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ROCK FALLS PUSHES A rivalry renewed: PAST MENDOTA Newman and Rockridge DIXON REGIONAL, B1
BASKETBALL SECTIONAL PREVIEW, B3
dailyGAZETTE Tuesday, March 1, 2016
SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
ROCK FALLS | STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS
Mayor: Road ahead looks good Tax increase will pave the way for much-needed infrastructure work BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
ROCK FALLS – In his inaugural State of the City address, Mayor Bill Wescott first made a push for a half-cent sales tax hike for infrastructure. Tonight, he’ll talk about the payoff: More money for roads and sidewalks. Wescott will give his State of the City address when the Rock Falls City Council
meets at 7:30 p.m. In his first mayoral address in 2014, Wescott – who was sworn in as mayor May 7, 2013, after defeating two-time incumbent David Blanton – told residents that essentially doubling the sales tax revenues would be the only way to make headway with the city’s deteriorating roads. Voters agreed, and they approved a referendum for an increase in the Local Option Sales Tax in April 2015. Before the increase, the tax had generated
about $405,000 a year for roads, so officials had estimated $810,000 would now be available for infrastructure – and they weren’t disappointed. The figures are in, and “the Local Option Sales Tax numbers … have doubled as anticipated,” Wescott said. “There will be more money available for roads, sidewalks, and other infrastructure.” Wescott will discuss some of the specifics for the use of the extra money. SPEECH CONTINUED ON A5
Mayor’s address
Mayor Bill Wescott will deliver his State of the City address when the Rock Falls City Council meets at 6:30 tonight at City Hall, 603 W. 10th St. The agendas will be posted at rockfalls61071. com and at City Hall. Call 815-622-1100 for more information. The City Council meeting also airs live on Channel 5.
LAW ENFORCEMENT
STERLING
Some fun before the snow Aidan Khan, 5, of Sterling climbs up the chain ladder Monday afternoon at Platt Park in Sterling. Aidan and his brother, Zain, were taking advantage of the last bits of spring’s teaser, as temperatures topped out in the low 50s. Today, they’ll trade their shorts for something warmer, as winter gives us a wake-up call. Temperatures will drop to the upper 20s, and up to an inch of morning snow is in the forecast. The rest of the week is calling for cold weather, with morning snow making a comeback on Thursday. Next week, though – if the forecast holds – temperatures will hit a high of 60 by March 9.
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
Lee County Sheriff deputies took to state Route 2 on Monday to check for, and ticket, distracted drivers.
The drivers were distracted, but deputies weren’t Traffic check aims to get people to keep their eyes on the road BY ANGEL SIERRA asierra@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5695 @_angelsierra
Photos by Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@saukvalley.com
Zain Khan, 9, climbs on the playground equipment at Platt Park, before the winter weather returns.
DIXON – As the sun rises early Monday on state Route 2 between Dixon and Sterling, Lee County Sheriff’s Deputy Cpl. Jared Yater is in the back of a moving silver van, tracking passing vehicles with a handheld camcorder. He calls out a suspicious car to his boss in the driver’s seat. “What is she doing?” Online extra Sheriff John Simonton Read this story at says, who trails the car saukvalley.com to see and adjusts his speed to video of a quick look get a closer look. behind the scenes of “Balancing a checkMonday’s traffic check. book,” Yater quips. A team of sheriff’s department personnel set out from 7 to 9 a.m. Monday to catch drivers in the act of distracted driving – texting or not using a hands-free device – which has been illegal for 2 years; violations start at $75, plus court costs. DISTRACTED CONTINUED ON A5
ROCK FALLS
City will turn 150 – and you can help it celebrate Leaders urge public’s involvement in large-scale planning project for sesquicentennial BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
ROCK FALLS – The city’s 2017 sesquicentennial celebration will soon be transformed from abstract thought to a labor of love.
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While some preliminary research has been done, the hard work officially begins with the city’s first planning meeting, set for 6 p.m. March 14 at the Community Building, 601 W. 10th St., across from City Hall. City officials hope to see a broad crosssection of its residents at the initial
INDEX
ABBY ................... A7 BUSINESS ......... A10 COMICS ............... A8
planning meeting. “We are encouraging representatives from churches, businesses, schools, and all of our organizations to attend the first meeting for our 150th anniversary,” Mayor Bill Wescott said. Most of the events will likely occur between the end of July and the first
CROSSWORD......B9 LIFESTYLE ........... A7 LOTTERY ............. A2
POLICE ................ A2 OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6
week in August 2017, the mayor said. While that might seem like a long way off to some, the mayor said it’s time for a sense of urgency to intervene. “We need to get it on everyone’s calendars,” Wescott said. ANNIVERSARY CONTINUED ON A5
Today’s weather High 29. Low 11. More on A3.
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