people. So it’s nice for my wife to get to meet some of your guys … who keep me alive when I’m out there. Thank you.”
Hunter is the first nominee from the Oregon VFW Post to win the state award.
“We nominate them at the local level and if they win the local level, then it goes to state and Greg won the state level. It’s pretty amazing,” Knoup said.
“That’s pretty prestigious. Obviously, you impressed someone,” one onlooker said.
“It’s easy to shine with these guys,” Hunter responded.
“His resume is so long they got tired of reading it,” one of his friends quipped as others chuckled.
Hunter was an Illinois Department of Natural Resources conservation police officer for 26 years and joined the department as a volunteer after he retired.
“I was promoted to park ranger in 1981. I was a firefighter/EMT for seven years while I was a park ranger before I was hired by the conservation police,” Hunter said.
Hunter comes from a rich history of military service.
“My whole family is military. I am proud of that,” he said. “I wanted to be a park ranger really bad and there wasn’t a war going on at the time. And so my family more or less said that type of work was acceptable to them. It is still serving the public, just in a little different way.”
Hunter’s father served in the U.S. Air Force.
“My dad was in the Air Force and he was very, very proud of his service,” Hunter said. “He always raised me to be
a servant, to take care of things. He thought I would be in the military someday, but when I didn’t do that and this was the route I took, he’s always been very proud of that.”
Hunter had an uncle who was an EMT/firefighter.
“He really encouraged me to do this. God gave me a gift to help people,” Hunter said. “I’ve always been good at helping other people. I am glad I can still do it.”
Hunter first learned that he had been nominated for the award during a training session at the Oregon station.
“There was a letter sent from the VFW to the chief apparently and that’s the first time I heard of it, which was three weeks ago at our training night when he announced it. I had no idea,” Hunter said.
Hunter plans to continue working as a firefighter.
“I just turned 65. It’s [firefighting] a young person’s job. Thankfully I am in pretty good shape and I work with some wonderful people here,” he said. “I don’t have an end date.”
Hunter said Lyn and their two children, Breanne and Shelby, always have been supportive of his work.
“They support me 100%,” Hunter said. “They worry just like everybody worries, but I have been in this business long enough that they are kind of used to it now.”
Knoup called Lyn to ask her some details for his background bio before the award was announced.
Hunter was out of town taking part in high-risk training for the fire department and Lyn was teaching when Knoup called.
“The chief called Lyn when she was at the school working to ask some questions and she thought something happened to me,” Hunter said.
“I pretty much gave her a heart attack,” Knoup said, laughing. “She had a whole class in front of her and I didn’t think about it being a school day and she was working. And she asked, ‘Is he OK?’ ”
“I had the whole class in front of me. I asked if I could call him back,” Lyn said, laughing.
“So, I apologize,” Knoup said.
“No problem,” Lyn replied.
Knoup thanked Lyn for her support of Hunter’s service with the fire department.
“I really appreciate her understanding because her understanding allowing him to come help as much as he does is huge,” Knoup said.
Photo provided by Matt Alford
Oregon VFW Senior Vice Commander Lee Ossmann presents Oregon Firefighter/EMT Greg Hunter with the Illinois VFW EMT of the Year award during a presentation March 3 at Oregon VFW Post 8739.
Polo Area Community Theater will hold auditions on March 8 for “The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood.” Performances will be in May.
OHS students to present ‘Seussical’ on March 13-16
OREGON – Attention you folks, this isn’t a hoax. Here comes the high school musical, and its name is Seussical!
“That’s right, you can see the world of Dr. Seuss come to life in front of your very eyes at Oregon High School,” OHS choir director Zach Hall said. “With appearances from everyone’s favorite Seussian characters, fantastic music and a great cast of high school students, this will be a show
that you don’t want to miss.”
Performances will be at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, March 13-15, and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 16.
All performances will be in the Oregon High School theater, which is located directly through the high school’s pillar doors on 10th Street.
Tickets cost $10 for adults, $5 for nonOCUSD students and free for OCUSD students and children younger than 5. All tickets will be bought at the door with
cash or check.
For more information about the show, email zhall@ocusd.net.
Auditions set for March 8 for PACT’s new show
POLO – The Polo Area Community Theatre will hold auditions for “The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 8, at the Polo Town Hall, 117 N. Franklin St. in Polo. There are many roles for those age 13
and older.
In this hilarious version, our gallant guy in green swaggers through a frantically funny retelling of the traditional story. In his quest to aid the needy, he encounters some unusual versions of the classic characters. Along with his spoon-wielding Merry Men, whose collective IQs equal six, he jaunts through Sherwood Forest. The show will be performed May 2-4, 9 and 10.
– Shaw Local News Network
Image provided by Zach Hall
Oregon High School students will present “Seussical” on March 13-16.
Andy Colbert (left), a former food administrator for the Lorado Taft Field Campus, serves his famous cinnamon rolls with Kris Martinaitis after an Oct. 26, 2024, program about the history of the Taft Campus at the Oregon Depot Museum in Oregon.
• TOGETHER FOR TAFT
Continued from page 3
The much-publicized issue of maintenance expenses at Taft is a major impediment in bringing the campus back to life. While it is highly doubtful any local taxing bodies such as the city of Oregon or Oregon Park District would contribute funds to the cause, there remains hope among residents that someone will have a magic formula to get past this financial obstacle.
Will it be Julie Bassett and her fledging group or someone else?
As Schuster told me, Together for Taft is the only “plan B” on the table. Oregon Mayor Ken Williams and the city of Oregon are being as supportive as possible in maintaining the Taft campus, but are doing so in a very prudent manner.
Restarting Taft is a risky venture and thus far Bassett is the only one willing to step out of her comfort zone into that void. However, like students at Taft learning the complexities of the natural world, the vast wilderness that must be navigated by Together for Taft may prove to be too daunting.
That statement is not meant to discourage their efforts but to offer a realistic outlook on what has transpired at Lorado Taft over the past 70 years.
What set Lorado Taft Campus apart from thousands of outdoor education facilities scattered throughout the world and made it a premier destination was its backing by a major university.
OBITUARIES
KATHY R. GAHM
Born: March 7, 1965
Died: February 16, 2025
The heart and soul of any college is its faculty and students. That component has been absent from Lorado Taft Campus. NIU shut down its outdoor education program in 1999.
Yes, Taft still offered an educational program for children, but it is a shell of its former self. And with the faculty and graduate students gone, any connection to the DeKalb campus was greatly diminished.
When Taft was at its peak, there were numerous allies from the DeKalb campus that had a vested interest in the welfare of its Oregon campus. Even if financial difficulties presented themselves, such as what has transpired recently, steps would be taken to rectify it as the educational mission is more important than the bottom line. Without a viable connection to DeKalb and lack of a college educational mission, the bottom line now is what is most important. Outdoor education enthusiasts with decadeslong connections to Lorado Taft Field Campus from all over the world have been emotionally crushed by what they perceive as a callous decision to close it.
