ORR_1252013

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Serving Ogle County since 1851

OREGON Republican Reporter

December 5, 2013 Volume 163, Number 51 - $1.00

Wrestling Preview

Holiday Music

Raises Approved

Eight returning varsity wrestlers give Hawks a chance to go downstate. B1

OHS will kick off a fundraiser at its Christmas Concert. A9

The Ogle County Board approves raises for some appointees. A10

Coltrain to judge: “I’m not a trouble-maker� Nine charged in connection with deadly party By Vinde Wells Editor A Mt. Morris man charged with a hate crime and battery told an Ogle County judge Monday that he is not a trouble-maker. Justin W. Coltrain, 33, is charged with a hate crime, a Class 4 felony, and battery, a Class A misdemeanor, in connection with an underage drinking party in Oregon on Aug. 10 where a fight broke out that resulted in the death of 18-year-old Jonathan Williams, Oregon. “I’m not a trouble-maker,� said Coltrain after his lengthy criminal history was recounted by Assistant State’s Attorney Josh Versluys in a hearing before Judge Robert Hanson. Coltrain is accused of

making racial slurs to another party-goer and striking him. Ogle County State’s Attorney Michael Rock said the racial slurs were directed at an African American. Coltrain’s adult criminal history dates back to 2000 and includes aggravated battery and burglary charges. He told Hanson that he did not commit all the crimes he has been accused of, but pleaded guilty just to get out of jail. Hanson left Coltrain’s bond at $100,000, saying he is concerned over Coltrain’s history of “significant batteries.� “You went to the Department of Corrections for some of them,� Hanson said. Coltrain replied that he has put that all behind him. “They’re charging the wrong people,� he said. Hanson advised him to get an attorney and to not discuss what happened at the party with anyone other than his

attorney. A woman who identified herself as the mother of Coltrain’s ex-girlfriend urged Hanson to lower the bond. “He’s not a flight risk,� said the woman who would not give her name after the hearing. “He lived at my house for two and onehalf years, and we had no problems.� She said she is trying to hire an attorney for Coltrain but is struggling to come up with the $10,000 bail plus a retainer for an attorney of $2,000 to $3,000. Coltrain, who had bruises under both eyes, told Hanson he was attacked by another inmate in the Ogle County Jail after his arrest Nov. 27 and wants to press charges against the person who hit him. Hanson told him to discuss that with his attorney. Coltrain and Matthew Steder, 22, Mt. Morris, who is also charged with three counts of hate crimes

Justin Coltrain

stemming from the same party, are being held in the Whiteside County Jail. Ogle County Sheriff Michael Harn declined to comment on the alleged incident at the jail. Rock said Tuesday that he has not yet received a report on the incident. However, Coltrain told Sauk Valley Media that he was attacked Nov. 27 by African American inmates sharing his cell after they

heard a TV news report that said he was charged with a hate crime. Steder also appeared before Hanson on Monday. He is also charged with one count of aggravated battery, a Class 3 felony, as well as three counts of battery, in additional to hate crimes. Both Coltrain and Steder, who are scheduled to appear in court Dec. 6, are two of the seven adults charged last week in connection with the party that took place Aug. 10 at the Heck residence at 804 Monroe St., Oregon. Williams died Aug. 11 at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center, Rockford, after being injured in the fight which occurred in the wee hours of Aug. 10. Rock announced the following charges on Nov. 27, what would have been Williams 19th birthday: s "RIAN 'ALOR Rockford, delivery of alcohol to a minor; s -ARIA #OLEMAN Oregon, reckless conduct;

s #ODY -UNROE reckless conduct; s #AMERON #LARK Rochelle, reckless conduct; s +YLIE (ECK /REGON reckless conduct. Two juveniles were also charged. Rock said the reckless conduct charges were filed because the four did not seek medical help for Williams for several hours. Munroe, who Rock said is in Missouri, has not yet been arrested. 'ALOR ALSO APPEARED BEFORE Hanson Monday. He remains in the Ogle County Jail. The others are scheduled to appear in court later this month. A Winnebago County 'RAND *URY RULED 7ILLIAMS death a homicide last month. The cause of Williams’ death already had been ruled to be “blunt trauma of the head due to a fall as a result of a physical altercation.� Rock said last week that no Turn to A2

