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Rockets want to reverse course
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FOOTBALL PREVIEW, B1
Sauk Valley Media • Football Guide 2016 • Thursday, August 25, 2016
Making Fridays Great Again SAUK VALLEY MEDIA TACKLE S THE ISSUES FACING HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBA LL
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Complete resource guide: Team rosters, schedules • Player diarie s• • Preseason All-Area • Much, much more in this 56-page SVM 2016 predictions special section!
Thursday, August 25, 2016 n SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
CAROL FITZGERALD | 1950 - 2016
The passion in compassion Carol Fitzgerald listens in April 2015 as she’s honored at the YWCA Women of Achievement Luncheon in Dixon.
Community mourns the loss of a woman who wasn’t afraid to fight for what she believed in: dignity for all
BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
Turn to Page A4 to read Carylon Fitzgerald’s obituary.
STERLING – Carol Fitzgerald lived the mission of the YWCA of the Sauk Valley, and because of her passion for women’s issues and social justice, has inspired many others to continue her work. The longtime director of the local YWCA died Tuesday after battling cancer, leaving many in the community to mourn
her loss and reflect on the trail she blazed for women. “Carol embodies everything the YWCA stands for – eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all,” said Rebecca MuñozRipley, director of marketing and community services at the
Obituary
YWCA in Sterling. Fitzgerald, 66, was the organization’s longest-serving executive director, starting in 1985 and retiring last year. She was active in the YWCA’s work at the state and national levels. In 2001, she received the lieutenant governor’s Illinois Woman of Achievement Award. She also helped to rewrite the YWCA’s national mission statement. FITZGERALD continued on A24
Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@saukvalley.com
ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE COLLEGE CAREERS
Don’t give us the perks Smiddy bill would cut lawmakers’ mileage, travel reimbursements
Success came by
design
BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
STERLING – State Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, was in town Wednesday to talk about a new bill he has introduced to curb perks for politicians. Smiddy held a news conference at City Hall to publicly introduce House Bill 6600, which would eliminate food and travel reimbursements received by legislators for their time in Springfield. The bill was introduced Wednesday and sent to the House Rules Committee. For each day the Legislature is in session, Illinois lawmakers get $111 a day for food and lodging, and are reimbursed 39 cents a mile for gas. Getting rid of the daily living expenses for 177 lawmakers would save nearly $20,000 a day. Smiddy said he has turned down his reimbursements for 18 months in an effort to do his part to save money during the budget impasse. Smiddy had invited local social services providers to the news conference, and said the bill was the right thing to do in light of the hardships faced by the state’s most vulnerable residents.
Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@saukvalley.com
Sauk Valley Community College Senior Graphic Designer Jenny Bumba, 52, of Dixon, poses for a portrait in front of a Sauk Success Story banner featuring her mother, Ellen Bumba. Jenny created the banners for Sauk. “I get to see her every day when I come in,” Jenny said.
From paste-ups to printouts, award-winning graphic designer has done a lot of eye-catching work – and even some that’s been Saukified
BY CHRISTOPHER HEIMERMAN cheimerman@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5523 CHeimerman_SVM
DIXON – Jenny Bumba is Sauk Valley Community College’s senior graphic designer for a reason. Even her office décor was created with both flair and purpose. Directly above her monitor, in her dimly lit office’s corner, are three portraits of her mother, Ellen Bumba, who passed away last March 12. Shift your eyes to the left of the corner, and you’ll see the rewards made possible by unrelenting love and support. DESIGN continued on A54
Online extra Click on this story at saukvalley.com to watch video of Jenny Bumba talking about her greatest muse: her parents.
SMIDDY continued on A54
OGLE COUNTY
His mission is no walk in the park – except that it is Dedicated parks fan will try to persuade kids to travel beyond the world on their screen BY CHRISTOPHER HEIMERMAN cheimerman@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5523 CHeimerman_SVM
OREGON – Sauk Valley kids have the world at their feet, if they would just look up from the world at their fingertips. On Friday, a
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TODAY’S EDITION: 24 PAGES 2 SECTIONS VOL. 162 ISSUE 183
Maryland man on a mission from sea to shining sea will help them discover that world. Mikah Meyer is trying to become the youngest visitor to all 413 of the National Park Service’s sites, a journey that’s already introduced him to countless new experiences. This
INDEX
ABBY.................... A8 COMICS................B7 CROSSWORD.....B11
week in Oregon, he’ll add another new experience to the list: Speaking to a classroom full of fourth-graders – and that’s no small challenge. But as nerve-wracking as that prospect might be, at least the man who’s made National Park Service sites his mission will be in LIFESTYLE............ A8 LOTTERY.............. A2 OBITUARIES......... A4
good company, thanks to the state parks that pepper the Sauk Valley, including four near Oregon. During his visit to Oregon Elementary School, Meyer will help kids visualize an even grander landscape of outdoor possibilities. PARK continued on A74
OPINION............... A6 PLANIT.............A9-12 POLICE................. A2
Today’s weather High 80. Low 57. More on A3.
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Mikah Meyer
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