Oregon_Republican_Reporter-04-05-2024

oglecountynews.com

ShawLocal.com

Included in every subscription

Activate your digital access today. Visit: ShawLocal.com/digital-activation Call: 866-979-1053

OFFICE

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

SUBSCRIPTIONS

1 month – $4.33

13 weeks – $13 26 weeks – $26 52 weeks – $52

To subscribe, make a payment or discuss your delivery, call 815-732-6166, ext. 2518, from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday-Friday or send an email to subscriptions@oglecountynews.com. You also can subscribe online by going to oglecountynews.com and clicking on Subscribe.

CLASSIFIED SALES classified@shawlocal.com

HELP WANTED employment@shawlocal.com

LEGAL NOTICES

sauklegals@shawlocal.com

OBITUARIES

saukobits@shawlocal.com

Deadline for obituaries is 2 p.m. Tuesday for Friday’s edition

SEND NEWS news@oglecountynews.com

Publisher

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

General Manager

Earleen Hinton 815-632-2591 ehinton@shawmedia.com

News

Alexa Zoellner

815-632-2590 azoellner@shawmedia.com

Advertising Sales

Jennifer Heintzelman

815-632-2502 jheintzelman@shawmedia.com

Coliseum Museum presents spring concert, new artists

SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com

OREGON – The Coliseum Museum of Art, Antiques & Americana will host its first concert Friday.

Matt and Cynthia Gruel of Hot ‘n’ Cole will present a Cole Porter spring concert featuring music from one of America’s most beloved jazz and theater composers.

The pair will enlighten listeners with a biographical and musical background in an effort to bring a greater appreciation for Porter’s genius. Highlights will include “Too Darn Hot,” “Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall in Love),” “Begin the Beguine” and many more.

Doors will open at 5 p.m. with music by Ivory and Burgundy, followed by Hot ‘n’ Cole at 6 p.m. Ivory and Burgundy features local musicians Miles Beske on flute, Andy Eckardt on piano and David Eckardt on drums.

OREGON LIBRARY

National Library Week – April 7-13

National Library Week is a time to celebrate our nation’s libraries and library workers and promote library use and support. The library provides an inclusive and supportive community where everyone belongs. First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association and libraries of all types across the country. From picture books and large print to audiobooks and ebooks, library of things collection items, book clubs, storytimes, yoga, craft classes, lectures and more, the library is the place to be. Check out reading material from the Oregon Public Library this week and receive a scratch-off ticket (Oregon Public Library District cardholders only) for every three readable items checked out. Prizes for the lucky winners.

Community Seed Library

Looking to start your garden planning?

Check out our seed library. We have more than 100 packets of all types of heirloom seeds free for anyone.

Story Time (18 months to 6 years)

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

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

Tickets are $25 for CMAAA members and $30 for nonmembers. Tickets are available by calling the museum at 815595-5810 or online at www.cmaaa.org/ events.html.

The concert is sponsored by Bry’s Antiques.

April artists

Rich Born is the featured artist for April. Based in DeKalb, Born has a strong interest in photography that began during his childhood days. He works with digital cameras now but does very little post-processing of images in Photoshop.

He also has images printed translucently on glass, as well as high-gloss standouts on a metallic surface. Most recently, he has taken up the art of scanography. He has displayed his work in shows at several galleries and has participated in numerous juried shows.

Joy Meyer from Dixon will be showing

requested. Visit www.oregonpubliclibrary. com or call 815-732-2724.

Ink with A Friend Monthly Card Club

6 p.m. Monday, April 15. Sending personal cards to your friends and family is a way to let them know you care and are thinking about them. All designs include colored cardstock, designer series paper, detailed stamped images, die cut pieces, matching ink, ribbon and embellishments. All cards come with matching envelopes. Whether you’re a new card maker or a seasoned pro, our kits are suited to every skill level. Sign up today to reserve your spot. Oregon patrons only. Registration is required at 815-7322724 or www.oregonpubliclibrary.com.

Try It

Tuesday

Tuesday, April 16 at 1:30 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. (Choose your time slot). Paper quilling is a popular craft where strips of paper are fixed together to create cards, gift bags, decorative boxes or pieces of art. This class is for Oregon library patrons only. Registration is required at 815-732-2724 or www.oregonpubliclibrary.com.

Writing Short Stories

6 p.m. Wednesday, April 17. What do Stephen King, James Joyce and Zora Neale Hurston all have in common? They all wrote short stories during their illustrious careers – and so can you! Adam Moderow, author of the short story anthology “Songs to Dream By” and Oregon librarian Richard Pulfer will discuss the in’s and out’s of writing short stories. They’ll also discuss how to submit

her work in the Taft Gallery during April and May. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in art and art education from Northern Illinois University.

Meyer taught art for 30 years, the last 20 years at Rock Falls High School. Meyer has enjoyed working in many different media including watercolor, pen and ink, pencil, glass etching, stained glass and silk painting. The medium she has chosen to specialize in recently is acrylic painting.

Meyer has won numerous awards for both her painting and teaching.

The CMAAA’s mission is to present art, antiques, Americana and history through permanent and rotating exhibits, workshops, music, theater and more.

More information can be found at its website, www.cmaaa.org, and Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ColiseumMuseum.

short stories and get published. Registration is requested. Call 815-732-2724 or visit www.oregonpubliclibrary.com.

Book Clubs

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. Is This Just Fantasy? Book Club will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, at the library to discuss “Grave Mercy” by Robin LaFevers.

Books on Tap Book Club meets at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 24, at Cork & Tap to discuss “The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride” by Joe Siple.

Oregon Writers Group

The group meets at 10 a.m. on the second Tuesday of the month. The purpose of the group is to help and encourage you in your writing.  If you need brainstorming ideas, we can help suggest ideas or aid with the creative process.

OPLD Dial-A-Story and Oregon Public Library StoryWalk at Oregon Park West Call 815-732-2724, follow the prompts and presto ... a story. Story is “The Boy Who Was Raised by Librarians” by Carla Morris. At the StoryWalk is “Hey, Little Ant” by Phillip and Hannah Hoose.

HOW ARE WE DOING?

Safranek pleads guilty to suffocating 7-year-old son in 2021

By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com

OREGON – An Oregon woman has pleaded guilty to killing her 7-year-old son Nathaniel by suffocating him in their family home in February 2021.

Sarah Safranek, 37, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder when she appeared in court March 27.

Safranek, who has been held in the Ogle County Correctional Center since her arrest in April 2021, entered her plea in front of Judge John Redington, according to a news release from Ogle County State’s Attorney Mike Rock.

Safranek’s sentencing hearing is set for 1 p.m. May 17.

First-degree murder carries a sentencing range of 20 to 60 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections followed by three years of mandatory supervised release.

“The sentence is served at 100%,” according to the release.

Safranek was charged with five counts of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated battery. She was arrested April 21, 2021, and indicted May 4, 2021. She pleaded not guilty May 6, 2021.

Nathaniel Burton was a first grade student at Oregon Elementary School. He was found unresponsive and not breathing at 2:30 a.m. Feb. 17, 2021, in his bed at home in the 400 block of South

10th Street. He was pronounced dead later that day at KSB Hospital in Dixon.

According to records obtained by Shaw Local News Network in a Freedom of Information Act request, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services visited the household about a dozen times over two years, following up on five reports of suspected abuse and neglect. Each time, DCFS closed the case after finding no indications of parental wrongdoing.

Nathaniel was 4 when the allegations first surfaced.

Before her March 27 guilty plea, Safranek had appeared in court March 12, at which time Rock and Safranek’s attorneys – Ogle County Public Defenders Kathleen Isley and Michael O’Brien – and Redington agreed on the week of July 8 for her jury trial.

On Nov. 3, 2022, Redington ruled Safranek was fit to stand trial after reviewing a mental health evaluation

requested by the defense. Defense attorneys had asked Redington to approve an additional expert to “review and evaluate mental health records” of Safranek, including her condition at the time of the alleged crime.

They argued that extensive mental health records were provided by the state and revealed a “substantial history of mental health issues, mental illness and related services.”

Redington only agreed to have Jayne Braden review Safranek’s history of “mental health issues.” Braden, a forensic and clinical psychologist in Sycamore, was the court-appointed expert who conducted Safranek’s first evaluation when she was charged.

Safranek has claimed she has mental and physical issues that are not being treated properly at the jail and, in a previous motion, her attorneys argued she was not getting sufficient medical attention while in custody.

Lamesch’s mother comments after Plote’s conviction in 2020 deaths

By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com

OREGON – The family of Melissa Lamesch wept softly and sighed with relief as they sat in an Ogle County courtroom after a jury found Matthew Plote guilty March 22 of strangling Lamesch to death and killing her unborn baby on Nov. 25, 2020.

Lamesch’s family, supported by a strong contingent of friends, was present each day of the five-day trial and watched as Ogle County State’s Attorney Mike Rock and his assistants Heather Kruse and Allison

Huntley tried the case March 18-22 in front of Judge John “Ben” Roe at the Ogle County Judicial Center.

“We lost a daughter, a sister, an aunt and goddaughter along with her son, our grandson and nephew along with her beloved shelter rescue cat,” said her mother, Deanna Lamesch, after the verdict was read. “Two days before the baby was due and one day before Thanksgiving and on her youngest sister’s birthday. How do you come back from that?”

Rock also looked relieved as the courtroom emptied about 7:30 p.m. March 22.

“We could never bring back Melissa, but I’m very happy we could bring justice to the Lamesch family as best as we can,” Rock said.

Asked how difficult it was to prosecute the case, Rock said all cases present challenges.

