Polo_Tri-County_Press-01-30-2026

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protest

About

Eagle’s Nest art show

Byron

POLO TRI-COUNTY PRESS

Earleen Hinton
Polo’s Camrynn Jones drives to the basket against Milledgeville on Jan. 24

POLO TRI-COUNTY PRESS

Polo superintendent earns IASA recognition

POLO TRI-COUNTY PRESS

TRI-COUNTY PRESS

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Polo School District Superintendent

Kelly Mandrell has been named the 2026 Northwest Region IASA superintendent of distinction, according to a district news release.

The honor is awarded to 22 superintendents across Illinois each year. Mandrell was nominated by a fellow superintendent and selected by a committee of her peers.

“It’s a true testament to her leadership and dedication to our students,” according to the release. “Dr. Mandrell was officially recognized at our school

board meeting on Jan. 21 and will travel to Springfield this May to be celebrated alongside Illinois’ top education leaders.

Congratulations to Dr. Mandrell.”

4-H Summer Camp registration is open to all youths ages 8-14

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Registration for 4-H Camp 2026 is open.

4-H Camp is set for June 14-18 at Rock River Christian Camp in Polo. Sign up today to get your child in on all the fun.

4-H Camp is a five-day, four-night residential camping experience that is conducted cooperatively by University of Illinois Extension staff in Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside and Winnebago counties and the professional staff at RRCC.

Historically, parents have sent their children to 4-H Camp for a variety of reasons: to have fun, to make new friends, to develop new skills, to be physically active and to appreciate nature.

4-H Camp is about more than one week of fun. Sending your child to 4-H Camp will allow them to create memories they will carry with them through adulthood. 4-H camp teaches youths to make good

CORRECTIONS

decisions, build their self-confidence, become independent and gain the ability to work well with others.

These skills will help youths develop into strong adult leaders. In addition, 4-H camp counselors devote much of their personal time to ensure today’s campers have the same great experience they did as children.

Campers at 4-H Camp will check in from 6 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, June 14, and check out from 6 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 18. During camp week, youths will engage in a variety of activities designed to challenge, educate and entertain.

Two or three free-choice periods will be offered daily, including activities such as hiking, shooting sports, arts and crafts, crate stacking, team-building challenges, zip-lining, swimming and more. Evening activities will be provided by the 4-H camp counselors and include campfires, a games night and a dance or talent show.

Accuracy is important to the Polo Tri-County Press. Please call errors to our attention by email at news@oglecountynews.com.

4-H Camp is open to all boys and girls, ages 8-14 by June 14. 4-H membership is not required; however, all participants are expected to adhere to the same high behavioral standards expected of 4-H members. Youths need to be interested and excited to have a week of outdoor fun, away from TV and technology.

The early bird cost is $325 for 4-H members and $375 for non-4-H members until March 1.

After that date, the price goes up to $350 for 4-H members and $400 for non4-H members. All camp fees must be paid in full by May 1.

You can register online at go.illinois. edu/4HSummerCamp. You also may call an office near you: Jo Daviess County at 815-858-2273, Lee County at 815-857-3525, Stephenson County at 815-235-4125, Ogle County at 815-732-2191, or Whiteside County at 815-632-3611.

Slots for boys’ and girls’ cabins will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Photo provided by Ogle Extension
Campers enjoy learning shooting sports at 4-H Camp.

Ogle County jury deliberations enter third day in 2016 double murder-arson trial

Stillman Valley man accused of killing his ex-wife, setting her home on fire

Ogle County jurors will enter their third day of deliberations on Wednesday, Jan 28, as they continue to weigh evidence and arguments in a 2016 double-murder and arson case.

The jury is deciding the fate of Duane “DC” Meyer, 43, of Stillman Valley, who is accused of killing his ex-wife, Maggie (Rosko) Meyer, 31, and then setting her Byron home on fire with their 3-year-old son, Amos, asleep in an upstairs bedroom.

Meyer, known as DC, was charged in 2019 with four counts of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated arson and one count of concealment of a homicidal death in connection with the deaths. He has been held in the Ogle County Jail since his arrest on Oct. 9, 2019.

Prosecutors have argued that DC strangled Maggie to death and set her on fire in her home to clear the way for him to pursue a new life with his girlfriend.

But DC’s defense attorney, Christopher DeRango, has argued his client is innocent and that police unfairly targeted him instead of trying to find out who really was responsible for the deaths of Maggie and Amos.

Maggie was a teacher at the Chana Education Center at the time of her death. She filed for divorce in 2014, and court records show the divorce was finalized in September 2016.

Her charred body was found on a couch in her living room on Oct. 19, 2016. Pathologists determined her death to be “highly suspicious for homicide,” testifying for the prosecution that she was strangled to death before the fire spread upstairs, killing Amos from carbon monoxide poisoning, as evidenced by soot in his airway and lungs.

No soot was found in Maggie’s airway or lungs, but pathologists testified

make sure that jurors realized DC’s statements should not be considered the same as other witness testimony that is made under a sworn oath to tell the truth.

“My thoughts are to make it simple so as not to confuse the jury,” replied Roe.

that there were signs of strangulation and “some type of blunt force trauma” on other parts of her body.

They said they could not determine an exact cause of death because the condition of her severely charred body –with no distinguishing features remaining – could have masked other injuries that made the case challenging.

The 8-woman, 4-man jury began deliberating at 1:45 p.m. Monday after hearing closing arguments from attorneys that culminated eight days of testimony.

The jury resumed deliberations on Tuesday morning, but just 40 minutes later, Ogle County Judge John “Ben” Roe called attorneys and DC back into the courtroom to notify them that jurors had asked two questions.

Roe said one of the questions was: “Is the interview of DC with the officers considered witness testimony?”

A week earlier, on Tuesday, Jan. 20, prosecutors played a recorded interview from Oct. 28, 2016, in which Meyer vehemently denied claims from two investigators that he was at Maggie’s home the

night before her body was found inside the burned home.

The 4-hour recording was entered into evidence when prosecutors called Chuck Davidson, a former investigator and master sergeant with the Illinois State Police, to testify about the recording he and Ogle County Detective Doug Lockard made when Meyer was interviewed Oct. 28, 2016 – nine days after Maggie’s and Amos’s deaths.

Roe asked attorneys their position and suggestions as to how the court should reply to the request.

Assistant Ogle County State’s Attorney Allison Huntley said Roe should tell jurors that Meyer was not under oath when he responded to the officer’s questions.

“The statements are testimonial and can be used against him,” argued Huntley.

DeRango said the entire record was entered in as evidence by the state and should be considered substantive in nature.

Ogle County State’s Attorney Mike Rock told Roe that the court needed to

“They should consider the statements of the defendant as they would any other evidence pursuant to the jury instructions,” DeRango replied.

“His statement is different because it wasn’t given under oath,” Rock said.

Roe said he would instruct the jury to follow the jury instruction that they should consider the statements of the defendants as they would any other evidence.

The second question asked: “Could DC’s demeanor in this interview and his responses be evidence of this case?”

Roe said the answer to that question was “yes.”

The jury then resumed deliberations at 10 a.m.

At 1 p.m., Roe called attorneys and DC back into the courtroom to notify them that jurors had requested a digital copy of the state’s Cellular Analysis Survey Team records to view on a large TV screen.

After a short discussion, the state copied those slides onto a thumb drive and it was given to the jury.

See MEYER, page 4

Earleen Hinton for Shaw Local News Network
Defense attorney Christopher DeRango speaks to his client, Duane “DC” Meyer on Tuesday, Jan. 27, at the Ogle County Judicial Center in Oregon.
Shaw Local News Network file photo Margaret “Maggie” (Rosko) Meyer and Amos Meyer

4 residents displaced, Chana home a total loss after fire

There were no injuries to residents or firefighters during a Jan. 19 house fire in Chana, but four residents were displaced, and the home was a total loss, Oregon Fire Protection District Chief Michael Knoup said Tuesday, Jan. 20.

Fire crews were called about 8:30 p.m. Jan. 19 to 209 Main St. in Chana for the report of an attic fire. Oregon firefighters found flames coming through the roof upon arrival. Knoup said all four residents of the home had evacuated by then, and a search found no other people inside.

“There was active fire in the attic space,” Knoup said. “We penetrated holes in the ceiling and extinguished it. We did have some trouble getting to the fire. There was difficult weather and multiple additions to the home. We were on scene until 1:30 a.m.”

Four residents were displaced from the home after the fire, and the Red Cross was contacted to help them with living accommodations and supplies. Knoup said the home is a total loss because of the fire and is uninhabitable.

Knoup said the suspected cause of the fire is electrical in nature, originating in the attic. The residents had furnace issues, had multiple electric heaters running amid cold temperatures and had problems earlier in the day with the home’s electrical system being overloaded.

Fire crews were called to 209 Main St. in Chana about 8:30 p.m. Jan. 19 for a report of an attic fire. Oregon firefighters found flames coming through the roof when they arrived at the scene.

“We believe the fire was related to that,” Knoup said. “Two residents there are elderly with multiple health issues and disabilities. I was glad the son that lived with them noticed the fire quickly and got them out. They attempted to put it out with a fire extinguisher and were unsuccessful due to the size of the fire. I’m glad they acted quickly and got out and pointed us in the right direction for the attic access point.”

Along with Oregon Fire, responding departments included Stillman Fire, Mt. Morris Fire, Byron Fire, Ashton Fire, Rochelle Fire, the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office and Advance Ambulance.

Oregon Fire covers 120 square miles in its district, and the call in Chana was 10 minutes away from its station. Fulltime staff were at the station when the call came in and were able to respond immediately, along with “a good turnout” of paid on-call staff, Knoup said.

