Oregon_Republican_Reporter-01-17-2025 by Shaw Media

Earleen Hinton

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Meeting about variance for expansion of fire station is Jan. 21

By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com

OREGON – The Oregon Fire Protection District is seeking a variance to expand its fire station that sits in the city’s River Front Commercial District.

The station at 100 Washington St. is located on the west bank of the Rock River next to the Illinois 64 bridge on the north side of the state highway.

A public hearing is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, before the regular meeting of the Oregon Plan Commission. The Plan Commission makes recommendations to the Oregon City Council, which will decide to either grant or deny the request. The Jan. 21 meeting will be at City Hall, 115 N. Third St. Trustees of the Oregon Fire Protection District announced plans for the $4.1 million renovation and expansion of the fire station last week.

The project is scheduled to begin in late spring ‘‘pending city approval and financing,” according to a news release. Fire district officials said the project “will significantly enhance the district’s capabilities without requiring any additional property tax levy.”

The station was built in 1984 by Charles Mongan for what was then an all-volunteer fire department.

“The current station has seen a decline in volunteers over time. In 2014, the district began providing ambulance services, transitioning to a combination department of paid full-time and volun-

LOCAL NEWS BRIEF

Historical society to meet Jan. 27

The Ogle County Historical Society will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, at the carriage house annex behind the Nash

OREGON LIBRARY

Preschool Story Time

Story Time for children 18 months old to 6 years is at 10 a.m. Mondays. Stories, crafts and friends to share books. Registration is required. Visit www.oregonpubliclibrary.com. or call 815-732-2724 to register. Book Clubs

Cocktails and Crime will meet Jan. 19. Stop by the library to find out what book, what time and where the club will meet. Is This Just Fantasy? Book Club will meet at 6 p.m. Jan. 21 to discuss “A Study in Drowning” by Ava Reid.

Books on Tap Book Club will meet Jan. 23 at Cork & Tap to discuss “The House

teer staff. The district presently employs nine full-time members working in three shifts with three members per shift. These shifts follow a 24-hour on, 48-hour off schedule. The station was not designed with living space, so the district has converted main floor office space into sleeping rooms,” according to the release.

“Over the last 40 years, fire apparatus has increased in both height and length and the current space does not meet the needs of modern apparatus. Two separate buildings are used to house equipment. The new addition will consolidate these into one, increasing efficiency and decreasing response times when seconds count, which can make a difference in saving lives and property,” according to the release.

To consolidate resources, the fire district sold the Chana Fire Station that was donated by the Canfield family to the district. The district also plans to sell the former ambulance building on Madison Street that was donated to the fire district by Oregon Ambulance Services, the former ambulance service.

“These donations have served the district well over the years but the time has come to expand and consolidate all equipment into one station from which the district responds to all emergency calls. The yearly call volume exceeds 1,200, mostly ambulance calls, which average three per day. This high demand necessitates the expansion to accommodate two Advanced Life Support ambulances and provide housing

for the full-time firefighter/paramedics,” according to the release.

The expansion will almost double the size of the station and feature an engineered metal frame structure with a brick front designed to seamlessly integrate with the building. Key elements of the project include four additional apparatus bays, a new office area and living and sleeping quarters for the firefighters/paramedics.

“Volunteers remain vital contributors to the Oregon Fire Protection District team and the Oregon Fire Protection District encourages interested individuals to apply,” according to the release.

The project requires approval of a variance from the Oregon City Council because the existing station and property owned around the station are inside the city’s River Front Commercial District, which was created in 2016.

“Under this code, the current use [fire station] and the proposed addition to the structure will be considered nonconforming in the event of a major reconstruction of the station. Therefore, the district will seek a variance for special use as well as allowance of a nonconforming addition,” according to the release.

Trustees governing the Oregon Fire Protection District are President Steven Carr, Treasurer Lora Stevens McKee and Secretary Rich Rhoads. Trustees are appointed by the Ogle County Board and serve three-year terms.

Michael Knoup is the Oregon fire chief.

House Museum, 111 N. Sixth St. Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting.

“We are seeking new members and have

Maid” by Freida McFadden and “Maybe Next Time” by Cesca Major.

The 2WBC meets at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, to discuss “Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston.

The Afternoon Book Club meets at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, to discuss “Fellowship Point” by Alice Elliott Dark. Ink with A Friend Monthly Card Club, 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20.

Sending personal cards to your family and friends is a great way to let them know you care and are thinking about them. All designs include colored cardstock, designer series paper, detailed stamped

CORRECTIONS

Accuracy is important to the Oregon Republican Reporter. Please call errors to our attention by email at news@oglecountynews.com.

many opportunities for volunteers in 2025,” Ogle County Historical Society member Michal Burnett said.

– Shaw Local News Network

images, die cut pieces, matching ink, ribbon and embellishments. All cards come with matching envelopes. Whether you’re a new card maker or a seasoned pro, our kits are suited to every skill level. Sign up today to reserve your spot. For Oregon patrons only. Registration is required. Call 815-732-2724 or visit www.oregon publiclibrary.com

Craft Swap, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 25. Collect your items and bring them to the library after 5 p.m. Jan. 23 and anytime Friday, Jan. 24. Come back and shop the swap from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

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Murder trial postponed after defense files motion asking that trial be moved out of Ogle County

By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com

OREGON – A Stillman Valley man accused of killing his ex-wife in 2016 and then setting her home on fire has filed a motion seeking to move his jury trial out of Ogle County.

Duane Meyer, 42, through his attorney Christopher DeRango of Rockford, filed the motion to move the trial out of Ogle County on Jan. 10, just three weeks before Meyer’s jury trial that was scheduled to start Feb. 3 and expected to take the entire month.

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.

Meyer has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.

DeRango told Ogle County Judge John “Ben” Roe on Jan. 10, that he did not receive the results from the change of venue survey he commissioned until Jan. 8. He said he forwarded the survey to the Ogle County State’s Attorney’s Office within hours of receiving it.

At a December hearing, DeRango said the company conducting the survey had to “adjust their methods” because of Ogle County’s smaller population size.

On Jan. 10 at the scheduled pretrial hearing, DeRango presented the

results of the survey to Roe after filing a change of venue motion with the circuit clerk’s office earlier in the day.

A change of venue motion 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.

In his “change of place of trial,” DeRango argues that because of “heavy” media coverage of Meyer’s numerous pretrial hearings since 2016, Meyer “cannot obtain a fair trial in Ogle County, Illinois.”

