An estimated 700 people turn out for No Kings rally on the Ogle County Courthouse square in Oregon / 4
Oregon victorious
Oregon football team earns 20-18 win over Winnebago in Big Northern Conference action / 19
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Mt. Morris Loaves and Fish Food Pantry is seeking donations to provide holiday meals to local families in need.
The meals will include a box with stuffing, gravy mix, vegetables, canned sweet potatoes, dry potatoes, rice, canned fruit, cranberry sauce, hot cocoa and dessert mix – made possible in partnership with Northern Illinois Food Bank – and a 6- to 8-pound turkey breast purchased from a local grocery store.
Dinners will be distributed from 2 to 6 p.m. Nov. 21 on a first-come, first-served basis or while supplies last.
A monetary donation of $15 will allow Loaves and Fish Food Pantry to provide a local family the opportunity to enjoy a
traditional holiday meal with their loved ones this Thanksgiving.
To sponsor one, two or more families, send your gift to Loaves and Fish Food Pantry, Box 202, Mt. Morris, IL 61054. Please send your gift by Nov. 15.
The Thanksgiving meal boxes will be distributed to neighbors in Mt. Morris, Leaf River and the surrounding area.
Any donations received above the amount needed to buy the meal boxes will be used to buy food for the pantry. The pantry has been serving an increasing number of individuals and families as groceries and the cost of utilities, housing and transportation continue to rise.
In the past year, Mt. Morris Loaves and Fish Food Pantry has provided food to an average of more than 430 individuals and 166 households each month,
flu shot clinic in Oregon
The OSF Saint Katharine Center for Health in Oregon will offer a walk-in flu shot clinic Monday, Nov. 3. The shots will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at their clinic, 1307 W. Washington St. No appointment is necessary. Individuals may check in at the registration desk and present their insurance card to receive a flu vaccination. The clinic is open to the public and aims to make flu shots easily accessible throughout the community. High-risk groups, including children, seniors, pregnant individuals and those with chronic conditions, are encouraged to vaccinate to prevent serious complications, according to the news release.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources invites interested vendors to attend a mandatory pre-bid meeting for operating a concession and camp store at Lowden State Park in Ogle County. The pre-bid meeting will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, at the concessions building. During the meeting, participants will receive essential details on the bid
CORRECTIONS
submission process, contract terms, expectations and requirements.
IDNR encourages all interested vendors to register in BidBuy at www.bidbuy.illinois. gov. There is no cost to register. Additional site-specific information is available on the BidBuy website. Search NIGP code 961-15 to receive notifications for upcoming IDNR concession pre-bid meetings.
Lowden State Park, 1411 N. River Road in Oregon, attracted more than 420,000 visitors in 2024. The historical park near Illinois Route 2 features camping, hiking trails, fishing and boating on the scenic Rock River. Admission to Illinois state parks is always free.
The Ogle County Sheriff’s Office recently announced it has been awarded a federal fiscal 2026 Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program grant.
Funded by federal highway safety dollars through the Illinois Department of Transportation, the grant will support increased traffic safety enforcement efforts aimed at saving lives and reducing crashes.
“We are grateful for this grant, which allows us to step up enforcement of
Accuracy is important to the Mt. Morris Times. Please call errors to our attention by email at news@oglecountynews.com.
including at least 94 children and 106 seniors every month.
The pantry also will be distributing Christmas gifts to neighbors in December. Donations of new hats, gloves, scarves, socks and blankets will be accepted any time until Dec. 1. Donation bins are located at Mt. Morris churches and the Mt. Morris Senior Center.
The pantry is a partner with Northern Illinois Food Bank, which provides food to food pantries and feeding programs across 13 Illinois counties.
For more information about the food pantry, call Loaves and Fish Food Pantry at 815-613-8776.
The pantry is open from 3:30 to 6 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of the month and 2 to 4:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays.
impaired driving, seat belt, speeding and other traffic safety laws under the banners of ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,’ ‘Click It or Ticket’ and ‘Drive High. Get a DUI,’” Sheriff Brian VanVickle said. “Our top priority is the safety of everyone on our roadways, and we will continue holding those who break the law accountable.”
The STEP grant year runs from Oct. 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2026. During this time, the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office will conduct additional enforcement operations, particularly during high-risk periods. These operations will focus on dangerous driving behaviors, including speeding, impaired driving, distracted driving, failure to yield, disobeying traffic signals and seat belt violations.
Build-a-barn is looking for some horse-loving people to be on its committee to build a competition horse barn at the Ogle County Fairgrounds.
It will be having its annual meeting at 3 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Bertolet Memorial Library, 705 Main St., in Leaf River.
For more information, call Lynne Radville at 815-238-7892.
– Shaw Local News Network
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By EARLEEN HINTON
Shaw Local News Network correspondent
Mail call will be a bit brighter for 350 sailors serving on a destroyer in the Middle East thanks to a care package drive spearheaded by a Mt. Morris church and fueled by volunteers across Ogle County.
The basement of the Evangelical Free Church of Mt. Morris was abuzz Thursday morning, Oct. 16, as volunteers from several area agencies and organizations filled sealable plastic bags with treats, toiletries, and cards and packed them into cardboard boxes to ship to the USS Fitzgerald.
Joyce Long, chairman of the church’s Outreach Team, spearheaded the project dubbed “All Hands on Deck.”
“We enlisted the community’s help with both writing letters to the sailors as well as collecting items or donations for the care packages,” she said. “The sailors are aboard the USS Fitzgerald that has been deployed from San Diego since June 2 of this year and they are currently in the Middle East. They will be at sea through Christmas, through the New Year, and hope to be back in San Diego in February. It’s a long time to be away from home, to be away from family.”
Lt. Logan Murphy, the ship’s chaplain, resided in Mt. Morris for five years, serving as associate pastor for EFCMM. He joined the U.S. Navy in 2023 and has been on the Fitzgerald since August 2023. He contacted EFCMM about sending care packages to all the men and women aboard the ship.
“I got a note from Logan just last night expressing again his thanks in helping him serve the sailors,” Long said. “It will not only include a bunch of goodies and snacks, but also a Christmas gift book that will tell each sailor the true meaning of Christmas. He did tell me that most of the sailors are young, so go heavy on snacks and light on toiletries.”
Thursday morning, tables in the church’s basement were overflowing with items, which were placed in plastic bags and then packed in cardboard boxes to be shipped.
One table showcased letters, notes and drawings that adults and schoolchildren had created for the sailors, thanking them for their service.
“We pulled together not only people from our church, but other organizations in the community, schools, 4-H clubs, the American Legion here in Mt. Morris, and several others to put together these expressions of our gratitude, for the sailors and their service, and to just encourage them while they’re away from home,” McKanna said.
Michelle also thanked all the volunteers and church officials who made the “All Hands on Deck Effort” a success.
“I’m honored to be here, and to see this, it means the world,” Michelle said. “It’s really impactful, and it means the world to my husband and I that across many, many miles, there will be a lot of joy received for the holidays.”
She said Logan decided to join the Navy after receiving an email from a recruiter.
One 13-year-old wrote: “I enjoy building models, playing soccer and watching the Green Bay Packers. Thank you for serving our country. You are really brave. May God keep you safe.”
Logan’s wife, Michelle, and their two children, John and Eliana, ages 7 and 5, flew to Mt. Morris from San Diego to take part in the event.
“When his ship deployed earlier this year, my husband wanted to organize care packages for the crew. Knowing how kind and generous everyone is, he asked the church if they would organize the effort,” Michelle said. “The church and other organizations in the community have really stepped up to show their love and support for these sailors who have had a very challenging deployment, and we are so grateful. My husband sends his deepest thanks on behalf of the entire crew.
“Deployment is always challenging, and this one has been particularly hard on the crew and families. There have been very few opportunities for rest as the ship has spent the vast majority of the time at sea with few stops to continue with their assigned missions,” she said. “These Christmas care packages will be a real morale boost to the crew, especially since they will be missing
time with their families during the holidays this year.”
She said Logan hopes the care packages will brighten the sailors’ day, especially in the midst of “a really hard deployment.”
“They’re not having much time to step off the ship,” she said. “They’re just, they’ve been mostly in the ocean, just working really hard to keep our waters safe. Sailors who are constantly working nonstop in high stress environments, they need that small taste of home to remind them what they’re working for, to remind them, hey, that every day, every moment is worth it, and it brings a little piece of comfort.”
Michelle, John and Eliana helped assemble the care packages.
“I was getting really emotional and tearing up because just so many miles away, oceans away,” Michelle said. “There’s all this love that’s being shown by this wonderful community in a small town that is so impactful and truly, you never know, one handwritten letter, one care package, it can just really turn someone’s day completely around.”
EFCMM Pastor Bruce McKanna thanked all the organizations that worked together to create the care packages.
“He got an email from a recruiter and he started thinking about the need and there’s truly a big need for chaplains in the Navy right now. Chaplains are there for 100% confidential counseling. They offer encouragement, they help keep morale up, and truly are able to help not just the sailor, but the whole family, in the midst of difficult situations and hard times,” she said.
She said the spouses and families of servicemen and women also make sacrifices.
“Everyone goes through it together and the children are resilient and wives, you know, there’s sailors aboard the ship right now that missed the birth of their child, you know, and there’s moms just ... carrying it all together,” she said.
The USS Fitzgerald is a guided missile destroyer homeported out of San Diego with a crew of nearly 350 enlisted sailors, senior enlisted leaders, and officers.
