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ROCKETS TIP OFF 2014-15 SEASON
Students seek help getting to DC
GIRLS BASKETBALL, B1
ROCK FALLS, A3
dailyGAZETTE
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
STERLING | ELECTION 2015
Political filing period begins Mayor, two council members turn in paperwork on first day BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5570
STERLING – Filing season for city offices in the April election opened Monday with three incumbents turning in paperwork to run again. Mayor Skip Lee made his reelection bid official, as did 4th Ward Alderman Joe Martin, and 1st Ward Alderwoman Retha Elston.
STERLING CITY COUNCIL
Rental inspection details clarified
In Sterling, the filing deadline for candidates is Monday. In Rock Falls, the filing period doesn’t open until Dec. 15, and runs through Dec. 22. The form of government in each city determines when paperwork must be filed. “Because we have a city manager/council form of government, we have a different filing period than Rock Falls, which has a city administrator,” Sterling City Clerk Marie Rombouts said.
“Rules for the city manager form are set in state statute.” Rombouts said no one has picked up paperwork to run in two other wards with expiring terms. Barry Cox has said he will not run again in the 2nd Ward. Lou Sotelo, the 3rd Ward incumbent, has not yet announced his intentions for the April general election. The city won’t have a primary unless there are more than four candidates for any one position. Rom-
bouts said it’s been a while since that has happened in Sterling. “I have to go back to the mid1980s since we’ve had primaries,” Rombouts said. “We still have two wards with no candidates.” Randy Hart, who earlier had announced he would challenge Martin in the 4th Ward, said he will not be able to run because of recent developments in his health situation. FILING CONTINUED ON A5
DIXON
Bark if you want to take a bite outta crime
Tax levy estimate presented to council
INSPECTION CONTINUED ON A2
Next meeting The Sterling City Council next meets at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 1, at City Hall, 212 Third Ave., on the first floor in the Council Chambers. Go to www.sterling-il.gov or call City Hall at 815-632-6621 for an agenda or more information.
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TODAY’S EDITION: 20 PAGES 2 SECTIONS VOL. 160 ISSUE 243
DIXON CORRECTIONAL CENTER
Report: Signatures lacking in documents Ex-warden did not give agency proper notification, it shows
BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5570
STERLING – In an updated report on proposed rental inspections, the council was told Monday that the program wouldn’t pay for itself, but that the objective is about compliance, not money. Building and Zoning Superintendent Amanda Schmidt said the city has been working on the ordinance that would govern the program with Rock Falls for about 18 months. While details are becoming clearer, it is still a work in progress. The main objective of the program has never been in question in either city, Schmidt said. “The emphasis is on life/safety issues – things like running water, heating, roofs, and safe electrical,” Schmidt said. “This has never been about money. We’re trying to make sure people are treated humanely, because some people are living in horrible conditions.” Schmidt presented more information about the grading system that is being developed. Inspectors would give grades of A through D. The A properties would be those with no violations, and they would automatically receive certification of occupancy. The top-rated properties wouldn’t be inspected again for 4 years, or until a tenant moved out.
Skip Lee Mayor makes re-election bid official on Monday, the first day of filing season
BY CHRISTI WARREN cwarren@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5521
Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com
Dixon Police officer Ryan McWethy and his new partner, K9 cop Hery, a nearly 2-year-old German shepherd.
DIXON – The Illinois Department of Corrections on Monday released the full investigative report on former Dixon Correctional Center Warden Nedra Chandler’s conduct – an investigation that led to her retiring from her post. Chandler, 53, Read retired Sept. 30 the after convicted sex offender report Robert L. Swon, online 27, her former Click on foster child, this story at was arrested Sept. 19 on saukvalley. child pornog- com raphy charges at her Sterling home. At the time, IDOC officials were looking into whether Chandler notified the department that she was housing Swon, a requirement for IDOC employees in close contact with offenders. DOCUMENTS CONTINUED ON A5
New K9 cop, Hery, will replace the retiring Bruno BY CHRISTI WARREN cwarren@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5521
DIXON – Things are getting a little hairier over at the Dixon Police Department this month, and no, it’s not just because they’re doing the whole No-Shave November thing. Friday, officer Ryan McWethy finally got to
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bring home the department’s new dog, Hery. The two spent 6 weeks training and bonding at Shallow Creek Kennels in Pennsylvania. Hery, a German shepherd, is 22 months old and a healthy 73 pounds, McWethy said. When he’s not on the job, he acts just like any other young dog –
ABBY ................... A7 BUSINESS ........... A9 COMICS ............... A8
CROSSWORD....B10 LIFESTYLE ........... A7 LOTTERY ............. A2
running around McWethy’s backyard, playing. When the department asked officers who would like to be handler for their new four-legged officer – called a K9 in police jargon – McWethy, a 6-year veteran of the department, knew he wanted to do it. BARK CONTINUED ON A3
OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6 POLICE ................ A2
Robert L. Nedra Swon Chandler Lived with Two documents former warden written by former warden were not since he was 16, signed by another save for 6 months while he was IDOC official, married as required
Today’s weather High 20. Low 15. More on A3.
Need work? Check out your classifieds, B5.
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