January
Monday, Jan. 15
POLO — Ogle County livestock farmer Brian Duncan of Polo was elected the new president of the Illinois Farm Bureau during the organization’s annual meeting in Chicago, Dec. 2-4.
Duncan, who replaces the retiring Richard Guebert Jr., previously served as the vice president of the IFB since 2017. He also served as president of the Ogle County Farm Bureau (OCFB) from 2004-2017, and on the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) Swine Advisory Committee 2003-2006, National Pork Producers Council Price Discovery Task Force, Ogle County Pork Producers board of directors and the IFB Young Leaders Committee from 1990-1994. He was the IFB Discussion Meet winner in 1990 and Young Leader Achievement Award winner in 1999.
“It’s an incredible honor to have the trust of the delegates and members to serve in this position,” Duncan said. “We as an organization stand on the shoulders of giants. The people who founded this organization and have led throughout the years have left big shoes to fill. I’m excited about the challenges and the opportunities that will no doubt come before us in agriculture and as an organization.”
Monday, Jan. 29
ROCHELLE — Kennay Farms Distilling in Rochelle has collaborated with The DeLong Company and its Grown Climate Smart program to showcase the use of sustainable grain in its spirits.
The distillery that now resides in the renovated former space of the Hub Theater has been using certified sustainable grains since its inception, and the Kennay family farm has been certified sustainable for the past eight years. The collaboration with the Grown Climate Smart program will see a logo placed on Kennay Farms Distilling bottles to differentiate them on the market and give consumers a chance to champion sustainable products.
The DeLong Co. is a sixth-generation, family-owned agribusiness with headquarters in Clinton, Wisconsin and many grain facilities in Illinois. Grown Climate Smart is a $40 million program funded by the USDA’s $3.1 billion Climate-Smart Commodities grant that was awarded to The DeLong Co.
The Grown Climate Smart program works with farmers on promoting and incentivizing sustainable farming practices such as cover crops, reduced or no-till, nutrient management plans and windbreaks. Throughout 2023 it enrolled over 160 growers throughout 11 states and sent out over $6.5 million worth of incentives directly to farmers doing sustainable practices.
The second part of The DeLong Co.’s grant work will involve building and developing a market that commands a premium for products made with sustainably-grown and produced grain, such as the spirits sold by Kennay Farms Distilling.
February
Monday, Feb. 5
OREGON — Gov. JB Pritzker announced Jan. 30 that two Ogle County entities received grant funding through the Open Space and Land Acquisition Development grant program. Nearly $55 million in state grants were awarded for 111 local park projects throughout Illinois to help communities acquire land and develop recreational opportunities.
Both the Village of Mt. Morris and the Oregon Park District were recipients in Ogle County.
The Oregon Park District is the recipient of $600,000 in OSLAD grant funding from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The Oregon Park District is excited to utilize these funds to improve the existing recreation amenities at Oregon Park East, OPD Superintendent of Recreation Tina Ketter said.
Plans for improvements began in 2019 with development of a park master plan. The process included solicitation of community input, inventory assessment, valuation of expected trends and a needs assessment. The final document was utilized to submit the grant application for the 2023 OSLAD program. The grant submitted in 2023 focused on the inland side of Park East.
Improvements to the inland side include a new playground, basketball court, nine-hole disc golf course, a quarter-mile paved trail that will also connect to the Lowden Trail project, ADA improvements, expanded parking lot and interpretive signage. Additionally, the district plans to add lighting to the existing baseball field and replace the field fencing and complete drainage improvements.
“Receipt of the OSLAD funds allows us to complete the necessary recreation improvements with reduced impact on the park district budget. The improvements will be a welcome addition for our residents, and we look forward to completion occurring simultaneously with construction of the ITEP trail,” Erin Folk, Oregon Park District executive director, said.
Monday, Feb. 12
BYRON — Byron Middle School saw a brief lockdown on Wednesday morning after a report of a person carrying an item resembling a gun case was made by a student, Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle said.
At 7:55 a.m. Byron School District personnel, along with the Byron school resource officer, were made aware of a report of a person accessing the BMS Theater holding a long slender bag that resembled a gun case. Emergency procedures were followed to ensure the safety of students and staff. Additional units from the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office and Byron Police Department responded to the scene. After an investigation, it was determined there was no weapon, and the individual entering the building was a park district employee bringing a banner (and case) into the theater for an upcoming show. The lockdown was lifted by 8:15 a.m.
