Issuu

VOLUME 173 NO. 47 • SERVING OGLE COUNTY SINCE 1851

Friday, January 19, 2024 • $1.00

NEWS

Sarah Wright ‘doing fine’ Experienced camper’s tent weathers weekend snowstorm / 3

SPORTS

High school roundup

SNOW MUCH FUN

Oregon girls basketball team clashes with Byron / 15

Crime and courts Trial starts for Hillcrest man charged with sexual assault of child / 12

Earleen Hinton

Luke Mason, 10, of Oregon, hits a bump as he rides his saucer sled down the sledding hill Friday, Jan. 12, at Oregon Park West. Friday’s snowstorm brought more than 6 inches of snow to Ogle County by late afternoon creating difficult driving conditions for motorists but plenty of fun for kids. Stories, more photos: Pages 3, 5-7, 10-11.

One section • 20 pages

INDEX Betty’s Column......... 4 Classifieds...........17-19 Colbert Column.......14

Library News............. 2 Otto’s Column........... 4 Property Transfers...16

DEATHS Published every Friday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media

Sharon K. Cox, Page 9

Reading Matters....... 8 Sheriff Activity.........16 Sports.................. 14-15

Mt. Morris High School Class of 1973 reunion

Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, January 19, 2024

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

2 oglecountynews.com ShawLocal.com UNLIMITED DIGITAL ACCESS Included in every subscription Activate your digital access today. Visit: ShawLocal.com/digital-activation Call: 866-979-1053 OFFICE 113-115 Peoria Ave. Dixon, IL 61021 815-732-6166, ext. 2592 SUBSCRIPTIONS 1 month – $4.33 13 weeks – $13 26 weeks – $26 52 weeks – $52 To subscribe, make a payment or discuss your delivery, call 815-732-6166, ext. 2518, from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday-Friday or send an email to subscriptions@oglecountynews.com. You also can subscribe online by going to oglecountynews.com and clicking on Subscribe. CLASSIFIED SALES classified@shawlocal.com HELP WANTED employment@shawlocal.com LEGAL NOTICES sauklegals@shawlocal.com OBITUARIES saukobits@shawlocal.com Deadline for obituaries is 2 p.m. Tuesday for Friday’s edition SEND NEWS news@oglecountynews.com Publisher Jennifer Heintzelman 815-632-2502 jheintzelman@shawmedia.com General Manager Earleen Hinton 815-632-2591 ehinton@shawmedia.com Senior Director of Content Joe Biesk 815-526-4387 jbiesk@shawmedia.com News Alexa Zoellner 815-632-2590 azoellner@shawmedia.com Advertising Sales Jennifer Heintzelman 815-632-2502 jheintzelman@shawmedia.com The Tri-County Press, Ogle County News and oglecountynews.com are a division of Shaw Media. Ogle County Newspapers also prints the Mt. Morris Times, Forreston Journal and Oregon Republican Reporter. The TRI-COUNTY PRESS (USPS No. 638-530) is published weekly by B.F. Shaw Printing Co., Shaw Media. Periodical postage paid at Polo, Illinois. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to SHAW MEDIA, P.O. Box 598, Sterling, IL 61081 All rights reserved. Copyright 2024

Photo provided by Beth Nelson Chase

Mt. Morris High School’s Class of 1973 held its reunion July 1-2, 2023. Sitting or kneeling (from left) are Mike Hanes, Julie Condit Roinson, Andria Thorngren Burchett, Marilyn Slater Robinson, Barbara Herman Deemer, Faith Thomas Cashman, Beth Nelson Chase and Lynette Bevington Williams. Second row: Allan Patton, Chris Mann, Debbie Cline, Peggy Brinker Regan, Mindy Mearns Thomas, Jackie Palmer Gibson, Patty Johnston Watson, Bonnie Lawson Inskeep, Dawn Cline Burke and Ted Pittenger. Third row: Dan Deaconson, Ray Kinderman, Don Scheffler, Joel Swedberg, Matthew Reckmeyer, Bob Hanson, Voncile Tice Carlson, Jim Buell, Dawn Ballard Siekman and Charles Beard. Fourth row: Kim Butler, Dennis Graf, Wayne Light, Mike Anderson, Rory Rosenbalm, Dale Harshaw, Charles Beard, Steve Lantz and Stuart Tony.

LOCAL NEWS BRIEF Ogle County Historical Society to meet Jan. 22 in Oregon

The Ogle County Historical Society will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22.

The meeting will be at the carriage house annex building (behind the Nash House Museum) at 111 N. Sixth St. in Oregon.

“We are seeking new membership support and have many opportunities to volunteer in 2024,” said Michal Burnett, club member.

a handpicked book, magazine, DVD and some fun activities. Complete the registration form online at www.oregonpubliclibrary.com or stop in the library to complete one. Oregon library patrons only. Craft Swap 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27 What is a craft swap? It’s when you gather the craft supplies, materials, tools and accessories that have been in your craft room collecting dust and give them away to someone who will use them. You know the phrase “one person’s trash is another’s treasure?” It definitely applies to crafting. You may have been hanging onto items for years, but someone might be able to use it. So bring your items to the library Jan. 25 and 26. Then come back and shop the swap Jan. 27. If you’d like any items back after the swap that

were not taken, please label them with your name and phone number. Lego Club (new day, new time) 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23. For second grade and older. Registration is required. Book Clubs Books on Tap Book Club meets at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, at Cork & Tap to discuss “Mad Honey” by Jodi Picoult. Is This Just Fantasy? Book Club will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, at the library to discuss “The Stardust Thief” by Chelsea Abdullah. The 2WBC meets at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14, to discuss “Lovely Bones” by Alice Sebold. Cocktails & Crimes will meet at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18. Pick up your book to find out where the club will meet.

OREGON LIBRARY Story Time (18 months to 6 years) 10 a.m. Mondays. Stories, activities and fun. Go online or call to register. Find A Character Ticket! What is a Character Ticket? A Character Ticket represents an image of a character from that specific book. Character Tickets will be hidden in books in the children/youth book collection. After you check out a book and find a Character Ticket in the book, you may adopt that character doll and take it home. Open to Oregon Public Library cardholders only. May adopt only once. Winter Blues Bundle Through Feb. 15 Not sure what to read or do, or do you need something to keep you busy during these cold winter months? How about the Winter Blues Bundle. Each bundle will have

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Despite snow, wind, sub-zero temps, Sarah Wright is well-prepared By EARLEEN HINTON

ehinton@shawmedia.com OREGON – Sarah Wright appreciates the outpouring of concern and help area residents have bestowed upon her after learning she and her dog have been staying in a tent at Lowden State Park. But she does not want anyone to risk their own well-being to try to help her, and more important, she wants everyone to know she is not a novice to camping – even when the Sarah Wright temperatures dip below zero and Mother Nature lets loose with a foot of snow. “I am an experienced camper,” she said Monday in a text message. “I noticed people wanting to come visit me in dangerous weather and wanting to share [my] experience, which is good if prepared. I don’t want people thinking you can just get a tent and Walmart gear and start living in a tent.” Wright, whose plight has been publicized on social media, this publica-

Earleen Hinton

Sarah Wright’s tent, seen on Sunday, Jan. 14, weathered the weekend snowstorm. tion and Rockford TV stations, said she has camped “primitively” before and is well-prepared for winter weather. Friday’s winter storm dropped between 10 to 14 inches of snow across the region, followed by wind gusts and sub-zero temperatures on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, raising concern from Wright’s online followers. Inside her tarp-covered tent, Wright has cots, propane heaters and a small cooking area. She keeps water in jugs, collected from one of the park’s public drinking faucets, and has access to electricity at the campsite. The 69-year-old has been living in a

tent with her dog Luna at Lowden since October. Throughout the spring, summer and fall she alternated between the area’s state parks while trying to find rental property that will allow her to keep her pets. She previously lived in Polo before the apartment building she was living in was cited by the city as unfit for human occupancy and has since been slated for demolition. Because of Luna and her three cats, Wright has been unable to find rental housing that allows tenants to have four pets. Her cats are staying with a friend in Polo while Wright and Luna stay at Lowden. On Saturday, the temperature

inside the tent was 65 degrees, but Sunday night it fell to 57 degrees. Still, not a problem, Wright said. “We are doing great so far,” she said Monday. “Overnight, the temperature got to 57 degrees. I have a second heater going now in the foyer to keep my water from freezing.” Preparation and experience have been key to Wright’s success. She rests and sleeps in her sleeping bag when the mercury falls. “I love primitive lifestyle, which was to save money and keep my cats,” she said. “But not forever. I thank the community for their help and ongoing support.” Many area residents have reached out to Wright to help her secure better accommodations. Brad Parkinson of Oregon gave Wright a 1995 cargo van and a 1975 camping trailer after he met Wright while he was walking his dogs at the state park. He even covered the cost of the title and registration transfer and six months insurance for the van. The van and camper are just steps in helping her get back on her feet as she searches for a new, permanent residence, he said. Cash donations can be made to help Wright at the Oregon NAPA store, where Parkinson works as a driver. Wright has all the parts to repair the 8-foot-by-13-foot Cascade camper and will get help from other local residents to get the repairs made once the weather breaks.

With the weather dangerously cold, schools opt for remote learning Jan. 16 By EARLEEN HINTON

ehinton@shawmedia.com The Martin Luther King Jr. holiday got a bit longer thanks to the weather. Well, sort of. Oregon School District officials announced late Monday afternoon that because of the extreme cold continuing throughout Tuesday students would have a remote learning day Jan. 16. On Friday, Jan. 12, all Ogle County school districts opted for either a remote learning day or a snow day after a winter storm warning was forecast for the region. The storm delivered 10 to 12 inches of snow and on Saturday and Sunday brisk winds arrived causing drifting snow and the cancellation of athletic and other extracurricular events. That weather pattern was followed by sub-zero temperatures that produced a low of -14 at night and a high of -3 on Sunday. On Monday, sub-zero temperatures caused the cancellation of a girls basketball tournament at Byron High School, the rescheduling of the boys bowling regional to Wednesday and the postponement of the Big Northern Conference Music Festival. Late Monday afternoon, Polo school officials posted this statement on their website: “Due to the windchill warning and dangerously low tempera-

Earleen Hinton

A bench along Brayton Road in Mt. Morris is covered with snow Saturday, Jan. 13. tures, Polo Community Unit School District 222 will have an e-learning day on Tuesday, Jan. 16. Based upon the warning ending at noon and changing to an advisory, activities are still tentatively planned.” Forrestville Valley posted on its website that all classes were canceled. Byron Superintendent Buster Barton posted this statement on the district’s website: “Dear Byron families, due to the dangerously cold weather, the Byron

School District will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, Jan. 16. All activities scheduled for the day will also be canceled. Stay warm and stay safe.” Meridian School District Assistant Superintendent Joe Mullikin posted this message to parents: “Good evening. Tomorrow, Tuesday, Jan. 16, Meridian CUSD 223 schools will not be physically in session due to dangerously low windchill forecasts. We will have a remote learning day, similar to this past week. Over the weekend and throughout the day today, our leadership team has been in contact, checking buildings, running buses and communicating with local school districts and road commissioners. Anytime we see a windchill below -20, we are on high alert, and when it begins to dip below -25 to -30, we begin discussions of closing. “[Tuesday], there are projections of between -33 and -38 during pickup in the a.m. and remain there through noon. This means frostbite could occur in a matter of minutes. Athletic competitions (girls basketball and scholastic bowl) are still planned to go unless temperatures or weather deteriorate. Optional practices may still be held on an individual sport basis. Please contact coaches or our athletic director, Mr. Henry Robison, for more information. I know that this is not ideal, but I believe it is in the best interest of our students and staff’s safety.”

OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, January 19, 2024

Experienced winter camper says she’s doing fine 3

Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, January 19, 2024

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

4 LOCAL HISTORY

Snow day prompts dive into Finkle family file

This is one of those days when the snow has been coming down for hours, school has been called off, the wind is really blowing and no one is going anywhere. At least when we lived in the country no one was going anywhere. I look outside and I am amazed that people are still running around. I remember the time years ago when we were in a similar situation and Kenneth and his brother-in-law, Don Heins, decided to take a jaunt up the road to see how bad the roads really were. It was not long before they were stuck and had to be pulled out. We never let them forget that day. On a day like this, you stay home. At least in the country, you stay home! So here I am in town now and watching as the snow gets deeper and

POLO HISTORY Betty Obendorf deeper. I would like to venture out on my patio with a ruler to stick into the snow on the table but I do not even dare do that. I know it is several inches but at 91 years, I know better than to set one foot outside. What a day this is. Instead I am in my chair wading through the Finkle family file of 97 pages. Linda has been working on this for several weeks and finally has completed it. She brought it over for me to read and then we will place it in our museum in a notebook in our genealogy section. But we are puzzled over Lawrence,

the first child of Adam Finkle and Sarah Van Dusen. Was he married three or four times? What is in my file at the museum and what Linda is finding has conflicting answers. We do not know who placed the genealogy in the museum many years ago. Maybe the family can figure it out. When a family genealogy is placed on the web or even with the Mormons, it sometimes can be inaccurate. The only way to change it is to submit another genealogy and the family will decide which is correct. I am still looking for Lawrence Finkle’s obituary of 1912. I was familiar with the Finkle family because Mike from North Dakota in 2009 emailed me wanting the obituaries of Harry Edward Finkle and James Leslie Finkle. They were World

War I veterans and Mike was doing a book of World War I veterans who had at some point lived in Ransom County, North Dakota. At that time I found what he wanted and also put him in touch with Lyle Schyver, who is a genealogist. Someone from the Finkle family married a Schryver. So Lyle has a connection to that family. All the information from that inquiry was then tucked away until recently. Now we have 97 pages of Finkles thanks to Linda. We have to hope that what is on the internet is correct. Sometimes that is not the case. Putting families together is not an easy task.

• Betty Obendorf is a retired teacher and volunteer for the Polo Historical Society.

Booklet offers insight into Oregon’s past residents By OTTO DICK The following was written by E.L. Reed in his booklet about Oregon, Illinois: “Across from us was what is now known as Mix Park. Commencing at the city limits on Second Street was a block of small houses, which might be used to testify the virtues of America as a melting pot for it contained nearly every kind of emigrant. I remember the old saying a dollar a day is good pay for those who worked on the railroad. John Mahoney, who worked on the section gang, was a fine old Irishman who drifted into Oregon and was not highly paid. He raised a family of boys and girls that were a credit to this town.” John Ripplinger, a German immigrant and harness maker, lived in a

Photo provided by Otto Dick

The front page of a booklet highlighting the views along the Rock River was written by E. L. Reed. small house west of John Mahoney. At the southwest corner of the now Mix Park was the home of Thomas Goings. Tommy was a Black liveryman and a highly respected and straightforward business man. I never heard any racial

intolerance being brought against Tommy or his wife. Stephen Brayton lived across the street, an old soldier and a highly respected citizen. Old Donald McDonald, a Scottish man with an interesting family who also worked on the railroad, had a highly developed sense of humor. The men listed in this paragraph are just a sample of those who lived in paper town. It’s interesting that each one is referred to by the country they lived in before coming to Oregon. In those days, city water mains hadn’t been extended to the south part of the city and as a result the old town well was the gathering place of dwellers of paper town. This was the daily gathering place where they carted drinking water home and drove their horses and cows

there to quench their thirst. Fifth Street, from the depot to the block south of Hill Street, had not a single house at that time. However, on the east side of the street was a row of small houses. The site of the present Mix Park used to be our playground and it was the place where circuses always pitched their tents. I have carried water for the elephants and one of my liveliest recollections was an old monkey that was given to me to keep quiet while they were setting up the tent. I will never forget how he twined his arms about my neck and cried if I left him for a moment.

• Otto Dick is a retired teacher and has researched Ogle County history for several years.

Residents can recycle old electronic items Jan. 26 in Oregon SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com

OREGON – If Santa brought you a new TV and computer on Christmas and you cannot find a place for your old ones, the Ogle County Solid Waste Management Department can help. OCSWMD is hosting a residential electronics recycling event from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, at 909 Pines Road in Oregon.

The event is for Ogle County residents only and a free permit is required in advance. To obtain a free permit, call 815-7324020 or email solidwaste@oglecountyil.gov and provide your name, address, phone number and email address by 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25. Accepted items include TVs and computer monitors, computers, computer hardware and cables, laptops, tablets, cellphones, printers, FAX

machines, scanners, shredders (no tubs), copiers, video gaming equipment, VCRs, cable/satellite boxes, stereo equipment, radios, digital clocks, cameras, calculators, phone systems, holiday light strands, extension cords, rechargeable batteries, printer ink cartridges, CD/DVDs and CFL bulbs. Microwave ovens will be accepted for $5 per unit (cash or check). There is a limit of seven large or bulky items per permit and one permit

per county household per month. Business or institutional electronic materials are not accepted at these events. Those electronics are accepted by the OCSWMD via a separate program. Call 815-732-4020 for more information and pricing for business electronic recycling and to make an appointment for dropping off materials. For more information about the recycling event, visit www.oglecountyil.gov.

Photos by Earleen Hinton

ABOVE: Ava Perez, 7, of Oregon, smiles Jan. 12 as she rides her sled down the sledding hill at Oregon Park West. ABOVE RIGHT: Layla Mason, 5, of Oregon, falls out of her sled midway down the sledding hill at

Oregon Park West. The Jan. 12 snowstorm brought more than 6 inches of snow to Ogle County by late afternoon, creating difficult driving conditions for motorists, but plenty of fun for kids. RIGHT: Layla Mason, 5, of Oregon, yells as she slides down the sledding hill at Oregon Park West. FAR RIGHT: Jace Schwarz, 10, of Oregon, hits a bump and grabs some air as he rides his saucer sled at Oregon Park West.

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5 OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, January 19, 2024

Snow fun for some in Oregon

Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, January 19, 2024

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

Highway department fights through winter storm By EARLEEN HINTON

ehinton@shawmedia.com OREGON – If you’ve been having trouble keeping your driveway clear of snow, imagine having 270 miles to worry about. That’s how many miles of roads the Ogle County Highway Department is responsible for clearing when Mother Nature drops her fluffy white stuff. “We are encouraging everyone to stay off the roads if they can,” Ogle County Highway Engineer Jeremy Ciesiel said Friday, Jan. 12. “It just keeps snowing. As soon as we get a road clear, it gets covered again.” Ciesel was out checking the roads at 6 a.m. Jan. 12 after the department’s trucks started plowing at 3:30 a.m. “This morning it was drifting and the visibility was terrible,” he said. “And when the winds pick back up tonight, it will drift again.” The department has 10 plow trucks, two one-on trucks and two motor graders at their disposal. Drivers hit the road at 3:30 a.m. and end their shifts at 6 p.m. “We only have one shift,” Ciesel said. “We will pull the plows off at 6 p.m. tonight and they will start again at 3:30 a.m. tomorrow. They need to get some rest.” Longtime employee Dave Boehle was busy Jan. 12 at the highway department south of Oregon filling his truck’s auxiliary fuel tank before heading out to refuel the larger plow trucks. Boehle, who manages the plow drivers for the department, refuels the trucks working closer to Oregon while other trucks plowing further out from the county refill elsewhere. The trucks can run about eight hours on 65 gallons of fuel, Boehle said. Ciesiel reminds motorists that even small amounts of snow can make driving challenging, especially in rural areas.

“Drifting from blowing snow tends to be patchy,” he said. “Long stretches of clean pavement can lead to a false sense of security. It can be clear and then all of a sudden there’s a drift.” He urged motorists to slow down and allow for more time and space to bring their vehicle to a stop. He also asked for motorists to be patient with those working to remove the snow and ice from the roadways and to never follow a plow closely. “They are spreading salt and ice abrasives. It is also wise to slow down when passing a plow in the opposite direction,” he said. And don’t venture out unless you absolutely have to. “If you don’t need to travel, please stay off the roadways,” he said.

ABOVE: Two

vehicles are barely seen as they traverse Pines Road west of Oregon as snow falls Friday, Jan. 12. LEFT: Ogle County Highway employee Dave Boehle fills a fuel supply on his truck before heading out to refuel plow trucks Friday, Jan. 12. Photos by Earleen Hinton

Illinois Department of Transportation busy clearing roads with graders, plows FAR LEFT: An Illinois

Department of Transportation grader uses a side plow to move snow from the edge of the eastbound lane of state Route 64 on Saturday, Jan. 13.LEFT: An Illinois Department of Transportation snowplow heads south on state Route 2, north of Oregon, on Friday, Jan. 12. Photos by Earleen Hinton

Braving the elements

States Postal Service employee Val Villarreal delivers mail along Lincoln Street in Mt. Morris on Jan. 13. She was forced to walk in the street for most of her route because portions of sidewalks were not shoveled.

Photos by Earleen Hinton

ABOVE: A customer pulls his cart across the snow-covered parking lot at the Oregon SuperValu grocery

store Friday, Jan. 12, in Oregon. Store owner Jim Kaufman and another employee were shoveling the entrance to the store and went over to help the man. LEFT: Kaufman shovels in an attempt to keep the entrance of his Oregon SuperValu grocery store clear of snow.

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OGLE COUNTY NEWS

Letter-sound knowledge essential to improving reading This concludes a series of columns that looked at reading fluency and what it means to be a fluent reader. First, we looked at the three components of fluency: rate, accuracy and reading with expression. We also considered that fluency plays an important role in understanding what is read or reading comprehension. Next, we started to look at the knowledge and skills that must be in place for children to become fluent readers. The importance of phonemic awareness or the ability to hear and change sounds in words is one foundational area. Another closely related skill that is also vital is knowing the names and most frequent sounds of the letters of the alphabet as well as how to write them. For this month, we will consider a third skill area of knowing the patterns and sounds of letter combinations beyond just alphabet knowledge.

