Polo_Tri-County_Press-12-09-2022

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‘Warm hands, Warm toes’ effort now underway

ByJUDYSCHMIDT PoloWoman’sGardenClub

ThePoloWoman’sGardenClub usuallyplanseventsofgrowingor displayingplantsandflowersin thespringorsummer.Bothaplant saleandaflowershowwereheldin 2022.

Now,inkeepingwithathemeof helpinglittlesprouts,ofonetypeor another,theyareundertaking a first-timewinterprojectinconjunctionwiththePoloPharmacyto collectwinterwearforchildren needing mittens, scarves, hats and/orsocks,etc.

Thepharmacyishostingthe club’sChristmastreeintheirfront windowforthe“Warmhands, Warmtoes”occurrencenowunderway.

Alreadyaselectionofwarm winterthingsaredrapingthetree branchesbroughtinbyarearesidentsandfriends.Thegoalistocollecttheseitemsanddonatethemto CentennialElementary Schoolin Polotouseasneeded.

Often,kidsstartoutwithwinter gearthatgets lostorruinedalong

PINE CREEK NEWS

ByKARENMERLAK

the way to school or during recess and replacements are needed at the time. Hopefully,the club’s project will collect enough items to help thosesituations.

Donations can be made directly to the pharmacystaffduringbusi ness hours orgiven to club mem bers to deliver.No item canbe removed from the tree duringthe collection period, which will run untilDec.28.

The public is invited to participate forthe cause.Next yearthis garden club will recognize their 95th anniversary Celebration plansalreadyarebeingdiscussed.

Plant sales, flower shows and garden walks have all been orga nized in past years. Any funds derivedfromthoseeventswere alwaysfilteredbackintothe commu ni ty,be ne fitingourcity parks,schools,librariesandin othervariousways.

Pleasebringyourcontributions tothepharmacyortoclubmembersbyWednesday, Dec.28,and helpthelittle“sprouts”keepwarm anddrythiswinterandflowerin thespring.

Pine Creek Christian Church offers caroling on Dec. 18– inside this year

PineCreekChristianChurchhasheld“ParkingLotCaroling”for thepasttwoyearsbecauseoftheCOVID-19pandemic,butthe troupeismovinginside.

JoelRossoftheRockfordSymphonywillbeginwithamini-concertfollowedbyaChristmasSingalong.

“Itwillbewonderfultoputallourvoicestogetherthisyear,”said SherylHopkins,churchmember.

TheeventwillbeheldatPineCreekChristianChurch,8110W. PennCornerRoad,Polo,onSunday,Dec.18,at3p.m.

“Comejoinusformusicandsingingfollowedbyfellowshipand refreshments.Weinviteeveryonetojoinusfortheconcertand caroling,”Hopkinssaid.

‘Christmas Star’ program for kids

ThePine CreekChristianChurch’s“ChristmasStar”program continuestohelpfamiliesinthePoloSchoolDistrictbeableto confidentiallyprovidefortheirchildren(agesinfantthroughhigh school)withgiftsduringtheholidayseason.

Recordsindicatethishasbeenatraditionsinceatleast2007–eachyearaveragingmorethan100participants.

“Starsareavailableatparticipatingchurches.Thetreewillbe filledwith‘Star’tagsofchildren.Age,sizeandwishlistofeach childwillbeonthebackofthetag.Werecommenda$50limitper childforclothing,toys,booksornon-electronicgames.Please haveyourgiftswrappedwithchildren’stagstiedtothemand returnedtothebankbyWednesday,Dec.14,”saidSherylHopkins, oneoftheorganizers.“Weappreciateyourhelpandsupportwith thisproject.Mayitputmanysmilesonchildren’sfaceChristmas morning!”

tofollow.Wearelookingforwardtoafun afternoon.

Decembermayhavejustbegun,butitis movingwaytoofast.DuringtheAdvent season,wepatientlywaitforJesus.The busynessoftheChristmasholidaymeans wewon’thavetowaitforlong.Forthegift ofloveandJesus,weofferourgratitude.

Thismorninginchurch,Ihadthehonor ofgreetingourchurchfamily.Pastor SuzanneHallStoutsharedhermessagefor themorning.JudyRiffleandherson,Andy Riffle,sharedareadingforthesecond Adventcandleforpeace.

AlsoforAdvent,Iledthechildren’s messagewithmoreChrismonornaments fromourtreeinthesanctuary.Usingthe doveand acrown,Isharedamessageof peacewithHarper,Amelia,andFiona.Itis sonicetohavechildreninourchurch again.

EachweekthismonthwewillbecelebratingtheAdventseasonwithmusic,candlelightingsandaspecialmessage from PastorSuzanne.Weareexcitedtobring backmanyofouractivitiesthisseason.

WehaveaneventcominguponDec.18 at3p.m.Wehope youwill join usfor a mini-concert byJoelRossoftheRockford Symphony.Aftertheconcert,wewillhave aChristmasSingalongwithrefreshments

OnSaturday,myfriend,AmySikyta, andIheadedoutforalittle Christmas shoppingatsomeofourlocalstores.Inthe afternoon,shewenthometobakecookies, whichshesharedwithmethisafternoon.I amsoluckytohavesuchwonderful friends.

Itseemsthat mylittleclassofthird gradersareabouttoexplodewithexcitementfortheholidays.Theyareeagerly countingdownthedaysuntiltheirholiday break.Iamusuallythebearerofbadnews sinceIamremindingthemwestillhave lotsofworktodobeforethebreak.

Christmascanbeatrickytime.While manyfamiliesarecelebratingtheholidays andspendingtimetogether,thereareothers thataremissing familymembersand thejoysofbeingtogether.

Whileraisingmychildren,ourfamily sharedmanyChristmascelebrationswith lotsoffamily,foodandgifts.After losing mymom,theholidayfeltsodifferent.Over theyears,Ihavelearnedtoadjust.With mychildrenlivingsofaraway,I have foundnewwaystocelebrate.

Formanyyears,Ihavebeenknownfor my overwhelmingChristmas decorations Therewereafewyearswheretherewere

themedChristmastreesineverysingle room.Istillhaveallthedecorations and I stilllovelookingatthehouse alldecked outintwinklinglights.

Morerecently,Ihaven’tputupanydec orationsbecauseIwastravelingforthe holidaysorIdecidedIwasjusttoobusy. Thisyear,Imanagedtoputupmytreeand somelights.Tonight,Ifoundmyselfenjoyingthewarmthofthelight.

Jesus cametoearthonaquiet night withoutthefanfarethatweexpectfromthe holidays.Hissmalllightbreaksthrough thedarknesstofilleachofuswith love. Justlikemylightedtreebrightensmy entireroom,Jesuscanlightupthedarkest ofhearts.

WearenotalonewhenweknowJesus. As we growinourrelationshipwithHim, wearefilledwith apeacethat bringscon tentmentto ourchaotic lives.Thegift of Jesusishereforallofus.Thisistheseason toexperienceHisloveandpeace.

Ihopetoseeyounextweekinour churchoronFacebookLive.Wegladly welcomeyoutojoinusinworship,praise andatimeofprayer.Allarewelcomein ourlittlechurchinthecountry.

•KarenMerlak livesinPoloandis a memberofthePineCreekChristian Church.

Demolition of old Ogle County jail now underway

ByEARLEENHINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com

Demolitionoftheformer Ogle CountyJailstartedMondaymorning.

Oregonresidentscouldhearthe constructionbeginasanexcavator fromMartin&Co.,ofOregon,began poundingandcrushingthecement wallsofthebuildingthatwasconstructedinthe1960s.

Bymid-morning,portionsofcells couldbeseenastheexcavatorworked itswayacrossthestructure.

The OgleCountyBoardapproved Martin’sbidof$98,000torazethebuildingonOct.18after receivingatotalof eightbidsfortheproject.

Thecostofdemolition willbepaid forusingAmericanRescuePlanAct monies;thatexpenditurealsowas approvedbyboardmembersOct.18.

Thejail,locatedat107S.FifthSt.,is justsouthofthehistoricOgleCounty Courthouse builtin1891.Thatstruc turestillhousesseveralcountyoffices. ThenewOgleCountyCorrectional Center,locatedwestoftheOgleCounty JudicialCenter,openedNovember 2020.

Thejudicialcenter,alsolocatedin the100blockofSouthFifthStreetand westofthejail,housescourtroomsand countyoffices affiliated withthe court system.

OgleCountyengineerJeremy Ciesieloversawthebidprocessforthe jaildemolition.

“Wearehopefulthatthedemolition willbecompletebeforetheendofthe year. Wecurrentlyhavefavorable weather,soitshouldprogressnicely while that holdsup.However,ifthe conditionsdegrade,theremaybe delays,”hesaid.

Thecurrentplanforthesiteisto addonerowofparkingstalls onthe eastsideoftheexistingparkinglot alongwithassociatedsidewalksthat willconnecttheeastside ofthecourthousetothewestsideinamannersimilartothatonthenorthsideofthe courthouse,Ciesielsaid.

“Therestoftheareacurrentlyoccupiedbytheoldjailwillbeconverted intogreenspace.Theparkinglotexpansionandsidewalkconstructionwillnot becompleted untilthesummerof 2023,”hesaid.

Demolition ofthe old Ogle County Jail in downtown Oregon started Monday morning.The former jail, located southof the historic Ogle County Courthouse, was constructed in the late 1960s and replaced by the Ogle County Correctional Center in 2020.

Finfrock, Nordman retain

County Board chair,vice chair positions

JohnFinfrockandPatricaNordmanwereelectedchairpersonandvicechairperson,respectively,oftheOgleCounty Board.

FinfrockandNordmanalsoheldthepositionsduringthe previousboard’sterm.

FollowingtheNov.8election,onlyfourboardmembers changed.ThenewlyelectedofficialsareAustinGillis,District 3;JosephSimms,District3;JackieRamsey,District4;and RyanReeverts,District6.

OgleCountyClerkLauraCooksaidGillis,Simms,Ramsey

andReevertstemporarilywereplacedonthesamecommitteesaswereheldbytheexitingboardmembers.Updated committeeassignmentsforallOgleCountyBoardmembers forthecomingtermwillbeapprovedattheDec.20regular meeting.

EarleenHinton/ShawMedia

Ogle

Caposey, OCUSD board ink five-year contract

ByALEXAZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com

LessthantwoweeksafterPJ

Caposeywasnamed Illinois’2023 SuperintendentoftheYearforhis workatMeridianSchoolDistrict,he signedacontracttojointheOregon SchoolDistrictin2024.

