Mt_Morris_Times-12-30-2022

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

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Mt. Morris Times / ShawLocal.com • Friday, Dec 30, 2022 MT. MO

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First Fridays Open Mic at Oregon VFW Jan. 6

The First Fridays Open Mic presents its monthly show at the Oregon VFW on Friday, Jan. 6.

“The event attracts many talented performers, but musicians and singers of all skill levels find acceptance from its supportive audience,” said Lowell Harp, organizer.

The VFW is located at 1310 W. Washington St. in Oregon. It provides ample parking, along with the availability of a restaurant and bar within the building.

A fish fry runs from 4 to 8 p.m.

“The show starts at 7 p.m. Admission is free, although a jar is available for donations. Performers can sign up for time slots on a first-come

MT. MORRIS POLICE

Mt. Morris Police Chief Michael Cicchetti reports the following police activity.

Nov. 29

At approximately 12:40 a.m., police responded to the report of a disturbance in the 300 block of N. Wesley Avenue. After an investigation, Jessica C. Engelkens, 38, of Mt. Morris, was arrested for criminal damage to property. Engelkens was transported to the Ogle County Jail.

MT. MORRIS LIBRARY

Library Closings

Holidays are coming and we will be closed for a few days to allow our staff time to spend with their families. For New Year’s we will be closed Saturday, Dec. 31 through Monday, Jan. 2. The library will resume regular hours on Tuesday, Jan.

3.

Happy Holidays!

Story Time

Bring your little ones by for a wintery story time! We will be reading books and then children will be making crafts this Wednesday, Jan. 4. Story time is every Wednesday at 11:15 a.m., bring your little ones to enjoy stories and a craft at the Mount Morris Library!

School’s Out

Stop by the library daily for activities for the kids! We will have a variety of different craft projects, activities, and coloring sheets. Not to mention our assortment of games and toys that can keep them occupied! Let us help find an interesting book or movie to take home, too!

Adult Book Club

The January book is “Have You Seen Luis Valez?” by Cathrine Ryan Hyde. Everyone is welcome to join this book club group! Copies of the book are available at the library. This group will meet in-person on Monday, Jan. 30 at the library.

Cookbook Club

Join us as we explore The Cookbook Club! Wonderful recipes combined with friendship creates something both beautiful and deli-

first-serve basis this month, starting at 6:30 p.m.,” Harp said.

For more information, call Jerry Tice at 815-449-2660.

Polo Area Community Theatre to hold auditions this week

Polo Area Community Theatre is holding auditions for “Junie B Jones the Musical” on Dec. 29 from 2 to 7 p.m. and Dec. 30 from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Polo Town Hall.

Roles are for ages 14 to 35.

Those wanting to audition are asked to prepare 16 to 32 bars of a song in the style of the show. Callbacks will be Friday Dec. 30 at 6 p.m.

The musical will be presented Feb. 24-26 and

March 3-4. More information is available by contacting info@polotheatre.org or 815-441-0778.

On Jan. 21, PACT’s 8th Annual Masquerade Ball will be held at Maxson’s restaurant in Oregon from 6 to 11 p.m.

Dinner, dancing, raffles and more activities are planned.

“Come out for this fun and amazing night that has been dubbed ‘Prom for Theatre People!’ PACT officials said in a news release. “You won’t want to miss it! In case of a snow emergency, the Masquerade will be moved to the following week, Jan, 28. Stay tuned to our Facebook page or group for snow cancellation info. Hope to see you all there!”

Dec. 2

At approximately 10:30 p.m., police responded to the 10 block of S. Seminary Avenue. for the report of a domestic disturbance. After an investigation, Shaun M. Bastian, 36, of Mt. Morris, was arrested for domestic battery. Bastian was transported to the Ogle County Jail.

At approximately 12:30 p.m., police made contact with a male subject in the 300 block of E.

Main Street who was wanted on an Ogle County warrant for failure to appear on a previous charge. Robert D. VanDyke, 41, of Mt. Morris, was taken into custody and transported to the Ogle County Jail.

Citizen Assists 17

Other Public Complaints 71

Traffic Warnings 5

Village Ordinance Violations 8

cious!Stop by to choose your recipe from our book, Fast & Easy: All-Natural Recipes in 30 Minutes or Less’, then bring the dish to pass at our next meeting! Join us on Tuesday, Jan. 3 @6 p.m. at The Senior Center for another exciting meal!

Ink with a Friend: Card Making at the Library Join us in January to make some lovely home-made cards to send to family and friends. We will be offering a card-making class from local crafter, Liz Gullett. Liz has already been working with the Oregon Public Library and her classes are quite the success! We want to offer her lovely workshops to our Mt. Morris patrons also. She will be here on Thursday, Jan. 12 from 5-7! You will get all the materials to make two beautiful cards to take home. Stop by to see the samples, fees are by donation. Registration is limited so call the library or stop by to save your spot before Jan. 6. Lego Club!

Our next Lego night is Thursday, Jan. 19, from 6 – 6:45 p.m. Bring a friend and build some fun with Lego bricks! All children and parents are invited. Children under 8 need to bring a parent with them.

Memorial Gifts

Give a Christmas gift that lasts, brings joy to many, and doubles in value. Your memorial gift to the library is matched by the Mt. Morris Library Foundation, doubling your generosity! Many thanks to all who gave memorial gifts in 2022.

Display Case Showings

Stop in to see our new display for January! It is a wonderful winter display revealing some of Margaret Dannhorn’s collection of snowglobes. Stop by to enjoy the enchantment of the gorgeous snowy scenes! We are always looking for collectors or artists who are willing to share their treasures in our display cases. If you are interested, please call, 815-734-4927.

Explore More Illinois

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, spotlights attraction, Chicago Children’s Museum in Chicago! At Chicago Children’s Museum, experiences are intentionally designed with the whole child in mind, including their cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. From head to toe, children thrive and grow as they take part in the museum’s unique environments and programs.

Chicago Children’s Museum in Chicago is offering 4 Admissions for the Price of 1 ($20 admission for up to 4 visitors). Explore More Illinois users can access and reserve passes from any of our attractions on their participating library’s website.

Explore More Illinois is easy to use with your library card. Visit the library’s website to browse attractions. You can find the information on our website, www.mtmorris-il.org under the resources page.

Demolition of former county jail nears completion

Doorway between jail, old courthouse needs to be sealed off

By ALEXA ZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com

Demolition of the old Ogle County Jail isn’t quite done, but is near completion.

Located at 107 S. Fifth St. in Oregon, the old jail was attached to the south side of the historic Ogle County Courthouse, a building in which many county officials still have offices.

“Right now, there’s a doorway that went into the lower level of the courthouse from the jail and it’s still in place,” County Engineer Jeremy Ciesiel said. “We need to remove that door, remove the cinder block wall, and pour a reinforced concrete plug to seal it off.”

Frigid temperatures have delayed that work, he said. Once the weather improves, they’ll take care of it, Ciesiel said, noting he doesn’t have a date for when the work will take place.

“We have a smaller fence around

Demolition of the old Ogle County Jail in downtown Oregon is nearly complete. A door that connected the jail to the historic Ogle County Courthouse via a basement pathway (seen here by the white door) has yet to be sealed. The pathway was used to take prisoners to the courthouse for hearings before the new Ogle County Judicial Center was constructed

that area now to protect it,” he said.

On Oct. 18, Ogle County Board members accepted a $98,300 bid from Martin & Co., of Oregon, to demolish the old jail.

The cost of demolition is being paid

English as a Second Language class begins Jan. 17 in Mt. Morris

Adults who want to improve their English-speaking skills can join the spring session of the Sauk Valley Community College English as a Second Language (ESL) beginning Tuesday, Jan. 17, hosted by the Evangelical Free Church of Mt. Morris.

Classes will meet on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 to 11 a.m. through May 10.

The fall session, also held at the church, wrapped up Dec. 14.

Since mid-September, 15 people from Mt. Morris and surrounding communities attended the twiceweekly classes.

This was the first time the Adult Education office at SVCC has offered

the free classes in Mt. Morris, and it was one of the largest they have had. Sessions also are held in Dixon and Sterling.

To enroll in ESL classes, adult learners must be 17 years of age or older and not currently enrolled in high school.

Adults who are interested in registering for ESL classes may call the SVCC Adult Education office at 815835-6310 for more information. To speak to a staff member in Spanish, call Laura at 815-835-6241.

The Evangelical Free Church is located at 102 S. Seminary Ave., Mt. Morris.

for using American Rescue Plan Act monies – an expenditure also approved by board members Oct. 18.

Martin crews began tearing down the 1969 cement block building Dec 5 using excavators.

Debris was removed and the basement now has been filled. Once completed, the site will be used for additional parking and as greenspace.

