Prairie Advocate_040523

PRAIRIE ADVOCATE STORM’S WRATH

Jim Ludwig of Lanark points to the 125-foot Ludwig Family Farms grain bins that were damaged during Friday’s storm. The farm is located on the north side of Illinois 64 about 5 miles east of Lanark. Story on page 10.

Media

Earleen Hinton/Shaw

OBITUARIES

GERALD D. TURNER

Born: September 2, 1937

Died: March 26, 2023

NEWS BRIEFS

Gerald “Jerry” Dee Turner, 85, of rural Lanark died on Sunday, March 26, 2023.

Jerry was born on September 2, 1937 in Sterling, IL, son of Dwight and June (Herrington) Turner. He graduated from Milledgeville High School. He married Verneice Schultz on May 9, 1965, in Shannon. Jerry spent his entire life living on the family farm, with the early years being devoted to dairy farming.

After retiring, he continued his passion for farming working part-time at Terra, Inc. of Milledgeville and being a spotter for aerial crop spraying in Fenton. He then drove a grain semi for Roberts Trucking and was a driver for Morgan Excavating.

Jerry was baptized in the Church of the Brethren. He was part of the Brethren Volunteer Service. Through this experience he travelled by ship to 8 European countries, transporting cattle. When he was younger,

MERLE M. STURTEVANT

Born: December 26, 1923

Died: March 25, 2023

Merle M. Sturtevant, 99, passed away on March 25, 2023. Merle was born to Jake Sturtevant & Evelyn (Koch) Sturtevant, December 26, 1923 in Shannon, IL. He took up farming with his dad, and then married Jean Hammond, daughter of George and Lucile Hammond, February 10, 1945. Merle farmed all of his life. Merle was a member of the Methodist Church, Masonic Lodge, Freeport Consistory, Rockford Tebala Shrine, and the Mayflower Society of Illinois. He started country school in Ogle County, then the family moved to Carroll County, where he graduated from Lanark High School in 1941.

MATTHEW F. LUNDQUIST

Matthew F. Lundquist, 68, of Mount Carroll, Illinois, passed on March 14, 2023. Arrangements entrusted to Law-Jones Funeral Home, Mount Carroll, Illinois. Additional information: 815-273-2264.

he enjoyed playing tennis and meeting men at the coffee shop. He loved taking drives with his wife, including to see the fall colors, pick peaches in Michigan, or just to get an ice cream cone at Bears in Thompson. He loved family vacations, walking on the beach, attending Branson, Mo. shows, and celebrating holidays with his family. But he always needed home by 5pm on Saturdays to watch Lawrence Welk. Although he was somewhat stubborn, his greatest qualities were his jovial sense of humor, gift to gab, and his enthusiastic presence in every family moment. He was a role model for working hard and putting your family first. Known as Poppy, his granddaughters were his pride and joy. He had a heart of gold!

He will be deeply missed by his wife Verneice (Schultz) Turner, two daughters, Tammy Haag of Milledgeville, and Tanya Turner of Sterling, two granddaughters, Taylor Haag of Ripon, WI, and Tyra Haag of Milledgeville, and in honor of Jerry’s humor, one grandkitty, Princess.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Shirley (Turner) Woodin. A private family service will be held at a later date.

Family and friends are invited to share in Gerald’s life at lawjonesfuneralhome.com

He was an avid baseball player and Cubs fan. Merle is survived by his wife Jean and sons Max and Kim (Karen) Sturtevant, grandchildren: Cheri (Rod) Fritz, Karla (Lee) Turney, and Katrina (Josh) Fuchs; great-grandchildren: Casey Fritz, Cooper and Paxton Turney, and Abigail and Landry Fuchs.

Merle was preceded in death by his parents and grandson, Todd Sturtevant.

Funeral service will be held on Saturday April 1, 2023 at 11 AM, with visitation at 10 AM, at the Lanark United Methodist Church, 405 E. Locust St in Lanark, IL, with Pastor Marilyn Nolan officiating.

A memorial has been established in his memory. Arrangements are being handled by the Russell-Frank Funeral Home. Online condolences may be shared at www.schwarzfh. com

JOHN URNIKIS

Arrangements

IMAGINE-a-bowl to benefit pediatric therapy at FHN

The FHN Foundation will present an evening of bowling in support of improvements to FHN Memorial Hospital’s pediatric therapy department.

IMAGINE-a-bowl will be Thursday, April 27, at 4 Seasons Bowling Center, 1100 W. Galena Ave. in Freeport. Check-in begins at 5 p.m., with the first ball thrown at 6 p.m.

Teams of six bowlers are encouraged dress up for the evening. Individuals may raise or donate the $50 entry fee. Those who raise at least $100 will receive a Striking Success for Children T-shirt, and individuals who raise $250 or more will receive a Striking Success for Children T-shirt and sweatshirt. Please submit your donations to the foundation by April 10 to receive your shirt(s) the night of the event.

All proceeds raised will go toward room renovations, a new storage area and equipment for the pediatric therapy area at FHN Memorial Hospital.

For information or to register, visit www.fhn.org/strikingsuccess or contact the FHN Foundation at 815-5996900 or cseal@fhn.org.

