Nicole Girton and Aralin McLain play their flutes with the Oregon High School Concert Band on Dec. 15 during the Oregon Music Department’s Christmas Concert at Oregon High School. More photos on page 9.
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OregonMusicDepartment’sChristmasConcert
The Oregon High School Choir performs during the Oregon Music Department’s Christmas Concert on Dec. 15.
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
Church’s next potato bar is Jan. 5
Disciples United Methodist Church is hosting a Potato Bar from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5.
Freewill donations received at this month’s potato bar will go to support Hope of Ogle County.
The potato bar is held the first Sunday of each month from November through April.
Baked potatoes complete with assorted toppings, beverages and a dessert bar
MT. MORRIS LIBRARY
Cookie Decorating: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 21
School’s out and that means it’s a great time to visit the library and give kids something to do. Stop by Saturday to decorate cookies. We will have premade cut-out cookies and all the frosting and sprinkles needed. Kids will get to take their cookie home.
Holiday Take-N-Make, Saturday, Dec. 21, and Saturday, Dec. 28
Need a little something extra to keep kids busy while home for the holiday break? Stop by the library to grab kits to go and
CORRECTIONS
will be offered.
The church is located on the corner of Hitt Street and Maple Avenue in Mt. Morris.
Mt. Morris Senior & Community Center news
Diamond Painting is Friday, Dec. 20. Diamond painting starts at 11 a.m. No skill is involved and all are welcome to join. Paintings are available to buy.
Community Game Night is Thursday,
create crafts at home. Holiday kits will be available starting Saturday, Dec. 21. New Year’s kits will be available starting Saturday, Dec. 28. Kits are free and available to everyone in the community.
Cookbook Club: 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7
Come in, choose your recipe and bring your dish to pass at our next meeting. Meetings are held potluck style at the Senior Center.
Ink with a Friend: 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 13
We will be offering a card-making class by local crafter Liz Gullett. You will get all the materials to make two beautiful cards to
Accuracy is important to the Mt. Morris Times. Please call errors to our attention by email at news@oglecountynews.com.
Dec. 26. Join us at 6 p.m. The event is for all ages. There are plenty of games at The Center but you are welcome to bring your own. Popcorn will be provided but feel free to bring other snacks to share.
The Noon Year’s Eve Party starts at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 27. Bring an appetizer or dessert to pass and join in Noon Year’s Eve fun as we ring in the year at noon. All ages are welcome for the low-key celebration. – Shaw Local News Network
take home. Stop by to see the samples. Registration fee is $5. Registration is limited so call the library or stop by to save a spot.
Lego Night: 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16
Bring the family for some awesome brick building.
Book Donations Welcome For Next Book Sale
We are accepting donations for the next book sale. If you have any media you no longer need or want, bring it to the Mt. Morris library. We cannot accept textbooks, encyclopedias, Reader’s Digest condensed books, VHS tapes or audio cassettes.
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Earleen Hinton
Man rescued from Tuesday morning house fire in Polo
Fire claims 4 pets
By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com
POLO – A Polo police officer carried an elderly man to safety Tuesday morning during a fire at 611 N. Division St.
Polo Fire Chief Jim Ports said his department was notified of the fire at the single-family home at 8:29 a.m.
“We got called for a house fire with the possibility of a person inside. When I showed up, the police had the occupant right here on the north side of the house,” Ports said at 9:30 a.m., pointing to the side of the two-story home.
When patrol officer Kaden Coppotelli arrived at the home first, he ran inside and found the elderly man in the kitchen, Polo Chief of Police Matt Coppotelli said Tuesday afternoon. Kaden is the police chief’s son.
“Officer Coppotelli saw smoke
when he arrived on scene and he saw the man standing in the kitchen. He ran inside, picked him up and carried him outside,” Chief Coppotelli said.
“[Kaden] did a really good job.”
Polo firefighters entered the home and found three large dogs.
“The house was cleared. We did rescue three dogs and they all made it,” Ports said, adding two cats also were found but despite resuscitation efforts later were declared dead.
Chief Coppotelli said the Polo Animal Hospital was called and veterinar-
ian Dr. Shauna Roberts arrived on scene to evaluate the dogs’ conditions.
“Our local vet actually came to the scene and took one of the dogs to the vet clinic for us,” Chief Coppotelli said.
Unfortunately, the dog suffered severe smoke damage to its lungs and a family member made the decision to have it euthanized, Roberts said late Tuesday afternoon. The family also lost a pet bird in the fire.
Ports said the man was taken to the hospital but he did not know the man’s condition. He said the man’s wife was at work when the fire occurred. The cause of the fire is being investigated.
“I believe it is a total loss,” Ports said, referring to damage to the twostory home. “The main fire was in the front living room. It did a lot of damage.”
“They lost everything,” Roberts said.
Area departments providing mutual aid included Dixon Rural, Oregon, Mt. Morris and Milledgeville.
Children’s Advocacy Center sees massive support for holiday pajama drive
Shining Star CAC receives 814 donations
By PAYTON FELIX pfelix@shawmedia.com
DIXON – Far exceeding expectations, Dixon’s Shining Star Children’s Advocacy Center received more than 800 donations to its holiday pajama drive.
“We just really want to thank the community because we have had so much support with this,” Executive Director Jessica Cash said in an interview with Shaw Local.
The advocacy center, which serves Lee and Ogle counties, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works with area law enforcement, prosecutors and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to investigate allegations of child abuse and child sex abuse.
One of many services the center provides is conducting forensic interviews with children whom they suspect have been abused. Instead of going to a police station or a hospital, children are brought to Shining Star, a child-friendly and trauma-informed environment, Cash said.
The interview is designed so the child has to tell their story only once to a forensic interviewer who knows the right questions to ask in a way that does not retraumatize the child while law enforcement professionals who need to see the interview can watch on a monitor in a separate room, she said.
It was during those interviews that
the center realized there was a need for pajamas.
“Sometimes we have to ask the child what they were wearing when things happened or whatever the situation might be for them,” Cash said.
A lot of children were sleeping in regular clothes they might wear to school because their families or caregivers didn’t have the resources to buy them pajamas.
In November, the center started advertising the pajama drive on social media and handing out flyers in the community.
“Initially, when we had this idea, we thought each kid would get one pair of pajamas,” Cash said.
“Everybody is helping,” Cash said. From individuals to business and schools to churches “it’s just coming out of the woodwork.”
On Dec. 12, the number of donated pajamas reached 814, she said.
“It just kind of hits you how awesome it is and how great our community is
and that they do care about kids,” Cash said.
The center already has distributed pajamas to a lot of kids along with a holiday gift bag.
“I wish everybody that donated could see the smiles on the kids’ faces,” Cash said. “Sometimes you think something as little as a pair of pajamas, but the kids have really been excited about it.”
Any pajamas that are left over will be added to the “comfort bag” children receive after they come out of an interview. The bag typically contains a blanket, stuffed animal, journal and more. It’s intended to help children emotionally regulate after their interview.
Aside from pajamas, the drive brought awareness to the agency. A lot of people who came in to donate said they didn’t know the center existed, Cash said.
“It’s kind of a service that unless you experienced something, you don’t necessarily know about it,” she said.
In 2024, there’s been an uptick in chil-
dren coming to the center. Since July 1, 110 new kids were brought to the center, Cash said.
On average, the agency provides services to about 300 children in Lee and Ogle counties each year. Within that 300, about 150 to 250 of them are new to the center, she said.
“It’s a pretty significant amount of kids” compared with the number of residents within each county, Cash said.
About 51,162 people live in Ogle County and about 33,654 live in Lee County, according to the United States Census Bureau.
“It’s been great to get our information out there as a community resource so people that might get into a situation, they have a resource to call,” Cash said.
The agency, like other child advocacy centers, provides referrals to mental health services, medical exams, courtroom preparation, victim advocacy and more. At Shining Star, the agency has a full-time counselor who will provide individual counseling as well as two support groups for teenagers and the child’s parents or caregivers.
Cash said all of the center’s services are free to the children and their caregivers. The agency is funded through federal and state grants as well as donations and fundraisers.
On Shining Star’s website there’s an ongoing wish list of items including juice boxes, individual snacks, fleece blankets and more.
Child abuse can be reported to the DCFS Hotline at 1-800-25-ABUSE (2522873).
Earleen Hinton
Polo police and firefighters respond Tuesday morning to a house fire in Polo.
Photo provided by Jessica Cash
Shining Star CAC Executive Director Jessica Cash said she was overwhelmed by the large amount of donations that were made to the 2024 pajama drive.
Old Christmas cards bring back memories
Yesterday it was rain and ice. Today fog has settled in and it’s another day to stay at home at least for me. When ice was predicted, I quickly made it to the store for more cat food since it is rather difficult to make my cat understand why there is nothing in her dish except dry cat food.
Other people were out hurrying to get back home before the ice started so I was not the only one.
After the shopping was done and the cat was fed, I finished my Christmas cards. I always reread my cards from last year since many of them are from a long distance. This makes me review what was going on in the lives of my family and friends a year ago.
I also find the cards so very beautiful and I love to look at them again. I have cards my grandparents sent me many years ago and I put them out each year. I was very fortunate to
POLO HISTORY
Betty Obendorf
spend many years staying with my grandparents as a child during the summers. They were not just hurried visits but I lived with them during the summers and I helped on the farm.
Their cards are very special to me as I look at them each year. I am indeed a saver of stuff.
By midafternoon, I was ready to work on the application of our conductors for the Underground Railroad. While Beth is putting the application together, I needed to confirm some footnotes for Beth. Linda and I got that accomplished and I settled down to reread Maria Waterbury’s book, “Seven Years Among the Freed-
Oregon Republican Reporter has served county since 1851
On March 12, 1951, the Ogle County Reporter consolidated into a new paper, the Republican Reporter.
The publishers were E.D. Landers, E.G. Landers and Paul F. Behan. I didn’t know that the Oregon Republican Reporter newspaper was organized when I was a sophomore at Oregon High School.
Here are some printed excerpts about that transition.
“In the 12 months of the newspaper, we have had our joys and sorrows. We got along quite well until we broke our large cylinder press and then we were up against it. We got the paper out on the Reporter press under Decker’s drugstore until we could get a new press. We finally bought a 56-inch Miehle press. We then had a heck of a time to get it in place and set up.
“We broke a large front window, which we had to replace, but we got it going and we were well-satisfied.
“Shortly afterward, Charles W. Mongan offered to build us a new building at the corner of Washington and Second streets. We agreed readily to that because we are crowded for space. It was fireproof, has radiant heat, windows and skylights galore and was 40 feet wide and 100 feet long, which seemed like ample room.
“The newspaper business, like every business, needs and likes friends. In fact, it must have if it stays in business.
“We have made mistakes and
OGLE COUNTY HISTORY
Otto
Dick
here’s a gentle tip, we will make them, but they have been honest mistakes. There are thousands of letters that have to be composed, they have to be proofread, they have to be corrected and then they go into the forms. After that, if there are mistakes, they show up like a sore thumb after a while.”
Other early papers in this area date to 1860. One was named the Rock River Press. In 1866-1873, the Oregon National Guard was a Democratic newspaper.
