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Protections needed for landowners who lease land for solar farms
IBV Energy Partners, in concert with its subsidiary, Kyte River Solar, is in the process of developing a 150-megawatt solar farm near the intersection of South Meridian Road and Lincoln Highway. The land use permit is expected to be submitted at the end of this year, with construction scheduled to begin in 2027.
According to the Great Plains Institute, one megawatt of solar-powered collectors requires between 7 and 10 acres of land in Illinois. For you geniuses with your calculators, this project will require 1,050 to 1,500 acres for the solar collectors alone. Battery storage will require between 0.5 and 1.5 acres per megawatt, which translates to an additional 75 to 225 acres, depending on the battery type. Therefore, the estimated land requirement for this project ranges from a minimum of 1,125 to 1,725 acres.
The average expected life of a solar farm is approximately 25 years. Typically, the developer of a solar farm leases the land for a specified period, as outlined in the lease agreement. The lease is similar to a rental and is paid out periodically for the duration of the lease. The amount of money received by the landowner often exceeds the potential proceeds from crops grown on the land, making it attractive. Typically, it is agreed that the land be returned in a condition suitable for farming.
COMMUNITY VOICES
Chuck Roberts
Although the financial benefits may appear appealing, there is a risk associated with leasing the land for such a project. The government heavily subsidizes the development of solar farms. The current administration is in the process of eliminating subsidies for wind power. It is expected that solar farms may also be on the chopping block.
Like wind power, solar power is intermittent, and according to the American Energy Alliance, it operates at about 25% of the time, requiring backup power from fossil fuels, nuclear sources, or expensive batteries. The total cost per kilowatt-hour from solar farms far exceeds that of alternative fossil fuel or nuclear-generated power, which is why solar farms have not been developed without subsidies.
According to the American Energy Alliance, the “solar industry is in dire straits without endless subsidies.” Solar projects get 30% tax credits, among other subsidies. If subsidies are reduced or eliminated, a bankruptcy could occur, which means no lease payment, and the landowner would have to pay to remove the solar collectors, battery storage, foundations and frame-
work before farming the land. It might be wise in a lease to have wording that stipulates the lessor will pay for returning the land to its original state after the useful life of the solar installation and perhaps even require that funds for restoration of the land be placed in escrow.
Landowners should also be aware of environmental concerns that have previously been reported. Newsweek reported “Thousands of Solar Panels in Texas Destroyed by Hailstorm” in 2024. As a result of this event, discussions arose regarding the toxic chemicals from the damaged collectors contaminating the soil, rendering the land unusable for farming. According to Riverhead Local News, dated Aug. 4, 2023, a headline read as follows: “After three fires this summer at commercial battery storage facilities in N.Y., Hochul creates working group for safety investigation.”
When the Ogle County Board receives the land use permit application, it will have little say as long as the project meets Illinois state requirements. In January 2023, Pritzker signed House Bill 4412, also known as Public Act 102-1123, into law, which essentially prevents counties in Illinois from passing bans or moratoriums on wind and solar energy projects.
• Chuck Roberts is a freelance writer in Rochelle.
Locals named to President’s List
Southern New Hampshire University congratulates Trevor Hegge of Rochelle and McKenna Sawlsville of Ashton for being named to the Summer 2025 President’s List. The summer terms run from May to August.
Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point
average of 3.7 and above for the reporting term are named to the President’s List.
Dall
makes
SNHU dean’s list
Southern New Hampshire University recently congratulated Rochelle’s Abby Dall on being named to the summer 2025 dean’s list. The summer term runs from May to August.
Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.500 to 3.699 for the reporting term are named to the dean’s list. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired eight-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.
– Shaw Local News Network
HOW ARE WE DOING?
Lincoln Highway Heritage Festival Committee members met Sept. 3 to reflect on the three-day event in Rochelle. Story on page 3.
Jeff Helfrich ON THE COVER
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Lincoln Highway Heritage Festival Committee evaluates 2025 event success and future plans
Committee hopes festival can return to downtown
By JEFF HELFRICH jhelfrich@shawmedia.com
The Lincoln Highway Heritage Festival Committee held its annual post-festival meeting at VFW Post 3878 on Wednesday, Sept. 3, to reflect on the three-day event held Aug. 15-17 in Rochelle.
The event was held at Atwood Park this year due to planned city construction downtown that will include a new stage, storage and bathrooms structure, parking lot restoration and utility undergrounding. LHHF has been held in the downtown area since its inception.
“I think most of the people that were at the festival enjoyed the layout, carnival-wise,” LHHF Board President Lisa Schwarz said. “Our food vendors were kind of tucked in a corner along with our raffle booth. People that were at the carnival didn’t necessarily make it all the way through the festival, which made it a little hard. The music was distanced away too. We loved having all the extra space. From what we heard, attendees enjoyed all that extra space too.”
Schwarz said the new venue brought about “a lot more” work and cost. LHHF’s committee hopes to hold the event back in its typical space downtown next year if the city’s construction allows.
Schwarz and the committee thanked the City of Rochelle and the Flagg-Rochelle Community Park District for their support of the 2025 event. Rochelle Municipal Utilities worked to run water and electricity where it was needed at the park, and Rochelle Mayor John Bearrows and City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh drove shuttle buses for the event.
“We can count on the city,” LHHF Committee Member Pete Agnos said. “If we needed something, RMU and the street department were there for whatever we needed. They were really good to us. Bruns Construction donated generators for us to use.”
The LHHF committee is made up of a
core group of volunteers, including Schwarz, Agnos, Kathy Yochum, Paula Combs, Dwayne Rangel, Heather Simo, Roslyn Martinez and Debbie Howard. Others that helped with the festival included Spring Vos, Jake Frohling, Cristel Spartz, Chuck Cawley and Rosaelia Arteaga.
The committee is always seeking more volunteers, and meeting information can be found on LHHF’s Facebook page.
“People should volunteer because we can’t get any bigger or better without more people,” Schwarz said. “Our
volunteers worked really hard that weekend and picked up slack. There are only so many of us. We did a lot of work on giving people rides from their cars or from place to place. We had to do that and manage things at the festival and talk to our vendors and make sure everyone at the carnival was having a good time and behaving. If we didn’t do it, who would?
“We keep putting it out there for volunteers, and nobody ever shows up. Without our committee, there wouldn’t be a festival.”
Schwarz said 2025 was LHHF’s
toughest year yet “hands down” due to the venue change. She and the committee appreciate the support and attendance by sponsors and the community.
“This is the one time a year where Rochelle gets a whole weekend to have family fun and get together,” Agnos said. “Being in this community for over 50 years, it’s just one of those things where you like the town enough to be able to do it. With the move out to Atwood with all the headaches and having to deal with everything we had to deal with, every year we end up pulling it together and it gets done.”
Jeff Helfrich
Lincoln Highway Heritage Festival Committee members (around the table from right): President Lisa Schwarz, Kathy Yochum, Paula Combs, Dwayne Rangel, Heather Simo, Roslyn Martinez, Debbie Howard and Pete Agnos.
Davis Junction breast cancer survivor raises awareness ahead of walk in Rockford
Shelley Herlihy: ‘It’s been therapeutic to revisit it now and see how far I’ve come’
By JEFF HELFRICH jhelfrich@shawmedia.com
As she celebrates 15 years as a breast cancer survivor, Shelley Herlihy of Davis Junction is still working to help people who are in the fight now.
Herlihy, a resident of Davis Junction for over 20 years, recently began serving as an ambassador for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, which will take place from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 4 at Rock Valley College in Rockford. To donate or participate in the walk, visit main.acsevents.org/goto/shelleyherlihy. All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.
The American Cancer Society also selected Herlihy to participate in its Por-
trait of Hope program, highlighting her story to raise awareness and inspire others in the fight against breast cancer. She and three others will be featured at the walk and she recently spoke at a kickoff event at Hard Rock Casino Rockford last month.
“I do it to spread awareness and get across the importance of fundraising,” Herlihy said. “The funding helps to provide things like transportation and wigs. They were things that I needed and that people need that are now in situations like I was.”
In 2009, Herlihy had unexplained swelling in her right hand for several months. She underwent several tests, such as X-rays, a CAT scan and an MRI. After sitting in an unusual position in the MRI machine, she found a lump in her breast. Herlihy had no history of cancer in her family and was young, so she put off addressing it for a month and finally got it checked out.
See SuRvIvoR on page 5
TO ALL OUR EMPLOYEES
Thank you for the dedication, expertise, and kindness you bring to CGH. You are the heart of our organization, and the reason our patients and communities receive such exceptional care. We are deeply grateful for the compassion you show every day, and we couldn’t be prouder to have you all as part of the CGH family.
Photo provided by Shelley Herlihy
Shelley Herlihy’s Portrait of Hope for Making Strides against Breast Cancer, taken in 2025.
After a trip to the doctor, a scheduled mammogram was moved up, a mass was confirmed and a biopsy was done. She was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“I planned a lumpectomy and radiation and they added chemotherapy due to it being aggressive,” Herlihy said. “I qualified for mammosite radiation, which was new at the time. I met the qualifications. I did 10 treatments, two times a day for five days. It was internal radiation. I was fortunate to qualify for that.”
Herlihy’s two sons, Tanner and Tyler, were in high school when she was diagnosed. She fought cancer as a single mother. She still made them breakfast and made it to their sporting events. While they were at school, she would sleep all day during her chemotherapy. She went through hair loss.
“If I can do anything to spread awareness on the importance of getting a mammogram or help raise funds for people to get transportation or a wig, I want to do that. If I can share my story and help someone, I have to do that. You can be proactive. Follow through and go to your doctor. If I can help one person, it’s worth it.”
and just received another clean bill of health.
“One of the hardest parts of my fight was that I was diagnosed as a single mom,” Herlihy said. “I knew I had to be there for my boys. I had to do everything possible to make sure I was there for them. I didn’t know how to tell them I was sick initially. I tried to keep things as normal as possible. It was a long year. Being there for my sons is what drove me.”
diagnosed with breast cancer. Herlihy’s company signed up a team for the walk and raised donations. She was diagnosed herself three years later. After being involved for 10 years, Herlihy moved out of the area for a time. She got involved again when she was asked to become an ambassador and help raise money and spread awareness.
Along with support from her sons, Herlihy credits her team of doctors at SwedishAmerican for their help during her fight. In the communities of Davis Junction and Stillman Valley, she and her family were helped and supported with meals, rides and cards, which she said “truly made a difference.”
Outside of her work for Making Strides, Herlihy doesn’t often dwell on the story of her cancer fight. Using her experience to help others has been therapeutic for her and her sons.
Herlihy had her surgery in November 2009 and radiation in December 2009. Her chemotherapy took place from January to March 2010, and she fought dehydration and nausea during treatment. She received clean scans in the following year, got through a scare that turned out to be nothing five years ago,
“I try to tell people my story,” Herlihy said. “If I hadn’t found that lump and gone in to get it checked, it would’ve been a different story. The cancer was fast-moving and aggressive. I wouldn’t be here. Be proactive. I tell people going through a cancer fight to give themselves grace to do what their body needs and to talk to their doctors. Your doctors can help you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.” Continued from page 4
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer work for Herlihy actually started back in 2006, when a friend of hers was
“I think funding for research is so important,” Herlihy said. “There’s been so much advancement in the past 30-40 years and the survival rate has gotten better. A lot is just awareness. People need to pay attention to their bodies.
