Blackhawk Crossing 4-H club members get preview of Election Day / 3
Football postseason
Oregon falls to Princeton in first round in Class 3A football playoffs / 12
Sectional cross country
Oregon’s Daniel Gonzalez advances to state meet / 15
Earleen Hinton
Sierra Groons guides her ballot through the counter as election judge Denise Bolhous watches at the Rock River Center in Oregon on Nov. 5. Story on page 5.
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Police chase vehicle through Oregon; driver flees
By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com
OREGON – The driver of a vehicle that police say was speeding through town Sunday, Nov. 3, fled from officers near the Oregon Depot and had yet to be found as of Monday.
Oregon Police Chief Matthew Kalnins said an Oregon officer first saw the vehicle traveling 66 mph in a 40-mph zone as it was going east on Washington Street, which also is Illinois Route 64.
When the officer tried to stop the vehicle in the 1200 block of South Blackhawk Road, just east of the city limits, the driver failed to stop, Kalnins said.
“The vehicle proceeded westbound back through Oregon, where deputies from the Ogle County Sheriff’s Department joined the efforts to stop it,” Kalnins said in a Nov. 4 news release. “The vehicle continued to evade law enforcement, eventually traveling down South Fourth Street (Illinois Route 2) before the driver abandoned the vehicle near Collins Street
close to the railroad tracks.”
Kalnins said Oregon police officers and Ogle County Sheriff’s deputies conducted an extensive search of the area but were unable to find the suspect.
“This incident remains under investigation and we urge anyone with information regarding this matter to contact the Oregon Police Department at 815-732-2803,” Kalnins said. “We extend our gratitude to the Ogle County Sheriff’s Department and the Mt. Morris Police Department for their support and assistance during this incident.”
OREGON LIBRARY
Closed for Veterans Day
The library will be closed Monday, Nov. 11. Preschool Story Time (18 months to 6 years)
Story Time is at 10 a.m. Mondays. Stories, crafts and friends to share books. Registration is required. Visit www.oregonpublic library.com. or call 815-732-2724. There is no Story Time on Monday, Nov. 11. Book Clubs
The 2WBC meets at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, to discuss “Love in the Time of Cholera” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Cocktails and Crime will meet at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17.
Is This Just Fantasy? Book Club will meet at 6 p.m. Nov. 19 to discuss “Theft of Swords” by Michael J. Sullivan.
The Afternoon Book Club meets at
CORRECTIONS
1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, to discuss “I’m a Stranger Here Myself” by Bill Bryson. Books on Tap Book Club meets at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, at Cork & Tap to discuss “Sociopath: A Memoir” by Patric Gagne. Red Bow Box Location
Beginning Nov. 11 through Nov. 30, the library will be participating in the Red Bow Box. Enter for your chance to win prizes from the library and a grand prize giveaway. Oregon’s 38th annual Candlelight Walk will be Saturday, Nov. 30. Toys for Tots
The Oregon Public Library is a Toys for Tots drop-off location. The last day to contribute is Tuesday, Dec. 3.
Spooktacular Game Night, 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13
Spooktacular is a tabletop game with an
Accuracy is important to the Oregon Republican Reporter. Please call errors to our attention by email at news@oglecountynews.com.
Waiting to vote
emphasis on roleplaying and ghost-catching. Players take the role of an eclectic mix of paranormal investigators tasked with capturing pesky poltergeists, all while playing up their character’s eccentric personalities. Come for a night of spooky fun and adventure. Bonus points if you are dressed like your favorite ghost hunter. Snacks will be provided. For teens and older. Registration is required at 815-732-2724 or www.oregonpubliclibrary.com.
Holiday Movie Binge Boxes
Registration begins Nov. 13. Inside each box are DVDs handpicked for you by our librarians plus a festive treat and activity. Call 815-7322724 or visit our website to complete your registration for your box. Once your box is ready, you will be notified to pick it up at the library. Must be an Oregon library card holder.
HOW ARE WE DOING?
We want to hear from you. Email us your thoughts at feedback@shawmedia.com.
Alyssa Barrinson of Oregon waits for her ballot from election judges at her precinct sign-in table before voting Nov. 5 at the Rock River Center in Oregon.
Earleen Hinton
4-H Club visits town hall for preview of Election Day
By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com
OREGON – Members of the Blackhawk Crossing 4-H Club learned about the voting process Monday inside one of the oldest polling places in Ogle County one day before Tuesday’s national election.
Leader Lisa Hinrichs of Oregon brought the 20-some 4-H kids to the Pine Creek Town Hall, 5527 W. Pines Road, strategically located between Oregon, Polo and Mt. Morris for a preview of the voting process from three veteran election judges.
“We were planning our meetings and I looked at the dates and figured it was a good idea to come and see how it works,” Hinrichs said as her group walked into the historic Pine Creek Town Hall, the 126-year-old building where residents of Pine Creek Township – commonly called “Pinecrickers – still cast their ballots on Election Day.
“This is where we vote,” Hinrichs told the club members. “These election judges are going to share with us a little bit about how voting works.”
Election judge Sheryl Hopkins of Polo said she rises early in order to get everything set for the day.
“I get up around 3:45 a.m. We have to get here by 5 a.m. to get everything ready before we open at 6 a.m.,” Hopkins said.
“We have to get everything set up before the polls open,” Judy Nixon of Mt. Morris said. “We will have people
here at 6 a.m. and then we are here the whole day until 7 p.m. when the polls close. It is a long day.”
Judges count the number of ballots cast and compare it to the number of ballots they received (based on the number of registered voters in that precinct) and make sure that the number of ballots is consistent with the number of voters who checked in at the polling place.
It [the election] may not come out the way you want it to, but you need to exercise your right to vote. One vote really can make a difference.”
“I get kind of excited when we have a presidential election because a lot of people come out to vote,” Nixon said. She emphasized the importance of voting.
“It [the election] may not come out the way you want it to,” she told the 4-H kids, “but you need to exercise your right to vote. One vote really can make a difference.”
Election judge duties
“We count the number of ballots used and they have to match with the number we have left over – how many we have left compared to how many we started with,” Nixon said. Election judges representing both the Republican and Democratic parties transport the locked ballot box to the Ogle County County Clerk’s Office in Oregon where the votes are counted.
In addition to opening and closing the polls, duties of election judges include ensuring that every person qualified to vote is permitted to vote; giving assistance to voters with disabilities; being responsible for the proper and lawful conduct of the election in the polling place; returning required election equipment at the end of Election Day; being responsible for all election materials; giving instructions in the method of voting when requested by a voter; and maintaining order in the polling place throughout the day.
Photos by Earleen Hinton
Emmie and Lily Nicholson, 8 and 6, of Mt. Morris listen as election judges at the Pine Creek Town Hall explain the ballot and voting procedures during a visit by the Blackhawk Crossing 4-H Club on Nov. 4.
Lisa Hinrichs, one of the leaders of the Blackhawk Crossing 4-H Club, talks to club members as they visit the Pine Creek Town Hall to learn about voting procedures Nov. 4.
Election judges Judy Nixon (right) and Sheryl Hopkins (center) talk to members of the Blackhawk Crossing 4-H Club at the Pine Creek Town Hall on Nov. 4.
