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EARLY SEASON ROAD TRIPS ON SCHEDULE
Building goodwill is just the ticket
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL, B1
DIXON, A5
TELEGRAPH Friday, June 26, 2015
SERVING DIXON AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1851
DIXON
The ages belonged to him; now he belongs to the ages Celebration of life planned at museum for Bill Jones, the ‘heart and soul’ of Dixon’s history BY BRENDEN WEST bwest@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5529 @BWest_SVM
DIXON – Friends say few people took as much pride in the Northwest Territory His-
toric Center as Bill Jones. He had a passion for people, and a deep fondness for the history of Dixon. So, following Jones’ death on June 20, it’s fitting that there will not be the usual visitation. Rather, the Center will hold a
ceremony celebrating his life. “This was pretty much his life,” said Dave Latta, who is taking over Jones’ role as manager at the Northwest Territory Historic Center. “He enjoyed it, and he studied up on everything here. He was a good guy
to work with, a good personal friend and just an all around good guy.” Jones was 82 when he died at the Clarissa Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf, Iowa, after a battle with leukemia. He is survived by his fiancee,
Jane Yokoi, of DeWitt, Iowa, his sister, Arlene Kwiatkowski of Pittsburgh, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. His wife, Marilyn Roberts, preceded him in death in 2001. JONES CONTINUED ON A3
ILLINOIS | BUDGET BATTLE
DIXON PETUNIA FESTIVAL
Vetoed
Putting the petals to the metal
Funds for state services could be put on hold as early as next week
SPRINGFIELD (AP) – State money for services from child care to road construction could stop in Illinois starting next week after Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed most of the Democratic Legislature’s budget plan, a move that follows weeks of vitriolic exchanges in a state new to divided government. A day after signing into law public-school funding for the fiscal year beginning July 1, the new GOP governor on Thursday nixed the rest of the plan, which Democrats acknowledge is short on revenue by as much as $4 billion. He continued criticizing Democrats who he says indiscriminately spend taxpayer money and then play games to cover shortfalls. “For too long, the state of VETO CONTINUED ON A2
Inside ...
Rep. Mike Smiddy tells Sterling audience, Illinois residents can’t afford Rauner’s budget: Page 3A
STERLING
Anchor stores are open again at mall BY KATHLEEN A. SCHULTZ kschultz@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5535 @KathleenSchul10
STERLING – The good Lord must be willin’, because the creek did indeed rise, and yet Bergner’s and J.C. Penney both managed to reopen their Northland Mall doors Thursday morning. That’s only 3 days after the collapse of the building’s midsection caused a total shutdown of more than 20 retail outlets. A structural engineer assessed the damage Tuesday and said the mall as a whole appears to be sound, city officials said. Employees at both department stores said they found out late afternoon or early evening Wednesday that they would be back on the job Thursday. All the rest of the shops were still closed, and the concourse was off limits to all but cleanup and repair crews.
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
Josh Tegeler (left) and Todd Steder hang a pair of petunia baskets Thursday along Peoria Avenue in downtown Dixon. The town’s favorite flower will take center stage, along with bands, activities and much more, when the Dixon Petunia Festival comes to town next week. The festival runs from Wednesday, July 1-Sunday, July 5. For a look at what the festival has to offer, check out today’s special section, inside.
MALL CONTINUED ON A3
TOP5
Your Weekend
1
Santah coming to town
DIXON – Santah, a Chicago alternative rock band featuring three Dixon High School graduates, will play at 8:30 p.m. today at That Place on Palmyra, 628 Palmyra Road.
$1.00
TODAY’S EDITION: 28 PAGES 2 SECTIONS VOL. 164 ISSUE 40
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Free fun for families
DIXON – Greater Life Church, 1403 Hemlock Ave., will have a summer fun fest from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. All activities are free, and there will be bounce houses, an obstacle course, a race track, games, prizes, and food. A boys bicycle and a girls bicycle will be given away. Call the church office at 815-284-8680 for more information.
INDEX
3
Settling never gets old
4
LANARK – Celebrating the community’s 154th birthday, the annual Old Settlers Days celebration will offer live music, great food, games, and more today through Sunday in Lanark City Park. A craft fair will run throughout the festival. Bags and horseshoe tournaments will begin at noon Saturday. The parade begins at 1 p.m. Saturday. Go to lanarkil.com/osd/ for a complete schedule.
ABBY ................... A8 BUSINESS ......... A13 COMICS ...............B7
CROSSWORD....B13 LIFESTYLE ..... A7-A8 LOTTERY ............. A2
Make a splash in Rock Falls
ROCK FALLS – Due to the weather, the location of this weekend’s Summer Splash has changed. The event has been moved to the corner of East Second Street and Avenue A, along the riverfront. There will be a wild game cookout, vendors, crafters, and kids activities. More information at rockfallschamber. com or call 815625-4500.
DAY TRIP ............. A7 OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6
5
Walker McGuire to headline show
AMBOY – A Barn Bash benefit concert will be held Saturday at the Lee County Fairgrounds, 1196 Franklin Road. Doors open at 4 p.m. Featured band, Walker McGuire, plays at 8:30. Joey Hume, an Amboy native, is a member of the Nashville, Tennessee, country band. Admission is $10 and is limited to those age 21 and older. More information at leecounty4hcenter.com.
B ar n B as h
Today’s weather High 73. Low 56. More on A3.
Need work? Check out your classifieds, B8.
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