Mt_Morris_Times-04-14-2023

Sports Roundup

Wheeler, 6, left, and Magnolia Wheeler, 2, both of Mt. Morris, pose for a photo with the Easter Bunny outside the Bertolet Building on April 8. The Leaf River Lions Club hosted a Breakfast with Bunny and the Easter egg hunt. More photos on page 9.

• Friday, April 14, 2023

Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com

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Mt. Morris Times, Ogle County News and oglecountynews.com are a division of Shaw Media. Ogle County Newspapers also prints the Mt. Morris Times, Oregon Republican Reporter and Polo’s Tri-County Press.

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POSTMASTER Send address changes to MT. MORRIS TIMES, P.O. Box 8, Oregon, IL 61061. Phone 815-732-6166, ext. 2516.

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Copyright 2023

Mobile food pantry to be in Mt. Morris on Thursday, April 27

Loaves & Fish Food Pantry, alongside Northern Illinois Food Bank, will host a Mobile Food Pantry on Thursday, April 27, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Mt. Morris Church of the Brethren, 409 W. Brayton Road, Mt. Morris.

Food is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last.

“There will be more food on the truck this month! We apologize to anyone who didn’t get food last month when we ran out early. Food is free to neighbors in need; no ID, proof of address or income is required,” said Barb Diehl, one of the event organizers.

Loaves & Fish Food Pantry is located on the lower level of the Mt. Morris Church of the Brethren, 409 W. Brayton Road, and is open on the first and third Thursdays from 3:30 to 6 p.m. and second and fourth Mondays from 2 to 4:30 p.m.

“Anyone experiencing food insecurity is eligible to receive food. You do not need to have a referral, and no proof of income is required,” Diehl said.

For more information, call 815-613-8776 and leave a message.

MT. MORRIS LIBRARY

Story Time

Join us this week as we celebrate EARTH DAY! Ms. Donna will be reading books all about the Earth and children will create a craft this Wednesday, April 19. Story time is every Wednesday at 11:15 a.m., bring your little ones to enjoy stories and a craft at the Mount Morris Library!

Adult Book Club

The April book is “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig. Everyone is welcome to join this book club group! Copies of the book are available at the library. This group will meet in-person on Monday, April 24 at the library.

Cookbook Club

Join us as we explore The Cookbook Club! Wonderful recipes combined with friendship creates something both beautiful and delicious!Stop by to choose your recipe from “Eat to Live Quick and Easy Cookbook” by Joel Fuhrman and bring your dish to pass at our next meeting!

Join us on Tuesday, May 2 at 6 p.m. at The Senior Center for another exciting meal!

Ink with a Friend: Card Making at the Library

Join us in May to make some lovely home-made cards to send to family and friends. We will be offering a card-making class from local crafter, Liz Gullett. She will be here on Thursday, May 11 from 5-7 p.m.! You will get all the materials to make two beautiful cards to take home. Stop by to see the samples, fees are by donation. Registration is limited so call the library or stop by to save your spot before May 4!

Lego Club!

Our next Lego night is Thursday, April 20, from 6-6:45 p.m. Bring a friend and build some fun with Lego bricks! All children and parents are invited every third Thursday of the month. Children under 8 need to bring a parent with them.

Memorial Gifts

Give a gift that lasts, brings joy to many, and

BRIEFS

Flower sale at Mt. Morris church

The United Methodist Men (UMM) of Disciples United Methodist Church, Mt. Morris, are taking orders for flowers until April 21.

Flowers can be picked up at church, or they can be delivered April 29. The church is located at 102 Maple Ave., Mt. Morris. Carnations are $15 per dozen. Roses are $20 per dozen.

Call the church at 815-734-4853 or Rod Avey at 815-734-3056 to place an order. Proceeds will go toward UMM missions at the church.

Chana church to host rummage sale

Chana United Methodist Church will host a rummage sale on Friday, April 28, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, April 29, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Items for sale include clothes, shoes, dishes, pans, pictures, books, small appliances, material, linens, baby items, toys, knickknacks, plants, Christmas items and much more!

Breakfast and lunch will be served both days. The church is located at 606 N. Main St. in Chana. Call 815-732-7683 for information.

doubles in value. Your memorial gift to the library is matched by the Mt. Morris Library Foundation, doubling your generosity! Many thanks to all who gave memorial gifts in 2022.

Display Case Showings

Stop by to see our new display for the month from Cynthia Laughlin! She is showcasing her own acrylic art pieces. It’s not just for nails! Enjoy the whimsy of all her miniature creations (and some nail designs)! We are always looking for collectors or artists who are willing to share their treasures in our display cases. If you are interested, please call, 815-734-4927.

Explore More Illinois Welcomes Bix Beiderbecke Museum & World Archives

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, Bix Beiderbecke Museum & Archives in Davenport, IA! The Bix Beiderbecke Museum & World Archives is a 501(c)3 nonprofit located in Davenport, Iowa, the hometown of jazz legend Bix Beiderbecke. The Bix Museum is the premier location in the Quad Cities to learn about the life and legacy of Bix Beiderbecke. The museum hosts a comprehensive presentation of the life and music of Bix, showcas-

ing artifacts of his and the musicians he played with. Our archives hold the most extensive archival resource on Bix in the world and serve to preserve and teach that knowledge to future generations to come.

Bix Beiderbecke Museum & World Archives has FREE admissions; donations are accepted. Explore More Illinois users can access and reserve passes from any of our attractions on their participating library’s website. Explore More Illinois is easy to use with your library card. Visit the library’s website to browse attractions. You can find the information on our website, www.mtmorris-il.org under the resources page.

Adult Programming

We are trying to get back into the swing of offering monthly programs for adults. We would love to hear from you. Do evenings or weekends work better? Do you have any program ideas? Do you have a program you would like to share? Contact Mary Cheatwood at the library through email at mmlib@mtmorris-il.org or call 815-7344927.

Curbside Service Available

We want to remind everyone that you still have the option of having your materials delivered to your vehicle. If you have holds waiting for you, call us to tell us you are on your way, and we will bring them out to your vehicle when you arrive. Call us if you need more information.

Additional Services Offered

We make copies (25¢ per black and white page). We fax ($2 for the first page and 50¢ each additional page). We can scan a document and send it to email ($2 per document). You can use a computer without a library card for $1. Resume software is available on our computers. Come visit us and let us help you!

Monthly board meetings are the third Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the library.

Continuance in Sarah Safranek case after defendant refuses to appear for hearing from jail

By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com

A 36-year-old woman who is accused of killing her son in 2021 refused to appear via video for a court hearing April 5, prompting a continuance to April 26.

Sarah Safranek, 36, of Oregon was scheduled to appear via video conference from the Ogle County Correctional Center when court officials learned she was refusing to appear.

Safranek’s attorney, Ogle County Public Defender Kathleen Isley, and prosecutor, Ogle County State’s Attorney Mike Rock, were in the courtroom for the 1 p.m. pretrial hearing when Judge John Redington asked jail staff to have Safranek brought to the jail’s area where video conferencing is done.

“She is refusing,” the correctional officer said.

Redington asked Isley and Rock if they wanted him to order correctional staff to bring her to the hearing even if she was “unwilling’.

Both Isley and Rock declined with Rock adding he would use a continuance to respond to motions recently filed in the case.

“OK, we will waive her presence for today. We will reset this for April 26 at 1 p.m. for further status and ... we will try again,” Redington said.

Safranek has pleaded not guilty to five counts of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated battery for the suffocation death of her 7-year-old son, Nathaniel Burton, in February 2021.

On Nov. 3, 2022, Redington ruled

Safranek fit to stand trial for the offenses after reviewing a mental health evaluation requested by the defense. The case was continued to February following another December hearing.

Nathaniel, a first grade student at Oregon Elementary School, was found unresponsive and not breathing in his bed at his home in the 400 block of South 10th Street about 2:30 a.m. Feb. 17, 2021. He was pronounced dead at KSB Hospital in Dixon later that day.

An autopsy showed the boy also suffered a ruptured liver.

Safranek was arrested two months later, April 21, and indicted May 4, 2021. She pleaded not guilty May 6,

2021, and remains in the Ogle County Correctional Center on a $2 million bond.

She has appeared in court numerous times since her arrest sometimes in person and sometimes via video conferencing.

She faces 20 years to life in prison if convicted of murder and six to 30 years if convicted of aggravated battery.

According to records obtained by Shaw Local News Network in a Freedom of Information Act request, the Department of Children and Family Services had visited the Safranek/ Burton household about a dozen times over two years, following up on five reports of suspected abuse and neglect. Each time, DCFS closed the case after finding no indications of parental wrongdoing.

Nathaniel was 4 when the allegations first surfaced.

Judge allows more time to get medical records

By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com

An Ogle County judge granted a continuance April 6 for a Malta man charged with killing a Mt. Morris woman and her unborn son in November 2020 after his attorney said efforts to get medical records had again failed.

Liam Dixon, a defense attorney for Matthew T. PLote, 35, told Ogle County Judge John “Ben” Roe that efforts to secure the medical records of Melissa Lamesch, 27, of Mt. Morris from DuPage Medical Group had been unsuccessful again.

Plote is charged with killing Lamesch and her unborn son Nov. 25, 2020, and then setting fire to her house to conceal their deaths.

Lamesch’s baby was due Nov. 27, 2020.

Plote faces four counts of first-degree murder, three of intentional homicide of an unborn child and one each of residential arson, aggravated domestic battery and concealment of a homicidal death.

Thursday’s hearing marked the third time Roe has granted continuances for Plote as his defense team awaits Lamesch’s medical records from before her death.

