FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2014
NWHERALD.COM
WRESTLING
Walker helps Huntley top Jacobs Sports, C1
75 CENTS
FOUR-FOLD OVER PLEDGE
Largest food companies cut calories Business, E1
Huntley’s Alan Beltran
Pipes could burst as temps rise Fire departments already have seen issues, predict worst is yet to come By JEFF ENGELHARDT jengelhardt@shawmedia.com CRYSTAL LAKE – The recent cold spell is about to break, and local fire departments are expecting some pipes to do the same. As temperatures rise
and pipes begin to thaw, the chances for leaks and breaks signficantly increase. Fire departments already have started responding to some pipes bursting, but officials know the worst is yet to come. “Locate the valve where you can shut off the water
supply coming into the house now before there is a problem,” said Tim Butler, fire prevention bureau director for McHenry, minutes after receiving a call about a pipe break. “People think it’s the cold that can cause the most problems, but it’s right after.”
For residents who have frozen pipes, Butler said it is important to be cautious when attempting to thaw the sections. Thawing options include using a space heater in the room where pipes are located or soaking towels in hot water
and wrapping them around cold sections of the pipes and turning the faucet on so water can drip out. Butler said methods such as using electrically heated tape can be dangerous because of the fire hazards. A drastic temperature change
also can cause the pipes to burst. Paul DeRaedt, deputy fire chief for Crystal Lake, said it is possible that pipes still could be freezing in some buildings.
See PIPES, page A9
Rauner flips his view on wages
ORGANIZATION NOT ON PACE TO REACH CAMPAIGN GOAL
By SOPHIA TAREEN The Associated Press
Sarah Nader –snader@shawmedia.com
Second-graders Nicky Williams (left), 8, and John Leaks, 8, both of Oakwood Hills, play with blocks Wednesday while at an after-school program supported with United Way funding at Prairie Grove Elementary School in Crystal Lake.
United Way optimistic for donation boost
By JEFF ENGELHARDT jengelhardt@shawmedia.com
Numbers lagging behind last year
CRYSTAL LAKE – The season of giving was not as kind to the United Way of Greater McHenry County as it has been in the past, with donations lagging behind last year’s numbers to date. Steve Otten, executive director of the county’s United Way branch, said exact numbers are not known, but he said the organization is not on pace to reach the $1.5 million campaign it kicked off in September. While it has been a slow start, Otten said he is optimistic the goal will be met by the June 30 deadline. “In this economy, I think people are still very, very cautious with where they are donating their money,” Otten said. “We’re realistic of where we are at and how we are doing, but it’s a manageable goal and I’m still cautiously optimistic we’ll meet it.”
See UNITED WAY, page A9
Voice your opinion How much money do you give annually to charities? Vote online at NWHerald.com.
CHICAGO – The rising issue of a minimum wage hike tripped up Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner on Thursday, as he declared his previous support for cutting Illinois’ minimum wage a “mistake” and said he would now do the opposite: support raising it. The suburban Chicago venture capitalist’s reversal on minimum wage came after a downstate candidate forum last month where he said he’d like to roll back Illinois’ $8.25 an hour to the national Bruce rate of $7.25. Rauner The comment sparked criticism from unions and his Republican opponents, making it the most prominent issue of the 2014 campaign season so far. Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn, who’s seeking re-election, wants to raise the rate to at least $10 an hour, an approach that runs parallel to a national Democratic strategy and one that could linger throughout the campaign. Meanwhile, Rauner made big efforts to defend and clarify his position, including an opinion piece published Thursday in the Chicago Tribune. “I was flippant, made a mistake, made a comment without thoroughly explaining my views,” Rauner told The Associated Press on Thursday. “I didn’t use careful language.”
See RAUNER, page A9
LOCALLY SPEAKING
LAKE IN THE HILLS
ANNEXATION MOVING FORWARD The village is moving forward on a proposed annexation of 27 acres of land along Ackman Road that could be a future recreation center and outdoor swimming facility. The park district is asking for the property, which it plans to buy for $625,000, be zoned as an institutional building district. For more, see page B1.
Denise James Kyle Grillot – kgrillot@shawmedia.com
HIGH
LOW
36 30 Complete forecast on A10
HUNTLEY: Huntley library reopens after extreme cold damages building. Local&Region, B1 Vol. 29, Issue 10
Where to find it Advice Business Classified Comics
C8 E1-2 E3-10 C7
Local&Region B1-6 Lottery A2 Movies C6 Obituaries B5
Opinion Puzzles Sports TV Grid
A8 E5 C1-5 E5
Winning is no accident. 815.923.2107
www.fgmlaw.com