Oregon_Republican_Reporter-03-22-2024

Plote trial continues

Fire department officials answer questions on second day of trial / 5

Band Extravaganza

Oregon band students from fifth grade through high school perform / 7

Advisory group forms

State Rep. Tony McCombie launches Women in Agricultural group / 10

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Copyright 2024

Black Hawk Art Restoration Board announces fundraiser

SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com

OREGON – The Black Hawk Art Restoration and Development Committee will host a fundraising event at the NIU Lorado Taft Field Campus from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 14.

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The Eagle’s Nest Luncheon and Matinee: The Blind will include a special buffet luncheon in the Taft Campus dining hall followed by a performance of “The Blind.”

“The Blind” originally was written by French playwright Maurice Maeterlinck and performed at the Eagle’s Nest Art Colony, inspiring a Lorado Taft sculpture of the same name. This year’s performance will feature BARD members, Ore-

gon Park District staff and NIU Lorado Taft Field Campus staff and is directed by Debbie Dickson of Oregon.

There will be a silent auction and the opportunity to tour the historic Lorado Taft Field Campus to see original Eagle’s Nest Art Colony structures.

2024 commemorates the five-year anniversary of the completion of the Black Hawk Restoration Project in which significant repairs were made to Lorado Taft’s iconic Eternal Indian Statue.

Landscaping of the statue pavilion was completed in 2023. This year’s fundraiser aims to ensure the permanent ongoing maintenance of the Eternal Indian Statue. Funds raised by BARD from the luncheon will be presented to the Illinois Conservation Foundation and

dedicated to ensuring the historic Eternal Indian Statue remains beautiful for years to come.

The Eagle’s Nest Luncheon and Matinee: The Blind is a cooperative effort between the NIU Lorado Taft Field Campus, BARD and the Oregon Park District. Registration for the event is open to the public until April 7 and can be done in person at Nash Recreation Center, by phone at 815-732-3101 or online at www. oregonpark.org.

The registration fee is $70 for Oregon Park District residents and $80 for nonresidents.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Illinois Conservation Foundation and Oregon Park District Youth Scholarship fund.

Tickets on sale for Merry Martha Club Quilt Raffle

LEAF RIVER – The 2024 Merry Martha Club Quilt Raffle is underway. The quilt pattern this year is Simply Serene, designed by Diana Beaubien for Pleasant Valley Creations.

The quilt is 65 inches by 75 inches.

The featured fabric is called Homespun, a lightweight fabric of fine cotton yarns produced by using traditional colonial fabric techniques of hand dying, warping, weaving and washing.

It was constructed by club member Donna Immel of Leaf River and quilted by April Lantz of Simply Sewn 4 Ewe of Byron.

OREGON LIBRARY

Solar Eclipse Viewers

On Monday, April 8, there will be a partial solar eclipse. In preparation, the Adler Planetarium in Chicago has provided public libraries in Illinois with a limited supply of safe solar viewers. While our supply lasts, free viewers will be available for Oregon Public Library cardholders beginning Monday, March 25. Maximum of four per family.

Story Time (18 months to 6 years)

10 a.m. Mondays. Stories, activities and fun. Go online or call to register.

Find A Character Ticket!

What is a Character Ticket? A Character Ticket represents an image of a character from that specific book. Character Tickets will be hidden in books in the children/ youth book collection. After you check out a book and find a Character Ticket in the book, you may adopt that character doll

Club members donated time and fabric for the annual fundraiser and look forward to having the quilt go to a lucky member of the community.

Raffle tickets cost $1 each or six for $5.

Tickets can be bought at the Oregon Women’s Club’s 72nd annual Antique Show and Vintage Market on March 23 and 24 at Blackhawk Center in Oregon or by calling the Bertolet Memorial Library at 815-738-2742.

The raffle drawing will be about 4 p.m. Sunday, June 2, at the Bertolet Building after the Leaf River Daze Parade.

The winner does not need to be present.

All money raised from the raffle goes to local community organizations such as the Leaf River Fire Department, Soaring Eagles 4H Club, Leaf River Fireworks, Bertolet Memorial Library Kids Reading Program and the Leaf River Mentoring Program.

The Merry Martha Club is a local community service organization that was started in February 1917 by homemakers of the rural Leaf River community. It continues to this day with the same spirit of giving as in 1917.

and take it home. Open to Oregon Public Library cardholders only. May adopt only once.

Knit & Crochet is back on Mondays

The group will meet at 1 p.m. and is open to anyone. From beginner to expert, all skill levels are welcome. Bring any hand craft and work on it while socializing. Need help getting started with your knitting project? Stop in on a Monday. Registration is requested. Visit www.oregonpubliclibrary. com or call 815-732-2724.

Lego Club

3 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, for second grade and older.

School’s out for break so grab some friends and come build something. The club is designed to provide an enjoyable activity that stimulates and develops spatial intelligence. Registration is required. Call

815-732-2724 or visit www.oregonpubliclibrary.com.

Book Clubs

Is This Just Fantasy? Book Club will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, at the library to discuss “The Blood Trials” by N.E. Davenport.  Books on Tap Book Club meets at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 28, at Cork & Tap to discuss “Did You Hear About Kitty Kar” by Crystal Smith Paul.

The 2WBC meets at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, to discuss “The Curious Incident of the Dog in The Night-Time” by Mark Haddon.

Cocktails & Crimes will meet at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 21, at Courthouse Tavern.  The Afternoon Book Club meets at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, to discuss “Master Butchers Singing Club” by Louise Erdrich.

HOW ARE WE DOING?

Cox wins nomination for Ogle County coroner

By CHARLENE BIELEMA cbielema@shawmedia.com

OREGON – In the Republican race for Ogle County coroner, Christie Cox came out ahead with a slim lead over Chad Horner. With all precincts reporting, Cox received 3,812 votes, or 50.68%, over Horner’s 3,709, which is 49.32% of the vote.

Cox and Horner were seeking the nomination to fill the office that will become vacant after coroner Lou Finch’s term concludes this year. Finch chose not to run for reelection.

There is no Democrat running for the seat.

Ogle County sales tax referendum

In Ogle County, a measure to approve a new sales tax of 1% for schools, school resource officers and mental health professionals failed. Almost 70% of those who turned out at the polls voted against the measure. Unofficial vote totals were 6,228 no votes to 2,729 yes votes.

Ogle County Board

Only 30 votes separated Republicans

Ron Kern and Dan Janes in the Republican primary race to fill a District 5 seat on the Ogle County Board. With 100% of precincts reporting, Janes was the top vote-getter at 576 votes, or 51.34% of the vote, to Kern’s 546, which

equals 48.66% of all votes cast.

37th District

A former Dixon mayor won the Republican nomination in the race toward filling an Illinois state Senate seat.

About 10 p.m. Tuesday, The Associated Press declared Li Arellano Jr. of Dixon to be the unofficial winner of

the Republican primary for the 37th District Senate seat. That seat is filled by state Sen. Win Stoller, R-Germatown Hills. Stoller has represented the 37th District since 2020 but decided not to seek a third term. Stoller endorsed Arellano for the seat Feb. 22. There is no Democratic Party candidate.

In an interview with Shaw Local News Network shortly after his win,

Arellano said he is eager to get to work and is looking forward to getting to know the residents of the 12 counties that make up the 37th District.

He described the election outcome as an exciting and humbling experience.

“The work is just beginning,” he said, adding that party labels are worn in the time running up to an election, “but once you take the oath, you’re serving everybody. As I prepare for the job, that is my mentality.”

Arellano faced Tim Yager and Chris Bishop for the Republican nomination to represent District 37, which includes all of Whiteside and Lee counties, most of Bureau County and portions of DeKalb, Henry, La Salle, Marshall, Ogle, Peoria, Rock Island, Stark and Woodford counties.

Locally, Arellano received more than 50% of the vote in Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties.

In Lee County, Arellano received 55.16% of the vote (2,084 votes). Bishop received 1,009 votes. Yager received 685 votes.

Arellano received 52.64% of the Whiteside County vote, with 1,772 votes to Yager’s 1,155 and Bishop’s 439.

In Ogle County, Arellano received 52.2% of the vote. He garnered 1,328 votes to Yager’s 776 and Bishop’s 439.

Ogle County voters say no to 1% sales tax for schools

By ALEXA ZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com

OREGON – Ogle County voters on Tuesday rejected a request from schools to adopt a 1% sales tax.

A total of 6,228 people, or 69.53%, voted no, while 2,729, or 30.47%, voted in favor of the proposition.

“The democratic process worked exactly as it should,” said PJ Caposey, who is superintendent for Meridian School District 223 and was hired as the Oregon School District 220 superintendent for the start of the 2024-25 academic year. “The local [school] districts have the right to put this on the ballot. The residents of Ogle County have the right to vote yes or no and this result clearly indicates which way the county felt about the tax.”

Had the proposition passed, the language on Ogle County’s ballots would have allowed schools to use the money for infrastructure-related expenses, school resource officers and mental health professionals.

The question on the ballot read: “Shall a retailers’ occupation tax and a service occupation tax [commonly

referred to as a sales tax] be imposed in the County of Ogle, Illinois, at a rate of 1% to be used exclusively for

The tax would have gone on everything in the municipal and county tax base, except for cars, trucks, ATVs, boats, RVs, mobile homes, unprepared food, drugs including over-thecounter and vitamins, farm equipment and parts, farm inputs, services and anything not currently taxed.

“We’re disappointed to learn the 1% sales tax did not pass,” Forrestville Valley Community Unit School District Superintendent Sheri Smith said. “We’ll continue to share information with our community in hopes that we can add to a future ballot.”

Revenue from the 1% sales tax would have gone toward the following school districts: Oregon, Forrestville Valley, Polo, Kings, Creston, Rochelle Township High School, Rochelle Elementary, Meridian, Byron, Eswood, Eastland, Hiawatha, Dixon and Ashton-Franklin Center.

Eastland, Hiawatha, Dixon and Ashton-Franklin Center school districts primarily are located outside Ogle County but still would have received a portion of the funds because they have students enrolled who reside in Ogle County.

Alex T. Paschal

Liriam Mimini (left) shows Li Arellano early primary election results March 19 in the state Senate 37th District Republican race. Arellano was declared the unofficial winner of the race, defeating Chris Bishop and Tim Yager.

school facility purposes, school resource officers and mental health professionals?”