A child on a school bus made the initial report and provided a description of the individual and vehicle. Once the school was locked down and secured, law enforcement met with school staff and reviewed footage from the area of the report and determined what the case was. The individual and vehicle had left the school by that point.
“To that student's credit, it very much looked like a weapon in a case,” VanVickle said. “The takeaway here is that everybody did exactly what we train to do. The child saw something and said something to an adult and adults did what they needed to do and law enforcement responded appropriately. The kids were put into lockdown for their security and verified that it wasn't a credible threat to the kids. By 8:15 a.m. the lockdown was lifted and they continued on with the school day.”
VanVickle called the law enforcement response to the incident “significant.” Enough officers and deputies arrived at the school to be able to go to the other two schools in Byron to make sure they were secure and provide for the safety of those students.
BYRON – D&W Garage was awarded a $25,000 grant through their partnership with Holcomb Bank to upgrade existing garage equipment.
“Small businesses are the heart of our local communities. When we learned of the Community First® Accelerate Grant for Small Businesses, we saw an opportunity to make a big impact on a local business,” Perry W. Byers, president/CEO, Holcomb Bank, said. “After reviewing the grant application and guidelines, we knew that D&W Garage would meet the necessary requirements and have the most potential of being selected.”
“We are honored to be the recipient of this grant. Holcomb Bank has always gone above and beyond to make sure our needs are met not only personally, but also through our business. We plan to use this grant to help provide our customers with the best service in our small community,” Michael and Jodi Girten (owners, D&W Garage), said.
This grant was one of 172 deserving businesses awarded a total of $4.3 million in critical funding through FHLBank Chicago’s Community First® Accelerate Grants for Small Business (Accelerate Grants) program. Small businesses are facing challenges with growing or enhancing their operations due to surging borrowing costs in a high-interest rate environment. In response to this need, FHLBank Chicago awarded Accelerate Grants for a second year to support a variety of purposes, including purchase or improvement of property, equipment, workforce development, and technology.
“Small businesses in our members’ communities provide valuable products and services that contribute to local economies,” Katie Naftzger, community investment officer, FHLBank Chicago, said. “Accelerate Grants provide an opportunity for our members to strengthen their partnerships with local small businesses, thereby supporting economic growth and job opportunities and strengthening the fabric of the rural, urban, and small-town communities served by our members.”
Monday, Feb. 19
OREGON — Ogle County Coroner Lou Finch will not be seeking re-election in the upcoming March 19 election. Finch has served as coroner since 2004.
“It was just time,” Finch said of his decision to not seek re-election. “When I first ran, I always said, 'When you don't want to learn anything new and you're stuck in your ways, it's time to move on.' It's time. The office needs new blood. It was a learning experience from the beginning. I believe the office now is running perfectly for the citizens here in Ogle County.”
Finch is a fourth-generation funeral director and owns and operates Finch Funeral & Crematory in Mt. Morris. He also served as an Ogle County Sheriff’s Office deputy before he became coroner. The sheriff back in the early 2000s, Mel Messer, approached Finch with the idea of pursuing the office of coroner in 2004, and he decided to run. His experiences as a funeral director and in law enforcement lent themselves well to serving as a coroner, Finch said.
Coroner’s offices investigate death in certain cases such as sudden or violent death, suspicious circumstances, when alcohol or drug addiction may have been a contributory cause, death without medical attendance by a licensed physician, and hospice cases.
Work includes attending scenes and declaring patients have passed, and the performance of autopsies.
“We investigate death,” Finch said. “The best way to explain it is, we're kind of like a detective for the body. Sheriff's office and local police department detectives work the scene, and we're with the body. We work hand in hand.”
Monday, Feb. 26
ROCHELLE — On Feb. 13, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the Rochelle Recovery Center at 242 May Mart Drive in Rochelle.
The Rochelle Recovery Center serves Ogle and DeKalb Counties as a Sauk Valley Voices of Recovery entity. It offers peer coaching, recovery meetings, a safe place for people who are on the verge of using, and recovery-related resources. The location opened in August 2023.
Sauk Valley Voices of Recovery is a recovery community based out of Dixon. For the past three years, it has covered Lee, Whiteside and Ogle counties and recently started coverage of addiction needs in DeKalb County. The Rochelle Recovery Center is also the hub for the Ogle-DeKalb counties recovery-oriented system of care (ROSC) council, which brings together a coalition of local stakeholders from hospitals, police departments, businesses and more to look at the area and its addiction needs to try to get it moving in a positive direction.
