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ROCKETS TAKE THE LIONS’ Holiday treats SHARE OF POINTS without the guilt GIRLS BASKETBALL, B1

FOOD, A9-11

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Wednesday, December 23, 2015

SERVING DIXON AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1851

CITY COUNCIL | CONSOLIDATION

Dixon One has a driving force Group tasked with groups’ merger; public gets bigger voice

BY JERMAINE PIGEE jpigee@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5525 @JPigee84

DIXON – The 11-member Dixon One task force is a reality.

Dixon One will be a consolidation of Main Street, the Riverfront Commission and Dixon Tourism. It will be the job of the task force, approved at Monday night’s City Council meeting, to sort out what Dixon One could ultimately look like and make recommendations to the council.

Mayor Li Arellano Jr. said he got a lot of interest from people who wanted to serve, so the council raised the number of members of the public on the task force from five to seven. In addition, “Dixon Main Street gets a seat at the table and Dixon Riverfront also gets a seat at the table,” Arellano said. “Two people are appointed by me to represent the city, and that will be Councilmen Mitch Tucker and Mike Venier.

“I want these groups to tell us what works for them and what doesn’t work. I want this to be a coalition of different groups working together.”

DIXON ONE CONTINUED ON A4

Meet the task force Dixon One task force members: • Becky Reilly, Dixon Main Street Board president • Larry Reed, Riverfront Commission chairman • Councilman Mike Venier • Councilman Mitch Tucker • Gary Gehlbach, president, Lee County Industrial Development Association chairman • Dana Considine, president, Dixon Chamber of Commerce

PROPHETSTOWN

Board of Directors • Ryan Marshall, board member, Dixon chamber and Main Street • David Hellmich, Sauk Valley Community College president • Tom Elmendorf, Historic Dixon Theatre • Vicky Turner, past Dixon Tourism chairwoman • Robin Canode, Dixon Main Street board member

WHITESIDE COUNTY

Battle against heroin could get new allies Whiteside agencies will meet to discuss joining Safe Passages STAFF REPORT news@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5501

Making Christmas merry and bright No snow? No problem! Plenty of snowmen are scattered throughout Larry and Vicky DeNeve’s yard in Prophetstown – and they won’t melt, not even on a day like today, when temperatures are forecast to break records, with a high near 60.

Larry and Vicky invite folks to tour their decorated farm lane at 8057 Felton Road this Christmas weekend. The couple will have the lights on full display from Christmas Eve until New Year’s Eve. The two started to light up their lane about 5 years ago with 20,000 lights, but have scaled back a bit recently. But their yule-tidal wave of Christmas cheer still boasts about 15,000 lights, along with animal figurines and a manger scene. Go to saukvalley.com to see more photos.

MORRISON – In an acknowledgement of the area’s ongoing, and growing, heroin epidemic, several Whiteside County law enforcement agencies are considering getting on board Dixon/Lee County’s Safe Passage program.

In the next few weeks, police agencies in Whiteside and Lee counties will attend a Law Enforcement Opioid Summit to brainstorm ways to attack the supply side of the drug problem, and to collaborate on ideas to ramp up enforcement, six agencies said in a news release late Tuesday afternoon.

An exact date has not yet been set for the conference, but part of the conversation there will be about bringing the Morrison, Rock Falls and Sterling police and the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Department to the Lee County sheriff’s/ Dixon Police Department Safe Passage Initiative, established Sept. 1.

The program encourages addicts to turn themselves over to police, who then help them get treatment. So far, 30 people have been successfully placed through the cooperative.

“One death is too many, and this trend is deeply disturbing,” Rock Falls Police Chief Tammy Nelson said in the release. “As public safety officials, we have to change the way we look at this epidemic to stop this pattern and save lives.”

HEROIN CONTINUED ON A5

A write Christmas ...

Photos by Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com

DIXON

It’s a promise you can take to the bank School foundation guarantees raffle winner at least $2,500 – possibly more

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

DIXON – The Dixon School Foundation is doing something this year that’s guaranteed to blow the top off its annual raffle.

$1.00

TODAY’S EDITION: 24 PAGES 2 SECTIONS VOL. 164 ISSUE 166

Organizers are promising a payout of at least $2,500 to a lucky ticketholder in the trivia competition’s raffle. That’s a switch from the usual set-up, when a winner would get half the ticket take.

The event is slated for Feb. 6 at Reagan Middle School. Organizers

INDEX

ABBY ................... A8 BUSINESS ......... A12 COMICS ...............B6

Santa’s mailbox runneth over with letters. Hundreds of good boys and girls from throughout the Sauk Valley have written the right jolly old elf to tell him what they want for Christmas.

Check out what’s on their wish list in today’s “Letters to Santa” section.

expect at least 20 teams to sign up and hope to raise $10,000 for the foundation.

Last year was the high-water mark for the raffle, with $1,166 in tickets sold, meaning a $583 payout.

STUPOR BOWL CONTINUED ON A5

CROSSWORD....B12 LIFESTYLE ........... A8 LOTTERY ............. A2

FOOD ..............A9-11 OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6

Today’s weather High 60. Low 33.

More on A3.

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COMMUNITY WATCH Were we in

ERROR? Getting it right We care about accuracy, and we want to correct errors promptly. Please call mistakes to our attention at 815-284-2222 or 815-6253600, ext. 5501 or 5502.

Corrections Visitation for Amber F. Barsema, 105, of Morrison, begins at 12:30 p.m. and her funeral at 2 p.m. today at Morrison United Methodist Church. Interment will be at Grove Hill Cemetery in Morrison. The date was incorrect in funeral listings in Tuesday’s editions.

Debbie Mills, chief of the misdemeanor division for the Will County State’s Attorney’s office, will be prosecuting Lee County State’s Attorney Anna Sacco-Miller’s DUI case, not Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow himself, as indicated in a story in Tuesday’s editions.

We regret the errors.

POLICE Sterling Police

Christopher R. Swon, 27, of Rock Falls; 1:49 a.m. Monday at East 19th Street and Eighth Avenue; possession of drug paraphernalia; given notice to appear in court.

Josiah R. Garza, 35, of Sterling; 2:11 a.m. Monday in the 1300 block of West Third Street; Whiteside County warrant for driving under the influence – violation of court supervision; posted $300 cash bond.

Juan A. Gomez, 17, of

OREGON

Sterling; 8:31 p.m. Monday at West Fifth Street and Avenue B; no valid registration, operating uninsured vehicle; given notice to appear in court.

Jay P. King III, 26, of Walnut; 1:55 a.m. Monday at East 25th and Locust streets; speeding; released with promise to comply.

Rock Falls Police

Jessica L. Hartzell, 24, of Prophetstown; 4:46 p.m.

Monday in the 1500 block of Prophetstown Road; speeding; given notice to appear in court.

Boy, 16, of Rock Falls; 5:41 p.m. Monday in the 600 block of West Fifth Street; resisting a peace officer; given notice to appear in court.

Oregon Police

Mike B. Ramsey, 29, of Rochelle; 3:15 p.m. Dec. 14 at Fourth and Washington streets; failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident; given citation.

Girl, 13, of Oregon; 6:03 p.m.

Dec. 14; criminal damage to property; released to her parent.

Chloe R. Olson, 20, of Byron; 1:08 p.m. Sunday in the 1000 block of West Washington Street; driving under the influence of alcohol, improper lane usage; given citation and taken to Ogle County Jail.

Ogle County Sheriff

Joseph Termini, 60, of Shannon; Monday; warrant for driving on a suspended license; taken to Ogle County Jail and held in lieu of bond.

BIRTHDAYS Happy birthday to Britt Near, Douglas Broers, Steve Heng, Andrew Williamson, and Daniel Saunders, all today.

LOTTERY NUMBERS Pick Three-Midday: 3-9-4 Fireball: 6 Pick Three-Evening: 4-3-1 Fireball: 3 Pick Four-Midday: 6-7-5-4 Fireball: 1 Pick Four-Evening: 2-2-1-0 Fireball: 0

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Estimated Lotto jackpot: $18 million Estimated Mega Millions jackpot: $94 million Estimated Powerball jackpot: $227 million

Lucky Day Lotto Midday: 11-16-33-40-41

MEGA MILLIONS

Lucky Day Lotto Evening: 3-7-25-34-35

11-21-40-50-70 Mega Ball: 15 Megaplier: 3

Still no closure to cold case Guns aren’t the murder weapons, recent tests show

BY VINDE WELLS vwells@shawmedia.com Shaw Media

OREGON – Tests done on two bullets found in the casket of a 1948 murder victim earlier this year revealed no new information about a decades-old unsolved double homicide.

A handgun given to the Ogle County Sheriff’s Department also was tested.

On Tuesday, Sheriff Brian VanVickle released the findings of Illinois State Police Crime Lab tests done on a .32 caliber handgun turned over to investigators and on the two .32 caliber bullets found in Stanley Skridla’s casket when his remains were exhumed from Calvary Cemetery, west of Rockford, on May 28.

“An analysis of the bullets revealed only one bullet was suitable for comparison, and that bullet was not fired from the submitted .32 caliber handgun,” VanVickle said in a news release.

The other was too corroded to test.

Skridla’s nephew, Stephan Skridla, 62, Rockford, requested the exhumation in an effort to solve the murders of his uncle, then 28, and his date, Mary Jane Reed, then 17, on a lover’s lane just outside of Oregon.

The Ogle County Sheriff’s Office reinvestigated the deaths 10 years ago.

Those findings indicated that the possible culprits likely were dead.

“We believe all the people involved in their murders are deceased,” Tuesday’s release said.

Former Oregon Mayor

Shaw Media file photo

Mike Arians (left), and Stephan Skridla, 62, nephew of 1948 murder victim Stanley Skridla, are seen at a news conference in May in Oregon. On Tuesday, Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle released the findings of State Police Crime Lab tests done on a .32 caliber handgun Arians turned over to investigators and on the two .32 caliber bullets found in Stanley Skridla’s casket when his remains were exhumed on May 28. One bullet was too corroded to test, the other was not fired from the handgun, VanVickle said. “At least our efforts weren’t in vain,” Arians said. “At least those bullets are in a police lab now if the right gun ever becomes available.”

Michael Arians pushed for the 2005 reinvestigation of Reed’s murder, and with her brother Warren Reed, of Rock Falls, obtained a court order for her body to be exhumed from Daysville Cemetery southeast of Oregon.

He also assisted Skridla in having his uncle’s remains exhumed.

He said he was somewhat disappointed by the test results, but “at least our efforts weren’t in vain. At least those bullets are in a police lab now if the right gun ever becomes available.

“We’ve done everything possible and traveled every avenue to find closure for the families.”

In a news conference the day after Skridla’s exhumation, Arians

said he had uncovered new evidence in the case, including the two guns he believes were used to kill Reed and Skridla. One of those guns was submitted for testing, along with the bullets.

Arians said the guns were passed to their current owners from the killers.

He declined to say who owns them now, but said he gave that information to investigators.

At that time, VanVickle said that forensics indicated the guns were not the murder weapons.

The long-unsolved case

began on June 24, 1948, when Reed, who lived in Oregon, failed to return home after a date. She and Skridla, her companion that night, were found shot to death.

His body was discovered the next morning on County Farm Road south of Oregon. He was shot five times, according to police reports at the time.

Reed’s badly decomposed body was found 4 days later in a ditch along Devil’s Backbone Road west of Oregon. She was shot once in the head.

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Wednesday, December 23, 2015

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Telegraph • A3

STERLING

City council passes levy, utilities tax Officials make plea for pension reform in Springfield STERLING – Cities may be paying the price for the budget battle in Springfield, but Sterling residents will have to chip in, too – and their payment will come due at property tax time, and every month in their utility bills.

After passing an 18.76 percent tax levy increase, and instituting a local utilities tax Monday, the City Council officially asked the state government to address the pension pressure that has in large part created the situation.

The council also approved a resolution Monday urging the Legislature to adopt reforms to the pensions system that is putting many cities’ basic public safety services in jeopardy.

“The bottom line is that Springfield makes the rules, and we pay the price,” Mayor Skip Lee said. “The police and fire pensions system is set up to fail.”

The mayor said one system, similar to the Illinois Municipal Retirement fund used for other city workers, needs to be set up for police and fire.

“Neighboring states have one system to spread out the risk,” Lee said. “IMRF is properly funded and managed, so I know one system can work.”

City Manager Scott Shumard said he finds it baffling that the separate municipal police and fire pensions have not been combined.

“The IMRF is the best pension fund in the state, and no one wants to emulate it,” he said.

After a Dec. 7 public hearing on the levy hike, the council met for a 4-hour study session 1 week later. The council ultimately decided that escalating police and fire pensions contributions, mandated by the state, presented a financial situation that wasn’t manageable with cuts alone.

From fiscal year 2011 to 2016, the city’s required contribution to the firefighters pension fund has

IN BRIEF

DIXON

Man facing child battery charge

Man, 42, jailed for firing gun, threatening juveniles

BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier

STERLING – A 31-year-old Sterling man was arrested Monday morning at the Sterling Police Department and charged with aggravated battery to a child younger than 13, reckless conduct and endangering the life of a child.

Lamar D. Jordan was in Whiteside County Jail on Monday evening.

Bail was expected to be set at a court hearing Tuesday.

The aggravated battery charge is punishable by 2 to 5 years in prison; the other two charges are misdemeanors.

Police would release no further information on the case.

– SVM staff report

STAFF REPORT news@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5501

DIXON – A 42-year-old Dixon man is facing felony charges for firing a gun into the air and threatening three teens who were trespassing in his warehouse, police said in a news release Tuesday.

Stanley A. Szydelko is in Lee County Jail on $10,000 bond, charged with three counts of aggravated assault and reckless discharge of a firearm, both punishable by 1 to 3 years in prison; possession of a gun without a FOID card, and possession of ammunition without a FOID card, both misdemeanors.

According to the release:

jumped by 87.66 percent, while the police pension fund is up by 81.66 percent.

To balance the fiscal year 2016-17 budget, the city needed to come up with an additional $701,286 – even when factoring in the massive levy increase. Had the council not passed the levy hike, the city would have been looking at a $1.45 million shortfall – this on the heels of last year’s more than $300,000 budget deficit.

While both tax issues were approved unanimously, the council and other city officials say it has been a difficult and emotionally draining process.

“As aldermen, we have been asking questions all hours about possible cuts, but it’s such a deep hole, we can’t cut our way out of it,” Alderwoman Retha Elston said. “This was not an easy decision, and it’s sad it’s come to this.”

It wasn’t a lack of foresight that created the current taxing situation – no amount of fiscal planning could keep up with the pensions increases,

said Elston, who joined the council when some difficult cuts were being made at City Hall.

“The city saw it coming in 2008 and 2009, and staffing cuts were made then, but now we would have had to cut the entire first floor at City Hall to just reach $700,000 in savings,” she said.

Elston said the tax issues approved Monday were the most difficult decisions she has been faced with during her time on the council. At the end of the day, public safety emerged as the council’s prime consideration.

“We’ve made progress on gangs, but drug and alcohol use is on the upswing,” Elston said. “If we cut police, we will be moving backward.”

Shumard said input from officials and residents while working on the city’s strategic plan earlier this year served as guidance in making the tough tax decisions.

Respondents wanted improvements to continue with infrastructure, neighborhood life, and other quality-of-life issues.

Dixon police responded to a report of juveniles trespassing at the warehouse (an old shoe Stanley A. factory) at Szydelko 1300 Christiana Terrace around 8 p.m.

Friday. Szydelko told them he found the juveniles inside. Officers also learned Szydelko entered the building, fired a shot into the air “while in the vicinity of the three juveniles, and threatened the juveniles.”

A search of his home and warehouse Monday turned up enough evidence to arrest him, Chief Danny Langloss said, and more charges could be pending.

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City Levy Amount General corporate ........................... $392,761 Fire protection ................................. $235,657 Police protection ............................. $235,657 General and liability insurance.......... $411,216 Workers’ compensation................... $133,805 Library ............................................ $345,630 Library building and maintenance .............................. $31,420 Library general insurance .................. $30,089 Municipal band tax ........................... $56,750 Coliseum tax .................................... $78,552 IMRF .............................................. $224,220 Social Security ................................ $210,150 Civil defense ..................................... $10,356 Police pension ................................ $978,830 Fire pension .................................... $974,055 Total city levy $4,349,149 “The cuts we would have had to make were counter to the strategic plan and what’s best for the city’s future,” Shumard said.

While a town of 15,000 doesn’t have much clout in spurring industrial development, the city must take control when possible, Shumard said.

“If people don’t want to live here, employers can’t recruit,” Shumard said.

“If we want jobs, we have to protect property values, and do things to be better here.”

The tax levy hike will

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add about $122 a year to the tax bill of the owner of a $100,000 home.

The natural gas tax will add 5 percent to the delivery and therm charges on the bills. Electricity is a tiered process, but according to ComEd, the tax would add an estimated $3.95 to the bills of average residential users.

The estimated increase for small commercial users is $32 a month, based on usage of 7,000 kilowatts a month. Combined, the utilities tax will generate at least $700,000 a year in new city revenue.

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Wednesday, December 23, 2015

OBITUARIES FUNERAL SERVICES FOR THE WEEK

Edward G. Brattrud OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Edward G. Brattrud, 88, met his Lord, and Virginia, his wife of 63 years, in heaven on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015, ending a long and fruitful life.

He had a peaceful passing under the loving care of Care Haven Homes and Interim Hospice in Overland Park.

Ed was born July 2, 1927, in Waseca, Minnesota, to Andrew and Hortense Brattrud. He grew up on the family farm in Baileyville.

He attended Baileyville Grade School and Forreston High School, where he graduated in 1945. He attended Dubuque University and graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and chemistry in 1950, and a Master of Science degree in biology and chemistry in 1955.

He married Virginia Johnson on Aug. 16, 1953, in Plainville, and raised two sons, Gale (Leanne) and Mark (Lorraine).

Ed spent his teaching career in Illinois inspiring students, first at Durand Boys’ School for delinquent boys, then in Payson, Mount Carroll, and finally in Polo. Ed had high expectations of his students, regardless of their intellectual abilities and physical limitations; he expected all to do the best they could individually do. Ed’s special touch reached beyond the classroom by creating a relationship with students that fostered having a humble, wholesome attitude and being significant and of value to society.

In 1962, Ed was selected the Illinois Teacher of the Year, and was runner-up for National Teacher of the Year, an honor sponsored by the U.S. Office of Education and Look magazine. He also was featured as one of the top five teachers in America in the book, “Not for Glory.” Ed later served as a Fellow at Colorado State Teach-

ers College, Kansas State University, Northern Colorado University, and Stanford. He was an active member in the National Science Foundation, Illinois Chemistry Teachers Association, and the National Biology Science Curriculum study, and his research and articles have been featured in many chemistry and educational journals nationally.

In 1963, Ed joined the Illinois State Board of Education and retired in 1992, after serving the field of education for 42 years.

Ed was extremely active in his community and family. He served as elder in his church, taught Sunday school for more than 30 years, led men’s prayer groups, and was very active in supporting Rockford Rescue Mission, Lions Club, the Ogle County Retired Teachers organization, and Gideon International. Ed will long be remembered as Gale and Mark’s biggest fan. Despite all his travel and hectic work schedule, he missed only one game, concert, play or any other activity they participated in for more than 20 years.

Ed knew he was a rich man for the countless blessings he received from God through the abundant love of his wife, Virginia, sons, Gale and Mark, and his seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

He also was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Craig; sister, Jeannine; and other cousins, nephews, and great-nephews.

Ed was a great man of God and his humble influence on this earth will be remembered for generations.

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Jan. 7 at White Chapel Mausoleum at White Chapel Cemetery in Gladstone, Missouri. White Chapel Funeral Home & Cemetery in Gladstone is handling arrangements.

Today’s visitations: Ronald Stanley of Rock Falls, 9-10:30 a.m. at McDonald Funeral Home in Rock Falls.

Amber F. Barsema of Morrison, 12:30-2 p.m. at Morrison United Methodist Church.

Shondale M. Luster III of Dixon, son of Shondale Luster Jr. and Janessa Hicks, 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Jones Funeral Home in Dixon.

Today’s funerals: Robert P. Brotheridge of Galena, formerly of Sterling, 10:30 a.m. Mass at St. Michael Catholic Church in Galena.

Ronald Stanley of Rock Falls, 10:30 a.m. at McDonald Funeral Home in Rock Falls.

Amber F. Barsema of Morrison, 2 p.m. at Morrison United

Methodist Church.

Thursday funeral: Shondale M. Luster III of Dixon, son of Shondale Luster Jr. and Janessa Hicks, 10 a.m. at Worship Center in Dixon.

Saturday visitations: Carole J. Swanlund of Amboy, 9-11 a.m. at MihmJones Funeral Home in Amboy and from noon to 1 p.m. at Community United Methodist Church in LaMoille.

Saturday funeral: Carole J. Swanlund of Amboy, 1 p.m. at Community United Methodist Church in LaMoille.

Monday funeral: June Adams of Sterling, 11 a.m. graveside service at Oak Knoll Cemetery in Sterling.

Robert Lowe AMBOY – Robert Lowe, 84, of Amboy, died Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015, at Serenity Hospice & Home in Oregon.

Mihm-Jones Funeral Home in Amboy is handling arrangements.

Obituary information All obituaries, including death notices, are due by 2 p.m. Sunday through Friday for the following day’s edition. They can be sent via e-mail, obituaries@saukvalley.com or fax, 815-625-9390.

Obituary corrections and

clarifications will appear in the Corrections box on page A2 the next publication day.

Receipt of all obituaries must be confirmed by phone.

For more information, call 815-625-3600 or 815284-2222, ext. 5530 or 5502.

reflecting a lower level of attempted illegal migration at our borders.”

This fiscal year, Johnson said, “we will be challenged again by a variety of factors driving illegal migration to the U.S., mostly from Central America, and we are redoubling our border security efforts now to meet that challenge.”

While 42 percent fewer migrant children and families were caught last fiscal year compared to the year before – 39,838 family units and 39,970 unaccompanied children – a decline early in the year was reversed by summer.

The numbers spiked this fall, with more than 12,500 family units and 10,500 unaccompanied youth caught during the past 2 months, more than twice the number caught this time last fiscal year.

They are mostly Central Americans fleeing violence and deteriorating economic conditions in Guatemala, Honduras

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ROCHELLE – Betty J. Fike, 83, of Rochelle, died MonPOLO – David P. Short Sr., 64, of Polo, died Monday, day, Dec. 21, 2015, at her home.

Dec. 21, 2015, at Polo Rehabilitation and Health Care Unger-Horner Funeral Home in Rochelle is handling Center. arrangements.

Polo Family Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

and El Salvador, mainly through Texas.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced this month that he was extending the deployment of National Guard troops along the border and taking additional steps to increase security. On Wednesday, he plans to visit troops in the Rio Grande Valley, epicenter of the latest influx of migrants.

Border Patrol officials credit the drop in migrant deaths to their ability to apprehend more stranded migrants.

But advocates said the picture is likely far more complicated.

In the Rio Grande Valley in the southern tip of Texas, agents reported 97 deaths last fiscal year compared with 116 the previous year. Border Patrol officials said better surveillance technology and more robust inland checkpoints likely helped in that decline.

“It has reduced deaths,” acting Chief Patrol Agent Raul Ortiz said during

Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

Where you come first.

Evelyn J. Buikema

ROCKFORD – Charles D. Gallardo, 54, of Rockford, CLINTON, Iowa – Evelyn J. Buikema, 84, of Clinton, formerly of Sterling, died Monday, Dec. 21, 2015, at died Saturday, Dec. 19, 2015, at Select Specialty HospiMilestone Long Term Care in Rockford. tal in Davenport, Iowa.

McDonald Funeral Home in Sterling is handling Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home in Fulton handled arrangements. arrangements.

Queen of Hear ts Dra ings The First National Bank in Amboy

beth Swanlund, both of Dixon; eight grandchildren, Isaac, Luke, Solana, Jeremiah, and Samuel Swanlund, Joel and Adeline Spangler, and Hannah Jacobson; and three sisters, Betty Irwin of Athens, Georgia, Ioane Witte of New Mexico, and Helen Weide of McNabb.

She also was preceded in death by one brother, Tommy Irwin, and one sister, Irene Muir.

Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Mihm-Jones Funeral Home in Amboy. Visitation also will be from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday, with the funeral at 1 p.m. Saturday, at Community United Methodist Church in LaMoille, with Dave Jungnickel, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Greenfield Cemetery in LaMoille.

A memorial has been established to the church.

Visit thejonesfh.com to send condolences.

Family Stone

Fewer die at southern border Tribune News Service

AMBOY – Carole J. Swanlund, 80, of Amboy, died Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015, at Franklin Grove Living and Rehabilitation Center.

She was born Aug. 15, 1935, in Spring Valley, the daughter of Leroy and Helen (Feaster) Irwin.

She worked as a secretary for Fasco Fabricators and a bookkeeper for First National Bank in Amboy before her retirement. Carole was a member of Community United Methodist Church in LaMoille and Amboy Women’s Club, and enjoyed playing cards. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.

She married Melvin E. Swanlund on Feb. 6, 1955, in Spring Valley. He preceded her in death on Aug. 1, 2014.

She is survived by her three children, David (Theresa) Swanlund of Hastings, Minnesota, and Julie (Jeff Rugh) Spangler and Eliza-

“Choose Family”

IMMIGRATION

HOUSTON – For the third straight year, migrant deaths along the southern border have decreased, even in some areas where the number of migrant children and families crossing increased last summer, authorities said Tuesday.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported that there were 240 migrant deaths on the border for the fiscal year that ended in September, down from 308 deaths last year and 365 5 years earlier.

The number of migrants caught nationwide (mostly at the southern border) also dropped 31 percent this fiscal year to 337,117 – down from 486,651 the year before.

Apprehensions had increased during the past 4 years after trending downward for decades.

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson called it a “dramatic decrease …

Carole J. Swanlund

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a visit to a checkpoint last week, “And rescues are up. I’m putting more search and rescue teams out there; we’re putting helicopters out there, border watch teams and ranchers.”

But some immigrant advocates dispute those figures.

Eddie Canales, director of the South Texas Human Rights Center in Falfurrias, noted that the Border Patrol’s definition of “rescue” includes more than just migrants saved in the field; for instance, those found being smuggled in vehicles stopped at checkpoints are considered rescued.

Canales suspects the recorded death toll would be higher if the Border Patrol spent more time and resources searching for migrants who might have gone missing in the vast Rio Grande Valley.

“Overall things are not getting better,” Canales said, “I will not be satisfied until we have no more deaths.”

Task force meetings begin next month, will be open to public DIXON ONE

CONTINUED FROM A1

One of the seven members of the public is Sauk Valley Community College President Dave Hellmich.

“I felt he would be a really good outside perspective,” Arellano said.

“He doesn’t have connections to any particular groups. He is a highly educated, well-diversified leader.”

The meetings begin next month and will be open to the public.

“At the first meeting, they will establish Roberts Rules of Order, pick a chairman and pick a schedule,” Arellano said. “The tentative plan is to meet a couple times a month for the first few months, then meet month to month until everything is done.”

