Protections needed for landowners who lease land for solar farms
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IBV Energy Partners, in concert with its subsidiary, Kyte River Solar, is in the process of developing a 150-megawatt solar farm near the intersection of South Meridian Road and Lincoln Highway. The land use permit is expected to be submitted at the end of this year, with construction scheduled to begin in 2027.
According to the Great Plains Institute, one megawatt of solar-powered collectors requires between 7 and 10 acres of land in Illinois. For you geniuses with your calculators, this project will require 1,050 to 1,500 acres for the solar collectors alone. Battery storage will require between 0.5 and 1.5 acres per megawatt, which translates to an additional 75 to 225 acres, depending on the battery type. Therefore, the estimated land requirement for this project ranges from a minimum of 1,125 to 1,725 acres.
The average expected life of a solar farm is approximately 25 years. Typically, the developer of a solar farm leases the land for a specified period, as outlined in the lease agreement. The lease is similar to a rental and is paid out periodically for the duration of the lease. The amount of money received by the landowner often exceeds the potential proceeds from crops grown on the land, making it attractive. Typically, it is agreed that the land be returned in a condition suitable for farming.
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
Locals named to President’s List
Southern New Hampshire University congratulates Trevor Hegge of Rochelle and McKenna Sawlsville of Ashton for being named to the Summer 2025 President’s List. The summer terms run from May to August.
Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point
ON THE COVER
COMMUNITY VOICES
Chuck Roberts
Although the financial benefits may appear appealing, there is a risk associated with leasing the land for such a project. The government heavily subsidizes the development of solar farms. The current administration is in the process of eliminating subsidies for wind power. It is expected that solar farms may also be on the chopping block.
Like wind power, solar power is intermittent, and according to the American Energy Alliance, it operates at about 25% of the time, requiring backup power from fossil fuels, nuclear sources, or expensive batteries. The total cost per kilowatt-hour from solar farms far exceeds that of alternative fossil fuel or nuclear-generated power, which is why solar farms have not been developed without subsidies.
According to the American Energy Alliance, the “solar industry is in dire straits without endless subsidies.” Solar projects get 30% tax credits, among other subsidies. If subsidies are reduced or eliminated, a bankruptcy could occur, which means no lease payment, and the landowner would have to pay to remove the solar collectors, battery storage, foundations and frame-
work before farming the land. It might be wise in a lease to have wording that stipulates the lessor will pay for returning the land to its original state after the useful life of the solar installation and perhaps even require that funds for restoration of the land be placed in escrow.
Landowners should also be aware of environmental concerns that have previously been reported. Newsweek reported “Thousands of Solar Panels in Texas Destroyed by Hailstorm” in 2024. As a result of this event, discussions arose regarding the toxic chemicals from the damaged collectors contaminating the soil, rendering the land unusable for farming. According to Riverhead Local News, dated Aug. 4, 2023, a headline read as follows: “After three fires this summer at commercial battery storage facilities in N.Y., Hochul creates working group for safety investigation.”
When the Ogle County Board receives the land use permit application, it will have little say as long as the project meets Illinois state requirements. In January 2023, Pritzker signed House Bill 4412, also known as Public Act 102-1123, into law, which essentially prevents counties in Illinois from passing bans or moratoriums on wind and solar energy projects.
• Chuck Roberts is a freelance writer in Rochelle.
average of 3.7 and above for the reporting term are named to the President’s List.
Dall makes SNHU dean’s list
Southern New Hampshire University recently congratulated Rochelle’s Abby Dall on being named to the summer 2025 dean’s list. The summer term runs from May to August.
Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.500 to 3.699 for the reporting term are named to the dean’s list. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired eight-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.
– Shaw Local News Network
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Scan here to get Ogle County Text Alerts Shelley Herlihy’s Portrait of Hope for Making Strides against Breast Cancer, taken in 2025.
Photo provided by Shelley Herlihy
Davis Junction breast cancer survivor raising awareness ahead of Oct. 4 walk in Rockford
‘It’s been therapeutic to revisit it now and see how far I’ve come’: Herlihy
By JEFF HELFRICH jhelfrich@shawmedia.com
As she celebrates 15 years as a breast cancer survivor, Shelley Herlihy of Davis Junction is still working to help people who are in the fight now.
Herlihy, a resident of Davis Junction for over 20 years, recently began serving as an ambassador for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, which will take place from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 4 at Rock Valley College in Rockford. To donate or participate in the walk, visit main.acsevents.org/goto/shelleyherlihy. All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.
The American Cancer Society also selected Herlihy to participate in its Portrait of Hope program, highlighting her story to raise awareness and inspire others in the fight against breast cancer. She and three others will be featured at the walk and she recently spoke at a kick-off event at Hard Rock Casino Rockford last month.
“I do it to spread awareness and get across the importance of fundraising,” Herlihy said. “The funding helps to provide things like transportation and wigs. They were things that I needed and that people need that are now in situations like I was.”
In 2009, Herlihy had unexplained swelling in her right hand for several months. She underwent several tests, such as X-rays, a CAT scan and an MRI. After sitting in an unusual position in the MRI machine, she found a lump in her breast. Herlihy had no history of cancer in her family and was young, so she put off addressing it for a month and finally got it checked out.
After a trip to the doctor, a scheduled mammogram was moved up, a mass was confirmed and a biopsy was done. She was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“I planned a lumpectomy and radiation and they added chemotherapy due to it being aggressive,” Herlihy said. “I qualified for mammosite radiation, which was new at the time. I met the
qualifications. I did 10 treatments, two times a day for five days. It was internal radiation. I was fortunate to qualify for that.”
Herlihy’s two sons, Tanner and Tyler, were in high school when she was diagnosed. She fought cancer as a single mother. She still made them breakfast and made it to their sporting events. While they were at school, she would sleep all day during her chemotherapy. She went through hair loss.
Herlihy had her surgery in November 2009 and radiation in December 2009. Her chemotherapy took place from January to March 2010, and she fought dehydration and nausea during treatment. She received clean scans in the following year, got through a scare that turned out to be nothing five years ago, and just received another clean bill of health.
“One of the hardest parts of my fight was that I was diagnosed as a single
mom,” Herlihy said. “I knew I had to be there for my boys. I had to do everything possible to make sure I was there for them. I didn’t know how to tell them I was sick initially. I tried to keep things as normal as possible. It was a long year. Being there for my sons is what drove me.”
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer work for Herlihy actually started back in 2006, when a friend of hers was diagnosed with breast cancer. Herlihy’s company signed up a team for the walk and raised donations. She was diagnosed herself three years later. After being involved for 10 years, Herlihy moved out of the area for a time. She got involved again when she was asked to become an ambassador and help raise money and spread awareness.
“I think funding for research is so important,” Herlihy said. “There’s been so much advancement in the past 30-40 years and the survival rate has gotten better. A lot is just awareness. People need to pay attention to their bodies.
“If I can do anything to spread awareness on the importance of getting a mammogram or help raise funds for people to get transportation or a wig, I want to do that. If I can share my story and help someone, I have to do that. You can be proactive. Follow through and go to your doctor. If I can help one person, it’s worth it.”
Along with support from her sons, Herlihy credits her team of doctors at SwedishAmerican for their help during her fight. In the communities of Davis Junction and Stillman Valley, she and her family were helped and supported with meals, rides and cards, which she said “truly made a difference.”
Outside of her work for Making Strides, Herlihy doesn’t often dwell on the story of her cancer fight. Using her experience to help others has been therapeutic for her and her sons.
“I try to tell people my story,” Herlihy said. “If I hadn’t found that lump and gone in to get it checked, it would’ve been a different story. The cancer was fast-moving and aggressive. I wouldn’t be here. Be proactive. I tell people going through a cancer fight to give themselves grace to do what their body needs and to talk to their doctors. Your doctors can help you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
Photos provided by Shelley Herlihy
ABOVE: Shelley Herlihy was honored at Volley for Cure at Stillman Valley High School. She is shown with her sons, Tanner and Tyler Herlihy, in October 2010. BELOW: Shelley Herlihy is pictured at her second chemotherapy treatment at SwedishAmerican Hospital in Rockford in January 2010.
Rochelle Veterans War Memorial brick engraving available for Veterans Day
By JEFF HELFRICH jhelfrich@shawmedia.com
Every fall, additional bricks in the Rochelle Veterans War Memorial are engraved in time for Veterans Day. Orders for brick engraving are collected and the engraver is hired to perform the work on a dry day in the fall. For those interested in having a brick engraved on behalf of a veteran for Veterans Day 2025, the deadline to receive the order form and payment is Sept. 15, 2025.
Orders received after this date will be held until the next engraving can be scheduled. The cost for a brick is $75 and order forms can be obtained at the Rochelle VFW or on the Rochelle city website. Payment by check or money order is required, payable to the
Brick engraving orders can now be placed for this fall at the Rochelle Veterans War Memorial.
Rochelle Veterans War Memorial Association.
Orders can be dropped off at the VFW or mailed to Box 344, Rochelle IL, 61068.
Let the Children Come
to Me
Another typical day in the life of Jesus had dawned: a great crowd of people flanked Him, some thirsting for His teaching, some looking for excitement, some hoping to argue with Him. Meanwhile, some parents stepped out of the crowd, bringing their children to Jesus for a blessing.
Jesus’ disciples quickly rebuked the parents. Jesus was a busy man, with weighty matters on his mind; He didn’t have time for children.
Or did He? Jesus rebuked His disciples: “he said unto them, suffer [allow] the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” Then Jesus took the children “up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.” (You can read this story in Mark 10:1-16)
If you are a parent, teacher, counselor, or any other adult that influences a child (and all of us do), these words are for you. Children are born innocent, impressionable, and helpless. Whose are they? Yours? The State’s?
“Children are an heritage of the LORD” (Psalm 127:3). Jesus reinforced this Biblical truth. Children are not our own. They are a gift from God. As parents, we have a solemn responsibility; we must guide them back to their Creator (Ephesians 6:4).
Children will become what we adults influence them to be. How the heart of Jesus must grieve today as He looks upon modern America, and what is happening to these precious little ones: Homes that reject children, lavishing all their attention on pets instead; couples by the thousands who choose to kill their unborn child as a matter of convenience; brokenhearted children caught in the whirlwind of trauma caused by divorce, unfaithfulness, and abuse; parents who shove a digital screen in front of their child to shut them up so they can pursue their own interests; mothers, fathers, teachers, and others who tell Johnny that yes, he really is a girl, encouraging him down a path of confusion, darkness, and deception.
“ Forbid them not.” What are Jesus’ words to those who forbid them from coming? “It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend (trip up, entice to sin) one of these little ones” (Luke 17:2).
We will all answer to God, the Creator of every human life, for our influence on these vulnerable members of society. This not a neutral matter! Will you be an agent of destruction, hindering children from reaching Jesus? Or will you be an agent of blessing, encouraging children toward truth, fulfilment, and godliness?
Brought to you by: Little Prairie Mennonite Church Pastor Norm Reinford (779) 861-3700 littleprairieministries@upwardmail.com
Photos provided by Chuck Roberts Along with a statue, the Rochelle Veterans War Memorial features engraved bricks with names of local veterans.
Mudrick named Constellation’s new chief nuclear officer
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
Constellation has named Chris Mudrick as the company’s new chief nuclear officer, effective Sept. 29, according to a Sept. 4 news release.
Mudrick succeeds Dave Rhoades, who is retiring at the end of the year after serving in the role since 2021. Constellation owns the Byron Nuclear Plant.
“Dave Rhoades has left an indelible mark on our company and our industry, and his legacy of safety, reliability and error-free operations is unmatched,” said Joe Dominguez, Constellation president and CEO. “With decades of technical, operational and leadership experience, Chris Mudrick is uniquely qualified to succeed Dave, preserving and growing America’s largest nuclear fleet to power the nation and help win the AI race.”
Constellation’s clean energy centers have consistently shown strong operational performance with an industry leading capacity factor of more than 94% over the last decade, according to
Constellation has experienced many operational innovations under Rhoades’ leadership, resulting in improved performance and capacity factors across the fleet. During his tenure, he has overseen efforts to digitalize equipment at Constellation clean energy centers and led the charge to shorten the duration of refueling outages. Outages frequently took over a month to complete years ago and Rhoades’ focus on safely streamlining activities and detailed planning has helped reduce the average timeframe to less than three weeks. Rhoades will retire at the end of this year after nearly 40 years of service to Constellation.
the release. Rhoades’ leadership was integral to achieving that high level of reliability.
“Dave’s contributions to our nuclear fleet are immeasurable,” said Bryan Hanson, Constellation’s chief generation officer. “Under his leadership, Constellation routinely led the industry in annual capacity factors and outage
durations, two key indicators of reliability and error-free operations. Chris is well suited to follow Dave and his deep industry experience, both domestically and internationally, will help us maintain these high levels of operational excellence while delivering more clean megawatts to American homes and businesses.”
Mudrick has served as senior vice president of generation growth since returning to Constellation last year after serving the previous four years as chief nuclear officer at Bruce Power in Canada. Since rejoining Constellation, he has overseen the Crane Clean Energy Center restart and supported numerous growth and data economy initiatives. Mudrick spent more than 30 years in leadership positions at Constellation prior to joining Bruce Power.
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
Extension hosting free virtual program on Oct. 3 about diabetes
With diabetes on the rise across the nation, the need for education and support has never been greater. Fortunately, managing diabetes doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
University of Illinois Extension is offering a free, interactive virtual series designed to help people with diabetes or pre-diabetes take control of their health and live vibrant, fulfilling lives.
Take Charge of Your Diabetes is a six-week program that equips participants with practical tools and strategies to become confident health managers.
Led by Family Life Educator Cheri Burcham and Program Coordinator Jan Saglier, the sessions cover essential topics such as healthy eating, counting carbs, stress management, exercise and physical activity, monitoring blood sugar, medication management, working effectively with medical providers, and more.
The program will be held virtually via
Zoom on Fridays, from Oct. 3 to Nov. 14 (excluding Oct. 24) from 1 to 3:30 p.m.
There is no cost to participate, but registration is required by Sept. 29. To register, call Burcham at 217-543-3755 or Saglier at 815-544-3710.
This program meets the American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes Support Initiative criteria, ensuring high-quality support for those managing the condition.
University of Illinois Extension is committed to providing equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you require reasonable accommodations, contact the event coordinator.
Ogle County Historical Society to meet Sept. 22
The Ogle County Historical Society will have its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22, at the carriage house annex building located behind (east of) the Nash House Museum at 111 N. Sixth St. in Oregon. All are welcome.
– Shaw Local News Network
Photo provided by John Dickson
Pictured is the Byron Nuclear Generating Station in Byron.
Focus House celebrates 50 years of change, community and supporting at-risk youths
By JEFF HELFRICH jhelfrich@shawmedia.com
Focus House is one of two facilities of its kind in the state. The Ogle County treatment facility just north of Rochelle provides a continuum of services for at-risk youths, including residential, counseling, education and alternative programming.
Focus House will celebrate its 50-year anniversary in November. It offers residential treatment for boys ages 12-17 in the justice system who are court-ordered by a judge to go to the facility. Youth in the program eventually transition back to their homes after education, treatment and public service work at Focus House. The facility has three teachers and two paraprofessionals.