Commissioned in 1995, the Fightin’ Fitz is named after Lt. William Fitzgerald, who was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism on Aug. 7, 1967, when he was mortally wounded in Vietnam.
Surrounded by enemy forces, Fitzgerald ordered his people to evacuate and remained behind to provide them with covering fire. Honoring the ultimate sacrifice and valor of its namesake, the ship’s motto is “Protect Your People.”
By EARLEEN HINTON
Shaw Local News Network correspondent
Nearly 700 people took part in the “No Kings” rally on Saturday, Oct. 18, on the Ogle County Courthouse Square, protesting the policies and executive orders made by President Donald Trump and his administration.
The Oregon event, organized by Indivisible of Ogle County, the local chapter of the Indivisible Project network, was one of thousands of rallies held across the U.S. on Saturday. It was the seventh rally held in Ogle County.
Jan Buttron of Chana, one of the organizers of the Oregon rallies, said the rallies are held to demonstrate free speech.
“We are trying to stop a fascist regime. Our freedom of speech is under attack,” Buttron said.
The majority of participants on Saturday again carried signs criticizing Trump’s policies that they say violate constitutional rights and endanger democracy by trying to “consolidate all the powers to himself.”
On Saturday, homemade signs criticized Trump’s tariffs, immigration policies, executive orders, ICE raids, and failure to release the Epstein files.
Some of the signs read: “Support Science. It Might Save Your Life!”; “Trump is a Wannabe Dictator”; “No Kings. Not Then. Not Now. Not Ever!”; “Real Patriots Stand Up to Bullies”; “Release the Epstein Files”; “We Love America. We Love Democracy”; “If You Aren’t Angry You’re Not Paying Attention!”; “Keep Public Lands Public”; “What’s More American Than Resisting Tyranny?”; “I Protest Because I Love My Country; and “I Love My Country & I Value Democracy, That’s Why I’m Here - Unpaid. No Kings in the USA.”
One sign on a piece of cardboard read “George Santos...really?”, referring to Trump’s decision to commute the sentence of former U.S. Rep. George Santos of New York who was slated to serve more than seven years in federal prison after pleading guilty to fraud and identity theft charges.
Buttron said Trump’s decisions are affecting people in Ogle County.
“While we are out here today protesting, we just learned from someone who has an autistic child that they are now facing cuts to SNAP,” Buttron said.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a program run by the United State’s Department of
Agriculture that “provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the nutritious food essential to health and well-being.”
According to the Illinois Department of Human Services, federal officials with the USDA have informed all states that it will not fund November SNAP benefits if the federal government shutdown continues.
“As a result, SNAP customers will not have access to any new food benefits starting on November 1, 2025, unless the
service optical lab diagnosis/treatment of eye diseases contact lenses bifocal & specialty lenses comprehensive eye health exams great selection of eyeglass frames
By EARLEEN HINTON
Shaw Local News Network correspondent
A Leaf River man was sentenced to 30 months’ probation Oct. 17 after pleading guilty to felony stalking.
Tyler Bunting, 35, received the sentence through a plea agreement during a hearing at the Ogle County Judicial Center in Oregon.
Assistant State’s Attorney Melissa Voss told Associate Judge Anthony Peska that Bunting “knowingly engaged in a course of conduct” directed at a Leaf River woman knowing that his conduct would cause her to “fear for her safety” and that of her 3-year-old daughter.
Court records allege Bunting “monitored, observed, or surveilled” her residence in August and had called the
woman 20 times on Aug. 13 and sent messages pertaining to her daughter on Aug. 7, 12, 13, and 14.
“He sent text messages and called her numerous times,” Voss told Peska. “He was also outside her residence.”
Voss said Bunting’s criminal history included convictions for possession of illegal drugs and driving while under the influence of alcohol.
Bunting’s attorney, Assistant Public Defender Brandon Gecan, said his client had agreed to plead guilty to the offense.
“I’m told you want to plead guilty to this?” Peska asked.
“Yes sir,” Bunting replied.
As part of the plea agreement, one felony charge of stalking, two felony charges of cyberstalking, and a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct were dismissed.
Bunting also was sentenced to 130 days in jail, but was given credit for time served (65 days), satisfying that aspect of the sentence. He can’t possess firearms or other dangerous weapons and must inform his probation officer of any change of address within three days of that change and permit home visits and submit to searches of his person or property if requested by his probation officer.
Bunting also is prohibited from consuming or possessing cannabis or any other controlled substance unless it is prescribed by a physician.
Bunting must submit to DNA testing within 45 days and pay that collection fee.
As part of his sentence, Bunting was ordered to have no contact with the victims and cooperate and complete any
psychological, mental health treatments and therapy as ordered by the probation department.
In addition, Bunting was ordered to pay $750 in fines and costs over the course of his probation sentence.
Additional conditions of his probation include no contact, directly or indirectly, with children younger than 18; not be employed or be present at any business or location that caters to, attracts, or allows access to minors; and not participate in Halloween activities that have access to children or use of a mask.
Bunting also was ordered not to use a phone, internet or social media to connect or communicate with minors and provide any passcodes or login information to the probation department for monitoring of that provision.
Dan and Kathy Drozd of Oregon recently celebrated 50 h years together. The couple was married on October 5, 19 the First Presbyterian Church of Oregon.
They are the proud parents of Nathan (Brittany) Drozd, Oregon; Dana (Lee) Russell-Brown, Perth, Australia; Paul (Brianne) Drozd, Oregon; and proud grandparents of Jackson, Stella, Lauren, Annabelle, Asher, Natalie, Nathan, Nelson, and Kieran. appy 75 in
I finally finished stitching up the Waterbury doll and stuffing her with cotton in places that needed it.
On the back of her head is written Emaline and there was indeed an Emaline Waterbury. Emaline died at the very end of the 1800s. The slip the doll had on was made out of very coarse fabric and I had seen that before in very early baby clothes.
The dress the doll had on did not cover up her patched arms, so I did not use that dress but instead put on one of my early baby dresses my grandmother had made. On her head I put the tatted Waterbury baby hat and that worked perfectly.
Now she was ready to meet the Waterbury family of today. All 25 inches of her in a basket so she will not be handled anymore. After all, if you are over 100 years old, you feel like just resting.
The Waterbury family all arrived at the museum on the Friday morning. Polo Mayor Mark Scholl greeted them by Zoom and then I gave a brief history of the Waterbury family. The first one arrived from England in 1621 at Stamford, Connecticut.
There they lived by the sea and spent several generations until the move to
Betty Obendorf
Andes, New York, took place. In Andes, they had fruit trees and eventually a woolen mill where wool was carded into rolls, spun into yarn, and woven into cloth.
The family had strong moral convictions, religious beliefs, and a social networking of anti-slavery ideas with others such as Solomon Shaver (Shafer) a neighbor close by. It was time to move on and put those ideas into use.
John sold his business to Ezra, his brother, and in 1836 headed for Buffalo Grove in Illinois. Ezra stayed behind to care for the elderly parents and in 1848 he also headed for Illinois. There were 11 children in the family of John and Ezra. Lots of brothers and one sister. They were Lewis, Talmage, John, Daniel, James Steven, Ezra, David, David Stevens, Samuel, Calvin (died at birth), Mary Ann, and Calvin. It was not unusual to name another child after one who had died.
My husband was a descendant of John, and the Waterbury group that came to visit were family of Ezra. John came in 1836 to run the Underground Railroad and settled in Eagle Point.
Ezra did not come until later and Ezra’s son William Waterbury went to the Civil War with Zenas Aplington. Aplington was killed in Corinth and Willam Waterbury was hurt and taken to Libby Prison, where he died from disease and starvation. The body of Zenas was brought back to be placed in Fairmount. The body of William was lost.
While the Waterbury family was here, they had a stone placed in Fairmount Cemetery honoring William beside his wife, Lydia. It is a beautiful stone and the Polo American Legion honored him with a ceremony. The word is called centotaph, when you have an empty grave where the remains have been buried elsewhere or have been lost. We have brought the memory of William back to Polo. We will never forget what he did for our country.
• Betty Obendorf is a retired teacher and volunteer for the Polo Historical Society.
Ogle County Historical Society to meet Oct. 27
The Ogle County Historical Society will have its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27.
The meeting will be at the carriage house located behind the Nash House Museum at 111 N. Sixth St. in Oregon.
The historical society will be accepting nominations for the offices of secretary and treasurer and for the board of directors for the 2026 and 2027 calendar years.
Membership to the county historical society is what funds its ability to preserve history so the public always is welcome to attend.
The Ogle County Historical Society began in 1954 as a project of the Ogle County Federation of Women’s Clubs.
– Shaw Local News Network
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Individuals come in two varieties: Lie, Deny and Falsify or Truth, Trust and Transparency
• When lies bring people together, the truth will eventually tear them apart. Truth and Integrity will always win in the end!
• Doing people wrong will eventually catch up with you!
• DON’T STOP BELIEVING!
BOATING CRASH ON THE ROCK RIVER NEAR OREGON, IL. THE JOURNEY CONTINUES FOR TRUTHFUL TRANSPARENCY REGARDING THE BOATING CRASH THAT TOOK MEGAN’S PRECIOUS LIFE. Relatable quotes include (but not limit to): THE TRUTH WILL ALWAYS PREVAIL NO MATTER HOW LONG IT TAKES!
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
The 2025 Ogle County Fair proved to be one of the best yet, drawing a total attendance of 13,443 – up significantly from 10,721 the previous year.
Despite opening day being rained out, the Ogle County Fair queens led with strength and grace during the Queen Pageant, setting a positive tone for the week.
