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The Tri-County Press, Ogle County News and oglecountynews.com are a division of Shaw Media. Ogle County Newspapers also prints the Mt. Morris Times, Forreston Journal and Oregon Republican Reporter.
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Oregon school board recognizes achievements
By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com
OREGON – Oregon school board members acknowledged the efforts and successes of several individuals and programs during their board meeting Monday.
Lindsey Breeden and Aaron Mendoza were recognized for their continuing efforts to improve the elementary and middle school landscapes and involving students to help with those projects.
Breeden is a health aide at Oregon Elementary School and Mendoza is a sixth grade teacher.
OES Principal Matt Huels said Breeden and Mendoza wrote a grant to the Etnyre Foundation to build a small greenhouse adjacent to the elementary school by the Jefferson playground.
After spending time helping students grow plants and flowers in the greenhouse last year, Huels said Breeden and Mendoza
proposed an idea this year to “spruce up” areas around the outside of school buildings.
“There are different areas outside the building, especially on the Etnyre side, that need sprucing up as far as landscape work and they asked if it would be OK to again involve some kids using some of the stuff we’ve grown and maybe getting some other stuff to spruce some things up,” Huels said. “I was just blown away by them going above and beyond to make our school look better and then also wanting to involve our kids.”
Oregon High School Principal Heidi Deininger acknowledged the school’s wrestling and bowling coaches for their teams’ successes this year as well as successes by music educators.
Deininger presented certificates to junior high coaches Matt Martin and Dominic Marchetti and high school coaches Justin Lahman, Colby Dace and Noah Paul.
“This is the first time that both the high
school and the junior high teams won their regionals,” Deininger said.
Deininger also acknowledged high school bowling coaches Al Nordman, AJ Nordman and Kelly Groh for their efforts in seeing the boys team finish 12th in the state.
“There is only one class division in bowling so we are competing against much larger schools,” Deininger said.
She gave a special “shout out” to music teachers Andy Eckardt, Zach Hall and Miles Beske for the recent success of music students in state competitions.
“We have a fabulous music program here,” Deininger said.
In other action, the school board:
• Approved purchasing 18 new table/ benches for the high school cafeteria for $51,117 from School Specialty.
• Agreed to move banking services to Sterling Federal Bank.
• Accepted the resignation of board member Stephanie Haugh.
Oregon Elementary School sixth grade teacher Aaron Mendoza and health aide Lindsey Breeden. Music teachers Miles Beske, Andy Eckardt and Zach Hall.
Photos by Earleen Hinton
ABOVE: Oregon High School bowling coaches AJ Nordman and Al Nordman. LEFT: Oregon wrestling coaches Colby Dace, Justin Lahman, Matt Martin and Noah Paul.
Dixon man charged with attempted murder of 3 police officers seeks release for mental health treatment
By PAYTON FELIX pfelix@shawmedia.com
OREGON – A rural Dixon man charged with the attempted murder of three police officers at his residence in June will remain jailed while an Ogle County judge reviews arguments for his release made by the defense.
Jonathon Gounaris, 32, is charged with four counts of attempted first-degree murder, three counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm, three counts of aggravated battery and two counts of possession of a firearm without a firearm owner’s identification card – all of which stem from a June 12 standoff with police in the rural Dixon subdivision of Lost Lake.
Gounaris has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is being held in the Winnebago County Jail in Rockford.
Gounaris appeared before Judge John “Ben” Roe on Monday morning and Ogle County Assistant Public Defender Michael O’Brien argued for Gournaris’ release in order to receive adequate mental health treatment. O’Brien asserts that Gounaris’ “delusional” and “paranoid” mental state led to the June 12 standoff with police.
Roe has denied Gounaris’ pretrial release about 12 times, citing the seriousness of the charges and community safety concerns. Judge Anthony Peska initially denied Gounaris’ release at a detention hearing June 20, 2024.
O’Brien said one argument was not made at that detention hearing pertaining to the circumstances surrounding officers’ entry to the home at 402 Wild Rice Lane in Lost Lake.
During that hearing, Gounaris was represented by former Ogle County Public Defender William Gibbs, who has since left that position.
O’Brien also said Peska’s ruling for detention shifted the burden, which is supposed to be on the state, to Gounaris “because he hasn’t been able to point to a specific [mental health] diagnosis while sitting in jail.”
“He [Gounaris] doesn’t have to prove his innocence,” O’Brien said.
“There were no errors made by the court,” Kruse said.
Peska considered the conditions for release, denied them and explained
Gounaris’ mother was concerned for her son’s mental health. Their subsequent response was a “very funny looking welfare check,” O’Brien said.
When police arrived at the residence June 12, they never announced themselves as police over a loud speaker, he said. Instead, they established a perimeter far away from the home and concealed themselves and their vehicles.
At 11:02 a.m., two deputies approached the house without announcing themselves as police and deployed a throw phone into the home, O’Brien said. They received no communication from Gounaris, did not attempt to obtain a warrant and tried to enter the home, he said.
It was a “very violent entry into the home” consisting of “several armed officers kicking down a door,” O’Brien said. “If it is truly a community caretaking entry, you don’t come in guns a blazing.”
O’Brien said police knew that Gounaris was alone in the home and therefore did not pose a threat to anyone else.
why, she said.
At a news conference June 12, 2024, Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle said police were called at 8:39 a.m. that day to the residence with a warning that it could be a “suicide-by-cop” situation. The officers were informed that Gounaris had made suicidal and homicidal threats.
Shortly after officers arrived, the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office’s Emergency Response Team was called. The ERT is made up of individuals from different agencies, including the sheriff’s office, Oregon and Byron police departments and SWAT medics from the Rochelle Fire Department.
Police made more than 60 phone calls to the residence, Gounaris’ cellphone and a throw phone that was deployed inside the home, VanVickle said.
At 11:53 a.m., police breached the door to the home and immediately were met with gunfire from inside the house, VanVickle said. Three deputies and Gounaris were shot while exchanging gunfire.
Ogle County Sheriff’s Lt. Jason Ketter was shot in the face and taken by air ambulance to OSF Medical Center in Rockford, where he underwent surgery. He was released from the hospital
June 14. Ogle County Sheriff’s Deputy Tad Dominski was shot in the arm and Tyler Carls of the Rochelle Fire Department was shot in the torso. They were treated at OSF Saint Katharine Medical Center – which at the time was KSB Hospital – in Dixon and released later that evening.
Gounaris also was shot during the gunfire exchange and taken to KSB, where he was treated before being booked into the Winnebago County Jail on June 18.
In September 2024, Winnebago County State’s Attorney J. Hanley independently reviewed the Ogle County Response Team’s use of force and determined the deputies acted in accordance with the law because they only fired their weapons after being shot at by Gounaris.
In court Monday, O’Brien questioned that use of force by elaborating on an 11-page motion he filed March 6 which outlines all the reasons he believes Roe should grant Gounaris’ release.
In the motion, he argues that police used “military-like arrest tactics to check on a paranoid individual. This is unreasonable and a clear unnecessary escalation of the situation.”
The call was made to police because
Kruse disagreed.
“This wasn’t a man who was having a mental health crisis. This was a man that wanted to kill someone,” Kruse said.
She said this was evidenced by Gounaris being found by police to be wearing ballistic body armor while armed with two handguns, pepper spray and a knife.
“This wasn’t suicide by cop. This was kill a cop. That’s why he was wearing a bullet-proof vest,” Kruse said.
Kruse said Gounaris’ mother told authorities that her son suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and, in general, hated police. His mother also said her son had barricaded himself in the home and threatened to kill himself or anyone else who tried to talk to him, Kruse said.
The officers went there to make sure the public was safe, Kruse said.
Kruse said police made multiple calls to the residence before deploying the throw phone, which was done before entry was made. When officers breached the door to the residence, “the defendant fired before anybody entered the home,” she said.
See GOUNARIS, page 6
Alex T. Paschal
Ogle County Assistant Public Defender Michael O’Brien speaks with client Jonathon Gounaris during a hearing March 17 at the Judicial Center in Oregon.
Charles R. Walgreen moved to Dixon from Galesburg
Charles Walgreen was born near Galesburg. His family relocated to Dixon, a town 60 miles north of his birthplace, in 1887.
In Galesburg, his father was a farmer. While working at a local shoe factory, Walgreen accidentally cut off the top joint of his middle finger. Were it not for this accident, Walgreen might never have become a pharmacist, business owner and a very successful Walgreen Drug Co. owner.
At the age of 16, he had his first experience working in a drugstore, working at Horton’s Drugstore for $4 a week. After a year and a half on the job, Walgreen moved to Chicago in 1893.
