GAZ_08202015

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LOCAL ENTERTAINMENT, A8-12

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Thursday, August 20, 2015

SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854

LEE COUNTY COURTS

Ex-teacher released from jail Garnica, accused of attempted murder, out on recognizance BY CHRISTI WARREN cwarren@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5521 @SeaWarren

DIXON – A Sterling man charged with attempted first-degree murder has been released from jail on his own recognizance. A bail reduction hearing was held Tuesday afternoon in Lee County Court

for Mario Garnica Jr., who was being held on $300,000 bond. His attorney, Jim Mertes, argued before Judge Daniel Fish that the former teacher’s lack of criminal history and positive reputation among the community merited the release on no bond. “We believe this was the absolutely correct decision,” Mertes said Wednesday. He

has filed Garnica’s intention to claim self-defense at trial. Garnica, 27, must follow standard statutory conditions of release. He also is not allowed to leave the state, or have any contact with his 29-year-old ex-boyfriend, whom prosecutors say he tried to kill on Jan 19, in the boyfriend’s Dixon home. At the time, Garnica was a

bilingual first-grade teacher at Jefferson Elementary School in Sterling. After his arrest, Superintendent Tad Everett described him a as a “model staff member.” The school board, however, decided not to renew his contract. Garnica was in his third year of probationary teaching. Lee County State’s Attor-

UGANDAN CHOIR SETS OUT TO INSPIRE IN STERLING

ney Anna Sacco-Miller did not return a call Wednesday seeking comment. Garnica is charged with five counts of attempted firstdegree murder, two counts of armed violence, four counts of aggravated domestic battery, and two counts of aggravated battery. He next court appearance is 9 a.m. Oct. 16.

Mario Garnica Jr.

LEE COUNTY

Anti-drug task force approved County, Dixon to use court fines to fight substance abuse BY BRENDEN WEST bwest@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5529 @BWest_SVM

Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com

The Ugandan Kids Choir performs Wednesday evening at Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sterling. The choir is made up of 10 children – five boys, five girls – from very poor areas of Uganda. Each of the children is part of the long-term ministry of Childcare Worldwide, a nonprofit focused on developing future leaders and fighting poverty. Go to ugandankidschoir.org or facebook.com/ugandankidschoir for more information. For more photos, turn to A2, and for videos of the performance, click on this collection of photos at saukvalley.com.

DIXON – A five-member task force designed to help address substance abuse problems in Dixon and the rest of Lee County has been approved. The Anticrime Task Force Commission, ratified by the City Council at its meeting Monday, will provide funds for Dixon police and the Lee County Sheriff’s Department to use to prevent crimes involving drugs and alcohol. The money will be collected in the form of drug- and alcohol-related court fines, not from taxpayers, Police Chief Danny Langloss said. “When you’re looking at the funding, it’s not going to take away from anything else that we’re doing,” Langloss told council members. “The program we’re creating is a partnership between our department and the Lee County Sheriff’s.” ANTI-DRUG CONTINUED ON A4

GRUB HUB | PINECRICKER CAFÉ/DAD’S BAR AND GRILL IN POLO

Great eats, by crikey

Pick a side, any side

Banquet hall, massive menu fit under one roof BY JERMAINE PIGEE jpigee@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5525 @JPigee84

POLO – Kathy Wragg, owner of The Pinecricker Café, said it’s not easy for her to point out a popular dish on her menu. “Give me a category,” Wragg said. “It’s hard to point out a favorite thing on the menu because there are so many different things to choose from.” Since 2002, Wragg and her

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husband, Howard, have owned The Pinecricker Café in Polo. The couple also own Dad’s Bar and Grill, which is under the same roof as the cafe. The restaurant name comes from Howard Wragg, who is originally from Pine Creek Township. “If you live in Pine Creek Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com Township, or if you are from The muffaletta sandwich was put on the menu at The that area, they call you a Pinecricker Cafe in Polo recently after owners HowPinecricker,” Kathy said. ard and Kathy Wragg took a trip to New Orleans. It features three meats and two cheeses on toasted CRIKEY CONTINUED ON A7 focaccia bread with olive salad.

TODAY’S EDITION: 24 PAGES 2 SECTIONS VOL. 161 ISSUE 180

INDEX

ABBY ................... A8 BUSINESS ........... A7 COMICS ...............B6

CROSSWORD....B11 LIFESTYLE ........... A8 LOTTERY ............. A2

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

Restaurant: Dad’s Bar & Grill and The Pinecricker Cafe, 124 E. Mason St., Polo Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday; breakfast served 7-11 a.m. Saturday-Sunday; lunch and dinner 11 a.m.-10 p.m Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday. Atmosphere: One side has full service bar, the other a nice, quiet place to order a meal. Service: Servers really nice; food comes out pretty quickly Sound level: TVs playing in the bar, but a good, quiet place to have conversation Most popular appetizer: Deep fried mushrooms Chef recommends: The muffaletta sandwich: three meats, two cheeses on toasted focaccia bread, topped with olive salad Drinks: Full service bar Video gambling: Yes Social Media: On Facebook

Today’s weather High 74. Low 51. More on A3.

Need work? Check out your classifieds, B7.

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