Polo_Tri-County_Press-12-23-2022

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POLO LIBRARY

Children’sPrograms

“TotTime”Tuesdays- 10a.m.Ages0to5yrs, comejoinMs.Melanieforastoryread,various hands-onplay,withamixofmusicandartfunfor thelittleones.

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PINE CREEK NEWS

BYKARENMERLAK

Thewindshave turnedmuchcolder, butourspiritsarewarmaswegetreadyto celebrateGod’sgreatestgift.God’slove andcareissogreat,itneedstobeshared withthosearoundus.Forthemanyblessingswesharethisseason,wearetruly thankful.

Thismorninginchurch,wewere greetedbythePfundsteinfamily.Pastor SuzanneHallStoutledtheservicefilled withscriptureandmusic.BradandLindseyOhlwinesharedareadingandlitthe fourthcandleinourAdventwreath.

Throughouttheservice,BrianToms andEllenRahnreadscripturewithPastor Suzanne.Themusicwasprovidedby a women’sensembleincludingPastor Suzanne,VickiHay,NancyHopkinsand ElizabethEliot.

Ourchildren,HarperandAmelia,also sang“AwayinaManger.”Aftertheirsong, FionajoinedourgroupandIshared anotherchildren’smessageaboutthe Chrismonsdisplayedonoursanctuary Christmastree.

Intheafternoon,ourchurchhosted an afternoonofmusicprovided by JoelRoss. Heplayedandsangforpartoftheafternoon.Afterhisportion,everyonejoinedin withsingingChristmascarols.Aftersinging,refreshmentswereservicedandfel-

melaniew@pololibrary.org,gotothePoloLibrary websiteorFacebookpagetolookfortheGoogle formlink.

AdultPrograms -

YogawithBeckaWednesday,Dec.28 at6 p.m.-Call815-946-2713oremaillibrary@ pololibrary.orgtoregister.Yogawillnowbeevery 4thWednesdayofthemonth.

GenealogyAssistance -Areyouinterestedin researchingyourancestorsbutdon’tknowwhere tostart?Doyouhaveastartandneedhelpwith yourresearch?StopbythefirstWednesday5-7 p.m.orthethirdSaturday10a.m.-12p.m.andlet Donnahelpwithyourproject.ThePoloLibraryis

FAR LEFT: Members of the PoloLionsClub held their ChristmasdinneronDec. 3 at the Polo Fire Station.

LEFT: Wrestlers who volunteered at the Polo Lions’ Christmasdinner were Zandra Vock, Lynorah Hansen, Ethan Albee, Zakk Albee, Ryder Wilema, Aspen Mon andZayden Imel.

PhotosbyJeffShort

nowaFamilySearchAffiliateLibrarywhichallows accesstomoredigitalrecordswhenyou’re researchingatthelibrary.

OnlineCatalog- Didyoustartaseriesandcan’t findthenextbook?Areyouwantingtowatcha specificmovie?Ifwedon’thavewhatyou’re lookingforatPoloLibrary,visitouronlinecatalog tosearchotherlibrariesandhaveitdelivered righttoPoloLibraryforpickup!Visitpololibrary. organdclickon“Books/Media”and“Your Account”toaccesstheonlinecatalog.

SpecialProcedures -Masksareoptionalfor staffandvisitorstothelibrary.Ifyourequirean accessservicetofullyparticipateinaprogramor haveanyquestionsaboutaccessibility,please contactMarieMonacoat815-946-2713.

lowshipwasenjoyed.

OnSaturdaymorning,Ijoinedasmall groupofladiestohelpwithaspecialprojectforChristmasEve.Evenaftertheprojectwascomplete,Istayedtovisitwithour ChristmasStarcommitteethatwasworkinginourFellowshipHall.

DonandVickiHay havereturnedfrom atriptoDelawaretovisitwith theirson, MackenzieHay,hiswife,Shea,andtheir children Reef,Ellis,Pippen, andRemy. Whilethere,theyenjoyedvisiting basketball practices andspendingtimewithone another.

TheHayfamilyalsoparticipatedin a fewholidaytraditionsincluding visiting SantaandMrs.Claus.Itwasaspecialtreat toseetheirgranddaughterEllisperformin theNutcrackerballet.

AfterreturningtoIllinois,theytraveled toNapervilletovisitwiththeirdaughter, ChristineStephens,andherchildren,Sydney,Owen,andAvery Sydneyhas returnedhomefromtheUniversityof Michiganfortheholidaybreak.Itwas a busyandfun-filledweekforthefamily.

Whenmychildrenwereyoung,Ispent manyhoursdecoratingeveryinchofour house.Ialwaysdisplayedthecraftsmy momhadmadeandeachyearIwould makesuremykidshadanewornamentto hangontheirowntree.

Thefirstfewyearsinmyownhouse I

foundplacesforeveryitem.Ilovedunpackingeachboxandrememberingwhateach piecemeansfortheholidays.Becauseof travelandworkoverthepastfewholidays, Ihaven’tdisplayedmanythings.

Thisyear,Iassembledmytreeand addedlightsandastar.Ihaven’tgotten muchfurther.Atnight,Iturnonthelights andenjoyhowtheywarmuptheroom.It reallydoesbrightenthespaceandmyspirits.

Inanotherweek,wewillcelebratethe birthofJesus,thelightoftheworld.He cametoshineinallthedarkestplaces.His loveforeverypersonshinesbrightly.His lightwarms thosewhoarewilling to receiveit.

WecanshineforJesus.Eachactofkindness bringsalightandlovetoothers.Our wordsofloveforeachothergrowintolight thatwon’tbediminished.Whenweshare Hislove,webringevenmoreofHislightto thedark.

IhopetoseeyouonChristmasEvefor ourannualserviceat7p.m.Wewillhave ourregularchurchserviceonSunday morningat10a.m.Comeandcelebratethe birthofourSavior.IwishyouaveryMerry Christmas!

•KarenMerlak livesinPoloandis a memberofthePineCreekChristian Church.

Winter weather fails to deter Wreaths Across America

ByEARLEENHINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com

Coldwintertemperaturesandbiting windfailedtodetervolunteersfrom placingwreathsonthegravesofveteransatDaysvilleCemeterysoutheastof Oregonaspartofthenationwide WreathsAcrossAmerica

TheSaturdayafternooneventwas coordinatedbytheRochelleChapterof theDaughtersoftheAmericanRevolutionwithhelpfromOregonVFWPost 8739.Thewreathswereprovided throughdonations.

LauriePerry,regentoftheRochelle ChapteroftheDAR,spokebriefly about theWreathsAcrossAmerica programnotingthatSaturday’sevent waspartofanationalefforttohonor localveteransbyplacingwreathsat theirgraves.

“Allwreathsaresponsoredbydonation–asistheentireprogram:trucks, drivers’time,fuel,everything,”she said.

Ceremonialwreathswerefirstplaced in honorofallofthemilitaryservices includingtheU.S.CoastGuard,MerchantMarinesandPOW/MIAs.Twenty-fivevolunteersthenspreadout acrossthecemeterytoplacewreathsat eachveterans’gravethatalreadyhad been markedwithU.S.flags.

According toSaturday’sprogram, 204veteransareburiedattheDaysville Cemetery,located fivemilessoutheast ofOregononDaysvilleRoad.

CeremoniesalsowereheldatWoodlawnCemeteryinCrestonandSt.Patrick’sCemeteryinRochelle.Girls ScoutsfromTroop2189gavethePledge ofAllegiancetoopenSaturday’sevent.

WreathsAcrossAmericaDay,held annuallyinDecember,alsoincludes a wreath-layingceremonyatArlington NationalCemetery,inadditiontoother locationsinall50states.

AccordingtotheWreathsAcross Americawebsite:“Weunderstandwe haveVeteransDayinthefalland MemorialDayinthespring,butour servicememberssacrificetheirtime andsafetyeverysingledayoftheyear topreserveourfreedoms.Inmany homes,thereisanemptyseat forone whoisservingoronewhomadethe ultimatesacrificeforourcountry. Thereisnobettertimetoexpressour appreciationthan duringthehustle andbustleoftheholidayseason.We hopeyouwilljoinusatanyofourmore than3,400participatinglocationsto showourveteransandtheirfamilies thatwewillnotforget.Wewillnever forget.”

Foradditionalinformationorto donate,visitwreathsacrossamerica. org.

EarleenHinton/ShawMedia

ABOVE: Bill and Stephanie Nelson of Oregon lay wreaths on veterans’ graves at Daysville Cemetery onDec. 17 during the Wreaths Across America project.Billwas layinga wreath on the grave of Virgil Reed, who fought in the Civil War.

ABOVE: Don Stevens and hisdaughter, Anne, helped place wreath on veterans’ graves at Daysville Cemetery. LEFT: Devyn, 12, of Oregon placesa wreath on a veteran’s grave

RIGHT: John Tuttle of Oregon,a Vietnam War veteran, salutes after layinga wreath in honor of POWs and MIAs.

County raises video gaming terminal feeto $150

Feepreviouslywas $25permachine

ByALEXAZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com

OgleCountyuppeditsannualvideo gamingterminalfeeto$150duringits Dec.20boardmeeting.

OgleCountyBoardmembersvoted 17-4toraisethefee,effectiveMay1, 2022.BoardChairpersonJohnFinfrockandboardmembersDanMiller, JosephSimmsandStanAspvotedno.

“Itwaspassedatcommitteeawhile back,butnevercamebeforethe board,”Finfrocksaid.

TheOgleCountyLiquorControl Commissionrecommendedthe$150 feeduringitsApril19meeting.