Photo provided by Shelley Herlihy
Shelley Herlihy was honored at Volley for the Cure at Stillman Valley High School. She is shown with her sons, Tanner and Tyler Herlihy, in October 2010.
Man gets 3 years for DUI, resisting arrest
By EARLEEN HINTON
Shaw Local News Network correspondent
A Chicago-area man was sentenced to three years in prison Wednesday, Sept. 10, for aggravated driving while under the influence of alcohol and injuring two police officers while resisting arrest.
Mateusz Pytlak, 28, received concurrent sentences for the three felony offenses after entering guilty pleas before Ogle County Associate Circuit Judge Anthony Peska.
Pytlak was arrested April 28, 2024, for driving while under the influence of alcohol after the car he was driving was seen crossing the center line and hitting a road construction sign while traveling over the state Route 64 bridge in Oregon
around 11:46 p.m. Assistant State’s Attorney Heather Kruse said Pytlak’s car was found parked at a nearby gas station. She said Oregon officers learned he had an expired driver’s license.
“The officers noticed his speech slurred and when they asked him if he had been drinking he said, ’10 beers in about 2 hours’,” Kruse said.
After Pytlak failed field sobriety tests administered by officers at the scene, he resisted arrest, Kruse said.
“He fought with the officers before
finally quitting after they threatened to tase him,” Kruse said.
Court records indicate that one of the officers received a bruise around his eye while the other suffered a thumb injury.
Kruse said Pytlak’s driver’s license had expired in 2018. She said his criminal history included Cook County charges of the unlawful use of a machine gun, robbery, and child endangerment.
Court records list Zion and Palatine as addresses for Pytlak.
Ogle County Public Defender Kathleen Isley said Pytlak was entering the guilty pleas as part of the plea agreement.
When asked by Peska if he wanted to make a statement to the court, Pytlak repled: “No sir.”
As per the plea agreement, three other counts, including driving while license suspended and obstructing justice by giving police a false first name, were dismissed.
Pytlak was ordered to pay fines and fees totaling $1,904. Those payments of $100 per month are scheduled to begin in May 2027 upon his release from the Illinois Department of Corrections.
IDOC inmates typically serve 50% of their sentence (day-for-day) unless other circumstances occur.
Peska said Pytlak will also be under 6 months mandatory supervised release following his release from prison.
Pytlak was remanded to the Ogle County Jail pending transfer to an IDOC facility.
Mateusz Pytlak
Mt. Morris man gets probation in domestic case
54-year-old male tagged with unlawful restraint and violating order of protection charges
By EARLEEN HINTON Shaw Local News Network correspondent
A Mt. Morris man accused of violating an order of protection 33 times from December to March pleaded guilty Wednesday, Sept. 10, to two of those felony charges and one felony charge of unlawful restraint – all involving the same woman.
Michael Kaemke, 54, entered the guilty pleas as he appeared in court with his attorney Ogle County Public Defender Kathleen Isley in front of Associate Judge Anthony Peska.
Assistant State’s Attorney Melissa Voss said a plea agreement had been reached wherein Kaemke would receive 30 months probation and 300 days in jail on each of the three felony counts in
return for pleading guilty.
“These would be concurrent sentences,” said Isley.
Because Kaemke had already served at least 50 percent of the jail sentence – 157 days (day-for-day) - that condition was already satisfied, Isley said.
Voss said the unlawful restraint charge occurred in June 2024 when Kaemke prevented the woman and her son from leaving a Byron residence.
Kaemke was charged with repeatedly contacting the woman he was accused of unlawfully restraining in 2024 despite an order by an Ogle County judge who told him to have no contact with the woman as the case proceeded through the court system.
Kaemke was awaiting trial on the 2024 offense when prosecutors say he contacted the woman 33 times through telephone calls, voicemail, Facebook
Messenger and text messages.
The Ogle County State’s Attorney’s Office charged Kaemke on April 2 with 33 counts of felony violating an order of protection and petitioned the court April 8 to rescind his pretrial release on the 2024 charges.
On Wednesday, Kaemke pleaded guilty to two of the violation of an order of protection charges and the others were dismissed.
Voss also read the woman’s victim impact statement in open court.
The woman accused Kaemke of abusing her “emotionally and physically” and causing her to suffer “anxiety and fear.” She said she could not sleep and constantly suffered “fight or flight” symptoms because of the incidents.
When asked by Peska if he wanted to make any statement to the court, Kaemke replied: “No sir.”
Under the agreement, Kaemke was ordered to have no contact, directly or indirectly, with the woman or her minor child.
Kaemke must also submit to DNA testing, cooperate and satisfactorily
complete the Domestic Violence Intervention Program, and cooperate and complete a mental health evaluation and treatment as recommended by the probation department.
At an April 16 hearing, Isley said Kaemke was refusing to appear in court in person or by video conference and requested he be evaluated by a court-appointed clinical psychologist. Isley argued she doubted Kaemke had the mental ability to assist with his defense.
Peska agreed and suggested Jayne Braden, a forensic and clinical psychologist in Sycamore, evaluate Kaemke.
Braden has provided evaluations for many defendants in Ogle County and often is appointed by the court to perform such tasks. In July, Braden determined Kaemke fit to stand trial.
Kaemke had been held in the Ogle County Jail since his arrest in April.
Class 4 felonies have a sentencing range of one to six years in state prison upon conviction, followed by six months of mandatory supervised release. Probation of up to 30 months also can be ordered.
Michael Kaemke
Photos provided by Eagle’s Nest Art Group Eagle’s Nest Art Group will host a one-day art show in its studio at Conover Square Mall on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during Autumn On Parade.
Eagle’s Nest Art Group Show is Oct. 4 in Oregon
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
Eagle’s Nest Art Group will host a one-day art show in its studio at Conover Square Mall on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during Autumn On Parade in Oregon.
This show is dedicated to the memory of ENAG artist Bill Prendergast, who died in July. There will be a display of his many art pieces, including his paintings, ceramics and woodcraft.
The group of 95 local artists will have a variety of original artwork on display, including oil, watercolor and acrylic paintings; photography; drawings; calligraphy; glass work; ceramics, woodcraft art, as well as other 3-D art.
A wide selection of artist-created prints and cards will be available for sale. Come and browse and meet some local artists.
ENAG continues to support Hands On Oregon with original art for sale at the show to benefit their work in the community.
The studio is on the second floor of
The group of 95 local artists will have a variety of original artwork on display, including oil, watercolor and acrylic paintings; photography; drawings; calligraphy; glass work; ceramics, woodcraft art, as well as other 3-D art.
Conover Square Mall, 201 N. Third St. in Oregon.
For more information about the group and its offerings, call 815-7327783 or drop in on Saturday, Oct. 4, and pick up a program schedule of events and shows.
Stover wins Rochelle Chamber Lawn of the Week designation
The Rochelle Chamber of Commerce recently presented its Lawn of the Week award for the week of Sept. 11 to Lynnette Stover. She received a sign and a $25 Rochelle ACE Hardware gift card, presented by Rochelle Ace Hardware manager Jesse Lopez. The chamber has partnered with Rochelle Ace Hardware to award gift cards to the winners. The 2025 Lawn of the Week program will run through September. Nominate a neighbor/yard each week by submitting a name and address by emailing rochellechamber@gmail.com. “We are proud to recognize our residents that display community pride in Rochelle,” Chamber Executive Director Tricia Herrera said. “We love that this program gives us the chance to showcase the hard work and dedication they put into making our city look great.”
Photo provided by Rochelle Chamber of Commerce
Park District seeks grant for Tilton Park upgrades
By JEFF HELFRICH jhelfrich@shawmedia.com
The Flagg-Rochelle Community Park District presented a concept plan for improvements at Tilton Park, which houses three baseball fields used by Rochelle Little League, at a public meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 10.
The total project is estimated to cost $1.1 million, and depends on an Open Space Lands Acquisition Development grant that the park district plans to apply for, which could yield a maximum of $600,000 in matching funds.
The meeting was led by Park District Executive Director Jackee Ohlinger. Tilton Park has been identified in the park district’s master plan as in need of maintenance projects in the next several years. Potential receipt of the OSLAD grant would allow those projects to be done sooner and together.
“We’ve been working with the com-
munity to brainstorm ideas on how we can improve this property, not only for Rochelle Little League, but for the entire
community,” Ohlinger said. “We’re working on the grant application, and it will be submitted at the end of the month.”
In recent years, the park district received an OSLAD grant for improvements at Spring Lake Pool, which included a new splash pad, shade structure, landscaping and renovation of existing facilities.
Ohlinger said that for the past three years, the park district and its capital improvement committee have met with Rochelle Little League regarding issues and suggestions for potential improvements to the park, which houses a senior league field, a Little League field, a minor league field, a concession stand, a basketball court and a playground. The softball field and T-ball diamonds in the area are on the Rochelle Elementary School District property.
Much of the potential improvements revolve around the senior league field on the south end of the park. Work would include the replacement of the dome-style backstop with new netting and adjustable infield artificial turf that would make the field usable for different age groups and attract tournaments to
Jeff Helfrich Flagg-Rochelle Community Park District Executive Director Jackee Ohlinger said during the meeting that potential improvements could include new turf and a backstop at the senior league field at Tilton Park.
Continued from page 10
the park.
“It’s a large field that many of our park-goers don’t utilize to its fullest now,” Ohlinger said. “So we’re trying to make that south field multi-use for many age groups.”
The project would also see new covered chainlink dugouts and benches, along with new press boxes. Fields could be raised due to drainage, and tile work would be done to improve drainage from the park to the Kyte Creek.
New perimeter fencing and foul poles would also be included in the work, which would provide a larger, centrally located area between the three fields that would see the addition of two batting cages and a playground.
“The batting cages would be ideal for practices and things like that, where the fields are in use and kids can
still utilize the batting cages for warming up or skills testing,” Ohlinger said. “It can also be utilized by the community.”
The plan also showed the addition of concrete in spectator areas around the fields and near the basketball court to improve handicap accessibility. An asphalt trail would be run throughout the park and toward the softball and T-ball areas. A new shade structure would be added near the current concessions area. Other work includes moving the flagpole location due to a tree. New lighting for fields is also in the works.
Ohlinger said the potential improvements would shore up Rochelle Little League’s home for years to come and attract potential revenue from events like area tournaments.
“Bringing in tournaments would be ideal not just for the park district, but for the community as a whole,” Ohlinger said. “People who came to town for that would fill up with gas, stop for food and more here.”
• TILTON PARK
Photo provided by Flagg-Rochelle Community Park District
The Flagg-Rochelle Community Park District’s concept plan for a potential Tilton Park improvements project includes the addition of batting cages, a shade structure and adjustable turf at the senior league field.
City of Polo, school district to apply for grant
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
The city of Polo and the Polo School District recently announced a collaborative effort to apply for the Safe Routes to School Program Grant.
The state and federally funded initiative is administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation to promote and support safe, healthy and active transportation for K-12 students, with a special focus on walking and bik-
ing to school.
