Storm
VOLUME 165 NO. 4 • SERVING THE POLO AREA SINCE 1857 Friday, April 7, 2023 • $1.00 One section • 20 pages POLO TRI-COUNTY PRESS APRIL 4 ELECTION Published every Friday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media
INDEX Betty’s Column 5 Classifieds 18-20 Colbert Column 14 Oregon Police 17 Otto’s Column 5 Pine Creek News 2 Property Transfers 16 Sheriff Activity 16 Sports 13-15 DEATHS NEWS NEWS
Alexa Zoellner/Shaw Media Sandras Wooden submits her ballot for the consolidated election in the Polo Area Senior Center on April 4. About 173 people had voted in the precinct as of
2:35
p.m. Unofficial results on page 4.
Damage A March 31 storm takes down several buildings west of Forreston. / 7 Tuesday Election Stormy weather caused difficulties that election officials hard to work around. / 4 Welcome to Town! Mt. Morris welcomes a new telepharmacy to its downtown / 4 John
“Jack” Irvin Birkholz, Virgil “Gene” Eugene Patterson, Dwayne Marshall Zipse, Page 8
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BRIEFS
Spring Breakfast April 30
The Polo Fire Protection District’s annual Spring Breakfast will be served on Sunday, April 30, from 7 a.m. until noon.
This year’s menu includes biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, sausage links, pancakes, coffee and orange juice.
Donations will be accepted at the door. Proceeds will go toward the purchase of new equipment.
Perennial plant sale May 6
The Polo Woman’s Garden Club will host its annual perennial plant sale Saturday, May 6, starting at 8 a.m. at the Polo Community High School AG Department
PINE CREEK NEWS
By KAREN MERLAK
The beautiful spring sunshine is a welcome conclusion to the severe storms from last week. Through it all, God is with us, giving comfort and bringing calm. His love and care surround us at all times. His love is constant and we are thankful.
This morning in church, we were greeted by Judy Riffle and her son, Andy Riffle. Everyone received a palm branch for Palm Sunday. Martha Johannsen shared a moment for missions before next week’s special offering.
Our worship leader for the morning was Vicki Hay. We had some impromptu help with music from Mary Mead-Cantrell. Pastor Suzanne Hall Stout shared her special message for the morning. Pastor Suzanne also shared a special message for our youngest friends, Amelia and Fiona.
We will be hosting a special service this Thursday evening at 7 p.m. Pastor Suzanne will present a Tenebrae Service for Holy Week. On Sunday morning, we will have a special Resurrection service at 10 a.m. We hope you will come and worship with us.
This past Saturday morning, Pastor
(located behind the school at 100 S. Union Ave.).
This sale will be the same day as the opening of the Polo FFA Greenhouse.
All plants are dug from local gardens, so they are “proven winners.” There also will be three raffles the day of the sale. This year the club is raffling off two Ace Steel Red Wheelbarrows (one generously donated by Ace Hardware-Dixon) each filled with a reusable lawn bag with handles overflowing with beautiful garden related items. The wheelbarrows are displayed at the Blackhawk Area Credit Union and Polo Pharmacy. The third raffle item is a $25 gift certificate from Merlins Greenhouse in Oregon.
Suzanne hosted a Bible Study of the parables. A small group gathered for the study that had been rescheduled due to the snow last Saturday. We are so glad for opportunities to learn more about the word of God.
This past week, I enjoyed some time off from school since we were on spring break. The extra time allowed me to attend a worship committee meeting and work on projects around the house. We are glad for the opportunities to work together and make plans for our church life.
Most of my spring break was spent in rest mode. On Saturday, I went to help the Hopkins family at the Hazelhurst sale. It was a busy day despite the cold spring weather. We were glad to see the sunshine during the afternoon hours.
The last week of March brought a variety of weather, including severe storms. As Friday evening progressed, I watched the weather forecasts more closely. Then headed to my basement when the sirens sounded in town.
I was safely tucked away in a downstairs room while the storm blew past us. It was short-lived and I was safe, but I was also scared. As I was texting my brother, I was still worried. Even knowing that God is with
On Saturday, April 1, the Polo Lions Club operated its concession stand at the annual Hazelhurst Spring Consignment Sale. The menu included pork chop sandwiches, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, brats, hot dogs, chips, candy, pop, water, coffee, hot cocoa, gatorade and iced tea. The temperature was in the 40s but the Lions Club overcame the inclement weather and had a successful day, selling out their sandwiches. Manning the grill were Mike Faivre and Lions members Keith Chesnut and Ben McKean. In the center photo are Ryan Shetler, Jon Mandrell, Winton Bocker, Irene Short and Judy Norris.
Tickets will be sold at each location, through a PWGC member, or at the sale ($1 each or six for $5). You do not need to be present to win, and your ticket may win any one of the raffle items offered. Proceeds from the sale will be used for the advancement of gardening, city beautification, programs to stimulate an interest in co-operative gardening among amateurs and to aid in the protection of forest, wildflowers, birds and pollinators. If you have perennials, house plants or a garden related item that you would like to donate for the sale, please contact Beth Green at 815-299-1416 or Diane Kuhns at 432-413-9291.
me, I was still scared thinking of all the things that could happen.
It has been decades since I decided to follow Jesus. I know that no matter what storm comes my way, God will help me through it. Still, I get scared sometimes. Being a Christian doesn’t take away our fears, sadness or pain.
Having God in my life makes it easier to face what lies in front of me. In my basement, I called out to God and I felt calmed again. I knew that God would comfort His child. I no longer felt alone. After a few minutes, I came back upstairs, thankful for a loving God.
He is here for you, too. He is with you in the storms and in the calm. His love is strong enough to calm us when we have to face our fears. We only need to call out to Him. It is good to know we are so loved and cared for.
I hope to see you next week at our church in the country. We will be celebrating the Resurrection. God loves us so much that He sent Jesus to die on the cross and rise again. Come and join us for a time of worship and praise.
• Karen Merlak lives in Polo and is a member of the Pine Creek Christian Church.
2 Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, April
2023 OGLE COUNTY NEWS
LIONS CLUB NEWS
Photo provided by Jeff Short
Ken Williams elected Oregon mayor for third term
Turnout was 25.8% of 2,236 registered voters
By ALEXA ZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com
Ken Williams was reelected mayor of Oregon by voters in the April 4 election.
Oregon residents selected Williams
as their mayor with 318 votes, or 57.3% of ballots cast, according to unofficial election results. Challenger Michael Arians garnered 237 votes, or 42.7% of ballots.
“I want to thank all my supporters and the citizens of Oregon,” Williams said. “I look forward to an exciting four years ahead, continuing what we started the past two terms.”
Williams first was elected to the Oregon City Council in 2007 as the
finance commissioner. He served two four-year terms in that position before being elected as Oregon mayor in 2015 and 2019.
“I’m very proud of all the people that did support me, and thankful for their vote,” Arians said.
Arians said he was disappointed for all candidates that bad weather impacted voter turnout.
A large storm system passed through the area Tuesday morning. It brought driving rain, strong wind gusts and left hail more than 1 inch in diameter in some places.
Voter turnout for Oregon was 25.8% of the 2,236 registered voters, according to Ogle County election results.
Polling place loses electricity, but voting continued
By ALEXA ZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com
Power was out at the Grand Detour polling place, but voters still cast their ballots, Ogle County Clerk Laura Cook said Tuesday afternoon.
Usually, after a ballot is filled out, it’s run through a machine to tally the votes, she said. Because the power was down, ballots instead were placed in a secure auxiliary bin connected to the tallying machine for storage until they could be counted, Cook said.
“If the power comes up after the polls close, they [Grand Detour election judges] will put the ballots through the machine,” she said.
If the power doesn’t return, the ballots will be brought to the Old Ogle County Courthouse in Oregon, where election judges will run the uncounted ballots through machines, Cook said.
“There have been some other polling places that have had issues with water, hail, power, including us,” Cook said. “So far, the judges have done a really, really good job.”
The Grand Detour polling place is at 8110 Main St., which is the corner of Main and Broad streets.
When asked about lighting sources to fill out a ballot, Cook said people likely will have to use their phones as a flashlight.
“I’m sure that’s what the judges are offering if somebody doesn’t have one,” she said.
Taylor and Lafayette townships’ polling places also lost power earlier Tuesday, although it was temporary and the power since has returned, Cook said.
Cook was unsure when the power went out for the three polling places, or when it returned to Taylor and Lafayette.
Even with the bad weather, the general voter turnout seems to be doing OK, she said.
“With the weather, it may keep it [voter numbers] down a little bit, but the vote-by-mail was higher than it ever has been for a consolidated election,” Cook said. “But we expect something low.”
3 OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, April 7, 2023
2023
ELECTION
Ken Williams
Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media
ComEd crews were busy working on the west side of Illinois 2 after Tuesday’s hail storm broke off electrical poles knocking electricity out to Grand Detour, including the village’s only polling place.
Mt. Morris Pharmacy opens in village’s downtown
The telepharmacy is the only pharmacy in the village
By ALEXA ZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com
A telepharmacy opened last week in downtown Mt. Morris after more than two years of planning and building renovations.
The Mt. Morris Pharmacy, which opened March 29, is owned by Kip and Karrie Sabinson, of Warren. Currently, it is the only pharmacy in the village.
“The size of a community like that [Mt. Morris], it really does need a pharmacy,” Kip Sabinson said. “I believe there are over 3,000 people. That’s a good-sized village to be without one.”
A telepharmacy has medications and a certified pharmacy technician on-site, but the pharmacist is located at a home store, he said.
The home store for the Mt. Morris Pharmacy is located in Lena, where they own a traditional pharmacy, Sabinson said.
According to www.TelePharm.com – the software the Sabinsons use – a telepharmacy works in the following way:
1. Prescriptions are dropped off at the telepharmacy by patients or sent in by the health care provider.
2. A certified pharmacy technician prepares the prescription. As part of the process, they take photos of the prescription, labels, medication and the medication bottle with the lot number and expiration date.
3. A pharmacist at the home store reviews the images and the patient’s medical records. The pharmacist either approves or rejects the prescription. If rejected, the pharmacist will make a note of the reason for the
technician.
4. When the prescription is picked up, the patient speaks with the pharmacist via live videoconferencing that is private and HIPAA-compliant. The pharmacist answers questions and provides instructions.
“Even if they want to talk to a pharmacist about an over-the-counter medication, you can come in and contact the pharmacist,” Sabinson said.
The Mt. Morris Pharmacy is a full-service Health Mart brand pharmacy that also stocks a full line of over-the-counter medications, such as cough-and-cold medicine, antacids and wound care, he said. There are some gift items and they plan to have cards for sale in the future, Sabinson said.