“All these cases are all different,” Rock said. “Every case is unique so it can take a period of time to put it together and then it has to be pre -

sented to the jurors.”

A post-trial status hearing has been set for April 25. Rock said he expects Plote’s sentencing hearing to be held within the next six months. In a March 25 news release, Rock said Plote is facing a mandatory life sentence.

Jurors deliberated for two hours March 22 before finding Plote, 36, of Malta, guilty of killing Melissa Lamesch, 27, on Nov. 25, 2020, just one day before Thanksgiving and two days before her full-term baby was to be born. Plote was found guilty of 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.

Plote, the baby’s biological father, showed no emotion as the verdict was read. Members of his family, including his mother and father, were present during the trial and quietly wept when the verdicts were read.

In an email to Shaw Media, Deanna Lamesch thanked first responders, law enforcement and others for their support.

“We also owe gratitude to family and friends for outpourings of support. This week was tough and graphic. We also appreciate all those who were called and/or served for jury duty and for all those who testified. We can never thank you enough for your time and sacrifices this week” she wrote. “To say this process has been overwhelming is an understatement. We had so much taken from us. Melissa wouldn’t have wanted all this attention. It is so heartbreaking to know that a spunky, quirky, feisty girl like Melissa could fall prey to such horrible domestic violence. But, they [she and Barrett] are at peace. Hopefully now we can start to have some, too.”

Sarah Safranek

Nathaniel Burton

Melissa Lamesch

Earleen Hinton

Ogle County State’s Attorney Mike Rock cross-examines a witness at the Matthew Plote trial as Judge John “Ben” Roe listens March 22 at the Ogle County Judicial Center in Oregon. Plote was found guilty of the first-degree murder of Melissa Lamesch and her unborn baby on Nov. 25, 2020.

Mt. Morris, Forreston hold Easter Egg Hunts for kids

By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com

The wind was brisk and temperatures a tad chilly, but the race to pick up plastic Easter eggs and candy was heated Saturday in Mt. Morris and Forreston.

The Mt. Morris Moose Lodge offered its breakfast with the Easter Bunny from 8 to 10 a.m., followed by four egg hunts outside on the lawn next to the center.

“We were a little worried about the weather. If it was going to be raining, we would have had to move everything inside,” said Mindy Goldstick, an event organizer. “But it didn’t.”

Age brackets for the hunts were 0-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12.

Marshall White, 1, of Mt. Morris, was so concentrated on running that he scooted past all the eggs and candy.

“It’s his first time,” said his dad who scooped him up for a second run.

Vivian Broach, 8, of Mt. Morris, sprinted across the plastic-egg-laden grass ahead of a stream of same-age competitors.

“She gave me the idea,” said Viv-

ian, referring to her mom and the strategy.

Aubrey Jenkins, 10, of Oregon, filled her basket so fast that her mom had to come running with a second basket.

“The Moose pays for all the candy,” Goldstick said after the final hunt Saturday morning.

Forreston’s hunts started at 1 p.m. with warmer temps and intermittent sunshine. The event, co-sponsored by the Forreston Lions Club and Forreston Area Business Association, included a hot dog/ bratwurst luncheon and a Touch A Truck display all at or near Memorial Park.

“Many thanks to all that donated the baskets, candy for the Easter Egg Hunt, the many helpers, the vehicle’s for the Touch A Truck, and the Easter Bunny,” Lion Ludwig said.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the Forreston Town Ball program, Ludwig said.

Hunts were offered for kids in different age brackets and a lucky raffle winner took home a special Easter basket in each category.

“It was a wonderful turnout,” Ludwig said.

ABOVE: Vivian Broach (left), 8, and Acacia Ryan, 8, of Mt. Morris race to gather Easter eggs March 30 at the Mt. Morris Moose Lodge in Mt. Morris.

RIGHT: Gracelyn Moore, 5, of Mt. Morris takes part in one of the Moose Family Center’s egg hunts in Mt. Morris.

Photos by Earleen Hinton Marshall White, 1, of Mt. Morris sprints through a sea of plastic eggs March 30 at the start of the Mt. Morris Moose Lodge’s Easter Egg Hunt for children 0-3.

Lucas Pelta, 3, of German Valley hunts for eggs at the Forreston Lions and FABA’s Easter Egg Hunt on March 30 at Memorial Park.

State Rep. Tony McCombie recognizes Koeller Forreston Hardware

Store highlighted as part of new program featuring local businesses

SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com

FORRESTON – House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, spent time honoring an Ogle County business through her new program launched earlier this year to help promote the business community in northwest Illinois.

McCombie visited Koeller Forreston Hardware as her second local business highlight of the year and presented the store with a special certificate of recognition. The store came to life Aug. 21, 2015, when it was bought by Gary and Jane Koeller who are longtime Forreston residents.

Gary moved to Forreston in 1967 and is a plumber and handyman, which makes the store a perfect fit. The family-run store is a staple in the community, offering essential supplies and wisdom for any home project. But it goes far beyond that.

The store serves the community while also supporting other local businesses through its “County Cor-

ner” that highlights local entrepreneurs – from handmade soap to butchered meats. The store also contains local history from its past as the old post office and bank. Portions of the building remain intact from that time including the colorful ceiling in the main area.

“Everyone needs to have a local hardware store in their rotation and the selection of goods paired with the expertise and friendliness of staff make this a staple spot in Forreston,” McCombie said. “This store goes above and beyond to not only be a great business but be an essential part of the community here.”

Highlighting local businesses is an ongoing effort by McCombie to connect with business owners throughout the district and bring great resources to constituents. McCombie encourages constituents to suggest local businesses that deserve recognition by using the nomination form at https://repmccombie.com/ local-business-highlight-submission-form.

The 89th District includes all of Carroll and Jo Daviess counties as well as parts of Stephenson, Winnebago, Boone, Ogle and DeKalb counties. For questions, call McCombie’s office at 815-291-8989.

Photo provided by Tony McCombie

Gary and Jane Koeller pose with state Rep. Tony McCombie (right) in their Koeller Hardware store located in downtown Forreston.

March Madness is maddening because of late tipoffs

This March Madness is killing me since some of these basketball games do not even start until after 9 p.m. This means they do not end until almost midnight and then you cannot get to sleep because you are all hyped up if the games are close.

If the games are wide apart in the scores, I can head for bed knowing how they will turn out. But if they are close and a great game to watch, I have to stay up to the end. Kenneth and I always enjoyed watching quite a bit of basketball in days past and we got to know the coaches.

We also watched the women as well and I felt sorry for Pat Summitt who coached Tennessee when she announced she was quitting her coaching days early because of health problems. I also remember the little blonde coach who had a new

POLO HISTORY

Betty Obendorf

baby a few days before the basketball tournament started. There she was with the new babe tucked under her arms walking up and down the basketball court. I was afraid she would drop the baby in the excitement but she never did!

I also enjoyed watching Muffet McGraw, who coached Notre Dame, and how she crouched down on her legs to watch what was going on with her team. I always thought, my that woman is agile, and I kept my eyes on her as she coached her team.

It was no wonder that when our granddaughter Lori became quite the

basketball star for Loras College in Iowa that we all went to most of her games. I loved it but quickly learned that college campuses are not made for older people. That was when I started using a cane to steady my balance.

Those were great days of basketball in our family. I was even honored to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” for Lori’s senior day on the basketball court. What wonderful memories.

At the museum, Kevin and Charlie have been busy with lighting and replacing bulbs with new LED bulbs to make our lighting more efficient. We had a school house globe gone and Kevin started looking for a replacement. He visited Darrell and Nancy Trotter in Polo and, lo and behold, they had a globe that they donated to us.

Thank you to the Trotters. Kevin also found out about the Oddfellows Hall and the history that goes with it. He was pleased with the visit.

I am working at the moment with the history of the Underground Railroad in Polo and Ogle County. I need to refresh my memory of giving this information in programs a number of years ago. People are wanting this history again and I am doing so for a group from Oregon.

What goes around, comes around again. As long as I am able, I will get back out my program material, review it and be ready to tell people the story of the Underground Railroad in Polo.

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

Recollections: Summer recipes include blackberry pie

The following story was written by Jane Shoemaker and appeared in her book “Pine Creek Recollections – a Storytelling Book” in 2001. I will be sharing selections of her book in my column for a few weeks – Otto Dick.

By JANE SHOEMAKER

It is hot! The grass is turning brown. Activity has ceased except for the splashing and yells resounding through the valley as the lads continue their afternoon swimming. Evenings are hot and the favorite pastime as the sun goes down is lying out in the yard, waiting for the coolness of the night. There’s no air-conditioning.

The family scatters in search of coolness, watching bats soaring above. Listening to night sounds and an occasional owl hooting, the pigeons in the barn close by, cooing and calling to

one another. Then someone would whisper, “Shhh, listen. You can hear the corn growing.” My mother would step into the cellar and bring out a tall pitcher of homemade lemonade and perhaps a plate of cookies.

In the summertime, everyone hustled and bustled. There was so much to do, the gardening, the canning, jam making, cleaning and the regular housework. As a girl in the family, I didn’t have much to do with the chores in the barn. Things were different then. My sisters and I learned everything there was to know about homemaking. We were taught to sew, cook, clean, can and serve. We also had time to read and we took piano lessons. We learned to care for our old folks and also the new babies in the house. Sometimes we were loaned out to help neighbors care for the little children, the elderly and the ill. It was a full

education.

And in the evening it was family time. We were all home. As we lay in the yard, we sometimes played games. These games were naming the constellations, finding the Milky Way, counting the owl hoots and the answering echoes in the valley.