Thefeepreviouslywas$25perterminal.AstatelawpassedDec.17,2021, allowsthecountytoraisethefeetono morethan$250permachineperyear.

Thenewfeesetbythecountyboard appliesonlytoestablishmentsunder thejurisdictionofOgleCounty. The feecoversafiscalyearofMay 1 throughApril30.

ARPAeconomicgrantsOK’d

Countyboardmembersalso approvedthefollowingeconomic developmentgrants,whicharefunded fromAmericanRescuePlanActdollarsreceivedbythecounty:

ThevillageofForrestonreceived $17,375foraLEDsignandHVAC upgradestoanewvillagehallbuilding.

TheByronFireProtectionDistrict got$23,000forextricationequipment.

EMS-EmergencyOperationsCenterwasgiven$5,000tocoverlostrevenue.

Old jail demolition update

Demolitionoftheoldcountyjailis “movingalongverynicely,”saidDon Griffin,OgleCountyBoardmember andLongRangePlanningchairperson.Thebuildinghasbeencompletely removed,alongwithunderground materials,andthespaceisbeingfilled in.

“Wehopetohavethatfinishedupat theendoftheweek,”Griffinsaid.

TheOgleCountyBoardapproveda bidof$98,000torazethebuildingon Oct.18afterreceivingatotalofeight bidsfortheproject.

Thecostofdemolitionwillbepaid forusingAmericanRescue PlanAct monies;thatexpenditurealsowas approvedbyboardmembersOct.18.

Thejailwaslocatedat107S.Fifth St.,justsouthofthehistoricOgle CountyCourthousethatwasbuiltin 1891.Thecourthousestillhousesseveralcountyoffices.ThenewOgle County CorrectionalCenter,located westofthe OgleCountyJudicialCenter,openedinNovember2020.

Thejudicialcenter,located inthe 100block ofSouthFifthStreetwestof thecourthouse,housescourtrooms andcountyofficesaffiliatedwiththe courtsystem.

Thecurrentplanforthesiteisto addonerowofparkingstallsandsidewalksontheeastsideoftheexisting parkinglotandleavetherestasgreen space.

TheOgleCountySheriff’sOfficeispartneringwiththeIllinoisDepartmentofTransportationtoremindmotoristsaboutthedangersofimpaireddriving.

FromDec.16throughJan.2,lawenforcementacrossIllinoiswillstepupenforcement effortswithahighvisibility“DriveSoberor GetPulledOver”and“DriveHigh.Get a DUI”trafficsafetycampaign.

“Wewanteveryoneinour communitiesto enjoytheholidayswithoutworryingabout thedangersofimpaireddrivers,”OgleCounty SheriffBrianVanVicklesaidinanews release.“Duringthecampaign,youcanexpect toseeextrasafetypatrols.Wewillshowzero

toleranceforalcohol-anddrug-impaireddrivingtohelp ensure everyonemakesittoand fromtheirholidayfestivitiessafely.”

AccordingtotheNationalHighwayTrafficSafetyAdministration’sFatalityAnalysis ReportingSystem,in2020,atotalof11,654 peoplewerekilledinmotorvehiclecrashes involvinganalcohol-impaireddriver.

Onaverage,morethan10,000peoplewere killedeachyearfrom2016to2020,withone personkilledinanalcohol-relatedcrash every45minutesin2020.

Beforetheholidayfunbegins,makeaplan forasoberridehomeandrememberthese tips:

Designateasoberdriverormakeaplanto usepublictransportationoraride-sharing servicetogethomesafely.

Ifyouseeanimpaireddriverontheroad, pulloverandcontacttheSheriff’sOffice.

Haveafriendwhoisabouttodrive impaired?Takethekeysawayandmake arrangementstogetthemhomesafely. They’llthankyoulater.

Alwaysbuckleup!

Theholidayenforcementcampaignis administeredbyIDOTwithfederalhighway safetyfundsmanagedbytheNationalHighwayTrafficSafetyAdministration,VanVicklesaid.

EarleenHinton/ShawMedia

A Martin & Co truck unloads gravel as workers fill in the basement ofthe old Ogle County Jail on Tuesday. Demolition of the 1969 jail started Dec 5.

Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle

Polo taking part in first EV Readiness Program

Municipalitiesinthecohortrangeinpopulation fromPolo’s2,291toChicago’s2,746,388.

Accordingtothe2020census,Polo,DeerPark, UniversityPark,HampshireandGlencoeeachhave fewerthan9,000residents;RichtonPark’spopulationis12,775.Geneva,Darien,Maywood,Hanover Park,CarolStream,OakParkandSkokieeachhave between21,000and68,000residents.Aurora’spopulationis180,542andKaneCounty’sis516,522.

Sundmansaid.“ButI’m excitedbecauseIreally thinkthatif wecangetevenoneofthesestations somewhereintownandgetonthesedatabasesfor peoplewhohaveEV carswhoneedtochargewhile they’reintransport[we’lldrawpeopleintoPolo].”

IfsomeoneisdrivinganEVfromMonroetoDixon andtheirbatteryneedstocharge,havingPoloasan optiontostopandchargebenefitsthecity,shesaid.

ByALEXAZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com

Poloisparticipatinginaninitiativetohelplocal governmentspreparetomeetagrowingdemandfor electricvehiclesandEVcharginginfrastructure.

Thecityisoneof16membersoftheEVReadiness Program’sinauguralcohort.Theprogram,which waslaunchedearlierthisyearbytheMetropolitan MayorsCaucusandComEd,“willhelpcommunities streamlinepoliciesandimplementbestpracticesfor safeandeffectiveregionaltransportationelectrification,”accordingtoanewsreleaseonMayorsCaucus. org.

“We’dliketosetthestandardforthelittletowns,” PoloAlderpersonBethSundmantoldfellowcity councilmembersduringtheirDec.5meeting.“We wanttobealeaderinanareaandshoweverybody elsethatthiscanbedoneinatownthissize.”

“They[Chicago’srepresentatives]madeacommentaboutbeingthe elephantintheroom,” said Sundman,referencinganin-personmeetingof the cohortsheandCityClerkSydney Bartelt attended. “Sowhenitcamearoundtous,I was like,‘Wellif they’retheelephant,we’rethemouse in theroom becausethisiswhatwe’redealingwith.’”

BarteltappliedfortheprogramonbehalfofPolo. Thereare17goalsrelatedtopreparationthatPolo issupposedtoaccomplishwithinthenextsix months,Sundmansaid.Shenotedthatitmighttake longerthanthat,butoncethegoalsaremet,thecity willreceiveaplaquedeclaringitsEVReadyBronze designation.

Beyondthe17Bronzedesignationgoals,thereare goalsthatwillearnamunicipalitySilverorGold designation,accordingtothenewsrelease.

“Myconcernwasscalabilityandthembeingable tohelpusdothisevenonasmallerscaledarea,”

“Theymaypullinhere,plugin,andthey’vegotto hang for half an hour,” Sundman noted. “Meanwhile,theycanwalktoShell,walkto themarket, walkdowntown,golookatatree.Wekindofhold themhostagewhiletheyarecharging,whichgives themachancetoseewhatwecanoffer.

“Iftheycangodowntownandtheycanseethe restaurantsandtheycanseeoptionsandtheycan seestoresandtheycanseethestuffhere,thenthat mightencouragethemtocomeback,”shecontinued.“Sothatwasmypersonalhopeforthat.”

AccordingtotheIllinoisSecretaryofState’swebsite,therewere35,504EVsinthestateand53EVsin OgleCountyasofNov.15,2021.AsofNov.15ofthis year,thereare55,333EVsinIllinoisand77inOgle County.Thesetotalsdonotincludehybridvehicles.

Thestate’srecordsofEVspercountygoback to November2017;atthatpointtherewere8,031EVsin thestateandthreeinOgleCounty.

Lee County looking toincreasespeed limit on Lowell Park Road

ByRACHELRODGERS rrodgers@shawmedia.com

TheLeeCountyBoardwillbevoting nextweekonrevertingthespeedlimit onaportionofLowellParkRoadback to55mph.

InOctober2020,theboardapproved changingthespeedlimitfrom55mph to45mphfromTimberCreekRoadto PilgrimRoadfollowingsafetyconcerns fromresidents.

PilgrimRoadmarkswhereLee CountyendsandOgleCountybegins.

LeeCountyBoardmemberswanted toreevaluatethespeedzone,andthe LeeCountyHighwayDepartmentconductedaspeedstudyfor LowellPark RoadfromPenrosetoPilgrimroadsin July.

Thestudyfoundthat88%ofdrivers wereviolatingthelimit.Theaverage forabout85%ofdriverswas59mph, andtheprevailingspeedwasaround56 mph.

Prevailingspeedisdeterminedto reflectwhatamajorityofthedrivers willdriveatwhattheyjudgetobesafe andproper.

Theboardwillvoteonaresolution saying that“anincreaseintheposted speedlimitonLowellParkRoadfrom Timber CreekRoadtoPilgrimRoadis reasonableandnecessaryforthesafety ofthemotoringpublic.”

Program‘willhelpcommunities streamlinepolicies,implement bestpractices’topreparefor influxofelectricvehicles

EarleenHinton/ShawMedia

The 45-mph speed limit on Lowell Park Roadbegins at Pilgrim Roadonce the roadenters Lee County.

Polo hasawonderful Native American collection

Theholidaysareuponusand someofmygrandchildren whoteacharealready outof schoolandthosewhogotoschoolat differentcolleges havefinishedthe semester.

Icanremember as ateacher,I enjoyedtheweekoffbeforeChristmas tofinishgettingreadytoentertainthe family.Thatseemslikea long time ago.