Dixon said recent efforts to secure the medical records from DuPage Medical Group through subpoenas and more recently a court order have been unsuccessful.

“We’ve sent repeated subpoenas to

DuPage Medical and now they are saying they need consent by someone in her family,” Dixon told Roe.

In March, Plote’s attorneys asked Roe to reissue another subpoena asking for the records with his signature clearly visible. They also told Roe in a November 2022 hearing that subpoenas asking for the medical records had not been honored.

On Thursday, Dixon asked Roe to hold the medical group in contempt until they provide the records.

“We are asking you to hold them in contempt until they comply,” Dixon said.

Dixon said he would draft a motion

for Roe to review.

Assistant State’s Attorney Heather Kruse said her office was still waiting for records from the Mt. Morris Police Department. She said the state had secured records from the eight fire departments that provided mutual aid to the Mt. Morris Fire Protection District on the night of the fire.

Roe set the next hearing for 3:30 p.m. May 4.

Plote has been in custody at the Ogle County Correctional Center since his March 8, 2022, arrest. He appeared in court wearing the standard orange jumpsuit and in handcuffs and leg irons. Several family members sat in

one row of the courtroom’s public seating area Lamesch’s family sat two rows behind them.

Lamesch was found about 4:30 p.m. after firefighters responded to 206 S. Hannah Ave. in Mt. Morris, where they encountered heavy smoke and blaring smoke detectors. She was found on the kitchen floor and pronounced dead at the scene, despite lifesaving measures.

She was a 2011 graduate of Oregon High School and an EMT at Trace Ambulance Service in Tinley Park.

Prosecutors have yet to offer a possible motive in the case but have said Lamesch and Plote knew each other before the killings.

Sarah Safranek Nathaniel Burton

Above, Matthew Plote speaks with his attorney Liam Dixon after an April 6 hearing in Ogle County. He is accused of killing Melissa Lamesch (right) of Mt. Morris and her unborn child in 2020.

Park district gets $3M grant for path to state park

By ALEXA ZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com

The Oregon Park District has been awarded a $3 million grant to construct a shared-use path from Illinois Route 64 to Lowden State Park.

The grant is a 2023 Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program grant to build the 1.88-mile Rock River Heritage Trail, which will run along the eastern shoreline of the Rock River within the right of way of the unmarked state highway, River Road and within Lowden State Park, according to IDOT.

“Obviously a $3.5 million project that we’re going to be getting $3 million from the state for, so [we’re] very excited for the district to move forward,” Oregon Park District Executive Director Erin Folk said April 11 during the district’s regular board of commissioners meeting.

The shared-use path will be open to residents and visitors, allowing them access to the state park and downtown Oregon.

Phase 2 preliminary engineering

and construction engineering are expected to take place between June and December, Folk said. They expect to seek bids in late winter or early spring, with construction tentatively scheduled to begin in June 2024, she said.

“We don’t anticipate it will take two construction seasons, unless we have weather that would prohibit us from completing that,” Folk said.

City Commissioner Terry Schuster said the Rock River Heritage Trail eventually will be linked to the bike

path in Oregon.

“There is a multiyear plan to integrate Lowden with the city of Oregon,” he said. “The city will also have to engineer and pay for the section of trail that will go around the BP station.”

Polo’s storm sewer improvement project resumes

By ALEXA ZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com

Work on Polo’s $3.5 million storm sewer improvement project resumed Monday after a winter break.

The Colden Street Project encompasses about 10.5 blocks in both the downtown business district and residential neighborhoods. It is meant to help regulate water buildup on Illinois Route 26 – known as Division Avenue in Polo city limits – during torrential rain events.

“On torrential rains, it [water] gets so deep on Route 26 there that it’s dangerous because cars tend to hydroplane,” Mayor Doug Knapp said. “Then down Colden, basements fill up with water.”

The project involves storm sewers and catch basins being added or expanded along parts of South Maple Avenue, West Buffalo Street, South Congress Avenue, Colden Street, West Mason Street and halfway into the east alley between Mason and Locus streets.

Work planned for this year includes about 2.5 blocks of underground work and blacktopping, Public Works Director Kendall Kyker said.

Kyker explained the planned steps for 2023 construction:

1. Do underground work on West

Mason Street between South Congress and Division avenues. The process, which includes hooking up pipes, is expected to take a couple of weeks.

2. In the area of West Buffalo Street and South Congress Avenue, construct and/or install new curbs, gutters, catch basins, driveways and sidewalks; lay binder – about 2 inches of blacktop that can be driven on; spread

dirt and grass seeds.

3. Performing construction on half a block of Division Avenue, from Mason Street north to the alley on the east that runs behind the restaurants and stores. One block of that alley will undergo construction.

4. Cross Division Avenue/Route 26 at Colden Street, installing one block worth of pipeline between Division

Avenue and South Franklin Avenue.

5. Install catch basins on half a block of South Franklin Avenue south of East Colden Street.

6. Lay a final layer of blacktop on all streets that underwent construction, paint parking lines, crosswalks and all other necessary road markers.

Crews from the Colden Street Project’s main contractor – Martin & Co., of Oregon – currently are working on West Mason Street.

Willett, Hofmann & Associates, of Dixon, are the project engineers. Helm Civil, of Freeport, is doing the blacktop.

“They will get done this year before fall,” Kyker said of the Colden Street Project. “This was a 400-day project –and that’s 400 working days. So they had all last summer and this summer, then both springs and one fall.”

Much of the project is meant to be funded by two state grants – a $2 million Fast-Track Public Infrastructure grant from August 2020 and a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant for public infrastructure from January 2019. Polo City Council members approved general obligation bonds to pay the remaining portion, for which the city is directly responsible.

“If we wouldn’t have received those grants, there’s no way we could have done the entire project,” Knapp said.

Image provided by the Oregon Park District

The Oregon Park District will receive a $3 million grant to create a shared-use trail from Illinois 64 to Lowden State Park.

Alexa Zoellner/Shaw Media

Work on the two-year, $3.5 million Colden Street Project in Polo resumed this week after a winter break. Here, employees of the main contractor, Martin & Co., of Oregon, work in an alley along West Mason Street on April 11.

School Museum seeking donations for annual sale

Chana School Museum officials are reminding Ogle County residents that it’s time to clean out the garage, sort the closets, straighten up the basement and then donate to the school’s annual rummage sale.

“April and May are good months to empty closets, basements and garages of unwanted and unused items. Donations vary from clothes, household items, tools, appliances and furniture. Enjoy the newfound space and benefit a great historical project at the same time,” said Connie Stauffer, Chana School Museum director. “Collect all those unused and unwanted items for the 25th annual Chana School Museum Rummage Sale. The Chana School Foundation would appreciate any donated items for this year’s fundraiser.”

This year’s sale is Friday, June 2 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.), and Saturday, June 3, (8 a.m. to noon) in the basement of the Oregon Coliseum in downtown Oregon.

Proceeds from the June sale benefit the 1883 Chana School Museum and raise funds to maintain the historic school and its museum, which are run by volunteers and supported through fundraisers, grants and donations.

Donations of items will begin right after Memorial Day weekend, Stauffer said. Drop-off days are Tuesday, May

READING MATTERS

30, from 3 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 31, from 9 a.m. to noon., and Thursday, June 1, from 9 a.m. to noon.

“All items should be dropped off at the Coliseum on these dates and times. Some items that we cannot take for donation are large entertainment centers, large appliances, blinds, mattress and springs and car seats,” Stauffer said. “If there are questions concerning what items we can or cannot take, please call Ray Gruber at 815-979-2907.”

There may be pickup of large items only. Call Ray or Connie at 815-7322447 for information about pickup of those items.

The 1883 Chana School Museum was put on the National Register of Historical Places in 2005. It represents a unique style of a two-room schoolhouse which was superior in size to all other rural schools of the time.

The school was cut in two and moved seven miles west to Park East in Oregon where it was restored by volunteers. After an extensive restoration effort, it opened for tours, field trips, special events and appointments.

The project was completed through volunteer efforts, gifts, grants and fundraisers, Stauffer said.

“The National Register Office in Springfield considers this project as one the most successful community projects to date in the state of Illinois,” Stauffer said.

To learn more about the Chana School Museum and how to become a volunteer, call Stauffer at 815-732-2447.

“Volunteers are always needed for special projects, school group activities, fundraisers such as this sale and so much more. We are all volunteers in the Chana School Foundation. There is no job too small in a volunteer project such as the Chana School Museum,” she said.

The Chana School Museum is supported by the Chana School Foundation, which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. IRS tax forms are available for any donation.

“Help support this historical project by donating and/or attending this year’s sale,” Stauffer said.

In previous years, the sale had been held on the first floor of the Coliseum, which is now being renovated to house the Coliseum Museum of Art, Antiques and Americana.

The CMAAA is an Illinois nonprofit corporation and federally tax exempt public charity that has leased the Coliseum building from the city of Oregon. The CMAAA is scheduled to open sometime in 2023.

What you can do at home to support early learning

Much attention and many human resources, as well as funding, have gone into early childhood programs in recent years. For example, Preschool for All is a program that was created in Illinois in 2006. It is focused on serving at-risk children with a variety of options.

Head Start is a federally funded program that serves children from birth to age five and pregnant women. Those who meet income guidelines are eligible for a variety of program options.

It is the time of year for preschool screenings and preschool and kindergarten registration. This month we’ll look at the importance of early learning to better understand the need for quality preschool programs.

We also will look a bit at what we can do at home to support early learning.

In an article in American Educator titled “Starting Off Strong: The Importance of Early Learning” ACT research scientist Chrys Dougherty writes that research has shown that gaps in learning become evident very early. Educa-

READING MATTERS

Mary Gardner

tors now know what skills matter for early learning. More important, we know that the sooner a child is given rich instruction to fill any gaps the better. Catching up becomes harder as children move through the grades. It is important to get them on track in the early grades.