Cookie fundraiser offered by Milledgeville church

The Milledgeville United Methodist

Church is seeking preorders for its “3-Kinds” of cookie fundraiser through Monday, April 10.

The cookies will be made and packaged on April 19, 20 and 21 and can be picked up from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 22, or by special arrangement at the church. Freewill donations will be accepted.

To order, call Lyle at 815-225-7795, Steve at 815-718-4944 or Pat at 815718-2722 or send a direct message through MUMC’s Facebook page.

Milledgeville United Methodist Church is located at 321 Holcomb Ave. When picking up your order, use the north door by going downstairs to the Fellowship Hall. A stair lift is available.

JDCF annual meeting is April 6

The Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation’s annual meeting will be from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 6, at Woodbine Bend Golf Course and Restaurant. There will be a social hour with heavy appetizers before a short business meeting to elect new board members and present the 2023 Nancy Hamill Winter Conservation Leadership Award to Chloris Lowe Jr. by Nancy Winter. There also will be speakers highlighting significant milestones in JDCF’s history.

Cost is $40 a person.

PRAIRIE ADVOCATE

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Publisher .......................................... Jennifer Heintzelman

Circulation Abbie Clark

Editor Earleen Hinton

Advertising Sales ............................. Jennifer Heintzelman

The Prairie Advocate is published weekly by Sauk Valley Media, a division of B F Shaw Printing Co. Member of Shaw Newspapers and the Audit Bureau of Circulations

The publisher shall not be liable for damages arising out of errors in advertisements beyond the amount paid for space actually occupied by that portion of the advertisement in which the error occurred - whether such error is due to the negligence of the publisher’s staff or otherwise - and there shall be no liability for non-insertion of any advertisement beyond the amount paid for such advertisement

John Urnikis, 70, of Hennepin, Illinois, passed on March 30, 2023.

entrusted to Dysart - Cofoid Funeral Chapel, Granville, Illinois.

In Illinois, we grow 64 types of vegetables, 15 types of fruits

I have overheard a number of people say they are glad that meeting season is over and now it is time to think healthier foods.

The first thing I think of is fresh fruits and vegetables along with farmers market season.

Did you know that in Illinois we grow at least 64 types of vegetables and 15 types of fruits? While April is still early season, some crops start to be harvested.

What comes in? Asparagus for one. It is a vegetable I never thought I would eat but have found myself eating a lot of lately. It’s low in calories and a great source of nutrients, including fiber, folate and vitamins A, C and K.

Eating asparagus has a number of potential health benefits, including weight loss, improved digestion, healthy pregnancy outcomes and lower blood pressure.

Lettuce and spinach are two more that come in. Green leafy vegetables have a lot of health benefits as well. Spinach I can only eat raw.

Onions come in and so do peas. Peas are likely one of the only vegetables I do not eat. I have never enjoyed them, and they say as you get older, your taste

AT A GLANCE

Chastity Heeren

buds change but mine still don’t like them.

When will the farmers markets open? Lanark on Tuesdays has its market from 3 to 6 p.m. starting in June. Wednesdays is when Milledgeville has its market from 3 to 6 p.m. beginning in May. On Fridays starting in June, Shannon has a farmers market from 3 to 5 p.m. The Mount Carroll Farmers Market kicks off Memorial Day weekend from 8 a.m. to noon.

The pollinator seed orders are coming in and the deadline has arrived. One question we have had is what is the seed mix. Here is the mix: Larkspur, Indian blanket, lance leaved coreopsis, purple coneflower, cosmos, gayfeather, zinnia, godetia, butterfly weed, Illinois bundleflower, purple prairie clover, round headed bush clover, black-eyed susan, New England aster, dianthus repens, Siberian wallflower. If you want to place

Carroll County Farm Bureau members can place up to two free classified ads per week, with a limit of 250 characters per ad (not including spaces). Ads are limited to personal or farm items for sale/wanted to buy, or farm labor or services available or wanted. No ads for the sale or rental of real estate, garage sales or commercial businesses will be accepted. To place an ad, call the Farm Bureau office at 815-244-3001 by 3 p.m. Thursday to get your ad in the following week’s paper. Shaw Media is not responsible for the ads and any errors or corrections need to be made to the Farm Bureau office.

For Sale: Weider 8530 home gym system, complete with all parts and manuals, pick up Savanna area, very good condition, 815-238-9636.

For Sale: 12 H type cement cattle feed bunks, $50 each, 563-219-5491.

For Sale: 7 cu foot chest freezer, good running condition, $100 in Milledgeville, 815-590-5852.

Wanted: Tractor driver for spring work, Morrison area 563-249-2517.

For Sale: Big round bales of mixed grass hay, 815-225-7824.

For Sale: Mixed firewood, 815-225-7824.

For Sale: 1995 GMT 400 Silverado diesel, 2wd, 180K miles, runs great, new tires, 815-908-0515 afternoon, $4,000 obo.

To giveaway together: 3 outside mail neutered cats, 815-291-7651.

For Sale: Round bales of mixed alfalfa hay, net wrapped, 815-273-2273.

an order, they are due today, April 5, so reach out ASAP.