“We were able to initiate an attack on the fire quickly,” Knoup said. “It was 4 degrees outside at the time of the fire, and we had issues with hoses and pumps freezing up. There are no hydrants in Chana. Tenders were filled at Oregon and taken there, which requires more mutual-aid help.”

Knoup said there was no working smoke detector in the Chana home and stressed the importance of residents having them.

“Oregon Fire has a grant program for residents if they need us to come out and inspect theirs, and we can provide one free of charge,” Knoup said. “There’s no way to overstate their importance.”

Rochelle police: 1 dead, 1 in critical condition after shooting

A person is dead, and another is in critical condition after a report of shots fired Monday morning at a Rochelle apartment complex, according to a Rochelle Police Department news release.

At 6:38 a.m., the Rochelle Police Department received a call of shots

fired at 111 W. McConaughy Ave. Upon arrival, officers found a 27-year-old female with multiple gunshot wounds, who was unconscious but breathing. Officers also found a 29-year-old male suffering from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the release.

“Rochelle medics arrived on scene and transported the female to Rochelle Community Hospital,” according to the

release. “She was flown to Rockford. The male subject was confirmed deceased at the scene. No other people were inside the apartment, and no other parties were injured.”

The female victim is in critical condition at a Rockford hospital, Rochelle Police Department Chief Pete Pavia said.

The names of the individuals are being withheld until the families can

be notified.

The Rochelle Police Department was assisted by the Rochelle Fire Department, the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office, and the Illinois State Police Crime Scene Unit.

The incident remains under investigation by the Rochelle Police Department. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact RPD at 815-562-2131.

• MEYER

Continued from page 3

On Jan. 21, prosecutors showed slides of the FBI’s Cellular Analysis Survey Team maps. FBI Special Agent Jeremy Bauer said that the FBI generated the slides based on Verizon cellphone data extracted by police from DC’s phone. He said that data indicated where DC’s phone was by tracking communications sent to and from cell towers in the area.

Bauer said a Historical Cell Site Analysis provided a general idea of where the phone was at a certain time and place based on radio transmissions between the phone and the tower. That information is kept by major phone companies for billing customers and monitoring reception and performance, Bauer said.

Data gathered does not provide an exact address or determine who is making the calls or writing the text messages, he told jurors.

Bauer said the maps shown to jurors were created in April 2025 after he received the original report – created in 2016 – from an FBI agent who retired in January 2025. He said the report was also updated in October 2025.

The maps showed times and towers that Bauer said DC’s cellphone was used the day before and the day when Maggie’s body was discovered. He said a Real Time Tool is used by Verizon to establish when calls are made and measurements between the tower and phone.

The data showcased timestamps when the phone communicated with cell towers near Byron, Stillman Valley and the Rockford area. The maps also showed locations of DC’s home in Still-

man Valley, his parents’ home on Hales Corner Road and Maggie’s house.

DeRango questioned the state’s evidence and testimony from Bauer as to the exact location of DC’s phone and the method used to extract and retain data taken from it. He urged jurors not to rely on any of the records or the agent’s testimony.

Jurors also asked for a clarification of circumstantial evidence. Roe referred them to the jury instruction that they had received and deliberations continued.

At 4:27 p.m., Roe said he received another question from jurors. “It reads as follows: ‘What would be a recommendation at this point in deliberations not 100 percent agreeance [sic] with some form of a break? Possibly coming tomorrow? Etcetera?’ ” Roe said.

“As always, I get input as well from

attorneys. It’s 4:35 p.m.. They’ve been here since 8:45 a.m.”

Rock asked Roe to clarify if they wanted a break or wanted to go home now. Roe said he would clarify their request.

When he returned to the courtroom, Roe said to the jury that the group just wanted to come back Wednesday at this point of discussions, if possible.

“So, I am not hearing anything about being deadlocked in any way,” Roe said. “Considering the circumstances, I think that is the right thing to do.”

Roe honored that reques,t noting Monday and today were very long days for jurors.

Jurors were instructed to be back at the Ogle County Judicial Center at 8:45 a.m. with deliberations beginning at 9 a.m.

Visit shawlocal.com for updates.

Jeff Helfrich

Protest held in county after second fatal ICE shooting

Frigid temps fail to stop 120 people from showing support for Minnesota

Frigid winter weather didn’t deter a crowd of about 120 people from turning out Sunday for what organizers called an “emergency protest” in response to the second shooting death in Minnesota by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers this month.

The event, held on two sidewalks on the northeast corner of the Ogle County Courthouse Square in downtown Oregon, was organized by Indivisible of Ogle County, the local chapter of the Indivisible Project network.

Indivisible of Ogle County organized several rallies in 2025 critical of the Trump administration’s policies and actions and one candlelight vigil for the woman shot and killed by ICE officers in Minneapolis earlier this month.

“We the people of the United States must stand up, indivisible, to fight for liberty and justice for all,” said Jan Buttron of Chana, one of the Sunday afternoon event organizers. “Today, we are here because yesterday an ICU nurse, Alex Pretti, was murdered by our federal government while he was helping a woman who had just been sprayed in the face with pepper spray.”

Buttron said that within an hour of the shooting federal officials put out a “false narrative of the account” claiming Pretti was a “domestic terrorist” and were “lying to the American people.”

“The United States of America has been taken over by a fascist regime,” said Buttron, calling Congress ineffective in its role as the branch of government that is supposed to be a “check on executive power.”

That ineffectiveness by lawmakers has allowed the Trump administration to “murder its own citizens, violate the Constitution, unlawfully break into people’s homes and businesses with no warrant, and disappear people all in violation of U.S. international law,” Buttron said.

During Sunday’s protest – called “No More Gestapo! Emergency protest in response to the second ICE murder in Minnesota” – many attendees carried signs referring to Pretti and Renee Nicole Good, 37, a Minnesota woman

who was fatally shot by ICE officers on Jan. 7 – also in Minneapolis.

One woman carried a sign with a drawing of Pretti that said, “Are you OK: Last words of Alex Pretti.”

Juanita Spahn, a U.S. Air Force veteran from Rochelle, held a sign that

oath to defend the Constitution, and I’m seeing the Constitution be disregarded by this administration in all sorts of ways,” she said. “And no one has relieved me of my duty to defend the Constitution. I will be out here and do whatever I can to defend it until I die.”

Spahn said she was a teacher in Cicero for 21 years before moving to Rochelle.

“It tore me up to see what they put that community through,” she said. “That started my activism.”

Spahn was one of the 120 people who braved temperatures in the single digits and wind chills below zero to attend the event. Portable propane warming stations were placed on the northeast corner of the square, allowing participants to warm themselves during the twohour event.

Hand warmers were distributed by volunteers.

Some motorists passing through the busy intersection of state Routes 64 and two honked their horns in support of the protesters.

But at least one motorist showed opposition by yelling “Go home!” out the window, which prompted a “We are home!” reply from one protester.

Sunday’s event followed a Jan. 9 candlelight vigil for Good, who was fatally shot by ICE officers Jan. 7.

About 120 people attend Indivisible of Ogle County’s protest Jan. 25 in Oregon carrying signs criticizing the Trump administration’s deployment of ICE officers in several states and the Saturday shooting death of Alex Pretti by ICE agents in Minneapolis.

That vigil was part of a nationwide weekend of action, “Ice out for Good,” which organizers said was created to take action against ICE violence and “stand in solidarity with all the victims” to show “strength and compassion of our community.”

Abbey Harris, an Indivisible of Ogle County volunteer, said the organized events are meant to showcase citizens’ rights to speak out.

“Using our First Amendment rights to speak out for our neighbors is a fundamental American value,” Harris said. “We refuse to let the government dehumanize marginalized communities or lie about the violence we are seeing on video.”

said, “I am a Veteran Standing up for the Constitution.”

She was motivated to attend the Sunday event because of her pledge to defend the Constitution while serving in the armed forces.

“I’m here today because I took an

At the Good vigil, Harris said the Trump administration’s designation of peaceful dissenters as domestic terrorists is a “dangerous weaponization of words” and an attempt “to criminalize First Amendment rights.”

“Ogle County Indivisible is incredibly proud of those who stood up today. It isn’t easy to stand out there when the temperatures drop but your presence spoke volumes,” Harris said.

Two people who attended Indivisible of Ogle County’s protest in downtown Oregon on Jan. 25 hold signs referring to the shooting death of Alex Pretti by ICE agents Saturday in Minneapolis.
Photos by Earleen Hinton

Eagle’s Nest art show to take place at Byron museum

NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com

The Byron Museum of History will host an art exhibit by members of the Eagle’s Nest Art Group. The show will begin with an opening reception from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. Several artists will be on hand to welcome visitors.

The exhibit will remain on display through Saturday, March 28.

The museum, located at 110 N. Union St. in Byron, is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. The museum’s exhibits and the art show are open to the public for free.

This year’s show features oil, watercolor, pastel and acrylic paintings, as well as photography and glass art, wood art and other 3D art. It will be an extensive show of the work of local artists from Ogle, Lee, DeKalb, Whiteside, Winnebago and McHenry counties.

The Eagle’s Nest Art Group, founded in 1957, has a full schedule of art events, workshops and shows, and will have materials available at the museum for those interested in learning more about this community of artists and its activities. The group welcomes artists of any level of experience. There are Thursday sessions at the Eagle’s Nest Art Group

studio in Conover Square and summer outdoor painting sessions offered to all members. For information about the Eagle’s Nest Art Group, call 815-732-7783 or visit the Facebook page 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 through-

out the year. The museum is dedicated to preserving the rich history of the Byron area through exhibits, programs and artifact preservation. To learn about the museum and its events, call 815-234-5031 or visit byronmuseum.org.

