Polo_Tri-County_Press-02-23-2024

POLO TRI-COUNTY PRESS

Polo City Council accepts $1.93 million bid for new City Hall

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By ALEXA ZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com

POLO – City of Polo and Buffalo Township officials plan to have a new home by the end of the year.

The Polo City Council on Feb. 19 voted 4-0 to accept a $1.93 million bid from Irving Construction Co. of DeKalb to construct a new city/township hall at 118 N. Franklin Ave. Council members also unanimously voted to hire Fehr Graham for construction engineering services related to the project for $139,000.

Aldermen Jim Busser and Tommy Bardell were absent.

“It’s designed so it’s sufficient for any future needs we may have,” Mayor Doug Knapp said. “I know it’s going to be a lot

of money, but it’s going to be a feather in our hat. We didn’t put any bells and whistles on it.”

The building will house city of Polo and Buffalo Township officials. Both municipalities are contributing to the cost of the project.

Buffalo Township is putting $250,000 toward a down payment and the city is putting $500,000 toward the down payment, Knapp said. Polo is going to take out a 30-year loan for the remainder of the cost, he said.

Which bank the loan will be through has not yet been decided, Knapp said, adding he and Alderman Randy Schoon had visited three banks as of Monday night and were planning to visit a fourth Feb. 20.

Alderman Keith Chesnut expressed concerns about the cost and whether it would impact the city’s ability to pay for other upcoming expenses, including demolishing 601 S. Division Ave. and bringing city employee salaries “up to where they should be.”

“The city’s got a lot of other projects going on,” Chesnut said. “Can we afford everything?”

Schoon said many of the projects have grant funding. He said he didn’t feel paying for a new City Hall would impact the ability to pay for other things.

“It’s a lot of money, but the only way we can come and expect people to invest in this town is we have to put a little bit of money in ourselves,” Alderman Larry Weaver said.

Rail enthusiast to speak at Oregon Depot Museum on Saturday

By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com

OREGON – Railroad enthusiast Gerald Podraza of Galena will speak at the Oregon Depot Museum at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24.

Podraza has traveled extensively on passenger rail in Illinois on both the Illinois Zephyr and the Saluki. He’s also traveled nationally on the Texas Chief, the City of Los Angeles, the Cardinal, the City of New Orleans and the California Zephyr.

While a resident of rural Jo Daviess County near Apple River, Podraza rode the Land O’ Corn and the Black Hawk during its last year of operation. He was a member of a citizens’ coalition to “Bring Back the Black Hawk” for five years. Those efforts concluded in an Illinois Department of Transportation funded feasibility study in 2021.

His presentation “Revive the Twin Cities Zephyr” will detail previous attempts to restore passenger rail service as he did with the Black Hawk in northwest Illinois.

POLO LIBRARY

Book Clubs

Friday Book Discussion Group: Second

Friday of the month at 1 p.m. Meeting is at Polo Senior Center.

Book 2 Movie Discussion Group: Third

Thursday of the month at 1 p.m.

Monday Afternoon Book Club: Fourth

Monday of the month at 1 p.m. All are welcome. Works of fiction and nonfiction will be discussed.

Podraza will present ways to discuss, evaluate and/or demonstrate added value to communities located along and within the regions of this route.

For more information about the program, call Roger Cain at 815-757-9715, Chris Martin at 815-742-8471 or Otto Dick at 815-440-0639.

Storytime Saturday

First Saturday of the month at 10:30 a.m. Join Miss Melanie at the library for a story, games and a craft.

Services

DNA Genealogy Assistance

First Wednesday of the month from 5 to 7 p.m. and third Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to noon. Donna Baumann will be here to help you with genealogy questions.

Additional services: Check out all the additional services we offer from e-books and audio books, home delivery, Explore More Illinois! passes, book discussion groups, movies and games, online renewals and reservations, health and wellness programs, online resources for all ages, jigsaw puzzle swap, computers, meeting room and microfilm. For details on these and more, visit https://pololibrary.org.

Photo provided by Michal Burnett

This advertisement shows the schedule for the Twin Zephyrs that ran between Chicago and the Twin Cities.

Maggie & Amos Foundation grants help area teachers, students

By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com

CHANA – For six years, walkers and runners have lined up to start Infinity Run activities to honor Maggie and Amos, a teacher at the Chana Education Center and her 3-year-old son.

Maggie Rosko, 31, died in a house fire Oct. 19, 2016, in Byron, along with her 3-year-old son Amos. Maggie was a school teacher at the Chana Education Center at the time of her death.

After their untimely deaths, one of Maggie’s students suggested they host a 5K to honor Maggie’s love of running.

Maggie’s friends and coworkers at the Chana Education Center formed The Maggie & Amos Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, to keep their memories alive and help other schools and agencies with youth-related projects.

On Feb. 15, foundation members, along with other educators, gathered in the gymnasium at the school to announce this year’s grant recipients.

“Losing Maggie was so painful for us all,” said Lynn Kalnins, assistant principal at the Chana Education Center. “We did not know what to do with our grief. One of our students said we needed to do something, that we could not just let this go. So after talking with that student and others, they really wanted to do a 5K. And now we have turned it into a community family event.”

The Infinity Run includes family-fun events, food and music. With donations raised through the event, The Maggie &

Amos Foundation provides grants to educators from community schools to fund creative and innovative learning projects.

“Maggie always, always invoked creative and innovative and fun events for her kids. And that is continuing on as her legacy as the forefront of our commitment,” Kalnins said. “We really thank you guys applying for the grants and for all that you do for your students because we know that you are everyday creating meaningful things as evidenced by your grant applications.”

Grants this year were awarded to 13

educators representing six area school districts. The total amount was $6,144.

Recipients are:

• Oregon School District: Karly May, Nate Rogers, Erin Moloney and Jackie O’Rorke

• Rochelle Elementary School District: Arely Hickey, Erin Strouss and Amy Springmire

• Ashton-Franklin School District: John Dudziak

• Forrestville Valley School District: Maria Tuten

• Ogle County Educational Cooperative: Tabitha Thomas and CJ Gray

• Amboy School District: Amy Schwamberger and Debra Cleary

Three recipients attended the Feb. 15 event – Cleary of Amboy High School, Schwamberger of Amboy Elementary School and Tuten of Forreston Elementary School.

Cleary will be buying digital cameras to support learning for her students in the digital arts. Students will be creating and editing videos, as well as taking images of the art they make in class, she said.

Schwamberger will be buying preband instruments for young musicians to allow them to experience the art of making music before becoming of age to join the school band.

“These are called tubes and these are called recorder pluses,” Schwamberger said while holding the two instruments. “So the idea is to give them an early feel of what a band instrument would be like so that will hopefully garner more interest as they move on to junior high and hopefully therefore increase our band program.”

Tuten said she will be using funds to buy materials to create grief kits for students in her school district.

She said several students in her care have experienced the loss of a member of their family and she has found the grief kits help students cope with loss.

“These come with a little short book to read and the kits include resources that are available,” she said. “These help the kids talk about it and process it.”

See

Pickleball courts open twice weekly in former junior high gym MOUNT MORRIS

DLR owner Fred Kenney working with volunteers to offer public a place to play

By ALEXA ZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com

MOUNT MORRIS – Those in Mount Morris and the surrounding area interested in playing pickleball now have a place to go.

The former David L. Rahn Junior High School gym is open to pickleball players from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays and from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, building owner Fred Kenney said.

“It’s so nice to have people use it,” Kenney said. “The goal of the whole building, the purchase, was to kind of preserve it. It’s a historic property and one of the largest buildings in town.”

Kenney purchased the school and

surrounding property from the Oregon School District 220 Board for $51,000 in August 2022.

On Feb. 22, 2022, board members voted 4-2 to close DLR at the end of the 2021-22 school year and move seventhand eighth-grade students to Oregon High School. The decision came despite pleas from Mount Morris offi -

cials and residents to keep the school open.

There are community members who assist by organizing the pickleball playing times and ensuring participants can get in and out of DLR without wandering the building, Kenney said.

Without them, opening the building

for things such as this wouldn’t be possible, he said.

“It’s going to sound cliche, but it takes a village,” Kenney said. “There’s no one person who can manage this building without community involvement. That’s where pickleball comes in.”

The twice-weekly pickleball game times started in January, Kenney said. Village officials helped by providing nets and some extra paddles, he said.

Pickleball is “a surprisingly fun little sport” and having a spot for people to play indoors in the winter months is nice, Kenney said.

There aren’t any official leagues that use the space, but it’s something Kenney said he would welcome.

“We would welcome a league or a tournament or something along those lines,” he said. “It’s more notice and maybe more people play, which can help in the maintenance of courts and the building.”

Alexa Zoellner

People play pickleball at the former David L. Rahn Junior High School building Feb. 15.

Earleen Hinton

Amy Schwamberger of Amboy Elementary School talks about the instruments she will be buying for young musicians in her school after receiving one of the Maggie & Amos Foundation grants. Also pictured is Debra Cleary of Amboy High School, another grant recipient.

Taking care of farm animals develops good work habits

I opened my copy of Illinois Farm Bureau Partners and was pleasantly surprised to see the President’s Letter by Polo’s Brian Duncan. He was pictured with some of his pigs and that brought back memories of our granddaughters’ days in 4-H.

They would go to Brian for their 4-H projects and the farm would be full of little pigs. They would start out with the little runts and with tender loving care many of those became champion hogs by fair time.

For many years, one of the girls had a pork project and she sold the pork to family and friends. My freezer was always full of pork.

We loved going to the farm and watching the girls walking their hogs and getting ready for showtime at the fair. If you have ever walked a hog, it is quite a process since they do not walk easily and they always go the opposite way of where you want them to go. It

POLO HISTORY

Betty Obendorf

was good exercise for the kids and hogs!

Then came fair time and all that practice was put to good use in the show ring. I have never forgotten those days of going to the fair and all the good pork we had on our table. Brian Duncan’s pork was the best.

Then the kids grew up. One is a dental hygienist. Another is a school teacher. The youngest is a nurse. Those days on the farm and working with animals give you good work habits, patience and a love of the outdoors. There is something about growing up on a farm that stays with you all your life.

As I turned the pages of the maga-

zine, the next article was on baby chicks. I remember the baby chicks I raised in Eagle Point. But the story of baby chicks in the family was about my grandfather.

He wore many hats and one of them was a postal carrier. He loved preparing candy for the children on his route at Christmastime and he had many stories to tell of families he helped.

