Serving the Mt. Morris area since 1967
MT.Times MORRIS June 16, 2016 Volume 49, Number 16 - $1.00
Butterfly Release Remember loved ones by releasing a butterfly at Serenity Hospice July 9. A4
At the Band Shell
Memorial Walk Registration is underway for the annual Lois Nelson Walk. A4
Love & Thunder will perform June 17, and Grace Martin will solo June 22. A2
Fire hydrant painting contest gets nod from board By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com The Mt. Morris Village Board gave its unanimous Approval Tuesday to a fire hydrant painting contest. Village trustee Jeff Pennington first voiced his opposition to the Paint-A Hydrant Contest but ended up casting a yes vote. At Pennington’s request May 24, the contest, which was already underway, was put on hold for further study.
Mt. Morris’ approximately 200 fire hydrants are owned by the village. The idea for the contest came from Ken Foss, owner of McKendrie Street Cafe in Pinecrest Grove Community Center. A press release issued in early May invited individuals and organizations to begin painting as soon as they register and pay a $10 fee. The contest offers monetary prizes for the top three fire hydrants. At both meetings,
Pennington said he has concerns that painting the hydrants could create problems with the village’s Insurance Service Office (ISO) rating. “I personally am not in favor of this,” he said Tuesday. “I think fire protection is fire protection and should be kept that way.” Foss said several communities have similar contests and it fits well with the village’s plan to bring artists to the community. “The whole objective
here is to bring art to the community,” he said, adding that he favors extending the contest to people who live outside Mt. Morris. So far 13 people have registered and some have already painted hydrants, Foss said. Resident Tanya Bowers said her 13-year-old daughter painted the hydrant at Main and Mulberry Streets to look like a Dalmatian. Water department supervisor Gene Ashton said he told Foss he did not object
to the contest as long as fire officials were consulted. Foss spoke with Fire Chief Rob Hough who stipulated that the tops of the hydrants cannot be painted because they are each color-coded to indicate the flow. That requirement is part of the contest rules. Trustee Phil Labash asked Foss what will be done with any leftover registration fees after the prize money is paid. Foss said it could be carried over for next year’s contest. “If there is money left over,
I would strongly suggest that a donation be made to Let Freedom Ring or the fountain project, or another community project,” Labash said. “This involves government-owned property.” Because of the delay in getting village board approval, the contest deadline has been extended. Foss said he will announce the winners at the Aug. 5 Friday night concert, rather than during the Let Freedom Ring festival as originally planned.
Special Olympians cheer for Torch Run
Viewing platform is almost ready
By Chris Johnson cxjohnson@oglecounty news.com
New bike path goes through Mt. Morris
Special Olympians were glowing with excitement last week when the Flame of Hope was brought into Oregon. The torch, carried by local law enforcement workers June 8, was heading to Illinois State University, Normal, for the annual summer Special Olympics for track and field. When the torch reached downtown Oregon, all the athletes were waiting to cheer them on. Athletes from the Village of Progress (VOP) made signs to cheer on and thank the law enforcement officers for the assistance with spreading the word about the Special Olympics. Having the torch in Oregon was extra special for five athletes from the VOP. Five athletes won gold medals to qualify for the summer games that were held June 10-11. The Flame of Hope was handed from community to community before reaching the opening ceremony.
By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com
Dan Daub, court security for the Ogle County Sheriff’s Department, left, runs next to Oregon Officer Matt Kalnins, who is carrying the Special Olympics Torch Wednesday morning during the annual torch run through Oregon.
Dan Daub, court security for the Ogle county Sheriff’s Department organized the local run for the second year. He was joined during the
run by fellow Sheriff’s Deputies and members of the Oregon, Byron, and Mt. Morris Police Departments. Each law enforcement officer raised $100 for
Special Olympics through the Law Enforcement Torch Run. The Oregon run was held between the Black Hawk Statue scenic pull off
north of town to downtown Oregon. Following the run in Oregon the torch was brought to Dixon, Sterling, and Rock Falls.
A new viewing platform beside the Oregon Depot will soon allow local and visiting railroad buffs a comfortable and safe look at trains on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe tracks. Oregon Depot Museum Board Chairman Roger Cain said last week that the platform, slated to be in place by the end of July, is also designed for bicycle enthusiasts. “It’s multi-purpose, and its designed to be a tourist destination,” Cain said. “We want the depot museum to be emphasized along with the viewing platform and bicycling. It’s almost a threefer.” Cain approached the city council and local businesses last year for funding and assistance to build the steel, covered platform. All chipped in for the community Turn to A3
OHS Jazz Band kicks off Brown Bag Concerts Heat, humidity and wind didn’t stop the Oregon High School Jazz Band from kicking off the Oregon Park District’s Brown Bag Concert series on June 8. The band performed from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Ogle County Courthouse lawn. Their performance was sponsored by Country Financial. Three Brown Bag Concerts will be held in 2016. The One Man Country Band, sponsored by The Harvard State Bank, will perform July 8. Kendra Swanson, sponsored by Circle G Farms, will perform on Aug. 12. The concerts are free. Lunch is available from food vendors during the event. For more information call the Oregon Park District at 815732-3101.
In This Week’s Edition...
The Oregon High School Jazz Band performed at the first Brown Bag Concert on the Ogle County Courthouse lawn on June 10. Photo by Earleen Hinton
Church Bells, A5 Classifieds, B5-B10 Entertainment, A6 Fines, B4
Marriage Licenses, A4 Mt. Morris Police, A3 Public Voice, A8 Property Transfers, B3
Sheriff’s Arrests, B2 Social News, A4 Sports, B1 State’s Attorney, B2
Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com
Deaths, B3 Mary A. Fassler Marie A. Nanninga Bettie R. Withers