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SAUK RETURNS TO Quick work made of harvest NATIONAL STAGE TODAY’S FARM, INSIDE
VOLLEYBALL, B1
dailyGAZETTE Tuesday, November 10, 2015
SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
STERLING | DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION
Lofts’ construction nears
SPECIAL SECTION INSIDE
Development group also working on second project BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
STERLING – One downtown redevelopment project is moving from financing to the construction stage, while another is in a conceptual phase. Sterling Today, the city’s nonprofit development arm, learned last month that it would receive tax credits for the Lawrence Lofts project
at 101 E. Third St., the building that houses the Whiteside County Courthouse on its ground floor. The tax credits were the key component in funding the $5.5 million project and, now that financing for is falling into place, construction plans are beginning. The project is facilitated by Rock Island Economic Growth Corp., a national nonprofit group that has
worked with Sterling since 2009. The organization specializes in redeveloping blighted downtown buildings for residential and mixed use. The two stories above the courthouse, vacant since the 1960s, will be converted into 20 affordable housing rental units. The one- and two-bedroom units will be 484 to 780 square feet in size.
Preparing for bids An informational meeting is planned for prospective contractors, suppliers, and lenders for the Lawrence Lofts project at 101 E. Third St. in downtown Sterling. The meeting, with representatives of the city and Rock Island Economic Development Corp., will be from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at The Rusty Fox, 1 E. Third St. in Sterling.
CONSTRUCTION CONTINUED ON A4
Look inside this edition to find stories, a list of local Veterans Day events and much more in our annual tribute to the defenders of our freedom.
VIDEO GAMBLING
ROCK RIVER
Licenses awarded to local businesses
Picturesque weather Fair conditions have river rockin’; expect more today
No action on Suzi’s in Sterling as of yet BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
Paul (left) and Mickie Rieger of Dixon paddle their canoe into the boat ramp at Oppold Marina in Sterling on Monday afternoon after a 4-mile round trip on the Rock River.
ABOVE: Dave R. of Dixon takes a photo of a boat near the Dixon dam on the Rock River on Monday to use as a reference for a sketch. BELOW: A fisherman takes advantage of the mild day to try his luck dam. Expect more clear skies and mild temperatures today, too. Rain is expected Wednesday, followed by gusting winds Thursday. See the 5-day forecast on A3.
LICENSES CONTINUED ON A3
Other pending licenses Lee County
Bonnell’s General Store, 200 N. Reeve St., Sublette The Candy Factory, 2849 U.S. 30, Compton Whiteside County
Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com
DIXON | TEACHERS CONTRACT
Two sides set for earlier, friendlier talks Board, union to get head start this week, use interest-based negotiations BY JERMAINE PIGEE jpigee@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5525 @JPigee84
DIXON – Two years ago, 9 days of classes were canceled because of a teachers strike. This week, officials will be at the bargaining table, laying the groundwork to avoid a similar situation.
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SPRINGFIELD – Businesses in Whiteside, Lee and Carroll counties are among the recipients of video gambling licenses awarded in the latest round of state approvals. The Illinois Gaming Board met Friday for licensing purposes. It is the seventh meeting held this year to make determinations on an ever-growing list of applicants. The October meeting had been canceled. Mr. Tequila Bar & Grill, 844 N. Galena Ave. in Dixon, Riley’s Lyndon Pub, 407 First Ave. in Lyndon, and My Go To Place, 5403 Riverview Road in Thomson, can now operate video gambling terminals.
And they’ll be bringing two tools to the table: a more flexible bargaining method and a head start. The 4-year contract agreed upon by the Dixon Public School District and the Dixon Education Association in March 2013 is set to expire June 30.
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INDEX
Both sides will get together Thursday behind closed doors. “We are going to have our first interest-based bargaining session on Thursday,” said Margo Empen, superintendent. “The facilitator will review the aspects of interest-based bargaining with us, and we will start going through the process.”
ABBY ................... A7 BUSINESS ........... A9 COMICS ...............B5
CROSSWORD....B10 LIFESTYLE ........... A7 LOTTERY ............. A2
Whereas both sides used traditional bargaining tactics during previous negotiations, this time around, both will use interest-based bargaining, in which both sides collaborate to find mutually beneficial, win-win solutions. TEACHERS CONTINUED ON A8
NATION/WORLD .. A9 OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6
Donnybrook Bakery Cafe, 203 W. Main St., Morrison Julie’s Entertainment LLC, 1318 17th St., Fulton Legends Bar & Grill, 921 Eighth Ave., Erie Starlight Theater & Lounge, 314 First Ave., Sterling Perna’s Pizza, 200 W. Rock Falls Road, Rock Falls Sammy’s Slots, 606 12th Ave., Rock Falls Carroll County
Hess’s Whiskey River, 521 Main St., Savanna M&K of Chadwick Inc., 20 E. Second St., Chadwick Mr. Z’s Sports Bar & Restaurant, 800 One Mile Road, Thomson Ogle County
Chana Tap, 104 Center Ave., Chana
Today’s weather High 55. Low 37. More on A3.
Need work? Check out your classifieds, B6.
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