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A message to our valued readers
FROM THE CEO’S DESK
John Rung
On Aug. 6, the Rochelle NewsLeader, Ogle County Life, Mendota Reporter and Amboy News ceased publication. Like many of you, we at Shaw Media felt the loss deeply. Local newspapers are a vital part of the fabric of a community, and when they go silent, something important goes missing.
That’s why I’m proud to share that Shaw Media has acquired the rights to publish these papers. Beginning with this edition on Aug. 27, they will once again serve the readers and communities that rely on them.
I want to be candid: We are working hard and moving quickly to bring these
publications back. In these first issues, you may notice that some of the content or presentation is still taking shape. The News-Leader, Life and Reporter resume publishing this week. The Amboy News will restart in the next few weeks. Please bear with us –we are committed to improving coverage and presentation in short order. Most importantly, we want to assure you that your subscriptions will continue to be honored. In addition, readers will now benefit from expanded digital coverage of their communities through our website, ShawLocal.com. This means more timely updates, more photographs, and more ways to stay connected to the stories that matter most.
Shaw Media has a long tradition of local journalism. Our company was founded in nearby Dixon in 1851, and over the past 174 years, we have grown
ON THE COVER
to serve dozens of communities across Illinois and Iowa. In 2023 and 2024, we welcomed nine Northern Illinois radio stations into the fold. What has never changed is our commitment to being a trusted, local news source and an active, engaged member of the communities we serve.
We look forward to working with readers, advertisers and community leaders in Rochelle, Ogle County and Mendota. We plan to be here for the long haul – as stewards of these publications, partners in your communities and believers in the power of local news.
Thank you for welcoming us into your homes once again. Together, we will write the next chapter for these newspapers.
• John Rung is the president and CEO of Shaw Media.
2 join DAR
Rochelle chapter
The Rochelle Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution welcomed their newest members, Marianne Ernst via Zoom (photo insert) and Sandra Draper in person, shown with chapter chaplain Judy Schermerhorn and regent Debby Katzman, at the most recent chapter meeting.
DAR encourages membership interest by any women 18 years or older who can demonstrate direct lineage to an individual who supported the American cause during the Revolutionary War. For more information about the Rochelle Chapter, most of whose members reside in the greater Rochelle area, including Amboy, Ashton, Chana, Creston, Davis Junction, DeKalb, Dixon, Franklin Grove, Kings, Leaf River, Malta, Monroe Center, Oregon, Ottawa, Paw Paw, Sterling, Steward, and Sycamore, see the chapter’s website at ildar.org/chapters/rochelle or Facebook page at. facebook.com/RochelleChapterNSDAR.
The City of Rochelle held a groundbreaking for the expansion of its Rochelle Intermodal Transload Center on Thursday, Aug. 14. The RITC opened in 2020 as a joint effort between Rochelle and the Greater Rochelle Economic Development Corporation. See story on page 3.
Photo by Jeff Helfrich
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Accuracy is important to the Rochelle News-Leader. Please call errors to our attention by email at news@oglecountynews.com.
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Photo provided by Rochelle chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution
‘Laying the groundwork for new opportunities’
Rochelle breaks ground on intermodal expansion
By JEFF HELFRICH jhelfrich@shawmedia.com
The City of Rochelle held a groundbreaking for the expansion of its Rochelle Intermodal Transload Center on Thursday, Aug. 14.
The RITC, at 1851 S. Steward Road, opened in 2020 as a joint effort between the city and the Greater Rochelle Economic Development Corporation to provide industries of all sizes with direct rail access.
To date, the facility has transloaded 1,000 railcars and has served as a staging area for hundreds of shipping containers used by 12 customers. Increased demand in the area for rail-to-truck transloading and third-party logistics brought about the $4.8 million expansion, which will be 80% funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
The event was attended by city officials and staff, economic development personnel, state officials and representatives from the railroad and trucking industries. Speakers at the event were City Economic Development Director Tom Demmer, Mayor John Bearrows, City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh, City Engineer and Railroad Director Sam Tesreau, Illinois Secretary of Transportation Gia Biagi, and the Burlington Junction Railway’s Peter Hoth.
Demmer said the City of Rochelle Railroad is unique and offers opportunities for economic development by local businesses and the chance to attract new businesses. He called the RITC expansion “a great opportunity” for the city, Ogle County and the region and thanked the state for its support of the project.
Bearrows said the project will have “a significant impact” on Rochelle and local and regional businesses. He thanked IDOT and GREDCO for their support on the project, which he said took many hands to bring to fruition.
The RITC came about following the closure of Global III intermodal in 2019. After that, the city began work to open its own facility to serve local and regional businesses. Bearrows thanked former City Economic Development Director Jason Anderson, Fiegenschuh, the City Council and city staff for their work and support.
Rochelle held a groundbreaking for the expansion of its Rochelle Intermodal Transload Center on Aug. 14. Increased demand in the area for rail-to-truck transloading and third-party logistics brought about the $4.8 million expansion, which will be 80 percent funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
“I stand here today filled with gratitude and pride as we celebrate what we’ve overcome together,” Bearrows said. “Numerous individuals played crucial roles in bringing this project to fruition. As we break ground today, we’re not just creating an international facility. We’re laying the groundwork for new opportunities, growth and prosperity for Rochelle. This facility will serve as a vital link for local businesses, helping them thrive in an ever-changing global economy.”
Biagi reiterated the state’s support for infrastructure projects like the RITC that serve local municipalities and businesses.
“It’s wonderful to be here at this incredible facility,” Biagi said. “So much hard work has gone into the investments that preceded this and getting to this point. We have the money and willpower, and we’re all pulling on the same rope in the same direction, and we’re going to continue to get great infrastructure investments done in this region and the state.”
Fiegenschuh called the RITC “a truly historic partnership” between the city, state, GREDCO and trucking and rail representatives. The RITC and the CIR help to keep Rochelle competitive in today’s economy, he said.
IDOT’s support of the project was vital, the city manager said.
“I’m pleased to highlight our strong relationship with IDOT,” Fiegenschuh said. “This kind of commitment is absolutely vital to the success of the RITC and our private sector partners. Our partnership with IDOT is broad,
deep and essential to Rochelle’s future. On behalf of our community, I want to thank Gov. JB Pritzker, his staff and the entire IDOT team for their vision, investment and continued support of Rochelle and our economic growth.”
The city’s railroad is operated by the Burlington Junction Railway and has been for the past 19 years. Hoth thanked the city for its partnership and called transloading “a vital part” of growing economies and railroads.
“Not every industry can be directly rail served,” Hoth said. “Here we can serve people that are a quarter mile away or 50 miles or more away and give them access to our national rail network and increase what they can do. We’re proud to invest in Rochelle and our services here and look forward
The Burlington Junction Railway’s Peter Hoth speaks at the city of Rochelle’s groundbreaking for the expansion of its Rochelle Intermodal Transload Center at 1851 S. Steward Road on Aug. 14.
Mayor John
is on the right.
to doing that for a long time.”
Closing remarks at the event were made by Tesreau, who recently took on the added responsibility of serving as the city’s railroad director. He thanked everyone who has worked on the project, including IDOT and Fehr Graham, the project’s engineering consultant.
“Since late last year, this has been a whirlwind,” Tesreau said. “But today we’ve set yet another project in motion. It’s what we do as transportation and engineering professionals. We make it happen. Let’s savor this success today and move on to the next challenge ahead of us. Now the boots on the ground and moving of dirt begins, to see this project go from plans to reality. Let’s dig in and move some earth.”
Photos by Jeff Helfrich
Bearrows
Jeff Helfrich
Fundraiser for Ogle County K-9 unit is Nov. 1
Proceeds from event will fund dog food, vet bills, training and equipment
By JEFF HELFRICH jhelfrich@shawmedia.com
The Ogle County K-9 Fund Bark and Whine Ball will take place from 5 to 10 p.m. Nov. 1, at the River’s Edge Experience at 103 S. 1st St. in Oregon. The event will include live music by The Vodka Boys, food catered by Ralfie’s BBQ, a silent auction and a 50/50 raffle.
Only 250 tickets will be sold and they can be bought at the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office, Merlin’s Greenhouse & Flowers and Cork & Tap. All proceeds will go to support the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit, which includes Deputy Kyle White and K-9 Gator and Deputy Ali VanVickle and K-9 Saint. Expenses for the K-9 program include food, veterinary bills, training, equipment and future K-9 acquisitions.
The K-9 unit is supported solely by donations and self-funding and was recently established as a 501c3 nonprofit. After gun raffle fundraisers in recent years, White and VanVickle decided to attempt to fundraise differently with more community engagement. They’ve been organizing the event since April.
“We wanted to fundraise on a bigger scale,” VanVickle said. “We expect it to sell out. We’ve sold about half the tickets already. We’re out in the community a lot and what we’ve learned most from that is that people don’t realize that the K-9 expenses aren’t paid for by the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office. It’s all donated and self-funded to keep these dogs healthy, fed, trained and in equipment. People want to help when they realize that and we’ve seen people wanting to donate.”
The initial cost for a K-9 and its training is about $14,000-$16,000. Most of the dogs come from Europe. Along with food and vet bills, expenses also include training, which is required for 16 hours a month. VanVickle and White estimate they do another 20 hours of training on top of that combined per month. K-9s cost about $5,000-$6,000 per year to maintain.
White has been Gator’s handler for almost two years and VanVickle is approaching one year with Saint. White
We wanted to fundraise on a bigger scale. We expect it to sell out. We’ve sold about half the tickets already. We’re out in the community a lot and what we’ve learned most from that is that people don’t realize that the K-9 expenses aren’t paid for by the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office.
worked with a K-9 during his first military deployment and enjoyed it. Once he got to the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office, he trained with the K-9 handlers and put in for the position later on and got it.
“And then I spent a lot of time watching Kyle work with Gator when I was considering applying for it,” VanVickle said. “My dad was a K-9 handler at the Rochelle Police Department
before he was elected sheriff. I’d been around it for quite a while. That’s why I enjoy it.”
K-9s Saint and Gator are dual-purpose dogs and can track and locate narcotics, and track missing people such as a child, an elderly person or a crumbs suspect. They can search buildings and they are apprehension dogs and are trained to bite when situations call for it. They can locate evidence,
such as items suspects have thrown in a chase situation.
“Lately we’ve put a lot of time in with our dogs and it’s seemed to work out pretty well,” White said. “We’ve used them to serve warrants with the DEA, ATF and U.S. Marshals Service. We help surrounding counties with tasks like tracking people, search warrants and more. The time we put in with our dogs is probably twice as much as surrounding agencies. We enjoy it.”
White said K-9s can serve as a threat deterrent for suspects, which keeps deputies safer. He’s responded with Gator to serious calls where kids have been distraught and has gotten the dog out to help kids emotionally. White said he finds satisfaction in situations like that and when the K-9 can be used to successfully locate a missing child or elderly person.
Community outreach is a use for the K-9s that White and VanVickle have found to be beneficial. They do K-9 demos at events and take them to visit schools. At those gatherings, kids get to know the dogs and their handlers and learn about law enforcement.
“Community outreach is the best part,” VanVickle said. “We have kids talking to us all the time. I can’t tell you how many kids have said they want to be a K-9 handler when they’re older. Starting with those kids at a young age, it really engrains a sense of safety and something that they may want to do later in life. I think the dogs make us more approachable to the community. Because who doesn’t love a dog? Our dogs are docile enough that they can be loved on. But when it’s time to work, it’s time to work. And they can differentiate that, which is very important.”
Photo provided by Ali VanVickle
Shown is Ogle County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Kyle White and K-9 Gator, and Deputy Ali VanVickle and K-9 Saint. The Ogle County K9 Fund Bark and Whine Ball will take place 5-10 p.m. Nov. 1 at the River’s Edge Experience at 103 S. 1st St. in Oregon.
Ali VanVickle, Ogle County Sheriff’s deputy
LEFT: Visitors to Strawfest check out the four new creations before voting Saturday in Mt. Morris. TOP: “Turkey in the Straw” is sculpture #1 at the 2025 U.S. National Straw Sculpting Competition in Mt. Morris. It was created by Chris and Cecilia Mann of Rockford.
Photos by Earleen Hinton
Monroe Center Fire adopts new staffing model
Ogle County town made the change because of increasing number of calls for service
By JEFF HELFRICH jhelfrich@shawmedia.com
The Monroe Township Fire Protection District has seen success with a new daytime fire and emergency medical services staffing model since January, Deputy Chief Richard Wilson said Aug. 4.
On Jan. 6, the station began staffing from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to better service its residents and improve response times, with plans to possibly expand to seven-day coverage in the future. The move was made due to an increasing number of calls for service during working hours, when many paid on-call members are unavailable due to their career commitments.
“The new staffing model has drastically helped our community through quicker response times,” Wilson said. “We are evaluating expanding right now with funding. Right now, it’s working out great, and the community is being served. We’ve seen a drastic reduction in mutual aid coming into our community to cover our town while all of our personnel are at work. The calls that we couldn’t respond to last year were in the 30th percentile. Now we’re at around the 12th percentile.”