Dougherty continues by reminding us that early learning supports later learning. We know that learning is often cumulative. Math is an obvious example, but really most learning across grade levels builds on prior learning. It takes time to build knowledge about science and social studies topics. Literacy skills certainly build as children move through school.

What can we do at home to build this important foundation? One thing

is to talk with our children. It sounds simple, but the importance of oral language development is a key to later literacy skills. Having give-and-take conversations, answering their many questions, and asking them questions are all ways to support oral language.

The importance of reading aloud to our children and grandchildren cannot be underestimated. We need to read to them from a variety of texts and fill them with the language of books. Traditional fairy tales and nursery rhymes are excellent ways to teach them about stories. We can read nonfiction books to fill them with information. Children are drawn to poems and rhymes as they learn to appreciate the sounds of language. Singing simple songs and rhymes also is beneficial.

Another thing Dougherty considers is that student interests often begin at an early age. We can support our children’s and grandchildren’s interests by reading books as mentioned earlier. We can include technology by sharing appropriate internet informa-

tion with them including virtual tours and virtual trips to faraway places. Google Earth is one way to visit faraway places. We also can help by providing them with rich experiences in and out of the home.

Many times even very young children develop an interest in something very specific such as dinosaurs, planets or the presidents of the United States. Children enjoy learning about animals of all kinds and the world around them. We can encourage their interests as they develop.

Early learning is important. This does not mean forcing very young children to do tasks that are not appropriate for their age. It means singing, laughing, reading, writing, counting, playing inside and outsideº and learning about their world with the adults who love them by their side.

• Mary Gardner is a retired teacher who specialized in reading and is still an instructor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Northern Illinois University.

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

ABOVE LEFT: The historic Chana School is located in Oregon Park East, alongside River Road. ABOVE RIGHT: Connie Stauffer adjusts some of the items for sale in 2020.

Let’s take a look at Camp Fire Girls, White Pines

Between the storms and gathering material for a display on the Camp Fire Girls, I am busy. On Tuesday, I got out to vote early, made a stop at the pharmacy, stopped at Aplington House, and then worked at the museum a short time before the storm hit.

As the lake formed outside my window during the downpour, I figured I would not be so lucky in my basement this time as I was the week before. I was correct as the water started coming up through the cracks in the floor. But it was not four inches like it had been last summer.

Susan Zook came over and helped set things up that might be water dam-

Betty Obendorf

aged. I am thankful to have help.

When I think of the damage other people are having, a little water in my basement is not bad. The tornado in Missouri was quite close to the farm of my cousin so they have damage to trees. All this is very frightening.

Linda and I have been working on a Camp Fire Girls display and it is interesting what articles she is finding in

the Tri-County Press from years ago.

In 1930, this group of girls was the garbage disposal for Polo. Of course, we did not have plastic bottles and pizza boxes so it was not the kind of garbage we have today. Still, it was stuff they had to take somewhere.

They took the thrown away food stuff out to the farm animals in the country and probably burned the rest of the stuff.

People were pleased so they were doing a good job of helping out in their community. But in April 1930, Polo was going to have to find some other way of handling their garbage. The Camp Fire Girls were phasing themselves out.

I also am typing away on the text of the history of the White Pines State Park and looking through all the pictures we have in our files.

This is turning out to be a most interesting story and it will take some time to put this all together.

Then we will run it by Elmer to get his input.

Were there really five fords like some information stated? I do not remember but I hardly think so.

We do have some interesting history and it was a battle to save this beautiful area.

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

Captain Henry Clay Peek was John Deere’s nephew

By OTTO DICK

Captain Henry Clay Peek lived in Ogle County from 1838 until his death. He was born in Windsor County, Vermont, Oct. 12, 1837.

Yes, he was 1 year old when his parents moved from Vermont to Ogle County. His parents were John and Lucretia Lamb Peek. The Peek family came here with John Deere and his family. Mrs. Deere and Mrs. Peek were sisters.

Henry Clay’s father, John, cleared and improved a farm located north of Woosung and, of course, the Deere family settled in Grand Detour. The Peek home was located on what is now Peek Home Road. Land for the Peek Children’s Home was donated by John’s Father, John Peek.

Capt. Peek worked on his father’s farm until 1861, when he went to Ottawa to enlist in the Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry in the Civil War. He served in that regiment for 12 months and then entered the First Alabama Cavalry (Union) to become captain of a company composed of southerners.

Most of the members of Captain Peek’s Company were mountaineers who performed excellent service fighting in the Union Army. The volunteers from northern Alabama lived on small farms with few slaves. Slavery in Ala-

bama existed on the larger farms in central and southern Alabama, which relied upon slaves to raise cotton.

During a two-week furlough, Henry married Adeline Chaseon on Nov. 18, 1864.

After the war, he engaged in the grain and livestock business in Polo until 1874 when he was elected sheriff of Ogle County and moved to Oregon.

He also was a member of the Ogle County Bank and a member of the Board of Directors of the Ogle County Bank.

In 1892, Capt. Peek was chairman of the Committee of Public Buildings when the courthouse was built. He lived at 700 W. Washington St., now the Tom and Lisa Gale home.

The Henry Clay tombstone located

in the Riverside Cemetery reads, (Henry Clay Peek – 1837-1924 – Capt. CO. D 1st Ala. Vol.).

I did not realize a Union Soldier who was captain of a Union Company in Alabama was buried in Riverside Cemetery.

• Otto Dick is a retired teacher and has researched Ogle County history for several years.

Photo provided by Otto Dick

Captain Henry Clay Peek lived at 700 W. Washington St. in Oregon. Peek was John Deere’s nephew.

April 4 hailstorm damages homes, autos in Oregon

By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com

The April 4 hailstorm that hit portions of Ogle County left a trail of damage on roofs, autos and trees in Oregon.

“We noticed heavier damage, as far as hail, to homes in the north end of town, up by the Fairgrounds subdivision,” said Darin DeHaan, city administrator.

The large hail – measuring close to 2 inches in diameter in some instances – hit the area about 12:15 p.m. and lasted for about four minutes, stripping bark from tree branches, denting cars and overflowing gutter systems on homes.

The hail created rivers along some streets as catch basins clogged, leaving piles of hail along the curb and at some intersections.

“The street department had just taken the snow plows off the trucks so when I called them to clear the streets they had to come out with an end loader,” DeHaan said.

The hail didn’t discriminate, damaging police cars and public buildings in its wake.

“We had two squad cars with hail damage and my work vehicle was also damaged,” DeHaan said. “We have damage on two of the roofs on our well buildings and some other outbuildings.”

Bill Covell, the city’s director of public works, praised his crews for their quick response to the storm.

“It was a crazy storm,” he told the Oregon City Council on Tuesday. “My guys pushed through and got the streets cleared.”

Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle said his

department had about 23 squad cars damaged by hail.

“We had water in four different buildings, but there was no damage,” VanVickle said.

The storm also brought a “flood” of contractors to town with some going door-to-door offering free hail damage estimates.

Solicitors are supposed to register at city hall before approaching residents, DeHaan said.

“We only had four contractors who actually went through the solicitation permit processing,” DeHaan said Tuesday. “And we’ve had reports of others going to people’s doors even though they have a ‘no

solicitation’ sign on their door.”

DeHaan said the city does not recommend contractors even those who go through the permitting process. Instead, DeHaan encourages residents to fully research any contractor.

“This is just a permitting process and bond issue with the city,” DeHaan said. “We don’t guarantee anyone’s work. We are telling residents to ask for references and see if anyone else has used a particular contractor to see what they say about their work.

“People need to make sure they will be getting what they need,” he said. “The biggest thing is to be careful.”

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

TOP LEFT: Heavy rain followed by a large hailstorm hit Oregon on April 4 jamming waterways like this one located along Illinois 64 north of town. TOP RIGHT: The large hail stones covered grass in yards in Oregon.

Segment of Ill. 2 down to 1 lane for bridge work

Construction on an Illinois 2 bridge over a drainage ditch south of Oregon has started.

Work on the bridge, located two miles north of Grand Detour, includes replacing expansion joints and installing a concrete overlay, the Illinois Department of Transportation said in a news release.

Traffic has been reduced to one lane with a barrier wall and controlled by traffic signals in the work zone. The project is expected to be completed by July 20.

“Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. To avoid the work area, when feasible, use of alternate routes should be considered. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment,” the news release said.

OBITUARY

LEONA KAY BEYER

Born: July 18, 1944 in Freeport, IL

Died: April 5, 2023 in Freeport, IL

Leona Kay Beyer, 78, of Forreston, passed away, Wednesday April 5, 2023 at Parkview Home. Leona was born July 18, 1944, in Freeport, the daughter of Walter and Lucile (Webner) Hoch. Leona married Edwin

L. Beyer on January 18, 1975 in Freeport. Mr. Beyer passed away August 3, 2010. She and her husband, farmed around the Forreston area for many years. Leona was a member of

German Valley United Methodist Church. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed baking. Surviving are her son, Kenneth (Charlotte) Beyer of Libertyville; stepson, Carlton (Vickie) Beyer of Shannon; two stepdaughters, Rebecca (Randy) Beyer and Bonnie Stanger both of Freeport; and one granddaughter, Lucille Beyer. Leona was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sisters, and stepdaughter, Rose Gray. Funeral services were 11:00am Monday April 10, 2023 at German Valley United Methodist Church. Rev. Gavin Brandt will officiate. Visitation was 9:30am until the time of service at the church. Due to family health concerns, the family asked that masks were to be worn. Burial was in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Illinois 2 between Oregon and Grand Detour is down to one lane as the Illinois Department of Transportation works on replacing a bridge over a drainage ditch.

