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Former city official tries for Clinton job DIXON, A3
AFC WINS BIG AT FORRESTON
GIRLS BASKETBALL, B1
TELEGRAPH Friday, December 9, 2016 n SERVING DIXON AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1851
ELECTION | DIXON
FULTON
Council seats will open up 3 candidates vying for 2 spots BY RACHEL RODGERS rrodgers@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5529 @rj_rodgers
DIXON – Three candidates have their sights set on two open City Council seats that incumbents won’t try to retain this spring. Councilmen Chris Bishop and Mitch Tucker are not seeking re-election after 2 years on the board, both citing personal reasons. Tucker, 36, owner of Dixon Paint Co., said the decision not to run was primarily because of the position’s time commitment, time that he plans to put back into his business and family. Bishop, 31, a Reagan Middle School teacher, said he might pursue a spot on the council in the future, but he’s taking a break now to focus on his family, which is expected to grow by one in March. Both of their 2-year terms now become 4-year terms under the new city manager form of government, which was instituted
Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com
17-year-old Paula Israel is running for mayor of Fulton. Despite what some people are saying, politics is no joking matter for the Fulton High School student. “I’ve heard that a couple people have heard I’m doing this as a joke. I’m not.”
Eyes on the prize 17-year-old Paula Israel wants to be an optometrist when she gets older. Until then, she’s found another job she’s interested in: Being mayor
BY PHILLIP HARTMAN phartman@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5525 @phartman19
FULTON – One of the first things visitors to Paula’s Archiving will notice isn’t the age of the owner – although not every 17-year-old is helping preserve customers’ memories. Instead, beyond the Christmas lights near the entrance to Paula Israel’s workspace, where she takes videotapes and other media to archive, is a large poster that reads “Fulton Illinois’ Rising Star and Candidate for Mayor.” PRIZE continued on A54
in the wake of the $53 million embezzlement by former city Comptroller Rita Crundwell. Tucker said he is proud of the work the council has done during the government transition, even though it “seems like things are going super-slow” at times. Two familiar faces in local government will be throwing their hats into the ring, along with a newcomer looking to hold public office. Dennis Considine, Ryan Marshall, and John “JD” Grant will vie for the two spots, and Councilman Kevin Marx, who was appointed to replace Jesse Arjes in July 2015, is running unopposed to fill the 2-year remainder of the term. Considine, a 72-year-old Dixon native, was a commissioner for one term under the previous form of government, and he aims to garner a spot in the new administration to address unfinished initiatives in the city. COUNCIL continued on A24
WEATHER | WEEKEND FORECAST DIXON
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow … as if we have a choice in the matter
Recycler closing up shop
Sauk Valley residents will want to tune up their snowblowers and dig out their shovels. If the weather forecast holds, the area could be looking at a foot of snow by late Sunday. The weekend wallop of winter weather is forecast to start late Saturday, when an inch or 2 of snow falls on the area. The next day will be when the flakes really start flying – 3 to 6 inches throughout Sunday, the weather prognosticators predict – and continue on and off into the night, by which time as much as a foot of snow could accumulate. So much for Jack Frost taking off for the weekend.
Rising costs, state budget problems contribute to SRS’s decision BY CHRISTOPHER HEIMERMAN cheimerman@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5523 CHeimerman_SVM
DIXON – Secure Recycling Services, an awardwinning division of Kreider Services since 2009, will close Dec. 31. Over the past several months, Kreider steadily cut back services and staff at the facility at 629 Palmyra Road because of the decline in
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Your Weekend
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Santa and singing for the holiday
DIXON – The annual Christmas open house will run from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at Sugar Grove School and Church, 352 Timber Creek Road. The Dixon High School madrigal singers will perform at 1, with Santa arriving at 2:30. Refreshments will be served. Call 815-288-2811 for more information.
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commodity prices, funding from the state, and business via contracts with the state. “We did all the things you try to do to weather a storm,” Kreider CEO Jeff Stauter said. “It’s been a couple of years since it’s been viable.” In its heyday, the facility boasted 20 employees, most of them veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, some of them Kreider clients with disabilities. RECYCLER continued on A54
The halls are decked with art
STERLING – The annual Winter Art Exhibit is open through Feb. 10 in the halls and lounge at the Woodlawn Arts Academy, 3807 Woodlawn Road. The exhibit features work from award-winning professional local artists Shirley Guay and Graydon Cafarella, as well as artwork by students at the academy. Admission is free. Go to woodlawnartsacademy.com or call 815-626-4278 for more information.
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Enjoy a Christmas village
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FRANKLIN GROVE – The 19th annual Christmas in the Grove will fill the village with festive fun from 5 to 8 p.m. today. Among the events: AFC Girl Scouts singing Christmas carols at 6 p.m. in front of Village Hall; Santa will be at the H.I. Lincoln Building, 6 to 8 p.m.; Dixon High School madrigals will perform at 7:15, followed by the Rock River Barbershop Chorus at First Presbyterian Church; and the village fire department will serve chili from 5 to 8 p.m. There will also be wagon rides, kids games, prizes, and more.
ABBY.................... A7 BUSINESS.......... A12 COMICS................B7
CROSSWORD.....B12 LIFESTYLE.........A7-8 LOTTERY.............. A2
It’s Christmas with a ‘Twist’
DIXON – “A Christmas Twist by the Illegitimate Players” will continue its run at 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday at Dixon Stage Left, 306 W. First St. The play, recommended for ages 12 and older, is a spoof of “Oliver Twist” and “A Christmas Carol.” Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for students, or $15 each with groups of six or more. Tickets are available at dixonstageleft.ticketleap.com, or at Trein’s, 201 W. First St., or The Crystal Cork, 219 W. First St. Find the event on Facebook.
POLICE................. A2 OBITUARIES......... A4 OPINION............... A6
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Bid for your 2 bits’ worth
STERLING – A quarter mania auction will be Sunday at Moose Lodge 726, 2601 E. Lincolnway. Doors open at 2 p.m. and the event will go from 3 to 5. All proceeds will benefit Santa’s Helpers of Sterling and Rock Falls. Also featured: A 50-50 raffle, food stand, and cash-andcarry items from 15 area vendors. Bidding paddles are $5 each. Vendors get one paddle free. Call Chris at 815-564-9369 for more information.
Today’s weather High 23. Low 12. More on A3.
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