Hack’s Auction to offer antique appraisals March 22 at Oregon show

SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com

Founded in 1961, Hack’s Auction & Realty Services is a third-generation family owned and operated business in Pecatonica.

A full-service, full-time, fully insured company licensed in Illinois and Wisconsin, Hack’s started more than 50 years ago when Henry and

LOCAL NEWS BRIEF

Ogle County prescribed burn workshop to offer training for land stewards Feb. 18

Local conservation partners are inviting landowners, land managers and community members to a free Prescribed Burning & Natural Areas Management Workshop on Thursday, Feb. 18. The workshop will be from 8 a.m. to noon at The Nature Conservancy

Nancy Hackmeister conducted their first auction.

The Oregon Women’s Club invites you to meet Hack’s Auction staff as it provides its appraisal services from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 22. A $5 fee per small item will be charged as a donation to the Oregon Women’s Club.

Bring a family heirloom or antique that you are curious to identify or to

find out its worth and Hack’s Auction staff will provide you with an appraisal. Photographs of large items also may be appraised. A written appraisal can be discussed with Hack’s agents.

Allow plenty of time to enjoy more than 40 antique dealers exhibiting their items for sale. Don’t forget to enjoy a lunch from the ladies of Chana United Methodist Church.

The 74th annual Oregon Woman’s Club Antique Show and Vintage Market will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 21, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 22.

Entrance fee is $8.

The event will be at the Blackhawk Center, 1101 W. Jefferson St., Oregon, with plenty of free parking. For more information, email antiqueshoworegonil@gmail.com.

Headquarters Barn, 8772 S. Lowden Road, Franklin Grove.

The workshop will introduce participants to the fundamentals of prescribed fire, including fire ecology, burn planning, implementation techniques and safety practices. Additional sessions will cover natural areas management beyond fire, including invasive species control and real-world examples from regional

conservation professionals.

Organizers said the event is designed for anyone involved in land stewardship or interested in learning how prescribed fire can be used safely and effectively to improve habitat health. A light breakfast will be provided.

Weather permitting, attendees also will have the option to join a guided tour of Nachusa Grasslands facilities and fire

breaks after the classroom presentations. The event is sponsored by the Ogle County Soil & Water Conservation District, The Nature Conservancy, Byron Forest Preserve District, and DeKalb County Forest Preserve District. RSVPs are requested by Feb. 15. To register, call 815-732-6127 ext 3, email Woodyatt.ogleswcd@gmail.com, or visit OgleSWCD.org.

Photo provided by Eagle’s Nest Art Group
The Byron Museum of History will host an art exhibit by members of the Eagle’s Nest Art Group. The show will begin with an opening reception on Saturday, Feb. 14.

Soup, hot chocolate and memories of neighbors

This is the weather for soup and more hot chocolate as I stay huddled in my chair. Alexa tells me the next day or two will not be any better as she warns people to stay indoors.

I will listen to her since my legs and feet do not do well in freezing temperatures. I did have to go out several times last week for meetings, doctor’s appointments, research at the museum, and the visitation for Jeanne Hose.

I had to tell Bruce that he was going in the wrong direction for the new quarters for the funeral home and I am certain others did the same thing. The old Legion makes a great place for

the Polo Funeral Home as we gathered there at the end of the week.

We were all out in Eagle Point for years and years, and the Hose family took care of the roads for many years. I can remember at Susan’s wedding when we opened up the fence for the field next door, Rich came down and spray-painted parking directions for cars. How cool was that?

The Hose family also took care of our farming and Rich called me to see what kind of a background I wanted for the wedding? Did I want corn or beans, and I decided on beans. I remember sitting out in the yard at the time of the wedding and looking up across the field at a golden crop of beans. I loved the look.

For years, they also grew sweet corn and how I looked forward to the wonderful ears of yummy sweet corn. Linda kept me well-supplied with corn on the cob. The years have gone by

very swiftly and Jeanne, even in poor health, lived to her late 80s. She always was interested in history.

This week I had to go over to the museum and do a bit more research. Our Underground Railroad application has been read and they asked a few more questions. Do we have absolute proof that the Delaware Colony group came to run the Underground Railroad? It was as if they might have come for better farmland and more opportunities. But they had excellent jobs where they were and ended up being farmers here and did not do well at that new job. Also, remember that this was a subject that people kept quiet and did not talk about.

But we had people who wrote stuff down, and I went back to the files of the Wamsely family. We had Jane Worden Ayers Wamsley, who wrote pages and pages of family history by hand. She did not have a sparkly new

computer to put all her notes down. It was all in her handwriting. She wanted all of us to know what had happened, and the correct information is there.

Doris Vogel, who was an Ogle County historian, was a descendant of Solomon Shaver/Shafer and she was a sharp historian. She has all of her qualifications as a historian documented quite well with the state. I found what she had written and it goes right along with what we all believe. So that information will be sent and we can hope that soon our application will be accepted as official.

It was John Waterbury, Solomon Shaver/Shafer and William Wamsley that led the Delaware Colony group to Ogle County.

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

• Full range of rehabilitative therapies -physical, occupational, and speech

• Case management to oversee insurance and Medicare to maximize your benefits

• Beautiful suites completely furnished including TV and phone hookups

• Increase or restore range of motion and strength

• Teach positioning, mobility, transfers and walking skills

• Reduce pain through use of modalities and adaptive equipment

• Improve cognitive and communication skills

• Promote safe swallowing

St. Vincent DePaul of St. Mary’s in Byron is

100+ Women Who Care of Ogle County recipient

SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com

The women who attended the quarterly meeting of 100+ Women Who Care of Ogle County on Thursday, Jan. 15, at the Coliseum in Oregon had a choice to make in deciding who should receive an $11,800 charitable donation.

Many of the members of the more than 100 women meet every three months to hear three not-for-profit organizations and decide, by vote, who the recipient should be. St. Vincent DePaul of St. Mary’s in Byron, Polo Area Community Theater, and the Lutheran Outdoor Ministry Center were the three presenters this month. Each group explained their valuable and unique offerings to the community.

The recipient of the $11,800 charitable donation was St. Vincent DePaul of St. Mary’s in Byron.

Tagra Grennan of St. Mary’s gave a presentation with examples of helping folks in the Byron, Leaf River and Davis Junction area. The group’s vision statement says the society “will help those in need in the Byron area. Services will be offered on a temporary basis to give immediate aid in answer to a crisis.”

If you live near Byron and are in a crisis situation, leave a message at 815406-8368.

100+ Women Who Care of Ogle County has given almost $140,000 to 501(c)(3) charities in Ogle County since its inception in January 2020.

For more information about becom-

ing part of 100+ Women Who Care of Ogle County and making a difference in your community, contact Deanna

Forrest at forrestdede5@gmail.com or find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/oglegives.

Photo provided by 100+ Women Who Care of Ogle County
St. Vincent DePaul of St. Mary’s in Byron was chosen this month as the 100+ Women Who Care of Ogle County recipient.

Hands On Oregon donates $2,000 to OHS Transitions program

SHAW

For the second consecutive year, Hands On Oregon donated $2,000 to the Oregon High School Transitions program. The program serves to enrich the lives of junior and senior students who have been identified as having learning challenges.

The mission of Transitions is to assist these students in learning some of the basic life skills required for successful living in our community, including banking, cooking and performing household chores.

In addition, job skills are taught including math in the workplace, workplace etiquette and technology skills. The program also introduces students to internships and work-based learning, as well as providing them with opportunities to access the community for shopping and leisure activities.

Hands On Oregon is a not-for-profit organization formed in 2015 with the purpose of enriching the lives of Oregon citizens and the community through local caring and creative volunteerism.

For more information, visit the Hands On Oregon Facebook page.

Ogle County Democrats donate to Rochelle

Christian Food Pantry

Photo provided by Ogle County Democrats
The Ogle County Democrats recently celebrated with a fundraiser and canned food collection drive in December. President Linda Pottinger presented Rochelle Christian Food Pantry President Cal Jacobs with a $200 check.
Photo provided by Hands On Oregon

Ogle County students graduate from Iowa State University

Iowa State University awarded degrees to 1,751 graduates this fall. Graduate and undergraduate commencement ceremonies were held Dec. 19-20 at Hilton Coliseum.

The following are graduates from the Ogle County area:

Byron: Eric Detig, Bachelor of Science, management, summa cum laude.

Oregon: Matthew J. Kuehn, Bachelor of Science, mechanical engineering, cum laude.

Polo: Joseph Lee Bardell, Bachelor of Science, mechanical engineering, magna cum laude. Harper Leigh Clark, Bachelor of Science, microbiology, magna cum laude.

Kishwaukee College announces fall 2025 graduates from area

Kishwaukee College recently announced the graduates for the fall 2025 semester.

The following Ogle County students completed the requirements for graduation from Kishwaukee College:

Chana: John A. Jarrett, associate in arts, magna cum laude, basic automotive technology, with distinction.

Davis Junction: Logan M. Apsey, associate in science.

Oregon: Katelyn Ruby Koper, AAS, criminal justice-general, social role of law enforcement; Cortney P. Parker, associate in arts; Laura Alexandra Torres, AAS, registered nursing, cum laude.

Mt. Morris student named to Saint Mary’s College Dean’s List

Abigail Fletcher of Mt. Morris recently was named to the Saint Mary’s College Dean’s List for the fall 2025 semester.

To earn this academic honor at Saint Mary’s, a student must achieve a grade-point average of at least 3.6 on a 4.0 scale, have a minimum of 12 graded credit hours, no incompletes and no grades lower than a C.

