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DUCHESSES STEP UP TO THE NET IN OPENER VOLLEYBALL, B1
Educator wants to work on health MENtality DIXON, A5
dailyGAZETTE Friday, September 2, 2016 n SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
ROCK FALLS | HOUSING
Problem must grind to a halt City sets wheels in motion to pursue legal solution to sewage problems at Civic Plaza II BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
ROCK FALLS – The city is pursuing legal channels to get compliance on a sewer matter involving the Civic Plaza
II management company. Civic Plaza I is operated by the Whiteside County Housing Authority, while Civic Plaza II is managed by Pratt Plaza LLC of Chicago. Plaza I is a 100unit building for low-income seniors, and Plaza II has 63 units of Section 8
housing for families. A few months ago, the city met with Housing Authority Executive Director Lynn Deter and a Plaza II representative to discuss the use of grinders at both buildings. Neighbors were complaining about sewer backup, and the
SCHOOLS
city said it traced the problem to a variety of large items, unfit for flushing or going down drains, that were put into the sewer system by Civic Plaza residents. SEWAGE continued on A54
WEATHER
It was a squish come true for local rain lovers Sterling was the wettest spot in Illinois for the month of August BY KATHLEEN A. SCHULTZ kschultz@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5535 @KathleenSchul10
Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com
Faith Morris (left) and Jasmine Haggard perform in the Prophetstown High School choir room Wednesday afternoon. The pair is part of a music program that’s had plenty of noteworthy achievements in recent years, which should come as no surprise. The two melody makers can’t get enough of music. “Chorus is my life. It’s the best part of my day,” said Morris. As for Haggard, she already has her heart set on studying music in college, and maybe someday getting into music therapy, “to help people out and give them the sort of music experience I’ve had.”
Hitting all the high notes Sometimes, it takes a musical key to unlock a trophy case – just ask the students in Prophetstown High’s music program BY CHRISTOPHER HEIMERMAN cheimerman@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5523 CHeimerman_SVM
PROPHETSTOWN – Faith Morris and Jasmine Haggard asked for a chance to warm up. About midway through their duet of Adele’s “Someone Like You,” the
TOP5 Your Weekend
Check out the Riot act in Savanna
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SAVANNA – Quiet Riot is ready to rock Labor Day Weekend on Sunday at Poopy’s Pub n’ Grub, 1030 Viaduct Road. The popular ’80s heavy metal band’s hits include “Bang Your Head” and “Cum on Feel the Noize.” Menace opens at 6 p.m. General admission is $25 in advance and $35 at the door. VIP tickets are $40. Go to poopys.com for more information.
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rehearsal was over. Accompanied by Haggard’s smooth accompaniment on keyboard, Morris turned her gorgeous soprano voice loose, hitting every note in her chest as she soulfully belted out the heartbreaking hit. NOTES continued on A114
Support the red, white and blues
DIXON – The third annual Blues, Brews, BBQs and Bags for the Brave will run from noon to 11 p.m. in the 100 block of First Street. An Honor Flight ceremony begins at 12:30 p.m. followed by the Bags for the Brave bags tournament and a 50-50 raffle. Patriotic and blues music will be played, and concessions will be sold. Admission is $5, and free for veterans and ages 12 and younger. Proceeds benefit Lee County Honor Flight.
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Online extra Click on this story at saukvalley.com to watch video of Faith Morris and Jasmine Haggard performing Adele’s “Someone Like You.”
Getting bogged down in Morrison
MORRISON – The Bike Barn’s Peat Monster 4x4 show kicks off at 11 a.m. Saturday with 4x4 dirt drags at the track at 13524 Black Road, followed by 4x4 mud bogs and kids foot races. Pro open truck runs will be held at 3 and 5 p.m., with a demolition derby starting around 7. Concessions will be available. Admission is $15 for anyone 11 and older. Check out The Bike Barn’s Facebook page for more information.
ABBY.................... A8 COMICS.............. A10 CROSSWORD.....B10
DAY TRIP.............. A7 LIFESTYLE.........A7-8 LOTTERY.............. A2
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STERLING – Here’s a record sure to dampen your spirits: Not only was August the wettest on record for Illinois, but Sterling, drenched by 14.01 inches, was the wettest spot in the state. That’s more than twice the statewide average of 6.89 inches. What’s normal for August? About a foot less than Sterling saw – 3.5 inches. The old statewide record of an average of 6.86 inches was set in 1977. So says climatologist Jim Angel with the University of Illinois State Water Survey in Champaign. According to a news release from Angel, one of the state’s top weather geeks: A damp July combined with the mega-moist August also equals the wettest July/August on record. The combined rainfall total was a statewide average of 13.74 inches, 6.07 inches above normal. It beat the old record for July/August of 12.83 inches, set in 1915. The highest 2-month rainfall total – 22.93 inches – was in Downers Grove, from here on to be known as Downfallers Grove. Statewide, the average temperature for August was 75.9 degrees, 2.3 degrees above normal, which ties with 1943 as the 15th-warmest August on record. The average high temps were close to normal. Heat + water = humidity, and although most of the state never exceeded the low- to mid-90s, high humidity levels kept the nighttime fairly steamy, with temperatures 3 to 5 degrees above normal. The dew point, the cool-down-to temperature at which condensation forms, on average ranged from the low to mid-70s in southern Illinois and the mid-60s to low 70s in much of the rest of the state. That’s about 1 to 3 degrees above normal; thus, it also was more humid than usual in August.
Crafts in the park in Dixon
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DIXON – The annual Dixon Lioness Club craft show returns to John Dixon Park, 515 N. Galena Ave., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Artists, craftsmen and commercial vendors will bring their wares. Concessions will be sold. The park is wheelchair accessible. Go to dixonillioness.org or contact Mary Ann Guttman at maryannguttman@yahoo. com or 815-973-0374 for more information.
OBITUARIES......... A4 OPINION............... A6 POLICE................. A2
Enjoy a slice of life in Lanark
LANARK – Friends of the Lanark Public Library’s Pie on the Porch fundraiser will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Saturday at Picket Fence, 403 E. Franklin St. People can buy pie and enjoy homemade desserts on a Victorian porch, walk through gardens around the home, and peruse decorative items and gifts in the store. Contact Denise Krysiak at dek645@gmail.com for more information.
Today’s weather High 76. Low 50. More on A3.
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