Mt_Morris_Times-11-18-2022

EarleenHinton/ShawMedia

AT

BE

oglecountynews.com ShawLocal.com

OFFICE

113-115 Peoria Ave. Dixon,IL61021 815-732-6166, ext. 2592

SUBSCRIPTIONS

$39inOgleCounty, and $52outsideOgleCounty. Single-copypriceis$1 To subscribe,makea payment ordiscuss yourdelivery, call815-732-6166, ext. 2518, from 7:30a.m. to 6:30p.m. Monday-Fridayorsendan email to subscriptions@ oglecountynews.com. Youalsocan subscribeonline by going to oglecountynews com andclickingonSubscribe.

CLASSIFIED SALES classified@shawlocal.com

HELP WANTED employment@shawlocal.com

LEGALNOTICES sauklegals@shawlocal.com

OBITUARIES

saukobits@shawlocal.com Deadline forobituariesis 2p.m. Tuesday for Friday’sedition

SENDNEWS news@oglecountynews.com

Publisher

JenniferHeintzelman 815-632-2502 jheintzelman@shawmedia.com

GeneralManager

EarleenHinton 815-632-2591 ehinton@shawmedia.com

News

Alexa Zoellner 815-632-2590 azoellner@shawmedia.com

Advertising Sales

JenniferHeintzelman 815-632-2502 jheintzelman@shawmedia.com

Mt.Morris Times, OgleCountyNews and oglecountynews.comarea division of ShawMedia. OgleCountyNewspapersalso printstheMt.Morris Times, Oregon Republican Reporter and Polo’s Tri-County Press.

TheMT.MORRISTIMES (USPSNo.365-440)ispublished weekly by B.F.Shaw PrintingCo., ShawMedia. Periodicalpostage paid at Mt.Morris,Illinois.

POSTMASTER Sendaddress changes to MT.MORRISTIMES, P.O. Box8,Oregon,IL61061. Phone815-732-6166, ext. 2516.

Allrights reserved. Copyright 2022

Goodfellows accepting donations forthe holidays

TheMt.MorrisGoodfellowsareacceptingmonetarydonations forthoseinneedthisholidayseason.

Donationsaregreatlyappreciated.JerryGriffinandCharlie Beard,GoodfellowsCo-Chairmen,hopetheGoodfellowswillonce againbeabletoprovideassistancethisChristmasthankstothe financialsupportofthecommunity.

Eachholidayseason,fornearly70years,theGoodfellowshave providedfoodassistanceandfruitbasketstoresidentsinMt.Morris.

DonationscanbemailedtoMt.MorrisGoodfellows,P.O.Box

THOSE WERE THE DAYS

TheOregonDepotMuseumwillholdits NovembersessionofThoseWeretheDayson Saturday,Nov.26,at10a.m. Thepresentationwillbe“ALittleofThisanda

MT. MORRIS LIBRARY

HolidayClosure

ThelibrarywillbeclosedonThursday,Nov.24, forThanksgiving.Pleasestopbyanyotherday thatweektoenjoyeverythingthelibraryhasto offer.Thankyou!

TheGivingPump

ThroughoutthelastthreemonthsourlocalShell stationhasgenerouslyprovided‘TheGiving Pump’.Thisprogramgivesaportionofthe proceedsfrompumps1and2towardchildren’s programingattheMountMorrisPublicLibrary. Thisweekourlibrarydirector,MaryCheatwood, wasgiftedacheckfor$442.92fromtheShell Stationmanager,DawnStevens.Wewouldliketo expressourappreciationtoShell,Dawn,andthe communityforsupportingchildrenprogramingat thelocallibrary!THANKYOU!

StoryTime

Gobbleintostorytimethisweek!Wearegetting readyforThanksgivingandlearningaboutturkeys TherewillbebooksandcraftsthisWednesday, Nov.23StorytimeiseveryWednesdayat11:15 a.m.,bringyourlittleonestoenjoystoriesanda craftatthelibrary!

CookbookClub

JoinusasweexploreTheCookbookClub!This deliciousclubwillbeusingtwobooksthismonth! ChoosearecipefromTasteofHome30-Minute MealsorTheChristmasCookieBookbyJudy KnipeandBarbaraMarks.Wonderfulrecipes combinedwithfriendshipcreatessomethingboth beautifulanddelicious!Stopbytochooseyour recipe,thenbringthedishtopassatournext meeting!JoinusonTuesday,December6th @6pm atTheSeniorCenterforanotherexcitingmeal!

ChristmasDecorationExchange

It’sbeginningtolookalotliketheholidays!Mt. MorrisLibrarywillbeopeningourdoorsand tablestotheannualexchangeofChristmas decorations!Donationsoftrinkets,baubles,

75,Mt.Morris,IL61054ordroppedintoaGoodfellowsdonation canlocatedatlocalbusinesses.

ParticipatingMt.MorrisbusinessesareSterlingFederalBank, UnionSavingsBank,RockfordBellCreditUnion,Cimino’sPizza, TheIdleHour,MooseLodge,PeppermillRestaurant,Sharky’s, ShellExpress,Sullivan’sGrocery,VillageHall,Mobil,EclipsHair Salon,CampusCafé,Mullarkey’sBar&GrillandNavaFamily Restaurant.

ForadditionalinformationregardingGoodfellows,callGriffin at815-440-4440.

LittleofThat.” “Welookforwardtoseeingyouatthissession,” saidChrisMartin,oneoftheevent’sorganizers.

TheprogramisheldattheOregonDepot,401

CollinsSt.

CallOttoDickat815-440-0639,RogerCainat 815-757-9715orMartinat815-742-8471for additionalinformation.

ornaments,tchotchkes,knickknacks,etc.willbe acceptedorexchangedfornewhomes.Donations shouldbeingoodshapeandworkingorder.The exchangerunsthroughMonday,Dec.5.

CardMakingattheLibrary

JoinusinDecembertomakesomelovely home-madecardstosendtofamilyandfriends. Wewillbeofferingacard-makingclassfromlocal crafter,LizGullett.Lizhasalreadybeenworking withtheOregonPublicLibraryandherclassesare quitethesuccess!Wewanttoofferherlovely workshopstotheMountMorrispatronsalso.She willbehereonThursday,Dec.8from5-7p.m.You willgetallthematerialstomaketwobeautiful cardstotakehome.Feesarebydonation. Registrationislimitedsocallthelibraryorstopby

tosaveyourspot.

LegoClub! OurnextLegonightisthisThursday, Dec.15,from6-6:45p.m.Bringafriendandbuild somefunwithLegobricks!Allchildrenand parentsareinvited.Childrenunder8needtobring aparentwiththem.

AdultBookClub

TheNovemberbookis“BeautifulRuins,aNovel” byJessWalter.Everyoneiswelcometojointhis bookclubgroup!Copiesofthebookareavailable atthelibrary.Thisgroupwillmeetin-personon Monday,Nov.28atthelibrary.

ExploreMoreIllinoisWelcomesTheTinker SwissCottage

ExploreMoreIllinois,RAILS’onlineculturaland recreationalpassprogramforIllinoislibraries, welcomesitsnewestattraction,TinkerSwiss CottageMuseumandGardensinRockford!Tinker SwissCottageisahistoricVictorianhouse museumlocatedintheheartofRockford,Illinois. Themuseumcomplexcontainsthehistorichouse museum,barn,andcarriagehousefromtheTinker family.Inaddition,thepropertyisthehomeofthe foundingsiteofRockfordandcontainsa Pre-ColumbianNativeAmericanconicalmound. Guidedtoursareoffereddailyandtakeguests throughRobertTinker’suniqueSwisschalet home.

TinkerSwissCottageMuseumandGardensis offering$1offtouradmission.ExploreMore Illinoisuserscanaccessandreservepassesfrom anyofourattractionsontheirparticipating library’swebsite.

AdditionalServicesOffered

Wemakecopies(25¢perblackandwhitepage). Wefax($2forthefirstpageand50¢each additionalpage).Wecanscanadocumentand sendittoemail($2perdocument).Youcanusea computerwithoutalibrarycardfor$1.Resumé softwareisavailableonourcomputers.

Photoprovided

Dawn Stevens (right) ofthe ShellGas Station in Mt. Morris hands MaryCheatwood, Mt. Morris Library director,acheckwith the proceeds from The Giving Pump. The GivingPumpdonates a portion ofthe proceeds to localchildren’s programs.

Organ recital at St. Mark’s in Polo on Sunday, Nov. 20

Afterrecentorganrepairs, membersof St.Mark’s-Polo thoughtthiswouldbeagood timetocelebratewithsomespecialmusic.

ArecitalisplannedforSunday,Nov 20,at2p.m.Pastor ScottRalston willgiveablessingandPaulandRobi n McNamara,whorepairedthe organ,willbethere.

Paulwilltalkaboutthe repairsandshowsomefeatures oftheorgan.FeaturedmusicianswillbeMichelleGoeking, MarianWolfandCheryl Goeking.Allarewelcome. Theeventisfreeandopento thepublic.

Anofferingplatewillbe availableinthebackofthe sanctuaryfordonationstohelp payfortheorgan’srepairs.

St.Mark’sislocatedat201N. DivisioninPolo.Lightrefreshmentswillbeservedafterward.

The organ at St Mark’s Lutheran Churchin Polo has been refurbished.Arecital will beheld on Sunday, Nov 20, at 2p.m.

PhotoprovidedbyLindaGall

St Paul LutheranChurch of Oregon recently thanked local health care workerswith boxes of cookies.Boxes were delivered to Pinecrest Manor, Oregon Livingand Rehab Center, Shepherd Premier and KSB Center for Health Services. Picturedabove area staff member from KSB and aresident from Shepherd Premier as they accept cookies from Sandy Strohecker, representing St Paul LutheranChurch.

St. Paul Lutheran Church thanks healthcare workers

Budget approved with decrease for health department

Taxpayerswillseearoughly2-cent decreaseonpropertytaxbills

ByALEXAZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com

ArequesttonotcuttheOgleCountyHealth Department’sbudgetby$24,000wasdisregarded, andthe county’s 2023budgetwasapproved aspresentedTuesday.

“AsaHeathBoard,wewon’tbeabletofunction withastipenddecreaseof$24,000,”HealthBoard ChairpersonCarolHoekstratoldOgleCountyBoard members.“Lastyear,it[thedepartment’sbudget] was$80,000;it’sdownto$56,000.”

The$24,000wasmovedtoacontingencylineitem Financebudget,accordingtominutesfromtheOct. 12FinanceCommitteebudgetmeeting.Thefunds weremovedtocoverthecostofutilities,janitorial andotherexpensesincurredbytheHealthDepartment’sRochellelocation.

“TheobjectivefromtheFinanceCommitteeis[to] notgivetheHealthDepartmentfundingfromthe GeneralFund,”theOct.12minutesread.“The FinanceCommitteehasaskedthe HealthDepartmenttoincluderentintheirgrantapplications.”

ThematteroftheHealthDepartmentpayingrent wasdiscussedattheSept.8and22andOct.12 FinanceCommitteebudgetmeetings.

TheSept.8minutesstatethatFinanceCommittee Chairperson GregSparrowsaid“theyhaveasked forrentfromtheHealthDepartmentfortwoyears andhave not[been]successful.”Theminutesstate thatSparrowsaidhisunderstandingis,whenthe HealthDepartmentwasformed,itwasmeanttobe self-sufficientfollowingaone-timecontribution fromthecountytoassistwithstart-up.

“We’rehavingahardtimeatthistime,”Hoekstra said.“We’relosingouradministrator.We’vebeen goingthroughinterviewing,havingproblemsfindinganappropriateandqualifiedadministratorfor this,asperthestateofIllinois[requirements].At this time,itmakesitimpossibletoattractsomeone forthejobwithproblemswiththebudgetalready.”

OgleCountyPublicHealthAdministratorKyle Auman’scontractwiththecountyendsNov.30.He hasresigned,butiscontinuingtoassistpart-timein signingdocumentsrequiredbythestateuntil a replacementisfound,Hoekstrasaid.

Therearetwowaystoformahealthdepartment inIllinois,SparrowsaidaccordingtotheSept.8minutes.Thefirstisforacountytopassaresolution formingone;thesecondistopassareferendumand levyataxforahealthdepartment.