Nowmyfamilyhelpsmegetready for thedaythe wholefamily arrives andbasically, Iamreadyexcept for puttingtheeggnogtogetheratthelast minute.

Istillliketohaveallthehouseina festivemoodand Igeteverythingout.I stillremembertheyearoneofthechildrenwassickand Ididnotgetallout. Astheolderonescamehome,they quicklynoticedandevenwonderedif wewerecelebratingthatyear.

POLOHISTORY

Betty Obendorf

This pastweekwasthefuneralof MichelleGoekingandourchurchwill missherandallthebeautifulmusic shegavetous.Shewasindeed agifted personandmanywillmissheraccomplishments.

Wecannothelpbutfeelsadatthe turnofeventsevenifitisholidaytime. Itwillbethememoriesthatcarry everyonethroughaslifegoeson.

When IopenedtheSaukValley newspaperthisweekandthereonthe frontpagewas apictureofPoloMarco BrockSoltow,itraisedone’sspirits immediately.Thatiswhatweneeded

aswemoveforward.Thearticlewasa goodoneasI readaboutthefootball accomplishmentsforthispastseason. Allouryoungathletesaretobecongratulated.

PoloHistoricalSocietywillbe workingwithoneofourhighschool studentsoverthenextcoupleof monthsatthemuseum.Itwillbea Scouting projectand thefocuswillbe onourNativeAmericanartifacts.

Severalofuswillbeinvolvedandit shouldbeaninterestingtime.Polo doeshaveawonderfulNativeAmericancollection.

Iremember afewyearsagowhena UniversityofOhiostudentwalkedin tothebigmuseuminChicagoto researchtheNativeAmericancollectionandhewas told,“Youneedtogo to Poloandseemygrandfather’scollection.”

Thatstudentthengotintouchwith

me andcametoPolotoseethe Schryvercollection.

Hewasdefinitelyimpressedand tookmanypictures.

NowwehaveaddedtheBloughcollectionaswell.

Thisweek,moreofJesseSchryver’s WorldWarIIcollectioncameinwhen Patbroughtinhishat.Wenowneedto gothroughtheseveralboxestosee whatisinthosethatwillneedtobe placedinthemilitarypartofour museum.

RememberJess Schryverwasthe onewhorepairedallourlawnmowers formanyyears.Theyearshavegone swiftlybyandsomeoneelsetakescare ofourlawnmowersnow.

Haveagreatholidayseason.

•BettyObendorfisaretiredteacher andavolunteerforthePoloHistorical Society.

Southern Illinois also wasknown as ‘LittleEgypt’

ByOTTODICK

SouthernIllinois,alsoknown asLittleEgypt,isthesouthern thirdofIllinois.ThemostpopulatedcityisBellevilleatnear45,000.

TheUniversity ofSouthernIllinois islocated atCarbondaleandhomeof ScottAirForceBase.

Southern Illinois has apopulation of1.2millionpeoplewho liveinsmall townsandcitiesseparatedbyfarmlandsandtheShawneeNationalForest.

ThefirstsettlerswereFrenchcolonists.Ourearlysettlerswere slowto arriveinIllinoisaftertheAmerican RevolutionaryWar.By1800,lessthan 2,000EuropeanAmericanslivedinIllinois.ThefirstEuropeansettlerscame fromIndiana,Tennessee,Virginia, GeorgiaandtheCarolinas.Theywere mostlyEnglish,Germanand ScotchIrishdescent.

ThefirstbankcharteredinIllinois waslocatedatOldShawneetownin 1816.

Thefirstbankbuildingwasbuiltin 1840inOldShawneetownandwas useduntil1920.Thisbankhasbeen restoredas ahistoricalsite.

ThisbankisanexampleofAntebellumarchitecture(pre-wararchitecture,Latinante“before”andbellum “war.”Antebellumdesignedhouses includedhugepillars, abalcony, abig centerentranceatthefrontandback ofthehouse,evenlyspacedlargewindowsandseverallevels.

Inthe20thcentury,coalmining

becameanimportant industryin SouthernIllinois.Unionworkerswent onstrikein1922and24menwere killedduringa riotinHerrininWilliamsonCounty.

ThecountywasknownasBloody Williamsonfor yearsfollowing.Most oftheseminesclosedintheWallStreet Crashof1929.

FollowingtheCleanAirActof1990 manycompanieswererequiredto switchtolow-sulfurcoalcausing many minestocloseorreducecoal production.

Duringthe1940sand1950s oilproductionreached140,000,000barrels peryear, butdroppedwithoilwells havinglowyieldsandhighsulfurcontent.

Tourismfeaturesseveralstate parksthatbenefitfromthesceneryof theShawneeNationalForest.

Beingthefirstsettledareain Illinois,manyhistoricallandmarksare inthisareaandnumeroushistorical markersarescatteredthroughout SouthernIllinois.

MarilynandI drovetoCarbondale

tovisitourdaughterLoriattending SouthernIllinoisUniversityworking onhermaster’sdegree.

WedrovebyBuckminsterFuller’s homelocatedinCarbondale.WhenI mentionedtoMarilynthatSouthern IllinoiswascalledLittleEgyptshe mentionedthatCairowasanappropriate nameforthecitylocatedatthe SoutherntipofIllinoisinLittleEgypt.

•OttoDickis aretired teacherand hasresearchedOgleCountyhistory forseveralyears.

ImagesprovidedbyOttoDick

Themapabove showsthe NorthwestTerritoryasof1787. At rightisaphoto of Buckminster Fuller’s home in Carbondale,Illinois.

Oregon: ParkDistrict MaintenanceDept., 507HillSt.

Byron: Byronboatlaunchlot, E.BlackhawkDr.(Rt.2)

Forreston: 407N.LocustSt.

LeafRiver: 208RailroadSt.

Rochelle: AtwoodPark,10th Ave. &20thSt.

MonroeCenter: Lichty’sLandscaping 309PacificSt.

Polo: SouthwestcornerofE. ColdenSt.&S.Green Ave.

EarleenHinton/ShawMedia

TOPLEFT: Members of the OregonHigh SchoolChoir Band singduring the OHS Christmas Concert onDec 18 LEFT: Oregon High School Bandmember KeltieChampley plays the flute as Noelle Girtonplays the piccolo. ABOVE: Gavyn McArthurand Gracie Prose play thunder tubes during the band’s performance of Lightning Field Senior bandmember Bryan Immel made the thunder tubes for the performance.

Tips on howto have a more ‘waste-free’ holiday

SubmittedbytheOgleCountySolid WasteManagementDepartment

Theholidayseasonseemstobeinfullswingall overOgleCountyasresidentsandbusinessesare decoratingandpreparingforallofthefestivities thatlieahead.

Theholidayseason,withallofthecelebrating, alsocomeswithalargeincreaseinthewasteweproduce.Takesomestepsthisholiday seasontogo greenandhaveamorewaste-freeholidayexperience.

Themorewedonowtogogreenandhelpour earthisagiftthatkeepsongivingforfuturegenerationsinmorewaysthanone.Choosefromsomeof theideasbelowtogogreenthisholidayseasonand reduceourwastefootprint.

When decidingongifts,chooseagiftofexperience,giftcardsorcertificatesifpossible.Thesegifts aretrulyenjoyablefortherecipientandrequire verylittlepackaging,noshippingandverylittlegift wrap,andwillnotbecomeaburdentotherecipient whentheitemhaslostitsuseorvalueandwouldbe disposedof.

Whenentertaining,planmealsaccordinglyand planforhowtodistributetheleftoverstoyour guests,oraskthemtobringareusablecontainerfor leftoverstotakehome.Skipthedisposableplates andutensilsandusewashableandreusableitemsto avoidexcesswaste.There’ssomeextraworkwith

doingthedishes,butverywellworthittoavoidsingleuseitems.

Whenpreparingthehousefortheholidays,many peoplecleanandhavemanyitemsthatarenolonger wanted.Considertakingallofyourgentlyused,but stillusefulitems,toalocalresaleshopor another outletthatacceptsdonations.Doingsohelpsthosein needandgivesitemsanotherlifeasopposedtofinal disposalinalandfill.

Whenshopping,shoplocalfirsttohelplocalbusinesses,avoidlongerdrivesandavoidexcesspackagingfrompurchasingitemsonline.Bringreusable shoppingbagsandconsidergiftsthatlastandhave realvaluetotherecipient.Whenwrappinggifts, avoidexcesspaperandtrimandconsiderreusable

OBITUARY

HELENM.BUTLER

giftbagsorothercreativegiftwrap.

Theexcessribbons,bowsandothertrimisnot recycled andendsupforfinaldisposal, creating additionalwaste.Savegiftboxesforreusenextyear ifpossible,andtrytorecycleboxesfrompackaging andgifts.Remembertoflattenboxesandkeepthem cleananddryforefficientrecyclingoftheseitems.

Rememberthe10countylocationstorecycleyour holidaylightstrands,locatedatfirestationsinMt. Morris,Byron,RochelleandStillmanValleyandat villagehallsinForreston,Polo,CrestonandDavis Junction.Therealsoarecontainersattheoldcourthouseandatthecountyofficeslocatedat909 Pines Road.

Finally,startingDec.26,therewillonceagainbe severaldrop-offlocationsaroundthecountyfor yourlivetreesoitcanberecycledintousablemulch, andtherewillonceagainbepickupserviceavailable inOregon,Mt.Morris,PoloandtheForrestonareas courtesyofthelocalFFAgroupsonSaturday,Jan.7.

Enjoythisholidayseasonsafely andasgreenas youcan.