The goal is to be done in 6 months, then dissolve the group.

Since taking office in May, council members have cited the need for the city’s event-planning agencies to coordinate their efforts. In mid-November, they agreed to buy the former Kenzley Title building at 87 S. Hennepin Ave. to house the new agency.

“With the advisory committee, you have all these groups at the table and you can have discussions on different ideas and how to best implement them,” Arellano said. “With this group, you can get realtime discussion.”

Thank you so much for all the cards, calls, and best wishes. I wasn’t sure if i was anxious to meet “90” head on, or if I should keep it a secret as long as possible.

NOW I KNOW! I made the right decision.

Thanks also to my unique family for the great birthday dinner and all the care they offer everyday.

-Joyce Draper

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

www.saukvalley.com

Telegraph • A5

LEARN AND LIVE

ILLINOIS

Give educators a break

Judge: Jury law is Chicago adds unconstitutional traffic cameras

And while we’re at it, a heartfelt ‘thanks’ wouldn’t hurt either

E

ver since I spent 3 years studying music education in college, I’ve known that teachers having summers off was a myth. But in the month I’ve been on the education beat, my eyes have been opened to the extent of the fallacy.

Same goes for Christmas break. For many administrators, as soon as the tree skirt is cleared and the holiday feast is digested, it will be back to the grindstone.

As I left the recent informational meeting on new student discipline laws that will kick in Sept. 15, I ran into David Chavira and Brooke Dir, superintendent and principal of East Coloma-Nelson School, respectively.

It’s the responsibility of Chavira and all the other superintendents to begin sketching an outline of how they’ll adhere to the new laws.

“That’s likely how I’ll spend my Christmas break,” he said, laughing.

While classes are out for summer break, teachers will spend a chunk of their “vacation” getting certified and trained, in order to better prepare our youth for what’s to

christopher HEIMERMAN Heimerman is the Enterprise and Projects Editor at SVM. He can be reached at cheimerman@ saukvalley. com or 815-625-3600, ext. 5523.

come. For elementary school kids, that’s middle school. For middleschoolers, it’s high school.

And for high-schoolers, it’s the veritable oyster that is adulthood.

No pressure, teachers.

It’s only those 18-yearolds’ livelihoods that are in your hands.

Teachers would take care of their training during the school year, if there weren’t such a scarcity of quality substitute teachers. And training is more paramount than ever, with the new state education standards and the paradigm shift to next-level thinking via Common Core curriculum. So, it’s so long to the carefree days of summer.

You could imagine how difficult it is to find substi-

tutes who are well-versed in the new standards. The closer you look, the more you learn, the more evident it becomes that education is not for the faint of heart. Rather, it’s only for the huge of heart.

Here’s the good news: Any teacher worth his or her salt wouldn’t be in this game if he or she didn’t love it. If the sacrifice wasn’t worth it. And the same goes for the regional office of education. The amount of planning and perseverance that’s gone into maintaining speed amid the monstrous task of consolidating two offices is nothing short of remarkable.

Anyone who’s been impacted by the budget impasse in Springfield can empathize with schools’ struggles, and with the anxiety the funding blockade has created.

It’s bad enough that the regional office’s funding has been stripped to the bones, but now much of its shoestring budget is tied up in a budget limbo.

Despite that, the regional office has persevered.

In fact, it’s done such a good job fighting the good fight that maybe, just maybe, Superinten-

dent Bob Sondgeroth and Assistant Superintendent Paul McMahon can take a minute to savor the peppermint bark this year.

Maybe they won’t even need that glass of eggnog to take the edge off.

“I’m a lot more relaxed this year than I was last Christmas,” McMahon said.

But rather than cookies or gift cards or, heaven forbid, fruitcake, the best gift you can give a teacher, an administrator, any school staff, is a handshake and a “thank you.”

As a future parent of teenagers – gulp – I salute them for the work they do. And as a show of thanks, I’ll keep school officials’ cellphone numbers under lock and key, not unlike nuclear launch codes, for 10 days, beginning Christmas Day. (Editor’s note: The author will be on vacation Christmas Day through Jan. 3) Christopher Heimerman covers education for Sauk Valley Media. He can be reached at 815-625-3600, ext. 5523, cheimerman@ saukvalley.com or on Twitter (@CHeimerman_ SVM).

Stupor Bowl has raised $180,000 RAFFLE

CONTINUED FROM A1

“We thought maybe we could blow the top off this thing with the guarantee,” the event’s founder and organizer, Tom Wadsworth, said. “We wanted to stoke the pot to make sure there’s a huge take.”

And when they say they want to stoke the pot, they’re putting their money where their mouth is. Should ticket sales fall shy of $2,500, the difference will come out of the foundation’s budget.

Every dollar beyond $2,500 will benefit the foundation, and if sales surpass $5,000, that $2,500 payout to the winner will grow. This all has the foundation’s president, Rob LeSage, in the competitive spirit.

“Our hope is that we sell 10,000 tickets,” he said.

That way, he added, “The kids win. When you buy a 50/50 ticket, you not only get a shot at the $2,500.

You also support the work of the foundation.”

After all, for local events such as Depot Days, which has sold more than $100,000 in tickets the past 2 years, 50/50 raffles have become downright iconic, and the Stupor Bowl is no different.

Since the inaugural Stupor Bowl in 1997, the event has raised $180,000, which has been used to buy educational tools for classrooms such as computer equipment, educational software and laboratory equipment.

The 2003 event featured the maximum number

CHICAGO (AP) – A Cook County judge says a 2014 Illinois law that cut the size of civil-case juries from 12 to 6 people is unconstitutional.

The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin reported Judge William Gomolinski ruled Monday the Illinois constitution provides for 12-person juries. He says that “may not be altered by statute.”

The measure also more than doubled jurors’ pay.

Supporters said higher pay would create more diverse juries, and reducing jury size would help alleviate the cost of paying more.

Defense attorneys argued the change benefitted plaintiffs’ lawyers, who would have to persuade fewer jurors to side with them.

A plaintiff’s attorney says he plans to appeal.

CHICAGO (AP) – The city of Chicago will start to issue tickets to motorists caught on new traffic cameras speeding through children-safety zones.

The Automated Speed Enforcement cameras were installed at two locations in November.

The city sent only warnings for the first 30 days.

A city statement says that, starting today, drivers pictured breaking the speed limit will be ticketed.

The first violation still won’t mean a fine. But any subsequent violation will. The statement says fines are $35 for vehicles traveling 6 to 10 miles per hour over the speed limit.

The cameras are near Mulberry Park and Keystone Park. They’re on from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

DIXON

State budget forces furlough days at Sinnissippi Centers STAFF REPORT news@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5501

DIXON – Sinnissippi Centers, which normally closes 4 days over the Christmas holiday, is adding 3 furlough days this year, to save money in light of state budget cuts, its CEO said Tuesday.

The offices of the addiction and mental health care service provider will close Thursday and reopen Jan. 4.

“Crisis services, our residential programs and a very limited set of clinical services will be provided during this time in order to keep our most vulnerable clients out of harm’s way,” President and CEO Pat Phelan said in a news release. “We are trying to decrease costs without sacrificing services.”

Call 815-284-6611 or go to sinnissippi.org for locations and more information on its programs.

Sheriff: Safe Passages is making a difference HEROIN

CONTINUED FROM A1

Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com

Stupor Bowl organizer Tom Wadsworth (right) asks the Harrison family a question at the start of the championship match on Jan. 31.

Get in the game Tickets for the Stupor Bowl 2016 50/50 raffle are $1 apiece or $5 for six, and can be bought at Midland States Bank, 101 W. First St., CliftonLarsonAllen, 114. E. Everett St., Ward Murray Pace & Johnson, 226 W. River St., or of teams, 32, and raised $18,850 – a standing record. Last year’s haul of $11,873 was an $850 improvement over 2014, even though 20 teams competed – three fewer than in 2014.

This year, the first four rounds will begin at 9:15 a.m. and will be played by all teams competing simultaneously in the cafeteria. Each team deliberates, then writes down its answers on a score sheet.

The four top-scoring teams advance to singleelimination playoffs, starting at 1:30 p.m., using buzzer systems, tossup questions, and four-part teamwork questions. The

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any Dixon public school – when classes resume Jan. 4.

Visit dixonstuporbowl.com to register your team, or for more information. Or contact Tom Wadsworth at 815-2853861 or trw@tomwadsworth.com.

championship match starts at 3 p.m.

Entry deadline is Jan. 29.

Fees for nonprofit organizations and family teams is $150 per team. Each corporate and business teams pays a $300 fee. Each team has up to 10 members.

Since the event’s return in 2010 from a 3-year hiatus, a different team has won every year.

So maybe it’s your year.

At the very least, here’s your chance to help the school district while finishing off your shopping.

“What a great Christmas gift too, isn’t it?” Wadsworth said. “Get Grandma six 50/50 tickets for just 5 bucks.”

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Four people are believed to have died in the past several weeks as a result of heroin overdoses – three in Whiteside County and one in Lee County, police said in a news release today.

In the past 2 years, there have been 26 heroin-related deaths reported in Whiteside County.

“We knew we had

to make a change to assist our residents, and today, 3 months into Safe Passage, we are making a difference,” Lee County Sheriff John Simonton said.

“We must expand these resources to ... ensure citizens in every community can get the help they need.”

Whiteside County Sheriff Kelly Wilhelmi and Sterling Police Chief Ron Potthoff were not available for comment.

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Opinion A6 • Sauk Valley Media

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EDITORIAL

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

THE CARTOONIST’S VOICE

Earlier sunsets in nature and in government What we think Government agreements that no longer serve the public’s best interest should be sent riding off into the sunset. Kudos to the city of Rock Falls for doing just that.

T

uesday was the first full day of winter – the time of year when we’ve been adjusting to earlier sunsets.

“Sunset” is a term also used in government. It refers to governmental bodies reviewing various agreements and laws to see whether they retain value and purpose after a particular period of time has elapsed.

If the measures are out of date or haven’t accomplished the desired results, then they are allowed to expire, or “sunset.”

Some laws contain “sunset” provisions that call for the law to expire after a prescribed number of years.

The city of Rock Falls recently engaged in a little “sunsetting” of its own.

Earlier this month, the City Council voted to end a 13-year-old agreement with the Rock Falls Community Development Corp. The city will retain the $100,000 a year it had paid the RFCDC to oversee economic development efforts.

Some of those retained funds likely will come in handy as the city seeks to develop two parcels of land it bought this year in the vicinity of the Interstate 88 and state Route 40 interchange.

BEFORE THAT, Rock Falls Mayor Bill Wescott led an effort to end the city’s contract with the Rock Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau. An amicable agreement was reached in the spring for the bureau to turn over previous tourism funds ($584,000) to the city. The city also will retain new

hotel/motel tax proceeds, about $160,000 a year – an amount that ought to grow larger after the new Holiday Inn Express and Suites opens along the Rock River.

The city started its own tourism department to do the work that had been the responsibility of the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

In each case, the city decided to review agreements made some years ago to see whether they were still beneficial to the taxpayers.

The mayor and aldermen came to the conclusion that the deals no longer gave maximum benefit to the city and its residents. Thus, it was time to pull the plug.

Taxpayers expect government leaders to ride herd on expenditures. We applaud Rock Falls officials for taking the time and effort to exercise their oversight authority regarding how tax dollars are spent.

Now they must find wise uses of money that had once been allocated to local tourism and community development groups, so that the work of tourism promotion and economic development can continue.

In this season of early sunsets, other units of government ought to follow Rock Falls’ example and give long-standing agreements and practices a second look to see whether they still serve the greater public good.

If those agreements and practices remain sound, keep them.

If not, it’s time to send them riding off into the sunset.

SVM Reader Poll Vote at saukvalley.com (Note to readers – This is not a scientific poll.

It reflects the views of website visitors who voluntarily answer the question.)

Current question: Which Christmas church service do you prefer to attend?

• • •

Previous question and results: In the wake of the Paris climate change accord, how much are you willing to modify your everyday activities to reduce your personal carbon footprint?

I’ll make major changes ............................... 17% Average changes ........................................... 11% Minor changes .............................................. 10% No changes at all........................................... 62% Total votes: 187

EDITORIAL BOARD Jim Dunn Sam R Fisher Sheryl Gulbranson Jennifer Heintzelman Jeff Rogers

Dave Granlund, GateHouse News Service

THE READER’S VOICE

Years of holiday joy now being vandalized SHIRLEY and DON LESTER Tampico

I am writing on behalf of our friends, Gary and Joan Johnson, who live in the country in Tampico. They have decorated their yard for more than 40 years and love the joy they give to many people in this area.

They start decorating in October, and it takes a long time to get completed. They added a new laser light this year that shows colors on the shed to make it more colorful.

They had it up only a few nights and it disappeared.

They had lights stolen from the yard on a different date. They came to church last Sunday to say that someone had taken the baby Jesus and some of the animals from their nativity scene they have had for years. It is plastic and not worth any value to anyone, but worth a lot to them.

Then on Dec. 17, they discovered several figures had been taken that were on the fence display up by the house.

I can’t believe people can get any fun out of taking decorations that people put up to enjoy during the Christmas season. They are just being destructive and hurting the Johnsons, who have enjoyed doing this for so long.

They have worked in very cold weather and snow to get the decorations up so people can enjoy when they drive through their farm. The vandals are probably just destroying them and not thinking of what the meaning of Christmas is.

Please have a heart and bring the decorations back and put them in their yard so they can display again. Why don’t you try learning the true meaning of Christmas instead of being destructive?

Merry Christmas to the people who enjoy the season.

THE FIRST AMENDMENT

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

What do you think?

Let us know. Write your own letter to the editor and send it to: letters@saukvalley. com

Headline, story both rubbish RICHARD GRIBBINS Oregon

I just read your Dec. 19 SV Weekend edition headline “Minorities more likely to be stopped, cited.” That may be the most moronic headline I ever read, and I have read a lot. And, it got no better after I read the entire piece.

It was all politicallycorrect “PC” nonsense.

I got the impression that someone said, “Let’s do this story,” and then proceeded to fill in information to support it. All rubbish. You should be ashamed.

Did it ever occur to you people that “minorities” are stopped more often because they are committing more crimes? I doubt it.

Yes, you need to put out a paper, but please stick to issues of substance rather than making it up as you go along.

Signed, a disgusted reader.

Citizens with guns no match for terrorists RICHARD GEIGER Amboy

While Mr. Koper makes some valid points concerning the ability of active duty military personnel to carry weapons [“For safer society, shortcomings need correction,” The Reader’s Voice, Dec. 17], the idea that a civilian with a concealed carry weapon would be able to stop a terrorist attack is probably misguided.

In a terrorist attack, it is unlikely that anyone involved as a victim would be able to assess

the situation or respond.

We have become too Illinois enamored of John McClane-style actions in Budget the movies that we come Stalemate to believe that the same thing will happen in real life.

I, too, have seen many years, and I can recall when the use of a gun was a rare event, indeed.

My high school had a rifle club, but no one worwithout a state budget shiped guns as so many for the fiscal year that do now. started July 1.

As a society, we have become victims of the military-industrial complex, which has flooded 815-288-4673. Thank you.

Note to readers: Joan the country with guns.

Padilla is executive director of Home of Hope.

176 days

Keep cancer center close to your hearts JOAN PADILLA Sterling

As we say goodbye to 2015 and look to 2016, I ask that you keep Home of Hope in your hearts.

Cancer touches too many of us. Having a resource for our friends and families to go to is essential.

This year, Home of Hope has provided services for 907 clients, compared to 825 last year.

Our service hours have also increased to more than 2,400. I attribute the increases to improved outreach through our expansion of programs and services in the area.

I want the community to know that Home of Hope is focused on making the cancer journey as stress free as possible.

I ask that as members of the community, you consider investing in the center.

Gifts large or small, time and talents, are appreciated and fundamental in continuing our mission.

Your donation goes to work right here in your community, impacting the lives of those closest to you.

Gifts can be made online at homeofhopeonline. org or by mail to Home of Hope, 1637 Plock Road, Dixon, IL 61021. For more information, call me at

“Freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of religion all have a double aspect – freedom of thought and freedom of action.”

Editorials represent the opinions of the Sauk Valley Media Editorial Board.

Modern design nowhere close to castle style

Frank Murphy, U.S. Supreme Court justice, 1941

Quotes brought to you courtesy of

JOSIE REYES ALMASSY Dixon

We were all for keeping the Dixon High School castle, but oh my gosh, the modern additions in the front and the sides are just so-o-o-o-o out of place.

It looks like a total mishmash and does not keep the integrity of the castle’s architecture. Surely there is a way to copy the stone work, style, etc., so it looks integrated.

The picture in the Dec. 12 SV Weekend paper looked so disconnected aesthetically, like singing “Ave Maria,” then singing it rap style. I cannot see how this is even presented as an option. I think Mumford and Sons would not have performed here if they saw this.

However, finding a new location is out because I am sure it is more costly, plus “where” is a good question that no one can seem to answer. I still do not see the use or the need for Amy Yurko who, by the way, is a modernist architect, telling us that she has never seen a community so split.

I think “too many cooks spoil the pot” is causing this “conundrum.”

Signed, a concerned Dixonite.

Share your opinions Mail: The Reader’s Voice Sauk Valley Media 3200 E. Lincolnway, P.O. Box 498 Sterling, IL 61081 Email: letters@saukvalley.com Fax: 815-625-9390 Website: Visit www.saukvalley.com Policy: Letters are to be no more than 300 words and must include the writer’s name, town and daytime telephone number, which we call to verify authorship. Individuals may write up to 12 letters a year.

Opinions expressed in letters and columns are those of the writers.

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

www.saukvalley.com

Sauk Valley Media • A7

WINTER

ILLINOIS

Weird weather ahead for holiday Forecaster: Strong El Nino pattern playing big role SEATTLE (AP) – A weather pattern partly linked with El Nino has turned winter upsidedown across the U.S. during a week of heavy holiday travel, bringing spring-like warmth to the Northeast, a risk of tornadoes in the South and so much snow across the West that even skiing slopes have been overwhelmed.

In a reversal of a typical Christmas, forecasters expect New York to be in the mid-60s on the holiday – several degrees higher than Los Angeles.

The mild conditions have helped golf courses in New England do brisk business, but the pattern comes at a steep cost for ski resorts that have closed and for backcountry skiers who confront avalanche risks.

And many Americans complain that it just doesn’t feel like the holidays without a chill in the air.

“It’s been a great snow season so far from the Rockies to the higher elevations in the Cascades and the northern Sierras, and it’s been the total opposite on the East Coast,” said Bob Oravec, lead forecaster with the National Weather Service.

Big parts of the county are basking in aboveaverage temperatures, especially east of the Mississippi and across the Northern Plains.

Record warmth was

Thrift stores, recycling centers overwhelmed with old TVs AP

Leon Perkins, 3, leans forward to take a bite of snow as he plays with his brother, Conner, 2, and his father, Erin, on Tuesday at Snoqualmie Pass, Washington.

The Seattle family headed to the mountains Tuesday to enjoy the new snow that fell overnight. A weather pattern partly linked with El Nino has turned winter upside-down across the U.S. during a week of heavy holiday travel, bringing spring-like warmth to the Northeast, a risk of tornadoes in the South and so much snow in parts of the West that there are concerns about avalanches. expected on Christmas Eve along the East Coast, Oravec said.

He laid the credit – or blame – with a strong El Nino pattern, the warming of surface waters in the Pacific Ocean near the equator. That’s helped drive warm air west to east across the Lower 48 and kept colder air from the Arctic at bay, he said.

In the Pacific Northwest and California, the effects of El Nino haven’t really hit yet. They’re typically seen in January through March, and the heavy rains and snows in the region are probably not linked to the phenomenon, said Washington State Climatologist Nick Bond.

The winter in the Pacific Northwest is still predict-

ed to be drier than normal, so the series of storms that dumped feet of snow in the Cascades this month and piled the snowpack back above normal, were helpful, he said.

Come summer, farmers and salmon alike will rely on that melting snow.

In Washington, authorities have closed the state’s main east-west route, Interstate 90, over the Cascade Mountains repeatedly this week due to heavy snows and avalanche danger. Officials closed a sledding hill near Snoqualmie Pass on Tuesday because the storm kept the state Transportation Department from plowing the parking lot. On Sunday, a heavy storm closed Oregon’s Mount Ashland Ski

Area when it knocked out power.

California is in its driest 4-year span on record, and experts anticipate a possible fifth year of drought. Weather forecasters say a strong El Nino weather system could drench the state, but one good, wet winter won’t be enough to rehydrate the parched land. A fresh round of chilly rain was expected to hit San Francisco late this week.

The same system was expected to drop some 4 feet of snow in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

While ski resorts celebrated a deluge that threatened to drop almost 2 feet of snow in parts of Colorado’s mountains, forecasters warned of serious avalanche risks.

WASHINGTON

Report: More young adults signing up through health law WASHINGTON (AP) – Midway through signup season, more young adults are getting coverage through President Barack Obama’s health care law. The number of new customers is also trending higher, officials said Tuesday in an upbeat report.

Outside analysts who reviewed the administration’s update said it reflects encouraging progress, but that might not dispel ques-

tions about the longterm future of the health insurance markets created under Obama’s 2010 overhaul. Premiums have been going up and getting new sign-ups remains a challenge.

Administration statistics also showed some continuing problems verifying the citizenship and income of applicants for subsidized coverage.

Consumer advocates say those issues generally stem from the complexity

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of the law, and that many people who run into verification problems simply drop out. Some become uninsured again.

Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell said more than 8.2 million people signed up or renewed coverage for 2016 from Nov. 1 through Dec. 19.

Open enrollment ends on Jan. 31. People who remain uninsured after that risk rising fines.

“We’re off to a strong

start,” Burwell said Tuesday, noting that the numbers reflect only the 38 states using the HealthCare.gov website and call center. Major states running their own programs, including California and New York, were not counted in Tuesday’s report, and their totals will be factored in later.

About 2.4 million people who’ve signed up are new to HealthCare.gov, said Burwell, ahead of last year’s levels.

CHICAGO (AP) – People who buy new televisions face a dwindling set of options for disposing of their old ones thanks to an Illinois law that makes it illegal to throw them in the trash.

Jennifer Jarland, recycling coordinator for Kane County, told the Chicago Tribune that the list of places you can unload an old TV is getting shorter.

“There are not many places you can take your TVs, and yet they are banned from the landfills.

So it’s a problem,” she said.

Not even charities seem to want old TVs because few people buy them.

“We actually had to pay people to take them away,” said Ron McCormick, business manager for The Salvation Army’s greater Chicago area.

“Our mission here is to sell stuff for money. We can’t be losing money by taking TVs.” Part of the problem is a mechanism in the 2012 law that was designed to help cover the cost of recycling, Jarland said. Manufacturers are required to pay the state based on a percentage of the weight of new electronics sold 2 years earlier in the state.

However, TVs keep getting lighter, which means the amount of money coming in keeps dropping, and the stream of TVs being disposed of isn’t decreasing. That means Illinois counties and recycling centers are left with the rest of the cost.

But help could be coming. Gov. Bruce Rauner has already signed a bill into law that will temporarily increase the

Local recycling Dixon Secure Recycling Services, 629 Palmyra Road, a division of Kreider Services, will accept electronic waste.

Commercial businesses should call 815-2881602 for fees and dropoff information. Beginning Jan. 29, the facility will accept residential drop-offs of electronics from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on the last Friday of each month. TVs or monitors can be dropped off at no charge by Lee County residents only.

Call 815-288-1602 or go to securerecyclingservices.com for more information.

Sterling Self Help Enterprises in Sterling accepts electronic items for recycling from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Monday through Friday at Self Help, 2300 W. LeFevre Road. Call 815626-3115 for drop-off fees and other information. amount of money electronics manufacturers will pay for recycling through 2017.

The 2012 law also requires the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to review the statute and, in the spring of 2016, propose any changes the agency believes are needed.

Jarland would also like people to not be so quick to replace TVs, something that people do far more often than in years past.

“We’re just being flooded, especially with those giant TVs,” Jarland said.

“If they’re still working, keep using them.”

Lifestyle www.saukvalley.com

Sauk Valley Media • A8

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Wife’s payback isn’t worth the price Dear Abby, I found out a few months ago that my husband, “Hal,” the father of my children, has had affairs with five different women. I left, and we are now getting a divorce.

I desperately wanted revenge, so I have been secretly seeing Hal’s good friend “Ron,” whom he “forbade” me from contacting after I told him his infidelity and disrespect gave me permission to act on the attraction I had for Ron. It’s just a friends-withbenefits situation and I am having fun, so I don’t really consider it to be revenge.

Hal has spent the last 5 months begging me to forgive him and work on our marriage, but I

dearABBY Abigail Van Buren’s (Jeanne Phillips) column appears during the week through Universal Press Syndicate.

no longer love him and I certainly don’t trust him.

I told him I would “work on” forgiving him, so now he calls, says he still loves me and flirts.

The last woman Hal cheated on me with is his current girlfriend.

He told me that if I ever want to hook up, I should make sure to use code

SUPPORT GROUPS, CLUBS AND SERVICES Thursday, Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Cancellations have not been received for these; check ahead to see if meeting.

Women, infants and children clinic; and family planning services, Lee County Health Department, 309 S. Galena Ave., Suite 100, Dixon. Appointments: 815-284-3371.

Abuse Changing team, 815625-0338.

Twin City Sunrise Rotary, 7 a.m., Ryberg Auditorium, CGH Medical Center, 100 E. LeFevre Road, Sterling.

TOPS IL 1426, 8:30-9 a.m. weigh-in, meeting at 9 a.m., Coloma Homes, 401 W. 18th St., Rock Falls.

TOPS IL 825, 9-10 a.m. weigh-in, meeting at 10 a.m., Coventry Activity Center, 612 St. Mary’s Road, Sterling, 815626-0034.

Golden K Kiwanis, 9:30 a.m., YMCA, 2505 YMCA Way, Sterling.

Free blood pressure check, 10-11:30 a.m., Oregon Living & Rehab Center, 811 S. 10th St. Caregiver Support and Education Group, noon, St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 703 Third Ave., Sterling, 815626-7333, ext. 317.

Alcoholics Anonymous Gratitude Group, noon, Big Book, closed; 6 p.m., literature, open, lower level, Loveland Community House, 513 W. Second St., Dixon.

Alcoholics Anonymous, noon, closed, St. Paul Lutheran Church, 114 S. Fifth St., Oregon.

Alcoholics Anonymous, noon, closed; 5:30 p.m., open, beginners; 7 p.m., closed, step, Bazaar Americana, 609 W. Third St., Sterling.

Volunteer Care Center of Lee County, 2-5 p.m., 101 W. Second St., Dixon. Appointments: 815-284-9555.

Sauk Valley Alcoholics Anonymous Group, noon, open, 12 and 12; 8 p.m., closed, 12 and 12, back door, 1503 First Ave., Rock Falls.

Alcoholics Anonymous, 2:30 p.m., clearance required, BAAbble on for Life Prison Group, 815-973-6150.

