Serving the Polo Area Since 1857
POLO
Tri-County Press March 10, 2016 Volume 158, Number 25 - $1.00
Primary Election
Farm Focus
Spring Ahead
Find out who’s running for what in March 15 primary election and why. A7, A8 & A9
A farm family rebuilds after the April 9 tornado. Special Section
Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday. Turn your clocks one hour ahead.
Council agrees to take down old water tower By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com A Polo landmark will soon be coming down. The city council voted Monday evening to accept a bid from Iseler Demolition Inc., Romeo, Michigan, to dismantle and remove the 75,000 gallon water tower at 178 W. Savanna St. on the north end of town. Iseler’s quote for $19,920 does not include removal of the concrete base the water tower sits on or capping the water main that runs to it. City workers will do that part of the project. The city also received a bid from Northern Illinois Service Company, Rockford, for $43,000. That price included removing the concrete base and capping the main, as well as backfilling the area, adding topsoil, and seeding it. Mayor Doug Knapp said a Polo resident may be interested in purchasing the property. The old red-topped water tower may be the last of its kind in this area. Once common, the round tanks with the red roofs have been replaced by a more modern, efficient design. Leaf River’s identical 50,000 tank was demolished in April of 2005 after a new one was built and came online the year before. Polo’s old tank hasn’t been used since a new one went into use in July of 2005. City clerk Susie Corbitt said insurance companies are encouraging removal of the old towers due to liability issues.
In another matter, Knapp appointed a committee to consider designing a city flag. He said Polo resident Don Hay suggested the idea. “It would look nice to have a city flag to fly with the American flag and the state flag,” Knapp said. He suggested holding a contest for high school and college age residents to submit flag designs, with the winner receiving a scholarship. The council gave its approval to Knapp’s flag committee comprised of Hay, a former Polo school superintendent; Ed Olsen from the Polo Historical Society; Mike Faivre and Mark Scholl from the Polo Economic Development Committee; and Jamie Harmon, Polo High School art teacher. In other business, Ogle County Engineer Curtis Cook advised the council that portions of Milledgeville Road will be closed for about two months this year while the county highway department replaces box culverts. He said detours will be required from the city limits west to the Ogle-Carroll county line. The work will not begin before late May. Cook said he wants to work with city officials to coordinate with a city sewer and water main project on Oregon Street, which becomes Milledgeville Road outside of town. Following a lengthy closed session, the board approved 50 cent per hour raises for city employees, excluding the swimming pool staff.
Chief asks residents to lock their vehicles Because of recent rash of thefts from vehicles, Polo Police Chief Dennis Christen is reminding residents to lock their homes and vehicles at all times. “If vehicles are kept outside be sure to remove all valuables. Keep an outside light on as a deterrent,” he said. The Polo Police Department has taken four reports of thefts from vehicles since Feb. 11, Christen said in a March 3 press release. One theft was a daytime theft from a vehicle parked at a business. The other three thefts were believed to have occurred during night time hours. One of those vehicles was inside of a garage. Taken were purses or wallets, cigarettes, paperwork, and change. A citizen reported subjects
looking around her vehicle on East King Street on March 1 at approximately 8 p.m. It was reported that two teenage subjects wearing dark clothing and hoodies ran from the area when they were detected by the caller. At approximately 5 a.m. on March 3, a citizen reported finding footprints in the snow next to her garage on West Fulton Street. Two sets of footprints were located outside the garage. A check of the area revealed two sets of footprints cutting through yards possibly looking at other houses and vehicles. If any suspicious activity is observed or anyone has information on these thefts, they are asked to call the Polo Police Department at 815-946-3412 or Ogle Lee Crimestoppers at 888-2284488.
In This Week’s Edition...
Deb Proctor, Sterling, directs her dog Joey, a cock-a-poo, through the agility course at Granny Rose Animal Shelter’s new K-9 Enrichment Center. Photo by Earleen Hinton
New K-9 enrichment center will offer a wide variety of training Open house is this Saturday from 2-4 p.m. By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com Old and young dogs and their “people” can learn some new tricks at a brand new training facility in Dixon. The Granny Rose K-9 Enrichment Center will host an open house this Saturday, March 12 from 2 Mark Knie, president of the board of directors of the Granny Rose Animal Shelter, to 4 p.m. to give the public points to some of the agility equipment in a storage area of the new K-9 Enrichment a good look at what it has Center. The facility will host an open house on March 12. Photo by Earleen Hinton to offer. someone adopts a dog from The new facility is next well as ample space and begin April 1. amenities to host related Knie said the idea for a the shelter we can offer to the Granny Rose Animal events. training facility started out them classes.” Shelter at 613 River Lane, “It’s not just training,” with obedience training but Dogs of all breeds — just off Ill. 2 on the west said Granny Rose President quickly grew into much mixed or otherwise, sizes, side of town. Mark Knie. “It’s about more. and ages will be welcomed The $1 million 13,500 enriching the relationship “The reason most dogs with their owners to come square foot center will offer between the owner and the end up in the shelter is and learn. the full range of classes for obedience issues,” he said. The center will offer dogs and their owners, as dog.” Turn to A9 Classes are slated to “The whole idea is when
Toy show draws a buying crowd By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com The 31st annual Polo Farm Toy Show March 5 certainly had the attention of two boys from Mt. Carroll. Wilson Bressler and his brother JT discussed the merits of the dozens of Matchbox-style cars and other vehicles displayed on a long table. Wilson had difficulty naming just exactly what he liked best, but said he was looking at “lots of things.” “They want to buy everything,” said their father Mark with a grin.
Church News, A5 Classifieds, B7-B12 College and Service, A4 Entertainment, A6 Fines, B5
Turn to A2
Jake Person, Rock Falls, and Andrew Corbin, Shannon, visit with vendor Don Wesemann, Hampshire, March 5 at the Polo Farm Toy Show. Photo by Vinde Wells
Marriage Licenses, A4 Oregon Police, A9 Polo Police, A3 Public Voice, A10 Property Transfers, B5
Sheriff’s Arrests, B4 Social News, A4 Sports, A12, B1 State’s Attorney, B4 Zoning, B5
Deaths, B6 Esther G. Hagemann, Eugene A. Stukenberg, Joanne G. Styles
Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com