Serving the Polo Area Since 1857
POLO
Tri-County Press October 20, 2016 Volume 159, Number 5 - $1.00
Marcos Win
PAG Performs
Jail Plans
The Marcos had a great offensive night to earn a needed win over AFC. B1
“War of the Worlds” will be performed in Mt. Morris. B3
The Ogle County Board looks over plans for a proposed jail in Oregon. B2
Former sheriff Michael Harn charged with theft By Rachel Rodgers rrodgers@saukvalley.com A former Ogle County sheriff has been accused of using county money to buy items for his own use while he was in office. Michael Harn, 54, was charged Oct. 12 with two counts of felony theft. According to court documents filed Oct. 12, prosecutors say he bought numerous items with
county funds, including electronic equipment, boat equipment, radiocontrolled toys, party tents, coolers, weapons, hunting guns, HarleyDavidson clothing and accessories, adult novelty items, and outdoor fountains. The list goes on to include auto maintenance for his personal vehicles, Apple iTunes products, and radio advertising. The total cost of the items falls between $500 and $10,000.
Current Sheriff Brian Va n V i c k l e said last week that the amount is in the thousands of dollars. Special P r o s e c u t o r Michael Harn Dave Neal, of the Illinois Office of State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor’s
Office, said the charges resulted from a two-year Illinois State Police investigation that began shortly after an internal audit of the office in December 2014 and January 2015. The thefts are said to have occurred between June 1, 2011, and Dec. 2, 2014. The felonies each carry a sentence of 3 to 7 years in prison. Harn is set to appear in Ogle County Court on Nov. 10.
Voters will be asked to choose at large election
DuBois’ cats are famous By Zach Arbogast zarbogast@oglecounty news.com
Deep in the middle of Polo resides a world-renowned Napoleon cat breeder who helped play a major role in cat history. Since 2006, Kristin DuBois of “Blue Skies Napoleons” has been breeding Napoleon cats for owners across the world. Although not well-known since the breed is just barely more than 20 years old, Napoleon cats actually have a rich history. Joe Smith first developed the breed in 1995 because he was concerned that the increasingly popular Munchkin breed produced a cat that looked too plain if it were “non-standard” for the breed - born without its signature stubby legs. Thus came the Napoleons: a hybrid breed of the Munchkin and Persian breed groups, which includes Persians, Himalayans, and Exotic Shorthairs. “Joe wanted a cat that looked more purposefully bred; a cat that looked exotic whether it were born standard (short legs) or nonstandard (average legs)” said DuBois. When DuBois first got into wanting to breed Napoleons, there were roughly 20 to 30 breeders around the world; it was a very small community, and few of them even knew
of one another. Until, that is, Margie Gardner contacted every Napoleon breeder she could to work together in an effort to get the breed fully recognized by The International Cat Association (TICA). TICA has four stages of cat recognition – RegistrationOnly, Preliminary New Breed, Advanced New Breed, and Championship. A Registration-Only cat can be registered through TICA, but is not allowed at cat shows. With constant effort from the united breeders, Napoleons eventually reached “Preliminary new breed” in 2012, at which point several of the breeders who had been working together attended a show in Chattanooga, Tennessee – meeting in person for the first time. It was at this show that DuBois entered “Blueskies Phabulous Phoebe,” who was so beautiful that her picture was used as the standard when promoting the breed. Phoebe has also been photographed and used to advertise Cat’s Pride Litter and other products. Napoleons would eventually reach the Advanced New Breed stage. However, before TICA would allow Napoleons to advance to Championshiplevel, they required the breed to undergo a name change. Being an
Harn served as Ogle County sheriff from 2010 to 2014 before being defeated by VanVickle in the 2014 Republican Primary. His salary was $87,000. Prior to being elected sheriff, Harn was an Ogle County deputy for several years. While in office, Harn stewarded a fund containing administrative tow fees and other money that was not included in the county’s budget. Turn to A2
By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com
Kristin DuBois and Ginger pose for a picture. They, along with several other kittens, were featured on a Japanese television studio’s travel log special about Earnest Hemingway and his love of cats. Photo supplied by Kristin DuBois.
