Mt_Morris_Times-02-16-2024

is efvpi > The only candidate currently working as a full-time Deputy Coroner and has been for the last 5 years

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is efvpi > Highly qualified for the office and > A family man, involved in his community and his church

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is efvpi > A lifelong Ogle County resident with small-town values

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MT. MORRIS TIMES VOLUME 55 NO. 49 • SERVING THE MT. MORRIS AREA SINCE 1967

Friday, February 16, 2023 • $1.00

HORNER for OGLE COUNTY CORONER Paid for by oner Chad Horner for Cor

SM-ST2143180

NEWS

EARNING A STATE BERTH

Decision for voters Ogle County voters in the March 19 primary election will decide whether school districts get funding from a new proposed 1% sales tax / 5

Crimes and court 73-year-old Prophetstown man, an anti-abortion activist, gets 5 years for trying to burn down clinic / 7

Sarah Young for Shaw Local News Network

Oregon’s Quentin Berry wrestles Orion’s Maddux Anderson in the 190-pound weight class at the Class 1A Byron Sectional on Feb. 10. Berry lost the match, but advanced to the state finals with a second-place finish. Story: Page 13.

One section • 20 pages

INDEX Betty’s Column......... 4 Classifieds...........17-19 Colbert Column.......14

Library News............. 2 Oregon Police.......... 10 Otto’s Column........... 4

DEATHS Published every Friday

by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media

Donald J. Myers, Page 8

Property Transfers...15 Sheriff Activity......... 11 Sports.................. 12-15

Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 16, 2024

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

ROCK RIVER CENTER ACTIVITIES 2 MT. MORRIS TIMES MORRIS TIMES American Classic Tours preview: 1 to call the Tri-County office at 800-323-5434. oglecountynews.com ShawLocal.com

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2 p.m. Monday, Feb 26. Registration is requested.

Cancer support group: 2 to 3 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 28. Registration is requested.

Bingocize: Bingocize is a 10-week health promotion program that combines the game of bingo with low-impact fall prevention exercises. Next Bingocize is from 2 to 2:30 p.m. March 1. Registration is requested.

LIHEAP heating assistance: For the 2023-24 LIHEAP program year, applications will be processed based on the following: Income limits for 2024 program year: Family size one, annual income $29,160. Family size two, $39,440. For more information,

2023-24 Nicor Gas Sharing program: The Nicor Gas Sharing program is available to assist Nicor customers whose income is above 200% of the poverty level and less than 300% of the poverty level. For a one-person household, the 30-day income limit is $3,645; two-person household, $4,930; three-person household, $6,215.

You can apply for the sharing program at the Rock River Center. For more information or to make an appointment, call 800-5415479 or 815-732-3252.

Senior information services: Do you need help with the Benefit Access Application, Medicare, housing, personal care, homemaking, heating assistance or other things? Rock River Center’s information and

assistance specialists are available throughout Ogle County. Assistance at these locations is by appointment only. Call the Rock River Center at 800-541-5479 to schedule an appointment.

Feb. 21: Forreston Library, 11 a.m. to noon Feb. 22: Polo Senior Center, 10 to 11 a.m.

Feb. 28: Hub City Senior Center, Rochelle, 9:30 a.m. to noon About us: Rock River Center is a resource center located at 810 S. 10th St. in Oregon.

Activities and trips are open to all ages. Call 815-732-3252 for assistance with the Benefit Access Application for a license plate discount, Medicare, housing, homemaker services, heating assistance or other things. For more information, visit www.rockrivercenter.org.

MT. MORRIS SENIOR & COMMUNITY CENTER NEWS The following events are happening at the Mt. Morris Senior & Community Center: Fun craft, Friday, Feb. 16: Join us for a fun craft with Heather at 11 a.m. in the Coffee Shop at the Center.

Virtual trip: Be sure to sign up for our next virtual trip. On Feb. 27, we will take a trip to Italy and enjoy a tasty Italian treat.

Movie and a pizza: Friday, Feb. 23, starting at 10:30 a.m.

Live music: On the fourth Wednesday of each month come join us and some talented musicians for a Jam Session.

Starting at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 28. This also includes a lunch for only $5.

Upcoming bus trips Are you interested in one of our bus trips?

Call Melissa at 815-734-6335 for more information or to sign up.

On May 26 to June 1, we will spend seven days and six nights on a trip to Mt. Rushmore and the Black Hills. The cost will include motorcoach transportation, lodging, 10 meals and all admissions and tours.

We also will be taking a trip to New Orleans from Nov. 3-9.

All ages are welcome on the Mt. Morris Senior & Community Center’s trips to Mount Rushmore and New Orleans.

Cost is $939 for the trip to Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills.

Cost is $935 for the trip to New Orleans in November.

The trips include motorcoach transportation from Mt. Morris, six nights lodging, 10 meals, all admissions and tours, entertainment and snacks on the bus.

Trips are limited to 50 people and need a minimum of 35 people.

by or call the Mt. Morris Library at 815-734-4927 to register.

Adult Book Club Meeting, Monday, Feb. 26 The February book is “The Sweet Potato Queens’ Book of Love” by Jill Conner Browne. “To know the Sweet Potato Queens is to love them and if you haven’t heard about them yet, you will. Since the early 1980s, this group of belles gone bad has been the toast of Jackson, Mississippi, with their glorious annual appearance in the St. Patrick’s Day parade.” Everyone is welcome to join this book club group.

Copies of the book are available at the library. The book club meeting will be at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26, at the library.

Kathy’s Crafty Connections 2:30 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays The library is giving crafters an opportunity to come to an open session to work on their craft. Winter is a great time to start a new

project or work on an old one. Bring your project, meet other crafters, connect with old friends and make new friends. Any portable craft is welcome: hand sewing, needlepoint, crochet, knitting, felting, beading, painting or any craft you enjoy. Join us each Tuesday at 2:30 p.m.

Cookbook Club meeting March 5 Join us as we explore The Cookbook Club.

Wonderful recipes combined with friendship create something both beautiful and delicious. Stop by to choose your recipe from this month’s book, “Deceptively Delicious” by Jessica Seinfeld. Bring your dish to pass at our next meeting at 6 p.m.

March 5 at The Senior Center.

Lego Club: Thursday, March 21 Lego night is the third Thursday of each month. Stop by from 6 to 7 p.m. March 21.

Bring a friend and build some fun with Lego bricks. Children younger than 8 need to bring a parent with them.

MT. MORRIS LIBRARY Library Closed Feb. 19 The library will be closed on Monday, Feb. 19, for the Presidents Day holiday.

Story Time!

Story time is every Wednesday at 11:15 a.m. Bring your little ones. We will be reading books and the children will create a craft.

Fly Tying Classes Come to the library and learn how to tie both feather and hair-dressed hooks.

Classes are Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. and run through Feb. 24.

Cooking with Julie Class Bring your appetite and your curiosity as we delve into the cooking world with Chef Julie at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 29. We will be tasting a variety of soups. Julie will be there to give tips and tricks for each recipe that you can take home. Bring a container to take home a bowl of your favorite soup. The free program is open to ages 15 and older. Stop

CORRECTIONS

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Polo Area Community Theatre is in rehearsals for “Charlotte’s Web the Musical” based on the E. B. White book.

The show will be presented Feb. 23,

24 and 25 and March 1 and 2 at the Polo Town Hall.

For more information, visit www. polotheatre.org.

Photos provided by Polo Area Community Theatre

Members of the Polo Area Community Theatre rehearse for “Charlotte’s Web the Musical” based on the classic book by E. B. White.

BYRON

Schools put on lockdown after report of bag that resembled gun case Investigation determined it was banner for upcoming show

By EARLEEN HINTON

ehinton@shawmedia.com BYRON – Ogle County sheriff’s deputies and other area police officers were called into action Feb. 7 at Byron Middle School when a student thought they saw a person entering the school through a side door with a bag that resembled a gun case.

It took officers less than 20 minutes to determine the bag in question was carrying a banner for an upcoming show.

Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle

praised the response to the incident.

“At 7:55 a.m., Byron School District personnel, along with the Byron school resource officer, were made aware of a report of a person Ogle County Sheriff accessing the Byron Brian VanVickle Middle School theater holding a long, slender bag that resembled a gun case,” VanVickle said in a social media post. “Emergency procedures were followed to ensure the safety of the students and staff.

“Additional units from the Ogle

County Sheriff’s Office and Byron Police Department responded to the scene.

Upon investigation, it was determined there was no weapon and the individual entering the building was a park district employee bringing a banner [and case] into the theater for an upcoming show.”

VanVickle said the student was on a school bus when he saw two individuals entering the school building from a side door, with one of them carrying a case that appeared to be a gun case.

The student told the bus driver, who relayed the information to school officials who notified police.

The middle school along with the elementary school and high school were put into a lockdown as officers investi-

gated the incident, VanVickle said. The lockdown was lifted by 8:15 a.m.

“Everybody did what they have been trained to do,” VanVickle said. “All of the systems were tested today and they worked.”

He praised the student for reporting what they believed to be suspicious activity.

“After seeing the video, it did look like a gun,” VanVickle said. “It was a difficult time of the day because kids were all arriving for school, but everything worked out.”

VanVickle said he walked through the middle school and spoke with students after the lockdown was lifted to ease any concerns.

OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 16, 2024

PACT to present ‘Charlotte’s Web the Musical’ in Polo

Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 16, 2024

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

4 LOCAL HISTORY

Polo is connected to Esther Howland who started valentine cards

Valentine’s Day is next in line after Christmas when it comes to greeting cards. I recently mailed mine that goes out of town so it would arrive by Feb. 14.

In the envelope with the card was a flat chocolate bar with a couple of cats on the top since we both are cat lovers.

I also have prepared little bags of Valentine’s Day candy for my great-grandchildren since I will be with them soon. My granddaughter in first grade will get a little something extra in her bag since this past week she mailed to me a school paper with 100 beautifully written words for her 100th day in school.

How I remember the 100th day and how each class celebrated in different ways.

In my granddaughter’s bag I included a little bag of hot chocolate mix and something special – a striped

POLO HISTORY ​Betty Obendorf peppermint spoon for stirring.

Polo is connected to Esther Howland, who started the first valentine cards.

Thirteen-year-old Elizabeth Tilley sailed on the Mayflower in 1620 with her parents, an aunt and uncle. The first winter was a rough one and Elizabeth lost her family. In 1623 at Plymouth Colony, she married John Howland in the first marriage at the colony.

Down the line was Elizabeth’s great-granddaughter Mary Huckins, who married Nathan Bassett. The Bassett family had come to America on the second ship, the Fortune. Lucy Bassett

was Polo’s first teacher in 1854.

Esther Howland also was connected to that family. In 1840 after receiving a card from a friend in England, Esther made some valentines of her own and put them on sale in her father’s stationery shop. They were an instant hit and she was in business. If you would like to see some of those original ones, you will need to travel to Kansas City to the Hallmark Historical Collection.

Even though Esther started valentines with sweet little verses, she died a single person in 1904 at the age of 76.

Some of the valentines did not carry sweet little verses but had insulting words inside as you opened them. They were known as “Penny Dreadfuls,” “Vinegar Valentines” or “Rudes and Crudes.” Some of those cards you can see at the Hallmark Historical Collection, according to an

article from the Daily Gazette in Sterling-Rock Falls.

Esther, the great-great-great granddaughter of Elizabeth Tilley, was sent to college to be a missionary.

Instead of doing her college work, she made valentines, Christmas cards and May baskets. She was told to “stop those foolish notes called valentines.”

Of course, she did not listen and instead made valentines. She used lace paper from Germany, colored paper from New York, enamel colored pictures from Germany and handpainted fabric.