There were times of trouble, times of sorrow, times of hardship, but summer evenings together seemed to carry them all away.

Summer recipes? Well, we ate what was fresh out of the garden. We did have some unusual foods we made just in the summertime. We had a gooseberry bush in the yard and we had blackberry bushes back of the orchard. As children, we didn’t mind picking the blackberries but the gooseberries were another story! Berry picking involves some eating as you pick, but no one enjoyed eating goose-

berries off the bush. When green, so sour. When ripe, so bland.

Wild Blackberry Pie

You may use black raspberries in July or wait until August and pick larger blackberries.

3 cups washed blackberries,1 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons tapioca or cornstarch and 1 tablespoon butter. Add sugar and tapioca to berries. Set aside. Line pan with crust and press down. Put the berry mixture in the crust. Top with butter. Place other crust on top and cut “BBG” in center. Seal edges tightly. Place pie on a cookie sheet in hot oven for 425 degrees for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake for 35 more minutes.

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

Rosecrance Behavioral Health, FHN announce partnership

FREEPORT – Rosecrance Behav -

ioral Health and FHN announced a partnership they say will enhance behavioral health services to serve northwest Illinois.

“The partnership between FHN and Rosecrance Behavioral Health in Freeport ensures continuity in high-quality behavioral health services for the

region,” a March 20 news release said. “Under this partnership, the behavioral health services offered at FHN Family Counseling Center, 421 W. Exchange St., have been transferred to Rosecrance Behavioral Health in Freeport, 1631 S. Galena Ave. This move streamlines the delivery of behavioral health services to clients within the community while continuing to provide comprehensive care that recognizes the unique needs of each patient.”

FHN and Rosecrance will work collaboratively to ensure a smooth and seamless transfer of services that will not disrupt existing FHN patients’ care, the release said. The transition of care also will include case management and peer support services through a community-based care team to ensure clients receive the best possible treatment, the release said.

Illinois for many years and we look forward to expanding services to meet the community’s needs. The smooth and efficient transition of care will be executed with utmost care and attention to detail, ensuring that the clients receive uninterrupted and exceptional care throughout the process,” Rosecrance Behavioral Health CEO Dave Gomel said. SHAW

“Rosecrance and FHN have enjoyed a healthy partnership in northwest

See

2023 Ogle County multiplier announced

SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com

OREGON – Ogle County has been issued a final property assessment equalization factor of 1.0000, according to David Harris, director of the Illinois Department of Revenue.

The property assessment equalization factor, often called the “multiplier,” is the method used to achieve uniform property assessments among counties as required by law. This equalization is particularly important because some of the state’s 6,600 local taxing districts overlap into two or more counties (e.g., school districts, junior college districts, fire protection districts). If there was no equalization among counties, substantial inequities

among taxpayers with comparable properties would result.

Under a law passed in 1975, property in Illinois should be assessed at one-third of its market value.

Farm property is assessed differently with farm homesites and dwellings subject to regular assessing and equalization procedures. Farmland is assessed at one-third of its agriculture economic value and not subject to the state equalization factor.

Assessments in Ogle County are at 33.01% of market value based on sales of properties in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

The equalization factor being assigned is for 2023 taxes, payable in 2024.

Last year’s equalization factor for the county was 1.0000.

The final assessment equalization factor was issued after a public hearing on the tentative factor. The tentative factor issued on Dec. 8, 2023, was 1.0000.

The equalization factor is determined annually for each county by comparing the price of individual properties sold over the past three years to the assessed value placed on those properties by the county supervisor of assessments/county assessor.

If the three-year average level of assessment is one-third of the market value, the equalization factor will be one. If the average level of assessment is greater than one-third of market value, the equalization factor will be less than one.

And if the average level of assess -

ment is less than one-third of market value, the equalization factor will be greater than one.

A change in the equalization factor does not mean total property tax bills will increase or decrease. Tax bills are determined by local taxing bodies when they request money each year to provide services to local citizens.

If the amount requested by local taxing districts is not greater than the amount received in the previous year, then total property taxes will not increase even if assessments increase.

The assessed value of an individual property determines what portion of the tax burden a specific taxpayer will assume. That individual’s portion of tax responsibility is not changed by the multiplier.

Let’s consider ways we can have positive experiences with poems

What are your memories of poetry? Does the mere thought trigger bad feelings about a lengthy poem that you were required to dissect line by line in high school? Or do you have positive recollections of a favorite poet or of poems that you learned by heart and can still recite?

I love poetry because long ago my grandmother shared a poem with me about a girl who had trouble learning her multiplication facts. It is funny, has a surprise ending and I could relate to the topic. I was hooked. We can share the wonderful world of poetry with our children and grandchildren, too.

In celebration of April as Poetry Month, let’s consider ways we can have positive experiences with poems with our children and grandchildren.

There are many poems for children of all ages in a variety of styles and genres. You will find fiction, fantasy and nonfiction poetry. There are poems about many of the topics that interest children such as dinosaurs, space, weather and sports.

BYRON LIBRARY NEWS

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

READING MATTERS

Mary Gardner

Young children especially love to hear the play on words and the rhythm and rhyme of poetry. That is why Dr. Seuss books with all the silly made-up rhymes are so popular. We can encourage playing with rhymes orally as well. We might say, “Do you want some juice moose?” or something silly like that as part of our dayto-day routines.

Poetry provides positive support for reluctant or struggling readers. First, there are many poems that are one page or less. A smaller amount of text to tackle can be motivational for these readers. Another important factor is there are many humorous poems written for children. Many of them are about school, so the topics are familiar and children quickly rec-

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

ognize the humor. Reading texts that make us laugh makes reading enjoyable, which improves attitudes toward reading and might increase motivation to read more.

Poems also can be serious. Poets certainly write to express deep emotions about difficult topics. These kinds of poems can be an acceptable way for us to have conversations with our families about topics such as bullying, difficult relationships with friends or family or even the death of a pet or a loved one.

We might consider trying our hand at writing poems. There are many forms and frames that are easily accessible on the internet. Poems do not have to rhyme and they can be any form you choose to try.

When you are working with a certain format, such as haiku for example, you are limited to a certain number of syllables. This makes word choice very important, so writing poems is a good way to build writing vocabulary.

Writing poetry can be therapeutic as well. It allows you to express yourself on paper in a way that can help you work through your feelings in a healthy way. A poem written about a special celebration or a difficult life event might then be shared with family or others to further help us process the event.

Most public libraries have extensive collections of children’s poetry. The library staff is happy to help you locate them. Take some time with your children or grandchildren and find a good book of poems and choose a few that you enjoy. You might gather your favorites in a notebook and add illustrations. Why not try to memorize one or two? Read and enjoy poetry all year long, not just in April for poetry month!

• 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.

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

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 815-234-5107.

Visit the Byron Library Facebook page or subscribe to the newsletter at byronlibrary.org to keep up to date on library news and programs. Be sure to also check out the Byron Library and Byron Library Teen Instagram pages.

4-H Penny Carnival winners announced

By JODI BAUMGARTNER

OREGON – The Ogle County 4-H Federation hosted its annual 4-H Penny Carnival on March 2 at the Blackhawk Center in Oregon.

Penny Carnival is much like a fun fair but features games dreamed up and designed by the 4-H clubs in the county. All 12 of the county’s clubs participated, dreaming up games based on the theme “Oceans of Possibilities in 4-H” and encouraging the development of a wide range of game types.

Cash prizes were awarded to two clubs for games determined to be “Most Entertaining” and two clubs for games determined to be “Most Creative.” New this year was a People’s Choice Award.

Congratulations to the following:

Most Entertaining: Grand Detour

Greens 4-H Club (Fishing game and Lollipop game), By-Y-Badgers 4-H Club, Byron (Shipwrecked!)

Most Creative: Blackhawk Crossing 4-H Club (Ping Pong Goldfish Toss), Ogle County Clovers 4-H Club (Walk the Plank)

People’s Choice: Blackhawk Crossing 4-H Club, Oregon/Mt. Morris

Proceeds from the night were divided equally among participating clubs.

Many thanks to the hundreds of Ogle County families who attended.

4-H is an informal youth education program conducted by the University of Illinois Extension.

For more information, call the Ogle County Extension at 815-732-2191 or visit Ogle County 4-H online at https://extension.illinois.edu/bdo.

4-H bowlers compete at tournament championships in Rochelle

By JODI BAUMGARTNER

OREGON – The 2024 Ogle County 4-H Bowling Tournament championship was Feb. 25 at T-Byrd Lanes in Rochelle.

Seven qualifying teams bowled to determine the winners in the junior division (ages 6-13) and senior division (ages 14 and older).

The clubs set up the qualifying rounds earlier in the year at bowling centers throughout the county. Thank you to Town & Country Lanes in Mt. Morris, T-Byrd Lanes in Rochelle and Uptown Lanes in Byron for their support. Almost 200 youth bowled in this year’s event.

Junior Teams

First place: Mighty Clovers 4-H Club, Monroe Center, Trinity Feltz, Madeline Kusnierz and Mallory King.

Second place: Mighty Clovers 4-H

Club, Monroe Center, Jameson Newumann, Aubrey Kusnierz and DJ Wirfs.

Third place: Mighty Clovers 4-H Club, Monroe Center, Kamryn Feltz, Madisyn Ruthe and Aurora Wirfs.

Fourth place: Ogle Jolly 4-H Club, Stillman Valley, Alyse Rogers, Bristol Clark and Luke Rasmussen.

Senior Teams

First place: Blackhawk Crossing 4-H Club, Oregon/Mt Morris, Immanuel Arellano, Dylan Reimer and Zakkary West.