Earleen Hinton

Bill Nelson and election judge Pam Steele watch Nelson’s ballot get tallied March 19 at Oregon-Nashua 2 at the Rock River Center in Oregon.

Daffodils and crayons as we wait for spring

I just saw my first robin and my daffodils are opening up whether winter is finished or not. How many of you remember playing hide and seek with the person doing the seeking calling out, “Here I come, ready or not?” I feel spring is calling out the same little phrase.

Tim is always telling me not to uncover stuff too early but things are green and growing with temperatures in the 70s at times. It has been wonderful to be outside checking flower beds that are dry.

Even some of the violets were drying up so we need moisture. The strong winds dry things out more, so I have been watering flower beds along the house under the eaves.

The last time I spent several hours at the museum, we were going through things and cleaning out some earlier boxes that were brought in. I

POLO HISTORY

Betty Obendorf

came across a bag of early school supplies. One was an old pencil box. Remember how we had them in our desks? Also in the bag were two boxes of early crayons.

The name on the box was “Prang Crayograph” crayons made by the American Crayon Company. All the crayons are there in eight colors and they are all in good shape. The American Crayon Company came to be as it merged with other companies in 1890.

One of the companies was The Parmenter Crayon Company that had its beginning in 1835 and made white chalk.

Another early company was the

Western School Supply Company formed in 1865. It, too, made while chalk. Another company was the Tiffin Crayon Company. They all joined together and formed the American Crayon Company. Their headquarters was in Sandusky, Ohio.

By 1902, the American Crayon Company started making the wax crayon and in 1918 it started using a new symbol of the Old Faithful geyser on its box. The two boxes we have use that symbol.

In 1922, the company was influencing the art world through a publication called “Everyday Art” with art instructions. It also acquired the use of the Prang name at this time. Our boxes have the Prang name on them. Louis Prang was the father of art.

New products from the company included Tru-Tone in 1924, ColorArt in 1928, Kindograph in 1929 and Pay-

ons in 1937.

In the early 1950s, the American Crayon Company discussed a merger with Joseph Dixon. The merger finally took place in 1957. The Dixon Ticonderoga Company was formed as a result of the merger.

The factory continued to be in Sandusky until December 2002. The factory was in use for 167 years. Dixon Ticonderoga Company then moved to Mexico.

The old factory was not up to today’s standards. It still was using coal. When the old building was torn down, it ended an era of production in Sandusky.

Our crayons are marked Sandusky.

• Betty Obendorf is a retired teacher and volunteer for the Polo Historical Society.

Lincoln Heritage Trail opened in Illinois in 1963

By OTTO DICK

The Lincoln Heritage Trail is a series of highways in Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky. In 1915, 50 years after Abraham Lincoln’s death, the Illinois General Assembly authorized the Illinois State Historical Library to mark the exact route traveled by Lincoln from Kentucky through Indiana to Illinois.

Almost 50 years passed before the 1,000-mile trail was opened in 1963. The trail originally had 3,000 markers showing Lincoln’s route to Illinois.

Lincoln spent his early life in Kentucky. He was born near Hodgenville on Feb. 12, 1809. His family moved to Indiana when he was 7 years old. In 1830, the family moved again, crossing the Illinois River into Illinois and settling near Decatur.

One year later, Lincoln left his family home in Decatur and moved to New Salem. In 1837, he moved to Springfield and began the practice of law.

The Lincoln Heritage Trail rep -

LOCAL NEWS BRIEF

Ogle County Historical Society meeting is March 25 in Oregon

OREGON – The Ogle County Historical Society will host its monthly meeting at

resents the lifetime of Lincoln. Today, you can drive from Hodgenville, Kentucky, to Springfield, Illinois, in one day.

The Lincoln Trail Monument marks the spot where Lincoln and his family entered Illinois after crossing the Wabash River from Indiana in March 1830. This was 12 years after Illinois was founded and six years

before Oregon was founded.

Made of stone, this monument’s background is a relief carving of a wagon drawn by oxen with figures walking beside the wagon. The lifesize bronze statue of Lincoln shows him driving the oxen.

The Lincoln Log Cabin State Park in Lincoln, Illinois, and the statue of Lincoln the Student, located at Lin -

coln College, are located in southern Illinois.

The end of the Lincoln Heritage Trail is located at the Lincoln Trail Homestead State Memorial in Macon County, Illinois.

Lincoln, Illinois, is one of 24 cities in the U.S. that are named for Abraham Lincoln. Located nearby are Lincoln Memorial Park and Lincoln Lakes.

In Ogle County, Haldane Township’s name was changed to Lincoln in 1873.

Across the U.S. there are many streets and schools named after Lincoln.

In Illinois, the Lincoln Highway passes through Dixon.

The Lincoln Heritage Trail is now part of Illinois Routes 155, 1, 33, 97 and 125.

Some counties along the trail are making efforts to restore Lincoln Heritage Trail signs and markers.

• Otto Dick is a retired teacher and has researched Ogle County history for several years.

6:30 p.m. Monday, March 25.

The meeting will be in the carriage house annex building on Franklin Street, which is behind the Nash House Museum

at 111 N. Sixth St.

Everyone is invited to attend the meeting.

“We’re seeking new membership

support and have many opportunities to volunteer in 2024. We’d love it if you would join us,” said Michal Burnett, a historical society member.

Photos provided by Otto Dick

The Lincoln Heritage Trail opened in 1963. It cuts across three states – Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky.

Firefighters, neighbors testify at murder trial

Malta man accused of killing Mt. Morris woman

By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com

OREGON – Mt. Morris firefighters found Melissa Lamesch face down on her kitchen floor when they crawled into her burning home at 206 S. Hannah St., just one day before Thanksgiving in 2020.

“There was a lot of smoke. You could only see 5 to 6 inches. We were crawling on our hands and knees. I saw her feet and the lower part of her body,” Mt. Morris Fire Captain Ryan Fletcher told an Ogle County jury Tuesday. “We dragged her out the same way we came in.”

Fletcher, a 29-year veteran of the fire department, was one of three firefighters who testified Tuesday at the jury trial for Matthew T. Plote, 36, of Malta who is accused of killing Lamesch, 27, and her unborn baby on Nov. 25, 2020, and setting fire to her home to conceal their deaths.

Plote is charged with four counts of first-degree murder, three counts of intentional homicide of an unborn child and one count each of residential arson, aggravated domestic battery and concealment of a homicidal death. He has been held in the Ogle County Correctional Center on $10 million bond since his March 2022 arrest and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Lamesch, a 2011 graduate of Oregon High School and an emergency medical technician at Trace Ambulance Service in Tinley Park, was nine months pregnant at the time of her death.

Tuesday was the first day of testimony at the trial. Ogle County State’s Attorney Mike Rock called seven witnesses on the stand.

Neighbor Debra Branscomb said she called 911 when she saw smoke coming from the Lamesch home about 4:30 p.m.

“I was looking out my picture window when I saw smoke across the street,” Branscomb said. “I walked across the street and I heard the smoke alarms going off and I called 911.”

Another neighbor, Troy Clayton, testified he was watching TV earlier in the afternoon of the fire when he saw a man walking down the street. He said he thought the man was a salesman, but when he walked up to the Lamesch home, he saw Melissa let the man in.

“I saw the front door open up and Melissa let him in,” Clayton said. “I was kind of surprised.”

Later that afternoon, Clayton said he was behind his house when he heard a noise and walked around his home toward Hannah Street and saw smoke

“rolling” from the Lamesch home.

He said when first responders arrived he told them there were two adults in the home. “I knew Melissa was in there. Her car was still out front, and I thought he [the man he saw earlier] was still in there, too,” Clayton said. “But they only brought out one gurney.”

Clayton said he could not identify the man as Plote, but remembered the man, whom he believed to be between the ages of 20 and 30, was wearing a ball cap and carrying a backpack.

Mt. Morris Fire Chief Rob Hough said he responded to the fire and learned someone may be trapped inside the home, which had a “large volume of smoke” coming off its ridge line and eaves.

“There was a substantial event happening in that structure,” Hough said.

He said the front door was locked so firefighters forced their way into the home and found Lamesch. He said she showed no signs of life, so firefighters covered her body with a sheet and moved her to a gurney outside the front door and into an ambulance.

He said he contacted the state fire marshal and coordinated with other law enforcement officials who already were at the scene.

Capt. Mark Lewis, who also is a paramedic, testified that when he attended to Lamesch, she was not breathing and was covered with soot and debris.

“Her dignity became a priority for us so we covered her,” Lewis said.

When Lamesch was placed into the ambulance, Lewis said they put her on a cardiac monitor. “There was no electrical activity in her heart. There was

no reviving her,” he said.

She was pronounced dead at 4:54 p.m., Lewis said.

Lewis said Jeff Thew, a crime scene investigator with the Illinois State Police, put bags around her hands to preserve any potential evidence and she was taken to the fire station in the ambulance, where she was transferred to the coroner’s van.

Threw testified he took photos at the charred home and collected items to check for fingerprints. He also was at Lamesch’s autopsy Nov. 27, when he collected swabs, hair samples and clothing.

The state’s last witness for the day was Gus Lamesch, Melissa’s father. He testified she had moved back into the family home with him Oct. 11, 2020, because she was nine months pregnant. “She was pregnant and ready to have a child and she needed her family’s support,” Gus Lamesch said.

He said he was at work and stopped to grocery shop in Loves Park in prepa-

ration for the Thanksgiving holiday when Mt. Morris Police Chief Jason White called him about the fire.

He said Melissa was scheduled to have her labor induced Nov. 27.

“Because of COVID, we were not having a family dinner. It was just going to be the two of us,” Lamesch said. “A quiet Thanksgiving because she had been explicitly told not to expose herself to COVID.”

He said his daughter was in good spirits, but never told him who the father of her unborn child was. He said he had never met Plote until he was charged with her murder.

Prosecutors have said Plote was the baby’s father.

The trial is expected to continue through Friday.

Plote’s defense team is Liam Dixon and John Kopp of Sycamore. Judge John “Ben” Roe is presiding over the trial. A six-person jury was selected Monday after Plote waived his right to a 12-person jury.