Her sales doubled by 1850 and she was in business for 30 years.

She sold her business to an employee, George Whitney.

• Betty Obendorf is a retired teacher and volunteer for the Polo Historical Society.

Abraham Lincoln’s family moved to Illinois in 1830

By OTTO DICK Abraham Lincoln was born in Harden County, Kentucky, on Feb. 12, 1809. It was nine years before Illinois obtained statehood and 27 years before John Phelps founded Oregon.

At the age of 8, his family moved to Indiana. At age 21, they moved to Illinois. Lincoln recalled he drove an oxen farm wagon from Indiana to Illinois.

His family, like other early settlers in Illinois, was looking for a better life.

Lincoln’s parents were Thomas and Nancy Hanks Lincoln. His mother died in 1818 when Abe was 9 years old. In 1819, the second Mrs. Lincoln, affectionately known as Sally, came to mother Thomas’ children. Sarah was a cousin of Abe’s whose foster parents died at the same time as Nancy Hanks. Sarah had three children – Elizabeth, Matilda and John D. Johnston.

Photo provided by Otto Dick

Abraham Lincoln’s father is buried at the Thomas Lincoln Cemetery behind the Shiloh Presbyterian Church at 12988 E. Lincoln Highway Road in Coles County.

While residing in New Salem, Lincoln became acquainted with Ann Rutledge. Apparently he was fond of her and he grieved with the entire community at her untimely death in 1835 at the age of 22.

A year after the death of Rutledge, Lincoln carried on a courtship with Mary Owens. She turned down this

relationship.

The first and only real love of Lincoln’s life was Mary Todd. They became engaged in 1841.

The engagement did not last, but the two reconciled and were married on Nov. 4, 1842.

Four children, all boys, were born to Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln.

Three children died young – Edward, 4, William, 12, and Thomas, 9. Robert lived 56 years.

Lincoln’s wife was declared insane after Lincoln was killed. Lincoln was 56 when he was assassinated.

Abe Lincoln’s father is buried at the Thomas Lincoln Cemetery. The marker was installed by the Illinois Lions Club to replace the original, which unfortunately had been chipped away by souvenir hunters over the years. The marker is located behind the Shiloh Presbyterian Church at 12988 E. Lincoln Highway Road in Coles County, Illinois.

Thomas Lincoln’s place of birth was Rockingham County, Virginia.

Abe’s stepmother Sarah Bush Lincoln also is buried in the Thomas Lincoln Cemetery. She was born in Hardin County, Kentucky, on Dec. 13, 1788. She died at the Coles County farm in Illinois at age 80.

Rail enthusiast to speak at Oregon Depot Museum on Feb. 24 OREGON – The February presentation at the Oregon Depot Museum will feature Gerald Podraza of Galena, who will speak at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24.

Podraza has traveled extensively on passenger rail in Illinois on both the Illinois Zephyr and the Saluki. He’s also traveled nationally on the Texas Chief, the City of Los Angeles, the Cardinal, the City of New Orleans and the California Zephyr.

While a resident of rural Jo Daviess County near Apple River, he rode the Land O’ Corn and the Black Hawk during its last year of operation. He was a member of a citizens’ coalition to “Bring Back the Black Hawk” for five years. Those efforts concluded in an Illinois Department of Transportation funded feasibility study in 2021.

His presentation “Revive the Twin Cities Zephyr” will detail previous

attempts to restore passenger rail service as he did with the Black Hawk in northwest Illinois. He’ll present ways to discuss, evaluate and/or demonstrate added value to communities located along and within the regions of this route.

For more information about the program, call Roger Cain at 815-7579715, Chris Martin at 815-742-8471 or Otto Dick at 815-440-063.

Photo provided by Michal Burnett

This advertisement shows the schedule for the Twin Zephyrs that ran between Chicago and the Twin Cities.

Voters will decide whether school districts get funding from tax

By ALEXA ZOELLNER

azoellner@shawmedia.com OREGON – Ogle County voters will decide whether school districts get funding from a new proposed 1% sales tax when they cast their ballots in the March 19 primary election.

How school districts would be allowed to use the funds specifically is laid out in the law and depends on the ballot language, Polo School District Superintendent Kelly Mandrell said.

The language on Ogle County’s ballots would allow schools to use the money for infrastructure-related expenses, school resource officers and mental health professionals, Mandrell said.

The tax would go on everything in the municipal and county tax base, except for cars, trucks, ATVs, boats, RVs, mobile homes, unprepared food, drugs including over-the-counter and vitamins, farm equipment and parts, farm inputs, services and anything not currently taxed, Mandrell said.

The question on the ballot will read: “Shall a retailers’ occupation tax and a service occupation tax (commonly referred to as a sales tax) be imposed in the County of Ogle, Illinois, at a rate of 1% to be used exclusively for school facility purposes, school resource officers and mental health professionals?”

A “yes” vote means a 1% sales tax will go into effect July 1 across Ogle County. The revenue will be distributed on a per-pupil basis among school

Shaw Local News Network file photo

Ogle County voters will decide whether school districts get funding from a new proposed 1% sales tax when they cast their ballots in the March 19 primary election. districts who have Ogle County children enrolled as students.

A “no” vote means the tax will not go into effect.

How are funds distributed?

If passed, revenue from the 1% sales tax would go toward the following school districts: Oregon, Forrestville Valley, Polo, Kings, Creston, Rochelle Township High School, Rochelle Elementary, Meridian, Byron, Eswood, Eastland, Hiawatha, Dixon and Ashton-Franklin Center.

Eastland, Hiawatha, Dixon and Ashton-Franklin Center school districts primarily are located outside Ogle County but still will receive a portion of the funds because they have students enrolled who reside in

Ogle County.

“The money goes with the student,” Mandrell said. “So if you have any student living in Ogle County but their district might be Eastland, the money follows the kids.”

Each district will receive a portion of the sales tax revenue equal to the percentage of Ogle County’s total student population enrolled in that district, she said.

Polo expects it would get about $301,000 from the sales tax revenue the first year, Mandrell said.

Forrestville Valley School District Superintendent Sheri Smith said Forrestville Valley estimates it would receive about $287,000 the first year.

Oregon and Meridian both would receive about $700,000, said PJ Caposey, who is superintendent for Meridian School District 223 and was hired as the Oregon School District 220 superintendent for the start of the 2024-25 academic year.

What would the money go toward?

Polo would save the funds it got from the sales tax with the intention of putting it toward the district’s future facility needs, Mandrell said.

“We did a lot of renovations recently and so it would be to help project for future purchases and future needs of the district when it comes to facilities,” she said.

If the proposition doesn’t pass, the district still will be able to handle costs that come up, Mandrell said.

Forrestville Valley’s first priority would be to continue providing mental health support for students, Smith said.

“As we continue to see that increasing as a need in our district, we want to

continue to fund it,” Smith said. “From there, we’d look at ways to increase school safety and security and facility upgrades and repairs we have ongoing in the cycle of the district.”

Smith pointed to the flooring of the Forreston Junior/Senior High School building as an example of needed infrastructure work. The building’s “new edition” is almost 25 years old, she said.

If the sales tax isn’t implemented, Forrestville Valley would have to draw from other district funds to help cover the costs of such things, Smith said.

Oregon would focus on facility improvements first, followed by adding school resource officers in each building to increase safety, Caposey said. The district’s third level of focus would be “face-lifts” to some of the school areas such as the band/choir room’s staging area and some of the athletic fields, he said.

“This is something where it’d be really nice to have, but we’ve been operating without it forever,” Caposey said when asked whether Oregon would face any financial hardships if the proposition doesn’t pass. “We know how to do business without it. It just means the to-do list items would take longer to get through.”

Meridian’s most recent assessment revealed $39 million in repairs across four buildings, Caposey said. The money from the sales tax would help to offset the burden on taxpayers for those repairs, he said.

“It’s really important, I think, that people are educated and vote,” Caposey said. “I think it’d be a good service for the community and the kids. If it doesn’t pass, nothing really changes.”

Next residential electronics recycling event is Feb. 23 in Oregon The Ogle County Solid Waste Management Department will host a residential electronics recycling event from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 23, at 909 Pines Road in Oregon.

The event is for Ogle County residents only and a free permit is required in advance of the event.

To obtain a free permit, call 815-7324020 or email solidwaste@oglecountyil. gov and provide your name, address, phone number and email address by 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22.

Accepted items include all TVs and computer monitors, computers, computer hardware and cables, laptops, tablets, cellphones, printers, FAX machines, scanners, shredders (no tubs), copiers, video gaming equipment, DVD/VCRs, cable/satellite boxes, stereo equipment, radios, digital clocks, cameras, calculators, phone sys-

tems, holiday light strands, extension cords, rechargeable batteries, printer ink cartridges, CDs/DVDs and CFL bulbs.

Microwave ovens are accepted for $5 per unit. Cash or check will be accepted.

There is a limit of seven large or bulky items per permit and one permit per county household per month.

Business or institutional electronic materials are not accepted at these events. Business or institutional electronics are accepted by the OCSWMD via a separate program.

Call 815-732-4020 for more information and pricing for business electronic recycling and to make an appointment for dropping off materials to be recycled.

For more information about the recycling event, call the OCSWMD at 815-732-4020, visit www.oglecountyil.gov or on Facebook at Ogle County Solid Waste Management Dept.

TVs, microwaves and computer towers were some of the items collected during the Ogle County Solid Waste Management Department’s electronic recycling event Jan. 26 in Oregon.

Earleen Hinton file photo

OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 16, 2024

Proposed 1% sales tax on county ballot March 19

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Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 16, 2024

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

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Rochelle man pleads guilty to 2023 stabbing Jesse Mohica sentenced to 30 months probation with conditions

By EARLEEN HINTON

ehinton@shawmedia.com OREGON – A Rochelle man pleaded guilty and was sentenced to probation Feb. 7 for stabbing a man in Rochelle in 2023.

Jesse J. Mohica, 23, pleaded guilty to the felony offense of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon when he appeared in court with his attorney, Ogle County Public Defender Michael O’Brien, in front of Judge John Redington.

Ogle County Assistant State’s Attorney Matthew Leisten said the state had reached a plea agreement with Mohica and recommended he be sentenced to 30 months of probation and fined $750.

Mohica, who has been in custody in the Ogle County Correction Center since his November arrest, also was ordered to spend 142 days in jail but was given credit for 73 days already served.

A felony charge of mob action was dismissed, as were misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and domestic battery.

On Feb. 7, Mohica pleaded guilty to stabbing a Rochelle man in the thigh Oct. 7.

In reading the charge to the court, Leisten said Mohica stabbed t h e m a n i n t h e Jesse J. Mohica thigh “without provocation.”

“And how do you plead?” Redington said.

“Guilty,” said Mohica, who appeared in court wearing handcuffs and shackles and dressed in an orange jumpsuit issued to county jail inmates.

As part of his sentence, Mohica was ordered to have no contact with the victim or any of the other people present at the time of the incident. He also was ordered not to consume alcohol, cannabis or any controlled substance during his probation period.

Additionally, he is ordered to comply with random Breathalyzer tests.

Leisten said Mohica was going to be transferred to DuPage County “for another matter” and would be housed there as that case proceeds.

When asked by Redington what the DuPage County charges were, Leisten said aggravated battery and driving under the influence of alcohol.

Redington told Mohica that he would have to appear in Ogle County court at 9 a.m. Oct. 28 in relation to the fine in the Ogle County case.

Bailey J. Gildea “If you are still in custody at that time you need to send me a letter 30 days in advance telling me that,” Redington told Mohica. “If you are not in custody at that time, I expect you to be here.”

