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POLO
Tri-County Press June 22, 2018 Volume 160, Number 8 - $1.00
Softball News
Ready to Golf ?
Coffman Retires
Junior, Minor, and Senior divisions post wins in Polo Softball action. A9
It’s time to register now for the John Herrmann Playday to help VOP. B3
The Ogle County Treasurer steps down after 18 years of service. A8
Something for everyone at Town & Country Days By Zach Arbogast zarbogast@oglecounty news.com More than just “a carnival,” Polo Town & Country Days was a five-day adventure that changed rapidly from one hour to the next. Depending on what day, what hour, and what location you were standing at, you were part of a different story. On Thursday, you might have been crowned as Polo’s newest adorable ambassadors, or winning luxury items for mere quarters an hour after that. Friday, you may have been getting your face turned into a work of art, throwing toilet paper through basketball hoops, or scarfing down spaghetti and gelatin to the delight of friends and family. Maybe on Saturday, you were showing off the most prized jewel of your car collection, strutting your stuff in a talent show, taking on all comers on the volleyball court, battling in front of the Polo Fire Station with nothing but water hoses, or winning $100 in a bags tournament. Perhaps you just unwound on Sunday by watching a parade roll by. Whether you were trying to dunk your aunt in the dunk tank or crossing the finish line on a tiny tractor, no two days were the same between Wednesday and Sunday during Polo’s yearly summer festival. T&C days could be felt in the air as early as June 13, as Great American Shows rolled into
town and got to work setting up rides and games all the way down Mason Street. As the anticipation welled up seeing those colorful behemoths go up, the Polo Pool helped provide an outlet for the excitement by boasting the first event of the festival: pool games. The first event being held by the pool is rather fitting, considering T&C days began in 1966 when the Polo Jaycees wanted to raise money for a community pool. Thursday, June 14, officially fired up the rides at 5 p.m., along with merchandise bingo, the beloved dunk tank, and the Little Miss & Mr. Contest. Three girls and seven boys lined up to represent Polo, but in the end, Little Miss Annalise Knutson, 4, and Little Mr. Sebastian Dewey, 6, were crowned. Shortly thereafter, visitors purchased bidding paddles and took their seats as “Quartermania” got in full swing, where vendors offer some of their quality wares for just a quarter or two. Finally, the Thursday events finished off with everyone’s favorite, the fireworks show at PCHS football field. The Polo Cheerleaders sold snacks and drinks at the concession stand, for those who needed a nibble during their show. “Kidz Day” filled the slot for June 15, offering $20 arm bands for kids, as well as a fun fair under the festival tent, a petting zoo, and a feeding frenzy in the
Hunter Velez tries to nail the target to sink his aunt, Braelyn Velez, at the dunk tank Saturday afternoon at Town & Country days. Photo by Zach Arbogast. More photos appear on A10 and B1.
form of Jell-O and spaghettieating contests, and an Oreo stacking competition. The competitions returned last year for the first time after a several-year hiatus, when Joey Kochsmeier wanted to see the fond memories he remembered as a kid come back. The fun under the tent was operated by 20 members of the Polo cheer squad, and cheer coach Betsy Scott said the girls love helping out and interacting with the kids, especially when they recognize ones they’ve worked with months prior.