DeRango argues the “opinion survey” that was commissioned by Meyer questioned Ogle County residents from December 2024 through January 2025. In that survey, DeRango said 34%

of respondents recalled the fire and 59% had preformed an opinion regarding the defendant’s guilt.

DeRango did not say how many people responded to the survey.

DeRango said respondents were shown two news articles from the “period near in time to the date of the fire” and asked about their opinions.

“After a review of those articles, the percentage skyrocketed to 73% of respondents having an opinion about the defendant’s guilt,” the motion states. “The dramatic change in the number of respondents who now had an opinion about the defendant’s guilt is critical, given the extent of pretrial publicity in this matter thus far.”

The motion also argues that media coverage has been “pervasive and highly prejudicial” and that Google searches for Duane Meyer Byron directs users to groups that are “actively seeking to publicize this matter and encourage followers to believe Meyer is guilty.”

“The Facebook page Justice for Maggie and Amos regularly posts content about this matter to 591 followers, including a desire for Meyer to be ‘held accountable to [sic] his heinous crimes,’ ” the motion states.

“This coverage of Meyer is starkly in contrast to the coverage of his ex-wife and son,” the motion says. “A foundation established in their memory makes press releases and hosts annual events to raise money, $43,000 before its last known event, to benefit local libraries, scholarships and community classroom grants. This is not just about the news coverage. The court must also consider the perhaps hundreds or thousands of people who

attend these events, donate funds or have become beneficiaries.

“While there is no doubt this is laudable and the victims’ lives are worth celebrating, the juxtaposition against Meyer being paraded in handcuffs and called a monster creates an undeniable prejudice.”

The motion concludes that “there exists in Ogle County such prejudice against the defendant on the part of the inhabitants that he cannot receive a fair trial in Ogle County.”

DeRango also filed a motion to continue the trial, citing his change of venue motion and “new ... critical” evidentiary material that had not been disclosed to the defense.

Ogle County State’s Attorney Michael Rock did not object to the continuance and asked for three to four weeks to reply to the change of venue motion. Roe set the hearing to argue that motion for 3 p.m. Feb 27.

Maggie Meyer was a teacher at the Chana Education Center at the time of her death. She filed for divorce in 2014 and court records show the divorce was finalized in September 2016.

Prosecutors have argued that 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.

Man sentenced to prison for violating terms of probation by possessing stolen vehicle

By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com

OREGON – A Rockford man was sentenced to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after admitting that he violated the terms of a probation sentence he received in November by possessing a stolen vehicle.

Timothy P. Valdivia, 32, was sentenced Nov. 21 to 24 months of probation after pleading guilty to possessing a 2018 Toyota truck owned by a man from LaCrosse, Wisconsin, and violating an order of protection against an Oregon woman.

In those charges, Valdivia was

apprehended in the truck Nov. 4 after an Oregon police officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South Second Street for a report of Valdivia violating an Oct. 11 order of protection for being within 300 feet of a home on that block.

As part of his probation, Valdivia was ordered to have no contact with the victim, submit to DNA testing, undergo any counseling ordered by the probation department and pay $1,399 in fines and fees.

On Dec. 5 – only 16 days after being sentenced – Valdivia was charged with violating that order when, prosecutors said, he contacted the victim.

Valdivia, who has been held at the Ogle County Jail since his arrest in December, appeared in court Jan. 8 and told Ogle County Judge Anthony Peska that he again wanted to represent himself, plead guilty to the revocation charge and be resentenced for possessing the stolen vehicle.

At his November sentencing hearing, Valdivia told Judge John “Ben” Roe that he was certain he wanted to represent himself in court and had received a plea agreement from the Ogle County State’s Attorney’s Office.

On Jan. 8, Assistant State’s Attorney Matthew Leisten said a plea agreement had been offered to Valdivia that would sentence him to three years in prison with 51 days of credit for time already served in custody.

“Do you want to proceed with this?” Peska asked Valdivia, adding that he could refer the case back to Roe since he had presided over the November sentencing.

“I want to do [the sentencing] today with you,” Valdivia said.

Asked by Peska if he was entering his guilty plea “freely and voluntarily,” Valdivia said, “Yes, sir.”

Earleen Hinton

Duane Meyer enters an Ogle County courtroom Jan. 10 for a hearing.

Timothy P. Valdivia

My heart goes out to the people of California

Recently, we had a great board meeting. When I opened the door, I could feel the heat of our new furnace and that felt wonderful. The furnace in the front part of the museum went out early in December and while we had the bigger one to the back, it did not heat all of the museum. It was chilly to work and I did not stay long at the museum.

Now I can go over there and little by little put away the Christmas decorations. I do have to watch the weather since I do not go out in snowy, icy times. We have been lucky so far and have not had many days of this kind of weather.

For our board meeting, Linda had prepared a calendar for the coming year and that was great. Just a few minor changes and we know what we are doing. We welcomed a new board

POLO HISTORY

Betty Obendorf

member, David Poole, and that was a good replacement for Bill Wragg. Bill has been on the board for as long as I can remember and he will be missed. Russell, David’s father, would be pleased that David is helping us out.

We are looking at getting the internet and that will help since Kevin does much work on the internet for us. I was not an internet person and it is nice to have someone who understands all the technical stuff. Kevin keeps our museum open on Saturday and we have a number of people who stop by. At times he is very busy not

Samuel Morse and the telegraph’s impact at the Oregon Depot

Recently, I wrote an article about the telegraph and telephone at the Oregon Depot. We have the original sending and receiving devices at the Depot.

In 1872, the first year after the railroad arrived in Oregon, the only way to send and receive messages over a wire was the telegraph. Samuel Morse sent the first message in the U.S. over a wire from Washington, D.C., to Baltimore. Before this, the only way to send and receive messages was by mail. I wonder how our early settlers survived without telephones, radio, TVs, cars and airplanes.

Samuel F. B. Morse, who was born April 27, 1791, was an American inventor and painter. He attended Yale College to study religious philosophy, mathematics and science. He supported himself by painting. Morse graduated from Yale in 1810. He married Lucretia Pickering Walker on Sept. 29, 1818. She died seven years later in 1825. He married his second wife, Sarah Griswold, on Aug. 10, 1848, and had four children.

In 1811, Morse studied painting for a three-year period in England. He sailed aboard the Libya on July 15, 1811. During Morse’s time in Great Britain, the Americans and British were engaged in the War of 1812. Morse received a patent for the telegraph in 1847. The invention later had a huge impact on the Oregon community. Those in Oregon could communicate through the telegraph with relatives who lived in other loca-

only for us but for the Polo Legion and it all ties in together.