Second place: Ogle Jolly 4-H Club, Stillman Valley, Braden Rogers, Brooklyn Lee and Bernice Zandonai.

Third place: By-Y-Badgers 4-H Club, Byron, Carson Conderman, Bruce Gehrke and Jacob Hickman.

Scores at the qualifying bowl determined individual high games and high series winners:

Jr. High Game: Trinity Feltz, Mighty Clovers 4-H Club, Monroe Center, 141 pins

Jr. High Series: Piper Johnson, Ogle Jolly 4-H Club, Stillman Valley, 216 pins

Sr. High Game: Brooklyn Lee, Ogle Jolly 4-H Club, Stillman Valley, 176 pins

Sr. High Series: Immanuel Arellano, Blackhawk Crossing 4-H Club, Oregon/Mt. Morris, 303 pins

4-H is a program of the University of Illinois Extension. For more information, contact the Ogle County Extension Office, 421 W. Pines Road, Suite 10, Oregon, IL 61061, by calling 815-732-2191 or visit https://extension. illinois.edu/bdo.

Photo provided by Jodi Baumgartner Ogle County 4H Clubs held the Penny Carnival on March 2 at the Blackhawk Center in Oregon.

Photo provided by Jodi Baumgartner First-place Senior Team members from Blackhawk Crossing 4-H Club in Oregon/Mt. Morris are Zakkary West (from left), Dylan Reimer and Immanuel Arellano.

Championship Junior Team first-place winners are Trinity Feltz, Madeline Kusnierz and Mallory King of Mighty Clovers 4-H Club in Monroe Center.

Charlene Coulombe hired as OCEDC executive director

By ALEXA ZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com

OREGON – The Ogle County Economic Development Corp. has hired its first executive director.

Charlene Coulombe started Feb. 15 as the leader of the consolidated effort to promote the development, establishment and expansion of industries within Ogle County.

“My goal is to make a difference in every community that lets me,” Coulombe said. “In order to grow the organization, we need everybody to be a part of it.”

The OCEDC is a not-for-profit that represents the communities, employers and citizens within the county. Its articles of incorporation were filed with the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office on April 21, 2023.

“Charlene Coulombe has been a phenomenal addition to our organization and we are looking forward to working with her to help spur economic development and sustainable growth in Ogle County,” Randy Schoon, OCEDC Board of Directors president and Polo alderman, said in a March news release.

As of March 26, its board of directors includes Schoon; vice president Darin DeHaan, of Oregon; secretary Paula

Diehl, of Mt. Morris; treasurer John Rickard, of Byron; John Finfrock, Ogle County Board chairman; Patricia Nordman, Ogle County Board vice chairwoman; Karen Halstead, of ComEd; and yet-to-be-named city of Rochelle and Nicor representatives.

“By working together, we are able to share resources in order to develop and strengthen our communities from a regional level,” DeHaan said in the release. “From creating new job opportunities, to helping support our existing businesses, those will be the major focus areas of our organization.”

The OCEDC’s bylaws state there

will be 15 members of the board of directors, Coulombe said. They’re looking to fill the remaining seats with some of the area’s top employers, some banks or financial institutions and different companies, she said.

Coulombe has more than 35 years of experience in economic and business development, according to the release. She has worked with a variety of communities stretching from just outside Chicago to Minnesota, many of them counties or small towns, which gives her a good understanding of what Ogle County is like, according to the release.

“The main goal of economic development is basically it combines everything and anything that has to do with the financial impact of the county,” Coulombe said. “That would be not only the businesses, the vacant land, the residents’ quality of life and then working with municipal leaders to help bring in new development, positive development, diverse development.”

In terms of economic development, diversity means having more than one type of business, she said.

“If you have a ton of warehouse and distribution and something goes amok with, the team, the transportation, lines of communication, they’re all subject to the same kind of weaknesses,” Cou -

lombe said. “If you diversify and you bring in some corporate offices, then you also have a variety of jobs and different pay levels.”

Coulombe already has toured and spent time in Rochelle, Polo, Mt. Morris and Byron, she said. In each area she visited she heard from local leaders about what parcels they’re looking to develop, what issues possibly could be addressed and ways to help the community with their specific needs.

“It’s important that everyone knows they’re not in competition with one another, that there’s strength in numbers and regionalization does work,” Coulombe said. “Sometimes it’s hard to learn new things, but you can grow from it and the community can grow stronger and, hopefully, share in their benefits.”

The OCEDC’s office is stationed within the Oregon Area Chamber of Commerce building, located at 122 N. Fourth St., Oregon. More information about the OCEDC can be found on the Ogle County website by going to the “County” tab along the top of the homepage and clicking on “Economic Development” in the dropdown menu.

Coulombe can be reached at charocedc@gmail.com or by calling 815-703-1338.

Alexa Zoellner/Shaw Media

Charlene Coulombe is the new executive director of the Ogle County Economic Development Corp.

Softball

Warren-Stockton 9, Polo 3: The teams were tied at the end of the first inning. Warren-Stockton went ahead in the top of the second, taking a 3-1 lead. Polo tied it again in the bottom of the fifth. In the top of the sixth, Warren-Stockton scored two runs on a triple and in the seventh, a Warren-Stockton grand slam broke the game open.

Cheyenna Wilkins was the starting pitcher for Polo and went four innings. Karlea Frey pitched three innings in relief. Wilkins and Camrynn Jones had two singles each. Avalyn Henry had a double. Allissa Marschang and Frey each had singles. Freshman Serinity Carlson reached on an error and had an RBI. Jones stole two bases.

Polo 6, Dixon 4: The Lady Marcos edged the Duchesses in a nonconference game.

Sydnei Rahn went 3 for 4 with an RBI, including a double, to lead Polo’s 11-hit attack. Camrynn Jones, Leah Tobin and Izabella Witkowski chipped in two hits and an RBI each while Makayla Cisketti added two RBIs for the Lady Marcos.

Jones earned the complete-game win, allowing four runs (two earned) on eight hits and striking out nine with two walks.

Oregon 16, Plano 1 (4 inn.): The Hawks piled up 11 first-inning runs en route

to a 15-run rule win over the Reapers. Ella Dannhorn and Gracen Pitts each had three hits. Kaelin Shaffer and Abree Barker each added two hits for Oregon. Emma Schlichtmann had a strong outing in the circle for the Hawks.

Polo’s Cheyenna Wilkins pitches against Warren-Stockton on March 28 at Westside Park in Polo.

Photos by Earleen Hinton

Polo left fielder Makayla Cisketti fields a hit as center fielder Cheyenna Wilkins backs her up against Warren-Stockton on March 28 at Westside Park in Polo.

Continued from page 10

Baseball

Forreston 7, Abbotsford/Colby (Wis.) 0: At USA Stadium Complex in Memphis, Tennessee, Alec Schoonhoven and Kendall Erdmann combined for a shutout as the Cardinals defeated the Falcons.

Schoonhoven earned the win on the mound, allowing four hits over four innings and striking out seven with four walks. Erdmann threw three hitless innings and struck out two with no walks.

Erdmann, Schoonhoven, Carson Akins and Brendan Greenfield each had two hits for Forreston. Akins doubled on both hits and Schoonhoven had a team-high three RBIs.

Forreston 6, Johnsburg 4: At USA Stadium Complex in Memphis, Tennessee, the Cardinals took a 4-3 lead after three innings and hung on for a nonconference win against the Skyhawks on Monday.

Daniel Koehl and Patrick Wichman led Forreston with two hits apiece.

Kendall Erdmann pitched three innings for the Cardinals, allowing one earned run on three hits and striking out three with no walks.

Polo 6, Hiawatha 1: The Marcos used three-run innings in the third and fifth to defeat the Hawks.

Jacob Monaco and Gage Zeigler led Polo with two hits apiece. Zeigler had two RBIs.

Nolan Hahn pitched a complete-game one-hitter, striking out 16 with no walks.

Soccer

Oregon 8, Winnebago 2: Deborah Schmid and Anna Stender scored three goals each for the Hawks.

Teagan Champley and Arianna Hammer scored one goal each for the Hawks.

Schmid, Champley, Mya Engelkes

and Kenna Wubbena chipped in two assists each for Oregon.

Mili Zavala recorded five saves for the Hawks.

Polo’s Jeffrey Donaldson moves to avoid getting hit by a pitch against Kirkland-Hiawatha on March 28 at Westside Park in Polo.

Photos by Earleen Hinton Polo’s Nolan Hahn pitches against Kirkland-Hiawatha on March 28 at Westside Park in Polo.

Oregon, Forreston forming sports hall of fames

Among Ogle County high schools, Forreston and Oregon are joining Byron and Rochelle in the sports hall of fame business. Both schools are looking for nominations in first-ever induction classes.

At Oregon, former athletes, coaches, teams, administrators, faculty and friends are eligible. Criteria include regional, state and national recognition. Others factor to be considered are significant contributions to the community and exceptional accomplishments.

It is a combined Oregon and Mt. Morris Hall of Fame as achievements from both places are under consideration. The committee vetting nominations will include reps from each town.

Credit to Oregon for setting it up in an all-encompassing manner.

Forreston’s HOF will be based upon dedication, extracurricular, personal achievement, service and teamwork. Only the Forreston community can nominate individuals, teams or friends of Forreston. A committee will review and make selections.

The hard part will be deciding which candidates are most worthy of making the cut as Hall of Famers, especially when you need to go back in time to, say, 1916 when Sherman Landers of

Andy Colbert

Oregon was making headlines as a track and field star.

There is a balancing act between what was achieved in decades past versus those of today. Is there sage judgment in defining the differences?

