Mt_Morris_Times-04-11-2025 by Shaw Media

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Adeline man donates proceeds from restored antique tractor back to Forreston FFA / 5 NEWS

High school sports roundup

Find out how local teams fared in baseball, softball, girls soccer and boys and girls track and field / 11

Earleen Hinton

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Adult Egg Hunt set for April 12

Let Freedom Ring and the Mt. Morris Senior & Community Center will host an Adult Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 12, on the Mt. Morris Campus.

Sign-in is from 7:30 to 7:55 p.m., with the hunt beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $15. Participants must be 18 or older. Prizes will be awarded for winning eggs and golden eggs. There also will be a door prize.

To buy tickets, call The Center at 815-7346335 or stop by Mt. Morris Village Hall, 105 W. Lincoln St., Mt. Morris.

All proceeds will benefit the Let Freedom Ring Festival and the programs at The Center.

Schedule change at food pantry on April 17

Loaves & Fish Food Pantry will be open from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, April 17.

During the mobile pantry at the Church of the Brethren, 409 W. Brayton Road, Mt. Morris, food is distributed on a first-come,

MT. MORRIS LIBRARY

Library closed April 19

The library will be closed Saturday, April 19, for spring cleaning.

Library hours

Library hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

Ink with a Friend, 5 p.m. Monday, April 14

The library will offer a card-making class with local crafter Liz Gullett. You will get all the materials to make two beautiful cards to take home. Stop by to see the samples. There is a $5 fee when you register.

Registration is limited so call the library to reserve a spot.

first-served basis while supplies last. Food is free to neighbors in need. No ID, proof of address or income is required.

Mobile pantries are held on the fourth Thursday of every month through June.

Loaves & Fish Food Pantry is located on the lower level of the Mt. Morris Church of the Brethren, 409 W. Brayton Road, and is open on the first and third Thursdays from 3:30 to 6 p.m. and second and fourth Mondays from 2 to 4:30 p.m.

Anyone experiencing food insecurity is eligible to receive food. You do not need to have a referral and no proof of income or residency is required.

For questions, call 815-613-8776 and leave a message and we will return your call.

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny is April 19 in 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.

Leaf River Lions offer breakfast with the Easter

Bunny on April 19

The Leaf River Lions Club will serve breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m. Saturday, April 19, at the Bertolet Memorial Building, 103 W. Second St., Leaf River, followed by an Easter Egg Hunt at 10 a.m. in the park (weather permitting).

The breakfast menu includes pancakes, waffles, French toast, Eickman’s breakfast sausage, scrambled eggs, applesauce, orange juice, milk and coffee.

The Easter Bunny will arrive at 9 a.m. so don’t forget your camera.

For more details, vist the Lions’ Facebook page at leafriverlionsclub or email leafriverlionsclub@yahoo.com.

– Shaw Local News Network

Lego Night, 6 p.m. Thursday, April 17

Bring the family out for some awesome brick building.

School’s Out Spring Craft, 2 to 6 p.m. Monday, April 21

Drop by with the kids to create a fun spring craft. We will have all the materials to make a sand art magnet.

Read with therapy dog Holly, Monday, April 28

Holly, a local therapy dog, will be here on the fourth Monday of each month from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in 15-minute time slots. You can register a child for a time slot using the link in the Facebook Events page. This program is free for anyone, but you must register.

MT. MORRIS SENIOR & COMMUNITY CENTER NEWS

Bingo and a Birthday Lunch

At 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 16, we will play bingo followed by lunch. Cost for the lunch is $10. (there’s a $2 discount for members). Come join us every third

CORRECTIONS

Wednesday for this event.

Trivia and Tacos, Thursday, April 17

Starting at 6 p.m. we will serve tacos for a donation and then play trivia at a cost of $2 a person.

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

Explore More Illinois: Fabyan Villa Museum & Japanese Garden in Geneva

The Fabyan Villa Museum tells the story of Col. George and Nelle Fabyan in their 1907 Frank Lloyd Wright redesigned home. The tour includes the first and second floors of the historic home.

The 1910 Japanese Garden is a fenced-in outdoor garden that encompasses about 1 acre.

Fabyan Villa Museum & Japanese Garden is offering four free self-guided tour tickets. Explore More Illinois users can access and reserve passes from any of the attractions on the Mt. Morris Library website, mtmorris-il.org, under the resources page.

Diamond Painting, Friday, April 18

No experience is necessary for the 11 a.m. event. Paintings will be available to buy. The Center is located at 9 E. Front St. in Mt Morris.

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Hundreds turn out for Hands Off! rally

Event protests President Trump’s decisions

By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com

OREGON – Several hundred people lined the north and east sidewalks around the historic Ogle County Courthouse on Saturday afternoon to let everyone know how they feel about recent actions and decisions by President Donald Trump and his billionaire consultant Elon Musk.

“People are showing up here today,” said Mae Furman of Rochelle, one of the event’s organizers.

Furman and Jan Buttron of Chana organized the two-hour event. Both are members of Indivisible of Ogle County, the local chapter of the Indivisible Project network – a grassroots organization founded in 2016.

The Ogle County chapter is part of Indivisible Illinois, formed in 2017, and “reflects the Heart of the Midwest by promoting an equity agenda in pursuit of liberty and justice for all.”

Buttron said she met with officials from the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon Police Department, Oregon Fire Protection District and City of Oregon before Saturday’s event.

“They told us we should stay off the grass, on the sidewalks, but not blocking the sidewalks,” Buttron said. “They worked with us and we made sure everyone was safe. Indivisible is nonviolent. We just want to protect our democracy.”

Attendees at Saturday’s event in Oregon held homemade signs criticizing President Trump’s policies and recent executive orders eliminating programs and agencies that he says are designed to eliminate government waste.

Some held signs declaring “Hands Off Social Security” while others disagreed with the administration’s policies on immigration, Greenland, Canada and Ukraine. Others proclaimed Musk should be “fired” or “deported.”

Motorists who traversed the busy intersection of state Routes 64 and 2 through the city’s downtown were encouraged to honk their horns in support. A couple of pickup trucks with Trump flags in their beds passed through the intersection revving their engines during the event and one Tesla vehicle was booed as it drove past.

Buttron, an attorney, said Trump is breaking the laws of democracy.

“We know the law and we can see clearly that he is breaking the law,” Buttron said. “He is defying the law.”

Furman, who is on the executive committee for the Ogle County Democrats, was pleased with Saturday’s turnout.

“We had 149 people sign up and more than 400 are here,” Furman said.

Joe Albright of Peoria came to the rally because he has decided to run for the 16th Congressional District, a seat held by Republican Darin LaHood.

“Everything they are saying is false,” said Albright, a Princeton native who said he holds a degree in accounting and teaches economics. “The tariffs are wrong. We know they are very limited tools. And they [elected representatives] are letting Trump make all the decisions.”

Mary Francis of Mt. Morris characterized the Trump administration’s recent efforts to eliminate federal programs and agencies such as the Depart-

was one of the signs displayed April 5 during the Hands Off! rally held around the historic Ogle County Courthouse in Oregon. The rally was one of many held across the U.S. for people wanting to speak out about recent actions and decisions by President Donald Trump.

ment of Education as alarming.

“All the programs and services that come out of the federal government,” said Francis, a retired educator, as she listed her concerns. “Just letting the school districts flounder without direction ... and all the marginalized students. Kids with special needs not getting the help they need just breaks my heart.”

Indivisible Illinois is part of the

locally led, people-powered Indivisible Project network, a grassroots American movement founded in 2016 with thousands of chapters across the U.S. in urban, suburban and rural communities, according to its website.

The group said its grassroots power comes from working in solidarity and coalition with others and lists its values as inclusion, respect and nonviolence.

Photos by Earleen Hinton

About 400 people take part April 5 in the Hands Off! rally held around the historic Ogle County Courthouse in Oregon.

This

Family trip continues at historic Williamsburg

Steve and I left Jamestown and all of the history there. We arrived in Williamsburg and quickly saw a film that would get us acclimated to the area. After we bought our tickets for the next day, we headed for our motel.

It was St. Patrick’s Day and I wondered if I was going to miss out on the meal of corn beef and cabbage that I loved so dearly. A restaurant nearby saved the day and I had my usual St. Patrick’s Day meal.

The next morning we boarded a bus and headed for Colonial Williamsburg. It did not take me long to realize the walking would be extensive but my walker and I were up for the challenge.

Our first presentation was someone portraying James Madison and he quickly pulled in a schoolboy. This was good to get the attention of students. Also a woman from Germany was questioned and I was amazed that people were there from all over.

In the afternoon after a George

POLO HISTORY

Betty Obendorf

Washington presentation, I had to navigate up a hill, in the sun, on a gravel path, and I barely made it. That was the only time I wondered if I was going to make it. But I did and that evening we had our dinner in the Raleigh Tavern after a dramatic 1773 street presentation. It was wonderful and later I visited with one of the women. She lived in the area and this was her job day after day. She obviously was well-versed in acting and theater.

Our meal in the Raleigh Tavern was quite a production and the presentation of food was very different. I watched a young couple near us with a year old baby and an older child. I

thought they were very brave to bring a baby to such an elegant eating place but the little boy did very well. Little did I know that we would meet up with them again in a different town on a different day.