OgleCountyBoardmembersapproved thefiscal year2023budget22-1;boardmemberThomasSmith votedno.

Thepropertytaxratewillbeof71.2centsper$100 equalizedassessedvalueforfiscal2023.The2022rate was73.2cents.

OgleCounty’sEAV–one-thirdofthevalueofall thepropertyinthecounty–roseto$1,852,643,580 TheExelonnuclearpowerplantrepresentsabout one-thirdofthat.

The2023propertytaxlevyis$13,199,080.That’san increaseof$278,165–orabout2%–overtheamount leviedin2022.Appropriationstomorethan80funds total$59,953,808,whichincludesthenearly$13.2millionpropertytax.

Thecounty’slargestfundistheGeneralFund,to whichtheboardappropriated$17,356,059.Thereve nue–whichincludes$5millionofpropertytaxlevy –ºisexpectedtomatchtheappropriation,Sparrow saidduringtheOct.25countybudgethearing.

Someoftheotherfundsthatwillreceivepartof theirrevenuefrompropertytaxlevydollarsinclude theCountyHighwayFund($1.85million);IMRF Fund($1.4million); theMentalHealthFund($1.03 million);CountyBridgeFund($925,000);Co-OperativeExtensionFund($140,000);FederalAidMatch ingFund($925,000);SocialSecurityFund($900,000); InsurancePremiumLevyFund($575,000);Senior SocialServices($274,000); WarVeteransFund ($146,000); andtheTBCareandTreatmentFund ($34,080).

Thebudgetcanbeviewedbyvisitingwww.ogle county.organdlookingunderthe“County”tab alongthetopofthewebpage,andclickingon“Transparency.”

Mt. Morris church offering free ESL classesthrough SVCC

Agroupofarearesidentshasspent this falldiligentlystrivingtohone theirEnglish-speakingskills.

Sincemid-September,15people fromMt.Morrisandsurrounding communities havebeenattending EnglishasaSecondLanguage(ESL) classestwiceaweekattheEvangelical FreeChurchofMt.Morris.

ThisisthefirsttimetheAdultEducationofficeatSaukValleyCommunityCollegehasofferedthefreeclasses inMt.Morris,andit’soneofthelargesttheyhavehad.Sessionsarealso heldinDixonandSterling.

SVCCProgramDirectorofAdult EducationSarahMcFarlanesaidshe wasapproachedlastspringby thechurchtohostanESLclass.

“Inordertoprovideaclass,Ineeded to havefunding as wellasknowthat therewasaneedfortheclassinthe Mt.Morrisarea,”shesaid.“TodeterminetheneedforESLclasses,the churchformedacommittee,headed byJoyceLong,tospeakwithpotential students.Joyceletmeknowthatthere wereseveralfamilieswhoexpressed interestinattendinganESLclassat thechurch.”

Withtheneedestablished,McFarlaneproceededwith securingthe funding.

“TheSVCCAdultEducationprogramis100percentgrantfundedby stateandfederalmonies.InMay, I includedtheplanstostartanESL classinMt.Morrisinourannualfundingrequest.InJune,wewerenotified bytheIllinoisCommunityCollege Board(ICCB)thatwewereawarded anincreaseinourfundingforthenew fiscalyear,”shesaid.

RosannaCordero, anexperienced AdultEducationinstructor,washired toteachtheMt.Morrisclass,which startedSept.13andrunsthroughDec.

14.

“Theinstructionprovidedin our ESLclasses helpadultlearnersbetter useandunderstandtheEnglishlanguage,”Corderosaid.“Learners receiveinstructioninreading,writing andspeakingas wellas improving theirlisteningskills.ThegoalofESL classesistoprovide basiclanguage skillsforbeginnersandtohelp advancedstudentsprepareforcollege, jobtrainingorachievetheirpersonal goals.”

Thestudentsintheclass varyin agefrom20sto50sandfrombeginners toadvancedintheirEnglishskills.

“Asan instructoritisimportantto beawarethatstudentslearnatdifferentlevels,”shesaid.“Meetingeach

studentwheretheyareisakeycomponentintheadvancementprocess.”

Corderosaid usingonlineeducational toolshelpsaddresslearningat differentlevels.

“Inclassexercisesandconversationsarealsowaysforstudentsto expresstheirproficiencyleveland challengethemselvestocontinue practicingby speaking,”she said.“I amconstantlyremindingmystudents thatpracticinglisteningtoandspeakingEnglishoutsideoftheclassroomis primarilyhowtheywilllearnandcontinuetolearnhowtospeaktheEnglish language.”

Allbutoneofherstudentsare Spanishspeakers.Thatstudentspeaks Turkish,whichCorderodoesnot.

“ComingfromChicago,Ihave taughtESLinclassroomswithstudentsfromallovertheworld.Iam proficientinEnglishandSpanish,” shesaid.“AsaninstructorIfeelthat oneofthemostimportantcomponents inthelearningexperienceisbeing abletocommunicate.Yesthatcanbe difficultwhenthereisalanguagebarrierbutasweknow,therearemany waystocommunicatebesideslanguage.Forexample,wecanuseour handstodescribesomethingbutthe personwearedescribingittowill

respondwithawordwhichwillleadto morewordsthenquitepossibleashort conversationleadingtoanunderstanding.

“Ifthestudentusesgoogletranslate oratranslationapptocommunicatea wordorthought,Iamcompletelyopen tothatbecauseIwillrespondin Englishandthatwillbecomealearningexperienceforthestudent.

“Meetingstudentswheretheyare whenitcomestospeaking,reading andwritingtheEnglishlanguagepro videsroomforadvancementinthe learningprocess.”

Thechurchalsowillhostthespring ESLsession,whichbeginsonTues day,Jan.17.Classeswillcontinueto meetonTuesdaysandWednesdays from9to11a.m.throughMay10.

ToenrollinESLclasses,adult learnersmustbe17yearsofageor older andnotcurrentlyenrolledin highschool.

Adultswhoareinterestedinregis teringforESLclassesmaycallthe AdultEducationofficeat815-835-6310 formoreinformation.Tospeakto a staffmemberinSpanish,callLauraat 815-835-6241.

TheEvangelicalFreeChurchis locatedat102S.SeminaryAve.,Mt. Morris.

Polo celebrates Veterans Day for first time since 2019

Morethan100people gatheredatCentennial ElementarySchool

ByALEXAZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com

Morethan100peoplegatheredin thePoloCentennialElementary SchoolgymnasiumonNov.11to celebrateVeteransDay.

“We’reexcitedtohavetheopportunityto celebrateVeteransDayon this day,Nov.11,forthefirsttimesince 2019,”saidMelydiHuyett,Centennial ElementarySchoolprincipal.

Polo’sHonorGuardpresentedthe flagsatthestarttheceremony.The HonorGuard’smembersarefromPatrickFeganAmericanLegionPostNo. 83andVeteransofForeignWarsPost 8455.

StudentsledattendeesinthePledge ofAllegiance,“TheStar-Spangled Banner”andothermusicalselections.

U.S.NavyLt.Cmdr.RickKnutson, ofPolo,servedasthekeynotespeaker duringtheevent.

HejoinedtheNavyinJuly1998,

right after graduating from Polo Com munityHigh School.Knutson has served active duty and reserve duty sincethattime.

“I went to boot camp in Great Lakes in Chicago,” he said. “They taught me how to shine my boots and fold my underwear.It’sagreattime.”

Knutson was stationed on the nuclearsubmarineUSS LosAngeles, and made three wester Pacific deploy ments.He served asa diver with the Deep Submergence Unit and Undersea RescueCommand.

“You have to live underwater for the majority of it,” Knutson said. “So I spent almost four years on a subma rine. After completing myfour years there, I decided I didn’t want to live on submarines anymore. I kind of likedbreathingair.”

HewaspromotedtoChiefPetty Officerin2007, andbecameacommissionedofficerwith theCivilEngineer CorpsinMarch2012.

“Twoyearsaftermycommissioning,Igotapieceofpaperinthemail thatsaid,‘Youhave beenrecalledby thepresidenttoactiveduty.Please

SeeVETERAN’S DAY, Page9

AlexaZoellner/ShawMedia

U.S. Navy Lt Cmdr Rick Knutson, left, ofPolo, speaks to retired Navy Seaman 1st Class Tom Nelson, ofPolo, at the end of a Nov 11 Veterans Day ceremony at CentennialElementary School. More than 100 people attended the event, in addition to students and staff. Knutson has served in active and reserve duty since 1998; Nelson served from 1965-69.

LOCALHISTORY

Photo of the Class of 1925 had some familiar faces

Wewereenjoyingthebeautifulfall dayswithunusual warmthand weknewit wouldnotlast.

Thefamilycameandhelpedmeget alltheplantsoffthepatioandintothe houseandgarage.Somewinteroverin thegarageandsomeneedtobein a warmerspot.Thenewpatiotablewas placedinthegaragesoitwouldbe readyforuseovertheholidaystohold drinksthatwouldneedtobekeptcold.

Chairstakentothebasementfor thefamilytouselateraswegather.

Ialwaysfeelasenseoflossaseverythingoutsidegets readyforwinter. Thesummerandfallhasgonebytoo quicklyandcoldweatherwillarrive.I keeptellingmyselfthatIneedtobe readyforthechangingseason.The snowflakeswillsoonbefallingand I needto havetheoutsideworkdone. I amjustnotreadyforthechangeespeciallyasIgetolder.

POLOHISTORY

Betty

Obendorf

ThenIgotthenewsthatagood friendfromtheClassof1950,Bert Beecher,hasdiedandIcertainlywas notreadyforthatbitofnews.Weboth wereborninthemonthofJuneandwe both had just celebrated our 90th birthday.Ihadnotheardfromhimin awhileandIneededtosendhiman email.ButIdidnotgetitdone.

ThenBernadynecameandshe broughtwithherapictureoftheClass of1925.Shewasnotquitecertainhow shehadgottenitbutitneededtogoto themuseum. Shetoldmetherewere peoplein thepicture that I would knowandshewascorrect.

Later asIlookedthepictureover I wasamazedathowmany in thepictureIdidknow.FirsttherewasVerna BrighamWolfwhowasCharlieWolf’s wife. Shewasmyneighbor acrossthe streetformanyyears.Herfatherwas adoctorandIreallydonotknowanythingabout him.Ineed toresearch himandfindoutmore.Wasthename spelledcorrectlyonthebackofthepicture?

Theninthe1925picturefromPolo HighSchoolwereRuthandMary Roeder.Ihadknownthemfrom churchand mymotherhadgoneto schoolwiththematCarthageCollege yearsago.LucilleVockandIhad helpedmoveMary’sfurniturebackto PolowhenMarywasnotwell.Later whenMarywentintothenursing home,Ruthhadmepicksomejewelry from Mary’s collectionformyself. I stillwearthenecklacestoday.

NextinthepicturewasVivianPow-

ellBeecherandIknewrightawaythat thispersonwasBertBeecher’s mother.ShewasateacherforPolofor manyyearsandIrememberher.Bert wouldtalkaboutthePowellfamily whenhecamebacktovisit.

IshouldhaveemailedBertright awaytotellhimthatIhadhismoth er’sgraduationpicturebutIdidnot takethetimeatthatmoment.Ithought IhadallthetimeintheworldbutIdid not.

IfeelterriblethatIhavelostagood friendbutwhenyouare90,youhave beengivenmanyextrayears.Some peoplearenotthatfortunate.

SoIwillenjoyseeing fallchange intowinterandbethankfulthatmy familyhashelpedmegetreadyforthe swirlingsnowthatsoonwillfollow.

•BettyObendorfisaretiredteacher andavolunteerforthePoloHistorical Society.

Shadrach Bond became Illinois’ first governor in 1818

ByOTTODICK

HistoricalperiodsofIllinois arethePre Columbus (1492) period,Europeanexplorationandcolonization(Frenchand British),UnitedStatesexploration (NorthwestTerritory)andcolonizationandIllinoisStatehood(1818).

In1717beforestatehood,Illinois waspartoftheFrenchcolonyofLouisiana.In1763theFrenchandIndian, (SevenYears)WarendedandIllinois countrywascededtoBritainbythe TreatyofParis.