Candlelight Walk sets Christmas mood Annual event draws hundreds to downtown By Vinde Wells Editor Shoppers in a holiday mood made their way to Oregon’s downtown Saturday night for the 27th annual Candlelight Walk. After checking out the bargains offered by MERCHANTS +ATHY #ORBIN Oregon, was waiting for the Oregon High School Madrigals to arrive for their performance at Conover Square. “I enjoy going to the shops,� she said, as she visited with friends. Dan Boehle, co-owner of Cook’s Collection, served cups of hot cider to the customers in his crowded shop. He said the crowd was thin at first, but soon increased. “We got off to a slow start, but we’ve had a good crowd ever since,� he said with a smile. Conover merchants Bill Houston and Roger Ullmark were also pleased with the number of shoppers. “It’s a real nice crowd,� Ullmark said. Mall owner Lou Vanderwyst credited the mid-30s temperatures with bringing people out to the event. “It’s going well. The warm weather helps,� he said. Debbie Dickson, executive secretary of the Oregon Chamber of Commerce, the organizer of the event, proclaimed the evening an overall success. “We’re very pleased with the turnout,� she said. “Of

course, the weather is a big factor in that. We could not have dialed up a better evening.� Youngsters and their parents packed the Oregon Coliseum, Dickson said, to take their turns bending the ear of Santa Claus, who set up shop on the lower level. “Having Santa downstairs along with the Winter Quarter Festival worked very well,� $ICKSON SAID h+EEPING HIM stationary was great. There was plenty of space there, too.� In the past, Santa has roamed the downtown with stops at various locations. The Winter Quarter Festival was a new event this year geared especially for kids ages 3-10. It offered games and prizes for 25 cents. Dickson said it proved to be very popular. Franklin Street between Third and Fourth Streets was closed to traffic for the first time and transformed into Candy Cane Lane, providing a vehicle-free route from the Coliseum to Conover. “That added a special flair to the night,� Dickson said. Cooperation was important to the event’s success, she said. She thanked the Oregon Police and Street Department,

In This Week’s Edition...

Oregon Fire Department, and Oregon Park District for their participation and services, as well as the army of volunteers who helped out,

and the businesses that gave monetary support. “When everyone pulls together we can have an event as successful as this

one was,� Dickson said. The winners of the Red "OW 'IVEAWAY AND THE Hysterical Holiday Hunt will be announced later this week.

Howard “Bud� Mantsch, Oregon, was honored on Nov. 10 at the end of the third quarter of the Bears/ Lions football game. Photo supplied

WWII veteran honored at game Retired Marine Corps First Sergeant Howard “Bud� Mantsch, Oregon, was honored on Nov. 10 at the end of the third quarter of the Bears versus Lions football game. Mantsch, 92, served in the United States Marine Corps Above, Santa and Mrs. Claus light the tree on the Ogle County Courthouse lawn as two during World War II as part of gingerbread people watch, marking the start of Oregon’s Candlelight Walk Nov. 30. Below, the 3rd Marine Amphibious the Oregon Coliseum was filled with vendors and shoppers. Photos by Sarah Zuniga Corps, which was active in the Pacific theatre including the Solomon Islands campaign, the Mariana and Palau Islands campaign, and the Battle of Okinawa. Prior to enlisting in 1941, his dream was to play for the Chicago Bears. He chose to forego that dream to serve his country, but he never stopped being a Bears fan. Mantsch grew up and went to school in Dixon. He has lived in Oregon since 1946 when he married Cecilia Laskos.

Church News, A5 Classifieds, B6-B12 Entertainment, A6 Fines, B5

Library News, A3 Marriage Licenses, A4 Public Voice, A9 Property Transfers, B5

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

Deaths, B3 Warren E. Bastian, Anna R. Bowman, Craig D. Brinkman, Nellis E. Cherry, *AMES - #ORCORAN 0AUL 7 'RAEHLING

0UBLISHED EVERY 4HURSDAY BY /GLE #OUNTY .EWSPAPERS A DIVISION OF 3HAW -EDIA s WWW OGLECOUNTYNEWS COM


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