In looking at the weeks coming up, there will be a number of days I will be out of the office for meetings. Some of these days include April 6, April 19, April 24 and April 25.

The Carroll County Farm Bureau Foundation recently announced its 2023 scholarship winners.

We are fortunate enough to have a great list of students who applied this year.

See FARM BUREAU, page 6

Did You Know?

Colon cancer is one of the most common and deadly cancers in the US. Thankfully, it is one of the few cancers that can be prevented. And, if caught early, can be treated.

The key to staying healthy is getting screened at the right time45 is the new recommended age to start screening everyone at average risk for colorectal cancer. Your gastroenterologist can find colon polyps early so they can be safely removed and help prevent colorectal cancers.

If you are 45 or older, talk to your healthcare provider about scheduling your colonoscopy today!

(If you have a personal history of polyps, colon cancer, or family history of colon cancer, you are considered to be at an increased risk for colon cancer and may need to get screened even sooner.)

Mother of 5 dies after being electrocuted when power line falls on neighbor’s home

BYRON – A Byron woman’s death was ruled an accidental electrocution that occurred after a downed power line “electrified” her neighbors’ home March 25.

Marlana McFarland, 34, was found March 25 outside a home at 115 W. Third St. in Byron after firefighters responded to a possible electrocution and house fire. The downed power line caused the home to catch fire and burn to the ground.

McFarland, who lived next door, was trying to help her neighbors at the home that caught fire when she was electrocuted, a neighbor said.

Byron’s Deputy Fire Chief Tony Dinges said when Byron firefighters responded to the scene at 8:47 a.m. the entire home had been charged with electricity. Firefighters found McFarland, who had not yet been identified, on the ground outside the home.

“Our guys got on scene and the entire house was electrified. There was a 7,200volt power line down on the house and had the whole house charged with electricity,” Dinges said. “So we were unable

to make entry into the house.”

Dinges said firefighters also were unable to reach the victim because of the home being electrified.

“She was on the ground and we were

unable to get to her or the house until ComEd could get on-site and shut the power down. She was not in the house. She was outside,” he said.

Once the power was shut down –

which took about an hour – firefighters were able to battle the blaze and save other homes located on the same block.

“The house was on fire and we went to a third alarm,” he said. “We were able to save the home here on the righthand side.”

McFarland’s death was ruled an accidental electrocution by the Ogle County coroner March 28.

Heavy snow fell across the region early March 25, followed by brisk winds. Dinges said he thought the fallen line likely was because of the weather.

The Illinois State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the blaze, he said.

The entire downtown area, including homes and businesses along Illinois Route 2 two blocks south of the fire, were without power after the incident.

Sixteen fire departments from nearby towns, including Oregon, Mt. Morris, Stillman Valley, Polo and Pecatonica, were called in for mutual aid. Byron fire chaplains also were on scene.

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

A Byron firefighter rests on the bumper of a fire engine March 25 after battling a fire at 115 W. Third St. in Byron.

See MOTHER DIES, page 6

Vigil held for Byron woman who was accidentally electrocuted

By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com

BYRON – Family and friends of Marlana McFarland stood outside her home March 28 to remember the 34-year-old mother of five who was electrocuted March 25 while trying to help her next-door neighbors after a power line fell on their home.

“You could not ask for a sweeter soul,” said Sally Palen a friend and neighbor of McFarland. “She leaves behind a lot of people who will remember her, including her family and friends.”

McFarland died after a 7,200-volt power line fell on her neighbor’s home at 115 W. Third St. in Byron, charging the home with electricity. Firefighters found McFarland, who had not been identified at the time, on the ground outside the home when responding to the call at 8:47 a.m.

The Ogle County Coroner’s office on March 28 ruled her death an accidental electrocution.

Firefighters were unable to reach McFarland or fight the ensuing blaze until ComEd crews arrived to cut power to the home, Byron Deputy Fire Chief Tony Dinges said.

Once the power was shut down –which took about an hour – firefighters

battled the blaze and saved other homes on the block, but the home that had been electrified was a total loss.

Heavy snow fell across the region early March 25, followed by brisk winds. Dinges said he thought the fallen line likely was because of the weather.

McFarland’s mom, Tracy Tollett of Louisiana, thanked everyone for coming to pay tribute to her daughter as a large crowd stood outside her daughter’s home March 28.

“I want each and every one of you to know our family is in love with you for acknowledging our daughter,” she said. “She was just great.”

McFarland’s younger brother, Cory Tollett, 25, also of Louisiana, said his sister was special.

“Growing up, I always thought she was the coolest person ever,” he said. “Everything about her, I looked up to her. She was my hero, from visiting her in basic training camp to the birth of her first child and each child after that. Those memories I have are always going to be cherished.”

Deanna Fidder is a Byron native and resident of Belvidere who owns the home McFarland and her children lived at 109 W. Third St.

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Cory Tollett, a brother of Marlana McFarland, talks about his sister during a candlelight vigil in Byron on March 28. McFarland was electrocuted while trying to help her neighbors after a power line fell on the neighbors’ home March 25.