Securing the grant would offer funding to the city for crucial safety infrastructure, such as new sidewalks and bike lanes. It would also support the school district in conducting education and encouragement programs designed to increase student physical activity and reduce traffic congestion around schools.
To strengthen the grant application, the entities require the community’s input and participation.
Parents/guardians will receive an electronic survey sent to the email address they have on file with the school district. Students in first through 12th grade will also complete a brief survey at school regarding how they get to and from school each day.
Mr. Kyker from Polo city maintenance recently took pictures of students walking to school in areas where there are no sidewalks. Photographs are strictly for the purpose of the grant application to illustrate the need for
infrastructure improvements. No students’ faces were included in the pictures.
“The city and schools believe that by working together, we can best utilize our resources to support our community,” according to a city and school district news release. “This partnership is a testament to our belief that our size is our strength. Should you have any questions regarding this initiative, please do not hesitate to reach out to the city and school district.”
Together for Taft hosts first fundraiser event
By PAYTON FELIX pfelix@shawmedia.com
A group seeking to resurrect the now-shuttered Lorado Taft Field Campus held its first of two fundraisers on Saturday to raise money in support of their efforts.
On Saturday, Sept. 6, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Together for Taft, hosted a live music festival called Fest by the Nest from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Lowden State Park, 1411 N. River Road.
The group will host a 5K and 1-mile run/walk on Oct. 5, starting at 7 a.m. for registration at Oregon High School, 1101 Jefferson St.
All proceeds from the events, along with the Together for Taft logo T-shirts being sold online, will be used for the “behind the scenes work” needed for the group to “get to the next step” of its mission to reopen the historic Taft campus as an open environmental education center for all ages, Together for Taft founder Julie Bassett told Shaw Local.
“It is a very complex, layered endeavor. The fundraising isn’t necessarily what’s going to save Taft. It’s going to be the big donors that do that,” Bassett said. “There’s big help and little help and it doesn’t matter. It’s not about metrics in terms of how much or how little. It’s the point that people are doing all they can, where they can.”
The Lorado Taft Field Campus is a 141-acre property featuring a dining hall that overlooks the Rock River, outdoor trails and several other buildings and dorms. It is adjacent to Lowden State Park, which is home to Lorado Taft’s Eternal Indian statue, commonly referred to as the Black Hawk Statue.
The campus was originally part of the Wallace Heckman estate and run by Taft as the Eagle’s Nest Art Colony, a summer home for a group of Chicago artists and writers.
Northern Illinois University acquired a portion of the Heckman estate in 1951, named the campus after Lorado Taft, and ran it as a field campus, offering outdoor education classes and camps for schoolchildren across northern Illinois. NIU discontinued the program in 1999 and officials announced in September 2024 that the university would close the campus due to aging infrastructure and increasing operational costs.
It permanently closed in December 2024.
That’s when Bassett, along with several others, began organizing an effort
to save the campus.
“Some people see Taft as being a liability or an old program past its prime, but I see a promise, a living classroom” where “nature isn’t something we extract from, but something we learn from,” Bassett said.
The group held an interest meeting Feb. 19 in Oregon, where they spoke about how they envision the campus as “a global hub of intergenerational learn-
ing,” a place where people can get certifications related to environmental studies and have it open for everyone in the community to enjoy, Bassett said.
When the campus was run by NIU, “it’s always been a closed campus,” meaning that unless you were a student in the program “you really had no reason being on campus,” Bassett said.
“One of the things that I envisioned with Taft is having a relationship with
the surrounding communities, but primarily Oregon,” Bassett said. “I want people out there. I want them on the trails. I want them to be a part of nature. We need to get back to nature.”
Some ideas, Bassett said, are to turn one of the buildings “into a cozy coffee corner” and “do farm-to-table meals” in the dining hall, “so the public can come out there and enjoy a nice meal in a beautiful vista looking out over the Rock River.”
Bassett said they’d also like to have an art show and art program, which she thinks “Lorado Taft would be very honored” by.
Since that February meeting, Bassett said, Together for Taft continues to gain momentum and has received a lot of support from the community and the city of Oregon.
“It’s going to take everybody together,” Bassett said. “People want to see it happen, and it will happen. It’s just trusting the journey.”
For information, visit togetherfortaft.org or join the Together for Taft Facebook group.
Earleen Hinton photos
A band member interacts with members of the crowd during Fest by the Nest at Lowden State Park on Saturday, Sept. 6. The event was organized by Together for Taft, a nonprofit, to raise funds and awareness of an effort to reopen the Lorado Taft Field Campus that was shuttered by Northern Illinois University in December 2024.
Fest by the Nest was held at Lowden State Park on Saturday, Sept. 6.
Village of Progress annual awards banquet is
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
The Village of Progress’ annual awards banquet is coming soon to celebrate the accomplishments of those who attend the Village and the many volunteers who donate their time and talent. It’s a great evening to spotlight Ogle
County men and women with developmental disabilities.
The annual dinner will be held Wednesday, Oct. 22, at St. Mary’s Parish Center in Oregon. Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by calling 815-732-2126. The cost is $15 for adults, $5 for ages 5 to 12, and free for ages 4 and younger.
Photo provided by Village of Progress Austin Henry receives the Coach Cookie Warren Memorial Award at the 2024 Village of Progress annual banquet.
The Rochelle Rotary Club recently held a fundraising raffle to support the CAN holiday shopping trip. At the Sept. 8 meeting, a check presentation was held. Majorie Kuehl was the winner, receiving a check for $1,000. The ticket was sold by long-time Rotarian Pat Burch. “Congratulations to Majorie and thank you to all who purchased tickets to support this great cause,” a Rochelle Rotary Club Facebook post said.
Photo provided by Rochelle Rotary Club
Defending the Constitution requires action from all
As I receive responses to my articles, I feel like I’m shaking my wife, lying lifeless in our bed, screaming for her to wake up.
I understand that what I write contains a lot of my feelings and beliefs, but I try to add links to the articles or government sites where I find the truth of my thoughts. I know that others will have their own thoughts, feelings and beliefs, but sometimes I wish they would add insight to how they attain them or where the truth of their comments and concerns comes from.
I believe that the Constitution has been working well during our 250 years of democracy. Yes, it has failed at times, and yes, it has been revised to correct those mistakes. The biggest concern today is that we must uphold those laws that the Constitution provides. Our current government seems to believe that this is not a requirement for them. And it appears that the Supreme Court feels the same way.
Do you think it would be a requirement for you if you didn’t uphold these laws? Do you think that the current government would allow you to break any one of them? Do you think the Supreme Court would stand with you? I have said this before, and I say it again, we have failed our country, you and I, for allowing those in Congress and even in the White House to slip through our fingers. To preserve our Constitution, we must fight for it. We can do this with peaceful protest and, even more so, with our vote.
Keeping this in mind, and having already put the current president in the White House, I have been asked by several people, “Why do Christians put President Trump on an equal footing with Jesus?” Would Jesus have done the things that Trump has done? Wouldn’t Jesus care about family, children and others? Would Jesus have given the rich more? If President Trump has followed the Christian right, then he must feel that if he stays close to them, it will be better for him at the end of this human life. If President
Trump feels that he is following Christian beliefs, then he must have gotten hold of a, I hate to say it, fake Bible. Probably the one he was holding upside down in Washington, D.C., several moons ago. So, should we change the current administration as soon as possible?
I mentioned Congress above. What we are seeing in Congress is the members relinquishing their constitutional authority, with which they can check and overrule the president’s authority. To put it simply, they try to appease the president so that they have the power to stay in power. Huh? How will that work if this president gets all the power? Will they really stay in power? Will that matter? What if the president says that he must cut costs in Congress, then reduces their pay? What if he shuts out the lobbyists who provide gifts? In the future, maybe the gifts will go to him instead. This can be applied to the Supreme Court as well. Are they in the same trap? Should we do our best to use our vote to remove those standing with the president?
If we do believe that things need to change, we can do more than wait for our next vote. We can call our representatives in Congress, we can call the president, and we can protest what is happening. In the recent “Laborers Over Billionaires” march, many people all over this country were protesting billionaires getting the most benefits in this country while laborers kept toiling to stay viable to their families, while they sent their hard-earned money to the government so they can give it to the rich.
These protesters were sick of various benefits being taken away from them to the benefit of the rich. Health benefits are being reduced, insurance
costs are therefore getting out of hand, food benefits for children are being cut, educational money is being withheld, and even care packages to other countries are no longer being sent. Some of these packages are hurting our local farmers, causing lower rates for their products while input costs are still getting higher. This doesn’t include the goodwill these packages provide, which helps our country on the global stage. Wouldn’t you say it’s time for our states to begin doing the same? If our federal government withholds $100 million worth of educational money from a state already approved by Congress, then why wouldn’t that state be able to hold back $100 million from the federal government to give to those educational institutions? It’s already earmarked. The schools have a right to it and the government does not have the right to withhold it. There are many areas in which this scenario may fit.
When tariff costs are raised, as this federal government is doing, who does this hurt? If a tariff is placed on a $10 item, coming from, say, China and it is a 25% tariff, the cost of that $10 item is raised to $12.50. When it hits our bor-
der, China is paid $10 by the importer, and the additional cost is paid to our government by them. That cost, therefore, ends up being transferred to whoever buys the goods. Of course, that means you or me. Since our government has that extra money, it benefits. What is that extra money? A tax on us. Will that money come to us in any form whatsoever? That is yet to be seen. At least we are winning, right?
So, what does this all mean? That every one of us is being treated like we don’t know anything. Now that we know a little about the situation, because this concerns all of us, no matter who you voted for last November, what can we do? March and protest, and vote. It truly doesn’t matter what election, whether it be local, state or federal. We also need to take the time to research the candidates. I know we have limited extra time, but if we don’t do this, things will just keep getting worse. Can we correct our course? Yes. We are Americans!
• Reed Harris is a longtime Rochellearea resident and community volunteer.
hosting free virtual program on Oct. 3 about diabetes
With diabetes on the rise across the nation, the need for education and support has never been greater. Fortunately, managing diabetes doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
University of Illinois Extension is offering a free, interactive virtual series designed to help people with diabetes or pre-diabetes take control of their health and live vibrant, fulfilling lives.
Take Charge of Your Diabetes is a six-week program that equips participants with practical tools and strategies to become confident health managers.
Led by Family Life Educator Cheri Burcham and Program Coordinator Jan Saglier, the sessions cover essential topics such as healthy eating, counting carbs, stress management, exercise and physical activity, monitoring blood sugar, medication management, working effectively with medical providers, and more.
The program will be held virtually via Zoom on Fridays, from Oct. 3 to Nov. 14 (excluding Oct. 24) from 1 to 3:30 p.m.
There is no cost to participate, but registration is required by Sept. 29. To register, call Burcham at 217-543-3755 or Saglier at 815-544-3710.
This program meets the American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes Support Initiative criteria, ensuring high-quality support for those managing the condition.
University of Illinois Extension is committed to providing equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you require reasonable accommodations, contact the event coordinator.
Learn how to protect public health with food safety training
University of Illinois Extension is now offering an accessible, self-paced online course designed specifically for food handlers working in non-restaurant settings across Illinois.