Photos by Earleen Hinton

Mt. Morris Fire Capt. Ryan Fletcher testifies during the Matthew Plote trial March 19 at the Ogle County Judicial Center in Oregon.

Matthew Plote walks to the defense table during the first day of his trial March 18 at the Ogle County Judicial Center in Oregon.

Leaf River woman sentenced to 2 days in jail, 12 months conditional discharge

By ALEXA ZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com

OREGON – A Leaf River woman who pleaded guilty to battery has been sentenced to two days in the Ogle County jail and 12 months conditional discharge.

Silvia L. Rogers, 56, pleaded guilty Feb. 28 as part of a plea agreement that dismissed one count of aggravated battery and one count of criminal damage to property less than $500. A single charge of disorderly conduct in a separate case also was dismissed. Rogers

OREGON POLICE

Feb. 27

At 11:56 a.m., police investigated a two-vehicle traffic crash in the 300 block of Franklin Street involving a 2022 Chevrolet driven by Thomas Battaglini, 80, of Oregon, and a 2012 GMC driven by Constance S. Arjes, 72, of Oregon. No citations were issued.

Feb. 29

At 3:21 p.m., police investigated a two-vehicle traffic crash in the Shell gas station parking lot, 201 S. Fourth St., involving a 2011 Kia driven by Brenda K. Harrolle, 66, of Oregon, and a 2018 Nissan driven by Sharla J. Robbins, 68, of Chana. No citations were issued.

Jessica L. Berry, 30, of Freeport, was arrested at 3:24 p.m. for driving while license suspended. Berry also was issued a citation for operation of a vehicle with a suspended registration. She was transported to the Ogle County jail where she was processed and released with a notice to appear. The violations occurred in the 100 block of South 10th Street.

March 1

Mary E. Bidocha, 53, of Genoa, was

OGLE COUNTY SHERIFF REPORTS

Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle reports the following activity:

March 11

Juan Olguin, 42, of Rochelle, was arrested for an outstanding warrant for driving while license suspended/revoked after he turned himself in at the Ogle County jail at 7:30 a.m. Olguin appeared in court and was released on a recognizance bond. Olguin was given a court date of 9 a.m. May 13.

Kelly Yocum, 55, of Oregon, was arrested for contempt of court at the Ogle County Courthouse at 11:45 a.m. Yocum was to serve 48 hours.

also was ordered to pay $694 in fines and fees, according to court documents.

The two cases stem from three arrests that occurred in an eight-day span and involved Rogers and the same person, according to police. Rogers was arrested twice on Dec. 10, 2023, and a third time Dec. 18, 2023.

The aggravated battery charge stemmed from the first arrest, according to Ogle County Circuit Court charging documents.

On Dec. 10, 2023, Rogers grabbed the victim while they were outside the Leaf River Methodist Church in a way

that “knowingly made physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature,” according to the documents.

The incident occurred about 10:30 a.m., according to an Ogle County Sheriff’s Office report. At that time, Rogers was taken to the Ogle County jail, released on a notice to appear and given a future court date.

Later that day, about 1:30 p.m., deputies responded to the 100 block of Main Street in Leaf River and Rogers was arrested on charges of criminal damage to property and criminal trespass to property, according to the

sheriff’s office report. She was taken to the Ogle County jail and held pending a court appearance.

Conditions of her release after the second incident included having no contact with the victim, Ogle County State’s Attorney Mike Rock said.

Rogers was arrested on a charge of disorderly conduct about 3 p.m. Dec. 18, 2023, after deputies again responded to the 100 block of Main Street in Leaf River, according to a sheriff’s report.

Rogers must pay the fees and fines or appear in court at 9 a.m. May 20, according to court documents.

issued a citation at 7:58 a.m. for speeding 49 mph in a 30-mph zone.

The violation occurred in the 600 block of North Fourth Street.

March 2

Ashaki D. Harris, 49, of Chicago, was issued a citation at 8:49 a.m. for speeding 46 mph in a 30-mph zone.

The violation occurred in the 600 block of North Fourth Street.

Katelyn P. Prose, 35, of Winnebago, was issued a citation at 9:23 a.m. for speeding 48 mph in a 30-mph zone.

The violation occurred in the 600 block of North Fourth Street.

Samuel A. Howell, 28, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was issued a citation at 9:47 a.m. for speeding 48 mph in a 30-mph zone. The violation occurred in the 600 block of North Fourth Street.

March 3

Tod M. Wetzbarger, 38, of Rockford, was issued a citation at 6:59 a.m. for speeding 48 mph in a 30-mph zone. The violation occurred in the 600 block of North Fourth Street.

Tyler J. Easter, 19, of Champaign, was issued a citation at 7:30 a.m. for

speeding 49 mph in a 30-mph zone. The violation occurred in the 600 block of North Fourth Street.

March 5

Horacio Gonzalez-Cordova, 39, of Freeport, was issued a citation at 6:20 a.m. for speeding 45 mph in a 30-mph zone. The violation occurred in the 400 block of North Fourth Street.

March 8

Wade J. Strait, 38, of Moline, was issued citations at 6:57 a.m. for speeding 52 mph in a 30-mph zone, operation of a vehicle with an expired registration and no valid driver’s license. The violations occurred in the 700 block of North Fourth Street.

Cody L. Malkmus, 27, of Oregon, was arrested at 1:30 p.m. for driving while license suspended. Malkmus was transported to the Ogle County jail where he was processed and released. The violation occurred in the 100 block of West Washington Street.

March 9

Jerry B. Wallace, 36, of St. Louis, Missouri, was issued a citation at 8:50 a.m. for improper operation of a

commercial motor vehicle – no CDL. The violation occurred in the 900 block of South 10th Street.

Cheryl L. Wittlock, 54, of Oregon, was issued a citation at 2:40 p.m. for disobeying a stop sign. The violation occurred at the intersection of South 10th and Webster streets.

March 10

Randi M. Suter, 35, of Oregon, was arrested at 12:15 a.m. on two outstanding Ogle County warrants for possession of methamphetamine and failure to appear. Suter was transported to the Ogle County jail where she was left in the custody of corrections officers.

Anthony D. Larocca, 32, of Sterling, was issued a citation at 6:52 a.m. for speeding 48 mph in a 30-mph zone. The violation occurred in the 700 block of North Fourth Street.

Eleven verbal warnings and one parking citation were issued Feb. 26 through March 10.

Charges are accusations and all people are presumed innocent until proved guilty in a court of law.

Scott Roberts, 40, of Oregon, was arrested for driving while license suspended after a traffic stop in the 1000 block of north Illinois Route 2 at 5:25 p.m. Roberts also was cited for improper display of registration. Roberts was released on a notice to appear and given a future court date.

March 12

Lindsey Eddinger, 32, of Rockford, was arrested and cited for driving while license suspended, disregarding an official traffic control device and operating an uninsured motor vehicle after a traffic stop in the 2000 block of

East Flagg Road at 5:15 a.m. Eddinger was released on a notice to appear and given a future court date.

Melanie Humphrey, 44, of Rockford, was taken into custody on a Rockford Police Department failure to appear warrant and a DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office failure to appear warrant at 1:30 p.m. The arrest was made with help from a Crime Stoppers tip.

March 13

Alex J. Ferguson, 63, of Rockford, was arrested and cited for driving while license revoked, operating a motor vehicle with suspended registration and

no taillight after a traffic stop in the 13000 block of East Holcomb Road at 10:35 a.m. Ferguson was taken to the Ogle County jail and released on a notice to appear with a future court date.

Clifford K. Swanson, 56, of Byron, was arrested for possession of fentanyl and driving while under the influence/any amount of drug after deputies and Byron Fire Protection District and EMS responded to a single-vehicle crash with injuries in the 11000 block of north Illinois Route 2 at 1 p.m. An investigation

Oregon band students perform at 29th annual Band Extravaganza

By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com

OREGON – Band students from fifth grade through high school in Ore-

gon Community Unit School District 220 performed at the 29th annual Band Extravaganza on March 14 at the Blackhawk Center at Oregon High School.

Photos by Earleen Hinton

TOP LEFT: Oregon fifth grader Kaileena Pham plays the flute at the 29th annual Band Extravaganza on March 14. TOP RIGHT: Oregon fifth graders Briggz Scheck, Deshari Wallace and Cade Sutter play their trombones. ABOVE: Oregon Junior High band director Miles Beske directs at the 29th annual Band Extravaganza. LEFT: Oregon fifth graders Luca Cozzi (horn), Aria Newberry (trumpet) and Hayden Armbruster (trumpet) play their instruments.

MIDDLE LEFT: Addison Truitt plays the triangle in the percussion section.

Public transit providers, nonprofits receive vehicles

Illinois transit providers getting $57.1 million in new vehicles through state program

SPRINGFIELD – More than 500 paratransit vehicles valued at $57.1 million have been awarded to 113 transit providers through its Consolidated Vehicle Procurement Program, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced last month.

The program aims to offer safe, reliable and accessible transportation options in communities large and small throughout the state. The vehicles will be delivered to public transportation providers as well as nonprofit organizations serving seniors and individuals with disabilities, according to a news release.

Local providers and their awards include:

• Carroll County, seven vehicles valued at $686,000.

• Lee County, doing business as the Lee Ogle Transportation System, six vehicles valued at $604,000.

• Whiteside County, nine vehicles valued at $1,017,000.

• Kreider Services, two vehicles valued at $240,000.

• Sinnissippi Centers Inc., one vehicle valued at $72,000.

• Village of Progress Inc., one vehicle

• SHERIFF REPORTS

Continued from page 6

showed Swanson was driving a GMC Sierra pickup truck south when the vehicle abruptly exited the roadway and entered the ditch. Swanson was taken by Byron EMS to SwedishAmerican Hospital for an apparent overdose. Swanson also was cited for operating an uninsured motor vehicle, improper traffic lane use, expired registration and failure to reduce speed/too fast for conditions. Swanson was given a notice to appear and a future court date.

A 13-year-old was arrested for battery after deputies responded to Skare Park, 5426 S. Skare Road, for a report of an assault at 2:42 p.m. The juvenile was released into the custody of his parent.