But he was not a happy camper with the post office when it refused to let him deliver baby chicks to someone not on his route. The other mailman already had left when the baby chicks came in and my grandfather knew the chicks would not survive the weekend. They needed to be delivered immediately. With the refusal of the postal service, my grandfather parted ways with the post office.

One of the last articles in the magazine was “Journey to Jasper County”

and Newton, Illinois, where my grandparents lived.

The statue of Burl Ives is a favorite since he went to school with my father. My dad befriended him while others poked fun of Ives and the guitar he always carried with him. They actually roomed together one summer at college and my dad had many stories to tell of their cooking experiences.

I always have loved the music of Burl Ives and one summer I visited his gravesite near Newton.

Jasper County is on the path of the eclipse on April 8 and probably will be a busy place. I spent the summers with my grandparents and I always loved the little town of Newton, especially Clark’s Feed Store where they had baby kittens.

• Betty Obendorf is a retired teacher and volunteer for the Polo Historical Society.

Lincoln’s career as a surveyor lasted only a few years

By OTTO DICK

While living in New Salem, Abraham Lincoln worked as a deputy surveyor in Sangamon County.

John Calhoun, the Sangamon County surveyor, offered Lincoln a job as his assistant. Lincoln borrowed books and studied hard so that he would have the skills to do the work.

During the next three years, Lincoln surveyed the towns of Petersburg, Bath, Huron, New Boston and Albany, Illinois. He also surveyed 35 properties and three roads.

Alvin Baber, a surveyor from southeastern Illinois, documented Lincoln’s surveying instruments and the surveying laws when Lincoln was working. Baber wrote a book titled “A Lincoln with Compass and Chain.”

The Illinois Professional Land Sur-

LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS

First Fridays music is March 1 at Oregon VFW

OREGON – The next First Fridays Open Mic is at 6:30 p.m. March 1 at the Oregon VFW.

The show starts at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free. A jar is available for donations.

“Performers can sign up for time slots on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s best to arrive by 6 p.m. or earlier,” said Lowell Harp, an event organizer.

For questions, call Jerry Tice at

veyors Association established the Lincoln Surveyor Statue Project and commissioned John McClarcy to design a life-size statue of Lincoln using surveyor tools like the ones Lincoln used while he lived in New Salem. McClarcy was a high school history teacher for many years and specialized in Lincoln and Illinois Native American history.

The Lincoln statue portrays a 25-year-old Lincoln wearing a loose cotton shirt and jacket with trousers and boots. The plaque on the base reads “A. Lincoln, Deputy Surveyor, Sangamon County, Illinois 1933-1937.” The statue is located at the New Salem State Park in Petersburg, Illinois.

The Illinois Legislature established the following pay schedule for surveyors in 1827. Each quarter section of land was $2.50 and $2.50 for traveling expenses.

Lincoln’s career as a surveyor lasted only a few years. His surveying equipment was sold at auction to satisfy a debt. A farmer named John Short bought the items for $100. The instruments passed through several owners and now are on display at the Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site.

While living in New Salem, Lincoln earned a living as a shopkeeper, soldier in the Black Hawk War, general store owner, postmaster, land surveyor and rail splitter.

Lincoln’s New Salem site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. The historic site includes a visitor’s center with an exhibit area and theater.

• Otto Dick is a retired teacher and has researched Ogle County history for several years.

815-449-2660.

The VFW is located at 1310 W. Washington St. in Oregon. A fish fry runs from 4 to 8 p.m.

Encore! Mt. Morris offering art classes in March and April

MOUNT MORRIS – Encore! Mt. Morris and Highland Community College are offering six art classes between March 6 and April 18.

• Macrame (Spring Gnome Garland),

6 to 8 p.m. March 6

• Essential Skills for Basic Wood Carving, 6 to 8 p.m. March 11 and 18

• Mastering Smartphone Photography, 6 to 8:30 p.m. March 14 and 21

• Extreme Beginner Drawing with Pencil, 6 to 8 p.m. April 8 and 15

• The Art of Drawing with Colored Pencils, 6 to 8 p.m. April 11 and 18

• Introduction to Watercolor Painting, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 13

All supplies are included in the course

fees. Classes are in the Old Sandstone Gallery, 122 S. Wesley Ave., Mt. Morris. For course details and to register for one or more of the classes, go to the Encore! Mt. Morris website (encoremtmorris.com) and click on the “Spring 2024 Art Classes” button. Clicking on the title or photo of the class that interests you will take you to the Highland CC Lifelong Learning page to register. Contact Molly Baker at mollyb@ encoremtmorris.com for questions.

Photo provided by Otto Dick The statue of Abraham Lincoln as a surveyor in New Salem, Illinois, was dedicated in 2003.

Mom accused of killing son in 2021 appears in court via video

Case continued for 2 more weeks

By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com

OREGON – Defense attorneys for an Oregon woman accused of killing her 7-year-old son in 2021 asked an Ogle County judge for two more weeks to review information with their client.

Public defenders Kathleen Isley and Michael O’Brien on Feb. 14 asked for the continuance. Their client, Sarah Safranek, 36, appeared in court remotely from the Ogle County Correctional Center.

Safranek is charged with five counts of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated battery in the February 2021 suffocation death of Nathaniel Burton, her 7-year-old son. Safranek has been in custody since her arrest in April 2021 and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

On Feb. 14, Isley asked that the hearing be continued to 1 p.m. Feb. 28.

“We need to meet again with our client,” Isley said.

Ogle County State’s Attorney Mike Rock did not object and Judge John Redington set the new date.

In December 2023, O’Brien and Isley issued a subpoena for the boy’s father, Bryan Burton, 37, seeking any items he may have in connection with the case. In a hearing last month, O’Brien told Judge Clayton Lindsey that Burton had responded to the subpoena but more time was needed to review the response and meet with Safranek.

Rock on Feb. 14 said information from Burton had been turned over to the defense team.

“We also filed a bystander report,” Rock said.

O’Brien concurred.

“We have worked through those issues,” he said.

On Dec. 13, 2023, Burton appeared in court for Safranek’s status hearing, saying he was unclear as to why he was ordered to appear in court.

Redington told Burton he had received the subpoena to provide certain records if he possessed them.

A copy of the subpoena was not included in court documents available to the public.

Redington told Burton he had 30 days to comply with the subpoena. Burton told Redington that his phone was seized during the investigation.

“You still have to respond,” Redington said.

Rock said Burton is a witness for the state, but he offered to help him understand and comply with the subpoena.

During the Feb. 14 hearing, Isley renewed the defense’s motion to have Safranek released from jail as the case proceeds through the court system. Rock reiterated the prosecution’s desire to keep her in custody again, arguing she is a danger to the Ogle County community and has “a history of substance abuse and psychiatric issues,” among other things.

At a Nov. 22, 2023, hearing, O’Brien told the court he had received a written report reviewing Safranek’s mental fitness but needed time to review it.

Jayne Braden, a forensic and clinical psychologist in Sycamore, was the court-appointed expert who conducted Safranek’s first evaluation when she

was charged.

On Nov. 3, 2022, Redington ruled Safranek was fit to stand trial after reviewing the mental health evaluation requested by the defense.

Earlier in 2023, Redington denied O’Brien’s request to hire additional medical experts for Safranek, despite O’Brien’s argument that Safranek has “a long history as to past mental health care” and that those health issues are “directly connected to her defense.”

Defense attorneys asked Redington to approve an additional expert to “review and evaluate mental health records” of Safranek, including her condition at the time of the alleged crime.

They argued that extensive mental health records were provided by the state and revealed a “substantial history of mental health issues, mental illness and related services.”

Redington only agreed to have Braden review Safranek’s history of “mental health issues.”

Safranek has been held in the Ogle County Correctional Center on $2 million bond since her arrest.

In October 2023, O’Brien filed a motion seeking Safranek’s release from jail under the SAFE-T Act because of her “inability” to post the required 10%, or $200,000, of the $2 million bond.

The court found Safranek to be indigent in 2021 after she filed affidavits regarding her finances.

The motion followed passage of the state’s SAFE-T Act, which was upheld by the Illinois Supreme Court and took effect Sept. 18, 2023. The law eliminates cash bail and requires that a defendant be released unless a judge rules the defendant is a likely flight risk or poses too much of a threat to one person or the community to allow release.

Safranek has claimed she has mental and physical issues that are not being treated properly at the jail, including daily headaches and frequent facial numbness; frequent muscle spasms in her arms and legs; excessive fatigue and weakness; frequent chest pains; frequent pain between her shoulder blades; worsening vision problems, including worsening blurred vision and floaters; worsening balance issues; and worsening numbness in one or more fingers.

In the motion asking for her pretrial release, the defense argued she is not getting sufficient medical attention while in custody.

On Feb. 14, Isley said conditions could be imposed to allow Safranek to be released.

“There are conditions that could be imposed to limit any threat,” Isley said.

Redington disagreed and denied the request for release.

“The court is ordering continued detention,” Redington said.

Nathaniel, a first grade student at Oregon Elementary School, was found unresponsive and not breathing about 2:30 a.m. Feb. 17, 2021, in his bed at home in the 400 block of South 10th Street. He was pronounced dead later that day at KSB Hospital in Dixon.

Safranek was arrested April 21, 2021, and indicted May 4, 2021. She pleaded not guilty May 6, 2021.

According to records obtained by Shaw Local News Network in a Freedom of Information Act request, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services visited the Safranek/Burton household about a dozen times over two years, following up on five reports of suspected abuse and neglect. Each time, DCFS closed the case after finding no indications of parental wrongdoing.

Sterling woman wanted in four counties on multiple charges

By KATHLEEN A. SCHULTZ kschultz@shawmedia.com

Police in four area counties are looking for a 33-year-old Sterling woman charged with a variety of crimes, including stealing from residents at a nursing home where she worked.

Ashlee N. Bruce, also formerly of Dixon, is charged in Whiteside County court with five counts of burglary in a case filed Jan. 12, 2023; two counts of forgery in a case filed May 4, 2023; and theft of more than $500 but less than $10,000 and possession of a stolen debit and credit card in a case filed June 16, 2023.

She faces three to seven years in prison on each burglary charge, two to five years for forgery and theft, and one to three years for possession of the stolen cards.

Details of the accusations against her in the first two cases were not available Feb. 16.

Two of the charging documents were sealed when arrest warrants were issued, although one involves thefts from residents at a Sterling nursing home where she worked, Sterling police Det. Maggie Ellmaker said.

In the third case, Bruce is accused of taking a man’s debit and credit card and using them to buy more than $2,000 worth of goods at nine establishments in Rock Falls and Sterling on April 22, 2023, that charging document shows.

