MMT_01082015

Page 1

Serving the Mt. Morris area since 1967

MT.Times MORRIS January 8, 2015 Volume 47, Number 45- $1.00

Hawks Gear Up

Staying Safe

Family Tradition

The Oregon Hawks gear up to improve in second half of season. B1

Agencies offer tips for staying safe in the bitter cold. A7

Three Mt. Morris families continue a 68-year-old Christmas tradition. A4

Local residents arrested after armed robbery By Christi Warren Sauk Valley Media Dixon police arrested five people, including two Mt. Morris residents, on Dec. 30 after a man was robbed at knifepoint in Dixon in his car the night before. According to Police Chief Danny Langloss, a Dixon man in his early 20s agreed Dec. 29 to drive his friend, Jordan A. Brake, 19, Mt. Morris, to pick up one of her friends, William J. Bankhead, 21, Mt. Morris, in Oregon, and then drive the two back to what the driver thought was Brake’s apartment in Dixon. When the three drove up to the address in the 700 block of West Second Street that The Mt. Morris street crew cleans up the downtown Monday morning from the two inches of snow that fell over Brake had given him, at least the weekend, and the following day they did it all over again. The first winter storm of the season came Jan. 3 with three men wearing masks snow, then freezing rain, topped off by more snow, followed by three more inches of snow Monday night. Photo approached the car. by Vinde Wells The driver was pulled from his seat at knifepoint, and his money was taken. Brake and Bankhead also were threatened before the By Vinde Wells By Monday morning the “We had an hour and half three masked men fled, as Editor temperature had nose-dived of slushy snow on Saturday,” did Bankhead. Brake stayed to a bone-chilling -5 degrees. VanVickle said. “A number behind. Icy roads put cars in the A second storm Monday of vehicles were in the ditch. Police say that Brake had ditch as Old Man Winter evening added another three I-39 was the most affected.” With a forecast of helped to orchestrate the finally made his appearance inches of fluffy snow as the A forecast of sub-zero extreme cold and strong robbery, and that she and last weekend and early this temperature stayed around temperatures and gusty winds winds Tuesday afternoon Bankhead were threatened as week, bringing ice, snow, and the zero mark with significant starting Tuesday afternoon through Thursday morning, part of the ruse. bitter cold to Ogle County. wind chills. into Thursday morning Ogle County Sheriff The three masked men, After a warmer than Ogle County Sheriff Brian promised more headaches for Brian VanVickle advised police said, were Shawn P. normal December with just a VanVickle said deputies motorists. limited travel until weather Beets, 26, Brian S. Galor, trace of snow, area residents responded to a few accidents “The big concern now is conditions moderate. 23, and Galor’s roommate, were in for a reality check and several cars in the ditch cold and blowing snow,” North-south roads were Devin T. Williams, 22, all of when a winter storm Saturday throughout the county during VanVickle said late Tuesday expected to drift as the Dixon. Police say Beets had brought fog, freezing rain, and after Monday night’s morning. winds whipped up snow the knife. rain, snow, more freezing storm. County engineer Curtis that fell over the weekend No one was injured. rain, all topped off by a “We have nothing really Cook said the two storms and Monday evening. All of the men are charged couple of inches of snow. serious,” he said. “It was put Ogle County Highway VanVickle said road with armed robbery and The temperature hovered pretty much the same Department snowplows on conditions will be vehicular invasion. above the freezing mark for a conditions all across the the roads for 14-15 hours at updated frequently on the Armed robbery is a Class few hours. county.” a stretch. department’s Facebook X felony, which could carry Sunday brought a little The situation was much The comparatively warm page and at least twice daily a sentence of up to 30 years more snow, a little sunshine, the same on Saturday and conditions on Saturday on the website. in prison. and plummeting mercury. Sunday. Turn to A2

Jordan A. Brake

William J. Bankhead

Winter arrives with cold, snow Sheriff advises limited travel

Brian S. Galor

Vehicular invasion is a Class 1 felony, which could mean 15 years in prison. Beets, Galor, and Williams were being held Dec. 30 on $100,000 bonds. Brake, 19, is being charged only with vehicular invasion. She and Bankhead were being held on $5,000 bonds. Beets previously pleaded Turn to A3

Byron Park District to get grants for projects

Path, fishing piers planned for Hamas Park By Vinde Wells Editor

Byron is one of 72 Illinois communities that will receive park and recreation grants. Illinois Governor Pat Quinn announced $26 million in investments for 75 projects in 72 communities across Illinois. The investments will help communities acquire land for parks and enhance recreational opportunities, a press release issued by Quinn stated. “The availability of firstrate parks and recreation facilities helps Illinois attract and keep businesses and families in Illinois,” Quinn said. “By providing these

opportunities, we enhance the quality of life in Illinois and help build a strong economy at the same time.” The Byron Park District, will receive $298,500, to redevelop and enhance Hamas Park and $46,700, to acquire land along the Rock River. “We’re very excited to receive the grants,” said Byron Park District Executive Director Michael Perkins Tuesday. “We have some good projects planned that will put the funds to good use.” Projects include making the path at Kathryn A. Hamas Memorial Park handicapped accessible and looping it, adding fishing piers, creating an entrance plaza with a play area, and erecting a marquee sign to advertise local programs and events. The land the park district is seeking to buy is on River Drive on the north side of the

In This Week’s Edition...

river, Perkins said. Just over $24 million in funds is provided through the state’s Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) program that is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. An additional $2 million comes from the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Together, these sources can provide up to onehalf of a project’s funds. The announcement of $26 million will support more than $52 million in local park development projects and land acquisitions statewide. “These programs help protect critical open space in Illinois, especially in areas of the state where development is occurring at a fast pace,” said IDNR Director Marc Miller. “These resources also help communities maintain and modernize facilities they

Church Bells, A5 Classifieds, B6-B10 Entertainment, A6 Fines, B4 Marriage Licenses, A4

already own, protecting the value of public investments.” The OSLAD Program started in 1986. Prior to this year, OSLAD has made $390.5 million available for 1,678 local park projects. The program receives dedicated funding from a percentage of the state’s Real Estate Transfer Tax. LWCF has been in existence since 1965. Prior to this year, $122 million has been available for 724 park projects in Illinois. Ogle County Byron Park District, $298,500, to redevelop and enhance Hamas Park. Byron Park District, $46,700, to acquire land along the Rock River.

The Byron Park District is slated to receive two state grants totaling almost $345,000 to enhance Kathryn A. Hamas Memorial Park on the north bank of the Rock River adjacent to Ill. 72 and to purchase additional land along the river. Photo by Vinde Wells

Park. Stephenson County Village of Rock City, DeKalb County $62,300, to add new Genoa Township Park playground equipment at District, $60,600 for enhancements at Chamberlain Rock City Park.

Mt. Morris Police, A2 Library News, A3 Pine Creek News, A3 Public Voice, A8 Property Transfers, B4

Sheriff’s Arrests, B2 Social News, A4 Sports, B1 State’s Attorney, B2 Weather, B2

Whiteside County City of Rock Falls, $400,000, for initial development of the RB&W District Park on the Rock River.

Deaths, B3 Chester L. Garrison, Richard L. Holby, Clifford H. Jacobs, Debra L. Pierce

Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.