Mt_Morris_Times-05-06-2022

MT. MORRIS TIMES VOLUME 54 NO. 8 • SERVING THE MT. MORRIS AREA SINCE 1967

Friday, May 6, 2022 • $1.00

NEWS

Innovative Effort

Byron teen nets $36K in funding for social impact innovation project. 3

NEWS

SPRING LAMBS

Motion Denied

Judge rules against lowering the bond for Matthew Plote. /4

Three Injured Three people were injured in a collision at the Lowell Park and Pines intersection. / 15

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media Ewes and their lambs graze in a field south of Mt. Morris. Lambs and calves can be seen in Ogle County fields as the spring season begins.

One section • 20 pages

INDEX Betty’s Column ........ 8 Classifieds .........17-20 Colbert Column ......12

Library News ............ 2 Otto’s Column .......... 6 Property Transfers..14

Sheriff Activity........15 Sports................... 9-13 State Police .............14

DEATHS Published every Friday

by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media

Marion Bachman, Omer Lyle Deets, Page 8

PAG to perform ‘One-Act Play’ at Pinecrest Theatre

Mt. Morris Times / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 6, 2022

MT. MORRIS BEAT

2 MT. MORRIS TIMES MT. MORRIS TIMES oglecountynews.com ShawLocal.com OFFICE 113-115 Peoria Ave. Dixon, IL 61021 SUBSCRIPTIONS $39 in Ogle County, and $52 outside Ogle County. Singlecopy price is $1 To subscribe, make a payment or discuss your delivery, call 1-866-979-1053 Monday-Friday or send an e-mail to subscriptions@ oglecountynews.com.

You also can subscribe online by going to oglecountynews.com and clicking on Subscribe.

CLASSIFIED SALES 815-220-6942 apicco@shawmedia.com OBITUARIES 815-632-2534 phartman@shawmedia.com Deadline for obituaries is 2 p.m. Tuesday for Friday’s edition SEND NEWS news@oglecountynews.com Publisher Jennifer Heintzelman 815-632-2502 jheintzelman@shawmedia.com General Manager Earleen Hinton 815-632-2591 ehinton@shawmedia.com News Alexa Zoellner 815-632-2590 azoellner@shawmedia.com Advertising Sales Patty Bridgeman 815-632-2555 pbridgeman@ shawmedia.com 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.

The MT. MORRIS TIMES (USPS No. 365-440) is published weekly by B.F. Shaw Printing Co., Shaw Media.

Periodical postage paid at Mt. Morris, Illinois.

POSTMASTER Send address changes to MT. MORRIS TIMES, P.O. Box 8, Oregon, IL 61061.

Phone 815-732-6166, ext. 2516.

All rights reserved.

Copyright 2022

The Performing Arts Guide will present “The One-Act Play That Goes Wrong” May 13-15 and May 20-22 at the Pinecrest Grove Theatre.

Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday performances are at 2 p.m.

The play is about a fictitious Cornley University Drama Society that has received a substantial bequest and is putting on a performance of The Mur-

der at Haversham Manor – a

1920s murder mystery play.

During the performance, a play within a play, a plethora of disasters befall the cast, including doors sticking, props falling from the walls, and floors collapsing. Cast members are seen misplacing props, forgetting lines, etc.

For ticket information call 815-734-2103 or order tickets online at performingartsguild. com.

Photo supplied

Zaden VandeSand, Montana Larson, Hannah Sheely, Alexander Cremeans and Dennis Cheatwood rehearse a scene for the upcoming performance.

SENIOR CENTER NEWS Pancake supper at Senior Center

All are welcome for a Pancake Supper Fundraiser at the Mt. Morris Senior Center to raise funds for programs and services for seniors in Mt. Morris and the surrounding communities.

This pancake supper will be in person with to-go options available at the Mt. Morris Senior Center (9 East Front Street) on Friday, May 13 5-7 p.m.

The cost for this meal will be $10 and will include all you can eat pancakes, 1-2 patties of Eickman’s whole-hog sausage, applesauce, and drinks.

The center will also be holding its annual

rummage sale on Friday, May 13. noon-7 p.m. and Saturday, May 14, 8 a.m.-noon. Items can be donated to the rummage sale on or before Wednesday, May 11.

All are welcome to come to shop and enjoy a wonderful meal. If you have any questions, please contact Melissa at 815-734-6335.

Kentucky Derby Fun Have you ever been to the Kentucky Derby?

Would you like to try betting on your favorite horse and dressing up with a fancy hat?

The Mt. Morris Senior Center is hosting the

perfect event for you. On Friday, May 6 at 1 p.m. we will have a Kentucky Derby Party and Dessert Potluck.

So, bring your favorite dessert and put on your fancy hat. This is a free event for everyone in the community.

You will be given money to make your bets with, and the big winner will receive a prize.

Call Melissa at 815-734-6335 if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you!

The Mt. Morris Senior Center is located at 9 East Front Street in Mt. Morris.

from 6-6:45 p.m. Bring a friend and build some fun with Lego bricks! All Children and parents are invited – ages 4 and up. Children under 8 need to bring a parent with them.

Adult Book Club - The May book is Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover. Copies are available at the library. This group will meet in-person at the library on Monday, May 23 at 3:30 p.m.

Display Case Showings - 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 - Explore More Illinois is a cultural pass program that provides discounts at museums, visual and performing arts centers, park districts, and more around the state. Use Explore More Illinois to find fun and educational places to go on a free afternoon or for a little getaway. 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.

Rock River Center - The Rock River Center has a representative in our library the second Thursday of every month. Services provided by Rock River Center are designed to enable older and disabled persons to remain independent,

thereby avoiding costly long-term care. No appointment necessary but, if you want to make an appointment with the Rock River Center you may call 815-732-3252.

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 815-734-4927.

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!

MT. MORRIS LIBRARY Illinois Libraries Present: An Evening with Michelle Zauner Crying in H Mart - Wednesday, May 18, 7 p.m.

CST - Musician and author Michelle Zauner discusses her music career and her beloved bestseller Crying in H Mart. Her memoir about growing up Korean American, losing her mother, and forging her own identity was a New York Times notable book of the year. Best known as a singer and guitarist who creates indie pop under the name Japanese Breakfast, Grammy Award-nominated Zauner has won acclaim from major music outlets around the world.

Visit our website, Facebook, or Instagram for the link to sign up for this memorable event.

Storytime - Wednesdays at 11:15 a.m.

Beautiful Butterflies! This week, 5/11, we will be reading books to gear up for the arrival of butterflies! After learning about mariposas, children will create a craft to take home! Flutter in to hear colorful stories and create a craft at your Mount Morris Public Library!

Newspapers Available - We will now be receiving the Dixon Telegraph daily! We currently have the Ogle County Life, Sauk Valley, and Mt. Morris Times. If you want to keep up with the local news-stop on by!

Lego Club! - Lego night on Thursday, May 19,

Photo provided by Elizabeth Nyamwange

Elizabeth Nyamwange, 16, of Byron, works on a social impact innovation project she is developing called Etana. Etana is a cost-efficient device that enables women in developing countries to create a unique biometric identity without having access to the internet or electricity. Nyamwange has, thus far, been awarded $36,000 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Solv[ED] Youth Innovation Challenge’s three prizes.

Byron teen nets $36K in funding for social impact innovation project

By ALEXA ZOELLNER

azoellner@shawmedia.com

A Byron teen’s efforts to provide millions of women across the world with a way to establish a legally recognized identity hasn’t gone unrewarded.

“Etana is a cost-efficient device that enables women in developing countries to create a unique biometric identity without having access to the internet or electricity,” Elizabeth “Liz” Nyamwange wrote of her project.

Etana takes the place of a national ID, driver’s license or whatever form of identification a country uses, she said.

Nyamwange, 16, has been awarded a total of $36,000 – so far – for Etana through the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Solv[ED] Youth Innovation Challenge’s three prizes.

Solv[ED] is a program within MIT Solve that aims to “inspire and spark a sense of agency” in young people worldwide, said Eliza Berg, lead of Learning and Solv[ED] communities.

It kicked off in May 2021 and is meant to support people age 24 or younger on their social impact journeys, with a focus on education and learning, economic prosperity, sustainability and health, she said.

More than 800 people from 148 countries applied to the Solv[ED] Youth Innovation Challenge, Berg said.

On March 26, Nyamwange was announced as one of 10 Solv[ED] Innovators, a finalist for the HP Girls Save the World prize and a winner of The Pozen Social Innovation prize.

“Honestly, I was really in shock when I first got them [the awards],” she said. “I never thought it would have happened. There were a lot of people saying the idea was cool, but I was never positive it was going to happen. But because I liked the idea and am passionate about it, I was hoping.”

More than 1.1 billion of the 7.8 billion people in the world lack established identities, Nyamwange said. As a result, they cannot own property, vote, receive government services or any money to their name.

“Of the people without identification 63% of them live in lower-middle income economies while 28% live in low income economies,” she wrote.

“Additionally, 45% of women lack a foundational ID compared to 30% of men in low income countries. This reinforces that lack of identification is

See BYRON TEEN, Page 6

FRONTLINE HEROES

Nursing the

back to health

If there’s ever been a time to recognize the amazing work that nurses do, it is now against the backdrop of a global pandemic that has lasted for more than two years. Today, and every day, we thank you for all you do to help “nurse the world back to health”!

100 E LeFevre Road, Sterling, IL (815) 625-0400 • www.cghmc.com

OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 6, 2022

N AT I O N A L N U R S E S W E E K 2 0 2 2

3

Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 6, 2022

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

4

Judge denies bond reduction for man charged with killing Mt. Morris woman and unborn baby

By EARLEEN HINTON and ALEXA ZOELLNER

ehinton@oglecountynews.com azoellner@shawmedia.com

OREGON – An Ogle County judge denied a Malta man’s request to have his bond reduced as he awaits trial on charges that he killed a Mt. Morris woman and her unborn son in 2020 and then set their home on fire to conceal the deaths.

Matthew T. Plote, 34, of Malta, appeared in court April 29 with his defense attorney John R. Kopp, of Geneva, in front of Judge John B. Roe for the bond reduction hearing.

Plote is charged with killing Melissa Lamesch, 27, of Mt. Morris, and her unborn son on Nov. 25, 2020, and then setting fire to her house to conceal their deaths.

Lamesch’s baby was due Nov. 27.

Plote faces four counts of first-degree murder, three of intentional homicide of an unborn child and one each of residential arson, aggravated

See LAMESCH CASE, Page 5

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Friends and coworkers of Melissa Lamesch hold photos of her and her unborn baby as they stand in front of the Ogle County Judicial Center following a bond reduction hearing for Matthew Plote, who is accused of their 2020 killings. Pictured, left to right, are Rachel Sitkiewicz, Kiki Sitkiewicz and Bridget Burke. Rachel Sitkiewicz served as an EMT with Lamesch.

