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Beware energy supplier scams, officials say DIXON, A5
CUBBIES GO 0-FOR-2
HOME RUN DERBY, B1
TELEGRAPH Tuesday, July 14, 2015
SERVING DIXON AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1851
DIXON CITY COUNCIL
Filling vacancy, creating another Process to replace councilman begins Search for public works director green-lighted BY BRENDEN WEST bwest@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5529 @BWest_SVM
BY BRENDEN WEST bwest@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5529 @BWest_SVM
Online extra
DIXON – Four days after Jesse Arjes resigned from the City Council, those remaining are discussing how they will fill the vacancy. And people have already expressed interest in the seat to Mayor Li Arellano Jr. Arjes resigned Thursday through a letter, writing that he was “unable to fulfill this obligation” and that resigning “is in
Click on this story at saukvalley.com to read Arjes’ resignation letter. the best interest of the City of Dixon and myself.” The ex-councilman did not cite specific reasons for his resignation, and no city officials would comment on why Arjes stepped down. Arjes did not respond to requests for comment Monday. COUNCILMAN CONTINUED ON A3
DIXON – City officials say that recent events have created the need for a public works director now, rather than later. During Monday’s special meeting, the City Council voted 4-0 to move forward with the hiring of a director to address some of the city’s growing and pressing infrastructure needs. Mayor Li Arellano Jr. said the position
already exists within city statute, adding that Interim City Manager David Nord technically has the authority to hire one without the council’s authority. However, by passing Monday’s resolution of support, Nord and the public have the council’s blessing on paper, signifying that it understands the need. “Originally, my position had been to wait until the city manager [hiring] process had been completely finished,” Arellano said. DIRECTOR CONTINUED ON A3
EDUCATION
DIXON HAS A SURE-FIRE WAY TO BEAT THE HEAT
U of I Extension offices consolidate Official: Move will not result in any job cuts BY JERMAINE PIGEE jpigee@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5525 @JPigee84
Photos by Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@saukvalley.com
Ah, the Dixon Park District Splash Pad. Good for what ails youngsters when the humidity makes it feel like 110 degrees outside – you know, like on Monday afternoon. Aliviah Jacobson (clockwise from above), 3, of Rock Falls, Nickoli Bashford, 2, of Dixon, and Kaiyle Horton, 8, of Dixon tapped into the cool relief Monday afternoon, the latter even trying to fill a jug, perhaps to take some coolant to go. While the area seemed to dodge the violent storms predicted for Monday, severe storms are possible again today. More specifically, there’s about a 50 percent chance of heavy thunderstorms before noon, and about the same probability of more in the evening.
STERLING – After being housed at Sauk Valley Community College for 4 years, the University of Illinois Extension office has moved into its own location. The college is in the process of unveiling One Stop, which will house admission, registration, financial aid and academic advising in one place. The new addition, which opens in the fall, will take up a portion of the U of I Extension offices. “During our discussions with the college administration, it became clear that choosing a new location would be in the best interest of both parties,” said Janice McCoy, director of the U of I Extension, which serves Carroll, Lee and Whiteside counties. In the new location, 12923 Lawrence Road, Sterling, three of the area’s five extension offices will operate under one roof. The staff housed at Sauk and in Morrison moved into the new location July 1. The supplemental nutrition assistance program staff will
More information The University of Illinois Extension offices are housed at 12923 Lawrence Road in Sterling. For more information, visit web.extension.illinois.edu/ clw or call 815-632-3611. move from Rock Falls into the space in February. The Mount Carroll office will remain in Carroll County, and the Amboy office will stay in Lee County. “With the state budgets the way they are, we decided that it was probably in the best interest to consolidate some of our operations,” McCoy said. “This move gives us a chance to bring a lot of our staff together in one location.” The new space gives the staff more office space, a conference room and a storage area. McCoy said there were no positions cut as a result of the move. “This will be our own building that will eventually get branded with our own logo and signage,” McCoy said. “Parking will be easier for our clientele as well.” The extension office provides research-based information from the University of Illinois through workshops, newsletters and fact sheets, websites, and outreach provided by trained volunteers. CONSOLIDATE CONTINUED ON A4
Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com
Karla Belzer of Dixon unpacks a box in her new office at the University of Illinois Extension office Monday afternoon in Sterling. Three of the area’s five extension offices have consolidated at 12923 Lawrence Road.
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TODAY’S EDITION: 20 PAGES 2 SECTIONS VOL. 164 ISSUE 52
INDEX
ABBY ................... A7 BUSINESS ........... A9 COMICS ............... A8
CROSSWORD......B9 LIFESTYLE ........... A7 LOTTERY ............. A2
NATION/WORLD .. A5 OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6
Today’s weather High 85. Low 56. More on A3.
History lesson Kids learn about wartime, A3.
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