County News
Ogle County Newspapers, Thursday, September 7, 2017, Page A7
www.oglecountynews.com
Construction near Byron Construction work on Ill. 2 between Byron and Rockford was slated to begin on Tuesday, weather permitting. According to a press release from the Illinois Department of Transportation, O’Brien Civil Works will be making repairs to two culverts. One is located by River Drive at the north edge of
Byron and the second culvert is north of Meridian Road. Traffic will be restricted to one lane and controlled by temporary traffic signals while the repairs are completed. Drivers should slow down for the work areas and should be prepared to stop for the traffic signals.
The $315,867 project is scheduled to be completed by mid-November. Drivers are urged to slow down and use extreme caution while driving through work zones. For IDOT District 2 updates on Twitter, follow them at http://twitter.com/ IDOTDistrict2.
Grief classes start next week Serenity Hospice and Home will hold a 10-week class on “Understanding Your Grief ” that starts Wednesday, Sept. 13 and ends on Wednesday, Dec. 6. The group will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at The Serenity Shed, 131 N. Third St. in downtown Oregon.
No classes will be held on Oct. 4, 18, or Nov. 22. The structure of the group will follow the book by Dr. Alan D. Wolfelt which covers 10 touchstones in the areas of physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and spiritual growth to help participants through the grief
process. Wolfelt has written many books about healing after the loss of a loved one and is considered a leading grief educator. For more information or to register for the class call Serenity Hospice at 815-7322499.
Tae Kwon Do event is Saturday Internationally recognized ninth dan (or degree) World Tae Kwon Do Federation black belt and Grandmaster Sung Jae Park, will pay a special all-day visit to Mt. Morris on Saturday, Sept. 9 at the coliseum. Black belt tests will be held from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. followed by a seminar given by Park from 1 to 2 p.m. A reception will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. across the street at the Evangelical Free Church. Park is coming to Mt. Morris to open a new Tae
Kwon Do school under the leadership of one of his students, head instructor Master Randall Cook. During his visit, Park will preside over the testing and awarding of two new black belts trained by Cook. Park belongs to an elite group of internationally recognized instructors who have been certified by the World Tae Kwon Do Federation. He currently leads a Chung Do Kwan Tae Kwon Do school in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Park came to the United States in 1972 to attend DePauw University, Greencastle, Indiana, under a full-scholarship and as part of an exchange program. He also taught Tae Kwon Do to Korean and American Air Force pilots. He gained international recognition, hosting international Tae Kwon Do tournaments, including contestants from Korea, America, Spain and other countries. He is highly regarded for his skill and integrity.
Nature A bumblebee works on a flowering plant in the rough at Silver Ridge Golf Course last week. Photo by Earleen Hinton
Quilt guild meets on Sept. 18 The Country Crossroads Quilt Guild will host a workshop on applique on Monday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. at Forreston Grove Church, 7246 Freeport Rd., Forreston. “My Quilting Journey” will be taught by Valerie Langue from The Quilt Merchant, of Winfield. Lanque promises that
whether you struggle with applique or are an expert, you will love her technique. The cost of the class is $15, the pattern is $9, kits are available for $33 (do not include the pattern). For more information contact Barb Gaertner at gaertnerbarb@gmail.com or at 815-297-2700.
Guild meetings are held at the Forreston Grove Church on the third Monday of each month, with quilt demo warm-ups and ample time to meet and greet members before the meeting at 6:30 p.m. Visitors are charged a fee of $5 at the door for the evening program.