Truth be told, the Lorado Taft that is being closed is not the same Lorado Taft that visionaries from NIU had in mind in 1954 when the campus first began as a pioneer program in outdoor education.
• Andy Colbert was a longtime employee at the Lorado Taft Field Campus as its food administrator coordinator from 1980-2010. He also is a correspondent for Shaw Local covering high school sports in Ogle County.
Kathy R. Gahm, 59, of Lena, IL passed away peacefully with family by her side on Sunday, February 16, 2025. She was born to Merlin and Juanita (Sager) Watson on March 7, 1965, in Freeport, IL. Kathy married the love of her life, Greg Gahm, on July 19, 1986, and together they raised four children. In childhood, Kathy’s favorite pastime was running around the family farm with her siblings in Forreston, IL. While attending Forreston High School, she developed a love for basketball and played on the first girls basketball team that advanced to the state tournament. Following high school, Kathy graduated from Northern Illinois University where she earned her bachelor’s degree. Early in marriage, Kathy enjoyed traveling the world with Greg, especially around Europe. When they settled in Lena, Kathy cherished her role as a devoted mother. Whether watching
ROBERT EUGENE TOMMAN, SR.
Robert Eugene Tomman, Sr., 89, of Polo, IL, passed on 2/22/2025.
Arrangements entrusted to www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com
her kids play in the backyard or cheering them on at various sporting events, Kathy always supported and was present for her family. When her kids moved away from Lena, Kathy loved visiting and creating memories with them and her beloved grandchildren. Above all, Kathy’s unwavering faith in the Lord was the foundation of her life. In her final days, Kathy expressed to her children and grandchildren her dream: “That they have a true relationship with God, and that no matter what they go through, go to Him in prayer.” Kathy is survived by her husband, Greg of Lena, IL; four children, Dylan (Angelica) Gahm of Colorado Springs, CO, Heidi (Ryan) Hoepner of Indianapolis, IN, Heather (Trevor) Sexton of Knoxville, TN, and Victoria Gahm of Colorado
mother,Juanita Watson of Freeport, IL; siblings,
Mike (Sherry) Watson; sister-in-law Dawn; and
She is preceded in death by her father, Merlin
Earleen Hinton file photo
Major face-lift planned for east side park in Oregon
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
OREGON – An east side park will be getting a major face-lift – including artificial turf – after action by the Oregon Park District Board of Commissioners last month.
Commissioners approved a bid of $1,228,451 by Midwest Excavators for Park East construction after receiving bids from four contractors. A news release issued by the park district said Midwest Excavators submitted the low bid.
Park East, located on the east side of Oregon along the east side of River Road, is home to the historic Chana School Museum as well as a playground, picnic area and an unlighted baseball field.
The project will be partly funded by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in the amount of $600,000, with the remainder of the project funded through park improvement funds, park district officials said in the release.
Improvements will include the addition of a parking lot, new playground, walking trail, disc golf course, basketball court and a lighted baseball field.
The project also includes an upgrade to the playground – artificial turf in place of engineered wood fiber.
Oregon Park District Executive Director Erin Folk recommended the addition of artificial turf to create a fully accessible play surface.
“Installation of artificial turf will provide a fully accessible playground on both the west and east side of our
BAUER
RUDOLPH STODDEN
• Do I really need a will or power of attorney?
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• Do I really need a will or power of attorney?
• What is a trust?
community,” Folk said. “We are committed to improving our parks and creating space for all to gather and enjoy our amenities.”
Construction is expected to begin in the spring when weather permits and will conclude in early August.
In other action, Folk gave an update on the district’s January financials.
The Board of Commissioners approved the Budget and Appropriate Ordinance for fiscal 2025.
“The year-end fund balance is projected to be $1,934,111. Additionally, the district will spend $1,920,000 in capital improvement projects and is set to meet all fund balance goals with the exception of the liability fund. The liability fund took a hit in 2024 with an increase in insurance costs,” Folk said.
She reminded the park board that all fund balance goals are set by board-approved policy and thanked the staff for their hard work during the budgeting process.
The Oregon Park District Board of Commissioners will meet at 6 p.m. March 11 at the Nash Recreation Center.
PLANNING
ESTATE PLANNING
• What makes up my estate?
• What makes up my estate?
• How will I pay for nursing home care?
• How will I pay for nursing home care?
• Do I really need a will or power of attorney?
• What is probate and should I avoid it?
• Should I make lifetime gifts?
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• What is a trust?
• Should I make lifetime gifts?
• What is probate and should I avoid it?
• Should I make lifetime gifts?
Experienced attorneys from Plager, Krug, Bauer, Rudolph & Stodden, Ltd. will discuss these questions and more, as well as review current trends and new developments in estate planning. Please join us for this timely and informative FREE seminar at one of the following locations: PLAGER KRUG BAUER RUDOLPH STODDEN
• What makes up my estate?
• Will Federal or Illinois Estate taxes affect me?
• How will I
• Will Federal or Illinois Estate taxes affect me?
• New laws?
• New laws?
