Serving Ogle County since 1851
OREGON Republican Reporter
July 2, 2015 Volume 165, Number 29 - $1.00
Tough Run
7 Vehicle Crash
Nash Upgrade
More than 100 runners brave the mud in the 4th annual KB Tough Run. B1
Three are hurt in a crash in a construction zone on I39. B3
The Oregon Park District buys new strength equipment for fitness center. A10
County bans E-cigarettes in public places By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecountynews.com As of July 1, the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) is prohibited in virtually all public and work places in Ogle County. Joanie Padilla, county director of Health Education and Emergency Preparedness, cited a growing trend of youths using e-cigarettes as the reason for the ban. “My main impetus for this ordinance is that youths are using them,” Padilla said Tuesday. “I’ve had several educators tell me it’s a
problem even at the middle school level. I hope we can begin to get a handle on it.” The ban expands on the SmokeFree Illinois Act (SFIA) passed in 2008. It disallows smoking, and now “vaping” (smoking e-cigarettes), in offices, theaters, museums, libraries, educational institutions, schools, commercial establishments, enclosed shopping centers, retail stores, restaurants, bars, private clubs and gaming facilities. A first-time violation will result
in a $100 citation for the offender and a $250 citation for a business. Second offenses will be $250 and $500. Businesses will be subject to a $2,500 fine for “subsequent offenses within one year for not taking steps to prevent the use of smoking,” according to the news release. E-cigarettes heat a liquid solution that contains “propylene glycol, glycerin, nicotine and flavorings,” Padilla’s news release said. Users inhale the substance to simulate cigarette smoking.
“The health effects of e-cigarettes are not well-understood,” according to the news release. “According to the World Health Organization, e-cigarettes are probably less harmful than traditional cigarettes, but the level of risk reduction is unknown. It could take years to discover if e-cigarettes vapors cause cancer or other diseases. The ban on e-cigarettes in public places is a precautionary measure to protect nonsmokers from exposure to nicotine and other toxicants.” Padilla said via email that Chicago and “many of its suburbs”
have adopted similar policies, adding the Illinois General Assembly is considering adding it to the SFIA. The ordinance covers all places in Ogle County where traditional smoking products are banned. “We introduced it to the [Ogle County] Board of Health in May unofficially, and officially in June,” Padilla wrote in her email. “This ordinance mirrors the SmokeFree Illinois Act in every way, except that it also bans electronic Turn to A9
Getting ready to help
Slovenia Calling Amateur radio field day reaches out to those across world
First meeting held for new volunteer corps
By Chris Johnson cxjohnson@oglecountynews.com Whiskey-nine-golf-delta. Whiskey-nine-golf-delta. With these simple words, Gene Duncan, Oregon, made radio contact half way around the world Saturday night. “W-nine-golf-delta, you are 5-9-63-8,” came a voice back on the radio. “You are 5-9-1-8 Illinois,” relied Duncan. With this quick exchange, Duncan had a confirmed contact with Slovenia, a country east of Italy in Europe. “His name is Jenneis,” said Duncan. “I have talked to him before.” The signal was logged by Jerry Shirer, Oregon, to document the contact. Duncan and Shirer were taking part in an amateur radio field day being held in the Rock River Center’s parking lot on S. 10th Street. This was one of 346 confirmed international contacts Duncan has made in his 58 years of having an amateur radio license. “My favorite is talking to foreign countries,” said Duncan. “I have talked to Japan quite a bit and other stations in Asia. It is a fun activity.” Duncan has been broadcasting
By Chris Johnson cxjohnson@oglecounty news.com
Gene Duncan, right, says his id W9GD into the radio when trying to make contact with other radio enthusiasts Saturday afternoon while, Jerry Shirer, N9XR, watches on. Photo by Chris Johnson
since he received an amateur radio license in 1957. “I lived north of Stratford and had a table Crosley radio and heard broadcasts,” said Duncan. “It was something I got interested in with a couple other guys and we all got our licenses at the same time.” Duncan has been broadcasting ever since. When he went to the nursing home, he received permission to have a radio tower installed so he could continue his passion every day. During the field day Duncan and Shirer were teaming up to make contacts. “You need to move the dial back
and forth trying to get a good signal,” said Duncan. With every contact made, Shirer was making a log in a computer program. “We are keeping track of where we have talked to tonight,” he said. “We log all contacts.” In the first hour of the field day there were confirmed contacts in Tennessee, Michigan, Indiana, South Carolina, Kansas, New Jersey, Mississippi, Ohio, and Pennsylvania in the United States and the one contact in Slovenia. Duncan has his amateur extra class license which grants him access to all
