16 minute read
Night Out
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News Alexa Zoellner 815-632-2590 azoellner@shawmedia.com FAR LEFT: Immanuel Arellano, 14 of Mt. Morris, a member of the Blackhawk Crossing 4-H Club, talks about his bearded dragon, Rockette (center), as judge Mary Beth Overmyer listens at the Ogle County 4-H Fair on Saturday. LEFT: Immanuel gives Rockette a hug after the judging. 4-H projects will be on display throughout the fair which continues through Sunday at the fairgrounds between Oregon and Mt. Morris.
Photos by Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media
VILLAGE BOARD
New way to f ile complaints coming soon
BY ALEXA ZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com
Mt. Morris citizens soon will have another option for reporting issues with streets and sidewalks.
Village officials plan to go live with a new page on the village website, www. mtmorrisil.net, within the next week or two. It will allow residents to fill out an online form detailing their complaint or request for maintenance.
“[We’re] trying to make it a little easier for everybody to report problems with trees, sidewalks, streets, gutters, whatever it is that has to be taken care of,” Streets Trustee Ed Higley said during Tuesday’s village board meeting.
Up until now, there has been no uniform method of filing a complaint or documenting steps taken to address the issue, Village President Phil Labash said. The information usually gets to the right channels — but how it gets there varies widely.
“There was no way for us to capture all of this information in one place, so ultimately the streets trustee would know who has lodged a complaint and who has an issue and who doesn’t,” he said.
Those filling out the online complaint form will be asked to provide: the date of the request; their name, address, phone n u m be r a n d , i f p o s s i b l e, t h e i r e m a il address; select which area of concern is being reported — street repair or maintenance issue, sidewalk needs repair or replacement or a street evaluation is needed; and a brief description of the problem.
The request will be added to a running list and prioritized by streets department staff based on their evaluation.
If an email address is provided in the form, a confirmation email will be sent after the person clicks “submit.” Higley said his goal then is to reach out to the citizen.
“One way or another, they’re going to get contacted,” Higley said. “I’m hoping to be back in touch with them within 48 hours. That’s my goal.”
Advertising Sales Patty Bridgeman 815-632-2555 pbridgeman@ shawmedia.com
Mt. Morris Times, Ogle County News and oglecountynews.com are a division of Shaw Media. Ogle County Newspapers also prints the Mt. MorrisTimes , OregonRepublicanReporter, and Polo’s Tri-CountyPress .
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NEWS BRIEFS
An advisory committee of citizens who have been researching alternatives to closing the David L. Rahn Junior High School is encouraging the public to attend an a special school board meeting on Monday, Aug. 2 at 6:30 p.m. in the Oregon High School gymnasium.
“The scheduled reason for this meeting is to hear from the Advisory Committee of Citizens who are researching the details and finding alternatives to the Oregon Community Unit School District Superintendent’s recommendation to close the David L Rahn (“DLR”) Junior High School building at the end of the 2021-2022 school year, and move all 7th and 8th grade students into the current Oregon High School building,” read a July 19 press release from the committee.
The Oregon School Board voted in June, 5-2 to grant the Advisory Committee 60 days to prepare and present an alternative recommendation(s) to a proposal by Oregon Superintendent Tom Mahoney to close of the DLR building.
“Presumably the OCUSD School Board will vote on the matter at its regular meeting, Aug. 16,” the press release said.
Donate non-perishable foods during ‘Battle of the Barns’
The Ogle County Farm Bureau Young Leaders are sponsoring a food drive during the 2021 Ogle County Fair.
In the “Battle of the Barns,” each livestock barn will have a tub for fair-goers to donate non-perishable food items. The barn with the most items donated July 28-31 will receive a cash donation to be used for barn improvements.
The donation site will be inside the 4-H Exhibit Building, and all donations will be distributed to local food pantries.
For more information about this event or Young Leaders, call the Ogle County Farm Bureau at 815-732-2231.