Caposey, aformerOregonHigh SchoolprincipalandcurrentMeridian SchoolDistrictsuperintendent,was hiredasOCUSDsuperintendenteffectiveJuly1,2024,accordingtothecontract.OregonSchoolBoardmembers unanimouslyapprovedthe five-year contractduringaDec.1specialmeeting.

“Firstandforemost,it’s home. Beingabletocomehomeisreally importanttome,”Caposeysaidwhen askedwhathe’slookingforwardto. “Second,obviouslyI’mveryclosewith Dr.[Tom]Mahoney,sofollowingwhat he’sstartedtobuildandcontinuingto moveforwardisreallyimportantto me.”

OnNov.28,currentOCUSDSuperintendentTomMahoneyannounced

heplanstoretireeffectiveJune30, 2024.Hehasheldthepositionfor13 years.

“Intermsofactualwork,there’s a lotofthingsIthinkthatcanbedone,” Caposeysaid.“Butmostimportantly,I think there’sanimagethatit’sjust Oregoninalmostaself-deprecating way. One of my first orders of business istochangethatmindset.”

Hehearstheself-deprecationfrom hischildrenasstudents,inbleachers andotherplaces,Caposeysaid.

“Ijustwantustohavea senseof communitypride–bothChana,Oregon,Mt.Morris–alltohave thecommunitypridethatIthinkthedistrictis muchbetterthanmostpeoplerealize,” hesaid.“Iwantthemtoknowthat,but Ialsowanttocontinue toimproveon that.”

OregonSchoolBoardPresident BryanWillssaidMahoneyand Caposeywillworktogetherduringthe next18monthstoensureasmooth transition.

Caposeyearnedabachelor’sdegree fromEasternIllinoisUniversity, a master’sdegreefromNationalLouis

University,and a doctoratefrom WesternIllinois University,accordingtoanewsrelease fromOCUSD.Heled StillmanValley HighSchool toearn thedesignationof “TopAchieving HighSchool”from U.S.News&World Reportthepastsixyears.

“Frommyperspective,he[Caposey] isareallydynamicsuperintendent who’sdonelotsofreallypositive thingsoveratMeridian,”Mahoney said.“Whilethechallengesherewon’t bethe sameasthechallengesthere, hisworkhereasaprincipalwasoutstanding,andIwouldexpectthathe wouldcontinuetolookforwaystofind areasthatcanbe improvedand enhancetheexperienceforstudents andstuff.”

Forthefiveyearsofthecontract, Caposey’ssalarywillbe: 2024-25:$180,000; 2025-26:$185,500;

2026-27:$191,000; 2027-28:$196,500; 2028-29:$202,500.

Caposeywillreceivefullbenefits and,ifattheendofeachcontractyear, Caposeyreceivesa“proficient”or higherratingonhisperformanceevaluation,hewillgetan$8,500performancebonus,accordingtothecon tract.Ifboardmembersfailtocomplete theevaluationduringacontractyear, Caposeyautomaticallywillgetthe bonus.

Mahoney’ssalaryfor the2022-23 schoolyearis$194,000.

Caposeyhasauthoredeight books, publishednumerousblogsandarticles andisasought-afterkeynotespeaker, accordingtohispersonalwebsite, PJCaposey.com.HisworkandcommentaryhaveappearedinTheWash ingtonPost,NationalPublicRadio, CBSandotherplaces.

“We’rejustreallyexcitedtohave PJ,No.1,”Willssaid.“Tom’sdone a greatjobofgettingusakindofthe foundationbuiltandIthinkPJisgoing tojustexplodeoffofthatandreally takeOregontonewheights.”

PAG Christmas show ready for the stage Dec. 9-11

ThePerformingArtsGuildpresents itsChristmasperformance“Every ChristmasStoryEverTold(AndThen Some)thisweekendinMt.Morris.

TheGrinch,Rudolph,Frostythe Snowman,CharlieBrown,GeorgeBaileyandjustabouteveryotherholiday charactermakeanappearanceinthis hilariouscomedy whenthreeactors decidetoretelleveryChristmasstory evertoldinonly90minutes.

Throughoutthisfast-pacedand funnyshow,ConnieAugsburger,MorganMcConnellandZanderVandeSand featureholidaytraditionsfromaround theworldandallyour holidayfavoritesreshaped intosomethingentirely new.

PerformancesareFridaythrough Sunday,Dec. 9-11,atthePinecrest GroveTheater,500EvergreenLane, Mt.Morris.FridayandSaturdayshows areat7p.m.andtheSundaymatineeis at2p.m. Ticketsare$16withstudents receivinga$2discount.

Includedinthepricearerefreshments,whichwillbe servedatintermission.

Reservationsareencouraged.For informationortoordertickets,call 815.734.2103ororderonlineatwww. performingartsguild.comandclickon tickets .

PJ Caposey

PhotosuppliedbyPamBallard

Morgan McConnell, Connie Augsburgerand Zander VandeSand rehearse for the upcoming PAGShow “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some).” Performances are Dec. 9-11 at the Pinecrest Grove Theatrein Mt. Morris.

‘Great turnout’ for 4th Polo Christmas Festival

ByALEXAZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com

PoloChristmasFestivalorganizers saidtherewasa“greatturnout”for the fourthannualevent,despitethe chillyweather.

“It’shardformetojudgesometimes becauseI’mrunningaround,[but] overall,Ithinkwehadagoodturnout,”saidMeganWhite,Christmas FestivalCommitteesecretary.“Overall,anothersuccess.”

AccordingtoWunderGround.com, temperatureswereinthe20smostof Dec.3,whichwaswhenthefestival

tookplace.Attimes,thetemperature droppedbelow20degreesFahrenheit.

Eventsstartedat8:30a.m.andran tillaround8p.m.

OneofthefirsteventswasbreakfastwithSantaClausatFaithUnited Methodist Church,where“lotsof doughnutswereeatenandphotos taken,”Whitesaid.

“I’dliketogiveashout-outtoSanta andMrs.Claus,”shesaid.“Weknow thisisabusytime.Welookforwardto havingthem,andIthinktheylookforwardtocomingaswell.They’rejustso kind.”

SantaandMrs.Clausreappearedat

5p.m.forthelightingofthecommunityChristmastreeinPaul’sParkon thecornerofMasonStreetandDivisionAvenue.

ChildrenenjoyedseeingtheClauses arriveonalargePolofireengine, Whitesaid.Alsoa“hugehit”withkids wasCrossroadsCommunityChurch’s WinterCarnival,shesaid.

Thecraftandvendorshowwasheld inPoloCommunityHighSchoolthis year.

“Ithinkthenewlocationreally helpeduswithmorespace,”White said.“JustseeingsomeFacebookcomments,theywerereallyimpressed

withsomeoftheuniquevendorsthere. TherewerealotofhandmadeChristmastreesanddecorations–thatsort ofthing.”

Morebusinesseswereopenthis yearthaninthepast,includingsome ofthenewerbusinesses,shesaid.The PoloAreaSeniorCenterreturnedto thelineup,andmorethanadozen treesweredecoratedwithin,andthere wasmusicalentertainmentthroughoutthenight,Whitesaid.

“Itwasanicewaytogetinthatholidayspirit,”Whitesaid.

Astheywereinpreviousyears,the CargillHorse&WagonRideswere“a bighitwitheveryone,”shesaid.When speakingwiththeCargills,Whitesaid theycommentedonhowniceitisto giveridesaroundsmallertowns.

“Theycanscopeoutsomeofthe decorated housesandlightsbeforehandandkindofedittheirroute,”she said.

The historicaltrolleytoursofPolo, ledbythePoloHistoricalSociety,also garneredagoodturnout,Whitenoted. Thereareplanstobringthatback againnextyear,withanupdatedroute highlightingdifferentbuildingsand areasofthecity.

KaylaBlum,ofPolo,won$875inthe 60/40raffle.

HolidayHomeDecoratingContest

ThedeadlineforenteringtheHoliday HomeDecorating Contestwas extendedtoDec.9,Whitesaid.

Anybusinessorhomewithinthe PoloSchoolDistrictcanenter.Registrationformsandmoreinformation canbefoundatthePoloChamberof Commercewebsite,PoloChamber.org.

Communityvotingwilltakeplace Dec.10-17,Whitesaid.

AlexaZoellner/ShawMedia

LEFT TO RIGHT:Spencer Nelson, 11, of Polo, sits with Santa and Mrs. Claus to share his wishlist. Leanna Cholke, 8, of Polo, places her wish on Polo’s community Christmas tree. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrivein downtown Polo on one of the city’s fire engines, ready to light thecommunityChristmas tree andhearchildren’swishlists.

Museum took part in Polo’s Christmas celebration

Polo’sChristmascelebrationis overanditwasahugesuccess.EventhoughIwasnotat themuseum,Ididtakeaphonecallor twothatwasneeded.

WehadanAplingtonfamilyhere fromPeoriaand Danwantedto see a documentortwothathadbelongedto MajorAplington.Iwasgladtobeable tosay,“Theyareinanacidfreeboxon thetopshelfintheboardroom.”Iwas pleasedthatthey weresoonfound.

IcanrememberwhenPaulGraehlingwouldstopbyinyearspastwantingsomethingquickly!Iwouldalways sayasmallprayerhopingIcouldfind itrightaway.Pauldidnotliketowait.

Amotheralwaystrainsherselfto knowwherethingsarebecause childrenusuallydonothave alotof patience.Inthemuseum Iusedthe sametactics andwas luckytofind thingsquickly.

Thetrolleytourstartedoutwith a fewandthentwo fulltrolleys.Atthe endsomelittlegirlsthathadbeen waitingstillneededaride.

Mikegavethemanicerideinthe trolleywithalittlehistoryofPoloand

theywerehappy.

POLOHISTORY

Betty Obendorf

Atthe endofthedayMikeand PaulastoppedbymyhomewithadelicioushamdinnerthePoloLionsClub hadserved.Wetalkedabouthow thingswent and whatweshoulddo nextyear.

Mikewouldliketoseeawalking tourofthedowntown. Didyouknow thatFranklinStreetwastobethe mainthoroughfareofPoloandstarted outthatway?Thensomeoneput a storeonMasonStreetandeverything changed.

Wealsodiscussedwhattodofor programsinthenewyearandwehave someideas.Whatabout aprogram on HamiltonField?Doweevenremembertheoldairport?Ineedtofindout thecurrentstatusoftheoldB-17 bomber.Thatcameupjustrecently.

BeforeMikeandPaulawentoutthe door,theyleftmewithafewginger cookiesthatMikehadbakedforpeoplewhovisitedthemuseumonSaturdayafternoon.Ilovetheginger cookiesandtheyaresuperb.