“We're just trying to make sure that everybody in the community is involved with the ROSC, anybody that has decision-making capability or that is a person of lived experience,” Ogle/DeKalb ROSC Coordinator Heather Tomlinson said. “We want to make sure that everybody's voice is heard and that the people that can solve the problems for the people whose voices need to be heard are there to do that.”
March
Monday, March 11
OREGON — The Ogle County Economic Development Corporation recently announced it has hired an executive director for the newly-formed organization, a March 6 press release said.
“Charlene Coulombe, CEcD, EDFP, has been a phenomenal addition to our organization and we are looking forward to working with her to help spur economic development and sustainable growth in Ogle County,” Randy Schoon, president of the OCEDC, said.
The OCEDC is a newly-formed organization that partners with Ogle County communities such as Byron, Mt. Morris, Oregon, Polo and Rochelle. The OCEDC hopes that other Ogle County communities and businesses will soon join its efforts.
“By working together, we are able to share resources in order to develop and strengthen our communities from a regional level,” OCEDC Vice President Darin DeHaan said. “From creating new job opportunities, to helping support our existing businesses, those will be the major focus areas of our organization.”
Charlene comes to the OCEDC with over 35 years of experience serving in economic and business development. She understands the work that needs to be done to create a positive and diverse economic base in Ogle County.
Monday, March 18
BYRON — At its March 6 meeting, the Byron City Council appointed and swore in Jeremy Boehle as the new Byron Police Department Chief. Boehle previously held the rank of sergeant within the department he has served for 26 years.
Boehle will replace Chief Todd Murray, who is retiring after nearly 24 years as chief and 39 years in law enforcement. The City of Byron conducted the hiring process in recent months and held an open forum in February for the community to meet with Boehle and Sycamore Police Department Deputy Chief Jeffrey Wig, who was also a candidate for the chief position.
“It was quite the process,” Boehle said. “It's like nothing I've ever done before. My last time applying for something like this was for BPD when I was hired as a police officer. It's pretty cool to move up through the ranks. That doesn't happen quite often here. It's pretty cool to see that and I think it's a good indicator to the officers we have here, that you can move up through the ranks to the top.”
POLO — On March 6, the City of Polo and Buffalo Township hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for their new joint building at 118 N. Franklin Ave. that will replace Polo’s City Hall, Polo Mayor Doug Knapp said.
The $2.06 million project includes a construction cost of $1.93 million and $130,000 worth of engineering costs. The lot was purchased for $5,000, and the Ogle County Economic Development Corporation contributed funds for site excavation and plot testing. The city and Buffalo Township will borrow $1.25 million in bonds over 30 years for the project. The city put down $500,000 on the project and Buffalo Township, which will have a percentage of the square footage, put down $250,000.
The City of Polo has looked at a number of options in recent years for a new City Hall location as its current building has encountered issues such as a deteriorating roof and back wall, storage shortages, and public meeting space, bathroom and handicap accessibility limitations.
Monday, March 25
OGLE COUNTY — Results from Tuesday’s general primary election in Ogle County showed that Christie Cox of Polo (3,812 votes, 50.68 percent) defeated Chad Horner of Rochelle (3,709 votes, 49.32 percent) in the race for the Ogle County coroner’s office.
Both ran as republicans and there was no democrat candidate for coroner. Lou Finch has served as Ogle County coroner for 20 years and did not seek re-election. Cox brings experience as a deputy coroner and funeral director. She owns Polo Family Funeral Home and has run it for 20 years. She started working in the coroner’s office in the early 2000s and returned to it over a year ago.
April
Monday, April 8
FORRESTON — House Minority Leader Tony McCombie spent time honoring a local business this month through her new program launched earlier this year to help promote the great business community in northwest Illinois.
This month, Leader McCombie visited Koeller Forreston Hardware as her second local business highlight of the year and presented them with a special certificate of recognition. The store came to life on Aug. 21, 2015, when it was purchased by Gary and Jane Koeller, who are longtime Forreston residents. Gary Koeller, who moved to Forreston in 1967, is a plumber and handy man, which makes the store a perfect fit. The family-run store is a staple in the community offering essential supplies and wisdom for any home projects, but it goes far beyond just that.
The store serves the community while also supporting other local businesses through their "County Corner" that highlights local entrepreneurs: from handmade soap to butchered meats. The store also contains local history from its past days as the old post office and bank. Portions of the building remain intact from that time — including the colorful ceiling in the main area.
