MONDAY
August 24, 2015 • $1.00
SEEING DOUBLE
NORTHWEST
HERALD
Barnes twins set to start as linebackers for Jacobs / B1 NWHerald.com
THE ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED IN McHENRY COUNTY
HIGH
LOW
72 51 Complete forecast on page A8
Facebook.com/NWHerald
@NWHerald
City tackles service gripes
HUNTLEY HIGH SCHOOL IMPROVEMENTS PROVIDE VERSATILITY FOR STUDENTS, STAFF
CL officials using surveys to improve permitting process By EMILY K. COLEMAN ecoleman@shawmedia.com
Matthew Apgar – mapgar@shawmedia.com
Huntley High School Principal Scott Rowe (right) holds the door for Superintendent John Burkey (left) and Board of Education member Kim Skaja as they tour the new additions Thursday at Huntley High School in Huntley.
Improved facility ready for start of school year Final phase to be completed will include 10 new classrooms By ALLISON GOODRICH agoodrich@shawmedia.com HUNTLEY – Standing in several areas within School District 158’s Huntley High School today means standing in areas that at one point didn’t exist. The 55,000-square-foot, red and white field house was once the student and staff parking lot. A new college-like common area with chairs and tables for lunch and general seating once housed the student store. And the new central hub of the school, a library facility with 21st century design and technological abilities, used to be where students
took physical education classes. All part of a $34.95 million high school expansion project, the changes have surpassed the expectations of Principal Scott Rowe. “It’s very surreal that it’s actually even happening,” Rowe said after a recent tour of the new facilities. “I’m humbled by how massive of a project it’s been and how smoothly it’s gone.” Students were scattered throughout the building Thursday, picking up materials in preparation for classes, which begin Wednesday. Fifteen-year-old Giana Penuela, decked out in a fresh pom uniform, said the new areas of the school are
impressive. “They seemed to do it really fast, too,” she said. “We used to practice in the cafeteria, so it’s nice to finally get a gym.” For the past few years, the school has been undergoing construction in one area or another. Rowe said it began with the football field in 2013 and, now that work on the field house, cafeteria and library is finishing up, will end with the completion of 10 new classrooms at the west end. The aim is to have that final component done before the 2016-17 school year, one year before the school’s enrollment is expected to reach 3,000. Versatility has been key in all
aspects of the project. The field house, Rowe offered as an example, is complete with a large track, indoor track equipment, scoreboards, drop-down basketball hoops, among other components. New classrooms – there will be 13 total throughout the building once the west end construction is complete – also were designed to take on a variety of activities. “In our science labs you could theoretically teach any science discipline in any of the labs,” Rowe said. “The tables move, the water and gas lines are along the walls.
See EXPANSION, page A3
CRYSTAL LAKE – The perception that the city of Crystal Lake is difficult to work with has persisted despite a focus on improving customer service, a city official said. With the rapid growth that came in the 1990s, developers and business o w n e r s c a m e Voice your to the Crystal Lake Chamber opinion of Commerce with c o m - Is your town plaints the per- business friendly? mitting process Vote online at was long and NWHerald.com. arduous and the city wasn’t responsive, chamber President Mary Margaret Maule said. The chamber established a committee originally aimed at addressing those issues, Maule said. And the city merged its Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals to streamline the zoning and permitting process, increased the number of building permits handled at the front desk and has stepped up its staff training and community education programs, said Michelle Rentzsch, the city’s community development director. Surveys given to everyone who goes through the city’s permitting process indicate the efforts appear to have paid off – even though the charge of unresponsiveness continues to pop up, including during the April election. So far this year, every single one of 16 surveys gave the city top marks on every question compared to 2013, when nearly 22 percent of surveys gave the city something less than excellent on at least one of the questions.
See SERVICE, page A3
Reid says he’s going to support Obama’s Iran nuclear deal By JESSE J. HOLLAND The Associated Press WASHINGTON – Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid on Sunday threw his full support behind President Barack Obama’s nuclear agreement with Iran, saying “it is the best path to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.” “I strongly support the historic agreement and will do everything in my power to ensure that it stands,” said Reid, D-Nev., in a news release. Reid is the 27th Senate Democrat to back the deal and the highest ranking in the Senate. His support will make it difficult for opponents to muster the veto-proof numbers needed in the Senate, and therefore, in Congress to scuttle the agreement. Republicans and the Israeli gov-
“This is a good agreement on the merits, imposing the toughest inspections and verification regime in history, and a diplomatic solution is certainly less costly in American blood and treasure than any possible military option.” Harry Reid, Senate minority leader ernment furiously oppose the deal signed by the U.S., Iran and five world powers, which seeks to keep Iran from building a nuclear bomb in exchange for billions in international sanctions relief. They say Obama’s agreement makes too many concessions to Iran and could actually enable that country to become a nuclear-armed state.
But it is looking less and less likely that opponents can garner sufficient support. Congress plans a vote next month on a resolution disapproving of the deal, which Obama has threatened to veto. Opponents would then need twothirds majorities in the House and the Senate to override. In the Senate, only two Democrats
– Schumer and Robert Menendez of New Jersey – have announced opposition to the deal. With the addition of Reid’s support, Democrats are getting closer to the 34 votes needed in the Senate to sustain the veto. A steady stream of Democrats have backed the deal, and Reid’s support will provide an opportunity for others to jump on board. The announcement also comes before Obama heads to Nevada. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi already has said House Democratic supporters have the votes necessary to sustain Obama’s veto despite unanimous GOP opposition. The White House had no immediate comment. Reid said he believes the deal was the best that could be achieved.
NATION
SPORTS
LOCAL NEWS
WHERE IT’S AT
Walk of faith
Big expectations
Reduced wait
Jimmy Carter gives lesson at hometown Sunday school / A6
Analysis: Bears’ CB Fuller needs to be above average at the corner / B1
Partnership expands access to psychiatrists in county / A3
Advice ................................ C6 Classified........................C1-5 Comics ...............................C8 Local News.................... A3-4 Lottery................................ A2 Nation&World.......... A2, 4-6 Obituaries .........................A6
“First, this is a good agreement on the merits, imposing the toughest inspections and verification regime in history, and a diplomatic solution is certainly less costly in American blood and treasure than any possible military option,” Reid said. “Second, if the Senate rejects this agreement, the international community will not support an attempt to secure another and they will not support the sanctions regime. Those are hard facts.” Iran has threatened to destroy Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is vehemently opposed to the deal. Reid said Israel’s security is “of utmost importance.” “I support this deal because I believe it is the best option to halt any Iranian nuclear weapons program and therefore to protect the State of Israel,” he said.
Opinion...............................A7 Puzzles ............................C6-7 Sports..............................B1-6 State ................................A2-3 TV listings ......................... C7 Weather .............................A8