12 minute read
Police Reports
BY TIMOTHY EGGERT eggert@saukvalley.com
Police say a trio of Morrison men are facing a bundle of criminal felony charges after being linked to a series of burglaries reported across Whiteside County.
Authorities arrested 18-year-old Logan D. Smit h, 25-year-old Colton M. Merema and 46-year-old Jamison E. Smith after searching a residence in rural Morrison on Thursday, finding items reported stolen, the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
Accord ing to court documents , both Logan Smith and Merema on Aug. 30 broke into and stole items from a residence at 18876 Mellots Road.
The pair also together on Sept. 2 robbed Inter Connection Systems Inc, a solar engineering firm located at 14488 Hillside Road, court documents state.
Court filings further allege that Merema on Aug. 27 broke into and stole items from a residence at 19825 Matthew Road.
Merema is charged with one count of residential burglary, a Class 1 Felony, and two counts of burglary – both Class 2 Felonies.
If convicted of all three charges, Merema could face a total punishment of 10 to 29 years in prison.
Logan Smith is charged with two counts of burglary, each carrying a punishment of3 to 7 years in prison.
Smith is also charged with one count of possession of 15 to 100 grams of methamphetamine, a Class 1 Felony punishable by 4 to 15 years in prison.
Smith is further charged with one count of unlawful use of weapons for possessingaWARDS Hercules Model 10, 20-gauge shotgun with a barrel less than 18-inches.
That charge, a Class 3 Felony, carries 2 to 5 years in prison.
He is being held in Whiteside County Jail on a $100,000 bond.
Jamison Smith, whose connection
Colton Logan Jamison Merema Smith Smith
to the burglaries was not disclosed, is charged with one count of possession of an unknown amount of methamphetamine.
No bond information for Smith was immediately available.
Logan Smith and Merema both have preliminary hearings scheduled for Sept. 28.
Morrison Police Report
Arrests:
On Sept. 9, police arrested Heidi D. Wolber, 36 of Morrison, pursuant to an Order of Commitment – Rule to Show Cause issued by Whiteside County. Wolber was given a notice to appear for Oct. 6, and was released.
On Sept. 10, at approximately 9:50 p.m., police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Nathan O. Whittington, 31 of Erie, foramoving violation.
The traffic stop was conducted in the 600 block of Genesee Avenue. As a result of the investigation during the traffic stop, Whittington was arrested on an arrest warrant issued by Rock Island County, violation of probation – failure to register (juvenile sex offender). Police also charged Whittington with failure to signal and driving while license suspended. Whittington was transported to the Whiteside County Jail.
Citations:
Sept. 6: Carlie A. Elder, 20, Rochelle, speeding
Sept. 10: Roy R. Brown, 37, Noel, Missouri, no valid driver’s license
Sept. 11: Male juvenile, 16, Morrison, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.
The public is reminded that these are merely charges andall personsare presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Whiteside Co. Sheriff’s Report
Sept. 9
At 9:45 p.m., Mitchell J. Hart, 18 of Prophetstown, was stopped on Interstate 88 at mile marker 23 for speeding. Hart was cited for speeding, 82 mph in a 70 mph zone, and no valid driver’s license. He was released on bond pending a court date in Morrison. Todd’s Tire and Auto assisted on scene.
Sept 10
At 6 p.m., following an incident of
quasi-criminal activity in the Mineral Springs-Sterling area on Sept. 7 at 3:20 a.m., Jakob R. Wallingford-Holcomb, 19 of Morrison, was trying to flee from the vigilantly residents and crashed his vehicle into a tree causing major damage.
Wallingford-Holcomb then fled from the scene and was stopped by deputies at West 4th Street and West Avenue.
During the course of the investigation, Wallingford-Holcomb was cited for leaving the scene of a property damage crash and no headlights when required.
The residents graciously prevented further criminal activity by their ever-vigilant neighborhood reclaim.
The other occupants fled the scene on foot.
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BY SARAH FORD For Shaw Media
An early season frost, an August derecho, and restrictions due to COVID-19 may sum up the 2020 season at Fairhaven Fruit Farm.
But on the bright side, the fall fun has just begun.
On Saturday, the apple orchard in rural Thomson had the first event of the season -aFall Carnival complete with games, prizes, drinks, and apples.
Fruit farmers Ben Metz and Angel McDonough travel from their home in Dubuque almost daily for the never-ending work at the orchard. The couple took ownership of the property nearly four years ago.
