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Pritzker’s war on the Republicans
Governor Pritzker spoke at a New Hampshire Democrat Party fundraising event April 27, calling for “mass protests, mobilization and disruption” against Republicans to protest the current administration.
“These Republicans cannot know a moment of peace,” he said in the speech. “They must understand that we will fight their cruelty with every megaphone and microphone that we have. We must castigate them on the soapbox and then punish them at the ballot box.”
The Guardian)
He has labeled Republicans as “farright extremists,” “carnival barkers,” and “too cowardly” to act in the nation’s interest. (Chicago Tribune)
These statements are hardly consistent with Pritzker’s claim that “he is a peaceful leader,” arguing that true leaders should offer “words of solace and calm” in the face of political violence.
According to the Independent Voter Project, as of August 2025, Illinois voter registration data shows that 37.7% of registered voters in Illinois are Democrats (3,044,805 individuals), 27.53% are Republicans (2,223,314 individuals), and the remaining are unaffiliated with either party.
The governor should show empathy for all individuals in Illinois and not
IT’S YOUR WRITE
The word ‘woke’
The origin of the word “woke” is in the vernacular speech of African Americans of the 1930s.
It originally meant one was aware and attentive to issues of social injustice, including racism and discrimination. This was prompted by the Jim Crow laws of the South. With the advent of the Black Lives Matter movement (2014-2020), woke also implied a readiness to act.
The term has evolved positively and negatively. In the affirmative, it implies being socially progressive over a whole host of issues. In the negative, the word is used to
COMMUNITY VIEWS
Chuck Roberts
beat up on 27.5% of those registered as Republicans.
In January 2023, Pritzker signed House Bill 4412, also known as Public Act 102-1123, into law. The law preempts county authority to enact local ordinances that prohibit wind and solar projects. (See Rochelle NewsLeader, Sept. 14, 2025).
In Illinois, most urban areas lean Democrat, and most rural areas are Republican.
Large solar projects require several hundred acres in counties consisting of farmland, mostly in Republican counties.
It is impractical to locate a large solar farm in a predominantly Democratic county, such as Cook County. However, in many rural areas, there is opposition to large solar projects encompassing several hundred acres of arable farmland.
So, probably expecting opposition to the “green new deal” (renewable energy), Pritzker signed a bill that knocks out the opposition.
Pritzker is constantly fighting with President Trump. He has stated that the administration is drifting “toward authoritarianism” and compared ICE agent tactics to those of Germany in the 1930s. (Newsbreak)
For the non-historians out there, this implies Nazi policies. Pritzker is embroiled in a controversy over whether he referred to Trump as Adolf Hitler, which he denies. However, Pritzker has, through his rhetoric, implied that Trump is Hitler.
Public perception differs when a governor uses the eponym “Hitler” versus when they warn about authoritarian patterns rooted in historical analogies.
Pritzker, in an interview with reporters at FOX 32 Chicago, stated, “The President of the United States is causing mayhem in the grounds of our state. He is going after his political opponents. I don’t know why anybody would look at the situation and not recognize he’s moving toward an authoritarian regime in his own image.”
This rhetoric has fomented violence in Chicago, as evidenced by a recent gunshot taken at ICE agents.
The Illinois Freedom Caucus condemned Pritzker’s remarks as “vile”
See ROBERTS on page 6
insult and incite friction and rage against any issue or person who appears to be left leaning and progressive.
But the issue is not new. Being aware was at the heart of the Great Enlightenment (1685-1815) that promoted reason and logic, as opposed to the Great Awakening (First 1730s-1740s, Second 1790s-1840s) that was concerned with tradition and religious dogma. Both incited passions. The view that tended to prevail was reason because through it humanity did progress. The American revolution and the U.S. Constitution are products of the Enlightenment.
The first real test of being awake and em-
The historic Ogle County Courthouse in Oregon is surrounded by scaffolding on Wednesday, Nov. 19 as workers from Sterling Commercial Roofing work on the 134-year-old structure’s roof. Earlene Hinton for Shaw Local News Network ON THE COVER
bracing the power of observation and reason resides with Galileo (1564-1642), who, among other things, declared that the Earth circled the sun, not the sun circling the earth. This was an observable fact. The Church condemned him as a heretic for that.
Simply put, I prefer being awake. I believe that intolerance and discrimination, being oblivious, and unaware, is too much in the realm of those who eschew rigorous exploration of ideas and issues. Being awake leads us forward. Being unaware leads us backwards and less able to deal well with whatever awaits us in the future.
Rev. Ronald D. Larson Mt. Morris
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Roof project in Oregon for historic Ogle County Courthouse ‘moving along’
By EARLEEN HINTON Shaw Local News Network correspondent
The roof replacement project for Oregon’s historic Ogle County Courthouse is moving right along, according to the chairman of the county’s Long Range and Strategic Planning Committee.
“The project is moving ahead. You’ve noticed that besides the scaffolding being up there they are doing some repairs up there,” Don Griffin, of Oregon (District 5), told his fellow board members on Tuesday, Nov. 18. “They are doing the underlayment for the new material to come in and be put down.”
Griffin said crews had been switching out the stainless steel flashing used in the valleys of the 134-year-old building, opting instead for something that was a better match for the new shingles.
“We did make a change because the stainless steel really showed up in a way we didn’t want to in the valleys, so we changed that to a material to that’s going to match the roofing shingles,” he said. “And that will make it look a lot better for the historic building that we have here.”
The picturesque courthouse was built in 1891 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.
The county courthouse has undergone several renovations during its life and still houses the county offices of County Clerk and Recorder, and Treasurer.
The Ogle County Judicial Center, built in 2005 and located across South Fifth Street just west of the courthouse, contains courtrooms, judicial offices, and the county offices of the Circuit Clerk, State’s Attorney and Probation Department.
This year’s roof project is one of several restorations and maintenance projects completed on the historic courthouse over several years.
In October, the county board awarded the 2025 roof contract to Sterling Commercial Roofing, which was the low bidder for the project at $813,125, with a $30,000 general contingency allowance.
The new shingles are replacing slate shingles and are expected to maintain the historical status of the building and have a similar lifespan but not break or crack.
Scaffolding surrounds the historic Ogle County Courthouse on Wednesday, Nov. 19, in Oregon
slate shingles from the 134-year-old structure.
Griffin told the board that he expects the rest of the roofing material to arrive early in December.
“I think it’s going to be somewhere in that first week in December so we can move along with that process,“ Griffin said.
Griffin said information about the old roof has been submitted to the county’s insurance company. The cost of the project is being covered partially by insurance.
“So that’s going along very well, very nicely, and hopefully we’ll have a mild winter,” Griffin said.
Don Griffin, chairman of the Ogle County Board’s Long Range and Strategic Planning Committee, speaks on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at the Ogle County Board meeting. Griffin of Oregon, gave board members an update on the roof project for the Ogle County Courthouse.
Photos by Earleen Hinton for Shaw Local News Network
as Sterling Commercial Roofing workers remove
Rochelle teen accused of shooting at vehicle makes court appearance
Camren Hastings, 18, has pleaded not guilty
By EARLEEN HINTON
use of a firearm as a person under the age of 21, a Class 4 felony.
Both charges are in connection with an Oct. 4 incident in which he is accused of firing a gun in the direction of a vehicle that was occupied by another person.
Shaw Local News Network correspondent
A Rochelle teenager will appear in court again Dec. 3 as he continues to face felony charges of shooting at a vehicle.
Camren Hastings, 18, who has been housed in the Ogle County Jail since his arrest in late October, made his third court appearance on Wednesday, Nov. 19, with his attorney, Assistant Ogle County Public Defender Eric Morrow. Morrow asked for a continuance for more time to receive and review discovery evidence provided by prosecutors. Hastings, who turned 18 in July, is charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm, a Class 1 felony, and aggravated
He has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.
He was arrested after a search warrant was executed Oct. 28 by the Rochelle Police Department’s Emergency Response Team at 7:10 a.m. in the 400 block of Lake Lida Lane.
Police said the search warrant stemmed from an evening incident on Oct. 4 where “a vehicle had been shot approximately 13 times in the 100 block of Willis Avenue.”
During Wednesday’s hearing, Morrow told Ogle County Judge Anthony Peska that he has been in contact with
See COuRT on page 5
Earleen Hinton for Shaw Local News Network
The Ogle County Judicial Center is located in the 100 block of South Fifth Street in Oregon, Illinois. The building houses courtrooms as well as the offices of the Circuit Clerk, Probation, and State’s Attorney.
OGLE COUNTY PROPERTY TRANSFERS FOR NOV. 10-14
Trustees Deeds
• Edward C. Vock Trustee and Judson Road Tr to Betsy A. Johnson and Thomas M. Johnson, 1 Parcel: 7561 W. Judson Rd, Polo, $208,740
• Curtis R. Freeberg Trustee, Curtis R. Freeberg Tr, and Norma L. Freeberg to Scott L. Hilliard, 4 Parcels: 05-33-200-021, 05-34-376-001, 10-03-126-001, and 10-03-126-002, $321,717
• Robert L. Burke Trustee, Roberta L. Burke Trustee and Robert and Robert L. Burk Joint Tenancy Tr, to Theresa P. Ryan, Michael P. Leduc and Justin Thomas Dolan Ryan, 1 Parcel: 1050 Lincoln Hwy, Rochelle, $154,900
• Kevin D. Rudy Trustee, Lisa L. Rudy Trustee, and
Kenlin Family Tr418 to Timothy O’Keefe and Kellie Cannon, 1 Parcel: 5178 E Ashelford Dr, Byron, $568,000
Warranty Deeds
• Edward Christopher Baxter to Terrie R. Chance and William H. Carlson, 1 Parcel: 1217 Joanne Ter, Byron, $310,500
• David C. Kne Trustee, Charles J. Knie Tr, Eileen Y Knie Tr to John Carroll and Amanda Carroll, 1 Parcel: 505 S Congress Ave, Polo, $90,000
Quit Claims
Continued from page 4
prosecutors.
“The state has made us an offer,” Morrow told Peska. “We may be close to a disposition.”
Peska remanded Hastings to the Ogle County Jail and set his next court date for 1 p.m. Dec. 3.
Hastings made his first court appearance Oct. 29 for a detention hearing in front of Peska. During detention hearings, a judge determines whether to
• Mildred A. Bartlett to Mildred A. Bartlett and Terry E. Tate, 1 Parcel: 5102 S IL Rte 2, Oregon, $0.00
release a defendant from custody as the case proceeds through the court system.
At the Oct. 29 hearing, Assistant State’s Attorney Matthew Leisten said Hastings was one of a group of people who were seen “shooting at vehicles” on Oct. 4.
Leisten said Hastings was one of 10 individuals walking on the street shooting guns. It is believed another juvenile has been charged in connection with the incident, but juvenile charges and hearings are not available to the general public.
