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ROCK FALLS PUSHES A rivalry renewed: PAST MENDOTA Newman and Rockridge DIXON REGIONAL, B1
BASKETBALL SECTIONAL PREVIEW, B3
TELEGRAPH Tuesday, March 1, 2016
SERVING DIXON AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1851
LEE COUNTY | ADMINISTRATOR POSITION
The help wanted sign is still up Filling a new position proves to be a harder job than officials had anticipated BY JERMAINE PIGEE jpigee@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5525 @JPigee84
DIXON – Lee County Board Chairman Rick Ketchum said there’s no urgency in hiring the county’s first administrator. Good thing, because the candidate search is at a standstill. The initial goal was to have the
position filled by March 1. That’s today. Three candidates have been offered the post since the search began last fall. Each has declined. County department heads will meet next week to decide what to do next. The next steps are in their hands because a small search committee formed by the County Board has been disbanded, Ketchum said.
Hiring a firm to conduct a search is an option, albeit a potentially costly one, Ketchum said. Another option is having the county advertise the position a third time. The county also could hire from within to fill the role until an administrator is hired, Ketchum said. “We could hire a current employ-
ee if we wanted to just to get things rolling,” Ketchum said. “That person could be in a temporary position until we get an administrator.” The search also could be postponed, Ketchum said. “We could do nothing and go as we are for the next couple months,” he said. ADMINISTRATOR CONTINUED ON A5
Rick Ketchum
LAW ENFORCEMENT
STERLING
Some fun before the snow Aidan Khan, 5, of Sterling climbs up the chain ladder Monday afternoon at Platt Park in Sterling. Aidan and his brother, Zain, were taking advantage of the last bits of spring’s teaser, as temperatures topped out in the low 50s. Today, they’ll trade their shorts for something warmer, as winter gives us a wake-up call. Temperatures will drop to the upper 20s, and up to an inch of morning snow is in the forecast. The rest of the week is calling for cold weather, with morning snow making a comeback on Thursday. Next week, though – if the forecast holds – temperatures will hit a high of 60 by March 9.
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
Lee County Sheriff deputies took to state Route 2 on Monday to check for, and ticket, distracted drivers.
The drivers were distracted, but deputies weren’t Traffic check aims to get people to keep their eyes on the road BY ANGEL SIERRA asierra@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5695 @_angelsierra
Photos by Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@saukvalley.com
Zain Khan, 9, climbs on the playground equipment at Platt Park, before the winter weather returns.
DIXON – As the sun rises early Monday on state Route 2 between Dixon and Sterling, Lee County Sheriff’s Deputy Cpl. Jared Yater is in the back of a moving silver van, tracking passing vehicles with a handheld camcorder. He calls out a suspicious car to his boss in the driver’s seat. “What is she doing?” Online extra Sheriff John Simonton Read this story at says, who trails the car saukvalley.com to see and adjusts his speed to video of a quick look get a closer look. behind the scenes of “Balancing a checkMonday’s traffic check. book,” Yater quips. A team of sheriff’s department personnel set out from 7 to 9 a.m. Monday to catch drivers in the act of distracted driving – texting or not using a hands-free device – which has been illegal for 2 years; violations start at $75, plus court costs. DISTRACTED CONTINUED ON A5
STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS
Mayor: The road ahead looks good for Rock Falls Tax increase will pave the way for much-needed infrastructure work
Mayor’s address
tax hike for infrastructure. Tonight, he’ll talk about the payoff: More money for roads and sidewalks. Wescott will give his State of the City address when the Rock Falls City Council meets at 7:30 p.m. In his first mayoral address in 2014,
Mayor Bill Wescott will deliver his State of the City address when the Rock Falls City Council meets at 6:30 tonight at City Hall, 603 W. 10th St. The agendas will be posted at rockfalls61071.com and at City Hall. Call 815-622-1100 for more information.
BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
ROCK FALLS – In his inaugural State of the City address, Mayor Bill Wescott first made a push for a half-cent sales
$1.00
TODAY’S EDITION: 20 PAGES 2 SECTIONS VOL. 164 ISSUE 213
INDEX
ABBY ................... A7 BUSINESS ......... A10 COMICS ............... A8
Wescott – who was sworn in as mayor May 7, 2013, after defeating two-time incumbent David Blanton – told residents that essentially doubling the sales tax revenues would be the only way to make headway with the city’s deteriorating roads.
CROSSWORD......B9 LIFESTYLE ........... A7 LOTTERY ............. A2
SPEECH CONTINUED ON A5
POLICE ................ A2 OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6
Today’s weather High 29. Low 11. More on A3.
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