Another difficulty will be reaching a delicate balance between which Mt. Morris and Oregon nominees are most deserving. Will there be some give and take or will community pride influence decision-making?

I didn’t see anything about Leaf River, which closed in 1989 and absorbed into Forreston being part of the equation.

Will some sports such as glory-driven football and basketball be weighted higher than bowling, field hockey or golf?

It’s easy to go back and review records or game results and assume certain individuals and teams are most deserving. However, what about other individuals and teams that don’t have gaudy results, but have overcome adversity or tougher competition to

Nominations sought for Hall of Fame

Hall is for Oregon and Mt. Morris athletics

SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com

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 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.

Nominations are due May 1.

The Oregon CUSD Athletic Hall of Fame committee will evaluate nomi -

actually achieve more.

For example, when covering wrestling, I knew kids who never won an individual state title but were better than others that had won them in different weight classes because of bracketing. The same is true with many sports teams.

It’s more of a chore to look past the raw data, but to give everyone a fair shake, intangibles are part of the equation.

What about football, which did not have a state tournament until 1974? When it comes to the state playoffs, it’s easy to define success at a place such as Forreston. However, would those teams be given priority over pre-1974 squads that didn’t have a chance to do more than win a conference title.

Will girls sports, which had been in the background for so many years, receive the same consideration as the boys or will there be biases?

What about candidates who have had “character” issues since graduating. Are they downgraded because of those issues?

The IHSA sanctions both athletics and activities. Activities are things such as cheer and music, which often support athletic programs. Would individuals and teams from these activities

be eligible?

Do you want your Hall of Fame to honor the best of the best such as the Baseball Hall of Fame does with its stringent voting or use it as a celebration where almost everyone gets in like the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association HOF, which had 135 inductees for 2024. The year before, it had about the same number.

Here’s an entirely different thought on hall of fames as a whole, be it professional, college or high school:

Are they an ego-filling proposition?

If the purpose of life is to live in humility, don’t hall of fames contradict that notion?

What about everyday people who aren’t superstars in their field but live life better than those more talented? Where is their reward?

Call me a wet blanket on the subject, but a little devil’s advocacy once in a while is healthy for the debate.

That being said, I look forward to hearing about all the nominations and who makes the first class of the Hall of Fame for both Forreston and Oregon/ Mt. Morris.

• 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.

nees based on criteria including regional, state and national recognition, exceptional accomplishments in 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 opportunity 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.

As your local, trusted partner, we are committed to guiding you through every step of your home buying journey, ensuring a smooth and supportive experience.

Reach out today to turn your dream home into reality.

OBITUARIES

LESA L. FENTON

Born: July 26, 1968

Died: March 27, 2024

Lesa L. Fenton , age 55, passed away at Swedish American Hospital on March 27th, 2024.

Born in Rockford, Illinois on July 26, 1968.

WHITNEY FEARER MORRILL

Born: May 6, 1937 in Rockford, IL

Died: March 31, 2024 in Greencastle, IN

Lesa loved her family, friends and her dogs Max and Maxine very much. She loved social gatherings with friends and music! And Lesa had a very strong faith in God, and is now with Him. She is survived by her son, Ryan Fenton, daughter, Sasha Fenton, daughter, Ciara (Thomas Austin), brother, Frank Fenton, brother, Mike Fenton (Tracy) brother, Bob Crenshaw, and brother Jason Crenshaw. Grandchildren, Alex, Anthony, Mia, Brea, Triston, Aiden, Aubree, Bentley, and Carter

Lesa loved her family, friends and her dogs Max and Maxine very much. She loved social gatherings with friends and music! And Lesa had a very strong faith in God, and is now with Him.

She is survived by her son, Ryan Fenton, daughter, Sasha Fenton, daughter, Ciara (Thomas Austin), brother, Frank Fenton, brother, Mike Fenton (Tracy) brother, Bob Crenshaw, and brother Jason Crenshaw. Grandchildren, Alex, Anthony, Mia, Brea, Triston, Aiden, Aubree, Bentley, and Carter And many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her mother Gail Crenshaw and stepfather Robert Crenshaw.

A celebration of life will be held at the VFW in Oregon Illinois, on Sunday, April 14th, from 2:00-6:00 p.m

A memorial fund has been established, to give go to https://gofund.me/14f567f5

and a cross-country skier, spending many vacations in Northern Minnesota and the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

PHYLLIS JEAN LABUDDE

Born: December 22, 1934 in Brookville Township, Ogle County, Illinois

Died: March 24, 2024 in Forreston, Illinois

And many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her mother Gail Crenshaw and stepfather Robert Crenshaw.

Whitney Fearer Morrill was born on May 6th, 1937, in Rockford Illinois, to parents

A celebration of life will be held at the VFW in Oregon Illinois, on Sunday, April 14th, from 2:00-6:00 p.m

A memorial fund has been established, to give go to https://gofund.me/14f567f5

Gerald Wilson and Dorothy Burke Fearer. She graduated from Oregon (Illinois) High School and earned two degrees from Depauw University, a B.A. in 1959 and a B.S.N. in 1979. Upon obtaining a nursing degree, she became an R.N. and began a twenty-year practice at Putnam County Hospital. After this, she practiced at the Johnson-Nichols Clinic in Greencastle for some years.

Whitney was an avid birder-an active member of the Big Walnut Bird Club-and a lover of all animals, especially the many dogs and horses she had over her lifetime. Her favorite place in Greencastle was the Nature Park, where she spent mornings birding and walking with friends for many years. She was also a runner, a cyclist, a mountain-climber

• PARTNERSHIP

Continued from page 6

Behavioral health services transferred to Rosecrance include psychiatry, individual, group and family psychotherapy, FHN Crisis services will transfer to Rosecrance’s existing crisis care model, which includes

Whitney was a long-time member of the League of Women Voters and a volunteer worker at several places, including the Humane Society of Putnam County and the Putnam County Library.

Whitney is preceded in death by her parents Gerald and Dorothy, her stepmother Rogene Franklin Fearer, and her brother, William P. Fearer. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, John Morrill, sister Martha Fearer Highsmith (Robert), “sister” Susan VanDuyne (Timothy Rainey), and children Michael Morrill (Annette), Karen Morrill (David Carlson), and Ann Morrill (Milton Ospina). She is also survived by grandchildren Miles Bryan (Nina Feldman), Forrest Bryan, Hazel Bryan, Lucas Ospina, Marlena Ospina, Elliott Morrill (Kelly) and Hannah Ayres (Nolan), and two great-grandchildren, Charles Elliott Morrill and Antonia Opal Bryan. In addition, she is survived by several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

There will be a celebration of life this summer in Greencastle.

mobile crisis response and 988 response, prevention services and school-based programs.

“Through the transition of behavioral health services to Rosecrance in Freeport, the community members of northwest Illinois will benefit from expanded services across the region,” FHN President and CEO Mark Gridley said. “The new struc -

Phyllis Jean LaBudde, 89, of Forreston, died Sunday, March 24 in her home. She was born December 22, 1934 in Brookville Township, Ogle County, Illinois, the daughter of Harold and Mildred (Pulver) Drenner. Phyllis married Frederick “Fritz” LaBudde on November 2, 1985. He died March 15, 2015. She lived in the Forreston –Polo area her entire life, attending Polo schools. She was a Farmer’s wife for many years and worked many jobs after her two children from a previous marriage started school. She worked in the cafeteria at the new grade school, a Nurse’s Aide, Physical Therapy Aide at F.H.N., and Micro Switch for two years, Forreston F. S. Plant, then back home to help

ROCK RIVER CENTER ACTIVITIES

Rock River Center is a resource center located at 810 S. 10th St. in Oregon. Activities and trips are open to all ages. Call 815-732-3252 for assistance with Benefit Access Application for a license plate discount, Medicare, housing, homemaker services, heating assistance or other things. Visit www.rockrivercenter.org for more information.

Bingocize: 2 to 2:30 p.m. April 8-12. Bingocize combines the game of bingo with low-impact fall prevention exercises. Registration is requested. Free hearing screenings by Connect Hearing: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. April 9. Appointments requested.

ture reflects our strategy to continually search for improvement opportunities, sustainable arrangements and high-quality partnerships for select services that will benefit the health of the families we are privileged to serve while strengthening our vision of health care excellence for our communities.”

FHN and Rosecrance will con -

with the family feed business. Phyllis was a loving person, a caregiver, Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma and Great-Great-Grandma. She had a love for her family, flowers, her dog, and enjoyed painting, crafts, playing golf, reading and traveling. Phyllis is survived by her son, Gary (Marcia) Buss of Forreston; daughter, Vickie (Carl) Beyer of Shannon; grandchildren, James (Felicia) Buss, Samantha Buss and Mindy (Michael) Arndt; five Great-Grandchildren, Devan, Jocelyn, Hayley Sue, Elijah and Jordan; Great-Great- Grandchildren, Laylah and Lukas Volkmann and Delylah Schultz; two step-nieces, Louise Meyer and Judy Nettles. Also surviving are special friends, Dana Weegens and family. A funeral service will be held Saturday, 11:00 A.M. March 30 in Forreston Reformed Church. Rev. Lyle Zumdahl. Pastor will officiate. Visitation will be from 10:00 A. M. until time of service in the church. Burial will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Freeport. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in her name. Arrangements were made by Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home, Forreston.

