Belvidere Republican

Belvidere properties helping regional land bank move forward

By Bob Balgemann Reporter Boone County and the City of Belvidere both are members of the Northern Illinois Land Bank Authority that was created in 2019. The purpose of that regional organization is to get abandoned and blighted properties, including houses, put back on the tax rolls and be an […]

 
 

CPA: Defensive Tactics

CPA: Defensive Tactics

By Anne Eickstadt Editor Previous Citizens Police Academy class feedback resulted in a defensive tactics session with Officers Matt Shook and Ryan Davenport being added to the course. The hands-on defensive tactics CPA class they taught in 2020 resulted in only a couple of students participating so they decided to […]

 
 

CPA: Use of Force

CPA: Use of Force

By Anne Eickstadt Editor Sgt. Chris Washburn returned to the Citizens Police Academy to discuss the Use of Force. He told us about the legal definitions and use of deadly force and the laws regarding both for civilians and for police officers. Deadly force, also known as lethal force, is […]

 
 

Voters choose new mayors in Belvidere, Poplar Grove and Capron

By Bob Balgemann Reporter Voters in several Boone County municipalities were restless on election day as they made some changes in the governing boards of where they live. Former 12-year trustee Cliff Morris led much of the night and wound up winning a four-year term as mayor of the City […]

 
 

Interest begins to renew in Belvidere video gaming establishments

By Bob Balgemann Reporter The first video gaming license was issued in the city back in 2010, with a lot happening since then. At one point there were 21 active licenses at businesses in the city limits. A new cap of 30 was set in 2018. Then the cap was […]

 
 

CPA: Police K-9s and DUI enforcement

CPA: Police K-9s and DUI enforcement

By Anne Eickstadt Editor Two years ago the BPD acquired two new K-9s, Shep and Frank Sinatra, who are utility dogs trained to detect cocaine and heroin. They also track fleeing suspects, lost children and wandering people with special needs. Officer Zach Reese brought K-9 Shep to the Citizen’s Police […]

 
 

CPA: SWAT Team and METRO Narcotics Unit

Citizens Police Academy student Chris Gardner tries on the SWAT protective vest and helmet.

By Anne Eickstadt EDITOR With an array of specialty SWAT team items on the tables behind him, Sgt. Chris Washburn began the evening by asking the class if they wanted to hear about guns or drugs first. “It’s not actually about guns,” he said. “I know that when people think […]

 
 

Mayor Mike volunteers to help vaccination efforts

Mayor Mike volunteers to help vaccination efforts

By Anne Eickstadt EDITOR As vaccinations for COVID-19 began, the Boone County Health Deptartment was receiving only 200 to 600 doses each week. After much conferring, and while obeying the state’s directives as to priorities, each and every dose available was injected into somebody’s arm. When the amount of vaccine […]

 
 

Belvidere Ward 2 will have a new alderman after April 6 election

By Bob Balgemann REPORTER The Ward 2 seat on the Belvidere City Council will have a new occupant after the April 6 consolidated election. Independent Catherine Rose Barnes is opposing Republican Natalie Mulhall for the four-year term previously held by Republican Daniel Arevalo. The Feb. 23 primary election between Arevalo […]

 
 

Divided Belvidere council approves hiring community police officer

By Bob Balgemann REPORTER A veteran city police officer will be assigned to work with the Boone County Health Department on a variety of fronts having to do with the drug abuse and mental health problems within the community, as well its existing domestic violence issues. The 6-4 vote came […]

 
 
 
 
 
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