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American life through art AMERICAN PROFILE, INSIDE

NEW MEMBER OF FAMILY’S LEGACY DIXON TENNIS, B1

TELEGRAPH Friday, March 28, 2014

SERVING DIXON AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1851

LOCAL ECONOMY AMBOY

Regional jobless rates keep declining

‘We mourned as one’

Milder weather could unleash pent-up demand BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5570

Local unemployment rates fell throughout most of the state in February, and the Sauk Valley was no exception. Rates fell in Whiteside, Lee, Ogle, Carroll and Bureau counties last month when compared to February of last year, according to data released Thursday by the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Ogle’s numbers showed the most marked improvement with a jobless rate of 11.7 percent in February, compared to 12.8 percent a year ago. Ogle still has the highest rate in the five-county region, but the February number also was threetenths of a percentage point lower than the previous month. Photos by Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com

JOBLESS CONTINUED ON A5

Black, white and red balloons are released into the air by students, faculty and staff at Amboy High School on Thursday afternoon as they pay tribute to Mike “Paz” Pasley, a social studies teacher at the school for 10 years who died Sunday.

Students, faculty, staff release balloons to remember teacher everything you’ve done this week. I appreciate it.” After Nichols spoke, the group that had gathered raised the balloons and released them. After what Nichols described as a “rough” week, there was laughter as the students, faculty and staff watched the wind grab the balloons and carry them away. Some of the balloons floated farther and farther into the sky, while a few others got caught on power lines. Those caught balloons, to senior Alicen Etheridge, represented the memories of Pasley not ready to leave the school. It was Etheridge’s idea to organize the balloon release. She remembered a balloon release from when her father died, and approached school administrators about organizing one for this week.

BY MATT MENCARINI mmencarini@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5529

A

gainst a gray sky, balloons twisted in the wind and floated high above Amboy on Thursday. Just moments before those red, black and white balloons were released, more than 100 students, faculty and staff at Amboy High School gathered in the parking lot after classes for the day had ended. Principal Joshua Nichols told them how proud he was of them for the way they had handled a week in which one of their teachers was lost. Mike “Paz” Pasley, 47, who had taught social studies at the high school for 10 years, died unexpectedly Sunday at KSB Hospital in Dixon. Counselors and clergy members were on hand Monday for those who needed them. The school also brought in a substitute

Amboy High School students file out of the school after classes Thursday to pay tribute to teacher Mike Pasley with a balloon launch. The popular social studies teacher died Sunday. Earlier Thursday, about 200 students went to St. Patrick Church in Dixon for a memorial service. teacher in case any teachers felt the need to step out at any time. “You’ve taken a tragedy, you’ve taken it in,” Nichols said. “You’ve handled it bet-

ter than I thought could happen. When I saw how well all of you were dressed today for the service, I was very impressed. “Thank you. Thank you for

MOURNED CONTINUED ON A2

DIXON PARKS

Fields still waiting for thaw Reynolds Fields remains closed on day-to-day basis BY MATT MENCARINI mmencarini@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5529

DIXON – The Dixon Park District is keeping an eye on the weather. District officials haven’t opened Reynolds Fields because underground pipes and pipes in unheated buildings haven’t yet thawed, Executive Director Deb Carey said. The fields remain closed on a day-to-day basis, she said, adding that they’ll be open by the time the district’s spring activies start. THAW CONTINUED ON A5

TOP5 Your Weekend

1

Have a laugh at the Happy Spot

DEER GROVE – Saturday is comedy night at Arnie’s Happy Spot, 1667 Hoover Road. Daryl Horner, a comedian who has been featured on HBO and Comedy Central, will headline the 8 p.m. event, which has a $5 cover charge at the door. For more information, call 815-438-5282.

$1.00

TODAY’S EDITION: 28 PAGES 3 SECTIONS VOL. 163 ISSUE 232

2 Enjoy some Air time in Sterling

3 Start Sunday with pancakes in Dixon

4

Fourth Fridays in Sterling

5 A Seuss Saturday at Sauk

STERLING – The Rock River Valley Barbershop Chorus will have its 63rd annual show, “On the Air ...,” beginning at 4:30 p.m. Saturday in Centennial Auditorium at Sterling High School, 1608 Fourth Ave. Comedy gags and music are planned, with Forefront being the featured quartet. Tickets at the door cost $15 for adults and $12 for seniors; students are free.

DIXON – A pancake breakfast fundraiser is planned for 8 a.m. to noon Sunday at VFW Post 540, 1560 Franklin Grove Road. Cost is $6 for adults, $3 for kids 6 to 12, and free for kids younger than 5. Sausage, eggs, orange juice and coffee will be served. Proceeds will pay for Easter food baskets for veterans and their families.

STERLING – Fourth Fridays: Where People and Art Collide brings art and music to a variety of downtown venues tonight. Most events are from 6 to 8 p.m., although many places have musicians performing into the night. For example, Matthew Francis Smith will play at 6 p.m. at Air Play Sports & Espresso, 115 E. Third St. Walking maps with a complete list of venues and events, and more information, are available at www. fourthfridayspac.com.

DIXON – Sauk Valley Community College will host the 30th annual Child Fair “A Seussational Event” from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. The event promotes children’s health and family well-being. More than 40 exhibitors with activities, games and giveaways will be featured. A performance of Dr. Seuss’ “The Cat in the Hat” will begin at noon in the gym. The fair and play are free.

INDEX

BUSINESS ........... A9 CHURCH.............. A8 COMICS ...............B5

CROSSWORD......C7 DEAR ABBY ......... A7 LOTTERY ............. A2

OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6 SPORTS ...............B1

Today’s weather High 49. Low 26. More on A3.

Car Care

Maintenance tips and more, B6.

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