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FOOD, A9-10
SPORTS, B1
dailyGAZETTE Wednesday, June 10, 2015
SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
STERLING
Where the sidewalk ends – for now Money, other projects put work on back burner for wounded walkway near school BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
STERLING – Both the city and the Sterling School District are well aware of a crumbling – and unsafe – sidewalk near the high school. But for now, finances and other, more important, projects are keeping them from taking any steps to fix the walkway.
On April 6, a resident of the neighborhood near LeFevre between Fourth and Sixth avenues, spoke to the city council about what he believes are safety concerns for the students who walk that route every day. He told the council that the sidewalk along LeFevre has deteriorated to mostly gravel. Large trees near the high school library complicate matters, and there is no grass between the sidewalk and curb,
putting walkers close to the street. City and school district officials are well aware of the problem. “This has been an ongoing conversation for a couple of years,” Sterling Schools Superintendent Tad Everett said. “We have plans to address this when funds are available from the city.” While it is a public walkway, the cost for such projects has been shared between the city and school district.
Back in black New leadership and new plan lift up theater’s bottom line, and there are more coming attractions BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5570 @PAM_EGGEMEIER
Photos by Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@saukvalley.com
SIDEWALKS CONTINUED ON A3
DIXON
STERLING | DOWNTOWN
ABOVE: Davontay Euell changes movie posters inside the Sterling Theater Friday afternoon. BELOW: From left: Deisy Diaz, general manager Krista Morthland, manager Davontay Euell, and Kristina Schmall are helping make the Sterling Theater a star attraction for the downtown.
Even with the district’s help, the location of the sidewalk makes it a big-ticket item for the city. “The finances are a big issue, but the engineering that location entails makes it much more complicated than you might think,” Everett said. “You need curb and gutter, green space, and then a sidewalk.”
STERLING – Efforts to make the Sterling Theater a viable downtown business are starting to gain traction with its third general manager since Theater Management Group left town. Krista Morthland, director of the Northwest Illinois Business Incubator, succeeds Tim O’Brien and Rob Hutcherson, as operations chief at the theater. Morthland had been doing marketing work at the brewand-view since July 1, and started as general manager Dec. 1. Greater Sterling Development Corp. bought the theater in December 2012, and it now is operated as a nonprofit by its board. THEATER CONTINUED ON A3
Roadwork ahead ... eventually Delays in streetscaping put River Street project on hold, at least for now BY BRENDEN WEST bwest@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5529 @BWest_SVM
DIXON – East River Street renovation is one of the Dixon Council’s top priorities for the summer months, so much so that the council voted in May to use Rita Crundwell settlement proceeds to fully fund the $3.4 million estimated cost for the project. But when faced with a decision to award bids on the project on Tuesday, the council voted unanimously to table the matter. Fischer Excavating Inc. had the low bid for asphalt work on River Street – at $2,454,713.77 – but didn’t win the contractor the vote for the project. The business had already been contracted to do the downtown streetscaping, but delays in that project are causing the council some concerns. Company owner Wayne Fischer, who attended Tuesday’s special council meeting, said a subcontractor has set back the streetscape project by at least 3 weeks. Council members want Fischer to sort things out before awarding him the bid. “I think Fischer’s done a phenomenal job,” said Councilman Mitch Tucker. “I can’t say the same for your subcontractors.” The streetscape project began in May but work remains, with splattered concrete and sealant that needs to be cleaned up, something . Fischer’s employees have been working to resolve. According to Mayor Li Arellano Jr., Tuesday’s decision to table the work doesn’t set the project back yet. Jeffrey Reis, an engineer for Willet Hoffmann & Associates, the engineering firm overseeing the project, said he hopes to have work begin by July 6 and wants it finished no later than Nov. 1. Any later, he said, and cold weather will make construction difficult. “It’s a 4-month project; that’s why the start date is so important,” Reis said. Tuesday’s decision allows all parties involved to evaluate the situation, Arellano said. “We wanted to make clear that there are certain things we want to get finished,” he said, following the meeting. “We’re not sure if we’re comfortable with [Fischer] having the time to do both projects simultaneously. So we’re going to explore that a little, given that they’re the low bid.” RIVER STREET
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TODAY’S EDITION: 24 PAGES 2 SECTIONS VOL. 161 ISSUE 129
INDEX
ABBY ................... A8 BUSINESS ......... A11 COMICS ...............B5
CROSSWORD....B11 LIFESTYLE ........... A8 LOTTERY ............. A2
FOOD ..............A9-10 OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6
Today’s weather High 88. Low 63. More on A3.
CONTINUED ON
A4
Need work? Check out your classifieds, B6.
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