Video footage obtained by officers
• Martha Smith Declaration Tr and Jamie R. Smith Trustee to Dg Investments Llc, 1 Parcel: 08-28-100025, $0.00
• Wayne K. Carter and Aimee K. Krisch to Wayne K. Carter, Aimee K.. Krisch and Gail P. Carter, 1 Parcel: 501 S 7th St, Oregon, $0.00
Deeds in Trust
• Antonino Alfano and Marianna Alfano to Antonino Alfano Trustee and Marianna Alfano Trustee, 13 Parcels: 16-03-151-011, 16-03-160-015, 16-03-165-001, 16-03-303-007, 16-03-327-007, 16-04-105-006, 16-04-105-007, 16-04-131-002,
showed four males and two femalessome appearing to be juveniles – running into a nearby cornfield, Leisten told the court. He said it appeared that between 13 to 14 shots were fired at the vehicle during the incident.
Leisten said police collected 12 bullet casings and two firearms near the scene.
He said bullet holes in the vehicle were consistent with the guns found. He argued that Hastings should remain in custody because he posed a danger to the Rochelle community.
Morrow disagreed, telling Peska that Hastings could be released with
16-04-131-003, 16-04-131-005, 16-04-281-005, 16-04-290-005, and 16-04-451-001 $0.00
• Fred J. Horner, Barbara J. Horner, Fred Horner, Barbara Horner to Fred J. Horner Trustee, and Fred J. & Barbara J. Horner Tr1, 5 Parcels: 24-13-384-030, 24-24-153-002, 24-24-356-010, 24-24-357-002, 24-24-357-003, $0.00
• Ronald L. Schulte and Debra D. Schulte to Ronald L. Schulte Trustee, Debra D. Schulte Trustee, and R&D Schulte Family Tr1, 3 Parcels: 20-09-400-003, 20-10-300-002, and 20-10-300-003 $0.00
• Elizabeth Muro and Uriel Muro to Elizabeth Muro Trustee, Uriel Muro Trustee Muro Family Tr, 1 Parcel: 2623 S Snyder Rd, Oregon, $0.00
court-ordered conditions such as home confinement and electronic monitoring. Those conditions would allow Hastings to continue to attend school at the Chana Educational Center in Chana, Morrow argued.
Morrow said Hastings had no criminal history as an adult or juvenile and had scored a zero on the pretrial risk assessment. In those assessments, defendants are rated from 0-14 as to their risk if released, with zero being the lowest score.
“He’s never been in any trouble before,” Morrow argued.
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
PACT to present ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ Dec. 5-7 and Dec. 12-13 in Polo
Polo Area Community Theatre is in rehearsals for its next production, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” by Barbara Robinson.
In this beloved classic, the Herdman kids, who are the worst kids in the history of the world, wind up in the six main roles in a Christmas pageant. What follows is chaotic, hilarious and heartwarming.
The show will be presented at the Old Polo Town Hall at 7 p.m. Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6, 2 p.m. Dec. 7, 7 p.m. Dec. 12 and 2 p.m. Dec. 13. Tickets are available at www.polotheatre.org or at the door.
Chana UMC Candlelight Christmas event set for Saturday, Dec. 6
The annual Candlelight Christmas Event begins at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Chana United Methodist Church, located at 606 N. Main St., in Chana. The program, “Tis the Season for Laughter,” features speaker and humor
author Mary Kay Morrison.
Amid the stress, rush and preparation for the holiday season, this will be a delightful occasion to relax, laugh together and reflect on the joyful spirit of the season.
Following the program, a dessert/snack buffet will be held in the candlelit social hall. There is no admission charge – a
love offering will be taken for the presenter. A door prize drawing will be held near the event’s end. All are welcome to attend. Call the church office at 815-732-7683 or Carole Sutton at 815-595-4559 by Dec. 2 if you plan to attend and have not been previously contacted.
Shaw Local News Network
Continued from page 2
and incompatible with democratic norms. If a municipality is counting on federal grants, this rhetoric may not be helpful in that regard.
The Pritzker family has ranked near the top of Forbes’ “America’s Richest Families” list since its first publication in 1982. The family is the heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortune. Political pundits say that Pritzker is positioning himself to run as the Democrat nominee for president of the United States. Apparently, he must pander to the radical left of the Democratic Party, which often advocates violence to attain its goals.
It does not take a political genius to conclude that Pritzker has not endeared himself to Illinois Republicans. In my opinion, Pritzker should stop fighting with Trump, stop the vitriol, become bipartisan, and apologize to Republicans for his hate speech, but don’t bet on it.
Chuck Roberts is a freelance writer in Rochelle.
Photo provided by PACT
Mikkayla Hinkle (center), as Grace Bradley, talks to her husband, Bob (Zach Arbogast) and her kids, Beth and Charlie (Christine Ayling and Kane Bitler), about being a part of the church’s Christmas pageant.
Ribbon-cutting celebrates The Fit Hub’s new site
‘Our mission here is to help people with their goals’
By JEFF HELFRICH jhelfrich@shawmedia.com
A ribbon-cutting was held Friday, Nov. 14, for The Fit Hub’s new location at 126 state Route 38.
The business serves health-centered drinks including coffee, shakes, tea and more.
The Fit Hub, owned by Josh and Becky Schacht, has been open for nine years and relocated from its previous downtown location.
The expanded new space has been
under construction for the past year and allows for more space to serve customers.
“We have a lot of parking and our systems behind the bar are great,” Josh Schacht said. “It should be really fast for everyone to get their stuff. Our mission since 2016 has always been to help Rochelle become a more healthy and active community. It’s tough to know what food is good for you and what to believe. Here, you can know that everything here is low in calories and high in nutrition, and it’s all going to make you feel great.”
Josh Schacht said The Fit Hub wants its customers to feel welcomed when they walk in and energized after consuming its products.
“We’re excited to be a place like that for Rochelle,” Josh Schacht said. “This is a place people can take advantage of to hit their goals and feel healthy and great. Rochelle has been a wonderful place to do business.”
The ribbon cutting was hosted by the Rochelle Chamber of Commerce and the city of Rochelle. Speakers at the event included Josh Schacht, Chamber Executive Director Tricia Herrera and Mayor John Bearrows.
Herrera said she’s excited about the new space and that a Rochelle business is expanding and adding services.
“This is a great story with Josh and Becky both being local people,” Herrera said. “That’s close to our heart, local people wanting to invest in our commu-
nity where they’re raising their families. Thank you for continuing to be within our community and for being a part of the chamber. We know you guys are very innovative and creative and we will see great things from you at this location.”
Bearrows said The Fit Hub acts as a resource for people in the community looking to improve their health.
“They focus on health and wellness,” Bearrows said. “Our community will be better off because of a business like this. We thank you for not only being in this new location, but staying in Rochelle. You have two partners in the chamber and the city that are here to help you thrive. We look forward to helping you in any way we can.”
Jeff Helfrich
A ribbon cutting was held Friday, Nov. 14, for The Fit Hub’s new location at 126 state Route 38 in Rochelle.
Ogle County 4-H’s service projects assist local food insecurities
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
This holiday season, Ogle County 4-H is leading a community service initiative and inviting residents to be part of it.
Local 4-H members are collecting donations for three causes: supporting local food pantries, bringing comfort to pediatric patients at Serenity Hospice, and creating warmth for patients at OSF St. Katharine Medical Center.
Support local food pantries by helping families enjoy a warm holiday meal by donating canned vegetables, boxed potatoes, stuffing mix, gravy, cranberries, turkeys, hams and other holiday staples. Donation deadline is Dec. 15 for Christmas. For post-holiday needs, donations must be dropped off by Jan. 20.
Ogle County 4-H is assembling care
packages for children in hospice care. The following items are needed: stuffed animals, coloring books, crayons, colored pencils, markers, pencil boxes, books and cozy blankets. The donation deadline is Jan. 30.
Handmade items bring comfort to patients. Your donations will create warmth for OSF St. Katharine Medical Center. Members are collecting blankets (no larger than 48 inches by 48 inches), quilts, hats and stuffed animals. Templates to make these items and instructions are available from the office. The donation deadline is Jan. 30.
Please drop off any items at the Ogle County Extension Office, 421 W. Pines Road, No. 10, Oregon, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information or to request templates for handmade items, call 815-732-2191.
First Fridays Open Mic is Dec. 5 at VFW in Oregon
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
The First Fridays Open Mic presents its monthly show at the Oregon VFW on Friday, Dec. 5. This indoor event attracts many talented performers, but musicians and singers of all skill levels find acceptance from its supportive audience.
The show starts at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free, although a jar is available for donations.
Performers can sign up for time slots on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s best to arrive by 6 p.m. or earlier. Interested parties who have questions can contact Jerry Tice at 815-449-2660.
The VFW is located at 1310 W. Washington St. in Oregon. It provides ample parking, along with the availability of a restaurant and bar within the building. A fish fry runs from 4-8 p.m.
Photo provided by Lowell Harp Fred Grant is a popular performer, both as a solo singer/guitarist and as an accompanist for others on fiddle, at First Fridays open mic sessions.
BYRON
ALL SAINTS LUTHERAN CHURCH
624 Luther Drive, Byron, IL 61010 815-234-5277
Pastor: Vicar Michelle Wandersee
All are welcome to weekly Sunday Worship services at 9:00am
Holy Communion is served every Sunday.
A Contemporary Style Worship with our Praise Team is on every 3rd Sunday of the month.
A recording of each Sunday’s service is available on our Facebook page: All Saints Lutheran Church and on our website: http://www.allsaintsbyron.
org Sunday School for ages 3 through 5th grade students are held at 10:15am each Sunday.
Middle School Confirmation class for 6th grade - 8th grade students are held at 10:15 am each Sunday. Both classes begin in September and end in May.
Adult Bible Studies are held on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 pm and on Wednesdays at 1:30 pm.
Visit our website for more information or email us at allsaints624@ hotmail.com.
CORNERSTONE FAMILY CHURCH
205 N. Peru St., Byron 815-234-8737 www.cornerstonefamily.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. Romeo
“Mio” Pavino
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
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 - Ph. (815) 246-2685beaconhillbyron.org
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 448, Byron, IL 61010
Pastor: Gary Cortese
Service Times: Sundays at 10AM; Wednesday night Faith-Lift at 6:30PM
Find us on Facebook/Beacon Hill Assembly of God
CHANA
AREA CHURCH DIRECTORY
FORRESTON
FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH
402 2nd Avenue, Forreston, IL 61030, Phone 815-938-3203Pastor Scott Ralston
Sunday Worship 9:00 am; Sunday School 10:00 am FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
402 First Ave., Forreston, IL Phone: 815-938-2380
Worship at 9:00 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
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 office@leafriverbaptist.org leafriver.church
LEAF RIVER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
104 E. 3rd St., Leaf River, IL 61047 - Phone: 815-345-3038; Pastor Cherie
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-11am Pastor: Rev. Dr. Matthew Rosebrock pastor@immanuel-lindenwood.org
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
DISCIPLES UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
“By God’s grace in Christ, we LIVE, LOVE, and SERVE” All are welcome here!