The next evening we had another magnificent meal at Shield’s Tavern in Williamsburg. This one, George Washington had visited at one time. I had a trifle for dessert and the man at the table next to ours came over to see what on earth did I have. We got to visiting and he was from Baltimore. He ended up wanting one of my Civil War books and Kevin now has contacted him.

The next day we visited the American Revolution Museum in Yorktown and we enjoyed the wonderful movies. Outside, we stopped at the stations they had set up and saw a musket demonstration along with a food presentation and the surgeon’s tent.

I stood behind a middle-school age

African American girl with the most beautiful hair that had braids coming down through it. When she turned around, I asked her who did her beautiful hair and she answered, “My mother.” She then commented on the coat I had on and I told her I had gotten it at a garage sale. Many people comment on it and I decided it was a good choice. She stood there and visited with Steve and me until Steve said we had other places to see. She was a very verbal person and a delightful junior high student. She will go far. I will always remember her.

(Editor’s note: A trifle is a layered cold dessert, typically consisting of sponge cake soaked in wine or sherry, fruit, custard and cream, often served in a glass bowl.)

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

Corncrib built in 1953 is one of few still standing

Shortly after graduating from Oregon High School in 1953, I worked for contractor Henry Mattison. One of our first projects was building a corncrib located on the Bolthouse farm. This farm was located near Chana. Henry told me to bring a handsaw, nail apron and hammer to the job site.

At the end of the first day, the foreman advised me to take the handsaw to a shop in Oregon and have it sharpened by a file. This file was moved back and forth across the saw teeth.

Today, most of the original corncribs have been torn down or they are falling down in disrepair. Some of the structures we see today in our rural landscapes give glimpses into the practices of the past.

Before the invention of combines, corn was harvested by picking the entire ear.

On our family farm located in Indiana, we stood outside in the weather in late November and early December and picked corn. We hauled it to the barn. I remember we needed corn to feed to our milk cows. We removed some of it from the corncrib by pitching it into a trailer and took it to the local elevator where they removed the kernels from the cobs.

OGLE COUNTY HISTORY

Otto Dick

After we moved to Oregon, the tworow corn picker put an end to the need for corncribs.

Corncribs were ventilated to allow air to flow and had sloping roofs to keep the rain off the stored grain. Allowing air into the crib prevented the corn from mold and spoilage. A center alleyway allowed wagons to enter and access the corn from inside. An elevator was used to move corn upward and fill the crib from the top.

Today, combines remove the kernels while corn is being harvested and grain dryers dry the grain for safe storage. Instead of corncribs, corn is stored in steel grain bins.

At our farm in Indiana, the corncrib was located on the south side of the barn and we milked cows on the north side. The alley for wagons was located between the corncrib and the milking area. Above the side where we milked cows was where hay was stored.

The corncrib still is standing in good shape at age

The Bolthouse corncrib was one of the first buildings I worked on the year I graduated from high school in 1953. The corncrib still is standing in good shape at age 72.

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

Photo provided by Otto Dick

The Bolthouse corncrib was built by Henry Mattison. This was one of the first buildings Otto Dick worked on the year he graduated from high school in 1953. He took this photo this year.

72.

Proceeds from restored antique tractor donated back to Forreston FFA

By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com

HAZELHURST – There was one very special sale Saturday at the Hazelhurst Spring Consignment Auction, all thanks to the generosity of a local farmer.

Sitting near the front of a row amid the hundreds of other pieces of farm machinery of various makes, models and specialties was a bright red antique tractor, a 1949 Case VAC to be specific, that was restored by Forreston FFA members last year and raffled as a fundraiser for the program.

Dave Myers, of Leaf River Farms in Adeline, was the lucky winner last fall and decided to put the tractor on the auction block at the spring sale with all proceeds donated back to the Forreston

FFA. Auctioneer Lenny Bryson of Polo capped off the deal when he announced the tractor would be sold free of the typical commission charged by the auction house.

Myers knew the VA series – the first Case row-crop tractor to use the Eagle Hitch – pretty well because his son, Justin, a senior at Forreston High School, was one of the FFA students who worked on the restoration.

“I was always joking with him that if I won it, I was going to sell it here [Hazelhurst] and donate it all back to the FFA,” Dave Myers said. “And then I won it.”

Justin, a John Deere aficionado, didn’t mind the tractor going to a new owner.

“Nah, it was the wrong color,” he

said, smiling.

Bryson started the bidding at $1,000 and the tractor sold for $2,000 to an online bidder.

The spring consignment sale has been held on 30 acres between Polo and Milledgeville – near the tiny hamlet of Hazelhurst – since the 1940s.

Sheryl Hopkins, of Public Auction Service in Polo, oversees all the clerking along with her husband, Lyle, and help from other family members.

Sheryl’s mother and father, Ruth and Ellery Shank, hosted the first sale on their farm site in the 1940s. It started as a venue for local farmers to buy and sell farm machinery. Now it’s held twice a year – once in the spring and once in the fall.

The event has become a generational

“must do” for some area farmers, allowing them to talk shop and maybe complain about the weather or catch up with old friends as they stroll by the rows of farm machinery, vehicles and other miscellaneous items.

The Polo Lions Club operated the main food booth in the center of the sale site. The covered building was a popular place for visitors to grab a hot dog, cheeseburger or pork chop sandwich and chat with friends and neighbors.

At the west side of the auction, the Ogle County Beef Producers sold their ever-popular ribeye steak sandwiches and burgers – freshly grilled on-site.

The fall sale will be Saturday, Sept. 6. For more information, email slpaspolo@ gmail.com or visit Lenny Bryson Auctioneer at lennybrysonauctioneer.com.

Judge denies release of Dixon man charged with attempted murder of 3 police officers

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 2024 will remain jailed despite extensive arguments made by his attorney for his release.

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 fire-

arm 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.

trial release citing the seriousness of the charges and community safety concerns.

Gounaris appeared before Roe to hear his decision on the defense’s motion to reconsider detention. At a March 17 hearing, Assistant Ogle County Public Defender Michael O’Brien argued for Gounaris’ release in order to receive adequate mental health treatment. He said Gounaris’ “delusional” and “paranoid” mental state led to the June 12, 2024, standoff with police.

tion. The officers were informed that Gounaris had made suicidal and homicidal threats, Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle said at a news conference that afternoon.

Ogle County Judge John “Ben” Roe on Monday again denied Gounaris’ pre-

At 8:39 a.m. June 12, police were called to the residence with a warning that it could be a “suicide-by-cop” situa-

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.

See GOUNARIS, page 9

Photos

Earleen Hinton

ABOVE: Cayson Wolf, 7, of Dixon climbs on a round bale hauler April 5 at the Hazelhurst Spring Consignment Auction. Cayson was at the sale with his dad. LEFT: Auctioneer Lenny Bryson takes a bid on a 1949 Case tractor at the auction.

Johnathon Gounaris

NELSON MILLER

Born: October 13, 1923 in Bay Ridge, NY

Died: April 1, 2025 in Fairfax, VA

Nelson Miller, formerly of Mt. Morris, Illinois, passed away at 101 years old on April 1, 2025 in Fairfax, Virginia.

Nelson Harris Miller, Jr. was born on October 13, 1923 in Bay Ridge, New York to Ruth and Nelson Miller, Sr. In 1941, he graduated from Manhattan’s prestigious High School of Music & Art where he sang, played the trombone, wrote poetry and, rumor has it, thoroughly charmed his classmates and teachers with his talent and good humor.

In 1943, he moved with his parents and sister to Delaware, where he tried his hand at farming. On a visit with friends to a dance at the University of Delaware, he met Agnes Berger, who he married in 1949. His career after marriage was a varied one and, according to him, always enjoyable – he was a steel plant worker, a herdsman, a salesperson for a candy company and pet food wholesaler, and ultimately the founder and owner of his

ILENE LOUISE MORING

Born: December 11, 1927 in Forreston

Died: April 2, 2025 in Freeport

TARA ROSALEEN ROTHERHAM

Born: August 16, 1954

Died: February 25, 2025

own pet supply company in Washington, D.C. He and Aggie raised four lively children – Gregory, Carolyn (known as Taffy), Clifford, and Christopher. After moving the family to northern Virginia in the early 1960s, he and Aggie became founding members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Annandale, Virginia, where Nelson was involved in all aspects of church life, including serving as the choir director for many years.

ILENE LOUISE MORING

Born: December 11, 1927 in Forreston

Died: April 2, 2025 in Freeport

In addition to working, raising a family, and being active in his church, Nelson was a man of many talents. He had a passion for plants and flowers, ultimately earning his associate degree in horticulture. Over the years he was often in the garden, and until a few years ago he was still germinating seeds, planting the flowers he grew, and creating landscaping plans. His knowledge of the various orchid species was extensive, as was his knowledge of animals and birds – in the 1970s he published a book on the purple martin that was sold for years by Sears as a companion to their purple martin houses. Despite no formal training, he also designed and built two houses in the 1960s. His lifelong ability to write poetry, and to spontaneously toss out a pun or poem, is well known to family and friends.

