GAZ_11122014

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

Communities honor local veterans

ANOTHER STATE BID FOR AMMON

PHOTOS, A2-3

SWIMMING SECTIONALS, B1

dailyGAZETTE Wednesday, November 12, 2014

SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854

STERLING | DEMOLITION PROJECT

AMBOY | ROLLOVER CRASH UPDATE

Another 3 bite the dust Whose Sterling Today help makes progress on long demolition list BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5570

STERLING – The city can cross a few more properties off its demolition wish list. The city has budgeted for sev-

eral properties to be leveled this fiscal year, but this time Sterling Today led the charge. The demolition of structures at 409 Ave. C, 411 Ave. C, and 303 W. Fifth St. are nearing completion.

The city had targeted the rental properties for quite some time, but because of their proximity to other properties owned by Sterling Today, the nonprofit development group bought them about 6 months ago.

Building and Zoning Administrator Amanda Schmidt said tenants in all three of the structures were notified early on about the city’s plans. DEMOLITION CONTINUED ON A4

left to thank?

Unusual route leads woman to Sterling family in dire straits

STERLING

Purple Heart finally home

BY CHRISTI WARREN cwarren@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5521

AMBOY – Tina Koch never goes that way on state Route 26. Never, ever, ever, she said. She always turns right. But, for whatever reason, on Saturday morning just after 9 a.m., she decided turn left. Tina That’s when Koch she saw the car, flipped on its hood and totaled. And that’s when she saw the woman – waving her arms and screaming for her baby, standing and screaming for help, even with, they would later find out, a broken back. ROUTE CONTINUED ON A4

To help the victims Call Tina Koch at 815-7160316 or email her at tinabina68@hotmail.com.

POLO

Photos by Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com

It will remain a mystery how this Purple Heart made its way from Elgin to Sterling. It was found among the belongings of the late Bill Edwards and presented Tuesday to Burke Beu, whose father, James, earned the medal during World War II.

Son travels from Denver to pick up father’s long-lost medal

I

BY CHRISTI WARREN cwarren@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5521

t took months of research, many people, a letter and – finally – a train ticket for a World War II and Korean War veteran’s Purple Heart to be reunited with his family. James Beu, originally of Elgin, died in Denver 14 years ago at the age of 87. At a ceremony Tuesday at the Sterling American Legion, Beu’s eldest son, Burke, at last took possession of the medal his father had left behind long ago. It was found among the possessions of Bill Edwards, who died this spring in Sterling. Edwards, 79, was a collector of sorts and had gotten to know a woman named Terri Wheeler through estate sales and auctions – they both were “pickers,” Wheeler said. When Edwards died, his family invited Wheeler, 53, over to have a look at the things of his they would be putting up for sale. When she went to the house, Edwards’ daughter, Julie Montanez, brought out the Purple Heart. HEART CONTINUED ON A3

Historic church building on market Owners restored it for unique wedding business BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5570

Burke Beu of Denver receives the Purple Heart of his late father, James, from Terri Wheeler (right) during a presentation Tuesday at the Sterling American Legion. Beu also was given a key to the city of Sterling from Mayor Skip Lee.

POLO – An important piece of the town’s history is up for sale. The Polo Historic Wedding Chapel is on the market, but owners Jim O’Connor and Christina Lee-Grogan are hoping their preservation efforts will continue. They are selling the chapel because of health issues, O’Connor said. “Business was good – that wasn’t really a factor at all,” O’Connor said. “We are just dealing with an illness, and that’s all we can focus on right now.” The First Presbyterian Church, 211 N. Division, was dedicated in 1857 – the year Polo was founded. CHURCH CONTINUED ON A11

$1.00

TODAY’S EDITION: 24 PAGES 2 SECTIONS VOL. 160 ISSUE 239

INDEX

ABBY ................... A8 BUSINESS ......... A11 COMICS ...............B5

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

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

Today’s weather High 31. Low 20. More on A3.

Need work? Check out your classifieds, B6.

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