Monday, April 22
MT. MORRIS — One occupant was treated for smoke inhalation on scene and no firefighters were injured after a third-alarm structure fire at a downtown Mt. Morris building Tuesday afternoon, Mt. Morris Fire Chief Rob Hough said.
First responders were called at approximately 1:32 p.m. Tuesday to the intersection of West Main Street and North Wesley Avenue in Mt. Morris for the report of a possible structure fire.
"I arrived on scene and saw heavy fire venting out of the front window of an occupancy on the corner," Hough said at around 5 p.m. Tuesday. "Companies then arrived on scene. With the wind, the age of the building and its construction, the fire grew rapidly. We escalated it to a third alarm mutual aid box alarm to bring in resources from the area. The fire is under control at this time. Everybody is accounted for and got out of the building.”
The fire took place at the addresses of 1 and 3 N. Wesley Ave. The financial institution at 4 E. Main St. was evacuated as well as a precaution. The fire was brought under control at 3:45 p.m. Fire spread into the 3 N. Wesley Ave. building due to no fire wall separating them. The fire was extinguished at 5 p.m. and most companies were released by 7 p.m.
Monday, April 29
CHANA — Four years ago, Chana Education Center Principal Terry Camplain wrote a letter giving his retirement notice. But he couldn’t bring himself to submit it right away.
Camplain will retire at the end of the school year after 20 years as principal and 33 overall with the Ogle County Educational Cooperative. Before his time as principal, he was a school psychologist in Rochelle for 13 years.
“I sat on that letter for a long time,” Camplain said. “It's the right decision for me, but it was still a difficult decision. I'm nervous about what's next for myself. But I'm looking forward to it. It's very bittersweet. In education, it's good for younger people to take over some things. I've been doing this a long time. Some younger mindsets coming in is going to be great.”
Chana Education Center supports the academic, emotional and behavioral needs of students in Ogle and Lee counties. It houses two programs, one for K-12 students with emotional disabilities and another for 6-12 students in need of alternative general education.
May
Monday, May 27
ROCHELLE — Last month in April, the Rochelle Christian Food Pantry served 645 families (2,177 individuals total), which broke a record for the most need the pantry has seen, RCFP Manager TyAnne Unger said. In April 2023 it served 498 families and in April 2022 it served 326 families.
The RCFP has seen numbers rise in recent years. The food pantry is open Tuesdays and Fridays from 1-3:30 p.m. People can either pick up boxes or come in and do their own shopping. On distribution days, cars are often lined up as early as 9 a.m. and occasionally distribution starts early to serve the large number of people in time.
“I think the need is going to continue to rise,” Unger said. “The demand is crazy. We allow people to come twice a month and we're continuously having people come in and wanting to come a third time. Our rule is two times, but we'll pack a small emergency box to get them through. I think the economy is the reason so much need is being seen. Everything is so expensive now and prices are only going up. Usually we would get a lot of leftover food or past-date food from the grocery stores. Now they're ordering less food because people are buying less food because they can't afford it. It's just ridiculous. Bread used to be 25 cents and now you're lucky if you can find it for $1.99.”
June
Monday, June 17
LOST NATION — Three Ogle County Emergency Response Team members and one barricaded suspect were shot late Wednesday morning at a residence in Lost Nation in the rural Dixon area and survived after being transported to area hospitals, Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle said in a press conference Wednesday afternoon.
The barricaded man was identified as Jonathon G. Gounaris in a Wednesday night press release. The names of the involved law enforcement officials have not been released. Two law enforcement officers were transported by ground to KSB Hospital in Dixon and were treated and released, VanVickle said later on in a phone interview. The third was flown to OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford and went into surgery and is expected to make a full recovery. Gounaris was in surgery at KSB Wednesday afternoon and VanVickle said he was unsure of his condition.
The Ogle County Emergency Response Team is made up of individuals from different agencies including the Ogle County Sheriff's Office, the Oregon Police Department and the Byron Police Department as well as SWAT medics from the Rochelle Fire Department.
At approximately 8:39 a.m. Wednesday, the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office received information from a family member of the suspect at 402 Wild Rice Lane in Lost Nation, who said that her son had threatened suicide and homicide. The Ogle County ERT was activated at 9:18 a.m. and a hostage negotiator arrived on scene and attempted to make contact with the individual.
“The information we got from the family member was that this was very likely going to be suicide by cop-like situation,” VanVickle said. “There was nobody else in the residence. The family member that called was not at the residence. The suspect was in the residence by himself and we had that confirmed by the family member. We believed his intention was to harm police officers. That's the information the family member told us.”