The Sabinsons own traditional pharmacies in Warren and Lena, and telepharmacies in Mt. Morris, Polo, Lanark and Elizabeth.
“We’re excited to have the Mt. Morris Pharmacy now in our downtown,” Village President Phil Labash said. “This provides a service that is really vital to the citizens of Mt. Morris and is a convenient and welcome addition to our business community.”
The Mt. Morris Economic Development Group first approached the Sabinsons about opening a pharmacy in the village about two years ago, Sabinson said. The EDG found someone to purchase and renovate the building that now holds the pharmacy.
Holden Construction & Landscaping, of Polo, did the renovations, Sabinson said.
Formerly, the building was the office of Jerry Griffin Insurance and Light’s Jewelry.
“We’re just excited to be open,” Sabinson said. “It’s been a little bit of a long run.”
The Mt. Morris Pharmacy is located
UNOFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS
Polo, Ward 2 Alderperson (1 elected)
Larry Weaver — 72 (67.29%)
Beth Sundman — 35 (32.71%)
Forreston Village Board (3 elected)
Monty Cotter — 124 (32.04%)
Kenneth Vinnedge — 116 (29.97%)
Gary Buss — 85 (21.96%)
Mahmoud “Mike” Zayed — 62 (16.02%)
Oregon Park Commissioner (3 elected)
Mark Tremble — 650 (30.27%)
Maia Johnson — 590 (27.48%)
Brian Beckman — 564 (26.27%)
George Howe Jr. — 343 (15.98%)
Oregon School Board (3 elected)
Mary Jo Griffin — 847 (24.17%)
Molly Herman Baker — 787 (22.46%)
Stephanie Haugh — 693 (19.78%)
at 117 S. Wesley Ave. The store’s phone number is 779-545-0159.
It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, with a lunch break closure daily from 1 to 1:30 p.m. On Saturdays, the pharmacy is open from 9 a.m. to noon.
Bruce Obendorf — 621 (17.72%)
Aaron Mudge — 556 (15.87%)
Polo School Board (4-year term, 4 elected)
Richard Knutson — 455 (23.36%)
Jennifer L. Grobe — 429 (22.02%)
Deanna Mumford — 360 (18.48%)
Michael Z. Collins — 267 (13.71%)
Suzanne Hall Stout — 261 (13.4%)
Jessica May — 176 (9.03%)
4 Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, April 7, 2023 OGLE COUNTY NEWS
BUSINESS NEWS
Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media
Lindsey Meinsma, a certified pharmacy technician, stands behind the counter at the new Mt. Morris Pharmacy, which opened last week.
Kim Stahl, of Oregon, signs in to vote Tuesday with the assistance of election judges Greg Tremble and Elsie DeVries.
Native American artifacts displayed at museum
The spring storms came in with a bang in the middle of the night and let us all know they had arrived.
On Friday, I went to the basement twice, looked out the windows and watched the water in the streets. I was more concerned with how our new plumbing works outside were handling the water. After all, I do want this several million dollar project to do what the city hopes it will do.
So far it looks pretty good and I did not end up with water in my basement. Perhaps Buffalo Brook stayed where it was supposed to and all the other enormous things that were buried along my front yard did what they were
POLO HISTORY
Betty Obendorf
meant to do.
This week, we worked at the museum with Silas, and all the rest of Dale Blough’s Native American artifacts were spread out on the tables. The cabinet then was emptied out, ready for another display. Then he cleaned the cabinet until all the shelves sparkled.
Dale Blough’s artifacts will be put
in a different cabinet and Joe will help with that.
We decided to put a Muench Shoe Store display in the cleaned cabinet.
Remember Bud Muench was in business for 65 years in Polo. Silas carefully put in a shoestore display and we were finished for the day.
Later in the week, Linda and I started to put together something on the Peek Home and the Camp Fire Girls in another new cabinet. We call that our Olsen cabinet. We have this neat Camp Fire Girl’s Native American dress. Does that dress go with the Native American displays or somewhere else?
First we had to find out more on the
Camp Fire Girl’s organization. It was started in 1912, but what was the connection with the Native American world?
It did not take long to find out that this organization was inspired by the Native American history. So much of their program all across the United States had the theme of Native Americans.
Lillis Lawrence Bracken started the Polo group in the 1920s and Mrs. E. J. Diehl started the second group in 1926. We will find out more about what went on in Polo.
• Betty Obendorf is a retired teacher and a volunteer for the Polo Historical Society.
John Deere created new steel plow in Grand Detour
By OTTO DICK
It’s amazing that John Deere moved to Grand Detour close to the same year Oregon was founded.
The 33-year-old blacksmith previously lived in Heacock, Vermont. He manufactured pitch forks and shovels. Fires twice destroyed his blacksmith shop so he decided to change climates.
Two years before he arrived, Grand Detour was founded by Leonard Andrus, also from Vermont.
He left his pregnant wife and four children. This was when there was an upper and lower ferry to cross the river to Grand Detour and 65 years before the bridge was built.
On his trip from Vermont, he traveled on a canal boat to Buffalo and then a packet boat to Chicago. When he arrived at Grand Detour, he constructed a log cabin 16 feet by 24 feet.
In 1838, his wife Demarius Lamb Deere and brother-in-law William Peek, with the Deere’s three daughters and two sons, arrived in Illinois.
One year after he came to Grand Detour he built and successfully demonstrated the first self-polishing steel plow in 1837. The following year he manufactured three plows.
In 1838, he manufactured 10 plows, 1840-40 plows, 1841-45 plows, 1842-199
plows and in 1843-400 plows. In 1844, he teamed up with his neighbor Leonard Andres and built a factory producing more than 1,000 plows.
When the railroad bypassed Grand Detour in favor of Dixon, they moved the factory to Dixon in 1868.
As a demand for these plows increased, he moved his business from Grand Detour and Dixon to Moline in 1848, expanding the manufacturing of farm equipment.
In 1886, John Deere died and his son Charles Deere became president of John Deere Manufacturing. The hawkeye riding cultivator, which relied on horses, was first introduced at the Iowa State Fair in 1886.
Today, John Deere Manufacturing is a worldwide corporation. There are more than 100 factories in more than 30 countries.
So in Ogle County the same year Oregon was founded, John Deere at age 35 moved here and started what is now a huge worldwide corporation.
We are very fortunate to have the John Deere Historic Site at Grand Detour where you can see the first John Deere plow, see a blacksmith shop and tour his home.
• Otto Dick is a retired teacher and has researched Ogle County history for several years.
5 OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, April 7, 2023
LOCAL HISTORY
SUBSCRIBE TODAY • Oregon Republican Reporter • Mt. Morris Times • Tri-County Press • Forreston Journal Only $39 a year for subscribers living in Ogle County! Call 815-632-2520 to subscribe!
Photo provided by Otto Dick John Deere invented the steel self-polishing plow in Grand Detour.
Morning storms deliver hail and driving rain
By TROY E. TAYLOR and ALEXA ZOELLNER ttaylor@shawmedia.com and azoellner@shawmedia.com
The first of what were expected to be three rounds of storms over a 24-hour period struck the region starting about 11 a.m. Tuesday, delivering hail with gusting winds and driving rain.
There were two storm cells in the first round. The first brought rain and pea-sized hail. The lead edge of the storm darkened skies to the hue of late dusk. The storm lasted about 10 minutes.
The second storm passed through at noon and was accompanied by winds in excess of 50 mph, an alert from the National Weather Service said.
So much hail fell that the ice balls flowed down some streets in Dixon and Oregon.
Power outages were reported across Lee County, but especially in Grand Detour. The ComEd outage map indicated there were downed wires along Illinois Route 2 north of Dixon.
At the Grand Detour polling place on Main Street, voting continued
despite the outage with voters filling out their ballots with flashlights or phone lights, Ogle County Clerk Laura Cook said.
Usually, after a ballot is filled out, it’s run through a machine to tally the votes, she said. Because the power is
down, ballots were placed in a secure auxiliary bin connected to the tallying machine for storage until they can be counted by judges, Cook said.
“If the power comes up after the polls close, they will put the ballots through the machine,” she said.
At one point, more than 3,500 customers were without power in Lee County, the utility’s outage board showed.
Faith Christian School in Grand Detour announced it was dismissing students early because of the outage.
The Quad Cities station of the National Weather Service reported it sent up a weather balloon at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the behest of the National Storm Prediction Center. It later issued a revised forecast, advancing
its earlier timetable for the second and third storms to sometime after 4 p.m. and then after midnight, respectively.
By late afternoon Tuesday, a tornado watch had been issued for much of northwestern Illinois, including Carroll, Whiteside and Carroll counties, not set to expire until 10 p.m.
Across the region, including Lee and Ogle counties, the weather service said there was an elevated risk of thunderstorms, tornadoes and hail.
Damaging winds with 70 mph gusts could be expected, the forecast said.
Advancing storms were expected to move northeasterly at 40 mph. Radar showed the storm moving across northern Missouri toward Illinois near Quincy.
Because the third round was expected to arrive overnight, the city of Sterling asked in Facebook post that residents to prepare.
“Please have a shelter plan and emergency preparation completed in advance,” the post read.
Broadly, Interstate 80 across north and central Illinois served as the demarcation line between cold and warm fronts. To the south, warmer daytime temps were in the 60s, 70s and 80s; to the north, daytime temps were in the mid 50s.
Because the storm was expected as early as Saturday, most locales elected to suspend normal tornado siren drills on Tuesday. The city of Rock Falls reported on its Facebook page that the storm siren in the vicinity of Holland Drive and Dixon Avenue was malfunctioning and required repairs.
Tuesday’s storm followed a March 31 storm that felled trees in portions of Ogle County, including Oregon.
6 Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, April 7, 2023 OGLE COUNTY NEWS Boarding • Grooming Dentistry • X-ray Surgical Laser • Gas Anesthetic Laser Therapy Dr. Nicole Marquardt Dr. Lynn Deets Rochelle Veterinary Hospital 1381 North 7th Street, Rochelle www.rochellevet.com 815-562-5207 Hours: M-F 8am-5pm • Sat 8am -Noon SM-ST2042905
Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media
A hail stone measures nearly 11/2 inches from the storm around noon in Oregon on Tuesday, April 4. Hail covered the ground and had to be shoveled from sidewalks.
Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media
Several inches of hail cover steps and a sidewalk in Oregon after a storm Tuesday morning.
Sheltering during the storm: ‘We could hear things cracking above’
Lanark, Shannon residents clean up after storm leaves path of destruction
By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com
Rob Gunderson knew something was happening outside after he and his family retreated to the basement of their home on North Fork Creek Road in Shannon, a few miles west of Forreston on March 31.
