Serving the Mt. Morris area since 1967
MT.Times MORRIS May 26, 2016 Volume 49, Number 13 - $1.00
Hawks Statebound
Tourism Tab
Lady Hawks Fall
The Hawks track team has high hopes headed into the state meet in Charleston. A14, B1
The Ranger will help guide you to local events, attractions. Insert
Miscues hurt the Lady Hawks as they lose to Stillman Valley in the regional. A14
Gaming issues for problem gamblers
101 OHS seniors get their diplomas By Andy Colbert acolbert@oglecounty news.com
Editor’s note: This is part 3 of a 4-part series on the impact of local video gaming terminals.
At 2:50 p.m. on Sunday, Oregon High School Principal Andrew Nelson instructed 101 graduating seniors to move their tassels from the left to the right, and then turn around and face the 1,500 people in attendance at the Blackhawk Center. With that, Nelson proudly said to the well wishers, “I present the class of 2016.” Much the same way an incoming freshman is told time will seemingly go faster for the next four years than they’ve experienced, the Oregon High School commencement was over. Earlier in the ceremony, Nelson acknowledged 33 seniors who graduated with honors, including cum laudes, National Honor Society, community service and Premier Scholars. Three grads were also mentioned for entering the Armed Services. Close to half the class had a GPA over 3.0. “We gave out over $350,000 in scholarships and have 11 seniors with a grade point average of 4.0 or higher,” Nelson said. The class valedictorian was Jacob Ebens, who led all classmates with 689 hours of public service, besides being a Premier Scholar, member of the National Honor Society and a summa cum laude. “We entered kindergarten with one step,” said Ebens in his senior reflection. “One step – that’s all. One step leads to all others. “Looking back on our past four years, our steps were
By Andy Colbert acolbert@oglecountynews.com
Oregon High School students Mitchell Nehrkorn, Abby Newman, and Alan Nordman read their programs during commencement on May 22. Photo by Earleen Hinton
heavy with burden or carefree and light. There are many more step to come and that will lead us on the greatest journey of our life,” he said. Paul Reckamp, National Society Member, Premier Scholar and summa cum laude gave the salutatorian address. He likened the time at OHS to a movie. “The credits at Oregon High School are about to roll, but the film is not over yet,” said Reckamp, with his family proudly beaming from the front row of seats. “Think big and be willing to work for your dreams.” His final message to fellow grads was to “bask in this moment”. The commencement address was by Don Griffin, a 1970 OHS graduate. His words were of encouragement. “I encourage everyone of you to be engaged (in life),” Griffin said. “I would encourage you to take the time to thank your mentors and friends.”
Oregon High School graduate Katlyn Brady decorated a second graduation cap especially for photos following commencement on May 22. Photo by Earleen Hinton
Griffin wrapped up his talk, quoting Winston Churchill and actually impersonating his voice. “Never, never, never, never
give up,” he said. In addition to the 101 graduates, honorary diplomas were presented to nine foreign exchange students.
The sole purpose of a slot machine is to redistribute wealth from the poor and stupid to the rich. At least that’s the definition from the Urban Dictionary. Not all people that play slots are poor and stupid. Many are highly educated and have plenty of disposable income. But, a percentage of those will continue to play slots despite harmful and negative consequences. “As far as I’m concerned, the only places that should have gambling are Las Vegas, Reno and Atlantic City,” said a husband of a problem gambler. His wife also realizes she has a gambling addiction and has gone as far as having herself banned from casinos in Illinois and the surrounding states. That does not prevent her from entering any of the 40-plus establishments in Ogle County that offer video gaming terminals. She tried them and lost hundreds of dollars. “I hope these places go out of business,” her husband said ruefully. “There are six of them within four blocks of where we live. They don’t belong here.” Though video gaming is a temptation for problem gamblers, they are probably here to stay. But, is there is anything that can be done to include video gaming establishments on the self-exclusion list that the Illinois Gaming Board offers for casinos? “It’s something we are working on,” said Gene O’Shea, Director of the Statewide Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program for Problem Gamblers. “Our chairman and board are very interested in it.” The Gaming Board began its first selfexclusion program in 2002; about 10 years after casinos were licensed in Illinois. Currently, there are 11,958 people who have voluntarily signed up. Turn to A7
TelePharm defers to Felker By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com Telepharmacy officials who announced their intention late last year to open in Mt. Morris, released a change of plans last week. Instead, according to a May 20 press release from TelePharm Pharmacy, Byron pharmacist Tom Felker is interested in opening a Mt. Morris telepharmacy. “TelePharm Pharmacy, with a community group of investors from Mt. Morris, had planned to open a telepharmacy site in town under a special program,” the press release said. “However recently, TelePharm Pharmacy learned that a local pharmacy owner, Tom Felker, would commit to opening a telepharmacy location in 2017. TelePharm Pharmacy is excited that the community will once again have local access to pharmacy
care services.” Felker declined to comment on Tuesday. “There’s too many variables to comment on it at this time,” he said. TelePharm Pharmacy Director of Marketing Greg Janes said Tuesday afternoon that his company will be “partnering” with Felker. “Tom Felker will be opening a pharmacy using TelePharm software,” he said in a phone interview. Mt. Morris Economic Development Committee Chairman Rob Urish told the village board last Sept. 22 that the telepharmacy was planning to open inside the Main Street Bistro, 12 W. Main St., owned by Dave and Maggie Johnson. TelePharm officials said in December that they hoped to open early this year. Janes declined to comment on where Felker will locate his pharmacy. TelePharm Pharmacy,
In This Week’s Edition...
based in Iowa City, offers both online and on site services. In a telepharmacy, a pharmacist online and offsite inspects and verifies prescriptions, which are dispensed by on-site technicians, often the same day. Customers can order in person or online, then pick up the prescription. They also have the ability to talk with the off-site pharmacist. Urish said last fall that Mt. Morris investors were putting up $50,000, and TelePharm had committed $200,000 to $250,000 to remodel the site. Mt. Morris has been without a pharmacy since Felker closed his on Wesley Avenue several years ago. Felker owns a pharmacy and hardware store in Oregon, a pharmacy and grocery store in Byron, as well as pharmacies in Polo, Dixon, Winnebago, and Poplar Grove.
Church Bells, A5 Classifieds, B10-B14 Entertainment, A6 Fines, B7
Gaining Experience Mt. Morris Fire Department Cadet Firefighter Sawyer Foss, left, and his father Capt. Steve Foss practice ventilating on the roof of the former Brad’s IGA May 21. The building will soon be razed to make way for a new Casey’s General Store. Turn to A3 for the full story. Photo courtesy of the Mt. Morris Fire Department
Marriage Licenses, A4 Mt. Morris library, A3 Public Voice, A8 Property Transfers, B7
Sheriff’s Arrests, B3 Social News, A4 Sports, A14, B1, B2 State’s Attorney, B3
Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com
Death, B3 Lowell L. Beggs