Federal board rejects GLBT railroad project request By Sauk Valley Media The U.S. Surface Transportation Board has rejected a proposal to build a 261-mile railroad that would have cut through eastern Ogle and Lee counties on its way through Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana. In a decision Aug. 30, the board said Great Lakes Basin Transportation’s financial information was “fundamentally flawed,” making it impossible for the board to determine whether the proposal meets necessary criteria, the Rockford Register Star reported. Construction projects are not required to be fully funded in the early stages of an application. The financial fitness of the company behind a proposal is part of the application process, though, the board said in its decision. The $8 billion rail system would be funded by private investors led by Frank Patton of Crete, a former software developer. Great Lakes’ assets “are so clearly deficient for purposes of constructing a 261-mile rail line that the
board will not proceed with this application given the impacts on stakeholders and the demands upon board resources,” the decision said. Great Lakes may file a new application to meet the board’s criteria. “Resubmitting is an option, but we have made no decision whether we’re going to do that or not,” said Mike Blaszak, Great Lakes’ chief legal and administrative officer, told the Register Star. He declined further comment. Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-Illinois), who represents the 16th District, voiced his approval Friday of the decision. “On behalf of my constituents, I applaud the decision by the Surface Transportation Board to reject the rail line project proposed by the Great Lakes Basin Transportation, Inc.,” Kinzinger said in press release. “I’ve received hundreds of calls, emails, and letters from folks concerned with the construction of this rail line and the potential impact it would have on their lives, homes, and lands. I
Public Voice Stop destruction of monuments
Dear Editor, I’m sure you have seen the latest news topic, which is plastered in the headlines of current broadcasts, articles and papers. More specifically, I am addressing the destruction, demolition and defacing of historic Confederate statues throughout America by riots and social movement groups. In 31 of the 50 states there are memorial statues for several confederate generals, leaders, and soldiers. For example, in Chicago a statue of Abraham Lincoln was set on fire. Is this how we show respect to one of our forefathers? Although, there has been a lot of conflict and negative feelings building up towards these monuments over the last several years, it wasn’t until a few short days ago that disrespectful and angerfueled destructive actions
took place. Why do we think we can just erase a major step in our history? Are we not supposed to commemorate the successes we have conquered together as a country? Are we supposed to stop the celebration of holidays as a whole? I am a strong believer in the quote said by Winston Churchill, “A nation that forgets its past has no future.” The past is the past. It has paved the way to our future. If everything was easy and handed to us, how would we grow as a nation? It takes dedication, perseverance, and an open mind to grow and prosper as a whole and even individually. If we want to continue to grow as one nation we need to stop living in the past and start working towards the future. Sincerely, Chris Corcoran Mt. Morris
stand with my constituents in rejecting the demand, need and financial viability of this project. “Additionally, this expansive route would run through IL-16 communities and would be severely detrimental to farmland across northern Illinois. The costs to our farmland outweigh any benefit from this proposed project. Again, I’m pleased by the STB decision today, and encourage all rail stakeholders to work on improving our infrastructure and efficiency within the existing network.” The route would run through sparsely populated areas from Pinola, Indiana through Illinois to a point near Milton, Wisconsin, bypassing the congested
Chicago rail system. The new rail lines would connect with existing Class I and short line railroads. It would require overpasses for several interstates and four rivers, including the Rock River in Ogle County. Opponents say the project will cut through farmland and reduce property values. Concerns also have been voiced about safety and the possible environmental impact. Worried property owners formed several groups in Illinois and Wisconsin once they learned the controversial rail line might run through their communities. They wrote letters, attended meetings, and informed neighbors. In May 2016, the Lee County Board passed a
resolution opposing the project. That November, the Ogle County Board followed suit, approving a resolution, 23-1 that said its members believe “the purported gains in efficiency from the proposed rail line would be far outweighed by the negative environmental impact.” That decision was applauded by a large group of people in the audience. “I can’t really see any benefit to our county of this railroad,” board member Bill Welty, of Chana, said at the time. The line would pass through the Ogle townships of Scott, White Rock, Lynnville, Dement, and Flagg. Plans call for one of the branches to connect with
Rochelle’s rail system on the city’s southeast side before continuing to an Interstate 39 overpass. Having an estimated 85 to 100 trains per day using the new tracks, which would pass through the heart of Davis Junction, a train every 13 minutes, would be “detrimental” to the village, trustee William Luchsinger said in November. Originally slated to run through Boone County as well, organizers of the plan moved it to the west after vehement opposition from both the county board and residents there. Go to www. greatlakesbasinraileis.com to read the decision, and to follow further developments. The Tribune News Service contributed to this story.
Chadwick’s 2nd Annual
FALL FESTIVAL September 9, 2017
FUN EVENTS ALL DAY – Bring Your Lawn Chairs –
FOOD BOOTHS Ice Cream Stand Fireman’s Food Stand - 6 pm Lemon Shake Ups Cider & Popcorn Yellow Food Truck Dogs & Brats Hot Apple Burritos Smoke Pulled Pork Nachos
50/50 RAFFLE
Drawing at 11:45 pm at the Beer Garden (need not be present to win)
Tractor Drive ........................................................... 9 am - 1 pm Car Show .............................................................. 10 am - 4 pm Craft Show ............................................................10 am - 4 pm Chainsaw Carver.................................................. 10 am - 2 pm Live Music (Sundance Entertainment).............. 10 am - 4 pm Kid’s Drive .................................................................. 12:45 pm Tractor Display ............................................................ 1 pm - ?? Face Painting.................................................... 1 pm - 3:00 pm Lion’s Club BBQ .................................................. 11 am - 2 pm Bake Sale @ BBQ ...................................................11 am - 2 pm Beer Garden.................................................... Noon - 11:59 pm Pedal Pull followed by Kid’s Water Fights ...................... 2 pm Car Show Awards ............................................................. 3 pm Pet Parade........................................................................... 4 pm Band & Dance (Live Music by “the peOple”) .....8 pm - 11 pm
Wagon Rides - All Day Three Bouncy Houses Dunk Tank Game Table by 4-H
Sponsored by Chadwick Special Events “Community Supporting Everyone”
SM-ST1453678