Other programming includes alternative suspension services for kids who receive out-of-school suspension in Ogle County. Focus House also offers alternative expulsion services and outpatient treatment for youths on probation, along with evaluations for youths and work with students at the Chana Education Center.
Focus House will celebrate its 50th anniversary on Nov. 14 with an event at Luna. The event will feature past and present directors, teachers and board members, highlighting the county-owned facility’s 50 years of history and impact.
“It will celebrate the last 50 years and look forward to the next 50 years,” Focus House Executive Director Brenda Mason said. “I think 50 years for a mental health facility is a really long time to still be operating and to be operating well. The board members take a lot of pride in it and there are staff members here with a lot of longevity, some with 20-40 years here.
“It’s been such a staple of the community for so long,” he said. Focus House has changed a lot. It used to have babies that would be cared for here in the beginning. It’s touched so many families in the Rochelle and Ogle County areas. Everyone is excited about 50 years.”
When Focus House first started, it served as a home for youths involved in juvenile abuse and neglect cases without places to go. It previously served boys and girls from infants to teenagers,
Jeff Helfrich photos
Focus House will celebrate its 50th anniversary in November. It offers residential treatment for boys ages 12-17 in the justice system who are court-ordered by a judge to go to the facility. Youth in the program eventually transition back to their homes after education, treatment and public service work at Focus House.
typically for longer terms than today. The first location was the Miller House in Rochelle, before the move to its current Illinois Route 251 location, which has seen new buildings over the years.
“Facilities like this are very uncommon,” Mason said. “For it to be county-owned and operated, there’s one other facility in Illinois like it. It’s very unique. It’s incredibly good for Ogle County youth, because they would have to be sent very far away if this weren’t here. We don’t charge anything for Ogle County youth. If we sent them out for treatment, it would cost the taxpayers a lot of money to have to pay for that. We can give so much treatment to the youth and keep them here and close to their homes.”
Focus House sees support from the community, which Mason called “amazing.” Focus House kids work for the Flagg-Rochelle Community Park Dis -
trict from April to October, cleaning up parks to earn money. The Rochelle Police and Fire departments often go to the facility for demonstrations or help with programming.
The Foundation for Focus House, a nonprofit, helps provide youth with essentials such as hygiene items, clothing and school supplies. The organization hosts three fundraisers each year to support these needs.
“I think it’s such an amazing thing to have so much community backing and wanting to help the youth of the community,” Mason said. “It’s such a rich community of people who want to help their youth and keep them in the community. The staff here are so passionate about that help. I think they care so much. These kids need a lot of help.
“It comes out as bad behavior, but at the end of the day, they came by it pretty honestly. I think it’s awesome to see a
north
a continuum of services for at-risk youths, including residential, counseling, education and alternative programming.
community rally behind kids that didn’t have a good upbringing and really just need the help.”
Focus House has longtime staff members, including some who have been there more than 20 years. Mason said not being a Department of Child & Family Services facility allows Focus House to prioritize Ogle County youth and build its own program, which helps staff to stay committed to the cause and kids.
The Focus House executive director enjoys looking back on the kids who had a positive outcome after their time in the facility.
“Even if they came away from here and had a slip-up, they’re young,” Mason said. “I think they always think back to this time where they were in a structured, supportive, nonchaotic environment and they saw it’s what they want for their lives. I know our kids will always look back on this time and know they were supported here and that this felt good and they don’t want to live in the chaos they grew up in.”
Mason enjoys coming to work at Focus House each day to help kids on the road back from behavioral problems after a hard upbringing.
“If we as a society can’t intervene when those bad things are happening, we should be helping them later on,” Mason said. “They’re still kids and need support, love and care. That’s what brings me to work every day. Our kids become so well-mannered and you get to see them just be kids. These are 15-, 16-year-old boys who have never built a snowman at home or had a water balloon fight. Here, they can do that.”
Focus House is one of two facilities of its kind in the state. The Ogle County treatment facility just
of Rochelle provides
Eagle’s Nest Art Group Show is Oct. 4 in Oregon
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK
contact@shawmedia.com
Eagle’s Nest Art Group will host a one-day art show in its studio at Conover Square Mall on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during Autumn On Parade in Oregon.
This show is dedicated to the memory of ENAG artist Bill Prendergast, who died in July. There will be a display of his many art pieces, including his paintings, ceramics and woodcraft.
The group of 95 local artists will have a variety of original artwork on display, including oil, watercolor and acrylic paintings; photography; drawings; calligraphy; glass work; ceramics, woodcraft art, as well as other 3-D art.
A wide selection of artist-created prints and cards will be available for sale. Come and browse and meet some local artists.
ENAG continues to support Hands On Oregon with original art for sale at
the show to benefit their work in the community.
The studio is on the second floor of Conover Square Mall, 201 N. Third St. in Oregon.
For more information about the group and its offerings, call 815-7327783 or drop in on Saturday, Oct. 4, and pick up a program schedule of events and shows.
Country Road Greenhouses schedules autumn sale
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
Country Road Greenhouses, wholesale growers of native plants and producers of the Prairie Plugs grow method, will host its second annual fall plant sale Sept. 28-29 at the farm near Rochelle.
A wholesale supplier of native plants to governmental and nonprofit groups for environmental projects, Country Road will host the sale, which is open to the public, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days.
CRG continues its quest to help the environment that began on its farm 40 years ago. Bought by the Redington Family from lifelong grower Larry Creekmur, the farm has been providing solutions to landscaping challenges for the past 40 years, with solutions that are time-tested. The Redingtons, including son Ryne, have more than 25 years of growing experience.
“We sell only native perennial forbs, grasses, sedges and also native trees
and shrubs,” co-owner Bryan Redington said. “These plants are friendly to pollinators such as butterflies and bees etc. The native plants to this area include milkweeds, native sunflowers and asters for emergent wetlands and from woodlands to full-sun dry areas.”
For an entire list of plants to be offered at the sale, see the CRG scrolling list at PrairiePlugs.com.
Throughout the year, sales from plants grown on the farm are made wholesale to groups and organizations such as Wild Ones, a native plant non-
profit. Wild Ones promotes native landscapes through education, advocacy and collaborative action.
Other CRG clients include the Friends of the Chicago River, The Wetlands Initiative, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, Lake County Forest Preserve District, St. Charles Park District and the Rockford Park District.
The farm is located 12 miles west of DeKalb, 3 miles east of Rochelle and 1 mile north of Casey’s gas station in Creston. The fall sale is the farm’s only yearly sale open to the public. The sale will include individual plants and trees, as well as plants grown with their exclusive “Prairie Plug” method.
The Prairie Plug method is a native plant grown in a flat container with a hole on the bottom that can be used to pop the plant out for easy planting.
The sale also features first- and second-year native trees and shrubs in 3-gallon containers.
Country Road Greenhouses is located at 19561 E. Twombly Road, Rochelle.
Shaw Local file photo
A monarch butterfly explores a leaf.
A group of 95 local artists will have a variety of original artwork on display.
Photos provided by Eagle’s Nest Art Group Eagle’s Nest Art Group will host a one-day art show in its studio at Conover Square Mall on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during Autumn On Parade.
Village of Progress annual awards banquet is Oct. 22
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
The Village of Progress’ annual awards banquet is coming soon to celebrate the accomplishments of those who attend the Village and the many volunteers who donate their time and talent.
It’s a great evening to spotlight Ogle
County men and women with developmental disabilities.
The annual dinner will be held Wednesday, Oct. 22, at St. Mary’s Parish Center in Oregon. Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by calling 815-732-2126. The cost is $15 for adults, $5 for ages 5 to 12, and free for ages 4 and younger.
LOCAL NEWS BRIEF
Learn how to protect public health with food safety training
University of Illinois Extension is offering an accessible, self-paced online course designed specifically for food handlers working in non-restaurant settings across Illinois.
The Illinois Food Handler Training course equips staff and volunteers with the essential knowledge to ensure food safety from storage and preparation to cleaning and sanitizing.
This training is ideal for people who handle food in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, licensed day care centers, retail food stores, and other non-restaurant facilities. It fulfills the Illinois Department of Public Health’s requirements for
non-restaurant food handlers and plays a critical role in preventing food-borne illness and protecting public health.
Key course features:
• Meets Illinois Department of Public Health requirements.
• Focuses on food safety best practices.
• Available online and self-paced for convenience.
Cost is $5 per person or free for University of Illinois Extension staff and volunteers. For more information and to register, visit go.illinois.edu/FHTraining.
This course is not intended for restaurant employees or individuals with a valid Certified Food Protection Manager certificate.
– Shaw Local News Network
Photo provided by Village of Progress
Austin Henry receives the Coach Cookie Warren Memorial Award at the 2024 Village of Progress annual banquet.
AREA CHURCH DIRECTORY
BYRON
ALL SAINTS LUTHERAN CHURCH
624 Luther Drive, Byron IL 61010 815-234-5277
Pastor: Vicar Michelle Wandersee
Sunday Worship Service held at 9:00 am. A recording of each Sunday’s worship service is available on our Facebook page and our website later in the day. Communion is served every Sunday. Sunday School for ages 3 through Adult is held at 10:00 am September through May. Confirmation studies for 7th and 8th grade students are held each Sunday morning at 10:00 am. Monday afternoon Bible Study is held at 1:30 pm via Zoom. In person Bible Studies are held Tuesday evening at 7:00 pm and Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 pm. Book Club and The GATHERING meet monthly; quilters meet twice monthly. Visit our website http://www.AllSaintsByron.org or call the church office for further information.
CORNERSTONE FAMILY CHURCH
205 N. Peru St., Byron 815-234-8737 cornerstonefam ily.church
Sr. Pastor: Erik Ness, NextGen/ Family Pastor: Collin Nicholls Children’s Ministry Director: Katie Dodd
Worship Service on Sundays at 10am with Children ‘s Worship Service and Nursery Available
Revive Jr High and Sr High Youth Ministries Meet Sundays at 6:30pm
Numerous Small Groups Available for All Ages throughout the week . Please call our Church Office or visit our website for more details Office Hours: 8:00am -4:30pm Mondays-Thursdays
BYRON ST. MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH
226 E. 2nd St, Byron, IL 61010 Phone 815-234-7431 – Fr. Richard Rosinski. Weekday Masses: Tuesday – Friday 7:30am, Weekend Masses: Sat. 5:00 pm, Sun. 8:00 am and 9:30 am, Reconciliation: Fri. 8:00 am – 8:30 am; Sat. 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm or by app. Eucharist Adoration Fri. 8-9am www.saintmaryinbyron.org secretary@saintmaryinbyron.org
UNITED CHURCH OF BYRON
A Member of the United Church of Christ
701 W. Second Street; PO Box 927, Byron IL 61010, 815-234-8777
Email: ucb@comcast.net
Website: unitedchurchofbyron.org
Pastor: Rev. Tyler Spellious
Youth Ministry Coordinator: Richard Simpson
Sunday Schedule & Worship opportunities:
Service of Meditation & Prayer: 8:15am- 8:45am
Adult Sunday School Hour: 9am
Kids Sunday School: (for ages 3 thru 5th grade) during the 10:30 worship Coffee & fellowship time: 10:00am 10:30am
Main Worship: 10:30am
Spark Youth Group (for ages 6th grade thru 12th grade) Sundays, 5pm-7pm
For complete ministry schedule and other activities, please check our website or Facebook page or contact the church office.
Whoever you are or wherever you are on your journey, you are welcome here!
BEACON HILL ASSEMBLY OF GOD
“Building Faith for Life”
6467 N. German Church Rd., Byron, IL
a.m. (childcare provided) with coffee and fellowship immediately following. Sunday School Age 3-Adult, 10:15 am. God is Good, All the Time, All the Time, God is Good!
ST. JAMES LUTHERAN CHURCH
Celebrating 175 Years!
West Grove Rd. At Columbine Rd.
Worship Service 10:30 am. Communion is served every Sunday.
“Singing the Song of Christian Faith in Worship, Service, Learning, Outreach and Welcome” in a beautiful rural setting. Everyone is cordially invited to be with us.
Follow Us on Facebook “St. James Lutheran Church”
LEAF RIVER
ADELINE ZION EVANGELICAL CHURCH
9106 Cedar St. in Adeline, Leaf River, IL 61047 • Ph:815-541-4863 Sunday Services: Sunday School 9:00 am, Worship Service 10:15 am VISITORS WELCOME
LEAF RIVER BAPTIST CHURCH
Pastor Billy Hardy
Sunday Morning 9:30am Bible Classes for all ages 10:30am Worship Service with nursery available. Live stream available at leafriver.church/live-now 6941 N. Mt. Morris Rd., Leaf River, IL 61047 815-738-2205 leafriverbc@gmail.com leafriver.church
LINDENWOOD
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH – LCMS immanuel-lindenwood.org (for sermons, events, etc.) 16060 E. Lindenwood Road, Lindenwood, IL 61049 815-393-4500 • office@immanuel-lindenwood.org
Sunday Mornings: Divine Service @ 9am; Food & Fellowship @ 10am; Sunday School and Adult Bible Study @ 10:30am Food Bank: 1st and 3rd Saturdays, 9am-12pm Pastor: Rev. Dr. Matthew Rosebrock pastor@immanuel-lindenwood.org
LINDENWOOD UNION CHURCH
101 N Galena st, P.O box 67, Lindenwood IL Regular worship service Sundays at 10:00am with fellowship following. Tuesdays 10:00 am Sr Exercise! Lunch afterwards. Thursdays 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Library time. Snacks and coffee. Everyone is welcome!
KINGS
ELIM REFORMED CHURCH
140 S. Church Road, Kings, IL 61068 • Pastor Marv Jacobs Phone 815-562-6811 E-mail: goelimchurch@gmail.com Website: www.goelimchurch.org Sunday morning worship 10:00 am
MOUNT MORRIS
MT. MORRIS CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
409 W. Brayton Road, Mt. Morris, IL 61045 Phone 815-734-4573
Pastor-Rodney Caldwell. Sunday Worship 9:30 a.m. followed by fellowship time and Sunday School. Worship service available online, call for details. Email: mtmorriscob@gmail.com
MT. MORRIS TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH
308 E. Brayton Rd. Mt. Morris, IL Phone: 734-6354 Rev. Josh Ehrler
Worship Services: Saturday 5:30 PM; Worship Sunday 9:30 AM . Sunday Church School follows Worship Service (Sept.-May) Chime Choir Wednesday 6:00 PM
OREGON
EAST OREGON CHAPEL CHURCH OF GOD
East Oregon Chapel Church of God The Sharing is Caring Church EOCCOGministries@gmail.com 107 N Daysville Rd. Oregon, IL Phone: 815-732-2960
Sunday School 9:30 a.m. with Sunday Worship following at 10:30 a.m.
Breakfast is served every fifth Sunday beginning at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday evenings both Adults & Youth (during the school year) meet weekly beginning at 6:30 p.m.
In the event that Oregon Schools are not in session the Youth group does not meet on Wednesdays. We look forward to meeting you!
