The Daily Chronicle from De Kalb, Illinois • Page 1

Victory at Valhalla? Jazz Soup Local pianist Jim Hendricks makes new recording I A9 May's day turns into tigers triumph Bl AfcP ft .4 Monday, August 21, 2000 A Pulitzer Community Newspaper serving DeKalb County and surrounds 50 cents Sycamore to consider Mitsubishi dealership By Dan Campana Staff Writer SYCAMORE A new Mitsubishi dealership could be in the city's future and, in the process, eliminate an "eyesore" at Coltonville Road and DeKalb Avenue. The council will hear an adminis- noted that FeltsMaire Automotive Inc. has not requested any upfront grants, property tax abatements or indirect grants, but only a request of a sales tax rebate up to $300,000. Prior to tonight's meeting, the Streets and Walks Committee will hold a meeting to discuss the issue of parking on Albert Street by high school students. for the city in that it would be an upgrade of an "eyesore" on a major commercial artery.

The consideration goes before the council as the request of James Felts and David Maire for the council to look into a sales tax rebate to assist in the establishment and improvement of the proposed dealership. The background information also trative report on the proposed development at tonight's meeting. According to background informa-tion provided to the council, FeltsMaire Automotive Inc. has leased the vacant property, which had been occupied by Sycamore Ford until last year. City Administrator Bill Nicklas describes the proposal as "good news" The issue was raised once again at the Aug.

7 meeting of the council and in response to the recent meeting between concerned residents ana Sycamore Police Chief Roy Garcia. The Streets and Walks Committee meets at 6:45 p.m. with the regular council meeting to follow at 7:30 p.m. in the council chambers at the Sycamore Municipal Building. Mow iVtf: 3 a 4 Court date set for Rood Egyptian Theatre boasts rich history By Rob Carroll Staff Writer Construction of the theater started in 1928.

The doors opened for business in December 1929. The theater was built as a vaudeville-style theater that also would show silent movies. There was live vaudeville every Saturday night and movies on the other days. By the 1940s the theater was used only for movies and a few live events. "This is an atmospheric theater," Brantley said.

"That was DeKALB Off Lincoln Highway hidden down Second Street sits one of the more distinctive theaters in all of Illinois. The Egyptian Theatre strikes an ominous pose with its giant pharaohs looking out from the top of the building keeping guard as if they were watching over King Tut. "This building is like a hidden treasure," Carrie Brantley, executive manager of the ''s I- 'l I Chronicle photoDON VAUGAN what they were Stained glass can be seen building in the '20s, inside above the marqyee. theaters that would create a whole new Egyptian Theatre, said. "People walk by this place all the time and have no clue." world." Originally there were projec-See EGYPTIAN, on page A2 1 Lw4 I By Dan Campana Staff Writer SYCAMORE Genoa Mayor David Rood will answer felony and misdemeanor charges in DeKalb County court on Sept.

1. Rood has been charged with unlawful restraint, criminal sexual abuse and battery following an April 28 incident in rural Kingston, He was released on $5,000 bond Aug. 14, According to the indictment filed at the DeKalb County Courthouse, Rood allegedly restrained the female victim by grabbing her arm and pulling her toward him, and "restraining her movement" so he allegedly could "press (his body) against her." The indictment also described Rood's alleged actions as "physical conduct of an insulting or provoking nature" and committing an "act of sexual conduct by use of force." A nine-member DeKalb County grand jury returned the indictment Monday afternoon. Rood has not commented on the indictment since Tuesday night during a brief meeting of the Genoa City Council. At that time, Rood addressed reporters and Genoa residents, saying he was not able to comment on the charges, as per the advice of his attorney.

"When it's all over, I'll have plenty to say," he said, after the council had abruptly voted to end the meeting. Members of the Genoa City Council had said they would release an official statement Thursday, but a phone call to Genoa City Hall on Friday afternoon revealed no statement will be released until this week. il P.E.T. Inc. of the Egyptian Theatre) treasurer Brian Eide works on one of the spotlights found in the theater.

EkJeis responsible for changing the lights In the ceiling. Chronicle photo DON VAUGHAN Chronicle photoDON VAUGHAN Behind the stage are the ropes used to lift and raise stage props. A counterweight system Is used. Revised flood plain maps prompt task force discussion tions between the city and FEMA. But the flood plain continues to be altered bj development even when detention ponds arfc incorporated into the plans.

The task force will recommend changes to the city's flood plain ordinance. While the lowest floor usually the basement floor is now required to be one foot above the flood plain, the new requirement would be two feet above it making floojl See FLOODING, on page AJ By Dale Burdick Contributing Writer DeKALB The pounding, week-long rains that in 1996 caused the South Branch of the Kishwaukee River to dramatically rise and basements all over town to flood will surely come again some day. When that day arrives, members of the citizens' Storm Water Task Force hope that flood control measures they've been working on since the fall of 1996 prove their worth. But, they say, work on the problem is far from complete if indeed, it ever can be, given the lay of the land and dynamic natural forces, including people. The task force met Thursday night to review the work accomplished so far and to consider what more might be done.

The meeting was prompted in part by recent changes to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's revised 100-year flood plain maps. The maps affect how buildings closest to the river or where the river would likely go in a big rain event may be constructed and still qualify for federal flood insurance. DeKalb County municipalities and county government must formally adopt the revised map within the next 30 days. Several of the city's subdivisions notably the Meadows and Timber Trail are not expected to be significantly affected by the map revisions, thanks in part to lengthy negotia Citizen of the Day A2 Stocks Nation World A5 Lifestyles A9 Comics B3 Community briefs A3 Agendas A4 Opinions A6 Sports B1-2, B8 Classified high 80 Local State A3 A4 Leisure Time A7 Scoreboard B2 Public notices B8 A2 To subscribe to the Daily Chronicle, call toll-free (877) 688-4841 00001 57418.