In a series of jobs with Chicago’s pharmacists, he bought the Chicago drugstore where he had worked as a pharmacist and started the Walgreen chain. In 1926, he opened the 100th pharmacy in Chicago.
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
Mobile food pantry on March 27 in Mt. Morris
Loaves & Fish Food Pantry, in conjuntion with the Northern Illinois Food Bank, will host a Mobile Food Pantry from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 27, at the Mt. Morris Moose Family Center, 101 Moose Drive in Mt. Morris.
Food is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Food is free to neighbors in need. No ID, proof of address or income is required. In case of inclement weather, check the Loaves & Fish Facebook page or call the pantry phone at 815-613-8776 and listen to the message.
Mobile pantries are held on the fourth Thursday of every month through June. In April, May and June, the pantries will be held at Church of the Brethren, 409 W. Brayton Road in Mt. Morris.
Loaves & Fish Food Pantry is located on the lower level of the Mt. Morris Church of the Brethren and is open on the first and third Thursdays from 3:30 to 6 p.m. and on the second and fourth Mondays from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Anyone experiencing
Walgreens helped celebrate the Chicago’s World Fair in 1933. The company opened four stores on the Century of Progress Fairgrounds. In 1950, Walgreens began to build self-service instead of clerk service stores in the Midwest. In 1991, Walgreens opened its first drugstore with a drive-thru pharmacy.
In June 2023, Walgreens operated 9,000 stores in the U.S. Several of its stores were corner stores with the entrance on the street with the most traffic flow. Some stores in major cities such as New York and Chicago have multiple floors.
In 1837, Alexander Charters obtained a tract of land 3 miles north of Dixon’s Ferry. He named the estate Hazelwood and entertained William Bryant, Stephen Douglas, Abraham Lincoln and General Kearney.
In 1929, Charles R. Walgreen pur-
chased the Hazelwood Estates near Dixon, where he as a youth in Dixon had admired the grounds of Hazelwood when he and his companions were fishing in the Rock River.
Charters died at Hazelwood in 1878 at the age of 78. Later, the estate was acquired by Charles H. Hughes, a banker and state senator. The old manor house was destroyed in a fire.
The log cabin and barn remained. It’s interesting that in this area in Grand Detour and Dixon, John Deere and Charles Walgreen each founded nationwide establishments. Of course these were John Deere farm implements and Walgreen pharmacy.
• Otto Dick is a retired teacher and has researched Ogle County history for several years.
food insecurity is eligible to receive food. You do not need to have a referral.
Recycle old electronics March 28 in Oregon
OREGON – The Ogle County Solid Waste Management Department will host a residential electronics recycling event from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, March 28, at 909 Pines Road in Oregon.
The event is for Ogle County residents only and a free permit is required. To obtain a free permit, call 815-732-4020 or email solidwaste@oglecountyil.gov by 4 p.m. Thursday, March 27.
Accepted items include all TVs, computers, computer hardware and cables, laptops, tablets, cellphones, printers, FAX machines, scanners, shredders (no tubs), copiers, video gaming equipment, DVD/ VCRs, cable/satellite boxes, stereo equipment, radios, cameras, calculators, phone systems, extension cords, rechargeable batteries, printer ink cartridges and CFL bulbs. Microwave ovens are accepted for $5 per unit. Cash or check is accepted. – Shaw Local News Network
EARLY VOTING
CONSOLIDATED ELECTION
April 1, 2025
February 20th thru March 31st
REGULAR OFFICE HOURS
MONDAY – FRIDAY – 8:30 A.M. TO 4:30 P.M.
COURTHOUSE
LAURA J. COOK
OGLE COUNTY CLERK AND RECORDER
Otto Dick
OGLE COUNTY HISTORY
Photo provided by Otto Dick
An old storefront of a Walgreens store.
Charles R. Walgreen
Historic rock farm to be topic of Oregon Depot program
Civil War veteran Virgil Reed started unusual collection
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
OREGON – Jon Barnhart will talk about his rock farm located 3 miles southeast of Oregon that he and his wife, Cindy, have owned since 2005 at the Oregon Depot’s Those Were The Days program on March 29.
The program will begin at 10 a.m. at the Oregon Depot Museum, 400 Collins St. in Oregon.
As a boy, Barnhart would go fishing with his dad on Kyte Creek and was fascinated with the unusual and unique rock farm on the corner of Honey Creek and South Watertown roads.
At the farm, there was a stone fence and rocks of every size, shape and color. Barnhart learned Civil War veteran Virgil Reed had owned the home and the farm and had started the unusual collection after the war. It was a lifetime dream of Barnhart to someday own the farm and the opportunity came to him in 2005.
Elect Mark Scholl Mayor of Polo
Reed was born in nearby Daysville in 1841 to Lyman and Mehitable Clark Reed. In the Civil War, Virgil Reed served in Company F, 34th Illinois Volunteer Infantry as a regimental drummer.
Reed became a prisoner of war, taken at the Battle of Stone River. For six months, he was confined in Libby Prison and at Castle Thunder. Abraham Lincoln arranged a prisoner exchange and Reed was released. Upon release, Reed immediately reenlisted again as a drummer with the same regiment.
The 34th Regiment was in active service until the close of the war, engaging in many battles and skirmishes. They took part in Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman’s historic march to the sea and in the grand review in Washington. Reed continued with the regiment until the close of the war.
After receiving his discharge, Reed returned to his home in Daysville and attended Mt. Morris Seminary. He was united in marriage on April 3, 1866, to Harriet Carpenter, daughter of John and Louise Chamberlin Carpenter.
See ROCK FARM, page 8
Virgil Reed, a Civil War veteran, stands at his rock farm in this photo taken sometime around 1916. He was 75 at the time the photo was taken. His farm will be the topic of the Oregon Depot’s Those Were the Days program on Saturday, March 29.
Hello, my name is Cary Bennett and on April 1, 2025, I am seeking election to be your next Mt. Morris Township Supervisor. My wife Jeanette and I have lived in the Mt. Morris Township over 50 years.
My background includes:
- 1982 Mt. Morris HS graduate
- 1987 Rockford College graduate – BS in Accounting
- 1991-2012 Production Control Manager for 2 Rockford area manufacturing plants
- 2012-Present Promoted to Plant Manager and now have 30 years with this company
Some of the other activities include:
Doing the financials for Sunset Golf Club since 2008 and co-clubhouse manager with my wife since 2012.
I have conducted financial audits for 2 local churches and a food pantry.
I feel my experience and work ethic will bring a new perspective to the position of Township Supervisor.
I would appreciate your support on April 1, 2025!
Sincerely,
Cary Bennett
Photo provided by Michal Burnett
Attorney seeks fitness evaluation for Rochelle man
Timothy O’Dell charged with solicitation of sex with minor
By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com
OREGON – The attorney for a Rochelle man charged with indecent solicitation of a child and violating the Sex Offender Registration Act told an Ogle County judge March 12 that he doubts his client is mentally fit to stand trial.
Timothy J. O’Dell, 28, of Rochelle was arrested by Rochelle police after the department was contacted at 9:45 p.m. March 6 about an adult male trying to meet with a minor for sex in Rochelle. O’Dell was arrested after an investigation by the Rochelle Police Department Patrol Division.
O’Dell, who already had a pending charge of violating the Sex Offender Registration Act in Ogle County, was sentenced in 2023 to probation for the same offense.
The Ogle County State’s Attorney’s Office filed three felony charges against O’Dell on March 7: one count of violating the Sex Offender Registration Act and two counts of indecent solicitation of a child.
According to court documents, O’Dell failed to report to the Rochelle Police Department “any instant messaging identities, any internet communication identities” that he uses or planned to use
or other internet sites “to which he has uploaded any content or posted any messages or information.”
In the solicitation charges, he is accused of intending to commit aggravated criminal sexual abuse when he “knowingly solicited one whom he believed to be a child to perform an act of sexual penetration or sexual conduct,” discussing the meeting on the internet.
In October 2024, Judge John Redington, who is now retired, found O’Dell fit to stand trial on a previous charge of violating the terms of his probation sentence when he allegedly failed to register as a sex offender with the Rochelle Police Department. That case still is pending.
In Illinois, individuals convicted of certain sex offenses must register as sex offenders with the local law enforcement agency in the community they reside.
On March 12, Ogle County Assistant Public Defender Michael O’Brien requested that O’Dell be evaluated by Jayne Braden, a forensic and clinical psychologist in Sycamore.
“I have a bona fide doubt as to his fitness,” O’Brien told Judge Anthony Peska as he asked for the court-appointed evaluation.
Assistant State’s Attorney Matthew Leisten did not object.
O’Brien said the evaluation process usually takes up to 60 days. Peska set the next hearing for 10 a.m. May 21.
Peska denied O’Dell’s request to be released from custody as his case proceeds through the court system.