Wealsohadpeoplecomeintothe

museumlookingforthedancing Santa.Hedancedawayforpeopleand theyweredelighted.Howlongwillhe danceforussinceheisyearsoldand gracedtheMuenchShoeStorefor yearsatChristmas?

IhaveapicturethatAnnabelletook oflittleJoeyLovelookingatSanta yearsagointhestore.ButIdonot knowwherethepicturewasputso I needtodoasearch.

Wewere pleasedtohaveDanTiptonandhisdaughterherefromPeoria. TheyaredescendantsfromtheApling tonfamily.Dan’smothercametoPolo yearsagowiththingsforthemuseum andthiswasthefirsttimeDancame withhisfamily.SotheAplingtonfamilycontinuestobeinterestedinPolo.

Iwillalwayscontinuetowonder whatMajorAplingtonmighthave beentothestateofIllinoishadhelived buthewaskilledatCorinthinthe CivilWar.

•BettyObendorfisaretiredteacher andavolunteerforthePoloHistorical Society.

A look back at the history of Oregon’s railroad bridges

ByOTTODICK

MarilynandIhadvisitedthe Indiana CoveredBridge Festival,however,atthat timeIdidn’tknowthatthefirstrailroadbridgeinOregonwasacovered bridge.

Thiscoveredbridgewasbuiltin 1872andwasreplacedwithametal trussbridge20yearslaterin1892.This bridgewasventedalongitspeak to allowthesmokefromthesteam enginestoescape.

Whenthisbridgewasfirstused,it wastheCandIRailroadfromAurora toForreston.

In1885,theChicago,Burlington andNorthernRailroadwaschartered andconstructedarailroadfromOregontoSt.Paul,Minnesota,through Polo.ItbeganoperationsinNovember 1886.

In1872,Hinckleyconstructedthe firstOregonrailroadbridge, which wasacoveredbridge.Thereasonhe cametoOregonwastoconstructthe thirdOregonbridgecrossingtheRock RiveronRoute64.

Thisbridgehadasignwarningpeopletocrossnofasterthanawalk.Soat thistimeperiodanengineernamed HinckleyconstructedtheRoute64

bridgeandthecoveredrailroadbridge.

HinckleyoriginallycametoOregon toconstructthethirdOregonbridge forlocaltrafficandwhileinOregonhe becameinterestedintheproposed railroadfromAuroratoForreston.

OregonfounderJohnPhelpstraveledherefromGalenain1833.Joseph GliddenofDeKalb,whoinventedbarb wireandmanufacturedit,traveledby trainfromDeKalbtoOregontoattend

JohnPhelps’funeralin1874and crossedtheriverthroughthecovered bridge.

Heread thefollowingpoematthe funeral. (1874inMemoryofJohnPhelps.) Hehathgonetohisrest, Thesoldier,thehero,thetrueand thetried, Ah,therelethimrest,bythe“beautifulriver,”

HecametotheWest,tothewilds loneanddreary, Hefearednotitshardships,he shranknotfromtoil, Hisworkwaswelldone,allcarewornandweary, Hewaslaiddowntorestonhischosensoil.

•OttoDickisaretiredteacherand hasresearchedOgleCountyhistory forseveralyears.

Dan Tipton and hisdaughter Amber of Peoria visited the Zenas Aplington Home.

ImagesprovidedbyOttoDick

LEFT TO RIGHT: Oregon’s oldcovered railroadbridge taken from the Oregon side ofthe RockRiver.A traincomes across the bridge over the RockRiver. Thecurrent bridge today.

Christmasin the Country ‘well-attended, great’

ByALEXAZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com

Forreston’sannualChristmasin theCountrycelebrationwas,asusual, reallywell-attended.

“Fridaynight,overall,Ithoughtit wentgreat,” saidJaneKoeller, a ChristmasintheCountryCommittee member.“Iheardgreatreportsonthe numberofkidsthatwerethere.There werealotofpeopledowntownandat thelibrary.”

TheDec.2-3eventkickedoffwitha paradearoundMemorialParkonFridayevening, whichconcludedwith

thearrivalofSantaandMrs.Claus. TheClausesthenenteredthepark’s shelterand readiedtohearthewish listsoflocalchildren.

“ThethingwithSantais,hetakes histimewitheachkid,”Koellersaid. “ThisyearweaddedMrs.Claus.Itwas justagreatexperienceforthekids. Thenwithallthelightsthere,it’sjust verynice.”

SantastoppedbytheForreston PublicLibraryonSaturday,shesaid. Twiceasmanychildrenas lastyear cametovisitthatday.

Afterkidssharedtheirwishlistson Friday,familieswereabletostopby

thes’moresbar,whichwassponsored byForrestonMutual.

Therewere100s’morespackets, and,bytheendofthenight,theyall weregone,Koellersaid.Itwasanice touch,shesaid.

“Wedidthehayridesthisyear,” Koellersaid.“Ithoughtthatwasanice additionthatpeople reallyseemedto enjoy.Theytookyouaroundtoshow youtheChristmaslights.”

OnSaturday,therewasacommunityconcert,followedbyasoupsupper.

Acoupleofpeoplewhoweresupposedto playintheconcertwereill

andcouldn’tmakeit,but“itwasstilla successfulconcert,”Koellersaid.“The soupsupper,Ithinkforthosewho attended,theyenjoyeda reallygood meal.”

ChristmasintheCountryCommitteemembersalwaysarelookingfor constructivefeedbackandthingspeoplewouldliketosee,Koellersaid.The bestwaytodosoistomessagethe ChristmasintheCountryFacebook page,shesaid.

“Ifyouwanttobringalotofconstructivefeedback,wewantyouonthe committee,”Koellersaid.

Frigid temps don’t

deter Mt. Morris’ Festival of Lights

ByEARLEENHINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com

SantaClausneededjustalittlehelp fromthecrowdDec.3beforeflipping theswitchonatMt.Morris’sFestival ofLights.

“Let’sallcountdown,”saidSanta asorganizer EdHigley,Downtown DecoratingCommitteemember. slippedtothebackofthebandshellto turnonalltheholiday lightsonthe

CampusSquare.“Five,four,threeto one!”

Onanight thatsawtemperatures droptothemid20s,astiffwindblew acrosstheCampusSquarecausing participantstobundleupfortheevent.

Santaledthelightedparadefrom thebackofapickup truckafteraline oflightedvehicles–includingfestive firetrucksfromtheMt.MorrisFire

AlexaZoellner/ShawMedia

LEFT: Kooper Norris, 7, of Forreston, talks to Santa and Mrs Claus about hiswishlist at Memorial Park. RIGHT: KevinCrase, of Forreston, helps his children make s’mores in Forreston’s Memorial Park on Dec. 2 duringChristmas in the Country. Left to right are Emilia Crase, 4, Tucker Crase, 5, KevinCraseand CharlotteCrase, 2.

EarleenHinton/ShawMedia

Santa Claus led thecrowd ina countdown to light up the Campus Square in downtown Mt. Morrisfor the Festival of Lights onDec.3.

Department–leftfromtheparkinglot oftheformerDavid L.RahnJunior Hightothebandshell.

Atleast8,000to10,000stringsof lightswereusedtodeckoutthecampusthisyear,Higleysaid.

It’s“nowherenearascomplicated” astheoneathisownhouse,where

80,000-pluslightsalltimedtomusicare setup,hejoked.

Afterthelighting,SantaClaussat inhissleighandheardchildren’s ChristmaswishlistswithMt.Morris libraryofficialsgivingawaybooksto thekids.Carolerssangholidayfavoritesfromthebandshell.

Membersofthecrowdwereurged tovotefortheirfavoriteattheTreesin theBandshell Christmastreedecoratingcontest.

EarleenHinton/ShawMedia

ABOVE LEFT: Mt. Morris residents Salley Wessels and Carol Reckmeyer look over some of the decorated Christmas trees during the votingperiod at the Festival of Lightsin Mt. Morris on Dec.3. The evening event included free food,alighted parade, carolers and Santa Claus.

ABOVE: Edenand Luke White sitwith Santa Claus. A visit with Santa was the main attraction at this year’s event.

Oregon’s Ava Wight finishes second atHawk Classic

ByDANWUSSOW dwussow@shawmedia.com

Adozenboysteamsand11girls teamsfromnorthernIllinoissquared offDec.3intheOregon HawkClassic infrontofalargeandlivelycrowd at PlumHollowFamilyCenterinDixon.

ForthefourSaukValleyhigh schoolsinattendance,itwasasolid dayoverall,asthreegirlsteamsand threeboys teamsplaced top6intheir respectivefields–andonefromeach fieldfinished third.Threeindividuals fromtheareaplacedinthetop3as well.

Dixonwasthelocalheadlinerinthe girlsfield,placingthirdwith4,936 pins Grace DeBordpacedtheDuchesseswithaseriesscoreof1,169,anda highgameof222tofinishthirdindividually.

“IfeellikeIdidreallywell.It’sbeen reallygreatbowlingwith theteam, andhavingthecoachesbeabletohelp methroughoutthegameshasbeen verybeneficialandverynice,”DeBord said.

Sycamorewasthegirlsteamchampionwith5,237,whileLaSalle-Peru securedtherunner-upfinishwith

5,171.

TheOregongirlstookfifthwith 4,836,ledbysecond-placebowlerAva Wight’s1,205series.OswegoEast’s MayaSantelizknockeddown 1,216 pinstoclaimthegirlschampionship.

“Istruggledalittlebitinthebegin-

ThefamilyofDarylCave wishesto expressheartfeltappreciation toall whoacknowledgedhissuddenpassing. Thank youto all who attendedtheservices,sentcards,memorialgifts, floral tributes, food,andprovidedactsofservice. Yourgenerosityhasbeenincredible. Thank youtoourEvangelical FreeChurchstaff andfamilyandthe extended familyofGod fortheirprayersandsupport. Many local farmerstooktimefromtheir own busyschedulesandofferedtheirtime, laborandmachinerytohelpwithDaryl’s finalharvest—somanyoffersthatthey couldn’t allbeutilized. We aregratefultoBrianDuncan fororganizingtheharvest andprovidinghiscombine alongwithDonNelsonandBillSweet.Thegrain facilitiesaccommodatedthegrainhandlingand relatedissues.TheOgleCounty Farm Bureauassistedwithaportionoffuelcost. We aresothankfuland blessedtobepartofafriendly,loving,supportivecommunity. MayGod bless youall.