Almost a decade after the question failed by a narrow margin, the Polo School Board is again asking school district voters to make in a change in how board members are elected. A referendum on the Nov. 8 ballot will ask voters if school board members should be elected at large and without restriction as to where they live. Superintendent Chris Rademacher said currently no more than three members of the board can reside in the same congressional
township. Back in 2007, the same question was on the ballot and was defeated 241-204. Rademacher is hoping for a different outcome this time around, especially since state laws have changed. “Last time it had to pass in every township, now it’s a two-thirds majority overall,” he said. Rademacher said he believes the change will result in a more democratic process. The three per township rule, he said has resulted increasingly in top the vote getters sometimes not being Turn to A3
Polo Subway robbed
Sheldon, Josie, and Emma ham it up for the camera. Napoleons are famous for both their good looks and sweet personalities. Below, left is Phoebe. Photo supplied by Kristin DuBois.
international organization, a French representative said the name “Napoleon” as a breed was offensive. TICA would not listen to arguments from the breeders, and in 2014 the breed was
officially renamed “Minuet” in all TICA events. By January of 2016, Napoleons had finally reached Championship level. Turn to A2
Two Polo residents have been charged with robbing a Polo restaurant last week. Jason D. Gibbons, 37, and Autumn R. Houghtby, 23, are charged with robbery, a Class 2 felony, of the Subway, 701 S. Division Ave. (Ill. 26), on Oct. 12. Polo Police along with Ogle County Sheriff’s Police responded to the at 5:42 p.m. when an employee of Subway reported that a male had entered the business, demanded money, and left with an undisclosed amount of money. Police said no weapon was observed or implied. During their investigation, police obtained and executed search warrants on a vehicle
Autumn R. Houghtby
Jason D. Gibbons
and residence in Polo. Polo Police Chief Dennis Christen said Houghtby was driving the getaway car. Gibbons and Houghtby were taken into custody at 3:30 a.m. and transported to the Ogle County Jail. At a hearing on Oct. 14, Judge Clay Lindsey set Gibbons bond at $50,000, and reduced Houghtby’s from $50,000 to $30,000. Both were scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 19.
Polo resident wants parking ordinances enforced By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com After more complaints from a Polo resident at Monday’s city council meeting, Alderman Troy Boothe ordered the police chief to take care of the problem. “Chief, take care of this tomorrow,” Boothe, who chairs the Police Committee, told Police Chief Dennis Christen. For the third consecutive
meeting resident Marv Bushman complained about vehicles parked in two locations. He voiced his concern on Sept. 19 and again on Oct. 3 about two pick-up trucks parked in front of 903 S. Division Ave. Bushman told the council at those two meetings that the trucks block visibility for drivers at the intersection of West Dement Street and South Division Avenue. Monday evening he said the trucks have been moved
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slightly but he believes they are still illegal and should be towed. One has no tail lights, he said. Bushman also complained about a car, which is in disrepair and has no license plates, at 902 Provost. He said it was partially blocking an alley and has now been moved, but is still sitting outside. Bushman read a city ordinance that said disabled vehicles cannot be parked outside for more than 10 days. Another ordinance
Church News, A5 Classifieds, B6-B10 Entertainment, A6 Marriage Licenses, A4
prohibits abandoned vehicles from being parked in the same place for more than 48 hours. City attorney Tom Suits said the ordinance wording includes the owner’s “intention to abandon” which is difficult to prove and can be challenged in court. “I don’t think you’re smart enough to challenge it in court,” Bushman replied. He said snow ordinances weren’t enforced last winter when the pick-ups were parked on the street and snow
Oregon Police, B4 Public Voice, A7 Property Transfers, B5 Sheriff’s Arrests, B3
plows went around them. The ordinance, he said, calls for vehicles that aren’t in compliance to be towed to make way for snow removal. Alderman Phil Peterson said he is currently working on putting more teeth into the city’s ordinances relating to abandoned vehicles and property upkeep. “It’s time to do something about this,” Bushman said. Peterson said enacting new ordinances involves a legal process that takes time. Bushman also told the
Social News, A4 Sports, B1, B2 State’s Attorney, B4 Weather Forecast, A3
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council that Richard Jeter, 901 S. Division Ave., is still conducting salvaging outside on his property. “He’s got a terrible mess out there,” Bushman said. Christen issued Jeter two notices to abate on Sept. 2, one for the salvaging operations and the other for an abandoned vehicle. A notice to abate is issued to a citizen who is violating a city ordinance before legal action is taken. The citizen has seven days to comply with the ordinance.
Death, B4 Donald L. Horst