Serving the Mt. Morris area since 1967
MT.Times MORRIS December 12, 2013 Volume 46, Number 41 - $1.00
Tournaments
4-H Awards
School Lockdown
The Polo Girls Tournament and Forreston Boys Tournament schedules are announced. B1-B2
Ogle County 4-H members were recognized Nov. 17. A7
Oregon Schools went on soft lockdown Dec. 4 after a suspicious person was reported. B5
Judge reduces bond for man charged with hate crimes By Vinde Wells Editor A Mt. Morris man accused of hate crimes and battery is out of jail after an Ogle County judge reduced his bond last week. Matthew Steder, 22, posted bond and was released after Judge Robert Hanson reduced his bond from $250,000 to $25,000 at a hearing Dec. 6. Steder is charged with three counts of hate crimes, Class 4 felonies, one count of aggravated battery, a Class 3 felony, and three counts of battery in connection with an underage drinking party last
August that resulted in the death of an Oregon teen. He has been held in the Whiteside County Jail since he turned himself in to Ogle County Sheriff’s Police on Nov. 28. The motion for a bond reduction was filed by Steder’s attorney David Tess, Rochelle. Hanson said he agreed that the original bond was set too high, but voiced concerns over Steder’s criminal past. “I’m concerned over his history at such a young age,� Hanson said. “I believe the bond at $250,000 is too high, but I believe it should be
sufficiently high to ensure he will appear in court.� Hanson reduced the bond and set several conditions Steder must adhere to, including no consumption of alcohol or any drugs other than prescribed by a doctor, no violations of the law, and he must continue to reside with his mother and stepfather in Mt. Morris. Tess said Steder has a good job that is being held for him. He said his client wants to return to work. Assistant State’s Attorney Josh Versluys objected to the bond reduction. Turn to A3
Christmas Kickoff At left, Angel Alyssa Leary gets a final wing adjustment from her mother Jodi Dec. 7 before lighting the Christmas tree in downtown Mt. Morris. Above, St. Nick arrives by firetruck. Photos by Vinde Wells
Insanity defense in trial By Chris Johnson Reporter An end may be in sight for a case against a man accused of stabbing a Leaf River couple more than two years ago. Michael Mitchell, 29, Leaf River, appeared before Ogle County Judge John Redington Monday afternoon with his public defender Eric Morrow, who filed a motion for an affirmative defense. Morrow said the motion says Mitchell is not responsible for his conduct due to his mental disease. Assistant State’s Attorney Aaron Wiles did not object to
the motion. Redington set a stipulated bench trial for Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 2 p.m. Mitchell will remain in the Ogle County Jail while awaiting the bench trial. At a bench trial, a judge decides whether a defendant is guilty or innocent. In this case Redington will decide if Mitchell, who has been examined by mental health experts, is not guilty by reason of insanity. If he is determined to be insane, Mitchell could be committed to a secure mental health facility for an extended period of time. Mitchell is accused of
breaking into the home of David and Denise Zellers on July 3, 2011 and repeatedly stabbing them with two knives he brought with him. Both suffered serious injuries and were taken to the hospital. They have since recovered. After fleeing on foot from the scene, Mitchell was taken into custody a short distance from the Zellers home after a five-hour manhunt. Mitchell is charged with four counts of attempted murder, all Class X felonies, two counts of home invasion, both Class X felonies, and four counts of aggravated battery, all Class 4 felonies.
Polo school surprised with $25,000 from US Cellular By Chris Johnson Reporter
“Do not be upset if we are not in the top 20,� she said. “We are going to persevere and try again next year.� Hillison sat with the students and watched the clock. The clock ticked to 10:30 a.m. and a video announcing the results was played for the students and faculty. One school was announced then it appeared on the screen — Centennial Elementary School. Hillison jumped to her feet, almost in unison with the students, and raised her arms in celebration while shouting. She ran down the bleachers shouting and pumping her arms with excitement that the school won. The students were also shouting and were equally excited.
