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Wednesday, March 27, 2013
BOYS TRACK • SPORTS, B1
EFFORTLESS ENTERTAINING • FOOD, C1
Sycamore sophomore excels in sprints
Tasty treat does double duty as appetizer, dessert
Dion Hooker
Biernacki: Housing study a start DeKalb officials, landlords want more areas addressed in future ager Mark Biernacki described the DeKalb Housing Information Project from Northern Illinois University’s Center for Governmental Studies as being a great start for the city. “This is an incredible piece of work,” Biernacki said. “With the exception of them, no one but myself is more familiar
By DAVID THOMAS dthomas@shawmedia.com DeKALB – DeKalb officials want to expand a report that took a comprehensive look at the city’s residents, their demographics and available housing options. Echoing others, City Man-
with the number of hours they put into this report.” Using data from the city, DeKalb County, NIU, DeKalb Township, DeKalb County Housing Authority and the private sector, NIU researchers put together a report that examined various housing and quality of life statistics and how
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some of those statistics match up to other cities that host public universities in Illinois. The project was led by two research associates at the NIU center, Shannon Sohl and Jennifer Groce. Groce also is running for DeKalb mayor. Sohl, along with center director Diana Robinson and report au-
thor Kelley Chrisse, presented the report to a special session of the DeKalb City Council on Tuesday night. Sohl recommended the council update the database they assembled for the project on an annual basis, something that
Voice your opinion What type of housing would you like to see more of in your community? Vote online at Daily-Chronicle.com.
See HOUSING, page A7
Community Expo offers area businesses chance to grow
Court weighs same-sex marriage By MARK SHERMAN The Associated Press
Photos by Rob Winner – rwinner@shawmedia.com
Cassidy Gould, 13, of Sycamore receives a kiss from Hawk in front of Raven’s Husky Haven and Rescue booth Tuesday during the 2013 Community Expo held at the Sycamore High School field house. By JEFF ENGELHARDT jengelhardt@shawmedia.com SYCAMORE – Michael Alumbaugh believes it is never too late to make a first impression. Alumbaugh, head chef at the Mitchel Lounge in Sycamore, used an opportunity to potentially reach more than 1,000 people at Tuesday’s Community Expo 2013 at the Sycamore High School field house with free samples of homemade crab dip and pita chips. Being housed in one of Sycamore’s oldest buildings, Alumbaugh said many people still did not know the rebranded Jane Fargo Hotel and Mitchel Lounge came under new ownership in June 2011 and has an improved atmosphere and dining experience.
Judging by the pace at which his crab dip samples were disappearing, Alumbaugh was confident the restaurant won over new customers. “Some past customers may have been left with a bad taste before the ownership change, and it can be hard to win those people back,” he said. “We thought it was important to come here and showcase the diversity of the menu and the new look.” The Mitchel Lounge was one of more than 120 businesses, nonprofits and organizations that took advantage of the annual networking event sponsored by the DeKalb and Sycamore chambers of commerce.
See EXPO, page A7
Alise Goodman, 4, of Sycamore dances ballet with her classmates from the Performing Arts Academy during a performance Tuesday at the 2013 Community Expo held at the Sycamore High School field house.
WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court dove into a historic debate on gay rights Tuesday that could soon lead to resumption of same-sex marriage in California, but the justices signaled they may not be ready for a major national ruling on whether America’s gays and lesbians have a right to marry. The court’s first major examination of gay rights in 10 years continues today, when the justices will consider the federal law that prevents legally married gay couples from receiving a range of benefits afforded straight married people. The issue before the court Tuesday was more fundamental: Does the Constitution require that people be allowed to marry whom they choose, regardless of either partner’s gender? The fact that the question was in front of the Supreme Court at all was startling, given that no state recognized same-sex unions before 2003 and 40 states still don’t allow them. There is no questioning the emotions the issue stirs. Demonstrators on both sides crowded the grounds outside the court, waving signs, sometimes chanting their feelings. Inside, a skeptical Justice Samuel Alito cautioned against a broad ruling in favor of gay marriage precisely because the issue is so new. “You want us to step in and render a decision based on an assessment of the effects of this institution which is newer than cellphones or the Internet? I mean, we do not have the ability to see the future,” Alito said. Justice Anthony Kennedy, the potentially decisive vote on a closely divided court, suggested the justices could dismiss the case with no ruling at all. Such an outcome would almost certainly allow gay marriages to resume in California but would have no impact elsewhere.
Inside today’s Daily Chronicle Lottery Local news Obituaries
A2 A2-3, A7 A4
National and world news Opinions Sports
Weather A2 A5 B1-4
Advice Comics Classified
C4 C5 D1-4
High:
42
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26
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