Whatwillyour“onething”befromthe ideas above?Ifwemakethat“onething”ahabit,wecan growfromthereandmakeitalifestyle.

Formoreinformationonwastereductionand recyclinginOgleCountyvisitthecountywebsite, call815-732-4020, oronFacebookatOgle County SolidWasteManagementDept.

Born: July8,1940inDavis,IL Died: December12,2022inOregon,IL

HelenM.Butler,82, ofForreston,passed away,MondayDecember12,2022,atSerenityHospice,Oregon, Illinois.Helenwasborn July8,1940inDavis, Illinois,thedaughter ofGeorgeandElizabeth(Hoch)Kochsmeier. HelenmarriedWilliamC.ButlerOctober21, 1960,inForreston.Mr.ButlerdiedOctober 29,2002.Helen’sfamilyalwayscamefirst,

shedisplayedthisbythecompassionatecare sheshowedeachandeveryfamilymember. Shewaswellknownasafantasticcaregiver. Survivingisherdaughter,TwilaofForreston; twonephews,Tim(MichelleLafferty)Kubly andTerry(Alicia)Kubly;niece,Jodi(Jeff) Stine;manygreatniecesandnephews;also survivingisherbelovedShihTzu,MindyJo. Helenwasprecededindeathbyherhusband, daughter,Darla;andsister,Doris.Funeral serviceswillbe11:00a.m.FridayDecember 16,2022atBurkeTubbsFuneralHome, Forreston.Visitation10:00a.m.untilthe timeofservice.BurialwillbeatNorthGrove EvangelicalCemetery.Amemorialhasbeen establishedinHelen’smemory.

PhotoprovidedbyJeanHoff

The Oregon Lions donated $2,500 to the VFW in Oregon. Pictured, left to right, are Lion Jerry Hinrichs, Lion Jim Hoff, Bob Coulter from the VFW, Lion EdSmola, Lion Duane Moser and Lion Chuck McCourt.

EarleenHinton/ShawMedia

The Polo Pep Bandprovided the musical entertainment at thegirls basketballgame last week.Pictured above are Tegan Wright,eighth grade (drummer); Ben Ryan,junior, drummer; Landon Brauchler, seventh grade (trumpet); and Avery Faivre,junior, tuba. Above right, Cheyenna Wilkins,a sophomore, plays the clarinet.

ThefollowingOgleCountyzoningcertificateswereissued forOctober.

ShawnWinterton;MarionTownship;Section7;agricultural building.

ScottWatson;Oregon-NashuaTownship;Section2; removal.

KarenDiehl;BrookvilleTownship;Section12;removal.

MichaelWest;ScottTownship;Section34;residential accessorybuilding.

DavidBakener;RockvaleTownship;Section33;residential accessorybuilding.

GeraldBeck;PineRockTownship;Section15;additionto

PROPERTYTRANSFERS

Dec.9-15

WarrantyDeeds

NicholasandMeganBauertoJohnT.and MicheleGearyGirgis,946stateRoute2, Oregon,$424,000.

ElinaShulyaktoJosephandEmilyM. Jensen,104S.SecondSt.,Oregon,$124,900.

GaryandBrendaDobbstoEllaG.Martin, 505SunsetLane,Mt.Morris,$70,000.

MatthewMelancentoGrassInvestments, 102MainSt.,LeafRiver,$50,000.

MaryClaudiaRobertson,toSarahLeigh Miller,907S.FifthSt.,Oregon,$117,900.

WilliamR.KuehltoCherryHillEstates, threeparcelsinFlaggTownship,$0.

KanduLLCtoCountyLinePropertiesLLC,2 W.HittSt.,Mt.Morris,$10,000.

DarleneDirksentoAdamK.andHeatherL. Ruchti,110N.DepotSt.,Oregon,$30,000.

Pipe77LLCtoShips11LLC,1320N. SeventhSt.,Rochelle,$400,000.

NatashaKnutson,alsoHollis,andNicholas HainestoTaylorN.Tetrick,405N.Division Ave.,Polo,$107,000.

WiggaleLLCtoDavidA.andDeborahL. Hidges,704JeffersonSt.,Oregon,$125,000.

AJHomesLLCtoDanielJamesWalz,305E. ElmSt.,Forreston,$107,000.

MichaelL.andShawneenM.Arreguinto JonathanandOceliaMarcelaNuyen,316N. SixthSt.,Rochelle,$200,000.

C.Lorena,JesusandCelerinaHueramoand JuanCinciretoEugeniaCincire,332IreneSt., Rochelle,$75,000.

QuitClaimDeed

CheapHomeFindersInc.toJeffreyS. Kalina,9702NPecatonicaRoad,Byron, $4,000.

TrusteesDeeds

DandEEwingFamilyTrust,EmmaL. Ewing,trustee,toMichaelE.andDariceM.

existingaccessorybuilding.

RhoadsRemodeling/Taylor;WhiteRockTownship;Section 27;two-storydwellingaddition.

CrownCastle/T-Mobile;DementTownship;Section14; equipmentupgradesonexistingtelecommunicationstower; $15,000.

RobertTate;GrandDetourTownship;Section13;raiseroof, changeroofpitch,deck.

RogerGarrie;ByronTownship;Section19;dwelling addition.

JosephPowers/LindaPhillips;Mt.MorrisTownship;Section 24;guesthouse;$150,000.

DevinTodd;PineRockTownship;Section22;residential

accessorybuilding.

T-Mobile;Mt.Morris;Section21;co-locationonexisting telecommunicationsfacility;$10,000.

DawnTuneberg;ByronTownship;Section6;maintenance building.

CrownCastle/Muetze;DementTownship;Section33; telecommunicationsfacility;$250,000.

NorthernILSolar/Wetzel;MonroeTownship;Section31; privateground-mountedsolararray.

MaplehurstFarms;LynnvilleTownship;Section19;liquid fertilizertank;$490,000.

CharlesLong;Oregon-NashuaTownship;Section16; residentialaccessorybuilding.

Piske,6572N.DeerPath,Oregon,$198,000.

RobertAnthonyThompsonTrust,SteveM. Thompson,trustee,toJoseNievesand VanessaM.Garcia,11281E.OakCourt, Rochelle,$229,000.

Trust101,JudyA.Anderson,TammyJ. TaylorandTammyKodner,trustees,toChris andMariafeSiegfried,5662N.CaroleCourt, DavisJunction,$287,000.

LongneckerFamilyTrust292,RebaMaxine Longnecker,trustee,toJenniferL.Madden, 165S.FoxRunLaneandoneotherparcelin Byron,$179,500.

DemikJointTrust,PhillipandKimberly Demik,trustees,toHarlanE.RowlandTrust 997,HarlanE.Rowland,trustee,460Mill RidgeDrive,Byron,$155,000.

ExecutorsDeed

EstateofthelateCarolJ.Koellerto JerryanneM.Jacobs,106S.FourthAve., Forreston,$105,000.

Deeds

OgleCountyTrustNo.2425126024,Ogle County,trustee,toMarcoSawires,one parcelinFlaggTownship,$0.

OgleCountyTrustNo.2209352002,Ogle County,trustee,toSabastienBerardino, 120-122FlambeauLane,Dixon,$0.

OgleCountyTrustNo.2209103013,Ogle County,trustee,toJaveedShaik,1009White PineDrive,Dixon,0.

OgleCountyTrustNo.2208179014,Ogle County,trustee,toEricNkemtaji,315Platte Drive,Dixon,$0.

OgleCountyTrustNo.1604278011,Ogle County,trustee,toCatriuchaMuscadin,one parcelinOregon-NashuaTownship,$0.

OgleCountyTrustNo.2209351023,Ogle County,trustee,toTSAHoldingGroupLLC, oneparcelinTaylorTownship,$0.

OgleCountyTrustNo.2208204009,Ogle County,trustee,toTSAHoldingGroup,LLC,

606MississippiDrive,Dixon,$0.

OgleCountyTrustNo.2208452003,Ogle County,trustee,toStefanieSofiaCrocker, 400ChippewaLane,Dixon,$0.

OgleCountyTrustNo.22084729013,Ogle County,trustee,toStephanieSofiaCrocker, 213CuyahogaDrive,Dixon,$0.

OgleCountyTrustNo.2208427009,Ogle County,trustee,toCareyYoungand ChristopherM.Flaherty,204Mississippi Drive,Dixon,$0.

OgleCountyTrustNo.2208127036,Ogle County,trustee,toCareyYoungand ChristopherM.Flaherty,805MissouriDrive, Dixon,$0.

OgleCountyTrustNo.22084747013,Ogle County,trustee,toNathanHutchison,106 IronCourt,Dixon,$0.

OgleCountyTrustNo.2209127011,Ogle County,trustee,toNathanHutchison,611 LocustLane,Dixon,$0.

OgleCountyTrustNo.2208429003,Ogle County,trustee,toAhmadZaal,303Ohio Court,Dixon,$0.

OgleCountyTrustNo.2208252002,Ogle County,trustee,toAhmadZaal,523 SangamonLane,Dixon,$0.

OgleCountyTrustNo.2208433025,Ogle County,trustee,toAhmadZaal,231 WisconsinLane,Dixon,$0.

OgleCountyTrustNo.2208130002,Ogle County,trustee,toAshlyFalcon,105North Fork,Dixon,$0.

OgleCountyTrustNo.2008404020,Ogle County,trustee,toAshlyFalcon,301Otter TrailLane,Dixon,$0.

OgleCountyTrustNo.2208277019,Ogle County,trustee,toMTRPropertiesLLC,215 CrabappleCourt,Dixon,$0.