The Softener Man Repair on all makes & models

Sterling man sentenced to 10 years for child rape Christopher J. Sprauge has another sexual assault case pending in Whiteside County

By KATHLEEN A. SCHULTZ

SERVICE CALL

SPECIAL

$39.95

200 OFF

$

any water conditioner or iron filter!

815-625-3426

EXPIRES 8/31/22 COUPON MUST BE USED AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE.

Serving The Area For Over 30 Years

kschultz@shawmedia.com

A Sterling man charged in Whiteside County with sexually assaulting a child younger than 18 was sentenced Tuesday in Ogle County to 10 years for the same thing.

Christopher J. Sprague, 47, raped a 15-year-old girl at the Lake Ladonna Campground in Oregon over Memorial Day weekend, Ogle County State’s Attorney Mike Rock said in a news release, and court records show.

Sprague was charged Oct. 21 with four counts of criminal sexual assault of a child, aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a child, and sexual assault by force.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of

criminal sexual assault and was sentenced to 5 years, each, sentences to run consecutively.

He must serve 85%, or 8 years and 6 months, and register as a sex Christopher J. offender for life.

Sprague Sterling police assisted with the investigation, the release said.

Sprague also was charged Sept. 24 in Whiteside County with criminal sexual assault of a person younger than 18, court records show.

He pleaded not guilty Dec. 27 and has a pretrial hearing June 22.

If convicted, he faces 4 to 15 years in prison, of which he also must serve 85%.

Sprague was sentenced in Whiteside County to 5 years in 1991 for forgery and robbery, and to 6 years in 2006 for manufacturing meth, court records show.

• LAMESCH CASE Continued from Page 4

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media Matthew Plote, 34, of Malta, in escorted into an Ogle County courtroom on Friday afternoon. ting more weight on the circumstances. I am going to deny the bond reduction.”

Members of the Lamesch family and her coworkers sighed in relief when Roe rendered his decision.

“The road has been hard,” Deanna Lamesch, Melissa’s mother, said after the court hearing. “It is difficult to watch and wait for the wheels of justice to turn.”

Melissa was a daughter, sister, aunt and god-

It’s Party Time With our beautiful prairie setting, the Byron Forest Preserve is the ideal location for your special occasion.

• Great facility for indoor or outdoor celebrations • Accommodates up to 400 guests on 2 levels including outdoor deck • Choose your own caterer

Affordable Wedding Packages 7993 N River Rd., Byron, IL • (815) 234 - 8535 www.byronforestpreserve.com

5 OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 6, 2022

domestic battery and concealment of a homicidal death.

Kopp filed a motion earlier this month asking the court to reduce Plote’s $10 million bond to $500,000 because he was a career firefighter, a lifelong DeKalb County resident and was not a flight risk.

On Friday, Kopp reiterated that argument and said Plote had cooperated with police early in the investigation and had not attempted to flee even though he knew he was being investigated.

“He has strong ties to the community. He has no history of violence and he maintains his innocence,” said Kopp, adding his client was willing to wear a GPS tracking unit and surrender his passport.

In custody at the Ogle County Correctional Center since his March 8 arrest, Plote appeared in court wearing the standard orange jumpsuit and in handcuffs and leg irons. His family and friends sat in one row of the courtroom’s public seating area while Lamesch’s family, friends and coworkers sat two rows behind them.

“Bond is set appropriately,” Assistant State’s Attorney Heather Kruse said. “The charges are for the murders of two individuals. We are concerned that he would be a flight risk.”

Kruse said it was “obvious” Plote was a danger to the community since he also is charged with arson that was meant to “conceal homicidal deaths.”

Roe said even though a bond report had indicated Plote was “low risk” and had “little or no criminal history” the nature of the charges weighed heavily in his decision.

“He is charged with 10 counts and two deaths, one being an unborn child,” said Roe. “There is some flight risk. I am weighing all these factors and put-

mother, and her unborn baby, Barrett, was a grandson and nephew, Deanna Lamesch said. They were lost, along with a “beloved shelter rescue cat, the family home of 28 years … a lifetime of memories along with our hopes and dreams for Melissa’s future.”

“We lost all these things two days before Barrett was to be born, the day before Thanksgiving and on Melissa’s youngest sister’s 17th birthday,” Deanna Lamesch said. “How do you come back from that?

And the truth is, these things weren’t lost. They were taken from us.”

Rachel Sitkiewicz, a close friend and co-worker of Melissa Lamesch, carried two photos of Melissa and a printout of Barrett’s footprint.

“We’re very grateful that the judge didn’t approve the bail reduction,” Sitkiewicz said. “I think the main thing is grateful.”

They know the case is far from over, but the judge’s ruling gives them hope, she said.

“It’s very early on,” Kopp said after the hearing.

“The case has a long way to go. Our client maintains their innocence of these charges.”

Plote’s next court date is June 3, at 1:30 p.m.

Melissa Lamesch was found around 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 life-saving 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.

Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 6, 2022

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

6

• BYRON TEEN

Continued from Page 3 a critical concern for the global poor, and more specifically women in poverty.”

Nyamwange began planning Etana in April or May 2020, when she was 14.

That July, she began to write the project’s computer code. It took about four months before she had a workable code, she said.

“There was a really specific program I had to build,” said Nyamwange, who also designed Etana’s physical product. “I didn’t know how to code before I started, which is why I think it was a long process.”

Nyamwange attends the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, a college preparatory public high school in Aurora for 10th to 12th grades. The tuition-free, residential school enrolls students from throughout Illinois and offers a curriculum that emphasizes STEM – science, technology, engineering and math.

Around January, she began working on a prototype of the physical device, which is solar-powered and includes a built-in fingerprint scanner.

The biometric characteristic used

by Etana is a fingerprint, Nyamwange said. After a woman scans her finger-

Photos provided by Elizabeth Nyamwange

Elizabeth Nyamwange, 16, of Byron, works on a social impact innovation project she is developing called Etana, a cost-efficient device for women in developing countries. print, Etana converts the data into binary and uploads it to a public server through blockchain in a way similar to how text messages are sent, Nyamwange explained.

Blockchain is a distributed digital ledger that stores data on a “peer-topeer” network which continually updates so that copies of the records are stored on computers around the world. Participants have their own private keys that act as personal digital signatures for accessing their data.

Nyamwange said she chose blockchain because it creates immutable servers.

“No one can change and alter it [the identification information],” she said.

“If you have someone that’s able to change it or work with it, it introduces bias. A lot of people are against these women having identification and giving them these freedoms.”

In her MIT Solv[ED] project description, Nyamwange wrote that, “… the women in my family were my inspira-

tion. All strong and intelligent, they were met with cultural barriers constantly trying to reduce them to nothing.”

Both of Nyamwange’s parents were born in Kenya, and the rest of her family still lives there.

“I designed Etana for women and girls who remind me of myself,” she wrote. “I would call them dreamers met with cultural barriers constantly trying to reduce them to nothing.”

The funding she received from the three prizes currently is going toward making a prototype she’s happy with and toward getting a patent, Nyamwange said. Once that’s done, Etana will go into a pilot program.

Each Etana costs around $50 to make, but Nyamwange plans to use a low income client business model, meaning the client wouldn’t pay anything. That’s where getting funding is incredibly helpful, she said.

Ideally, the first time Etana is used it will be in an area of the world for which it’s intended, she said, noting that there are many logistics to figure out, including travel, to make that happen.

“These awards put into perspective that it can, and probably will, happen,” Nyamwange said. “I can see it [Etana] on a track where it could be really helpful to a lot of people in a little bit of time.”

LOCAL HISTORY

What was Sandsucker Hole is now called Carnation Park

BY OTTO DICK If you lived on Webster Street from the Rock River to Sixth Street and north to the old fairgrounds in Oregon you could have seen a Burlington Switch Engine pulling gondola cars loaded with sand and gravel from Sandsucker Hole.

This narrow gauge railroad spur ran all the way to Byron and was used to lay the road bed for the Blackhawk Trail that is now Illinois Route 2.

Sandsucker Hole was the name given to the sand and gravel operation along Rock River, one-half mile south of the bridge. Conco was a sand and gravel company that operated from 1918-1936.

It was called Sandsucker because the operation sucked sand and gravel from the bottom of the river that was loaded into gondola railroad cars located along the bank. This material was used as roadbeds for Routes 2 and 64, and the first Mud Creek bridge, as well as sewer and water projects.

Conco also shipped loads of mason sand to Iowa for brick and stone work.

Sandsucker was a popular swimming hole. Conco posted no swimming

Photo supplied by Otto Dick

ABOVE LEFT: This fish was caught at Sandsucker in 1916. ABOVE RIGHT: Pelicans can often be seen on the sandbar that sits in the two channels of the Rock River just the east of the park. signs after several drownings occurred.

In 1936 the Burlington Railroad stopped the Conco operation because it felt the dredging operation might cause damage to the piers holding the railroad bridge up.

Today this is a wonderful place to fish and observe the geese and pelicans. Marilyn and I use the parking lot and always look forward to seeing the first pelicans.

Thanks to the Lions Club for furnishing the fishing and observation

platform. It’s named Carnation Park and operated by the Oregon Park District. However, we think of it as Sandsucker Hole.

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

SPECIAL EVENT

The 2nd annual Rockton Pelican Fest will be held May 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in downtown Rockton, a free family oriented event that gives people of all ages the opportunity to learn about and celebrate the return of the American White Pelicans to the Rock River and nearby Nygren Wetland Preserve during their migration period.

The event will be presented by the Village of Rockton, JR Finally Art Studio & Gallery, Natural Land Institute and Sinnissippi Audubon Society.

Families and individuals will be able to spend time together exploring historic downtown Rockton, local shops, restaurants, outdoor vendor booths, participating in activities, attending lectures about birds and other wildlife.

Local shops and restaurants will have pelican themed specials, the booths will host kids activities and some might even have a live bird to see. Rockton Village Hall will host presentations at 11 a.m. by Hoo Haven, a wildlife rescue organization, with their pelican, Rocky Road.

At 1 p.m., Jennifer Kuroda, President, Sinnissippi Audubon Society, will talk about Peregrine Falcons. Talcott Free Library will host kids activities, displays and other information related to pelicans and wildlife.

Stateline Mass Transit District will be providing free shuttle bus service from down-

A white pelican stretches as it preens in the sun while sitting on a log above the Oregon dam.