Bruce last appeared in Whiteside County court on Nov. 14, 2023, when she

was released under the terms of the Pretrial Fairness Act.

She failed to appear at a subsequent pretrial hearing Dec. 18, 2023, in all three cases.

An arrest warrant also was issued in Ogle County, where Bruce failed to appear at a hearing Dec. 27, 2023, on charges of possession of less than 5 grams of meth, which is punishable by two to five years in prison, and destroying evidence, which carries a one- to four-year sentence. Those charges were filed Dec. 1, 2023.

Bruce also is charged with driving on a suspended license and obstructing identification, which are misdemeanors.

In Carroll County, Bruce is charged with possession of less than 5 grams of meth in two cases, one filed in November and one in December 2022. Arrest

warrants are issued in those cases, too.

A body attachment warrant also was issued in Lee County on Dec. 6, where she was convicted of misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia June 14, 2022, then stopped paying her fine in November.

Bruce is 5-foot-10, 240 pounds with auburn hair and hazel eyes. She sometimes wears glasses.

She claims on her Facebook page to be a psychic.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call Sterling police at 815-632-6640 or the anonymous reward hotlines of the Whiteside County Crimestoppers at 815-625-7867 or Lee-Ogle Crimestoppers at 888-2284488.

A reward of up to $1,000 is available for information leading to an arrest and/or conviction.

Ashlee N. Bruce

Sarah Safranek

Jury trial for Malta man accused of murder nears

By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com

OREGON – An Ogle County judge heard opposing arguments Feb. 15 on whether a phone conversation between a Mount Morris woman and her sister hours before her alleged murder should be allowed as evidence for jurors to consider in a trial planned for March.

Matthew T. Plote, 36, is accused of killing Melissa Lamesch, 27, and her unborn baby on Nov. 25, 2020, and then setting fire to her home in Mount Morris to conceal their deaths.

Plote faces four counts of first-degree murder, three counts of intentional homicide of an unborn child and one count each of residential arson, aggravated domestic battery and concealment of a homicidal death.

Plote has been held at the Ogle County Correctional Center on $10 million bond since his March 9, 2022, arrest. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has appeared for multiple hearings at the Ogle County Judicial Center.

His jury trial is scheduled to begin March 18 and last five days.

On Feb. 15, Judge John “Ben” Roe heard arguments from Plote’s attorneys, Liam Dixon and John Kopp of Sycamore, and Assistant State’s Attorneys Heather Kruse and Allison Huntley on several motions in limine, most filed by the defense.

The purpose of a motion in limine (Latin for “on the threshold”) is to deter-

CRIME AND COURTS

Oregon man, 61, found guilty of sexually assaulting a minor girl

OREGON – An Ogle County judge ruled Feb. 16 that an Oregon man is guilty of six counts of criminal sexual assault and one count of battering a girl after a bench trial in November 2023.

James S. Clevenger III, 61, formerly of Sterling, faces six to 30 years in prison

OREGON POLICE

Feb. 6

At 8:20 a.m., police investigated a traffic crash in the 1200 block of Jefferson Street involving a 2003 Dodge driven by Kimberly A. Coulter, 42, of Oregon, and a 2014 Ford driven by Jaime R. Raum, 35, of Oregon. No citations were issued.

Quinten J. Fletcher, 18, of Oregon, was issued citations at 2:35 p.m. for operating a vehicle when registration is suspended for non-insurance and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. The violations occurred in the 1100 block

mine whether certain evidence may be presented to the jury. Motions in limine are commonly entered and argued before a trial begins, allowing evidentiary questions to be decided by the judge. The motions are made by attorneys when seeking to exclude certain evidence from being presented to a jury.

At issue in one of the motions is a conversation in a two-hour phone call prosecutors say was between Lamesch and her sister on the day they say the murder occurred.

Huntley said Lamesch was on a phone call with her sister when Plote unexpectedly arrived at her home.

“She told her sister he was at her residence and she would have to call her back,” Huntley said. “These statements are relative to the trial. He arrived at her home on the day of the murder. She planned to call her sister back. When he left, she was deceased.”

Huntley said the statements should be allowed as evidence at the trial.

“These are hearsay statements, but they are admissible at trial. They tell her state of mind,” Huntley said. “She planned to call her sister back.”

Dixon argued the phone conversation should be considered as hearsay evidence and inadmissible because

Lamesch could not be cross-examined as to content. He said there was no explanation as to why Lamesch didn’t call back.

Dixon said allowing the sister’s testimony to be heard would unfairly prejudice jurors against his client.

“I think that infers an implication and that is not admissible,” Dixon argued.

Huntley disagreed.

“It is reasonable for the jury to consider. It is plainly admissible,” Huntley said.

Roe said he would take the arguments under consideration and reserve his ruling until March 7. He also reserved ruling on two other motions –one regarding chain of custody for DNA testing and results and the other on post-Miranda statements made by Plote.

Kruse said initial post-mortem DNA testing on Lamesch by a lab in Virginia showed a male contributor. That DNA sample was then matched with a DNA sample from Plote through the Illinois State Police, Kruse said.

Dixon’s motion in limine asks the court to prevent prosecutors from using Plote’s “post-Miranda silence” during a seven-hour video interrogation.

He said Plote initially spoke with investigators voluntarily, but then was questioned again after his DNA was found on Lamesch and after he admitted being at her home.

Plote was given his Miranda rights, but when he again was questioned by

investigators, he chose to remain silent, Dixon said.

“He was sitting silent in the face of these allegations. The state is asking the jury to infer that his silence is an admission,” Dixon argued. “Miranda is for the protection of the defendant – not to be used by the state.”

Huntley said Dixon was taking a “narrow” view of the complete video.

“It is important for the court to allow all pertinent evidence at trial for the jury to consider,” Huntley said. “He is only silent when he does not want to answer a particular question. Selected silence is absolutely admissible at trial.”

Dixon disagreed, arguing that investigators were asking “the same questions in the same way” and had been saying no for hours.

“They are basically telling him he is lying,” Dixon said. “Case law does not support the state’s argument.”

Kopp said the defense team also was planning on making a motion for a change of venue.

Lamesch was found about 4:30 p.m. Nov. 25, 2020, after firefighters responded to 206 S. Hannah Ave., Mount Morris, where they encountered heavy smoke and blaring smoke detectors. She was found on the kitchen floor and pronounced dead at the scene despite lifesaving measures. She was a 2011 graduate of Oregon High School and an emergency medical technician at Trace Ambulance Service in Tinley Park. Her baby was due Nov. 27, 2020.

on each assault charge, which must be served at 85% before he is eligible for release, and one to three years for the battery.

Clevenger has a status hearing

James S. Clevenger III

of South Illinois Route 2.

Feb. 7

Lucas A. Jacobs, 48, of Oregon, was issued a citation at 12:57 p.m. for speeding 58 mph in a 30-mph zone. The violation occurred in the 600 block of North Fourth Street.

Feb. 9

At 1:41 p.m., police investigated a two-vehicle traffic crash in the Conover Square parking lot at 201 N. Third St. involving a 2024 school bus driven by Cindy S. Barnhart, 54, of Oregon, and a

March 13. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

The bench trial was held Nov. 14 and 29 before Judge John “Ben” Roe, Ogle County court records show.

Clevenger was charged July 15, 2021, with aggravated criminal sexual abuse and being a child sex offender living within 500 feet of a prohibited space.

The sex abuse charge was dismissed Oct. 9, 2021, while the battery charge was added Dec. 9, 2021.

Further investigation determined Clevenger assaulted the same child the year before, State’s Attorney Mike Rock said in a news release Feb. 16, and the second case was filed May 23, 2022, court records show.

parked 2006 GMC belonging to Gregory S. Newcomer, 61, of Oregon. No citations were issued.

Cecil Revels, 34, of Oregon, was arrested at 7 p.m. on an outstanding Ogle County warrant. Revels was transported to the Ogle County jail where he was left in the custody of the corrections officers.

Feb. 10

Ashley N. Holder, 29, of Rockford, was issued a citation at 10:16 a.m. for operation of a vehicle with an expired registration. The violation occurred in

the 200 block of South Second Street.

Feb. 11

Abigail M. Myers, 28, of Oregon, was issued citations at 3:38 p.m. for disobeying a stop sign and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. The violations occurred at the intersection of Tenth and Webster streets.

Four verbal warnings and one parking citation were issued Feb. 5-11.

Charges are accusations and all subjects are presumed innocent unless proved guilty in a court of law.

Matthew Plote

Attorney for man accused of killing ex-wife and son receives continuance

By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com

OREGON – The defense attorney for a Stillman Valley man charged with killing his ex-wife and their 3-year-old son in 2016 and then setting their home on fire has asked for two more weeks for a defense expert to evaluate forensic reports expected to be used by prosecutors at trial.

Christopher DeRango, the attorney for Duane Meyer, 41, told Ogle County Judge John “Ben” Roe on Feb. 15 that their expert needed more time to review data provided by prosecutors.

“I spoke with our expert this morning and they have to request a collection of data from the FBI,” DeRango said, adding one of the FBI contacts is on assignment in Eastern Europe.

Meyer is charged with four counts of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated arson and one count of concealment of a homicidal death in connection with the Oct. 19, 2016, Byron house fire in which Margaret “Maggie” (Rosko) Meyer, 31, was found dead.

Their son, 3-year-old Amos Meyer, also was home at the time of the fire and later died.

Charges against Meyer were filed in October 2019.

At a hearing in December, DeRango said that because of the “cyberdata age” there were hundreds of “antiquated file formats” that the defense team was trying to review.

Ogle County State’s Attorney Mike Rock did not object to the continuance and Roe set the next court date for 3 p.m. Feb. 27.

In September 2023, DeRango petitioned prosecutors for any data obtained by electronic service providers, internet service providers, mobile phone carriers and digital investigation platforms.

After receiving that information, DeRango requested and received a continuance during a Sept. 26 hearing, telling Roe that he needed more time for his expert to review the reports and data provided by prosecutors.

At that hearing, Ogle County Assistant State’s Attorney Matthew Leisten said the state had provided

the defense with “major forensic copies,” including phone records and text messages.

In January 2023, DeRango entered 21 motions in limine and asked that they be sealed before debate in open court.

During a May 4, 2023, hearing, DeRango asked Roe to exclude information gathered by the prosecution from being presented to a jury, arguing that some of it was “irrelevant” or would be “prejudicial” to his client.

The purpose of a motion in limine (Latin for “on the threshold”) is to determine whether certain evidence may be presented to the jury.

Motions in limine are commonly entered and argued before a trial begins, allowing evidentiary questions to be decided by the judge. The motions are made by attorneys when seeking to exclude certain evidence from being presented to a jury.

