And now ... BNC and Rochelle school enrollments from 1966-2023

After reading the column of two weeks ago that listed high school enrollment changes of the NUIC conferences, good friend Curt Freeberg asked if the discussion could be expanded to the Big Northern conference and Rochelle.

Here are a few excerpts from his email:

Those figures say a lot more about the area than what (class) the sports teams will be in.

How can the schools with less than 200 kids provide a complete education by today’s standards? How can they keep up with changes in technology that the kids must know to be competitive in the economy?

Just about all the factors that you listed for the changes have to do with the loss of good paying jobs. Many of the families with kids left for better jobs while us retirees stayed behind.

Several years ago, a county board member told me that Ogle was the fastest aging county in Illinois. That has strained local organizations such as churches and civic groups and local businesses from grocery stores to car dealers to barber shops.

When we moved here in 1989 (I went to Stillman schools) I think Byron and Oregon were both bigger than Stillman. Hasn’t that reversed?

Has Rochelle’s attempts to attract businesses enabled it to maintain its school enrollments?

GUEST VIEW

Andy Colbert

fueled by the nuclear power plant and the tax revenue it provides.

Families fleeing the Rockford public school system are more apt to settle in nearby Byron, Stillman Valley and Winnebago (which has benefited most from infusion of athletic talent) instead of Oregon or Mt. Morris.

Since the BNC began, one of the top geographic rivalries in the state has been between Oregon, Byron, Stillman and Winnebago. Currently, they are fairly close in enrollment, but Oregon has struggled more as of late.

A growing North Boone, which made a big jump from the small-school Four Rivers, has trouble staying competitive, though they have more students than Byron, Oregon and ‘Bago.

In 1966, it would have been unthinkable for either Dixon or RF (both in the large-school NCIC) to end up with these former Mid Northern teams. But as their enrollments took precipitous drops, they luckily found a conference they feel fortunate to be a part of as the largest schools.

Rockford Christian and Lutheran have always been the wild card in that you never know from sport to sport what type of talent pool they will draw from the 150,000 population of that city. Relative to public schools, it is inconsequential for them having the lowest enrollments.

Rockford Christian (305) and Rockford Lutheran (282) didn’t exist in

The biggest shocker is Oregon, which added the Mt. Morris school district in 1994, dropping 50 percent. Oregon had 490 kids and Mt. Morris had 340 in 1966.

Compare that with huge growths in Byron and Stillman Valley.

Stillman’s district includes the two fastest-growing towns in the county over the past 30 years in Davis Junction and Monroe Center, both full of subdivisions located on either side of I-39 and with easy access to I-90. Byron’s enrollment growth has been

In answer to the query on Rochelle and its successful industrial growth and job creation, that has not translated to a correlation to enrollment growth.

A new high school was built several years ago with a flexibility of handling hundreds of more students than what are enrolled. Actually, there are even less now than a few years ago.

Officials in this progressive transportation hub were baffled until a survey determined that more than 70 percent of the people that work in Rochelle live in other communities.

• 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 30 years.

• SPORTS ROUNDUP

Continued from Page 13

Earleen

Media Polo second baseman Gus Mumford throws to first for an out against Freeport Aquin during a March 30 game in Polo. The Marcos lost 3-2 in extra innings.

Aquin 3, Polo 2: The Bulldogs trailed the Marcos 2-0 after two innings, but tied it up with a two-run fourth, then scored the go-ahead run in the seventh to complete the comeback.

Gage Zeigler, Logan Nelson and Billy Lowry had one hit apiece for Polo. Lowry and Zeigler scored the runs. Lowry’s hit was a double.

Nolan Hahn pitched 4 1/3 innings for the Marcos, allowing four hits and two runs (one earned), striking out four and walking one. Carter Merdian pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing three hits and one run and striking out four with no walks.

Cooper Hathaway went 3 for 4 with one RBI, and pitched two scoreless, hitless innings with one walk and four strikeouts for Aquin. Keaton Schleich lasted five innings on the mound for the Bulldogs, allowing three hits and two runs, striking out five and walking one.

