Property Transfers

Library Board Positions

Nominating petitions are now available for anyone interested in running for the Forreston Public Library Board. There will be three positions open and they are each 6 year terms. Please call the library at 815-938-2624 or stop in for more information.

Snow Removal

Beginning Oct. 13, we will be accepting quotes for snow removal services of the library sidewalks and parking lot for the

MT. MORRIS LIBRARY

To-Go Craft Kits

Tween-Teen Craft available while supplies last. This month is a motivational keychain. We provide everything except a pair of scissors. Call the library or email dawn.mtmorrislib@gmail.com to reserve your kit then come pick it up curbside.

More information to come on when kids and adults craft kits will be available.

OREGON LIBRARY

Library Open

We ask that you sanitize when you come in and remember to wear a mask. To best provide a safe environment we are limiting the number of patrons in the library at a time.

Curbside pick up will continue indefinitely. The building is open regular hours.

You can put holds on items in our library through our catalog or by calling

PROPERTY TRANSFERS

Warranty Deeds

• Diane M. Gaffney to Jacob Luther and Jessica Price, 214 School Ave., Rochelle, $107,000. • Derek W. and Amy Levan to Miranda R. Cox, 105 E. Elm St., Forreston, $87,500. • BGRS Relocation Inc. to Jacob W. Miller, 1209 W. Ave. B, Rochelle, $124,000. • Joshua A. and Chelsey E. Meyer to BGRS Relocation Inc., 1209 W. Ave. B, Rochelle, $124,000. • Noel J. Clevenger to Josh A. and Jelissa E. Lehs, 6956 E. Wildfire Drive, Stillman Valley, $328,500. • Charles R. Brown to Aaron R. Colburn, 5826 E. Bradley Road, Stillman upcoming winter. Deadline to apply is Nov. 1. Please contact Julie at 815-9382624 for more information.

Services by Appointment

Call or message the library to schedule a time to come in to browse and check out materials. Also, anyone needing to send a fax, make copies, or use a computer may call the library and schedule an appointment to come in. Everyone over the age of 2 must wear a mask. We may be reached by phone at 815-938-2624,

Family Storytime In-person

Fridays at 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. These will last approximately 45 minutes and includes books, rhymes and a craft. Must sign up at least two weeks in advance. Masks will be required for ages 3 and up and you will be asked to use hand sanitizer upon entry to the library. Call the library 815-734-4927 or email dawn.mtmorrislib@gmail.com to register. the library at 815-732-2724. Continue to return all materials in the outside book drop that is open 24-7.

All library materials are quarantined for at least 7 days and then checked in.

Nominating Petitions

Residents 18 years and older can attend a meeting to learn more about the library and participating on a board.

Time commitment is usually 1-2 hours at 6 p.m. every third Thursday of the Valley, $145,400. • Doug and D. Sue Hillison to Nicholas P. Drucklieb, 201 E. Buffalo St., Polo, $79,000. • Karen Ramage to Amber N. Brandt, 1514 E. Plum Hill Road, Byron, $265,000. • Tom McDonald to Austin P. McCarey, one parcel in Byron Township, $83,000. • Tracey E. and Amanda Clark to Andria Bail, 812 W. Second St., Byron, $92,000. • Kampmeier Realty Inc. to Jeffrey and Cathy Huber, 904 W. Second St., Byron, $138,000. • Randal W. and Wendy S. Holder to Sherry and Philip J. Guarino, 5680 E. McCormick Road, Stillman Valley, email at forrestonpubliclibrary@gmail. com, or through Facebook messenger.

Curbside Pickup

We will continue to offer curbside pickup. Pick up times will be scheduled when you place a request. Interlibrary loans have resumed so you may also request items from other libraries. Due to quarantine policies, delivery may take longer than usual. Please call, Facebook message, or email us to request materials or if you have any questions.

Halloween Grab-N-Go

We will be passing out treat bags from 3 to 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30. Come show us your costume. We will use gloves and masks while passing out bags of treats. First come, first served and while supplies last.

Browsing and Computer Use

We are open for browsing and computer use by appointment; call they library to schedule a time. Masks are month to attend Board meetings.

Additional time is needed to read board meeting packets and participate in occasional committee meetings or trainings. Call 815-732-2724 for more information.

Three positions will be open in April 2021 for 6-year terms. Petitions must be filed with the Oregon Public Library from Dec. 14 to 21.

