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DIXON RESTAURANT CLOSES ITS DOORS LOCAL, A5
SPORTS, B1
STERLING | VIDEO GAMBLING
Odds seem against expansion Council members reluctant to extend reach of multimillion-dollar enterprise BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
STERLING – City Council members have been given an opportunity to weigh in on video gambling, and the consensus is that members would rather not expand what is already here. The Liquor Control Commis-
sion met Feb. 2 to review the city’s liquor and video gambling ordinances. The two are inextricably linked because a liquor license must be obtained before a video gambling license is pursued. Mayor Skip Lee, who also is head of the Liquor Control Commission, said he has a clear picture of where the council stands on the issue.
“I think their biggest concern is how to police it,” Lee said. “We haven’t turned anyone down yet, but we are looking at amending what we currently have on the books.” Alderman Joe Martin, who also sits on the Liquor Commission, said his video gambling concerns go beyond the enforcement challenges. He said he has seen families ruined by gam-
bling addictions. In 2014 alone, nearly $20 million was played in video gambling in Sterling. Although players won back about 91 percent, they still contributed more than half a million dollars to state and local government. The city’s share was $84,880. EXPANSION CONTINUED ON A4
Inside story A second hearing of the liquor commission is scheduled for next week on allegations that alcoholic beverages were bought for the Latin American Social Club at a retail outlet, which is a violation of state law. See A3
CELEBRATING RONALD REAGAN’S 104TH BIRTHDAY
Remembering a president with cake, tours, and talks Reagan optimism recalled Banquet in Dixon draws GOP faithful BY JERMAINE PIGEE jpigee@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5525 @JPigee84
DIXON – State Comptroller Leslie Munger remembers when Ronald Reagan was elected president in 1980, a wave of optimism came over the country. When she recently heard Gov. Bruce Rauner give his State of the State address, she said she noticed the same mood. “I feel there is a tremendous Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com sense of optimism and a real Joan Johnson, curator at the Ronald Reagan Birthplace Museum, tells school children about the apartment where Ronald Reagan belief that we can turn our state was born in downtown Tampico. The children toured the restored rooms Friday in celebration of Ronald Reagan’s birthday. Reagan around,” she said. was born Feb. 6, 1911, 104 years ago Friday. There was an open house at the Tampico Historical Society Museum with cake, punch Munger was one of the many Republicans who came togethand coffee. There also were free tours of the Birthplace Museum, 111-113 S. Main St. er Friday night at the annual Reagan Day Dinner at the Dixon Elks Lodge. The 26th annual dinner was held as a way to celebrate the 104th birthday of Ronald Reagan, the Sauk Valley’s most famous son. BY MATT MENCARINI after speaking to a crowd of about mmencarini@saukvalley.com DINNER CONTINUED ON A4 50 people at the Brandywine Inn Fri800-798-4085, ext. 5529 day morning during a breakfast to @MattMencarini observe Reagan’s 104th birthday. Rauner visits today DIXON – Starting her job just The breakfast was sponsored by Gov. Bruce Rauner will be months after his presidency ended, the Illinois chapter of Americans making a stop in Dixon today Peggy Grande spent a decade as for Prosperity, a national group that to visit Loveland Community Ronald Reagan’s personal assistant. advocates for conservative issues. House and Museum, 513 W. Now, more than 15 years since she “Of course you would expect him Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com Second St. He is scheduled to left that job, and 10 years after Rea- to act in a certain way, but when gan died, Grande remembers his nobody was watching and the cam- Brandi Langner, executive director of the Ronald Rea- arrive at 11:15 a.m. Rauner is visiting between kindness more than anything. eras weren’t rolling, he treated people gan Boyhood Home, and U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger discuss the kitchen at the home during a tour Friday stops today in Moline and “There was no contrast between the exact same way,” Grande said. evening. Kinzinger, a Republican from Channahon, Rockford. when the cameras were rolling, when REAGAN CONTINUED ON A2 represents the 16th District in the U.S. House. people were watching,” she said
Former personal assistant: Reagan was kind, respectful
Partly cloudy
VOLUME 7 ISSUE 23 44 Pages
Today: 37/33 For the forecast, see Page A10
Business
Dixon photographer shoots what he loves – weddings – with love. See Page C1
Community Fifteen students and two staff members performed their favorite songs during the Rock Falls High School Junior Optimist talent show. See Page C12
Index Births................ C5
Lottery .............. A2
Business........... C1
Markets .......... A12
Classified .......... D1
Obituaries ......... A4
Comics ............. B8
Opinion............. A6
Community ..... C12
Scoreboard .... B12
Crossword Saturday ........... D6
Scrapbook ....... C3
Crossword Sunday ............. C8
Support groups .. C5
Dave Ramsey ... C1
Weather.......... A10
Dear Abby ........ C6
Wheels ............. D8
Sports .............. B1 Travel .............. C10