Narcotics Anonymous, 3 p.m., 2611 Woodlawn Road, Sterling, 815-625-0013.

Affliction of Addiction Narcotics Anonymous, 6 p.m., First Christian Church, 506 Fifth Ave., Rock Falls, 779-245-3487.

Downstairs, west door.

Speak Boldly Toastmasters, 6 p.m., Sterling Public Library, 102 W. Third St., Sterling.

TOPS, 6:30 p.m., Rock Falls United Methodist Church, 210 Fourth Ave., 815-625-0431.

Sterling Optimist Club, 7 p.m., Candlelight Inn, 2907 N. Locust St. Al-Anon-Alateen, 7 p.m., St. John Lutheran Church, 703 Third Ave., Sterling.

Alcoholics Anonymous, 7 p.m., closed, and Al-AnonAlateen, 7 p.m., United Methodist Church, 709 Fourth Ave., Rochelle.

Alcoholics Anonymous, 7 p.m., closed, 808 Freeport Road, Sterling.

Alcoholics Anonymous, 7 p.m., open, Big Book, Rolling Hills Center, 201 state Route 64, Lanark.

Alcoholics Anonymous, 7:30 p.m., closed, St. Anne Church, 401 N. Cherry St., Morrison.

Rock River Valley Barbershop Chorus practice, 7 p.m., Rock Falls Community Building, 603 W. 10th St., 815-441-5327.

Alcoholics Anonymous, 8 p.m., closed, United Steelworkers, 502 Woodburn Ave., Sterling.

Friday, Dec. 25 Christmas Day Cancellations have not been received for these; check

ahead to see if meeting.

Women, infants and children clinic; and family planning services, Lee County Health Department, 309 S. Galena Ave., Suite 100, Dixon. Appointments: 815-284-3371.

Electronics recycling, 9 a.m.4 p.m., 909 W. Pines Road, Oregon, 815-732-4020.

Mercy Nursing Services free blood pressure clinic, 9:3011:30 a.m., Oliver’s Corner Market, 748 N. Brinton Ave., Dixon.

Bible study, 10 a.m., Oregon Living & Rehab Center, 811 S. 10th St. Alcoholics Anonymous, noon, closed, St. Paul Lutheran Church, 114 S. Fifth St., Oregon.

Alcoholics Anonymous Gratitude Group, noon, open; 6 p.m. open, lower level, Loveland Community Building, 513 W. Second St., Dixon.

Mercy Nursing free blood pressure clinic, noon-1:30 p.m., County Market, 1380 N. Galena Ave., Dixon Alcoholics Anonymous, noon, closed; 3:30 p.m. closed; 7 p.m., closed; 10 p.m., open, candlelight, Bazaar Americana, 609 W. Third St., Sterling.

Sauk Valley Alcoholics Anonymous Group, noon, closed, it’s your meeting; 8 p.m., open, Grapevine, back door, 1503 First Ave., Rock Falls.

Affliction of Addiction Narcotics Anonymous, noon, 6 p.m., First Christian Church, 506 Fifth Ave., Rock Falls, 779-2453487. Downstairs, west door.

Alcoholics Anonymous, 7 p.m., closed, 808 Freeport Road, Sterling.

Alcoholics Anonymous, 7 p.m., open; 7 p.m., Al-AnonAlateen, Immanuel Lutheran Church, 960 U.S. Route 52, Amboy.

Alcoholics Anonymous, 7 p.m., closed, Rochelle Community Hospital, 900 N. Second St. Reformers Unanimous Addiction Abstinence Program, 7-9 p.m., First Baptist Church, 24 N. Mason Ave., Amboy, 815-857-2682.

Alcoholics Anonymous, 7:30 p.m., closed, First Congregational Church, 218 E. Third St., Prophetstown.

Alcoholics Anonymous, 8 p.m., closed, Church of God, 816 S. Clay St., Mount Carroll.

words when leaving messages because she might see my calls and text messages. He also told me that he is not interested in a long-term relationship with her.

I slept with Hal recently to have leverage. I was contemplating sending her the proof as payback for how she treated me some months back, although I don’t want her boyfriend back. I am now questioning if this is the right thing to do. Should I just leave it alone?

– Payback Somewhere in the U.S.A. Dear Payback, Yes, do it for everyone’s sake – including your own. This cycle of revenge is doing no one any good.

Dear Abby, Before we had kids, my wife and I would occasionally go out with groups of friends or to social functions, but it was difficult to get her to go home. She always liked closing the place down, and if we left early I felt like I was dragging her away.

For the first 5 years after our children were born, we didn’t get out much.

My wife is now starting to go out with friends from work – a mixed group of single and married guys and gals. She has invited me to come along, but sitters are expensive and I’m not friendly with her co-workers. She stays out with them until 3 to 4 a.m. once a month. I think that’s ridiculously

late when you have a husband and children at home.

When she’s not here, I can’t sleep and I worry that something is wrong.

She rarely calls to check in unless I ask her to.

Overall I trust her, but with her drinking heavily and many single guys around, I don’t feel comfortable with the situation. I don’t know what to do.

– Lonely Dad in Arizona

binge drinker, which isn’t healthy.

The implications of your letter are serious, so you should sit down with her and have a discussion about the amount she imbibes on her nights out. You shouldn’t have to worry about her, so out of respect for your feelings, she should routinely let you know how long she’ll be after the bars/ clubs close.

Dear Lonely Dad, I have it on good authority that last call for serving alcohol in Arizona is 2 a.m. Could your wife be drinking so heavily that she needs the time to sober up in order to drive home? If that’s the case, she might be a

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

HOLIDAY Q&A

Keep kids safe during holiday visits Tribune News Service

Q: We have young children visiting for Christmas. Can you provide a quick child-proofing checklist?

A: “There’s no substitution for parental supervision,” says Susan Katz, a pediatric injury prevention specialist at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital.

However, to minimize risks and make the child comfortable, Katz and Lisa Abdinoor, who grew up in Oakdale and is a child-safety expert for the Indiana-based

Safety 1st juvenile products company, advise the following: • Keep kids away from stairs to prevent falls.

Don’t depend solely on a pressure-gate at the top of stairs, as some kids are strong enough to push it over.

• Make sure outdoor pools or ponds are covered or inaccessible.

“We’re having a really warm season,” Katz said, and the kids might be outside.

• Consider kitchen cabinet latches for lower cabinets that

store cleaning supplies, Abdinoor suggests. Keep sharp objects “up and away,” she says.

• Store medications and alcoholic beverages out of reach. Store all guests’ pocketbooks or luggage, in which they could be carrying medication, in an inaccessible area.

• Be mindful of tablecloths. “Young kids pull them down,” Katz said, and could spill hot coffee or hot soup on themselves.

• Cover electrical outlets with childproof

covers and secure cords from blinds to prevent strangling.

• Remove breakables or choking hazards from coffee tables.

• Move low-hanging ornaments higher on your Christmas tree.

• Show the child photos of family members or friends they’ve not met so the faces won’t seem so unfamiliar, Abdinoor recommends.

• Have parents bring the child’s own car seat to be placed in the car that will be picking them up from an airport.

COMMUNITY EVENTS Wednesday, Dec. 23 Open pool, open cards, open Wii games and computer lab, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Whiteside County Senior Center, 1207 W. Ninth St., Sterling, 815-622-9230.

Open pool, open cards, open Wii games and computer lab, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Post House Community Center, 100 W. Second St., Dixon, 815288-9236.

Pool players, 8:30 a,m., Rock River Center, 810 S. 10th St., Oregon, 815-732-3252.

Crafting, 9 a.m., Rock River Center, 810 S. 10th St., Oregon, 815-732-3252.

Kings on Corner cards, 9 a.m., Whiteside County Senior Center, 1207 W. Ninth St., Sterling, 815-622-9230.

Mexican Train dominoes, 9:30 a.m., Rock River Center, 810 S. 10th St., Oregon, 815732-3252.

Canasta, 10 a.m., Whiteside County Senior Center, 1207 W. Ninth St., Sterling, 815-6229230.

Wii Bowling and card games, 10 a.m., Hub City Senior Center, 401 Cherry

Ave., Rochelle, 815-562-5050.

Lifescape lunch, 11:30 a.m., Post House Community Center, 100 W. Second St., Dixon, 815-288-9236. Sign up by 10 a.m. previous business day.

Lunch, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Whiteside County Senior Center, 1207 W. Ninth St., Sterling, 815-622-9230.

Organized Wii Bowling games, noon, Post House Community Center, 100 W. Second St., Dixon.

Pinochle, noon, Hub City Senior Center, 401 Cherry Ave., Rochelle, 815-562-5050.

Sewing after lunch, noon, Robert Fulton Community Center and Transit Facility, 912 Fourth St., Fulton, 815-5893925.

Bingo with the Beukemas, 12:15 p.m., Robert Fulton Community Center and Transit Facility, 912 Fourth St., Fulton, 815-589-3925..

Bridge, 12:30 p.m., Whiteside County Senior Center, 1207 W. Ninth St., Sterling, 815-622-9230.

Pinochle, 12:30-3 p.m., Big Room, Whiteside County Senior Center, 1207 W. Ninth

St., Sterling, 815-622-9230.

Bingo, 1 p.m., Rock Falls American Legion Hall, 712 Fourth Ave. Bingo, 1 p.m., Whiteside County Senior Center, 1207 W. Ninth St., Sterling, 815-6229230.

Wii Bowling, 1 p.m., Rock River Center, 810 S. 10th St., Oregon, 815-732-3252.

Second Wind Entertainers, 1:30 p.m., Rock River Center, 810 S. 10th St., Oregon, 815732-3253.

Community cards, 2 p.m., The Meadows of Franklin Grove, 510 N. State St., 815456-3000.

Skeet shooting, 2 p.m. until no shooters, Coleta Sportsmen’s Club, the corner of Pilgrim and Blue Goose roads, 815-336-2191.

Kings Kids Club, 6 p.m., Liberty Baptist Church, 2002 Ninth Ave., Rock Falls, 815579-1209 or 815-625-4101.

Thursday, Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Cancellations have not been received for these; check ahead to see if meeting.

Pool players, 8:30 a.m.,

Rock River Center, 810 S. 10th St., Oregon, 815-732-3252.

Line dancing, 9:30 a.m., Rock River Center, 810 S. 10th St., Oregon, 815-732-3252.

Community coffee, 10-11 a.m., The Meadows of Franklin Grove, 510 N. State St., 815-456-3000.

Hand and Foot card game, 12:15 p.m., Rock River Center, 810 S. 10th St., Oregon, 815732-3252.

Bingo, 1 p.m. Sterling Women of the Moose, 2601 E. Lincolnway.

Trap shooting, 2 p.m. until no shooters, Coleta Sportsmen’s Club, the corner of Pilgrim and Blue Goose roads, 815-336-2191.

Exercise group, 4 p.m., Robert Fulton Community Center and Transit Facility, 912 Fourth St., Fulton, 815-589-3925.

Mexican food, 5-8 p.m., Rock Falls VFW, 217 First Ave. Mexican Train dominoes, 6 p.m., Tampico Area Community Building, 106 W. Market St., 815-535-3665.

Bingo, 7 p.m., Latin American Social Club, 2708 W. Fourth St., Sterling, 815-625-8290.

You have a voice.

We help make it wireless.

With our Lifeline Calling Plans, U.S. Cellular® offers discounted wireless service to participants of certain government assistance programs. To get more information or to apply, visit us at uscellular.com/lifeline or give us a call at 1-800-447-1339.

$

30.74

For just your plan includes: 700 Anytime Minutes Unlimited Incoming Calls and Text Messaging Free activation ($30 value)

Things we want you to know: Lifeline is a federal government benefit program and only qualified persons may participate. Lifeline service may not be transferred to any other individual. Applicants must present documentation of household income or participation in qualifying programs. Lifeline is only available for one phone line per household, whether landline or wireless. The Lifeline Calling Plan/Lifeline discounts are available only to residents in states where U.S. Cellular is an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC). To purchase this Lifeline Calling Plan or to receive Lifeline discounts, you must participate in one of the eligible programs and reside within U.S. Cellular’s ETC coverage area based on the ZIP code of your home address. Lifeline subsidies may only be applied once per household on either your landline or your wireless service. Eligibility to receive Lifeline discounts will be verified annually. Lifeline Calling Plans support all of the federal universal services provided for in 47CFR Sec. 54.101. Additional terms and conditions apply.

See store or uscellular.com for details. ©2013 U.S. Cellular

Food Wednesday, December 23, 2015

www.saukvalley.com

Sauk Valley Media • A9

Give gift of good eats

Warm butternut squash and cheddar dip features all the tastes of the season, plus cheese. Who doesn’t love cheese?

Tribune News Service photos

Holiday happy hour: Easy appetizers for your party table

I

BY GRETCHEN MCKAY Tribune News Service

t’s tough to survive the holidays without putting on a few extra pounds. All those parties and family get-togethers have a way of tempting us with tasty treats that aren’t exactly calorie-conscious. From the cookies and other sugary sweets to the endless parade of mini-quiches and baconwrapped shrimp, we’re doomed if we dare show up even the tiniest bit hungry. And that doesn’t even take into account the alcohol.

We could offer to party-throwers a menu of heart-healthy recipes, but let’s be honest: Party-goers crave something they know isn’t especially good for them.

Here’s the challenge: You want your food to be so delicious-looking that it makes everyone’s mouth water, but healthful enough that no one feels guilty about eating a ton.

Below are recipes for some simple-buttasty hors d’oeuvres that, save for the decadent blue cheese-pecan tart that’s worth every hip-hugging calorie, are relatively guilt free. Why go for the cheese ball, for instance, when you can make a creamy cheese dip with winter’s favorite vegetable, butternut squash? Instead of the standard shrimp cocktail, how about

thin strips of lemongrass-marinated beef wrapped around crunchy scallions?

The best part is all can be assembled beforehand and then refrigerated, ready to be popped into the oven or finished off on the stovetop just before your guests arrive.

That way, you can have some fun, too.

Lemongrass Beef and Scallion Rolls Serves: 4 to 8 This dish is an easy version of the Japanese dish beef negimaki, Roll them ahead, wrap in plastic and store in the fridge until you’re ready to grill and serve. You’ll find lemongrass stalks in Asian markets.

1½ pounds top round steak 4 lemongrass stalks, trimmed, pounded and minced 1 garlic clove, minced 2 tablespoons fish sauce 1 tablespoon honey 2 teaspoons of soy sauce ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 6 scallions Toasted crushed sesame seeds, for serving

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A10 • Sauk Valley Media

www.saukvalley.com

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Does this beer make me look fat?

BY SHERRY DEWALT CGH Medical Center

T

he holidays are here, and for many of us that might mean a cocktail or two.

Before you stop reading, let me assure you, I’m not a teetotaler; but I don’t drink much and that has as much to do with controlling my weight as it does with other more serious health concerns.

Here are some truths about alcohol and its effect on your metabolism that you might want to consid-

beyondTRIM Sherry DeWalt is a community health educator at CGH Medical Center in Sterling. Reach her at Sherry.

DeWalt@ cghmc.com

er before reaching for that second (or third) drink: At 7 calories per gram (about 150 calories in a 12 oz. beer; 100 calories in a 5 oz. glass of wine

or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits) alcohol can be a significant source of “empty” calories. Unlike calories provided by carbohydrates, protein, and fat, the calories in alcohol do not provide any nutrients that are required by the body. While you might think that you “need” a drink; that has nothing to do with nourishing yourself.

Many of us like to have a drink in order to relax and cut loose. An unfortunate side effect is the relaxation of our willpower when

it comes to food. While under the influence we can often end up consuming more calories than we might have intended. This can derail our efforts to manage our weight.

Excessive alcohol consumption affects the levels of hormones in our blood – specifically altering the balance between testosterone and estrogen. This imbalance leads to more body fat being deposited and increased fluid retention.

Other imbalances are created which contrib-

ute to a fatty liver and a build-up of fats in the bloodstream.

Another less obvious connection between alcohol consumption and weight gain has to do with sleep. Alcohol has been known to affect sleep patterns, and poor sleep leads to increased levels of cortisol; a stress hormone that contributes to abdominal fat.

As you can see, if you are someone who is trying to manage your weight it might not be productive to consume

too much alcohol. If you do choose to drink, the recommendation for moderate alcohol consumption is 1 drink per day for women and 2 drinks per day for men.

While there are some health benefits that have been attributed to moderate alcohol consumption, most experts agree that there is not enough evidence to support adding alcohol to your diet if you do not already drink.

And, of course, there are some people who just should not drink at all.

Adding flavors of Caesar salad spice up deviled eggs GIFT

CONTINUED FROM A9

Place meat in freezer for 30 to 45 minutes, then slice as thinly as possible against the grain.

Combine lemongrass, garlic, fish sauce, honey, soy sauce and pepper in a large bowl and mix well.

Add beef and toss to combine. Let beef marinate for up to 1 hour at room temperature, or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.

Trim scallions and cut crosswise into halves or thirds, so that they are a bit longer than the width of the slices of beef. Bring 1 inch water to a simmer in a medium-size skillet over mediumhigh heat. Add scallions and blanch just until their color deepens, 15 to 20 seconds.

Drain.

Preheat an outdoor grill, stovetop grill or panini press.

Roll each piece of beef around 1 or 2 pieces of scallion, and brush the excess marinade on outside of each roll. If desired, thread rolls onto wooden skewers or toothpicks that have been soaked in water.

Grill until just cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side, sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve hot.

– “Paleo Planet: Primal Foods From the Global Kitchen”

by Becky Winkler (Harvard Common Press, November 2015, $24.95)

Zesty Linguica Spread Makes: 1 cup This easy appetizer is a savory blend of spicy sausage and mildly tangy cream cheese. If you can’t find Portuguese sausage, substitute the more readily available chorizo. You can serve the spread with crackers, toast points or filo cups – I spooned it into buttery puff pasty cups. Yum. ½ pound linguica or chorizo sausage, casing removed 1½ teaspoons olive oil ¼ cup finely chopped onion 4 ounces cream cheese, softened or whipped 1½ tablespoons finely chopped parsley

Dash or two hot sauce, to taste Cut sausage into small pieces. Heat oil in skillet and add pieces of sausage and the onion. Saute until sausage gets some color and the onions are soft and lightly golden, about 4 minutes. Cool completely, then transfer to the bowl of a food processor.

Process about 20 to 30 seconds or until meat and onions are fairly fine.

Transfer to bowl and fold in cream cheese and parsley, mixing thoroughly. Add hot sauce, blending well. Serve immediately or cover and chill. Bring out 30 minutes before using. Spread on toast points or fresh bread or add rounded teaspoons to miniature filo cups.

– “Authentic Portuguese Cooking” by Ana Patuleia Ortins (Page Street Publishing, October 2015, $32)

Warm Butternut Squash and Cheddar Dip Serves: 10 This warm dip for the holidays is totally unexpected but totally delicious. It features all the tastes of the season, plus cheese. Who doesn’t love cheese?

Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling and greasing 1 large butternut squash (about 3½ pounds) Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (½ stick), plus more if needed 20 sage leaves 1 large onion, thinly sliced 4 medium cloves garlic, minced 8-ounce package cream cheese, at room temperature ½ cup sour cream 8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded Crackers or pita chips, to dip Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil. Grease a small baking dish with olive oil and set aside.

Peel, seed, and dice the squash into 1-inch cubes.

Alternatively, use the microwave: Poke holes all over the squash with a fork

Tribune News Service

Zesty linguica spread is a savory blend of spicy sausage and mildly tangy cream cheese. or make shallow slits in the skin with a knife. Microwave squash for 3 minutes or until the skin and flesh have softened slightly. Peel squash and cut into cubes.

Discard seeds.

Place squash cubes on the prepared sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Toss to coat. Season generously with salt and pepper.

Roast squash until forktender and lightly browned, about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, melt butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add sage leaves and fry in butter until lightly crisped and beginning to darken slightly. Remove pan from heat and remove sage leaves using a slotted spoon. Set aside.

Return pan to heat, add onion, and season with salt and pepper. Continue to cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until onion has caramelized, about 30 minutes. Add more butter if onion begins to stick to pan. Stir in garlic at the very end and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Place roasted squash, caramelized onion mixture, and about 2/3 of the crispy sage leaves into the bowl of a food processor. Process until well combined.

Add cream cheese and sour cream and process until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, if necessary. Transfer squash mixture to prepared baking dish and mix in half of the cheddar cheese throughout. Top with remaining half of cheese. (At this point, the dip can be covered and refrigerated for up to 3 days before baking

ALL-SAFE CENTER’S HOLIDAY HOURS: • Open Until 2:00 PM on Thursday December 24th • Closed Friday December 25th & Saturday December 26th • Resuming normal business hours 8:30 AM on Monday December 28th

Happy Holidays!!!

All-Safe Storage Center We offer expert packaging solutions, plus shipping via FedEx & UPS! www.allsafecenter.com 690 Timber Creek Rd., off of Lowell Park Rd., Dixon • 815-285-2212 Business Office Open M-F 8:30 to 6 and Sat 8:30 to noon

and serving.)

When ready to serve, bake dip at 400 degrees until cheese is entirely melted and browned in spots, about 20 minutes.

Top with remaining crispy sage leaves and serve warm with pita chips or crackers for dipping.

– seriouseats.com

Caesar-Stuffed Eggs Makes: 16 servings Deviled eggs are an easy, inexpensive hors d’oeuvre for holiday tables. Take them to next level by adding the flavors of a Caesar salad. Sounds strange, but it works.

16 large free-range, organic eggs 2 tablespoons lemon juice 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard Fine sea salt 2/ cup olive oil 3 2 cloves garlic, grated or pasted

1 tablespoon anchovy paste 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1½ to 2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper ½ cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese, or ¼ cup Pecorino Romano mixed with ¼ cup ParmigianoReggiano cheese 1 cup packed finely chopped romaine lettuce hearts, plus more for garnish.

Place eggs in medium saucepan with water to cover. Bring to rapid rolling boil. Cover pan, remove from heat and let stand 10 minutes.

Crack shells and let stand for 10 minutes in very cold water. Peel eggs. Halve them lengthwise and remove yolks. Set whites and yolks aside separately.

In medium bowl, whisk lemon juice and mustard.

Season with salt. While whisking, stream in oil slowly, pouring it down the sides of bowl, to emulsify. Stir in garlic, anchovy paste, Worchestershire, pepper and cheese. Taste and adjust seasonings – It should taste like a thick Caesar dressing.

Mash egg yolks into dressing. Stir in chopped lettuce.

Spoon mixture into small plastic food storage bag.

Snip off one corner to make a small opening and pipe the filling into the egg white halves. Garnish with a bit more finely chopped lettuce.

– “Everyone Is Italian On Sunday” by Rachael Ray (Atria Books, Nov. 2015, $39.99)

Pecan Maple Blue Cheese Bourbon Tart This might be the richest, most decadent tart you’ll ever eat. It’s sweet, salty and savory all in one bite.

The gingersnap crust especially speaks to the season.

For crust 20 whole gingersnap cookies 1 cup toasted pecans ½ teaspoon kosher salt 1/ cup oat flour 3 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted For filling 2 large eggs ¼ cup granulated sugar ½ cup sour cream 2 tablespoons dark maple syrup 1 tablespoon good bourbon 1 cup crumbled good blue cheese, like Jasper Hill Bayley Hazen Blue ½ cup coarsely chopped toasted pecans For garnish ½ cup whole pecans 1 teaspoon granulated sugar ½ teaspoon maple sugar Make the crust: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Break the gingersnaps into large pieces with your hands, then grind to crumbs in a food processor with the pecans, salt, and flour. Pour the crumbs into a large bowl and stir in the butter.

With your hands, press the buttery crumbs into one standard 9- to 9½-inch tart pan or six 4to 5-inch mini tart pans.

GIFT CONTINUED ON A11

Back L-R: Teresa Davis, Linda Purvis, Chris Klein, Tess Fleming Front L-R: Gary Zinke, Rose Leffelman, Lexi Klein, Larry Leffelman, Julie Burkardt, Lisa Quest, Riley Klein Not pictured - Gary Jones, Lori Althaus As our government continues to consider Rural America less and less politically relevant, we find it ironic that Rural America is probably THE most relevant in terms of the country’s food, fuel, and jobs. As large cities continue to expect more from the government, Rural America becomes more independent. We are a bunch of self-sufficient, hardworking, independent people which was evidenced after the tornado that swept through our area in June.

Less than an hour after the tornado hit, area volunteers and firemen flooded into the gates of Woodhaven to clear the roads and look for possible victims. Area businesses and individuals donated water and food for the volunteers and those that were stranded. The Foremost/ Farmers Insurance bus fed everyone from Wednesday through Sunday, and started adjusting claims as soon as they were allowed inside the gates on Saturday.

We are so thankful that we live in Rural America where we all help each other and have the Spirit of Christmas all year long.

May the Lord Bless you and yours with peace and joy this Christmas and all the new year!

Our Family Protecting Your Family

Sublette 815-849-5219 LaMoille 815-638-2171 • Amboy 815-857-2125

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

www.saukvalley.com

Sauk Valley Media • A11

Candied jalapenos easy to make, addictive, and very pretty GIFT

CONTINUED FROM A10

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes for mini tarts or 12 to 15 minutes for a large tart, until the crust is matte and toasted. The crust may puff up slightly when baked; use the bottom of a dry measuring cup to press it back into shape, especially around the edges.

Cool completely before filling. The crusts can be made 1 day in advance of baking; cool and cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap and store at room temperature until ready to fill.

Make filling: Beat the eggs and sugar together in a large bowl with an electric hand mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes, until very pale, thick and frothy.

With a spatula, stir in the

sour cream, bourbon, and maple syrup until blended.

Fold in the blue cheese and pecans. Pour the filling into the prepared tart crust. (If making mini tarts, reduce the amount of each filling ingredient by half.) Place on a rimmed baking sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes (25 to 30 minutes for mini tarts) until the filling is uniformly puffed and set, with patches of golden brown appearing across its surface. Carefully transfer the tart to a rack and cool completely before garnishing and serving. The tart will deflate as it cools – don’t worry, it’s totally normal.

Make garnish: Heat the pecans in a small skillet over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes, tossing frequently, until the nuts are very warm to the touch

and starting to release their natural oils and aroma. Add the granulated sugar ¼ teaspoon at a time, stirring with a silicone spatula or wooden spoon to coat the nuts in the sugar as it melts in the hot pan.

Pour the ½ teaspoon maple sugar into a small heatproof bowl. Add the nuts and toss to coat until they’re crystallized. Top the tart with pecans in a design of your choice and eat any leftovers.

Makes 1 large or 6 mini tarts.

– Casey Barber, Goodfoodstories.com

Candied Jalapenos (Cowboy Candy) Makes: 4 (8 ounce) jars One popular, and easy, appetizer you see on a

lot of holiday party tables is cream cheese topped with some sort of spicy jelly. This year, dress the dish up with a lip-tingling jar of “cowboy candy,” or candied jalapeno. It’s easy to make and very pretty; for added holiday cheer, use a mix of green and red peppers. Be forewarned: These are totally addictive.