March 14

Sue A. Buerke, 43, of Byron, was arrested for driving while license suspended after a traffic stop in the 7000 block of North River Road at 5:53 a.m. Buerke was taken to the Ogle

valued at $120,000.

• Hub City Senior Citizens Inc., one vehicle valued at $120,000.

“Transit is an essential service that allows our urban, suburban and rural communities to survive and thrive, providing transportation to people who might not have any other option,” transportation secretary Omer Osman said.

“More than ever, IDOT under Gov. [JB] Pritzker is getting communities the resources they need. These vehicles are going to benefit people immediately and far into the future.”

For more than 20 years, the Consolidated Vehicle Procurement Program has helped smaller transit agencies navigate the red tape of the public bidding process while ensuring their vehicles meet federal requirements and specifi-

County jail, released on a notice to appear and given a future court date.

March 15

Rashad Griffin, 27, of Elgin, was arrested for driving while license suspended after a traffic stop at the intersection of Interstate 39 and Illinois Route 72 at 9:21 a.m. Griffin also was cited for operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Griffin was released from the scene on a notice to appear and given a future court date.

Whitney Barmore, 30, of Rockford, was arrested for an outstanding failure to appear warrant for obstructed front windshield after she turned herself in at the Ogle County jail at 10:50 a.m. Barmore posted the $549 bond, was released and has no further court appearances.

Irfan Alamzai, 19, of Rockford, was arrested at the Ogle County Courthouse on an outstanding failure to appear warrant for uninsured motor vehicle at 3:50 p.m. Alamzai posted the $401 bond, was released and has no further court appearances.

cations, including those of the Americans With Disabilities Act.

By purchasing in large volume, IDOT buys the vehicles at a lower cost for the public than if they were purchased individually or in smaller amounts, according to the release.

Awards for this cycle were made on a competitive basis, with 50 public transportation providers (371 vehicles) and 63 nonprofit providers (137 vehicles) receiving 508 vehicles, purchased through $54 million in federal funds and $3.1 million in state funds.

The highlights:

• A total of 399 vehicles to replace ones that are aging or no longer in service, as well as 109 vehicles to expand the existing service. The vehicles are estimated to be manufactured and deliv-

Clifford Swanson, 56, of Byron, was arrested for criminal trespass to a residence (Class 4 felony), criminal trespass to a residence and disorderly conduct. Deputies responded to a call of criminal trespass to a residence in the 800 block of North Devils Lane in rural Byron at 4:32 p.m. While en route, deputies were advised by dispatch of a domestic problem in the 5400 block of North River Road involving the same male offender. Swanson was arrested after an investigation. Swanson also was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle (Class 2 felony) and criminal trespass to a vehicle. Swanson was taken to the Ogle County jail and held pending a court appearance.

March 17

Manuel Roman, 39, of Rockford, was arrested for aggravated driving while under the influence (Class 4 felony), aggravated driving while license suspended (Class 4 felony), driving while under the influence and driving while license revoked after a traffic stop at the intersection of Illinois Route 64 and

ered in six months to two years.

• An award of 41 vehicles, the program’s largest, to the Rides Mass Transit District, which serves 18 counties in southern Illinois. The vehicles being replaced have been in service for almost 11 years on average and have more than 270,000 miles each.

• An additional 50 battery-electric paratransit vehicles will be purchased with a $12.3 million award from the Federal Transit Authority’s Low or No Emission Vehicle Program, which is supported by a $1 million Congressional-Directed Spending award from Sen. Dick Durbin and Sen. Tammy Duckworth, as well as $3.3 million in state funds.

• Eligible transit providers that were not part of this award cycle also can buy vehicles at the price negotiated by IDOT with its vendors.

The Consolidated Vehicle Procurement Program awards are in addition to investments being made through Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois program, which touches all modes of transportation, including roads and bridges, aviation, bike and pedestrian accommodations, waterways, rail and transit.

Over six years, Rebuild Illinois is dedicating $4.5 billion to transit as part of a commitment to invest in all modes of transportation, including for the first time allocating a portion of the motor fuel tax collected in Cook and the collar counties for the Regional Transportation Authority, which includes the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace.

Church Road at 3:30 a.m. Roman also was cited for speeding, improper U-turn and operating an uninsured vehicle. Roman was taken to the Ogle County jail and held pending a court appearance.

Kimberly Santiago, 40, of Kings, was arrested for domestic battery. Deputies responded to a domestic problem in the 300 block of South Church Road at 5 a.m. Deputies followed up at the residence later in the afternoon and Santiago was arrested. She was taken to the Ogle County jail and held pending a court appearance.

Deandre Edwards, 29, of Rockford, was arrested for driving while license suspended after a traffic stop on Interstate 39 southbound mile marker 106 at 10:20 p.m. Edwards also was cited for no registration light and suspended registration. Edwards was released on a notice to appear and given a future court date.

Charges are accusations and all people are presumed innocent unless proved guilty in a court of law.

SHAW

Shaw Local News Network file photo

The Village of Progress is located at 710 S. 13th St. in Oregon.

Good readers use several key strategies for better understanding

Reading researchers have learned there are several key strategies that good readers use to help them understand what they read. Although good readers use multiple strategies at the same time, it can be helpful for us to talk with our children and grandchildren about these key strategies separately as they are learning to read.

For this month we’ll consider several things we can do before we read that will increase our understanding of what we read.

Let’s think about what we do before we read. We probably read the title of what we are reading. If it’s a book, we read everything on the front and back of the book along with perhaps the author’s information. We might skim through some of the

BYRON LIBRARY NEWS

Spring Blood Drive

1 to 6 p.m. Thursday, April 4

Join us as we host a community blood drive in partnership with the Rock River Valley Blood Center. Register for an appointment by calling the library at 815-234-5107. Walk-ins also are welcome. Donors must be at least 17 years old (16 with parental consent) and weigh at least 110 pounds. It is recommended that donors eat a meal within three to four hours before donating and drink plenty of fluids.

Did you know?

You can order 3D print projects from the Byron library. The library’s Creative Studio is home to two 3D printers that are available for making 3D prints for learning and entertainment purposes. 3D prints cost 10 cents per gram PLA and will be available for pickup within seven to 10 business days. Visit

READING MATTERS

Mary Gardner

pages checking illustrations and the table of contents or other features.

We also likely are thinking about the purpose of the reading. It might be to learn something. It might be for entertainment. It might be directions or a recipe that tell us how to do something. Deciding the purpose for reading helps get our brains ready to read.

This also helps us think about how we will read. We read a novel, a newspaper, our tax forms, a magazine and

www.byronlibrary.org/3d-printing for more information on how to submit your 3D print idea.

Creative Studio

Our Creative Studio is open on Sunday afternoons and two evenings a week, so stop by for monthly crafts and to use our maker space equipment. Crafts out on the tables are free. Other projects will incur a cost depending on materials. Middle school and high school youth can use some of the materials while with an adult or during Teen Time. Creative Studio hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. Creative Studio is closed on Friday and Saturday.

Check out our mobile app

Did you know there is an easy

a recipe in completely different ways. We can model all of these before reading activities for our children and grandchildren by thinking aloud as we get ready to read.

From all of this pre-reading work, we begin to determine the topic of the reading. Once we know the topic we can and should begin to consider what we already know about the topic. Good readers activate their background knowledge to help them better understand what they are reading.

If the topic is something I know a lot about, the reading is likely to be easier than if it is something I know little about. We can model this for our young readers as well. If a child loves Legos and building, they bring a lot of background knowledge to

way to use the library from your phone? Just download the PrairieCat app to your phone or mobile device and log in with your library card number and PIN. You’ll be able to view your checkouts and holds, renew materials and search the library catalog. There’s even a digital copy of your library card.

Curbside delivery

The library is open for browsing, but patrons also can use our curbside service. Place your holds online at byronlibrary.org or call us at 815-234-5107. Not sure what you want? Call us for help. We will call or email you with a confirmation when your holds are ready to be picked up. Call us when you arrive at the library and we will bring your items out to you. A receipt with your due dates will be included with your items.

reading a direction manual or a book about Legos. Someone who lives in the Midwest may not have much background knowledge about the ocean so reading about it may be a bit more difficult.

The important thing is to take a few minutes before reading to consider the topic and how much we already know or realizing that we don’t know much at all. Doing these things, and helping our children and grandchildren do them, make us all strategic, thoughtful readers!

• Mary Gardner is a retired teacher who specialized in reading and is still an instructor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Northern Illinois University.

Photo provided by Kim Gyorkos

Leprechauns in Byron should be cautious. Young patrons at the Byron library recently created leprechaun traps.

State Rep. McCombie launches Women in Agriculture group

SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com

SAVANNA – House Minority Leader Tony McCombie held a successful first “Women in Agriculture” advisory group, bringing together more than a dozen women from across her 89th legislative district to discuss legislative updates relevant to the industry and connect with similar minded women.

The first meeting was an introduction for members within the group and an opportunity for them to hear from McCombie on issues relevant in the legislature to farming, agricultural education and funding.

“This meeting was a great introduction to a coalition that I have wanted to start for some time – to bring women together, celebrate their impact to agriculture and be a resource for each other,” McCombie said. “I see this group as an opportunity for women to work together to gain a better understanding of legislation and programs that promote Illinois’ largest economic driver.”

State Rep. Tony McCombie

Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello was present to provide an overview of the department and make the department accessible for questions or concerns.

“The future of agriculture is changing with technology and other innovations. At the Illinois Department of Agriculture, we welcome the opportunity to bring more women into the industry through recruitment initiatives, mentoring relationships and partnerships with schools through FFA and 4-H,” Costello said. “Continued bipartisan efforts to expand opportunities for women in agriculture are critical and have our full support.”

McCombie’s group will meet quarterly throughout the year. Meetings will feature guest speakers. For questions about the advisory group, contact McCombie’s district office at mccombie@ilhousegop.org.

LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS

Polo Council of Churches offering Good Friday Worship Service on March 29

POLO – The Polo Council of Churches is offering a Community Good Friday Worship Service on March 29 at Pine Creek Christian Church.

The event will include a 5 p.m. light meal with a 6 p.m. service at 8061 W. Penn Corner Road in Polo.

“The council is excited to bring back this long-standing community tradition,” Sheryl Hopkins said in a news release. “As we come together to remember the events of Christianity’s Holy Week, we honor our community humanity and shared faith through this combined worship service.”