The First Fridays Open Mic returns on May 6 to K’s Sports Bar in Oregon.

The monthly event attracts many talented performers, but musicians and singers of all skill levels find acceptance from its supportive audience. Each performer is allowed 15 minutes, and everyone can also join in on a jam session at the end of the show.

The show starts at 7 p.m. Admission is free, although a jar is available for donations. Sign-up for performers is at 6:45.

K’s Sports Bar is located at 408 East Washington (Illinois Route 64) in Oregon, close to several restaurants.

Interested parties who have questions can contact Jerry Tice, at 815-4492660.

town Rockton to the Nygren Wetland Preserve Wildlife Overlook (3714 W. Rockton Rd., Rockton) throughout the festival.

A knowledgeable volunteer will be there to greet visitors and to talk about birds and other wildlife. Free guided walking tours of Nygren Wetland will start at the Wildlife Overlook at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. An Early Bird Walk is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. at the Wildlife Overlook presented by Sinnissippi Audubon Society.

Rockton Pelican Fest is also sponsored by Winnebago County Pheasants Forever and Sinnissippi Audubon Society.

For more information about participating businesses and specials, booths and kids activities, and other information visit: www. naturalland.org, www.sinnissippiaudubon. org, and www.jillraefinallyart.com.

The Polo Woman’s Garden Club will be having its annual perennial plant sale on Saturday, May 7, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., at the Polo Community High School AG department, located behind the high school.

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

All plants are dug from local gardens, so they are “proven winners”. If you have perennials you would like to share for the sale, please contact Carol Lindstrom at 815-973-2058 or Beth Green at 815-299-1416.

“Beautiful garden raffle baskets are on display at the First State Bank-Polo and the Blackhawk Area Credit Union. Try your chance to win them,” said Green.

Tickets are $1 each or six for $5. The drawing for the baskets will be held at the plant sale on May 7. You do not need to be present to win.

“All 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,” Green said.

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Polo Woman’s Garden Club’s perennial plant sale May 7

• Full Service Optical Lab • Contact Lenses

(including bifocal & specialty lenses)

SM-ST1921963

• Comprehensive Eye Health Exams • Diagnosis/Treatment of Eye Diseases • Great Selection of Eyeglass Frames

Northwest Eyecare • 815.732.3121

314 W. Washington St. • Oregon, IL www.northwesteyecare.com TONY AWARD-WINNING BROADWAY MUSICAL

SM-ST1972914

OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 6, 2022

2nd annual Pelican Fest is Saturday, May 21, in Rockton

First Fridays is May 6 in Oregon

7

LOCAL HISTORY

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

Editor’s Note: The following is a portion of a tribute given by Steve Obendorf about his dad Kenneth Obendorf.

Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 6, 2022

8

Kenneth Obendorf grew up in farm country, shelling corn

O

ne year ago this month, my father, Kenneth Charles Obendorf passed away at the age of 90. At his wake, my mother was given a framed picture featuring the names of their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

You can find the “W” image on today’s reflection guide as he was a big Cubs fan. The line at the bottom said: “The House That Kenny Built – 1930 to 2021.”

My father grew up in farm country and lived his entire life in the same area with most of it on the same farm.

He was a corn sheller just like his father who started the business in 1930 and he knew every farmer in the area.

He would travel around to area farms and use his machine to extract the corn from the large barn and cribs used to store and dry the corn until it was ready to send to market. A series of conveyors was laid out and the cribs were opened up to let the corn flow into the drag system.

The ears of corn would flow up into the machine and the separation process would begin. Kernels of corn would come out one “arm” and drop into a waiting wagon or truck to be driven to the local grain elevator.

Corn cobs would come out another “arm” and drop into a wagon where the farmer would use it for bedding for his livestock. The husks would be ejected by a large blower shoot where it could also be collected and used as bedding. I am sure that the corn sheller

POLO HISTORY Betty Obendorf was quite the labor-saving invention of its day.

My father would tell the story about the worker who accidentally dropped his wallet into the machine one day.

He was distraught when they found it with the corn cobs, but the cash was missing. My father promptly walked around to the other side and found that the money had been sucked out of the wallet and deposited with the husks. Problem solved!

Corn shelling was a noisy, dusty and tiring process that could easily be featured on the show Dirty Jobs. As a young boy, I would tag along on occasion and mostly assist the farm dogs as they chased down the mice and rats that came scurrying out of the cribs.

The business of corn shelling was made obsolete in the 1970s once enough farmers had the resources to purchase a combine. Later in life, my father was fortunate to move up the grain processing food chain as he co-owned and operated a grain elevator.

Fortunately, my brother and I did not pursue the family business, but my father would say that he helped put four children and his wife through college by charging 2 cents a bushel to shell corn. That math would not work today!

I was the third of the four children.

Growing up, we lived next door to my grandmother with my aunt and uncle

Betty and Kenneth on their wedding day. a short walk away. Our house started as a few rooms transported from a neighbor’s property and placed on a rebuilt foundation. Somehow the house did not end up collapsed in the basement. My father added on rooms from there as the family grew.

We were probably considered middle to lower middle class, but we had the necessities of life with both friends and family a big part of our life.

Based on his family’s medical history, my father did not expect to live past 70 but he nearly made it to 91. It takes a certain level of toughness and resilience to be a corn sheller and labor each day and that toughness helped my father fight through many injuries including those incurred in the later years of his life.

When COVID hit in early 2020, we like many others had the challenge of protecting our elderly parents while not isolating them completely. By this

time, my dad had dodged death a few times and we knew he did not have much time left.

Visiting them and still protecting them became difficult. His 90th birthday bash in May 2020 turned into a car parade of local friends with one guy jumping out of his car to deliver his gift using a fishing pole. Such is life in small town America!

I was blessed to deliver part of my father’s eulogy last April. It was a short reflection that I titled “Footwasher”.

My dad was simple man and a foot washer. He did not go to college, have a prestigious job, or earn a lot of money but he knew how to love his neighbor.

He was a people person who enjoyed spending time with his friends and family, and he seemed to know everyone, everywhere.

He understood the importance of serving his community as he did many of the simple, volunteer jobs that make a small community like Polo so special. Whether it was driving friends to appointments or card games, mowing the grass for the Polo Historical Society, or just visiting someone in the hospital or their home, he wanted to help in any way possible.

And trying to wrestle the dinner bill away from him was always a challenge.

While he did not invent the concept of “paying it forward,” he truly lived the idea.

• Betty Obendorf, a retired teacher and a volunteer for the Polo Historical Society, was married to Kenneth for 70 years.

OBITUARIES OMER LYLE DEETS

Born: March 15, 1927 in Milledgeville, Illinois Died: April 21, 2022 in Milledgeville, Illinois Omer Lyle Deets Born in Carroll County to Glenn and Avis (Buxton) Deets.

Graduated from Milledgeville High School in 1945 and was the last surviving member of his class. Long time member of Harvest Time Bible Church. Omer married Joyce Rogene Zier in 1951 at the First Brethren Church in Milledgeville, IL. He is survived by his wife, Joyce, and Sister-in-Law Opal (Paul) Deets; Daughter Leanne Deets Reecher of Jacksonville, FL and Son Norman O.L (Marti) Deets of Milled-

geville; Special granddaughter Lindsey (Andy) Pfister and great grandsons, Ben and Jack of Plymouth, WI.; Special grandson Tim (Erin) Deets and great grandchildren, twins Liliana and Cillian, Cian and Lorelai of Winnebago, IL. Farming more than 70 years was his joy in life. Omer enjoyed many winters in BareFoot Bay, FL playing golf and softball. He relished attending his grandchildren’s school and sports activities.

A private burial took place at the South Elkhorn cemetery in Milledgeville.

A memorial service will be held at the Polo Senior Center in Polo, IL May 7, 2022 at 10:30 AM with a meal afterward.

In lieu of flowers memorial funds are established for the Polo Senior Center and the Milledgeville Fire Department.

Condolences may be sent to www.schillingfuneralhome.com

MARION BACHMAN

Born: October 30, 1931 in Grant Park, Illinois Died: April 29, 2022 in Freeport, Illinois Marion Bachman, 90, of Forreston, passed away, Friday April 29, 2022, at FHN Memorial Hospital. Marion was born in Grant Park, Illinois, the daughter of John and Mary (Teggelaar) Prium. Marion married John Garrity in Rome, Italy. After Mr. Garrity passed away, she married Kenneth Bachman on August 5, 2005. Marion traveled the country extensively. She learned the game of golf at the age of

77 and enjoyed playing. Surviving is the love of her life, husband, Kenneth Bachman; two daughters, Joy (John) Eklund of Mason, Ohio and Karen ( Dr. Keith) Ruter of Forreston; four grandchildren, Dr. Aaron (Brittney) Ruter, Margo (Jason) Hawk, Karl (Anais) Eklund, and Benjamin Eklund; stepson, Kenneth “Buck” Bachman; stepdaughter, Dawn (Kurt) Arndt; sister, Sophie Jongsma of Orland Park.

Also surviving are four great-grandchildren.

Marion was preceded in death by her parents.

Visitation will be 10:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesday May 4, 2022 at Forreston Reformed Church, 501 3rd Ave, Forreston, IL. The funeral service will begin at 11:30 a.m. with Pastor Lyle Zumdahl officiating. Burial will be in White Oak Cemetery. A memorial has been established in Marion’s memory.

SPORTS

The Forreston-Polo boys track team finished fourth at the 44th annual Art Carlson Hawk Classic on April 29 at Landers-Loomis Field, while Erie-Prophetstown was close behind in fifth at the 20-team event.

The Cardinals scored 66 points and the Panthers finished with 60.

Woodstock North won the team title (91), followed by Rockford Christian (86) and Winnebago (76). LenaWinslow was sixth (47) Newman was seventh (46), Amboy-LaMoille-OhioAFC placed 11th (30), Oregon took 12th (28), and Milledgeville-Eastland finished 16th (11).

Matthew Beltran was a double-winner for Forreston-Polo, taking the 110 hurdles (15.59 seconds) and the high jump (1.83 meters).

Forreston-Polo’s 4x800 team of Micah Nelson, Carson Jones, Wyatt Queckboerner and Payton Encheff took second in 8:48.41.

Oregon’s Joey Gelander took second in the long jump (5.76 meters) and fourth in the triple jump (12.49 meters), and Erie-Prophetstown’s Trevor Cob. Oregon’s Daniel Dominguez took third in the shot put (14.40 meters) and sixth in the discus (39.77 meters).

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media ABOVE LEFT: Forreston-Polo’s Carson Jones (left) races a Rockford Christian runner to the finish line in the 3,200 relay at the Art Carlson Track Classic in Oregon on April 29. The Cardinals finished second in the race. ABOVE RIGHT: Oregon’s Issac Nelson runs a relay race.