Free outing of the month: April 11, Ukulele Station & The Garage. Lunch afterward. Register by April 9

VA rep at RRC: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, April 12

Brain Health: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Monday, April 15. Join University of Illinois Extension Family Life Educator Kara Schweitzer each month as she leads participants through interactive activities designed to exercise the brain to maintain and enhance cognitive function and memory. You are never too young or too old to get started training your brain so join Schweitzer in this fun and informative class. Registration is requested.

tinue working collaboratively to meet the region’s behavioral health care needs, including this new structure intended to preserve and enhance the specialized services provided in northwest Illinois for mental health and substance use disorders, the release said.

FHN clients with questions can call 815-599-7300.

CRIME AND COURTS

Man pleads guilty to throwing cat out of two-story building

By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com

OREGON – A man was sentenced to 24 months of conditional discharge March 26 for throwing a cat out of a two-story building in October 2023.

Raymond Haney, 24, was sentenced after pleading guilty to the misdemeanor offense of cruel treatment when he appeared with his attorney, Ogle County Public Defender William

Gibbs, and Assistant State’s Attorney Melissa Voss in front of Judge John “Ben” Roe.

Voss told the court that Haney threw the cat, described as a companion animal, out of an apartment window in a two-story building at 210 Avenue C in Rochelle after it scratched him.

As part of his sentence, Haney is prohibited from “owning, fostering or caring for a domesticated animal.”

Haney was fined $992, with $478 restitution to be paid to Fixin’ Feral Felines in DeKalb. A fine of $439 as a criminal assessment was waived, leaving him with $553 owed. He was ordered to pay the remainder of the restitution to the circuit clerk’s office by June 1.

In November 2023, Haney was charged with the misdemeanor offense in addition to two felony counts of aggravated cruelty to an animal. The

felony counts said the black and white cat, named Oreo, suffered serious injuries, including a contusion to her lungs and a bruised liver, when hitting the ground. Those counts were dismissed as part of the plea agreement, Voss said.

Conditional discharge is a form of deferred adjudication with probationary conditions attached. If Haney fails to follow those conditions, another sentence could be issued.

Stillman Valley man to appear in court on drug, handgun charges

By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com

OREGON – A Stillman Valley man charged with possessing and intending to deliver 15 to 100 grams of a substance containing fentanyl was scheduled to appear in court April 3 for a preliminary hearing.

Seth J. Rudecki, 22, was arrested March 21 and appeared before Ogle County Judge Anthony Peska on March 22 for a detention hearing.

Rudecki also is charged with possessing and intending to deliver 2,000 to 5,000 grams of a substance containing cannabis, possessing five to 20 cannabis sativa plants and possessing a handgun without having a firearm

OGLE COUNTY SHERIFF REPORTS

Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle reports the following activity:

March 25

Tristen A. Halverson, 25, of Rockford, turned himself in at the Ogle County jail about 10:08 a.m. for an outstanding Ogle County failure to appear warrant. Halverson posted bond and was released with no return court date.

March 26

Marcel Brewster, 33, of Clinton, Iowa, was arrested for an outstanding warrant for no valid driver’s license after turning himself in at the Ogle County jail about 8:30 a.m. Brewster appeared in court, was released and given a future court date of 9 a.m. May 13.

Jacinda Garza, 44, of Sterling, was arrested for an outstanding warrant for driving on a revoked license after turning herself in at the Ogle County jail about 9 a.m. Garza appeared in court, was released and given a future court date of 9 a.m. April 8.

Mashala Dubois, 22, of Genoa, was

owner’s identification card.

According to court documents, all of the charges occurred on or about March 21.

Rudecki appeared in court with his attorney, Ogle County Public Defender William Gibbs, and Assistant State’s Attorney Matthew Leisten.

Leisten argued Rudecki should not be released from custody, but Penska ruled prosecutors had not met the burden for detainment and released Rudecki with the following conditions: He must report to the Ogle County Pro-

bation Office, submit to general orders of the court, submit to random drug tests as directed by the probation department, refrain from using illegal drugs and obtain a substance abuse assessment.

According to the Department of Drug Enforcement Agency, fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use as an analgesic (pain relief) and anesthetic. It is about 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin as an analgesic, according to the DEA’s fact sheet.

Street names for fentanyl include Apace, China Girl, China Town, Dance Fever, Friend, Goodfellas, Great Bear,

He-Man, Jackpot, King Ivory, Murder 8, Poison and Tango & Cash, according to the DEA.

Fentanyl is “snorted/sniffed, smoked, [taken] orally by pill or tablet, spiked onto blotter paper, patches, sold alone or in combination with heroin and other substances,” the DEA said, adding it has been identified in fake pills mimicking pharmaceutical drugs such as oxycodone.

“Clandestinely produced fentanyl is encountered either as a powder or in fake tablets and is sold alone or in combination with other drugs such as heroin or cocaine,” the DEA said. “Two milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal depending on a person’s body size, tolerance and past usage.”

arrested for an outstanding warrant for uninsured motor vehicle after turning herself in at the Ogle County jail about 2 p.m. Dubois posted 10% of the $3,000 bond, was released and given a future court date of 9 a.m. April 12.

Robert Constantin, 24, of Pompano Beach, Florida, was arrested for operating a vehicle with no valid driver’s license after a traffic stop on Interstate 39 mile marker 100 about 7:46 p.m. The traffic stop was performed after a concerned citizen reported a vehicle driving all over the roadway. Constantin also was cited for improper lane use and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Constantin was released from the scene on a notice to appear.

March 27

Kristopher B. Gyger, 53, of Dixon, was arrested on a Lee County warrant and for driving while license suspended after a traffic stop in the 6000 block of East Hales Corner Road at 10:15 a.m. Gyger also was cited for operating an unin-

sured motor vehicle. Gyger was released on a notice to appear and given a future court date.

Jessica N. Atterbury, 43, of Rockton, was arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol and possession of drug paraphernalia after deputies located a crash with injuries in the 4000 block of east Illinois Route 64 at 4 p.m. Atterbury also was cited for expired registration, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, improper lane use, speeding 78 mph in a 55-mph zone and improper container (cannabis/driver). An investigation showed Atterbury was driving a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche east in the 4000 block of Route 64 when it exited the south side of the roadway, causing Atterbury to lose control. The Chevrolet then crossed the eastbound lane of traffic and entered the westbound lane where it struck a 2018 Infiniti QX80 driven by Kaylee Fowler, 32, of Oregon, causing major damage. The Chevrolet then overturned in the woods

north of the roadway. Fowler was taken by Oregon EMS to KSB Hospital with serious injuries. Atterbury was taken to KSB Hospital with minor injuries. Atterbury was released on a notice to appear and given a future court date. The Oregon Fire Protection District and EMS assisted at the scene.

Daniel Del Rosario Nestor, 30, of DeKalb, was arrested for driving without a license after a traffic stop in the 200 block of Illinois Route 38 in Creston at 6:26 p.m. Del Rosario Nestor also was cited for an equipment violation. Del Rosario Nestor was taken to the Ogle County jail, processed, released and given a future court date.

Armando Orozco-Ramos, 27, of Rochelle, was arrested for driving while license suspended after a traffic stop at Dement Road and Illinois Route 38 at 8:46 p.m. Orozco-Ramos also was cited for operating a motor vehicle with

See SHERIFF REPORTS, page 15

Seth J. Rudecki

March 12

Katelyn M. Izer, 28, of Mt. Morris, was issued a citation at 7:35 a.m. for speeding 52 mph in a 30-mph zone after a traffic stop in the 2400 block of Leaf River Road. Izer was released on scene.

About 6:35 p.m., police responded to the 10 block of East Front Street for the report of a domestic disturbance. After an investigation, Ernest J. Munyon, 33, of Mt. Morris, was arrested for domestic battery. Munyon was transported to the Ogle County jail.

Robert D. Vandyke, 43, of Mt. Morris, was issued a citation at 8 p.m. for having an expired registration after a traffic stop in the 500 block of East Brayton Road. Vandyke was released on scene.

March 13

Jose A. Velasquez Mejia, 27, of Mt.

• SHERIFF REPORTS

Continued from page 14

suspended registration. Orozco-Ramos was released on a notice to appear. The Rochelle Police Department assisted.

March 28

Frank J. Decena-Flores, 18, of Rochelle, was arrested for criminal sexual abuse after an investigation. On March 18, deputies responded to rural Monroe Center for a juvenile complaint. Decena-Flores was taken to the Ogle County jail and held pending a court appearance. Kyle N. Miller, 18, of Mt. Morris, was arrested for reckless driving after deputies responded to a welfare check in the area of West Camp and North Columbian roads outside Mt. Morris about 12:31 a.m. When deputies arrived

PROPERTY TRANSFERS

March 22-28

Warranty deeds

James D. and Robin Carle to Thomas Hartnett, 1045 Turkington Terrace, Rochelle, $146,000.

Stephen Nelson to Austin L. Childers, 316 N. Linn St., Kings, $198,000.

Anthony B. and Cindy L. Molitor to Zoey L. Schanna, 15902 E. Rachel Lane, Davis Junction, $268,500.

The late Donald R. Warner by heirs to Edward C, Vock, three parcels in Pine Creek Township, $1,373,400.

Morris, was arrested at 8:40 p.m. for driving while license suspended and issued a citation for operating an uninsured motor vehicle after a traffic stop in the 100 block of West Hitt Street. Velasquez Mejia was transported to the Ogle County jail where he was released with a notice to appear.

March 15

About 8:05 p.m., police were sent to the 300 block of East Lincoln Street for the report of a disturbance. After an investigation, Megan C. Moorehead, 30, of Mt. Morris, was arrested for battery. Moorehead was transported to the Ogle County jail where she was released with a notice to appear.

