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ROCKETS BRING DOWN COMETS FOR THE WIN
Love runs deep in Wisconsin
WRESTLING, B1
DAY TRIP, A7
TELEGRAPH Friday, January 29, 2016
SERVING DIXON AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1851
LEE COUNTY | MURDER CASE
Over the line Line of questioning gets assistant state’s attorney pulled from bond hearing for accused murderer BY ANGEL SIERRA asierra@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5695 @_angelsierra
DIXON – A Lee County assistant state’s attorney talked his way out of being involved in an accused murderer’s bond reduction hearing Thursday. Whether Matt Klahn can continue to represent the state during Terry E. Bobell’s case will be determined next month. So, too, will the fate of a request to have Bobell’s $1 million bond lowered.
Bobell is one of three men charged with firstdegree murder in the 1983 beating death of 30-year-old Gary D. Dawson of Peoria, whose body was found in rural Lee County, near Franklin Grove. His brother, Gordon K. Bobell, 65, also of Chillicothe, already had his $1 million lowered to $300,000 on Jan. 13, and he posted the required 10 percent the same day. Steven Watts, 58, of Berryville, Arkansas, has been free on $100,000 bond since Sept. 27, 2014. BOBELL CONTINUED ON A2
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
Terry Bobell appeared in Lee County court Thursday afternoon, during a bond reduction hearing that was ultimately rescheduled until February.
DIXON
SAUK VALLEY AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Donations would tip the balance in youths’ favor
Students from the CEO class at the Whiteside Area Career Center perform a line dance Thursday evening at the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting and dinner at Deer Valley Banquet and Golf Course.
Project needs money to get off the ground BY JERMAINE PIGEE jpigee@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5525 @JPigee84
Photos by Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@saukvalley.com
Welcome to our dinner, y’all Chamber introduces new president during a down-home dinner BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
DEER VALLEY – The Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce showed off one of the community’s business gems Thursday – the Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities class.
The innovative CEO class from the Whiteside Area Career Center took its handson experience in a new direction, planning and providing entertainment for the chamber’s annual dinner and meeting at Deer Valley Country Club. CHAMBER CONTINUED ON A5
Brian Hawkins of Cassens Insurance Agency speaks to members of the Sauk Valley Area of Commerce on Thursday after being announced as the Chamber’s new president.
DIXON – Project GenNex members have a dream. Now all they need is money to make it come true. The group wants to create a community youth center in Dixon. But in order to do that, members need to raise between $100,000 and $200,000. There’s just one problem: people aren’t donating money to the project. Steve Wilson, co-founder of Project GenNex, said he’s been getting material and labor donations, but what the group could really use is money. “Right now, we don’t have any money to spend,” he said. Project GenNex is a group of teenagers and adults who want to bring a youth center to Dixon. The community center would include turning Veterans Memorial Pool into a skate park. Right now, there’s no safe, dedicated place for skaters. “We are envisioning a skate park inside the pool,” Wilson said in December. “We also want this to be a place for kids to gather and a place to hang out. We want to offer peer tutoring, meeting rooms, counseling, arts and crafts, everything.” CENTER CONTINUED ON A4
TOP5 Your Weekend
Country headed back to The Cooler
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ROCK FALLS – Nashville country artist Ray Scott will return to The Cooler, 311 W. Second St., for a show that begins at 9 p.m. tonight Ian Babon and Joe Loomis will perform first, and Scott will play at 10 p.m. and sign autographs after the show. Tickets are $7.
$1.00
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Simon Says Uncle is back!
ROCK FALLS – Ray Scott isn’t the only person returning to The Cooler this weekend. So, too, is Simon Says Uncle, which will play a reunion show from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday. The quintet from Davenport, Iowa, will play fun, familiar classic rock tunes.
INDEX
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A cycle swap in Sterling
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STERLING – The Twin Rivers Chapter of A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois will have its ninth annual motorcycle swap meet from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at the Sterling Moose Family Center, 2601 E. Lincolnway. New and used parts will be sold. There also will be leathers and motorcycle clothing and decorations, and breakfast and lunch can be purchased. Admission is $5 for adults and free for 12 and under.
ABBY ................... A8 BUSINESS ......... A15 COMICS ...............B7
CROSSWORD....B10 LIFESTYLE ........A7-8 LOTTERY ............. A2
A Fifth Friday in the Grove
FRANKLIN GROVE – The Chamberlain Family’s Audience of One group and its multiple musical instruments will perform two Fifth Friday shows at 7 and 9 p.m. at the H.I. Lincoln Building, 136 N. Elm St. Tickets are $10 and are available by calling 815456-3030 or visiting the building from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6 POLICE ................ A2
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‘Idol’ contestant takes the stage
ROCK FALLS – Alex Fischbach, a Morrison singersongwriter who appeared on “American Idol,” will play Saturday at Long Shot Sports Bar & Grill, 3312 W. Rock Falls Road. Also playing will be David Mills of Long Ladder Home, an acoustic rock band from Peoria. The music will be played from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Today’s weather High 34. Low 28. More on A3.
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