Daily Specials

The Caring Center, 210 First Ave. in downtown Sterling, is open from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Donations can be dropped off at the rear of the building during store hours. Find it on Facebook or call 815499-4953 for more information or to set up a donation of goods or money.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Integrity. Service. Pride. Those values have been the foundation that’s helped the men and women of the Illinois State Police build a reputation that’s been at the core of their mission to serve and protect the Prairie State’s people.

Each trooper behind the badge makes a solemn vow to the people of Illinois: to promote public safety; to be honest in thought, word and deed; be just, fair and impartial; to be steadfast against problems and issues; and protect the citizens of Illinois along with their rights and properties.

For just over 100 years, ISP members have stood by the words of their oath, and for more than 100 years, Sterling has stood with them. The city has been part of the agency’s history since its beginning in 1922. Today, the local office is in a 20,000-square-foot facility at 3107 E. Lincolnway that opened May 12, 1998 — but its surroundings weren’t always that impressive. Assigned as District 1, Sterling’s first state police headquarters was in a car dealership on the west end of downtown. That building, like the other two local headquarters the ISP would later call home, have since fallen to the wrecking ball.

Today, District 1 — so assigned because of geography, from north to south — encompasses Carroll, Ogle, Whiteside, and Lee counties in a 2,652 square mile area with 700 miles of State and U.S. Routes patrolled by officers in the District.

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The “Buck” starts here

Oliver W. “Buck” Kempster of Sterling was the first patrolman assigned to look after northern Illinois’ roads. The Illinois State Police — then called the Illinois Highway Maintenance Police — began on April 1, 1922, with John H. Stack as its first chief. Kempster applied for his job after hearing about the new statewide police force through customers at his family Buick dealership in downtown Sterling. When he got the job, Kempster made his base of operations at the car dealership, which was on the southwest corner of West Fifth and Locust streets (in a building known by locals in recent decades as the George Furniture Co. and razed in 1993).

The Lincoln Highway had been organized through northern Illinois about a decade earlier, and it was a main road across the United States, and that mean a lot of travelers. All that traffic gave rise to the road needing to be patrolled, and that became Kempster’s main watch. In fact, he had pretty much all of northern Illinois to himself — from Chicago to the Mississippi River to the Illinois-Wisconsin state line and the main line of the Hennepin Canal. Today, there are 21 patrol districts in Illinois, but there were a lot less in the ISP’s fledgling days, and less manpower on top of that.

Kempster, a Prophetstown native who was 22 at the time of his hire, was given a surplus World War I motorcycle to use for his patrol. With news traveling much slower in those days, and fewer patrol officers than today, it must have been a little more difficult for Kempster to prove to a troublemaking motorist that there was indeed an Illinois State Police, and that he was indeed an officer of the law. However, as more of Illinois’ roadways were paved and more vehicles started using them, more officers were needed, and more answered the call.

A new District 1 headquarters was established in 1928 in a large, concrete block farmhouse further east of Sterling on the Lincoln Highway (razed in 2006, the location was were the Corner Gallery now sits). By the time they moved there, Kempster had help in his mission: a staff. He oversaw 16 troopers in various cities, including Rockford, DeKalb and Prophetstown. Another first for the department came that year: Kempster had his own car, a 1928 Chrysler. In 1929, Model A Fords were used by the troopers during the winter months, while the motorcycles served their needs the rest of the year.

Serving on Kempster’s staff from 1924 to 1930 was another Sterling resident: Robert Card. He joined the state police after working at the Illinois Bell Telephone Company in town and left to join the Sterling Police Department in July 1930, but his tenure there didn’t last long. It was cut short only 1 month into his new job, on Aug. 12, when he was murdered by fleeing armed robbery suspects during a car chase in town.

Tragedy struck again a year later when trooper Kenneth Church was killed in a traffic collision in Dixon on his way to Amboy after directing traffic for a funeral.

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Church, like Card, is recognized at the Illinois State Police Wall of Honor in Springfield. He and Card are the only officers to have served in District 1 to have died on the line of duty. Though Card died serving with the Sterling Police Department, he was highly revered among his peers at the state police, and is recognized on the Wall of Honor with his name and end-of-watch date, as is Church.

In addition to his duties as a highway patrolman, Kempster also was a member of the “Secret Six” crime fighting unit that was based in Chicago. In that capacity, he helped solve kidnapping and bank robbery cases throughout Illinois. Kempster resigned from the state police in 1934; he later served as head of the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division in the North Africa Theater during World War II, and died in 1980.

Expansion

By the mid-1930s, a simple farmhouse was too small to serve the needs of District 1, and a new brick building was constructed in 1936 further east on the Lincoln Highway — which would be its headquarters for the next 60 years. The new building was equipped with the state-of-the-art technologies of the time, including a radio station for troopers to communicate with one another and with headquarters. A shooting range also was nearby.