READING MATTERS Mary Gardner The 26 letters of the English alphabet represent about 44 sounds or phonemes. Many letters stand for more than one sound and combinations of letters create additional sounds. To be able to decode, or sound out, words quickly and automatically, we have to learn the letter-sound patterns. We know that this learning is developmental. Initially, children learn about common letter patterns such as two or three consonants next to each other in words that make blends. Examples would be the “st” in stop or in fast. Each of those letter sounds is heard. Another set of patterns learned early are consonant digraphs. These

are mostly two-letter combinations that represent a different sound than the letters individually. Common digraphs include “sh,” “ch” and “th.” An additional early letter pattern children learn about is called CVC – consonant-vowel-consonant – words. They are the most consistent in our language as the vowel reliably represents the short sound. Examples are cat, sit, bed, not and cut. From there, children learn about more complex letter-sound patterns. Long vowel patterns make up a big share of this stage. There are many to learn from the silent final e patterns to the various vowel teams such as ee, oa, ea, ai and ay. Another group is called r-controlled vowels such as ar, ir, er, or and ur. These are followed by more complex letter patterns such as ou, oi, au and aw, for example. Learning these letter-sound patterns matters for decoding – sounding

out – words in text and for spelling words when we write. Consider the connection between the three components we’ve discussed: phonemic awareness – being able to hear and change sounds in words; alphabet knowledge – knowing the names and most common sound for each letter; and letter-sound knowledge – the letter-sound patterns of English. These skills must be in place so that reading is automatic, which is necessary for a child to be a fluent reader. Keep reading to and with your children and grandchildren as you notice the ways they are learning about letters and sounds in all stages of reading development.

• Mary Gardner is a retired teacher who specialized in reading and is still an instructor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Northern Illinois University.

Byron museum to host Eagle’s Nest Art Group works February-March SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com

BYRON – The Byron Museum of History will host an art exhibit of work by members of the Eagle’s Nest Art Group with an opening reception from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10. Several artists will be on hand to welcome visitors. The exhibit will remain on display through Saturday, March 30. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays at 110 N. Union St., Byron. The museum’s exhibits and the twomonth art show are open to the public free of charge. “This year’s Eagle’s Nest Art Group show features oil, watercolor and acrylic paintings as well as photography and glass art plus other 3-D art. It will be an extensive show of the work of local artists from Oregon, Byron, Rockford, Sycamore, Rochelle, Rock Falls, Sterling, Dixon, Forreston, Mt. Morris, Ashton and Polo,” ENAG member Marsha Behrens said. ENAG, founded in 1957, has

a full schedule of art events, workshops and shows and will have materials available at the museum for all who are interested in learning more about this community of artists and its activities, Behrens said. “The group welcomes artists of any level of experience. There are Thursday sessions at the ENAG studio in Conover Square and summer outdoor painting sessions offered to all members,” Behrens said. For more information about ENAG, call 815-732-7783 or visit Facebook at Eagle’s Nest Art Group, Oregon, Illinois. The permanent collections of the Byron Museum of History as well as the historic Read House, which is a listed Underground Railroad site on the National Park Service’s Network of Freedom, are open to the public throughout the year. The museum is dedicated to preserving the rich history of the Byron area through exhibits, programs and artifact preservation. To learn more about the museum and its events, visit byronmuseum.org or call 815-234-5031.

Photo provided by Marsha Behrens

The Byron Museum of History will show work by members of the Eagle’s Nest Art Group. An opening reception will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10.

LOCAL NEWS BRIEF St. Mary’s Church to host game day, luncheon Feb. 9

OREGON – The Catholic Daughters of St. Mary’s Church in Oregon will be

hosting a Game Day and Luncheon from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9. Cards and board games will be available or you can bring your own.

Salads, rolls and butter, dessert and coffee, tea and lemonade will be served at noon. Cost is $10 in advance or $12 at the door.

The St. Mary Parish Center is located at 881 N. Mongan Drive. Tickets can be bought from any CDA member or at the Parish Center; call 815-732-7383.

Hill Street Neighborhood receives rezoning recommendation 9 MOUNT MORRIS – Mount Morris took another step toward construction of a neighborhood that would “flip the script” on disability services in Illinois, but not before about two hours of community discussion. A request to rezone 22.83 acres of land on which the proposed Hill Street Neighborhood would be located went before the Mount Morris Planning Commission on Jan. 8. More than 20 residents attended to hear a presentation and ask questions. The estimated $10 million, multiphase Hill Street Neighborhood is the work of the Village of Progress and Kreider Services and would be built in the northeast corner of Mount Morris. Both organizations, based in Oregon and Dixon, respectively, serve

developmentally disabled individuals. Phase one of the project involves building a community center and 12 duplexes, half of which would be for individuals with developmental disabilities, said Brion Brooks, Village of Progress executive director. The other dozen apartments would be low-income housing. “We want this to be an integrated, regular old subdivision,” said Jeff Stauter, Kreider Services executive director. “One of the things, if you work with people with disabilities, the desire is strong to have a very normal, boring, regular life and not live in an isolated place, an isolated neighborhood.” Disabled residents would get to choose their own service provider and, with the help of a coordinator, decide for themselves what services they need, when they need them and how they’re delivered, Brooks said.

Mount Morris Planning Commission members voted 4-0-2 to recommend that village trustees rezone the property to R-2 multifamily residential, grant a special-use permit for a community building and provide a conditional-use permit for a park. Planning Commission members Sylvia Saunders and Salley Wessels abstained. Wessels spent several minutes considering her vote before deciding to abstain. She said she doesn’t think the neighborhood is a bad idea but was concerned about the uncertainty of what costs the village would incur related to things such as street maintenance and the practicality of developing a park. Saunders did not provide a reason for abstaining. “I think it’s extraordinary,” Plan-

OBITUARY

LOCAL NEWS BRIEF

SHARON K. COX

USDA protects rural housing in Freeport after Sorensen’s plea

Evangelical Free Church, Mt. Morris, IL. Sharon is survived by her children: Randy Born: July 21, 1938 (Melinda) Cox, Jeff (Peg) Cox, and Mike Cox Died: January 11, 2024 all of Mt. Morris, IL, daughter: Jolene (Lee) Turner, Waukesha, WI; grandchildren: Marc MT. MORRIS, (Sarah) Cox, Allie (Jacob) Turner-Remmers, IL - Sharon K. Cox, Maddie (Mike) Ray, Sam Turner, Miranda Cox, age 85, passed Travis Cox, Jacob Cox, and Zac Cox; great away peacefully on grandchildren: Teion and Zada Pye, Henry and Thursday, January Charlie Turner-Remmers, and Willow Cox; 11, 2024 in Pinecrest Manor Nursing Home, sister: Patricia Kump, Oregon, IL. Sharon is preceded in death by her parents; Mt. Morris, IL. She husband: Karl; and grandson: Landon Turner. was born on July 21, 1938 in Oregon, IL in her Funeral services will be held on Friday grandmother’s home; the daughter of Edward January 19, 2024 in Finch Funeral Home, Burnell & Margaret Jane (Reid) Wagaman. 405 East Hitt, Mt. Morris, IL, at 11:00 a.m. Sharon graduated from Mt. Morris High School. Sharon married Karl Cox on February with Rev. Bruce McKanna officiating. Burial will be held in Fairmount Cemetery, Polo, IL. 21, 1958 in Oregon, IL, and he preceded her Visitation will be held on Friday January 19, in death on March 15, 2010. She worked in 2024 in Finch Funeral Home from 10:00 a.m. the accounting department at Kable News until service time. Company, Mt. Morris, IL retiring on August Memorials to the Mt. Morris Evangelical 29, 2003. Free Church. Sharon was a member of the Mt. Morris

FREEPORT – U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Rockford, is applauding a decision by the Department of Agriculture to allow the city of Freeport to continue receiving vital housing resources under the agency’s rural development programs. The announcement came after Sorensen urged the USDA to maintain Freeport’s eligibility for the programs in June. “I’m proud to help Freeport secure this win that will result in more working families achieving the dream of homeownership,” said Sorensen, who serves Illinois’ 17th District. “As Freeport’s trusted neighbor in Congress, I will always make sure our rural communities in northern Illinois aren’t left behind.” Freeport’s population of almost 24,000

I think it’s extraordinary. I think the village would really benefit from such a project.” Jon Murray, Mount Morris Planning Commission member

ning Commission member Jon Murray said. “I think the village would really benefit from such a project.” The property on which the Hill Street Neighborhood would be is owned by David Luepkes. It is used for farming and is zoned I-1 light industrial. Luepkes wrote a letter in support of the project, noting his willingness to sell the land once the Illinois Housing Development Authority fully approves the plan.

exceeds the 20,000 threshold to be designated as “rural in nature” for USDA’s Rural Development Loan Programs. As a result, Freeport was slated to become ineligible for many vital services, including the 502 Guaranteed Loan Program. After Sorensen urged the USDA for an exception, the department decided to maintain Freeport’s eligibility. Just recently, $139,000 was announced for repair services to about 10 homeowners of single-family homes in Freeport. The 502 Guaranteed Loan Program helps low- and moderate-income households in rural areas make homeownership a reality. The loan is often the only option for buying or improving a home in rural communities where access to financing is limited. – Shaw Local News Network

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OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, January 19, 2024

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Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, January 19, 2024

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

Wildlife adapts to wintry weather

Photos by Earleen Hinton

ABOVE: Canada geese sit on the Rock River on Sunday, Jan. 14, as temperatures plunged to -13 through the night and remained below zero throughout the day. ABOVE LEFT: A bird lands on a snow-covered feeder on Sunday, Jan. 14. LEFT: A goldfinch eats a sunflower seed on Sunday, Jan. 14.

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11 OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, January 19, 2024

Photos by Earleen Hinton

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OGLE COUNTY NEWS

12 Trial starts for Hillcrest man charged with sexual assault of child By EARLEEN HINTON

ehinton@shawmedia.com OREGON – The jury trial for a Hillcrest man charged with predatory criminal sexual assault of a child began Tuesday with jury selection. Jody T. Willis, 47, is charged with assaulting a girl younger than 13 between 2006 and 2008. He was arrested in March 2021 after an August 2020 investigation by the Ogle County Sheriff’s Department. Willis has been free on $250,000

bond since his arrest. Willis, who was a Rochelle firefighter at the time of his arrest, also is charged with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, which prosecutors allege occurred in 2007-2008 and 2013-2014. Willis and his attorneys, Russell Crull and Eric Arnquist of Rochelle, appeared before Judge John “Ben” Roe on Thursday along with Assistant State’s Attorneys Matthew Leisten and Heather Kruse. Jury selection began at 9 a.m. Tuesday and took the entire day to

complete, with 19 potential jurors excused either by the judge, defense or prosecution during the questioning process. A panel of 45 people were summoned to appear for jury service, with 35 reporting early Tuesday morning. The jury of seven women and five men, along with two alternates, began hearing testimony Wednesday in the Ogle County Judicial Center in Oregon. The trial is expected to last three days. On Jan. 11, Roe sealed the case file

after a defense motion by Crull argued information should not be made available to the public – including arguments concerning defense motions in limine – made prior to the trial. The purpose of a motion in limine (Latin for “on the threshold”) is to determine whether certain evidence may be presented to the jury. Motions in limine are commonly entered and argued before a trial begins, allowing evidentiary questions to be decided by the judge.