Alexa Zoellner/Shaw Media

Mt. Morris Village Board incumbent Trustee Melissa Rojas, left, speaks during the March 23 Candidates Night at Pinecrest Grove hosted by the Mt. Morris Economic Development Group. Rojas, along with Morgan McConnell, right, were elected to the board along with Mike Fay and Chris Kolling. McConnell’s name was inadvertently left off the photo caption when this picture ran in the March 31 edition.

Alexa Zoellner/Shaw Media

Dashad Howard, 9, front, participates in a sensory sensitive Easter egg hunt in Forreston’s Memorial Park on April 8. Behind Dashad, his aunt, Alyssa Vinnedge, points his brother, Antwon Howard, 7, toward more prizes. The sensory sensitive egg hunt was new this year.

Alexa Zoellner/Shaw Media

Timothy Pratt, 3, of Leaf River, places an egg in his bucket during an Easter egg hunt in the park outside the Bertolet Building on April 8. The Leaf River Lions Club hosted a Breakfast with Bunny and the Easter egg hunt.

Alexa Zoellner/Shaw Media

Ben Modlinger, of Forreston, takes a selfie with his 5-year-old son Joey Modlinger while in a Challenger MT755E agricultural crawler tractor during a Touch-A-Truck event hosted by the Forreston Lions Club and the Forreston Area Business Association.

Alexa Zoellner/Shaw Media

Riley Lawson, 3, takes a big bite of breakfast while sitting on the lap of Tiffany Lawson, of Dixon, during the Leaf River Lions Club’s Breakfast with Bunny on April 8 in the Bertolet Building. An Easter egg hunt followed the breakfast.

Serenity Hospice in Oregon launching third Angel Treasures location on North Galena in Dixon

By KATHLEEN A. SCHULTZ kschultz@shawmedia.com

Serenity Hospice and Home in Oregon is opening its third resale shop, Angel Treasures III, at 847 N. Galena Ave.

Remodeling is done, new signage, a canopy and fixtures are on the way, and as soon as the racks are installed, staff will begin filling the store with a mix of clothing and accessories, housewares and books, and antiques and collectibles, Serenity CEO Lynn Knodle said.

Knodle is hoping for a May 1 opening in the leased space next to Jimmy John’s, which was occupied by optometrist Darrin G. Vits’ Discount Eyewear.

Serenity already has two Angel Treasures shops, one in downtown Winnebago, which opened in October 2016, and the original store, which opened in Oregon in 2001. It moved to

SPECIAL EVENTS

PAG’s ‘An Evening Around the Radio’ set for April 21-23 in Mt. Morris

through Saturday at 201 State Route 64.

It can be reached at 815-734-0504.

The Winnebago store, Angel Treasures II, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at 126 Benton St. It can be reached at 815-335-2292.

Both accept donations from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Angel Treasures III will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For now, it will accept donations daily, Knodle said.

Angel Treasures III is

shop is slated to open May 1 on North Galena Avenue, if all goes as planned, Serenity Hospice and Home CEO Lynn Knodle said.

4045 State Route 64 in Mt Morris, then moved in August 2016 to bigger digs up the road to 201 State Route 64.

All resale proceeds benefit the hos-

pice at 1658 S. State Route 2. Get your shop on Angel Treasures in Mt. Morris is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday

Kelly Houston, Hannah Sheely, Julie Spaine, Ethan Sheely, April Bold, Dennis Cheatwood, Eleanor Guinn and Emily Borgman, with Renae Taylor as the Foley.

The play is directed by David Sheely and Trudy Whalen. Karen Urish is the producer.

Perennial plant sale in Polo is May 6

The Polo Woman’s Garden Club will host its annual perennial plant sale on Saturday, May 6, starting at 8 a.m. at the Polo Community High School AG Department, located behind the school, 100 S. Union Ave.

This sale will be the same day as the opening of the Polo FFA Greenhouse.

Clothing, accessories, housewares, furniture, toys, jewelry, glassware, dishes, collectibles, seasonal items, movies and music are accepted; baby seats, cribs, mattresses, large appliances, TVs, computers, microwaves and encyclopedias are not.

Go to serenityhospiceandhome.org or find them on Facebook to learn more.

The Performing Arts Guild of Mt. Morris will present “An Evening Around the Radio” Friday through Sunday, April 21-23 at the Pinecrest Grove Theatre, 500 Evergreen Lane, Mt. Morris.

The audience will be entertained with the following radio plays: Burns & Allen - Easter Hat War Council; Abbott & Costello - Who’s on First; Father Knows Best - Aunt Martha and the Ball Game; My Friend Irma - The Boss Buys a Race Horse; and Little Orphan Annie - Annie’s Big Surprise Party.

The performances on Friday and Saturday will have evening shows at 7 p.m. and the Sunday matinee will be at 2 p.m. General admission tickets are $12, with students and seniors (65 and older) at $10. Reservations are suggested.

For information or to order tickets, call 815-734-2103 or order online at www.performingartsguild.com.

Cast members are Dylan Stormont, Montana Larson, Mary Mead Cantrell, Gerald Sheely, Priscilla Osborne, Jeff Bold, Mary Cheatwood, Larry Ubben, Norah Coutts, Dave Sheely,

All plants are dug from local gardens, so they are “proven winners.” There also will be three raffles the day of the sale. This year, the club is raffling two Ace Steel Red Wheelbarrows (one generously donated by Ace Hardware-Dixon) each filled with a reusable lawn bag with handles overflowing with beautiful garden related items.

The wheelbarrows are displayed at the Blackhawk Area Credit Union and Polo Pharmacy. The third raffle item is a $25 gift certificate from Merlins Greenhouse in Oregon.

Tickets will be sold at each location, through a PWGC member, or at the sale ($1 each or 6 for $5). You do not need to be present to win, and your ticket may win any one of the raffle items offered.

Proceeds from the sale will be used for the advancement of gardening, city beautification, programs to stimulate an interest in co-operative gardening among amateurs, and to aid in the protection of forest, wildflowers, birds and all pollinators.

If you have perennials, house plants or a garden related item that you would like to donate for the sale, please call

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

coming to Dixon. The resale

Beth Green at 815-299-1416 or Diane Kuhns at 432-4139291.

Photo provided by Pam Ballard Larry Ubben, Dylan Stormont, Julie Spaine, Gerald Sheely, Ethan Sheely, Eleanor Guinn, Emily Borgmann, Norah Coutts, Dennis Cheatwood and Mary Cheatwood rehearse a scene.

Photo provided by Cheryl Galor Polo city officials, members of the General Federation of Women’s Club Illinois Polo Women’s Club and Shining Star Children’s Advocacy Center representatives pose for a photo April 3 after planting pinwheels in Paul’s Park in observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Left to right are Louise Hall, of the Polo Women’s Club; Jessica Cash, Kindra Plett and Tracy Greenwalt, of Shining Star Children’s Advocacy Center; Polo Mayor Doug Knapp; Sheila Dean and Pat Kuhn, of the Polo Women’s Club; and Polo Police’s Troy Randall.

Nash Recreation Center pool repairs underway

By ALEXA ZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com

Nash Recreation Center pool repair work is underway a week later than expected.

The pool is closed during April for the repairs, which include removal and reconditioning of the coping stones and addressing leaking in the pool trough.

Contractors arrived April 10 and started removing the coping stone, OPD Superintendent of Parks and

Facilities Andy Egyed said during the April 11 OPD Board of Commissioners meeting.

“As of about 3:30 today [April 11], they were about half done removing the coping stone,” he said. “They said that’ll be about a four-day job just to remove the stone. Then they’ll get in there and do what they have to do to clean up the trough and sealant and caulk the cracks.”

Egyed said the hope is repairs will remain on schedule to be completed by April 23 so that there’s time to get the

pool filled up and the temperature and chemicals regulated. If all goes well, they’ll be ready to reopen May 1, he said.

Nash Recreation Center passholders who will not use the facility during the pool closure can turn their passes in to the front counter to extend their passes for 30 days, according to a news release from OPD.

For questions or more information, call the Nash Recreation Center at 815732-3101.

In other business, it was noted that

new OPD Board of Commissioner members will be sworn in and seated during the May 9 meeting.

“New board members are not seated until the May meeting, and that is mainly because the county clerk’s office has not certified the vote,” OPD Executive Director Erin Folk said. “Once they’ve certified the vote, then we will be able to install the new board in the May meeting.”

Certification usually takes about two weeks, she said.

2023 4-H Penny Carnival winners are announced

By JODI BAUMGARTNER Program coordinator, 4-H Youth Development

The Ogle County 4-H Federation hosted its annual 4-H Penny Carnival at the Blackhawk Center in Oregon on March 18. Penny Carnival is much like a fun fair, but features games dreamed up and designed by the 4-H clubs in the county. Eleven of the counties’ 12 clubs participated, dreaming up 12 games, based on the theme “4-H Family Game Night” and encouraging the development of a wide range of game types.

Cash prizes were awarded to two clubs for games determined to be “Most Entertaining,” and two clubs for games determined to be “Most Creative.”

Most Entertaining: Ogle County Clovers 4-H Club, Rochelle (The Sweaty Socks Basketball Game); Carefree 4-H Club, Oregon (Memory Match)

Most Creative: Summerhill Huskies, Forreston (Shoot the Can); Blackhawk Crossings 4-H Club, Oregon/Mt. Morris (Hungry Hippo)

Proceeds from the night will be divided equally among participating clubs. Many thanks to the hundreds of Ogle County families who attended!