“We hold the mini cheerleaders camp in January, and so they also love seeing the girls again a few months down the road,” said Scott. “We recognize them immediately, they recognize us, and it’s so much fun to bond over that.” While the event is for the kids, some parents get just as much enjoyment simply seeing their children enjoying themselves. “My favorite part of Town & Country Days is seeing the smile on Summer’s face,” said Tina Schubert, referring to her daughter. “As a mom, it is great
to have a fun family activity to enjoy together, and to see how much Summer’s grown from year to year looking at the pictures.” “Kidz Day” ended at 5 p.m., effectively turning into “Adultz Night” as PCHS alumni gathered in the beer garden for the remainder of the day. The Aplington Parent Organization also hosted a 5k at 6 p.m., letting the sun do down a bit before engaging in the run. Those with a taste for history also could enjoy guided tours at the Polo Aplington House
and Polo Historical Society on Thursday and Friday. Saturday proved not just to be the most jam-packed day, but possibly the hottest as well. After a free community breakfast at Crossroads Community Church, the day splintered into a Car Show in the Crossroads parking lot, water fights in front of the Polo Fire Department, and a bags tournament with a $100 prize at the corner of Mason and Jefferson. Turn to A2
Mongan gets 30 months probation in boating death By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com The parents of the Rockford woman killed in a boating crash nearly two years ago were less than satisfied with the sentence handed down Tuesday to the Oregon man responsible for her death. “We were certainly hoping for more,” said David Swaziek, of Loves Park, the father of Megan Wells, 31, who died on June 24, 2016 when a johnboat operated by Marc Mongan, 47, struck her as it went over the back of the pontoon boat she was riding in, throwing her overboard. She died from blunt force trauma. Ogle County Judge John Redington sentenced Mongan to 30 months probation and,
along with other conditions, banned him from consuming alcohol or operating a motorized watercraft during his probation. He also ordered Mongan to pay $9,837 in restitution to Wells’ family. Mongan pleaded guilty April 19 to reckless conduct causing great bodily harm, a Class 4 felony. According to the charge, Mongan was operating his boat “at a faster than reasonable speed” when the crash occurred and failed to “give way” to the pontoon boat. He had been charged with seven felonies, including drunk driving, in Wells’ death on the Rock River three miles north of Oregon. The other six charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
Marc Mongan wipes away a tear as he addresses the courtroom audience at Tuesday’s sentencing hearing. Photo by Earleen Hinton
“Is 30 months probation enough for a taking a life?” said
Swaziek after the hearing. “I’m still trying to wrap my head
around that. We’re fighting as hard as we can for justice for Megan. I think we fell a little short today.” Swaziek vowed to keep fighting. “We aren’t done yet. We’ll be pursuing some things,” he said. He said he would be following the three civil cases that are ongoing against Mongan with the hope that his daughter’s three young children will be “taken care of.” Swaziek and six other family members, including her mother Robin, and two sisters, gave tearful victim impact statements before the sentencing. “There are no words that will ever bring Megan back,” Swaziek told Mongan. “Megan’s blood will forever be on your hands.”
Her sister Kristy Driscoll said every family event and holiday is now marred by Megan’s absence. She spoke about her sister’s “contagious smile and awesome sense of humor.” “Trying to go on without her is one of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to do,” Driscoll said. “You should be held accountable. You should go to jail,” Robin Swaziek told Mongan. Mongan repeatedly apologized to Wells’ family during his statement before sentencing. He also apologized to his wife, three daughters, and mother, who were all in the courtroom. “I’m sorry for what I have Turn to A3
Ogle County Board give the nod to two solar farms By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com Solar farms may be the wave of the future in Ogle County. Two of them got the nod from the county board Tuesday evening. No discussion was held before
the board voted to approve special use permits to allow solar projects near Mt. Morris and Davis Junction. SunVest Solar, Inc., Geneva, is leasing the land for both farms. One will be located on approximately 66 acres owned by Wilma Hongsermeier on Mt. Morris Road just north of the
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Mt. Morris wastewater treatment plant. The board approved the special use for the property, which is zoned for industrial use, by an 18-3 vote. The other project, on 118 acres zoned for agricultural use and owned by Rachel Davis, of Forreston, is located in the 6500
Church News, A5 College News, A4 Classifieds, B5-B10 Entertainment, A6 Fines, B6
block of North Junction Road. It passed by a vote of 14-7. Three board members Garrett Williams, of Rochelle, Dorothy Bowers, of Byron, and Martin Typer, of Stillman Valley, did not attend the meeting. Board member Zach Oltmanns, of Davis Junction, voted no to both solar farms.
Library News, A3 Marriage Licenses, A4 Polo Police, A2 Pine Creek News, A3 Public Voice, A8
He said he is concerned that the solar farms may interfere with underground tiles and impede drainage. “I think it’s important to protect our ag land,” he said. “I’m concerned about drainage issues.” Zoning Committee chairman Dan Janes, of Stillman Valley,
Sheriff’s Arrests, B5 Social News, A4 State’s Attorney, B6 Zoning, B5
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voted no for the Davis Junction project, but yes for the one at Mt. Morris. The location made the difference, he said. “The one north of Davis Junction is in a drainage area, and it’s near a housing development,” Turn to A3
Deaths None