Forreston-Polo got thirds from Carson Jones in the 1600 (4:58.51) and McKeon Crase in the long jump (5.69 meters).

The Cardinals added a fifth-place finish in the 4x100 (44.99 seconds with

Serving Older Adults and Their Families Throughout Ogle Country

Michael Taylor, Avery Grenoble, Brock Soltow and Crase), while Grenoble was fifth in both the 100 (11.88 seconds) and 200 (24.21 seconds), and Soltow added a fifth in the 400 (54.02 seconds)

Oregon’s Kenrick Oriyavong finished fifth in the 300 hurdles (47.21 seconds), and Erie-Prophetstown placed fifth in the 4x800 (9:19.69 with Andrew Bomleny, Lucas Dreisbach, Charlie Link and Wyatt Beck)

Your Trusted Mortgage

Partner

Senior Information Service Transportation Medicare Counseling Caregiver Services Education/Recreation Trips & Tours Community Partner

Like us on Facebook Choose us because you want a

www.rockrivercenter.org 810 South 10th Street, Oregon

815-732-3252 • 800-541-5479

Choose us because we are a

partner that cares about you, your

community bank with flexible home

home, and your community.

loan options and competitive rates.

1 W. Hitt Street Mt. Morris, IL 61054 Other locations: Rockford . Freeport . Belvidere

Phone Number: 815.734.4116 www.unionsavingsbank.com

Equal Housing Lender Member FDIC

OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 6, 2022

Forreston-Polo fourth at Art Carlson Hawk Classic

9

Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 6, 2022

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

10 SPORTS ROUNDUP Softball Sterling 4, Forreston 1: The Sterling softball team defeated Forreston 4-1 in a nonconference road game as Elizabeth Palumbo pitched a complete game and also drove in two runs.

The Golden Warriors scored two runs in the second and two more in the third, while the Cardinals managed their lone run in the fourth.

Palumbo gave up one run and seven hits, striking out eight without a walk. Sienna Stingley had two hits, and Marley Sechrest and Carley Sullivan added RBIs for Sterling.

Brooke Boettner homered for Forreston.

Aubrey Sanders took the loss, allowing four runs, five hits and five walks in 4 2/3 innings, with four strikeouts. Kara Erdmann struck out four and walked three in 2 1/3 innings of shutout relief, giving up one hit. She also had a triple.

Oregon 5, Stillman Valley 4: Mia Tampel pitched a complete game, allowing eight hits and three earned runs while striking out 12, to lead the Hawks to a Big Northern road win.

Liz Mois went 3 for 4, Mia Trampel went 2 for 4 with one RBI, and Gracen Pitts went 2 for 3 with two RBIs to lead Oregon at the plate.

Maddie Smith went 3 for 3 with one RBI, Josie Larson went 2 for 3 with one RBI, and Addison Wythe went 2 for 4 with one RBI to lead Stillman Valley hitters.

Wythe took the loss, allowing seven hits and two runs across 4 1/3 innings. She struck out three and walked one.

Rock Falls 11, Oregon 0: The Rock Falls softball team avenged an earlier loss at home to Oregon with a 11-0, five inning victory in their Big Northern Conference game at Oregon Park West.

Katie Thatcher hit two home runs and finished with three RBIs and three runs scored to lead the Rockets. Thatcher also got the win in the circle, striking out five and walking one in a two-hitter.

Bella Koertner and Ella Dannhorn had hits for the Hawks. Lena Trampel took the loss, allowing seven runs and seven hits in 1 1/3 innings, with a strikeout and a walk. Ava Hackman pitched the final 3 2/3 innings in relief, giving up four runs and eight hits with two strikeouts and a walk.

Polo 11, Eastland 0, 5 inn.: The Marcos scored two runs in each of the first two innings, then used a seven-run fourth to finish off an NUIC South win at home.

Sydnei Rahn was 3-for-4 with a solo homer and three runs scored, and Karlea Frey added a single, a triple, two RBIs and a run for Polo.

Lindee Poper and Jasmine Badon each had two RBIs and a run, and Madelynn Jones drove in a run and scored another. Nicole

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Forreston’s Rylee Broshous chases Sterling’s Jozlyn Johnson in a run down between second and third during Monday action in Forreston.

Boelens walked three times and scored twice for the Marcos, and also struck out eight and walked two in a two-hitter in the circle.

Oregon sweeps at home: The Hawks won a pair of run-rule games over Rockford Lutheran at Oregon Park West, notching 10-0 and 15-0 Big Northern Conference victories.

Ava Hackman and Abi Rogers both pitched complete-game shutouts for Oregon, and Reilee Suter and Ella Dannhorn both hit home runs in the opener.

Dannhorn also doubled and drove in three runs in Game 1, Suter and Hackman had two RBIs each, and Dannhorn and Bella Koertner both scored twice. Suter, Liz Mois, Koertner, Lena Trampel, Hackman and Katelyn Bowers all had two hits, and Trampel, Jesse Suter and Emma Schlictmann added one RBI each, with Schlictmann ripping a double. Hackman struck out seven and walked five in a five-inning one-hitter.

In Game 2, Mois doubled, tripled, drove in three runs and scored twice to lead the Hawks. Ella Dannhorn had an RBI and two runs scored, while Haleigh Burkhart, Emma Schlictmann, Mia Trampel and Gracen Pitts also drive in runs. Pitts, Laila Anderson and Reilee Suter all scored twice. Rogers also pitched a one-hitter, striking out five and walking one in three innings.

Polo 6, Amboy 5: The Marcos rallied with two runs in the bottom of the seventh for a walk-off NUIC South win.

Trailing 5-4 going into the final half-inning, Nicole Boelens drew a walk and advanced to third, then Jasmine Badon reached on a fielder’s choice and went to second as the Amboy defense looked Boelens back to third.

Karlea Frey tied the score with a sacrifice fly to drive in Boelens, then Madelynn Jones hit a blooper to right field to drive in Badon with the winning run.

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Amboy’s Kaysi Schaeffer catches a throw to third as Polo’s Teah Almassy slides safely to the base during April 28 action in Polo.

Forreston 10, Eastland 0, 5 inn.: Kara Erdmann threw a one-hitter and the Cardinals scored five runs in the fifth inning in an NUIC South shutout win over the Cougars.

Erdmann notched eight strikeouts and walked none. She also went 3 for 2 at the plate, while Nevaeh Houston and Breanna Kloster both went 2 for 3 with two RBIs, and Brooke Boettner also drove in two runs.

Houston hit two doubles.

Jenica Stoner took the loss for Eastland, surrendering 10 runs on 11 hits. Mallory Misiewicz had the Cougars’ lone hit.

Forreston 10, Indian Creek 8: The Cardinals scored six runs in the third inning, then broke a 6-6 tie with a two-run sixth to edge the Timberwolves.

See ROUNDUP, Page 11

WE SPECIALIZE IN PORTABLE STRUCTURES!

STOP & SEE OUR DISPLAY MODELS Large or Small, You Name It, We Design It, We Build It...YOU LIKE IT! CALL FOR A FREE LITERATURE PACKAGE

779-861-3542 ROCKYR@IBYFAX.COM

3500 S. CHANA RD., CHANA, IL 61015

• ROUNDUP

11

Continued from Page 10

Girls track & field Forreston-Polo 80, Stillman Valley 52: With wins in seven individual events and three relays, Forreston-Polo defeated host Stillman Valley in a battle of the Cardinals.

Letrese Buisker won the 100 hurdles (19.69 seconds) and the 300 hurdles (56.67 seconds), and took second in the high jump (1.32 meters) to pace Forreston-Polo. Sydni Badertscher won both the shot put (10.31 meters) and discus (30.12 meters), and Kamryn Stockton won the 3200 (15:20.65) and took second in the 1600 (7:14.13). Autum Pritchard won the 400 (1:07.33), and Ennen Ferris took the high jump (1.47 meters).

Buisker, Pritchard, Emileigh Williams and Ferris won the 4x100 (56.56 seconds); Courtney Grobe, Ferris, Pritchard and Bekah Zeigler took the 4x400 (5:13.37); and Grobe, Pritchard, Zeigler and Hannah Harvey won the 4x800 (12:58.31).

Grobe was runner-up in both the 100 hurdles (19.74 seconds) and 300 hurdles (1:00.71), and Zeigler took second in the triple jump (8.97 meters). Jayleigh Newill (800, 3:02.83), Montana Heinz (shot put, 8.06 meters) and Natalia Roach (discus, 18.80 meters) also had second-place finishes for Forreston-Polo.

Hawks 4th at ‘Bago: Oregon scored 81 points to finish fourth at the seven-team Winnebago Invite, placing behind the host Indians (145), Rockford Guilford (137.5) and Rockford Christian (99).

Jenae Bothe was a double-winner for the Hawks, taking the shot put (12.66 meters) and discus (38.23 meters). Sophie Stender won the 100 hurdles (17.08 seconds), and finished fourth in the 300 hurdles (54.02 seconds).

Sonya Plescia placed second in the pole vault (1.98 meters), and Ava Wight was runner-up in the triple jump (9.69 meters).

Jennica Ciesel tied for third in the high jump (1.42 meters), and Paige Beauchem finished fourth in the shot put (9.50 meters) for Oregon.

The Hawks also took fourth in three relays: the 4x100 (55.60 seconds with Rylie Robertson, Lexi Ebert, Grace Tremble and

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Polo’s Gus Mumford dives back to first as Amboy’s Hayden Wittenauer waits for the throw during a game in Polo.

Wight), the 4x200 (2:01.75 with Roberston, Tremble, Abigail Virgil and Plescia) and the 4x800 (12:21.67 with Jennica Ciesel, Miranda Ciesel, Ellen Hodson and Gabriele Hoyle).

Baseball North Boone 9, Oregon 3: The Hawks scored three runs to tie the game 3-3 in the top of the third, but the Vikings re-took the lead with a run in the bottom of the inning, then scored two in the fifth and three in the sixth in a Big Northern Conference contest in Poplar Grove.

Gabe Eckerd singled, doubled and drove in a run for Oregon, and Dominic Terlikowski added an RBI and scored a run. Jackson Werren took the loss on the mound, allowing six runs (three earned) and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings, with five strikeouts and three walks.

Amboy 22, Polo 0, 4 inn.: The Clippers scored 13 runs in the third inning, then added seven more in the fourth in an NUIC South win in Polo. Gus Mumford had the only hit for the Marcos. Carter Merdian took the loss as the first of four Polo pitchers.