A nationwide warrant still is outstanding for another man in connection with the case, Bailey J. Gildea, 29, of Rochelle.

In connection with the stabbing incident, Gildea is charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, mob action, aggravated fleeing to elude authorities and resisting arrest.

He is being charged as an accomplice and also is accused of punching the victim. He has a felony criminal history in the county dating to 2016, when he was indicted on a drug-dealing charge, court records show.

On June 23, 2017, Gildea was sentenced to six years for dealing cocaine and sent to boot camp. Another count of dealing cocaine was dismissed.

On July 15 and 27 in 2022, Gildea was involved in the beating of two men, one of whom he punched, causing a concussion, court records show.

On Dec. 19, 2022, Gildea was sentenced in those two cases and one other to a year and a half in prison – terms set to run concurrently – for two counts of mob action, aggravated battery and criminal damage to government property. Possession of a controlled substance and two counts of aggravated battery were dismissed per his plea agreement.

According to the Illinois Department of Corrections, he was paroled from Centralia Correctional Center on June 1, 2023, and is considered an absconder.

Gildea is 5 feet, 10 inches tall with auburn hair and blue eyes. He has “Carmyn” tattooed on his right lower arm, “Adalynn” on his left lower arm and an eye inside a triangle on this left hand.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office at 815-732-1101 or Ogle-Lee Crime Stoppers at 888-228-4488.

Callers can remain anonymous.

Information leading to Gildea’s arrest may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

• Reporter Kathleen Schultz contributed to this story.

Man charged with sexual assault ordered to appear in court in person

By EARLEEN HINTON

ehinton@shawmedia.com OREGON – A Markham man accused of sexual assaulting a 17-yearold girl in Polo in December 2022 failed to appear in person in court Feb. 7 and was ordered to appear next week.

Armon D. Pearson, 23, was supposed to appear in court with his attorney for a preliminary hearing, but when the case was called, Pearson appeared r e m o t e l y . H i s Armon D. Pearson attorney, Brian Erwin, appeared in person in front of Judge John Redington in a courtroom at the Ogle County Judicial Center.

When asked by Redington why Pearson was not appearing in person, Erwin said: “He thought he had court tomorrow.”

“This is a very serious manner,” Redington told Pearson. “Forgetting your court date is just stupid.”

Redington continued the hearing

to 10 a.m. Feb. 14 and told Pearson that he would have to appear in court in person or face arrest.

Assistant State’s Attorney Matthew Leisten did not object to the continuance.

Pearson is charged with the criminal sexual assault of a girl in Polo on Dec. 13, 2022.

An arrest warrant first was issued in July 2023, when the charge was filed, and Pearson’s bond was set at $150,000, meaning he would have to post 10%, or $15,000, to be released.

He was arrested Dec. 22, 2023, and first appeared in court Dec. 26 and again Dec. 27, in shackles and handcuffs, wearing an orange jumpsuit issued to Ogle County Correctional Center inmates.

As part of the state’s SAFE-T Act, Pearson asked to be released from custody without bond as his case proceeds through the court system.

The new law allows defendants to be released on a no-cash bond, but judges still decide whether a defendant is a flight risk or poses too much of a threat to one person or the community to allow release.

At the Dec. 27 detention hearing, Leisten argued that Pearson should not be released from custody because criminal sexual assault qualifies as a “detainable offense.”

In making his argument to Redington, Leisten said police reports indicated that the assault took place on the south end of Polo about 10:50 p.m. at or near the Village Inn Motel.

Leisten said the victim told police that Pearson put his hand over her mouth and said he “would kill her” if she made noise. Leisten said she told police that she was raped twice.

Leisten told the court that the girl was taken to KSB for sexual assault testing, with those results being sent to the Illinois State Police Crime Lab. Motel records indicated that Pearson had registered for a room for one night Dec. 13, 2022, Leisten said.

When questioned by Chicago Metro Police, Leisten said Pearson denied knowing the girl or having been in or knowing of Polo or Ogle County.

Pearson also told Chicago investigators that he had been texting with a Polo girl on the internet with the dat-

ing app Plenty of Fish, Leisten said.

He said Pearson told police that he thought he had “hooked up” with her and acknowledged they had sex.

Pearson’s past criminal history includes a charge of battery in Kane County in 2020, Leisten said.

Ogle County Public Defender Michael O’Brien represented Pearson in court at the December detention hearing and argued that the girl was “unclear” to police on where the alleged assault took place. He argued that Pearson maintains the girl “made the first move.”

O’Brien asked Redington to consider releasing Pearson with strict conditions.

Redington agreed to release Pearson with the conditions that he not have any contact with the alleged victim.

He also told Pearson that he could not be within the city limits of Polo “under any circumstances” while the case is pending.

Pearson appeared in person before Judge Clayton Lindsey on Jan. 10 and Erwin asked for a continuance to Feb. 7.

Anti-abortion activist gets 5 years for trying to burn down clinic URBANA – A 73-year-old Prophetstown man who tried to burn down a future reproductive health clinic in Danville where abortions will be performed was sentenced last week in federal court to five years in prison for attempted arson and was ordered to pay $327,547 in restitution.

U.S. Central District Court Judge Colin Stirling Bruce could have sentenced Philip Buyno, who turns 74 on March 1, to up to 20 years and fined him up to $250,000.

Buyno will be under three years’ supervised release once his sentence is served. There is no parole in the federal system.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugene Miller and Buyno’s defense attorney Sharbel Rantisi both recommended Buyno be sentenced to five years in prison, the minimum amount of years he faced.

“I am utterly traumatized by this devastating attack of anti-abortion terrorism,” LaDonna Prince, owner of the future clinic told Bruce before Buyno was sentenced.

Prince said Buyno’s attack has caused significant financial and emotional strain on her and her employees.

She estimated repairs will cost $327,547 and that she has tripled the cost of security to protect her future staff and patients.

Prince said she decided to open her

clinic, one of only a few in the nation owned independently by a woman of color, on the border of Indiana to prevent people who no longer have access to abortions and other Philip J. Buyno reproductive services in that state from having to travel far into Illinois.

Miller acknowledged that Buyno is being sentenced because he did not follow the rule of law and he is not being sentenced to prison for his beliefs, noting you cannot burn down someone’s property because you disagree with how they are using it.

Rantisi said Buyno’s wife of 43 years, Sallie Buyno, died a few months before he decided to attack the clinic. Rantisi described Buyno as an otherwise stand-up citizen with six children, two of them adopted, and a lifelong career as an educator.

In a rambling statement to the judge, Buyno said he would be pro-choice, too, if it wasn’t for God’s word, and he waved his hands while characterizing himself as someone trying to issue a warning to others.

Buyno said he and his wife became abortion opponents in 1973 and that he knew he had to move to Danville after he learned of plans for the clinic that he described as an “abortion factory.”

“These little lives are real. We deny it

and we do,” Buyno said. “But I can’t.

“I did cross a line at the end,” he later said. “I hope to see you all in heaven.”

Bruce said he seriously considered giving Buyno a higher sentence than five years, but found the state and defense attorney’s agreement appropriate given Buyno’s age.

The judge also said he found Buyno’s offense troubling because Buyno decided his beliefs were superior to all others’ beliefs and that it wouldn’t matter if others got hurt.

Bruce sided with the prosecution’s decision to withhold administering a fine so that any of Buyno’s resources would go toward paying the $327,547 in restitution to Prince.

Prince said after the hearing that she was happy to have closure, but she wished Buyno received a longer sentence. She also said it was not likely he would be able to pay her in full for the damages so she is not only a victim of a crime but also financially tasked with the repairs.

Buyno was indicted June 6, 2023, for the May 20 incident. His request to plead no contest, in which he would have accepted a conviction without admitting his guilt, was denied Aug. 30. He pleaded guilty to attempted arson on Sept. 19.

About 4:30 a.m. May 20, 2023, Buyno backed his 2012 Passat into the entrance of the building at 600 N. Logan Ave., which was being remodeled into a clinic.

His car was filled with containers of gasoline, wood and old tires he planned to use as fuel to set the building ablaze.

His effort was caught on video surveillance. It failed when his car doors became jammed shut by the fallen debris and he couldn’t get out of the vehicle or reach a container of gas he had thrown out the window.

He was extricated and arrested and has been in the custody of the U.S. Marshal’s Service since the incident.

A friend of Buyno’s, Michelle Wilkinson, submitted a character letter to Bruce that read in part: “I write this letter to you in hope of sharing some of the hope and love that Phillip Buyno has shown to myself and my family over the last 30 years. Phil has been a father figure and grandfather figure in the most meaningful sense to my (now grown) children when, without his presence, would have had little to none.

“He has opened his heart and home to us back when I was a young, single mother working two jobs. If not for he, I cannot express how much more difficult, if not impossible it would have been for me to maintain a job.

“I have watched him teach my children so many strong values and provide them with a sense of comfort, love and security that they would have otherwise never known from any other male figure in their life. ... I cannot even begin to convey the amount of love, compassion, support and sacrifice that Phil has made for our family.”

• Kathleen Schultz of Shaw Local News Network contributed to this story.

Defense receives continuance for man charged with 17 drug-related offenses

By EARLEEN HINTON

ehinton@shawmedia.com OREGON – A Rockford man charged with 17 offenses – including narcotics racketeering, delivery of methamphetamine, methamphetamine conspiracy, armed violence and possessing a firearm as a felon – will appear in court again in March as his defense attorney seeks transcripts from grand jury proceedings.

Delano Albert, 34, appeared before Judge John Redington on Feb. 7 through a video conference call from the Ogle County Correctional Center. His attorney, Ogle County Public Defender Michael O’Brien, asked for the continuance.

“There is a large amount of material to get through and we need more time to do that,” O’Brien told Redington in making his motion to continue the hearing to March.

Assistant Attorney General Gregg Gansmann, the special prosecutor for the case, agreed to the continuance.

Redington set the next court date for

3 p.m. March 6.

Albert was indicted in June 2023 by a statewide grand jury on the charges for what prosecutors said happened in January, February, March, April and Delano Albert May in Winnebago and Ogle counties. He also is charged with being an “armed habitual criminal” in the 17-page indictment filed by the Illinois attorney general.

On Feb. 7, O’Brien said the defense was trying to obtain grand jury transcripts, which have been sealed.

Albert has been held in the Ogle County Correctional Center since his arrest Oct. 1, 2023. On Nov. 30, Redington denied Albert’s request to be released on bond as his case continues through the court system.

At that hearing, Gansmann said Albert should not be released because he is a “real and present danger” to others and the community. He also argued

that Albert would be a flight risk if released.

Gansmann told Redington that Albert made “numerous” deliveries of methamphetamine and cocaine to undercover officers or police informants. He said one of the deliveries was in Ogle County.

According to some of the indictments, Albert possessed between 100 and 400 grams of methamphetamine and between 15 and 100 grams of cocaine.

One of the indictments accuses Albert of being an armed habitual criminal, noting he possessed a handgun after being convicted of possessing more than 1 gram but less than 15 grams of cocaine in 2008 in Winnebago County.

Gansmann said that when police searched Albert’s residence in Rockford on May 16, 2023, they found three loaded handguns.

He said Albert was a convicted felon, has two previous convictions for armed violence and had a loaded weapon in his bed while police were searching his residence.

He said Albert left the Rockford area

after the search was conducted and was found in Minnesota.

O’Brien argued that Albert should be released because of his “ongoing health issues that affect his overall mood.”

He said Albert was in Minnesota visiting family and had not tried to “flee” any potential charges, adding there was not an outstanding warrant issued for him.

“He poses a real and present threat to persons or the community,” Redington ruled. “And he is a high flight risk.”

