Serving the Mt. Morris area since 1967
MT.Times MORRIS October 30, 2014 Volume 47, Number 35 - $1.00
Regional Win
Fall Back
Election
The Lady Hawks defeat Rockford Christian in the opening round of the regional. B1
Turn your clocks back one hour to Standard Time at 2 a.m. Sunday.
Ogle County candidates are running unopposed but four referenda are on Nov. 4 ballot. A7
Trustees discuss frozen pipes during meeting By Vinde Wells Editor Mt. Morris residents may be allowed to keep their faucets trickling this winter without paying higher water bills. After a rash of frozen water pipes last winter due to frigid temperatures and deeper than normal frost, village trustee Tim Harvey Tuesday night proposed compiling a list of residents who experienced frozen pipes and determining the average monthly water usage of each. Then, if the weather conditions are likely to lead to frozen pipes again, these residents would be allowed to keep a faucet running enough to keep the water from freezing, but will be charged only for their average usage. Harvey said he has already been approached by one resident whose family was without water from March 6 to April 6 due to frozen pipes. The village board took no action on the recommendation but will discuss it further. In another matter, the board unanimously approved continuing its contract with Constellation Energy for one year to supply electricity for street lights. Mike Mudge of Rock River Energy, Oregon, said Constellation offered the best rate at 3.984 cents per kilowatt hour. The village is currently paying Constellation 3.435 cents and uses approximately 224,000 kilowatt hours per year, Mudge said. Constellation was one of two options available to the village, he said. The other option would be to go back to ComEd for a year. However, he said
ComEd’s rate will be locked in only until May. “Constellation will give stability,” Mudge said. Trustee Phil LaBash said the village should see a decrease in its bill anyway because of the new street lights installed in the downtown last summer. The new LED lights are supposed to use only 20 percent of the electricity used by the old ones, he said. In another topic, the board approved proceeding with repairing 3.1 miles of streets next spring. Harvey told the board that he met with Ogle County Engineer Curtis Cook about bidding street repairs through the county Highway Department. A better price can be obtained if the work is let for bids in a larger package, he said. Harvey said he has tentatively estimated that the work can be done for $110,000 and will include portions of Reynolds Avenue, Main Street, Brayton Road, McKendrie Avenue, Carr Court, and Hill Street, as well as others. In new business, Harvey said he is concerned about the height of trees in the terraces, the area between the sidewalks and streets. He said some of the trees on the recommended list for terraces are too tall and have to be cut back to keep them out of electric lines. He said the tree roots are also ruining sidewalks in some areas. “I don’t mind the trees but I just don’t like them in the terrace,” he said. “If we have to plant some, I would like to see slow-growing trees that are pretty in the fall.”
Mt. Morris firefighters hose down a garage Tuesday morning at 10 W. Hitt St.. Photo by Chris Johnson
Fire destroys Mt. Morris garage By Vinde Wells Editor The cause of a fire that destroyed a garage in Mt. Morris Tuesday morning has not yet been determined. “It’s still under investigation but it does not appear to be incendiary,” said Fire Chief Rob Hough. Firefighters from Mt.
Sheely also alerted the occupant of the nearby house Deborah Hallowell, who was asleep, and moved her car to protect it from the fire. Hough said Hallowell and Larry Woodyatt had just recently moved in. Their lawn mower and small appliances that were stored in the garage were also destroyed.
Richard Hahn Jr., Mt. Morris, owns the property. A brisk wind from the northwest blew embers away from the house and was “somewhat beneficial” to firefighting efforts, Hough said. The house sustained minor damage to windows and siding, he said.
Habitat for Humanity finishes home By Chris Johnson Reporter What makes a house a home is more than four walls and a roof over your head. For Jennifer Larson and her on Vincenzo, 4, their home is built with love. “Our dream of having our own home began out of love, was built with love, and forever will be rooted with love,” wrote Larson in a letter to Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County. “This home
Harvest Time
Rick Nelson took advantage of Saturday’s dry, warm weather to harvest his corn in a field at the corner of Mt. Morris and West Grove Roads. Photo by Vinde Wells
In This Week’s Edition...
Morris, Oregon, Polo, and Byron battled the blaze in the detached wood frame structure at 110 W. Hitt St. Hough said the century-old garage was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived on the scene. The fire was reported at 10:24 a.m. by Dan Sheely who was driving by and saw the smoke.
Agriculture, A8-A10 Church News, A5 Classifieds, B7-B12 Entertainment, A6
is the cornerstone of our foundation. We have been blessed with a home.” The Larsons were the beneficiary of the newest home built by Habitat for Humanity. Larson said she would tear up if she tried to give a statement during the house blessing Sunday afternoon so she presented a letter she wrote that was read to those attending the ceremony. “We are and forever will be grateful to everyone,” her statement read. “Thank you for everything. God bless you all.” The Oregon home at 210 N. Sixth Street has a history of love going back 40 years. “How did we get here?” said Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County president Bob Van Stedum. “We got here because of a whole lot of volunteers that donated their time and expertise.” He said they also here because of the love of a family who used to own the property “Marie Black lived here and her family decided to donate the house and the property to Habitat,” said Van Stedum. “We tore the house down and were blessed to be able to build a house here.” Marie Black lived in the previous home on the property before passing away in 2011. Black’s sister Marilyn Schwartz, daughter Laury Edlund, and daughterin-law Trisha Black, and grandchildren Arika Black
Library News, A3 Marriage Licenses, A4 Public Voice, A7 Property Transfers, B5
Randy and Lori Wagner present Jennifer Larson with the keys to her new home in Oregon Sunday afternoon. Photo by Chris Johnson
and Tyler Black attended the ceremony. “My sister Marie lived here for about 40 years,” said Schwartz. “I met Jennifer and she made a comment about a wanting a photo of Marie.” The family decided to donate the property so another family would benefit. Schwartz presented Jennifer with a photo of Marie to keep in the home as a reminder of the previous owner. “Today we give thanks as we gather and pray for Jennifer and Vincenzo who are about to make this their home,” said Pastor Jeff Schlesinger, Freedom Lutheran Church. “Watch over Jennifer and Vincenzo. Keep all evil away from their door.” Schlesinger blessed each of the rooms in the home and presented the Larsons with a family Bible. “That book has many special words in it and it is not to be kept nice,” he said.
Sheriff’s Arrests, B5 Social News, A4 Sports, B1, B2 Weather, A3
“Write in it and underline those words that are special.” Schlesinger also had a gift for Vincenzo. “Vincenzo, I have a special story Bible for you,” he said. “Your mom can read those stories to you.” Habitat for Humanity requires a new homeowner to put sweat equity in the home. These hours building the home allowed Larson to experience the entire home building process. “It did not always go smooth. We had a paint issue that was resolved,” said Van Stedum. “Having put in sweat equity she puts ownership in the home. Habitat does not give houses away, she will have a mortgage.” The family selection committee is currently looking for the next family to be the beneficiary of a home. They have property at 408 W. Front Street in Mt. Morris. A general contractor will be needed to assist with the next build.
Deaths, B3 Lillian M. McCanse, Marie A. Frericks, Kevin D. Eckberg, Gloria J. Stone
Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com