Man accused of sexual assault in Polo Continuance granted for Oregon man accused of possessing images appears in court with new attorney of sexual abuse of children By EARLEEN HINTON

ehinton@shawmedia.com

By EARLEEN HINTON

ehinton@shawmedia.com OREGON – A status hearing for an Oregon man charged with possessing images of child sexual abuse was continued Jan. 11 as officials wait for the results of a court-ordered evaluation. Kris D. Stubblefield, 32, is charged with possessing videos of children engaged in sex acts. Charging documents said all of the children were younger than 13 and some were as Kris D. Stubblefield young as 3. Documents indicate the offenses occurred in August and October 2023. Stubblefield was arrested Oct. 21, 2023, by Ogle County sheriff’s deputies after a monthslong investigation and search of his home prompted by a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Stubblefield has pleaded not guilty to all eight charges and appeared in court on Thursday, Jan. 11, before Judge John “Ben” Roe with his attorney, public defender Michael O’Brien, and Ogle county Assistant State’s Attorney Heather Kruse. O’Brien told the court he was waiting on the results of a second meeting Stubblefield had with the evaluator and asked the hearing be continued. “The second meeting by the evaluator was done this morning,” O’Brien said. “We are asking for a Jan. 22 date.” Kruse did not object to the continuance. Roe set the next status hearing for 1:30 p.m. Jan. 22. Stubblefield has been held in the Ogle County Correctional Center since

his arrest, but has requested numerous times to be released from custody as his case proceeds through the court system. In December, Roe ordered an evaluation of Stubblefield and denied his request to be released from jail in order to serve as a caregiver for his ailing grandfather. O’Brien said Stubblefield’s incarceration was a hardship on his family since he would be providing caregiving services to his grandfather if he were released. Kruse argued to keep Stubblefield in custody, citing reports from the Illinois attorney general and the sheriff’s office that he is a registered juvenile sex offender and was in possession of more than 1,500 images on his phone of children engaged in sex acts with adults and some with other children. She said his conviction as a juvenile was for aggravated criminal sexual assault of a child younger than 9 years of age. Roe said Stubblefield is charged with “criminal acts involving the internet,” which would be difficult to restrict or monitor if he were to be released. On Jan. 11, Roe again denied Stubblefield’s motion to be released. That decision marked the fifth time a judge has rejected his request. Stubblefield also filed an appeal of an Oct. 24 decision by Judge Clayton Lindsey after one of his first court appearances on the charges. That appeal was denied Dec. 15 by the Appellate Court of the 4th District. Stubblefield’s attorneys have argued for his release, citing his cooperation with law enforcement, adding that he had not tried to elude law enforcement in any way and has no history of violence.

OREGON – A man accused of sexually assaulting a teenager in Polo in 2022 appeared in court Jan. 10 with a new attorney. Armon D. Pearson, 23, of Markham, is charged with the criminal sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl in Polo on Dec. 13, 2022. He appeared in court Jan. 10 with his attorney, Ryan Irwin. Irwin told Judge Clayton Lindsey that he planned to file a motion for discovery and asked for a continuance. Discovery motions are filed by defense attorneys in the pretrial phase seeking information prosecutors have that is related to the charged offense. Assistant State’s Attorney Matthew Leisten did not object to the continuance. Lindsey set Pearson’s next court appearance for 10 a.m. Feb. 7. An arrest warrant was first issued in July, when the charge was filed, and Pearson’s bond was set at $150,000, meaning he would have to post 10%, or $15,000, to be released. Pearson was arrested Dec. 22 and first appeared in court Dec. 26, and again Dec. 27, in shackles and handcuffs wearing an orange jumpsuit issued to Ogle County Correctional Center inmates. At that hearing, Leisten argued that Pearson should not be released from custody because criminal sexual assault qualifies as a “detainable offense.” In making his argument to Judge John Redington, Leisten said police reports indicated that the assault took place on the south end of Polo about 10:52 p.m., at or near the Village Inn Motel. Leisten said the victim told police that Pearson put his hand over her mouth and said he “would kill her” if she made noise. Leisten said she told

police she was raped twice. Leisten told the court that the girl was taken to KSB for sexual assault testing with those results being sent to the Illinois State Police Crime Lab. Motel records indicated that Pearson had registered for a room for one night on Dec. 13, 2022, Leisten said. When questioned by Chicago Metro Police, Leisten said that Pearson denied knowing the girl or having been in or knowing of Polo or Ogle County. Leisten said Pearson also told Chicago investigators that he had been texting with a Polo girl on the internet with the dating app Plenty of Fish. Leisten said Pearson told police that he thought he had “hooked up” with her and acknowledged they had sex. He said Pearson’s past criminal history included a charge of battery in Kane County in 2020. Ogle County Public Defender Michael O’Brien represented Pearson in court at the detention hearing, arguing that the girl was “unclear” to police on where the alleged assault took place. He argued that Pearson maintains the girl “made the first move.” O’Brien said Pearson was denied a public defender for this case but will lose his job if he is detained. O’Brien asked Redington to consider releasing Pearson with strict conditions. Redington agreed to release Pearson with the conditions that he not have any contact with the alleged victim. “No contact with the minor at all,” Redington told Pearson on Dec. 27. “You cannot see her or text her or email her ... nothing on social media or through someone else. Even if she contacts you.” Redington also told Pearson that he could not be within the city limits of Polo “under any circumstances” while the case is pending.

Proposed ordinance still must get Village Board approval; wouldn’t automatically apply to campus buildings By ALEXA ZOELLNER

azoellner@shawmedia.com MOUNT MORRIS – An additional zoning option for buildings on Mount Morris’ historic campus that would allow them to be used as limited shortterm rental units passed inspection by the Planning Commission. On Jan. 8, the Mount Morris Planning Commission unanimously voted to recommend that village trustees amend the zoning ordinance to include C-3: Campus Business District. The vote followed a brief public hearing on

the matter. “What we’re looking at is a zoning that is specific to the square area of the campus,” Planning Commission Chairman Jeff Bold said. “It doesn’t even cross the street.” The proposed zoning option would not automatically apply to campus buildings. Instead, building owners first would have to petition the Planning Commission and the Mount Morris Village Board and go through a public hearing to have the property rezoned to C-3: Campus Business District. Currently, the campus buildings are zoned C-1: General Business District. The ordinance defines a short-term rental as “a separate dwelling unit located within a multi-unit building that has its own sleeping, kitchen and bathroom facilities and is rented for a fee for less than 30 consecutive days

and no more than 60 days in a 12-month period to the same occupant. Shortterm rentals include vacation rentals.” Each floor of a building zoned C-3 can have a maximum of two short-term rentals or apartments, according to the ordinance. “It’s designed to be something that, say, someone comes to a concert on a Friday night, they could book the rental for the evening,” Bold said. “We think that’s potentially an attractive use of that property and beneficial to the community because we have very little [lodging options].” Apartments could not be located on the first floor of a campus building, even with C-3 zoning, but can be on the second floor and above, he said. There could be no more than two apartments per floor, Bold said. During the public hearing, a com-

munity member asked whether such a zoning option might inadvertently provide a place for “fly-by-night drug addicts” to stay for extended periods of time. Village President Phil Labash, who attended the meeting as a citizen, said village trustees will retain the ability to reject a landowner’s request to rezone their property to C-3. “You’re looking at [rental] fees from $150 to $200 a night,” Labash said. “The folks you’re talking about, for a 30-day period, probably wouldn’t be able to afford $6,000. If the plan was to rent the room for $10 a night, I can assure you, that’d be a no-go [from the Village Board].” The Mount Morris Village Board will review and potentially vote on the proposed ordinance during an upcoming meeting.

Stateline Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference is Feb. 19 in Rockford SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com

ROCKFORD – Blueberries, pumpkins, apples and tomatoes are all on the agenda for the 28th annual Stateline Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference on Monday, Feb. 19, at NIU-Rockford in Rockford. Serving commercial growers that sell to farmers markets, orchards and other direct to consumer channels, the daylong University of Illinois Extension conference provides educational sessions for attendees to learn about best practices for the upcoming season. “I have been privileged to coordinate this established Extension agricultural conference for the last 10 years” said Grant McCarty, Local Foods and Small Farms Educator serving Jo Daviess, Stephenson and Winnebago counties. “Each year, we try to provide sessions that our northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin growers need to hear from

Shaw Local News Network file photo

A conference for local producers of fruit and vegetables is being offered in Rockford on Feb. 19. regarding relevant research and best practices from midwestern university Extension services. While specialists from University of Illinois and University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension provide the core of the program, we have been fortunate to add experts

from Michigan State University and for 2024 will include University of Minnesota for the first time.” The 2024 conference will see a new track of sessions for beginning growers and new farmers in specialty crops production. “We understand growers are busy and can’t always get away for a multi-day conference. This year, we’re thrilled to offer the most diverse lineup of speakers and topics yet – all at the same cost and central location in northern Illinois, made possible by the continued support of our sponsors,” said Sarah Farley, Local Foods and Small Farms Educator serving Lake and McHenry counties. “From cutting-edge research to practical tips, we believe this conference will provide valuable information to both new and experienced growers alike.” The cost for the daylong conference is $35 and $25 for additional employees of the same farm. For more information or to register, visit go.illinois.edu/Stateline2024 or call 815-986-4357.

Public input on transportation network in region sought SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com

ROCKFORD – The Region 1 Planning Council is seeking public input to inform the development of the region’s Metropolitan Transportation Plan for the Rockford region. Members of the public can participate by visiting R1’s Engagement Platform at https:// engager1.mysocialpinpoint.com/. Once on the platform, individuals can participate in an online survey centered around the challenges and quality of the transportation system, as well as how the region should prioritize transportation projects. The public also can participate in Fund It.

Fund It allows individuals to identify specific areas of the region’s transportation system (for example, intersections, safety, bicycle facilities) that are in need of investment and determine the amount of funding that should be allocated to each area. The public’s participation makes it part of the development process by helping to identify the transportation needs, investment priorities and other factors that will shape the transportation network over the next 25 years in Boone, Winnebago and northern Ogle counties.

About MTP

Planning for current and future

transportation needs is essential in ensuring that the Rockford region has a balanced multi-modal transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods. The Metropolitan Transportation Plan for the Rockford region is a federally required document that addresses the transportation system in the Rockford Metropolitan Planning Area consisting of the urbanized portions of Boone, Ogle and Winnebago counties over the next 25 years. The document provides an innovative and sustainable framework for the region’s transportation network. It covers all aspects of the transportation network, including roadways, bicycle facilities, sidewalks,

public transit, traffic safety, traffic signals and more.

About R1

Region 1 Planning Council is a special-purpose, regional government agency. Regional councils are public organizations comprised of local elected officials who promote collaboration among local governments, working across the jurisdictional silos of states, counties and municipalities. A regional council depends on intergovernmental collaboration to foster economic and community growth through planning, research, federal funding and data. For more information, visit http://r1planning.org.

OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, January 19, 2024

Short-term rental on Mount Morris campus OK’d 13

Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, January 19, 2024

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

Commotion, disrespect part of recent sports scenes With weather knocking out high school sports this past weekend, there isn’t much to report on. However, a couple of items in the Rockford area caught my attention. The first was a panic-mode situation at a Guilford at Auburn boys basketball game Jan. 10. According to a report by my colleague Matt Trowbridge of the Rockford Register Star, the incident was sparked by fans who could not get into the sold-out contest. Noise from the commotion created confusion in the gym, causing a mass exodus by terrified fans and players. Rumors of a gunshot proved to be false. Nonetheless, the incident was unsettling in that it wasn’t the first time that Rockford public schools Auburn, East, Guilford and Jefferson have experienced problems at sporting events. Additionally, discipline issues have plagued these NIC-10 schools for decades. Ironically, adults precipitated the latest incident, a reflection of bad behavior by society in towns all over America. How can we expect our children to behave when adults are out of control? The second item is a positive story and also concerns Rockford Guilford basketball. Its head coach Chris Dixon doubles as a pastor besides working a regular job in manufacturing.

GUEST VIEW Andy Colbert Dixon has led Guilford to a conference championship, but more important, he has filled a need for a spiritual path for his players to follow. With more people like Chris Dixon in a position of leadership, there is hope for young people of this country. We hear about an increase in mental health problems that boys and girls are experiencing and the emotional toll it is taking. Many young people see no way out and are desperate for an answer to fear and anxiety. The public sector has taken to secular methods as a means for healing, but Dixon’s message of spirituality holds more promise. A reliance upon God, as lived by coach Dixon, provides strength and a peace of mind. Some of our local schools have a Fellowship of Christian Athletes, whereby kids can share one another’s burdens and offer spiritual encouragement. At the very least, a person is likely being shown his or her purpose in life. And that is to humbly serve others.

With that kind of mindset, I am less likely to create a disturbance in the lobby of a high school gymnasium like what happened at Rockford. While researching an entirely different subject within the Chicago Bears organization, I encountered another Rockford Guilford connection. Carlos Polk, a former Guilford all-state football player who went on to play in the NFL for several years, has the job title of assistant special teams coach for the Bears. The reason I was researching the Bears’ coaching personnel was a news release regarding the firing of several assistants, including offensive coordinator Luke Getsy. The item that piqued my interest most was that of assistant tight end coach being fired. If there is such a thing as assistant tight end coach, how many coaches do the Bears have? Not counting the five that were fired, there were 21 other coaches for a total of 26. That’s one coach for every two players, leading me to believe the old adage about “too many cooks spoiling the broth.” Back to another professional sports news item from Chicago and one that reflects an aforementioned comment about societal bad behavior. The Chi-

cago Bulls had a Ring of Honor ceremony and what stood out most was not roars of approval for former greats but a shower of boos that rained down on the widow of former general manager Jerry Krause. Thelma Krause, who represented her deceased husband, could be seen in tears as obnoxious fans booed when his name was announced. A national columnist decried the scene and blamed our toxic political environment, isolation during the pandemic and the anonymity of social media for the action of the fans. I wholeheartedly disagree. Those are all external factors, which shouldn’t be used as an excuse for bad behavior. The problem stems from inside us, the condition of our heart. Bringing an elderly woman to such a distraught state is a sign of spiritual bankruptcy. If I am being unkind toward others, I need to look at myself first instead of blaming my environment. That is where the love of God can come in and make a much needed change in one’s heart.

• Andy Colbert has been a sports writer for Shaw Media and has covered high school sports in Ogle County for more than 31 years.

SOFTBALL

WRESTLING

Oregon’s Dannhorn competes in tournament in Europe

Hawks defeat Winnebago, North Boone

SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com

OREGON – Oregon High School’s Ella Dannhorn was chosen to represent the U.S. in “The Cup,” an international indoor fast pitch softball tournament. The tournament, which took place Jan. 10-17 in the Netherlands, showcased top-tier high school athletes from around the world. “Ella Dannhorn, a standout athlete within the OCUSD 220 district, has demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication on the softball field, earning her a well-deserved spot on the national team,” Superintendent Tom Mahoney said. “Her selection is a testament to her hard work, talent and the coaching excellence within the Oregon High School athletic program. We are immensely proud of her achievements and we wish her the very best as she competes on the international field.” Dannhorn is a junior at Ore-

gon High School. “The Cup,” a renowned international softball tournament, has a rich history spanning 25 years in the Netherlands. Previous editions were held in Lyon, France. “This premier event brings together elite teams and athletes from various countries, creating an exhilarating atmosphere of competition and camaraderie. Countries participating in the tournament include the Czech Republic, Sweden, Italy, Germany, Belgium, The United Kingdom and the host nation the Netherlands,” according to a news release from the school district. “It’s an incredible honor to represent my country in ‘The Cup.’ I’m grateful for the support of my coaches, teammates and the entire Oregon High School community,” Dannhorn said in the release. “I’m excited to compete against some of the best fast pitch softball players from around the Earleen Hinton file photo world and make lasting memories on this global stage with my Oregon’s Ella Dannhorn throws to first base for an out team.” against Dixon in a 2022 game.

By RANDY HOLLAND

Shaw Local News Network correspondent The Oregon wrestlers traveled to Winnebago for dual meets against the host Indians and the North Boone Vikings and came home with two more team wins. Both teams had low numbers and the Hawks rolled up big scores, taking out the Indians 63-12 and the Vikings 66-10. The rest of the week’s activity was canceled because of the weather. Pinning for the Hawks against North Boone were Landen Elder at 215 with a half nelson at 3:24, Seth Rote at 285 with a chicken wing at 4:19 and Brantley Watts at 144, pulling a chicken wing back at 2:51. Ethan Mowry kept it going at 150 with a counter into a stack at 5:09.

See WRESTLING, page 15

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS ROUNDUP

Eastland 69, Polo 47: The Cougars raced to a 13-2 first-quarter lead and cruised past the Lady Marcos. Eastland was led by Trixie Carroll with 25 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals, Olivia Klinefelter with 21 points and 10 rebounds and Lily Mullen and Sienna Peterson with eight points apiece. Mullen grabbed three steals and dished five assists. Jenica Stoner added nine assists and four rebounds for the Cougars. Camrynn Jones led Polo with 23 points. Forreston 32, Amboy 30: The Cardinals used a 12-7 fourth-quarter run to top the Clippers. Ericka Alexander paced Forreston with 11 points and Elly Bamberg added six points. Amboy was led by Elly Jones with nine points and Addison Pertell with seven points. Eastland 44, Forreston 7: The Cougars seized a 14-1 first-quarter lead and rolled past the Cardinals. Eastland was led by Olivia Klinefelter with 16 points, nine rebounds, four steals and three assists. Lily Mullen added seven points and three steals. Ericka Alexander paced Forreston with four points. Byron 52, Oregon 22: Mya Engelkes scored five points as the Hawks fell in Big Northern Conference play.

Photos by Earleen Hinton

Oregon’s Mya Engelkes dribbles up the sideline as Byron’s Aubrie Fuller defends Jan. 10 at the Blackhawk Center in Oregon.

Boys bowling

points and Xavier Goeddeke and Mickey Probst added eight points each for Forreston.

Amboy was led by Eddie Jones with 12 points and Quinn Leffelman with eight points.

Dixon 3,633, Oregon 3,522: The Hawks finished their dual match season Jan. 11 with an NIBC Conference loss to Dixon at Town & Country Lanes. Oregon was led by Matthew Stahl with a 662 series (244, 208, 210), followed by RJ Keene with a 629 series, Aiden Currier with a 581 series, Gavvin Surmo with a 566 series, Brady Davis with a 557 series and Codey Dunbar with a 531 series. The Hawks ended the regular season with a 14-3 record and two tournament championships. Oregon competed in the IHSA Regional on Wednesday, Jan. 17, in Freeport. The junior varsity completed a perfect 15-0 dual match season with a 2,948-2,806 win over Dixon. The JV was led by Caleb Brooks with a 549 series. Competing at the JV2 level, Landon Bailey had the high score with a 531 series.

into a half nelson in 42 seconds. Nelson Benesh at 113, Jackson Messenger at 120, Dylen Ware at 132 and Landen Battone-Harriet at 138 all collected forfeits. At 126, Preston LaBay was turned in a cradle at 3:47 and Dawson Alcala at 190 dropped a 13-4 major decision. Alcala fought out of a half nelson in the third and stood for an escape to

prevent a bigger score. Pinning against Winnebago were LaBay with a half nelson at 1:12, Mowry on a takedown in a headlock at 1:10, Bauer on a takedown to the back at 1:21 and Glendenning with a stack over the front at 1:05. Benesh, Ware, Battone-Harriet, Watts, Young and Elder took forfeits. Messenger held on for an 8-6 decision.

Rote was pinned in a butcher at 2:47 in the opening match and Alcala was taken down and pinned in a half nelson in 35 seconds in the next to last match. In junior varsity action, Maxx George went over in an arm bar at 1:39 and won a second match with a takedown in a half nelson in 25 seconds. Zayden VandeSand was taken down in a cradle and pinned in 12 seconds.

Boys basketball

Winnebago 59, Oregon 46: The Indians surged ahead with a 20-8 second-quarter run and held off the Hawks in the second half. Oregon was led by Noah Johnson with 14 points and Keaton Salsbury with 13 points. Polo 50, Milledgeville 44: Brock Soltow scored 31 points to lift the Marcos past the Missiles in an NUIC South matchup. Gus Mumford added eight points for Polo. Colton Hendrick led Milledgeville with 17 points. Connor Nye scored 10 points and Micah Toms-Smith added eight points. Forreston 54, Amboy 32: Kendall Erdmann dropped in 25 points as the Cardinals cruised past the Clippers. Brendan Greenfield scored 11

• WRESTLING

Continued from page 14 Anthony Bauer added six points at 157, running a chicken wing at 1:08. Jackson Glendenning added six more points with a scrape at 1:13 in the 165-pound match. Oregon got another pin from Andrew Young at 175 when he worked

Oregon’s Madison Shaffer looks to pass against Byron in the Jan. 10 game.

OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, January 19, 2024

Girls basketball

Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, January 19, 2024

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

16 OGLE COUNTY SHERIFF REPORTS Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle reports the following activity: Jan. 8

Samuel Ortega, 54, of Aurora, was arrested for driving while license suspended. Ortega was taken to the Ogle County jail and held pending a court appearance. Mercedes L. Crockett, 23, of Rockford, was arrested on a no-bond Rockford Police Department warrant for criminal damages after a traffic stop in the 8000 block of north Illinois 251 at 9:37 a.m. Crockett was taken to the Ogle County jail and detained. Deputies, the Rochelle Fire Department and Lynn-Scott-Rock Fire Protection District EMS responded to a single-vehicle crash in the 18000 block of east Illinois Route 64 about 4:45 p.m. An investigation showed Kyle A. Davenport, 20, of Leland, was driving a Chevrolet Silverado west when they exited the north shoulder of the roadway before striking an embankment. Davenport was taken to the Rochelle Community Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Jan. 10

Briann Mccain-Bell, 19, of Rockford, was cited for failure to yield at a stop intersection and driving too fast for

conditions after deputies responded to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Mulford Road and Illinois Route 72 about 9:20 a.m. An investigation showed Mccain-Bell was driving a black Hyundai south on Mulford Road and traveled through the Route 72 intersection without stopping at the stop sign. Rick Phipp, 59, of Cannelton, Indiana, was driving a black Peterbilt semitruck with a trailer of livestock east on Route 72. Phipps was unable to avoid Mccain-Bell’s vehicle and struck its front passenger side. The Peterbilt semitruck then traveled off the south side of the roadway, striking a telephone pole and breaking it in half before coming to rest. Both vehicles sustained heavy front-end damage. Mccain-Bell was taken by Stillman Valley Fire Protection District EMS to OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center for minor injuries. Monroe Township Fire Protection District and ComEd assisted. Kimberly Berlin, 35, of Davis Junction, was cited for expired registration and given a notice to appear for no valid driver’s license after a traffic stop near the Illinois Route 72 and Kilbuck Road intersection about 1:01 p.m. Berlin was given a future court date.