Before the staffing change, mutual-aid companies from the area including Kirkland, Lynn Scott Rock, New Milford and Stillman were responding to more calls in Monroe Township’s coverage area.
“They were getting a lot of the burden,” Wilson said. “All of our employees are paid on-call and work jobs outside of town and were unavailable. Stillman fire has a full-time ambulance. LSR has people around during the daytime. This being an older community with no volunteers in town, we were relying on them. We’re starting to take more care of our own community.”
The Monroe Township fire district mostly responds to medical calls. From January to the end of July, it received 60 EMS calls. Last year, that number was 55 over the same period. Total calls
from January through July last year was 91, and this year it’s at 105. With the increase in calls, the new staffing model has been on-site for service three days a week.
With its proximity to Interstate 39, the Monroe Township fire district on occasion responds to serious highway incidents, and did as recently as July 26 for a two-vehicle crash with multiple injuries. One person suffered severe injuries and required helicopter transport. Wilson said responses like that wouldn’t have been possible without response from mutual-aid companies from the area.
“In the fire service, a firefighter is a firefighter,” Wilson said. “They all have the same common goals of protecting lives and saving property, in that order. You can go to another state or country and the same goal applies. It’s life safety first and then property conservation. We’re an all-hazards fire department. We respond to everything.”
On July 18, the Monroe Township fire district put a new 2024 ambulance into service, replacing a 2006 unit. The new ambulance was bought due to high maintenance costs on the older model. Wilson said the new ambulance will serve the district for the next 15 to 20
years and has upgraded technology to aid personnel and patients such as power-loading cots and a power-assisted stair chair.
Wilson credited Monroe Township Fire Chief Scott Jaeger and EMS coordinator Capt. Michaelle Jaeger for their work on acquiring the new ambulance and putting it into service.
“The new ambulance took hours and hours to get and get put into service,” Wilson said. “It goes from evaluating what you want and what you need. The needs outweigh the wants, and it comes down to dollars and cents. Once you identify the need, you have to be forward-thinking. We read articles and learned about the newest, best technology. The chief is a good steward of taxpayers’ money, and he came up with a good proposal with the EMS coordinator, and the board approved it.”
The new ambulance saw a twomonth delay in delivery due to supply chain issues, and the Monroe Township fire district worked to outfit it for two months before it was put into service. Wilson thanked taxpayers for allowing the district to purchase equipment and stay current.
The new staffing model has seen a positive response from people in the
community, Wilson said.
“One person recently called 911 for their mother, who was not feeling well,” Wilson said. “The station was staffed at the time. We pulled up, and the 911 caller told me they were going to drive themselves because they thought it would take too long for the ambulance to get there. And we pulled into the driveway, and the caller was surprised. We want the fact that we’re doing daytime staffing to get out to the community.”
Wilson previously worked as a battalion chief in a full-time fire department for 26 years in a suburb outside Chicago. He’s been with the Monroe Township fire district for about 17 years and noticed the difference in longer response times in rural communities.
“Those services, you hang up the phone and people are pulling into the driveway,” Wilson said. “Here, people were OK with 15-minute response times. We’ve almost cut that in half just with daytime help. We can be out of the station within one to three minutes. We can be at the house within six to seven minutes versus 15 to 20 minutes. People have made comments about how fast it’s been. That’s another feather in our cap of doing our job right.”
Jeff Helfrich
The Monroe Township Fire Protection District has seen success with a new daytime fire and EMS staffing model since starting it in January, Deputy Chief Richard Wilson (right) said Aug. 4. Also seen are District EMS Coordinator Capt. Michaelle Jaeger (from left), and firefighter/EMT Tyler Kilcullen.
Hilliker
Hiemstra hired to lead economic development
New director takes the helm at Ogle County Economic
Development Corporation
By JEFF HELFRICH jhelfrich@shawmedia.com
On her first day on the job, new Ogle County Economic Development Corporation Director Liz Hiemstra took a picture of Oregon’s downtown from the window of her courthouse office.
“I did it just so I could look back in five or 10 years and see how it’s changed,” Hiemstra said. “I’m excited to see those wins for our communities so people can continue to have their small-town pride. I’m excited to welcome new people into the area and show them what we have to offer.”
Hiemstra was hired by the OCEDC to fill its vacant director position last month. The OCEDC was established in 2023 as a nonprofit economic development organization representing a unified effort by the entire county. It represents the communities of Polo, Oregon, Mt. Morris, Byron and Creston. Ogle County and the city of Rochelle also provided startup funds for the organization. Charlene Coulombe was the organization’s previous director.
Hiemstra has lived in Oregon for the past 30 years. She currently serves as the market manager for the River’s Edge Farmers Market in Oregon and has her own small business in Libra Farms. She brings a background in marketing, community engagement and small business expertise.
Hiemstra said she has become more involved in the community in the past 10 years, including working with the Oregon Together nonprofit and, along with Melanie Cozzi, taking over the farmers market.
“I want to be involved and I love my community,” Hiemstra said. “I want to do what I can. I expressed that to [Oregon City Manager and OCEDC Board Vice President Darin DeHaan] and said I wanted to be part of the community in any way I could. When this opportunity came along, I applied and interviewed, and was hired.”
OCEDC Board President Randy Schoon of Polo said, “It means everything” to the OCEDC to have Hiemstra
I’m excited to see those wins for our communities so people can continue to have their small-town pride. I’m excited to welcome new people into the area and show them what we have to offer.”
on board as director. He said the organization is excited to have a longtime county resident and active community member as its leader and face.
“It’s almost like the stars aligned,” Schoon said. “She is going to do great things, and the sky is the limit for her. She just has to put her head down and do the work. She’s very capable, and we’re more excited than we’ve been since we put the OCEDC together. I think we’re at the point now where we’re finally going to start to see some good things happen.”
Hiemstra said that as a small-business owner, she’s realized the workload it takes to be successful in business, beyond just knowledge and passion. That was one of the reasons she was interested in the OCEDC director position, and she plans to use that experi -
ence when working with current and potential businesses.
Initial OCEDC work for Hiemstra has included visiting each town and entity the organization represents and meeting with its leaders and stakeholders.
“I’ve been working to immerse myself in the towns I’m not as familiar with,” Hiemstra said. “I’ve been trying to reach out and get an idea of what these communities have, need and want. I’ve been really impressed with the work these communities are already doing. I feel like there’s momentum and we’re on the brink of something really great.”
Schoon and Hiemstra said top priorities for the OCEDC include housing, business retention, attracting industry, marketing and promotion, capital devel-
opment, recreation, sports and tourism.
Housing will be the No. 1 objective, Hiemstra said. Some homebuilding is currently taking place in Creston and Byron, and Mt. Morris, Polo and Oregon have “prime subdivision real estate” waiting on development, she said.
“We’ve been talking to local builders,” Hiemstra said. “There are a few out there that are building homes that are being sold. We know that there is an appetite. It’s just about finding that sweet spot of making sure everyone has a home that is affordable and works for them. Different towns have different needs. There are some vacant buildings. We want to see more retail in downtowns and bring that sense of place. With industry, there are some empty industrial buildings and plots that are ripe for development. That’s on the horizon, too.”
OCEDC meetings involving the leaders of the various communities in recent years have brought about collaboration and idea sharing that didn’t previously exist. Hiemstra said working as a team to improve the county as a whole is needed, along with making for a louder voice in the industrial development arena and at the state level for potential opportunities.
“We have to work together to make our voices heard and get what we need for our beautiful small towns,” Hiemstra said. “Rural populations have been declining. And with that goes a lot of our amenities. The things that we want to see, we have to be able to support. I enjoy work like this because I love meeting new people and talking with people. I like to hear about what people have going on in their lives. I love being creative. This job is a lot of creativity and putting puzzle pieces together to create solutions that have a tangible impact I can see.”
Jeff Helfrich
The Ogle County Economic Development Corporation recently announced the appointment of Liz Hiemstra as its new director of economic development.
Liz Hiemstra, director, Oglce County Economic Development Corporation
Huber speaks at Rochelle Legion meeting
Photo provided by Chuck Roberts
The annual summer banquet and officer installation for the upcoming year of Rochelle American Legion Post 403 was held at Storybook Gardens in Rochelle on Aug. 13. Brig. Gen. (retired) Stephen Huber presented on his military experience in Afghanistan and Iraq. Seen are (from left) Erik Welles (finance officer), Steve Korth (adjutant), Huber, Chuck Roberts (commander), Jerry Howard (13th District commander and installing officer), Russel Henson (senior vice commander), Paul Bearrows (chaplain), Gary Tarvestad (sergeant at arms) and Jose Huerta (junior vice commander).
Ogle County Board denies 2 solar permits
Update on long-range planning projects presented, including memorial
circle plaza
By JEFF HELFRICH jhelfrich@shawmedia.com
The Ogle County Board voted unanimously Aug. 19 to deny special-use permits for two solar energy developments.
The first proposed development was for a 5-megawatt community solar energy facility on 89.56 acres in the 7000 block of North Stillman Road in Scott and Marion townships. Those township boards also voted against the proposal, along with the Ogle County Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning and Zoning Committee.
Residents of the area near the proposed solar facility attended the meeting and held up signs thanking the County Board after the denials. One resident spoke during public commentary.
“You voted for your constituents and for your people, and you said no,” Heather Lalor of Stillman Valley said. “You said, ‘Not here,’ where it has the potential to negatively impact so many people who simply chose to live where they chose to live.”
A representative from U.S. Solar, the developer of the Stillman Creek Solar project, also spoke during public commentary and said he hopes to come to a compromise with the county for a project to go forward in the future.
“It’s obviously not the outcome we were hoping for,” Ryan Magnoni of U.S. Solar said. “U.S. Solar is open to hearing any conditions that could be added to the application to find a happy medium for residents and the public to eventually move this forward.”
The second special-use permit denied Tuesday was for Cenergy Power for the construction of a 5-megawatt community solar energy facility on 29.34 acres at 9336 E. Hales Corner Road in Scott Township.
The Ogle County Board has considered a number of special-use permits for solar facilities in recent years, often hearing public comments from residents against them.
At its June meeting, the board denied a special-use permit for a solar facility
in Mt. Morris Township by a vote of 17-4, with residents citing the property’s value as farmland.
Back in December, the board narrowly approved a special-use permit for a solar project between Forreston and Polo after previously denying that project due to it being on productive farmland. That petitioner changed its siting to less productive farmland and filed a lawsuit against Ogle County for the denial, stemming from a new state law that set statewide standards for wind and solar farm siting and took away previous local controls such as at the county level.
Planning committee updates
The board heard a facilities update from long-range planning committee
Chairman Don Griffin during the meeting. Griffin updated the board on work that has been done in the basement of the old Ogle County Courthouse and introduced Steve Nelson of Larson & Darby engineering.
Nelson said a roof replacement is planned for the old Ogle County Courthouse in the coming months and presented proposed plans for a memorial circle plaza on the south end of the old
Jeff Helfrich
Ogle County Board Chairman Bruce Larson (right) and Board Vice Chairwoman Patricia Nordman are shown at the board’s monthly meeting Aug. 19, when the board voted unanimously to deny two special-use permits for solar developments.
At its Aug. 19, meeting, the Ogle County Board heard a report on proposed plans for a memorial circle plaza at the former site of the previous Ogle County Jail.
• COUNTY BOARD
Continued from page 10
courthouse, the former site of the previous Ogle County Jail.
Nelson said the project would be broken into three phases due to needed funds and would involve fundraising. Three benches for the project already have been donated. The first phase would include a statue on a podium with a circular concrete sidewalk surrounding it, connecting to existing sidewalk. Landscaping and shrubbery would be included as well.
The second phase would include a curved walkway into the memorial from the east, with a total of seven benches. The third phase would include landscaping including trees and shrubs, along with a canopy, the most expensive aspect of the project.
Constellation approval
The board voted 16-5 to approve a rezoning of 184.98 acres of land in the
4000 block of North Black Walnut Road in Marion Township from agricultural to industrial use for Constellation Energy, the owner of the Byron Nuclear Plant.
The Ogle County Board voted back in August 2024 to rezone 524 acres of land owned by Constellation around the Byron Nuclear Plant from agricultural to industrial as Constellation considers attracting industrial development, such as data centers.
“I want to thank the board for its vote of support tonight on behalf of our nearly 800 employees, site vice president and our plant family,” Ryan Tozer, Constellation manager of local government affairs, said Aug. 19.
Vehicle purchase
The board unanimously voted during the meeting to spend $52,464.20 in opioid funds to purchase a 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe for the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office. The new vehicle will replace a squad car that was recently totaled in a crash.