The worship service will include special music from members of Faith United Methodist Church and Polo Church of the Brethren.

“All are welcome and invited to join in this community worship service,” Hopkins said.

Brunch for female veterans offered in April in Lena

The Lena American Legion Auxiliary will honor female veterans with a

brunch at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, April 20, at the Lena American Legion Home, 316 W. Main St. in Lena.

There is no charge for the brunch.

For reservations or more information, call 815-369-4684 or email jamcps54@ yahoo.com.

Reservations are requested by April 10.

Women’s Club’s antiques show is March 23-24

OREGON – The Oregon Women’s Club’s 72nd annual Antique and Vintage Show will be Saturday and Sunday, March 23-24, at the Blackhawk Center, 1101 W. Jefferson St.

The event includes more than 40 dealers.

Entry fee is $8 a person.

Hours for the show are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

The event offers free parking and homemade concessions.

Antique appraisals will be offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday for $5 an item.

Money raised goes to local charities and projects.

Oregon City Council OKs final 2 facade grants of fiscal year

By ALEXA ZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com

OREGON – Two Oregon businesses are getting help from the city to improve their facades.

Oregon City Council members approved two applications for the city’s Facade Improvement Matching Grant Program during the March 12 meeting.

The first was for Michelle Mongan, of M. Mongan Decor, for $3,732.23 to redo the business’s front signs. M. Mongan Decor is at 1000 Pines Road, Oregon.

“I think this is a good investment for the city, which is why I’ve advocated for this,” City Manager Darin DeHaan said. “There’s additional space inside [the business] and I’m starting to work

with them on kind of a vision for new business, whether it’s retail or something else coming in there.”

The second facade grant went to Richard Haan of Bela’s Cafe for $5,000 to go toward masonry and window repairs. Bela’s Cafe is at 317 W. Washington St., Oregon.

“Initially, they were looking at doing stucco, [but] the nice thing is

once we took a shot on Google Earth down that lane, Richard saw all of the brick and the beauty of our historic district and was willing to invest a little bit more money,” DeHaan said. “So I think these are appropriate funds to help him get that look back to the way we would like it.”

These were the final two facade grants for fiscal 2024, DeHaan said.

Round 2 of Puzzle Palooza coming to Oregon on April 26

OREGON – Grab your team of four people and get ready to compete against other teams to see who can complete the same 500-piece puzzle the fastest within a two-hour time frame. Space is limited so sign up and join in the fun from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Friday, April 26, at Cork & Tap, 305 W. Washington St.

Puzzle Palooza is a fundraiser sponsored by P.E.O., a philanthropic organization where women celebrate the advancement of women, educate women through scholarships, grants, awards, loans and stewardship of Cottey College and motivate women to achieve their highest aspirations, according to a news release.

Rules and regulations for the event are:

• Contestants will be assigned their table at check-in. The puzzle will be in a bag on each table and

•

•

•

•

all contestants will open their bags at the same time.

• Hands only. The use of any puzzle tools, cutting devices or phones is grounds for disqualification. (Puzzle sorting containers, battery operated lamps and/or head lamps will be allowed, but will not be provided.)

• Judges will be monitoring the area and watching as teams get close to finishing. When your team is close to finishing, raise your hand and a judge will come to your table to watch you finish and record your time. If a judge is unable to get to your table when you finish, please record your own time on the timecard provided at your table.

• Winners will be announced immediately following the competition.

Cash only tickets are $20 a person and can be purchased at Cork & Tap.

Photo provided by Pam Steele

Puzzle Palooza is returning to Oregon on April 26. The event will be at Cork & Tap, 305 W. Washington St.

Machinery versus manpower: Illinois meat processors weigh technology

By RHIANNON BRANCH

As demand for locally produced meat grows and a quality workforce becomes more difficult to obtain, the meat processing sector is taking a closer look at areas in which technology can replace human labor.

The Illinois Association of Meat Processors held a joint convention with the Indiana Meat Packers and Processors Association in Plainfield, Indiana, in late February and the theme was “Machinery over Manpower.”

“We know we are a bottleneck. We know that the producers have product out there, consumers have demand out there and we’re trying to get that product through,” Tom Eickman, with Eickman’s Processing in Seward, told the RFD Radio Network. “We are trying to figure out any which way we can and if machinery is the answer, we’ll go that route.”

Eickman, who serves as president of the American Association of Meat Processors, said most local processors are very diversified, so it only makes sense to implement machinery in areas in which they are making a product in large quantities.

be and if it’s something feasible.”

Eickman said business values also need to be factored into the equation. He pointed out that younger generations are not as interested in the personal relationship that perhaps their parents had with the local butcher at a full-service counter.

“They’re not as familiar with that,” Eickman said. “They’re more likely to come in and buy the prepackaged, all ready to go. The graphics are usually kind of important to them and the ingredient statements.”

He said, in that case, refrigerated meat vending machines are an option. But eliminating the human element doesn’t work in every scenario.

“I still want to have that interpersonal relationship with the individual,” he said. “But that’s one business model. In Seward, we’re a small town, so I don’t have a fresh meat case. I do everything frozen.”

He said demand for different cuts of meat also changes from generation to generation.

crazy for.”

Oxtail is a cut of beef that comes from cattle tails and can be prepared in a variety of ways. Since there is only one per animal, Eickman compared them to gold saying he can’t keep them on hand. The price point for an oxtail at his business is comparable to a sirloin steak.

Eickman said cheek meats also are valuable, especially to his customers supplying restaurants in the Chicago area, but cuts such as that would be difficult to process correctly using solely machines.

“We’ll always still need that manpower. We need those trained employees to be able to come to work and pull a cheek off or do a tail,” he said.

When it comes to the decision between manpower and machinery, he compared the business to a puzzle and said ultimately you need to look at the puzzle as a whole and find the pieces where machinery will have a positive return on investment while still prioritizing quality and business values.

“Instead of having an individual standing there with a knife cutting snack sticks, is there a machine we can feed snack sticks into?” he said.

“Those are out there, but you have to look at what the cost of that is going to

Tire collection recycling event to be offered May 4

SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com

OREGON – The Ogle County Solid Waste Management Department will conduct a residential tire collection event from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at 909 Pines Road in Oregon.

The event is for Ogle County residents only and aims to promote responsible tire disposal and decrease the potential for insect breeding areas.

In partnership with Liberty Tire from Montgomery, the OCSWMD invites county residents to participate in this endeavor. The event will accept tires from cars, light trucks, lawnmowers, bikes and UTVs/ATVs. With or without rims, the tires will be repurposed for mulch, road construction, fuel, playground surfaces, athletic fields and other reuse opportunities.

Permits are required to participate in this collection event. Call 815732-4020 to sign up for a time-specific permit. Permits will be allocated for

specific half-hour increments, allowing for organized drop-off times. Limit of one permit per household, with provision for standby permits in case of unfilled time slots. The deadline to obtain a permit is noon Wednesday, May 1. There is a limit of 10 tires per permit.

There is a fee of $2 per tire. Payments can be made in cash or check, payable to Ogle County Solid Waste. The remaining expense is subsidized by the OCSWMD. The estimated cost for hauling and recycling of each tire is $4.

Participants will need to present their permits and IDs upon arrival and adhere to their designated time slot. Business, fleet, agricultural and semi-truck tires are not accepted at this event.

For more information about this collection event, call the OCSWMD at 815-732-4020, email solidwaste@oglecountyil.gov, visit www.oglecountyil.gov or visit Facebook at Ogle County Solid Waste Management Dept.

“Some of the things that the older generations maybe didn’t appreciate as much like oxtails and skirt steaks, younger ones now search those things out,” he said. “Some things that used to be a throwaway item is now a sought-after item that people are going

Thisstorywasdistributedthrough a cooperative project between Illinois Farm Bureau and the Illinois Press Association. For more food and farming news, visit FarmWeekNow.com.

Photo provided by Eickman’s Processing For Tom Eickman, leadership in the meat processing industry is a family tradition. He is the third generation to serve as president of the American Association of Meat Processors.

Coach provides season preview for Oregon softball team

By NATE RODGERS Oregon High School softball coach

OREGON – As the spring breeze begins to sweep across the Oregon High School softball field, excitement is building for what promises to be a sensational 2024 season for the Hawks.

With a talented roster of returning veterans and promising newcomers, the stage is set for a year of growth, camaraderie and continued success.

The Hawks welcome back a remarkable eight starters, including four seasoned seniors: Haleigh Burkhart, Abigail Fletcher, Gracen Pitts and Sarah Stevens. These players bring not only skill and experience but also invaluable leadership to guide the team toward achieving its goals. With three consecutive appearances in regional championship games, the Hawks are poised to build on their success and make an even deeper run in the postseason this year.

Junior standouts Ella Dannhorn, Emma Schlichtmann, Abree Barker and Madison Shaffer return to solidify the team’s core, showcasing their dedication and commitment to the sport. Their experience undoubtedly will play a pivotal role in fostering the chemistry that is crucial for a successful softball campaign.

Excitement surrounds the infusion of fresh talent into the varsity lineup.

Ava Carreno, Alexi Czochara, Brooke Halverson, Riley Jameison, Olivia Paul, Kaelin Shaffer and Mack Rager bring a blend of skill and enthusiasm that will complement the seasoned players, creating a dynamic and well-

rounded roster.

The Hawks’ impressive 17-win record in 2023 and their consistent presence in regional championship games for the past three seasons underscores the team’s competitive spirit and determination. With a foundation of success already in place, the 2024 season is

poised to be a thrilling continuation of this winning tradition.

The coaching staff emphasizes the importance of maximizing the team’s potential, cultivating great chemistry and thriving in adverse conditions. These values and goals are at the heart of the Hawks’ mission for this season, shaping not just skilled players but wellrounded individuals who embody sportsmanship and resilience.

To support the Oregon Hawks softball team on its journey, be sure to check out the schedule on the school’s website or follow the team on Facebook. Your cheers from the stands and virtual support can make a significant impact on the team’s morale and success.

To the parents and players of the Oregon Hawks, this season is about celebrating the love of the game and the joy of playing together. There’s no undue pressure or unrealistic expectations here – just a collective effort to enjoy the journey, embrace challenges and create lasting memories on the diamond. Here’s to a season filled with growth, camaraderie and triumph for the Oregon Hawks softball team!