“That request is denied to ensure the safety of this community and other communities,” Peska said.
O’Dell has been held in the Ogle County Jail since his arrest March 6.
Stillman Valley man to undergo evaluation by psychologist
Joseph Dreesen faces criminal sexual assault of a child charge
By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com
OREGON – A Stillman Valley man charged with predatory criminal sexual assault of a child will be evaluated by a psychologist to determine whether he is mentally fit to stand trial.
Joseph G. Dreesen, 24, was arrested Feb. 26 by Ogle County Sheriff’s Office detectives along with members of the FBI after a search warrant was executed at a rural Stillman Valley home.
Dreesen was charged Feb. 27 with
• GOUNARIS
Continued from page 3
Based on the seriousness of the offense and her previous arguments Kruse requested continued detention and that the motion to reconsider be denied. She said there are no protections or conditions for release that would mitigate the risk to the public.
O’Brien disagreed and pointed to many conditions for release that he’s asserted at in previous hearings includ-
Joseph G. Dreesen
the Class X felony. He is accused of knowingly committing “an act of contact, however slight” with his body and the sex organ of a 6-yearold boy between Feb. 19, 2024, and Feb. 19, 2025. Dreesen is accused of touching the boy for his own “sexual gratification or arousal,” according to court records.
On March 12, Ogle County Assistant Public Defender Michael O’Brien requested that Dreesen be evaluated
ing GPS monitoring, no contact orders and receiving mental health treatment.
“The court is going to take this matter under advisement,” Roe said.
Gounaris’ next court appearance is set for 3:30 p.m. April 7. Roe ruled for continued detention until that date when he’ll have a written decision on the issue of detention.
In favor of the defense, Roe granted O’Brien’s request to show four video clips of body camera footage from June 12.
The prosecution argued against
by a court-appointed clinical psychologist.
“I assert there is bona fide doubt as to ongoing mental health ability to assist with his defense,” O’Brien told Judge Anthony Peska as he asked for the court-appointed evaluation.
Assistant State’s Attorney Melissa Voss did not object to the evaluation.
Dreesen has been held at the Ogle County Jail since his arrest. O’Brien told Peska that Dreesen’s mental state is a “growing concern” because he has not received a prescribed medication while in custody. O’Brien said the particular medication prescribed for Dreesen was not available at the jail.
“The jail staff only has certain med-
showing the footage because they show events that already have been discussed at length and playing them “out of context is inappropriate,” Kruse said.
Roe told O’Brien to compile those videos and present them to the prosecution.
At the April hearing, the court will hear arguments for another motion O’Brien filed March 6 that asks Roe to “appoint an expert and/or reimburse defense costs to assist in presenting a change of venue request,” the motion said.
A change-of-venue motion typically
ications approved,” O’Brien told Peska. “Stopping that medication is causing some ill effects for Mr. Dreesen.”
O’Brien requested that Dreesen be released as his case progresses through the court system.
Peska denied that request.
“His detention is necessary,” Peska said.
Peska set the next court date for 10 a.m. May 21.
Class X felonies are punishable by six to 60 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections with three years to natural life of mandatory supervised release. Defendants must serve 85% of their sentence and must register as a sex offender upon their release.
asks the judge to move the trial to a different location. Those motions usually cite reasons that the filing party believes would prevent a fair trial in the county in which the case was filed. Pretrial publicity often is listed as a reason for a change-of-venue motion.
In his motion, O’Brien argues the court should allow and pay for a company to “explore the likelihood that this case should be tried” in a different county because there exists “prejudice against” Gounaris and he cannot receive a fair trial in Ogle County.
Timothy O’Dell
Rural Oregon home heavily damaged by fire
By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com
OREGON – A rural Oregon home was heavily damaged by a late-morning fire March 12, with one person taken to an area hospital.
Firefighters were dispatched to the small home, located at 2010 S. Second St., about 11:40 a.m. Wednesday. Daysville is an unincorporated community located southeast of Oregon on South Daysville Road about 2 miles south of Route 64.
The home is one of several smaller residences located on the west side of South Daysville Road.
“The only injury was a resident of the home received burns and smoke inhalation,” Oregon Fire Chief
Michael Knoup said.
The person was taken to the Rochelle Hospital for the injuries.
Firefighters and tenders (tankers with water) from several fire departments and districts were at the scene, including Rochelle, Mt. Morris, Byron, Stillman Valley, Franklin Grove and Lynn-Scott-Rock.
Tenders were deployed to the scene from area fire agencies because Daysville does not have a public water distribution center or fire hydrants.
The Ogle County Sheriff’s Office, Ogle County Emergency Management and the Oregon Police Department also provided assistance.
Knoup said the fire remains under investigation.
Earleen Hinton
ABOVE AND LEFT: Firefighters respond to a house fire at 2010 S. Second St. in Daysville, southeast of Oregon, on March 12.
Encore! Mt. Morris receives donation from 100+ Women Who Care of Ogle County
MT. MORRIS – Representatives of 100+ Women Who Care of Ogle County presented Jeff Bold of Encore! Mt. Morris with donations received from the January quarterly meeting.
Members Pam Cunningham, Jennifer Bakener, Julie Robinson, Molly Baker, Becky McCanse, Bev Opalka, Karen Urish and April Bold presented the donation to Jeff Bold on March 3.
“Each member donates $100 each quarter directly to the charity that is chosen by vote. There are now over 100 women, hence the change to 100+ Women Who Care,” said Beverly Opalka, a member of 100+ Women Who Care of Ogle County.
The group meets each quarter in January, April, July and October to hear three representatives of local nonprofits and vote for one to be that quarter’s recipient.
On March 3, representatives of 100+ Women Who Care of Ogle County presented Jeff Bold of Encore Mt. Morris with donations received from the January quarterly meeting. Pictured (from left) are Pam Cunningham, Jennifer Bakener, Julie Robinson, Molly Baker, Jeff Bold, Becky McCanse, Bev Opalka, Karen Urish and April Bold. Each member donates $100 each quarter directly to the charity that is chosen by vote.
“100+ Women Who Care are making a significant impact in the local community,” Opalka said.
The next quarterly meeting will be at 6 p.m. April 8 at the Lincoln Arts Center in Rochelle.
• ROCK FARM
Continued from page 5
The couple had four sons, Leon, Elmer, Ernest and Oscar.
In about 1867, Virgil Reed began collecting rocks of all sizes from every state in the Union, bringing them back to his home.
Grandson Delos Reed said Virgil Reed would dig and pry many of the larger stones from surrounding hillsides, lifting them with levers into a
reinforced wagon.
Some of the stones were so large that they had to come in by rail. Reed moved them gradually, bit by bit. One large rock took a whole summer’s spare time to get from the railroad siding near the old Etnyre factory on First Street to his home.
The rocks ranged in size from pebbles to a slab that is estimated to weigh 7 tons. Reed would make themed rock formations and carve or chisel the names of the people who gave them to him and the places he found them.
For more information, contact Deanna Forrest at forrestdede5@gmail.com or find the group on Facebook at facebook. com/oglegives.
On one rock, Reed chiseled the words “Henry Nuppenau, 2nd, 111th Cav., 1901.” Nuppenau is said to have served with Reed in the Civil War.
Frequently, Reed would carve his own initials, V.E.R, into the rocks. When the Model T came into vogue in the early 1900s, anywhere from two to 20 weekend visitors would come around to see the oddity, the collection of rocks of every size, color, shape and other unique items such as an 181-pound blackened charred chain from the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. People
Moose lodge’s Breakfast with Easter Bunny is April 19; Egg hunt to
follow at 11:30 a.m.
MT. MORRIS – The Mt. Morris Moose Lodge will host Breakfast with the Easter Bunny from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 19, at the lodge, 101 Moose Drive.
The free breakfast includes pancakes, scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy. Freewill donations are welcome.
The lodge’s annual Easter Egg Hunt will begin at 11:30 a.m. For more information, call 815-734-4161.
Mt. Morris Senior & Community Center news
The center will have a class on basic use on the internet at 10 a.m., Monday, March 24. Call or stop in to sign up. Do you like to reminisce about your hometown and childhood? Join us at 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 25, for Memory Cafe. Make Easter cards using the Zentangle art form at 11 a.m. March 28. All supplies provided. Cost is $10 each. Call to reserve your spot.
– Shaw Local News Network
would send him rocks to add to his collection after their visits.
“Jon has continued Reed’s legacy and greatly expanded upon it,” said Michal Burnett, an Oregon Depot volunteer. “He loves history and enjoys sharing stories of Virgil Reed and this special homestead. You won’t want to miss this presentation.”