COME SEE
Jeff Helfrich
Arroyos win Rochelle Chamber Lawn of the Week
By JEFF HELFRICH jhelfrich@shawmedia.com
The Rochelle Chamber of Commerce presented its Lawn of the Week award for the week of Aug. 22 to Jose and Lourdes Arroyo. They received a sign and a $25 Rochelle ACE Hardware gift card, presented by Rochelle Ace Hardware Manager Jesse Lopez.
The Chamber has partnered with Rochelle Ace Hardware to award gift cards to the winners.
The 2025 Lawn of the Week program has begun for the summer and will run through September. Nominate a neighbor/yard each week by submitting a name and address by emailing rochellechamber@gmail.com.
“We are proud to recognize our residents that display community pride in Rochelle,” Chamber Executive Director Tricia Herrera said. “We love that this program gives us the chance to showcase the hard work and dedication they put into making our city look great.”
Photo provided
The Rochelle Chamber of Commerce recently presented its Lawn of the Week award for the week of Aug. 22 to Jose and Lourdes Arroyo. They received a sign
Rochelle ACE Hardware gift card, presented by Rochelle Ace Hardware Manager Jesse Lopez.
Heartache Tonight sets attendance record for Mt. Morris Jamboree
By EARLEEN HINTON Shaw Local News Network correspondent
Heartache Tonight, an Eagles tribute band, now holds the record for the largest crowd at the Jamboree Concert Series in Mt. Morris.
The popular band filled the lawn circling the Warren Reckmeyer Band Shell on Aug. 22, all to the delight of Jamboree organizer Larry Ubben.
“We have 2,200 here tonight,” said Ubben, sitting in the middle of the large crowd that came out to the free concert on a perfect summer night.
When the lawn area was filled, concertgoers set up their chairs on Wesley Avenue, which is closed for traffic during the concerts.
The previous record this year was 1,400 set by Rocks Off, a Rolling Stones tribute band. But Brass from the Past, playing a selection of Motown, soul and rock tunes, with a large horn and rhythm section, was a close second with 1,350, and the Chicago Tribute Anthology, a tribute band for the iconic band Chicago, followed with 1,200.
“Heartache Tonight is one of the finest Eagles tributes in the
country,” Ubben said. “They always put on a great show.”
The 2025 concert series wraps up with a special performance on Wednesday, Aug. 27, by the AllStar Superband, making its Jamboree debut.
That band’s original performance date of July 11 had to be canceled due to inclement weather.
“We were able to find another suitable date for the group to play this summer,” Ubben said.
The All Star Superband, hailng from Milwaukee, is an 18-piece rehearsal big band.
Ubben said the band has been performing every week since the year 2000 and has been featured in concerts alongside Mindi Abair, Bobby Caldwell, Sal Lozano and Doc Severinsen.
“They are known for performing a wide variety of big band jazz from classic musicians like Count Basie, Stan Kenton and Woody Herman.”
On Friday, Aug. 29, Fortunate Sons, a Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute band, closes out the 2025 season from 7-9 p.m.
Photos by Earleen Hinton
TOP LEFT: Heartache Tonight, an Eagles tribute band, performed at the Jamboree Concert Series in Mt. Morris on Aug. 22. TOP RIGHT: Downtown Mt. Morris was packed with people on Aug. 22, as 2,200 turned out to hear Heartache Tonight, an Eagles tribute band, play at the Jamboree Concert Series. ABOVE: The lawn surrounding the Warren Reckmeyer Bandshell in downtown Mt. Morris was packed with people to hear Heartache Tonight. LEFT: Heartache Tonight, an Eagles tribute band, performed at the Jamboree Concert Series in Mt. Morris on Aug. 22.
Special Hours
The Byron Public Library will be closed in observance of Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1, and will reopen for regular hours Tuesday, Sept. 2.
Did you know…
The Byron Library can help you research your family history? Stop in to access Ancestry.com Library Edition or Family Search from the library computers, or view our physical local history collection located in the conference room. You can also visit byronlibrary.org/services/local-history.
Creative Studio
Our Creative Studio is open on Sunday afternoons and two evenings a week, so stop by for monthly crafts and to use our maker space equipment. Crafts out on the tables are free of charge, while some other projects will incur a cost depending on materials. Middle school and high school youths can use some of the materials while with an adult, or during Teen Time. Creative Studio hours: 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays;
SCHOOL BRIEFS
The Kishwaukee College Foundation recently announced the student scholarship recipients for the Fall 2025 semester. The Foundation awarded 296 scholarships totaling $218,866.
Rochelle-area Kishwaukee College students received the following awards:
AG Communications Endowment: Damian Nava-Barrientos of Rochelle
Albert & Frances Besserman Endowment: Luis Blas of Rochelle
Beulah & Roberta Hackett Endowment: Vanessa Briseno of Rochelle
Bud & Kay Stocking Rochelle Rotary Service
Above Self Endowment: Kara Martinez of Rochelle, Annaleigh McKinney of Rochelle
Charles & Mary Roberts Memorial Endowment: Brisa Zepeda of Rochelle
Compeer Financial Scholarship: Michelle McCandless of Kings
Desa Henn Memorial Scholarship: Kimberly Goodrich of Rochelle
Diane McNeilly Education Endowment: Aaliyah Losoya of Rochelle
Eleanor Anglin Price Scholarship: Jayme Egland of Rochelle
Emma Anderson Scholarship: Jasmynn Lipscomb of Rochelle
Enbridge Energy Company Pipeline Industry Awareness Scholarship: Anna Varner of Rochelle
Illinois Community College System Foundation Health Care Scholarship: Kassandra Kirk of
9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, and closed Fridays and Saturdays. Check out the Mobile App
Did you know that there is an easy way to use the library from your phone? Just download the PrairieCat app to your phone or mobile device and log in with your library card number and PIN. You’ll be able to view your checkouts and holds, renew renewable materials, and search the library catalog. There’s even a digital copy of your library card.
Curbside Delivery
The library is open for browsing, but patrons can still use curbside service. Place your holds online at byronlibrary.org or call us at 815-234-5107. Not sure what you want? Call us for help. We will call or email you with a confirmation when your holds are ready to be picked up. Call us when you arrive at the library, and we will bring your items out to you, already checked out. A receipt with your due dates will be included with your items. For information, visit byronlibrary.org or the library’s social media pages.
Rochelle
Jeanne M. Henderson Memorial Endowment: Rachel Cook of Rochelle
Kenneth & Susan Doubler Scholarship Fund: Josue Albanil of Creston
Kishwaukee College Employee Give Scholarship: Damian Nava-Barrientos of Rochelle, Danica Ward of Creston
Kishwaukee College First-Generation Scholarship: Damian Nava-Barrientos of Rochelle
LaVerne “Dutch” Johnson Endowment: Grace Luxton of Kings
Rowland & Lucile Matteson Endowment: Faith Totzke of Ashton
Ruth Ashelford Pollock Horticulture Fund: Michelle McCandless of Kings, Faith Totzke of Ashton
Shane Meyers Memorial Scholarship: John Jarrett of Chana
Stephen P. Irving Family Scholarship: Jayme Egland of Rochelle
Terry S. Jones & Nancy J. Eyer Nursing Student Scholarship: Mariah Wyrobek of Rochelle
The Founder’s Endowment: Danica Ward of Creston
Tom & Nancy Roberts Endowment: Natalie Higueros-Lopez of Rochelle
Vernon & Dorothy Smith Memorial Scholarship: Kara Martinez of Rochelle, Danica Ward of Creston, Brisa Zepeda of Rochelle
Students who wished to remain anonymous were omitted from this list.
WHO IS UNITY HOSPICE?
• Care provided by the entire hospice team: physician, nurse, social worker, certified nursing assistant, chaplain, dietitian, pharmacist, and volunteers.
• Care is individualized and based on the patient’s and family’s goals of comfort and quality of life.
• Supplies, equipment and medications.
• Service where the patient resides.
• Specialize in pain & symptom management.
• Spiritual enrichment and bereavement counseling.
• Ancillary Therapies: Music, Physical/ Occupational, Speech, Massage, Pet, etc.
• Ability to provide education to caregivers and family members.
• On-call nurse available 24/7.
• Assistance with advance directives and community support.
• Provide Education to those we care for
• Volunteers providing special attention and stimulation.
Rochelle Printing Company and a man with a bunny
Richard Sax and Joseph Dubin were two Chicago men with a dream, very little money, but a dream. The two men wanted to start a printing company but could not afford the high costs of opening a shop in Chicago.
So they headed west from the big city looking for two things: affordable property and ready access to transportation. After a short search, the ideal location was found; Rochelle, Illinois.
Rochelle offered an affordable location on the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Sixth Street. The Sherlock Garage was a two-story structure erected in 1920. With 6,000 square feet of open space on two floors, the building offered sufficient room for the presses and office space. Rochelle’s two rail lines, Lincoln Highway and Meridian Road, assured easy access to national transportation. So it was. In 1946, Richard and Joseph opened Rochelle Printing Company in downtown Rochelle.
Rochelle Printing Company was the definition of small business. The company featured three presses and six employees. With six monthly magazines the company was surviving but
always on the lookout for new clients.
Rochelle Printing Company grew over the next three years and by 1949 the company needed more room. A new building was erected on South Seventh Street and would become home base for Rochelle Printing as long as they stayed in business. But Richard Sax and Joseph Dubin were not the only Chicago men with a dream.
Hugh Hefner sat in his Chicago apartment; his dream was to create a magazine for men featuring beautiful women and articles by some of the best and most controversial writers of the time. Hugh was 27 years old and had just acquired what he hoped would be the key to his success.
He had heard of a local calendar maker who owned the rights to a nude photo of a little-known actress, Marilyn Monroe. The picture had been taken in
1949 and Marilyn’s career had not yet taken off.
The 1950s marked an explosion in Marilyn’s fame. Movies like “The Asphalt Jungle” and “All About Eve” in 1950, “Niagara,” “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” and “How to Marry a Millionaire” in 1953 catapulted Marilyn Monroe to stardom. When asked about the nude photo, Marilyn stated simply, “I had nothing on but the radio.”
Hugh Hefner had paid $500 for the rights to publish the photo. The only thing he lacked was enough money to hire a printing firm and a firm willing to print the magazine. Hugh searched around and learned of a small company west of Chicago that was expanding and looking for new clients. The company was owned by kindred souls – two men from Chicago with little money and big dreams.
Hugh visited Rochelle and contracted Rochelle Printing to print the first five issues of “Playboy Magazine.” The first issue featured Marilyn Monroe and the 50,000 copies flew off of the magazine racks. Each succeeding issue required more copies than the one
before and by the fifth issue, “Playboy” had outgrown Rochelle Printing’s capabilities.
“Playboy” and Hugh moved on but Rochelle Printing Company had been in on the inception of one of the legendary magazines of all time. The “Playboy Bunny” is an instantly recognized symbol even today.
Rochelle Printing saw eight expansions from 1949 through 2012. They grew from 12,000 square feet of production space to 66,000 square feet. The original three printing presses grew to 23 presses and the six employees became a workforce of 140. Rochelle Printing started small, printing six monthly magazines and at its peak, produced 36 monthlies and six weeklies. None it seems, quite as well-known as “Playboy Magazine.”
Rochelle Printing Company closed its doors in 2012 after 66 years of serving the area’s printing needs. Many would remember their time at Rochelle Printing: Roger Unger who devoted more than 50 years in the binding room;
OPINIONS
THE FIRST AMENDMENT
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Let another government body pay for it
I’ve been belatedly reading Jeremiah Joyce’s 2021 book “Still Burning: Half a Century of Chicago, from the Streets to the Corridors of Power; A Memoir.”
The former 19th Ward alderman and Southwest Side state senator is a conversational writer and speaks frankly about some very divisive times, particularly regarding race (it can get cringey).
Joyce is remembered now as a consummate insider, but he came up the hard way without regular party support. It wasn’t until he forged a bond with Richard M. Daley, the first Mayor Daley’s son, that he came into his own as a power broker.
Anyway, what I wanted to tell you about was one of Joyce’s observations of Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley, who died in office in 1976 during Joyce’s one and only aldermanic term.
“Over time,” Joyce wrote of the first Mayor Daley, “he developed a firm though rarely spoken theory of Chicago government – let some other entity pay, whether it be the state, the county, a regional body or the federal government.”
It was true then and it’s still true today, although perhaps stated more bluntly by the city’s current mayor and
Miller VIEWS
some of his closest allies.
We saw it again for the umpteenth time last week when Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates castigated the governor and the Democratic legislative majorities for not spending more on the city’s schools.
Gates, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s most visible ally, was responding to Gov. JB Pritzker’s remarks to reporters that the Chicago Teachers Union’s demand for $1.6 billion in additional state funding is “just not going to happen.”
“And it’s not because we shouldn’t,” Pritzker clarified. “We should try to find the money, but we don’t have those resources today, and we’re not going to see the resources from the federal government level either.”
Pritzker went on to blame the Trump administration. “The federal government has taken away education funding from schools all across the U.S.,” he
said, adding that the state has increased funding by $2.5 billion during his time in office.
