BCR-08-13-2015

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Serving Bureau County Since 1847

Thursday, August 13, 2015

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County looks at I-180 reduction

Feds want to reduce interstate from four lanes to two lanes By Goldie Rapp grapp@bcrnews.com

PRINCETON — The federal government is looking to reduce Interstate 180 from a four-lane

to a two-lane highway. The proposed cost saving measure was discussed briefly at the Bureau County Board meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 11. Economic Development Chairmen Mike Kohr explained

Putnam County is strongly against this proposal, and so is the regional economic development group, Economic Development Corporation of North Central Illinois (EDCNCI), as reducing the lanes could complicate the ability to market the Hennepin property near the old steel mill. “The highway is a major selling point, and it would compli-

the federal government tried to take away federal aid route status to several of the county’s routes, but he put a stop to the plan. He said he would look more into the matter about I-180. In the meantime, the county board will be drafting a resolution opposing the highway

cate things if we lost that,” Kohr said. “It’s something for all of us to be away of and keep our ear to the ground to hear what’s going on and voice our concerns.” Bureau County Highway Engineer John Gross said it was the first he had heard of the plans and said it is probably is an outcome from a recent Function Reclassification of Federal Aid Routes conducted. Gross said

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Tiskilwa looks at remodeling project Village office considered By Lyle Ganther lganther@bcrnews.com

TISKILWA — The Tiskilwa Village Board will consider remodeling a village building on Main Street into a village office. Tiskilwa Village Board President Randy Philhower suggested at the board’s meeting Tuesday, Aug. 11, to put shelves up for storage of records now placed in plastic totes on the floor of this building, currently also being used to store a police car and house some village equipment. Philhower said this office could be used by the village clerk and be a place where people can call to contact village officials, since there is currently no village number for this purpose now. Board members decided to wait until September’s meeting to decide how much to pay for a sewer backup problem at the John and Ginger Murphy home on West Brewster Street that happened on May 28. Ginger Murphy read a letter from her husband, John, asking that the village pay for $1,725 in expenses they incurred to find and repair a blockage in the sewer line found underneath the street that backed up into their house. Philhower said the blockage happened over time, and the sewer line has been operating for 25 years with no problems. He said he isn’t adverse to the village paying for some of the expenses, but he wasn’t sure the village should pay the entire expense. In other business, Jack Kusek, village engineer, told board members he will get proposals

Tiskilwa Page 4 Year 169 No. 97 One Section - 24 Pages

BCR photo/Eric Engel

Incoming freshmen band together like a cross-country ski team during orientation activities at Princeton High School’s Ignite Day on Tuesday, Aug. 11.

Finding their stripes PHS seniors show incoming freshmen the ropes at Ignite Day By Eric Engel eengel@bcrnews.com

PRINCETON — The lawn of Princeton High School was strewn with taught ropes, blindfolds, balancing acts and the thrill of anticipation from onlookers on Tuesday, Aug. 11.

No, the circus was not in town, but Ignite Day filled the sky with roars of excitement painted blue and white. Students gathered at PHS Tuesday morning as upperclassmen welcomed the incoming freshmen class with encouragement, advice and team-building activities. The Ignition program

was adopted by PHS administrators as a unique interactive opportunity to alleviate stress and promote alliance between the entire student body rather than only high school rookies. Natalie Vujanov is on the Ignition promotion committee and said Ignite Day generates comfort for seasoned Princeton Tigers as well as those just entering the jungle. “We’re looking to build connections not only between freshmen and seniors, but with

each other,” said Vujanov, a senior who was greatly assisted by her Ignite Day experience. “Freshmen tour the school and get familiar with the place, and I met a lot of people from out of town and saw where my locker and classrooms were.” Senior Chaz Williams indicated Ignition mentors had to fill out an application and answer a few questions as to their interest in guiding their future alumni.

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