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WARRIOR’S FUTURE WILL HAVE A FAMILIAR FEEL
Let’s not talk turkey
CROSS COUNTRY, B1
FOOD, A9
dailyGAZETTE Wednesday, November 9, 2016 n SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
ELECTIJ N 2 J16 CHECK OUT WHAT’S INSIDE
Presidentelect Donald Trump gives his acceptance speech during his election night rally today in New York.
Students vote An exercise in Democracy – The votes are in, and Dixon gradeschoolers cast them during a mock election. Page A3
Capitol contests
TRUMP WINS
AP
Businessman upends conventional wisdom with stunning victory The Associated Press
WASHINGTON – A deeply divided America counted votes on Tuesday in the bitter presidential race, as Hillary Clinton racked up large majorities in the nation’s diverse urban regions, while Donald Trump exceeded previous Republican margins in rural, whiter parts of the country. For much of the night, state after state, from North Carolina and New Hampshire and west to Michigan and Wisconsin, were too close to call, defying predictions by most polls and strategists in both parties that Clinton would win an early victory. By late in the evening, the result appeared
likely to turn on three states of the nation’s industrial belt: Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, with Clinton trailing and probably needing to win all of them. With Republicans also beating the odds in close Senate races, the party stood on the verge of controlling a united government. Amid unusually high turnout in several keenly contested states, Clinton received strong support from minority voters, especially Latinos, and did much better among college-educated white voters than any previous Democratic nominee.
U.S. Senate – Control of the Senate was up for grabs, and Republicans were hoping to hang on to a narrow majority. Page A4 U.S. House – The GOP was on track to retain control of the House, but by how much? Page A4
In Illinois A roundup of races, including key contests for the comptroller’s office and the state Legislature. Page A4 Hillary Clinton
WHITE HOUSE continued on A54
LEE COUNTY | DIXON SCHOOLS
Tax, yes; school, no
Illinois House, 71st District – Rep. Mike Smiddy, an incumbent, faces Savanna Mayor Tony McCombie is a race that could alter the balance of power. Page A7 Illinois House, 17th District – The Tea Party faced an uphill battle to unseat incumbent Cheri Bustos, and its candidate couldn’t quite make it over the top. Page A7
County Boards Voters in Lee and Whiteside counties weighed in on who they want to represent them. Page A7
Voters reject district’s referundum for change at high school BY CHRISTOPHER HEIMERMAN cheimerman@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5523 CHeimerman_SVM
DIXON – Lee County voters have passed a 1 percent sales tax increase. The big-ticket project it would have helped fund, on the other hand, went down in a decisive loss. The referendum for an $80.6 million, 20-year bond to build a new Dixon High School failed in Tuesday’s general election, 5,289 votes (59 percent) to 3,665. “Even though I’m very, very disappointed over the vote, I’m proud to say this won’t hold us back from fighting for our children and giving them the best chances to succeed,” school board President Pam Tourtillott said from a gathering in the office of Superintendent Margo Empen. “I’m very proud of the board taking a risk. It was not an easy decision, and it’s taken a long time to come to this. No matter the outcome of the election, the board knew its charge was to go forward with the best interest of the chil-
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Voter turnout How many people in the Sauk Valley went to the polls, and how does that stack up to previous elections? Page A11 Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
Dixon school board President Pam Tourtillott (left) and Superintendent Margo Empen look over ballot results Tuesday night at the district office. The referendum to build a new Dixon High School failed, but the referendum for a Lee County sales tax increase passed. dren, and to do so with a positive attitude.” The district now must issue $22.9 million in bonds to bring its buildings up to code by completing health/life safety requirements. The fixes must begin
INDEX
ABBY.................... A8 COMICS................B6 CROSSWORD.....B10
immediately and be completed within 5 years. It will require a tax increase of $213 a year for a $100,000 home to pay for the mandatory repairs. DIXON SCHOOLS continued on A54
FOOD.................... A9 LIFESTYLE............ A8 LOTTERY.............. A2
POLICE................. A2 OBITUARIES......... A4 OPINION............... A6
By the numbers – From county board members to the president of the United States, from local referendums to constitutional amendments, see how the Sauk Valley voted. Page A12
Ogle County Voters decide how school board members are elected, and whether two townships will become one. Page A10
Today’s weather High 58. Low 35. More on A3.
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