Serving the Mt. Morris area since 1967
MT.Times MORRIS June 11, 2015 Volume 48, Number 15 - $1.00
KB Tough Run
At the Band Shell
Property Taxes
Don’t delay any longer and sign up for the annual June 26 KB Tough Run. A7
Lizzi Neal will perform June 12 and the Kable Concert Band is featured June 17. A6
Ogle County Property Taxes need to be paid by Friday, June 12. A3
Village board says no to raises for park workers By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecountynews.com The Mt. Morris Village Board said a unanimous no Tuesday to raising the wages of two seasonal employees. Village president Dan Elsasser asked for a motion to give a $1 an hour raise to longtime park employees Jeff Cox and Larry
Clausen. He said the matter was discussed in closed session at the May 26 meeting. “I still feel the two park employees are comparatively behind in their wages,” Elsasser said. At first none of the trustees made a motion, but then Jeff Pennington said he had spoken with one of the
park employees who expressed dissatisfaction with not getting a raise this year after the board agreed last meeting to pay two newly hired part-time summer employees for the Sewer and Water Departments between $10 and $14 per hour depending on their experience. Cox is paid $11.50 per hour, and Clausen is paid $10. Pennington made a motion for
the $1 per hour raises. However, all six trustees, including Pennington, voted no. Trustee Phil Labash said the board had decided early this year that no village employees, including Cox and Clausen, would get raises because of the financial issues the village is facing. He cited Gov. Bruce Rauner’s proposal to slash the percentage
of state income tax going to municipalities in half. That would mean Mt. Morris would receive only about $144,000 instead of the anticipated $288,000, a substantial portion of its estimated $1 million in annual revenues. “From my perspective we made a fiscally responsible decision,” Turn to A3
Relay for Life raises $56,000 to fight cancer Teen hurt By Sarah Zuniga Correspondent Cancer survivors, caregivers, and those helping to find a cure came together last Friday night to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Relay For Life of Ogle County was held June 5 from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Oregon High School track. The event included a cancer survivor dinner, silent auction, bags tournament, and a luminaria ceremony, as well as themed laps for walking around the track at Landers-Loomis Field. The event raised $56,000, and money will continue to come in until Aug. 31. Forreston native Renee
Ludwig gave a survivor presentation during the opening ceremony. Ludwig, a three and a half year breast cancer survivor,
told the audience her story of battling the disease. “I have so much to be thankful for,” said Ludwig, as she thanked her family and
friends during her speech. Burkardt’s LP Gas was recognized during the opening ceremony for their contribution to the American
in crash
Cancer Society. Burkardt’s general An Oregon teen was manager Mike Faivre, Polo, critically injured in a onecame up with the idea of crash Sunday Turn to A11 vehicle morning. Michael Stevens, 19, was listed in critical condition Tuesday at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center, Rockford. He was air-lifted by React helicopter from the scene of the accident on South Watertown Road near the intersection with Prairie Road approximately five miles southeast of Oregon. Ogle County Sheriff’s Police said Stevens was driving a pick-up truck north on South Watertown Road and failed to negotiate a
Survivors of cancer walked the opening lap of the Relay For Life Event together June 5 and met with their caregivers halfway through the first lap. Photo by Sarah Zuniga
Turn to A3
Judge reduces bond but sets strict conditions By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecountynews.com
An Ogle County judge reduced the bond last week of a man who led sheriff’s police on a high speed chase, but set strict and numerous bond conditions. Judge Robert Hanson lowered the bond for Daniel Swisher, 40, Peoria, from $250,000 to $100,000 June 4 after receiving a treatment plan from Swisher’s psychiatrist. Swisher posted bond on Monday and was released from the Ogle County Jail. Swisher’s attorney Paul Whitcombe, Dixon, had requested the bond reduction twice before, but Hanson denied those motions until he heard back from Dr. Arum Pinto,
the Peoria psychiatrist who has been treating Swisher for bi-polar disorder for several years. At the June 4 hearing, Whitcombe presented Hanson with Pinto’s report. Ogle County State’s Attorney Eric Morrow objected to the bond reduction, citing public safety concerns. An Ogle County Grand Jury indicted Swisher on seven charges on May 27. He is charged with four counts of aggravated fleeing to elude, all Class 4 felonies; two counts of resisting a peace officer, both Class 4 felonies; and possession of cannabis, a misdemeanor. Swisher pleaded not guilty to all seven charges. The charges stem from a high
speed chase on May 6, Swisher’s 40th birthday, when he led Ogle County deputies from Castle Rock State Park, through downtown Oregon, west on Ill. 64 to Kings and back to Oregon where he was finally stopped at the west end of the bridge over the Rock River. Police said Swisher’s speed reached as high as 104 mph at one point. He was driving a 2015 Porsche. Earlier that day, Swisher had been involved in a chase with Jo Daviess County Sheriff’s deputies. He was charged recently with fleeing to elude officers in Peoria County. Hanson set numerous conditions for Swisher’s release, including he must wear an electronic monitoring device, live with his parents in Peoria,
and be under the supervision of one or both of them at all times. Hanson said he will be allowed to leave his parents’ home only for medical appointments and treatment, court hearings, supervised visits with his children, and work related activity. Swisher is a civil engineer for the Illinois Department of Transportation. Hanson ordered Swisher to surrender his driver’s license and said he may not drive under any circumstances. He must also adhere to the treatment plan outlined by his psychiatrist and take his prescribed medications. A pretrial conference is scheduled for Aug. 10.
Daniel Swisher
Perfect weather for Summer Daze By Chris Johnson cxjohnson@oglecounty news.com
Maple Treat Liz Brooks offers her dog Sandy a maple syrup dog treat from Hough’s Maple Lane Farm’s booth June 5 at the Mt. Morris Community Farmers Market.
In This Week’s Edition...
A variety of new and returning favorite games and competitions were some of the highlights during the annual Summer Daze festival. A perfect evening with clear skies and pleasant temperatures June 5 kicked things off in Leaf River for the FFA Tractor Rodeo. Competitors tried their hands at controlling their tractors in a variety of competitions. Up first was the keg race. This required a keg be pushed by a tractor down a course then around a barrel before returning to the finish line. “It is not to bad to push the keg,” said Josh Bolen, German Valley. “This year
Church Bells, A5 Classifieds, B7-B12 Entertainment, A6 Fines, B4 Marriage Licenses, A4
Citizen of the Year Bill Lomax greets the audience during the start of the annual Leaf
Turn to B1 River Summer Daze parade on June 7. Photo by Sarah Zuniga. Mt. Morris Police, A3 Library News, A2 Pine Creek News, A3 Public Voice, A10 Property Transfers, B5
Reading Matters, A10 Sheriff’s Arrests, B3 Social News, A4 State’s Attorney, B4 Zoning, B5
Deaths, B6 William “Ole” Hiteman, Ev McGee
Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com