Library News

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OFFICE 113-115 Peoria Ave. Dixon, IL 61021 815-732-6166, ext. 2592

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Publisher Jennifer Heintzelman 815-632-2502 jheintzelman@shawmedia.com

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

Advertising Sales Jennifer Heintzelman 815-632-2502 jheintzelman@shawmedia.com

Oregon Republican Reporter, Ogle County News and oglecountynews.com are a division of Shaw Media. Ogle County Newspapers also prints the Mt. Morris Times, Forreston Journal and Polo’s Tri-County Press.

The OREGON REPUBLICAN REPORTER (USPS No. 411-420) is published weekly by B.F. Shaw Printing Co., Shaw Media. Periodical postage paid at Oregon, Illinois, 61061. POSTMASTER Send address changes to OGLE REPUBLICAN REPORTER, P.O. Box 8, Oregon, IL 61061. Phone 815-732-6166, ext. 5306.

A Dec. 26 water main break has been repaired, but it has left an Oregon intersection damaged.

At 12:34 p.m. Dec. 26, a water main broke at South Fifth and Madison streets in front of the Nash Recreation Center.

Water had to be turned off and will affect homes and businesses in the 200 block of South Fifth Street.

“This is an extensive break, and crews are working through the related issues,” the city posted on its website. A boil order was issued for the 200 block of South Fifth Street and lifted after repairs to the main were made.

On Tuesday, City Administrator Darin DeHaan said repairs to the water main are complete, but repairs to the pavement above the main remain to be made.

“They will eventually dig up the area to backfill again due to the extensive burrowing the water did,” he said.

Soil and gravel beneath the southwest corner of the intersection were washed away when the line broke, leaving a large hole in the pavement. The area has been roped off by the street department.

There is not yet a timeline on the road repairs, DeHaan said.

“It will be a while due to the possibility of large portions settling,” he said. “That leak blew out a ton of gravel.”

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media A water main break at the corner of South Fifth and Madison streets resulted in a large washout under the pavement on the southwest edge of the intersection in front of the Nash Recreation Center.

OREGON LIBRARY

Book Clubs

The 2WBC Book Club meets Jan. 11 at 12:30 p.m. to discuss Gilead: A Novel by Marilynne Robinson.

Cocktails & Crimes will meet Sunday, Jan. 15 at 4 p.m. (grab a book to find out where).

The Afternoon Book Club meets Wednesday, Jan. 18, 16 at 1 p.m. to discuss the Four Winds by Kristin Hannah.

Is This Just Fantasy? Book Club meets Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 6 p.m. at the Library to discuss A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross.

Books on Tap meets Thursday, Jan. 26 at 6 p.m. to discuss Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt.

Virtual Author Visit Watch Party - Saturday, Feb. 11, 3-4 p.m.

Love the graphic novel series Real Friends? Join us for a virtual author visit with writer, Shannon Hale and illustrator, LeUyen Pham! they will talk about their books, answer your questions, and share an engaging activity. Registration begins now and can be done by going online or calling 815-732-2724. For more info, call the Library.

Winter Blues Bundle - Jan. 10 through Feb. 10

Register for a winter blues bundle beginning Jan. 2. Not sure what to read, do, or need something to keep you busy during these cold winter months? Winter Blues Bundle! Each bundle will have a hand-picked book, magazine, DVD and some fun activities. Complete the registration form online at www.oregonpubliclibrary.com or stop in the library to complete one.

Preschool Story Time (18 months- 5 years)

We ready for 2023! Join us at the Library for stories and crafts on Mondays at 10 a.m., beginning Jan. 9. Registration is required. Go online or call to register.

YOGA -New Day – Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. beginning Jan. 4

Functional Yin-Yasa - This class is a hybrid of yang (active yoga) with yin (passive yoga). We will use fundamental yoga postures combined with functional movements to build strength and warmth followed by passive, long held poses to help with flexibility and mobility of the joints and soft tissues. A yoga mat and blocks will be useful props for this class! All levels welcome.” Oregon Library Patrons only. Registration required, this class fills quickly. Please call 815-732-2724 or visitwww.oregonpubliclibrary.com.

