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JARRETT SHOOTS TWO ALBUMS INTO DUKES HISTORY WORTH A SPIN
ENTERTAINMENT, A9-11
BOYS BASKETBALL, B1
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Thursday, January 22, 2015
SERVING DIXON AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1851
DIXON | CRUNDWELL PENSIONS
Government to seize funds
Judge’s ruling means money will be applied toward restitution order ments owed to former Comptroller Rita Crundwell be turned over to the government. Crundwell had contested the inclusion of those funds toward the nearly $54 million restitution she was ordered to
BY MATT MENCARINI mmencarini@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5529 @MattMencarini
DIXON – On Wednesday, a federal judge ordered about $90,000 in retirement fund reimburse-
pay after she pleaded guilty to wire fraud in November 2012. U.S. District Court Judge Philip Reinhard had listened to in-court arguments by the federal government, as well as Crundwell’s attorney, Ruth Rob-
inson, and reviewed motions filed by the two parties. He issued his order about a month after the in-court arguments. The total money is split between two funds. One,
through the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, has $73,104.50. The other, through Nationwide Retirement Solutions, has $17,461.36. FUNDS CONTINUED ON A5
DIXON | STREETSCAPE PROJECT
PICTURESQUE MOMENT FROZEN IN TIME AT SINNISSIPPI
Some roads need repairs Commissioner hopes they’ll be level by spring Photos by Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
ABOVE: Tiffani Fisher and Kamryn Dickinson have an engagement photo taken by friend Elizabeth Megill on Wednesday in Sinnissippi Park in Sterling. The group took advantage of the beautiful winter scene that enveloped the Sauk Valley and served as a priceless backdrop. RIGHT: The newly engaged couple follow Megill as they hike to another spot for engagement pictures. If you like their idea, it shouldn’t get too cold tomorrow, as the high is predicted to be 35. So pop the question, Romeo! Or at the least check out A3 for the 5-day forecast.
WEATHER
Pass (on) salt, for environment’s sake? Substance can be harmful, but alternatives to keep roads safe are costly BY CHRISTI WARREN cwarren@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5521 @SeaWarren
Snowy weather and icy conditions make for unsafe driving conditions. The answer? Road salt, obviously. That’s been the only real answer for the better part of a century, mostly because the other
$1.00
options are so costly. But salt isn’t just corrosive to cars and infrastructure. When it makes its way into the water, it can be hazardous to small aquatic animals and can hurt plants, especially those near heavily or frequently salted roadways. It’s estimated that more than 22 million tons of salt is used
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on American roads every year. In Lee and Whiteside counties, county engineers try to order about 3,000 tons a year, although that number can fluctuate based on what’s available, and what the price is. Last winter, both counties used their entire supply – a rare occurrence that meant more salt in the Sauk Valley’s
ABBY ................... A8 BUSINESS ........... A7 COMICS ...............B6
CROSSWORD....B11 LIFESTYLE ........... A8 LOTTERY ............. A2
water – both ground and surface – than usual. The toxic effect isn’t as bad in rural communities like the Sauk Valley, but it’s there, said Scott Twait, an environmental protection engineer with the Environmental Protection Agency. SALT CONTINUED ON A2
MOVIES.............. A10 OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6
BY MATT MENCARINI mmencarini@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5529 @MattMencarini
DIXON – Sections of downtown roads, recently upgraded as part of the streetscape project, will need to be repaired. The roads aren’t completely level, giving drivers a slight bumpy, rough or wavy feel. Commissioner Jeff Kuhn, who oversaw the streetscape work, said the city and its engineers are aware of the issue and have started talking with the construction companies to work out repairs. He added that he hasn’t noticed the issue when he’s driven through the streetscape area. “We’re up on it,” he said. “We’re weighing our options.” The work likely won’t be done until spring, Kuhn said. Sections likely to be repaired are First Street between Hennepin and Peoria avenues, and Peoria Avenue between First and Second streets. The concrete work was done by Preferred Concrete Systems, a subcontractor of Fischer Excavating Inc.
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ROADS CONTINUED ON A4
We’re up on it. We’re weighing our options.
Jeff Kuhn, Dixon commissioner and mayoral candidate who oversaw streetscape project on some of the roads not being completely level.
Today’s weather High 35. Low 21. More on A3.
Need work? Check out your classifieds, B7.
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