Serving the Mt. Morris area since 1967
MT.Times MORRIS September 14, 2017 Volume 50, Number 48 - $1.00
Hawks Fall
West Nile
Jam Fest
The Hawks fall to North Boone in Big Northern Conference football action. B1
West Nile virus detected in mosquito pool in Mt. Morris. B3
Music, food, and family fun come to downtown Mt. Morris on Sept. 23. A2
Strolling on the Farms...
New prosecutor named in fatal boating case By Rachel Rodgers rrodgers@saukvalley.com
A hayrack of visitors is pulled across one of the grazing fields at Dietrich Ranch during the first Farm Stroll in Ogle County on Sunday. Photo by Earleen Hinton
Unique farms welcomed 100+ visitors By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com Raising rare Russian chickens and growing grapes are the focus at Irish Lady Farm on Oregon Trail Road west of Oregon, one of seven stops on Sunday’s first-ever Ogle County Farm Stroll. Owner Will Major, a retired attorney who now runs a detective agency in DuPage County, and his wife Pat Fennell, who still practices law also in DuPage County, bought the 50-acre farm 17 years ago with the intention of growing grapes for their own winery. They eventually scrapped the winery plan but continue to raise and sell concord, marechal foch, and villiard
grapes. Major’s real passion is raising Russian Orloff chickens, a critically endangered and ancient breed. He estimated his flock at 2,000 birds including roosters, laying hens, and young birds from newly hatched to nearly mature. Orloffs are a dual purpose breed, raised both for meat and the brown eggs they lay, Major said. Because of their flat combs and lack of wattles, Orloffs are especially winter-hardy. Major said he selectively mates his chickens to bring back purity to the breed. “They were crossed with other breeds over the years, and very few of them were Dan Dietrich of the Dietrich Ranch talks about his grass pure Orloffs,” he said. “I fed beef at his family’s farm on Leaf River Road. cull the roosters to get 175-year-old brick home The couple has kept the the breed back to where it that Major and Fennell have original flavor of the house should be.” renovated. as much as possible, includ“I hatch all my own eggs During the renovations, ing keeping the old floors - I hatch them in my living they found a coin dated and woodwork, as well as room,” he said with a grin. 1842 left in the wall by the the kitchen cupboards, That living room is in the brick masons. Turn to A7
A special prosecutor was appointed Sept. 6 to take over a case and determine whether felony charges will be filed against an Oregon man facing six misdemeanor charges in a boat crash that killed a Rockford woman last year. Special prosecutor Dave Neal, from the Office of the Illinois State’s Attorney Appellate Prosecutor and a former Grundy County State’s Attorney, is now handling the case against Marc Mongan, 47. Megan Wells, 31, was killed June 24, 2016, when the johnboat Mongan was driving went over the back of the pontoon boat Wells was in, struck her, and threw her overboard. She died of blunt force trauma to the head and chest. Neal received the case file last week and asked Ogle County Associate Judge John Redington for a month to get up to speed and decide whether to bring new felony charges to a grand jury. Redington scheduled a status hearing for Oct. 4. Mongan’s attorney David Tess, of Rochelle, objected and said the defense was ready to proceed to trial, which was scheduled to begin Aug. 21. The case formerly was being prosecuted by Ogle County State’s Attorney Eric Morrow, who said last month that new evidence was discovered that could
result in felony charges. In December, a grand jury failed to indict Mongan on felony charges of operating a watercraft under the influence of alcohol and aggravated reckless operation of a watercraft. Mongan was charged with misdemeanor operating a watercraft under the influence of alcohol and reckless operation of a watercraft following the grand jury’s decision. Four more charges were filed July 21: one count of improper passing when approaching a boat, two counts of careless operation of a watercraft, and one more count of reckless operation of a watercraft. In May, Rockford attorney Cynthia Koroll, who represents Wells’ parents, David and Robin Swaziek, of Loves Park, asked that a special prosecutor be appointed to replace and investigate Morrow for obstruction of justice for failing to get a search warrant to have Mongan’s blood drawn. She also said conflicts of interest exist because Morrow and Mongan both are members of the Oregon Masons and Tebala Shriners. Redington denied her motions in June. Morrow denied any conflict of interest but filed a motion approved on Aug. 15 to have a special prosecutor take over in light of the new evidence and to avoid the appearance of impropriety.