“I’ve been around the trees since the beginning of the orchard,” said Ben of his inspiration to take over when the previous owners retired. Now that the trees are yielding and the fruits are ripe, the year’s labor will again pay off.
But the year’s challenges have taken their toll on the orchard that is home to over 1,200 apple trees. An early season frost took out most of the honeycrisp apples, and the derecho, which Ben described as 80 plus mph winds lasting over 40 minutes, knocked down 54 trees and a whole lot of maturing app les.
“There’s nothing you can do about mother nature,” Ben said. “We’re trying to piece everything together and keep it going.” With 44 varieties of apples cultivated on 3 ½ acres of the property’s 20, he estimates the year’s conditions affected about 80% of their crop.
Still, there’s a variety of apples and other goodies ready for seasonal shoppers. Besides the weekend u-pick option, a cooler in the shop is stocked with bushels of apples and cherry and apple ciders. A slushie machine dispenses freshly pressed icy cider. Bread mixes, apple dips
Sarah Ford/For Shaw Media
Ben Metz and Angel McDonough pose at the photo op station at their fruit farm.
and caramel kits give plenty of options for cooking with apples.
Visitors can also find all ‘Made in the USA’ products in the shop, from GMO-free jellies and pickles, natural soaps and lip balms, apple cider donuts, fresh and frozen pies, caramel apples from Candy Kitchen of Galena (and exclusive to their orchard), and other handcrafted items.
The couple’s children are also involved in the operation, with “little entrepreneurs” Daisy and Neveah selling seashells or cut flowers, and Brayden manning the cash register.
A pumpkin patch is also nearing harvest and will be ready for customers in October.
Fifteen honey bee hives on the property are maintained by Fulton’s Honey Girl Honey, with a signature line produced and sold at Fruithaven. The couple also planted some blueberry bushes this year, just to see if they could grow in the local soil.
“I’m playing with chemistry this year,” said Ben, smiling.
During a normal season, the orchard is abundant with a variety of apples from galas to macs to fujis, and more are grafted every year.
It’s been a location for Farm Bureau camps for area youth. The property was once a dairy, and a round milk house painted with sunflowers marks that history.
Ben recently gota100-year-old apple washing station operable, and he recycles, upcycles and repurposes various materials he comes across, with his handiwork displayed in the shop and around the grounds.
Ben has a degree in Sustainable Technology and he’s been utilizing that knowledge on the farm, with plans to convert it to a more sustainable operation.
And he’s always on the look-out for interesting apple varieties, such as “Ludicrisp” that debuted this year. The Gen’s Best variety was bred at the orchard, named after previous owner Genevieve. “I’m still trying to get an ap ple named after me,” Angel said with a laugh.
The couple credits their “awesome customers” for helping them weather this year’s storms. They’ll be open on the weekends, come rain or shine this harvest season.
The next upcoming event is Johnny Appleseed Day on Saturday, Sept. 26 from 1–4p.m., with u-pick apples, $1 slushies, and an orchard scavenger hunt.
Ben said the farm is classified as essential, but precautions such as social distancing reminders and numerous handwashing stations are in place to help make people feel comfortable.
Seasonal hours are Thursday –Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. –5p.m.
Cash or check is accepted, but no credit cards. Fairhaven Fruit Farm is located at 966 Creamery Road, Thomson. Call 563-213-6134 for more information or follow them on Facebook.
Sarah Ford/For Shaw Media
This child peeks out through a wormhole of an apple cutout at the orchard.
KAREN L. ALLEN
Karen L. Allen, 61, of Thomson, died Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, at her home.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Cremation rites will be accorded.
CHESTER J. “CHET” BOELKINS
Chester J. “Chet” Boelkins, 91, formerly of Fulton, died Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, at Prairie Hills at Clinton in Clinton, Iowa.
Cremation rites have been accorded and a private family graveside service will be held at a later date at Fulton Township Cemetery in Fulton.
Chet was born April 12, 1929, in rural Whiteside County, to Bernie and Gertrude (Buikema) Boelkins. He was educated in the rural Whiteside County schools. Chet married Marian E. Reedy on August 25, 1949, in Albany. She died May 15, 2015.
Chet was first employed as an equipment tester at John Deere. Then he worked at Ametek as a maintenance man. Most recently, Chet worked as a machine operator at Drives in Fulton and also worked in maintenance for Cargill in Fulton. He enjoyed traveling to Arizona during the winter with his wife, Marian. He loved to go camping, boating, and fishing.
