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Cooking over the campfire FOOD, A9-10
ROCKETS’ DUO BUILDS SWEAT EQUITY CROSS COUNTRY, B1
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Wednesday, September 3, 2014
SERVING DIXON AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1851
DIXON CITY COUNCIL LEE COUNTY
Step Two die in apparent taken murder-suicide toward lot sale Could be used for medical marijuana cultivation center BY MATT MENCARINI mmencarini@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5529
Photos by Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
Lee County and Illinois State Police investigators gather Tuesday afternoon outside of a residence in Woodland Shores, about 6 miles west of Dixon. Lee County Coroner Jesse Partington confirmed that a 71-year-old woman was stabbed to death in her home and her 27-year-old attacker, who lived with her, died of self-inflicted wounds.
Coroner: 27-year-old stabbed grandmother, himself BY CHRISTI WARREN cwarren@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5521
DIXON – Yellow police tape and squad cars surrounded a home on Joliet Way in Woodland Shores Tuesday afternoon as Lee County Sheriff’s deputies investigated an apparent murder-suicide. The body of a 71-year-old woman was found inside the home at 1612 Joliet Way around 2:40 p.m.; she was stabbed to death by her grandson, Lee County Coroner Jesse Partington said. Her 27-year-old attacker, who lived with her, was found covered in blood on the front lawn with a knife. After Lee County deputies took the knife from the man, he was taken to KSB Hospital, where he died of self-inflicted wounds, Partington said. Autopsies are set for 10 this morning, after which their names will be released, Partington said. Woodland Shores is about 6 miles west of Dixon off Rock Island Road. In a text message, Lee County State’s Attorney Anna Sacco-Miller confirmed a man was found in the front yard around 2:40 p.m. and taken to KSB, and a knife was retrieved. She declined to provide further information.
Investigators gather at the residence of a 71-year-old woman who was stabbed to death Tuesday by her 27-year-old grandson, according to Lee County Coroner Jesse Partington. Autopsies are set for 10 this morning, after which the victims’ names will be released.
DIXON – On the first day Illinois residents were allowed to submit applications for a medical marijuana permit, representatives from two companies interested in building a cultivation center in town addressed the City Council. They were there to encourage the city to sell a lot it owns in the Lee County Industrial Park, and the City Council voted unanimously to authorize the sale of the land. The council will discuss proposals and could vote on whether to sell the property during its next meeting on Sept. 15. The city can’t sell the property for less than 80 percent of the appraised value, which is $257,000. But with at least a 4-1 vote, the council can sell the property to any company submitting a proposal meeting the threshold – Dennis $205,6000 – that it Considine determines to be in the best inter- Commissioner feels city should est of the city. not feel rushed It could be to to sell industrial one of the com- park property. panies that expressed interest in a medical marijuana cultivation center Tuesday, or to a different company for a completely different purpose. Or the council could vote against selling the property. Commissioner Dennis Considine said the 8.85-acre piece of land, also known as Lot 5, should be viewed as an asset, and not surplus property the city doesn’t need. He said the council should “take a real strong look” at what the property means to the city. LOT CONTINUED ON A5
DIXON | OPEN SESAME AND LINCOLN ELEMENTARY
Day care president: ‘We have a setback’ $250,000 sprinkler system needed for purchase of old school BY JERMAINE PIGEE jpigee@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5525
DIXON – Officials at Open Sesame Children’s Learning Center in Dixon still are interested in moving into Lincoln Elementary School, but the State Fire Marshal says they must install a fire sprinkler system first.
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The cost? About $200,000 to $250,000. “This is still on the table, but we are less likely to move in,” said Doug Lee, president of Open Sesame’s board of directors. “That is a significant expense, and we don’t have to the ability to pay for that at this time. “We are still going through the process, but we have a setback.”
INDEX
BUSINESS ......... A11 COMICS ...............B5 CROSSWORD....B12
The district closed the school at 501 S. Lincoln at the end of last school year, to save money. The nonprofit day care, based at 1101 Middle Road, rents space on the first floor of the building for its after-school and summer school programs. SETBACK CONTINUED ON A4
DEAR ABBY ......... A8 LIFESTYLE ........... A8 LOTTERY ............. A2
More inside On A3
s &IESTA $AYS IS THIS WEEKEND in Sterling and Rock Falls s 2OCK &ALLS HAS NEW ALDERMAN On A5
s $UNHAM S REQUEST SENT BACK to Plan Commission s Photo: Bricklaying in downtown Dixon Doug Lee President of DAY CARE S BOARD OF directors
OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6 SPORTS ...............B1
On A7
s /WNER OF !CE (ARDWARE IN Oregon retiring s !BANDONED CAR STARTS OFF search in Ogle County
Today’s weather High 84. Low 69. More on A3.
Need work? Check out your classifieds, B6.
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