Fairfax, Virginia until 2003, when they moved to Joanne’s hometown of Mt. Morris, Illinois. Nelson loved the people and small-town atmosphere of Mt. Morris and he immediately became part of the community, conducting the choir at the Church of the Brethren, planning and conducting 13 annual Christmas Cantatas, and helping set up and run Loaves & Fish, the local food pantry. In 2018, he was named the Mt. Morris Library’s Poet Laureate, and he participated in the first annual Mt. Morris Poetry Jam held later that same year. In 2019, at the age of 96, he composed the lyrics and music to his first hymn, “The Love That God Gives Freely.”

children and 6 great-grandchildren. A private celebration of life is being planned, and his cremated remains will be laid to rest at a later time in Plainview Cemetery in Mt. Morris. Condolences may be sent to Joanne Miller at The Woodlands, 4320 Forest Hill Drive, Apt. 236, Fairfax, Virginia 22030. The family asks that any gifts in Nelson’s memory be made to Loaves & Fish Food Pantry (409 W. Brayton Road, Mt. Morris IL 61054) or the Mt. Morris Public Library (105 S. McKendrie Avenue, Mt. Morris IL 61054).

ILENE LOUISE MORING

Born: December 11, 1927 in Forreston

Died: April 2, 2025 in Freeport

Ilene Louise Moring, Age 97, went to be with the Lord on April 2, 2025 surrounded by her family. Ilene was born in Forreston, IL to Lewis and Margaret (Gasmund) Asche on December 11, 1927. She graduated from Forreston High School. She married Verlyn Moring on September 26, 1946 and they were married 55 years until his passing on September 21, 2002. Ilene was an active member of First United Methodist Church of Forreston, serving as Sunday School teacher, member of the choir, and United Methodist Women. She was also a member of Forreston Lions Club, serving in various offices as well as District 1D First Lady from 1997-1998. She was a Foundation Fellow and Melvin Jones Fellow. Verlyn and Ilene enjoyed many years of traveling in their motor home, attending Lions Club conventions, and attending grandchildren’s events. Ilene is survived by her children: Victoria

Beloved wife, mom, grandma, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend to all she met, Tara Rosaleen (Geary) Rotherham, 70, of Peoria, IL, passed away on February 25, 2025. To know her was to love her. Tara’s passing has left a deep void in the hearts of all who knew her.

Tara was preceded in death by her parents,

In 1999, after Aggie’s death the previous year, Nelson married Joanne Clark and they lived in

ILENE LOUISE MORING

Born: December 11, 1927 in Forreston

Died: April 2, 2025 in Freeport

(Loris) Thomas, Pamela Moring, Diane Aurand, Marcia (Jeff) Durling, Denise Plock, Teresa (Timothy) Dick, and Eric (Jean) Moring. Also survived by 13 grandchildren: Jeffrey (Melissa) Thomas, Sara (Rick) Utzinger, Kurt (Jennifer) Thomas, Justin (Megan Thede) Aurand, Jared Aurand, Steffanie (Scott) Flack, Andrea (Joshua) Karnatz, John (Amy) Durling, Katie (Ryan) Cerney, Jordan (Rachel) Plock, Marissa (Miles) McShane, Matthew (Stephanie) Moring, Kristopher Moring, and 26 great-grandchildren. Also survived by one sister-in-law, June Moring.

Nelson and Joanne moved back to Virginia in the fall of 2021 to be close to family, making their home these last few years at the Woodlands Retirement Community in Fairfax. In carrying on with their cantata tradition, he and Joanne planned a wonderful Christmas music program just a few months after arriving at The Woodlands. His many talents, love, sense of humor, and twinkling blue eyes will be greatly missed.

Nelson is survived by his wife Joanne; his four children and their spouses (Greg and Marie, Cliff and Pat, Chris and Sue, Taffy and Rick); his “bonus children” and their spouses (Julie and Steve, Dave and Leigh, and Karen); 11 grand-

Despite loving the diversity of people, languages, and food of the more urban areas in which he’d grown up and lived most of his life, Nelson adapted quickly to small-town living in rural Illinois. Even after moving back to Virginia, his heart stayed with the people he’d known in Mt. Morris. Remaining a prolific poet and storyteller up until a week before his death, one of his final poems – set to the tune of Give My Regards to Broadway – demonstrated that affection: “Give my regards to Pinecrest, to Union Savings on the square; Tell all the folks who work at Loaves and Fish that I wish that I was there; Tell them of how I’m yearning to see the corn fields growing tall; Give my regards to Illinois and know I still miss you all.”

A funeral is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 11th at First United Methodist Church of Forreston with a luncheon to follow. Interment will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens after the luncheon. A visitation will be held on Thursday, April 10th from 4:00-7:00 pm at Burke Tubbs Funeral Home in Forreston. A memorial has been established for the Forreston Lions Club and the First United Methodist Church of Forreston church in her memory.

Ilene is survived by her children: Victoria

Roderick and Ethna (Savage) Geary. She is survived by her husband Kent Rotherham; children Kathleen Rotherham of Peoria, IL, Theresa (Dan) Beaurain of Stevensville, MI, Emily Rotherham (Tobias Traynor) of Peoria, IL, Joseph Rotherham of Washington, IL, Laura Rotherham of Peoria, IL; grandchildren, Michael and Allison Beaurain; siblings Kathleen Geary of Winnetka, IL, Sean (Debra) Geary of Polo, IL, Brigid (Gary) Jones of Wickenburg, AZ; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ilene is preceded in death by her parents, two sons: Jeffrey Moring and Mark Moring, two sons-in-law: Lamont Aurand and Ronald Plock, her sister Elta Mae Ross, brother Willis Asche, six sisters-in-law, and six brothers-in-law. A funeral is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 11th at First United Methodist Church of Forreston with a luncheon to follow. Interment will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens after the luncheon. A visitation will be held on Thursday, April 10th from 4:00-7:00 pm at Burke Tubbs Funeral Home in Forreston. A memorial has been established for the Forreston Lions Club and the First United Methodist Church of Forreston church in her memory.

Tara was born in Dixon, IL on August 16, 1954 to Ethna (Savage) and Roderick Geary. She was raised in Polo, IL, attended Polo High School, then Sauk Valley Community College, and later studied medical illustration at Northern Illinois University.

Tara met her husband of 46 years, Kent Rotherham, in 1975. They wed in Polo, IL on September 16, 1978. They quickly started their family and her children meant the world to her. They moved around for a few years eventually permanently settling in Peoria, IL where she was a loving and attentive mother, always putting her family first. Tara would do anything for her family and loved ones. Later, she was thrilled to become a grandma, showering her grandchildren with love and attention.

Tara loved to travel, especially to visit her family in Swords, Co. Dublin, Ireland, where her mother, Ethna, was born and raised. Tara was proud to be a citizen of Ireland and has many fond memories of her visits there. Tara was a talented artist. She enjoyed sewing and

knitting and often expressed her creativity with lovingly sewn or knitted items for family and friends.

She was such a sweet and kind soul and made everyone feel wanted and loved. She was the sweetest, nicest, most loving person who never had an unkind word for anyone. Tara’s genuine love and compassion for others will never be forgotten and her legacy will always carry on.

The family invites you to a Celebration of Life on April 26, 2025 from 1 to 3 pm at the Polo Senior Center in Polo, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice in Tara’s honor.

Tá síocháin anois aici.

Polo man released from custody after alleged battery victim speaks to judge

Victim tells judge that man needs medical help, not jail

By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com

OREGON – A Polo man has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of aggravated battery and misdemeanor charges of domestic battery and disorderly conduct stemming from a March 27 incident.

Andrew Emberson, 19, was released from custody April 3 after his defense attorney said he suffered from “cognitive issues” and needed mental evaluations rather than incarceration.

“Jail is not the place for someone

LOCAL NEWS BRIEF

Loves Park man charged with DUI after crash on Ridge Road

MT. MORRIS – A Loves Park man has been charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol after a single-vehicle crash Monday night south of Mt. Morris. Abdelhalim Khoga, 37, is scheduled to be

with his disabilities,” Assistant Ogle County Public Defender Eric Morrow told Ogle County Circuit Judge John “Ben” Roe. Emberson is charged with causing bodily harm to a person 60 years of age or older during a March 27 incident in his home where he resides with family members. He is accused of taking an item from a woman causing her fingernails to break.

Morrow said the alleged victim – a family member of Emberson – also

wanted him released from custody so he could seek psychiatric care. “She [the alleged victim] does not feel that she is in any danger at all,” Morrow argued. “Conditions can be set for his release.”

Assistant State’s Attorney Melissa Voss argued that Emberson should be detained since the person he is accused of battering was a 71-year-old relative.

Voss also said the elderly family member did not have help at home to control Emberson and told Roe that a misdemeanor damage to property charge also was pending against the defendant.

The elderly family member who was in court during Emberson’s appearance told Roe that medical appointments had

been made for Emberson for next week and pleaded for him to be released from jail. Roe agreed to release Emberson with conditions that he attend medical appointments, participate with recommended treatments or evaluations, take prescribed medications as ordered and have no unlawful contact with the victim.

“The alleged victim wishes him to be released,” said Roe, adding he had considered Emberson’s continued mental health issues when determining his release.