JoanCaveandtheBarrett,Hodson,and Petersfamilies

ning,butIdidn’tletitgettometoo muchintheafternoon.SoIkindof pulledthroughintheafternoonand madeawholelotofpinstogetinto placing,”Wightsaid.

TheOregonseniorsavedherbest forlast,postinga255highgametocap

thesecond-placeseries.

“Iactually wasn’tthinkingtoo muchaboutbowling,”Wightsaidof thefinalgame.“Iwasfocusedwhen I gotuptothelane,butitwasalotofmy

Page 10

EarleenHinton/ShawMedia

ABOVE LEFT: Oregon’s Ava Wight contemplates ashot as she bowls at the Hawk Classic on Dec. 3 at Plum Hollow in Dixon. ABOVE RIGHT: Oregon’s Kylie Krug reacts to one of her shots.

SeeHAWKCLASSIC,

Hawk grapplers open the season at home with wins

ByRANDYHOLLAND ForShawMedia

SomeOregonwrestlershadtough testsinthesecondweekoftheseason, buttheteamremainedundefeatedas theHawksrolledoverhaplessMendota84-0andMorrison57-18inMorrisononNov.29anddefeatedFulton 54-22andPolo66-12inthehomeopener onDec.2.

TheHawksfansalsoweretreatedto acollegedualmeetafterthehigh schoolcontests.Millikindefeated Augustana30-15inthenightcap.Millikinwonthefirstsix, fourbytechnicalfalls,andoneother matchinthe win.OregongraduateChaseClark wasavictim ofoneofthetechnical falls.

TheHawksusednumbersandpins tocrushMendota.OwenWynn,JacksonMessenger,ColtonFlaharty,PrestonLaBay,JacksonGlendenning, AustinPetersonandJoshCrandall wonbyforfeit.

Only twoofthesevenremaining matchesgotoutofthefirstminute. AnnaMarquardtusedthehalfnelson, LaneHalvorsongotatakedowntothe back,GabeEckerdwentfromahigh crotchtoahalfnelson,CollinWinterlandworkedapowerhalf,andJosh Flahartygotatakedowntotheback, allinlessthan60seconds.SethStevensat1:42andGrantStenderat1:20, bothscrapedtofalls.

Against Morrison,Wynn,Messenger,ElizabethRuter,Glendenning, WinterlandandEvanFlahartytook forfeits.TheHawksfellbehindearly whenColtonFlahartywaspinnedina chickenwingat3:48at120,Marquardt wastakendowninahalfnelsonat1:54 inthe126-poundmatch, andLeBay wasreversedtohisbackat2:21inthe 132-poundmatch.

Oregoncameback withadouble chickenwingbyHalvorsonin32seconds,Ruter’sforfeit,andStender hangingonfora7-5winat152.At160, LeytonKenneyweatheredalatereversaltowin6-4totiethescoreandOregon went ahead on a forfeit. Jack Tinsmancamefrombehindtowinan exciting160-poundmatch7-4.

LastonthematfortheHawks, Crandallcaught abutcherat1:54and themeetendedwiththreeforfeits.

Fultonhadacoupleofqualitywrestlers,buttheHawkshadnumbersand winnerstoprevail.Wrestlingstarted at 160andAnthonyBauerputinahalf nelson at 3:42tostartOregonontop. Glendenning’s comebackfellshort, 7-4,andtheHawksfellbehindwhen Eckerdtriedtostandandwasdropped

to hisbackat3:34bystatefifth-place winnerZanePannell.SethRotegotthe pointsandtheleadbackwithadrive downinahalfnelsonat1:24inthe195poundmatch.LandenEldertookaforfeitat220,butEvanFlahartywas takendowntohisbackin39secondsto getFultontowithinthree.

Thenthelowerweightscame throughwithahalfbyWynnin36seconds,aforfeittoMessenger,andahalf nelson byMarquardtin 43seconds. ColtonFlahartyextendedthelead withacounterandahalfnelsonat 1:20.LaBaydroppeda15-6majordecision,Rutertookaforfeit.Stevenslost alatetakedowntodropa7-6decision, andStenderfinishedupthemeetwith ahalfnelsonat3:15.

TheHawksstarted ontopagainst

Polowithasecond-periodreverseto the backbyBauerandafirst-period halfnelsonbyEckerd.Winterlandlost alatetakedowntodropa7-6decision.

Crandallfollowedwithahalf nel sonat2:49and forfeitstoJonathon Alaniz,Wynn,andMessengerfol lowed.ColtonFlahartycaughtahalf nelsonat 1:19, Oregonforfeited126. Labaygotthepointsbackwithaswim minghalfnelsonat3:10.Halvorson nevergotrollingina7-3loss,butSte vensandStenderbothpinnedwith chickenwingsandGlendenningtooka forfeit.

Polowontwomatchesbydecision andonebyforfeit.WyattDoty(138) won7-3againstLaneHalverson,and MadduxHayden(195)defeatedCollin Winterland7-6.

•HAWKCLASSIC

Continuedfrom Page9

teammatesthathelpedtheenergyand everything.SoIthinkthatreally helpedwiththemomentumandjustto keepgoing.”

Afterstrugglinginthelasttournamentandinrecentpractices,Wight hopesSaturday’sreboundperformanceisasignofwhat’stocome.

“Ithinkthatit’sgoingtogovery well,”shesaid.“Mypracticeshaven’t beenverysuccessfullately, soIwas kindofdowninmylasttournament, butthis tournamentreallyhelpedset thetoneforhowI’mgoingtodointhe future.”

MackenzieAlfordrolleda1,119(242 highgame), KendraEhrlertotaled a 924,andTrinityHultquisttalliedan

840throughsixgamesfortheHawks. Alford’s seriesscorewasfifth-bestin thegirlsfield.

KylieKrugrolleda620infive games,andAhrenHoweyrolleda128

inonegameforOregon.

TheOregon(red)boyscameinfifth with5,206.BrandonRowe,Gavvin SurmoandRobertoHernandez recorded1,000-plusseriesforthe

Hawks,witha1,128,1,077and1,042. BryanImmelbowleda695four-game series,BradyDavishada785fivegameseries,andStylarKlappchipped ina479three-gameseriestoroundout theOregon(red)lineup.

TheOregon(white)boyscamein eighthwith4,825.XanderGarciarolled a1,077seriestoleadthegroup,while CodeyDunbarandMatthewStahl chippedina998and990intheirsixgameseries.

ImmanuelArellanobowleda470, SebastianAlfordtallieda446,and AidenCurrierrolleda389inthreegameseries.

CalebEhrlerrolleda296two-game series,andRJKeene rolleda159onegamertoroundouttheHawks(white) lineup.

EarleenHinton/ShawMedia

ABOVE LEFT: Oregon’s Brady Davis bowls at the Hawk Classic. ABOVE RIGHT: Oregon’s Roberto Hernandezreacts to a strike.

EarleenHinton/ShawMedia

ABOVE LEFT: Oregon’s Seth Stevens and Fulton’s Ben Fosdick lock arms ina Dec.2 bout in Oregon. ABOVE RIGHT: Polo’s Maddux Hayden holds Oregon’s Collin Winterland.

Girlsbasketball

Polo51,Durand14: TheMarcosoutscored thevisitingBulldogs16-5inthefirstquarter, 17-4inthesecondand12-4inthethirdto rolltovictoryinanNUICcrossovercontest.

CamrynnJoneshadninepoints,seven stealsandthreeassists,LindeePoperhad ninepointsandthreerebounds,andSydnei Rahnhadninepointsandtwoassistsina balancedeffortbyPolo(2-3).

CourtneyGrobehittwo3-pointersforsix pointstogowithfiverebounds,Bekah Zeiglerfinishedwithfivepoints,four reboundsandtwosteals,andAnnalise Stammscoredfivepoints.KarleaFreyhad fourpoints,MadisonGlawefinishedwith twopointsandfiverebounds,andCarlee Grobechippedinfourstealsandtwoassists fortheMarcos.

VaidaLaheyandCaitlindMainesboth scoredsevenpointsforDurand.

Forreston48,PearlCity24: The Cardinalsrolledtoa28-11halftimelead beforefinishingoffa24-pointNUIC crossoverwin.

HaileyGreenfieldscoredagame-high16 points,andJennaGreenfieldadded13to paceForrestonscorers.BrookeBoettner addedeightpointsfortheCardinals. SeeSPORTS ROUNDUP, Page13

LEFT: Wrestling fans were treated to a college wrestling match in OregononDec.2 following the Oregon-Fulton-Polo meet at the Blackhawk Center in Oregon Here,Augustana’s Chase Clark (top) wrestles Milikin’s Nathan Callaway at 157 pounds. Clark, a Mt. Morris resident, is a graduate of OregonHigh School. Callaway won thematch. ABOVE: Polo’s Wyatt Doty makesa move on Oregon’s Lane Halverson during the highschool tri-meet.

EarleenHinton/ShawMedia

Rockets roll over Hawks

ByDANWUSSOW dwussow@shawmedia.com

TheRockFallsRocketsattacked passinglanesearly andoftenintheir BigNorthernConferenceopenerDec. 2againsttheOregonHawksatTabor Gym.

Theresultwas13first-halfsteals, frequentfastbreaksanda33-point halftimelead.Withastrongsecond-halfdefensiveeffort,theRockets wentontowin54-17.

RockFallsseizeda15-5leadinthe firstfourminutesandremainedin controlforthedurationofthegame.

BrookeHowardhittwofreethrows atthesix-minutemark,thenstolethe inboundspassandlaiditinforan8-2 lead.AHoward3andfast-breaklayup pushedthemarginto15-5lessthan twominuteslater.

“Wejusthadabigcrowd,and I thinkwecameoutwith a lotofintensity,”RockFalls’ClaireBickettsaid. “Wewereontheroadourfirsttwo gamesthisweek,soitwasreallynice tobehomeonaFridaynight.Those arethegamesyoureallywanttocome outandputonashow.”

Fast-breakscoringopportunities cameinbunchesfortheRockets,especiallyinthefirstquarter,whenKatie Thatchercameoffthebenchand nabbedfourofherteam’seightsteals, effectivelycreatinganeight-point swing.

“Shehasalotofenergyanditreally contributes,”BickettsaidofThatcher. “She’sjusthappytobebackafterbeing outthepasttwoyearsshecouldn’t playbasketball.She’s areallygood sparkforourteam.”

AnEmilyLegorunoutlayupoff a Thatcherstealandassistpushedthe leadto24-6with1:05left.Ledby11 pointsfromHoward,RockFallshad a 26-8leadafterthefirstquarter.

“Ithinkit’sdefinitelyourdefense, pressing,workingtogether,”Howard said.“Ithinkitjustmakesahugedifference.Thenwecancauseturnovers.”

