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Beer-lovers drink Crash U.S. OPEN COMES up in Dixon victim ID’d DOWN TO WIRE PHOTOS, A3
LEE COUNTY, A2
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dailyGAZETTE Monday, June 22, 2015
SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
DIXON
‘I’m lucky I’m here’ Rock Falls vet opens up during WWII re-enactment BY BRENDEN WEST bwest@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5529 @BWest_SVM
DIXON – There were no bullets. Europe is thousands of miles and an ocean away. Because of the men and women of the U.S. military, the battles of World War II never found their way to the Midwest. Yet for one man, watching Sunday’s reenactment, it was all too real. “I’ve seen enough,” said Leonard Norman, 96, of Rock Falls. “I’m lucky I’m here. I didn’t know there was such a place.” Elks Page Park became 1944 France for the weekend, complete with the tanks, tents, guns and men in uniform. The park was once again the site of World War II Re-enacted, and hundreds visited
Saturday and Sunday to take in a story they had only heard or read about prior. Norman, who enlisted in the Army in 1940 with his three brothers, didn’t know the program existed until three subsequent generations of his family showed up on his doorstep on Father’s Day. They had a “surprise.” And Leonard when Norman arrived at the park Norman with his grandson and greatgrandchildren, his daughter, Deb Blackburn, said his face lit up. “He said, ‘What is this place?’” Blackburn said. “I always tell the kids to listen when he talks. You’re going to learn a lot.” WWII CONTINUED ON A10
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
German troops return from the first battle of the day Saturday during a World War II re-enactment at Elk’s Page Park in Dixon. The number of re-enactors in the annual event rose to 115 for this year’s camp, almost double from last year.
TURN IT UP: TEAM UNDERWIRES VICTORY LAP BEGINS IN STERLING
THOMSON
Inmates arriving at prison 80 expected to be there within month BY BRENDEN WEST bwest@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5529 @BWest_SVM
Photos by Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
ABOVE: Tristan Bushman of Ashton performs Saturday at the Team Underwires breast cancer support party at Grandon Civic Center in Sterling. There was a full night of music, food and games at the park. Team Underwires has raised more than $400,000 for awareness and research over its 8-year run, which will end after this year’s slate of events. Find Team Underwires on Facebook to learn more about the group and see what other events are coming up. RIGHT: Chase Lee Bausman, 3, of Rock Falls plays a ring toss game during the fundraiser. BELOW: Raquel Romano paints the hand of Carmen Witmer, 4, of Sterling at the fundraiser’s body-painting booth.
THOMSON – Minimum security inmates are beginning to arrive at the Thomson Prison. They will be housed at a satellite camp and conduct preparation work for when the penitentiary becomes fully operational. Eleven inmates arrived June 15, according to Thomson Village President Vicky Trager, and 80 are expected to arrive within the month. To Trager, it is another positive sign in the prison’s development. “Obviously we’re happy that, at last, this facility can fulfill its potential after 15 years,” Trager said. “It’s a good sign. It’s a sign that things are progressing.” The prison is a branch of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. It was built in 2001, but has yet to house inmates because of lack of public funding. The BOP purchased the facility in 2012. The penitentiary is expected to employ 1,100 once fully operational. Trager said employees who already work there – of which there are about 200 – have begun to get involved in the local community. “It’s been noticeable,” Trager said. “There are 200 employees working at this institution. We’re going to feel that impact. “We’re welcoming to them, and we will continue to welcome them.”
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Obviously we’re happy that, at last, this facility can fulfill its potential after 15 years.
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Vicky Trager, Thomson village president
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TODAY’S EDITION: 20 PAGES 2 SECTIONS VOL. 161 ISSUE 137
INDEX
ABBY ................... A7 COMICS ............... A8 CROSSWORD......B9
LIFESTYLE ........... A7 LOTTERY ............. A2 NATION/WORLD .. A4
OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6 POLICE ................ A2
Today’s weather High 92. Low 62. More on A3.
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