The remainder of the fair enjoyed perfect weather, welcoming thousands of families who came to experience everything from carnival rides
Continued from page 4
Trump administration and Congressional Republicans reopen the government,” the IDHS said in an Oct. 16 news release.
“SNAP is a 100 percent federally funded benefit and the federal government withholding payments to the state
and delicious fair food to livestock shows, musical entertainment on the county stage and exhibits.
Although the truck and tractor pulls were canceled because of wet conditions, crowds still filled the fairgrounds and enjoyed all the fair had to offer. Community members frequently remarked on the quality of the carnival, the variety of food, and the strong participation from local youths.
Ogle County Fair officials expressed special pride in 2025 Fair Queen Ruby Mulvaney for her outstanding representation of the county.
would impact all 1.9 million recipients in Illinois” according to the release. “The state administers more than $350 million in SNAP benefits each month, funding that feeds families in every corner of the state. If SNAP funds are not delivered by the federal government, the state of Illinois does not have the budgetary ability to backfill these critical resources.”
According to the release, 37% of
“Ruby has been a wonderful ambassador for our fair, and we couldn’t be prouder,” organizers said.
The success of this year’s fair was made possible by the dedication of countless volunteers, the commitment of 4-H members, and the generous support of donors, according to a news release. Organizers extended heartfelt thanks to all who contributed to making the fair such a memorable community event.
Planning already is underway for the next Ogle County Fair, which will be July 29 to Aug. 2, 2026.
SNAP households have older adults, 45% of SNAP households have children, and 44% of SNAP households have a person with a disability
The average monthly SNAP benefit is about $370, according to the release.
Buttron said the rallies will continue as more people are concerned and outraged by Trump’s actions that continue to threaten “representative democracy” and dismantle govern -
ment services and programs.
Saturday’s rally was the second “No Kings” event and drew 200 more people than a June 14 event.
Buttron said all “No Kings” events adhere to a shared commitment to nonviolent protest and community safety. Organizers are trained in de-escalation and are working closely with local partners to ensure peaceful and powerful actions nationwide, she said.
DIANNE L. EDGELL
Born: July 20, 1941
Died: September 22, 2025
Dianne L. Edgell, 84, of Mt. Morris, IL, went to be with the Lord on September 22, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of grace, creativity, and compassion.
Born July 20, 1941, Dianne’s life was a vibrant tapestry woven with movement, service, and love. Her early years were filled with adventure and artistry as she toured internationally with the Ice Capades and European Holiday on Ice. Later, she opened a dance studio in Carpentersville, IL, where she inspired young dancers for more than two decades.
Dianne’s heart for service led her to Batavia, where she ran a home for unwed mothers and
troubled women, offering refuge and hope. In 2004, she settled in Mt. Morris and became an active member of Leaf River Baptist Church, serving faithfully as a deaconess. She lovingly crafted church banners, baby blankets, prayer shawls, and costumes for the local theater group. She found joy in reading, crocheting, and quietly helping others in need.
She is survived by her son Mathew (Dina); sisters Karen (the late Lloyd) Duerst and Jane Baer; many nieces, nephews, cherished friends, and community members. She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Clara Waltz; and her sister Joan (the late Tom) Gill.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 25 at 12:00 PM at Leaf River Baptist Church, 6941 N Mount Morris Rd, Leaf River, IL 61047.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society in honor of Dianne’s enduring spirit and generosity.
Send obituary information to saukobits@shawlocal.com. Notices are accepted until 2 p.m. Tuesday for the next edition.
Born: February 14, 1935
Died: October 7, 2025 in Rochelle, IL
Donna Kettleson Dodd, age 93, of Rochelle, passed away October 7, 2025.
She was the dear Wife of the late Dick Dodd and the late Don Kettleson; loving Mom of Karen (Ron) Kettleson Mellott, Bradd (Lin) Kettleson, Jon (Tammy) Kettleson, and the late Neil Kettleson; Grandma of Neil (Katy) Mellott, Jimmy Mellott, Abbey (Jason) Rutledge, the late Ben, Jake Kettleson, Hailey Kettleson, Andy Kettleson, Tony (Kara) Kettleson; Great Grandma of 11; and Sister of Colin (Phyllis) Hopwood.
Donna was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, of the Eastern Star and a member of the Elks Lodge in Dekalb and in Texas.
She had been a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Rochelle for over 50 years. A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, October 20, 2025, at Christ Church of Oak Brook, Oak Brook, IL. Private Interment. Info www.brustfunerallhome.com or 888629-0094.
Born: April 5, 1953 in Freeport, IL
Died: October 19, 2025 in Forreston, IL
Clifton “Buster” L. Schoonhoven, 72, of Forreston, IL, passed away Sunday, October 19, 2025, in his home. He was born April 5, 1953 in Freeport, IL, the son of Webster and Clarice (Weaver) Schoonhoven. Clifton was a school bus driver for Forrestville School District for 30 years. He was a member of Baileyville Baptist Church. Clifton really enjoyed attending church activities and Forreston athletic events.
He is survived by his brother and sister, Howard “Butch” Schoonhoven and Frances E. Schoonhoven, both of Forreston, IL. Clifton is preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Tuesday October 28, 2025 at Baileyville Baptist Church, Rev. Gary Branam officiating. A visitation will be held from noon until the time of service. Burial will be in Grandview Cemetery. A memorial has been established in Clifton’s memory.
The Blanche Jones Charitable Trust was created by Blanche Jones in 2002 to be used for charitable purposes upon her death and it keeps on giving.
Jones personally selected trustee advisers Perry Byers, Mike Davis and Paula Faivre. She listed the priorities of the trust to be the Polo Area Senior Center and the Polo Library. The trust began distributing funds in 2007. As of this year, The Blanche Jones Charitable Trust has donated $337,419 to the Senior Center and $318,075 to the Polo Library.
The German Valley Historical Museum, 805 Church St., will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26.
At 1:30 p.m., local residents will present “Echos of the Valley: Stories Behind the Artifacts.” There is no admission charge but donations are appreciated.
For more information, go to www. gvmuseum.org.
Because of a lack of business, the regular meeting of the Ogle County
Oct. 13-17, 2025
Warranty deeds
• Byran R. Robidoux to Alyson Augustyn, 315 W. 2nd St., Byron, $197,000
• Hre Builders Llc to Ashley Gelznikas and Garret Wermager, 363 Mill Ridge Drive, Byron, $374,000
• Phyllis Scott to Kory R. Walk and Alexis M. Walk, 3096 E Water Rd, Byron, $290,000
• Alan S. Pals and Vickie L. Pals to Leaf Rivers Farms Llc, 4497 W. Egan Road, Leaf River, and one parcel in Leaf River Township: 03-12-151-001 $2,299,682
• Russell B. Reid, Deceased By Heirs, to Ng Victor, 203 S. Clark St., Monroe Center, $10,800
• David C. Knie, Trustee, Eileen Y. Knie Tr, and Charles J. Tr to Knie Family River Retreat Llc, two parcels: 21-09-276-003 and 21-09-277-007, $0.
• Bay Precision Inc. to James E. Hourigan and Joann M Hourigan, 2811 Brookes Island Rd, Oregon, $87,500
• Christopher T. Kruk and Ludith L. Kruk to Christopher T. Kruk Trustee, Judith L. Kruk Trustee, Revo Kruk Tr, 105. S. Lauren Court, Oregon, $0.
• Kristyn M. Bielskis to William Craft, 332 N. Franklin St., Byron, $186,560
• Hub Shuttle Inc. to Richard J. Kroner and Creena M Kroner, 201 W. Mcconaughy Ave., Rochelle, $164,000
• Kory R. Walk and Alexis M. Walk to Patrick D. Southwick and Christina R. Southwick, 7813 E. Wildwood Rd, Stillman Valley, $430,000
• Patsy K. Mahoney and Laura Robb Elan to Laurie Controis, Trustee, and Laurie Controis, Rev Tr, 308 S. 8th St., Oregon, $247,000
• Chad Alan Scott to Keyshawn Stallworth,
Regional Planning Commission scheduled for Oct. 23 was canceled.
The next meeting of the Regional Planning Commission is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at the Old Ogle County Courthouse, first floor conference room No. 100, 105 S. Fifth St., Oregon.
A Veterans Day program will be held from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. Nov. 11 (doors open at 12:15 p.m.) at the Centennial Elementary School gymnasium in Polo. Guest speaker will be Patrick McBride. – Shaw Local News Network
1008 Lincoln Hwy, Rochelle, $160,000
Quit claim deeds
• Cody L. Starr and Bethany R. Starr to Cody L. Starr, 1051 W. Meadow Ln, Rochelle, $0.
• Alexandra Williams, Alexandra Matheson, and Zachary Matheson to Alexandra Matheson and Zachary Matheson, 235, 305 W. 3rd St., Byron, $0.
• Kenneth D. Lingbeck to Diane K. Hemmersbach and Diane K. Hemmersbach, No parcel or address listed, $0.
Trustee deeds
• Dale A. Dewall Trustee, Dale A Dewall Tr, Carol F. Dewakk Trustee, and Carol F. Dewall Tr to Cole A. Dewall, 5369 N. Summer Hill Rd, Forreston, $170,000
• Kenneth D. Lingbeck Trustee and Patricia M. Lingbeck Tr to Diane K. Hemmersbach, Kenneth D. Lingbeck and Michael J. Hemmersbach, one parcel in Leaf River Township: 04-05-200-002, $0.