EBENEZER REFORMED CHURCH
2997 N. German Church Rd., 815-732-6313
3 miles east of Oregon on Rt. #64 then 2 miles north on German Church Rd. • Rev. Josiah Youngquist www.EBENEZERREFORMED.com • Sunday school 9:00 a.m. Worship 10:00 a.m.
LIGHTHOUSE UNITED METHODIST
Pastor Dave Rogula 4962 S. Daysville Rd., Oregon, IL 61061 lighthouseUMC@ yahoo.com
Worship at 11:00 a.m. Holy Communion celebrated the first Sunday of each of month. Lighthouse will lite up your life!
LITTLE PRAIRIE MENNONITE CHURCH
1831 S Harmony Rd. Oregon, IL 61061
Worship Services: 10:00 AM Sunday Morning, 7:00 PM 1st & 3rd Sunday Evening, 7:30 PM 2nd & 4th Wednesday Evenings of the Month. Pastor: Norman Reinford 779-861-3700
OREGON CHURCH OF GOD
860 W. Oregon Trail Road Oregon, IL Phone: 732-6847 or 732-2604 Pastor Michael Hoffman; Sunday School, 9:15 a.m.; Morning worship, 10:30 a.m.; Wednesday activities: Adult, Children, and Youth Groups 7 p.m. At the church.
OREGON FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
505 Hill St. Oregon, IL 61061 Phone: 732-2642
Pastor: David Snow “A Christ-centered, Bible-believing, family-oriented ministry.” Sunday School 9:45 a.m.; Sunday Morning Service 10:45 a.m.; Sunday Afternoon Service 1:15 p.m.; Wednesday Night Bible Study 7:00 p.m.
OREGON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
200 S. 4th Street, Oregon, IL 61061 | 815-732-2994 | www.oregonumc.org
Pastor Rev Megan Smick 9:00 am Adult & Youth Bible Study
10 am Worship & Children’s Sunday School In-person or live on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/OregonUMC 5:30 pm Wednesday Night Meal All are welcome!
RIVERSTONE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
609 S. 10th Street Oregon, IL 61061
Pastor Craig Arnold ~ 812-236-1213
Sunday Service @ 10:45 AM ~ contemporary style worship with coffee and doughnuts in our cafe! Online worship is also available via Facebook. We believe in sharing Communion every Sunday as an act of worship.
RiverKids Service @ 10:45 AM for nursery-6th grade ~ provides a safe and fun environment where kids can learn about who God is and who they are because of Him.
ST. BRIDE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1000 Highway 64, West (Hwy 64 W & Mongan Drive on Liberty Hill), Oregon 732-7211 – Office Rev. Eldred George
Webpage: saintbrides.org • E-mail:saint.bride.church@gmail.com
Worship Services: Sunday 10 am Holy Communion with Hymns Christian Education Available
ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH, NALC 114 S. 5th St. Oregon, IL Phone: (815) 732-2367
Website: stpaulnalcoregonil.weebly.com 10:15 a.m. Fellowship/Education hours 11:30 a.m. Worship
POLO
CHURCH OF THE OPEN BIBLE
302 S. Franklin Ave., Polo, Illinois • 815-946-2848 • Luke
9:30 a.m. Coffee Fellowship. 10:00 a.m. Morning Worship with Childcare and Children’s Church.
Encounter Youth Ministry for kids in 7th-12th grade meets on Sunday afternoons. Please see our Facebook page for scheduled dates and times. For complete ministry info and events, visit us online at Riverstonecc.com or on Facebook at facebook.com/RiverStoneChristianChurch
STILLMAN VALLEY
am. Wednesday: AWANA (Sept – April) from 6:00 to 7:30 pm. Men, women, youth Bible Studies throughout the year. See website for all activities or contact the church office. KISHWAUKEE COMMUNITY EVANGELICAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
WINNEBAGO
Man gets 3 years for DUI, resisting arrest
By EARLEEN HINTON Shaw Local News Network correspondent
A Chicago-area man was sentenced to three years in prison Wednesday, Sept. 10, for aggravated driving while under the influence of alcohol and injuring two police officers while resisting arrest.
Mateusz Pytlak, 28, received concurrent sentences for the three felony offenses after entering guilty pleas before Ogle County Associate Circuit Judge Anthony Peska.
Pytlak was arrested April 28, 2024, for driving while under the influence of alcohol after the car he was driving was seen crossing the center line and hitting a road construction sign while traveling over the state Route 64 bridge in Oregon
around 11:46 p.m. Assistant State’s Attorney Heather Kruse said Pytlak’s car was found parked at a nearby gas station. She said Oregon officers learned he had an expired driver’s license.
“The officers noticed his speech slurred and when they asked him if he had been drinking he said, ’10 beers in about 2 hours’,” Kruse said.
After Pytlak failed field sobriety tests administered by officers at the scene, he resisted arrest, Kruse said.
“He fought with the officers before
finally quitting after they threatened to tase him,” Kruse said.
Court records indicate that one of the officers received a bruise around his eye while the other suffered a thumb injury.
Kruse said Pytlak’s driver’s license had expired in 2018. She said his criminal history included Cook County charges of the unlawful use of a machine gun, robbery, and child endangerment.
Court records list Zion and Palatine as addresses for Pytlak.
Ogle County Public Defender Kathleen Isley said Pytlak was entering the guilty pleas as part of the plea agreement.
When asked by Peska if he wanted to make a statement to the court, Pytlak repled: “No sir.”
As per the plea agreement, three other counts, including driving while license suspended and obstructing justice by giving police a false first name, were dismissed.
Pytlak was ordered to pay fines and fees totaling $1,904. Those payments of $100 per month are scheduled to begin in May 2027 upon his release from the Illinois Department of Corrections.
IDOC inmates typically serve 50% of their sentence (day-for-day) unless other circumstances occur.
Peska said Pytlak will also be under 6 months mandatory supervised release following his release from prison.
Pytlak was remanded to the Ogle County Jail pending transfer to an IDOC facility.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9TH
4:30 - 8:30 PM RIVERS EDGE EXPERIENCE 103 S. 1ST STREET | OREGON, IL YOU’RE INVITED TO
Join us as we celebrate Mark True, a successful Realtor proudly serving Ogle County for nearly three decades! With 29 years of helping clients buy and sell homes, Mark’s expertise, dedication, and commitment to the community have made him a trusted name in local real estate!
RESCUE RALLY
CARNATION DOG PARK OREGON, IL
SEPTEMBER 27, 2025 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (RAIN OR SHINE) *ALL DOGS WELCOME* MICROCHIPPING AVAILABLE FOR $15
Mateusz Pytlak
Man gets 2-year sentence for 100 mph chase
By EARLEEN HINTON Shaw Local News Network correspondent
A man who fled from police for 22 miles across Ogle County at speeds in excess of 100 mph before crashing into a Mt. Morris squad car in February 2023 was sentenced to two years in prison Thursday, Sept. 4.
Derrick Holmes, 35, formerly of Highwood and now a resident of Rockford, received a two-year prison sentence despite arguments from Assistant State’s Attorney Heather Kruse that he be sentenced to the maximum six years in prison to deter others from driving at high speeds when fleeing police.
“The public should know that this type of criminal activity will not be tolerated,” Kruse told Ogle County Judge John “Ben” Roe.
Holmes pleaded guilty in an open plea in December 2024 to the felony offense of aggravated fleeing from police and misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest and speeding more than 35 mph over the speed limit. Twelve other charges related to the Feb. 23, 2023, incident were dismissed.
During Thursday’s hearing, Illinois State Trooper
Zachary Hare, who was an Ogle County patrol deputy on Feb. 20, 2023, said his department received a call around 1 a.m. of a drunken driver heading into Ogle County from DeKalb County.
Hare said Ogle County officers learned that the vehicle, a red Ford Mustang, was traveling west on state Route 64. Hare said he encountered the car near the intersection of South Moore Road and Route 64, just inside Ogle County, where he clocked the Mustang on radar doing 108 mph in the 55 mph zone.
“I tried to stop him, but he fled,” Hare said. As Hare continued to chase the car, he observed it running a stop sign and a traffic light while traveling 90-130 mph.
Hare said the Mustang was clocked doing 100 mph through downtown Oregon, through one red traffic light.
“It was traveling at a high rate of speed, erratically passing two vehicles,”
Hare testified, adding that the car had driven around two attempts to stop it using stop strips.
When the Mustang entered Mt. Morris on Route 64, which is known as Hitt Street within city limits, the car hit a Mt. Morris police squad near the intersection of North Wesley Avenue and Route 64.
The police vehicle – a 2019 Dodge Ram pickup truck – suffered damage, but the officer inside was not injured.
Hare said the Mustang continued to be driven despite “heavy front-end damage” and headed down an alley before finally coming to a stop at 14 E. Front St.
“When the car stopped, both the driver and a passenger exited the car, and the driver fled on foot,” Hare said. “I released my K-9.”
Hare said the dog chased Holmes until he reached a fence that he could not scale and surrendered by putting his hands in the air.
Hare said Holmes’ speech was slurred and he had an odor of alcohol on his breath. He refused to take field sobriety tests or a breath test, Hare said.
Hare and another officer discovered open bottles of alcohol in the vehicle.
Ogle County Patrol Sgt. Ross Dillon testified that he talked to Holmes’ passenger, who also had a small dog with him.
“He [the passenger] said he was scared for his life,” Dillon said. “He said they were both intoxicated and were fleeing from police.”
Kruse asked Roe to follow state statutes and sentence Holmes to the maximum allowable sentence. She said Holmes had a long criminal history, which included reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, possession of a controlled substance, and bank robbery for which he was sentenced to federal prison.
On May 23, 2014, Holmes was sentenced to 76 months in federal prison for the September 2023 robbery of Kent Bank in Freeport.
Kruse said Holmes’ actions demonstrated that he should be sent back to prison.
“This defendant fled police for over 20 miles, passing others on roads not meant for those speeds,” Kruse said. “He could have caused serious harm when he crashed into the squad car.”
She said Holmes showed no concern for his passenger or the dog, was continuing to consume alcohol during the chase, and then tried running from police on foot when the car was stopped.
But Holmes’ attorney, Assistant Public Defender Brandon Gecan, argued that
Holmes’ difficult home life and abuse of alcohol had started early in his life.
“Alcohol and other substances have permeated his life,” Gecan said. “This was his ‘rock bottom.’ He has not drank alcohol since this night and he has done that on his own. He has maintained his sobriety.”
Gecan argued Holmes should be sentenced to probation so he could continue to be employed, get treatment for his addiction and be a productive citizen.
“He is employed and he’s maintaining his sobriety,” Gecan said. “He’s been sober for two and a half years. His conduct that night was the result of decades of clouded decisions that rose to a crescendo. This night was his wake-up call. Derrick knows this was bad. He realizes it could have been much worse.”
When asked by Roe if he wanted to make a statement before sentencing, Holmes said, “I do take full responsibility for my actions. I do accept any decision this court makes.”
In levying his decision, Roe said there appeared to be an “escalation” in Holmes’ actions before his offense, but acknowledged the “significant childhood trauma” he suffered through a parent abusing alcohol and drugs, which led to years of his own drug and alcohol abuse.
“I would think you should have been at ‘rock bottom’ back when you were in federal prison,” Roe told Holmes. “But the ‘rock bottom’ didn’t occur until now.”
Roe said Holmes had many chances to end the police chase that morning, but did not. “Your mind is not right when you are operating a vehicle at these speeds and alcohol is involved,” Roe said. “Imprisonment is necessary; probation would be inconsistent with the ends of justice.”
Roe noted that Holmes had been respectful during court appearances and had made all of his court appearances while being released on bond since his arrest.
“I truly believe you highly regret what happened,” Roe said.
Holmes was sentenced to two years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, of which he will serve at least 50%, meaning he could be released in 2026. He will be under mandatory supervised release for six months following his release. Holmes was also ordered to pay $8,432 in restitution for the damaged squad car, with monthly payments starting upon his release from prison.
Holmes was remanded to the Ogle County Jail until being transported to an IDOC facility.
Derrick Holmes
OBITUARIES
RICHARD ‘RICK’ ROBERT ELLIS
Born: October 22, 1947
Died: September 12, 2025
Richard “Rick” Robert Ellis, 77, of Freeport, was called home to be with the Lord on Friday, September 12, 2025, from complications with Parkinsons.
He was born October 22, 1947, the son of Robert V. and Jeannette L. (Burckhardt) Ellis. In his younger years, he helped on the family dairy farm in Forreston, and even built his pole vault pit right outside the milkhouse door. His future passion for flying came about when his dad took him to his first air show. Rick’s first flight was in a Breezy. From that day on he felt it was his life’s mission to give youth the opportunity to experience flight. He was an absolute committed supporter of Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). He took great pride in being recognized for taking the 1 millionth Young Eagle into flight. He later moved to Freeport and worked for Honeywell for 30+ years. He rose through the
ROGER WILLIAM LEMKE
Born: May 8, 1946
Died: September 11, 2025
BYRON, IL – Roger William Lemke passed unexpectedly on September 11, 2025, at home.
He was born in Rockford, Illinois, May 8, 1946, the son of Everett and Grace (Medearis) Lemke. He graduated from BHS in 1964 and went to work for Barber Colman as a machinist. The company later sold to Reid Chatwood where he continued working and also at Advanced Machining for a total of 32 years. After being off for a couple of years, he decided to work for Stillman Valley schools as custodial/ maintenance. He worked there for 8 years. He then retired and enjoyed working in the yard, garden tinkering with different things and enjoying his time. These were his hobbies along with loving to play the lottery.
ranks and retired as a plant engineer in the Warren plant.
Rick was always known to sit in the front row and center, be it at the Timberlake Playhouse for entertainment or church services at Crossroads Church. His strong Christian faith led him to help with small church group meetings to Life Bible studies to helping in the book store. He was a true servant of God.
He is survived by his brother Vernon Ellis of Forreston; cousins, Deb Noordhoff, Mark VanRaden, Miriam McKenna, Judith Winship, Paul VanRaden, Diane Erdman, Howard Ellis, and Anita Roberts; and two extra special neighbors, Kris and Teri.
He was predeceased by his parents, cousins David VanRaden, Barb Broome, and Steve Ellis; and sister-in-law Kristen Ellis.
Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Crossroads Church, 1668 Crossroads Ln N, Freeport, IL 61032, Pastor Mike Woodward officiating. A visitation was held from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service. Burial will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.
A memorial has been established in Rick’s name for the EAA Young Eagles.
He married Sheila Donaldson, his wife of 52 years in August of 1973 and raised two boys, Brian Lemke and Bradley (Renee) Lemke. He has 4 grandchildren, Brian’s 2 children
Hunter Scott Lemke and Brenna Catherine Grace Lemke along with Brad and Renee’s 2 children Caleb Edward Lemke and Paige Marie Lemke. Also, his family for the last 26 years have always had a pet English bulldog with them, who he enjoyed so much having one around.
He is survived by his wife Sheila, son Brian, grandchildren Hunter and Brenna, son Bradley (Renee), grandchildren Caleb and Paige a brother Everett (Mary), and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents and sister.