The first call to Gounaris’ cell phone by the hostage negotiator was made at 10:40 a.m. and VanVickle said over 50 phone calls were made in various forms to the residence. All of them went unanswered, he said. Additional resources were provided into the home at 11:09 a.m. in an attempt to make contact with Gounaris with no success.
“At 11:51 a.m. due to the lack of communication, it was determined that our emergency response team would enter the house and determine the well-being of that individual,” VanVickle said. “Immediately upon entering the house, our deputies received gunfire from inside the house.”
ERT members then returned fire, incapacitating Gounaris, an Ogle County Sheriff’s Office press release said.
July
Monday, July 1
OREGON — June 17 marked a significant moment for Oregon Community Unit School District 220 (CUSD 220) as Dr. Tom Mahoney presided over his final Board of Education (BOE) meeting as the superintendent of schools. After a dedicated 17-year tenure with the district, including 14 years as superintendent, Mahoney is stepping down to enjoy his retirement.
“Dr. Mahoney's impact on Oregon CUSD 220 has been profound, shaping the district with his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to educational excellence,” an OCUSD press release said. “His tenure is distinguished by numerous accomplishments, including the implementation of innovative educational programs, enhanced student support services, and strengthened community partnerships.”
OREGON — In October of last year, the Ogle County Health Department received a CDC Addressing Conditions to Improve Population Health (ACTion) grant for $500,000 each year from 2023-2026 to increase access and availability to healthy and nutritious foods, education for home-based food production, food pantries, and mini food centers (refrigerated and dry food).
The grant applies to the four-county area of Ogle, Lee, Whiteside and Carroll to combat food insecurity in food deserts. During the last two weeks of May, one mini food center was opened in each of those counties. They include a refrigerator, freezer and a dry pantry and are housed in shelters built by woodshop students at Oregon Junior Senior High School. The mini food centers are filled with food through grant funds each week for members of the community in need to help themselves to.
“It's been amazing so far,” OCHD Grant Coordinator Joyce Lewis said. “People have left great feedback and are marking down what they've been taking and if they're donating, which makes us able to report data back to the CDC. We've had people ask about donating eggs, meat and produce. It's fabulous to see communities coming together to take care of each other.”
The mini food centers are located at Nash Recreation Center at 304 S. 5th St. in Oregon (Ogle County), Teen Turf at 235 W. Main St. in Amboy (Lee County), YWCA of Sauk Valley at 412 1st Ave. in Sterling (Whiteside County), and Davis Community Center at 631 S. East St. in Mt. Carroll (Carroll County).
Monday, July 8
OREGON — A Malta man was sentenced to natural life in the Illinois Department of Corrections on June 27 in Ogle County court following being found guilty of first-degree murder, intentional homicide of an unborn child and residential arson on March 25 in the case of a pregnant Mt. Morris woman that was killed in a house fire in November 2020, a June 27 press release from Ogle County State’s Attorney Mike Rock said.
Matthew T. Plote, 36, was sentenced by Judge John B. Roe IV. The case was prosecuted by Rock and Assistant State’s Attorneys Heather Kruse and Allison Huntley.
On Nov. 25, 2020, Melissa Lamesch, 27, was found on the kitchen floor in her single-story home at 206 S. Hannah Avenue in Mt. Morris after the Ogle County 911 center received multiple calls at 4:29 p.m. for smoke coming from the residence. Firefighters found heavy smoke and heat as they entered the structure. Life-saving measures were attempted on Lamesch. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Lamesch’s son was due three days after the fire. She worked as an EMT since June 2016 and was working for Trace Ambulance in Tinley Park. Lamesch graduated from Oregon High School in 2011.
Plote was sentenced to serve a natural life sentence in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the offense of first-degree murder. He was sentenced to serve 60 years in the Department of Corrections for the offense of intentional homicide of an unborn child. He was sentenced to serve 15 years in the Department of Corrections for the offense of residential arson. The sentences will run concurrently.
August
Monday, Aug. 6
MT. MORRIS — The new Mt. Morris Firehouse is now scheduled to begin construction in spring 2025, a Mt. Morris Fire Protection District press release on Aug. 1 said.
Originally the project timeline had the district breaking ground for the new facility in the spring of 2024. The project is being sourced with federal, state and local funds. A “significant” source of funding is a $1 million dollar Congressionally Directed
Spending Grant that the district was awarded in 2022. The district was told it would see its first grant payment in summer of 2023, and that did not occur. Through engagement with the district and its federal legislators, the district was able to secure its first payment in June 2024.
