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DUKES WILL LAY IT ON THE LINE AGAINST CARDINALS
Row, row, row your box ... STERLING HIGH SCHOOL, A3
FOOTBALL PREVIEW, B1
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Thursday, September 29, 2016 n SERVING DIXON AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1851
LEE COUNTY | ROLLOVER ACCIDENT
Felonies stack up in deadly crash Eldena man could face more than 40 years in prison if convicted in passenger’s death BY KATHLEEN A. SCHULTZ kschultz@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5535 @KathleenSchul10
DIXON – An Eldena man who investigators say was drunk and high on drugs when he left the scene of an accident that proved fatal to an Eldena woman was charged Wednesday with five felonies. Kyle R. Krebs Jr., 35, is charged with leaving the
scene of an injury accident involving a death, which carries 4 to 15 years in prison; and leaving the scene of an injury accident, two counts of aggravated DUI alcohol, and aggravated DUI drugs and alcohol, all of which carry 3 to 7 years. He also is charged with leaving the scene of an accident, DUI alcohol, DUI drugs, and DUI drugs and alcohol, all misdemeanors. FELONIES continued on A54
Also in court ... The Dixon man shot by police pleads not guilty to attempted murder. Page A2 Status hearing postponed for man accused of 33-year-old Lee County murder. Page A2
Kyle R. Krebs Jr.
WHITESIDE COUNTY
DIXON
Open wider: Bigger clinic is on the way After rejection of plans to head south, board opts for alternate plan BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
JOSH GROSHANS:
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR The accolades flowed for the riverfront’s best friend, and ‘the greatest ambassador Dixon could ever ask for’ BY RACHEL RODGERS rrodgers@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5529 @rj_rodgers
DIXON – John Groshans works to turn the clock back each day, to keep the riverfront looking like it did when it opened 7 years ago. He has been called the city’s one-man welcome center, its hardest worker, its riverfront ambassador. Citizen of the Year was added to that list at Wednesday’s 4 Under 40 and Citizen of the Year event, sponsored by the Dixon Area Chamber of Commerce and The Telegraph.
“I’ve talked to so many different people who have come through our community and talked about this greeter on the riverfront, the greatest ambassador Dixon could ever ask for or look for,” Police Chief Danny Langloss said shortly before revealing Groshans’ award at the ceremony at Timber Creek Golf Club. Meanwhile, Groshans was sitting with his wife of 54 years, LaDonna, and starting to suspect he was invited to the event for more than just cocktails, dinner and good company. CITIZEN continued on A54
ABOVE: John Groshans, with wife LaDonna, addresses the crowd Wednesday night after John was named the 2016 Dixon Citizen of the Year.
ROCK FALLS – The Whiteside County Health Department has decided to move ahead with a revamped plan to expand its cramped dental clinic. The health department’s Community Health Clinic Board on Monday approved the alternate plan to expand east of the dental clinic. “The architect drew up plans to go into the middle parking lot east of the dental clinic, and the board unanimously decided to go ahead with it,” said Beth Fiorini, Whiteside County public health administrator. This plan, however, will cost more to implement, after the health department was denied an easement variance needed to implement the original version. The health department had planned to expand in a southerly direction, but construction would not have Beth allowed for the 25-foot setback Fiorini required by city code. The city’s Planning and Zoning Commission on July 27 handed down a recommendation to turn down the easement request, and on Aug. 2, the Rock Falls City Council concurred. The estimated cost of the first plan was between $150,000 and $200,000. The low-end estimate on building east is $210,000. After the council’s decision, the health department was forced to go back to the drawing board or abandon the expansion plans. The city had suggested the health department build west, toward its main parking area, but county officials had told the council that the project wasn’t feasible in that direction. EXPANSION continued on A54
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
ROCK FALLS
Enjoying the creature comforts New canine cop brings much-needed smiles during trying times BY KACIE LONG klong@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5521 @kacieek4
ROCK FALLS – The Rock Falls Police Department recently added a new member to its force. The new officer is furry, walks on all fours, and enjoys watching squirrels through the window. Lacey, a 2-year-old year old Labrador mix, became the police department’s live-in comfort dog Sept. 1.
Police Chief Tammy Nelson said the department had been working with Happy Tails Humane Society for about a year and a half to make sure they found the right dog for the job. “We looked at many, many dogs,” she said. “We needed to find a dog that wasn’t aggressive looking, that didn’t bark or act aggressive in any way, [a dog] that children wouldn’t be intimidated by, because she does wander the building.” COMFORT continued on A44
Lacey, a new member of the Rock Falls Police Department, has been enlisted to not only reach out to the community, but provide comfort to people who need a shoulder to cry on.
Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com
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TODAY’S EDITION: 24 PAGES 2 SECTIONS VOL. 166 ISSUE 106
INDEX
ABBY.................... A8 COMICS................B7 CROSSWORD.......B9
LIFESTYLE............ A8 LOTTERY.............. A2 OBITUARIES......... A4
OPINION............... A6 PLANIT.............A9-11 POLICE................. A2
Today’s weather High 72. Low 55. More on A3.
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