Huntley teen off to Merchant Marine Academy
MONDAY, JULY 15, 2013
WWW.NWHERALD.COM
TOUR DE CRYSTAL LAKE The only daily newspaper published in McHenry Co.
Local, A3
CL native Karlow wins race by several lengths
Bob Karlow
Sports, B1
75 CENTS
FUNDRAISER • LOCAL , A3
Heritage Fair visitors travel back to the past
D-200 could get grant money Lunch rates qualify district for schoolwide funding
By SHAWN SHINNEMAN sshinneman@shawmedia.com WOODSTOCK – With its free and reduced lunch rate higher than 40 percent, District 200 has qualified for a form of Title I that allows administrators to spend funds on schoolwide programs, rather
than those that target specific groups. The federal grant program created in 2001 under the No Child Left Behind Act provides assistance to help disad-
vantaged students. Districts apply either for “targeted assistance” or “schoolwide” funding. Last year, District 200 received about $735,000 in targeted
funding. It will apply for schoolwide funding this year, which requires that at least 40 percent of the children in the district qualify for free and reduced lunches.
In District 200, 42 percent of students qualify. The district hit the 40 percent mark before last school year, but officials found out only after their Title I plan had been approved
SAFETY NO. 1 FOR McHENRY COUNTY-BASED AMUSEMENT COMPANY
Carnivals handled with care
by the state board, Director of Community Services Carol Smith said. The school board will discuss this year’s plans at Tuesday’s board meeting. The state approves the funding in the fall.
See D-200, page A7
Lawmakers want to talk to Metra’s ex-CEO By JASON KEYSER The Associated Press
Sarah Nadar – snadar@shawmedia.com
Windy City Amusement employee Joey Waldrop works on the ferris wheel July 2 while setting up for the Lakeside Festival in Crystal Lake. By JEFF ENGELHARDT jengelhardt@shawmedia.com CRYSTAL LAKE – When it comes to carnival safety, Pat Skinner’s family helped write the book. Skinner, co-owner of a 103-yearold McHenry County-based amusement company, said her family’s focus on safety is one reason carnival-goers can feel safe as they whip around sharp turns on roller-coasters or plunge toward the ground from great heights. After all, it was state officials who visited DRS Skinners’ Amusements Inc. back in 1985 to see how the company operated when carnival safety laws and regulations were fully developed.
“Safety has always been No. 1 for us,” Skinner said. “We actually helped educate [the state] when they were first establishing regulations. It’s completely turned around from when the company first started in 1910.” Safety inspections have become a major reason why fairs have grown to allow thousands of people to move from roller coasters to hot dog stands and grand stages in an organized and controlled environment. From inspecting the electrical cords that run throughout the fairgrounds to observing nuts and bolts on each ride, safety checks have
See SAFETY, page A7
Lathan Goumas – lgoumas@shawmedia.com
Mike Wilcox runs the Tilt-A-Whirl ride July 5 at Lakeside Festival in Crystal Lake.
Voice your opinion
CHICAGO – Illinois lawmakers demanding an explanation for a lucrative severance deal given to Metra’s former executive director want the public rail agency to allow him to speak freely and publicly about allegations that he was pushed out for resisting high-level political clout in personnel and contract decisions. The Chicago metropolitan transit agency is getting pressure to let Alex Clifford out of the buyout’s confidentiality clause, which he says is being used to muzzle him, after the public release of a confidential memo he wrote that details allegations involving House Speaker Michael Madigan, one of Illinois’ most powerful politicians. What began less than a week ago as an inquiry into whether the June 21 severance deal was a waste of taxpayer money has morphed into a potentially larger question: Whether a publicly funded agency still recovering from past scandal is engaged in improper dealings with politicians seeking favors. “I believe that Metra ought to waive its confidentiality clause now,” said state Rep. Jack Franks, a D-Marengo, who’s taking part in the House Mass Transit Committee hearings. “We need to hear from Mr. Clifford as well because we need to get to the bottom of this and the taxpayers have a right to know.” Clifford said in an email to The Associated Press over the weekend that he hoped to know early in the week whether Metra would allow him to appear before the committee or at a hearing scheduled by
Alex Clifford Former executive director of Metra
Michael Madigan State Speaker of the Hosue
State Rep. Jack Franks D-Marengo
Which is your favorite carnival ride? Vote online at NWHerald.com. See METRA, page A7
LOOKING FORWARD
SATURDAY
BARNDANCE TO AID CANCER RESEARCH The 14th annual Gavers Barndance will be from 5 p.m. to midnight Saturday at Emricson Park, 1313 Kishwaukee Valley Road, Woodstock. This fundraiser benefits the Gavers Community Cancer Foundation. Participants must be 21 or older to attend. Tickets are at www.gavers.org or at any area American Community Bank & Trust. For information, call 815-338-2300.
FRIDAY: “Red 2,” starring Bruce Willis and Helen Mirren, opens in theaters. Summit Entertainment
HIGH
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90 72 Complete forecast on A10
The week’s happenings in news, sports and more. Page A2 Vol. 28, Issue 196
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B8 C1-8 B7
Local&Region Lottery Obituaries
A3 A2 A4
Opinion Puzzles Sports
A9 C5, C8 B1-5
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