Judy Nixon, election judge in Pine Creek Township
Windy witches and a wild west wind
This year I decided to get a few bags of candy and use my warm west corner of the house for trick-or-treaters. The weather had been delightful and I had this beautiful yellow chrysanthemum bush that had gotten enormous. It was the last of my flowers to bloom and it filled the corner under my kitchen window.
I had some gallon tin containers the girls had made for fall lanterns and I had put candles in them for a nice glow. It was the perfect setting.
I still had the large screen in the door and I was enjoying the warm fall air with the sun streaming into the room. It would be a perfect evening to welcome all the kids and a big bowl of candy was ready by the door.
Alexa had warned me that it was going to be windy all day so I stayed in because I remembered my encounter with the wind a couple of years
POLO HISTORY
Betty Obendorf
ago at Aplington House.
I knew it was windy out but I needed something from the museum. I pulled up, opened my car door and I had put one leg outside when the wind suddenly gave an enormous gust. The car door blew shut with my leg outside and I had quite a time getting the door pushed back open so I could get my leg back in the car.
I was glad I had not gotten out on the street. I realized right away that a windy day was not a good day for an older person to be out. So this time with the wind blowing, I stayed in all day. The only problem was that Alexa
did not tell me it would be a cold wind blowing.
At the appointed hour, when all the little witches, ghosts and goblins would be out on the streets, I opened my door. What roared in was a very wild, west cold wind and I knew quickly I could not be in that cold wind all evening. I would have to go to Plan B. My light does not work on my front porch so that spot was not going to work.
I headed for my little garage door and wrapped myself up in a blanket. That little corner was away from the wind and I was amazed at all the Halloween activity. I enjoyed seeing all the costumes and the trick-or-treaters did not seem to mind the wind. Kids are a very sturdy stock.
It was a very festive evening and I was glad I did not miss out. Neighbors across the street were very innovative and treated not only the kids but the
parents as well. The kids got candy and the parents got decorated doughnuts. When the doughnuts ran out, they fixed pizza. How cool was that. Everyone was in a great Halloween mood and the kids were very courteous. Parents watched their children very carefully since the street was busy with cars and those windy witches can move rather fast. I was amazed at how many people were out on such a windy, cold evening.
In a couple of hours my bowl was empty and I was getting cold so I did not last the entire time. Next year I will need more candy, heavier clothes and I need to pay more attention to the temperature outside in case that wild, west wind is blowing again.
• Betty Obendorf is a retired teacher and volunteer for the Polo Historical Society.
Western expansion and log cabins as pioneers arrive
After the Black Hawk War in 1832, pioneers took the long and difficult trip to settle in Illinois.
When pioneers first arrived at their new land, one of the first things they needed to do was build a house where the family could live. They chose areas with plenty of trees where they would build log cabins.
All they needed to build their cabins were trees, an ax and a saw. They didn’t need metal nails or spikes to hold them together and log cabins could be built fairly quickly. Most log cabins were simple one-room buildings where the entire family would live.
Once the farm was up and running, settlers often built bigger homes or added on to the log cabin.
VETERANS DAY EVENTS
Leaf River
In honor of Veterans Day, the Leaf River Lions Club is having a Lunch Drive Thru from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 9. Donations will be accepted for the meal. Proceeds will benefit the Rockford Veterans Drop-In Center.
The Lions will be serving a brat or beef hot dog meal complete with chips, applesauce and a beverage at the old fire station next to the Bertolet Memorial Building, 103 W. Second St., in Leaf River.
Oregon
Oregon VFW Post 8739 and American
Otto Dick OGLE COUNTY HISTORY
The first task was clearing the land. They cleared space around the home where they could plant a garden, build a barn and keep some animals such as chickens.
Next they cut logs for the cabin. Once they cut the logs to the right length, they would cut notches at each end where the logs would fit together at the corners of the cabin. They would strip the bark off the logs as the bark would rot over time.
All four walls were built a log at a
Legion Post 97 will host a Veterans Day service at 10:45 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11, at the VFW Post, 1310 W. Washington St. in Oregon.
There will be a rifle salute to honor all veterans, followed by the playing of taps. At 11:30 a.m., a potluck lunch provided by Chowhaul Smokehouse will be served including pulled pork and beans, chili, coffee and lemonade.
Dishes to pass are appreciated. For more information, call 815-732-6851.
Polo
Centennial Elementary School will host
time. If only one man was building the cabin, it usually was only 6 or 7 feet tall. That is because he could only lift a log so high. If he had help, the walls could be a bit taller. Each side of the cabin was typically between 12 and 16 feet long.
Once the walls and roof were finished, the pioneers would seal the cracks between the logs with mud or clay. This was called daubing or clinking the walls.
A stone fireplace was built at one end of the log cabin. This would keep the family warm during the winter and give them fire for cooking. There usually were one or two windows to let in light but the pioneers seldom had glass. Greased paper was used to cover the windows. Floors generally
a Veterans Day program on Nov. 11
Doors will open at 12:15 p.m. The program will take place from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. in the gymnasium.
The guest speaker will be Becky (Grobe) Davis.
Rochelle
Roberts Armory World War II Museum will be open to the public in honor of Veterans Day from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9.
There is no admission charge.
The Higgins boat will be open for viewing, weather permitting. The next
were packed earth, but sometimes they used split logs for the floors.
The first log cabins in America were built by emigrants from Sweden and Finland. Log cabins had been built in their countries for thousands of years.
One man working alone could build a small cabin in a few weeks. A flat stone often was placed at each corner of the log cabin to give the cabin a firm foundation.
The doors of log cabins usually were built facing the south. That allowed the sun to shine into the cabin during the day.
• Otto Dick is a retired teacher and has researched Ogle County history for several years.
opening will be Memorial Day 2025.
To get to the museum, follow the signs on the Army truck at Route 251 and Intermodal Drive (about three miles).
Many World War II artifacts are on display including tanks, trucks, cannons and Rochelle News-Leader newspapers from 1945 presenting photographs of Rochelle residents who served during World War II.
More information is available on the Rochelle website at enjoyrochelle.com/ online-directory/what-to-do/history-attractions/robert-s-armory.html.
– Shaw Local News Network
Voter turnout in Sauk Valley down from 2020 election
By ALEXA ZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com
DIXON – Voter turnout in the Sauk Valley area was down slightly from the 2020 election, but still up from 2016.
In Carroll County, 7,904 ballots were cast, bringing voter turnout to 76%. Voter turnout was 77.67% in 2020 and 68.73% in the 2016 election.
Lee County counted 16,197 ballots and voter turnout was 73.5% compared with 74.23% in 2020 and 68.53% in 2016.
A total of 25,933 ballots were cast in Ogle County for a 76.6% voter turnout. In 2020, voter turnout was 83.48% and in 2016 it was 72.74%.
In Whiteside County, 71.3% of voters – a total of 26,671 ballots – turned out to vote. Voter turnout was 71.87% in 2020 and 68.53% in 2016.
