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Surgery can’t stop Junis in Rock Falls PREP BASKETBALL PREVIEW, B1
DIXON MAN, 20, FACES SEX ABUSE CHARGE CRIME, A2 WASHINGTON
SAUK VALLEY | WEATHER
Better luck next year
Area’s leaders weigh in on ISIS Kinzinger: ‘It’s a fool’s mission to rule out any ground operations’ BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
The holiday season kicked off Friday night as Rock Falls held the Hometown Holidays Christmas Walk. The annual lighting of the Lovelight Tree was moved to the United Methodist Church, but hundreds still hit the downtown for carols, treats and pictures with live reindeer. For a look at this coming week’s forecast, flip to A10.
No holiday parade in Twin Cities for the first time in 30 years BY ANGEL SIERRA asierra@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5695 @_angelsierra
ROCK FALLS – For the first time in 30 years, a beloved holiday tradition was canceled as the area braced for more than half a foot of snow. “We’re not going to have a parade,” Rock Falls Chamber President/CEO Bethany Bland said about noon Friday. “It’s a sad day. People have been asking and have been really concerned, but safety is most important.” The anticipated weather would make it unsafe for children and other
participants, she said, and Rock Falls issued a snow emergency from 11 p.m. Friday to 6 p.m. today. There is no alternate date. “[But] save everything for next year,” she said. “I know a lot of work goes into the floats.” The children’s party at Merrill School still is planned for 2 p.m. today, but that also will depend on the weather, she said. Friday night’s Christmas Walk activities still went on as planned. Go to the chamber’s Facebook page for updates. WEATHER CONTINUED ON A3
Weather sparks early deadlines Because of the winter storm warning, we had to impose early deadlines for news and sports to enable timely and safe delivery of the newspaper. As a result, some events from Friday night and the evening lottery numbers are not in today’s edition. Some paper delivery, especially in rural areas, may be running behind. We appreciate your patience. Go to saukvalley.com for complete coverage. Call 815-625-3600 before noon today with questions about delivery issues.
Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger calls it “a fool’s mission” for the U.S. to completely rule out ground operations in the fight against ISIS. Even before the coordinated attacks in Paris a week ago that have now killed 130, the Channahon RepubliU.S. Rep. can had been Adam Kinzinger a vocal critic of the Obama administration’s handling of the war against terror, calling for a clear strategy and stronger leadership. “I’ve been very clear from the beginning, and since ISIS took over Fallujah in January 2014, I have called for a strong, robust response to this cancer that has swept through the region,” Kinzinger said. When asked if that means American ground troops in the Middle East, Kinzinger said the president must have all options available. “I’m not for sending 200,000 ground troops to Syria and Iraq, but I feel it’s a fool’s mission to rule out any ground operations,” Kinzinger said. ISIS CONTINUED ON A3
ROCK FALLS
Bustos, locals anticipate new FAA funding bill Congresswoman makes stop at Whiteside County Airport BY BRENDEN WEST bwest@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5529 @BWest_SVM
ROCK FALLS – Now that the U.S. House has passed a longterm transportation bill, next to the plate for U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-East Moline, and other members of the House Transportation Committee is working out a new Federal Aviation Administration funding bill. That’s what prompted Bustos’ visit to the Whiteside County Airport on Friday. The congresswoman admitted rural
aviation needs are unfamiliar to her. “This is my first visit to Whiteside County Airport,” Bustos said. “Whenever I enter these negotiations, I want to know what’s important to the people in my district.” Airport Manager Mike Dowell gave Bustos the “dime tour,” he said. It contained several tidbits the congresswoman hopes to take back to the capitol. Despite its rural setting, the airport has one of the largest runways in the state, equal to
Snow likely
VOLUME 8 ISSUE 12 36 Pages
Today: 30/7 For the forecast, see Page A10
those found at Chicago Midway Airport. The shorter runways match the longest found regionally, like those at Dixon Municipal. According to Dowell, airports like Whiteside’s fulfill a critical local role, especially on economic development forefronts. Some of the larger local industries – Astec Mobile Screening in Sterling, and the Walmart Distribution Center, for example – land their corporate jets at its Joseph H. Bittorf Field. FUNDING CONTINUED ON A5
Business
Palmyra Greenhouse keeps on propagating, pruning and planting. See Page C1
Community Chess gurus on 16 teams faced off during recent chess tournament action in Sterling. Check out the SVM photo page inside. See Page C12
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos speaks with Whiteside County Airport board member Dave Koster (left) and airport manager Mike Dowell during a stop Friday afternoon at Whiteside County Airport. Go to saukvalley.com to see a video of her visit.
Index Births................ C5
Lottery .............. A2
Business........... C1
Markets .......... A10
Classified .......... B7
Obituaries ......... A4
Comics ............. A8
Opinion............. A6
Community ..... C12
Scoreboard ...... B6
Crossword Saturday ......... B11
Scrapbook ....... C3
Crossword Sunday ............. C8
Support groups .. C5
Dave Ramsey ... C1
Weather.......... A10
Dear Abby ........ C6
Wheels ........... B12
Sports .............. B1 Travel .............. C10