• Kenneth D. Lingbeck Trustee and Patricia M. Lingbeck Tr to Diane K. Hemmersbach, Kenneth D. Lingbeck and Michael J. Hemmersbach, one parcel in Leaf River Township, 04-05-400-007,$0.
• Kenneth D. Lingbeck Trustee and Patricia M. Lingbeck Tr to Diane K. Hemmersbach, Kenneth D. Lingbeck and Michael J. Hemmersbach, 157 W. Egan Rd, Leaf River, $0.
• Kenneth D. Lingbeck Trustee and Patricia M. Lingbeck Tr to Diane K. Hemmersbach and Kenneth D. Lingbeck, two parcels in Maryland Township: 03-21-400-006 and 03-28-200-004, $0.
• Kenneth D. Lingbeck Trustee and Patricia M. Lingbeck Tr to Kenneth D. Lingbeck, two parcels in Maryland Township: 03-21-400-006 and
03-28-200-004, $0.
Deeds in trust
• Bruce A. Hongsermeier to Bruce A. Hongsermeier Trustee, Cynthia Hongsermeier Trustee, and Bruce & Cynthia Hongsermeier Tr, four parcels in Mt. Morris Township, 08-22-400-019, 08-22-400-
020, 08-22-400-021 and 08-27-226-008, $0.
• James W. Eckstein and Karen E. Eckstein to James W. Eckstein Trustee, Karen E Eckstein Trustee, and Cornerstone Tr, 114 949 N. Etnyre Ter, Oregon, $0.
– Shaw Local News Network
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Americ an Sur veying & Engineering , Ltd is a highly reputable firm of Consulting Surveyor s and Engineers with 48 year s of experience and three office locations in Chicago, Naperville, and Dixon, Illinois This positio n replaces a talented and loyal Accountant in the Dixon O ffice, who is retiring She will shadow her replacement for several mont hs to ensure a seamless transition. The position includes wor king with a team of other finance professionals, who will also assist in the transitio n.
Americ an Sur veying & Engineering , Ltd is seeking a detail-oriented and reli able Accounting Administrator to manage the company's daily financial records. The ideal candidate has exper ience with full- cycle bookkeeping, is highly organized, and can work independently to ensure the accuracy and integrity of our financial data As a key member of our accounting team, you will provide critical financial information that supports the company's operational and strategic decisions.
Responsibi lities
Record and categorize all daily financial transactions, including sales, purchases, receipts, and payments, in our accounting softw are.
Perfor m bank and credit card reconciliations monthly to ensure accuracy and resolve any discrepancies promptly
Manage and assist accounts payable and accounts receivable transactions.
Process payroll in a timely and accurate manner, including calculating wages, deductions, and tax withholdings. Prepare and file quarterly and annual payroll tax repo rts.
Generate key financial r eports, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements, for manag ement review
Set up all new employees' packages, including insurance, 401 (k), and other benefits
Collaborate with our external accountant to assist with tax preparation and annual financial audits
Maintain an organized and sec ure system of financial records, both digital and physical, for easy retrieval and compliance.
Handle other accounting and administrative tasks as needed to support the company's financial operations
Qualifications
Proven bookkeeping experience, with at least two years of exp erience preferred.
Proficiency with accounting software such as QuickBooks, Xero, or other relevant applications. Our fir m uses Deltek, and the successful candidate will be fully trained in-house
Strong understanding of basic accounting principles and financial regulations.
High school diploma required; an associate's degree in accounting , Finance, or a rela ted field is a plus.
Expert-level knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, and other office suite software. Excellent organizational and time-manag ement skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
Meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to producing accurate work.
High level of integrity and discretion when handling sensitive financial information
Strong verbal and written communication skills for interacting with team members, vendor s, and clients
Salary and Benefits
Excellent Pay is commensurate with skills and experience. The expected salary range is $50,000 or more, based on knowledge and experience. Overtime is not required, but when performed, it is at a one-and-a-half-hourly r ate.
Full benefit package includes Health Insurance w ith Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, 401 (k) with aggressive match, Profit Sharing, Short-term and long-term Disability.
Dental Insurance and Vision are also available
Year-end Bonus is based on
and
Ogle County, IL
Sa turd ay, November 15, 202 5
Sale will be held at 11:00 AM at the Pine Creek Christian Church Fellowship Hall, 8111 W Penn Corner Road, Polo, IL 61064
The 160 acres of farmla nd will be selling in 5 surveye d Parcels A,B,C,D,E. Parce ls A and E are tillable grounds with Open Tenancy for 2026. Parcels C and D is timber/retired quarry ground and will be sold together. Parcel B is the nice 2 story country home on 5 acres with 2 car garage, corn crib and barn. This pr operty is located in Sections 31 and 32 of Pine Creek Townshi p, Ogle County, Illin ois.
For more information including maps, tax info, soil types, etc, plus terms and conditions, visit: www.auctionzip/publicauctionservice.com or www.lennybrysonauctioner.com
Ow ner:
Ma ry Eliz abeth Love Stuff Rev ocable Trust #1
Lenny Bryson 815-946-4120
Public Auction Service Lyle Hopkins 815-441-1251
Attorney for the Trust is Emily Vivian of Ehrmann Gehlbach Badger & Considine, LLC
Tuesday, November 18th, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Sale to be held at: Prairie View Golf Club/ P avillion 6734 German Church Road Byron, IL 61010
350 Acres +/- Sel ling in 7 parcels
OPEN TENANCY FOR 2026
Section 17 Byron Tow nship, Ogle County, IL
Tract 2) 31.521 Surveyed Acres & Various Outbuildings
Tract 3) 86.121 Surveyed Acres
Section 8/17 Byron Township, Ogle County, IL
Tract 4) 39.489 Surveyed Acres
Section 26 of Byron Township, Ogle County, IL
Tract 5) 19.33 Platted Acres
Section 35/36 Byron East Township, Ogle County, IL
Tract 6) 29.53 Platted Acres
Tract 7) 102.98 Platted Acres
Section 28 Winnebago Township, Winnebago County, IL
Tract 8) 43.87 Platted Acres
ctioneer .com
VillageGreenMtMorris@ppmil.com
VILLA GE GREEN - GENOA Railroad Ave, Genoa, IL 60135 815-234-2620
VillageGreenGenoa@ppmil.com
"We are accepting applications" 1-Bedroom Apartments
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OG LE COUNTY - OREGON, I LL INOIS METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, PLAINTIFF VS. BRUCE K HOBSON, UNKNOWN OWNERS GENERALLY, AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS. DEFENDANTS CASE NO. 2025FC41
Property Address: 6986 Route 72 Stillman Valley, IL 61084 NOTICE FOR PUBLI CATION
The requisi te affida vit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to: Bruce K. Hobson and Unknown Owners, and Non Record Claimants, Defenda nts in the above-entitled action, that a Complaint for Foreclosure and Other Relief has been commenced in the Circuit Court of Ogle County, by said Plaint iff against you and other defendants, praying for the foreclosure of certain mortgages conve yi ng the premises legally describe d as follows: PART OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER (1/4) OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER (1/4) OF SECTION 3, TOWNSHIP 24 NORTH, RANGE 11 EAST OF THE FOURTH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, BOUNDED AND DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS, TO-WIT: BEGINNING AT A POINT OF INTERSECTION OF THE EAST LINE OF SAID QUARTER SECTION AND THE CENTER LINE OF STATE AID ROUTE 72, THE PLAT OF WHICH ROUTE IS RECORDED IN BOOK 5 OF PLATS ON PAGE 104 IN THE RECORDER`S OFFICE OF OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS; (SAID POINT OF INTERSECTION BEING 783.4 FEET NORTH OF THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SAID NORTHEAST QUARTER OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER); THENCE NORTH ALONG THE EAST LINE OF AFORESAID QUARTER SECTION, A DISTANCE OF 295.35 FEET; THENCE NORTHWESTERLY PARALLEL WITH THE CENTER LINE OF AFORESAID ROUTE 72, A DISTANCE OF 150 FEET; THENCE SOUTH PARALLEL WITH THE EAST LINE OF SAID QUARTE R SECTION, A DISTANCE OF 295.35 FEET TO THE CENTER LINE OF SAID ROUTE 72; THENCE SOUTHEASTERLY ALONG THE CENTER LINE OF SAID ROUTE 72, A DISTANCE OF 150 FEET TO TH E PLACE OF BEGINNING; (THE SOUTHERLY 45 FEET [A PERPENDICULAR DISTANCE OF CENTER LINE OF HIGHWAY] OF ABOVE DESCRIBED PREMISES ARE DEDICATED FOR HIGHWAY PURPOSES); SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF OGLE AND TH E STATE OF ILLINOIS. P.I .N.: 10-03-400-002
COMMON ADDRESS: 6986 Route 72, Stillman Valley, IL 61084
And which mortgages were made by Bruce K. Hobson, as Mortgagor(s); and given to Ameriques t Mortgage Company as Mortgagee; to wit: that certain "Mortgage" dated (a) 12/13/2002, and recorded as Document No.0218193, that Summons was duly issued out of said court against you as provided by law, and that the said Complaint is now pending for foreclosu re of said mortgages and for other relief
Now, therefore, unless you Bruce K. Hobson and Unknown Owners, and Non Record Claimants, file your Appearance and Answer to the Complaint in said action in the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Ogle County, Chancery Division, on or b efore NOVEMBER 17, 2025, default may be entered against you at any time after that day and a judgment entered in accordance with the prayer for relief in said Complaint.
CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT
Kluever Law Group, LLC 200 N. LaSalle St. Suite 1880 Chicago, IL 60601 312-236-0077 courtresults@klueverlawgroup.com Atty. No. 6275308 Firm Ca se#: SMS001572-25FC1 8190-958649 Forreston Journal Oct. 17, 24, 31, 2025 958649
CUIT
NON-RECORD
61084
hereby given to:
s, Defenda nts
ther Relief has iff against you tgages conve yi ng ST QUARTER OWNSHIP 24
AN, BOUNDED A POINT OF ECTION AND THE CH ROUTE IS RDER`S OFFICE
BEING 783.4
THEAST QUARTER
EAST LINE OF EET; THENCE FORESAID ROUTE
ITH THE EAST EET TO THE ALONG THE TH E PLACE OF DISTANCE OF REMISES ARE OUNTY OF OGLE
tgagor(s); and t: that certain o.0218193, that d by law, and gages and for
wners, and Non mplaint in said ounty, Chancery against you at the prayer for
CIRCUIT OGL E COUNTY, IL LINOIS
In the interest of:
Charles Wallace III, a minor
Case No: 2020 JA 2 NOTICE BY PUBL ICATION
each of you, and an order for judgment entered
Dated this 7 day of October, 2025
Kimberly A. Stahl Clerk of the Circuit Court By: Lisa Baker, Deputy Clerk
Oct. 17, 24, 31, 2025
As sumed Name
Publication Notice
all of the persons owning, conducting and transacting the business known as: Northern Illinois Local Food Collective 10961 N Baileyville Rd Baileyville, IL 61007
Dated: October 6, 2025. s/Laura J. Cook
Universal Telephone Assi stan ce Programs
Administered in Illinois by the Universal Telephone Assistance Corporation (UTAC)
Li feLine Program Making local phone service affordable
ANNUAL TREASURER'S REPORT FOR THE VILLAGE OF FORRESTON FOR THE FI SCAL YEAR 5/1/24-4/30/25
6275308
To: Any and all unknown fathers, respondents, and to all whom it may concern, take notice that on July 8, 2025, a petition was filed under the Juvenile Court Act by ASA R Russo, in the Circuit Court of Ogle County entitled “In the interest of Charles Wallace III, a minor”, and that in courtroom 202 at 106 South Fifth, Oregon, Illinois on November 4, 2025 at 8:45 a.m. or as soon thereafte r as this cause may be heard, an adjudicatory hearing will be held upon the Petition to have the child declared to be a ward of the court and for other relief under that act. The court has authority in this proceeding to take from you the custody and guardianship of the minor. If the Petition requests the termination of your parental rights and the appointment of a guardian with power to consent to adoption, you may lose all parental rights to the child Unless you appear you will not be entitled to further written notices or publication noti ces of the proce edings in this case, including the filing of an amended petition for a motion to terminate parental rights.
Unless you appear at the heari ng and show cause against the petition, the allegations of the petition may stand admitted as against you and each of you, and an order for judgment entered
Dated this 7 day of October, 2025
Kimberly A. Stahl Clerk of the Circuit Court
By: Lisa Baker, Deputy Clerk
Oct. 17, 24, 31, 2025
Public Notice is hereby given that on September 30, 2025, a certificate was filed in the Ogle County Clerk's Office setting forth the names and post office address of all of the persons owning, conducting and transacting the business known as:
Hello Gorgeous 302 DN Franklin St Oregon, IL 61061
Dated: September 30, 2025.
s/Laura J. Cook
Laura J. Cook, Ogle County Clerk
Oct. 10, 17, 24, 2025
As sumed Name Publication Notice
Public Notice is hereby given that on October 6, 2025, a certificate was filed in the Ogle County Clerk's Office setting forth the names and post office address of all of the persons owning, conducting and transacting the business known as:
Northern Illinois Local Food Collective 10961 N Baileyville Rd Baileyville, IL 61007
Dated: October 6, 2025.
s/Laura J. Cook
Laura J. Cook, Ogle County Clerk
Oct. 10, 17, 24, 2025
Laura J. Cook, Ogle County Clerk
Oct. 10, 17, 24, 2025
PUBLIC NOTICE
The 2024-2025 fiscal year budget of the Mt Morris Fire Protection District has been posted at the firehouse, 15 E. Center St. Mt. Morris, IL 61054. The tentative budget is available for viewing in the bulleti n board on the Center St. side of the firehouse The budget will be discussed and brought before the Board for a vote of final approval during the regularly scheduled board meeting on November 17th, 2025 at 7:00 PM CST at the Mt. Morris Firehouse at the above a ddre ss.
October 24, 2025
Notice of Pu blic Hearing Concerning the Intent of the Board of Park Commi ssi oners of the Oregon Park Dis trict, Ogle County, Ill inois to Sell Not to Exceed $3,500,000 General Obligation Park Bonds Public Notice is Hereby Given that the Oregon Park District, Ogle County, Illinois (the “District” ), will hold a public hearing on the 11th day of November, 2025, at 6:00 o'clock P.M. The hearing will be held in the Board Room at the Nash Recreation Cente r, 304 South Fifth Street, Oregon, Illinois. The purpose of the hearing will be to receive pub lic comments on the proposal to sell bonds of the District in an amount not to exceed $3,500 ,000 for the payment of land condemned or purchased for parks, for the bui lding, maintaining, improving and prot ecting of the same and the existing land and facilities of the Di strict and for the payment of the expenses incident thereto.
By or der of the President of the Board of Park Commissioners of the Oregon Park District, Ogle County, Illinois. Dated the 14th day of October, 2025. Haley Mizner Secretary, Board of Park Commissioners, Oregon Par k District, Ogle County, Illinoi s. October 24, 2025
Li feline is a program which provides $9.25 in assistance to help pay monthly charge from local telep hone service. This federally funded program is available to qualified low-income consumers. I f the qualifying low-income consumer voluntarily elects toll blocking while initiating Lifeline service, a service deposit is not required. If toll blocking is unavailable, the carrier may charge a service deposit. Toll blocking will prevent the connection of outgoing toll calls from a residen ce. Who is eligible for these programs?
You are eligible if you are a recipient of one of the following programs:
Medicaid
SNAP (food stamps)
Supp lemental Sec urity Income (SSI)
Federal Public Housing Assistance
Vete ran Pension Benefits
Where can I appl y for th e LifeLi ne and/or LinkUp programs?
For additional information or enrollment in these programs, contact the Leaf River Telephone Company Link-up and Lifeline are federally funded programs. The Illinois Commerce Commission cannot guarantee that all Eligible Telecommunications Carriers will receive funding to support these programs. Reimbursement for these programs depends on the F CC?s Fund Administrator?s management and distribution of the funds collect ed through universal service mecha nisms.
The Un iversal Telephone Servic e Assistance Program (UTSAP)
The Universal Telephone Service Assistance Program (UTSAP) is funded by voluntary contributions from Illinois ratepayers Consumers wishing to participate in the funding of UTSAP may do so by electing to contribute, on a monthly basis, a fixed amount to be included by the Leaf River Telephone Company on their monthly telep hone bill. Customers may designate an amount to be included each month from these choices
Residential customersBusiness customers
$ .50 $ 1.00
$1.00
$10.00 or
$2.00 or$25.00
$5.00
Customers may also elect to make a one time contribution to the UTSAP Administrator. It is the responsibility of the local exchange company to solicit, collect and remit the contributions on beha lf of the customers to the UTSAP Administrator. The addr ess of the UTSAP Administrator is: Post Office Box 1176, Springfield, Illinois 62705-1176.
The voluntary contributions assist qualified low- income customers by prov iding additional assistance to the Universal Telephone Assistance programs. Those who wish to apply for as sistance or make a contribution to UTSAP may contact the ir local telephone company.
Each year the Commission determines the amount of UTSA P assistance, most recent ly in Docket 07-0399.
October 24, 2025
Revenue Summary: Property Tax - $314,462, Sales Tax - $256,435, Income Tax$249,380, Local Use Tax - $48,045, Replacemen t Tax$25,113, Gaming Tax - $38,658, Cannabis Tax - $2,255, Building Permit - $2,842, Liquor License - $8,773, Television Franchise - $10,885, Trailer Court - $140, Tower L ease$15,566, Motor Fuel Tax - $64,835,Water Service$215,358, Sewer Service - $354,661, Water Meter Fee$12,104, Debt Service Fee -$39,4 98, Late Payment Charges $11,800, Interest - $ 114,543, Grants - $2,131, Fines$6,318, Illinois Environmental Protec tion Agency$1,115,099, Other Revenue - $39,498.
TOTAL REVENUES: $2,948,369
Compensation Summary:
Under $25,000: Brittany Busker, Gary Bu ss, Monty Cotte r, Roger Crase, Kathe rine Doxtater, Sonia Green, Darrin Greenfield, Katherine Kalina, Mary Mazur, Wendell McClain, Justin Merry, Mark Metzger, Brian Nichols, V ickye Norris, Glenn Runte, Fred Schneiderman, Christopher Thei rl , Kenneth Vinnedge, Hayden Vinnedge, Julie Voss $25,000 to $49,999.99: Brian Boelkens, Hannah Sligar $50,00 0 and over: Kevin Crase, Blake Klosa, Tanya Shenberger, Scott Timm.
