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SKYHAWKS WIN Amana offers a BATTLE WITH BRAVES winter wonderland
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL, B1
DAY TRIP, A7
dailyGAZETTE Friday, January 13, 2017 n SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
STERLING SCHOOL BOARD
OREGON
Objection overruled Candidate loses bid to remove names from ballot; can appeal his case to circuit court BY CHRISTOPHER HEIMERMAN cheimerman@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5523 CHeimerman_SVM
Jordan DeWilde offers advice to third-grader Gabbi Schelling, 9, on her version of Marc Chagall’s painting, “I and the Village.” The class relies on DeWilde to be a helpful, engaging teacher who works with them to bring out their best.
OBJECTION continued on A54
Echoes of Jordan DeWilde tapped into his inner voice and found a world of art; now, he’s helping students do the same – and they’re more than happy to echo that voice
excellence BY ZACH ARBOGAST Shaw Media zarbogast@shawmedia.com
OREGON – Introducing elementary school kids to the many styles and perspectives of art can be rewarding – literally and figuratively. Just ask Oregon Elementary School art teacher Jordan DeWilde. DeWilde recently was honored by the Illinois State Board of Education’s “Those Who Excel” program, achieving the top award of excellence in the Early Career Educator category. “Art teachers aren’t always acknowledged or respected; it was an honor to be nominated by my administrator,” he said. DeWilde grew up in Taylorville in central Illinois, the son of two passionate educators. His mom was an art teacher who always had art supplies on hand and creative projects to do, so it’s easy to see where his journey began, although wasn’t always certain he wanted to be a teacher himself. EXCELLENCE continued on A114
Third-graders Mckenna Scruggs (left) and Aniyah Sarver show off their artwork. Their class recreated the stylings of Marc Chagall’s painting, “I and the Village,” using their own faces, favorite animals, activities and communities.
TOP5 Your Weekend
Celebrate the man with the dream
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STERLING – On Martin Luther King Jr. Day Eve, area churches, leaders and residents will gather Sunday to celebrate the activist who dreamed like no other. A Community Celebration In Song: March On! will be from 6 to 7 p.m. at First Church of the Nazarene, 411 13th Ave. A four-church combined choir will perform during the annual celebration. The event is free.
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MORRISON – An objection to two Sterling school board members’ petitions to run in the upcoming election was shot down this morning, allowing them to stay on the ballot – for now. A three-person electoral board – County Clerk Dana Nelson, Circuit Clerk Sue Costello, and state’s attorney designee Tom Senneff – unanimously overruled an objection filed Dec. 28 by former school board member and current art teacher Gonzalo Reyes, who is running in the April 4 consolidated election. He said incumbents Marc A. Geil and Terry McGuire failed to appropriately fill in blanks on their statements to run, and so they should be removed from the ballot.
ROCK FALLS
Warehouse or business? Business plans on pause while commission consults attorney BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
ROCK FALLS – A local contractor says there’s nothing special about some storage units he wants to build – at least when it comes to a city ordinance, but the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission isn’t so sure. Jack Guerrieri’s plans to turn an empty lot into a business were put on hold at Thursday’s commission meeting when his petition was tabled while members get a ruling from city attorneys. Guerrieri recently bought residential property at 307 W. 16th St., which still includes a vacant home. The land is just west of Perna’s Pizza on U.S. Route 30, and to the naked eye, looks like it’s on the highway. The area was once home to a small trailer park. WAREHOUSE continued on A54
Photos by Zach Arbogast/zarbogast@shawmedia.com
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It’s a winter birthday party
MOUNT CARROLL – Winter Fest, part of the city’s yearlong sesquicentennial celebration, will run from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Point Rock Park on Mill Street. Free activities include ice skating, music, horse-drawn sleigh rides, and a snowmanmaking contest. People can warm up at fire rings chestnuts will be roasted. Refreshments will be available. Donations will be accepted to help replace the skating rink liner next year. Contact Michelle Fossett at mfossett98@yahoo.com or 815-275-0159, or Judy Fitzpatrick at mtcarrfitzs@ yahoo.com or 815-2382764 for more information.
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Fun in disguise
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POLO – The Polo Area Community Theatre’s third annual Masquerade Ball will run from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday at Buffalo Township Hall, 117 S. Franklin Ave. The event will feature hors d’oeuvres, snacks and nonalcoholic drinks, as well as games, dancing, and a raffle. The ball is open to highschoolers and older. Formal evening wear and masks are required, and will be available for rent. Tickets cost $15, or $20 for a couple at the door, or $10 and $15 in advance at polotheatre.org. Contact Faith Morrison at faith@fashdesign.com for details.
ABBY.................... A8 BUSINESS............ A9 COMICS................B6
CROSSWORD.....B10 LIFESTYLE.........A7-8 LOTTERY.............. A2
It’s time for Second Saturdays
DIXON – Second Saturdays Art Happenings returns to the downtown. Among the activities are open mic night at Rosbrook Studio, 107 S. Peoria Ave., starting at 7:30 p.m. Sign-up begins at 6, or call 815-973-4476. Acoustic guitarist Jeff Kagay performs from 7 to 9 p.m. at Books on First, 202 W. First St., and there’s an art reception from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Next Picture Show, with details to follow. There will be karaoke from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at PatiO’s Irish Pub, 222 W. First St. Find Dixon Main Street & Riverfront on Facebook for more information.
OBITUARIES......... A4 OPINION............... A6 POLICE................. A2
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Survey the art
DIXON – The 13th annual Regional Survey of Art Exhibition will kick off with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at The Next Picture Show, 113 W. First St. There will be more than 90 original works of art representing mediums such as oil, ceramics, glass, photography, ink and paper, silk painting, wood carving, watercolor, and acrylic. Tristan Bushman, an Ashton singer-songwriter, will perform. The show runs through Feb. 25. The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is free; donations are welcome. Go to thenextpictureshow. org or call 815-285-4924 for more information.
Today’s weather High 24. Low 18. More on A3.
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