Some of the motions made pertain to crime scene photos, autopsy photos, internet searches, cellphone photos, text messages between Meyer and others, surveillance videos of vehicles and comments made to police officers during the investigation.

Prosecutors have argued the evidence is relevant and, based on case

law, should be allowed, adding “the jury can weigh the evidence.”

DeRango said there were 6,000 pages of discovery and more than 1,000 text messages between Meyer and a friend before the deaths. He said the messages were made amid a “contentious divorce” and, he argued, some of the messages were taken out of context and should not be allowed as evidence.

Prosecutors have disagreed, arguing the messages showed it was a “planned homicide” and showed “what was going on in the defendant’s mind.”

Roe has yet to rule on all the motions in limine.

Maggie (Rosko) Meyer, a teacher at the Chana Education Center, filed for divorce in 2014. Court records show the divorce was finalized in September 2016.

The hearing was one of many since murder charges were filed in October 2019.

In November 2022, Roe ruled that Duane Meyer’s cellphone records would be allowed as evidence at the trial.

Meyer remains at the Ogle County Correctional Center on a $10 million bond.

Duane Meyer

Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle reports the following police activity.

Feb. 14

About 2:41 a.m., deputies responded to a one-vehicle rollover accident with an injury in the 2000 block of North Meridian Road. After an investigation, deputies learned a black Jeep Commander, driven by Marco Hernandez, 18, was traveling north in the 1700 block of North Meridian Road when Hernandez lost control of the vehicle and swerved off the west side of the roadway before returning to the roadway. Hernandez’s vehicle then overturned at least once before coming to rest upright in the middle of the roadway. The Jeep sustained heavy damage. Hernandez was transported by Stillman Valley EMS and Fire to Swedish American Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The accident remains under investigation.

Feb. 15

The Special Operations Unit of the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search warrant at a residence at 2940 S. Skare Road in rural Rochelle. The search warrant was executed based on information provided by federal partners about illegal activities taking place at the residence.

During the search, Laurie A. Watson, an occupant of the residence, was arrested on charges related to drugs and firearms. Watson was released with a future court date.

Nicholas Johnson, 30, of Freeport, was arrested at 2:24 p.m. on an outstanding Stephenson County warrant after a traffic stop near the intersection of Freeport Road and Illinois 64. Johnson was transported to the Ogle County jail.

Gaylen M. Zipse, 64, of Leaf River, was arrested at 3:15 p.m. for driving while under the influence of alcohol after a traffic stop at the intersection of West Illinois 72 and Ponn Road. Zipse also was cited for improper turn signal, no valid insurance and illegal transportation of alcohol. Zipse was released on a notice to appear.

Feb. 16

Savanna R. Sperling-Osterberg, 19, of Garden Prairie, was arrested at 10:19 p.m. for driving while under the influence of alcohol after a traffic stop in the 10000 block of West Illinois 72. Sperling-Osterberg also was cited for improper lane use and illegal transportation of alcohol. Sperling-Osterberg was released on a notice to appear.

Heart Disease and Depression are linked

Scientists have known for years about the link between depression and heart disease.

20 to 30 percent of cardiac patients have depression

Individuals diagnosed with depression are at a higher risk for developing heart disease.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

If you have been diagnosed with depression, talk to your healthcare provider about risk of heart disease.

If you have been diagnosed with heart disease, consider getting screened for depression.

Sinnissippi has a link to free & confidential online depression screenings @ www.sinnissippi.org/links.

Feb. 18

Jarrell Williams, 37, of Rockford was arrested at 6:40 p.m. on an active Rockford Police Department probation violation warrant after a traffic stop in the 2500 block of East Montague Road. Williams was transported to the Ogle County jail.

Stalena Yates, 43, of Freeport, was arrested at 12:30 a.m. on a valid failure to appear Ogle County traffic warrant for suspended registration after a traffic stop at the intersection of Freeport and Brick Church roads. Yates was transported to the Ogle County jail where she was held pending a court appearance in front of a judge.

Clint Salveson, 45, of Watseka, was arrested at 2 p.m. on an outstanding Ogle County warrant for contempt of court and on an outstanding Whiteside County warrant for failure to appear after a traffic stop in the 2000 block of West Illinois 72. Salveson was transported to the Ogle County jail where he posted bond and was released.

Charles Hicks, 56, of Chicago, was arrested at 8:59 a.m. for driving while license suspended after a traffic stop at

MT. MORRIS POLICE

Mt. Morris Police Chief Michael Cicchetti reports the following police activity.

Jan. 24

Loren D. Disch, 55, of Mt. Morris, was arrested for domestic battery at 4:15 p.m. after police were called to the 10 block of East Front Street. Disch was transported to the Ogle County jail.

Jan. 25

At 8:05 p.m., police conducted a traffic stop in the 100 block of East Hitt Street. A passenger in the vehicle, Mark T. Miller, 41, of Mt. Morris, was issued a citation for illegal transportation of alcohol. Miller was given a notice to appear and released on scene.

Feb. 3

At 12:30 a.m., police were sent to the 10 block of North Wesley Avenue for a report of a disturbance. After an investigation, Cylee N. Brown, 25, of Mt. Morris, and Owen J. Cagley, 21, of Mt. Morris, were arrested for aggravated battery. Both Brown and Cagley were transported to the Ogle County jail where they were released with a notice to appear.

the intersection of East Illinois 72 and North Fair Oaks Drive. Hicks also was cited for operation of a vehicle with suspended registration. He was released on a notice to appear with a future court date.

At 2:08 a.m., deputies responded to the 11000 block of East Lincoln Lane in Rochelle for a verbal domestic. After an investigation, Trisha Booker, 43, of Rochelle, was arrested on an active DeKalb County retail theft warrant. Booker was released on a recognizance bond at the scene and given a future court date, according to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.

Feb. 19

At 12:34 a.m., deputies conducted a traffic stop on Illinois Route 38 near East Wood Road. After an investigation, Crescenciano Santos, 46, of Silvis, was arrested for driving while license revoked. Santos also was cited for speeding and operating an uninsured motor vehicle and transported to the Ogle County jail before being released on notice to appear.

Charges are accusations and all subjects are presumed innocent unless proved guilty in a court of law.

www.sinnissippi.org

800-242-7642

Feb. 4

At 2:30 p.m., police responded to the 200 block of Emily Street in an attempt to find a wanted subject. Officers arrested Donald L. Summers, 39, of Mt. Morris, who had an Ogle County warrant for failure to appear

on a drug paraphernalia charge. Summers was transported to the Ogle County jail.

At 4:55 p.m., police responded to the 10 block of West Center Street in an attempt to find a wanted subject. Officers arrested Richard W. Major, 56, of Mt. Morris, who had an Ogle County warrant for failure to appear on a drug charge. Major was transported to the Ogle County jail.

At 8:40 p.m., police conducted a traffic stop in the 10 block of East Hitt Street. The driver, Francis Barrios, 35, of Rockford, was issued a citation for expired registration. Barrios was released on scene.

Feb. 8

At 7:30 a.m., police conducted a traffic stop in the 2900 block of West Illinois 64. The driver, Cherie L. Clapper, 61, of Mt. Morris, was issued citations for expired registration and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Clapper was released with a notice to appear.

At 10:30 p.m., police responded to the 10 block of West Center Street in an attempt to find a wanted subject. Officers arrested Carl D. Pitt, 82, of Mt. Morris, who was wanted on two Ogle County warrants for failure to appear. Pitt was transported to the Ogle County jail.

Charges are accusations and all subjects are presumed innocent unless proved guilty in a court of law.

Bos Farm Repair in rural Geneseo is a family-run business with Kevin and Karen Bos, and their children Aaron Bos and Amber Boelens, and son-in-law Curt Boelens. They are assisted by Spenser Coers.

Living on and tending to the farm his parents bought in the early 1960s, Bos repairs new and old tractors and farm equipment at his nearby shop, Bos Farm Repair, where he’s joined by his wife, son, daughter and son-in-law at the family business.

Every day is different in the repair and service world, and the business has tackled all kinds of services, repairs and restorations from the entire gamut of machinery. That’s not all: there’s also an excavation side of the business that helps with construction and land management.

The business is a natural fit for Kevin, who grew up learning that if something breaks down, you don’t pick up

Pictured are (front row, left) Karen Bos, office, and Amber Boelens, office manager; and (back row, left) Coers, mechanic, Aaron Bos, excavating, Kevin, owner and restorations, and Curt Boelens, excavating.

GENESEO – Kevin Bos doesn’t have far to drive for work. If he wanted to, he could just hop on a tractor for his daily commute — and if it broke down on the way there, he could fix it, too.

• BOS from previous page

the phone and call someone to fix it; you pick up a wrench and do it yourself.

“I don’t ever remember growing up ever hiring a mechanic to do anything, ever,” Bos said. “You just didn’t waste money on that. My dad was a Depressioner, so everything you did, you did yourself. If you didn’t know how, you were going to figure out how.”

After spending a couple of decades working for John Deere and Massey-Ferguson dealers in Geneseo, Bos started his business in 1999 on the farm he was living on in rural Atkinson, about a 10-minute drive from the current shop. When he got the chance to buy some land on the family farm in 2004, he moved his shop there, where it remains today. Kevin takes on the restoration work, his son Aaron runs the general repair shop, daughter Amber Boelens is the office manager, and son-in-law Curt Boelens runs the excavating side. Kevin’s wife, Karen, did much of the office work before turning it over to Amber, but continues to help in the office as needed.

“It’s really great because it’s a lot more than a job to me,” Curt said. “There’s a lot of pride in what you do. I like the family aspect; and with a family of my own, having the flexibility to make them be included; and I can take time off whenever I need to be with them.”

As an independently owned service dealer, Bos Farm Repair is color-blind when it comes to brands. John Deere green, Case-IH red, New Holland blue and others, they’ve all ended up at the shop, though they do tend to see more green due to the shop’s location: only about a 20-minute drive from the Quad Cities and its John Deere plants and world headquarters.

The staff is also trained to be able to work on different brands, Bos said, as opposed to techs who work on only one make or model, giving them a greater flexibility to be able to help customers.

When it comes to finding the right fit for their team, experience is a plus, but the right mindset can be just as important.

“The mechanical skill is something that, what I’ve seen over my years, is something that you either have the personality to want to learn it, or you don’t,” Bos said. “I’ve had mechanics in the past that were poor mechanics to start with, but they knew what questions to ask and they wanted to learn, and they turned into good mechanics. You have to have a will to learn. What we do, we’re not brand specific, so you have to have more of a clear mind and not so set in your ways.”