Try It Tuesday – Tuesday, Jan. 17 at 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. (Choose your time slot)

Melted Crayon Art Jewelry. This is NOT a Take and Make. All supplies are provided. This is an adult class, teens are welcome. Registration deadline Jan. 13.

A Killer Among Us (Part 2): Killers, Stalkers & Creeps of Chicago’s Modern Era - Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 6:30 p.m.

After an apparent breather during Chicago’s Beer Wars of the Roaring Twenties, the Serial Killer is back for our Modern Era…and they are more insatiable than before. Gone are poison and insurance claims - only to be replaced by bloodshed and lust. If you’re not too frightened (yet) please join Clarence Goodman for “A Killer Among Us (Part 2): Killers, Stalkers & Creeps of Chicago’s Modern Era.” Registration required, call 815-732-2724 or visit www.oregonpubliclibrary. com.

Craft Swap – Saturday, Jan. 21 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. What is a craft swap? “It’s when you gather up all the craft supplies, materials, tools, and accessories that have been hanging out in your craft room collecting dust for a while and give them away to someone who will actually use them. You know that phrase “one person’s trash is another’s treasure?” That definitely applies to crafting. You may have been hanging onto the same scrapbook paper and ribbons for three years, but someone might be able to use it this weekend.” – organized-ish. So collect your items, bring them to the library January 20th and come back and “shop” the swap on Saturday from 10am-3pm. If you’d like any items back after the swap that were not taken, please label with your name and phone number.

Puzzle Library

The library has a free puzzle library. Take a puzzle, leave a puzzle. This is open to anyone in the community.

Oregon Writers Group - 2nd Tuesday each month at 10 a.m.

The OWG is a gathering of writers or writer-wannabes who meet to support each other and further their own writing. The purpose of the group is to help and encourage you in your writing. If you need brainstorming ideas, we can help suggest ideas or aid with the creative process.

Passport Services

The Oregon Public Library offers Passport Application Processing. Patrons seeking Passport Services should call the Library prior to their visit to ensure that an official processor is available at that time and for a checklist of items, you will need for the appointment.

Mor ing Disposal sells to Republic Ser vices

By BRANDON CLARK For Shaw Media

After 45 years in business, Moring Disposal Inc. sold its operations and land to Republic Services on Dec. 15.

In a joint announcement posted on the Republic website, both companies promised customers a seamless transition and said that customer fees, invoices, payment locations, garbage collection day and customer service phone numbers would remain the same.

Customers also can continue to use their Moring trash and recycling containers. Some will continue to see Moring Disposal trucks picking up their waste.

Moring Disposal always has been a family-owned operation. In a letter sent to some customers, owner Larry Moring said the decision to sell did not come lightly, but he assured customers would continue to receive the same level of service with Republic.

The Arizona-based company purchased the Rock Falls property at 2110 McNeil Road for $964,800 and five parcels of land in Forreston for $749,369.

Both companies declined to discuss the terms of the acquisition.

Republic Services, Inc. became the second-largest nonhazardous solid waste management company in the U.S. after purchasing its larger competitor Allied in 2008 for $6.1 billion.

Customers can continue to call 815-622-0500 (Rock Falls) or 800-423-0759 (Forreston) or go to moringdisposal.com for further questions.

Moring Disposal was founded in 1977 by Larry Moring of Forreston. Moring started the business with two older garbage trucks and a small trash collection route.

Moring Disposal had facilities in Forreston, Freeport, Lanark and Rock Falls.

According to the moringdisposal.com: “Our company currently serves in excess of 30,000 homes and nearly 4,000 businesses throughout our core seven county service area along with our temporary roll off dumpster rental options in our expanded service area.”

Municipal contracts – numbering more than 20 –included Savanna, Morrison, Oregon, Polo, Lanark and Rock Falls.

Moring Disposal also had a transfer station at 30687 U.S. 52, just east of Lanark. Waste transfer facilities are specialized sites designed to receive, store, process and move waste material from one point to another.

According to Republic’s website, the company operates in 47 states, has 14 million customers, makes 5 million daily pickups and has 71 recycling processing centers.

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media Above left: Moring Disposal Inc. totes sit along a street in Polo. Moring Disposal, founded in 1977 in Forreston by Larry Moring, was sold to Republic Services on Dec. 15. The sale included the property in Forreston (above right).