For more information about the program or other Oregon Depot topics, call Roger Cain at 815-757-9715, Chris Martin at 815-742-8471 or Otto Dick at 815440-0639.
Photo provided by Beverly Opalka
Old dilapidated Polo school to be torn down soon
By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com
POLO – A historic, but dilapidated school building in Polo will be torn down sooner than initially anticipated, city officials announced Monday.
The Polo City Council voted unanimously March 12 to demolish the Congress School, 208 N. Congress Ave., citing potential liability issues and a public safety risk.
“The city of Polo is taking action to address a growing safety concern regarding the old Congress School building. Unfortunately, the structure has become a target for break-ins, creating a serious liability and public safety risk. After careful consideration and a public meeting, we have declared this an emergency and will be moving forward with its demolition,” the city said. “In the coming weeks, Fischer Excavating will begin tearing down the building to ensure the safety of our community. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to improve our city.”
On Tuesday, broken windows could be seen on the east side of the two-story, brick building from the alley that runs
inside the school.
The doors were boarded again, but Kyker told the board he was concerned that people would continue to try to break into the school, creating a potential liability issue for the city.
Attorney Tom Suits agreed the building posed a safety concern because of its dilapidated condition.
Darin Stykel from Fehr Graham, the company contracted by the city, said he had reached out to five excavation companies and had received a low bid from Fischer Excavating to demolish the building for $230,000.
between Locust and West Dixon streets and borders the school building and parking lots on the north and south.
The city bought the large, vacant building in August 2023 for $15,000. In October 2024, council members unanimously voted to accept a $66,900 bid from Husar Abatement LTD of Franklin Park to abate asbestos in the school that was built in 1899. The building and its two parking lots take up the east side of the 200 block of North Congress Avenue.
According to March 12 meeting minutes, Public Works Director Kendall Kyker told the council that when he let the asbestos abatement company in to remove the asbestos, he had to remove all the boards on the doors that had been boarded up to prevent people from getting in. After Husar Abatement left, Kyker said the boards were not immediately reinstalled and he later noticed several windows had been broken and there was evidence people had been
Stykel said Fischer was willing to spread out the payments for the work over three years and Suits drew up a promissory note stating the city of Polo would pay $20,000 by April 15 and then $70,000 by April 15 in 2026, 2027 and 2028. Because asbestos abatement had happened in the building, the city was required to give the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency a 10-day notice before the building could be demolished.
Polo City Clerk Sydney Bartelt on Tuesday said that notice was sent March 11 and the city was waiting to hear back from the IEPA.
Eagle’s Nest Art Gallery receives 3 historical paintings
By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com
OREGON – The Eagle’s Nest Art Gallery has three more unique artworks depicting two iconic physical features along the Rock River thanks to a donation by Jonathan Berg.
Berg, a retired Northern Illinois University geology professor, donated three paintings – all works by the same artist, Henry Howard Bagg.
Two of the oil paintings are of local scenes along the Rock River that are representative of Bagg’s early work: Black Hawk Bluff in 1887 and Castle Rock Bluff in 1888.
The third painting depicts the 1927 transatlantic flight of the Spirit of St. Louis. Bagg died in 1928 making the artwork one of his last paintings.
Berg said both of the landscapes originally were owned by Benjamin Franklin Sheets, know as Col. Sheets, who was an active citizen in 19th century Oregon.
“Black
Sheets delivered the speech at the 1880 dedication of Margaret Fuller Island.
Before Bagg became a prominent Nebraska artist, he lived in the greater Chicago area where he painted landscapes and rubbed elbows with students and faculty of Chicago’s Art Institute. He paid frequent visits to scenic Oregon and gave painting lessons locally.
“This pair of historic landscape
“Castle
paintings confirms that the Rock River in Oregon has long fascinated artists,” library director Elizabeth Green said.
“A decade before Art Institute-affiliated artists chose Oregon as the site of their colony, H.H. Bagg fixed his artist’s eye on the bluff where Lorado Taft’s statue of Black Hawk would one day stand.”
The two local landscapes are on display at the Oregon Public Library Dis-
trict’s Eagle’s Nest Art Gallery.
The library’s upper floor originally was designed to display art and officially was dedicated in 1918 as the Eagle’s Nest Art Gallery. Many of the works hanging in the gallery today were donated by members of the historically significant Eagle’s Nest Art Colony, which was locally active between 1898 and 1942.
“Today, people come from the world over to visit Oregon’s Eagle’s Nest Art Gallery and see works by renowned artists such as Lorado Taft, Ralph Clarkson, Oliver Dennett Grover and Nellie Verne Walker,” Geen said. “One of the gallery’s most well-known works is Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida’s portrait of Ralph Clarkson, which has been featured in international exhibits”
Visitors can stop by the library and see these local treasures during regular operating hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Photos by Earleen Hinton
Henry Howard Bagg’s
Hawk Bluff” (left) from 1887 and
Rock Bluff” from 1888 are two of three paintings donated to the Oregon Public Library that are representative of Bagg’s early work.
Earleen Hinton
The sagging roof of the old Congress School can be seen on the north side of the structure March 18. The Polo City Council voted unanimously March 12 to demolish the building.
Baseball
Warren/Stockton 10, Oregon 6: The Hawks were unable to come back after falling behind 9-0 after four innings. Oregon was out-hit 8-4 in the season opener.
Forreston 16, Ashton-Franklin Center 3 (6 inn.): The Cardinals had 14 hits and led 9-0 after two innings. Carson Akins went 4 for 5 with four runs scored and three RBIs. Brock Lehman had a three-run home run for the Raiders.
Byron 9, Forreston 6: The Cardinals scored two runs in the top of the seventh inning, but fell short on the Tigers’ home field. Caleb Politsch and Carson Akins had two doubles each for Forreston, which left 10 batters on base.
Softball
Forreston 22, Ashton-Franklin Center 4 (5 inn.): Aubrey Sanders had two doubles, a triple and seven RBIs as the Cardinals tallied 17 hits. Sanders also got the win after striking out five in two innings.
Oregon 7, Amboy 6: Emma Schlichtmann hit a game-winning walk-off single for the Hawks, who started the season on a high note. Ella Dannhorn had a two-run home run in a three-run sixth inning for Oregon. Isabelle Berg and Brooke Halverson locked down the win in the pitching circle for Oregon. Kaelin Shaffer and Abree Barker had multiple hits for the Hawks.
Forreston 4, Polo 2: The Cardinals scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to down the Marcos on Tuesday in Forreston. Isabella Thiel was the winning pitcher, striking out seven. Starting pitcher Aubrey Sanders struck out nine. Sanders led the Cardinals with three RBIs and a double. Leah Tobin had two hits for Polo and two RBIs. Camrynn Jones led Polo with three hits.
Girls soccer
Oregon 6, Winnebago 3: Anna Stender scored three goals, Shaylee Davis had two and Noelle Girton also scored as the Hawks opened the season with a win. Mili Zavala had five saves.
Oregon 3, Sterling 0: Anna Stender had two goals and Noelle Girton also scored Tuesday at Sterling. Mili Zavala had one save in goal.
Boys track and field
Hawks place third: Rock Falls took a five-team indoor invite with 162.5 points. Oregon took third. Rock Falls won seven events.
Girls track and field
Oregon wins Rock Falls indoor meet: Ore-
gon tallied 110 points. Dixon (76) took third and Rock Falls (59) was fourth. Oregon freshman Jillian Hammer won the 60 hurdles and led off a win in the 4x200 relay with Grace Tremble, Miranda Ciesiel and Skylar Bishop. Hammer, Tremble, Bishop and Lorelai Dannhorn won the 4x400. Dannhorn added a win in the triple jump and Tremble won the high jump. Dixon had five runner-up finishes.
Boys basketball
Eastland second in Class 1A: Eastland simply did not have an answer for Chicago Hope Academy junior Tyjuan Hunter in the 1A state championship game March 15 in Champaign. Hunter scored 26 points and had 11 assists to lift the private school Eagles over the Cougars 71-28.
Despite the loss, Eastland (34-5) had its best finish at state in program history.
Eastland got off to a slow start but trailed only 27-21 at halftime. The Eagles (28-7), however, led wire-to-wire and quickly pulled away when Hunter caught fire after the break. It was a glaring difference compared with Eastland’s home shootout win over the Eagles in early December.
“You’ve got to give all the credit to Chicago Hope,” Eastland coach Tyler Zumdahl said. “They came out absolutely ready to go. We’ve been so good defensively all year. We didn’t do a good job controlling [Hunter], which is obviously hard to do. But we let him do kind of whatever he wanted to do.”
That included Hunter going 10 of 15 from the field and 3 of 4 from deep in between dishing assists and lobs for dunks. Malik Meridy, who did not play in the previous matchup, had 11 points.
