Library News

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

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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.

Illinois State Scholars were recognized at Oregon High School’s Pack the Place Night in between basketball games Jan. 6 at the Blackhawk Center.

Eight seniors were honored for their accomplishments: Ashley Cadie, Jennica Ciesiel, Alexys Davis, Ryan Fox, Valerie Nyderek, Abigail Rogers, Ethan Schafer and Sophia Stender.

The State Scholar Program, sponsored through the Illinois Student Assistance Co mmis sio n (ISA C), rec og nize s high school seniors for outstanding academic achievement.

“ISAC has paved the path to post-secondary education with innovative programs for more 50 years. Illinois State Scholar winners rank in the top percentile of high school seniors. Selection is based on SAT and/or ACT test performance and academic performance in high school,” the school district said in a social media post. “Oregon Junior and Senior High School is proud of our students for their hard work and dedication. We hope our scholars take pride in their accomplishment and recognize they have a promising future!”

Eight Oregon High School seniors were honored by being named Illinois State Scholars. Here, six of the students pose for a photo during a special presentation Jan. 6.

OREGON LIBRARY

Book Clubs

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.

The 2WBC Book Club meets Feb. 8, at 12:30 p.m. to discuss Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad.

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

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)

Join us at the Library for stories and crafts on Mondays at 10 am. Registration is required. Go online or call to register.

YOGA -New Day – Wednesday’s at 9:30 a.m.

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 required, please call 815-732-2724 or visit www. oregonpubliclibrary.com. Registration deadline is 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 Jan. 20 and come back, and “shop” the swap on Saturday from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. 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.

OPLD Dial-A-Story

Need a quick story? Call 815-732-2724, follow the prompts and presto...a story! Children’s stories are changed monthly. Current storyWhat Do You Do With An Idea? by Kobi Yamada

Oregon Public Library StoryWalk® @ Oregon Park West

StoryWalk® was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT in 2007, and developed in collaboration with the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition and the Kellogg Hubbard Library. Current story is Owl Moon by Jane Yolen.

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.

By ALEXA ZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com

An effort to restore the American Legion Memorial Fountain in Mt. Morris is taking shape.

The Mt. Morris Economic Development Corporation, a nonprofit 501(c) (3), has acquired ownership of the lot on which the fountain is located, said Rob Urish, a member of the Mt. Morris Economic Development Corporation. The property address is 16 S. Wesley Ave., Mt. Morris.

“The fountain was erected in 1926 in honor of World War I servicemen,” U r i s h s a i d . “ T h e l o c a l A m e r i c a n Legion Post [No. 143] underwrote the erection of it. There are stones there from all over the world, but predominately North America and the Midwest.”

Kable News Co. and Kable Product Services deeded the property to the EDC for $0 in exchange for a property appraisal the company could use as a tax write-off, Urish said. Originally, Kable executives wanted $10,000 for the property, he said.

The appraisal came in at $125,000, and the tax benefit of a donation of that amount “far exceeds the $10,000” originally sough, Urish said.

The EDC has been in contact with the Wisconsin-based Kohler Foundation regarding restoration of the fountain, he said.

The tentative plan is to deed the property to the Kohler Foundation, which in turn will underwrite the restoration of the fountain later this year, Urish said. Before that can happen, t h o u g h , t h e K o h l e r F o un da t i o n ’ s board has to approve the project.

Once the fountain is restored, the property will be deeded back to the village of Mt. Morris, Urish said.

“If it all comes to pass, we’re hoping to have a centennial celebration in 2026,” he said.

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media The memorial on the campus in downtown Mt. Morris was created by the Mt. Morris American Legion in 1926.

Off icials exploring barrier poles near intersection

Commissioners discuss options following Sunday auto accident

By ALEXA ZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com

A weekend crash has prompted Oregon city officials to ask the Illinois D e p a r t m e n t o f T r a n s p o r t a t i o n whether barrier poles can be added to the northwest corner of Illinois Routes 2 and 64.

A n S U V e n d ed u p i n t h e g l a s s garage door of Ogle County Brewery –which is located on that corner – after it was struck by another vehicle whose driver ran a red light early Sunday afternoon. No one was injured, according to police.

“We were really lucky. We dodged a bullet on this one that nobody was there [in the way] when this car went through,” Streets and Public Improvements Commissioner Tim Krug told fellow council members Tuesday. “It’s just a matter of time. It’s going to happen.”

Ogle County Brewery’s address is 400 W. Washington St., which is the name of Route 64 within city limits; Route 2 is called Fourth Street in city limits.

The barrier poles are relatively easy to install, Finance Commissioner Terry Schuster said. It’s an idea worth pursuing, he said.

“We were lucky there was no one sitting at a table by the door because the door just swept in,” Mayor Ken Williams said. “We also talked about, had they gone in closer to the street, they would have gone through the window and knocked over one of those tanks because that little knee wall’s not going to stop an SUV from coming through.

“So you hear about those things and you have to look and say, ‘What can we do to keep our citizens safe and our community safe?’” he added.

Krug noted that while the city isn’t legally liable for the intersection, there still is a level of moral responsibility. As such, he has instructed Public Works Director Bill Covell to reach out to IDOT.

“We don’t want somebody to get seriously injured or dead and thought we could have done something,” Krug said.

In other business, council members:

Unanimously approved a preliminary elevation and water line designs for a proposed Dollar General at 1192 Illinois Route 64 (E. Washington St.). The approval was sought by the developer prior to it doing full site plans to bring to Dollar General, City Administrator Darin DeHaan said. The project is not yet a sure thing, he said.

Unanimously approved job descriptions for a deputy police chief and a Public Works mechanic/heavy equipment operator.

SPECIAL EVENT

Recycle your electronics Jan. 27 in Oregon; permits are required in advance, but they are free

The Ogle County Solid Waste Management Department (OCSWMD) will host a residential electronics recycling event on Jan. 27, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 909 Pines Road in Oregon.

This event is for Ogle County residents only and a free permit is required in advance of the event.

To obtain a free permit call 815-732-4020 or email solidwaste@oglecountyil.gov by 4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 26.

Accepted items include all televisions and computer monitors, computers, computer hardware and cables, laptops, tablets, cellphones, printers, FAX machines, scanners, shredders (no tubs), copiers, video gaming equipment, DVD/VCRs, cable/satellite boxes, stereo equipment, radios, digital clocks, cameras, calculators, phone systems, holiday light strands, extension cords, rechargeable batteries, printer ink cartridges, CD/DVDs, and

CFL bulbs.

Microwave ovens are accepted for $5 per unit. Cash or check is accepted.

There is a limit of seven large or bulky items per permit and one permit per county household per month.

Business or institutional electronic materials are not accepted at these events.

For more information about this recycling event call the OCSWMD at the number listed earlier, visit www.oglecounty.org, or go on Facebook at Ogle County Solid Waste Management Dept.