Judge sets Feb. 15 hearing in 2021 death of Oregon f irst grader

By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com

An Oregon woman accused of killing her 7-yearold son in 2021 won’t have to appear in court until February after an Ogle County judge granted a defense request for a continuance.

Sarah Safranek, 35, appeared in Ogle County Court on Dec. 28 via a video conference from the Ogle County Correctional Center.

Safranek has pleaded not guilty to five counts of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated battery for the suffocation death of her son, Nathaniel Burton, in February 2021.

On Nov. 3, Judge John Redington ruled Safranek was fit to stand trial for the offenses after reviewing a mental health evaluation requested by the defense.

On Wednesday, Ogle County Public Defender Kathleen Isley asked for the continuance, noting that she and another public defender were planning on meeting with Safranek again next week.

Ogle County State’s Attorney Mike Rock did not object to the continuance.

Redington said the hearing would resume at 1 p.m. Feb. 15.

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media Sarah Safranek appeared in court Dec. 28 via video from the Ogle County

Correctional Center.

Man arrested for attempted murder on New Year’s Eve

By ALEXA ZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com

A Byron man was arrested for attempted murder after police say he ran one person over with his vehicle and stabbed another in a Forreston parking lot on New Year’s Eve.

Jeremy G. Jones, 41, of Byron, was arrested for attempted murder, aggravated battery with a motor vehicle, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and improper container/ driver, according to an Ogle County Sheriff’s Office news release. Jones was transported to the Ogle County Jail and held in lieu of bond.

“The early investigation indicates that this was a road rage incident that escalated,” Sheriff Brian VanVickle said.

He said there appears to have been “some type of incident” outside Forreston, after which the two victims stopped their vehicle in a parking lot within the village. It was then that Jones attacked the victims, VanVickle said.

VanVickle did not know the health status of the two victims.

The altercation occurred at 10:40 p.m. on Dec. 31 in the 200 block of 1st Avenue (Illinois Route 26) in downtown Forreston, according to the release.

Jones also was cited for no insurance and speeding, according to the release. Jeremy Guy Jones

