ORR_12042014

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Serving Ogle County since 1851

OREGON Republican Reporter

December 4, 2014 Volume 164, Number 51 - $1.00

Hawks Struggle

Watercolors

50 Year Plan

The Thanksgiving Tournament was not kind to the Oregon Hawks to start the season. B1

Pinecrest has received a grant to help memory loss by painting. A9

The Ogle County Board has plans for property acquisitions over the next 50 years. A7

Restoration crew prepares statue for winter By Vinde Wells Editor Sunshine and moderating temperatures Tuesday let a restoration crew get back to preparing the Black Hawk Statue for winter. A snowstorm Nov. 24 put a stop to work to cover and wrap the

103-year-old landmark to protect it from cold and snow until repairs can begin in the spring. Dr. Andrzej Dajnowski, the conservator for the project, was taking samples Tuesday afternoon from the deteriorating surface about halfway up the 50-foot concrete statue at Lowden State Park. Numerous samples have been

taken over several months to aid in determining the best mixture of concrete and other materials to make the repairs. Dajnowski and his crew completed a roof over the statue’s head to keep off snow and ice. He said they would finish the scaffolding that surrounds the statue and begin wrapping plastic mesh

around it before leaving for the day. However, he said, he did not have enough of the protective plastic to finish. “I had to order it from Canada,” he said. “We will be back in a few days.” The scaffolding around the statue is anchored to large concrete weights to give it stability over the

windy winter months. Created by sculptor Lorado Taft in 1910 as a tribute to all Native Americans, the statue draws thousands of visitors each year. It was unveiled and dedicated in 1911. The effects of time and weather have caused parts of the statue to Turn to A2

Brian VanVickle is the new sheriff

Candlelight Walk rings in holidays

Sworn in Monday morning by Judge John B. Roe

By Vinde Wells Editor

By Chris Johnson Reporter

An array of events and near-perfect weather combined Nov. 29 to draw what may have been a record crowd to Oregon’s 28th Candlelight Walk. Debbie Dickson, Executive Secretary Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the annual event, estimated the turnout at maybe as many as 3,000 people. “It’s almost impossible to get an accurate count,” she said. “We are very excited about the turnout. And Mother Nature cooperated.” Temperatures remained in the 40s under clear skies for the evening event. Children’s events at the Coliseum were a huge draw, Dickson said. Santa and Mrs. Claus set up shop on the lower level for the evening, along with the Winter Quarter Carnival — a variety of kids’ games and activities, and, of course Zoe Fosse. age 2, Rockford, peeks out the door of the gingerbread refreshments. Turn to A10 house at the kids Winter Carnival at Oregon’s Candlelight Walk on Nov.

There is a new sheriff in town now that Brian VanVickle took the oath of office Monday morning. VanVickle, Rochelle, defeated Michael Harn in the spring primary and was elected in November. VanVickle was a Rochelle Police Officer before becoming Ogle County’s newest sheriff. He was sworn in by Ogle County Judge John B. Roe in front of a crowd of more than 80 friends, family, and supporters. “We have worked so hard. Everyone has been so supportive,” said VanVickle Monday morning. “I can’t say anything but thank you. Thank you for coming out today. I am at a loss for words.” Following VanVickle’s swearing in, Ogle County Clerk Rebecca Huntley was sworn in by Roe. Huntley ran unopposed. In a separate courtroom, Ogle County Treasurer John Coffman, was also ran unopposed was sworn in by Ogle County Judge Robert Hanson. A crowd of more than 80 was in this courtroom

29. Photo by Earleen Hinton

Sheriff Brian VanVickle recites the oath of office Monday morning. Photo by Chris Johnson

to witness the swearing in ceremony. Following his swearing in Eric Morrow, Oregon, was sworn in as the new State’s Attorney. He is taking over the post previously held by Mike Rock, who Morrow defeated in the primary. “I want like to thank my family and everyone that supported us, and the members of the bar,” said Morrow. “I don’t take this office lightly. This is a responsibility I take seriously. I want to work with my staff to represent Ogle County well.” His assistant state’s attorneys, Ann Switzer, Joshua Versluys, Robert Schuman, and Andrew Wilt were also sworn in by Hanson.

Ambulance meetings will be on Tuesdays Informational meetings about the Oregon Fire Protection District’s upcoming referendum to provide an ambulance service will be held on four Tuesdays — Dec. 9, Jan. 20, Feb. 10, and March 24. All will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the fire district’s

Santa Claus talks to Emi Leonardy, age 2, as she is held by her sister Milena, age 11, while her other sister, Danielle, age 9, greets him at the start of Oregon’s Candlelight Walk on Nov. 29. Photo by Earleen Hinton

administration building at 106 S. First St. The referendum to allow the fire district levy real estate taxes at a maximum rate of 40 cents per $100 of equalized assessed valuation to fund a full-time ambulance service will appear on the April 7 ballot.

Gouker remains board chairman By Vinde Wells Editor History was repeated Monday evening when Ogle County Board Chairman Kim Gouker, Byron, was elected to his second two-year term as chairman by the same vote margin as two years ago. Gouker, a 16-year board veteran, was elected by a

vote of 13-11, the same vote he received in December of 2012. He also faced the same opponent as two years ago. Board member Lyle Hopkins, Polo, was also nominated for chairman. “We have a lot of work to do in the next couple of years,” Gouker said. “I appreciate the opportunity to lead.”

In This Week’s Edition...

Board member John Finfrock, Mt. Morris, was elected to his second twoyear term as vice chairman. The vote for Finfrock was unanimous. Before Gouker and Finfrock were elected, Judge Robert Hanson swore in eight recently elected board members: J. Nick Bolin, Holcomb, in District 1,

Church News, A5 Classifieds, B8-B12 Entertainment, A6 Fines, B6 Library News, A8

Pat Nordman, Oregon, in District 2, Bobbie Colbert, Rochelle, in District 3, Bruce McKinney, Rochelle, in District 4, Dan Janes, Stillman Valley in District 5, Lee Meyers, Byron, in District 6, Rich Gronewold, Forreston in District 7, and Hopkins in District 8. The eight all ran unopposed in the Nov. 4 election.

Marriage Licenses, A4 Oregon Police, B6 Public Voice, A8 Property Transfers, B7

Recently elected Ogle County Board members take the oath of office Monday evening to begin new terms. Pictured left to right taking the oath: are Bobbie Colbert, Rochelle, Pat Nordman, Oregon, lee Meyers, Byron, Dan Janes, Stillman Valley, and Nick Bolin, Holcomb. Seated are board members Marty Typer, Stillman Valley, Zach Oltmanns, Stillman Valley, and Richard Petrizzo, Davis Junction.

Sheriff’s Arrests, B6 Social News, A4 Sports, A11, B1-B3 State’s Attorney, B6

Deaths, B5 Richard F. Lee, Prudence F. Peterson

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


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