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Pair vie for job as sheriff March primary promises to be hotly contested By CHELSEA McDOUGALL cmcdougall@shawmedia.com WOODSTOCK – From the perspective of an outsider looking in, it appears that there is an ocean of difference that separates the candidates for McHenry County sheriff. In one corner, there’s the veteran with a history of successes, including handfuls of promotions, and numerous political endorsements. And in another, another veteran cop supported by the state’s attorney; an outsider running against “the establishment” who promises to put an end to the very public feuds between the two offices. But their views might be more Upcoming closely aligned than either of election them might realize. The primary In separate election is interviews with March 18. the Northwest Herald, both McHenry County Undersheriff Andrew Zinke and his competitor Bill Prim outlined the strengths each would bring to the office of sheriff. Many were similar: enhance or establish new outreach and volunteer opportunities to foster greater community involvement and public trust; give deputies the tools for success; and do more with less in a sluggish economy. But it could be said that their differences make the race perhaps one of the most hotly contested local races this election season. For years, Sheriff Keith Nygren and State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi have been at odds, each taking very public jabs at one another. The state’s attorney’s office is supposed to represent the sheriff’s office in
See SHERIFF, page A9
MCC facing gap in funding College may raise its tuition or fees By JEFF ENGELHARDT jengelhardt@shawmedia.com
Lathan Goumas – lgoumas@shawmedia.com
McHenry County Undersheriff Andrew Zinke talks with Gerry Feeley, 76, of McHenry and Shirley Miller, 76, of Johnsburg on Dec. 5 at the McHenry Township Senior Center in Johnsburg, where he was campaigning for votes for McHenry County sheriff.
Kyle Grillot – kgrillot@shawmedia.com
Bill Prim, candidate for McHenry County sheriff, and Glenda Miller, candidate for McHenry County treasurer, watch as county clerk Katherine Schultz performs a lottery for ballot placement Dec. 10 at the McHenry County Administration Building.
CRYSTAL LAKE – After passing a flat tax levy, the McHenry County College Board of Trustees could raise tuition and fees to help close the gap between revenue and expenditures. The decision to hold the levy flat – resulting in an estimated $27.9 million in revenue – could cost the college roughly $545,000, depending on new growth. Money from reserves or tuition and fee increases would be needed to make up the deficit. Robert Tenuta, chief financial officer for the college, said McHenry County College tuition ranks as the 24th lowest in the state with prices at $102 per credit hour compared to the $112.75 per credit hour state average. The maximum the college could charge is $131.15, but Tenuta has proposed a 5 percent increase and an infrastructure fee to help cover the $41 million in deferred maintenance the college carries. Deferred maintenance is the chief concern for college president Vicky Smith, who said only $6 million of the $41 million in deferred maintenance has been addressed in the last three years. College officials had laid out a 10-year plan to complete the work. But the fund designated for maintenance costs receives 75 percent of its revenue from property taxes and 25 percent
See MCC, page A9
Evacuation aborted after 3 U.S. military aircraft hit in S. Sudan 4 injured in attack By JASON STRAZIUSO The Associated Press NAIROBI, Kenya – Gunfire hit three U.S. military aircraft trying to evacuate American citizens in a remote region of
South Sudan that on Saturday became a battle ground between the country’s military and renegade troops, officials said. Four U.S. service members were wounded in the attack in the same region where gunfire downed a U.N. helicopter the day before. The U.S. military aircraft
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were about to land in Bor, the capital of the state of Jonglei and scene of some of the nation’s worst violence over the last week, when they were hit. The military said the four wounded troops were in stable condition. The U.S. military said three CV-22 Ospreys – the kind of
aircraft that can fly like a helicopter and plane – were “participating in a mission to evacuate American citizens in Bor.” A South Sudan official said violence against civilians there has resulted in bodies “sprinkled all over town.” “After receiving fire from the ground while approaching
the site, the aircraft diverted to an airfield outside the country and aborted the mission,” the statement said. “The injured troops are being treated for their wounds.” It was not known how many U.S. civilians are in Bor. After the aircraft took incoming fire, they turned
around and flew to Entebbe, Uganda. From there the service members were flown to Nairobi, Kenya, aboard a U.S. Air Force C-17 for medical treatment, the statement said. An official in the region who insisted on anonymity to
See EVACUATION, page A9
McHENRY COUNTY
BUSINESSES PREP FOR GAY MARRIAGE Since a measure legalizing gay marriage in Illinois passed Nov. 5, wedding-related businesses in McHenry County have begun to field interest from same-sex couples awaiting their first chance to wed in June, when the law goes into effect. It’s an encouraging sign that the new legislation could provide an economic boost. For more, see page D1.
Alex Zacher (left) and Steve Jayko
Kyle Grillot – kgrillot@shawmedia.com
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