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Legion fires up a big grill
DOCTOR TO CHANGE PLEA IN DEADLY PILL MILL CASE
STERLING, A3
STERLING, A2
TELEGRAPH Tuesday, August 2, 2016 n SERVING DIXON AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1851
DIXON | CITY COUNCIL
City wants an inn with developers Council explores idea of paying for a study to help attract hotel, other businesses to town BY RACHEL RODGERS rrodgers@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5529 @rj_rodgers
DIXON – The city wants to bring in a new hotel to house its visitors, and it’s moving forward with a study that could
help make that idea a reality. Mayor Li Arellano Jr. has been approached by a hotel developer who might be interested in breaking ground in Dixon, and the study could help not only move the decision along, but also be used to attract other such businesses.
“What we’re looking to do is maximize the city’s potential leverage with attracting exactly the type of project that we think would be good for the city,” he said Monday at the council meeting. Another hotel could help to keep visi-
tors in Dixon during large events and festivals rather than them having to stay overnight in Rock Falls, Arellano said. “I think Dixon is aching for another one,” he said. COUNCIL continued on A54
CITY COUNCIL
LEE COUNTY
Roadwork ahead, and behind us, in Sterling As some projects wrap up, others are about to begin BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
Char and Keith Huff of Dixon sign a banner Monday outside the Dixon Police Station to show their support for the men and women in blue. Another banner was set up for signatures at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
Here’s to
blue
Law enforcement depends on proof to do their job. On Monday, the community gave them proof positive
BY RACHEL RODGERS rrodgers@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5529 @rj_rodgers
DIXON – In the wake of tensions between the public and police in areas across the nation, Dixon and Oregon community members wanted to make their support known to local law enforcement Monday. Personnel from the Dixon Police Department and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office received kind words and gestures from people throughout the day in appreciation of their service. Businesses and residents participated in the nationwide “We Back Blue” day, joining more than 500 communities committed to saying thanks to law enforcement. “We felt we had a good grasp on community support, but now we know the proof is in the pudding,” Lee County Sheriff John Simonton said. Both departments were provided with lunch, and community members brought in treats and desserts to add to the meal. BLUE continued on A94
ROCK FALLS CITY COUNCIL
It’s a good time to learn about TIFs City wants to issue TIF bonds for the first time; public encouraged to come see why BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
ROCK FALLS – Residents will have an opportunity to have their say on the city’s plans to issue bonds for the RB&W Dis-
$1.00
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trict green space project. A public hearing for the bond ordinance is the first order of business at today’s City Council meeting. The ordinance, if approved, would allow the city to issue up to $5 million in general obligation bonds to
INDEX
ABBY.................... A7 BUSINESS............ A9 COMICS................B5
pay for projects within the Downtown Tax Increment Financing District that includes the new Holiday Inn Express & Suites, the anchor project of the TIF that was set up in 2010.
CROSSWORD.....B10 LIFESTYLE............ A7 LOTTERY.............. A2
TIFS continued on A54
OBITUARIES......... A4 OPINION............... A6 POLICE................. A2
STERLING – There is an end in sight to the construction that has slowed traffic of late on several of the city’s main thoroughfares. City Manager Scott Shumard brought some good news on several of the projects to Monday’s council meeting. Work on everything from roads and sidewalks to water and sewer infrastructure has forced motorists to slow down on occasion. One big project is nearing completion, but another will take its place. “Work on Second Street should wrap up this week, and then next Scott Monday signs Shumard will go up for East Third Street from Locust to First Avenue,” Shumard said. The East Third Street work not only will inconvenience motorists, but the downtown businesses along that stretch also will be affected. Workers will replace the water main that broke March 13, washing away the road base and closing the street to motorists and pedestrians for several days. “The East Third Street work is about a 4-week project,” Shumard said. “Some lanes will be closed and detours set up while they are ... drilling under Locust and First Avenue.” Work at Sixth Avenue is on schedule to be opened before school starts and the buses will be able to take their usual route to Challand Middle School, he said. The council approved partial payments for sidewalk upgrades that were required for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The work, all on state highways, is the result of an Illinois Department of Transportation mandate. ROADWORK continued on A44
Today’s weather High 85. Low 72. More on A3.
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