4-H is an informal youth education program conducted by University of Illinois Extension.

For more information, call Ogle County Extension at 815-732-2191 or visit Ogle County 4-H online at https:// extension.illinois.edu/bdo.

Forreston FFA greenhouse to open for business April 29

Forreston FFA and high school agriculture students once again will offer plants for purchase from their greenhouse.

“This year the program will offer multiple new plants, familiar old favorites, as well as an increased number of vegetables available. Over 300 beautiful hanging baskets will be available, including the mega hanging basket option,” said Kelley Parks, Forreston High School Agriculture Teacher and FFA adviser.

The greenhouse will hold its opening day on Saturday, April 29, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Plants will be sold from the greenhouse, located on the southwest corner behind the Forreston Junior/ Senior High School property by the bus garage.

The greenhouse will be open:

April

• Saturday, April 29 - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

May

• Tuesday, May 2, 3 - 5:30 p.m.

• Friday, May 5, 3 - 5:30 p.m.

• Saturday, May 6, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

• Tuesday, May 9, 3 - 5:30 p.m.

• Friday, May 12, 3 - 5:30 p.m.

• Saturday, May 13, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

• Tuesday, May 16, 3 - 5:30 p.m.

• Friday, May 19, 3 - 5:30 p.m.

• Saturday, May 20, 3 - 5:30 p.m.

Dates are subject to change because of weather or supply.

“We have partnered with Koeller Forreston Hardware who will have our plants available as well,” Parks said.

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media Wyatt Frewin, 6, of Oregon, tosses a sock into a cardboard washer at the 4-H Penny Carnival on March 18. This game was provided by the Ogle County Clovers 4-H Club

Photo provided Forreston FFA agriculture classes soon will have their annual plant sale at the school greenhouse located on the southwest corner of the Forreston Junior/Senior High School property by the bus garage.

SPORTS ROUNDUP

Softball

Forreston 5, Amboy 4: The Cardinals took the lead with a two-run third inning, then regained the lead with a three-run fifth to beat the Clippers.

Rylee Broshous had two hits and Brooke Boettner had two RBIs for Forreston. Broshous hit a double and scored two runs.

Aubrey Sanders earned the complete-game win, allowing two hits and four runs and striking out 14 with one walk.

Oregon 15, Rockford Lutheran 0 (3 inn.): Emma Schlitchtmann struck out four and walked two in a no-hitter, and Ava Hackman and Reilee Suter had big games at the plate to lift the Hawks past the Crusaders.

Hackman went 2 for 3 with four RBIs, including a three-run home run, and Suter went 3 for 3 with five RBIs as Oregon improved to 6-1 overall and 3-0 in the Big Northern Conference. Sarah Stevens added two RBIs, Gracen Pitts hit a triple, and Ella Dannhorn scored three runs for the Hawks.

Forreston sweeps Polo in doubleheader:

The Cardinals beat the Marcos 14-2 and 14-3 in an NUIC South doubleheader in Polo.

In Game 1, Rylee Broshous went 4 for 4 with two RBIs, Alaina Miller went 3 for 4 with three RBIs, and Hailey Greenfield went 2 for 2 with a walk and three RBIs to lead Forreston. Miller and Broshous each scored three runs. Aubrey Sanders earned the complete-game win, allowing two runs and six hits, striking out eight and walking three.

Cheyenna Wilkins hit a home run for Polo.

In Game 2, Miller went 4 for 4 with two RBIs, and Brooke Boettner went 3 for 4 with three RBIs. Miller scored three runs and Boettner scored two. Miller earned the complete-game win, allowing three runs and four hits, striking out four and walking two.

Wilkins hit a double for the Marcos. Oregon 17, Eastland 3 (5 inn.): Ava Hackman struck out nine Cougars in three innings in the circle to lead the Hawks to a nonconference win at Oregon Park West.

Ella Dannhorn had three hits, stole three bases and scored three runs for Oregon (7-1),

and Hackman added two hits and two RBIs. Emma Schlichtmann had four strikeouts in two innings of relief.

Winnebago 7, Forreston 6: The Cardinals gave up four unearned runs in the bottom of the seventh inning in a nonconference loss in the second game of the Indians’ split doubleheader.

Rylee Broshous singled, homered, scored twice and drove in a pair of runs for Forreston (8-2), and Alaina Miller had two singles and scored two runs. Brooke Boettner and Aubrey Sanders both doubled for the Cardinals.

Sanders allowed seven runs (three earned) and nine hits in 6 1/3 innings, striking out six and walking five. Miller gave up one hit in relief.

Stillman Valley 12, Oregon 9: Reilee Suter went 4 for 4 and scored three runs, and Ella Dannhorn and Ava Hackman each hit a home run for the Hawks, but it wasn’t enough to

See SPORTS ROUNDUP, Page 13

It’s time to put a wrap on basketball for the year SPORTS COLUMN

Since a previous column was mostly about men’s college basketball, let’s give the women their due. Everyone else is and it is a refreshing change.

The 2023 NCAA tournament was significant for the women because it was the first time ever that its Final Four garnered more interest than the men’s.

Nobody really cared about seeing Connecticut win the men’s title, but Iowa’s semifinal upset win over undefeated South Caroline and loss to LSU in the women’s championship game really moved the needle.

Championship game TV ratings were up 103 percent for the women and down 15 percent for the men, though the earlier rounds of the men’s event surpassed the women for general interest.

It’s all about the drama.

Leading up to the Final Four, the men had twists, turns and upsets galore. Once the overhyped semis and championship games began, the suspense was gone.

While in the northwoods of Wisconsin last week, I even forgot the Connecticut-San Diego St. final was being played. I’ll blame that on apathy instead of old-age forgetfulness.

However, I was curious how one of our local Big 10 teams in Iowa and its star player Caitlin Clark would fare in the women’s event. It was akin to

GUEST VIEW

Andy Colbert

Larry Bird bursting onto the scene for men’s college ball in 1979.

Indeed, Clark’s play and court theatrics are similar to Bird, though she is much more vocal. Against LSU, Clark was upstaged by a team whose coach and players wore their hearts on their sleeves.

Emotion permeated the title game in front of 20,000 fans at Dallas and the largest television audience ever for a women’s college game. It was dullsville in Houston, where the men played in a cavernous indoor football stadium.

As a native of Iowa City, some of my formative years were spent there and I remember the fascination with girls high school basketball.

It was more popular than the boys, sometimes drawing 15,000 for the title game in Des Moines. The girls state tourney was a big-time event that also featured old-school halftime entertainment.

What was really unique about Iowa girls basketball was that it was played 6-on-6, with only guards and forwards.

With hardly any other states offering girls basketball, this was a bid deal to Iowans.

The three guards had to stay in the back court and the three forwards in the front court. Basically, you played only offense or defense and could not cross the center court line.

That’s how it was when Iowa contested its first state championship in 1920 and continued that way even 20 years after Title IX was passed in 1972. Once other states all over the country began playing the universal 5-on-5 game, the popularity for Iowa 6-on-6 basketball began to wane, as did scholarship opportunities for its players, eventually putting an end to a treasured Iowa tradition.

Speaking of ending traditions, the IHSA quietly shut down the 3-point competition and hardly a squeak was heard. In listening to IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson being interviewed by Jeff Leon of WRHL recently, Anderson said schools were somewhat relieved there would be no more 3-point competitions.

Many schools felt hosting a postseason event was enough of a chore without facilitating a 3-point contest. How true, especially when a high-stakes sectional game on tap. The last thing you want is something interfering with the main event.

But to all of you 3-point contestants over the years (1997-2022) and “King

and Queen of the Hill” winners, it was a good run and a lot of fun was had.

Speaking of the state tournament, the pep band from Wheaton St. Francis got rave reviews for its performance at the boys tourney. They do it all with a variety of instruments and musical genres.

Live entertainment at high school games is so much better than piped-in music at pro games.

Let’s close with a gripe on the professional basketball front and one that applies to every other major pro sports league.

There are 133 NBA players with salaries in excess of $10,000,000 a year. The owners of these teams have a property values at an average of $2.7 billion.

With that kind of fabulous wealth, why do politicians continue to give away our tax dollars to fund new sporting venues for them? Biased studies claim that having a professional sports team pays off in revenue it brings into a taxing district.

Perceived economic justification can easily confuse politicians and it’s a shame they cave into these demands rather than saying NO to them.

• Andy Colbert, an avid runner, has been a sports writer for Shaw Media and has covered high school sports in Ogle County for more than 30 years.

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media Polo’s Katelyn Rockwood gets ready to throw during an April 6 game against Forreston.

• SPORTS ROUNDUP

Continued from Page 12

compensate for a rough defensive outing against the Cardinals.

Gracen Pitts added two hits and two RBIs for Oregon.

Oregon splits road doubleheader versus Lena-Winslow: The Hawks fell to the Panthers 8-6 in Game 1, then bounced back with a 5-2 win in Game 2.

Abi Rogers, Ella Dannhorn, Sarah Stevens and Ava Hackman had two hits apiece to lead Oregon in Game 1.

Reilee Suter and Gracen Pitts were the leading hitters in Game 2, racking up two hits and two RBIs each.

Emma Schlichtmann got the complete-game win in the second game, allowing six hits and two runs and striking out six with one walk.

Baseball

Dixon 12, Oregon 2: The Dukes jumped ahead with a two-run first inning, then pulled away with a six-run third in the Big Northern Conference win over the Hawks.

Aiden Wiseman went 3 for 3 with two RBIs, while James Leslie and Alex Harrison each went 2 for 4 for Dixon. Leslie had four RBIs and Harrison had two. Ari Selmani and Quade Richards scored three runs each for the Dukes.