Kempster was replaced by Lt. William Tehen, who oversaw a squad of 18 men and the construction of the new headquarters. District 1 continued to oversee northwest Illinois — Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside and Winnebago counties — into the 1950s.

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From two wheels to four, the ISP has patrolled the state for more than a century. LEFT: Oliver W.

“Buck” Kempster rode a World War I-era motorcycle given to him by the ISP on the state’s earliest “hard road’ highways, which included the famous Lincoln Highway that went through Sterling. TOP: Trooper Josh Vos was assigned District 1’s commemorative 100th anniversary patrol vehicle last year. Each of the 21 state police districts were assigned one of the SUVs, which were a throwback to the agency’s 1950s squad cars (above right). In choosing Vos, 3-year trooper who lives in Whiteside County, Capt. Matthew Hodgdon said, “Trooper Vos is very deserving of being assigned our 100th Anniversary squad car. His work ethic, professionalism, and dedication make him an excellent choice.”

The current ISP District One headquarters in Sterling (below) was built near its predecessor (top right), which served as the District HQ from 1936 to 1998. The sign at right, with its distinctive lettering, hung on the old building.

Boone County was added to the district in 1958, and DeKalb County was removed in 1970. Also in 1958, Jo Daviess, Stephenson and Winnebago counties were given their own district substation, dubbed “1A” until they and Boone broke off to form the current District 16 in 1972, with headquarters in Pecatonica.

Expansion of the Illinois State Police was necessary as the postwar economy boomed and Illinois’ population reached its peak. In addition, the Interstate Highway System was organized in the mid-1950s, and the state police became the chief enforcers of freeway traffic. A name change came in 1951: Illinois State Highway Patrol, and that name lasted until the current Illinois State Police name began in 1985.

While patrolling highways was the state police’s main task early on, it also took on criminal investigations, missing persons searches, and other law enforcement duties throughout Illinois. The white cars with the gold and brown stripe on the sides are the state police’s most visible arm with everyday motorists, but it also does work in forensic sciences, criminal investigations and internal investigations for cases involving state employees.

Recent years

Illinois’ budget woes that began in the 1980s have been the subject of much debate ever since, and their impact reached the Illinois State Police in the 1990s, with budget cuts and reorganizations. Sterling’s headquarters was on the chopping block and the future of District 1 seemed uncertain in 1992, when a proposal was announced to close the headquarters and divide its four counties among nearby districts. However, the district was saved from closure when the final budget was announced.

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One of the factors that prompted that discussion was District 1’s facility: It was 56 years old and outdated. That changed in 1997, though, when ground was broken for a new facility to replace the 1936 building at the same address. The new headquarters was the first Illinois State Police site to employ fiber optic communications, technology that is more reliable than traditional methods of communication and less likely to be damaged during lightning strikes.

Among the newest squad cars in the district’s fleet, in commemoration of the ISP’s centennial, is a throwback to the ISP’s 1950s squad car design. Trooper Josh Vos was chosen to use the squad car for its first tour of duty. In addition, every trooper in the state was issued a commemorative 100th anniversary five-pointed star to wear on their uniform during 2022.

Throughout its 100-year history, District 1 has seen many troopers and civilian workers travel through its doors and along its roads — many with their head held high knowing that they did their part in making their region a safer place. Lt. Dyan Talbot is the current commander, in her first year in charge of the district. She’s the latest in a long line of leaders of District 1 that goes back to “Buck” Kempster’s organization of the district in 1922.

If it wasn’t for Kempster’s interest and dedication in keeping northern Illinois’s first motor vehicle roads safe, who knows where other places in the region could have wound up. His commitment to preserving the peace gives him an unofficial title of District 1’s “father,” and his leadership and respect was carried on by those who served with him, and passed on to those who wear the uniform and badge today. n

The Illinois State Police Memorial Park in Springfield honors troopers who were killed on the line of duty, including two troopers who served in District 1: Robert J. Card, who died on Aug. 12, 1930; and Kenneth Church, who died on Dec. 5, 1931.

CODY CUTTER/CCUTTER@ SAUKVALLEY.COM

When the new owners of a Sterling bar were looking for a way to put their own stamp on their business, they decided to invite lovers of libation to stop by and take a trip to breweries and wineries near and far, one sip at a time

BY CODY CUTTER SAUK VALLEY MEDIA

ou’ve heard of taking a trip around the world and drinking it all in, right?

Well now you can, and you don’t even have to leave town — just hitch a ride with a fox.