Experienced attorneys from Plager, Krug, Bauer, Rudolph & Stodden, Ltd. will discuss these questions and more, as well as review current trends and new developments in estate planning. Please join us for this timely and informative FREE seminar at one of the following locations:
Wednesday, March 12, 2:00 pm Co-sponsored with Community Bank, 401 S. Church St., Orangeville
Wednesday, March 12, 2:00 pm Co-sponsored with Community Bank, 401 S. Church St., Orangeville
Wednesday, March 19, 5:00 pm Co-sponsor First State Bank Shannon Polo Lake Carroll, 1 S. Linn St., Shannon Friday, March 21, 4:00 pm Co-sponsored with Keller Williams Realty Signature, 809 Spring Street, Galena
Wednesday, March 19, 5:00 pm Co-sponsor First State Bank Shannon Polo Lake Carroll, 1 S. Linn St., Shannon Friday, March 21, 4:00 pm Co-sponsored with Keller Williams Realty Signature, 809 Spring Street, Galena
Tuesday, March 25, 6:00 pm Co-sponsored with Citizens State Bank at Stockton Park House 600 N. Pearl Street, Stockton
Tuesday, March 25, 6:00 pm Co-sponsored with Citizens State Bank at Stockton Park House 600 N. Pearl Street, Stockton
with Keller Williams Realty Signature, 809 Spring Street, Galena
Wednesday, March 26 at 1:30 pm Co-sponsored with Apple River State Bank & First Community Bank of Galena at Apple River Stagecoach Event Center, 446 E. Hickory St., Apple River
Tuesday, March 25, 6:00 pm Co-sponsored with Citizens State Bank at Stockton Park House 600 N. Pearl Street, Stockton
Wednesday, March 26 at 1:30 pm Co-sponsored with Apple River State Bank & First Community Bank of Galena at Apple River Stagecoach Event Center, 446 E. Hickory St., Apple River
Tuesday, April 1, 6:00 pm Co-sponsored with Citizens State Bank at Elizabeth Business Hub 131 N. Main St., Elizabeth
Tuesday, April 1, 6:00 pm Co-sponsored with Citizens State Bank at Elizabeth Business Hub 131 N. Main St., Elizabeth
Wednesday, March 26 at 1:30 pm Co-sponsored with Apple River State Bank & First Community Bank of Galena at Apple River Stagecoach Event Center, 446 E. Hickory St., Apple River
Wednesday, April 2, 1:30 pm Co-sponsored with Apple River State Bank & First Community Bank of Galena at Apple River Stagecoach Event Center, 446 E. Hickory St., Apple River
Tuesday, April 1, 6:00 pm Co-sponsored with Citizens State Bank at Elizabeth Business Hub 131 N. Main St., Elizabeth
Wednesday, April 2, 1:30 pm Co-sponsored with Apple River State Bank & First Community Bank of Galena at Apple River Stagecoach Event Center, 446 E. Hickory St., Apple River
Monday, April 7,2:00 pm Co-sponsored with Citizens State Bank at the Freeport Public Library 100 E. Douglas St., Freeport
Wednesday, April 2, 1:30 pm Co-sponsored with Apple River State Bank & First Community Bank of Galena at Apple River Stagecoach Event Center, 446 E. Hickory St., Apple River
Monday, April 7,2:00 pm Co-sponsored with Citizens State Bank at the Freeport Public Library 100 E. Douglas St., Freeport
Tuesday, April 8, 6:30 pm Co-sponsored with Solutions Bank, 996 W. Fairview Rd., Freeport
Monday, April 7,2:00 pm Co-sponsored with Citizens State Bank at the Freeport Public Library 100 E. Douglas St., Freeport
Tuesday, April 8, 6:30 pm Co-sponsored with Solutions Bank, 996 W. Fairview Rd., Freeport
Wednesday, April 9, 5:00 pm Co-sponsored with First State Bank Shannon Polo Lake Carroll at Polo City Hall, 118 N. Franklin Ave., Polo
Tuesday, April 8, 6:30 pm Co-sponsored with Solutions Bank, 996 W. Fairview Rd., Freeport
Wednesday, April 9, 5:00 pm Co-sponsored with First State Bank Shannon Polo Lake Carroll at Polo City Hall, 118 N. Franklin Ave., Polo
Wednesday, April 9, 5:00 pm Co-sponsored with First State Bank Shannon Polo Lake Carroll at Polo City Hall, 118 N. Franklin Ave., Polo
Tuesday, April 15, 3:00 pm Co-sponsored with Solutions Bank at Forreston Public Library 204 1st Ave., Forreston
Tuesday, April 15, 3:00 pm Co-sponsored with Solutions Bank at Forreston Public Library 204 1st Ave., Forreston
Tuesday, April 15, 3:00 pm Co-sponsored with Solutions Bank at Forreston Public Library 204 1st Ave., Forreston
Wednesday, April 16, at 2:00 p.m Co-sponsored with First State Bank Shannon Polo Lake Carroll at Davis Community Center, 631 S. East St., Mt. Carroll
Wednesday, April 16, at 2:00 p.m Co-sponsored with First State Bank Shannon Polo Lake Carroll at Davis Community Center, 631 S. East St., Mt. Carroll
Tuesday, April 22, 6:00 pm Co-sponsored with Citizens State Bank at Lena Community Center, Lower Level, 497 Lions Drive, Lena
Wednesday, April 16, at 2:00 p.m Co-sponsored with First State Bank Shannon Polo Lake Carroll at Davis Community Center, 631 S. East St., Mt. Carroll
Wednesday, April 23, at 2:00 pm Co-sponsored with First State Bank Shannon Polo Lake Carroll at Lake Carroll Club House, 29-11 Ironwood Dr., Lanark
Tuesday, April 22, 6:00 pm Co-sponsored with Citizens State Bank at Lena Community Center, Lower Level, 497 Lions Drive, Lena
Tuesday, April 22, 6:00 pm Co-sponsored with Citizens State Bank at Lena Community Center, Lower Level, 497 Lions Drive, Lena
Thursday, April 24 at 2:00 pm Co-sponsored with WinnPrairie, 1545 S. Forest Rd., Freeport
Wednesday, April 23, at 2:00 pm Co-sponsored with First State Bank Shannon Polo Lake Carroll at Lake Carroll Club House, 29-11 Ironwood Dr., Lanark
Wednesday, April 23, at 2:00 pm Co-sponsored with First State Bank Shannon Polo Lake Carroll at Lake Carroll Club House, 29-11 Ironwood Dr., Lanark
Thursday, May 1, at 6:00 pm Freeport Public Library, 100 E. Douglas St., Freeport
Wednesday, May 7, at pm Co-sponsored with Solutions Bank, 1005 Cameron Dr., Durand
Thursday, April 24 at 2:00 pm Co-sponsored with WinnPrairie, 1545 S. Forest Rd., Freeport
Thursday, April 24 at 2:00 pm Co-sponsored with WinnPrairie, 1545 S. Forest Rd., Freeport
Thursday, May 1, at 6:00 pm Freeport Public Library, 100 E. Douglas St., Freeport
Thursday, May 1, at 6:00 pm Freeport Public Library, 100 E. Douglas St., Freeport
FREE Admission. Reservations required. Call 815.235.1212 or 800.373.4109 or pkbrs@plager-law.com
Wednesday, May 7, at 6:30
Wednesday, May 7, at 6:30 pm Co-sponsored with Solutions Bank, 1005 Cameron Dr., Durand
Image provided by the Oregon Park District
This is the site plan for improvements at Oregon Park East, located along River Road.
Forreston FFA Alumni Farm Toy and Craft Show is March 8
By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com
FORRESTON – The Forreston FFA Alumni will host its 37th annual Farm Toy and Craft Show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 8, at Forreston High School.
There will be more than 40 farm toy and craft exhibitors. A silent auction will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bidders do not need to be present to win.
“We also have one of the area’s best lunch stands featuring Eickman’s meats along with homemade pies, cookies, bars and brownies,” said Kelley Parks, FHS agriculture teacher and FFA adviser.
There also will be a Farm Toy Display Competition with FFA Alumni Toy and Craft Show attendees voting on the People’s Choice Best of Show Award.
The winner will be given a certificate to display with their layouts in future shows.
“There will also be raffles for
Eickman’s meat processing, Culver’s gift cards and many door prizes for everyone,” Parks said.
