Serving the Mt. Morris area since 1967
MT.Times MORRIS May 1, 2014 Volume 47, Number 9 - $1.00
Tough Competition The Art Carlson Hawk Classic will be held at OHS track on Friday night. B1
Recycling
Service Activities
Ogle County residents can take advantage of a free electronics recycling event May 3. A6
OHS Freshman went out into the community April 23 for service projects. A8
Survey says Ogle sheriff has too many duties By Vinde Wells Editor A Rochelle woman told the Ogle County Board recently that the sheriff has too many duties. Diane McNeilly said the Ogle County League
of Women Voters recently did a study of several Illinois county sheriffs and discovered that the Ogle County Sheriff is responsible for more departments, employees, and money than his counterparts. “It doesn’t allow him
enough time to do statemandated duties,� she told the county board April 15. Besides overseeing the Sheriff’s and Corrections Departments, Ogle County Sheriff Michael Harn is also in charge of the Ogle County Emergency Management
Agency, the county’s Buildings & Grounds, Information Technology, telecommunications, and security for the courts as well as all county properties. In all, he oversees more than 80 county employees and a large share of the
county’s budget. “The Ogle County Sheriff is responsible for more departments and funds than other counties surveyed. Checks and balances and supervision can be an issue in delivering services,� according to the report
McNeilly presented to the board. McNeilly said the recommendation of the League of Women Voters is that the county board remove Buildings & Grounds and Turn to A3
Victim of dog attack is grateful for public support and concern By Vinde Wells Editor
Approximately 30 local residents and officials attended the underage drinking meeting sponsored by Project LEAD April 24. Photo by Vinde Wells
Consequences of underage drinking? By Vinde Wells Editor
to youngsters as early as possible about the dangers drinking alcohol can bring. “Talk to your kids honestly about alcohol,� Wood said. “When an incident occurs, talk about what happened and how to make better choices. Make sure they have consequences.� Padilla and Wood were two of the presenters who spoke at a meeting organized by Project LEAD of Ogle County April 24 at Nash Recreation Center to discuss the increasing problem of underage drinking. Project LEAD (Leaders Encouraging Abstinence from Drugs) of Ogle County is a recently formed partnership between Lutheran Social Service of Illinois (LSSI) and Ogle County schools, businesses, parents,
social service agencies and government services. The community coalition is working to reduce substance abuse among Ogle County youth. Padilla cited statistics that show 71 percent of high school students nationwide report drinking alcohol, and 21 percent said they started before age 13. She said drinking can cause significant brain injury to teenagers and younger youth as well as physical problems because their bodies and internal organs are not fully developed. Alcohol is also a factor in a significant percentage of fatal vehicle crashes, especially those involving teenagers, Padilla said. “We’re talking about the very lives of our youth,� she
said. “I was formerly a health care worker. I x-rayed a lot of dead kids.� Officials at a meeting on “Kids need to know that underage drinking last week when they drink alcohol stressed the importance of they’re pouring a chemical making youths aware of both into their bodies that is a the dangers and consequences toxin,� said Kris Noble, a of drinking alcohol. counselor from LSSI. Joanie Padilla, Director Parents play a key role of Health Education and in preventing alcohol use Emergency Preparedness among children, Wood said. at the Ogle County Health “Parents can be extremely Department, told the effective in preventing teen audience of approximately drinking,� she said. 30 people that studies have She said parents should shown that some youngsters find out where their children begin drinking as early as the are going, who they will be sixth grade. with, and whether or not “The younger they start, alcohol will be available. the more chance there is for “Kids really do like problems,� she said. boundaries,� Wood said. “It’s Mandy Wood, a counselor okay for your kids to hate at Sinnissippi Centers, you sometimes — it probably Inc., said parents and other means you’re being a good adults should begin talking parent.� Russ Senti, executive director of Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center, said many times parents are providing the alcohol and the setting for their own children and their children’s friends. “Get to know the kids your kids are hanging with and get to know their parents,� he said. Padilla agreed. “Don’t be afraid to confront your children. Don’t be afraid to get medical professionals involved.� Assistant Ogle County State’s Attorney Ann Switzer outlined the legal penalties for underage drinking and for adults who provide alcohol for minors. She said any alcoholrelated conviction can affect driving privileges, even if the Ogle County Assistant State’s Attorney Ann Switzer talks with Byron Police Chief offense did not occur while Todd Murray and Oregon Police Officer Rich Wilkinson April 24 after the underage drinking meeting sponsored by Project LEAD. Photo by Vinde Wells
In This Week’s Edition...
Church News, A5 Classifieds, B7-B10 College News, A4 Entertainment, A6 Fines, B6
Library News, A3 Marriage Licenses, A4 Pine Creek News, A3 Property Transfers, B6 Public Voice, A9
Turn to A2
Eight days after she was viciously attacked by three dogs, a rural Ashton woman was recuperating at home. Aneda Ebert, 63, 3413 Dugdale Rd., said Tuesday that she is very grateful for the concern people have expressed for her and the help that’s been offered. “The support has been overwhelming. People have been wonderful,� she said. Ebert suffered severe injuries to her neck, shoulder, arms, and leg, and spent four days at KSB Hospital, Dixon, before being released April 25. “I’m healing — my nurse (husband Larry) says I look better every day,� said Ebert, who appeared in good spirits despite the ordeal. “I’m mauled. I’m just a mess. I have stitches everywhere.� She was almost home from her morning jog April 21 when two pit bulls and a smaller brown dog ran out of a neighbor’s yard and attacked her. Larry, who was out riding his bike, was some distance done the road and saw the dogs shaking something. He soon realized they were attacking his wife and sped to
her rescue, scaring the dogs off. “They started biting at my elbows and I knew I was in trouble,� Ebert said. “Then they got more vicious and they were growling. They got me down, and they had me by the neck. I protected my face. Larry saw them drag me at least 15 feet. I can’t believe the grip they had. There was nothing I could do. And then I saw Larry’s face.� Dr. Tom Champley, Ogle County Animal Control Administrator, said last week that Larry’s quick action likely save her life. “It’s a good thing her husband was right there or it might have been a fatality,� Champley said. Ebert said she was shocked by the viciousness of the attack. “The brutality is what bothers me,� she said. “It was so savage.� Initially, Champley had reported the attack came from the two put bulls, a male and a female. However, he said Tuesday that further investigation showed that the third dog, owned by the same person, also took part in Turn to A3
Morgue moved for construction Will be at Finch Funeral Home By Vinde Wells Editor
Ogle County Coroner Lou Finch and his staff began moving the county morgue Tuesday in preparation for construction of a new sheriff’s administration building. Deputy coroner Jeanette Bennett said crews are scheduled to begin removing the siding from the building where the morgue is currently located on Friday. “It has asbestos so we can’t be anywhere near it,� she said. Demolition of the building is slated to begin May 15. The morgue building is being torn down to make way
Sheriff’s Arrests, B3 Social News, A4 Sports, B1, B2 State’s Attorney, B6 Weather, A3
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for the new administration building which will be located on the east side of the property at 103 Jefferson St., Oregon, where the current sheriff’s office is situated. The $4.1 million administration building will house the sheriff’s office, coroner’s office and morgue, and telecommunications center. Plans call for it to be completed in 2015. The current sheriff’s office will be demolished after the new building is finished. Space where it sits will be used for parking. Some of the equipment moved from the morgue will be moved to Finch Funeral Home, Mt. Morris, owned by Finch and his family, which will serve as the county’s temporary morgue during construction. The rest of the equipment will be stored.
Deaths, B5 Sarah E. Buschek, James T. Welty