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Rockets’ junior wins VILLAGE PUMPED UP conference crown OVER NEW CASEY’S MOUNT MORRIS, A3
CROSS COUNTRY, B1
dailyGAZETTE Monday, October 19, 2015
SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
ILLINOIS | ELECTION
Opt-in? Some want to opt out Lawmakers want to make voting registration automatic, but some aren’t sold on the idea BY JOHN O’CONNOR The Associated Press
SPRINGFIELD (AP) – Illinois Senate Democrats have proposed a plan to automatically register qualified residents to vote when they apply for a driv-
er’s license or some other form of state ID unless they decline. Sen. Andy Manar, of Bunker Hill, said his proposal to change Illinois from a traditional “optin” voter registration state would reduce red tape, save money
and increase voter participation. “The current process creates an unnecessary barrier for citizens to exercise their fundamental right to vote,” Manar told a Senate subcommittee. “And it’s an inefficient use of taxpayer dollars.”
Critics aren’t so sure. They worry that such a change could lead to automatically registering non-citizens, increased voter fraud and expense, and longer lines at drivers’ license facilities run by the secretary of state.
PROPHETSTOWN
Oregon was the first state to adopt an automatic registration policy, and without a single Republican vote in favor of the bill. California Gov. Jerry Brown signed a similar law last week. REGISTRATION CONTINUED ON A5
IN THE COURTS
Lyndon settles suit for $150K Village denies discrimination, says it signed off on deal to end litigation BY KATHLEEN A. SCHULTZ kschultz@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5535 @KathleenSchul10
Photos by Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
The 30th annual Coon Creek Men’s Club Farm Toy Show on Sunday helped raise funds for playground equipment at Prophetstown Elementary School.
Collectors have a field day Diminutive Deere, mini Minnie-Mo’s, and more help raise money for playground equipment
In the suit, he said village employees called him the N-word, which village officials continue to deny. Under the terms of the LYNDON – A former vilsettlement, filed lage employee who in January, Shaffer sued Lyndon over was paid $98,350 his firing, accusing and his Moline officials of discrimattorneys, Stephen inating against Fieweger and the him because he is firm Katz Nowblack, has settled inski, were paid out of court for $51,630. $150,000. The Illinois Will Shaffer, LynWill Municipal League don’s former mainShaffer Risk Management tenance superviAssociation, the sor, sued the vilvillage’s insurance carlage and its president, Tim Crady, in U.S. District rier, paid $100,000, while Court in Rockford in May the village paid $50,000. 2013.
SETTLEMENT CONTINUED ON A5
COMICS BY JERMAINE PIGEE jpigee@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5525 @JPigee84
PROPHETSTOWN – Larry Lauritzen of Ohio might be 69 years old, but he still enjoys playing with toys. Lauritzen Online showed off For video from his massive Sunday’s show, display of read this story at f a r m t o y s saukvalley.com during the 30th annual Farm Toy Show in Prophetstown, which was put on by The Coon Creek Men’s Club. “It’s hard to say how many toys I have,” Lauritzen, owner of Triple L Toys in Ohio, said with a laugh. TRACTORS CONTINUED ON A2
Among the things happening in the Sauk Valley this week:
Pam Eggemeier, Sterling/Rock Falls:
Riverfront progress: Project Manager Jens Jensen will present an update on the city’s riverfront redevelopment project at the next Sterling City Council meeting. The council meets at 6:30 p.m. topday, at City Hall, 212 Third Ave., on the first floor in the Council Chambers.
$1.00
TODAY’S EDITION: 20 PAGES 2 SECTIONS VOL. 161 ISSUE 221
Sorry, fans, but no ‘Stone Soup’ for you Creator retires daily strip, but there’ll be a new face on the Comics page STAFF REPORT news@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5501
Inside were toy tractors, and outside, the real thing. Ken Huizenga of Morrison fires up his 1929 John Deere GP on Sunday afternoon while displaying it at the Farm Toy Show in Prophetstown. The show was a fundraiser for Prophetstown Elementary School playground equipment.
Looking Forward Brenden West, Dixon:
Ridder takes oath: New Public Works Director Tim Ridder will be sworn in during today’s council meeting. The director position is a new one created by Interim City Manager David Nord, and will be in charge of
INDEX
ABBY ................... A7 COMICS ............... A8 CROSSWORD....B10
public works operations in the city – streets, sewers, water, wastewater and the airport. Today’s meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. at Dixon City Hall, 121 W. Second St.
Jermaine Pigee, education: Educators of Beauty in downtown Sterling is under new ownership. What does that mean for the cosmetology school? Find out in this weekend’s business section. LIFESTYLE ........... A7 LOTTERY ............. A2 OBITUARIES ........ A4
The daily story of sisters Val and Joan – and all the family, friends and neighbors in their lives – came to an end in Saturday’s edition of SV Weekend. Cartoonist Jan Eliot has retired the strip “Stone Soup” from daily syndication. So, readers today are introduced to “Luann,” a comic strip about a teenage girl and the trials of becoming a young adult. It has been in syndication since 1985. “It’s dramatic, funny, real and compelling,” Greg Evans said about his comic strip. “My aim is to
touch readers’ hearts as well as their funny bones.” “Luann” has humorously touched on serious issues such as peer pressure, drugs, alcohol and young love. “Adolescence is a very funny time – except when you’re in it,” Evans said. See “Luann” in t o d a y ’ s Comics on page A8.
Luann is the teenage titular character of the comic strip that’s taking the place of “Stone Soup,” beginning today.
OPINION .............. A6 POLICE ................ A2 POLITICS ............. A9
Today’s weather High 75. Low 56. More on A3.
Need work? Check out your classifieds, B6.
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