9:30 a.m. – Sunday Worship with Communion open to all, followed by fellowship hour 10:45 a.m. Sunday School (Sep. – May)
102 N. Maple Ave., Mt. Morris, IL 61054 815-734-4853 secretary@disciplesumc.org www.disciplesumc.org Pastor Marcia Peddicord
EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH OF MT. MORRIS
102 S. Seminary Ave., Mt. Morris, IL 61054 815-734-4942 www.efcmm.org
Senior Pastor: Bruce McKanna. Associate Pastor: John Foss Sunday Schedule: 8:30 a.m. Sunday School for all ages. 9:30 a.m. Coffee Fellowship. 10:00 a.m. Morning Worship with Childcare and Children’s Church.
MT. MORRIS CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
Allure of Pinecrest Grove Community Building (S. McKendrie Ave. and Evergreen Lane) Mt. Morris, IL. 61054 Phone 815-734-4573 Sunday Worship 9:30 a.m. followed by fellowship time and Christian education. Worship service available online, call or email for details. Email: mtmorriscob@gmail.com
MOUNT MORRIS
TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH MT. MORRIS
308 E. Brayton Rd., Mt. Morris IL | Phone: 815-734-6354 | Rev. Josh Ehrler Worship Services: Saturday 5:30 PM, Sunday 9:30 AM. Sunday School 10:45AM www.trinitymmil.net| facebook.com/tlcmm
OREGON
EAST OREGON CHAPEL CHURCH OF GOD
East Oregon Chapel Church of God
The Sharing is Caring Church
107 N Daysville Rd. Oregon, IL Phone: 815-732-2960
Sunday Worship: 10:30 AM We look forward to meeting you!
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. 61061 Phone: 815-732-6847 www.oregoncog.com Pastor Michael Hoffman; Associate Pastor Nathan Massie Sunday School for all ages, 9:30 am; Worship - 10:30 am Tuesday - Prayer Group - 9:30 am; Women’s Bible Study1:00 pm Thursday Men’s Group - 7:00 pm
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 6:30 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.
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
ST. BRIDE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
902 Mongan Drive (at the top of Liberty Hill), Oregon, IL 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
OREGON
ST. MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH
301 N 4th St, Oregon, IL 61061 - Phone 815-732-7383 - Fr. Bernard Sehr;
Mailing/Office Address: 8 81 Mongan Dr, Oregon IL 61061
Weekend Masses: Sat. 4:30 pm, Sun. 8:30 am and 6:00 pm
Weekday Masses: Mon. 12:05 pm, Wed. and Fri. 8:30 am
Communion Service: Tues. 8:30 am; Reconciliation: Sat 3:30-4:00 pm or by appt. Eucharistic Adoration: Wed. 9-10 am www.stmaryop.org stmary-oregon@rockforddiocese.org
Sunday: Worship at 9:00 and 10:30 am. Sunday School at 9:00 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
8195 Kishwaukee Road, Stillman Valley, IL 61084 / 815-965-1940 Rev. Nick Garner, Pastor www.kishchurch.org
Sunday Schedule: Discipleship Hour 8:45 AM, Coffee Fellowship 9:30 AM, Gathered Worship 10:00 AM For complete ministry schedule check out our website or call the church office.
VALLEY EVANGELICAL COVENANT CHURCH
Lead Pastor Barry Norris
103 S Maple St, Stillman Valley, IL 815-645-8872 | www.valleycov.org
Sunday Morning 9am ‘Gather’ for learning & conversation, 10:15am Worship both onsite and online at facebook.com/VECCfSV Home of Valley Covenant Preschool 815-645-8882 Director Jill Huber
Bible Studies, Youth Group, Bread of Life Food Pantry
Please visit website for more information or contact the church office M-F 9am-2pm
Coffee & Chat (Everyone is welcome!): Tuesdays 8-10am
Visit our Facebook page or YouTube channel for online worship
34 years of Operation Santa hailed in Byron
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
Operation Santa was developed by the Byron Police Department in 1990 to ensure all children in the Byron community receive gifts at Christmas. This is the 16th year of partnership for the police department and Kiwanis members. Over 34 years the program, with generous community donations and dedicated volunteers, has made Christmas a little brighter for more than 5,000 Byron area children. Qualifying families receive age-appropriate gifts for each child through high school.
“The Byron Police Department appreciates our partnership with Kiwanis in providing a nice Christmas for area children in need. The pancake breakfast is a great opportunity to enjoy some delicious food and help give back to the community.”
Operation Santa continues to succeed through dedicated volunteers and thrives on the generosity of our community. Suggestions for families who might need the help of Operation Santa
Checks made out to OPERATION SANTA can be mailed to the Byron Police Dept. at P.O. Box 923, Byron, IL 61010 or the Kiwanis Club of Byron at PO Box 555, Byron, IL 61010.
Checks made out to OPERATION SANTA may also be dropped off to the Byron Police Department office Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
this year may be made to the BPD by calling 815-234-5000.
Please join Byron Kiwanis from 8-11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at Mary Morgan Elementary School (420 N. Colfax, Byron) for the 16th annual Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus, sponsored by Kiwanis and Byron Bank.
This free community event includes breakfast (pancakes, sausage, applesauce, juice, milk and coffee), kids’
games and activities with prizes, and meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus. Bring your cameras! Kiwanis request donations at the door with all proceeds directly benefiting Operation Santa.
If you are unable to attend “Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus” but would like to contribute you can donate online, drop off or mail a check: Online at https://givebutter.com/ operationsanta.
The Kiwanis Club of Byron members believe that more hearts and more hands mean more opportunity for service and partnership. Through service projects and fundraisers, we support youth education and sports programs like Family Reading Night, Blues in the Schools, Special Olympics, college scholarships, Byron Park District athletics, Byron Junior Tackle, Byron School food pantry, United Church meal program, Byron School PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports), and Byron 4th of July firework celebration.
If you are interested in learning more about Kiwanis, please contact: Denise Bennett neise074@gmail.com, 815-703-1269.
Photo provided by Byron Kiwanis Club
Operation Santa was developed by the Byron Police Department in 1990 to ensure all children in the Byron community receive gifts at Christmas.
Polo Christmas Festival returns Dec. 6
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
The Polo Christmas Festival is back for its seventh year Dec. 6, bringing a full day of festive fun for all ages.
From an early-morning race to an evening parade and everything in between, this beloved community tradition continues to grow with new activities and returning favorites.
The day kicks off at 8:30 a.m. with the Reindeer Run hosted by the Polo Public Library. Runners and walkers of all ages are invited to lace up and start the day with some holiday cheer.
From 9 to 11 a.m., families can enjoy Donuts with Santa at a new location –the cafeteria at Centennial Elementary School. Guests can enjoy doughnuts, snap a photo with Santa, and keep little hands busy with coloring sheets and a temporary tattoo station.
Also at Centennial Elementary, the Craft and Vendor Show returns from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the gymnasium. This year’s show is bigger than ever, featuring more than 20 local vendors with handmade crafts, jewelry, seasonal decor, baked goods, homemade soaps and much more. The Polo FFA will offer breakfast and lunch options and Pinecreek Christian Church hosts a
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
Oregon Autumn on Parade Festival names 60/40 raffle winner
The Oregon Autumn on Parade Festival recently named and congratulated the winner of its 60/40 raffle, which reached $11,005. Jennifer, of Rockford, the winner of the raffle, will receive 60% of the pot ($6,603). AOP will receive the remaining 40 percent ($4,402).
AOP uses 60/40 funds to offset festival costs and reinvest in the community. Jennifer plans to use her 60/40 winnings in a responsible fashion, including a set of new tires for her truck.
Autumn on Parade has set 2026 festival dates of Oct. 3-4, 2026. For festival info visit www.autumnonparade.com.
Angel Project underway in Forreston for those in need
The Forreston Lions Club’s Angel Project is underway in Forreston.
a full day of festive fun for all ages.
kids craft station. Live music by Korey C. Pepper will entertain shoppers from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Polo Historical Society will offer Historic Trolley Tours on the hour from noon to 3 p.m., giving attendees a glimpse into the town’s rich past.
New this year is a Christmas SingAlong at 2 p.m. at the Polo Area Community Theatre. It’s sure to bring out the holiday spirit in everyone.
From 4 to 7 p.m., local businesses will host activities including refreshments, games, live music, face-painting, Sugar Plum makeovers, strolling magic, horsedrawn wagon rides and more.
The Polo Lions Club will serve its annual dinner at the Polo Senior Center, featuring Italian beef and hot dogs. Guests can dine in and enjoy live music by Audience of One, featuring harpist Linette Chamberlain, or take their meal
to-go while enjoying the evening’s festivities.
Crossroads Church will host its Winter Carnival from 5 to 6:30 p.m., offering even more fun for families.
The day concludes with the crowd-favorite lighted parade, leading Santa and Mrs. Claus to the tree-lighting ceremony at Paul’s Park (Mason Street and Division Avenue) at 7 p.m.
“It’s wonderful to see how much the festival has grown each year thanks to our amazing sponsors and participants,” said Megan White, festival committee member. “It’s heartwarming to see our community come out to celebrate the holiday season together.”
For a full schedule of events, to sign up as a volunteer or to register for the parade, visit linktr.ee/polochristmasfestival.
A food drive is being held by the festival through Nov. 29 with a drop-off location at the Polo Public Library. Nonperishable food items are being collected to help local families in need.
To make it extra fun for kids, each item donated earns one entry into a “Win a Ride with Santa” drawing. The lucky winner (and up to two guests) will get to ride in the lighted parade with Santa and Mrs. Claus. The winner will be contacted Dec. 1.
wrapped gift, with the Angel attached, to either of the three locations no later than Monday, Dec. 15.
The Lions Club also will deliver food baskets on Saturday, Dec. 20. If you know someone who could use a food basket, call Lion Larry Dikkers at 815-266-1856 or Lion Randy Ludwig at 815-238-2700.
Forreston Grade School will be collecting canned goods for the food boxes.
Leaf River Lions Breakfast with Santa is Dec. 13
Angels are available at Solutions Bank, Koeller’s Hardware and the Forreston Public Library.
To participate, pick up an Angel at one of the three locations. Buy a $20 or more gift for the child listed on the Angel. Return the
On Saturday, Dec. 13, the Leaf River Lions Club will be serving breakfast from 7-10 a.m. at the Bertolet Memorial Building, 103 W. Second. St., Leaf River.
