4 minute read
Santa drops by the Erie Fire Station
by Shaw Media
REVIEW BEAT OFFICE 113-115 Peoria Ave. Dixon, IL 61021 2 THE REVIEW THE REVIEW After taking a year off due to COVID-19, the Antique Engine & Tractor Association’s annual A ETA’s Christmas at the Red Barn The Review • Tuesday, Dec 7, 2021 SUBSCRIPTIONS Upper Rock Island County Lower Whiteside County 24 months - $52 12 months - $32 Outside Whiteside Co. 24 months - $66 12 months - $38 Outside Illinois 24 months - $86 12 months - $49 Christmas at the Red Barn was able to return for 2021. This was the fourth year for the holiday gathering and fundraiser, with a full house of AETA members and supporters enjoying the dinner, Christmas decorations and train rides at the showgrounds at 13451 Illinois Highway 92, Geneseo. The organization’s festive outdoor decorations will be up through Jan. 1. Sarah Ford for Shaw Media Single-copy price is $1
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Erie school board approves tentative tax lev y
BY SARAH FORD For Shaw Media
The Erie Board of Education approved a tentative tax levy during its meeting on Monday, Nov. 22, with the final vote to be taken after the truth-in-taxation hearing at its next meeting on Monday, Dec. 13.
Superintendent Chuck Milem discussed the school’s financial highlights, noting that “a lot of the issues from fiscal year 18-20 are now resolved,” while adding this should be the last year the Equalized Assessed Valuation (EAV) will go down. The biggest impact from the decreased EAV is from the district’s agreement with Exelon, which will see its property taxes go down by a million dollars this next fiscal year but remain the same for the following two years.
After discussions on rates, the board voted 6-1 to raise the levy rate from 2.83 to 2 . 8 8 . T h e i n c r e a s e w o u l d c o s t a n extra $2.78 per month for a home assessed at $200,000.
T h e l e v y i s p r o j e c t e d t o b r i n g in about $9.9 million to the school district next year. “It’s the lowest tax rate in the region, no matter what,” said Milem.
Milem also informed the board that the engine on the ADA compliant handicap bus needs repaired, with the district currently borrowing Prophetstown’s bus. The cost is $8,000 to fix the engine, though the board will consider purchasing a used one at the next meeting. “It’s an unexpected purchase but one we may need to make, as the bus is currently used for students,” said Milem.
In other action, the board learned that nine students were designated as Illinois State Scholars, which Milem called an amazing accomplishment after the interruptions due to COVID-19. They also recognized the “tremendous” accomplishments of the fall sports teams. Milem also thanked the schools for their Veterans Day presentations, with many veterans offering complimentary remarks.
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NEWS BRIEF
Erie High School NHS to host blood drive on Dec. 29
Erie High School National Honor Society will host a community blood drive from 2 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 29. The drive will be held at the St. Ambrose Catholic Church Hall, 820 Fifth Ave., Erie. This drive is open to the public; appointments are required. All presenting donors will receive a voucher to order their choice of a $10 gift card or a long-sleeve shirt. The drive will also help Erie High School National Honor Society earn a monetary grant through the ImpactLife Life$avings program.
To donate, please contact Barb Proeger at (815) 213-1059 or visit www.bloodcenter.org and use code 5441 to locate the drive.
Potential donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 with parental permission form available through www.bloodcenter.org) and weigh more than 110 pounds. A photo I.D. is require. Donors who last gave blood on or before Nov. 3 are eligible to give at this drive.
Santa and Mrs. Claus v isit the Erie Fire Station
Sarah Ford for Shaw Media Angel Edie (from left), 12, Norah Paxton, 1, Myles Paxton, 9, and Taylie Cope, 10, all of Erie, made a stop at the Erie Fire Station to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus during Revitalize Erie’s Hometown Holidays festival on Saturday, Dec. 4. Other activities during the celebration included crafts, games, a soup supper, business open houses, raffles and a live auction and a downtown Winter Wonderland parade, followed by the evergreen tree lighting in the triangle.
