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Amboy’s Appleman set for junior season PREP WRESTLING, B1
VIEWING THE PLAYOFFS THROUGH A PHONE COMMUNITY, C12
WEEKEND ENTERPRISE | OGLE COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
Tow fund documents not found Files on former sheriff’s computer removed before he left office BY MATT MENCARINI mmencarini@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5529
Former Ogle County Sheriff Michael Harn Had told auditors that documents would account for $10,754 that was missing
OREGON – There were supposed to be “46 documents” that explained why a forensic auditor couldn’t account for $10,754 that was missing from the Ogle County tow fund. That’s what former Sheriff Michael Harn told Ogle County Board Chairman Kim Gouker and other board members in an email on Oct. 24, shortly
after the results of the forensic audit were released. However, a records request filed by Sauk Valley Media revealed that most of those documents cannot be found. The documents produced this week by the sheriff’s department could account for only three tows, which would be $1,050 of the missing money. The audit had reported no paperwork could be found for roughly 45 tows that were done
during Harn’s time in office. Additionally, files on the former sheriff’s computer had been removed before Sheriff Brian VanVickle took over on Monday. A Freedom of Information Act request for the missing paperwork was sent to Harn on Nov. 4. His lack of response after 5 business days amounted to a legal denial of the request. But that request was fulfilled on Wednesday by the new administration and VanVickle.
The request asked for: “Copies of the ‘46 documents’ Ogle County Sheriff Michael Harn mentioned in an email to Ogle County Board Chairman Kim Gouker and five other board members on Oct. 24.” The department searched its records for the documents mentioned, VanVickle said, but could find only a few pages to account for three tows. DOCUMENTS CONTINUED ON A8
WEEKEND FEATURE | ROY PHILLIPS, PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR
Board Chairman Kim Gouker Said if new administration can’t find the documents, they aren’t there
LOCAL OFFICIALS
All on board? Often, not in Lee County Meetings attendance is spotty; better in Whiteside BY DAVID GIULIANI For Sauk Valley Media
Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@saukvalley.com
Roy Phillips of Como looks at a photograph (shown below) of himself as he joined the Navy. Como, now 93, was on the USS Trever when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Sunday is the 73rd anniversary of the attack.
‘I couldn’t figure out what was going on’
BOARD CONTINUED ON A5
ONLINE
Confusion reigned in response to attack, Phillips says
I
BY ANGEL SIERRA asierra@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5695
n the waking Hawaiian hours aboard a warship, a seaman with 3 service years under his belt had just finished one of his favorite meals – scrambled eggs – and had left the galley for some fresh air topside aboard the USS Trever on Dec. 7, 1941. Roy Phillips, 93, of Como, and formerly of Kentucky, had made it a habit to stay on the ship on Sundays because of evening cuisine like cold cuts and potato salad. “It was the best meal of the week,” the boilermaker said with a chuckle. “I didn’t
Mostly sunny
VOLUME 7 ISSUE 14 40 Pages
Today: 35/24 For the forecast, see Page A9
want to miss it.” Phillips returned to his bunk unaware of the impending Japanese attack, but then hurried to his battle station in the fire room after the ship’s general quarters alarm blasted at 7:57 a.m. He didn’t have much time to think, he said. The first bombs dropped on Ford Island, an islet at the center of the harbor, while the USS Trever, moored in formation away from shore, sat alongside three sister minesweepers with bows north toward Pearl City. PHILLIPS CONTINUED ON A8
Closing time
Jackass BBQ is closing in Oregon, but eatery may pop up elsewhere. See Page C1
DIXON – For Lee County Board Chairman Rick Ketchum, it may be lonely at the top. The Amboy Democrat is one of only five members on the 24-member board with perfect attendance at board meetings over the past 2 years. Sauk Valley Media checked the roll calls to determine attendance rates for members of the Lee and Whiteside county boards, which meet monthly. The Whiteside County Board fared much better, with 14 of its 27 members holding perfect attendance over the past 2 years. Eleven others missed one or two meetings. Missing the most was Ruth Stanley, R-Sterling, who was gone for six meetings. Steve Wilkins, D-Morrison, missed three. (This list excludes Tony Arduini, D-Rock Falls, who died in March after missing meetings for months because of his health.)
Don’t miss out on all the fun!
Action reports If you would like to read the after-action reports from every commander and ship that took part in the defense of Pearl Harbor, visit http://history.navy.mil/ faqs/faq66-4.htm for links and resources.
If the shoe fits ... Why do we love shoes? Find out in must-read cover story. Also inside USA Weekend: Pumpkin bread pudding Skype tips for the camera-shy Skin care tips
If you haven’t been to our Plan!t Sauk Valley website this week, you’ve missed: • The debut of our Grub Hub feature on local restaurants by SVM reporter Jermaine Pigee. • The introduction of a Tech Type blog by SVM Online Editor Angel Sierra. • Reviews by SVM Managing Editor Jeff Rogers of new music releases. • Lists, reviews of books and movies, and much more! Go to planitsaukvalley.com
Index Births................ C5 Lottery .............. A2 Business........... C1 Markets ............ A9 Classified .......... D1 Obituaries ......... A4 Comics ............. B6 Opinion............. A6 Community ..... C12 Scoreboard ...... B9 Scrapbook ....... C3 Crossword Saturday ........... D7 Sports .............. B1 Support groups .. C5 Crossword Sunday ............. C8 Travel .............. C10 Dave Ramsey ... C8 Weather............ A9 Dear Abby ........ C6 Wheels ............. D8