Jan. 11

About 6:30 a.m., deputies responded to a two-vehicle crash in the 1000 block of south Illinois Route 251. An investigation showed Kimberly Baslerwalton, 42, of Oregon, was driving a gray Ford Edge south on Route 251 on the snow-covered road. At the same time, Aisha Maliyabwana‚ 37, of Bowling Green, Kentucky, was driving a white Buick north on Route 251. Maliyabwana lost control in the roadway before traveling into the southbound lane and striking Baslerwalton’s vehicle head-on. Maliyabwana’s Buick came to rest completely in the southbound lane. Baslerwalton’s Ford came to rest partially in the southbound lane and off the west shoulder of the road. Both vehicles sustained heavy damage. Baslerwalton was taken by Rochelle EMS to Rochelle Community Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Maliyabwana was taken by Rochelle EMS to OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center for life-threatening injuries. The crash remains under investigation. Coral Rasmussen, 18, of Forreston, was cited for failure to obey a stop sign and given a notice to appear after deputies and Oregon Fire Protection District and EMS responded to a three-vehicle crash

at the Illinois Route 64 and Chana Road intersection about 6:40 p.m. An investigation showed Rasmussen was driving a Chevrolet Cruze north on Chana Road and at the intersection with Route 64 pulled out in front of an eastbound Kia Soul driven by Nikolai Kowalchuk, 24, of Willowbrook. Rasmussen and Kowalchuk’s vehicles collided, sending Kowalchuk’s Kia into the westbound lane where it struck a Ford Escape driven by Jacob Farbo, 26, of Chana. Kowalchuk was taken to Rochelle Community Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. All other parties were treated by EMS on scene and did not seek further treatment. Jan. 12

At 5 p.m., deputies responded to the 100 block of north Illinois Route 251 for a single-vehicle rollover crash. An investigation showed Alondra Villa-Diaz, 25, of Davis Junction, was driving north, spun out and rolled over into the west ditch. Villa-Diaz and a passenger, Andrea Lopez, 23, of Davis Junction, were taken to Rochelle Community Hospital with suspected minor injuries. Lynn-Scott-Rock Fire Protection District EMS assisted. Charges are accusations and all subjects are presumed innocent unless proved guilty in a court of law.

PROPERTY TRANSFERS Jan. 5-11 Warranty deeds

Ruth E. Robinson to Shawn N. Winterton, 5769 Skinner Road, Byron, $221,400. Ruth E. Robinson to Colton L. Winterton, 5769 Skinner Road, Byron, $221,400. Sherry A. Ditzler to Ryan A. and Mercedes Zuck, 4976 S. Lowell Park Road, Oregon, $228,000. Douglas Howard and Dana L. Hendriksen to Marian Koscielniak, 1058 N. Shadow Wood Drive, Byron, $235,000. Christine H. LaFleur to Oicemen Israel Lopez Rosas and Miguel Martinez Molina, 10120 E. Hickory Ridge Drive, Rochelle, $345,000. Miles G. Floit to Steven and Laura Nuding, 6519 S. Woodlawn Road, Creston, $299,000.

Philip N. Nye Jr. and William P. Fearer III to JChad LLC, 420 W. Fourth Ave., Rochelle, $50,000. Darrin B. Comer to Charles E. Heng, 201 W. Willow St., Forreston, $79,000. Christopher Wittkopp to Drake Peterson, and Kirsten Rae Kendell, 108 N. Perene Ave., Byron, $195,400. The late Linda D. Greenhow by heirs to Jessica Fraser, 5401 N. River Road, Byron, $0. The late Linda D. Greenhow by heirs to Jessica Fraser, 5411 N. River Road, Byron, $0. The late Glenda Jean Bloomingdale by heirs, Charles William Livingston, Jessica Lyn Stewart and Heather Jean Lozzio to John D. Berlin, 111 S. Maple Ave., Davis Junction, $84,000.

Peter Vasilakos to Elizabeth Tepinski, 2312 N. state Route 251, Kings, $135,000. Jo Lynn Kay Ward to R. Gerald Hough III, 423 S. McKendrie St., Mt. Morris, $47,500. Mervin D. and Gail E. Ludewig to Polo Fire Protection District, 108 E. Buffalo St., Polo, $68,000. Terry N. and Stephanie Whaley to Silvia P. Moreno Martinez, 1680 Knights Lane, Rochelle, $270,000. Howard J. Hart Jr. to Mathew and Julie Andersen, 5060 S. Skare Court, Rochelle, $310,000. Quit claim deed

Lawrence W. Vickers to Timothy M. and Kathy Mayo, 205 W. Locust St., Polo, $2,500. Trustees deeds

Evelyn Jacobsen Family Trust, Riley Jacobsen, trustee, to Washington Mini Mart LLC, 509, 511 and 513 W. Washington St., Oregon, $425,000. Walter Family Trust, David Walter, trustee, to Katherine Barker, 229 W. Willis Ave., Rochelle, $145,230. Deed

Ogle County Trust No. 0228381006, Ogle County, trustee, to Village of Forreston, 402 W. White Oak Road, Forreston, $0. Deed in Trust

Realtax Developers Ltd. to First Mid Wealth Management Co. Land Trust 44190460, First Mid Wealth Management Co., trustee, 302 W. Front St., Mt. Morris, $16,500. Source: Ogle County Recorder’s Office

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OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, January 19, 2024

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Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, January 19, 2024

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

CIRCUIT filed Sandra A. Bud- claim not dinger, who died within that period OGLE COUNTY on July 12, 2023 a is barred. Copies In the Matter resident of Roch- of a claim filed with of the Estate of the Clerk must be STEVEN L. elle, Illinois. 2. The Representa- mailed or delivered GREENFIELD, tive for the estate to the Representa- Deceased. OTICES ad- tive LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL N LEGALand NOTICES NOTICES to the at- LEGALIN and his/her PROBATE, dress is: Eugene E. torney within 10 NO. 2023-PR-79 IN THE CIRCUIT Buddinger, 1221 days after it has CLAIM NOTICE COURT FOR THE Crest Lane, been filed.*** Notice is given Rochelle, IL 61068. 8. The estate will of the death of FIFTEENTH 3. The attorney for be administered Steven L. GreenJUDICIAL the estate and without Court su- field, of Forreston, CIRCUIT pervision unless an Illinois. Letters of his/her address is: OGLE COUNTY, Richard L. Turner, interested party Office were issued ILLINOIS inde- on December 15, Jr., Turner Law terminates IN THE MATTER Group LLC, 107 pendent supervi- 2023, to Pamela OF THE W. Exchange St., sion administration J. Greenfield, of ESTATE OF Sycamore, IL by filing a petition 8678 N. Mt. Vernon Sandra A. to terminate under Road, Forreston, IL 60178. Buddinger 4. Claims against Section 28-4 of the 61030, as IndeDeceased Case No. the estate may be Probate Act (755 pendent Executor. The attorney for 2023PR000076 filed on or before ILCS 5/28-4). July 15, 2024.** the estate is David INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATION Claims against the January 12, 19, 26, D. Shockey of 2024 Shockey & Cox, estate may be filed PUBLICATION with the Clerk of LLC, 208 West NOTICE TO: Stephenson Street, [X] Creditors and the Circuit Court, STATE OF 106 S. 5th Street, ILLINOIS IN THE Freeport, IL 61032. Claimants Claims against the [ ] Unknown Heirs Suite #300, Ore- CIRCUIT COURT gon, IL 61061, or Estate may be and Legatees* OF THE filed in the office 1. Notice is given with the RepresenFIFTEENTH of the Clerk of of the death of tative, or both. Any JUDICIAL filed the Court at Sandra A. Bud- claim not CIRCUIT Stephenson Coundinger, who died within that period OGLE COUNTY ty Courthouse, 15 on July 12, 2023 a is barred. Copies In the Matter N. Galena Avenue, resident of Roch- of a claim filed with of the Estate of the Clerk must be STEVEN L. Freeport, IL 61032, elle, Illinois. or with the repre2. The Representa- mailed or delivered GREENFIELD, sentatives, or both, tive for the estate to the Representa- Deceased. and his/her ad- tive and to the atIN PROBATE, on or before July dress is: Eugene E. torney within 10 NO. 2023-PR-79 10, 2024, or within three (3) months Buddinger, 1221 days after it has CLAIM NOTICE date of Crest EAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE Lane, been REALfiled.*** ESTATE RNotice REAL the ESTATE is given from Rochelle, IL 61068. 8. The estate will of the death of mailing or delivery administered Steven L. Green- of Notice to credi3. The attorney for be withoutCOURT Court FOR su- THE tors, if mailing or IN THE JUDICIAL CIRCUIT the estate andCIRCUIT field,15TH of Forreston, pervision unless an OGLE COUNTY - OREGON, his/her address is: Illinois. ILLINOIS Letters of delivery is required interested party Office were issued by Section 5/18 of U.S. Bank Richard L. National Turner, Association inde- on December 15, the Illinois Probate PLAINTIFF Jr., Turner Law terminates (755 ILCS Vs. Group LLC, 107 pendent supervi- 2023, to Pamela Act sion administration Donna K. Pearse Donna Pearse; et. al. W. Exchange St.,a/k/a J. Greenfield, of 5/18-3), whichever DEFENDANTS IL by filing a petition 8678 N. Mt. Vernon date is later. Any Sycamore, to terminate No. under filed 2023FC42 60178. Road, Forreston, IL claim not Section 28-4 of the SALE within that period NOTICE OF SHERIFF'S OF REAL ESTATE 4. Claims against 61030, as IndeAct (755 is barred. Copies PUBLIC HEREBY GIVEN that pendent pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure the estateNOTICE may beIS Probate Executor. 5/28-4). a claim with and on Saleorentered the above cause on 11/17/2023, the Sheriff Ogle filed County, filed beforein ILCS The attorney for of of the County Clerk must be Illinois15, will on February 23, 2024 at the hour 10:00is AM at Ogle Public July 2024.** the of estate David January 19, 26,IL 61061, mailed ordesignatdelivered Safety against Complexthe 202 S. 1st St.12, Oregon, or in a place Claims D. Shockey of otherwise 2024 the representaed at the of sale, County of Ogle and Shockey State of Illinois, sell attopublic auction to estate maytime be filed & Cox, tive and to the the highest bidder following real estate: with the Clerk of for cash, as set forth below, LLC, the208 Westdescribed 14-16-280-005 thePIN Circuit Court, Stephenson Street, attorney for the with Residential 106Improved S. 5th Street, Freeport, IL 61032. estate within ten COMMONLY KNOWN AS: 511 E Colden Claims St Polo,against IL 61064 Suite #300, Orethe days after it has Sale IL terms: 10%ordown of the highest bidEstate by certified the filed. close of the gon, 61061, may funds be atbeen David Residential D. Shockey, Abandoned auction; The balance, including the Judicial with the Represenfiledsale in fee the for office Attorney the Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is at the each tative, or both. Any of calculated the Clerk of rate of $1 for for Estate $1,000 or purchaser $300,of claim notfraction filedthereof of the amount paid theby the Court at not to exceed StevenisL. in certified (24) hours. The subject property within that funds, period is due within twenty-four Stephenson CounGreenfield, to general or special taxes levied issubject barred. Copies real estate taxes, special ty assessments, Courthouse, 15 Deceased without any representation as to ofagainst a claimsaid filedreal withestate and is offered forN.sale Galena Avenue, quality or must quantity to Plaintiff and in "AS IS" condition. the Clerk be of title and without recourse Freeport, IL 61032, The sale further subject to confirmation by court. mailed or is delivered or the with the repre- January 5, 12, 19, 2024 theRepresentaproperty is a condominium and thesentatives, foreclosureortakes after 1/1/2007, to Ifthe both,place purchasers other be required to pay tive and to the at-than the mortgagees will on or before July any assessment and legal fees due under Act,or765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g) torney within 10 The Condominium Property 10, 2024, within (4). after it has days three (3) months If the property is located in a common interest purchasers other than been filed.*** from community, the date of legal fees due under the be required to pay any assessment 8.mortgagees The estatewillwill mailing or and delivery Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). be administered of Notice to crediIf the sale Purchaser at theorsale shall be entitled without Courtis set su- aside for any reason, thetors, if mailing only to aunless return an of the deposit paid. The Purchaser have no further recourse pervision delivery isshall required against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the interested party byMortgagee's Section 5/18attorney. of Upon payment the purchaser shall receive a Certificate terminates inde-in full of the amount bid, the Illinois Probate of Sale, which will entitle the purchaserActto a(755 Deed ILCS to the real estate after pendent superviConfirmation of the sale. The successful 5/18-3), purchaser has the sole responsibility/ sion administration whichever expense evicting any tenants or other individuals presently by filing aofpetition date is later. Any in possession of the premises. tosubject terminate under claim not filed The property will NOT be open for inspection Plaintiff makes no representaSection 28-4 of the withinand that period tion as toAct the (755 condition of the property. Prospective Probate is barred. bidders Copies are admonished to check the Court file to verify all information.of a claim filed with ILCS 5/28-4). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU be HAVE THE RIGHT TO the Clerk must REMAIN12, IN19, POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF January 26, mailed or delivered POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS 2024 to the representaMORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. tive and to the For information: Examine the court file or contact for Plaintiff's attorney the attorney: Codilis & Associates, P.C., 15W030 North Frontage estate Road, Suite within100, tenBurr Ridge, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876. Please refer to file number days 14-23-04092. after it has I3236039 been filed. January 12, 19,David 26, 2024 D. Shockey, Attorney for the Estate of Steven L. Greenfield, Deceased