See VIGIL, page 9

MOTHER DIES

Continued from page 4

Holly Zumbragel, the manager at the Casey’s store on Illinois 2, said the store lost power shortly after the incident. She brought cartons of doughnuts and bottled water to the firefighters who were still on the scene at 11 a.m.

“We cleared out our shelves to do what we could to help,” she said.

How to help

McFarland has five children, including an infant. A GoFundMe page for McFarland and her family has been established at https:// www.gofundme.com/f/family-of-marley-mcfarland.

Donations also are being accepted for the family whose home was destroyed after they evacuated safely. Micki Hoefle, the human resource manager for the Meridian School District, is collecting donations for that family.

For additional information on that funding effort, call Hoefle at 815-988-7361.

Two bank accounts have been established at Holcomb Bank where donations for both families can be sent.

• FARM BUREAU

Continued from page 3

Over the course of the next few weeks, I’ll be highlighting the winners. Each recipient was awarded $1,000.

I will start this week with Max Eaton of Mount Carroll and Lacey Eissens of Savanna.

Max will be graduating from West Carroll High School in May. Max is a member of National Honor Society. Max serves as president of the West

Carroll FFA. He also is president of his 4-H Club. Max plans to attend Blackhawk East and major in animal science.

Lacey will be graduating from West Carroll High School in May. During high school, Lacey played volleyball and softball. She is a member of

National Honor Society and servant leadership. She is a member of Student Council and FCCLA. She is involved in FFA and serves as Sentinel. Lacey will be attending Sauk Valley Community College this fall to pursue a degree in animal science.

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Holly Zumbragel, the manager at Casey’s in Byron, delivers doughnuts to firefighters who battled the fire at 115 W. Third St. on March 25.

School board extends West Carroll superintendent’s leave

school year, resigned.

By KATHLEEN A. SCHULTZ kschultz@shawmedia.com

MOUNT CARROLL – After an almost six-hour meeting, most of which was closed to the public, the West Carroll District 314 School Board emerged March 29 with no solution for what to do with Superintendent Julie Katzenberger.

Katzenberger, 51, was put on paid administrative leave March 23, the same day about half of the high school teachers failed to show up for work, prompting some school board members to monitor classrooms.

Two weeks earlier, the teachers union passed a vote of no confidence in the superintendent, West Carroll Education Association presidents Kris Yingling and Jeff Holley said in a news release.

That also was the day Jessica Love, the second high school principal this

The special meeting was held at West Carroll Middle School in Mount Carroll and was streamed online.

When the board came out of closed session, which was legally allowed because the seven members were discussing personnel matters, they voted to accept the resignations of Love and district secretary Deb Myers, and announced that for now, Katzenberger will remain on paid leave.

Board members plan to discuss the matter further at an upcoming meeting that’s yet to be scheduled, but perhaps will be April 2, it was announced after the votes.

“The West Carroll Education Association appreciates the Board of Education members listening to our concerns and taking them seriously,” Yingling and Holley said in a statement Thursday.

“We believe the board will strive

Community Banking Month

over the next few days to find a solution that addresses the needs of all stakeholders, including students and staff.”

The original release from Yingling and Holley outlined staff complaints. The union said Katzenberger is not keeping parents in the loop about student issues and regularly rejects input from staff when it comes to addressing students and school issues.

The release also cited the loss of professional staff, support staff and building administrators because of “micromanaging and constant conflict with Katzenberger,” which it said shows the

district is struggling to attract and retain top-quality educators.

In addition, teachers fear retaliation from Katzenberger for bringing up concerns at board meetings or to board members, according to the release.

Katzenberger has been superintendent since July 2018. Before that, she was the West Carroll Middle School principal for 10 years. She told the board earlier this year that she plans to retire at the end of the 2024-25 school year.

Emails seeking comment from Katzenberger and the board members have not been returned.

Members plan to meet again to discuss Julie Katzenberger’s fate

Julie Katzenberger

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media West Carroll High School has had two principals resign this school year.

Minimal violations found on Illinois railways during ICC’s annual Hazardous Material Report

CHICAGO – The Illinois Commerce Commission has released its annual report on accidents and incidents involving hazardous materials (hazmat) on Illinois railroads, and of the 8,549 rail cars inspected in 2022, the ICC found violations in just 1.3% of all inspections.

When these inspections first started in 1981, violations topped 12%.

“The disaster in East Palestine (Ohio) has rightfully turned attention to our nation’s rail safety efforts. Our hazardous materials report is an important resource for understanding the kinds of incidents that occur on Illinois railways and helps the commission to inform its ongoing safety measures,” ICC Chairman Carrie Zalewski said in a March 24 news release. “Investigating these incidents when they occur is critical, but the goal of routine inspections is ultimately to minimize and prevent these disasters from occurring in the first place.”

To help prevent hazmat disasters,

ICC inspectors conduct frequent field checks to evaluate signals, track structure, operating practices and hazardous materials transported by rail.

In cooperation with Federal Railroad Administration inspectors, ICC inspectors focus on railroad mainline tracks, rail yards and the industrial facilities of shippers and consignees of hazardous materials.