Zach Hall to bring vocal talent to final Kable Band concert on Aug. 4
The Kable Band brings their last concert of the 125th season on Wednesday, Aug 4.
“We are happy to announce Zach Hall will bring his vocal talent to the concert,” said Sylvia Saunders, volunteer and band member.
Hall is the choral director for the Oregon High School District and is an Oregon High School graduate and a long-time Kable Band member.
The Kable Band, under the direction of Andy Eckardt, is held throughout the summer at 7:30 p.m. at the Warren G. Reckmeyer Band Shell on the Campus Square in Mt. Morris.
“Don’t miss the last concert of the season and we’ll see you all next summer,” said Saunders.
SPECIAL EVENT
It’s Fair Time! Count y fair r uns through Sunday
Take a twirl on the tilt-a-whirl, watch thrills and spills at the rodeo, and tap a toe to music this weekend at the 167th Ogle County Fair.
The fair kicked off Wednesday with the Ogle County Fair Queen Pageant and is packed with entertainment, activities, and good food through Sunday, Aug. 1 at the fairgrounds on Lime Kiln Road, just north of Ill. 64 a mile west of Oregon.
The Big Hat Rodeo will offer buckin’ broncos, roping, and trick riding on Friday evening, and with the always crowd-pleasing demolition derby on Saturday. Both events will be held in the grandstands.
The fair will wrap up on Sunday with an all-new event. Popular blues and rhythm & blues band The Jimmys will perform a free concert in the grandstands from 1 to 4 p.m.
“Since it’s a new event we’re not planning to charge. We’re going to accept donations since it’s our first time out of the gate with music,” said fair board president Tom Simpson.
The Jimmys, led by keyboardist and organist Jimmy Voegeli, have performed across the Midwest, Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean and draw record-setting crowds to the Mt. Morris Jamboree with their annual performances.
With an $8 admission fee, Simpson reminded fair-goers that the event is family-friendly and affordable.
Besides free unlimited carnival rides, the fee also covers ground shows, such as Dan Dan the Farmer Man Comedy Rainmaker Shows and the Wild World of Animals.
Children age 3 and younger get into the fair free but each will need a $4 wristband to ride at the carnival. Wristbands are available at the gate.
Projects and exhibits will be on display throughout the fair at the 4-H show and adult and junior open shows. Topics range from traditional livestock, foods, vegetables and fruits, clothing and crafts, floriculture to beekeeping, electricity, woodworking, and computer science.
Other entertainment throughout fair includes the Ta-Da Robots, Chainsaw Carver Dave Ferrell, and the Brian Holt Magic Show with performances on Friday and Saturday.
Musical entertainment at the Lions Shelter will be First Friday on Friday, July 30, and John Lindhorst & Strummers on Saturday, July 31.
Shows are from 7:30 to 10 p.m. each evening.
For more information on fair events, visit www.oglecountyfair.com
For fair coverage throughout the week, visit www.oglecountynews.com.
Photos by Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media The 167th Ogle County Fair offers plenty of family fun through Sunday. The fair also includes the Ogle County 4-H Fair. TOP LEFT: A 4-H member shows one of her goats. TOP RIGHT: A participant in the Big Hat Rodeo tries to ride a bull. This year’s rodeo is on Friday night. BELOW: The grandstands will be packed again for the ever-popular demolition derby. This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday night. Visit www.oglecountyfair.com for more scheduled events and ticket information.
MT. MORRIS JAMBOREE
Dave Weld and The Imper ial Flames on Aug. 6
July 30
Lyle Grobe and the Rhythm Ramblers will perform on July 30, at 7 p.m. at the Mt. Morris Jamboree in the Warren Reckmeyer Band Shell.
“This band, who has appeared during all eight Friday Concert seasons, always has the crowds line-dancing on the grass to toe-tapping while sitting in lawn chairs and on the new benches,” said Jamboree organizer Larry Ubben. “Lyle Grobe has been performing for many years starting in the early 1950s with two brothers, Harry and Richard Hackbarth.”