Repair jobs offered range from minor to major, from simple servicing to extensive projects such as engine overhauls, clutch and transmission repairs. Welding and hydraulic work also is done. If something comes up during the repair process that warrants a discussion with the customer, they’ll get a call to go over what needs to be fixed and what it will take to get it done. The shop can also pick up equipment if customers can’t get it to the shop.

Like many of the skilled trades these days, finding good mechanics can be a challenge. Bos said he could really use another hand or two with repairs and restoration, and a couple more people to help with excavation. If you’re the kind of person who likes to do a little bit of everything, crossover work is offered, something Bos sees as a benefit to not only the employee — who gets hands-on experience in different job skills — but the customers too, who can deal with someone versed in various aspects of the operation.

“We’re small enough to where we’re flexible in hours, what you want to work on, or if you are flexible enough to work in the shop and go out on an excavating job, the benefit I can offer is some flexibility with not being stuck with the same, repeated thing every day,” he said. “Some people like [repetition], but I like change. It gives you more skills later in life and skill sets you may not have.”

The shop also sells tools and parts, including Baldwin brand filters, Chevron lubricants, Interstate batteries, battery cables, welding supplies, tillage parts, roller chains, hydraulic hoses and fittings and aftermarket tractor parts.

On the excavation side, the crew can handle new constructions, demolitions, ditch cleaning, tile repair, tree removal, digging ponds and waterways. Estimates are free.

Before it was a business, excavation was a project on the family farm. Bos would do projects on his farm in Atkinson, and it didn’t take long for neighbors to notice.

“Even before I started the business, I had opportunities to not just find something on my own farm, but also to do work for neighbors as well,” Bos said. “When you have the equipment, you’ll find the neighbors will ask you, ‘Why don’t you do that for me?’ It diversifies us to give us another option of things; if we’re not busy at one place, we can be busy somewhere else.”

These days, Kevin has been focusing his own attention more on the restoration business, having given Aaron a larger role in the repair shop. Projects can range from small to big — from finding a few parts to paint jobs to complete restorations — and can come from customers near and far. Like the repair work, all makes and models are welcome.

Bos enjoys tackling work on the older workhorses.

“I kind of like the old stuff because it’s always a mechanical failure and there isn’t electronics,” Bos said. “If there’s something wrong with it, it’s a mechanical issue. There’s something to be said about taking something that doesn’t look like it should run and make it run. There’s a great feeling of accomplishment with it.”

Kevin owns a number of vintage tractors and pieces of farm equipment himself, pieces that he’s restored himself. He brings some to tractor shows, and also showcases some at the annual Bos Brothers Historical Farm shows that he runs with his brother Chuck.

He’s also restored several pieces of Deere equipment that are on display at the John Deere Museum in Waterloo.

One of Bos’s current restoration projects is a 1926 John Deere corn picker, one of the very first manufactured by Deere. His goal is to have it working in time for the Bos Brothers Historical Farm’s fall harvest show in September.

“I like the challenge of the old, old stuff,” Bos said.

Running a business isn’t without its challenges, but having family at his side has helped him over

• BOS from previous page

the rough parts, and Bos is thankful to have them around to keep him in line. “I need somebody to keep me focused on some of the more important things at times,” he said, “otherwise I’ll drift off into one of the antiques in the back and forget.”

That family atmosphere has not only strengthened the business, but family bonds, too. Where some families go their separate ways when they leave the nest, the Bos family goes to work together.

“I’ve always thought that if I didn’t work with my brother, I probably wouldn’t be able to see him ever,” Amber said. “It’s nice to still have that relationship, too.”

Amber is usually the first person customers greet in the shop or on the phone, a role in which she takes great pride.

“I enjoy seeing our customers,” Amber said. “Many of them are our neighbors, live close by or people we go to church with. I’ve made so many connections through the business and gotten to know people that I wouldn’t get to know otherwise. We have really good, loyal customers.”

Cody Cutter can be reached at 815632-2532 or ccutter@shawmedia.com.

Bos Farm Repair can handle repair projects big and small on all types of farm equipment, from tune-ups to engine overhauls.

Tough going for Hawks wrestlers at state tournament

By RANDY HOLLAND Shaw Local News Network correspondent

CHAMPAIGN – The Oregon Hawks wrestlers did not fare well last weekend at the IHSA state finals in Champaign.

Senior Anthony Bauer went the farthest, winning two matches in consolation. He lost in the quarterfinals, one win shy of a medal.

Freshman Nelson Benesh at 113 pounds and senior Quentin Berry at 190 pounds both got one win in the tournament and dropped out in the second round of consolation.

Bauer and Berry both lost in the opening round. Benesh won his opener.

672 athletes representing 292 schools competed in the tournament, vying for one of 252 medals awarded.

Wrestlers from the Class 1A Byron Sectional made a good showing in Champaign. The 42 competitors from the sectional won 27 of the medals awarded in the class. Seven area wrestlers reached the first-place match and five won one of the 14 weight class championships.

The area was led by Woodstock Marian Catholic. The Hurricanes brought home six medals including two champions and a runner-up. Brayden Teunissen at 120 and Jimmy Mastny at 157 won titles. Vance Williams at 132 was second.

Noah Wenzel of Dakota took the 215pound championship, his third state title. Erik Bush of Johnsburg was first at 106. Jude Finch of Rockridge was first at 132. The Rockets also had a fourthplace finisher. Eli Larson of LenaWinslow was second at 175 pounds and Jaylen Torres of Wheaton St. Francis was second at 285 pounds.

Princeton had a third, fourth and fifth. Brady Grennan of Sterling Newman was third and the Comets got fifthplace finishes from Carter Rude and Daniel Kelly. Riverdale had two thirdplace finishers. Seven other area schools had place winners.

It was not a dominating performance

by wrestlers from the north as teams in the south are getting more competitive. Wrestlers from the Vandalia Sectional accounted for 24 medals, four championships and five second places. Wrestlers from the Stanford-Olympia Sectional won 21 medals including three championships and four runners-up. The Chicago Hope Sectional wrestlers won 12 medals including two championships.

Benesh opened against Braden Edwards of Oakwood-Salt Fork and came from behind with an escape and takedown before he took Edwards to his back for three points. Edwards got two takedowns in the third before Benesh scored a spinning takedown to seal an 11-6 win. Edwards did not place.

Next up for Benesh was second-place finisher Ian Akers of Peoria Notre Dame in the quarterfinal. Benesh lost the first takedown in a cradle and trailed 4-0 early. Benesh managed only four escapes in the match and dropped to the consolation bracket with an 8-4 loss.

In the second round of consolation

against Elijah Mabry of Vandalia, Benesh was strong early, countering for two takedowns and leading 4-0 when Mabry slapped on a cradle as the second period started and Benesh was pinned at 4:22 to end his tournament and medal hopes. Mabry was knocked out in the next round.

Bauer met Bryson Capansky of Oakwood-Salt Fork in his first-round match. Bauer was tied 2-2 after the first period and took the lead with a double leg takedown. Capansky regained the lead with a switch at the end of the second and Bauer stepped over for a reverse to take the lead again. After an escape, Capansky drove Bauer down to take the lead with 20 seconds left. Bauer escaped but lost a late takedown to go down 10-7, his third loss to the OSF senior this season. Capansky finished second to Mastny.

In the first round of consolation against Tony Jones-Blakely of Chicago Hope, Bauer came from behind with an escape and a granby takedown. He added a reverse and a two-point neck

wrench in the second and he stopped a standup and dropped to the mat with a half nelson to pin at 5:43. Bauer also pinned in the second round of consolation. Against Kelton Graden of Stanford Olympia, he came from behind again with a standing switch but lost a late reverse. Trailing 4-2, Bauer was let up and countered into a scramble, coming out on top with Graden on his back at 3:13.

Bauer’s hope for a medal ended in the consolation semifinals against Lyndon Thies of Roxanna. The match started badly for Bauer. He was on his back three times in the first, saved by the buzzer in a butcher to trail 8-0. He lost two reversals in the second and trailed 12-3 going into the third. He got a reverse in the period and added a tilt for two points, but it was not enough, and after trading reverses, he was eliminated 14-9. Thies finished fourth.

Berry met Hunter Hull of Clifton Central in the opening round and got the first takedown, but lost a granby reversal and two backpoints to trail 4-2 after the first. He scored with an outside single to start the second but was turned in a half nelson in the second and in a chicken wing in the third before he was stopped in a roll and pinned at 5:19.

The first-round consolation match against Aiden Sanchen of Gibson City was exciting as the wrestlers traded points until the final buzzer. Sanchen scored first but Berry reversed to the back for five points. He was looking good with a five-point lead, but Sanchen hit a standing switch and caught a chicken wing to tie the score. Both scored two pointers at the start of the third before Berry reversed to the back late, adding three points for a 15-9 win.

Berry did not last long against Cade Poyner of Coal City in his second-round wrestleback. He was taken down in an outside single, fought off a turn and nearly reversed but was stopped on his back and pinned with five seconds left in the first. Poyner was defeated in the next round.

Photo by Josh Messenger

Oregon’s Anthony Bauer competes during the Class 1A state wrestling finals in Champaign.

Two surprises in girls basketball tournament action

A couple of surprises occurred in the IHSA girls basketball tournament, but were they really surprises?

The most momentous was Rockford Lutheran suffocating No. 2-ranked Orangeville in a Class 1A regional final. Everyone expected to see the 30-3 Broncos advance to the sectional to take on Galena, which is No. 1 in the state.

Instead, Lutheran kept Orangeville star Whitney Sullivan from being a factor and held the team to 5-for-37 shooting through the first three quarters in the decisive win. When you can’t get off shots, it’s going to be a long night.

That was the key to Lutheran shutting down the Broncos.

The NUIC got plenty of praise with Galena, Orangeville, Aquin and Pecatonica among the elite in 1A. However, let’s not forget about the Big Northern Conference with champion Byron (218), Stillman Valley (29-4), Dixon (25-6) and Lutheran, which finished in fourth place.

So it shouldn’t be a surprise that Lutheran, which is used to playing 2A and 3A teams, had its way with Orangeville. Now the question is can it beat Galena?

Byron ran into a similar situation in a regional loss to Woodstock Marian. Although Byron was a conference

GUEST VIEW

Andy Colbert

champion and seeded higher than Marian, the 27-4 Hurricanes were no slouch, coming in with 12 straight wins.

Nonetheless it was an excellent campaign for the Tigers after losing key personnel to graduation and injury. With all the youth that got playing time, Byron will be among the elite in 2A next year. Some height would help, though.

