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A THOUSAND AND WON REASONS TO CELEBRATE
ROCKETS VS. NORTH BOONE, B1
FOOD, A10
dailyGAZETTE Wednesday, January 11, 2017 n SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
ROCK FALLS | SESQUICENTENNIAL
A party 150 years in the making Group working on block party, Homecoming Day and more as part of year-long birthday celebration BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
ROCK FALLS – Music, dancing, fireworks, a parade, and possibly an air show are just a few of the headlining events in the works for the city’s 150th
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birthday celebration. While a party is likely to break out at various times throughout the year, the bulk of the jubilee activities are being planned for July 29 through Aug. 6. “Things could definitely be added to the events schedule, but most of the bigger things will happen during that
time frame,” City Clerk Eric Arduini said. A committee of volunteers led by Mayor Bill Wescott and Arduini started meeting regularly March 14, and many of the initial ideas are coming closer to fruition. The group, which tends to be a little different in composition each ses-
HEALTH & FITNESS
MILITARY
Helping soldiers has become his signature cause
Bob Doyle’s journey to a healthier life has finally taken him to where he wants to be: A happy place
weight lifted
sion, gathered Tuesday to give progress reports. While nothing is etched in stone, the celebration is to kick off July 29 just east of Seward’s Riverside Park with the opening of a time capsule from the city’s 125th birthday. BIRTHDAY continued on A44
Dixon native seeks public’s help to remove the ‘D’ – and the stigma – from PTSD BY RACHEL RODGERS rrodgers@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5529 @rj_rodgers
DIXON – A Dixon native is hoping to pull veterans from the brink of suicide by changing the perception of post-traumatic stress disorder. Will Gibson, who has served in the Navy more than 2 decades and is stationed in San Diego, has created a national petition to reclassify PTSD as an injury, rather than a disorder. Post-traumatic stress would fit better as an injury because it is caused by external forces, whereas disorders are often associated with genetWill ic dispositions, he said. Gibson “In the military, there’s the stigma that someone is weak or less capable, because it’s seen as a disorder. That can deter people from seeking treatment.” SIGNATURE continued on A34 Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@saukvalley.com
Bob Doyle works out at the Sterling-Rock Falls YMCA Monday morning. In the past 6 years, Bob, a Type 2 diabetic, has managed to lose 130 pounds, thanks to a reduction in his caloric intake, a varied exercise regime – and a thoroughly healthy attitude adjustment.
But weight, there’s more ...
BY CHRISTOPHER HEIMERMAN cheimerman@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5523 CHeimerman_SVM
STERLING – Bob Doyle keeps a picture in his backpack of someone from his past, someone he barely recognizes. It’s him, 6 years younger, about 130 pounds heavier, but far lighter in the happiness department. Bob, 63, of Rock Falls, is a strong candidate for the happiest, most encouraging dude at the Sterling-Rock Falls YMCA – and that’s saying something. He checks in at about 215 pounds, although it fluctuates about 5 pounds either way. He maintains it with a 3-hour daily regimen: an hour in the cardio room, another in the weight room, and swimming more than a mile. LIFTED continued on A34
Check out our Health and Fitness section in today’s paper: Have you wandered off the eaten path? You’re not alone. SVM’s Lucas Pauley has been there, done that, and he has a healthier way to start to your day. Page A12 Focused on getting fit? Don’t be afraid to get some help, but make sure and walk, or jog, along your own path to a healthier life. Page A13 Local Y’s gear up for the new year with a new crop of state-of-the-art equipment. Page A14
ROCK FALLS
Not everyone’s a fan of jail plan Critics want county to bail out of a plan to put a lock-up downtown BY VINDE WELLS vwells@shawmedia.com Shaw Media
OREGON – The Ogle County Board has drawn fire in recent weeks after announcing its intention to build a new jail on the edge of a residential area in Oregon. The board approved a design concept in Novem-
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ber that puts the jail in the 100 block of South Sixth Street, across the street from and connected to the judicial center. City Commissioner Jim Barnes, a former board chairman, is one of those who has voiced disapproval. JAIL continued on A44
ABBY.................... A7 BUSINESS............ A9 COMICS................B6
CROSSWORD.....B12 LIFESTYLE............ A7 LOTTERY.............. A2
CRIME
Sheley trial won’t be until next year BY ASHLEY CADY acady@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5521 @ashleycady_svm
HILLSBORO, Mo. – The final trial of Sterling spree killer Nicholas Sheley won’t begin for at least a year. Sheley, 36, already serving six life sentences for murdering six people in Illinois in between June 23 and 30, 2008, is scheduled to be tried Jan. 8 for the beating deaths of Tom and Jill Estes, 54, who were attacked outside a Festus, Missouri, hotel. Jury selection is set for Jan. 4 and 5,, Jefferson County court records show. Sheley faces the death penalty if convicted. The case will be heard by a new circuit judge: Democrat Nathan Stewart, elected in 2010, was defeated Nicholas Nov. 8 by Republican Dianna Bartels. Sheley In May 2014, Sheley was convicted in Rock Island County Court of killing four people in Rock Falls – Brock Branson, 29; his fiancee Kilynna Blake, 20; her 2-year-old son Dayan; and Kenneth Ulve, 25. In November 2012, he was convicted in Whiteside County Court of bludgeoning 93-year-old Russel Reed in rural Sterling. In September 2011, he was convicted in Knox County Court of killing 65-year-old Ronald Randall in Galesburg.
OBITUARIES......... A4 OPINION............... A6 POLICE................. A2
Today’s weather High 38. Low 19. More on A3.
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