“Now that the federal obligation is in place, the district is moving forward full steam,” the press release said. “The district has recently contracted architectural and engineer services for the final stages of the planning. Final construction documents will be done in late fall 2024. The project will then be placed out for bid. The district is confident with the hurdles now removed that construction will begin in the spring of 2025.”
Monday, Aug. 19
BYRON — Byron Community Unit School District 226 is planning a comprehensive renovation of the Joe Parks Athletic Complex, which is home to the Tigers’ baseball, softball, and soccer teams.
Parks was a longtime educator in the Byron School District. He graduated from Byron High School in 1947 and went on to attend Northern Illinois State Teachers College. After his freshman year, he returned to his hometown to teach, coach, and mentor the students and athletes of the Byron community for 35 years. Joe coached football, basketball, baseball, and track. In his “spare” time he owned and operated Park Sports, was clubhouse manager at Prairie View Golf Course and was recognized in 1970 as Byron’s Citizen of the Year. Joe was part of the inaugural class of recipients to the Byron Hall of Fame in 2012. Bob Boyer, a longtime resident of Byron, recalls, “I was fortunate to have had Joe as my elementary school basketball coach. My dear friend Roger Reeverts and I were in seventh grade when Joe promoted the two of us to the Heavyweights. It was a great time, and soon, thanks to Joe, we had the team with little guys, like Roger and me, dominating the basketball season.” Bob also remembers how he and a group of friends would drive to Mt. Morris to cheer on their coach when Joe played basketball for the Kable Colts AAU amateur basketball team. Joe Parks was an outstanding individual with a strong character. He made a positive and lasting impression on numerous students; his commitment to the Byron schools and athletic programs is why the district proudly named the sports complex after him.
Plans for the ballpark include repairing the restrooms, revamping the concession stand and entryway, rebuilding the softball dugouts, relocating and replacing the batting cages, and building a maintenance-free press box for both softball and baseball. The current pavilion will also be relocated. Over at the soccer field, the current dugouts will be replaced by a maintenance-free press box and new dugouts.
Monday, Aug. 26
BYRON — A Pecatonica family has opened up a new soft serve ice cream trailer located at 204 E. Blackhawk Drive in Byron. Sundae Social opened on July 10 and its hours are noon to 9 p.m. through Labor Day. It will stay open until Oct. 1 and its hours will be 3-8 p.m. after Labor Day.
The business is owned by Pete and Katryna Kirby. Katryna grew up in Byron and after the closure of Sam’s Drive-In in the city, the couple wanted to do something with ice cream to fill the void.
“In the spring we explored it and talked to other people that work out of trailers like we do,” Katryna said. “We talked to the city and some private property owners and found a spot. We added tables and lighting. We wanted to make it a destination for kids and families. It’s been a hit and it’s been busy. It’s been great. We have two young kids that we want to teach about business and entrepreneurship. One day they’ll help with it. We have some high school and college kids that staff it for us now. We’re grateful to have such a great crew.”
Sundae Social will be in the same location with the same hours next summer as well and plans to be a mainstay at its venue for the community.
September
Monday, Sept. 2
OREGON — Those driving or walking into the heart of Oregon on West Illinois Route 64 now have a little stretch of nature to enjoy with the completion of a mural depicting a wildflower field at sunset along the southern wall of the Village Bakery building at 101 N. 3rd St. Those involved, including artist Nora Reuter of Nora Kate Paints, members of the Village of Progress, some of whom helped in the beginning stages of painting, as well as the mayor of Oregon gathered to celebrate the mural’s completion Monday, Aug. 19.
The mural took nearly a month to finish and was completed in stages. Early in the process, several members of the Village of Progress were invited to lend a hand in the completion of the mural. Nora guided the Village members in creating the first level of foliage in the wildflower field by painting crossing lines in green at the forefront of the mural. Reuter was very impressed and appreciative of their hard work.
“These large-scale murals take a lot of time and having extra hands was super helpful,” Reuter said. “The Village members did an amazing job taking direction and completing their tasks.”
Monday, Sept. 9
MT. MORRIS — On Thursday, Aug. 29, a dedication ceremony was held at the recently-restored Veterans Memorial Fountain in Mt. Morris.
