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POLO
Tri-County Press April 6, 2017 Volume 159, Number 29 - $1.00
Polo Victory
Easter Events
Awareness
The Marcos shut down Forreston 20-0 during their first baseball game since the coop. B1
The rabbit is getting ready to make the rounds. Find an activity. A6, A9
Several groups are raising awareness for victims of crimes and abuse. B3
Knapp re-elected mayor over Corbitt’s challenge Only 34 votes separated them By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com Polo Mayor Doug Knapp won re-election Tuesday to another four-year term by a slim 34 vote margin. Knapp received 308 votes to challenger Susie Corbitt’s 274 in a tight race.
He voiced his appreciation for his supporters after the votes were tallied. “I would like to thank all those who voted for me and I plan on living up to their expectations,” Knapp said. Knapp first was elected mayor in 2013, after serving 4 years as an alderman. Corbitt congratulated him on his victory. “I congratulate Doug and wish him all the best,” said Corbitt. “I’ve been honored
Attempted arson charges filed on Johnathon Parker By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com
block of West Mason Street. He is in Ogle County Jail on $250,000 bond. No motive has been A Polo man is charged determined as to why with attempted residential Parker tried to set the fire, arson, a felony Cavanaugh said. that carries 3 to In a statement 7 years in prison, Parker posted after police say on Facebook, he tried to set the however, he house in which he appeared to be was living on fire. saying goodbye to Polo police family members arrested Johnathon and friends, while P. Parker, 32, accusing others of Johnathon P. Monday morning betraying him. Parker with the assistance After telling two of the Ogle County friends he would Sheriff ’s Department. miss them, he wrote “I’ll see An acquaintance of u all in the next life or heaven Parker’s called 911 around or hell!!! Who knows where 1:30 a.m. Sunday to report a I’ll end up. But I know I will disturbance at 302 E. Mason never go back to prison!! St. So we will hold court in the The first officer on scene streets!!” called for the fire department Parker, who also was when he smelled an wanted on an Ogle County accelerant and saw a burning warrant for failure to pay TV inside the house, Police fines, has a lengthy felony Chief Kurt Cavanaugh said. history dating back to 2001, “An accelerant had been including convictions for poured on the floors, but mob action, aggravated fortunately, it did not ignite,” battery, possession of Cavanaugh said. weapons by a felon, Michael Custer, who owns residential burglary, and the house, also lives there, he forgery. said. According to court records, Parker, who had fled, was he refused to appear in court arrested at 9:45 a.m. Monday via video on Monday. He has at a friend’s home in the 100 a status hearing on Friday.
Vote totals Susie Corbitt 274 Doug Knapp 308 to serve as city clerk for the last 24 years. I’ve devoted a lot of time to the city, and it all came from my heart.” Sydney Bartelt, who ran unopposed, will take over as city clerk. She received 539 votes as did Kris Clothier who was re-elected city treasurer without opposition.
“I would like to thank all those who voted for me and I plan on living up to their expectations.” — Doug Knapp Polo mayor In Ward 3, Polo’s only contested alderman race, Keith Chesnut earned 131 votes to defeat Marvin Bushman who received 61. In Ward 1, Justin Grobe
received 177 votes in his unchallenged bid for the city council, and in Ward 2, James Busser, also the only candidate, garnered 177 as well.