In1778GeorgeRogers Clark defeated theBritish atKaskaskia, securingtheIllinoiscountryforthe ColonyofVirginia.In1787,theNorthwestOrdinance placedIllinoisinthe NorthwestTerritory.In1800Congress createdtheIndianaTerritory,which includedIllinois.The1809Congress organizedtheIllinoisTerritorywith KaskaskiaasthecapitalandNinan Edwardthegovernor.

Andfinally in1818Illinoisstatehoodwasgrantedafter theFrench, British, Virginia,U.S NorthwestTerritory,IndianaTerritoryandtheIllinoisTerritory.(Atotalof101years). Ofcourse,Illinois is 204yearsold.

Shadrach Bondwaselectedour firstgovernorandserved forfour years.Duringthefirsttwoyearsthe IllinoiscapitalwaslocatedatKaskaskia,Illinois,andin1830duringhis termthecapitalwasmovedtoCentralia.

In1837thecapitalwasthenmoved toSpringfield.

TheareaofIllinoisis55,410square milesor25,452,400acres.Itisabout880 milesfrom Cairotothenorthernborder.Ouraveragetemperatureis51 degreesandelevationranges350to800 feetabovesealevel.

Illinoisisdividedinto102counties with theMississippiourwesternborderandtheOhioRiveroursouthern border.Ourriverssupplynavigable

routesofmorethan1,000miles.

BecausetheOhioRiverwasthe waytotraveltoIllinois,southernIllinoiswassettledbeforethecentraland northernparts.Toobtainstatehood theareawastohaveapopulationof 40,000people.

InIllinoispeopleweresentoutto determinethepopulationandthey reported45,000people.CharlesCarpenterinhisbook“TheEarlyHistory ofNorthernIllinois,”wrote“Fortu-

natelythecountwasnotcheckedand Illinoiswasadmittedtostatehoodin 1818.”

ThesameyearOregonwasfounded in1836,theconstructionoftheIllinois andMichiganCanalbegan.Thiscanal between Lake MichiganandtheIllinoisRiverwascompletedin1848.

•OttoDickisaretiredteacherand hasresearchedOgleCountyhistory forseveralyears.

PhotosprovidedbyOttoDick

ABOVE LEFT: Governor Shadrach Bond. ABOVERIGHT: Bond is buried in Evergreen Cemeteryin Chester, Illinois. Thisis a photo of his stone and gravesite.

Electronics recycling Nov. 18

ThefinalresidentialelectronicsrecyclingeventoftheyearwilltakeplaceonFriday,Nov.18,from9a.m.to4p.m.atthe OgleCountySolidWasteManagement Department,locatedat909PinesRoadin Oregon.

ThiseventisforOgleCountyresidents onlyandafreepermitisrequiredin advanceoftheevent.Permitsmaybe obtainedbycalling815-732-4020orvia emailatsolidwaste@oglecountyil.gov.

Pleaseprovideyourname,addressand phonenumberinyouremail.Permitsare limitedtooneperhouseholdpermonth. Permitscomewithafulllistofaccepted

itemsandothereventinformationand instructions.Limitsevenlargeorbulky itemsperpermit.

Itemsacceptedattheelectronics recyclingeventincludeallresidential computers,computerhardwareandcables, printers,FAXmachines,copiers,scanners, DVD/VCRs,cableandsatellitereceivers, cellphones,tablets,laptops,videogaming equipment,alltelevisionsandcomputer monitors,radios,digitalclocks,stereo equipment(nowoodenspeakers), shredders(notubs),landlinephone systems,carradios,GPSunits,fishfinders, calculators,addingmachines,Ipods,MP3 players,backuppowersupplyunits,

rechargeablebatteries,holidaylightsand extensioncords,CFLbulbsandprinterink cartridges.Microwaveovensareaccepted for$5perunit.

Therealsowillbeafooddriveconducted inassociationwiththeelectronicsrecycling event.Allitemscollectedwillbedistributed tolocalfoodpantriesinOgleCounty. Itemsacceptedincludeallcannedand boxedin-datefooditemsaswellashome cleaningsuppliesanditemssuchas toothpaste,soapandotherbasicessentials. Formoreinformation,call815-732-4020, visitwww.oglecounty.org,orgoto FacebookatOgleCountySolidWaste ManagementDept.

Man casts first ballot as an American citizen

(Editor’sNote:Lastweek’sarticleaboutOregonresidentCarlos Paezcastinghisfirstvoteasan Americanhadhisageincorrectas towhenhearrivedintheUnited States.Thisisthecorrectedversion.)

CarlosPaezhaslivedandworked intheUnitedStatessincearriving inFloridafromCubaalongwithhis parentswhenhewas10.

Afterworkingasanautoparts distributorinFloridahemovedto

Program about Miss Carly’s effort is Nov. 20 inGerman Valley GraceValleyChurchwillhostMiss CarlyRiceonSunday,Nov.20,at2p.m. forhertosharewhathergroupisdoing inRockfordtohelpgetpeopleoffthe streetsandintoasafelivingenvironment.TheeventwillbeheldattheGermanValleyFireStation,600Church Street,inGermanValley.

MissCarly’sisanonprofitorganizationthatwillbeacceptingdonationsof blankets,backpacks,jeans,sweatshirts, sleepingbags,handwarmersandfast foodgiftcards.Everyoneisinvitedto attendthisprogram.

Illinoisin2004andmethisfirstwife, Nikki,whopassedawayin2016.He marriedTriciain2019andshe passedin2022.Nikkihadurgedhim tobecomeacitizenbeforeshe passedawayandTriciaencouraged himtocontinuesecuringthe lengthyprocess.

“Triciapushedmetherestofthe way.She wasveryinspirational aboutmefinishingmy citizenship andwasveryproudwhenwe attendedtheoathceremony.Icould havegonetothecourthouseand votedearly,butthiswasabigdeal formetogetthis,”saidPaezpointingtohis‘IVoted’sticker.

bank-issuedandFDIC-insuredupto$250,000(principalandinterestaccruedbutnot yet paid)per depositor,perinsureddepositoryinstitution,foreachaccountownershipcategory. Pleasevisitwww.fdic.govorcontactyourfinancialadvisorfor additionalinformation.Subject toavailabilityandpricechange.CDvaluesaresubjecttointerestraterisksuchthatwhen interestratesrise,thepricesofCDscandecrease.IfCDsaresold priortomaturity,the investorcanloseprincipalvalue.FDICinsurancedoesnot coverlossesin marketvalue.Early withdrawal maynotbepermitted. Yieldsquotedarenetofallcommissions. CDs requirethe distributionofinterestanddonotallowinteresttocompound.CDsofferedthroughEdward Jonesareissuedbybanksandthriftsnationwide.AllCDssoldbyEdwardJonesare registered withtheDepository TrustCorp.(DTC).

FDI-1867L-A©2022

EDWARDD.JONES&CO.,L.P.ALLRIGHTSRESERVED.AECSPAD

The Oregon Rotary Clubhosted local veterans during their Nov. 2 meeting. Each veteran hada chance to tellashort story about their time in the service Pictured, left to right, are Mike Mudge, Darrell Kump, Dick Little, Bob Coulter, Paul Detmer, Dave Head, Bill Motter, Stan Eden, John Tuttle, Chris Blumhoff, Harry Travis, Ken Williams, Verles Sanders andJoe Brooks.

JEFFWILLIAMCOLLAER

Born: January8,1963inKansasCity,MO

Died: November12,2022inNewaygo,MI

Mr.JeffWilliamCollaer,aged59,diedon Saturday,November 12th,2022,athis homeinNewaygo, Michigansurrounded byhislovingfamily after avaliantbattle withcancer.HewasbornonJanuary8,1963, inKansasCity,MissouritoGlennandLois Collaer.JeffmarriedRebecca(Johnson)Collaer,hishighschoolsweetheart,onNovember26,1988,inOregon,Illinois.

GREGORYC.CHAMBERS

Born: June12,1949inRockford,IL

Died: November9,2022inSterling,IL

POLO,IL –Gregory C.Chambers,age73, passedawayonNovember9,2022inCGH Hospital,Sterling,IL. Gregwasborn onJune12,1949.in Rockford,IL,theson ofClarence &Ruby (Thedorff)Chambers.Hegraduated fromMt.MorrisHigh Schoolclassof1967. Afterhighschool,Greg servedhiscountryin theUnitedStatesAirForce.

Gregworkedformanyyearsas aheavy equipmentoperatorfortheIEOULocal 150.Healsodrove asemi-truckandhauled

JeffandRebeccalivedinseveralstates throughouttheirmarriage.Ineachlocation,theymadeincredible,lifelongfriends, withtheirChristianfaithservingastheir cornerstone.JeffandRebeccaattended andservedatHarvestFremontChurch.The mostimportantaspectofJeff’slifewashis Christianfaith,andhewas ahumbleservant leaderforChrist.HetaughtmanySunday schoolclassesandworkedinchildren’sministriesthroughouthislife.Hewas adevoted husbandandfatherandgaveselflesslyto hisfamily.Someofhisfavoritemoments werespentcamping,goingonsimplewalks throughthewoods,boatingoninlandlakes, andfellowshippingwithlovedonesacross thedinnertable.Inadditiontotraveling acrosstheUnitedStates,JeffandRebecca

grainformanylocalfarmers.

Gregwasananimallover,especiallyhis cats,Hewasanavidsportsfan,andheloved hisChicagoCubsandChicagoBears.Heliked tofrequentthelocaldiners,havingcoffee andsomelaughswiththelocals.

WewouldliketothankVisitingAngelsand thepeoplethathavehelpedcareforGreg overtheyears.

Gregissurvivedbyhiscousins,Jeff(Laurie) Corcoran,ChrisCorcoran,Julie(John)Stafford,andLaura(Rusty)Rome,andhisspecial friends,Earl(Joan)Rowland.

Heisprecededindeathbyhisparents, grandparents,andallofhisauntsanduncles.

FuneralservicestookplaceMonday,November14,2022at11:00A.M.inFinchFuneralHome,405EastHitt,Mt.Morris,IL.Burial wasinPlainviewCemetery,Mt.Morris,IL. VisitationwasheldonMonday.November 14,2022from10:00A.M.untilservicetimein thefuneralhome.

MemorialstoGrannyRoseAnimalShelter.

hadtheopportunitytotravelinternationally together,withoneoftheirfavoritedestinationsbeingGermany.

Professionally,Jeffwas apassionatePhysicalTherapistwhohelpedsomanypatients andstudentsoverhislongcareer.Hewasa talentedteacherinhiscraft,inspiringseveral studentstopursuetheprofession.Itwasnot uncommonforhimtobefoundhelpingneighborsandfriendswiththeirphysicalachesand painsinhispersonaltime.

Survivorsincludehiswife,Rebecca(Johnson)Collaer,andtheirfourchildren:Jacob (Alena)Collaer,RachelCollaer,Benjamin(Olivia)CollaerandSamuel(Marissa)Collaer,his sisters,Kristina(Richard)RuffiniofMichigan andMarciaCollaerofVermont,andseveral niecesandnephews.Heisprecededindeath

BETTYJOWUBBENA

Born: April1,1934inUnion,IA

Died: November13,2022inForreston,IL

BettyJoWubbena BettyJoWubbena88, passedawaypeacefullySunday,Nov13in herhomewithfamily present.BornApril1, 1934toJohnandLula (Allen)GaleinUnion, Iowa.Bettymarriedtheloveofherlife,Phillip M.WubbenaonFeb.1,1953inSterling.They hadfourchildrenandeightgrandchildren. Bettycameforhumblebeginnings.Living throughtheDepressionmadeherappreciatethelittlethingsinlife.Shewantedfor nothingbutfeltshewasgiveneverything. Shewasalwayshappiestwhendoingthings forothers.BettyoncesaidGodhadtoldher, herjobhereonearthwastoloveunconditionallyandserveothers.Everyonewhomet Bettyadoredherandwastakeninbyher friendliness,witandhumor.Betty’sheart wasopentoeveryonewithnojudgement, truly apureheart.Shewas abeautifulprivate ladypoisedineveryway.Herfamilywasher greatestprideandjoy.Theywillsayshewas

byhisparentsGlennandLoisCollaerand sisterMaryBethVillarreal-Collaer. TheFuneralServicewasheldat11:00AM onThursday,November17,2022atHarvest Fremont.Visitationwasheldfrom6-7:30 PMonWednesday,November16,2022at Kroeze-WolffisFuneralHome,andfrom10-11 AMonThursday,November17,2022at church.BurialwasattheGarfieldTownship CemeteryinGarfieldTownship,Michigan. MemorialscanbemadetoTheJeffCollaer NursingScholarshipFundattheFremont AreaCommunityFoundation.Youmaysign the online guestbook at www.kroeze-wolffis. com.ArrangementsarebyKroeze-WolffisFuneralHome,Inc.,637E.MainStreet,Fremont, Michigan49412(231)924-2130.

aconsummatemotherandgrandmother.She wasimmenselyadoredbythem.Bettywasa servantofGodstronginherfaithandenjoyed herchurchandplayingoldtimehymnson herpiano.Betty’spassingis atestamentof eternallifewithChrist.