Jaiden Simmons (5 of 6 on field goals) added 12 points as the Eagles shot 28 of 50 from the field and 8 of 19 from 3-point range. The Eagles also had 18 assists and eight fast breaks.
Hunter scored 14 of his points during Hope’s 19-9 third-quarter advantage. A 25-8 fourth-quarter run clinched Hope’s first state trophy.
Parker Krogman (17 points) and Adam Awender (15) helped keep Eastland in it for stretches, but things snowballed in Hope’s favor once Eastland struggled to make stops or hit shots.
Efficient on offense and smothering on defense, Eastland’s winning formula came through on March 13 in a 55-35 semifinal win over Peoria Christian.
Krogman went 9 of 10 from the field to score a game-high 21 points. Awender had 17 and Peyton Spears had eight points and eight assists.
– Drake Lansman
Earleen Hinton
Oregon shortstop Ella Dannhorn looks to tag Amboy’s Tyrah Vaessen as she slides safely into second base March 18 at Oregon Park West.
Private-public debate among IHSA teams continues
With the conclusion of the boys basketball state tournament, the private-public debate is rearing its head again.
Not that it has died down much since the debacle that was the state football playoffs.
Just like football, it was private schools playing a dominant role in the state championship games in basketball.
Here’s the evidence:
In Class 1A, it was Eastland and three private schools. Chicago Hope Academy defeated Eastland 71-38 for the title.
Belleville Althoff, a Catholic school that still is getting slings and arrows from being an oversized bully in Class 1A football, was the regular-season No. 1-ranked basketball team in Class 2A. By the way, after being whistled for 13 penalties in its win over LenaWinslow in the Class 1A football state title game, the Belleville Althoff basketball team didn’t do much better in the sportsmanship category with two players called for technicals in the final minutes of its loss to Chicago Dyett in the basketball title game.
The Class 3A title game featured DePaul Prep (another football champion) versus Brother Rice. The two Catholic League powers were joined in the 3A Final Four by a third league member St. Patrick.
In the nightcap of the three-day state tournament, Lisle Benet won the Class 4A title. Gee, another private school. Surprise, surprise.
Complicating matters were a couple of Chicago Public League schools in Class 2A that also enjoy a competitive advantage from having such a large
Andy Colbert GUEST VIEW
area from which to draw students.
In reviewing championship game results from the past 10 state tournaments, private schools and Chicago Public League teams have won 26 out of the 40 possible titles among the four classes. Considering suburban and downstate public high schools comprise the majority of the IHSA’s 800-plus member schools, that’s out of whack.
Another drawback to town-based schools not making it to the state tournament is lower crowd attendance. It’s an established fact that private schools and Chicago Public League schools bring much smaller fan bases than suburban and downstate towns with public schools.
In watching the games online, I saw loads of empty seats at the State Farm Center in Champaign. In its heyday, the state tournament was the crown jewel for the IHSA and Assembly Hall would sell out.
Lost in all the talk about Eastland beating Pecatonica in the boys supersectional, which got national news treatment for the radical stalling tactics, was the Pecatonica girls basketball team winning the school’s first state title in any sport. Under the radar all season to the No. 1-ranked boys team at Pecatonica, the girls cruised to easy victories in both the semifinals and finals at CEFCU Arena in Normal, home of Illinois State University.
Before this season, the girls team
OGLE COUNTY PROPERTY TRANSFERS
March 10-16
Warranty Deeds
Robert H. Babbitt and Claire L. Babbitt to Randy Horner, 1255 E. Kysor Drive, Byron, $175,000.
Richard Hord and Kristia Hord to Jennifer Ann McLaughlin and Johnathan Veenstra, 9263 N. Columbine Road, Forreston, $315,000. Contry Homes Group LLC to Trinity F. Keck and Maxwell D. Dixon, 1112 Burlington Way, Davis Junction, $279,515.
Dino Corsolini and Valorie Corsolini to Emilia Krol, 8634 N. Kilbuck Road, Monroe Center, $572,500.
hadn’t even won a sectional title. They became the 13th girls team from the Northwest Upstate Illini Conference to place downstate and fifth to win it all from that conference.
Boys basketball in northern Illinois is a much starker tale. No team has been crowned state champion since Rockford West in 1956. Traditionally, northern Illinois is football country.
Taylor Davidson of Stillman Valley has gotten a lot of publicity for prowess on the basketball floor and understandably so. More important, Davidson was named to the IHSA’s All-State academic team, which is much more difficult than being All-State in a sport.
Only 26 students in the entire state, regardless of school size, are named to the All-State academic team, making it one of the top honors one can receive from the IHSA.
Does anyone miss the 3-point shooting competition the IHSA used to have in the postseason? It was stopped in 2023 after a 25-year run.
It gave boys and girls who normally wouldn’t have a chance to set foot on the court at a state tournament the opportunity to compete for the Queen or King of the Hill. With the new format of the boys and girls tournaments condensed into one weekend each, it became too cumbersome to facilitate.
On to national news about Illinois high schoolers.
Congratulations to the Hinsdale Central boys swimming team for setting a national record in the 200 medley with a time of 1:26.75. It is the only national swimming record held by an Illinois team and befitting of a longtime swimming power with 21 team state titles.
The top indoor pole vault mark in
the country is held by Bloomington Central Catholic junior Isaiah Whitaker with a height of 18 feet, 1 inch. With all the talent in Florida, Texas and California, it is rare for an Illinois athlete to be ranked No. 1 in his or her event for track and field and the fact Whitaker is only a junior puts an exclamation mark on it.
Rochelle’s Andrew Nuyen, also a junior, has the third-best mark in the state at 16-4. Last year, Nuyen became the first vaulter in Ogle County to clear 15 feet and appears well on his wall to be over 17 feet this season.
Since Rochelle competes at Oregon a couple of times each year, I need to check to see if our vaulting standards go up that high.
The best national story involving an Illinois athlete was Matt Richtman, a 2018 graduate of Kaneland High School. Richtman shocked the long-distance world by becoming the first American in 31 years to win the Los Angeles Marathon. In only his second try at the marathon, the 2018 IHSA state cross country champion, ran 2:07 to defeat all of the more established Kenyans and Ethiopians.
I distinctively remember how notable his 2018 state cross country win was because he and main rival Jacob Gebhardt of Sterling, who had been going back and forth all season, finished in identical times of 14:23. Officials ruled Richtman the winner by the narrowest of margins and perhaps that race served as a catalyst for his marathon success.
• Andy Colbert, an avid runner, is a sports writer for Shaw Local covering high school sports in Ogle County.
Jessica L. Watson and Jeffrey D. Watson to Constellation Energy Generation LLC, 4314 N. Black Walnut Rd, Byron, $550,000.
Antonio Zamora to Ecitra Investment Corporation Of City Of Dixon, 306 Platte Drive, Dixon, $1,500.
The Cal Group Inc. and Cal Group Inc. to Next Landscaping LLC, 113 N. Green Ave., Polo, $8,000.
Allen Christianson and Jennifer Christianson, 4252 N. Black Walnut Road, Byron, to Constellation Energy Generation LLC, $1,400,000.
Moutrie Salter and Peggy Salter to Lisa Rittmeyer, one parcel in Rockvale Township: 09-33-276-009, $45,000.
Brian P. Bull to John T Wells, Diane S. Wells, John B. Wells and Ashtin Wells, 2068 N. Leaf River Rd. Mt. Morris, and one parcel in Mt. Morris Township: 08-26-478-015, $58,000.
Maurice Kennedy and Janet K. Jensen to State Of Illinois Department of Transportation, one parcel in Dement Township: 25-20-200-004, $4,500.
Ronda Lynn Lindsay, Christopher Eugene Myers and Sheila Eileen Piper to Brian R. Chapa, 503 N. Walnut Ave., Forreston, $145,000.
Hungate Real Estate Ventures LLC to Derek Olson, 710 N. 7th St., Rochelle, $135,000.
Robert D. Rogers and Ronette M. Moore to James C. Dixon, trustee, and James C. Dixon
Rev Tr, one parcel in Pine Creek Township: 15-24-100-013, $610,000.
Barbara L. Freeman and Garald A. Freeman, deceased, to Barbara Lee Freeman, trustee, and Barbara Lee Freeman Lv Tr, 1100 Burlington Way, Davis Junction, $0. Joshua J. Greenfield to Joshua J. Greenfield, trustee, and Joshua J. Greenfield Tr, 608 S. 5th Ave., Forreston, $0.
Christopher J. Head, Peggy Kruger-Head, Peggy Kruger Head and Peggy E. Kruger to Kelly Johnson and Victor Johnson, one parcel in Oregon-Nashua Township: 16-15-479-010, $43,500.