“She’ssuperfastandscrappy,” BickettsaidofHoward.“Alotofteams fearher,soIthinkshe’sjustalwaysa go-getter,andshe’sabletogetsome turnovers.”

Inthesecondquarter,theRockets pitchedashutoutdefensivelyandwidenedtheirleadby15points.Claire Bickettledthe15-0runoffensively withsevenpointsinthequarter.Her stealandfast-breaklayupatthe2:25 markmadeita38-8game,andherputback45secondslatermadeit40-8.ElizabethLombardo hit thesecond oftwo freethrowsinthefinalminute,andthe Rocketstooka41-8leadintohalftime.

“Ourdefense,weapplyalotofpressure,andeverybodyjustreliesoneach

other,”Bickettsaid.“Ourhelpside’s reallygood,soIthinkthat’swhatled ustoholdingthemtozeropoints.”

AddedHoward: “Ithinkthepress andjustcommunication.Lettingothersknowwheretheothergirlsareand justworkingtogether.”

TheHawksshowedsomefightin thethirdquarter,sparkinga7-1runin thelast3:11, butitwastoolittle,too late.AnAvaHackman3gavethem theirfirstpointsinnearly13minutes; EllaDannhorn andHadleyLutzfastbreaklayupsmadeita51-15 gamein thelast2:30.

Atthe startofthefourthquarter, RockFallspulledfourofitsfivestarters.

PattyTeagueconvertedanand-1 playfortheRockets,andDannhorn droppedinonefinallayupforthe Hawks.

HowardandBickettledRockFalls with15pointseach.Howarddished threeassistsandgrabbedfoursteals, whileBickettsnaggedeightrebounds, nabbedfourstealsandblockedtwo shots.

LutzandDannhornscoredfour pointsapiecetoleadOregonscorers. Dannhorngrabbedtwostealsand snaggedtworebounds.

“Thatwasourtoughestcompetition we’veseenallseason,”Oregoncoach OlyviaDonahuesaid.“Weweredefinitelyoutsized,soIthinkmanipulatingouroffensetorunagainstplayers thatarebiggerthanusisgoingtobea hugeasset foruslaterdowntheroad ButIthink thegirlsremainedcalm, forthemostpart.Theygottheirwits aboutthemafterthatfirstquarter,and we’remakingsmallimprovements everygame.”

MylesNewberry/ForShawMedia Oregon’s Liz Mois (12) goes up forarebound withRock Falls’ Taylor Reyna (30) at Tabor Gym.

Polo45,Warren34: TheMarcoswonan NUICcrossovercontestontheroad,rallying froma19-15halftimedeficitwitha30-15 scoringedgeinthesecondhalf.

LindeePoperscored10ofhergame-high 18pointsafterthebreakandalsograbbed ninerebounds,andCamrynnJoneshitthree ofherfour3-pointersinthefourthquarterto sparka19-10closingsurgeforPolo(3-3). Jonesfinishedwith14points,fiverebounds, fourassistsandtwosteals,whileSydnei Rahnaddedsevenpoints,threeassistsand twosteals.

CourtneyGrobehadfourpoints,four reboundsandthreeassists,andBekah Zeiglerchippedintwopoints,10rebounds andthreeassistsfortheMarcos.Madison Glaweaddedfivereboundsandthreesteals.

Oregon37,AFC30: Withan18-10 second-halfscoringadvantage,theOregon girlsbasketballteamralliedtoa37-30 nonconferencewinoverAshton-Franklin CenterDec.1inAshton.LeadingtheHawks

wereHadleyLutzandLizMoiswith10points each.TheRaiderswereledbyReesePolk’s eightpointsandTaylorJahn’ssevenpoints.

Lena-Winslow49,Forreston23: The Cardinalsfellbehind15-5inthefirstquarter andneverrecovered,droppingtheNUIC crossovergametothePanthersby26 points.BrookeBoettnerandJennaGreenfield pacedForrestonwith11andeightpoints. GraceGroezingerledLe-Winwith16points, scoring10ofthoseinthefirsthalf.

Girlsbowling

Oregon2,793,Marengo2,649: The HawksedgedtheIndiansatTown&Country LanesinMt.Morris,ledbya573series(201, 216,156)fromAvaWight.

MackenzieAlfordbowleda531,Kendra Ehrlerrolleda495,andTrinityHultquist tallieda426.KylieKrugandAhrenHowey addeda420and348forOregon.

Boysbowling

Oregon3,399,Marengo3,115: Ledbya 623seriesfromMatthewStahl(276high game),theHawksdefeatedtheIndiansat Town&CountryLanesinMt.Morris.

RobertoHernandezwassecond-bestwith

a595(209,161,225),GavvinSurmobowled a574,BradyDavistallieda564,andStylar Klapprolleda544.BrandonRoweaddeda 499forOregon.

Boysbasketball

Dakota54,Forreston43: Withapairof 27-pointhalves,theTrojansbeatthe CardinalsinanNUICmatchup.

OwenGreenfieldscored12pointstolead Forreston,andNikolasValenzuelaadded11 points.

Forreston46,Shullsburg(Wis.)44: Niko Valenzuelahitago-ahead3inthefinal secondstolifttheCardinalspasttheMiners attheStatelineShootoutinLena.

Valenzuelafinishedwith17points, includingfive3-pointers,whileOwen Greenfieldscored13points,andBrockSmith added10pointsand10reboundsfor Forreston.JJBerendesscored12pointsto leadShullsburg.

BoysBasketball Oregon57,IndianCreek35: TheHawks rolledpasttheTimberwolvesinanonconferenceroadgame,notchingtheirfourth straightvictory.

SPORTS COLUMN

Forreston’s Brooke Boettner is fouled as she drives to the basket during Nov. 18 action against Rochelleat Forreston’s Girls Thanksgiving Tournament.

Israel and the Forrestontournament this month

Thebondsonecarriesover fromahighschoolsportsteam canoften extendtodecades later.Thatisthecase formewithguys from myclass thatwereonthe1975 Rochellefootballteam.

Nearly 50yearslater,Ifindmyself boardingaplanetoIsraelthisweek withformerteammateChrisRice. Embarkingonaspiritualjourneyfor 10days,wewillrenewourfriendship andmakenewmemories.

Whodathunkit?

Atthistimeofyear,Ialsothinkof twootherveryclosefriendsfromthat team,bothofwhompassedawayon thesameweekendin December2021, onefromCOVID-19-related pneumoniaandtheotherfromsuicide.Ofthe 14seniors,halfhavepassedaway, startingwithacoupleoftheminacar accidentaftergraduation.

Idon’thavestatisticsonit,butit sureseemedlikeawholelotmorekids perishedinvehicular accidentsback intheday.

Myaforementionedfriendalmost gotrunoverduringthatsameera.For winterentertainment,skidgingand otherwiseattachingoneselftoamovingvehiclewasapopularpastime.

Forwhateverreason,Chriswason topofafamilystationwagonholding ontotherackwiththevehicletravelingonasnow-packedroad.

Asthedriverdecidedtosuddenly applythebrakes,allIrememberwas

seeingChriscomeflyingdownthe windshieldandover thefront ofthe car.Hadnotthecarstoppedwith inchestospare,myfriendmayhave beenanothercasualty.

For sure,ourliveshavebecome moremeaningfulsincethenaswelook forwardtotouringtheHolyLand.

Myplanistodivorcemyselffrom anyconnectionstotheoutsideworld andfocusonwhatGodhasinstorefor me.

However,Ilookforwardtobeing backintimetocheckoutoneofthe annualhighlights ofthelocalsports calendarandthatistheForrestonbasketballtourney.

Lastyear,thetournamentwas a last-minutecancellationwiththe schoolplacedonaCOVID-19-related pause.Italsowascanceledthepreviousyear,makingthisyear’s61steditionmuchanticipatedaftersuch a longabsence.

Ihavenoideawho’sgood andwho isn’t.Thistourneywillserveasan earlybarometerastowhereteams stand.

Auniquefeatureofthiseventis lackofturnover,somethingnotfound inmostothertourneys.Onceateam getsaspotatForreston,theyrarely leave.

ItisaregionalblendingofprimarilytheBigNorthernandNorthwest UpstateIllinoisconferences.Other tourneysoftentrytobringinbig-name

GUESTVIEW

GabrielMountains.

Forthoseofuslivinginthefrigid Midwest,thatsightwasasenticingas theactualgame,justascold-weather golffansenviouslyviewthe Pebble BeachPGAeventinFebruary.

schoolsfromoutsidetheareaasastar attraction.

ItisnotneededatForrestonand,in fact,wouldtarnishit.Howthistournamenthasevolvedlocallyiscopacetic to a ruralqualityoflifeandideal small-schoolshowcase.

AnotherplusforattendingtheForreston tournamentislackofcommercials.Asafanofcollegefootball, I spendfartoomuchtimeinfrontofthe TVandthenon-endingstreamofcommercialshasbecomemindnumbing, thoughtheDr.Pepperonesarequite creative.

Assomeonewhooftenpinesforthe past,itsuredidn’tseemliketheold RoseBowlgameshadthatmanycommercialbreaks.Backthen,agame tookmaybethreehours.Now,itis morelikefourhours.

IbringuptheRoseBowlbecauseso manyofusgrewupwatchingthe “GranddaddyOfThemAll.”Withthe implementationofa12-teamcollege playoff,theRoseBowlwillnolonger beguaranteeditsprimeNewYear’s afternoonTVslot,withthefamous third-quartersunsetovertheSan

Afewyear ago,soinspired by watchingPebbleBeachonTV, I attended theeventinpersonandit waseverything itwascrackedupto be.Simplystunningtowatchgolfat suchavenuewherewatermeetsland.

Gettingbacktotheforced-fedfootballcommercials.Asfans,wearesubjected tothisbecauseofthevicious cycleofmoney. TVstationspayhuge contractstogetrightstobroadcast games.

Inturn,schools paymulti-million contractstocoachesandlavishly spendonfacilities,recruiting,etc.It’s notmuchdifferentthananarmsrace. Meanwhile,uscommonersaresubjectedtoaninordinateamountofcommercialsbecausesomeonehadtopay thefreight.Isthereanyhopeforus lowlyTVviewerstoriseupandprotestthisinjustice?

Atleastthatwon’tbeaconcernfor mewhileinIsrael.

•AndyColbert,anavidrunner,has beenasportswriterforShawMedia andhas coveredhighschoolsportsin OgleCountyformorethan30years.