Carroll County
2016
Total voters: 11,008
Total ballots cast: 7,566
Percent: 68.73%
2020
Total voters: 10,424
Total ballots cast: 8,096
Percent: 77.67%
2024
Total voters: 10,405
Total ballots cast: 7,904 (1,515 early voters, 1,570 vote-by-mail)
Percent: 76%
Lee County 2016
Total voters: 22,919
Total ballots cast: 15,707
Percent: 68.53%
2020
Total voters: 22,291
Total ballots cast: 16,547
Percent: 74.23%
2024
Total voters: 22,023
Total ballots cast: 16,197 (4,568 early voters, 2,138 vote-by-mail)
Percent: 73.5%
Ogle County 2016
Total voters: 33,627
Total ballots cast: 24,460
Percent: 72.74%
2020
Total voters: 31,786
Total ballots cast: 26,535
Percent: 83.48%
2024
Total voters: 33,870
Total ballots cast: 25,933 (6,774 early voters, 2,606 vote-by-mail)
Percent: 76.6%
Whiteside County 2016
Total voters: 37,759
Total ballots cast: 25,875
Percent: 68.53% 2020
Total voters: 38,436
Total ballots cast: 27,623
Percent: 71.87% 2024
Total voters: 37,430
Total ballots cast: 26,671 (4,079 early voters, 4,055 vote-by-mail)
Percent: 71.3%
Voting data for the 2016 and 2020 elections was obtained from the Illinois State Board of Elections website. Voting data for the Nov. 5 election was obtained from poll results.net.
Alexa Zoellner
Don Ditzler of Polo fills out his ballot for the general election Nov. 5 at the Polo Area Senior Center.
Fallen tree causes closure of Illinois Route 2 near Oregon
By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com
OREGON – Strong winds caused a large tree to fall across Illinois Route 2 last week, closing traffic on the state highway for several hours.
The tree, which was located in a resident’s yard on the west side of the highway, fell across both lanes of the highway and across electrical and
other service wires Oct. 31.
About 135 ComEd customers were without power at one point.
The road was closed from Fair Street in Oregon north to Margaret Fuller Road.
At 1:30 p.m. crews from ComEd and Asplundh, a tree removal company, waited for a large crane to arrive to lift the tree from the wires.
The road reopened about 3:30 p.m.
TOP LEFT: A large tree fell across Illinois Route 2 north of Oregon on Oct. 31, forcing the closure of the state highway from Fair Street in Oregon north to Margaret Fuller Drive.
TOP RIGHT: Oregon Fire Chief Michael Knup walks near the site where a large tree fell across Illinois Route 2. ABOVE: Southbound traffic was backed up on Illinois Route 2 near Oregon after a large tree fell across the state highway. LEFT: Electricity was knocked out for some residents north of Oregon after the large tree fell. MIDDLE LEFT: Crews wait for a crane to arrive to remove the tree.
Photos by Earleen Hinton
Village officials hope to complete Zickuhr Park upgrades in 2025
By ALEXA ZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com
MT. MORRIS – Mt. Morris officials hope to have Zickuhr Park renovations started – and completed – next year.
Components of the redevelopment are a picnic shelter, additions to the existing play structure – including Americans With Disabilities Act-compliant sections – renovations to the half-court basketball area, game tables, a pollinator garden with interpretative signage, fitness stations and a sunset overlook with seating.
“The [Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development] grant that we received is a 50% match, so we had to come up with ideas in that budget,” Parks and Recreation Trustee Jim Hopkins said. “There are a certain amount of items you have to have in the park. We had to have five new items introduced to that park … and then from there, we could do whatever our budget could afford.”
The grant is a state-financed program with dedicated funding through a portion of the state’s real estate transfer tax. It is offered through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Recipients can get up to $600,000 for development/renovation projects, or up to $1.725 million for acquisition projects, on a dollar-to-dollar match.
In January, the village of Mt. Morris received a $152,600 OSLAD grant to redevelop Zickuhr Park. The total cost of the project is $305,200.
“The only thing left we have for the engineering is one more survey of utilities and sanitary,” Hopkins said. “[That’s] just to make sure before we put the bids out that all the contractors know where everything is and to make sure we’re not going to be putting something on top of existing utilities.”
Hitchcock Design Group, the com-
pany the village contracted for the project, plans to solicit bids from contractors starting Jan. 1, Hopkins said. The hope is to have bids in and ready for consideration by the end of February, he said.
“Then their goal is in the spring of 2025 that we start breaking ground and then hopefully finish by fall,” Hopkins said.
A component the village hopes to add to the park in the next year or two is parking, Hopkins said. The village still needs to get pricing for parking, he said.
“Zickuhr Park has zero parking right now,” Hopkins said. “It’s all street parking. So hopefully we can incorporate a spot in the northeast corner off of Sunset [Lane] that we could make a small space for five, 10 cars, something like that.”
There will be a “70% meeting” in November during which village officials will review pricing on a full walking path, he said. That component would have to be funded at a later date either through fundraising or donations, Hopkins said.
A full walking path around Zickuhr Park was part of the original project plan, but the plan had to be revised when Mt. Morris found out on July 26, 2023 – about halfway through the application period – that it didn’t make the state’s distressed community list for fiscal 2024. Distressed communities are eligible for 100% forgiveness up to $600,000 on the OSLAD grant.
Mt. Morris was listed as a distressed community the past few years, but it came off the list because equalized assessed values increased. With the village’s change in status, it became eligible to have up to 50% of the OSLAD grant forgiven.
As a result, the Zickuhr Park redevelopment costs had to be scaled back from the originally planned budget of $632,000, of which the village would have been responsible for $32,000.
The [Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development] grant that we received is a 50% match, so we had to come up with ideas in that budget. There are a certain amount of items you have to have in the park. We had to have five new items introduced to that park … and then from there, we could do whatever our budget could afford.”
Jim Hopkins, Parks and Recreation trustee
NOTICE OF PROPOSED PROPERTY
TAX INCREASE FOR THE
MT. MORRIS FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
1
A PUBLIC HEARING TO APPROVE A PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX LEVY
INCREASE FOR THE MT. MORRIS FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT FOR 2025 WILL BE
HELD NOVEMBER 18TH, 2024 AT 7:00 PM CST AT THE DISTRICT FIREHOUSE, 15 E. CENTER ST. MT. MORRIS, IL.
ANY PERSON DESIRING TO APPEAR AT THE PUBLIC HEARING AND PRESENT TESTIMONY TO THE TAXING DISTRICT MAY CONTACT MARJIE LUNQUIST, SECRETARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES, 15 E. CENTER ST, MT. MORRIS, IL, PHONE 815-734-4322.
2 THE PROPOSED GENERAL CORPORATE FIRE, AMBULANCE, EMERGENCY AND RESCUE, AND INSURANCE TAXES TO BE LEVIED FOR 2025 ARE $709,901.00. THIS REPRESENTS A 7.0 PERCENT INCREASE OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR EXTENSION.
3
THE TOTAL PROPERTY TAXES EXTENDED FOR 2024 ARE $663,459.00
Mt. Morris man charged with possessing sexual images of children
By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com
OREGON – An Ogle County judge denied a defense request Monday to release a Mt. Morris man from jail as his case for possessing child pornography moves through the court system. Christopher J. Kaepplinger, 54, was arrested Oct. 31 after Ogle County Sheriff’s detectives and officers with the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigations searched Kaepplinger’s apartment at 302 1/2 E. Lincoln St. and said they found images of children younger than 13 being sexually abused.
