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WHO’S NEXT? GET SET FOR WEEK 2 LOCAL ENTERTAINMENT, A9-11
PREP FOOTBALL, B1
dailyGAZETTE
Thursday, September 4, 2014
SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
LEE COUNTY | HOMICIDE-SUICIDE UPDATE
ROCK FALLS | GOV. QUINN VISITS
Attacker recently released from jail Man was charged with punching his psychiatrist BY CHRISTI WARREN cwarren@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5521
DIXON – Just 9 days before a 27-year-old killed his grandmother and then himself at their rural Dixon home, he was arrested for punching a KSB Hospital psychiatrist in the face, repeatedly, according to court documents. Theodore “Ted” Howard was charged Aug. 24 with misdemeanor battery Theodore ‘Ted’ and released Howard the next day on a $3,000 bond, paid for by his mother. Lee County State’s Attorney Anna Sacco-Miller wouldn’t disclose what had sparked a June 26 fight that led Josephine ‘Jo’ Howard to the charge, but said Howard “wasn’t happy with something that [the psychiatrist] had told him.”
Photos by Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
Gov. Pat Quinn speaks with Sterling High School junior Emily Spangler, 16, Wednesday evening at La Familia during a stop in Rock Falls. Spangler, a Whiteside County Democrat, is concerned about the minimum wage and the effect an increase would have on the future of her peers.
His big challenge
Quinn eats on cheap, pushes for minimum wage increase BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5570
ROCK FALLS – Gov. Pat Quinn finished his dinner at La Familia on Wednesday and told the crowd that had gathered at the restaurant to see him that he’d have to come back soon. “This was the best food I’ve eaten all week,” the Hinsdale-born Democrat said. “I would have liked to order more food, but I can’t afford it,” he quipped. Quinn took what he calls the minimum wage challenge this week and said he is living on $79, the average amount a full-time minimum wage worker is left with after housing costs, transportation and taxes, as calculated by his campaign team. The governor’s challenge is part of a big push by state Democrats to drum up support for a referendum that will be on the Nov. 4 ballot that asks voters if the state’s minimum wage should be raised. Rock Falls was making his eighth and final stop of the day, seven of those to visit cafes and fast-food restaurants and speak with low-wage workers. “My purpose in traveling across Illinois today is to help the moms and dads who work at some of the hardest jobs in our state and make only $8.25 an hour,” Quinn said. “My mission is to do the right thing for everybody and make sure no one is left out.” CHALLENGE CONTINUED ON A2
ATTACKER CONTINUED ON A4
Rawshu’a owner Joshua Carter greets Quinn on Wednesday evening in downtown Rock Falls. Carter briefly spoke with the governor about the Non-GMO Project.
CELEBRATING SCHOOL’S START
See the visit online Visit saukvalley.com to see Gov. Quinn push for an increase to the state’s minimum wage during his visit Wednesday to Rock Falls restaurant La Familia.
CARROLL COUNTY | HIGH-SPEED CHASE
Man sought a week after eluding officers Ton escaped multiple agencies since last Thursday BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5570
MOUNT CARROLL – Police in two counties are still looking for a 20-yearold Roscoe man who, they say, led officers on a high-speed chase a week ago after an attempted traffic stop in Carroll County. Matthew T. Ton is wanted on several charges in Winnebago and Carroll counties. Milledgeville Police tried to stop a speeding vehicle, reportedly stolen in
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Rockford, on Old Mill Street in Milledgeville about 2:38 p.m. Aug. 28. Police chased the vehicle, believed to be driven by the suspect, at high speeds but lost sight of it and ended the chase. Shortly after the chase in Milledgeville, Mount Carroll police officers saw the vehicle traveling west on Thomson Road near state Route 78. Another high-speed chase ensued through Thomson, and ended when the vehicle crashed on Sandridge Road, north of Three Mile Road.
INDEX
TON CONTINUED ON A4
BUSINESS ......... A12 COMICS ............... A7 CROSSWORD....B11
Have you seen him? Matthew T. Ton is 5 feet 8 inches tall, 145 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. Anyone with information on Ton is asked to call their local police department, Winnebago County Crime Stoppers at 815963-7867 or Carroll County Crime Stoppers at 815-244-7867.
DEAR ABBY ......... A8 LOTTERY ............. A2 OBITUARIES ........ A4
OPINION .............. A6 PLAN!T ................. A9 SPORTS ...............B1
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
Sauk Valley Community College students and staff took Wednesday afternoon off to enjoy the back-to-school tradition of Sauk Fest. See more photos from the gala on A3.
Today’s weather High 90. Low 69. More on A3.
Need work? Check out your classifieds, B7.
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