Serving the Polo Area Since 1857
POLO Storm Damage Storms produced severe weather in Whiteside and Lee Counties and damaged a mall. A7
Tri-County Press June 25, 2015 Volume 157, Number 40 - $1.00
Family Farms
Ukulele Shop
Local farms have stayed in the family for more than a century. Inside
A new ukulele shop will open in a little stone building in Oregon. A9
Watch out for scams
The Ogle County Sheriff’s Department recently received three complaints of theft by deception where elderly county residents were targeted by scams involving blacktop work or a “tar and chip”scam. The incidents occurred in the Leaf River, Mt. Morris, and Byron area. According to a press release issue by Sheriff Brian VanVickle, the scam is being operated in multiple ways. Scammers may offer a low quote for the work and then submit a much higher bill; they may perform substandard work with cheap materials while charging for quality materials and work; or the individuals may represent themselves as working for a local, reputable company when they have no connection to that company at all. VanVickle advised residents who need work done to should Hailey Cisketti, Ty Newcomer, and Bre Cisketti ride the Sizzler June 19 during Town & Country Days. Photo by Chris Johnson contact a locally known contractor to protect themselves from scams. The press release recommends that residents hire local businesses and contact By Chris Johnson festival had sunny skies and warm Later in the day was the first night A car show Saturday morning was the Better Business Bureau for cxjohnson@oglecountynews.com temperatures. of the beer garden which was well well attended. The Gateway to the more information. “It was just the one day, I could not attended. Pines Car Club helped host the Polo In all three incidents, the Heavy rains did not dampen the complain about the weather,” Miller “I was pleased with the festival Car Show and Swap Meet June 20 at scammers approached the turnout this year,” said Miller. “I Crossroads Church. homeowners and solicited the atmosphere at Polo’s Town & County said. The festival began with a clear was happy to see the community A wide variety of classic cars and blacktop work, the press release Days Saturday night. The beer garden with live music night for the 5k run/walk and support.” trucks along with modern muscle said. and twilight bingo continued as fireworks June 18. Miller acknowledged the help cars were on display. Rain held off scheduled while the tents kept most Clear skies continued on June 19 required to run the annual festival. for most of the day which brought people dry. for Kids Day “We had a great committee visitors out to the show. “The rain Saturday was bad but “The kids had a blast in the kids working to put on this festival,” he The threat of rain Saturday did people were having a good time,” tent,” said Miller. said. cause a lower turnout at the annual said festival chairman Jon Miller. Children were able to meet Elsa The committee turned out Monday kid’s water fights at the Polo Fire Fortunately for the festival from “Frozen”, play games, have morning to tear down the festival in Station. committee the storms were not their face painted, and get up and the rain. They were getting a little In prior years 20 or more kids lined severe. close with some goats in the petting wet, but were dedicated to cleaning Turn to A2 A Sterling woman died The other three days of the zoo. up. Sunday in a two-vehicle crash approximately a mile north of Polo. Alisha Terronez, 33, was pronounced dead at the scene By Chris Johnson just east of the T-intersection cxjohnson@oglecountynews.com of Ill. 26 and U.S. 52. Ogle County Sheriff’s Lightly used military vehicle with Police said Terronez was warranty and less than 400 miles westbound on Ill. 26/U.S. 52 with a price tag too good to resist. at 4:54 p.m. when the vehicle That was what Ogle County Sheriff she was driving left the Brian VanVickle found when looking roadway. for a new vehicle to improve options Terronez over-corrected, available during winter storms to and the vehicle went out of keep the public safe. control. “We were looking at another It was struck in the driver’s truck to assist the department during side door by an eastbound snowstorms,” said VanVickle. vehicle driven by Bernadette “Stephenson County received one of Cook, 61, Lombard. these trucks and I looked at getting Cook and her passenger, one.” Charles Cook, 62, Lombard, The truck is a BAE Caiman 6x6 were taken by ambulance to MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush KSB Hospital, Dixon, for Protected) from the US Department treatment non life-threatening of Defense and Homeland Security, injuries. which provided the vehicle at no cost The French and Roos families look at the Ogle County Sheriff’s Department’s Caiman 6x6 truck when it was Police said Terronez was to the county. displayed at Touch a Truck June 13. Photo by Chris Johnson wearing her seat belt, and her The vehicle was delivered in April local snowmobile clubs to help with “The truck will help our department and came with a spare set of tires and speed was not known. and inspected before being declared rescuing stranded motorists. in all severe weather situations,” said rims. An autopsy, including ready for service. Minimal work will be needed to VanVickle said their help has been VanVickle. toxicology tests, was It will serve multiple roles in the invaluable during the winter months. A third use for the truck is one the maintain the vehicle. completed on Monday. county. “We are going to leave the vehicle The Caiman has a heated space sheriff never wants to use. The crash remains under “Primarily it will be used in snow with bench seating. “It is a bullet resistant vehicle as is for now, but we will need to paint investigation. storms to get stranded people out During flooding the truck can that the ERT(Emergency Response it in the future,” said VanVickle. “The The Ogle County Coroner’s of the weather,” said VanVickle. safely traverse water that regular Team) can use,” said VanVickle. vehicle is solid and ready to use.” Office, Polo Fire Department “Some people are unable to ride on pick-up trucks are unable to cross. They would use the vehicle during The vehicle was displayed at the and ambulance, Mt. Morris snowmobiles and this truck can get A Caiman weighs 14 tons and can training or for bomb calls or active Oregon Park District’s Touch a Truck ambulance, Polo Police through the snow.” event June 13, and the sheriff may carry 5,400 pounds in the cargo area. shooter situations. Department, and Illinois State During severe winter weather the It has a clearance of 23 inches with 6 The Caiman has a value of bring the vehicle to other events to Police assisted at the scene. sheriff’s department has utilized wheel drive. $733,000 and is still under warranty display the truck.
Rain did not stop enjoyment at festival
Woman killed in accident
Sheriff’s department has a new tool for rescues
In This Week’s Edition...
Byron Police, B6 Church News, A5 Classifieds, B7-B12 College News, A4 Entertainment, A6
Fines, B6 Marriage Licenses, A4 Oregon Police, B3 Polo Police, A2 Property Transfers, B4
Sheriff’s Arrests, B3 Social News, A4 Sports, B2 State’s Attorney, B3 Weather, A2
Deaths, B5 Rita A. Imel, Thomas W. Patterson, Patricia A. Steffa
Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com