Serving the Mt. Morris area since 1967
MT.Times MORRIS May 29, 2014 Volume 47, Number 13 - $1.00
Headed for State
Campfire Tips
Concerts Begin
The Oregon boys track team finishes strong at the Sectional May 23. B1
State Fire Marshal offers safety tips for outdoor fires. B6
The Kable Concert Band will play June 4, and The Jimmys perform June 6. A8
Veterans sacrificed for the US
Village approves $858,170 for store
By Vinde Wells Editor Mt. Morris veterans were remembered Monday for their heroism and sacrifice during wartime. Under clear blue skies with summerlike temperatures Mt. Morris American Legion Post Commander Stan Ballard recounted the part village residents have played in the cause of freedom over the years. Ballard, the emcee and main speaker at the annual Memorial Day ceremony held on the downtown square, pointed out that local residents have been quick to answer their country’s call. During World War II, for example, he said 400 men and women from the village, with a population then of 2,500, entered the military service. “They all answered when their country called,� Ballard told the crowd that attended the ceremony. “They all served, some paying the ultimate The Mt. Morris Fire Department Color Guard carries the flags from the band shell to the Memorial Fountain sacrifice. They are all heroes.� Monday during Memorial Day services. Bagpiper Captain Mike Wilcox of the Dixon Fire Department brings Turn to A2 up the rear. Photo by Vinde Wells
By Vinde Wells Editor The Mt. Morris Village Board made it official Tuesday night and approved an $858,170 agreement with Sullivan’s Foods for a new, expanded grocery store in the village. The board approved the agreement by a 4-1 vote, with trustee Don Sorenson casting the only no vote. Voting yes were Mary Francis, Jan Hough, Tim Harvey, and Jon Murray. Trustee David Hoffman resigned from the board earlier this month. Under the terms of the agreement, the village granted Sullivan’s financial Turn to A2
Sheriff accepts second job at Forrestville schools By Matt Mencarini Sauk Valley Media Starting on June 2, Ogle County Sheriff Michael Harn will be working two jobs. Harn’s term as sheriff ends Nov. 30, but for the next six months, he’ll also have a full-time responsibility to the Forrestville Valley School District. The school board unanimously hired him May 21 as the district’s maintenance coordinator. Harn is also the village president of Forreston. His current term expires in 2017. The job at the school
district pays $17 an hour, and Harn will be expected to work 40 hours a week, said district Interim Superintendent Jane Eichman. Harn will be in charge of buildings and grounds maintenance for the district, which includes two elementary school buildings and a combined junior and senior high school, Eichman said, adding that he’ll also be supervisor of the district’s custodians. Harn was elected Ogle County sheriff in 2010. He lost a close primary election to Rochelle police officer Brian VanVickle in March.
Harn’s annual salary as sheriff is $87,000. If he works 40 hours a week for the school district from June 2 through November, he will make about $61,000 between the two jobs. Harn didn’t respond to requests for comment. In April, Sauk Valley Media reported that in the month after the election, Harn had been present at the department only three times, according to a longtime member of the department who spoke on the condition of anonymity, compared to “three or four� times a week in his first three years as
sheriff. Harn had been calling in to the department and was available through email, the source said in April. During the interview process for the maintenance coordinator position, Eichman said Harn was asked about how he would be able to balance his time between June and the end of his term. Eichman said Harn assured the district it wouldn’t be a problem. Harn lives in Forreston, where two of the district’s schools are located. The other school is in German Valley, in Stephenson County.
On May 20, the Ogle County Board approved a “forensic examination� of the Ogle County Sheriff’s Department’s tow fund. In December, Sauk Valley Media reported that the tow fund, which isn’t in he county budget, had been used to pay for vehicle repairs and purchases, in addition to flowers for Secretary’s Day, a tent at the Ogle County Fair, and a $4,000 fee for the department’s Facebook page to be managed, among other Sheriff Michael Harn expenses. In February, the Ogle sources and transferred it to County Board restricted the the treasurer. tow fund’s uses and revenue
College students kayak their way down Rock Three paddle from Horicon to Mississippi By Chris Johnson Reporter Three college students paddled into Oregon May 22 about halfway through their journey down the Rock River. Jake Boucher, Aledo, 20, Garrett Feik, Aledo, 20, and Jon Gress, Pekin, 22, are kayaking the entire 320 mile length of the Rock River. “We kind of decided, me and Garrett live where it dumps into the Mississippi,� said Boucher. “We thought we could ride it all the way home.� Gress and Boucher are students at Maranatha Baptist University in Watertown, Wis.
The 320 mile journey will help raise money for their school. They began paddling on May 13 in the marshes of Wisconsin. When the trio arrived at Oregon Park East May 22, they were greeted by staff from the Oregon Park District. They were welcomed to town and were helped with their portage around the dam, by a pair of kayakers that joined them on their trip from Byron to Oregon. “Some dams are more difficult to get around then others,� said Feik. “This one is easy.� The park has a path from the river’s edge about the dam that winds down to below the dam. Having the path made for a quick portage. Throughout their journey the trio is camping along the river.
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“We have campsites marked out,� said Boucher. “We also asked the landowners along the river and they have been welcoming to us,� said Feik. Last Thursday the kayakers were planning on a 17 mile leg for their journey. They had a cabin to stay in that was arranged by Frank Schier, Rockford. The men were glad to have a roof over their head for the night. “We have been working hard paddling the river,� said Boucher. During the trip the kayakers said they have seen the local wildlife and Jon Gress, Pekin 22, paddles down the Rock River May 22. Photo by Chris Johnson have met numerous people. “We have seen a lot of pelicans so far,� said Feik. The trio made it to Dixon on Friday where they were Oregon High School the Blackhawk Center. Mt. Morris. greeted by Dixon Mayor Jim graduation will be held on The commencement Diplomas will be presented Burke before continuing Sunday, June 1 at 2 p.m. in speaker will be David Nelson, to 129 seniors. downstream.
Church Bells, A5 Classifieds, B8-B12 Entertainment, A6 Fines, B6 Library News, A3
OHS graduation is June 1
Marriage Licenses, A4 Oregon Police, A7 Pine Creek News, A3 Public Voice, A8 Property Transfers, B6
Sheriff’s Arrests, B7 Social News, A4 Sports, A11, A12, B1, B2 State’s Attorney, B5
Deaths, B5 Gladys B. Ludewig, Emil M. Schaefer
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