Aug. 6
Chicago Blues veteran Dave Weld and his band, The Imperial Flames, is on the stage for the Aug. 6 installment of the Mt. Morris Jamboree.
The free concert starts at 7 p.m. at the Warren Reckmeyer Band Shell in downtown Mt. Morris.
“Dave Weld, born in Chicago, was first influenced as a child when he found an old Victrola in the basement and wore out the blues 78’s. He moved to New Mexico, and studied guitar under Kurt Black, a jazz player who worked with Benny Carter in New York,” said Jamboree organizer Larry Ubben.
Weld was drawn back to Chicago after hearing Howlin Wolf on the radio and found that he was welcome on the West side of Chicago. He started sitting in at many clubs and landed a gig with Hound Dog Taylor’s band, Brewer Phillips,Ted Harvey, at Sweet Peas on 43rd St.
Weld then moved on to the 1815 Club on W. Roosevelt, which was owned and operated by Eddie Shaw who had Howlin Wolf’s band, the Wolf Pack. Weld was under tutelage from JB Hutto, a Grammy awarded Blues Hall of Fame slide man from Georgia.
“He studied at JB’s house and one day met his nephews Lil’ Ed and James Young (Pookie), and played with them on the west side for ten years. They collaborated and started the ‘Blues Imperials’,” Ubben said.
Bruce Igauer from renowned Chicago Blues label, Alligator Records found them and recorded them in a historic session “Roughousin’” and they started doing world tours.
In 1988 Dave decided to start his own band “Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames”. This band featured the most authentic seasoned blues veterans in Chicago.
“Dave Weld and The Imperial Flames, is an authentic, real deal blues band, high energy with versatile talent, variety, and a cohesive show that includes original driving houserockin blues, boogie and Soul,” Ubben said.
Concessions for the evening will be served by Ralfie’s BBQ.
“Come enjoy the meal, music and fellowship starting at 6 p.m.,” said Ubben. “It’s opening night for the new show themed, Radical Botanicals at the Encore Art Gallery next door on the first floor of Old Sandstone, open from 6:30-9 p.m.”
Encore’s Artist in Residence, Annie Timmer will also be hosting kids art activities near the Freedom Bell just to the north of the Band Shell during the concert.
“Local small business vendors will often be joining all the activity on the Campus with fresh produce and crafts as well as Grandpa’s Ice Cream truck,” Ubben said.
Attendees are asked to bring a blanket or chair or sit on the new benches in front of the band shell.
In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to the Pinecrest Grove Community Center, 500 Evergreen Lane, just 7 blocks south of Illinois 64 and west of McKendrie Street.
Dave Weld and The Imperial Flames to perform Aug. 6 at Mt. Morris Jamboree.
O ur B est S hot
T R U S T. PR O T E C T. MO VE FO R WA RD.
When you get vaccinated, you make your community a safer place. Getting vaccinated will help stop the spread of COVID-19. Protect yourself and those around you so we can defeat this virus that has taken so much from so many. Be part of the solution – get vaccinated – and let’s move forward together. It’s our best shot. Learn more at osfhealthcare.org/vax.
COVID-19 & EDUCATION
Universal mask wearing recommended for K-12
By RACHEL RODGERS rrodgers@shawmedia.com and ALEXA ZOELLNER azoeller@shawmedia.com
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed its masking recommendations Tuesday, saying that masks should be worn by everyone in schools, regardless of their vaccination status.
But the area’s regional superintendent for schools says the pattern in which guidelines have been released make it difficult for school leaders to plan. All schools in Illinois have been directed by the governor to have students attend school in person.
Some area districts have faced vocal opposition from parents and others opposed to masks for students, saying it should be parental choice.