TOTAL PAYR OL L: $420,011
Expenditure Summary:
Altorfer Industries, Inc $28,671, American Legal Publishing $5,327, Anderson Archiv al $3,143, Apple Inc $7,315, Area Tree Service $22,160, AT&T Mobili ty First N et $5,988, Atlas Copco Compressors LLC $5,654, Axon Enterp rise Inc. $45,712, Benning Group, LLC $22,500, Bobcat of Dixon $68,842, Bonnell i ndustries, Inc $3,813, BP $9,778, Buckshot Ridge Farms & Excavating $93,806, Carroll Service Company $6,604, Casey's General Store $4,308, CCECO Generation $7,435, C entralSquare Tech nologies, LLC $4,130, Clear2O, Inc $6,168, ComEd $60,703, Community Funding & Planning Services $35,554, Compass Minerals America Inc $7,999, Core & Main $23,983, Elaine Edler $2,625, Fehr Graham Engineering $182,372,Fields of Green Boutique $4,428, Fischer Excavation $1,069,645, Floor To Ceiling $4,020, FNH Ready Mix, Inc . $3,501Forreston Area Business Associat ion $2,950, Forreston Auto Body LLC $9,714, Forreston Car Care $62,664, Forreston Post Office $5,058, Forreston Sauerkraut Days $5,000, Forreston Vet Clinic $5,000, Genesis Power $8,894, Gworks $9,026, Hawkins Inc $3,170, Helm Materials $25,899, Helm Truck & Equipment $3,181, Hotsy Equipment Co. $7,100, Huber Technology, Inc $3,150, IL Environmental Protection Agency $202,486, Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund $24,115, IML Risk Management Assoc. $43,388 , Koeller Forreston Hardware $4,191, LR Communications $5,326.54, McConnell Machine & Welding $4,532, Mimmo's Pizza Restaurant $5,500,Mississippi Valley Pump Inc. $5,960, Nicor Gas $3,751, Ogle County Collector $5,370, Pace Analytical Services $4,619,Pro Source Electric & Automation $3,349, Quartz Health Benefit Plans Corporation $43,384, Quill $2,718, Republic Services $7,462, Rick's Plumbing $3,982,Rock Cut Quarries $6,889, Salon K $5,000, Sheely Aggregate s $6,905, Shorty's Bar N Grill $4,804, Smoking Gun Worx $7,408, Solutions Bank $4,902, Sweetwood Interiors $5,000, USA Bluebook $2,671, Utility Service Co. Inc, $19,172, Visa $4,557, Ward, Murray, Pace & Johnson, PC $19,753,Water Well Solutions $22,540, Welch Bros Inc. $7,219, Zettl e Bros, Electric Company $5,303. 142 Vendors in amoun ts less than $2,500 = $73,002.
TOTAL EXPE NDITURES = $2,461,925
Subscribed and sworn on this 15th day of October, 2025. Fredric Schneiderman - Village Treasurer Fredric Schneiderman - Village Treasurer I, Tanya Shenberger, Clerk of Village of Forr eston do hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the Annual Treasurer's Report for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2025.
October 24, 2025
No Business is too small to advertise
ANNUAL TREASURER'S REPORT FOR THE CITY OF POLO, IL FISCAL YEAR ENDING 4/30/2025
REVENUE SUMMARY: Property taxes: $188,019- Vehicle Lease Tax: $15,634Sales Tax: $310,461 - Cannabis Use Tax: $3,600 - Illinois Income Tax: $398,187BDD Sales Tax: $51,978 - Hotel Tax $317 - Personal Prope rty Repla cemen t Tax: $31,060 - City Hall Proceeds: $1,500,604-Blink Charging: $194- Tow Fees: $700Liquor Licenses: $13,050 - Dog Licenses: $5,340 - Building Permits: $4,885- Golf Cart/UTV Permits: $3,350- Utility Tax/ComEd: $66,815 - Utility Tax/Nicor: $45,535Sim Tel ecommunications Tax: $2 0,513 - Solicitors Permits: $400- Municipal Auto Rental Tax: $274 - Fines: $7,221- City Citations: $1,727- Pool Admissions: $35,031 - Pool Parties: $2 ,413 - Pool Lessons: $1,935 - Pool C oncessions$16,240 - Park Shelter: $3 20 - Cable TV: $17,802 - Street Openings: $600 - Sex Offender Registration: $100 - Video/Charitable Gaming: $34,730 - Misc.:
$137,105 - Water Rec eipt s: $262,232 - -- Water Tower Lease Fees: $3,000 - Water Other Funds: $90,000 - Misc.: $557,643 - On/ Off Penalties: $2,750- Sewer Receipts: $ 626,178 - Sanitation Collections: - $262,244 - Extra Pickups: $100Ogle Co Drug Fines: $903 - State of Illinois: $51,503 - State of IL Renewable MFT Rece ipts: $52,006 - ARPA: $14,750 - Interest Income: $4,163
TOTAL REVENUES: $7,803,700
COMPENSATION SUMMARY: Under $25,000.00: Alayna Young, Annalise Stamm, Augustin Mumford, Avery Faivre, Byron Grobe, Camrynn Jones, Carlee Grobe, Carson Jones, Chr is tine Glawe , Christopher Plachno, Christopher Thiel, Courtney Grobe, Dakota Meyer, Doug Knapp, Edward Beers, Elias Perez , Elizabeth Stamm, Elsa Monaco, Gage Zeigler, Grace, Miatke, Jackson Willis, James Busser, Jeffrey Donaldson, Jocelyn Bogatitus, Joey Kochsmeier, Jonathan Mandrell, Joseph Head, Kale Grobe, Kameron Grobe, Katel yn Rockwood, K eith Chesnut, Kenneth Yingling, Larry Weaver, Layni e Mandrell, L eah Calderon, Lucas Brown, Mason Peterson, Mercer Mumford, Neveah Altherr, Paula Diehl, Randy Schoon, Rebecca Flyn n, Rebekah Zeigler, Reese Mekeel, Sheryl Gilbert, Tamela Merdian, Terry Spencer, Thomas Bardell, Tyler Merdian
$25,000.00 to $49,999.00: Jamie Nielsen, Rodney Lucas Jr, Susan Waszak
$50,000 and above: Cale Fry, Geraud Zinsou, Kaden Coppo telli, Kenda ll Kyker, Matthew Coppote lli, Michale Mumford, Natha n Millard, Sydney Bartelt, Timothy Rockwood
TOTAL GRO SS COMPENSATIONS: $834,766 EXPENDITURE SUMM ARY: AEP: AEP: $17,797- Apptegy, Inc.: $5,198 - AstroVen Distributors: $11,723 - Axon Enterprises: $51479 - Baco Products LLC: $4,956
- BC/BS of Illinois: $194,645 - Bocker Excavating: $19,885 - Bowman-s Elect ric: $4227 - Brandon-s Tree Service: $3,600 - CentralSquare: $6,333- Christie Cox: $5,000 - Clearview Pools, Inc: $34,066 - ComEd: $99,852 - Compass Minerals: $5,496- Core & Main: $7,447 - Cory Tveit: $3,738 - DC Computer: $15,304 - Delta Dental : $9,646 - Department of Treasury; $33,924 - Fehr Graham Engineering: $192,004 - Ferguson Enterprises #3325: $7,991 - Fer guson Waterworks #2516: $7,671 - Fiscal Service #2: $10,000 - Fischer Exca vating LLC: $20,000 - Five Star Energy Services: $629,236 - Frontier: $10,276.55- Genesis Power: $51,243Gworks: $15,286 - Helm Civil: $3,008- Hel m Truck Equipment: $5,387 - Husar Abatement, LTD: $66,900 - Illinois Department of Revenue: $7,651- IMRA: $9,863 - In the Swim: $4,474 - Irving Construction: $1,972,545 - Johnson Oil: $16,731Karrow Plumbing $3,433 - Legacy Prints: $7,295 - LOCIS: $5,275 - M. Thomas Suits, P.C.: $40,204 - Mahant Supermarket: $11,972- Martin & Company Excavating: $41,817- Menards: $5,301 - Midwest Dis posal: $142,871 - Millco- Atwater, LLC: $11,534 - Municipal Well & Pump: $86,954 - MWG Administrators: $36,419Next Landscaping: $8,785- Nicholas Gjonola: $7,128 - Nicholson Communications:
$4,223 - Nicor: $17,548 - Northern IL TV: $7,452 - Ogle County Economic: $14,750 - Pace Analytical Services LLC: $4,235 - Paler Neubauer Corp: $13,203Pines Automotive: $5,938 - Poligon: $117,915 - Polo Community Unit School Dist 222: $28,027- Polo Cooperative Assn.: $10,152 -Polo Economic Development: $20,000 - Porter Brothers Construction : $78,469 - Postmaster: $5,857 - RAMP Business Corporation: $11,125 - Rat Worx, Inc: $10,251 - Republic Services #719:
$100,952 - R E Wolber & Sons Excavating: $13,300 - Risk Management Assn:
$64,891 Rock River Ready Mix: $ 7,750- R.P Lumber: $4,045 Sjostrom & Sons Inc : $1,349,769 -Sterling Business Machines: $9,474 -Sunbelt Rentals: $4,998TextMyGov: $3,200 - The Economic Development Group: $10,564 -UMB Bank $$99,236 - Uniform Den: $16,575 - USA Blue Book: $7,227 - USDA: $49,500 - Verizon Wireless: $6,038 - Viking Chemical Company: $1 2,810 -Waste Water Management : $22,680 - Wil lett , Hoffman & Assoc.: $87,963 - WIPFLI LLP: $20,650Vendors below $3000: 115,453
TOTAL EX PENDITURES: $7,676,631 Receipts Disbursements
General $ 3,559,303 $4,168,182
Water $ 3,078,400 $3,129,604
Sewer $ 800,645 $ 916,221
Sanitation $ 261,717 $ 331,790
MFT $ 103,635 $ 65,600
Grand Total $7,803,700 $ 8,511,397
SUBSCRIBED AND SWO RN ON THIS 20th OF OCTOBER, 2025.