Emberson was released over Voss’s objection. Roe set Emberson’s next court appearance for 1:30 p.m. April 17.

“Thank you, your honor, and God bless you,” the family member said.

arraigned at 9 a.m. April 16 on the DUI charge, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, improper lane use and failure to reduce speed/driving too fast for conditions. According to the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and Mt. Morris Fire/EMS responded to the rollover crash

at 9 p.m. Monday in the 1200 block of North Ridge Road.

After an investigation, deputies determined that Khoga was driving his 2020 black Mercedes sedan south on North Ridge Road when he failed to negotiate a curve, entered the west ditch of the

roadway and struck a ditch embankment and metal culvert before the vehicle became airborne “overturning, colliding with a fence and telephone pole.”

Khoga was taken to OSF St. Katherine in Dixon for treatment of his injuries.

– Earleen Hinton

Andrew Emberson

Psychologist says Stillman Valley man is unfit to stand trial

Judge: ‘Detention is proper to ensure the safety of the community’

By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com

OREGON – A Stillman Valley man charged with predatory criminal sexual assault of a child has been determined mentally unfit to stand trial, but will remain in custody as his case proceeds through the court system.

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 the Class X felony. He is accused of inappropriately touching a 6-year-old boy between Feb. 19, 2024, and Feb. 19, 2025, according to court records.

On March 12, Ogle County Assistant Public Defender Michael O’Brien requested that Dreesen be evaluated by a court-appointed clinical psychologist because he believed a bona fide doubt existed about Dreesen’s mental abilities to assist with his defense.

O’Brien told Judge Anthony Peska on Tuesday that Jayne Braden, a forensic and clinical psychologist in Sycamore, had completed her evaluation and decided Dreesen was unfit. O’Brien asked Peska to consider releasing Dreesen from custody so he could start outpatient counseling services.

“I have received the evaluation that Mr. Dreesen is not fit to stand trial at this time, but may be fit within a year,”

Peska said. “Her [Braden] recommendation is for outpatient treatment. There could be restorative fitness.”

Peska said he was not aware of any conditions the court could require to ensure the safety of the alleged victim as well as the community at large if Dreesen were to be released. “There’s really no change in his circumstances,” Peska said in denying Dreesen’s release.

Tuesday marked the second time that Peska denied Dreesen’s release. Associate Judge Russell Crull denied Dreesen’s initial request for release Feb. 27.

Dreesen has been held at the Ogle County Jail since his arrest. At the March 12 hearing, 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 is not available at the jail because jail staff only have certain medications approved for distribution.

Peska set Dreesen’s next court date for 1 p.m. June 30.

“Hopefully treatment will start soon and we will see you in 90 days,” Peska told Dreesen.

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.

Rochelle man dies in single-vehicle crash

OGLE COUNTY – A Rochelle man died after an early morning crash Saturday on state Route 64 northwest of Rochelle.

Douglas Carr, 55, of Rochelle was taken to Rochelle Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 5:35 a.m. after the single-vehicle crash near the intersection with Kent Road, the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office said Sunday.

“Deputies responded to a single-vehicle crash on Illinois Route 64 near the intersection of Kent Road in rural Rochelle. An initial investigation revealed a vehicle was traveling westbound on Illinois Route 64 when it crossed over the center line into the eastbound lane before entering the south ditch,” according to a news release. “After entering the ditch, the vehicle proceeded into the field where it overturned coming to rest on its roof.”

The incident is under investigation. Deputies were assisted by Hillcrest Fire and EMS, Rochelle Fire and EMS and the Illinois State Police.

Sheriff reminds motorists to stay off phones when driving

OREGON – Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle is sending out a friendly reminder to local motorists to stay off their phones when they are driving.

The sheriff’s office is partnering with the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois State Police and more than 200 local law enforcement agencies to step up enforcement efforts across the state in recognition of Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

“Distracted driving is dangerous, claiming 58 lives in Illinois in 2023. We need everyone’s support in making our roads safer, which includes staying focused behind the wheel,” VanVickle said.

“We’re excited to support IDOT’s efforts in educating all road users about the importance of putting your phone away, setting your navigation before your trip begins and driving distraction-free.”

In Illinois, using your phone in anything other than hands-free mode is not only dangerous, but also illegal.

–Shaw Local News Network

Joseph G. Dreesen

Chicago man to remain in county jail on drugs, weapon charges

By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com

OREGON – A Chicago man charged with four felonies, including unlawful possession of a firearm as a felon and possessing oxycodone with the intent to deliver, will remain in the Ogle County Jail as his case proceeds through the court system.

John D. Carew, 26, was denied release March 26 after a detention hearing in front of Ogle County Associate Circuit Judge Anthony Peska.

Carew is charged with unlawful possession of a weapon as a felon, unlawful possession of a stolen firearm – a semi-automatic pistol, possession of less than 50 grams of a substance containing oxycodone with the intent to deliver, possession of a substance containing alprazolam, a controlled substance – with the intent to deliver, and driving with a revoked license.

Carew was arrested on the charges after a traffic stop by the Illinois State Police on Interstate 39 south of Lindenwood at 9:40 p.m. March 25. According

• GOUNARIS

Continued from page 5

Police made more than 60 attempted phone calls to the residence and deployed a throw phone inside the home before breaching the door at 11:53 a.m. Officers were immediately met with gunfire from inside the house, which ended in three deputies and Gounaris being shot, VanVickle said.

O’Brien has questioned the officer’s use of force describing it as a “very violent entry into the home” consisting of “several armed officers kicking down a door.” He said police were called because Gounaris’ mother was concerned for her son’s mental health.

Assistant State’s Attorney Heather Kruse disagreed, arguing that police found Gounaris wearing ballistic body armor while armed with two handguns, pepper spray and a knife.

Winnebago County State’s Attorney J. Hanley independently reviewed the ERT’s use of force in September 2024. He determined the deputies acted in accordance with the law because they only fired their weapons after being shot at by Gounaris.

During the gunfire exchange June 12, Ogle County Sheriff’s Lt. Jason Ket-

John D. Carew

to tickets issued by state police, Carew’s driver’s license expired in October 2022.

Assistant State’s Attorney Matthew Leisten told Peska that Carew was on mandatory supervised release for a Cook County charge when his vehicle was stopped and subsequently searched.

“He [Carew] had a gun in his vehicle and oxycodone,” Leisten told Peska. “There are no conditions to mitigate the risk. We do believe he is specifically a danger to residents in Cook and Ogle County.”

Leisten said Carew has another pending charge in Cook County.

“Most of his criminal background includes gun charges,” Leisten told Peska.

Assistant Public Defender Eric Morrow argued Carew could be

ter was shot in the face, Deputy Tad Dominski was shot in the arm, Tyler Carls of the Rochelle Fire Department was shot in the torso and Gounaris was shot in the stomach.

Dominski and Carls were treated that day at OSF Saint Katharine Medical Center – which at the time was KSB Hospital – in Dixon and released later that evening. Ketter was flown to OSF Medical Center in Rockford, underwent surgery and was released from the hospital June 14. Gounaris was treated at KSB and then booked into the Winnebago County Jail on June 18.

In Roe’s ruling Monday he said “the totality of arrest ... are things the court has already considered.”

Roe said “mental health is certainly an issue,” but he agreed with Kruse that the court has not been given any “specific diagnosis that would lead to a specific medication” and that Gounaris disliked taking medication in the past.

“These are very serious offenses” resulting in serious injuries, Roe said.

“I do not find that there’s substantial change in circumstance to release the defendant in any capacity,” Roe said.

A status hearing was set for 1 p.m. April 28. Gounaris will no longer be represented by O’Brien since he’s leaving office as public defender.

released from custody while his case proceeds.

“He has had no issues of failing to appear in his former cases,” Morrow said. “He has two job interviews this week. Conditions could be set to allow his release.”

Morrow said a family friend had agreed to transport Carew to his court appearances in Ogle County if he were to be released.

Peska denied Carew’s release, noting he had scored 11 out of 14 on a risk assessment for release.

“There are allegations that he was in possession of a stolen firearm. One of the conditions of his parole was not to violate any law or have a firearm. There are multiple things here,” Peska said. “There aren’t any additional conditions that could be imposed. There is a real and present threat here.”

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, oxycodone is a semi-synthetic narcotic analgesic that is a popular drug of abuse among the narcotic abusing population. It is also known as “Hillbilly Heroin, Kicker,

OC, Ox, Roxy, Perc, Oxy.”

“Oxycodone is abused orally or intravenously. The tablets are crushed and sniffed or dissolved in water and injected. Others heat a tablet that has been placed on a piece of foil then inhale the vapors,” the DEA says on its website. “Euphoria and feelings of relaxation are the most common effects of oxycodone on the brain, which explains its high potential for abuse.”

Alrazolam is a benzodiazepine that is only legally available through prescription.

“Many users maintain their drug supply by getting prescriptions from several doctors, forging prescriptions or buying them illicitly. Alprazolam and clonazepam are the two most frequently encountered benzodiazepines on the illicit market. Common street names include Benzos and Downers,” the DEA website says.

Carew was remanded to the Ogle County Jail. He is scheduled to appear in court at 10 a.m. April 9 for a preliminary hearing.

