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‘Magnolias’ and ‘Millie’ coming to the stage

COMETS DEFLECT MISSILE VICTORY SOFTBALL, B1

PLAN!T, A9-12

TELEGRAPH Thursday, April 14, 2016

SERVING DIXON AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1851

LEE AND OGLE COUNTIES | GREAT LAKES BASIN RAILROAD

All aboard? Not everyone $8 billion project would be a boon to rail transport, but already the plan is drawing opposition BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier

A federal regulatory agency is running public meetings to gather input on a proposed 278-mile rail line project that

would extend from southern Wisconsin to northern Indiana. Building the Great Lakes Basin Railroad would cost an estimated $8 billion. The rail system would be entirely funded by private investors led by Frank Patton of Crete, a former software developer.

The system would extend from La Porte, Indiana, to Milton, Wisconsin, requiring overpasses for several interstates and four rivers, including the Rock in Ogle County. The rails would reach Illinois near Manteno, and catch the far eastern edge of Lee County.

DIXON

The route would run through sparsely populated areas, bypassing the congested Chicago rail system. The new rail lines would connect with existing Class I railroads. RAIL PLAN CONTINUED ON A4

TWIN CITIES

Comb all ye faithful

Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com

Sixth-grader Abygail Miller (left) and seventh-grader Liberty Nichols rehearse a skit Tuesday during the afterschool theater program at Rock Falls Middle School. Go to saukvalley.com to watch a skit being performed.

Program plays a supporting role

First-grader Garet Wolfe, 7, was among the students at St. Anne School in Dixon who made their hair stand on end – and in curls and color, braids and barrettes, and more – for a good cause Wednesday. Once a month, the Catholic school holds a Share and Wear fundraiser. Students can pay to wear something outside of the dress code, and the money is donated to a worthy cause. This month, the students fussed with their follicles to donate money to Wigs for Kids, an organization that offers hair replacement systems for children who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy, radiation therapy, alopecia, burns and other medical issues at no cost to the kids or their families. Go to wigsforkids.org for more on the group.

Theater group not only helps kids hone acting skills, it helps in academics, too

Secondgrader Lakelynn Ramsdell, 8, had her hair take some twists and turns.

BY CHRISTOPHER HEIMERMAN cheimerman@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5523 @CHeimerman_SVM

ROCK FALLS – The emotional roller-coaster Kyra Robbins is riding just keeps dipping and corkscrewing, and the Rock Falls Middle School seventh-grader is loving every moment of it. The 12-year-old landed the part of Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz,” which was put on the first weekend of March by the afterschool theater program facilitated by the Sterling-Rock Falls YMCA, the school, and Woodlawn Arts Academy. PROGRAM CONTINUED ON A5

Fourth-grader Sophia Knudson, 10, went for the whacky look, with help from some twisted pipe-cleaners.

Fourthgrader Logan Palmer, 10, had hair to dye for – with a shirt to match.

DIXON PARK BOARD

A deficit could be down the road

Want to see some more hairs out of place? Click on this story at saukvalley.com to see more photos.

Park roads, splash pad drive board’s decision to opt for off-balance budget

Fourthgrader Aryana Collins, 9, showed off her flower power.

BY RACHEL RODGERS rrodgers@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5529 @rj_rodgers

DIXON – The Dixon Park Board is serious about fixing park roads – so serious, that it’s willing to go into debt to do it. During its meeting Wednesday, the board unanimously voted to include additional capital projects in its fiscal year 2017 budget, putting the district at a potential deficit of $144,886. The board was presented with two budget options during its regular meeting Wednesday, one balanced and one in the red.

First-grader Brooks Knudson, 7, had a patriotic pate, sporting red, white and blue in his hair. Photos by Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com

$1.00

TODAY’S EDITION: 24 PAGES 2 SECTIONS VOL. 164 ISSUE 245

INDEX

ABBY ................... A8 BUSINESS ........... A7 COMICS ...............B6

CROSSWORD....B10 LIFESTYLE ........... A8 LOTTERY ............. A2

OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6 PLANIT ............A9-12

DEFICIT CONTINUED ON A5

Today’s weather High 65. Low 40. More on A3.

TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE PAPER, CALL 815-284-2224

Need work? Check out your classifieds, B7.


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