/s/Tamel a Sue Merdian, Treasurer, City of Polo, Ogle County, IL October 24, 2025
An nual Treasu rer's Report For the City of Oregon Fo r the fi scal year 5/1/24 - 4/30/25
Revenue Su mmary: Property Taxes $1,293,373.46; Telecommu nication $38,853.02; Liquor License $23,575.00; Business License $620.00; Video Gaming $221,739.88; Other Licenses $3,582.78; State Income Tax $626,391.50; Replacement Tax $113,737.76; Sales Tax $740,003.25; Local Use Tax $120,590.20; Cannabis Tax
$5,663.41; ARPA Funds $70,278.00; Utility Tax-Com Ed $43,140.21; Utility Tax-Nicor $31,066.45; Marketing $20,000.00; Capital Improvement for City Hall $172,779.00; Interfund Operating Transfers $1,692,851.00; Loss Prevention $8,100.00; Building Permits $20,380.00; Variance Applications $500.00; Garbage Charges $311,816.55; School Resource Officer $70,889.47; Admin. Towing Fees $16,346.80; Court Fines $26,756.89; Parking Fines $3,515.00; DUI Equipment $9,241.80; Police Vehicle Fund-Circuit Clerk $40.00; Police Reports $275.00; Other Fines $8,245.00; Motor Fuel Tax Allotment $162,831.81; Street Closure Permits $200.00; Tree Planting $28.00; Street Ex Bonds $1,800.00; Traffic Signal Maintenance $3,288.77; 1% Sales Tax Capital Fund $460,169.42; Water Sales $842,298.48; Tur n On Fees
$4,694.39; Water Meters $1,070.00; Industrial Waste Fee $14,950.00; Water Hook Up Fees $1, 500.00; Sewer Sales $914,342.40; Sewer Hook Up Fees $1,500.00; W&S Reimbursement $39,000.00; NSF Check Charge $20.24; Retiree Insurance $4,907.24; Employee Flex Spending $8,250.06; Franchise Licenses $30,890.17; Farmer's Market $1,599.00; Interest Income $54,953.77; Miscellaneous Income $71,959.51.
Total Revenues : $8,314,604.69
Compensation Summary:
Under $25,000.00: Jameson Capos ey, Joshua Cofield, Melanie Cozzi, Randy Cropp, Aidan Ellsworth, Tim Krug, Alyssa Mowry, Terry Schuster, Adres Silva-Villalobos, Breanna Wakeland, Ken Williams, and Kurtis Wilson.
$25,000.00 to $49,000.00: Lynn Baylor-Zies, Tay lor Buckwalter, Maison Crawford, Tad Dominski, Corey Fry, Lis a Pa yne, and Joshua Pickering.
$50,000.00 to $100,000.00: Skyler Bethel, Devin DeHaan, Mary Elliott , Cheryl Hilton, Aaron Montoya, Jordan Plock, a nd Gregory Spencer
$75,000.00 to $99,999.99: Timothy Br echon, Bill Covel l, Eric Higby, Terry Lester, Zachary McKea n, Jeff Pennington, and Scott Wallace
Ove r $100,000.00: Joseph Brooks, Darin DeHaa n, and Matthew Kalnins.
Ex penditure Summar y:
a5 Group Inc
$12,731.25, AC Pavement Striping Co. $22 5,987.74, Advanced Automation & Controls
$26,195.00, Aegis Construction, Inc $8,500.00, AEP Energy $15,616 .46, Ancel Glink, P.C. $8,923.72, Anthem Excavat ion & Demolition, Inc $104,000.00, Axon Enterprise Inc $20,464.73, B & F Construction Code Servi ces, Inc $7,000.00, Beesing Welding $8,791.72, Black Diamond Plumbing & Mechanical Inc
$13,093.00, Blue Cross Blue Shield $219,103.36, BNSF Railway Company $11,324.54, Bobcat of Dixon $49,751.31, Bonnell Industries $3,362.36, Box Materials LLC $3,200.00, Brooks Jewelers $2,630.00, Butitta Bros. Automotive - Oregon $12,616.74, Caspers Home Inspection LLC $18,600.00, CDW Government $7,031.46, Central Bank Illinois $8,250.06, C entral Square $5,622.33, C ity of Aledo, Illinois $5,025.71, City Of Oregon $1,364,832.66, Civic Plus LLC $2, 835.00, Coliseum Museum Art, Antiques & Americana $17,342.59, Comcast $24,757.79, ComEd $106,072.04, Compass Minerals America Inc $16,561.99, Constellation $21,747.24, Dan Flanagan $3,745.00, Dixon Glass Co $19,977.25, Drydon/A DXP Company $3,779.00, Ehmen $4,295.79, EM Benefits $21,706.77, Envision Healthcare $47,704.15, Feare r, Nye & Chadwick $8,158.01, Federal Tax Deposit $338,228.96, Fehr Graham $570,463.19, Ferguson Enterprises LLC #3326 $4,608.12, Ferguson Water works #2516 $64,640.05, Fischer's $13,081.39, Freeport Industrial Roofing Inc $91,912.50, Frontier $2,560.98, Glaus Industries LLC $8,950.00, Golden Rule Signs $43,904.85, Grainger $7,289.62, Hach Company $17,298.58, H ackbarth Truck & Equipment $28,921.29, Hagemann Horticulture LLC $84,686.41, Hawkins, Inc $16,418.54, Hel m Civil $35,384.70, Hey Tree Service, LLC $30,150.00, Highstar Traffic $8,077.85, Hometown Auto Repair, LLC $9,731.99, IL Dept Of Revenue $78,626.08, IL Frater nal Order Police Labor Council $4,548.00, Illinois EPA $417,659.64, Illinois Department Of Transportation $49,771.20, Illinois EPA $11,000.00, Illi nois Municipal League $99,911.34, Illinois Public Safety Agency Network $3,342.00, IMRF $172,624.90, IMRF Voluntary Contribution $7,693.74, James Taylor $3,380.00, Jen's Artisan Breads Ltd $5,280.00, Joe Brooks $20,000.00, Johnson Oil $6,348.43, Kalee l's Clothing $2,602.00, Kelsey Excavating $39,956.00, Ken Williams $3,749.83, Kunes Country Auto Group $21,307.48, LAI, LLC $47,058.97, Layne $122,736.50, Leads Online Parent, LLC $2,688.00, Lexipol LLC $7,344.13, Liz Hiemstra $4,000.00, LOCiS $5,273.75, Lonnie's Carpet Max $6,018.48, M Mongan Decor Monhow Enterprises LLC $2,998.62, Main Street Machines $3,689.60, Manheim Solutions $30,996.00, Martin And Company Excavating $61,225 .57, Maxon's $2,535.72, Menards $4,387.55, Midco Diving Marine Services, Inc $7,782.00, Midw est Disposal $2,760.00, Mobile Electronics $26,021.18, Morton Salt $9,983.85, Motorola-Starcom21 Network $2,808.00, NAPA $3,341.85, Nationwide Retirement Solutions $15,910.00, Nora Kate Paints $5,000.00, Northern Illinois Disposal Services $122,085.05, O'Brien Civil Works Inc $130,060.97, Ogle County Economic Development Corporation $23,500.00, Old Nati onal Bank $7,702.40, Oregon Area Chamber of Commerce $14,670.00, Oregon Community Unit School District #220 $22,529.09, Oregon Depot Museum $7,807.04, Oregon Park Distri ct $6,704.00, Pace Analytical Services $5,377.10, Polo Cooperative Assoc $42,810.3 0, Postmaster $18,239.34, PromptNP Healthcare PLLC $55,000.00, Quill $2,720.56, Region 1 Planning Council $15,427.05, Republic Services #721 $164,569.52, Rogers Ready Mix $4,609.04, Rush Power Systems $4,425.41, Sauk Valley Community College $14,359.18, Slim and Hanks
$20,736.75, Snyder's Pharmacy $6,020.72, Standard Equipment Co $3,659.20, State Disbursement Unit $15,368.08, Sterling Fence $8,490.76, Steve Benesh & Sons $21,398.42, Stillman BancCorp $24,432.36, Sun Life Financial $7,278.40, SundogIT $38,807.06, Ter ry Lester $3,360.00, Testing Service Corporation $5,893.00, The Economic Development Group $12,113.40, Uniform Den East, Inc $4,535.66, Verizon $8,606.10, Verizon Connec t $2,782.14, Village Of Progress $15,049.66, Visa $49,505.58, Vos Marketing & Events $2,542.50, Waste Water Management Of Northern Ill. $30,756.00, Water Solutions Unlimited Inc $10,0 80.00, Wiggale LLC $4,035.26, Willett Hofmann & Associ ates $19,389.39, Wipfli $44,000.00, Zions Bank $427,543.50, Zoro Tools, Inc $6,858.29, All other Disbursement s Less Than $2,500 $104,934.32. Total Vendors: $6,720,778.80 I, Cheryl Hilton, City Clerk/Treasurer of the City of Oregon, Illinois do hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the Annual Treasurer's Report for the year ending April 30th, 2025. Approved by City Council on October 14th, 2025, by roll call vote. 5 Ayes: 0 Nays: 0 Absent.