We are involved in so many different ways in the history of our community. We are coming down the pike on the Underground Railroad application and we wait to see what they think of all the information. Work then starts on signage. We also want to incorporate some of this information into a cemetery tour at Town and Country Days in June. We have many ideas coming up for spring and summer.

Toward the end of the week I turned on the TV and discovered all the terrible fires in Los Angeles. I have family out there and they live in a canyon area right in the midst of all that is going on. As of the end of last week, they were on alert to be ready to leave and there is only one road out of the area. My brother used to talk

about the Santa Ana winds and the part they play in the weather of California.

I have thought many times last weekend about what I would grab if I had to leave my house in a hurry. Would it be pictures, a family Bible and a tote full of family history?

I am thankful that I do not have to decide what to put in my car. Most people were hanging on to their pets. I think my cat would be in big trouble because I have to spend many hours enticing her into her carrier to go to the vet. I am thankful I do not have to make that decision.

My heart goes out to the people of California.

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

tions in the U.S.

Morse lent his support to Cyrus West Field’s plan to construct the first transoceanic telegraph line. The first transatlantic telegraph messages were sent in 1858.

In addition to the telegraph, Morse invented a marble cutting machine that could carve three-dimensional sculptures in marble or stone.

During his lifetime of 80 years, Morse was a noted portrait painter, American inventor, attended Yale College, studied painting in London, was president of the National Academy of Design in New York City, visited Italy, Switzerland and France and was co-developer of Morse code.

During his lifetime, Morse lost his first wife, remarried and fathered six children.

At Fort Knox, Kentucky, I learned to send and receive Morse code.

In the 1890s, Morse code began to be used over the airways. Before this time, it was sent over wires similar to telephone wires.

Roy Sharick, Dick Lee, Harold Nance and Russ Hansen worked as station agents in Oregon.

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

LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS

Police say Pecatonica man fled from officers, clocked at 125 mph in 55-mph zone

OREGON – A Pecatonica man was charged Jan. 9 with driving on a suspended license and six other charges, accused of fleeing from Ogle County sheriff’s deputies who said the man was traveling 125 mph in a 55-mph speed zone.

Jered T. Vautsmeier, 21, was taken into custody by Pecatonica police Jan. 6 in Winnebago County after a traffic stop near Polo earlier that day.

Ogle County sheriff’s deputies pulled over Vautsmeier at 6:24 p.m. in the 11000 block of West Route 64 outside of Polo. Vautsmeier fled the traffic stop and a pursuit took place, according to a news release.

“The vehicle fled from deputies at a high rate of speed until the pursuit was terminated for safety concerns. The vehicle was located a short time later in Leaf River and again fled from deputies. The pursuit was again terminated a short time after it entered Winnebago County,” according to the release.

The vehicle eventually was found by Pecatonica police in Winnebago County and Ogle County deputies took custody of Vautsmeier.

In addition to the driving on a suspended license charge, a felony offense, Vautsmeier also is charged with driving more than 35 mph over the speed limit, fleeing/attempting to elude an officer, improper lane use, disregarding a traffic control device, improper display of registration and operating an

HARRY F. EICHHORST

Born: February 8, 1932

Died: January 8, 2025

CHANA, IL – Harry F. Eichhorst, age 92, died Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at Oregon Living & Rehab Center in Oregon, IL.

Harry was born on February 8, 1932, the son of Harry F. and Martha (Graff) Eichhorst. Harry married Lucille Tyminski on April 19, 1953 in Chicago, IL. She preceded him in death on February 17, 2017. Harry owned and operated Komfort Heating & Air Conditioning. He liked his Nascar, working on lawn mowers and cars, and he had seven lawnmowers.

uninsured motor vehicle.

Vautsmeier was taken to the Ogle County Jail for processing and released on a notice to appear. His arraignment is scheduled for 9 a.m. Jan. 22.

Ogle County sheriff’s deputies were assisted by the Pecatonica Police Department, the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office and Illinois State Police.

– Earleen Hinton

Rochelle man admits to changing refund check, pleads guilty to forgery

OREGON – A Rochelle man pleaded guilty Jan. 8 to forgery, admitting he changed the amount of a 2022 refund check issued by the Ogle County Circuit Clerk’s office.

Jesus Rios, 29, was sentenced to 24 months probation through a plea agreement for the felony offense. He also was ordered to pay $600 in fines and complete 100 hours of public service.

Ogle County Public Defender Kathleen Isley told Judge Anthony Peska that a plea agreement had been reached in the case.

Assistant State’s Attorney Matthew Leisten said Rios had altered a $200 refund check to $1,500 in May 2022 that had been issued by the circuit clerk’s office. Court records indicate Rios was issued a $200 refund check on May 18, 2022, after pleading guilty and sentenced to court supervision in February 2022 for a September 2021 speeding offense. Rios also was fined $525.

Rios was charged with forgery, a Class 3 felony, on July 25, 2022, accusing him of altering the check between May 18-23, 2022.

– Earleen Hinton

Protection order extended for woman accused of head-butting 6-year-old child

By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com

OREGON – An Oregon woman accused of head-butting a 6-year-old will appear in Ogle County court again in March.

Martha Dunham, 36, is charged with one count of aggravated battery and two counts of domestic battery – all felony offenses.

In the aggravated battery charge, a Class 3 felony, court documents accuse Dunham of head-butting the child, causing pain and knowingly causing bodily harm. In the domestic battery charges, Class 4 felonies, court documents accuse Dunham of head-butting the child and pulling the child’s hair “without legal justification” and making “physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature”. Court records say the alleged incidents happened Dec. 13, 2024.

Dunham pleaded not guilty to the charges Dec. 23, 2024, and has

• VALDIVIA

Continued from page 3

Under the agreement, Valdivia also will have one year of mandatory supervised release after his prison term is completed.

Valdivia’s original plea and sentence came 19 days after he led police on a chase through Oregon before fleeing from the truck and then returning to it, where he was arrested.

demanded a jury trial.

On Jan. 7, Dunham, who had been held in the Ogle County Jail since her arrest, appeared in court for a hearing on an emergency order of protection that the girl’s mother filed after the alleged incident occurred.

The mother told Ogle County Judge Russell Crull that she wanted the order of protection extended.

“Do you want to proceed with this?” Crull asked the mother. “Yes,” she replied.

Crull asked Dunham if she would agree to a two-year extension of the order.

“Can we do it until my criminal case is settled?” Dunham replied.

Crull agreed to extend the order of protection to 5 p.m. Jan. 28 and told Dunham he would not be presiding over any further hearings because of a conflict of interest. He said he was removing himself from the case since he had represented the girl’s mother when he was a private defense attorney.

