Serving the Polo Area Since 1857
POLO
Tri-County Press September 15, 2016 Volume 158, Number 52 - $1.00
First Loss
Under Wraps
Flu Clinics
Stockton delivered the Marcos a loss on the football field Sept. 9. B1
Black Hawk statue will again be protected from the elements. A9
The Ogle County Health Department will host several flu clinics around Ogle County. A7
Fixing collapsed storm sewer was a priority By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com The digging began bright and early last Thursday morning on a Polo $20,000 street project deemed to be an emergency. By 9 a.m. a crew from O’Brien Civil Works, Inc., Polo, had made a hole at least 12 feet deep all across the intersection of East Colden Street and South Franklin Avenue, exposing water mains, storm sewer openings, and the culprit — a collapsed storm sewer. In case city council members hadn’t already noticed the obvious indentation in the street and the barricades blocking half the intersection, alderman Jim Busser alerted them to the problem at the Sept. 6 council meeting. He said a sink hole had developed at the intersection due to a partial cave-in of a storm sewer. “It’s an emergency
situation. It’s got to be done,” he said. “It’s going to cave in.” Because of the urgent nature of the situation, Busser said he had already contacted O’Brien to get started as soon as possible. On the scene Sept. 8, Street Department Supervisor Kendall Kyker said the project was especially crucial because it’s so near the fire station and is the main route taken by firetrucks answering calls. “We can’t have a firetruck going in that hole,” he said. He said the excavators uncovered something unexpected as they dug — an old copper line that once supplied water to the Kroger grocery store that formerly occupied the spot where the fire station is now. “It was live, too,” he said with a chuckle. “That’s why, Polo Water & Sewer Department Supervisor Mike Mumford directs the attention of the crew from O’Brien Civil, Polo, along with the rain, that last Thursday morning as they excavate the intersection of East Colden and South Franklin. A large water main and an old copper water supply line can be seen in the hole. Photo by Vinde Wells we’ve got water in the hole. The water in the hole was several inches deep, complicating the repair work.
Does Polo need a garage sale ordinance?
Customers head to Grubsteakers Restaurant was rebuilt after April 2015 tornado
problem with the credit card machine, as she welcomed Trudell and a friend to the brand new building. “So far, things have gone well. It’s good to have all By Andy Colbert the regulars back,” Mirtoska acolbert@oglecounty said. news.com Trudell is more than a regular. Living in a house a Like hundreds of other few hundred yards east of customers, Candy Trudell Grubsteakers, she survived eagerly walked into the tornado with her Grubsteakers Restaurant boyfriend Bill Hubbard’s upon it’s reopening last week. mother. All were hungry for the The seven-generation home-style food and sense Hubbard family farm is of community that had been directly across the corner missing since an April 9, from Grubsteakers and still 2015 tornado destroyed the exhibits remnants of the restaurant. damage an EF-4 storm can “This corner means so wreak. much to this generation and In an odd twist of fate, those before them,” Trudell some of the farm equipment said. flew across the corner, Traveling with her father landing on the house Mrs. from the family farm in rural Hubbard and Candy were in. Polo to deliver cattle to the Though the house was Chicago stockyards over 50 destroyed by the tornado years ago, Trudell remembers and the farm still needs many a stop at the corner of major repairs, Trudell highways 251 and 64. looked forward to returning “Originally, it was Sipes to Grubsteakers, a place Corner. Grandma Sipes that has become a landmark started the food business,” because of the tornado. Trudell said. “I’m not sure “Even before the storm, how many different owners this was a famous crossroads. have been here, but it’s You meet so many people always good food.” you haven’t seen for a while,” Owner Ava Mirtoska was Trudell said. hard at work on Thursday Turn to A10 morning trying to rectify a
Question raised September 6 By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com Several Polo officials reported they have been getting complaints about what appears to be a constantly ongoing garage sale. Alderman Randy Schoon told the city council Sept. 6 that more than one resident has complained to him about the garage sale and other activities at 901 S. Division Ave. (Ill. 26). Aldermen Justin Grobe and Troy Boothe said they have also heard from unhappy
residents of that area of town. City Clerk Susie Corbitt said she has also received numerous complaints. “One gentleman bent my ear for 45 minutes,” Schoon said. He said numerous garage sale items are sitting not only in the yard but also in the parkway (the area between the sidewalk and the street), which is city property. The sale appears to be non-stop, Schoon said, and has already been ongoing for several weeks. “We’ve got to stop this,” he said. “Not one person in this room would want to live next door to this.” “Is there an actual ordinance you can enforce?”
Grobe asked. City Attorney Tom Suits said the city has no ordinance limiting the number or duration of garage sales. He pointed out that the property is zoned B-2 (business use), and said he will research what ordinances would apply. Boothe suggested developing an ordinance governing garage sales. The garage sale is not the only complaint, Schoon said. In addition, unlicensed vehicles are reportedly parked on the property, he said. Neighbors have complained that the resident is also burning items that smell like plastic in a fire
pit in the backyard, Schoon said, and that a large tree was recently brought to the property and cut up there. Open burning is generally prohibited in the State of Illinois, and smoke from open fires may be considered pollution if someone complains about it, according to the Ogle County Solid Waste Management Department’s webpage. Police Chief Dennis Christen said he would check the vehicles at the property to see if they are properly licensed. By Monday morning, the garage sale items had been moved off the parkway and were displayed in the yard at the residence.
Perfect weather for Arts Festival Sunny skies and mild temperatures made the 68th annual Grand Detour Arts Festival just about perfect on Sunday. Forty-six artists displayed and sold their works in a variety of mediums on the grounds of the John Deere Historic Site. A regional art exhibit featured work from students in grades K through 12 and adults, whose works were judged throughout the day, some for cash prizes. The event also featured food and music. Art lovers could part with a few bucks for admission, or plunk down some canned goods instead, for the Dixon
Community Food Pantry. The John Deere Historic Site has hosted the popular event
since 1949. Today, it’s presented by the festival committee in
partnership with The Next Picture Show, a fine arts center in Dixon.
Election petitions available soon Polo City Clerk Susie Corbitt would like to notify the citizens of Polo that petitions may be picked up and circulated for the April 4, 2017 Consolidated Election, starting on Tuesday, Sept. 20. The petitions are available
at the Polo City Hall, 115 S. Franklin Ave. Filing dates for candidates for the Consolidated Election are from Monday, Dec. 12 through Monday, Dec. 19. Offices to be elected are: mayor, city clerk, city
In This Week’s Edition...
treasurer, alderman for Ward I, Ward II and Ward III, all for four-year terms. Petitions may be picked up at city hall on Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. For more information call 815-946-3514.
Church News, A5 Classifieds, B6-B10 Entertainment, A6 Fines, B5 Marriage Licenses, A4
Dixon Food Pantry volunteer Shirley Steder marks the hand of 5-year-old Amelia Manus, Polo after she made a donation to the pantry when entering the Grand Detour Arts Festival at the John Deere Historic Site on Sunday. Also pictured are Amelia’s aunt Emily Joines and Paula Joines. Photo by Earleen Hinton
Oregon Police, B5 Public Voice, A7 Property Transfers, B5 Sheriff’s Arrests, B3
Social News, A4 Sports, B1, B2 State’s Attorney, B4 Zoning, B4
Deaths, B4 Darlene E. Bocker, John A. DeVries, Sandra L. Janssen, Betty R. White
Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com