Oregon Observer The
Thursday, October 10, 2019 • Vol. 135, No. 15 • Oregon, WI • ConnectOregonWI.com • $1.25
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Accreditation process draws praise, criticism Take the Cty Rd. MM Exit off Hwy 14
Take the Cty Rd. MM Exit off Hwy 14
Local group encourages police to improve equity, professionalism EMILIE HEIDEMANN Unified Newspaper Group
As the Oregon Police Department has worked toward accreditation, Village of Oregon officials have been complimentary of its work. B u t s o m e i n d iv i d u als from the community have said the department can and should do more, suggesting it could use improved relations with the community and increased professionalism. Jenna Sharkus throws candy with Matt Kissling during the Oregon homecoming parade Friday, Oct. 4.
A parade of orange and black pep rally-turned-parade on Friday, Oct. 4. Later that evening, the Panthers lost a varsity football game to Monona Grove Silver Eagles, 21-7. The week was rounded
off by the Homecoming dance for high school students on Saturday, Oct. 5, sending attendees into outer space for the night.
Village of Oregon
Inside More photos of the pep rally and parade Page 2
OCB, McFarland State Bank merge Combined entity has 11 branches, $1.1 billion in assets JIM FEROLIE Observer editor
Oregon’s oldest bank has now joined with an even older organization. Oregon Community Bank and McFarland State Bank announced Monday, Oct. 7, the entities would merge. It
would take place in the first quarter of 2020 if federal regulators approve. The combined organization would have 11 offices, with one each in McFarland, Sun Prairie, Middleton, Waunakee, Adams, Oxford, Grand Marsh, two in Oregon and two in Stoughton. A joint release announcing the agreement said there are no planned layoffs or staff reductions. It said McFarland State Bank
shareholders will become shareholders of Oregon Community Bank. In January, another growing community bank acquired an Oregon branch when State Bank of Cross Plains took over EvansPeotter ville-based Union Bank and Trust.
Turn to Process/Page 4
Photo by Mackenzie Krumme
Steve Peotter, who has been president and CEO o f O r eg o n C o m m u n i t y Bank since 2011, wrote in the release the move is an opportunity to grow. “As part of this merger, we will be reinvesting across the board and growing to meet the needs of the communities we serve,” he wrote. “I look forward to leading our combined organizations and welcome the McFarland State Bank team
Turn to Merger/Page 4
Flooding causes more closures on Netherwood Pumping to continue for full 24 hours next two days
EMILIE HEIDEMANN Unified Newspaper Group
Netherwood Road closures resumed again as heavy rains and a stressed watershed required the Vi l l a g e o f O r eg o n t o pump water over it from the north. It’s a short-term plan while the village works on a long-term solution, city officials told the Observer. West Netherwood Road between Cusick and
Alpine Parkways closed during non-peak traffic hours throughout the first week of October and continued into a second week to allow water from the north to be pumped over the road into the Keller Alpine Park area, according to a Village of Oregon news release and subsequent emails over the next several days from public works director Jeff Rau. In a Tuesday, Oct. 8 email, Rau wrote the village is making “good progress” on pumping. While Cusick Parkway and West Netherwood Road remain open, the latest plan is to pump water
Turn to Flooding/Page 3
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Last week, the Oregon School District celebrated its annual homecoming events. A week of dress-up spirit days to celebrate Panther pride led up to a
After a months-long process of updating several of its policies, the department held a public information and feedback session Wednesday, Sept. 25 as part of its accreditation effort. Most meeting attendees were local government officials, all of whom offered praise for the department’s work in recent years. “I know the department (Chief Brian Uhl) walked into when we hired him four years ago, and this is a different department,” Jeanne Carpenter, village president said at the meeting. Village administrator Mike Gracz and Trustee