Dunham appeared in court again Jan. 9 and was released from custody after a motion hearing in front of Judge Anthony Peska. Dunham’s next court date is 1 p.m. March 18.

Street address. Oregon patrol officer Terry Lester said he found Valdivia sitting in the driver’s seat of the truck with the engine running after the victim saw Valdivia sitting in the truck outside the residence.

Lester said Valdivia told him he “wanted to see his daughter before he went to jail.”

Along with his lawnmowers, he loved to bail hay. His dog Molly was the light of his life. Harry is survived by his sons, Bruce Daniel Eichhorst and Gerald Alan Eichhorst; daughter, Diane Michelle Eichhorst; 10 grandchildren, Christopher Eichhorst, Aaron Eichhorst, Ryan Eichhorst, Matthew Eichhorst, Danielle (K.P.) Whepley, Marcia Eichhorst, Emily Eichhorst, Ethan Eichhorst, Tim Varjan, and Sarah (Bernard) Varjan-Maestas; four great-grandchildren; and his sister, Susan Eichhorst. Harry is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Lucille; son, David Brian; and one brother, Wally.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 12:00 P.M. at Finch Funeral Home, 405 East Hitt, Mt. Morris, IL.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at Finch Funeral Home from 10:00 A.M. until service time.

According to court documents, Valdivia was found inside the truck, which was parked in front of the apartment building at the Second

Oregon Police Chief Matt Kalnins said Valdivia was the driver of a vehicle they chased through town Nov. 3 after it was seen traveling 66 mph in a 40-mph zone eastbound on East Washington Street, which also is Route 64. Those traffic charges were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

Martha R. Dunham

Jered T. Vautsmeier

Jan. 6-11

Warranty Deeds

Jeffrey Michael Powell, Rebecca Wakenight and Rebecca Powell to Jane Bruce, 602 W. Buffalo St., Polo, $170,100.

Ronnie A. Gallagher to Savanna Harper, no parcel information available, $160,000.

Jessica Anne Brooks to Burke C. Curtis and Shayna F. Stoklosa, 408 W. Fourth St., Byron, $136,900.

Trevor Komadina to Casey Doyle, 6096 N. Limestone Road, Monroe Center, $175,000.

E & T Properties LLC, E&t Properties LLC and NFS Leasing Inc. to Ave G Holdings LLC, 200 Avenue G, Rochelle, and one parcel in Dement Township, $1,854,000.

Paul E. Busching and Mary Beth Busching to Dominic Griffin, 958 N. 10th St., Rochelle, $105,000.

Tc’s Sharp Claw Farms LLC and Tcs Sharp Claw Farms LLC to Brian K. Duncan and Kelly P. Duncan, one parcel in Buffalo Township, $675,000.

Marian H. Chomicz, Marian H. Grace and Thomas E. Chomicz to Sulakshana Lahiri and Roy Aaron Thomann, 240 S. West St., Byron, $440,000.

Autodoc Inc., and Jonathan L. Setchell to Jesse Kastner and Jennifer Kastner, 6954 S. Prairie Road, Ashton, $90,000.

Bruce A. Dvorak and Doris J. Dvorak to Rick A. Mills and Tamara S. Mills, 307

Portage Lane, Dixon, $281,000.

Nathan D. Drozd and Brittany A. Drozd to Brigham Finch, 408 S. Bruce Lane, Mt. Morris, $175,000.

Jeffrey John Pearson to Cecilia Peterson, 545 Mill Ridge Drive, Byron $176,000.

Shawna Korf and Paul Korf to Andrew Philip Rucker, Nathan J. Palmer and Heather N. Palmer, 605 S. Second. Ave., Forreston, $145,000.

Darrell Gilbert and Paula Gilbert to Zachary I. Wade, 309 Errett Road, Rochelle, $66,000.

Steven C. Bonte, Deceased By Heirs; and Cheryl L. Bonte to Molly R. Eisele, one parcel in Rockvale Township, $59,000.

Joshua D. James, Roselani M. Aluli-James and Roselani M. Aluli James to George Photopulos, Susan Photopulos and Joseph Saeli, N. Fourth St., Oregon, and 606 N. Fourth St., Oregon, $399,560.

Autumn Hungness, Autumn Malk and Nathan Hungness to Clayton Coogan and Ieasha Coogan, 7380 N. Oak Drive, Stillman Valley, $154,500.

Quit Claim Deeds

Jeffrey Michael Powell, Calderon James and Rebecca Powell to Lane Bruce, 602 W. Buffalo St., Polo, $0.

Elizabeth A. Sutherland and Sidney M. Sutherland to Elizabeth Sutherland, one parcel in Mt. Morris, $0.

Misty Schultheis to Kurtis Schultheis and Victoria Schultheis, no parcel information available, $0.

OSF Healthcare System and Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital to OSF Healthcare System, 1107 S. Division Ave., Polo; 1107 W. Washington St., Oregon, and one other parcel, $0.

Katherine Edwards, Jeff Wilmarth, Randi Marcos, Michael Wilmarth, Daniel Wilmarth, Gary Wilmarth, Nancy White, and Julie Meriage to Michael Wilmarth, trustee; Jeff Wilmarth, trustee; Gene Wilmarth Tr799 and Judy Wilmarth Tr799, 8221 N. Conger Road, Leaf River, $0.

Barry C. Gates to Wendy C. Plaza-Gates, Wendy C. Plaza Gates and Barry C. Gates, 8419 N. Canary Drive, Stillman Valley, $0.

Deeds in Trust

Danny Lee Diehl Jr. to Danny Lee Diehl Jr., trustee, and Danny L. Diehl Jr. Trust, 1330 S. Ridge Road, Oregon, $0.

Fredrick C. Schnulle and Susan E. Schnulle to Fredrick C. Schnulle, trustee; Susan E. Schnulle, trustee; and Fredrick C. and Susan E. Schnulle Lv Tr, 9012 W. IL Rte 64, Polo, and 508 S. Congress Ave., Polo; $0.

Deeds

Bskess LLC to Steven G. Sorenson and Suzanne M. Sorenson, 312 W. Fulton St., Polo, $115,810.

Trustees Deeds

Jill J. Polivka, trustee, and Jill J. Polivka Living Trust to Ursula R. Werdan and Russell C. Ward, 22-08-252-005 and 22-08-252-015, $162,000.

Karen S. Ruter, trustee; Keith R. Ruter, trustee; and Karen S. Ruter General Trust; to Richard John Ayres and Lisa Christine Ayres, 5500 Freeport Road, Forreston, and one parcel in Brookville Township, $215,000.