“We went to the basement when we heard the storm warnings. It was weird. We could hear things cracking above, but we didn’t know what,” he said Saturday.
The 45-year-old dairy farmer took a short break April 1 as he and his three kids – along with friends –worked to salvage big bales of hay from one of his sheds leveled by Friday night’s storm.
“We lost two buildings, but no lives were lost so that was a blessing,” he said.
His dairy herd of 240 cows were not injured, but two storage sheds on the family farm were leveled. The home lost some shingles, but remained intact.
Gunderson and a friend worked adeptly with their skid steers moving building debris off the stacked bales of hay and then transferring them nearby to a lot were some of the cows watched while munching on their lunch.
Gunderson said friends had quickly come to help with cleanup.
“That’s another blessing, too. You find out how many friends you really have when they just start showing up,” he said. “And we never lost electricity and that was important, too.”
His children, Ella, Owen and Ethan, stood by in the cold, strong north wind helping when they could by grabbing smaller pieces of the shed’s wood frame and snarled sheet metal roof and carrying them to nearby piles.
“It’s surprising that everything that had living things in it didn’t get damaged,” said Colson Lamb, 12, who also was helping.
Just to the west, along Illinois 72, Amanda Gempeler, 41, and her daughter, Avery, 12, also rode out the storm after Amanda’s mom called to warn that a tornado had been spotted nearby.
7 OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, April 7, 2023
Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media
Jim Ludwig of Lanark points to the 125-foot grain bins that were
damaged during Friday’s storm along Illinois 64 about 5 miles east of Lanark.
Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media
Rob Gunderson uses a skid steer to move a hay bale from one of the damaged storm sheds as a friend holds the shed’s roof April 1. See STORM, Page 10
SPECIAL EVENTS
Cast announced for PAG’s ‘An Evening Around the Radio’
The Performing Arts Guild of Mt. Morris will present “An Evening Around the Radio” Friday through Sunday, April 21-23 at the Pinecrest Grove Theatre, 500 Evergreen Lane, Mt. Morris.
The audience will be entertained with the following radio plays:
• Burns & Allen - Easter Hat War Council
• Abbott & Costello - Who’s on First
• Father Knows Best - Aunt Martha and the Ball Game
• My Friend Irma - The Boss Buys a Race Horse
• Little Orphan Annie - Annie’s Big Surprise Party
Friday and Saturday shows are at 7 p.m. The Sunday matinee is at 2 p.m. General admission tickets are $12, with students and seniors (65 and over) at $10. Reservations are
OBITUARIES
DWAYNE MARSHALL ZIPSE
Born: March 14, 1939
Died: March 31, 2023
PECATONICA –Dwayne Marshall
Zipse was born on March 14, 1939, and joined his Father in Heaven early Friday morning, March 31, 2023.
Dwayne was married to Mary Jane (Floto) on Nov.17, 1957 and formed a strong farming partnership steeped in a love for land and family. Together they built a dairy farm that provided the best place to raise a family. He grew up active in the 4-H and FFA, loved
JOHN “JACK” IRVIN BIRKHOLZ
JR.
Born: January 8, 1942 in Stephenson County, Illinois
Died: March 24, 2023 in Freeport, Illinois
John “Jack” Irvin Birkholz Jr., 81, of German Valley, IL passed away Friday March 24, 2023 at Manor Court of Liberty Village in Freeport, IL. He was born January 8, 1942 in Stephenson County to John and Amanda (Schoonhoven) Birkholz. On September 7, 1991 he married Marsha Manus at First Baptist Church in Freeport, IL. Jack’s employment included farming, truck driving, milk hauling, and most recently driving school bus for Forreston and Eastland Schools. Jack had a very strong faith and he sang in the church choir. His faith carried him through the end of his life. He enjoyed Christian country music. Sports was a big part of Jack’s life, espe-
suggested.
For information or to order tickets, call 815-734-2103 or order online at www. performingartsguild.com and click on tickets. Tickets went on sale April 3.
Cast members are Dylan Stormont, Montana Larson, Mary Mead Cantrell, Gerald Sheely, Priscilla Osborne, Jeff Bold, Mary Cheatwood, Larry Ubben, Norah Coutts, Dave Sheely, Kelly Houston, Hannah Sheely, Julie Spaine, Ethan Sheely, April Bold, Dennis Cheatwood, Eleanor Guinn and Emily Borgman, with Renae Taylor as the Foley.
The play will be directed by David Sheely and Trudy Whalen. Karen Urish is the producer.
playing his trombone and singing.
When they left the dairy, Dwayne filled is mornings, afternoons and many evenings driving the school bus for the Forrestville Valley, Pecatonica and Winnebago school districts. This also allowed him into support his granddaughters’ varied activities.
He was a member of the Leaf River and Ogle County Pomona Granges. Dwayne’s family was named the Illinois State Grange Farm Family of the Year in the early 1970s. In 2006, he was recognized as a Servant of the People by the Pomona Grange. For many years, Dwayne served as a trustee for both the German Valley Grain Elevator and Leaf River Fire Department and was also a board member of the American Dairy Association. He was an active member of both St. James Lutheran
Quilt Guild meeting is April 17
The April 17 program for the Country Crossroads Quilt Guild will have Rhonda Streich from Sassy Farm Chicks Quilt Company in Orfordville, Wisconsin, who will present a trunk show at 7 p.m.
She also will be presenting a workshop for the members, starting at 10 a.m., teaching a fabric strip technique to create a Mariner’s Compass.
On May 15, the guild will offer a special musical entertainment program featuring Lil Rev (Marc Revenson), who will offer a heartwarming, one-man show that weaves a unique tapestry of songs, stories, poems and quilting lore.
He dedicates his program to the millions of quilters whose gifts of patience have kept the world warm in the thick of winter, brought a piece of home to the thick of war and
See SPECIAL EVENTS , Page 12
and Seward Congregational churches. For more than forty years, Dwayne and Mary Jane enjoyed playing cards and dominos in their card club with friends. He loved playing euchre and was up for a game with anyone who would stop by for a visit. He played even when he first went to the nursing home. Thank you to the staff at Pinecrest Manor Nursing Center, and the Northern Illinois and Serenity Hospices for your care and compassion.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane, three children – Gaylen, Gwyn and Sarah – granddaughters Adriane (Jake) White, Angela (Tyler) Patterson, Alyssa (Amanda) Poggioli, Amanda (Mitch) Hopkins, April Poggioli, and great grandchildren Melissa and Marshall White; Hudson and Nash Patterson; Benjamin
Loudermilk; Jackson, Landon, Weston, Brooklyn Hopkins; his brother Kenneth, sisters and brothers-in-law, many nieces and nephews, and April’s dog, Cooper, who provides companionship for her grandparents.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Nelda Zipse, and sister-in-law, Theresa Zipse.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday April 4, 2023 at 11:30 A.M. in Seward Congregational Church with Rev. Joel Hicke officiating. Visitation will be held on Tuesday April 4, 2023 from 10:00 A.M. until service time in the church. A family burial will be held in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Freeport, IL. Memorials will be directed to Seward Congregational Church and Northern Illinois Hospice.
cially the Forreston Cardinals and he loved attending Cardinal games. Jack was also an avid Chicago Cubs, Bears and Bulls fan. Family was important to Jack and he loved to gather with family and friends. Jack is survived by his wife Marsha; children Rachel (Darrell) Osterloo, Mike (Mary Jo) Birkholz, Angela (Russ) Medenblik, and Paul (Sarah) Mullen; grandchildren Nathaniel Osterloo, Nicholas Osterloo, Brad (Natalie) Birkholz, Emilie (Justin) Magana, Mallory Birkholz, Abbi Medenblik, Ava Medenblik, Anna Mullen, and Joshua Mullen; three great-grandchildren; siblings Joyce (Steve) Wubbena and Linda (Jon) Craft; and several cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents John and Amanda Birkholz. A memorial service will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday April 15, 2023 at Grace Valley Christian Reformed Church with Rev. Eric Schlukebir and Rev. Jerry Birkholz officiating. A visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service. Burial will be in Grace Valley Christian Reformed Church Cemetery. A memorial has been established for the Forreston School Athletic Booster Club.
VIRGIL “GENE” EUGENE PATTERSON
Born: April 16, 1951 in Kankakee, Illinois
Died: March 20, 2023 in Dixon, Illinois
Virgil “Gene” E. Patterson, Jr., 71, passed away March 20, 2023 in Dixon. He was born April 16, 1951 to Virgil E. and Lois Marie (Marshel) Patterson in Kankakee, Illinois. He married Martha Ann Thompson of Mt. Morris, Illinois. They had one son, Billy Patterson. Gene served in the United States Army. Gene’s main occupation was working on cars, trucks and helping others. He also worked on
the construction of the Byron Nuclear Plant. Gene is survived by his wife Annie of Oregon, his son Billy (Kelly) of Polo, his 2 granddaughters Tarah (Jake) Ziegler of Oregon and Mallory Patterson of Polo. He was also looking forward to being a great-grandfather in June. Other survivors include 3 sisters, Maggie Smith, Helen Disch and Mary (Victor) Struck all of Mt. Morris. His 2 brothers Roger Patterson of Mt. Morris and Raymond Patterson of Ashton. He had many nephews and a niece.
He was preceded in death by his parents, an older sister Linda (Virgil) Payne, an older brother Bud (Rita) Millenbine, 2 nieces Rosalie Otten, Angela (Kevin) Boss and his nephew Roger Patterson, Jr. Cremation rights were observed.
8 Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, April 7, 2023 OGLE COUNTY NEWS
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• STORM
Continued from Page 7
“We were upstairs in the house when my mom called and said ‘You’d better get in the basement,’” Amanda said. “We really didn’t hear anything. Then one of the firefighters came to the door and wanted to know if we were OK, and I said, ‘Yes, why?’ And he said, ‘Your shed is gone.’ He’s a friend of mine, and, at first, I thought he was just messing with me. Then I looked out and saw the shed was gone.”
The roof of the large metal machine shed was blown several yards to the northeast, landing just a few feet from Illinois 72. The Gempeler’s semitruck and trailer was still sitting in the shed inside the flattened walls along with several other items. The family’s home and garage had what appeared to be light damage.
“My phone notification didn’t come on until everything was over,” Amanda said. “My mom lives in Freeport and has cable TV so she thought she’d better call us. We are a little shaken up, but we’re good.”
To the southeast, five miles east of Lanark at 30369 Illinois 64, Jim Ludwig, 70, of Ludwig Family Farms, could see the storm’s aftermath in every direction he looked.
