This is the third week in a row where I have mentioned a winter storm over the weekend. Talk about being in a rut.
Snow removal on city streets is a tough job. You plow the street, but in the process driveways get blocked and people get upset. I have had to deal with a three-foot mound of frozen snow at the end of my driveway, and it is not easy. I don’t have an answer, or suggestion. The snow has to go somewhere. Any ideas?
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Over the weekend an off duty suburban police officer was killed in a car crash. According to news reports, a car smashed into the back of a truck. The driver of that car was charged with driving under the influence. Another vehicle then smashed into the first accident, killing an off duty police officer who was a passenger in the second car. What makes it worse is the driver of the second car was also charged with DUI…and she was also an off duty officer.

We’ve all heard it: Don’t drink and drive. Don’t let friends drink and drive. One life was lost and two others are in ruins.
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Going to college in Illinois got a little more costly recently.
University of Illinois tuition increased for the next school year which puts the cost of a year at Illinois’ namesake in a range of $31,000 to $36,000, depending on the campus. Tuition is anywhere from $9,500 to $12,200, again, depending on the campus. The other expenses are student fees and room and board.
I value education. But I also wonder if we are pushing college on kids that really would rather not extend their schooling.  
We need plumbers and HVAC experts, electricians, welders and auto mechanics. Those careers offer great earning potential and won’t cost $120,000 to become qualified.

Terry Dickow is a retired elementary school teacher with lots of opinions, some you will like, some you won’t. He can be contacted at terrydickow@gmail.com.