The Illinois Food Handler Training course equips staff and volunteers with the essential knowledge to ensure food safety from storage and preparation to cleaning and sanitizing. This training is ideal for people who handle food in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, licensed day care centers, retail food stores, and other non-restaurant facilities. It fulfills the Illinois Department
of Public Health’s requirements for non-restaurant food handlers and plays a critical role in preventing food-borne illness and protecting public health.
Key course features:
• Meets Illinois Department of Public Health requirements.
• Focuses on food safety best practices.
• Available online and self-paced for convenience.
Cost is $5 per person or free for University of Illinois Extension staff and volunteers. For more information and to register, visit go.illinois.edu/FHTraining.
This course is not intended for restaurant employees or individuals with a valid Certified Food Protection Manager certificate.
Kish College Foundation receives 3M grant for textbook Initiative
The Kishwaukee College Foundation received a $5,000 grant from the 3M Site Hometown Donation program in support of the foundation’s Nursing Textbook Initiative.
The Nursing Textbook Initiative provides funding to students in Kish’s nursing program who have a higher cost for textbooks and class materials than other programs.
In spring 2025, Kish started its “All-In” tuition model, which includes all fees and textbook costs in the tuition price. To support the “All-In” tuition model without increasing costs for nursing students, the foundation covered the higher cost for fiscal 2026 and developed the Nursing Textbook Initiative for continued funding.
“The foundation is committed to ensuring our students have the resources they need to complete their educational and professional goals,” Courtney Walz, director of development, said in a news release. “We are thankful for 3M’s generosity to help kick off this initiative.”
Kishwaukee College’s Nursing program plays a vital role in training qualified professionals for the regional health care system.
Kish graduates exceed National Council Licensure Exam-Registered Nurse pass rates, and 95% of program graduates are employed as registered nurses within six months of program completion.
The 3M Site Hometown Donation program supports nonprofit organizations with more than $70.1 million in total giving.
Shaw Local News Network
FIRST AMENDMENT
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Several more rounds left in the Pritzker, Trump feud
Having lived through and closely covered the Bruce Rauner gubernatorial administration, I’ve been getting a strong sense of déjà vu lately as several famous “wise old men” have publicly advised Gov. JB Pritzker to call President Donald Trump and make some sort of deal that settles their disagreements.
This effort by political consultant David Axelrod and others was highlighted earlier this month when a Chicago TV reporter asked Pritzker: “Don’t you think if you maybe called [Trump], you can lower the temperature?”
Those of us who lived through the Rauner era heard and even futilely asked that very question time after time for more than two years.
But the truth was that Rauner was fighting an existential battle with labor unions. To accomplish that goal, he set out to damage and even destroy the state’s human services network and their clients by refusing to sign a state budget in order to force the Democrats to gut unions of their power in the workplace and the state legislature.
House Speaker Michael Madigan, for all of his gigantic faults, recognized the dispute for what it was. This wasn’t a simple “budget impasse,” as the news media still prefers to call the fight. The battle cut deep into the very fabric of the Democratic Party itself. There could be
Rich Miller VIEWS
no real negotiations by either side, as evidenced by Rauner’s opposition to the then-Senate Republican Leader’s attempts to broker a compromise with the then-Democratic Senate President.
All talk of a possible “grand bargain” was fake. The same holds true today.
Pritzker has made the point that if the president’s beef was really about crime, then the federal government would start by sending troops and cops to cities with higher violent crime rates than Chicago (like Memphis, Tennessee), and with more undocumented immigrants than this state’s largest city (like Houston, Texas). Plus, he said, the military isn’t trained to fight crime in America and can’t legally be used to do that anyway.
The basic Pritzker argument is that Trump has been targeting Chicago and Illinois to please his base and set the stage for even greater attacks on civil liberties.
It’s always been difficult to see how either Pritzker or Trump could negotiate in this environment. They both clearly want capitulation and they both say they
believe that they are the true patriots.
Trump has withheld federal anti-violence program money, he’s slashed programs like Medicaid and SNAP (which studies have shown reduce violence), and he hasn’t significantly increased federal spending on local law enforcement. His alternative is massive immigration sweeps and deploying the National Guard and even (in the case of California) the U.S. Marines. And he has wanted Pritzker to submit to all of those things in the name of law and order, claiming that Pritzker is anti-American for not standing with him.
Pritzker has demanded a restoration of federal anti-violence money, more funding for local police, a reversal of congressionally mandated social program spending cuts and increased cooperation with federal crime-fighting agencies. He has also opposed massive immigration sweeps and flatly rejected military intervention.
You can argue with credibility that Pritzker at least partially opposes harsh immigration enforcement to prevent the state from losing more than one congressional seat in the next reapportionment. But losing national influence also can be grounds for refusing to negotiate.
You also can argue that Pritzker is doing this to bolster his presidential ambitions. But that argument means sur-
render would destroy his ambitions. That’s not a policy argument or a justification, by the way; it’s just political reality.
So, as we saw with Rauner on a smaller scale, both sides lob powerful rhetorical grenades at each other in the hopes that one or the other is vanquished. Total Democratic victory (which Illinois Democrats eventually achieved over Rauner) seems highly unlikely in the coming months. That is definitely an argument for compromise, but it’s also the same one used here starting in 2015, the first year of the Rauner impasse that didn’t end until July 2017 when a bipartisan super-majority broke the impasse by passing an income tax increase and overriding Rauner’s veto.
President Trump, for his part, spent weeks waffling over whether he would indeed send in the National Guard. Last week, he said he’d skip Chicago for now and instead send troops to Memphis, where the Republican governor welcomed the deployment.
But this fight is far from over. Both Rauner and Madigan scored temporary wins back in the day, after all. Expect more opportunities for another clash.
Remembering a governor who aimed to put good government over politics
Illinois has lost two former governors in roughly four months.
On May 2, former Gov. George Ryan died at 91 in his native Kankakee. Now the man who preceded him in office has succeeded him in death, as former Gov. Jim Edgar succumbed to pancreatic cancer Sunday in Springfield.
Whereas Ryan’s tenure ended in shame during my early journalism career, Edgar’s time as the state’s chief executive took me from middle school to early college. My first thought of Ryan remains a striking positive: the vital part he played in ending capital punishment in Illinois. When thinking of Edgar, the buzzword is pensions.
Writing for Capitol News Illinois, Hannah Meisel and Jerry Nowicki explained Edgar was “the lead architect of the state’s 50-year plan to adequately fund pensions by the year 2045. The
measure – which has since been dubbed the “Edgar ramp” – was put in place to direct state funds to a pension system that had been shortchanged for decades. While lawmakers from both parties have criticized the plan, none have put forward a plan to replace it in the three decades since it passed.
That’s obviously only part of Edgar’s legacy. Public statements flowed forth Sunday evening, almost all of them glowing tributes to a dedicated public servant or, at the very least, sincere respect for someone who could cling to their principles without crossing the
lines of decency and fair play.
Standing out among the remembrances is a popular Edgar quote. It’s one I can’t recall hearing but resonates as something I suggest every elected official tape to the office wall: “To me, the best politics is good government.”
Edgar was a native Oklahoman but spent almost his entire childhood in Charleston. Unlike Ryan, who trained to be a pharmacist, Edgar’s political path was conventional. He started volunteering for presidential campaigns while pursuing a history degree and eventually served as student body president at his hometown Eastern Illinois University. From there, it was straight into government, working as a legislative intern and in other staff posts.
Though he failed to win his first primary election, in 1976 Edgar captured a state House seat. Five years later, he
was Secretary of State. Edgar was 44 years old when he won his first gubernatorial election in 1990 and only 53 when he announced he’d retire from politics rather than seek a third term or run for U.S. Senate.
If, instead of Peter Fitzgerald, Edgar had defeated Carol Moseley Braun, would Barack Obama have succeeded in his 2004 bid for that seat? Imagine a world in which Edgar and Dick Durbin were Senate colleagues for a quarter century.
Edgar’s retirement wasn’t silent. Hopefully, his message of pursuing good government continues to reverberate.
• Scott T. Holland writes about state government issues for Shaw Local News Network. He can be reached at sholland@shawmedia.com.
Scott T. Holland EYE ON ILLINOIS
Warranty deeds
• Levi Smith to Maya A Pitts, 1110 Lincoln Highway, Rochelle, $142,000.
• Sergio N Hernandez to Blake Craig, 11071 E. Fisher Road, Rochelle, $170,000.
• Hre Builders LLC to Sam Johnson and Alexandra Bagley, one parcel in Dement Township: 25-23-302-001, $304,000.
• Daniel P Bemis to Matthew T Parr, 512 S. Second St., Rochelle, $140,000.
• Hre Builders LLC to Amalia Burgess-Johnson and Amalia Burgess Johnson, one parcel in Dement Township: 25-23-301-004, $302,090.
• Nancy S Jordan to Adam Reyna and Abigail Reyna, 116 Crabapple Court, Dixon, and 114 Crabapple Court, Dixon, $500,000.
• Angela Maniscalco and Domenico Maniscalco to Mimmo’s Pizza & Catering Company and Mimmos Pizza & Catering Company, 107 E. Main St., Forreston; 111 E. Main St., Forreston; 113 E. Main St., Forreston; and 204 S. Walnut Ave., Forreston, $600,000.
• Mount Morris Church Of The Brethren to Assembly Of Christian Churches Inc., 409 W. Brayton Road, Mt. Morris, $140,000.
• Christopher Grove to Samantha F Crawford and Maison N Crawford, 146 Parkview Drive, Oregon, $266,000.
• Commercial Equipment Corp. to Raymond Junior Mancilla, one parcel in Mt. Morris Township: 08-26-151-001, $33,500.
• Mark Edward Miller and Rebecca Ann Miller to Lavonne S Baker, 4121 W. IL Route 64, Mt. Morris, $125,000.
• Amalia M Burgess-Johnson, Amalia M Burgess Johnson and Joshua Daniel Carey to Andreas Schulthess, 314 N. Grove St., Creston, $254,900.
• Maison N Crawford and Samantha F Crawford to Gerardo Garcai Jr. and Amelia Bail, 411 Williams Drive, Oregon, $199,900.
• Joshua A Hawkins and Kelly Hawkins to Jamie M Stukenberg and Theresa B Stukenberg, 975 W. Cliff Road, Oregon, $339,000.
• Elizabeth E Dreesman, Elizabeth Marie
Emma and Matthew Lee Dreesman to Matthew Lee Dreesman, 3961 S. Ridge Road, Oregon, $0.
• Robert M Brainerd and Dreama S Brainerd to Steve Maiworm, 507 N. Sangamon Lane, Dixon, $305,000.
• James W Shaw, Juanita Shaw, and Juanita D Shaw to Christopher S Fant and Tina A Fant, 8530 N. Kishwaukee Road, Stillman Valley, $280,000.
Quit claim deeds
• Haywell LLC to Hre Builders LLC, 522 N. Sixth St., Rochelle, and 516 N. Sixth St., Rochelle, $0.
• Patrick Cicogna and Samantha Cicogna to Samantha Cicogna, 15959 E. Rachel Lane, Davis Junction, $0.
Trustees deeds
• Edwin G Bushnell, trustee, and Mary B Busnell Lv T to Bushnell’s Walnut Creek Farms LLC, two parcels in Marion Township: 10-16-200-005 and 10-16-200-007, $0.