Roger will be laid to rest at Byron Township Cemetery follow private family services.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to cancer organizations focused on research and development of treatments and cures.
CHERYL L. GOEKING
Born: January 28, 1948 in Mendota, IL
Died: September 15, 2025 in Melrose Park, IL
Cheryl L. Goeking, 77, of Polo, passed away Monday, September 15, 2025, at Gottlieb Memorial Hospital in Melrose Park, IL.
Cheryl was born, January 28, 1948, in Mendota, IL, the daughter of Robert and Jessamine (Edwards) Kane. On March 14, 1981 in Polo, she was united in marriage to Bernard Goeking. Cheryl graduated from Polo High School then went to the Sterling Beauty Academy in 1967. She was a hairdresser in the Dixon area for 50 years. Cheryl loved playing the organ and the piano, playing for many churches since the 7th grade. She was a choir director at EUM Church for 20 years and the current organist with St. Marks
JACQUELYN A. ‘JACKIE’ SCHUMACHER
Born: January 9, 1941
Died: September 14, 2025
Jacquelyn A. “Jackie” Schumacher, age 84, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, September 14, 2025.
She was born on January 9, 1941, the daughter of Paul J. and Josephine D. (Bulthaus) Maas, Sr. Jackie attended Stillman Valley schools, and graduated with the Class of 1959. On October 28, 1961, she married Roger R. Schumacher at Ebenezer Reformed Church. Together, they shared 27 years of marriage and lovingly raised two daughters, Natalie and Neysa.
Jackie dedicated more than 30 years to the Stillman Valley School District #223, starting as a cook and eventually becoming the district head cook. She also prepared turkeys for the Stillman Valley Lions Club’s annual Turkey Supper, and served for many years on the Julia Hull Library Board.
A lifelong member of Ebenezer Reformed Church, Jackie served as a Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, choir member, and was the first woman elder. In her later years, she attended The Red Brick Church in Stillman Valley. Her faith guided her life and her service to others.
Lutheran Church in Polo. She enjoyed singing in the Sauk Community Choir and the ladies KMC Trio for over 20 years. Cheryl had accompanied the Polo music students at annual IHSA Music contests and many school musicals. Survivors include daughters: Angela Goeking of Polo, IL and Erin Goeking of Dixon, IL; sister: Kathleen (James) Watson of Benicia, CA; She was preceded in death by, husband Bernard and daughter Michelle Goeking. Visitation will be Monday, September 22, 2025, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Polo Family Funeral Home, 110 E. Dixon St., Polo. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at St. Marks Lutheran Church in Polo with Rev. Scott Ralston officiating. Burial will be immediately following at Fairmount Cemetery in Polo.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Marks Lutheran Church or Faith United Methodist Church both of Polo. Visit www.polofamilyfuneralhome.com to send condolences.
Jackie cherished time with family and friends. She enjoyed following her grandchildren’s activities, playing cards on Thursdays with the Byron Card Club, cooking, gardening, attending monthly Class of 1959 lunches, attending the monthly Aphasia Support Group, and running into former students who remembered her as the best lunch lady ever.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Josephine Maas, Sr.; and her husband, Roger Schumacher.
She is survived by her daughters, Natalie (Michael) Haugse and Neysa (Stephen) McCammond, both of Stillman Valley; grandchildren, Savanna Haugse of Chicago, IL, Valerie (Alex) Gregg of Brownsburg, IN, Michael Haugse of Silvis, IL, and Nile McCammond of Indianapolis, IN; great-grandson, Ethan Gregg; brother, Paul J. (Mary) Maas, Jr. of Byron, IL; as well as two nieces, one nephew, several cousins, and many dear friends.
Funeral services were held at 10:00 AM on Friday, September 19, 2025, at Ebenezer Reformed Church, with Rev. Dr. Chris Brauns officiating. Visitation was from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Thursday at Farrell-Holland-Gale Funeral Home, 136 W. Roosevelt Road, Stillman Valley.
A memorial fund has been established in Jackie’s name for charitable organizations close to her heart and may be directed to her family. Jackie will be remembered for her strong faith, strength in the face of adversity, and deep love for family and friends.
Cates honored with Research Emeritus Award
By JEFF HELFRICH jhelfrich@shawmedia.com
The national chiropractic scientific commission for the Clinical Compass recognized Dr. Jeffrey Cates’ contributions to scientific literature and research. He has served on the commission for decades.
The purpose of the commission is to advise the chiropractic profession on issues related to identifying, interpreting and compiling the scientific evidence associated with chiropractic care and to collaborate on the development, publication, dissemination, and utilization of guidelines and care pathways for the United States.
The commission awarded Cates’ the lifetime Research Emeritus Award for his commitment and dedication to the profession and the health of the public. Cates has worked with the Council on Chiropractic Guidelines and Practice Parameters/Clinical Compass for sev -
Dr. Jeffrey Cates
eral decades and has published works that include several guidelines and medical journal articles on quality assurance and standards of care in healthcare.
He maintains a private practice of chiropractic orthopedics in Oregon.
OBITUARIES
RITA F. DAUPHIN
Born: December 23, 1943
Died: September 13, 2025
Rita Dauphin, 81, of Polo, IL passed away on September 13, 2025, at Froedtert South Pleasant Prairie Hospital.
Rita was born on December 23, 1943, in Dixon, IL, the daughter of the late Max and Mildred (Sweet) Dauphin. She was educated in the schools of Polo, IL. Rita was a manager for her family farm. She also worked as a dog groomer/obedience trainer and as an assessor for many years. Rita was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Polo, IL. Her hobbies included horseback riding, showing dogs, quilting, being an accomplished artist
but most of all she loved spending time with her friends and family.
Survivors include her brother, Karl Dauphin of HI; sister, Janice Russo of Kenosha; nephews, Robert (Patricia) Hale of Kenosha, Randy (Regina) Osborne of WA, John (Marcella) Osborne of SC; nieces, Michelle Berry of NJ, Karla Berridge of FL; also included is her dearest friend, Carol (Rich) Magnuson. Rita was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Maxine Osborne; and her niece, Linda Osborne.
A visitation will be held at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Polo, IL on Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., with funeral services to follow immediately at 12 p.m. Burial will be at Fairmount Cemetery.
Services are by Kenosha Funeral Services & Crematory, 8226 Sheridan Rd., Kenosha, WI 53143, 262-652-1943.
Ogle County Marriage Licenses: August 2025
By JEFF HELFRICH jhelfrich@shawmedia.com
Aug. 1: Douglas Hamilton, Decorah, Iowa, and Beyna Kraus, Waseca, Minnesota.
Aug. 1: Maverik Good, Mt. Morris, and Brianna Williams, Mt. Morris.
Aug. 6: Aleksei Stranberg, Dixon, and Kadence Kage, Dixon.
Aug. 18: McCoy Ziel, Stillman Valley, and Jayda Gosch, Stillman Valley.
Aug. 1: Zachary Laipple, Chicago, and Natalie Baack, Chicago.
Aug. 8: David Holden of Rochelle and Ziaoying Peng of Rochelle.
Aug. 5: Zachary Horst of Polo and Ryan Starkey of Polo.
Aug. 4: Austin Sulser of Malta and Amanda Ratigan of Malta.
Aug 12: Joshua Anderson of Oregon and Kaitlyn Horstman of Oregon.
Aug. 13: James Beardin of Sycamore and Janice Shallcross of Sycamore.
Aug. 8: Joshua Thompson of Rockford and Madilyn Lantz of Rockford.
Aug. 7: Garrett McDonald of Freeport and Katerina Miller of Freeport.
Aug. 8: David Groh of Elmhurst and Katie Dorn of Elmhurst.
Aug. 11: John Simone of Lake Forest and Frances Schmidt of Lake Forest.
Aug. 13: Philip Garnhart of Dixon and Tiana Tichler of Dixon.
Aug. 12: Jorge Sanchez Galvan of Hanover Park and Juan Carlos Bautista Martinez of Hanover Park.
Aug. 19: Christopher Ruch of Oregon and Kylee Alderks of Oregon.
Aug. 20: James Bean of Ashton and Rebecca Berkeley of Ashton.
Aug. 15: Carson Sweeney of Sycamore and Natalie Schmit of Sycamore.
Aug. 13: Bradley Nordman of Oregon and Loreydi Lopez Ramirez of Oregon.
Aug. 14: Justin Frobish of Mt. Morris and Kori Ann Gruden of Mt. Morris.
Aug. 14: Ryan Andree of Romeoville and Samantha Zea of Romeoville.
Aug. 15: Benjamin Sacco of Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts, and Kathryn Brooks of Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts.
Aug. 15: Troy Richards of Rock Falls and Shauntae Hernandez of Rock Falls.
Aug. 15: Marcus Brown of Rockford and Stephanie Reed of Rockford.
Aug. 25: Sebastien Maes of Chicago and Sonia Chavez Cisneros of Joliet.
Aug. 28: Maxwell Tickman of San Francisco and Nicolette Chamberlain-Simon of San Francisco.
Aug. 18: Donovan Corona of Rochelle and Kyleigh-Ann McPherson of Rochelle.
Aug. 18: Adrian Jaimes of Elgin and Maribel Salas of Elgin.
Aug. 25: Trey Lodico of Rochelle and Abigail Tilton of Rochelle.
Aug. 25: Trace Cady of Sycamore and Abigail Shows of Sycamore.
Aug. 20: Ross Dray of Loves Park and McKenna Bennett of Belvidere.
Aug. 28: Brandon Correa of Rockford and Madison Fowler of Rockford.
Aug. 29: Brian Clark of Stillman Valley and Ashley Clark of Stillman Valley.
Aug. 25: Austin Stewart of Rochelle and Jade Fair of Franklin Grove.
Aug. 22: Josiah Ramos of Byron and Jully Pacheco of Byron.
Aug. 27: Kyle Crawford of Dixon and Haylee Barber of Dixon.
Aug. 25: Trevor Sabin of Rochelle and Kristen Stover of Rochelle.
Aug. 26: Victor De La Cruz Moreno of Freeport and Wendy Carcamo Silva of Freeport.
Aug. 29: Brendan Radecky of Tinley Park and Amanda Anderson of Genoa.
Aug. 27: Jared Brooks of Dixon and Anastasia Dewey of Dixon.
Aug. 27: Talon Richardson of Mt. Morris and Brianna Snyder of Mt. Morris.
Aug. 29: Andrew Rucker of Forreston and Katlyn Palmer of Byron.
Sinnissippi Centers offers mental health advice
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
September is an especially important awareness month for the public and for behavioral health care. It is both Recovery Month and Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month.
Millions of Americans are impacted by substance use disorders, mental illnesses and suicide each year. Every September, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration sponsors Recovery Month, according to a news release from Sinnissippi Centers, Dixon.
“The goal of Recovery Month is to increase awareness that treatments for substance use disorders and mental illnesses work, and that recovery is possible,” Sinnissippi Centers’ President and CEO Stacie Kemp said.
“But just as important, is to let people know that they can be a great support to someone suffering from a substance use disorder or mental health concern without any special knowledge or training, just by being there. However, getting more information about these diseases and disorders is always helpful for everyone,” Kemp said.
Some facts to consider:
• There are nearly 37 million rural Americans – more than half of rural residents – who live in areas with a shortage of mental health professionals. Distance to treatment services in rural areas can be a barrier to getting treatment.
• Family and friends can play a key role in helping address mental illness and substance use disorders by identifying when someone has a problem.
• Only 20% of those with a substance use disorder get the help they need. There are many barriers, but stigma and lack of coverage or adequate coverage are two major reasons.
• Information for Recovery Month is available online at www.samhsa.gov/ recovery-month
“Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month seeks to raise awareness about suicide, a leading cause of death for individuals in the United States. Another goal is to inform people about what they can do to help keep their loved ones safe,” Kemp said.
In 2023, a little more than 49,000 Americans died due to suicide. In that same year, the CDC estimates that almost 13 million Americans had suicidal ideation (thinking about suicide).
“People who have experienced vio -
lence, including child abuse, bullying, or sexual violence, are at higher risk for suicide,” Kemp said. “Our goal is ensuring that individuals, friends and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention and to seek help,” Kemp said.
“The more that we openly, honestly, and directly talk about suicide, the more we can help to prevent it. We also need to look for the signs of suicide ideation in those around us,” Kemp said.
Some of those signs include: Someone saying they feel like a burden, being isolated, increased anxiety, feeling trapped or in unbearable pain, increased substance use, increased anger or rage, extreme mood swings, expressing hopelessness, and/or talking or posting on social media about wanting to die.
Who are the people at risk? Those with:
• Depression, other mental health concerns, or substance use disorders
• Chronic pain
• Family history of a mental health concern or substance use
• Family history of suicide
• Exposure to family violence, including physical or sexual abuse
• Having recently been released from
prison or jail
• A history of suicide attempts
• Exposure, directly or indirectly, to others’ suicidal behavior, such as that of family members, peers, or celebrities
“What can you do? Safeguard the people in your life from the risk of suicide and support them: Ask how they are doing, ask about what is going on in their life,” Kemp said.
“Keep them safe as best you can. Just be there for them to listen and be nonjudgmental, do not try to ‘fix them.’ Help them connect to any treatment or support resources they need,” Kemp said. “Follow up with them to make sure they are OK.”
A great resource someone in crisis can utilize is the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can call by dialing 988, send a text to 988, or chat online at 988lifeline.org.
Sinnissippi Centers also has a 24-hour toll-free number you can use for someone in crisis at 1-800-242-7642. Another resource is the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s website at www.afsp.org. Sinnissippi Centers also maintains an extensive links page for a variety of behavioral health care topics at www.sinnissippi.org.
Oregon Depot program Sept. 27 to feature Owens as speaker
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
Jim Owens of Pecatonica will be the featured speaker for this month’s Oregon Depot Museum “Those Were The Days” program at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27.
Since retirement in 2001, Owens has become quite a historian on the Chicago Union stockyards. He has a large collection of memorabilia, souvenirs, advertisements, charts, posters and bullet pens from the commission companies that he will bring for his presentation.
Owens knows the extensive history of the local haulers and has some stories to tell, as well as stories about the commission companies, the agents who sold the livestock for the owners after they were unloaded at the stockyard. He’s hoping to hear stories from the audience from those who used to haul livestock or about the people they knew who hauled livestock.
The Chicago Union Stock Yards were
Stockyards.
a pivotal part of the meatpacking industry in the United States. Established in 1865, it became one of the largest livestock markets in the world, playing a
crucial role in the processing and distribution of meat. By the early 1900s, the yards handled over 1 million animals annually, including cattle, hogs and
sheep. The stockyards included extensive facilities for receiving, housing and processing livestock.
They featured rail connections, allowing for efficient transportation of animals and meat products. The stockyards were known for innovations in meat processing, including the assembly line method, which increased efficiency and reduced costs.
The rise of refrigerated trucks and changes in consumer preferences led to a decline in the stockyards’ operations. By the mid-20th century, many meatpacking companies began to relocate to areas with lower labor costs.
The stockyards officially closed in 1971, but their legacy continues in Chicago’s culture and history.
