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DIXON, STERLING RESIDENTS ARRESTED IN METH BUST
SVM ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
STERLING, WEST CARROLL, B3
LEE COUNTY, A2
dailyGAZETTE Tuesday, October 4, 2016
SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
STERLING | LAWRENCE LOFTS
Sparking growth downtown Construction started on a project that could help jump-start city’s economy BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
STERLING – Construction has started on the Lawrence Lofts project above the Whiteside County Courthouse, Rock Island Economic Growth Corp.
announced Monday. Crews started working Saturday on the estimated $5.6 million residential redevelopment project. The 10-month construction process is expected to support more than 62 jobs, and will put the property on the tax rolls again after a decades-long absence. A groundbreaking ceremony will be
held Oct. 13 at the site, which, because of where the main entrance will be, will have a 218 First Ave. address. The courthouse is at 101 E. Third St. “We’re hoping the community comes out for the groundbreaking to show its support,” said Brian Hollenback, president and CEO of Economic Growth. The ceremony will include a break-
down of the project’s economic impact. “We’ll talk about jobs and neighborhood stabilization,” Hollenback said. “This is just one more strategy within a complicated approach to jump-start the Sterling economy.” LOFTS CONTINUED ON A3
DIXON CITY COUNICL
ROCHELLE
Avoiding a potential cash flow problem Council approves creek study that could save city money by avoiding another Seventh Street BY RACHEL RODGERS rrodgers@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5529 @rj_rodgers
Photos by Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com
ABOVE: Steve O’Connor shows some of his toys on display at the Flagg Township Museum (inset at bottom). O’Connor’s collection features toys produced by companies that once called Illinois home, including roller skates made by Lawrence Bros. in Sterling (inset, below).
Toy
BY TERRY THOMAS For Sauk Valley Media
stories A Rochelle man’s mission is more than just fun and games; he’s also preserving the stories of companies that were once among the building blocks of Illinois industry
ROCHELLE – If you’ve ever wanted to take a trip back to your childhood, and learn more about the history of manufacturing in Illinois in the process, Steve O’Connor is a good man to have in the driver’s seat – especially if that seat is in a toy truck. O’Connor has made it his mission to collect those fun and precious pieces of not only our past, but the state’s past as well. “Toys are something we all had in common, the things that we just associate with kids,” said O’Connor, a 55-year-old local historian from Rochelle. But beyond just the nostalgia, there’s a purpose to his mission. “I collect toys that were made in Illinois,” he said. “Toys that were once made here by local manufacturers, but aren’t anymore.” STORIES CONTINUED ON A9
DIXON – The city is aiming to head off any hidden drainage issues that could present major problems if left unchecked. The City Council approved an $87,906 flood control study for Fargo Creek, a system that splits into eastern and western forks and drains from Bloody Gulch Road to the Rock River. City Manager Cole O’Donnell said the creek, which is usually dry or lacks a steady water flow, is prone to flash flooding, and the study will help to identify areas that need pre-emptive infrastructure improvements. “This study will look at the hydrology of both forks to better understand flows and rates,” O’Donnell said. “It will then identify problems along the creek and suggest solutions.” Mayor Li Arellano Jr. said the study could prevent a repeat of last year’s collapse on West Seventh Street, repairs for which took about $700,000 and nearly 4 months to complete. If they had identified the degraded infrastructure earlier, the cost to the city could have been cut in half, he said. The city sent bid requests to seven engineering firms, and the council approved Iowa-based Veenstra & Kimm Inc. to perform the study. Arellano said they had originally planned for the study to be completed by Dec. 31, but the timeline was rescheduled for a March completion. He said problems identified early on could be included in next year’s list of capital improvement projects prior to the final study results.
New city clerk The council also swore in Becky Fredericks as the new City Clerk following Kathe Swanson’s retirement last month. Fredericks, who began working for the city as an accounting technician in December 2012, will retain her duties as the finance department office manager and Becky one of two employees handling Fredericks human resources, in addition to being city clerk. The city restructured the position with the goal of saving about $70,000 in salary costs. Finance Director Paula Meyer will take on some managerial duties with administrative staff picking up some other city clerk administrative functions. “I’m excited for this new opportunity, and there are lots more areas for me to grow and learn,” she said. “It will be a challenge, but I’m confident it will balance out.” COUNCIL CONTINUED ON A5
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TODAY’S EDITION: 20 PAGES 2 SECTIONS VOL. 162 ISSUE 210
INDEX
ABBY ................... A7 BUSINESS ......... A10 COMICS ............... A8
CROSSWORD......B8 LIFESTYLE ........... A7 LOTTERY ............. A2
OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6 POLICE ................ A2
Today’s weather High 74. Low 62. More on A3.
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