• Old National Bank Trustee and Patricia D Best Tr to Haywell LLC, 522 N. Sixth St., Rochelle, and 516 N. Sixth St., Rochelle, $225,000.
• Lisa A Clayton, trustee, and Lisa A Clayton Tr to Brad Strite and Kimberly Strite, 1419 N. Maple Grove Road, Mt. Morris, $1,030,000.
Deeds in trust
• Michael E Adamson to Michael E Adamson, trustee, 18352 E. Crill Road, Monroe Center, $0.
• Becky J Borchers to Becky J Borchers, trustee, and Becky J Borchers Land Tr2025, 7875 S. Perryville Road, Monroe Center, $0.
• Fredrick J McBride to Fredrick J McBride, trustee, and McBride Family Tr, 5101 S. Skare Road, Rochelle, $0.
• Fredrick J McBride to Fredrick J McBride, trustee, and McBride Family Tr, 5001 S. Skare Road, Rochelle, $0.
• Care provided by the entire hospice team: physician, nurse, social worker, certified nursing assistant, chaplain, dietitian, pharmacist, and volunteers.
• Care is individualized and based on the patient’s and family’s goals of comfort and quality of life.
• Supplies, equipment and medications.
• Service where the patient resides.
• Specialize in pain & symptom management.
• Spiritual enrichment and bereavement counseling.
• Ancillary Therapies: Music, Physical/ Occupational, Speech, Massage, Pet, etc.
• Ability to provide education to caregivers and family members.
• On-call nurse available 24/7.
• Assistance with advance directives and community support.
• Provide Education to those we care for
• Volunteers providing special attention and stimulation.
PUZZLES
ACROSS
1. Carved into
7. __ Rogers, cowboy
10. Unruly locale
12. Edible mushroom
13. Influential noblemen
14. Rattling breaths
15. David __ George, Brit. P.M.
16. Musician Clapton
17. Small Eurasian deer
18. Invests in little enterprises
19. Perimeter
21. Chicago ballplayer
22. Animal body part
27. It’s everywhere these days
28. Fictional ad exec
33. Mr. T character Baracus
34. Against the current
36. Subway rodent
37. Armor plate
38. Hair on the head
39. Strong insect
40. Swollen lymph node
41. A way to lessen
44. Walter White poison
45. Sleeveless garment
48. Long accompanied song
49. Without features
50. Yankee great Mattingly
51. Removes from record
DOWN
1. Root of taro plant
2. Those ones
3. Appliances have one
4. A way to sing
5. Midway between east and southeast
6. Animal dwelling
7. An object that as survived from the past
8. Oil cartel
9. Affirmative
10. Foul smell
11. Brisk tempo
12. S. American indigenous person
14. Restored
17. Official
18. Skin lesions
20. Electroencephalograph
23. Middle Eastern country
24. Extremely angry
25. Title used before a woman’s name
26. British thermal unit
29. By the way (abbr.)
30. Anger
31. Nullifies
32. Ones who acquire
35. Time zone
36. Arabic name
38. Protein in mucus
40. Ballpoint pen
41. Mimics
42. Humans have a lot of it
43. Expressions of good wishes
44. Cool!
45. One point east of due south
46. City of Angels football team (abbr.)
47. A way to save for retirement
SPORTS
PREP FOOTBALL: LENA-WINSLOW 20, ROCHELLE 7
Aiden Wild, Lena-Winslow out-muscle Rochelle
By ANDY COLBERT
Shaw Local News Network correspondent
With a cloak of intrigue, it was the undisputed best 1A football program, Lena-Winslow, going on the road to face 4A state-ranked Rochelle. In a surprise ending to that mystery, the Panthers upset the Hubs, 20-7.
Or was it an upset?
Rochelle was legitimately beaten at its own game – physicality. Behind 178 yards rushing on 35 carries by Aiden Wild, the Panthers put Rochelle in an early 12-0 hole and never allowed the Hubs back in the game.
“Wild was just a man out there,” Le-Win coach Ric Arand said. “After the debacle [38-14 loss to Stockton] last week, we wanted to come out here and be able to play with a larger school. I didn’t know what to expect or whether we had a chance of winning. In the end, our kids played outstanding.”
It was Wild putting his team in position for its first score by recovering a botched fourth down handoff on Rochelle’s first possession. Taking over on Rochelle’s 29-yard line, it was Wild crossing the goal line five plays later on a 1-yard score.
“We had a players meeting on Monday,” Wild said. “That [Stockton] loss really hurt us and was a bunch of motivation. It was next man up.”
Actually, it was next man for both teams. Le-Win lost quarterback Kasch Lessman and RB/LB Koby Kearns to injury in the Stockton game. Sprint star Alec Schlichting was also hampered and sat out the final three quarters of the Rochelle game, leaving Wild to carry the load.
Rochelle’s quarterback Van Gerber broke his collarbone last week and the Hubs were also missing their starting left guard and tackle.
“The story of the game was they were more physical than us and their backs ran harder,” Rochelle coach Kyle Kissack said. “I didn’t have our kids mentally, physically and emotionally ready to go against the culture that coach Arand and Le-Win has built up.”
their throat until their defense all went into the box and bit on the play,” Nevel said. “Then we hit Miles with the pass.”
Not a single Hub defender was within 15 yards of Mahon and the pass comfortably fell into his arms for the easy score.
“I didn’t even know that was the play called,” Arand said. “That was offensive coordinator Kyle Benson’s doing. Unlike Rochelle, we had nothing to lose and were able to play loose.”
With less than a minute left before halftime, Green had five straight completions to move Rochelle into the red zone before time ran out.
It was emblematic of Rochelle struggles to make the game close, as the pressure of big school losing to small school kept compounding as minutes ticked away.
On Rochelle’s first possession of the third quarter, Roman Villalobos rambled 16 yards. That was it, though, as Mahon stood up Manning’s shot of the marker on a third straight failed fourth down, a rare occurrence for a program well-honed on converting them.
“Miles came out of nowhere to stop Manning,” Arand said.
It was Mahon returning the compliment.
Using rotating quarterbacks of defensive back Mark Green and sophomore Cohen Haedt, the Hubs (2-1) were stuffed on fourth down again on their next possession. Taking over at midfield, it soon became a 12-0 second-quarter lead for the Panthers (2-1) on a Wild touchdown off a 12-play drive.
“We’re very disciplined and do what the coaches tell us,” said Panther senior center Duncan Nevel, the smallest lineman at 195 pounds.
After Gannon Dunker hammered Rochelle star running back Dylan Manning for a 3-yard loss on Rochelle’s next offensive play, it was the 5-foot-7 Haedt finally giving his team some life with a perfectly thrown 30-yard pass to 6-7 tight end Warren Schweitzer.
Manning, who had 95 yards rushing, burned the Panther defense for a 22-yard TD and the large home crowd,
who had been sitting in stunned silence, finally had something to cheer about. Aaron Hernandez’s PAT made it 12-7 and it looked like the 4A power was roaring back to life.
Quickly, the Hub defense forced a 3-and-out and Rochelle took over with hopes of regaining the lead before halftime.
Le-Win, who in no way seemed intimidated by playing a much larger school on their home field, immediately shut down the vaunted Hubs’ ground game and got the ball back on a punt with three minutes left in the half.
Not content to nurse a 12-7 lead into the second half, it was back-up quarterback Brendyn Smith lofting a 63-yard touchdown pass to Miles Mahon. Ashton Gerber ran in the PAT and it became 20-7.
“We were running the ball down
“Our coaches had us prepared and we knew what they were going to run,” Mahon said. “It took all 11 of us on defense.”
It wasn’t until the fourth quarter that Rochelle finally converted a fourth down, with Manning zig-zagging for 30 hard-earned yards. The drive stalled at the 4-yard line with Manning gang-tackled for no gain on fourth down and most of the large home crowd already gone.
Wild then ran roughshod over the Hubs to end the game and sending the home team looking for answers.
“This is real adversity we’re facing,” Kissack said. “If you fear that, you are destined for a hard go of it. We are going to find out what we are made of.”
It is highly unusual for Rochelle to lose the statistical rushing game, but that was the case with 187 net yards for the Panthers to 164 for the Hubs.
Photo provided by Marcy DeLille
Rochelle’s Gavin Neale (4) tackles a Lena-Winslow running back during Friday’s game in Rochelle.
Set point
Rochelle’s eighth grade girls volleyball team took on Burlington Central on Sept. 8.
Photos provided by Robin Rethwill
TOP LEFT: Rochelle’s Jaqueline Garcia passes the ball during an eighth grade volleyball match against Burlington Central on Sept. 8. TOP RIGHT: Rochelle’s Cali Metzger gets ready to strike the ball on her serve. ABOVE: Sofia Rosales attempts an overhand serve for Rochelle. LEFT: Rochelle’s Tinlea Sitter watches her serve.
Team drive
Rochelle’s junior varsity football team played Lena-Winslow on Friday, Sept. 12.
Photos provided by Marcy DeLille
TOP LEFT: Rochelle’s Luke Chadwick (2) runs the ball during a JV football game with Lena-Winslow on Friday, Sept. 12. TOP RIGHT: Rochelle’s Levi McGee (58) tackles a Lena-Winslow player during the JV game.
ABOVE: A host of Rochelle defenders bring down a Lena-Winslow ball carrier. LEFT: Rochelle’s Braxton Bruns carries the ball during the JV game against Lena-Winslow.
Forreston secures win; tough match-ups ahead
It was a critical win for Forreston’s football team against Fulton. Coming from behind in the fourth quarter, the Cardinals kept their playoff hopes alive in the brutal NUIC.
How brutal is the toughest smallschool conference in the state?
Both Fulton and Morrison sit at 0-3 and perhaps are wondering why they left the kindler, gentler (though larger enrollment) Three Rivers conference.
Rochelle made the 5A quarterfinals last year and was physically beaten up by Lena-Winslow.
Going into week 3, Stockton, Galena, L-W and EPC were stateranked, along with Du-Pec getting votes in 3A. The only program hurting is once proud Dakota, who is in danger of two non-winning seasons in a row.
Could Dakota eventually join the ranks of 8-man football?
Speaking of 8-man, one of the top games of the entire state takes place with Milledgeville traveling the blacktop to Polo on Friday, Sept. 19.
Year in and year out, this game is one of the quintessential area sports events.
The two rivals will put on a smalltown performance worthy of the price of admission, and one that I plan on being at.
Another game of interest is Forreston at Morrison. Though the Mustangs are winless, they’ve faced three
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS ROUNDUP
Girls Volleyball
tough foes.
Andy Colbert VIEWS
Hate to keep saying it, but like the Fulton game, it is another must-win for Forreston. The NUIC gauntlet never lets up.
Some folks envision a rematch of Le-Win and Stockton in the playoffs. Not so fast, my friends. Undefeated Sterling Newman, with a couple of talented Morrison transfers, is back down in 1A and could interfere in that scenario.
However, after seeing Le-Win overpower Rochelle, I wonder if Newman could challenge them. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Le-Win avenges its loss to Stockton, should they meet.
Then again, I wouldn’t be surprised if Newman emerges out of the pack. With all the variables in high school sports, I try never to predict outcomes.
Besides being unscientific, things like state rankings and predictions are more bluster than anything.
