NWH-10-15-2013

Page 1

Will Cary be next to approve video gambling?

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2013

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The only daily newspaper published in McHenry Co.

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MUSICK COLUMN

HOSPITAL SERVICE

Stephen Paea isn’t content watching from sidelines Sports, C1

Telemedicine tools help provide care Planit Style, D1

Mental Health Board loses leader Routzahn resigns over personal reasons after assuming president role July 1 By KEVIN P. CRAVER kcraver@shawmedia.com

Robert Routzahn was appointed board president July 1.

For the second time this year, the McHenry County Mental Health Board is losing a president. Robert Routzahn, who became president of the troubled body

July 1, announced his resignation Monday for personal reasons. He wrote that he was compelled to seek a divorce barely a month into his presidency and that he needs to focus on rebuilding his life and having custody of his children as a single father.

Shutdown deal near? Leaders optimistic

Routzahn’s divorce was finalized Wednesday, according to court records. “This has been the single worst period of my entire life,” Routzahn wrote. “Had I known I would be dealing with this last spring, I never would have applied for the

board, let alone raise my hand to be president.” The McHenry County Board appointed Routzahn and two other newcomers in March to three seats.

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See ROUTZAHN, page A4

ROLE OF SERVICE DOGS EVOLVES WITH TIME

By DAVID ESPO The Associated Press WASHINGTON – Racing the clock, the Senate’s Democratic and Republican leaders closed in on a deal Monday night to avoid an economy-menacing Treasury default and end the two-week partial government shutdown. “We’ve made tremendous progress,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid declared after an intense day of negotiations with Senate Voice Republican leader your Mitch McConnell other lawmakopinion and ers. “Perhaps tomorrow will be a Do you bright day,” he said, think Consuggesting agreegress will ment could be anallow the nounced soon after United States weeks of stubborn to default gridlock. on its debt? McConnell also Vote online at voiced optimism NWHerald. – although not com. as much as Reid, D-Nev., had – and the details under discussion generated little if any satisfaction among rebellious House conservatives. Officials said that in the discussion to date, the $16.7 trillion federal debt limit would be raised enough to permit the Treasury to borrow normally until mid-February, if not a few weeks longer. The government would reopen with enough money to operate until mid-January at levels set previously, and agencies would be given flexibility in adjusting to reduced funding levels imposed by across-the-board spending cuts. Officials cautioned that those

H. Rick Bamman – hbamman@shawmedia.com

Service dog Emma opens the freezer door for Theresa Waldspurger in their Cary home. Waldspurger, who suffers from muscular dystrophy, has had service dogs her entire life.

Man’s best helper Animals provide independence By LAWERENCE SYNETT • lsynett@shawmedia.com

By LAWERENCE SYNETT lsynett@shawmedia.com Emma can open doors, turn on lights and grab items out of the refrigerator. Most people perform these duties without issue, but for those who struggle with what some consider small tasks because of circumstances outside their control, Emma fills a void. Theresa Waldspurger and Emma – the third service dog for the Cary resident with muscular dystrophy – have been inseparable for more than four years.

“Emma gives me a lot of independence,” said Waldspurger, who uses a wheelchair and requires constant care because of the genetic disease. “These dogs have been like my children. I love each one of them.” The yellow Labrador-golden retriever mix also alerts her mother, Pearl Waldspurger, about any emergencies her 42-year-old daughter may encounter while she sleeps at night with the help of a ventilator. “I would never rest if it wasn’t for

See HELPER, page A4

See DEAL, page A4

LOCALLY SPEAKING

McHENRY COUNTY COLLEGE

TRUSTEES MULL BOND RESTRICTIONS McHenry County College Board members discussed policy changes that would require voter approval before issuing alternative revenue bonds. Trustee Chris Jenner proposed implementing a policy that would require the college to receive voter approval for alternative revenue bonds without a referendum. For more, see page B1.

Chris Boyle Kyle Grillot – kgrillot@shawmedia.com

HIGH

LOW

65 45 Complete forecast on A6

MARENGO: Huntley’s Trent Craig and Jacobs’ Chris Boyle advance to golf state final out of tiebreaker. Sports, C1 Vol. 28, Issue 288

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