PhilandBettyfoundedPhil’sFreshEggs,Inc. in1959.Theirqualityeggbrandquicklybecameanindustrymodelfortoday’shumane animalfoodindustry.BothPhilandBetty wereinventorsintheirownright,showing thatanideaandhardworkcouldcreatea successfulbusiness.Bettywas amember oftheForrestonReformedChurch.Sheis survivedbychildrenChristine(Marc)Strich ofWellington,FL,Rodney(Denise)Wubbena ofBelvidere,Audrey(Tim)PaddenofPalatine, andKeith(Helen)WubbenaofStillman Valley;grandchildren,Katrina &JonStrich, Anne &JaneWubbena,BrittanyandEdward Padden,andSamuelandCarlyWubbena.She waspredeceasedbyherlovinghusbandPhil, parentsandninebrothersandsisters.

AprivatefuneralwillbeheldattheForrestonReformedChurchwithintermentinWhite OakCemetery,Forreston.Inlieuofflowers, memorialsmaybemadetotheForreston ReformedChurch.

Pleasevisitwww.burketubbs.comtosign heronlinequestbookandtosharememories.

Polo contracts with TextMyGov for opt-in texting contact option

thosewhodon’toptin.

“Ireallydon’tthinkthatwe’regoingtoutilizethis softwaretotextalotofpeopleunlesstherewas a watermainbreakorthere’saboilorder[orsomethingelsesimilar],”CityClerkSydneyBarteltsaid.

AlderpersonsJoeyKochsmeier,BethSundman, TommyBardellandKeithChesnutvotedyes.AlderpersonsRandySchoonandJimBusservotedno.

ByALEXAZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com

Poloresidentssoonwillhaveanadditionalwayto communicatewithcityofficials:textmessaging.

CityCouncil membersvoted4-2 toenterinto a two-year contract withTextMyGov,aprogramthat allowscitizensandgovernmentstocommunicate viatexting.

Thesystemisanopt-inone,meaning citizens mustactivelychoosetosignupinordertoreceive andbeabletosendmessages;textswillnotbesentto

“Idon’twanttobombardpeopleandsay,‘Hey,your waterbillisdue.’…Wedon’twanttoannoypeople.”

Thepointismoretooffercitizensanotherwayto contact city officials, get information and report issuessuchasdeadanimals,roaddamageor a burned outstreetlight,shesaid.Barteltnotedthat sheisinterestedtoseeifthesystemwillreducethe numberofcallstocityhall.

“Theycantextusatanytime–notthatwe’re going torespondat10p.m.,”shesaid.“We’re going torespondwhenwe’reback intheoffice. That’s more whatwe’regoingforisforthemtocontactus. Notforustoannoypeople.”

Sundmanoriginallyproposedthecityimplement TextMyGovinMay,butcouncilmembersdecidedto exploreiftherewasasoftwarethatcoulddothe samething.

Barteltsaidshehasbeendemoingnewsoftware inrecentweeksand nootherapplicablesoftware currentlyhastextmessagingcapabilities.

Thecost ofTextMyGovis$3,200peryearand includesweb-basedsoftware,alocalphonenumber, shortcodenumberforoutgoingmessages,unlimited users,departmentsandsupportforeveryuser,10 gigabytesofonlinedatastorageand50,000textmessagesperyear.

Thecityhadbudgeted$5,000forthesystemduring thepreviousdiscussions,Barteltsaid.

Continuedfrom Page5

reportonJan.6,2014,’”Knutsonsaid. “Excellent.Anotheropportunitypresentsitself.”

KnutsonwasassignedastheWeaponsOfficerandlaterCharlieCompany CommanderwithNavalMobileConstructionBattalion25.Duringthat

assignment,hewasdeployedto Afghanistanforoneyearinsupportof OperationEnduringFreedom.

InMay2014,hegotaRedCross message,whichusuallycontainsbad news,Knutsonsaid.Instead,hewas told,“Congratulations!You’readad!”

“I’mlike,‘Sweet!Can Igo home?’ ‘No,’”Knutsonrecalled.“Somy daughter,Annalise,shewasborn whenIwasinAfghanistan.SoIdidn’t

gettomeetheruntilshewas6months old.Imetherforthefirsttimeat O’Hareairport.”

KnutsonalsoservedwithAmphibiousConstructionBattalion2as a DetachmentOfficerinCharge Currently,KnutsonistheOperationsOfficerforthe22ndNavalConstruction Regimentaugmentunit.

Hehasabachelor’sdegreein mechanicalengineeringandis

employedbythestateofIllinoisas a nuclearsafetyengineer.

Knutsonalsofarmswithhis fatheronthefamilygrainoperation in Polo.

TheVeteransDay ceremony concludedwitha medleyof the armed forcessongs,aperformanceoftapsby PoloCommunityHigh Schoolstudent Caleb Sutton,followedbythe retiring oftheflagsbytheHonorGuard.

AlexaZoellner/ShawMedia

U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr Rick Knutson, of Polo, speaks to CentennialElementary School students on Nov. 11 duringa Veterans Day ceremony. In addition to students, more than 100 people from the public attended the event. It was the first time since 2019 that the Veteran’s Day ceremony was held Events in 2020 and 2021 were canceled because ofthe COVID-19 pandemic.

Oregon church raises funds for OES school teachers

TheOregonChurchofGodheldits annualyardsaleandraisedmorethan $2,200todonatetoOCUSDElementary Schoolteacherstoassistwithcovering out-of-pocketcoststhatteachersmay incurpurchasingclassroomsupplies andmaterialsthroughouttheschool year.

“Wehavemanyretired teachersin ourcongregationandsoweunderstandthatteachersareaninvaluable resourcetoourchildrenandgiveback toourcommunityinwayswewill neverknow,”saidNathanMassey, AssistantPastoratOregonChurchof God.“Wewantedtoshowourappreciationtoourlocalelementaryschool teachers bydonatingtheproceeds from ourannualyardsaletohelp coverclassroomcosts.”

Typicalout-of-pocketcostsarewell intothehundredseventhousandsof dollarsthatteachersspendontheir ownclassroomseachyeartomakeit thebest environmentpossibleforstudents.

Accordingtoanationalsurveycompletedbyadoptaclassroom.org,in 2020-2021,teachersspentonaverage $750 of theirownmoney,with30%of teachersspending$1,000ormoreon schoolsupplies.Teachersmayspend moneytodecoratetheirclassrooms,

planengagingactivitiesfortheirstudentsthatrequireextramaterialsor buybooksthattheyortheirstudents willusetoextendtheirlearning.

OregonElementarySchoolplansto distributefundstoeachclassroom to bespentonclassroomsuppliesand materialsinhelpingrelievetheburdenofteachers spendingtheirhardearnedmoneytocreateawelcoming classroomenvironmenteachyear.

“Teachersdonotgetenoughcredit foralltheydotomeettheneedsof theirstudents.Weroutinelyhavestaff whospendtheirownmoneyontheir classroomstomeettheneedsoftheir students,”saidRyanHuels,assistant principalofOregonElementary School.“Inatimewhensomuchisput onourteachers’plates,Iamappreciativeofalocalorganizationthatrecognizestheincredibleworkteachersdo onadailybasis,andwearegratefulfor ourcommunity’scontinuedsupportof ourstaffandstudents.”

TheOregonChurchofGod’sannual yardsalecommittee donatestheproceedstooneortwocausestosupport communitygrowtheachyear.For thoseinterestedindonating,please contactthe churchdirectlyat815-7326847orvisitwww.oregoncog.com/contact-us.html.

PhotoprovidedbyOregonSchoolDistrict OCUSD 220Superintendent Tom Mahoney, OregonElementary School Assistant Principal Ryan Huels,Oregon Church of God Assistant Pastor Nathan Massey and Oregon Church of God Pastor Michael Hoffman pose with the donation.

Pololoses heartbreaker on final play in semifinals

ByTYREYNOLDS treynolds@shawmedia.com

It’salwayshardtoloseaplayoff gameandseeyourseasoncometoan end.

ThePoloMarcossufferedoneofthe mostagonizing,gut-wrenchingplayoff lossespossibleinSaturdayafternoon’s Illinois8-ManFootballAssociation statesemifinalagainstWestCentral.

AftertheMarcosscoredatouchdownwith42secondslefttotakethe lead,WestCentralansweredwith a scoreasthefinalhornsoundedtopull outa50-48victory.

“Wefeltprettygoodafterwescored. Obviously,wedidn’twanttogivethem anytimebecausethey’rejusttoo explosive,”PolocoachTedAlstonsaid. “Probablynottheplaywewereexpecting,andtheyputitinthehandsof theirbestplayerandhecamethrough. Hewentthroughhalfofourdefense andmadetheplay.He’sjustaheckofa player.”

Thatplayer wasWestCentralallstaterunningbackKaidenDroste, whoranfor302yardsandsixtouchdownson24rushes.Butitwasthe finalcarryandthelast26yardsthat

willhaunttheMarcos’nightmares.

Withtheballonthe Polo26-yard lineand6.7secondsontheclock, Drostetookthepitchonatailbacktoss totheleft.Heracedtowardthesideline withapairofPolodefendersstringing outtheplay.Beforegoingoutof bounds,Drostecutbacktohisright andturnedupthefield,avoiding would-betacklers.

Ashegottothe15-yardline, time expired,soitwasallornothing.He brokethroughonelineofMarcos,then another,andfinallyheburstclearand rantotheendzone,leavingaheartbrokenpackofPoloplayersontheground inhiswake.

“HonestlywhatIsawwastwoPolo kidsstandingrightinfrontofmeandI thought,‘Thisisitrighthere.’Then I openedmyeyesandIwasstandingin theendzone,”Drostesaid.“Idon’t evenknow.IblankedoutonfivesecondsofthatplayjustbecauseIthought itwasover.Isawthesideline,knew I couldn’tgothere,hadtocutitback insideandsomething happened; I didn’tevenseewhathappened.Iheard thehorngoingoff,andthatwasnuts.

SeePOLO, Page12

EarleenHinton/ShawMedia

West Central’s Kaiden Droste turns thecorner foragain during Saturday’s I8FA state semifinal against Polo.

Idon’tevenknowwhattosay.”

Itwasthefifthtouchdownofmore than20yardsinthegameforDroste and hisseventhdouble-digitrun.On the 17others,Polo (9-3)bottledhimup fairly well,butthesenior2,000-yard rusherfoundaway to makebigplays when his team needed them.

“Iknew ifwegotoneblock, I thoughthe’d cutbackacross thegrain togetitbecauseIknewhowthey’d beenplaying,”WestCentralcoach JasonKirbysaid.“He’sjustanamazingplayerthatmadethemostamazingplayyou’veever seenatthegreatesttimeitcould’veeverbee n imagined.He’saspecialplayer,and it’s a specialgroup.”

Polo’sall-state2,000-yardrusher alsohadahugegame.JuniorBrock Soltow finishedwith41carries for221 yardsandfourscores,includingon thefirstplayofthegamefortheMarcostotiethescoreandanswerDroste’s 28-yardtouchdownrunoneplayearlierthatcappedtheHeat’sopening possessionjust59secondsintothe game.

Soltow’s 43-yardsprintendedinthe endzone11secondslater,thenthe Marcos recoveredanonsidekickafter itbounced offaWestCentralplayer. Polodroveallthewaytothe1-yard line,whereSoltowwastackledshort ofthe goal lineonfourthdown.

