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ROCKETS DON’T WANT TO Row, row, row your box ... STERLING HIGH SCHOOL, A3 FALL INTO INDIANS’ TRAP FOOTBALL PREVIEW, B1
dailyGAZETTE Thursday, September 29, 2016 n SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
WHITESIDE COUNTY | DENTAL CLINIC
Open wider: Bigger clinic coming After rejection of plans to head south, health department opts to head east for expansion project BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
ROCK FALLS – The Whiteside County Health Department has decided to move ahead with a revamped plan to expand its cramped dental clinic. The health department’s Commu-
nity Health Clinic Board on Monday approved the alternate plan to expand east of the dental clinic. “The architect drew up plans to go into the middle parking lot east of the dental clinic, and the board unanimously decided to go ahead with it,” said Beth Fiorini, Whiteside County public health administrator.
This plan, however, will cost more to implement, after the health department was denied an easement variance needed to implement the original version. The health department had planned to expand in a southerly direction, but construction would not have allowed for the 25-foot setback required by city code. The city’s Planning and Zoning Com-
mission on July 27 handed down a recommendation to turn down the easement request, and on Aug. 2, the City Council concurred. The estimated cost of the first plan was between $150,000 and $200,000. The low-end estimate on building east is $210,000. EXPANSION continued on A54
LEE COUNTY
ROCK FALLS
Felonies stack up in deadly crash Eldena man could face more than 40 years in prison if convicted in woman’s death BY KATHLEEN A. SCHULTZ kschultz@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5535 @KathleenSchul10
Rock Fall Police Department secretary Joy Colberg sees eye-to-eye with Lacey, the department’s new comfort dog, at the station Wednesday.
DIXON – An Eldena man who investigators say was drunk and high on drugs when he left the scene of an accident that proved fatal to an Eldena woman was charged Wednesday with five felonies. Kyle R. Krebs Jr., 35, is charged with leaving the scene of an injury accident involving a death, which carries 4 to 15 years in prison; and leaving the scene of an injury accident, two counts of aggravated DUI alcohol, and aggravated DUI drugs and alcohol, all of which carry 3 to 7 years. He also is charged with leaving the scene of an accident, DUI alcohol, DUI drugs, and DUI drugs and alcohol, all misdemeanors. Krebs appeared in court Wednesday on the new charges, then was booked into Lee County Jail on $10,000 bond. He originally was cited for DUI and improper lane usage in the Aug. 29 crash that took the life of Alicia K. “Luka” Sexton, 42, formerly of Villa Park and Portland, Oregon. FELONIES continued on A54
Enjoying the creature comforts Canine cop brings much-needed smiles during trying times BY KACIE LONG klong@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5521 @kacieek4
ROCK FALLS – The Rock Falls Police Department recently added a new member to its force. The new officer is furry, walks on all fours, and enjoys watching squirrels through the window. COMFORT continued on A44
Kyle R. Krebs Jr.
Also in court ... The Dixon man shot by police pleads not guilty to attempted murder. Page A2 A status hearing postponed for man accused of 33-yearold Lee County murder. Page A2
Photos by Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com
DIXON
‘The greatest ambassador Dixon could ever ask for’ John Groshans, with wife LaDonna, addresses the crowd Wednesday night after John was named the 2016 Dixon Citizen of the Year.
Riverfront champion earns newly reintroduced Citizen of the Year award BY RACHEL RODGERS rrodgers@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5529 @rj_rodgers
DIXON – John Groshans works to turn the clock back each day, to keep the riverfront looking like it did when it opened 7 years ago. He has been called the city’s one-man welcome center, its hardest worker, its riverfront ambassador. Citizen of the Year was added to that list at
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Wednesday’s 4 Under 40 and Citizen of the Year event, sponsored by the Dixon Area Chamber of Commerce and The Telegraph. “I’ve talked to so many different people who have come through our community and talked about this greeter on the riverfront, the greatest ambassador Dixon could ever ask for or look for,” Police Chief Danny Langloss said shortly before revealing Groshans’ award at the ceremony at Timber Creek Golf Club. CITIZEN continued on A54 ABBY.................... A8 COMICS................B7 CROSSWORD.......B9
LIFESTYLE............ A8 LOTTERY.............. A2 OBITUARIES......... A4
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
OPINION............... A6 PLANIT.............A9-11 POLICE................. A2
Today’s weather High 72. Low 55. More on A3.
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