Serving the Polo Area Since 1857
POLO
Tri-County Press May 8, 2014 Volume 156, Number 33 - $1.00
Tough Competition
Jamboree
Disaster Plans
The Marcos track team finished eighth during a tough 23 team meet in Oregon. B1
The fifth annual garden tractor jamboree will be May 17. A7
Illinois residents should update disaster plans to include the family pets. B2
Council divided over bee nucs Mayor casts no vote on ordinance By Vinde Wells Editor
Awards Centennial Elementary School students Teagan Prescott and Parker Wolber hold their Illinois Principals Association awards they received May 2 for being an outstanding student and school citizen. Photo by Chris Johnson
After nearly a year of sometimes heated discussions, Polo beekeeper Mike Scholl lost his bid Monday night to raise honey bee queens in small hives outside his home. By a 4-3 vote the city council rejected an ordinance that would have allowed Scholl to maintain small hives called nucs at his home at 110 N. Barber Ave. from Sept. 15 to March 15 each year. Mayor Doug Knapp cast the deciding no vote after the city council reached an impasse with a 3-3 tie. Voting against the measure were aldermen Louise Hall,
Cheryl Galor, and Randy Schoon, while aldermen Troy Boothe, David Ackeberg, and Matt Mekeel voted in favor of it. After the meeting Knapp said he did not oppose the nucs, but felt most residents were against raising bees inside the city. “The majority of the people who contacted me and who I have had discussions with indicated that they’re not interested in having them in the city limits,� Knapp said. “I’m not really opposed to them myself but I’m here to represent the people.� Polo ordinances prohibit beekeeping within the city limits. Scholl approached the city council last summer to have the nucs for six months of the year. Last August the council granted his request on a limited, trial basis. Scholl
returned to the city council this spring to request an extension. Scholl’s request last year was discussed at several meetings before the council approved it over opposition from Hall and Galor, who voiced safety concerns that neighbors, especially small children, might get stung by Scholl’s bees. At the previous meetings, Scholl said honey bees, unlike wasps and hornets, are quite docile and unlikely to sting unless they are threatened in their hives. In addition, Scholl said the bees are dormant and inactive during the colder months. He said queens are fragile and require close observation and care during their formative weeks. Once they matured, he said, the queens would be transferred to hives he
maintains at various location outside of town. Several experts and those experienced with honey bees verified Scholl’s comments over the span of several meetings last year. Scholl said little at Monday’s meeting, but his son, former Polo Mayor Mark Scholl, read a letter his father had written to the council. The letter addressed several issues brought up at the April 21 city council meeting, which Scholl did not attend. Schoon, Hall, and Galor said at the meeting that Scholl was keeping bees on his property and in his garage past the March 15 deadline. Hall also complained that Scholl was burning honeycombs on his property in violation of city ordinances. In the letter, Scholl said all Turn to A3
Ebert would like to see all dog owners be responsible By Vinde Wells Editor After rescuing his wife from an attack by three dogs two weeks ago and likely saving her life, Larry Ebert has altered his views somewhat on tightening laws. “I’ve never been a huge proponent of leash laws, but unstable dogs shouldn’t be allowed to run free either,� he said Friday afternoon. “Dog owners need to be responsible.� Ebert, 62, rural Ashton, was out for a morning bike ride April 21 and as he rode down Dugdale Road, heading home, he saw the neighbor’s three dogs attacking something in the ditch. To his horror he soon realized what they had was his wife, Aneda, 63, who had been out jogging and was about a tenth of a mile from home. “When I got close enough to see it was her, I rode as fast as I could,� he said. “I saw them drag her at least 15 feet.� He said he ran at the dogs, two pit bulls and a smaller brown dog, and yelled at them, scaring them off. “I don’t know what I would have done if they had decided to stay and fight,� Ebert said. Larry called 911 on Aneda’s cell phone and assisted her as best he could as she lay bloodied and torn in the ditch. “His timing was wonderful,� Aneda said. “He came along at the right time.� Aneda, who is 5’1�, suffered numerous bite wounds to her arms, the back of her neck, and her leg. She was able to protect her face, and the dogs landed only one bite on her cheek. The wounds on her
