Serving the Polo Area Since 1857
POLO
Tri-County Press August 13, 2015 Volume 157, Number 47 - $1.00
Veteran’s Coin
Police Chase
River Sweep
A commemorative coin will help raise money for a new Veteran’s Memorial in Oregon. A8
An armed robbery suspect was arrested in Oregon after a chase. A3
Volunteers and coordinators are needed for the annual Rock River Sweep A7
Unique rides received looks By Chris Johnson cxjohnson@oglecounty news.com Cars of all shapes, sizes, makes, and models were brought out for the 26th annual Polo Chamber of Commerce Car and Bike Show. Two of these cars had spectators continuously going up to the owners to ask about the history of the vehicle. A 1947 Jeep was one of these vehicles. “It has been in the family for 65 years,” said owner Tim Stewart, Roscoe. “Dad bought it in Rockford at North Main and Auburn at a gas station he worked at. He bought it used and was the second owner.” Originally this Willys saw work on the Rockford Speedway. Stewart said the owner used it to push racers out of the speedway. For for 50 years the Jeep was up north at a cabin the
family owned. “We took it fishing with canoes on the roof,” said Stewart. “Dad bought it and we used it at the cabin and dirt roads. After a while it would not run anymore and it sat in a garage for 10 years.” In 2006 the Willys was brought back south to Roscoe by Stewart’s uncle and with the help of Stewart’s dad and brother-in-law they restored it. “Dad asked if we could rebuild it. He bought the parts and we did the work,” said Stewart. “It is in great shape now. We have enjoyed it and will continue to enjoy this car.” The 1947 Jeep was manufactured by WillysOverland and is a CJ2A. This Terry Olson, Oregon, left, and Tim Stewart, Roscoe, talk about this 1947 Willys Jeep Stewart brought to the Polo was the first year the Jeep Car Show on Aug. 8. This was the first model year of the Jeep that was sold for civilian use. Photo by Chris Johnson was sold directly to civilians. Jeeps were built throughout the 1940s for use my the military in World War II. By Vinde Wells “One of the things that and guidance. We need schools when students are Another car receiving vwells@oglecounty people fail to see is that we an additional officer to arriving and leaving for the attention was a bit smaller news.com live in a different world than accomplish that.” day. then the Willys Jeep. we used to,” said Boothe, the The additional officer was “Students may think twice Turn to A2 A Polo official believes father of four. one of the possible solutions about making bad decisions hiring a fifth full-time police The fifth officer, he said, suggested by retired Illinois if they know an officer will officer will make Polo a safer would free Christen up for State Police Lieutenant Kurt be in the school,” he said. place now and in the future. administrative duties like Cavanaugh in a review he Boothe said he also likes Alderman Troy developing procedures; recently did of the police the idea of having a officer Boothe plans to bring reviewing cases, reports, department. at the schools regularly so recommendations to the Polo and evidence; meeting with Boothe said that with that youngsters see them as a City Council on Aug. 17 for officers individually; and Christen spending the friendly, helpful figure. hiring another officer to free providing training. majority of his time on patrol “We don’t want our Police Chief Dennis Christen Boothe is especially he has no time to work with children to be afraid of police from regular patrol duty. concerned about officer his staff outside of an hour- officers,” he said. “I want Polo to be better training. long monthly meeting. That would also build prepared,” Boothe said Aug. “Really it boils down to for The additional officer, he trust between students and 8. anyone to do a job properly said, would allow the present officers, Boothe said, which He said recent school they need instruction, staff to cover patrol duties could help in solving crimes. shootings and other events direction, and guidance. while officers are off for The estimated cost of an have sparked his concern to I do think we have good training, illness or vacation. additional officer is $64,000 provide the community with police,” he said. “I do think It also would ensure that annually, including wages of Turn to A3 better police protection. they need more supervision two officers could be at the
Alderman recommends fifth officer
Bond conditions