We have copies of the Ogle County Local in 1899. The Ogle County Reporter started publication in 1851, followed by the Ogle County Republican in 1889.
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, the Ogle County Reporter and Republican newspapers combined gave us our local history for the past 93 years.
Z.A. Landers wrote in 1926: “It is a well-recognized fact that the most powerful influence in sharing and controlling public opinion is the press.”
• Otto Dick is a retired teacher and has researched Ogle County history for several years.
men.” The book was published in 1890 about her experiences teaching in the South after the Civil War.
I had read this book 20 years ago and I had totally forgotten what went on. While conductors of the Underground Railroad faced danger up here, Waterbury, who headed south with her Saratoga trunk filled with books, faced very dangerous times trying to teach African American children to read. The program was under the Freedmen’s Bureau, which was a government program.
Waterbury was looked upon with disgust by the highest level of white people. The teachers were shot at and threatened by the Ku Klux Klan. Their schools were burned and they had to live in very simple cabins, many times by themselves. But Waterbury, armed with her Bible, marched forth with a determination
most of us would not have. Her work was very dangerous.
Her students were eager to learn and their parents also wanted more than anything to go to school themselves. They all had been denied any kind of an education and books had been banned for them.
The South still was not interested in any kind of an education for African Americans, young or old, even though the Civil War was over and they were basically free. Most of them felt not much had changed. They could only hope for a better life.
Waterbury was trying to do that armed with books and new Bibles for everyone. Her Saratoga trunk must have been very heavy.
• Betty Obendorf is a retired teacher and volunteer for the Polo Historical Society.
Polo Historical Society pays tribute to former Congress School
By PAYTON FELIX pfelix@shawmedia.com
POLO – As Polo works to demolish the former Congress School building, the Polo Historical Society highlighted its 125-year history at Polo’s sixth annual Christmas festival.
The historical tours led by Polo Historical Society members Beth Wiegmann and Mike Faivre were one of many events featured at the festival. The vintage-style trolley took riders on four hourlong trips that stopped at schools and churches covered in the presentation.
One of the stops featured the dilapidated school at 208 N. Congress Ave. Before its closure in 1985, Congress School housed classrooms for Polo school district students in kindergarten through sixth grade.
“We wanted to be sure to give it a really nice honor before it leaves us,” Wiegmann said in an interview with Shaw Local.
The city bought the building in August 2023 for $15,000 with tentative plans to demolish it and build a senior living home in its place. In November 2023, the city decided to condemn the building and search for grants to cover the $200,000 to $300,000 demolition cost, Public Works Director Kendall Kyker said in an interview with Shaw Local.
About a year later, asbestos was found in parts of the roof and ceiling
tiles and the City Council voted Oct. 21 to accept a $66,900 bid to abate the asbestos. That work was completed this month, Kyker said.
“We had to jump in right away to get that out of there” because if the roof collapses, the asbestos would spread and the cost to demolish it would double to about $500,000 or $600,000, he said.
As of now it’s a waiting game, Kyker said. The city is continuing to look for grant opportunities to move forward with the original plan.
The history of Congress School
The complete story of Congress School starts in the ”way-back machine” – as Wiegmann puts it –with the formation of Polo’s school district in 1857.
Back then, there were two districts – north and south. They were combined in 1867. That year, the first school was built for the new district at the corner of West Dixon Street and North Congress Avenue.
It was an eight-room blue limestone building that could accommodate 500 elementary to high school students.
That school quickly became overcrowded and by 1899 it was torn down while a larger school was built next to it.
It became known as Congress School and opened in November 1899.
Mitten Tree to provide warmth for 2 local agencies
By JUDY SCHMIDT
POLO – Oh, mitten tree. Oh, mitten tree. How lovely are your branches?
So true when decorated with a combination of colorful, soft, warm and even fuzzy, though beneficial, unique ornaments.
The Polo Woman’s Garden Club is sponsoring another Mitten Tree this year in conjunction with the Polo Pharmacy, 111 E. Mason St., to collect gloves, mittens, hats, etc. to be distributed to people in need of winter wear.
The pharmacy graciously has allowed the club to display a Christmas tree in its window. People are encouraged to drop in and drape the tree with items that will be shared between two organizations. Items will be distributed to individuals or families the organizations know to be in need this year.
The two groups are Hope of Ogle County and Shining Star Children’s Advocacy Center. Both groups provide important services to people in Ogle County and others when needed.
Hope of Ogle County supports an emergency and temporary shelter in Rochelle for victims of domestic violence and abuse. It is not considered a permanent or ongoing homeless shelter. People average a 45-day stay.
Hope of Ogle County is associated with a group that provides shelter and care to pets of people coming to stay at the shelter.
Executive director Rebecca Laudati said Hope of Ogle County’s mission is to advocate on behalf of adults and children who are victims of domestic violence.
Give
the gift of
Access to books or reading materials is a basic need if we are going to develop lifelong readers who enjoy reading. What if we consider access to books when we buy gifts for our children and grandchildren during the holidays and for birthdays?
“It is a year-round problem” she said. “One in every three women and one in every seven men are victims of domestic violence. Since the 1960s, the problems have become more public and now are seen as criminal acts. Last year, we provided 13,950 hours of support services to 770 clients within Ogle County plus some outside of the county.”
In addition to the emergency shelter, counseling and other assistance is offered through its offices located in Rochelle, Oregon and Polo. Children can receive counseling from the age of 5. Although they are not attorneys,
legal advocates are staffed in both the Rochelle and Oregon offices to direct clients regarding legal issues.
Face-to-face counseling can be set up through a telecourse provision and a 24-hour hotline is available for assistance when needed. The hotline number is 815-562-8890.
Shining Star Children’s Advocacy Center, located in the Commerce Towers in Dixon since 2002, has some powerful words built into its mission statement.
“Transforming child abuse into survivors” is what it thrives to do. An agency that covers both Ogle and Lee
counties, it receives referrals from law enforcement or the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services requesting follow-up services for a child or children who allege being physically or sexually abused.
Shining Star works with children between the ages of 3 to 18 who have experienced trauma.
A referral may result in scheduling a child for a forensic (fact-finding) interview by a trained forensic interviewer using techniques that allow children to share their experiences without discomfort.
If counseling is needed, Shining Star provides therapy services in its facility that include individual support, a teen support group and a parent/caregiver support group.
Jessica Cash, executive director of Shining Star Children’s Advocacy Center, reported that since July 1 the organization has received referrals for 106 new children from law enforcement or DCFS. She recommends that people calling to report child abuse should contact the police department where it’s occurring or call DCFS at 1-800-25-ABUSE (252-2873).
Contact Shining Star at 815-2841891, its Facebook page or www.shiningstarcac.org.
Both Shining Star and Hope of Ogle County always can use support from volunteers.
The tree will be undecorated by Jan. 1 and the “ornaments” will be delivered to those in need.
The Polo Pharmacy is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. It is closed on Sunday.
reading to children, grandchildren this holiday season
First, we might want to expand our definition of “books.” Let’s think in broader terms of access to reading materials. That includes many options for even the most reluctant readers. Consider magazines, almanacs, blogs and websites. We also can consider the possibilities of e-readers and electronic books. Within that list there are several potential ideas for gift giving. There are books and articles about popular video games such as Minecraft that will appeal to those
READING MATTERS
Mary Gardner
who enjoy playing those games. There is built-in motivation to read these books because they give tips and insights into playing the games.
Older readers may enjoy reading a biography or memoir about their favorite singers or a favorite athlete. You can find them written at an appropriate level for your child.
Children’s cookbooks are plentiful. These also have built-in motivation for reading. They can help build a bond as we read to bake or cook something together with our children and grandchildren.
The librarians at your local pub-
lic library will be happy to suggest books based on your child’s interests. They also can tell you the most popular books for your children’s ages. Many times classroom teachers offer suggestions as well.
Speaking of libraries, if you don’t already have a library card, you might want to stop in your local library to see about getting one. That can be a gift for the whole family.
We want our children and grandchildren to have access to all kinds of reading materials. We also want to encourage them to read. Positive attitudes and motivation for reading are basic needs if we want them to be lifelong readers. We can show that reading is important by including reading in our gift giving. If we search for materials that match their interests, we increase the
chance that they will want to read. We can spend time reading to and with them as well, which also will increase motivation.
Reading is a necessary skill in the world in which we live. Information comes at us continually from all sources. Some of it is in print that we must be able to read and understand. Being able to read can and will make a difference for our children and grandchildren in their lives both in and out of school now and in the future. We should do anything we can to help them value the gift of reading.
• Mary Gardner is a retired teacher who specialized in reading and is still an instructor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Northern Illinois University.
Polo Woman’s Garden Club
Earleen Hinton
The Polo Woman’s Garden Club has its Mitten Tree located in the window of the Polo Pharmacy.
Change of venue survey still pending for Duane Meyer
Stillman Valley man accused of killing ex-wife in 2016
By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com
OREGON – A survey commissioned by a Rockford defense attorney to determine whether a 2016 murder case should be tried outside of Ogle County is taking longer than expected to complete.
Christopher DeRango, who is representing Duane Meyer, 42, of Stillman Valley, told Ogle County Judge John “Ben” Roe on Dec. 12 that he still is waiting for results from the survey.
“I was disappointed to learn from the company doing the survey that it is not done,” DeRango told Roe.
Meyer is charged with four counts of first-degree murder, two counts of
aggravated arson and one count of concealment of a homicidal death in connection with an Oct. 19, 2016, Byron house fire in which Meyer’s ex-wife, Margaret “Maggie” (Rosko) Meyer, 31, was found dead.
The couple’s 3-year-old son, Amos Meyer, who also was home at the time of the fire, was later pronounced dead at a Rockford hospital.
Last month, DeRango told Roe and Ogle County Assistant State’s Attorney Mike Rock that the survey was underway and should be completed in December.
DeRango has yet to file a change of venue motion, which typically 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.
A change of venue survey is one of the tools that can be used by attorneys before filing a motion for a change of venue.
On Dec. 12, DeRango said the company conducting the survey had to “adjust their methods” because of Ogle County’s size.
“They have adjusted their methods for a smaller county,” DeRango said.
He asked Roe to continue the hearing to January.
The jury trial is scheduled to start Feb. 3 and is expected to take the entire month.
Roe asked whether the delay would affect the February trial date.
“We believe no, your honor,” DeRango replied, adding he would provide a change of venue motion to prosecutors in January even if the survey was not completed.
Rock did not object to the continuance. Roe set the next hearing for 11:30 a.m. Jan. 10.
Prosecutors have argued their evidence will show Duane Meyer planned to end Maggie’s life.
In previous hearings, DeRango and prosecutors have said both numerous cellphone records and data will be part of the evidence presented.
DeRango has argued that text messages sent by Duane Meyer before the deaths were only part of a “contentious” divorce and not indicative of anything nefarious.
Roe remanded Duane Meyer back to the Ogle County jail, where he has been held since his arrest Oct. 9, 2019.
Attorney for man accused of killing Rochelle woman receives continuance
By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com
OREGON – The defense attorney for a Palatine man accused of fatally stabbing a Rochelle woman in 2022 and setting her apartment on fire has seven weeks to respond to motions made by prosecutors.
