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Wednesday, July 15, 2015
SERVING DIXON AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1851
DIXON | TOURISM
Overarching or overreaching? Dixon One plan draws support and concerns BY BRENDEN WEST bwest@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5529 @BWest_SVM
DIXON – Since assuming office in May, the new Dixon Council made consolidating a number of tourism-based entities one of its top goals. Council members have since labeled this initiative as Dixon One, and during a special meeting Monday, they took their biggest step yet toward fleshing out what this concept will eventually look like. While Monday’s discussion was just one step
toward consolidation, it’s the next step that has some people concerned. Not to worry, said Councilman Chris Bishop. He steered Monday’s meeting and said there would be “many benefits” to consolidation. Namely – at least in the minds of council members – there’s the belief that putting all the groups under one roof will make Dixon tourism dollars go the extra mile. “This is kind of a starting point that we’re hoping to propose,” Bishop said, adding later: “Now maybe we can open things up to different groups.” DIXON ONE CONTINUED ON A5
DIXON
STERLING
They’re ready to unleash more of Granny’s potential
Smiling all the way to the Bank
Work on Enrichment Center for dogs will begin next week BY BRENDEN WEST bwest@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5529 @BWest_SVM
Photos by Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@saukvalley.com
ABOVE: Sterling firefighter Clark Liedberg lets Adrain Pineda hold the hose nozzle Tuesday afternoon as the Sterling Fire Department entertained kids at the Hawkins-Cassens Insurance cookout. The insurance agency held the cookout to raise donations for the Sauk Valley Food Bank. The fundraiser also featured a bouncy house, kids fingerprinting by Sterling Police, and kids activities by the Sterling-Rock Falls YMCA. The Met Life blimp also hovered overhead, making a return appearance after cruising over the area last week. RIGHT: Kids jump for joy Tuesday in the bounce house outside Hawkins-Cassens Insurance.
DIXON – Granny Rose Animal Shelter board members have long considered the next phase of development for the Dixon facility. In 1996, the shelter set up shop on River Lane, and since then, board president Mark Knie said, there’s been a lot thought about the possibility of a full-service dog training facility located on the Granny Rose property. Those visions are on the verge of becoming reality. Knie said that thanks to a six-figure private pledge, construction on a 13,500 square-foot K-9 Enrichment Center could begin by the end of this year. Projected to cost more than $1 million, the facilThis is the next ity would hold obedistep in the evoluence, agility training and pet therapy classes tion of Granny year-round, and maybe Rose. There’s really someday have the no place [in the chops to host Ameriarea] of this scope can Kennel Club [AKC]or magnitude. sanctioned events. “We’ve talked about Mark Knie it for the last 3 to 4 Granny Rose Animal years, thinking that this Shelter board president is the next step in the evolution of Granny Rose,” Knie said. “We kept seeing a need for a space to do obedience training. There’s really no place [in the area] of this scope or magnitude.” Last week, Knie signed a contract with Brown Construction to begin the project, after a donor – who wishes to remain anonymous – committed to matching every dollar Granny Rose raises through its latest funding initiative, up to $100,000. The group has already accounted for $800,000 from previous donations. Preliminary digging will begin next week, and construction is expected to be finished “in the first part of December,” Knie said.
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GRANNY ROSE CONTINUED ON A5
GRAND DETOUR
Old school’s new owner awaiting board approval to discuss plans BY JERMAINE PIGEE jpigee@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5525 @JPigee84
DIXON – The Dixon School Board will vote tonight on
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the sale of the former Grand Detour School, most recently home to the Lee/Ogle County Regional Office of Education. David Fritts, a retired judge and Dixon native, had the high
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bid of $70,000 in an auction last week. He declined Tuesday to say what his plans are for the building. “The building will not be mine until the school board
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approves the sale,” he said. “I’d like to wait to say anything until they approve the sale.” Superintendent Margo Empen said five bidders participated in the sale conducted by
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Polo auctioneer Lenny Bryson. “Three of the bidders went back and fourth, and [Fritts] was the successful bidder,” Empen said.
Today’s weather High 78. Low 57. More on A3.
SCHOOL CONTINUED ON A4
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