World-renowned Grand Master visits Mt. Morris By Zach Arbogast zarbogast@oglecounty news.com An internationallyknown Tae Kwon Do Grand Master came to Mt. Morris to help students test for ranks and perform a martial arts seminar, and received a surprise in time for his birthday. Sung Jae Park, a certified ninth degree black belt, Grand Master of Tae Kwon Do, traveled all the way from Indianapolis, Indiana, for the tests at the Mt. Morris Coliseum. The busy day for the Oregon Martial Arts Institute kicked off bright and early at 8:30 a.m. with black belt testing. Park, 71, said he has taught more than 10,000 students since coming to the United States in 1972 to attend DePauw University, Greencastle, Indiana. He currently leads a Chung Do Kwan Tae Kwon Do school in Indianapolis. “When I first started, it was all about teaching the
youngsters,” said Park. “Get them learning discipline, and off of the streets; get them successful in life, and using their abilities to lead good lives.” The institute, which has operated out of the coliseum since February, is lead by Master Randall Cook, a sixth degree black belt certified by the Kukkiwon - the World Tae Kwon Do Headquarters in Seoul, Korea. Park is his mentor. Jesse Petty, of Oregon, and Jennifer Shouer, of Byron, both students of the institute, were testing for the first degree of black belt, and were successful after completing a series of trials testing their technique, strength, awareness. According to Shouer, the belt signifies for more than just rank; it was the fruits of hard work and selfimprovement. “Studying Tae Kwon Do helped me overcome fear, shyness, worry and insecurity,” said Shouer. “I have experienced the joy of accomplishing things I never
In This Week’s Edition...
thought possible like flying through the air, kicking a board and breaking through my limitations.” Shortly after the testing, Park held a hands-on demonstration seminar for 18 students, all varying in age and rank. Park showcased several techniques in striking, capturing strikes, taking down opponents, and escaping grapples, which students then practiced on one another. Park and Cook floated in between students to help with form, and were assisted by Federico Treviño, of Elgin, and Brad Pattat, of Oregon, both veteran students capable of instructing the others as well. Grand Master Sung Jae Park, certified ninth DAN (degree) black belt by the World Tae “It was just incredible to Kwon Do Federation, demonstrates how to capture a kick and take down an opponent get him down here, for my with the help of South Elgin martial artist Federico Treviño. Photo by Zach Arbogast students to meet him, and to see him teaching them things than simply a service in Do and move on, and right since his days in elementary we’ve already touched on officiating testing or guest- around that time, I ran into school, which is even more in class,” said Cook. “It teaching. He accredits Park Grand Master Park,” said impressive considering he helps reaffirm for the kids for keeping his drive and Cook. “He not only got me to lost his eyesight to rod-cone that they’re learning real, passion for Tae Kwon Do keep with it, but kept urging dystrophy at the age of 17. burning. me to open a club and teach.” Wanting to express his important techniques.” “There was a point where Cook, 47, has been For Cook, having Park Turn to A2 visit the class was far more I was ready to quit Tae Kwon practicing Tae Kwon Do
Church Bells, A5 Classifieds, B5-B8 Entertainment, A6 Fines, B4 Library News, A3
Marriage Licenses, A4 Oregon Police, B4 Public Voice, A8 Property Transfers, B3 Sheriff’s Arrests, B3
Social News, A4 Sports, B1, B2 State’s Attorney, B4 Weather, A3
Deaths, B4 Lola J. Duncan, Roger L. Etnyre, Dolores I. Lohmer
Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com