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In which direction is U.S. 30 project going?
SVM ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
MORRISON, A3
SPORTS, B3
dailyGAZETTE
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
DIXON SCHOOLS
District, union closer to agreement DESPA president on resolving contract negotiation: It’s time BY MATT MENCARINI mmencarini@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 529
DIXON – Work is expected to begin today to finalize a new contract between Dixon Public Schools and the Dixon Educational Support Person-
nel Association. The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding before the Dixon school board meeting in January, and had a scheduled meeting today to “clean up” the final language in the contract, Dixon Pub-
lic Schools Superintendent Michael Juenger said. Mindy Donoho, the union’s president, said she hoped to have the final contract agreed to after the meeting and have it ready to be taken to her members for a vote.
“I think both sides want to come together and finish this,” she said. “It’s time. And I think that’s why we were able to come up with an agreement.” AGREEMENT CONTINUED ON A8
Mindy Donoho
Michael Juenger
WEATHER | COLD WINTER
Catch her drift? Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@saukvalley.com
A semitrailer kicks up snow as it passes over a snow-covered portion of West Lincolnway in Galt on Monday afternoon. With the windchill, frostbite was possible in just minutes around the Sauk Valley on Monday, causing institutions from schools to city halls to close. Today’s forecast isn’t much better.
So long to carefree days of summer?
Ditches? More like parking lots
Another cancellation would extend school year
Even city halls close early across the board BY DAVID GIULIANI dgiuliani@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 525
BY MATT MENCARINI news@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 591
With the severe winter weather that has hit the Sauk Valley and much of the state, public schools could end up adding days to their academic years. After area schools were closed Monday for the fourth day this academic year, then announced that they will be closed again today, they reached their maximum allotment of canceled classes. If school is canceled another day, the academic year will have to be extended. SUMMER CONTINUED ON A2
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TODAY’S EDITION: 24 PAGES 2 SECTIONS VOL. 160 ISSUE 36
INDEX
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
Bundled against the bitter cold, Lincoln Elementary School janitor Paul Coomes clears the sidewalk Monday morning at the Dixon school.
More cold hard facts on A5 Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn declares propane supply emergency Last week, SVM reported on the price spike of propane and its effect on the Sauk Valley. What about natural gas? How much will this cold snap cost residents who simply want to heat their home? “Highlights” from around the frostbitten state, including universities’ tough decision on whether to cancel classes
BUSINESS ......... A12 COMICS ...............B5 CROSSWORD....B10
DEAR ABBY ......... A7 LIFESTYLE ........... A7 LOTTERY ............. A2
OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6 SPORTS ...............B1
Ever get that helpless feeling when your car is stuck? If so, you would probably understand the plight of many drivers over the last couple of days. With constantly drifting snow, many motorists slid off roads. Morning commuters might have noticed many cars stuck in snow – seven on Interstate 39 from Rockford to Rochelle and five, including a semitrailer, on Interstate 88 between Rochelle and Dixon. DITCHES CONTINUED ON A2
Today’s weather High 3. Low -8. More on A3.
Need work? Check out your classifieds, B6.
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