The new Ogle County Correctional Center opened in November 2020.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT, FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS CAUSE 2022TX38: TO THE FOLLOWING NAMED PERSONS (AND IF DECEASED, TO THEIR UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DEVISEES), AND TO THE ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL, ILLINOIS SECRETARY OF STATE VEHICLE SERVICES, ILLINOIS SECRETARY OF STATE AND OGLE COUNTY CLERK, OGLE COUNTY TREASURER, OGLE COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY, DITECH FINANCIAL LLC MANAGER: GREEN TREE SERVICING CORP, DITECH FINANCIAL LLC CORP AGENT: C T CORPORATION SYSTEM, AND TO OCCUPANTS AND UNKNOWN OWNERS AND PARTIES INTERESTED IN THE PARCELS HEREINAFTER NAMED: Parcel Number Owners/Parties Interested Cert Number Street Or Common Address 24-40-50-094-0 REED, TOM 2019-90010 7139 S LILAC LOT 94 24-40-70-011-0 CONWAY SR, JOHN R 2019-90017 120 E MEADOWLAND LOT 11

TAKE NOTICE THAT THE ABOVESAID MOBILE HOMES WERE SOLD ON NOVEMBER 4, 2020, FOR DELINQUENT MOBILE HOME LOCAL SERVICES TAXES FOR THE YEAR 2020 AND PRIOR YEARS, AND THAT THE PERIOD OF REDEMPTION FROM SUCH SALE EXPIRES JUNE 2, 2023. TAKE FURTHER NOTICE THAT A PETITION FOR ORDER DIRECTING ISSUANCE OF TAX CERTIFICATES OF TITLE HAS BEEN FILED IN THE ABOVESAID CAUSE AS TO THE ABOVE-NAMED MOBILE HOMES BY OGLE COUNTY, AS TRUSTEE, AND THAT ON JUNE 22, 2023 AT 9:00 AM [COURTROOM 302], SAID PETITIONER WILL APPLY FOR AN ORDER THAT A TAX CERTIFICATE OF TITLE ISSUE AS TO EACH ABOVESAID MOBILE HOME NOT REDEEMED ON OR BEFORE JUNE 2, 2023. /S/ OGLE COUNTY AS TRUSTEE, PETITIONER.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE COUNTY CLERK ADDRESS: 105 S. 5TH ST STE 104, OREGON, IL 61061 TELEPHONE: (815) 732-1110 December 30, 2022, January 6, 13, 2023

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT, FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS CAUSE NO. 2022TX37: TO THE FOLLOWING NAMED PERSONS (AND IF DECEASED, TO THEIR UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DEVISEES), AND TO THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, AND TO ALL INTERESTED DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES THEREOF, INCLUDING AMONG OTHERS ILLINOIS DEPT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY, ILLINOIS PUBLIC AID CONSULTANT, ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL, STATE OF ILLINOIS DEPT OF HEALTHCARE & FAMILY SERVICES (PUBLIC AID) GENERAL COUNSEL AND OGLE COUNTY CLERK, OGLE COUNTY TREASURER, OGLE COUNTY STATES ATTORNEY, CITY OF OREGON, COMMONWEALTH EDISON CO, LOST LAKE UTILITY DISTRICT, UNITED LOST LAKE PROPERTY OWNERS, AND TO OCCUPANTS, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND PARTIES INTERESTED IN THE PARCELS HEREINAFTER NAMED:

Parcel Number Owners/Parties Interested Cert Number Street Or Common Address 14-16-176-007 WARNKEN, ED L 2019-00013 404 W. BUFFALO ST 14-16-176-007 CITY OF POLO CITY CLERK 2019-00013 404 W. BUFFALO ST 14-16-176-007 TAX LIEN INVESTMENTS 2019-00013 404 W. BUFFALO ST 25-23-286-004 WICKE, MARIAN 2019-00041 224 E. DEPOT ST 25-23-286-004 REALTAX DEVELOPERS LTD RA: NICOLE HATCH 2019-00041 224 E. DEPOT ST 25-23-286-004 VILLAGE OF CRESTON 2019-00041 224 E. DEPOT ST 25-23-286-004 WICKE, BURTON A 2019-00041 224 E. DEPOT ST 25-23-286-004 ROBB, REBECCA 2019-00041 224 E. DEPOT ST 24-25-280-013 SHOOK, DONALD R 2019-00095 212 AVENUE H 24-25-280-013 SHOOK, JANET E 2019-00095 212 AVENUE H 24-25-280-013 SHOOK, DONALD 2019-00095 212 AVENUE H 24-25-280-013 RUTLEDGE, RANDY 2019-00095 212 AVENUE H 24-25-280-013 RUTLEDGE, LINDA 2019-00095 212 AVENUE H 24-28-102-012 INMAN, CASSANDRA M TRUSTEE THE ELLEN E INMAN IRREVOC TRUST

2019-00102 11052 E. LINCOLN LN. 24-28-102-012 REALTAX DEVELOPERS LTD RA: NICOLE HATCH 2019-00102 11052 E. LINCOLN LN. 24-28-102-012 TAX LIEN INVESTMENTS 2019-00102 11052 E. LINCOLN LN. 02-28-381-006 SCHANDELMEIER, DALE W 2019-00108 402 W. WHITE OAK RD. 02-28-381-006 SCHANDELMEIER, RHONDA L 2019-00108 402 W. WHITE OAK RD. 02-28-381-006 VILLAGE OF FORRESTON 2019-00108 402 W. WHITE OAK RD. 02-28-381-006 TAX LIEN INVESTMENTS 2019-00108 402 W. WHITE OAK RD. 02-26-100-002 SCHANDELMEIER, DALE W 2019-00152 8950 N. COLUMBINE RD. 02-26-100-002 SCHANDELMEIER, RHONDA L 2019-00152 8950 N. COLUMBINE RD. 12-19-476-014 BEACH, BRENDA K 2019-00156 WENDORF RD. 12-19-476-014 BEACH, DAVID R 2019-00156 WENDORF RD. 12-19-476-014 FIRST NATIONAL BANK & TRUST COMPANY 2019-00156 WENDORF RD. 12-19-476-014 CENTRAL BANK ILLINOIS 2019-00156 WENDORF RD. 15-09-300-002 GEORGE, BETH WHITE PINES LODGE 2019-00200 6712 W. PINES RD. 09-11-176-006 SNYDER, HARRY E 2019-00219 PARK DR. 11-27-213-003 PCO HOMES LLC MGR: JACOB J PETRY 2019-00238 1035 NORTHWESTERN AVE. 22-07-126-004 HARRIS, WILLIAM J 2019-00240 S. ROCK NATION RD. 22-07-126-004 BLAKESLEE, BETH A 2019-00240 S. ROCK NATION RD. 22-08-105-020 TERRY, JAMES P 2019-00242 SLIPPERY ROCK DR. 22-08-204-007 WAGENKNECHT, JAMES 2019-00245 MISSISSIPPI DR. 22-08-204-007 WILLIAMS, ROBBIE L 2019-00245 MISSISSIPPI DR. 22-08-427-001 SMK1 LLC MGR: SCOTT LODOR 2019-00251 PORTAGE LN. & MISSISSIPPI DR. 22-08-427-002 SMK1 LLC MGR: SCOTT LODOR 2019-00252 PORTAGE LN. 22-08-427-003 SMK1 LLC MGR: SCOTT LODOR 2019-00253 PORTAGE LN. & MIAMI DR. 22-08-427-016 RICHMOND, FONZIE 2019-00255 MIAMI DR. 22-08-427-017 RICHMOND, FONZIE 2019-00256 MIAMI DR. 22-08-427-017 NEW LANDING POA MGR: BARB WIESE 2019-00256 MIAMI DR. 22-08-428-003 KACIN, GEORGE B 2019-00257 PORTAGE LN. & CUYAHOGA DR. 22-08-429-010 LAWSON, CHARLES 2019-00258 VERMILLION LN. 22-08-477-010 RASMUSSEN, GRACE TRUSTEE RASMUSSEN, GRACE 2019-00261 IRON CT 22-09-103-005 WILCOX, MATTHEW 2019-00262 TIMBER TRAIL DR. 22-09-103-005 WILCOX, DUSTIN 2019-00262 TIMBER TRAIL DR. 22-09-103-005 PALENEER, TRISHA 2019-00262 TIMBER TRAIL DR. 22-09-103-005 KITSON, WILFORD R 2019-00262 TIMBER TRAIL DR. 22-09-103-014 MILLER, MARC R 2019-00263 WHITE PINE DR. 22-09-327-007 TURNER, MINETTE 2019-00265 HICKORY LN. 22-09-352-008 NORTHERN ILLINOIS PROPERTY LLC 2019-00266 PARK DR. & CUYAHOGA DR. 20-11-463-001 SPAINE, ROSELIE 2019-00268 802 S. CENTRAL ST TAKE NOTICE THAT THE ABOVESAID PARCELS WERE SOLD ON NOVEMBER 4, 2020, FOR GENERAL TAXES FOR THE YEAR 2019 AND PRIOR YEARS, AND THAT THE PERIOD OF REDEMPTION FROM SUCH SALE EXPIRES JUNE 2, 2023. TAKE FURTHER NOTICE THAT A PETITION FOR ORDER DIRECTING ISSUANCE OF TAX DEEDS HAS BEEN FILED IN THE ABOVESAID CAUSE AS TO THE ABOVE-NAMED PARCELS BY OGLE COUNTY, AS TRUSTEE, AND THAT ON JUNE 22, 2023 AT 9:00 AM [COURTROOM 302], SAID PETITIONER WILL APPLY FOR AN ORDER THAT A TAX DEED ISSUE AS TO EACH ABOVESAID PARCEL NOT REDEEMED ON OR BEFORE JUNE 2, 2023. /S/ OGLE COUNTY AS TRUSTEE, PETITIONER. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE COUNTY CLERKADDRESS: 105 S. 5TH ST STE 104, OREGON, IL 61061TELEPHONE: (815) 732-1110 December 30, 2022, January 6, 13, 2023

Squad rear-ended during blizzard conditions

Firefighters responded to two accidents during whiteout

By EARLEEN HINTON and ALEXA ZOELLNER

An Ogle County Sheriff’s deputy suffered minor injuries when his squad was struck from behind as blizzard conditions spread across northern Illinois deeming many secondary roads “impassable.”

Saturday morning, the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office posted on its Facebook page a comment and pictures of the Dec. 23 crash, which occurred at Illinois Route 26 and Prairie Dell Road in northwestern Ogle County.

“Thankfully, our deputy was in an SUV and walked away with minor injuries after being rearended by a truck yesterday afternoon,” the post reads. “This morning, deputies continue to report drifting and whiteout conditions in open areas For everyone’s safety, slow down if you have to go out.”

A third vehicle – a smaller SUV – was behind the pickup truck and rear-ended the truck, Forreston Fire Protection District Chief Bob Meyers said. Forreston fire was among the agencies that responded to the crash.

Altogether, there were seven people in the three vehicles, Meyers said. Six of them were transported to a hospital with minor injuries, and one signed a refusal to be treated, he said.

“Right in that area, it was just a total whiteout and that’s what caused it all,” Meyers said. “There were even times where we were 200 feet from our firetrucks and you couldn’t hardly see them. You really had to look at times when you’d get a big gust of wind.”

Around the same time, a second multi-vehicle crash occurred on Route 26 at Haldane Road between Polo and Forreston. The Polo Fire Protection District was among emergency responders.