O’Brien and Gansmann made the same motions Feb. 7 and Redington again denied the motion for pretrial release, ruling prosecutors had met the criteria for holding Albert.

Albert can appeal Redington’s decision within 14 days of the hearing through the SAFE-T Act, which was upheld by the Illinois Supreme Court and allows defendants to be released on no-cash bond.

Under the new law, judges still decide whether a defendant is a flight risk or poses too much of a threat to one person or the community to allow release.

OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 16, 2024

By SAMUEL LISEC

slisec@news-gazette.media

7

Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 16, 2024

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

8

Savanna fetanyl dealer charged with drug-induced homicide

By KATHLEEN A. SCHULTZ kschultz@shawmedia.com

SAVANNA – A 23-year-old Savanna fentanyl dealer already serving time in Iowa and convicted of dealing in Illinois is charged in Carroll County court with drug-induced homicide in the 2022 death of a 28-year-old Thomson woman, the Illinois State Police announced in a news release Feb. 9.

Saidrick Thomas was charged Feb. 7

and faces six to 30 years in prison if convicted. He also is charged with dealing a controlled substance, which carries a prison sentence of three to seven years.

T h o m a s i s Saidrick Thomas accused of providing Amy LaShelle the drugs that caused

her overdose death March 2, 2022.

Thomas was sentenced May 24, 2023, in Carroll County to eight years in prison for dealing fentanyl, a sentence that will run concurrently with a sentence handed down Oct. 27, 2022, in the Iowa Department of Corrections for conspiring with intent to deliver the drug. He is serving time in the Anamosa State Penitentiary in Iowa.

One count of possession of more than 30 grams but less than 500 grams

of cannabis was dismissed per a plea agreement.

Thomas was convicted in Iowa of four counts of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl for selling the drug to confidential informants of the Blackhawk Area Task Force four times that spring.

He also was charged with four counts of violating Iowa’s drug tax stamp law, a felony, but those charges were dismissed per a plea agreement.

Polo Lions Club offers delivery service

Photos provided by Jeff Short

Polo Lions Club President Greg Cross and Dixon Evening Lions Club President Rod Tichler hand two $500 donations to Duane Collman for Leader Dog for the Blind.

POLO LIONS CLUB NEWS

Photo provided by Jeff Short

Polo Lions Club member Ron Chamberlain loads the first of five grocery deliveries he made Feb. 7. The service is provided for free by the Polo Lions Club.

The Polo Lions Club held a joint meeting with the Dixon Evening Lions Club on Feb. 6 at the Polo Community Center.

District Governor Duane Collman spoke about his project, Leader Dog for the Blind.

Polo Lions Club President Greg Cross

and Dixon Evening Lions Club President Rod Tichler handed two $500 donations to Collman for Leader Dog for the Blind.

Lions Club member Joey Kochsmeier and Melydi Huyett, the principal at Polo Centennial Grade School, talked about the new playground equipment that was bought by the CPO organization.

OBITUARY DONALD J. MYERS Born: February 25, 1926 Died: February 7, 2024 MT. MORRIS, IL – Donald J. Myers, age 97, passed away on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 in Serenity Hospice & Home, Oregon, IL. Don was born on February 25, 1926 in Mt. Morris Township, IL, the son of Samuel & Grace (Snyder) Myers.

He served in the United States Navy during

WWII, and fought in the Pacific Theater on the USS Colorado, USS Antietam, and the USS Hancock. Don married Ruby Myers in 1949 and she preceded him in death in 2011.

Don was a member of the Leaf River Lions Club, Mt. Morris Rifle Club, Leaf River VFW, and he was a scout master in Adeline, IL. Cremation rites have been accorded with Finch Funeral Home, 405 East Hitt, Mt. Morris, IL. There will be a private family graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Mt. Morris Library and/or Serenity Hospice & Home.

Polo Lions Club member Joey Kochsmeier and Melydi Huyett, the principal at Polo Centennial Grade School, talk about the new playground equipment that was bought by the CPO organization during the Lions Club’s meeting Feb. 6.

Company president: Crest Foods in Ashton sold, but no major changes ahead 9 kschultz@shawmedia.com

ASHTON – “Crest Foods Co. Inc. to AGNL Stabilizer LLC, 1884 Route 38, Ashton, $32,950,000,” reads the entry under Lee County in this week’s property transfers, appearing online at saukvalley.com and in print in the Feb. 10 Sauk Valley Weekend edition.

That’s not the big news, however, Crest Foods President Jeff Meiners said. In the grand scheme of things, it’s barely news at all.

Although it’s true that Crest has sold a portion of its property to AGNL, it is leasing the property back.

The bigger news is that a private investment group, which Meiners declined to name, has bought the company itself.

Even that news, however, does not mean that any major changes are in store for Crest – a dry foods manufacturer and packager long owned and operated by the local Meiners family – or for its 700-member workforce, Meiners said Feb. 9.

It’s more of an emphasis on financial restructuring than on a change in ownership, he said.

“It’s strictly a financing type of thing. Family will still be involved, financially, physically. ... It’s just a

Earleen Hinton

A large sign that says Crest Foods was established in 1946 is located north of the main office at 502 Brown Ave. in Ashton. Warehouse facilities are located west of town along Illinois 38. change in the ownership structure.

“It no longer will be a family-owned business, but it will still be a family-run business. ... We’re keeping every job and we’re staying true to who we are.”

Crest Foods was founded in 1946 and run by Meiners’ dad, Jay Meiners, before being taken over by Jay’s three sons, Jeff, Steve and Mike, and five of their children.

The company’s stock was sold to the private investment group in a deal designed to maintain the status quo for now, while positioning Crest for

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the likelihood that, given Illinois tax laws, among other factors, a fourth generation of the Meiners family won’t be running it in the future, Jeff Meiners said.

“We function very well right now, but when we look far ahead ... spreading ownership over more and more people” will be “just difficult to do.”

While looking down the road at the future of Crest Foods, however, two things were very important to the family: making sure operations remained unchanged for now and maintaining the employee-centered corporate cul-

ture they have established over the years.

“It’s not the business that we do, it’s the way that we do business” is not just an empty motto printed on the company website – it’s the core of how the Meiners family members conduct themselves in the community, with their clients and, most importantly, with their workers, including more than 150 of whom have been with Crest more than 20 years, Jeff Meiners said.

“The most important thing about our business is our culture and we wanted to make sure that survived,” he said.

That’s also why the restructuring is coming as no surprise to the company’s employees, who have been kept in the loop throughout the process.

“We’ve made sure our employees know what’s changing, what’s not and what they should expect,” Jeff Meiners said.

They’ve also been given a share in the proceeds of the sale in the form of companywide bonuses, he said.

“Our feeling was that everybody should benefit in that transaction,” Jeff Meiners said. “We have a lot of very long-term employees and we don’t exist without them. Not to acknowledge that fact would not fit with who we are as a family.”

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OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 16, 2024

By KATHLEEN A. SCHULTZ

Donations to Ogle County Sheriff’s K-9 teams

Jan. 24

At 3:29 p.m., police responded to a two-vehicle crash in the parking lot of Snyder’s Ace Hardware, 201 N. Fourth St., involving a 2019 Chevrolet driven by Ronald K. Lessen, 82, of Mt. Morris, and a parked 2017 Toyota belonging to Richard E. Seals Jr., 52, of Sycamore. No citations were issued.

At 6:10 p.m., police responded to a car versus deer crash in the 1700 block of West Washington Street where a 2003 Chevrolet driven by Brekk A.M. Revels, 34, of Oregon, struck a deer. No citations were issued.

Jan. 25

Edward R. Wilhite, 32, of Dixon, was arrested at 11:22 p.m. on a Lee County warrant for failure to appear. Wilhite was transported to the Ogle County jail.

Jan. 27

Crystal A. Benner, 41, of Polo, was issued a citation at 11:42 a.m. for speeding 52 mph in a 35-mph zone. The violation occurred in the 1300 block of Pines Road.

Donovan V. Depeder, 23, of Chicago, was issued a citation at 2:13 p.m. for speeding 50 mph in a 30-mph zone. The violation occurred in the 500 block of Gale Street.

Francis E. Fenton, 59, of Oregon, was arrested at 7:01 p.m. on an outstanding

Ogle County warrant for battery. Fenton was transported to the Ogle County jail where he was left in the custody of the correctional deputies.

Jan. 28

Tamara A. Teague, 60, of Winfield, was issued a citation at 1:32 p.m. for speeding 53 mph in a 35-mph zone. The violation occurred in the 1300 block of Pines Road.

Jan. 30

Alicia M. Gonzalez, 34, of Rockford, was arrested at 4:46 p.m. for driving while license suspended. Gonzalez also was issued a citation for operating a vehicle with an expired registration. Gonzalez was transported to the Ogle County jail where she was processed and released with a notice to appear. The violations occurred in the 200 block of South Fourth Street.

Emily S. Schier, 36, of Mt. Morris, was issued a citation at 7:36 p.m. for operating a motor vehicle when registration suspended for non-insurance. The violation occurred in the 1000 block of West Washington Street.

Feb. 1

A 17-year-old of Oregon was issued a citation at 2:18 p.m. for operating a motor vehicle when registration suspended for

Photo provided by Ogle County Sheriff’s Department

K9 Strong Inc. recently donated medical kits, a hidden bite sleeve and breaker bars to the Ogle County Sheriff’s K-9 teams of Deputy Zac Hare and K-9 Haze and Deputy Kyle White and K-9 Gator.

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Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 16, 2024

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

10 OREGON POLICE

To request your FREE copy, simply call us at (815) 632-2566 or email your requests and address to: knull@saukvalley.com

OGLE COUNTY SHERIFF REPORTS Jan. 29

Victoria Whittley, 29, of Lincolnwood, was arrested for driving while license suspended after a traffic stop at North Chestnut and East Fifth streets in Byron about 7:37 p.m.

Whittley also was cited for operating an uninsured motor vehicle and expired registration. Whittley was released on a notice to appear and given a future court date.

Feb. 3

Philip Asbell, 38, of Byron, was arrested for driving while license revoked and an active Ogle County failure to appear warrant after a traffic stop in the 6000 block of north Illinois Route 2 about 9:53 p.m. He also was cited for inoperable registration light and operating an uninsured vehicle. Asbell was taken to the Ogle County jail and released on a notice to appear for the traffic violations, but held in lieu of bond for the warrant.

Feb. 4

Kelsey Osborne, 33, of Chana, was arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol after a traffic stop in the 1000 block of South Chana Road about 12:51 a.m. She also was cited for failure to signal and failure to obey a stop sign.

Osborne was taken to the Ogle County jail and released on a notice to appear.

Matthew L. Hurst, 39, of Rochelle, was arrested for two Ogle County failure to appear warrants after deputies responded to an unwanted subject in the 200 block of North Prairie Street in Creston about 3:20 p.m. Hurst was taken to the Ogle County jail and held pending a court appearance.

Feb. 6

Ibrahim Habiballa, 43, of DeKalb, was cited for leaving the scene of an accident, disregarding stop sign and failure to reduce speed/too fast for conditions after deputies responded to the area of East Ritchie and South Woodlawn roads for a report of a vehicle in the ditch about 6:12 a.m. When deputies arrived, there was a gray Toyota Prius in the ditch east of the intersection with no occupants. It appears the vehicle didn’t stop at the stop sign on East Ritchie Road and continued east into the ditch. An investigation showed Habiballa had disobeyed the stop sign and then left the scene. Habiballa was given a notice to appear and a future court date.

• OREGON POLICE

Continued from page 10 non-insurance. The violation occurred in the 600 block of Jefferson Street.

