Serving the Mt. Morris area since 1967
MT.Times MORRIS May 14, 2015 Volume 48, Number 11 - $1.00
Regional Schedule Schedules for the baseball and softball Class 2A regionals have been announced. B1
Graduates
Pheasants Released
Take a look at the Class of 2015 in this special section. C1-C10.
Oregon sixth graders assisted in the release of 45 pheasant chicks Tuesday afternoon. B3
No charges yet for man who led police on chase By Vinde Wells Editor Minimizing the danger to the public was paramount for area police officers when a Peoria man tried to hit oncoming traffic during a high-speed chase that ended safely on the Ill. 64 bridge in Oregon last Wednesday afternoon. Felony charges are pending for Daniel H. Swisher, 40, Several police vehicles chase a late-model Porsche as it travels west on Ill. 64 after first heading east on the state Peoria, the driver of a 2015 highway on May 6. Photo by Earleen Hinton Porsche that hit several Ogle County Sheriff’s vehicles after he fled from police at Castle Rock State Park. Deputies continued the pursuit because of Swisher’s behavior, Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle By Vinde Wells affordable housing, and hope In another matter, former very passionate,” he said. said. “His erratic driving and his Editor for the future.” trustee Mary Francis urged “They’re concerned about willful intention to try to hit Corcoran said he hoped the board to adopt an time and money.” The deteriorating condi- his concern would open the ordinance limiting semi Many communities have tion of an abandoned print- topic for a discussion that tractors and trailers parking already passed ordinances ing plant led a Mt. Morris will lead to cooperation and in residential areas. of a similar nature, he resident to voice his con- a solution. She said she is concerned said, because of concerns cerns Tuesday to the village “This issue involves about property values. over damage done to board. quality of life,” he said. “I would urge you to sidewalks and driveway Chris Corcoran, 202 “Action is needed now to consider the greater good,” approaches, potential danger By Vinde Wells Sunset Lane, lives next to move forward with a new Francis said. “When to neighborhood children, Editor the Quad Graphics plant and forward thinking and safe somebody does something potential health or safety told the board he believes community.” on their property it affects hazards from the cargo, and A $50,000 state grant will its condition poses safety Trustee Jon Murray said the whole neighborhood.” other issues. and environmental hazards, Corcoran’s concerns are A discussion of the Trustee Tim Harvey help with the cost of making violates building codes and valid. proposed ordinance drew said he has checked with the Oregon Public Library weed ordinances, exposes “Unfortunately we’re strong opposition from truck an individual who owns handicapped accessible. Illinois Secretary of State citizens to liability, and dealing with a large drivers and their families at property on the edge of and State Librarian Jesse reduces property values in corporation that we don’t the April 28 board meeting. the village who would be White announced Monday the community. have much contact with,” Murray, who is also willing to rent space for semi that the library is one of 17 “This property has Murray said. “Your point is Ordinance Committee parking. become the icon and eyesore well taken.” chairman, said he believes “There are alternatives,” in the state to win grants totaling more than $700,000. of our beloved community,” Quad Graphics closed its an ordinance limiting semi he said. Oregon Library Director he said. “It is time we turn doors four years ago on May parking is needed but wants In other business, the from a ‘town left behind’ by 13, 2011. The sprawling more discussion and input board approved a setback Andrew Dettmer said the corporation abandonment plant started out as Kable from the board and public variance from 10 feet to half Live and Learn Construction grant will go toward installing to a progressive community Brothers Printing in 1898 before it is adopted. a foot for Sullivan’s Foods. that can attract new growth, and employed more than “Obviously, the people Village engineer Corey an elevator at the library low cost of living, low crime, 2,000 people in its heydey. who are against it are Turn to A2 to bring it into compliance
Village resident concerned with condition of old printing plant
other vehicles were why we took that action,” VanVickle said. Ogle County State’s Attorney Eric Morrow said he will decide by the end of the week whether or not charges will be filed against Swisher. He said he would meet with Ogle County deputies May 13 to go over their reports about the chase and Swisher’s capture. “We expect to make a decision in the next couple of days,” Morrow said. He said Swisher remains hospitalized. He was taken by Oregon ambulance to KSB Hospital, Dixon, for evaluation after the chase ended and was later transferred to another medical facility. Turn to A11
Oregon library to get $50,000 grant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). “It will give us a step-free entrance to the building. That’s been a big problem for us,” Dettmer said. “This grant money will help with the costs of installing a ground-level entrance into the building, an elevator that will allow patrons access to all three floors of the building and create handicapped accessible restrooms.” Plans call for building a small addition just for the elevator onto the northwest corner of the library at the Turn to A2
OES students receive flag for father’s sacrifice By Vinde Wells Editor Two Oregon Elementary students received a meaningful keepsake May 8 when Frontier Communications employees came to school to present them with an Honor and Remember Flag for the loss of their step-father and father. Fallon Speielman, 8, and Toryn Cain, 6, the children of Brigette Peterson, Oregon, were presented with the flag, a certificate, and several letters in recognition of the sacrifice made by Spc. Norman Cain III. Cain, then 22, and two other soldiers died after a roadside bomb exploded on March 15, 2009 near their vehicle in Kot, Afghanistan. All three were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team out of Woodstock. Toryn was only a year old when his father died, and
Fallon was 3. Mike Brodzik, who serves on Frontier Communications’ National Veterans Committee said the company plans to present Honor and Remenber Flags to youngsters who have lost a parent in war in schools through their service area. The Honor and Remember Flag was created to serve as a national symbol that specifically acknowledges the sacrifice of men and
women in the United States Armed Forces who have given their lives for their country in more than two centuries of America’s history. An honor guard of veterans stood by, holding American flags, for the ceremony. Family members also turned out for the presentation including Cain’s father Norman Cain Jr., his mother Lisa Otto, and grandmother Joann Cain.
Toryn’s and Fallon’s classmates also attended the ceremony. “We’re all here today to recognize tha the significant sacrifice Norman Cain
made to our country,” said State Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon). “That sacrifice lives on today.” Letters were also read from
State Senator Tim Bivins (R-Dixon), Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-Illinois), and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Illinois), who were unable to attend.
Brigette Peterson, Oregon, and her children Toryn Cain and Fallon Spielman listen to speakers at a flag presentation ceremony held May 8 and Oregon Elementary Frontier Communications employees Bill Covell and School. Frontier Communications employees presented the youngsters with a flag in Steve Fry hold the Honor and Remember Flag presented honor of their father, the late Norman Cain III who was killed while on military duty in Afghanistan. Photo by Vinde Wells May 8. Photo by Vinde Wells
In This Week’s Edition...
Birth, A4 Church News, A5 Classifieds, B8-B12 Entertainment, A6 Fines, B7
Guest Column, A9 Marriage Licenses, A4 Library News, A3 Oregon Police, B6 Public Voice, A9
Property Transfers, B6 Sheriff’s Arrests, B3 Social News, A4 Sports, B1-B2 State’s Attorney, B3
Deaths, B5 Lyman F. Erickson, Marian E. Gray, Albert E. Snapp, Dr. William Snook, Joan K. Speck, Wallace G. Steed
Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com