Your source for community news and sports 7 days a week.
Plenty of chances to watch eagles
MEN, WOMEN BATTLE ILLINOIS VALLEY
DAY TRIP, A7
SVCC HOOPS, B1
dailyGAZETTE
Friday, January 10, 2014
SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
LEAF RIVER
STERLING | BUSINESS
Final days for Kmart
Judge cites insanity as basis for acquittal Man found not guilty in stabbing of area couple BY CHRIS JOHNSON Shaw News Service
Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@saukvalley.com
Michael Childres of Savanna puts goods from Kmart into his vehicle Thursday afternoon. The Sterling store will close Sunday. In October, Kmart’s parent company, Sears Holdings, announced that it was shutting down the local store.
Shoppers seek deals in store’s last 3 days BY DAVID GIULIANI dgiuliani@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 525
STERLING – You’re probably not thinking about buying shorts or a swimming pool these days. If you were, you could get some good deals at the local Kmart store, which will close Sunday. Three more days. Martin and Kaci Hadley of Sterling decided Thursday to buy one of the three aboveground pools left at the store
along East Lincolnway. Its price had dropped 60 percent – from $600 to $239. “We might not need this right away,” Martin, 45, said. But summer is coming, believe it or not. Kaci, 43, plans to lie out in the sun near the pool, and their nieces and nephews will probably come around to get some cool relief. The pool was heavy, so a Kmart employee passing by asked whether the Hadleys needed help carrying it. They said they did. In October, Kmart’s parent company, Sears Holdings,
announced that it was shutting down the local store. The once-dominant retailer has closed stores across the country. On Thursday yellow signs hung outside the local store’s entrance – “Everything must go” and “Nothing held back.” In the checkout area, where two registers were open, signs warned customers, “All sales final – no returns.” None of Kmart’s advertised bargains apply to the local store, but that shouldn’t matter much. Most of the store’s items are 60 percent off any-
way, some by as much as 90 percent. Most of the shelves are bare. A part of the store is sectioned off with tape, where shelves have been taken down as the merchandise supply has dwindled in recent weeks during the going-out-ofbusiness sale. When the company announced the closure, the store had 58 employees. Sears said it would give employees an opportunity to apply for positions at other Kmart and Sears stores. KMART CONTINUED ON A2
OREGON – A man accused of stabbing a Leaf River couple more than 2 years ago showed no emotion while answering questions this week during a bench trial in Ogle County Court. On Wednesday, Judge John Redington Michael found Michael Mitchell Mitchell, 29, of Leaf River, not guilty by reason of insanity on 10 counts. He had been charged with four counts of attempted murder, all Class X felonies; two counts of home invasion, both Class X felonies; and four counts of aggravated battery, all Class 4 felonies. Mitchell was accused of breaking into the home of David and Denise Zellers on July 3, 2011, and repeatedly stabbing them with two knives he brought with him. Both suffered serious injuries and were taken to the hospital. They have since recovered. After fleeing on foot from the scene, Mitchell was taken into custody a short distance from the Zellers’ home after a 5-hour manhunt. After more than 2 years, the case was set for a trial before Redington with no jury. Assistant State’s Attorney Aaron Wiles had reports from the officers who responded to the scene in July 2011. INSANITY CONTINUED ON A4
TOP5 Your Weekend
1
Go see some eagles
THOMSON – Stewards of the Upper Mississippi River Refuge are having bald eagle viewing van tours through March. The first departs from Ingersoll Wetlands Learning Center, 7071 Riverview Road in Thomson, at 1 p.m. Saturday. Tours last about 3 hours. Space is limited to 14 people and preregistration is required. Call 815-273-2732 or email stewardsumrr@gmail. com.There also are tours Jan. 18 and 25, Feb. 7, 16 and 21, and March 2 and 9.
$1.00
TODAY’S EDITION: 28 PAGES 2 SECTIONS VOL. 160 ISSUE 24
Skates and snowballs
3 Symphonic sounds in Sterling
4
ROCK FALLS – Centennial Park Lagoon will be the site of the Silver Skates Ice Skating Derby and Snowball Archery event at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. This free event is being organized by the Coloma Township Park District. The skating derby is for children 6 to 15 years old. For more information, call the park district at 815-625-0272.
STERLING – The Sterling Municipal Symphony Band’s 20th annual Evening at the Pops concert is set for tonight at Abiding Word Church, 806 E. Lynn Blvd. Attendance is free for those just listening to the music. The cost is $25 per person for reserve seats, a hors d’ouevres buffet, and dessert. The doors open at 6 p.m., with the buffet at 6:30. The concert starts at 7, with desserts at intermission. Call 815-622-1681 for more information.
Boys and girls ages 10-14 will compete Sunday morning at St. Mary School in Dixon in the council level of the Knights of Columbus Free Throw Challenge. Doors open at 11 a.m. for sign-up and practice before each player is given 15 shots to sink as many as they can. Competition begins at noon. Tops in their age group go on to compete in the district, then regionals for a chance at the state competition.
2
INDEX
BUSINESS ......... A14 CHURCH............ A11 COMICS ............. A12
CROSSWORD....B13 DEAR ABBY ......... A8 LIFESTYLE ........... A7
Give it your best shot
LOTTERY ............. A2 OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6
5 Second Saturdays DIXON – Jewelry, music and art glass are among the highlights of this month’s Second Saturdays Art Happenings. Rosbrook Studio welcomes Rockford artist Dale Curry to show his jewelry. Three bands also will be worked into their open mic night. The Defeated Royals, Dare to Dream and Surviving Sunday take the stage at 8, 9 and 9:30 p.m., respectively, at the venue, 107 S. Peoria Ave. The Next Picture Show is showing “Regional Survey of Art”, featuring artists from the Sauk Valley. The Crystal Cork will display art by Erin Clark and Trein’s Jewelry will offer food and fine art glass. Jay VonBruchhaeuser will play music from 7 to 9 p.m. at Books on First, 202 W. First St., and Matthew Smith will perform some tunes from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Ginkgo Tree Café, 216 W. First St. Local band, Carsick Radio, will play from 9 p.m. to midnight at Val’s Place, 316 W. First St.
Today’s weather High 36. Low 28 More on A3.
Need work? Check out your classifieds, B7.
TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE PAPER, CALL 815-625-3600 OR 800-798-4085