“I told the guys to slow way down going out there,” Polo Fire Chief Jim Ports said. “I said, ‘We don’t want to cause any more accidents and we don’t want to get into any accidents because of the whiteout conditions.’”

On their way to the crash, there were stretches “where you couldn’t see anything on the road,” he said.

By the time they arrived, responders from the state had the scene blocked off with a road grader at one end and a truck at the other, Ports said. A Polo truck was added to the lineup, he said.

The large vehicles helped protect the people involved in the crash and the first responders by forcing other drivers to slow down as they approached the scene, Ports said.

“I would like to thank all the fire agencies that also responded. We had two multi-vehicle accidents at the same time and the working relationship with those agencies helped make sure that everybody was safe,” Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle said. “Polo and Forreston departments not only assisted with the injured, but also helped divert traffic during that time.”

He thanked all fire and EMS departments that responded to calls throughout the storm.

“If you see emergency vehicles, try to avoid them and try to stay clear of it,” Ports cautioned drivers. “If you go by an accident scene, go real, real slow

because we’ve got people out there working.”

He and Meyers both urged people to not travel unless it’s absolutely necessary when the weather is like it was over the weekend.

Late Friday afternoon, the sheriff’s office urged motorists not to attempt driving on county and township roads because of the high winds and blowing snow.

County and township snowplows worked throughout the day to try to clear drifts on rural roads. Those plows suspended efforts late Friday and resumed their efforts early Saturday morning.

Meyers also advised drivers to dress appropriately for weather and to keep emergency kits in their vehicles in case they get stranded Items to store in your car include extra blankets, coats, gloves, warm boots and, if possible, water.

The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office also urged motorists to stay off all secondary roads until the storm passed.

On Saturday, the department posted this message: “Crews are working hard this morning to get the roads open. At this time, it is still recommended to avoid secondary roads. We are working on removing abandoned vehicles from the roads.”

Fifty-eight weather-related calls for service came in Friday and 67 vehicles were stuck in the roadways, according to the post The post said 26 people were transported to safety, four people slept in their vehicles and eight people slept at a fire department.

Officials also shared a map of where abandoned vehicles were stranded.

“Hopefully the wind will end soon Be safe out there!” the post said.

Ogle County Sheriff’s Department

An Ogle County Sheriff’s deputy suffered minor injuries after his squad was rear-ended by a pickup truck during the winter storm. First responders battled whiteout conditions during the winter storm.

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

The Ogle County Highway Department’s road grader, equipped with a snowplow, heads east on Pines Road between Polo and Oregon after working to clear roads in western Ogle County High winds and blowing snow made some county and township roads impassable prompting officials to strongly advise motorists not to venture out during the winter storm warning.

Last week’s winter storm changed many travel plans

Our family was lucky, at least those who were flying, that their plans did not change. They had made plans to fly early in the week so they already had reached their destination for Christmas.

Lily, however, got stranded in Michigan with car trouble and by the time it was fixed, the weather had changed. One could not be on the road. She is still waiting and it is Christmas Day.

My house is very secure and I rarely can hear what is going on outside. That was not the case with the Eagle Point house and many times we felt the roof was going with the strong country winds But in town that has been a different story until this week.

The wind blew, the house was cold, and I huddled under warm blankets. I thought of all the people who did not have a sturdy home and the animals out in the winter wind.

At some point I realized that I had

POLO HISTORY

Betty Obendorf

the draperies in the living room closed thinking it would be warmer but they trapped the heat of my base board heating. So I threw back the curtains and the all-purpose room warmed up. That became the warmest room in the house.

I sat and enjoyed the decorations outside at other homes. I love the community tree from my front window and I watched DVDs of past Christmases. Lori and Daniel had put those together when we were shut in by the COVID-19 pandemic. That seems so long ago but Kenneth was with me when we watched all those.

COVID-19 continues and I found

that out over Thanksgiving when I was so sick. I only get out now with all the bad roads and sidewalks when family can be there to take me. That is why on Christmas Eve day when Bruce called and said they would be over to take me to church, I was very pleased.

I had thought I would not be going. I was pleased to see Bruce, Robin and Beth from Boston.

When we walked in and I looked at all the lovely poinsettias, I realized I had not ordered one in memory of the family. Having COVID-19 changes one’s routine and one’s mind is not on the usual. The church looked lovely and the candlelight service is always impressive I was so glad to be there with family and the church was full So nice to have so many there in the cold weather.

The music was lovely and Beth’s “O, Holy Night” was so very beautiful. I remember the many times when

Beth and I did that number as a duet and that seems so long ago. Now I cannot sing the high notes as I age. So I sit back and enjoy listening to others.

It was nice to see families there and watch the smaller children as we light the candles we all hold so very carefully. What a nice service. I thank my family for driving over to take me.

Our family will soon be gathering here in Polo at my home. The slush punch is ready and the eggnog will need to have the whipping cream all whipped up.

Even the younger kids enjoy the eggnog. I think it is all that luscious whipped cream.

We will sing together and enjoy the MCAHNY game my sister put together many years ago. It is now a family tradition.

•BettyObendorfisaretiredteacher anda volunteerforthePoloHistorical Society.

Betty Mary Ellen Croft born on the Croft farm in 1926

By OTTO DICK

At the intersection of Leaf River and West Grove Roads is the Croft Farm. To the west of this intersection is located the Silver Creek Cemetery and at one time a small village called Trot Town.

A wonderful barn stands today built in 1867 At this farm, Betty’s father, Milton Lewis Croft, supervised CCC workers building concrete spillways. The corner posts on this farm are constructed of concrete.

Milton’s son, Robert Elden Croft, married Ogle County Sheriff Jim White’s daughter, Nancy, and his grandson, John Croft, married, Karna, the daughter of Dr Wood Jim White and Dr. Wood both lived in Oregon.

Betty Mary Ellen Croft was born on the Croft farm Nov. 23, 1926, and lived an amazing life. Her mother, Eva Welty Croft, died in 1928 when Betty was 1½ years old. She was raised with her grandparents John D. and Addie Croft in Leaf River.

Her grandparent John D., died the year before she graduated from high school in Leaf River Betty graduated

valedictorian at Leaf River High School in 1944. She was awarded an Ogle County Scholarship to the University of Illinois.

After graduation, she and her grandmother Croft moved to Urbana where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Latin. She then went on to earn two advanced degrees. Betty worked for the university the next 22 years retiring as a full professor.

After retirement from the U of I she accepted a position as technical adviser for Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri

During her 12 years at MSU she was an adviser for the new library building and director of the library.

Following her career at MSU she moved back to Ogle County where she was known as a tourism advocate for the city of Oregon. She sponsored a number of brochures of our rich heritage.

Betty loved books and the arts, especially Taft’s Eternal Indian Statue. (later aka Black Hawk) She said she read two books each week and wanted to increase this to three.

Many of us observed Betty standing

Those Were the Days program is Saturday, Dec. 31, at Oregon Depot

The Oregon Depot Museum will host a “Those Were the Days” post Christmas party on Saturday, Dec. 31, from 10 a.m. to noon.

ration.

She also worked on many projects, including establishing the Leaf River Historical Museum, working at the Rice Cemetery and working in the

“We will have refreshments, a few sweets and maybe a few stories to share, including details of the Otto Dick “Honeymoon”! You won’t want to miss this gathering,” said Chris Martin, one of the organizers.

“We look forward to seeing you on Saturday to

Oregon Genealogy Department at the Library. She also spent time at the information booth located in Oregon.

More on Betty Croft next week.

• Otto Dick is a retired teacher and has researched Ogle County history forseveralyears.

welcome the New Year!”

“Those Were the Days” programs are held at the Oregon Depot, 401 Collins St.

For more information about the programs, call Martin at 815-742-8471.

near Black Hawk Statue explaining the history of Taft and his statue and raising money for Black hawk resto-

Images provided by Otto Dick

LEFT: Betty Croft (right) and her grandmother are pictured here after Betty graduated from the University of Illinois.

ABOVE: The Croft barn was built in 1867 and is located south of Leaf River. Betty was born at this farm.

Brethren Newsline offers more information

on Pinecrest sale to Allure Healthcare Services

Editor’snote:This articleisbeing reprintedwithpermission fromthe ChurchoftheBrethrenNewsline.We thoughtthiswouldbeinterestingto ourreadersbecauseofPinecrest’sand theBrethrenChurch’slongtimepresenceinMt.Morris.

By CHERYL BRUMBAUGH-CAYFORD

Pinecrest Community, a retirement community and nursing care facility in Mt. Morris, has been sold to the forprofit Allure Healthcare Services. The sale was finalized on Friday, Dec. 2.

Founded by the Church of the Brethren in 1893, Pinecrest is a community of some 150 residents in three levels of care: independent living, nursing care and memory care. About 80 are in nursing care and memory care, with the rest in independent living. Pinecrest was affiliated with the church’s Illinois and Wisconsin District and was a member of the Fellowship of Brethren Homes.

That church relationship has ended.

“The board of directors and leaders of Pinecrest grieve the loss of more than a century long connection to the Church of the Brethren,” a Pinecrest release said “Our rich history with the Church of the Brethren has been woven through every day of our service to Pinecrest residents and our greater community. This connection will be a bedrock for committed staff as they continue to serve residents with the new owners. We are forever grateful to the Church of the Brethren and its members for 129 years of support of Pinecrest’s ministry to seniors.”

An unsustainable financial situation

“Pinecrest has been losing $150,000 or more each month during the last two years, which has caused us to burn through cash at a rate that alerted the board and management to the need to act,” said Ferol Labash, Pinecrest CEO.

Low Medicaid reimbursement rates in Illinois top the factors creating Pinecrest’s unsustainable financial situation They “have been insufficient to cover the cost of care for Pinecrest residents for decades,” according to the release.

“Medicaid reimbursement is the primary source of payment for the majority of people, 57 percent in Illinois, who reside in nursing homes long term,” Labash said. However, the state’s Medicaid reimbursement for nursing home care has been one of the lowest in the nation and Illinois “his-

torically took months to approve applicants, sometimes as long as a year or more, and typically paid months in arrears. Frequently the state owed three to six months of reimbursement and on occasion it fell to eight months behind on payments.”