Leslie pitched five innings to earn the win, allowing five hits and two runs, striking out four and walking three.

Logan Weems had two hits to lead Oregon. Josh Crandall and Kyler Early drove in its runs.

Polo 7, Milledgeville 5: The Missiles took a 4-2 lead with a four-run fourth inning, but the Marcos came storming back, plating five runs in the seventh to win the NUIC contest.

Dawson Foster went 2 for 4 with four RBIs, including a triple to lead Polo.

Nolan Hahn pitched six innings for the Marcos, allowing five hits and four ones (one earned).

Forreston 9, Amboy 8: The Cardinals trailed the Clippers 7-4 after three innings but took the lead for good with a five-run fourth.

Owen Greenfield went 3 for 5 with two

RBIs, and Kendall Erdman went 2 for 3 with two RBIs to lead Forreston. Brendan Greenfield and Patrick Wichman added two hits apiece.

Landon Whelchel, Brody Christofferson, Landon Montavon and Jackson Rogers had

two hits apiece for Amboy. Montavon had four RBIs, with a home run and a double.

Tucker Lindenmeyer pitched four scoreless innings for the Clippers, allowing three hits and striking out seven with one walk.

Alex Milnes threw three scoreless innings for the Cardinals, allowing one hit and striking out one batter without a walk.

Forreston sweeps Polo in doubleheader: The Cardinals beat the Marcos 14-1 and 12-2 in an NUIC South doubleheader in Polo.

In Game 1, Alec Schoonhoven went 3 for 4 with three RBIs, Patrick Wichman went 3 for 3 and scored four runs, Kendall Erdmann went 2 for 4 with three RBIs, and Ayden Book added three RBIs for the Cardinals. Erdman and Schoonhoven each hit a double. Owen Greenfield pitched four innings for Forreston, allowing two hits and one run, striking out five and walking three, and Erdmann pitched the final inning, striking out two and walking one without allowing a hit.

Nolan Hahn and Scott Robertson had one hit each to lead Polo in the opener, and Carter Merdian scored the only run.

In Game 2, Schoonhoven and Brendan Greenfield had two RBIs apiece to lead Forreston. Greenfield and Erdmann led the team with two hits each. Schoonhoven also pitched three innings, allowing one hit and two unearned runs, striking out four and

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Polo’s Billy Lowry slides safely into second base as Forreston’s Kendall Erdmann lays down the tag during an April 6 game in Polo.

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Forreston’s Aubrey Sanders winds up to throw a pitch against Polo on April 6.

See SPORTS ROUNDUP, Page 14

Continued from Page 13

walking three. Carson Akins threw two scoreless innings for the Cardinals with one hit, one strikeout and no walks.

Nolan Hahn drove in both Polo runs in the nightcap.

Oregon 12, Lanphier 0 (5 inn.): The Hawks scored in every inning and cruised to a run-rule victory over Springfield Lanphier at the Riverton tournament. Gavin Morrow had two hits and three RBIs, Logan Weems singled, doubled, drove in two runs and scored twice, and Kade Girton added a pair of RBIs for Oregon. Keaton Salsbury and Miley Smith both singled, doubled and drove in a run, and Josh Crandall also had an RBI. Jack Washburn added a double at the plate, and he also struck out 10 without a walk in a four-hit shutout.

Soccer

Oregon 1, Stillman Valley 0: Kenna Wubbena scored the winning goal in overtime with an assist from Alyssa Mowry. Sarah Eckardt recorded 16 saves and got her third shutout of the season as the Hawks improved to 3-0.

Oregon 2, Winnebago 1: Anna Stender and Kenna Wubbena scored goals with assists from Alyssa Mowry and Jazmyne Swope, as the Hawks improved to 4-1-1 overall and 2-0 in the Big Northern Conference. Sarah Eckardt made 10 saves for Oregon.

Oregon 1, Hinckley-Big Rock 1: Olivia Wynn scored a goal with an assist from Alyssa Mowry to help the Hawks tie the Royals in a nonconference game at Oregon Park West.

Girls track and field

Forreston-Polo 152, G/ED/RR 102, West Carroll 55: The Cardinals won a three-team meet at home, winning seven events and taking second in seven more to top Galena/ East Dubuque/River Ridge and the Thunder.

Letrese Buisker won the 300 hurdles (55.43 seconds) and the high jump (5 feet, 2 inches), and took second in the 100 hurdles (19.20 seconds) behind teammate Courtney Grobe, who won in 18.82 seconds. Grobe took second to Buisker in the 300 hurdles (55.99). Buisker also teamed with Elsa Monaco, Ennen Ferris and Autum Pritchard to win the 4x100 (55.42), while Monaco, Hannah Harvey, Ramsie Grenoble and Courtney Davis won the 4x200 (2:06.79) for Forreston-Polo.

Alayna Young (30-8) and Sydni Badertscher (30-6) went 1-2 in the shot put, and Badertscher also won the discus (98-9) for the Cardinals. Ferris was second in the high jump (4-10), Monaco took second in the long jump (3.91 meters), Bekah Zeigler placed

second in the triple jump (8.62 meters), and Kayla Lamm was runner-up in the 800 (3:14.81).

Forreston meet: Forreston-Polo won the three-team girls track and field meet with 96 points, while Oregon finished second with 93 and Stockton finished third with 37.

Forreston-Polo’s Autum Pritchard won the 100 meters in 13.52 seconds and the 400 meters in 1:03.70.

F-P’s 4x100 relay of Elsa Monaco, Ennen Ferris, Letrese Buisker and Pritchard won in 54.78, and its 4x200 relay of Monaco, Courtney Davis, Ramsie Grenoble and Hannah Harvey won in 2:04.60.

Buisker won the 300-meter hurdles in 54.37 and topped the field in the high jump, clearing 5 feet.

F-P’s Sydni Badertscher won the discus, recording a toss of 29.25 meters, while

teammates Alayna Young won the shot put (29 feet, 5.5 inches) and Monaco won the 200 meters (29.54 seconds).

Oregon’s Ellen Hodson won the 800 meters in 2:50.49 and the 1,600 meters in 7:08.96. Rylie Robertson won the 100-meter hurdles in 18.19, Hadley Lutz jumped 5.15 meters to win the long jump, and Ava Wight jumped 31 feet even to win the triple jump for the Hawks. Oregon’s 4x800 relay of Jennica Ciesiel, Hodson, Addison Rufer and Marin Sand won in 12:25.86, and its 4x400 relay of Miranda Ciesiel, Jennica Ciesiel, Rufer and Skylar Bishop won in 4:41.54.

Gebhardt-Worley Invitational: Erie-Prophetstown took second with 121 points, Oregon finished third with 89, and Forreston-Polo secured sixth with 50 at the 11-team invite.

The Hawks produced two individual champions on the day – Hadley Lutz was the long jump champ with a jump of 4.95 meters, and Sonya Plescia was the pole vault champ, clearing 2.74 meters.

Oregon nabbed the second and third spots in the 100-meter hurdles as Sophia Stender ran a 17.72 and Rylie Robertson ran an 18:57. Robertson took third in the 300-meter hurdles with a 55.52.

Ellen Hodson took second in the 800 meters with a 2:42.72, Ava Wight finished third in the triple jump with a leap of 9.64 meters, and Skylar Bishop finished fifth in the 400 with a 1:07.03 for the third-place Hawks.

In the 4x800 relay, Oregon’s Jennica Ciesiel, Hodson, Daleanah Koertner and Lutz ran an 11:35.57 for second.

In the 4x400, Oregon’s Piescia, Grace Tremble, Bishop and Miranda Ciesiel ran a 4:30.85 for second.

F-P’s Autum Pritchard won the 400 meters in 1:04.82, while teammate Letrese Buisker took third in the high jump with a leap of 1.50 meters and fifth in the 300 hurdles with a 55.93. F-P’s Sydni Badertscher took second in the discus with a toss of 33.98.

In the 4x800, F-P’s Courtney Grobe, Hannah Harvey, Kyla Lamm and Jayleigh Newill clocked a 12:02.00 for third.

Boys track and field

Cardinals third at home: Forreston-Polo finished with 91 points to finish behind Galena-East Dubuque-River Ridge (108) and Lena-Winslow (100), but ahead of West Carroll (38) and Pearl City (12) in a five-team meet in Forreston.

Michael Taylor won the 100 (11.70 seconds) and the high jump (6 feet) for the Cardinals, and also teamed with Delo Fernandez, Noah Dewey and McKeon Crase to take the 4x200 (1:36.29). Jace Engbert won the long jump (5.45 meters) and joined Brock Soltow, Peyton Crase and Avery Grenoble to take second in the 4x100 (46.93 seconds).

See SPORTS ROUNDUP, Page 15

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Oregon’s Alyssa Mowry (6) and Hinckley Big Rock’s Della Harrod (11) battle for the ball during Monday action at Oregon Park West.

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Forreston’s Alec Schoonhoven pitches against Polo on Thursday, April 6.

Continued from Page 14

McKeon Crase was runner-up in the 100 (11.77 seconds), Lucas Nelson took second in the 110 hurdles (18.16), and Dane Setterstrom was second in the 300 hurdles (46.75) for Forreston-Polo. Setterstrom, Payton Encheff, Micah Nelson and Carson Jones ran to second in the 4x400 (3:52.74).

Gebhardt-Worley Invitational: The Dixon boys track and field team reigned supreme at the 12-team Gebhardt-Worley Invitational, scoring 129 points to win the team championship.

The Forreston-Polo co-op finished fifth with 73, Erie-Prophetstown took sixth with 70, and host Oregon nabbed eighth with 33. Guilford was the runner-up with 107.