“We have a tremendous amount of damage,” he said. “I think everything is damaged except for the house. Somehow that was spared.”
“Everything” included several large metal machine sheds and 125foot galvanized grain bins, with one of
the towers squished in an upright position between the others.
“We have 500,000 bushels of grain (corn) stored in there,” he said pointing to the grain bins. “You can see damage on each of them. Every bit is ruined. I don’t know about the corn yet.”
Portions of the home across Illinois 64 were tossed into the large machine shed busting out windows and covering trucks and semitractors with debris and broken glass.
Ludwig lives a few miles away from the main farm, but Jan Sukut, 70, was in the Ludwig family home when the storm hit about 7 p.m.
“I knew it was coming and I was looking out the front window and the first thing I saw were big pine trees coming across the road. I wasn’t scared. I had been in a tornado once before in Missouri,” she said.
Sukut called 911.
“The police and fire trucks were here within seconds,” she said.
Ludwig noted the American flag standing on a large pole to the side of one of the large machine sheds was untouched as pieces of the home and garage located across Illinois 64 lay on the side of the building.
“The flag made it through and the home I grew up in was spared, but all the trees around it are gone,” Ludwig said. “I will need to replace eight overhead garage doors. Everything has damage, especially the grain setup. One of the buildings is only six months old and we have all our spring tillage equipment in there.”
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ABOVE: Jim Ludwig ducks under a beam at one of his destroyed machine sheds. BELOW: The storm ripped the roof off the Gempeler’s machine shed, tossing it several yards from their home (seen in the background) along Illinois 72 northwest of Forreston.
ABOVE: This home across Illinois 64 from Ludwig Family Farms had its roof torn off during the storm.
LEFT: A truck is covered with debris after the home’s garage was destroyed during the storm.
Vigil held for Byron woman who was electrocuted
By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com
Family and friends of Marlana McFarland stood outside her home March 28 to remember the 34-year-old mother of five who was electrocuted March 25 while trying to help her nextdoor neighbors after a power line fell on their home.
“You could not ask for a sweeter soul,” said Sally Palen a friend and neighbor of McFarland. “She leaves behind a lot of people who will remember her, including her family and friends.”
McFarland died after a 7,200-volt power line fell on her neighbor’s home at 115 W. Third St. in Byron, charging the home with electricity. Firefighters found McFarland, who had not been identified at the time, on the ground outside the home when responding to the call at 8:47 a.m.
The Ogle County Coroner’s office ruled her death as an accidental electrocution.
Firefighters were unable to reach McFarland or fight the ensuing blaze until ComEd crews arrived to cut power to the home, Byron Deputy Fire Chief Tony Dinges said.
Once the power was shut down –which took about an hour – firefighters battled the blaze and saved other homes on the block, but the home that had been electrified was a total loss.
Heavy snow fell across the region that morning followed by brisk winds. Dinges said he thought the fallen line likely was because of the weather.
McFarland’s mom, Tracy Tollett of Louisiana, thanked everyone for coming to pay tribute to her daughter as a large crowd stood outside her daughter’s home Tuesday night.
“I want each and every one of you to know our family is in love with you for acknowledging our daughter,” she said. “She was just great.”
McFarland’s younger brother, Cory Tollett, 25, also of Louisiana, said his
sister was special.
“Growing up, I always thought she was the coolest person ever,” he said. “Everything about her, I looked up to her. She was my hero, from visiting her in basic training camp to the birth of her first child and each child after that. Those memories I have are always going to be cherished.”
Deanna Fidder is a Byron native and resident of Belvidere who owns the home McFarland and her children lived at 109 W. Third St. She said once she met McFarland while interviewing potential renters, she knew Marlana and her family would be a perfect fit for the home.
“My mom and dad lived in the house for 70 years,” Fidder said. “Once I met Marley, I knew she was perfect for the house. She loved her kids like you would not believe.”
According to her obituary, McFarland recently had started working at the Byron Power Station and was a member of the Army reserves. “She was the founder of Rockford Crunchy Ladies, where she helped women embrace healthy and natural lifestyle.” The obituary was posted online at farrellhollandgale.com/obituaries/ marlana-mcfarland.
“I know she’s looking down on us and smiling,” said Palen, who organized Tuesday’s vigil.
A GoFundMe page for McFarland and her family has been established at gofundme.com/f/family-of-marley-mcfarland
Donations also are being accepted for the family whose home was destroyed after they evacuated safely.
Micki Hoefle, the human resource manager for the Meridian School District, is collecting donations for that family.
For information on that funding effort, call Hoefle at 815-988-7361.
Bank accounts have been established at Holcomb Bank, where donations for both families can be sent.
ABOVE: Kim Caponi of Morris holds a candle for her relative Marlana McFarland during a March 28 candlelight vigil. AT LEFT: Cory Tollett, McFarland’s younger brother, talks about his sister during the vigil. McFarland was electrocuted while trying to help her neighbors after a power line fell on their home March 25.
11 OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, April 7, 2023 Medicare Provider www.schoaffamilychiro.com 815-938-2225 210S.First Avenue POBox307 Forreston,IL61030-0307 Dr.Daniel P. Schoaf PalmerGraduate N.I.H.P./FHNProvider SameDayAppointments AllKids/MedicaidProvider Phone Number: 815.734.4116 www.unionsavingsbank.com 1 W. Hitt Street Mt. Morris, IL 61054 Other locations: Rockford . Freeport . Belvidere YOUR ALWAYS HERE BANK Community mean s neighbor s helping neighbors, and that's exactly what we want your experience wit h u s t o feel like. Let us help you find the checking account that best supports your needs and we’ll include these FREE services. Like us on Facebook Member FDIC Personal Checking Accounts BENEFITS: • FREE Debit Card • FREE Bill Pay • FREE Notifi Account Alerts • FREE Online Banking • FREE Mobile Banking • FREE First Box of Checks • FREE Mobile Deposits
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SPECIAL EVENTS
Continued from Page 8
showered daily lives with a love that is unique to all who strive to let their stitches tell the story.
Guild meetings are held at the Forreston Grove Church, 7246 Freeport Road, Forreston, on the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m., with ample time to meet and greet members before the meeting. Visitors are very much welcome. There is a $5 fee for visitors. For more information, call Program Committee Chairs Dawn Vehmeier at 815-2914592 or Ann Tully at 815-238-2218 or Guild President Shelly Holverson at 815-297-2381.
Leaf River Easter egg hunt, breakfast with bunny set for April 8
The Leaf River Lions Club’s Breakfast with Bunny and Easter egg hunt are set for April 8.
Breakfast will be served from 7 to 10 a.m. at the Bertolet Memorial Building, 103 W. Second St. The menu includes pancakes, waffles, French toast, whole hot sausage, scrambled eggs, applesauce, orange juice, milk and coffee. The cost for all-you-can-eat is $9; those 14 and older are $7; children 11 to 13 are $4; and children 10 and younger are free.
The Easter egg hunt will take place in the park at 10 a.m. Proceeds will go to the Leaf River festival and other Lions Club projects.
Leaf River Lions Club hosting presentation about the Holocaust on April 16
The Leaf River Lions Club is hosting a presentation on the Holocaust on Sunday, April 16, at the Bertolet Memorial building in Leaf River.
Doors will open at 1 p.m., with the presentation beginning at 1:30 p.m. There will be displays on hand for viewing before and after the presentation.
The presenter for the program is Susan Schinleber from the Chicago area. She has been doing Holocaust presentations for several years and has done extensive research to substantiate her facts.
Schinleber has supplemented her teaching with extensive seminars at the International School for Holocaust studies at Yad Vashem in Israel, with Echoes and Reflections and with Facing History both in Chicago and virtually.
“There is much more that could be said here but come to her presentation. You will find her presentation to be remarkably interesting,” a Lions member said in a news release. “If you are too young to know what the Holocaust was, you will find this presentation to be highly informative and graphic at times. The program is scheduled to end at 3:30 p.m. but could run longer depending on questions. The Holocaust is a sad part of world history and something that should not be forgotten.”
There is no admission charge for the presentation, but donations will be accepted. Light refreshments will be available. Seating is somewhat limited. Call 815-738-2761 to reserve a seat.
Epilepsy support group to meet April 12 at Village Bakery in Oregon
Illinois Epilepsy and Supports and Resources will offer an informational meeting/support group at 9:30 a.m. April 12 at The Village Bakery, 101 N. Third St. in Oregon.
At this group, people with epilepsy and supporters can share, eat and get assistance from the program.
Even if a person can’t attend the meeting, they can contact Stephanie Harcharik, epilepsy coordinator, at 815-673-5574.
Services are designed to meet individual needs and can include, but aren’t limited to, peer support, caregiver support, support in accessing benefits and/or services, navigating insurance, identification and linkage to medical professionals, access to counseling, referrals to employment specialists and help coordinating transportation.
The group met at The Village Bakery in November 2022 with 11 people attending.
First Fridays open mic April 7 at Oregon VFW
The First Fridays Open Mic’s next show is Friday, April 7, at the Oregon VFW, 310 W. Washington St. in Oregon.
“The event attracts many talented performers, but musicians and singers of all skill levels find acceptance from its supportive audience,” organizer Lowell Harp said.
The VFW provides ample parking, along with the availability of a restaurant and bar within the building. A fish fry runs from 4 to 8 p.m.
“The show starts at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free, although a jar is available for donations. Performers can sign up for time slots on a first-come, first-serve basis starting at 6 p.m., Harp said.
Interested parties who have questions can contact Jerry Tice at 815-449-2660.
“They shared their own stories of living with epilepsy and gave support to a caregiver whose family member had recently been diagnosed. The group was a safe space for people to connect with others who are living their life with epilepsy. The food was definitely part of the conversation, with The Bakery offering pastries, donuts, bagels and cookies from their business, which provides work and training opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” Harcharik said in a news release. “This is a free event meant to support and provide information to people with epilepsy and their caregivers.”
Latex paint collection, document shredding offered April 15 in Oregon
The Ogle County Solid Waste Management Department (OCSWMD) will be hosting a Latex Paint/Aerosol Can Recycling and Document Shredding Event on Saturday, April 15, at 909 Pines Road in Oregon.
This event is for Ogle County residents only and identification is required. No permits are required for this recycling event.
Latex paint will be collected for recycling from 8 a.m. until noon. The first 10 containers of latex paint per vehicle will cost $1 per quart-sized container, $2 per gallon-sized container and $10 per 5-gallon pail. The OCSWMD will subsidize the remaining cost to recycle the latex paint. Any additional containers of latex paint will be charged the full price to recycle, which is $3 per quart, $6 per gallon and $20 per 5-gallon pail. Cash, credit card or checks payable to “EathPaint.org” will be accepted for payment.