The fountain, on the northeast corner of the campus square, was a project of Mt. Morris Post 143 of the American Legion, presented to the village and dedicated on Nov. 14, 1926, to honor Mt. Morris veterans of World War I, and the five local soldiers who were killed in action. Resident Heathcote Mann designed it, and all work not requiring skilled labor was done by local legion members. The fountain is made of stones sent by American Legion Posts, organizations, and individuals across the U.S., inscribed with many donor names.
The fountain fell into disrepair over the years and many of the stones became unreadable. Mt. Morris Economic Development Committee Executive Director Paula Diehl and Chairman Rob Urish began contacting organizations and people to appraise and refurbish the fountain, and got in touch with The Kohler Foundation, which specializes in projects like it and agreed to take it on at no cost to the village. The Kohler Foundation has preserved art environments across the country for over 30 years.
Monday, Sept. 23
OREGON — At its monthly meeting Tuesday, the Ogle County Board unanimously passed a resolution of appreciation for service for Ogle County Animal Control Administrator Dr. Thomas Champley, who is retiring. Champley has served the county as animal control administrator for 28 years after being hired in 1996.
"Tom served as a steadfast administrator committed to promoting and preserving the love and care of animals and the regional values of our county," Board Chairman John Finfrock (R-District 7, Mt. Morris) said. "Tom personally fostered and championed significant county improvements in the animal control offices and his impressive persona reflects his effectiveness with staff and positive impacts on citizens of the county. This is demonstrated through his personal outreach and exceptional treatment of both people and animals. Your vision and community commitment will provide a lasting legacy.”
October
Monday, Oct. 7
OREGON — The Ogle County Emergency Response Team’s use of deadly force in a June 12 incident at a home in Lost Nation that left a barricaded Dixon man and three officers shot has been ruled justified, a Sept. 27 press release from Ogle County State’s Attorney Mike Rock said.
Jonathon Gounaris, 32, of rural Dixon is currently in custody due to the incident and his next scheduled court appearance is Oct. 17. He faces charges of four counts of attempted first degree murder, three counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm, three counts of aggravated battery and two counts of possession of a firearm without a Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card.
The Ogle County ERT team was called to Gounaris’ home in Lost Nation on June 12 after a report of someone threatening to commit suicide, when police entered the home, Gounaris and Ogle County ERT Members Tyler Carls (Rochelle Fire Department), Lt. Jason Ketter (Ogle County Sheriff's Office) and Sgt. Tad Dominski (Oregon Police Department) were shot. ERT members were transported to area hospitals and later discharged. Gounaris underwent surgery and survived his injuries.
The use of force by law enforcement was reviewed by Winnebago County State’s Attorney J. Hanley due to the Ogle County State’s Attorney’s Office handing the prosecution of Gounaris.
Monday, Oct. 28
ESMOND — No structures or standing corn was damaged after a 100-acre field fire was seen in Esmond late Friday morning, Rochelle Fire Department Firefighter/Paramedic Curt Helgren said.
The Rochelle Fire Department was dispatched to the area of Illinois Route 64 and Chamberlain Road for the report of a field fire at approximately 11:20 a.m. Friday. RFD responded as mutual aid to Lynn-Scott-Rock Fire’s district. One firefighter was transported to Rochelle Community Hospital with an injury due to the fire and smoke but was checked out and was “fine,” Helgren said.
“The fire started near Illinois Route 64 and was wind driven and all corn stubble,” Helgren said. “We got it stopped before it got to any standing corn. It probably burned up 100 acres of corn stubble. How fast the fire spreads all depends on the wind. It can spread really quickly with high winds.”
Along with RFD, responding departments included the Ogle-Lee Fire Protection District stations of Creston, Steward, Hillcrest and Flagg Center, Stillman Fire, Monroe Fire, Malta Fire, and Oregon Fire. Fire officials were also assisted by the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office and local farmers.
November
Monday, Nov. 4
DAVIS JUNCTION — On Saturday, Oct. 26, Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for its next new home build at 117 Prairie Moon Drive in Davis Junction.
The home will be Habitat’s 15th in the county since 2002, and will be its first build in Davis Junction. The home will be built primarily by Habitat construction volunteers and board members, and will help a partner family achieve the dream of homeownership. The plans, on display on Oct. 26, call for an 1,100 square foot three-bedroom ranch home.
“The lot was generously donated by the Village of Davis Junction and we're really fortunate on that,” Habitat Executive Director Sheri Anspaugh said. “We have chosen our family. The mother is a woman named Kimberly and she has two daughters, one is a freshman and one is in eighth grade. They're over the moon with excitement about the opportunity to be homeowners. They'll help build the house with sweat equity and they'll carry a mortgage and it'll be affordable. We had a great turnout for the groundbreaking.”