CTU President Gates issued a blistering response: “Logic would tell you that if the Republican despot in the White House is defunding public education, then a state with a Democratic supermajority should take the opposite approach by fully funding schools in its largest district. There was no delay in giving $10 billion in tax breaks to the wealthiest businesses and individuals in our state, so why do Black and Brown children have to wait?”
The CTU has mentioned these “$10 billion in tax breaks” quite often, so I reached out and asked what that was all about.
For the most part, these aren’t actually “tax breaks.” Instead, almost $6 billion, according to CTU spokesperson B. Loewe, comes from the Illinois Revenue Alliance’s list of potential tax hikes on corporations (although a very small part of that is from closing corporate tax loopholes). An additional $4.5 billion is from not imposing a state surcharge on annual income over $1 million, which would require a constitutional amendment and couldn’t be implemented until
after the 2026 election, if voters approved it.
Loewe also pointed to several state incentives criticized by a group called Good Jobs First, including tax breaks for electric vehicles, data centers and TV and film production.
But it’s not like state leaders can snap their collective fingers and suddenly produce $10 billion in new revenues. Lots of labor unions, particularly the trades, would strenuously object to some of these ideas.
What the CTU really wants is an immense expansion of the state tax base.
“Why do students at Carver Elementary have to go without their flag football team?” Gates asked about state underfunding. “Why are educators being told to conserve toilet tissue and paper towels? Why does everyone have to subsidize the foot-dragging of our governor and Democratic General Assembly.”
From the first Mayor Daley to the present, some things never change.
• Rich Miller also publishes Capitol Fax, a daily political newsletter, and CapitolFax.com.
Lawmakers should consider addressing self-funding loophole
A common frustration is encountering people – from low-information social media posters to high-ranking elected officials – ranting about policies or proposals with no chance of being enacted or, in some cases, not actually on the General Assembly’s table.
But just like the adage holding jazz is about the notes that don’t get played, sometimes ire is properly directed at legislation no one is discussing. Call it the “there oughta be a law” corollary. Put another way: When everyone agrees there’s a loophole, why isn’t anyone tightening that string?
On Thursday, Capitol News Illinois covered the ongoing dispute between Senate President Don Harmon and the State Board of Elections. The issue dates to March, when state officials responded to a Chicago Tribune inquiry into the Oak Park Democrat’s fundraising by sending a certified letter
accusing Harmon of improperly accepting donations after the March 2024 primary.
There are undisputed facts: Harmon gave his own campaign $100,001 in January 2023. That meant he or anyone else running for the seat could accept contributions from individuals and political action committees.
Harmon did just that – openly –believing he understood the rules based in large part on his role in writing them. But the elections board disagrees, saying the “self-funded” cap extended only through the end of the primary cycle, so he should not have
accepted $4 million and as such is subject to a $9.8 million fine.
Harmon’s attorney, Mike Kasper, argued that a candidate shouldn’t need “to make another $100,001 loan to reactivate the self-funding exemption when the primary season concluded,” according to CNI’s Ben Szalinski. “And it should still be in effect through the 2026 election, he argued.”
While Kasper said the limit should stay off until Harmon’s seat is contested in November 2026, he also allowed for a minimum cap of the November 2024 cycle.
“If it’s unfair to have the caps reattached after the primary when there’s a self-funder, it seems even more unfair to apply it halfway through the election,” Kasper said. “I don’t think anyone ever intended for the caps to be put back on in the middle of an election.”
The board contends Harmon’s read-
ing undercuts the broader importance of the statutory concept of “election cycles,” regardless of the fact senators serve tagged two- and four-year terms.
According to CNI, the board may render a decision on Sept. 16, and that “ruling is likely to set a precedent for future campaigns.”
Absent from the arguing is meaningful legislation clarifying unanswered questions. Rather than let appointed bureaucrats essentially settle a legal question, this could’ve been solved in the spring session or addressed in the fall veto session.
Guesswork, even reasoned, serves no one. This is a job for the General Assembly.
• Scott T. Holland writes about state government issues for Shaw Local News Network. He can be reached at sholland@shawmedia.com.
Rich
Scott T. Holland EYE ON ILLINOIS
LOCAL NEWS BRIEF
Coliseum Museum presents the Wild Blue Ukulele Orchestra Sept. 14
Wild Blue Ukulele Orchestra will appear at the Coliseum Museum in Oregon from 3-5 p.m. Sept. 14 for a Sunday afternoon concert featuring a full range of ukuleles –from the soprano to the UBass!
The fully orchestrated arrangements cover a variety of genres and eras and demonstrate the versatility of the instrument.
John Lindhorst is the owner of the popular little Ukulele Station America, as well as his latest dream venture, Oregon Music Garage.
Throughout his 40-year career, as a singer, songwriter and teacher, John has lived and taught in Illinois, Hawaii and California, For
IT’S YOUR WRITE
Doesn’t sound pro family to me
To the Editor:
Our Congressman, Darin LaHood, of the 16th congressional district, recently sent out a news letter where the “Big Beautiful Bill” was described as the “most pro family piece of legislation in history.” And he was glad to support it.
How does a bill that cuts SNAP benefits become pro family? Struggling families need help. Cutting SNAP benefits is going to hurt families.
How is cutting Medicaid going to benefit families? Again, families that are struggling need Medicaid to keep their families healthy. Without Medicaid payments, some smaller, rural hospitals may find it difficult to provide medical services to all the people in their area. Those payments are important, because hospitals will not turn away poor people. Without reimbursement, how will those hospitals survive?
And since he is boasting about protecting families, How does having armed, masked men rounding up citizens and tak-
• McDERMOTT
Continued from page 15
Harvey Galloway, foreman of the mail room; Jack Brittenham, foreman of the Composing Room; L.R. (Tex) Dickenson, plant manager; Anne Hooley in the office and Clarence McTaggart at the linotype machine – just to name a few. Some have moved on, others have passed on, but all were a part of the
the past several years, John’s sphere of artistic influence as well as business leadership has returned him to the beautiful and historic town of Oregon; the place he calls home.
Doors open at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person. You may register online at https:// www.cmaaa.org/events.html. You also may call 815-595-5810 or email info@cmaaa.org to buy tickets or for more information.
The CMAAA mission is to present Art, Antiques, Americana and history through permanent and rotating exhibits, workshops, music, theater and more. Additional information can be found on the website, www.cmaaa.org and Facebook page, www. facebook.com/ColiseumMuseum.
– Jeff Helfrich
ing them into custody without warrants, often without cause, and without due process, help families? In fact it hurts families as news stories frequently tell of husbands or wives taken away, leaving their families without both parents, or grandparents. This is not helping families.
And exactly how does targeting Haitian immigrants for removal and returning them to Haiti benefit families? Haiti is in chaos, killings and rapes occur daily, yet our government is sending people back. Women and children. People who came here to escape the violence.
This “Big Beautiful Bill” does not benefit us.
It benefits the billionaires and multimillionaires.
Those who supported it should be ashamed.
And those who remain silent when men and women are rounded up based on skin color are not representing the values and morals of the United States of America.
Terry Dickow Rochelle
company’s success.
The Rochelle Printing Company building has been removed but the press that printed the first five “Playboy Magazines” has survived and is on display at the Rochelle Flagg Township Museum. The museum is located at 518 Fourth Ave. in Rochelle.
• Tom McDermott is a Flagg Township Museum historian and Rochelle City Council member.
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
Franklin Creek Conservation Association to host Grist Mill Market Day on Sept. 20
The Franklin Creek Conservation Association will host a Grist Mill Market Day on Sept. 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will include Franklin Creek Corn Grinding and a wildlife display.
Join to watch the big wheel of the grist mill turn on, powered by the waters of Franklin Creek.
Corn-grinding demonstrations will be offered at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Come see the new wildlife display exhibit on the second floor and enjoy a day in the park.
Vendors will be set up on the front lawn and barbecue beef sandwiches and grilled hot dogs will be available for purchase, along with mini corn muffins and other treats.
The gift shop will be open with hats, T-shirts, paintings, hoodies, mugs and more. Mill tours will be available throughout the day and fresh ground cornmeal will be available to buy. The Grist Mill is located at 1893 Twist Road in Franklin Grove.
Rochelle’s Wexell named 1 of America’s best program directors
Kris Wexell, program director and operations manager at WYOT-FM and WRHL-FM in Rochelle, has been recognized by “Radio Ink” magazine as one of the Best Program Directors in America for 2025.
Wexell, who has 32 years in radio and 23 as
OBITUARIES
LEON L. PALMER JR.
Born: August 16, 1934
Died: August 6, 2025
a program director, oversees 102.3 The Coyote, the top-rated country station in the market. Under his leadership, 102.3 The Coyote was named Small Market Station of the Year in Illinois and locally honored as Community Partner of the Year.
Wexell has also been recognized by the Illinois General Assembly and named Illinois Radio Personality of the Year for Small Market four consecutive years. The combined digital reach of 102.3 The Coyote and SuperHits 93.5 exceeds 182,000 Facebook followers, with a weekly audience of up to 13 million, and Wexell continues to have a major impact on country music in the region.
Polo Chamber Dinner is Sept. 24
The Polo Chamber of Commerce will hold its 58th annual meeting and dinner 5 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Polo Room at 712 N. Division Ave. in Polo.
The event will begin with registration and cocktails followed by dinner at 6 p.m. and the meeting and presentation of awards at 6:30 p.m.
Awards announced will be the Citizen of the Year and the Carole Nettz Volunteer of the Year. Chamber President Joey Kochsmeier will give a report on Chamber activities through 2024-25 and election of the 2025-26 board of directors will be held. Three vacancies need to be filled and nominations will be accepted. – Shaw Local News Network
MT. MORRIS, IL – Leon L. Palmer Jr., age 90, passed away peacefully on August 6, 2025 in Serenity Hospice & Home, Oregon, IL. Leon was born on August 16, 1934, in Tampico, IL, the son of Leon L. & Hazel L. (Kepner) Palmer Sr. Once he graduated from high school, he entered the United States Marine Corps, serving from 1954 until 1956. Leon worked as a printer for Kable Printing Company for 40 years.
Leon was a member of the Mt. Morris Moose
Lodge #1551
Leon is survived by his children, Jacquelyn K (William) Gibson, Mark D. Palmer, and Todd P. (Julie) Palmer, Sherry (Brad) Schumacher, Bobbi Kump, and Terrie Kump; brothers, Donald (Bonnie) Palmer and Ed (Margaret) Palmer; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and significant other, Beverly Kump.
Leon is preceded in death by his parents; and sisters, Mabel and Mary Jane.
A celebration of life will be held on September 20, 2025 from 2 until 5 p.m. in the Mt. Morris Moose Lodge; and burial will be held on September 20, 2025 at 1 p.m. at Oakwood Cemetery in Mt. Morris, IL. The family would like to thank the team of Generation at Neighbors in Byron for the wonderful care of Leon. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Serenity House in Oregon, IL, who took great care of Leon and his family during his stay. Cremation rites have been accorded with Finch Funeral Home, 405 East Hitt, Mt. Morris, IL 61054.
In
response to military deployment, Pritzker tells Trump: ‘Do not come to Chicago’
By BEN SZALINSKI bszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com
CHICAGO – In front of gleaming skyscrapers along the Chicago River, Illinois’ Democratic leaders showed a united front Monday against President Donald Trump’s threats to deploy the military into Chicago’s streets to fight crime with one message: “Mr. President, do not come to Chicago.”
“You are neither wanted here nor needed here,” Gov. JB Pritzker said at a news conference. “Your remarks about this effort over the last several weeks have betrayed a continuing slip in your mental faculties and are not fit for the auspicious office that you occupy.”
The Washington Post reported Saturday that the Pentagon has been considering for weeks deploying the military to Chicago. The report came a day after Trump suggested Chicago will be the next city he sends the military to after he activated the National Guard and other federal law enforcement personnel in Washington, D.C., earlier this month.
Thousands of troops could be deployed in Chicago as soon as September, though two officials who spoke to the Post anonymously said the deployment is considered
less likely for now.
“When I have some slob like Pritzker criticizing us before we even go there – I made the statement that next should be Chicago because Chicago is a killing field right now and they don’t acknowledge it and they say ‘we don’t need them, freedom, freedom, freedom, he’s a dictator. He’s a dictator.’ A lot of people are saying maybe we’d like a dictator,” Trump said Monday. “I don’t like a dictator. I’m not a dictator. I’m a man with great common sense and a smart person.”
The state’s leaders said they have not been contacted by the Trump administration asking whether the state wants policing help, and state leaders said they have not asked for help.
“If this were happening in any other country, we would have no trouble calling it what it is – a dangerous power grab,” Pritzker said.
The state’s top democrats said Trump is targeting Illinois for political reasons.
“This is an act of political theater by Donald Trump, and sadly, we have to take it extremely seriously,” said U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois. “My friends, don’t walk away and say this is just another political issue. This is how democracies die.”