Kaepplinger was charged Nov. 1 with six counts of child pornography, all Class 2 felonies that – if convicted – carry a maximum jail term of three
Christopher Kaepplinger
to seven years. According to court documents, Kaepplinger is accused of possessing photos on his cellphone of children in sexual poses exposing their genitals and breasts. One of the photographs shows a young girl engaging in oral intercourse with an adult, police said.
Kaepplinger first appeared in court Nov. 1 and his detention hearing was continued to Monday.
On Monday, Assistant State’s Attorney Matthew Leisten told Judge Anthony Peska that Kaepplinger
PROPERTY TRANSFERS FOR OGLE COUNTY
Oct. 26 to Nov. 1
Warranty deeds
James I. Salisbury and Laura E. Salisbury to Tyler James Bortoli and Taylor L. Bortoli, 2235 E. Oak Grove Road, Byron, $305,000.
Ronald R. Gruber and Ronelia D. Gruber to Matthew and Katelyn Hamel, 3849 E. Mockingbird Lane, Byron, $269,000.
Matthew Funk and Diane H. Funk to Charles P. Medley, 348 E. Roosevelt Road, Stillman Valley, $105,000.
Hub Shuttle Inc. to Piotr Kaszuba, 106 E. Splendor Court, Stillman Valley, $239,000.
Amanda Marie Wadas and Zachery Dakota Wadas to Taylor Ramsey and Faye J. Nelson Ramsey, 8384 N. Canary Dr., Stillman Valley, $277,500.
Sharon M. Van Oosten to James A. Van Oosten and Sharon M. Van Oosten, 9589 W. Henry Road, Polo, $0.
Louis A. Nielsen to Robert J. Nobile, 208 Cuyahoga Dr., Dixon, $4,000.
Brock J. Swanlund and Heather L. Swanlund to the village of Mt. Morris, 1 N. Wesley St. Mt. Morris, $1,000. Michael D. Peterson and Cecilia Peterson to Nathan J. Arjes, 1161 Clifton Terrace, Rochelle, $292,000.
Shirley Villa to Brodie Nantz Jr., 1261 Tilton Park Dr., Rochelle, $150,000.
Marilyn Rainwater to Jamie Miller, 5187 Harlan Dr., Rochelle,, $179,900.
Barry Ronner to Ryan A. Dewey, 105 N. Hannah Ave., Mt. Morris, $87,500.
Shane Logan to Dolores A. Lott, 1101 S. Third St., Oregon, $177,000.
Jeffrey A. Whitehead and Pamela K. Whitehead to Michael O. Engbert, Lucinda Engbert, Todd Hillis and Jodi S. Hollis, one parcel in Leaf River Township, $1.34 million.
Judy L. Hamby to David Pelayo and Robert Svcila, 131 S. Sixth St., Rochelle, $30,000.
Quit claim deeds
Robert Glessner to Mercedes M. Glessner, 411 Betty Place, Mt. Morris, $0.
Stefanie Page to Jason Page, one parcel in Mt. Morris Township and 7383 W. Lowell Park Road, Mt. Morris, $0.
Andre Alexander Parker and Ashley
Marie Parker to Andre Alexander Parker, 4464 E. Ridgeview Lane, Byron, $0.
Carole Vilchis and Carlos Fior to Carole Vilchis, one parcel in Pine Creek Township, $0.
Carole Vilchis and Carlos Fior to Carole
should not be released from the Ogle County jail because he is a threat to the community.
Leisten said Kaepplinger recently had worked for a school.
“He [Kaepplinger] is no longer working for a school, but he has been actively applying to other schools,” Leisten said. “He is a danger to the community. He has admitted to storing child pornography on his phone for the last few years.”
Kaepplinger’s attorney, Ogle County Public Defender Kathleen Isley, argued that certain conditions –including electronic monitoring –could be placed on Kaepplinger if he were to be released.
“Any threat can be mitigated by conditions set by the court,” Isley said, adding that Kaepplinger had
cooperated with law enforcement.
Isley said Peska could set conditions on Kaepplinger’s release including restricting him from certain websites and having no contact with minors. Kaepplinger’s pretrial assessment that included previous criminal activity had shown him to be a “lowrisk” for release, Isley argued.
Peska disagreed and granted Leisten’s motion to continue to hold Kaepplinger in custody citing the seriousness of the charges.
“While the crime is alleged to have occurred in the privacy of his own home on his own phone ... more telling are the statements he made that he preferred images of females 7 to 10 years old,” Peska said.
Kaepplinger’s preliminary status hearing was set for 10:30 a.m. Nov. 6.
Vilchis, 5730 S. Poplar Dr., Oregon, $0.
Theresa R. Rucker to Theresa R. Rucker, 301 W. Third St., Leaf River, $0.
Troy A. Vandenbroek and Carolyn Vandenbroek to Troy A. Vandenbroek and Carolyn Vandenbroek, 972 S. Marsh Road, Oregon, and 972 Marsh Road, Oregon, $0.
Frances A. Bruns to T&R Rentals LLC, 1127 Pickwick Dr., Rochelle, $0.
Chris T. Siegfried to Chris T. Siegfried and Mariafe H. Siegfried, 9807 N. Leaf River Road, Leaf River, $0.
Gary L. Treese and Daryl J. Messenger to Gary L. Treese, Rick L. Messenger and Daryl J. Messenger, 412 E. Second St., Byron, $0.
Trustee deeds
Scott M. Garman, trustee, Scott M. Garman Trust, David J. Sgarlata, trustee, and David J. Sgarlata Trust to Daniel and Teresa Heng, 3973 S. Chana Road, Chana, $589,000.
John R. Mueller, trustee, Janice L. Kereven, trustee, and RHM Trust 1 to Cameron Zies and Ann Goley-Zies, 412 E. Lincoln St. Mt. Morris, $117,000.
Fortunato Cassola, trustee, Fortunata Cassola, trustee, and Gaetano T. and
Fortunato Cassola Trust 1 to Fortunata Cassola, trustee, and Gaetano T. and Fortunata Cassola Trust 1, 711 Jones Road, Rochelle, 703 Jones Road, Rochelle, 809 Lincoln Highway, Rochelle, and 318 S. Second St., Rochelle, $0. Luann M. Byers, trustee, and Luann M. Byers Revocable Trust to Olivia M. Rude, trustee, Garrett R. Rude, trustee, Olivia M. Rude Living Trust and Garrett R. Rude Living Trust, 9201 N. Raven Crest Lane, Byron, $657,500.
Sheriff’s deeds
Dave A. Borgmann, Julie A. Borgmann and Ogle County sheriff to Nationstar Mortgage LLC, one parcel in Leaf River Township and 106 W. Second St., Leaf River, $0.
Deeds in trust
Joseph E. Eden and Teresa M. Eden to Joseph E. Eden, trustee, Teresa M. Eden, trustee, and Joseph and Teresa Eden Family Trust, 5864 E. Bradley Road, Byron, $0. Kenneth and Marilyn Ditzler to Kenneth Ditzler, trustee, Marilyn Ditzler, trustee, and Kenneth and Marilyn Ditzler Trust, 302 Knollwood Dr., Dixon, $0.
