Serving the Mt. Morris area since 1967
MT.Times MORRIS October 26, 2017 Volume 51, Number 2 - $1.00
Regional Action
Join In
PAG Production
For coverage of Tuesday night’s volleyball action at the Regionals turn to B1
Local 4-H clubs invite youth ages 5-18 to become members. A8
Tickets are now on sale for the PAG’s November performance of “The Way Home.” A6
Mongan pleads not guilty to felony charges By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com
Dennis Cheatwood, of Mt. Morris, fires a disc toward a basket on the newly installed disc golf course at Dillehay Park in Mt. Morris. He has played disc golf for 10 years and helped build the new course. Photo by Vinde Wells
Disc golf comes to Dillehay Park By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com Dillehay Park in Mt. Morris is now home to what a proponent says is America’s fastest growing sport. Mt. Morris native Denny Garkey, who now lives in Freeport, designed the new nine-hole, or basket, disc golf course completed a few weeks ago on the east side of the park. Garkey, a disc golfer himself, can’t say enough good things about it. “It’s the fastest growing sport in America for the
last 10 years,” he said. “It’s very easy to learn - basically if you can throw a frisbee you can play. Anyone from eight to 80 can do it. It’s inexpensive and fun. There’s really no downside.” Basically, the course consists of wire baskets, and players throw a frisbee-like disc, hoping to land it in the basket. The game is played using rules similar to golf. Players complete a hole by throwing a disc from a tee area toward a basket, throwing again from the landing position of the disc until it goes into the basket.
To win, a player must complete the course with the lowest number of total throws. Garkey explained that although 4,000 types of discs are available, players usually use three different ones for varying distances, corresponding to the different kinds of golf clubs. The 1967 Mt. Morris High School graduate also designed disc golf courses at Highland Community College and Krape Park in Freeport. He said he approached an MMHS classmate Jan Hough, a former village
trustee and Parks Committee chairman, at a class reunion about building a course in Mt. Morris. Village trustee Jim Hopkins recommended the plan to the village board last summer, and members approved it unanimously in August. The course was installed last month with the help of volunteers and village employees. Garkey said he believes the course will attract players from around the area because the closest others Turn to A3
An Oregon man pleaded not guilty in Ogle County Court Wednesday to seven felonies in connection with a fatal boating crash more than a year ago. Judge John Redington found probable cause to charge Marc Mongan, 47, with one count of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, a Class 2 felony; three counts of reckless homicide, all class 3 felonies; and three counts of reckless conduct, all Class 4 felonies. The charges stem from the death of Megan Wells, 31, Rockford, who died on June 24, 2016 when a johnboat Mongan was operating struck her when it went over the back of the pontoon boat she was riding in, throwing her overboard. The collision occurred around 8:40 p.m. on the Rock River three miles north of Oregon. Through his attorney David Tess, of Rochelle, Mongan waived his right to a preliminary hearing before he entered his plea and made a demand for a jury trial. Redington set a status hearing for discovery for Wednesday, Nov. 8. Tess estimated that the trial will take about a week. An Ogle County Grand Jury failed to indict Mongan
Marc Mongan
last December on felony charges of operating a watercraft under the influence of alcohol and aggravated reckless operation of a watercraft. Subsequently Ogle County State’s Attorney Eric Morrow filed two misdemeanor charges — operating a watercraft while under the influence of alcohol and reckless operation of a watercraft. Four more misdemeanors — one count of improper passing when approaching a boat, two counts of careless operation of a watercraft, and one count of reckless operation of a watercraft — were added in July. At Morrow’s request, in August Redington appointed special prosecutor David Neal, from the Illinois Turn to A3
Banquet honored personal achievement, service Village of Progress holds annual banquet By Zach Arbogast zarbogast@oglecounty news.com The Village of Progress took a night out on Oct. 18 to celebrate community service and generosity, personal accomplishment, and recognize a few special individuals at their yearly event. VOP consumers, volunteers, board members, families, and appreciative citizens gathered inside St. Mary’s Learning Center for the 48th Village of Progress annual banquet. Each year at the banquet, VOP gives out eight individual awards, each highlighting different yet important criteria, including personal improvement, persistence in overcoming obstacles, selfless volunteer service, consistent employment and quality work, a love for athletic programs, being exceedingly friendly and encouraging to others, and both individuals and businesses who have served the village. The award structure allows a
variety of different individuals to be recognized for different strengths, like Stacy Mitchell, of Chana, winner of the John Herrmann Personal Achievement Award. She was recognized for her enthusiastic spirit and constant efforts to overcome challenges. “Despite Stacy’s daily challenges, she persistently makes the effort to succeed and try new opportunities available to her,” said Tom Wadsworth, emcee for the banquet. “These efforts are an inspiration to all of us.” Stacy’s face was pure joy as she received her award, but these awards mean just as much - if not more - for friends and family members. “[The Village of Progress] emboldens virtue in her, and it’s a special part of her life every day,” said Brett Carlson, Mitchell’s stepfather. “It’s special to her parents as well.” For others, like Rob Zimmerman, of Oregon, recognition comes not from being a consumer who’s grown up within VOP, but as someone whose services helped it to flourish. Zimmerman received the Robert Stouffer Special Recognition Award for his hard work and expertise in restaurant design, which made him the
In This Week’s Edition...
perfect candidate for building the Village Bakery, Oregon. Zimmerman, humbled, didn’t wish to say much about winning the award, but did offer one statement to sum up his feelings: “It was only the right thing to do, to help them.” Along with recognition awards, VOP gives out scholarships every year to Ogle County high school seniors or full-time college students who either are majoring in areas that serve people with disabilities, or have disabilities themselves. Scholarships worth $500 were awarded to Melinda Egli and Addison Kitzmiller, both of Oregon, and a $1,000 scholarship to Anakin Weston, of Rochelle. “I’m so glad we can put on the event each year,” said Brion Brooks, Village of Progress Executive Director. “It really means a lot to those enjoying it, but it also means a lot to us to be able to celebrate everyone involved.” The banquet provides a beef dinner, cooked and served by the men and women of St. Mary’s Parish, for anywhere between 200 and 250 guests on average, and also brings out some community praise with awards for select stand-outs.
Church News, A5 Classifieds, B6-B10 Entertainment, A6 Library News, A3
Marriage Licenses, A4 Oregon Police, B5 Public Voice, A7 Property Transfers, B4
Stacy Mitchell, of Chana, was elated to be presented the John Herrmann Personal Achievement Award by emcee Tom Wadsworth. Mitchell was recognized for her constant improvement in the workplace and determination to overcome challenges. Photo by Zach Arbogast
Sheriff’s Arrests, B3 Social News, A4 Sports, B1, B2 State’s Attorney, B4
Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com
Deaths, B5 Conny L. Reints Eleanor E. Ruter