Serving the Mt. Morris area since 1967
MT.Times MORRIS May 11, 2017 Volume 50, Number 30 - $1.00
Close Win
Class of 2017
WWII at Stronghold
The Lady Hawks slip past RockFalls May 4 for a 6-5 victory. B1
Seniors from 5 Ogle County Schools are ready to graduate. Inside
Stronghold Retreat and Conference Center is hosting a WWII re-eneactment May 20-21. A6
Kennel vote postponed By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com The decision to allow a DeKalb County dog breeder to expand her kennel into Ogle County has been delayed for a month. The Ogle County Planning & Zoning Committee postponed making a decision Tuesday morning until members have the chance to read the transcripts from the April 27 Zoning Board of Appeals hearing on a special use request from Christie Hardt, owner of B&C Kennel, Clare, and her husband Robert DeCosta. That means the final decision cannot come from the county board until at least its June 20 meeting. Hardt and DeCosta have requested the special use permit to operate a commercial dog kennel on property they own at 14189 E. Dutch Rd., northeast of Kings. The site is zoned for agricultural use, and the request asks for a special use permit to allow dog breeding, import and sale of puppies, dog grooming, and dog obedience training at the kennel.
Zoning Administrator Mike Reibel told the Planning & Zoning Committee that the transcript from the five and one-half hours long ZBA hearing is not yet completed and will not be available until the end of the week. He estimated that the transcript will be 200 pages long. Committee member Lyle Hopkins then made a motion to postpone making a recommendation on the matter until the transcript is available. However, committee member Tom Smith, Kings, objected. “We don’t review the transcripts on anything else,” he said. Smith is also the supervisor of White Rock Township, whose board voted against the special use request. Committee member Wayne Reising, Oregon, disagreed with Smith. “I read the transcripts before we meet,” he said. “Ordinarily we get them a week ahead of time. “I would like to read the transcript before we vote on this.” Rick Fritz, Monroe Center, also a committee member, said he, too, reads the Turn to A3
Student heads mural project By Zach Arbogast zarbogast@oglecounty news.com The Oregon Public Library’s children section will be adorned with a mural designed by an Oregon High School sophomore and painted by several students. Starting in late 2015, the public library underwent a $400,000 renovation to make it more handicappedaccessible, solve some space issues, and move the children’s section into the basement. The transition was finished early this year, and the new children’s section is now getting a piece of art completed by the community, spearheaded by an OHS sophomore in the Open Program. Bailey Nelson, 16, designed the mural. Titled “The Tree of Knowledge,” the piece depicts an open book sprouting a giant red tree. Within the tree are happy people enjoying activities like reading, singing, dancing, painting, and enjoying nature. “I wanted the mural to be a message to kids what reading can do for their lives,” said Nelson.
Beginning in early February, the mural was painted on a pair of four foot by eight foot panels, and Nelson had more than just her hands on this piece; Oregon Elementary School students helped as well. OES Art Teacher Jordan DeWilde allowed Nelson to use his classroom on Tuesday afternoons. During recess, around 15 of DeWilde’s art students in grades 4-6 would come in and help her paint the mural. “Working with the kids was an eye-opening experience, and I could not have asked for more,” said Nelson. “I also really appreciate how supportive Mr. DeWilde was; he helped me a lot.” However, DeWilde offers a different perspective, saying his role was minimal, and no credit should go to him. “I think Bailey’s message is a positive one for the community,” he said. “She created a wonderful experience for these students and a beautiful mural that others will enjoy for years to come.” Nonetheless, Nelson
Joe Alberstett, Rock City, and Bob Puddicombe, Orangeville, who work for Bennett Construction, Pecatonica, work on the base of the Price Fountain at the south end of the downtown campus Friday morning. The centuryold fountain and its bronze statue are being restored through the efforts of the Mt. Morris Work Group. Photo by Vinde Wells
Work progresses on campus fountain Ground was broken and the initial phase of the Price Campus Fountain reconstruction began last week on the southeast corner of the downtown campus. Crews from Bennett Construction Company, Pecatonica, excavated the hole for the fountain, placed the forms, and poured the concrete to start the actual fountain construction. The project had been on hold for several weeks due to prolonged spring rains. Work was done previously to bring water from the main near the community gymnasium to the campus band shell. Later work will extend electricity and water from the band shell to supply the fountain. The next phases of construction
address. The project is also supported by sales of bronze Fountain Nymph statues like the one which will top the bronze fountain, or bronze maquettes (small statues) of the Mounder ram near the village hall. Both statues were designed and molded by sculptor David Seagraves, Elizabeth, and cast by Adams. For more information about the statues and contributions to the fountain fund, go to the moundertown. com or mtmorrisil.net websites, call 815-734-4997 or 815-734-6689, or contact the village clerk. “The Mt. Morris Work Group thanks everyone who has contributed previously to the ongoing project,” said Sally Gray, Work Group member.