Source: Ogle County Recorder’s Office
Mt. Morris closes on purchase of Wesley Avenue property
By ALEXA ZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com
MT. MORRIS – The village of Mt. Morris on Monday closed on the purchase of 1 N. Wesley Ave., one of two properties destroyed in an April 16 fire.
“The village now owns the property,” Village President Phil Labash told Shaw Local News Network. “It is our intention to move to demo as quickly as possible.”
According to Ogle County property transfer records, the village bought the property for $1,000.
The village did not buy 3 N. Wesley Ave., Labash said.
Mt. Morris Village Board members will review bids for demolition of 1 N. Wesley Ave. at their Nov. 12 meeting, Labash said.
The village has three quotes for the demolition, Labash said. All three are less than $25,000, which means the village does not have to solicit formal bids, he said.
“We gathered that information over the past month,” Labash said of the bids.
Both 1 N. Wesley Ave. and 3 N. Wesley Ave. – the latter of which housed Sharky’s Sports Bar – were destroyed in an April 16 fire.
Demolition of 3 N. Wesley Ave. began Oct. 21.
“The owners had a permit for that,” Labash said.
The demolition did not include work on 1 N. Wesley Ave., he said.
As of Oct. 30, Ogle County property tax records list Brock and Heather Swanlund as the owners of 1 N. Wesley Ave. and Double Duce Corp., in the care of Michael Rossi, as the owner of 3 N. Wesley Ave.
Sharky’s Sports Bar is owned by Pamela Rossi, according to court documents.
On Oct. 21, Pamela Rossi filed a com-
Now Available
plaint for injunctive relief against the village of Mt. Morris and the Swanlunds, asking the court to prohibit the village from buying 1 N. Wesley Ave. and to prohibit the Swanlunds from selling the property.
According to the complaint, Rossi intends to sue the village and the Swanlunds for negligence, violation of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, public nuisance and common law tort claims arising from the fire.
The 14th Amendment guarantees equal protection under the law to all people within the U.S. A plaintiff injured by a defendant’s wrongful act
can file a tort lawsuit to recover money from that defendant, according to the Congressional Research Service.
If the village of Mt. Morris buys 1 N. Wesley Ave., it “would effectively complicate [Rossi’s] ability to seek full and fair relief,” according to the complaint.
On Oct. 25, Ogle County Judge John Redington denied Rossi’s request.
Rossi has until Nov. 13 to file an amended complaint, according to Redington’s order. The village and the Swanlunds must respond to any amended complaint by Dec. 4.
A status hearing on the case is set for 11 a.m. Dec. 20.
Labash declined to comment on the lawsuit.
At 1:33 p.m. April 16, the Mt. Morris Fire Protection District was alerted to flames coming from an apartment in the building at 1 N. Wesley Ave. The fire quickly spread to Sharky’s Sports Bar because of strong winds and the absence of a firewall separating the two structures. The fire was extinguished by 5 p.m., with most mutual-aid companies released by 7 p.m.
“The cause of the fire has been ruled as undetermined and the case has been closed on our end,” said JC Fultz, public information officer for the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Earleen Hinton
An excavator sits Nov. 4 by debris from one of two buildings recently demolished in downtown Mt. Morris. The buildings were destroyed by an April fire.
Polo surges past Alden-Hebron in playoff opener
Marcos to face seventh-seeded West Carroll on Friday
By ANDY COLBERT
Shaw
Local News Network correspondent
POLO – For the first time all season, Polo trailed in a football game. In the opening round of the Illinois 8-man Football Association playoffs Nov. 1, Alden-Hebron drove 63 yards in nine plays to take a 6-0 lead on the second-seeded Marcos.
An 18-yard pass from JP Stewart to Jack Stewart and 19- and 22-yard runs by Wyatt Armbrust had Polo momentarily reeling.
“No one has done that to us on the first drive,” Polo quarterback Gus Mumford said. “We may have underestimated them.”
Polo recovered and went on to win 58-20. The Marcos advanced to face seventh-seeded West Carroll on Friday.
Armbrust replaced JP Stewart at quarterback and sneaked in from a yard out on fourth down for the early lead. The touchdown came after the Marcos stuffed Alden-Hebron for no gain on three straight plays from the 1.
“It was amazing to start like that against someone as good as Polo,” Armbrust said. “It gave us momentum.”
Even though Polo (10-0) regained the lead, the Green Giants (5-5) pulled to within 18-12 on a 48-yard scoopand-score by freshman Caleb Linneman midway through the second quarter. The Green Giants had another chance to score in the first half but a wide-open Linneman couldn’t hold on to a long halfback pass from Armbrust. On the next play, Jeffrey Donaldson blocked an Armbrust punt.
After losing to Polo 54-6 earlier in the season, the Green Giants needed a break but their thin hopes for a big upset soon evaporated.
Kailin Gulbranson capped a quick 55-yard drive with a 6-yard TD run to increase the Polo lead to 26-12. Gage Zeigler then recovered an Alden-Hebron fumble at the visitors’ 38-yard line.
Mumford, who already had 34- and 70-yard touchdowns and a 12-yard scoring strike to Billy Lowry, made it 34-12 on a 12-yard TD scramble. His heroics continued with an interception after a long kickoff return by Armbrust.
With 1.4 seconds left in the half, Gus Mumford found Mercer Mumford at the sideline for 36 yards. On
the final play, the two connected again on a 14-yard touchdown for a 42-12 halftime advantage.
“I’m proud of our kids. They came out with intensity,” Alden-Hebron coach John Lalor said. “It fell apart before the half on those three scores. They wore us down.”
Polo continued to grind down the Green Giants in the second half, starting with an eight-play scoring drive with Gus Mumford running in from nine yards for his 18th touchdown of the season.
“We didn’t get down and kept our heads up,” Polo lineman Wyatt Plachno said.
Alden-Hebron’s Zach Lillie stifled a Marcos scoring opportunity with his second fumble recovery. That was one part of the game Polo was disappointed in.
“Typically, we don’t have that many turnovers,” Mumford said. “We’ll get back to work and ball security will be a big priority.”
Photos by Earleen Hinton
Polo’s Wyatt Plachno celebrates a Marcos touchdown against Alden-Hebron during 8-man playoff action Nov. 1 in Polo.
Polo’s Mercer Mumford fights off Alden-Hebron’s JP Stewart.
Late first-half TD sparks Princeton to victory
Tigers top Hawks for 7th straight opening-round win
By KEVIN HIERONYMUS khieronymus@shawmedia.com
PRINCETON – It would have been easy for Princeton coach Ryan Pearson to settle for a 12-point halftime lead in Class 3A playoff opener at Bryant Field on Nov. 1.
But Pearson hasn’t taken his Tigers to the playoffs six straight years taking it easy.
The Tiger coach took defensive timeouts to force Oregon to punt to give the Tigers the ball at their own 16-yard line with just 1:03 left in the first half.