ButonthirddownfromtheHeat5, Drostewashitatthelineofscrimmageandfumbled.CaydenWebster recoveredfor Polo,and Soltowscored onthenextplaytogivetheMarcos a 14-6leadwith2:55leftinthefirst quarter.

“Ithoughtweplayedagreatgame,” Alstonsaid.“Myhat’sofftothem becausetheyplayedagreatgame, too.”

Afterboth teams cameupemptyon theirnextseries,WestCentral(12-0) tieditonDroste’s18-yardscoring sprintwith7:29leftinthesecond quarter.ButPoloagainhadthe answer,asWebstertookthesnap undercenterandscoredona1-yard QBsneakonfourth-and-goalfrom insidethe1tocapanine-play,47-yard drivefora22-14leadwith2:23left beforehalftime.

Thistime,West Centralresponded quickly,withDroste sprintinginfrom 40yardswith42secondslefttoget within22-20;theHeat’stwo-point run cameupshort.

DeloFernandezraninfrom33 yardsout onPolo’sfirstdriveofthe secondhalf,butafterthattwo-point conversionpassfailed,WestCentral fullbackParkerMeldrumcapped a 12-play,62-yarddriveontheHeat’s firstserieswitha5-yardrun,then MasonCarnes ranintheconversion totiethescore28-28with4:42leftin the thirdquarter.

“Weknewitwasgoingtobeafight totheend,andweplayedourhearts out all game,”Drostesaid.

Soltowraninfrom18yardstofinishoffa10-playdrivethattookmore thansixminutestoputPolo up34-28 with10:24remaining, buttwoplays later, Drostesprintedinfrom57yards andaddedtheconversionrunfor a 36-34WestCentralleadwith9:36to play.

FernandezthenoutrantheHeat defensefora32-yardtouchdownand a 42-36leadafterSoltowconnectedwith NoahDeweyforthetwo-point conversion,but Drostebroke offa62-yard scoringrunfourplayslater,and Carnes’conversionrunmadeit44-42 West Central.

TheMarcosthenembarkedon a nine-play,53-yarddrivethattook4:33 offtheclockandendedwithSoltow scoringfrom9yardsout;heandrunningback BradyWolberbothraninto thepile,butSoltowbounced offthe packandscoredwith42secondsleft

fora48-44Pololeadafterthetwo-point runfailed.

“Weprovedalreadyinthisgame thatwecangodownandscoreinthe blinkofaneye,”Drostesaid.“Ittook usafewplays,butwedidwhatwedo. Wemarcheddownthefield,andwe don’tgive upuntil theend.”

TheHeat tookoverattheirown 45-yardlinewith40.8secondsleft,and aftergaining1yardinthefirstthree plays,facedafourth-and-9fromthe 46.ButCarnesconnectedwith Meldrum fora16-yardpassplay,then ranuptospiketheballwith12.8secondsleft.

CarneshitMeldrumwitha12-yard passonthenextplay,andagain ran uptoclockitwith6.7secondsremaining,settinguptheonefinal,fateful playfrom the Polo26.

“Fourth-and-9andweconvert,then wegottwo spikesin there, quickplays that we’ve neverhadtodoallyear, andwediditsuccessfullytwice.Itjust showshowmuchheartwehave,”

Drostesaid.“You can’tjustwalkaway andhave themdeemyouthechampi onsifyou’replayingthechamps.We hadtotakeitfromthem,andthat’s whatwedidattheend.Itwasamazing.”

Meldrumranfor51 yards,and Carnesadded 46rushingyardsand28 passing yardsforWestCentral.

Fernandezfinishedwithsevencar riesfor92yardsandtwoTDs,and Deweyranfourtimesfor40yardsfor the Marcos.

Polo’sreignasthe two-timedefend ingstatechampionsendsonestep shortofathirdstraighttriptothetitle game,buttheMarcoshadnothingto hangtheirheadsabout.

“It’s goingtohurt.Ithurts thekids rightnow,butwe’rerealproudof them,”Alstonsaid.“Wherewewere atthebeginningofthe yeartowhere weended up,itwas atremendousyear forus.Wewerejustoneplayshort there,butI’m so proud ofthekids and whattheyaccomplished.”

EarleenHinton/ShawMedia

ABOVE: Polo’s Kasen Allen (88) and Cayden Webster (right)react to a fumble during the first half. BELOW LEFT: Polo’s Brock Soltow (right) follows blocker Brady Wolber (27) BELOW RIGHT: Polo’s NoahDeweyis pushed out of bounds aftera biggain.

Forreston downs Dakota 20-8 to advance in 1A playoffs

ByANDYCOLBERT ForShawMedia

Ina20-8win overDakotainthe1A playoffquarterfinals,JohnnyKobler madehispresencefeltwith113yards andtwotouchdowns.

ButtherewasalsoanotherJohnny thatmadethebiggestplayofthegame tocompletelyflipthegamearoundin Forreston’sfavor.Thatwouldbe “Johnny-on-the-Spot,”akaKaleb Sanders.

Earlyinthesecondhalfwith Dakotaahead 8-6andinpossessionof theballatmidfield,itwasSandersto therescuewitha40-yardfumble recoveryforatouchdown.WithColin KuhnpressuringIndiansquarterback KaidynNiedermeier,theballcame looseandbouncedrightintothehands ofSanders.

“ItwasoneoftheluckiestplaysI’ve everseeninfootball,”Forrestoncoach KeynonJanickesaid.

OnceSandersbecamethefortuitousrecipientofsuchavaluedpossession,therewasnothingbutopenfield aheadforthedefensiveback.

“IknewifIscoreditcouldchange thegame,”Sanderssaid.“Iwasso excitedandsawPaytonEncheffandQ Frederickcoming upbehindand jumpingonme.”

Thegamewasfarfromover, though.

BehindNiedermeier,whothrew a last-minutetouchdownpasstodefeat Forrestonintheregular season,the Indiansmarchedtothe9-yardlinelate inthe thirdquarterandhadachance totaketheleadback.Inthemost importantdefensivestandofthegame, theCardinalsheldstronganddenied Dakotatheendzone.

“Ourbackswereupagainstthe walltheentiregame,”Janickesaid “Butthisisagroupoffighters.”

Dakotawas,too.Theyforced a three-and-outandgot the ballbackat Forreston’s40-yardlinefollowing a punt.However,theIndianswere severelyhamperedbya10-yardpenaltyandcouldnotconvertafirstdown.

Takingoveratitsown39-yardline, itwasaheavydoseofKolberin a game-clinchingdrivefortheCardinals.Gaining46ofthefinal61yards, the240-poundfullbackpuncheditover fromayardoutwith3:44leftfora20-8 lead.

“Johnny’soneofthosekidsthathas aspecialpassion.I’veneverseenanyoneelseinsportslikehim,”Forreston QBBrockSmithsaid.

Ontheensuingpossession,Forrestonappearedtohavethegamelocked upasDakotafacedafourth-and-28situationafteraholdingpenalty.But NiedermeierfoundAdrianArellano

onawheelroutescreenanditwentfor 40yards.

TheIndiansgotintotheredzone, butconsecutivepassbreakupsbyJace EngbertandEndeffforcedafour-andout.

Withtimerunningout,theDakota defensewasstackedtostopKobleron thirddown,butSmithfakedeveryone outonthekeeperforafirst downto sealthevictory.

“It’sjustamentalitywithus,”said Smith,explaininghisteam’sneversay-dieattitude.

Itdidn’t lookthatwayinthefirst half,though.

“Dakotapunchedusinthemouth,” Janickesaid.“Nothingwasgoingour way.Itreallyhelpedscoringjust

beforehalf.”

ItwasKoblerwitha4-yardrunto closethegapto8-6with1:10leftinthe secondquarter.Arellanohadearlier scored on a13-yardtouchdownfor Dakotafollowingaturnover.

“Ourdefenseplayedlightsout,” DakotacoachDanSheetssaid.

TheCardinalswere“held”to182 yardsrushing,200lessthantheyhad intheearliercontestwiththeIndians.

Otherthanthe40-yardreceptionto Arellano,Niedermeiercompletedonly threeotherpassesin13attemptsinthe cold,blusteryconditionsforanother 21yards.Dakota(7-5)didhave 221 yardsoftotaloffense,50morethan Forreston.

“Itwasunfortunatethattheycapi-

talizedon(afumble),”Sheetssaid.

Forreston(8-4)advancestothe semifinalsforthesixthtime,where theyare3-2.Thelasttwosemifinal contestsweresplitswith LenaWinslow(12-0), theopponentthisSaturdayatLena.Gametimeis2p.m.

“I’mgladit’satLe-Win.Weseemto playbetterthere,”Janickesaid.

TheCardinals,whohave4,200 yardsrushingfortheyear,havegiven No.1-rankedLe-Wintheirclosest game,losingonly28-14intheregular-seasonfinale.

Thewinnerwillplayforthestate championshipinChampaignonFriday,Nov.25,atMemorialStadium againsteitherCampPointCentralor Colfax-Ridgeview.

EarleenHinton/ShawMedia

ABOVE: The Cardinals celebrate after beating Dakota 20-8 in 1A playoff action onSaturday, Nov. 12 BELOW LEFT: Kaleb Sanders fights for yards. BELOW RIGHT: Johnathen Kobler (25) landsjust inches away from the end zoneduring first-half action.

Byron edges Reed-Custer 32-27 with seconds to play

ByANDYCOLBERT ForShawMedia

Reed-Custerwasmoreathletic,bigger,talentedandsenior-ladenthanthe ByronTigersfootballteamonNov.12. Butthedefending3Astatechamps possessedthemostimportantintangible–knowinghowtowinfootball games.

Inanearrepeatoftheirlast-second quarterfinalwinoverReed-Custerlast year,Byronscoredwith12secondsleft fora32-27wininwhatR-Ccoach GavinJohnstoncalled“déjàvu.”

ItwasfreshmanCadenConsidine goinginfromayardoutforthewin, leaving theComets shakingtheir headsovermanywhat-ifs.

WhatifR-Chadn’thavefumbledon itsopeningdriveafterquarterback JakeMcPhersonran25yardstogive histeamafirst-and-10atByron’s 26-yardline?

Witha7-0leadandholdingByronto apairofthree-and-outs,whatifR-C hadbeenabletoconvert onasecondand-inchesonByron’ssideofthefield insteadofgoingforthedaggeronthe nextplaythatresultedinanincomplete pass? Twoplayslater,Byron tookoverondowns.

Whatifa34-yardtouchdownby AshtonHenkelhadbeenruledincomplete,asoneofficialconferredwith anotherbeforethefinalcallwasmade, astheR-Ccoachingstaffvehemently protestedtherulingofacompleted catch? EventheByronPAwasconfusedonwhetheritwasascore.

WhatifMcPhersonhadn’tmishandledasnaptwoplayslater,giving Byrontheballintheredzoneinthe thirdquarter,leadingtoacritical (two-possessionlead)fieldgoalby NickDrake?

Withthewindatitsback,whatif R-Ckickedtheballdeepinsteadof squibbingit aftertakinga27-25lead withjustover2minutesleftinthe

SPORTS ROUNDUP

GirlsStateSwimming

SterlingsophomoreMadisonAustinplaced 18thinthe100-yardfreestyleonFridayin thepreliminariesattheIHSAStateSwimming&DivingMeetatFMCNatatoriumin Westmont.

Austinswamtheracein52.35seconds, justoffthetimeof52.24sherecordedatthe ByronSectionallastweekend.Shemissed theconsolationfinalsbyamere.17seconds asthetop12advancedtoDay2.

Byron’sAudreyKilmerhadapairofswims intheprelims,placing23rdinthe200

game,allowingareturntothe50-yard line,nicelysettingupthefinaltouchdowndrive.

Allofthesewhat-ifscontributedto thedemiseofthepreviouslyundefeatedComets,alongwithByron’sbigplaycapability–andnonewasbigger thana51-yardrunbyConsidineatthe startofthesecondquarter.

Notonlydiditjump-startasluggish Tigersoffense,butitsetupa4-yard touchdownrunbyquarterbackBradenSmithtomakeit7-7.

AfterbeingdominatedbyR-C,it wasgameonafter Considine’slong runandSmithbecamethecatalystfor it.

