Your source for community news and sports 7 days a week.
G olden Echo
ECONOMY DRAGS DOWN BOATING ILLINOIS, A5
SECTION INSIDE
Student of the Month ROCK FALLS, A3
dailyGAZETTE
Monday, June 27, 2016 n SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
ROCK FALLS
SAUK VALLEY | MILITARY
Marching down memory lane Whether it was reuniting or re-enacting, the Sauk Valley was full of military memories over the weekend
Treiden Schleicher (right) passes Shelby Bausher in the junior hydro race Saturday afternoon during the River Chase in Rock Falls. Schleicher placed first in this race. The junior hydro class consists of drivers 9 to 16 years old and is the youngest class of competition for the hydro-style boat.
Current attractions The river took center stage over the weekend as fun-lovers, family and fishers flocked to the Rock BY JERMAINE PIGEE jpigee@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5525 @JPigee84
Photos by Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com
From left: Brenda Mashaw, Barb Wertz, Larissa Lewis, Susanne Seloover, Wendy DeMay, Carin Musak, Shelley Woosley, Sheri Nichols and Sheila Dwyer were among the members of the 1644th Transportation Co. who attended the company’s 25-year reunion Sunday at Centennial Park in Rock Falls. BY JERMAINE PIGEE jpigee@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5525 @JPigee84
ROCK FALLS – Pete Anderson, a member of the Illinois National Guard 1644th Transportation Co., couldn’t sit still Sunday. He was a man on a mission, and he had his hands full – of hugs and handshakes.
Anderson, who was one of 160 company members deployed to the Middle East in 1991, was catching up with his fellow veterans during a company reunion in Rock Falls, and there was plenty of catching up to do. So, after a few minutes in one spot, he’d jump over to another group of people, who welcomed him with open arms. REUNION continued on A104
ROCK FALLS – Winning fishing tournaments is nothing new to Joe Dyer. The Rock Falls resident said he has won “a couple hundred” of them in his time, and on Sunday, he added another one to his list when he won the 2-day Bass Pro Shops Big Cat Quest team fishing tournament in Rock Falls. Dyer wrangled in nine catfish over 2 days Saturday and Sunday, totalling 79.25 pounds and beating out 47 other teams in the tournament that drew 105 Results contestants. He beat out Complete results from Ed and Frank Sanders of the Bass Pro Shops Big Sterling, who brought in Cat Quest weren’t availten catfish with a 2-day able as of Sunday night, total of 65.75 pounds. The but organizers said they biggest fish Dyer caught would be posted at was 19 pounds. kenfreemanoutdoorpro“I compete in these motions.com (click the tournaments very often,” “tournament info” link). said Dyer, 58. “I’ve been fishing on the [Rock River] for 40 years and I have been guiding on the river for 20 years.” More than $10,000 in guaranteed cash and prizes was divided among the top seven finishers. For his efforts, Dyer walked away with more than $4,000 in cash and prizes. ATTRACTIONS continued on A94
A shot in the park in Dixon A German tank driver flees his tank after it was hit during a battle re-enactment Saturday morning at Elks Page Park in Dixon during World War II Recreated. The event featured battle simulations, vehicle displays, weapons and uniform demonstrations, a swap meet, and tributes to WWII veterans. More than 200 World War II enthusiasts enlisted in the living history lesson that employed weapons large and small, from sidearms to anti-tank cannons. Battles weren’t the only thing re-enactors recreated. Soldiers’ camps were stocked with vintage equipment, too, down to the last detail, including pans and silverware. Re-enactor John Laschinski of Lost Nation said the event has grown every year since it started. “We reenact wins and losses to be historically accurate, and we go to great lengths to make sure everything reflects the era.” Go to wwii-recreated-dixon.weebly.com for more information
$1.00
TODAY’S EDITION: 20 PAGES 2 SECTIONS VOL. 162 ISSUE 141
INDEX
ABBY.................... A7 COMICS................B5 CROSSWORD.......B9
LIFESTYLE............ A7 LOTTERY.............. A2 OBITUARIES......... A4
Lilliana Segura, 2, of Rock Falls zooms down an inflatable slide Saturday at the Summer Splash in Rock Falls. Photos by Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com
OPINION............... A6 POLICE................. A2 STATE................... A5
Today’s weather High 87. Low 58. More on A3.
TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE PAPER, CALL 815-625-3600
Need work? Check out your classifieds, B6.