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ROCK FALLS PLAYERS ARE CHAMPS
Event serves up some fun
YOUTH SOFTBALL, B1
MORRISON, A3
TELEGRAPH Monday, August 1, 2016 n SERVING DIXON AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1851
ELECTION 2016 | ILLINOIS
A House united, or more divided? There’s a lot riding on the House elections this year, and it’s already shaping up to be an expensive fall CHICAGO (AP) – After a year of squabbles over the state budget, the outcome of Illinois’ power struggle now hinges on dozens of House election campaigns that will determine whether Democrats can impose their will on Gov. Bruce Rauner or the Republican gains traction with his ideas to “shake up” the state.
Each side has millions of dollars to devote to the battles, which could define the remaining 2 years of Rauner’s first term. Rauner blames House Speaker Michael Madigan and the Democrats for the state’s long-running financial predicament, and Republicans are ask-
ing voters to punish them for it in the November election. But the Democrats warn that Rauner’s agenda would be destructive to the middle class, and are banking on voters ultimately strengthening their hand in the Legislature, which they control.
Led by Madigan, Rauner’s chief rival in the budget standoff, Democrats have thwarted the governor’s drive to enact term limits, restrict the influence of unions, and make the state more probusiness in exchange for raising taxes and passing a full budget. HOUSE continued on A54
PINK HEALS
LEE COUNTY 4-H FAIR
Barrels of fun at the fair
Photos by Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com
Joel Mains of Pink Heals gets a tearful hug from Christine Mewhirter on Saturday morning at CVS Pharmacy in Sterling. The Pink Heals Tour made an unscheduled visit to the Sauk Valley, and as part of the tour, volunteers stopped by to see Mewhirther and her fellow CVS employee, Peggy Squire. They also took time to visit Regina Fiorini-Frank next door at Kroger.
Signature movement
Photos by Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com
Inside
Turn to page A2 to see more fair photos, and find out who won the corn-husking contest.
ABOVE: Mary Thompson rides her horse around a barrel during the barrel races Saturday evening at the T&C Rodeo at the Lee County 4-H Fair in Amboy. The 4-day fair started Thursday and wrapped up Sunday. In addition to the usual fair fun, some favorites made a comeback. For the first time in 30 years, a full slate of carnival rides and a midway returned, and for the first time in a decade, the fair corralled a professional rodeo to entertain audiences – and judging by the packed stands, audiences gave the event a resounding “Yee-haw!” BELOW: A rider hangs on tight Saturday during the rodeo.
Online extra Read this story at saukvalley.com to see video, and more photos, from the fair.
Volunteers take time out to visit Sauk Valley during unscheduled stop BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
STERLING – The Pink Heals Tour wasn’t scheduled to pass through the Sauk Valley this year, but it was brought back by popular demand. “This year’s tour is mainly in the Southern states, but due to the overwhelming positive response it’s received over the past 2 years, the tour made an unscheduled stop in the Sauk Valley,” said Janell Loos, Rock Falls tourism and events director. Although only two vehicles were able to make the local tour this year, Loos worked with Joel Mains of Downers Grove to make sure the event continued its run here. “When we contacted Joel, he said they’d be there as early as we needed them, and even though there would be fewer trucks, he promised to make it feel big,” Loos said. PINK HEALS continued on A94
Christine Mewhirter signs the Pink Heals firetruck in front of CVS Pharmacy in Sterling on Saturday.
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TODAY’S EDITION: 20 PAGES 2 SECTIONS VOL. 166 ISSUE 64
INDEX
ABBY.................... A7 COMICS..............B10 CROSSWORD.....B10
LIFESTYLE............ A7 LOTTERY.............. A2 MILITARY.............. A4
OBITUARIES......... A4 OPINION............... A6 POLICE................. A2
Today’s weather High 85. Low 70. More on A3.
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