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What has these toddlers so happy? FOOD, A9-10
CLIPPERS SAIL INTO FINALE GIRLS HOOPS, B1
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Wednesday, February 18, 2015
SERVING DIXON AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1851
DIXON | NEW GOVERNMENT AHEAD
Less responsibility, same pay? Commissioners divided over what pay should be when manager takes helm siderably, but the 2015-16 fiscal year budget shows no reduction in council pay. The mayor will make $9,600 each year, with each of the four other council members making $5,400. Current council members
BY MATT MENCARINI mmencarini@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5529 @MattMencarini
DIXON – When Dixon hires a city manager, which is likely to happen this year, the City Council’s power will be reduced con-
seeking seats on the next council are divided on whether the pay should be reduced, stay the same or be increased. Commissioner Colleen Brechon, who was elected in 2011, wants the pay to be increased and late last year
asked City Administrator David Nord to get information on pay levels at other Illinois cities. According to the list Nord provided to Brechon, in December, Illinois cities with similar sizes that operate under the commission form have higher pay for
SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT | CHARLOTTE ARVELL GLASS
elected officials than Dixon. In November, Dixon voters, by a 3-1 margin, decided to change from the commission form of government to the managerial form. PAY CONTINUED ON A4
LEE COUNTY BOARD
Animal Control eyes site in Dixon
Fire in her belly
New liquor code allows 18-year-olds to serve alcohol BY CHRISTI WARREN cwarren@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5521 @SeaWarren
Photos by Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@saukvalley.com
Charlotte Behrens (below) of Charlotte Arvelle Glass in Mount Carroll creates glass art at her studio. “I use a lot of color, lots of shapes,” the artist, shown above cutting colored glass, said. “My work is just really happy. … I’m a bright person. I’m optimistic. That’s who I am. I prefer to see and convey joy.”
Mount Carroll artist fuses glass, shares her joy BY KAYLA HEIMERMAN Special to Sauk Valley Media
MOUNT CARROLL – Char Behrens works well under fire. She is the artist behind Charlotte Arvelle Glass, a working hot glass studio, where she fuses glass at more than 1400 degrees to create colorful, unique sculptures and other pieces. Her work is a reflection of herself. It’s colorful, modern, and even edgy. It evokes happiness and zest.
“I use a lot of color, lots of shapes,” she said. “My work is just really happy. I’m a bright person. I’m optimistic. That’s who I am. I prefer to see and convey joy.” Behrens, 59, was an ambulance driver until two accidents damaged her knees. She picked up a few pieces of stained glass and a book from a local craft store and tinkered around during her recovery. FIRE CONTINUED ON A5
Check out Charlotte Arvelle Glass 118 W. Market St., Mount Carroll 815-244-3554 • charlottearvelle.com
DIXON – Lee County Animal Control is exploring a move into a building in the Dixon Industrial Park. Animal Control has been looking for a new home for years, and last came close to finding one about a year and a half ago, said Teri Zinke, animal control supervisor. The agency considered building a new facility, but the estimated cost – $366,000 to $460,000 – was deemed too high by the county. At Tuesday’s meeting, Zinke brought the issue before the board again. Buying a site in the Dixon Industrial Park, 280 E. Progress Drive, would cost about half of what new construction would, she said. The board agreed to tentatively approve the plan, pending a change of zoning from industrial to special use for operation of a government animal facility. If the zoning board agrees to that change, the matter will go back to the county finance committee for review, and then to the county board for final approval. LEE COUNTY CONTINUED ON A4
STERLING HIGH SCHOOL | ONLINE CURRICULUM
MOUNT MORRIS
Students to have more course options Online learning program to expand electives, beginning this summer BY JERMAINE PIGEE jpigee@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5525 @JPigee84
STERLING – Over the next couple of years, Sterling High School students will have access to 160 new classes. Beginning this summer,
$1.00
they will be able to use GradPoint, a comprehensive learning curriculum available online. “We will use it to allow students to take electives that would not be available at the high school,” Principal Jason Austin said. The classes will be
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INDEX
released gradually, starting this summer, when economics, health, government, and other classes will be offered. Classes to be available in the fall include economics; introduction to business; introduction to homeland security; introduction to
ABBY ................... A8 BUSINESS ......... A14 COMICS ...............B7
CROSSWORD....B12 LIFESTYLE ........... A8 LOTTERY ............. A2
medical assisting; sports entertainment and marketing; and computer programming. Students will take all tests on campus, and they can work on different units at home. CURRICULUM CONTINUED ON A5
NATION/WORLD A12 OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6
Three hurt in crash A two-car wreck at Townline and Mount Morris roads, just north of Mount Morris, saw three taken to FHN Memorial Hospital in Freeport. Read more on A2.
Today’s weather High 7. Low -7. More on A3.
Dog show
Dixon terrier’s run at title ends, A5.
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