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Serving Ogle County since 1851

OREGON Republican Reporter

KB Tough Run Don’t delay any longer and sign up for the annual June 26 KB Tough Run. A7

June 11, 2015 Volume 165, Number 26 - $1.00

Downtown Deals

Property Taxes Ogle County Property Taxes need to be paid by Friday, June 12. A2

Local businesses will have specials to go along with the first Brown Bag Concert Friday. A2

Judge reduces bond, but sets strict conditions Peoria man charged with leading police on high speed chase By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecountynews.com An Ogle County judge reduced the bond last week of a man who led sheriff’s police on a high speed chase, but set strict and numerous bond conditions. Judge Robert Hanson lowered the bond for Daniel Swisher, 40, Peoria, from $250,000 to $100,000 June 4 after receiving a treatment

plan from Swisher’s psychiatrist. Swisher posted bond on Monday and was released from the Ogle County Jail. Swisher’s attorney Paul Whitcombe, Dixon, had requested the bond reduction twice before, but Hanson denied those motions until he heard back from Dr. Arum Pinto, the Peoria psychiatrist who has been treating Swisher for bipolar disorder for several years. At the June 4 hearing, Whitcombe presented Hanson with Pinto’s report. Ogle County State’s Attorney Eric Morrow objected to the bond reduction, citing public safety

concerns. An Ogle County Grand Jury indicted Swisher on seven charges on May 27. He is charged with four counts of aggravated fleeing to elude, all Class 4 felonies; two counts of resisting a peace officer, both Class 4 felonies; and possession of cannabis, a misdemeanor. Swisher pleaded not guilty to all seven charges. The charges stem from a high speed chase on May 6, Swisher’s 40th birthday, when he led Ogle County deputies from Castle Rock State Park, through downtown Oregon, west on Ill. 64 to Kings

and back to Oregon where he was finally stopped at the west end of the bridge over the Rock River. Police said Swisher’s speed reached as high as 104 mph at one point. He was driving a 2015 Porsche. Earlier that day, Swisher had been involved in a chase with Jo Daviess County Sheriff’s deputies. He was charged recently with fleeing to elude officers in Peoria County. Hanson set numerous conditions for Swisher’s release, including he must wear an electronic monitoring device, live with his parents in Turn to A2

Daniel Swisher

Teen is hurt in accident

Appointments for commission are approved 3-2 By Chris Johnson cxjohnson@oglecounty news.com Oregon Mayor Ken Williams’ recommendations for the city’s Planning Commission were approved 3-2 Tuesday night, despite a question by one city commissioner. Voting members recommended to serve were: Kurt Wilson, who is a city commissioner, and Mark Herman, Joe Ebens, Rick Ryland, and Craig Carpenter. Herman and Ebens reside outside the city limits and have been members of the Planning Commission. The non-voting, ex officio, and alternate members recommended by Williams were Karly Spell, as an alternate; Henry Tideman, advisory; Mike Bowers, street superintendent, advisory; Charlene Ruthe, city clerk, secretary; Paul Chadwick, city attorney; Corey Buck, city engineer; and Casper Manheim, city building inspector. Spell resides outside the city limits. Commissioner Jim Barnes questioned having two voting members and an alternate

who reside outside the city limits. “I have a problem with three out of the city,” said Barnes. Williams said the code allows for two voting members to reside outside the city limits and an alternate to live outside the city. “You take a look and you want stakeholders,” said Williams. “Residents, but also building or business owners.” Williams said Spell and her husband, Harry, operate a business in the city, Art Casting of Illinois. “A building and business owner has a stake in the community,” Williams said. The motion to accept the planning commission recommendations were approved 3-2. Commissioners Terry Schuster, Thomas Izer, and Williams cast yes votes. Barnes and Wilson cast no votes. “I have two key goals for the planning commission,” said Williams. “The first will be to update our master plan. We need a good plan that works for our city otherwise we are just going around in circles.” Turn to A2

An Oregon teen was critically injured in a onevehicle crash Sunday morning. Michael Stevens, 19, was listed in critical condition Tuesday at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center, Rockford. He was air-lifted by React helicopter from the scene of the 8 a.m. accident on South Watertown Road near the intersection with Prairie Road approximately five miles southeast of Oregon. Ogle County Sheriff’s Police said Stevens was driving a pick-up truck north on South Watertown Road and failed to negotiate a curve. The vehicle drove off the roadway into the left ditch and struck several trees and a creek embankment, coming to rest in a cornfield. The press release from the sheriff’s department did not indicate whether or not Stevens was wearing a seat belt. The crash remains under investigation.

Poles Come Down Utility Dynamics Corporation worker Joe Kirk lifts an old street light pole while Chad Stupec directs the base Tuesday morning in downtown Oregon. A two-block area of Ill. 2 (Fourth Street) will be under construction while new street lights are installed and new sidewalks are poured. Photo by Earleen Hinton

Relay for Life raises $56,000 to fight cancer By Sarah Zuniga Correspondent Cancer survivors, caregivers, and those helping to find a cure came together last Friday night to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Relay For Life of Ogle County was held June 5 from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Oregon High School track. The event included a cancer survivor dinner, silent auction, bags tournament, and a luminaria ceremony, as well as themed laps for walking around the track at Landers-Loomis Field. The event raised $56,000, and money will continue to come in until Aug. 31. Forreston native Renee

Ludwig gave a survivor presentation during the opening ceremony. Ludwig, a three and a half year breast cancer survivor,

told the audience her story of battling the disease. “I have so much to be thankful for,” said Ludwig, as she thanked her family and

Perfect weather for Daze By Chris Johnson cxjohnson@oglecounty news.com

friends during her speech. Burkardt’s LP Gas was recognized during the opening ceremony for their contribution to the American

Cancer Society. A variety of new and Burkardt’s general manager Mike Faivre, Polo, returning favorite games came up with the idea of and competitions were some Turn to A11 of the highlights during the annual Summer Daze festival. A perfect evening with clear skies and pleasant temperatures June 5 kicked things off in Leaf River for the FFA Tractor Rodeo. Competitors tried their hands at controlling their tractors in a variety of competitions. Up first was the keg race. This required a keg be pushed by a tractor down a course then around a barrel before returning to the finish line. “It is not to bad to push the keg,” said Josh Bolen, Survivors of cancer walked the opening lap of the Relay For Life Event together, and met with their caregivers half- German Valley. “This year way through the first lap. Photo by Sarah Zuniga

In This Week’s Edition...

Church News, A5 Classifieds, B7-B12 Entertainment, A6 Fines, B4 Marriage Licenses, A4

Oregon Police, B4 Library News, A12 Public Voice, A10 Property Transfers, B5 Reading Matters, A10

Turn to B1

Sheriff’s Arrests, B3 Social News, A4 State’s Attorney, B4 Zoning, B5

Deaths, B6 William “Ole” Hiteman, Ev McGee

Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com


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