Ogle County students named to Loras College’s academic achievement list

Loras College students were recognized for academic achievement during

the recent semester by Dr. Sarah Nytroe, Loras College provost.

Among them were Monroe Center’s Alyssa C. Purvis and Oregon’s Anthony C. Bauer and Alexis E. Ebert.

To be eligible, a student must earn a minimum grade-point average of 3.50 for the term and be a full-time student taking at least 12 graded credits (pass/ fail courses are excluded).

The Dean’s List is compiled at the completion of each semester.

Ogle County students named to Dean’s List at Carthage College

Ogle County students recently were named to the Carthage College fall 2025 Dean’s List in recognition of their outstanding academic achievement. Students from the area named to the Dean’s List are Tyson Politsch of Byron, Riley Flanagan of Lindenwood and Olivia Thomas of Oregon.

Dean’s List honors are accorded to Carthage students who achieve a minimum 3.5 grade-point average while carrying at least 12 letter-graded credits in a given semester.

UW-Stevens Point undergraduates honored for scholastic achievement

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point honored more than 2,872 undergraduate students for attaining high grade-point averages during the fall semester of the 2025-26 academic year.

Full-time undergraduates who earned grade points of 3.90 to 4.0 (4.0 equals straight A) are given the highest honors designation. High honor citations go to those with grade-point averages from 3.75 to 3.89 and honor recognition is accorded to those with grade-point averages from 3.50 to 3.74.

Ogle County students who received honors include Forreston’s Aaron Anderson (Honors) and Montanna Heinz (Highest Honors) and Stillman Valley’s Matthew Meyer (Honors), Cullen White (Highest Honors) and Addison Wythe (Highest Honors).

Personalized certificates of scholastic achievement are sent to those who earned the highest honors distinction. – Shaw Local News Network

Arellano encourages communities to participate in Valentines for Seniors card drive

State Sen. Li Arellano Jr., R-Dixon, is asking residents of the 37th District to help make Valentine’s Day more meaningful for local seniors by contributing cards to his annual Valentines for Seniors card drive.

The card drive encourages community members to create or sign Valentine’s Day cards to be shared with local seniors, helping to brighten their day and reminding them they are valued members of the community.

“This card drive is about connection,” Arellano said. “Taking a few minutes to write a card can brighten someone’s day and remind our seniors that their community is thinking about them.”

Residents are encouraged to drop off or mail Valentine’s Day cards to Arellano’s district office. Homemade or store-bought cards are welcome, and messages of encouragement and appreciation are especially encouraged. Cards must be received by Feb. 2. Drop off or mail to Sen. Li Arellano Jr.’s office at 86 S. Galena Ave., Suite 2, Dixon, IL 61021.

Office hours are from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. If planning to deliver cards in person, residents are asked to call ahead to ensure staff availability. For information, call Nancy Naylor at 779-251-5003.

Chesney invites community to spread Valentine’s Day cheer to local seniors

State Sen. Andrew Chesney, R-Freeport, is inviting residents across the 45th District to help brighten Valentine’s Day for local seniors by participating in his Valentines for Seniors Card Drive.

The card drive encourages community members to create or purchase Valentine’s Day cards to be shared with seniors in local care facilities, helping spread kindness and cheer during the holiday season.

“Too many seniors feel isolated, particularly this time of year,” Chesney said. “Even a small gesture like a Valentine’s Day card can remind them that their community cares and is thinking of them.”

Residents are encouraged to drop off or mail Valentine’s Day cards to Chesney’s district office. Homemade or store-bought cards are welcome, and messages of encouragement and appreciation are especially encouraged. Cards must be received by Feb. 7. Drop off or mail to Sen. Andrew Chesney’s office, 50 W. Douglas St., Suite 1001, Freeport, IL 61032.

Office hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Cards may be placed in the marked mailbox inside the office during drop-off hours.

– Shaw Local News Network

Li Arellano Jr.
Andrew Chesney

Ogle County 4-H invites youths to Day of Dabbling on Feb. 28

SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com

Ogle County 4‑H is welcoming fam ilies to a hands‑on morning of discov ery at Day of Dabbling, a youth learn ing event. The program takes place from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 28 at the Ore gon Church of God, 860 W. Oregon Trail Road, Oregon.

Designed for children and teens ages 5 to 18, Day of Dabbling encour

ages young people to explore new skills through interactive sessions that spark imagination and prob lem‑solving. Participants can dive into activities such as 3‑D Printing, Soap Making, LEGO Challenge, Stained Glass Art, Chocolate Around the World, and many other hands‑on experiences. Families are encouraged to bring plenty of energy and get ready to dabble in something new. Registration is required and can be

completed online at go.illinois.edu/ DayofDabbling, where youths will select the sessions they wish to attend. The event is open to all young people – no previous 4‑H membership or project experience is needed. 4‑H members are welcome to participate regardless of their project areas.

A fee of $10 per Ogle County 4‑Her or $15 per non‑Ogle County 4‑Her will be collected at the door. A full list of available classes can be viewed at

go.illinois.edu/DayofDabbling Classes.

4 H is the youth development pro gram of University of Illinois Exten sion.

For more information about this or any other county 4 H program or if you need a reasonable accommoda tion to participate in programming, call the Ogle County Extension at 815 732 2191 or visit online at extension. illinois.edu/bdo/4 h ogle county.

Whiteman joins Stillman Bank as senior VP and chief credit officer

SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com

Stillman Bank recently welcomed Jennifer Whiteman as senior vice presi dent and chief credit officer, according to Thomas R. Hughes, president and CEO.

In her new position, Whiteman will be responsible for managing the credit cul ture of the bank by overseeing loan approvals, loan documentation, risk man agement and credit related compliance

efforts. She will be located at the bank’s Roscoe office at 5250 Bridge St.

With more than 30 years of experi ence in the banking industry, White man’s previous leadership roles include director of credit administration and senior credit

officer, as well as chief credit officer.

Whiteman holds a Bachelor of Science in economics from Beloit College, an MBA from Rockford University, and has advanced her financial expertise through programs at the University of Wisconsin – Madison Graduate School of Banking and the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

“We are excited to welcome Jennifer to our team,” Hughes said. “Her leader ship and extensive experience in credit

administration will be instrumental as we build on our strong foundation and support the bank’s continued growth.”

A Rockford and Loves Park native, Whiteman resides in Shirland Township with her husband and three daughters. Outside of work, she enjoys staying active, cooking, thrifting with her daugh ters and reading.

For more information on Whiteman or to find out more about Stillman Bank’s products and services, call 815 623 1800.

Jennifer Whiteman

HARRY MICHAEL LOEFGREN

Born: October 23, 1942 in Great Falls, MT

Died: January 18, 2026 in Sarasota, FL

It is with heavy hearts that the extended Loefgren family announces the passing of Harry Michael Loefgren, at the age of 83. Known to those who loved him as Mike, Coach, Poppi and Grampy.

Born in Great Falls, Montana, Mike spent his early days in Rochelle then to Chicago, Buffalo, NY, Green Bay, WI, Carlisle, PA, and then

PATRICIA ANNE DRINKWINE

Born: March 15, 1938

Died: December 21, 2025

Patricia Anne Drinkwine, 87, of Oregon, IL passed away Sunday, December 21, 2025.

Patricia was born March 15, 1938, the daughter of Richard and Eleanor Seniour. Patricia loved her job as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She lived with her husband in Florida before moving to Oregon, IL in 2009 to be close to her son, Gregg. Patricia is survived by her son, Gregg Martin. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Edward Drinkwine; and sons, Glen and Jeff Drinkwine. No services are planned for Patricia at this time.

returned to Rochelle to raise his family. Mike then spent many years on farms and the lakes of Wisconsin and eventually to Sarasota to be closer to his grandchildren. Mike lived life fully and unmistakably on his own terms. After all, who else would trade in a Porsche for an orange Kubota tractor?

Mike was always ready with sound advice, whether as a friend, father, husband, or coach. He approached life with pragmatic clarity, often punctuating his wisdom with trademark humor. He was a masterful debater, never losing an argument (or so he thought). But more often than not, he was right.

Sports were one of Mike’s great passions. He loved football, baseball, basketball, tennis, softball and golf. Ever the competitor he was

known for organizing various neighborhood sports events such as “Superstars Competition”. Long after his playing days were behind him, Mike continued to coach anyone who would listen and was a lifelong Green Bay Packers season ticket holder.

In sports, as in life, Mike gave everything he had. Quitting was never an option. He was an accomplished Salesman who could sell ice to Eskimos. Mike was a remarkable power napper and could be found on the floor or in the sunshine most afternoons. He met challenges head-on, with grit, determination, and resolve. Even in his final years, as his health declined, he continued to fight, supported unwaveringly by his wife and pillar, Melinda. The competitor within him knew no other way.