Admission is $3 for the event. Children younger than 5 get in for free.
“This year’s show tractors represent the past and present,” Parks said. “The two tractors are both 1:64 scale, one being a Massey Ferguson 1130 with Duals and the other a Massey Ferguson 8740S. Both are priced at $35 each. These tractors will be on sale during this year’s show on March 8 or ask an FFA Alumni member to purchase one or both ahead of time.”
For more information about the show, call Cathy Kohlbauer at 815-275-6710, Terri Nelson at 815-275-6907 or Rick Garnhart at 815-238-3044.
For information about the Forreston Agriculture and FFA program, call Kelley Parks at 815-938-2036.
Vendor forms can be found at forrestonffaalumni.org.
OGLE COUNTY PROPERTY TRANSFERS
Feb. 24 to March 2
Warranty Deeds
Joshua C. McCullough and Bethanie L. McCullough to David O. Peterson, one parcel in Monroe Township: 12-19-403-008; and 15617 E. Timberlane Drive, Davis Junction, $247,500.
Randall Hays to Edward M. Kernan and Jacqueline D. Kernan, 206 Smith Drive, Oregon, $272,500.
Gary Treese Jr. to State Of Il Dept Transportation, 109 E. Merchant St., Byron, $300.
Steven F. Bishop to State Of Il Dept Transportation, 306 S. Union St., Byron, $300.
Trestle Holdings LLC to Hvarre Holdings LLC, 1109 S. 2nd St., Oregon, and 1111 S. 2nd St., Oregon, $0.
Keith W. Barrett and Amelia Barrett to Caroline Davis, 543 Mill Ridge Drive, Byron, $167,000.
Grant S. Hilliard to Trevor Goley and David Goley, 212 S. Clark St., Monroe Center, $180,000.
Paul Holden, Paul D. Holden and Julie C. Holden to F3 Realty LLC, 204 Seminary St., Mt. Morris, and 5116 W. Penn Corner Road,
Oregon, $860,000.
Premier Properties Dev LLC to First National Bank And Trust Company of Rochelle Tr09003 and Central Bank Il Trustee, one parcel in Flagg Township: 24-13-426-007, $125,000.
Quit Claim Deeds
Andrew J. Fox to Trinda Fox, no parcel information provided, $0.
Haywell LLC Mill Creek to Hre Builders LLC, 309 Creekside Drive, Byron; 265 Creekside Drive, Byron; and 247 Creekside Drive, Byron, $0.
Cara Ann Benson to Cara Ann Benson, 818 N. Fieldcrest Drive, Byron, $0.
Donald R. Elliott and Carol A. Elliott to Elliotts Way LLC, 1067 N. Main St., Rochelle, $0.
Donald R. Elliott and Carol A. Elliott to Donald R. Elliott, trustee, Donald R. Elliott Trust, Carol A. Elliott, trustee, and Carol A. Elliott Trust, 5321 S. Mill Pond Road, Rochelle, $0.
Paul J. Johnson and Elvia Johnson to Paul J. Johnson, trustee, Elvia Johnson, trustee, Paul J. Johnson Lv Tr1 and Elvia Johnson Lv Tr1, 12529 N. Weldon Road, Rockford, and one parcel in Byron Township: 05-02-400-
015; $0.
Joseph Saeli to George Photopulos and Susan Photopulos, one parcel in Oregon-Nashua Township: 16-03-108-004; and 606 N. 4th St., Oregon, $0.
Sam Sciascia, trustee, Sam Sciascia Tr800treatment Plant, and Sam Sciascia to Lena Dresler, one parcel in Flagg Township: 24-25-302-010, $0.
Trustee Deeds
Barbara Keplinger, trustee, and Bk Tr2022 to Curtis W. Keplinger, 6351 W. Lowell Pk Road, Mt. Morris; 6351 Lowell Park Rd. Mt. Morris; and one parcel in Pine Creek Township: 15-03-100-006, $0.
Donna J. Patterson, trustee, and Donna J. Patterson Declaration Tr to David Patterson, one parcel in Lincoln Township: 07-36-400003; and one parcel in Mt. Morris Township: 08-31-300-001, $0.
Inspira Financial Trust LLC and Zibute G. Ira Zaparackas to Paul A. Knepper Md Phd, 6987 S. Riverside Drive, Dixon, and one parcel in Grand Detour Township: 21-05400-006; $0.
Inspira Financial Trust LLC, Zaparackas Zibute G. Ira and Zibute G. Zaparackas Ira to Paul A. Knepper Md Phd, one parcel in
Taylor Township: 21-12-400-005; $0.
Inspira Financial Trust LLC and Zaparackas Zibute G Ira to Zaparackas Zibute G. Md, one parcel in Taylor Township: 22-07-300005; $0.
Deeds in Trust
Diana K. Chaplin to Diana K. Chaplin, trustee, and Diana K. Chaplin Irrev Tr, 13250 W. Coffman Road, Baileyville, $0. S. Michael Gall and Nancy A. Gall to S. Michael Gall, trustee, Nancy A. Gall, trustee, and Gall Family Trust, 703 Oxford Drive, Byron, $0.
Robert D. Merdian and Julie K. Merdian to Robert D. Merdian, trustee, Julie L. Merdian, trustee, and Robert D. and Julie L. Merdian Rev Lv Trust, 7332 W. Edgewood Road, Polo, $0.
Robert D. Merdian and Julie K. Merdian to Robert D. Merdian, trustee, Julie L. Merdian, trustee, and Robert D. and Julie L. Merdian Rev Lv Trust, one parcel in Pine Creek Township:15-32-400-003, $0.
Keith Wubbena and Helen S. Wubbena to Helen S. Wubbena Trust, Helen S. Wubbena, trustee, and Keith K. Wubbena, trustee, 8280 N. Pheasant Trail, Stillman Valley, $0.
Source:OgleCountyRecorder’sOffice
Photo provided by Kelley Parks
The Forreston FFA Alumni Farm Toy and Craft Show is Saturday, March 8, at Forreston High School
Spring art classes offered in Mt. Morris
MT. MORRIS – Encore! Mt. Morris and Highland Community College’s division of Lifelong Learning are collaborating to host four art classes between March 10 and April 9 in Mt. Morris. Registration is open until one week before each class begins unless the class is full.
The first class is Rug Hooking Basics from 6 to 8 p.m. March 10 and 17 (two-session class). Cost is $29.
Discover basic rug hooking techniques while creating coasters. Explore samples of vibrant fiber art projects that use the same techniques. Materials include a 12-by-12 frame, hook, linen burlap and wool strips. Instructions for building your own wool stash and additional supplies will be provided at no charge. The class is perfect for beginners.
Thinking Outside the Watercolor Box is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 15. Cost is $65.