AP photo
Gov. JB Pritzker speaks Monday at a news conference in a Chicago water taxi in Chicago.
DOJ demands voter personal information by Sept. 1
State asked for deadline extension to research legal basis of the demand
By PETER HANCOCK phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com
SPRINGFIELD – Federal officials are continuing to press their demand for Illinois’ unredacted voter registration database, which includes sensitive personal information, and are now giving state officials until Sept. 1 to comply.
In an email on Aug. 21, Michael E. Gates, an attorney in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, rejected the Illinois State Board of Elections’ request for additional time to research the legal issues involved in the demand to determine what data it can lawfully turn over.
“The electronic form of Illinois’s Voter Registration List already exists
and can be easily transmitted to the Justice Department by following the instructions in our [July 28] letter,” Gates wrote. “The legal authorities presented by the Justice Deprtment’s [sic] for the transmittal of the VRL are clear. Having said this, we will extend the time to respond for Illinois to September 1st.”
The Justice Department has said it wants the state’s complete voter registration database – including “all fields contained within the list” – so it can determine whether the state is complying with provisions of the 1993 National Voter Registration Act.
That law requires states to keep those lists accurate and up to date. That includes occasionally purging the list of registrations of people who have died or moved.
In addition to the database, DOJ also asked the state in its July 28 letter to identify the number of people purged from the rolls due to being noncitizens,
adjudicated as incompetent or having felony convictions. And the agency asked for a list of all state and local election officials who have been responsible for carrying out list maintenance functions since the November 2022 elections.
The elections board responded to that request on Aug. 11 by providing most of the information DOJ sought, including a copy of the same voter registration database that state law allows it to release to political committees and other government agencies.
That list includes voters’ names, addresses, voting history and the date when they registered to vote. It does not include other sensitive personal information contained in voters’ records such as their dates of birth, driver’s license numbers and the last four digits of their Social Security numbers.
The board cited both federal and state laws for redacting that sensitive information including the federal Privacy Act, the Illinois Identity Protec -
tion Act and the Illinois Personal Information Protection Act.
But DOJ wrote on Aug. 14 the state’s response was insufficient and insisted on access to the entire, unredacted database, “including the registrant’s full name, date of birth, residential address, his or her state driver’s license number or the last four digits of the registrant’s social security number as required under the Help America Vote Act to register individuals for federal elections.”
HAVA is a 2002 federal law that was enacted in the wake of the contested 2000 presidential election. Among other things, it sets minimum standards for states to follow in several areas of election administration, including voting equipment and maintaining statewide voter registration databases.
DOJ has not said why that information is necessary for it to investigate the state’s compliance with requirements for maintaining up-to-date voter registration rolls.
New laws aim to shield providers of abortion meds, ban ticketing in schools
By PETER HANCOCK phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com and BEN SZALINSKI bszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com
Gov. JB Pritzker signed the final two bills from the spring session Friday, giving his approval to more than 430 bills approved by lawmakers this year.
The final bills signed Friday are designed to improve access to abortion medication even if the federal government revokes permission for a certain drug. The governor signed a bill earlier in the week prohibiting students from receiving municipal tickets for disciplinary infractions.
The General Assembly sent 436 bills to the governor’s desk this year, with Pritzker signing all but three of them. Pritzker issued a pair of vetoes to Senate Bill 246, which would have allowed nonprofits to participate in the state’s investment pool, and House Bill 2682, a crisis assistance measure that had duplicative language in a bill Pritzker previously signed.
Pritzker also issued one amendatory veto to House Bill 2568 because a portion of the bill was written into the wrong section of state law. Lawmakers can decide whether or not to accept the change when they reconvene in October.
Abortion medication access
Illinois will allow health care professionals to prescribe certain medications over the next decade even if the federal government revokes approval for a drug under House Bill 3637.
The bill stipulates that any medication that had U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval prior to 2025 and remains approved by the World Health Organization will remain legally accessible in Illinois even if the FDA revokes approval of the drug. The law would remain in effect through 2034. It was primarily aimed at protecting providers of abortion mediation.
The bill expands “shield law” protections to all Illinois health care workers to protect them from prosecution in other states or disciplinary action in Illinois for providing health care that is legal in Illinois but may not be legal in other places.
“As an anti-woman, anti-science, authoritarian administration invades our privacy, Illinois is holding the line and we are fighting back,” Pritzker said at a news conference in Champaign.
The Trump administration has planned to review the FDA’s authorization of mifepristone, a leading abortion pill.
General Assembly Republican
As an anti-woman, antiscience, authoritarian administration invades our privacy, Illinois is holding the line and we are fighting back.”
Gov. JB Pritzker
opposed the bill, arguing the state should not ignore the FDA’s guidance about medications.
Pritzker also signed House Bill 3709, an initiative of a group of University of Illinois students that requires Illinois colleges and universities to provide students access to contraception and abortion medications at campus pharmacies and health care centers beginning this school year.
“These services will now become more easily available from a source that young women can trust,” Pritzker said.
No municipal fines for students
Municipalities in Illinois may no longer issue fines, fees, tickets or citations to students as a form of schoolbased discipline under a new law signed Wednesday.
Senate Bill 1519, sponsored by state Sen. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, took effect immediately and is intended to close a loophole in a 2015 law, which prohibited schools from issuing fines for disciplinary infractions.
A 2022 investigation by ProPublica and the Chicago Tribune found that schools were getting around that law by referring students to local law enforcement for offenses such as truancy, vaping, fights or other infractions. The investigation also found Black and Latino students were fined at disproportionate rates.
The law does not apply to delinquent or criminal behavior. It also does not apply to traffic, boating, or fish and game laws.
“Our schools should be places of learning and growth – not entry points into the justice system,” Villa said in a statement. “When we treat student behavior with fines and tickets, we fail to address the real issues and risk derailing a young person’s future.”
The new law also requires school districts that employ school resource officers to have a memorandum of understanding with their local law enforcement agency to ensure SROs are properly trained and do not use fines or tickets for disciplinary infractions.
NATION&WORLD
THEROUNDUP
STORIES MAKING HEADLINES
1KilmarAbrego Garcia faces new deportation efforts after ICE detains him in Baltimore
BALTIMORE – Kilmar Abrego Garcia, whose case has become a flashpoint in President Donald Trump’s aggressive effort to remove noncitizens from the U.S., was detained by immigration authorities in Baltimore on Monday to face renewed efforts to deport him after a brief period of freedom.
Abrego Garcia’s attorneys quickly filed a lawsuit to fight his deportation until a court has heard his claim for protection, stating that the U.S. could place him in a country where “his safety cannot be assured.”
The lawsuit triggered a blanket court order that automatically pauses deportation efforts for two days. The order applies to immigrants in Maryland who are challenging their detention.
Within hours of Abrego Garcia’s detention, his lawyers spoke with Department of Justice attorneys and a federal judge in Maryland, who warned Abrego Garcia cannot be removed from the U.S. “at this juncture” because he must be allowed to exercise his constitutional right to contest deportation.
U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis said overlapping court orders temporarily prohibit the government from removing Abrego Garcia, and that she would extend her own temporary restraining order barring his deportation.
2Health
officials: AP freelancer among 5 journalists killed in strikes on Gaza hospital
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip – Israeli strikes on a hospital in southern Gaza killed five journalists Monday, according to health officials, including one who just days earlier had reported for The Associated Press on children being treated for starvation at the same facility.
Mariam Dagga, 33, a visual journalist, freelanced for the AP during the war, as well as other news outlets. The news organization said in a statement that it was shocked and saddened to learn of Dagga’s death, as well as the deaths of other journalists.
Two strikes hit Nasser Hospital in Khan
Supreme Court has ruled is legitimate political expression protected by the U.S. Constitution.
The order the Republican president signed in the Oval Office acknowledged the court’s 5-4 ruling in a case from Texas in 1989, but said there is still room to prosecute flag burning if it “is likely to incite imminent lawless action” or amounts to “fighting words.”
The order also called for Attorney General Pam Bondi to pursue litigation to challenge the 1989 ruling, an attempt by Trump to get the issue back in front of the Supreme Court. Today’s Supreme Court is much more conservative than the makeup of the court in 1989 and includes three judges Trump appointed in his first term.
Younis in quick succession, medical officials said. In videos, journalists and rescue workers can be seen rushing to the scene of one, before a massive explosion hits an exterior staircase where journalists are often stationed.
In all, 20 people were killed, said Zaher al-Waheidi, head of the Gaza Health Ministry’s records department.
The Israeli military said its troops carried out a strike in the area of Nasser Hospital and that it would conduct an investigation into the incident. The military said it “regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and does not target journalists as such.”
Israeli media reported that Israeli troops fired two artillery shells at the hospital, targeting a Hamas surveillance camera on the roof.
3Some
FEMA staff call out Trump cuts in public letter of dissent
More than 180 current and former employees of the Federal Emergency Management Agency published a letter Monday warning that debilitating cuts to the agency charged with handling federal disaster response risks a catastrophe like the one seen after Hurricane Katrina.
“Our shared commitment to our country, our oaths of office, and our mission of helping people before, during, and after disasters compel us to warn Congress and the American people of the cascading effects of decisions made by the current administration,” according to the letter.
The statement in it is noteworthy not only for its content but for its overall existence; a fierce approach toward critics by the Trump administration has caused many in the federal government to hesitate before locking heads with the White House.
The letter coincides with the 20th anniversary week of Hurricane Katrina, when more than 1,800 people died and profound failures in the federal response prompted Congress to pass the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006.
The letter warns that poor management and eroded capacity at FEMA could undo progress made to improve the agency through that law.
“Two decades later, FEMA is enacting processes and leadership structures that echo the conditions PKEMRA was designed to prevent,” according to the letter.
The letter is addressed to the FEMA Review Council, a 12-person group of elected officials, emergency managers and other leaders from mostly Republican states that President Donald Trump appointed to suggest reforms to an agency he has repeatedly threatened to eliminate.
4Trump moves to ban flag burning despite Supreme Court ruling
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order requiring the Justice Department to investigate and prosecute people for burning the American flag, an activity that the U.S.
Civil liberties advocates and constitutional scholars questioned both the legality and the merit of Trump’s action. A lawyer working for a free speech group said Trump does not have the power to rewrite the First Amendment.
5Trump
envoy says officials working ‘very, very hard’ on ending Russia-Ukraine war
KYIV, Ukraine – U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Keith Kellogg said in Kyiv on Monday that officials are “working very, very hard” on efforts to end the three-year war between Russia and Ukraine, as a lack of progress fuels doubts about whether a peace settlement could be on the horizon.
Officials are “hoping to get to a position where, in the near term, we have, with a lack of a better term, security guarantees” that address Ukraine’s fears of another invasion by Russia in the future, Kellogg said.
“That’s a work in progress,” Kellogg said of the potential security guarantees after attending Ukraine’s annual National Prayer Breakfast along with politicians, business leaders and diplomats.
A week ago, Trump said he had set in motion arrangements for direct peace talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy. But Russian officials have signaled that such a summit won’t happen anytime soon.
Trump said Friday he expects to decide on next steps in two weeks if direct talks aren’t scheduled.
AP photo
Kilmar Abrego Garcia (center) and his brother Cesar Abrego Garcia (left) arrive Monday at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Baltimore.
Schools reopen in DC with parents on edge over Trump’s armed patrols
By MARK SHERMAN, ASHRAF KHALIL and SOPHIA TAREEN
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON – Public schools reopened Monday in the nation’s tense capital with parents on edge over the presence in their midst of thousands of National Guard troops – some now armed – and large scatterings of federal law enforcement officers carrying out President Donald Trump’s orders to make the District of Columbia a safer place.
Even as Trump started talking about other cities and again touted a drop in crime that he attributed to his extraordinary effort to take over policing in Washington, D.C., the district’s mayor was lamenting the effect of Trump’s actions on children.
“Parents are anxious. We’ve heard from a lot of them,” Mayor Muriel Bowser said at a news conference, noting that some might keep their children out of school because of immigration concerns.
“Any attempt to target children is heartless, is mean, is uncalled for and it only hurts us,” she said. “I would just call for everybody to leave our kids alone.”
Rumors of police activity abound
As schools opened across the capital city, parental social media groups and listservs were buzzing with reports and rumors of checkpoints and arrests.
The week began with some patrolling National Guard units now carrying firearms. The change stemmed from a directive issued late last week by his Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Armed National Guard troops from
Ohio, South Carolina and Tennessee were seen around the city Monday. But not every patrol appears to be carrying weapons. An Associated Press photographer said the about 30 troops he saw on the National Mall on Monday morning were unarmed.
Armed Guard members in Washington will be operating under long-standing rules for the use of military force inside the U.S., the military task force overseeing all the troops deployed to D.C. said Monday. Those rules, broadly, say that while troops can use force, they should do so only “in response to an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm” and “only as a last resort.”
