Serving the Polo Area Since 1857
POLO Classic Cruise
Gambling Costs
AMC motorists will cruise with their classics through Ogle County July 80. A10
Why the insatiable desire to win big? A8
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Tri-County Press July 7, 2016 Volume 158, Number 42 - $1.00
Jamboree Music The Jimmys return to the Jamboree stage July 8 to perform in Mt. Morris. A9
Corbitt won’t run for another term as Polo City Clerk By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com
Jax Fane, who portrays Jesus in the music Godspell, rehearses with the Polo Area Community Theater last week. Photo by Chris Johnson
PACT will perform “Godspell” Polo Area Community Theater (PACT) will give an outdoor performance of “Godspell” on July 1517 at 7 p.m. at the Louise Quick Park in downtown Polo. Rain dates are July 23 and 24. The show is free, but 50/50 drawing tickets and concessions will be sold and donation baskets will be passed. Bring a blanket or lawn chair to sit on. “Godspell” is a musical based on the Gospel according to Matthew. “PACT is excited to bring this to our stage again, and even more excited to be holding this show outside. We have a cast of 11 talented young people who can’t wait to share this amazing show to you,” said marketing chairman Stephanie Kuzlik. “Godspell” is the final
Longtime Polo City Clerk Susie Corbitt announced this week that she will not seek re-election to her post when her current term expires next spring. “I am retiring as of May 1, 2017,” she told the city council at Tuesday night’s meeting. Corbitt said that two Polo residents have expressed interest in running for city clerk in the April 2017 consolidated election. She said anyone running must be a registered voter and reside in the city of Polo for at least one year before the election. Corbitt has served as city clerk since 1993. During her tenure she took the necessary classes to earn the Master Municipal Clerk designation. The Municipal Clerks of Illinois (MCI) named Corbitt Municipal Clerk of the Year
in 2003, the same year she was selected as Polo’s Citizen of the Year. She served as MCI president in 2009. Corbitt was chosen by the Northwest Illinois Municipal Clerks Association to receive the first ever Rosemary Coughlin Clerk of the Year Award in 2010. In another matter, Corbitt told the council that she has received several complaints from citizens about illegal burning and has referred the callers to the police department. The callers have complained that neighbors are using recreational fire pits to burn construction waste, plastic items, and even furniture. Some are burning green leaves and wood, creating smoky fires. Corbitt reminded residents that city ordinances allow only recreational fires anytime and the burning of yard waste from dawn to dusk.
Items stolen from vehicles in Polo
Joel Megill, Keenan Moen, and Micah Megill sing a song during a rehearsal of
Turn to A3 Godspell. Photo by Chris Johnson
Polo police are seeking the public’s help in solving a rash of thefts from vehicles. According to a press release from Police Chief Dennis Christen, 17 thefts from vehicles took place between the night of June 29 and the early morning hours of June 30. The thefts occurred in all areas of the city. “Most vehicles were
known to be left unlocked, making it easy for the thieves to gain entry,” Christen said. “Citizens are reminded that it is very important to always lock your vehicles and keep any valuables out of view.” Anyone who has information about the thefts is asked to call Ogle Lee Crime Stoppers at 888-228-4488 or the Polo Police Department at 815-946-3412.
Rochelle building offers ample space for county offices By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com An Ogle County official says the county board’s decision last fall to buy a building in Rochelle is turning out to be a good one. “It’s a win-win for everyone involved,” said county board chairman Kim Gouker, Byron. The former bank building turned Rochelle Clinic, at 510 Lincoln Highway in downtown Rochelle, already serves as the county’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the office of Ogle County Emergency Management Agency Coordinator Tom Richter. With a little remodeling, it will also house offices for the Ogle County Health Department and Ogle County Probation Department. Gouker said the new location will be more Ogle County Board Chairman Kim Gouker points out a spot on the architect’s drawing of remodeling planned for convenient for the clients the main floor of the former Rochelle Clinic in downtown Rochelle. The county recently purchased the building. served by both departments. Photo by Vinde Wells “It will be within walking
In This Week’s Edition...
Church Bells, A5 Classifieds, B6-B10 Entertainment, A6 Fines, B5
Marriage Licenses, A4 Public Voice, A8 Property Transfers, B4 Sheriff’s Arrests, B3
Social News, A4 Sports, B2 State’s Attorney, B3
distance for some of them,” he said. “They won’t have to try to find a ride.” In addition to the main offices it Oregon, currently the health department rents space on the south side of Rochelle, and probation rents offices north of the downtown. Rent for both amounts to almost $50,000 per year, Gouker said, a cost that will disappear. The county had been renting the spacious basement for its EOC when Rochelle Community Hospital put the building on the market late last summer. Because the hospital almost doubled in size by building a new wing, the downtown clinic space was no longer needed. After discussion and negotiations, the county board bought the building and its two large parking lots for $180,000 in October. Owning the building Turn to A3
Deaths, B4 Violet L. Borneman, Raymond R. Peugh, Ina E. Shank, Norma R. Stukenberg
Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com