Forreston 9, Eastland 4: The Cardinals used a five-run fifth inning to rally past the Cougars. Jacob Fiorello went 2 for 4 with one RBI to lead Forreston, and Brendan Greenfield drove in two runs. Owen Greenfield picked up the win, throwing six innings. He allowed four hits, three runs, and three walks, and had four strikeouts.

Hinckley-Big Rock 9, Oregon 5: The Hawks dropped a nonconference game at home.

Forreston 15, Indian Creek 5, 4 inn.: The Cardinals hit it hard from the start, scoring eight first-inning runs before tacking on seven more to seal a run-rule victory over the Timberwolves.

Owen Greenfield, Noah Johnson, Brendan Greenfield and Logan Dyson drove in two

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Forreston’s Ella Ingram catches a throw for an out as Sterling’s Sienna Stingley tries to beat it out Monday in Forreston.

runs apiece to lead Forreston hitters.

Alex Ryia earned the win, going 2 2/3 innings on the mound. He allowed three hits and two runs (zero earned), while striking out three and walking one.

Girls soccer Princeton 6, Oregon 3: The Hawks lost a nonconference game at Oregon Park West.

Rockford Christian 6, Oregon 1: The

Hawks fell to the undefeated Royal Lions in a Big Northern Conference game at Oregon Park West.

Oregon 2, Genoa-Kingston 0: The Oregon girls soccer shut out Genoa-Kingston 2-0 on May 3 in a Big Northern Conference contest.

Mya Engelkes and Kenna Wubbena scored goals for the Hawks, and Mariah Drake and Sophie Stender dished assists.

For all your senior living needs, choose the name you know and trust...

Liberty Village of Freeport

The Area’s Premier Senior Living Facility 2170 W. Navajo Dr., Freeport • 815-297-9902 www.LibertyVillageofFreeport.com

Not-for-Profit Provider

OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 6, 2022

Leading hitters for Forreston were Brooke Boettner, who went 2 for 4 with three RBIs; Rylee Broshous, who went 3 for 3, including a double; and Alaina Miller, who went 1 for 3 with two RBIs. Kara Erdmann hit a triple for the Cardinals.

Miller and Aubrey Sanders pitched three innings apiece for Forreston. Miller scattered six hits and gave up five runs and one walk, while Sanders allowed two hits, three runs and one walk, and struck out five. Erdmann threw one inning in relief, striking out two, and conceding zero hits, runs or walks.

Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 6, 2022

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

12 SPORTS COLUMN

The madness of the NFL Draft Experience seen in person

A

fter spending a couple of hours at the NFL Draft Experience, I wasn’t sure how to feel about being a member of the human race.

One side of me had a hard time reconciling the silly devotion to the event by tens of thousands of rabid fans.

However, the softer side of me was touched by the camaraderie shared by human beings of all backgrounds. It didn’t matter one’s political party, economic standing, skin color or religion, everyone came together as one.

And make no mistake – the predominant religion was an obsession with pro football and the gods have become whomever your team drafts. Dressed in team garb, complete strangers embraced and high-fived their way through the interactive exhibits put up by the NFL. This was in conjunction with the Draft Stage in a million-square foot area in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip. It was by coincidence I happened to be there, as I often make a return flight from Utah through Vegas.

With a few hours to spare and being brought up on football, it was incumbent upon me to check out this madness. I say madness because techni-

GUEST VIEW Andy Colbert cally it is a non-sports event. What is there to see?

Count me out and, by the way, you sports media analysts are just as guilty with endless pre-draft patter. We get enough of that tripe during election years.

•••

While in Utah, I happened to read a newspaper article on the shortage of officials all over the country. According to a survey of 19,000 officials, the top reason for quitting was verbal abuse from parents and fans. Coaches were second in the abuse category so hats off to them for not being as bad a parents, but gripers nonetheless.

The article stated that one in four parents spend about $500 a month on youth sports and that level of expectation has led to a “right” to abuse officials if a foul is called on their kid.

Before long, we won’t have that problem, as there won’t be any officials left

Dr. Daniel P. Schoaf

Palmer Graduate

Same Day Appointments All Kids/Medicaid Provider Medicare Provider

N.I.H.P./FHN Provider

210 S. First Avenue PO Box 307 Forreston, IL 61030-0307

www.schoaffamilychiro.com

815-938-2225

Rochelle Veterinary Hospital Dr. Nicole Marquardt Dr. Lynn Deets

Boarding • Grooming Dentistry • X-ray Surgical Laser • Gas Anesthetic Laser Therapy

1381 North 7th Street, Rochelle www.rochellevet.com

815-562-5207

Hours: M-F 8am-5pm • Sat 8am-Noon

to do games.

In the past four years, about 50,000 high school officials (20 percent) have gotten out of the business. Combined with the overall labor shortage and young people not signing on to become refs, the situation is dire.

For decades, we have taken for granted that everything would be in place for games to be played. Besides the lack of officials, Oregon athletic director Mike Lawton mentioned to me that schools were having problems transporting athletes. Prior to the Landers-Loomis girls track meet, he said five of the 13 schools contacted him and said they would possibly be late because of a bus driver shortage.

He wondered if sporting events would still be viable in the years to come or would have to be done differently.

A bane of athletic directors everywhere is to get volunteers to work concessions, ticket taking, etc. Compared to earlier generations, volunteerism is almost dead.

Case in point, several charities have been forced to shut down because all the volunteers have aged out and young people haven’t replaced them.

The dependable volunteer you’ll

find anywhere are the 70 and 80-year old ladies who have been doing it their whole life. God bless these good women.

Last month, I worked a multi-day volunteer function with 88-year old Betty Ebert, a retired Polo teacher.

Betty epitomizes the heart and soul of that generation who continue to serve without asking anything in return.

The Oregon music program continue to receive accolades, as the Hawks finished third statewide in the IHSA’s Class B solo ensemble competition. The band under Andy Eckardt has been a bright spot as the school.

The same for Forreston and Travis Cunningham with the top-5 music finishes in 2019 and 2020. Some of those musical chops may have roots in Leaf River. Did you know that Leaf River was the 1975 and 1976 (Class D) state champs in the IHSA music competition?

Another regular state placer from that era was Mt. Morris, with multiple top-10 finishes in the 1970s, the first decade of IHSA competition.

• 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.

By ALEXA ZOELLNER

azoellner@shawmedia.com

Whether the 20-plus mph wind helped or hurt those who came out Sunday to enjoy Polo’s new disc golf course depended on which way a person was aiming.

Polo Park Board members hosted a grand opening of the new course at Keator Park on May 1. About 50 people attended the event, which was delayed a day because of storms.

“Why are we here today? We’re here because we now have one of the top growing sports available right here in our community for families and friends to enjoy, which I think is awesome,” project lead Shellie Graden said. “Disc golf offers a lot of opportunities. It gives us a great way to get outdoors, socialize, meet new people … and of course you can get a little exercise in as well.”

Graden, a member of the Polo Park Board, spearheaded the effort to install a disc golf course at the park with the help of Nora Balayti. Balayti is co-founder of the Rock River Disc Golf Club and has played disc golf for more than 20 years.

Members of the Rock River Disc Golf Club volunteered to help Polo Public Works staff install the course, which will be open year-round.

“It means a lot to me to come out here and share another one of my passions with all of you,” said Balayti, who also is an art teacher at Polo Community High School. “My students that are here, thanks for coming out guys.”

The course’s opening drew in people from around the area.

Grayden Church, 13, came from Tampico with his mother, Amanda Kendall. He started playing disc golf about three years ago, and Kendall recently joined in.

When asked what brought him and Kendall to the event, Grayden said,

Alexa Zoellner/Shaw Media

ABOVE LEFT: Polo Park Board member Larry Loomis accepts a disc golf disc he won during a giveaway at the grand opening of Keator Park’s disc golf course on May 1. ABOVE RIGHT: Attendees participate in the disc golf clinic to learn more about how to play the sport.

“Just to see how many people come out here, because I think it’s very cool how rapidly the sport is growing.”

He enjoys hanging out and having fun with friends as much as the game itself, Grayden said.

From Rockford came Andy Martin and 14-year-old son Corbin Martin.

Corbin, who has played disc golf for a year, said he enjoyed the community the sport offers. Andy Martin, who grew up in Polo, agreed.

“I like the fact that it gets him [Corbin] off screens, too, which is really nice,” he said.

“It’s a nice course,” Andy Martin added of the Keator Park course. “We played it twice before they started the giveaways.”

Several discs and a few other prizes paid for by sponsors were raffled off.

When the concession stand at the Keator Park outdoor pool opens

Memorial Day weekend, there will be a few discs available for rental and also some for sale, Graden said. Until then, anyone who wants to play can pur-

chase discs at her business, Haldane Custom Paint and Body, located at 602 S. Division Ave., in Polo. There are no fees to play the course.

Take the first step Sinnissippi Centers is there when you need us Fees are based on family size and income and Medicaid, Medicare and private insurance are accepted 800-242-7642

SM-ST1976513

SM-ST1971265

www.sinnissippi.org Dixon • Mt. Carroll Sterling • Rochelle • Oregon

13 OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 6, 2022

Disc golf course opens at Keator Park in Polo

Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 6, 2022

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

14

Ogle County clerk offers 2022 voting information Ogle County Clerk Laura J. Cook has announced that her office complies with the Federal Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act. “The Ogle County Courthouse is accessible to disabled citizens for voter registration,” Cook said in a news release. “If you are unable to go to a deputy registrar, we will send a deputy registrar to the residence of any person who wishes to register to vote. For information on this service, please call the County Clerk’s Office at 815-7321110.”

Voter registration Any Ogle County resident who has never registered in Ogle County, has moved within the county, or has had a change of name since the last election must be registered with the correct name and address if they wish to vote in this election.

First time registrants shall (by Nov. 8, 2022, General Election) have resided

in their precinct for 30 days and must be 18 years of age on or before the Nov. 8, 2022, General Election.

“The last day to register to vote or change your address for the June 28, General Primary Election is May 31,” Cook said.

This is with the exception of grace period voter registration beginning June 1 and ending June 28, in the office of the Ogle County Clerk.

Vote by Mail All properly registered voters are eligible to Vote by Mail. An Application to “Vote by Mail” can be downloaded by visiting the Ogle County Official website at www.oglecounty. org.

“This application must be filled out and mailed or hand delivered to the County Clerk’s Office, who will then mail the Vote by Mail ballot to the voter. After voting the Vote by Mail ballot it must be mailed or hand delivered back to the County Clerk’s Office

so it can be counted on Election Day.” Cook said.

The first day to apply for a Vote by Mail ballot March 30, for the June 28, General Primary Election.