Rachel C. Sulfridge, 35, of North Aurora,

Angel Vazquez, 19, of Rochelle, was arrested for driving while license suspended after deputies responded to a report of a child custody issue in the 2000 block of South Chamberlain Road about 10:21 a.m.

Vazquez was released on a notice to appear.

Matthew K. Wisner, 36, of Forreston, turned himself in for an outstanding Ogle County no bond warrant about 10:46 a.m.

Wisner appeared in court and was released on a recognizance bond. He will return to court March 11.

Carlos Heras-Figueroa, 66, of Rockford, was arrested on an Ogle County no bond warrant for driving while under the influence after a traffic stop in the 100 block of South Union Street in Byron at 1:15 p.m. Heras-Figueroa also was cited for a defective windshield. Heras-Figueroa was taken to the Ogle County jail.

Feb. 7

Silvia Rogers, 56, of Leaf River, turned herself in on an outstanding Ogle County no bond warrant about 9:50 a.m. Rogers appeared in court and was released on a recognizance bond. She will return to court March 13.

Feb. 8

Timothy Adams, 22, of Byron, was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and disobeying stop sign after deputies, Polo and Mount Morris fire protection districts and Polo EMS responded to a two-vehicle crash at Freeport Road and Illinois Route 64 about 9:49 a.m. An investigation showed Adams was driving a 2021 Ford box truck and failed to stop at the intersection. Adams’ vehicle collided with a 2008 Peterbilt truck and trailer driven by Christopher Bunker, 45, of Chamberlain, South Dakota. Adams was taken by Polo EMS to KSB Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Maggio Truck Center removed the Ford, which had disabling damage, and repaired the trailer.

Parker Carr, 23, of Rochelle, was arrested for an active Ogle County warrant after deputies responded to a citizen assist in the 4000 block of North River Road about 5:59 p.m. Carr was taken to the Ogle County jail and held in lieu of bond.

James Wright, 41, of Rockford, was arrested for an active Ogle County failure to appear warrant after a traffic stop in the 1000 block of south Illinois Route 2 about 6:40 p.m. Wright was taken to the Ogle

County jail and held in lieu of bond.

Dustin Nelson, 40, of Byron, was arrested for two counts of aggravated battery to a police officer (Class 2 felony) and two counts of resisting a peace officer after deputies responded to a domestic call in the 4200 block of North Marrill Road about 6:57 p.m. Two officers on scene were battered while investigating. Nelson was taken to the Ogle County jail and held pending a court appearance.

arrival, deputies found two vehicles in the northwest ditch. An investigation showed Wysocki was driving a gold Chevy west on East Hemstock Road. Maylene Carreno, 35, of Mount Morris, was northbound in a black Chevy. Wysocki stopped at the stop sign, then proceeded into the intersection at which point the vehicles collided. Wysocki was taken to a local hospital for minor injuries.

Feb. 9

Tiffany Hedrick, 45, of Oregon, was arrested for driving while license suspended and possession of a controlled substance after a traffic stop at Hill and Gale streets in Oregon about 1:01 a.m. Hedrick also was cited for improper lane use.

Hedrick was taken to the Ogle County jail and released on a notice to appear. The Oregon Police Department assisted.

Sarah Thuestad, 44, of Rochelle, was arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol after deputies investigated a vehicle parked in the roadway near the intersection of Mulford and Baseline roads about 1:11 a.m. She also was cited for illegal parking on the roadway.

Thuestad was taken to the Ogle County jail and released on a notice to appear.

Lindsay A. Horton, 39, of Dixon, was arrested for driving while license revoked after a traffic stop in the 300 block of West Third Street in Leaf River about 4:48 a.m.

Horton also was cited for operating a vehicle with a suspended registration.

Horton was released from the scene on a notice to appear.

Shane Nielsen, 40, of Oregon, was arrested for driving while license revoked after a traffic stop on a vehicle pulling into the Mount Morris Dollar General Store’s parking lot about 8:22 p.m. He also was cited for an equipment violation. Nielsen was taken to the Ogle County jail and released on a notice to appear.

Pedro Rodriguez-Gamez, 30, of DeKalb, was arrested for no valid driver’s license after a traffic stop at the intersection of Illinois Route 64 and Woodlawn Road about 1:03 a.m. He also was cited for speeding 26 mph over the posted speed limit. Rodriguez-Gamez was taken to the Ogle County jail, released on a notice to appear and given a future court date.

Angela Watkins, 53, of Fargo, North Dakota, was arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol after deputies responded to a minor crash in the 13000 block of Illinois Route 72 about 1:22 a.m. An investigation showed Watkins was in the Benny’s Corner Market parking lot in Davis Junction when she drove through the ditch to get back onto Route 72. Watkins’ vehicle got stuck in the ditch and sustained minor damage. She also was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. Watkins was taken to the Ogle County jail and held pending a court appearance.

Sandy Cruz, 21, of Rockford, was arrested for driving while license suspended after deputies responded to a two-vehicle crash in the 5000 block of north Illinois Route 251 about 3:17 a.m. An investigation showed Cruz was driving a white Nissan Versa north on Route 251 directly behind a Northern Illinois Disposal garbage truck driven by Kenneth Gelderloos. Gelderloos slowed in preparation to turn left when Cruz struck the garbage truck. Neither driver was injured. Cruz also was cited for operating an uninsured motor vehicle and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. Cruz was released on a notice to appear.

Jerome Wysocki, 75, of Rochelle, was cited for failure to obey a stop sign after deputies responded to a two-vehicle crash in the area of South Skare and East Hemstock roads about 3:18 p.m. Upon

was issued a citation at 7:55 p.m. for having an expired registration. The violation occurred in the 1200 block of West Washington Street.

citation at 9:59 a.m. for speeding 54 mph in a 30-mph zone. The violation occurred in the 600 block of North Fourth Street.

Feb. 2

David Cuevas-Torres, 40, of Chicago, was issued a citation at 2:01 p.m. for speeding

A 17-year-old of Rockford was issued a

Feb. 4

Feb. 10

Feb. 11

Keith Shomaker, 29, of Freeport, was arrested for no valid driver’s license after a traffic stop near the intersection of Freeport Road and U.S. Highway 52 about 1:01 a.m.

He also was cited for an equipment violation. Shomaker was released on a notice to appear.

Charges are accusations and all subjects are presumed innocent unless proved guilty in a court of law.

47 mph in a 30-mph zone. The violation occurred in the 600 block of North Fourth Street.

Eight verbal warnings and three parking citations were issued Jan. 22 through Feb. 4.

OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 16, 2024

Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle reports the following activity:

11

Fulton battles back, tops Polo in overtime

Steamers’ Baylen Damhoff, Dom Kramer both record double-doubles in victory

By DAN WUSSOW

dwussow@shawmedia.com POLO – It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.

Fulton was the perfect embodiment of that saying Monday night in a hardfought 50-44 overtime win over NUIC South rival Polo.

After committing five turnovers and scoring only six points in the first quarter, the Steamers (19-11, 7-1) quickly got their heads in the right place.

“I’d say that we started off not in the right mindset or mentality,” Fulton senior forward Baylen Damhoff said.

“We beat them bad last time (77-43), so we just came in and thought it was going to be another game [like last time]. But after the first quarter, we got a reality check and we had to pick it up in the second quarter.”

Polo (14-12, 6-4) dictated the game early, following a putback by Damhoff with an 8-0 run over a 2:59 stretch.

Junior forward Noah Dewey sparked the surge with a putback less than a minute after Damhoff’s shot and junior guard Gus Mumford followed with back-to-back 3-pointers from the right corner and right wing for an 8-2 lead with 2:49 remaining.

After two free throws from Damhoff and a putback by senior guard Trevor Tiesman made it a two-point game, Mumford drilled another 3 from the right wing to make it 11-6 Polo at the end of the first quarter.

“Just our energy from the start,” Polo senior forward Brock Soltow said about why Polo played Fulton so much closer in the rematch. “We knew this was going to be a battle between each other because the last time we played each other it was 29-24 and then right when we came out of halftime of the first game, they just blew us out, so we knew we had to get our energy back up and our bench helped a lot.”

The lead didn’t hold for long, however.

Damhoff opened the second quarter with a left-wing 3, then followed another 3 by junior guard Braeden Brennan with a layup to tie the game 16-16 with 3:18 left in the second quarter.

Fulton senior Brady Read hit a leftwing 3 for a 19-16 lead with just over two minutes left and Soltow answered with one of his own to tie the game at 19 heading into halftime.

Polo took a 21-19 lead on a Dewey layup with 6:58 remaining in the third

Alex T. Paschal

Fulton’s Baylen Damhoff works toward the basket against Polo on Feb. 12. quarter, then stretched it to 27-22 a little over five minutes later after Soltow slithered between a pair of defenders and finished a layup.

In the final 44 seconds of the third period, Fulton senior Jimmy Crimmins made a putback to draw to within one point and Brennan hit two free throws to capture a 30-29 lead at the end of the third quarter.

“I think it has to do a lot with communication and how we talked and worked out together on the court,” Fulton junior forward Dom Kramer said about how the Steamers adjusted after the first quarter. “It’s definitely teamwork. We worked together there at the end, everyone contributed to the game, and it was a really good game.”

Kramer came alive in the last 11 minutes, scoring all 12 of his points in the fourth quarter and overtime and grabbing several rebounds during that stretch to help the Steamers fend off the Marcos.

Kramer made a putback and two layups around Dewey and Damhoff layups for a 38-34 lead with 4:29 to play in the fourth.

“Just get to the rack and cause as many fouls as I can because I knew anything could count in a close game,” Kramer said about his mentality late in the game.

Crimmins hit a mid-range jumper to push the lead to 40-34, but Soltow scored six straight points over the last 2:27 to

force overtime.

Kramer gave Fulton a 44-41 lead with a free throw followed by a threepoint play at the 2:11 mark and then answered a Soltow layup with two free throws to restore the three-point lead at 46-43. Brennan hit the first of two free throws to make it a four-point game and then Read hit two more and senior guard Trevor Tiesman hit the second of two free throws in the final minute to seal the win.

Seven players scored a basket for the Steamers and had at least two rebounds or assists.

“I’d say it was a good team effort. We always want to play as a team, get as

SM-ST2042905

Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 16, 2024

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

12 BOYS BASKETBALL: FULTON 50, POLO 44 (OT)

many people involved, just work as a team and win,” Damhoff said. “We showed that we never give up and always work hard until the finish.”

Damhoff totaled 15 points, 12 rebounds, three steals and three blocks.

Kramer supplied 12 points and 11 rebounds. Read scored seven points.

Brennan had six points. Tiesman added five points, three rebounds and three assists for the Steamers.

Soltow finished with 22 points, eight rebounds and four steals. Mumford scored 12 points on four 3-pointers to go with three rebounds and three steals.

Dewey had six points and four rebounds for the Marcos.

By RANDY HOLLAND

Shaw Local News Network correspondent

Sarah Young for Shaw Local News Network

Oregon’s Anthony Bauer (bottom) wrestles Marian Central’s Jimmy Mastny in the 157-pound weight class during the Class 1A Byron Sectional on Feb. 10. Bauer lost the match, but advanced to the state meet by placing second.

Sarah Young for Shaw Local News Network

Oregon’s Quentin Berry wrestles Orion’s Maddux Anderson in the 190-pound weight class at the Class 1A Byron Sectional on Feb. 10. Berry lost the match, but advanced to the state finals with a second-place finish. from Brady Greenan at 132.

Joining Oregon with three state qualifiers are Dakota, led by undefeated champion Noah Wenzel at 215 pounds, Lena-Winslow with 175-pound champion Eli Larson, Sandwich with 138pound champion Cooper Corder, Richmond-Burton and Rockridge. Amboy, Kewanee, Washington Academy with 126-pound champion Lincoln Hoger and Orion with 190-pound champion Maddux Anderson all send two to state.

