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SVM ATHLETES OFSPORTS, THE WEEK B3
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Tuesday, January 12, 2016
SERVING DIXON AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1851
Q&A | BRUCE RAUNER
Rauner: Change is challenging One year into office, governor reflects on frustrations, victories BY EMILY K. COLEMAN Shaw Media ecoleman@shawmedia.com
SPRINGFIELD – One year into Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s term, the state doesn’t have
a budget, and he hasn’t gotten the structural reforms he’s been pushing as part of his “Turnaround Agenda,” but in an interview with Shaw Media on Monday, he said he’s “cautiously optimistic” that at least some parts of the agenda will become reality. And though he said he isn’t surprised by the stalemate, he is frustrated with it, adding that the state’s problems took years to
create and will take time to fix. Rauner did point to some victories, including unemployment insurance reform that prevented a tax hike for businesses and a benefit decrease for recipients, and a plan to fill a $1.6 billion hole in last year’s budget through acrossthe-board cuts and transfers from other areas. Is this where you expected to be 1 year in? Rauner: Well, I’m not totally
surprised. I’m obviously a bit disappointed we haven’t been able to get major structural reforms that are so badly needed, but it was a good year in many regards. We made some major strides in the right direction, and we’ll just stay persistent and strong, trying to get the structural reforms to grow the economy and get more value for taxpayers.
Bruce Rauner
Q&A CONTINUED ON A5
NELSON
DIXON
Dogs will still have their day It will just be later than planned, as delays push back opening of K-9 Enrichment Center BY JERMAINE PIGEE jpigee@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5525 @JPigee84
DIXON – Delays have been a bit of a thorn in Granny Rose’s side, but friends of man’s best friend needn’t worry. The animal shelter’s K-9 Enrichment Center will still open. It’s just going to be a little later than expected. Construction on the new Granny Rose K-9 Enrichment Center is running 6 weeks behind schedule. Mark Knie, president of the shelter’s board, said supplies coming in late and bad weather are mostly to blame for the delay. K-9 CENTER CONTINUED ON A5
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
The public is invited to tonight’s East Coloma-Nelson school board meeting to discuss options for the now-closed Nelson Elementary School.
Most of the building’s floors will be carpeted in padded turf that will be comfortable on dogs’ paws.
Workers were at the Granny Rose K-9 Enrichment Center on Monday doing drywall work. Delays have put the project behind schedule, but the animal shelter’s board is hoping to have the doors open by the second week of February.
Wanted: Ideas for old school Public forum will seek input tonight BY CHRISTOPHER HEIMERMAN cheimerman@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5523 @CHeimerman_SVM
ROCK FALLS – Two years ago, the Nelson and East Coloma school districts merged, relegating Nelson Elementary School to a site for storage, sports To attend practices and the occaThe East Coloma-Nelson sional group events. Tonight, the East school board will hold a Coloma-Nelson school public hearing at 7 tonight board would like to hear in the gym at Nelson Eleyour thoughts on how mentary School, 207 Pope to put the school to the St. The board is seeking best use. It’s hosting a suggestions on the future forum in the gymna- of the school building. Call sium of the shuttered 815-625-4400 for more school, and community information. members are encouraged to ask questions and discuss items pertaining to the building’s future. SCHOOL CONTINUED ON A5
ROCK FALLS
From a simple sermon to a man of the people – all people Public invited to retirement open house for former Harvest Time senior pastor BY CHRISTOPHER HEIMERMAN cheimerman@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5523 @CHeimerman_SVM
ROCK FALLS – Word has gotten around that the Rev. Dalmus Meeks has retired after 55 years of pastoring, 34 of them at Harvest Time Bible Church, which he founded in 1981. While he and his wife of 43
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years, Jane, were shopping at Farm & Fleet, fellow shoppers kept approaching him. They were concerned he wouldn’t officiate their funerals. In step with Harvest Time’s commitment to serving the community as a whole, Meeks has officiated hundreds of funerals for non-members. PASTOR CONTINUED ON A4
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If you go...
Harvest Time Bible Church, 1802 Dixon Ave., will host an open house to send off its founder, the Rev. Dalmus Meeks, from 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 31 in the family center. There will be cake, refreshments, and videos of projects Meeks has been involved in over the years. Call 815-626-1234 for more information.
ABBY ................... A7 BUSINESS ......... A10 COMICS ...............B5
CROSSWORD......B9 LIFESTYLE ........... A7 LOTTERY ............. A2
Dalmus Meeks, retired senior pastor of Harvest Time Bible Church in Rock Falls, began the church 34 years ago and is the area’s go-to guy for those who’ve lost a loved one, and aren’t members of a church. Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6 POLICE ................ A2
Today’s weather High 10. Low -1. More on A3.
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