Oil-based paints, stains and varnishes and spray cans will be accepted. Residents will have to cover the full cost for recycling oil-based paints, stains and varnishes. Costs to recycle are $6 per quart-sized container, $10 per gallon-sized container and $25 per 5-gallon pail. Cash, credit card or checks payable to “EathPaint.org” will be accepted for payment.
No business or contractor paints will be accepted. No bulking or combining of latex paint. Bulked latex paint cannot be recycled in this program.
EarthPaint.org is a nonprofit business in the Chicago area that works with adults with special needs and disabilities to sort and recycle unwanted latex paint into new paint or other products.
Aerosol cans, small 14- to 16-ounce propane cylinders and small butane cylinders will be accepted by Flatcan Recycling. There is no cost for up to 10 containers. For more than 10 items, aerosol cans will be $1 each and propane and butane cylinders will be $3 each for recycling.
Most aerosol spray products will be accepted for recycling. Flatcan Recycling will accept alkaline batteries for recycling for $4 per pound and one child car seat at no charge. Additional child car seats will be $20 per seat.
In addition, secure, on-site document shredding will be conducted by Freeport Recycling’s Shred-Beast truck from 9 a.m. to noon. There is a limit of three boxes per vehicle. No business or institutional material accepted. There is no cost to residents for paper shredding because the OCSWMD will cover the cost of the Shred-Beast truck and staff.
For more information, call OCSWMD at 815-732-4020, email solidwaste@oglecountyil.gov, or visit www.oglecountyil.gov
12 Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, April 7, 2023 OGLE COUNTY NEWS •
Photo provided by Lowell Harp Members of the First Fridays committee are, left to right, Lowell Harp, Jerry Tice (president), Randy Holland and Mike Bratt.
Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media Workers from E-Paint unload pails of latex paint from a vehicle during a 2019 recycling event offered by the Ogle County Solid Waste Management Department. The next paint collection event is April 15.
SPORTS ROUNDUP
Girls soccer
Oregon 1, Rochelle 0: Teagan Champley scored on a penalty kick to send the Hawks past the Hubs at Oregon Park West.
Sarah Eckardt made seven saves in goal for Oregon (2-0), which visits Rockford Lutheran on Tuesday.
Softball
Forreston 17, Pecatonica 0: The Cardinals scored 13 second-inning runs and racked up 15 hits in a two-inning win over the Indians, who had to forfeit when an injury reduced their lineup to eight players.
Forreston’s Brooke Boettner went 2 for 2 with four RBIs, including a home run and a double, and teammate Hailey Greenfield went 3 for 3 with three RBIs, including a triple and a double. Both players scored three runs.
Ella Ingram hit a triple, Rylee Broshous hit two doubles, and Alaina Miller hit one double for the Cardinals.
In the circle, Miller struck out one with no walks in a two-inning no-hitter.
Oregon 15, Byron 2, 5 inn.: The Hawks smashed three home runs to defeat the rival Tigers in their Big Northern Conference opener at Oregon Park West.
Sarah Stevens started the onslaught with a two-run homer in the first inning. She finished with two hits, three RBIs and two runs scored. Ella Dannhorn and Gracen Pitts also homered. Dannhorn finished a triple shy of the cycle and scored four runs, and Pitts drove in a pair of runs.
Reilee Suter singled, doubled, drove in two runs and scored twice, Abigail Rogers had a pair of RBIs, and Ava Hackman also drove in a run for Oregon.
Emma Schlichtmann allowed two earned runs and two hits in four innings, striking out seven and walking five. Hackman struck out two in a hitless, scoreless inning of relief.
Forreston 11, Genoa-Kingston 10: The Cardinals trailed the Cogs 10-6 entering the final inning, but came back to win it with five runs in the seventh, scoring the go-ahead run on a Brooke Boettner triple after four singles and a walk.
Boettner finished with a double and a triple, and Rylee Broshous added a double for Forreston.
Alaina Miller pitched one inning of scoreless relief for the Cardinals, earning one strikeout and allowing one hit.
Baseball
Rockford Lutheran 9, Oregon 3: The Crusaders took a 2-0 lead in the third inning, then scored in every remaining inning to pull away from the Hawks.
Dom Terlikowski and Gavin Morrow drove in one run apiece for Oregon. Terlikowski drew two walks. Jack Washburn pitched four innings for the Hawks, allowing one hit and three runs (two earned), striking out five and walking three.
Bryce Taylor pitched 5 2/3 innings for Lutheran, allowing two hits and one unearned run, striking out seven and walking three.
See SPORTS ROUNDUP, Page 14
13 OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, April 7, 2023
Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media
Oregon’s Teagan Champley (17) and a Rochelle player fight for the ball during a Monday game at Oregon Park West. The Hawks won the game on a penalty kick by Champley.
And now ... BNC and Rochelle school enrollments from 1966-2023
After reading the column of two weeks ago that listed high school enrollment changes of the NUIC conferences, good friend Curt Freeberg asked if the discussion could be expanded to the Big Northern conference and Rochelle.
Here are a few excerpts from his email:
Those figures say a lot more about the area than what (class) the sports teams will be in.
How can the schools with less than 200 kids provide a complete education by today’s standards? How can they keep up with changes in technology that the kids must know to be competitive in the economy?
Just about all the factors that you listed for the changes have to do with the loss of good paying jobs. Many of the families with kids left for better jobs while us retirees stayed behind.
Several years ago, a county board member told me that Ogle was the fastest aging county in Illinois. That has strained local organizations such as churches and civic groups and local businesses from grocery stores to car dealers to barber shops.
When we moved here in 1989 (I went to Stillman schools) I think Byron and Oregon were both bigger than Stillman. Hasn’t that reversed?
Has Rochelle’s attempts to attract businesses enabled it to maintain its school enrollments?
GUEST VIEW
Andy Colbert
fueled by the nuclear power plant and the tax revenue it provides.
Families fleeing the Rockford public school system are more apt to settle in nearby Byron, Stillman Valley and Winnebago (which has benefited most from infusion of athletic talent) instead of Oregon or Mt. Morris.
Since the BNC began, one of the top geographic rivalries in the state has been between Oregon, Byron, Stillman and Winnebago. Currently, they are fairly close in enrollment, but Oregon has struggled more as of late.
A growing North Boone, which made a big jump from the small-school Four Rivers, has trouble staying competitive, though they have more students than Byron, Oregon and ‘Bago.
In 1966, it would have been unthinkable for either Dixon or RF (both in the large-school NCIC) to end up with these former Mid Northern teams. But as their enrollments took precipitous drops, they luckily found a conference they feel fortunate to be a part of as the largest schools.
Rockford Christian and Lutheran have always been the wild card in that you never know from sport to sport what type of talent pool they will draw from the 150,000 population of that city. Relative to public schools, it is inconsequential for them having the lowest enrollments.
Rockford Christian (305) and Rockford Lutheran (282) didn’t exist in
The biggest shocker is Oregon, which added the Mt. Morris school district in 1994, dropping 50 percent. Oregon had 490 kids and Mt. Morris had 340 in 1966.
Compare that with huge growths in Byron and Stillman Valley.
Stillman’s district includes the two fastest-growing towns in the county over the past 30 years in Davis Junction and Monroe Center, both full of subdivisions located on either side of I-39 and with easy access to I-90. Byron’s enrollment growth has been
In answer to the query on Rochelle and its successful industrial growth and job creation, that has not translated to a correlation to enrollment growth.
A new high school was built several years ago with a flexibility of handling hundreds of more students than what are enrolled. Actually, there are even less now than a few years ago.
Officials in this progressive transportation hub were baffled until a survey determined that more than 70 percent of the people that work in Rochelle live in other communities.
• Andy Colbert, an avid runner, has been a sports writer for Shaw Media and has covered high school sports in Ogle County for more than 30 years.
• SPORTS ROUNDUP
Continued from Page 13
Earleen
Media Polo second baseman Gus Mumford throws to first for an out against Freeport Aquin during a March 30 game in Polo. The Marcos lost 3-2 in extra innings.
Aquin 3, Polo 2: The Bulldogs trailed the Marcos 2-0 after two innings, but tied it up with a two-run fourth, then scored the go-ahead run in the seventh to complete the comeback.
Gage Zeigler, Logan Nelson and Billy Lowry had one hit apiece for Polo. Lowry and Zeigler scored the runs. Lowry’s hit was a double.
Nolan Hahn pitched 4 1/3 innings for the Marcos, allowing four hits and two runs (one earned), striking out four and walking one. Carter Merdian pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing three hits and one run and striking out four with no walks.
Cooper Hathaway went 3 for 4 with one RBI, and pitched two scoreless, hitless innings with one walk and four strikeouts for Aquin. Keaton Schleich lasted five innings on the mound for the Bulldogs, allowing three hits and two runs, striking out five and walking one.
Forreston 22, Durand-Pecatonica 0, 5 inn.: The Cardinals built a 5-0 lead through four innings, then tacked on 17 more runs in the fifth for a five-inning win over the Rivermen.
Owen Greenfield went 4 for 5 with four RBIs and four runs scored. Carson Akins went 3 for 5 with four RBIs and three runs scored. Ayden Book went 1 for 3 with three RBIs. Kendall Erdmann and Brendan Greenfield also scored three runs each.
Alex Ryia threw a two-hitter with six strikeouts and two walks for Forreston.
Forreston 25, Orangeville 0, 4 inn.: The Cardinals scored 16 first-inning runs and capitalized on seven errors in a four-inning victory over the Broncos.
Brendan Greenfield drove in four runs, Ayden Book and Brady Gill drove in three runs apiece, and Kendall
14 Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, April 7, 2023 OGLE COUNTY NEWS
Here’s the data: School 1966 2023 %change Byron 200 449 +55 Dixon 1150 760 -33 G-K 369 510 +38 Oregon/MM 830 417 -50 North Boone 291 479 +64 Rock Falls 1010 576 -43 Stillman 280 504 +80 Winnebago 325 403 +24
1966.
SPORTS COLUMN
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Hinton/Shaw
Continued from Page 14
Erdmann, Carson Akins and Patrick Wichman drove in two runs apiece for Forreston. Erdmann went 3 for 3, scored three runs and drew two walks. Gill and Alex Ryia also scored three runs each.
Ryia, Alex Milnes, Owen Greenfield and Erdmann pitched one inning each to combine for the shutout. Ryia struck out three of the four batters he faced and allowed the only hit.