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By Y Badgers 4-H club helps clean up cemetery

OGLE COUNTY PROPERTY TRANSFERS

March 31 to April 6

Warranty deeds

Phillip P. Scandroli and Jill A. Scandroli to Riley Hall and Molly Irving, 158 Autumnwood Lane, Davis Junction, $296,000.

Springboard Cdfi 2023-4 Lp to Daniel Rhea, Rebecca Rhea and Isaac Rhea, 307 S. Mckendrie St., Mt. Morris, $91,500.

Nancy Messenger and William E. Messenger to Kyle Baxter and Erica Baxter, 508 S. 8th St., Oregon, $90,000.

Karen Feldman, Kris Fuchs and Kimbre Smice to Gavin Fuchs and Tylor J. Fuchs, 202 W. White Oak Road, Forreston, $82,000.

Jalon J. Welch, Jalon J. Bruder and Kerry J. Welch to Kassondra A. Bruder, 16100 W. Hazelview Road, Polo, $235,000.

Harvest Glenn LLC to Contry Homes Group LLC, 210 Autumnwood Lane, Davis Junction, $0.

Harvest Glenn LLC to Contry Homes Group LLC, 203 Autumnwood Lane, Davis Junction, $0.

Harvest Glenn LLC to Contry Homes Group LLC, 903 White Birch Lane, Davis Junction, $0.

Harvest Glenn LLC to Contry Homes Group LLC, 208 Autumnwood Lane, Davis Junction, $0.

Cody R. Ahrens to Jacob Nettleton and Hope Cuchiara, 355 E. Roosevelt St., Stillman Valley, $176,000.

Patricia Fraley to Hannah Holze, 702 S. Walnut Ave,, Forreston, $100,000.

Alexander Smith and Sarah E. Smith to Samuel Carlson, 5047 N. Wendorf Road, Monroe Center, $240,000.

Richard A. Lechner, Joanne Flowers, P. Joanne Flowers-Lechner, and P. Joanne Flowers Lechner to Lisa S. Gapski and William J. Gapski Jr., 11581 E. Kyte Road,

Rochelle, $262,000.

Skylar J. Struven and Kendra N. Struven to Kelly Carmody and Laura Carmody, 6239 E. Bradley Road, Byron, $320,000.

Rodney P. Daniels and Carol A. Daniels to Giuseppe lfano, one parcel in Oregon-Nashua Township: 16-04-451-010, $337,900.

Teresa S. White to Rachel Larson, 1625 Warrenton Court, Byron, $211,900.

Sean Adams Custom Carpentry Inc. to Teresa S. White, 1625 Warrenton Court, Byron, $170,900.

Jose Trinidad Herebia Jr. and Crista Herebia to Jacob M. Fransen and Melanie R. Fransen, 524 Autumnwolf Drive, Davis Junction, $289,000.

Patrick K. Christenson Jr. to Brian Gross, 107 N. Main St., Chana, $106,900.

Quit claim deeds

Jane R. Schoon to Saul R. Schoon and Dana J. Norup, no parcel information available: 05-29-456-003, $0.

Susan L. Gustafson and Susan L. Straus to Susan L. Straus, 10815 N. Kennedy Hill Road, Byron; 10260 N. IL Rte 2, Byron; and 7374 W. Judson Road, Polo; $0.

Donald Witte and Maureen Witte to Kevin M. Probst and Tiffany Ann Probst, 412 Main St., Leaf River, $0.

Donald Witte and Maureen Witte to Kevin M. Probst and Tiffany Ann Probst, 508 Bertolet Lane, Leaf River; and two other parcels in Leaf River Township: 03-36-180017 and 03-36-180-020, $0.

Executor’s Deed

Rosalie A. Park, Deceased By Executor, and Estate of Rosalie A. Park to Jason T. Beyers, trustee, Heather R. Beyers, trustee, Jason T. Beyers Lv Tr and Heather R. Beyers Lv Tr, three parcels in Brookville Township: 06-02-400-005, 06-02-400-006 and 06-11-200-001, $1,246,685.

Trustees deeds

Union Savings Bank, trustee; Union Savings Bank Investment And Trust Services, trustee; and Phylis E. Trout Rev Lv Tr to Cody Jay Logan and Cynthia Kay Swanson, 422 N. Hannah Ave., Mt. Morris, $173,000.

Deeds in Trust

Randy S. Morris and Elizabeth L. Morris to Allen L. & Jennifer Christianson Family Tr,

5170 E. Ashelford Drive, Byron, $577,000. Luann Rogers to Luann Rogers, trustee, and Luann Rogers Lv Tr, 7314 S. Daysville Road, Oregon, $0.

Todd Kampmeier and Anne Kampmeier to Todd Kempmeier, trustee, Anne Kampmeier, trustee, and Todd and Anne Kampmeier Family Tr, 17744 W. Town Line Road, Shannon, $0.

Source: Ogle County Recorder’s Office

April 11,

Photos provided by Colton Gehrke

Members of the By Y Badgers 4-H club provided spring cleanup April 5 at the Byron Township Cemetery to support 4-H National Day of Service. Members of the club raked leaves, picked up sticks and cleaned up debris along the fence line.

Forreston-Polo’s Eli Ferris takes first place in the high jump in a meet April 3 at Oregon High School. Ferris cleared 1.78 meters to win the event.

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS ROUNDUP

Boys track and field

Dixon wins Oregon quad: The Dukes had 161 points to top Forreston (63), Oregon (34) and Dakota (13). Area individual event winners included Oregon’s Peter Alfano (discus, 40.20), Forreston’s Brody Schwartz (200, 23.28), Hayden Vinnedge (400, 52.91), Billy Lowry (triple jump, 12.23) and Eli Ferris and Jonathan Milnes who tied to win the high jump (1.78).

In relay action, Forreston’s Noah Dewey, Mercer Mumford, Milnes and Schwartz won the 4x200 in 1:32.76.

Girls track and field

Dixon wins Oregon quad: The Duchesses had 101 points to win over Oregon (82), Forreston (61) and Dakota (5). Area individual event winners were Forreston’s Bree Schneiderman (100, 13.00; 400, 1:04) and Alayna Young (discus, 25.76), Oregon’s Miranda Ciesiel (200, 28.10), Madeline Rogers (1,600, 6:17.24), Jillian Hammer (100 hurdles, 16:46; 300 hurdles, 47.27), Skylar Bishop (high jump, 1.47), Cheyanne Edlund (pole vault, 2.13) and Lorelai Dannhorn (triple jump, 9.42).

In relay action, Oregon’s Hammer, Ciesel, Daleanah Koertner and Bishop won the 4x100 in 52.64, Oregon’s Gabriele Hoyle, Koertner, Ciesiel and Bishop won the 4x200 in 1:54.63, Oregon’s Tremble, Lorelai Dannhorn, Ella Dannhorn and Rogers won the 4x400 in 4:27.41 and Forreston’s Drue Behrends, Mylo Willis, Laynie Mandrell and Kyla Lamm won the 4x800 in 12:31.7.

Girls soccer

Oregon 4, Indian Creek 1: Christine

Ramirez had two goals and Shaylee Davis and Bezzali Cadenas also found the net for Oregon in the home win.

Genoa-Kingston 3, Oregon 1: Anna Stender had Oregon’s lone goal off a Christine Ramirez assist in the setback.

Baseball

Oregon 16, Du-Pec 1 (4 inn.): Jack Washburn had three hits, including a home run and four RBIs, in the home victory. He also earned the win on the mound.

Forreston 9, Winnebago 5: Carson Akins had four RBIs in the road win. Forreston pulled away with three runs in the top of the seventh inning.

Forreston 8, Jefferson 2: Forreston scored six times in the third inning to take control. Darin Greenfield led the team with two RBIs and pitched two scoreless innings.

Forreston 2, Eastland 1 (8 inn.): Darin Greenfield had the game-winning hit to score Alec Schoonhoven with two outs in Forreston’s walk-off win. Kendall Erdman pitched seven innings, allowing only two hits and one unearned run while striking out nine with one walk for the Cardinals. Carson Akins pitched a scoreless eighth in the win. Peyton Spears started for Eastland, allowing only one unearned run in 6⅔ innings while striking out eight with three walks.

Forreston 10, Amboy 3 (5 inn.): Brendan Greenfield, Darin Greenfield and Mickey Probst each had two RBIs for Forreston in the home win. Amboy had three hits in the loss.

See ROUNDUP, page 12

Photos by Earleen Hinton

Oregon’s Bezzali Cardenas takes a shot on goal against Indian Creek on April 7.

time to talk about college basketball

I haven’t gotten a feel on what is going on in high school spring sports yet, so let’s talk some college basketball, especially with the NCAA men’s and women’s tournaments wrapping up.

In the past (pre Caitlin Clark), the men and women wouldn’t have been mentioned in the same breath. The mindset was the women lacked the same interest as the men’s tourney.

Guilty as charged here as I rarely paid attention to women’s basketball, instead focusing strictly on the men’s March Madness. Slowly, I am beginning to explore what the women have to offer.

Cut me some slack. Decades of conditioning myself to the men’s game led me to believe it was a superior product. Can’t say I have converted over to 100% following the women, but I am making inroads into exploration. That’s a start.

