Serving the Polo Area Since 1857
POLO
Tri-County Press August 27, 2015 Volume 157, Number 49 - $1.00
Volleyball Previews
River Sweep
Golf Results
Seasons are about to begin for the Polo and Forreston volleyball teams. B1
Volunteers are needed to help clean the Rock River Sept. 12. A6
The first week of the young golf season has finished for the Cardinals and the Marcos. B1
Huntley to step down in March
Recycling Used Motor Oil
Served 18 years as county clerk By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com
The Ogle County Solid Waste Department hosted an oil and antifreeze take back day Aug. 22. Here waste department director Steve Rypkema, and Zach Jones empty containers of oil into a 55 gallon barrels while resident Don Stephens brings more oil to be disposed of. Photo by Chris Johnson
1,500 gallons of used oil collected By Chris Johnson cxjohnson@ oglecountynews.com Residents turned out to properly dispose of used motor oil and antifreeze Saturday morning. More than 100 people turned out for the event hosted by the Ogle County Solid Waste Management
Department and Illinois Recovery Group (IRG), Braceville. “It went good,” said Paul Cooney, Ogle County Solid Waste Management specialist. “We collected 1,500 gallons of oil and 300 gallons of antifreeze.” A container was also filled with used oil filters. The event was free for
Ogle County residents and Saturday was the first time since 2007 that an oil collection was held locally. If residents missed the collection the waste department has information available on its website at oglecounty.org and at their office with how to properly dispose of oil. “We have lists of where
people can properly dispose of oil,” said Cooney. “Oil change places will also take limited amounts of oil.” IRG took the anti-freeze and motor oil for recycling. some of the oil is used as a fuel source for building and construction projects. Oil and anti-freeze can pollute waterways and land if not properly disposed.
Longtime Ogle County Clerk Rebecca Huntley announced her retirement last week after almost three decades of serving the public. Huntley, 54, said Aug. 20 that the time feels right for her to step down. Her resignation will take effect after the primary election next March. “It seems like it’s time for me to do something else with my life after serving the citizens of Ogle County for 29 years,” she said. For the last 18 years of that time, Huntley has been the county clerk. She said serving the people in that capacity has been a pleasure. “I appreciate the opportunity to serve the people of Ogle County as clerk and recorder for 18 years,” she said. “It’s been an awesome experience.” Huntley began her career in public service by serving on the county board for five years, and then was the first victim witness advocate for the Ogle County State’s Attorney’s office for six years. She was first elected county clerk in November of 1998 and was re-elected
Rebecca Huntley
four times to four-year terms, most recently in 2014. Prior to serving on the county board, Huntley was the legal advocate for HOPE, a domestic violence shelter in Rochelle. She said serving in government was the career she wanted and studied for. “I was a political science major at the U of I,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to serve in elected government.” One of things Huntley has enjoyed the most about being county clerk is elections. “I’ve really enjoyed Election Day,” she said. “Depending on the election, 8,000 to 25,000 people have been able to cast a vote and participate in our democracy. The next day I would look back and think how I was able to be part of the big picture of electing a President or nominating a Governor.” Turn to A3
New owner takes over at Forreston’s hardware store By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com The right opportunity prompted a downtown Forreston store owner to sell his business last week. Forreston Hardware
officially became Koeller Forreston Hardware on Aug. 21 when owner Monty Cotter sold the store on the corner of Ill. 72 and 26 to Gary and Jane Koeller. Cotter, 61, said he was planning to retire and sell the business in about three years
but that all changed when the Koellers expressed interest in buying it a few months ago. “The opportunity arose to sell,” Cotter said. “I thought about it and decided now is the time. The opportunity might not be here in three
years.” The new owners live in Forreston and have roots there, and that was important, he said. “It’s a good thing for the community to keep the store locally owned and in town,” Cotter said.
Gary, 54, agreed. “I didn’t want to see it leaving Forreston,” he said. “Jane and I are very excited to be doing this and to continue it. It will be a family-run business.” Jane is a lifelong Forreston resident, and Gary moved to
town with his family in 1967. He grew up here and left for several years but moved back five years ago. The hardware store is a natural fit for Gary, who is a licensed plumber and has always done his own Turn to A3
Tim O’Rourke, Stan Eden earn Chamber awards By Chris Johnson cxjohnson@oglecounty news.com Little white lies were required to make sure two Oregon men attended the annual Oregon Chamber of Commerce Dinner on Aug. 20. Tim O’Rourke and Stan Eden were both expecting to represent organizations they volunteer with. Little did they know they would be the stars of the show. “I would have never been here if they hadn’t faked me out,” said O’Rourke after being named the Citizen of At left, 2015 Citizen of the Year Tim O’Rourke tries on his ceremonial glasses while Oregon Chamber of Commerce the Year. Executive Director Debbie Dickson enjoys the moment. At right, Stan Eden acknowledges the crowd as he prepares to He was attending the event
to represent the Candlelight Walk committee, an event he has been part of for years. “A soft spoken and kind spirit, always professional and friendly, this individual keeps well hidden the countless ways that the seeds of his efforts have taken root and thrived beyond measure,” said Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Debbie Dickson. “As an educator, his humor and creativity in the classroom captured the attention of our future – the youth of our town - opening minds to the possibility, potential and promise that a cultivated mind can achieve. He has leant a well rounded
take the stage to accept the Volunteer of the Year award. Seated with him is his wife, Loretta. Photos by Chris Johnson
In This Week’s Edition...
Church News, A5 Classifieds, B7-B12 Entertainment, A6 Marriage Licenses, A4
Oregon Police, B6 Property Transfers, B4 Sheriff’s Arrests, B5
Social News, A4 Sports, A12, B1, B2 State’s Attorney, B3
Deaths, B5
Turn to A9
Christopher H. Ascher, Doris R. Blake, Sandra L. Brady, Nancy A. Bunger, Dolores I. Gecan, James A. Hinkle, Lorraine E. Krueger
Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com