OGLE COUNTY PROPERTY TRANSFERS

Jan. 19-23, 2026

Warranty Deeds

• Jeffrey Fiegenschuh and Jeff Fiegenschuh to Andi Elder and Noah Higgins, 1 Parcel: 817 N 7th St, Rochelle, $168,500

• John Dunne to Byron Forest Preserve District, 1 Parcel in Byron Township: 05-31-153-011, $25,000

• Palm Avenue Hialeah Tr20141 to Teresa Kieffer Trustee, David Kieffer Trustee, and Will Tr, 1 Parcel: 5481 N River Rd, Byron, $31,000

• Zachary Ryan Richards to Demetris Wallace, 1 Parcel: 909 N 9th St, Rochelle, $161,561

• Askvig Boys Construction Llc to Oscar Fletes, (3rd Party Victoria Fletes) 1 Parcel: 1209 Tilton Park Dr, Rochelle, $210,000

• Dawnmary Lamb, Dawnmary Vancleve, and Bryan E. Lamb to Jessica Anne Rentfro, 1 Parcel: 308 W Emily St, Mt. Morris, $185,000

• Edwin P. Buttens Iii to Riley Lofgreen, 1 Parcel: 708 W Washington St, Oregon, $135,000

• Donald G. Patterson and Ruth Patterson to Donald G. Patterson Trustee, Ruth E. Patterson Trustee, and Donald G & Ruth E Patterson Rev Tr, 1 Parcel: 320 Lake Lida Ln, Rochelle, $0.00

• Jessica L. Freson to Chase Smolen, 1 Parcel: 1104 S 4th St, Oregon, $185,000

Quit Claims

• Randall L. Sealby to Randall L. Sealby and Janet W. Sealby, 1 Parcel: 9877 N Blaine Dr, Byron, $0.00

• Jesus Samaniego to Jesus Samaniego Garcia and Lorenza Sosa Nevarez, 1 Parcel: 231 N Peru St, Byron, $0.00

• Mark Edward Rosenwinkel, Mark E. Rosenwinkel, Gayle Louise Rosenwinkel, and Gayle L. Rosenwinkel to Mark Edward Rosenwinkel Trustee, Gayle Louise Rosenwinkel Trustee, Mark Edward Rosenwinkel Rev Lv Tr, and

Above all else, Mike was a devoted family man and loyal friend. He loved deeply and gave freely, with no expectations and no strings attached. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for the people he cared about.

He was preceded in death by his parents; Harry and Iris and his brothers John Paul and Tom. Mike is survived by his beloved wife, Melinda; his first wife Gail Loefgren; his brother, Richard Loefgren (Lynn); his children, Michael Loefgren, Kristin Heintz (Lee) and Antonio Oppi (Melissa); and his eight cherished grandchildren; Emily, Colin, Hannah, Alex, Abby, Sam, Nefeli, and Alessandra; who carry forward his legacy of strength, humor, and love.

We are thankful for the many memories we shared with him. He will be greatly missed.

Gayle Louise Rosenwinkel Rev Lv Tr, 1 Parcel: 1681 Knights Lane, Rochelle, $0.00

• Daniel P. Mcnamara to Daniel P. Mcnamara and Jennifer Mcnamara, 1 Parcel in Oregon-Nashua Township: 16-13-100-014, $0.00

• Maria I. Munguia, Maria I. Macias, Salvador Munguia, and Pedro Esparza to Maria I. Munguia, 1 Parcel in Dement Township: 25-23-226-020, $0.00

• Christopher M Remhof to Michael A. Wiltzius, 1 Parcel: 508 Main St, Leaf River, $0.00

• Bobbi Stockton and Blake Stockton, 1 Parcel: 610 S 6th St, Oregon, $0.00

• Shane M. Porter to Kayla J. Porter, 1 Parcel: 12967 W Wilson St, Polo, $0.00

Trustees Deeds

• John G. Stuff Jr. Trustee, E. Jane Hopkins Trustee, and Mary Elizabeth Love Stuff Rev Tr to William Wesley Grover Iii Trustee and William Wesley Grover Iii Tr, 1 Parcel in Pine Creek Township: 15-31-200-007, $573,444

• Stillman Bank Trustee and Alvin D. Oltmanns Tr to Shawn N. Winterton, 2 Parcels in Byron Township: 05-08-400-003 and 05-17-200-005, $878,435

• Susan J. Clark Trustee, Stephen J. Clark Trustee, Restated Clark Family Private Rev Tr, and Clark Family Private Revocable Lv Tr to R&h Cattle Llc and R & H Cattle Llc, 1 Parcel in Eagle Point Township: 13-26-400-002, $1,320,000

• Donald A. Wetzel Trustee and Donald A & Lori B Wetzel Family Tr. To Grant Hilliard, 1 Parcel: 102 E Main St, Stillman Valley, $110,000

Deed in Trust

• Leonard D. Belpedio and Vera L. Belpedio to Vera L. Belpedio Trustee and Vera L. Belpedio Revocable Tr, 1 Parcel in Marion Township: 05-28-327-003, $0.00

• Richard M. Reardon and Janet M. Reardon to Richard M. Reardon Trustee, Janet M.

Reardon Trustee, and Reardon Family Tr, 1 Parcel in Taylor Township: 22-08-276-004, $0.00

• Michael E. Austin, Linda K. Robin-Austin, and Linda K Robin Austin to Michael E. Austin Trustee, Linda K. Robin-Austin Trustee, Austin Land Tr, and Linda K Robin Austin Trustee, 1 Parcel in Marion Township: 05-33-200-006, $0.00

• Craig M. Hummel and Karen L. Hummel to Craig M. Hummel Trustee, Karen L. Hummel Trustee, and Hummel Family Tr1125, 2 Parcels: 09-08-200-004 and 09-28-200003, $0.00

• Maynard L. Stivers and Lorene K. Stivers to Mark W. Berndt Trustee, Lori A. Berndt Trustee, and Nnnutt House Family Tr, 2 Parcels in Leaf River: 03-15-300-013 and 03-15-300-014, $750,000

• Larry A. Martin and Janice K. Martin to Andy R. Martin Trustee, Aaron H. Martin Trustee, and Saa Tr1225, 1 Parcel in Mt. Morris Township: 08-36-100-030; and 1 Parcel in Pine Creek Township: 15-12-100009, $0.00

• James R. Collins and Sandra L. Collins to James R. Collins Trustee, Sandra L. Collins Trustee, and James & Sandra Collins Rev Tr., 1 Parcel in Eagle Point Township: 13-34-400004, $0.00

• James R. Collins and Sandra L. Collins to James R. Collins Trustee, Sandra L. Collins Trustee, James & Sandra Collins Rev Tr, 1 Parcel in Woosung Township: 20-01-100001, $0.00

• James R. Collins and Sandra L. Collins to James R. Collins Trustee, Sandra L. Collins Trustee, James & Sandra Collins Rev Tr, 2 Parcels: 21-07-200-003 and 21-07-200-009, $0.00

• James R. Collins and Sandra L. Collins to James R. Collins Trustee, Sandra L. Collins Trustee, James & Sandra Collins Rev Tr, 1 Parcel in Grand Detour Township: 21-07-200005, $0.00

2024 CHEVY 1500 TRAIL BOSS CREW CAB

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF Ogle - Oregon, ILLINOIS U.S BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Plaintiff vs. JOSEP H P. COX, JR.; ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendant 25 FC 12 CAL ENDAR NOTICE OF S HE RIFF'S SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that purs uant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the abov e entitled cause the Sheriff of Ogle County will on February 20, 2026, at the hour 10:00 a.m. in the Sheriff's office, 202 S 1st Street, Oregon, IL 61061, sell to the highest bidder for cash, the following desc ribed mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 05-32-161003. Commonly known as 105 E. DIAMON D ST., BYRON, IL 61010. The real estate is: single family residence . If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Secti on 18.5 of the Condominium Prope rty Act. Sale terms: At sale, the bidder must have 10% down by certified funds, balance within 24 hours, by certified funds. No refunds. The property is sold AS IS subject to all liens or encumbrances The property will NOT be open for inspection. Prospecti ve bidders are admonished to check the circuit court case record, property tax record and the title record to verify all information before bidd ing.

For informati on call Sales Department at Plaintiff's Attorney, Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 13010 Morris Road, Suite 450, Alpharetta, Georgia 30004. (708) 668-4410 ext. 52109. 24 -235418 SHERIFF I3279738 Forres ton Journal Jan. 16, 23, 30, 2026

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT ¬OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS

U.S BANK , NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS LEGAL TITLE TRUSTEE FOR TRUMAN 2016 SC6 TITLE TRUST, Plaintiff, -vsJUAN M BELMONTE; MANUELA HERRERA, AKA MANUELA HERRERA BEL MONTE; Defendan t(s).

CASE NO 2025FC22 Prope rty Address: 1115 Lakeview Dr Rochelle, IL 61068 NOTICE OF SHE RIFF 'S SALE

Pub lic notice is hereby given that in pursuance of a judgment of said Court entered in the above-entitled cause on October 6, 2025, I, Sheriff Brian VanVickl e of Ogle County, Illinois, wi ll hold a sale on March 6, 2026, commencing at 10:00AM, Ogle County Sheriff's Office, 202 S. 1st Street, Oregon, IL 61061, to sell to the highest bidder or bidd ers the following desc ribed real estate, or so much thereof as may be sufficient to satisfy said decree, to wit:

Commonly known as: 1115 Lakeview Dr, Roche lle, IL 61068 P.I.N.: 24-26-232-007

First Lien Posi tion; Single-Family Residence ; Judgment Amount $144,734.18 IN ACCORDANCE WITH 735 ILCS 5/15- 1507(c) (1)(H- 1) AND (H-2), 765 ILCS 605/9 (G)(5) , AND 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1), YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE PURCHASER OF THE PROPERTY OTHER THAN A MORTGAGEE, SHALL PAY THE A SSESSME NTS AND LEGAL FEES REQUIRE D BY SUBSECTIONS (g)(1) AND (g)(4) OF SECTION 9 AND THE ASSESSMENTS AND COURT COSTS REQUIRED BY SUBSECTION (g-1) OF SECTION 18.5 OF THE ILLINOIS CONDOMINIUM PROPERTY ACT.

Terms of Sale: CASH - 10% down at the time of sale and the balance du e wit hin 24 hours of the sale. All pay ments for the amount bid shall be in certified funds payable to the Sheriff of Ogle County.

