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Even Thanksgiving SHS GRAD SPREADS HIS is better with bacon WINGS AT ILLINOIS STATE FOOTBALL, B1
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Wednesday, November 16, 2016 n SERVING DIXON AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1851
LEE COUNTY | ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Land holds more power than sun Board members reluctant to give up valuable farm acreage for solar arrays BY RACHEL RODGERS rrodgers@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5529 @rj_rodgers
DIXON – Energy companies are taking a shine to Lee County’s potential for solar farm development, but the county
is reluctant to give up some of its richest farm land. Zoning Administrator Chris Henkel asked the Lee County Board Tuesday how he should proceed with solar companies, including Invenergy and Poplar Creek Resources Inc., that have shown
interest in the area during the past 6 months. Both are looking to develop solar farms across about 400 to 500 acres along the Interstate 39 corridor, he said. Because of the high quality of the soil there, the county would not be able to
issue building permits, though. “The areas they are looking at have extremely rich soil,” Henkel said. “It’s some of the best soil we’ve got in the county.” SOLAR continued on A54
LEE COUNTY
STERLING
A sporting chance While there’s been some talk of razing Roscoe Eades Stadium, the school district is leaning toward preserving this piece of Depression-era history
A million dollars of roadwork approved County will kick in $200,000 for work BY RACHEL RODGERS rrodgers@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5529 @rj_rodgers
Photos by Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com
The Sterling School District is leaning “very heavily” toward remodeling Roscoe Eades Stadium, rather than razing it and building new, according to Superintendent Tad Everett. Upgrades and renovations, including making the stadium handicapped-accessible, need to be done on the aging structure, which was built in 1938 as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Depression-era economic jump-starter, the Work Progress Administration. BY CHRISTOPHER HEIMERMAN cheimerman@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5523 CHeimerman_SVM
While there’s no immediate safety concerns at the Roscoe Eades Stadium, the home of the Warriors has seen better days. It’s a little rough around the edges, and it’s not handicapped-accessible.
STERLING – The long-discussed Roscoe Eades Stadium project will get done next year. How, exactly, still is in the works. It would cost about $2 million to knock down the dilapidated stadium and install metal bleachers – $500,000 for the razing and $1.5 million to install bleachers, based on similar projects at two suburban Chicago schools. Demolition also would cost a concession stand, bathrooms, locker rooms, a media box, lots of storage under the concrete, and tons of history. Renovating the stadium, in part to make it meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards, will cost less. How much less will be determined by the district’s architect, most likely by Christmas. STADIUM continued on A54
DIXON – The Lee County Board on Tuesday approved a $1 million project to resurface three highways from Harmon to Walton. The project includes laying 6.6 miles of asphalt on Harmon, Sterling and Walton roads – county highways 15, 14 and 24 – with the county paying $200,000 and federal funds covering the rest. Board member Jerry Leffelman said work likely will begin in the spring, and the asphalt will be laid on Harmon from Sterling to Balch roads; on Sterling from Harmon to Walton roads; and on Walton from Sterling Road to the village of Walton. The board also approved about $26,900 for repairs and to improve drainage on a stretch of the retaining wall at the Old Lee County Courthouse along Ottawa Avenue. The county is responsible for the section of wall along Ottawa and about half of the wall on Second Street. ROADWORK continued on A24
272,000 PENNIES BUYS KIDS A LOOK AT A FIRETRUCK, SQUAD CARS Dixon firefighter Sean Wagner helps Washington Elementary School students explore a firetruck Tuesday afternoon. The students’ upclose look at the truck was a reward for collecting more than $800 in pennies for the United Way. Dixon students in pre-K through fifth grade brought in a total of $2,720. Dixon City and Rural fire departments, along with the Dixon Police Department and Lee County Sheriff’s Department dispatched vehicles to the schools for the kids to look at. The older students opted to have a pizza party. Photos by Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
$1.00
TODAY’S EDITION: 24 PAGES 2 SECTIONS VOL. 166 ISSUE 140
INDEX
ABBY.................... A8 BUSINESS.......... A11 COMICS................B7
ILLINOIS................ A7 LIFESTYLE............ A8 LOTTERY.............. A2
Lee County Sheriff’s Department K-9 officer Derek Ranken introduces Pepper to Washington School students.
OBITUARIES......... A4 OPINION............... A6 POLICE................. A2
Today’s weather High 61. Low 45. More on A3.
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