The menu includes pancakes, French toast, scrambled eggs, Eickman’s breakfast sausage, applesauce, orange juice, milk and coffee. Santa will arrive at 9 a.m. so don’t forget your camera to get some pictures.
For more details, send an email to leafriverlionsclub@yahoo.com.
Mt. Morris Senior & Community Center to host community breakfast
The following events are happening at the Mt. Morris Senior & Community Center.
Book club: 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 1. Stop in at the Mt. Morris Library and check out this month’s book and join us for a lively discussion.
Community breakfast: 8 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3. Buy biscuits and gravy or pancakes and find out what is going on in the village of Mt. Morris.
Support group: 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4. Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group.
Potluck: 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4. Finger Food Potluck with ornament exchange. Bring an ornament and your favorite finger food and join us. All are welcome.
Shaw Local News Network
Photo provided by Megan White
The Polo Christmas Festival is back for its seventh year on Saturday, Dec. 6, bringing
Photo provided by Autumn on Parade
Jennifer (pictured on the right with Autumn On Parade Treasurer Kala, left) was the lucky winner of the 2025 Autumn on Parade 60/40 raffle which reached $11,005.
Ogle County candidates had until 5 p.m. Nov. 3, to turn in their nomination papers as they seek candidacy for the March 17 primary election.
On March 17, voters can choose a Democratic or Republican ballot to pick who appears on the ballot in November 2026. All voters, partisan or not, can weigh in on referendum questions.
Democrats
Here’s a list of Democratic candidates who have filed their nomination papers in Ogle County:
Precinct committeeperson:
• Muriel M. Messer (D): Buffalo 3
• Meredith Townsend (D): Byron 1
• Rebecca Hines (D): Byron 2
• Beth Bull (D): Byron 4
• Denis Cheek (D): Mt. Morris 3
• Linda Pottinger (D): OregonNashua 4
• Diana L. Speck (D): OregonNashua 6
• Avril Folk (D): Pine Creek
• Nicholas Head (D): Pine Rock
• Maja Shoemaker (D): Rockvale 1
Republicans
Here’s a list of Republican candidates who have filed their nomination papers in Ogle County:
County clerk:
• Rebecca (Becky) Duke (R)
County treasurer:
• Tiffany O’Brien (R) Sheriff:
• Brian VanVickle (R) County Board District 1:
• Zachary S. Oltmanns (R)
• Rick Fritz (R) County Board District 2:
• Patricia Nordman (R)
• Wayne Reising (R)
County Board District 3:
• Joseph C. Simms (R)
• Karl Hansen (R)
County Board District 4:
• David Williams (R)
• David W. Sawlsville (R)
County Board District 5:
• Donald Griffin (R)
• Bruce E. Larson (R)
County Board District 6:
• Jeffrey M. Billeter (R)
• Steven P. Huber (R)
County Board District 8:
• Marcia Heuer (R)
• Lyle Hopkins (R)
Precinct committeeperson:
• Karl Hansen (R): Flagg 2
• Kaleb Kennay (R): Flagg 4
• Patricia K. Goodwin (R): Flagg 5
• Mike Koolidge (R): Flagg 6
• George R. Wilhelmsen (R): Flagg 8
• Bruce E. Larson (R): Marion 2
• Martin Typer (R): Marion 3
• James Gallant (R): Maryland
• Summer Theisen (R): Mt. Morris 4
• Norman A. Beeh (R): Oregon-Nashua 4
• John A. Dickson (R): Oregon-Nashua 5
• Brian VanVickle (R): Pine Rock
• Hunter Simmons (R): Scott
• Joseph M. Wolf (R): White Rock
Important dates
Dec. 3: Deadline to file objections in judicial vacancy races.
Dec. 15: Deadline to file petitions for referenda to be on the March ballot. This doesn’t include referendum questions authorized by local governments, just ones submitted through voter-signed petitions.
Dec. 17: First day to apply for a mail-in ballot.
Dec. 22: Deadline to file objections on referendum questions.
Dec. 29: Deadline for local government boards – such as school boards and city councils – to adopt a resolution or ordinance for a binding referendum.
Jan. 8: Last day for a candidate to withdraw from the race.
Jan. 15: Last day for a candidate to file as a write-in.
Feb. 5: Early voting starts, and county clerks begin mailing ballots.
March 1: Last day to register to vote online through the Illinois State Board of Elections website. Grace period registration and voting continues through election day.
March 17: Election day for the 2026 primary. Polls close at 7 p.m. Voters can request a partisan ballot with either party’s candidates listed or a nonpartisan ballot, which includes any referenda.
Antiques & Collectibles
Polo Women’s Club participates in wreath ceremony at Fairmount Cemetery
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
The Polo Women’s Club participated in the annual wreath ceremony Nov. 6 at Fairmount Cemetery.
Member Pat Kuhn crafted a remembrance wreath that was placed at the Cross of the Unknown. The ceremony honors lost servicemen and women whose remains have not yet returned home and those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
Present at the wreath ceremony were Patrick Fegan, American Legion Post 83 Commander Marddi Rahn, Past Commander and Adjutant Cynthia Reynolds, Finance Officer Becky Davis and PWC members Pat Kuhn, Marianne Cimino and Sheila Dean. The brief ceremony consisted of a befitting prayer read by Commander Rahn honoring all veterans.
The annual ceremony is the initial Polo community event to honor military on Veterans Day. The tribute to veterans took place Nov. 11 at Centennial School.
Photo provided by Polo Women’s Club
Polo Women’s Club participated in the annual wreath ceremony held on Nov. 6 at Fairmount Cemetery.
SHIRLEY A. FARWELL
Born: April 13, 1936 in Oregon, IL
Died: November 21, 2025 in Oregon, IL
GRAND DETOUR, IL
~ Shirley A. Farwell, age 89, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 21, 2025, at Shepards Nursing Home of Oregon, IL. She was born on April 13, 1936, in Oregon, IL, the daughter of Clarence W. & Katie J. (Friemuth) Gann. She married William “Bill” Farwell and spent many won-
derful years together. Shirley worked at the Dixon Correctional Center as an accountant for many years, along with being a real-estate agent. She loved the outdoors, especially the time she spent with her family on the Rock River or hunting for Morel Mushrooms in the nearby forests. Shirley lived for many years on the banks of the Rock River, where she would spend time with her family boating, fishing and just being with those she loved. Shirley had a deep passion for animals; she always loved to care for her birds and cats. Family was the most important thing in her life, although she never had children of her own, she loved her nieces and nephews as her own children. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Bill, two brothers Wayne Gann and Gene Gann, and sister Helen Cermak. She is
GEORGE “BILL” W. MARTIN
Born: March 5, 1944 in Oregon, IL
Died: November 22, 2025 in Oregon, IL
OREGON, IL ~ George
“Bill” W. Martin, 81, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 22, 2025, in his Oregon, IL home. He was born March 5, 1944, in Oregon, IL, the son of Robert & Pauline (Voss) Martin. He graduated from Oregon High School in 1962 where he was a member of the F.F.A. Bill enjoyed farming, often calling it his sport. He married his first wife Pat Bay on Aprill 22nd,1965 and his second wife Diane Ehnen on June 16th, 2016. Later in life he was a member of the Local 150 Operators Union and the Mt. Morris Moose Club. Bill could often be found riding around in his Side-by-Side or going for “cruises” around Oregon in his truck.
He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Diane “Lynn” Martin, brothers Richard Martin, Emmitt Martin, Russell Martin, sisters Ruby Schier, Barb Kirchner, Judith Hollenbeck and
special friend John Vendell. Bill is survived by his daughters Kimberly (Lee) Petit; Juile (Chris) Conway; Debbie (Mike) Martin; Jennifer Gruenwald; brothers Glenn (Toni) Martin; Wes (Tammy) Martin; Jerry (Donna) Martin; special friends Mike, Brenda, Debbie; and many nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, November 30, 2025, from 12:00 PM going until 1:00 PM at Farrell Holland Gale Funeral Home of 110 S. 7th St, Oregon, IL, 61061. Immediately following the visitation, at 1:00 PM, a funeral service lead by Pastor Michael Hoffman of Oregon Church of God will be held at Farrell Holland Gale Funeral Home of 110 S. 7th St, Oregon, IL, 61061. Bill will than be laid to rest, alongside his wife Diane, at Daysville Cemetery of Oregon, IL. In lieu of flowers donations made be made to Sanctuary Hospice of Rockford, IL so they can continue to help families like Bill’s. To leave an online condolence or plant a tree in his memory, please visit www.farrellhollandgale.com.
survived missed dearly by her loving siblings Ted (Bonnie) Gann, Oregon, IL; Rogene (James) Strite or Mt. Morris, IL; Roger (Sarah) Gann of Oregon, IL; many dear nieces’ nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews; and Bill’s children, her step-children.
Shirley would like to express their most heartfelt thank you to those who cared for Shirley in her final months. Especially the staff at Shepard’s Premiere Living of Oregon, IL and Transitions Hospice of Rockford, IL. Their love and care will never be forgotten by Shirley’s family.
Private family services have been scheduled and will be conducted by Pastor Therese Whitten of St. Paul Lutheran Church of Oregon, IL. Shirley will be laid to rest alongside her husband Bill at Grand Detour Cemetery of Grand
JANET M. SQUIBB
Born: January 29, 1934 in Sublette, IL
Died: October 26, 2025 in Mt. Morris, IL
Janet M. Squibb, 91, of Polo, IL, passed away Sunday, October 26, 2025, at Allure of Pinecrest in Mt. Morris, IL.
Janet was born, January 29, 1934, in Sublette, IL, the daughter of Fred and LaVerne (Wright) Miller.
Janet attended Polo Schools and graduated from Sauk Valley Community College. She worked for the Dixon State School in Dixon, IL for many years. Janet was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church in Polo and in lat-
Detour, IL. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make a donation to either Shepard’s Premiere Living of Oregon, IL or Transitions Hospice of Rockford, IL so that they may continue to help those in need. To leave an online condolence or plant a tree in her memory please visit, www.farrellhollandgale.com.
er years found a welcoming home at the New Life Assembly of God in Oregon. She enjoyed many hobbies over her lifetime. Janet looked forward to family birthdays, holiday gatherings especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. Illinois was her home state but later she spent may happy years in Arizona and Wisconsin. She could not imagine a life without her daughters and grandchildren whom she loved so dearly. Survivors include daughters: Candice (Dan) Kavanaugh, Cynthia Squibb and Juli Squibb; grandchildren Caleb (Jessica) Wright, Logan Smith, Reese, Kylar and Flynn Kavanaugh; great-grandchildren Amie and Arno Wright. She was preceded in death by a Sister and 3 Brothers.
Honoring Janets wishes, cremation rites will be accorded. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established Polo Public Library Foundation.
