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Serving Ogle County since 1851

OREGON Republican Reporter

June 15, 2018 Volume 168, Number 27- $1.00

Indigenous Lecture

Out and About

Ready to Fly?

Learn about the indigenous people of Illinois at a June 19 lecture in Byron. A7

German Valley Days offered plenty of family activities. B1

The Ogle County Airport, west of Oregon, is offering flight training.A2

State may force county to change workforce area By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com

Concert Fun & Food Above, Dayna Nicholson, 2, of Byron, enjoys the Culver’s burger she received from KSB Oregon at the start of the Oregon Park District’s Concert in the Park on Tuesday. At right, one-year-old Morgan Miller, of Oregon, plays with the beach ball she received at the start of the event. Photos by Earleen Hinton

1855 tombstone found next to Inn By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com

A crew doing excavation at a bed and breakfast in downtown Oregon June 8 made an unexpected discovery. The tombstone of a fourmonth-old baby who died almost 163 years ago was uncovered about five feet underground next to the foundation of the Patchwork Inn, 122 N. Third St., across the street from the Oregon City Hall. Oregon Police Chief Darin DeHaan said no coffin or remains were found near the headstone which reads “Martha E., daughter of D.G. and E. Clark, Aug. 27, 1855. Aged 4 ms. 9 ds.” He said a metal canister was found some distance away, but he believes it is unrelated to the gravestone. DeHaan said the stone has been turned over to the Ogle County Historical Society for further research. Ogle County Coroner Lou

Finch said because no remains were found, nothing more is legally required. “We don’t know where the headstone came from,” he said. “Just because there’s a headstone doesn’t mean there was a burial there. It could have been a headstone that was messed up, and it was used for fill way back when.” Built in the mid-1840s, the Patchwork Inn lays claim to having hosted Abraham Lincoln during a speaking tour in Ogle County in late 1856 when he was campaigning for John C. Fremont, the first Republican Party candidate for U.S. President. Over the years, the building has served as a grocery store, private home, hotel, and boarding house. The two-story brick Greek revival-style inn was built by the William Moore family who came to Oregon from Pennsylvania. The 1850 census lists William Moore as innkeeper, and the building was advertised A baby’s tombstone was found by excavators June 8 next to the Patchwork Inn in Oregon. Photo supplied as Moore’s Hotel.

Ogle County may be forced by state officials to join a Local Workforce Innovation Area it already rejected. County board chairman Kim Gouker said he is concerned about the impact the change could have on local job seekers. He was contacted in early May by Illinois Workforce Innovation Board officials who informed him that the county is out of compliance because the LWIA of which it is a member does not match its Economic Development District. Ogle County is currently part of a LWIA that includes JoDaviess, Carroll, Whiteside, Lee, Bureau, LaSalle, and Putnam Counties. The change would force the county to join another LWIA with Winnebago, Stephenson, and Boone Counties. LWIAs are part of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which is under the authority of the U.S. Department of Labor, which provides the funding through grants. The state governor has the responsibility to designate and re-designate LWIAs that administer public workforce programs. Ogle is one of five Illinois counties determined by Department of Labor officials

Rockin’ River Fest is June 16 By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com

Organizers of Oregon’s second annual Rockin’ River Fest have come up with a day filled with contests and entertainment for folks of all ages. “Just how much fun can you pack into a one-day festival?” said festival chairman Donna Mann. “Plan to join us for Oregon’s Rockin’ River Fest on Saturday, June 16 and you are certain to find out!” The festival showcases and celebrates the many unique features of the Oregon community and provides an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful riverfront landscape. Events begin with the Rock River Adventure Tri at 8:30 a.m. followed by opening of the downtown riverfront grounds from 12 to 11 p.m. “The Rock River Adventure Oregon Police Sgt. Joe Brooks recieves a Life Tri will definitely test the Saving Award for quick, life-saving actions taken physical stamina of participants on June 5, when a man fell unconscious and as they complete a three-mile run along the river, through stopped breathing. Photo by Zach Arbogast.

Officer recognized for fast heroics By Zach Arbogast zarbogast@oglecounty news.com A police officer was recognized for heroic service by the Oregon City Council Tuesday evening. Mayor Ken Williams honored Oregon Police Sgt. Joe Brooks during the meeting, reading a letter of commendation and presenting him with a Life Saving Award. On June 5 at 6:30 p.m., Brooks conducted a follow up on a hit-andrun on South Lowden Road. While speaking with one of the drivers, 72 year-old David Hughes, of Oregon,

Hughes collapsed, unable to breathe. Brooks immediately called for an ambulance, and began administering CPR to Hughes until paramedics arrived and transported Hughes to a hospital. “[Police Chief Darin DeHaan] was contacted by the daughter of [Hughes], and she was very thankful for Sgt. Brooks’ quick action, and for the care for her father,” said Williams. “She advised the chief that her father was alive today due to Sgt. Brooks’ quick response during the emergency.” The city council meets again on Tuesday, June 26 at 5:30 p.m. at the city hall, 115 N. Third St.

In This Week’s Edition...

Church News, A5 Classifieds, B5-B8 College News, A4 Entertainment, A6

Library News, A3 Marriage Licenses, A4 Oregon Police, B2 Property Transfers, B2

to be out of compliance. In 2010, Gouker said Ogle County rejected the LWIA that included Winnebago, Stephenson, and Boone Counties. and instead chose to join the current one. The law was revised in the last couple of years, he said, to require LWIAs to match the Economic Development Districts. “The crux of it was we didn’t want to get thrown in with these [Winnebago, Stephenson, and Boone] counties because they aren’t the same as we are,” Gouker said. “They all have large metropolitan areas and we don’t. We chose not to join with them.” However, the county remains in the state-mandated Economic Development District with Winnebago, Stephenson, and Boone, and that, state officials say, cannot continue. Their solution is for Ogle to change LWIAs. Gouker, however, disagreed. He said a better solution is for the state to change the Economic Development District map to coincide with LWIAs. “I’m saying change the Economic Development maps,” he said. In fact, he recommended that to state officials but got no response. Gouker said Ogle County’s Turn to A2

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

the woods, and up the steps to Black Hawk statue, a 10-mile bike loop, and five-mile canoe and kayak paddle to Castle Rock State Park,” Mann said. The Tri is a collaborative effort in partnership with the Oregon Park District. Registration may be completed in advance at www. active.com or day of event from 7 to 8:30 a.m. at the Oregon Park East Riverfront Pavilion. Tug Across the Rock offers a test of strength and stamina as competing teams pull the 1,800-foot rope across the Rock River and see who can earn bragging rights as 2018 Tug Champs. The Toss ‘Em Tourney bags competition gets underway at 4 p.m. Teams will compete for cash prizes to be awarded to the top three teams. Day of event registrations will be accepted on-site beginning at 1:30 p.m. for a $5 per person gate fee plus the $40 team entry. The “4 Wheel Drive Band” Turn to A3

Deaths, B3 Margaret E. Ashbaugh, Harold F. Best, Evelyn M. Brown, Karen M. Dorcey, April L. Roos

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


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