OgleCountyTrustNo.2208326005,Ogle County,trustee,toMTRPropertiesLLC,217 DeerPaintDrive,Dixon,$0.

OgleCountyTrustNo.2208376006,Ogle County,trustee,toMTFPropertiesLLC,414 ChippewaLane,Dixon,$0.

OgleCountyTrustNo.2208402018,Ogle County,trustee,toMTRPropertiesLLC,401 WildRiceLane,Dixon,$0.

OgleCountyTrustNo.2208404010,Ogle County,trustee,toMTRPropertiesLLC,321 OtterTrailLane,Dixon,$0.

OgleCountyTrustNo.2208404014,Ogle County,trustee,toMTRPropertiesLLC, 311-313OtterTrailLane,Dixon,$0.

OgleCountyTrustNo.2208429006,Ogle County,trustee,toMTRPropertiesLLC,200 MiamiDrive,Dixon,$0.

OgleCountyTrustNo.2209178005,Ogle County,trustee,toMTRPropertiesLLC,206 MulberryLane,Dixon,$0.

OgleCountyTrustNo.2208526001,Ogle County,trustee,toNamigAghayev,406St. FrancisDrive,Dixon,$0.

OgleCountyTrustNo.2208202002,Ogle County,trustee,toNamigAghayev,710 MississippiDrive,Dixon,$0.

OgleCountyTrustNo.2209351020,Ogle County,trustee,toNamigAghayev,104 CuyahogaDrive,Dixon,$0.

Sheriff’sdeed

SheriffofOgleCountyandChristina HallmantoHubShuttleInc.andRussell Stevens,8576N.YosemiteDrive,Byron, $108,000.

Source:OgleCountyRecorder’sOffic

Milledgeville rallies from deficit to defeat rival Polo

ByTYREYNOLDS treynolds@shawmedia.com

KarterLivengoodpickedtheperfecttimetoputuphisonlyshotofthe nightMonday.

TheMilledgevillefreshmansank a 10-footbaselinejumperwith1.5secondslefttodefeatrivalPolo46-45ina ForrestonHolidayTournamentconsolationgametocapacomebackfrom a 19-pointfirst-halfdeficit.

“Thatwasmyfirstshotattemptof thegame,andIjusthadto takeit.It feltgreattoseeitgoin,”saidLivengood,whosaidhewashesitanttotake theshot.

Theclutchbasketcameonan inboundsplayfromtheleftcorner with7.5secondstoplay.Livengoodgot openandtookthepass,thenspunto passtheballtoacuttingConnorNye underthebasket.

ButPolodefendedtheplaywell, andLivengoodfinallyjustshotanarcingjumperonananglefromofftothe sideandbehindthebackboard.The ballfloatedthroughthenet,andwhat hadoncebeenahugedeficitturned intoacomebackvictory.

“IwaslookingforConnoronthe

baselineandIdidn’tseeanything. I thoughttherewaslesstimeonthe clock,soIputitup,”Livengoodsaid. “That’smyshot,onthebaseline. I knewIhadtomakesomethinghappen.”

Makingsomethinghappen wasthe Missiles’mantratheentiregame.Polo startedouthot,ridingBrockSoltowto a22-4leadafterthefirstquarter;the

Marcosstretcheditto27-8alittlemore thanaminuteintothesecondquarter whenSoltowkickedoutapassto a wide-openNolanHahnfora3-pointer.

Itwas29-10PoloafterSoltow’s pull-upjumperinthelanewith5:10 leftinthefirsthalf,thelastofhis14 first-halfpoints.

“Idon’treallyknowhowweranour offensesowell,tobehonest,”Soltow said.“Wejust cameoutwithabunch ofenergybecauseit’sourbiggestrival, nomatterwhatsportitis.It’salwaysa biggameagainstMilledgeville.”

TheMissiles(4-7)thenstartedchippingaway.KacenJohnsonscoredthe lasteightpointsofthesecondquarter tocutthedeficitto29-18athalftime, thendrovetothebasketto getwithin 29-22with5:24leftinthethirdtocapa 12-0run.

Hahnnaileda3toanswer,andCarsonJoneshitafreethrowforPolo(6-7) tostretchtheleadbackto33-22,but NyescoredoffaJohnsonfeed, then Johnsonagaindrovetothebasket beforeaputbackanda3fromColton Hendrickaminuteapartmadeit33-31 with1:42leftinthethird.

Anotherbenchplayer,Khrystiyan Dunn,scoredaputbackatthe third-quarterbuzzertotiethescore 33-33,thenNyedrovetothebasketto givetheMissilestheirfirstleadat 35-33just19secondsintothefourth.

“Wewere downby24againstLena [earlierthisyear],andourcoach told usthatgametogetitdownto12bythe endofthethirdquarter;weendedup gettingitdownto11,”Nyesaid.“Soit wasthesamemessage tonight,same gameplan,justcut it downandmake itascloseaswecouldgoingintothe fourthquarter.”

Soltowresponded,drivingthebaselineforalayup,thenkickingoutto Jonesforanopen3tomakeit39-35 Polowith3:50remaining.Butmissed

freethrowsprovedcostlyandallowed theMissilestostickaround.

Leading45-42afterJones’bucketoff abaselinedrivewith1:15toplay,Polo hadtwotripstothefree-throwlineto stretchtheleadtofive,andanotherto makeitafour-pointgameafter a Milledgevillefreethrowwith29secondsleft,butcameupemptyonallsix.

“Ithinkwe’vegottostartfocusing moreinpracticeonfreethrows.Sometimeswejuststartmessingaround withthose,andthesemisseskilled us,”Soltow said.“Wemissed15free throwsinthatgame,10inthefourth quarter,andifIknocktwoofthosein, wewould’vebeenupbyfive.Butitjust didn’thappenforustonight.”

MiscuesalsohauntedtheMarcos late.Milledgeville’sBryceAudestole threeinboundspassesinthefinalminuteofthe game, giving theMissiles several extrachanceswithouthaving tofoulPoloplayerstostoptheclock.

“Afterthefirstquarter,theywere onpacefor88pointsandweweren’t goingtoallowthat,”Nyesaid.“We justpickedupourpressure,played ourdefense,andjustboxedoutandgot thereboundsthatweneeded.Thefirst quarter,shotswerefallingforthem andweweren’tgettinganything,and whenwestartedboxingoutandpushingtheball,stuffstartedtohappenfor us.”

Johnsonscored16pointsand dishedtwoassistsforMilledgeville, whileHendrickhadninepointsand eightrebounds,andNyefinishedwith eightpoints,ninereboundsandfour assists.Aude addedfourpoints,five reboundsandthreestealsastheMissileswonafterleadingforatotalof 2 minutes,53secondstheentiregame.

“Itfeelsgoodtowinthatafterwe weredownsomuch,”Livengoodsaid. “We’vebeendowningamesearly,and itfeelsgoodtocomeback.Wehaven’t hadthehotteststarttotheseason,but itfeelsgoodtopullthatoneoff.”

SoltowledPolowith19points,eight rebounds,threeassists,twostealsand ablockedshot,whileHahnhadeight pointsandsevenrebounds.Jones addedsixpointsand fiverebounds, andCarterMerdianchippedinsix pointsandfourboards.

“Milledgevillereallyturnedupthe defense andtookusoutofwhatwe weretryingtodo,”saidPoloassistant coachJoeMerdian,wholedtheMarcosinplaceofanillheadcoachMatt Messer.“Wemissed10free throwsin thefourthquarter,andmadesome keyturnovers downthestretch.The effortwastherefromthekids,just somementalmistakeonthefreethrowlineandtakingcareofthebasketball.”

AlexT.Paschal—apaschal@shawmedia.com

Milledgeville’s Kacen Johnson drives to the hoop Monday as Polo’s Nolan Hahndefends during theirconsolation-bracket game at the ForrestonHoliday Tournament.

Boysbasketball Winnebago40,Forreston38: The Cardinalslostinaclosegamethroughout,as theytrailed28-25athalftimebutled34-33 throughthreequartersathome.

NikolasValenzuelaandOwenGreenfield eachscored13pointstopaceForreston (2-4),andBrendanGreenfieldaddeda double-doublewith10pointsand10 rebounds.

MylesSmithfinishedwith14points,and RayMaurchiehad11forWinnebago.

Polo62,Oregon53: BrockSoltowpoured in35pointsastheMarcoswonanonconferencegameathome.

CarsonJonesscored13points,NolanHahn hadeight,andCarterMerdianaddedsixfor Polo,whichtooktheleadwitha26-11 scoringedgeinthethirdquarter.

NoleCamposhitthree3-pointersandled Oregonwith11points.EvanJameshad10

points,JordanCroegaertaddedeight, JamesonCaposeyscoredseven,andNoah Johnsonhittwo3sforsixpointsforthe Hawks,wholed25-22athalftime.

ForrestonHolidayTournament Oregon66,Forreston54: TheHawkshad fourplayersscoreindoublefiguresand outscoredthehostCardinalsinthreeofthe fourquartersforafirst-roundvictory.

NoahJohnsonhitfive3-pointersandled Oregonwith17points,andJamesonCaposey finishedwith15points.JordanCroegaertand EvanJamesadded12pointsapiece.

NikolasValenzuelahitthree3sandled Forrestonwith17points.BrendanGreenfield scored10,andOwenGreenfieldandPayton Encheffaddedninepointseach.

