Serving the Mt. Morris area since 1967
MT.Times MORRIS October 20, 2016 Volume 50, Number 1 - $1.00
Regional Champs
PAG Performs
McCanse Tribute
The Oregon Hawks needed penalty kicks to win the regional title Oct. 14. B1
“War of the Worlds” will be performed in Mt. Morris. B3
The McCanse family worked hard to preserve and restore the historic Chana School. A4
Former sheriff Michael Harn charged with theft By Rachel Rodgers rrodgers@saukvalley.com A former Ogle County sheriff has been accused of using county money to buy items for his own use while he was in office. Michael Harn, 54, was charged Oct. 12 with two counts of felony theft. According to court documents filed Oct. 12, prosecutors say he bought numerous items with
county funds, including electronic equipment, boat equipment, radiocontrolled toys, party tents, coolers, weapons, hunting guns, HarleyDavidson clothing and accessories, adult novelty items, and outdoor fountains. The list goes on to include auto maintenance for his personal vehicles, Apple iTunes products, and radio advertising. The total cost of the items falls between $500 and $10,000.
Current Sheriff Brian Va n V i c k l e said last week that the amount is in the thousands of dollars. Special P r o s e c u t o r Michael Harn Dave Neal, of the Illinois Office of State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor’s
Office, said the charges resulted from a two-year Illinois State Police investigation that began shortly after an internal audit of the office in December 2014 and January 2015. The thefts are said to have occurred between June 1, 2011, and Dec. 2, 2014. The felonies each carry a sentence of 3 to 7 years in prison. Harn is set to appear in Ogle County Court on Nov. 10.
Harn served as Ogle County sheriff from 2010 to 2014 before being defeated by VanVickle in the 2014 Republican Primary. His salary was $87,000. Prior to being elected sheriff, Harn was an Ogle County deputy for several years. While in office, Harn stewarded a fund containing administrative tow fees and other money that was not included in the county’s budget. Turn to A2
Jail plan discussed By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecountynews.com The Ogle County Board got a look at what a new county jail in the heart of Oregon might look like. Jeff Goodale, Director of Justice at HOK, a Chicago architectural and planning firm, gave board members a drawing of a proposed detention center located South Sixth Street west of the judicial center on property owned by the county. HOK was hired a year ago to do a jail needs assessment. Goodale said the proposed building, which would house from 180 to 200 prisoners, would fall within the $28 million estimated previously. The site is large enough, he said, to allow for future expansion. The board has not yet voted on whether or not to build the new jail or on a site for it. Goodale’s drawing showed South
Sixth Street closed to traffic with a sally port across what is now the street connecting the new detention center to the judicial center. The sally port, he said, will be large enough to accommodate at least six vehicles to easily transport prisoners. The drawing showed the front of the jail facing north, lining up with the north side of the judicial center. “The brick used will blend with the judicial center, but the judicial center will remain the more prominent building,” Goodale said. Board member Lee Meyers, Byron, told Goodale he liked the concept, but would like to see a similar drawing of a detention center next to the public safety complex on First Street. “Most of the comments I’ve heard [on the proposed jail] have been about Sixth Street,” he said. “Several people don’t want that blocked off.”
Honoring Veterans A ceremony was held Oct. 13 at the Mt. Morris Senior Center to honor veterans. Above, Barb Horner, pins an American flag on Gene McGee, Mt. Morris, while Betty Sorenson watches. At right, senior center board president Ed Baker pins a flag on Steve Duncan. Photos by Vinde Wells
No farming in Mt. Morris? By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com Any farming operations inside the Mt. Morris village limits will likely soon be illegal. In a 4-3 vote, the village board approved a recommendation from the Planning Commission Oct. 11 to remove language allowing farming from the zoning code and authorized village attorney Rob LeSage to prepare new ordinances to that end. Village President Dan Elsasser was forced to cast the deciding yes vote, after three board members voted yes and the other three voted no. Elsasser’s vote was required to break the tie. Voting yes were Phil Labash, Don Sorenson, and Jon Murray, while Jeff Pennington, Shane Pope, and
Tim Harvey voted no. The action reverses a board decision earlier this year to allow row crops as a special use under certain circumstances. Dan Luepkes, who owns approximately 12 acres which wraps around the bowling alley and is adjacent to both Mud Creek and Leaf River Roads, requested a special use to plant agricultural crops on his land. Residents of Katie’s Way voiced strong opposition to having crops growing so close to their homes. In another matter, the board unanimously approved sending the bill for $2,041 to clean up Rick and Barb Blackburn’s basement at 401 W. Lincoln Ave. after a sewer back-up to its insurance company for payment. Barb Blackburn told the board that several items in the basement were ruined.
In This Week’s Edition...
LeSage said any losses should be submitted for payment as well. Pennington, who is chairman of the Water and Sewer Committee, said the village sewer main near the Blackburns’ home plugged up on Oct. 3, sending sewage into their basement. He said he believes the back-up may have been caused by a chunk of concrete that broke away from an old service hook-up and plugged the main. In other business the board: • heard an update on work to restore the Campus Fountain, • discussed adopting the International Property Maintenance Code, and • set Trick or Treat hours permanently for 5 to 8 p.m. on Halloween. Residents should leave their porch lights off if they do not wish to participate.
Church News, A5 Classifieds, B6-B10 Entertainment, A6 Library News, A3
Construction Continues Two workers smooth out a final piece of concrete in the parking lot of the new Casey’s General Store at the corner of Ill. 64 and McKendrie Avenue in Mt. Morris. The store is slated to open later this month. Photo by Vinde Wells
Marriage Licenses, A4 Mt. Morris Police, A2 Public Voice, A7 Property Transfers, B5
Sheriff’s Arrests, B3 Social News, A4 Sports, B1, B2 State’s Attorney, B4
Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com
Death, B4 Donald L. Horst