On the subject of predicting outcomes and the rapid growth of legal sports betting, during the Little
Rochelle 2, Sandwich 0 (25-11, 25-15): At Rochelle on Sept. 11, the Hubs picked up their third straight win with a strong, two-set win over Sandwich.
Kyrie Craigin led the way with six kills and nine assists, Jaydin Dickey added 12 assists and two digs and Emori Mickley had eight digs. Rochelle is 7-4 overall.
Girls Tennis
Rochelle 4, Rockford Christian 1: At Rochelle on Sept. 11, Merit Namaste-Rose (6-1, 6-0) and Jaicee Ramos (6-0, 6-0) picked up commanding singles wins to lead the Hubs to victory.
No. 2 Doubles team Abby Losoya and Vivian Novak (6-1, 6-0) and No. 3 Doubles team Katie Toczylowski and Addison Bingham (6-0, 6-0) also turned in strong performances in the win.
Kevin Newberry
League World Series, the organization went so far as to issue the following statement: “We feel strongly that there is no place for betting on Little League games or any youth sports.”
Have you ever wondered what schools do with an overflow of trophies, plaques, awards and the like?
This summer, Kewanee Wethersfield set out 500 such items from 1960 to 2007 for public viewing. Alumni could take whatever they wanted and maybe leave a donation.
The school decided to take this action, as old trophies piled up haphazardly in boxes in a crowded storage room. The announcement irked some of the alumni, who felt the trophies should remain on display.
That’s a common sentiment among townspeople and graduates. However, very few schools have the necessary space to show off all of the memorabilia.
The president of the school’s Alumni Association made a very good point when he said, “Trophies, plaques and awards won in high school are important because of what they represent and should not be forgotten. But, when the number of physical representations of that success butts up against physical space, something has to give.”
Wethersfield is somewhat unique in that it is a separate township/school
district within the town of Kewanee. It would be much more logical for there to be one school district for Kewanee instead of two – one for Kewanee itself and one for Wethersfield.
But any attempts to consolidate have been met with opposition. There certainly has to be plenty of room at Kewanee, which has seen its enrollment drop in half over the decades.
In its heyday, Kewanee was noted worldwide for its Boilermaker industry and also a Hog Capital. My family lived a few miles away in Galva in the mid-1960s, and as a young kid, it was a big deal to travel to the big city of Kewanee, if only for a Maid-Rite.
With all the adulation we give sports stars, be it enshrinement in a Hall of Fame, statues being erected and million-dollar contracts, it was refreshing to see the choice of the Oregon Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in Don Stevens.
In a sharp contrast to the egodriven world of sports, the humble example of service to God, country, family, friends and church by Don is of far greater importance. Never one to be in the limelight, Don was content to put the needs of others ahead of his own.
• Andy Colbert, an avid runner, is a sports writer for Shaw Local covering high school sports in Ogle County.
Alex T. Paschal
Rochelle’s Jaydin Dickey passes the ball against Dixon during an August match.
in interest to Coastal Community Bank GoodLeap, LLC, Unknown Owners and NonRecord Claimants, Case No. 2025FC20, Ogle County, Illinois, on August 29, 2025, the property hereinafter described wi ll be sold to the highest bidder.
21-13-107-002
2 Common address or locat ion of mortgaged premises: 8083 South Green Street, Dixon, Illinois 61021
(C) The improvement on the real estate is a residence.
(A) The name, address, and telephone number of the person to contact for information regarding the real estate are Courtney Wigant, Compliance Associate, 1021 N. Galena Avenue, Dixon, Illinois 61021 telephone (815) 2848500.
(D) The real estate may not be inspected prior to the sale.
REAL ESTATE
(E) The time and place of the sale are as follows : The Ogle County Sheriff's Offi ce, 202 S First Street, Oregon, Illinois 61061, at 10:00 a.m. on October 17, 2025.
NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE
(IT IS ADVISED THAT INTERESTED PARTIES CONSULT THEIR OWN ATTORNEYS BEFORE BIDDING AT FORECLOSURE SALE.)
(B) The legal description of the real estate and the common address is as follows:
Section 7 East Part Byron Twp/North Part of Marion Twp, Ogle County, IL
For complete listing of sale bill, maps, tax info, and terms & conditions, etc. visit www.lenn yb rysonauction eer .com
For Information Contact: Owner, Wayne Byers Residuary Trust Lenn y Brys on - Auction eer Trustee, Perry B yers Ph: 815-946-4120
Attorn ey, Amanda Adams Martin ez 815-491-8065
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE entered by the Court in Community State Ban k of Rock Falls v Robert L Turner, Aven Financial Inc., d/b/a Aven Financial as successor in interest to Coastal Community Bank GoodLeap, LLC, Unknown Owners and NonRecord Claimants, Case No. 2025FC20, Ogle County, Illinois, on August 29, 2025, the property hereinafter described wi ll be sold to the highest bidder.
(A) The name, address, and telephone number of the person to contact for information regarding the real estate are Courtney Wigant, Compliance Associate, 1021 N. Galena Avenue, Dixon, Illinois 61021 telephone (815) 2848500.
(B) The legal de-
1. Lots Seven (7), Eight (8), Nine (9) and Ten (10) in Block Sixteen (16) in the Original Town of Grand Detour, according to the revised Plat of the Town of Grand Detour and its Addition, recorded in Book B of Miscellaneous Records, Page 160 in the Recorder's Office of Ogle County, Illinois; situate d in the Township of Grand Detour, the County of Ogle and the State of Illinois.
PIN:
21-13-107-002
2 Common address or locat ion of mortgaged premises: 8083 South Green Street, Dixon, Illinois 61021
(C) The improvement on the real estate is a residence.
(D) The real estate may not be inspected prior to the sale
(E) The time and place of the sale are as follows : The Ogle County Sheriff's Offi ce, 202 S First Street, Oregon, Illinois 61061, at 10:00 a.m. on October 17, 2025.
(F) The terms of
(F) The terms of the sale are ten percent (10%) down at the time of the sale, payable in certified funds, and the full balance wi thin seven (7) days.
(G) The case title, case number, and the Court in which the foreclosure was filed arc specified above (H) No other information is required to be disclosed.
COMMUNITY STATE BANK OF ROCK FALLS, Plaintiff By EHRMANN GEHLBACH BADGER & CONSIDINE, LLC By Courtney E. Kennedy Courtney E. Kennedy Courtney E Kennedy (6322625) Ehrmann Gehlbach Badger & Considine, LLC Attorneys for Plaintiff 114 E. E verett Street, Suite 300 Dixon, IL 61021 (815) 288-4949 (815) 288-3068 (FAX) kennedy@egbclaw .com
Sept. 12, 19, 26, 2025
nois; situate d in the Township of Grand Detour, the County of Ogle and the State of Illinois.
21-13-107-002
Common ads or locat ion of rtgaged premis8083 South een Street, n, Illinois 61021
(B) The legal description of the real estate and the common address is as follows:
Deceased CASE NO 2025-PR-59
CL AIM NOTICE
The improvent on the real te is a resince. The real estate not be inected prior to sale. The time and ace of the sale as follows : The le County SherOffi ce, 202 S Street, OreIllinois 61061, 10:00 a.m. on ctober 17, 2025.
The terms of sale are ten ent (10%) wn at the time of sale, payable in rtified funds, and full balance thin seven (7) ys. The case title, se number, and Court in which foreclosure filed arc speciabove
No other inforon is required e disclosed.
COMMUNITY STATE BANK OF ROCK FALLS, Plaintiff
By EHRMANN GEHLBACH BADGER & CONSIDINE, LLC
By Courtney E. Kennedy
Courtney E. Kennedy
Courtney E nnedy (6322625) Ehrmann Gehlbach dger & Considine, LLC rneys for aintiff E. E verett et, Suite 300 n, IL 61021 815) 288-4949 815) 288-3068 AX) nnedy@egbclaw om
Sept. 12, 19, 26, 2025
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
OGLE COUNTY, IL LINOIS COMMUNITY STATE BANK O F ROCK FALLS , Plaintiff, v. ROBERT L. TURNER, AVEN FINANCIAL INC., d/b/a AVEN FINANCIAL as successor in interest to COASTAL COMMUNITY BANK, GOODLEAP, LLC, UNKNOWN OWNERS, and NONRECORD CLAIMANTS, Defendants Property Addre ss: 8083 South Green Str eet Dixon, Illinois 61021
No. 2025FC20 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE
(IT IS ADVISED THAT INTERESTED PARTIES CONSULT THEIR OWN ATTORNEYS BEFORE BIDDING AT FORECLOSURE SALE.) PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE entered by the Court in Community State Ban k of Rock Falls v Robert L Turner, Aven Financial Inc., d/b/a Aven Financial as successor in interest to Coastal Community Bank GoodLeap, LLC, Unknown Owners and NonRecord Claimants, Case No. 2025FC20, Ogle County, Illinois, on August 29, 2025, the property hereinafter described wi ll be sold to the highest bidder.
(A) The name, address, and telephone number of the person to contact for information regarding the real estate are Courtney Wiga nt, Compliance Associate, 1021 N. Galena Avenue, Dixon, Illinois 61021 telephone (815) 2848500.
(B) The legal description of the real estate and the common address is as follows:
1. Lots Seven (7), Eight (8), Nine (9) and Ten (10) in Block Sixteen (16) in the Original Town of Grand Detour, according to the revised Plat of th To f Grand
1. Lots Seven (7), Eight (8), Nine (9) and Ten (10) in Block Sixteen (16) in the Original Town of Grand Detour, according to the revised Plat of the Town of Grand Detour and its Addition, recorded in Book B of Miscellaneous Records, Page 160 in the Recorder's Office of Ogle County, Illinois; situate d in the Township of Grand Detour, the County of Ogle and the State of Illinois.
PIN: 21-13-107-002
2 Common address or locat ion of mortgaged premises: 8083 South Green Street, Dixon, Illinois 61021
(C) The improvement on the real estate is a residence.
(D) The real estate may not be inspected prior to the sale
(E) The time and place of the sale are as follows : The Ogle County Sheriff's Offi ce, 202 S First Street, Oregon, Illinois 61061, at 10:00 a.m. on October 17, 2025.
(F) The terms of the sale are ten percent (10%) down at the time of the sale, payable in certified funds, and the full balance wi thin seven (7) days.
(G) The case title, case number, and the Court in which the foreclosure was filed arc specified above.
(H) No other information is required to be disclosed.
COMMUNITY STATE BANK OF ROCK FALLS, Plaintiff By EHRMANN GEHLBACH BADGER & CONSIDINE, LLC By Courtney E. Kennedy
Courtney E. Kennedy
Courtney E. Kennedy (6322625) Ehrmann Gehlbach Badger & Considine, LLC
Attorneys for Plaintiff
114 E. E verett Street, Suite 300 Dixon, IL 61021 (815) 288-4949 (815) 288-3068 (FAX) kennedy@egbclaw .com
Sept. 12, 19, 26, 2025
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OGLE COUNTY, IL LINOIS
Estate of:
JOYCE I. GATZ, Deceased No. 2025 PR 50 CL AIM NOTICE Notice is given of the death of JOYCE I. GATZ. Letters of Office were issued to JANETTE S FOLKERS, 2535 South Wilson Mill Road, Polo, IL 61064, as Represen tative, whose attorneys are WARD, MURRAY, PACE & JOHNSON, P.C., 202 E 5th Street, Sterling, Illinois 61081. Claims against the estate may be filed in the office of the Clerk of Court, Ogle County Courthouse, 106 S 5th Street, Or egon, IL 61061, or with the Representative, or both, on or before March 13, 2026, and any claim not filed wi thin that period is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the Repres entative and to the attorney within ten (10) days after it has been filed.
