GAZ_08192015

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

She’s back GRAB YOUR FORKS AND at the racket PULL UP SOME PORK FOOD, A9-10

NEWMAN TENNIS, B1

dailyGAZETTE Wednesday, August 19, 2015

SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854

ROCK FALLS | CITY COUNCIL

WHITESIDE COUNTY FAIR

Just in case ...

They’ve got a fair amount of pull – and bull

Madisyon Eikenberry, 5, of Rock Falls pulls the weighted tractor with ease Tuesday during the pedal pull at the Whiteside County Fair. The real deal will roll into the fair Friday when the antique tractor parade shifts into gear at 5:45 p.m., followed by another activity that has some pull with fair organizers: a truck and tractor pull at 6:30 p.m. Fair festivities continue through Saturday at the fairgrounds, 201 W. Winfield St. In addition to the usual exhibits, vendors and concession stands, and carnival, other offerings this week include music, monster truck action, livestock judging, demolition derby and more. Go to whitesidecountyfair.org for a complete schedule, ticket prices, exhibit information and other details.

Paul Knight flies off Gas Hog Tuesday night at the Next Level Pro-Bull Riding Whiteside County Bull Bash at the fair. Go to saukvalley.com for more fair photos.

City decides it’s better to be safe than sorry – and flooded – in ongoing wastewater upgrades BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier

ROCK FALLS – The city received authorization to sign its third supplemental agreement with the consultants working on improvement plans at the main wastewater pumping station. The council Tuesday gave the go-ahead for the city to sign the pact with Muscatine, Iowa-based Stanley Consultants. The city has been using Stanley to do engineering work for wastewater facility improvements in the wake of pump station problems that caused two citywide water shutdowns in 16 months. The latest supplemental agreement is a direct response to the June 16 water emergency. Several days of heavy rains culminated in millions of gallons of water entering the wastewater system in a few minutes, flooding the main lift station. “This work stems from the flooding at the pump station,” City Administrator Robbin Blackert said. “We’re assessing the situation to determine whether we need additional safeguards beyond the redesign already planned at the main lift station.” CITY COUNCIL CONTINUED ON A3

Workers position walls on the second floor of the Holiday Inn Express & Suites along the Rock Falls riverfront in late July.

Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com

A Holiday Inn ... the nick of time Hotel group ‘really pushing’ to get hotel open by end of year BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier

Photos by Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@saukvalley.com

DIXON CITY COUNCIL

City goes over the limit for bars Council amends liquor ordinance, despite concerns from pub owners BY BRENDEN WEST bwest@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5529 @BWest_SVM

DIXON – The annual Blues, Brews, BBQs and Bags event on Sept. 5 is a little more than 2 weeks away. Presented by Bonnell Industries and That Place on Palmyra, it will cap off Dixon Main Street’s

$1.00

TODAY’S EDITION: 28 PAGES 2 SECTIONS VOL. 161 ISSUE 179

2015 summer events calendar. There was one small snag, however. Since That Place is located outside city limits, it couldn’t obtain even a temporary liquor license to serve liquor within city limits. As the Dixon Council weighed whether it should adjust its ordinances to accommodate an outside bar on Monday – an amendment they eventually adopted by a 5-0

INDEX

ABBY ................... A8 BUSINESS ......... A12 COMICS ...............B4

vote – there was some vocal concern from other local pub owners. Alleviating those concerns, though, is language in the amended ordinance aimed at not harming local business. In fact, said Mayor Li Arellano Jr., there are stipulations in the code that will work to the city’s benefit.

ROCK FALLS – One of the developers involved in the riverfront hotel project told the council Tuesday he believes construction can be wrapped up before the end of the year. Neil Densmore, representing the Rock Falls Hotel Group, updated the council on the progress at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites worksite on East Second Street. Densmore, president of Great Lakes Management Group, said the third floor walls are up, and work on the roof should begin the first weekend of September. “We’re really pushing these guys to open by the end of the year,” Densmore said. “They’ll really have to move, but I think it can be done.” Densmore showed slides of the hotel, including the large lobby and breakfast areas on the main floor. The breakfast area can be expanded into the adjoining meeting room to accommodate larger groups.

DIXON COUNCIL CONTINUED ON A3

CROSSWORD....B13 FOOD ..............A9-10 LIFESTYLE ........... A8

LOTTERY ............. A2 OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6

HOLIDAY INN CONTINUED ON A3

Today’s weather High 69. Low 53. More on A3.

Need work? Check out your classifieds, B8.

TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE PAPER, CALL 815-625-3600 OR 800-798-4085


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