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LOCALS QUALIFY FOR FINALS IN 11 EVENTS TRACK, B1
Church helps veterans feel more at home STERLING, A4
TELEGRAPH Friday, May 27, 2016 n SERVING DIXON AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1851
STERLING | RIVERFRONT PLANS
Worried about its Best interests
Officials concerned about city property that’s not only a potential hazard, but a roadblock to redevelopment BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
STERLING – The city is mulling its options for dealing with a troublesome building it inherited at the Northwestern Steel & Wire site. Gaining control of the mill site enabled
the city to pursue grants and move ahead with cleanup and redevelopment of the area, but ownership has its downside. The city rents a building at the site to Best Cob, a corn cob processor, at 8681 Hickory Hills Road in Rock Falls. Sterling receives $96,450 a year for leasing the building to Best Cob. That rent is the
only revenue still coming into the city’s NS&W bankruptcy settlement fund. The building is a problem for several reasons, none of which can be easily solved. Some of the issues are concerns for the city’s building code department. During a February budget meeting, Building and Zoning Administrator
Amanda Schmidt told the council that her department doesn’t want the building occupied. “There are no restrooms, and you’d have to go into a burning building to turn on the water because it’s a dry system,” Schmidt said. BUILDING continued on A44
ROCK FALLS
DIXON
While working in the park 1 day ...
Getting things in top-flight condition
Projects keep city busy at Centennial Park BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
Photos by Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
Mike Cecchetti (above) and Gary DeBord (right) put a fresh coat of paint on the fighter jet at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Dixon on Thursday afternoon. Members hope to have the Thunderchief in tip-top shape in the next few weeks. According to its website, the park, located on Veterans Parkway, off of state Route 2, was established as a place devoted to those who’ve dedicated their lives to the preservation of America’s freedoms, giving the community a “podium from which the appreciation for all those who have served this great country will be spoken,” as well as “a place to prompt future generations to contemplate the sacrifices” service members have made. Go to honorourvets.org for more information on
TOP5 Your Weekend
Kick off the weekend with music
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DIXON – Dixon singer Kathy Cecchetti kicks off Dixon Main Street & Riverfront’s first free Musical Fridays performance from noon to 1 p.m. in the pavilion along the riverfront downtown. Find Dixon Main Street & Riverfront on Facebook for more information.
$1.00
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It’s the Breast Yard Sale in Town
OREGON – The 14th annual Breast Yard Sale in Town runs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, beginning Saturday and running through June 19, in the barn at Maple Hill Farm, 1194 Mud Creek Road, about 2 miles north of Oregon. The sale will be held rain or shine. In addition to antiques and furniture from three estate liquidations, new lingerie from Maidenform and Essential Bodywear will be sold, and more than 1,500 new and gently used bras will be available. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. Call 815973-2050 for more information
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Post House opens its mic
DIXON – Fourth Fridays Open Mic night begins at 7 at the Post House Community Center, 100 W. Second St. Each musician or band performs four songs, then a jam session follows. Instruments are acoustic, a sound system is provided, and many different styles of music are featured. Poets and short-story writers are welcome. A donation is required for admission to help cover utility costs. Call 815-288-9263 for more information.
ABBY.................... A8 BUSINESS.......... A14 COMICS................B7
CROSSWORD.....B12 LIFESTYLE.........A7-8 LOTTERY.............. A2
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ROCK FALLS – Several projects are underway at Centennial Park, some that should be completed for the Memorial Day crowd. Coloma Township Park District workers have been busy making a big push to get amenities in place for the influx of holiday visitors. Work on new fountains is wrapping up, Parks Director Mike Sterba said. “Three large fountains are being put in at the south end of the park, and another one will be put up at the entrance,” Sterba said. “Our goal is to have all of them up by Memorial Day.” A lighting project planned for about 4 years also is underway. New LED fixtures are being put on the poles, replacing 52 of them that date back to 1968. The project had been delayed until money could be found in the capital development fund. “Just the fixtures cost $80,000 – that doesn’t include labor,” Sterba said. “We’ll be good for another 40 years, though, with these.” The biggest Centennial Park project, however, will extend far beyond the holiday weekend. In 2014, the park district acquired 4.3 acres of land that has been added at the southwest corner of the park. PARK continued on A124
Safety event at museum
ROCK FALLS – Safety Saturday is set to run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Firehouse Ministries Fire Museum, 403 W. Second St. There will be tours, fire truck rides, safety and preparation information from the Red Cross, and a free lunch. Call 815-622-9490 to register.
OBITUARIES......... A4 OPINION............... A6 POLICE................. A2
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White Pines Inn fires up the grill
MOUNT MORRIS – “Sundays in the Park,” a series of summer cookouts, starts this weekend at White Pines Inn, 6712 W. Pines Road. There will be food sold and live entertainment from 1 to 4 p.m. each Sunday until Sept. 4 in the garden canopy next to the restaurant. Burgers and brats will be grilled, and craft beers, bloody Marys, margaritas, and wine will be available. Go to whitepinesinn.com or call 815-946-3817 for more information.
Today’s weather High 79. Low 66. More on A3.
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