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Fair was back in the saddle
ROCK FALLS PLAYERS ARE CHAMPS YOUTH SOFTBALL, B1
LEE COUNTY, A3
dailyGAZETTE Monday, August 1, 2016 n SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
ELECTION 2016 | ILLINOIS
A House united, or more divided? There’s a lot riding on the House elections this year, and it’s already shaping up to be an expensive fall CHICAGO (AP) – After a year of squabbles over the state budget, the outcome of Illinois’ power struggle now hinges on dozens of House election campaigns that will determine whether Democrats can impose their will on Gov. Bruce Rauner or the Republican gains traction with his ideas to “shake up” the state.
Each side has millions of dollars to devote to the battles, which could define the remaining 2 years of Rauner’s first term. Rauner blames House Speaker Michael Madigan and the Democrats for the state’s long-running financial predicament, and Republicans are ask-
ing voters to punish them for it in the November election. But the Democrats warn that Rauner’s agenda would be destructive to the middle class, and are banking on voters ultimately strengthening their hand in the Legislature, which they control.
Led by Madigan, Rauner’s chief rival in the budget standoff, Democrats have thwarted the governor’s drive to enact term limits, restrict the influence of unions, and make the state more probusiness in exchange for raising taxes and passing a full budget. HOUSE continued on A54
PINK HEALS
MORRISON
Serving up volleyball, fast food and a lot of fun Rich Jackley (left) and Ashley Holland, both of Rock Falls, were among the players in a blind draw volleyball tournament Saturday afternoon at the Morrison Summer Extravaganza.
Photos by Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com
Joel Mains of Pink Heals gets a tearful hug from Christine Mewhirter on Saturday morning at CVS Pharmacy in Sterling. The Pink Heals Tour made an unscheduled visit to the Sauk Valley, and as part of the tour, volunteers stopped by to see Mewhirther and her fellow CVS employee, Peggy Squire. They also took time to visit Regina Fiorini-Frank next door at Kroger.
Signature movement
Volunteers take time out to visit Sauk Valley during unscheduled stop BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
Photos by Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com
Inside
Turn to Page A2 to see more photos, and who won the Monster Thickburger eating contest
Online extra Read this story at saukvalley.com to see video and more more photos from the Morrison Summer Extravaganza.
$1.00
ABOVE: Toby Troutman, 13, of Morrison peeks out from a lifesize soccer ball Saturday during a human soccer match at the Morrison Summer Extravaganza. This was the first year for the event, which was put on by the Morrison Parks and Recreation Department and held at the Morrison Sports Complex. The extravaganza featured free kids activities, including an obstacle course, bounce houses, a bags tournament, face painting, and more. Adults had fun, too, with a bags tournament, blind draw volleyball and a beer garden. And for those who were still hungry for more, the extravaganza served it up – or, rather, local restaurants did during the food-eating contests. Competitors sunk their teeth into Monster Thick Burgers from Hardee’s, ice cream from Happy Joe’s, hot dogs from Dairy Queen, and Blazin’ Wings from Buffalo Wild Wings. The day wrapped up with music by Morrison band 30 West and fireworks at dusk. INSET: Players in the human soccer game were heels over head in fun Saturday.
TODAY’S EDITION: 20 PAGES 2 SECTIONS VOL. 162 ISSUE 165
INDEX
ABBY.................... A7 COMICS..............B10 CROSSWORD.....B10
LIFESTYLE............ A7 LOTTERY.............. A2 MILITARY.............. A4
STERLING – The Pink Heals Tour wasn’t scheduled to pass through the Sauk Valley this year, but it was brought back by popular demand. “This year’s tour is mainly in the Southern states, but due to the overwhelming positive response it’s received over the past 2 years, the tour made an unscheduled stop in the Sauk Valley,” said Janell Loos, Rock Falls tourism and events director. Although only two vehicles were able to make the local tour this year, Loos worked with Joel Mains of Downers Grove to make sure the event continued its run here. “When we contacted Joel, he said they’d be there as early as we needed them, and even though there would be fewer trucks, he promised to make it feel big,” Loos said. PINK HEALS continued on A94
Christine Mewhirter signs the Pink Heals firetruck in front of CVS Pharmacy in Sterling on Saturday.
OBITUARIES......... A4 OPINION............... A6 POLICE................. A2
Today’s weather High 85. Low 70. More on A3.
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