I don’t have records in front of me, but I wonder when was the last time teams from the same school both won BNC titles? Not only that, but the 8-1 Byron boys were one loss away from joining the girls as undefeated champs.

Excitement continues this week with both the boys and girls basketball tournaments going on.

I plan to be back from Utah in time to watch the Stillman Valley girls have a possible rematch with Alleman in the sectional final. If that happens, can SV do what Lutheran did to Orangeville on defense?

Hot shooting by Alleman is what

beat the Cardinals in the loss in the finals of the Dixon Holiday tourney.

Here is a bit of high school basketball trivia regarding the state finals.

In the 1960s and ’70s, a town occasionally would dribble its way to Champaign – as in actually dribbling a basketball to the state tournament. It was a rare occurrence, but it happened.

Buda had a basketball powerhouse in the mid-1970s. With the team literally being the only excitement in the tiny village near Interstate 80, a plan was hatched to have townspeople form a relay and dribble a ball from each tournament stop along the way to Assembly Hall. First it was to the regional at Peru. Next to the sectional at Wenona and then the supersectional at Pontiac. Finally, it was on to Champaign for a total of 177 miles dribbling a basketball.

The usual format was to have a support vehicle in the form of a camper follow the person who was dribbling.

I recall another instance elsewhere where a couple of students from a high school dribbled all the way to Champaign, though not nearly as far.

It’s important to remember the hold the IHSA tournament had all over the state and the cultural significance of it from the 1940s to the 1970s. It was in the 1980s that interest began to wane.

Nowadays, you probably couldn’t get anyone to dribble a basketball across county lines. But people don’t swallow goldfish or cram themselves into phone booths anymore.

At the state wrestling tournament, Rochelle was the only Ogle County team to have medalists with two Hubs making the podium in 2A.

When I used to report on wrestling for 15 or so schools in the Sauk Valley newspaper coverage area, there always were plenty of kids placing. It was nonstop action keeping up with everyone and that was with two reporters.

In maybe its smallest showing ever, the only placers this season were three wrestlers from Sterling Newman.

The big story in 1A was the dominance of Woodstock Marian Catholic with seven medalists, including 157pound freshman state champion Jimmy Mastny, who lives outside of Oregon.

Although private school Marian wasn’t a fan favorite downstate, especially by people from Coal City, the Oregon contingent present to see three of its own wrestlers compete cheered on Mastny.

In that same 157-pound bracket, Hawks senior Anthony Bauer, one of the hardest-working kids downstate, missed by one spot of placing.

BOYS BASKETBALL ROUNDUP

Forreston 55, Ashton-Franklin Center 31: At Forreston, the Cardinals built a 21-9 halftime lead and rolled past the Raiders for an NUIC South win in their regular-season finale. Forreston was led by Mickey Probst with 18 points and five steals, Brendan Greenfield with 13 points, 12 rebounds and five assists and Kendall Erdmann with 13 points and four assists. Brady Gill chipped in nine points for the Cardinals.

Polo 65, Amboy 47: At Amboy, the Marcos outscored the Clippers by nine points in each half to claim an NUIC South win in the regular-season finale for both teams. Brock Soltow led Polo

OBITUARIES

ALAN NORDMAN

Born: January 10, 1955 in Rockford, IL

Died: February 11, 2024 in Oregon, IL

Leaf River, IL – Alan D. Nordman, age 69, died peacefully on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024 at the Serenity Hospice and Home near Oregon surrounded by his loving family. He was born January 10, 1955 in Rockford, the son to Albert and Jennie (Nuppenau) Nordman. Alan graduated from Oregon High School in 1973, then graduated from Sauk Valley College with a degree in Applied Science. He worked most of his life for Raynor Garage Door Manufacturing in Dixon as a Supervisor. He also owned his own lawn mowing business for several decades, truly cherishing the relationships he built with his clients. Alan married Sharon Schreiber on June 17, 1979. He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Mt. Morris. Alan’s hobbies included collecting sports cards, sorting nuts and bolts, bowling with his friends & family, and supporting his San Fran-

LARRY L. PALMER

Born: May 31, 1947 in Walnut Ridge, AR

Died: February 11, 2024 in Stillman Valley, IL

Larry Louis Palmer, 76, of Stillman Valley passed away on February 11, 2024. Born on May 31, 1947, to Louis Carl Palmer and Bertha (Pinkston) Palmer, in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. Larry graduated from Walnut Ridge High School in 1965. He gave four years of his life (1966-1970) to the United States Air Force, spending eighteen months in Vietnam. He married Sheila Galloway on March 23, 1971. They had two daughters: Laurie (Jason) Heinze and Melissa (Scott) Kinney. Larry worked 35 years for Amerock Corporation. He

with 25 points, followed by Nolan Hahn with 19 and Gus Mumford with 12. Troy Anderson scored 19 points and Eddie Jones chipped in 17 for Amboy.

Class 2A regional Morrison 59, Oregon 52: The Mustangs downed the Hawks in 2A regional action Monday, Feb. 19, at the Blackhawk Center in Oregon. With the win, the Mustangs advanced to the Prophetstown Regional to face Rock Falls on Wednesday, Feb. 21.

Oregon was led by Keaton Salsbury with 17 points and Jameson Caposey with 15 points. Nole Campos scored nine points and Cooper Johnson and Benny

Olade had four points each. Chase Newman led Morrison with 13 points, followed by DeShaun McQueen with 12.

Class 1A regional

Milledgeville 50, Forreston 32: The Missiles ended the Cardinals’ season in a Forreston Regional game Monday, Feb. 19. Milledgeville led 24-20 at the half and went on to outscore Forreston 18-13 in the third quarter and 15-7 in the fourth quarter en route to the win.

Forreston was led by Mickey Probst with 14 points, followed by Kendall Erdmann with 11 and Kaleb Sanders with seven. Connor Nye led Milledgevile with 20 points.

JUNE D. KEREVEN

Born: June 7, 1929 in Rockford, IL

cisco Giants and Miami Dolphins. He enjoyed spending time with his family and his many dogs over the years. He enjoyed watching the Andy Griffith Show on tv every afternoon. Everyone who knew him knew his love language was through bantering. He was predeceased by his parents Albert and Jennie Nordman, sister Janice Miller, and nephews Jason Miller, Robert and Ryan Buskohl. He is survived by his loving wife Sharon of Leaf River; daughter Lynnette (Rob) Hough IV of Mt. Morris, IL; sisters Judy Buskohl of Sterling, IL and Joyce (Carl) Sanders of Franklin Grove, IL; and grandchildren Rebecca Hough and R.G. Hough V both of Mt. Morris, IL; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be held 11:00 AM, Saturday, February 17, 2024 at the Farrell-Holland-Gale Funeral Home, 110 S. 7th Street in Oregon, IL with the Rev. Josh Ehrler pastor of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Mt. Morris officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service at the funeral home from 9:30 -11:00 AM on Saturday. Burial will follow the service at the North Grove Evangelical Cemetery near Leaf River. A memorial fund is established for the Mt. Morris Fire Foundation NFP or the charity of the donor’s choice. Visit www.farrellhollandgale.com to leave a condolence or memory of Alan.

had a lifelong love of hunting and fishing. Larry is survived by his wife of 52 years and his two daughters as well as grandchildren Machela (Desmond) Milligan, Haley (Warren) High, Gabrielle (Ryan) Bjelland, Elizabeth Heinze and great-grandchildren Aubree, Brycen, Korra, Brynleigh and 3 more boys on the way!

Predeceased by his parents, his brothers (JW, Maxie, Clifford, Clarence, Clayborn, Tom, Bill, Leroy, Robert, Paul and Layborn) and sisters Violet, Pauline and Mildred. Also preceding him in death was his “brother from another mother”, John Renfro.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Jude’s at www.stjude.org, Wounded Warriors at Wounded Warrior Project - Donate, or Serenity Hospice & Home. To send online condolences and share memories, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com.

Died: February 14, 2024 in Oregon, IL

June D Kereven, 94, of Oregon, died Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at Serenity Hospice and Home, near Oregon, with her family by her side. She was born June 7, 1929 in Rockford, the youngest of four daughters to Gustav and Bothilda (Peterson) Soderstrom. She graduated from Rockford East High School in 1946 and worked for the 1st National Bank of Rockford prior to marrying James Kereven on May 24, 1952 in Rockton. Together they raised five children while they lived in Monroe Center and Oregon. June’s priority was her family. She was a good cook, and especially enjoyed baking and sharing her talents with family, friends and neighbors. Her most treasured time was time spent with family. She was a longtime member of the Oregon United Methodist Church and volunteered at church, Girl Scouts, Lifeline

EMMITT W. MARTIN

Born: January 8, 1954

Died: February 13, 2024

MT. MORRIS, IL – Emmitt W. Martin, age 70 passed away suddenly on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 in KSB Hospital, Dixon, IL. Emmitt was born on January 8, 1954 in Rockford, IL, the son of Robert Gerald & Pauline Marie (Voss) Martin. Emmitt graduated from Oregon High School class of 1972. He worked for the Local 150 operating engineers retiring in 2014 after many years. Emmitt also owned and operated Emmitt Martin Backhoe Service until his death.

Emmitt loved working outdoors with his equipment, spending time with his grandchildren, spending time in his truck traveling the area, spending time with his many friends,

Polo 73, Kirkland-Hiawatha 33: The Marcos outscored the Hawks 28-5 in the first period and 17-7 in the second en route to the win on their home court Monday, Feb. 19. Brock Soltow and JT Stephenson led Polo with 14 points each. Gus Mumford had 11, Nolan Hahn 10 and Logan Nelson and Noah Dewey each had eight points. With the win, the Marcos advanced to the second round of the Forreston Regional and faced Sterling Newman. The winner of that game will play the winner of the Eastland/Milledgeville game for the regional championship at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23.

Food Pantry and at her children’s schools. Survivors include children: Lynn Kereven; Janice Potts; Larry (Janice) Kereven; and Charles (Karen) Kereven, all of Oregon; and Cheryl (Ken) Deason of Owatonna, MN; grandchildren: Jason (Nikki) DeGraf; Keri (Aaron) Mudge; Katie Kereven; Allison June (Adam) Albrecht; Kelsey (Colin) Titus; Nathan and Cole Deason; great-grandchildren: Payton DeGraf; Miles Mudge; and Hudson, Parker and Camden Albrecht; and numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband James; her sisters: Gunnie Benson, Elsie Miller and Doris Griffin; granddaughter Becky DeGraf; and great-granddaughter Jadyn DeGraf. A memorial service will be held 11:30 AM, Saturday, February 24, 2024 at the Farrell-Holland-Gale Funeral Home, 110 S. 7th Street in Oregon, IL with family friend Luke Schier, pastor of Open Bible Church in Polo, IL officiating. Visitation will be prior to the service from 10:30 to 11:30 AM. Private burial will be at a later date in Riverview Cemetery near Oregon. A memorial fund is established in June’s name for the Serenity Hospice and Home and the Village of Progress both in Oregon, IL.

and traveling with his long time special friend, Sally.