March 16

About 1:15 a.m., police were sent to the 10 block of West Center Street for the

on scene, they found Miller in his truck, which had struck a tree in a ditch. Miller was taken by Mt. Morris EMS to KSB Hosptial for evaluation as a result of the crash. Miller was released on a notice to appear.

Jard Babler, 27, of Mt. Morris, was arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol. About 10:42 p.m., deputies responded to a driving complaint of a vehicle southbound on Illinois Route 2 from Byron. Deputies found the vehicle and performed a traffic stop in the 3000 block of West Mud Creek Road. Babler also was cited for improper lane use and an equipment violation. Babler was taken to the Ogle County jail and released on a notice to appear.

March 30

Jackie St. John, 62, of Rockford, was

Ronald T. and Jacalyn Drotar to Linda Auth, 7392 S. Rock Nation Road and one parcel in Taylor Township, $50,000.

Christopher A. Tucker to Megan Q. Dierks, 114 N. Barry Ave., Byron, $205,000.

Meiyu Tom to William R. Fisher, 206 Rum Court, Dixon, $4,000.

Summit Farmland IV LLP to Michael T. and Malia R. Snodgrass, one parcel in Oregon-Nashua Township, $70,000.

First State Bank Shannon-Polo to Adam and Leandra Ernst, 405 E. Mason St., Polo, $125,000.

Timothy A. Sedam to Dennis Lundberg, 115 W. Third St., Byron, $8,000.

Jacob Z. and Lisa J. McDonald to Tiffany Way, 178 Prairie Moon Drive,

report of a domestic disturbance. After an investigation, Kristina L. Tinkler, 33, of Mt. Morris, was arrested for domestic battery. Tinkler was transported to the Ogle County jail.

Christopher D. Strite, 32, of Mt. Morris, was arrested at 3:15 p.m. for retail theft after police were sent to the 100 block of East Route 64. Strite was transported to the Ogle County jail where he was released with a notice to appear.

March 21

About 11:25 a.m., police were in the area of the 10 block of South Seminary Avenue where they found Christopher D. Strite, 32, of Mt. Morris, who was arrested on an Ogle County warrant for failure to appear on a previous charge. Strite was transported to the Ogle County jail.

arrested for driving while license revoked and an active Boone County warrant after a traffic stop in the 10000 block of North Kishwaukee Road about 8:44 a.m. St. John also was cited for suspended registration and no valid insurance. St. John was taken to the Ogle County jail and held in lieu of bond.

Jynette K. Vesey-Watts, 28, of Chicago, was arrested for driving while license suspended after a traffic stop at Illinois Route 251 and Steward Road in Rochelle about 9:09 p.m. Vesey-Watts also was cited for improper turn signal and a child restraint violation. Vesey-Watts was taken into custody without incident, released on a notice to appear and given a future court date.

About 9:32 p.m., deputies and the Polo Fire Protection District responded to a

March 26

About 7:30 p.m., police were in the area of the 10 block of East Front Street where they found Lucas S. Gelander, 47, of Oregon. Gelander had an Ogle County warrant for failure to appear on a previous traffic violation charge. Gelander was transported to the Ogle County jail.

March 27

About 5:40 p.m., police found Robert D. Vandyke, 43, of Mt. Morris, in the 100 block of East Center Street and it was learned Vandyke had an Ogle County warrant for failure to appear on a previous charge. Vandyke was transported to the Ogle County jail.

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

single-vehicle crash in the 2000 block of South Freeport Road. An investigation showed a black Kia, driven by a juvenile, was southbound on South Freeport Road when it lost control and entered the west ditch before striking a guard rail. The driver suffered suspected minor injuries but refused further medical attention from EMS at the scene.

April 1

Aaron E. Braden, 33, of Freeport, was arrested for driving while license revoked after a traffic stop on Illinois Route 72 and Stillman Road about 9:06 p.m. Braden was taken to the Ogle County jail, released and given a future court date.

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

Davis Junction, $237,000.

First Choice Rentals LLC to Rockhome Holdings LLC, 530 N. Luther Drive, Byron, $233,700.

Brian and Donna Hall to 92131 LLC, one parcel in Monroe Township and one in Lynnville Township, $844,250.

Quit claim deed

Patsy Ann Gunnarson and Sandra Kae Lamb, also Keag, to Beverly M. Sarber Trust, Beverly M. Sarber, trustee, 909 S. Congress Ave., Polo, $0.

Trustees deeds

Plautz Trust 81575, Doris A. Ferb, trustee, to Virgil Scott Tegeler, 14263 W. Buffalo Road, Polo, $140,000.

Wade W. Maradei Trust, Dale T. Maradei, trustee, to Scott Does, 917 Garfield Drive, Rochelle, $52,500.

Wade W. Maradei Trust, Dale T. Maradei, trustee, to Scott Does, 921 Garfield Drive, Rochelle, $47,500.

Shirley J. Hall Trust 2000, Brian D. Hall, trustee, to 92131 LLC, one parcel on Telephone Road, Davis Junction, $1,006,788.

Sheriff’s deed

Ogle County Sherif and Linda M. Vanduzen to First State Bank, 7300 S. Rock Nation Road, Dixon, $0.

Source: Ogle County Recorder’s Office

N&L No. IL-006320-1 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OGLE COUNTY - ORE GON , ILLINOIS LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC, Plaintiff, -vsBETTY CHAPMAN; UNKNOWN OWNERS-TENANTS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, Defendant(s) RESIDENTIAL MORTG AGE FORECLOSURE

FARM EQUIPMENT – “EXTRA CLEAN/WELL MAINTAINED!”

1971 IHC 1456 D. Tractor, like new w/ IH cab, 18.4-38 tires & duals, 540-1000 PTO, front wts, new batteries, good T.A., $16,000 spent on tractor, only 7435 hrs, sharp!; 1967 IHC 806 D. Tractor w/ yr. round cab, M&W Turbo, WF, good T.A., like new 18.4-38 tires & duals, 540-1000 PTO, front wts, 6752 hrs, sharp!; 1958 IHC 560 Gas Tractor w/ WF, fast hitch, Good T.A., like new 15.5-38 tires, front & rear wts, electronic ignition, low hrs, very clean!; 1952 IHC Super M Gas Tractor w/ 5 speed, NF, pulley, fenders, like new 14.9-38 tires, 3 pt, 8044 hrs, very clean!; Allis-Chalmers WD45 Tractor w/ snap coupler, P.A. wheels, WF, wts, 14.9-28 tires, 5 yr. restoration! AC D-17 LP Gas Tractor w/ Kelley Hyd. Loader, WF, 2 point, 16.9—28 tires, 5415 hrs, very good!; Bush Hog #1445 18’ Hyd. Fold Disk; IHC #55 Disk Chisel Plow-12’ w/ 5 shank; IHC 20’ #45 Field Cultivator; Kewanee #180 -12’ Chisel Plow, 11 shank; 8-IHC Suit Case Wts; Lindsay 22’ Drag & Cart; NH 331-3 Beater Manure Spreader; Gleaner F-2 D. Combine “Corn Plus” w/ 4-30” Corn Hd, 18’ Grain Head, runs well!; AC 3-B Snap Coupler Plow; AC 4-R Front mt. Cultivator fits WD-WD45; AC Manure Loader fits WD; JD 7000, 8RN Planter w/ monitor; Assort. 5’ & 6’ Drag Sections; 3 pt. 10’

Chisel Plow; IHC #836 Corn Head; IHC #1020 Grain Head; JD 6-R 3 pt. Cultivator; 18’-3

Section Pull type Roller; Drive over Wagon Hoist; JD RM 7’ Cycle Mower; Rare AC SnapCoupler Sub Soiler; EZ-Flow 350 Gravity Box w/ HD Gear; Kill-Bros 350 Gravity Box w/ MF Gear; IHC #45-12’ Field Cultivator w/ Harrow; Farm Rite 400 gal. Trailer Sprayer w/ 27’ Boom; IHC #470-16’ Disk, sharp!; IHC #550 3 pt. 5 B. Plow w/ Harrow; Older JD 8-R. Corn Planter 495A?; IHC 4 Section Rotary Hoe; AC 2 pt.-8’ Rear Blade; 2 Flair Wagons & Gear; End Gate Seeder; Kewanee 40’ PTO lift Elevator #500; PTO Buzz Saw.

OTHER: 1 Wagon full Tools & Misc. items; 1 Wagon full of Farm Toys (Tractors, Cars, Trucks, many NIB); Collector Plates-Wildlife, etc; Feed Bags; Other Farm Related Antique Items.