• Nate Rogers is the head coach of the Oregon High School softball team and a teacher in the school district.

Earleen Hinton

Oregon’s Sarah Stevens gets ready to tag out a River Ridge player at home plate March 14 at Dillehay Park in Mt. Morris.

Professional sports owners live in fantasyland

Primary elections were Tuesday, so let’s step away from high school sports and get into politics and its relationship to sports as a whole.

An ugly specter is brewing in Chicago with fat cat owners insisting the taxpayers pay for new football and baseball stadiums for the Bears and White Sox. This has played out before with both teams holding inept politicians hostage until concessions were made to their benefit.

Remember in 1988 when White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf threatened to move to Florida if he didn’t get public funding for a new stadium. Speaker of the House Mike Madigan and Gov. Jim Thompson got in bed with Reinsdorf and proceeded to strong-arm the General Assembly into agreeing to it in an infamous midnight deadline vote.

That was a total betrayal to the taxpayers of Illinois and was best spelled out by a state rep who said, “We can’t take care of the children, we can’t take care of the poor, we can’t take care of the sick, we can’t take care of the mentally ill. Let’s shut this place down and go home and forget the White Sox.”

That should have been the correct response to Reinsdorf’s outlandish demand, but in the perverse world of Illinois politics, the bad guys got their

for the taxpayer.

Andy Colbert

way instead. Since then, more public funds have been shoveled into the facility for renovations because it soon was deemed out of style and not as fanfriendly as other baseball venues.

Now the same game is being played out in 2024 with Reinsdorf wanting to scrap the 33-year-old ballpark and start anew with a $2 billion facility on the South Side of Chicago. In a similar bargaining tactic, he’s threatening to move to Nashville if public funding is not approved.

My house on 14th Street in Oregon was built in 1991, the same year the new White Sox park opened. Although there are a few things I would have done differently, would I raze it and start over? Of course not. That would be insane.

But in the world of professional sports, owners live in fantasyland. To have the audacity to scrap a new stadium built with public money and start over with more public money is a testament to sports owners’ lack of regard

The Chicago Bears are playing the same political football with more variables. As a beloved institution, they would never move out of state, but have made it clear they would move from Soldier Field to a suburban site.

One option is building a state-of-theart domed stadium in Arlington Heights on land they purchased that previously was Arlington Park racetrack. Another location being considered for new construction is in the area just south of Soldier Field.

In this scenario, the Bears can play one side against the other in their request for public funding. The Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, which issues bonds for projects such as this one, owes $589 million on the 2002 renovation of Soldier Field.

Similar to Reinsdorf, the McCaskey family is not content with all the public money they’ve received for the Bears. They want more in what promises to be an interesting fight.

In the battle for public money, there is a lie that politicians often fall prey to and it is that professional sports team bring valuable revenue to a city and they deserve public funding. Studies are propped up that show the increased economic impact of having a sports

team, be it of the minor league variety like Rockford has or the big time like Chicago.

These studies contain faulty reasoning and experts in business refute them, citing many other ways in which economic growth and productivity occurs. It truly is a complicated matter, one that politicians need to research rather than accepting the propaganda being spoon-fed by sports teams.

There are cases all over the country in which communities regretted providing public funding for sports, essentially allowing them to be an albatross to taxpayers. But in a sports-crazed nation, it is easy to have one’s views be distorted rather than making political decisions with a sound mind.

On a separate and more positive political issue, it was refreshing to have such a highly contested race for county coroner. As voters in Ogle County, we couldn’t go wrong with either candidate.

It’s a shame the same can’t be said of the upcoming presidential election.

• Andy Colbert, an avid runner, has been a sports writer for Shaw Media and has covered high school sports in Ogle County for more than 31 years.

March is Self-Harm Awareness Month

• Self-harm refers to when a person hurts their own body on purpose.

Self-harm refers to when a person hurts their own body on purpose.

to begin in teen or early adult years.

• Self-harm tends to begin in teen or early adult years.

Self-harm tends to begin in teen or early adult years.

Self-harm gives them a sense of relief and is used as a means to cope with a problem.

• Self-harm gives them a sense of relief and is used as a means to cope with a problem.

Self-harm gives them a sense of relief and is used as a means to cope with a problem.

It is possible to overcome the urge to want to hurt yourself.

• It is possible to overcome the urge to want to hurt yourself.

It is possible to overcome the urge to want to hurt yourself.

For more information visit Sinnissippi Centers online at www.sinnissippi.org

For more information visit Sinnissippi Centers online at www.sinnissippi.org

Softball

Newman 9, Forreston 5: The Comets took a 3-0 first-inning lead and then scored in every inning between the third and sixth to take the season-opening win against the Cardinals.

Jenna Greenfield went 2 for 4 with an RBI to lead Forreston.

Orangeville/Aquin Catholic 12, Polo 7: The Lady Marcos fell in their season opener against the Broncos co-op.

Cheyenna Wilkins went 4 for 4 with an RBI, including two doubles. Karlea Frey chipped in two RBIs and Sydnei Rahn added two singles for Polo.

Lena-Winslow 6, Polo 1: The Lady Marcos outhit LenaWinslow nine to six. Karlea Frey got on base all four at-bats with three hits and a walk. Sydnei Rahn had two hits in four at bats and the only RBI. Allissa Marschang had two hits in three at-bats. Cheyenna Wilkins and Camrynn Jones each had a hit. Polo had 14 strikeouts.

Camrynn Jones came in as a relief pitcher and went four

innings, allowing one hit and one walk with eight strikeouts.

Oregon 13, River Ridge/Scales Mound 0: The Hawks scored seven first-inning runs en route to a nonconference win over the Wildcats.

Ella Dannhorn paced Oregon with three hits. Abree Barker, Kaelin Shaffer, Madi Shaffer, Emma Schlichtmann and Brooke Halverson added one hit each.

Schlichtmann and Halverson combined on a one-hit shutout.

Amboy 6, Oregon 4: The Hawks jumped ahead 4-0 but Amboy won with a late rally.

Starter Emma Schlichtmann had six strikeouts.

The Hawks loaded the bases late, but couldn’t capitalize.

Oregon had nine hits to Amboy’s three.

Kaelin Shaffer, Abi Fletcher and Abree Barker each had two hits for Oregon.

Brook Halverson struck out four in relief for Oregon.

The Music of Cole Porter Spring Concert

listeners for decades! Matt and Cynthia Gruel enlighten listeners with biographical and musical background that will bring greater appreciation for Porter’s genius. Highlights include “Too Darn Hot,” “Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall in Love),” “You’re the Top,” “Begin the Beguine,” “Anything Goes,” “What is This Thing Called Love,” “I Love Paris,” “Friendship” and many more.

Friday, April 5, 2024 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Coliseum Museum of Art, Antiques &

Earleen Hinton

Oregon center fielder Abree Barker fires the ball to home plate against River Ridge on March 14 at Dillehay Park.

Nominations open for Oregon Athletic Hall of Fame

OREGON – Oregon High School announces the launch of the Oregon CUSD Athletic Hall of Fame.

The Athletic Hall of Fame will honor the outstanding contributions of athletes, coaches, administrators, faculty/staff members, teams and contributing friends to Oregon School District athletics as well as Mt. Morris School District athletics program.

The school will host nominations and an induction ceremony annually.

Nomination forms are available on

• ROUNDUP

Continued from page 15

Baseball

Forreston 8, Genoa-Kingston 3: The Cardinals took a 6-1 lead through four innings and cruised to a season-opening win over the Cogs.

Kendall Erdmann, Carson Akins, Brendan Greenfield and Patrick Wichman had two hits each to lead Forreston. Mickey Probst had two RBIs.

Daniel Koehl pitched three hitless, scoreless innings with two strikeouts and one walk for the Cardinals.

Forreston 11, Harlem 0 (5 inn.): At Harlem, the Cardinals shut out the Huskies behind an 11-run third inning.

Brendan Greenfield went 2 for 3 with four RBIs. Alec Schoonhoven added two RBIs for Forreston.

Carson Akins struck out three, walked three and allowed one hit in three scoreless innings on the mound.

Byron 13, Forreston 10: The Tigers scored five runs in the sixth inning to down the Cardinals.

Alec Schoonhoven hit a home run for Forreston.

PROPERTY TRANSFERS

March 8-14

Warranty deeds

Elias D. Welch, also Eilas, and Andrea M. Oleson to Layton J. Turner, 714 N. Eighth St., Rochelle, $117,000.

Glenda and Glenn P. Sundberg to Joshua M. Perrine, 600 N. Main St., Chana, $0.

Terry Nesemeier Whitson to Alan and Catherine Cruthis, 606 S. Fourth Ave., Forreston, $70,500.

Robbie R. and Gwendolyn J. Zimmerman to Joel and Jona Perrin, 902-904 Timber Trail Drive, Dixon, $23,000.

City of Rochelle to City of Rochelle and Ogle Lee Fire Protection District, 916 S.

the district’s website, www.ocusd.net, under the About tab.

Individuals are invited to propose candidates for induction into the Oregon CUSD Athletic Hall of Fame.

The Athletic Hall of Fame committee will evaluate nominees based on various criteria, including regional, state and national recognition, exceptional accomplishments in their respective sports and significant contributions to the community.

Nominations will be accepted in the

following categories:

• Student or Coach: Up to five inductees annually

• Administrator/Faculty/Staff member: One inductee annually

• Team: Up to three teams inducted annually until 2029; thereafter, one team annually

• Contributing Friend: One inductee annually

“We are excited to launch the Oregon CUSD Athletic Hall of Fame nomination process and provide an oppor-

tunity to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our athletes, coaches and supporters,” said Tom Mahoney, superintendent of Oregon District 220. “This initiative not only honors excellence in sports but also fosters a sense of pride within our community.”

Nominations, with supporting data, can be made via online nomination form or printed nomination forms mailed to the Activities Office, 1101 Jefferson St., Oregon, IL 61061.

2024 nominations are due by May 1.

Earleen Hinton

Oregon’s Jackson Messenger dives back to second base but is tagged out by a Warren player March 12 at Oregon High School.

Main St., Rochelle, $50,000.