Andy Colbert

EarleenHinton/ShawMedia

OHS students take part in National Christmas Tree Display

ThreeOregonHighSchoolstudentswerechosen todesignone-of-a-kindChristmastreeornaments thatdecoratestreesinthe2022NationalChristmas TreeDisplayinPresident’sParkinWashington, D.C.

OregonHighSchoolistheonlyschoolinthestate chosentoparticipateandisoneof58schoolsinthe countryparticipatinginthisyear’sevent,aschool districtreleasesaid.

Studentsdecoratedornamentsrepresentingtheir home,districtorstate.Thisyearmarksthe100th

NationalChristmasTreeLightingCeremonyin Washington,DC.

“Wearehonoredtohavebeenselectedandexcited toseeourstudents’creativeworkondisplay in Washington,D.C.”saidHeidiDeininger,principalof OregonHighSchool.

Threestudents,SophiaStender,AnnaMarquardt andMaxwellGeorgetraveledwiththeirteachers, OliviaKincaidandKimRadostits,toviewtheir ornamentsonthetreesattheWhiteHouse.

TheAmericaCelebratesornamentprogramisan

annualcollaborationoftheNationalParkService, theU.S.DepartmentofEducation,andtheNational ParkFoundation.Eachfederal partnerworked withintheirorganizationstofacilitatetheidentificationofschoolsacrossthenationtoparticipateinthe AmericaCelebratesprogram.

Fifty-eightschoolsacrossthecountrywerecho sentodesignornamentsforthe100thNational ChristmasTreedisplayinPresident’sPark.The ornamentswilladorn58smallertreesthatsurround theNationalChristmasTree.

Member FDIC

At left, OregonHigh School students Sophia Stender, Anna MarquardtandMaxwell George pose with their teachers, Olivia Kincaid and Kim Radostits, in Washington, D.C. ABOVE: The students’ ornaments are, left to right, Sophie Stender’s ornament, Anna Marquardt’s ornament and Alex George’s ornament.

Photosprovided

Now is the time to recycle those old holiday lights

TheOgleCountySolidWasteManagementDepartment(OCSWMD)is againpartneringwithlocalfiredepartmentsandvillagestoofferseveralconvenientdrop-offboxessothosefrustrating,nonfunctionalholidaylight strandscanberecycledandkeptoutof thelandfill.

Drop-offboxesareavailableatthe followingfiredepartments:Rochelle, Byron,StillmanValleyandMt.Morris.Theywillbelocatedatvillagehalls inPolo,Forreston,DavisJunctionand Creston.

Lightstrandsalsoareacceptedat

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE

theOgleCountycourthouseandatthe OCSWMDofficeat909PinesRoadin Oregon.Boxeswillremainatthese locationsuntilJan.20.

Acceptedlightstrandsinclude Italianmini-lights,traditionallights,LED lights andotherholidaylightstrands. Extensioncordsalsoareaccepted. Materialnotacceptedincluderope lights,wreaths,garland,metalstakes orsilhouettes,livegreens,plasticdecorations,timers,andlightpackaging, plastic bagsorcardboardboxes.Placingjustthelightstrandsandcords intothe binsincreasesmaterialvalue

andmakestherecyclingprocessmore efficientfortheprocessor.

Lightsandcords will be shippedto DynamicLifecycleInnovationsin Onalaska,Wisconsin,toberecycled. In2021-2022,morethan1,400poundsof materialwascollectedandrecycled throughthisprogram.

Soasyoupreparetountangle,test andputoutthose holidaylightsthis season,rememberyoucanhelpthe environmentandrecycleallthose strandsoflightsthathavebrightened ourhomesinthepastbutnowrefuse tolightupanymore.

IllinoisStatePoliceDistrict1troopersissued331citations, 472writtenwarnings,andmadetwocriminalarrestsduring themonthofNovember.

Troopersissued194citationsforspeeding,20citationsfor distracteddrivingviolations,and20citationsforseatbelt violations.

Therewere16arrestsfornovaliddriver’slicenseordriving whilelicensesuspended/revoked.

Troopersinvestigated19trafficcrashes,assisted87

OREGONPOLICE

OregonPoliceChiefJoeBrooksreportsthe followingpoliceactivity.

Nov.21

JacobA.Rogers,21,ofGreensboro,North Carolina,wasissuedacitationat12:50a.m. forspeeding,52mphina30mphzone.This violationoccurredinthe500blockofN.4th Street.

JosephM.Stewart,34,ofMt.Morris,was arrestedat8:19a.m.onanoutstandingOgle Countywarrantforprobationviolation. StewartwastransportedtotheOgleCounty Jail.

Nov.22

KennethB.Koivisto,41,ofRochelle,was issuedacitationat7:37p.m.forspeeding, 43mphina30mphzone.Thisviolation occurredinthe600blockofN.4th Street.

Nov.23

WendyM.Seibert,57,ofOregon,was issuedacitationat11:40a.m.forfailureto wearaseatbeltasadriver.Thisviolation occurredinthe300blockofS.3rd Street.

BajramKamberovski,64,ofWoodhaven, Michigan,wasissuedacitationat9:43p.m. forspeeding,55mphina40mphzone.This violationoccurredinthe500blockofW. WashingtonStreet.

Nov.24

JoshuaJ.Drew,26,ofDixon,wasissueda citationat12:02a.m.foroperatingavehicle withanexpiredregistration.Thisviolation

motorists,andconducted101commercialmotorvehicle inspections.Thereweretwoarrestsfordrivingunderthe influence.

District1,whichencompassesCarroll,Lee,Ogleand Whitesidecounties,investigatednofataltrafficcrashesin November.

sTEPResults

ResultsoftheDaytimeSpecialTrafficEnforcementPatrols (sTEP)inLeeandOgleCountiesinNovemberwereoccupant

occurredinthe100blockofS.4th Street.

JoshuaM.Batt,17,ofOregon,wasissueda citationat9:48p.m.foroperatingan uninsuredmotorvehicle.Thisviolation occurredinthe1300blockofW.Washington Street.

Nov.25

At3:22p.m.,policerespondedtoa two-vehicletrafficcrashattheintersection of3rd andFranklinStreetsinvolvinga2017 NissandrivenbyChristopherG.Short,56,of JohnsonCity,Tennessee,anda2009Saturn drivenbyMelissaC.Cooper,50,ofLindenwood.Nocitationswereissued.

AndrewJ.Holloway,47,ofSterling,was arrestedat5:36p.m.fordrivingwhilelicense suspended.ThisviolationoccurredintheN. 4th andWashingtonStreetintersection. HollowaywastransportedtotheOgle CountyJail.

PoeN.Pierce,26,ofBeloit,Wisconsin,was issuedacitationat6:52p.m.foroperating anuninsuredmotorvehicle.Thisviolation occurredinthe100blockofS.4th Street.

BrendaK.Harrolle,65,ofOregon,was issuedacitationat9:32p.m.fordisobeying atrafficcontrolsignal.Thisviolation occurredinthe100blockofS.4th Street.

Nov.27

RobertA.Milliman,69,ofOregon,was issuedacitycitationat10:01a.m.for allowinghisdogtorunatlarge.This

Formoreinformationandtolearn aboutotherrecyclingopportunitiesin OgleCounty,calltheOCSWMDat815732-4020orvisitwww.oglecounty.org.

restraintviolations,1;drivingwhileundertheinfluenceand drug/alcohol-relatedcitations,0;speedingcitationsand warnings,73;distracteddrivingcitationsandwarnings,1; totalcitations,62;andtotalwrittenwarnings,44.

“ThesesTEPsallowedtheISPtoprovideincreased enforcementforimpaireddriving,occupantrestraint, speeding,anddistracteddrivingviolationsduringthe National“ClickItorTicket”Campaign,”astatepolicenews releasesaid.

violationoccurredinthe700blockof MonroeStreet.

AmberL.Berg,34,ofMorris,wasissueda citationat9:59p.m.forspeeding,51mphin a30mphzone.Thisviolationoccurredinthe 600blockofN.4th Street. Nov.28

HannahJ.Cantrell,20,ofChana,was issuedcitationsat12:34p.m.foroperatinga vehiclewhenregistrationissuspendedfor noinsuranceandoperatinganuninsured motorvehicle.Theseviolationsoccurredin the600blockofS.4th Street. Nov.29

At7:28a.m.,policeinvestigatedacarvs deertrafficcrashinthe1500blockofW. WashingtonStreetinvolvinga2010Toyota drivenbySamanthaM.Smidt,32,ofOregon. Nocitationswereissued.

AhmadM.Ashour,34,ofDixon,was arrestedat10:48a.m.onanoutstanding OgleCountywarrantforpossessionofdrug paraphernalia.Ashourwastransportedto theOgleCountyJail.

At9:52p.m.,policerespondedtoa disturbancecallinthe200blockofN.Jones TerraceresultinginthearrestofEugeneF. Collins,55,ofOregon,forelderabuse/ neglect.CollinswastransportedtotheOgle CountyJail.

Nov.30

At9:03a.m.,policeinvestigateda

two-vehicletrafficcrashintherearparking lotoftheOregonPostOffice,500W. WashingtonStreet,involvinga2012 FreightlinerboxtruckdrivenbyEricB. Jeffers,43,ofBrandon,Florida,andaparked 2011ChevroletbelongingtoAllisonJ. Geuther,48,ofAmboy.Nocitationswere issued.

At3:10p.m.,policerespondedtoa two-vehicletrafficcrashinthe100blockof N.4th Streetinvolvinga2008Lincolndriven byDarleneE.Josel,79,ofLanark,anda parked2022GMCbelongingtoAndrewK. Bush,36,ofOregon.Nocitationswere issued.

Dec.2

JacobA.Swartz,17,ofForreston,was issuedacitationat3:30p.m.forpassinga schoolbuswhileloading/unloading.This violationoccurredinthe100blockofE. WashingtonStreet.

JasonD.Paul,48,ofOregon,wasissueda citationat8:41p.m.fordisobeyingatraffic controldevice.Thisviolationoccurredatthe intersectionofMonroeand5th Streets.

NathanR.Brown,31,ofWarrenville,was issuedacitationat11:07p.m.forspeeding, 47mphina30mphzone.Thisviolation occurredinthe500blockofGaleStreet.

OgleCountySheriffBrianVanVickle reportsthefollowingactivity.