Any violations or defects discovered, regardless of severity, must be corrected to prevent serious incidents.

In addition to routine inspections, the ICC’s Hazardous Materials Safety Program includes technical assistance to shippers, consignees and rail carriers; the inspection and escort of nuclear materials; and education and outreach activities.

To keep communities safe in the event of a derailment, ICC works with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency to provide technical aid to local emergency responders and investigate the cause of hazmat incidents.

The ICC is required by law to prepare a report on hazmat accidents for the General Assembly including the location, substance involved, amounts involved and the suspected reason for each accident, as well as the rail line and point of origin of the hazardous material involved in each accident.

Three categories of information contained in the report have been added by the ICC’s Railroad Safety Section to make the report more useful. These include the type of equipment involved, date of incident and the amount of hazardous material released in the accident. “Amount Released” is distinct from the required “Amount Involved.” “Amount Involved” is simply the quantity of commodity that was being transported; the “Amount Released” into the environment by an

accident is far more critical.

About the Illinois Commerce Commission

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) is a quasi-judicial body made up of five commissioners. Through its Public Utility Program, the commission oversees the provision of adequate, reliable, efficient and safe utility services at the least possible cost to Illinois citizens served by electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water and sewer public utility companies.

Through its Transportation Regulatory Program, the commission oversees public safety and consumer protection programs with regard to intrastate commercial motor carriers of general freight, household goods movers, relocation towers, safety towers, personal property warehouses and repossession agencies. The commission’s Rail Safety Program inspects and regulates the general safety of railroad tracks, facilities and equipment in the state.

Savanna to hold silent auction for vacant lots

By MICHAEL MILLER For Shaw Media

SAVANNA – The Savanna City Council passed a resolution March 28 to sell five vacant lots – 629 Bowen St., 617 Bowen St., 426 Oak St., 418 Oak St. and 1029 Chicago Ave. –through a silent auction.

The auction will be April 10-24. The bids must be delivered to the assistant city clerk at City Hall at 333 Chicago Ave. by 4 p.m.

Bid forms are available at City Hall. A minimum bid on the lots will be $80 for each parcel. The bids will be opened at the April 25 City Council meeting.

Continued from page 5

Fidder said when she met McFarland while interviewing potential renters, she knew McFarland and her family would be a perfect fit for the home.

“My mom and dad lived in the house for 70 years,” Fidder said. “Once I met Marley, I knew she was perfect for the house. She loved her kids like you would not believe.”

According to her obituary, McFarland recently had started working at the Byron Power Station and was a member of the Army reserves.

“She was the founder of Rockford Crunchy Ladies, where she helped women embrace a healthy and natural lifestyle,” the obituary posted online

at farrellhollandgale.com/obituaries/ marlana-mcfarland said.

“I know she’s looking down on us and smiling,” said Palen, who organized the March 28 vigil.

A GoFundMe page for McFarland and her family has been established at gofundme.com/f/family-of-marley-mcfarland

Donations also are being accepted for the family whose home was destroyed after they evacuated safely.

Micki Hoefle, the human resource manager for the Meridian School District, is collecting donations for that family.

For information on that funding effort, call Hoefle at 815-988-7361.

Bank accounts have been established at Holcomb Bank where donations for both families can be sent.

Mayor Val Gunnarsson also announced that because of expected flooding during April, the transfer station will be open an additional Saturday this month, April 8, to allow residents a chance to get rid of items that could be damaged by flood waters before those waters rise.

In other action:

• Public Events Committee Chair Jocelyn Boyd said fireworks this year will be July 2, with the parade starting at 6 p.m. that night. She also said the Lions Club would be taking over the Savanna Farmer’s Market.

• Water/Sewer/Refuse/Street and Alley Committee Chair Tevan Hartman said the committee had dis -

cussed the three- to five-year sidewalk plan, ranking each area by priority. He said the committee also discussed water/sewer rates, hoping to get to a point where the account would pay for itself with no need to transfer funds from other accounts.

• Gunnarsson said the search continues for a Public Works superintendent, with the city advertising the position on the Illinois Job Link site, as well as in local media.

• The council voted to proceed with the monthly water/sewer billing model, as well as considered adopting the relevant software to undertake the change. The software was demoed and reviewed by city officials, and if adopted will cost $11,000 for startup and $650 a month going forward.

• Approved a resolution that would allow the Public Works Department to join the Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network.

• Announced the annual bulky waste cleanup will be April 17-21.

• Approved Gunnarsson’s idea of revising the city’s committee structure, including changes such as the formation of a housing committee, and ensuring that no council member chairs more than one committee at a time. The mayor said his hopes for this new structure would be to “get more done with fewer meetings.”

Photos by Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Kim Caponi of Morris holds a candle for Marlana McFarland, who was a relative during a vigil March 28. McFarland was electrocuted while trying to help her neighbors after a power line fell on the neighbors’ home March 25.

Sally Palen (right), a friend of Marlana McFarland, watches as people pick up their candles during a vigil for McFarland on March 28.