Forreston 22, Durand-Pecatonica 0, 5 inn.: The Cardinals built a 5-0 lead through four innings, then tacked on 17 more runs in the fifth for a five-inning win over the Rivermen.

Owen Greenfield went 4 for 5 with four RBIs and four runs scored. Carson Akins went 3 for 5 with four RBIs and three runs scored. Ayden Book went 1 for 3 with three RBIs. Kendall Erdmann and Brendan Greenfield also scored three runs each.

Alex Ryia threw a two-hitter with six strikeouts and two walks for Forreston.

Forreston 25, Orangeville 0, 4 inn.: The Cardinals scored 16 first-inning runs and capitalized on seven errors in a four-inning victory over the Broncos.

Brendan Greenfield drove in four runs, Ayden Book and Brady Gill drove in three runs apiece, and Kendall

Continued from Page 14

Erdmann, Carson Akins and Patrick Wichman drove in two runs apiece for Forreston. Erdmann went 3 for 3, scored three runs and drew two walks. Gill and Alex Ryia also scored three runs each.

Ryia, Alex Milnes, Owen Greenfield and Erdmann pitched one inning each to combine for the shutout. Ryia struck out three of the four batters he faced and allowed the only hit.

Boys track and field

Oregon fourth in Genoa: The Hawks won two events, took second in five others and added 10 third- or fourth-place finishes in a five-team meet hosted by Genoa-Kingston.

North Boone won the title with 97 points, just ahead of the host Cogs (92.5). Marengo scored 77 points, Oregon had 73.5 and Harvard finished with 27.

Evan James was the lone individual winner for the Hawks, taking the discus with a toss of 39.26 meters. He also ran on the runner-up 4x400 relay (3:52.28) with Huston Arterbrun, Trevor Burkardt and Emmett Peterson, and teamed with Burkardt, Peterson and Griffin Marlatt to take second in the 4x200 relay (1:39.60). That same quartet also took third in the 4x100 (46.91 seconds).

Oregon won the 4x800 in 10:22.43 with the team of Noah Johnson, Chris Bolisenga, Caleb Brooks and Daniel Gonzalez. Bolisenga added a runner-up finish in the 1,600 (5:27.75), Burkardt was second in the pole vault (2.44 meters) and Ryan Noisten took second in the 3,200 (12:10.77) and third in the 1,600 (5:43.17). Brooks was third in the 800 (2:25.93) and Xavier Koczka placed third in the 110 hurdles (18.44 seconds).

Bolisenga (800, 2:29.90) and Marlatt (high jump, 1.58 meters) added fourth-place finishes, as did Chase Buchanan (3,200, 14:23.50), Briggs Sellers (shot put, 11.36 meters), Evan Carreno (discus, 30.19 meters) and Dalton McCammon (pole vault, 2.28 meters).

Property Transfers

March 24-30

Warranty Deeds

Roger A. Bauer to Kali Lamb, Joshua Lam and Larry and Linda McAnarney, 405 S. Sunbeam Court, Stillman Valley, $155,750.

Toni Buys Homes LLC to Michael C. Hanson, Merikita Stallings and Darcey A. Hanson, 509 S. First Ave., Forreston, $90,000.

National Residential Nominee Services Inc. to Donald and Jamie Lee Ruth, 1170 Glacier Drive, Byron, $285,000.

Matthew and Megan Thimjon to National Residential Nominee Services Inc., 1170

Ogle County Sheriff Activity

March 29

Jonathan M. Keegan, 27, of Schaumburg, was arrested for violation of order of protection after deputies responded to the 8000 block of N. River Road at 4:35 p.m. for a domestic disturbance. Keegan was transported to the Ogle County Jail and held pending a court appearance. The Byron Police Department assisted at the scene.

Haiyang Zhang, 29, of Chicago, was arrested for driving without a valid license after a traffic stop at Illinois Route 38 and Interstate 39 at 7:07 p.m. Zhang also was cited for suspended registration. Zhang was released on a $2,500 I-Bond and given a future court date.

Roshen Howard, 44, of Rockford, was arrested for driving without a valid license after a traffic stop at Illinois Routes 251 and 72 at 10:36 p.m. Howard also was cited for illegal window tint. Howard was released on a $2,500 I-Bond and given a future court date.