the amateur high frequency bands. Some of the radio enthusiasts at the field day had a general class license which grants access to a restricted number of bandwidths. “You have three levels of licenses,” said Charlie Anderson, Oregon. “You need to know theory for the extra license. I have not received my extra license yet.” A beginner in amateur radio can earn a technician class license with has limited access to high frequency bands. Licenses are good for 10 years. Turn to A2
Ogle County officials took the first step Tuesday toward building an Ogle County Volunteer Corps that could be called upon to help during emergencies. “After the April 9 tornado we decided to get going on the volunteer corps,” said Ogle County Director of Health Education and Emergency Preparedness Joanie Padilla during an informational meeting Tuesday night about volunteer opportunities. “We watched the storm on radar and knew it would not be good.” Following the storm, thousands of volunteers descended on the county and Rochelle to offer help. Seeing the jobs these volunteers were able to assist affected families with was the spark to create a local group of volunteers to respond to emergencies. The first meeting to form such a group was held Tuesday at the Ogle Turn to A2
Mt. Morris gears up for 2015 Let Freedom Ring By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com Celebrate the Fourth of July with food, fireworks, music, and family activities at Mt. Morris’ 52nd annual Let Freedom Ring Festival. Freedom Reborn is the theme for the this year’s celebration. The festival began Wednesday evening with the crowning of the 2015 LFR Queen. Two Oregon High School seniors, Paige Carlock and Cheyanne Terry, were vying for the honor. Festival chairman Mark Lewis said the beer garden
will be at a new location this year on the campus uptown rather than in the street. The beer garden will be open on Friday from 5 to 12 p.m. and again on Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. Also new this year is magician and ventriloquist Gene Cordova, sponsored by the Evangelical Free Church of Mt. Morris on Sunday at 1 p.m. at the band shell. “This is a new familyoriented event,” Lewis said. Music will be a big part of the festival. Radio station 97ZOK will do a live broadcast and house party Friday and Saturday from 9 p.m. to midnight from the band shell.
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“That’s a new event for us, too,” Lewis said. The Jimmys will perform on Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the band shell, compliments of the Mt. Morris Jamboree. Other Friday events include a bags tournament at 4 p.m. on Wesley Avenue, food court from 4 to 8 p.m. and Farmers Market from 4 to 7 p.m. on the south end of the campus, a silent auction from 5 to 9 p.m. in Felker building, and a craft fair from 5 to 8 p.m. on the north end of the campus. The celebration begins early in the morning on the Fourth with the Firefighter’s Breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. at the firehouse, the Lois
Church Bells, A5 Classifieds, B6-B10 Entertainment, A6 Fines, B5 Marriage Licenses, A4
Nelson Walk at 8:30 a.m. at Dillehay Park, the Patriotic Program at noon followed at 1 p.m. by the 52nd annual ringing of the Official Illinois State Freedom Bell. The Grand Parade steps off at 2 p.m. with a wide array of local organization floats, bands, classic cars, antique vehicles, novelty units, and other entries. The 4th of July is the optimal time for Mounder Class Reunions – several classes will have special vehicles in the parade this year. Grand Parade Marshal will be long time Kable Band Director Warren Reckmeyer, who is retiring after 60 years
Library News, A9 Oregon Police,A7 Public Voice, A9 Property Transfers, B4 Sheriff’s Arrests, B3
Social News, A4 Sports, B1, B2 State’s Attorney, B3
with the Kable Concert Band, 59 years of which he has been the director. Patriotic Program speaker will be Mike Ballard, one of Mt. Morris’ own. Ballard, who was a United Airlines pilot, experienced Sept. 11, 2001 as a pilot in the sky. He will share some of his experiences of that day and the days following. Other Saturday events include the silent auction from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., a truck show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wesley Avenue, craft fair from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the north end of the campus, and the “Feed the Needy” motorcycle parade at 1 p.m. The day will be capped
off by the fireworks at dusk behind David L. Rahn Junior High. Sunday has been designated Kids Day at the festival with the Evangelical Free Church’s kids show and concert at 1 p.m. at the band shell, followed by the John Bednarczyk Kiddie Parade at 2 p.m. on Main Street and the Kiddie Water Fights at 3 p.m. The Jonas Levi Fultz Memorial Car show and Cruise will take place at 3 p.m. For a complete listing of all events taking place from July 3 to 5, check the www. letfreedomringfestival.com or like LFR on facebook.
Deaths, B5 Douglas E. Fitzsimmons, Robert L. Jenkins, Luanne Kalas, Carl D. Weber, Philip J. Zaffer
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