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dailyGAZETTE Friday, December 4, 2015
SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
ROCK FALLS
SMALL-TOWN SPOTLIGHT | SUBLETTE
City will add board for utilities Growing importance, and revenue, of power and water spurs move BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
Photos by Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
Bob “Buck” Kellen stands with members of the family who are volunteers with the Sublette Fire Department: Kole Kellen (middle), Dylan Ehlers and Kyle Kellen. The truck to the left was the last truck Buck purchased for the station, and its first fire call was also Kyle’s first fire call.
Courage ‘‘ under fires
When they see Kellen on the back of the jacket, they say, ‘God, it’s great to see you came up.’ Kyle Kellen
The Kellen family has put in nearly 300 years with Sublette Fire Department
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ROCK FALLS – The city said Tuesday that work has started on putting together a utilities board to provide better oversight of a rapidly changing municipal enterprise. Mayor Bill Wescott proposed the idea of establishing a Public Utility Governance Board during an April 7 City Council meeting. The mayor believes the body is needed to maximize the potential of its electric, wastewater, and water utilities. The city’s broadband business, now part of the electric department, soon will become a separate entity. The financial importance of the utilities continues to grow – they now make up about 78 percent, or $15 million, of the city’s annual budget. UTILITIES CONTINUED ON A4
EDUCATION
Standing the test of time Rock Falls educator says exam will pay off; just have patience
BY CHRISTOPHER HEIMERMAN cheimerman@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5523 @CHeimerman_SVM
BY CHRISTOPHER HEIMERMAN cheimerman@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5523 @CHeimerman_SVM
SUBLETTE – John Kellen put a warm, wet cloth over his brothers’ eyes, blasted from their sockets, and held them to Bob’s cheeks. Rather than think about the pain or allow himself to get caught up in shock, Bob “Buck” Kellen thought about the faces. All the faces of all the people he’d known. All the people he’d helped and saved through the years, for fear that he might never see them again. “The only thing I could think about, was I tried to remember what people’s faces looked like, all these people,” Bob said. “I knew I could recognize their voice, and I wanted to remember what they looked like.” Weeks later, he kept fighting fires.
ROCK FALLS – What if kindergartners, when prompted, could explain the books they were reading? What if by third grade, they could analyze their reading material without prompts? And what if, by high school, kids were accustomed to synthesizing, developing logical arguments and citing evidence to prove their points? It’s all possible, according to Cheryl Robinson, director of curriculum and staff development with the Rock Falls Elementary School District.
KELLEN CONTINUED ON A5
TEST CONTINUED ON A4
TOP5 Your Weekend
1
Winter market
DIXON – The Dixon Park District’s Winter Farmers Market returns from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday to Loveland Community House, 513 W. Second St. Kids activities include a reading of the story of St. Nicholas at 10 a.m. and at noon, and the market will feature more than 30 vendors offering locally produced food, baked goods, and personal care products. Find Dixon Farmers Market, Haymarket Square on Facebook for more information.
$1.00
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2
VietNow remembers
DIXON – The Rock River Valley Chapter of VietNow’s 27th annual POW/MIA Christmas Tree Lighting and Vigil begins at 7 p.m. Saturday at Veterans Memorial Park on West Palmyra Road. Participants will light symbolic bulbs for those still missing from World War II and the Korean War. Audience members will read the names of Illinois service members still listed as POW/MIA from the Vietnam War, and there will be other tributes, and holiday music. Call Rich Sanders at 815288-5872 for more information.
INDEX
3
Christmas Walk in Dixon
DIXON – The annual Christmas Walk runs from 6 to 9 p.m. today. There will be caroling, raffles, horsedrawn wagon rides, a blacksmith demonstration, and cookie decorating. Santa and Mrs. Claus, who will be available for pictures until 9 p.m. at Florissa, 101 E. First St. A West End Wonderland will feature activities for the kids in the Kitzman’s parking lot. New this year: ice sculpture carving on the riverfront, live holiday music other entertainment. Go to dixonmainstreet.com or find Main Street on Facebook for a complete schedule or more information.
ABBY ................... A8 BUSINESS ......... A16 COMICS ............. A14
CROSSWORD....B13 DAY TRIP ............. A7 LIFESTYLE ........A7-8
4
Morrison Christmas Walk
MORRISON – The Morrison Chamber of Commerce presents “Christmas Around the World” Saturday, with a lighted parade, church suppers, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, business open houses, and more The chamber also is trying to set a record in the Guinness Book of World Records at the event for the largest gathering of human snowmen in one location. Go to morrisonsnowmanworldrecord.eventbrite. com for more information.
LOTTERY ............. A2 OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6
5
Christmas in Mount Morris
MOUNT MORRIS – Christmas on the Village Square begins with breakfast bingo from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Mount Morris Senior Center. A craft, vendor and bake sale, will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pinecrest Village. A children’s Christmas party will be at 11 a.m. at Evangelical Free Church. Mrs. Claus will be at Mount Morris Public Library from 1 to 2:30 p.m., and Santa at Pinecrest Manor from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Event programs are available at village businesses, or find Mt. Morris Christmas on the Village Square on Facebook.
Today’s weather High 45. Low 28. More on A3.
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