Regional champion Byron got a third-place finish from Jared Claunch at 285 pounds and a fourth place.

Seven schools advanced only one wrestler. Among them was Wheaton St. Francis with 285-pound champion Jaylen Torres. Seventeen of the 38 schools will not have a representative, including Stillman Valley.

Regional champions Benesh and

Oregon’s Nelson Benesh wrestles Sandwich’s Colton Stone in the third-place match at 113 pounds at the Class 1A Byron Sectional on Feb. 10.

Tanya Koper for Shaw Local News Network

LaBay got first-round byes. In the quarterfinal, Benesh led by two in the second period when he went from a chicken wing to a cradle at 3:26. LaBay tried the scrape a couple of times in the first period for a 7-0 lead and he led 8-3 after the second. He had to fight out of a half nelson in the third and scored a reverse as time expired to take a 10-6 win.

Bauer and Berry both pinned in the first round. Bauer had a 7-2 lead when he rolled for a reversal into a cradle at 3:26. Berry got a takedown in the first, a reverse in the second and another take-

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down in the third before he went from the power half to a half nelson at 5:29.

Both moved to the semifinals. In the round of four, Bauer trailed after the first period but stood for a reverse and took the lead with a takedown to the back. He scored another takedown before he stopped a roll and pinned at 5:57. Berry had a half nelson for three points in the second and led 8-5 when he stood for a reverse and came down with a neck wrench at 5:31.

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BYRON – Oregon will have three wrestlers in the Class 1A state individual championship tournament this weekend.

Seniors Anthony Bauer at 157 pounds and Quentin Berry at 190 pounds both reached the first-place match at the sectional and finished second.

Freshman Nelson Benesh was defeated in the semifinals, but pinned twice in consolation to take third place.

Preston LaBay at 126 pounds and Ethan Mowry at 150 pounds came close but failed to qualify. LaBay won his opener but lost in the semifinal and in the consolation semifinal. Mowry lost both of his matches.

The three qualifiers will be the first representatives at state for the Hawks since Lance Halverson and Seth Stevens went down two years ago. Oregon has not had a state place winner since 2019 when current assistant coaches Noah Paul and Chase Clark took third place.

Jacob Milliman also was third that year and Andrew Herbst finished fourth.

The Class 1A Byron Sectional on Feb. 10 lived up to its billing as the toughest in the state as wrestlers from 38 teams vied for a spot in this week’s state finals in Champaign.

State wrestling in Class 1A started Thursday. The semifinals are at 7 p.m.

Friday. Medal matches start at 1 p.m.

Saturday, with the championships to begin at 6 p.m.

The sectional was dominated by Woodstock Marian. The Hurricanes crowned five champions and added two thirds and a fourth to advance eight.

With 150-pound champion Blake Smith, Riverdale advanced five, including two second places. Princeton, with 106-pound champion Augustus Swanson and two runners-up, sent four to state. Also with four qualifiers was Sterling Newman with a first place from Carter Rude at 144 and second place

OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 16, 2024

Oregon sends 3 wrestlers to state tournament

13

Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 16, 2024

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

14

Individual wrestling sectional remains a favorite event This past week’s local sporting expedition took me 11.3 miles north to the Class 1A Byron wrestling sectional.

A 1A wrestling sectional can attract up to 3,000 fans per session and Oregon and Byron are about the only facilities among the 43 schools that feed into it capable of handling it.

In fact, I venture to guess this particular sectional gets larger crowds than anything in 2A or 3A. With the larger schools, one would think it would be the other way around.

Not so. Smaller communities in the northern part of the state where wrestling always has had a proud heritage support it like nowhere else in Illinois.

It truly is grassroots with friends, family and hardcore fanatics.

Credit to these folks as wrestling could be the toughest of all sports to be a spectator. Unlike other sports that operate on set times, wrestling usually goes on a rolling schedule, dependent on mat availability and how long each bout takes.

I’ve covered it for 25 years and still can’t crack the code on when is the best time to show up. Another drawback for these hardy fans is long slogs in the bleachers. Thankfully, Byron has gone from wooden bleachers to a more comfortable plastic type.

Let’s take the sectional for example.

On Saturday, action started at 10 a.m.

• OREGON

Continued from page 13 Mowry was scoreless after two periods but got rolled to his back and pinned at 4:42 by the eventual third-place finisher from Marian Catholic. In the wrestlebacks on Saturday morning, Mowry met fourth-place finisher Brody Stien of Byron and lost a reverse to his back before he was eliminated in a chicken wing at 3:37.

with a break in the action about 1 p.m.

By IHSA rules, the gym must be cleared and fans must wait another hour before being readmitted, thus being forced to pay twice.

Anyone who sticks it out for the whole day has put in a full eight-hour shift. That doesn’t count “windshield time.” Some schools hail as far as the Quad Cities area.

With nonstop action on multiple mats, there is always something to see, although the real payoff comes when a wrestler from your town steps into the ring.

Another observation from 25 years is that wrestling truly is an intersection of family and friends. I see kids that I used to cover that are now helping coach their own kids. I see fans from neighboring towns cheering on one another, except when someone from the hometown is on the mat.

Compared with most other high school sports, wrestling is more like the Wild West when it comes to coaching. Many a program welcomes “volunteer” coaches, often a former wrestler or dad.

I couldn’t imagine that flying on a

football or basketball staff. On an aside, I came from an era where in all sports only teachers within the school were allowed to coach.

However, schools were more insular back then. Nowadays, they welcome outside involvement more readily.

Because of its competitive nature and grassroots feel, the individual wrestling sectional remains one of my favorite events of the year. The dual sectional, not so much.

In analyzing the results, it was the Woodstock Marian show with five champions and three other state qualifiers. Since 2018, Marian has had plenty of appearances in the state 2A dual meet.

With a declining enrollment (389 actual, 641 multiplied), Marian has fallen under the 1A cutoff of 738, but still maintains a 2A quality program as evidenced by its domination at Byron.

Byron, which will face Marian in the dual sectional, had a third- and a fourth-place finisher. Byron and Stillman Valley were the hard-luck teams of the sectional. Both had four wrestlers that were one win away of advancing downstate.

On the positive side, one of Byron’s qualifiers, freshman Brody Stien (3314), caught a huge break when a higher-ranked wrestler from Sandwich did not make weight Saturday and

couldn’t compete, opening the door for Stien to grab that final spot.

Trying to rebuild its program to what it used to be, Oregon qualified three wrestlers for state, a big improvement over a time not long ago when it couldn’t get a single person out of the regional, albeit a tough one that year.

“It can be like the old days again at Oregon with all the young kids we have coming up and the roomful of coaches we have,” coach Justin Lahman said. “It’s huge getting the older coaches back.”

Finally, congratulations to sectional grand marshals Chris Bonnell and Mike Elsbury.

Bonnell is a behind-the-scenes guy who exemplifies what makes our area special for wrestling. He fell in love with the sport as an eighth grader in Amboy and carried it over to Byron when he moved there as an adult. The whole time, he stood ready to help at whatever was needed to promote and build the sport at all levels.

Next week, it is basketball talk as the girls postseason will be well underway and the boys are cranking it up.

In the semifinals, Benesh got turned in a half nelson at the start of the third and was down 7-2. He reversed out of the hold, let him go, and scored a takedown but couldn’t get another one in the last minute and he dropped to consolation with a 9-6 loss. LaBay lost a takedown, picked up a locked hands point and was put in a half nelson as he tried to stand and he was pinned at 1:57.

After a scoreless first period in his semifinal match, Bauer escaped in the second, got a stalling point and a take-

down with 10 seconds left to take a 4-1 win into the championship match. Berry had a cradle for three points in the first and countered for a takedown and a drive to the back at 2:43.

In the consolation semifinal, Benesh nearly pinned with a chicken wing as time expired in the first period, added two takedowns in the second and pinned at the start of the third period. LaBay lost a takedown in the first and two points on a half nelson in the second and went down 6-1 to end his tournament.

On the first-place mat, Bauer met Jimmy Mastny of Woodstock Marian and lost three high crotch takedowns to his back and was pinned at 1:44 on the third. Berry met Anderson of Orion. He was turned in a turk and a scrape in the second period to trail 4-0 and lost two takedowns in the third to drop an 8-1 decision, leaving the Hawks with two second places.

On the third-place mat, Benesh worked an outside single into a cradle in 46 seconds to take the medal.

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Earleen Hinton

Polo’s Sydnei Rahn (34) and Eastland’s Ella Gunderson (12) and Morgan McCullough (30) battle for a rebound during a Feb. 6 game at Eastland High School in Lanark. Polo lost the game 40-24. Polo lost 58-33 to River Ridge on Feb. 12 in the Class 1A West Carroll Regional.

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS ROUNDUP Girls basketball Hanover (River Ridge) 58, Polo 33: The Brendan Greenfield and Kendall points. Sarah Eckardt chipped in six.

Oregon 40, South Beloit 28: The Hawks Amboy 38, Forreston 25: Amboy’s season ended for the Marcos on Feb. 12 Erdmann paced Forreston with nine

rode a balanced offense to a Senior Night win over the Sobos.

Mya Engelkes led Oregon with nine points and Sarah Eckardt added eight.

Polo 49, Fulton 13: The Lady Marcos built a 16-4 first-quarter lead and cruised past the Steamers for an NUIC South win.

Camrynn Jones led Polo with 12 points, nine assists and three steals, followed by Carlee Grobe with eight points, three rebounds and three assists and Elsa Monaco with seven points and four rebounds.

Fulton was led by Kylie Smither and Maddison Bolton with three points each.

Forreston 48, Oregon 34: The Cardinals outscored the Hawks 23-12 in the second half to seal a nonconference win.

Jenna Greenfield paced Forreston with 20 points. Ericka Alexander added 12. Greenfield scored 11 points in the first quarter.

Ella Dannhorn led Oregon with 11

Addison Pertell scored 14 points to lift the Clippers past the Cardinals.

Emily Sachs added seven points for Amboy.

Keeli Larson and Trese Buisker paced Forreston with six points apiece.

Eastland 40, Polo 24: Eastland’s Olivia Klinefelter compiled 17 points, 12 rebounds and three steals to lead the Cougars in an NUIC South win over the Marcos.

Lily Mullen added nine points, four rebounds and three assists for Eastland.

Camrynn Jones led Polo with 14 points, four rebounds and two blocks.

with a loss to River Ridge.

points each.

Class 1A Warren Regional: Warren 38, ForFulton 62, Forreston 21: The Steamers reston 23: The Cardinals ended their built a 23-8 first-quarter lead and rolled

to the second round of regional action with a win over the Thunder.

season Feb. 10 with a loss to Warren. to an NUIC South win over the CardiHailee Vogt led the Cardinals with nals. eight points, followed by Jenna GreenFulton was led by Baylen Damhoff field with seven. with 21 points, Landen Leu with 13 and Trevor Tiesman with nine.

Boys basketball Brendan Greenfield paced ForresFulton 77, Polo 43: The Steamers out- ton with five points.

Oregon 65, Indian Creek 64: The Hawks scored the Marcos 48-19 in the second half to ensure the NUIC South victory. took a 21-14 first-quarter lead and held Fulton was led by Baylen Damhoff off the Timberwolves for a nonconferwith 22 points and Jimmy Crimmins ence win.

Oregon was led by Noah Johnson with 17.

Nolan Hahn scored 15 points on five with 15 points, followed by Cooper John3-pointers and Gus Mumford added 11 son with 13 and Nole Campos with 10.

Forreston 52, Durand 46: Brendan points for Polo.