Library Book Clubs

$400,000. • Cleo J. Straley to Jacob and Ann Brandt, one parcel in Byron Township, $150,000. • Merit A. Gunderson to Samantha M. Albrecht, 604 Jackson St., Oregon, $67,000. • Randall L. and Diane J. Monson to Stephen Nelson, 316 N. Linn St., Chana, $146,000. • Frank D. Brantley to Andrew Nicol, 318 Hillcrest Ave., Rochelle, $$102,000. • Elda Mae Jordal to Aaron H. Thiebaud, 30 Tilton Drive, No.204, Rochelle, $69,500.

Read for a Lifetime

All high school students are encouraged to sign up for “Read for a Lifetime”, a state initiative designed to encourage a life-long interest in reading. Every year 25 books, including contemporary fiction, nonfiction, and some classics are chosen for the program. Students who read at least 4 of the books by April 15 receive a certificate of recognition from the state and a chance to win a gift card. Students

must register by Nov. 15 to participate. required and you will be asked to use hand sanitizer upon entering the library. No unaccompanied children are allowed in the library at this time (please do not bring your children if you will be using the computer). Browsing is limited to 30 minutes and computer use to one hour.

Curbside Pickup

Curbside service are available during regular business hours. No overdue fines

will be charged.

The 2WBC meets at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14 to discuss The Lady From the Black Lagoon by Mallory O’Meara.

The Afternoon Book Club meets at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21 to discuss American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins.

Books on Tap Book Club meets at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22 at Cork n Tap to discuss Help for the Haunted by John

Searles. and Rick Thomas, one parcel on Brooke Drive, Byron, $5,000. • Miguel Garcia to Israel Contreras, 728 Lincoln Way, Rochelle, $0. • Christopher and Angela Stephenitch to Freedom Property Group LLC 2, 502 and 504 Woodland Drive, Dixon, $0.

Executor’s Deed

• Estate of the late Barbara L. Williams to Christine M. and Joseph Bauer, 732 W. Oregon Trail Road, Oregon, $231,000. • Estate of the late Lois M. Binz by executor to Gregory R. Folmar, 1401 Brookside Drive, Rochelle, $165,000.

COVID-19 ENFORCEMENT Sheriff says ISP could enforce mitigation rules

No COVID-19 rule enforcement will be done by Ogle County

BY JEFF HELFRICH jhelfrich@oglecountynews.com

Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle says his office won’t be enforcing the state’s new COVID-19 mitigation rules that started Saturday, but the Illinois State Police could in the area.

Due to an uptick in COVID-19 cases, the office of Gov. JB Pritzker has ceased allowing indoor dining and drinking in the region indefinitely. Pritzker said last Friday that ISP will be in the Rockford region this weekend enforcing public health rules.

“The Sheriff’s Office won’t be going around closing any places,” VanVickle said. “The state police, I suppose it could occur here. They would have to go through the state’s attorney’s office at some point.

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

The sign at the Blackhawk Steak Pit, north of Oregon, says: “Due to COVID-19 and all of our restrictions we will only be serving Friday-Monday nights. We apologize for the inconvenience and hope to get back to normal life soon! Thank you for your support.”

Charges would go through him and the county.”

VanVickle’s office has not enforced any of the state’s COVID-19 guidelines since the start of the pandemic and released a statement on May 14 explicitly stating that. He’s said that there is no mechanism in place to charge, arrest or fine someone in violation of the order.

Other state sheriffs have come out with stances similar to VanVickle, such as Winnebago County Sheriff Gary Caruana.

VanVickle said Friday he hasn’t spoken to the Illinois State Police regarding possible enforcement in the area over the weekend and going forward. He also said he hasn’t received any information on the issue from the state as a whole.

“It doesn’t change our operations,” VanVickle said. “We will continue to enforce criminal and traffic laws. We’ve helped businesses answer questions on things like occupancy, but that’s about it.”

Ogle County businesses such as Sledgehammer’s bar near Oregon and Cornett’s Chana Tap in Chana stayed opened over the weekend, defying the Governor’s orders.

A meeting was held in Rockford last Thursday evening by attorney Thomas DeVore of Sorento, Illinois, where he advised area bar and restaurant owners that they have no legal obligation to follow the state order.

“We have no issue with businesses operating like that,” VanVickle said.

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COVID-19 UPDATE 85 new cases in the last week

BY JEFF HELFRICH jhelfrich@oglecountynews.com

The Ogle County Health Department reported 11 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, Oct. 6, totaling 852.