Constellation presents $15,000 donation to Rochelle Christian Food Pantry amid high need
By JEFF HELFRICH jhelfrich@shawmedia.com
Constellation, owner of the Byron Nuclear Plant, presented a $15,000 donation to the Rochelle Christian Food Pantry on Monday, Nov. 17.
The donation was secured for RCFP by the Rochelle Area Community Foundation. The check presentation was attended by representatives of Constellation, the RACF board and RCFP board members and volunteers.
“Constellation is an amazing organization,” RACF Executive Director Emily Anaya said. “They came together to make an immediate impact and they wanted it to stay local. I talked to the food pantry and asked what they would do with $15,000 and they had an answer immediately. We know that food insecurity is a big deal right now and RCFP is seeing that in its numbers. We knew this would be the best way to make the biggest splash. It’s definitely going to be needed and it’s going to
as one of the largest employers in the area.”
The donation comes after RCFP saw an all-time record with 237 families served during the week of Nov. 2-8. It also set a record in October 2025, averaging 84 families served per distribution day. It has served almost 7,000 families this year, RCFP Board President Cal Jacobs said.
stay right here in Ogle County and we’re truly appreciative of that.”
Constellation Community Relations Manager Val Runner said her organization is committed to giving back to communities where its employees live and where its plants are.
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Whitetail Properties Real Estate / Ranch & Farm Auctions
Todd Henry - Broker, Land Specialist / Licensed in IL
“This is part of that,” Runner said. “It’s important for me to be able to work with groups like RACF and RCFP to know where donations are going to make the biggest impact in the community. We want to better understand what the community needs and how we can support it
The food pantry, at 770 Lincoln Ave., is open Tuesdays and Fridays from 12:303:30 p.m. People can either pick up boxes or come in and do their own shopping. On distribution days, cars are often lined up as early as 9 a.m. and occasionally distribution starts early to serve the large number of people in time. RCFP has seen rising numbers for the better part of two years.
Items that are in the most demand at RCFP are meat, produce and diapers. If community members want to donate items or money or volunteer, they can stop by the food pantry on its distribution days.
Jeff Helfrich
Constellation, owner of the Byron Nuclear Plant, presented a donation of $15,000 to the Rochelle Christian Food Pantry on Monday, Nov. 17.
MIRACLE ON 2ND STREET
Friday, December 5th, 2025
6:00- 8:30PM
The 23rd Annual Miracle on 2nd Street, Byron’s own celebration to kick-off the holiday season! Miracle on 2nd Street events will take place in downtown Byron on Friday, December 6, from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
The festivities include hay wagon rides and horse carriage rides around downtown, visits with Santa, Festival of Trees, holiday shopping, Frostyland, Live Nativity, seasonal entertainment, treats and activities for the kids are all included as part of this year’s festivities. Don’t forget you can win cash by playing Nutcracker Bingo.
BYRON MUSEUM TO HOST
Festival of Trees and Holiday Events
December 5th & 6th
The Byron Museum invites businesses, civic organizations, churches and other groups to register for the Festival of Trees. This is an opportunity to share information about your organization, advertise an upcoming event or promote your business.
Admission is free; anyone can visit and enjoy the holiday trees on display. This year’s festival begins Friday, Dec. 5, with the Miracle On 2nd Street, an annual family-friendly event that takes place in downtown Byron. This year the Indoor Market vendors will be set up in the Theater from 5-8 p.m.
Registration and set-up deadline is Wednesday, Dec. 3. For more information on Festival of Trees, call the museum at 815-2345031 or visit the museum’s website at www. byronmuseum.org to print a registration form.
The display of trees continues through December. Visitors are invited to view the trees during regular museum hours, Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The decorated trees will not be judged but are voted on by the visitors that attend opening night. Stop in to cast your vote for the People’s Choice awards and be a part of the Byron Chamber’s Miracle on 2nd Street.
The Byron Museum of History is located at 110 N. Union St. in Byron. It is dedicated to preserving the Byron area’s rich history through exhibits, programs and artifact preservation. The museum complex consists of a large exhibit hall with varied displays and encompasses the historic Read House - which is a listed Underground Railroad site on the National Park Service’s Network to Freedom.
INDOOR MARKET
Enjoy this local shopping opportunity on Friday, Dec. 5, from 5-8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Vendor booth space is sold out. Market vendors are invited to set up in the theater before the Festival of Trees begins. Visitors can vote for their favorite trees in the museum and then exit through the market beginning at 5 p.m. Vendors are offering a wide variety of gifts, baked goods, pickled foods, crafts, vintage quilts, vinyl records, collectibles and coins.
SELF-SERVE GIFT WRAPPING
The Byron Women’s Club will sponsor a free self-serve gift wrapping station during the regular indoor market on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Don’t expect mom to wrap her own gift! Stop by Saturday morning for stocking stuffers and leave with your surprises under wraps.
your time at Miracle on 2nd!
FUN&GAMES
Archie
B.C.
Pearls Before Swine
Frank & Ernest
Beetle Bailey
Blondie
Monty
Baby Blues
Arlo & Janis
Zits
HOW TO PLAY
Each row, column and set of 3-by-3 boxes must contain the numbers 1 through 9 without repetition.
Pickles
Wizard of Id
Alley Oop
Garfield
Hagar the Horrible
Barney Google and Snuffy Smith
Daddy Daze
JANRIC CLASSIC SUDOKU
Plaintiff, vs. RANDALL C. HALL, Defendant.
In case no.: 2018 L 20
NOTICE B Y PUBLI CATION IS G IVEN TO: RANDAL L C. HALL
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 15th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF OGLE, STATE OF IL LINOIS
PUBLIC NOTICE
Sealed bids will be received by the Ogle County Highway Department, Oregon, Illinois, until 2:00
P.M. December 5, 2025 for the following:
CLASSIFIED
C.M. HALL & SONS, LLC, Plaintiff, vs. RANDALL C. HALL, Defendant. In case no.: 2018 L 20 NOTICE B Y PUBLI CATION IS G IVEN TO: RANDAL L C. HALL
That on the 5th of November, 2025, Plaintiff C.M HALL & SONS, LLC, filed an original of its Petition for Revival of Judgment in the above-entitled cause with the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial District, Ogle County, Illinois in the amount of $348,368.98 plus costs and interest as of November 4, 2025.
s y file a response and/or otherwise file an appearance in the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Ogle County, Illinois at 106 S 5th St #300, Oregon, IL 61061, on or before December 24, 2025, that being thirty (30) days after the first publication date of this notice. E-filing is mand atory for documents in civil cases with limited exemptions. For help with e-filing and to learn more visit ilcourts. info/efiling
LE GAL NOTICE
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 15th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF OGLE, STATE OF IL LINOIS
C.M. HALL & SONS, LLC, Plaintiff, vs. RANDALL C. HALL, Defendant.
In case no.: 2018 L 20 NOTICE B Y PUBLI CATION IS G IVEN TO: RANDAL L C. HALL
That on the 5th of November, 2025, Plaintiff C.M HALL & SONS, LLC, filed an original of its Petition for Revival of Judgment in the above-entitled cause with the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial District, Ogle County, Illinois in the amount of $348,368.98 plus costs and interest as of November 4, 2025.
A default Order for Revival of Judgment may be taken against you for new or additional relief unless you file a response and/or otherwise file an appearance in the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Ogle County, Illinois at 106 S 5th St #300, Oregon, IL 61061, on or before December 24, 2025, that being thirty (30) days after the first publication date of this notice.
That on the 5th of November, 2025, Plaintiff C.M HALL & SONS, LLC, filed an original of its Petition for Revival of Judgment in the above-entitled cause with the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial District, Ogle County, Illinois in the amount of $348,368.98 plus costs and interest as of November 4, 2025.
A default Order for Revival of Judgment may be taken against you for new or additional relief unless you file a response and/or otherwise file an appearance in the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Ogle County, Illinois at 106 S 5th St #300, Oregon, IL 61061, on or before December 24, 2025, that being thirty (30) days after the first publication date of this notice.
TIM SCORDATO, RENO AND ZAHM, Attorney for Plaintiff, 2902 McFarland Road, Suite 400, Rockford, Illinois, 61107 (815) 987-4050
Nov. 24, Dec. 1, 8 2025
PUBLIC NOTICE
Sealed bids will be received by the Ogle County Highway Department, Oregon, Illinois, until 2:00 P.M. December 5, 2025 for the following:
Section 21-0033700-BR - German Church Rd Culvert Improvements Proposals are available at the Ogle County Highway Department, 1989 South IL Rt 2, Oregon, IL between the hours of 7:00 A.M and 3:30
P.M. Monday - Friday. The Road and Bridge Committee reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids.
Nov. 24, Dec.1, 2025
LE GAL NOTICE
The Byron Park District will be holding a public hearing on December 16, 2025 at 6:00 P.M The hearing will be held at the District Offices located at 500 North Colfax Street, Byron, IL 61010.
The Byron Park District will be holding a public hearing on December 16, 2025 at 6:00 P.M The hearing will be held at the District Offices located at 500 North Colfax Street, Byron, IL 61010.
The purpose of the public hearing is to allow testimony in regards to the District's FY 2026 proposed operating budget and annual appropriation ordinance.
December 1, 2025
LEG AL NOTICES LEG AL NOTICES
PUBL IC NOTICE
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS STATE OF ILLINOIS ) ) SS COUNTY OF OGLE)
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A default Order for Revival of Judgment may be taken against you for new or additional relief unless you file a response and/or otherwise file an appearance in the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Ogle County, Illinois at 106 S 5th St #300, Oregon, IL 61061, on or before December 24, 2025, that being thirty (30) days after the first publication date of this notice. E-filing is mand atory for documents in civil cases with limited exemptions. For help with e-filing and to learn more visit ilcourts. info/efiling TIM SCORDATO, RENO AND ZAHM, Attorney for Plaintiff, 2902 McFarland Road, Suite 400, Rockford, Illinois, 61107 (815) 987-4050
E-filing is mand atory for documents in civil cases with limited exemptions. For help with e-filing and to learn more visit ilcourts. info/efiling
TIM SCORDATO, RENO AND ZAHM, Attorney for Plaintiff, 2902 McFarland Road, Suite 400, Rockford, Illinois, 61107 (815) 987-4050
Nov. 24, Dec. 1, 8 2025
Section 21-0033700-BR - German Church Rd Culvert Improvements Proposals are available at the Ogle County Highway Department, 1989 South IL Rt 2, Oregon, IL between the hours of 7:00 A.M and 3:30 P.M. Monday - Friday. The Road and Bridge Committee reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids.