Oregon’s Trevor Burkhardt took third in the 400 meters, running a 55.69, and teammate Evan James was fifth in discus with a throw of 35.87.

F-P’s Brock Soltow finished first in the 400, running a 54.84, while teammate McKeon Crase took second in the 100 meters in 11.42 seconds, and second in the long jump with a leap of 6.1 meters. Michael Taylor cleared 1.88 as the high jump champ, and he finished fourth in the 100 in 11.49 for F-P. In the 4x800, F-P’s Micah Nelson, Carson Jones, Payton Encheff and Ben Plachno clocked an 8:50.16 for second.

In the 4x200, De’Angelo Fernandez, Noah Dewey, Taylor and Crase ran a 1:34.57 for third. Lucas Nelson was fifth in the 110 hurdles, running a 17.71.

HERE BANK

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Oregon’s Brenna Heitter (4) and Hinckley Big Rock’s Katelyn Curtis (20) fight for the ball during a Monday, April 10, game at Oregon Park West.

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Polo’s Karlea Frey zeroes in on home plate as she pitches against Forreston on April 6.

Man killed after being thrown from vehicle in April 6 crash

By ALEXA ZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com

A 26-year-old man was killed in an April 6 crash just north of Rochelle.

Craig Larson Jr., of Kings, was thrown from his vehicle during the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to an Ogle County

PROPERTY TRANSFERS

March 31- April 6

Warranty Deeds

Richard J. Bushman to Kayla Lynn Hudson and Jeffrey L. Cholke, 505 S. Franklin Ave., Oregon, $95,500.

Kalie A. Carole to Casey Clark, 705 Clay St., Oregon, $147,000.

Erin L. and Cory D. Folk to Jennifer Lynn Leach, 107 N. 14th St., Oregon, $268,500.

Timothy Bruns and Duane W. Capes to Thomas F. Vrana II, 117 Lake Lida Lane, Rochelle, $25,500.

The late Richard M. Fenton by heirs to Margaret M. Brown, 114 Southview Drive, Rochelle, $0.

Ronald and Anna M. Crossley to David R.

OGLE COUNTY SHERIFF ACTIVITY

Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle reports the following police activity.

April 3

Jose G. Mendoza Cruz, 26, of Chicago, was arrested for driving on a suspended license and possession of stolen property after a traffic stop in the 14000 block of east Illinois Route 64 at 6:24 p.m. Mendoza Cruz also was cited for operating a vehicle with revoked registration. Mendoza Cruz was transported to the Ogle County Jail. The Illinois State Police assisted at the scene.

April 5

Kent Hull, 61, of Kings, was arrested for driving while license revoked after a traffic stop at Rothwell and High roads at around 9:03 a.m. He also was cited for operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Hull was transported to the Ogle County Jail and held in lieu of bond.

April 6

Christopher Reed, 29, of Rochelle, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance (psilocybin mushrooms) and driving while license revoked after a traffic stop near the intersection of Lincoln

Sheriff’s Office news release.

The crash appears to have occurred sometime during the night, according to the release.

About 5:46 a.m., deputies responded to the 4000 block of South Queens Road for a report of a single-vehicle crash, according to the release. Deputies found a heavily damaged gray Pontiac

and Marsha C. Folk, 608 Sunset Drive, Polo, $220,000.

Quit Claim Deeds Sharon K. Miller to John R. Powell, 301 S. Franklin Ave., Polo, $0. Deann M. Irvin to Leslie R. Neuschwanger, 213 N. Jackson Ave., Polo, $20,000. Jason T. and Devon N.L. Stoll to JDSS LLC Series 115, 115 W. Second St., Byron, $0. Trustees Deeds Chicago Title Land Trust Co. Trust 104487 to Mark and Athina Nehrkorn, 3017 N. Silver Ridge Drive, Oregon, $19,900.

Kurz Family Trust, Suzanna Van Dam, Norman O. Kurz and Carol Tetrov Kurz to Anna M. Lane, 203 E. South St., Creston, $0.

G5 off the east side of the roadway in a cornfield.

Larson was traveling north on South Queens Road when his vehicle left the west side of the roadway, according to the release.

The vehicle entered the ditch before returning to the roadway and then traveled about 250 yards off the east

side of the roadway.

The car overturned numerous times before coming to rest upright in the cornfield, according to the release.

Rochelle EMS and the Ogle County Coroner’s Office assisted with the crash, which remains under investigation.

William C. and Mariles K. Davis Trust 981, William C. and Mariles K. Davis, trustees, to Blue Crew LLC, 2506 W. Oregon Trail Road, Oregon, $500,000.

Executors Deed

The late Ronald E. Nissen by executor to Susan L. Nicholas and Robert H. Saddoris, 6067 West Grove Road, Mt. Morris, $176,000.

Ackerman Family Trust 217, Lisa R. and Kevin J. Ackerman, trustees, to Donald E. and Marilyn K. Nelson, 605 E. Buffalo St., Polo, $326,000.

Harlan E. and Dixie L. Rowland Trust 997, Harlan E. Rowland, trustee, to Jennifer Altenbernd, 8660 Sunset Drive, Byron, $250,000.

Sheriff’s Deed

Sheriff of Ogle County to Eric L. Calloway and Lakeview Loan Servicings LLC, 2785 S. state Route 2, Oregon, $0.

Source: Ogle County Recorder’s Office

Highway and 10th Avenue in Rochelle at around 1:06 a.m. He also was cited for driving without headlights/taillights and open container/alcohol. Reed was transported to the Ogle County Jail and held pending a court appearance.

Charlie Suarez, 39, of Rochelle, was arrested for driving while license suspended after a traffic stop for an equipment violation at the intersection of Illinois Route 251 and Big Mound Road at around 3:35 p.m. Suarez also was cited for driving while license suspended, illegal window tint and no valid insurance. Suarez was released on an I-Bond and given a future court date.

April 7

Kaylie Sandoval-Smith, 22, of Holcomb, was arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol after a traffic stop in the 5000 block of north Illinois Route 251 at around 1:58 a.m. She also was cited for failure to signal, disobeying a stop sign and open container/alcohol. Sandoval-Smith was transported to the Ogle County Jail and held in lieu of bond.

Tabatha L. McLaughlin, 47, of Oregon, was arrested for aggravated driving while license revoked, driving while license revoked,

possession of drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of hypodermic syringe after a traffic stop in the 6000 block of south Illinois Route 2 at 4:44 p.m. McLaughlin was transported to the Ogle County Jail and held pending a court appearance.

April 8

Jenny M. Clark, 34, of Rockford, was arrested for driving while license expired for more than one year after a traffic stop in the 8600 block of north Illinois Route 2 at 2:29 p.m. Clark also was cited for operating an uninsured motor vehicle and operating a

motor vehicle with suspended registration. Clark was released on an I-Bond and given a future court date.

Amy M. Welsh, 44, of Dixon, was arrested for three counts of possession of a controlled substance (cocaine, alprazolam and amphetamine/dextroamphetamine), driving while license suspended, improper cannabis container as a driver and an active failure-to-appear warrant after a traffic stop in the 100 block of West Hitt Street in Mt. Morris at around 9:17 p.m. Welsh also was cited for operating a vehicle with suspended registration and operating an uninsured vehicle. Welsh was transported to the Ogle County Jail and held pending a court appearance.

Jose Hernandez, 55, of Rochelle, was arrested for driving while license suspended after a traffic stop at East Fisher Road and East Lincoln Lane in Rochelle at 9:21 p.m. Hernandez was released on a $2,500 I-Bond and given a future court date.

Please note: Any arrests listed are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proved guilty in a court of law.

Man airlifted to hospital after rolling cement truck in Malta

By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com

An Oregon man was airlifted to a Rockford hospital after he suffered serious injuries in a rollover cement truck crash in Malta on Tuesday morning, according to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.

Dale Flanagan, 56, had to be cut out

OREGON POLICE

Oregon Police Chief Joe Brooks reports the following police activity.

April 3

Jenna R. Chronos, 23, of Rockford, was issued a citation at 7:12 a.m. for operating a vehicle with an expired registration. This violation occurred in the 400 block of N. 4th Street.

Rashaun L. Mctizic, 29, of Oregon, was issued a citation at 8:51 p.m. for operating an uninsured motor vehicle. This violation occurred in the 100 block of N. 4th Street.

April 4

Amy L. Sheley, 44, of Sterling, was issued a citation at 9:44 a.m. for operating a vehicle

of a fully loaded 2019 Peterbilt cement truck on Malta Road about 11 a.m. April 11 after his truck rolled onto its driver side, DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office officials said.

“He had serious injuries but I don’t believe they were life-threatening,” Lt. Dave Aranda of the sheriff’s office said.

According to a news release from

with a suspended registration. This violation occurred in the 500 block of Gale Street.

April 6

At 1:56 p.m., police issued a complaint/notice to appear to Joseph T. Kane, 55, Oregon, for violating the city ordinance of allowing debris on a residential lot. This violation occurred in the 200 block of N. Daysville Road.

April 7

Chanica Z. Swanson, 22, of Rockford, was issued a citation at 2:53 p.m. for operating an uninsured motor vehicle. A passenger in Swanson’s vehicle, Hope E. Swanson, 49, of

the sheriff’s office, the crash happened because the vehicle drove over gravel on the road’s shoulder. Police said the gravel road allegedly caused Flanagan to oversteer – when a driver turns the wheel too much while reacting to a sudden loss of grip – into the southbound lane, back onto the gravel shoulder, then cross back over the southbound lane and roll onto its

Rockford, was issued a citation for illegal transportation of alcohol as a passenger. These violations occurred in the 600 block of E. Washington Street.