By mid-afternoon on Tuesday, the Illinois Department of Public Health announced it was “fully adopting” those revised guidelines. “While data continues to show the effectiveness of the three COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized in the U.S., includi ng against the Delta variant, we are still seeing the virus rapidly spread among the unvaccinated,” said Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the IDPH, in a prepared statement.
Ezike said that the risk is greater for everyone if the spread of the virus is not curtailed. “We know masking can help prevent transmission of COVID-19 and its variants,” she said. “Until more people are vaccinated, we join CDC in recommending everyone, regardless of v a c c in at i o n s t a t u s , w e a r a m a s k indoors in areas of substantial and h i g h t r a n s m i s s i o n s , a n d i n K - 1 2 schools.”
That’s the news that area school districts have been waiting on before finalizing their return-to-learn plans and welcoming back students to fulltime, in-person learning in less than a month.
The IDPH said it would be updating the school FAQ document. Earlier on Monday, it posted an FAQ based on the July 9 CDC recommendations, which included masking for unvaccinated students but not the entire school population.
Regional Superintendent Chris Tennyson, of the Regional Office of Education 47 for Lee, Whiteside and Ogle counties, said the change could be a bit confusing for superintendents and school boards as they go by an IDPH FAQ one day and a different one the next.
“It can be frustrating for superintendents and school boards to plan the year out when things can change so quickly,” he said. “I’m sure they’re taking time to review the new guidelines, and they’re working with local health administrators to do what’s best in their main interest, which is the health and safety of students and staff.”
Another important piece for the districts is to have strong layering protocols in place such as cleaning, sanitizi n g , s o c i a l d i s t a n c i n g a n d o t h e r measures to keep the risk of potential spread low, Tennyson said.
The districts have a bit more leeway with planning, compared to stricter mitigations that lumped rural areas in the same boat as Chicago and other larger metros, he said.
“I’m glad that we do have some local control at this point,” Tennyson said. “Our office will continue to work hard with districts to get back to learning and be safe.”
The new recommendations further state that all should wear masks indoors in counties where COVID-19 transmission is substantial or high. The IDPH considers “substantial transmission” to be in areas were there are 50 to 99 cases per 100,000 population over a seven-day period; “high transmission” is areas with more than 100 cases per 100,000 over the same seven days.
In the surrounding counties, Carroll County is the only one labeled highrisk. Lee, Whiteside and Ogle counties all fall in the moderate range, which comes before substantial and after low risk.
Kelly Mandrell, Polo Community Unit School District superintendent, and Tom Mahoney, Oregon Community Unit School District superintendent, both said they had not had a chance to review the CDC guidelines as of Tuesday evening.
Polo’s school district is making a recommendation for students and staff to wear masks, Mandrell said in a July 22 letter to families. Masks are mandated on district transportation.
“We’re going to be watching and seeing how our metric numbers go within the school and community and see if there’s a reason we would have to mandate masks,” Mandrell said Tuesday.
“There is very much a chance that it could change by tomorrow, by the following week,” she added. “Week-byweek it can change.”
Mahoney cited essentially the same guidelines that Polo put out — masks are recommended, but not required, except on district transportation.
“The process is always the same — collect all the information, collect any of the feedback we receive, and then based on that, if there’s a need to make a change, make the change and reissue the updated guidance,” he said.
Last Monday, Mahoney said the Oregon School Board was waiting for further guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Public Health before deciding what the district’s mask policy will be for the upcoming school year.
But parents present at that school board meeting urged school officials to eliminate mask requirements and let parents decide what would be best for their children.
Six of 18 parents present at the meeti n g s p o k e o u t a g a i n s t a n y m a s k requirement.
Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media ABOVE: A homemade “Unmask Our Children” signs stands in a residential lawn alongside Illinois Route 2 in Lee County. Some parents have asked school boards not to require children to wear masks when the school year starts. BELOW: Doug Shafer talks about his opposition to mandatory masks for school students and questions the educational curriculum as he speaks to the Oregon School Board on June 21.
