Serving the Polo Area Since 1857
POLO
Tri-County Press August 11, 2016 Volume 158, Number 47 - $1.00
Polo Car Show
New License
School Begins
The Polo Chamber of Commerce will host an annual car show on Saturday, Aug. 13. A2
Security upgrades include a new Illinois driver’s license design. B3
With the school year approaching, motorists are reminded about safe driving. A3, B4
Large crowds at fair
Several thefts in Polo By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com
By Chris Johnson cxjohnson@oglecounty news.com A carnival, grandstand shows, and varied exhibits drew an estimated 18,000 to 19,000 people to the 163rd Ogle County Fair last week. “The fair went very well. Overall it was a good fair,” said fair board president Harlan Holm Monday. “We don’t have exact numbers yet but attendance was a little higher than last year.” The only glitch was a power outage Thursday afternoon when equipment at the ComEd substation in Mt. Morris failed, taking down electricity not only at the fairgrounds, but also to the entire village of Mt. Morris, part of Oregon, and the rural area in between. “We’re starting generators,” Holm said. “We’ll be fine.” With the temperature hovering near the 90-degree mark, generators were already powering large fans to keep the animals cool in the livestock barns. Power was restored by 5 p.m., just in time for food vendors to gear up for the suppertime crowd. A fast-moving storm late Thursday evening cooled things down for the final three days of the fair. Holm said the biggest crowd was Saturday under clear skies with low humidity and the mercury just under 80 degrees. “It was a perfect day for going to the fair,” Holm said. The big draws at the fair included the Big Hat Rodeo on Friday night and the demolition derby Saturday
In the wake of more thefts and burglaries reported in the last two weeks, Polo Police Chief Dennis Christen is advising residents to be vigilant and keep their property secure. “Since July 30, the Polo Police Department has taken three reports of burglaries from garages and five theft reports,” Christen said in a press release issued Tuesday. According to the press release, subjects have been entering garages that have the overhead doors left open and Polo firefighters stand ready at the Ogle County Fair’s demolition derby Saturday night. Pictured left to right are: Tim sheds that are unlocked. Several cars that were left Ross, Brent Shipman, and Nik Manthei. Photo by Earleen Hinton unlocked have also been was available. night. entered. In a barn to the north the Youngsters of all ages “It is very important that you lined up all five days of the rabbits were taking center lock your homes and vehicles at fair for the unlimited carnival stage. all times,” Christen said. “Keep “These are nice and rides that came with the $8 your property well-lighted to young,” said fair judge Harry admission fee at the gate. discourage thieves.” Opening night on Aug. Rungler, Dixon. “Be proud Seventeen thefts from 3 saw the crowning of the of them, but they are small. I vehicles took place between the Maddie Kirchner, Forreston, go by the standards but I like night of June 29 and the early as the 2016 Miss Ogle the little ones.” morning hours of June 30. Rungler was making sure County Fair Queen. At least two people have been Animal judging was in full each 4-H member knew why arrested in connection with he was making the decisions swing Thursday morning. those thefts. The horse show begin on which rabbit was the Call the Polo Police bright and early and champion and which was the Department at 815-946-3412 to continued throughout the reserve champion. report any suspicious activity. While waiting to have her day. Anyone having information First up were the riders rabbits judged, Carefree 4-H on any of the above crimes is in the green rider walk trot member Sara Blume, age 15, asked to call the Polo Police competition. This is for 4-H was doing her best to keep Department or Ogle Lee Crime members new to showing the rabbits on the judging Stoppers at 888-228-4488. table. horses in the arena. “I try my best but they Leaf River Soaring Eagles member Natalie Johnson was keep trying to jump away,” practicing her technique in Blume said with a smile as the minutes leading up to the she reached for one of her rabbits. competition. Just past the rabbit She was helped with her posture and told to have fun. cages 12-year-old Isaac Bill Clothier, Polo, adjusts the straps holding the weights More experienced Charbonneau, Leaf River to the front of his tractor before heading to the scale riders took to the saddle Busy Beavers 4-H, was to check the weight before competing in Thursday afand practiced advanced feeding his three ducks. ternoon’s tractor pull at the Ogle County Fair. Photo by Turn to A2 techniques before the arena By Vinde Wells Chris Johnson vwells@oglecounty news.com
Zoning change lawsuit
Clown responsible for laughter and safety By Chris Johnson cxjohnson@oglecounty news.com From class clown to rodeo clown. That was the journey for one man at the Big Hat Rodeo. “I was a class clown and felt a calling,” said Shane Jorgenson, Cameron, Wisconsin, who was in Oregon for the Ogle County Fair. “One thing leads to another and here I am. It is fun being a clown.” He tries to add his own brand of humor to being a rodeo clown, but the most important aspect of being a clown is the safety of the cowboys. “People remember the clown, if cowboys got hurt, and if they were entertained,” Jorgenson said. “My ultimate goal is to be safe and keep everyone safe. When that goal is reached we can have fun.” Jorgenson stood by his trailer looking into a small mirror while beginning the process of applying the makeup for the show. He said every night he applies the same design, not because of a desire to be the same, but because then he only needs to
Three rural Forreston residents have filed a lawsuit against Ogle County and their neighbors over a recent zoning decision. Walter Paul and his daughter and son-in-law Linette and Curtis DeHaven are suing the county as well as Mike and Colleen Stukenberg and STKE LLC, a company owned by the Steve and Kevin Moring. The county board approved a special use permit May 17 requested by Mike Stukenberg and the Morings to allow a Class 2 Motor Carrier Facility on property zoned for agricultural use. The property, at 11123 W. Ill. 72 just east of Forreston, is owned by Stukenberg and being purchased by STKE LLC. Paul and other nearby property owners, including the DeHavens, objected Rodeo clown Shane Jorgenson, Cameron, Wisconsin, applies because of environmental
remember how to do the makeup one way. “You see, coloring in school paid off for me,” Jorgenson joked. At the fair Jorgenson was going to demonstrate Roman Riding. This is a technique where the rider rides two horses at a time stands up with a foot on each horse. Being a clown forces a change in the act. Jorgenson acts like he has never ridden before and requires assistance to be shown how to ride. It worked Friday night and the full grandstands laughed and cheered for the performance. In the end, the laughter and smiling faces is what makes it fun for Jorgenson. “The reason I love this is because fairs are a happy place filled with happy people,” he said. “It is fun to be around happy people.” The horses used in the show are some of the best trained horses around, Jorgenson said. “Everyone loves horses, but to ride them you have to love your horse,” he said. “If you love them then they will love you back for sure and help put on a good his makeup Friday afternoon before the Big Hat Rodeo. Photo by show.” Chris Johnson
In This Week’s Edition...
Church News, A5 Classifieds, B5-B19 College News, A4 Entertainment, A6
Fines, B4 Marriage Licenses, A4 Public Voice, A7 Property Transfers, B4
Sheriff’s Arrests, B3 Social News, A4 Sports, A10 State’s Attorney, B3
Turn to A3
Deaths, B4 Nancy A. Greenfield, Alan D. Jones, Pearl A. Myers
Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com