At Pinecrest, “Medicaid reimbursement was less than half of the cost of providing care for residents. The difference in reimbursement and cost of care was covered by private pay rates, other areas of operation and donations,” Labash said.

When COVID-19 hit, the already difficult financial situation worsened. There were added expenses for PPE equipment, COVID testing, cleaning supplies, medical waste removal and hazard pay.

“The losses experienced due to the Medicaid system left no margins to help Pinecrest through the financial challenges of the pandemic,” Labash said. “Revenue fell significantly during the first year of the pandemic as admissions were halted in the nursing home and memory care and individuals became hesitant to move into independent living.”

During the first year of the pandemic, government funding helped keep Pinecrest afloat However, the added expenses from the pandemic continued but the government funding did not.

And then there were staffing shortages.

In a nursing care facility, staffing shortages result in a lower resident

census. When there are not enough employees to provide care to residents, beds that become available cannot be filled, and applications from new residents cannot be accepted. The community loses yet more revenue.

“Historically, Pinecrest employed approximately 185 staff,” Labash said. “We currently employ 155. Hiring dietary, nurses and CNAs became nearly impossible during the past two years. Pinecrest cannot compete with the wages that are being offered by staffing agencies. We have 11 less nurses than we had during normal staffing, and management has filled in shifts in dietary for months.”

A very difficult decision

Once it was determined the financial situation was unsustainable, Pinecrest’s board faced a very difficult decision: whether to close the facility, forcing residents to seek other places to live, or seek a purchaser that would maintain the facility and continue to provide care to the residents.

The board and management began the process of looking for a partner approximately a year and a half ago, Labash said. “Initially, a partnership was pursued with another faith-based, not-for-profit organization. That organization did an analysis but eventually decided an affiliation was too risky to its current operations.”

They turned to Ziegler, an investment bank that specializes in health care and senior living communities “Ziegler attempted to find a not-forprofit partner for Pinecrest,” Labash.

said. “Unfortunately, due to the market conditions, not-for-profit organizations were not in acquisition mode. Ziegler then turned to a select group of for-profit owner/operators that have the best reputations for care in the for-profit side of the business Four of those companies toured Pinecrest and offers were received from two.”

Both companies who gave offers were vetted by the Pinecrest board and management through presentations and interviews, research with Medicare, contacts to people who had experience with them, and unannounced visits to facilities they own.

In selecting the purchaser, the board set the priorities “of maintaining a retirement community in Mt. Morris, honoring its commitment to provide quality care and meet its financial commitments to Pinecrest residents, providing continued employment for staff and meeting obligations to vendors,” the release said.

Allure Healthcare Services was chosen for being “committed to quality care for its residents and to creating a family atmosphere among its staff,” the release said. The company is just a few years old, and already owns nine other facilities in Illinois in addition to Pinecrest.

“We will not realize a profit from the sale of the home,” Labash said. “This is an asset sale and Pinecrest will be responsible for paying off bank bonds, or debt, with the proceeds; paying the new owner for accrued vacation, sick time, etc., for staff so that benefits are not lost; providing an allowance to the buyer for deferred maintenance; and finally meeting vendor obligations. If there were any proceed left, the bylaws call for that to be given to the Church of the Brethren.”

Grieving the loss

“We are grieving the loss of our Church of the Brethren connection,” Labash said. “While we may no longer officially be connected to the church, so many of us are followers of Christ and will continue in his service as we care for our residents.”

Pinecrest had maintained its affiliation with Illinois and Wisconsin District through board membership. Prior to the sale, Pinecrest bylaws required that a majority of its board be members of the church, and that the district conference approve their appointments.

However, the district did not own the home. Ownership of retirement communities often is separated from

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Pinecrest Community, now owned by Allure Healthcare Services, is located on Brayton Street and McKendrie Avenue in Mt. Morris.

FederalgrantstofundprojectsinDixon,Mt. Morris

By RACHEL RODGERS rrodgers@shawmedia.com

The Senate approved an appropriationsbillthat includesfunding for projectsinDixon, Mt. Morrisand Mount Carroll.

U.S. Senators Dick Durbinand Tammy Duckworth announced securing more than $182million through congressionally directed spending for Illinoisprojectsinthe fiscal2023 Omnibus Appropriations Act.

In Dixon, that will mean $210,000 to go toward renovationsatthe Dixon Public Library in a$600,000project to fix up basement space andconvert it into alarger area for programs, meetings and other events.

The1,700-square-footprojectarea includes alarge room, asmall nearby room and abathroom with termite damage and asbestos.

Workwill includeasbestosabatement, removing lead paint in the bathroom and repairingtermite damage. The deterioratedwoodenfloor will be replaced with poured concrete, and new duct work will be installed.

LED lighting will be installed throughout, and adrop ceiling will be installed in most of the area. The bathroom will be made compliant with the

Americans with Disabilities Act, and there will be ababy-changing table. Water-damagedplaster will be repaired andnew carpetinginstalled. Adividing wall will be removed to provide better access between two spaces.

“This appropriations package makes significant investments in the future of Illinois,” Durbin said in a newsrelease. “The use of Congressionally-directed spending provides members of Congress, who know their states and districts better than federal agency personnel in Washington, with theability to direct federal funding to priority projects in their communities. This much-needed federal funding will helplocalities inIllinoislaunch importantinfrastructureprojects, improve access to health care, advance environmental conservatio n, strengthen communityviolence prevention initiatives, support our rural communities to ensurethey have access to the resources they need and much more.”

The Mt. Morris Fire Protection District will be getting$1million to provide fundingfor thedesign,engineering and site work for the construction of anew fire station in Mt. Morris. The existingfire station has not been updated since the 1920s.

An artist’s renderingshows theproposednew Mt. Morris Fire Station, which would replace thevillage’s century-old, unsafe and inefficientfirehouse.Estimatedcostfor thenew building is $4.5 million

“Our state and our nation are stronger when we invest in ourcommunities and families –and that’s what this bipartisan fundingagreement does,” Duckworthsaid. “I’m so proud Iwas able to help secure critical support for projects all across our statetohelp clean up our water, improve our state’s infrastructure, expandhealth care access,create jobs andtackle environmental injustice issues facing communities across Illinois.”

•PINECREST

STEAM HubCreation,Mount Carroll

The University of Illinois Board of Trustees,inpartnershipwith the West CarrollSchool District, will receive $438,000 to developa STEAM Hub.

TheSTEAM Hub project would include computers, digital and3-D printers, sewing machines and art suppliesfor classroom instruction andafter-school learning.

OBITUARY

ELLEN SUE GIBSONTODD DEWOLFE

Died: December 20, 2022

and helped record the events of life. With agrateful heart for all who shared a moment inEllen’s life; she wishes continued happiness andshares asmile to be passed forward. Remember Ellen’s joy of Christmas, Snow, and Flowers. While her life journey was challenging at times; faith and determination gave her the positive jives to continue on.

Continued from Page 7

thechurch“to protect the denomination from financial liability relatedto theoperationofthe retirement community,” Labash said.

sharp disadvantage because they do not have the resources to hire the staff and set up the systems needed to do the charting that is required.

Take my hand Jesus said, Iwill lead the way. Quietly Ellen followed her trusted friend on Tuesday, December 20, 2022.

An enchanted life she led with her knight in shining armor, Robert. Her road warrior partner shared the joy of camping, kite flying, and he made all her dreams come true.

The love of Durango brought many years of nature to her. Hand in hand theydelighted in their daughters April and Angie’s successes in life. Their daughters’ married bliss brought laughter from Grandchildren Samuel Hermanstorfer, Joshua (Savannah) Hermanstorfer and Amanda Sanderson who provided endless smiles and warm hugs. Life seen through agrandchild’s eyes is pure pleasure. Weekly Tuesday 2cents kept the family close

Surviving are her loving husband Robert DeWolfe, Daughters April (Dennis) Sanderson, and Angela (Rick Packard) Hermanstorfer, Siblings Gayle RPemberton Stodgel, Pamela L Nelson Larrison (Steve), Gloria JCraig(Cliff), and William FTodd(Joy), Sisters-in-law Mary Joyce Lee (Robert) and Sandra Griffin Todd and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ellen was welcomed to Heaven byher daughter Susan Michelle, siblings Patricia JTodd Cappel, Thomas CTodd and parents Harold (Red) and Florence McDaniel Gibson Todd.

Private services will be held at alater date. Memorials can be made to Jefferson EMS, 351 ERacine St. Jefferson, Wisconsin 53549 or Mt. Morris Fire Foundation, 15 E. Center Street. Mt. Morris, Illinois 61054 Visit www.schneidermichaelisfuneralhome. com to leave acondolence for thefamily.

There was verbal assurance from Allure that chaplain Rodney Caldwell, whoalso pastors Mount Morris Church of the Brethren,will continue as chaplain,among assurances that most employees will be kept on. Already, afew positions have been ended, andothers are expectedtobe “repositioned into otherroles in the organization,” she said. “At this point, Allure seems committed to minimizing job loss asmuch as possible.

“The one really positive to me is the continuationofPinecrest’s original mission to take care of the poor,” Labash said. There is an assurance that afor-profit will be able to continue care for residents on Medicaid.

It is counterintuitive that Medicaid is more advantageousfor afor-profit than anonprofit, but Labash said for-profitshave the resources to fill beds withMedicaid residents.Inthe state’smost recentrevamping of its program, Illinois created variables that mean per-day, per-resident Medicaid reimbursements vary widely for differentfacilities.Nonprofits are at a

“Pinecresthasn’thad the staffto charteverythingthat capturesall the Medicaid documentation that you get paid for,” Labash said. Allure, asa forprofit company withmoreresources, will be able to get significantly higher Medicaid reimbursements.

“It’sareallybroken system,” Labash said, and she fears it will force many more faith-based nonprofit facilities to sell or close.

“The generosity ofdonors had kept us going,” she said. “For decades, Pinecrest survived on donors.”

Whatwill happen to Pinecrest’s Good Samaritan Fund, and other donations?

Labash reportedthatthe financial situation was such that alldonations were used immediately for resident care.The GoodSamaritanFundwas not held separately from the operating budget.