The first day to mail a Vote by Mail ballot is May 19, with the last day for mailing a ballot from the County Clerk’s Office being June 23.

Early voting in person at the County Clerk’s Office may be done through June 27, until 4:30 p.m.

Early Voting Early voting will be conducted at

the Ogle County Clerk’s Office located at the Ogle County Courthouse, 105 S. 5 th Street, Oregon, May 19 through June 27 for all Ogle County Precincts.

Voting hours are Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday, June 25, from 9 a.m. to noon.

Early Voting will be conducted at the Flagg Township Building located at 303 W. Rt. 38 in Rochelle June 22 through June 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and June 25 from 9 a.m. to noon, for Flagg and Dement Precincts, only.

“If there are any voters in Ogle County who cannot get into the polling place, we can send two Judges of Election within 50 feet of the polling place with the ballot,” Cook said. “A request should be made prior to the Election on a form provided by the County Clerk’s Office. If the Clerk’s Office can help or assist you in any way, our regular office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, telephone 815-732-1110.

STATE POLICE State Police announce monthly activity

Illinois State Police District 1 Troopers issued 355 citations, 421 written warnings, and made 13 criminal arrests during the month of April.

Speeding accounted for 193 citations. There were 35

arrests for no valid driver’s license or driving while license suspended/revoked.

Troopers investigated 20 traffic crashes, assisted 86 motorists, and conducted 107 commercial motor vehicle inspections, 26 of which were placed out-of-service for

safety reasons.

There was six arrests for driving while under the influence.

District 1, which encompasses Carroll, Lee, Ogle, and Whiteside counties, investigated one fatal traffic crash in April.

PROPERTY TRANSFERS April 22-28 Warranty Deeds Sarah J. and Erik E. Poffenberger to William J. and Shannon M. Akins, 207 N. Locust Ave., Forreston, $135,500.

Norman and Kathleen Beeh to David and Laura Gleissner, two parcels in Oregon-Nashua Township, $185,000.

Michael Lockard to Marilyn and David Balch, 5404 N. River Road, Byron, $110,000.

BGRS Relocation Inc. to Douglas Radenbaugh, 1103 Burlington Way, Davis Junction, $276,900.

Joshua M. and Rebekah W. Beaddock to BGRS Relocation Inc., 1103 Burlington Way, Davis Junction, $276,900.

Nathan J. Heller to Tanner L. and Alexis J. Grobe, 7981 S. Pine St., Grand Detour, $180,000.

Shreeji Motel Inc. to Shreeji Prakash LLC, 601 E. state Route 38, Creston, $2,325,000.

Tanner and Alexis Grobe to Bobbie L. and Dennis B. Jeffery, 302 Sunset Drive, Polo, $180,000.

Contry Homes Group LLC to William Kevin and Jami Herrick, 1502 Warrenton Drive, Byron, $253,770.

Blackhawk Reserve LLC to Contry Homes LLC, 1502 Warrenton Drive, Byron, $0.

Darrell Bormann to Buddy List, Misti Fant and Donald Whaley, 201 W. Second St., Leaf River, $25,300.

Merrilee J. Bodvig to Michael J. and Janet L. Greenfield, one parcel in Forreston Township, $830,000.

The late John W. and Judy S. Kitzmiller by heirs to Dale A. and Carol F. Dewall Trust, Dale A. and Carol F. Dewall, trustees, 5369 N. Summer Hill Road, Forreston, $80,000.

ANW Poggioli LLC to Karalee and Debra Rinehart, 209 E. First St., Leaf River, $89,000.

Kevin and Janet Matthews and Dreamers Construction to Kortney L. Parsons, 105 W. Sixth St., Byron, $120,000.

Larry O. and Sharon J. Davis to Alexander I. Johnson, 934 N. 10th St., Rochelle, $105,000.

Scott E. and Heather L. Hatfield to Shawn P. and Stephanie D. Curtis, 10282 E. Clara

$130,000.

Quit Claim Deeds The late Dorothy Borgmann by heirs to Darrell Borgmann, 201 W. Second St., Leaf River, $0.

Wyman-Main LLC to DYN Office Investments, 206 & 212 W. Blackhawk Drive, Byron, $0.

Ave., Rochelle, $340,000.

The late Roger G. Mansfield by heirs to Teegan T. and Linda Ryg Gregor, 1133 N. Seventh St., Unit 603, Rochelle, $65,000.

Marshal Hackerson to Dustin L. and Kelsey A. Champlain, 407 E. Center St., Mt. Morris, $58,000.

Ronald R. Wight to Nikolas K. and Merri L. Cruz, 303 S. First Ave., Forreston, $82,000.

Betsy L. Smith to Scott Etes to Cassandra L. Headon, 2428 S. White Rock Road, Chana, $225,000.

Larry Ohlinger to Haywell LLC-Residential Rentals, 1205 Crest Lane, Rochelle,

Trustees Deeds Trust 031198J, Jeffrey S. and Ann R. Currie to Loretta A. J. Sigler, 803 Midway Court, Oregon, $220,000.

Janice M. Gilbert Revocable Living Trust, Gregory A. Gilbert, trustee, to Kristen S. Carlson, one parcel in Lincoln Township, Polo, $0.

Allen E. and Patricia M. Burd Revocable Trust. Dana L. Krull, trustee, to Bruce and Margaret Love, 101 Katie’s Way, Mt. Morris, $138,000.

Source: Ogle County Recorder’s Offce

By KATHLEEN A. SCHULTZ kschultz@shawmedia.com

A Sterling couple was injured and a Loves Park woman remains in critical condition after a two-vehicle collision on April 29 at the intersection of West Pines and South Lowell Park roads.

That’s the same intersection where 66-year-old Rock Falls motorcyclist Terry E. Richards was killed in a collision about 2:30 p.m. July. 31.

Ogle County deputies responded to

Friday’s crash shortly before 7 p.m.

According to the preliminary investigation, Elizabeth J. Henderson, 20, was southbound on Lowell Park Road, did not stop at the stop sign and struck an eastbound SUV driven by John R. McCormick, 74.

Henderson’s vehicle then hit two signs before entering the southeast ditch, overturning and coming to rest on its passenger side, deputies said in a news release.

She was taken to KSB Hospital in

OGLE COUNTY SHERIFF ACTIVITY

Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle reports the following activity.

April 25 John D. Wilhelms, 57, of Freeport, was arrested for burglary, possession of burglary tools, criminal damage to property over $500, theft over $500 and unlawful possession of cannabis/driver. At approximately 5:32 p.m., deputies were dispatched to the 14000 block of West Lanark Road for a report of a suspicious person. Deputies stopped a vehicle involved in the incident

near the intersection of Illinois Route 72 and North Freeport Road. Wilhelms was transported to the Ogle County Jail and held pending an appearance before a judge.

Forreston police assisted on the scene.

April 26 Robert J. Murbach, 40, of Byron, was arrested for aggravated fleeing to elude a police officer, aggravated battery to a police officer, aggravated driving while license revoked, resisting/obstructing a police officer and criminal damage to government-supported property under $500.

Dixon then flown to OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, where she was being treated for life-threatening injuries, a spokeswoman there said Monday.

She also was cited for DUI drugs and disobeying a stop sign and issued an I-bond at the hospital, the release said.

McCormick and his passenger, Julie R. McCormick, 74, of Sterling, were treated at KSB for non-life-threatening injuries.

In July 2021, Richards was killed when Katherine E. McConnell, 31, of Rock Falls, failed to yield the right-ofway to his motorcycle, Illinois State Police said.

McConnell is charged with disobeying a stop, a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail, and having no insurance, which carries a fine of up to $1,000.

She has a pretrial hearing May 9 in Ogle County Court.

Deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Murbach near the 2500 block of Illinois Route 72 at approximately 3 a.m. Murbach fled and was eventually stopped in the 1100 block of West 2nd Street in Byron.

Murbach also was cited for speeding 35-plus mph, improper lane usage, failure to signal, disregarding a stop sign, driving while license revoked, improper container/driver and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.

Murbach was assessed on-scene by Byron Fire Protection District EMS before being transported to OSF Saint Anthony Medical

Center for evaluation. Murbach then was transported to the Ogle County Jail and held pending an appearance before a judge.

Rushawn James, 29, of DeKalb, was arrested for driving while license suspended, improper container of cannabis/driver and an active DeKalb County warrant after a traffic stop in the 19000 block of Illinois Route 64 at approximately 6:40 p.m. James also was cited for improper lane usage. He was transported to the Ogle County Jail and held in lieu of bond.

See SHERIFF ACTIVITY, Page 16

BUILT LOCAL * WE DELIVER

WE SPECIALIZE IN PORTABLE STRUCTURES!

STOP & SEE OUR DISPLAY MODELS Large or Small, You Name It, We Design It, We Build It...YOU LIKE IT! Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Kevin Rothermel hands one of the bags of Vidalia onions to a customer on Monday at the Shell station in Polo. The Shriners will be selling onions at the location this week and over the weekend. Each bag costs $12.

CALL FOR A FREE LITERATURE PACKET

779-861-3542

3500 S. CHANA RD., CHANA, IL 61015

15 OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 6, 2022

Three injured in collision at Pines and Lowell Park

Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 6, 2022

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

16

Man sentenced to 30 years for child sexual assault SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK A Sycamore man was sentenced to three decades in jail recently by an Ogle County judge for predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, authorities said.

Eric J. Simpson, 39, of Sycamore, must serve at least 85% of his sentence, according to a news release from the Ogle County State’s Attorney’s Office.

A multiple county investigation began on March 8, 2020, by the DeKalb Police Department, which met with the then 15-year-old victim’s Eric J. Simpson family after learning the teenager had been sexually assaulted on multiple occasions years prior by Simpson in both DeKalb and Ogle counties, according to the release.

The case was reviewed by both the Ogle County and DeKalb County state’s attorney’s, who prosecuted Simpson together.

Simpson was sentenced April 27 to a combined 30 years for multiple counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child.

• SHERIFF ACTIVITY

Continued from Page 15 April 27 Jose Eduardo Cisneros Alvarado, 37, of Rochelle, was arrested at 6:54 p.m. for no valid driver’s license after a traffic stop at Powers Road and Linda Avenue in Hillcrest. Cisneros Alvarado also was issued a citation for improper turn signal. Cisneros Alvarado was taken into custody without incident and released on a $2,500 I-Bond and given a future court date.

Jonah Fatla, 27, of Rockford, was arrested for no valid license after a traffic stop in the 8000 block of North Hales Corner Road for an equipment violation at 11:42 p.m. Fatla was released on a $2,500 I-Bond and given a future court date.

