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PREVIEWING THE WEEK 4 MATCHUPS PREP FOOTBALL, B1
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dailyGAZETTE Thursday, September 15, 2016 n SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
DIXON | AIRPORT’S FUTURE
Study: Short supply in the sky Early results show demand lacking for airport improvements
hinges on expanding runway length, but the demand might not justify the means to do so. Ron Price, principal of Florida-based QED Airport and Aviation Consultants, presented preliminary findings from an airport feasibility study, the first phase comparing area airports and examining Dixon’s’ room for growth. One of the study’s primary
BY RACHEL RODGERS rrodgers@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5529 @rj_rodgers
DIXON – The ticket to developing commercial activity at Dixon Municipal Airport
objectives is to find ways to improve the facility to draw in pilots who can’t currently use the airport, but the measure also needs to be cost effective, Price said. “We can’t build it and hope that they will come,” he said during an Airport Board meeting Wednesday. “We have to have the demand for it.” The city commissioned Price after approving a $24,695 bid
on July 5 to conduct the study to evaluate the airport’s operations and potential for economic growth to offset the city’s contributions to the facility. Two major differences that set the Whiteside County and Rochelle Municipal airports apart from Dixon are their runway lengths extending past 5,000 feet and their management presence, Price said.
ROCK FALLS | WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE
Dixon’s runways are 3,897 feet and 2,803 feet, and the city is in management limbo after Airport Manager Larry Haley’s retirement as it negotiates with a fixed-base operator. Street Department Manager Jim Canterbury, who is an experienced pilot, is running airport operations in the interim. SKY continued on A54
DIXON PARK DISTRICT
Entrepreneurship Keeping pets, and advocacy and owners,
Minda Harts speaks to an audience at Champ’s Banquet Venue in downtown Sterling on Wednesday afternoon. The Sterling High School graduate, who now lives in New York City, has become a champion for women’s advocacy in the business landscape.
in check
District will fine dog park users who don’t register, play by rules
Michael Krabbenhoeft/ mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com
BY RACHEL RODGERS rrodgers@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5529 @rj_rodgers
Sterling graduate builds brand, platform for change BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
Post script Go to myweeklymemo.com to learn more about The Memo, or email minda@myweeklymemo. com to contact Harts.
STERLING – Minda Harts was back in her hometown Wednesday to share some of the lessons she’s learned as a successful entrepreneur, but much of her message transcended business. Harts, a 1997 Sterling High School graduate, spoke at an event organized by the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce
Professional Women’s Network. The luncheon presentation was held at Champ’s Banquet Venue, and she led an evening session at Sauk Valley Community College. Harts lives in New York City,
where she oversees East Coast fundraising efforts for UCLA. While she enjoys her foundation work, as she took on more challenges faced by women in the business world, the need to help others kept gnawing at her. She started her career with UCLA in Los Angeles, and when the university gave her an opportunity to move to the East Coast, her entrepreneurial spirit flourished.
DIXON – In addition to making sure owners leash their dogs in parks, the Park District also has instituted requirements for when the leash may come off. The Park Board Next meeting approved regisThe Dixon Park Board t r a t i o n r e q u i r e - next meets at 6 p.m. ments for the Park Sept.28 at the district 4 Paws Dog Park on office, 804 Palmyra St. Wednesday, with Go to dixonparkdistrict. the hopes of bring- com or the park district ing peace of mind to office, or call 815-284owners concerned 3306 for an agenda or about their pets’ more information. safety. “The benefit is more so that people who use the dog park have the reassurance the dogs are properly vaccinated,” Board President Shane Miller said. Starting in October, park users will be required to register their dogs at the district office, 804 Palmyra St., and present copies of their dogs’ vaccination records for rabies, distemper, parvo and Bordetella. The annual family registration fee will be $10 for up to three dogs or $15 for out-of-district families, and the owner will receive a lanyard that must be brought to the dog park. Registration paid this year will last through 2017. The district had used a registration method in 2011 in which residents paid a $50 annual fee, proved their pet was licensed and vaccinated, and got a key to unlock the park gate. DOG continued on A24
BRAND continued on A54
UPDATE | SAUK VALLEY DENTIST
Doc who left patients in lurch loses license State: Jones’ behavior ‘dishonorable, unethical, unprofessional’ BY KATHLEEN A. SCHULTZ kschultz@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5535 @KathleenSchul10 Neal Jones Closed offices in Sterling and Dixon without refunding patients
STERLING – The dentist and former owner of Sauk Valley Orthodontics, who suddenly closed his practice nearly 2 years ago, leaving about 400 patients in the lurch, has “voluntarily and permanently” lost
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his Illinois license. Neal Jones had offices at 811 E. Third St. in Sterling, and at 122 E. Everett St. in Dixon. Oct. 11, 2014, was the practice’s last day, which some patients found out at their appointments that day. Those who had prepaid for treatment found out shortly after that they would not be
INDEX
ABBY.................... A8 BUSINESS............ A7 COMICS................B6
getting refunds. In reporting its disciplinary actions, taken in May, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation said Jones’ behavior, if proven true, constituted “dishonorable, unethical or unprofessional conduct.” LICENSE continued on A44
CROSSWORD.....B11 LIFESTYLE............ A8 LOTTERY.............. A2
OBITUARIES......... A4 OPINION............... A6 POLICE................. A2
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
Bailey, owned by Julie and Terry Buckaloo, rests after playing Wednesday at Park 4 Paws Dog Park at The Meadows. The Dixon Park Board on Wednesday approved requiring registration for park users.
Today’s weather High 79. Low 63. More on A3.
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