GAZ_04292016

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Your source for community news and sports 7 days a week.

DUCHESSES OUTFOX Day trip? How WARRIORS about a deco trip GIRLS SOCCER, B1

LIFESTYLE, A7

dailyGAZETTE Friday, April 29, 2016

SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854

SAUK VALLEY | EDUCATION

STERLING

Learning a new discipline Schools prepare for new state law; The philosophy: ‘Do everything you can to ... keep kids in school’ BY CHRISTOPHER HEIMERMAN cheimerman@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5523 @CHeimerman_SVM

Photos by Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com

ABOVE: Does Joan Harms know her way around a horse? A look at the ribbon-covered wall at her farm should answer that question. In addition to Harms’ extensive horse sense, she has plenty of books students in her reading club can use. BELOW: Harms meets with one of the newest members of the stable, Metallica.

An

unbridled passion Though she’s a retired teacher, Joan Harms isn’t retired from teaching. She’s back in the saddle, this time bringing horses and books together, and showing students all the benefits of reading

for teaching

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It’s rummage sale time in Polo

POLO – The Polo all-town rummage sale returns today and Saturday. Second Hand Rose will hold a special $5 bag sale, and the Polo Woman’s Garden Club’s annual plant sale will run from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday in the alley behind 105 S. Division Ave.

$1.00

TODAY’S EDITION: 28 PAGES 2 SECTIONS VOL. 162 ISSUE 101

DISCIPLINE CONTINUED ON A4

School will get new principal

BY RACHEL RODGERS rrodgers@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5529 @rj_rodgers

STERLING – In a classroom setting where desks and chalkboards are replaced by haystacks and horses, Joan Harms found a new way to satisfy her passion for teaching others. Each summer, Harms, who retired after teaching at Sterling public schools for 34 years, hosts the Horse Lovers Book Club for students ranging from first grade through seniors in high school. “People are always searching for their reason or purpose in life, and this is mine,” Harms said. “I cannot describe the satisfaction that comes from seeing this make a difference in kids’ lives.” The lessons occur at Copper Bit Ranch, 29145 Pilgrim Road, named after Copper Cactus, one of more than 100 horses Harms has trained there over the past 4 decades. The club runs for 9 weeks, and its weekly sessions include about 45 minutes of gathering in lawn chairs in the shade reading a book about horses followed by another 45 minutes of hands-on experience learning how to manage and care for the animals. PASSION CONTINUED ON A11

Your Weekend

STERLING – Before a new student discipline law that makes suspension and expulsion a last resort kicks in on Sept. 15, all Illinois school districts must update their handbooks and policies, get their respective boards’ approval, and take care of associated professional development. As Bob Sondgeroth, regional superintendent of schools in Lee, Ogle and Whiteside county, read up on Senate Bill 100 late last year, he knew whose help he needed: During his 29 years as Rock Falls Middle School principal, Jeff Brown was a champion of the philosophy that every student deserves a chance to turn things around. Sondgeroth said he’s confident all 26 of the districts in his region already were thoroughly intervening before resorting to suspending students.

Geneseo’s assistant principal moves up the ladder to West Carroll High BY JERMAINE PIGEE jpigee@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5525 @JPigee84

SAVANNA – A new principal will roam the halls at West Carroll High School this fall. Jeff Utsinger, assistant principal at Geneseo High School, begins his new position July 1. He replaces Adam Brumbaugh, who’s leaving to replace Craig Mathers as the West Carroll School District superintendent. Mathers is Jeff retiring. Utsinger At Monday’s school board meeting, members approved a 2-year contract for Utsinger, who will be paid $78,000 a year. PRINCIPAL CONTINUED ON A4

Studio hosts all-woman show

It’s Fifth Friday time in Franklin Grove

Get your hands on some art in Oregon

DIXON – An all-female art and music festival will be held Saturday at Rosbrook Studio, 107 S. Peoria Ave. The event kicks off at 6 p.m., with an open mic at 8 p.m. featuring Melanie Devaney, Kendra Swanson and Gina Venier. Local artists also will be selling their creations. Tickets are $8 today at Roxie’s, 302 W. First St., or at ticketriver.com/ event/19232. They’re $10 at the door.

FRANKLIN GROVE – Jim Wolber of Franklin Grove, a member of the country and rock ‘n’ roll band, The Lariat, will perform Fifth Friday shows at 7 and 9 p.m. at the H.I. Lincoln Building, 136 N. Elm St. Tickets are $10 at 815-456-3030, at the building from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at the door.

OREGON – The Eagle’s Nest Art Group’s annual spring membership art show runs from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the gallery on the second floor at Conover Square, 201 N. Third St. New this year is a Hands On Oregon fundraising art sale of members’ works, with proceeds to benefit Hands on Oregon and its effort to repair Conover Square. There also will be a silent auction of a watercolor by former member the late Carol Godee, for which bids will be taken through June 11.

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INDEX

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ABBY ................... A8 BUSINESS ......... A13 COMICS ...............B7

CROSSWORD....B12 LIFESTYLE ........A7-8 LOTTERY ............. A2

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OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6 POLICE ................ A2

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Learn about the shooting sports

MILLEDGEVILLE – Tri County Gun Club is holding an open house from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. All ranges will be open and staffed by an instructor or range officer. Nine different shooting sports will be in session, and an archery area will have 3D targets. There also will be raffles, door prizes and concessions. The club is between Polo and Milledgeville off Milledgeville Road on South Brookville Road. Watch for the signs. Go to tcgc.net for more information.

Today’s weather High 57. Low 42. More on A3.

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Need work? Check out your classifieds, B8.


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