Thirty new cases were reported Monday that included the weekend’s numbers. Eighty-five new cases have come in the past week. Ages and locations of the individuals that test positive are not being released to protect their privacy.

Recoveries of documented cases stand at 695, with seven new ones

reported Tuesday. The OCHD recently switched systems and resumed reporting recoveries on Monday. The county has had six deaths.

The Illinois Department of Public Health site said Tuesday that there are 418 cases in the 61068 zip code that includes Rochelle, Creston and White Rock.

Totals for other zip codes are: Stillman Valley, 34; Byron, 111; Davis Junction 44; Oregon, 66; Mt. Morris, 66; Polo, 34; Leaf River, 14; and Forreston 14.

SPECIAL EVENT

Mobile Food Pantry in Oregon

Lifeline Food & Self-Help Project in partnership with the Northern Illinois Food Bank is hosting a Mobile Food Pantry on Monday, Oct. 19. The truck will be parked in St. Mary’s parking lot at 300 N. 3rd St. in Oregon. For more information call 815-564-8234.

REAL ESTATE AUCTION REAL ESTATE AUCTION OCTOBER 30, 2020OCTOBER 30, 2020

129,000 SQ. FT. MANUFACTURING/ WAREHOUSING BUILDING129,000 SQ. FT. MANUFACTURING/ To be sold subject to a published minimum bid of $465,000* Total Purchase Price UNDER $4 a foot at the minimum bid WAREHOUSING BUILDING To be sold subject to a published minimum bid of $465,000* Total Purchase Price UNDER $4 a foot at the minimum bid

Located just 1.5 hours from Chicago’s Southwest Suburbs at 1642 Burlington, Kewanee, Illinois. Easy drive on I-80 from suburbs.

Great central Illinois location very close to I-80 and I-74 corridors. The 1-story property features 14 ft. ceilings, 8 dock doors, 2 ground level overhead doors, overhead crane on approximately 5 acres. Building can easily be subdivided to accommodate multiple tenants. Enterprise zone and TIF district. Low property taxes. Good condition.

Onsite Inspections Noon to 2 pm, October 15, 20, and 28 and by appointment. *plus a 10% buyers premium Located just 1.5 hours from Chicago’s Southwest Suburbs at 1642 Burlington, Kewanee, Illinois. Easy drive on I-80 from suburbs.

BROKER PARTICIPATION INVITED FOR INFORMATION CONTACT Great central Illinois location very close to I-80 and I-74 corridors. Rick Levin & Associates, Inc. | since 1991 The 1-story property features 14 ft. ceilings, 8 dock doors, 2 ground level 312.440.2000 | www.ricklevin.com overhead doors, overhead crane on approximately 5 acres. Building can easily be subdivided to accommodate multiple tenants. Enterprise zone and TIF district. Low property taxes. Good condition.

ACCIDENT Minor injuries in school bus accident near Polo

BY JEFF HELFRICH jhelfrich@oglecountynews.com

Three minors were transported to area hospitals with minor injuries after a school bus carrying East Dubuque’s cross country team was in a single vehicle accident in rural Ogle County on Oct. 1.

At 6:12 p.m. deputies responded to Illinois 64 and Illinois 26 for a report of the crash.

The bus, driven by Melvin Ehrler, 74, of East Dubuque was traveling west on Illinois 64 and failed to stop at the stop sign at Illinois 26. The bus traveled approximately 423 feet into a grass field and came to a stop, the release said.

Polo Fire Chief Tony Karrow assisted at the scene and said the accident may have been caused by the sun being in the driver’s eyes.

“I’m assuming he ran the stop sign because he couldn’t see,” Karrow said. “It went through the Dogwood Inn lot and through a retention pond. It didn’t have water in it, though. It went down and up the bank on the other side. It stayed on its wheels. The shocks were broken by the crash. The bus was not driveable.”

Two of the injured people were transported to KSB Hospital in Dixon and the third was taken to CGH in Sterling. Eleven minors were on the bus, a press release said. Parents picked up the rest of the uninjured children from the scene after they were checked by medical personnel. The bus was en route to East Dubuque after the team had a meet in Oregon.

Ehrler was issued citations for disregarding a traffic control device and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

Deputies were assisted at the scene by Polo Ambulance, Oregon Ambulance, Dixon Rural Ambulance, Mt. Morris Fire and Ambulance, Forreston Ambulance and the Illinois State Police.

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