Latest news with #OgleCountySheriff'sOffice
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Oregon officials kill proposed ordinance seeking more regulation of public demonstrations
May 29—OREGON — A proposed ordinance that would have required organizers of public demonstrations to apply for permits was tabled "indefinitely" by city leaders Tuesday night after one Oregon resident said its passage would have been "an act of tyranny." Ordinance 2025-011 was introduced in April by City Manager Darin DeHaan, who told city commissioners that the new ordinance was needed to give the city necessary information and time to prepare for public demonstrations. Its introduction followed three "Hands Off" rallies held April 5, April 19 and May 1 on two city sidewalks surrounding the historic Ogle County Courthouse in the city's center. Those events, organized by Indivisible of Ogle County, the local chapter of the Indivisible Project network — a grassroots organization founded in 2016 — included signs opposing President Donald Trump's policies and executive orders during his first 100 days in office. The rallies drew 400, 250 and 150 attendees, respectively, and were held at the intersection of Routes 64 and 2. The Oregon rally was one of several May 1 rallies that drew hundreds of thousands across the world and in the U.S. Before the first rally, Jan Buttron of Chana met with officials from the Ogle County Sheriff's Office, the Oregon Police Department, the Oregon Fire Protection District and the city of Oregon to make sure safety guidelines were followed. DeHaan told the council in April that he believed a permit process was needed because Oregon was a small community with limited resources, and a demonstration permit would allow the city to prepare by having the necessary law enforcement and ambulance services available. He said the Indivisible organizers and demonstrators were "great to work with" and that he fully supported the First Amendment and citizens' rights to assemble, but he was concerned that future demonstrations could create safety issues if more people attended. Buttron was one of five people who spoke out against the ordinance at the May 13 council meeting. She questioned the timing of its introduction, adding that the rallies were needed because the country was in a "constitutional crisis" due to Trump's policy decisions and executive orders. She said Trump has deported American citizens and other individuals without due process — some to prisons in other countries — and committed other unconstitutional acts. On Tuesday night, Buttron said the rallies represented peaceful and nonviolent views against Trump's actions. "If these things weren't happening, we would not be out there," Buttron said. "We have followed all of the rules. We will continue to do that." Veronica Mathews offered each commissioner copies of case law that she said showed how such an ordinance would be "sweeping control over public expression" and a violation of First Amendment rights. "I know this discussion is about process, not passage. But the questions you ask tonight will shape the future of this ordinance. And more than that, they will shape how the public understands your intent," Mathews said. "That's why I hope you'll sit with this ordinance not just as decision-makers, but as neighbors. As people who know how this town works. How it has always worked. Because what this ordinance represents isn't safety policy. It's a shift in relationship between the public and the government. And the more people read it, the more that shift becomes clear. "What concerns me most is this: When authority is broad and the rules are vague, enforcement becomes unpredictable. Even with the best of intentions, policies like this can be misused, or be perceived as being used unfairly. And once public trust starts to erode, it's incredibly difficult to rebuild. None of this is an attack. I know how seriously many of you are taking this. I also know you're hearing from residents who are genuinely alarmed." John Dickson said the proposed ordinance was on the "wrong" path. "It sets the government above the people by requiring permission to assemble, arbitrarily defining assembly size, allowing a single entity to grant approval, stipulating ineffective appeal process, and requiring details of minutia — and it is an act of tyranny," Dickson said. "The sidestepped point is when two or more people meet, it is considered an assembly. Assembly is a right of liberty, a quotation familiar to all of us," Dickson said, quoting from the Constitution. "Rights are not to be traded away nor restricted in their exercise. Asking for a permit to assemble is as despicable as asking for permission to speak, write, print or pray. The only qualification of assembly is it shall be peaceable. It is up to the people to assemble and do so peaceably. "The people have the right to assemble in a peaceable manner, to consult for the common good, to make known their opinions to their representatives and to apply for redress of grievances. These are the limits of governing you have sworn to uphold." He said the city could provide a process for requesting additional city services — if organizers of public demonstrations thought they were needed. "If the city's intention is to provide services, then the city needs to come up with a request for services process," Dickson said. "You can deny or approve services. ... You cannot dictate to an assembly that is peaceable. And that belongs to the people. Government was created to preserve liberty, and tonight I request that this ordinance be properly killed by whatever process is expedient." After the public comment period, Mayor Ken Williams said the ordinance was intended to help the city address logistical issues for crowds that gather. Williams said traffic control, crosswalks for pedestrians, public restroom access and other details were issues city officials thought the ordinance could help address. "Basically, we're trying to assist," Williams said. "And so, what we were saying, if you look at the ordinance, is we 'really want to help, but trust us, we won't go too far.'" But Williams said he was not in favor of adding more ordinances. "I don't think we need another ordinance," Williams said. "I was going to go ahead and make a motion to table it. ... And that would basically kill it. I also want to open it up for discussion." Commissioner Tim Krug immediately made a motion to postpone the ordinance indefinitely, with Melanie Cozzi making the second. Commissioner Terry Schuster said he liked Dickson's suggestion that the city develop a "request for services" process. "Because that was the intent," Schuster said. "There was no other intent behind this." In May, Schuster, Krug and Cozzi questioned the definition of "spontaneous" gatherings such as candlelight vigils and were concerned they could fall under the new guidelines. Commissioner Josiah Flanagan agreed that the motion should be postponed. The motion to table the ordinance passed unanimously 5-0. "Yes, it's over," Williams said. "I'm just glad they made the right decision," Buttron said after the vote. "I'm glad I don't have to spend any more sleepless nights doing research," Mathews said. The next rally, titled "No Kings," is scheduled from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 14.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Yahoo