The person to contact for information regarding this property is: Sales Department at Diaz Anselmo & Associat es, LLC, 1771 West Diehl Road, Suite 120, Naperville, IL 60563, (630) 453-6960. For bidding instructions, visit www.dallegal.com 24 hours prior to sa le

This communicat ion is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Diaz Anselmo & Associates, LLC 1771 West Diehl Road, Suite 120 Naperville, IL 60563 (630) 453-6960 midwestpleadings@dallegal.com 8190-961452 Forreston Journal Jan. 30, Feb. 6, 13, 2026 961452

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OG LE COUNTY, ILL INOIS LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC, PLAINTIFF, VS. ANTONIO JEFTHE LOPEZ PICHARDO; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD C LAIMANTS, DEFENDANTS. NO. 2025FC25 6846 SOUTH JAMES DRIVE ROCHELL E, IL 61068 NOTICE OF SALE

PURSUANT TO JUDGMENT OF FORECL OSURE UNDER ILLINOIS MORTGAGE F OR ECLOSU RE ACT

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered by the Court in the above entitled cause on December 8, 2025, Judicial Sales Corporation will on March 6, 2026, in the Ogle County She riff's Office, Main Lobby, 202 South First Street, Oregon, IL 61061, at 10:00 AM, sell at public auction and sale to the highest bidder for cash, all and singular, the following described real estate mentioned in said Judgment, situated in the County of Ogle, State of Illinois, or so much thereof as shall be sufficient to satisfy said Judgment: TAX NO. 24-20476-016 C OMMONLY KNOWN AS: 6846 South James Drive

Roche lle, IL 61068 Description of Improvements: Brown brick, single family home, attached 2 car garage

The Judgment amount wa s $198,364.97.

Sale Terms : This is an "AS IS" sale for "CASH". The successful bidder must deposit 10% down by certified funds; balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. NO REFUNDS.

The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments or special taxes levi ed against said real estate, water bills, etc., and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to plaintiff. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the bid amount, the purchaser shall receive a Certificate of Sale, wh ich will entitle the pur chaser to a Deed to the real esta te after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection. Prospecti ve bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information

The successful purcha ser has the sole responsibility/ expense of evicting any tenants or other individuals presently in possession of th e subject premises.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclos ure sale, other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). 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: Visit our website at http://ilforeclosuresa les.mrpllc.com

Between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m only - McCa lla Raymer Leibe rt Pierce, LLP, Plaintiff's Attorneys, 333 W Wacker Drive, Suite 1820, Chicago, IL 60606-1220. Tel No (312) 346-9088. Please refer to file# 25-21296IL

PURSUANT TO THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTIO N PRACTICES ACT, THE PLAIN TIFF'S ATTORNEY IS DEEMED TO BE A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTIN G TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.

Pla intiff's attorney is not required to provi de additional information other than that set forth in this notice of sale I3279354 Forreston Journal Jan. 23, 30, Feb. 6, 2026

EAL ESTATE

TH JUDICIAL

OIS

TIFF, UNKNOWN DEFENDANTS. ROCHELL E, IL

CL OSURE LOSU RE ACT

pursuant to a y the Court in 2025, Judicial e Ogle County treet, Oregon, nd sale to the the following udgment, situated much thereof as AX NO. 24-20th James Drive ements: Brown

garage

"CASH". The n by certified 24 hours. NO

estate taxes, gainst said real sale without any itle and without r subject to urchaser shall the pur chaser of the sale.

ion. Prospecti ve ile to verify all responsibility/ ndividuals presently

urchaser of the agee shall pay uired by The (1) and (g)(4). OWNER), YOU SION FOR 30 POSSESSION, IN 15-1701(C) OF THE website at aymer Leibe rt er Drive, Suite (312) 346-9088.

N PRACTICES

EMED TO BE A OLLECT A DEBT D FOR THAT

de additional notice of sale

Feb. 6, 2026

of Notice to creditors, if mailing ordelivery is required by Section 5/18-3 of the Illinois Probate Act, 197 5, as amended, whichever date is later

STATE OF IL LINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

COUNTY OF OGLE

I n re the E state of: MAX E. SNOOK, JR.,

Deceased 2026 PR 4 CL AIM NOTICE

Notice is given of the death of MAX E. SNOOK, JR. Letters of Office were issued onJanuary 16, 2026, to KENNEDI PORTS, as Independent Executor

Claims against the estate may be filed within six (6) months from the date of first publication, or wit hin three (3) months from the date of mailing or delivery of Notice to creditors, if mailing ordelivery is required by Section 5/18-3 of the Illinois Probate Act, 197 5, as amended, whichever date is later

DAny claim not filed by the requisite date stated above shall be barred. Claims against the estate may be filed in the Office of the Circuit Clerk, Ogle County Judicial Center, 106 South 5th Street, Or egon, IL 61061 or with the esta te legal representative, or both. Copies of a claim filed with the clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney wit hin 10 days after it has been filed.

By: KENNEDI PORTS Independent Executor Law Office s of M. THOMAS SUITS, P.C. 114 W. Mason St. Polo, IL 61064 (815) 946-2276

tom@suitslegal com

Jan. 23, 30, Feb. 6, 2026

Any claim not filed by the requisite date stated above shall be barred.

Claims against the estate may be filed in the Office of the Circuit Clerk, Ogle County Judicial Center, 106 South 5th Street, Or egon, IL 61061 or with the esta te legal representative, or both. Copies of a claim filed with the clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney wit hin 10 days after it has been filed.

By: KENNEDI PORTS Independent Executor Law Office s of M. THOMAS SUITS, P.C. 114 W. Mason St. Polo, IL 61064 (815) 946-2276

tom@suitslegal com

Jan. 23, 30, Feb. 6, 2026

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF Ogle - Oregon, ILLINOIS

U.S BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Plaintiff

vs. JOSEP H P. COX, JR.; ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendant

25 FC 12 CALENDAR NOTICE OF SHE RIFF'S SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that purs uant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the abov e entitled cause the Sheriff of Ogle County will on February 20, 2026, at the hour 10:00 a.m. in the Sheriff's office, 202 S 1st Street, Oregon, IL 61061, sell to the highest bidder for cash, the following desc ribed mortgaged real estate: LOTS SEVEN (7) AND EIGH T (8), EXCEPT THE EAST TEN (10 ) FEET OF SAID LOT EIGHT (8) IN BLOCK TWENTY-THREE (23), IN THE ORIGINAL VILLAGE, NOW CITY, OF BYRON; SITUATED IN THE TOWNSHIP OF BYRON, COUNTY OF OGLE AND STATE ILLINOI S. P.I.N. 05-32-161-003. Commonly known as 105 E. DIAMOND ST., BYRON, IL 61010.

The real estat e is : single family residence If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common inter est community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Secti on 18.5 of the Condominium Prope rty Act. Sale terms: At sale, the bidder must have 10% down by certified funds, balance within 24 hours, by certified funds. No refunds. The property is sold AS IS subject to all liens or encumbrances

The property will NOT be open for inspection. Prospecti ve bidders are admonished to check the circuit court case record, property tax record and the title record to verify all information before bidd ing.

For informati on call Sales Department at Plaintiff's Attorney, Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 13010 Morris Road, Suite 450, Alpharetta, Georgia 30004. (708) 668-4410 ext. 52109. 24 -235418 SHERIFF

I3279738 Forreston Journal Jan. 16, 23, 30, 2026

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT ¬OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS

U.S BANK , NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS LEGAL TITLE TRUSTEE FOR TRUMAN 2016 SC6 TITLE TRUST, Plaintiff, -vs-

JUAN M BELMONTE; MANUELA HERRERA, AKA MANUELA HERRERA BEL MONTE; Defendan t(s).

CASE NO 2025FC22 Prope rty Address: 1115 Lakeview Dr Rochelle, IL 61068 NOTICE OF SHE RIFF 'S SALE

Pub lic notice is hereby given that in pursuance of a judgment of said Court entered in the above-entitled cause on October 6, 2025, I, Sheriff Brian VanVickl e of Ogle County, Illinois, wi ll hold a sale on March 6, 2026, commencing at 10:00AM, Ogle County Sheriff's Office, 202 S. 1st Street, Oregon, IL 61061, to sell to the highest bidder or bidd ers the following desc ribed real estate, or so much thereof as may be sufficient to satisfy said decree, to wit: LOT 8 IN BLOCK 2 IN LAKEVIEW SUBDIVISION IN THE CITY OF ROCHELLE, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN BOOK I OF PLATS, PAGE 7, IN THE RECORDER'S OFFICE IN OGLE COUNTY,ILLINOIS

Commonly known as: 1115 Lakeview Dr, Roche lle, IL 61068 P.I.N.: 24-26-232-007

First Lien Posi tion; Single-Family Residence ; Judgment Amount $144,734.18 IN ACCORDANCE WITH 735 ILCS 5/15- 1507(c) (1)(H- 1) AND (H-2), 765 ILCS 605/9 (G)(5) , AND 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1), YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE PURCHASER OF THE PROPERTY OTHER THAN A MORTGAGEE, SHALL PAY THE A SSESSME NTS AND LEGAL FEES REQUIRE D BY SUBSECTIONS (g)(1) AND (g)(4) OF SECTION 9 AND THE ASSESSMENTS AND COURT COSTS REQUIRED BY SUBSECTION (g-1) OF SECTION 18.5 OF THE ILLINOIS CONDOMINIUM PROPERTY ACT.

Terms of Sale: CASH - 10% down at the time of sale and the balance du e wit hin 24 hours of the sale. All pay ments for the amount bid shall be in certified funds payable to the Sheriff of Ogle County.