Continued from page 11
Benjamin R. Faivre and Heather J. Faivre to Edward M. Tyne and Kay Francis Tyne, one parcel in Buffalo Township: 14-10300-007, $921,214.
Janash Investments LLC to Brooklynn Salliane Hollis, one parcel in Byron Township: 04-14-400-004, $635,760.
Robert E. Genrich and Heather R. Genrich to Leonard L. Barnhart and Michael Barnhart, four parcels in Marion Township: 10-01-381-010, 10-01-381-011, 10-01-381-012, 10-01-381-013, $54,000. Beachdreamers LLC to Angie Adams and Brian Ehlert, 130 W. 2nd St., Byron, $134,000.
Kevin M. Rogers to Silver Ridge Reserve LLC, one parcel in Rockvale Township: 09-20-400-027, $235,000.
Rodney J. Jackson to Javier Montoya and Emily M. Montoya, 5806 S. Indian Trl, Rochelle, $330,000.
Askvig Boys Construction LLC to Fabiola Gonzalez Cano, 1055 Lincoln Highway, Rochelle, $249,900.
Lazardo D. Contreras, Elfida M. Contreras, deceased, and Maria Leonor Ramirez to Brian Bailey, 865 N. 10th St., Rochelle, $67,753.
Quit Claim Deeds
Bnsf Railway Company, Burlington Northern And Santa Fe Railway Company and Burlington Northern Railroad Company to city of Oregon, one parcel in Oregon-Nashua Township, 16-03-500002, $5,000.
Jennifer D. Bunger to Brent M. Bunger, one parcel in Lafayette Township: 23-05-100-016, $0.
Jennifer D. Bunger and Jennie Bunger to Brent M. Bunger and Brent Bunger, two parcels in Oregon-Nashua Township: 16-27-400-003 and 16-27-400-004, $0.
Brent M. Bunger to Jennifer Dawn Bunger, 5436 E. Flagg Rd, Ashton, $0.
Adlai R. Schaefer and Theresa L. Schaefer to Theresa L. Schaefer, trustee, Theresa L. Schaefer Tr, Adlai R. Schaefer, trustee, and Adlai R. Schaefer Tr, 603 Lincoln Hwy, Rochelle, $0.
Adlai R. Schaefer and Theresa L. Schaefer to Theresa L. Schaefer, trustee, Theresa L. Schaefer Tr, Adlai R. Schaefer, trustee, and Adlai R. Schaefer Tr, 1211 Sunset Ter, Rochelle, $0.
Giuseppe Alfano and Peter Alfano to Antonino Alfano, No parcel information: 16-04-451-001, $0.
David F. Cornett and Tisha J. Cornett to Melissa Elliott and Andrzejek Barnhart,
•
(Case-IH
4940 E. Ashelford Drive, Byron, $375,000.
Barbara J. Finocchio to Samuel D. Finocchio and Barbara J. Finocchio, 122 N. Barry Ave., Byron, $0.
Jenelle L. Jones to Jem Property Agreements LLC, 208 S. 8th St., Rochelle, $0.
Jenelle L. Jones to Jem Property Agreements LLC, 307 E. Riverview Drive, Byron, $0.
Maria Vazquez to Lazaro D. Contreras, 865 N. 10th St., Rochelle, $0.
Trustee Deeds
Judith K. Watson, trustee, Judith K. Watson Trust, to Jeffrey D. Watson and Jessica L. Watson, 4314 N. Black Walnut Rd, Byron, $125,000.
Nicole S. Considine, trustee, Sean R. Considine, trustee, and Nicole S. Considine Tr to State Of Illinois Department of Transportation, 705 W. Blackhawk Drive, Byron, $351.
Terry L. Travis, trustee, Harry A. Travis Irrevocable Standby Tr0830013 and Martha R. Travis Irrevocable Standby Tr0830014 to Randy S. Travis, one parcel in Oregon-Nashua Township: 16-13-100002, $83,331.
Jane L. Bruce, trustee, and Jane L. Bruce Tr2024 to Bryan Heather and Jennifer
Heather, 311 W. Wayne St., Polo,, $148,400.
Mary Ann Ankney, trustee, Bfg Tr596 and Jng Tr596 to Mary Ann Ankney, trustee, and Maga Tr1124, four parcels in Scott Township: 11-19-400-011, 11-20-300-001, 11-20-300-010 and 11-29-100-005, $0.
Mary Ann Ankney, trustee, and Jng Tr596 to Mary Ann Ankney, trustee, and Maga Family Tr1124, 6414 N Stillman Rd., Stillman Valley, and 10-19-300-012, $0. Gary L. Irving, trustee, and Irving Family Tr907 to Joseph S. Irving and Angela Kaye Irving, 4162 S. Watertown Rd., Oregon, $135.000.
Robert A. Falk, trustee, and Robert A. Falk Tr2018 to Cathy L. Dean and Gary S. Dean, 6934 N. IL Rte 2, Oregon, $481,500.
Deeds in Trust
Todd J. Bauer and Roxanne L. Bauer to Todd James Bauer, trustee, Roxanne Lynn Bauer, trustee, and Todd & Roxanne Bauer Joint Rev Tr, 891 N. Etnyre Terrace, Oregon, $0.
Steven D. Stoner and Jamie L. Stoner to Steven D. Stoner Tr, Jamie L. Stoner Tr, Steven D. Stoner, trustee, and Jamie L. Stoner, trustee, one parcel in Pine Creek Township: 15-06-400-001, $0.
Source: Ogle County Recorder’s Office
CLASSIFIED
Gaffey Health Service is in need of RN's and LPN's for Home Care patients in the Walnut and Dixon, IL areas. Both are Pediatric cases with overnight & day shifts needed M-F. Please call 815-625-5575 for more information or simply apply at GaffeyHealthService.com and click on the jobs link.
GENERA L LABORER
Shank's Veterinary Equipment, Inc.
Milledgeville
Unskilled laborer to perform a variety of manual labor duties necessary as required in a manufacturing production facility.
Skills Req uired and/or Duties: Attend work on the schedule established by the employer without ex cessive absenteeism; Follow all safe work practices; Be proficient at reading tape measur e; Clean production area; Sw eep and remove debris; Clean up galvanized parts using hand held die grinder s and other hand tools; Grind or clean welded joint; Manually tap drilled holes or re-tap holes of galvanized weldments; Manually assist in cutting and grinding of foam covered padded boards; Manually move and carry raw materials thr oughout facility; Assist in crating and /or packaging of finished goods in preparation for shipment using packing materials and/or pow er hand tools; Wash equipment and/or vehicles; Proficient at following directions and instr uction; Assist in minor assembly of finished parts; Good communication skills; Clean up work area daily; Ability to lift 60 lbs; Proficient in time management; Ability to multi task; Ability to work well under pressure; Ability to wor k independently; Willingness to learn new skills.
Hours: Full Time; minimum pay rate $17-$19/hr based on exper ience. Shifts: Monday thru Friday 7am-5pm, Saturday 7am-12noon Overtime hours may be mandatory
Benefits: Paid holidays; Paid vacation; Paid sick/per so nal time; Health insurance benefits; Dental/Visio n benefits; AFLAC offered; Simple IRA 3% match
Opportunities for advancement include Production Welder and Painter
Email cover letter & resume to: todd@shanksvet.com
PUBLIC WORKS
The Village of Mt. Morris is seeking a candidate for full-time employ ment for Public Works. Qualified candidates must have a high school diploma or GED and should possess working knowledge of oper ating and maintaining equipment and good public relations. The candidate must be 18 years or older and reside within the Mt. Morris Fire Protection District. A valid driver's license is required upon hire, a class B/CDL must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time. This position includes a competitive salary and benefits. You will be required to clear a background check prior to employment
Ap plications are available in the Village Clerk' s Office located at 105 W Linc oln Street, Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, or on our website www. mtmo rrisil. ne t through March 31, 2025 Mt. Morris is an equal opportunity employer
Sauk Valley Community College Job Openings:
Director of Human Resources - Full-time
Bachelor's degree required; master's degree preferred in human resources or related field. Five to six years of experience in human resources or related experience required https:// jobs.sv cc.edu/ postings/2110
Athletic Trainer - Full-time
Develop, coordinate and administer a comprehensive sports medical program for SVCC's intercol legiate sports programs. Board Certified (BOC) as an Athletic Trainer, eligible for State of Illino is athletic training licensure, current CPR/AED, valid driver's license, and two (2) years of prior experience as an athletic traine r or graduate assistant is required. Master's degree in Athletic training or related field is preferred.
https:// jobs.sv cc.edu/ postings/1953
Adjunct - CNA - Part-time
Current license as a Registered Nurse (or eligibility for license) in Illino is, two (2) years of experience, Train the Trainer, and an approved evaluator certification or MSN and approved evaluator certification are required.
https:// jobs.sv cc.edu/ postings/2048
Adjunct Faculty - Welding - Part-time
Extensive experience in one or all of the follo wing: TIG, MIG , Industrial MIG, Shielded Metal Arc (Stick), and/or robotic welding. Welding certificate. Five years welding ex perience in lieu of certificate. https:// jobs.sv cc.edu/ postings/2028
Adjunct Faculty - HVAC - Part-time
High School diploma or G ED and a minimum of 2,000 hour s of HVAC experience requir ed https:// jobs.sv cc.edu/ postings/2054
Peer Mentor Lead Facilitator
High School Diploma or equivalent. Prior experience working with peer mentors/ mentees is prefer red. https:// jobs.sv cc.edu/ postings/2081
Sauk Valley Community College
Attn: Human Resources 173 Illinois Route 2 Dixon, IL 61021 EOE e-mail: employment@svcc.edu
/ LAND FOR
Spring is coming so start now with 1.4 acres on Penrose Rd at the lowest p rice in the area 23,000 OBO landline 288-5636
ROCK FALLS
EFFICIENCY
-Furni shedUtili ti es incl.
