| February 22, 2012 Local & Area News |
|
(OLNEY) Our seasonably warm weather will continue across the Midwest for a couple of more days although a weak frontal boundary could bring us some scattered rain late tonight thru the day tomorrow – then we’re back to some colder air, but dry conditions for the upcoming weekend – stay tuned for updates.
(NEWTON) Governor Pat Quinn will highlight legislative achievements today in his state budget address in Springfield, citing reforms in education, worker’s compensation, & ethics – the Governor is expected to propose an 8% funding cut for the Department of Corrections that would close at eight facilities and cost 800 jobs – other cuts also expected as the Governor tries to control the budget thru spending reductions.
(OLNEY) The Illinois House is trying to give homeowners a bit of a ceiling when it comes to property taxes – lawmakers passed a measure yesterday that would prevent local governments from increasing property taxes while property values are in decline – the measure does allow voters to override the property tax cap at the polls – the bill is now expected to face some stiff resistance as it moves to the Senate floor.
(NEWTON) Several proposals are on the table this year when it comes to guns in Illinois as downstate lawmakers are trying to gather enough votes to pass a concealed carry law – thru statistics, supporters are trying to convince upstate lawmakers that a gun ban is simply an attack on law abiding gun owners and is not going to solve the problems Chicago is having with criminals – in fact, statistics show that concealed carry helps in the fight against crime – look for plenty of debate in the weeks ahead in Springfield.
(OLNEY) A Midwestern earthquake was registered early yesterday morning – the National Earthquake Center reports the magnitude 4.0 quake occurred at 3:58 Tuesday morning – it was centered 16 miles southwest of Cairo and originated from a depth of 3.1 miles – some felt the tremor from around 100 miles away – officials say no damage or injuries have been reported as a result of the earthquake yesterday.
(NEWTON) The Newton City Council met last night – the Council : accepted the low bid of $40,337 from J.B. Esker & Sons for the Martin Street improvement project : approved the city’s COBRA / IMRF continuation rates for the fiscal year 2012 : on a 6 to 1 vote, amended the City’s Property Maintenance Code, regarding the demolition of property with city limits : on a 5 to 2 vote, entered into an agreement to pursue a second ITEP Grant for the next phase of work along the proposed Eagle Trails : on a 6 to 1 vote, allocated $6,000 of city funds for donations to local groups and/or organizations : agreed to allow the local Girl Scouts to do some community service work for the city thru an upcoming city-wide survey concerning the city’s housing rehabilitation grant project : heard from the various committees & took no other action after an 85-minute closed session to discuss litigation, personnel, & real estate : next meeting is March 6th.
(OLNEY) Time is running out to get those nominations in for the 2012 Citizen of the Year Award, presented annually by WVLN-WSEI, in conjunction with the Olney & Greater Richland County Chamber of Commerce – an award that started 56 years ago, its meant to honor & recognize a person in the Olney community that has went above & beyond the normal scope of helping neighbors, family, & friends – send us those nominating letters by March 1st, to : Citizen of the Year, P.O. Box “L”, Olney, Illinois, 62450 : the annual award will be presented at the 2012 Chamber of Commerce Banquet to be held March 8th.
(NEWTON) With preschool screenings now only days away for all 3 to 5 year old children within the Jasper County School District, parents are reminded that now’s the time to make plans – the free screenings are held to help identify children who may need assistance before they actually start school – the screening results are used to identify candidates for the District’s Pre-Kindergarten Program or for Head Start or other District preschool programs & services – the screenings are next week, Monday thru Thursday, February 27th thru March 1st – for an appointment, call the District’s Special Education Office today at 783-3651.
(OLNEY) During this National FFA Week, we hope you’ll join us as we salute all FFA members, both past & present, and thank them for all of their support of our local schools & community : it’s Blue and Gold / Official Dress Day for the East Richland Chapter with a lunch cookout today & teacher’s breakfast tomorrow morning : the West Richland Chapter in Noble is hosting a “petting zoo” today in the High School welding shop, from now until 2:00 this afternoon – it’s open to the public, for all ages to attend.
(OLNEY) The Richland County TB & Health Office will offer Tdap Tetanus Booster Immunizations next month for area youngsters – for children entering grades 6 thru 11 in the 2012-2013 school year, the March 5th walk-in clinic will be held from 8:00 to 6:00 on that Monday, at the TB & Health Office, at 501 Whittle Avenue, in Olney – the fee will be $10 or Medicaid will be accepted – if questions, call 618-392-6241.
REMINDERS
|
LISTEN LIVE