Explore a creative blend of watercolor painting and embroidery. Start by painting spring tulips and daffodils and then embroider your artwork expressing your personal style. Your finished piece will fit an 8-by-10 frame. Materials will be provided. Bring watercolor brushes or borrow from the instructor. Bring lunch and a friend.
Mosaic Masterpieces will be from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 22. Cost is $135. Join us for a mosaic workshop where you’ll create a fish or school of fish on a small panel using glass, beads, china and found objects. Learn basic design, cutting techniques and how to use cement mortar as adhesive. Bring your own found objects if desired. Beginners are welcome.
Felted Blooms is from 6 to 8 p.m. April 2 and 9 (two-session class). Cost is $65. Experience the magic of wet felting, where water and friction bind dyed wool into beautiful creations. In the first week, create a bud vase. In the second week, create a 3D flower. All supplies are included. Bring a cookie sheet with sides or a boot tray, plus two old bath towels. For course details and to register for one or more of the classes, go to the Encore! Mt. Morris website (encoremtmorris.com) and click on the “HCC Art Classes” button. On the courses page, click on the title or photo of the class that interests you. That will take you to the Highland Community College Lifelong Learning page to register. Contact Molly Baker at mollyb@encoremtmorris.com for questions.
Encore! Mt. Morris is composed of volunteers committed to developing Mt. Morris into a unique, thriving rural and cultural arts destination in northwest Illinois. Learn more at EncoreMtMorris.com.
Byron Knights of Columbus to host fish fry throughout Lent
BYRON – The Byron Knights of Columbus 4739 will host its annual all-you-can-eat Fish Fry fundraiser every Friday throughout Lent, starting on March 7 and running through April 11.
The community event is open to all and promises a delicious meal while supporting Serenity Hospice and Home.
The fish fry will be from 4 to 7 p.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, 226 E. Second St. in Byron. Patrons can enjoy a choice of hand-breaded or baked pollock, tartar sauce, fish tacos, macaroni and cheese, clam chowder, coleslaw, fries or baked
potato, sour cream, roll and butter, dessert and beverages.
“Our fish fry has grown throughout the years and thanks to the passion of over 50 weekly volunteers, including area high school students, we serve an average of 370 people each week,” said Roy Lorenz, fish fry chairman of the Knights of Columbus. “We pride ourselves on a fantastic quality meal and we are grateful for the continued support of our parish. We look forward to serving our neighbors throughout Lent.”
The Knights of Columbus have organized fish fry events for about a decade, raising funds for local charities.
The cash-only cost is $12 for adults, $11 for seniors and $5 for children (6 to 11 years). Children 5 and younger eat for free. Families pay only $40. Dine-in and carryout options are available.
For more information or to volunteer, call Roy Lorenz at 779-537-1912.
Annual meeting for Performing Arts Guild set for March 13
MT. MORRIS – The Performing Arts
Guild will hold its annual meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 13, at the Allure of Pinecrest Grove Community Center.
This event is an evening of food, fun and fellowship along with a preview of the upcoming season.
Cost is $40 to become a PAG member, which covers attendance for you and a guest at the annual meeting and includes one show ticket for the 2025 season.
You can join and pay your membership fee at the meeting.
If you are interested in attending, contact Karen by Feb. 29 at Karen2024@performingartsguild.com to make your reservations.
Forreston American Legion to meet March 11
The Forreston American Legion will host its next meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, at the Forreston library. All veterans are welcome to attend.
– Shaw Local News Network
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that at the Consolidated Election to be held on Tuesday, the 1st of April, 2025, the following proposition will be submitted to the voters of the Mt. Morris Fire Protection District, Ogle County and State of Illinois.
PROPOSITION
The polls at the election will be open at 6:00 o'clock A.M. and will continue to be open until 7:00 o'clock P.M. of that day.
Dated this 7th day of March, 2025
Laura J. Cook
Ogle County Clerk and Recorder
Elect Mark Scholl Mayor of Polo
Oregon’s stellar season comes to an end
By RANDY HOLLAND
Shaw Local News Network correspondent
BLOOMINGTON – After an exciting Class 1A Dual Team sectional win at the Blackhawk Center on Feb. 25, the Oregon wrestlers traveled Feb. 28 to Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington to compete in the Dual Team State Tournament.
The last time the Hawks qualified for the state tournament was 2008, when Oregon took third.
Oregon has participated in the state finals eight times since 1997, with a championship in 1998, two second-place finishes, a third place and four fourth-place finishes.
The Hawks had never exited in the quarterfinals until Friday. With arguably the largest fan base in the arena ready for action, Oregon did not seem ready for Tolono Unity.
After waiting 17 years to return to the Dual Team State Tournament, it took only eight matches for Oregon to be eliminated. The Rockets took the Hawks wrestlers down with ease, racking up 19 takedowns in the first eight matches compared with only two for Oregon.
Tolono Unity had the win locked up at 40-0 before Oregon got the first of its two wins on the mat. The Rockets forfeited the last four matches, which made the score seem reasonable at 40-35.
First on the mat for Oregon was freshman Levi Benton at 138 pounds facing state champion Taylor Finley. Benton came to wrestle and came back from an 8-3 deficit with two escapes, a stalling point and a takedown, running out of time for another takedown at the end and losing 11-9 in what would seem like a good thing for the Hawks at the time.
The rest of the Hawks team did not have the same intensity.
Jackson Messenger drew state runner-up Kaden Inman at 144 pounds and lost three takedowns before he was turned in a half nelson at 3:30.
Oregon coach Justin Lahman elected to forfeit the 150-pound weight class to dodge state fourth-place medalist Holden Brazelton. The move backfired.
Bumped up to 157 against Keegan Germano, Oregon’s Jayden Berry had a chance at a takedown waved off at the end of the first period. He lost two takedowns in the second period and fought off a chicken wing before he was turned with a guillotine at 3:56.
Up at 165, Ethan Mowry lost the first takedown, escaped, scored a spinning takedown and was reversed late to trail 5-4 after the first period. He lost two more takedowns in the second period and one more in the third when he missed on a throw attempt. Mowry needed an escape as time expired to salvage a 14-7 loss and save a team point.
Oregon trailed 24-0.
Tolono Unity’s Abram Davidson, a 165-pound individual state qualifier, was bumped up to 175 to wrestle Andrew Young.
Young was taken down in a body lock, let up, taken down again and put in a twopoint tilt as time expired in the first period.
Down 8-1, Young countered with a takedown, lost a reverse and quickly escaped. Trailing 10-5 in the third, Young went for a throw and ended up being taken down to his back for two more points. A late reverse was not enough and he dropped a 15-7 major decision, giving four more points to Tolono Unity.
Ryan Rink, who was fourth in the
state at 175 for Tolono Unity, was moved up to 190 to face Seth Rote.