Nov. 24, Dec.1, 2025
COUNTY OF OGL Public Notice
sons in Dement Hearing will b ber 23, 2025 Ogle County County Board St., Oregon, IL filed Novemb Nunez & Edga 38, Rochelle, mit in the AGallow a Wedd property des owned by the
E-filing is mand atory for documents in civil cases with limited exemptions. For help with e-filing and to learn
Nov. 24, Dec. 1, 8 2025
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PUBL IC NOTICE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS STATE OF ILLINOIS ) ) SS COUNTY OF OGLE)
The purpose of the public hearing is to allow testimony in regards to the District's FY 2026 proposed operating budget and annual appropriation ordinance.
December 1, 2025
Public Notice is hereby given to all persons in Lincoln Township that a Public Hearing will be held Tuesday, December 23, 2025 at 6:00 P.M. at the original Ogle County Courthouse, ThirdFloor County Board Room #317, 105 S. Fifth St., Oregon, IL, to consider the request filed November 17, 2025 of Pamela K Moring, 11363 W West Grove Rd., Forreston, IL for an Amendment to the Zoning District to rezone from AG-1 Agriculture District to R-1 Rural Residential on the property described as Part of the Northwest Quarter (NW1/4) of the Northeast Quarter (NE1/4) of Section 10 Lincoln Township 24 North, Range 8 East of the 4th P.M., Ogle County, IL, 5.0 acres, more or less of the 80 acre site Property Identification Number: Part of 07-10-100-005 Common Locati on: 11363 W West Grove Rd
All persons in attendance at the hearing shall have an opportunity to be heard. Any person who also wishes to appear as an interested party with the right to cross-examine others at thehearing must complete and file an appearance form with the Ogle County Planning & Zoning Department no later than five (5) business days before the date of the hearing. The application for this map amendment is on file with detailed description and available for examination at the Planning & Zoning Department, 911 Pines Rd., Oregon, Illinois or at the following URL: http://www.oglecounty.org/depart ments/planning_and_zoning/zoning_bo ard_of_appeals.php
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
RANDY OCKEN, Chairman
Dated at Oregon, Illinois this 17th day of November 2025
#04-25AM
Dec. 1, 2025
Public Notice is hereby given to all persons in Mt Morris Township that a Public Hearing will be held Tuesday, December 23, 2025 at 6:00 P.M. at the Old Ogle County Courthouse, Third Floor County Board Room #317, 105 S. Fifth St., Oregon, IL, to consider the request filed November 17, 2025 of Cypress Creek Renewables dba Flanagan Solar, LLC, % Steven Kiesling, 3402 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA for a Special Use in the AG-1 Agriculture District to allow the construction and operation of a 4.99 MWac Community Solar Energy Facility on the propertydescribed as follows and being leased by the petitioner:
Part of the North Half (N1/2) of the Southwest Quarter (SW1/4) of Section 22 Mt. Morris Township 24N, R9E of the 4th P.M., Ogle County, IL, 35.0 acres of the 153.0 acre site, more or less Propert y Identification Number(s): Part of 08-22-300-002 Common Location: 2900 block of W. Willow Rd.
All persons in attendance at the hearing shall have an opportunity to be heard. Any person who also wishes to appear as an interested party with the right to cross-examine others at thehearing must complete and file an appearance form with the Ogle County Planning & Zoning Department no later than five (5) business days before the date of the hearing. The application for this special use is on file with detailed description and available for examination at the Planning & Zoning Department, 911 Pines Rd., Oregon, Illinois or at the following URL: http://www.ogle county.org/departments/planning_and _zoning/zoning_board_of_appeals.php
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
RANDY OCKEN, Chairman
Dated at Oregon, Illinois this 17th day of November 2025 #10-25SU
Dec. 1, 2025
Part of the NW Section 22 in R2E of the 3rd or less, Ogle County tification Number: Common Loca All persons in ing shall have heard. Any pe appear as an right to cross hearing must pearance form Planning & Zo than five (5) b date of the hea this supplemen with detailed for examination ing Departme gon, Illinois or URL: http://www departments/planni zoning_board_of_app ZONING
Dated at Oregon, this 17th day o #11-25SU
PUBL IC NOTICE
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
STATE OF ILLINOIS ) ) SS
COUNTY OF OGLE)
Public Notice is hereby given to all persons in Dement Township that a Public Hearing will be held Tuesday, December 23, 2025 at 6:00 P.M at the Old Ogle County Courthouse, Third Floor County Board Room #317, 105 S. Fifth St., Oregon, IL, to consider the request filed November 17, 2025 of Jose Nunez & Edgar Nunez, 18143 E. IL Rte 38, Rochelle, IL for a Special Use Permit in the AG-1 Agriculture District to allow a Wedding/Event Venue on the property described as follows and owned by the petitioners:
Part of the NW1/4 of the NW1/4 of Section 22 in Dement Township 40N, R2E of the 3rd P.M , 2.35 acres, more or less, Ogle County, IL Property Identification Number: 25-22-100-003
Common Location: 18143 E. IL Rte. 38
All persons in attendance at the hearing shall have an opportunity to be heard. Any person who also wishes to appear as an interested party with the right to cross examine other s at the hearing must complete and file an appearance form with the Ogle County Planning & Zoning Department no later than five (5) business days before thedate of the hearing. The application for this supplemental special use is on file with detailed description and available for examination at the Planning & Zoning Department, 911 Pines Rd., Oregon, Illinois or at the following URL: http://www.oglecounty.org/ departments/planning_and_zoning/ zoning_board_of_appeals.php
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
RANDY OCKEN, Chairman
Dated at Oregon, Illinois this 17th day of November 2025 #11-25SU
Dec. 1, 2025
Better Shelves. Custom Solutions.
Mt. Morris woman follows in mother’s footsteps and umpires at state volleyball finals in Normal
By EARLEEN HINTON
Shaw Local News Network correspondent
Oregon Elementary School paraprofessional Robin Keene took her volleyball officiating to a new level last weekend, following in the footsteps of her mother.
Keene, 45, of Mt. Morris was one of eight floor umpires selected to officiate at the IHSA State Volleyball Finals at Illinois State University from Nov. 14-15.
She is the daughter of Crete LeFevre, a longtime sports official in northwestern Illinois. Keene fulfilled one of her career goals last weekend when she was the R2 (floor umpire) for the Class 1A and 2A semifinal and final matches.
“It was very exciting. The volleyball matches were full of lots of rallies,” Keene said after the two-day tournament. “I got to meet a lot of other officials. You are working with other top level officials that you’ve never met. R2 is the floor umpire. You have to do the substitutions and check the score in addition to officiating the match.”
Sixteen officials are assigned to the state finals – eight floor officials and eight line judges.
Keene had worked the state finals before as a line judge, but 2025 marked the first time she was one of the officials with a whistle.
Keene was on the floor for the first match of the tournament, a Friday 9 a.m. semifinal match between Stockton and Norris City/N.C.-Omaha -Enfield. Stockton won that match in three close sets 17-25, 25-23 and 25-13.
She also was the R2 umpire for the Class 1A championship where Stockton fell to Cissna Park (co-op), the 2A semifinal between Riverdale and Columbia and the 2A third-place match between Riverdale and Rockford Christian.
Seeing teams she had umpired for during the regular season made the state experience a little less stressful for Keane.
“I was glad I got to see teams I was familiar with – teams from home,” Keene said.
The state gig was extra special for Keene, who was marking a return to the state finals floor 18 years after her mom had officiated there in 2007. LeFevre also officiated at the state finals in
the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s.
Keene started officiating with her mom in 2002 after graduating from Rockford College (now Rockford University), where she played volleyball from 1998 to 2002. Her college playing days followed four years at Oregon High School, 1994-98, where she also played basketball.
“My mom and I have partnered together for 22 years. It was nice that she was able to come down with me to this year’s state finals,” Keene said.
LeFevre now concentrates on junior high and JV games, but still had plenty of advice for her daughter.
“Oh, yeah, she gave me lots of advice. Stay calm, take each play at a time, don’t worry about the whole match,” Keene said. “She said I looked fine, but I was nervous. She was very excited that she was able to come down and see me. It was great we were able to go together this year.
“The atmosphere is very exciting with the band and the crowd. It’s a great experience,” Keene said.
The weekend also had a bit of a “trend-setter” feel since the 2025 tournament was the first time officials could choose to wear blue or white
shirts and use headsets that allow them to immediately communicate during the match.
“This was the first year at state for wearing the headsets, which was big for me since I don’t really like technology that much. Someone said we were trend setters – the first to wear blue and use headsets at state,” Keene said.
Working at the state finals isn’t just calling the matches.
“After each match the officials take part in a debriefing session where they review calls and actions. People don’t
realize there is a very detailed process,” Keene said.
To be selected to the state tournament, an official must consistently be rated among the very best officials in the state of Illinois, Oregon School District officials posted on social media.
“Robin’s calm demeanor, unwavering positivity, and team-first attitude as a paraprofessional also contribute to her success as an official. We appreciate your dedication to our students in Oregon and student-athletes everywhere,” the post said.
Photos by Earleen Hinton for Shaw Local News Network
Robin Keene of Mt. Morris speaks with Columbia coach Kelly Landgraf and player Ella Horner in the 2A semifinals of the state volleyball tournament on Friday, Nov. 14, at Illinois State University in Normal.
Robin Keene of Mt. Morris officiates the Columbia vs. Rockford Christian match during the 2A semifinals of the state volleyball tournament at Illinois State University.
• Worth noting: Coach Reynolds says this year’s experienced group can play multiple positions. “This is a cohesive group with a long history of playing together and a sustained record of success,” he said. “I am excited to see them compete again, leveraging their strengths in pace of play, unselfishness, shooting, and overall game IQ.”
Polo
• Coach: Matt Messer (20th season)
• Last season: 12-18, 4-8 NUIC South (5th)
• Returning players: JT Stephenson, sr. G; Aiden Messer, sr., F; Korbin Cavanaugh, sr., F; Mercer Mumford, jr., G; Eli Perez, jr., G; Jordan Reed, jr., G
• Key varsity newcomers: Esteban Salinas, jr., F; Jackson Willis, jr., F; Henry Donaldson, jr., F; Casen Grobe, so., G
• Worth noting: Coach Messer says the team looks to have more perimeter scoring than in previous years. “We have some players that got quality minutes last year,” he said. “If we get good leadership, understand the price of success, and find the balance of joy and hard work, we can give ourselves a chance to be successful.”
Forreston
• Coach: Robert DeVries (1st season)
• Last season: 21-13, 6-6 NUIC North (5th)
• Returning starters: Kendall Erdmann, sr., G; Jonathan Milnes, jr., F; Mickey Probst, jr., G; Connor Politsch, so., G
• Other top returners: Brady Gill, sr., G; Drayvin Peters, sr., G
• Worth noting: DeVries is a 2015 Forreston graduate who helped lead the Cardinals to a fourth-place finish at state as a player. Forreston lost just one starter and returns six seniors. Erdmann averaged 19.5 points per game last season and has a chance to become the school’s all-time leading scorer. “Forreston is looking to get back to playing for a regional championship this year and competing for a conference championship in a very competitive NUIC,” DeVries said.