Nov.30

AndrewSwift,36,ofMt.Morris,was arrestedforunlawfulpossessionof methamphetamineanddrivingwhile licensesuspendedafteratrafficstopatthe intersectionofDepotandWorthstreetsin Oregonataround4:10p.m.Healsowas citedforoperatinganuninsuredvehicle. SwiftwastransportedtotheOgleCounty Jailandheldpendingacourtappearance. Dec.2

GustavoMartinezSuarez,45,ofOlathe, Kansas,wasarrestedfordrivingwithouta validlicensesafteratrafficstopinthe 4000blockofsouthIllinoisRoute2at around2a.m.MartinezSuarezalsowas citedforspeedingandinoperableregistrationlight.MartinezSuarezwasreleasedon a$2,500I-Bondandgivenafuturecourt date.

Dec.3

Ataround11:35a.m.,deputiesand StillmanValleyFireProtectionDistrictand EMSweredispatchedtoasingle-vehicle crashattheintersectionofKishwaukeeand MeridianroadsinruralStillmanValley.An investigationshowedLeannGray,80,of

Kirkland,wasnorthboundinaToyotaRav4 onKishwaukeeRoadwhenshefailedto negotiateacurvejustpriortotheintersectionwithMeridianRoad.Graysustained severalnon-life-threateninginjuriesand wastransportedtoSwedishAmerican Hospitalforfurthertreatment.

Dec.5

At1:41a.m.,deputies,theRochelleFire DepartmentandtheOgle-LeeFire ProtectionDistrictrespondedtoa single-vehiclerollovercrashonMulford RoadatGillisRoad.Aninvestigation showedthatRyanAnderson,42,of Sycamore,wasdrivingaHondaAccord northonMulfordRoadandfailedto negotiateacurveneartheintersectionwith GillisRoad.Asaresult,theHondaleftthe westsideoftheroadwayandoverturnedin thefield.Andersonwasextricatedfromthe vehicleandtransportedbyRochelleFire DepartmentambulancetoSaintAnthony MedicalCenterinRockfordwherehewasin stablecondition.Andersonwascitedfor drivingwhileundertheinfluenceand improperlaneusage.Andersonwas releasedonanI-Bondandgivenafuture courtdate.

Atapproximately6:07p.m.,deputies, alongwithLynnScottRockEMSwere

dispatchedtotheintersectionofNorth IllinoisRoute251andEastLindenwood Roadforatwo-vehicleaccidentwith injuries.

Itwasreportedthatonevehicleonscene wasfullyengulfedinflamesfromthe accident.

Afteraninvestigation,itwasdetermined thatasilverHyundaiSonata,drivenby AndrewSampson,31ofLindenwood,was travelingeastboundonEastLindenwood Road,justwestofNorthIllinoisRoute251 whenhefailedtostopatthepostedstop sign,atwhichtimeheenteredthe intersectionandstruckagrayFordFocus, drivenbyReneeRowe,51ofRockford,ina headoncollision.

Bothvehiclessustainedmajorfrontend damageandRowewaslatertransportedto SwedishAmericanHospitalfornon-life threateninginjuries.

Sampsonwasplacedarrestedfordriving whileundertheinfluenceofalcoholand transportedtotheOgleCountyJail,where hewasheldinlieuofbond.Sampsonwas issuedadditionalcitationsoffailureto reducespeedtoavoidanaccidentand failuretostopatanintersection.

Subjectsarepresumedinnocentuntilproved guiltyinacourtoflaw.

Dec.3

MatthewW.Martin,34,ofMt.Morris,was issuedcitationsat10:15a.m.foroperatinga vehiclewithasuspendedregistrationand operatinganuninsuredmotorvehicle.These violationsoccurredinthe900blockofW. WashingtonStreet.

Dec.4

JoshuaT.Elmendorf,25,ofAmboy,was issuedacitationat9:22a.m.foroperatinga vehiclewithasuspendedregistration.This violationoccurredinthe300blockofW. WashingtonStreet.

MargoL.Gardner,62,ofChana,wasissued acitationat9:46a.m.foroperatingavehicle withanexpiredregistration.Thisviolation occurredinthe300blockofW.Washington Street.

BriaJ.Petkovich,28,ofOregon,wasissued acitationat8:57p.m.foruseofacellphone whiledriving.Thisviolationoccurredinthe 100blockofS.4th Street.

Eightparkingcitationsandthreeverbal warningsissuedduringtheweekNov. 28-Dec.4.

Pleasenote:Anyarrestslistedbeloware merelyaccusationsanddefendantsare presumedinnocentuntilprovedguiltyina courtoflaw.

Nov.25-Dec.1

WarrantyDeeds

Gendreau1031EatLtoMMGDevelopmentLLC-M&MCarWash,520W. BlackhawkDrive,Byron,$0.

AnthonyandPattiA.AbeartoDavid EugeneandMelanieS.Simmons,300,302 and304BirchLane,Dixon,$280,000.

KyleR.andNoelGretschmanntoMarioA. EspinozaNegreteandMagalyS.Espinoza Torres,9205E.ScottRoad,DavisJunction, $285,000.

SaraPottingertoAmandaL.Corcoran, 402LindaAve.,Rochelle,$162,000.

JohnL.andPeggyJ.RichardtoCodyM. Flanagan,10924W.HaldaneRoad, Forreston,$174,000.

WilliamandShannonAkinstoLuisA. Macias,12502N.SpringfieldRoad, Forreston,$301,000.

GeneralPartnerofFillipFarmsLTD PartnershipandMichaelFillipChrist PerpetualDescendantTrust,MichaelFillip Christ,trustee,toMichaelD.andAdamM. Book,thirdpartyMichaelChrist,two parcelsinLeafRiverTownship,$437,035.

AgProductsCo.toRussellHuftalin,one parcelinDementTownship,$12,150.

DawnM.HendricksonandDeborahL.

HarpertoDeborahL.andStephenHarper, 2002E.DeerPathRoad,Oregon,$73,500.

JaceandLauraQuimby,alsoVanwy,to BrentandKathleneWelch,400Mulford Road,DavisJunction,$240,000.

TrusteesDeeds

StultzFamilyRevocableTrust2008, WarrenD.andBeverlyK.Stultz,trustees,to RobertS.HallockandCatherineL.Higley, 501E.HittSt.,Mt.Morris,$181,500.

GeorgeH.andMaryL.BakerFamilyTrust, BeverlyJ.Borchers,trustee,toMichaelL. andJenniferA.HagemannTrust2018, MichaelL.andJenniferA.Hagemann, trustees,oneparcelinMonroeTownship, $1,257,255.

Source:OgleCountyRecorder’sOffice

Hearing date set for Ohio man charged with trying tohit Ogle County deputy

ADec.7preliminaryhearinghasbeen setforanOhio manchargedwith attempted first-degreemurderafter policesayheveeredhiscar towardanOgle Countydeputyandthencrashedinto a StephensonCountysquad car.

BrianK.Taylor,49,ofMassillon,Ohio,waschargedlast weekwithtwocountsof attemptedfirst-degreemurder,one countofaggravatedbatterytoapolice officer,onecountofaggravatedassault ofapoliceofficer,twocountsofaggravatedfleeingorattemptingtoelude a policeofficer,onecountofunlawful displayofalicenseplateandonecount ofClassAspeeding35-plusmphover thespeedlimit.

HeappearedincourtonNov.30 withapublicdefenderwithhisnext courtappearancesetforDec.7at10 a.m.

Theallegedincidentoccurredwhen theOgleCountySheriff’sDepartment

wasadvisedbytheStephensonCountySheriff’sOffice thattheirdeputieswerepursuingaMazdaMX5southbound onIllinoisRoute26 fromFreeport.Thepursuit continuedsouthontoFreeportRoadintoOgleCounty.

AnOgleCountydeputy deployedstopsticksinthe areaofFreeportandMilledgevilleroadsinanattemptto flattenthefleeingvehicle’stiresand endthepursuit,OgleCountySheriff BrianVanVicklesaidinareport.

Thereportread:“Asthedriverof thefleeingvehicleapproachedthedeputy,heveeredleftinanattemptto strikethedeputy,whowasonthe shoulderoftheoppositelaneoftraffic. Thedeputywasabletomoveoutofthe wayofthefleeingvehicle.”

TheMazdastrucktheStephenson County squadcarafteritenteredthe roadway,accordingtothereport.

Taylorremainsincustodywithbail setat$500,000.

Brian K. Taylor

DVERTISING

DIVISION00-PROCEDURAL & CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS SECTION001113

DATE: December 6,2022

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

PROJECT:NewBusand Storage Facility at Oregon

Junior/Senior HighSchool forOregon CUSD #220

LOCATION: Oregon Junior/SeniorHighSchool 210South 10th Street, Oregon,Illinois 61061

OWNER: OregonCUSD #220, 206South10th Street, Oregon,Illinois61061

ARCHITECT: RichardL. JohnsonAssociates, Inc. 4703Charles Street, Rockford,Illinois61108 (815)398-1231(815) 398-1280FAX

SCOPE: Bids shall be submitted fora single contract for all Work.

DATE DUE: Sealed bidswill be received until11:00am, Tuesday, January10,2023 at the office of the OregonCUSD #220 School District and will be publicly openedand read aloud at that time.

PRE-BID MEETING: All prospectiveContractors are urged to attend a pre-bid meeting at 10:00am on Monday, December 12,2022, at the office of theOregon CUSD#220SchoolDistrict.

MANDITORY PRE-BID SITE VISIT: Contractors are required to make a mandatory survey of the existing conditions prior to bidding.

ACCESS TO BIDDING DOCUMENTS: Bidding Documents are on file for reference at the following locations: Officeofthe Architect Rockford,Illinois Bidding Documents may be secured from the office of the Architect.

Plans and Specifications are availablefordownload at www.rljarch.com under “Contractors”.

DEPOSITREQUIRED:Bidders may secure up totwo (2) sets of bidding documents by submitting a non-refundable check for $50.00 per set, or $60.00 per set if documents are to be mailed.

BIDFORM: Bids shall be submitted in duplicate onforms issued by theArchitect.

PERFORMANCE BOND: A performance and payment bond forthefull amount of the Contract will be required of the suc cessful bidder All costs associated with the bond shall be included in the bid amount.

BID SECURITY:Bidsshall be accompanied by a Bid Security of at least 5% of the total amountofthe base bid andall additive alternatebids This may be in the form of a certified check, cashier's check, bank draft, or bid bond, payable to the Owner as a guarantee that the bidderwill enter intoa contract with the Owner and will furnish the proper performance and payment bond within the time limited by the Owner. If the successful bidder so files the contract andperformance and paymentbond, upon the execution of the contract bythe Owner, the Bid Security will be returned to all bidders. If he/she fails to filesuch contract and performance and payment bondthe amount of the BidSecurity will be forfeitedto the Owner as liquidated damages.