Photos provided by Illinois Extension

Carroll, Lee and Whiteside County 4-H held its annual Public Speaking contest March 30. The following Carroll County youth were selected as champions and state fair eligible winners: Linnea Thorngren for her formal speech “The Six Wives of Henry the VIII” and Riley and Alex Manon for their team oral interpretation “The Case of the Gorgonzola Toenail.”

Sheltering during the storm: ‘We could hear things cracking above’

Rural residents cleaning up after storm leaves path of destruction

By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com

Rob Gunderson knew something was happening outside after he and his family retreated to the basement of their home on North Fork Creek Road in Shannon, a few miles west of Forreston on Friday night.

“We went to the basement when we heard the storm warnings. It was weird. We could hear things cracking above, but we didn’t know what,” he said Saturday.

The 45-year-old dairy farmer took a short break Saturday afternoon as he and his three kids – along with friends – worked to salvage big bales of hay from one of his sheds leveled by Friday night’s storm.

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Jim Ludwig of Lanark ducks under one of the beams of his large machine shed after it was leveled at the Ludwig Family Farm on Friday. See STORM, Page

Continued from Page 10

“We lost two buildings, but no lives were lost so that was a blessing,” he said.

His dairy herd of 240 cows were not injured, but two storage sheds on the family farm were leveled. The home lost some shingles, but remained intact.

Gunderson and a friend worked adeptly with their skid steers moving building debris off the stacked bales of hay and then transferring them nearby to a lot were some of the cows watched while munching on their lunch.

Gunderson said friends quickly came to help with the cleanup.

“That’s another blessing, too. You find out how many friends you really have when they just start showing up,” he said. “And we never lost electricity and that was important, too.”

His children Ella, Owen and Ethan stood by in the cold, strong north wind, helping when they could by grabbing smaller pieces of the shed’s wood frame and snarled sheet metal roof and carrying them to nearby piles.

“It’s surprising that everything that had living things in it didn’t get damaged,” said Colson Lamb, 12, who also was helping.

Just to the west, along Illinois 72, Amanda Gempeler, 41, and her daugh-

ter, Avery, 12, also rode out the storm after Amanda’s mom called her to warn her that a tornado had been spotted nearby.

“We were upstairs in the house when my mom called and said, ‘You’d better get in the basement,’” Amanda said. “We really didn’t hear anything. Then one of the firefighters came to

David B Purlee

the door and wanted to know if we were OK, and I said, ‘Yes, why?’ And he said, ‘Your shed is gone.’ He’s a friend of mine, and, at first, I thought he was just messing with me. Then I looked out and saw that the shed was gone.”

The roof of the large metal machine shed was blown several yards to the

northeast, landing just a few feet from Illinois 72. The Gempeler’s semitruck and trailer was still sitting in the shed inside the flattened walls along with several other items. The family’s home and garage had what appeared to be light damage.

See STORM, Page 12

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Rob Gunderson uses a skid steer to move a hay bale from one of the damaged storm sheds as a friend holds the shed’s roof Saturday. Friday night’s storm ripped through his dairy farm between Shannon and Forreston. No livestock were injured.

• STORM

Continued from Page 11

“My phone notification didn’t come on until everything was over,” Amanda said. “My mom lives in Freeport and has cable TV so she thought she’d better call us.

“We are a little shaken up, but we’re good.”

To the southeast, five miles east of Lanark at 30369 Illinois 64, Jim Ludwig, 70, of Ludwig Family Farms, could see the storm’s aftermath in every direction he looked.

“We have a tremendous amount of damage,” he said. “I think everything is damaged except for the house. Somehow that was spared.”

“Everything” included several large metal machine sheds and 125foot galvanized grain bins, with one of the towers squished in an upright position between the others.

“We have 500,000 bushels of grain (corn) stored in there,” he said pointing to the grain bins. “You can see damage on each of them. Every bit is ruined. I don’t know about the corn yet.”

Portions of the home across Illinois

64 were tossed into the large machine shed busting out windows and covering trucks and semitractors with debris and broken glass.

Ludwig lives a few miles away from the main farm, but Jan Sukut, 70, was in the Ludwig family home when the storm hit about 7 p.m.

“I knew it was coming and I was looking out the front window and the first thing I saw were big pine trees coming across the road. I wasn’t scared. I had been in a tornado once before in Missouri,” she said.

Sukut called 911.

“The police and fire trucks were

here within seconds,” she said.

Ludwig noted that the American flag standing on a large pole to the side of one of the large machine sheds was untouched as pieces of the home and garage located across Illinois 64 lay on the side of the building.

“The flag made it through and the home I grew up in was spared, but all the trees around it are gone,” Ludwig said. “I will need to replace eight overhead garage doors. Everything has damage, especially the grain setup. One of the buildings is only six months old and we have all our spring tillage equipment in there.”

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

ABOVE LEFT: A home across Illinois 64 from the Ludwig Family Farms had its roof torn off during Friday’s storm east of Lanark. ABOVE RIGHT: Friday’s storm also ripped the roof off the Gempeler’s machine shed, tossing it several yards from their home (seen in the background) along Illinois 72 northwest of Forreston.

Softball

Forreston 17, Pecatonica 0: The Cardinals scored 13 second-inning runs and racked up 15 hits in a two-inning win over the Indians, who had to forfeit when an injury reduced their lineup to eight players.

