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New, temporary site for hospice STERLING, A5
COMET CHASING RETURN TRIP TO STATE CROSS COUNTRY, B1
dailyGAZETTE Friday, October 23, 2015
SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
STERLING | LAWRENCE PARK
District OKs poolhouse study Officials opt to hold off on campground engineering survey BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
STERLING – The idea of primitive camping in its truest sense at Lawrence Park has been nixed, so restrooms are now the focus of the conversation. Sterling resident Kurt Schwab had asked the Sterling Park District during a Sept. 21 board
meeting to consider bringing tent camping to the park, which has been underutilized since the pool there was closed 5 years ago. The Park District voiced concerns over the high cost of ADA compliance for a campground, particularly when restrooms are brought into the picture. “You could start with primitive camping to cut down on the costs, and expand it to RV users
later,” Schwab said. The park district, however, has ruled out camping without restrooms. Director of Parks and Planning Doug Jacobs said the Environmental Protection Agency would likely have a problem with people digging holes and going to the bathroom so close to the river. Parks Director Larry Schuldt had told Schwab he would get some cost estimates needed for deter-
mining the financial feasibility of a campground. Schuldt said he has numbers on two studies – one specifically for the poolhouse, and the other a site survey with ADA-compliant designs for a tent campground. He has recommended the park district do the poolhouse study, estimated at $1,100.
Next meeting The Sterling Park District Board of Commissioners next meets at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Duis Recreation Center, 211 E. St. Mary’s Road.
POOLHOUSE CONTINUED ON A4
‘WAR DOGS’: VETERAN, BEST FRIEND IMMORTALIZED IN OREGON
STERLING
Dog park project still in works Supporters say big, anonymous, vital donor still interested BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
STERLING – Hopes of bringing a long-planned dog park to fruition depend on a single prospective donor. The Sterling Bark Park committee has been meeting and fundraising for about 3 years. The Sterling Park District has been involved to a degree, because the project supporters have targeted Thomas Park as a potential site. The dog park would have a pond, dock, agility course, and separate play areas for small and large dogs. Parks Director Larry Schuldt said the cost is estimated at $250,000, with about $70,000 of that devoted to fencing. DOG PARK CONTINUED ON A4
For more information More information about the proposed Sterling Bark Park project, including how to donate, is available at the “A Dog Park for Sterling” Facebook page.
Chris Johnson/cxjohnson@shawmedia.com
St. Charles sculptor Renee Bemis examines her finished bronze,”War Dogs,” Tuesday morning at Art Casting of Illinois Inc. in Oregon. The sculpture is bound for Memorial Park in Columbia, South Carolina. Read more about the statue, where it’s going, and what inspired it on A7.
TOP5 Your Weekend
Haunted ride happening in the Grove 1
FRANKLIN GROVE – The Franklin Grove Park Board’s Haunted Zombie Ride will careen through the night from 7 to 11:30 p.m. today and Saturday at Chaplin Creek Village, 1715 Whitney Road. Admission is $5. Concessions will be sold.
$1.00
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Family frights at the Loveland
DIXON – Loveland’s going ghostly. The museum (but not the art gallery) is closed today, as staff prepares for its first public haunting, from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday. A “lights on” tour for the wee li’l boys and ghouls will be given from 6 to 7 p.m., and a “lights out” flashlight tour for bigger kids run from 7 to 9 p.m. All kids will get a treat bag. Admission is $3 a person, or $7 per family. All proceeds benefit the museum. Call 815-284-2741 for more information.
INDEX
Get good seats for Touchdown for Tatas 3
STERLING – The third annual Touchdown for Tatas women’s flag football fundraiser is Saturday at the Sterling High School stadium, 410 E. LeFevre Road. Gates open at 9 a.m., and there will be a children’s area open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be concessions, vendors and information about breast cancer. After the games, a “Pink Party” will be at Long Shot Bar and Grill, 3312 W. Rock Falls Road, with a 50/50 raffle drawing at 8 p.m. followed by an auction. All proceeds go to local nonprofits helping those touched by breast cancer. Find “Touchdownfor (one word) Tatas” on Facebook for more information.
ABBY ................... A7 BUSINESS ......... A13 COMICS ...............B4
CROSSWORD....B11 LIFESTYLE ........... A7 LOTTERY ............. A2
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A toast to public transportation
ROCK FALLS – The Toast to Transit wine-tasting fundraiser, a benefit for Whiteside County Public Transportation, runs from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at The Barn at Allen Acres, 2206 Prophet Road. Tickets are $25 or two for $40 today, and $30 or two for $50 at the door, for ages 21 and older. They include eight tasting tickets and appetizers. The Crystal Cork Wine Shoppe will have wines, beers and martinis to sample. There will be music, a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction. Go to ridewcpt.net or call Tori McDaniel at 815625-7433, ext. 105, for tickets or more information.
NATION/WORLD .. A8 OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6
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Original show at Stage Left
DIXON – “3 Doors on the Floor: A Sketch Revue” hits the stage at 8 p.m. today and Saturday at Stage Left, 306 W. First St. The performance is an original show mixed with improv. Tickets are $10 at The Crystal Cork Wine Shoppe, 219 W. First St., Trein’s Jewelry, 201 W. First St., The Next Picture Show, 113 W. First St., and at the door.
Today’s weather High 66. Low 59. More on A3.
Need work? Check out your classifieds, B7.
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