Six plays later, on third-and-10 from their 40-yard line, quarterback Will Lott hit senior end Noah LaPorte with a short screen pass and he worked his way through the Oregon defense and went off to the races for a 60-yard touchdown reception.
The Tigers missed their third conversion, but took an 18-point lead to the locker room on the way to a 40-8 victory.
“I just felt like the first quarter was just odd. There was no flow in the game. I really don’t have an explanation for it,” Pearson said. “Those are the type of things that are going to happen. Oregon had a good game plan. They tried to slow everything down, keep our offense off the field, keep us off balance. And they did a great job in the first half.”
LaPorte said it was just the lift the Tigers needed.
“I love it. You got to gamble sometimes and obviously it paid off right there. That propelled us to the win,” he said. “First quarter, first half, we weren’t getting any momentum going and kind of picked it up second half and got that victory.”
It was the Tigers’ seventh straight first-round playoff victory. Princeton (9-1) will meet No. 12 Chicago King (7-3), who beat No. 5 Chicago Marshall 40-8 on Saturday in the second round in Chicago.
“It feels good. Starting off the postseason strong. It’s a new season,” LaPorte said. “Looking forward to a new opponent. See what we did wrong this game and move on to the next game. Fixing our mistakes and looking to play any team.”
Oregon (5-5) held the Tigers scoreless for the first 17 minutes of the game. Casey Etheridge broke the ice for a 34-yard touchdown run, giving the Tigers a 6-0 lead with 6:45 left in the second quarter as their PAT kick was blocked.
On their next possession, the Tigers mounted a 10-play, 63-yard scoring
drive with Lott bulling his way in from the 1. The conversion pass failed and the Tigers took a 12-0 lead with 2:11 left in the half.
That’s when Pearson looked for a spark. The Tigers held the Hawks to six yards on three plays with Pearson taking a timeout after each stop.
After the Hawks punted, Etheridge picked up six yards and Lott gained 18 for a first down at the Tiger 40. Lott then hit LaPorte for the touchdown pass to send the Tigers to the locker room with an 18-0 lead.
“Having a touchdown like that with eight seconds instead of taking a knee, going into halftime, we’re pumped up and obviously it carried into the second half,” LaPorte said.
“We’ve been working on that package quite a bit the last couple weeks and we wanted to use it in that type of situation,” Pearson said.
Photos by Scott Anderson
Princeton’s Ace Christiansen breaks up a pass intended for Oregon’s Kade Girton during the Class 3A playoff game Nov. 1.
Oregon’s Gavin Morrow sprints down the field on a run against Princeton.
• PRINCETON
Continued from page 12
“Great execution by our kids in that drive. That was huge, going from a twoscore halftime lead to a three-score halftime lead. Credit to our kids for executing that drive right there.”
Lott called his own number for another 1-yard touchdown to give the Tigers a 25-0 lead on Ian Morris’ PAT with 6:02 left in the third quarter.
Princeton completed its scoring with a 20-yard run by Etheridge and a 5-yard run by Common Green with Ace Christiansen’s conversion run taking the Tigers to a 40-0 lead with 4:10 remaining.
While the Hawks showed their emotions on the field after the loss, coach Broc Kundert said they were winners for what they did for Oregon football.
“Oregon football has been down for awhile. These guys put us in a direction going forward. That’s huge,” he said.
“I’m proud of them for that. Just a great bunch of seniors.
“We’re out five starters. I thought we played as well as we could have. Love to see what would happen if we were fully healthy. They’re a good football team. I think they’re going to do some things.”
Etheridge led the Tigers with 150 yards rushing and two touchdowns while Lott rushed for two TDs and threw for another, completing 5-of-10 passes for 90 yards. The Tiger defense held the Hawks to 137 net yards of offense, with 116 yards rushing.
Pearson was glad the Tigers survived their slow start and finished strong.
“The name of the game is survive and advance.” he said. “We didn’t feel we played our best game by any means. But I told them we beat a very good, physical football team 40-8. Just imagine how good we could be if we just fix some of our technical mistakes. And I truly believe that.”
NOTICE OF PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX INCREASE FOR OREGON C.U.S.D. #220
I. A public hearing to approve a proposed property tax levy increase for Oregon C.U.S.D. #220 for 2024 will be held on Monday, November 18, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. at the Oregon District Office, 206 S 10th St, Oregon, IL 61061.
Any person desiring to appear at the public hearing and present testimony to the taxing district may contact Dr. PJ Caposey at pcaposey@ocusd.net.
II. The corporate and special purpose property taxes extended or abated for 2023 were $12,590,304.
The proposed corporate and special purpose property taxes to be levied for 2024 are $13,794,447. This represents a 9.56% increase over the previous year.
III. The property taxes extended for debt services and public building commission leases for 2023 were $1,668,145.
The estimated property taxes to be levied for debt services and public building commission lease for 2024 are $1,703,275. This represents a 2.11% increase from the previous year.
IV. The total property taxes extended or abated for 2023 were $14,258,449. The estimated total property taxes to be levied for 2024 are $15,497,722. This represents a 8.69% increase over the previous year.
Photos by Scott Anderson
Princeton’s Arthur Burden fails to reach the goal line on a conversion as Oregon’s Hunter Bartel shoves him out of bounds about a half yard shy of the end zone during the Class 3A playoff game Nov. 1 at Princeton High School.
Princeton’s Noah LaPorte dives over Oregon’s Cooper Johnson to gain a few extra yards.
by
to pass during 8-man playoff action against Alden-Hebron on Nov. 1 in Polo. TOP RIGHT: Polo’s Billy Lowry runs with the ball against Alden-Hebron’s Logan Crowell. ABOVE: Polo’s Gus Mumford tackles an Alden-Hebron player. LEFT: Marcos defenders contain an Alden-Hebron player. MIDDLE LEFT: Polo’s Gage Zeigler looks for a gap as he runs against Alden-Hebron.
• POLO
Continued from page 10
Gulbranson intercepted Stewart four plays later and JT Stephenson replaced Mumford at quarterback on the final drive. On a beautiful 21-yard throw-and-catch between Stephenson and Damon Rowe, the Marcos set the running clock in motion.
“Those two have been practicing it all year,” Plachno said.
Armbrust finished his standout career at Alden-Hebron with a 4-yard score to make it 58-20, giving the Green
Giants the honor of putting more points on Polo than anyone this year.
“On such a tough defense [5 points per game average] that says a lot,” Alden-Hebron offensive coordinator Jason Nelson said. “It took a lot of film analysis and changing our whole scheme. That first drive got us pumped up. Our goal was to compete hard and we did.”
Mumford led the Marcos with 178 yards rushing on 10 carries, along with 6-of-9 passing for 93 yards and four touchdowns.
“I like the way we recovered from a shaky start,” Polo coach Ted Alston said.
Photos
Earleen Hinton
TOP LEFT: Polo’s Gus Mumford looks
Oregon’s Daniel Gonzalez advances to state meet
By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com
Oregon junior Daniel Gonzalez was the lone Hawk to advance to the Class 1A cross country state finals Saturday in Peoria after running a personal best (16:32) to finish 17th at the Class 1A Rock Island Alleman Sectional on Nov 2.