“It’s an emotional time.This has beenaministrytome,” Labashsaid “It’sheartbreaking to lose that. It was ahard choice. We didn’t want to see an empty buildingwithour residents withnoplace togo. But the level of care will continue because it’s the same team who will be working here.”

“A thing of beauty is ajoy forever; It’s loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness.” -John Keats

Image providedbyRob Hough IV

County engineer ‘tips hat’ to snowplow drivers

are not state-marked roads, Ciesiel said. Examples include Pines Road, which connects Oregon and Polo, and Flagg Road, which connects Rochelle and Lee County.

By ALEXA ZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com

With more than 270 miles of road to clear, the Ogle County Highway Department maintenance team had their hands full with the snowstorm last week.

“It was a really unique storm in my mind,” County Engineer Jeremy Ciesiel said. “We got a small amount of snow, but in certain areas – especially in the west part of the county – we had snowdrifts over 5 feet high, even though we got 2 inches of snow.”

He said conditions in the country where there are fewer structures to block the wind are “often quite different than what they are in the cities, especially when we have winds the way they were blowing over this storm.”

The Ogle County Highway Department has jurisdiction over, and is responsible for, roadways that generally connect population centers but

They don’t clear the state-marked roads, he said. Township roads are smaller country roads and are maintained by township road commissioners.

When the roads the county is responsible for are added up, there’s 270 centerline miles worth, which equates to about 550 lane miles, Ciesiel said. Centerline miles don’t count the individual lanes, just the length from Point A to Point B, he said.

The roads are divided into 10 plow routes, each averaging 27 miles, Ciesiel said.

“They are all maintained with equal attention,” he said.

The 14 members of the maintenance team each worked at least 12 hours on Dec 22, 23 and 24, he said Only the foreman worked on Christmas Day, driving around to check the status of the roads, Ciesiel said.

“Thankfully, with the wind dying down, staff were able to enjoy at least

See PLOWS, Page 11

Drivers face long hours, hazardous conditions to clear roads for others

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

An Ogle County snowplow heads south on Illinois 2 after working to clear roads across the county on Friday, Dec. 23 High winds and blowing snow made some county and township roads impassable, prompting officials to strongly advise motorists not to venture out during the winter storm warning.

WS Dec. 16-22

Warranty Deeds

Frank W. Zimmerman to Elizabeth M. Wagner and Iria K. Pico, 9640 N. Girl Scout Road, Byron, $185,000.

Nathan A. Waugh to Lonnie D. and Debra K. Waugh, 215 S. Hickory St., Stillman Valley, $117,500.

Richard E. and Nancy Voland to Douglas B. and Vickie D. Jones, 716 Kaskaskia Dr., Dixon, $10,000.

Nancy D. Doctor to Tellus Demetra LLC, one Parcel on Lowell Park Road, Dixon, $633,520.

Margaret Fair to Alyssa A. Nelson, 427 E. Fourth St., Byron, $159,900.

Spender L. and Karen A. Hayden to TZ Huber Inc., one parcel on Currency Court, Rochelle, $262,000.

David W. and John F. Safanda to Charles H. Payne, one parcel in Monroe Township, $280,000.

Thomas R. and Lori J. Brown to Michael E. and Lacinda S. Bunger Irrevocable Trust, Michael E. Bunger, trustee, one parcel in Oregon-Nashua Township, $109,733.

Dan Luepkes to Michael E. and Lacinda S. Bunger Irrevocable Trust, Michael E. Bunger, trustee, one parcel in Oregon-Nashua Township, $103,692.

Richard R. and Doris J, Kennay to Aaron Smith, 1024 White Pine Drive, Dixon and one

parcel in Taylor Township, $600,000.

The late Charles W. and Phyllis J. Dilbeck by heirs to Kenneth A. and Melissa K. Dilbeck, 600 S. Fourth St., Oregon, $90,000.

Daniel S. Duarte to Collin Greenfield Jr., 15917 W. Harper Road with one other parcel in Forreston, $29,650.

Charles and Breanna P. While, also Hoffman, to Michael L. Jones, 301 Barbara St., Mt. Morris, $129,000.

Robert Thomas and Nancy Linda Tuten to Brandie L. McLain, 309 W. Lincoln St., Mt. Morris, $88,500.

Katie and Brett Hollewell to Corydon Ray Spratt and Katherine D. Rundall, 208 S. Jackson Ave., Polo, $135,000.

Brian J. Ross to Lindsey Broadway, 507 S. First Ave., Forreston, $36,000.

Kathy S. Aurand to Terrence M. Van Arkel, one parcel on South Park Drive, Byron, $3,400.

Robert Saul to Breanna P. and Charles C. While II, 295 W. Margaret Fuller Road, Oregon, $189,900.

Juniper Mortgage TRA, Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB, trustee, to Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, 1885 N. Daysville Road, Oregon, $125,780.

Nicolo and Kimberly Venezia to Victoria Porter, 621 Cranbrook Lane, Mt. Morris, $180,000.

Dylan Blackburn to Chance E. Doane and

Annie M. Bettenhausen, 212 and 214 Minnesota Drive, Dixon, $1,000.

Moring Disposal Inc. to Allied Waste Transportation Inc., five parcels in Forreston Township, $749,369.

Sorensen Rock River Property LLC to Sue Frances Elston and John Dale Rogner, 6214 S. Lost Nation Road and two other parcels in Dixon, $355,000.

Abbigail R. and Michael A. Schneiderman to Benjamin P. Stake, 11366 N. state Route 26, Forreston, $220,000.

Mitchell W. and Kimberly Lynn Montgomery to Chester and Paula Marszalek, 1504 Westgate Court, Rochelle, $439,900.

Monte L. Enoch to Monty L. Enoch and 147 Rochelle LLC, 147 and 161 E. Second Ave., Rochelle and two parcels in Flagg Township, $1,425,000.

Quit Claim Deed

Kable News Co. Inc. and Kable Product

ZONING CERTIFICATES

The following Ogle County zoning certificates were issued for November/ Connie VanDrew; Eagle Point Township; Section 36; residential accessory building.

Ryan Cheeseman; Marion Township; Section 27; residential accessory building and open, unenclosed deck on existing pool.

Allan Wooden; Buffalo Township; Section 23; private wind turbine.

Graphic Arts Express; Oregon-Nashua Township; Section 2; addition to existing cold storage building; $55,539.

Mark Overmyer; Rockvale Township; Section 15; roofs over two existing decks.

Erin Brigham; Byron Township; Section 20; residential accessory building.

Phase 1 Consulting; Monroe Township; Section 5; upgrades to existing telecommunications facility; $15,000.

Michael and Julie Glendenning; Marion Township; Section 21; residential accessory building.

Larry Palmer; Monroe Township; Section 19; residential accessory building.

Michael Bivins; Rockvale Township; Section 11; placement of RV.

Iconic Energy/Nelson; Byron Township; Section 12; private ground-mounted solar array.

Bonnie and James Harder; Monroe Township; Section 8; special use: small rural business.

Legacy Solar/Cruz; Lincoln Township; Section 34; private ground-mounted solar array.

Nexamp Solar; Leaf River Township; Section 25; special use: commercial solar garden.

Mastec Network Solutions; Byron Township; Section 2; upgrades to existing telecommunications facility; $15,000.

Jim Mudra; Rockvale Township; Section 2; residential accessory building.

Arrow Construction/Creek; Marion Township; Section 24; single-family dwelling; $245,000.

West Branch Church of the Brethren;

Lincoln Township; Section 14; maintenance building.

Albert Reinford; Taylor Township; Section 9; residential accessory building.

Legacy Solar/McCulloch; White Rock Township; Section 17; private ground-mounted solar array.

Legacy Solar/Schimetz; Marion Township; Section 4; private ground-mounted solar array.

Legacy Solar/Ramierez; White Rock Township; Section 1; private ground-mounted solar array.

Jon Ludwig; Lincoln Township; Section 2; grain bin.

Matthew Bearrows; Monroe Township; Section 35; agricultural building.

Overmyer; Rockvale Township; Section 15; roof over existing decks.

Nicor Gas; Byron Township; Section 15; replacing natural gas pipeline.

Nicor Gas; Byron Township; Section 13; replacing natural gas pipeline.

Nicor Gas; Byron Township; Section 24; replacing natural gas pipeline.

Services Inc. to Mt. Morris Economic Development Corp., 16 S. Wesley Ave., Mt. Morris, $0.

Trustees deeds

Ludewig Trust 92, Harlan P. Ludewig, trustee, to Makayla E. and Brittan C. Devries, 15016 W. White Oak Road, Forreston, $2,000,000.

Charles L. and Brenda S. Smith Trust 2013, Charles L. and Brenda S. Smith, trustee, to Arnold D. and Marilyn A. Diehl, 711 N. Division Ave., Polo, $105,900.

Coils Family Irrevocable Trust, Teresa J. Adams, trustee, to Patricia Romo, 821 N. Main St., Rochelle, $110,400.

LFC and EHC Trust 298, Donna L. Weber and Everett E. Colbert Jr., trustees, to Brian S. Colbert, three parcels in Byron Township, $0. C.A. Cliffe Trust 101, Catherine A. Cliffe, trustee, to JTS Equipment LLC, 409 Linda Ave., Rochelle, $0.

Executors Deeds

Estate of the late John Arthur Bartelt by executor to Ronald J. Bartelt, 302 S Congress Ave., Polo, $75,000.

Estate of the late Connie K. Rivera by executor to Christine Salazar, 6721 S. Joanne Ave., Rochelle, $90,000.

Source:OgleCounty Recorder’s Office

OGLE COUNTY SHERIFF ACTIVITY

Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle reports the following activity.

Dec. 21

William Upton, 50, of Byron, was arrested for aggravated domestic battery and domestic battery and Amber Dodson, 29, of Stillman Valley, were arrested for domestic battery after deputies responded to the 4000 block of east Illinois Route 72 at around 12:51 a.m. for a domestic disturbance. Upton and Dodson were transported to the Ogle County Jail and held pending court appearances.

Dec. 22

John Gelander, 40, of Rockford, was arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol after a traffic stop in the 7000 block of North Limestone Road at around 9:10 p.m. Gelander also was cited for operating an uninsured motor vehicle and driving on the wrong side of the road. He was transported to the Ogle County Jail and held in lieu of bond.