• Other key returners: Lola Schwarz, so., G; Noelle Girton, sr., F
• Worth noting: The Hawks feature five seniors with experience this season. “Our girls have a lot of passion for the game and have been hard at work in the offseason to make the most of this year,” coach Reynolds said. “We improved our record last year by nine wins and made a regional final appearance and have goals to improve that even more this year. Our players are very versatile and can fill many different roles. Their team chemistry and culture are incredible, and our girls have a strong shared love for the game.”
Forreston’s Kendall Erdmann (13) drives against Fulton last season at the Cliff Warkins Memorial Basketball Tournament at Erie High School.
Photos by Earleen Hinton for Shaw Local News Network
Oregon’s Aniyah Sarver (23) puts up a shot against Aurora Christian at the Oregon Girls Tip-Off Tournament on Friday, Nov. 21, at the Blackhawk Center in Oregon.
Girls hoops, boys bowling get underway
By DRAKE LANSMAN dlansman@shawmedia.com
Monday, Nov. 17
Girls basketball
Pecatonica 57, Polo 29: Polo’s Cam Jones had 11 points, five steals, three rebounds, two assists and a block to open the season. Jones was 8 of 9 at the line. Elsa Monaco added six points and two assists for the Marcos. Korah Noud scored 30 points for the Indians.
Tuesday, Nov. 18
Boys bowling
Oregon 3,417, Erie-Prophetstown 2,502: The Oregon bowling program recorded its 400th dual victory with a boys team win at Town & Country Lanes in Mt. Morris. Coach Alan Nordman has been a part of all 400 wins, which include victories from the boys and girls. The program was started in 2003. The boys have gone 220-94, and the girls have gone 180-102.
Caleb Ehrler led the Hawks with a 625, and Andrew Stahl rolled a 616. Jaqin Glines led E-P with a 527.
Girls basketball
Forreston 45, South Beloit 33: The Cardinals used a 21-point second quarter to pull away for the win.
Hailee Vogt scored a game-high 14 points for Forreston to open the season.
Thursday, Nov. 20
Girls basketball
Polo 59, Pearl City 38: Cam Jones led Polo with 23 points, Carlee Grobe scored 14, and Leah Tobin added 13 in the win. The Marcos came back to win after trailing 14-10 in the first quarter.
Oregon 36, Amboy 29: At the Ore-
gon tournament, the Hawks had balanced scoring in the win as five players had at least five points. Aniyah Sarver led Oregon with eight points. Bella Yanos scored nine points for Amboy, and Sydney Whelchel had eight.
Orangeville 48, Forreston 20: Hailee Vogt led Forreston with six points in the loss. The Cardinals trailed 20-5 after the first quarter.
Boys bowling
Oregon 3,464, Sterling 2,860: Oregon’s RJ Keene bowled a whopping 795 (247-290-258) to set the school’s three-game series record for a dual meet. He knocked down 11 straight strikes in his 290 middle game. Caleb Ehrler was second for Oregon with a 596. Bryce Kooy led Sterling with a 620.
Friday, Nov. 21
Girls basketball
Forreston 45, Morrison 26: Hailee Vogt scored 16 points for the Cardinals in the win. Alice Kobler (10 points) was also in double figures for Forreston. Remzije Dzeladini had eight points for Morrison. Forreston pulled away with a 19-2 advantage in the second quarter.
Oregon 36, Aurora Christian 25: Aniyah Sarver and Sarah Eckardt each scored 10 points in the Hawks’ win.
Saturday, Nov. 22
Girls basketball
Newman 63, Oregon 34: In the third-place game at the Oregon tournament, Gisselle Martin hit five 3-pointers and scored 27 points as the Comets improved to 3-1. Lucy Oetting scored 16 points, and Elaina Allen added 12 for Newman, which led 20-10 after the first. Addison Rufer led Oregon with 10 points and Aniyah Sarver scored nine.
Mt. Morris’ Sellers part of UW-Whitewater football team
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
Briggs Sellers, a physical education major from Mt. Morris, is a member of
the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football team that is competing in the NCAA Division III national tournament for the 20th time in program history. The Warhawks (8-2 overall), who
earned an at-large bid to the 40-team national tournament, will host DePauw (Indiana) in a second-round game at noon Saturday, Nov. 29. UW-Whitewater last appeared in the
NCAA playoffs in 2023, reaching the quarterfinals. The program has won six national championships and has made 10 appearances in the Stagg Bowl (national title game), all since 2005.
Earleen Hinton for the Shaw Local News Network
Oregon’s Shaylee Davis (5) rebounds against Aurora Christian defenders at the Oregon Girls Tip-Off Tournament on Friday, Nov. 21, at the Blackhawk Center in Oregon.
Amboy tops Polo for 3rd straight 8-man title
Clippers scored 30 straight points to become first 3-time I8FA champion
By DRAKE LANSMAN dlansman@shawmedia.com
Adversity hit two-time defending Illinois 8-Man Football Association champion Amboy/LaMoille/Ohio early in Friday’s championship game in Monmouth.
Down two scores to Polo after the first quarter, the Clippers were unfazed. Amboy scored 30 straight points en route to a 30-20 win at Monmouth College’s April Zorn Memorial Stadium.
The defense dug in, and Jose Lopez ran for 292 yards and three touchdowns as Amboy (12-1) became the first three-time state champion in the I8FA.
“It feels great, but I’ve got to give thanks to my O-line,” Lopez said. “They opened up the holes – it was open, and I just had to make the cuts.”
In a battle of two teams with a pair of I8FA state titles, Amboy remains the league’s team to beat after an unprecedented three-peat.
“We have a great coach that pushes us through everything, and that’s all you really need,” Lopez said. “You need a strong head coach who can keep pushing, who has the right game plan. We have a strong line, and that’s what keeps us going.”
Last year’s Amboy team was led heavily by its seniors. This year, a number of new players needed to step up to get it done again.
“They were always there for us,” Lopez said of last year’s seniors. “They did a really good job at passing the torch, and we knew that we had big shoes to fill. Every single one of us did just that.”
Polo’s Mercer Mumford had a huge first quarter to give the Marcos the early advantage. He ran for two touchdowns as Polo (11-2) forged a 14-0 lead.
Lopez got rolling in the second quarter with a 29-yard TD, and Cody Winn caught a 9-yard score from Tanner Welch just 10 seconds before halftime to help tie the game and give the Clippers momentum.
Winn said that play shifted the game in Amboy’s favor. It was Welch’s only completion of the game in five passes.
“I think it was a big momentum shift,
and it got us ready to roll,” he said. “It took us into halftime with a good mentality.”
Polo was putting together a strong drive to start the second half, but turned it over on downs at the 6. Amboy held Polo until Jordan Reed caught a 14-yard TD from JT Stephenson with 1:12 to play.
Amboy coach Scott Payne said it showed a lot for his team to respond after getting down 14-0. Polo also took advantage of a high snap on an Amboy punt for good field position.
“I told the kids before the game adversity is going to hit throughout this game. It depends on if you flinch or not,” he said. “They bounced back. We got down 14-nothing, didn’t play very well in the first quarter, and they came back in that second quarter and tied it up.
“It just says a lot about these kids and how they just never give up and they just keep fighting.”
One of the biggest catalysts for Amboy this postseason has been Lopez, and he came through again in the biggest game of the season.
“He played great against Milledgeville, and this week I think he played even better,” Payne said. “Nobody really knew about him throughout the season, and then all of a sudden in the playoffs, he started ripping off some really good games.
“Jose played great today, and our offensive line after that first quarter really stepped up and started opening up the holes for him.”
Payne is proud of the three-peat, but directs all the credit to his players.
“The kids are the ones that put in all the work. Us coaches, we just tell them what to do, obviously in the weight room and the running, and they’re the ones that go through and they do it. And they push themselves, and they don’t question us in anything.
“They deserve all the credit in the world because this is their accomplishment for their hard work since last March.”
Amboy junior Evan Flanagan said it took grit.
“The ‘A’ on our helmets, they mean a lot to us,” he said. “We had to be more physical than the other team.”
Amboy senior Rylan McNinch said this year’s junior class was a big factor in the repeat. McNinch tipped a pass that he intercepted in the win.
“The juniors were a big help,” he said. “The majority of our offense and defense are juniors or sophomores, so they’ll definitely be back next year.”
Despite the loss, Polo battled in its first state appearance since winning it all in 2021.
Mumford was injured in the third
quarter and was unable to return. He finished with 162 yards and two scores. Stephenson threw for 131 yards and a touchdown on his final pass. Polo’s two-point conversion failed, and Amboy recovered the ensuing onside kick before icing the game.
“They started running it down our throats, really, and we didn’t give up,” Stephenson said. “We kept playing. You can’t be mad about that, we just kept going.”
Stephenson said Amboy made some changes on defense after the hot start.
“They’re tough players,” he said. “We shouldn’t be disappointed in ourselves. We made it all the way.”
Polo coach Ted Alston said Amboy’s size and physicality eventually took control of the line of scrimmage in the second quarter.
“Our kids played their hearts out against a really good team,” he said. “They were just a little bit too much for us up front.”
The Marcos were still a play or two away from potentially a different outcome.
“We needed to make a couple here or there that would have really changed things,” Alston said. “It’s a great experience for the kids. I know it’s disappointing for them right now, but I’m glad they got to experience it.”
Scott Anderson
Amboy/LaMoille/Ohio’s Jose Lopez, sprints down the field against Polo during the 8-man I8FA championship game on Friday, Nov. 21, at April Zorn Memorial Stadium in Monmouth.
Symmetry in this year’s state football finals
There is nearly perfect public/private symmetry in IHSA state football championships. In Lena-Winslow, Wilmington, Byron, Rochester and East St. Louis, we have the five top public programs in Illinois.
Then there are the Chicago Catholic League juggernauts, with likely titles in 4A, 5A, 7A and 8A. At least it won’t be seven championships like last year.
Lena-Winslow, Wilmington and Byron should ensure that won’t happen, as all are huge favorites at ISU’s Hancock Stadium on Friday. East St. Louis, more of a national power than any other team in Illinois, should win 6A.
In all there are 115 state title appearances by this year’s entrants. It’s definitely a Who’s Who of Illinois grid royalty.
It’s too bad the IHSA can’t set up a mythical state championship a week after the finals, with East St. Louis and Class 8A Chicago Mt. Carmel going after each other. Reputedly, they are head and shoulders above everyone else in the state and would make for must-see viewing.
With so many potential blowouts on tap, the IHSA finals won’t be that tantalizing. Usually, the most excitement occurs in the rounds leading up to Thanksgiving weekend.