Forreston’s Brooke Boettner went 2 for 2 with four RBIs, including a home run and a double, and teammate Hailey Greenfield went 3 for 3 with three RBIs, including a triple and a double. Both players scored three runs.

Ella Ingram hit a triple, Rylee Broshous hit two doubles and Alaina Miller hit one double for the Cardinals. In the circle, Miller struck out one with no walks in a two-inning no-hitter.

Freeport 6, West Carroll 2: The Pretzels grabbed a 5-0 lead with a five-run fifth inning, then held off the Thunder in the two remaining innings for a nonconference win.

Lacey Eissens and Kyaria Kerkove each hit a double and had one RBI for West Carroll.

Freeport’s Maya Graham went 2 for 3 with a grand slam, and Kennedy Kloepping went 3 for 5 with one RBI. Pretzels pitcher Cam Plowman struck

out 15 with no walks and allowed five hits and two runs in a complete game.

Baseball

Eastland 8, Milledgeville 5: The Cougars surged to a 7-2 lead with a four-run fifth inning, then held off a late Missiles rally for a NUIC win.

Ethan Kessler went 1 for 3 with two RBIs and a walk, Tanner Stern drew two walks and scored three runs, and Hunter Miller hit a double, drew two walks and scored two runs for Eastland.

Allyn Geerts pitched five innings for the Cougars, allowing five hits and two runs (one earned), striking out six and walking six.

Bryson Wiersema and Bryce McKenna went 2 for 4 with one RBI, and Wyatt Meiners went 2 for 3 as the leading Milledgeville hitters. Wiersema surrendered two hits and one unearned run and struck out four and walked two over two innings.

Aquin 3, Polo 2: The Bulldogs trailed the Marcos 2-0 after two innings, but tied it up with a two-run fourth, then scored the go-ahead run in the seventh to complete the comeback.

Gage Zeigler, Logan Nelson and Billy

Lowry had one hit apiece for Polo. Lowry and Zeigler scored the runs. Lowry’s hit was a double.

Nolan Hahn pitched 4 1/3 innings for the Marcos, allowing four hits and two runs (one earned), striking out four and walking one. Carter Merdian pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing three hits and one run and striking out four with no walks.

Cooper Hathaway went 3 for 4 with one RBI, and pitched two scoreless, hitless innings with one walk and four strikeouts for Aquin. Keaton Schleich lasted five innings on the mound for the Bulldogs, allowing three hits and two runs, striking out five and walking one.

Forreston 22, Durand-Pecatonica

0: The Cardinals built a 5-0 lead through four innings, then tacked on 17 more runs in the fifth for a five-inning win over the Rivermen.

Owen Greenfield went 4 for 5 with four RBIs and four runs scored. Carson Akins went 3 for 5 with four RBIs and three runs scored. Ayden Book went 1 for 3 with three RBIs. Kendall Erdmann and Brendan Greenfield also scored three runs each.

Alex Ryia threw a two-hitter with six strikeouts and two walks for Forreston.

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media Polo’s Carter Merdian pitches against Freeport Aquin during a March 30 game in Polo. The Marcos lost 3-2 in extra innings.

CLASSIFIED

EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT

ACCO UNTANT or BOOKKEEPER OPPORTUNI TY

Climco Coils is seeking an Accountant or Bookkeeper. Po sition and wages commensurate with qualifications. Climco is a financially so lid manufacturing company that has been operating in Morrison, IL for over seventy years Climco offers competitive wages & attractive benefits including company daycar e, medical and dental insurance, 401K, continuing education and a professional work environment.

Ca nd id ates should e-mail a cover letter and resume to : employment@climco.com

CLIMCO COILS COMPA NY - EOE

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT

SENIOR ACCOUNTAN T

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Dixon Rural Fire Protection District

The Dixon Rural Fire Protection District is seeking a full time Administrative Assistant to perf orm a variety of routine administrative duties. Nature of the work performed requires a profes sional manner in all dealings with the public, Fire District staff and Board members. Work requires the exercise of considerable judgement, initiative and discretion. The position provides support s ervices to the Fire Chief and Board of Trustees This is a non-sworn at will position hired by the Fire Chief.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to - Payro ll, payables, receivables, answering phones, maintain records and perfor m related work as required by or assigned by the Fire Chief. The successful candidate must be proficient in QuickBooks and Microsoft Office.

Submit a cover letter and resume to the Dixon Rural Fire Protection District, 1020 Palmyra St., Dixon, IL 61021, no later than 4:00 p.m. on April 17, 2023

You may pick up a more detailed list of duties at the fire station - 1020 Palmyra St Dixon, IL

The Dixon Rural Fire Protection Distri ct is an Equal Opportunity Employer

ENGINEERING MANAGE R

Ready for a career with a fast-growing, employee- engaged company that is both customer and employee focused?

Mallard Manufacturing in Sterlin g is looking for a full time Senior Accountant to manage all financial/accounting aspects of the compa ny.