The person to contact for information regarding this property is: Sales Department at Diaz Anselmo & Associates, LLC, 1771 West Diehl Road, Suite 120, Naperville, IL 60563, (630) 453-6960. For bidding instructions, visit www.dallegal.com 24 hours prior to sa le

This communicat ion is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Diaz Anselmo & Associates, LLC 1771 West Diehl Road, Suite 120 Naperville, IL 60563 (630) 45 3-6960 midwestpleadings@da llegal.com 8190-961452 Forreston Journal Jan . 30, Feb. 6, 13, 2026 961452

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OG LE COUNT Y, ILLINOIS

LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC, PLAINTIFF, VS. ANTONIO JEFTHE LOPEZ PICHARDO; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, DEFENDANTS NO. 2025FC25 6846 SOUTH JAME S DRIVE ROCHE LLE , IL 61068

NOTICE OF SALE PURSUANT TO JUDGMENT OF FORECL OSURE UNDER ILL INOIS MORTGAGE F ORECLOSURE ACT

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered by the Court in the above entitled cause on December 8, 2025, Judicia l Sales Corporation will on March 6, 2026, in the Ogle County Sheriff's Office, Main Lobby, 202 South First Street, Oregon, IL 61061, at 10:00 AM, sell at pub lic auction and sale to the highest bidder for cash, all and singular, the following described real estate mentioned in said Judgment, situated in the County of Ogle, State of Illinois, or so much thereof as shall be sufficient to satisfy said Judgment: Part of Lot Fifty-nine (59) of Woodlawn Acres Subdi vision No. 3 as recorded in the Ogle County Recorder's Office in Book K of Plats, page 85, bounded and describ ed as follows: Beginning at the Southwest corner of said Lot 59; thence Northwesterly along the Wes terly line of said Lot 59, 200 feet to the Northwest corner of said Lot 59; thence Northeasterly along the Nor thwesterly line of said Lot 59, a distance of 20.2 feet thence Southeasterly parallel with said Westerly line of said Lot 59, a distance of 200 feet to a point on the Southeasterly line of said Lot 59; thence Southwesterly along said Southea sterly line of Lot 59, a distance of 20.2 feet to the point of beginning; s ituated in Ogle County, State of Illinois, AND Part of Lot Sixty (60) of Woodlawn Acres Subdivision No. 3, as recorded in the Ogle County Recorders Office in Book K of Plats, page 85, bounded and described as follows: Beginning at the Southeast corner of said Lot 60; thence Northwesterly along the Easterly line of said Lot 60, 200 feet to the Northeast corner of said Lot 60; thence Southwesterly along the Northwe sterly line of said Lot 60, a distance of 64.8 feet thence Southea sterly parallel with said East line of Lot 60, a dis tance of 200 feet to a poi nt on the Southeasterly line of said Lot 60; thence Northeasterly along said Southea sterly line of Lot 60, a distance of 64.8 feet to the point of beginning; situated in the County of Ogle and State of Illinois. TAX NO. 24-20-476-016 COMMONLY KNOWN AS: 6846 South James Drive Roche lle, IL 61068 Description of Improv ements: Brown br ick, single family home, attached 2 car garage The Judgment amoun t wa s $198,364.97.

Sale Terms: This is an "AS IS" sale for "CASH" . The successful bidder must deposit 10% down by certified funds; balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours.

NO REFUNDS

The subject prope rty is subject to general real esta te taxes, special assessments or special taxes levied against said real estate, water bills, etc., and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to pla intiff. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in ful l of the bid amount, the purchaser shall receive a Certificate of Sale, which will entitle the purchaser to a Deed to the r eal estate after confirmation of the sale

The property will NOT be open for ins pection. Prospecti ve bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information

The successful purchaser has the sole responsibility/ expense of evicting any tenants or other individuals presently in possession of the subject premises.

If this prope rty is a condomi nium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, othe r than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fee s required by The Condominium Prope rty Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).

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 SECTIO N 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

For Information: V is it our website at http://ilforeclosuresales.mrpllc.com

Between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m only - McCa lla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLP, Plaintiff's Attorneys, 333 W Wacker Drive, Suite 1820, Chicago, IL 60606-1220. Tel. No. (312) 346-9088. Please refer to file# 25-21296IL

PURSUANT TO THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTI CES ACT, THE PLAINTIFF'S ATTORNEY IS DEEMED TO BE A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. Plaintiff's attorney is not required to provide additional information other than that set forth in this notice of sale.

I3 279354 Forreston Jou rnal Jan. 23, 30, Feb. 6, 2026

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Another big win for Byron girls basketball team

In a closely contested girls basketball game between Byron and Dixon, it was the Tigers emerging on top in overtime. From the opening tipoff until the final score of 46-43, it was tight all the way between the stateranked teams.

Similar to the first game between the two at the KSB tourney where Byron came back in the final minute to win, Dixon rallied from five points down to force overtime. Hard-nosed defense and big plays on offense certainly were on display at the Byron gym in the Saturday afternoon tilt. A few days before, Byron (20-2) avenged a KSB title game loss to Sterling with a 52-40 win over the Golden Warriors, this time with a healthy roster.

Byron continues to be the odds-on favorite to advance out of the Wilmington Supersectional to the Class 2A state finals. The toughest 2A super

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS ROUNDUP

Monday, Jan. 19

Girls basketball

looks to be at Benton with five of the top 10 ranked teams.

If you happen to be at Stillman Valley on Thursday, Feb. 5, for the girls game with Byron, there will be a special presentation to Scott Leber of WTVO/WQRF TV. Leber, who has been covering local high school sports for 36 years, was named a Distinguished Media Service Award winner by the IHSA.

There are a few area radio guys with more longevity, but no one in TV approaches Scott’s work ethic. The man is everywhere, and his dedication is off the charts.

With so many area sports cancellations last weekend, it was nice to see Oregon did not let cold weather get in the way of the boys basketball game with Winnebago on Friday. As Superintendent PJ Caposey explained to me, there’s a big difference between closing school when you have grade schoolers waiting for a bus in frigid temps versus teenagers with cars to travel to a game.

Yes, I realize some schools have policies against having sporting events when classes are called off for weather. But as this column has ral-

Polo 52, Fulton 50: Cam Jones led Polo with 23 points and five assists in the road win. Wrenn Coffey had 15 points and Breleigh Hayton had 13 for Fulton.

Tuesday, Jan. 20

Boys basketball

Oregon 67, Indian Creek 59: Tucker O’Brien scored 25 points and Benny Olalde added 20 more in the Hawks’ win. Oregon improved to 17-4.

Amboy 43, Polo 20: Ezra Parker led Amboy with 17 points, while Colt McCoy and Tanner Welch each added 12. JT Stephenson scored seven points for Polo.

Wednesday, Jan. 21

Girls basketball

Oregon 52, South Beloit 20: Lola Schwarz led the Hawks with 20 points in the win. Aniyah Sarver added 11.

Amboy 58, Polo 53: Amboy’s Alexa McKendry had 26 points, including 14 free throws. Bella Yanos added 14 points in the win. Cam Jones led Polo with 22 points.

Thursday, Jan. 22

Boys wrestling

Oregon 60, North Boone 24: Scoring pins for the Hawks were Isaiah Perez, Carson Benesh, Jackson Messen -

lied against over the years, a societal fear of weather, be it hot or cold, leads public-sector entities (not just schools) to complete shutdowns.

It was nice to visit with Winnebago coach Joe Murphy before the Hawk game. At 73 years of age and closing in on 800 wins, Murphy shows no sign of slowing down.

Even after 38 years as head coach at ’Bago, he’d love to continue many more years. The all-time IHSA leader is Gene Pingatore, Westchester (St. Joseph), 1969-2019, with 1,035 wins.

Murphy may not reach that high, but has a decent shot of catching up to Boylan’s Steve Goers (881) to take over third place.

Speaking of coaching victories, a slight correction from a couple of weeks ago, when Mike Lalor was listed below Everett Stine in total football wins. Actually, Mike is one spot ahead with 223 wins, as the IHSA site wasn’t updated to include this past year.

However, the way Jeff Boyer is racking up wins, with 139 in only 14 years, he could eventually become the county’s all-time leader. Already, he has the highest win percentage at .832.

ger and Jayden Berry.

Oregon 59, Winnebago 24: Carson Benesh, Boone Alderks, Nelson Benesh and Jackson Messenger had pins for Oregon. Isaiah Perez added a technical fall.

Friday, Jan. 21

Boys basketball

Winnebago 71, Oregon 47: Keaton Salsbury led Oregon

According to IHSA records, other coaches over 100 wins at one school are Rochelle’s Kevin Crandall (160-96 in 24 years), Oregon’s Pat Holland (136-53 in 25 years), Polo’s Dwight Sellers (118-60 in 21 years) and Oregon’s John Bothe (112-85 in 19 years).

No one at Forreston has had the longevity to even come close to that mark.

The public-private debate in football continues to make news. This time it’s in Alabama, where its high school association voted to split from everyone together to separate state championships.

One reason given was that recent state legislation allowed for up to $7,000 in tax credits for private tuition. Maryland, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia also have separate football playoffs for public and private. Will Illinois soon be joining those ranks? At this point, no. That is something the IHSA wishes to avoid at all costs. But it is not out of the realm, either.

• Andy Colbert is a longtime Ogle County resident with years of experience covering sports and more for multiple area publications.

with 11 points and Cooper Johnson had nine in the setback.

Saturday, Jan 24

Boys bowling

Oregon’s Rylann Delehanty advances to state: Delehanty, a freshman, was the lone area bowler to advance to state after he rolled a 1,328 series at the Rockford East Sectional, placing seventh overall.