Eastland 65, Forreston 32: The Cougars Greenfield led the Cardinals with 18 outscored the Cardinals 35-8 in the sec- points, followed by Mickey Probst with ond half to seal an NUIC South win.

13 and Kendall Erdmann with 12.

Mendota 82, Oregon 72: Benny Olade Eastland was led by Peyton Spears with 19 points, followed by Parker Kro- led the Hawks with 18 points, followed gman with 12 and Braden Anderson by Kade Girton with 15 and Noah Johnson and Keaton Salsbury with 10 each. with 11.

Barbara Jean Case Price to Nancee Deraad, 109 W. Shirley Ave., Rochelle, $144,900.

Nicole L. Krips to Roberto Carlos Garcia Nigorreta, 345 Irene Ave., Rochelle, $165,000.

Jeff Long to Edward C. Vock, one parcel in Pine Ceek Township, $190,000.

Garrett B. and Kelly M. Poff, also Drake, to Suzanne L. Saxer, 362 Cleveland Ave., Rochelle, $155,000.

Betty Jean Schabacker to Christopher J. Steder, 8892 E. Flagg Road, Chana, $120,000.

David H. and Claudia L. Nelson to Steven K. and Nancy A. Bliven, 8214 S.

Main St., Grand Detour, $2,510,001.

Chad Edward and Haley Herkey to Amin Luma, 1046 Old Hunter Run, Byron, $274,000.

The late Doris M. Luttrell by heirs to Breanna M. Liedel, 320 W. Grant St., Stillman Valley, $52,000.

John M. and Petrece M. Klein to Chad and Haley Herkey, 2568 E. Bourbonnais Place, Byron, $445,000.

The late Lin W. Weber, also Linn, by heirs to Zeke T. Horn, 2391 E. Montague Road, Byron, $156,000.

Ryan A. and Mercedes Zuck to Shannon Marie Dugan and Samuel Tyler Green, 211 N. Jackson Ave., Polo, $149,000.

Class 2A Erie Regional: Erie 51, Oregon 19:

The Panthers led 27-12 at the half and then held the Hawks to seven points in the second half Feb. 10. Oregon ended the season at 7-24.

Class 1A West Carroll Regional: Polo 62, Savanna (West Carroll) 21: Polo advanced

PROPERTY TRANSFERS Filed Feb. 2-8 Warranty deeds

Illinois Community Credit Union to Nancy Aguinaga Mancilla, 123 W. North St., Creston, $34,000.

Contry Homes Group LLC to Ricky L. and Deborah Lynn Holloway, 937 White Birch Lane, Davis Junction, $273,000.

LH Development Inc. to Nathan A. and Chelsea P. Breiby, 1413 and 1419 Joanne Terrace, Byron, $71,000.

Michael J. and Tina Garnhart to Hayley Schroeder, 182 Autumnwood Lane, Davis Junction, $211,900.

Nathan Genis to Barbara Hanna, 203 S. Fifth St., Oregon, $148,000.

Quit claim deed

BP Central Pipelines LLC and BP Pipelines North America Inc. to BP Midwest Product Pipelines Holdings LLC and BP Pipelines North America Inc., 980 N. German Church Road, Oregon, $0.

Trustees deed

William Foley Revocable Trust, Brian Magura, trustee, to Richard S. Knutson, 14360 W. Goose Hollow Road, Polo, $340,000.

Executors deed

Estate of the late Vernon L. Randall by executor to Renee R. Bogue, 216 Drake Ave., Rochelle, $214,000.

Source: Ogle County Recorder’s Office

OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 16, 2024

Earleen Hinton

Forreston’s Letrese Buisker puts up a shot against Amboy’s Emily Sachs on Feb. 6 at Forreston High School. The Cardinals lost the game 38-25. Forreston fell to Warren 38-23 Feb. 10 in the Class 1A Warren Regional.

12 T E G 2 1 Y U E! B E R F MORE

Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 16, 2024

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

16

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Ogle County Classified

436 Acres - 5 Tracts; 10 miles SW of Rockford or 2 miles N of Byron in Ogle Co., IL; AUCTION - March 12 Productive Farmland; The Loranda Group 800-716-8189 or loranda.com

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AUCTIONS

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FARMLAND AUCTION 161.87 ACRES IN OGLE COUNTY SAT. APRIL 6TH AT 10:00 AM

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LIVE AUCTION HELD AT BERTOLET BUILDING 103 W. 2ND ST., LEAF RIVER, IL Total of 161.87 Acres MOL offered in 1 Tract.

Currently 110 Acres in row crop (119.5 PI) with good productivity.

ACRES OF PRODUCTIVE FARMLAND IN 5 TRACTS

34 Acres former old CRP/Hunting ground.

17.87 Acres building site, waterways, fence rows, road frontage.

SELLER: JAMES LEE STUKENBERG TRUST LOCATION OF PROPERTY: 4207 TOWNLINE RD. LEAF RIVER, IL 61047 • • •

NW Soils: Osco, Rockton, HEL Ground Spring 2024 Possession Hard road frontage.

Attorney for Estate: Laird Lambert Note: This property is an unusual opportunity to add to your farming operation, as well as advance potential recreational opportunities. View maps, photos, videos, sale terms and other at auction website. Call Rick Garnhart, Auctioneer for complete information

www.proauctionsllc.com RICK GARNHART, AUCTIONEER German Valley, IL 61039 815-238-3044 IL Lic: 440000901 • WI Lic: 2844-52

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This land is located 2 miles N of Byron, or 10 miles SW of Rockford, Illinois

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IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF OGLE - OREGON, ILLINOIS PLANET HOME LENDING, LLC Plaintiff, vs.

ZACHARY BUNN; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants, 23 FC 21 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above entitled cause the Sheriff of Ogle County will on Friday, March 8, 2024, at the hour of 10:00 a.m. in the Sheriff's office, 202 S. 1st Street, Oregon, IL 61061, sell to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 24-15-303-002.

Commonly known as 5531 S. FORESTER DR., ROCHELLE, IL 61068.

The improvement on the property consists of a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance within 24 hours, by certified funds. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call Mr. Chad Lewis at Plaintiff's Attorney, Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 205 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60601. (708) 668-4410 ext. 52109. 23-102744 SHERIFF I3237209 February 2, 9, 16, 2024

EMPLOYMENT

SEASONAL PART-TIME DRIVING opportunity awaits

(Dixon, IL and surrounding areas) Are you a retired CDL holder and still have fuel in your tank? Do you prefer to be on the road a few days a week and home the remainder? Would you prefer to be paid for your time away from home regardless of the amount of driving in a given week?

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is now taking applications for a seasonal opportunity starting April 1 thru early November at our Dixon IL driver hub.

Contract drivers can expect to converge in the Dixon area, hit the road in a company transit van (or flights) to jobsite A, move equipment to jobsite B, and then return to Dixon.

Overnight accommodations are covered. Contract drivers will be paid $300 per day, immediately at the end of the trip, shall pay their own taxes and will be issued a 1099 at years end. Serious inquiries only.

Valid CDL and med card required.

Please contact Ed Dame for additional info or a driver application request.

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OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 16, 2024

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18 OGLE COUNTY NEWS

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LEGAL NOTI

STATE ILLIN IN THE C COURT O 15TH JU CIRC COUNT Sterling Systems & Controls, Inc for over 50 years has designed, OGL engineered and specialized in producing customized material weighing and IN RE THE batching systems, bulk bag filling/packaging stations, bulk bag unloading GUARDIAN systems, process controls and plantwide automation systems.

OF: KALEB SMITH, an We have the following full time openings: GONZALEZ ELIZABETH COOK, Inte Working under the direction of project managers to program and develop Petitioners C software applications on many different platforms. Provide customer 2 support during start up as well as troubleshooting NOTIC PUBLICA TO: TINA C Support Regional Sales Mangers & Marketing activities Take notic petition w in the Circ of Ogle Design material handling plant automation projects from estimating through engineering and installation/commissioning with an emphasis on Illinois, f Guardiansh Electrical Design and Controls aspects of the project. child KALEB C. Now, there Design, Manage, and Execute material handling plant automation projects less you from estimating through engineering and installation/commissioning with COOK, fi answer to an emphasis on Electrical Design and Controls aspects of the project. tion in thi Complete job descriptions for each position are available online at or otherw your app www.tinyurl.com/SterlingSystemsControls therein, in Circuit C Sterling Systems & Controls, Inc, offers highly competitive wages & company benefits.

Ogle Coun City of Ore To apply, send resume to: nois, on o Human Resources, Sterling Systems & Controls, Inc. the 8th PO Box 418, Sterling, IL 61081 March, 2 default ma sci@sterlingcontrols.com or email: tered aga at any tim that day judgment w in accorda the prayer Petition.

Dated Feb 2024.

RICH BUTERA, for Int Pe RICHARD EGAL NOTI L BUTERA ARDC# 61 Attorney at 728 N. Mai PLANET H Rockford, I Plaintiff, (815) 962-9 vs. buteralawo ZACHARY @gmail.com Defendan RMB/ram

Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 16, 2024

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Feb. 16, 2 PUBLIC entered in 8, 2024, a IL 61061, real estate LOT 2 IN WEST 1/4 THIRD PR IN BOOK COUNTY, P.I.N. 24 Commo The impro subject m purchaser by subsec Sale ter funds. No For info Schneid, 60601. (70 I3237209

MENT

LEGAL NOTICES

you, TINA COOK, file your answer to the Petition in this action or otherwise file your appearance therein, in the said Circuit Court LEGAL NOTICES of Ogle County, in the City of Oregon, Illinois, on or before the 8th day of March, 2024, a default may be entered against you at any time after that day and a judgment will enter in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

Dated February 9, 2024.

RICHARD M. BUTERA, Attorney for Intervening Petitioners RICHARD M. BUTERA ARDC# 6181834 Attorney at Law 728 N. Main St. Rockford, IL 61103 (815) 962-9996 buteralawoffices @gmail.com RMB/ram

2023 PR 55 NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND CLAIMANTS Notice is given to creditors and Claimants of the death LEGALMATTHEW NOTICES J. of MUTCHLER, of Lindenwood, Illinois.

Letters of Office were issued on September 29, 2023, to MARK MUTCHLER, who is the legal Representative of the estate. The attorney for the estate is Attorney CHERYL RUSSELL SMITH, 519 So. Main Street, Belvidere, IL 61008.

Claims against the estate may be filed in the office of the Ogle County Circuit Clerk, Probate Division, 106 S. 5th Street, #300, Oregon, IL 61061, or with the attorney for the Estate, or both on or before August 2, 2024, that date being at least six (6) months from the date of first publication or within three (3) months from the date of mailing or delivery of notice to creditors, if mailing or delivery is required under 755 ILCS 6/18-3, whichever date is later.

Any claim not filed on or before that date is denied.

Copies of a claim filed with the clerk must be mailed or delivered to the attorney for the estate within ten (10) days after it has been filed.

MARK MUTCHLER, Executor

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF designed, OGLE hing and IN RE THE unloading GUARDIANSHIP OF: KALEB C. SMITH, and NOE Feb. 16, 23, March GONZALEZ and 1, 2024 ELIZABETH COOK, Intervening develop Petitioners.

STATE OF Case No. ILLINOIS mer 2019 P 39 IN THE CIRCUIT NOTICE OF COURT OF THE PUBLICATION 15TH JUDICIAL TO: TINA COOK CIRCUIT Take notice that a COUNTY OF petition was filed OGLE in the Circuit Court IN RE THE of Ogle County, GUARDIANSHIP ng hasis on Illinois, for the OF: ROBERT J. Guardianship of a MCINTYRE-COOK, named and NOE GONZAchild Feb. 16, 23, March KALEB C. SMITH. LEZ and ELIZA1, 2024 Now, therefore, un- BETH COOK, projects less you, TINA COOK, Intervening ing with COOK, file your Petitioners.