Winnebago51,Polo36: TheMarcoswere outscored11-2inthefirstquarterand13-4in

See ROUNDUP, Page 14

SPORTS COLUMN

10-day trip to Israel wasa life-changing experience

Afteranintensive10-daytrip toIsrael,it’sbacktothegood oldUnitedStatesforme. Beingattheepicenter ofChristianity andJudaismwasalife-changingexperiencethatIwasfortunateenough to sharewith27otherpeopleonatour groupledbyformerRochelleclassmate KeithManley,apastoratGraceFamily ChurchinRockford.

With youthfultravellust leaving meandplentytoseein theUnited States,I neverhadanyintention of visitingothercountries.However,the factthatmyfriend Keithhasled30 tripstoIsraelwasenough aselling pointformetogetapassportandthen ponyup$3,700forairtravel,lodging, mealsandallexcursions.

Quitefrankly,adollarfigurecan’t beputonwhatismoreofapilgrimage thanavacation.TheBibletrulydoes cometolife,asonewalksthefootsteps ofJesus.

Israelisasmallcountry,aboutthe sizeofNewJersey,soitisrelatively easytoseemuchofit,thoughabus driverisonejobIwouldnotwantto have.Thecountrysidehashilly,windingroadswithsteepdrop-offsandcitieshavenarrowlanesthatleavelittle roombetweenoncomingtraffic.

Overandoveragain,onehearshow muchmoregratefulapersonisupon returningtoAmericaafterbeingin a foreigncountry. Indeed,wehavebetterinfrastructurethananywhereelse intheworld.

Growingup,youheartermssuchas GolanHeights,Samaria,SeaofGali-

lee,Jerusalem,JerichoandBethlehem.NowIknowwhattheyareabout, especiallyJerusalemwithits Arab, JewishandChristianquarters.

Onewaytodescribethingsisthat theBibleisthewrittenwordofGod, Jesus isthelivingwordofGodand IsraelisthegeographicalwordofGod.

Forcenturies,ithasbeenavery tenuousexistencebetweenreligions. Howtheycanco-existinIsraelis beyondmyunderstanding,especially theJewsandArabs.

Onethingthatbringseveryone together,though,isasharedloveof food.Oneofthehighlightsformewas walkingtheoldtownofJerusalem amongArabandJewishmarketswith theirgoodsandspicesgalore.Beit Jewor Arab,thosepeopleknowhow todopita.

Wehadlavishbreakfastanddinner buffetseverydayatthehotels,atestamenttothecountry’sprideinpresentingauthenticMediterraneancuisine. Theonlyproblemsomeofourgroup encounteredwasnotbeingableto havecreamintheircoffeeorother dairyproductsatnightbecauseof Jewishdietaryrules.

Hotelaccommodationswere5-star, includingintheresortareaofthe Dead Sea,whereonecanfloatin30 percentsalt water.The bestpartof lodgingwashavingaroommatewho didnotsnore,asitisdifficult tosleep withtheeight-hourtimechange.

Thefirstfewnights,Iwouldwake upat2a.m.andgooutforaruninthe beautifulweather.Peopleoftenasked,

GUESTVIEW

Andy Colbert

wereyouafraidoftravelingtoahotbedofpoliticalandreligiousdissent?

Notatall.Wehavecitiesherefar worsethananythinginIsrael.

Itismuchmore complicatedliving inIsrael,though.Forexample,ifwe wantedtoseetheChurchofNativity atBethlehem,wewouldhavehadto contractwithanArabbusandtravel guideasthatisnon-Jewishterritory.

Ihadneverbeenonagrouptour before,but it wasdefinitelyworthit. KeithandourJudeo-Christiantour guidehadeverythingmappedoutfor usandwewentnonstopeveryday fromsunuptosundown.Itwascompleterelaxation,withnoneedtothink orworryaboutanything.

Assomeonewhohasbeentraveling alonesincemywifepassedaway, anotherplusisdevelopingrelationshipswithfellowtravelersover a meal,shoppingormaybeonthebus. Oritcouldbesomethingassimpleas holdingthearmofanelderlywoman aswewalkedalongbumpy 2,000-year oldsidewalksandlearningabouther lifegrowinguparoundRockford.

Afewyearsago,Ihadbeenbaptized inthePolocitypoolwithfellowmembersfromCrossroads Church.Since historytellsusJesuswasbaptizedat

theJordanRiver,whynotmakeit a secondbaptisminIsrael?

Beingdippedinsuchholywatersas theJordan,I’vegottobehonest,it didn’tfeelthatspiritually different thanatPolo.

Somaybeit’snotthelocation,but theactofdoingit.

Icouldgoonandon aboutcool thingswegottoseeanddoonthistrip, butsomuchself-tellingcanbecome boringtoothers.

UponboardingthenonstopUnited Airlinesflightbackhome,Iknew I wasgettingbacktoreality asconversationsparkedwithflight attendant Jan HuffmanaboutLena-Winslow sports.ShesawourshirtswithGrace FamilyChurchandidentifiedherself tomeasa1981gradofLe-Winandhow muchprideshehadinhercommunity, whereshecontinuestolivein.

Duringthecourseofthe12-hour flight,wetalkedaboutclassic Le-Win-Forrestonfootball games we’veseen,asthe transition fromthe MiddleEasttoAmericabegan.After flyingthroughthe night,getting throughcustoms,takingthebusto Rockfordandeventuallymakingmy waytoOregon,anyplanstotakeinthe firstdayoftheForrrestonbasketball tournamentwentbythewaysideasjet lagtookover.

•AndyColbert,anavidrunner,has beenasportswriterforShawMedia andhascoveredhighschoolsportsin OgleCountyformorethan30years.

EarleenHinton/ShawMedia

Oregon’sJameson Caposey dribbles as Forreston’s Payton Encheffreachesin to try to steal the ball during Saturday action at the 61st Forreston Holiday Tournament.

thefourthofatournamentloss.

BrockSoltowscored16points,andCarter Merdianadded11forPolo.

JadenHortonhad22points,andRay Maurchiechippedin15forWinnebago.

Newman59,Oregon42:TheHawks trailed24-14atthehalfandscored26to Newman’s35inthesecondhalfonTuesday.

NoahJohnsonandEvanJameshadseven eachfortheHawks.

Forreston28,PearlCity42: TheCardinals led20-13atthehalfandadded28morein thesecondhalfenroutetoaTuesdaywin.

BrockSmithandNikolasValenzuelaeach scored15pointsfortheCardinals.OWen Greenfieldaddedfivepoints.

Girlsbasketball

Orangeville47,Oregon19: TheHawksfell behind19-4throughthefirstquarterand neverrecoveredinalossatthePearlCity HolidayInvite.

HadleyLutzhadeightpoints,andMya EngelkesscoredsixforOregon,whichwill playAFCinthefifth-placegameWednesday at7p.m.MorrisonwilltakeonLena-Winslow forthetitleat7p.m.Thursday.

WhitneySullivanscored17pointstopace Orangeville,whileEllaDoylehadnineand LaneyCahoonaddedeight.

Pecatonica47,Polo36: TheMarcoswere outscored32-12inthesecondandthird quartersofanNUICcrossoverlossonthe road.

CourtneyGrobehitthree3-pointersand finishedwith13pointsandfivereboundsfor Polo,whileLindeePoperaddedninepoints, fourrebounds,twoassistsandtwoblocks, andSydneiRahnhadsevenpoints,seven rebounds,fourstealsandtwoassists.Allissa

Marschangaddedfourstealsandthree rebounds,andBekahZeiglerchippedinthree reboundsfortheMarcos.

LaurenMellentinemadefive3sandscored 17pointstopacePec.

Polo37,Riverdale32: TheMarcosuseda 14-7fourth-quarterruntopullouta nonconferencewinathome.

CourtneyGrobepouredin19pointsand nabbedfourstealsforPolo,whileLindee

Poperaddedadouble-doublewith10points, 12reboundsandfourblockedshots.Bekah Zeiglerchippedinsixrebounds,threesteals andtwoassists,andMadisonGlawealso nabbedthreestealsfortheMarcos.

PoloChristmasClassic

Newman40,Polo36: TheCometsmadeit threewinsintheirlastfourgameswitha victoryoverthehostMarcos.

Johnscameupwithanotherdouble-double forNewman(3-10),finishingwith22points and16rebounds.Oettinghadninepoints, fourstealsandthreerebounds,andDuhon chippedinthreepoints,sevenrebounds, threeassistsandtwosteals.

LindeePoperhad13points,MadisonGlawe scored10,andCourtneyGrobeaddednine forPolo.

RiverRidge/ScalesMound55,Polo16: TheMarcostrailed12-0afteronequarter and27-3byhalftimeinalossattheirown tournament.

CourtneyGrobescoredsixandLindee PoperfinishedwithfourforPolo.

EmilyWiederholthad14points,Laiken Haasscored10,andSydneyDriscolland AddisonAlbrechteachaddedeightforRR/ SM.

Pecatonica38,Oregon37: TheIndians pulledaheadwitha12-7third-quarter scoringrun,thenheldofftheHawksinthe

ROUNDUP, Page15

EarleenHinton/ShawMedia

Polo’s Lindee Poper (left) and Riverdale’s CrystalCraigmiles battle forarebound duringa Dec. 15 game in Polo. See

fourthquarterforatournamentwin.

HadleyLutzandMariahDrakeledOregon with17and11points.

Oregon60,Milledgeville32: TheHawks led18-9afterthefirstquarterand33-16by halftimebeforea14-8scoringedgeinthe thirdperiodtotoptheMissilesinPolo.

Lutzscored16points,EllaDannhornand MyaEngelkesbothhad10,andDrakeadded eightforOregon.LizMoisandTeagan Champleychippedinsixpointsapiece.