Exelon files tax appeal By Vinde Wells Editor Exelon Nuclear officials have filed a tax appeal asking that the assessment of the Byron Generating Station is cut in half. According to their appeal filed Nov. 12, Exelon
contends the value of the generating station totals $252,937,302, just 49.6 percent of the $509,444,605 set by Ogle County Supervisor of Assessments Jim Harrison. The appeal is for the generating station’s 2013 assessment, which affects
taxes payable in 2014. The assessment is slightly higher than the $499 million set by Harrison last year. “I bumped it up based on the assessments of other nuclear plants and the likelihood that a license extension will be Turn to A2
Medical episode caused crash Oregon man dies at hospital By Vinde Wells Editor
An Oregon man died from a medical condition Dec. 6 after a one-vehicle crash in Mt. Morris. Mt. Morris Police said Erling H. Johnson, 85, apparently suffered a medical episode that caused the car he was driving to crash into a railroad crossing signal on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad on Ill. 64 at the east edge of
Mt. Morris. Johnson was transported by Mt. Morris ambulance to KSB Hospital, Dixon, where he was pronounced dead. According to the crash report, Johnson’s son Timm Johnson, 51, Oregon, a passenger in the car, told police his father suffered a cardiac episode while driving and became unresponsive. The car was westbound on Ill. 64, left the roadway onto the right shoulder, struck the electronic crossing sign, and came to rest on the railroad tracks. Johnson’s wife LaVonne,
82, was also a passenger in the car. Neither she nor Timm was taken to the hospital. Mt. Morris Police Chief Jason White credited Timm Johnson, who was sitting in the front seat, with preventing other people from being injured in the incident. “He grabbed the wheel and steered the car, the best he could, away from other vehicles,� White said. “It was a bad situation but his quick action prevented it from being worse.� ! COMPLETE OBITUARY APPEARS ON "
Hillison turned around and that is when she saw US Cellular representatives with With company flowers and a large check for representatives from US $25,000. Cellular hiding in the She was offered a tissue principal’s office, Sue Hillison because she was crying at this nervously awaited the results point and was asked to talk to of a contest Tuesday morning. the students. Centennial Elementary “You are what perseverance was one of 4,000 schools is,� she said. “We just got competing for $25,000 in $25,000. I am proud of you.� the US Cellular Calling All Next year the school plans Communities Contest. to win the contest again for The top 20 would receive Aplington Middle School. $25,000. “I am beyond excited,� “I am pretty nervous,� Hillison said. “I am so Hillison told the students as proud of the kids and the they waited for the results. community. I would like to “We might actually not be in thank US Cellular. They did the top 20.� so much for us.� As Hillison was talking to The money from this the students the US Cellular contest will be used to benefit representatives were now students throughout the waiting in the hallway to district. surprise the school. “We are in the process of deciding how the money is used,� she said. “The administrators will help, but the money will be used to help the students throughout our district.� Scott Preston, US Cellular Area Sales Manager, said Centennial worked hard to win the contest. “This has been three years for you,� he said. “On behalf of US Cellular, Mt. Morris fire and ambulance crews responded to a one-vehicle accident on Ill. 64 Sue Hillison, center, reacts after seeing Centennial Elementary School’s name appear on a list of the US congratulations on winning Friday. The car struck a railroad control signal and came to rest on the inactive tracks $25,000.� that cross the state highway on the village’s east side. Photo by Earleen Hinton Cellular’s Calling all Community Contest winners.
In This Week’s Edition...
Church Bells, A5 Classifieds, B7-B14 Entertainment, A6 Fines, B6 Marriage Licenses, A4
Oregon Police, B6 Library News, A3 Pine Creek News, A3 Public Voice, A11 Property Transfers, B5
Sheriff’s Arrests, B4 Social News, A4 Sports, B1, B2 State’s Attorney, B4 Weather, A2
Deaths, B3 Richard A. DeKoning, Alicia M. Gillick, Erling H. Johnson, Oscar O. Ohlsson Jr., Deloris A. Schroers, Delores A. Schroeder
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