WithR-CstuffingByronfornogain

onitsnexttworuns,Smithtooktothe airandfoundAshtonHenkelfor14 and48yards,thelatteratouchdown and14-7Tigerslead.

WiththeCometdefensestackedat thelineofscrimmagetostoptheir run-heavyopponent,theynowhadto loosenupthedefensivescheme,openingupthegroundgame.

R-Cregainedthelead15-14after McPherson took histeamona9-play, 76-yarddrive,effectivelymixingpass andrun.

Onthefirstpossessionofthesecondhalf,itwasarepeatperformance oftheSmithandHenkelcombination (4-for-112yards)slicinguptheComet defense.Anine-play,63-yarddrive

wascappedwitha34-yardtouchdown catchbyHenkel.

WithHenkel losingpossessionof theballintheendzoneafterfirst catchingitandcrossingthegoalline, therestill remainedaquestionas to whetherheretainedpossessionofit.

Theinitialcalloftouchdownheld upandByronled22-15,withR-C angrilyberatingtheofficiatingcrew.

Drakeincreasedtheleadto25-15on a42-yard fieldgoalafterCarsenBehn recoveredaMcPhersonfumbledsnap. ItwasthefirsttimeallseasonthatR-C facedsuchadeficit,normallyforcinga runningclockinthesecondhalf.

WithNickBohac(19-115yards)car ryingtheload,theCometswent73 yardson13playstopulltowithin25-21 and thatwashow thethird quarter ended.

R-Chadachancetotakethelead backafterstoppingByrononfourth downandgettingtheballontheTigers 46-yardline.JacobRoss,thesmallest player inthefieldat5-foot-5,inter ceptedaduckthrownbyMcPherson tostopthescoringthreat.

R-Cgottheballbackwith3:23left afteraTigerspuntanditwasBohac running40yardstopaydirtfora27-25 Cometlead,asthelargevisitor’sfan baseroareditsapproval.

Besidestheill-fatedsquibkickfollowingthescore,twoconsecutivepenaltiesagainsttheR-CdefenseonSmith passingattemptssetthestageforConsidine’sgame-winner.

Thattouchdownabsolutelydemor alizedReed-Custer,withitsbestteam inschoolhistoryandsightsonastate title.Meanwhile,Byron(11-1) advancedtothesemifinalsforthefifth straightyear.

TheytraveltoElmhurstonNov.19 toplayICCatholic,whichbeatPrinceton27-20inOT.Gametimeis3p.m.

individualmedleyin2:12.65.Thatwasmore thanasecondoffherseedtimeof2:11.31at lastweekend’ssectional.

KilmeralsoteamedwithLilySwiech,Madi GroharingandEmilyMarshalltotake24thin the200medleyrelay,swimminga1:54.05. Thequartet’sstateseedtimewas1:50.44.

ByrondiverAddisonBausmanscoreda 203.95inprelimstoadvancetothe semifinalsineighthplaceinthe1-meter divingcompetition,thenscoreda290.60in thesemistofinish15th.

Bowling:OregonbeatsErie-Prophetstown: TheOregonboysbowlingteam defeatedErie-Prophetstown3,177-2,518ina dualmeetNov.9atTriplePlayLanesin Fulton.

BradyDavisrolleda255secondgamein hismatch-high633seriesfortheHawks, whileBrandonRowerolleda564series,and BryanImmelfinishedoffhis524serieswith a205game.

BryceVanDeWostineledthePantherswith a551seriesanda232openinggame.Shawn Chandlerhada218secondgameinhis513

series.

Rochelle3,116,Oregon3,111: TheHawks droppedaclosedualtoopentheirseasonat Town&CountryLanesinMt.Morris.

Oregonledby45pointsafterthefirst game,butfellbehindandcouldn’tcatchup afterRochellewonthesecondgameby106 pins.BrandonRoweopenedhisdual-high 604serieswithgamesof203and204,while GavvinSurmofinishedoffhis566serieswith adual-best249game,andStylarKlapp addeda532series.

LoganFryeledtheHubswitha575series.

ChrisJohnson/ForShawMedia

Reed-Custer’s Peyton Bradley has the ball knocked out of his hands for an incomplete pass by Byron’s Cole Salisbury during Saturday’sClass3A quarterfinal game in Byron.

State football playoffs broughta variety of emotions

Withhomefootballplayoff gamesatByron,Forreston, PoloandRochelleonNov 12,wheredowestart?

HowaboutatByron,whereIwasso enthralledwithwhatwastranspiring that myoriginalplantoleaveathalf timeandgowatchRochellewentby thewayside.

Curiositygotthebestofmeand I hadtostayandseehowthistheaterof thegridironwouldturnout.

Thatwasn’tthecaseinthefirst quarter,withanathleticallysuperior Reed-Custerteamincontrol,seem inglyruiningthesuspensefactor.

Footballissuchauniquegame, though,thatdramaticchangescan occur.That’swhathappened inthe secondquarteranditcarriedover untilthefinalcurtainatthe47:48mark ofthefourthquarterwithaclosing scene fortheages.

HowdidByronorchestratesuch a stirringcomebackagainstamorefor midableopponent?

Itmaysoundcliché,butthetruthof thematteristhatByroniswell schooled.Theseyoungmenexecute fundamentals,don’tmakemistakes, areintherightposition,knowtheir assignmentsandcanperform under pressure.Plus,theyaren’tafraidto hit.

I’dratherhaveateamlikethatthan onewithhumongouslinemenand speedyskillplayers.Butittakesaspe cialcoachingstaff toputthe pieces togetherandByronhasit.

Theproofspeaksforitself.Icounted eightfreshmen,sophomores and juniors ondefenseforByron,while sevenwereonoffense.Reed-Custer hadreturnedmostofitsstartersfrom lastyear.

Asasentimentalist,Ifeltsorryfor

Reed-Custer. This should have been theiryearwithallthatexperienceand generationaltalent.

Byronhashaditsmomentinthe spotlightmanytimesoverbeforeand likelywillhaveitagain,especially withallthoseyoungkidscomingback, providedareplacementcouldbefound forBradenSmithatquarterback.

ItwasamaddashwestonRoute72 toForrestontocatchthefourthquarteragainstDakota.Asalaw-abiding citizenandmemberoftheOgleCounty Sheriff’sMeritCommissionBoard, I grappledwiththemoralityofspeeding onasomewhatlonely stretchofroadwayindaylight.

Let’sjust sayI maintainedabalanceofnotbeingathreattoother motoristsandarrivingbeforethe gameended.

ItmademeappreciateformerForrestoncoachDennyDiduch,whohad Saturdaynightplayoffgamesinhis tenure. ThatenabledfanstodoaSaturdaydoubleheaderandalsobrought inbigcrowdstoForreston,asitwas theonlygamegoingonatthattime.

Inanodetomyselfishness,the mostpressingpostgamequestionIhad forcoachKeynonJanickewasnot aboutgamestrategy,butwhyForrestonstoppedplayingatnight.

Tomysurprise,IlearnedthegraciousJanickeallowstheplayersto decidewhentheywanttoplay.Nowadays,thereismoreplayerempowermentandthisdecisionmakessense.

Ofcourse,therehastobeabalance andit’sincumbentoncoachestobe authorityfiguresinsteadofbuddies.

Afterobservingthepostgameteam huddle,thereisnoquestionwhoisthe bossatForreston,witheverysingle playerintentlyfocusedontheirhead coachandrespondingtohimwith“yes

GUESTVIEW

Andy Colbert

sir”and“nosir.”

TenmilesseparateForrestonand Polo,butthegapbetweenpostgame reactionswasinterminablylong.

WhileForrestonplayersandfans whoopeditupafteranexcitingwin,it wasastateofdisbeliefatPolo.Tearsof joyversustearsofsorrow.

MycolleagueandSaukValley sportseditorTyReynoldswasatthe Polo-WestCentralgameandalmost feltlikecryinghimself,hefeltsobad forPolo.Likeeveryonethere,hecould notbelievewhathewasseeinginthe finalsecondsofthatgame.

Reynoldsusedwordslikeagonizing,gut-wrenchingandhauntingto describethefeelingsimposedupon theMarcosbyatrueescapeartistby thenameofKaidenDroste,who scoredona26-yardtouchdownas timeexpired(thefinalbuzzeractuallysoundedbeforehereachedthe

goaline),preventingPolofromathird straighttriptothe8-manstatechampionshipgame.

Withanarrowerfieldthan11-man, onewouldthinkitwouldbeharderto maneuverfortouchdowns.However, therearethreelessdefendersonthe fieldandthatmakesabigdifference, evenasPoloappearedtohaveDroste pennedin at the sideline.

OnepersonIfeltparticularlybad forwasMarcostarAveryGrenoble, whocouldonlywatchtheproceedings fromawheelchairasherecuperated fromaknee injury.In2021,Ithought heshouldhavebeentheSaukValley’s PlayeroftheYear becauseheplayed withsuchdetermination.

AsfarasnotmakingittoRochelle, thatwillhavetowaituntilnextyear, astheHubslosttoaparochialpower Wheaton St.Francis.LikeByron, Rochelleusesalotofsophomoresand juniorsandwillbeaforcetocontend within2023.

•AndyColbert,anavidrunner,has beenasportswriterforShawMedia andhascoveredhighschoolsportsin OgleCountyformorethan30years.

Scholarships awardedbyOregonRotaryClubFoundation

ByHOLLIEJ.GUISTJR. OregonRotaryClub FoundationPresident

OregonRotary ClubFoundationis excitedand honoredtobeabletoawardscholarshipstoseven exceptionalcollegestudentsthisyear.OwenKetter, LaurenMontavon,ReeseTheisen,GrantCermak, LydiaCermak,EvenVacheandAdamThorsenare theapplicantswhomtheboardagreedbestrepresenttheidealsofRotaryInternationalthisyear.

MontavonandKetterwillsharethe honorof beingnamedthe2022co-recipientsoftheHelenand AndrewCirksenaScholarship.

TheannualOregon RotaryClubFoundation scholarshipprogrambeganin 1984,thankstothe Cirksenafamily’sgenerousdonationtotheclub. Theclubawardedone$500collegescholarship that first year. Foundation members nurtured the scholarshipprogramanditcontinuedtodevelop.In2014, theprogramexpandedtoincludegraduatinghigh schoolseniorsafter agenerousdonationfromCath-

erineEhnen.

Overthecourseof37years,theprogramhas awardedmorethan$400,000tomorethan200studentswhobestmanifestedtheidealsofRotaryInternational.

Theyearlydecisionprocessis averydifficultyet rewardingexperiencebecauseof thelargenumber ofoutstandingapplicantsthatapplyeachyear.The Oregoncommunityshouldbeveryproudofthese individualswhoarenotonlyexcellentstudentsbut participateinactivitiesgearedtowardhelpingothersaswell.

TheOregonRotaryClubFoundationInc.appreciatesthemanyapplicantstothescholarshippro-

gram.Ourdistrictisfortunatetohave somany scholarsofdistinction.The boardmemberswould liketothankallthestudentsfor taking thetimeto apply andforsharingtheirtalentsandleadershipin ourcommunity.

Thehopeisthatthesefinancialawardswillhelp thestudentspursuetheircollegeeducationand enablethemtocontinuetosupportourfinecommunity.

Aseparatescholarshipopportunitywillbegiven tograduatingOHSseniorsinthespring.

Rotaryis aserviceclubwhosemissionisserving. Rotariansprovidecommunityservice,bothlocally andinternationally.BecomingaRotarianprovides theopportunitytodosomethingforsomeoneelse andtosensethehighlyrewardingself-fulfillment thatcomeswiththeprocess.

OregonRotaryClubisalwayslookingfornew members.Foradditionalinformationortoapplyfor membershipvisithttps://portal.clubrunner.ca/5761 oremailRotaryClubPresidentErin Folk atErin@ oregonpark.org.

Manwantedfor failuretoappearinchild porn case

ByKATHLEENA.SCHULTZ kschultz@shawmedia.com

TheOgleCountysheriffandOgleLeeCrimestoppersarelookingfora StillmanValleymanchargedlastyear with10countsofdisseminatingorpossessingchildpornography.