Forreston52,Milledgeville22:The Cardinalsled31-15byhalftime,thenput awayaPolotourneywinwitha12-2scoring edgeinthethirdquarter.

JennaGreenfieldfinishedwith14points, HaileyGreenfieldscored10,RyleeBroshous andErickaAlexanderhadninepointsapiece, andBrookeBoettneraddedeightfor Forreston.

Pecatonica42,Forreston31: The Cardinalsled11-6aftertheopeningquarter, buttheIndianscamebacktotakea15-14 leadbyhalftimeandgoontowinatthePolo tournament.

JennaGreenfieldscored10points,and HaileyGreenfieldaddedeight.

Forreston60,Oregon47: TheCardinals outscoredtheHawks21-9inthesecond quartertowinattheirowntournamentand advancetothethird-placegame.

HaileyGreenfieldhitfour3-pointersand finishedwith17pointstoleadForreston, whileBrookeBoettnerandJennaGreenfield

bothscored16.

HadleyLutzledOregonwith17points,and MariahDrakeadded11.TheHawkswillplay forfifthplaceWednesdayat5:45p.m.

Wrestling

Dotywins: WyattDotywasthelone winneroftwocontestedmatchesforthe Marcosinatriangular,winningtwo first-periodpinsat132pounds.Wyatt Meiners(120)andLucasNelson(126)had pinsagainstMorrison,andKainynMcCarren (145)wona6-1decision.MadduxHayden (195)wonbypinagainstNewman.

Poloninth: TheMarcostookninthatthe Erie-ProphetstownHolidayTournamenton Dec.17with87.5points,ledby113-pound championJosiahPerez.

PerezpinnedIlliniBluffs’HunterRobbinsin 5:12totakethetitle.

LucasNelson(126)pinnedLena-Winslow/ Stockton’sMauricioGlassin4:26fora third-placefinish,andMadduxHayden(195) addedafourth-placefinishfortheMarcos.

Boysbowling

Oregon3,234,Hall-PutnamCounty 2,007: GavvinSurmorolleda668seriesas theHawksimprovedto12-2withawinat LaddLanes.

Surmohadgamesof224,205and239to leadOregon,whileStylarKlapphada544 series,BrandonRoweaddeda538,and BradyDavisrolleda532.BryanImmelhada 498series,whileRobertoHernandez(282in 2games)andCodyDunbar(172game)split thefinalseries.

Oregon3,324,Dixon3,295: TheHawks edgedtheDukesinadualatTown&Country

Lanes,ledbyBrandonRowe’s606seriesand 255highgame.

RobertoHernandeztallieda580,Gavvin Surmototaled579,andBryanImmelrolleda 558forOregon.StylarKlappbowleda519 andBradyDavisaddeda482fortheHawks.

Oregon3,170,RockfordChristian2,962: TheHawksclaimedaroadwinoverthe RoyalLionsatTheCherryBowl,improvingto 11-2ontheseason.

StylarKlapppacedOregonwitha601 seriesand219highgame,whileBrandon Rowebowleda565,andGavvinSurmo addeda554.BryanImmelrolleda515,while RobertoHernandezandBradyDavisaddeda 492and443fortheHawks.

Girlsbowling

Oregon2,192,Hall-PutnamCounty 1,960: TheHawkswonafive-persondualby morethan200pinsatLaddLanes.

AvaWighthada585seriesanda247high gametoleadOregon(5-2),whileMakenzie Alfordrolleda473seriesandKendraEhrler addeda435.TrinityHultquisthada362,and KylieKrugchippedina337.

Dixon2,928,Oregon2,541: TheDuchessesrolledpasttheHawksinadualatTown& CountryLanesinMt.Morris,ledbyfreshman AllisonCoss’553seriesandpersonal-best highgameof245.

AvaWightpacedOregonwitha592series (223,180,189),whileKendraEhrlertotaled 528inthreegames.TrinityHultquistbowled a453,AhrenHoweyrolleda352,KylieKrug chippedina325,andMirelleCairilloaddeda 291fortheHawks.

OHSteamswin: TheOregonboysand girlsbowlingteamstraveledtoIVSuper BowlinPerutobowlPeruSt.BedeonDec 20.Theboysteamraiseditsseasonrecord to13-2witha3,443-2,941victory.

TheHawkswereledbyGavvinSurmowith a605series(233,192,180),followedclosely byBradyDavis602series(257highgameof thematch),BrandonRowe587series,Stylar Klapp565series,RobertoHernandez564 seriesandBryanImmel520series.

TheOregongirlsraiseditsrecordto6-2on theseasonwitha2,390-2,286victory. OregonwasledbyAvaWightwitha515 series(141,176,198),followedbyKendra Ehrler474series,MackenzieAlford434 series,TrinityHultquist344series,KylieKrug 331seriesandMirelleCairillo292series.

L.P. ALLRIGHTSRESERVED.AECSPAD

AlexT.Paschal—apaschal@shawmedia.com Polo’s Josiah Perez (back)works on Illini Bluffs’ Hunter Robbinsin the titlematch at 113 pounds at the Erie-Prophetstown Holiday Tournament.

Hawks grapplers win Stillman Valley tournament

ByRANDYHOLLAND ForShawMedia

TheHawkswrestlerssent 11to the medalroundandfivetothechampionshipmat,losingjustthreeoftheirfinal matchesastheygotbyhostStillman Valleyforfirstplaceintheannual StillmanValleyHolidayTournament onDec.17.

Theteamsweretied at150going intothefinalmatches.TheCardinals alsosent11tothefinalsandfivetothe first-placemat.Buttheylostthreeof thefive,includingoneto theHawks andStillmanalsolosttwoothermedal roundmatches,givingOregonthe opening totakejusttheirsecondtitle atthelong-runningtournament.

Itwasclose.Stillmanheldaonepointleadgoingintothelastmatchat 285pounds.Itwasahead-to-head matchupbetween StillmanandOregonwiththetitleon theline.Fifteen secondslater,itwasover,Oregon’s EvanFlahartydroveStillman’sBlake Molletdowninahalf nelsonforfirst placeforbothFlahartyandtheHawks.

Itwasnoteasytogetthere.Head coachJustinLahmansaid,“Thiswas reallyateameffort.”From106pound OwenWynngettingabyeforfifth placetoFlaharty’smatch,thescore wentupanddown.Abigmatchwasat 113poundswithJacksonMessenger goingforfifthplace.TheOregonfreshmanwasdown14-0whenhestarted wrestlingandhepinnedonatakedowntothebackinahalfnelsonwith justoveraminuteleftinthematch. “Thatwashugeforus,”Lahmansaid. “The‘neversaydone’spiritwent

throughtheentireteam.”

AlsotakingfirstplacewereLane HalvorsonandAnthony(notAndrew) Bauer.At138,Halvorsongrabbed a chickenwingandahalfnelsonat1:26 inthetitlematch.At160,Bauerpulled awingbackforthreepointsastime randowntoprevail15-12inawild matchwiththescoreboardrollinglike

aslotmachineinthethirdperiod. Bauerhadpinnedhiswaytothefirstplacemat.

FinishingsecondwereGrant Stenderat152andGabeEckerdat170. AgainstMostValuableWrestlerinthe upperweights,TaggertKazmeirczak ofWheatonAcademy,Stenderlost a hard-foughttakedown in thefirst, a

reverseinthesecondandatakedown inthethirdtodropa7-2decision.EckerdwrestledtoughagainstthirdrankedJackSeacristofStillmanValleybut wasthevictimofacoupleof two-pointtiltsina6-2loss.

At145,SethStevenslosthissemifinal5-3toAugieChristiansenofPrincetoninarematchofthePlanoTournamentfinal.Christiansenwentonto takefirstandStevenspinnedtoreach thethird-placematwherehewon3-2 totakethebronze.

Wrestlingat182,LandynWindham puttogetherastringoffirst-period pinstotakethird Hewaspinnedby theeventualchampioninthequarterfinalandwentthroughthewrestle backswithfallsat1:14,0:47,and50secondsforthethird-placemedal.

Jonathon Alanizlost4-1in his openerandpinnedtwiceonhiswayto thethird-placematchwherehewas pinnedinabutcherat3:22forfourth place.

InadditiontoWynn’sandMessenger’sfifths,QuentinBerry,inhisfirst actionoftheseason,losthisfirst match andpinnedhiswaytotheconsolationsemifinalwherehewas pinnedbythethird-placemedalist.He rolledinthefifth-placematch,taking the195-poundmedalwithan11-2 majordecision.

AlsowrestlingfortheHawkswere ColtonFlahartyat120,PrestonLaBay at126ºandEthanMowryat132.LaBay hadonewininthetournament

Photoprovided

The Hawks wrestling team won the Stillman Valley tournament last week. Pictured in the frontrow, left to right, are Grant Stender, Preston LaBay, Anthony Bauer, Jackson Messenger, Colton Flaharty and Owen Wynn. Back row: Coach Steve Stender,Gabe Eckerd, Lane Halverson, Seth Stevens, Coach Kip Crandall, Evan Flaharty, Jonathon Alaniz, Ethan Mowry, Coach justin Lahman, Quentin Berry and Coach DanGale.

OgleCountySheriffBrianVanVicklereportsthe followingactivity.

Dec.13

GeorgeOgundipe,ofDeKalb,wasarrestedfor drivingwhilelicensesuspendedafteratraffic stoponIllinoisRoute28attheDeKalbCountyline at11:37p.m.Ogundipealsowasgivenan equipmentcitation.Ogundipewasreleasedona $2,500I-Bond.