The stockyards remain a significant chapter in the story of American industrialization and urban development, reflecting the complexities of the meatpacking industry and its impact on society.
Photo provided by Oregon Depot
Paul Moist of Pecatonica is pictured around 1951 with his livestock hauling truck. Moist was one of the many livestock and grain haulers from this area who hauled livestock to the Chicago Union
Mt. Morris man gets probation in domestic case
54-year-old male tagged with unlawful restraint and violating order of protection charges
By EARLEEN HINTON
Shaw Local News Network correspondent
A Mt. Morris man accused of violating an order of protection 33 times from December to March pleaded guilty Wednesday, Sept. 10, to two of those felony charges and one felony charge of unlawful restraint – all involving the same woman.
Michael Kaemke, 54, entered the guilty pleas as he appeared in court with his attorney Ogle County Public Defender Kathleen Isley in front of Associate Judge Anthony Peska.
Assistant State’s Attorney Melissa Voss said a plea agreement had been reached wherein Kaemke would receive 30 months probation and 300 days in jail on each of the three felony counts in
return for pleading guilty.
“These would be concurrent sentences,” said Isley.
Because Kaemke had already served at least 50 percent of the jail sentence – 157 days (day-for-day) - that condition was already satisfied, Isley said.
Voss said the unlawful restraint charge occurred in June 2024 when Kaemke prevented the woman and her son from leaving a Byron residence.
Kaemke was charged with repeatedly contacting the woman he was accused of unlawfully restraining in 2024 despite an order by an Ogle County judge who told him to have no contact with the woman as the case proceeded through the court system.
Kaemke was awaiting trial on the 2024 offense when prosecutors say he contacted the woman 33 times through telephone calls, voicemail, Facebook
Messenger and text messages.
The Ogle County State’s Attorney’s Office charged Kaemke on April 2 with 33 counts of felony violating an order of protection and petitioned the court April 8 to rescind his pretrial release on the 2024 charges.
On Wednesday, Kaemke pleaded guilty to two of the violation of an order of protection charges and the others were dismissed.
Voss also read the woman’s victim impact statement in open court.
The woman accused Kaemke of abusing her “emotionally and physically” and causing her to suffer “anxiety and fear.” She said she could not sleep and constantly suffered “fight or flight” symptoms because of the incidents.
When asked by Peska if he wanted to make any statement to the court, Kaemke replied: “No sir.”
Under the agreement, Kaemke was ordered to have no contact, directly or indirectly, with the woman or her minor child.
Kaemke must also submit to DNA testing, cooperate and satisfactorily
complete the Domestic Violence Intervention Program, and cooperate and complete a mental health evaluation and treatment as recommended by the probation department.
At an April 16 hearing, Isley said Kaemke was refusing to appear in court in person or by video conference and requested he be evaluated by a court-appointed clinical psychologist. Isley argued she doubted Kaemke had the mental ability to assist with his defense.
Peska agreed and suggested Jayne Braden, a forensic and clinical psychologist in Sycamore, evaluate Kaemke.
Braden has provided evaluations for many defendants in Ogle County and often is appointed by the court to perform such tasks. In July, Braden determined Kaemke fit to stand trial.
Kaemke had been held in the Ogle County Jail since his arrest in April.
Class 4 felonies have a sentencing range of one to six years in state prison upon conviction, followed by six months of mandatory supervised release. Probation of up to 30 months also can be ordered.
Michael Kaemke
United Way volunteers lend a hand during Day of Caring
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
United Way of Lee County & United Way of Ogle County hosted their annual Day of Caring on Saturday, Sept. 13, by bringing together volunteers from across Lee and Ogle counties to make a difference in the community.
This year’s event saw more than 125 volunteers roll up their sleeves to complete 23 projects in just three hours, providing over 200 hours of community service in a single morning.
In Lee County, volunteers worked at:
• The Dixon: Historic Theatre to complete a cleaning project
• Goodfellows to help organize their giveaway donations
• Dixon PADS to help organize items at the men’s shelter
• Open Sesame to help paint bathrooms and clean up their garden
• Sauk Valley Voices of Recovery to help organize items at the Legacy Home
• Woodlawn Arts Academy to help with paint projects
• Sinnissippi Centers to help landscape at two locations
• Dixon riverfront to help landscape
• Lowell Park Road cleanup to help pick up trash
• Franklin Creek Conservation
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
German Valley Historical Museum open for program Sept. 28
The German Valley Historical Museum, 805 Church St., will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28.
At 1:30 p.m., John McGinty of Pecatonica will present “The Stagecoach Era 1820s to 1850s.
There is no admission charge, but donations are appreciated. For more information, go to gvmuseum. org.
Byron Public Library to welcome new director with Sept. 23 event
The Byron Public Library District will hold a special Meet & Greet event to welcome the new library director, Jason Sleet Shirley.
Association to help stain a fence and do landscaping
• City Park in Amboy to paint picnic tables
• Oakwood Cemetery to organize and clean the mausoleum
• Dixon Public Library to organize books and clean the Mini Food Center
• Clipper Kiddies Preschool to help shingle their playhouse
• United Way of Lee County cleaning and organizing the Free Little Libraries
In Ogle County, volunteers partnered with:
• Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County to complete a yard cleanup for a local veteran
• Bread of Life Food Pantry for a cleaning project
• HOPE of Ogle County to help clean and organize their facilities
“Day of Caring is such a powerful example of what we can achieve when we come together,” said Ashley Richter, executive director of United Way of Lee County and United Way of Ogle County. “The time and energy given by our volunteers makes a real impact for local nonprofits and strengthens our entire community.”
For more information about United Way of Lee County and how to get involved, visit www.unitedwayofleecounty.org. For more information on United Way of Ogle County, visit www. uwogle.org.
Community members are invited to attend the event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, at the Byron Public Library.
The casual drop-in event will give patrons a chance to meet Shirley, learn about his vision for the library’s future, and share their thoughts on how the library can best serve the Byron community. All are welcome to attend. No RSVP is necessary.
For more information, email bethm@ byronlibrary.org.
Byron’s Hodges named to MSU summer 2025 dean’s list
Each semester, students at Missouri State University who attain academic excellence are named to the dean’s list.
For undergraduate students, criteria include enrollment in at least six credit hours during the summer semester and at least a 3.5 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale.
Jonathon Hodges of Byron made the list. Hodges was among more than 1,200 students named to the summer 2025 dean’s list.
Mt. Morris Senior & Community Center events scheduled
The following events are happening at the Mt. Morris Senior & Community Center.
Jam Session
On Wednesday, Sept. 24, we have a Jam Session at 10:30 a.m. Listen to local musicians and then join us after for lunch.
Lunch is $8 ($3 discount for members). Community Game Night Sept. 25 at 6 p.m. is Community Game Night. Bring a game or choose one from the many here at The Center and enjoy time with other game players.
Breakfast with the Mayor Oct. 1 is Breakfast with the Mayor. Come and listen to what is going on in the village while enjoying biscuits and gravy or pancakes. Time is 8 to 10 a.m.
Day trip
In October, we have a day trip to the Metropolis Performing Arts Center to see “Grease.” Space is limited on the bus, so make your reservation now. Sept. 26 is the deadline, and the cost is $90.
– Shaw Local News Network
Alex T. Paschal
Volunteering for Sauk Valley Bank, Sarah Cleary (left) and Kathy Medema dig into their work Saturday, Sept. 13, at Open Sesame’s Lincoln School in Dixon. Volunteers from the bank and the Reagan Mass Transit District cleaned up the school’s vegetable garden as part of United Way of Lee County’s Day of Caring. The garden teaches the youngsters the art of growing plus helps supply food to the families and local food pantry.
Warranty deeds
• Levi Smith to Maya A Pitts, 1110 Lincoln Highway, Rochelle, $142,000.
• Sergio N Hernandez to Blake Craig, 11071 E. Fisher Road, Rochelle, $170,000.
• Hre Builders LLC to Sam Johnson and Alexandra Bagley, one parcel in Dement Township: 25-23-302-001, $304,000.
• Daniel P Bemis to Matthew T Parr, 512 S. Second St., Rochelle, $140,000.
• Hre Builders LLC to Amalia Burgess-Johnson and Amalia Burgess Johnson, one parcel in Dement Township: 25-23-301-004, $302,090.
• Nancy S Jordan to Adam Reyna and Abigail Reyna, 116 Crabapple Court, Dixon, and 114 Crabapple Court, Dixon, $500,000.
• Angela Maniscalco and Domenico Maniscalco to Mimmo’s Pizza & Catering Company and Mimmos Pizza & Catering Company, 107 E. Main St., Forreston; 111 E. Main St., Forreston; 113 E. Main St., Forreston; and 204 S. Walnut Ave., Forreston, $600,000.
• Mount Morris Church Of The Brethren to Assembly Of Christian Churches Inc., 409 W. Brayton Road, Mt. Morris, $140,000.
• Christopher Grove to Samantha F Crawford and Maison N Crawford, 146 Parkview Drive, Oregon, $266,000.
• Commercial Equipment Corp. to Raymond Junior Mancilla, one parcel in Mt. Morris Township: 08-26-151-001, $33,500.
• Mark Edward Miller and Rebecca Ann Miller to Lavonne S Baker, 4121 W. IL Route 64, Mt. Morris, $125,000.
• Amalia M Burgess-Johnson, Amalia M Burgess Johnson and Joshua Daniel Carey to Andreas Schulthess, 314 N. Grove St., Creston, $254,900.
• Maison N Crawford and Samantha F Crawford to Gerardo Garcai Jr. and Amelia Bail, 411 Williams Drive, Oregon, $199,900.
• Joshua A Hawkins and Kelly Hawkins to Jamie M Stukenberg and Theresa B Stukenberg, 975 W. Cliff Road, Oregon, $339,000.
• Elizabeth E Dreesman, Elizabeth Marie
Emma and Matthew Lee Dreesman to Matthew Lee Dreesman, 3961 S. Ridge Road, Oregon, $0.
• Robert M Brainerd and Dreama S Brainerd to Steve Maiworm, 507 N. Sangamon Lane, Dixon, $305,000.
• James W Shaw, Juanita Shaw, and Juanita D Shaw to Christopher S Fant and Tina A Fant, 8530 N. Kishwaukee Road, Stillman Valley, $280,000.
Quit claim deeds
• Haywell LLC to Hre Builders LLC, 522 N. Sixth St., Rochelle, and 516 N. Sixth St., Rochelle, $0.
• Patrick Cicogna and Samantha Cicogna to Samantha Cicogna, 15959 E. Rachel Lane, Davis Junction, $0.
Trustees deeds
• Edwin G Bushnell, trustee, and Mary B Busnell Lv T to Bushnell’s Walnut Creek Farms LLC, two parcels in Marion Township: 10-16-200-005 and 10-16-200-007, $0.
• Old National Bank Trustee and Patricia D Best Tr to Haywell LLC, 522 N. Sixth St., Rochelle, and 516 N. Sixth St., Rochelle, $225,000.
• Lisa A Clayton, trustee, and Lisa A Clayton Tr to Brad Strite and Kimberly Strite, 1419 N. Maple Grove Road, Mt. Morris, $1,030,000.
Deeds in trust
• Michael E Adamson to Michael E Adamson, trustee, 18352 E. Crill Road, Monroe Center, $0.
• Becky J Borchers to Becky J Borchers, trustee, and Becky J Borchers Land Tr2025, 7875 S. Perryville Road, Monroe Center, $0.
• Fredrick J McBride to Fredrick J McBride, trustee, and McBride Family Tr, 5101 S. Skare Road, Rochelle, $0.
• Fredrick J McBride to Fredrick J McBride, trustee, and McBride Family Tr, 5001 S. Skare Road, Rochelle, $0.
Shaw Local News Network
Combatting soil erosion from wind, water, part 2
Several strategies can slow erosion and get our food and farm systems back on a sustainable track.
Plant cover crops. By keeping roots in the ground year-round, cover crops help keep soil in place and maximize water-holding ability, making it more resistant to floods and droughts.
Diversify crop rotations to help build soil fertility and disrupt pest cycles. Plant perennials, such as prairie grasses or trees, in or near crop fields to maintain deep living roots year-round – stabilizing soil, drawing carbon deeper underground and capturing excess fertilizer before it can become a pollutant.
Plow less (or not at all) with low- or no-till farming systems that minimize disturbance and keep moisture in the soil.
While many farmers across the country are already doing some or all of these things, for others, adopting such practices will be a major change in their operations – and change is not easy. It’s in everybody’s interest to support U.S. farmers in rebuilding soil health and preventing erosion through policies, such as the Agriculture Resilience Act, proposed legislation to help U.S. agriculture achieve net-zero
IT’S YOUR WRITE
Concerns about Medicare
To the editor:
I am concerned that the Trump administration has established a pilot program to use artificial intelligence to make prior approval decisions for patients using traditional Medicare.
Many people pick traditional Medicare because it lets their doctors, not insurance companies, call the shots on their care. Requiring prior authorization for treatments makes it harder for patients to get the care they need, delays receiving the care, and creates additional work for health care workers.
The pilot program will start in six states in January. So far, Illinois Medicare recipients will not be affected, but the program should be opposed as the use of AI could potentially lead to higher denials of coverage.
COMMUNITY VOICES
Henry Tideman
greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, improve soil health, and provide farmers with tools to adapt to climate change impacts like extreme weather events and trade wars, that can ensure transition that benefits all. (Union of Concerned Scientists, Dec. 17, 2025)
When fields are left bare after harvest, soil can easily blow away in the wind or wash away in storms, depositing fertilizers and chemicals into waterways. Cover crops, which include winter wheat, crimson clover, cereal rye, oats or radish, are planted after harvest and before winter. Those crops can reduce soil erosion, break up compacted soil, provide habitat for beneficial insects and wildlife, and prevent latent fertilizer from leaching into rivers and streams.
Less than 6% of Illinois farmland uses cover crops. Six years ago, Illinois became the second state in the nation to offer subsidies to farmers for planting cover crops in the fall, an
effort to reverse its status as one of the worst states for agricultural runoff.
The Demand for Fall Cover for Spring Savings program has outpaced state funding every year since. However, despite the program’s popularity and calls from environmentalists and farmers for its funding to increase, the 2026 budget reduces funding by 31%.
“I have made difficult decisions –including to programs I have championed, which is hard for me,” Gov. Pritzker said during his State of the State and budget address in February. (Capitol News Illinois, June 25, 2025). However, farmers do not need state funding to use cover crops. Although multiple factors weigh on farmers concerning cover crops, the main reason they do not use them seems to be that doing so costs money, while leaving soil to erode costs nothing in the short term, although long-term results in decreased soil productivity.
As a result of the dust catastrophe of the 1930s, in 1937, President Roosevelt wrote governors of all states recommending legislation that would allow local landowners to form soil conservation districts, following a model Soil and Conservation Districts Law. States did pass such laws; these
districts now number over 3,000 in the U.S. and its territories. Illinois has 97.