Dated: August 27, 2025
Janette S. Folkers, Representative Ryan M. Olson ARDC 6333161 WARD, MURRAY, PACE & JOHNSON, P.C. Attorneys for Estate 202 E. 5th Street P.O. Box 400 Sterling, IL 61081 P: 815.625.8200 olson@wmpj.com
Sept. 5, 12, 19, 2025
STATE OF IL LINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OGLE COUNTY PROBATE DIVISION IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: Roger E Cunz
Deceased CASE NO 2025-PR-59
CL AIM NOTICE NOTICE is giv en of the death of ROGER E CUNZ, who died on May 29, 2025. Letters of Office were issued on July 25, 2025, to Roger E Cunz, Jr 80 Riveside
NOTICE is giv en of the death of ROGER E CUNZ, who died on May 29, 2025. Letters of Office were issued on July 25, 2025, to Roger E Cunz, Jr, 80 Riveside Road, Rockford, IL, 61114, who is the legal repres entative of the esta te The attorney for the esta te is Michae l J. Smith, of Barrick, Switzer, Long, Balsley & Van Evera, LLP, 6833 Stalter Drive, Rockford, Illinois 61108.
Claims against the Estate may be filed on or before March 5, 2026, that date being at least six (6) months from the date of first publication, or within three (3) months from the date of mailing or delivery of Notice to creditors, if mail ing or delivery is required by Section 18-3 of the I llinois Probate Act, 1975 as amended, whichever date is later 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 Ogle C ounty Circuit Clerk, Probate Division at the Ogl e County Courthouse, 106 5th Street, Oregon, Illinois, 61061, or wi th the Estate legal representative, or both.
Copies of claims filed with the Circuit Clerk's Office, Probate Division, must be mailed or delivered to the Estate legal representative and to his attorney within ten (10) days after it has been filed.
Dated:
/s/Roger E Cunz, Jr, Executor Michae l J. Smith BARRICK, SWITZER, LONG, BALSLEY & VAN EVERA, LLP 6833 Stalter Drive Rockford, IL 61108 (815)962-6611 service.msmith@ bslbv.com
September 5, 12, 19, 2025
As sumed Name Publication Notice Public Notice is hereby given that on August 26, 2025, a certificate was filed in the Ogle County Clerk's Office setting forth the names and postoffice address of all of the persons owning, conducting and transacting the business known as:
BK Exteriors loca ted at 7926 S Pine St Grand Detour, IL 61021
Dated August 26, 2025.
Laura J. Cook
Laura J. Cook Ogle County Clerk
September 5, 12, 19, 2025
Publication Notice
Public Notice is hereby given that on August 25, 2025, a certificate was filed in the Ogle County Clerk's Office setting forth the names and post office address of all of the persons owning, conducting and transacting the business known as: Cleary Exteriors Pressure Washing 389 Red Fox Dr Davis Junction, IL 61020
Dated: August 25, 2025. s/Laura J. Cook
Laura J. Cook, Ogle County Clerk Sept. 5, 12, 19, 2025
As sumed Name
Publication Notice Public Notice is hereby given that on July 31, 2025, a certificate was filed in the Ogle County Clerk's Office setting forth the names and post office address of all of the persons owning, conducting and transacting the business known as: Montes Restaurants LLC
LEG AL NOTICES
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF OG LE, IL LINOIS IN RE THE ESTATE OF RICHARD H. KURZ, DECEASE D Case No 2025PR000052 CL AIM NOTICE Notice is given of the death of Richard H. Kurz, of Rochelle, Illinois. Letters of Office were issued on the 20th day of August, 2025, to Foster, Buick, Conklin, Lundgren & Gottschalk, LLC, 2040 Aberdeen Court, Sycamore, Illinois 60178, whose attorneys are Foster, Buick, Conklin, Lundgren & Gottschalk, LLC, 2040 Aberdeen Court, Sycamore, Illinois 60178. Claims against the estate may be filed in the office of the Clerk of the Court at the Ogle County Courthouse, 106 South 5th Str eet, Oregon, Illinois, 61061, or with the representative, or both, no later than 4:30 p.m. on or before the 5th day of March, 2026, and any claim not filed wi thin that period 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.
DBA Farmers Family Rest au rant loca ted at 317 E. Main St. Forreston, IL 61030 Dated July 31, 2025.
s/Laura J. Cook
Laura J. Cook, Ogle County Clerk
Sep. 12, 19, 26, 2025
By: /s/ Cassandra A. Gottschalk One of its Attorneys Cassandra A. Gottschalk Attorney No. 6309115 Foster, Buick, Conklin, Lundgren & Gottschalk, LLC 2040 Aberdeen Court Sycamore, Illinois 60178 (815) 758-6616 service@foster buick.com
September 3, 10, 17, 2025
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OGLE COUNTY, I LLINOIS
STERLING FEDERAL BANK, F.S.B., Plaintiff, vs. KEITH W. MULLEN, Defendants
2025 FC 3
LE GAL NOTICE F OR FORECL OSURE SALE
PUBLIC AUCTION OF R EAL ES TATE
(IT IS ADVISE D THAT I NTERESTED PARTIES CONSU LT THEIR OWN ATTORNEYS
BEF ORE BIDDING AT FORECLOSURE SALE S.)
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE entered by the Court in the above-entitled cause on May 27, 2025, the property hereinafter described will be sold to the highest qualified bidd er
(A) The name, address, and telephone numbe r of the per son to contact for information r egarding the real estate is Brad Kolb, Sterling Fede ral Bank, F.S.B., 815 .622.3361.
(B) The common address of the r eal estate is 281 West Cartwright Lane , Oregon, IL 61061 and its legal description is: Lot 47 of Mongan and Etnyre Sixth Subdivision being a part of the Southeast Quarter of Section 33, Township 24 North, Range 10 East of the 4th P.M., Ogle County, Illinois; according to the Plat thereof recorded November 22 , 1958 in Book H of Plats, page 32 as Document No. 332029.
(C) The real est ate consists of a t hree bedroom, one bathroom 1,386 square foot house with an attached two car garage
(D) The time and place of the sale are as follows: 10:00 a.m. on October 17, 2025 at Ogle County Sheriff's Office, 202 S 1st Street, Oregon, IL 61061.
(E) The terms of the sale are 10 percent of the purchase price at the time of the auction sale as earnest money, and the balance at least 30 days after the date of Court approval of the sale# saleupon delivery of deed and possession. All payments shall be by CASH, BANK DRAFT, or CERTIFIED FUNDS. Any sale is subject to Court approval. Any specifi c restrictions on property or title will b e a nnounced day of sale ANNOUNCEMENTS DAY OF SALE TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER ANY PRINTED MATERIAL
(F) The case title, case number and the court in whi ch the foreclosure was filed are specified above
(G) The sal e shall be subject to all easements, covenants, restrictions and rese rvations of record, taxes for the year 2023 and all subsequent years.
(H) No othe r information is required to be disclosed.
Sterling Federal Bank, F.S.B., Plaintiff, By WARD, MURRAY, PACE & JOHNSON, P.C Its Attorneys
Maverik A. Good - ARDC 6342150 Ward, Murray, Pace & Johnson, P.C. Attorney for Ste rling Federa l Bank, F.S.B 202 E. 5th Street / P.O. Box 400 Sterling, IL 61081 P: 815.625.8200 good@wmpj.com
September 19, 26, October 3, 2025
INVITATION F OR BIDS
Roche lle Municipal Utilities, Ogle County, Il linois will receive sealed bids for:
Centerpoint Substation Installation Con tract until 2:00 p.m. local time on October 2, 2025, at the City of Rochelle, 420 N 6th Street, Rochelle, IL 61068.
A pre- bid conference will be held via a virtual meeting at 11:00 a m. on September 11, 2025. Attendance is strongly encouraged. A Microsoft Team s invite will be sent to registered bidders.
The plans and specifications are on file with the City of Roche lle for viewing purposes only.
Copies of the documents may be acquired from BHMG Engineers, Inc , 9735 Landmark Parkway Suite 110A, St Louis, Missouri 63127, Consulting Engineers for the said Board
Please email Amy Wooldridge, AWooldridge@bhmg.com with request. Bids shall be rece ived for the aforementioned items.
A certified check or bank draft on a responsible, solvent bank, or a satisfactory bid bond executed by the bidder and an acceptable surety company, payabl e to the City of Rochelle, John Bearrows, Mayor or Government Bonds or cas h in the amount of not less than five percent (5%) of bid, shall be submitted with each bid
The bid shall be marked to identify bid package contents, reference specification 2201 K003.
The successful bidder will be required to:
• Register as a bidde r for this project
• Furni sh in du pl icate the following executed documents:
• Non-Collusion Affidavit
• Bid Form
• Bid Bond, Cer tified Check or Money Order
• An d any other documents as required by the specifications
No bid shall be withdrawn after the opening of bids without the consent of the Utility for a period of sixty (60) days after the scheduled time of closing bids
The said City of Rochelle reser ves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive any informalities in bidding, and to determine and accept the bid most advantageous to the Utility.
Date: August 29, 2025
City of Roche lle, Illinois John Bea rrows, Mayor
September 10, 17, 24, 2025
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT ¬OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS
U.S BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff, vs. JEFFERY J KING; ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY; THE SECRETARY OF HOUSIN G AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIM ANTS; Defendant(s).
CASE NO. 2025FC3 9 Pro perty Addres s: 503 W 2nd St Byron, IL 61010 NOTICE FOR PUBLI CATION
The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereb y given you, JEFFERY J KING; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON -RECORD CLAIMANTS, defendants in the above entitled cause, that suit has been commenced agai nst you and other defendants in the Circuit Court for the Judicial Ci rcuit by said pla intiff praying for the foreclosure of a certain mortgage conveying the premises described as follows, to wit: LOT 18 OF THE SUBDIVIS ION OF BLOCK 60 IN THE ORIGINAL TOWN, NOW CITY OF BYRON, SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF OGLE AND STATE OF ILLINOIS P.I.N.: 05-31-232- 010
Said prope rty is commonly known as 503 W 2nd St, Byron, IL 61010 and which said mortgage(s) was/were made and recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds as Document Number 201805263, and for other relief; that Summons was duly issued out of the above Court against you as provided by law and that said suit is now pending.
