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POLO All Conference The NUIC has announced the 2015 All Conference baseball lineup. A11
Microchipping
Tri-County Press June 18, 2015 Volume 157, Number 39 - $1.00
Summer Music
Keep your pets safe by having them microchipped Saturday. A7
Free summer concerts will be held in Mt. Morris Friday and Byron on Sunday. A6
Council wants public input on two topics By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com
Festival Set-Up Polo Police Chief Dennis Christen walks on Mason Street between carnival rides Tuesday afternoon. The carnival arrived in town to begin setting up for Town & Country Days. Photo by Chris Johnson
Town & Country Days is ready to begin Thursday By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com From fireworks to the grand parade, Polo’s Town & Country Days offers four days of old-fashioned family fun this weekend. “Blast from the Past” is the theme of the festival which will be held Thursday, June 18 through Sunday, June 21. Festival committee chairman Jon Miller said a variety of activities for all ages is the highlight of the event. “We have great family entertainment,” he said. Part of that entertainment was delayed by heavy rain early this week. The Great American Shows carnival rides got stuck in the mud at Franklin Grove on Monday and arrived in Polo Tuesday afternoon, about a day later than planned. Thanks to Tuesday’s sunshine and some heavy equipment, the show will go on as planned. The carnival will open
on Thursday at 5 p.m. and offer rides starting at noon the other three days of the festival. Carnival mega-passes for $40 per person can be purchased until noon Thursday at First State Bank Shannon/Polo, Knie Appliance & TV, Polo, and Burkardt’s LP Gas. The mega-passes offer unlimited rides throughout the entire weekend. A craft show will open Thursday at 10 a.m. in the former Olsen’s Elevator building. The Amazing Race will begin at 5:45 p.m. in the Bingo Tent, followed by the Little Miss & Mr. Contest at 6 p.m. in the Festival Tent. The 5K run and walk starts at 6:15 p.m. on the Polo High School football field. Contestants square off at 7 p.m. in the Festival Tent for the Polo Chamber of Commerce’s Family Feud. The high school Track Club concession stand opens at 8:30 p.m. at the football field in time for
the fireworks show which begins at 9:30 p.m. In case of rain, the fireworks will be held on Sunday, June 21. Kids Day at the festival is Friday, June 19. Armbands for unlimited carnival rides until 5 p.m. will go on sale at noon for $20 apiece. A Kids Fun Fair will offer face painting, tattoos, games, a petting zoo, along with Pictures and Crafts with Elisa and Olaf from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Festival Tent. Alumni Night begins at 5 p.m. in the beer garden where Pat Anderson will perform from 5 to 8 p.m. and Dwyer & Michaels will take the stage from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. Other Friday events include the craft show from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and twilight bingo at 7 p.m. in the Bingo Tent. Two new events will take place on Saturday, June 20. Crossroads Community Church will serve breakfast from 7 a.m. to noon., and Turn to A2
County will move ahead with parking lot plans $15,283 bid accepted for tank removal By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com
The Ogle County Board moved ahead Tuesday with plans to create more parking space near the judicial center in the next few months. The board approved a resolution to accept a proposal for $15,283 from Stiles Inc., Loves Park, to remove five underground storage tanks on the county’s property at 501 W. Washington St., the corner of Washington and Fifth Streets. Board member Don Griffin, who is coordinating
the project, said he expects the project to be completed in time for the Autumn on Parade festival on the first weekend in October. Board member Lee Meyers, Byron, questioned why the resolution appropriated $18,000 for project when Stiles’ bid was less than that. Griffin said the extra money was allocated in case unexpected costs arise during the tank removal. He said two of the tanks still have oil in them. Board member Pat Saunders, Polo, said that the bid includes a price per yard to remove any contaminated soil from around the tanks. The price will vary depending on how much is found. Board chairman Kim Gouker, Byron, said the bid
