Polo News

POLO – The owner of this small town's only grocery store said tough economic times and competition from big-box retailers forced him to close his doors for good Monday night.

STERLING – Veterans Day ceremonies are being held Wednesday across the Sauk Valley.

Construction workers Tuesday digging along state Route 64 about 2 miles east of Oregon cut a Verizon fiber optic line, which led to land line phone service and possibly Internet problems in Ogle, Lee and Whiteside counties, according to the Ogle County Sheriff's Department.

Are other farmers experiencing the same troubles, weather and yields as you this fall? Learn what's happening from these direct-from-the-field reports.

Burglaries and robberies are on the rise in Illinois, according to the recently released 2008 Illinois State Police crime report.

Polo Police Chief Dennis Christen holds up the symbol of the Helping Hand program Tuesday night at a community crime prevention meeting at the Polo Senior Center.

A property crime spree in Polo – 35 break-ins and burglaries in 18 weeks – appears to have abated.

"They entered through the vent on the roof and then came across, there's a false ceiling and dropped down into the pharmacy," Jennifer Sutton said.

Dixon Police 16-year-old girl of Polo; 2:19 p.m. Saturday; at Shopko; retail theft; released to mother.

Former Ogle state's attorney kicking off bid for county board: Schumacher wants to reduce board, improve efficiency By SVN STAFF news@svnmail.com 
800-798-4085, ext.

Joyce and Rachel Dahl work on creating table cards for Rachel's upcoming wedding.

POLO – As the city flounders amid an unprecedented crime wave, a handful of dejected residents spent more than an hour sniping at the police department and demanding answers from longtime Chief Dennis Christen.

On Sept. 23, two articles were in the paper about the park district. One was about a half million dollar grant, and the big headline was “Park district gets grant to improve trails from Lowell Park to Polo.” I assume the path will probably follow the old rail line.

POLO – An attempted child abduction, brazen burglaries while homeowners sleep, a cat burglary in downtown's only pharmacy: Police are nearing wits' end as they enter the fifth month of an unprecedented crime wave that has put this small city on high alert.

STERLING – Late Nite Blues Brothers Band will give an all-ages concert Saturday to benefit Granny Rose Animal Shelter.

Polo chief sees possible ties to Dixon burglaries: Three arrested are 
'persons of interest' By SVN STAFF news@svnmail.com 
800-798-4085, ext.

DIXON – Three young Polo men are alleged to have gone on a one-night crime spree in northeast Dixon Saturday night, breaking into five to 10 homes and about 10 vehicles, lifting anything that was handy.

STERLING – More than 200 students from area high schools are spending today preparing to sing their hearts out tonight.

Park district gets grant to improve trails from Lowell Park to Polo: Community will have 
to kick in 20 percent 
of the project's cost By SARAH OWEN 
sowen@svnmail.com 
815-284-2224, ext.

We've just concluded a summer of too much rain, not enough sun, and too many dead fish in the Rock River.