Dec. 23

At around 3:03 p.m., deputies and the Polo Fire Protection District and EMS responded to the 3200 block of north Illinois Route 26 in response to a two-vehicle crash with injuries. An investigation showed that Tiffany Dales, 33, of Forreston, was driving a Dodge van south on Route 26 when she rear-ended a Ford truck driven by Kenneth Ludewig, 58,

• PLOWS

Continued from Page 9

Christmas,” he said.

Depending on road conditions, staff work 12 to 16 hours a day, starting at 3:30 a.m., Ciesiel said They’ll work “until we feel the roads are in decent enough shape” or until 5:30 or 6:30 p.m.

“We do try to make sure we limit their hours on the roads,” he said when asked about employee safety. “Ideally, if we can keep it at eight hours, that’d be great. But conditions don’t allow us to do that.”

Driving in severe weather is mentally taxing and stressful, Ciesiel said. Staff are encouraged to drive slow, make sure they’re staying alert and to get out of the truck when they have a chance to take a break and stretch their legs. A 30-minute lunch break is required, regardless of road conditions, he said.

“I tip my hat to them because they do a fantastic job at what they do,” Ciesiel said.

Driving near snow plows

“It’s never a good idea to try to pass a

snowplow,” Ciesiel said. “Always stay back behind them. They are spreading material, which includes rock salt.”

When crossing a snowplow – pass-

ing it going in the opposite direction –slow down to reduce the chance of any material damaging your vehicle, he said

• SHERIFF

Continued from Page 10

of Polo. Dales and Ludewig both were transported to the hospital for minor injuries. Dales was cited for failure to reduce speed.

Dec. 24

Alana Fredricks, 19, of Mt. Morris, was arrested for driving on a suspended driver’s license after deputies conducted a motorist assist at 10:20 p.m. in the 3000 block of west Illinois Route 64. Fredricks was released on a signature I-Bond.

Dec. 25

Stephanie M. Proietti, 42, of Roscoe, was arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol, aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol while license suspended/ revoked and driving while license suspended after deputies stopped Proietti at on

Interstate 39 mile marker 106. Deputies stopped Proietti after responding to a driving complaint on I-39 mile marker 111 at 12:03 a.m. Proietti also was cited for improper lane usage and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Proietti was transported to the Ogle County Jail and held pending a court appearance.

William Parkinson, 60, of Oregon, was arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol after a traffic stop in the 11000 block of north Illinois Route 2 at around 6:49 p.m. Parkinson also was cited for illegal transportation of alcohol, improper lane usage, operating an uninsured motor vehicle and no valid driver’s license. He was transported to the Ogle County Jail and held in lieu of bond.

Subjects are presumed innocent until provedguilty in a court of law.

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

High winds and blowing snow made driving conditions dangerous Dec 23, prompting officials to strongly advise motorists not to venture out during the winter storm warning.

Soltow shoulders load for Polo’s run to semifinals

By TY REYNOLDS treynolds@shawmedia.com

The Polo Marcos started the 2022 season with a pair of all-state running backs returning to the backfield and a lot of question marks at the other positions.

They ended the season with one main ball-carrier and a lot of momentum heading into next fall.

The constant through it all was junior Brock Soltow, who excelled while sharing the load with Avery Grenoble for the regular season, then shouldered the load in a run to the Illinois 8-Man Football Association semifinals after Grenoble was lost to a knee injury the night before the first-round playoff game.

The numbers Soltow put up were staggering: 246 rushes, 2,407 yards and 39 touchdowns, the most in the area in all three categories. Even when you break those numbers down, it’s equally impressive: 9.8 yards per carry and a touchdown every 6.3 carries, he averaged 200.6 yards and 3.25 touchdowns per game as the Marcos went 9-3 and came within six seconds of a third straight I8FA state title-game berth.

He was tops in the area in rushing by 30 carries, 800 yards and five touchdowns, and now has 3,895 yards in his career. He also had 79 tackles – including 49 solo – with seven tackles for loss, two sacks and seven interceptions from his outside linebacker spot to earn I8FA all-state honors for the second straight season.

But it was his growth on both sides of the ball, both as a player and a leader, that he showed during a position change and being the main target for opposing defenses that also helped him earn 2022 Sauk Valley Media Player of the Year honors. •••

The beginning of the season was full of uncertainty for the Marcos. Bringing back a pair of 1,400-yard rushers in Grenoble and Soltow is a luxury most teams don’t have, but putting them behind an inexperienced, untested offensive line was a big question mark.

But as the season wore on, the line made huge strides, and Soltow was the one who benefited from it the most.

“It was awesome watching us all grow together as a team, in the weight room, on the practice field, everything, with the offensive line, all of us talking together,” Soltow said. “Communication was the biggest thing week by week with us. We were having troubles the first week, and we just kept not talking on the line and it messed us

up. After we started figuring it out, it looked pretty good for all of us.”

After a 2-2 start – with losses to area rivals Amboy-LaMoille-Ohio and Milledgeville – things turned around, and it was a change in formation that seemed to spark it.

After struggling to move the ball in Week 4 against the Missiles, Polo came out in the Wildcat formation in the second half, with Soltow taking the direct shotgun snap from the center and either keeping the ball or handing it off to Grenoble. It allowed quarterback Cayden Webster to act as an extra

blocker, and put the ball in the hands of the two most experienced players on every play.

“I was a little nervous when we started that formation, because we really didn’t practice it a lot until the week after that game. At halftime, they said we were going to switch it and try it out and I was a bit nervous,” Soltow said. “But when I got onto the field, my nerves just went away. I knew we had to play how we always played, so I liked it a lot, and enjoyed it – and that was our main offense starting the next week.”

After leading the area in rushing attempts, yards and touchdowns, and leading Polo to the Illinois 8-Man Football Association semifinals for the third straight season, junior running back turned quarterback Brock Soltow has been chosen as the 2022 Sauk Valley Media Football Player of the Year

It was also the week where, after a tough loss in a game the Marcos led at halftime, Soltow had his first inkling that this team might have something special in them the rest of the season.

“I thought after Week 4, that Milledgeville game, when we had the lead at halftime and then we just lost it all right away after half, I knew we were all going to be pissed off about that game because that’s our biggest rival and we all wanted to go in and destroy them, but that didn’t happen,” he said. “Then that next week, all of our mindsets were to make up for that. In the weight room, the practice field, we didn’t care about anything else; it was football no matter what, and I knew after that week we had a good chance of going to state again.”

Coach Ted Alston also pointed to the Milledgeville loss as the turning point for Polo. The coaching staff made Soltow’s move to quarterback permanent, putting Webster in more of a halfback position, and then started to see the improvement as the guys in the trenches gained experience – and confidence.

He pointed to Soltow’s growth in his new position over the next few weeks – he threw for 202 yards and four touchdowns on the season – as mirroring the rest of the team.

“At the beginning of the year, we were struggling a little bit We just didn’t have much continuity offensively, and Brock was struggling a little bit, Avery was struggling a little bit, we were all kind of struggling a little bit,” Alston said. “But when we

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Polo’s Brock Soltow knocks a pass away from Orangeville’s Kyle Kloepping during their game this past season In addition to his offensive production, Soltow was a key defender for the Marcos.

Alex T. Paschal – apaschal@shawmedia.com

Boys basketball: Newman takes third at Forreston tournament; Byron takes first

After losing to Byron 53-50 in the semifinals of the Forreston Holiday Tournament on Monday evening, the Newman Comets bounced back to defeat Lena-Winslow 46-37 in the third-place game

The final rounds of the tournament were postponed from Thursday and Friday because of the winter storm that hit the area late last week.

In the third-place game, Newman turned a 19-15 halftime deficit into a 34-28 lead after three quarters with a 19-9 surge in the third, then closed the game with a 12-9 scoring edge in the final period. Lucas Simpson scored 11 of his game-high 19 points in the second half, while Ayden Batten, Gabe Padilla and Nolan Britt added eight points each; Batten and Padilla both hit a pair of 3-pointers.

Byron outscored the Comets 23-20 in the second half to pull out the semifinal victory after the teams were tied 30-30 at halftime. Simpson poured in 23 points for Newman, and Britt scored 17.

Jack Hiveley had 20 points to pace the Tigers, and Ryan Tucker added 19.

Byron defeated Pecatonica 83-71 in the championship game. Ryan Tucker scored 27 points followed by Jack Hiveley with 17 and Riley Kesler with 13.

Consolation championship

Milledgeville 47, River Ridge 45: Trailing 22-7 after the first quarter and 29-13 at halftime, the Missiles pulled off another

See ROUNDUP, Page 15

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Newman’s Isaiah Williams (12) and Kenny Boesen (25) battle Byron’s Jack Hiveley (13) and Kye Aken (5) during Monday action at the Forreston Holiday Tournament. Byron defeated Pecatonica in the championship game later that evening.

comeback at the Forreston tournament, outscoring the Wildcats 18-11 in the third quarter and 16-5 in the fourth to rally and claim the consolation title.

Kacen Johnson scored 10 of his team-high 16 points in the fourth quarter for Milledgeville, and Connor Nye scored all nine points after halftime. Karter Livengood scored six, and Colten Hendrick added five for the Missiles. Jack Ketelsen scored 17 points to lead River Ridge.

Milledgeville 55, Eastland 54: The Milledgeville boys basketball team built a first-quarter lead, then held off an Eastland rally in the second half to pick up a 55-54 win in a consolation semifinal Wednesday night at the Forreston Holiday Tournament.

The Missiles built a 35-19 lead by

halftime, then Kacen Johnson scored 12 of his team’s 15 points in the fourth quarter after the Cougars had cut their deficit to 40-37 heading into the fourth.

Johnson finished with a game-high 25 points, while Bryce Aude and Connor Nye added eight points apiece for Milledgeville, which will play in the consolation championship against River Ridge at 6:30 p.m. Monday.

Eastland was led by Trevor Janssen’s 21 points, while Parker Krogman and Peyton Spears added 12 points each.