3 pounds fresh jalapeno peppers, washed 2 cups cider vinegar 6 cups white granulated sugar ½ teaspoon turmeric ½ teaspoon celery seed 3 teaspoons granulated garlic 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper Wearing gloves, remove and discard stems from all of the jalapeno peppers.

Slice the peppers into uni-

form 1⁄8 - to ¼-inch rounds.

Set aside.

In a large pot, bring cider vinegar, white sugar, turmeric, celery seed, granulated garlic and cayenne pepper to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the pepper slices and simmer for exactly 4 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the peppers, loading into clean, sterile canning jars to within ¼ inch of the top rim of the jar. Turn heat up under the pot with the syrup and bring to a full rolling boil.

Boil hard for 6 minutes.

Use a ladle to pour the boiling syrup into the jars over the jalapeno slices.

Insert a cooking chopstick to the bottom of the jar two or three times to release any trapped pockets of air. Adjust the level of the syrup if necessary. Wipe

the rims of the jars with a clean damp paper towel and fix on new two-piece lids to finger-tip tightness.

If eating right away, place jars in refrigerator. To can, place jars in a canner and cover with water by 2-inches. Bring the water to a full rolling boil.

When it reaches a full rolling boil, set the timer for 10 minutes for half-pints or 15 minutes for pints.

When timer goes off, use canning tongs to transfer the jars to a cooling rack. Leave them to cool, undisturbed, for 24 hours.

When fully cooled, wipe them with a clean, damp washcloth, then label.

To serve, spoon candied jalapenos on top of cream cheese and serve with crackers.

– tastykitchen.com

WIN $50 OPERATION OPERAT ON SANTA

While shopping, try to figure out which SANTA belongs with which business and fill in the box in each ad with the proper number from the photos. They won’t have their Santa hats or beards, but they will be in the businesses and could be helping you. Have fun guessing.

2

NAME_______________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS___________________________________________________________________ CITY_________________________________PHONE_________________________________

This entry must be received by Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at 5 p.m. mail or bring in to::

6

Sauk Valley Newspapers 3200 E. Lincolnway Sterling, IL 61081

or

The Telegraph 113 S. Peoria Ave. Dixon, IL 61021

7

The winner will be the one who correctly identifies the most Santas.

If more than one person has the most

correct answers, the winner will be randomly drawn from those entries.

$50 will be given away to use at one of the participating businesses.

1

A Cook’s Corner

Green’s

Motor Company

Debra Lawrence, Owner

301 N. Walnut Ave. • Forreston www.greensmotorcompany.com

www.acookscorner.com ~ acookscorner.blogspot.com

2501 Avenue (YMCA Way), Sterling, IL 61081 • 815-625-7040

Merry Christmas

8

From all of us at

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Merry Christmas from your friends at

Ave.G & W.4th St.• Sterling,IL

815-622-3903

1110 E. River Rd., Dixon • 815-284-3324 • M-F 8-5, Sat 8-Noon

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A12 • Sauk Valley Media

www.saukvalley.com

IN BRIEF

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

MONEY & MARKETS

Starbucks projects McDonald’s testing mac and cheese gift card windfall SEATTLE – The money raked in by Starbucks gift cards is approaching the size of a small country’s economy.

The company says that more than $25 billion has been loaded onto its gift cards since they were launched a decade and a half ago.

That’s about the gross domestic product of Trinidad and Tobago – a relatively prosperous, energyproducing nation off the Venezuelan coast.

A fifth of that amount was loaded onto Starbucks cards just in the fiscal year ended in October, which points to a big acceleration in recent years. And that snowball is still rolling, with Starbucks saying that it’s on track for “another record performance” in gift card sales this holiday season.

The cards, in addition to giving indecisive shoppers a break, are a critical component of Starbucks’ bid for growth.

They bring people who might not otherwise go to Starbucks into the store, giving the Seattle company the opportunity of drawing them in.

It also represents a big cash advance for the company and good visibility of its costs in the month ahead.

CHICAGO – McDonald’s is trying out a staple of American childhoods: macaroni and cheese.

The burger chain, based in suburban Chicago, began testing mac and cheese at 18 locations in northeast Ohio late last week, according to spokeswoman Lisa McComb. The 4-ounce portion is available a la carte for $1.75 or as the entree of a Happy Meal. McDonald’s often tests products in select markets, and sometimes the successes are rolled out nationally.

McComb said it’s too early to say whether mac and cheese could be coming to Chicago or any other markets.

Under the leadership of CEO Steve Easterbrook, McDonald’s has shown a willingness to take risks, like the recent launch of all-day breakfast after years of consumer and stakeholder demand.

But Easterbrook has also stressed the need to simplify menu offerings.

“As we look to simplify, it’s not to say we’ll never have anything new or different in our restaurants,” McComb said. “But it needs to be easy for the crew, meet reasonable expectations for speedy service, and on top of the list is the customer feedback.”

The following stock quotations, as of 5 p.m., are provided as a community service by Chad Weigle of Edward Jones, Dixon and Raymond James and Associates, Sterling.

Abbott................................44.49 Alcoa....................................9.56 AltriaCorp..........................57.75 Autonation........................60.51 American Express.............68.86 Arris-Group.......................29.61 Apple...............................107.23 ADM..................................36.41 AT&T..................................34.40 Bank of America................17.08 Boeing..............................142.42 BorgWarner.......................42.14 BP.......................................30.78

Casey’s.............................119.82 Caterpillar.........................68.41 CenturyLink......................25.18 Chevron.............................90.31 Cisco..................................26.89 Citigroup............................52.03 CocaCola...........................43.28 ConAgra.............................41.35 Dean..................................17.41 Deere & Co........................77.57 Disney..............................106.73 Donaldson.........................28.45 DuPont..............................64.64 Exxon.................................77.63 Ford...................................14.20 Exelon................................27.51 GE......................................30.50 FifthThird..........................20.06 HawaiianElectric..............28.38 Hewlett Packard................11.65 HomeDepot....................131.91

Intel Corp..........................34.73 IBM..................................137.94 IntlPaper............................37.64 JCPenney.............................6.82 JohnsonControls...............39.67 Johnson&Johnson..........102.71 JPMorgan Chase...............65.72 Kraft-Heinz........................72.93 Kroger................................42.11 Leggett&Platt.....................42.26 Manpower.........................84.67 McDonald’s.....................117.70 Merck&Co.........................52.11 Microsoft...........................55.35 3M....................................148.96 Monsanto..........................97.33 Newell................................44.42 AGL....................................62.79 Nike.................................131.83 Parker-Han........................96.48 Pfizer..................................32.50

Pepsico..............................99.81 Procter&Gamble...............79.59 RaymondJames.................59.24 Republic.............................44.28 Sears Hldg.........................20.94 SensientTech.....................62.88 Sprint...................................3.74 Staples..................................9.43 TheTravelers...................112.47 UnitedContinental...........57.97 UnitedTech.......................94.88 USBancorp........................42.71 USSteel................................9.10 Verizon...............................46.34 Walgreen............................86.01 WalMartStores..................60.55 WalMartMexico................25.94 WasteMgt...........................53.19 Wendy’s.............................10.70

Commodities The following quotations are provided as a community service by Sterling Futures: Corn: March 3.66 1 ⁄ 4 ; May 3.721⁄2; July 3.781⁄2 Soybeans: Jan. 8.851⁄4; March 8.851⁄2; May 8.901⁄2

Soybean oil: Jan. 30.44; Live cattle: Dec. 125.60; T-Bonds: March 1557⁄32 March 30.69 Feb. 131.80; April 131.12 Silver: March 14.23 Soybean meal: Jan. Feeder cattle: Jan. Gold: Feb. 1072.00 276.90; March 278.60 158.65; March 155.90 Copper: March 2.1105 Wheat: March 4.72; July Lean hogs: Feb. 56.85; Crude: Feb. 36.18 4.87 April 62.80; June 74.90 Dollar Index: March Oats: March 2.253⁄4; July Sugar: March 15.04 98.21 2.281⁄4 Cotton: March 63.16 Ethanol: March 1.400

– Tribune News Service

PLUS

Find Your Furr-Ever

$400

FRIENDS

PER LINE

when you switch and trade in a Smartphone.

Pookie was left at the door with her kittens. She is now spayed and vaccinated. This pretty shorthair black female cat just turned 4 years old now.

Pookie is litterbox trained and oh so sweet. She loves people and all the attention she can solicit.

She definitely does not like the other cats around her though. Pookie would prefer to be the only cat in the home! Pookie is so friendly and lovable that it is surprising she is still here. She is still playful and enjoys toys. Pookie is a fun little cat with tons of love and companionship to offer you.

Granny Rose Animal Shelter is a 501(C)(3) not for profit organization serving the Lee, Ogle and Whiteside County areas. We survive solely on donations and fundraisers to provide this much needed service for the homeless animals in our area. (Donations are tax deductible.)

When you adopt an animal from us, your adoption fee includes: spay/ neuter surgery, vaccinations (excluding rabies), microchip, worming, flea control, heartworm testing and prevention on dogs, and a free health check-up at your local participating veterinarian!

Granny Rose Animal Shelter (Formerly Tri-County Animal Protection League)

613 River Lane, Dixon, IL 815-288-PETS(7387)

Just west of the Dixon city limits on IL Rt. 2.

Learn more at uscellular.com.

Things we want you to know: Shared Connect Plan, Retail Installment Contract and number port-in required for all lines. Credit approval also required. A $25 Device Activation Fee applies. Valid for new accounts only. A Regulatory Cost Recovery Fee applies (currently $1.82/line/month); this is not a tax or gvmt. required charge. Additional fees, taxes, terms, conditions and coverage areas apply and may vary by plan, service and phone. 15GB Data Plan comprised of standard 10GB data bucket with additional 5GB data allotment, which is valid for the first 24 months. Standard 10GB data allotment applies thereafter. $400 Switcher Incentive: Requires purchase of a new Smartphone with Device Protection+ and trade-in of an active Smartphone on former carrier’s plan. Limit one $400 reward per ported line. Traded-in Smartphone must be in fully functional, working condition without any liquid damage or broken components, including, but not limited to, a cracked display or housing. Smartphone must power on and cannot be pin locked. For in-store transactions: $150 Promotional Card given at point of sale with trade-in of Smartphone. Additional $250 Promotional Card will be mailed to customer within 6–8 weeks. Promotional Cards issued by MetaBank,® Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. Valid only for purchases at U.S. Cellular® stores and uscellular.com.

For online and telesales transactions, see uscellular.com for redemption details. Device Protection+: Enrollment in Device Protection+ required. The monthly charge for Device Protection+ is $8.99 for Smartphones. A deductible per approved claim applies. You may cancel Device Protection+ anytime. Federal Warranty Service Corporation is the Provider of the Device Protection+ ESC benefits, except in CA and OK. Limitations and exclusions apply. For complete details, see an associate for a Device Protection+ brochure. Kansas Customers: In areas in which U.S. Cellular receives support from the Federal Universal Service Fund, all reasonable requests for service must be met. Unresolved questions concerning services availability can be directed to the Kansas Corporation Commission Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at 1-800-662-0027. Offers valid at participating locations only and cannot be combined.

See store or uscellular.com for details. Limited-time offer. Trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners. ©2015 U.S. Cellular

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: STANFORD’S McCAFFREY EARNS TOP HONOR FROM AP. FOOTBALL, B5.

TELEGRAPH SPORTS

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Section B

e-mail: sports@saukvalley.com Only time will tell

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Sauk Valley Sports

Bulls center Joakim Noah will miss at least 2 weeks after an MRI exam Tuesday confirmed a sprained left shoulder. Noah, who suffered the injury in the third quarter Monday, will be re-evaluated after those 2 weeks.

Sports for the Sauk Valley fan!

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

2

Numbers game Forbes magazine ranks Notre Dame as the second-most valuable college football program in the country, worth $127 million. Texas was named the most valuable at $152 million.

GIRLS BASKETBALL | ROCK FALLS 82, ROCKFORD CHRISTIAN 10

steve ROSENBLOOM

Pre-holiday feast Rockets roll past Royal Lions at Tabor Gym

BY BRIAN WEIDMAN bweidman@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5551 @BrianWeidman

ROCK FALLS – If the Rock Falls girls basketball team’s Christmas wish was a pre-holiday cupcake, the Rockets got their fill on Tuesday night.

Rock Falls dominated in all facets on its way to an 82-10 victory against Big Northern Conference crossover foe Rockford Christian at Tabor Gymnasium.

The Rockets (6-5) used a fullcourt press to force 15 first-quarter turnovers, and led 19-0 after the first period. Head coach Eric Wolf was pleased with how his team built up the margin.

“We came out from the get-go and we played hard – we pushed the ball, finally,” Wolf said. “Our pace the whole game was good.

That’s what we’ve been stressing from Day 1. If we push at our pace, we’ll do some damage.”

Rock Falls was able to substitute liberally throughout the game, and a pair of reserves, junior guard Bailey Bickett and senior forward Liz Lego, made the most of their opportunities.

Bickett led the Rockets with 19 points on 8-for-12 shooting, and also contributed seven rebounds and five steals. Lego hit all five of her field goal attempts on her way to 12 points. The Rock Falls subs actually outscored the starters, 48-34.

“It’s nice that we all can come off the bench and play,” Bickett said. “There’s not one player that’s worse than the other. We all can get in there and work Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com together.”

Rockford Christian’s Ashley Fryer (12) gets a piece of the ball as Rock Falls’ Jordan Clevenger (23) Tops among the starting five tries to shoot over teammate Sydney Young during Tuesday’s Big Northern Conference crossover were junior guard Olivia Bab- game in Rock Falls. The Rockets rolled to an 82-10 victory. cock and sophomore guard Abbee Sigel. Babcock scored Star of the game: Bailey Bickett, Rock Falls, 19 points, 7 rebounds, 5 steals 11 points and snared six steals, Key performers: Liz Lego, Rock Falls, 12 points; Olivia Babcock, Rock Falls, 11 points, 6 steals while Sigel contributed 10 Up next: State Farm Classic, Rock Falls vs. Bloomington Central Catholic, 2:30 p.m. Monday, at U.S. points and four rebounds.

Cellular Coliseum, Bloomington FEAST CONTINUED ON B3

Chicago Tribune sports columnist.

He can be reached at srosenbloom@ tribune.com.

It’s time and time again

J

ohn Fox doesn’t seem to like explaining his clock management, and I can’t blame a guy for having to detail regularly why he made some bad decisions.

But after Sunday’s loss to the Vikings, Fox offered a new excuse for his bad clock management: His bad defense.

After the Bears cut their deficit to 10-7 in the second quarter, the Vikings were driving in the final 5 minutes.

The Vikings moved deep into Bears territory, chewing clock as they marched.

Fox should’ve been using his timeouts.

But no. Fox didn’t use his timeouts precisely because the Bears weren’t offering much resistance.

No lie. That’s what he said.

Fox said he would’ve tried to use his timeouts if he thought the Bears could hold the Vikings to a field goal. That, anyway, is what I got out of his explanation.

Yeah, I’m shaking my head, too.

I need a decoder ring the way Fox needs a clock management DVD for Christmas.

ROSENBLOOM CONTINUED ON B2

COLLEGE FOOTBALL | POINSETTIA BOWL | NORTHERN ILLINOIS VS. BOISE STATE

Just another notch in Group of 5 belt NIU, Boise State set to meet for first time had a winning record in every year since 1998 – second-year coach Bryan One of the two most Harsin had strong praise successful college football for the Huskies. teams will add yet anoth“The focus is about tryer victory to its résumé. ing to prepare ourselves Despite having down to play a very good footyears compared to recent what you would expect seasons, Northern Illinois from a Boise State team.” ball team, a team that’s The Huskies (8-5) and been to six straight conand Boise State will clash Broncos (8-4) have both ference [championship] in the Poinsettia Bowl created reputations of games,” he said. “I know at 3:30 p.m. today in a Northern Illinois, and contest featuring a pair of being dominating Group watching those guys, and of 5 teams, with Boise State teams that have combined having a stretch in which it how they have prepared, for 128 wins since 2010. and what they have done went 50-3 from 2008-11.

“We expect a physical over the years. We’re While Boise State’s run of game,” Northern Illinois looking forward to the successful seasons dates coach Rod Carey said.

AP back longer than Northern competition and looking “Both teams like to run forward to going out there Northern Illinois head coach Rod Carey has led the Huskies to their eighth straight Illinois – the Broncos are the ball, both teams are and playing.” bowl game this season. NIU takes on Boise State in the Poinsettia Bowl at playing in their 14th condynamic on offense and 3:30 p.m. today in San Diego. very good on defense, just secutive bowl and have NOTCH CONTINUED ON B5

BY JESSE SEVERSON Shaw Media

When: 3:30 p.m. today Where: San Diego TV: ESPN Line: Boise St. by 9

SPORTS inside

NHL

GOLF

Blackhawks fall to Stars in Dallas, B4.

Major champs relive their best shots, B2.

Suggestion box Comment or story tip?

Contact the Sports Department at sports@saukvalley.com or call 815-625-3600, ext. 5555

Leake in Cards’ plan Mike Leake Cardinals and free-agent pitcher agreed to terms on a 5-year, $80 million contract. Leake also receives a full no-trade provision.

TOP OF 2

Fox has new ace John Smoltz Hall of Fame pitcher has been promoted to Fox’s lead baseball analyst, and will work alongside playby-play man Joe Buck.

Your guide to what’s going on in sports

B2 • Sauk Valley Media

www.saukvalley.com

sportShorts

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

GOLF | ON THE FRINGE

SVM staff, wire services MLB

On the calendar

Mariners hire female scout The Seattle Mariners have hired Amanda Hopkins as an area scout, and she is believed to be the first woman hired as a full-time scout by a major league club since the 1950s.

The Mariners announced the move Monday amid changes in their scouting department. Hopkins, who will cover Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah, spent the past three seasons working as an intern in Seattle’s amateur scouting department, and is a recent graduate of MLB’s developmental program.

NBA

Kerr runs Warriors practice Steve Kerr was back in charge of the Golden State Warriors – for a practice at least.

Kerr ran practice Tuesday with interim coach Luke Walton out with an illness.

Kerr has been out since training camp as he deals with complications from back surgery he had in the offseason.

Kerr said Walton will be back for today’s home game against Utah, and added he has no timeline for his return. He wants to make sure he is completely healthy.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Former UIC coach joins Wisconsin staff Howard Moore, a former Wisconsin player and assistant, has joined interim head coach Greg Gard’s staff, the team announced Tuesday.

Moore last coached in 2014 at Illinois-Chicago, where he spent five seasons. He was an assistant on Bo Ryan’s staff from 2005-10.

Ryan retired last week after 14 seasons in Madison, Wis., leaving the job to Gard.

Hawaii placed on probation The University of Hawaii men’s basketball team was put on 3 years of probation Tuesday by the NCAA after an investigation found former coach Gib Arnold violated ethical conduct rules and provided false or misleading information.

As a result, Hawaii will lose two scholarships during the next two seasons, leaving it with 11, and cannot play in postseason games during the 20162017 academic year. The NCAA approved a $10,000 fine that the university previously imposed on itself.

Hawaii also must also pay a penalty equaling 1 percent of the basketball program’s budget over the previous 3 years.

NFL

Former Bear Pyle had CTE Former Chicago Bears center Mike Pyle, who died at 76 in July, was diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, the degenerative brain disease found in dozens of retired NFL players after they died, doctors said Monday. The illness is believed to be caused by repetitive brain trauma.

Pyle’s family said this week they hope his test results will increase awareness about brain trauma and concussions. They said Pyle – who was named president of the NFL Players Association in 1967 – would have hoped it will help players with their medical needs.

Local events

Today Girls basketball 10 a.m.

• Sterling Shootout, Sterling vs. Hononegah 4 p.m.

• Sterling Shootout, Sterling vs. Freeport

Wrestling 9:30 a.m.

• Sterling at Dvorak Invite, at Machesney Park AP

ABOVE: Jordan Spieth chips from the gallery on the 18th hole during the third round of the Masters in Augusta, Ga. In a wire-to-wire win, the biggest moment for Spieth came on that hole.

On the tube

BELOW: Zach Johnson begins to raise his fist as his chip shot from the bunker falls for a birdie on the eighth hole of the John Deere Classic July 9 in Silvis.

TV listings

Major moments, major shots Golf’s top players talk about key moments in wins

BY DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer

Jason Day’s drive. Jordan Spieth’s flop shot. Zach Johnson’s putt.

Major championships produce shots that can be more memorable than the winner holding the trophy. Zach Johnson with a claret jug? The more lasting image from the British Open was Johnson holding his crouch and slowly clenching his fist on the 18th green at St. Andrews.

And then there are shots that stand out only to the player.

The three major champions were asked what they thought was the signature shot from their victory, along with a shot that was particularly pleasing to them because of the circumstances or the quality of the shot.

Masters In a wire-to-wire win, the biggest moment for Spieth was on the 18th hole in the third round. A seven-shot lead only 20 minutes earlier was down to four shots, and it looked certain to shrink even more when he missed the 18th green well to the right behind the bunker. In a risky move, Spieth hit a flop shot that helped him save par and set the tone for the final round.

“That was the key shot,” he said. “You could pitch it 15 feet in front and hit it hard enough to at least be on the green. But given the severity of that slope, it’s going to roll out. A good shot would be 15 feet. I decided to hit a higher one and spin it. That shot is certainly one I don’t want over again. It was 1-in-5 getting it up and down.”

Not so obvious was the 5-iron on the par-5 13th. He had about 190 yards to the front from the left side of the fairway, but the ball was nearly knee-high because of the slope. He was coming off a three-putt bogey on No. 12. The danger comes from a ball above his feet because the swing is flatter with less speed, and the ball won’t go as far.

It narrowly cleared the creek and set up a two-putt birdie.

U.S. Open The winning shot for Spieth turned out to be a 3-wood on the par-5 18th at Chambers Bay, and he felt he couldn’t miss.

Today College football 3:30 p.m.

• Poinsettia Bowl, N. Illinois vs. Boise St., ESPN 7 p.m.

• GoDaddy Bowl, Bowling Green vs. Georgia Southern, at Mobile, Ala., ESPN

Men’s basketball 11:30 a.m.

• Central Connecticut St. at UConn, ESPNU 1:30 p.m.

• Diamond Head Classic, consolation game, ESPNU 3:30 p.m.

• Diamond Head Classic, semifinal, ESPNU 6 p.m.

• Missouri vs. Illinois, at St. Louis, ESPN2 • Bryant at Michigan, BTN • Utah Valley at Louisville, ESPNU 7 p.m.

“I had 281 [yards], but I only had 238 to cover the front,” he said. “The only other option was this 3-iron I was carrying, but it was off an up slope. I hit 3-wood and cut it. As long as I hit a fade, nothing could go wrong, so ultimately I ended up in a perfect yardage. I could miss it really bad and carry the front.”

It bounded to the back of the green and rolled back to about 10 feet for a two-putt birdie.

Lost in a wild final hour was a simple par that really wasn’t that simple. Spieth’s tee shot on the par-3 15th rolled back off the front, and the slope was much like the elevation at Augusta National.

“That slope was taller than me,” he said. “You had to judge the speed the right way. I had to cast it out to the right, but if I hit it too hard, it goes 12 feet by. I can’t be short or I’m re-hitting. It was perfect speed and went to 4 or 5 feet for a manageable second putt.”

Only after he made that putt did Spieth look at a leaderboard on the back nine and see that he was tied for the lead.

British Open Johnson figured he had to make birdie on the 18th at St. Andrews to reach 15 under and have a chance. Known for his wedge game, this wasn’t his best – some 30 feet behind the hole – “but I at least gave myself a look at it.”

Give an assist to Danny Willett.

“Fortunately, I had a good read,” Johnson said. “He was 3 to 5 feet from me, so I had a good

look at it. I know the putt is left to right, and I know the putt at the end flattens out and potentially goes left, especially after seeing Danny.”

Two thoughts crept into his mind. Johnson lipped out on the final hole a week earlier at the John Deere Classic that kept him out of a playoff. “It’s not a good thought, but it went through my head.” And he considered the speed. That was a good thought.

“That green is not that fast,” he said. “I hit a solid putt, and I hit it perfect. It straightened out at the end, the last 3 feet it went left, and the rest is history.”

PGA Championship It’s hard to find that one signature moment for Day, which speaks to the clinic he put on at Whistling Straits in winning at a record 20-under par. It was after his worst shot that Day was at his best.

He had a two-shot lead going to No. 9, drilled a drive down the middle, and Spieth was in trouble in the rough. A model of perfection all week, Day inexplicably chunked his wedge. With momentum at stake, he followed with another wedge to 8 feet and saved his par. Spieth made bogey, and Day was on his way.

“To hit such a terrible shot and then come back and get up and down, it was a good momentum change,” Day said. “To be able to hit a good pitch ... that’s probably the biggest shot I’ve had to hit.”

• Las Vegas Classic, consoaltion, FS1 • N. Colorado vs. Mississippi St., Miss., SEC 8 p.m.

• Green Bay at Wisconsin, BTN • Diamond Head Classic, semifinal, ESPN2 • Pepperdine at Portland, ESPNU 9:30 p.m.

• Las Vegas Classic, championship, FS1 10:30 p.m.

• Diamond Head Classic, consolation game, ESPNU

NBA 6 p.m.

• Kings at Pacers, FSN • Rockets at Magic, NBA 9:30 p.m.

• Thunder at Lakers, NBA

On this date December 23 1996 • The Lions’ Barry Sanders rushes for 175 yards in a loss to the 49ers to finish with 1,553 yards that season. It’s Sanders’ third straight season with at least 1,500 yards rushing, a first in the NFL.

Let us hear it

Time management not Fox’s strong suit ROSENBLOOM

Instead, the Bears offense had 26 seconds to work with when it might’ve had at least I could be wrong, but double that, and there Fox’s logic seems to was Jay Cutler, trying argue for the opposite of to heave a Hail Mary 58 Fox’s actions. yards.

If he didn’t think his It didn’t cover the 58 defense could keep the yards. It shouldn’t have Vikings out of the end had to. zone, then it would Maybe it’s just me, but seem to make it all the I don’t see how giving more imperative that your offense less time Fox use his timeouts to helps. For a coach give his offense more who’s always wortime to answer. ried about putting his CONTINUED FROM B1

team at a competitive disadvantage, Fox sure seemed to put his team at a competitive disadvantage.

Further, Fox sounded like he didn’t think the sequence had much effect on the final score.

That’s how he sloughed off questioning – again – of his clock management.

But Fox couldn’t have known the final score after two quarters. It was still a game

after two quarters, and what’s more, smarter use of timeouts might’ve left his team down a TD or less at halftime.

I appreciate Fox’s honesty about the way his defense was playing. We ask for honesty, and while we rarely get it from Fox, we got some of it Sunday afternoon.

But keep the honesty and give us better coaching.

• Game results, story tips, athlete of the week nominations, team and individual stats can be faxed to 815-625-9390, called into 815-625-3600, ext. 5555, or e-mailed to sports@saukvalley.com.