Note: Very clean Farm Auction of quality Tractors & Equipment. For further information call John 815-988-7579. Terms: Cash or check w/ picture ID. Number system to be used. Current letter of credit if not known by Auction Company. Lunch Stand & Port-a-Pot on grounds. Check websites for many pictures. www.Proauctionsllc.com www.auctionzip.com

RICK GARNHART, AUCTIONEER German Valley, IL 61039 815-238-3044

IL Lic: 440000901 • WI Lic: 2844-52

Case No. 23 FC 49

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in

The property will NOT be open for inspection IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAG OR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN EVICTION ORDER, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(c) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. For information: Contact Brendan McClelland, Esq. of Noonan & Lieberman, Ltd, Plaintiff's Attorney, 33 North LaSalle Street, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60602. 312-605-3500 ext

the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described real estate: PIN 10-01-376-036

Improved with Residential COMMONLY KNOWN AS: 106 Splendor Ct

Stillman Valley, IL 61084

Sale terms: 10% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the auction; The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds, is due within twenty -four (24) hours The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments , or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in "AS IS" condition The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. If the property is a condominium and the foreclosure takes place after 1/1/2007, purchaser s other than the mortgagees will be required to pay any assessment and legal fees due under The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4)

If the property is loca ted in a common interest community, purchasers other than mortgagees will be required to pay any assessment and legal fees due under the Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee's attorney

Upon payme nt in full of the amount bid, the purchaser shall receive a Certificate of Sale, which will entitle the purchaser to a Deed to the real estate after Confirmation of the sale. The successful purchaser has the sole responsibility/expense of evicting any tenants or other individual s presently in possession of the subject premises.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and Plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property Prospective bidders are admonished to check the Court file to verify all information

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE

PUBLIC NOTICE

Pursuant to Section 17-40 of the Property Tax Code (35 ILCS 200/1740), the percentage to be applied to the assessed valuation of locally assessed property other than that assessed under Sections 10-110 through 10-140 and 10-170 through 10-200 of the Property Tax Code (35 ILCS 200/10-110 through 10-140 and 10-170 through 10-200) in Ogle County as certified by the Department of Revenue for the assessment year 2023 is 0.00% by the application of an equalization factor of 1.0000. The final equalization factor was changed from the previously published tentative equalization factor of 1.0000 to the above-noted equalization factor of 1.0000 because of decreases in the assessed valuation of locally assessed property other than that assessed under Sections 10110 through 10140 and 10-170 through 10-200 Of the Property Tax Code (35 ILCS 200/10-110 through 140 and 10-170 through 10200) made by the Board of Review of Ogle County. The Board of Review's equalization action decreased the county's level of assessment.

April 5, 2024

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. The estate will be administered without court supervision, unless under Section 28-4 of the Probate Act (755 ILCS 5/28-4)

Indepen-

Administrator, whose attorneys of record are shown below.

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 been filed.

Atty William H.T. Lee

Law Office of William Lee 229 1st Ave., Ste. 3 Rock Falls, Illinois 61071 (815) 716-8381

Email: will@leelaw815. com

5, 2024

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 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 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.

DIANA K. RIPPENTROP Independent Executor

March 22, 29, April 5, 2024

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Plaintiff named above has filed a lawsuit or other legal action against you. The Complaint, which is also hereby served upon you, states the nature and basis of the legal action

Within 40 days after April 5, 2024 (which is the first day that this Summons was published), you must respond with a written answer, as that term is used in chapter 802 of the Wisconsin Statutes, to the Complaint. The Court may reject or disregard an answer that does not follow the requirements of the statutes The answer must be sent or delivered to the Court, whose address is Dane County Courthouse, 215 S. Hamilton Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53703 and to the plaintiff's attorney, Vincent J. Falcone, whose address is 10 East Doty Street, Suite 900, Madison, Wisconsin 53703. You may have an attorney help or represent you.

If you do not provide a proper answer within 40 days, the Court may grant judgment against you for the award of money or other legal action requested in the Complaint, and you may lose your right to object to anything that is or may be incorrect in the Complaint A judgment may be enforced as provided by law. A judgment awarding money may become a lien against any real estate you own now or in the future, and may also be enforced by garnishment or seizure of property

Dated this 5th day of April 2024.

von BRIESEN & ROPER, s.c

By: Electro nically signed by Attorney

Vin cent J. Falcone

garnishment or seizure of property

Dated this 5th day of April 2024.

Rockford, IL 61105. The estate will be administered without court supervi-

unless under

and demonstrated ability. Send document requests and all quotes and DBE/VOSB 2025's with current Certification letters to estimating@curran contracting.com;

ATTN: Estimating PH: 815-4555100, Curran is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

NOTICE

Curran Contracting Company is seeking IDOT approved DBE/MBE/WBE/ VOSB/SDVOSB Subcontractors, Suppliers & Trucking Companies for the IDOT Letting on April 26, 2024, to quote Items 033-64L95, 03564P27, 040-64S38, 166-87826, 16987847, 192-62L16. Plans & Specs are available at www dot.state.il.us or by contacting 815455-5100. For assistance / questions or to submit quotes and executed SBE 2025 forms email estim ating@currancont racting.com

April 5, 2024

NOTICE TO DISADVANTAGED AND VETERAN OWNED BUSINE SSES:

Curran Contracting Company, 286 Memorial Drive, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 is seeking Disadvantaged and Veteran Owned Businesses for ISTHA RR-234939, Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) between Mile Post 76.1 and Mile Post 113.6 in Ogle, Dekalb and Kane Counties, Illinois Subcontracting opportunities available, but not limited to: Crack Sealing, Milling, Quality Control, Reclamite Sealcoat, Rumble Strips, Striping, Traffic Control, Trucking Interested and qualified disadvantaged and veteran businesses (DBE/VOSB) contact, in writing, Curran to discuss the project. Negotiations must be completed prior to the BID DATE OF April 12, 2024 @ 10:30 AM. All quotes will be evaluated based upon price, value and demonstrated ability. Send document requests and all quotes and DBE/VOSB 2025's with current Certification letters to estimating@curran contracting.com;

April 5, 2024

GRASS MOWING BID REQUES T

The United Lost Lake Property Owners Association is soliciting sealed bids for community grounds mowing (excluding roadside) and other light landscaping work for the 2024 season. Bid specification packets can be picked up at the ULL POA office located at 903 Missouri Drive, Dixon, IL 61021 on Monday - Friday from 9 AM - 3 PM. All bids must be received by 3 PM on Monday, April 15th, 2024. The ULLPOA will judge all bids without bias but reserves the right to accept or reject any and/or all bids and will accept the bid determined to be in the best interest of the community.

March 15, April 5, 2024

ROADSIDE MOWING BID REQUEST

The United Lost Lake Property Owners Association is soliciting sealed bids for road side mowing for the 2024 season. Contractor must provide a flex-wing rotary mower. Bid specification packages can be picked up at the ULL POA office located at 903 Missouri Drive, Dixon, IL. 61021 on Monday - Friday from 9 AM to 3 PM. The deadline for bid submission is 3 PM on Monday, Apri l 15th, 2024.

The ULLPOA will judge all bids without bias but reserves the right to accept or reject any and/or all bids and will accept the bid determined to be in the best interes t of the community.

March 15, April 5, 2024

Vincent J. Falcone State Bar No. 1104630

At torney for Pla intiff, First

ATTN: Estimating PH: 815-4555100, Curran is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Vs. Kelly S. Butler a/k/a Kelly Sue Butler; et. al. DEFENDANTS

No. 2023FC60

NOTICE OF SHERIFF'S SALE OF REAL ESTATE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on 02/09/2024, the Sheriff of Ogle County, Illinois will on May 17, 2024 at the hour of 10:00 AM at Ogle County Public Safety Complex 202 S 1st St. Oregon, IL 61061, or in a place otherwise designated at the time of sale, County of Ogle and State of Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described real estate: LOT THIRTEEN (13) AS DESIGNATED UPON PLAT NO. 1 OF DAYBREAK SUBDI VISION, BEING A SUBDIVISION OF PART OF LOT 2 OF THE SOUTH FRACTIO NAL HALF (1/2) OF SECTION 1, TOWNSHIP 24 NORTH, RANGE 11, EAST OF THE 4TH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN PLAT FILE A, PAGE 90 IN THE RECORDER'S OFFICE OF OGLE COUNTY; SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF OGLE AND STATE OF ILLINOIS PIN 10-01-376-036

Improved with Residential COMMONLY KNOWN AS: 106 Splendor Ct Stillman Valley, IL 61084

Sale terms: 10% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the auction; The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds, is due within twenty -four (24) hours The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments , or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in "AS IS" condition

The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. If the property is a condominium and the foreclosure takes place after 1/1/2007, purchaser s other than the mortgagees will be required to pay any assessment and legal fees due under The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4)

If the property is loca ted in a common interest community, purchasers other than mortgagees will be required to pay any assessment and legal fees due under the Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee's attorney

Upon payme nt in full of the amount bid, the purchaser shall receive a Certificate of Sale, which will entitle the purchaser to a Deed to the real estate after Confirmation of the sale. The successful purchaser has the sole responsibility/expense of evicting any tenants or other individuals presently in possession of the subject premises.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and Plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property Prospective bidders are admonished to check the Court file to verify all information

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

Receive a free 5-year warranty with qualifying purchase* - valued at $535.

Call 844-377-3452 to schedule your free quote!

Residential Latex Paint, Aerosol Product, and Paper Shredding Recycling Event

Saturday, April 13th, 2024

8 AM to 12 PM

**Ogle County Residents ONLY, No Permit Required**

Location: County Annex Building, 909 Pines Rd., Oregon, IL

Liquid Latex Paint:

Bring in original containers, no mixing of colors to make a full container. Liquid latex paint only. No dried out or hardened paint. Prices listed below. Cash, card, or check payable to “Earthpaint” accepted.

For more than 10 containers, you pay full cost.

Oil-Based Paint and Stains:

Oil-based paints, stains, and varnishes and spray cans accepted. Bring in original containers, no mixing of colors to make a full container. Prices listed below. Cash, card, or check payable to “Earthpaint” accepted.

Aerosol Cans/Spray Paint/Single Use Propane Tanks:

Accepted items include aerosol spray cans of paint, auto care/lubricants, food products, insecticides, household cleaners, and personal care products. Some aerosol products may not be accepted. 14-16 ounce propane tanks and isobutene tanks also accepted. First 10 items are fully subsidized by the Solid Waste Mgmt. Dept. Additional items, you pay full cost to recycle ($1/spray can & $4/propane tank). See website or Facebook for full list of acceptable aerosol products. Flatcan will also accept alkaline batteries

Paper Shredding: 9 AM – 12 PM

for a fee.