Cheryl Hilton, City Clerk/Treasurer October 24, 2025
By DRAKE LANSMAN dlansman@shawmedia.com
Tuesday, Oct. 14
Volleyball
Eastland d. Polo 25-18, 25-13: Trixie Carroll led the Cougars (19-8, 8-1) with 15 kills and had nine digs and two blocks. Keara Kaus added 20 assists and five kills while Morgan McCullough had 15 digs. For Polo, Reese Mekeel (one ace) had six kills, and Cam Jones (one ace) had seven digs and three kills.
Oregon d. Rockford Lutheran 21-25, 25-15, 25-18: Izzy Berg had four blocks and six kills in the win. Emma Eckerd had 12 digs and an ace, while Ashlee Mundell added three aces and seven digs.
Boys soccer
Oregon 4, Abingdon-Avon 1: Aidan Hammer scored a hat trick and Steven Guardado also found the net in the win. Deryk Withers had seven saves for the Hawks (14-9).
Thursday, Oct. 16
Volleyball
Stillman Valley d. Oregon, 25-21, 25-17: At Oregon, Ella Rowe had four service aces and seven digs to pace the Hawks as they dropped their Big Northern Conference match to the Cardinals. Lola Schwarz added three kills and two service aces, and Mikaila Ellison had seven assists for Oregon (4-15, 3-5).
Milledgeville d. Polo, 25-15, 25-14: At Milledgeville, Kennedy Livengood dished out 25 assists to go with eight kills as the Missiles took the NUIC match from the Marcos. Claire Ottens added five kills and seven assists for Milledgeville (21-5, 7-3). Reese Mekeel led Polo with nine kills.
Friday, Oct. 17
Football
Oregon 20, Winnebago 18: The Hawks held on to get their fifth win after leading 20-12 at halftime. Jakobi Donagen ran for 140 yards and two TDs for Oregon. Keaton Salsburg also ran for a score in the victory.
Polo 54, Hiawatha 14: The Marcos (7-1) led 48-8 at halftime en route to a fourth straight win by 40 points or more. Mercer Mumford ran for 131 yards and three TDs, JT Stephenson ran for two more scores and Quentin Hart found the end
Oregon’s Jakobi Donagen runs with the ball against Winnebago on Oct. 17 at Landers-Loomis Field in Oregon.
zone for Polo. The Marcos ran for 297 yards on 39 carries in the win.
Saturday, Oct. 18
Football
Forreston 26, LeRoy 13: The Cardinals pulled away after trailing 13-6 after one quarter. Connor Politsch scored an 80-yard TD on his first carry and led Forreston with 125 yards. Eli Ferris had 49 yards and a TD, and Brady Gill threw a 52-yard TD pass to Politsch and also ran for a TD. Forreston improved to 5-3 ahead of
next week’s regular-season final against No. 1 Stockton.
Boys cross country
NUIC meet: Forreston took fifth as a team. Landon Graden led Forreston with a seventh-place finish and Levi Bocker took 13th. Noah Genandt was 21st.
BNC meet: Averick Wiseman took first and Dean Geiger was second as Dixon’s first five placed in the top 10 and tallied 26 points to run away with the team title. Rockford Christian (61) was runner-up, and Byron (92) took third. Rock Falls
(169) was sixth, and Oregon (275) was ninth.
Chayse Rosenbalm led Oregon in 49th place.
Girls cross country
Anya Anaya leads Oregon: The Hawks (115) took fifth as a team as Anya Anaya took 13th and Madeline Rogers was 18th.
NUIC meet: Forreston’s Aubrey Herndon was 13th and Hayden Harvey took 20th. Avalyn Henry took 25th, Navaeh Scheffner was 32nd and Emilee Bocker was 34th as the Cardinals took fourth as a team.
With one week left in the regular season, the football playoff picture is getting clearer. The good news for Byron is it probably won’t see IC Catholic right off the bat.
Let’s add another contender to the Class 3A bracket in potential No. 1 seed Richmond-Burton, which gave coach Mike Noll his 300th win last week. The former Big Northern Conference foe has a long tradition of playoff success and will not cave in to powerhouses such as Byron or IC.
The 3A bracket could be even tougher if Wilmington is bumped up from 2A. A playoff projection currently has them as the largest school in 2A. Their only loss is to 4A power Morris, 27-20.
Teams that have departed the conference such as R-B (7-0), Burlington-Central (7-1), Johnsburg (6-2) and Marengo (6-2) are one reason why the Big Northern has declined in football quality. However, those long drives are not missed, especially a place such as Johnsburg that seemed to have so many twists and turns to get there.
B-C wasn’t too bad of a drive, but its enrollment would have driven it out of the BNC anyway as they currently have 1,500 students. The same with Hampshire, which is approaching 2,000. Not the town’s population, but the high school enrollment.
Then there was Huntley, which replaced Forreston a year after the
Andy Colbert
BNC’s inception. It went from a school that at one time was smaller than Forreston to 10 times larger at 2,746.
My only trip to Huntley was in 2001 when Oregon faced it in the second round of the playoffs. I bring this up because of a bizarre outcome in the final minutes of regulation.
Comfortably ahead 27-26 and close to running the clock out, Huntley got outfoxed by Oregon, whose only hope was to get the ball back. The easiest way for that to happen was for Oregon to purposely let Huntley score.
I’ve never got official confirmation from coach Bothe on that, but suddenly a Huntley running back cracked off a long touchdown run. A wiser play would have been for the runner to fall down after getting a first down, which would have allowed the clock to run out and preserve the win.
The extra-point kick put Huntley up by eight points, but Oregon at least had a sliver of hope. Not known as a fast-scoring offense, the Hawks dramatically scored a touchdown as time was running out.
All that was needed was a two-point conversion to send the game into over-
time, something thought implausible a minute or so before. And that’s what happened.
Unfortunately, the miracle win wasn’t to be as Oregon lost 41-34. But it was an exciting ending.
Speaking of enrollment, 2000 and 2001 were the peak of the combined Mt. Morris/Oregon consolidation with about 650 students, which was about what Huntley had at that time. Now, Oregon sits at 428. Whatever happens in the playoffs to Forreston doesn’t matter. Its season is already a success as evidenced by its arduous journey to get there, culminating with a come-from-behind win over LeRoy on Saturday.
It was a 12-point swing at the end of the first half that made the difference. Already ahead by a point and seemingly unstoppable, LeRoy scored an apparent touchdown, but it was called back because of a penalty.
Getting the ball back at the seven-yard line with under two minutes to play, the Cardinals drove the length of the field to grab the lead and made it hold up in the second half with its time-consuming offense for a 26-13 win. LeRoy had a chance to get back in it, but an errant pitch on fourth down doomed the team.
Forreston doesn’t have the athleticism of some teams, but a disciplined approach limits those mistakes. That is critical to win the toss-up games, of which they went 4-0.
Some people wondered if Rockford Lutheran would show up to play Byron, which led 49-0 after the first quarter en route to a 77-0 final. That was only topped by the 79 points put up by Sterling Newman on Kewanee.
Byron (418) is one of three teams in the state with more than 400 points. Westville has 452 and Peoria 428. Dixon is next with 398.
Special mention in the BNC needs to go to Winnebago. In recent years, the Indians have been plagued by low numbers, but under coach Mark Helm always have played hard. This year is no exception, with Oregon fortunate to escape with a 20-18 win last Friday.
Although it is 2-6 going into the finale against Stillman Valley, Winnebago was close to being 4-4 and aiming for a playoff spot. It had a one-score, nonconference loss to Clinton, Wisconsin, and lost to North Boone by three points.
In maybe the most surprising result in the BNC this season, just when it looked like Stillman Valley had a clear path to the playoffs, it was North Boone shutting out the Cardinals 26-0. That puts even more importance on the Winnebago game with Stillman Valley. With a loss, the 4-4 Cardinals are out of the playoff picture.
• Andy Colbert is a longtime Ogle County resident with years of experience covering sports and more for multiple area publications.
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
The Oregon Junior High cross country teams competed Oct. 7 at the Route 72 Middle School Conference Meet at Byron Forest Preserve. Both the girls and boys teams finished in third place.
In the girls race, Oregon’s Kollins Anaya earned first place and the conference championship for the second consecutive year, finishing with a 35-second lead over the runner-up.
“Kollins ran an exceptional race today, and our girls all showed amazing heart and determination. Every runner improved, and we are so proud of their efforts,” OJHS coach Nic Anaya said.
Marie Ramirez placed 16th, McKenna Moseley was 17th, Mara Bell
placed 27th, Carolina Kaskavage was 28th, Presley Contreras placed 34th and Oakleigh Kiesling was 37th.
Ramirez and Moseley finished side by side, both setting personal records. Bell, Kaskavage, Contreras and Kiesling also posted personal bests.
The boys team was led by Graham Kaskavage and Nicanor Anaya, who placed seventh and eighth, respectively, in a field of mostly eighth graders.
Callum Groenhagen placed 16th, Luca Cozzi was 18th, Wesley Rogers placed 34th and Hayden Roos was 50th.
“Our boys showed great growth and determination,” OJHS coach Emily Anaya said. “Several runners continue to set personal records which shows how hard each athlete continues to work – even at the end of the season.”
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
Oregon recovered a Winnebago fumble in the red zone late in the fourth quarter to edge Winnebago
20-18 in Big Northern Conference action Friday, Oct. 17, at Landers-Loomis Field in Oregon.
1992: The Toronto Blue Jays beat the Atlanta Braves 4-3 in Game 6 of the World Series at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium to win their first-ever title. Toronto catcher Pat Borders is the MVP of the World Series.