Contact us at 815-625-3600 Sports Reporters Cody Cutter, ext. 5552 ccutter@saukvalley.com Patrick Mason, ext. 5550 pmason@saukvalley.com Ty Reynolds, ext. 5554 treynolds@saukvalley.com Brian Weidman, ext. 5551 bweidman@saukvalley.com

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

LOCAL SPORTS

TUESDAY’S SCOREBOARD Boys basketball NIB-12 West Conf.

All Sterling 2-0 6-0 LaSalle-Peru 1-0 6-0 Ottawa 1-1 6-2 Geneseo 0-2 3-5 Rochelle 0-2 2-6 Tuesday’s results • Kewanee 53, Geneseo 45 Marengo tournament • Marengo 71, Rochelle 64 Today’s game Marengo tournament • Rochelle vs. Crystal Lake Central, 3 Saturday’s games DeKalb tournament • Sterling vs. Marmion, 12:15 Plano tournament • Ottawa vs. TBD, 5:30 • LaSalle-Peru vs. TBD, 7 Romeoville tournament • Geneseo vs. TBA

Conf.

All Winnebago 2-0 8-0 Dixon 2-0 5-1 Oregon 1-1 8-3 Byron 1-1 5-6 Rockford Lutheran 1-1 3-2 Mendota 0-1 7-2 Stillman Valley 0-1 3-4 Rock Falls 0-2 2-6 Today’s game Plano Invitational • Mendota vs. Plano, 7 Saturday’s games DeKalb tournament • Winnebago vs. Grayslake Central, 4:45 Eastland tournament • Stillman Valley vs. Eastland, 11:30 a.m.

• Stillman Valley vs. Sourth Beloit, 4 Newman touranment • Oregon vs. Alleman, 2:30 • Oregon vs. Ridgewood, 6:30 Plano Invitational • Dixon vs. TBD, 3:30 • Mendota vs TBD, 5 or 7

Three Rivers Conf.

St. Bede 3-0 Princeton 3-0 Newman 2-0 Hall 2-0 Erie 2-0 Fulton 1-1 Sherrard 1-1 Morrison 1-1 Orion 0-1 Kewanee 0-1 Rockridge 1-2 Riverdale 0-2 Prophetstown 0-2 Bureau Valley 0-2 Amboy 0-3 Tuesday’s results • Kewanee 53, Geneseo 45 • Rockridge 53, Amboy 43 Today’s game Plano Invitational • Princeton vs. Somonauk, 3:30

ROUNDUP

Monday, Dec. 28 Annex Gym • Stockton vs. Bureau Valley, 5:30 • Orion vs. Lena-Winslow, 7 • Mercer County vs. Riverdale, 8:30 H.S. Gym • Stark County vs. Peoria Heights, 5:30 • Morrison vs. Knoxville, 7 • Wethersfield vs. Erie, 8:30 Tuesday, Dec. 29 Annex Gym • Morrison vs. Stark County, 3 • Erie vs. Knoxville, 4:30 • Peoria Heights vs. Wethersfield, 7:30 H.S. Gym • Bureau Valley vs. Lena-Winslow, 3 • Mercer County vs. Stockton, 4:30 • Riverdale vs. Orion, 7:30 Wednesday, Dec. 30 • 11th place, 1:30 (Annex) • 9th place, 1:30 (H.S.) • 7th place, 3 (Annex) • 5th place, 3 (H.S.) • 3rd place, 7:30 (Annex) • 1st place, 7:30 (H.S.) Tuesday’s box score at Taylor Ridge

BNC West

All 7-1 6-2 8-2 5-3 6-3 6-6 5-6 2-5 5-3 3-6 6-4 5-4 4-4 2-7 2-10

NUIC East Conf.

All 4-0 7-3 2-0 2-5 2-0 7-3 2-1 9-2 2-1 7-5 1-3 1-8 0-1 0-6 0-2 1-10 0-2 0-7 0-3 3-7 Today’s game Plano Invitational • Forreston vs. Genoa-Kingston, 12:30 AFC Forreston Aquin Polo Milledgeville Dakota Durand Orangeville South Beloit Pecatonica

Tournament glances Newman Christmas Classic Saturday, Dec. 26 • Paw Paw vs. Ridgewood, 1 • Oregon vs. Alleman, 2:30 • Newman vs. Paw Paw, 4 • Ridgewood vs. Oregon, 6:30 • Alleman vs. Newman, 8 Monday, Dec. 28 • Paw Paw vs. Oregon, 5 • Ridgewood vs. Newman, 6:30 • Alleman vs. Paw Paw, 8 Tuesday, Dec. 29 • Ridgewood vs. Alleman, 6 • Oregon vs. Newman, 7:30 Eastland Tournament Pool A: Eastland, Prophetstown, South Beloit, Stillman Valley Pool B: Fulton, Galena, Polo, West Carroll JV Saturday, Dec. 26 • Polo vs. West Carroll JV, 8:30 a.m.

• Prophetstown vs. South Beloit, 10 a.m.

• Stillman Valley vs. Eastland, 11:30 a.m.

• West Carroll JV vs. Galena, 1 p.m.

• Fulton vs. Polo, 2:30 p.m.

• South Beloit vs. Stillman Valley, 4 p.m.

• Eastland vs. Prophetstown, 5:30 p.m.

• Galena vs. Fulton, 7 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 28 • Prophetstown vs. Stillman, 2:30 • Fulton vs. West Carroll JV, 4 p.m.

• Galena vs. Polo, 5:30 p.m.

• Eastland vs. South Beloit, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 29 Games TBD Wednesday, Dec. 30 Games TBD Erie Warkins Classic Pool A: Erie, Wethersfield, Knoxville, Morrison, Peoria Heights, Stark County Pool B: Bureau Valley, Lena-Winslow, Mercer County, Orion, Riverdale, Stockton Saturday, Dec. 26 Annex Gym • Orion vs. Bureau Valley, 8:30 a.m.

• Riverdale vs. Stockton, 10 a.m.

• Mercer Co. vs. Lena-Winslow, 11:30 a.m.

• Knoxville vs. Wethersfield, 1 p.m.

• Morrison vs. Peoria Heights, 2:30 p.m.

• Erie vs. Stark County, 4 p.m.

H.S. Gym • Wethersfield vs. Morrison, 8:30 a.m.

• Stark County vs. Knoxville, 10 a.m.

• Peoria Heights vs. Erie, 11:30 a.m.

• Stockton vs. Orion, 1 p.m.

• Bureau Valley vs. Mercer County, 2:30 p.m.

• Lena-Winslow vs. Riverdale, 4 p.m.

ROCKRIDGE 53, AMBOY 43 AMBOY (2-10, 0-3 Three Rivers) Jordan Hochstatter 5 1-1 12, Justin Hart 1 0-0 2, Brady Hulin 2 0-0 4, Cole Olson 5 0-0 13, Max Lucas 2 1-1 6, Owen Drew 3 0-0 6. Totals: 18 2-2 43.

ROCKRIDGE (6-4, 1-2) Hilligass 4 1-1 9, Frakes 5 2-2 12, Whiteman 8 2-2 20, Bizam 2 0-0 4, Ulfig 1 0-0 2, Kendall 1 0-0 2, McManus 2 0-2 4. Totals: 23 5-7 53.

Amboy 7 10 12 14 — 43 Rockridge 13 13 18 9 — 53 3s – Amboy 5 (Olson 3, Hochstatter, Lucas), Rockridge 2 (Whiteman).

Girls basketball NIB-12 West Conf.

Sterling 3-0 LaSalle-Peru 2-0 Rochelle 1-3 Geneseo 0-2 Ottawa 0-3 Monday’s results Ottawa tournament • Yorkville 61, LaSalle-Peru 31 • Streator 42, Ottawa 37 Tuesday’s results Ottawa tournament • Metamora 38, Ottawa 12 • LaSalle-Peru 52, Geneseo 29 Today’s games Ottawa tournament • Geneseo vs. Ottawa, 1 • LaSalle-Peru vs. Metamora, 2:30 Sterling Shootout • Sterling vs. Hononegah, 10 a.m.

• Sterling vs. Freeport, 4

All 5-6 6-3 2-8 4-8 3-7

BNC West Conf.

All Rockford Lutheran 4-0 6-0 Byron 3-1 12-2 Stillman Valley 3-1 7-3 Winnebago 3-2 8-3 Dixon 1-2 6-5 Rock Falls 1-3 6-5 Oregon 1-3 5-7 Mendota 0-4 2-10 Monday’s results • Lutheran 62, Byron 40 St. Bede tournament • Princeton 37, Mendota 27 Tuesday’s results • Rock Falls 82, Rockford Christian 10 St. Bede tournament • LaMoille-Ohio 38, Mendota 27

Three Rivers Conf.

All Kewanee 5-0 10-6 Amboy 4-1 10-2 Sherrard 4-1 10-3 Bureau Valley 4-1 7-4 Hall 3-1 6-2 Erie 3-2 5-2 St. Bede 3-2 8-7 Morrison 3-3 6-3 Fulton 2-2 3-3 Newman 2-2 4-6 Prophetstown 1-3 3-10 Rockridge 1-4 5-7 Riverdale 1-4 2-8 Princeton 0-4 6-7 Orion 0-5 0-8 Monday’s results • Monmouth-Roseville 65, Orion 39 St. Bede tournament • Princeton 37, Mendota 27 • Kewanee 61, St. Bede 54 Tuesday’s results • Amboy 39, Rockridge 33 St. Bede tournament • Eureka 59, Kewanee 40 • St. Bede 56, Princeton 26 Saturday’s games Amboy tournament • Amboy vs. Somonauk, 7:30 Erie tournament • Rockridge vs. Mercer County, 5:30 • Fulton vs. Orion, 7 • Erie vs. Bureau Valley, 8:30 • Morrison vs. Wethersfield, 8:30 Riverton tournament • Sherrard vs. TBA

NUIC East Conf.

5-0 4-1 3-2 4-2 2-2 2-4 1-2 1-2 0-3 0-4 Monday’s result • Durand 54, Dakota 44 Tuesday’s results • Warren at Orangeville, NA • Annawan 70, Aquin 58 Saturday’s game Amboy tournament • AFC vs. Ridgewood, 6 AFC Milledgeville Aquin Durand Pecatonica Dakota Forreston Polo Orangeville South Beloit

Sauk Valley Media • B3

All 8-0 7-6 9-5 5-5 4-4 6-8 7-4 2-8 0-9 0-4

Tournament glances Sterling Shootout Friday’s results • Moline 50, Freeport 15 • Hononegah 66, Naperville Central 52 • Richwoods 50, Sterling 26 Saturday’s results • Naperville Central 56, Sterling 39 • Hononegah 71, Freeport 21 • Moline 53, Richwoods 32 • Naperville Central 79, Freeport 34 • Hononegah 58, Richwoods 46 • Moline 54, Sterling 36 Today’s games • Sterling vs. Hononegah, 10 a.m.

• Moline vs. Naperville Central, 11:30 a.m.

• Richwoods vs. Freeport, 1 • Hononegah vs. Moline, 2:30 • Freeport vs. Sterling, 4 • Naperville Central vs. Richwoods, 5:30 Dixon Christmas Classic Monday, Dec. 28 • Oregon vs. Boylan, 9 a.m.

• Stillman Valley vs. Hall, 10:30 a.m.

• LaSalle-Peru vs. Aurora Christian, noon • Belvidere North vs. Aurora Rosary, 1:30 p.m.

• Pekin vs. Aquin, 3 p.m.

• Sterling vs. Eastland, 4:30 p.m.

• Dixon vs. United Township, 6 p.m.

• Newman vs. Rochelle, 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 29 Games TBD Wednesday, Dec. 30 Games TBD Erie Warkins Classic Pool A: Stockton, Rockridge, Knoxville, Erie, Mercer County, Bureau Valley Pool B: Monmouth-Roseville, Wethersfield, Orion, Morrison, Galva, Fulton Saturday, Dec. 26 Annex Gym • Rockridge vs. Mercer County, 5:30 • Knoxville vs. Stockton, 7 • Erie vs. Bureau Valley, 8:30 H.S. Gym • Monmouth-Roseville vs. Galva, 5:30 • Fulton vs. Orion, 7 • Wethersfield vs. Morrison, 8:30 Monday, Dec. 28 Annex Gym • Galva vs. Morrison, 8:30 a.m.

• Wethersfield vs. Fulton, 10 a.m.

• Monmouth-Roseville vs. Orion, 11:30 a.m.

• Mercer County vs. Stockton, 1 p.m.

• Rockridge vs. Bureau Valley, 2:30 p.m.

• Knoxville vs. Erie, 4 p.m.

H.S. Gym • Erie vs. Mercer County, 8:30 a.m.

• Stockton vs. Rockridge, 10 a.m.

• Bureau Valley vs. Knoxville, 11:30 a.m.

• Fulton vs. Galva, 1 p.m.

• Orion vs. Wethersfield, 2:30 p.m.

• Morrison vs. Monmouth-Roseville, 4 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 29 Annex Gym • Orion vs. Galva, noon • Fulton vs. Morrison, 1:30 p.m.

• Monmouth-Roseville vs. Wethersfield, 6 p.m.

H.S. Gym • Bureau Valley vs. Mercer County, noon • Knoxville vs. Rockridge, 1:30 p.m.

• Erie vs. Stockton, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 30 • 11th place, noon (Annex) • 9th place, noon (H.S.) • 7th place, 4:30 p.m. (Annex) • 5th place, 4:30 p.m. (H.S.) • 3rd place, 6 p.m. (Annex) • 1st place, 6 p.m. (H.S.) Amboy Holiday Tournament Red Pool: Indian Creek, Marquette, Plano, Forreston JV Black Pool: AFC, Somonauk, Amboy, Ridgewood Saturday, Dec. 26 • Indian Creek vs. Forreston JV, 3 • Marquette vs. Plano, 4:30 • AFC vs. Ridgewood, 6 • Amboy vs. Somonauk, 7:30 Monday, Dec. 28 • Marquette vs. Forreston JV, 3 • Indian Creek vs. Plano, 4:30 • AFC vs. Somonauk, 6 • Amboy vs. Ridgewood, 7:30 Tuesday, Dec. 29 • Forreston JV vs. Plano, 3 • Marquette vs. Indian Creek, 4:30 • Somonauk vs. Ridgewood, 6 • Amboy vs. AFC, 7:30 Wednesday, Dec. 30 • 7th place, 3 • 5th place, 4:30 • 3rd place, 6 • 1st place, 7:30 Tuesday’s box scores at Tabor Gym, Rock Falls

ROCK FALLS 82, ROCKFORD CHRISTIAN 10 R. CHRISTIAN Nicole Durkee 0-1 0-0 0, Kathryn Childs 1-2 0-0 2, Ashley Fryer 1-12 0-0 2, Michaela Olson 1-4 0-0 2, Stefanie Walsh 0-5 4-4 4, Rebecca Theisen 0-2 0-0 0, Gabrielle Schmidt 0-3 0-0 0, Paige Brunner 0-0 0-0 0, Cassandra Olson 0-1 0-2 0. Totals: 3-30 4-6 10.

ROCK FALLS (6-5) Madason Shaw 0-3 0-0 0, Abbee Sigel 5-10 0-0 10, Olivia Babcock 5-7 1-1 11, Emily Sauer 2-7 0-4 4, Sydnie Nailor 4-7 0-0 9, Sydney Young 3-3 0-0 6, Jordan Clevenger 0-3 0-0 0, Bailey Bickett 8-12 1-4 19, Elizabeth Lego 5-5 2-5 12, Bailey Wetzell 0-2 2-2 2, Alexandra Romo 4-7 1-4 9. Totals: 36-66 7-20 82.

R. Christian 0 4 2 4 — 10 Rock Falls 19 18 31 14 — 82 3s – Rock Falls 3 (Bickett 2, Nailor).

Rebounds – R. Christian 14 (Fryer 5), Rock Falls 43 (Romo 10). Blocks – Rock Falls 3.

Turnovers – R. Christian 37, Rock Falls 13. Fouls – R. Christian 15, Rock Falls 9.

Clippers clamp down Defense lifts Amboy to Three Rivers road win

By SVM Sports Staff

Hochstatter each scored in double figures, but the Clippers couldn’t overcome a first-half deficit and lost a Three Rivers road game.

Olson scored a teamhigh 13 points, with Hochstatter adding 12 for Amboy (2-10, 0-3). Max Lucas and Owen Drew each finished with six points.

Gentry Whiteman led all scorers with 20 points to pace Rockridge (6-4, 1-2).

Northeast (Iowa) 72, Wrestling West Carroll 25: The Sterling shut out at Thunder dropped a non- Dvorak: All nine Golden coference road game in Warriors were knocked Goose Lake. out on Day 1 at the douBoys basketball ble-elimination Al DvorRockridge 53, Amboy ak Memorial Invitational 43: Cole Olson and Jordan in Machesney Park.

The Amboy girls basketball team held Three Rivers opponent Rockridge scoreless in the final quarter, as the Clippers went on to earn a 39-33 road win.

Delaney Wilhelm led Amboy (10-2, 4-1) with a game-high 14 points, while Karlee Doege added 12, including two 3-pointers.

Rockridge (5-7, 1-4) was led by Tayler Johnson’s 11 points.

Noah Garcia (120 pounds), Isaac Figueroa (126), and Cariel Beasley (285) all went 2-2 for Sterling, with wins in their opening-round bouts before second-round losses sent them into the consolation bracket. All three won their consolation opener before falling in their next match.

Andrew Garcia (138) and Saul Serrano (220) both went 1-2, winning first-round consolation bouts sandwiched between opening-round and consolation secondround losses.

Ivan Mendoza (113), Isaiah Figueroa (145), William Wyatt (152), and Jaime Briseno (170) all finished 0-2.

Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com

Rock Falls’ Liz Lego (24) shoots the ball over Rockford Christian’s Rebecca Theisen on Tuesday night in Rock Falls. The Rockets won 82-10.

Lopsided win boosts confidence FEAST

CONTINUED FROM B1

The Rockets wound up with 22 steals, with Babcock and Bickett the leading thieves. The Rockets also enjoyed a 43-14 rebounding advantage, with reserve Alexandra Romo grabbing 10, and had 24 fewer

turnovers (37-13) than the Royal Lions.

Rock Falls will see tougher competition next week at the State Farm Classic. It opens against Bloomington Central Catholic on Monday.

“That was a good win because it gives us a confidence boost to go down to the State Farm and hopefully perform

better,” Bickett said.

Rockford Christian was paced by senior guard Stefanie Walsh, who was 4-for-4 from the freethrow line to score four points. Michaela Olson, Ashley Fryer and Kathryn Childs added baskets for the Royal Lions. Childs’ bucket with 33 seconds to play put Rockford Christian in double figures.

at Taylor Ridge

AMBOY 39, ROCKRIDGE 33 AMBOY (10-2, 4-1 Three Rivers) Delaney Wilhelm 5 4-7 14, Emma Lindenmeyer 2 1-3 5, Karlee Doege 5 0-0 12, Vivian O’Laughlin 2 0-0 4, Nataly Jones 0 0-4 0. Totals: 18 5-10 39.

ROCKRIDGE (5-7, 1-4) Carly Walker 1 0-0 3, Mariah Grawe 1 0-0 2, Daria Parchert 1 0-0 2, Jessica Stice 3 0-2 6, Courtney Stice 1 0-0 3,Tayler Johnson 5 1-2 11, Tayah Hayes 3 0-0 6.

Totals: 15 1-4 33.

Amboy 9 7 19 4 — 39 Rockridge 8 16 9 0 — 33 3s – Amboy 2 (Doege 2), Rockridge 2 (Walker, C.Stice).

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B4 • Sauk Valley Media

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NHL | STARS 4, BLACKHAWKS 0

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

TUESDAY’S SCOREBOARD NFL

WESTERN CONFERENCE

AMERICAN CONFERENCE W y-New England 12 N.Y. Jets 9 Buffalo 6 Miami 5 Houston Indianapolis Jacksonville Tennessee

W 7 6 5 3

x-Cincinnati Pittsburgh Baltimore Cleveland

W 11 9 4 3

Denver Kansas City Oakland San Diego

W 10 9 6 4

East L T 2 0 5 0 8 0 9 0 South L T 7 0 8 0 9 0 11 0 North L T 3 0 5 0 10 0 11 0 West L T 4 0 5 0 8 0 10 0

Pct .857 .643 .429 .357

PF 435 344 341 278

PA 269 272 336 361

Pct .500 .429 .357 .214

PF 275 285 343 269

PA 301 372 380 359

Pct .786 .643 .286 .214

PF 378 378 292 253

PA 243 287 360 387

Pct .714 .643 .429 .286

PF 308 365 319 280

PA 259 257 356 348

NATIONAL CONFERENCE

AP

Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) and defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk (57) defend the goal against Stars right wing Valeri Nichushkin (43) during the second period of Tuesday’s game in Dallas.

Texas toast Blackhawks blanked by Sharp, Stars

BY SCHUYLER DIXON AP Sports Writer

DALLAS – Patrick Sharp had a goal and an assist in his first regularseason game against his former team, leading the Dallas Stars to a 4-0 victory against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday.

Sharp scored 11 seconds into the third period to give Dallas a 2-0 lead in what had been a game with few chances between the highestscoring teams in the Western Conference.

The veteran forward came to the Stars in an offseason trade when the Blackhawks were trying save salary-cap space after Sharp won his third Stanley Cup in the past six seasons with Chicago. He spent 10 years with the Blackhawks.

Antti Niemi stopped 20 shots for his third shutout this season a night after replacing Kari Lehtonen less than 10 minutes into a 6-3 win at Minnesota, when the Stars rallied from a quick 2-0 deficit.

The first of five meetings between the NHLleading Stars and the defending Cup champions featured the league’s top three scorers in Chicago’s Patrick Kane and Dallas’ Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn. And yet each team went more than 10 minutes without a shot at some point in the first two periods.

Jason Spezza had the only goal in the first 40 minutes when he passed to himself to get by defenders while crossing the blue line, and slipped

the puck between Corey Crawford’s pad and the post in the second period. Sharp had an assist.

Sharp took a pass from Benn while racing up the right wing just after the third-period faceoff and beat Crawford over his left shoulder. Jason Demers had the first of his two assists on the play.

Less than 3 minutes later, Colton Sceviour tipped in a shot from the blue line by Jordie Benn for his first goal in 16 games.

Dallas defenseman Johnny Oduya had a steady if quiet Chicago reunion compared to Sharp after signing as a free agent following two Cup titles with the Blackhawks. He had three blocked shots in 20 minutes.

BIG TEN ROUNDUP

Hawkeyes dominate at home No. 1 Spartans struggle to put away Oakland By the Associated Press

Peter Jok scored 21 points on a career-high five 3-pointers to lead Iowa to an 85-63 win over Tennessee Tech on Tuesday in Iowa City.

Freshman Nicholas Baer added 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting off the bench, and Mike Gesell had 10 assists for the Hawkeyes (9-3).

Torrance Rowe scored 15 points, and Hakeem Rogers had 13 points and six rebounds for Tennessee Tech (8-5).

No. 1 Michigan St. 99, Oakland 93, OT: Bryn

Forbes scored a careerhigh 32 points, and topranked Michigan State needed overtime to beat Oakland in Auburn Hills, Mich., the Spartans’ first game without the injured Denzel Valentine.

Eron Harris added 27 points for the Spartans (13-0), who are off to the best start in school history.

Kay Felder, the nation’s No. 2 scorer, had 37 points and nine assists for the Golden Grizzlies

(7-4). With his 38 points in a win at Washington, Felder had 75 points in less than 72 hours.

No. 14 Purdue 68, Vanderbilt 55: A.J. Ham-

mons had 21 points and 10 rebounds as No. 14 Purdue rallied to defeat visiting Vanderbilt.

Rapheal Davis added 14 points, and Caleb Swanigan had 13 for the Boilermakers (121), who extended their Mackey Arena winning streak to 15 games.

Wade Baldwin scored 13 points, and Jeff Roberson added 12 for Vanderbilt (7-4), coached by former Purdue guard and assistant coach Kevin Stallings.

Indiana 99, Kennesaw St. 72: Troy Williams

and Thomas Bryant each scored 20 points to lead the Hoosiers to home win.

Nebraska 81, Prairie View A&M 50: Shavon

Shields and Andrew White III each had 19 points and five rebounds as the Huskers blew past the Panthers in Lincoln.

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Nebraska (8-5) led by as many as 16 in the first half, but fell behind 32-31 with 18:40 remaining.

The Huskers responded with a 23-5 run, and Prairie View A&M (0-11) got no closer than 15 the rest of the way.

Ohio St. 64, Mercer 44:

JaQuan Lyle scored 12 of his 18 points in the second half as the Buckeyes pulled away at home.

Ohio State (7-5), winner of three straight, also got 13 points from Jae’Sean Tate and 12 by Keita Bates-Diop. The Buckeyes started the first 5 minutes of the second half on a 13-4 run to take control.

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East L T Pct PF PA Washington 7 0 .500 316 332 Philadelphia 8 0 .429 318 362 N.Y. Giants 8 0 .429 373 358 Dallas 10 0 .286 246 324 South W L T Pct PF PA y-Carolina 14 0 0 1.000 449 278 Atlanta 7 7 0 .500 302 312 Tampa Bay 6 8 0 .429 311 353 New Orleans 5 9 0 .357 350 432 North W L T Pct PF PA x-Green Bay 10 4 0 .714 347 265 Minnesota 9 5 0 .643 296 272 Detroit 5 9 0 .357 302 363 Chicago 5 9 0 .357 289 352 West W L T Pct PF PA x-Arizona 12 2 0 .857 445 269 x-Seattle 9 5 0 .643 370 248 St. Louis 6 8 0 .429 241 294 San Francisco 4 10 0 .286 202 339 x-clinched playoff spot; y-clinched division Thursday’s game San Diego at Oakland, 7:25 p.m.

Saturday’s game Washington at Philadelphia, 7:25 p.m.

Sunday’s games Houston at Tennessee, noon Cleveland at Kansas City, noon New England at N.Y. Jets, noon Indianapolis at Miami, noon San Francisco at Detroit, noon Dallas at Buffalo, noon Chicago at Tampa Bay, noon Carolina at Atlanta, noon Pittsburgh at Baltimore, noon Jacksonville at New Orleans, 3:05 p.m.

St. Louis at Seattle, 3:25 p.m.

Green Bay at Arizona, 3:25 p.m.

N.Y. Giants at Minnesota, 7:30 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 28 Cincinnati at Denver, 7:30 p.m.

W 7 6 6 4

College football Bowl Glance

Today’s games Poinsettia Bowl San Diego Northern Illinois (8-5) vs. Boise State (8-4), 3:30 p.m. (ESPN) GoDaddy Bowl Mobile, Ala. Bowling Green (10-3) vs. Georgia Southern (8-3), 7 p.m. (ESPN) Thursday’s games Bahamas Bowl Nassau Middle Tennessee (7-5) vs. Western Michigan (7-5), 11 a.m. (ESPN) Hawaii Bowl Honolulu Cincinnati (7-5) vs. San Diego State (10-3), 7 p.m. (ESPN) Saturday’s games St. Petersburg (Fla.) Bowl Marshall (9-3) vs. UConn (6-6), 10 a.m.