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT, FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS CAUSE NO. 2022TX37: TO THE FOLLOWING NAMED PERSONS (AND IF DECEASED, TO THEIR UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DEVISEES), AND TO THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, AND TO ALL INTERESTED DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES THEREOF, INCLUDING AMONG OTHERS ILLINOIS DEPT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY, ILLINOIS PUBLIC AID CONSULTANT, ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL, STATE OF ILLINOIS DEPT OF HEALTHCARE & FAMILY SERVICES (PUBLIC AID) GENERAL COUNSEL AND OGLE COUNTY CLERK, OGLE COUNTY TREASURER, OGLE COUNTY STATES ATTORNEY, CITY OF OREGON, COMMONWEALTH EDISON CO, LOST LAKE UTILITY DISTRICT, UNITED LOST LAKE PROPERTY OWNERS, AND TO OCCUPANTS, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND PARTIES INTERESTED IN THE PARCELS HEREINAFTER NAMED: Parcel Number Owners/Parties Interested Cert Number Street Or Common Address 14-16-176-007 WARNKEN, ED L 2019-00013 404 W. BUFFALO ST. 14-16-176-007 CITY OF POLO CITY CLERK 2019-00013 404 W. BUFFALO ST. 14-16-176-007 TAX LIEN INVESTMENTS 2019-00013 404 W. BUFFALO ST. 25-23-286-004 WICKE, MARIAN 2019-00041 224 E. DEPOT ST. 25-23-286-004 REALTAX DEVELOPERS LTD RA: NICOLE HATCH 2019-00041 224 E. DEPOT ST. 25-23-286-004 VILLAGE OF CRESTON 2019-00041 224 E. DEPOT ST. 25-23-286-004 WICKE, BURTON A 2019-00041 224 E. DEPOT ST. 25-23-286-004 ROBB, REBECCA 2019-00041 224 E. DEPOT ST. 24-25-280-013 SHOOK, DONALD R 2019-00095 212 AVENUE H 24-25-280-013 SHOOK, JANET E 2019-00095 212 AVENUE H 24-25-280-013 SHOOK, DONALD 2019-00095 212 AVENUE H 24-25-280-013 RUTLEDGE, RANDY 2019-00095 212 AVENUE H 24-25-280-013 RUTLEDGE, LINDA 2019-00095 212 AVENUE H 24-28-102-012 INMAN, CASSANDRA M TRUSTEE THE ELLEN E INMAN IRREVOC TRUST 2019-00102 11052 E. LINCOLN LN. 24-28-102-012 REALTAX DEVELOPERS LTD RA: NICOLE HATCH 2019-00102 11052 E. LINCOLN LN. 24-28-102-012 TAX LIEN INVESTMENTS 2019-00102 11052 E. LINCOLN LN. 02-28-381-006 SCHANDELMEIER, DALE W 2019-00108 402 W. WHITE OAK RD. 02-28-381-006 SCHANDELMEIER, RHONDA L 2019-00108 402 W. WHITE OAK RD. 02-28-381-006 VILLAGE OF FORRESTON 2019-00108 402 W. WHITE OAK RD. 02-28-381-006 TAX LIEN INVESTMENTS 2019-00108 402 W. WHITE OAK RD. 02-26-100-002 SCHANDELMEIER, DALE W 2019-00152 8950 N. COLUMBINE RD. 02-26-100-002 SCHANDELMEIER, RHONDA L 2019-00152 8950 N. COLUMBINE RD. 12-19-476-014 BEACH, BRENDA K 2019-00156 WENDORF RD. 12-19-476-014 BEACH, DAVID R 2019-00156 WENDORF RD. 12-19-476-014 FIRST NATIONAL BANK & TRUST COMPANY 2019-00156 WENDORF RD. 12-19-476-014 CENTRAL BANK ILLINOIS 2019-00156 WENDORF RD. 15-09-300-002 GEORGE, BETH WHITE PINES LODGE 2019-00200 6712 W. PINES RD. 09-11-176-006 SNYDER, HARRY E 2019-00219 PARK DR. 11-27-213-003 PCO HOMES LLC MGR: JACOB J PETRY 2019-00238 1035 NORTHWESTERN AVE. 22-07-126-004 HARRIS, WILLIAM J 2019-00240 S. ROCK NATION RD. 22-07-126-004 BLAKESLEE, BETH A 2019-00240 S. ROCK NATION RD. 22-08-105-020 TERRY, JAMES P 2019-00242 SLIPPERY ROCK DR. 22-08-204-007 WAGENKNECHT, JAMES 2019-00245 MISSISSIPPI DR. 22-08-204-007 WILLIAMS, ROBBIE L 2019-00245 MISSISSIPPI DR. 22-08-427-001 SMK1 LLC MGR: SCOTT LODOR 2019-00251 PORTAGE LN. & MISSISSIPPI DR. 22-08-427-002 SMK1 LLC MGR: SCOTT LODOR 2019-00252 PORTAGE LN. 22-08-427-003 SMK1 LLC MGR: SCOTT LODOR 2019-00253 PORTAGE LN. & MIAMI DR. 22-08-427-016 RICHMOND, FONZIE 2019-00255 MIAMI DR. 22-08-427-017 RICHMOND, FONZIE 2019-00256 MIAMI DR. 22-08-427-017 NEW LANDING POA MGR: BARB WIESE 2019-00256 MIAMI DR. 22-08-428-003 KACIN, GEORGE B 2019-00257 PORTAGE LN. & CUYAHOGA DR. 22-08-429-010 LAWSON, CHARLES 2019-00258 VERMILLION LN. 22-08-477-010 RASMUSSEN, GRACE TRUSTEE RASMUSSEN, GRACE 2019-00261 IRON CT. 22-09-103-005 WILCOX, MATTHEW 2019-00262 TIMBER TRAIL DR. 22-09-103-005 WILCOX, DUSTIN 2019-00262 TIMBER TRAIL DR. 22-09-103-005 PALENEER, TRISHA 2019-00262 TIMBER TRAIL DR. 22-09-103-005 KITSON, WILFORD R 2019-00262 TIMBER TRAIL DR. 22-09-103-014 MILLER, MARC R 2019-00263 WHITE PINE DR. 22-09-327-007 TURNER, MINETTE 2019-00265 HICKORY LN. 22-09-352-008 NORTHERN ILLINOIS PROPERTY LLC 2019-00266 PARK DR. & CUYAHOGA DR. 20-11-463-001 SPAINE, ROSELIE 2019-00268 802 S. CENTRAL ST. TAKE NOTICE THAT THE ABOVESAID PARCELS WERE SOLD ON NOVEMBER 4, 2020, FOR GENERAL TAXES FOR THE YEAR 2019 AND PRIOR YEARS, AND THAT THE PERIOD OF REDEMPTION FROM SUCH SALE EXPIRES JUNE 2, 2023. TAKE FURTHER NOTICE THAT A PETITION FOR ORDER DIRECTING ISSUANCE OF TAX DEEDS HAS BEEN FILED IN THE ABOVESAID CAUSE AS TO THE ABOVE-NAMED PARCELS BY OGLE COUNTY, AS TRUSTEE, AND THAT ON JUNE 22, 2023 AT 9:00 AM [COURTROOM 302], SAID PETITIONER WILL APPLY FOR AN ORDER THAT A TAX DEED ISSUE AS TO EACH ABOVESAID PARCEL NOT REDEEMED ON OR BEFORE JUNE 2, 2023. /S/ OGLE COUNTY AS TRUSTEE, PETITIONER. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE COUNTY CLERKADDRESS: 105 S. 5TH ST STE 104, OREGON, IL 61061TELEPHONE: (815) 732-1110 December 30, 2022, January 6, 13, 2023