Ogle County Soil and Water Conservation District works cooperatively with other conservation organizations for the conservation of farm and other land and water. It has no single source of funds. Some was from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, but that stopped recently. Illinois’ fiscal year 2026 budget allots $7.5 million to state SWCDs – that’s $1 million overall cut from the previous year. Funding had already been cut by $4 million total in fiscal year 2025. (Capitol News Illinois, June 25, 2025).
Desire by responsible politicians in the Illinois state government to decrease expenditures is easy to understand, as Illinois fiscally is squeezed between a large need to fund pensions, large debt, decreased federal income, and politicians like Andrew Chesney waving the flag to voters of tax reduction.
If you think cover crops and SWCDs are good expenses for the state of Illinois, contact state Rep. Tony McCombie and Chesney, or other legislators in your district.
• Henry Tideman is a resident of Oregon.
According to a 2024 Senate committee report, AI tools have been linked to higher rates of care denial, 16 times higher than decisions made without the technology.
Please contact our Congressman, Darin LaHood, and ask him to oppose these changes to traditional Medicare. Let’s keep AI and insurance providers out of decisions about our health care needs.
Julia B. Hammer Polo
The fruit of the Scopes Monkey Trial
To the Editor:
So, are we descended from apes or made in the image of God? Are we the product of evolution or a six-day explosion of creative will?
One hundred years ago in Dayton,
Tennessee, the nation was embroiled in a trial over these issues. It was known as the Scopes Monkey Trial. While the latter position was upheld by the jury, the public reaction to this trial was that science won out (Darwin’s Origin of the Species would be taught) and a particular theological position that insisted on biblical inerrancy in all matters lost. We are descended from apes.
What I would call the religious right did not accept this result willingly. In fact, it energized religious conservatives who feverishly developed Bible institutes, Christian colleges, radio ministries and independent mission boards. This culminated in the more contemporary expression established by Jerry Falwell, titled “the Moral Majority.” The new twist was that religious conservatism found expression in political conservatism.
So, we fight over such things as whether evolution should be taught in public schools, what books should be banned, and the skepticism of scientific research related to vaccines. This tension is ongoing and is entrenched in significant ways in our public discourse. The newest element added to this stew is the rise of Christian nationalism. President Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission is staffed solely by people from the religious right.
What bothers me is how bellicose those who are made in the image of God choose to act as if they are not too far removed from their simian ancestors. We shall continue to have contentious conversations about science, faith, education and national identity.
Rev. Ronald D. Larson, retired clergy Mt. Morris
Response to Harris’ ‘Not in your backyard?’ column
Reed Harris often misses center of target, sometimes the target itself.
Several claims in his last article, “Not in your backyard,” are proof that there is more to a subject than sound bites. By many claims, Mr. Harris states, “This is a small fraction of the things our president is trying to accomplish. Is this Democracy?” The United States is not a democracy, although it appears Mr. Harris would prefer mob rule over rule by law. The United States of America is a Republic and citizens are constitutionally guaranteed a representative form of government.
His comment, “Interesting how Republicans in Congress keep voting with the president,” then implies the president will dismantle Congress. Mr. Harris must have forgotten the parallel, how Democrats in the last administration also voted with the president. How this happens is not so odd when one considers there are only two political branches of government and we vote for them to carry out our political will, the Art I Congress and the Art II President. We voted. They are doing the will of the majority.
Mr. Harris asked why an Executive Order (on elections) blatantly against constitutional law would even be followed? Framing the question this way assumes it is fact. States do control elections, but federal elections run by the states can have standards imposed. The Executive Order directs actions to be taken to do things like purge voter rolls and ensure the federal voter is qualified. Mr. Harris also claims other Executive Orders are the same, yet provides no specifics. I am not persuaded.
VIEWS
John
Dickson
I do not like that federal troops, in any of their forms, are stepping into a state’s jurisdiction. That is a concern. We threw off Britain for this type of reason (and others). What the media fails to cover is the statutory law that is being used, so the citizen can understand what is actually going on. The challenges in court will be played out. The court arguments are good lessons in civics.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has a tough position. First is to remove the convicted criminal catch and release mess that has infiltrated civil society. One online commenter tried to list the wrongfulness of six citizens who were detained, implying it was an unreasonable detention. After debunking the first three, I stopped checking.
Probable cause is the criterion for arrest. In one example, the person had the same name and close resemblance to a person with a violent criminal history and multiple child sex offenses. The two items, with the same name and appearance, make probable cause. When further investigation proved the tattoos did not match, a release was made. The real question: Is it better to detain by probable cause or just let these criminals continue to lawlessly wander our streets?
How does anyone justify the recent Florida event of an immigrant from
It’s time for Congress to represent citizens first, not the noncitizens by body count. Citizens and citizens only should count in the census for the 14th Amendment apportionment of people. The “people” to be counted for the census are the citizens stated in the amendment’s paragraph one.
India causing the death of three citizens? He was given a CDL license from California, barely able to navigate the English language, and then decided to U-turn on a highway, through the emergency vehicle access, causing a crash.
The article’s missed target is who determines what America is and will be: citizens or the 75 to 100 million noncitizens within our borders? Under the last administration, 20 million-plus Third-world unvetted illegal migrants crashed our borders and infiltrated the country. Would Reed Harris allow a stranger to walk in his front door, watch his TV, head to the fridge, make a dinner, sit at his table, use his restroom, use his toothbrush, sleep in his bed or in his kid’s bed? Why would that answer be different for anyone crashing the border?
It’s time for Congress to represent citizens first, not the noncitizens by body count. Citizens and citizens only should count in the census for the 14th Amendment apportionment of people.
The “people” to be counted for the census are the citizens stated in the amendment’s paragraph one.
Per the government census site, there were 47 million non-citizens in the country. Add the 20 million from the previous administration and a million temporary protective status non-citizens. That is 68 million minimum. There are 761,000 people per representative district. Divide non-citizens by people per district, and it is equivalent to 89 seats in Congress and 89 electoral votes for president. When they are concentrated in dense population areas, a balance of power is shifted. Maybe there is a reason certain states, like California and Illinois, embrace this.
Reed Harris says, “We can march, we can protest, we can write articles, but also we can call our elected officials in Congress.” What would you say to your congressman? “I embrace the dilution of my citizenship? I want more non-domiciled truck drivers. Is Tren de Aragua OK to take over wherever they want? MS-13 is a benevolent El Salvadoran group here to help us?” No.
We need vetting. We need the frontdoor process for entry into the United States. Every back-door illegal is jumping the queue to stand ahead of all using the lawful front-door vetting process. By state and local governments refusing to assist the citizens in the rights of property, life, and liberty, a turbulent society is created, favoring the illegal border-crashing migrants. The question to the citizen is: Who determines destiny?
• John Dickson is a resident of Oregon.
City of Polo, school district to apply for safety grant
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
The city of Polo and the Polo School District recently announced a collaborative effort to apply for the Safe Routes to School Program Grant.
The state and federally funded initiative is administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation to promote and support safe, healthy and active transportation for K-12 students,
with a special focus on walking and biking to school.
Securing the grant would offer funding to the city for crucial safety infrastructure, such as new sidewalks and bike lanes. It would also support the school district in conducting education and encouragement programs designed to increase student physical activity and reduce traffic congestion around schools.
To strengthen the grant application, the entities require the community’s
input and participation.
Parents/guardians will receive an electronic survey sent to the email address they have on file with the school district. Students in first through 12th grade will also complete a brief survey at school regarding how they get to and from school each day.
Mr. Kyker from Polo city maintenance recently took pictures of students walking to school in areas where there are no sidewalks. Photographs are strictly for the purpose of the grant appli-
cation to illustrate the need for infrastructure improvements. No students’ faces were included in the pictures.
“The city and schools believe that by working together, we can best utilize our resources to support our community,” according to a city and school district news release. “This partnership is a testament to our belief that our size is our strength. Should you have any questions regarding this initiative, please do not hesitate to reach out to the city and school district.”
PUZZLES
ACROSS
1. Carved into
7. __ Rogers, cowboy
10. Unruly locale
12. Edible mushroom
13. Influential noblemen
14. Rattling breaths
15. David __ George, Brit. P.M.
16. Musician Clapton
17. Small Eurasian deer
18. Invests in little enterprises
19. Perimeter
21. Chicago ballplayer
22. Animal body part
27. It’s everywhere these days
28. Fictional ad exec
33. Mr. T character Baracus
34. Against the current
36. Subway rodent
37. Armor plate
38. Hair on the head
39. Strong insect
40. Swollen lymph node
41. A way to lessen
44. Walter White poison
45. Sleeveless garment
48. Long accompanied song
49. Without features
50. Yankee great Mattingly
51. Removes from record
DOWN
1. Root of taro plant
2. Those ones
3. Appliances have one
4. A way to sing
5. Midway between east and southeast
6. Animal dwelling
7. An object that as survived from the past
8. Oil cartel
9. Affirmative
10. Foul smell
11. Brisk tempo
12. S. American indigenous person
14. Restored
17. Official
18. Skin lesions
20. Electroencephalograph
23. Middle Eastern country
24. Extremely angry
25. Title used before a woman’s name
26. British thermal unit
29. By the way (abbr.)
30. Anger
31. Nullifies
32. Ones who acquire 35. Time zone 36. Arabic name
38. Protein in mucus
40. Ballpoint pen
41. Mimics
42. Humans have a lot of it
43. Expressions of good
44. Cool!
45. One point east of due south
46. City of Angels football team (abbr.)
47. A way to save for retirement
Defending the Constitution requires action from all
As I receive responses to my articles, I feel like I’m shaking my wife, lying lifeless in our bed, screaming for her to wake up.
I understand that what I write contains a lot of my feelings and beliefs, but I try to add links to the articles or government sites where I find the truth of my thoughts. I know that others will have their own thoughts, feelings and beliefs, but sometimes I wish they would add insight to how they attain them or where the truth of their comments and concerns comes from.
I believe that the Constitution has been working well during our 250 years of democracy. Yes, it has failed at times, and yes, it has been revised to correct those mistakes. The biggest concern today is that we must uphold those laws that the Constitution provides. Our current government seems to believe that this is not a requirement for them. And it appears that the Supreme Court feels the same way.
Do you think it would be a requirement for you if you didn’t uphold these laws? Do you think that the current government would allow you to break any one of them? Do you think the Supreme Court would stand with you? I have said this before, and I say it again, we have failed our country, you and I, for allowing those in Congress and even in the White House to slip through our fingers. To preserve our Constitution, we must fight for it. We can do this with peaceful protest and, even more so, with our vote. Keeping this in mind, and having already put the current president in the White House, I have been asked by several people, “Why do Christians put President Trump on an equal footing with Jesus?” Would Jesus have done the things that Trump has done? Wouldn’t Jesus care about family, children and others? Would Jesus have given the rich more? If President Trump has followed the Christian right, then he must feel that if he stays close to them, it will be better for him at the end of this human life. If President Trump feels that he is following Christian beliefs, then he
CONSIDER THIS
Reed Harris
must have gotten hold of a, I hate to say it, fake Bible. Probably the one he was holding upside down in Washington, D.C., several moons ago. So, should we change the current administration as soon as possible?
I mentioned Congress above. What we are seeing in Congress is the members relinquishing their constitutional authority, with which they can check and overrule the president’s authority. To put it simply, they try to appease the president so that they have the power to stay in power. Huh? How will that work if this president gets all the power? Will they really stay in power? Will that matter? What if the president says that he must cut costs in Congress, then reduces their pay? What if he shuts out the lobbyists who provide gifts? In the future, maybe the gifts will go to him instead. This can be applied to the Supreme Court as well. Are they in the same trap? Should we do our best to use our vote to remove those standing with the president?
If we do believe that things need to change, we can do more than wait for our next vote. We can call our representatives in Congress, we can call the president, and we can protest what is happening. In the recent “Laborers
Over Billionaires” march, many people all over this country were protesting billionaires getting the most benefits in this country while laborers kept toiling to stay viable to their families, while they sent their hard-earned money to the government so they can give it to the rich.
These protesters were sick of various benefits being taken away from them to the benefit of the rich. Health benefits are being reduced, insurance costs are therefore getting out of hand, food benefits for children are being cut,
educational money is being withheld, and even care packages to other countries are no longer being sent. Some of these packages are hurting our local farmers, causing lower rates for their products while input costs are still getting higher. This doesn’t include the goodwill these packages provide, which helps our country on the global stage. Wouldn’t you say it’s time for our states to begin doing the same? If our federal government withholds $100 million worth of educational money from a state already approved by Congress, then why wouldn’t that state be able to hold back $100 million from the federal government to give to those educational institutions? It’s already earmarked. The schools have a right to it and the government does not have the right to withhold it. There are many areas in which this scenario may fit.
When tariff costs are raised, as this federal government is doing, who does this hurt? If a tariff is placed on a $10 item, coming from, say, China and it is a 25% tariff, the cost of that $10 item is raised to $12.50. When it hits our border, China is paid $10 by the importer,
and the additional cost is paid to our government by them. That cost, therefore, ends up being transferred to whoever buys the goods. Of course, that means you or me. Since our government has that extra money, it benefits. What is that extra money? A tax on us. Will that money come to us in any form whatsoever? That is yet to be seen. At least we are winning, right?
So, what does this all mean? That every one of us is being treated like we don’t know anything. Now that we know a little about the situation, because this concerns all of us, no matter who you voted for last November, what can we do? March and protest, and vote. It truly doesn’t matter what election, whether it be local, state or federal. We also need to take the time to research the candidates. I know we have limited extra time, but if we don’t do this, things will just keep getting worse. Can we correct our course? Yes. We are Americans!
• Reed Harris is a longtime Rochellearea resident and community volunteer.
Online Personal Property Auction September Consignment Auction
8813 N. Mulberry Road, Leaf River, IL 61047 Thursday, September 25th 8AM to Sunday, September 28th 5PM This is an Online Auction.
Please visit https://aandtauctionservices.hibid.com/ for full sale viewing beginning 9/24/2025. Pictures will be uploaded prior to that date as they are available.
Personal Property: Household items; vintage & modern furniture; antiques; memorabilia Items including gas &oil, signage, yardsticks; Longaberger; garage items, hand and power tools; advertising items; vintage toys & collectibles; outdoor items; so much more! Large variety of items!
Item Viewing: Items will be available for online viewing @ 8am on 9/24/2025. If you wish for more information on an item or an appointment to view an item, please contact A & T Auction Services directly.
Pick-Up: pick-up for items will be held on Wednesday, October 1st from 4:00-7:00pm at the sale site listed above.
Terms & Conditions: This is an absolute sale. There will be a 10% Buyer’s Premium added to all items sold. Items can be purchased with cash, GOOD check, or credit card. There will be a 3.5% fee added to any credit card transaction.
Follow A & T Auction Services on Facebook for more information! Travis Cunningham, Auctioneer IL Lic. # 441.002600
A & T Auction Services, LLC atauctionservices@gmail.com 815-297-4595
Late 1st set surge propels Newman past Oregon
Comets seize momentum and rally from deficit, control second set against Hawks
By TY REYNOLDS Shaw Local News Network correspondent
Falling behind early didn’t faze Newman one bit Thursday night against Oregon.
The host Comets turned an eightpoint deficit into a 25-23, 25-13 victory with a huge run to end the first set and start the second in a nonconference win at home.