Douglas and Kim Martin to Curtis D. and Laura J. Cook, one parcel in Oregon-Nashua Township, $75,000.

Kassy L. Wallace to Treyton Buh, 108 Hillside Drive, Polo, $135,000.

The late Paula Christine Watson by Heirs to Ami E. Watson, 1054 N. Eighth St., Rochelle, $0.

Dawn Warning to Anthony D. and Kara R. Kettleson, one parcel in Flagg Township, $13,500.

Jacob David Greer to Rodd Pope, 6215 N. River Drive, Oregon, $67,500.

Jordan H. and Tabitha R. Thomas to Joshua and Corina E. Palmer, 311 Sunset Lane, Mt. Morris, $160,000.

Marcelino Millan to Joel Sanchez Viveros, 7245 S. Lost Nation Road, Dixon, $316,500.

Leon Ashmore to Barry Ronner, 105 N. Hannah Ave., Mt. Morris, $74,000.

Jack E. Pease Jr. to Feiden Family Trust 2018, Aprin N. and James B. Feiden Jr., trustees, nine parcels in Marion Township, $500,000.

Benjamin D. and Nicole L. Garman to Roman and Angele Villalobos, 1090 Pickwick Drive, Rochelle, $274,000.

Quit claim deed

Estate of the late Catherine M. Johnson by heirs to Charles J. and Pamela R. Schramer, three parcels in Byron Township, $0.

Trustees deeds

Robert J. and Mary Ann Arn Trust, Robert J. and Mary Ann Arn, trustees, to Mark A. and Jerry L. Farbo, 6482 E. state Route 72, Stillman Valley, $147,000.

Conley E. and Betty J. Bogard Revocable Trust, Connie Berg, trustee, to Chauncy T. Stanley and Kyle J. Arnaud, 6839 N. Junction Road, Davis Junction, $265,000.

Sheriff’s deed

Joseph E. and Danielle C. Norris and Joseph E. Norris Jr. to Ogle County Sheriff and Hub Shuttle Inc., 1012 N. Seventh St., Rochelle, $84,501.

Source: Ogle County Recorder’s Office

ESTATE OF Maria Krpan

Deceased Case No.

2024PR000015

INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATION

PUBLICATION

NOTICE TO:

[x] Creditors and Claimants

[X] Unknown Heirs and Legatees*

Martin T. Krpan 1501 Daniel Ct. Sycamore, IL 60178

3. The attorney for the estate and his/her address is: Kelly J. Robar, Esq. P.O. Box 415 Sycamore, IL 60178

file, you must first create an account with an e-filing service provider

CLASSIFIED

1. Notice is given of the death of Maria Krpan, who died on October 27, 2023 a resident of DeKalb, Illinois.

2. The Representative for the estate and his/her address is:

EFFICIENCY

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE TWENTY-THIRD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT DEKALB COUNTY, ILLINOIS IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF Maria Krpan

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE TWENTY-THIRD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT DEKALB COUNTY, ILLINOIS IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF Maria Krpan Deceased Case No. 2024PR000015 INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATION PUBLICATION

NOTICE TO: [x] Creditors and Claimants [X] Unknown Heirs and Legatees*

1. Notice is given of the death of Maria Krpan, who died on October 27, 2023 a resident of DeKalb, Illinois.

Martin T. Krpan 1501 Daniel Ct. Sycamore, IL 60178

3. The attorney for the estate and his/her address is: Kelly J. Robar, Esq P.O. Box 415 Sycamore, IL 60178

RIPPENTROP, as Independent Executor whose attorneys are

WILLIAMS McCARTHY LLP, 120

W. State St., P.O. Box 219, Rockford, IL 61105.

Deceased Case No 2024PR000015 INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATION PUBLICATION

2. The Representative for the estate and his/her address is: Martin T. Krpan 1501 Daniel Ct. Sycamore, IL 60178

EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT

NOTICE TO:

[x] Creditors and Claimants

3. The attorney for the estate and his/her address is: Kelly J. Robar, Esq. P.O. Box 415 Sycamore, IL 60178

Sauk Valley Co mmunity Colleg e has the following openings:

[X] Unknown Heirs and Legatees*

1. Notice is given of the death of Maria Krpan, who died on October 27, 2023 a resident of DeKalb, Illinois.

4. Claims against the estate may be filed on or before September 16, 2024. **Claims against the estate may be filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court, 133 W. State St., Sycamore, IL 60178, or with the Representative, or both. Any claim not filed within that period is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the Representative and to the attorney within 10 days after it has been filed. * * *

4. Claims against the estate may be filed on or before September 16, 2024. **Claims against the estate may be filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court, 133 W. State St., Sycamore, IL 60178, or with the Representative, or both. Any claim not filed within that period is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the Representative and to the attorney within 10 days after it has been filed. * * *

5 On February 26, 2024, an Order Admitting the Will to Probate and/or Appointing the Representative was entered.

6. Within 42 days after the effective date of the original Order Admitting the Will to Probate, you may file a petition with the Court to require proof of the validity of the Will as provided under Section 6-21 of the Probate Act (755 ILCS 5/6-21).

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS ESTATE OF HAROLD W. MCMICHAEL Deceased No. 2024PR11

Visit https://efile. illinoiscourts.gov/ service- providers. htm to learn more and to select a service provider If you need additional help or have trouble e-filing, visit http:// www.illinoiscourts. gov/FAQ/gethelp asp.

Dated March 5, 2024

Carrie I. McMichael, Independent Representative

Daniel C. Hawkins SAUK VALLEY LAW GROUP, LLC

CLAIM NOTICE

Notice is given of the death of HAROLD W MCMICHAEL. Letters of Office were issued to CARRIE I. MCMICHAEL as Independent Representative on February 29, 2024, whose attorneys are SAUK VALLEY LAW GROUP, LLC, 100 West 1st Street, Suite B, Rock Falls, Illinois 61071.

100 West 1st Street, Suite B Rock Falls IL 61071 (815) 535-6769

March 15, 22, 29, 2024

clerk. Claims against the estate may be filed in the office of the Circuit Clerk of Ogle County, 106 South 5th Street, Oregon, Illinois 61061, or with the representatives, or both, on or before September 22, 2024, or, if mailing or delivery of a notice from the representatives is required by Section 18-3 of the Probate Act (755 ILCS 5/18-3), the date stated in that notice. Any claim not filed on or before that date is barred A copy of a claim filed with the clerk must be mailed or delivered by the claimant to the representatives and to the attorneys within 10 days after it has been filed.

The estate will be administered without court supervision, unless under Section 28-4 of the Probate Act (755 ILCS 5/28-4) any interested person terminates independent administration at any time by mailing or delivering a petition to terminate to the Clerk.

Case No.

2024-PR-8

NOTICE TO CREDITORS THAT THE ESTATE OF JEFERY ROSS CHEE VER HAS BEEN ADMITTED TO PROBATE Notice is given to creditors of the death of Jeffery Ross Cheever on January 9, 2024.

Atty William H.T. Lee

Enrollment Management Specialist, Full-time

High school diploma or GED with 3 yrs customer service or related experience required ht tps:// jobs.sv cc.edu/ postings/1862

Adult Literacy Coordin ator, Fu ll-time

2. The Representative for the estate and his/her address is:

Martin T. Krpan 1501 Daniel Ct. Sycamore, IL 60178

Manage the Project Vital literacy program, provide support to students in ESL classes, and provide outreach tutoring. Bachelor's degree in education or equivalent education & experience, knowledge of basic immigration laws, 2 yrs teaching adult ESL, bi-lingual, required. ht tps:// jobs.sv cc.edu/ postings/1869

3. The attorney for the estate and his/her address is: Kelly J. Robar, Esq.

4. Claims against the estate may be filed on or before September 16, 2024. **Claims against the estate may be filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court, 133 W. State St., Sycamore, IL 60178, or with the Representative, or both. Any claim not filed within that period is barred.

5 On February 26, 2024, an Order Admitting the Will to Probate and/or Appointing the Representative was entered.

Adjunc t Fa cult y, S onography Clin ical Coordinator

Coordinate clinical education and Instruct courses as assigned Associate's degree required and specific credentials; AB, OB/GYN, and RVT ht tps:// jobs.sv cc.edu/ postings/1840

P.O. Box 415 Sycamore, IL 60178

Adjunct Fa culty, Agricul ture Business (Mar keting)

4. Claims against the estate may be filed on or before September

Teach Intro to Agriculture Marketing & Standards. Bachelor's degree in Agriculture Business / Marketing or related required ht tps:// jobs.sv cc.edu/ postings/1858

Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the Representative and to the attorney within 10 days after it has been filed. * * *

6. Within 42 days after the effective date of the original Order Admitting the Will to Probate, you may file a petition with the Court to require proof of the validity of the Will as provided under Section 6-21 of the Probate Act (755 ILCS 5/6-21).

7. Within 6 months after the effective date of the original Order Admitting the Will to Probate, you may file a petition with the Court to contest the validity of the Will as provided under Section 8-1 of the Probate Act (755 ILS 5/8-1).

Claims against the estate may be filed in the office of the Clerk of Court, Ogle County Courthouse, 106 S 5th Street, Oregon, Illinois, or with the Representative, or both, on or before September 12, 2024, and any claim not filed within that period is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the Repres entatives and to the attorney within ten (10) days after it has been filed.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS IN RE THE ESTATE OF RICHARD A. KIMPEL, Deceased No. 2024 PR 15 CLAIM NOTICE Notice is given to creditors of the death of Richard L. Kimpel. Letters of Office were issued on March 13, 2024 to Georgia L. Van Unnik, as Independent Administrator, whose attorneys of record are shown below.

Law Office of William Lee 229 1st Ave., Ste. 3 Rock Falls, Illinois 61071 (815) 716-8381 Email: will@leelaw815. com

March 22, 29, April 5, 2024

Claims against the estate may be filed in the office of the Clerk of the Court, Ogle County Courthouse, 106 S 5th Street, # 300, Oregon, IL 61061 or with the representative, or both, on or before September 23, 2024, or within 3 months from the date of mailing or delivery of notice to creditors, if mailing or delivery is required by Section 18-3 of the Probate Act, whichever date is later Any claim not filed by the requisite date stated above is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney within 10 days after it has been filed.

