Fiber optic cut results in phone service disruptions

Phone service to Ogle County customers was disrupted Tuesday morning when a contractor cut a fiber optics line east of Oregon.

Ogle County Sheriff Greg Beitel said a contractor digging along Ill. 64 about two miles east of Oregon cut the Verizon line shortly before noon.

A contingency plan went into effect after service, including 911, was disrupted to the Polo, Leaf River, and Grand Detour exchanges, he said.

“Verizon repair crews are at the location of the fiber cut,” Beitel said just before 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Customers in Oregon and Mt. Morris, as well as portions of Lee and Whiteside Counties, were also effected by the fiber cut.

The incident also left at least one Oregon business unable to process debit or credit cards presented for purchases.

Clerks at McDonald’s in Oregon advised customers before they ordered that the cards couldn’t be used.