Gonzalez was the eighth individual out of 10 individuals not on qualifying teams to advance to state from the sectional.
Two Big Northern Conference teams, Winnebago and Byron, qualified for the state meet by finishing second and sixth, respectively.
Rockford Christian won the boys meet, followed by Winnebago, Kewanee (Wethersfield), Princeville, Rockford Lutheran, Byron and Aledo (Mercer County).
Runners from those teams will compete at state Saturday at Detweiller Park in Peoria.
Winnebago’s Nicolai Martino won the sectional race in 15:16.
Byron’s Tim Starwalt finished third (15:37).
Other results for Winnebago were
Aiden Vazquez (15:49), Joseph Erb Jr. (16:35), Hudson Pope (17:02), Daniel Hodgdon (17:08), Blake Linder (17:13) and Blake Inglima (18:31).
Other Byron results were Michael Muzzarelli (17:04), Conner Welt (17:20), Braden Dietrich (17:49), Gavin Early (18:18), Micah Hilliker (18:26) and River Wygant (18:46).
Oregon finished 19th. Other Oregon times were Caleb Brooks (18:29), Elliot Peeling (20:35), Aidan Guida (20:47), Tristyn Smith (21:06) and Josvaldo Montes-Arroyo (24:34).
Forreston-Polo finished in 15th place and had no runners qualify for the state final. Noah Genandt led Forreston-Polo (18:09), finishing in 72nd place. Other times were Landon Graden (18:18), Taryn Heather (18:51), Kale Grobe (19:10), Kameron Grobe (19:10), Casen Grobe (19:14) and Eli Weilacher (19:38).
In the girls race, Winnebago took first, followed by Byron, Toulon (Stark County), Sherrard, Cambridge, Seneca and Genoa-Kingston. Winnebago’s Molly Webb finished seventh (18:55).
See CROSS COUNTRY, page 17
Photos by Earleen Hinton
Oregon’s Daniel Gonzalez competes at the Class 1A Rock Island Alleman Sectional on Nov. 2 at Saukie Golf Course in Rock Island.
Polo-Forreston and Byron runners start the boys race at the Class 1A Rock Island Alleman Sectional on Nov. 2 at Saukie Golf Course in Rock Island.
Volleyball, cross country, football postseasons fill sports schedules
As we get ready for Round 2 of the football playoffs, let’s take a look at the other fall sports.
A feel-good story in Big Northern Conference volleyball is No. 7 seed Dixon upsetting La Salle-Peru and Morris on its way to a regional title in Class 3A. The Duchesses almost didn’t get that chance, needing a third game two-point win against No. 8 Rochelle.
At the Class 1A Polo Sectional, it was top heavy with some of the elite in the state on display. Galena, Fulton, Newark and Stockton gave fans plenty to marvel at.
Credit to the Marcos for making it to the regional final against Fulton with wins over Amboy and Milledgeville, a team it had lost to twice this season.
In Class 1A sectional cross country, it was the Big Northern leading the way in both the boys and girls meets. Five of the top six boys hailed from the BNC. Rockford Christian, Winnebago, Rockford Lutheran and Byron all qualified for state as teams.
The top two girls teams were Winnebago and Byron. Interestingly, those two teams had the closest spread between runner No. 1 and No. 5. That type of pack running was something Byron coach Mike McHale felt would give his team an advantage. It sure did.
My son came back from Utah to help me handle the hordes of trick-ortreaters my neighborhood gets for Halloween. Since he had never seen 8-man football, we took in the Polo playoff game the next night.
He enjoyed the experience and commented how friendly the two Alden-Hebron coaches were that I interviewed afterward. Often after a loss that is not always the case.
One of those coaches was the father of 8-man ball in Illinois, John Lalor, who told me he had a couple of inquiries from schools considering joining the ranks.
My son told me that Utah’s high school football playoffs are done differently than Illinois. Teams aren’t seeded by records and playoff points, but by rankings.
In light of all the angst around powerhouses Byron and Montini forced to play in the second round, the Utah system would be preferable. As the two best teams, they would not be slotted to meet until the championship.
In the first round, 35 teams seeded
lower than their opponents won – 27% of the games. Chicago Public League teams went 1-15 against schools outside of Chicago. No. 16 seed Geneseo crushed No. 1 Chicago Sullivan 42-0. Games like that make a mockery of the seeding process.
Last year, a 15th seed (Nazareth Academy) won a state title. Something’s wrong with the current methodology when a team shows it is 15 spots better than its seed.
The danger in human rankings is not everyone is going to agree with them. At least with the IHSA’s seeding formula, there is no danger of impartiality. Still, ranking would be fairer that what the IHSA does now.
It was a tough go for the mid-range teams in the BNC. Genoa-Kingston, Oregon and Stillman Valley all had a running clock put on them. At least Oregon (injuries) and Stillman Valley (facing powerhouse Wilmington) had excuses. I know Genoa-Kingston had some turnovers against Pec-Durand, but to lose 66-0 is a bit shocking.
The Stillman Valley-Wilmington game was a rarity in that it featured two Illinois high school football Hall of Fame coaches, Mike Lalor of Stillman Valley and Jeff Reents of Wilmington. The two have eight state titles between them.
Rockford Lutheran has the advantage of being in 1A and had an easy time against Annawan/Wethersfield. A bigger test comes in the second round against 10-0 Leroy. A win by the Crusaders could put them on a collision course against LenaWinslow in the semifinals.
One of the best playoff games of last weekend was Galena’s stirring comeback against Stark County. The Pirates went on the road, trailed twice in the second half by two scores and still managed to pull out a 43-42 win.
Certainly the rigors of the Northwest Upstate Illini Conference prepares a team for anything it will see in the playoffs. Stockton also had a big win over Princeville. With Lutheran, Galena and Stockton all winning over teams from the Lincolnland Trail Conference (small), it was complete domination for the NUIC.
To make matters worse for the Lincolnland, their fourth qualifier, No. 4 seed Rushville, got hammered 44-6 by No. 13 Ottawa Marquette. Each of those teams was seeded higher than their opponent, giving further evidence for the need of a ranking system over seeding.
• Andy Colbert, an avid runner, is a sports writer for Shaw Local covering high school sports in Ogle County.
• CROSS COUNTRY
Continued from page 15
Other Winnebago times were Morgan Capriola (18:57), Svea Glidden (19:13), Ella Carlson (20:05), Ashlynn Robinson (20:14), Audra Mecum (20:52) and Emma Woolery (21:26).
Byron was led by Ashley Potter (19:19) in 15th place.
Potter was followed by Gabriella
Northrup (20:31), Grace Burnes (20:37), Emma Franchi (20:41), Elinor McHale (20:44), Addison Helms (21:35) and Alayna Swanson (21:38).
Oregon finished 11th as a team.
The Hawks were led by senior Ella Dannhorn’s 35th-place finish in 20:35.
Other Oregon times were Jillian Hammer (21:43), Christine Ramirez (22:23), Lorelai Dannhorn (22:29), Melanie Carrillo (23:44), Abbie Ludwig (24:17) and Madeline Rogers (24:32).