Michael Wilmarth, trustee; Jeff Wilmarth, trustee; Wilmarth Tr799 and Judy Wimarth Tr799 to Meriage Acres LLC, 8221 N. Conger Road, Leaf River, $770,000.

Norma J. Huntley, trustee; Kim D. Huntley, trustee; Deh Tr1194 and Njh Tr1194 to Lbk Park LLC, two parcels in Pine Rock Township, $859,000.

Alojzy Czaplinski, trustee; Ewa M. Czaplinska, trustee; and Czaplinski Home Tr1 to Anna Justine Hauk and Stephen Arves, 317 Northknoll Drive, Rochelle, $256,000.

Nicole S. Considine, trustee; Sean R. Considine, trustee; and Nicole S. Considine Trust, to Johnnie L. Cox Jr., trustee; and Zoe L. Cox, trustee; one parcel in Byron Township, $150,000.

Rocky J. Sofolo, trustee; Janet M. Sofolo, trustee; and R & J Tr1121 to Kenneth A. Bernardin, one parcel in Pine Rock Township, $300,000.

Source:OgleCountyRecorder’sOffice

Oregon holds off Rock Falls in BNC road win

By DRAKE LANSMAN dlansman@shawmedia.com

ROCK FALLS – After building a 16-point lead, Oregon needed to execute late to hold off a Rock Falls comeback.

The Hawks made it happen.

Rock Falls had the final shot at the buzzer, but it rolled off the rim as Oregon secured the 55-53 Big Northern Conference win Jan. 10.

“We just made big impact plays down the stretch,” Oregon coach Jarrett Reynolds said. “You had Keaton [Salsbury], he took a charge, that changed momentum of the game. You had Tucker [O’Brien] grab that final free-throw rebound.

“Just the big impact plays held them off.”

Oregon led 34-20 at halftime after a dominant 20-7 second quarter gave the Hawks the momentum. But foul trouble hurt the Hawks and Rock Falls made it a two-point game after a 21-9 third-quarter swing.

Rock Falls 6-foot-8 center Cole Mulnix scored 10 of his 17 points in the third quarter to help get the Rockets back in the game.

With the team trailing 43-41 after three quarters, Rock Falls’ Kuitim Heald (18 points) tied the game at 43-all. The Rockets led 53-50 with 2:29 to play, but turnovers and missed shots turned out to be costly.

Down 54-53, Rock Falls was called for a charge on its second to last possession.

Kade Girton missed a pair of free throws after Rock Falls was forced to

foul, but O’Brien secured the offensive rebound with five seconds left in a key play in the win.

“That’s what we said we had to do if we’re going to beat Rock Falls. They’re a great team. We just have to buy those extra possessions if we were going to win,” Reynolds said. “Our guys took that to heart.”

O’Brien grabbed the clutch offensive rebound despite having four fouls

as he dealt with foul trouble most of the game. Jackson Caposey fouled out in the third quarter for Oregon.

Cooper Johnson led Oregon (9-8, 2-0) with 15 points and Girton had 11 points and nine rebounds in the win.

Nole Campos (eight points) and Benny Olalde (seven) were big off the bench for Oregon.

“Rebounds and defense kind of closed it out for us,” Girton said. “And the bench getting hyped for us at the end kind of hyped us all up to get the win and get her done there at the end.”

Girton said staying calm and getting the ball to the guards was key in the win. Oregon had only seven turnovers to Rock Falls’ 14.

Oregon’s shooting got hot in the second quarter as the Hawks hit four 3-pointers.

Girton said the bench staying engaged was another key in the BNC road win for Oregon.

“I think it’s the biggest thing, especially playing in a tough place like Rock Falls,” he said. “It gets us hyped that we’ve got people cheering for us. It kind of motivates us to get out here and dominate on the court.”

Alex T. Paschal

Oregon’s Benito Olalde handles the ball against Rock Falls’ Kuitim Heald on Jan. 10.

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Wrestler Lucas Nelson reaches 100 wins, all despite limb difference

Forreston-Polo co-op senior has sights set on state tournament

By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com

POLO – Lucas Nelson watched intently as his opponents in the 132pound weight class competed at the Polo Invitational on Jan. 11. With each twist and turn, Nelson, an 18-year-old senior from Forreston, was calculating how he would approach his next match.

But before he squared off against Oregon sophomore Nelson Benesh for the 132-pound tournament title, Polo High School Athletic Director Ted Alston quieted the crowd for a special presentation.

Alston told the wrestling fans who packed the school’s gymnasium that Lucas Nelson had recorded his 100th win earlier in the week while competing for the Polo/Eastland/Milldegeville/Forreston wrestling co-op.

“We want to honor Lucas today,” Alston said as the lanky senior quietly walked across the mats between the fan-packed bleachers to receive the award.

Nelson has wrestled for 12 years and has been on the varsity team for four years. His 100th win came Jan. 9 at a meet at Winnebago. With 69 pins, Nelson is only three away from tying the school record for pins (72).

What’s not in those stats is that he

WRESTLING

wrestles with a limb difference – a condition he was born with in China before being adopted by Shawn and Jennifer Nelson of Forreston.

All that is a nonfactor for Nelson. He is centered on one goal this year –qualifying for the state wrestling tournament.

“My goal is to go to state. I just wrestle,” Nelson said.

That focus has been a constant in Nelson’s life, said his dad Shawn, who was volunteering at the meet Jan. 11.

“Lucas’ effort is his desire to succeed. It’s what puts him apart. There

are things he can do that no one else can do,” Shawn said.

Nelson started wrestling when Shawn and Jennifer wanted to find an activity for their two sons.

“We started his older brother, who is a year older than Lucas with wrestling and it just stuck,” Shawn said.

Lucas’ left arm stops before the elbow, a condition Shawn believes may have been the reason he was put up for adoption.

“We are honored that we were able to adopt him,” Shawn said.

That “condition” has not stopped Nelson from winning on the wres -

tling mat or competing on the track and field team. He also had a part in his high school’s spring play “Annie” in 2024 playing Rooster, the flashy, self-assured brother of Miss Hanningan who runs the orphanage that houses Orphan Annie.

Casting requirements for that character included bringing “sense of fun to the character and having a good sense of comic timing.”

Timing is one of the things that the normally soft-spoken Nelson brings every day to the wrestling mat.

“You can make suggestions to Lucas but he always finds his own way to do something,” Polo wrestling coach Jesse Culbertson said.

“Lucas is one of our team captains. He does a great job of knowing when to be serious and when to pop a joke off in the practice room.”