“I need time to review these motions,” Robert Kerr, the attorney for Gary C. Freeman, said during a hearing Dec. 11 at the Ogle County Judicial Center.
Freeman, 29, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder, one count of residential arson and one count of concealment of a homicide in connection with the death of Devin K. Gibbons, 28, of Rochelle.
Freeman pleaded not guilty to all of the charges March 1, 2023, and has been held in the Ogle County jail since his arrest Feb. 28, 2023.
On Dec. 11, Freeman appeared in
court with Kerr for a pretrial hearing with Ogle County Judge Anthony Peska presiding.
Assistant Ogle County State’s Attorney Allison Huntley said her office had filed six motions in limine and asked they be sealed to the public pending an expected jury trial next year.
Attorneys file motions in limine when they seek to exclude certain evidence from being presented to a jury, The motions commonly are argued before a trial begins, allowing evidentiary questions to be decided by the judge.
“We will need a hearing on these motions,” Peska said. He set the next court hearing for 1 p.m. Jan. 22.
Gibbons was found dead Sept. 18, 2022, in her Rochelle apartment on Seventh Avenue after Rochelle police and firefighters were dispatched at 10:46 a.m. for a smoke investigation.
OGLE COUNTY PROPERTY TRANSFERS
Dec. 9-15
Warranty Deeds
McLane Enterprises to Kahle Stanley and Rene Brunson, 7943 W. Bordeaux Drive, Dixon, $256,000.
Robert G. Burke to Plc-Il Assets LLC, 203 3rd Ave., Forreston, $125,000.
Albert J. Hoss to Charles P. Schaeffer, 5132 E. Nordic Woods Drive, Byron, $335,000.
Linda J. Burr, Deceased By Heirs, to
Brandon E. Burr, 5052 N. Adeline Road, Mt. Morris, $0.
Ramos Properties LLC to John D. Berlin, 102 E. Pacific St., Davis Junction, $80,000.
Lars J. Larsen and Nancy R. Larsen to Apolinar Norberto Rios and Sandra Lizeth Gozalez Patricio, 322 Northknoll Drive, Rochelle, $142,600.
Darrell R. Donovan to Risen Rentals LLC, 625 N. Allison Circle, Byron, $300,000.
Jason J. Bergeron and Maha A.
The fire was deemed suspicious and additional investigators arrived after Gibbons’ body was discovered. The first-degree murder charges, Class M felonies, allege that Freeman “knowingly stabbed” Gibbons “with the intent to kill her or do great bodily harm,” and that the “murder was committed in a cold, calculated and premeditated manner, pursuant to a preconceived plan, scheme or design.”
The concealment of a homicidal death indictment, a Class 3 felony, alleges that Freeman knew Gibbons “had died by homicidal means” and “knowingly concealed” her death by leaving her body inside her apartment and then starting the fire.
The residential arson charge is a Class 1 felony.
In August, Judge John “Ben” Roe agreed to allow prosecutors to review a transcript of a juvenile proceeding during which they said Freeman testified. At that hearing, Huntley said Freeman testified in the juvenile proceeding in May 2024 and made statements relevant to the prosecution of his criminal case. Because juvenile proceedings are confidential, a court order was necessary to obtain the transcript. Kerr did not object to the state’s motion to view the transcript.
Court records show that one month before her death Gibbons was seeking child support from Freeman for one child they share together. That case was filed Aug. 16, 2022, and Freeman was served Sept. 6 with a notice to appear in court Sept. 27. The case was dismissed Sept. 27 because Gibbons was “deceased.”
Bergeron to Cassandra D. Gellings and Jacob Aaron Sprankle, 907 N. Woolf Court, Rochelle 123,500.
Patricia A. Garrison to Kyle H. Brown, 504 W. Buffalo St., Polo, $145,000.
Kelley-Williamson Company, Kelley Williamson Company, K-W Enterprise Inc, and K W Enterprise Inc to State of Il Dept. Transportation, 302 S. 1st Ave., Forreston, $300.
David F. Hoff to Timothy Flaharty, 802 N. Old Hunter Run, Byron, $243,000.
Steven B. Ramsey to Jennifer R. Pakenham and Daniel J. Pakenham, 1016 W. Ave B, Rochelle, $98,000.
Ellynn E. Thorstens to Nathan S. Gentz and Scott A. Gentz, 130 S. Colfax, Byron, 156,500.
Debra Curtis and Thomas Curtis to Jesse D. McCoy and Samantha N. McCoy, 205 E. 3rd St., Leaf River, $100,000.
Gary C. Freeman
Duane Meyer
Rain, ice fails to stop volunteers from honoring veterans
207 veterans in Daysville Cemetery receive a wreath near their graves Dec. 14
By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com
OREGON – Sleet and freezing rain failed to deter volunteers from laying wreaths on the graves of veterans at Daysville Cemetery on Saturday as part of the nationwide Wreaths Across America.
“Thank you all for coming today despite the cold and the rain again” said Laurie Perry, regent of the Rochelle Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution who coordinated the event with help from Oregon VFW Post 8739.
Saturday’s rain mirrored the 2023 event with about 25 volunteers meeting at the cemetery along Daysville Road at 2:30 p.m. despite ice-covered roads and a steady, cold rain.
Perry spoke briefly about the Wreaths Across America program, noting Saturday’s event was part of a national effort to honor local veterans by placing wreaths at their graves.
“The United States of America was founded on the ideals of freedom and justice. We stand as a beacon of liberty and freedom to the world,” Perry said. “We thank those who gave their lives to keep us free and we shall never forget. Today, more than ever, we reflect on our nation’s veterans and activeduty service members who stand to protect the innocent and the oppressed.
“Today, we show a united front of gratitude and respect across the United States of America as we remember the fallen, honor those who serve and their families and teach the next generation the value of freedom.”
The wreaths were provided through donations.
Ceremonial wreaths were placed in honor of the military services – U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, AIr Force, Space Force and Coast Guard – and also Merchant Marines, POW/MIAs and unknown soldiers.
Volunteers clad in raincoats and some with umbrellas then spread out across the cemetery to place wreaths at each grave that previously was marked with an American flag.
Jim Devine of Dixon was one of the volunteers who braved the elements to place the wreaths. Devine served in the Navy. Other area veterans laying wreaths included Jim Potts, Don Stevens and Dan Reimer of Oregon and Gary Burgess of Dixon.
“My wife is a member of the DAR,” Burgess said as he laid a wreath on a Civil War veteran’s grave.
According to Saturday’s program,
207 veterans are buried at the Daysville Cemetery located five miles southeast of Oregon on Daysville Road.
The DAR’s website states, “With each veteran’s wreath placed by a volunteer, we ask that they say their name to ensure that the legacy of duty, service and sacrifice is never forgotten.”
Wreaths Across America Day, held annually in December, includes a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in addition to locations in all 50 states. All wreaths are provided through donations.
According to the Wreaths Across America website, “In 2022, Wreaths Across America and its national network of volunteers placed more than 2.7 million sponsored veterans’ wreaths on headstones of our nation’s service members at 3,702 participating locations. This was accomplished with the support of more than 5,000 sponsorship groups, corporation contributions and in-kind donations from the transportation industry across the country.”
Wreath laying that began more
than 30 years ago still is held annually on the second or third Saturday of December. WAA’s annual pilgrimage from Harrington, Maine, to Arlington National Cemetery has become known as “the world’s largest veterans’ parade.” Every year the convoy of trucks, local law enforcement, staff and supporters stop at schools, monuments, veterans’ homes and communities along the way to talk about the Wreaths Across America mission and
Veteran Don Stevens of Oregon lays the wreath for the Merchant Marines at the base of the Veterans Memorial at Daysville Cemetery during the Wreaths Across America program Dec. 14.
remind people how important it is to remember, honor and teach.”
For information or to donate for the Dec. 13, 2025 event, visit the Rochelle Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution or contact Perry at laurieannperry@hotmail.com.
Perry said two new locations –Woodlawn Cemetry in Creston and Palmyra Cemetery in Dixon – will be added. A 2-for-1 campaign ends Jan. 17, 2025.
Photos by Earleen Hinton
Veteran John Tuttle of Oregon salutes after placing a wreath at a veteran’s grave during the Wreaths Across America event Dec. 14 at Daysville Cemetery.
IDA MAE HINTON
Born: January 18, 1930
Died: December 14, 2024
Ida Mae Hinton, 94, of rural Mt. Morris, passed away Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024 at KSB Hospital in Dixon following a short illness.
Ida was born Jan. 18, 1930 to Mae and James Barber of Roscoe, the third of six children. She was raised on the family farm on Burr Oak Road, helping with farm chores and tending to the family’s sheep and chickens while an excelling in her studies as an exceptional student at Hononegah High School.
She married Earl Hinton on Oct. 26. 1948 and moved with his mom and dad (Zola and Shorty) to Pine Creek Township in 1951, first working at the family’s gas station, cafe and cabin rental business across from the White Pines State Park, before raising three daughters at that location after the business closed.
• PROPERTY TRANSFERS
Continued from page 6
Steven F. Schoenberg to Steven F. Schoenberg and Mary C. Schoenberg, 205 S. Walnut St., Stillman Valley, $0. Byron Bank to S&C Renovations LLC, one parcel, $38,888.
Sylvia A. Richardson to Emma Burke, 540 Mill Ridge, Byron, $157,000.
Connie S. Glowacki and Christopher J. Glowacki to Dlmj Investments LLC, 300 N. 7th St., Oregon, and one parcel in Oregon-Nashua Township, $25,000. Ramon Villa and Daniela Villa to Benjamin Arenz and Sydney Arenz, 503 W. Devils Backbone Road, Oregon, $339,500.
Quit Claim Deeds
Janice L. Highbarger to Bradley D. Highbarger, 310 W. Main St., Mt. Morris, $0.
Tyler H. Stubblefield and Grace L. Stubblefield to Grace L. Stubblefield, 924 N. Crest Court, Byron, $15,000.
Steven V. Goley and Bridget Kay Goley to Bridget Kay Goley, 2114 N. Silverthorn Drive, Byron, $0.
Trustees Deeds
Richard L. Mongan, trustee; Connie S. Mongan, trustee; Richard L. Mongan Trust; and Connie S. Mongan Trust to Joel N. Lawrence and Jill D. Lawrence, 4463 Midtown Road, Mt. Morris, $1,173,714.
She was a great mom who tended to all of her children’s needs and often sacrificed her own comfort for theirs.
Ida worked as a housekeeper for White Pines Lodge before joining the Kable News Company in Mt. Morris, working there for 31 years before retiring in 2002 when she was 72. She helped create homemade crafts for a booth at the Autumn on Parade for several years and later served as a volunteer for the festival.
In her retirement years she took several train excursions across the western United States with her daughter Dixie and her husband John Werschey and their son, Jacob. Her youngest daughter, Jeanette, was her caretaker and her “go to” person for anything and everything, including evaluating baking shows and then discussing what was genuine and/or really necessary.
She enjoyed watching all of the wildlife that visited her yard from her front porch, crafted by her son in-law Monti, her granddaughter Lindsey, and great grandsons Timmy and Mason. And she enjoyed viewing photos of meals created by her grandson, Brian, from his home in Louisiana.