April 28 At approximately 8:25 p.m., deputies, Lynn-Scott-Rock Fire Protection District and Illinois State Police responded to a single vehicle rollover crash with injuries on Interstate 39 near mile marker 108.

An investigation showed that a Chevrolet Malibu driven by Brittany Belle, 34, of Rockford, was traveling south on I-39 approaching Lindenwood Road bridge overpass when a suspected

vehicle malfunction occurred. The vehicle lost control and exited the roadway, entering the southbound shoulder.

The vehicle struck a raised concrete portion of the overpass and continued southbound into the ditch where it overturned several times before coming to rest on its roof facing northeast. Belle was treated by Lynn-Scott-Rock EMS personnel and transported to a nearby hospital for her injuries.

Jason Maynard, of Winnebago, was arrested for driving while license revoked after a traffic stop at Pecatonica and Montague roads at approximately 12:27 p.m. Maynard also was cited for illegal transportation of alcohol.

Maynard was transported to the Ogle County Jail and held in lieu of bond.

April 29 At approximately 3:40 p.m., deputies and Dixon Rural Fire Department responded to a single-vehicle crash with injuries in the 7600 block of Illinois Route 26. After an investigation, it was determined that a Jeep Liberty driven by Bridgette Falk, 50, of Polo, was traveling southeast on Route 26. The vehicle left the roadway, entered the southwest ditch, struck a concrete culvert in the ditch and came to rest.

MAGGIE CONNORS, APRN Adv. Practice Registered Nurse

Falk was treated by Dixon Rural Fire Department and transported to a nearby hospital for her injuries.

Robert Crenshaw, 49, of Rockford, was arrested for no valid driver’s license after a traffic stop in the 1500 block of Illinois Route 2 at approximately 5:30 p.m. Crenshaw was given an I-Bond and a return court date and released from the scene.

April 30 Adan Gonzalez-Ortega, 29, of New Milford, was arrested at 5:53 p.m. for no valid driver’s license after a traffic stop near the intersection of Illinois Route 251 and Illinois Route 64. Gonzalez-Ortega also was cited for no splash guards and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Gonzalez-Ortega was given an I-Bond with a return court date and released from the scene.

May 1 Manuel A. Martinez, 35, of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, was arrested at 11:05 p.m. for no valid driver’s license after a traffic stop on Interstate 39 mile marker 103 northbound. Martinez also was cited for following too closely, operating an uninsured motor vehicle and expired registration. Martinez was released on a signature I-Bond and given a return court date.

WILLIAM LONG, DO Physician

TIRED OF OVERPAYING? OUR PRICE VS. AREA AVERAGE WE ACCEPT MEDICARE & MEDICAID

(WITH A DOCTOR’S ORDER)

815-677-9384 Mon-Fri 7am-4pm

Thyroid Panel:.......$111 vs.

Lipid:....................$45 vs.

CBC:.....................$21 vs.

$409 $200 $135

Offering thousands of tests at prices you can afford.

Give us a call.

832 N Galena Ave. Dixon | www.valuelab-dixon.com

COURTNEY DUFFY, CNM Certified Nurse-Midwife CHRISTINE DOYLE, MD, PHD Physician

OUR OB/GYN TEAM IS READY TO SEE YOU.

ksbhospital.com

17

Get the most out of your lawn this spring.

TruGreen experts have designed over 50 regionally-based Lawn programs based on local variables such as climate, soil, weeds, insects, and grass types.

Our Healthy Lawn Analysis will examine your grass and soil types and tailor your plan based on the results.†

®

Our tailored lawn plans utilize the latest technology and techniques that help make your lawn green and healthy.

50

% OFF*

Your First Application

TruGreen will gladly visit your property as needed between scheduled visits to ensure your satisfaction◆

Call for your FREE, no-obligation quote today!

1-844-315-7055 *Requires purchase of annual plan. Special price is for first Lawn application only.

Requires purchase of annual plan, for new residential EasyPay or PrePay customers only. Valid at participating TruGreen locations. Availability of services may vary by geography. Not to be combined with or used in conjunction with any other offer or discount. Additional restrictions may apply. Consumer responsible for all sales tax. †Purchase of annual lawn plan required for Healthy Lawn Analysis, which is performed at the first visit. ◆Guarantee applies to annual plan customers only. BBB accredited since 07/01/2012. ©2022 TruGreen Limited Partnership. All rights reserved. In Connecticut, B-0153, B-1380, B-0127, B-0200, B-0151.

OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 6, 2022

Save now with

Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 6, 2022

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

18

EMPLOYMENT

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

Multi-Craft Maintenance

(Full-time)

High school diploma or GED required. 3 years of experience in HVAC systems, electrical, and plumbing repair required; boiler and chiller operation and maintenance, welding, machine shop, and fabrication preferred. Must have a valid driver license. Must obtain water operator certification within 6 months of employment.

Must obtain forklift and aerial boom license within 90 days of employment.

Apply at: https://jobs.svcc.edu/postings/1481

EMPLOYMENT

CDL DRIVERS Full time. Hourly pay with benefits.

Contact Schoff Farm Service, Inc. Walnut, IL. 815-379-2777

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

ASPHALT PAVING LABORER

Duties to include paving, patching, prep work, sealing and crack filling.

Valid driver's license; Class A preferred.

Sauk Valley Area. Apply to: T & M Paving 815-499-7195 tmpaving@gmail.com

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

Dean of Information Technology (Full-time)

Chief Information Officer, Chief Data Privacy Officer, and Chief Information Security Officer of the College. Supervises and administers College computing and information services, telecommunications, instructional technology, and cybersecurity. Bachelor's in Information Technology or related, 5 to 7 years of experience required.

Apply at: https://jobs.svcc.edu/postings/1477

TRIO Tutoring Assistant

(Part-time)

Associate's or equivalent education or experience required.

Apply at: https://jobs.svcc.edu/postings/1475

Sauk Valley Community College

EMPLOYMENT

PRODUCTION OPERATORS 1st, 2nd, 3rd & Weekend Shift Positions in Sand Mining Quarry.

Candidate must be self-motivated and capable of completing manual work outside, in all weather conditions.

Attn: Human Resources 173 Illinois Route 2 Dixon, IL 61021 EOE e-mail: employment@svcc.edu

EMPLOYMENT

Employment Opportunities

Competitive Wages & Excellent Benefits Package Please apply online at: www.coviacorp.com/careers

EMPLOYMENT

MACHINE OPERATORS & Tool & Die Machinists

Walk-ins welcome to complete an applications at

1446 Devil's Backbone Road in Oregon EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

CAN YOU QUALIFY FOR A CAREER AS A DIXON RURAL FIREFIGHTER?

FRANTZ Manufacturing Company is growing, and we have an URGENT NEED for MACHINE OPERATORS to set-up and run production machines. Also need TOOL & DIE MACHINISTS to do maintenance on fixtures and press tools.

Night shifts workers wanted!

The Dixon Community Fire Protection District Board of Fire Commissioners is seeking candidates for the position of Firefighter.

The Board will conduct written entrance examinations at the offices of the Department located at 1020 Palmyra Street, Dixon, IL 61021 on Saturday, July 23, 2022 at 8:30 A.M.

Contact us today to learn more!

Requirements 1) U.S Citizen; 2) High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED); 3) Valid Driver's License; 4) At least 21 years of age and under 35 years of age on the last day for submitting applications for original appointment unless otherwise provided by state or federal law (See exceptions listed in 70 ILCS705/16.06b); 5) Valid Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) with Ladder Climb Certification as of date of hire; 6) The candidate must reside within the Dixon Rural Fire Protection District or the City of Dixon and be within a five mile driving distance of Station 1 within three months after the starting date of probationary employment; 7) Must attend and pass both the written examination and subjective oral examination; 8) Pay a $43.00 non-refundable application-processing fee.

Email us at: HR@frantz-mfg.com or

Fringe benefits include: good pension plan, hospital insurance, paid vacation, overtime pay and uniform allowance.

Anyone with experience in manufacturing is welcome to apply. We offer a great starting wage and excellent benefits with: Immediate Medical/ Dental insurance, Quick Vacation plus Earned Paid Time Off, Retirement 401k w/Co Match, and Monthly Bonuses!

Come in person or send resume to: 3201 West Lefevre Rd, Sterling, IL 61081.

Call us at: (815) 625-7063 E.O.E M/F

Application forms may be obtained online at iosolutions.com and must be received by IOS Recruitment by July 1, 2022 at 2:00 PM. THE DIXON COMMUNITY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER The Dixon Community Fire Protection District of Lee and Ogle Counties Board of Fire Commissioners

VOLUNTEERS

CASA 15th Judicial Circuit (Lee/ Carroll/Ogle Counties) is seeking volunteers in the Ogle County area to advocate for children in the Ogle County court system involved in abuse and neglect cases.

Your involvement can impact a child’s future.

Contact Trisha Morrow, Executive Director (815) 288-1901 www.casaleecar roll.com

WANT TO BUY Local Buyer Pays Cash 4 Gold, Silver, Coins, Estate Gold, Single Earrings, and antiques 24/7 779-245-2950

BUSINESS PROPERTY Rock Falls 55 x 32 ft.

Storage Building. $295/mo. Call 815-535-3282

ROCK FALLS EFFICIENCY -FurnishedUtilities incl.

815-626-8790

LEGAL NOTICES IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS In the Matter of: MARIEL J. HOLM, Deceased.

No. 2022-PR-30 CLAIM NOTICE Notice is given of the death of MARIEL J. HOLM of Oregon, Illinois.

Letters of Office were issued on April 11, 2022 to LORNA R. BACON and NANCY A. POLVI, as Independent Co-Executors whose attorneys are WILLIAMS McCARTHY LLP, 120

LEGAL NOTICES

W. State St., P.O. Box 219, Rockford, IL 61105.

The estate will be administered without court supervision, unless under Section 28-4 of the Probate Act (755 ILCS 5/28-4) any interested person terminates independent administration at any time by mailing or delivering a petition to terminate to the Clerk.

Claims against the estate may be filed in the office of the Clerk of the Court, Ogle County Courthouse, 106 S. 5th Street, Suite #300, Oregon, IL 61061 or with the representative, or both, on or before October 24, 2022, or within 3 months from the date of mailing or delivery of notice to creditors, if mailing or delivery is required

by Section 18-3 of the Probate Act, whichever date is later. Any claim not filed by the requisite date stated above is barred.

Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney within 10 days after it has been filed.

LORNA R. BACON and NANCY A. POLVI Independent Co-Executors April 22, 29, May 6, 2022 STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF OGLE In re the Estate of: JOANNE M. BAUMANN, Deceased.