The co-op’s last 100-win wrestler was Wyatt Doty in 2023, Culbertson said.

Nelson boosted his record to 23-4 in his first match Jan. 11 but fell to Benesh (26-4) in the final.

Nelson’s wrestling prowess has not gone unnoticed in the regional wrestling world.

“He’s a very tough wrestler,” Oregon wrestling coach Justin Lahman said. “He has found a way to adapt to do what he does best. He’s an awesome kid.”

Nelson said he does not plan on wrestling in college. He would like to attend the University of Illinois and study food science.

“Hopefully,” he said, smiling.

Oregon edges Fulton, takes home championship at Polo Invitational

By RANDY HOLLAND Shaw Local News Network correspondent

POLO – Oregon survived a flurry of medal-round pins by Fulton to take the title at the Polo Invitational on Jan. 11.

Going into the final round, the Hawks held a 190-174 lead over the Steamers. Fulton won both head-tohead matches with Oregon and 10 of its 12 medal-round matches, including eight by falls.

The Hawks had 14 in the medal round including additional wrestlers in two weight classes, but Oregon lost nine of those matches – six by pins including one to a Fulton wrestler –and the Steamers made a significant run at the team title.

Oregon edged Fulton 217.5-212 for the championship. The outcome was not decided until Landon Elder scored

a takedown to the back in 30 seconds in the 215-pound fifth-place match.

Freeport was a distant third with 146.5 points. West Carroll and Guilford rounded out the top five with 104.5 and 101.5 points, respectively. Host Polo was eighth with 89.5.

Oregon had three champions. Josiah Perez won the 113-pound championship and was named most valuable wrestler in the lower weights. Boone Alderks won the 120-pound title. Nelson Benesh took the gold at 132 pounds.

Finishing second were Jackson Messenger at 138, Andrew Young at 175 and Briggs Sellers at 285. Preston LaBay took third at 126 pounds. Jakobi Donegan at 165 and Seth Rote at 190 reached the third-place mat but both finished fourth.

See OREGON, page 15

Earleen Hinton

Polo-Forreston’s Lucas Nelson (right) wrestles Oregon’s Nelson Benesh for the 132-pound championship at the Polo Invitational on Jan. 11. Benesh won the match.

Earleen Hinton

Oregon’s Boone Alderks looks to the scorer’s table as he wrestles Aurora Central Catholic’s Vince Hefke in the championship match at 120 pounds at the Polo Invitational on Jan. 11.

Polo Invitational continues to be a reassuring tradition

Let’s head to the western side of the county to see what’s up in winter sports. Two things stand out – Polo co-op wrestler Lucas Nelson and the Forreston boys basketball team.

Nelson recently was recognized for being a 100-match winner, which is a notable achievement.

For Nelson, it is even more notable in that he has accomplished the feat with only one arm.

There have been four wrestlers in Illinois high school history with 200 wins, but all had the use of two arms. I wonder if anyone else with one arm has 100 wins in their career?

Nelson, from Forreston, also is only a few pins away from the school record for pins.

“I’m not sure how Lucas does it,” Polo wrestling coach Jesse Culbertson said. “When I try to explain a technique (based upon using both arms), he somehow is able to figure it out on his own. Once he gets you down on the mat, it’s a problem for you.”

It was a treat to watch Nelson wrestle in the championship match at Polo against the son of someone I used to cover 25 years ago. Nelson Benesh, son of Jeremy Benesh, defeated Lucas Nelson to claim the 132-pound title.

Another unexpected treat was seeing an old high school classmate from Rochelle honored for officiating his last meet after 44 years of service. After a couple of knee replacements, Kevin Barringer has decided to step away from the mats after the Polo tournament. He will continue to work football games with his son Cole, Roy Snyder and Matt Martin.

“Doing wrestling meets has been a great way to give back,” said Barringer, who looks forward to watching his grandsons wrestle for Oregon.

In looking over IHSA individual records, the one mark locally that stands out is 182 consecutive wins by Josh Alber of Dakota, a four-time state champ. The next best mark is 132 straight wins.

Naysayers could claim that Alber benefitted from being in the less competitive Class 1A. True, but he took on all comers, including the top

Andy

Colbert GUEST VIEW

132-pounder in the nation in Glenbard North’s Jered Cortez, also a four-time champ.

At the elite Dvorak tournament, Cortez took an early 2-0 lead, but Alber rallied for a 5-3 overtime win in front of a jam-packed Harlem gym. Any questions about Alber’s validity as one of the all-time bests in Illinois, regardless of class, was answered.

Although it is preferable to have a three-class system in wrestling for fairness and statewide participation, I miss the old days of one class where truly the King of the Hill was crowned.

Looking for its first winning season in six years, the Forreston boys basketball team (11-7) under coach Jake Groom is well on its way to attaining that goal. And they are a young team with Brendan Greenfield the only senior who plays regularly. The rest of the lineup is filled with freshmen, sophomores and juniors.

As impressive as its wins are, Forreston’s losses to ranked teams are even more so. The Cardinals were down by double digits in the first half against Eastland and cut it to four in the second half. Against No. 1 Pecatonica, they trailed by 16 early in the second quarter and made it a four-point game in the fourth quarter. Mixed in was a narrow 63-57 loss to LenaWinslow, another team near the top of the conference standings.

The Cardinals came back from a 12-point deficit in the first half and beat a decent Kewanee squad. A bit of a surprise was a 71-37 blitzkrieg over Polo as Kendall Erdman tallied 32 points and Greenfield added 18 points and 12 rebounds.

“We emphasize the break and board battle more than anything else and are showing a lot of grit,” Groom said. “When good teams go on runs, we limit their runs and don’t let it bother us. Our guys have taken on a next man up and just-play mentality. Their level of

coachability has been excellent through this stretch and it shows in our ability to run an efficient half-court offense and be successful on the defensive end playing multiple defenses and holding teams under 50 a game.”

The longer the season progresses, the more team bonding occurs, creating a culture where players care for

one another and rally around one another when injuries occur or other factors. That’s an important facet.

Just ask the Chicago Bears, whose dysfunctional culture was a factor in many close defeats. Good coaches insist on discipline and unselfishness from their players.

One final note on the Polo wrestling tournament, which is one of the longest running in Illinois at 61 years:

Besides watching the action, there is something reassuring about being in a gym with coaches, wrestlers and fans whom you have known for generations. Additionally, the meet still retains a home-style, but efficient approach.

The same faces who have been working it for years and years always are present. You don’t get that kind of familiarity at bigger schools.

