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SWEET VICTORY IN STERLING SPORTS, B1
Meet the candidates
WHITESIDE COUNTY BOARD DISTRICT 2, A4
Student of the month ROCK FALLS, A9
dailyGAZETTE
Friday, November 4, 2016 n SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
STERLING
City to discuss tax levy Monday Actuary coming in to explain system changes BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
STERLING – The city’s tax levy process will begin in earnest at Monday’s City Council
meeting, and an actuary will be there to field questions about the city’s pension responsibilities. The city is coming off a hefty tax levy increase of 18.76 percent last year, the first in which
state-mandated changes were instituted for how recommended contributions to fire and police pensions are calculated. That increase cost the owner of a $100,000 home about an additional $122 a year. A utilities fee was also approved last year that was projected to bring
the city an additional $700,000 in revenue. While the city won’t receive the first draft of a tax levy proposal until its Nov. 21 meeting, preliminary figures indicate property taxpayers won’t be getting another double-digit increase this year. City Manager Scott Shumard
said the early projections point to a 6.83 percent overall tax levy increase. The fire pension portion of the levy is up 16.31 percent, while police pensions are showing a 16.31 percent increase. COUNCIL continued on A34
DIXON | GALENA AVENUE BRIDGE
EDUCATION | ART AT SAUK
Helping students shine
Railings back on the radar Council to vote on full repairs Monday BY RACHEL RODGERS rrodgers@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5529 @rj_rodgers
Professor shedding light on students, potential of college, community Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@saukvalley.com
Glenn Bodish, associate art professor at Sauk Valley Community College and overseer of the revamped art gallery, talks about the work of Chris Holbrook on Thursday afternoon. After several artists’ works are shown, all capped by receptions in which the artists will speak about those works, students hope to see their works under the bright lights during a springtime student showcase. BY CHRISTOPHER HEIMERMAN cheimerman@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5523 CHeimerman_SVM
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ight. Neither art nor artist can do much without it. Take, for instance, the new track lighting installed in the very professional-looking art gallery on the second floor of the east mall at Sauk Valley
TOP5
Your Weekend
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First Fridays on the move
MOUNT MORRIS – The First Fridays Open Stage music show will move today to Mount Morris Moose Lodge, 100 Moose Drive, in conjunction with the Friday Night Fish Fry. Food will be sold. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m., with the show at 6. Each musician or band performs for 15 minutes. Instruments are acoustic, and a professional sound system is provided. All types of music are featured. Admission is by donation. All musicians and spectators are welcome. Call 815-973-0942 for more information.
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Community College. It brings to life the prints and drawings of guest artist Chris Holbrook, adjunct faculty at Bradley University. On a much more personal note, take Sammi Poe, a 22-year-old sophomore from Leaf River, who’s ridden art out of the shadows. “I’m just really happy to be
here, honestly,” said Poe, who’s working predominantly with graphic design. “It helps me. I’m not just left in the dark at home, doing nothing with my life. Honestly, I’d kind of spiraled down, because two of my family members passed away. I had to get myself back up.” SHINE continued on A54
Online extra Click on this story at saukvalley.com to watch video of Sauk Valley Community College associate professor Glenn Bodish discussing his multimedia piece Nothing But Blue Skies.
DIXON – The rigmarole of repairing and repainting the railings on Galena Avenue Bridge will be back on the city’s radar Monday. Last week, the council decided during a special meeting to fix half the railings rather than the full set, because the west side was not showing the same extent of corrosion as the east, and said plan of action could save about $60,000. The corrosion occurred from water and other material like road salt that had leaked into the railings and rotted them from the inside out. Council members had voted down a proposal for Bellini’s Custom Welding and Auto Repair to repair all four of the railings for $178,000, but they plan to readdress the option Monday after being told the state plans to up its contribution to the project. RAILINGS continued on A34
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Crafts, cupcakes and more
PAW PAW – The annual Paw Paw Christmas Craft Show will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Paw Paw Junior High Gym, 511 Chapman St. The show features more than 35 vendors, a Christmas tree raffle, and baked goods. A cupcake war will have participants bringing at least 13 cupcakes, one for judging and the others for customers. First place gets a $25 gift card, second gets $15, and third gets $10. There will also be a first- through third-place prize for children. Find Paw Paw Chamber of Commerce on Facebook for more information.
INDEX
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Original play at DHS
DIXON – “The Mokai,” an original production written by Dixon resident Faith Morrison, will be performed in the auditorium at Dixon High School, 300 Lincoln Statue Drive. Showtimes are 7 p.m. today and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. The production, directed by Morrison’s mother, Karen Kaufman, is a magical story about prejudice and family that centers around an orphanage at the edge of a cemetery. Tickets are $10 for adults or $3 for students; a family pack gets kids in free with the purchase of two adult tickets. Call the high school at 815284-7723 for tickets in advance, or for more information.
ABBY.................... A8 BUSINESS.......... A13 COMICS................B7
CROSSWORD.....B13 LIFESTYLE............ A7 LOTTERY.............. A2
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Giving thanks for history
FULTON – “Thanksgiving: From Pilgrims to Pioneers” will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday at Windmill Cultural Center, 111 10th Ave. The program traces the history of the holiday’s traditions and talks about why people associate it with the pilgrims. Admission is free; refreshments will be served. Call 815-589-3925 or find the Windmill Cultural Center and de Immigrant Windmill on Facebook.
OBITUARIES......... A4 OPINION............... A6 POLICE................. A2
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Books and baked good in Morrison
MORRISON – A book and bake sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the community room at Odell Public Library, 307 S. Madison St. Books will be sold for $1 for hardbacks, 50 cents for paperbacks, and $2 to $5 for best-sellers, newer books, and coffee-table books. Children’s books will be 50 cents for hardbacks and 25 cents for paperbacks. Cookies, breads, pies, candies, and other goods will be sold. Donations can be dropped off by 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the library. Proceeds will help buy new materials and update technology at the library. Call 815-772-7323 for more information.
Today’s weather High 62. Low 42. More on A3.
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