(ESPN) Sun Bowl El Paso, Texas Miami (8-4) vs. Washington State (8-4), 1 p.m. (CBS) Heart of Dallas Bowl Washington (6-6) vs. Southern Mississippi (9-4), 2:20 p.m. (ESPN) Pinstripe Bowl Bronx, N.Y. Duke (7-5) vs. Indiana (6-6), 2:30 p.m. (ABC) Independence Bowl Shreveport, La. Virginia Tech (6-6) vs. Tulsa (6-6), 4:45 p.m.

(ESPN) Foster Farms Bowl Santa Clara, Calif.

Nebraska (5-7) vs. UCLA (8-4), 8:15 p.m.

(ESPN)

NHL EASTERN CONFERENCE GA 89 85 81 89 104 82 89 90 GA 71 93 82 87 92 84 101 112

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Chicago 0 0 0 —0 Dallas 0 1 3 —4 First Period–None.

Second Period–1, Dallas, Spezza 13 (Sharp, Klingberg), 9:12 (pp).

Third Period–2, Dallas, Sharp 12 (Ja. Benn, Demers), :11. 3, Dallas, Sceviour 2 (Jo.Benn, Roussel), 2:57. 4, Dallas, Janmark 8 (Demers, Oduya), 14:36.

Shots on Goal–Chicago 3-14-3–20. Dallas 7-8-17–32.

NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division W L Pct Toronto 18 12 .600 Boston 15 13 .536 New York 14 15 .483 Brooklyn 8 20 .286 Philadelphia 1 29 .033 Southeast Division W L Pct Atlanta 18 12 .600 Miami 16 11 .593 Orlando 16 12 .571 Charlotte 15 12 .556 Washington 12 14 .462 Central Division W L Pct Cleveland 18 7 .720 Indiana 16 11 .593 Detroit 17 12 .586 Chicago 15 11 .577 Milwaukee 11 18 .379

GB — 2 3½ 9 17 GB — ½ 1 1½ 4 GB — 3 3 3½ 9

Southwest Division W L Pct San Antonio 24 5 .828 Dallas 15 13 .536 Memphis 16 14 .533 Houston 15 14 .517 New Orleans 8 19 .296 Northwest Division W L Pct Oklahoma City 19 9 .679 Utah 12 14 .462 Denver 11 17 .393 Minnesota 11 17 .393 Portland 11 19 .367 Pacific Division W L Pct Golden State 26 1 .963 L.A. Clippers 16 13 .552 Phoenix 12 18 .400 Sacramento 11 17 .393 L.A. Lakers 5 23 .179

GB — 8½ 8½ 9 15 GB — 6 8 8 9 GB — 11 15½ 15½ 21½

Tuesday’s results Memphis 104, Philadelphia 90 Toronto 103, Dallas 99 Detroit 93, Miami 92 L.A. Lakers 111, Denver 107 Today’s games New York at Cleveland, 6 p.m.

Sacramento at Indiana, 6 p.m.

Houston at Orlando, 6 p.m.

Memphis at Washington, 6 p.m.

Boston at Charlotte, 6 p.m.

Dallas at Brooklyn, 6:30 p.m.

San Antonio at Minnesota, 7 p.m.

Portland at New Orleans, 7 p.m.

Philadelphia at Milwaukee, 7 p.m.

Detroit at Atlanta, 7 p.m.

Denver at Phoenix, 8 p.m.

Utah at Golden State, 9:30 p.m.

Oklahoma City at L.A. Lakers, 9:30 p.m.

Men’s basketball Top 25 schedule

Tuesday’s results No. 1 Michigan State 99, Oakland 93 OT No. 2 Kansas at San Diego State, late No. 3 Oklahoma vs. Washington St., late No. 5 Virginia 63, California 62 OT No. 6 Xavier 78, Wake Forest 70 No. 8 Arizona 85, Long Beach State 70 No. 9 Butler 88, Southern Utah 52 No. 11 Iowa St. 81, No. 22 Cincinnati 79 No. 13 Miami 95, La Salle 49 No. 14 Purdue 68, Vanderbilt 55 No. 16 Louisville 75, UMKC 47 No. 17 Villanova 78, Delaware 48 No. 18 SMU 90, Kent State 74 DePaul 82, No. 20 Geo. Washington 61 No. 24 Utah 105, Delaware State 58 No. 25 South Carolina 75, St. John’s 61

Big Ten schedule Tuesday’s results Indiana 99, Kennesaw St. 72 Michigan St. 99, Oakland (Mich.) 93 OT Purdue 68, Vanderbilt 55 Nebraska 81, Prairie View A&M 50 Iowa 85, Tennessee Tech 63 Ohio State 64, Mercer 44 Penn St. vs. Colorado, at Las Vegas, late

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Tuesday’s box score

IOWA 85, TENNESSEE TECH 63 TENNESSEE TECH (8-5) Martin 1-6 3-4 5, Morse 4-6 0-0 8, Thomas 2-5 0-0 5, Jugovic 2-5 0-0 6, Rowe 4-14 5-5 15, Henderson 0-1 0-0 0, Rogers 5-11 1-2 13, Hansbrough 2-3 0-1 4, Frazier 0-0 0-0 0, Alexander II 0-0 0-2 0, Ramsey 2-6 2-2 7. Totals 22-57 11-16 63.

IOWA (9-3) Uthoff 5-11 2-2 13, Woodbury 3-4 1-2 7, Clemmons 4-9 2-2 11, Gesell 1-3 0-0 2, Jok 7-16 2-2 21, Wagner 1-1 1-3 3, Fleming 0-0 0-0 0, M. Soukup 0-2 0-0 0, Williams 0-0 2-2 2, S. Soukup 0-1 0-0 0, Ukah 0-0 0-0 0, Ellingson 1-4 0-0 3, Uhl 2-9 0-0 4, Baer 8-10 0-0 19. Totals 32-70 10-13 85.

Halftime–Iowa 43-21. 3-Point Goals– Tennessee Tech 8-26 (Jugovic 2-4, Rogers 2-5, Rowe 2-9, Thomas 1-1, Ramsey 1-3, Henderson 0-1, Martin 0-3), Iowa 11-30 (Jok 5-10, Baer 3-4, Clemmons 1-3, Ellingson 1-4, Uthoff 1-5, M. Soukup 0-1, S. Soukup 0-1, Uhl 0-2). Fouled Out–None.

Rebounds–Tennessee Tech 37 (Thomas 7), Iowa 41 (Uhl 7). Assists–Tennessee Tech 11 (Rogers, Rowe 3), Iowa 19 (Gesell 10). Total Fouls–Tennessee Tech 14, Iowa 15.

Transactions BASEBALL American League CLEVELAND INDIANS — Released 3B Chris Johnson. Agreed to terms with LHP Ross Detwiler on a minor league contract.

National League ST. LOUIS CARDINALS — Agreed to terms with RHP Mike Leake on a five-year contract.

BASKETBALL National Basketball Association MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES — Reassigned Fs James Ennis and Jarell Martin and G Russ Smith to Iowa (NBADL).

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES — Recalled G Tyus Jones from Idaho (NBADL).

FOOTBALL National Football League ARIZONA CARDINALS — Placed S Tyrann Mathieu on injured reserve. Re-signed S Chris Clemons.

BALTIMORE RAVENS — Placed TE Crockett Gillmore on injured reserve. Placed LB Brennen Beyer on the practice squad injured list. Signed LB Chris Carter. Signed DE Nordly Capi to the practice squad.

BUFFALO BILLS — Placed LB Randell Johnson and WR Robert Woods on injured reserve and T Seantrel Henderson on the reserve/non-football illness list. Released WR Marcus Thigpen. Signed WRs Dezmin Lewis, Walter Powell and Greg Salas and DE Jerel Worthy. Signed TE Jacob Maxwell and QB Zac Dysart to the practice squad.

CHICAGO BEARS — Waived RB Antone Smith. Terminated the practice squad contract of DL Toby Johnson. Signed DT D’Anthony Smith from the practice squad and CB De’Vante Bausby and DL Davon Coleman to the practice squad.

CLEVELAND BROWNS — Placed OL John Greco on injured reserve. Re-signed WR Darius Jennings.

GREEN BAY PACKERS — Placed LS Brett Goode on injured reserve. Signed LS Rick Lovato.

HOUSTON TEXANS — Placed QB T.J. Yates on injured reserve. Signed QB B.J. Daniels from the practice squad.

MIAMI DOLPHINS — Placed LBs Koa Misi and Chris McCain on injured reserve. Resigned LB James-Michael Johnson and OL Jacques McClendon. Signed G Shelley Smith.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS — Signed LB Alex Singleton to the practice squad.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS — Placed LB Eric Martin on injured reserve. Released DL Ishmaa’ily Kitchen. Signed RB Steven Jackson.

NEW YORK JETS — Signed WR Joe Anderson to the practice squad.

TENNESSEE TITANS — Placed DT Mike Martin on injured reserve. Signed QB Alex Tanney from Indianapolis’ practice squad.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS — Signed TE Marcel Jensen from Buffalo’s practice squad.

HOCKEY National Hockey League NASHVILLE PREDATORS — Recalled D Petter Granberg from his conditioning assignment with Milwaukee (AHL).

WASHINGTON CAPITALS — Reassigned D Connor Carrick to Hershey (AHL).

American Hockey League SAN DIEGO GULLS — Announced LW Max Friberg was reassigned to the team by Anaheim (NHL).

SOCCER Major League Soccer LA GALAXY — Transferred D Omar Gonzalez to CF Pachuca (Liga MX-Mexico).

NEW YORK RED BULLS — Signed F Alex Muyl.

COLLEGE NCAA — Placed Hawaii’s men’s basketball program on probation for three years.

BALL STATE — Announced the resignation of football coach Pete Lembo to become assistant head coach and special teams coordinator at Maryland.

MIAMI — Suspended S Jamal Carter for the Sun Bowl for violating a team policy.

Announced DT Courtel Jenkins was declared academically ineligible.

PURDUE — Named Terry Malone offensive coordinator in addition to his duties as tight ends coach.

TEXAS STATE — Announced the retirement of football coach Dennis Franchione.

WISCONSIN — Named Howard Moore men’s assistant basketball coach.

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Today’s games Bryant at Michigan, 6 p.m.

Illinois vs. Missouri, at St. Louis, 6 p.m.

Fairleigh Dickinson at Rutgers, 6 p.m.

Milwaukee at Minnesota, 7 p.m.

Green Bay at Wisconsin, 8 p.m.

Sunday’s games Marshall at Maryland, 3 p.m.

South Carolina State at Ohio State, 5 p.m.

Loyola Maryland at Northwestern, 7 p.m.

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Tuesday’s box score

STARS 4, BLACKHAWKS 0

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Monday’s result Miami Beach Bowl Western Kentucky 45, South Florida 35 Tuesday’s results Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Boise Akron 23, Utah St. 21 Boca Raton (Fla.) Bowl Toledo 32, Temple 17

Atlantic Division W L OT Pts GF Montreal 20 13 3 43 105 Boston 19 10 4 42 104 Florida 19 12 4 42 95 Detroit 17 10 7 41 89 Ottawa 17 12 6 40 105 Tampa Bay 17 15 3 37 87 Buffalo 14 16 4 32 79 Toronto 12 13 7 31 84 Metropolitan Division W L OT Pts GF Washington 25 6 2 52 105 N.Y. Rangers 20 12 4 44 104 N.Y. Islanders 19 11 5 43 96 New Jersey 17 13 5 39 83 Philadelphia 15 12 7 37 74 Pittsburgh 16 14 3 35 76 Carolina 13 16 5 31 80 Columbus 13 20 3 29 88

Central Division W L OT Pts GF GA Dallas 26 7 2 54 124 88 St. Louis 21 11 4 46 92 85 Chicago 20 12 4 44 96 87 Minnesota 18 9 6 42 91 80 Nashville 17 11 6 40 90 86 Colorado 17 17 1 35 99 97 Winnipeg 15 16 2 32 91 100 Pacific Division W L OT Pts GF GA Los Angeles 20 10 2 42 81 71 Vancouver 13 14 9 35 91 103 San Jose 16 15 2 34 88 91 Arizona 15 15 2 32 87 102 Calgary 15 16 2 32 87 112 Edmonton 15 18 2 32 91 106 Anaheim 12 15 6 30 62 85 Note: Two points for a win, one point for overtime loss.

Tuesday’s results Florida 2, Ottawa 1, SO St. Louis 2, Boston 0 N.Y. Rangers 3, Anaheim 2, OT New Jersey 4, Detroit 3 Vancouver 2, Tampa Bay 1 Minnesota 2, Montreal 1 Dallas 4, Chicago 0 Winnipeg at Calgary, late Toronto at Arizona, late San Jose at Los Angeles, late Today’s games No games scheduled

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Wednesday, December 23, 2015

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Sauk Valley Media • B5

Longevity key word for foes

ASSOCIATED PRESS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

NOTCH

CONTINUED FROM B1

The Broncos, who earned a win in the Fiesta Bowl last year, lost four games in the regular season for the second time in 3 years – but it was only the second time since 2001.

Boise State lost two of its final three games of the season, losing by seven points at home to both New Mexico and Air Force.

The Huskies are guaranteed to have singledigit wins for the first time since 2009, when they went 7-6. However, even in a down year in which they lost starting quarterback Drew Hare with a season-ending Achilles injury, the Huskies still went to the MAC Championship for the sixth consecutive season.

While Northern Illinois still has more wins (65) than Boise State (63) since 2010, Carey praised the Broncos for the longevity of their success.

“They have been doing it for a longer period of time, and they have been to more – back then, BCS Bowls and last year New Years Six Bowls,” he said. “They are the benchmark in the group of five, there is no doubt, and you have to give credit where credit is due. They’ve done a great job.”

A closer look at the Poinsettia Bowl, which will be the first meeting between the two teams: Players to Watch

AP

Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey (right), seen here scoring a touchdown in the Pac-12 championship game against USC, was selected as the Associated Press college football player of the year Tuesday. He’s the first non-Heisman Trophy winner to earn the honor in 6 years.

One-man wrecking crew McCaffrey earns AP player of the year award

BY RALPH D. RUSSO AP College Football Writer

Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey is the Associated Press college football player of the year, becoming the first nonHeisman Trophy winner to earn the honor in 6 years.

McCaffrey was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy to Derrick Henry, but received 29 of 60 votes from the AP Top 25 media panel to edge the Alabama running back.

Henry received 16 votes, and Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson was third with 11. Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds and Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield each received two votes.

The last time the AP player of the year was not the Heisman winner was 2009. That season Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was the AP voter’s choice, while the Heisman went to another Alabama running back – Mark Ingram. It is

the fifth time overall that the Heisman winner and AP player of the year went to different players.

McCaffrey is the first Stanford player to win the award since it was first handed out in 1998, and the first running back to win it since one of his football heroes, Southern California’s Reggie Bush, did it in 2005.

“This award is a testament to all the efforts and support of my teammates, coaches, staff, and the entire Stanford football program,” McCaffrey said in a statement to the AP on Tuesday.

The 200-pound sophomore was a revelation this season and, like Bush, was able to dominate games in various ways.

He ran for 1,847 yards (second-most in the nation behind Henry) and eight touchdowns, caught a team-best 41 passes for 540 yards and four scores, and averaged 28.9 yards per kickoff return with another

score. He also threw two touchdown passes.

“What is Christian McCaffrey? The answer is football player,” Stanford coach David Shaw said in a recent interview. “It’s not running back. It’s not receiver. It’s not returner. It’s football player. What do you need for him to do?”

Add it all up, and McCaffrey set the NCAA record for all-purpose yards with 3,496 this season, breaking the mark of 3,250 set

by Oklahoma State’s Barry Sanders in 1988. McCaffrey played two more games than Sanders, though he had fewer total touches when he passed the record.

“You can say he had the best year in the history of college football,” Shaw said.

McCaffrey, who is the son of former Stanford and NFL receiver Ed McCaffrey, led the Cardinal (11-2) to a Pac-12 championship and their third Rose Bowl appearance in the last 4 years.

AP

Northern Illinois freshman Tommy Fiedler started the season as the Huskies’ fourth-string quarterback, but injuries to other QBs thrust him into the starting role for the MAC Championship game.

By the Numbers

Thomas Sperbeck, junior WR – The 6-foot,

3.44 – Boise State

175-pound Sperbeck has been the Broncos’ major target on the outside this season. A first team all-Mountain West receiver, he had 82 catches for 1,334 yards (111.2 per game) and eight touchdowns. He’s the only player on the team that has more than 550 receiving yards.The 1,334 receiving yards are a single-season record for Boise State.

allows 3.44 yards per rush on defense, which is the 12th-best mark in the nation.

43 – The two defenses have combined for 43 interceptions this season. Boise State is tied for third-most in the nation (22), while Northern Illinois (21) is fifth.

56 – Northern Illinois offensive linemen Andrew Ness and Aidan Conlon will be making Jeremy McNichols, their 56th starts for the sophomore, RB – Boise Huskies, giving them 14 State’s main running starts per season since back has numbers that their freshman year. are similar to Northern Quotable Brett Rypien, freshman Illinois feature back “It’s a business trip.

QB – The Mountain West Joel Bouagnon. The We want to get a win.

Conference Freshman of Huskie junior back has We haven’t had a win 1,269 rushing yards and the Year, Rypien throws [in a bowl game] since 18 touchdowns, while for 297.3 yards per game my freshman year. We McNichols, who made and has 17 touchdowns definitely see that we first team all-MWC, had and seven interceptions need to get this win. We 1,244 rushing yards and for the Broncos. Boise need to take care of the 18 touchdowns – but did State hasn’t been afraid small things in order for to air it out with the fresh- so in one fewer game. man, who went 40-for-74 McNichols averages 113.1 us to come out on top.” – Northern Illinois senior with 503 yards in the loss yards per game, compared to Bouagnon’s 97.6. cornerback Paris Logan. to New Mexico.

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B6 • Sauk Valley Media Dilbert by Scott Adams

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Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Zits® by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman

Arlo & Janis by Jimmy Johnson Garfield by Jim Davis

Luann by Greg Evans Get Fuzzy by Darby Conley

Blondie by Dean Young & John Marshall

Wizard of Id by Brant Parker and Johnny Hart

Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis Rose is Rose by Pat Brady and Don Wimmer

Pickles by Brian Crane Big Nate by Lincoln Peirce

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Bridge Frank & Ernest by Bob Thaves

Three losers seem to become four

Grizzwells by Bill Schorr

Martha Beck, a life coach, said, “It takes about four days of virtuous living to create a little weight loss. That also happens to be the time required to get used to eating less. In other words, if you can get past day three of a fitness regimen, things improve.”

In a contract of four of a major, having only three tricks to lose is fine; if you are faced with four, you must work out how to shake that extra loser.

In today’s deal, South is in four hearts. He wins the first trick with his club ace and cashes the heart ace, being shocked to see West discard a diamond. How should declarer continue?

That South hand was a

tad strong to open two notrump with its eight probable winners. So South opened two clubs and rebid two notrump.

With the bad trump break, South has five losers in his

hand: one spade, one heart, two diamonds and one club.

But that will not be a problem if he can take 10 tricks. How is that possible?

Declarer has four side-suit winners, so he needs six trump tricks, three tops and three ruffs.

He can get those if he is careful. At trick three, he should duck a spade, the key play.

Suppose the defenders shift to diamonds. South wins, plays a spade to dummy’s ace, ruffs a spade, cashes the club king, and ruffs his last club on the board. Then he leads another spade.

What does East do?

If he discards, South gets his third low ruff. If East ruffs in, South discards one of his diamond losers, effectively making the defense take two of its winners in one trick. © 2015 UFS

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• we reach over 48,000 readers every day • IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FOURTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF WHITESIDE-MORRISON, ILLINOIS THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF THE CWABS, INC., ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-6, Plaintiff, vs.

TERRY OSBORNE, AMY OSBORNE AKA AMY K. OSBORNE and HSBC MORTGAGE SERVICES INC., FKA HOUSEHOLD FINANCIAL CORPORATION III, Defendants.

15 CH 27 PROPERTY ADDRESS: 28299 LOGAN DR. ROCK FALLS, IL 61071 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of the above Court entered in the above entitled cause on October 2, 2015, the following described real estate, to-wit: Permanent Index Number: 17-09-377-002 Commonly known as: 28299 Logan Dr., Rock Falls, IL 61071 will be offered for sale and sold at public vendue on January 7, 2016 at 10:00 AM, the Whiteside County Courthouse, 200 E. Knox St., Morrison, Illinois.

The Judgment amount is $190,639.73.

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Sheriff of Whiteside County.

No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twentyfour (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the mortgaged real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments or special taxes levied against said real estate, and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to the Plaintiff and in "AS IS" condition. The Sale is further subject to confirmation by the Court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser shall receive a Certificate of Sale, which will entitle the purchaser to a Deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection.

Prospective bidders are admonished to check the Court file to verify all information.

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For information, contact the Plaintiff's Attorney: Heavner, Beyers & Mihlar, LLC, 111 East Main Street, Decatur, IL 62523, (217) 4221719.

The purchaser of a condominium unit at a judicial foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, who takes possession of a condominium unit pursuant to a court order or a purchaser who acquires title from a mortgagee shall have the duty to pay the proportionate share, if any, of the common expenses for the unit which would have become due in the absence of any assessment acceleration during the 6 months immediately preceding institution of an action to enforce the collection of assessments, and which remain unpaid by the owner during whose possession the assessments accrued. If the outstanding assessments are paid at any time during any action to enforce the collection of assessments, the purchaser shall have no obligation to pay any assessments which accrued before he or she acquired title. If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by the Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5 (g-1).

If the sale is not confirmed for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the purchase price paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee's attorney.

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701 (c) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. Note: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act you are advised that the Law Firm of Heavner, Beyers & Mihlar, LLC, is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt, and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

I677979 Dec. 9, 16, 23, 2015

SAUK VALLEY SAUK VALLEY

LASSIFIEDS TELEGRAPH

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815-625-3600

815-284-2222

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT LEE COUNTY - DIXON ILLINOIS Nationstar Mortgage LLC Plaintiff, vs.

Michael A. Brock; Wendy R. Perron; Unknown Owners and Non-Record Claimants Defendants.

2015 CH 28 210 Hardanger Gate, Lee, IL 60530 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause on November 3, 2015, the Lee County Sheriff's Office will on January 28, 2016, at the hour of 10:00AM at the Lee County Sheriff's Office, Lee County Courthouse, 309 Galena Avenue Suite 320, Dixon, IL 61021, sell to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate: Commonly known as 210 Hardanger Gate, Lee, IL 60530 Parcel Number(s): 21-12-01-428-008 The real estate is improved with a Single Family Residence.

Sale terms: Bidders must present, at the time of sale, a cashier's or certified check for 10% of the successful bid amount. The balance of the successful bid shall be paid within 24 hours, by similar funds. The subject property is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in "AS IS" condition.

The sale is further subject to confirmation by the Court. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than the mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by the Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9 (g)(1) and (g)(4).

For information call Plaintiff's Attorney, Manley Deas Kochalski LLC, One East Wacker, Suite 1250, One East Wacker, Suite 1250.

Phone number: 312-651-6700. Attorney file number: 15-006236.

Alan S. Kaufman MANLEY DEAS KOCHALSKI LLC Attorneys for Plaintiff One East Wacker, Suite 1250 Chicago, IL 60601 Telephone: 312-651-6700 Fax: 614-220-5613 Attorney. No.: 6289893 I679548 Dec. 23, 30, 2015, Jan. 6, 2016

FOR SALE

BY OWNER

209

DIXON Reduced 410 VanBuren $15,000 Please leave message 815-440-3478

AMBOY Nice 2BR w/ appls. $490mo. + lease & dep. 815-716-0123

ASHTON ★★ 1&2 BR., Ashton/ F.G. 815-7512712/562-5075.★

DIXON DIXON MANOR APT- 2BR, 1 BA, CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN, SECURITY BLDG, HARDWOOD FLOORS, HEAT, WATER INCLUDED. CLEAN, QUIET. CALL FOR INFO & SHOWINGERICK; 815-7395806 ★Must See!★ 2BR very clean, quiet.

No smoking or pets. $500 + dep.

815-690-2711 One Bed Apt., Dixon, Upper, large rooms $450/Mo. Available Immediately!

Call 815-622-2725 Snlrentals.com

PROPHETSTOWN 3BR Luxury apartment- 202 Market St. $1,200/month.

Kophamer and Blean Realty 815-772-2728

ROCK FALLS

3BR project house, 401 W 6th St. $20k 815-718-5488

1 & 2 BR Hampton Apts.

815-625-7043 2BR, $500mo. No pets. Edon Apts.

815-441-3999 THICKSTEN APTS. 1 & 2 BR houses 815-499-4217

MOBILE HOMES 230

STERLING

STERLING

MOBILE HOMES

230

Advertise your mobile homes for sale here!!

APARTMENTSFURNISHED 305 STERLING 1BR, $375 mo. + dep. Stove & refrig.

563-880-8622 4 Room completely furnished basement apartment. $400/ No pets. mo. + dep. 815631-0896.

2 Bedroom Great Location

495

DIXON

NORTHLAND PARK APARTMENTS

2BR Duplex, gar. $550/mo., lease, snowplow, no pets.

815-973-2831 3BR, 2 car attached garage. $825/mo. Lease & dep. req. H & H Rental Properties LLC. Call or text 815-625-7995.

Near Grand Detour 3BR on River. W/D h/u, 2 car garage.

No pets or smoking. $750/mo + $750 Dep. Call 815-652-3023

Studio’s, 1 & 2 BR Apts.

CALL FOR AVAILABILITY

(815) 632-7368 (Located Behind Northland Mall)

Sterling Rentals Newer 2 Bedroom $599.00 & Up Applcs., Fireplaces 2002 3rd Ave. 1836 First Ave. 606 W. Lefevre 2 BR $535.00 1 BR $465.00 1 Studio $390.00 Partial Heat, Water, Sewer, Refuse Removal, Laundry Facilities, Satellite

(815)626-1431 1 BR Apts.

No pets.

No Exceptions!

Call 815-716-0367.

2 BR for $500

Water, sewer, garbage incl.

Coin W/D, No pets/ No parties.

Call Diana: 630-327-7046

PER MONTH

No Security Deposit Required

*with 1 year lease

Garages Available Next to

ALDI in Sterling

1-815-414-2288

LOANS

Newly remodeled 2 BR, 2 bath, 2 car gar., no smoking or pets $700 mth 815-973-6774 Why Rent? ™ Fully remodeled 3BR home $725/mo.

82 Grant Ave. 815-878-6356

ROCK FALLS 1 Bed House Rock Falls $425/mo available immediately 815-622-2725 SNLRentals.com 2 Bed House Rock Falls $545/mo available immediately 815-622-2725 SNLRentals.com

STERLING 2BR, 1½ BA close to Civic center. No pets. 815-590-3026 Cute 3BR,

2BR, $420 815-562-7368 Rochelle Realty Nice clean 3BR duplex located 1009 6th Ave. $550+ dep.

