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No felony charges filed in fatal boating accident
SVM ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
MILLEDGEVILLE & PROPHETSTOWN B3
OGLE COUNTY, A3
dailyGAZETTE
Tuesday, December 20, 2016 n SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
OGLE COUNTY | MICHAEL HARN CASE
Plea deal: No jail time for former sheriff Harn pleads guilty, sentenced to probation, must pay restitution
Former Ogle County Sheriff Michael Harn (right), shown here with his attorney, John Nocita, at Monday’s Ogle County Court hearing, pleaded guilty to two counts of felony theft.
Office of State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor’s Office told Gunnarsson that he and Harn’s attorney, John Nocita of West Chicago, had reached a plea agreement. Gunnarsson went over the charges and the plea agreement and asked Harn if he understood. Harn replied, “Yes, sir,” then quietly pleaded guilty to each count. “You were a public servant of this county, and I’m sure you recognize that you grossly violated that trust,” Gunnarsson told Harn before passing sentence.
BY VINDE WELLS vwells@shawmedia.com Shaw Media
OREGON – Former Ogle County Sheriff Michael Harn will serve no jail time for stealing county funds while he was the county’s top law enforcer. Harn, 55, pleaded guilty Monday afternoon to two counts of felony theft. In accordance with his plea agreement, Judge Val Gunnarsson sentenced him to 4 years’ probation and ordered him to immediately pay $10,600 in restitution to the Ogle County treasurer. Special Prosecutor Dave Neal of the Illinois
HARN continued on A24
Lori Tepinski/Rochelle News Leader
STERLING CITY COUNCIL
ROCK RIVER
Mayor unties tax increase
Gone fishing Eagle-eyed birdwatchers had plenty to look at Monday along the Rock River at Lawrence Park in Sterling, where eagles were keeping their eyes peeled for fish from their treetop perch above the river. Sauk Valley residents who want to watch eagles can catch a glimpse of the patriotic birds near dams and in parks along rivers. The best time of the day to view them is anytime in the early morning until about 11 a.m. While viewing the birds, stay quiet and move slowly, lest you startle them. It’s important not to scare the birds, as they need to conserve their energy during the winter to stay warm.
Council split on decision; Lee breaks tie to raise property taxes BY CHRISTOPHER HEIMERMAN cheimerman@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5523 CHeimerman_SVM
STERLING – On Mayor Skip Lee’s swing vote, a 6.06 percent increase to the tax levy was approved Monday night. After a lively debate over whether the City Council should vote on a lesser option, Lee broke a 3-3 tie. “I’m totally against it,” Alderwoman Chris Wilen said leading up to the vote. “Our taxpayers have been taxed enough. I’m for the 4.98 [percent option]. Let’s give it a rest this year, and revisit it next year.” TAX INCREASE continued on A54
STERLING SCHOOL DISTRICT
Summer break? Not for projects District lining up millions in building and facility work Online extra Find this photo at saukvalley.com to see more pictures of eagles along the Rock River, and to learn more about the bird.
Did you know?
While the stoic eagle has come to symbolize America, had Benjamin Franklin had his way, the wild turkey would have been the nation’s ornithological emblem. Franklin wasn’t fond of eagles’ tendency to steal other birds’ prey. In 1784, he wrote, “For my own part, I wish the bald eagle had not been chosen the representative of our Country. He is a bird of bad moral character. He does not get his living honestly. … Besides, he is a rank coward.”
BY CHRISTOPHER HEIMERMAN cheimerman@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5523 CHeimerman_SVM
STERLING – It’s going to be a busy summer at Sterling Public Schools’ facilities next year, thanks to the 1 percent sales tax voters approved in April 2015. A list of projects, projected to cost $9 million in total, will be shared at Wednesday’s school board meeting. At the moment, it’s a tentative list, since bids won’t come back until January at the earliest, but the marquee project is the Roscoe Eades Stadium remodel. The priciest? Roof work, mostly at Sterling High School. “Sterling High School has an immense amount of roof work that needs to be done,” Superintendent Tad Everett said. “Roofing is our number one priority for facilities over the next three summers.” PROJECTS continued on A54
Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com
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TODAY’S EDITION: 24 PAGES 2 SECTIONS VOL. 163 ISSUE 8
INDEX
ABBY.................... A7 BUSINESS.......... A12 COMICS................B5
CROSSWORD.....B11 LIFESTYLE............ A7 LOTTERY.............. A2
POLICE................. A2 OBITUARIES......... A4 OPINION............... A6
Today’s weather High 29. Low 14. More on A3.
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