Rote got two reverses but was taken down in the first and second periods.
Trailing 6-2, he fought off a tough half nelson but was pinned in a chicken wing at 3:46.
Oregon was down 34-0 and with seven matches left could not lose again. And the Hawks needed at least five pins down the stretch.
But it was over quickly.
Tolono Unity’s Hunter Eastin, sixth in the state at 190, moved up to face Landon Elder at 215. Elder was taken down to his back in a butcher for four points and then caught in a crook and pinned at 1:49.
Down 40-0, the Hawks were finished. Even with pins in the final six matches, Oregon would fall four points short.
Tolono Unity elected to have 215pound regional third-place winner Chason Daly wrestle Briggs Sellers at 285 and Vince Abon, who did not advance out of the regional, wrestle Jordan Lowe at 106.
Sellers lost a first-period takedown and trailed 3-1 when he dropped Daly to
his back and pinned him at 2:14.
Lowe had two first-period takedowns and another in the second, working the power half for four points and a half nelson for three points to take a 16-1 technical fall at the four-minute mark.
It was 40-11 and Tolono Unity elected to forfeit to Josiah Perez, Isaiah Perez, Preston LaBay and Nelson Benesh and take the 40-35 win.
Oregon went home with plans to return next year and perform better.
Tolono Unity met Vandalia in the state semifinals, taking a 24-3 lead before the Vandals won six in a row including a forfeit and three falls. Vandalia forfeited the 138-pound match to Finley to make the final 33-30.
Tolono Unity lost 44-24 to Woodstock Marian in the third-place match. Marian lost to Coal City 35-27 in the state semifinals. Coal City was a 53-22 winner over Stanford Olympia in the quarterfinals.
Coal City took the state championship with a 32-25 win over Vandalia with two falls, two major decisions and four decisions including an overtime win.
Earleen Hinton
Oregon’s Levi Benton wrestles Sterling Newman’s Seamus McDonnell in the 144-pound match at the Class 1A dual team sectional Feb. 25.
Forreston bows out in regional final
ABOVE: Forreston’s Kendall Erdmann draws contact from Peru St. Bede’s
and Haden Huenenburg (5) as he drives to the basket Feb. 26 during play at the Class 1A Amboy Regional at Amboy High School. Erdmann scored 25 points in the Cardinals’ 67-56 win. LEFT: Forreston’s Jonathan Milnes rebounds against Annawan during the championship game of the Class 1A Amboy Regional on Feb. 28. Annawan won 67-38.
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HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS ROUNDUP
Boys basketball
Forreston 67, St. Bede 56: The thirdseeded Cardinals led after every quarter and advanced to the Class 1A Amboy Regional final. Kendall Erdmann led Forreston with 25 points, Connor Politsch and Mikey Probst had 13 points each and Brendan Greenfield scored 11 points and had 12 rebounds in the win.
Annawan 67, Forreston 38 : Annawan rolled to the Class 1A Amboy Regional championship Feb. 28. Kendall Erdmann led the Cardinals with 14 points and Brendan Greenfield had 11 in the loss. Annawan was led by Maddux Heitzler’s 16 points.
Pecatonica 73, Annawan 50: Pecatonica cruised past Annwan to advance to the final of the Class 1A Pecatonica Sectional on Friday. Pecatonica will face the winner of the game between Eastland and Dakota. The winner of the sectional will advance to the Northern Illinois University Supersectional on March 10.
Rock Falls 42, Winnebago 40: The Rockets hit a shot at the buzzer to advance to the championship of the Class 2A Marengo Sectional. They will face either Byron or Princeton.
Girls basketball
Peoria Notre Dame 67, Stillman Valley 56: Stillman Valley lost to Peoria Notre Dame at the Class 2A Bureau Valley SuperSectional on March 3. The loss was only the second of the season for the Cardinals, who ended with a 32-2 record. Stillman Valley had advanced to the supersectional with a 47-45 win over Byron at the Rock Falls Sectional.
Pecatonica 50, Abingdon 35: Pecatonica advanced to the Class 1A state semifinals for the first time in school history with the win over Abingdon on March 3 at the Class 1A Brinfield SuperSectional.
Photos by Earleen Hinton
Forreston’s Connor Politsch and Peru St. Bede’s Mason Ross battle for control of the ball Feb. 26 at the Class 1A Amboy Regional at Amboy High School. The Cardinals won 67-56 to advance to the regional championship game.
ABOVE: Forreston’s Brady Gill shoots against Annawan during the championship game at the Class 1A Amboy Regional on Feb. 28 at Amboy High School. LEFT: Stillman Valley’s Lillian Greene steps past Peoria Notre Dame’s Ali Stickelmaier and heads to the basket during the Class 2A supersectional March 3 at Bureau Valley High School in Manlius.
March Madness is in full swing on the courts
The big news in local sports from last weekend was Stillman Valley’s thrilling sectional win over Byron in girls basketball. Did we expect anything less?
Often a particular game gets so much buildup, there is no way it can meet expectations. With these two teams, it was going to be good any way you looked at it.
For starters, they were fairly equal opponents as evidenced by the 1-1 record in head-to-head play. There would be no quit on either side as seen in how hard both went after each other this year. Throw in 5-mile apart rivals and you have the makings of a classic high school basketball game.
The Cardinal faithful had to be worried early when Byron jumped out to a double-digit lead in the first half. This is a Tigers squad that knows how to win and doesn’t get flustered in pressure-packed environments such as Tabor Gym in Rock Falls.
However, the players from Stillman Valley didn’t appear to be fazed by the necessary task of mounting a second-half comeback. That’s the steely determination built from months and months of preparation for moments like this and the desire to be the ones on the ladder clipping down nets.
It still saddens me to think of how long it took for girls sports to come into being in Illinois. For any one of you in the gym watching Byron and Stillman Valley, imagine not having that same opportunity 50 years ago because of ignorant, chauvinistic attitudes.
The last time these two teams played, Taylor Davidson of Stillman Valley was held to six points. It was tight defense on her again, but she managed to make 5-of-6 shots in the
Andy Colbert GUEST VIEW
second-half comeback. It wasn’t until the final minute that the Cardinals could claim their first lead. Again, the players had the resolve to finally pull in front, but as a fan, I would have been near cardiac arrest for the previous 31 minutes.
How about the Class 2A boys sectional with as wide open a field as can be found? The No. 1 seeds bowed out in regionals, with No. 2s Byron and Rock Falls surviving, along with No. 4 Princeton and No. 6 Winnebago, who beat one of those No. 1 seeds in Rockford Christian. Was it the tradition of Winnebago that got it done or was Rockford Christian overrated? Credit does need to go to Rockford Christian for being the only team in IHSA history to have two 2,000-career scorers (Elijah Cummings, Elijah Daughtery) playing at the same time.
