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Serving Bureau County Since 1847
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
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Another blast from Mother Nature Visibility down to zero in some spots By Donna Barker dbarker@bcrnews.com
Winter isn’t giving Bureau County a break, with continuing frigid temperatures and hazardous traveling. On Monday morning, Bureau County Sheriff John Thompson said traveling conditions remain “terrible and hazardous” throughout the county. Bureau County easily has 50 or 60 vehicles in the ditches from Sunday’s storm, with its freezing precipitation on the road and white-out conditions. Those vehicles have been checked, and there is no one still stranded, he said. Thompson recommended people don’t travel until all roadways are cleared. But if people do have to travel, his recommendation is to slow down and take your time when driving anywhere. On Monday, Bureau County ESDA (Emergency Services and Disaster Agency) Coordinator Kris Donarski said she was not contacted by area law enforcement to ask for an emergency shelter to be opened for any stranded motorists. Drivers who may have
BCR photo/Donna Barker
Though winds subsided significantly overnight, snow continues to blow across piles of pushed snow Monday morning on the west edge of Princeton. Most schools throughout Bureau County and the Midwest were cancelled due to Monday’s subzero temps. The Illinois Department of Transportation issued a statement Monday saying road conditions are dangerous, urging motorists to stay off the highways. pulled off Interstate 80 during Sunday’s storm were apparently able to find their own shelter at local hotels and restaurants. The best safety plan she can recommend
E-Cigarettes: Good or bad? CPASA talks about the pros/cons By Goldie Currie gcurrie@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — A fairly new item that is popping up in the news and is being marketed as a smoking cessation aid is the electronic cigarette. The battery-powered device provides doses of nicotine and other additives in an aerosol tube. They are known as the cigarette that can be smoked indoors, as the substance exhaled is marketed as water vapor and has no odor.
to area residents when roads are bad is for people to stay home and travel only in the case of a true emergency, Donarski said. However at all times, people should have an emergen-
cy safety kit filled and in their vehicle where it can be easily reached, not in the trunk. Also, motorists should carry a cell phone and charger with them, plus blankets and appropri-
ate outerwear. Let people know when you are traveling and the route you are taking. But again, the best plan is to not go out when the road conditions are bad, Donarski said.
On a good note, the weekend conditions were not as bad as they have been in the recent past for the Bureau County Highway Department.
See Weather Page 4
Helping with a PROMise Apollo Theater teams up for fundraiser By Goldie Currie
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no conclusive scientific evidence that e-cigarettes promote successful longterm quitting. At a recent Community Partners Against Substance Abuse (CPASA) meeting, several members from the coalition spoke out about the pros and cons of these devices, which are currently unregulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
PRINCETON — Looking to clear out the closet and get rid of that prom dress you don’t fit into anymore or will most likely never wear again? If so ... Amy Thompson, coordinator of last year’s PROMise dress event, is gearing up for another sale this year and is collecting any and all gently-used prom dresses. The PROMise dress sale, which will be March 1 at the First United Methodist Church, offers ladies the opportunity to purchase new and pre-worn dresses for $50 or less.
See E-Cigs Page 4
See PROMise Page 4
gcurrie@bcrnews.com
BCR photo/Goldie Currie
Amy Thompson (left) is gearing up for this year’s PROMise sale and collecting new or gently-used prom dresses for the March 1 event. She has teamed up with Lara Schneider (right) and her husband, Jay (not pictured), owners of Apollo Theater in downtown Princeton. From Jan. 31 to Feb. 6, those who donate a prom dress will receive a free bucket of popcorn.
For breaking news, sports and current weather conditions, go to bcrnews.com Year 168 No. 12 One Section - 16 Pages
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