815-626-7257 or 815-718-0257

Sinnissippi Townhomes First Mo. Free!

Spacious 2 BR. 2 story townhomes.

Central air, good location. Laundry hookup. (815)6261130.

WOOSUNG

RIVER RIDGE APARTMENTS

$

STERLING

3BR apt. 600 Griswold Ave. (Woosung is the town next to Dixon).

Newly renovated and new appliances. No pets. $525/ mo. Sec. dep. req. Call Matt 310-750-5663

HOMES FOR RENT

Rent like a Winner™

Nice yard, gas heat 1204 Ave. J. $598 815-878-7399

MOBILE HOMES FOR RENT

315

Our Hunters will Pay Top $$$ To hunt your land. Call for a Free Base Camp Leasing info packet & Quote.

1-866-309-1507 www.BaseCam pLeasing.com

Advertise Your Rentals in Sauk Valley Classifieds

DIXON 2BR 507 Van Buren. $575/mo + dep. Refs. req.

773-552-8498

THE CLASSIFIED Advertising Department of Sauk Valley Media does not have the opportunity to fully investigate the credibility of each advertiser appearing within these columns. If an offer sounds “too good to be true” it probably is.

Proceed with caution if you are asked to send money or to give a credit card number.

Proceed with caution in calling 900 phone numbers. All phone numbers prefixed by “900” are charged to the CALLER. Charges may be assessed on a “per minute” basis rather than a “per call” basis.

Sauk Valley Classified makes every effort to qualify these charges for the reader.

If you have a concern about an advertiser, please contact the Better Business Bureau 330 N. Wabash, Chicago, IL 60611.

312-832-0500

AUCTIONS

615

Farm Toy Auction Saturday December 26th 9am *650 Cataloged Lots* Diecast Tractors; Pedals; Precision; Smith Miller Trucks; MORE! 2601 Lakeland Blvd. Mattoon, IL Bauer Auction Service, LLC Catalog / Photos: www.bauerauc tion.com January 1st 9am 2601 Lakeland Blvd - Mattoon, IL 900 Guns From Antiques to New in Box! Colt, Winchester, Browning, Military, Rugers, S&W, MORE! www.bauerauc tion.com

AREA GARAGE SALES 624 ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES 705 I Buy: Antiques, collectibles, toys, post cards, etc.

815-445-6151.

APPLIANCES

310

FOR RENT/SALE HOUSES & APTS. svla.org

402

Call

625-3600 or 284-2222

710

Reliable, LIKE NEW used appliances, cmsappliance.net (815)626-1003

WOOD / FUEL

746

Oak firewood split & delivered. Call 815-441-3299.

OUTGROWING YOUR HOUSE? CHECK OUT THE GREAT HOUSES LISTED FOR SALE IN SAUK VALLEY MEDIAS’ CLASSIFIED SECTION!

Call 815-284-2222 or 815-625-3600 To Place Your Classified Ad

B8

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PUBLIC NOTICES SAUK VALLEY MEDIA • Wednesday, December 23, 2015 • PAGE B8

SAUK VALLEY

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FOURTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT WHITESIDE COUNTY, ILLINOIS

IN RE THE ESTATE OF ALICE B. FILE Deceased.

No, 2015-P-145 CLAIM NOTICE Notice is given to creditors of the death of Alice B. File. Letters of Office were issued on December 4, 2015 to Vicki D. Traub, as Independent Executor, whose attorneys of record are shown below.

The estate will be administrated without court supervision, unless under Section 28-4 of the Probate Act (755 ILCS 5/28-4) any interested person terminates independent administration at any time by mailing or delivering a petition to terminate to the clerk.

Claims against the estated may be filed in the office of the Circuit Clerk of Whiteside County, 200 East Knox Street, Morrison, Illinois 61270, or with the representative, or both, on or before June 4, 2016, or, if mailing or delivery of a notice from the representative is required by Section 18-3 of the Probate Act (755 ILCS 5/18-3), the date started in that notice. Any claim not filed on or before that date is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the clerk must be mailed or delivered by the claimant to the representative and to the attorneys within 10 days after it has been filed.

William H.T. Lee Ludens Potter & Melton 600 W, Lincolnway, P.O. Box 360 Morrison, Illinois 61270-0360 Tele: (815)-772-2161 Fax: (815)-772-7440 E-mail: whtlee@lincolnwaylaw.com December 9. 16 & 23 2015 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FOURTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT WHITESIDE COUNTY, ILLINOIS COMMUNITY STATE BANK OF ROCK FALLS - STERLING, Plaintiff, v.

KERRY C. LILLY; DEANNA R. LILLY; AMERICAN BUILDERS & CONTRACTORS SUPPLY CO., INC. d/b/a ABC SUPPLY CO., INC.; UNKNOWN OWNERS; and NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, Defendants.

15 CH 147 ST NOTICE BY PUBLICATION NOTICE IS GIVEN TO YOU: Unknown Owners and Non-Record Claimants That this case has been commenced in this Court against you and other defendants, praying for the foreclosure of the following Mortgages regarding the following described premises: Parcel 1 Lot 4 in Cooke Subdivision being a part of the Northeast Quarter of the Northeast Quarter of Section 18, Township 20 North, Range 7 East of the 4th P.M., in Whiteside County, Illinois, according to the plat thereof recorded April 6, 1979 as Document No. 1768-79.

COMMONLY KNOWN AS: 9952 Cooke Road, Rock Falls, IL 61071 which said Mortgage was made by: Kerry C. Lilly and Deanna R. Lilly, to Community State Bank of Rock Falls Sterling, as Mortgagee, and recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Whiteside County, Illinois, as Document No. 2011-05923; and for other relief; that summons was duly issued out of said Court against you as provided by law and that the said suit is now pending.

Parcel 2 Lot 8 in Block 2 of the Subdivision of Lot 1, Block F of the Northwest Fractional Quarter of Section 27, Township 21 North, Range 7 East of the 4th P.M., Whiteside County, Illinois.

COMMONLY KNOWN AS: 405 Dixon Ave., Rock Falls, IL 61071 which said Mortgage was made by: Kerry C. Lilly and Deanna R. Lilly to Community State Bank of Rock Falls Sterling, as Mortgagee, and recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Whiteside County, Illinois, as Document No. 2013-00875; and for other relief; that summons was duly issued out of said Court against you as provided by law and that the said suit is now pending.

NOW, THEREFORE, UNLESS YOU file your answer or otherwise file your appearance in this case in the Office of the Clerk of this Court: Clerk of the Circuit Court Whiteside County Courts Facility, Eastern Division 101 E. Third St. Sterling, IL 61081 on or before January 29, 2016, A DEFAULT MAY BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU AT ANY TIME AFTER THAT DAY AND A JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PRAYER OF SAID COMPLAINT. Dated: December 18, 2015.

Susan E. Ottens Clerk of the Circuit Court Whiteside County, Illinois Douglas E. Lee Ehrmann Gehlbach Badger Lee & Considine, LLC Attorneys for Plaintiff 215 E. First St., Suite 100 P.O. Box 447 Dixon, Illinois 61021 (815) 288-4949 (815) 288-3068 (FAX) lee@egblc.com NOTE: This law firm is deemed to be a debt collector.

December 23, 30, 2015, January 6, 2016

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT LEE COUNTY - DIXON ILLINOIS

Nationstar Mortgage LLC Plaintiff, vs.

Michael A. Brock; Wendy R. Perron; Unknown Owners and Non-Record Claimants Defendants.

2015 CH 28 210 Hardanger Gate, Lee, IL 60530 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause on November 3, 2015, the Lee County Sheriff's Office will on January 28, 2016, at the hour of 10:00AM at the Lee County Sheriff's Office, Lee County Courthouse, 309 Galena Avenue Suite 320, Dixon, IL 61021, sell to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate: Lots 2 and 3 in Block 3 in the Village of Lee, according to the plat of said Village of Lee recorded in the Recorder's Office of Lee County in Book "B" of Miscellaneous Records on page 249, all in Lee County, Illinois.

Commonly known as 210 Hardanger Gate, Lee, IL 60530 Parcel Number(s): 21-12-01-428-008 The real estate is improved with a Single Family Residence.

Sale terms: Bidders must present, at the time of sale, a cashier's or certified check for 10% of the successful bid amount. The balance of the successful bid shall be paid within 24 hours, by similar funds. The subject property is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in "AS IS" condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the Court. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than the mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by the Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).

For information call Plaintiff's Attorney, Manley Deas Kochalski LLC, One East Wacker, Suite 1250, One East Wacker, Suite 1250. Phone number: 312-651-6700. Attorney file number: 15-006236.

Alan S. Kaufman MANLEY DEAS KOCHALSKI LLC Attorneys for Plaintiff One East Wacker, Suite 1250 Chicago, IL 60601 Telephone: 312-651-6700 Fax: 614-220-5613 Attorney. No.: 6289893 I679548 Dec. 23, 30, 2015, Jan. 6, 2016 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE 14TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT WHITESIDE COUNTY - MORRISON, ILLINOIS FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION ("FANNIE MAE"), A CORPORATION ORGANIZED & EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA PLAINTIFF VS UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF MERLENE VULPITTA A/K/A MERLENE F VULPITTA, IF ANY ; RALPH VULPITTA JR; KATHLEEN VULPITTA; ANTHONY VULPITTA; COLLEEN VULPITTA; MAUREEN VARELA A/K/A MAUREEN E VULPITTA A/K/A MAUREEN VULPITTA; NORTHSTAR CAPITAL ACQUISITION, LLC; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON RECORD CLAIMANTS; KATHLEEN VULPITTA; DEFENDANTS 15 CH 122 28935 BERTHA DRIVE ROCK FALLS, IL 61071 NOTICE BY PUBLICATION NOTICE IS GIVEN YOU, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF MERLENE VULPITTA A/K/A MERLENE F VULPITTA, IF ANY ; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON RECORD CLAIMANTS ; KATHLEEN VULPITTA; defendants, that this case has been commenced in this Court against you and other defendants, asking for the foreclosure of a certain Mortgage conveying the premises described as follows, to wit: LOT 24 IN LEHO ACRES, LOCATED IN THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 9, TOWNSHIP 20 NORTH, RANGE 7 EAST OF THE 4TH P.M., ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED JANUARY 26, 1973 AS DOCUMENT NO. 439-73 SITUATED IN WHITESIDE COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Commonly known as: 28935 BERTHA DRIVE, ROCK FALLS, IL 61071 and which said Mortgage was made by, MERLENE VULPITTA A/K/A MERLENE F VULPITTA (DECEASED); Mortgagor (s), to M.E.R.S., INC., AS NOMINEE FOR HOME LOAN CENTER INC., DBA LENDING TREE LOANS Mortgagee, and recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of WHITESIDE County, Illinois, as Document No. 2980-2007; and for other relief.

UNLESS YOU file your answer or otherwise file your appearance in this case in the Office of the Clerk of this County, Circuit Clerk Whiteside Cty Courthouse 200 East Knox Street Morrison, IL 61270 on or before January 22, 2016, A JUDGMENT OR DECREE BY DEFAULT MAY BE TAKEN AGAINST YOU FOR THE RELIEF ASKED IN THE COMPLAINT. PIERCE & ASSOCIATES Attorneys for Plaintiff Thirteenth Floor 1 North Dearborn Chicago, Illinois 60602 Tel. (312) 346-9088 Fax (312) 346-1557 PA 1506623 I679804 Dec. 23, 30, 2015 & Jan. 6, 2016

The Village of Franklin Grove is accepting sealed a 2000 bids for Chevy One Ton Truck with Snow Plow through January 11, 2015. The Truck and Plow is being sold as is. All be bids should submitted to the Village Clerk in person or by mail to P.O. Box 206, Franklin Grove, IL 61031. The Truck can be viewed on Route 38 at Atkinson Trucking in Franklin Grove.

December 19, 21, 23, 26, 2015 January 2, 8, 9, 2016

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FOURTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF WHITESIDE-MORRISON, ILLINOIS

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF THE CWABS, INC., ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-6, Plaintiff, vs.

TERRY OSBORNE, AMY OSBORNE AKA AMY K. OSBORNE and HSBC MORTGAGE SERVICES INC., FKA HOUSEHOLD FINANCIAL CORPORATION III, Defendants.

15 CH 27 PROPERTY ADDRESS: 28299 LOGAN DR. ROCK FALLS, IL 61071 NOTICE OF SALE

Legal Notice To Customers of Illinois-American Water Company (IAWC) IAWC hereby gives notice to the public in accordance with 83 Ill. Adm. Code Subsection 656.30 (c) that information sheets have been filed on December 19, 2015, with the Illinois Commerce Commission (Commission) to revise the Quality Infrastructure Program (QIP) surcharge for customers in this service district.

If the Commission takes no action, the revised information sheets will be implemented with an effective date of January 1, 2016. A copy of IAWC's filing with the Commission may be inspected by any interested party at any business office of IAWC.

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of the above Court entered in the above entitled cause on October 2, 2015, the following described real estate, to-wit:

Customers should be advised that the Commission may alter or amend the rates or conditions of service after hearings held pursuant to 83 Ill. Adm. Code 200 and may increase or decrease individual rates in amounts other than those requested by the company.

Lots 7 and 8, Block 5 in Southern Falls Subdivision located in the South Half of the Southwest Quarter of Section 9, Township 20 North, Range 7 East of the 4th P.M., according to the plat thereof recorded October 21, 1977 as Document No. 7747-77 in Whiteside County, Illinois.

Interested parties may obtain information with respect thereto either directly from IAWC or by addressing the Chief Clerk of the Commission, 527 E. Capitol Avenue, Springfield, IL 62701.

Permanent Index Number: 17-09-377-002 Commonly known as: 28299 Logan Dr., Rock Falls, IL 61071 will be offered for sale and sold at public vendue on January 7, 2016 at 10:00 AM, the Whiteside County Courthouse, 200 E. Knox St., Morrison, Illinois.

The Judgment amount is $190,639.73.

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Sheriff of Whiteside County. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the mortgaged real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments or special taxes levied against said real estate, and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to the Plaintiff and in "AS IS" condition. The Sale is further subject to confirmation by the Court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser shall receive a Certificate of Sale, which will entitle the purchaser to a Deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection.

Prospective bidders are admonished to check the Court file to verify all information.

For information, contact the Plaintiff's Attorney: Heavner, Beyers & Mihlar, LLC, 111 East Main Street, Decatur, IL 62523, (217) 422-1719.

The purchaser of a condominium unit at a judicial foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, who takes possession of a condominium unit pursuant to a court order or a purchaser who acquires title from a mortgagee shall have the duty to pay the proportionate share, if any, of the common expenses for the unit which would have become due in the absence of any assessment acceleration during the 6 months immediately preceding institution of an action to enforce the collection of assessments, and which remain unpaid by the owner during whose possession the assessments accrued. If the outstanding assessments are paid at any time during any action to enforce the collection of assessments, the purchaser shall have no obligation to pay any assessments which accrued before he or she acquired title. If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by the Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5 (g1).

If the sale is not confirmed for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the purchase price paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee's attorney.

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701 (c) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. Note: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act you are advised that the Law Firm of Heavner, Beyers & Mihlar, LLC, is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt, and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

I677979 Dec. 9, 16, 23, 2015

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, LEE COUNTY, ILLINOIS NOTICE OF PUBLICATION REGARDING NAME CHANGE Public notice is hereby given that on February 10, 2016, in courtroom No. 420 of Lee County Courthouse, 309 South Galena Avenue, Dixon, Illinois, at the hour of 9 am or as soon thereafter as this matter may be heard, a Petition will be heard in said Courtroom for the change of name(s) of Rustin James FlotoBlackorby to Rustin James Floto pursuant to 735 ILCS 5-/21-10 et seq..

Dated December 10, 2015 at Dixon, Illinois

Online at

Searchable listings

Rustin J. Floto-Blackorby Petitioner December 16, 23, 30, 2015

ASSUMED NAME PUBLICATION NOTICE Public Notice is hereby given that on November 25, A.D. 2015, a certificate was filed in the office of the County Clerk of Whiteside county, Illinois, setting forth the names and post-office addresses of all of the persons owning, conducting and transacting the business known as Clark Transport, located at 809 1st Avenue, Sterlng, IL 61081.

Dated this 25th Day of November, A.D. 2015.

Dana Nelson County Clerk December 9, 16, 23, 2015

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B9 A1

SAUK VALLEY MEDIA • Wednesday, December 23, 2015 • PAGE B9

saukvalley.com

EMPLOYMENT

Contact us to place an ad call 815-626-7653 815-284-7653

Search for local job listings at saukvalley.com/jobs/ NOTICEPURSUANT to the Business Opportunity Sales Law of 1995, every busiopportunity ness must be registered with the Illinois Securities Department. Protect yourself and get the facts before you hand over your hard earned money by contacting the Illinois Secretary of State's Securities Department at 1800-628-7937. This notice provided as a public service by Sauk Valley Classifieds.

HEALTH / MEDICAL

504

Dental Assistant Currently seeking a motivated dental assistant to Assume a full position in a high paced dental practice.

Front Desk Receptionist- Full Time Courteous, good at multi-tasking.

Mon. - Thurs. 8-5 Experience preferred but not necessary.

Please send replies to Box #:1312 ,c/o Sauk Valley Classifieds, P.O.Box 498, Sterling, IL 61081

HEALTH / MEDICAL

504

EMPLOYMENT

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EMPLOYMENT

505

NOW HIRING RN/LPN, CNA &

Assistant Director of Nursing We are looking for Experienced and dedicated professionals to assume key positions on our team! If you are committed to team-oriented outcomes and quality care, we offer: excellent starting wage; vacation; holiday pay; medical; dental; vision; 401K; advancement opportunities; and much more!

For an immediate interview, apply in person or call Lynette at (815) 284-3393.

Dixon

Healthcare & Rehab 800 Division St Dixon, IL 61021

EMPLOYMENT

505

Mr. Nifty Cleaners in Sterling looking for a clothes Presser Please apply in person, 1102 E. 4th St., Sterling.

815-625-9386

Full or Part Time Drivers Wanted 102 S. Galena Ave 2nd floor, DIXON 815-835-3000 Now Hiring: •Administrative •Sales •Fabrication •General Labor •Material Handling ------------Apply online at: hughes resources.com

IMMEDIATE OPENING LPN/ RN Fulltime 2nd shift Flexible Part Time - 2nd & 3rd shift Dementia experience preferred.

IL. Nursing license must be in good standing.

Morningside of Sterling 2705 Ave. E Sterling, IL 61081 815-622-2800

Visit Sauk Valley Classifieds at saukvalley.com

$$EARN HOLIDAY CASH$$ Towns Streets Route STERLING 15thAve., 16thAve., 17thAve., 18thAve., E. 6th St. 63 STERLING 12thAve., 14thAve., 15thAve., E20th., 16thAve. 50 STERLING W 5th, W 6thAve. I, W 7th, W 8th, W 9th 25 STERLING W 18th, W19th, Ave. L, Ave. K, Ave. J 40 MILLEDGEVILLE Askforsignon/bonus$50/1stSt.Cochran,Franklin,Main 315 MILLEDGEVILLE Askforsignon/bonus$50/5thSt., Hagar, Holcomb 313 Sauk Valley Media 3200 E. Lincolnway Sterling, IL 61081

Customers 78 72 57 75 52 34 Telegraph 113 S. Peoria Dixon, IL 61021

815-625-3600 ext. 5301

We bring life to products Sensient Flavors, Amboy is growing and looking for qualified individuals to join the Sweet Flavors’ team!

Sensient Flavors is a leading manufacturer of dairy ingredients and sweet goods.

Positions Now Available: • Process Engineer • Supply Chain Director • Quality Control Lab Supervisor • Warehouse Workers Production Operators - all levels • Cooks • Lead Batch Pullers • General Labor Workers We offer competitive salary & benefits package including: • Medical • Dental • Vision • Life Insurance • 401K Savings • Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) • Paid Vacation Sensient Flavors is an Equal Opportunity Employer Qualified candidates may apply online at: sensient.com/careers Come join our growing team and make a difference!

Director of Human Resources

Responsible for the recruitment, selection, orientation, retention, development and compensation of all Kreider employees. Provides management/consultative services in employee/labor relations and compliance activity regarding laws and regulations which impact on the employer-employee relationship.

!Class A CDL !Assigned Peterbilt and Kenworth Trucks !Preloaded Trailers !Paid Vacations !Home Weekends !Flexible Dispatch !Wellmark Health Insurance Apply online at www.avtrans inc.com or Call Missy 800-397-6387x10 Small Package Delivery Driver from Oregon area.

Part time evenings and occasional weekends. Excellent pay and benefits, perfect for retired person. Must have clean driving record.

Please send replies to Box #1313, c/o Sauk Valley Classifieds, P.O. Box 498 Sterling, IL 61081

EMPLOYMENT

505

Helena Chemical a national ag chemical co, has openings at our Steward IL location for: 2 Custom Applicators Duties include applying fertilizer and pesticides, and maintenance of equipment.

CDL required.

Truck Drivers Full-time driver with Class A or B CDL Call 815-824-2266 or apply in person at 1318 Steward Rd., Steward, IL. Pre-employment drug screen and background check required.

EEO/AA/M/F/ Disabled/Veteran

Need to place an ad?

Call us 625-3600 284-2222

EMPLOYMENT

505

ORGANIST/ PIANIST/ ACCOMPANIST The United Church of Byron in Byron IL is searching for a keyboard player.

Piano and organ skills in some combination are required for this salaried position.

Duties include providing music for Sunday worship service, accompanying the choir, and rehearsing with the choir once a week. Other duties may include assisting the youth with special music activities and playing for weddings or funerals.

Interested parties should contact David Johnson at 815.234.5009 and/or djkj70@frontier. com

Tri-County Opportunities Council Position Openings Pre-K Teacher Assistant: Dixon 30hrs./wk., shool-year; Minimum of AAS in Early Childhood Education, Child Development or related degree with a minimum of 18 credit hours in ECE. Pre-K Teacher: Rochelle/Sterling 40hrs./wk., school year. Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or closely related degree with a minimum of 21 credit hours in ECE.

EMPLOYMENT

505

Selmi's Greenhouse and Farm is now Hiring for one position Starting in February. Looking for @ 1,000 hours of work/year. Includes Garden Center, Summer and Fall Sales.

Must have excellent communication skills. Basic gardening knowledge, Creativity and artistic ability a plus.

Email your job qualifications and inquiries to: mattselmi@ gmail.com

TO OUR

READERS:

Sauk Valley Media does not knowingly accept advertising which is in violation of the law. Likewise, we do not knowingly accept advertising which is fraudulent or has malicious intent.

While we attempt to screen advertising with potential fraud, it is impossible to screen all potential problems.

We strongly encourage our readers to exercise caution and common sense, particularly when dealing with companies with which you are not familiar.

Truck Service Mechanic With limited supervision, installs truck equipment for non-municipal trucks. Reads instructions, utilizes hand and power tools to install & connect truck packages. Troubleshoots, repairs, rebuilds & fabricates parts to complete installation of truck equipment. Skilled in dealing with non-standard applications. Exceptional diagnostic skills required.

Pick up an application at: Bonnell Industries, 1385 Franklin Grove Road, Dixon

Infant Toddler Teacher: Sterling 40 hrs./wk.; full-year; Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development or closely related degree with a minimum or 21 credit hours in ECE. Infant-Toddler Support Teacher: Sterling 30 hrs./ wk., full year; Minimum of a AAS in early childhood education, child development, or closely related degree with a minimum or 21 credit hours in ECE. Bus Monitor: Sterling and Dixon 20 hrs./ wk., school year; Minimum of high school diploma or GED and excellent driving record. Must have held a valid for a minimum of three (3) consecutive years prior to hire.

Food Service Worker: Sterling 30 hrs./wk.,full-year. Minimum of high school diploma or GED.Valid Illinois drivers license.

For information and application contact Tri-County Opportunities Council at 815-625-7830 or visit our website at www.tcohelps.org.

T.C.O.C is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a United Way Partner.

Send Invoice to: Tri-County Opportunities Council Early Head Start/Head Start Program P.O. Box 610 Rock Falls, IL 61071

MEDIA CONSULTANT Freeport Shopping News Freeport, Illinois Join the advertising/marketing team of a local media company. We are looking for an ambitious sales representative to drive revenue and provide customized print and/or digital presence for local merchants. Your primary objective will be to demonstrate strong sales leadership and customer advocacy while achieving revenue goals and developing new business. Expectations include: • Saturate the market with contacts and cold calls per week • Meet/exceed established sales targets • You will be busy with at least 10+ selling appointments per day, which include needs analysis, demonstration, closing, up selling and cross selling • Provide excellent customer service and consultation with existing customers Our customers are #1. Our goal is to help area businesses prosper by maximizing their presence. You will offer the very best in print advertising and/or digital advertising solutions for your clients. Skills include interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively on sales proposals for multiple products; attention to detail; good organizational skills, ability to prioritize workload, handle multiple projects. You need the ability to meet deadlines; have proficiency with computers and are willing and able to work independently. Strong communication and presentation skills a plus. You must also hold a valid driver’s license with a good driving record.

We provide a competitive compensation plan to fit the right candidate.

• Aggressive commission program • Benefit package includes health insurance, 401k, paid vacation • Phone and mileage reimbursement • Fun work environment with good emphasis on work/life/balance Send your resume and income requirements by January 15th to: Monroe Publishing LLC Attn: Laura A Hughes 1065 4th Avenue West Monroe WI 53566 Email: lhughes@themonroetimes.com Equal Opportunity Employer

CHILD CARE

NO INDIVIDUAL, unless licensed or holding a permit as a childcare facility, may cause to be published any advertisement soliciting a child care service.* A childcare facility that is licensed or operating under a permit issued by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services may publish advertisements of the services for which it is lispecifically censed or issued a permit. Sauk Valley Media strongly urges any parent or guardian to verify the validity of the license of any facility before placing a child in it's care. *Family homes that care for no more than three (3) children under the age of twelve or which receive only children from a single household, for less than 24 hours per day, are exempt from licensure as day care homes.

The three children to whom this exemption applies includes the family's natural or adopted children and any other persons under the age of 12 whether related or unrelated to the operator of the day care home. (DCFS Rule, Part 377.3 (c))

Draw

readers to your ad with Borders or Reverse Type!

Get your ad noticed!

CALL

625-3600 OR 284-2222

To place your AD TODAY! CLASSIFIEDS SAUK VALLEY dailyGAZETTE

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or related field; Human Resource generalist’s background with broad knowledge of employment, compensation, organizational planning, employee relations, benefits, worker’s compensation and training and development.

Experience working with union contracts preferred.

Excellent communication skills, knowledge of computers; and a valid driver’s license.

A generous benefits package includes health and life insurance; dental; retirement plan with company match; tuition reimbursement; and more. Salary range $40,000 - $$60,000 commensurate with experience. , p

Please send your resume to: Jodi Murdock, HR Generalist Kreider Services, Inc. 500 Anchor Road P.O. Box 366 Dixon, IL 61021

512

VISIT SAUKVALLEY.COM

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES 501

TELEGRAPH

Love a good challenge? Thrive on change?