Marching for PTSD awareness By Zach Arbogast zarbogast@oglecounty news.com
An Oregon High School sophomore marched around the city Saturday morning in honor and recognition of veterans who battle Post Traumatic Stress Disorder every day. In January, Conner Young pledged his support to Mission 22, an organization that raises funds and awareness to help get veterans treatment for PTSD before they become part of a grim statistic. The statistic, taken from the Department of Veterans Affairs 2012 suicide data report, says 22 veterans commit suicide every day due to struggle with PTSD. Emboldened by the information, Young dedicated his Open Program project to Mission 22, resolving to raise at least $3,000 for the group and walk 22 miles around Oregon - one mile for each veteran who takes their own life daily. Turn to A2 The morning of May 6,
In This Week’s Edition...
is the molding, bronze casting, and securing of the fountain pedestal into the new concrete base. Jeff Adams of inBronze, Mt. Morris, will do that. This will be followed by the design, construction, and placement of the component fountain parts and spray ring by a crew from Natural Water Gardens, Freeport. Project completion includes the extension of water and electricity to the fountain by Plum Electric, Mt. Morris. Funding is needed to support continued progress. Donate or send checks to honor loved ones, friends, and classes to the Village of Mt. Morris Fountain Fund, 105 W. Lincoln St., Mt. Morris, IL 61054 or bring donations directly to the Mt. Morris Village Clerk at that
Church News, A5 Classifieds, B6-B10 Entertainment, A6 Library News, A3
Conner Young, pictured at right, walks with a group of supporters during his 22-mile walk around the city of Oregon on May 6. Young, a 16-year-old student from Oregon High School, was disturbed at the suicide rate of veterans suffering Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and walked one mile for each veteran that commits suicide daily due to struggles with PTSD. At right, Young is draped in a flag while he walks. Photo by Earleen Hinton
Young made good on his goal: he raised $3,700 to date, and completed his 22mile march in six hours, 45 minutes. “We still have people donating in the upcoming days, even after the walk,” said Young. How was Young feeling as he lined up at the Fallen Soldiers Memorial on the lawn of the old courthouse?
Marriage Licenses, A4 Public Voice, A7 Property Transfers, B3 Senior Center News, A3
Sheriff’s Arrests, B3 Social News, A4 Sports, B1, B2 Weather, A3
“I’m cold,” he said jokingly as his mother, Delene, helped him attach his Mission 22: Join the Mission to End Veteran Suicide across his shoulders. It was a chilly 43 degrees at Young’s start time and rain had rumbled in not even an hour beforehand. However, it remained a beautiful, sunny Saturday as Young walked on city
streets, accompanied at times with other people supporting his effort. Those interested in still donating to the cause can do so through Young’s fundraising page: mission22. networkforgood.com/ projects (search for Conner Young), or by bringing donations to the Oregon High School’s main office.
Deaths, B4 Helen M. Boyden, Domenick J. Castaldo, Rick L. Hagemann, Charles R. Hufford, Janet D. Kliebe, Steven E. Rucker, David L. Waack
Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com