John P. Burke, trustee, and John P. Burke Trust to Plc-Il Assets LLC, 203 3rd Ave., Forreston, $125,000.
Debra Supinski, trustee, and Whitehills Lv Trust to Baileyville Storage LLC, one parcel in Forreston Township, $100,000.
Beverly Johnson, trustee, and Jean Marie Hanke Trust to Drake Hoyld and Kellie Remer, 107 South St., Monroe Center, $185,000.
Sherri M. Salsbury, trustee, and Rose M. Larsen Land Trust to Lester E. Sola, 1243 Westview Drive, Rochelle, $157,499.
Ronald W. Davidson Trust and Hadley Forbes, trustee, to Hre Builders LLC, 5960 S. Woodlawn Road, Rochelle, $150,000.
Deeds in Trust
Evelyn G. Whitten, Deceased By Heirs, and Leroy T. Whitten, Deceased By Heirs, to Pamela A. Floto, trustee; Robyn A. Pretzch, trustee; and Whitten Family Tr724, six parcels in Mt. Morris Township, $0.
Terry R. Van Hise and Teresa L. Van Hise to Terry R. Van Hise, trustee, Teresa L. Van Hise, trustee, and Van Hise Tr2024, 13340 Dutch Road, Kings, $0.
Joseph A. Livingston and Melanie M. Livingston to Joseph A. Livingston, trustee; Melanie M. Livingston, trustee; and Joseph and Melanie Livingston Trust, 5617 N. Carole Court, Monroe Center, and one more parcel in Monroe Center, $0.
Source: Ogle County Recorder’s Office
She was an avid reader of the Polo, Oregon, and Mt. Morris weekly newspapers and was especially fond of the historical columns, commenting that she remembered many of the names and events. She also liked to tactfully point out any typo or inaccuracy she discovered anywhere in the paper to her daughter Earleen, who works for those publications.
Ida was also a fan of James Herriott’s “All Creatures Great and Small” reading all the books and also watching the PBS series as well as the Little House on the Prairie collection, written by Laura Ingalls Wilder. She is survived by her three daughters, Dixie (John Werschey) of Oregon; Earleen (Terry Thomas) of Oregon; and Jeanette (Monti Peterson) of Mt. Morris; granddaughter Lindsey (Tim Breeden) and their sons, Timmy and Mason of Oregon; grandson Brian Peterson (Molly) and their daughter Whitney of Zachary, Louisiana; grandson Jacob Werschey (Jennifer) of Cincinnati, Ohio; sisters Judy Frowein of Kissimmee, Florida, and Bessie Cipriani of Barstow, California; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A week before her death, Ida took part in a
baby shower for her soon-to-be great, great grandson Oliver Ross Breeden, due in January 2025.
She is predeceased by her granddaughter Rachel (Peterson) Maples; husband Earl; sisters Ella Austin and Nancy Bingham; brother Jimmy; infant brothers Eugene and Daniel; and friend/coworker Rose Avey.
Ida was a kind, hard-working, mom whose quick wit, sense of humor and unconditional love will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Several years ago she was annoyed by a candy maker’s decision to remove the almond from 5th Avenue bars. So, she wrote a letter the company to express her dissatisfaction, closing it with “I guess it’s goodbye 5th Avenue hello Butterfinger!”. The company responded with two free coupons for Butterfingers.
Her family and friends can only take comfort in knowing that she and her granddaughter Rachel, will be watching all the wild “critters” and hummingbirds together once again. Cremation rites will be accorded. A memorial service will be held at a later date when all the songbirds are back from migration and the flowers are in bloom.
Christmas music resonates at Oregon High School
Oregon High School’s Choir, Concert Band and Jazz Band played Christmas selections in front of a packed house Dec. 15. The music department’s annual Christmas Concert was held in the Oregon High School Music Room. ABOVE: Alease McLain (center) sings a solo piece at the Oregon Music Department’s Christmas Concert. LEFT: Members of the Oregon High School Concert Band perform a Christmas selection.
Photos by Earleen Hinton
Oregon wrestlers second at Richmond Burton tournament
By RANDY HOLLAND For Shaw Media
The Oregon wrestling team traveled to Richmond to compete in the annual Tom Dubois Richmond/Burton Wrestling Tournament and came home with second place.
Host Richmond Burton, a former conference rival, ran away with the team title, scoring 235.5 points. Richmond Burton sent 11 wrestlers to the medal round and crowned five champions and had one runner-up.
Second-place Oregon had 154 points, followed by Johnsburg with 145 points and one champion and two seconds among its eight medalists. Fourth place went to Prairie Ridge, which had 138 points and eight medalists including two champions. Union Grove finished fifth and had 126.5 points and two first-place finishers.
Oregon sent seven to the medal round, including three to the firstplace mat, but the Hawks came home with just three second place showings. Josiah Perez was second at 113, Isaiah Perez was second at 120 and Briggs Sellers finished second at 285. The rest of the Hawks wrestlers won their final matches.
• CONGRESS SCHOOL
Continued from page 4
The building was designed by Joseph Lyman Silsbee, who was a prominent American architect during the 19th and early 20th centuries. He is most known for his works in Chicago as well as Syracuse and Buffalo, New York.
Initially, Congress served as Polo’s high school. The high school then was moved to the building on East Mason Street – now known as Aplington Middle School – until Polo Community High School was built.
Nelson Benesh at 132, Jackson Messenger at 138 and Levi Benton at 144 all finished third. Ethan Mowry was fifth at 157.
Josiah Perez started with a bye, had a pin in one minute and a 20-1 technical fall at the second-period buzzer before he lost a 16-0 technical
Until Congress School closed, there were four schools in the district. They were Centennial Elementary School, built in 1957, for kindergarten to fourth grade students; Congress for kindergarteners to sixth graders; Aplington, where seventh and eighth graders attended; and the high school.
During those years, Wiegmann was a sixth grade math and science teacher at Congress School and Kyker was one of her students before he graduated in 1981, Kyker said.
The main entrance to Congress School faced West Locust Street. It had a grass lawn with a walkway leading up to its front doors, which were
fall to Camden Rugg of Union Grove in the title match.
Isaiah Perez had pins at 1:36 and 5:42 and won by injury default in the semifinal before losing a 13-1 major decision to Jake Lowitzke of Prairie Grove in the title match.
Sellers pinned his way to the title
framed by a large portico supported by four pillars, Wiegmann said.
“The cool thing about the inside of this building is that it’s on different levels,” Wiegmann said.
Walking in through the main entrance, the office was on the left and there were stairs to either go up or down. The cafeteria was downstairs and classrooms were upstairs, she said.
To get to the upper levels, the school had switchback stairs that led up half a level and then turned the opposite way and continued up to the next floor, Wiegmann said.
The entrance to Wiegmann’s class-
match with falls at 1:48, 2:45 and 43 seconds before he was pinned by Colin Kraus of Richmond/Burton at 5:16 in the first-place match.
Benesh had a pin before he lost a 13-2 major decision to the eventual champion in the semifinal. He rebounded with a 17-1 technical fall in the third-place match.
Messenger had a pin before he was pinned by the eventual champion in the semifinal. He ran a wing at 1:39 in the third-place match.
Benton had a bye and a pin at 1:32 before he was pinned by the second-place medalist in the semifinal. In the third-place match, he had a 17-0 technical fall at 3:58.
Mowry had an opening-round pin at 1:48, got pinned at 2:45 in the quarterfinal and worked through the wrestleback with a 16-1 technical fall and a pin at four minutes before he pinned at 5:22 for victory in the fifthplace match.
Also wrestling for the Hawks were Landon Ege at 126, Leyton Kenney at 175, Jack Tinsman at 190, Landon Elder at 215 and Max George a 285. All contributed a pin and Elder had two pins. All were knocked out in the consolation semifinals.
room was on one of those half levels off on the wings and to the side, she said.
In March 1985, the Polo School Board voted 4-3 to close Congress, Wiegmann said. Later that year, the school was formally closed and put up for sale.
Over the years the building passed through many private owners, each with their own idea of what to do with the building. Some wanted to turn it into apartments or restore it to its historical value, which would cost millions, Kyker said.
Eventually, high renovation costs and the large size of the building caused it to fall into disrepair, Kyker said.
Oregon’s Briggs Sellers and a Lena-Winslow opponent square off Dec. 10.
Photos by Earleen Hinton
Oregon’s Josiah Perez pins his Lena-Winslow opponent in a 113-pound match Dec. 10 at Oregon High School.
Oregon’s Nelson Benesh tries to escape a hold by his Lena-Winslow opponent.
5 Forreston student-athletes to continue playing at college level
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
FORRESTON – Five Forreston High School student-athletes are planning on taking their volleyball and softball skills to the next level.
Jaiden Schneiderman, daughter of Nick and Andrea Schneiderman, signed a national letter of intent to play volleyball at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Schneiderman, who was a fouryear varsity starter at Forreston, earned team offensive player of the year honors all four years. She was
a unanimous first team all-conference selection in 2022, 2023 and 2024 and a second-team selection in 2021. Schneiderman set a single-game record this year for most kills with 28 and the single-season kill percentage record at 47.9%.
Her career records include most kills (1,655), kill percentage (43.8%) and aces (147). Her 1,655 career kills are 10th in the IHSA Volleyball AllTime records.
Forreston softball players Aspen Niesman, McKenna Rummel, Isabella Thiel and Chloe Weegens will play on the softball team at Sauk
Valley Community College.
Niesman, the daughter of Shatara Zimmerman, is a four-year softball player at Forreston. She plans to become a radiology technician.
Rummel, the daughter of Michael Rummel and Krista Smith, has played varsity softball for four years at Forreston. Rummel earned second team all-conference honors in 2024 and Most Improved Offensive Player team honors. She plans to major in ag business.
Thiel, the daughter of Chris and Becky Thiel, is a four-year softball
player at Forreston and plans to pursue a degree in nursing.
Weegens, the daughter of David and Terri Weegens, is a four-year softball player at Forreston. She earned the Cardinal Heart/Hustle Award in 2024. Weegens plans to pursue a degree in nursing.
The administration, coaches and student-athletes of Forreston Jr./ Sr. High School congratulate each of the students on their accomplishments and offer their best wishes for successful academic and athletic careers, school officials said in a news release.
Photos provided by Angie Christen
Isabella Thiel (seated from left), Aspen Niesman, Chloe Weegen and McKenna Rummel pose with members of the Sauk Valley softball team after announcing their intent to play for Sauk Valley next year.
Jaiden Schneiderman (center), daughter of Nick and Andrea Schneiderman, signs a national letter of intent to play volleyball at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
College football postgame fights indicative of lack of character
Recently, this column discussed postgame fighting among college football teams. In many cases, the fights broke out after the opposing team planted its flag on the logo of the losing team’s home field.
Apparently, there must not be a lot of important issues for the General Assembly of Ohio because one state representative went as far as to propose a bill that would make flag planting at Ohio Stadium a felony and punishable by law.