Emmitt is survived by his children, Thomas W. Martin, Coleman, MI, Jaime (Christopher) Krohn, Bay City, MI, Tony A. Martin, Big Bend, WI, Grace (Austin) Druien, Holcomb, IL, and Audra K. Martin, Union, KY; 11 grandchildren; 6 brothers, Bill Martin, Oregon, IL, Russell (Judy) Martin, Oregon, IL, Glenn (Toni) Martin, Oregon, IL, Wes (Tammy) Martin, Oregon, IL, and Jerry (Donna) Martin, Oregon, IL; sisters, Judy Hollenbeck, Oregon, IL, and Barbara Kirchner, Oregon, IL; and many nieces and nephews.

Emmitt is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Richard Martin; and sister, Ruby Schier.

A celebration of life was held on Saturday, February 17, 2024 from 2:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M. in the Mt. Morris Moose Lodge, Mt. Morris, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to be determined.

Continued from page 3

Stephanie White, a social worker at the Chana Education Center and Maggie’s coworker, said hearing the creative requests from educators aimed at helping students is exactly something Maggie would enjoy.

“Every year we do this I think Maggie would love this,” White said. “Just knowing that so many interesting and

PROPERTY TRANSFERS

Feb. 9-15

Warranty deeds

Lo-Nat Inc. to Mappine Properties LLC, four parcels in Taylor Township, Dixon, $970,000.

Judah and Carla Pearl to Casey Martin and Madeline S. Fugate, 804 Jackson St., Oregon, $257,000.

Bradley D. Blumhoff to Derrick Watson, 13733 W. Canada Road, Polo, $160,000.

Jacob S. and Lauren N. Ryan to Eric Fulgencio Escuitia and Katelyn M. Ragan, 1091 Westview Drive, Rochelle, $179,900.

Elizabeth Palmer to Keith and Renee L. Huenefeld, 201 E. Willow St., Forreston, $98,900.

The late Emma S. Scerba by heirs to

dynamic and engaging opportunities for learning will be happening as a result of this money is just really heartfelt for us.”

The foundation has funded more than $48,000 in educator grants, library sponsorships and scholarships.

Kalnins said Maggie’s classroom is remembered by her students as being a place where all felt accepted and could expect spontaneous and fun learning activities. Amos had just turned 3 and was excited about all

things learning in his first year of preschool, she said.

Duane C. Meyer, Maggie’s ex-husband and Amos’ father, has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated arson and one count of concealment of a homicidal death. His case is pending in Ogle County court. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

2024 Infinity Event

This year’s event will be Saturday,

June 8, at the Rochelle Wildlife Conservation Club, east of Chana. It will feature a “Running Wild” 5K trail run, a professional and amateur cornhole bags tournament, free children’s activities, music by Burn n’ Bush and a silent and live auction. The event coincides with the club’s monthly Steak Fry dinner, which is open to the public.

For information on The Maggie & Amos Foundation, visit https://sites. google.com/ocecil.org/chanainfinityrun/home.

Stephen B. and Dana G. Grace, 970 S. Harmony Road, Oregon, $33,000.

Contry Homes Group LLC to Jacob S. and Lauren N. Ryan, 935 White Birch Lane, Davis Junction, $285,000.

Gutzwiller Investments LLC to Megan D. Buttens, 426 E. Hitt St., Mt. Morris, $80,000.

End Poverty Now Inc. to Howard Schellengerg III, 309 Mississippi Drive, Dixon, $1,550.

Janet E. Meisner to Chance E. Doane and Annie M. Bettenhausen, 105 St. Francis Drive and 804 N. Missouri Drive, Dixon, $215,000.

Jalaram Property LLC to Asai Property LLC, 111 E. Roosevelt Road, Stillman

Valley, $1,200,000.

Danny J. Pratt to James E. and Susan Elizabeth Pratt, two parcels in Grand Detour Township, $300,000.

Quit claim deed

Dallas S. and Nona L. Van Slyke to Anna E. Vvanti, 3995 E. Whippoorwill Lane, Byron, $0.

Trustees deeds

Wagner Family Trust 519, Jeffrey L. Wagner, trustee, to Connie Hermes and Leo Dempewolf, 2297 S. Daysville Road, Oregon, $190,000.

Brown Trust 1, Donnis M. Brown, trustee, to Joel and Nancy Russell, 1210 Sunset Terrace, Rochelle, $265,000.

David D. and Jean C. Tess to Peter

Alfano Jr. and Maria Giuseppina Living Trust 20191, 1234 and 1238 Sunnymeade Drive, Rochelle, $165,000.

Sheriffs deeds

Ogle County sheriff and Thomas J. Lampe to Midfirst Bank, 102 W. Olive St., Forreston, $59,860.

Ogle County sheriff and Edward Long to Hogar Hispano Inc., 309 E. Brayton Road, Mt. Morris, $0.

Executors deed

Estate of the late David Charles Blank by executor to Marcia Ruth Goelitz, 5751 N Carole Court, Davis Junction, $240,000.

Source: Ogle County Recorder’s Office

•

•

•

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IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OG LE COUNTY - OREGON, I LLINOIS

Associated Bank N.A.

PLAINTIF F

Vs. Kenneth Hopkins II; et. al. DEFENDANTS

No. 2023FC39

NOTICE OF SHERIFF'S SALE OF REAL ESTATE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Forecl osure and Sale entered in the above cause on 11/17/2023, the Sheriff of Ogle County, Illinois will on April 5, 2024 at the hour of 10:00 AM at Ogle County Public Safety Compl ex, 202 S. 1st St. Oregon, IL 61061, or in a place otherwise designated at the time of sale, County of Ogle and State of Illinois, sell at public au ction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described real estate: PIN 11-34-479-001

Improved with Residential COMMONLY KNOWN AS: 204 Main St Holcomb, IL 61043

Sale terms: 10% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the auction; The balance , including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calc ulated at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fracti on thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds, is due within twent y-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any r epresentati on as to qua lity or quantity of title and without recourse to Pla intiff and in "AS IS" condition The sale is further subject to confirmation b y the court.

If the property is a condominium and the foreclosure takes place after 1/1/2007, purchasers other than the mortgagees will be required to pay any assessment and legal fees due under The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).

If the property is located in a common interest community, pur chasers other than mortgagees will be required to pay any assessment and legal fees due under the Con dominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g- 1).

If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no fur ther recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee 's attorney.

Upon pay ment in ful l of the amount bid, the purchaser shall rece ive a Certificate of Sale, which will entitle the purchaser to a Deed to the real estate after Confirmation of the sale . The successful purchaser has the sole responsibility/expense of evicting any tenants or other individuals presently in possession of the subject premises.

The property will NOT be ope n for ins pection and Plaintiff makes no represen tation as to the condition of the property. Prospec tive bidders are admonished to check the Court fil e to verify all infor mation

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

For informati on: Examine the court file or contact Plaintiff's attor ney: Codilis & Associates, P.C., 15W030 North Frontag e Road, Suite 100, Burr Ridge, IL 60527, (630)

Please refer to file number 14-23-04179. I3238473

February 23, 2024 March 1, 8, 2024

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Change

The court date will

ended not for ts you me. Call Journey olding technology 87001

March, 2024, a default may be entered against you at any time after that day and a judgment will enter in accordance with the prayer of said Petition

petition was filed in the Circuit Court of Ogle County, Illinois, for the Guardianship of a child named

in accordance with the prayer of said Petition

Dated Febr uary 9, 2024.

RICHARD M.

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF OGLE IN RE THE GUARDIANSHIP OF: KALEB C. SMITH, and NOE GONZALEZ and ELIZABETH COOK, Intervening Petitioners.

Case No

2019 P 39 NOTICE OF PUBLICATION

TO: TINA COOK

Take notice that a petition was filed in the Circuit Court of Ogle County, Illinois, for the Guardianship of a child named KALEB C SMITH.

Now, therefore, unless you, TINA COOK, file your answer to the Petition in this action or otherwise file your appear ance therein, in the said Circuit Court of Ogle County, in the City of Oregon, Ill inois, on or before the 8th day of March, 2024, a default may be entered against you at any time after that day and a judgment will enter in accordance with the prayer of said Petition

Dated Febr uary 9, 2024.

RICHARD M.

BUTERA, Attorney for Intervening Petitioners

RICHARD M.

BUTERA

ARDC# 6181834

Attorney at Law

728 N. Main St. Rockford, IL 61103 (815) 962-9996

buteralawoffices @gmail.com RMB/ram

Feb. 16, 23, March 1, 2024

Dated Febr uary 9, 2024.

RICHARD M BUTERA, Attorney for Intervening Petitioners

RICHARD M. BUTERA

ARDC# 6181834

Attorney at Law 728 N. Main St. Rockford, IL 61103 (815) 962-9996 buteralawoffices @gmail.com RMB/ram

Feb. 16, 23, March 1, 2024

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF OGLE IN RE THE GUARDIANSHIP OF: ROBERT J. MCINTYRE-COOK, and NOE GONZALEZ and ELIZABETH COOK, COOK, Intervening Petitioners.

Case No 2019 P 40

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION

TO: TINA COOK

Take notice that a petition was filed in the Circuit Court of Ogle County, Illinois, for the Guardianship of a child named ROBERT J MCINTYRE-COOK Now, therefore, unless you, TINA COOK, file your answer to the Petition in this action or otherwis e file your appearance therein, in the said Circuit Court of Ogl e County, in the City of Oregon, Illinois, on or before the 8th day of March, 202 4, a default may be entered against you at any time after that day and a judgment will enter in accordance with the prayer of said Petition

ROBERT J MCINTYRE-COOK Now, therefore, unless you, TINA COOK, file your answer to the Petition in this action or otherwis e file your appearance therein, in the said Circuit Court of Ogl e County, in the City of Oregon, Illinois, on or before the 8th day of March, 202 4, a default may be entered against you at any time after that day and a judgment will enter in accordance with the prayer of said Petition Dated Febr uary 9, 2024.

RICHARD M

BUTERA, Attorney for Intervening Petitioners

RICHARD M.