STATE OF answer to the PetiILLINOIS oject.

Case No. tion in this action IN THE CIRCUIT 2019 P 40 nline at or otherwise file COURT OF NOTICE OF your appearance THE 15TH PUBLICATION therein, in the said TO: TINA COOK JUDICIAL Circuit Court of Take notice that a CIRCUIT benefits.

Ogle County, in the petition was filed in COUNTY OF City of Oregon, Illi- the Circuit Court OGLE – IN nois, on or before of Ogle County, IlliPROBATE the 8th day of nois, for the IN THE MATTER March, 2024, a Guardianship of a OF THE ESTATE default may be en- child named OF MATTHEW J. tered against you ROBERT J. MCIN- MUTCHLER, at any time after TYRE-COOK. Now, Deceased that day and a therefore, PROBATE NO. unless judgment will enter you, TINA COOK, 2023 PR 55 in accordance with file your answer to NOTICE TO the prayer of said the Petition in this CREDITORS AND Petition.

CLAIMANTS action or otherwise Dated February 9, file your appear- Notice is given to 2024. ance therein, in the creditors and ClaiRICHARD M. said Circuit Court mants of the death BUTERA, Attorney of Ogle County, in of MATTHEW J. for Intervening the City of Oregon, MUTCHLER, of Petitioners Illinois, on or be- Lindenwood, Illi16, 2024 RICHARD M. Letters of Feb. fore 8th day of nois.

LEGAL NOTICES LEGALtheNOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL2,N9,OTICES BUTERA March, 2024, a de- Office were issued ARDC# 6181834 fault may be en- on September 29, IN THE CIRCUIT COURT you OF THE 15THtoJUDICIAL Attorney at Law 2023, MARK CIRCUIT tered against COUNTY OF OGLE ILLINOIS 728 N. Main St. MUTCHLER, who at any time after - OREGON, PLANET HOME LENDING, LLC and a is the legal RepreRockford, IL 61103 that day Plaintiff, (815) 962-9996 judgment will enter sentative of the vs. buteralawoffices in accordance with estate. The attorZACHARY BUNN; UNKNOWN @gmail.com ney NON-RECORD for the es- CLAIMANTS the prayerOWNERS of said AND Defendants, RMB/ram tate is Attorney Petition.

21 RUSDated February239,FCCHERYL Feb. 16, 23, March 2024.

NOTICE OF SALE SELL SMITH, 519 1, 2024 is hereby PUBLIC NOTICE given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure RICHARD M. So. Main Street, entered in the above entitled cause the Sheriff of Ogle County Belvidere, IL will on Friday, March BUTERA, Attorney 8, 2024, at the hour of 10:00 a.m. in the Sheriff's 61008. office, 202 S. 1st Street, Oregon, for Intervening IL 61061, sell to the highest Petitioners bidder for cash, the against following Claims thedescribed mortgaged real estate: RICHARD M. estate may be filed LOT 2 IN BLOCK 3 BUTERA OF HIGHLAND ESTATES, A PART in theBEING office of the OF THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF SECTION 15,6181834 TOWNSHIP Ogle 40 NORTH, CountyRANGE Cir- 1, EAST OF THE ARDC# THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED cuitTOClerk, Probate Attorney atACCORDING Law IN BOOK "K" OF PLATS, PAGE RECORDER'S Division, 106 S. 5th OFFICE OF OGLE 728 N. Main St.8, IN THE COUNTY, ILLINOIS, SITUATED OGLE COUNTY, STATE OF ILLINOIS. Rockford, ILIN61103 Street, #300, OreP.I.N. 24-15-303-002. gon, IL 61061, or (815) 962-9996 Commonly known as 5531 S. FORESTERwith DR., ROCHELLE, the attorneyIL 61068. buteralawoffices The improvement on@gmail.com the property consists single family residence. If the for of thea Estate, or subject mortgaged real estate is a unit both of a common interest community, the on or before RMB/ram purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required August 2, 2024, by subsection (g-1) ofFeb. Section 18.5March of the Condominium Property that date being at Act. 16, 23, Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance least six (6) within months24 hours, by certified 1, 2024 funds. No refunds. The property will NOT be openthe for inspection. from date of For information call Mr. Chad Lewis at Plaintiff's Attorney,orRobertson, Anschutz, first publication Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 205 North Chicago, Illinois withinMichigan three Avenue, (3) 60601. (708) 668-4410 ext. 52109. 23-102744 SHERIFF months from the I3237209 date of mailing or February 2, 9,delivery 16, 2024of notice to creditors, if mailing or delivery is required under 755 ILCS 6/18-3, whichever date is

g

ger

and ts.

Y R AD

date is denied.

Copies of a claim filed with the clerk must be mailed or delivered to the attorney for the estate within ten LEGALdays NOTICESafter it (10) has been filed.

MARK MUTCHLER, Executor Feb. 2, 9, 16, 2024 Publication Notice of Court Date for Request for Name Change (Adult) State of Illinois, Circuit Court, Ogle County 2024 MR 3 Request of: Will Henry Ciaccio There will be a court date on Request to change my name from: Will Henry Ciaccio to the new name of: Willow Mia Ciaccio The court date will be held: April 3, 2024 at 9:00 A.M. At 106 South 5th Street, Oregon, Ogle County, Courtroom: 304 /s/ Will Henry Ciaccio Will Henry Ciaccio Feb. 16, 23, March 1, 2024 Publication Notice of Court Date for Request for Name Change (Minor) State of Illinois, Circuit Court, Ogle County 2024 MR 8 Request of: Stephanie K. Whaley There will be a court date on Request for name (Minor change Children) for these children: Adalyn Grace Munson to the new name of: Adalyn Grace Whaley The court date will be held: April 3, 2024 at 9:00 A.M. Courtroom: 304 By video conference at: Zoom Log-in information: https://us02web. zoom.us/j/8637797 2394#success /s/ Cassandra Gottschalk Cassandra Gottschalk Feb. 16, 23, March 1, 2024

Children) for these children: Adalyn Grace Munson to the new name of: Adalyn Grace Whaley LEGALcourt NOTICES The date will be held: April 3, 2024 at 9:00 A.M. Courtroom: 304 By video conference at: Zoom Log-in information: https://us02web. zoom.us/j/8637797 2394#success /s/ Cassandra Gottschalk Cassandra Gottschalk Feb. 16, 23, March 1, 2024

Publication Notice of Court Date for Request for Name Change (Minor Name Change) In the State of Illinois, Circuit Court, Ogle County 2024 MR 2 REQUEST OF: Amy Elizabeth Wilder TO CHANGE NAMES OF MINOR CHILDREN There will be a court date on a Request for Name Change (Minor Children) for these children: Current Name of Minor Child: Asher Ryan Hoffa Proposed New Name of Minor Child: Asher Ryan Wilder Current Name of Minor Child: Damian Kenny Hoffa Proposed New Name of Minor Child: Damian Kenny Wilder Court Date: April 3rd, 2024 at 9:00 A.M. at 106 S. 5th St., Oregon, IL Ogle County, Courtroom 304 /s/ Amy Elizabeth Wilder Feb. 16, 23, Mar. 1, 2024 2142695

Name of Minor Child: Damian Kenny Wilder Court Date: April 3rd, 2024 at 9:00 A.M. at 106 S. OTICES IL 5LthEGAL St., NOregon, Ogle County, Courtroom 304 /s/ Amy Elizabeth Wilder Feb. 16, 23, Mar. 1, 2024 2142695 NOTICE This is to notify the public of the proposed construction of application number A1230545 at Latitude ° 42- 0241.96 Longitude 089 40- 39.46 on 17607 W US Route 52 in Polo,IL. The structure will be a lattice tower with the overall AGL height of 260 FT, with an anticipation of medium-dual lighting required. A statement that interested persons may review the application by going to www.fcc.gov/asr /applications and entering the Form 854 File Number. A statement that interested persons may raise environmental concerns about the proposed structure by filing a Request for Environmental Review with the Federal Communications Commission.

A statement that the Federal Communications Commission strongly encourages interested parties to file Requests for Environmental Review online, and that instructions for making such filings can be found at www.fcc.gov/asr/e nvironmental request; and The mailing address for interested parties that would prefer to file a Request for Environmental Review by paper copy: FCC Requests for Environmental Review, Attn: Ramon Williams, 445 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20554.

February 16, 2024

can be found at www.fcc.gov/asr/e nvironmental request; and The mailing address for interested parties that would LEGAL NtoOTICES prefer file a Request for Environmental Review by paper copy: FCC Requests for Environmental Review, Attn: Ramon Williams, 445 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20554.

February 16, 2024 LEGAL NOTICE ATTENTION: Businesses, Local Education Agencies, Community-Based Organizations, Local Labor Organizations and Interested Persons: The Chief Elected Officials for Local Workforce Area #4 #4) and (LWA Northwest Central Illinois Works (NCI Works) announces the availability of the Great Northwest Economic Development Regional Plan (EcoDevelopnomic ment Region #6), Northern Stateline Economic Development Regional Plan (Economic Development Region #5) and the LWA #4 Local Workforce Plan of the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) for public review comments. and The Local and Regional Plans have been developed to provide a variety of workforce training services for adults and youth under WIOA for Program Years 2024 - 2027 (July 1, 2024 June 30, 2028).

Under the Local workforce Plan, training and services are provided to an 8-county area which include: Bureau, Carroll, Jo Daviess, LaSalle, Lee, Ogle, Putnam and Whiteside Counties. Regional strategies have been developed and workforce initiatives will be implemented for a 10-county area that includes: Bureau, Carroll, Henry, Jo Daviess, LaSalle, Lee, Mercer, Putnam, Rock Island & Whiteside under the Great Northwest Economic Development Regional Plan.

Regional strategies have been developed and workforce initiatives will be implemented for a 4county area that includes: Boone, Ogle, Winnebago, and Stephenson under the Northern Stateline Economic

WIOA for Program Years 2024 - 2027 (July 1, 2024 June 30, 2028).

Under the Local Plan, workforce training and serLEGAL are NOTICES vices provided to an 8-county area which include: Bureau, Carroll, Jo Daviess, LaSalle, Lee, Ogle, Putnam and Whiteside Counties. Regional strategies have developed been and workforce initiatives will be implemented for a area 10-county that includes: Bureau, Carroll, Henry, Jo Daviess, LaSalle, Lee, Mercer, Putnam, Rock Island & Whiteside under the Great Northwest EcoDevelopnomic ment Regional Plan.

Regional have strategies been developed and workforce initiatives will be implemented for a 4county area that inBoone, cludes: Ogle, Winnebago, and Stephenson under the Northern Stateline Economic Development Regional Plan.

Detailed copies of these plans are available for public review Monday through Friday during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) at the following location: 815 N. Orlando Smith Avenue, C328, Room Oglesby, IL. These Plans are also posted to the NCI Works (www.nci works.org) and Business Employment Skills Team, Inc. (www.best-inc. org)websites. EOE. Feb. 14, 16, 2024 Ogle County Classifieds 833-584-NEWS

19 OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 16, 2024

judgment will enter in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

Dated February 9, 2024.

RICHARD M. EGAL NOTICES LBUTERA, Attorney for Intervening Petitioners RICHARD M. BUTERA ARDC# 6181834 Attorney at Law 728 N. Main St. Rockford, IL 61103 (815) 962-9996 buteralawoffices @gmail.com RMB/ram

Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, February 16, 2024

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

20

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