Sales Professional Sauk Valley Media is seeking a full-time outside sales professional who can prospect, negotiate and has the ability to open new accounts as well as maintain, grow and serve existing accounts in an established territory.

As Sauk Valley’s premier provider of print and digital news and information, we rely on ground-breaking and innovative thinking to connect our audiences and advertisers. Our rapidly expanding portfolio of publications and websites has created new opportunities for professionals who share our passion for serving our customers.

The successful candidate will possess the ability to work with minimal supervision while maintaining focus and productivity to meet deadlines. This person will have experience creating and presenting client proposals as well as experience developing and maintaining client relationships. Our Multi-Media Account Executive must have the ability to strategically and creatively think in a fast-ppaced environment. Must have a valid drivers license, dependable transportation and proof of insurance.

Qualified candidates should send cover letter and resume to: Contact Jennifer Heintzelman Sauk Valley Media 3200 E. Lincolnway, P.O. Box 498, Sterling, IL 61081 jheintzelman@saukvalley.com Sauk Valley Media is an equal opportunity employer and a drugfree workplace.

Pre-employment drug screen and background check required.

B10

SAUK VALLEY Handyman

Eikenberry Sheet Metal 412 E. 3rd Sterling Service work heating & cooling; gas, electric. Free estimates. Accept Visa & MC on all new installations.

LawnCare Service •Pot Holes •Leaf clean up •House clean up •Large hauling (dirt, gravel, sand) •Gutters •Pressure washing •Snow Plowing •Free Estimates• 815-590-6336

CALL 815-625-0955

FARLEY'S APPLIANCE Heating & Cooling Sale & Service Free Estimates New & Replacement Units We service all brands!

Call Today (815)284-2052

Alterations SHOE REPAIR ZIPPER REPAIR & ALTERATIONS Grummert's Hardware Sterling, Rock Falls, & also Shaw's Marketplace 214 Washington Prophetstown

815-989-8320

Basement Waterproofing Prater Paint & Waterproofing We Dry Up Basements & Crawl Spaces, Remediate Mold & Install E-Z Breathe™ Ventilation Systems 815-626-5165

www.praterpaintand waterproofing.com

Cleaning Service

Advanced Cleaners Maid/Janitorial Carpet

PAUL’S HANDYMAN SERVICE “Anything Your Husband Won’t Do!” •Experience On All Manner of Home Repairs & Maintenance since 1986 (815)631-4122

www.mullerslane farm.com

Haul/Clean Service JOHN'S CLEANUP & REMOVAL Anything goes!!

Estate Cleanups PHONE 815-622-0240

Home Improvement

✶Since 1981✶ ◆Home Improvement ◆New Construction

Winter is the

perfect time to build your garage, addition or remodel bath or kitchen!!

Randy L. Moore

815-626-1333

IL State Roofing Licensed 104-002247(1986) Bonded-Insured

Painting PRATER Paint & Waterproofing Specializing in •Residential •Commercial •Farm & •Industrial Call for your FREE painting or sandblasting estimate 815-626-5165

Fully Insured Free Estimates!

www.advanced cleaners.biz

Dumpster Rental

Mobil Pressure Wash Service • Commercial, • Residential & • Semis You name it.... we clean it!

Call Ben 815-590-2694

Remodeling

Illinois License #104.016127 Bonded/Insured •Roofing •Siding • Windows •Doors •Additions• •Garages •Drywall •Decks and more Free Estimates 815-213-0556

Specializing in: •Seamless Gutters •Siding •Roofing •Doors/Windows General Contracting & Construction 815-213-0704 Free Estimates •Licensed •Bonded •Insured

ASSOCIATED Services Enterprise, LLC

Excavating Hauling •Tandem Dump Trucks •Skidsteers Guaranteed Low Rates 815-618-2717

Gutters American Energy Savers “Sauk Valley's Oldest & Best Seamless Gutter Company” Always Flow Seamless Gutters Call Dan Maloney 815-288-4525

Shaffer's Seamless Gutters

Gutter Protection Systems Owner Scott Shaffer 815-677-5579 Dixon, Illinois

Handyman HANDYMAN/ GENERAL CONTRACTING Bathroom/Kitchen Rehabs, Complete Remodels, Drywall Painting, Flooring (tile, linoleum, wood, carpet) All types of home repairs.

Free Estimates Insured-Bonded 815-564-7428

Roofing

Need to place an ad?

Call us today!

815-625-3600 815-284-2222

colestree service@outlook.com

MEISTER TREE CARE Specializing in all of your tree care needs.

Certified pesticide & herbicide applicator & line clearance tree trimming .

Storm clean up & specialty work.

Free Estimates No job too big or too small!

Licensed, Bonded Insured Safety and your satisfaction is my #1 goal!

815-994-1750

Snowmobile Repair

TELEVISION

Snowmobile & ATV Service Repair & Accessories Your Local Amsoil Dealer!

Be Ready Before The Snow Flies!!

10576 Buell Rd. Rock Falls 815-622-9370

Snowplowing ❋❋❋❋❋❋❋❋❋❋❋

MATT'S SNOWPLOWING Sterling Rock Falls Residential & Commercial Most Driveways $20 LOWEST PRICE GUARANTEED 815-590-1677 ❋❋❋❋❋❋❋❋❋❋❋

IN HOME REPAIR 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE! Work on all Brands & Models Old or New Serving the Sauk Valley and More Call Ron for a free quote at 815-561-0011 Dixon, IL

Storage Units (Big & Small) $35-$45 per month No Deposit Flexible Terms Open Every Day **We accept debit or credit cards** 2213 New Century Drive, Dixon 61021 815-618-2717

STORAGE UNITS Multiple Sizes Starting at $35 No appt. needed Located inside MOORE TIRES 2411 E. Rt 30 Rock Falls (815)625-3764

•Climate Controlled Storage •Low-Cost Moving Truck Rental •Confidential Document Shredding •We Ship FedEx & UPS! •Expert Packaging Services •Value Boxes & Packaging Supplies •EBAY and EMOTORS Internet Auction Sales Over 15,000 Sales •Office Hours: Mon-Fri. ☛ 8:306, Sat. ☛ 8:30noon 690 Timber Creek Rd. Dixon, (815)285-2212

✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤

BRAD'S TREE SERVICE A division of Timber Industries, LLC. Tree & Limb Removal Stump Removal Storm Clean-up Mulch & Firewood •Free Estimates •Fully Insured 815-857-3674

SELL

those unwanted items with the help of a Sauk Valley Classified Ad

625-3600 284-2222

3pc. Living room group- couch, love seat & chair, Tan. $900. Great shape!

815-535-8108.

Ashley South Bay king size mattress, box spring, frame & headboard with nightstands. Memory foam mattress with pillow top. $975. Call 815380-5926.

Lg. 2 pc. Sectional sofa w/pullout dbl. bed, gray & blue upholstery. Great cond. $200. 504237-7994 (Dixon).

Mattress sets: Twin $99, Full $129, Queen $159, King $199. Will deliver! Kern Mattress Outlet, call 309452-7477.

“Area's #1 Roofing Contractor IL Lic# 104-015191 Licensed, Bonded & Insured •Roofing •Siding •Windows •Decks •Additions •Garages & More Residential & Commercial Call now to schedule your FREE Estimate!

Will beat any leading competitor price 815-590-2677

C Print All E Your L Special Events E Here!

B R A T I CALL O N S TODAY • Births

• Graduates • Reunions

Silky pale gold M cat, approx 2-3 yr. old, fixed & shots up to date, Free to good home 815622-2622

HEALTH & FITNESS

761

Stop OVERPAYING for Your Prescriptions!

Save up to 93%!

Call our licensed Canadian and International pharmacy service to compare prices and get $15.00 off your first prescription and FREE Shipping.

1-800-433-0482

Looking for the perfect home?

Read Sauk Valley estate section and Real Estate Weekly on Thursdays.

HEALTH & FITNESS

761

VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! Cut your drug costs! $$SAVE $$!

50 Pills for $99.00.

FREE Shipping!

100% Guaranteed and Discreet.

CALL 1-800-873-7614

MEDICAL SUPPLIES

762

MALE ENLARGEMENT MEDICAL PUMP Gain 1-3 Inches Safely & Permanently!

Money Back Guarantee. FDA Licensed Since 1997.Call for a Free Brochure (619) 294-7777 www.DrJoelKa plan.com

PETS & PET SUPPLIES 775 2 ½ yr. old black lab mix, neutered, shots, & chipped.

Good w/ kids. Free to good home.

815-441-2095 4 wks.- 1yr old kittens. Free to good indoor home.

Litter trained.

Great Christmas Presents!

815-499-1747 815-499-8637 Free Adorable Kittens to a good home, Ready for Christmas!!

Call Laura 815-626-9046

Golden Doodles 9 males, Apricot. $700 each 563-212-7307

those unwanted items with the help of a Sauk Valley Classified Ad

Good News Sauk Valley Media would like to offer you a

• 5 lines of ad copy •Ad runs for 5 days

All for only $14.00

The Softener Man Repair on all makes & models Service Call Special $19.95 Over 30 years experience 815-323-1622

Windows

755

SELL

Water Softeners

Storage

Tree Service “Area's #1 Roofing Contractor IL Lic# 104-015191 Licensed, Bonded & Insured •Roofing •Siding •Windows •Decks •Additions •Garages & More Residential & Commercial Call now to schedule your FREE Estimate!

Will beat any leading competitor price 815-590-2677

Licensed and Insured *Free Estimates* 25HR Emergency Service Call 815-718-2997 Donnie Cole

TV Repair

High-Security Storage Solutions and Much More!

Genl. Contracting

Snow Removal Snow Plowing

Snowmobile Repair

www.allsafe center.com Dumpster Rental for Clean-ups & Construction Small & Large containers avail.

Tidy Bug Inc. Dixon, IL tidybuginc.com 815-456-3001

Tree Service Cole's Complete Tree Service Tree Trimming Stump Removal

Frank's Performance

Power Washing

815-632-3822

Roofing/Siding

FURNITURE

755

CLASSIFIEDS SAUK VALLEY

TELEGRAPH

dailyGAZETTE

815-625-3600 or 815-284-2222 Special offer good for seniors age 65 and older, proof of age required. Must be pre-paid.

Following restrictions apply: No Rummage Sales, Real Estate, Rental Ads or Business Ads. Items must be owned by senior citizen placing ad.

End Of The Year arr EVENT!

625-3600 284-2222

Get a freee CARFAX™ Vehicle History RReport and Buy with CConfidence!

Just Say SHOW Me The CARFAX! T

Hurry In For Incredible Deals!

• • • • • •

2015 CHEVY IMPALA

2014 NISSAN MURANO

2013 DODGE DART

6 CYL, Leather, CD, Air, 2 to Choose From, Factory Warranty

AWD, Loaded, Low-Low Miles, Factory Warranty

4 CYL, Turbo, Limited Edition Ralleye, Local Trade, Factory Warranty

2014 FORD MUSTANG

2013 FORD ESCAPE SEL

2015 DODGE GR CARAVAN

Air, CD, Loaded, Only 6,000 Miles

4x4, Auto, 4 CYL, Full Power, Air, CD, Factory Warranty

Auto, 6 CYL, Loaded, Air, CD, Factory Warranty

2014 Toyota Yaris 2014 Versa Note 2013 GMC Terrain 2013 Ford Fusion 2013 Ford Explorer 2013 Ford Edge

• • • • • •

2013 Nissan Altima 2012 Nissan Rogue 2012 Buick Enclave 2012 Nissan Altima 2011 Ford Escape 2011 Ford Mustang ®

849 N. Galena, Dixon, IL

• • • • • •

2010 Pontiac Vibe 2010 Buick Lacrosse 2010 Chrysler 300 2009 Dodge Charger 2008 Honda CRV EXL 2006 Toyota Rav4

815-284-8655

WWW.THEAUTOSTORES.COM

• And More

625-3600 or

284-2222

Sauk Valley Classi eds

Air Cond./Heating

FURNITURE

SEARCH FOR LOCAL CARS

SAUK VALLEY MEDIA • Wednesday, December 23, 2015 • PAGE B10

Need to place an ad?

Call Us! 625-3600 284-2222

CARS815.com

SERVICE DIRECTORY

A1

B11 SAUK VALLEY MEDIA • Wednesday, December 23, 2015 • PAGE B11

PETS & PET SUPPLIES 775

TICKETS / TRAVEL 787 & EVENTS

WANT TO BUY 795

MISCELLANEOUS 796 FOR SALE

MISCELLANEOUS 796 FOR SALE

MISCELLANEOUS 796 FOR SALE

AUTOMOBILES 905

AUTOMOBILES 905

NEW TODAY

No person or business, unless properly licensed by the Illinois Secretary of State, may sell ticket(s) for any sporting event or otherwise, for more than the price printed upon the face of the said ticket(s).

Only licensed ticket brokers may legally advertise, negotiate and execute the sale of ticket(s) for any amount over what is printed upon the face of ticket.

I Pay Cash 4 Gold, Silver, Coins & Antiques 24/7 815-564-9061

Beer lights and signs for sale. $15. 815-973-1334

Electric Typerwriter, Olympia, large size, $10 815-440-6419

Twin, full, queen, king beds. Elec. lift chair, full bed, dryer, washer, table & chairs, recliners, sofa, dresser, BR set, freezer, refrig.

815-718-4385.

NEW REAL DEAL

2014 Cadillac ATS Luxury Edit., silver, black leather. 4yr to GM bumper bumper warranty, 9K mi. $26,900.

Jeff 815-631-7610

Shepherd Lab mix puppies, males & females, $75 each 815-716-0084 WARNING ADS FOR FREE PETS Your beloved pet deserves a loving, caring home. The ad for your free pet may draw response from individuals who will sell your animal for research or breeding purposes.

Please screen respondents carefully when giving an animal away.

Your pet will thank you!

SNOWBLOWERS 782 722 Simplicity 2 stage self propelled snow blower 7HP, pull start.

Exc Cond. $425 FIRM. 815-973-3223

TOOLS & MACHINERY

792

Retired Mechanic, selling tools-Mac & Snap-On, $25,000 invested—Asking $10,000/obo. Serious Inquiries only.

Call Mike for details. 309-716-7382

Want to buy Western fiction paper back books

by Luke Short 815-291-0127 or 815-626-6618

MISCELLANEOUS 796 FOR SALE -Military Field Desk w/ stool.

-M-65 Field Jackets -Polypropylene underwear and more!

Princeton Military Surplus 11 E Putnem St. Princeton IL. Tues.-Sat. 10-5 815-875-1096

WANT TO BUY 795 Skid loader in any condition 563-212-7699

8x12 Tiny Home, 2 bunk beds, one loft, toilet, lots of shelving. All insulated, elect. Steel roof, steel siding.

OSB behind steel.

Easy to move. $3500 FIRM 815-994-3339

Brand new in box!

Craftsman cast iron based professional 6 1/8 jointer planer. $375 13” Craftsman professional planer w dust collector and access. $275 Or both for $550 815-631-3130 Cal Spa Hot Tub for sale in excellent condition. Lots of jets, waterfall, different colored lights, head rests and I will give you all the chemicals. It has hardly been used. If interested I will send you pictures. $3500. Originally it cost $7,000.

Call 815-994-2009 Computer desk, O'Sullivan brand, good condition, $100. 815-9731334 Doll house, 4 level, with furniture, great shape, $95.

815-973-1334.

Epiphany & Cypress Serious 6.4 Home theater surround sound systems $250 obo 815-440-0029 Looking for 2 sofa cushions. Good cond. Any color.

Call 815-284-0970 Natural wood bunk bed with desk below. $100.

Call 815-677-0895 See More Online Photos, Commerce, Expanded Text ➛Look for WEB ID ➛Log on to: www.saukvalley. com classifieds ➛Enter the WEB ID in the WEB ID Box ➛View Photos, Expanded Text BUY ONLINE!! saukvalley.com CLASSIFIEDS

FARM LAND WANTED

815

Family farming operation wanting to expand; looking for land to cash rent or 50/50.

Please send replies to Box #:1311 ,c/o Sauk Valley Classifieds, P.O.Box 498, Sterling, IL 61081

LIVESTOCK / SUPPLIES

840

3 year old Angus Bull. Very docile, produces good calves. $2,000 815-499-6613 Purebred Pygmy Goat Kids, 5 wks., shots, dehorned, neutered 815-6317391 (no texting)

FOR ITEMS OVER $300

A 5 Line REAL DEAL

ad runs for 30 days in Sauk Valley Classifieds, 4 Ogle County Papers, The Review, Prairie Advocate, and saukvalley.com all for only $42!

Special must be mentioned at time of ad placement.

Offer expires 12/31/15 No Commercial Advertising, Pets, Garage Sales, Wood/ Fuel, Tickets/ Travel or Real Estate

1999 Ford Escort 77K miles, many new parts. Needs some work, runs good $700 obo 815-284-9881 2002 Toyota Camry, Looks & runs great 252k mi. $3200 OBO 815-625-6629 2004 Buick LeSabre Limited, loaded. 93K mi.

Runs great! $3900 cash. 815-7722145 (Morrison)

Visit Sauk Valley Classifieds at saukvalley.com

TRUCKS

1983 Ford F250 XL 4x4 7.3 Diesel w/ plow. $3500 1995 Chevrolet S 10 Blazer 4x4 new motor trans. 6.4 $3500 1997 Chevrolet 8' truck box. $800 2003 Toper Short box. $200 815-626-7165 or 815-441-2559

96' Chevy Lumina, low mi. dependable. $2,200 OBO. 815-631-3130 leave message creditautosales dixon.com Always over 100+ vehicles to choose from.

VANS

911

2001 Dodge Ram B1500, runs great, very clean, 74k actual mi., $4,200 815-535-7011

creditautosales dixon.com Always over 100+ vehicles to choose from.

4X4S

HAVING TROUBLE wording your ad? Call our classified department today. We'll be glad to help you. 626SOLD or 284SOLD.

TRUCKS

910

912

2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4, 6 cyl., 4dr. Tow pkg. or 815-631-6350 815-631-5495.

PARTS & ACC.

910

1997 Chevy S10 ext. cab, 157k mi., bedliner, runs good, $2000 815-632-3397

925

Aluminum topper for 1993 Toyota light pick up truck, $50. 815-535-8974

WRAP UP THE DEALS, WRAP UP THE YEAR.

DROP OFF LOCATION!

ASK US ABOUT OUR:

Military Discount Program

Costco Discount Program Supplier Discount Program

NEW YEAR SAVINGS EVENT! New 2015 Chevrolet

New 2015 Chevrolet

Silverado 1500 Crew Cab 4x4 LT

Malibu LS Stk#2540

Sterling g Price:

19,988 $ 259

Stk#2549, MSRP $47,695

$

4 MORE IN STOCK!

Sterling g Price:

37,695 $ 10,000 $

per p month! m

O OFF MSRP! M

• PRE-OWNED • PRE-OWNED • PRE-OWNED • PRE-OWNED • PRE-OWNED • 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA LT

2014 Chevrolet Captiva Sport LS

Stk#P1073A PRICE: $6,488 $

Stk#P1098A PRICE: $9,988 $

2015 Hyundai Elantra SE

Stk#P1140 PRICE: $13,988 $

Stk#P1138 PRICE: $14,588 $

2011 GMC TERRAIN SLE-1

2015 FORD ESCAPE SE

2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT

2014 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500HD SRW LTZ

2007 PONTIAC G6 1SV

145 per mo

146 per mo

204 per mo

Stk#P1139 PRICE: $22,588 $

Stk#P1079 PRICE: $20,988 $

Stk#P1102 PRICE: $15,588 $

Stk#2555A PRICE: $47,588 $

329 per mo

306 per mo

227 per mo

209 per mo

694 per mo

Hurry In For Best Selection!

1824 North N th LLocustt Street, St t St Sterling, li IL 61081

(815) 625-2700

www.sterlingchevy.com

2

Morrison

Sterling

Dixon

38

2

30

52

88 30

88

2

SALES ES HOURS: Monday - Thursday 9am 9am-8pm, 8pm Friday 9am -6pm, 6pm Sa Saturday 9am-5pm

26

52

Sublette

All offers plus tax, title, license, & doc fee. To qualified buyers. All payments based on 2.99% for 75 months. Malibu payment based on 2.9% APR for 75 mos. per $1,000 financed and $1,998 down. Dealer will not honor pricing errors in this advertisement. No prior sales. Savings from MSRP. MSRP may not be the value at which vehicle is sold in the trade area. Offers expire 3 days from pub.

FIND ..

CLASSIFIEDS

Your next new automobile

dailyGAZETTE

TELEGRAPH

by looking in the....

815-625-3600 815-284-2222

.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

.. .. .

SAUK VALLEY

B12 SAUK VALLEY MEDIA • Wednesday, December 23, 2015 • PAGE B12

PARTS & ACC.

TRAILERS/RVS

925

Goodyear 14" snow tires and rims for small Toyota up, never pick used, $50. 815535-8974.

Quality Vehicles

1707 EAST 4TH ST., STERLING

815-625-9600 $

15,999!

*

YOUR CHOICE!

2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SE

MOTORCYCLES

2009 Single Axle (load trail) trailer.

5'x10' dove tail & drop down ramp.

Set up w/ removable wheel chock to carry bigger motorcycle. $1,000 815-535-3503

935

SNOWMOBILES

2008 Harley Davidson 1200 Sportster Custom, low miles, $4,500 815-499-9409

TRAILERS/RVS

945

955

2011 Ski Doo MXZ TNT well maintained sled, always stored indoors.

3400 mi. $5,300 815-499-1640

945

AUTOS WANTED

960

CASH 4-CARS

We are licensed & insured to buy vehicles. Running or non running, scrap, Ect. 7 days a week.

All Calls Answered!

(815)499-3543 $$$$$$$$$$$$$

CLASSIFIEDS Sell Your Unwanted Items!

625-3600 • 284-2222

Credit Auto Sales www.creditautosalesdixon.com Email: Phone:

(815) 288-1716 (815) 288-2406

creditautodixon@yahoo.com Fax: (815) 288-6183 601 IL Route 2, Dixon, IL 61021

Hours: Monday-Friday: 9am-6pm Saturday: 9am-3pm

FARMLAND & BUILDINGS AUCTION Tuesday, December 29 , 2015 at 10:00A.M th

5-CYLINDER, LEATHER INTERIOR, KEYLESS ENTRY & MORE!

2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU LT

Sale to be held at: The Auction Shed 900 South Division Ave Polo, IL 61064

515 Acres +/Sections 26, 32, 33, 34 & 35 of Mt. Morris Twp & Section 10 of Pine Creek Twp in Ogle County, IL Selling as 8 tracts - OPEN TENANCY 2016

For complete listing of sale bill, maps, soil maps, photos, tax info, terms & conditions, etc. go to www.lennybrysonauctioneer.com Owner, Larry E.Schier Estate For Information Contact: Lenny Bryson – Auctioneer 900 South Division Ave, Polo, IL 61064 Ph) 815-946-4120

Be Creative

$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 815-499-3543

Use Sauk Valley Media

2008 Pace American 4 placed enclosed drive-on drive-off snowmobile trailer $3,900 815-716-0297

Astrograph

Co-Executors, Eric Schier & Cindy Rowland Attorney, Kim Krahenbuhl, Williams MCarthy LLP Ph) 815-732-2101

4-CYLINDER, CLOTH & LEATHER SEATING, HEATED BUCKET SEATS

Wednesday December 23, 2015 CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Socializing and networking will lead to false pretenses.

Promises made will not be honored. You are best off relying on your own efforts to make things happen and get what you want.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- You’ll have plenty to do and lots to celebrate. Getting involved in activities that are geared toward children, friends and relatives or taking part in festivities in your community will bring you joy.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -- You may want to overdo it and spend more than you should, but it will be the little things you do that will actually make the difference. Romance is encouraged.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- Tension is mounting, and tempers are short. Be careful how you approach subjects that affect loved ones. A relationship may be touch-and-go.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- Get in the spirit of the season. Don’t fret if you haven’t completed your to-do list. Your time and attention will bring the

highest rewards. Love is in the stars.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- You need to slow down. Take a deep breath and refuse to make last-minute decisions based on worries about what others want or expect. Being thoughtful and kind is the best gift you can give.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- Offering your help to those less fortunate will be eye-opening and will give you a better sense of what life is all about. Your kindness will impress someone you love.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -Make sure your motives are clear if you lend a helping hand to someone in need. You can’t take on the weight of the world. Offer suggestions, but don’t pay for someone else’s mistake.

plan. Don’t get angry, just go with the flow and do your best to get things done on time.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -- Be creative about how you help others. What you do to improve your family dynamic or to help out in your community will have more impact than a monetary gesture.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -- You’ll be moving fast and ready to take on whatever challenge comes your way. Your ability to maneuver through crowds and unfamiliar territory will help you finish what you start.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -You’ll want to please everyone, and with a little effort you can.

Simple but thoughtful offerings are favored and will make a difference when it comes to how others perceive you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -- Expect the unpredictable.

Nothing will go according to

©2015 UFS

CELEBRITY CIPHER

by Luis Campos Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present.

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

TODAYS CLUE: M equals J

“ZYBI WIYWKI DISTDC CFZOFWKFGI T Z T O V Y D I . E Y D B I , F L’ Z T A F G C Y E Y D C I D LV T L Z I L Z B I E D I I LY E K N . ” - MXKFI TGCDIJZ Previous Solution: “It doesn’t really matter to me how I make a difference, I just wanna make sure that I do.” -- Clay Aiken

2013 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S

4-CYLINDER, BACK UP CAMERA, DUAL ZONE HEAT, KEYLESS ENTRY

2014 CHEVROLET IMPALA LIMITED

V-6, KEYLESS ENTRY, TILT STEERING W/ AUDIO & BLUETOOTH

2013 FORD FOCUS SE

Sudoku!

Answer on B10

One Convenient Location Advertise in the Sauk Valley Service Directory to promote your business services, including: home improvement, snow removal, seasonal, general contracting, and more!

PUZZLE ENTHUSIASTS: Get more puzzles in “Random House Crossword MegaOmnious” Vols. 1 & 2

4-CYLINDER, KEYLESS ENTRY W/ REMOTE START, TILT STEERING W/ AUDIO& BLUETOOTH

2009 LINCOLN MKS

Reasonable Rates!

Section of the Daily Gazette, Telegraph and on saukvalley.com.

V-6,POWERSLIDINGPANORAMIC MOONROOF,LEATHER INTERIOR,KEYLESSENTRY

Also in The Review located on newstands throughout the Sauk Valley.

www.majeskimotors.com

(815) 626-SOLD (7653) (815) 284-SOLD (7653)

Mon.-Thur. 9-7 • Fri. 9-6 • Sat. 8:30am-4pm *Plus tax, title, license & doc fee. Dealer not liable for errors.

Photos for illustration only.

CLASSIFIEDS SAUK VALLEY dailyGAZETTE

TELEGRAPH