I realize the rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State is one of the most intense in any sport, pro or college, and that much of Ohio is still upset after losing to Michigan and then suffering the indignity of the visitors planting an “M” flag on the hallowed turf afterward, but isn’t this taking it a bit too far?
Nothing tops Army versus Navy for the most intense rivalry in all of college football. That was on display this past weekend and what a refreshing change to all those self-entitled brats from big-time programs such as Ohio State, Michigan State, Florida, Florida State, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Arizona and Arizona State, all of whom had game-ending brawls on the same day.
Befitting their Sun Devils name,
Andy Colbert GUEST VIEW
Arizona State tried to plant a pitchfork instead of a flag on Arizona’s logo. At least give them credit for creativeness.
Army and Navy didn’t have any of that nonsense. For one thing, their coaches would not allow it. Unlike other college athletes who are more concerned with material wealth, playing time and a branding image, the men who play for Army and Navy see it as a privilege.
Rather than self-glorification, they have loyalty to their fellow brothers, their institution and their country. That is first and foremost to them. The only flag planting on enemy grounds you will ever see from them is in real combat with the Stars and Stripes displayed.
When the game ended, both teams gathered together and in unity and respect for each other. Navy upset favored Army and that loss stung Army just as much as Ohio State felt it in its upset loss to Michigan.
So what is the difference between
young men from all these other colleges and those from Army and Navy?
It starts with character.
If mentors in their life teach character to young men, we don’t need silly flag-planting bills like the Ohio rep initiated. That politician, who erroneously called it a safety issue, fails to understand the problem is not flag planting.
It’s lack of character and the longer we fail to hold individuals accountable for their behavior, things will continue to get worse, not just on a football field but in society.
Another contrast found at the Army-Navy game is fan behavior. Had this type of upset occurred elsewhere, college students would have been storming the field. Not so with Navy Midshipmen, who respectfully stayed in their seats.
Universities have incurred six-figure fines for crowds breaking through barriers after a game to celebrate on the playing field. The field is for players and coaches. The bleachers are for spectators.
The fact that colleges can’t control their students is a sad commentary on lack of discipline in higher education, which undoubtedly has higher reaching effects in looking at con-
temporary campuswide protesting. Enough of my preaching, but having attended a Navy game a few years ago at Annapolis with a retired Navy guy, it was somewhat shocking to see the change in game-day environment.
Holiday tournament time
It’s holiday tournament time for high school basketball. How about No. 15 seed Polo knocking off No. 2 seed Dakota 69-64 on the first day of the Forreston boys tourney.
No one seemed to remember the last time that had happened at Forreston, if ever. Coach Matt Messer of Polo couldn’t recall in his 19 years of coaching.
In NCAA March Madness, it happens 7.24% of the time. My favorite was No. 15 St. Peter’s over No. 2 Kentucky a couple of years ago.
If you’re a Marcos fan, the Polo win had to be more meaningful than that. It was Gus Mumford and JT Stephenson combining for 59 points and 13 3-pointers for Polo. But it was more than a two-man show. On the postgame radio show, Messer praised the execution on both ends of the court for the Marcos.
See COLBERT, page 13
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS ROUNDUP
Boys basketball
Polo 57, West Carroll 39: JT Stephenson scored a game-high 21 points for Polo and Gus Mumford had 14.
Pearl City 64, Forreston 57: Kendall Erdmann led Forreston with 26 points and Brendan Greenfield had 18 points in the loss.
Oregon 67, North Boone 45: Benny Olalde (19 points), Kade Girton (15) and Keaton Salsbury (14) led Oregon (5-2).
Forreston 42, Orangeville 25 : Brendan Greenfield scored 11 points and Joey Kober had 10 for Forreston (3-2, 1-1).
Forreston Holiday Tournament
Dakota 58, Forreston 46: Connor Politsch had 17 points and Kendall Erdman scored 15 for Forreston, but the Cardinals were unable to come back after trailing 24-14 at halftime.
Warren 48, Polo 43: JT Stephenson and Mercer Mumford each scored 12 points and Gus Mumford had 11 for Polo in the loss.
Byron 54, Oregon 42: Benny Olalde and Kade Girton each scored 10 points for Oregon in the loss. The Hawks were outscored 18-7 in the second quarter.
Polo 69, Dakota 64: Gus Mumford scored 34 points and JT Stephenson had 25 in the win for Polo, which was seeded 15th in the tournament. Dakota was seeded second.
Oregon 56, Stockton 48: Benny Olalde had 17 points and Salsbury had 16 in Oregon’s win.
Warren 57, Forreston 43: Brendan Greenfield had 25 points for Forreston in the loss.
Girls basketball
Oregon 41, Morrison 33: Aniyah Sarver was 7 of 8 at the free-throw line and scored 13 points to lead Oregon. Kaylee Pruis led Morrison with 19 points.
Oregon 41, Forreston 22: Aniyah Sarver scored 14 points at home for Oregon (4-5), which won its second straight game. Ella Dannhorn added 11 points for the Hawks. Hailee Vogt led Forreston (2-6) with 10 points.
Polo 57, Durand 14: Carlee Grobe and Camrynn Jones each scored 12 points for Polo. Leah Tobin added 10.
Oregon 45, Pearl City 43: At the Pearl
• COLBERT
Continued from page 12
Dakota came in with bigger players and a better resume but truly was out-executed. Smart, fundamentally sound play can do wonders for a team that may not have the physical gifts of its opponent.
If I were seeding a tournament, I never would give a Matt Messer-coached squad that low of a seed. Yes, I know it is done on records, comparative opponents, etc, but the
City tournament, Aniyah Sarver led the Hawks with 14 points in the win.
East Dubuque 43, Oregon 38: Aniyah Sarver had 11 points to lead Oregon in the loss.
Polo Christmas Tournament
Sterling Newman 81, Forreston 10: Eight Comets scored in the win with five in double figures.
Polo 76, West Carroll 42: Carlee Grobe and Camrynn Jones (15 assists) each scored 24 points for Polo in the win. Emma Randekcer led West Carroll with 21 points.
Polo 51, Rock Falls 20: Camrynn Jones led Polo with 17 points and 14 assists. Laynie Mandrell added 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Marcos. Miley Bickett had 12 points for the Rockets.
River Ridge/Scales Mound 51, Polo 38: Polo was outscored 20-12 in the first quarter and unable to overcome the deficit at the Polo tournament. Carlee Grobe led the Marcos with nine points.
Milledgeville 33, Forreston 15: The Missiles earned a win at the Polo tournament.
Oregon 39, Morrison 24: Ella Dannhorn led Oregon with 15 points.
Wrestling
Oregon wins two: The Hawks had a big 41-34 win over Rochelle and beat Dakota 54-22 in the triangular. Levi Benton
man has his team ready to play as well as any coach around.
I always hark back to 2012-19 when he put together seven straight seasons of 20-win teams, making Polo the only school from the Northwest Upstate Illini Conference, Norther Illinois Conference-10 or Big Northern Conference to accomplish such a feat in the past couple of decades.
• Andy Colbert, an avid runner, is a sports writer for Shaw Local covering high school sports in Ogle County.
scored a 19-2 technical fall against Dakota and a pin against Rochelle.
Polo splits: Polo beat Rock Falls 39-30 and fell to Orion 39-33 in a triangular.
Lucas Nelson and Christian Ryia each had pins in both duals for Polo. For the Rockets, Scottie Hampton, Logan Thome and Logan Williamson had wins by pin against Polo.
Riverdale 59, Polo 24: Earning pins for Polo were Dylan Reimer (165), Ethan Dewey (175), Jaidyn McKinney (144) and Lucas Nelson (138).
Boys bowling
Oregon 3,525, Rockford Christian 2,685: The Hawks, who improved to 11-1, were led by Gavvin Surmo with a 637 series (212, 215, 210), followed by Ethan Smice (606 series), Matthew Stahl (603), Aiden Currier (578), RJ Keene (577) and Caleb Ehrler (524). The JV improved to 10-1 with a 3,009 total. It was led by Caleb Brooks with a 621 series.
Oregon 3,820, St. Bede 2,807: Oregon (10-1) rolled its season high, led by Matthew Stahl’s 722 three-game series. In JV action, Aiden Currier bowled a 782 series (218, 257, 247), the second-highest total in Oregon program history at any level. Senior Gavvin Surmo’s 802 is the school record, set last season. Oregon’s JV also set the JV team record with a 3,552 series.
Dixon third, Oregon fifth at L-P: Naper-
ville Central topped a competitive 12-team field with 6,016 pins, followed by Rockford East (5,969) and Dixon (5,956). LaSalle-Peru (5,939) was fourth and Oregon (5,917) was fifth as only 100 pins separated the top five. Dixon’s Wyatt Miller took first place with a school record 1,463. Oregon was led by fourth-place finisher Gavvin Surmo (1,315 series), which included a 290 game (203, 290, 181, 182, 258, 201), followed by RJ Keene with a 1,153 series, No one else bowled all six games. Aiden Currier had a 1,029 series (5 games), Ethan Smice a 747 series (4 games), Caleb Brooks a 613 series (3 games), Caleb Ehrler a 537 series (3 games) and Matthew Stahl a 523 series (3 games).
Girls bowling
Carli Bailey leads Oregon: Bailey led Oregon’s three bowlers with a 404 series (147, 131, 126), followed by Savannah Nagy with a 380 series and Katlyn Miller with a 351 series.
St. Bede 2,025, Oregon 2,014: Carli Bailey led Oregon’s four bowlers with a 488 series.
Nagy leads Oregon: Oregon competed as individuals at the L-P invite, led by Savannah Nagy’s 930 series (176, 140, 148, 148, 173, 145), good for 14th place. She was followed by Carli Bailey (798 series), Katy Miller (712) and Ahren Howey (677).
Earleen Hinton
Polo’s JT Stephenson (right) battles for the ball with Warren’s Bryce Vanraalte on Dec. 17 at the Forreston Holiday Tournament.
CLASSIFIED
Full time. Hourly pay with benefits Cont act Scho ff Far m Service, Inc. Wal nut, IL 815-379-2777
We dnes da y, February 5th, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Sale to be held at: Polo Senior Center 101 E. Mas on St. Polo, IL 61064
Section 23 Buffalo Township, Ogle County, IL 77.604 Surveyed Acres of Farmland
For com plete listing of s urvey, sale bill, maps, tax info and terms & conditions, etc. visit www.lennybryso nauctioneer.com
For Information Contact: Owner, Frances Dippel Irrevocable Trust Lenny Bryson - Auctioneer Alan Dippel, Trustee Polo, IL 61064 Attorney, M Thomas Suits Ph) 815-946-4120 Ph) 815-946-2276
THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OG LE COUNTY - OREGON, I LLINOIS
Community Banc Mortgage Corp
PLAINTIF F Vs. Justin Abell; et. al. DEFENDANTS
No. 2023FC30
NOTICE OF SHERIFF'S SALE OF REAL ESTATE
PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Forecl osure and Sale entered in the above cause on 07/07/2023, the Sheriff of Ogle County, Illinois will on January 10, 2025 at the hour of 10:00 AM at Ogle County Publi c Safety Complex 202 S 1st St. Oregon, IL 61 061, or in a place otherwise designated at the time of sale , County of Ogle and State of Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described real estate: PIN 24-36-228-004
Improved with Residential COMMONLY KNOWN AS: 217 Southview Dr Rochelle, IL 61068
Sale terms: 10% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the auction; The balance , including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calc ulated at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fracti on thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds, is due within twent y-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any r epresentati on as to qua lity or quantity of title and without recourse to Pla
The sale is further subject to confirmation b y the court.
