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WEAK IN THE KNEE? Volunteers NOT ANYMORE pitch in at park OREGON FOOTBALL, B1
FRANKLIN GROVE, A3
dailyGAZETTE Tuesday, August 16, 2016 n SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
STERLING | CITY COUNCIL
An extra tail in the police detail Chief floats police dog idea, says friendly, furry face on the force would help community relations BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
STERLING – Police Chief Tim Morgan wants the next face of the department to be a furry one. Morgan, with help from Susan Jakobs,
a local dog trainer, pitched the idea of having a community dog to the City Council on Monday. It’s a cutting-edge program for police departments to interact with the community, Morgan said. “A lot of our job with the public involves negative interactions, and
I’m looking for anything to develop our relationship with the community,” Morgan said. “The dog would become the face of the department.” Jakobs sets up dog programs in hospitals, schools, and other settings nationwide. Her 10-year-old papillon, Tommy, helped with her presentation
to the council. Tommy started his career as a certified drug-detection dog, and is now a therapy dog with the Love on a Leash program at CGH Medical Center. Tommy goes with Jakobs on speaking engagements, and even helps her train puppies. DOG continued on A54
EDUCATION
WHITESIDE COUNTY
A parade of antique power S wede Knapp of Sterling walks past Larry Noord’s John Deere 620 tractor Monday afternoon during a lunch break at New Life Lutheran Church in Sterling. Nearly 80 tractors chugged through the area on their way to the Whiteside County fairgrounds. The eighth annual Tractor Ride is a fundraiser for the Whiteside County Farm Bureau’s Agriculture in the Classroom program. The ag history lesson on wheels was on its way to the fair, which runs today through Saturday at 201 W. Winfield St. in Morrison. On the schedule for today: pro-bull riding at the grandstand, the western horse show at 8 a.m., open and junior swine judging at noon and 4:30 p.m., kids pedal pull at 2 p.m., and rabbit judging at 6 p.m. Also on tap: exhibits, vendors, concession stands, bingo from 6 to 9 p.m. daily, a cake and pie walk, and daily bike giveaways. And a fair just wouldn’t be a fair without carnival and midway attractions. Mega Passes cost $60 and allow riders to hop on any ride; daily wristbands cost $20 for unlimited rides from 1 to 5 p.m. today through Friday. Go to whitesidecountyfair.org for a complete schedule, ticket prices, exhibit information, and other details. Check out these photos at saukvalley. com to see more pictures of Monday’s parade.
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
ABOVE: This 1951 Farmall MV high-clearance tractor, seen here on Matthew Road in rural Whiteside County, was among the dozens (seen below) that rolled into Sterling on Monday.
Jefferson School teachers Jordan (left) and Leah Saunders talk about their drives and interests following the first day of school. This will be Leah’s second year at the Dixon school and Jordan’s first.
Wonder twin power activated at Dixon school Principal excited about the ‘fire’ that local duo brings to school BY CHRISTOPHER HEIMERMAN cheimerman@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5523 CHeimerman_SVM
DIXON – Albeit unintentionally, twins Leah and Jordan Saunders already were playing tricks on their students on the first day of school Monday at Jefferson Elementary. Leah’s in her second Online extra year teaching second Click on this story grade at the school. Jordan was just hired over at saukvalley.com the summer, and, as to play the fun twin a third-grade teacher, identification game – Jordan or Leah? inherited many of Leah’s former second-graders. “A lot of kids in third grade have been really excited to see me,” Jordan said, “and then I have to tell them, ‘Well, I’m a different one.’ “It’ll get easier for them throughout the year, and we’re going to have fun with it.” TWINS continued on A54
Photos by Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@saukvalley.com
DIXON CITY COUNCIL
Bradshaw Street work next on city’s to-do list Roadwork could begin this fall; council also discusses global impact of light post proposal for Galena bridge Y RACHEL RODGERS B rrodgers@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5529 @rj_rodgers
DIXON – The City Council is moving forward with its main road improvement project for the year.
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It includes repaving Bradshaw Street from North Galena to Washington avenues and North Brinton Avenue from Bradshaw to Court streets and creating handicapped ramps for sidewalk access. Oregon-based Martin and Co.
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ABBY.................... A7 BUSINESS.......... A11 COMICS................ A9
Excavating bid $263,352 to do the work. The council is set to approve the contract at its next meeting Sept. 6, and work is expected to be completed sometime in the fall, City Manager Cole O’Donnell said. “As long as snow isn’t flying, completing it shouldn’t be a problem,” he said. The city aims to undergo more extensive street improvement projects in the next few years once a citywide road
CROSSWORD.....B12 LIFESTYLE............ A7 LOTTERY.............. A2
OBITUARIES......... A4 OPINION............... A6 POLICE................. A2
analysis is completed and a capital improvement plan is in place.
Galena bridge lights The council is also weighing the options of switching to single-globe light posts along Galena Avenue Bridge to save money or keeping double-globe posts to match the aesthetics of Peoria Avenue Bridge. BRADSHAW continued on A54
Today’s weather High 83. Low 65. More on A3.
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