Boys track and field
Oregon fourth in Genoa: The Hawks won two events, took second in five others and added 10 third- or fourth-place finishes in a five-team meet hosted by Genoa-Kingston.
North Boone won the title with 97 points, just ahead of the host Cogs (92.5). Marengo scored 77 points, Oregon had 73.5 and Harvard finished with 27.
Evan James was the lone individual winner for the Hawks, taking the discus with a toss of 39.26 meters. He also ran on the runner-up 4x400 relay (3:52.28) with Huston Arterbrun, Trevor Burkardt and Emmett Peterson, and teamed with Burkardt, Peterson and Griffin Marlatt to take second in the 4x200 relay (1:39.60). That same quartet also took third in the 4x100 (46.91 seconds).
Oregon won the 4x800 in 10:22.43 with the team of Noah Johnson, Chris Bolisenga, Caleb Brooks and Daniel Gonzalez. Bolisenga added a runner-up finish in the 1,600 (5:27.75), Burkardt was second in the pole vault (2.44 meters) and Ryan Noisten took second in the 3,200 (12:10.77) and third in the 1,600 (5:43.17). Brooks was third in the 800 (2:25.93) and Xavier Koczka placed third in the 110 hurdles (18.44 seconds).
Bolisenga (800, 2:29.90) and Marlatt (high jump, 1.58 meters) added fourth-place finishes, as did Chase Buchanan (3,200, 14:23.50), Briggs Sellers (shot put, 11.36 meters), Evan Carreno (discus, 30.19 meters) and Dalton McCammon (pole vault, 2.28 meters).
15 OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, April 7, 2023 SM-ST2063189
• SPORTS ROUNDUP
Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media
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Oregon first baseman Dominic Terlikowski waits for the ball as Byron’s Bryden Knoll dives safely back to the base during a doubleheader at Byron on Monday night.
PROPERTY TRANSFERS
March 24-30
Warranty Deeds
Roger A. Bauer to Kali Lamb, Joshua Lam and Larry and Linda McAnarney, 405 S. Sunbeam Court, Stillman Valley, $155,750.
Toni Buys Homes LLC to Michael C. Hanson, Merikita Stallings and Darcey A. Hanson, 509 S. First Ave., Forreston, $90,000.
National Residential Nominee Services Inc. to Donald and Jamie Lee Ruth, 1170 Glacier Drive, Byron, $285,000.
Matthew and Megan Thimjon to National Residential Nominee Services Inc., 1170
OGLE COUNTY SHERIFF ACTIVITY
March 29
Jonathan M. Keegan, 27, of Schaumburg, was arrested for violation of order of protection after deputies responded to the 8000 block of N. River Road at 4:35 p.m. for a domestic disturbance. Keegan was transported to the Ogle County Jail and held pending a court appearance. The Byron Police Department assisted at the scene.
Haiyang Zhang, 29, of Chicago, was arrested for driving without a valid license after a traffic stop at Illinois Route 38 and Interstate 39 at 7:07 p.m. Zhang also was cited for suspended registration. Zhang was released on a $2,500 I-Bond and given a future court date.
Roshen Howard, 44, of Rockford, was arrested for driving without a valid license after a traffic stop at Illinois Routes 251 and 72 at 10:36 p.m. Howard also was cited for illegal window tint. Howard was released on a $2,500 I-Bond and given a future court date.
March 30
Deputies responded to a one-vehicle rollover crash in the 4800 block of south Illinois Route 26 at around 6:40 a.m. An investigation showed Kaitlyn Marschang, 21, of Polo, was driving a Cadillac north on Route 26 when she fell asleep behind the wheel. Marschang was transported to KSB Hospital for injuries and was released by medical personnel after being checked. No one else was involved in the crash, and no citations were issued.
Glacier Drive, Byron, $285,000.
Patricia A. Robles to Trevor J. and Elizabeth N Stoos, 6 Terrace Drive, Oregon, $156,000.
Douglas M. Gramer and Dana L. Palmgren to Christopher G. Madden, 8450 E. Winnebago Lane, Byron, $238,000.
FHR Farms Inc. to Shelley Sartwell, 18915 E. Quarry Road, Davis Junction, $225,000.
Carl W. and Brooke C. Grundstrom to Tracy and Kathryn Roberts, 5144 E. Brooke Court, Byron, $420,000.
James F. and Joyce M. Callaway to Brandon Bradley and Candace Reynolds, 606 S. 10th St., Oregon, $143,500.
Debra S. Zuniga to Andrea Feary, 805
Shireen E. Price, 50, of Springfield, was arrested for driving while license suspended and on warrants from LaSalle, Boone and DeKalb counties after a traffic stop in the 3000 block of south Illinois Route 26 at 7:21 p.m. Price also was cited for speeding 75 mph in a 55 mph speed zone, expired registration and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Price was transported to the Ogle County Jail and held in lieu of bond. The Polo Police Department assisted at the scene.
Brittany Henry, 37, of Chicago, was arrested for no valid driver’s license after a traffic stop at Illinois Route 64 and Mulford Road at around 8:11 p.m. Henry was released on an I-Bond and given a future court date.
March 31
Cole Rajnowski, 37, of Sterling, was arrested for driving while license revoked and obstructed front side window after a traffic stop at Illinois Route 26 and Arlington Street in Polo at around 1:37 p.m. He was transported to the Ogle County Jail and held in lieu of bond. Rajnowski’s vehicle was towed from the scene.
April 1
Michael Pontnack, 55, of Chana, was arrested for driving while license suspended after a traffic stop on North Stillman Road at Wildwood Road at around 1:07 a.m. Pontnack also was cited for speeding and suspended registration. Pontnack was released on an I-Bond and given a future court date.
Yovany Antionio Mendoza-Grande was arrested for no valid license after a traffic
Webster St., Oregon, $132,000.
Trustees Deeds
Lillian O. McNames Declaration Trust, Douglas W. McNames, trustee, to Nicholas
Paul Luebke, 410 E. Fifth St., Byron, $139,000.
Leslie L. and Cheryl L. Heeren Living Trust, Leslie L. and Cheryl L. Heeren, trustees, to David Seitz, 610 S. First Ave., Forreston, $88,500.
Den Trust 1013, David E. Nelson, trustee, to Edward C. Vock, three parcels in Pine Creek Township, $1,885,310.
Nicholas McDowell Payback Trust, Midland States Bank, trustee, to LKBL Properties LLC, 808 S. Fourth St., Oregon, $80,000.
Source: Ogle County Recorder’s Office
Jail and held in lieu of bond.
Anna N. Bender, 29, of Mt. Morris, was arrested for driving while license suspended after a traffic stop on Illinois Route 2 at Camling Road at around 3:11 a.m. Bender also was cited for disregarding an official traffic control device. Bender was taken into custody without incident and released from the scene on a $2,500 I-Bond.
stop on a Mitsubishi Lancer on Interstate 39 mile marker 100 at around noon. Mendoza-Grande also was cited for illegal window tint. Mendoza-Grande was released from the scene on an I-Bond and given a future court date.
April 2
Laurie Watson, 46, of Rochelle, was arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol, resisting a peace officer and an active DeKalb County warrant. At around 2:45 a.m., deputies were dispatched to the 6000 block of East Grist Mill Road for a possible crash. After receiving more information, the vehicle was located in the 11000 block of East Hemstock Road. An investigation showed that a BMW SUV driven by Watson was traveling west on East Hemstock Road.
She lost control of the vehicle and entered the north ditch. Watson was uninjured. She also was cited for failure to reduce speed, improper lane usage, failure to report an accident as the driver, expired registration and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Watson was transported to the Ogle County
Gregory Tate, 51, of Rochelle, was arrested for an active warrant for unlawful possession of a stolen firearm after a traffic stop in the 10000 block of East Grist Mill Road at 3:33 a.m. Tate was transported to the Ogle County Jail and held on a $100,000/10% bond. Tate was scheduled to appear in court on April 3 at 1 p.m.
Donald Edwards, 47, of Elgin, was arrested for no valid driver’s license after a traffic stop for an expired registration in the 16000 block of east Illinois Route 72 at around 8:35 p.m. Edwards was released on an I-Bond and given a future court date.
Kiara Rosario, 23, of Channahan, was arrested for unlawful possession of cannabis after a traffic stop on Interstate 39 southbound mile marker 111 at around 11:42 p.m. Rosario also was cited for illegal window tint and an inoperable registration light. Rosario was released on an I-Bond and given a future court date.
Please note: Any arrests listed are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proved guilty in a court of law.
16 Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, April 7, 2023 OGLE COUNTY NEWS
Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle reports the following police activity.
Oregon Police Chief Joe Brooks reports the following police activity.
March 27
Jessica L. Nehring, 38, Byron, of Byron was issued a citation at 1:38 p.m. for speeding, 43 mph in a 30 mph zone. This violation occurred in the 600 block of N. 4th Street.
March 28
Shirley I. Schuller, 43, of Oregon, was issued a citation at 7:21 a.m. for operating a vehicle with an expired registration. This violation occurred in the 100 block of S. 4th Street.
Hayley A. Gordon, 22, of Dixon, was arrested at 8:18 a.m. on two Lee County warrants for failure to appear. Gordon was also issued a citation for no valid driver’s license. Gordon was transported to the Ogle County Jail. These violations occurred in the 600 block of N. 4th Street.
Chalee G. Mueller, 22, of Mt. Morris, was issued a citation at 4:18 p.m. for failure to wear a seat belt as a driver. This violation occurred in the 500 block of Jefferson Street.
A 16-year-old male, of Oregon, was issued a citation at for violating the graduated driver’s license program for drivers less than 18 having too many passengers. This violation occurred near the 5th and Jackson Street intersection.
March 29
Owen M. King, 18, of Oak Creek, Wisconsin, was issued a citation at 9:58 a.m. for speeding, 49 mph in a 30 mph zone. This violation occurred in the 600 block of N. 4th Street.
Ralph A. Milliman, 69, of Oregon, was issued a city citation at 11:46 a.m. for violating the dogs running at large ordinance. This violation occurred in the 600 block of Monroe Street.
A 16-year-old male of Oregon, was issued citations at 10:21 p.m. for violating the graduated driver’s license program for drivers less than 18 having too many passengers; disobeying a traffic control device; and no driver’s license. These violations occurred at the intersection of Mix and Monroe Streets.
March 31
Jason R. Grenoble, 40, of Polo, was arrested at 11:22 a.m. for driving while license revoked. This violation occurred in the 100 block of N. 4th Street.