Losing my spouse five years ago leads to occasional loneliness and though that void will never be filled, it sure is nice to be welcomed with open arms at a wrestling meet in Polo. Indeed, a comforting place to be on a winter day.

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

Earleen Hinton

Kevin Barringer was presented an award for 44 years as a wrestling official at the Polo Invitational on Jan. 11.

• OREGON

Continued from page 13

Elder was the only fifth-place medalist. Finishing sixth were Jordan Lowe at 106, Jayden Berry at 150, Leyton Kenney at 165 and Jack Tinsman at 190. Sonny Wesselman represented the Hawks at 144 and Hunter Skoli wrestled at 157 for Oregon.

Perez pinned his way to the title, stacking at 1:50 in the quarterfinal after an opening-round bye. He reloaded a scrape at 1:25 in the semifinal and turned Noah Rannow of West Carroll with a butcher at 3:32 in the championship match.

Alderks fought his way to first with a wing to a headlock at 3:20 in the quarterfinal and a tough 8-3 win in the semifinal. In the championship match, he scored the first takedown, lost a hardfought takedown in the second period and escaped midway through the third for a 4-3 win over Vince Hefke of Aurora Central Catholic.

Benesh had a first-round bye and pinned with a half nelson at 2:19 in his opener. In the semifinal, he worked off the legs for a stack at 2:19. In a tough final against Lucas Nelson of Polo, Benesh lost the first takedown but came back with two takedowns in the third for a 16-7 major decision.

Messenger had pins with a swim -

Oregon’s Nelson Benesh (bottom) battles Polo-Forreston’s Lucas Nelson in the 132-pound championship match at the Polo Invitational on Jan. 11 at Polo High School. Benesh won the title.

ming half nelson and a butcher at 2:51 before he worked back to a 7-6 lead but lost a late escape and takedown in the title match to drop a 10-7 decision. In an eight-man bracket, Young pinned with the scrape at 5:17 and 3:22 before Mason Kuebel of Fulton caught him in a half nelson at 1:40 in the first-place match. Sellers had a bye, hooked up a butcher at 1:06 in his first match and a crook at 3:30 in the round of four. In the title match, he lost takedowns in the first and second periods and never recovered, dropping an 8-0 major decision.

Labay pinned with a half nelson in his first match, gave up a reverse to his back in the third period of a 10-0 major decision loss in the semifinal and worked a half nelson at 3:12 in the thirdplace medal. Donegan pinned in his first match but got pinned in the semifinal and the third-place match. Rote had a first match pin, got pinned in the semifinal and could not come through with a tying takedown in the third period of a 6-3 loss in the medal match.

Elder pinned and then lost by technical fall. He pinned twice in consolation and came through with a crucial fall in the medal match. Berry, Kenney and Tinsman all contributed a pin to the point total before getting pinned in the medal match. Lowe also had a fall but lost 7-6 with hardware on the line. Wesselman lost twice by falls and Skoli lost by a fall and a technical fall.

Polo’s Cheyenna Wilkins is among the players on Team Avengers playing at The Cup, a fastpitch tournament in the Netherlands from Jan. 17-19.

Polo’s Cheyenna Wilkins competing at fastpitch tournament in Netherlands

By DRAKE LANSMAN dlansman@shawmedia.com

Polo senior Cheyenna Wilkins will represent Team USA at a national fastpitch softball tournament in the Netherlands this weekend, Jan. 17-19. She is playing with Team Avengers with a number of other players from Illinois and the Midwest.

Wilkins and her team will get to compete against some of the top softball players, including current and former Olympians, from around the world at The Cup, an indoor softball tournament featuring 16 teams playing 48 games in three days in Schiedam, Netherlands.

Team Avengers is coached by

Jason and Joann Yakey, who also coach Wilkins on the Midwest Aftershock 18U ES team. Jason has played or coached fastpitch for the past 30 years.

Other players from Illinois on the team of nine are Adrianne Baker (Stockton), Jenna and Josie Yakey (Belvidere North), Jalyn Yakey (Auburn grad), Janae Burke (Boylan Catholic) and Rylie Adams (Harlem).

Wilkins, who will continue her softball career at Judson University, is a two-time all-Northwest Upstate Illini Conference first-team selection. She batted .400 with 40 hits, 32 runs scored and 14 doubles last season.

More information on the tournament is at TheCup.NL

Earleen Hinton file photo

Photos by Earleen Hinton

Oregon’s Josiah Perez wins the 113-pound championship at the Polo Invitational on Jan. 11.

Current Starting salary: $49,161.00 per Union con tr act

The current contract is subject to change as of May 01, 2025.

The Mt Morris Police Department offers many benefits including: Insurance- Dental/Vision and Health

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Applicants must be 21 but less than 35 years of age (except as provided by Illinois State Statute.)

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The Village of Mt. Morris is an Equal Opportunity Employer

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

OG LE COUNTY - OREGON, I LLINOIS

U.S Bank National Association

PLAINTIFF

Vs. Joshua W. Hawkins; et. al. DEFENDANTS

No. 2023FC40

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 10/25/2024, the Sheriff of Ogle County, Illinois will on February 7, 2025 at the hour of 10:00 AM at Ogle County Public 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 4, BLOCK 2, IN AS STOCKING'S SECOND ADDITION TO THE CITY OF ROCHELLE, SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF OGLE COUNTY AND STATE OF ILLINOIS

PIN 24-23-478-012

Improved with Residential

COMMONLY KNOWN AS: 320 N 12th St 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 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 Property 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 Dee d 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 property. Prospective 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 POSSESS ION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 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 14-23-04040. I3257832

January 3, 10, 17, 2025

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ERIC J. NORTEN, Deceased 2024 PR 58 CLAIM NOTICE

Notice is given to creditor s of the death of Eric J Norten of 403 S Griswold St., #4, Woosung, Ogle County, Illinois.

Letters of office were issued to Kelly Wagner, as Independent Administrator, whose attorney of record is Darla A. Foulker, Ehrmann Gehlbach Badger & Considine, 114 E. E verett St., Suite 300, Dixon, Illinois 61021.

The estate will be administered without cour t supervision, unless under section 28-4 of the Probate Act (755,ILCS 5/28-4) any interested person terminates independent administration at any time by mailing or delivering a petition to terminate to the clerk.

By: Kelly Wagner, Independent Administrator

Darla A. Foulker

Ehrmann Gehlbach

Badger & Considine, LLC

114 E. E verett St., Suite 300 Dixon, IL 61021 815-288-4949 foulker@egbclaw. com

January 17, 24, 31, 2025

January 1, 2025 and ending December 31, 2025 wi ll be available for public inspection at the Oregon Park District Office, Nash Recreation Center, 304 South Fifth Street, Oregon, Illinois from and after January 10, 2025. Notice is further given that the public hearing on the adopti on of said proposed Combined Budget and A ppropriation Ordinance will be held at the Oregon Park District Board Room, Nash Recreation Center, 304 South Fifth Street, Oregon, Illinois, on February 11, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.