River Ridge 52, Forreston 38: The Cardinals played the Wildcats to a four-point halftime deficit, but were outscored 22-12 in the second half in a consolation semifinal loss at their own tournament.

Forreston was led by Nikolas Valenzuela with 21 points. Owen Greenfield scored seven points, and Brock Smith chipped in five points for the Cardinals.

Leading River Ridge were George Winter with 19 points and Dylan Diehl with 11 points.

Polo 54, Aquin 42: The Marcos built a four-point halftime lead, then pulled away from the Bulldogs with a 29-21 second-half scoring run at the Forreston Holiday Tournament.

Brock Soltow paced Polo with 16 points, Nolan Hahn scored 12 points, and John Mummert added 10 points. Brady Wolber scored seven points, and Carson Jones chipped in six points for the Marcos.

Adam Awender scored 17 points to lead Aquin.

Stockton 40, Oregon 30: The Hawks led 9-5 after the first quarter, but the Blackhawks rallied for a two-point halftime lead, then sealed the Forreston Holiday Tournament win with a 13-8 fourth-quarter run.

SPORTS COLUMN

Winter weather wipes out hoops tournament plans

For the third year in a row, it was no Forreston basketball tournament for me. The Thursday/Friday portion I planned to see was wiped out by weather and Monday’s reschedule found me out of state. Maybe next year for the 62nd annual edition.

Actually, I should probably be paying closer attention to girls basketball, as that is where the area strength is. In the 2A rankings, Stillman Valley, Byron and Winnebago were in the top 10 of the AP state poll.

Not only that, but Dixon (3A) started the year at 12-0, Rockford Christian is vastly improved and Rockford Lutheran and Rock Falls are perennial mainstays, making the Big Northern conference absolutely brutal to navigate.

In the 1A girls poll, Galena from the NUIC is No. 1. With so many good female athletes opting out of basketball for club volleyball, it is refreshing to see a volleyball power such as Galena have girls that participate in both sports.

Orangeville, with an enrollment of 107, is No. 10 and has a core group of younger kids. In the past four state tourneys, the NUIC has had a team make the Final Four downstate.

Speaking of small schools, the “feel good” story of last year, Scales Mound and its state third-place finish, is back in the boys 1A poll with a new cast of players. Though they graduated a once-in-a-lifetime senior class, this school of 70 apparently has enough tal-

ent to make another postseason run.

Boys basketball is the only standalone sport at the school. An equally successful girls program co-ops with River Ridge.

When basketball has lone billing, that is what all the boys in town grow up wanting to excel in. And the community of 436 (up 16 percent from 2010) offers up big-time support.

Scales Mound is off the beaten path, but may merit a winter road trip to see a game and check the “scene” out At the time I am writing this, its only loss has been to Pecatonica, who continue to rise in hardcourt prominence.

Overall, there isn’t one dominant boys team in the NUIC like there is for the girls in Galena.

In the BNC boys race, it’s all about two Rockford schools, Lutheran and Christian. Lutheran’s record is deceiving in that it plays 3A/4A nonconference foes.

Lutheran lost its best prospect a couple of years ago, a young man who is at his third school in as many years. Still, the Crusaders have to be considered a contender in 2A for a state trophy.

On to wrestling.

After four state placers in 2019, Oregon has been in a rebuilding phase Winning the Stillman Valley tourney a couple of weeks ago shows that progress is being made.

Tied 150-apiece with Stillman going into the final round, the Hawks surged ahead to win by a 179-172 margin, with 285-pounder Evan Flaharty closing the

GUEST VIEW

Andy Colbert

meet out with a 15-second pin to clinch the title.

The next day, former coach Mark Gale told me the match that impressed him most was for fifth place at 113 pounds. That’s where Jackson Messenger overcame a 14-1 deficit to pin his opponent and give his team an emotional boost.

“You could see it in his eyes,” Gale said. “He wasn’t going to quit.”

Perhaps that stirred up memories of the glory days of Hawks wrestling when winning matches like that were commonplace, as Oregon seemed to have a mental advantage over other teams.

One disadvantage Oregon does have is competing in the toughest 1A regional in the state, with the likes of Dakota, Dixon, Lena-Winslow and Stillman.

In a testament to this, Oregon failed to advance anyone out of the 2020 regional, something considered unfathomable. Last year, Oregon got back on track and even sent a couple of wrestlers downstate.

For those wanting to see a mini state meet without traveling to Champaign, swing by Polo on Feb 4 to see individuals from these strong mat pro-

grams go at each other in the 1A regional.

Top returning state placer in the county is Jack Seacrist of Stillman, who took second at 152. Can Seacrist make it state champ No. 23 for the Cardinals?

In 2A, Rochelle also brings back a runner-up in Xavier Villalobos, a 5-foot-4, 120-pound sophomore who also had three interceptions in the Hubs’ overtime playoff win over Dixon. Villalobos is part of a strong nucleus of young wrestlers for the state-ranked Hubs.

A misnomer is that one must be big to play football. Mental toughness and desire to hit people are the only prerequisites.

Good wrestlers usually make good football players. Good basketball players not necessarily so.

The IHSA announced that Illinois State University got the bid to host the football championships. That’s the right decision.

The atmosphere there will be much better than the cavernous Memorial Stadium at U of I and also at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb. Besides, ISU is where the playoffs began in the 1970s and always had a good reputation for hosting them before Champaign and DeKalb did it.

• AndyColbert,an avidrunner, has been a sports writer for Shaw Media and has covered high school sports in OgleCountyformore than30years.

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media Byron’s Braylon Kilduff brings down a rebound during Monday action against Sterling Newman at the Forreston Holiday Tournament.

See ROUNDUP, Page 17

moved him there … it was the Milledgeville game that we kind of realized it was the way to go. The coaches on the way home said, ‘I think this is the direction we have to go permanently.’ From there, he just kept getting a little better at it each week His success coincided with the improvement up front and on defense, so it kind of all just jelled together, which was nice.” •••

As with most offensive backs, Soltow can’t give his teammates enough credit for his success. Whether talking about his running mate Grenoble, or the offensive line that grew in leaps and bounds this season, he knows how much of a team game he’s playing every week.

Early in the season, Grenoble was one of the reasons why Soltow was gaining so many yards. With defenses keying on the senior who specialized on running inside, Soltow was able to find some space on the outside.

“I had a sense that they were all going to key on Avery because of how good he was last year. They wanted to stop the middle run because that’s what we did really well last year with Avery,” Soltow said “This year, they started out keying on Avery and we got the outside runs, and then we added our H-right sweep and it started getting us outside and allowed us to make cuts to open field The line was always there to be on the back cuts, and we were perfect.”

The two are as close as a running back tandem can be, and that relationship is a big reason why both cheer on the other’s success more than their own.

“It was great being back there with him. I had a blast with him back there last year and this year,” Soltow said, a sentiment Grenoble echoed. “Me and him have a good connection together everyday. We’re always talking about football, no matter what: how the season went last year, how the season went this year. It’s always fun to be with him on the field, in practice, in school.”

Both backs were effusive in their praise of the guys up front, and the improvement of that unit week to week. A part of the offense that was a worry at the start of the season turned into a major confidence-booster by the end.

“That line was huge for us. When we lost Logan Nelson to a knee injury, I got a little worried. But we had Jacob Monaco jump up in a big spot for us, and he came in clutch and was a big help to us,” Soltow said. “Everybody else – Waylon Harris, Alex Albano, Nathan Yingling and Landen Brooks –we all didn’t know how we were going to be at the start of the season, and when we all started clicking together,

that O-line was perfect on everything. I wouldn’t be getting the rushing yards at all without them.”

Alston also marveled at the strides his team was making each game, and not just in the trenches. With big shoes to fill from a strong senior class in 2021, several players grew into those roles and made them their own.

After hitting the 40-point mark twice in their first four games, the Marcos scored 44 or more in seven of their final eight games, and reached the 60-point mark in their final three regular-season games. On the other side, the defense only gave up more than 30 points three times over the last eight games, leading to the late-season surge.

“From Week 1 to the end of the season, we were a completely different team – not just offensively up front, but everywhere. I saw growth from a huge number of kids who just matured and grew into really good football players, confidence-wise,” Alston said. “They had the ability, it was just more of a confidence and skill thing that we were able to see grow. Brock kind of mirrored that, and it was kind of neat to see how so many of them kind of just grew together like that.”

•••

Every team faces adversity, and it hit the Marcos at the most inopportune time: the night before the playoffs.

In the final five minutes of the last walkthrough at practice Oct. 27 on the eve of the first-round playoff game against Hiawatha, Grenoble suffered a knee injury.

Not knowing how severe it was, Alston knew the team could go one of two ways: rally around their fallen

team leader or fall apart without him. Soltow was one of the reasons the Marcos did the former.

“We talked about it Friday [Oct. 28] right before the game. Mr. Alston came up to us and said, ‘Let’s play this game for Avery. It’s our time to shine for him. Let’s make a big run for him,’” Soltow recalled. “We really felt terrible for him on that Thursday when he went down, but we all felt good going into that game playing for him. We did not want to lose that game and we did everything we could do to make sure we didn’t.”

At the time, the team’s focus was to keep winning until Grenoble could return. But when it became obvious that the injury was serious enough to require season-ending surgery, the two-pronged rushing attack turned into more of a solo act.

And Soltow was the perfect guy for the job.

“When Avery went down, I think he kind of realized that he was going to have to be a little bit better and take on more responsibility and be more of a leader out there, and he was able to do that,” Alston said.

For his part, Soltow said he didn’t feel any added pressure to pick up the slack. He knew the guys stepping in for Grenbole – mainly Delo Fernandez and Noah Dewey – were ready for the challenge.

“Not really, because I knew I had Delo and Noah back there with me, and every time they stepped in for us, they would have a good run and make plays,” Soltow said. “Even when we passed out of it, it would be perfect. It was great with them in the backfield helping me out, and our O-line was really clicking by then.”

But it was inevitable that Soltow would have to carry more of the load. In three playoff games, he had 102 carries for 746 yards and 14 touchdowns, running for at least 220 yards and four TDs in all three games.