Deputiesrespondedtothe4000blockofnorth IllinoisRoute2foravehicleintheriverataround 11:45p.m.AninvestigationshowedDylan Hensley,25,ofLeafRiver,wastravelingnorthon Route2whenhefailedtonavigateacurve,left theroadwayandenteredtheriver.Hensleywas uninjured.Hensleywascitedforleavingthe scene,failuretoreducespeed,noinsuranceand improperlaneusageandwasgivenafuturecourt date.TheOregonFireProtectionDistrictand OregonPoliceDepartmentassisted.

Dec.15

BrianA.Lopez,18,ofPolo,wasarrestedfor domesticbatteryafterdeputiesrespondedtoa domesticdisturbancethe300blockofWest MeadowsStreetinPoloataround8:15a.m.Lopez wastransportedtotheOgleCountyJailandheld pendingacourtappearance.

Dec.17

Ataround5:33p.m.,deputiesandOregonpolice respondedtothe3000blockofwestIllinois Route64forareportedcarintheditch.An investigationshowedJamesD.Wright,40,ofMt. Morris,wastravelingwestwhenhefailedto maintaincontrolofthevehicleandenteredthe ditch.Wrightwasarrestedfordrivingwhileunder theinfluenceofalcohol.Healsowascitedfor improperlaneusageandoperatingavehiclewith anexpiredregistration.Wrightwastransported totheOgleCountyJailandheldinlieuofbond.

Subjectsarepresumedinnocentuntilproved guiltyinacourtoflaw.

OregonPoliceChiefJoeBrooks reportsthefollowingpoliceactivity.

Dec.12

BrandonM.Fenton,21,ofPolo,was issuedacitationat11:10a.m.for failuretowearaseatbeltasadriver. Thisviolationoccurredinthe100 blockofS.4th Street.

ShyanneA.Hanson, 18,ofMt.Morris,was issuedacitationat2:17 p.m.forspeeding—44 mphina30mphzone. Thisviolationoccurred inthe500blockofN.4th Street.

Dec.14

RayshawnR.Hayes, 24,ofRockford,was arrestedat8:16p.m.onanoutstandingOgleCountywarrantforfailureto appearonatrafficticket.Hayeswas transportedtotheOgleCountyJail. Dec.15

At8:43a.m.,policetookonemale juvenile,age15,Mt.Morris,into limitedcustodyfortheoffenseof possessionofcannabislessthan10

grams.Thejuvenilewasissuedacivil citationandreleasedintohismother’s carewithareferraltotheState’s Attorney’sOfficeforreview.This violationoccurredat210S.10th Street, OregonJuniorSeniorHighSchool. Dec.16

GraceB.Haas,19,ofStillmanValley, wasissuedacitationat 8:18p.m.forspeeding—42 mphina30mphzone.This violationoccurredinthe 500blockofGaleStreet. Dec.17

MorganE.Hoffstead,22, ofStillmanValley,was issuedacitationat7:55 p.m.forspeeding—40mph ina30mphzone.This violationoccurredinthe 500blockofGaleStreet.

Fiveparkingcitationsandsixverbal warningsissuedDec.12-18.

Pleasenote: Anyarrestslistedare merelyaccusationsandthedefendant ispresumedinnocentunlessproved guiltyinacourtoflaw.

THEMT. MORRISFIRE FOUNDATION WOULDLIKE TO SAY

thankyou

WENEED YOUR ASSISTANCE TO HELPUS MEETOURGOAL.

to theMt.MorrisFireDistrictcommunity for your generousdonations totaling $80,000 to beginfundingournewstation! l

Everydaya firetruckor ambulanceleavesthestation, answering nearly 1,000calls per year.Ifeachpersonliving withintheMt.Morris FireProtection Districtgivesonly $1.17 a dayin2023,thosewho come to youraid anytimefamilyorfriendscallwillhave asafe and secure workingenvironment.Thisgiftwillhelpus to continue providing life-savingservices to thecommunity for years to come.

Testing Center Specialist (Part-time)

Performs testing as needed at the College. Bachelor's required. One year of related experience required.

Apply online: https://jobs.svcc.edu/postings/1608

Learning Commons Instructional Assistant (Part-Time)

Bachelor's in Math, Biology, Chemistry or related required. Ability to establish & maintain good relationships with staff& students required.

Apply online: https://jobs.svcc.edu/postings/1611

Custodian (Part-Time)

HS or GED required General knowledge of housekeeping/ sanitation procedures required.

online: https://jobs.svcc.edu/postings/1589

Sauk Valley Community College

Attn: Human Resources 173 Illinois Route2 Dixon, IL 61021 EOE e-mail: employment@svcc.edu

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PaysCash4 Gold, Silver, Coins,Estate Gold, SingleEarrings, and antiques 24/7 779-245-2950

R

HOUSEKEEPER/ CAREGIVER

Savanna, Thomson, Mt Carroll area

cember 8,2022 to JillE. White, asIndependent Administrator, whose address is 8529 Olympia Drive, Byron, IL 61010.She is the legal representative of the estate.

3. The attorney for the estate is Jeffrey A. Bivens, 4855E. State St., Rockford, IL 61108.

ga pres, orboth.

6. Copies of claims filed withthe Ogle County CircuitClerk's Office must be mailed ordelivered to the estate legal representative and to her attorney within ten days afterfiling.

sion, Section 28-4 of the Probate Act(755 ILCS5/28-4)any interested person terminates independent administrationat any time by mailing or delivering a petition to terminate to the Clerk.

Don't need it? Sell it! Ogle County Classified 833-584-NEWS Ogle County Classifieds 833-584-NEWS

PROBATE DIVISION NO:2022P72 PUBLICATION NOTICE; INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATION TO CREDITORS AND CLAIMANTS: 1.NOTICEis given ofthe death ofBilly E. Bivens,who died on November 22, 2022, a resident of Mount Morris, IL, and residing at 206 SunsetLane.

2.Letters of Office were issued on De-

4. Claims against the estate may be filed on or before June25,2023 that datebeing at leastsix (6) months from the date of first publication, or within three (3) months from the 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 bythe requisite date stated above shall be barred.

5.Claims against the estate may be filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court,106 S. Fifth St., Ste. 300, Oregon, IL 61061 or withthe estate legal representative,

7. The Estate will be administered without courtsupervision unless an interested party terminates independent representation by filing a petition to terminate under Article XX5/28-4 ofthe Probate Act(755 ILCS5/28-4).

JillE.White, Independent Administrator Jeffrey A. Bivens Attorney for theEstate 4855E. State St. Rockford,IL61108 (815)399-2299 jeffreyabivens @netscape.net

Dec. 23,30,2022, Jan.6,2023

IN THECIRCUIT COURTOFTHE 15THJUDICIAL CIRCUIT OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS

In the Matter of: DOUGLAS E. STRAWSER, Deceased. No.2022-PR-71

CLAIMNOTICE

Notice is given of the death of DOUGLAS E. STRAWSER of Oregon, Illinois.

Claimsagainstthe estate may befiled in the office of the Clerk of the Court, OgleCounty Courthouse, 106 S. 5th Street,# 300, Oregon, IL 61061 or with the representative, or both, on or before June 16,2023, or within 3 months from the date of mailing or delivery of notice to creditors,ifmailing or delivery is required bySection 18-3 of the Probate Act, whichever date is later. Any claim not filed bythe requisite date stated above is barred.

Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailedor delivered tothe representative and tothe attorney within10 days after it has been filed.

Kathryn Hoffman Independent Executor Dec. 16,23,30, 2022

withtheCounty Clerk of Ogle County, in accordance with 30 ILCS15/0.01 et seq. The fullreport of the auditis available for public inspection at 106 South First Street and can be reviewed by calling the OregonFire Protection District for anappointment to view.

Dec. 23,2022

NOTICE TO CREDITORS; STATE OF ILLINOIS CIRCUIT COURT OFTHE15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUITCOUNTY OF OGLE NON-PROBATED WILLESTATE OF: JACQUELINEL PATOCK, DECEASED.

January3,2023 (Tuesday)

January17,2023 (Tuesday)

February6, 2023 February20,2023

March6, 2023March 20,2023

April3,2023 April17,2023

May1,2023May15,2023

June5,2023 June 20,2023(Tuesday)

July 3,2023 July17,2023

August7,2023August 21,2023

September 5, 2023(Tuesday) September 18,2023

October2,2023 October16,2023

November6,2023 November20,2023 December 4, 2023 December 18,2023 published on Dec. 23,2022

Letters of Office wereissued on December 8,2022 to KATHRYN HOFFMAN, asIndependent Executor whose attorneys are WILLIAMS McCARTHYLLP, 120 W. State St., P.O. Box 219, Rockford, IL 61105.

Theestate willbe administered without court supervision, unless under

NOTICEOF AVAILABILITY OF AUDIT REPORTOF OREGON FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

Oregon Fire Protection District hereby providesa publicnotice that an audit of its funds for the period May 1,2021 through April 30, 2022has been made, and that a report of such audit dated November 8,2022 performed bySikich LLPhas been filed

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 bythe requisite date statedabove 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

PUBLIC NOTICE

The annual Ogle County Township Assessors Meeting will be held on Thursday, January 5th at 10:30 a.m. at 105 S. 5th St, Oregon, IL We will meet on the3rd floor conference room The meeting isheld pursuant to 35 ILCS200/9-15 which states,in part, thatthesupervisor of assessments shall “..assemble all assessors andtheir deputies for consultation and shall instruct them in uniformity of their functions.” No action will betaken. The meeting is open tothe public.

Truly, Tricia M. Black, Supervisor of Assessments December 20, 2022 Dec.23,2022