The task force has directed questions on why the change was necessary to Hegseth’s office. Those officials have declined to answer those questions.
Speaking in the Oval Office on Monday, Hegseth said that it was common sense to arm them because it meant they were “capable of defending themselves and others.”
Among their duties is picking up trash, the task force said, although it’s unclear how much time they will spend doing that.
Bowser reiterated her opposition to the National Guard’s presence. “I don’t believe that troops should be policing American cities,” she said.
Trump is considering expanding the deployments to other Democratic-led cities, including Baltimore, Chicago and New York, saying the situations in those cities require federal action. In Washington, his administration says more than 1,000 people have been arrested since Aug. 7, including 86 on Sunday.
AP photo
Armed members of the Ohio National Guard pass by children playing in a water feature Monday at The Wharf in Washington.
OGLE COUNTY PROPERTY TRANSFERS
Warranty deeds
• James T Janes and Marilyn A Janes to Peter W Hodapp and Lyndsey Hodapp, 8666 N. Riverview Drive, Byron, $326,000.
• Lakeview Loan Servicing Llc to Marco A Hernandez, 130 S. Sixth St., Rochelle, $59,900.
• Jamoine 3 Llc to Darrel L Stukenberg, 12 parcels in Mt. Morris Township: 08-05-300-006, 08-06-400-001, 08-06-400-002, 08-07-100-004, 08-07-100-006, 08-07-100-012, 08-07100-014, 08-07-200-002, 08-07-200003, 08-08-300-002, 08-08-300-007 and 08-17-100-002, $0.
• Sheri L Bossany to Jace T Warkentien and Alyssa J Ealy, 5370 E. Scarlet Oak Lane, Byron, $287,000.
• Michael E Keeton and Alyson R Augustyn to Margaret Hare and Zachary Hare, 5338 E. Aspen Court, Byron, $336,500.
• Adam Herwig and Clifford C Jones to Robert Borgen, 300 Main St., Chana, $64,500.
• Little Prairie Mennonite Church; Pine Creek Township; section 11; sign.
• Little Prairie Mennonite Church; Pine Creek Township; section 11; sign.
• Mark Miller Construction/ Krueger; Oregon-Nashua Township; section 14; dwelling additions.
• Matt Miller; Byron Township; section 34; remove and replace: maintenance building.
• Scott Diehl; Mt. Morris Township; section 13; grain bin.
hausen and Kastner Construction Inc, 214 Minnesota Dr, Dixon, and 212 Minnesota Dr, Dixon, $0.
• Miguel Garcia Vazquez and Beatris Esparza to Miguel Garcia Vazquez, trustee, Beatris Esparza Lopez, trustee, and Garcia Miguel Lv Tr, 215 Irene Ave., Rochelle, $0.
• Dora W Betz to Dora W Betz and Shirley Zaman, 305 E 2nd St, Leaf River, $0.
• Michael J Stewart to Michael J Stewart, trustee, and Michael James Stewart Tr, 607 N Luther Dr, Byron, $0.
• Michael J Stewart to Michael J Stewart, trustee, and Michael James Stewart Tr, 6442 N Marrill Rd, Byron, $0.
• Michael J Stewart to Michael J
Stewart, trustee, and Michael James
Stewart Tr, 322 N Hamer Ct, Byron, $0.
• Michael J Stewart to Michael J Stewart, trustee, and Michael James Stewart Tr, 914 N 7th St, Rochelle, $0.
• Michael J Stewart to Michael J Stewart, trustee, and Michael James Stewart Tr, 212 N Sumner St, Byron, $0.
• Michael J Stewart to Michael J Stewart, trustee, and Michael J Stewart Tr, 224 N Sumner St, Byron, $0.
• Michael J Bossany to Sheri L Bossany, 5370 E Scarlet Oak Ln, Byron, $0.
• Edward Drager to Edward Drager and Lucia Drager, 745 Golden Prairie Dr, Davis Junction, $0.
• Richard D Elliott, trustee, and Richard D Elliott Land Tr to Richard D Elliott, 1030 N 7th St, Rochelle, $0.
Trustees deeds
• Terrill D Janes, trustee, Carole R Janes, trustee, and Terrill D & Carole R Janes Family Tr to Kaytlin Neale and Kaleb Hess, 615 Missouri Dr, Dixon, $196,000.
Deeds in trust
• Jessie S Diduch, Jessie S Bazzell and Dennis A Diduch to Jessie S Diduch, trustee, and Jessie S Lv Diduch Tr, 11638 N. Springfield Road, Baileyville, $0.
• Dennis A Diduch, Jessie S Diduch and Jessie S Bazzell to Dennis A Diduch Jr, trustee, and Dennis A Diduch Lv Tr, 11638 N Springfield Rd, Baileyville, $0.
• Audrey R Kilker to Audrey R Kilker, trustee, and Ark Tr725, three parcels in Forreston Township: 02-21-100-016, 02-21-200-006 and 02-21-200-007, $0.
• Source: Ogle County Recorder’s Office
PUZZLES
ACROSS
1. Mongolian politician
5. Coconut palms
10. Rounded knob
14. Japanese city
15. Covers in soft material
16. Walk around
17. Ancient region in Syria
18. French painter
19. Grandmother
20. Cow part
22. Rocky peak
23. Secret plan
24. Sings to one’s lover
27. More (Spanish)
30. Father
31. Chinese philosophical principle
32. Hat
35. In agreement
37. A person’s brother or sister
38. Evil spirit
39. Monetary units
40. Partner to cheese
41. About Sun
42. A place to dance
43. Performer __ Lo Green
44. Beach accessory
45. Recipe measurement (abbr.)
46. Partly digested food
47. Pooch
48. Honorific title added to family name
49. Salts
52. Lichens genus
55. Lowest point of a ridge
56. Type of sword
60. Albanian language
61. Gold measurement
63. Italian seaport
64. Longtime late night host
65. Extremely angry
66. U. of Miami mascot
67. Mid-month day
68. Omitted from printed matter
69. Upper body part
DOWN
1. Two-toed sloth
2. Cooking ingredient
3. Iranian city
4. Publicly outs
5. Steep-sided hollow
Spoke
7. General law or rule 8. Extravagantly theatrical
Very fast airplane
Arm bones 11. Ancient kingdom near
__ fide: legitimate
Gemstone
Counsels
Top exec
Cool!
Touch lightly
Extract money via taxation
Dyes
Cloying sweetness
Soft drinks
36. The bill in a restaurant
37. Car mechanics group
Capital of Guam 34. Chemical compound
38. Late comedian Newhart
40. Health care for the aged
41. Wise individuals
43. A passage with access only at one end 44. Trim
46. Former OSS
47. The upper surface of the mouth
49. Edible lily bulbs
50. Type of reef 51. Vaccine developer 52. Mottled citrus fruit
53. A place to store lawn tools 54. Rare goose native to Hawaii
57. Hollywood pig
58. Musician Clapton
59. Take a chance
61. Spanish soldier
62. Mark Wahlberg comedy
Dead Sea
SPORTS
TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY
1990: The Brewers-Blue Jays game is delayed 35 minutes when a huge swarm of gnats descends onto the field through the open SkyDome roof.
2017: Floyd Mayweather Jr. defeats MMA fighter Conor McGregor in his debut match.
FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW
Scouting the Interstate 8 Conference
Sycamore, Rochelle, Morris again look to be the class of the I-8
By EDDIE CARIFIO, ROB OESTERLE and J.T. PEDELTY Shaw Local News Network
Sycamore Spartans
Coach: Joe Ryan
2024 record: 11-1, 5-0
Schedule: Aug. 29 vs. DeKalb at NIU’s Huskie Stadium, Sept. 5 at Moline, Sept. 12 Mahomet-Seymour, Sept. 19 Rochelle, Sept. 26 at Ottawa, Oct. 3 Kaneland, Oct. 10 La Salle-Peru, Oct. 17 at Morris, Oct. 24 at Cahokia
Worth noting: The Spartans won the conference for the second time in three years in 2024, finishing 11-1 before bowing out in the Class 5A quarterfinals. They’ve made the past six postseasons, winning at least one game each season, reaching the semifinals in 2021 and 2022. A handful of significant contributors graduated, but there’s still a lot of talent returning. Senior Owen DePauw and junior Will Rosenow anchor the line ahead of expected starting quarterback Griffin Larsen. Kevin Lee emerged late in the year as a solid running back and returns for his senior year. Cooper Bode may be in the mix in the backfield, but he is a punishing linebacker, as well. Earlier this year, coach Joe Ryan announced that this season would be his last with the Spartans. He’s 151-75 at Sycamore in 21 years, missing only five postseasons.
Rochelle Hubs
Coach: Kyle Kissack
2024 record: 10-2, 4-1
Schedule: Aug. 29 Geneseo, Sept. 6 at King, Sept. 12 Lena-Winslow, Sept. 19 at Sycamore, Sept. 26 LaSalle-Peru, Oct. 3 at Morris, Oct. 10 at Kaneland, Oct. 17 Ottawa, Oct. 24 Waterloo
Worth noting: Six points is all that stood between the Hubs and a conference title last year, in a 25-19 loss at home to Sycamore in Week 4. They still made the playoffs and reached the quar-
Rochelle’s Roman Villalobos runs the ball against L-P during their 2024 I-8 meeting in La Salle.
terfinals, falling to eventual Class 5A state champion Nazareth. They’ve made the playoffs four straight years and have missed only four postseasons this century. Last year’s win total was the most since a 10-1 mark in 2003. Sophomore running back Dylan Manning burst on the scene last year with 1,267 yards and 18 touchdowns, both second on the team
to the graduated Grant Gensler. Senior Roman Villalobos also returns after 1,119 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. Markell Pogue will be blocking ahead of them on the line, and Gavin Neale should have an impact both in the backfield and at linebacker. Neale had 58 tackles last year, most among returning players.
Morris
Coach: Alan Thorson 2024 record: 8-5, 3-2
Schedule: Aug. 29 Wilmington, Sept. 5 at Mahomet-Seymour, Sept. 13 at Peoria, Sept. 19 LaSalle-Peru, Sept. 26 at Kaneland, Oct. 3 Rochelle, Oct. 10 at
Continued from page 27
Ottawa, Oct. 17 Sycamore, Oct. 24 Byron Center, Michigan
Worth noting: Morris got into the Class 5A playoffs with a 5-4 regular season record, but caught fire in the postseason and advanced to the semifinals before falling to Joliet Catholic. They return seven starters on each side of the ball. OL Brogan Kjellesvik is a junior, but is entering his third year as a varsity starter. Kjellesvik will anchor a strong group up front, making holes for such running backs as Caeden Curran, Mick Smith and Keegan Kjellesvik. Brady Varner returns as the quarterback after passing for more than 1,900 yards and 19 touchdowns last year, while the defense will be led by linebackers Curran, Logan Sparrow and Owen Olson, and lineman Chace Bachert.
Kaneland Knights
Coach: Michael Thorgesen
2024 record: 5-5, 2-3
Schedule: Aug. 29 at Rock Island, Sept. 5 Lemont, Sept. 12 at DeKalb, Sept. 19 Ottawa, Sept. 26 Morris, Oct. 3 at Sycamore, Oct. 10 Rochelle, Oct. 17 at La Salle-Peru, Oct. 24 Althoff Catholic Worth noting: The Knights have made every postseason since 2017, although they lost in the first round to Belvidere North last year. They started last year 4-0, including wins against Washington and Wauconda teams that each went 8-3, before losing five of six games. Each of the five teams they lost to reached at least the quarterfinals. Jake Buckley has emerged as a beast on the offensive and defensive lines, while Rogan O’Neil had a breakout sophomore season at linebacker. He could also see some time at running back. Jackson Little also is back after a strong sophomore campaign at linebacker.
La Salle-Peru Cavaliers
Coach: JJ Raffelson
2024 record: 3-6, 1-4
Schedule: Aug. 29 at United Township, Sept. 5 at Metamora, Sept. 12 at Ottawa, Sept. 19 at Morris, Sept. 26 at Rochelle, Oct. 3 at Ottawa, Oct. 10 at Sycamore, Oct. 17 at Kaneland, Oct. 24 at O’Fallon Worth noting: Raffelson, previously an assistant, takes over as head coach of the Cavaliers after back-to-back losing seasons following three consecutive Class 5A playoff berths around a 5-0 COVID spring season. “We have a tough conference. Everyone knows that. ...” Raffelson said. “Those teams have been there for a while at the top. We need to work our butts off to get back up there.”
Sycamore’s Josiah Mitchell (14) runs the ball during the 2024 Class 5A playoff game while taking on Chicago
School.
L-P has reason to be optimistic that it can start rebuilding its program. It starts with sophomore QB Marion Persich, who threw for 1,398 yards and nine TDs plus ran for five more touchdowns a year ago as a freshman playing varsity and is almost universally viewed as a Division I/FBS prospect. Other expected standouts include RB/LB Griffin May, TE/LBs Jaron Morscheiser and Mason Morscheiser, WR/DB Landon Zellers, RB/DB Ryland Rynkewicz and OL/DLs Gus Konieczki, Bo Lawrence, Owen Mrowicki and Ever McCormick.