WAGE RULES: The general prevailingrate of wages in the localityin which the work is to beperformed for each craft or type of worker ormechanic needed to executethe contract will adhere to all FederalLaws and Laws of the State,and to all local ordinances and regulations applicable to the work hereunder,andhaving force of law.

RIGHTS RESERVED BY OWNER: The Owner reserves the right to waive any irregularities and/or rejectany or all bids when, in the opinion of theOwner, such action willserve the bestinterests of the Owner.

WITHDRAWAL OF BIDS: No bid may be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days after the opening of bidswithout writ tenconsent of the Owner.

By order of the Board of Education forOregon CUSD #220.

HIGHWAYMAINTENANCEWORKER LeeCounty Highway Department

JOB SUMMARY: Performs various aspects of highway maintenance work including snow and ice removal, shoulder maintenance, roadway striping, ditch cleaning,roadside vegetation control, culvert installation and other dutiesasassigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: High School diploma or GED and experience in highway maintenanceactivities and heavy equipment operation. Experience in snow and ice removal on highway systems is preferred; mustpossess a valid State of Illinois Class B CDL(with air brakes) and abilityto obtain a Class A CDL within6 months of hire; position involves heavy lifting; will conform to the County's Drug andAlcohol Policy; will be subject to background check.

APPLY TO: Lee County Engineer 1629Lee Center Road P.O. Box 193 Amboy, IL 61310 Phone: 815-857-4141 bangleton@countyoflee.org

APPLY BY: Completionof employment application. Applications can be obtainedat the office of the County Engineer or the Lee County website, leecountyil.com.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 16, 2022

IN THE CIRCUITCOURT FORTHE15THJUDICIAL CIRCUIT

OGLE COUNTY-OREGON, ILLINOIS

LakeviewLoan Servicing, LLC

PLAINTIFF Vs. Daniel A. Allen;et.al. DEFENDANTS No.2022FC11

NOTICE OFSHERIFF'S SALE OF REAL ESTATE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN thatpursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on 09/23/2022, the Sheriff of OgleCounty, Illinois will on January6,2023 at the hour of 10:00 AMat OgleCounty Public Safety Complex 202 S. 1st St Oregon, IL 61061, or in a place otherwise designatedat thetime of sale,County of Ogle and State of Illinois,sell atpublic auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described realestate: LOT ONE (1) BLOCK SEVENTEEN (17) IN THE ORIGINAL TOWN OF DEMENT (NOW CALLEDVILLAGE OF CRESTON), ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN BOOK D OFPLATS, PAGE 5, IN THE RECORDER'S OFFICE OF OGLECOUNTY, SITUATED IN THE TOWNSHIP OFDEMENT, THE COUNTY OF OGLE,AND STATEOFILLINOIS.

PIN25-23-232-006

Improvedwith Single FamilyHome COMMONLYKNOWN AS: 117NMainStCreston, IL 60113

Sale terms: 10% down of the highest bid by certified funds atthe close of the auction; The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated at the rate of $1 for each $1,000orfraction thereof of the amount paidby the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds, is due within twenty-four (24)hours. The subject property is subjectto general realestatetaxes,special assessments, or special taxes levied against saidreal estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and withoutrecourse to Plaintiff and in "AS IS"condition. The saleisfurther subject toconfirmation by the court.

If the property is a condominium and the foreclosure takesplaceafter 1/1/2007, purchasers other than the mortgagees will be required topay anyassessment and legal fees due under The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS605/9(g)(1) and (g) (4).

If the property is located in a common interest community,purchasers other than mortgageeswill be required to pay any assessment and legal fees due under the Condominium Property Act, 765ILCS605/18.5(g-1).

If the saleisset asideforany reason, the Purchaser atthe saleshall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid The Purchaser shall haveno further recourse againstthe Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or theMortgagee's attorney.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, thepurchaser shall receive a Certificate of Sale, which will entitle the purchaserto a Deedto thereal estate after Confirmation of the sale The successful purchaser has the sole responsibility/expense of evicting any tenants orother individuals presently in possession of the subject premises.

The property willNOT be open for inspection and Plaintiff makes no representation asto the condition of the property Prospective bidders are admonished to check the Courtfile toverify all information.

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TOREMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, INACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURELAW.

For information: Examine the court file or contact Plaintiff's attorney:Codilis& Associates, P.C.,15W030North Frontage Road, Suite 100, Burr Ridge, IL 60527, (630)794-9876.Please refer to filenumber 14-22-00939. I3207641

RECORDS - 33s, 45s&78s (Rock, Blues& Jazz)Scott 815-847-0382

AUTOMOBILES

FOR SALE: 2005 SILVER AUDI TT COUPE $12,000.79K mi FWD Automatic. 1.8T4-cylBlk leather,ultraclean, no rust, clean title/history, one owner.

Inspected/serviced.Runs great. Looksgreat!Call 815-652-4677, 815-973-4155.

Grand Detour.

ALLS

EFFICIENCY

-FurnishedUtilities incl. $175/wk. 815-626-8790

LEGAL NOTICES

by requisite date stated above shall be barred. Claims against the Estate may be made with notification to Kathy McNeelyJohnson,Legal Serenity, PC, 403 Auburn St Rockford, IL 61103 Agent/Attorney for the Estate Administrator.

Legalserenity@ gmail.com Dec.9,16,23, 2022

NOTICE

TO CREDITORS; STATE OF ILLINOIS CIRCUIT COURT OFTHE15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUITCOUNTY OF OGLE NON-PROBATED WILLESTATE OF: JACQUELINEL PATOCK, DECEASED. NOTICEis givenof the death of Jacqueline L. Patock on November 10, 2022 The Estate is administeredthrougha Small Estate Affidavit and no Letters of Office have been or will be issued.Administrator of the Estate is Cynthia Decker. Attorney Kathy McNeely-Johnson, Legal Serenity, PC, 403 Auburn St. Rockford, IL 61103 is the agentfor service on the estate. Claims againstthe Estateare to be made before May 5th,2023, or such dateas beingsix (6) months from the date of first publication, or withinthree (3) months fromthe date of mailing or delivery of Notice to creditors,ifmailing or delivery is required bySection 18-3 of the Illinois Probate Act, 1975 as amended, whichever date is later Any claim not filed by the

Publication Notice of Court Date for Requestfor Name Change (Adult) State of Illinois, CircuitCourt, Ogle County 2022-MR-27 Request of: GiraldoJ. Velez, Jr. There will be a court date on Request tochange myname from: Giraldo J. Velez, Jr. tothe new name of: GerardoVelez,Jr. The court date will be held: January 18, 2023 at 9:00 A.M.At 106 South5th Street, Oregon, Ogle County, Courtroom:304 /s/GiraldoJ. Velez, Jr. Giraldo J. Velez, Jr. Nov.25, Dec.2, 9, 2022

NOTICEOF AVAILABILITYOF AUDITREPORT

NOTICEis hereby given pursuantto the Public Funds Statement Publication Act of the availability of an audit report for the Polo Fire Protection District.The audit report: 1) Covers the time period from May 1, 2021 to April30, 2022;2) The audit was conductedby Johnson CPA, LLC, certified public accountants;3) The audit reportis available for inspection at the Polo Fire Protection District, 206 S. Franklin St., Polo, IL, 61064, by contacting Charles Clothier, Treasurer, Board of Trustees, at 815-440-1371, for anappointment between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday throughFriday, except holidays

Dated: November 28,2022

ROCK F

IN THECIRCUIT COURT FORTHE15THJUDICIAL CIRCUIT OGLE COUNTY -OREGON, ILLINOIS LakeviewLoanServicing,LLC

PLAINTIFF Vs. Daniel A. Allen;et.al. DEFENDANTS

No.2022FC11

NOTICE OFSHERIFF'S SALE OF REAL ESTATE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVENthatpursuanttoa Judgment of Foreclosure andSaleenteredinthe abovecause on 09/23/2022, theSheriff of OgleCounty, Illinois will on January6,2023 at thehourof 10:00 AM at OgleCountyPublic Safety Complex202 S. 1st St.Oregon,IL61061, or in aplace otherwisedesignatedatthe time of sale,County of Ogle andState of Illinois,sell atpublic auctionto thehighest bidder forcash, as setforth below, thefollowing describedrealestate: PIN 25-23-232-006

Improvedwith Single FamilyHome COMMONLYKNOWNAS: 117 NMainStCreston, IL 60113

Sale terms: 10% down of thehighest bidbycertified fundsatthe closeofthe auction; Thebalance,including theJudicial sale feeforAbandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, whichiscalculatedat therateof$1for each $1,000orfractionthereof of theamountpaidbythe purchasernot to exceed $300, in certified funds,isdue withintwenty-four(24)hours. Thesubject property is subject to general realestatetaxes,specialassessments,orspecial taxeslevied against saidreal estate andisofferedfor sale withoutany representation asto qualityorquantity of titleand withoutrecoursetoPlaintiff andin"AS IS"condition. Thesaleisfurthersubject toconfirmation by thecourt.

If thepropertyisa condominium andthe foreclosure takesplace after1/1/2007, purchasers otherthanthe mortgageeswill be requiredtopay anyassessmentand legal fees dueunder TheCondominium PropertyAct, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1)and (g) (4).

If theproperty is locatedina commoninterestcommunity, purchasers otherthan mortgageeswill be required to payany assessmentand legalfeesdue under the Condominium PropertyAct,765ILCS605/18.5(g-1).

If thesaleissetasidefor anyreason, thePurchaseratthe saleshall beentitled only to areturn of thedeposit paid.The Purchasershall haveno furtherrecourse againstthe Mortgagor,the Mortgagee or theMortgagee's attorney.

Upon paymentinfull of theamount bid,the purchasershallreceive aCertificate of Sale,which will entitlethe purchasertoa Deedto thereal estateafter Confirmation of thesale.Thesuccessful purchaser hasthe sole responsibility/expense of evicting anytenants orotherindividualspresently in possessionofthesubject premises.

The property willNOTbeopenfor inspectionand Plaintiffmakesnorepresentation asto thecondition of theproperty. Prospective biddersare admonishedto checkthe Courtfiletoverifyall information.

IF YOUARE THEMORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOUHAVETHE RIGHT TO REMAININPOSSESSIONFOR 30 DAYS AFTERENTRY OF AN ORDEROF POSSESSION,INACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THEILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURELAW.

Forinformation:Examine thecourt file or contactPlaintiff's attorney:Codilis& Associates,P.C., 15W030NorthFrontageRoad, Suite100, Burr Ridge,IL60527, (630)794-9876.Pleaserefer to file number 14-22-00939. I3207641

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