2022 PR 31 CLAIM NOTICE Notice is given of the death of JOANNE M. BAUMANN. Letters of Office were issued on April 18, 2022, to MICHAEL BAUMANN, as Independent Executor,

LEGAL NOTICES

pe whose attorney is M. Thomas Suits, of the Law Offices of M. THOMAS SUITS, P.C., 114 West Mason Street, Polo, Illinois 61064.

Claims against the estate may be filed within 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 ordelivery is required

by Section 5/18-3 of the Illinois Probate Act, 1975, as amended, whichever date is later. Any claim not filed by the requisite date stated be above shall barred.

Claims against the estate may be filed in the Office of the Circuit Clerk, Ogle County JudicialCenter, 106 South 5th Street, Oregon, IL 61061- or with the estate legal representative, or both.

Copies of a claim filed with the clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney within 10 days after it has been filed.

By: MICHAEL BAUMANN Independent Executor Law Offices of M. THOMAS SUITS, P.C. 114 West Mason Street Polo, IL 61064 (815) 946-2276 tom@suitslegal. com April 29, May 6, 13, 2022

CARS815.com SEARCH FOR LOCAL CARS

CLAIM NOTICE Notice is given of the death of MARY ADELINE BECK a/k/a MARY ADALINE BECK. Letters of Office were issued on April 18, 2022, to BEVERLY K. MERDIAN, LINDA L. GROSSNICKLE and DONNA J. SOLTOW, as Independent CoExecutors, whose attorney is M.

LEGAL NOTICES

y Thomas Suits, of the Law Offices of M. THOMAS SUITS, P.C., 114 West Mason Street, Polo, Illinois 61064.

Claims against the estate may be filed six (6) within months from the date of first publication, or within three (3) months from the date of mailing or delivery

LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF OGLE, STATE OF ILLINOIS COUNTRY WELL & PUMP, INC., Plaintiff, v.

JAMES C. ROBERTSON, JR., SUZANA ROBERTSON, ROCK VALLEY CREDIT UNION, UNKNOWN OWNERS and NONRECORD CLAIMANTS, Defendants, Case Number 2022 FC 13 The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN you, JAMES C. ROBERTSON, JR., SUZANA ROBERTSON, ROCK VALLEY CREDIT UNION, UNKNOWN OWNERS and NONRECORD CLAIMANTS, defendants in the above-entitled suit, that said suit has been commenced in the Circuit Court of Ogle County, by the said Plaintiff against you and other defendants requesting the foreclosure of a certain Subcontractor's Claim for Mechanics Lien against the premises described as follows: PART OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER (1/4) OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER (1/4) SECTION 36, TOWNSHIP 40 NORTH, RANGE 1 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS, TO WIT: COMMENCING AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER (1/4) OF SAID SECTION 36; THENCE NORTH 88 DEGREES 35 MINUTES 50 SECONDS EAST, 834.73 FEET ALONG THE SOUTH LINE THEREOF TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING OF THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PARCEL; THENCE CONTINUING NORTH 88 DEGREES 35 MINUTES 50 SECONDS EAST 316.18 FEET ALONG THE SOUTH LINE; THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES 11 MINUTES 00 SECONDS WEST, 287.06; THENCE SOUTH 88 DEGREES 35 MINUTES 50 SECONDS WEST, 322.29 FEET PARALLEL WITH THE SOUTH LINE; THENCE SOUTH 01 DEGREES 24 MINUTES 10 SECONDS EAST, 287.00 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING; EXCEPTING THEREFROM THOSE PORTIONS THEREOF TAKEN, USED OR DEDICATED FOR PUBLIC ROADWAY PURPOSES; SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF OGLE AND STATE OF ILLINOIS. Commonly known as: 14354 Gurler Rd., Rochelle, Illinois 61012.

PIN Number: 24-36-352-006 and 24-36-352-008 Said Claim for Mechanics Lien is held by, COUNTRY WELL & PUMP, INC., against JAMES C. ROBERTSON, JR. and SUZANA ROBERTSON and any person claiming an interest in the real estate, and recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Ogle County, Illinois, as document number 202201638, and for other relief; that summons was duly issued out of the said Court against you as provided by law, and that the said suit is now pending. The names of the title holder of record are JAMES C. ROBERTSON, JR. and SUZANA ROBERTSON. NOW THEREFORE, unless you, the said above named defendants, file your answer to the Complaint in the said suit or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Ogle County, 105 S. 5th Street, Oregon, IL 61061, on or before May 31, 2022 default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a Judgment entered in accordance with the request for relief in said Complaint.

Dated: April 21, 2022 KIMBERLY A. STAHL, CLERK OF COURT Law Firm of Robert C. Becker, Jr. Attorneys for Plaintiff 213 West Main Street Genoa, Illinois 60135 THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT, AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. April 29, May 6, 13, 2022

LEGAL NOTICES iling ry of Notice to creditors, if mailing ordelivery is required

by Section 5/18-3 of the Illinois Probate Act, 1975, as amended, whichever date is later. Any claim not filed by the requisite date stated above shall be barred.

Claims against the estate may be filed in the Office of the Circuit Clerk, Ogle County JudicialCenter, 106 South 5th Street, Oregon, IL 61061- or with the estate legal representative, or both.

Copies of a claim filed with the clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney within 10 days after it has been filed.

By: BEVERLY K. MERDIAN, LINDA L. GROSSNICKLE and DONNA J. SOLTOW Independent Co-Executors Law Offices of M. THOMAS SUITS, P.C. 114 West Mason Street Polo, IL 61064 (815) 946-2276 tom@suitslegal. com April 29, May 6, 13, 2022 21-095251 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OGLE COUNTY, OREGON, ILLINOIS MIDFIRST BANK PLAINTIFF, -vsUnknown Heirs and/or Legatees of Richard T. Warren, Deceased; Cassandra Guist; Travis Warren; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS; UNKNOWN OCCUPANTS DEFENDANTS NO. 21 CH 34 PUBLICATION NOTICE The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given you Unknown Heirs and/or Legatees of Richard T. Warren, Deceased; Cassandra Guist; Travis Warren; Unknown Owners and Non-Record

LEGAL NOTICES Claimants; Unknown Occupants.

Defendants in the above entitled suit, that the said suit has been comin the menced Circuit Court of Ogle County, by the said Plaintiff against you and other defendants, praying for the foreclosure of a certain Mortgage the conveying premises described as follows, to wit: LOT 4 IN MIDWAY ADDITION IN THE OF VILLAGE MOUNT MORRIS, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN BOOK B OF PLATS, PAGE 30 IN THE RECORDER'S OFFICE IN OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS, SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF OGLE AND THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. Commonly known as 108 North Wesley Avenue, Mount Morris, IL 61054 Permanent Index No.: 08-27-282-011 and which said Mortgage was made by Richard T. Warren Mortgagors, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for Nationstar Mortgage LLC D/B/A Mr. Cooper, its successors and assigns as and Mortgagee, recorded in the of the office Recorder of Deeds of Ogle County, Illinois, Document No. 201900564.

And for other relief; that summons was duly issued out of the said Court against you as provided by law, and that the suit is now pending.

Now therefore, unless you, the said above named defendants, e-file your answer to the Complaint in the said suit or otherwise make your appearance therein, on or before the 30th day after the first publication of this notice which is MAY 23, 2022.

Default may be entered against you

LEGAL NOTICES ga y at any time after that day and a judgment entered in accordance with the prayer of said Complaint.

E-filing is now for mandatory documents in civil cases with limited exemptions. To efile, you must first create an account with an e-filing service provider. Visit https://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://www.illinois courts.gov/FAQ/ gethelp.asp, or talk with your local circuit clerk's office.

Clerk LOGS Legal Group LLP Attorney for Plaintiff 2121 Waukegan Road, Suite 301 IL Bannockburn, 60015 (847) 291-1717 ILNOTICES@ logs.com Mail To: Unknown Heirs and/or Legatees of Richard T. Warren, Deceased 108 North Wesley Avenue Mount Morris, IL 61054 Cassandra Guist 2124 Royal Oaks Drive Janesville, WI 53548 Travis Warren 108 North Wesley Avenue Mount Morris, IL 61054 Unknown Owners and Non-Record Claimants; Unknown Occupants 108 North Wesley Avenue Mount Morris, IL 61054 IS AN THIS ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT ANY AND INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT IF YOUR PERSONAL LIABILITY FOR THIS DEBT HAS BEEN EXTINGUISHED BY A DISCHARGE IN BANKRUPTCY OR

BY AN ORDER IN GRANTING REM RELIEF FROM STAY, THIS NOTICE IS PROVIDED SOLELY TO

19

LEGAL NOTICES FORECLOSE THE MORTGAGE REMAINING ON YOUR PROPERTY AND IS NOT AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT THE DISCHARGED PERSONAL OBLIGATION. 8190-922328 April 22, 29, 2022 May 6, 2022 922328 PUBLICATION NOTICE (Change in Assumed Name Certificate) Public Notice is hereby given that on April 22, 2022, a supplemental certificate of ownership of business 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: Celebrations Catering 402 E Mason St. Polo, IL 61064 Dated: April 22, 2022 Laura J. Cook, Ogle County Clerk May 6, 2022 PUBLIC NOTICE There will be a meeting of the Ogle County Farmland Assessment Review Committee on Thursday May 19, 2022 at 9:00AM in the Historic Courthouse Room 100, First Floor Oregon Illinois. The committee will discuss the Illinois Department of Revenue's proposed 2023 farmland assessments, and hold a public hearing to review and adopt the values for Ogle County. The proposed 2023 farmland asare sessments 10% above the 2022 values. This meeting is held pursuant to the Illinois Property Tax Code (35ILCS200/ 10-120) and is open to the public.

May 6, 2022

Great Garage Sales Call

815-220-6942

www.oglecountynews.com

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 6, 2022

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF OGLE In re the Estate of: MARY ADELINE BECK, a/k/a MARY ADALINE BECK Deceased.

2022 PR 34

LEGAL NOTICES

Visit us at

LEGAL NOTICES

Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 6, 2022

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

20

TRANSFORM YOUR HOME Enjoy up to 50% more space in your kitchen and better access to your mostused items with our custom pull-out shelves installed in your existing cabinets

12 M O NT H

NO INTEREST NO PAYMENTS

*On Approved Credit*

50% OFF INSTALLATION*

*Limit one offer per household. Must purchase 5+ Classic/Designer Shelves. EXP 7/31/22.

Independently owned and operated franchise. ©2022 ShelfGenie SPV LLC. All rights Reserved.

Schedule Your FREE Design Consultation: ®

(855) 560-6975