If the property is a condominium and the foreclosure purchasers other than the mortgagees will be require legal fees due under The Condominium Propert y Act (g)(4).
If the property is located in a common interest comm mortgagees will be required to pay any assessment Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g- 1).
If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchase only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee Upon pay ment in ful l of the amount bid, the purchase Sale, which will entitle the purchaser to a Deed to the of the sale . The successful purchaser has the sole evicting any tenants or other individuals presently i premises.
The property will NOT be ope n for inspection and Pla as to the condition of the propert y. Prospec tive bidde the Court file to verify all infor mation
IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), Y REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTIO N MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.
For informati on: Examine the court file or contact Plaintiff' Associates, P.C., 15W030 North Frontag e Road, Suite 100 (630) 794-9876. Please refer to file number 14-23-03345. I3256167
December 6, 13, 20, 2024
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
OG LE COUNTY - OREGON, I LLINOIS
Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, not in its indiv idual capacity but solely in its capacity as Owner Trustee for Ocwen Loan Acqui sition Trust 2023-HB1 PLAINTIF F
Vs. Terry L. Danner; et. al. DEFENDANTS
No. 2023FC38
NOTICE OF SHERIFF'S SALE OF REAL ESTATE
PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Forecl osure and Sale entered in the above cause on 10/11/2024, the Sheriff of Ogle County, Illinois will on January 24, 2025 at the hour of 10:00 AM at Ogle County Publi c Safety Complex 202 S 1st St. Oregon, IL 61 061, or in a place otherwise designated at the time of sale , County of Ogle and State of Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described real estate:
PIN 24-25-329-009
Improved with Si ngle Family Home
COMMONLY KNOWN AS: 354 Cleveland Avenue Rochelle, IL 61068
Sale terms: 10% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the auction; The balance , including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calc ulated at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fracti on thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds, is due within twent y-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any r epresentati on as to qua lity or quantity of title and without recourse to Pla intiff and in "AS IS" condition The sale is further subject to confirmation b y the court.
If the property is a condominium and the foreclosure takes place after 1/1/2007, purchasers other than the mortgagees will be required to pay any assessment and legal fees due under The Condominium Propert y Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).
If the property is located in a common interest community, pur chasers other than mortgagees will be required to pay any assessment and legal fees due under the Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g- 1).
If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no fur ther recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee's attorney. Upon pay ment in ful l of the amount bid, the purchaser shall receive a Certificate of Sale, which will entitle the purchaser to a Deed to the real estate after Confirmation of the sale . The successful purchaser has the sole responsibility/expense of evicting any tenants or other individuals presently in possession of the subject premises.
The property will NOT be ope n for inspection and Plaintiff makes no representation
IN THE
CIRCUIT
COURT FOR THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OG LE COUNTY - OREGON, I LLINOIS
Nationstar Mortgage LLC
PLAINTIF F Vs. Amber N. Wright; et al DEFENDANTS
No. 2023FC73
NOTICE OF SHERIFF'S SALE OF REAL ESTATE
PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Forecl osure and Sale entered in the above cause on 10/11/2024, the Sheriff of Ogle County, Illinois will on January 24, 2025 at the hour of 10:00 AM at Ogle County Publi c Safety Complex 202 S 1st St. Oregon, IL 61 061, or in a place otherwise designated at the time of sale , County of Ogle and State of Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described real estate:
PIN 16-03-118-010
Improved with Si ngle Family Home COMMONLY KNOWN AS: 304 North 4th Street Oregon, IL 61061-1421
Sale terms: 10% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the auction; The balance , including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calc ulated at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fracti on thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds, is due within twent y-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any r epresentati on as to qua lity or quantity of title and without recourse to Pla intiff and in "AS IS" condition The sale is further subject to confirmation b y the court.
If the property is a condominium and the foreclosure takes place after 1/1/2007, purchasers other than the mortgagees will be required to pay any assessment and legal fees due under The Condominium Propert y Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).
If the property is located in a common interest community, pur chasers other than mortgagees will be required to pay any assessment and legal fees due under the Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g- 1).
If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no fur ther recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee's attorney.
Upon pay ment in ful l of the amount bid, the purchaser shall rece ive a Certificate of Sale, which will entitle the purchaser to a Deed to the real estate after Confirmation of the sale . The successful purchaser has the sole responsibility/expense of evicting any tenants or other individuals presently in possession of the subject premises.
The property will NOT be ope n for inspection and Plaintiff makes no representation
BEHRENS, 17309
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OGL E COUNTY, ILLINOIS
In the interest of: Grayson Cook, a minor
Case No: 2023 JA 11 NOTICE BY PUBLICATION
To: Tina Cook & Natanael Molina, respondent(s), and to all whom it may concern, take notice that on August 11, 2023, an amended petition was filed under the
To: Tina Cook & Natanael Molina, respondent(s), and to all whom it may concern, take notice that on August 11, 2023, an amended petition was filed under the Juvenile Court Act by ASA Matthew Leisten, In the Circuit Court of Ogle County entitled “In the interest of Grayson Cook, a minor”, and that in courtroom 202 at 106 South Fifth, Oregon, Illinois on January 28, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. or as soon thereafte r as this cause may be heard, an petition hearing will be held upon the Petition to have the child declared to be a ward of the court and for other relief
soon thereafte r as this cause may be heard, an petition hearing will be held upon the Petition to have the child declared to be a ward of the court and for other relief under that act The court has authority in this proce eding to take from you the custody an d guard ianship of the minor. If the Petition requests the termination of your parental rights and the appointment of a guardian with power to consent to adoption, you may lose all parental rights to the child Unless you appear you will not be entitled to further writte n notices or publication
power to consent to adoption, you may lose all parental rights to the child Unless you appear you will not be entitled to further writte n notices or publication notice s of the proceedings in this case, including the filing of an amended petition for a motion to terminate parental rights.
Unless you appear at the heari ng and show cause against the petition, the allegations of the petition may stand admitted as against you and each of you, and an order for judgment entered Dated this 13th day of December, 2024
Kimberly A. Stahl
tion, the allegations of the petition may stand admitted as against you and each of you, and an order for judgment entered Dated this 13th day of December, 2024
Kimberly A. Stahl Clerk of the Circuit Court
By: JLG, Deput y Clerk
Dec. 20, 27, 2024, Jan. 3, 2025
PUBLICATION NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE
(Adult Name Change) IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT
Ogle County
Keira Alana Dafnis 2024 MR 41
CHANGE (Adult Name Change) IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT
Ogle County
Keira Alana Dafnis 2024 MR 41 My current name is: Keira Alana Dafnis I wis h my name to be changed to: Parker Dafnis
The court date for the Request I filed is s ched uled on: 02/19/2025 at 9:00
a.m. at 106 S 5th St., Oregon, IL in Courtroom #304.
Dec. 20, 27, 2024 & Jan. 3, 2025
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OGLE COUNTY,
you appear you will not be entitled to further writte n notices or publication notice s of the proceedings in this case, including the filing of an amended petition for a motion to terminate parental rights.
Unless you appear at the heari ng and show cause against the petition, the allegations of the petition may stand admitted as against you and each of you, and an order for judgment entered
Dated this 13th day of December, 2024
Kimberly A. Stahl Clerk of the Circuit Court By: JLG, Deput y Clerk
ment entered
Dated this 13th day of December, 2024
Kimberly A. Stahl Clerk of the Circuit Court
By: JLG, Deput y Clerk
Dec. 20, 27, 2024, Jan. 3, 2025
Representative and to the attorney wi thin ten (10) days after i t has been filed.
Dated: November 27, 2024
Donna Behrens, Representative Ryan M. Olson ARDC 6333161 WARD, MURRAY, PACE & JOHNSON, P.C. Attorneys for Estate
202 E. 5th Street P.O. Box 400 Sterling, IL 61081
P: 815.625.8200 olson@wmpj.com
Dec. 6, 13, 20, 2024
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Notice is given of the death of MARTHA M GERTMANN. Letters of Office were issued to DONNA BEHRENS, 17309 Coleta Road, Sterling, IL 61081, as Representative, wh ose attorneys are WARD, MURRAY, PACE & JOHNSON, P.C., 202 E 5th Street, Sterling, Illinois 61081.
Coleta Road, Sterling, IL 61081, as Representative, wh ose attorneys are WARD, MURRAY, PACE & JOHNSON, P.C., 202 E 5th Street, Sterling, Illinois 61081.
Claims against the estate may be filed in the office of the Clerk of Court, Ogle County Courthouse, 106 S 5th Street, Or egon, IL 61061, or with the Representative, or both, on or before June 17, 2025, and any claim not filed within that period is barred.
Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the Representative and to the attorney wi thin ten (10) days after i t has been filed.
Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the Representative and to the attorney wi thin ten (10) days after i t has been filed.
Dated: November 27, 2024
Donna Behrens, Representative Ryan M. Olson ARDC 6333161 WARD, MURRAY, PACE & JOHNSON, P.C.
Attorneys for Estate 202 E. 5 th Street P.O. Box 400 Sterling, IL 61081 P: 815.625.8200 olson@wmpj.com
Dec. 6, 13, 20, 2024
NOTICE
Dated: November 27, 2024
OF SALE of Property Owned by the Vi llage of Forreston and Invitation to Bid Thereon
Donna Behrens, Representative Ryan M. Olson ARDC 6333161 WARD, MURRAY, PACE & JOHNSON, P.C.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT the Boar d of Trustees of the Village of Forreston (the “Village”) will receive sealed bids for the purchase, under the successful bid, of the fee simple interest in the real property located at 412 S 2nd Ave., Forreston, Illinois , identified as PIN 02-33-178-008, and legally described as fol lows (the “Real Property”):
Claims against the estate may be filed in the office of the Clerk of Court, Ogle County Courthouse, 106 S 5th Street, Or egon, IL 61061, or with the Representative, or both, on or before June 17, 2025, and any claim not filed within that period is barred.
Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the Representative and to the attorney wi thin ten (10) days after i t has been filed.
Dated: November 27, 2024
Attorneys for Estate 202 E. 5th Street P.O. Box 400 Sterling, IL 61081 P: 815.625.8200 olson@wmpj.com
Dec. 6, 13, 20, 2024 and
Lot 6 in Block 15 of the Original Town of Forreston, Ogle County, Illinois; according to the Plat thereof recorded November 10, 1854 in Miscellaneous Book A, page 112
The Real Property is currently zoned Single Family Residence District (R-2) under the V illage's Zoning Ordinance and is currently used as vacant, single family res idence The successful bidder shall agree to accept the Real Property in “as-is” condition and agree to either tear down and demolish or rehabilitate and repair the existing building located on the Real Property in accordance with applicable law. The Village expre ssly disclaims any warranti es, express or implied, relating in any way to the Real Propert y, including but not limited to any warranty relat ing to the envir onmental condition of the Real Prope rty. The successful bid shall not be less than $10,000.00.