My TV viewing college roundball doesn’t start until the tournament. Since I don’t have cable, the woman’s tournament on ESPN was out of reach for me. For the men, the only games I

• ROUNDUP

Continued from page 11

Oregon 15, Indian Creek 5 (5 inn.): Oregon’s Gavin Morrow had two doubles and three RBIs, scoring four runs in the home win. Keaton Salsbury had a double and three RBIs for the Hawks.

Forreston 11, Du-Pec 3: Carson Akins had a home run and three RBIs for Forreston in the road win.

Softball

Oregon 11, Indian Creek 3: Ella Dannhorn and Abree Barker each doubled and had two hits in the home win. Four Oregon pitchers combined to strike out nine batters.

Dakota 10, Forreston 0 (5 inn.): Dakota’s AJ Howarth struck out 12 and allowed only one hit and one walk at Forreston.

Warren 5, Polo 0: The Marcos had five hits but were held scoreless on the road.

Oregon splits: At the Orangeville tournament, the Hawks beat Rockford Jefferson 16-4 and fell to the hosts 10-6. Brooke Halverson picked up a win in the circle and had a triple with two RBIs. Against Orangeville, Ella Dannhorn had a single, double, home run and an RBI.

West Carroll 4, Polo 2: The Thunder pulled away after scoring runs in the

Andy Colbert GUEST VIEW

saw were the ones broadcast on CBS.

Many viewers were disappointed in the lack of Cinderella stories for both men and women. The reward for that was two semifinal classics on the men’s side.

As far as intensity, there is no difference between the men and women. Fundamentally, the women are better, but more highlight reels are found on the men’s side.

This year’s women’s TV ratings weren’t as high as the Caitlin Clark mania the year before. Still, they continue to make steps to being on par with the men.

In regard to fan allegiance, a plus for the women is stability. Generally, they don’t bounce around from school to school like the men.

Somewhat surprisingly, though, col-

fifth and sixth innings of the home win. Megan Hubbard pitched and earned the win with nine strikeouts. Polo gave up two unearned runs in the setback.

St. Francis 8, Oregon 3: The Hawks allowed six unearned runs in the home loss. Ella Dannhorn led Oregon with two hits, including a double.

Eastland 17, Forreston 7 (5 inn.): The Cougars used an 11-run third inning to take control in the road win. Vanessa Allen led Eastland with a double and five RBIs and Alyson Knutti had three hits and scored four runs. Keara Kaus got the win in the circle. Caroline Bawinkel had a double and three RBIs for Forreston.

Morrison 8, Polo 1: Bella Duncan struck out 18 in a complete game win, allowing only two hits and walking none. The Fillies scored six runs, five unearned, in the first inning en route to the home win. Cheyenna Wilkins had a home run for Polo.

Oregon 8, Winnebago 0: Isabelle Berg pitched a complete game shutout and struck out nine in the Big Northern Conference win. Brooke Halverson led Oregon with four hits.

Du-Pec 17, Forreston 16: Forreston’s road comeback fell short after scoring two runs in the seventh inning. Aubrey Sanders had three hits, including a home run and four RBIs for the Cardinals.

lege basketball fans don’t seem to care if their team is composed of transfers. It has become crazy the manner in which players change schools on a yearly basis.

As long as the old alma mater is winning and the action is fun to watch, alumni and fans are happy to welcome a different lineup every year. Some are even willing to chip in a few thousand dollars to university coffers to woo players from other schools.

It is hard to believe there was a time when schools, coaches and over-ardent boosters were penalized by the NCAA for bribing recruits. Now it is the Wild West where anything goes. Or so it seems.

Longtime football and basketball coaches are calling it quits because of the weirdness in navigating the transfer portal and the NIL pay-for-play.

Previously, the most difficult thing to do in building a team was the recruitment of high schoolers. Coaches hated all the soul-selling it entailed.

A coach could be an expert in the Xs and Os, but without a degree in sales-

manship, you weren’t getting the athletes needed to carry out those game plans to a high degree.

Yes, coaches are overpaid with their million dollar contracts, but the pressure they are under is mind-boggling. That applies for both the men and women.

Certainly, the overemphasis on sports in this country has reached absurd stages. Back when college and pro football were in the heat of the playoffs, I felt like I overdosed on it.

So much so that I made a conscious decision to end my streak of watching every Super Bowl since the first one in 1967. It was cold turkey for me when the Eagles and Chiefs went at it this year.

On a positive note, sports of all kinds remains the one thing that continues to bind us together. With all the political division occurring in this country, it is refreshing to know we have sports to bring us together.

• Andy Colbert, an avid runner, is a sports writer for Shaw Local covering high school sports in Ogle County.

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SAMUEL, Deceased

2025 PR 14

, Ogl County Judicial Center, 106 South 5th Street, Or egon, IL 61061 or with the esta te legal representative, or both

JUDICIAL

CIRCUIT COUNTY OF O GLE

Copies of a claim filed with the clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney wi thin 10 days after i t has been filed.

In re the E state of: KATHRYN L. COX, Deceased 2025 PR 22 CL AIM NOTICE

Notice is given of the death of KATHRYN L. COX

CLASSIFIED

By:

TRISHA BOLEN

Independent Administrator

Letters of Office were issued on March 21, 2025, to SUE E. COX, as Independent Executor.

ay filed within 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 mailing ordelivery is required by Section 5/18-3 of the Illinois Probate Act, 1975, as amended, whichever date is later

ga estate may be filed in the Office of the Circuit Clerk, Ogle County JudicialCenter, 106 South 5th Street, Or egon, IL 61061 or with the esta te legal representative, or both

STATE OF IL LINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF O GLE

I n re the E state of:

WILL IAM R. SAMUEL, Deceased 2025 PR 14 CL AIM NOTICE

Notice is given of the death of WILLIAM R SAMUEL. Letters of Office were issued on February 20, 2025, to TRISHA BOLEN, as Independent Administrator.

Notice is given of the death of WILLIAM R SAMUEL. Letters of Office were issued on February 20, 2025, to TRISHA BOLEN, as Independent Administrator. Claims against the estate may be filed wi thin 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 5/18-3 of the Illinois Probate Act, 1975, as amended, whichever dateis l ater. Any claim not filed by the requisite date stated above shall be barred. Claims against the estate may be filed in the Office of the Circuit Clerk, Ogle County Judicial Center, 106 South 5th Street, Or egon, IL 61061 or with the esta te legal representative, or both

cation, 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 5/18-3 of the Illinois Probate Act, 1975, as amended, whichever dateis l ater. Any claim not filed by the requisite date stated above shall be barred. Claims against the estate may be filed in the Office of the Circuit Clerk, Ogle County Judicial Center, 106 South 5th Street, Or egon, IL 61061 or with the esta te legal representative, or both

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

Copies of a claim filed with the clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney wi thin 10 days after i t has been filed.

By: TRISHA BOLEN

Independent Administrator

Law Office s of M. THOMAS SUITS, P.C. 114 W. Mason St. Polo, IL 61064 (815) 946-2276 tom@suitslegal com

March 28, April 4, 11, 2025

STATE OF IL LINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF O GLE

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

Claims against the estate may be filed in the Office of the Circuit Clerk, Ogle County JudicialCenter, 106 South 5th Street, Or egon, IL 61061 or with the esta te legal representative, or both

Copies of a claim filed with the clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney wi thin 10 days after i t has been filed.

By: KATHRYN L. COX

Independent Executor Law Office s of M. THOMAS SUITS, P.C. 114 W. Mason St. Polo, IL 61064 (815) 946-2276 tom@suitslegal com

March 28, April 4, 11, 2025

As sumed Name Publication Notice Public Notice is hereby given that on March 20, 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:

April 24 th , 25 th , and 26 th Thursday, Friday, Saturd ay 8 to 5 1682 N River Rd, Oregon, IL

Tandem Kayak with seats & oars, Poulan

Pro lawn mower, old steel wheels, tools, ladders, sporting, hunting, garden, vintage, collectibles, stamps, buttons, office, household, paper shredder, stick vacuum, stor ag e totes and MUCH MORE

Claims against the estate may be filed wi thin 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 5/18-3 of the Illinois Probate Act, 1975, as amended, whichever dateis l ater. Any claim not filed by the requisite date stated above shall be barred. Claims against the estate may be filed in the Office of the Circuit Clerk, Ogle County Judicial Center, 106 South 5th Street, Or egon, IL 61061 or with the esta te legal representative, or both

Copies of a claim filed with the clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney wi thin 10 days after i t has been filed.

By: TRISHA BOLEN

Independent Administrator

Law Office s of M. THOMAS SUITS, P.C. 114 W. Mason St. Polo, IL 61064 (815) 946-2276 tom@suitslegal com

I n re the E state of: KATHRYN L. COX, Deceased 2025 PR 22 CL AIM NOTICE

Notice is given of the death of KATHRYN L. COX

Claims against the estate may be filed in the Office of the Circuit Clerk, Ogle County JudicialCenter, 106 South 5th Street, Or egon, IL 61061 or with the esta te legal representative, or both

By: KATHRYN L. COX

2-Bedroom Available in Mt. Morris, IL

Affordable RD Housing for All Ages

If you or someone you know is interested, please call or visit our website: 608-784-13 81 allegiantprop ertym gm tllc.com

Copies of a claim filed with the clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney wi thin 10 days after i t has been filed.