JoshuaLake,whoturns29onNov. 17,wasfoundnotfittostandtrial March 3andwasundergoingcourt-orderedtreatmentwiththeexpectation thatsuchtreatmentwouldrenderhim fit,courtrecordsshow.Helast appearedincourtAug.18andfailedto returnforhisnextfitnesshearing

Aug.30.

LakewasindictedMay4,2021,in OgleCounty Courtontwocountsof disseminatingchildpornographyand eightcountsofpossessingit.Hewas arrestedaspartof a2018IllinoisState PoliceinvestigationwiththeAttorney General’sHi-TechCrimeBureau, whichhadidentifiedchildpornographybeingsharedoutofStillmanValley,investigatorssaidatthetime.

Accordingtotheindictment,all chargesinvolvevideosor,inonecase, aphoto,ofchildrenyoungerthan13 havingsexwithorengagedinother sexactswithadultsand/orotherchil-

dren,includingan infant.

Dissemination is punishablebysixto 30yearsinprison with nopossibility ofparole, afine of $1,000to$100,000 andthreeyearsof supervisedrelease.

Possessionispunishablebythreeto sevenyearsoneachcount, afineofup to$100,000andthreeyearsofsupervisedrelease.

Eachtermleviedmustbeserved

consecutively.

Lake,whoisrepresentedbyRockfordattorneyPaulM.Marriett,was freeafterposting$3,000ofhisbond, whichhadbeenreducedto$30,000 from$50,000.

Bondnowissetat$500,000.

Lakeiswhite,5-foot-9and170 pounds,withbrownhairandglasses.

Anyonewithinformation onhis whereabouts cancallthesheriff’s officeat815-732-2136,ortheanonymousrewardhotlineat888-228-4488. Informationleadingtoanarrestand convictioncanbringupto$1,000.

POLO POLICE

PoloPoliceChiefTroyRandallreportsthefollowingpolice activity.

Nov.8

WilliamE.Rice,25,ofSterling,wascitedat6:28p.m.for drivinganuninsuredmotorvehicleandgiven averbal warningforexpiredregistration.Ricewasreleasedonan I-Bond.

Nov.12

PaulinaSulaiman,34,ofDesPlaines,wascitedat4:20p.m. forfailuretoyieldtorightofwayresultinginanaccident. SulaimanwasreleasedonanI-Bond.

Nov.13

DeangeloL.Fernandez,16,ofPolo,wascitedat11:03p.m. foroperationof auninsuredmotorvehicle.Fernandezwas releasedonanI-Bond.

Joshua Lake

Nov.4-10

WarrantyDeeds

DanielG.andCatherineM.Cannonto PamelaS.Capes,136PrairieMoonDrive, DavisJunction,$200,000.

EstateofJoanneB.McGhee,thelate JoanneB.McGheebyheirstoDavid Anderson,506W.SecondSt.,Byron, $163,500.

RalphL.OlsonDeclarationtrust,RalphL. Olson,trustee,toDerrickandPaulaPorter, 1508W.MudCreekRoad,Oregon, $260,000.

Naperville-ChicagoIllinoisPaintingand DecoratingInc.andGeorgeR.andLynnK. PezzatoStevenJ.andElizabethJ.Young, oneparcelinTaylorTownship,Dixon, $16,000.

BretR.andBrittanyBokkertoBrokRobert Bokker,319W.MerchantSt.,Byron, $128,000.

ErnestA.andDomenicaM.Leombrunito

BretR.andBrittanyKorinBokker,oneparcel onJoannTerrace,Byron,$35,000.

ErnestA.andDomenicaM.Leombrunito BretR.andBrittanyKorinBokker,3061E. EverettLane,Byron,$236,000.

JuanL.AlejandreandLuzElenaConcileon toPrestonCrisler,123ErrettRoad,Rochelle, $52,500.

ADLRealEstateLLCtoHahnUnionBlock OperaHouseLLC,113S.FourthSt.,Oregon, $205,000.

DavidJ.andGerdaL.WegenertoDavid Lautenbach,511W.10thAve.,Rochelle, $123,000.

TandRRentalsLLCtoBruceMcKinney, 1103W.SixthAve.,Rochelle,$134,500.

ThelateHelenE.KingbyheirstoAnthony andAndreaKromwell,1121McCallCourt, Rochelle,$240,000.

JacobB.RossandAmberDachtoJoshua andMeganAdams,1929N.SilverthornDrive, Byron,$170,000.

BryanL.andKimberlyD.BrewertoHandJ

LoyaltyPropertiesLLC,111NancySt.,Mt. Morris,$65,000.

MarkL.andBarbaraL.DavistoRichardand MelisaTwombly,2349W.PinesRoad, Oregon,$317,000.

ChavezFamilyRevocableTrust,Thomas EarlChavez,trustee,toDianeM.MillsTrust, DianeM.MillsandMarkLowellHayes, trustees,oneparcelonMowersRoad,Chana, $680,000.

DustinandErikaFinkletoPoloFire ProtectionDistrict,oneparcelinBuffalo Township,$25,000.

QuitClaimDeed

AnnetteEllistoShannonEllis,610E.Colden St.,Polo,$0.

TrusteesDeeds

NormanL.andMaryEllenLudwig IrrevocableTrust,DavidD.Ludwig,trustee, toDylanLamoineStukenberg,oneparcelon stateRoute26,Forreston,$1,122,604.

LarryClarkandKarenLeaPetersonTrust 101and102,LarryClarkandKarenLea Peterson,trustees,toAKasparDwellings LLC,510N.SeventhSt.,Rochelle,$260,000.

Sheriff’sDeed

SheriffofOgleCountyandDavidand JessicaVaultonburgtoGroenewoldFurand WoolCo.,307W.ColdenSt.,Rochelle,$0.

Source:OgleCountyRecorder’sOffice

OGLE COUNTY SHERIFF ACTIVITY

Nov.7

KyrstaKinchen,28,ofDavisJunction,was citedforimproperpassing/nopassingzone afterdeputiesrespondedtoatwo-vehicle crashatJunctionandNorthwesternroadsat around3:34p.m.Kinchenwastransportedto OSFSaintAnthonyMedicalCenterforminor injuries.

Thedriverandfrontpassengeroftheother vehicle—bothminors—werenotinjured. Bothvehiclesweretowedfromthescene.

CharlesV.Alba,36,ofForreston,was arrestedfordrivingwhilelicensesuspended afteratrafficstopneartheintersectionof eastIllinoisRoute64andSouthGerman ChurchRoadat5:38p.m.

Albaalsowascitedforsuspended registration,operatinganuninsuredmotor vehicleandillegaltransportationofalcoholic liquor.AlbawasreleaseonanI-Bond.

MichelleR.Simpson,39,ofForreston,was arrestedfordomesticbatteryafterdeputies weredispatchedtothe200blockofN.Oak AvenueinForrestonat7:53p.m.fora juvenilecomplaint.Simpsonwastransported totheOgleCountyJailandheldpendinga courtappearance.

ToddGorski,57,ofRochellewasarrested fordrivingwhileundertheinfluenceof

alcoholandpassengerRaymondMifflin,78, ofRochelle,wasarrestedforanactiveOgle Countywarrant.

Ataround10:39p.m.,deputieswere dispatchedtotheareaofEastLindenwood RoadandIllinoisRoute251forareportofa suspiciousvehicle.Deputieslocatedthe offendingvehicleoneastIllinoisRoute64 nearInterstate39.

GorskiandMifflinweretransportedtothe OgleCountyJailandheldinlieuofbond.

Nov.11

MalikTiger,26,ofChicago,wasarrested fordrivingwhilelicensesuspendedandan activeRockfordPoliceDepartmentwarrant foracriminaldamagetopropertycharge afteratrafficstopattheintersectionof IllinoisRoute64andMeridianRoadat around2:34p.m.

Tigeralsowascitedforimproperlane usage,speeding,failuretosignaland operatinganuninsuredvehicle.Tigerwas transportedtotheOgleCountyJailandheld inlieuofbond.

JamesCharles,59,ofRockford,was arrestedfordrivingwhileundertheinfluence ofalcoholafterdeputiesweredispatchedto the8000blockofNorthPerryvilleRoadat around10:49p.m.forasuspiciousvehicle. Charlesalsowascitedforfailuretoreduce speedtoavoidanaccident,failuretoreport anaccident,improperlaneusageand expiredregistration.

HewastransportedtotheOgleCountyJail andheldinlieuofbond.

Nov.12

JuanAlvaradoJr.,33,ofRochelle,was arrestedforpossessionofacontrolled substance(crack/cocaine)andnovalid driver’slicenseafteratrafficstopinthe 20000blockofeastIllinoisRoute38at around8:34p.m.Alvaradoalsowascitedfor operatinganuninsuredmotorvehicleand illegalwindowtint.AlvaradowastransportedtotheOgleCountyJailandheldinlieuof bond.

Nov.13

JeremyBrack,32,ofRochelle,wasarrested fordrivingwhilelicenserevokedandan activeBooneCountywarrantafteratraffic stopinthe2000blockofnorthIllinoisRoute 251ataround1:07a.m.Brackalsowascited forsuspendedregistrationandanequipment

violation.BrackwastransportedtotheOgle CountyJailandheldinlieuofbond.

CharlesV.Alba,36,ofForreston,was arrestedfordrivingwhilelicensesuspended afteratrafficstopinthe100blockofWest WashingtonStreetinOregonat5:37p.m. albaalsowascitedforoperatingavehicle withsuspendedregistration.Albawas transportedtotheOgleCountyJail.

AdamJ.Stephen,43,ofElkGroveVillage, wasarrestedfordrivingwhilelicense suspendedandanOgleCountywarrantafter atrafficstopinthe12000blockofeast IllinoisRoute64at10:31p.m.Stephenalso wascitedforoperatingvehiclewith suspendedregistrationandoperatingan uninsuredmotorvehicle.Stephenwas transportedtotheOgleCountyJail.

Nov.14

DouglasLawson,ofHarriman,Tennessee, wasarrestedfordrivingwhilelicense suspendedafteratrafficstopnearthe intersectionofRangerandSouthDement roadsat7:43p.m.Lawsonalsowascitedfor failuretouseturnsignalanduseof electroniccommunicationdevice.Lawson wasreleasedona$2,500I-Bondandgivena futurecourtdate.

Thesechargesareaccusationsandall subjectsarepresumedinnocentuntilproved guiltyinacourtoflaw.

OgleCountySheriffBrianVanVicklereports thefollowingpoliceactivity.

E

FORESTRY TECH POSITION

Midwest Forestry Unlimited Must have chainsawexperience, must have validdrivers license, tree identification is preferred, equipment operating preferred. Full time, rest is negotiable Call 815-441-0091

Lost: Vintage wedding ringsetsoldered together. REWARD! Call 815-946-2134

Local Buyer PaysCash4 Gold, Silver, Coins,Estate Gold, SingleEarrings, and antiques 24/7 779-245-2950

RECORDS - 33s, 45s&78s (Rock, Blues& Jazz)Scott 815-847-0382

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE

For Sale

ITS Helpdesk Specialist

Custodian (Part-Time)

HS

Sauk Valley Community College

Attn: Human Resources 173 Illinois Route2 Dixon, IL 61021 EOE e-mail: employment@svcc.edu

2 snowblowers 1has an electric start and a pull behind,large leaf rake$150/each. Call 815-677-7089

OCK FALLS

EFFICIENCY -FurnishedUtilities incl. $175/wk. 815-626-8790

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THECIRCUIT COURTOFTHE FIFTEENTH

JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTYOF OGLE

In re the Estate of: LARRY L. SHANK, Deceased 2022 PR 67

CLAIM NOTICE

Notice is given of the death of LARRY L. SHANK. Letters of Office wereissued onNovember 9,2022, toANDREA J. SHANK, as Independent Administrator, whose attorney is M. Thomas Suits, of the Law Offices of M. THOMAS SUITS, P.C.,114 West Mason Street,

Polo,Illinois61064.

Claims against the estate may befiled within six (6) months fromthe date of first publication, or within three (3) months from the date of mailing or delivery of Notice to creditors, if mailing ordelivery isrequired by Section 5/18-3 of the Illinois Probate Act, 1975, as amended, whichever date islater. Any claim not filed bythe requisite date stated above shall bebarred.