At 2:23 p.m., police responded to a two-vehicle traffic crash in the Dollar General parking lot, 1050 Pines Road, involving a 2016 Chevrolet driven by Ronald J. Weber, 76, of Dixon, and a 2006 Dodge driven by a 16-year-old male of Oregon. No citations were issued.
April 1
Alissa M. Lewis, 31, of Dixon, was issued a citation at 8:46 p.m. for speeding, 46 mph in a 30 mph zone. This violation occurred in the 600 block of N. 4th Street.
Mona R. Coyle, 62, of Dixon, was issued a citation at 10:42 p.m. for operating a vehicle with an expired registration. This violation occurred in the 100 block of S. 4th Street.
April 2
Katie J. Smith, 42, of Monroe Center, was issued a citation at 9:11 p.m. for operating an uninsured motor vehicle. This violation occurred in the 300 block of E. Washington Street. Six parking citations and 13 verbal warnings were issued March 27 through April 2.
Please note: Any arrests listed are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proved guilty in a court of law.
17 OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, April 7, 2023 ATTENTION BUSINESSES Reserve your booth now! To Reserve Your Booth Contact Sauk Valley Media at 815-632-2566 or marketing@saukvalley.com DEADLINE IS APRIL 7 TH Home Show Saturday, April 22 10am - 5pm Northland Mall • Sterling, IL 2023 Show & Home Garden
OREGON POLICE SPORTS
Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media Oregon right fielder Madison Shaffer gets ready to throw the ball to the infield after fielding a hit during a Monday night game with Byron at Oregon Park West.
CLASSIFIED
EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Dixon Rural Fire Protection District
The Dixon Rural Fire Protection District is seeking a full time Administrative Assistant to perform a variety of routine administrative duties. Nature of the work performed requires a professional manner in all dealings with the public, Fire District staff and Board members. Work requires the exercise of considerable judgement, initiative and discretion. The position provides support services to the Fire Chief and Board of Trustees This is a non-sworn at will position hired by the Fire Chief.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to - Payroll, payables, receivables, answering phones, maintain records and perform related work as required by or assigned by the Fire Chief. The successful candidate must be proficient in QuickBooks and Microsoft Office.
Submit a cover letter and resume to the Dixon Rural Fire Protection District, 1020 Palmyra St., Dixon, IL 61021, no later than 4:00 p.m. on April 17, 2023
You may pick up a more detailed list of duties at the fire station - 1020 Palmyra St Dixon, IL
The Dixon Rural Fire Protection District is an Equal Opportunity Employer
SENIOR ACCOUNTAN T
Ready for a career with a fast-growing, employee-engaged company that is both customer and employee focused?
Mallard Manufacturing in Sterlin g is looking for a full time Senior Accountant to manage all financial/accounting aspects of the company
Overall responsibi lity for:
monthly financial reporting
banking and bank reconciliations
accounts receivables and payables
payroll
identifying revenue and expense trends sales and use taxes
Expe rience should includ e:
Minimum
3-5 years in accounting in manufacturing environment preferred
GAAP: 1 year (Preferred)
We're 160 employees strong and growing
Come join our team!
EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT
Xena International Inc in Polo is urgently hiring!
TANKER DRIVE RS
with hazmat endorsement. Sign on bonus and excellent drivers package.
AUCTIONS AUCTIONS AUCTIONS
LARGE AUCTION
SAT. APRIL 22 9:30 A.M.!
RICK & BETH MANUS
4573 S. BUNKER HILL RD., GERMAN VALLEY, IL 815-997-7526 OR 815-238-5577
LOCATION: NORTH OF GERMAN VALLEY, IL ON BUNKER HILL RD., 1 ½ MILES TO FARM.
ANTIQUES – COLLECTIBLES-HOUSEHOLD: Mobile Gasoline Pump, restored; Automobile Adver.
Signs: Shell, NAPA, etc; R.R. Steam Engine Headlight; Polarine Adver. Tin; C. I. Pot Belly Stove; Porcelain Wood Stove w/ Isen Glass; C.I. green & cream Wood Cook stove; Milk Cans & Cart; Dr. Pepper-7Up Pop Machine 50 cents; Stoneware & Jugs; 2 Treadle Sew Machines; East Lake Desk Top; Oak Dresser & Mirror; Old Lanterns; Enamel Salt Keeper; Chalk ware; Civil War Pictures; Hoosier Jars; Carpenter Tool Chest w/ old Tools; Old Iron Wrenches; Butter Churn; Old Kitchen Table w/ Chair; Wicker Love Seat & 3 Chairs; Manus Brothers Desk; Child’s Kitchen Cabinet; Grandfather Clock; Kerosene Lamp & Hanger; Stereoscope w/ cards; Printers Box; Brass Bird Cage; Lg. Assort. Of Architectural Salvage-wood trim; Chicken Nests; Brooder Stove; Waters & Feeders for Poultry; Chicken Crate; Frame for old Canadian Horse Buggy w/ wood wheels, Brass name plate: JB Gagnon Voiturier Ste Marguerite; 20+ old model Car Kits w/ boxes; Banks; Semi Trucks; Lots NAPA adver. items. LAWN & GARDEN – AUTO SHOP ITEMS: JD 755
Compact Utility Tractor w/ 70” Loader, 60” Mower Deck, 4x4, low hrs, like new; Sm. 3 pt. Blade, fits JD 755; JD X738 4x4 Lawn Tractor w/ 60” deck; JD GT 235 w 54” deck, excellent cond; Ceramic Outdoor Lumber & Posts; Pull behind Yard Sprayer; Sm. Elec. Furnace; LP Furnace; 10’ Light Siding Brake; 4 Steel Storage Cabinets, all sizes; C.I. Air Compressor, Manus Brothers German Valley; Lots Misc. Barn Boards; 6’ Shelving Units; Sun Distributor Machine; Sun Engine ANALYZER; Snap-on ANALYZER; 2002 Pontiac 3.11 Engine; Lots Lawn & Garden Tools; E-Bike; Vacc System for Shop.
MODERN HOUSEHOLD: Pots & Pans; Record Albums 60,70,80; Recliner; New Mission Queen Size Bed Frame; Side-by-Side Refrigerator; Upright Freezer; Coffee & End Tables; Arts & Crafts; Tammy & Pepper Dolls; Picture Frames; Plus more.
Note: Large sale-at least 5 hayracks full of merchandise, many items not yet listed. Items are very clean and well maintained. Lunch Stand: Lunch Box
Terms: Cash or check with picture ID required to register. Check website for many pictures. www.Proauctionsllc.com
RICK GARNHART, AUCTIONEER
German Valley, IL 61039 815-238-3044
IL Lic: 440000901
i of
d Barbara Wu of Shannon, Letters o were
Lloyd W 8545 N Br Rd., Shannon 61078, dent E whose atto Heather son, McP Law Office S. Hance Freeport, IL E-filing mandatory uments cases with exemptions file, you m create an with an e-filing vice provid https://efile courts.gov/se providers.htm learn more select a provider need a help or hav ble e-filing http://www.illino courts.gov/F gethelp.as Claims aga Estate may in the Offic Clerk of th at Ogle Courthouse 5th St., O 61061, or representa both, on fore Septe 2023, and claim not or before is barred. of a claim the Clerk mailed or to the rep tive and attorney within days afte been filed. Lloyd Wub
March 24, April 7,
18 Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, April 7, 2023 OGLE COUNTY NEWS
Apply in
on to Xena
or
pers
International Inc 910 S. Division Ave., Polo, IL 61064 815-946-2626
email resume: xenaemp@gmail.com
education - Bachelor's degree in Accounting
EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT
Our Benefits include: 401(k); Dental insurance; Health insurance; Life insurance; Paid time off Em ail resume to: hiring@mallardmfg.com
new, great job?
Jobs.ShawLocal.com Sometimes it really is as simple as black & white. We have advertising solutions to fit your needs! Local Buyer Pays Cash 4 Gold, Silver, Coins, Estate Gold, Single Earrings, and anti ques 24/7 779-245-2950 BUS INES S PRO PE RTY APARTMENT S ROCK FALLS WANT TO B UY TRUCKS Buil ding for lease: apx., 4200 sq. ft., laydown area apx 2 acre s, (2) 12'x 14' OHD shop area & office 815-535-3282 EFFICIENCY -Furni shedUtili ti es incl. $175/wk 815-626-8790 looking for 2 bedroom apartment or house in the Forreston area. call 994-0540, leave msg. 2005 Chev Silverado 1500 4wd 4.8L 4 dr ext cab Z71 125k mi above avg cond asking $8000 call (815) 908-6859 LEG AL NOTIC STATE ILLINOIS CIRCUIT OF THE FIFTEE JUDICI CIRC OG LE COU IN PROBAT In the Matte of the Estate BARBARA WUBBENA, Deceased No. 2023 CLAIM NO Notice
2023 Don't need it? Sell it! Place a classified ad with us! 833-584-NEWS
Searching for a
Look no further than our classifieds section. It will help you find a job in no time.
the
issu March 13,
Repres
STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OG LE COUNT YIN PROBATE
In the Matter of the Estate of BARBARA WUBBENA, Deceased No. 2023 PR 12
CLAIM NOTICE
Notice is given of the death of Barbara Wubbena of Shannon, Illinois. Letters of Office were issued on March 13, 2023 to Lloyd Wubbena, 8545 N Brookville Rd., Shannon, IL 61078, Independent Executor, whose attorney is Heather McPherson, McPherson Law Offices, 1720 S. Hance Drive, Freeport, IL 61032.
E-filing is now mandatory for documents in civil cases with limited exemptions To efile, you must first create an account with an e-filing service provider Visit https://efile.illinois courts.gov/serviceproviders.htm to learn more and to select a service provider If you need additional help or have trouble e-filing, visit http://www.illinois courts.gov/FAQ/ gethelp.asp.
Claims against the Estate may be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the Court at Ogle County Courthouse, 105 S 5th St., Oregon, IL 61061, or with the representative, or both, on or before September 25, 2023, and any claim not filed on or before that date is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney within 10 days after it has been filed.
Lloyd Wubbena, Legal Representative
an e-filing service provider Visit
https://efile.illinois courts.gov/serviceproviders.htm to learn more and to select a service provider If you need additional help or have trouble e-filing, visit http://www.illinois courts.gov/FAQ/ gethelp.asp
Claims against the Estate may be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the Court at Ogle County Courthouse, 105 S 5th St., Oregon, IL 61061, or with the representative, or both, on or before September 25, 2023, and any claim not filed on or before that date is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney within 10 days after it has been filed.
