ORR_08282014

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Serving Ogle County since 1851

OREGON Republican Reporter

August 28, 2014 Volume 164, Number 37 - $1.00

Season Previews

River Sweep

Ice Bucket Challenges

The Oregon athletic teams are ready to face the competition during the fall seasons. B1

Volunteers are needed to help clean the Rock River Sept. 6. A6

Serenity House and Home, OHS Cheerleaders, and football team all take the challenge. A9, B2

Collaborative planning key How a Kansas town rebuilt with “green� agenda By Vinde Wells Editor Setting aside differences and preconceived ideas has made it possible for the citizens of a small city in Kansas to rebuild “green� in the wake of a devastating tornado. “It has to be a collaborative effort. We have to change how we think about sustainability,� said Bob Dixson, mayor of Greensburg, Kansas, when he spoke to a group of about 60 people at the Illinois Renewable Energy and Sustainable Lifestyles Fair Aug. 23 at the Ogle County Fairgrounds. Dixson was the keynote speaker at the 13th annual fair, and he brought a message of encouragement about rebuilding after a disaster and going as “green� as possible whatever the situation. Greensburg, then a city of more than 1,500 people and the county seat of Kiowa County in south central

Cool Crew Oregon school administrators agreed to take the Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS during Red & White Night on Aug. 22. Above, Mike Lawton, Andrew Nelson, Kip Crandall, and Mike Boyer react as coolers of ice and cold water are dumped on them. At right, the foursome reacts to the event. More Ice Bucket Challenge photos appear on A9 and B2. Photos by Earleen Hinton

Bob Dixson, Mayor of Greensburg, Kansas

Kansas, was 95 percent destroyed on May 4, 2007 by an EF5 tornado. Eleven residents died. “In the blink of an eye your life can be changed,â€? Dixson said. “It didn’t matter what our socio-economic status was, we were all homeless. We went from a tree-lined community‌.to rubble.â€? The tornado packed 205 mph sustained winds and was more than a mile wide — almost as broad as the town. Homes, businesses, schools, churches, and government buildings were all destroyed when the storm swept through in the early evening. Dixson said he knows all too well how the loss felt. He and his wife Ann rode out the storm in the basement of their 100-plus-year-old Victorian “dream home.â€? They were unhurt, but nothing was left of the house or their possessions. Despite the devastation, he said, residents of the community were determined to rebuild their homes and city. “We were blessed with an opportunity to rebuild,â€? he said. Weekly planning meetings The old National Clothing House Building, owned by of 400-500 townsfolk and former US Congressman Don Manzullo has been sold. expert facilitators were held work.â€? businesses in the community in a tent. The mayor said the and having this building Turn to A2 town has seen growth in sold is another example.

Oregon landmark sold to two local men By Vinde Wells Editor After being on the market for several years, a downtown Oregon landmark has been sold. Two Oregon men, Mark Gale and Kevin Wiegmann, recently purchased the National Clothing House building on the northwest corner of Washington and Fourth Streets from former U.S. Congressman Don Manzullo. Gale said Tuesday that they plan to remodel the brick building. “We’re going to fix

it up as time allows and eventually rent it out,� he said. The plan is to rent it as a business location. He said they hope to restore the exterior to how it looked originally as much as possible. Several different businesses have been located in the building over the years, the most recent being Verizon. Gale declined to say how much they paid for the building, but a banner displayed on the front recently set the price at $89,000.

He said he and Wiegmann have not yet decided what they will do with the upper story, which is in need of extensive repairs. Oregon Mayor Tom Stone said he is pleased that Gale and Wiegmann, who have purchased and remodeled other properties, now own the building. “I think it’s great,� he said. “This is good for the city. Small towns are struggling.� Stone said this shows progress is being made in the city. “It is encouraging,� he said. “They do a lot of good

High Flying Granny 91-year-old tandem skydives Aug. 24 By Earleen Hinton General Manager It’s OK to scream. That was just one tip Dorothy Morris received on Sunday before jumping out of a plane over Rochelle at 14,000 feet. Turns out the 91-year-old great grandmother didn’t need it anyway. “I forgot to scream. I was too busy looking around. I think I wanted to, but it was so thrilling I forgot,� the Mt. Morris resident said shortly after landing with her tandem skydiving instructor Paul Piccolo.

Surrounded by nearly 50 family members and friends, Morris jumped with Piccolo at the Chicagoland Skydiving Center in Rochelle on a hot and humid Sunday afternoon. She decided to try skydiving after hearing her niece, Kathy Qualkinbush, DeKalb, talk about how much she enjoyed her “jumpsâ€?. “She kept bringing it up and finally I said ‘Ok, I will arrange it’,â€? said Qualkinbush who has made hundred of jumps. “Initially, I was surprised, but knowing her it made sense. I mean, she’s on Facebook‌I’m sure she’ll put this on too.â€? This was not the first visit for Morris to the skydiving center. She had watched other skydivers jump while eating at the Flight

In This Week’s Edition...

Deck Bar & Grill, located adjacent to the landing area. “I just love watching them jump,� she said. “We’ve come over for the evening meals so I’ve seen them over and over. I told Kathy I think I could do that.� After signing the necessary pre-form jumps at the registration desk, Morris made her way into a nearby room where she watched a video about her upcoming experience. One of the tips encouraged screaming because “it actually helps� combat the anxiety. Another urged jumpers to let their jumping partner know if they felt nauseated so the professional could “take evasive action� and Paul Piccolo, chief instructor at the Chicagoland Skydiving Center, checks avoid any splash back.

Church News, A5 Classifieds, B9-B14 Entertainment, A6 Fines, B3 Marriage Licenses, A4

Turn to B6

Library News, A3 Oregon Police, B7 Public Voice, A11 Property Transfers, B8

his altimeter as he tandem jumps with Dorothy Morris, 91, Mt. Morris on Sunday. Photo by Michael Squires

Sheriff’s Arrests, B4 Social News, A4 Sports, B1, B2 State’s Attorney, B8

Deaths, B3 Lila V. Kaufman, Frances M. O’Brien

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