Doug Knapp
Going once...twice ... sold!!! Hazelhurst’s spring sale held Saturday By Zach Arbogast zarbogast@oglecountynews.com The rain clouds parted long enough for a beautiful spring Saturday as crowds gathered west of Polo for the annual Hazelhurst Spring Consignment Sale. The ground was muddy, but a little mud wasn’t enough to stop around 5,000 people from browsing tractors, cars, semi-trucks, tires, fourwheelers, bicycles, welders, ditchdiggers, and just about anything anyone could think of from 8:30 a.m. until 7 p.m. “It’s a junker’s paradise,” quipped a passerby. The sale began in the late 1940s by Sheryl Hopkins’ mother and father, Ruth and Ellery Shank. It has changed locations a few times, but remains at the 30-acre Hazelhurst site to this day. “All things considered with the weather, we couldn’t have asked for a better day,” said Hopkins, co-owner and operator of Public Auction Service, Polo, with her husband Lyle. “I love that this sale really helps out farmers; both those in need of some equipment, and those needing to let go of some.” “Letting go” is a key phrase at this sale; intermixed among wellfunctioning vehicles and machinery were some fringe items, like a classic soda machine and the bed of a Dodge truck. “We’ve got cars with flat tires,
John Readle (center), Wayne Konprood (right), and grandson Blake Konprood browse the lanes at the Hazelhurst Spring Consignment Sale. They come from Dakota every year to hunt for good finds. Photo by Zach Arbogast
steel-rimmed tractors, stuff that never ceases to amaze me - and I’ve been coming since 1969,” joked James Hopkins, brother to Lyle. “I wasn’t going to come today, but like a moth to flame, you can’t help but be drawn here.” Some customers, like Sterling landscaper Matt Habben, share a different view. “You see so much crazy stuff that nothing blows my mind anymore,” remarked Habben. “It’s more of a social event for me; lots of good people to talk to.” Habben walked away with a 2004 Ford F550 Super Duty service truck for his landscaping business for $4,000. The window stated it ran
great with 130,000 miles, but needed brake rotors and a crane repair. Buyers didn’t go hungry, either; at the concession stand attached to the main office, the Polo Lions Club members were grilling hot dogs, burgers, brats, and pork sandwiches, while the Ogle County Beef Producers were selling steak sandwiches on the west end, near the tractors. There was no shortage of sales, either; the line to pay for auction items stayed about 100 feet long during the sale. “It’s great to have this hub to help out farmers, and I get to work with such pleasant people,” said Sheryl Hopkins. Turn to A2
Council OKs second water meter; swears in new police officer By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com An unnamed Polo resident will get a trial run this spring with a second water meter. The city council agreed, by consensus, Monday evening to allow the resident, who was not identified, to install a second water meter to measure how much water is used on the lawn and garden. Alderman Randy Schoon, chairman of the Water & Sewer Committee, said the resident does not want to be charged for sewer usage on the amount of water used on the lawn and garden since that water does not go back into the sanitary sewer system.
The city currently provides each residence with one water meter, and both water and sewer bills are based on that meter reading. Schoon said the resident has agreed to pay for the meter and its installation. Water & Sewer Department Superintendent Mike Mumford said he has checked with other municipalities that allow second meters. Some charge a second service fee for the second meter, he said. Schoon said he is opposed to that. “If we charge I think we’re double-dipping them,” he said. Schoon said each residence is already charged a service fee for the first meter, which
In This Week’s Edition...
will measure all the water being used, even what is running through the second meter. The council agreed to give the request a trial run this spring and summer, but stipulated that the resident must purchase the second meter from the city and that Mumford will inspect the second meter once it is installed. Aldermen raised a question about swimming pools because the water to fill them also does not go back into the sanitary sewer. City clerk Susie Corbitt said that currently a resident can call city hall before filling a pool so that the Polo Police Chief Kurt Cavanaugh, left, administers the oath of office to new officer Tim Turn to A3 Rockwood Monday night at the city council meeting. Seated in the background is mayor
Church News, A5 Classifieds, B6-B10 College News, A4 Entertainment, A6 Fines, B5
Doug Knapp. Rockwood finished his police training last week. Photo by Vinde Wells
Marriage Licenses, A4 Oregon Police, B3 Public Voice, A7 Property Transfers, B5
Sheriff’s Arrests, B3 Social News, A4 Sports, B1, B2 State’s Attorney, B5
Deaths, B4 Richard R. Bentley, Bradon H. Ely, Leonard C. Hagemann, Kenneth V. Imel
Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com