Serving Ogle County since 1851
OREGON Republican Reporter
January 12, 2017 Volume 167, Number 5 - $1.00
Polo Invitational
Masquerade
Heart Healthy
The Oregon Hawk wrestlers traveled to Polo and earned sixth place. B1
The Polo Area Community Theater is hosting a masquerade ball. A6
Learn how to eat healthy for your heart during a Feb. 2 Extension class. A6
$25,000 donation
Proposed jail site criticized by residents By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com
Anonymous donation helps Conover By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com An unexpected and generous donation means an Oregon volunteer organization can take the next step in its first project. Hands on Oregon (HOO) received an anonymous gift of $25,000 last week, a perfect start to the new year. Committee member Rick Ryland said the money will be used to hire a contractor to repair the upper level of the south wall of Conover
“We’ve worked very hard, but we, as volunteers, do not have the equipment or expertise to finish these upper floors. Now we can hire professional help.” — Rick Ryland Square. “We’ve worked very hard, but we, as volunteers, do not have the equipment or expertise to finish these upper floors. Now we can hire professional help,” he said. “I thank God for watching over this project. With this anonymous giving
of $25,000, we can really move ahead. I personally thank the donor, whoever you are, and may the Good Lord bless you.” HOO, a not-for-profit, was formed in 2015 by Ryland and Jeff Hallock with the purpose of enriching the lives of Oregon citizens
through local caring and creating excitement through volunteerism. Moisture and age had caused the south wall of the century-old Conover Square building to deteriorate and bow out – an obvious place to begin. It became the organization’s first project. When HOO offered it assistance, building owner Lou VanderWyst had already shored up the inside of the wall with jacks and was doing what he could to deal Turn to A2
By Zach Arbogast zarbogast@oglecounty news.com
Free open stage music event held at Pinecrest Grove Community Center
Friday evening kicked off 2017’s First Fridays, and the cold didn’t stop local musical talent from rocking at Pinecrest Grove Community Center. For those unfamiliar, First Fridays is an acoustic openstage music show held the first Friday of each month where musicians share their talents in 15-minute sets. Musical styles typically include country, bluegrass, gospel, blues, R&B, folk, soft rock, and even blends of the different styles. Both group and solo acts are strongly encouraged. Around 90 were in attendance Jan. 6, but the event routinely attracts around 200 people, according to Ron Colson - who has been running the show for 16 years. “I think the temperatures
dipping into the negatives might have some affect on the attendance today,” said Colson. “However, that goes to show you just how many people love the event - get out in this cold to be here.” Attendance and performance sign-up are both free, with a good-will donation jar located at the front table to help offset building rental costs. Typically, the donation is appreciated, but not pressured. However, Friday night came with special circumstances: a local performer in trouble. Chadwick resident and country musician Ray Rose is well-known to attendees of First Fridays, and he is currently at OSF St. Anthony’s after suffering a massive stroke. “I know we don’t typically push the donation jar, but we’re breaking that rule today, folks,” said Colson in between announcing acts. “Ray is our
Ron Colson offered words of support and encouragement for friends and family of musician Ray Rose, who suffered a stroke days prior. Photo by Zach Arbogast.
“I think the temperatures... might have some affect on the attendance ... that goes to show you just how many people love the event - get out in this cold to be here — Ron Colson, show organizer
Turn to A2
In This Week’s Edition...
Church News, A5 Classifieds, B4-B8 Entertainment, A6 Fines, B2 Library News, A3
Jim Barnes City Commissioner areas to promote tourism. County Board member Don Griffin, Oregon, who also is head of the county’s Long Range Plan Committee, said other sites were considered, but the Sixth Street location is the best spot. “The main reason is for transporting prisoners [to and from court],” Griffin said. “It’s a safety and security consideration.” The design concept calls for Sixth Street to be closed to traffic, with the new detention center connected to the judicial center by a large sally port across what is now the street. That means prisoners could be walked from the jail to their court appearances. The proposed sally port will be large enough to Turn to A8
ECDC looking for an intern
usical passion at f irst f ridays By Zach Arbogast zarbogast@oglecounty news.com
The Ogle County Board has drawn fire in recent weeks after announcing its intention to build a new jail on the edge of a residential area in Oregon. The board approved a design concept in November that would put the jail in the 100 block of South Sixth Street, across the street from and connected to the judicial center. City Commissioner Jim Barnes, a former County Board chairman, is one of those who has voiced disapproval. “That’s residential area and the heart of our downtown,” he said. “We have a beautiful town, and that won’t add to the beauty of it.” The county owns the east half of the block, which has been vacant since the houses there were razed several years ago. The west half has several homes and a large, stately Victorian house now converted into a law firm’s offices. At the December county board meeting, Bryan Zobeck, who lives a block west of the proposed site, also urged members to carefully consider the location, because the downtown as well as the riverfront have been identified as development
“That’s residential area and the heart of our downtown. We have a beautiful town, and that won’t add to the beauty of it.” —
Marriage Licenses, A4 Oregon Police, B2 Public Voice, A7 Property Transfers, B3 Sheriff’s Arrests, B3
Social News, A4 Sports, B1, B2 State’s Attorney, B3 Zoning Permits, B3
The Economic Development Committee (ECDC) talked about their need for an intern and touched base on 2016’s projects including the riverfront retail zoning and TIF district proposal. The ECDC discussed their desire Jan. 3 to bring in an intern to assist the city’s efforts in attracting business investment and customers. Committee members agreed that the time demanded to recruit businesses, showcase what Oregon offers to customers and investors, and gain the resources to support community organizations is beyond their current means. With that, the ECDC is turning to Western Illinois University’s (WIU) Peace Corps Fellows program. The program is designed to offer returning Peace Corps volunteers subsidized master’s degree programs. After declaring their major and completing
a year of coursework in their field, the student is required to complete a oneyear internship utilizing their skills to serve a rural community. The internship is financed through a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant. The ECDC would be in search of an intern with skills in business administration, economics, and tourism — particularly within a rural setting. Cities must apply to participate in the program. This does not obligate the city to hire a particular applicant, but it does allow them to interview potential candidates. The ECDC also touched base on some projects from 2016. The committee agreed both the Riverfront Retail Zoning and TIF District are right on track. The riverfront was on the agenda for the city council meeting Jan. 10, and the TIF has a Joint Review Board meeting on Jan. 11 with a public hearing scheduled for Feb. 14 at 5 p.m. at the Oregon Coliseum.
Deaths, B3 Kathryn L. Kueking
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