March 30

Deputies responded to a one-vehicle rollover crash in the 4800 block of south Illinois Route 26 at around 6:40 a.m. An investigation showed Kaitlyn Marschang, 21, of Polo, was driving a Cadillac north on Route 26 when she fell asleep behind the wheel. Marschang was transported to KSB Hospital for injuries and was released by medical personnel after being checked. No one else was involved in the crash, and no citations were issued.

Glacier Drive, Byron, $285,000.

Patricia A. Robles to Trevor J. and Elizabeth N Stoos, 6 Terrace Drive, Oregon, $156,000.

Douglas M. Gramer and Dana L. Palmgren to Christopher G. Madden, 8450 E. Winnebago Lane, Byron, $238,000.

FHR Farms Inc. to Shelley Sartwell, 18915 E. Quarry Road, Davis Junction, $225,000.

Carl W. and Brooke C. Grundstrom to Tracy and Kathryn Roberts, 5144 E. Brooke Court, Byron, $420,000.

James F. and Joyce M. Callaway to Brandon Bradley and Candace Reynolds, 606 S. 10th St., Oregon, $143,500.

Debra S. Zuniga to Andrea Feary, 805

Shireen E. Price, 50, of Springfield, was arrested for driving while license suspended and on warrants from LaSalle, Boone and DeKalb counties after a traffic stop in the 3000 block of south Illinois Route 26 at 7:21 p.m. Price also was cited for speeding 75 mph in a 55 mph speed zone, expired registration and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Price was transported to the Ogle County Jail and held in lieu of bond. The Polo Police Department assisted at the scene.

Brittany Henry, 37, of Chicago, was arrested for no valid driver’s license after a traffic stop at Illinois Route 64 and Mulford Road at around 8:11 p.m. Henry was released on an I-Bond and given a future court date.

March 31

Cole Rajnowski, 37, of Sterling, was arrested for driving while license revoked and obstructed front side window after a traffic stop at Illinois Route 26 and Arlington Street in Polo at around 1:37 p.m. He was transported to the Ogle County Jail and held in lieu of bond. Rajnowski’s vehicle was towed from the scene.

April 1

Michael Pontnack, 55, of Chana, was arrested for driving while license suspended after a traffic stop on North Stillman Road at Wildwood Road at around 1:07 a.m. Pontnack also was cited for speeding and suspended registration. Pontnack was released on an I-Bond and given a future court date.

Yovany Antionio Mendoza-Grande was arrested for no valid license after a traffic

Webster St., Oregon, $132,000.

Trustees Deeds

Lillian O. McNames Declaration Trust, Douglas W. McNames, trustee, to Nicholas

Paul Luebke, 410 E. Fifth St., Byron, $139,000.

Leslie L. and Cheryl L. Heeren Living Trust, Leslie L. and Cheryl L. Heeren, trustees, to David Seitz, 610 S. First Ave., Forreston, $88,500.

Den Trust 1013, David E. Nelson, trustee, to Edward C. Vock, three parcels in Pine Creek Township, $1,885,310.

Nicholas McDowell Payback Trust, Midland States Bank, trustee, to LKBL Properties LLC, 808 S. Fourth St., Oregon, $80,000.

Source: Ogle County Recorder’s Office stop on a Mitsubishi Lancer on Interstate 39 mile marker 100 at around noon. Mendoza-Grande also was cited for illegal window tint. Mendoza-Grande was released from the scene on an I-Bond and given a future court date.

Jail and held in lieu of bond.

Anna N. Bender, 29, of Mt. Morris, was arrested for driving while license suspended after a traffic stop on Illinois Route 2 at Camling Road at around 3:11 a.m. Bender also was cited for disregarding an official traffic control device. Bender was taken into custody without incident and released from the scene on a $2,500 I-Bond.

April 2

Laurie Watson, 46, of Rochelle, was arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol, resisting a peace officer and an active DeKalb County warrant. At around 2:45 a.m., deputies were dispatched to the 6000 block of East Grist Mill Road for a possible crash. After receiving more information, the vehicle was located in the 11000 block of East Hemstock Road. An investigation showed that a BMW SUV driven by Watson was traveling west on East Hemstock Road.