Ottawa Pirates
Coach: Chad Gross
2024 record: 1-8, 0-5
Schedule: Aug. 29 at Plano, Sept. 5 Streator, Sept. 12 La Salle-Peru, Sept. 19 at Kaneland, Sept. 26 Sycamore, Oct. 3 at La Salle-Peru, Oct. 10 Morris, Oct. 17 at Rochelle, Oct. 24 Granite City
Worth noting: The Pirates managed only one win in 2024, the sixth time over the past nine seasons the 2022 Class 5A playoff qualifier and 2012 6A state quarterfinalist was held to one or fewer victories. There are reasons O-Town is
hopeful it can turn things around in 2025; however, beginning with a schedule that includes five games (versus Plano, Streator, downstate Granite City and two against archrival La Salle-Peru) against teams that won three or fewer games last season. Another is the Pirates’ 18 returners, led by the likes of WR/DB Owen Sanders, QB/DB Mark Munson, OL/DL Evan Paris, RB/DB Archer Cechowicz and RB/LBs Logan Mills and Ethan Poutre. “We’re going to
Shaw Local News Network file photo
Bulls College Prep at Sycamore High
Continued from page 28
have a lot of competition within the group,” said Gross. “It’s a little like putting a puzzle together. We feel we have a lot of good pieces to that puzzle, now it’s just finding where they go to not only make the kids better, but our team better.”
Five players to watch
• Cooper Bode, Sycamore, sr., RB/LB: The reigning DeKalb Daily Chronicle Wrestler of the Year, Bode was also a firstteam all-area football selection last year. He had 55 tackles and two interceptions to go with a sack and six tackles for a loss.
• Jake Buckley, Kaneland, sr., OL/DL: Buckley was a force on both lines for the Knights. In addition to his blocking prowess on the offensive line, he had 41 tackles, 10 for loss and two sacks on defense. He was an All-Interstate 8 selection.
• Marion Persich, La Salle-Peru, so., QB: Persich will be a 6-foot, 3-inch, 215pound, dual-threat headache for the rest of the Interstate 8 after an impressive freshman campaign playing varsity. Expect big, big things in his sophomore campaign.
• Dylan Manning, Rochelle, jr., RB/DB: Manning was the No. 2 guy in Rochelle’s share-the-carries, share-the-yards rushing offense last season and still rang up 1,267 yards and 18 touchdowns. This year, he’s expected to be the Hubs’ primary ballcarrier.
• Brogan Kjellesvik, Morris, jr., OL/DL: A varsity starter since he was a freshman, Kjellesvik is a 6-foot, 4-inch, 265pound menace to Morris’ opponents and will anchor an experienced, powerful O-line in his junior campaign.
5 can’t-miss matchups
• Week 4: Rochelle at Sycamore: The Spartans won the conference last year thanks to their 25-19 Week 4 win against the Hubs, kicking off an undefeated run through conference. Rochelle would go almost two months before losing again in the 5A quarterfinals to Nazareth.
• Week 5: Morris at Kaneland: If either of these teams is looking to make a move on Rochelle or Sycamore and claim a conference title, it will have to start by beating the other. Last year, Morris rolled to a 50-10 victory before losing three of its next four games. It was the first loss for the Knights after a 4-0 start to the year.
• Week 6: Kaneland at Sycamore: The Spartans have been dominant in the series against the geographic rivals of
late, including last year’s 35-7 win in Maple Park. It was closer in 2023, a 22-21 win for the Spartans. The Knights last won in the series in 2018.
• Week 6: Ottawa at La Salle-Peru : The Cavaliers captured both meetings last season, topping the Pirates at Howard Fellows Stadium 33-0 and then winning 14-7 at King Field. After already having met during Week 3 in Ottawa, the two longtime rivals will hit the gridiron
across from each other for the 128th time. L-P currently leads the series 71-50-5 and has won the past 11 contests.
• Week 8: Sycamore at Morris : Although it didn’t last year, this game decided the conference champion in three straight years. Morris won at home in 2021 and 2023, while Sycamore won in 2022. Last year, Sycamore won 42-0 in Morris to avoid
tying with Rochelle for the league title.
Steve Soucie’s predicted finish (* - projected playoff qualifier)
• Sycamore*
• Morris*
• Rochelle*
• Kaneland*
• LaSalle-Peru
• Ottawa
Shaw Local News Network fiel photo
Marion Persich of L-P looks to throw the ball during a summer scrimmage at Howard Fellows Stadium in La Salle.
appo
COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH
CIRCUIT OGL E COUNTY, IL LINOIS
In the interest of: Kaine Matlock, a minor Case No: 2025 JA 3 NOTICE BY PUBL ICATION
Part Time Farm Truck and/or Tractor Drivers for Fall Harvest or Yea r Round Flexible hours. Experience req. 815-499-0463
shawlocal.com or call 815-526-4645 SE MI DRIVE R Grain farm Sterling/Rock Falls area looking for experienced semi-driver from mid September to mid November Call 815-718-2091 or email smitkon@gmail.com
TCAA Fly ing Club memb ership Whiteside
Regularly $1500 For Sale $750 Call 815-631- 2919
Advertise your job openings here! Email: classified@ shawlocal.com or call: 815-526-4645
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF Ogle - Oregon, ILLINOIS
U.S BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Plaintiff vs.
DANIEL J STEELE II; TAYLOR M FOX; ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendant 24 FC 27 CAL ENDAR NOTICE OF SHE RIFF'S SALE PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above entitled cause the Sheriff of Ogle County will on September 19, 2025, at the hour 10:00 a.m. in the Sheriff's office, 202 S 1st Street, Oregon, IL 61061, sell to the highest bidder for cash, the following desc ribed mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 02-33-129-008. Commonly known as 104 S. 1ST AVE., FORRESTON, IL 61030
The real estate is: single family residence If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common inter est community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Prope rty Act. Sale terms: At sale, the bidder must have 10% down by certified funds, balance within 24 hours, by certified funds. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information
For informati on call Sales Department at Plaintiff's Attorney, Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 13010 Morris Road, Suite 450, Alpharetta, Georgia 30004. (708) 668-4410 ext 52109. 24-199336 SHERIFF
I3271209 Forrest on Journal August 15, 22, 29, 2025
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OGL E COUNTY, IL LINOIS
In the interest of: Kaine Matlock, a minor
Case No: 2025 JA 3 NOTICE BY PUBL ICATION
To: Kristin Matlock, respondent (s), and any and all unknown fathers, including Corey Wiegert, take notice that on May 27, 2025, a petition was filed under the Juvenile Court Act by ASA Richard Russo, in the Circuit Court of Ogle County entitled “In the interest of Kaine Matlock, a minor”, and that in courtroom 202 at 106 South Fifth, Oregon, Illinois on September 9, 2025 at 10:30 a.m or as soon thereafte r as this cause may be heard, an adjudicatory hearing will be held upon the Petition to have the child declared to be a ward of the court and for other relief under that act. The court has authority in this proceeding to take from you the custody and guardianship of the minor.
a guardian with power to consent to adoption, you may lose all parental rights to the child Unless you appear you will not be entitled to further written notices or publ ication notices of the proceedings in this case, including the filing of an amended petition for a motion to terminate parental rights. Unless you appear at the hearing and show cause against the petition, the allegations of the petition may stand admitted as against you and each of you, and an order for judgment entered Dated this 6 day of August, 2025
CE is g the death of Lyle D. Swanson. Letters of Office as Independent Administrator were issued on June 23, 2025, to Wayne McMinn of 8532 65th St., Princeton, MN 55371, and the attorney for the Estate is Mary J. Gaziano, One Court Place, Suite 200, Rockford, Illinois, 61101.
Kimberly A. Stahl Clerk of the Circuit Court By: JLG, Deputy Clerk
To: Kristin Matlock, respondent (s), and any and all unknown fathers, including Corey Wiegert, take notice that on May 27, 2025, a petition was filed under the Juvenile Court Act by ASA Richard Russo, in the Circuit Court of Ogle County entitled “In the interest of Kaine Matlock, a minor”, and that in courtroom 202 at 106 South Fifth, Oregon, Illinois on September 9, 2025 at 10:30 a.m or as soon thereafte r as this cause may be heard, an adjudicatory hearing will be held upon the Petition to have the child declared to be a ward of the court and for other relief under that act. The court has authority in this proceeding to take from you the custody and guardianship of the minor. If the Petition requests the termination of your parental rights and the appointment of a guardian with power to consent to adoption, you may lose all parental rights to the child Unless you appear you will not be entitled to further written notices or publ ication notices of the proceedings in this case, including the filing of an amended petition for a motion to terminate parental rights. Unless you appear at the hearing and show cause
of Kaine Matlock, a minor”, and that in courtroom 202 at 106 South Fifth, Oregon, Illinois on September 9, 2025 at 10:30 a.m or as soon thereafte r as this cause may be heard, an adjudicatory hearing will be held upon the Petition to have the child declared to be a ward of the court and for other relief under that act. The court has authority in this proceeding to take from you the custody and guardianship of the minor. If the Petition requests the termination of your parental rights and the appointment of a guardian with power to consent to adoption, you may lose all parental rights to the child Unless you appear you will not be entitled to further written notices or publ ication notices of the proceedings in this case, including the filing of an amended petition for a motion to terminate parental rights. Unless you appear at the hearing and show cause against the petition, the allegations of the petition may stand admitted as against you and each of you, and an order for judgment entered Dated this 6 day of August, 2025
Kimberly A. Stahl Clerk of the Circuit Court By: JLG, Deputy Clerk
August 15, 22, 29, 2025
Claims against the estate may be filed on or before February 15, 2026, that date being at least six (6) months from the date of first publication, or within three (3) months from the date of mailing or delivery of Notice to creditors, if mailing or delivery is required by Section 5/18-3 of the Illinois Probate Act, 1975, as amended, whichever date is later Any claim not filed by the requisite date stated above shall be barred.
Copies of cla filed with the cuit Clerk's Offic Probate Divisio must be mailed delivered to the tate legal repres tative and his a ney within ten days after claim has be filed.
August 15, 22, 29, 2025 house, 106 S Street Suite Oregon, Illinois, with the estate gal representative or both. Whe claim is filed the representati but not with Court, the re sentative may the claim with Court but has duty to do so
DATED: August 8, 2025
Mary J. Gaziano, Attorney the Es Attorney Mary Gaziano - ARD #6184225 On e Court Plac Suite 200 Rockford, Ill inoi 61101 (815) 962-6800
Claims against the estate may be filed in the office of the Ogle County Circuit Clerk Probate Division at the Ogle County Courthouse, 106 S 5th Street Suite 300, Oregon, Illinois, or with the estate legal representative, or both. When a claim is filed with the representative but not with the Court, the representative may file the claim with the Court but has no duty to do so
ANNUAL FALL HAZELHURST CONSIGNMENT LIVE VIRTUAL AUCTION
Location - Midway between Polo, IL and Milledgeville, IL on the Polo-Milledgeville Road. (17748 W. Milledgeville Road, Polo, IL 61064). In Polo on IL 26, turn west on Oregon Street (Polo-Milledgeville Rd). In Milledgeville on IL 40, turn east on Polo-Milledgeville Road. Off road parking at entrance on west side of site. See advance sale bills/pictures on our website at auctionzip.com or lennybrysonauctioneer.com
STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT O F THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF OGLE PROB ATE DIVISION IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: LYLE D. SWANSON, Deceased CASE NO. 2025-PR-37 CL AIM NOTICE NOTICE is given of the death of Lyle D. Swanson. Letters of Office as Independent Administrator were issued on June 23, 2025, to Wayne McMinn of 8532 65th St., Princeton, MN 55371, and the attorney for the Estate is Mary J. Gaziano, One Court Place, Suite 200, Rockford, Illinois, 61101.
Attorney for the Estate Aug.15, 22, 2025 LEG AL NOTICES
Saturday, September 6, 2025 * Time - 8:30 am
Copies of claims filed with the Circuit Clerk's Office-Probate Division, must be mailed or delivered to the estate legal representative and his attorney within ten (10) days after said claim has been filed.
E-Mail:MJGazia @aol.com
DATED: August 8, 2025
Will start on Live Auction smaller items at 8:30, Lawn & Garden at 12:00 noon Vehicles at 2:00 PM While Virtual/Online items west side of driveway starting with Augers at 8:45 am Online Bidding available through Equipmentfacts starting at 8:45 am. www.EquipmentFacts.com For registration questions EquipmentFacts at 908-788-2025. Online 10% Buyer Premium charged. Live Simulcast bidding day of sale with prebidding a head of auction.