Bids for the purchase of the above described Real Property are hereby invited and will be received by the Village Clerk during business hours until 4:00 p.m on January 20, 2025, for the bid opening on the date specified below. Said proposals shall be addre ssed to:
Village Board Village of Forreston c/o Village Clerk P.O . Box 206 102 N. Walnut Ave Forreston, Illinois 61030
and shall bear the legend “PROPOSAL - SALE OF REAL PROPERTY” and the name and address of the bidd er
Donna Behrens, Representative Ryan M. Olson ARDC 6333161 WARD, MURRAY, PACE & JOHNSON, P.C. Attorneys for Estate 202 E. 5th Street P.O. Box 400 Sterling, IL 61081 P: 815.625.8200 olson@wmpj.com
Dec. 6, 13, 20, 2024
All bids received will be publicly opened and read aloud at the regular meeting of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Forreston at 7:00 p.m. on January 20, 2025, held at Village Hall, 301 N Wal nut Ave., Forreston, Illinois 61030.
Each bid shall be accompanied by a certified check or bank draft in the amount of ten perce nt (10%) of the bid price. Each bid shall also be accompanied by a written narrative describing the bidders proposal for the future use of the Real Property, including a commitment to either tear down and demolish or rehabilitat e and repair the existing building located on the Real Prope rty in accordance with appl icable law and a timeline therefor. A formal real estate contract shall be executed by the successful bidder at the time the highest qua lified bid is acc epted
A contract may be awarded to the highest bidder whose bid is found to be in the best interes t of the Village. The Village Board reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive any informalities or irregularities in the bidding The Village Board further reserv es the r ight to review and study any and all bids and to make a contrac t award within 30 days after the bids have been opened
A copy of the bidding documents, including a copy of the real estate contract the succe ssful bidder will be required to execute, may be obtained at the office of the Village Clerk. Village Clerk, Village of Forreston
December 13, 20, 27, 2024
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OG LE COUNTY - OREGON, I LLINOIS
NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Se rvicing
PLAINTIF F
Vs. Karrie H Pionek; Unknown Heirs and Legatees of Dwayne M. Flusch; Unknown Owners and Nonrecord Claimants; Kipp Meyers, as Special Representative for Dwayne M. Flusch (de ceased )
DEFENDANTS
NOTICE IS GIVEN TO YOU:
Karrie H. Pionek
No. 2024FC44
NOTICE BY PUBLICATION
Unknown Heirs and Legatees of Dwayne M. Flusch
Unknown Owners and Nonrecord Claimants
That this case has been commenced in this Court agains t you and other defendants, praying for the foreclos ure of a certain Mortgage conveying the premises described as follows, to-wit:
COMMONLY KNOWN AS: 4924 Wendorf Road Monroe Center, IL 61052 and which sai d Mortgage was made by:
Dwayne M. Flusch
the Mortgagor(s), to GM Mortgage Corporation, as M ortgagee, and recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Ogle County, Illinois, as Document No. 9905937; and for other relief; that summons was duly issued out of said Court against you as provided by law and that the said sui t is now pending. NOW, THEREFORE, UNLESS YOU file your answe r or otherwis e file your appearance in this case in the Office of the Cle rk of this Court,
Kimberly A. Stahl
Clerk of th e Circuit Court
106 S. 5th Street, #300 Oregon, IL 61061-1634
on or before January 6, 2025, A DEFAULT MAY BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU AT ANY TIME AFTER THAT DAY AND A JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED IN ACCORDANCE WITH TH E PRAYER OF SAID COMPLAINT.
CODILIS & ASSOCIATES , P.C.
Attorneys for Plaintiff
15W030 North Frontage Road, Suite 100 Burr Ridge, IL 60527 (630) 794-5300
DuPage # 15170
Winnebago # 531
Our File No. 14-24-05937
NOTE: This law firm is a debt collector I3256546
December 6, 13, 20, 2024
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OG LE COUNTY - OREGON, I LLINOIS
Community Banc Mortgage Corp PLAINTIF F Vs. Justin Abell; et. al. DEFENDANTS
No. 2023FC30
NOTICE OF SHERIFF'S SALE OF REAL ESTATE
PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Forecl osure and Sale entered in the above cause on 07/07/2023, the Sheriff of Ogle County, Illinois will on January 10, 2025 at the hour of 10:00 AM at Ogle County Publi c Safety Complex 202 S 1st St. Oregon, IL 61 061, or in a place otherwise designated at the time of sale , County of Ogle and State of Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described real estate:
LOT THIRTY-THREE (33) IN FIRST ADDITION TO SOUTHVIEW IN THE CITY OF ROCHELLE, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN BOOK J OF PLATS, PAGE 40 IN THE RECORDER'S OFFIC E OF OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS; SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF OGLE AND STATE OF ILLINOIS.
PIN 24-36-228-004
Improved with Residential COMMONLY KNOWN AS: 217 Southview Dr Rochelle, IL 61068
Sale terms: 10% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the auction; The balance , including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calc ulated at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fracti on thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds, is due within twent y-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any r epresentati on as to qua lity or quantity of title and without recourse to Pla intiff and in "AS IS" condition
The sale is further subject to confirmation b y the court.
If the property is a condominium and the foreclosure takes place after 1/1/2007, purchasers other than the mortgagees will be required to pay any assessment and legal fees due under The Condominium Propert y Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).
If the property is located in a common interest community, pur chasers other than mortgagees will be required to pay any assessment and legal fees due under the Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g- 1).
If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no fur ther recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee 's attorney. Upon pay ment in ful l of the amount bid, the purchaser shall rece ive a Certificate of Sale, which will entitle the purchaser to a Deed to the real estate after Confirmation of the sale . The successful purchaser has the sole responsibility/expense of evicting any tenants or other individuals presently in possession of the subject premises.
The property will NOT be ope n for inspection and Plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the propert y. Prospec tive bidders are admonished to check the Court file to verify all infor mation IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTIO N 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.
For informati on: Examine the court file or contact Plaintiff's attor ney: Codilis & Associates, P.C., 15W030 North Frontag e Road, Suite 100, Burr Ridge, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876. Please refer to file number 14-23-03345.
I3256167
December 6, 13, 20, 2024
ORDINANCE No. 2024-17
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORI ZING THE VILLAGE OF FORRESTON, OGLE COUNTY, I LLINOIS TO BORROW FUNDS FROM THE PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY LOAN PROG RAM
WHEREAS, the Village of Forreston, Ogle County, Illinois ope rates its public water supply system ("the System") and in accordance with the provisio ns of 65 ILCS 5/11-139-1 et seq. and the Local Government Debt Reform Act, 30 ILCS 350/1 (collectively, "the Act"); and,
WHEREAS, the VILLAGE PRESIDENT and BOA RD OF TRUSTEES of the Village of Forreston ("the Corporate Authorities") have determined that it is advisable, necessary and in the best interest s of pub lic health, safety, and welfare to improve the Water System, including the following: WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT, together with any land or rights in land and all electrical, mechanical or other services necessary , useful or advisable to the construction and installation ("the Project"), all in accordan ce with the plans and specifications prepared by consulting engineers of the Village; which Project has a useful life of 50 years; and, WHEREAS, the estimate d cost of construction and installation of the Project, including engineer ing, legal, financial and other related expenses is $2,200,000 and there are insufficient funds on hand and law fully available to pay these costs; and, WHEREAS, the loan shall bear an interest rate as defined by 35 Ill. Adm Code 662, which does not exceed the maximum rate authorized by the Bond Authorization Act, as amended, 30 ILCS 305/0.01 et seq., at the time of the is suance of the loan; and, WHEREAS, the principal and interest payment shall be payable semi-annually, and the loan shall mature in 20 years, which is within the period of useful life of the Proj ect; and, WHEREAS, the costs are expected to be paid by a loan to the Village from the Publ ic Water Supply Loan Program through the Illinois Environmenta l Protection Agency and the loan will be repaid from operational and debt service revenues of the Water System, and the loan is authorized to be acc epted at this time pursuant to the Act; and, WHEREAS, in accordance with the provisions of the Act, the Village is authorized to borrow funds from the Public Wat er Suppl y Loan Program in the aggregate principal amount of $2,200,000 to provide funds to pay the costs of the Project; and, WHEREAS, the loan to the Village shall be made pursuant to a Loan Agreement , including certain terms and conditio ns, between the Village of Forreson and the Illinois Environmenta l Protection Agency.
NOW THEREF OR E, B E IT ORDAINED by the Corporate Authorities of the Village of Forreston, Ogle County, Illinois, as fol lows:
SE CTION 1. INCORPORATION OF PRE AMBLES. The Corporate Authorities hereby find that the recitals contained in the preambles are true and correct , and incorporate them into this Ordinance by this r eference
SE CTION 2. DETERMINATION TO B ORROW FUNDS It is necessary and in the best interests of the Village to construct the Project for the public health, safety and welfare, in accordan ce wit h the plans and specifi cations, as described; that the Water System continues to be operated in accordance with the provision of the Act; and that for the purpose of constructing the Project, it is hereby authorized that funds be borrowed by the Village in an aggregate principal amount (which can include construction period interest financed ov er the term of the loan) not to exceed $2,200,000 .
SE CTION 3. PUBLICATION. This Ordinance, together with a Notice in the statutory form (attached hereto as Exhibit A), shall be published once within ten (10) days after passage in the Forreston Journal, a newspaper published and of general circulation in the Village, and if no petition, signed by electors numbering 10% or more of the registered voters in the Village (i.e., 131) asking that the question of improving the Sys tem as provided in this Ordinance and entering into the Loan Agreement therefore be submitted to the electors of the Village, is filed with the Village Clerk within 30 days after the date of publication of this Ordinance and notice , then this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect. A petition form sha ll be provided by the Village Clerk to any individual requesting one.
SE CTION 4. ADDITIONAL ORDINANCES. If no petiti on mee ting the requirements of the A ct and other applica ble laws is filed during the 30-day petition period, then the Corporate Authorities may adopt additional ordinances or procee dings supplement ing or amending this Ordinance which provide for enter ing into the Loan Agreement with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, prescribing all the details of the Loan Agreement, and providing for the collection, s egregation and distribution of the operat ing and debt service revenues of the Water System, so long as the maximum amount of the Loan Agreement as set forth in this Ordinance is not exceeded and there is no material change in the Project or purposes described herein. Any additional ordinances or proceedings shall in all instan ces become effective in accordance with the Act or other applicable law
This Ordinance, togethe r with such additional ordinances or p roceedings, shall constitute complete authority for entering into the Loan Agr eement under applicable law
However , notw ithstanding the above, the Village may not adopt additional ordinances or amen dments which provide for any subs tanti ve or mate rial change in the scope and intent of this Ordinance, including but not limited to interest rate, preference, or priority of any other ordinance with this Ordi nance, parity of any other ordinance with this Ord inance, or otherwise alte r or impair the obligation of the Village to pay the principal and interest due to the Public Water Supply Loan Program without the written consent of the Illinois Environmental Prot ection Agency.