Monday, Nov. 11
MT. MORRIS — The Rink at Pine Creek recently underwent renovations including improvements to its front facade with a mural and the expansion of its arcade, doubling it in size, Owner Rebecca Wilson said Oct. 29.
The front of the building was resided, and later painted by a mural artist. Outdoor renovations around the building will continue. 10 new games were added to the arcade and all games were changed to arcade cards, which will now accumulate tickets electronically. The arcade’s prize redemption area has added larger and more exciting prizes, Wilson said. The Rink at Pine Creek has been in operation at the site as a roller rink for 76 years.
“We had our 75th birthday last year, so this year going into our 76th year we're trying to bring life into this place,” Wilson said. “There's tons of people that are still coming out and skating, but we want to remind the community we're here. The front now reminds people that we're alive and well and tells people to come on inside. When winter starts to kick off, it's a good time to start looking for things to do indoors. We'll continue to put more resources back into the place and keep it fun and exciting for people.”
Monday, Nov. 25
ROCHELLE — In September, Ogle County attorney Russell Crull of Rochelle law firm Tess, Crull & Arnquist was appointed as an associate judge of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit. He will preside in Ogle County in courtroom 304 starting on Dec. 2.
Crull received his undergraduate degree in 2009 from Western Illinois University in Macomb and his Juris Doctor in 2013 from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. After college, he worked for Sycamore law firm Klein, Stoddard, Buck & Lewis. He joined Tess, Crull & Arnquist on July 1, 2014 and was named as a partner April 1, 2016.
“The practice of law has its ups and downs, but the biggest up is always being able to help people,” Crull said of his recent appointment. “I thought it would be a position where I could help both sides and be fair and accurate in application of the law to both sides. I think it's a good step for me to help more people and to help our community.”
ROCHELLE — In September, Rebecca Laudati was hired as the new executive director of HOPE of Ogle County. She replaces longtime Executive Director Ruth Carter, who recently retired.
The non-profit organization helps survivors of domestic abuse. HOPE of Ogle County provides safety planning, support, shelter and referrals while empowering survivors to build a safe and peaceful future. It offers counseling, assistance and resources to those who are contending with the effects of abusive relationships. The nonprofit is available 24/7 to listen and provide support and court advocacy services are available as well. HOPE has offices in Rochelle, Oregon and Polo.
Laudati brings 20 years of experience working in the domestic violence field. After starting with an internship at a shelter in Elgin, she began work at Mutual Ground in Aurora, which offers domestic violence and sexual violence services. There she worked a hotline, did counseling and led support groups, conducted prevention education, worked as a court advocate, managed a shelter, and oversaw programs. She also worked at Safe Passage in DeKalb County part-time facilitating partner abuse intervention programs and groups.
“It was a big move for me,” Laudati said of taking the executive director position at HOPE. “But it's a big move to a smaller agency that's focused on domestic violence. Where I came from it was both domestic and sexual violence. This just kind of gets me back to my roots of where it all started. It's exciting to be able to take everything I've learned throughout the years and run an agency.”
December
Monday, Dec. 2
STILLMAN VALLEY – The Meridian Community Unit School District #223 Board of Education named Dr. Michael Plourde as its next superintendent at its Nov. 25 meeting. Dr. Plourde will step into the position on July 1, 2025, leaving his current role as superintendent of Wilmont Union High School in Kenosha County, Wisconsin.
"I am deeply honored and excited to serve as superintendent of the Meridian Community Unit School District #223," Plourde said. "It’s a dream job for me. The district's mission, vision, and core values align closely with my beliefs. My leadership style is rooted in honesty, transparency and integrity, and I aim to be a superintendent who listens and puts students first in all decisions."
Dr. Plourde brings over 12 years of experience in educational leadership. Prior to his position in Wilmot, he worked in the Northern Illinois region as principal of Willowbrook Middle School and Principal of Rock Cut Elementary. In these roles, he managed district operations, executed strategic plans and developed collaborative practices to support student achievement. Dr. Plourde earned both his Doctor of Leadership in Educational Administration and Master of Arts in Educational Leadership degrees from Aurora University, and he holds a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Northern Michigan University. His background in community-centered initiatives and focus on continuous improvement are expected to ensure a smooth leadership transition and continued support for student success.