What I found interesting in the four regional finals was how close the scores were to one another with Byron and Winnebago winning by identical 57-50 scores. Princeton won 59-53 and Rock Falls was a 61-58 winner. Does that mean we will see scores in the 50s at the sectional?
If Byron plays like it did in the regular season against Pecatonica, it could be the one moving on to the supersectional.
Anything can happen in the postseason and the 3A regional final between Rockford Boylan (6-26) and Rochelle (12-20) bears this out. Neither should have been there, especially
Boylan, which had lost 21 of its last 22 contests.
Bear in mind, this was once a proud basketball power that dominated the northern Illinois basketball scene. But Boylan has half as many students as it did in the glory years of decades past. Lately, it has been the public schools such as Auburn, East and Guilford on top of the NIC-10 instead of Boylan or Hononegah. By making the sectional with a last-second 64-63 win over Rochelle, Boylan was at least able to salvage its season a bit.
Hey, it’s called March Madness for a reason and I sure wish I could have been in Bureau Valley to watch the Stillman Valley girls and Peoria Notre Dame go at it with a trip to state on the line. I was cheering Stillman Valley on from 1,300 miles away on the NFHS network. Peoria Notre Dame won 67-56.
A Class 1A boys basketball regional final that puzzled me was Annawan beating Forreston 67-38. I really thought Forreston was going to be the type of underdog that nobody wanted to play. Apparently, Annawan sur-
mised the situation differently and put the hammer down.
It’s been almost 40 years since tiny Ohio took second place in the Class A boys basketball state tournament. That was when it was two classes instead of four and winning Class A was the same as being champ of 1A/2A combined. To finish second with about 60 kids was remarkable.
Sadly, there have been meetings about closing the school. With only 20 students in the entire grades 9-12, it’s become something that needs to be addressed. If approved, the plan is to bus the remaining students to either Amboy or Bureau Valley.
Although Oregon’s wrestling team lost to Tolono Unity in the state quarterfinals of the 1A team duals, it doesn’t diminish the Hawks’ season. Oregon is loaded with younger talent and could regain its lofty status of top dog of area small-school wrestling in the years to come.
• Andy Colbert, an avid runner, is a sports writer for Shaw Local covering high school sports in Ogle County.
, 2025, ny claim not filed within that period is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the Repres entatives and to the attorney within ten (10) days after it has been filed.
Dated: February 21, 2025
Any claim not filed by the requisite date stated above shall be barred
Claims against the estate may be filed in the Office of the Circuit Clerk, Ogle County Judicial Center, 106 South 5th Street, Oregon, IL 61061 or with the estate legal representative, or both
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IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OGLE COUNTY, IL LINOIS Estate of: JEFFERY L. CAMLING, Deceased No. 2025 PR 11 CL AIM NOTICE Notice is given of the death of JEFFERY L. CAMLING. Letters of Office were issued to NATHAN CAMLING, 6322 N IL Rt 2, Oregon, IL 61061, and AMY WOLBER, 6000 W West Grove Rd., Mt Morris, IL 61054, as CoRepresentatives, whose attorneys are WARD, MURRAY, PACE & JOHNSON, P.C., 202 E 5th Street, Sterling, Illinois 61081.
Attorneys for Estate 202 E. 5th Street P.O. Box 400 Sterling, IL 61081 P: 815.625.8200 baron@wmpj.com
February 28, March 7, 14, 2025
STATE OF IL LINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF O GLE
I n re the E state of:
ARLYS J. CLARK, Deceased 2025 PR 13 CL AIM NOTICE
Notice is given of the death of ARLYS J. CLARK
Letters of Office were issued on February 18, 2025, to RON CLARK, as Independent Executor
Copies of a claim filed with the clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney within 10 days after it has been filed.
By: RON CLARK Independent Executor Law Office s of M. THOMAS SUITS, P.C. 114 W. Mason St. Polo, IL 61064 (815) 946-2276 tom@suitslegal com
February 28, March 7, 14, 2025
STATE OF IL LINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF O GLE
tors, if mailing ordelivery is required by Section 5/18-3 of the Illinois Probate Act, 1975, as amended, whichever dateis later Any claim not filed by the requisite date stated above shall be barred. Claims against the estate may be filed in the Office of the Circuit Clerk, Ogle County JudicialCenter, 106 South 5th Street, Oregon, IL 61061 or with the estate legal representative, or both.Copies of a claim filed with the clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative andto the attorney within 10 days after it has been filed.
By:
RON CLARK Independent Executor
Law Office s of M. THOMAS SUITS, P.C. 114 W. Mason St. Polo, IL 61064 (815) 946-2276
tom@suitslegal com
February 28, March 7, 14, 2025
, o three (3) months from the date of mailing or delivery of Notice to creditors, if mailing ordelivery is required by Section 5/18-3 of the Illinois Probate Act, 1975, as amended, whichever dateis later Any claim not filed by the requisite date stated above shall be barred. Claims against the estate may be filed in the Office of the Circuit Clerk, Ogle County Judicial Center, 106 South 5th Street, Oregon, IL 61061 or with the estate legal representative, or both
As sumed Name
Publication Notice
Copies of a claim filed with the clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney within 10 days after it has been filed.
By: MARY F. NELSON
Claims against the estate may be filed within 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 ordelivery is required by Section 5/18-3 of the Illinois Probate Act, 1975, as amended, whichever date is later Any claim not filed by the requisite date stated above shall be barred. Claims against the estate may be filed in the Office of the Circuit Clerk, Ogle County Judicial Center, 106 South 5th Street, Oregon, IL 61061 or with the estate legal representative, or both
Public Notice is hereby given that on March 3, 2025, a certificate was filed in the Ogle County Clerk's Office setting forth the names and post-office address of all of the persons owning, conducting and transacting the business known as:
NOTICE TO DISADVANTAGED BUSINE SSES
O'Brien Civil Works Inc., 2963 W Mud Creek Rd., Mt. Morris, IL 61054, 815-734-7722, Seeks IL Capital Development Board firms certified by the State of Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion (CEI) MBE/WBE/PBE/ VBE subcontractors, suppliers, and trucking companies for the CDB Project Number: 102-126-025
STATE OF IL LINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF O GLE
Independent Administrator Law Office s of M. THOMAS SUITS, P.C. 114 W. Mason St. Polo, IL 61064 (815) 946-2276 tom@suitslegal com
Copies of a claim filed with the clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney within 10 days after it has been filed.
Blackhawk Mechanical located at 628 N Blackhawk Rd, Oregon, IL 61061
Dated March 3, 2025.
