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COMETS GO DEEP FOR WIN NO. 20
Body of missing Oregon pastor found
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Thursday, January 26, 2017 n SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
ROCK FALLS | BROADBAND EXPANSION
Time to leap the digital divide? Mayor: City needs to make a firm decision soon on whether to jump on the broadband wagon BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
ROCK FALLS – After 4 years of vetting and planning with its technology con-
sultants, the time has come for the city to make an important decision about its broadband future. Representatives from Denver-based Magellan Advisors were in town Tuesday to make one last presentation to the
City Council during a Committee of the Whole meeting. “We do need to make a firm decision soon, and that’s why we had them come in for this meeting,” Mayor Bill Wescott said. “We wanted to let the aldermen
have an open and honest discussion about what this means for the future of the city, without the pressure of having to take action.” BROADBAND continued on A54
MEDICAL
2017 MARCH FOR LIFE
Flu season prompts precautions at hospitals BY KATHLEEN A. SCHULTZ kschultz@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5535 @KathleenSchul10
STERLING – An increase in the number of flu cases showing up in its clinics and emergency department has prompted CGH Medical Center to institute temporary restrictions on visitors, the hospital said in a news release Wednesday. KSB Hospital in Dixon also has seen an uptick in the flu and other respiratory illnesses, and is asking its visitors to take precautions, as well. For now, children younger than 18 will not be allowed to visit CGH patients without approval from the patient’s health care team, and visits will be limited to two adults per patient at any time, the hospital said in the release. Those who have flu symptoms, such as a fever, cough, sneezing, runny nose or sore throat, are asked not to visit at all. Those who do visit are asked to wash their hands frequently, and to use hand sanitizer, which is in every patient room, when entering and leaving the room. People who come to the emergency department or outpatient clinics with flu symptoms will be asked to wear a mask, the release said. Those who are sick with the flu should stay home from work or school to prevent spreading it to others. It’s also not too late to get a flu vaccine, which is covered by most health insurance. Because it is not as effective, the flu mist is no longer being offered. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older, and especially for those who are at high risk for developing flu-related complications, and their close contacts. The inactivated virus in a flu shot protects against the respiratory illness known as influenza pneumonia. It does not prevent what’s commonly called stomach flu, symptoms of which include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
Sarah Davis, a senior at Newman High School, and James Nelson, a 2015 graduate, talk about what’s most exciting about the trip to Washington, D.C., where 25 students from Newman and five from St. Anne Catholic School will take part in March for Life. The bus left Wednesday afternoon, and the students will get to celebrate Mass at the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception just after noon today.
Their mission in
life
Students from Dixon and Sterling head to the nation’s capital to put their feet on the street and stand up for what they believe in
BY CHRISTOPHER HEIMERMAN cheimerman@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5523 CHeimerman_SVM
STERLING – Not many high school kids get to go to the nation’s capital. Fewer get to experience First Amendment rights the way 30 kids from the Sterling deanery will over the next couple of days. Twenty-five Newman Central Catholic High School stuOnline extra dents and five more from St. Read this story Anne Catholic School in Dixon at saukvalley.com left Wednesday afternoon for to watch videos of Washington, D.C., a trip that students speakwill culminate with participaing as the bus to tion in the 44th annual March Washington, D.C. for Life on Friday afternoon. is boarded. Along for the ride is 2015 Newman grad James Nelson, 20, who went on the trip each of his high school years. “They’re going to realize how many people come together for one set belief,” Nelson said of the firsttimers. “They’re going to learn about unity, their faith, and more than anything, they’re going to learn about themselves. LIFE continued on A74
STATE OF THE STATE
‘Simple math’ adds up to optimism for Republicans Local lawmakers applaud Rauner’s call for a bipartisan end to ongoing budget battle BY RACHEL RODGERS rrodgers@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5529 @rj_rodgers
DIXON – Area legislators were optimistic about the state’s financial future
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following Gov. Bruce Rauner’s State of the State address Wednesday. Starting out his third year in office, the Republican governor from Winnetka stressed bipartisan cooperation to return the state’s standing as an “eco-
INDEX
ABBY.................... A8 BUSINESS............ A7 COMICS................B7
nomic engine of the Midwest” and to put an end to the budget impasse that has stretched across the past year and a half. “We must remember that to keep budgets balanced in the future, our
CROSSWORD.....B11 LIFESTYLE............ A8 LOTTERY.............. A2
OBITUARIES......... A4 OPINION............... A6 PLANIT.............A9-11
rate of economic growth must be higher than our rate of government spending growth,” he said. “It’s just simple math.” OPTIMISM continued on A54
Today’s weather High 34. Low 23. More on A3.
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