arms are deep, large tears, requiring stitches, and the ones on the back of her neck were stapled. Bruises from the bites are everywhere. Her leg is polka-dotted with puncture wounds, where the dogs bit deeply into her muscle. Deep scratches on her upper back are healing. She said the dogs ran at her and began biting at her elbows, quickly knocking her down and dragging her in a savage frenzy. “It hurt so bad. I just wanted to die,� she said. “I couldn’t get that growling out of my head for about a week.� The dogs tore off the red T-shirt she was wearing over top of her tank top. Aneda remained conscious throughout the ambulance ride to KSB Hospital, Dixon, and remembers making a stop in Lost Nation to pick up a paramedic who could start an IV. Once at KSB, she was x-rayed and then had surgery to clean the wounds and put drains in them. She was released from the hospital April 25, and the staples came out a few days later. Aneda’s daily work-out routine has stood her in good stead. “They said she has good muscle texture and good circulations, which are two good things to have going for you with something like this,� Larry said. “They were afraid some of the tissue would die, but that hasn’t happened and won’t now.� Aneda praised the doctors and staff at the hospital. “They worked their magic,� she said with a grin. All three dogs were
Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County broke ground May 3 on a new home in Oregon. Pictured here are Tom Hughes, Oregon Mayor Tom Stone, Lori Wagner, Josh Franks, Randy Wagner, Dave Starke, habitat president Bob Van Stedum, and family Vincenzo and Jennifer Larson. Photo by Chris Johnson
Construction starts on new home By Chris Johnson Reporter A new home will start taking shape in Oregon following a ceremonial ground breaking May 3. Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County is helping future homeowner Jennifer Larson and her son Vincenzo build a house at 210 S. Sixth St. “We are here to dedicate our next build,� said Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County President Bob Van Stedum. “We would not be here if it were not for the generosity of the Marie Black family.� The lot at the corner of Sixth and Monroe Streets was donated by the family.
Electric will offer their services during the construction. This is the ninth home build in Ogle County. The construction of the home is expected to be completed by September. In addition to the help of volunteers, the family will provide a minimum of 200 hours of “sweat equity.� Habitat for Humanity empowers low-income families in need by partnering with them to build decent, affordable housing. Habitat works to give families a hand up, not a hand out, by providing the family with a no-profit, no-interest Turn to A2
Yard waste not allowed on city streets
The City of Polo is having problems with residents blowing their yard waste into the city streets and would like to remind the citizens of the following Polo City Ordinance: 50.05 Deposit on Streets It shall be unlawful for any person to deposit or permit to Turn to A2 fall from any vehicle any solid waste or landscape waste on
In This Week’s Edition...
An old house was torn down to make room for the Habitat home. “We are very excited,� said Larson. “It was touching to have the support.� Larson said she expects her family and friends to support her throughout the build. Oregon Mayor Tom Stone said Larson’s family will enjoy living in Oregon. “I want to welcome you and I am sure you will be a wonderful addition to our community,� he said. Pastor Brion Brooks offered a blessing for the project before Habitat board members, the buildings, and family did the ground breaking. Wagner Construction and Plum
Church News, A5 Classifieds, B6-B10 Entertainment, A6 Fines, B4
any public place or property, street or alley in the city. This section shall not be construed to prohibit placing of solid waste and recyclable materials in containers complying with the provisions of this chapter preparatory to having such material collected. Penalty: any person, firm or corporation violating this
Marriage Licenses, A4 Pine Creek News, A3 Public Voice, A9 Property Transfers, B5
shall be fined not less that $50 committed on each day during for each offense and a separate or on which a violation occurs offense shall be deemed or continues.
Hydrant Flushing The Polo Water Department will flush water mains throughout the city on Tuesday, May 13, and on Wednesday, May 14. All areas of the city may be affected by rusty water and low pressure on both days.
Sheriff’s Arrests, B5 Social News, A4 Sports, B1, B2 State’s Attorney, B3
Deaths, B3 Donald E. Dusing, Iola J. Geyer, Elaine R. Mowry, George W. Rundlett, Robert W. Wolfley
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