Sheriff: Slippery roads, limited visibility appear to have played role

By ALEXA ZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com

A Rock Falls woman was killed and a Polo man died on Monday following a crash on Illinois Route 2 just south of Byron early New Year’s Day.

Laurie Griggs, 48, of Rock Falls, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to an Ogle County Sheriff’s Office news release.

Terrence Pearse, 62, of Polo, was transported by Byron ambulance to Javon Bea Hospital-Riverside in Rockford for severe injuries.

Pearse died on Jan. 2, Winnebago Deputy Coroner Mike Smirz said.

“It does appear the weather played a role,” Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle said.

“It was very slippery and there was extremely limited visibility at the time of the crash.”

There was dense fog and the roads were “covered in ice” at the time of the two-vehicle crash, according to the release.

Pearse was driving a 2016 Toyota Prius and Griggs was driving a 2009 Nissan Altima when the cars collided, according to the release.

B y r o n F i r e a n d A m b u l a n c e responded to the scene.

The crash occurred at 7:18 a.m. in front of 6645 Route 2 north of Oregon, VanVickle said.

The road was closed for about four hours, reopening at 11 a.m.

The crash remains under investigation.

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media Illinois Route 2 was closed between Camling and East Townline roads Sunday morning following a serious auto accident. Here, an Ogle County squad car sits next to the barricades at East Patricia Road, near the Irwin Acres subdivision, seven miles north of Oregon. Heavy fog blanketed the area in the morning hours.

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PermitNo.440 Sterling,IL61081 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT, FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS CAUSE 2022TX38: TO THE FOLLOWING NAMED PERSONS (AND IF DECEASED, TO THEIR UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DEVISEES), AND TO THE ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL, ILLINOIS SECRETARY OF STATE VEHICLE SERVICES, ILLINOIS SECRETARY OF STATE AND OGLE COUNTY CLERK, OGLE COUNTY TREASURER, OGLE COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY, DITECH FINANCIAL LLC MANAGER: GREEN TREE SERVICING CORP, DITECH FINANCIAL LLC CORP AGENT: C T CORPORATION SYSTEM, AND TO OCCUPANTS AND UNKNOWN OWNERS AND PARTIES INTERESTED IN THE PARCELS HEREINAFTER NAMED:

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Parcel Number Owners/Parties Interested Cert Number Street Or Common Address 24-40-50-094-0 REED, TOM 2019-90010 7139 S LILAC LOT 94 24-40-70-011-0 CONWAY SR, JOHN R 2019-90017 120 E MEADOWLAND LOT 11

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

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