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CHAMP IS READY TO HEAD OUT ON THE HIGHWAY
See how their gardens grow
GOLF, B1
DAY TRIP, A7
TELEGRAPH Friday, July 8, 2016 n SERVING DIXON AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1851
SAUK VALLEY | OPIOID CRISIS
Facing a flare-up Sheriff: Battle against ‘wildfire’ of addiction will lose ground if federal funds don’t come our way BY ANGEL SIERRA asierra@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5695 @_angelsierra
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
Lee County Sheriff John Simonton talks about his recent trip to the White House with Dixon Police Chief Danny Langloss, where the two discussed federal funding for the fight against opioid dependence with senior government officials.
DIXON – A drug overdose epidemic in the Sauk Valley that’s been described as a “wildfire” and “plague” by local law enforcement officials and
legislators could get worse. Treatment centers across the state, including the nine used by local Safe Passage programs, could be forced to start turning people away if a federal bill carrying more than $1 billion for heroin and prescription drug abuse treatment fails. “There are some serious concerns,” Lee County Sheriff John Simonton said Thursday. “Although their arms are wide open, they still have to pay their bills, [and] sooner or later, they’re going to start denying access to treatment.” FLARE-UP continued on A44
HEALTH CARE | WHITESIDE COUNTY
Ready to dispense Area’s first marijuana dispensary is open BY JERMAINE PIGEE jpigee@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5525 @JPigee84
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
Nurses work Thursday at the expanded and upgraded Morrison Community Hospital’s Family Care Clinic.
A change of Seasons Morrison clinic expands to former living center, and it’s just the beginning of more improvements BY JERMAINE PIGEE jpigee@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5525 @JPigee84
MORRISON – Morrison Community Hospital’s Family Care Clinic has moved up in the world.
TOP5 Your Weekend
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Carve out the time
DIXON – As part of Second Saturdays, an opening reception for works by the Eagle’s Nest Art Group members will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Next Picture Show 113 W. First St. The evening will include a woodcarving demonstration by Rick Borrett. Refreshments will be available and live music will be provided. Go to thenextpictureshow.com to learn more.
$1.00
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The clinic, which started life on the ground floor, is in a new, larger location in the first-floor spot that formerly housed the now-closed Four Seasons Living Center nursing home. CLINIC continued on A104
2 Have fun and chill STERLING – The SterlingRock Falls Historical Society is hosting an ice cream social from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Lincoln Manahan Home Museum, 607 E. Third St. Ice cream, homemade pies, and drinks will be sold. Tours will be offered, and other entertainment is planned. Proceeds benefit the society’s Lincoln Learning Center project. Go to srfhs. com for more information.
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Online extra Read this story at saukvalley.com to see video of the new clinic
Jimmys will jam
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MOUNT MORRIS – The Jimmys, a blues, soul, funk, and rhythm-and-blues band, will play the free weekly concert from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the bandshell downtown. Bench seating is available, blankets and lawn chairs are recommended. Italian sausage, hot dogs with sauerkraut and chili, chips, bar cookies, water, and soda will be available, starting at 6 p.m., and the Mount Morris Community Farmers Market will be open from 4 to 7 p.m. in the parking lot of Rockford Bell Credit Union, 4 E. Main St.
ABBY.................... A8 COMICS.............. A12 CROSSWORD.....B12
LIFESTYLE.........A7-8 LOTTERY.............. A2 OBITUARIES......... A4
FULTON – Sauk Valley’s sole medical marijuana dispensary is open for business. The Dispensary opened last week to serve the 150 or so people in District 1 who have medical marijuana permits, owners said. “We want people to know that our doors are open,” general manager Jeff Soenksen said. “The Dispensary seemed like a good fit for District 1. Fulton has welcomed us with open arms.” Those with permits – at the moment, about 7,900 statewide – can buy medical marijuana at The Dispensary as long as they designated it on their application; it mostly will serve patients in Whiteside, Carroll, Lee and Ogle counties. Patients with one of 39 conditions and diseases – including cancer, glaucoma, HIV, hepatitis C, multiple sclerosis, and post traumatic stress disorder – are eligible for a permit, which requires a doctor’s approval. “We sell a wide range of cannabis products such as flowers, herb and smokable concentrate [and] cannabis oils ” Soenksen said. The 3,150-square-foot facility at 1801 16th Ave., which opened a week ago today, has seven employees and occupies one of three spaces in the new Fulton Crossing Development on the southeast corner of state Routes 136 and 84, in the town’s tax increment financing district. DISPENSARY continued on A104
Antique power
ROCK FALLS – The annual Rock Falls Antique Tractor and Engine Show runs from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Long Shot Sports Bar and Grill, 3312 W. Rock Falls Road/U.S. Route 30. Also on tap: Blacksmith demonstration, vendor fair, food and pet supplies will be accepted for entry into a raffle to benefit Sauk Valley Food Bank, and Long Shot will sell breakfast and lunch. Tractor parts, equipment and blacksmith creations will be sold. Admission is free. Find Rock Falls Antique Tractor and Engine Show Cookout on Facebook for more information.
OPINION............... A6 POLICE................. A2 POLITICS.............. A9
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A taste of Byron BYRON – ByronFest, famous for its live music, car show, and A Taste of ByronFest – in which no two local vendors offer the same item – runs through Sunday in the downtown. There also will be a carnival, an arts and crafts show, a quilt show, a parade, and a 5K. Go to byronfest.businesscatalyst.com for the schedule.
Today’s weather High 85. Low 61. More on A3.
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