Claims against the estate may befiled in the Office ofthe CircuitClerk, Ogle County JudicialCenter, 106 South 5th Street, Oregon, IL 61061 or with the estate legal representative, or both.

Copies of a claim

op filed with the clerk must be mailedor delivered tothe representative and tothe attorney within10 days after it has been filed.

By:ANDREA J. SHANK Independent Administrator Law Offices of M. THOMAS SUITS, P.C. 114 West Mason Street Polo, IL 61064 (815)946-2276 tom@suitslegal. com

Nov.18, 25, Dec.2,2022

22-096516

IN THECIRCUIT COURTOFTHE 15THJUDICIAL CIRCUIT OGLE COUNTY, OREGON, ILLINOIS MIDFIRST BANK

PLAINTIFF, -vsUnknown Heirs and/orLegatees of Joseph Vodak a/k/a Joseph T. Vodak, Deceased; Deborah J. Baugus,as Independent Administrator of theEstate of Joseph Vodak a/k/a Joseph T. Vodak, Deceased; Deborah J. Baugus; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS; UNKNOWN OCCUPANTS DEFENDANTS NO.22FC36

PUBLICATION NOTICE

The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed,notice is hereby given you Unknown Heirs and/or Legatees of Joseph Vodak a/k/a Joseph T. Vodak, Deceased; Unknown Owners and Non-Record Claimants; Unknown Occupants. Defendants in the above entitled suit, that the said suithas been commenced in the CircuitCourt of OgleCounty,by the said Plaintiff against you and other defendants, praying forthe foreclosure of a certain Mortgage conveying the

ying premises describedas follows, to wit: LOT SIX(6) AS DESIGNATED UPON THE PLAT OF INDIAN TRAILS ESTATES, A SUBDIVISION LOCATED IN PART OF THE WEST HALF (1/2) OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER (1/4)OF SECTION 17, TOWNSHIP 40 NORTH, RANGE1 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TOTHE PLAT RECORDED IN PLAT FILE D, PAGE 29 IN THE RECORDER'S OFFICE IN OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS; SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF OGLE AND STATE OF ILLINOIS. Commonly known as 5839 Indian Trail, Rochelle,IL 61068

Permanent Index No.: 24-17-352009 and which said Mortgage was made by Joseph T. Vodak Mortgagors, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for Nationstar Mortgage LLC d/b/a Mr Cooperas Mortgagee, and recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds

R

A T T F L HE OF L x for /a e e

of Ogle County, Illinois, Document No.202106073.

Andfor otherrelief; that summons was dulyissued out of the said Court againstyou as provided by law, and that the suit is now pending. Now therefore, unlessyou, the said above named defendants, e-file your answerto the Complaintin the saidsuit or otherwise make your appearancetherein, onor before the 30th day after the first publication of thisnotice which is DECEMBER 5, 2022. Defaultmay be entered against you at anytime after that day and a judgment entered in accordance with the prayer of said Complaint.

E-filingisnow mandatory for documents in civil cases with limited exemptions. To e-file, you must first create an account withan e-filingservice

ling provider Visit https://efile.illinois courts.gov/serviceproviders.htm to learn more and to select a service provider If you needadditional help or have trouble e-filing, visit http://www.illinois courts.gov/FAQ/ gethelp.asp, or talk withyour local circuit clerk's office.

Dated, _____,____.

Clerk

LOGS Legal Group LLP

Attorney for Plaintiff 2121 Waukegan Road, Suite 301 Bannockburn, IL 60015

(847)291-1717

ILNOTICES@ logs.com

Mail To: Unknown Heirs and/or Legatees of Joseph Vodak a/k/a Joseph T. Vodak, Deceased 5839 Indian Trail Rochelle, IL 61068

Unknown Owners and Non-Record Claimants; Unknown Occupants 5839 Indian Trail

Rochelle, IL 61068

THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT ANDANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THATPURPOSE. PLEASE BE ADVISED THATIF YOUR PERSONAL LIABILITY FOR THIS DEBT HAS BEEN EXTINGUISHED BY A DISCHARGE IN BANKRUPTCY OR BY AN ORDER GRANTING IN REM RELIEF FROM STAY, THIS NOTICE IS PROVIDED SOLELY TO FORECLOSE THE MORTGAGE REMAINING ON YOUR PROPERTY AND IS NOT AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT THE DISCHARGED PERSONAL OBLIGATION. 8190-928028 November 4,11,18,2022 928028

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THEFIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS

BMO HARRIS BANKN.A., Plaintiff, vs RC OF CRESTON, LLC; SODS, LLC; DAVIDSON GRAIN, INCORPORATED; DAVIDSON HOLDING, LLC; DAVIDSON FAMILY FARMS,LLC; DAVIDSON FARMS OF CRESTON,INC.; DAVIDSON FARMS Mortgage and Security OF DEKALBCOUNTY, INC.; DAVIDSON Agreements Foreclosure FARMS OF OGLE COUNTY,INC; DAVIDSON FARMS OF LEE COUNTY,LLC; DAVIDSON FARMS &TRUCKING,LLC; DAVIDSON & FURMAN,LLC; DAVIDSONOF CRESTON,LLC;JOHN DAVIDSON; RONALD DAVIDSON; and UNKNOWNOWNERS & NONRECORDCLAIMANTS Defendants.

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

CaseNo.2022 FC 00000008

PUBLIC NOTICEis given that pursuant to a Judgment ofForeclosure enteredby thisCourtin the above-entitled action, the property described below, or so much of it as shall be sufficient to satisfy the judgment, shall be sold tothe highest bidder. Furthernotice should betaken of the following:

1.Thename, address, and telephone number of theperson to contact for information concerning the property is:Klein, Stoddard, Buck &Lewis, LLC,2045Aberdeen Court, Sycamore, Illinois 60178,815-748-0380.

2. The common address and other description,ifany, of the propertyis: 5960S.Woodlawn Road,Creston, Illinois.

3. A legal description of the property is: PARCEL 1:

PART OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 1/4 TOWNSHIP 40NORTH RANGE 2EAST OFTHE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OFSAID SECTION;THENCENORTH ONTHEEAST LINE OF SAID SECTION475 FEET; THENCE WEST, PARALLEL WITH THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID SECTION 475 FEET; THENCE SOUTH PARALLEL WITH SAID EAST LINE475 FEET TO SAIDSOUTH LINE AND THENCE EAST ON SAID SOUTH LINE 475 FEET TOTHE POINT OF BEGINNING, IN OGLECOUNTY, ILLINOIS; EXCEPTING THEREFROM THEFOLLOWING: A PARCEL OF LAND IN THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OFSECTION 14, TOWNSHIP 40NORTH RANGE2 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPALMERIDIAN, OGLECOUNTY, ILLINOIS, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT THE SOUTHEASTCORNER OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OFSAIDSECTION14THENCE SOUTH 88 DE GREES23 MINUTES13SECONDS WEST (BEARINGS ASSUMED FOR DESCRIPTION PURPOSES ONLY) 475.00 FEET ON THE SOUTH LINE OFSAID SOUTHEAST QUARTERTO THE WEST LINE OFPREMISESCONVEYED TORONALD W. DAVIDSONSR. FROM GAYLORD O.BERG AND CHARLOTTEW BERG BY TRUSTEES DEED RECORDED OCTOBER 15, 1992 IN BOOK 1992, PAGE 12333; THENCE NORTH1 DEGREE 16 MINUTES15 SECONDS WEST 59.79 FEET ON SAIDWEST LINE OF PREMISES SO CONVEYED TOTHE NORTH RIGHTOF WAY LINE OF A PUBLIC ROAD DESIGNATEDILLINOIS ROUTE38 (F.A ROUTE 567); THENCENORTH 88 DEGREES27 MINUTES45 SECONDS EAST 243.28 FEET ONSAID NORTHERLY RIGHT OF WAY LINE; THENCENORTH 82 DEGREES45 MINUTES07 SECONDS EAST 150.75 FEET; THENCENORTH 54 DEGREES46MINUTES51 SECONDS EAST 63.44 FEET TO THE WESTERLY RIGHTOFWAY LINE OFAPUBLIC ROAD DESIGNATED WOODLAWN ROAD; THENCE NORTH 88 DEGREES47 MINUTES 54 SECONDS EAST 29.16 FEET TO THE EAST LINE OF SAID SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 14; THENCE SOUTH 1 DEGREE 16 MINUTES15SECONDSEAST 109.17FEETON SAID EAST LINE OFTHE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION14 TO THE POINT OFBEGINNING, SITUATEDINTHE COUNTYOF OGLEAND STATEOFILLINOIS. PARCEL 2:

PART OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER OFSECTION 13 TOWNSHIP 40 NORTH, RANGE2 EAST OF THETHIRDPRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, OGLECOUNTY, ILLINOIS DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: COMMENCING AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF SAID SECTION 13; THENCENORTH 1 DEGREE 16 MINUTES15 SECONDSWEST ALONG THE WEST LINE OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER A DISTANCE OF 274.10 FEET TOTHE POINT OF BEGINNING OF THE HEREINAFTER DESCRIBEDPARCEL; THENCECONTINUINGNORTH1 DEGREE16 MINUTES15SECONDS WEST, A DISTANCE OF 292.58 FEET; THENCENORTH 88 DEGREES26 MINUTES57 SECONDS EASTA DISTANCE OF 33.94 FEET TO THE EAST RIGHT OFWAY LINE OF A ROADDESIGNATED WOODLAWN ROAD; THENCECONTINUING NORTH 88 DEGREES26 MINUTES57 SECONDS EASTA DISTANCE OF 462.04 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 1 DEGREE32 MINUTES14 SECONDS EAST A DISTANCE OF 507.67 FEET TOTHE NORTH RIGHT OF WAY LINE OF A ROAD DESIGNATED ILLINOIS ROUTE 38; THENCE SOUTH88 DEGREES27 MINUTES46SECONDS WESTALONG SAID NORTH RIGHT OFWAY LINE A DISTANCEOF29.87 FEET;THENCE NORTH 85 DEGREES49 MINUTES37SECONDS WEST ADISTANCE OF 201.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 88 DEGREES27 MINUTES 45 SECONDS WEST A DISTANCE OF150.00 FEET; THENCENORTH 70 DEGREES34 MINUTES43 SECONDS WEST A DISTANCE OF 54.84 FEET; THENCE NORTH 8 DEGREES47 MINUTES47 SECONDS WESTA DISTANCE OF 151.33 FEET; THENCENORTH 29 DEGREES 17 MINUTES45 SECONDS WEST A DISTANCE OF 28.34 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 88 DEGREES 43 MINUTES 45 SECONDS WEST A DISTANCE OF 33.94 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, CONTAINING5.36 ACRES, MORE OR LESS,ALL SITUATEDIN THE TOWNSHIP OF DEMENT, THECOUNTYOF OGLEAND STATEOFILLINOIS.

4. A description of any improvements on the property is:Commercial grain set up includinggrain storage with grain dryer and a largeshed/shop locatedacross the street from the grainset up.

5. The time, date and place of the sale are: December 16,2022,at10:00 amat 202S.1st St.Oregon,Illinois.

6. The terms of the sale are: Public auction, open verbal bid, and conducted bytheSheriff of Ogle County.

7. The matter is titled BMO Harris Bank, N.A., v. RC of Creston, LLC; SODS, LLC; Davidson Grain, Incorporated; Davidson Holding,LLC; Davidson Family Farms, LLC; Davidson Farms of Creston, Inc.; Davidson Farms of DeKalb County, Inc.; David son Farms of OgleCounty, Inc.; DavidsonFarms of LeeCounty,LLC; Davidson Farms &Trucking,LLC; Davidson and Furman, LLC; Davidson of Creston, LLC; John Davidson; Ronald Davidson; and Unknown Owners and Nonrecord Claimants; Case Number 2022 FC 00000008 in the Fifteenth JudicialCircuit of Ogle County,Illinois.

Dated: November7,2022

Amanda C. Wielgus

Klein, Stoddard, Buck & Lewis,LLC 2045 AberdeenCourt; Sycamore, IL60178 P: 815-748-0380; F: 815-748-4030 awielgus@kleinstoddard.com

Klein,

Stoddard,Buck & Lewis,LLC.

By: /s/Amanda C. WielgusOne of Its Attorneys

T