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Wind farm looks to pick up pace
ROCK FALLS VISITS STERLING IN RIVALRY SHOWDOWN
LEE COUNTY, A2
PREP VOLLEYBALL, B1
dailyGAZETTE Friday, September 9, 2016 n SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
DIXON | POLICE SHOOTING
Man shot by police identified Four officers on paid leave for now BY KATHLEEN A. SCHULTZ kschultz@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5535 @KathleenSchul10
Justin R. Llanas
DIXON – Police have identified the man officers shot Wednes-
day after they say he held a woman hostage and stabbed another man. Justin R. Llanas, 33, was in critical condition at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford on Thursday afternoon and has not yet been charged. The Illinois State Police is investigating both the shooting and the incident that led to it; it will turn its
findings over to the Lee County state’s attorney, who will determine what charges will be filed. Neither man’s injuries were life-threatening, and his officers’ actions were justified, Police Chief Danny Langloss reiterated Thursday. “I have reviewed all of the video evidence and the video is conclusive. I am completely confident
that the Illinois State Police investigation will show the officers’ use of force was appropriate,” Langloss said in a news release. “Mr. Llanas left them with no choice.” Langloss came to his conclusion after hearing statements from witnesses and reviewing squad-car video of the shooting.
Inside
IDENTIFIED continued on A94
Llamas and tigers, and camels! Oh, my!
What court records show about Justin R. Llanas’ criminal history. Page A9
STERLING
Solicitors creating negative energy BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
Photos by Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
ABOVE: Caroline Childers (left) and Allie Abell, both 9, of DIxon, react to a llama on display Thursday afternoon in the Farm and Fleet parking lot in Sterling. Visitors can stop by and see a camel, tigers and other exotic animals until Sunday. RIGHT: Mallory (left), 2, and Hailey Diehl, 5, take a ride on a camel.
A tiger takes it easy Thursday afternoon.
TOP5 Your Weekend
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Fun squared in Prophetstown
PROPHETSTOWN – Arts on the Square returns from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Eclipse Square on state Route 78. The free event features music, food, and original arts and crafts. A pet costume parade and contest will begin at 2 p.m. Find Arts on the Square on Facebook for more information.
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2 Paws on the path DIXON – The 19th annual Steps for Strays Walk-A-Thon fundraiser for Granny Rose Animal Shelter will be Saturday at the Pinetum in Lowell Park, 2114 Lowell Park Road. Registration costs $25, and will run from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.; the walk begins at 9:30. People and their pooches can walk down the park bike path. There will also be doggie tattoos, contests and prizes, and a raffle. Applications and pledge forms can be picked up in advance at the shelter, 613 River Lane, or at the walk.
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Grand art display
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GRAND DETOUR – The 68th annual Grand Detour Arts Festival will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the John Deere Historic Site, 8334 S. Clinton St. Artists from across the Midwest will display and sell work in mediums such as oil, pastel, acrylic, watercolors, sculpture, photography, jewelry, and pottery. A regional art exhibit will feature work from K-12 students, and there will be food and live music. Admission is $3 for those 12 and older, or free for those who bring a canned item for the Dixon Community Food Pantry. Call Peggy Renne at 815-652-8663 for more information.
ABBY.................... A8 BUSINESS.......... A13 COMICS................B7
CROSSWORD.....B12 LIFESTYLE............ A7 LOTTERY.............. A2
It’s fiesta time
STERLING – The 64th annual Sterling-Rock Falls Fiesta Parade will take to the streets Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m., near the McDonald’s in Rock Falls and finishing at Grandon Civic Center in Sterling. Bands from Challand Middle School, Sterling, Newman, and Rock Falls high schools, and alumni bands are expected to participate in the parade. Post-parade fiesta highlights include an ice cream social, vendor fair, and a free performance by The Mexican Folkloric Dance Company of Chicago. Contact the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce at chamber@essex1.com or 815625-2400 for more information.
OBITUARIES......... A4 OPINION............... A6 POLICE................. A2
STERLING – City officials are trying something new to make their efforts to clamp down on aggressive and dishonest solicitors stick. Stickers that say “No Solicitors Invited” are available to residents at the Sterling Police Department and at the front desk at City Hall. If solicitors knock on doors with the stickers, the police can intervene and any resulting fines are elevated. The city changed its ordinance 2 months ago to place tighter restrictions on door-to-door solicitors and to increase the cost of their permits. But police say the complaints from residents about solicitors haven’t dried up since then. City officials say the worst offenders continue to be marketing and sales representatives from energy companies. SOLICITORS continued on A124 5
On your marks ... get set ... fundraise! Saturday’s the day for the annual Bridge the Community 10K and 5K run fundraiser for riverfront beautification projects. The free children’s bridge dash begins at 8:30 a.m., and the 5K and 10K start at 9, in the River Bike and Walk District on East Second Street in Rock Falls. Registration is $30 for the 10K and $20 for the 5K. To register, or to print a registration form, go to bridgethe community.com.
Today’s weather High 81. Low 62. More on A3.
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