If the Petition requests the termination of your parental rights and the appointment of a guardian with power to consent to adoption, you may lose all parental rights to the child Unless you appear you will not be entitled to further written notices or publ ication notices of the proceedings in this case, including the filing of an amended petition for a motion to terminate parental rights. Unless you appear at the hearing and show cause against the petition, the allegations of the petition may stand admitted as against you and each of you, and an order for judgment entered
Auctioneers: Polo, IL 61064
SM-ST2266647
Note - Gates will be open on September 4 & 5 between 9:00 am & 4:30 pm for viewing NO ITEMS ACCEPTED after September 3 !!! Stop in the office to get your buyer number and permit to ride your ATV, etc during the sale.
A large selection of equipment, vehicles, trailers and miscellaneous. Brief description below. So much more! Tractors JD, Case IH, Deutz, AC, Cockshut, Plus JD 830 D, JD 730 D NF, JD 530 gas, JD 430W gas, JD 720 gas and ‘55 JD 80 restored. Tillage & Harvest Equip, Wagons, Grain Carts, Tenders, Mowers, Misc equip, Vehicles, Trailers, 4 wheeler, lots of misc. Farm closeouts of Charlie Beard and Chuck Pilgrim. Check out the websites!
Dated this 6 day of August, 2025
Kimberly A. Stahl Clerk of the Circuit Court
By: JLG, Deputy Clerk
August 15, 22, 29, 2025
Mary J. Gaziano, Attorney for the Estate Attorney Mary J. Gaziano - ARDC #6184225
On e Court Place, Suite 200 Rockford, Ill inois 61101 (815) 962-6800
Clerks: Public Auction Service: Lenny Bryson (IL#440.0000158) 815-946-4120 * Mark Ebert (IL#440.0000341) Lyle (IL#440.0000185) & Sheryl & John Hopkins Cal Kaufman * Brent Schmidgall * Adam Johnson * Hank Holm * Brian Bradley 815-441-1251 * 815-946-2660 * 815-994-1836
Claims against the estate may be filed on or before February 15, 2026, that date being at least six (6) months from the date of first publication, or within three (3) months from the date of mailing or delivery of Notice to creditors, if mailing or delivery is required by Section 5/18-3 of the Illinois Probate Act, 1975, as amended, whichever date is later Any claim not filed by the requisite date stated above shall be barred. Claims against the estate may be filed in the office of the Ogle County Circuit Clerk Probate Division at the Ogle County Courthouse, 106 S 5th St Suit
STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT O F THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF OGLE PROB ATE DIVISION IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: LYLE D. SWANSON, Deceased CASE NO. 2025-PR-37 CL AIM NOTICE NOTICE is given of the death of Lyle D. Swanson. Letters of Office as Independent Administrator were issued on June 23, 2025, to Wayne McMinn of 8532 65th St., Princeton, MN 55371, and the attorney for the Estate is Mary J. Gaziano, One Court Place, Suite 200, Rockford, Illinois, 61101. Claims against the estate may be filed on or before February 15, 2026, that date being at least six (6) months from the date of first publication, or within three (3) months from the date of mailing or delivery of Notice to creditors, if mailing or delivery is required by Section 5/18-3 of the Illinois Probate Act, 1975, as amended, whichever date is later Any claim not filed by the requisite date stated above shall be barred. Claims against the estate may be filed in the office of the Ogle County Circuit Clerk Probate Division at the Ogle County Courthouse, 106 S 5th Street Suite 300, Oregon, Illinois, or with the estate legal representative, or both. When a claim is filed with the representative but not with the Court, the representative may file the claim with the Court but has no duty to do so Copies of claims filed with the Circuit Clerk's Office-Probate Division, must be mailed or delivered to the estate legal representative and his attorney within ten (10) days after said claim has been filed.
E-Mail:MJGaziano @aol.com
Terms - Cash, good check or credit card - Master Card, Visa, and Discover (with a 4% convenience fee). All items must be settled for d ay of sale. Number system will be used, have drivers license. Not responsible for accidents or merchandise after sold [Insurance on all items covered by seller till sold, then become responsibility of new property owner] Sales Tax will be charged on all
DATED: August 8, 2025
Mary J. Gaziano, Attorney for
Attorney for the Estate
Aug.15, 22, 29, 2025
UCTIONS
CE is g death of Lyle Swanson. Letof Office as Inpendent Adminrator were isd on June 23, 2025, to Wayne Minn of 8532 St., Princeton, 55371, and the rney for the Esis Mary J. ano, One Court Place, Suite Rockford, Illinois, 61101. Claims against the te may be filed r before Febru15, 2026, that being at least 6) months from date of first blication, or thin three (3) nths from the of mailing or livery of Notice creditors, if mailor delivery is quired by Sec5/18-3 of the llinois Probate Act, 1975, as amended, ichever date is Any claim filed by the quisite date statabove shall be rred. Claims against the te may be filed he office of the le County CirClerk Probate ivision at the Ogle County Courthouse, 106 S 5th et Suite 300, egon, Illinois, or the estate lerepresentative, both. When a m is filed with representative not with the Court, the repreative may file claim with the Court but has no to do so opies of claims with the CirClerk's Office-obate Division, must be mailed or livered to the eslegal represenative and his attorwithin ten (10) ys after said m has been d.
the Estate
Attorney Mary J. Gaziano - ARDC #6184225
house, 106 S 5th Street Suite 300, Oregon, Illinois, or with the estate legal representative, or both. When a claim is filed with the representative but not with the Court, the representative may file the claim with the Court but has no duty to do so
On e Court Place, Suite 200
Rockford, Ill inois 61101
(815) 962-6800
E-Mail:MJGaziano @aol.com
Attorney for the Estate
way Department website and in person at 1989 South IL Rte. 2, Oregon, IL between the hours of 7:00 A.M and 3:30 P.M
Monday - Friday. The Road and Bridge Committee reserves the right to accept or reject and or all bids.
Aug.15, 22, 29, 2025
August 22 & 29, 2025
PUBLIC NOTICE
TED: ust 8, 2025 ary J. Gaziano, Attorney for the Estate torney Mary J. ziano - ARDC #6184225 Court Place, ite 200 Rockford, Ill inois 61101 (815) 962-6800
Mail:MJGaziano
@aol.com
torney for the tate
Aug.15, 22, 29, 2025 AL NOTICES
Copies of claims filed with the Circuit Clerk's Office-Probate Division, must be mailed or delivered to the estate legal representative and his attorney within ten (10) days after said claim has been filed.
DATED: August 8, 2025
Mary J. Gaziano, Attorney for the Estate
Attorney Mary J. Gaziano - ARDC #6184225
On e Court Place, Suite 200 Rockford, Ill inois 61101 (815) 962-6800
E-Mail:MJGaziano @aol.com
Attorney for the Estate
Aug.15, 22, 29, 2025
Sealed bids will be received for the following section by the Ogle County Highway Department, Oregon, Illinois, until 2:00 P.M. September 5, 2025: 2025-2026 Ice Abrasives. Proposals are available on the Ogle County Highway Department website and in person at 1989 South IL Rte. 2, Oregon, IL between the hours of 7:00 A.M and 3:30 P.M
Monday - Friday. The Road and Bridge Committee reserves the right to accept or reject and or all bids.
August 22 & 29, 2025
Notice of Public Hearing Creston CCSD #161
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the School board of School District Number 161, in the Counties of Lee, Ogle, and Dekalb, State of Illinois, that tentative budget for said School District for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending on June 30, 2026 will be on file and conveniently available to public inspection at 202 West South Street, Creston Illinois in this School District from and after 8 o'clock am , on the 19th day of August, 2025. Notice is further hereby given that a public hearing on said budget will be held at 6:30 o'clock pm , on the 22nd day of September 2025, at conference room in this School District Number 161. Dated this 18th day of August, 2025. School board of School District Number 161, in the Counties of Lee, Ogle, and Dekalb, State of Illinois
By: Debby Katzman, Secretary August 22, 2025
July 1, 2025, and ending on June 30, 2026 will be on file and conveniently available to public inspection at 202 West South Street, Creston Illinois in this School District from and after 8 o'clock am , on the 19th day of August, 2025. Notice is further hereby given that a public hearing on said budget will be held at 6:30 o'clock pm , on the 22nd day of September 2025, at conference room in this School District Number 161. Dated this 18th day of August, 2025. School board of School District Number 161, in the Counties of Lee, Ogle, and Dekalb, State of Illinois
By: Debby Katzman, Secretary August 22, 2025
Publication Notice
Public Notice is hereby given that on July 21, 2025, a certificate was filed in the Ogle County Clerk's Office setting forth the names and post office address of all of the persons owning, conducting and transacting the business known as: Nature's Message 8686 Yellowstone Drive Byron, IL 61010 Dated July 21, 2025.
s/Laura J. Cook
Laura J. Cook, Ogle County Clerk
Aug. 15, 22, 29, 2025
ing the business known as: Nature's Message 8686 Yellowstone Drive Byron, IL 61010
Dated July 21, 2025.
s/Laura J. Cook
Laura J. Cook, Ogle County Clerk Aug. 15, 22, 29, 2025
NOTICE
A Mini Storage, LLC, a storage facility located at 117 Quarry Road, Rochelle, IL hereby announces that the possessions of the following lessees will be disposed of by means of auction on August 27th at 9am
tion on August 27th at 9am
Disposal of personal property shall conform to the terms of the certified notice previously mailed to the lessee. The contents of the units can be previewed immediately prior to the sale. The preview and sale will take place at each individual unit listed below, in the order they appear Unit #143
Brian Bailey Weight bench Unit #93
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
PROJECT:Snow Removal For Forrestville Valley Community Unit School District #221 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 School Years
LOCATION: A ll School Locat ions
OWNER:Forrestville Valley Community Unit School District #221 601 East Main Street Forreston, Illinois 61030
SCOPE: Bids will be received for a single contract for all work.
Disposal of personal property shall conform to the terms of the certified notice previously mailed to the lessee. The contents of the units can be previewed immediately prior to the sale. The preview and sale will take place at each individual unit listed below, in the order they appear Unit #143
Natalie Brandt kid's bikes, toys, clothes, boxes, chairs, sofa chair, sofa, table, tots, bike trailer, ride on car Aug. 15, 22, 2025
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF Ogle - Oregon, ILLINOIS U.S BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Plaintiff vs. DANIEL J STEELE II; TAYLOR M FOX; ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendant 24 FC 27 CAL ENDAR NOTICE OF SHE RIFF'S SALE
Brian Bailey Weight bench Unit #93
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above entitled cause the Sheriff of Ogle County will on September 19, 2025, at the hour 10:00 a.m. in the Sheriff's office, 202 S 1st Street, Oregon, IL 61061, sell to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate: LOT THREE (3) IN BLOCK ONE (1) IN THE ORIGINAL TOWN OF FORRESTON, ACCORDING TO THE RECORDED PLAT ACKNOWLEDGED BY GEORGE W HEWITT; SITUATED IN THE TOWNSHIP OF FORRESTON, COUNTY OF OGLE AND STATE OF ILLINOIS P.I.N. 02-33-129-008. Commonly known as 104 S. 1ST AVE., FORRESTON, IL 61030
Natalie Brandt kid's bikes, toys, clothes, boxes, chairs, sofa chair, sofa, table, tots, bike trailer, ride on car Aug. 15, 22, 2025
The real estate is: single family residence If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common inter est community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Prope rty Act. Sale terms: At sale, the bidder must have 10% down by certified funds, balance within 24 hours, by certified funds. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information For informati on call Sales Department at Plaintiff's Attorney, Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 13010 Morris Road, Suite 450, Alpharetta, Georgia 30004. (708) 668-4410 ext 52109. 24-199336 SHERIFF I3271209 Forrest on Journal August 15, 22, 29, 2025
DATE DUE: Sealed bids will be received until 1:00 p.m on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at theForrestville Valley Unit School District Office and will be publicly opened and read aloud at thattime
PRE-BID MEETING: An optional prebid meeting will be conducted at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, August 26, 2025,at the Forrestville Valley Unit School District Office
PRE-BID SITE VISIT: Contractors are required to survey the existing conditions prior to bidding (Attendance at pre-bid meet ing fulfills this requirement).
ACCESS TO BID DING: Provided at the pre-bid meet ing, or upon request.
BID FORM: Bids shall be submitted on forms included in the specifications by the District.
WAGE RULES: Each craft, type of worker and mechanic needed to execute the Contract shall be paid theprevailing wage rate for the locality in which the work is performed, in accordance with allfederal laws and laws of the State as well as local ordinances and regulations applicable to thework hereunder and having force of law.
RIGHTS RESERVED The Owner reserves the right to waive any irregularities BY OWNER: and/or reject any or all bids when, in the opinion of the Owner, such action willserve the best interests of the Owner
WITHDRAWAL OF No bid may be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days after BIDS: the opening of bids without written consent of the Owner.
CONTACT: Kirk Janicke, Director of Facilities and Maintenance 815-9382036
By order of the Board of Education for Forrestville Valley Unit School District #221