the Court at Stephenson County Courthouse, 15 N. Galena Avenue, Freeport, IL 61032, or with the representatives, or both, OTICES July LEGAL on or Nbefore 10, 2024, or within three (3) months from the date of mailing or delivery of Notice to creditors, if mailing or delivery is required by Section 5/18 of the Illinois Probate Act (755 ILCS 5/18-3), whichever date is later. Any filed claim not within that period is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney for the estate within ten days after it has been filed. David D. Shockey, Attorney for the Estate of Steven L. Greenfield, Deceased January 5, 12, 19, 2024 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 15th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OGLE COUNTY ILLINOIS In the Matter of: THOMAS R. BROWN, Deceased. No. 2023-PR-82 CLAIM NOTICE Notice is given of the death of R. THOMAS BROWN of Oregon, Illinois. Letters of Office were issued on January 3, 2024 to LORI J. BROWN, as Independent Executor attorneys whose are WILLIAMS McCARTHY LLP, 120 W. State St., P.O. Box 219, Rockford, IL 61105. The estate will be administered without court supervision, unless under Section 28-4 of the Probate Act (755 ILCS 5/28-4) any interested person indeterminates pendent administration at any time by mailing or delivering a petition to terminate to the Clerk. Claims against the estate may be filed in the office of the Clerk of the Court, Ogle County Courthouse, 106 S. 5th Street #300, Oregon, IL 61061 or with the representative, or both, on or before JULY 12, 2024, or within 3 months from the date of mailing or delivery of notice to creditors, if mailing or delivery is required by Section 18-3 of the Probate Act, whichever date is

ILCS 5/28-4) any interested person terminates independent administration at any time by mailing or delivering a petition to LEGAL NOTICES terminate to the Clerk. Claims against the estate may be filed in the office of the Clerk of the Court, Ogle County Courthouse, 106 S. 5th Street #300, Oregon, IL 61061 or with the representative, or both, on or before JULY 12, 2024, or within 3 months from the date of mailing or delivery of notice creditors, if to mailing or delivery required by is Section 18-3 of the Probate Act, whichever date is later. Any claim not filed by the requisite date stated above is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney within 10 days after it has been filed. LORI J. BROWN Independent Executor January 12, 19, 26, 2024 TAX DEED NO.: 2024TX3 FILED: 1/2/2024 TAKE NOTICE County of Ogle Date Premises Sold: November 3, 2021 Certificate No.: 2020-00128 Sold for General Taxes of (Year): 2020 Sold for Special Assessment of (Municipality) and Special Assessment Number: N/A Warrant No.: N/A Installment No.: N/A THIS PROPERTY HAS BEEN SOLD FOR DELINQUENT TAXES Property Located at: 8230 South Green Street, Dixon, IL 61021 Legal Description or Property Index 21-13-152No.: 001 This notice is to advise you that the above property has been sold for delinquent taxes and that the period of redemption from the sale will expire on June 27, 2024. The amount to redeem is subject to increase at 6 month intervals from the date of sale and may be further increased if the purchaser at the tax sale or his or her assignee pays any subsequently accruing taxes or special

Property Located at: 8230 South Green Street, Dixon, IL 61021 Legal Description or Property Index No.: 21-13-152LEGAL NOTICES 001 This notice is to advise you that the above property has been sold for delinquent taxes and that the period of redemption from the sale will expire on June 27, 2024. The amount to redeem is subject to increase at 6 month intervals from the date of sale and may be further increased if the purchaser at the tax sale or his or her assignee pays any subsequently accruing taxes or special assessments to redeem the property from subsequent forfeitures or tax sales. Check with the County Clerk as to the exact amount you owe before redeeming. This notice is also to advise you that a petition has been filed for a tax deed which will transfer title and the right to possession of this property if redemption is not made on or before June 27, 2024. This matter is set for hearing in the Circuit Court of Ogle County in 106 S. 5th St., Oregon, IL 61061, Room 302, on July 11, 2024 at 9:00 AM. You may be present at this hearing, but your right to redeem will already have expired at that time. YOU ARE URGED TO REDEEM IMMEDIATELY TO PREVENT LOSS OF PROPERTY Redemption can be made at any time on or before June 27, 2024 by applying to the County Clerk of Lee, Illinois at the Office of the County Clerk in Oregon, Illinois. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE COUNTY CLERK 105 South 5th Street Suite 104 Oregon, IL 61061 (815) 732-1110 Private Equity Group, LLC Purchaser or Assignee January 4, 2024 Jeffery J. Rose a/k/a Jeffrey J. Rose Jeffery J. Rose a/k/a Jeffrey J. Rose Occupant The Colonial Rose Inn Illinois Secretary of State for The Colonial Rose Inn Illinois Department

2020 Sold for Special Assessment of (Municipality) and Special Assessment Number: N/A Warrant No.: N/A LEGAL NOTICES Installment No.: N/A THIS PROPERTY HAS BEEN SOLD FOR DELINQUENT TAXES Property Located at: RNG/BLK: 2 TWP:40 SECT/LOT:24 E825FT W1089F LYING S&ADJ CNW RR ROW SW4 NW4 BK 947099 PARCEL C SURVEY 201801449 Legal Description or Property Index No.: 25-24-100009 This notice is to advise you that the above property has been sold for delinquent taxes and that the period of redemption from the sale will expire on June 27, 2024. The amount to redeem is subject to increase at 6 month intervals from the date of sale and may be further increased if the purchaser at the tax sale or his or her assignee pays any subsequently accruing taxes or special assessments to redeem the property from subsequent forfeitures or tax sales. Check with the County Clerk as to the exact amount you owe January 19, 26, before redeeming. 2024 This notice is also February 2, 2024 to advise you that (938782) a petition has been filed for a tax deed TAX DEED NO.: which will transfer 2024TX4 title and the right to FILED: 1/2/2024 possession of this TAKE NOTICE property if redempCounty of Ogle tion is not made on Date Premises or before June 27, Sold: November 3, 2024. 2021 This matter is set Certificate No.: for hearing in the 2020-00209 Circuit Court of Sold for General Ogle County in 106 Taxes of (Year): S. 5th St., Oregon, 2020 Sold for Special IL 61061, Room 302, on July 11, Assessment of 2024 at 9:00 AM. (Municipality) and may be Special Assess- You ment Number: N/A present at this hearing, but your Warrant No.: N/A right to redeem will Installment No.: already have exN/A pired at that time. THIS PROPERTY YOU ARE URGED HAS BEEN TO REDEEM SOLD FOR IMMEDIATELY TO DELINQUENT PREVENT LOSS TAXES OF PROPERTY Property Located can at: RNG/BLK: 2 Redemption be made at any TWP:40 time on or before SECT/LOT:24 June 27, 2024 by E825FT W1089F LYING S&ADJ applying to the CNW RR ROW County Clerk of SW4 NW4 BK 94- Ogle, Illinois at the Office of the Coun7099 PARCEL C ty Clerk in Oregon, SURVEY Illinois. 201801449 Legal Description FOR FURTHER or Property Index INFORMATION CONTACT THE No.: 25-24-100COUNTY CLERK 009 This notice is to 105 South 5th Street

Lee, Illinois at the Office of the County Clerk in Oregon, Illinois. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE LEGAL NOTICES COUNTY CLERK 105 South 5th Street Suite 104 Oregon, IL 61061 (815) 732-1110 Private Equity Group, LLC Purchaser or Assignee January 4, 2024 Jeffery J. Rose a/k/a Jeffrey J. Rose Jeffery J. Rose a/k/a Jeffrey J. Rose Occupant The Colonial Rose Inn Illinois Secretary of State for The Colonial Rose Inn Illinois Department of Revenue State of Illinois of Department Revenue Attorney General for the State of Illinois Department of Revenue Tom Rose Tom Rose Laura J. Cook, County Clerk of County, Ogle Illinois Claimants, Judgment Creditors, and Decree Creditors, if any of the above described as "Unknown Owners" "Unknown owners or parties interested in said land or lots" 10716-938782

