Serving Ogle County since 1851
OREGON Republican Reporter
January 1, 2015 Volume 165, Number 3 - $1.00
Recycle Your Tree
New Laws in 2015
Now that Christmas is over, make sure to recycle your tree. A6
With the change in the calender to a new year, several new laws will take effect. A8
Busy beginning for new sheriff By Vinde Wells Editor For the first weeks after taking office newly-elected Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle has been putting in long hours. Despite the 12-hour-plus days, he is enthusiastic about his new job. “I am excited,” he said. “It’s worth it to get this department back on the right track.” VanVickle, 38, Rochelle, defeated incumbent Michael Harn in the March Republican primary and was elected sheriff Nov. 4. VanVickle, a lifelong area resident, was a Rochelle police officer and K-9 handler for six years, and prior to that worked as manager at his family’s business Krahenbuhl Chrysler Jeep. One of VanVickle’s priorities after taking office Dec. 1 was appointing his administrative staff. He named Danny White as chief deputy, Greg Kunce to head up the patrol division, Brian Ketter as the supervisor of the detective division, and Susan Montavon as his administrative assistant. White, Kunce, and Ketter are all long-time deputies on the department, and Montavon previously worked in the Ogle County State’s Attorney’s office. “Our new command structure is in place,” VanVickle said. He made changes in the administrative focus, he said, putting two lieutenants back on the road in supervisory positions. That means another two squad cars are patrolling the roads, he said. VanVickle also ordered the six new squad cars that
Brian VanVickle
were already budgeted and approved by the county board. However, he made a change — the new cars will be silver rather than white. “Changing the color did not add to the cost,” he said. “And I want the department to have a new image.” One of the things occupying VanVickle’s time is getting ready for the move into the new sheriff’s and coroner’s administrative building that should be completed in the next few weeks. He said plans call for the move to take place in early February. Designed by Saavedra Gehlhausen Architects, Rockford, the new $4.1 million one-story building is situated to the east of the present 100-year-old threestory building at 103 Jefferson St., Oregon. The present sheriff’s building will be demolished once it is no longer needed, and the area will be used for parking. The new building will house the sheriff’s department, the 911 telecommunications center, and the coroner’s office and county morgue.
Winter fisherman A fisherman navigates his boat on the Rock River near Carnation Park on Sunday. Sunny skies greeted outdoor enthusiasts as mild temperatures continued to grace the Ogle County area. Photo by Earleen Hinton
Downtown building sold Monday By Vinde Wells Editor Washington Corner, one of the largest and most distinctive commercial buildings in downtown Oregon, has been sold. The new owners are local restaurateurs Antonio and Peter Alfano. The closing took place Dec. 29, but the terms of the sale were not disclosed. “I’m delighted that the new owners are successful longtime local businessmen,” said Warren Miller, the previous owner. “They have a real stake in the Oregon community and I am sure they will do well with the property.” “That said, however, this is a bittersweet occasion for me, as it represents the end of my formal association with Ogle County,” Miller said. “Though I have not lived here for 25 years, Washington Corner and my other business ventures have kept me well-connected with this area, which I will always remember with great
Antonio and Peter Alfano recently purchased Washington Corner from Warren Miller. Photo supplied
affection and respect.” The grandson of former Illinois Governor Frank O. Lowden, Miller previously owned and operated the Sinnissippi Forest Christmas tree business, and its lumber mill and logging venture. Beginning in 1992, he initiated the transfer of more than 2,200 acres of the family’s forestland to the State of Illinois, for the creation of Lowden Miller State Forest, named in honor of his grandparents and parents, Dr.
and health hazard, as the only occupants for a number of years were rodents and pigeons. But we knew the buildings were too important to the city, historically and architecturally, and were definitely worth rehabilitating.” After major restoration and renovation, the building was reopened in 1989 with four first-floor store fronts and more than a half-dozen office spaces on the second floor. In 1989 the Millers were formally recognized by both the City of Oregon and the Oregon Chamber of Commerce for their contributions to the community by renovating and preserving the historic structures. The building current houses Stitches in Time, This & That Accessories, the Folk Law Firm, and the office of attorney George Enstrom.
and Mrs. C. Phillip Miller. Dating from the 1870s, Washington Corner encompasses three structures, the oldest of which is the F.C. Jones building at 304-306 Washington St. Miller and his late wife Nancy purchased the property that they renamed Washington Corner in 1985. “It was really run down Miller said the property will and on the verge of being condemned by the city,” remain as an office building, Miller said. “The buildings and the current leases will were something of a fire trap continue.
No one files for library board Larsons move into their new home By Vinde Wells Editor
No one has filed to run in the April 7 consolidated election for the three open seats on the Oregon Public Library Board. The six-year terms currently held by Scott Stephens, Richard McCanse, and Angie Thiesen will be on the ballot. The filing deadline was Dec. 22. Library board member Terry Schuster, who has two years left in his term, has filed for a seat on the Oregon City Council in the spring election. Schuster is one of five candidates seeking four spots on the city council. Also running are James Barnes Sr., Virginia Pearson, Thomas E. Izer, and Kurt Wilson. City commissioners Bob Rees, and Ken Williams are
not seeking re-election. Williams, however, is one of three candidates for mayor. He and former mayor Michael Arians are challenging incumbent Thomas Stone Sr. for the city’s top post. Commissioner Tom Miller tendered his resignation effective Dec. 31. No one has yet been appointed to fill the four months left in his term. The Oregon Park District Board candidates will face no competition in the spring election. Incumbents Steve Pennock, Gary Davis, and Mark Tremble are the only candidates who filed for the three four-year terms they presently hold. In the Oregon School Board election, only one candidate, incumbent Mary Jo Griffin, has filed for the three open seats on the spring ballot.
In This Week’s Edition...
By Chris Johnson Reporter It may have taken a few weeks longer to complete the paperwork, but Jennifer Larson and her son Vincenzo are now the proud owners of a home in Oregon. The family closed on the Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County home on Dec. 16. This was the 10th home built in the county since 2002. Larson’s home is at 210 N. Sixth St. and the property has a loving history. “Our dream of having our own home began out of love, was built with love, and forever will be rooted with love,” wrote Larson in a letter to Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County. “This home is the cornerstone of our foundation. We have been blessed with a home.” The letter was read during the Oct. 26 house blessing.
Business Briefs, A7, B2 Byron Police, B5 Church News, A5 Classifieds, B6-B10 Entertainment, A6
A delay in the final paperwork was due to a grant application that became available after the blessing. This grant reduced the overall cost of the home to the Larsons. This home would not have been completed without volunteers and the love of another family. The Marie Black family donated the old house and property to Habitat. The home was torn down and the site was used to build Larson’s home. Black’s sister Marilyn Schwartz, daughter Laury Edlund, and daughter-in-law Trisha Black attended the house blessing. The family decided to donate the property so another family would have a chance to own a home. Numerous volunteers and
Fines, B2 Marriage Licenses, A4 Oregon Police, A5 Public Voice, A9 Property Transfers, B2
Turn to A2 Vincenzo, age 4, enjoys his new room. Photo by Chris Johnson
Sheriff’s Arrests, B3 Social News, A4 Sports, B1 State’s Attorney, B5
Deaths, B3 T. J. Condit, Sally A. Holtapp, Donald W. Paul, Sherwood N. Stouffer, Lowell F. TerHark
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