Trailing 12-4 in the opening set, Newman (3-9) went on a 38-15 run to win that set and take a commanding 17-4 lead in the second.
“It was really just our teamwork,” setter Brooklyn Smith said. “We all got in the huddle, and we all needed to keep our emotions stable. That’s what we’ve been working on, is stopping the highs and lows and keeping it at a stable emotional state.
“Once we got back out there, we all knew we wanted to win – especially for homecoming week – so we got it done.”
The Comets used a six-point service run from Lauren McClain – including a pair of aces – to tie the first set 19-all, and then got kills from Ruby Burger, McClain and Kennedi Shippert down the stretch to finish the comeback.
Three straight aces from Lucy Oetting kept the momentum going to start the second set, and Burger, Shippert and Bella Lanning each had multiple kills in a 15-5 spurt that led to a 22-8 lead.
“We all just brought up our energy and started working together,” Burger said. “We were all getting a connection together, and it was really, really good to see everyone play like that. That’s what we’ve been trying to focus on, and it really showed tonight.
“Once we get on a good run, it feels like it’s good pass, good set, good hit over and over and over again. It makes us feel like we’re unstoppable.”
Oregon (1-8) struggled to get into any rhythm after the quick start. The Hawks scored nine points on kills, blocks and aces while jumping out to the 12-4 edge, with 15 points coming on Newman errors. Oregon also commit -
ted 13 miscues from that point on.
“We came out and just said we were going to focus on effort and being competitive, and I feel like we did that. But we just couldn’t clinch the win there at the end [of the first set], and I feel like we used up all of our gas in the first game and struggled the second game,” Oregon coach Farrell Cain said.
“It was a domino effect for sure, and then I think we just couldn’t put enough together at the end for it to make a difference. But hopefully we can take something from it and move on.”
Cassie Krup led the Hawks with four kills, and Izzy Berg added three kills and a block. Emma Eckerd had five
assists and seven digs, Mikaila Ellison added four assists and 11 digs, and libero Addi Rufer chipped in 10 digs.
Lola Schwarz had eight digs and two kills, while Ella Rowe finished with six digs.
Burger and Shippert each spiked six kills to lead the Comets. Burger also stuffed a block. Gisselle Martin, Lanning and McClain had four kills apiece, and McClain also served three aces. Smith dished 21 assists, Oetting added nine digs and three aces, and libero Amaya Gomez chipped in seven digs.
Smith said the key to the comeback, and then keeping that momentum
going, was an even-keel approach from the whole team.
“We talked and told each other what we needed to work on, just communicated with each other more than just yelling at each other. We all worked as one unit and moved together, and that was what really helped us,” she said. “It’s amazing to go on runs like that. It’s such a thrill, and it makes us feel so good and confident.
“We just have to remember to bring the emotion back down to a stable level and not stay too high, because that’s what gets us all out of rhythm. That’s what we did tonight, and it worked.”
Alex T. Paschal
Newman’s Kennedi Shippert (center) spikes the ball against Oregon’s Lola Schwarz (left) and Skylar Bishop on Thursday in Newman.
Oregon falls to Byron
Photos by Earleen Hinton for Shaw Local News Network
TOP LEFT: Byron’s Jaxson Krall runs with the ball against Oregon on Friday, Sept. 12, at Everett Stine Stadium in Byron. TOP RIGHT: Oregon’s Ethan Peeling (7) jumps to try and catch a pass against Byron. ABOVE: A Byron player runs with the ball against Oregon. LEFT: Oregon quarterback Benny Olade (1) rolls out of the pocket as Cooper Johnson (2) looks to block against Byron.
Forreston secures win; tough match-ups ahead
It was a critical win for Forreston’s football team against Fulton. Coming from behind in the fourth quarter, the Cardinals kept their playoff hopes alive in the brutal NUIC.
How brutal is the toughest smallschool conference in the state?
Both Fulton and Morrison sit at 0-3 and perhaps are wondering why they left the kindler, gentler (though larger enrollment) Three Rivers conference.
Rochelle made the 5A quarterfinals last year and was physically beaten up by Lena-Winslow.
Going into week 3, Stockton, Galena, L-W and EPC were state-ranked, along with Du-Pec getting votes in 3A. The only program hurting is once proud Dakota, who is in danger of two non-winning seasons in a row.
Could Dakota eventually join the ranks of 8-man football?
Speaking of 8-man, one of the top games of the entire state takes place with Milledgeville traveling the blacktop to Polo on Friday, Sept. 19.
Year in and year out, this game is one of the quintessential area sports events.
The two rivals will put on a smalltown performance worthy of the price of admission, and one that I plan on being at.
Another game of interest is Forreston at Morrison. Though the Mustangs
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS ROUNDUP
Boys Golf
Forreston 171, Stockton 182, Christian Life 201: At Woodbine Golf Course on Sept. 9, Forreston (10-1) nailed down a pair of wins behind a medal-winning round of 41 from Kendall Erdmann.
Also posting qualifying scores were Darin Greenfield (42), Kaden Brown (43) and Daylen Rahn (45).
Rochelle 147, Forreston 163: At Fairways Golf Course on Sept. 10, Forreston (10-2) struggled to keep pace with the Hubs in Rochelle.
Greenfield (39), Brown (40), Erdmann (42) and Rahn (42) qualified in the loss. Rochelle’s Ian Metzger was the medalist with a 34.
Rockford Christian 151, Oregon 182: At Silver Ridge, Tucker O’Brien was the Hawks’ (6-6) top golfer with a round of 42 in a loss.
Oregon 180, North Boone 200: At Silver Ridge on Sept. 11, the Hawks improved to 7-6 with a win on senior night.
Andy Colbert VIEWS
are winless, they’ve faced three tough foes.
Hate to keep saying it, but like the Fulton game, it is another must-win for Forreston. The NUIC gauntlet never lets up.
Some folks envision a rematch of Le-Win and Stockton in the playoffs. Not so fast, my friends. Undefeated Sterling Newman, with a couple of talented Morrison transfers, is back down in 1A and could interfere in that scenario.
However, after seeing Le-Win overpower Rochelle, I wonder if Newman could challenge them. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Le-Win avenges its loss to Stockton, should they meet.
Then again, I wouldn’t be surprised if Newman emerges out of the pack. With all the variables in high school sports, I try never to predict outcomes.
Besides being unscientific, things like state rankings and predictions are more bluster than anything.
On the subject of predicting outcomes and the rapid growth of legal sports betting, during the Little League
World Series, the organization went so far as to issue the following statement: “We feel strongly that there is no place for betting on Little League games or any youth sports.”
Have you ever wondered what schools do with an overflow of trophies, plaques, awards and the like?
This summer, Kewanee Wethersfield set out 500 such items from 1960 to 2007 for public viewing. Alumni could take whatever they wanted and maybe leave a donation.
The school decided to take this action, as old trophies piled up haphazardly in boxes in a crowded storage room. The announcement irked some of the alumni, who felt the trophies should remain on display.
That’s a common sentiment among townspeople and graduates. However, very few schools have the necessary space to show off all of the memorabilia.
The president of the school’s Alumni Association made a very good point when he said, “Trophies, plaques and awards won in high school are important because of what they represent and should not be forgotten. But, when the number of physical representations of that success butts up against physical space, something has to give.”
Wethersfield is somewhat unique in that it is a separate township/school
district within the town of Kewanee. It would be much more logical for there to be one school district for Kewanee instead of two – one for Kewanee itself and one for Wethersfield.
But any attempts to consolidate have been met with opposition. There certainly has to be plenty of room at Kewanee, which has seen its enrollment drop in half over the decades.
In its heyday, Kewanee was noted worldwide for its Boilermaker industry and also a Hog Capital. My family lived a few miles away in Galva in the mid1960s, and as a young kid, it was a big deal to travel to the big city of Kewanee, if only for a Maid-Rite.
With all the adulation we give sports stars, be it enshrinement in a Hall of Fame, statues being erected and million-dollar contracts, it was refreshing to see the choice of the Oregon Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in Don Stevens.
In a sharp contrast to the ego-driven world of sports, the humble example of service to God, country, family, friends and church by Don is of far greater importance. Never one to be in the limelight, Don was content to put the needs of others ahead of his own.
• Andy Colbert, an avid runner, is a sports writer for Shaw Local covering high school sports in Ogle County.
Jackson Messenger led the way with a medal-winning round of 42, Nole Campos shot a 43, O’Brien shot a 46 and Lexton Pham shot a 49.
Kewanee Boiler Invitational: At Baker Park, Forreston took third place in a field of 22 teams with a team score of 322. The Cardinals trailed only Cambridge (321) and Fulton (296).
Brown led Forreston with an 18-hole round of 74, which was good enough for fourth place on the individual scorecard. Greenfield was 11th with a 78.
Forreston 171, Oregon 185, Polo 226: At Silver Ridge on Sept. 15, Forreston came out on top in triangular action led by co-medalists Brown, Erdmann and Rahn, who all shot 42.
Campos led Oregon with a 43 in the 1-1 outing, while Tanner Johnson was the top scorer for Polo with a 52.
Girls Golf
Oregon 201, Rockford Christian 221: At
Silver Ridge on Sept. 10, the Hawks improved to 6-2 on the season with a home win over Rockford Christian.
Sarah Eckardt was the medalist in the win with a round of 45 and Aniyah Sarver was runner-up with a 47.
Oregon 203, North Boone 252: At Silver Ridge on Sept. 11, Sarver led the field with a round of 43 in a dominant Hawks victory.
Eckardt (46), Toni Withers (55) and Lyndee Anderson (59) also qualified in the win.
Oregon 197, Polo 331, Forreston 353: At Silver Ridge on Sept. 15, Oregon (11-2) picked up two wins by default against understaffed Polo and Forreston squads.
Sarver led the field for Oregon with a 43, Forreston’s lone golfer, Maddie Thiel, shot a 56 and Grace Monaco shot a 54 for Polo.
Volleyball
Newman Central 2, Oregon 0 (25-23, 25-13): At Sterling on Sept. 11, the Hawks (9-2) fell to 1-8 overall with a two-set loss on the road.
Polo 2, Forreston 0 (25-7, 25-15): At Forreston on Sept. 10, Reese Mekeel led Polo with eight kills and a pair of aces in a comfortable road victory.
Polo 2, Warren 0 (25-21, 25-9): At Polo on Sept. 11, Cam Jones had five kills and nine assists for Polo in a two-set win at home. Amboy 2, Oregon 0 (25-22, 25-19): At Oregon, Emma Eckerd had 13 digs and 13 assists for the Hawks in a two-set loss at home.
Boys Soccer
Oregon 7, Stillman Valley 1: At Oregon on Sept. 15, Steven Guardado went off for three goals and two assists, while teammate Aiden Hammer added a hat trick of his own in a blowout win.
Danny Chisamore IV added a goal and an assist or Oregon (6-6), while Irvin Acosta, Nick Ciesiel and Eduardo Garcia each had one assist.
– Shaw Local News Network
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MORNING SHOW HOST
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At Shaw Local Radio, we believe in the power of local voices You'll be part of a team that values creativity, community, and connection. If you're ready to wake up the Sauk Valley with energy and purpose, we want to hear from you!
Ap ply tod ay with your resume , d emo reel & short note ab out why you lov e local radio to:
103 N. 14th St Oregon
Thur sd ay 9/25 Friday 9/26 Saturday 9/27 8am to 5pm
Boys clothes, size 10-12, mens & womens clothing, books, games, toys, vintage music posters, White Sox memorabilia, Fall, Christmas & household decorations, TVs, lamps, Longaberger baskets, purses & much more
9a-4p bo th
(2) 42" John Deere riding mowers, push mower, lawn roller, lawn cart, lawn and garden tools; Gas and Oil cans; Music CD's, Cassettes, 8 Track and vinyl albums; Toys and Board games; Jewelry, Furniture, Household items and kitchenware; China and Cookware; Flat screen TV's, Stereo system; DVD and VHS movies; Christmas decorations Too many items to list! Priced to sell Some pictures are available on Facebook Cash Only. No holds. Not responsible for accidents or items once they are paid for.
Buyer is responsible for removing/loading items. No early birds. All items sold as is
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT ¬OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS U.S BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff, vs. JEFFERY J KING; ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY; THE SECRETAR Y OF HOUSIN G AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIM ANTS; Defendant(s).
CASE NO. 2025FC3 9 Pro perty Addres s: 503 W 2nd St Byron, IL 61010 NOTICE FOR PUBLI CATION
The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereb y given you, JEFFERY J KING; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON -RECORD CLAIMANTS, defendants in the above entitled cause, that suit has been commenced agai nst you and other defendants in the Circuit Court for the Judicial Ci rcuit by said pla intiff praying for the foreclosure of a certain mortgage conveying the premises described as follows, to wit: LOT 18 OF THE SUBDIVIS ION OF BLOCK 60 IN THE ORIGINAL TOWN, NOW CITY OF BYRON, SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF OGLE AND STATE OF ILLINOIS P.I.N.: 05-31-232- 010
Said prope rty is commonly known as 503 W 2nd St, Byron, IL 61010 and which said mortgage(s) was/were made and recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds as Document Number 201805263, and for other relief; that Summons was duly issued out of the above Court against you as provided by law and that said suit is now pending.
NOW TH EREFORE, unless you, the said abov e named defendants, file your answer to the complaint in the said suit or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Court at Ogle County on or before OCTOBER 13, 2025, a default may be taken against you at any time after that date and a Judgment entered in accordance with the pray er of said complaint E-filing is now mandatory for documents in civil case s with limited exemptions. To e-file, you must first create an account with an e-filing service provider Visit http://efile.ill inoisc ourts.gov/service- providers.htm to learn more and to select a service provider If you need additional help or have trouble e-filing, visit www.illinoiscourts.gov/FAQ /gethelp.asp
Diaz A nselmo & Associa tes, LLC Attorneys for Plaintiff 1771 West Diehl Road, Suite 120 Naperville, IL 60563
Telephone: (630) 453-6960 Fac simile: (630) 428- 4620
Attorney No. Cook 6472 7, DuPage 293191
Service E-mail: midwestpl eadings@dallegal.com 8190-957780 Forreston Journal Sep . 12, 19, 26, 2025 957780
NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE
(IT IS ADVISED THAT INTERESTED PARTIES CONSULT THEIR OWN ATTORNEYS BEFORE BIDDING AT FORECLOSURE SALE.)
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE entered by the Court in Community State Bank of Rock Falls v Robert L Turner, Aven Financial Inc., d/b/a Aven Financial as successor in interest to Coastal Community Bank GoodLeap, LLC, Unknown Owners and NonRecord Claimants, Case No. 2025FC20, Ogle County, Illinois, on August 29, 2025, the property hereinafter described will be sold to the highest bidder.
(A) The name, address, and telephone number of the person to contact for information regarding the real estate are Courtney Wigant, Compliance Associate, 1021 N. Galena Avenue, Dixon, Illinois 61021 telephone (815) 2848500.