POLO ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS HEARING

Budden of 209 North

Haley M Mizner

Haley M Mizner Board Secretary January 10, 2025

Claims against the estate may be filed in the office of the Clerk of the Court at 106 S 5th Street, Suite #300, Oregon, IL 61061, or with the representative, or both, on or before the date which is six (6) months after the date of the first publication of this Claim Notice, or, if mailing or delivering of a notice from the representative is required by section 18-3 of the Probate Act of 1975, the date stated in that notice. Any claim not filed on or before that date is barr ed. Copies of a claim filed with the clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney wi thin 10 days after i t has been filed.

By: Kelly Wagner, Independent Administrator

Darla A. Foulker

Ehrmann Gehlbach

Badger & Considine, LLC

114 E. E verett St., Suite 300 Dixon, IL 61021 815-288-4949 foulker@egbclaw. com

Noti ce of Public Hearing Oregon Park Distri ct Public notice is hereby given that the proposed Combined Budget and A ppropriation Ordinance of the Oregon Park District, Oregon, Illinois for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2025 and ending December 31, 2025 wi ll be available for public inspection at the Oregon Park District Office, Nash Recreation Center, 304 South Fifth Street, Oregon, Illinois from and after January 10, 2025. Notice is further given that the public hearing on the adopti on of said proposed Combined Budget and A ppropriation Ordinance will be held at the Oregon Park District Board Room, Nash Recreation Center, 304 South Fifth Street, Oregon, Illinois, on February 11, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.

Avenue, Polo, IL for a variance to the front setback regulation of 20ft. at 209 North Campbell Avenue, Polo, IL. This zoning change would be for Parcel ID 14-16-227-004, otherwise known as 209 North Campbell Avenue., Polo, IL, Ogle County Illinois. Sy dney Bartel t, CMC City Clerk

January 17, 24, 2025

January 17, 2025 Need

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OG LE COUNTY - OREGON, I LLINOIS

U.S Bank National Association PLAINTIFF Vs. Joshua W. Hawkins; et. al. DEFENDANTS

Public notice is hereby given to all persons in the City of Polo that a Public Hearing will be held in front of the Zoning Board of Appeals at 6:30p m. on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 in the Polo City Council room, 118 North Franklin Avenue, Polo, Illinois to hear a reques t filed by Keith and Lorri e Budden of 209 North Campbe ll Avenue, Polo, IL for a variance to the front setback regulation of 20ft. at 209 North Campbell Avenue, Polo, IL. This zoning change would be for Parcel ID 14-16-227-004, otherwise known as 209 North Campbell Avenue., Polo, IL, Ogle County Illinois. Sy dney Bartelt, CMC City Clerk

No. 2023FC40

January 17, 24, 2025

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 10/25/2024, the Sheriff of Ogle County, Illinois will on February 7, 2025 at the hour of 10:00 AM at Ogle County Public 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 4, BLOCK 2, IN AS STOCKING'S SECOND ADDITION TO THE CITY OF ROCHELLE, SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF OGLE COUNTY AND STATE OF ILLINOIS

PIN 24-23-478-012

Improved with Residential COMMONLY KNOWN AS: 320 N 12th St Rochelle, IL 61068

Haley M Mizner Haley M Mizner Board Secretary January 10, 2025

January 17, 2025

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESS ION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

I3257832

January 3, 10, 17, 2025

OTICES

recl osure e County, County Public otherwise at public described

CITY OF STATE OF

ose of the esidential for each eed $300, roperty is es levied

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IGHT TO

RDER OF ILLINOIS

Codilis & IL 60527,

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

OG LE COUNTY - OREGON, I LLINOIS ROCKET MORTGAGE, LLC F/K/A QUICKEN LOANS, LLC, PLAINTIFF

vs. UNKNOWN HEIRS AT LAW AND LEGATEES OF ALMA P CAMPOS; CHRISTOP HER CAMPOS; WILLIAM BUTCHER AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR ALMA P CAMPOS, DECEASED; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, DEFENDANTS

NO. 2024FC43 Judge Presiding PUBLI CATION NOTICE

The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, UNKNOWN HEIRS AT LAW AND LEGATEES OF ALMA P. CAMPOS; and UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS, Defendant in the above entitled suit, that the said suit has been commenced in the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit, Ogle County, Illinois by the plaintiff against you and other defendant, praying for the foreclosure of a certain mortgage conv eying the premises described as follows to wit:

LEGAL DESCRIPTION:

LOT SIXTY (60) IN MAY SECOND ADDITION TO THE CITY OF ROCHELLE, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN BOOK H OF PLATS, PAGE 21, IN THE RECORDER'S OFFICE OF OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS, SITUATED IN OGLE COUNTY, STATE OF ILLINOIS.

COMMON ADDRESS:

201 W. McConaughy Avenue, Rochelle, IL 61068

P.I.N.: 24-24-201-003

and which said mortgage was signed by ALMA P . CAMPOS (DEC EASED), Mortgagor, to Mortgage Electroni c Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Rocket Mortgage, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, LLC, as Mortgagee, and recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Ogle County as Document No 202107188; and for such other relief prayed; that summons was duly issued out of the Circuit Cou rt of Ogle County against you as provided by law, and that the said suit is now pending.

NOW THEREFORE, UNLE SS YOU, the said above defendant, file your answer to the Complaint in said suit or otherwise make your a ppearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of this Court in Ogle County at 106 S. 5th St., Suite 300, Oregon, IL 61061 on or before February 3, 2025, default may be ente red against you at any time after that day and a judgment entered in accordance with the prayer of said complaint.

E-Filing is now mandatory for documents in civil cases with limited exemptions. To e-file, you must first create an account with an e-filing service provider Visit http://efile.illinoisc ourts.gov/service- providers.htm to learn more and to select a service provider If you need additional help or have trouble e-filing, visit http://www.illinoiscourt s.gov/faq/get help.asp or talk with your local circuit clerk's office

Johnson, Blumberg & Associat es, LLC

30 N. LaSalle St., Suite 3650 Chicago, Illinois 60602

Email: ilpleadings@johnsonblumberg.com

Ph. 312-541-9710 / Fax 312-541-9711 JB&A # IL 24 1065 I3258045

January 3, 10, 17, 2024