Survivors include three daughters, Sue (Richard) Gossard of Fulton; Mrs. Diane Milligan of Garden Plain, and Mary (Jim) Ottens of Fulton; one son, Terry Boelkins of Fulton; seven grandchildren, Amy (Luke) Littrel, Jason Milligan, Jammie (Troy) Richert, Aaron Milligan, Heather (Matt) Powell, Lynn Boelkins, and Brandy Boelkins; many great and great-great grandc hildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marian; two sons, Rodney Boelkins and James Boelkins in infancy; two brothers, Bernard and Robert Boelkins. To send online condolencesgo to www.bosmarenkes.com
LORETTA JEAN CROW
Loretta Jean Crow, 97, of Prophetstown, formerly of Morrison, died Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020, at Allure of Prophetstown.
A graveside service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, at Liberty Center Cemetery in Liberty Center, Iowa. A public visitation was held Sept. 10, at the Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home.
A memorial has been established to John L. Lewis Museum in Lucas, Iowa. To send online condolencesgo to www. bosmagibson.com
JOYCE KAECKER
Joyce Kaecker, 76, of Erie, died Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020.
Graveside services were held on Friday, Sept. 11, at the Erie Cemetery.
Visitation was Sept. 10 at Gibson-Bode Funeral Home, Erie. Memorials may be made to Erie or Albany Fire Departments.
Joyce was born February 8, 1944 in Morrison, the daughter of Harold and
Henrietta (Keller) Hoobler. he married Lawrence “Larry” E. Kaecker on June 28, 1962, at the Erie United Methodist Church in Erie. She sold Avon for over 40 years. She loved being a grandma and following her grandchildren’s activities and sports.
Joyce is survived by her children, Laurie (George) Heincig, Walworth, Wisconsin, Joe (Collee n) Kaecker, Fulton; Jim (Dawn) Kaecker, Cordova; sister, June (Jim) Burden, Erie; sister-in-law, Jean Digman, Sterling; 11 grandchildren, Nona (Cody) Swa nson, Brittnee Kaecker (Jonathan Sterling), Brooke Kaecker, Courtnee Kaecker (Patrick Knapp), Brandon Kaecker, Tyler (Justina) Oney, Kelsey Oney, Karissa (Jacob) Arnold, Hannah Herrman; 15 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; special friend, Harold Watts and family; and best friend, Donna Johnson.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Larry. Share a memory of condolence at www.gibsonbodefh.com
ALAN MANCHESTER
Alan Manchester died Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020, at home in Plainfield.
Services and Interment will be private.
He was born and raised in Morrison, the fourth of five children to Dr. Ward B. Manchester II and his wife Virginia.
He graduated Morrison High School class of 1964. He joined General Electric and worked there for over 30 years on the production floor, shipping department, and purchasing office.
During this time he also earned two associates degrees in industrial safety and health.
Alan married his wife Judy in 1973 and they raised two children together, Joshua and Danika.
He volunteered with Master Gardener’s, bowled, played softball, and attended every teacher conference, sporting event, quiz bowl meet, and musical concert his children participated in, of which there were many. He attended First Presbyterian Church of Morrison, First Presbyterian Church of Dupage in Bolingbrook, participated in Blackhawk Presbytery committees and general assembly, and hosted international exchange and graduate students for many years.
Following retirement Alan enjoyed traveling the world with his wife, including Costa Rica, Australia, New Zea land, Russia, Puerto Rico, Norway, England, France, Hawaii, China, Hong Kong, Germany, and Austria. He played cards (and holds the high score record!) at Euchre, played bocci ball, and created beautiful stained glass creations with his friends in the Carillon community.
Alan is survived by his wife Judy (nee Alness), son Joshua, daughter-in-law Beatriz, grandsons Omar and Axel, daughter Danika, and brothers and sister-in laws Bob and Beth Manchester of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Dave and Jane Manchester of Clarendon Hills, Jan Manchester of Morrison, and Jean Obermeier of Clark, South Dakota and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother Ward B. Manchester III of Morrison, and sister Debra Manchester of DeWitt, Iowa.
Alan had a terrific sense of humor, impish grin, caring heart, and will be deeply missed by friends and family. Stories of his incorrigible past have been leaking out. Share your own at www. mccauleyfuneralchapel.com/obituaries/ Alan-Manchester/#!/Obituary
See OBITUARIES, Page 9