By: TRISHA BOLEN Independent Administrator

Law Office s of M. THOMAS SUITS, P.C. 114 W. Mason St. Polo, IL 61064 (815) 946-2276 tom@suitslegal com

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF Ogle - Oregon,ILL INOIS U.S BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Pla intiff vs. DANIEL J STEELE II; TAYLOR M. FOX; ILLINOIS HOUSIN G DEVELOPMEN T AUTHORITY; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS Defendant 24 FC 27

Law Office s of M. THOMAS SUITS, P.C. 114 W. Mason St. Polo, IL 61064 (815) 946-2276 tom@suitslegal com

March 28, April 4, 11, 2025

Letters of Office were issued on March 21, 2025, to SUE E. COX, as Independent Executor.

NOTICE OF SHERIFF'S SALE

March 28, April 4, 11, 2025

The real estate is: single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g- 1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: At sale, the bidder must have 10% down by certified funds, balance within 24 hours, by certified funds. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information For informat ion call Sales Department at Plaintiff's Attorney, Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 13010 Morris Road, Sui te 450, Alpharetta, Georgia 30004. (708) 6684410 ext. 52109. 24-199336 SHERIFF I3263837 Apr. 11, 18, 25, 2025

Claims against the estate may be filed within 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 mailing ordelivery is required by Section 5/18-3 of the Illinois 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 Circuit Clerk, Ogle County JudicialCenter, 106 South 5th Street, Or egon, IL 61061 or with the esta te legal representative, or both

Copies of a claim filed with the clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney wi thin 10 days after i t has been filed.

Independent Executor Law Office s of M. THOMAS SUITS, P.C. 114 W. Mason St. Polo, IL 61064 (815) 946-2276 tom@suitslegal com

Publication Notice Public Notice is hereby given that on March 20, 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:

Bleu Cedar Coffee Co loca ted at 203 1st Ave Forreston, IL 61030

Dated March 20, 2025.

Laura J. Cook

Laura J. Cook Ogle County Clerk

March 28, April 4, 11, 2025

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF OGLE COUNTY, ILL INOIS OGLE COUNTY - CHANCERY DIVISION

March 28, April 4, 11, 2025

Bleu Cedar Coffee Co loca ted at 203 1st Ave Forreston, IL 61030 Dated March 20, 2025.

By: KATHRYN L. COX

Laura J. Cook

Laura J. Cook Ogle County Clerk

March 28, April 4, 11, 2025

Independent Executor Law Office s of M. THOMAS SUITS, P.C. 114 W. Mason St. Polo, IL 61064 (815) 946-2276 tom@suitslegal com

March 28, April 4, 11, 2025

NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE, LLC Plaintiff, vs. BRENT WAG NER, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR PENNY S MON, CYNTHIA SUTHERIN, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR BRANDY MEYER, ATTORNEY PAUL E. CHADWICK, AS GUARDIAN AD LITEM, FOR TH E MINOR HEIR, N.O, ROGER W. MEYER, JR., UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF PENNY S MON, UNKN OWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF BRANDY MEYER, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, Defendant(s). Case Num ber: 2023FC3 NOTICE BY PUB LICATION Unknown Heirs and Legatees of Brandy Meyer Unknown Owners and Non-Record Claimants that this case has been commenced in this Court, against you and other Defendants, praying for the foreclosure of a certain Mortgage conveying the premises described as follows , to wit: PART OF LOT 1 IN BLOCK 1, OF CHATFIELD`S SECOND ADDITION TO THE TOWN OF POLO, OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS; ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RE CORDED FEBRU ARY 28, 1861 IN BOOK A OF PLATS, PAGE 33, AS DOCUMENT NO. 25061, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING ON THE EAST LINE OF SAID LOT 1 41.5 FEET SOUTH OF THE NORTHEAST CORNER THEREOF; THENCE WESTERLY TO A POINT ON THE WEST LINE OF SAID LOT 1 WHICH IS 33 FEET SOUTH OF THE NORTHWEST CORNER THEREOF; THENCE SOUTH ON THE WEST LINE OF SAID LOT 1 TO THE SOUTHWEST CORNER THEREOF; THENCE EAST ON THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID LOT 1 TO THE SOUTHEAST CORNER THEREOF; THENCE NORTH ON THE EAST LINE OF SAID LOT 1 TO THE POIN T OF BEGINNING; ALSO THE NORTH HALF OF LOT 2 IN BLOCK 1 OF CHATFIELD`S SECOND ADDITION TO THE TOWN OF POLO, OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOI S; ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED FEBRU ARY 28, 1861 IN BOOK A OF PLATS, PAGE 33, AS DOCUMENT NO. 25061.

COMMONLY KNOWN AS: 207 S. CONGRESS AVENUE, POLO, IL 61064

And which said Mortgage was made by: Gary L. Mon, Estate of Penny S. Mon, the Mortgagor, to MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. ("MERS"), AS MORTGAG EE, AS NOMINEE FOR FREEDOM BANK ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, as Mortgagee, and recorded in the Office of the Recorde r of Deeds of Ogle County, Illinois as Document No 201306328; and for other relief, that summons was duly issued out of said Court agai nst you as provided by law and that the said suit is now pending.

NOW, THEREFORE, UNLESS YOU file your answer or otherwise file your appearance in this case in the Office of the Clerk of this Court, Ogle County Circuit Clerk 106 S. 5th Street, #300 Oregon, IL 61061 On or before May 5, 2025, A DEFAULT MAY BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU AT ANY TIME AFTER THAT DAY AND A JUDGMENT MAY BE E NTERED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PRAY ER OF SAID COMPLAIN T. Marinosci Law Group, P.C. 2215 Enterprise Drive, Suite 1512 Westchester, IL 60154 Telephone: (312) 940-8580

KATHRYN L.

Copies of a claim filed with the clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney wi thin 10 days after i t has been filed. By:

COX Independent Executor Law Office s of M. THOMAS SUITS, P.C. 114 W. Mason St. Polo, IL 61064

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act you are advised that this law firm is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

I3263731 Apr. 4, 11, 18, 2025

"THIS IS AN ATTE MPT TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE US ED FOR THAT PURPO SE" 42463 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OG LE COUNT Y, ILLINOIS

HSBC Bank USA, N ational Association, as Indentu re Trustee for People`s Choice Home Loan Securities Trust Series 2005- 3; Plaintiff, vs. Josephine Ponce; Illinois Housing Development Authority; Springcas tle Credit Funding Trust, Through its Trustee Wilmington Trust, National Association; Unknown Owners and Non Record Claimants; Defendants. Cas e No. 25 FC 1 Judge Pres idin g Courtroom TBA NOTICE BY PUBLICATION

The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you: -Josephine Ponce -Unknown Owners and Non Record Claimants that Plaintiff has commenced t his case in the Circuit Court of Ogle County agai nst you and other defendants, for foreclosure of a certain Mortgage lien recorded against the premises described as follows: PART OF THE SOUTH HALF (S 1/2) OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER (SE 1/4) OF SECTION THIRTY-TWO (32), TOWNSHIP TWENTY-FOUR (24) NORTH, RANG E TEN (10) EAST OF THE FOURTH (4TH) PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOI S, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS, TO WIT: COMM ENCING AT THE INTERSECTIO N OF THE SOUTH LINE OF THE SOUTH HALF (S 1/2) OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER (SE 1/4) OF SAID SECTION THIRTY-TWO (32) AND THE CENTERLINE OF LIMEKILN ROAD, SAID POINT BEING 1492.59 FEET WEST OF THE SOUTHEAST CORNER THE REOF; THENCE NORTHEASTERLY, ALONG SAID CENTERLINE, AT AN ANGLE OF 78 DEGREES 21 MINUTES 31 SECONDS AS MEASURED COUNTERCLOCKWISE FROM SAID SOUTH LINE, A DISTANCE OF 84.24 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING OF THE HEREINAFTER DESCRIBED PARCEL; THENCE NORTHEASTERLY, ALONG SAID CENTERLINE, A DISTANCE OF 37.52 FEET; THENCE NORTHEASTERLY , ALONG SAID CENTERL INE, AT AN ANGLE OF 179 DEGREES 11 MINUTES 02 SECONDS AS MEASURED CLOCKWISE FROM THE LAST DESCRIBED COURSE, A DISTANCE OF 317.42 FEET; THENCE SOUTHEASTERLY, AT AN ANGLE OF 92 DEGREES 40 MINUTES 49 SECONDS AS MEASURED COUNTERCLOCKWISE FROM THE LAST DESCRIBED COURSE, A DISTANCE OF 349.92 FEET; THENCE SOUTHERLY, AT AN ANGLE OF 101 DEGREES 40 MINUTES 03 SECONDS AS MEASURED COUNTERCLOCKWISE FROM THE LAST DESCRIBED COURSE, A DISTANCE OF 100.33 FEET; THENCE SOUTHERLY, AT AN ANGLE OF 171 DEGREES 38 MINUTES 53 SECONDS AS MEASURED COUNTERCLOCKWISE FROM THE LAST DESCRIBED COURSE, A DISTANCE OF 53.56 FEET; THENCE SOUTHWESTERLY, AT AN ANGLE OF 151 DEGREES 00 MINUTES 26 SECONDS AS MEASURED COUNTERCLOCKWISE FROM THE LAST DESCRIBED COURSE, A DISTANCE OF 175.06 FEET; THENCE WESTERLY, PARALLEL WITH THE SOUTH LINE OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER (SE 1/4) OF SAID SECTIO N THIRTY-TWO (32), AT AN ANGLE OF 123 DEGREES 49 MINUTES 20 SECONDS AS MEASURED COUNTERCLOCKWISE FROM THE LAST DESCRIBED COURSE, A DISTAN CE OF 317.79 FEET TO THE POI NT OF BEGINNING.