(B) The legal description of the real estate and the common address is as follows:
1. Lots Seven (7), Eight (8), Nine (9) and Ten (10) in Block Sixteen (16) in the Original Town of Grand Detour, according to the revised Plat of the Town of Grand Detour and its Addition, recorded in Book B of Miscellaneous Records, Page 160 in the Recorder's Office of Ogle County, Illinois; situated in the Township of Grand Detour, the County of Ogle and the State of Illinois.
PIN:
21-13-107-002
2 Common address or locat ion of mortgaged premises: 8083 South Green Street, Dixon, Illinois 61021
(C) The improvement on the real estate is a residence.
(D) The real estate may not be inspected prior to the sale
(E) The time and place of the sale
follo : The
Green Street, Dixon, Illinois 61021
(C) The improvement on the real estate is a residence.
(D) The real estate may not be inspected prior to the sale
(E) The time and place of the sale are as follows: The Ogle County Sheriff's Office, 202 S First Street, Oregon, Illinois 61061, at 10:00 a.m. on October 17, 2025.
(F) The terms of the sale are ten percent (10%) down at the time of the sale, payable in certified funds, and the full balance within seven (7) days.
(G) The case title, case number, and the Court in which the foreclosure was filed arc specified above
(H) No other information is required to be disclosed.
COMMUNITY STATE BANK OF ROCK FALLS, Plaintiff By EHRMANN
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OGLE COUNTY, IL LINOIS COMMUNITY STATE BANK OF ROCK FALLS , Plaintiff, v. ROBERT L. TURNER, AVEN FINANCIAL INC., d/b/a AVEN FINANCIAL as successor in interest to COASTAL COMMUNITY BANK, GOODLEAP, LLC, UNKNOWN OWNERS, and NONRECORD CLAIMANTS, Defendants
(B) The legal description of the real estate and the common address is as follows:
1. Lots Seven (7), Eight (8), Nine (9) and Ten (10) in Block Sixteen (16) in the Original Town of Grand Detour, according to the revised Plat of the Town of Grand Detour and its Addition, recorded in Book B of Miscellaneous Records, Page 160 in the Recorder's Office of Ogle County, Illinois; situated in the Township of Grand Detour, the County of Ogle and the State of Illinois.
PIN:
21-13-107-002
2 Common address or locat ion of mortgaged premises: 8083 South Green Street, Dixon, Illinois 61021
As sumed Name Publication Notice Public Notice is hereby given that on July 31, 2025, a certificate was filed in the Ogle County Clerk's Office setting forth the names and post office address of all of the persons owning, conducting and transacting the business known as: Montes Restaurants LLC
DBA Farmers Family Rest au rant loca ted at 317 E. Main St. Forreston, IL 61030
Dated July 31, 2025.
s/Laura J. Cook
(C) The improvement on the real estate is a residence.
(D) The real estate may not be inspected prior to the sale
LLC
GEHLBACH BADGER & CONSIDINE,
By Courtney E. Kennedy
Courtney E. Kennedy
Courtney E Kennedy (6322625) Ehrmann Gehlbach Badger & Considine, LLC
Attorneys for Plaintiff
114 E. Everett Street, Suite 300 Dixon, IL 61021 (815) 288-4949 (815) 288-3068 (FAX) kennedy@egbclaw .com
Sept. 12, 19, 26, 2025
Property Address: 8083 South Green Str eet Dixon, Illinois 61021 No. 2025FC20 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE (IT IS ADVISED THAT INTERESTED PARTIES CONSULT THEIR OWN ATTORNEYS BEFORE BIDDING AT FORECLOSURE SALE.)
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE entered by the Court in Community State Bank of Rock Falls v Robert L Turner, Aven Financial Inc., d/b/a Aven Financial as successor in interest to Coastal Community Bank GoodLeap, LLC, Unknown Owners and NonRecord Claimants, Case No. 2025FC20, Ogle County, Illinois, on August 29, 2025, the property hereinafter described will be sold to the highest bidder.
(A) The name, address, and telephone number of the person to contact for information regarding the real estate are Courtney Wiga nt, Compliance Associate, 1021 N. Galena Avenue, Dixon, Illinois 61021 telephone (815) 2848500.
(B) The legal description of the real estate and the common address is as follows:
1. Lots Seven (7), Eight (8), Nine (9) and Ten (10) in Block Sixteen (16) in the Original Town of Grand Detour, according to the revised Plat of th To f Grand
(E) The time and place of the sale are as follows: The Ogle County Sheriff's Office, 202 S First Street, Oregon, Illinois 61061, at 10:00 a.m. on October 17, 2025.
(F) The terms of the sale are ten percent (10%) down at the time of the sale, payable in certified funds, and the full balance within seven (7) days.
(G) The case title, case number, and the Court in which the foreclosure was filed arc specified above.
(H) No other information is required to be disclosed.
COMMUNITY STATE BANK OF ROCK FALLS, Plaintiff By EHRMANN GEHLBACH BADGER & CONSIDINE, LLC
By Courtney E. Kennedy
Courtney E. Kennedy
Courtney E. Kennedy (6322625) Ehrmann Gehlbach Badger & Considine, LLC Attorneys for Plaintiff 114 E. Everett Street, Suite 300 Dixon, IL 61021 (815) 288-4949 (815) 288-3068 (FAX) kennedy@egbclaw .com
Sept. 12, 19, 26, 2025
Laura J. Cook, Ogle County Clerk
Sep. 12, 19, 26, 2025
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OGLE COUNTY, I LLINOIS
STERLING FEDERAL BANK, F.S.B., Plaintiff, vs. KEITH W. MULLEN, Defendants
2025 FC 3
LE GAL NOTICE F OR FORECL OSURE SALE
PUBLIC AUCTION OF R EAL ES TATE (IT IS ADVISE D THAT I NTERESTED PARTIES CONSU LT THEIR OWN ATTORNEYS BEF ORE BIDDING AT FORECLOSURE SALE S.)
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE entered by the Court in the above-entitled cause on May 27, 2025, the propert y hereinafter described will be sold to the highest qualified bidd er
(A) The name, address, and telephone numbe r of the per son to contact for information r egarding the real estate is Brad Kolb, Sterling Fede ral Bank, F.S.B., 815 .622.3361.
(B) The common address of the r eal estate is 281 West Cartwright Lane , Oregon, IL 61061 and its legal description is: Lot 47 of Mongan and Etnyre Sixth Subdivision being a part of the Southeast Quarter of Section 33, Township 24 North, Range 10 East of the 4th P.M., Ogle County, Illinois; according to the Plat thereof recorded November 22 , 1958 in Book H of Plats, page 32 as Document No. 332029.
(C) The real est ate consists of a t hree bedroom, one bathroom 1,386 square foot house with an attached two car garage
(D) The time and place of the sale are as follows: 10:00 a.m. on October 17, 2025 at Ogle County Sheriff's Office, 202 S 1st Street, Oregon, IL 61061.
(E) The terms of the sale are 10 percent of the purchase price at the time of the auction sale as earnest money, and the balance at least 30 days after the date of Court approval of the sale# saleupon delivery of deed and possession. All payments shall be by CASH, BANK DRAFT, or CERTIFIED FUNDS. Any sale is subject to Court approval. Any specifi c restrictions on property or title will b e a nnounced day of sale ANNOUNCEMENTS DAY OF SALE TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER ANY PRINTED MATERIAL
(F) The case title, case number and the court in whi ch the foreclosure was filed are specified above
(G) The sal e shall be subject to all easements, covenants, restrictions and rese rvations of record, taxes for the year 2023 and all subsequ ent years.
(H) No othe r information is required to be disclosed. Sterling Federal Bank, F.S.B., Plaintiff, By WARD, MURRAY, PACE & JOHNSON, P.C Its Attorneys
Maverik A. Good - ARDC 6342150
Ward, Murray, Pace & Johnson, P.C.
Attorney for Ste rling Federa l Bank, F.S.B 202 E. 5th Street / P.O. Box 400 Sterling, IL 61081 P: 815.625.8200 good@wmpj.com
September 19, 26, October 3, 2025
No Business is too small to advertise
IN THE UNITED S TATE S DIS TRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DIS TRICT OF ILLINOIS ROCKF OR D DIVISION
ILLINOIS DEBT ACQUISITION COMPANY, L.L.C., Plaintiff, v. EL PASO HCC, LLC, et al. Defen dants.
Case No. 3:24-CV-50034 Ju dges Honorable Iain D. Johns ton and Honorable Margaret J. Sch neider NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to 28 U.S.C. Secs. 2001 and 2002, the Order Appointing Receiver entered on January 25, 2024 (Dkt No 8) entered in the above captioned matter and the July 18, 2025 Orde r setting sale pr ocedures for the sale of Defendants' assets (Dkt. No 129), the Court's Receiver shall, with the assistance of Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation ( Inte rcounty), place for public sale to the highest bidder , the rea l and pe rsonal property mor e full y described below and more fully describ ed in the Verified Complaint in the above captioned matter (Dkt No 1 and incorporated herein by refer ence) on October 10, 2025 at the hour of 12 Noon, CDT, through hybrid means via Zoom (Zoom Instructions) and in person in the Lobby of U.S Courthouse, 327 South Church Street, Rockford, IL 61101: Real Property: Th e real property commonly known as 850 East 2nd Street, El Paso, IL 61738, operating as El Paso Health Care Center, a 123-bed licensed skilled nursing facility, which is at issue in and more fully d escrib ed in the Verified Complaint in the above captioned matter (Dkt. No. 1)
The real property commonly known as 201 East Falcon Highway, Flanagan, IL 61740, operat ing as Flanagan Rehab & Health Care Center, a 75-bed licensed skilled nursing facility, which is at issue in and more fully described in the Verified Complaint in the above captioned matter (Dkt. No. 1)
The rea l property commonly known as 141 South Junior Avenue, Kewanee , IL 61443, operating as Courtyard Estates of Kewanee, a 35-bed licensed assisted care living fac ility, which is at issue in and more fully described in the Verified Complai nt in the above capti oned matter (Dkt. No. 1 ).
The real property commonly known as 415 East Main Stree t, Knoxville, IL 61448, operating as Courtyard Estates of Knoxville, a 32-bed licensed assisted care living facility, which is at issue in and more fully described in the Verified Complaint in the above captioned matter (Dkt. No. 1)
The real propert y commonly known as 1200 West Broadway, Monmouth, IL 61462, operating a s Legac y Estates of Monmouth, a 59-bed licensed assisted care living facility, which is at issue in and more fully described in the Verified Complaint in the above captioned matter (Dkt. No. 1)
The rea l property commonly known as 275 East Carl Sandburg Drive, Galesburg, IL 614 01, operating as Mar igold Rehab & Health Care Center, a 172-bed licensed skilled nursing facility, which is at issue in and more fully described in the Verified Complaint in the above cap tioned mat ter (Dkt. No. 1)
The rea l property commonly known as One Courtyard Boulevard, Monmouth, IL 61462 operating as Courtyard Estat es of Monmouth, a 51 -bed licensed assisted care living facility, which is at issue in and more fully describ ed in the Verified Complaint in the above cap tioned mat ter (Dkt. No. 1)
The rea l property c ommonly known as 703 East Buffalo Street, Polo, IL 61064, formerly operating as Polo Rehab & Health Care Center, an 81-bed licensed skilled nursing fac ility, which is at issue in and more fully d escrib ed in the Verified Complaint in the above captioned matter (Dkt. No. 1). Polo Reh ab & Health Care Center is currently not operating.
Personal Property:
All personal property that is pledged by the Defenda nts as collateral, which is at issue in and more fully described in the Verified Complaint in the above cap tioned matter. (Dkt. No. 1) Terms of sale are outlined in the July 18, 2025 Order sett ing sale proc edur es for the sale of Defendants' ass ets (Dkt. No. 129) Additi onal Sale terms Bidders may contac t either Intercounty or the Receiver's attorneys to r eceive Zoom login instructions prior to the sale Bids shall be su bmitte d to the Receiver on the day of the sale and shall include a signed asset purchase agree ment from the bidder and a redline of the bidd er's asset purchase agreement to the stalking hor se bidder's asset purchase agreement. All bids (other than the stalking horse bid) must be in the form of an all cash bid in an amount that exceeds the s talking horse bid by at least two percen t ( 2%) of the stalking horse bid of $18,150,000.00, plus a minimum overbid of an additional $200,000.00 (i.e. $18,713,000.00). All bids must be irrevocab le and may not be subject to conditions or financing contingencies The asset purchase agreement must include the proposed closing date, all final terms of the bid and all schedules thereto. All bids must include sufficient infor mation, as reasonably determined by the Receiver, to allow the Rece iver to determine, in his reasonable business judgment, whether the interes ted party has the financial wherew ithal to consummate the sale. The winning bidder will be required to deposit in a sum equa l to ten perce nt (10%) of the purchase price contained in the accepted offer accepted by Receiver to the Receiver's designated title company within seven (7) business days after notification of acceptan ce
Pursua nt to the Order entered in the above captioned matter on July 18, 2025 as Dkt. No. 129, at the public sale , Intercounty shall hold an auction whereat bidders that complied with the requirements set forth in the foregoing paragrap h 6 of the Order entered in the above captioned matter on July 18, 2025 as Dkt. N o. 129 start ing with the highest and best bid submitted in compliance with paragraph 6 of the Orde r entered in the above captioned matter on July 18, 2025 as Dkt. No. 129, which highest and best bid shall be determined by Receiver Bidders who complied with the requirement s set forth in the foregoing paragraph 6 of the Order entered in the above captioned matt er on July 18, 2025 as Dkt. No. 129 shall be permitted to submit topping bids at the auct ion until Intercounty and Receiver determine the final and best bid (the "Winning Bid"), and, if multiple bid s are submitted, a back- up bid (the "Back-up Bid" ).
The accurac y of the information solicited by bidders cannot be guarante ed, and prospective bidders are ther efore encouraged to complete any desired and non-invasive due diligence at their own expense . The sale of the Receivership Assets is without rec ourse to Receive r and in "AS-IS" condition, and in any event any sale will otherwise be consistent with the sale proced ures approved in the above referen ced matter The sale is further subject to confirmation by the Court in the above captioned matt er. Any expenses associat ed with the sale also will be subject to and presente d to the Court in the above captioned matt er for approval
Prospective bidders are admonished to check the Court file in the above cap tioned matt er to verify all information. Prospective Bidders may contact Inte rcounty and or the Rece iver's attorneys for Zoom Instruc tions.
Property tours will be available to all intereste d bidders at times to-be-scheduled wi th the Recei ver, and the Receivership Assets may also be shown by appointment. Receiver will provide information relat ed to the Receivership Assets for review to prospective bidders, including subject to a confidentia lity agreemen t. To arrange a tour of the facilities or for further information concerning the real and personal pr operties, interested partie s may contact the Receiver through his counsel(s) at Scott & Kraus, LLC: Eugene S. Kraus Jason R. Sleezer Scott & Kraus, LLC 150 S Wacker Drive, Suite 2900 Chicago, IL 60606 (312) 327-1050 ekraus@skcounsel .com jsleezer@skcounsel.com I3272825 Sep. 12, 19, 26, Oct. 3, 2025