Laura J. Cook
Laura J. Cook Ogle County Clerk
March 7, 14, 21, 2025
February 21, 28, March 7, 2025
Claims against the estate may be filed in the office of the Clerk of Court, Ogle County Courthouse, 106 S 5th Street, Oregon, IL 61061, or with the Representatives, or both, on or before September 8, 2025, and any claim not filed within that period is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the Repres entatives and to the attorney within ten (10) days after it has been filed.
Dated: February 21, 2025
NATHAN CAMLING andAMY WOLBER , Co-Representatives
Amanda J Baron ARDC 6320306
WARD, MURRAY, PACE & JOHNSON, P.C.
Attorneys for Estate 202 E. 5th Street
P.O. Box 400 Sterling, IL 61081
P: 815.625.8200 baron@wmpj.com
February 28,
Claims against the estate may be filed within 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 ordelivery is required by Section 5/18-3 of the Illinois Probate Act, 1975, as amended, whichever date is later Any claim not filed by the requisite date stated above shall be barred
Claims against the estate may be filed in the Office of the Circuit Clerk, Ogle County Judicial Center, 106 South 5th Street, Oregon, IL 61061 or with the estate legal representative, or both
Copies of a claim filed with the clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney within 10 days after it has been filed.
By: RON CLARK Independent Executor Law Office s of M. THOMAS SUITS, P.C. 114 W. Mason St. Polo, IL 61064
In re the E state of: WILL IAM R. SAMUEL, Deceased 2025 PR 14 CL AIM NOTICE Notice is given of the death of WILLIAM R SAMUEL. Letters of Office were issued on February 20, 2025, to TRISHA BOLEN, as Independent Administrator. Claims against the estate may be filed within 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 ordelivery is required by Section 5/18-3 of the Illinois Probate Act, 1975, as amended, whichever dateis later Any claim not filed by the requisite date stated above shall be barred. Claims against the estate may be filed in the Office of the Circuit Clerk, Ogle County JudicialCenter, 106 South 5th Street, Oregon, IL 61061 or with the estate legal representative, or both.Copies of a claim filed with the clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative andto the attorney within 10 days after it has been filed.
By: RON CLARK Independent
I n re the E state of: E LLE N J. MASON, Deceased 2025 PR 8 CL AIM NOTICE Notice is given of the death of ELLEN J. MASON. Letters of Office were issued on February 10, 2025, to MARY F NELSON, as Independent Administrator.
Claims against the estate may be filed within 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 ordelivery is required by Section 5/18-3 of the Illinois Probate Act, 1975, as amended, whichever dateis later Any claim not filed by the requisite date stated above shall be barred. Claims against the estate may be filed in the Office of the Circuit Clerk, Ogle County Judicial Center, 106 South 5th Street, Oregon, IL 61061 or with the estate legal representative, or both
Copies of a claim filed with the clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney
STATE OF IL LINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF O GLE I n re the E state of: HERS CHEL M. NEWCOMER, Deceased 2025 PR 9 CL AIM NOTICE Notice is given of the death of HERSCHEL M NEWCOMER. Letters of Office were issued on February 10, 2025, to GLORIA NEWCOMER, as Independent Executor Claims against the estate may be filed within 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 ordelivery is required by Section 5/18-3 of the Illinois Probate Act, 1975, as amended, whichever date is later Any claim not filed by the requisite date stated above shall be barred. Claims against the estate may be filed in the Office of the Circuit Clerk, Ogle County Judicial Center, 106 South 5th Street, Oregon, IL 61061 or with the estate legal
By: GLORIA NEWCOMER Independent Executor Law Office s of M. THOMAS SUITS, P.C. 114 W. Mason St. Polo, IL 61064 (815) 946-2276 tom@suitslegal com
February 21, 28, March 7, 2025
As sumed Name
Publication Notice
Public Notice is hereby given that on March 3, 2025, a certificate was filed in the Ogle County Clerk's Office setting forth the names and post-office address of all of the persons owning, conducting and transacting the business known as: Blackhawk Mechanical located at 628 N Blackhawk Rd, Oregon, IL 61061
Dated March 3, 2025.
Laura J. Cook
Laura J. Cook Ogle County Clerk
March 7, 14, 21, 2025
NOTICE TO DISADVANTAGED BUSINE SSES O'Brien Civil Works Inc., 2963 W Mud Creek Rd., Mt. Morris, IL 61054, 815-734-7722, Seeks IL Capital Development Board firms certified by the State of Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion (CEI) MBE/WBE/PBE/ VBE subcontractors, suppliers, and trucking companies for the CDB Project Number: 102-126-025
Phase # 1 Renovate Boat Access Areas, 4201 Shabbona Grove Rd., Shabbona, IL 60550. We are currently accepting quotes for this project. Plans and specifications are available upon request by contacting our office at 815-734-7722 or office@obriencw. com For assistance, questions, or to submit quotes, email office@obriencw. com or call and speak with Troy O'Brien to discuss the subcontracting opportunities. Bids will be evaluated on price and bidder qualifications. Subcontractor will provide a Certificate of Insurance naming O'Brien Civil Works, Inc. as additional insured. All negotiations must be completed prior to bid opening 03/18/2025 O'Brien Civil Works, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer
March 7, 2025
Phase # 1 Renovate Boat Access Areas, 4201 Shabbona Grove Rd., Shabbona, IL 60550. We are currently accepting quotes for this project. Plans and specifications are available upon request by contacting our office at 815-734-7722 or office@obriencw. com For assistance, questions, or to submit quotes, email office@obriencw. com or call and speak with Troy O'Brien to discuss the subcontracting opportunities. Bids will be evaluated on price and bidder qualifications. Subcontractor will provide a Certificate of Insurance naming O'Brien Civil Works, Inc. as additional insured. All negotiations must be completed
MEGAN’S LIFE MATTERED
MEGAN (SWAZIEK) WELLS
PRECIOUS LIFE TAKEN ON 6/24/2016 IN A BOATING CRASH ON THE ROCK RIVER NEAR OREGON, IL.
ALWAYS LOVED! NEVER FORGOTTEN! FOREVER MISSED!
THE JOURNEY CONTINUES FOR TRUTHFUL TRANSPARENCY REGARDING THE BOATING CRASH THAT TOOK MEGAN’S PRECIOUS LIFE.
Relatable quotes include (but not limited to):
• Never be afraid to raise your voice for truth and honesty and compassion against injustice and lying and greed!
• Mercy to the guilty is cruelty to the innocent!
• “Justice for thee, but not for me” (Textbook example of a Two-Tiered Justice System).
• They knew. They Knew. And they didn’t stop it!
• The truth does not mind being questioned. A lie does not like being challenged!
• The truth doesn’t cost anything, but a lie could cost you everything!
THE TRUTH WILL ALWAYS PREVAIL NO MATTER HOW LONG IT TAKES!