C/K/A: 1011 North Limekiln Road, Oregon, IL 61061 PIN: 09-32-400-010 said Mortgage was given by Josephine Ponce, Mortgagor(s), to Mortgage Electronic Regis tration Systems, Inc., acting solely as nomi nee for People`s Choice Home Loan, Inc., Mortgagee, and recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Ogle County, Illinois, as Document No. 0505224. E-Filing is now mandatory for documents in civil cases with limited exemptions. To e- file, you must first create an account with an e-filing service provider Visit https://efile.illinoiscourts.gov/service-provid ers.htm to learn more and to select a service provider If you need additional help or have trouble e-filing, visit http://www.illinoiscourt s.gov/FAQ/get help.asp, or talk wi th your local circuit clerk's office

UNLESS YOU file your appearance or otherwise file your answer in this case in the Office of the Circuit Clerk of Ogle County, Ogle County Courthouse, 106 South Fifth Street, Ste 300, Oregon IL 61061 on or before April 28, 2025, A JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE OR DECREE BY DEFAULT MAY BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU FOR THE RELIEF ASKED FOR IN THE PLAINTIFF'S COMPLAINT. Russell C. Wirbicki (6186310) Christopher J. Irk (6300084) Cory J. Harris (6319221)

Tracey M. Coons (6311050) The Wirbicki Law Group LLC Attorney for Plaintiff 33 W Monroe St., Suite 1540 Chicago, IL 60603 Phone: 312-360-9455 W25- 0003 pleadings.il@wirbicki law.com I3262943 Mar. 28, Apr. 4, 11, 2025

NOTICE OF DEF AULT AND FORECL OSURE SALE

WHEREAS, on 10/15/2007, a certa in Mortgage was executed by JAN C ZIMMERMAN as Mortgagor, in fav or of JAMES B NUTTER & COMPANY as Mortgagee, and was recorded on 11/2/2007, as Document Numbe r 0711272, in the Offi ce of the Recorder of Deeds, Ogle County, Illinois and WHEREAS, the Mortgage was insured by the UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (the SECRETARY) pursuant to the National Housing Act for the purpose of providing single family housing; and WHEREAS, the Mortgage is now owned by the SECRETARY, pursuant to an Assignment of Mortgage dated 9/19/2023, and recorded on 9/26/2023, as Document Numbe r 202304250, in the Office of the Ogle County Recorder of Deeds, Illinois and a default exists, and WHEREAS, a default has been made in the covenants and conditions of the Mortgage in that the payment due on 10/18/2024 was not made and remains wholly unpaid as of the date of this notice, and no payment has been made sufficient to restore the loan to currency; and WHEREAS, by virtue of this default, the SECRETARY has declared the entire amount of this indebtedness secured by the Mortgage to be immediately due and payable;

NOW THEREFORE, pursuant to the powers vested in me by the Single Family Mortgage Foreclosure Act of 1994, 12 U.S.C. 3751 et seq., by 24 CFR Part 27, subpart B, and by the SECRETARY'S designation of me as Foreclosure Commissioner, dated September 15, 2016, notice is hereby given that on 05/01/2025 at 10:30 AM loca l time, all real and personal property at or used in connection with the following desc ribed premises loca ted at ("Property"), will be sold at public auction to the highest bi dder.

P.I .N.: 05-31-285-002

PROPERTY ADDRESS: 211 S LAFAYETTE ST., BYRON, I L 61010

LEGAL DESCRIPTION: A PART OF THE WEST HALF OF BLOCK FIFTY-TWO (52) IN THE ORIGINAL TOWN NOW CITY OF BYRON, OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOI S, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS, TO-WIT: BEGINNING AT A POINT ON THE WEST LINE OF SAID BLOCK, 80.0 FEET SOUTH OF THE NORTH WEST CORNER OF SAID BLOCK MEASURED ALONG THE WEST LINE OF SAID BLOCK; THENCE SOUTH ALONG THE WEST LINE OF SAID BLOC K, 92.0 FEET TO A POINT; THENCE EAST PARALLEL WITH THE NORTH LINE OF SAID BLOCK, 145.75 FEET TO A POINT IN THE EAST LINE OF THE WEST HALF OF SAID BLOCK; THENCE NORTH PARALLEL WITH THE WEST LINE OF SAID BLOCK, 92.0 FEET TO A POINT THENCE WEST PARALLEL WITH THE NORTH LINE OF SAID BLOC K TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING; SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF OGLE AND THE STATE OF ILLINOIS

The sale will be conducted online on Zoom at: Meeting ID: 648 483 3997; Password: 743891. There is a Zoom call-in option at 312-626-6799. THE SECRETARY OF H OUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT will bid $157,099.01 plus per diem interest, advances, fees and costs. There will be no proration of taxes, rents or other income or liabilities, except that the purchaser will pay, at or before sale, his prorata share of any real estate taxes that have been paid by the Secretary to the date of the for eclosure sale. The Special Commissioner shall accept advance, sealed written bids at Plea dings@Nevellaw.com

The successful bidder, except the SECRETARY, must submit a deposit total ing at least 10% of the bid in the form of a certified check or cashier's check made out to the SECRETARY OF HUD at the close of bidding sent to the Special Commissioner at the address below by express mail next- day delivery. The deposit is nonrefundable The remainder of the purchase price must be delivered wi thin thirty (30) days of the Sale or at such other time as the SECRETARY may determine for good cause shown, time being of the essence. This amount, like the bid deposits, must be delivered in the for m of a certified check or cashier's check made payable to the SECRETARY OF HUD. If the SECRETARY is the high bidder, he need not pay the bid amount in cash. The successful bidder will pay all conveyancing fees, all real estate taxes and other taxes that are due on or afte r the date of sale and all other transfer taxes and State, County and Municipal costs associat ed with the tra nsfer of title.

There is no right of redemption, or right of possession based upon a right of redempti on, in the mortgagor or others subsequent to a foreclosure completed pursuant to the Act. Therefore, the Foreclosure Commis sioner will issue a Deed to the purchaser(s) upon receipt of the entire purchase price in accordance with the terms of the sale as provided herei n. HUD does not guarantee that the property will be vacant.

IRA T NEVEL Foreclosure Commissioner for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development 175 North Franklin, Suite 201 Chicago, Illinois 60606 (312) 357-1125 8190-951599

Mar. 28, Apr. 4, 11, 2025 951599

IN THE CIRC 15TH JU COUNTY OF U.S BANK NATIONAL Pla intiff vs. DANIEL J ST FOX; ILLINO DEVELOPMEN UNKNOWN RECORD CLAI

NOTICE OF PUBLIC NOTIC pursuant to a entered in the She riff of Ogl e 2025, at the She riff's office Oregon, IL 61061, bidder for described mor THREE (3) IN ORIGINAL TOW ACCORDING PLAT ACKNOWLED W HEWITT; TOWNSHIP COUNTY OF ILLINOIS P.I.N.

Commonly known FORRESTON, The real estat residence. If real estate is interest commu the unit other pay the assessm subsection (gCondominium terms: At sale 10% down by within 24 hours refunds. The open for insp bidders are ad court file to ve For informat io at Plaintiff's Anschutz, Schne PLLC, 13010 Alpharetta, Ge 4410 ext. 52109. I3263837 Apr. 11,

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF Ogle - Oregon,ILL INOIS U.S BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Pla intiff vs.

DANIEL J STEELE II; TAYLOR M. FOX; ILLINOIS HOUSIN G DEVELOPMEN T AUTHORITY; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS Defendant 24 FC 27

NOTICE OF SHERIFF'S SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above entitled cause the She riff of Ogl e County will on May 16, 2025, at the hour 10:00 a.m in the She riff's office, 202 S 1st Street, Oregon, IL 61061, sell to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate: LOT THREE (3) IN BLOCK ONE (1) IN TH E ORIGINAL TOWN OF FORRESTON, ACCORDING TO THE RECORDED PLAT ACKNOWLEDGED BY GEORGE W HEWITT; SITUATE D IN THE TOWNSHIP OF FORRESTON, COUNTY OF OGLE AND STATE OF ILLINOIS P.I.N. 02-33-129-008. Commonly known as 104 S. 1ST AVE., FORRESTON, IL 61030.

Apr. 11, 18, 25, 2025