TEL_03072016

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SAUK ENDS SEASON JUST SHORT OF NATIONAL BASKETBALL, B1

1 teen dies, 2 injured in weekend car accident MORRISON, A2

TELEGRAPH Monday, March 7, 2016

SERVING DIXON AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1851

PRIMARY ELECTION | DIXON PARKS

Is there an urge to merge? Pair of ballot questions will seek public’s feedback on proposals for park district BY JERMAINE PIGEE jpigee@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5525 @JPigee84

DIXON – The city of Dixon and the Dixon Park Board both agree on one thing: The park district could use a partner to help it grow. But who that partner would be is where the disagreement comes in.

The park board thinks partnering with non-profits, governments, and other entities would help bring more money to the city’s greenspaces, taking the burden off taxpayers. The city, however, thinks it would be the best partner for progress, and wants to take over the city’s parks. On March 15, they’ll both find out what voters think. Dixon Park Board Chairman Ron

Pritchard already knows what he thinks. He said if the park district were to merge with the city, it would never be the same “This staff is like family, and it’s a dedicated group of people who love the parks,” Pritchard said. “Many of the staff members could probably make more money if they went elsewhere but they are here to provide the best park district possible. I don’t think you can

get the same thing from the city.” On Tuesday, a pair of questions on the ballot will give voters a chance let leaders know what they think. The first, which was initiated by city officials, will ask voters whether the ownership, control and financial responsibility of the parks and recreation system should be transferred from PARKS CONTINUED ON A5

NANCY REAGAN: 1921-2016

SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE IN DIXON

SVM file photo

Ronald and Nancy Reagan wave to a crowd May 10, 1992 in front of the Dutch Diner in Tampico. The two were in Tampico to visit to the former president’s birthplace. While in town, they had lunch at the diner, which was named for Reagan’s childhood nickname, “Dutch.” This was Reagan’s last visit to the Sauk Valley. In November 1994, he announced he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and withdrew from public appearances.

Recalling a real-life love story

Photos by Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com

ABOVE: Evan Bushman, 8, a student from St. Mary School in Dixon, sits at a table Saturday morning during the first responders breakfast at Liberty Court. Bushman was among the student winners of a coloring contest from St. Mary and St. Anne schools in Dixon who got to join the members of the Dixon City and Rural Fire departments and the Lee County Sheriff’s Department for breakfast as well as ride to school in a firetruck. RIGHT: Dixon Rural Firefighters Matt Hey (left) and Brian Seagren fill their plates during the morning meal.

Area residents, lawmakers remember former first lady’s legacy of dedication and devotion BY CHRISTOPHER HEIMERMAN & THE ASSOCIATED PRESS cheimerman@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5523 @CHeimerman_SVM

DIXON

It’s a line-up that can’t be beat Petunia City Brass bringing in the best of the best for August event BY CHRISTOPHER HEIMERMAN cheimerman@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5523 @CHeimerman_SVM

DIXON – Tickets for the Aug. 3 Petunia City Brass show go on sale Monday, and the event’s promoters are banging its drum louder than ever. For the second year, the star-studded competition will be a separate entity from the annual Petunia Festival. The gala used to be a Petunia

$1.00

TODAY’S EDITION: 20 PAGES 2 SECTIONS VOL. 164 ISSUE 217

Fest fixture, but had several hiatuses because, as former fest board member Geoff Vanderlin admits, it lost money year after year. Vanderlin is the executive director of Lee County Council on Aging, and also works with Kreider Services. So when Drum Corps International contacted the lifelong drum corps superfan in fall of 2014 and made him an offer he couldn’t refuse, he came up with a plan. BRASS CONTINUED ON A3

INDEX

ABBY ................... A7 COMICS ............... A8 CROSSWORD....B10

Tickets, information To buy tickets for the Aug. 3 Petunia City Brass event, call 317-275-1212, or visit dci.org (click on “Schedule” and scroll down to Aug. 3 to find the link). Click on the Event Details link or search for Petunia City Brass on Facebook for more information.

LIFESTYLE ........... A7 LOTTERY ............. A2 OBITUARIES ........ A4

DIXON – In the wake of Nancy Reagan’s death, locals in charge of preserving her memory remember her with utmost fondness, regardless of whether they met her, shook her hand, or merely admired her from afar. “She was always very protective of Ronald, and was always right beside him and loving,” said Joan Johnson, curator of the Ronald Reagan Birthplace in Tampico. The former first lady died Sunday morning at her home in the Bel-Air section of Los Angeles of congestive heart failure. She was 94. Coincidentally, Johnson recently was given a copy of “First Lady: A Portrait of Nancy Reagan,” a collection of interviews and pictures of the former first lady, and began reading it Saturday. Reading about the former first lady stirred memories of her legacy. A talented actress in her own right, she gave up the stage when her beloved “Ronnie” was elected president. “That showed her dedication,” Johnson said. “She loved being a movie star, but she was dedicated to her husband.”

OPINION .............. A6 POLICE ................ A2 POLITICS ........... A10

REAGAN CONTINUED ON A4

Today’s weather High 59. Low 53. More on A3.

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