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Stories from the January 26, 2012 Issue

Local Marine takes time off from rehab for home visit

By Sandy Dickson

Zion-Benton News

Despite some physical changes, Marine Lance Corporal Larry Gene Bailey II returned home to Zion last Wednesday with the same, dauntless spirit he had when he left. After being wounded by an IED in Afghanistan on June 28, 2011, he is determined to triumph through adversities.

The was the first visit home for the 2005 Zion-Benton Township High School graduate, who was deployed to Afghanistan in April 201. He served in Special Forces, and was assigned to security forces before ultimately working with 3/4 Lima Company Weapons Platoon.

"I knew there would be some sort of fanfare at the Milwaukee airport, but not to this extent," he said, referring to the vast line of Patriot Guards, Wisconsin Police, Sheriff and Highway Patrol Departments who escorted him home from the airport. The Zion Police Department met the procession en route and escorted him to his door where the Lake County Marine Corps League 801 waited with the Color Guards.... More

City facing financial crisis

By Mona Shannon
Zion-Benton News staff

Mayor Lane Harrison returned to Zion City Hall Monday night as the city council met in a special meeting to address the city’s financial crisis. The city will be out of funds to pay employees and day to day expenses by late February or early March according to Jim Taylor, Commissioner of Finance.

Monday’s meeting was limited to discussion of Taylor’s proposal to issue Tax Anticipation Warrants and general obligation bonds. No action was taken, the council will meet again next Monday, Jan. 30, to vote on the proposals.

Part one of the proposal is to issue tax anticipation warrants not to exceed $2.5 million.

Tax anticipation warrants are a way of borrowing money based on the tax payments the city expects to receive beginning in June. The TAWs are paid off when the tax revenue is received. But that would only be a temporary fix for the city’s finances.Taylor said the city is facing a possible $2 million deficit for the current fiscal year. …More