With that came a lot of punishment from opposing defenses, but his coach truly admired Soltow’s ability to get back up after every hard hit.

“There were a lot of times where he was pretty beat up, especially in those three games in the playoffs when he carried the ball a ton – and he never complained,” Alston said. “He just limped his way back to the huddle, and then when he’d get the ball on the next play, he’d be normal again. It was kind of amazing the way he was able to do that. He’s a tough kid.” •••

After storybook endings to the last two playoff runs, this season’s finale was the stuff of nightmares. After taking a 48-44 with 42 seconds to play in the I8FA semifinals, the Marcos’ hopes for a third straight state title-game berth were dashed when West Central senior star Kaiden Droste scored as time expired.

The heartbreaking finish took its toll on the Polo players, and nobody took it harder than Soltow. He was despondent and in tears for quite a while after the game, especially when he embraced a wheelchair-bound Grenoble after receiving plenty of hugs from West Central players in the handshake line.

“It took me a few days to stop feeling sick about it,” Soltow said. “That Monday, I didn’t go to school; I was pretty upset. I took a day off to refocus, and I knew some of the other players did, and some of us got together to try to feel better and get rid of that game from our heads and move onto the next thing. We’ve got next year, but I felt bad for those seniors because it’s their last year, that was their last game, and that was it for them. It was a really tough ending.”

But it was the camaraderie of the teammates that helped change the attitude from grief and pain to anger and resolve. Soltow said that a little time has given him perspective on just how well Polo was playing at the end of the season, and that will serve as motivation in preparation for next season.

“That loss really showed a lot to us, and how far we’d come,” Soltow said. “To lose on that score on the last play, it sucked – but after a couple of days, everybody came together and said, ‘This is going to be the play that we remember going into next season.’ We’re all going to be thinking about it from now until the start of next season, everyday while we’re getting ready for next year. We’re going to remember that and keep building up and getting better and better, because that play will drive us We want to go back and get that [state championship] ring next year.”

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Polo’s Brock Soltow avoids Orangeville defenders during their game this past season in Polo

Oregon wrestlers boost season record to 11-1

By RANDY HOLLAND

The Hawks wrestlers ran their season record to 11-1 with dominant victories over Amboy 69-9 and Byron 54-22 on Dec. 20 at the Blackhawk Center.

Amboy had a small team and gave up seven forfeits. Starting with Evan Flaharty and Owen Wynn taking free passes, the Clippers were in a 12-0 hole to start, and Preston LaBay, Seth Stevens, Gabe Eckerd, Landyn Windham and Seth Rote also added six for the Hawks.

On the mat, Jackson Messenger was on his back twice in a 9-0 major decision loss at 113. At 120, Colton Flaharty scored a takedown in a half nelson at 1:09.

In the 132-pound match, Ethan Mowry got roughed up in an 18-1 technical fall loss as the final buzzer sounded. Lane Halverson reversed into a half nelson at 2:52.

At 152, Grant Stender worked off his takedown into a half nelson to pin in 53 seconds. At 160, Anthony Bauer escaped after losing a late reversal and took a 5-3 win. From there it was for-

feits up to 220 where Jonathan Alaniz scored a takedown in a cradle in 18 seconds to finish the meet.

Starting at 106 against the Tigers, Wynn wrestled tough in a 9-1 major decision loss and Messenger took a forfeit at 113.

Colton Flaharty was turned in a half nelson at 1:32. Byron had a brief lead, but it was erased when LeBay took a half nelson over the front at 1:12 and Mowry and Halverson took a forfeits.

Stevens led 5-0 when he scraped for a pin at 3:24. Stender had a tough match against 10th-ranked Carsen Behn, giving up two takedowns and a reverse in a 9-3 loss.

Bauer took a forfeit at 160 and Eckerd had backpoints on a takedown before he stopped a stand up and hooked up a half nelson at 1:32.

At 182, Windham lost two takedowns in a hard-fought 6-3 loss. At 195, Rote was turned with a chicken wing at 1:33, and Alaniz worked the scrape at 1:02 in the 220 pound match.

The meet ended with a forfeit to Evan Flaharty at 285.

• ROUNDUP

Continued from Page 15

Jordan Croegaert led Oregon with nine points, while Jacob Vegliando added seven points.

Ryley Schultz and Spencer Luke led Stockton with 20 and 12 points.

Eastland Holiday Tournament

Forreston falls twice in Lanark: The Cardinals lost 63-36 to Galena and 84-35 to Pecatonica on Day 1 at the Eastland tournament.

Forreston fell behind 17-5 in the first quarter and 42-16 by halftime against Galena. Nikolas Valenzuela’s 12 points paced

the Cardinals, while Connor Glasgow had 21 and Studtmann added 15 for the Pirates.

Pec grabbed a 31-10 lead through the first quarter, then stretched it to 58-23 by halftime, and Forreston never recovered.

Valenzuela had 11 points, and Brendan Greenfield and Payton Encheff both added eight for the Cardinals, while Mason Peterson scored 21 to pace Pec.

Boys swimming

Byron 4th in Rockford: The TigerSharks finished fourth at the 14-team Boylan Bash, led by Gage Helfrich’s first-place overall finish among freshmen.

Kade Politsch finished fourth overall for freshmen, and Tyson Politsch added a sixth-place finish among seniors for Byron.

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Oregon’s Preston LeBay and Polo’s Jaidynn McKinney wrestle in a Dec. 2 bout at the Blackhawk Center

dent of Mount Morris, IL, and residing at 206 Sunset Lane

2. Letters of Office were issued on December 8, 2022 to Jill E. White, as Independent Administrator, whose address is 8529 Olympia Drive, Byron, IL 61010 She is the legal representative of the estate

3. The attorney for the estate is Jeffrey A. Bivens, 4855 E. State St., Rockford, IL 61108.

4. Claims against the estate may be filed on or before June 25, 2023 that date being at leastsix (6) months from the date of first publication, or

p within three (3) months from the date of mailing or delivery of Notice to creditors; if mailing or delivery is required by Section 18-3 of the Illinois Probate Act, 1975 as amended, whichever date is later. Any claim not filed by the requisite date stated above shall be barred.

5. Claims against the estate may be filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court, 106 S. Fifth St., Ste. 300, Oregon, IL 61061 or with the estate legal representative, or both.

6. Copies of claims filed with the Ogle County Circuit Clerk's Office must be mailed ordelivered to the estate legal representative and to her attorney within ten

y days after filing

7 The Estate will be administered without court supervision unless an interested party terminates independent representation by filing a petition to terminate under Article XX 5/28-4 ofthe Probate Act (755 ILCS 5/28-4)

Jill E. White, Independent Administrator

Jeffrey A. Bivens

Attorney for the Estate 4855 E. State St. Rockford, IL 61108 (815) 399-2299 jeffreyabivens @netscape.net

Dec. 23, 30, 2022, Jan. 6, 2023

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS

In the Matter of: DOUGLAS E. STRAWSER, Deceased No 2022-PR-71

CLAIM NOTICE

Notice is given of the death of DOUGLAS E. STRAWSER of Oregon, Illinois. Letters of Office were issued on December 8, 2022 to KATHRYN HOFFMAN, as Independent Executor whose attorneys are WILLIAMS McCARTHY LLP, 120 W. State St., P.O. Box 219, Rockford, IL 61105.

The estate will be administered without court supervision, unless under Section 28-4 of the Probate Act (755 ILCS 5/28-4) any interested person terminates independent administration at any time

y by mailing or delivering a petition to terminate to the Clerk

Claims against the estate may be filed in the office of the Clerk of the Court, Ogle County Courthouse, 106 S. 5th Street, # 300, Oregon, IL 61061 or with the representative, or both, on or before June 16, 2023, or within 3 months from the date of mailing or delivery of notice to creditors, if mailing or delivery is required by Section 18-3 of the Probate Act, whichever date is later. Any claim not filed by the requisite date stated above is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney

y within 10 days after it has been filed

Kathryn Hoffman Independent Executor

Dec. 16, 23, 30, 2022

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS

Estate of: PETER L. REED, Deceased No 2022 PR 73

CLAIM NOTICE

Notice is given of the death of PETER L. REED Letters of Office were issued to DONALD L. REED, 3154 N. River Rd., Oregon, Illinois 61061, as Representative, whose attorneys are WARD, MURRAY, PACE & JOHNSON, P.C., 202 E. 5th Street, Sterling, Illinois 61081.

Claims against the estate may be filed in the office of the Clerk of Court, Ogle County Courthouse, 106 S. 5th St., Oregon, Illinois 61061, or with the Representative, or both, on or before June 30, 2023, and any claim not filed within that period is barred.

Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the Representative and to the attorney within ten (10) days after it has been filed

Dated: December 21, 2022

Donald L. Reed, Representative Amanda J. Baron ARDC 6320306

WARD, MURRAY, PACE & JOHNSON, P.C. Attorney for Estate 202 E. 5th Street P.O. Box 400 Sterling, IL 61081 P: 815.625.8200 baron@wmpj.com

Dec 30, 2022, Jan 6, 13, 2023

WEBSITE REDESIGN BID REQUEST

The United Lost Lake Property Owners Association is seeking bids from qualified contractors who are currently in the business of website development and support Bid specification packets can be picked up at the ULL POA office located at 903 Missouri Drive, Dixon, IL 61021 on Tuesday - Friday from 9 AM - 3 PM. Or you can request to have it emailed to you by calling 815-652-4491 or email ullpoa@gric s.net All bids must be received by Lost Lake POA no later than 3 PM on Tuesday, January 31st, 2023

The ULLPOA will judge all bids without bias but reserves the right to accept or reject any and/or all bids and will accept the bid determined to be in the best interest of the community.

Dec 22, 30, 2022

PUBLICATION NOTICE

(Change in Assumed Name Certificate)

Public Notice is hereby given that on December 22, 2022, a supplemental certificate of ownership of business was filed in the Ogle County Clerk's Office setting forth the names and post office address of all of the persons owning, conducting and transacting the business known as: Under Pressure Therapeutic Massage 107 S Franklin Ave Polo, IL 61064

Dated: December 22, 2022

Laura J. Cook, Ogle County Clerk Dec. 30, 2022

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