BUTERA

ARDC# 6181834

BUTERA, Attorney for Intervening Petitioners

RICHARD M. BUTERA

ARDC# 6181834

Attorney at Law 728 N. Main St. Rockford, IL 61103 (815) 962-9996 buteralawoffices @gmail.com RMB/ram

Feb. 16, 23, March 1, 2024

Publication Notice of Court Date for

Request for Name

Change (Adult)

State of Illinois, Circuit Court, Ogle County

2024 MR 3

Request of:

Will Henry Ciaccio

There will be a court date on Request to change my name from:

State

Request of:

Will Henry Ciaccio

There will be a court date on Request to change my name from:

Will Henry Ciaccio to the new name of:

Willow Mia Ciacc io The court date will be held: April 3, 2024 at 9:00 A.M

At 106 South 5th Street, Oregon, Ogle County, Courtroom: 304

/s/ Will Henry Ciaccio

Publication Notice of Court Date for Request for Name Change ( Min or)

State of Illinois, Circuit Court, Ogle County 2024 MR 8

Request of:

Stephanie K. Whaley

There will be a court date on Request for name change (Minor Children) for these children: Adalyn Grace Munson to the new name of: Adalyn Grace Whaley

The court date will be held: April 3, 2024 at 9:00 A.M.

Courtroom: 304

Publication Notice of Court Date for Request for Name Change ( Min or) State of Illinois, Circuit Court, Ogle County 2024 MR 8

By video conference at: Zoom Log-in information: https://us02web. zoom.us/j/8637797

2394#success /s/ Cassandra Gottschalk

be held: April 3, 2024 at 9:00 A.M.

Courtroom: 304

By video conference at: Zoom

Log-in information: https://us02web. zoom.us/j/8637797

2394#success /s/ Cassandra Gottschalk

Cassandra Gottschalk

Feb. 16, 23, March 1, 2024

Publication Notice

of Court Date for

Request for Name Change (Mi nor Name Change)

In the State of Illi nois, Circuit Court, Ogle Coun ty 2024 MR 2

REQUEST OF:

Amy E lizabeth Wilder

TO CHANGE NAMES OF MINOR CHILDREN

There will be a court date on a

ge ( Name Change)

In the State of Illi nois, Circuit Court, Ogle Coun ty 2024 MR 2

REQUEST OF:

Amy E lizabeth Wilder

TO CHANGE

NAMES OF MINOR

CHILDREN

There will be a court date on a Request for Name Change (Minor Children) for these children:

Current Name of Minor Child: Asher Ryan Hoffa

Propos ed New

Name of Minor

Child: Asher Ryan Wilder

Current Name of Minor Child: Damian Kenny Hoffa

Propos ed New

Name of Minor

Child:

STATE OF ILLINOIS

Damian Kenny Wilder

Asher Ryan Hoffa Propos ed New

Name of Minor Child:

Asher Ryan Wilder

Current Name of

Minor Child: Damian Kenny Hoffa

Propos ed New

Name of Minor Child: Damian Kenny Wilder

Court Date: April 3rd, 2024 at 9:00 A.M. at 106 S. 5th St., Oregon, IL Ogle County, Courtroom 304 /s/ Amy Elizabeth Wilder

Feb. 16, 23, Mar. 1, 2024 2142695

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

Dated Febr uary 9, 2024.

RICHARD M. BUTERA, Attorney for Intervening Petitioners

RICHARD M.

BUTERA

ARDC# 6181834

Attorney at Law 728 N. Main St. Rockford, IL 61103 (815) 962-9996 buteralawoffices @gmail.com RMB/ram

Feb. 16, 23, March 1, 2024

Attorney at Law 728 N. Main St. Rockford, IL 61103 (815) 962-9996 buteralawoffices @gmail.com RMB/ram

Will Henry Ciaccio to the new name of:

Request of:

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OG LE COUNTY - OREGON, I LLINOIS

Associated Bank N.A.

Willow Mia Ciacc io

PLAINTIF F Vs. Kenneth Hopkins II; et. al.

The court date will be held: April 3, 2024 at 9:00 A.M.

Stephanie K. Whaley

Cassandra Gottschalk Feb. 16, 23, March 1, 2024

Request for Name Change (Minor Children) for these children:

Current Name of Minor Child:

DEFENDANTS No. 2023FC39

Feb. 16, 23, March 1, 2024

At 106 South 5th Street, Oregon, Ogle County, Courtroom: 304

/s/ Will Henry Ciaccio

Will Henry Ciaccio

There will be a court date on Request for name change (Minor Children) for these children: Adalyn Grace Munson to the new name of: Adalyn Grace Whaley

NOTICE OF SHERIFF'S SALE OF REAL ESTATE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Forecl osure and Sale entered in the above cause on 11/17/2023, the Sheriff of Ogle County, Illinois will on April 5, 2024 at the hour of 10:00 AM at Ogle County Public Safety Compl ex, 202 S. 1st St. Oregon, IL 61061, or in a place otherwise designated at the time of sale, County of Ogle and State of Illinois, sell at public au ction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described real estate: A PART OF THE SOUTH EAST QUARTER OF SECTION 34 IN TOWNSHIP 42 NORTH, RANGE 1 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIP AL MERIDIAN, DESCRIBED AS

FOLLOWS:

The court date will be held: April 3, 2024 at 9:00 A.M.

Courtroom: 304

By video conference at: Zoom

Log-in information: https://us02web. zoom.us/j/8637797

2394#success

BEGINNING AT A POINT 48 FEET SOUTH OF THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF BLOCK 7 OF SHEAFF'S ADDITION TO HOLCOMB, THENCE WEST 102 FEET, THENCE SOUTH 103 FEET, THENCE EAST 102 FEET, THENCE NORTH 103 FEET TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING; SITUATED IN OGLE COUNTY IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS PIN 11-34-479-001

Improved with Residential COMMONLY KNOWN AS: 204 Main St Holcomb, IL 61043

/s/ Cassandra Gottschalk

Cassandra Gottschalk

Feb. 16, 23, March 1, 2024

Sale terms: 10% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the auction; The balance , including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calc ulated at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fracti on thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds, is due within twent y-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any r epresentati on as to qua lity or quantity of title and without recourse to Pla intiff and in "AS IS" condition The sale is further subject to confirmation b y the court.

If the property is a condominium and the foreclosure takes place after 1/1/2007, purchasers other than the mortgagees will be required to pay any assessment and legal fees due under The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).

If the property is located in a common interest community, pur chasers other than mortgagees will be required to pay any assessment and legal fees due under the Con dominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g- 1).

If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no fur ther recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee's attorney.

Upon pay ment in ful l of the amount bid, the purchaser shall receive a Certificate of Sale, which will entitle the purchaser to a Deed to the real estate after Confirmation of the sale . The successful purchaser has the sole responsibility/expense of evicting any tenants or other individuals presently in possession of the subject premises.

The property will NOT be ope n for inspection and Plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospec tive bidders are admonished to check the Court fil e to verify all infor mation

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

For informati on: Examine the court file or contact Plaintiff's attor ney: Codilis & Associates, P.C., 15W030 North Frontag e Road, Suite 100, Burr Ridge, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876. Please refer to file number 14-23-04179.

I3238473

February 23, 2024 March 1, 8, 2024

Asher Ryan Hoffa

Propos ed New

Name of Minor Child:

Asher Ryan Wilder

Court Date: April 3rd, 2024 at 9:00 A.M. at 106 S. 5th St., Oregon, IL Ogle County, Courtroom 304 /s/ Amy Elizabeth Wilder

COUNTY OF OGLE GERMAN AMERICAN STATE BANK, Plaintiff, vs. STEVEN O. BUSHEY, STATE OF IL LINOIS DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, UNKNOWN OWNERS and NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, Defendants.

Case No. 2024 FC 12 PUBLICATION NO TICE

Feb. 16, 23, Mar. 1, 2024 2142695

The requisite Affidavit for Publication having been filed, notice is hereby given you, UNKNOWN OWNERS and NONRECORD CLAIMANTS, Defendants in the above- entitled cause, that the above-entitled Mortgage Foreclosure action was fil ed on February 13, 2024, and is now pending.

Current Name of Minor Child: Damian Kenny Hoffa

Propos ed New

1. The names of all Plaintiffs and the Cas e Number are identified above.

Name of Minor

Child:

2. The Court in which this action was brought is identified above.

Damian Kenny Wilder

3. The name of the titleholder of record is: Steven O Bushey.

4. A legal description of the real estate sufficient to i dentify it wit h reasonable certainty is as follows :

Court Date: April 3rd, 2024 at 9:00 A.M. at 106 S. 5th St., Oregon, IL Ogle County, Courtroom 304 /s/ Amy Elizabeth Wilder

Feb. 16, 23, Mar. 1, 2024 2142695

Part of the Northwest Quarter (1/4) of the Northwest Quarte r (1/4) of Section 10, Township 24 North, Range 8, East of the Fourth Principal Meridian, desc ribed as follows: Commencing 2 rods South of the N orthwest Cor ner of said Quarter (1/4) Section; thence South on the Section line 8 rods; thence East 10 rods; thence North Parallel with the Section line 8 rods; thence West 10 rods to the Place of Beginning, situated in the Township of Lincoln, County of Ogle and State of Illinois

PIN:07-10-100-001

5. A common addr ess or description of the location of the real estate is as follows:

11947 W West Grove Road, Forreston, Illinois 61030

6.An identifi cation of the Mortgage sought to be foreclosed is as follows:

a. Name of Mortgagor:Steven O. Bushey

b. Name of Mortgagee:German American Sta te Bank

c Date of Mortgage: July 29, 2016

d Date of Recording August 3, 2016

e County Where Recorded:Ogle County, Illinois

f. Rec ording Document Identification:

Document No. 201604173

NOW THEREFORE, unless you, UNKNOWN OWNERS and NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, Defendants, file your Answer to the Complaint for Foreclosure in this cause or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the offices of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Winnebago County, 400 West S tate Street, Rockford, Illinois 61101, on or before March 24, 2024 (which is the 30th day after the first publication of this notice), default may be entered against you at any time after that day and a Judgment for Foreclosure may be entered in accordance with the prayer of said Complaint.

RENO & ZAHM LLP

BY: /s/ Michael G. Schul tz

Michael G. Schultz, Attorney for German American State Bank, Plaintiff RENO & ZAHM LLP

Michael G Schultz (#6297569) 2902 McFarland Road, Suite 400, Rockford, IL 61107 (815) 987-4050 mgs@renoza hm.com