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Wednesday, June 17, 2015
SERVING DIXON AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1851
FLASH FLOODING | SAUK VALLEY
Pounding the pavement Mayor: Ignoring infrastructure came back to bite the city during downpour BY BRENDEN WEST bwest@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5529 @BWest_SVM
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
Work crews and city officials inspect the damage to Seventh Street near the Monroe Street intersection Tuesday morning, following the torrential downpour Monday that washed out a part of the street, causing a partial collapse. The city closed the area down Tuesday morning. Interim City Manager David Nord calls it Dixon’s most pressing issue at the moment, and said he expects the City Council to make an emergency motion to address the problem Thursday.
DIXON – There’s a hole on West Seventh Street large enough to swallow a car. It’s not only a lasting impression from Monday’s flash flood in Dixon, but also an example to some of why it’s important to stay on top of city infrastructure needs. Had the city stayed on top of street maintenance, Mayor Li Arellano Jr. said, Seventh Street would have been less vulnerable. An update to the street before the storm would have cost tens of thousands of dollars. Now the city could be looking at a six-figure emergency project. “Those are the kinds savings you see when you invest in infrastructure,” Arellano said Tuesday. Monday’s storm brought 2.8 inches of rain, which city officials believe made the southwest corridor of Dixon most susceptible to damage. Both Arellano and Interim City Manager David Nord cited continual drainage problems south of the 700 blocks along Monroe and Depot avenues. DIXON CONTINUED ON A5
Water, water everywhere in the Sauk Valley
More storm coverage How dry they aren’t .... Water service resumes in Rock Falls. Page A3
BY CHRISTI WARREN cwarren@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5521 @SeaWarren
STERLING – Almost 4 inches of rain fell Monday throughout the Sauk Valley, with the hardest hit areas being Rochelle and Rock Falls. According to the National Weather Service, 3.43 inches of rain fell in Rochelle, and 3.44 inches in Rock Falls. Amboy saw 3.12 inches, Dixon got 2.8, and Ashton got 2.51. In Whiteside County, Morrison had just less than 2 inches, Erie had 1.6, and Sterling saw 1.24 inches, according to the NWS. Thunderstorms and rain were in the forecast for today and Thursday, but the Weather Service could not say whether there would be as much precipitation as Monday. Lee and Ogle sheriffs departments have issued nowake rules for the Rock River, restricting boats to speeds of 5 mph or less, until Thursday in Ogle County and until further notice in Lee.
There’s an app for that ... Lee County his help for storm clean-up in the palm of their hands. Page A2 For more Sauk Valley storm coverage, visit http:// shawurl.com/ floodcoverage to see a comprehensive list of stories, photos, video, and more.
SAUK VALLEY CONTINUED ON A5
Angel Sierra/asierra@saukalley.com
Monday’s rainfall totals for the Sauk Valley, according to the National Weather Service.
DIXON
City is firming up plans to fill city manager position Search firm being sought to help with process; officials hope to have job filled by November BY BRENDEN WEST bwest@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5529 @BWest_SVM
DIXON – Officials hope to fill the city manager vacancy by November. But first they need to hire a
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search firm to find candidates. During Monday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Li Arellano Jr. gave an update on the search. In May, the city transitioned from the commissioner form of government to the managerial form, the product
INDEX
of a public referendum. This created the city manager position, occupied in the interim by David Nord, and it forced all five council members to re-run for their seats in April (none were re-elected). Nord, the former city administrator,
ABBY ................... A7 BUSINESS ......... A12 COMICS ............. A10
CROSSWORD....B10 FOOD ...........A9, A11 LIFESTYLE ........... A7
was given a 6-month contract extension on May 17 by unanimous council vote. Following council discussions on June 1, city officials agreed that a search firm would be the best way to fill the job. CITY MANAGER CONTINUED ON A5
LOTTERY ............. A2 OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6
Inside
While Dixon looks for a city manager, the Lee County Board is toying with the idea of hiring a county administrator — the first in the county’s history. Page A7
Today’s weather High 78. Low 66. More on A3.
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