Letters of Office were issued on February 20, 2024 to Joshua R Cheever of 2237

Adjunct Faculty, Agriculture Business (Management)

16, 2024. **Claims against the estate may be filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court, 133 W. State St., Sycamore, IL 60178, or with the Representative, or both. Any claim not filed within that period is barred.

Teach Intro to Agriculture Business Management

Master's degree in Agriculture Business or related required. ht tps:// jobs.sv cc.edu/ postings/1857

5 On February 26, 2024, an Order Admitting the Will to Probate and/or Appointing the Representative was entered.

Adjunc t Faculty, PASS F aci litator

Implement activities to strengthen the partnerships between are Prek- 12 districts, the ROE, outside agencies, and the college. Bachelor's degree in Education is required. ht tps:// jobs.sv cc.edu/ postings/1851

Sauk Valley Community College

Attn: Human Resources

Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the Representative and to the attorney within 10 days after it has been

173 Illinois Route 2 Dixon, IL 61021 EOE e-mail: employment@svcc.edu

6. Within 42 days after the effective date of the original Order Admitting the Will to Probate, you may file a petition with the Court to require proof of the validity of the Will as provided under Section 6-21 of the Probate Act (755 ILCS 5/6-21).

7. Within 6 months after the effective

7. Within 6 months after the effective date of the original Order Admitting the Will to Probate, you may file a petition with the Court to contest the validity of the Will as provided under Section 8-1 of the Probate Act (755 ILS 5/8-1).

8. The estate will be administered without Court supervision unless an interested party terminates independent supervision administration by filing a petition to terminate under Section 28-4 of the Probate Act (755

8. The estate will be administered without Court supervision unless an interested party terminates independent supervision administration by filing a petition to terminate under Section 28-4 of the Probate Act (755 ILCS 5/28-4).

March 15, 22, 29, 2024

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS ESTATE OF HAROLD W. MCMICHAEL Deceased No. 2024PR11

CLAIM NOTICE

Notice is given of the death of HAROLD W MCMICHAEL. Letters of Office were

E-filing is now mandatory for documents in civil cases with limited exemptions To efile, you must first create an account with an e-filing service provider Visit https://efile illinoiscourts.gov/ service- providers. htm to learn more and to select a service provider If you need additional help or have trouble e-filing, visit http:// www.illinoiscourts. gov/FAQ/gethelp

asp

Dated March 5, 2024

Carrie I McMichael, Independent Representative Daniel C. Hawkins SAUK VALLEY LAW GROUP, LLC 100 West 1st Street, Suite B Rock Falls IL 61071 (815) 535-6769

March 15, 22, 29,

The estate will be administered without court supervision, unless under Section 28-4 of the Probate Act (755 ILCS 5/28-4) any interested person terminate s independent administration at any time by mailing or delivering a petition to terminate to the clerk.

Claims against the estate may be filed in the office of the Circuit Clerk of Ogle County, 106 South 5th Street, Oregon, Illinois 61061, or with the representatives, or both, on or before September 22, 2024, or, if mailing or delivery of a notice from the representatives is required by Section 18-3 of the Probate Act (755 ILCS 5/18-3), the date stated in that notice. Any claim not filed on or before that date is barred

A copy of a claim filed with the clerk must be mailed or delivered by the claimant to the representatives and to the attorneys within 10 days after it has

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 15th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF OGLE In the Matter of the Estate of: PATRICK M. DONALDSON, Deceased No. 2024-PR-16 CLAIM NOTICE Notice is given of the death of PATRICK M DONALDSON of Rockford, Illinois. Letters of Office were issued on March 12, 2024 to DIANA K RIPPENTROP, as Independent Executor whose attorneys are WILLIAMS McCARTHY LLP, 120 W. State St., P.O Box 219, Rockford, IL 61105.

The estate will be administered without court supervision, unless under Section 28-4 of the Probate Act (755 ILCS 5/28-4) any interested person terminates independent administration at any time by mailing or delivering a petition to terminate to the Clerk.

Claims against the estate may be filed in the office of the Clerk of the Court, Ogle County Courthouse, 106 S 5th Street, # 300, Oregon, IL 61061 or with the rep-

DIANA K. RIPPENTROP Independent Executor

March 22, 29, April 5, 2024

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OGL E COUNTY - IN PROBATE IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JEFFERY ROSS CHEEVER, Deceased Case No 2024-PR-8

NOTICE TO CREDITORS THAT THE ESTATE OF JEFERY ROSS CHEE VER HAS BEEN ADMITTED TO PROBATE

Notice is given to creditors of the death of Jeffery Ross Cheever on January 9, 2024.

Letters of Office were issued on February 20, 2024 to Joshua R Cheever of 2237

Wooded Ridge Trail, Cottage Grove, WI 53527

as Independent COUNTY

Wooded Ridge Trail, Cottage Grove, WI 53527 as Independent Administrator, whose attorney of record is Mark C Johnson, 321 W State Street, Suite 301, Rockford, Illinois 61101. Claims against the estate may be filed in the Office of the Circuit Clerk of Ogle County located at 106 S. 5th Street, Suite 300, Oregon, IL 61061, or with the representatives, or both, on or before September 16, 2024, the date six months from the date of first publication on March 15, 2024, or, if mailing or delivery of a notice from the representatives is required by § 18-3 of the Probate Act of 1975, the date stated in that notice. Any claim not filed on or before that date is barred. Copies of the claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered by the claimant to the representative and the representative's attorney within ten (10) days after it has been filed.

Jos hua R. Cheever, Independent Admini strator

Prepared By :

Mark C. Johnson

ARDC No.

6211240 Attorney for Petiti oner

321 W. State Street, Suite 301 Rockford, IL 61101

March 15, 22, 29, 2024

ROSS

Jos hua R. Cheever, Independent Admini strator

Prepared By :

Mark C. Johnson

ed Case No. 2024-PR-8 CE TO EDITORS THAT THE TE OF RY ROSS EE VER BEEN

OTICES

TTED TO PROBATE is given to of the of Jeffery Cheever on 9, 2024. of Office issued on 20, 2024 shua R of 2237 Ridge Cottage WI 53527 ndependent ministrator, attorney of s Mark C 321 W Street, Suite ockford, Illi61101. against the may be filed Office of Circuit Clerk of ounty locat106 S. 5th Suite 300, IL 61061, the repatives, or or before ber 16, he date six from the first publion March 2024, or, if or delivery e from the tatives is by § 18-3 robate Act the date n that noclaim not or before date is Copies of aim filed the Clerk mailed or by the to the tative and epresentaattorney en (10) days has been

Jos hua R. Cheever, dependent mini strator red By : Johnson o. Attorney oner tate uite 301 Rockford, IL

15, 22, 29, 2024 Call 833-584-NEWS announce ings or ments in brations! LEG AL NOTICES

ARDC No.

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OGL E COUNTY - IN PROBATE IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF BRENDA KAY CHEEVER, Deceased Case No 2024-PR-9 NOTICE TO CREDITORS THAT THE ESTATE OF BRENDA KAY CHEE VER HAS BEEN ADMITTED TO PROBATE

Notice is given to creditors of the death of Brenda Kay Cheever on January 18, 2024.

Letters of Office were issued on February 20, 2024 to Joshua R Cheever of 2237 Wooded Ridge Trail, Cottage Grove, WI 53527 as Independent Administrator, whose attorney of record is Mark C Johnson, 321 W State Street, Suite 301, Rockford, Illinois 61101.

Claims against the estate may be filed in the Office of the Circuit Clerk of Ogle County located at 106 S. 5th Street, Suite 300, Oregon, IL 61061, or with the representatives, or both, on or before September 16, 2024, the date six months from the date of first publication on March 15, 2024, or, if mailing or delivery of a notice from the representatives is required by § 18-3 of the Probate Act of 1975, the date stated in that notice. Any claim not filed on or before that date is barred. Copies of the claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered by the claimant to the representative and the representative's attorney within ten (10) days after it has been filed.

Jos hua R. Cheever, Independent Admini strator

Prepared By : Mark C. Johnson

ARDC No.

6211240 Attorney for Petiti oner

321 W. State Street, Suite 301 Rockford, IL 61101

6211240 Attorney for Petiti oner

321 W. State Street, Suite 301 Rockford, IL 61101

March 15, 22, 29, 2024

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OGL E COUNTY, ILLINOIS

In the interest of: Xenya Conti, a minor

Case No: 21 JA 40 NOTICE BY PUBLICATION

To: All Whom It May Concern, respondent(s), and to all whom it may concern, take notice that on February 27, 2024, a petition was filed under the Juvenile Court Act by ASA Richard Russo, in the Circuit Court of Ogle County entitled “In the interest of Xenya Conti, a minor”, and that in courtroom 304 at 106 South Fifth, Oregon, Illinois on April 16th, 2024 at 10:45 a.m. or as soon thereafte r as this cause may be heard, an adjudicatory hearing will be held upon the Petition to have the child declared to be a ward of the court and for other relief under that act. The court has authority in this proceeding to take from you the custody and guardianship of the minor.

If the Petition requests the termination of your parental rights and the appointment of a guardian with power to consent to adoption, you may lose all parental rights to the child Unless you appear you will not be entitled to further written notices or publication notice s of the proceedings in this case, including the filing of an amended petition for a motion to terminate parental rights.

Unless you appear at the hearing and show cause against the petition, the allegations of the petition may stand admitted as against you and each of you, and an order for judgment entered

Dated this 27th day of

ANNUAL TOWN ME ETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN

To the legal voters, residents of the Township of Maryland, in theCounty of Ogle and State of Illinois, that the ANNUAL TOWN MEETING of said Township will take place on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, being the second Tuesday of said month as required by 60 ILCS 1/30-10 at the hour of 7:30 p.m. at Maryland Township Building Adeline, Illinois for the transaction of the miscellaneous business of said township Meeting agenda to include: Election of Moderator, Approval of 2023 Minutes of Annual Meeting, the Supervisor's Financial Statement, Set Date & Time of

Next Annual Town Meeting - 2nd Tuesday of April, no earlier than 6:00p.m - April 8, 2025, Informational Items, Adjournment.

Vicky A. Coffman Maryland Township Clerk 3/22/2024

March 22, 2024