Dixon's Top News Stories of 2011

It’s been a memorable year at Dixon Patch and although we look forward to what’s in store for 2012, it’s important to recap the top stories in Dixon of 2011.

There was a little of everything going on in this town in 2011 – everything from crime, to politics to school news and business. Of course, we can’t forget the sports and human-interest stories that we have done throughout the year.

In this article, we will explore the special stories that shaped 2011 and will guide us through 2012.

Police and Fire

By far, this news category gets the most clicks on the Patch. Sometimes the stories have to do with arrests, others with tragic accidents. The top police and fire story of 2011 did not take place in Dixon, but rather Sutter County.

On the evening of Saturday, May 7, a trio of Dixon teens was driving along Highway 99 in Sutter County, at Nicolaus Avenue, when they were involved in a that took the lives of Delfino Gaona, 19, and Alex Silva, 17.

The driver of the accident, 18-year-old , was also seriously hurt in the wreck. The accident took place along Highway 99 when Andrews, attempted to make a left turn onto Nicolaus Avenue, according to the CHP. He made a turn directly into the path of a 2005 GMC Yukon driven by Amber Klugh, who was driving the opposite direction. The impact instantly killed Gaona and left Silva with fatal injuries.

The community of Dixon with several fundraisers and their funerals were held in Dixon. The Sutter County District Attorney’s office has filed charges against Andrews stemming from the accident.

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Education

In school news, the biggest story of the year had to do with lots of rain. Rain was forecast on the morning of June 4, 2011, at which time the Class of 2011 was across the stage at stadium.

School officials were aware of this – and announced that the ceremony would take place “” Staff however did not anticipate the level of rainfall that would make the fields unsafe and the stage slippery. The conditions on the field prompted the school to postpone the ceremony until a sunnier day, which in this case was Wednesday, June 8.

The cancellation was the talk of the town as that a contingency plan was not put into place and that the school proclaimed that the ceremony would happen even if it rained.

Several students missed out on the graduation ceremony, as many of them had vacations planned after the original ceremony. The Class of 2011 got their . The lesson taught on that day was to have a contingency plan in place, should the forecast calls for rain on graduation day.

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Government

Anyone who sat in on meetings of the this year saw the dynamic of the council change when became the council’s newest member. Councilman Dane Besneatte, who is now vice mayor, was also elected to serve on the council, this time for a full term.

One of the largest issues this year had to do with the in the city of Dixon. The item was brought up by Councilman Michael Ceremello at the beginning of the year and culminated in a that saw the ban upheld in Dixon.

This was one of the first major issues that the new councilman Bogue had a hand in deciding.

Back in January, Gov. Jerry Brown released a proposed budget that called for the doing away of throughout the state. The move was seen as an affront on local redevelopment projects and an attempt to raid funds to help balance the state’s budget.

In response to this, Dixon’s Redevelopment agency essentially liquidated its funds – $1.2 million – into the Core Area Drainage Project. The budget that was finally passed by the state allowed city’s to hold on to their redevelopment agencies in a limited fashion. The council agreed to make payments of $865,000 for Fiscal Year 2011-2012 and a subsequent payment of $240,000 for Fiscal Yaer 2012-2013.

The payout allows the city to continue some of its projects, albeit with less funding. The two laws that allow redevelopment agencies to continue – AB 26 and AB 27 – are currently being challenged in California’s Supreme Court.

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Business

This year many business close, and many open their doors.

The list of closures include , , , , .

Despite a tough economy, several Dixon businesses opened up shop, including , , , , and many others.

This year groups such as the and hosted several events in the downtown area and throughout Dixon. Aside from the various chamber mixers, there was , the , t, and several others. No doubt that these groups will continue to promote business with these events in 2012.

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• Dixon Business Buzz Articles
  

Human Interest

This year we met a who is fighting a debilitating disease that has changed the life of her entire family.

Ever since she was a child, 18-year-old Amber Oerding has been fighting Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, a disease in which Amber’s immune system attacks her thyroid. The disease causes widespread pain in Amber that makes it difficult for her to function each day.

With the love and support of her family and friends, Amber has been attempting combat this disease by putting her life in the hands of doctors at UC Davis Medical Center. The doctors are continuing to unravel the mystery of what’s happening to Amber in hopes of finding an effective treatment.

Even after all that she's gone through, Amber is a fighter who one day dreams of becoming a teacher. This is a story we will continue to follow in 2012.

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Sports

The Dixon High football team’s comeback from winless to Golden Empire League champions is the Dixon Patch 2011 sports story of the year.

The Rams rebounded from an 0-6 start to win four straight league games and earn a playoff berth when

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Also big in 2011

Dixon May Fair 2011