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What has these toddlers so happy?
CAN STORM ROLL INTO FINALE? GIRLS HOOPS, B1
FOOD, A9-10
dailyGAZETTE Wednesday, February 18, 2015
SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
STERLING HIGH SCHOOL | ONLINE CURRICULUM
Loading: More course options Online learning program to expand electives, beginning this summer Beginning this summer, they will be able to use GradPoint, a comprehensive learning curriculum available online. “We will use it to allow students to take electives that would not be available at the high school,” Principal Jason
BY JERMAINE PIGEE jpigee@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5525 @JPigee84
STERLING – Over the next couple of years, Sterling High School students will have access to 160 new classes.
Austin said. The classes will be released gradually, starting this summer, when economics, health, government, and other classes will be offered. Classes to be available in the fall include economics; intro-
duction to business; introduction to homeland security; introduction to medical assisting; sports entertainment and marketing; and computer programming. Students will take all tests on campus, and they can work
on different units at home. “If students are ready for the unit test, they will come in and teachers will look at their progress before the students take the test,” Austin said. CURRICULUM CONTINUED ON A5
STERLING | VIDEO GAMBLING
SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT | CHARLOTTE ARVELL GLASS
Code change pall for parlors?
Fire in her belly
For license, business must devote bulk of focus to liquor, food BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
STERLING – The council approved an ordinance Tuesday that will limit the expansion of video gambling within city limits. The ordinance clarifies Section 10-74 of the municipal code, which sets limitations on the placement of video gambling terminals. Because a liquor license is needed before a gambling license will be considered, the code had stated that no gambling permit will be issued to an operator who doesn’t have a liquor license for the sale of alcohol as its primary business. The amendment goes on to define primary business as “premises where 60 percent or more of the floor space is devoted to the retail sales of alcoholic beverages and/or food products, or 60 percent of the gross receipts generated on the premises result from the retail sale of liquor and/ or food products.”
Photos by Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@saukvalley.com
Charlotte Behrens (below) of Charlotte Arvelle Glass in Mount Carroll creates glass art at her studio. “I use a lot of color, lots of shapes,” the artist, shown above cutting colored glass, said. “My work is just really happy. … I’m a bright person. I’m optimistic. That’s who I am. I prefer to see and convey joy.”
Mount Carroll artist fuses glass, shares her joy BY KAYLA HEIMERMAN Special to Sauk Valley Media
MOUNT CARROLL – Char Behrens works well under fire. She is the artist behind Charlotte Arvelle Glass, a working hot glass studio, where she fuses glass at more than 1400 degrees to create colorful, unique sculptures and other pieces. Her work is a reflection of herself. It’s colorful, modern, and even edgy. It evokes happiness and zest.
“I use a lot of color, lots of shapes,” she said. “My work is just really happy. I’m a bright person. I’m optimistic. That’s who I am. I prefer to see and convey joy.” Behrens, 59, was an ambulance driver until two accidents damaged her knees. She picked up a few pieces of stained glass and a book from a local craft store and tinkered around during her recovery. FIRE CONTINUED ON A5
Check out Charlotte Arvelle Glass 118 W. Market St., Mount Carroll 815-244-3554 • charlottearvelle.com
DIXON | NEW GOVERNMENT AHEAD
Less responsibility, same pay for council? Commissioners divided over what pay should be when manager takes helm BY MATT MENCARINI mmencarini@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5529 @MattMencarini
DIXON – When Dixon hires a city manager, which is likely to happen this year, the City Council’s power will be reduced considerably, but the 2015-16 fiscal year bud-
$1.00
get shows no reduction in council pay. The mayor will make $9,600 each year, with each of the four other council members making $5,400. Current council members seeking seats on the next council are divided on whether the pay should be
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reduced, stay the same or be increased. Commissioner Colleen Brechon, who was elected in 2011, wants the pay to be increased and late last year asked City Administrator David Nord to get information on pay levels at other Illinois cities.
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CODE CONTINUED ON A4
According to the list Nord provided to Brechon, in December, Illinois cities with similar sizes that operate under the commission form have higher pay for elected officials than Dixon. PAY CONTINUED ON A4
ABBY ................... A8 CROSSWORD....B12 NATION/WORLD A12 BUSINESS ......... A14 LIFESTYLE ........... A8 OBITUARIES ........ A4 COMICS ...............B7 LOTTERY ............. A2 OPINION .............. A6
This is language that Sterling, Rock Falls and Whiteside County have discussed together. Skip Lee, Sterling mayor
Next meeting
The Sterling City Council next meets at 6:30 p.m. March 2, 2015, at City Hall, 212 Third Ave., on the first floor in the Council Chambers. Go to sterling-il.gov or call City Hall at 815-632-6621 for an agenda or more information.
Today’s weather High 7. Low -7. More on A3.
No passport
If accused bonds out, judge rules, A2.
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