Brandon Wallace and wife Leslea are the owners behind the bar at The Rusty Fox in downtown Sterling, and they want to be the toast of the town when it comes to a selection of beer and spirits. The Wallaces bought the corner tavern, which first opened in 2014 by Tim McNinch, 2 years ago, and since then they’ve been working to make it a go-to place for people looking to explore a world of wine, whiskey, beer and other spirits.

They invite you to stop by and raise a glass or two — and no matter what your taste, they’re pretty confident you’ll find something you like.

Sure you can hang out with a Bud if you want, or a Miller or Michelob, but run-ofthe-mill domestics don’t dominate the bar’s beer menu. Instead, a whole host of hops from breweries near and far can be found. The couple’s expanded the selection of wines and whiskeys, too.

“It’s basically stuff that nobody can buy anywhere else around here,” Brandon said. “You go out to any of the liquor stores, and you’re not going to find those whiskeys or the wines.”

Brandon has spent the past year focusing on his vision of making The Rusty Fox a destination for spirited connoisseurs looking for a the kind of selection you’d normally find in bigger cities. The bar boasts more than 450 different bottles of wine in stock, more than 100 bottles of whiskey and about 150 different types of craft brew ready to please the palates of even the most discerning of drinkers.

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“For the last year it’s been a work in progress,” Wallace said. “About a year ago, I put all of these shelves up and started stocking them. I started with the wine first, rounded up the whiskey, and then rounded up the craft beers.”

The bar’s west wall is packed with wine, from nearby places such as Massbach Winery in Hanover and Wide River in Clinton, Iowa, as well as more than 25 other countries from six continents. Wallace prints labels affixed to each bottle with a description of what each wine is. Prices range from $15 all the way to a $140 sweet, white dessert wine from the world-renowned Kracher winery in Austria.

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Brandon Wallace, owns and Wine Bar with his wife, Leslea, recently has expanded his inventory of craft beers, whiskey and wine. “It’s basically stuff that nobody can buy anywhere else around here,” Wallace said. CODY CUTTER/CCUTTER@SAUKVALLEY.COM

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The selection of craft whiskeys also comes from near and far. One should prove to be a hit with sports fans: It’s from Cooperstown Distillery in New York, home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and comes in a baseball-shaped bottle. For those looking to try a shot for the first time, Wallace recommends a Japanese blend, Kayio Mizunara Oak, to start.

The popularity of craft brews has been on the rise in recent decades, along with the selection. Today’s zythophiles have never had it so good. Among the regional ones in stock at The Rusty Fox are offerings from Iron Spike Brewing Company in Galesburg (named after the city’s importance in the railroad industry), and a pickle-flavored beer from Destihl Brewing in Bloomington.

Flavors from Drekker Brewing Co. of Fargo, North Dakota, are well represented among the selection.

While some customers have their go-to favorites, many like to see what’s out there.

“Once they have one, then they want to try all of the different ones because they can be so ridiculous and unique,” Brandon said. “They’re heavy on the fruit, but only a little bit sour. It’s fun to try it.”

Wallace also has expanded the business hours in recent months, changing from a 4 p.m. opening time Tuesday through Saturday to 11 a.m. He also installed a television above the bar for customers to watch live sports and other events, and recently began to offer craft beers on tap. Charcuterie foods such as cheeses, sausages and crackers are available, as well as snacks — cheese curds, mozzarella sticks and pizza from Maria’s Pizza just a block east of the bar. Not thirsty for a brew, wine or shot of whiskey? Martinis also are available.

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Special events include comedy shows, drink tastings, open mics, and trivia contests, and customers can pass the time playing one of the board games available at the bar.

If you’re not a bar type, The Rusty Fox stock is available on its website, where customers will find descriptions and prices. Items are currently available only for pickup at the bar. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Give The Rusty Fox a call: Brandon can help find it, order it, and have it ready for pickup through his connections with suppliers.

The Wallaces hope The Rusty Fox will become a destination for people who like to raise a glass but not a ruckus.

“I don’t like going out to regular bars,” Brandon said. “I like a little quieter place.

We had only been here a few times, and were here for a comedy show right before COVID hit, and then it was posted for sale. I hated to see the place go because it’s kind of a nice place.”

Now that the Wallaces are on the other side of the bar, they’re hoping others will find their business a nice place too — especially now that it’s brew and improved. n

The Rusty Fox Alehouse and Wine

1 E. Third St., Sterling Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Online: Find it on Facebook, Twitter (@ RustyFoxAles), Instagram (@RustyFoxAlehouse), or go to rustyfoxalehouse.com Call 815-787-8369 for more information.

Hospice care

Dementia and Memory Care services

Professional, friendly, and caring health professionals

Private and semi-private rooms

Transportation for off-site appointments

Live entertainment, daily activities, and outings

Cable TV and Wi-Fi

Daily housekeeping and on-site laundry services