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PLAYERS FROM NEAR Rain was fair AND FAR HIT THE COURT weather in Amboy EMMA HUBBS CLASSIC, B1
LEE COUNTY 4-H FAIR, A10
dailyGAZETTE Friday, July 29, 2016 n SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
SAUK VALLEY | LEGISLATOR VISITS
ROCK FALLS
Lawmakers, local health officials agree: Amid the gridlock and gamesmanship ...
Airport takes history under its wings
It’s time for healthy discussions
Gary Dunn, a flight crew member on the B24J “Witchcraft,” works on one of the plane’s engines Thursday morning at the Whiteside County Airport. The B24 was one of four rare, World War II-era planes that landed at the airport Wednesday as part of the national Wings of Freedom tour. People were invited to stop by and check out the planes – a B-17 Flying Fortress “Nine O Nine;” the B-24J Liberator, “Witchcraft;” the B-25 Mitchell bomber “Tondelayo;” and the P-51C Mustang fighter, “Betty Jane.” The B-17 is one of only eight in the United States still in flying condition, and the B-24J and full dual control P-51C Mustang are the sole remaining examples of their type flying in the world. Tours were offered and flights were available for a fee. The planes are scheduled to take off at noon today and continue on their 110-city tour.
BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
ROCK FALLS – Administrator Beth Fiorini easily sums up the Whiteside County Health Department’s relationship with government at any level: “We tell our leaders that if they take care of us, we’ll take care of our citizens,” Fiorini said. That message was received
Kinzinger: Political tenor hits a sour note Whether he’ll endorse Trump remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: Congressman thinks America’s pretty great already BY JEFF ROGERS jrogers@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5591 @EditorJeffSir
Photos by Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com
DIXON – Adam Kinzinger’s fourth term in Congress from the 16th District will begin next year without opposition in 2016. His Republican Party challenger was ruled ineligible before the March primary, and the Democrats have no candidate on the Nov. 8 ballot. That doesn’t mean it’s not a political season for the Channahon Republican. He’s still wrestling with endorsing his party’s presidential nominee, Donald Trump. And he’s working to help re-elect Sen. Mark Kirk, and 10th District Congressman Bob Dold. Both are facing
Todd Frank (center) and his two children, Owen, 6 (left) and Charley, 6, all from Rock Falls, watch Thursday as the P-51 Mustang “Betty Jane,” taxis toward the runway at the Whiteside County Airport in Rock Falls. Read this story at saukvalley.com to see more photos, and video, of the planes.
TOP5 Your Weekend
1 Fun in the sun MORRISON – The Morrison Parks and Recreation Department will hold its first free Summer Extravaganza from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Morrison Sports Complex at state Route 30 and Bishop Road. The event will feature free activities for kids and adults, and there will be a beer garden. 30 West, a Morrison band, will perform from 4 to 8 p.m., and fireworks will be at 9:30. Call 815-772-7657 for more information.
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by two state leaders Thursday, when state Sen. Neil Anderson, R-Rock Island, and state Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, visited the health department and fielded questions from staff. This is a milestone year for the health department and health center. The health department celebrated its 50th anniversary in April, while the health center is marking its 10th year. HEALTHY continued on A134
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4-H Fair in Amboy
AMBOY – The 2016 Lee County 4-H Fair and Junior Show is underway and runs through Sunday at the fairgrounds, 1196 Franklin Grove Road. New this year is the T & C Rodeo; participants can register the day of the event for basic speed events, and youths can take part in the mutton-bustin’ competition. Also new this year is the Great American Carnival, with $20 wristbands available for all-day rides. Gates open at noon. Admission is $5 through Saturday, and $2 on Sunday. Children 12 and younger are admitted free. Go to leecounty4hcenter. com or find Lee Co. 4-H Fair & Jr. Show on Facebook for more information.
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Gotta cut loose!
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STERLING – Centennial Auditorium at Sterling High School will present its summer production, “Footloose, The Musical,” at 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday at the theater, 1608 Fourth Ave. You know the story: Teenage boy from Chicago finds himself at odds with a small town, except for his new best friend – who just happens to be the reverend’s daughter. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students. They are available at centennialauditorium. org or by calling the box office at 815622-3248 from 3 to 6 p.m. today.
ABBY.................... A8 COMICS................B7 CROSSWORD.....B12
DAY TRIP.............. A7 LIFESTYLE.........A7-8 LOTTERY.............. A2
Pink Heals return
ROCK FALLS – The Pink Heals Tour, a group of first responders and their pink emergency vehicles, will return to the area to raise cancer awareness. The schedule (all times are approximate): Today – 9:15 a.m. at Morrison Community Hospital, 303 N. Jackson St., and noon at the Dixon Fire Department, 210 S. Hennepin Ave.; Saturday – 9:30 a.m. at the Sterling Police Department, 212 Third Ave., before heading to Rock Falls for lunch at the fire department, 1013 Seventh Ave. A Pink Party will be 6 to 9 p.m. at the Riverfront Patio, 301 E. Second St. Pink fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. Find the event on Facebook for more information.
OBITUARIES......... A4 OPINION............... A6 POLICE................. A2
strong Democratic Party challenges. But one race Kinzinger doesn’t appear to be getting involved in is in the neighboring 17th District. There, Republican Patrick Harlan is challenging two-term Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, D-East Moline. “I haven’t talked to him,” Kinzinger said of Harlan as he met Wednesday morning with the Sauk Valley Media Editorial Board at the Telegraph office in Dixon. If Harlan wants to reach out to him, he’d be willing to talk, Kinzinger said. That they haven’t yet might reflect the fact that most political observers consider Bustos a considerable favorite. TENOR continued on A44 5
Dinner and a show
MOUNT MORRIS – String Ties, a bluegrass band from La Crosse, Wisconsin, will continue the Mount Morris Jamboree Committee’s summer schedule of free concerts from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the bandshell downtown. The performance follows the Mount Morris Community Farmers Market, which will run from 4 to 7 p.m. in the parking lot of Rockford Bell Credit Union, 4 E. Main St. Locally sourced foods and crafts will be sold. Concessions will be sold at 6 p.m. by the Mount Morris Firefighters Association, which will serve walking taco boats and drinks, soda, water and berrylemonade smoothies. Proceeds benefit the firefighters.
Today’s weather High 76. Low 63. More on A3.
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