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EX-WARRIOR HELPS SHORE UP SHS RIVAL BASEBALL, B1
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DIXON, A3
TELEGRAPH Tuesday, March 29, 2016
SERVING DIXON AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1851
STERLING | SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL
Time to retrace their steps Trails face delays as city officials go back to original plan to do project all at once BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
STERLING – The Sterling Park District again has been forced to change its plans for a grant-funded schools trail project. The park district was awarded two
federal grants through the Safe Routes to School program – the first in 2009, and the second in 2012 – totaling nearly $500,000. The money is administered through the Illinois Department of Transportation. Plans call for a trail to extend from the corner of Sixth Avenue and Lynn Boulevard to Franklin Elementary School at
1510 E. 25th St., and from Lynn to Challand Middle School, but construction has been held up by everything from easements to road projects. The delays have driven up project costs, so the park district decided to do it in two phases. Instead of going all the way to Franklin, the first phase would have stopped at Thomas Park, giving
the park district time to apply for an additional grant. That was before the latest delay. The park district, after securing easement agreements with the city and Abiding Word Church earlier this month, now has learned that splitting up the work could jeopardize funding. STEPS CONTINUED ON A5
ROCK FALLS
STERLING
So far, so good for city budget First draft shows small surplus, but other expenditures still to come BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
Photos by Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com
Aaron Christensen, 4, plays with his father, Drew, on Friday afternoon in the front yard at the Sterling home of his grandparents, Kim and Charlie Bennett. Aaron is one of fewer than 100 diagnosed cases of Nicolaides-Baraitser Syndrome, and a benefit for his family will be June 12 at Cochran’s Pub in Sterling. Aaron will always be small, and his brain won’t progress beyond that of a toddler. “With how fast kids grow up these days, it is kind of nice knowing that he will always be our baby,” Drew said.
‘happiness ‘ He’s only going to know
When Aaron Christensen grows up, there will be a child inside the man, but his parents are just happy they’ll be able to watch him grow
Video extra
Click on this story at saukvalley.com to meet 4-year-old Aaron Christensen.
BUDGET CONTINUED ON A5
MORRISON
Council could have new member soon Lone applicant applies for open seat
BY CHRISTOPHER HEIMERMAN cheimerman@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5523 @CHeimerman_SVM
Aaron, 4, plays with his grandparents’ cat, Bear, on Friday afternoon.
ROCK FALLS – The city’s finance committee received the first draft of the fiscal year 2016-17 budget Monday, during the first of two planned special sessions. As of now, the nearly $25.7 million budget shows an overall surplus of $74,576.98. Last year’s Next meeting estimated budget was The general fund por$5,843.65 in the black, tion of the budget will but the actual budget be presented during wound up with a deficit a finance committee of $547,880.24. meeting at 5 p.m. today On Monday, the comat City Hall, 603 W. mittee focused on the 10th St. enterprise, or utilThe agendas will be ity funds, and the police posted at rockfalls61071. fund. Tonight’s session com and at City Hall. Call will be devoted to the 815-622-1100 for more general fund. information. Because it is a first draft, the version the full council will eventually receive will look different. Department leaders gave a heads-up on expenditures that won’t necessarily be in this budget, but will have to be dealt with soon.
STERLING – Little is known about Nicolaides-Baraitser Syndrome. There are fewer than 100 diagnosed NCBRS cases worldwide. But here’s what Sterling native Sara Christensen and her husband, Drew, know: Their 4-year-old, Aaron, will be on the small side, his brain likely won’t develop beyond that of a toddler, and he will require lifelong care. Aaron also will be sweet, happy and social. That’s pretty great news, considering the alternatives. “To get this diagnosis and know nobody’s dying from it, it was the hugest relief you could ever imagine,” Sara said. “He’s only going to know happiness. He’s not going to know the troubles of this world.” HAPPINESS CONTINUED ON A5
BY JERMAINE PIGEE jpigee@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5525 @JPigee84
MORRISON – As a former city alderman moves on, a new one could be moving in soon At its meeting Monday, the council bid farewell to former First Ward Alderman Michael Blean, whose last day on the council was Friday. He resigned after moving outside of the city limits. Blean was serving his second term on the council. He ran unopposed in 2011, and was re-elected to a 4-year term in April 2015. “I think the city is headed in a very Michael good direction now,” Blean told the Blean council, moments after receiving a plaque from Mayor Everett Pannier. “We have overcome some obstacles together. It’s only through working together that communities overcome obstacles they face.” COUNCIL CONTINUED ON A2
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TODAY’S EDITION: 20 PAGES 2 SECTIONS VOL. 164 ISSUE 233
INDEX
ABBY ................... A7 BUSINESS ......... A10 COMICS ............... A8
CROSSWORD....B10 LIFESTYLE ........... A7 LOTTERY ............. A2
OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6 POLICE ................ A2
Today’s weather High 59. Low 44. More on A3.
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