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also includes a price per gallon to pump out the oil left in the tanks. Neither amount can be determined, he said, until the excavation is underway. The removal of the tanks is part of a three-phase project that will likely take place over the next few years to remove the former Jackass BBQ building from 501 W. Washington St., and the house next door to the south at 102 S. Fifth St. and create a parking lot with 39 spaces. Gouker said last month that the project will be done in phases, with the removal of the underground tanks, demolition of the Jackass BBQ building, and completing that part
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Polo officials plan to hold a public forum to get residents’ opinions on two topics — hiring a fifth full-time police officer and a grocery store. Alderman Troy Boothe told the city council Monday night that he wants to hold the forum as soon as possible to inform residents about the need for a fifth officer and the cost of hiring one and to get their feedback. He suggested holding the meeting at the fire station. “Another full-time officer would give the chief more time for supervisory duties,” Boothe said. Currently Police Chief
Dennis Christen spend most of his time on patrol. The police department employs four full-time officers, including Christen, and 11 part-time. The additional fulltime officer was one of the recommendations in a recent review of the police department done by Kurt Cavanaugh, Polo, a retired Illinois State Police Lieutenant. Cavanaugh did the department review at Boothe’s request and did not charge the city for his services. The review showed that Christen spends 75 percent of his time on patrol and 25 percent on administrative tasks.
Cavanaugh found that other area police chiefs in similar communities spend between 60 and 90 percent of their time on administration. Those duties include developing procedures; reviewing cases, reports, and evidence; meeting with officers individually; and providing training. With more time to do administrative duties, Christen would also be more available to the public. “It’s not so much hiring another officer; it’s more giving Dennis the opportunity to be the chief,” Cavanaugh said at the meeting. He said that should a Turn to A2
Torch run held in Oregon By Chris Johnson cxjohnson@oglecounty news.com Local athletes received the send off of a lifetime last week when the Flame of Hope made its way through Oregon. Individuals from the Village of Progress (VOP), including athletes, lined downtown Oregon to see the torch as it passed by June 10. The torch, carried by law enforcement workers, was headed to Bloomington for the annual summer Special The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Olympics for track and field. went through Oregon June 10. Daniel Daub, court security “This is the 29th year the for the Ogle County Sheriff’s Department organizes the Turn to A3 participants at the pull off on Ill. 2 just north of Oregon at the start of the run. Photo by Chris Johnson
Ebbesmeyer named MVP By Chris Johnson cxjohnson@oglecounty news.com What happens when an award recipient leaves the area before being surprised with the award? The German Valley Days committee found out Friday night when they were presenting Bob Ebbesmeyer the Most Valuable Person Award. Just seconds before Donna Smith began the presentation for the award, Ebbesmeyer took a call and bolted from the area. He helps with the festival and is always on the go to make sure the festival has no problems. The problem Friday, however, was a missing MVP recipient. A member of the German Valley Lions Club caught up with Ebbesmeyer at the picnic shelter and directed him back to the MVP presentation in time to receive the award. Ebbesmeyer only heard parts of the speech announcing him as the 2015 German Valley MVP. “You got me,” he said. “I am not going to lie. Thank
Marriage Licenses, A4 Polo Police, A3 Property Transfers, B5 Public Voice, A9
Sheriff’s Arrests, B3 Social News, A4 Sports, A12, B1 State’s Attorney, B4
you. For what it is worth I am speechless.” Ebbesmeyer said the community and school district has been good for his family. Being named the MVP turned out to be only one surprise for Ebbesmeyer that night.
“Martha my wife has been there to support me and I appreciate that,” he said. “She is in Missouri at this point.” Smith pointed to a woman standing to the right of the stage. Turn to B1
Bob Ebbesmeyer and his wife Martha. Photo by Chris Johnson
Deaths, B5
Kathryn L. Donaldson, Everette R. Henderson, Bryan K. Peltz, Roger E. Satterfield, Homer Snyder, Michael J. Stevens
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