Brown County, Le-Win’s opponent in 1A, upset Camp Point Central and Hardin Calhoun to reach the finals. In the regular season, it lost to them.
Brown County has never been downstate in football. At this point, it probably doesn’t care if it wins or loses a state title. Beating conference rivals in such close calls to reach the big stage carries more emotional cachet than winning state.
Sometimes, getting there is more
Andy Colbert SPORTS VIEWS
important than what you do once you get there.
That’s not the case for Le-Win, which might toss the runner-up trophy in the Illinois River on the way home should Brown County beat it. It’s win or bust for them in a sixth straight title game appearance.
I had the pleasure of being in Stockton for the Le-Win semifinal and couldn’t think of anywhere else in the world I would rather have been on that Saturday afternoon.
What a scene with fans standing 15 to 20 deep completely around the football field.
On the field was a display of 1A football at its absolute best. Stockton may have lost, but they were state-championship caliber.
After seeing Byron and IC Catholic the previous week and then Stockton and Le-Win, it was like watching the real state championships. Plus, they were shorter drives than going to Normal.
In a testament to Byron’s grid prowess, the Tigers ran all over a very good team in Richmond-Burton. If they can put 44 points on such a worthy foe, one can only imagine the scoring carnage that may be inflicted on Tolono Unity. Two years ago, Byron put up 69 points in the championship game.
Last week, I erroneously listed R-B as having a 2-0 playoff advantage over Byron. It should have been the other way and now we can up it to 3-0 in Byron’s favor.
According to the MaxPreps website, Byron is ranked as the 12th-best team in the entire state. It’s hard to fathom a small rural school reaching such lofty status ahead of so many Chicago-area 7A and 8A powers.
In its 2A semifinal game against El Paso-Gridley, Wilmington had a 41-0 lead before the first half ended. Look for more steamrolling to continue as it pursues a third state title in five years.
After taking on 4A Rochelle this year, Le-Win has scheduled Wilmington for next year in Week 2.
The reason I know Le-Win and Wilmington are playing is because of my source to the northwest, Kyle Kampmier. As a means for promoting high school sports, Kyle offers a pair of groups on Facebook in NUIC Football and NUIC All-Access.
Both are quite accurate and interesting to follow. Along with listening to Don Werntz broadcast games on the radio, they are my source for info in the northwest part of the state. Those two gentlemen are devoted to the cause and have their finger on the pulse of what is going on.
Kyle’s website has a rating system that predicts game scores better than anything I’ve seen. His rankings also are better than what the AP provides.
He supports every school in the league, as evidenced by his covering of the eight-man championship between Amboy and Polo, with the Clippers pulling off the three-peat.
Several years later, there continues to be disparaging remarks on the quality of play of eight-man and why certain schools are playing it instead of 11-man, such as Amboy.
Let’s start with quality of play. Of course, these teams aren’t going to be at the level of a Le-Win or Stockton. But the game itself is the same, with
the only difference being width of the field.
There will be more hitting in 11-man because there are six more players on the field. Hence, the more people, the potential for more physical contact.
Every time I’ve gone to Polo for a game, the Marcos bring it physically.
As far as larger schools playing eight-man, it is not the number of the players standing on the sideline, but the actual number of varsity players. A team may dress freshmen and sophomores for state games and that can look deceiving.
It is very important to understand that the vast majority of freshmen and sophomores are not physically mature enough to play against juniors and seniors.
That is the main reason schools have opted to leave 11-man for eightman. Young kids were getting pounded and that’s a sure fire way to discourage participation.
Schools don’t leave 11-man because they want an easier path to a state trophy. The No. 1 reason is not enough bodies to fill out a roster.
Yes, Amboy’s football enrollment of 303 (also include LaMoille and Ohio) is larger than anyone in the 11-man NUIC other than EPC and Du-Pec. By comparison, Milledgeville has an enrollment of 95 and beat Amboy in the regular season.
I’m assuming Amboy/LaMoille/ Ohio continues to stay in eight-man because of lack of participation. I know Ohio can’t be sending too many players there, as it has only 21 students total in the high school.
• Andy Colbert is a sports writer for Shaw Local covering high school sports in Ogle County.
• Worth noting: Jones averaged a team-high 17.9 points and 7.1 assists with 4.7 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and 3 steals a game last season as an all-state honorable mention by the IBCA and Illinois Media. Coach Grobe says experience will be a strength this season. “The six seniors have a combined 15 basketball varsity letters,” he said. “We will rely on our seniors for the majority of the minutes to start the season. I’m confident that the sophomores will work their way into the
rotation as the season goes on. If we can stay healthy, we should have an exciting season.”
• Key varsity newcomers: Eva Hundertmark, fr., G; Xairyn Goeddeke, fr., G; Grace Holaday, fr., F/C; Tenlei Patterson, fr., G
• Worth noting: Vogt is a Cornell College commit. Coach Getz says energy, athleticism and grit are strengths of the team. We have a large incoming freshmen group that brings a relentless drive and competitiveness that is reflected in how they play. Combined with our experienced upperclass players, our program will have more depth and energy this season,” he said. “We have a great chance to surprise a lot of teams this season. I’m proud of how hard our girls have been working and can’t wait to see the results on the court.”
‘Explosive’ Caden Considine, Byron best R-B
Tigers all-stater rushes for 287 yards, 5 touchdowns
By JOE AGUILAR jaguilar@shawmedia.com
Byron got more than a momentum-changing turnover early against host Richmond-Burton.
Almost immediately afterward, Tigers all-stater Caden Considine got his confidence, or at least he rediscovered his “explosive-play ability,” as he called it. That might have shaken the confidence of the Rockets’ stingy defense, which had held seven of its 12 opponents going into Saturday’s Class 3A state semifinal to single-digit points.
A confident Considine crushed the home team. Considine rushed for 287 yards and five touchdowns on 24 carries as second-seeded Byron rallied from an early deficit to beat No. 1 Richmond-Burton 44-10 in Richmond.
The win earned Byron (13-0) a berth in the state championship game against Tolono Unity (12-1). The teams will play at 4 p.m. Friday at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium in Normal.
R-B, which was seeking its first appearance at state since it won the Class 4A title with a perfect record in 2019, finished 12-1.
“Like I told the boys, today doesn’t define our season,” Rockets coach Mike Noll said.
R-B’s early turnover against Byron didn’t define its performance, but Considine said it “switched the momentum of this game.” The Rockets had struck first, with all-stater Hunter Carley (23 carries, 87 yards) capping a game-opening, 15-play, 73-yard drive with a 2-yard TD run with 3:25 left in the first quarter.
Then after Byron went three-and-out on its first possession, R-B’s Luke Johnson, who’s been wearing a club on his left arm during the playoffs, fumbled the ball on a sweep after a 5-yard gain, and Byron recovered at the R-B 37.
Byron’s hard-hitting junior defensive back JJ Edmonson forced the fumble.
“We thought they were going to do a little jet pass with [Johnson], but we didn’t know how he was going to throw that ball with a club on his hand,” Considine said. “We weren’t trying to blow him up because of the club on his hand, but I think that’s a little bit of the reason why he fumbled that ball.”
Considine carried for 9 yards, then 3 and then 25, scoring on the third carry, 35 seconds into the second quarter to even the score.
The previous week, IC Catholic had held Considine to 70 yards. Dawson Criddle and Kole Aken provided the ground production for Byron with IC Catholic committed to stopping Considine, as each had more than 100 yards rushing.
“Those first couple of runs felt good, especially after last week,” Considine said. “IC Catholic did a great job containing me, but it was good to get my explosive-play ability back this week.”
After Trey Maziarz kicked a 20-yard field goal to give R-B the lead back at 10-7 with 5:32 left before halftime, Byron needed only one play to answer. Considine busted off an 81-yard TD run, breaking tackles and outrunning Rockets to the end zone, and the Tigers had the lead for good.
Considine’s 19-yard TD run capped a five-play, 44-yard drive after the Tigers stuffed Carley on fourth-and-1, and Byron went into halftime up 21-10.
Considine scored his fourth and fifth TDs in the third quarter, from 13 and 2 yards, respectively. Aken added a fourth-quarter TD from 1 yard out.
“We couldn’t tackle [Considine],” Noll said.
Unlike against IC Catholic, Considine said he was able to get outside against R-B. When he did, the 6-foot, 210-pound senior either outraced defenders, knocked them over, stiff-armed them or shook off attempted tackles.
Considine has offers from Iowa (preferred walk-on), Western Illinois and North Dakota State.
“It’s been a long season and hadn’t really found somebody who runs like he does,” Rockets senior middle linebacker Trevor Szumanski said. “He runs hard, and he’s a good athlete. It stinks that we had to go out like that, but he’s a good player. [Byron) plays hard, and they deserved the win, so good luck to them at state.”
Byron did not throw a pass, but Considine’s effort led a ground attack that gained 379 yards against a Rockets
defense that hadn’t allowed more than 20 points in a game all season.
R-B totaled 204 yards of offense, including 135 on the ground. Quarterback Ray Hannemann completed his first five passes and finished 6 of 12 for 69 yards.
“First drive [of the game] was good,” Noll said. “But we just made too many mistakes, penalties (six for 24 yards). We just couldn’t maintain anything consistently. We knew we had to be perfect today, and we weren’t close. [Byron] is very good.”
Noll had no regrets, insisting the Rockets got the most out of their players this season and that anyone would have taken 12 wins at the beginning of the season.
“We’re in the semifinals, and the last two years I was on varsity we lost in the first round, so it’s a lot different this year,” said R-B senior outside linebacker/tight end Luke Robinson, who had two catches for 36 yards. “It’s just a testament to my class, the juniors, the sophomores and even the freshmen who came up for the playoffs. Just like a band of brothers, we’re a family, all the way through.”
Gregory Shaver
Byron’s Caden Considine stiff-arms Richmond-Burton’s Cooper Nagel as he runs with the football during an IHSA Class 3A semifinal on Saturday, Nov. 22, at Richmond-Burton High School in Richmond.
SPORTS
TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY
2009: An 11th round shootout goal from Brent Seabrook gave Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville his 500th career win. 2015: Philadelphia ends longest losing streak in major pro sports history, beating L.A. Lakers 103-91 to halt 28-game skid.
Monday, December 1, 2025
Richmond-Burton’s Luke Johnson fumbles the football as he is hit by Byron’s JJ Edmonson during an IHSA Class 3A semifinal playoff football game on Saturday, Nov. 22, at Richmond-Burton High School, in Richmond.
BLASTING A PATH TO THE TITLE
Byron rallied to beat Richmond-Burton 44-10 on Nov. 22. The win earned the 13-0 Tigers a berth in the 3A state championship game vs. Tolono Unity. / 31