Lloyd Wubbena, Legal Representative
March 24, 31, April 7, 2023
a certificate was filed in the Ogle County Clerk's Office setting forth the names and post office address of all of the persons owning, conducting and transacting the business known as:
Northern Branches 716 West Fulton Polo, IL 61064
Dated:
March 23, 2023
/s/Laura J. Cook Ogle County Clerk
Mar. 31, Apr. 7, 14, 2023
NOTICE TO CE RTIFIED DISADVANTAGED BUSINE SSES
Nicam Construction, 3143 Bus 20 W, Freeport, Illinois 61032. P 815/6168126 F 815/3057407
nority, and women's businesses should contact, IN WRITING, (certified letter, return receipt requested), attention Bill Fischer, to discuss the subcontracting opportunities. All negotiations must be completed prior to the bid opening date of April 25, 2023 at 11:00 AM. Bids will be evaluated by the following criteria: Lowest cost, experience in previous projects completed similar to this one, financial condition and ability to meet schedule.
April 7, 2023
to hear a request filed by the Polo City Council to consider adding zoning regulations for electric charging vehicle stations and accessory dwelling units.
Sydney Bartelt City Clerk
March 31, April 7, 2023
POLO ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
HEARING
fence off of the front of the house into the front yard at Lot 13 and 14 Blk 5
March 24, 31, April 7, 2023
known as: Northern Branches 716 West Fulton Polo, IL 61064
Dated: March 23, 2023
/s/Laura J. Cook Ogle County Clerk
Mar. 31, Apr. 7, 14, 2023
The above referenced company is seeking qualified, small, minority, and women's businesses for the Village of Polo Water System Improvements, Polo, IL 61064 for subcontracting opportunities. We are seeking bids in the areas of excavation, landscaping, carpentry, painting, masonry, roofing, mechanical and electrical work. All interested and qualified small minority, and women's businesses should contact, IN WRITING, (certified letter, return receipt requested), attention Bill Fischer, to discuss the subcontracting opportunities. All negotiations must be completed prior to the bid opening date of April 25, 2023 at 11:00 AM. Bids will be evaluated by the following criteria: Lowest cost, experience in previous projects completed similar to this one, financial condition and ability to meet schedule.
April 7, 2023
POLO ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
HEARING
Public notice is hereby given to all persons in the City of Polo that a Public Hearing will be held in front of the Zoning Board of Appeals at 6:30p.m. on Monday, April 10, 2023 in the Polo City Council room, 115 South Franklin Avenue, Polo, Illinois to hear a request filed by the Polo City Council to consider adding zoning regulations for electric charging vehicle stations and accessory dwelling units.
Sydney Bartelt City Clerk
March 31, April 7, 2023
Public notice is hereby given to all persons in the City of Polo that a Public Hearing will be held in front of the Zoning Board of Appeals at 6:30p.m. on Monday, April 10, 2023 in the Polo City Council room, 115 South Franklin Avenue, Polo, Illinois to hear a reques t filed by Matt & Cassandra MeKeel for a garage height variance request of 501 Oriole Lane. This garage height variance request would be for Parcel ID 14-16-381-005 & 14-16-376-014, otherwise known as 501 Oriole Lane, Polo, IL, Ogle County Illinois.
Sydney Bartelt City Clerk
March 31, April 7, 2023
Don't need it? Sell it! Place a classified ad with us!
833-584-NEWS
NOTICE OF PUBLICATION NOTICE OF PUBLI C HEARING PLANNING COMMISSION VILLAGE OF FORRESTON, OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS
To Whom It May Concern:
Notice is hereby given that the undersigned Planning Commission, designated by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Forreston, Illinois, will conduct a public hearing at the hour of 6:30 P.M on Monday, April 24, 202, at the Forreston Village Hall 301 N. Walnut Avenue, Forreston, Illinois to consider the following:
A The request of Jeremy Whitehead for a variance on the Comprehensive Amendment of the Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 9-4-6 to install a three-foot split rail decorative fence off of the front of the house into the front yard at Lot 13 and 14 Blk 5 Neal's Add Village of Forreston. The property for which the variance is requested is situated at 205 S Walnut Avenue, Forreston, Illinois 61030 and has a Property Identification Number of 02-33-205005.
Dated this 30th day of March 2023.
Planning Commission
Village of Forreston, Illinois
April 7, 2023
Neal's Add Village of Forreston. The property for which the variance is requested is situated at 205 S Walnut Avenue, Forreston, Illinois 61030 and has a Property Identification Number of 02-33-205005.
Dated this 30th day of March 2023.
Planning Commission
Village of Forreston, Illinois
April 7, 2023
NOTICE TO
BID
The Oregon Community Unit School District #220 will accept sealed bids for Milk Products for the 2023-2024 school year. Bid packets will be available beginning April 17, 2023, and may be picked up at Oregon C.U.S.D #220, 206 S 10th Street, retrieved from the district website at www.ocusd.net on the District Information page under Resources, or by calling the School District Office at (815) 732-5300. Bids will be accepted until 10:00 a.m. on June 6, 2023.
April 7, 2023
PUBLIC NOTICE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS STATE OF ILLINOIS SS
COUNTY OF OGLE
Public Notice is hereby given to all persons in Ogle County that a Public Hearing will be held April 27, 2023 at 6:00 P.M in the County Board Room #317, 3rd floor of the Ogle County Courthouse, 105 S 5th St., Oregon, Illinois, to consider the request filed March 14, 2023 of Mark Miller, Ogle County Planning & Zoning Administrator, under the direction of the Planning & Zoning Committee of the Ogle County Board for an Amendment to the text of the Ogle County Amendatory Zoning Ordinance, as follows:
1. Table of Contents
2. Division 2, Section 16-2-2: Rules and Definitions
3. Division 6, Section 16-6-28: Regulation of Commercial Wind Energy Facilities and Commercial Solar Energy Facilities
All persons in attendance at the hearing shall have an opportunity to be heard. Any person who also wishes to appear as an interested party with the right to cross-examine others at the hearing must complete and file an appearance form with the Ogle County Planning & Zoning Department no later than five (5) business days before the date of the hearing The application for this text amendment is on file with detailed description and available for examination at the Planning & Zoning Department, 911 Pines Rd., Oregon, Illinois or at the following URL:http://www.og lecounty.org/depar tments/planning_a nd_zoning/zoning_ board_of_appeals. php.
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
RANDY OCKEN, Chairman
Dated at Oregon, Illinois this 14th day of March, 2023 #001-23 TEXT
tion
Definitions
All persons in attendance at the hearing shall have an opportunity to be heard. Any person who also wishes to appear as an interested party with the right to cross-examine others at the hearing must complete and file an appearance form with the Ogle County Planning & Zoning Department no later than five (5) business days before the date of the hearing The application for this text amendment is on file with detailed description and available for examination at the Planning & Zoning Department, 911 Pines Rd., Oregon, Illinois or at the following URL:http://www.og lecounty.org/depar tments/planning_a nd_zoning/zoning_ board_of_appeals. php.
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
RANDY OCKEN, Chairman
Dated at Oregon, Illinois this 14th day of March, 2023 #001-23 TEXT
April 7, 2023
19 OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, April 7, 2023 Get the most out of your lawn this spring. SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY! 1-844-315-7055 Your First Application 50% OFF* Save now with *Requires purchase of annual plan. Special price is for first Lawn application only. Requires purchase of annual plan, for new residential EasyPay or PrePay customers only. Valid at participating TruGreen locations. Availability of services may vary by geography. Not to be combined with or used in conjunction with any other offer or discount. Additional restrictions may apply. Consumer responsible for all sales tax. †Purchase of annual lawn plan required forTruGreen Lawn Assessment, which is performed at the first visit. ◆Guarantee applies to annual plan customers only. BBB accredited since 07/01/2012. ©2023 TruGreen Limited Partnership. All rights reserved. In Connecticut, B-0153, B-1380, B-0127, B-0200, B-0151. LEG AL NOTICES LEG AL NOTICES LEG AL NOTICES LEG AL NOTICES LEG AL NOTICES LEG AL NOTICES LEG AL NOTICES LEG AL NOTICES LEG AL NOTICES ASSUMED NAME PUBLICATION NOTICE Public Notice is hereby given that on March 23, 2023, a certificate was filed in the Ogle County Clerk's Office setting forth the names and post office address of all of the persons owning, conducting and transacting the business
hereby
that on March 23, 2023,
given
create an account
with
electrical work. All interested and
small mi-
qualified
April 7, 2023 16-2-2: Rules and
3. Division 6, Section 16-6-28: Regulation of Commercial Wind Energy Facilities and Commercial Solar Energy Facilities
Residential Latex Paint, Aerosol Product, and Paper Shredding Recycling Event
Saturday, April 15th, 2023
8 AM to 12 PM
**Ogle County Residents ONLY, No Permit Required**
Location: County Annex Building, 909 Pines Rd., Oregon, IL
Liquid Latex Paint:
Bring in original containers, no mixing of colors to make a full container. Liquid latex paint only. No dried out or hardened paint. Prices listed below. Cash, card, or check payable to “Earthpaint” accepted.
For more than 10 containers, you pay full cost.
Oil-Based Paint and Stains:
Oil-based paints, stains, and varnishes and spray cans accepted. Bring in original containers, no mixing of colors to make a full container. Prices listed below. Cash, card, or check payable to “Earthpaint” accepted.
Aerosol Cans/Spray Paint/Single Use Propane Tanks:
Accepted items include aerosol spray cans of paint, auto care/lubricants, food products, insecticides, household cleaners, and personal care products. Some aerosol products may not be accepted. 14-16 ounce propane tanks and isobutene tanks also accepted. First 10 items are fully subsidized by the Solid Waste Mgmt. Dept. Additional items, you pay full cost to recycle ($1/spray can & $3/propane tank). See website or Facebook for full list of acceptable aerosol products. Flatcan will also accept alkaline batteries and child car seats for a fee.
Paper Shredding: 9 AM – 12 PM
No charge for Ogle County residents, no business or institutional materials, limit 3 “bankers’ boxes” per vehicle; documents will be shredded on site. Sponsored by: Ogle County Solid Waste Management Department www.oglecountyil.gov • 815-732-4020 Facebook: Ogle County Solid Waste Management Dept. Email: solidwaste@oglecountyil.gov
20 Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, April 7, 2023 OGLE COUNTY NEWS SM-ST2066759
Container SizeTotal Recycling CostCounty Portion (Subsidized) Your Cost - First 10 Containers Quart $3.00 $2.00 $1.00 Gallon $6.00 $4.00 $2.00 5 Gal. Pail $20.00 $10.00 $10.00 Container Size Total Recycling Cost/Your Cost Quart $6.00 Gallon $10.00 5 Gal. Pail $25.00