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Serving Ogle County since 1851

OREGON Republican Reporter

June 22, 2018 Volume 168, Number 28 - $1.00

2018 Torch Run

Ready to Golf ?

Flash Flood

Law enforcement run through Oregon for the 2018 Torch Run for Special Olympics. B2

It’s time to register now for the John Herrmann Playday to help VOP. B3

Heavy rains flooded some streets in Rochelle, much to the delight of some residents. B3

Mongan gets probation for 2016 boating fatality Family of Megan Wells was hoping “for more” By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecountynews.com The parents of the Rockford woman killed in a boating crash nearly two years ago were less than satisfied with the sentence handed down Tuesday to the Oregon man responsible for her death.

“We were certainly hoping for more,” said David Swaziek, of Loves Park, the father of Megan Wells, 31, who died on June 24, 2016 when a johnboat operated by Marc Mongan, 47, struck her as it went over the back of the pontoon boat she was riding in, throwing her overboard. She died from blunt force trauma. Ogle County Judge John Redington sentenced Mongan to 30 months probation and, along with other conditions, banned him from consuming alcohol or operating a motorized watercraft

during his probation. He also ordered Mongan to pay $9,837 in restitution to Wells’ family. Mongan pleaded guilty April 19 to reckless conduct causing great bodily harm, a Class 4 felony. According to the charge, Mongan was operating his boat “at a faster than reasonable speed” when the crash occurred and failed to “give way” to the pontoon boat. He had been charged with seven felonies, including drunk driving, in Wells’ death on the

Rock River three miles north of Oregon. The other six charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement. “Is 30 months probation enough for a taking a life?” said Swaziek after the hearing. “I’m still trying to wrap my head around that. We’re fighting as hard as we can for justice for Megan. I think we fell a little short today.” Swaziek vowed to keep fighting. “We aren’t done yet. We’ll be Turn to A8

Robin Swaziek, the mother of Megan Wells, looks at Marc Mongan as she reads her victim’s impact statement at Tuesday’s sentencing hearing. Photo by Earleen Hinton

Heat was on for RR Festival

Solar Wave? County board approves two solar farms By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com

By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com Festival attendees definitely had a hot time at Oregon’s second annual Rockin’ River Fest last Saturday. The mercury pushed into the mid-90s, and with stifling humidity besides, the heat index topped the triple digits. “Mother Nature seems to be giving us extremes,” joked Debbie Dickson, Oregon Chamber of Commerce executive director. “We’re certainly grateful for the sunny skies.” Last year’s inaugural event was cut short by a heavy downpour and winds. Festival chairman Donna Mann agreed. “It was hot!” she said with a laugh. The event was co-sponsored by the chamber and Oregon Together. Mann said around 1,000 people attended, and believes the high temperature likely

Alfonzo Alvardo of Oregon grimaces as he competes with members of the Crest Foods team during the Rockin’ River Fest’s Tug Across the Rock on Saturday. More photos appear on B1. Photo by Earleen Hinton

kept some away. “The heat was a little bit of a deterrent,” she said. “We’re hoping to build the numbers,” Dickson said. “For a fledging event we’re pleased with the turnout.” The Triathlon drew positive feedback from 57 participants, Mann said, and six teams

completed in the Tug Across the Rock. “They were very competitive,” she said. Once again the team from E.D. Etnyre took first place, with the Tavern on Third team coming in second. Other teams were from Woods/Blount, HA

International, Crest Foods, and Rochelle Veterinary Clinic. “We were glad to see some out-of-Oregon teams,” Mann said. “We hope they will return next year.” She said members of one of the losing teams are already planning their strategy for

next year. The kids’ areas also proved popular, she said. Mann praised the volunteers who helped out. “They were exceptional,” she said. Planning for next year began Wednesday at a meeting to evaluate this year’s event.

Solar farms may be the wave of the future in Ogle County. Two of them got the nod from the county board Tuesday evening. No discussion was held before the board voted to approve special use permits to allow solar projects near Mt. Morris and Davis Junction. SunVest Solar, Inc., Geneva, is leasing the land for both farms. One will be located on approximately 66 acres owned by Wilma Hongsermeier on Mt. Morris Road just north of the Mt. Morris wastewater treatment plant. The board approved the special use for the property, which is zoned for industrial use, by an 18-3 vote. The other project, on 118 acres zoned for agricultural use and owned by Rachel Davis, of Turn to A2

Coffman to retire as treasurer, Linda Beck will assume duties By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com Longtime Ogle County Treasurer John Coffman will retire from his office at the end of this month, a few months short of the end of his current term. The county board accepted Coffman’s resignation effective June 30 on Tuesday evening and appointed Chief Deputy Treasurer Linda Beck to fill the remaining five months of his term. Beck is the Republican candidate for county treasurer in the Nov. 6 General Election. So far, she is running

unopposed. Coffman said his primary reason for stepping down early is timing. “It’s good timing for the office to do a transition now rather than at the end of the fiscal year,” he said. “Linda’s been here and she’s ready to start.” Beck has served as chief deputy clerk for 12 years. Now that the first installment of real estate taxes have been collected, Coffman said, the workload in the office will slow down temporarily, making it a good time to make the change. It also allows Beck to have an active role in the budget process for the new fiscal year,

In This Week’s Edition...

which begins Dec. 1. Coffman’s term ends Nov. 30. He said he also wants to spend more time working on his family’s farm east of Polo, especially during the fall harvest. Coffman has served the citizens of Ogle County for the last 26 years, first as a county board member from 1992 to 2000, and then as treasurer. “I’ve very much enjoyed being treasurer,” he said. “It’s very rewarding to work with the board and the public. I’ve enjoyed helping the public get answers to their questions.” Ogle County Chief Deputy Treasurer Linda Beck will take over the duties of retiring TreasurCoffman said he has also er John Coffman when he steps down June 30 after 18 years in the job. Beck is running for Turn to A2 the post in the November General Election. Photo by Vinde Wells

Church News, A5 College News, A4 Classifieds, B5-B10 Entertainment, A6 Fines, B6

Library News, A3 Marriage Licenses, A4 Oregon Police, B5 Public Voice, A8 Sheriff’s Arrests, B5

Social News, A4 State’s Attorney, B6 Zoning, B5

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

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