$175/wk
815-626-8790
PUBLIC NOTICE
ANNUAL TOWN ME ETING
place on Tuesday April 8th, 2025 being the second Tuesda y of said month at the hour of 6:00 PM at the Township Office, 105 W Lincoln Street, Mt. Morris for the tr ansaction of the miscellaneous business of the said Township; and after a Moderator h aving been elected, will proceed to hear and consider reports of Officers and decide such measures as may, in pursuance of law, come befor e the meeting; and especially to consider and decide the following agenda:
Elect a Moderator
Approve Minutes of the 2024 Annual Meeting
Meeting Minutes of April 9, 2024
GE LA de Anda LLC
Announce the next annual town meeting: April 14, 2026
By Motion from the floor se t time of next annual meeting - 7:00 pm
By Moti on set monthly meetings: 2nd Wednesday of the month at 6:30 pm except if it falls on a holiday then the Tuesday prior to the original date and the April Regular Meeting will be held on the Second Tu esda y of April in conjunction wi th the Annual Town Meeting.
Read the Sup ervisor's Annual Reports and move to approve
Notice is hereby given to the legal vote rs, residents of the Town of Mt Morris Township in the County of Ogle and the State of Illinois, that the Annual Township Meeting of said Township will take place on Tuesday April 8th, 2025 being the second Tuesda y of said month at the hour of 6:00 PM at the Township Office, 105 W Lincoln Street, Mt. Morris for the tr ansaction of the miscellaneous business of the said Township; and after a Moderator h aving been elected, will proceed to hear and consider reports of Officers and decide such measures as may, in pursuance of law, come befor e the meeting; and especially to consider and decide the following agenda:
Approve the Supervisors Annual Financial Statement
Appoint an Audit Firm
Set Meeting Date and Times
Paula Diehl, Township Clerk
March 21, 2025
OREGON GARAGE SALES OREGON GARAGE SALES
Moving Sale
Frid ay 3/28 & Saturd ay 3/29, 9am-6pm 2995 N. Silver Ridge Dr, Oregon, IL Furniture, housewares, silver plate, Lenox fine china and more. (No clothing)
Elect a Moderator
Approve Minutes of the 2024 Annual Meeting
Approve the Supervisors Annual Financial Statement
ANNUAL TO WN MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN To the legal voters, residents of the Township of OregonNashua in the County of Ogle and State of Ill inois, that the Annual Town Meeting of said Town will take place on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 being the second Tuesda y of said month at the hour of 7:00 o'clock P.M. at 107 North Etnyre Aveue Oregon-Nashua Township Building Oregon, IL for the tr ansaction of the miscellaneous business of the said town; and after a Moderator having been elected, will procee d to hear and consider reports of officers, and d ecide on such measures as may, in pur suance of law, come before the meeting; and speci ally to consider and decide the following Call the meeting to order
Allow for voters at the Annual Town Meeting to transfer funds from one or more funds to other or different funds, or to the general road and bridge fund or any fund raised by taxation or bonds for road and bridges
As sumed Name
Publication Notice
Public Notice is hereby given that on March 3, 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:
Blackhawk Mechanical loca ted at 628 N Blackhawk Rd, Oregon, IL 61061
Dated March 3, 2025.
Laura J. Cook
Laura J. Cook
Ogle County Clerk
March 7, 14, 21, 2025
As sumed Name Publication Notice
loca ted at 2793 E Mil l Rd Byron, IL 61010
Dated March 11, 2025.
Laura J. Cook
Laura J. Cook Ogle County Clerk
March 21, 28, April 4, 2025
As sumed Name Publication Notice
Public Notice is hereby given that on M arch 10, 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:
Storming the Beach Nutrition loca ted at 130 W 2nd Stree t Byron, IL 61010
Dated March 10, 2025
Laura J. Cook
of all of the persons owning, conducting and transacting the business known as:
Storming the Beach Nutrition loca ted at 130 W 2nd Stree t Byron, IL 61010
Dated March 10, 2025
Laura J. Cook
Laura J. Cook
Ogle County Clerk
March 21, 28, April 4, 2025
As sumed Name Publication Notice
Public Notice is hereby given that on March 5, 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:
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:
TNT General Constructi on loca ted at 15559 W Milledgeville Rd, Polo, IL 61064
Dated March 5, 2025.
/s/Laura J. Cook
Laura J. Cook
Ogle County Clerk
March 14, 21, 28, 2025
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice is hereby given to a Joint Review Board Meeting to be held March 27, 2025 at 4:30 PM before the Joint Review Board, for the purpose of considering the TIF Annual Reports for the Village of Mt Morris for the FY2024.
A copy of the proposed FY2024 Annual Report is on file at the Village Clerk's Office, 105 W. Lincoln St., for public viewing.
Brooke Duffy Village Clerk
March 21, 2025
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Pledge to the flag Elect a Moderator
Approval of Agenda
Approval of:
Annual Town Meeting Minutes of April 9, 2024
Announce the next annual town meeting: April 14, 2026
By Motion from the floor se t time of next annual meeting - 7:00 pm
Mov e to provide for the audit all the town funds to be done by the trustee s and township residents
An y other recommendations, resolutions and discussion by ele ctors (Audit, real estate etc.).
Dated: March 12, 2025
March 21, 2025
As sumed Name
Publication Notice
Public Notice is hereby given that on M arch 11, 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:
Laura J. Cook Ogle County Clerk
March 21, 28, April 4, 2025
TNT General Constructi on loca ted at 15559 W Milledgeville Rd, Polo, IL 61064
Dated March 5, 2025.
PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given to a Joint Review Board Meeting to be held March 27, 2025 at 4:30 PM before the Joint Review Board, for the purpose of considering the TIF Annual Reports for the Village of Mt Morris for the FY2024.
/s/Laura J. Cook
Laura J. Cook Ogle County Clerk
March 14, 21, 28, 2025
GE LA de Anda LLC loca ted at 2793 E Mil l Rd Byron, IL 61010
A copy of the proposed FY2024 Annual Report is on file at the Village Clerk's Office, 105 W. Lincoln St., for public viewing.
Brooke Duffy Village Clerk
March 21, 2025
Dated March 11, 2025.
Laura J. Cook
Appoint an Audit Firm
By Moti on set monthly meetings: 2nd Wednesday of the month at 6:30 pm except if it falls on a holiday then the Tuesday prior to the original date and the April Regular Meeting will be held on the Second Tu esda y of April in conjunction wi th the Annual Town Meeting.
Public Notice is hereby given that on March 3, 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:
Laura J. Cook Ogle County Clerk
March 21, 28, April 4, 2025
ANNUAL SPRING HAZ ELHURST CO NSIGNMENT LIVE VIRTUAL AUCTION
Location - Midway between Polo , IL and Milledgeville, IL on the Polo-Milledgeville Ro ad (17748 W Milledgeville Ro ad, Polo, IL 61064) In Polo on IL 26, turn west on Oregon Street (Polo-Milledgeville Rd) In Milledgeville on IL 40, turn east on Polo- Milledgeville Road. Off road parking at entrance on west side of site See advance sale bills/pictures on our website at auctionzip.com
Saturday, April 5, 2025 ★ Tim e - 8:30 am
Set Meeting Date and Times
Paula Diehl, Township Clerk
March 21, 2025
ANNUAL TO WN MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN To the legal voters, residents of the Township of OregonNashua in the County of Ogle and State of Ill inois, that the Annual Town Meeting of said Town will take place on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 being the second Tuesda y of said month at the hour of 7:00 o'clock P.M. at 107 North Etnyre Aveue Oregon-Nashua Township Building Oregon, IL for the tr ansaction of the miscellaneous business of the said town; and after a Moderator having been elected, will procee d to hear and consider reports of officers, and d ecide on such measures as may, in pur suance of law, come before the meeting; and speci ally to consider and decide the following
Blackhawk Mechanical loca ted at 628 N Blackhawk Rd, Oregon, IL 61061
Will start on Liv e Auction smaller items at 8:30, Lawn & Garden at 12:00 noon - Vehicles at 2:00 PM
Dated March 3, 2025.