LEGAL NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice of Proposed Change in Schedule of Rates to Customers of Aqua Illinois, Inc. Dear Aqua Illinois Customer: Aqua Illinois, Inc. hereby gives notice to the public that it has filed with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) a proposed change in its rate schedules for water and wastewater service in certain areas of Kankakee, Vermilion, Will, Boone, Knox, Lake, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Ogle, Winnebago, McHenry, and Champaign counties. AQUA ILLINOIS' RATE REQUEST If this rate request is granted, in full as filed, an average combined monthly residential wastewater and water bill (4,000 gallons) would increase by $29.91 ($1.00 per day) to $152.87. The estimated bill impact may vary based on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, meter size, usage volume, and public fire protection charges. The bill impact also will depend upon the nature of the service received and will differ for those customers taking wastewater service only, water service only, or wastewater service on a flat rate charge instead of a usage-based charge. The proposed changes in wastewater rates are set out in Tariff ILL. C.C. No. 50, Section 6 filed with the ICC and the proposed changes in water rates are set out in Tariff ILL. C.C. No. 49, Section 8 filed with the ICC. The last rate case impacting Aqua Illinois, Inc. customers was filed on May 1, 2017. This request will undergo a review by the ICC for up to 11 months. The approximate date of the change(s), if approved by the ICC within the statutory 11-month process, is December 2, 2024. However, the effective date of any change(s) approved by the ICC will differ for those systems that may not be subject to full consolidated rates as of that date in accordance with the terms and conditions of certain Asset Purchase Agreements approved by the ICC. If the request is approved by the ICC, the changes for all classes of water and wastewater service statewide would result in an increase to base rates of $19,196,140. THE RATES YOU PAY DIRECTLY BENEFIT YOUR COMMUNITY Aqua Illinois' improvements have increased reliability and enhanced process improvements for sourceof-supply and water treatment. They have included distribution system improvements to enhance water quality. Depending upon the nature of services provided in your community, examples may include: Wastewater • Wastewater treatment plant improvement projects to replace aging and deteriorating equipment, which will prevent service interruptions and improve operational efficiency • Lift station replacement projects to replace undersized and/or aged equipment to reduce and minimize service interruptions and backups • Infiltration and Inflow reduction projects to extend service life of infrastructure and reduce costs associated with treatment • Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) projects to replace obsolescent data collection and historian equipment to increase service reliability and operational effectiveness Water • Water treatment plant additions to improve water quality, increase capacity and reliability, and accommodate industrial growth • Improvement of well pumps and equipment to increase reliability and sustainability • Replacement of aged water meters to improve accuracy of water usage data and reduce non-revenue water • New and replaced fire hydrants to improve fire protection and water quality due to additional flushing capability • Replacement of aging and deteriorating water mains to improve water quality, pressure, service reliability, and fire protection services • Construction of water main emergency interconnects for system reliability • Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) projects to replace obsolescent data collection and historian equipment to increase service reliability and operational effectiveness For customers other than single-family residential customers receiving water and wastewater service from Aqua Illinois, an option exists to install a separate irrigation meter to mitigate volumetric wastewater charges on irrigation and other outdoor uses. Aqua Illinois will provide the irrigation meter; however, customers are responsible for any applicable charges, such as plumbing necessary to accommodate the irrigation meter, proper backflow prevention, and monthly customer charges. For single-family residential customers receiving water and wastewater service from Aqua Illinois, summer wastewater usage charges generally are based on the average water usage in winter months, a period in which outdoor watering activities are minimized. This methodology for calculating wastewater usage charges is known as historical based consumption and is detailed further in the Company's Tariff. Customers can receive more information or request an irrigation application by calling 877.987.2782. ICC ROLE Please be advised that the ICC may alter or amend the rates or conditions of service after hearings held pursuant to 83 Ill. Adm. Code 200, and may increase or decrease individual rates in amounts other than those requested by the company. ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE Any interested party may file a petition to intervene in the hearings pursuant to 83 Ill. Adm. Code 200. Pursuant to Section 8-306 of the Public Utilities Act, 220 ILCS 5/8-306, customers may request that the ICC hold a public hearing related to the company's rate request. A copy of the proposed change in rate schedules may be inspected by any interested party at the business office of the company at 1000 South Schuyler Avenue in Kankakee, IL. All parties interested in the matter may obtain information with respect thereto either directly from Aqua Illinois or by addressing the Chief Clerk of the Illinois Commerce Commission, 527 East Capitol Avenue, Springfield, Illinois 62701. At Aqua Illinois, water quality and customer service are our highest priorities. We strive every day to listen to you, our customer, and invest in system improvements and enhancements. Our management and staff are always here to assist you. If you have any questions, please contact Aqua Customer Service at 877.987.2782 or visit www.AquaWater.com. David C. Carter, President Aqua Illinois, Inc. January 12, 19, 2024

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19 OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, January 19, 2024

Manager for S. 5th St., Oregon, COUNTY CLERK IL 61061, Room 105 South 5th Davidson of 302, on July 11, Street Creston, LLC 2024 at 9:00 AM. Suite 104 John Davison Assumed Name Davidson of You may be Oregon, IL 61061 Publication Notice Creston, LLC present at this (815) 732-1110 Public Notice is hearing, but your Myriad Capital LLC John Davison OTICES LEGALtoNredeem LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL Jean NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES hereby given that right will Purchaser Carol or on December 29, already have ex- Assignee Davidson Laura J. Cook, 2023, a certificate pired at that time. January 4, 2024 County Clerk of was filed in the YOU ARE URGED Davidson of Ogle County, Ogle Creston, LLC TO REDEEM County Illinois IMMEDIATELY TO Davidson of Clerk's Office setCreston, LLC Claimants, Judg- ting PREVENT LOSS forth the Creditors, Illinois Secretary of ment OF PROPERTY names and postRedemption can State for Davidson and Decree Creditors, if any of the office address of be made at any of Creston, LLC time on or before Charles G. Brown above described all of the persons owning, conductas June 27, 2024 by as R/A for ing and transact"Unknown applying to the Davidson of ing the business Owners" County Clerk of Creston, LLC "Unknown owners known as: Ogle, Illinois at the Ronald W. or parties interestOffice of the Coun- Davidson as RUSTIC PAW ed in said land or ty Clerk in Oregon, Manager for STUDIO lots" Davidson of Illinois. located at 10716-938783 Creston, LLC FOR FURTHER 111 S. 4th Street Ronald W. INFORMATION Oregon, IL 61061 January 19, 26, Davidson as CONTACT THE Dated December 2024 Manager for COUNTY CLERK 29, 2023. February 2, 2024 105 South 5th Davidson of Laura J. Cook (938783) Creston, LLC Street Laura J. Cook John Davison Suite 104 Ogle County Clerk Davidson of Oregon, IL 61061 Assumed Name Creston, LLC (815) 732-1110 Publication Notice Myriad Capital LLC John Davison Public Notice is January 12, 19, 26, Carol Jean Purchaser or hereby given that 2024 Davidson Assignee on December 29, Laura J. Cook, January 4, 2024 2023, a certificate County Clerk of was filed in the Davidson of EGAL NOTICES EGAL NOTICES L L LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES Ogle County, Ogle Creston, LLC County Illinois Davidson of Clerk's Office setClaimants, JudgCreston, LLC IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE JUDICIAL ting 15TH forth the CIRCUIT Creditors, Illinois Secretary of ment OGLE COUNTY - OREGON, ILLINOIS names and postand Decree Credi- office address of State for Davidson U.S. Bank National Association tors, if any of the all of the persons ofPLAINTIFF Creston, LLC Charles G. Brown above described owning, conductVs. asDonna Pearse; et. al. as R/A for Donna K. Pearse a/k/a ing and transact"Unknown Davidson of DEFENDANTS ing the business Owners" Creston, LLC No. 2023FC42 known as: "Unknown owners Ronald W. NOTICE OF SHERIFF'S SALE OF REAL ESTATE RUSTIC PAW interestor parties Davidson as PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure STUDIO ed in said land or Manager and Salefor entered in the above cause on 11/17/2023, the Sheriff of Ogle County, located at lots"23, 2024 at the hour Davidson of on February Illinois will of S. 10:00 AM at Ogle County Public 111 4th Street Creston, LLC Safety Complex 202 10716-938783 S. 1st St. Oregon, IL 61061, or IL in 61061 a place otherwise designatOregon, Ronald W. time of sale, County of Ogle and State ed at the sell at public auction to Datedof Illinois, December January 19, forth 26, below, Davidson as bidder for cash, the highest as set the following described real estate: 29, 2023. Manager for REFERRED TO 2024 THE LAND HEREIN BELOW ISLaura SITUATED J. CookIN THE COUNTY OF February 2, IS 2024 Davidson of OGLE, STATE OF ILLINOIS, AND DESCRIBEDLaura AS FOLLOWS: J. Cook (938783) FIRST ADDITION Creston, LLC LOT THREE (3) IN SNOOK'S TOClerk THE CITY OF POLO, Ogle County John Davison TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN BOOK A OF PLATS, PAGE ACCORDING Davidson of 291 AS DOCUMENT NO. 116226; SITUATED IN THE January 12,COUNTY 19, 26, OF OGLE AND THE Creston, LLC STATE OF ILLINOIS. 2024 John PINDavison 14-16-280-005 Carol Jean with Residential Improved Davidson COMMONLY KNOWN AS: 511 E Colden St Polo, IL 61064 Laura J. Cook, Sale terms: 10% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the County of auction; Clerk The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Ogle County, Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated at the rate of $1 for each Illinois $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, Claimants, Judg- is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is in certified funds, ment Creditors, subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied and Decree against saidCredireal estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to tors, if any of the of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in "AS IS" condition. quality or quantity above The sale described is further subject to confirmation by the court. as If the property is a condominium and the foreclosure takes place after 1/1/2007, "Unknown purchasers other than the mortgagees will be required to pay any assessment and Owners" legal fees due under The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g) "Unknown owners (4). interestor Ifparties the property is located in a common interest community, purchasers other than ed in said land mortgagees will or be required to pay any assessment and legal fees due under the lots" Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). 10716-938783 If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse Januarythe 19,Mortgagor, 26, against the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee's attorney. Upon2024 payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser shall receive a Certificate February 2, 2024will entitle the purchaser to a Deed to the real estate after of Sale, which (938783) of the sale. The successful purchaser has the sole responsibility/ Confirmation expense of evicting any tenants or other individuals presently in possession of the subject premises. The property will NOT be open for inspection and Plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the Court file to verify all information. IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. For information: Examine the court file or contact Plaintiff's attorney: Codilis & Associates, P.C., 15W030 North Frontage Road, Suite 100, Burr Ridge, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876. Please refer to file number 14-23-04092. I3236039 January 12, 19, 26, 2024

Ogle County Newspapers / ShawLocal.com • Friday, January 19, 2024

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