Now Available
Early Childhood Mental Health Awareness Month
Early childhood mental health means healthy social and emotional development in young children. Children are more likely to develop good social and emotional skills when they have safe, secure and nurturing relationships with other people.
Sinnissippi Centers offers mental health services for all ages, including children in the early stage of life. We’re here when you need us.
Photos by Earleen Hinton
ABOVE: Byron’s Ashley Potter (left) races Rockford Christian’s Riley Fritz to the finish line at the Class 1A Rock Island Alleman Sectional on Nov. 2 at Saukie Golf Course in Rock Island.
LEFT: Oregon’s Ella Dannhorn competes at the sectional.
CLASSIFIED
CNA' s - Certified Nurses Aide s to work in h omes of c lie nts prim arily in the Dixon and Mt Mo rris area s. Competitive wages with flexible work hours created by the employee Part-Time and Full-Time positions available Apply at: GaffeyHealthService.co m and click jobs-apply online or go to 10760.Axiscare.com and click apply online
OPERATIONS FOREMA N
Shank's Veterinary Equipment, Inc. Milledgeville
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE 15TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT OG LE COUNTY - OREGON, I LLINOIS
CCFM-BW-1, LLC
Plaintiff, -v.-
Essential Nature of Job : This position combines a variety of skills, qualifications and experience, and requires they all be carried out without direction of a supervisor. This po sition combines duties of all the following po sitions: Production, Fabrication/Assembly Laborer, Maintenance/Facility, HR, Customer Support, and Design/Engineering.
Duties of this Position: This person will be the direct supervisor of all shop staff.
Responsible for coordinating the different construction processes of finished goods manufactured by the Company, by directing staff members on job processes to be done
Oversee ordering of raw materials and monitoring inventory levels. Respo nsible for overseeing final assembly and shipment of goods manufactured by Company Must be able to work with other employees and to train, oversee, direct and lead them and assure that all equipment, vehicles, and machines within the facility remains operational Job may also require a mild amount of cleaning/janitorial dutie s.
Expe rience Req uired: Must be proficient in the following skills and abilities: time management , communicatio n/customer relations, organization, multi-tasking, and to work well under pressure Must have minimum 5+ years of structural welding and fabrication processes. Requires so lid knowledge of basic metalworking verbiage, materials, tools, machines, high pressure gases and welding supplies Must have basic woodworking skills for building skids and crates. Must have experience in hydraulic systems, including but not limited to hose assemblies, check valves, relief valves, gear motors, cylinders and Mono block valves Must have experience in pneumatic systems including , but not limited to hose assemblies, valves, check valves and air springs. Above all be open and receptive to learning new skills.
Email cover letter & resume to: todd@shanksvet.com
KIPP E MEYERS AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF JEFFREY L. THORP, KATHY A. THORP, CITY OF OREGON, DON HYLE, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF JEFFREY L. THORP
Defendant
2023 FC 75 NOTICE OF SHERIFF SALE
PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Forecl osure and Sale entered in the above cause on August 26, 2024, the Sheriff of Ogle County will at 10:00 AM on November 22, 2024, at the Ogle County Sheriff's Office, 202 S 1st Street, Oregon, IL 61061, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 606 SOUTH 2ND STREET, OREGON, IL 61061 Property Index No. 16-03-333-010
The real estate is improved with a single family residence The judgment amount was $210,315.43. Sale terms: 10% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the auction; the balance, in certified funds, is due within twenty-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 representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in "AS IS" condition The sale is furth er subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale
The property will NOT be ope n for inspection and plaintiff makes no rep resentation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information
If this prope rty is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, othe r than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this prope rty is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).
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 information, contact Plaintiff's attorney: ERIC FELDMAN & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 53 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 1622 , Chicago, IL, 60604, (312) 344-3529. Please refer to file number IL-FC24-606. E-Mail: paral egal@efalaw.com
November 1, 8, 15, 2024 947492
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF Ogle - Oreg on, ILLINOIS
U.S BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Plaintiff vs. DANIEL J STEELE II; TAYLOR M. FOX; ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS
Defendant 24 FC 27 CALENDAR
NOTICE OF SHERIFF'S SALE
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above entitled cause the Sheriff of Ogle County will on December 6, 2024, at the hour 10:00 a.m. in the Sheriff's office, 202 S 1st Street, Oregon, IL 61061, sell to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 02-33-129-008.
Commonly known as 104 S. 1ST AVE., FORRESTON, IL 61030.
The real estate is: single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: At sale, the bidder must have 10% down by certified funds, balance within 24 hours, by certified funds. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. Prospective
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE 15TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT OG LE COUNTY - OREGON, I LLINOIS
CCFM-BW-1, LLC
Plaintiff, -v.-
KIPP E. MEYERS AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF JEFFREY L. THORP, KATHY A. THORP, CITY OF OREGON, DON HYLE, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF JEFFREY L. THORP
Defendant
2023 FC 75
NOTICE OF SHERIFF SALE
PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Forecl osure and Sale entered in the above cause on August 26, 2024, the Sheriff of Ogle County will at 10:00 AM on November 22, 2024, at the Ogle County Sheriff's Office, 202 S 1st Street, Oregon, IL 61061, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described real estate: LOT NINE (9) IN BLOCK SEVEN (7) IN HILLS'S FIRST ADDITION TO THE TOWN, NOW CITY OF OREGON, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN BOOK A OF MISCELLANEOUS RECORDS, PAGE 126 IN OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS; SITUATED IN THE C OUNTY OF OG LE AND THE STATE OF ILLINOIS
Commonly known as 606 SOUTH 2ND STREET, OREGON, IL 61061
Property Index No. 16-03-333-010
The real estate is improved with a single family residence
The judgment amount was $210,315.43.
Sale terms: 10% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the auction; the balance, in certified funds, is due within twenty-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 representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in "AS IS" condition The sale is furth er subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale
The property will NOT be ope n for inspection and plaintiff makes no rep resentation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information
If this prope rty is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, othe r than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is dominium nit hich i part f int t unity, the
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
COUNTY OF Ogle - Oreg on, ILLINOIS
U.S BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Plaintiff vs. DANIEL J STEELE II; TAYLOR M. FOX; ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS
Defendant
24 FC 27
CALENDAR
NOTICE OF SHERIFF'S SALE
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above entitled cause the Sheriff of Ogle County will on December 6, 2024, at the hour 10:00 a.m. in the Sheriff's office, 202 S 1st Street, Oregon, IL 61061, sell to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate: LOT THREE (3) IN BLOCK ONE (1) IN THE ORIGINAL TOWN OF FORRESTON, ACCORDING TO THE RECORDED PLAT ACKNOWLEDGED BY GEORGE W HEWITT; SITUATED IN THE TOWNSHIP OF FORRESTON, COUNTY OF OGLE AND STATE OF ILLINOIS
P.I.N. 02-33-129-008.
Commonly known as 104 S. 1ST AVE., FORRESTON, IL 61030.
The real estate is: single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: At sale, the bidder must have 10% down by certified funds, balance within 24 hours, by certified funds. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information For informat ion call Sales Department at Plaintiff's Attorney, Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 205 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 810, Chicago, Illinois 60601. (708) 668-4410 ext 52109. 24-199336 SHERIFF