She lost control of the vehicle and entered the north ditch. Watson was uninjured. She also was cited for failure to reduce speed, improper lane usage, failure to report an accident as the driver, expired registration and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Watson was transported to the Ogle County

Gregory Tate, 51, of Rochelle, was arrested for an active warrant for unlawful possession of a stolen firearm after a traffic stop in the 10000 block of East Grist Mill Road at 3:33 a.m. Tate was transported to the Ogle County Jail and held on a $100,000/10% bond. Tate was scheduled to appear in court on April 3 at 1 p.m.

Donald Edwards, 47, of Elgin, was arrested for no valid driver’s license after a traffic stop for an expired registration in the 16000 block of east Illinois Route 72 at around 8:35 p.m. Edwards was released on an I-Bond and given a future court date.

Kiara Rosario, 23, of Channahan, was arrested for unlawful possession of cannabis after a traffic stop on Interstate 39 southbound mile marker 111 at around 11:42 p.m. Rosario also was cited for illegal window tint and an inoperable registration light. Rosario was released on an I-Bond and given a future court date.

Please note: Any arrests listed are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proved guilty in a court of law.

Oregon Police Chief Joe Brooks reports the following police activity.

March 27

Jessica L. Nehring, 38, Byron, of Byron was issued a citation at 1:38 p.m. for speeding, 43 mph in a 30 mph zone. This violation occurred in the 600 block of N. 4th Street.

March 28

Shirley I. Schuller, 43, of Oregon, was issued a citation at 7:21 a.m. for operating a vehicle with an expired registration. This violation occurred in the 100 block of S. 4th Street.

Hayley A. Gordon, 22, of Dixon, was arrested at 8:18 a.m. on two Lee County warrants for failure to appear. Gordon was also issued a citation for no valid driver’s license. Gordon was transported to the Ogle County Jail. These violations occurred in the 600 block of N. 4th Street.

Chalee G. Mueller, 22, of Mt. Morris, was issued a citation at 4:18 p.m. for failure to wear a seat belt as a driver. This violation occurred in the 500 block of Jefferson Street.

A 16-year-old male, of Oregon, was issued a citation at for violating the graduated driver’s license program for drivers less than 18 having too many passengers. This violation occurred near the 5th and Jackson Street intersection.

March 29

Owen M. King, 18, of Oak Creek, Wisconsin, was issued a citation at 9:58 a.m. for speeding, 49 mph in a 30 mph zone. This violation occurred in the 600 block of N. 4th Street.

Ralph A. Milliman, 69, of Oregon, was issued a city citation at 11:46 a.m. for violating the dogs running at large ordinance. This violation occurred in the 600 block of Monroe Street.

A 16-year-old male of Oregon, was issued citations at 10:21 p.m. for violating the graduated driver’s license program for drivers less than 18 having too many passengers; disobeying a traffic control device; and no driver’s license. These violations occurred at the intersection of Mix and Monroe Streets.

March 31

Jason R. Grenoble, 40, of Polo, was arrested at 11:22 a.m. for driving while license revoked. This violation occurred in the 100 block of N. 4th Street.

At 2:23 p.m., police responded to a two-vehicle traffic crash in the Dollar General parking lot, 1050 Pines Road, involving a 2016 Chevrolet driven by Ronald J. Weber, 76, of Dixon, and a 2006 Dodge driven by a 16-year-old male of Oregon. No citations were issued.

April 1

Alissa M. Lewis, 31, of Dixon, was issued a citation at 8:46 p.m. for speeding, 46 mph in a 30 mph zone. This violation occurred in the 600 block of N. 4th Street.

Mona R. Coyle, 62, of Dixon, was issued a citation at 10:42 p.m. for operating a vehicle with an expired registration. This violation occurred in the 100 block of S. 4th Street.

April 2

Katie J. Smith, 42, of Monroe Center, was issued a citation at 9:11 p.m. for operating an uninsured motor vehicle. This violation occurred in the 300 block of E. Washington Street. Six parking citations and 13 verbal warnings were issued March 27 through April 2.

Please note: Any arrests listed are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proved guilty in a court of law.