Overall responsibi lity for:

monthly financial reporting

banking and bank reconciliations

accounts r eceivables and payable s

payroll

identifying revenue and expense trends

sales and use taxes

Expe rience should includ e:

Minimum education - Bachelor's degr ee in Accounting

3-5 ye ar s in accounting in manufacturing environment preferr ed

G AAP: 1 year (Preferred)

We're 160 employees strong and growing

Come join our team!

Our Benefits include: 401(k); Dental insurance; Health insuranc e; Life insur ance; Paid time off

Em ail resume to: hiring@mallardmfg.com

Manage approximately fifteen Project Engineers, Manufacturing Engineers and Technicians.

Lead Business Development Activities - working with potential new customers, developing innovative design & manufacturing approaches, building cost models and preparing winning proposals.

Lead Product Development Activities - design detail, capital equipment acquisition, tooling, process development, validation and product launch. Contribute as a member of the company Top Management Team

Must be degreed engineer with at least ten years of prior engineering work including several years of project management experience

Climco Engineers have exceptional opportunities for personal growth & there is wide latitude depending on the individual's experience, talents, creativity & moti vation

For more information about Climco Coils Company visit www.climco.com

Ca nd id ates should e-mail a cover letter and resume to : employment@climco.com

CLIMCO COILS COMPA NY - EOE

NEED HELP AT HOME?

I have 20 years experience in the home health care field. I am a CNA and will ensure you stay in your home as long as possible , performing activities of daily living you can no longer do. Great references and great work ethic!

Contact Sarah @ 815-973-7076

CE LEBRATE RECOVE RY!

A program based on the Bible Weekly Meeting -

Every Friday from 6:00-8:00 P.M. at York Community Church, Thomson, IL. Contact: Robert Heath @ 815- 2593550.

Advertise Your Rentals in the Classifieds Call 833-584-NEWS

EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT

Xena International Inc in Polo is urgently hiring!

TANKER DRIVE RS

with hazmat endorsement. Sign on bonus and excellent drivers package. Apply in pers on to

Xena International Inc 910 S. Division Ave., Polo, IL 61064 815-946-2626

or email resume: xenaemp@ gmail.com

EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT

Driver s

CLOTHING

RIP -N- TEAR: Sewing RepairsBlue Jeans, Work Clothes & Zippe rs Replaced In Thomson area 815-541-3178

WANT TO B UY

CLASS A CDL

TRUCK DRIVERS

Local Ag Retail location in search of Class A CDL Truck Driver s. These are part-time seasonal year round positions. This location has trucks with both automatic and manual transmissions The ideal candidate would be able to operate both kinds Flatbed, tanker and hopper botto m work possible Job duties include but not limited to the following: hauling chemicals to fields, hauling chemicals and seed to customers, hauling dry fertilizer and hauling grain. May also be asked to assist customers with loading and unloading products as well as unlo ading deliveries Forklift and warehouse experience a plus. Mechanical and agriculture experience pr eferred but not required Driver s are home every night Must be available to work week ends Must be able to lift 50 po unds Job could become full- time based on total skill set Hourly wage depends on skill set and experience. Looking to add multiple drivers. Clean dr iving record required Please call 81 5-590-6562 or 815 -600 -6115 to app ly

MISCELLANE OUS FOR SALE

Bird and Small Animal Swap Outdoor Event

Saturday April 8th 7-11am, Jackson County Fairgrounds, Maquoketa, Iowa Admiss ion $5 ages 12 and up. Vendors welcome informati on Laurie 563-212-9435 or Chuck 563-689-6743

TRUCKS

Ski d loader i n any condit ion. Running or not Call or text 563-212-7699 2005 Chev Silverado 1500 4wd 4.8L 4 dr ext cab Z71 125k mi above avg cond asking $8000 call (815) 908-6859

Thursday NIGHT Auction April 6 @ Tipton Auction House

Thomson, IL, multiple consignors Auction starts @5:30 doors open at 4:30

We will have: Toro front mount cut mower 16 hp 42 cut with a bagger New purple Martin House, Isabel Bloom Coke a Cola clocks, wood cases and more Bench Grinder, Hitachi electric jack hammer Stereos and many electronics, And much more

For pictures and complete listings go to: Auction Zip #3815 Tipton Auction Service.net

Frank Tipton, Auctioneer, 3001 IL. Rt. 84 Thomson IL. 815-590-8206

SM-ST2067674

ftipton@grics.net, Lunch by Dusty’s 815-259-5015

IMPLEMENT

*”NO REPAIRS WILL BE DONE WITHOUT YOUR APPROVAL”

Factory Trained Technicians Will Inspect

» Engine, Cooling & Fuel System

» Electrical System

» Powertrain-Trans, 3pt, PTO & Tires/Tracks

» Hydraulic System

» Cab A/C Heat

Payment Options

» JDF No Payments/No Interest Until 11/15/23

(Offer valid from 11/1/22 - 5/31/23. $200 min. purchase.)

» 2% Cash Discount (Parts & Labor)

- Cash Or Check Required For 2%

» For Repairs> $1,000

**For JDF Preferred Accounts**

Inspection prices advertised apply when subsequent work is completed by Sloan Implement. If customer chooses not to have Sloan Implement do the work a $250 fee will be applied.