While Virtua l/Online items west sid e of driveway starting with Augers at 8:45 am Online Bidd ing available thro ug h Equipmentfacts starting at 8:45 am. www. Eq uipmentFac ts.com For registration questions, please contact EquipmentFacts at 908-788-2025 or Braydan Beiswanger at 260-760-4036 Online Buyer Premium charged. Live Simulcast bidding day of sale and prebidding available ahead of auction.
Laura J. Cook
Laura J. Cook Ogle County Clerk
March 7, 14, 21, 2025
A large selection of equipment, v ehicles, trailers and miscellaneous. Brief description below. So much more! JD, Case IH, MF, AC, AC tractors, Paylo aders, skidloaders, Telex telehandler, Hitachi Excavato r, Tillage, Planting, Forage, Harvest Equipment, seed tenders, wagons, Livestock trailers, flatbed trailers, IH 8600's w/C at and Cummins engines, Batwing mowers, JD X540 w/54” deck, Kubota F3990 4x 4 D w/72” deck, Cub Cadet 50” Commercial, equipment from local feedlot which is reorganizing Check out the website! Lots of misc
Call the meeting to order
Pledge to the flag
Elect a Moderator
Auctio neers: Polo, IL 61064
Lenny Bryson (IL#440.0000158) 815-946-4120 * Mark Ebert (IL#440.0000341)
Approval of Agenda
Approval of:
Read the Sup ervisor's Annual Reports and move to approve Allow for voters at the Annual Town Meeting to transfer funds from one or more funds to other or different funds, or to the general road and bridge fund or any fund raised by taxation or bonds for road and bridges
Cal Kaufman * Brent Schmidgall * Adam Johnson * Hank Holm * Brian Bradley Clerks: Public Auction Servi ce: Lyle (IL#440.0000185) & Sheryl & John Hopkins 815-946-2660 * 815-441-1251 * 815-994-1836
Annual Town
Meeting Minutes of April 9, 2024
Terms - Cash, good check or credit card - Master Card, Visa, and Discover (with a 3% convenience fee) All items must be settled for day of sale. Number system will be used, have drivers license. No t responsible for accidents or merchan dise after sold. [Insurance on all items covered by seller till sold, then beco me responsibility of new property owner] Sales Tax will be charged on all appropriate items.
Announce the next annual town meeting: April 14, 2026
By Motion from the floor se t time of next annual meeting - 7:00 pm By Moti on set
Mov e to provide for the audit all the town funds to be done by the trustee s and township residents
An y other recommendations, resolutions and discussion by ele ctors (Audit, real estate etc.).
Dated: March 12,
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUITOGLE COUNTY, I LLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE PEOP LE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Pla intiff, vs.
M&B TRUCK STOP REAL E STATE, INC., an Illinois corporation ; STERLING FEDERAL BANK, FSB.; CAT SCALE COMPANY; PETRO FRANCHISE SYSTEMS, LLC; TAQUERIA LOS 3 MOLCAJETES, LLC; HUB CITY PLAZA, L.L.C.; ROCHELLE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION; and UNKNOWN OWN ERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS,
Defendants
Case No.: 2025 E D 1 Condemnation
Parcel Nos. 20220002TE 20220003TE
Job No. R-92-002-20 JURY DEM AND
PUBLI CATION NOTICE
NOTICE IS GIVEN YOU , Uknown Owners and Non-Rec ord Claimants, defendants, that this case has been commenced in the Circuit Court of Will County against you and other defendants, asking for Judgment as to the determination of just compensati on for certain real prope rty legally described inExhibit A and for other relief
UNLESS YOU file your appearanc e in this cas e in the office of the Ogle County Circuit Clerk, in the courthouse at 106 S 5th St, Oregon, IL 6106 1, on or before April 25, 2025, A JUDGMENT OR DECREE BY DEFAULT MAY BE TAKE N AGAINST YOU FOR THERELIEF ASKE D IN THE COMPLAINT
Witne ss: 3/10/2025
Kimberly A. Stahl (Clerk of the Circuit Court) By: MK (Deputy )
Patrick Grim (ARDC: 6326978), Special Assistant Attorneys General CONKLIN & CONKLIN, LLC
125 S Wacker Dr., Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60606Tel.: (312) 341-9500 Pgrim@conklinlawyers.com
Owner M&B Tr uck Stop Real Estate, Inc., an Illinois corporation Route FAI 39 (1-39) & FAP 567 (IL 38) County Ogle
Job No. R-92-002-20 Parc el No. 20220002TE P.I.N. No. 25-17-300-008
Secti on 141-IHBR-3 & (9,10) R-3 Station 638+04 Station 648+80 EASEMENT
That part of the Southea st Quarter of the Southwest Quarter of Section 17, Township 40 North, Range 2 East of the Third Principal Meridian, Ogle County, State of Illinois, with bearing and distances referenced to the Illinois State Plane Coordinate System, West Zone NAD 83 (2011 ADJ), with a combined factor of 0.999982000, described as fol lows:
Commencing at a mag nail at the southwe st corne r of the Southwest Quarter of said Section 17; thence North 88 degrees 17 minutes 41 seconds East on the south line of said Southwest Quarter, 1,407.61 feet; thence North 01 degree 42 minutes 19 secon ds West, 119.92 feet to the existing north right of way line of a pub lic road designated FAP Route 567 (IL 38) and the Point of Begi nning. From said Point of Beginning; thence North 29 degrees 45 minutes 11 seconds West on the eas t right of way line of public road designated N. Dement Road, 8.11 feet ; thence North 88 degrees 19 minutes 37 seconds East, 1,08-0.25 feet to the west l ine of a tract of land described in Warran ty Deed, Exhibit B, Parcel 3 to Rochelle Truck Stop, Inc., as recorded on September 28, 2022 as Document No 202205570 in the Ogle County Recorder's Office; thence South 01 degree 21 minutes 33 seconds East on said west line, 6.55 feet to said existing north r ight of way line; thence South 88 degrees 17 minutes 40 seconds West on said north right of way lin e, 1,076.40 feet to the Point of Beginning, containing 0.170 acre (7,387 square fee t), more or les s (area based on ground distances).
Owner M&B Tr uck Stop Real Estate, Inc., an Illinois corporation Route FAI 39 (1-39) & FAP 667 (IL 38) County Ogle
Job No. R-92- 002-20 Parcel No. 20220003TE PIN No. 25.17400.005 Secti on 141-IHBR-3 & (9,10) R-3 Station 648+80 Station 651+74
EASEMENT
That part of the Southeas t Quarter of the Southwe st Quarter and the Southwest Quarter of the Southeast Quarte r of Section 17, Township 40 North, Range 2 East of the Third Principal Meridian, Ogle County, State of Illinois, with bearing and distances referenced to the Illinois State Plane Coordinate System, West Zone NAD 83 (2011 ADJ), with a combined factor of 0.999982000, described as follows: Commencing at a mag nail at the southwe st corne r of the Southwest Quarter of said Section 17; thence North 88 degrees 17 minutes 41 seconds East on the south line of said Southwest Quarter, 1,407.61 feet; thence North 01 degree 42 minutes 19 secon ds West, 119.92 feet to the existing north right of way line of a pub lic road designated FAP Route 567 (IL 38); thence North 88 degrees 17 minutes 40 seconds East on said existing north right of way line, 1,076.40 feet to the west l ine of a tract of land desc ribed in Warran ty Deed, Exhibit B, Parcel 3 to Rochelle Truck Stop, Inc., as recor ded on September 28, 2022 as Document No. 202205570 in the Ogle County Recorder's Office and the Point of Beginning. From said Point of Beginning; thenc e North 01 degree 21 minutes 33 seconds West on said west line, 6.55 feet; thence North 88 degr ees 19 minutes 37 seconds East, 293.69 feet to said existing north right of way line; thence South 77 degrees 02 minutes 11 seconds West on said existing north right of way line, 32.67 feet; thence South 88 degrees 17 minutes 40 seconds West on said existing north right of way line, 261.69 feet to the Point of Beginning, containing 0.041 acre (1,796 square fee t), more or les s (area based on ground distances).