SE CTION 5. LOAN NOT INDEBTEDNESS OF VILLAGE Repayment of the loan to the Illinois Environmenta l Protection Agenc y by the Village pursuant to this Ordinance is to be solely from the revenue derived from operating and debt service revenues of the Water System, and the loan does not constitute an indebtedness of the Village within the meaning of any constitutional or statutory limitation
SE CTION 6. APPLICATION FOR LOAN. The VILLAGE PRE SIDENT is hereby authorized to make a pplication to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for a loan through the Public Water Supply Loan Prog ram, in accordance wit h the loan requirem ent s set out in 35 Ill . Adm. Code 662.
SE CTION 7. ACCEPTANCE OF LOAN AGR EEMENT. The Corporate Authorities hereby authorize acceptance of the offer of a loan through the Public Wat er Supply Loan Program, including all terms and conditions of the Loan Agreement as well as all specia l conditions contained therei n and mad e a part thereof by reference The Corpor ate Authorities further agree that the loan funds awarded shall be used solely for the purposes of the project as approved by the Illinois Environmental Prot ection Agency in accordance wit h the terms and conditions of the Loan Agreement.
SE CTION 8. OUTSTANDING BONDS. The Village has no outstand ing bonds that are payable from reve nues of the system, that are senior to the loan authorized by this Ordinance, and the Village establishes an acc ount, coverage, and reserves equivalent to the account(s ), coverage(s ) and reserve(s) as the senior lien holders in acc ordance with 35 Ill. Adm. Code 662 et seq.
SE CTION 9. AUTHORI ZATION OF VILLAGE PRE SIDENT TO EXECUT E LOAN AGRE EMENT.
The VILLAGE PRESIDENT is hereby authorized and directed to execute the Loan Agr eement with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. The Corporate Authorities may authorize by Resolution a person other than the VILLAGE PRESIDENT for the sole purpose of authorizing or executing any documents associated with payment requests or reimbursements from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency in connection with this loan.
SE CTION 10. SEVERABILITY. If any section, paragraph, cl ause or pr ovision of this Ordinance is held invalid, the invalidity of such section, paragraph, clause or provision shall not affect any of the other prov isions of this Ordinance.
SE CTION 11. R EPEALE R. All ordinances, resolutions or orders, or parts thereof, which conflict with the provisions of this Ordinance are, to the extent of such conflict, hereby repealed PASSED by the Corporate Autho rities on Dec ember 2, 2024.
APPROVED December 2, 2024.
Mark Met zger, Village Pre sident Village of Forr eston, Ogle County, Illinois
AYES: 6 NAYS: 0ABSENT: 0 Pub lished in the Forreston Journal on December 20, 2024. Recorded in the Village Records on December 2, 2024.
ATTEST:
Tanya Shenberger, Village Clerk Village of Forr eston, Ogle County, Illinois Exhibit A
NOTICE OF INTENT TO BORROW FUNDS AND RIGHT TO FILE PETITION
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, pursuant to Ordinance Number 2024-17, adopted on December 2, 2024, the Village of Forreston, Ogle County, Illinois (the "Village"), intend s to enter into a Loan Agreement with the Illinois Environmenta l Protection Agency in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $2,200,000 and bearing annual interest at an amount not to exceed the maximum ra te authorized by law at the time of execution of the Loan Agreement, for the purpose of payin g the cost of certain improvements to the pub lic water supply system of the Village A complete copy of the Ordinance accompanies this Notice.
NOTICE IS HE REBY FURTHER GIVEN that if a petition signed by 131 or more electors of the Village (being e qual to 10% of the registered voters in the V illage), requesting that the questio n of improving the public water supply s ystem and entering into the Loan Agree ment is submitted to the Vill age Clerk within 30 days afte r the publication of this Notice, the question of improving the pub lic water supply system of the Village as provided in the Ordinance and Loan Agreement shall be submitted to the electors of the Village at the next election to be held under general election law on April 1, 2025. A petition form is available from the office of the Village Clerk.
Tanya Shenberger, V illage Clerk
Village of Forr eston, Ogle County, Illinois
CERTIFICATION
I, Tanya Shenberger, do hereby certify that I am the duly elected, qualified and acting Clerk of the Village of Forresto n. I do further certify that the above and foregoing, identified as Ordinance Number 2024-17, is a true, complete and correct copy of an Ordinance otherwise identified as "An Ordinance Authorizing the Village of Forreston, Ogle County, Illinois, to Borrow Funds from the Public Water Supply Program", passed by the Village Council of the Village of For reston on the 2nd day of December, 2024, and approved by the Village President of the Village of Forreston on the same date, the original of which is part of the books and records within my control as Clerk of the Village of Forreston Dated this 2nd day of Dece mber, 2024.
Tanya Shenberger, V illage Clerk
Village of Forr eston, Ogle County, Illinois
December 20, 2024
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
OG LE COUNTY - OREGON, I LLINOIS
Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, not in its indiv idual capacity but solely in its capacity as Owner Trustee for Ocwen Loan Acqui sition Trust 2023-HB1
PLAINTIF F Vs. Terry L. Danner; et. al. DEFENDANTS
No. 2023FC38
NOTICE OF SHERIFF'S SALE OF REAL ESTATE
PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Forecl osure and Sale entered in the above cause on 10/11/2024, the Sheriff of Ogle County, Illinois will on January 24, 2025 at the hour of 10:00 AM at Ogle County Publi c Safety Complex 202 S 1st St. Oregon, IL 61 061, or in a place otherwise designated at the time of sale , County of Ogle and State of Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described real estate:
LOT THIRTY-FIVE (35) IN BLOCK THREE (3) IN EARL CLEVELAND SUBDIVISION IN THE CITY OF ROCHELLE, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED
IN BOOK H OF PLATS, PAGE 25, IN THE RECORDER'S OFFICE IN OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS, SITUATED IN THE TOWNSHIP OF FLAGG, C OUNTY OF OGLE AND STATE OF ILLINOIS
PIN 24-25-329-009
Improved with Si ngle Family Home COMMONLY KNOWN AS: 354 Cleveland Avenue Rochelle, IL 61068
Sale terms: 10% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the auction; The balance , including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calc ulated at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fracti on thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds, is due within twent y-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any r epresentati on as to qua lity or quantity of title and without recourse to Pla intiff and in "AS IS" condition
The sale is further subject to confirmation b y the court.
If the property is a condominium and the foreclosure takes place after 1/1/2007, purchasers other than the mortgagees will be required to pay any assessment and legal fees due under The Condominium Propert y Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).
If the property is located in a common interest community, pur chasers other than mortgagees will be required to pay any assessment and legal fees due under the Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g- 1).
If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no fur ther recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee's attorney.
Upon pay ment in ful l of the amount bid, the purchaser shall receive a Certificate of Sale, which will entitle the purchaser to a Deed to the real estate after Confirmation of the sale . The successful purchaser has the sole responsibility/expense of evicting any tenants or other individuals presently in possession of the subject premises.
The property will NOT be ope n for inspection and Plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the propert y. Prospec tive bidders are admonished to check the Court file to verify all infor mation
IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTIO N 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.
For informati on: Examine the court file or contact Plaintiff's attor ney: Codilis & Associates, P.C., 15W030 North Frontag e Road, Suite 100, Burr Ridge, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876. Please refer to file number 14-23-03948. I3257008
December 13, 20, 27, 2024
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
OG LE COUNTY - OREGON, I LLINOIS
Nationstar Mortgage LLC
PLAINTIF F
Vs. Amber N. Wright; et al DEFENDANTS
No. 2023FC73
NOTICE OF SHERIFF'S SALE OF REAL ESTATE
PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Forecl osure and Sale entered in the above cause on 10/11/2024, the Sheriff of Ogle County, Illinois will on January 24, 2025 at the hour of 10:00 AM at Ogle County Publi c Safety Complex 202 S 1st St. Oregon, IL 61 061, or in a place otherwise designated at the time of sale , County of Ogle and State of Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described real estate:
LOT NINE (9) AND THE SOUTH 5.6 FEET OF LOT TEN (10) IN BLOCK (24) IN THE ORIGINAL TOWN, NOW CITY OF OREGON, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN BOOK F OF PLATS PAGE 21 AS DOCUMENT NO. 249320; SITUATED IN THE TOWNSHIP OF OREGON-NASHUA, COUNTY OF OGLE AND STATE OF ILLINOIS
PIN 16-03-118-010
Improved with Si ngle Family Home
COMMONLY KNOWN AS: 304 North 4th Street Oregon, IL 61061-1421
Sale terms: 10% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the auction; The balance , including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calc ulated at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fracti on thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds, is due within twent y-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any r epresentati on as to qua lity or quantity of title and without recourse to Pla intiff and in "AS IS" condition
The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.
If the property is a condominium and the foreclosure takes place after 1/1/2007, purchasers other than the mortgagees will be required to pay any assessment and legal fees due under The Condominium Propert y Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).
If the property is located in a common interest community, pur chasers other than mortgagees will be required to pay any assessment and legal fees due under the Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g- 1).
If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no fur ther recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee 's attorney.
Upon pay ment in ful l of the amount bid, the purchaser shall receive a Certificate of Sale, which will entitle the purchaser to a Deed to the real estate after Confirmation of the sale . The successful purchaser has the sole responsibility/expense of evicting any tenants or other individuals presently in possession of the subject premises.
The property will NOT be ope n for inspection and Plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the propert y. Prospec tive bidders are admonished to check the Court file to verify all infor mation
IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTIO N 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.
For informati on: Examine the court file or contact Plaintiff's attor ney: Codilis & Associates, P.C., 15W030 North Frontag e Road, Suite 100, Burr Ridge, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876. Please refer to file number 14-23-06804.
I3256927
December 13, 20, 27, 2024
Why you need dental insurance in retirement.
Many Americans are fortunate to have dental coverage for their entire working life, throughemployer-provided benefits. When those benefits end with retirement, paying dental bills out-of-pocket can come as a shock, leading people to put off or even go without care.
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When you’re comparing plans ...
Look for coverage that helps pay for major services. Some plans may limit the number of procedures — or pay for preventive care only.
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Shop for coverage with no annual maximum on cash benefits. Some plans have annual maximums of $1,000.
Medicare doesn’t pay for dental care.1
That’s right. As good as Medicare is, it was never meant to cover everything. That means if you want protection, you need to purchase individual insurance.
Early detection can prevent small problems from becoming expensive ones.
The best way to prevent large dental bills is preventive care. The American Dental Association recommends checkups twice a year.
Previous dental work can wear out.
Even if you’ve had quality dental work in the past, you shouldn’t take your dental health for granted. In fact, your odds of having a dental problem only go up as you age.2
Treatment is expensive — especially the services people over 50 often need.
Consider these national average costs of treatment ... $222 for a checkup ... $190 for a filling ... $1,213 for a crown.3 Unexpected bills like this can be a real burden, especially if you’re on a fixed income.
1 “Medicare & You,” Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2024. 2 “Aging changes in teeth and gums”, medlineplus.gov, 4/17/2022. 3 American Dental Association, Health Policy Institute, 2020 Survey of Dental Fees, Copyright 2020, American Dental Association.
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