Mt. Morris man accused in fatal shooting makes first court appearance
Apr. 23—OREGON — A Mt. Morris man charged with the shooting death of a 25-year-old Monday at an apartment in Mt. Morris made his first appearance Wednesday afternoon in a packed courtroom at the Ogle County Judicial Center. Derek Swanlund, 44, is charged with the first-degree murder of Cameron Pasley, 25, also of Mt. Morris. Three counts of the Class M felony charges were filed by the Ogle County State's Attorney's Office earlier in the day. He is charged with intending to "kill or do great bodily harm" to Pasley whom investigators say he shot during what they described as a "domestic incident." The charges accuse Swanlund of shooting Pasley without legal justification knowing that "such acts" would cause Pasley's death. Swanlund also is charged with the misdemeanor offense of using a Smith & Wesson 9 mm handgun without having his Firearm Owner's Identification card in his possession. Pasley was shot several times at his residence in Mt. Morris and was pronounced dead at OSF Saint Katharine Medical Center in Dixon, the Ogle County Sheriff's Office said in a news release late Monday. According to the release, officers were notified about 5 p.m. Monday, April 21, of a shooting at 1 S. Ogle Ave., Apt. 13 ,and when officers arrived they found Pasley with "multiple gun shot wounds." According to the release, Swanlund was found a short distance from the scene and taken into custody without incident. He was transported to the Ogle County Jail in Oregon. On Wednesday, Swanlund was escorted from the jail into Judge Anthony Peska's courtroom by sheriff's deputies for the 1 p.m. hearing, wearing shackles and dressed in an orange jumpsuit issued to inmates. Peska said he had reviewed the charging documents and ruled that probable cause existed to hold Swanlund on the charges. Peska appointed Assistant Ogle County Public Defender Eric Morrow as Swanlund's attorney. Morrow said he had received a "voluminous" amount of charging information from the state's attorney's office and requested more time to meet with Swanlund and review the discovery information. Discovery is a pretrial process where prosecutors and defense attorneys exchange information and evidence relevant to the case to ensure all parties have access to necessary information before the case goes to trial. "I need time to review all the documents," Morrow said, adding that he had not yet had a "meaningful discussion" with Swandlund. Assistant State's Attorney Matthew Leisten did not object to the continuance. Peska set the next hearing for 1 p.m. Friday, April 25. Pasley was a 2018 graduate of Oregon High School and a full-time custodian for the school district. On Tuesday, the Oregon School District issued a statement about Pasley saying the "OCUSD family experienced a heartbreaking loss." "Cameron will be remembered for his easygoing personality, his ability to strike up a conversation with just about anyone, and the calming presence he brought into every room. He had a bright future ahead of him and was someone who made even stressful situations feel manageable," the statement read. Oregon Superintendent of Schools PJ Caposey told Shaw Local News Network that Pasley was the night custodian at the Blackhawk Center, where the school's physical education classes and competition basketball and volleyball games are held, and had recently moved to days. At the start of the Oregon School Board meeting Tuesday, board President Bryan Wills asked for "a moment of silence for Cameron." On Tuesday night, a vigil for Pasley was held for his family and friends at Dillehay Park in Mt. Morris. About 20 people attended Wednesday's court hearing, filling a portion of the courtroom's gallery. A Go Fund Me fundraiser has been organized by Pasley's sister Karley McGuire. It, in part, reads: "Cameron was taken from me and my mom too early and very harshly. Cameron was such a sweetheart and was loved by many. He had finally gotten an apartment, gotten a car, and was getting it all together. He finally was going somewhere, and it was all taken away so quickly. My family is trying our best to grieve in this difficult time, and we appreciate all the love. We appreciate everything and all the love. Thank you for loving him, and he loved so many."
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Fundraiser for family of Byron man killed in Polo car crash
BYRON, Ill. (WTVO) — A fundraiser has been started for the family of Logan Linker, 21, who was killed in a weekend car crash in rural Polo. According to the Ogle County Sheriff's Office, Logan Linker was headed southbound on Union Road around 6:53 a.m. on Saturday, March 29th, when he ran a stop sign at Judson Road, losing control of his vehicle and entering a ditch before overturning multiple times. Authorities said Linker was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. According to his obituary posted by the Preston-Schilling Funeral Home, at 213 Crawford Avenue in Dixon, 'Logan loved his truck, hunting, fishing, and working on cars. To know Logan was to know a tough guy with the biggest heart. He loved his job and spending time with his many friends. He has left behind a lasting legacy and will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege to know & love him.' A Meal Train fundraiser has been organized by Stephanie Gottschalk to support the family. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Yahoo
Driver with no license, insurance charged with running stop sign, DUI in Rochelle crash
ROCHELLE, Ill. (WTVO) — Marco Hernandez Mandujuano, 31, was arrested on drunk driving charges after reportedly causing a crash that sent a 61-year-old Rochelle man to the hospital on Saturday. According to the Ogle County Sheriff's Office, Mandujuano was driving a 2012 Nissan Sentra southbound on S. Mulford Road when he failed to stop at a stop sign and struck a 2017 Chevrolet truck headed west on IL Route 38. Both vehicles were towed from the scene and both men were taken to a local hospital for treatment. Mandujuano was cited for DUI, no driver's license, no insurance, and disregarding a stop sign. He was released in accordance with provisions of Illinois' Pretrial Fairness Act. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
