Byron Quilt Show results released The 2025 ByronFest Quilt Show resulted have been released to the public. Page 3
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VOLUME 37, ISSUE 19
Visit www.oglecountylife.com
MONDAY JULY 28, 2025
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Ogle County's most widely read weekly newspaper!
Lena man identified as victim of Tuesday morning plane crash Crop duster plane crashed, struck power lines
BY JEFF HELFRICH MANAGING EDITOR
Ribbon cutting held for mural A ribbon cutting was held on July 19 for the new mural in Byron. Page 2
Ordinary Golfer opens in Rochelle A new business called Ordinary Golfer opened its doors in Rochelle on July 19. Page 2
MT. MORRIS — The victim of a Tuesday morning plane crash near the Mt. Morris Airport has been identified as a 23-year-old Lena man, an Ogle County Sheriff’s Office press release said Wednesday. At 9:36 a.m. the Ogle County Dispatch Center received a call of a plane crash in the area of 2810 W. Illinois Route 64 just west of the Mt. Morris Airport. A cropduster plane leaving the airport crashed and a single occupant,Alexander Leamon, 23, of Lena was located deceased inside the plane. The plane hit the main transmission power line on
(PHOTO BY JEFF HELFRICH)
On July 11, a ribbon cutting and ice cream social were held at 604 N. Main St. Suite 4 in Rochelle for Changes Counseling’s 15-year anniversary.
(PHOTO BY EARLEEN HINTON)
The victim of a Tuesday morning plane crash has been identified as a 23-year-old Lena man, an Ogle County Sheriff ’s Office press release said Wednesday.
the south side of Illinois Route 64, causing “pretty significant damage,” Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle said Tuesday. The plane had just filled with chemicals and was flying to a field nearby. VanVickle said the plane was completely engulfed in flames when first responders arrived on scene and
area law enforcement and fire departments saw access issues due to downed power lines. Sheriff’s Office vehicles were able to cut a safe path to the plane fire for fire crews to extinguish it. The road was closed while infrastructure was repaired. See PLANE CRASH page 7
Changes Counseling hosts ribbon cutting, ice cream social to mark 15-year anniversary BY JEFF HELFRICH MANAGING EDITOR
ROCHELLE — On Friday, July 11, a ribbon cutting and ice cream social were held at 604 N. Main St. Suite 4 in Rochelle to commemorate Changes Counseling’s 15-year anniversary. Changes Counseling
has offices in Rochelle and Peru and offers individual, couples, youth and family counseling to people of all ages. “It has grown over 15 years,” Owner/Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor Christine Novak said. See CHANGES page 10
OBITUARIES • Shirley Ann Unger • Suzanne Kay Colbert • Tyler Michael Maurer • Verna J. Watts • Robert ‘Bob’ John Piros • Jane Ruth (Beam) Schoon See pages 3-5
INSERTS • Felker Foods • Polo Foods • Menards • Farm & Fleet • Snyder Pharmacy
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