The Hawks (5,908) were seventh as a team. The top four advancing teams scored 6,012 or better at The Cherry Bowl. RJ Keene was 14th with a 1,276 for Oregon. Ivan Hernandez rolled a 1,120 and Caleb Ehrler had a 1,054.

Dixon’s Aaron Fitzanko (1,207) was 29th, and Sam Gingras (1,204) was 31st.

Bryce Kooy took 65th with a 1,078 series for Sterling.

Boys basketball

Scales Mound 66, Polo 54: JT Stephenson scored 17 points, while Mercer Mumford and Eli Perez each added 15 for the Marcos.

Girls basketball

Rockford Lutheran 58, Oregon 43: Avery Kitzmiller scored 12 points, and Aniyah Sarver added 10 in the setback.

Polo 60, Milledgeville 35: Carlee Grobe led Polo with 21 points, and Cam Jones (six assists) had 19 in the win.

Earleen Hinton
Polo’s Carlee Grobe focuses on the basket before draining a 3-pointer Jan. 24 against Milledgeville.

Oregon takes 1st at Leroy Randy Bowman Invitational

Led by champions Josiah Perez at 120 pounds, Isaiah Perez at 126, and Nelson Benesh at 138 and runner-up Jackson Messenger at 150, Oregon took first place for the second year in a row at the annual Leroy Randy Bowman Invitational.

The Hawks finished with 178.5 points, well ahead of second-place Heyworth with 126.5. Warrensburg-Latham, Auburn and LeRoy rounded out the top five.

Josiah Perez had an opening-round bye, pinned with a half nelson at 1:31 and had a 20-4 technical fall at the six-minute mark. He had an 18-0 technical fall at 5:21 in the title match.

Isaiah Perez had a bye and pinned with a half nelson at 1:12. In the semifinals, he had a 15-0 technical fall at the two-minute mark. He scraped to a pin at 2:59 in the title match.

Nelson Benesh had a bye and two falls, a butcher at 1:21 and a takedown to the back at 5:11. In the first-place match, Benesh ran a chicken wing at 2:52 to complete a 17-2 technical fall at 2:26.

Messenger hit a double leg takedown in 36 seconds in his first match, ran a chicken wing at 2:19 in the quarterfinals, and had his opponent on his back four times in a 17-1 technical fall, ending the second period with a spinning takedown. In the championship match, Messenger was scoreless in the first period and then was injured in the second period and could not continue, losing by injury default.

Jayden Berry took third place at 157, pinning in the first period in his first two matches. He was pulled back in a chicken wing at 3:19 in the semifinals to drop to the third-place mat where he had a reverse to the back for four points on his way to a 19-4 technical fall at 1:58.

At 144, Boone Alderks pinned twice in the first period and once in the second to reach the semifinals where he lost by a fall at 3:06 to the eventual champion. He was pinned again in the third-place match, a half nelson at 2:51 to finish fourth.

Also taking fourth was Jack Benesh. He pinned twice in the first period to get to the semifinals at 132 pounds. In the round of four, he was taken to his back in a half nelson at 2:48. In the third-place match, he had an early lead but was rolled to his back and pinned at 1:34.

Another Oregon wrestler finishing fourth was Kayden Cover at 106 pounds. He had a bye and a double chicken wing at 1:49 to get to the semifinals where he lost by a technical fall. He dropped a 9-1 major decision in the third-place match.

Carson Benesh and Landon Ege both lost their second matches and then pinned to reach the fifth-place mat where Benesh beat Ege by a 12-2 major

decision, giving Benesh fifth and Ege sixth place in the 132-pound weight class.

Newt Wright took sixth at 285 pounds, pinning with a drop to the back in 10 seconds in his opener, getting pinned in the first period of his second match, and then pinning his way to the fifth-place mat where he was down big when he was turned in a chicken wing and pinned at 3:12.

Wrestling at 150, Hunter Skoli had two pins but dropped out in the consolation semifinal, losing a 20-6 major decision.

Jasper Messenger started with a pin but lost his next two by falls to drop out in the wrestleback quarterfinals.

Tyshawn Gordy won his opener but was pinned by the eventual champion in the quarterfinals, had a technical fall in his next match and was pinned in 20 seconds in the consolation quarterfinals to end his tournament.

Oregon falls to Dixon in match for conference title

With the Big Northern Conference championship on the line against Dixon on Jan. 21 in Rock Falls, Oregon got off to a slow start but took the lead after the second match and extended it in the third match. But that was the end of the scoring for Oregon until the third from the last match, and the Dukes crushed the Hawks 61-17, taking the conference title for the second year in a row.

Against the host Rockets, Oregon started with a major decision and aided by a couple of forfeits pulled out a 42-33 win.

Things were much better in North Boone on Jan. 22, with Oregon outwrestling the host Vikings and the Winnebago Indians. Oregon defeated North Boone 60-24 and Winnebago 59-24.

Against Dixon, Isaiah Perez started the match at 126 pounds and had an early 4-0 lead but got taken down to his back late to drop an 8-4 decision. At 132, Jack Benesh had three sets of backpoints in a 15-0 technical fall at 3:35. At 138, Landon Ege pulled a chicken wing at 4:48 and things looked good for Oregon with an 11-3 lead.

Nelson Benesh then lost a takedown in a cradle and was pinned at 5:47. Oregon forfeited 150, Jackson Messenger was pinned in a double chicken wing at 1:46, and Jayden Berry was driven down in a half nelson at 1:52.

Cole Suter wrestled tough in a 10-0 major decision loss and Charles Collins was taken down to his back in a half nelson in 38 seconds. Jacksyn Windham was thrown in a hip toss and pinned at 3:49. At 285, Yovanni Carreno was taken to his back at 1:44. Kayden Cover

Oregon’s Isaiah Perez wrestles Dixon’s Doolan Long on Jan. 21.

broke the losing streak, running a chicken wing at 3:48, but the Hawks forfeited the last two matches and had to again settle for second in the BNC.

Against Rock Falls, Perez rebounded with a 15-6 major decision and Oregon forfeited 126. Ege dropped a 17-2 technical fall at 2:16 and Nelson Benesh came from behind to take an 8-5 win. At 150, Messenger scored a takedown in a half nelson at 1:32. Berry hit his second takedown in a half nelson at 1:11. Suter was turned three times in half nelsons to drop a 15-0 technical fall at 1:49. Collins was pinned in a half nelson at 1:21, narrowing the Hawks lead to three points. At 190, Jasper Messenger took a forfeit, and Windham fought through a throw to a fall at 1:33. Carreno was thrown to his back at 2:32. Cover won an 18-2 technical fall at 2:40, and Tyshawn

Gordy was turned in a chicken wing at 3:56. Josiah Perez took a forfeit at 120 and Oregon forfeited 126 to finish the scoring.

In JV action, Jaxson Oltman was pinned in a half nelson at 5:27, Gordy was pinned in a chicken wing at 3:09, and Finn Ruane went over in a half nelson at 1:12. Sonny Wesselman pinned with a half nelson at 1:30, and Newt Wright pinned with half nelsons at 1:15 and in 12 seconds.

Against North Boone, Gordy was pinned in a double chicken wing at 121, Windham lost by injury default, and Wright was turned in a butcher at 1:34. Oregon took forfeits at 106, 138, 144, 165, 175 and 190 with Cover, Boone Alderks, Nelson Benesh, Suter, Collins, and Jasper Messenger getting the passes. Isaiah Perez took a half nelson out front at 1:42, Carson Benesh stopped a stand with a move to the back at 1:31, Jackson Messenger pulled a chicken wing back in 56 seconds, and Berry hit a butcher at 1:19 to win for Oregon.

The Hawks got forfeits from Josiah Perez, Berry, Wright and Cover in the meet with Winnebago. Pinning for Oregon were Carson Benesh with a chicken wing at 3:33, Alderks with a half nelson in 46 seconds, Nelson Benesh with a cradle at 3:04, Jackson Messenger with a scrape at 1:05, and Suter with a half nelson at 1:04. Isaiah Perez started the third period with a takedown to finish an 18-1 technical fall. Gordy, Jasper Messenger and Charles Collins lost by falls. Oregon forfeited 215. In exhibition, Jaxson Oltman had two sets of backpoints in a 15-0 technical fall at 1:36, and Ian Tajiboy-Kilkan hit a hip toss for a fall in 50 seconds.

Brian Hurley

Oregon battles Rockford Lutheran

Polo victorious against Milledgeville

Oregon’s Shaylee Davis and Rockford Lutheran’s Danielle Larson fight for a rebound on Jan. 24 at the Blackhawk Center in Oregon.
Photos by Earleen Hinton
Oregon’s Addison Rufer fights her way through a screen during a Jan. 24 game with Rockford Lutheran at the Blackhawk Center in Oregon.
Polo’s Elsa Monaco shoots as Milledgeville’s Sophia Armstrong defends Jan. 24.
Photos by Earleen Hinton
Polo’s Reese Mekeel drives the baseline as Milledgeville’s Leslie Mayne defends Jan. 24.

SPORTS

TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY

2018: Houston forward James Harden puts up the highest-scoring triple-double in NBA history (60 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists) as the Rockets beat the Orlando Magic 114-107 in Houston.

Friday, January 30, 2026

MAKING HER MOVE

Oregon falls to Rockford Lutheran / Sports roundup, page 17; more photos, page 19

Oregon’s Lola Schwarz makes a move to the basket as Rockford Lutheran’s Laney Carlson defends Jan. 24 at the Blackhawk Center in Oregon.
Photo by Earleen Hinton

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