NOW TH EREFORE, unless you, the said abov e named defendants, file your answer to the complaint in the said suit or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Court at Ogle County on or before OCTOBER 13, 2025, a default may be taken against you at any time after that date and a Judgment entered in accordance with the pray er of said complaint E-filing is now mandatory for documents in civil case s with limited exemptions. To e-file, you must first create an account with an e-filing service provider Visit http://efile.ill inoisc ourts.gov/service- providers.htm to learn more and to select a service provider If you need additional help or have trouble e-filing, visit www.illinoiscourts.gov/FAQ /gethelp.asp
Diaz A nselmo & Associa tes, LLC Attorneys for Plaintiff 1771 West Diehl Road, Suite 120 Naperville, IL 60563 Telephone: (630) 453-6960 Fac simile: (630) 428- 4620
hereby given CLAIMANTS, menced agai nst Ci rcuit by said the premises BLOCK 60 IN THE OUNTY OF OGLE 61010 and which e Recorder of Summons was and that said ants, file your ur appearance on or before after that date plaint E-filing ons. To e-file, rovider Visit d to select a e-filing, visit
IN THE UNITED S TATE S DIS TRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DIS TRICT OF ILLINOIS ROCKF OR D DIVISION ILLINOIS DEBT ACQUISITION COMPANY, L.L.C., Plaintiff, v. EL PASO HCC, LLC, et al. Defen dants.
Case No. 3:24-CV-50034 Ju dges Honorable Iain D. Johns ton and Honorable Margaret J. Sch neider NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to 28 U.S.C. Secs. 2001 and 2002, the Order Appointing Receiver entered on January 25, 2024 (Dkt No 8) entered in the above captioned matter and the July 18, 2025 Orde r setting sale pr ocedures for the sale of Defendants' assets (Dkt. No 129), the Court's Receiver shall, with the assistance of Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation ( Inte rcounty), place for public sale to the highest bidder , the real and pe rsonal property mor e full y described below and more fully described in the Verified Complaint in the above captioned matter (Dkt No 1 and incorporated herein by refer ence) on October 10, 2025 at the hour of 12 Noon, CDT, through hybrid means via Zoom (Zoom Instructions) and in person in the Lobby of U.S Courthouse, 327 South Church Street, Rockford, IL 61101:
Real Property: The real property commonly known as 850 East 2nd Street, El Paso, IL 61738, operating as El Paso Health Care Center, a 123-bed licensed skilled nursing facility, which is at issue in and more fully d escrib ed in the Verified Complaint in the above captioned matter (Dkt. No. 1)
The real property commonly known as 201 East Falcon Highway, Flanagan, IL 61740, operating as Flanagan Rehab & Health Care Center, a 75-bed licensed skilled nursing facility, which is at issue in and more fully described in the Verified Complaint in the above captioned matter (Dkt. No. 1)
The rea l property commonly known as 141 South Junior Avenue, Kewanee , IL 61443, operating as Courtyard Estates of Kewanee, a 35-bed licensed assisted care living fac ility, which is at issue in and more fully described in the Verified Complai nt in the above captioned matter (Dkt. No. 1).
The real property commonly known as 415 East Main Stree t, Knoxville, IL 61448, operating as Courtyard Estates of Knoxville, a 32-bed licensed assisted care living facility, which is at issue in and more fully described in the Verified Complaint in the above captioned matter (Dkt. No. 1)
The real property commonly known as 1200 West Broadway, Monmouth, IL 61462, operating a s Legac y Estates of Monmouth, a 59-bed licensed assisted care living facility, which is at issue in and more fully described in the Verified Complaint in the above captioned matter (Dkt. No. 1)
The rea l property commonly known as 275 East Carl Sandburg Drive, Galesburg, IL 61401, operating as Mar igold Rehab & Health Care Center, a 172-bed licensed skilled nursing facility, which is at issue in and more fully described in the Verified Complaint in the above captioned mat ter (Dkt. No. 1)
The rea l property commonly known as One Courtyard Boulevard, Monmouth, IL 61462 operating as Courtyard Estates of Monmouth, a 51-bed licensed assisted care living facility, which is at issue in and more fully described in the Verified Complaint in the above captioned mat ter (Dkt. No. 1)
The rea l property commonly known as 703 East Buffalo Street, Polo, IL 61064, formerly operating as Polo Rehab & Health Care Center, an 81-bed licensed skilled nursing fac ility, which is at issue in and more fully d escrib ed in the Verified Complaint in the above captioned matter (Dkt. No. 1). Polo Rehab & Health Care Center is currently not operating. Personal Property:
All personal property that is pledged by the Defenda nts as collateral, which is at issue in and more fully described in the Verified Complaint in the above captioned matter. (Dkt. No. 1)
Terms of sale are outlined in the July 18, 2025 Order setting sale proc edures for the sale of Defendants' ass ets (Dkt. No. 129) Additi onal Sale terms Bidders may contac t either Intercounty or the Receiver's attorneys to r eceive Zoom login instructions prior to the sale Bids shall be submitte d to the Receiver on the day of the sale and shall include a signed asset purchase agree ment from the bidder and a redline of the bidd er's asset purchase agreement to the stalking hor se bidder's asset purchase agreement. All bids (other than the stalking horse bid) must be in the form of an all cash bid in an amount that exceeds the s talking horse bid by at least two percent ( 2%) of the stalking horse bid of $18,150,000.00, plus a minimum overbid of an additional $200,000.00 (i.e. $18,713,000.00). All bids must be irrevocab le and may not be subject to conditions or financing contingencies The asset purchase agreement must include the proposed closing date, all final terms of the bid and all schedules thereto. All bids must include sufficient infor mation, as reasonably determined by the Receiver, to allow the Rece iver to determine, in his reasonable business judgment, whether the interes ted party has the financial wherewithal to consummate the sale. The winning bidder will be required to deposit in a sum equal to ten perce nt (10%) of the purchase price contained in the accepted offer accepted by Receiver to the Receiver's designated title company within seven (7) business days after notification of acceptance
Pursuant to the Order entered in the above captioned matter on July 18, 2025 as Dkt. No. 129, at the public sale , Intercounty shall hold an auction whereat bidders that complied with the requirements set forth in the foregoing paragraph 6 of the Order entered in the above captioned matter on July 18, 2025 as Dkt. N o. 129 starting with the highest and best bid submitted in compliance with paragraph 6 of the Orde r entered in the above captioned matter on July 18, 2025 as Dkt. No. 129, which highest and best bid shall be determined by Receiver Bidders who complied with the requirement s set forth in the foregoing paragraph 6 of the Order entered in the above captioned matt er on July 18, 2025 as Dkt. No. 129 shall be permitted to submit topping bids at the auct ion until Intercounty and Receiver determine the final and best bid (the "Winning Bid"), and, if multiple bid s are submitted, a back- up bid (the "Back-up Bid").
The accuracy of the information solicited by bidders cannot be guarante ed, and prospective bidders are ther efore encouraged to complete any desired and non-invasive due diligence at their own expense. The sale of the Receivership Assets is without rec ourse to Receiver and in "AS-IS" condition, and in any event any sale will otherwise be consistent with the sale proced ures approved in the above referen ced matter The sale is further subject to confirmation by the Court in the above captioned matt er. Any expenses associat ed with the sale also will be subject to and presente d to the Court in the above captioned matt er for approval
Prospective bidders are admonished to check the Court file in the above captioned matt er to verify all information. Prospective Bidders may contact Inte rcounty and or the Rece iver's attorneys for Zoom Instructions. Property tours will be available to all intereste d bidders at times to-be-scheduled wi th the Recei ver, and the Receivership Assets may also be shown by appointment. Receiver will provide information related to the Receivership Assets for review to prospective bidders, including subject to a confidentia lity agreement. To arrange a tour of the facilities or for further information concerning the real and personal pr operties, interested partie s may contact the Receiver through his counsel(s) at Scott & Kraus, LLC: Eugene S. Kraus Jason R. Sleezer Scott & Kraus, LLC 150 S Wacker Drive, Suite 2900 Chicago, IL 60606 (312) 327-1050 ekraus@skcounsel .com jsleezer@skcounsel.com I3272825 Sep. 12, 19, 26, Oct. 3, 2025
Notice to Bi dders
Sealed proposals for the project described below will be received at the office of the Village Clerk, 106 N Elm Stree t, Davis Junction, I L 61020 until 10:00 AM on 10/8/2025. Sealed proposals will be open ed and read publicly at the office of the Village Clerk, 106 N. E lm Stre et, Davis Junction, IL 61020 at 10:00 AM on 10/8/2025.
Description of Work
Location: Par ts of Junction Road within Village of Davis Junction Lim its Project Length: 28,620'
Proposed Improvement: Placement and compaction of 28,620 feet of Aggregate Wedge Shoulder, Type B (2' wide, from 6” to 0” depth) over the existing shoulders on sections of Junction R oad. 1 Plans and proposal forms will be avai lable in the office of Willett, Hofmann & Associat es, Inc. website at www.willetthofmann.com. Contractors shall click on "Bid Login" on the homepage of the website and follow the instructions. The contract eBidDoc # (Project Number) is 9860038. The Project Manual PDF can be downloaded from the website by depositing twenty-two dollars ($22.00) by credit card. Said deposit is NON-REFUNDABLE.
2. X Prequalification
If checked, the 2 apparent as read low bidders must file within 24 hours after the letting an "Affidavit of Availability" (Form BC 57) in triplicate, showing all uncompleted contracts awarded to them and all low bid s pending award for Fed eral, State, County, Municipal and private work. One original shall be filed with the Awarding Authority and two originals with the IDOT District Office.
3. The Awarding Authority reserves the right to waiv e technicalities and to reject any or all proposals as provided in BLRS Special Provision for Bidding Requirements and Conditions for C ontract Proposals.
4. The following BLR Forms shall be returned by the bidder to the Awarding Authority:
a. Local Public Agency Formal Contract Proposal (BLR 12200)
b Schedule of Prices (BLR 12201)
c Prop osal Bid Bond (BLR 12230) (if applicable)
d. Apprenticeship or Training Program Certification (BLR 12325) (do not use for project with Federal funds.)
e Affidavit of Illinois Business Office (BLR 12326) (do not use for project with Fed eral funds)
5. The quantities appearing in the bid schedule are approximate and are prepared for the comparison of bids. Payment to the Contrac tor will be made only for the actual quantities of work performed and accepted or materials furnished according to the contract. The scheduled quantities of work to be done and materials to be furnished may be increased, decreased or omitted as hereinafter provided
6. Submission of a bid shall be conclusive assurance and warranty the bidder has examined the plans and understands all requirements for the performance of work The bidder will be responsible for a ll errors in the proposal resulting from failure or neglect to conduct an in depth examination The Awar ding Authority will, in no case, be responsible for any costs, expenses, losses or changes in anticipated profits resulting from such failure or neglect of the bidder.
7. The bidder shall take no advantage of any error or omission in the proposal a nd adverti sed contract.
8. If a special envelope is supplied by the Awarding Authority, each proposal should be submitted in that envelope furnished by the Awarding A gency and the blank spaces on the envelope shall be filled in correctly to clearly indicate its contents. When an envelope other than the special one furnished by the Awarding Authority is used, it shall be marked to clearly indicate its contents. When sent by mail, the sealed proposal shall be addre ssed to the Awarding Authority at the address and in care of the official in whose office the bids are to be received. All proposals shall be filed prior to the time and at the place specified in the Notice to Bidders. Proposals received after the time specified will be returned to the bidder unopened.
9 Permission will be given to a bidder to withdraw a proposal if the bidder makes the request in writing or in person before the time for openi ng proposals.