Christian P. Nguyen, 39, of Cortland, was issued a citation at 5:50 p.m. for operating a vehicle with an expired registration. This violation occurred in the 900 block of W. Washington Street.

Raven S. Kilroy, 22, of Rock Falls, was arrested at 8:41 p.m. for no valid driver’s license and possession of methamphetamine. Kilroy was also issued citations for speeding, 37 mph in a 30 mph zone, and

driver’s side.

Aranda said he received reports that Flanagan was conscious and breathing, but trapped inside the cabin of his truck.

Fire departments from Malta, DeKalb, Sycamore and Rochelle responded to the scene. By the time Aranda had arrived, crews already had freed Flanagan from the truck.

operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Kilroy was transported to the Ogle County Jail. These violations occurred in the 500 block of Gale Street.

April 8

Jeremy D. Roos, 45, of Oregon, was issued a citation at 10:33 p.m. for operating a vehicle with an expired registration. This violation occurred at the intersection of 4th and Washington Streets.

Two parking citations and 15 verbal warnings issued April 3-9.

Please note: Any arrests listed are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proved guilty in a court of law.

Xena International Inc in Polo is urgently hiring!

TANKER DRIVE RS

Full Time 3rd Shift Production Operators

Join our Team ! Grow your career with a World-Class automotive supplier in a fast-paced, opportunity-filled environment! BorgWarner will be accepting applications for the positions of Production Asso ciate on our Third shif t (11:15pm to 7:30am)

Qualifications: High School diploma or GED, pass background check, Functional Agility Assessment which includes lifting 35 lbs in various body postures, fine dexterity and manual handling capabilities, the ability to stand for 8 hours and good visiondistance, close and color Complete a post offer physical, drug and alcohol screening.

We offer a very competitive compensation and outstanding benefits package, including a savings and investment plan with company match. Professional development is supported through a generous educational assistance policy. We are a Tobacco Free Property. Closed Campus break period. Safety Glasses and Safety Shoes are required. No Cell phones are allo wed on the production floor

Overtime is mo stly required on Friday night / Saturday morning. Must have reliable transportation.

ONSI TE JOB FAIR 1 Day O nly!

All wishing to be considered must complete an application and screening process ONSITE at Bo rgWa rner , 1350 Franklin Grove Ro ad, Dixon, IL on Saturday, April 15th, 2023 from 8:30am to 12:30pm No phone calls please.

JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS ESTATE OF JULIE M. DALE-GOWERS

Deceased No. 2023 PR 7

CLAIM NOTICE

Public Notice is hereby given that on March 23, 2023, a certificate was filed in the Ogle County Clerk's Office setting forth the names and post office address of all of the persons owning, conducting and transacting the business known as:

Northern Branches 716 West Fulton Polo, IL 61064

Dated:

March 23, 2023

/s/Laura J. Cook Ogle County Clerk

Mar. 31, Apr. 7, 14, 2023

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS ESTATE OF JULIE M

DALE-GOWERS

Deceased No. 2023 PR 7 CLAIM NOTICE

Notice is given of the death of JULENE “JULIE” M DALE-GOWERS, Ogle County, Illinois. Letters of Office were issued on February 15, 2023 to Jennifer Gowers, Administrator, of 101 W 143RD St #1; NY, NY 10030, whose attorney is Brian Witt, Brian Witt Law; 230 E. Main Street; Suite 102; Morrison, IL 61270.

Claims against the estate may be filed in the office of the Clerk of the Court at the Ogle County Courthouse, 106 South 5th Street, #300, Oregon IL 61061, or with the representative or both, within six months from the date of the first publication of this notice on or before October 20, 2023 and any claim not filed within that period is barred.

Copies of a claim

Notice is given of the death of JULENE “JULIE” M DALE-GOWERS, Ogle County, Illinois. Letters of Office were issued on February 15, 2023 to Jennifer Gowers, Administrator, of 101 W 143RD St #1; NY, NY 10030, whose attorney is Brian Witt, Brian Witt Law; 230 E. Main Street; Suite 102; Morrison, IL 61270. Claims against the estate may be filed in the office of the Clerk of the Court at the Ogle County Courthouse, 106 South 5th Street, #300, Oregon IL 61061, or with the representative or both, within six months from the date of the first publication of this notice on or before October 20, 2023 and any claim not filed within that period is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney within ten days after it has been filed.

Brian Witt, Attorney Brian Witt Law 230 E. Main Street Suite 102 Morrison, IL 61270

April 14, 21, 28, 2023

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT FOR OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOISCHANCERY DIVISION

BANKUNITED N.A., Plaintiff, vs. STEVEN BOELTER; et al., Defendants

Case No.: 2022FC000068

Property Address: 928 MISSOURI DR, DIXON, IL 61021

NOTICE BY PUBLICATION

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO THE FOLLOWING, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS defendants, that this case has been commenced in this Court against you and other defendants, asking for the foreclosure of a certain Mortgage conveying the

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT FOR OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOISCHANCERY DIVISION

BANKUNITED N.A., Plaintiff, vs. STEVEN BOELTER; et al., Defendants

Case No.: 2022FC000068

Property Address: 928 MISSOURI DR, DIXON, IL 61021

NOTICE BY PUBLICATION

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO THE FOLLOWING, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS defendants, that this case has been commenced in this Court against you and other defendants, asking for the foreclosure of a certain Mortgage conveying the premises described as follows, to wit:

THE FOLLOWING REAL PROPERTY, SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF OGLE, STATE OF ILLINOIS, TO-WIT:

PARCEL 1: LOT ONE HUNDRED FORTY-FIVE (145) OF THE NEW LANDING FOR THE DELTA QUEEN, HANNIBAL SECTION, BEING A SUBDIVISION LOCATED IN SECTIONS 5 AND 8 IN TOWNSHIP 22 NORTH, RANGE 10 EAST OF THE FOURTH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN BOOK K OF PLATS, PAGE 62 AND 63 AS DOCUMENT NO. 417896; SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF OGLE AND STATE OF ILLINOIS

PARCEL 2: LOT ONE HUNDRED FORTY-SIX (146) OF THE NEW LANDING FOR THE DELTA QUEEN, HANNIBAL SECTION, BEING A SUBDIVISION LOCATED IN SECTIONS 5 AND 8 IN TOWNSHIP 22 NORTH, RANGE 10 EAST OF THE FOURTH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN BOOK K OF

MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN BOOK K OF PLATS, PAGE 62 AND 63 AS DOCUMENT NO. 417896; SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF OGLE AND STATE OF ILLINOIS PARCEL 2: LOT ONE HUNDRED FORTY-SIX (146) OF THE NEW LANDING FOR THE DELTA QUEEN, HANNIBAL SECTION, BEING A SUBDIVISION LOCATED IN SECTIONS 5 AND 8 IN TOWNSHIP 22 NORTH, RANGE 10 EAST OF THE FOURTH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN BOOK K OF PLATS, PAGE 62 AND 63 AS DOCUMENT NO. 417896; SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF OGLE AND STATE OF ILLINOIS

Commonly known as: 928 MISSOURI DR, DIXON, IL 61021

Names of the titleholders of record: STEVEN BOELTER and CHRISTINA BOELTER.

Date of the Mortgage: September 30, 2019.

Name or names of the mortgagors: STEVEN BOELTER and CHRISTINA BOELTER.

Name of the mortgagee: Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC.

Date and place of recording: October

1, 2019; Office of the Recorder of the Deeds of Ogle County, Illinois.

Identification of recording: Document No. 201905584 NOW THEREFORE, unless you file your answer or otherwise file your appearance in this case, on or before May 15, 2023. A JUDGMENT OR DECREE BY DEFAULT MAY BE TAKEN AGAINST YOU FOR THE RELIEF ASKED IN THE COMPLAINT.

E-filing is now mandatory with limited exceptions

To e-file, you must first create an account with an e-filing service provider Visit http://efile.illinois courts.gov/serviceproviders.htm to learn more and to select a service provider If you need additional help or have trouble e-filing, visit http://illinoiscourts. gov/self-help or talk with your local circuit clerk's of-

NOW THEREFORE, unless you file your answer or otherwise file your appearance in this case, on or before May 15, 2023. A JUDGMENT OR DECREE BY DEFAULT MAY BE TAKEN AGAINST YOU FOR THE RELIEF ASKED IN THE COMPLAINT.

E-filing is now mandatory with limited exceptions

To e-file, you must first create an account with an e-filing service provider Visit http://efile.illinois courts.gov/serviceproviders.htm to learn more and to select a service provider If you need additional help or have trouble e-filing, visit http://illinoiscourts. gov/self-help or talk with your local circuit clerk's office If you cannot e-file, you may be able to get an exemption that allows you to file in-person or by mail. Ask your circuit clerk for more information or visit www.illinoislegal aid.org. For information about defending yourself in a court case (including filing an appearance or fee waiver), or to apply for free legal help, go to www.illinoislegal aid.org You can also ask your local circuit clerk's office for a fee waiver application.

PURSUANT TO THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT, THE PLAINTIFF'S ATTORNEY IS DEEMED TO BE A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE Lender Legal PLLC 2807 Edgewater Drive Orlando, Florida 32804 Tel: (407) 730-4644 Service Emails: mjdiaz@ lenderlegal.com EService@ LenderLegal.com LLS11001-ILBOELTER, STEVEN _s/ Meaghan J. Diaz de Villegas, Esq.__ Meaghan J Diaz de Villegas, Esq. Counsel of Record for Plaintiff ARDC # 6340688 I3217672

April 14, 21, 28, 2023