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SEE HOW WRESTLERS STACK UP AT STATE
TOURNAMENT PREVIEW, B1, B4
A talented bunch of Rockets will perform
dailyGAZETTE Thursday, February 18, 2016
A9-12
SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
ILLINOIS | GOVERNOR’S BUDGET ADDRESS
Entrenched in their lines in the sand Rauner digs in during budget speech; opposition digs in during their reaction SPRINGFIELD (AP) – Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner offered lawmakers two distinct options Wednesday to end Illinois’ historic budget stalemate: Implement his cost-saving proposals in exchange for a $36 billion budget, or give him authority to make $4 billion in cuts.
Rauner’s second budget address, delivered 8 months after the current fiscal year’s budget should have taken effect, reinforces what he’s said in the past about his openness to raising taxes – but only if lawmakers are willing to give him some of the reforms he wants.
“You choose,” he told lawmakers. “But please, choose now.” Without some reforms, he added, “We cannot in good conscience raise taxes on the hardworking families of Illinois.”
Inside
Find out what local lawmakers thought of Gov. Rauner’s budget address. Page A5
SPEECH CONTINUED ON A5
ROCK FALLS
SCHOOLS
Dunkin’ Donuts coming to town Casey’s will also add third location
Gaby DeLafuentes, an original member of the Shooting Stars cheer squad, cheers Friday night at Newman’s home game against St. Bede.
BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
Photos by Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@saukvalley.com
Tyler Johnson cheers Friday night with Newman’s Shooting Stars cheer squad.
‘This is
amazing!’ These students don’t just reach for the stars, they are the stars
BY CHRISTOPHER HEIMERMAN cheimerman@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5523 @CHeimerman_SVM
STERLING – As the last full practice before Senior Night wrapped up, Gaby DeLafuentes perfectly summed up the first 6 years of the Shooting Stars program at Newman Central Catholic High School. “This is amazing!” she yelled. For 6 years, the cheerleading program for special needs students has spread love and camaraderie through the Sauk Valley. When the Shooting Stars’ beloved Comets take on Three Rivers rival Rockridge at home at 7:30 Friday night, it will be Senior Night. STARS CONTINUED ON A3
STERLING
Doctor, wife could finally be tried Pair was arrested 3 years ago, in what prosecutors say was deadly drug case BY ANGEL SIERRA asierra@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5695 @_angelsierra
STERLING – Three years after his arrest, a local doctor who prosecutors say excessively prescribed pain medica-
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TODAY’S EDITION: 24 PAGES 2 SECTIONS VOL. 162 ISSUE 50
tion to patients, causing three deaths, is expected to be tried this summer or fall, along with his wife. “Given the complexity of the case and the amount of discovery [documents and evidence to be reviewed], the defendants have been requesting extensions,”
INDEX
ABBY ................... A8 BUSINESS ........... A7 COMICS ............. A10
Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Paccagnini said this week of the case against Dr. Richard H. Ng and Lee Lee Foong. The case still is before the federal magistrate judge, who handles preliminary procedures.
CROSSWORD....B11 LIFESTYLE ........... A8 LOTTERY ............. A2
DRUG CASE CONTINUED ON A3
OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6 PLAN!T ............A9-12
ROCK FALLS – Two new businesses will begin construction this spring on First Avenue. One of the new buildings will be a familiar one. Casey’s General Store will put up its third convenience store in Rock Falls, this one at 1604 First Ave. Casey’s at one time had a third store in town at 907 First Ave., the current site of O’Reilly Auto Parts. Dunkin’ Donuts will be the new face to the area business landscape. The global doughnut shop and coffeehouse also will be on First Avenue, at a site that is now an empty lot directly south of Walgreens. The closest Dunkin’ Donuts to the Sauk Valley is 40 miles away in Peru. The company plans to build between 430 and 460 new stores nationwide this year. The other Casey’s are at 1201 E. Rock Falls Road and 900 Dixon Ave. The company said the new store will be similar to the recently remodeled store, just bigger. “This will be one of our elite stores that are 46,000 square feet, which is as large as we go,” said Sam James, a spokesman at Casey’s corporate headquarters in Ankeny, Iowa. The new store will have fresh pizza, doughnuts, and made-toorder subs. The company said it likes the city’s proximity to the interstate, and heavy traffic flow from U.S. 30 and state Route 40. “We have a large store development program in the area,” James said. “We are in 14 states now, and we have people looking at a lot of different factors, including traffic patterns and population growth.” James said the city’s recent acquisition of developable land near the interstate exchange is another big plus. DOUGHNUTS CONTINUED ON A4
Today’s weather High 42. Low 39. More on A3.
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