modified for man involved in chase By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com Bond conditions were modified last month for a Peoria man who led Ogle County deputies on a high speed chase in early May. Daniel Swisher, 40, will now be allowed to drive for work purposes and may live with his wife and children. Ogle County Judge Robert Hanson granted a motion filed by Swisher’s attorney Paul Whitcombe, Dixon, on July 28 to modify the bond conditions. At a June 4 hearing, Hanson had set strict bond conditions for Swisher’s release from jail that included no driving under any circumstances and required him to live with his parents. According to testimony presented in court, Swisher and his wife were divorcing. Ogle County State’s Attorney Eric Morrow said he did not object to the modified bond because Swisher is complying with other bond conditions that include adhering to a treatment plan outlined by his psychiatrist and taking his prescribed medications. Swisher has been undergoing treatment for bi-polar disorder for several years. Swisher’s case was continued Aug. 10 at a hearing before Judge John B. Roe, who set a pretrial
Community helped build Polo’s pool Daniel Swisher
conference for Oct. 14. An Ogle County Grand Jury indicted Swisher on seven charges on May 27. He is charged with four counts of aggravated fleeing to elude, all Class 4 felonies; two counts of resisting a peace officer, both Class 4 felonies; and possession of cannabis, a misdemeanor. Swisher pleaded not guilty to all seven charges. The charges stem from a high speed chase on May 6, Swisher’s 40th birthday, when he led Ogle County deputies from Castle Rock State Park through downtown Oregon, west on Ill. 64 to Kings and back to Oregon where he was finally stopped at the west end of the bridge over the Rock River. Police said Swisher’s speed reached as high as 104 mph at one point. He was driving a 2015 Porsche. Earlier that day, Swisher had been involved in a chase with Jo Daviess County Sheriff’s deputies.
In This Week’s Edition...
By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com Four years of cooperative community efforts were brought to a successful conclusion Aug. 9 with the official ribbon-cutting at Polo’s Richard H. Gibbs Memorial Swimming Pool. Mark Scholl, chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee formed in 2011 to coordinate the project to renovate the pool, was all smiles as he spoke to the small crowd at the event. “The community support was overwhelming,” he said. “I thought the fundraising was going to be the hard part. It wasn’t — that was the easy part, thanks to this community.” Scholl, who was Polo’s mayor when the effort began, thanked all the officials, organizations, and volunteers who made the project possible and saw it through to completion. Mayor Doug Knapp also thanked those involved. “It’s a beautiful project,” he said. “I’m happy to have
Byron Police, B4 Church News, A5 Classifieds, B6-B10 Entertainment, A6
Polo Ad Hoc Committee Chairman Mark Scholl cuts the red ribbon Sunday afternoon marking the official grand opening of the Richard H. Gibbs Memorial Swimming Pool after extensive renovations. Photo by Vinde Wells
been a part of it.” Fundraisers were held in 2012 and 2013 to replace the aging bathhouse, which was completed through volunteer efforts spearheaded by the Polo Lions Club. In the meantime, the city authorized extensive repairs that included building a new wet pit and filter room, repairing a leak in the baby pool, repairing a leak in the drain of the main pool, fixing
Fines, B5 Marriage Licenses, A4 Oregon Police, B3 Property Transfers, B4
a buckle in the shallow end of the main pool, and correcting a drainage problem. Former pool manager Terry Jenkins said making the repairs and renovations would return the 47-year-old pool to almost like new. The pool opened in 1968 after months of fundraising efforts. The Town and Country Days festival was founded specifically to raise money for the project.
Sheriff’s Arrests, B3 Social News, A4 Sports, B1, B2 State’s Attorney, B3
The pool is named for Richard H. Gibbs, who was the chairman of the committee to build the pool. Polo’s pool is one of very few public outdoor swimming pools in the area. People from surrounding communities including Forreston, Dixon, and Milledgeville regularly drive there to swim. The pool also offers swimming lessons.
Deaths, B5 Mary Virginia Brattrud, Lawrence Martin, E. Dale Peters
Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com