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Re-enactors roll back in DIXON, A2
HOOPSTERS PLAY FAREWELL GAME
PREP BASKETBALL, B1
TELEGRAPH Friday, June 19, 2015
SERVING DIXON AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1851
DIXON | FLASH FOOD UPDATE
Collapse was ‘bound to happen’ Council unanimously authorizes emergency action for repairs BY BRENDEN WEST bwest@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5529 @BWest_SVM
DIXON – After spending 3 days assessing the damage at West Seventh Street, engineers say culverts under the road were
so deficient and outdated that collapse was inevitable, with or without Monday’s flash flood. The city of Dixon is facing an emergency reconstruction project that will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Seventh Street will be closed for at
least a month. Dixon sustained 2.8 inches of rainfall Monday, causing a flash flood and exposing infrastructural weak points south of the 700 block of South Monroe Avenue. With water pouring down hills into the low-eleva-
tion region, a nearby creek that filters through a galvanized culvert under Seventh Street overflowed, causing houses in the vicinity to flood. The street collapsed around 8 p.m. Monday, opening a hole approximately 15 feet in diam-
POLO | TOWN AND COUNTRY DAYS
eter. A water main and shutoff valve both broke, a natural gas line was suspended, and the adjacent sidewalk collapsed, forcing street closure between Monroe and Depot avenues. COLLAPSE CONTINUED ON A4
EDUCATION
Just when she thought she was out
Winners and cruisers
Howard ends retirement, takes Newman position; Juenger says goodbye
Little Miss, Mr. crowned; carnival a thrill for all
BY JERMAINE PIGEE jpigee@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5525 @JPigee84
Photos by Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com
TOP-LEFT: Robbie Harazin basks after receiving his sash and crown for winning the Polo Town and Country Days Little Mr. Contest on Thursday evening downtown. Thirteen contestants ages 4 to 6 answered random questions, and judges determined whose responses earned them crowns in the annual contest. See more photos of the contestants at saukvalley.com. TOP-RIGHT: Eventual Little Miss Joelle Baker answers a question asked by Rachel Phillips, a first-grade teacher in Polo. ABOVE: Scott Prerost (left) and Patrick Call, both 13 and from Polo, ride the Scrambler at the festival’s carnival, which runs from noon to 10 p.m. today and Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Armbands are $20 per day.
STERLING – One local school administrator is ready to end a career while another looks to continue hers. Kathy Howard, a former principal in the Sterling School District, will become the new principal at Newman Central Catholic High School. She will replace Andy Edmondson, who accepted the same position at Marian Central Catholic High School in Woodstock. In addition, Michael Juenger, superintendent of the Dixon School District, is set to Kathy Howard retire June 30. Will become He said his final new principal g o o d b y e d u r - at Newman High ing Wednesday’s school board meeting. Howard, 68, will serve as principal on a 1-year interim basis. She spent the past year in a part-time role as the director of curriculum and instruction. She will take over as principal July 1. She will be paid $78,500 for the upcoming school year. EDUCATION CONTINUED ON A4
TOP5 Your Weekend
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Go green on the Rock
DIXON – Rock River Garden Club’s Bloomin’ on the Rock returns Saturday. The Garden Faire will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Old Settler’s Log Cabin on Lincoln Statue Drive and will feature talks, music, tours, vendors and a picnic lunch. Fine dining on the riverfront will begin at 6 p.m. Dinner tickets are $70.
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Have a beer or 12 in Dixon
DIXON – The Dixon Beer Festival, presented by Crystal Cork, will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday in the upper parking deck of Town Square Center at Galena Avenue and Second Street. There will be 100 different beers, as well as martinis, wine, soda, and water. A $20 ticket includes 12 taster tickets and a custom-engraved taster glass.
INDEX
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Feel blues in Fulton
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FULTON – The third annual Bluegrass Festival will be from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday at Wierenga’s Heritage Canyon, 515 N. Fourth St. There will be music from area bands, as well as the nationally touring Blackberry Bushes String Band. There also will be food and drink vendors, and kids activities. Tickets cost $10, but it’s free for kids 10 and younger.
ABBY ................... A8 BUSINESS ......... A11 COMICS ...............B5
CROSSWORD....B11 LIFESTYLE .......A7&8 LOTTERY ............. A2
Be Pink in the park!
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STERLING – Team Underwires will present a live music festival from 4 p.m. to midnight Saturday at Grandon Civic Center in Memorial Park downtown. There also will be kids games and activities, food vendors, and a cash bar. Admission is $5, but free for kids 12 and younger. Bring lawn chairs!
OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6 NATION/WORLD A11
Celebrate freedom in Sterling
STERLING – The YMCA of the Sauk Valley’s eighth annual Juneteenth CommUNITY Freedom Festival will be from noon to 3 p.m. at Propheter Park, 506 E. Sixth St. There will be live entertainment and music, food, vendors, and kids activities. The event commemorates the 150th anniversary of the end of slavery in the United States.
Today’s weather High 80. Low 62. More on A3.
Need work? Check out your classifieds, B6.
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