Your source for community news and sports 7 days a week.
Carnival takes off
FAMILY NOT STOPPING TO SMELL THE PETUNIAS
PETUNIA FESTIVAL, A3
REAGAN RUN, B1
dailyGAZETTE Friday, July 3, 2015
SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
HONORING HEROES
SEVERE WEATHER | WOODHAVEN LAKES UPDATE
Before you light that bottle rocket or grill that brat, read the stories of those who fought to protect our freedom in our special veterans section, inside.
Clean-up in high gear
ILLINOIS | BUDGET
Providers brace for impact Officials go to court, ask which bills may be paid
Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com
Efrain Gonzalez, 41, of Chicago, repairs the porch roof of an addition that used to sit next to a trailer on a lot in section 22 on Thursday at Woodhaven Lakes near Sublette. The addition on the lot received only roof damage, while the trailer was a total loss.
BY JOHN O’CONNOR AND SARA BURNETT The Associated Press
Association hopes to open restricted sections by Saturday BY CHRISTI WARREN cwarren@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5521 @SeaWarren
SUBLETTE – It’s been a little more than 2 weeks since an EF-2 tornado ripped through the southern portion of a Sublette campground, and just 1 week since residents were granted re-entry. Woodhaven Lakes residents were first allowed a glimpse of the destruction Saturday, 5 days after the tornado hit. They started lining up at the front gates at 6:30 a.m., even though they wouldn’t open until 8 a.m., said Randy Koehler, director of marketing and communications for Woodhaven Association. Some waited to get in
to the campground for an hour and a half. “We have approximately five to six different clean-up crews out on the property right now,” Koehler said. “They’re focusing primarily on the most heavily damaged areas, which are sections 22, 23, 25, 25, 29, and 14.” Residents are currently allowed on most of the grounds, except for a few restricted sections: 22, 23, and 25, where the tornado hit the hardest. Koehler said the idea is to have those sections fully open and ready for two-way traffic by Saturday, but that’s a decision that will be made this afternoon.
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois’ government weathered its second day without a state budget Thursday. While legislative chambers were silent, service providers buckled up for a bumpy summer ride, and state officials asked what bills could be paid if the impasse continues. The Democratic state attorney general asked Cook County Circuit Court for guidance on what the state could pay without a budget providing for it, heating up a simmering debate with the Republican governor over whether state employees can be paid. Meanwhile, some service providers began notifying staff members of layoffs, while others hoped to hobble through the month.
Want to help? Woodhaven has hired a volunteer coordinator to spearhead volunteer efforts for the remainder of the summer. If interested in helping out, give Woodhaven Lakes a call at 815-8495209.
WOODHAVEN CONTINUED ON A11
WHITESIDE COUNTY | SALES TAX
BUDGET CONTINUED ON A4
Hump day? More like bump day Increase ushered in with new fiscal year Wednesday BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
Did that fast-food burger cost a bit more Wednesday? No need to check your receipt.
TOP5 Your Weekend
1
Looney for petoonies
DIXON – The Petunia Festival carnival is open, things are cookin’ on the Taste Trail, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band gets down and dirty tonight, and all your favorite events are back. Go to petuniafestival.org for the massive, and complete, schedule.
$1.00
TODAY’S EDITION: 24 PAGES 2 SECTIONS VOL. 161 ISSUE 146
The sales tax increases approved by Whiteside County voters in April took effect July 1, the beginning of the state’s new fiscal year. Voters approved Local Option Sales Tax hikes for Whiteside County schools, and the cities of Rock Falls and Morrison.
2 Let Freedom Ring MOUNT MORRIS – The annual Let Freedom Ring festival runs today through Sunday in Mount Morris. Some of the highlights: a bags tournament at 4 p.m. today and fireworks near David L. Rahn Junior High, 105 W. Brayton Road. There’s a craft fair from 5 to 8 p.m. today and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday on the north edge of the festival. Go to letfreedomringfestival.com for all the details.
INDEX
3
The tax is not assessed on groceries, medication, services, farm equipment, cars, trucks, ATVs, boats, RVs, or mobile homes. Residents of Rock Falls will see the combined sales tax rate increase from 6.75 percent to 8.25 percent. In Morrison, the combined rate will jump from 6.25 percent to 8.25 percent. SALES TAX CONTINUED ON A4
Party going on in P’town
4
PROPHETSTOWN – The 51st annual Fourth of July celebration is on today and Saturday in Prophetstown State Park. The Run Around 5K is today, with the fun run at 6:30 p.m., and the 5K at 7. The 3-on-3 basketball tournament begins at 8 a.m. Saturday, and the fire department will have food and refreshments during the day. Alborn Theory will perform at 5:30 p.m. that evening, with fireworks to follow at dusk. Find 51st annual 4th of July fireworks celebration on Facebook for more information.
ABBY ................... A8 BUSINESS ......... A12 COMICS ............. A10
No shutdown here While the Sauk Valley Media office will be closed today, SVM will publish a July 4 paper. Here’s a sample what you can look forward to: • Stories on what the budget woes mean for local service agencies, as well as state grants • Features on a Franklin Grove MS sufferer and his best friend • The story of a man who’s attended Sauk since 1979 • More Petunia Festival coverage
CROSSWORD....B11 LIFESTYLE .......A7&8 LOTTERY ............. A2
Music in the air tonight
The Jimmys, an awardwinning blues band, are performing free from 7 to 9 tonight at the Mount Morris band shell downtown. Food is available before the concert. Two local bands are playing Eclipse Square Park in P-town: DNA from 5:30 to 7 p.m., and Reflex Blues from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Bring lawn chairs; admission is free.
OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6 POLICE ................ A2
5
‘Peter Pan’ at TLP
MOUNT CARROLL – Timber Lake Playhouse, 8215 Black Oak Road, presents “Peter Pan,” at 2 p.m. today; 2 and 6 p.m. Sunday, and several more times through July 12. Tickets are $17 for children, students and active duty military personnel; $22 for seniors; and $25 for adults. Calling 815-244-2035 for tickets.
Today’s weather High 80. Low 56. More on A3.
Mural of story
Old image of Dixon put on display, A12.
TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE PAPER, CALL 815-625-3600 OR 800-798-4085