Serving the Polo Area Since 1857
POLO
Tri-County Press July 21, 2016 Volume 158, Number 44 - $1.00
Game On
Marching Band The Blue Devils came to Oregon Sunday afternoon for a rehearsal. A7
City Flag
Local residents are playing a new popular app. A3
The winner of the Polo City Flag design competition was recognized Monday night. A2
Businessman asks council to stop unruly teens By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com A Polo businessman asked the city council Monday to do something about a band of teens roaming the city streets. “We have got to get this band of kids that are running around throttled and controlled,” said T.J. Graden, who owns Haldane Custom Paint & Body. “It goes on day and night. It’s not getting any better.” Graden said the teens are “rowdy and defiant” and disrespectful to adults and police. He said they make rude gestures and kick over garbage cans. Alderman Troy Boothe agreed that action needs to be taken. “Some of the main culprits have let it be known they aren’t afraid to be arrested. They’re already going down that path,” he said. Alderman Randy Schoon said he was shocked by how at least one of them spoke to Police Chief Dennis Christen. Alderman Phil Peterson said he has received numerous calls from residents who reported the
Cooling Off at the Polo Pool The Polo Pool was the place to be on Monday and may continue to be the place to be the rest of the week if weather forecasters are correct. Above, Jonny Rowland, age 2, Polo, center, plays in the water with his mom, Sarah, and brother Joey Monday afternoon after diving into the water, at right. Photos by Earleen Hinton
teens on their property and knocking on their doors in the middle of the night. “These kids are getting out of hand,” he said. He expressed concern that citizens will get angry and “take matters into their own hands.” He urged Christen to take the teens to the police station and call their parents. “Have the talk with them,” he said. Schoon said city residents are concerned over the teens’ activities, especially since 17 vehicles were burglarized in the city during the night of June 29-30. Christen said he could not comment on the situation since it is an ongoing investigation. Mayor Doug Knapp reassured the council and public that the police are doing their best. “Our police haven’t given up on it and are doing everything they can,” Knapp said. After the meeting, Christen said six to eight teenage boys are in the group and some are 17 to 18 years old and therefore not subject to Turn to A2
Hometown Days begins Friday By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com
New county jail proposal discussed By Chris Johnson cxjohnson@oglecountynews.com Ogle County officials have decided where they would like to build a new jail. Long Range Planning Committee Chairman Don Griffin, Oregon, who is also a county board member, told the county board Tuesday that the consensus of the committee is that the jail should be built on South Sixth Street in Oregon across the street from the judicial center. The county already owns the property. Just prior to that announcement, Griffin attended an Oregon Planning Commission meeting to make a formal request that city officials consider vacating a portion of Sixth Street for the new jail. “We presented to the Long Range Committee the comprehensive plan the city adopted,” said Griffin. “We will take it to the county board next month for the location where we will put the jail.” The county board has been discussing options for jail locations, including the highway department property south
of Oregon, the Sheriff’s Department property on First Street in Oregon, and the Sixth Street property. “The Long Range consensus is Sixth Street,” said Griffin. “It is only proper to get together with you about the project.” The county is asking to have Sixth Street between Washington and Jefferson vacated. The county has the judicial center on the east side of the street and currently owns all the vacant lots on the west side of the street. “Do you know about the size of the jail?” asked Planning Commission member Rick Ryland. Griffin said the county has been working with a 230 bed facility, but the exact size has not been determined. “A lot that come through are in there [the jail] for one night,” he said. “Currently juveniles are sent out of the county.” In June the county board discussed building a jail large enough for 180 to 200 beds for adults and 32 beds for juveniles, which would cost an estimated $27 million. Griffin said the legislation governing jails is constantly changing. “Do you remember all the hullaballoo
In This Week’s Edition...
Church News, A5 Classifieds, B5-B10 College News, A4 Entertainment, A6
before?” asked Ryland. “Are we increasing because of need?” The current jail was built in 1969 and is inadequate, Griffin said. “Our goal is to not build a jail that is too small,” he said. Planning Commission member Joe Ebens asked Griffin what the vision for the property is if the street was vacated. Griffin said the site on Sixth Street could have architecture that compliments the judicial center. As for city concerns, it boils down to utilities. “Our biggest problem is what do you do with the snow,” said street superintendent Mike Bowers. “I called JULIE and there is gas and electric going to the county, and there is also water and sewer through there.” Oregon Mayor Ken Williams said the purpose of the discussion was to make a motion to proceed with a study to investigate the possibility of vacating the street. “The sewer only goes 80 feet (down south Sixth Street),” said Williams. “That can be rerouted to the other side Turn to A9
Fines, B4 Marriage Licenses, A4 Public Voice, A7 Property Transfers, B4
Forreston will roll out the red carpet this weekend for Hometown Days. The newly reinstated festival will be held July 2224. Green Gene, president of the Forreston Area Business Association (FABA), said a Kids Fun Run will at Warnken Park will kick off the event at 6 p.m. Friday, June 22, followed by a 5K Fun Run and Walk at 6:30 p.m. The Forreston Legion Auxiliary will serve food at the park from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Forreston’s Hometown Days festival was formerly held every June, but was discontinued more than a decade ago. “We started it back up this year,” Green said. “It’s a community effort.” An all-day 3-on-3 basketball tournament will start off Saturday’s activities beginning at 8 a.m. in the junior high parking lot. A craft and vendor show is planned from 8 am to 4 p.m. at Memorial Park. The Forreston FFA will hold a tractor show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Memorial
Sheriff’s Arrests, B3 Social News, A4 Sports, B1-B2 State’s Attorney, B4
Park with a food stand from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. FABA will sponsor a Bouncy House and obstacle course at Memorial Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. The Lions Club will hold its cheese sale, and a petting zoo will be available during the same hours at Memorial Park. A car wash to benefit Relay for Life will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at Green’s Motors. A softball tournament is planned Saturday at Warnken Park. Several activities are planned for Saturday afternoon in the downtown, including a 3 p.m. pieeating contest sponsored by Christy’s Bakery and a 4 p.m. spaghetti eating contest sponsored by Mimmo’s. The Forreston Lion’s Club will serve pork chops and Drake’s sweet corn from 4 to 7 p.m. at the fire station. Karaoke sponsored by Kim Moring is slated for 4 to 7 p.m. in the downtown beer garden area. The beer garden begins at 8 p.m. with live music by the Funnies. A community breakfast and church service will wrap up the festival on Sunday. Turn to A2
Deaths, B4 Michael W. Carpenter, Dorothy M. Galor, Karen L. Groves
Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com