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Saturday, February 1, 2014 • 3 Have a story idea? — Contact BCR Senior Staff Writer Donna Barker at 815-875-4461, ext. 244. You can also email her at dbarker@ bcrnews.com.
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Jackknife on I-80 Westbound traffic was down to one lane on Interstate 80 for more than two hours Wednesday night after a semi-truck carrying beer jackknifed near Mile Marker 66. According to the Illinois State Police, the deck of the semi-trailer collapsed, causing the driver to lose control. The truck was pushed by momentum into the right ditch. The driver was not injured. The truck and trailer are both licensed in Oregon. The accident is still under investigation.
“Hopefully we can use the tasers as opposed to the firearm.” Kevin Sangston
Tasers From Page 1
BCR photo/Dixie Schroeder
Whited wants county treasurer’s position Mich., where he worked with several local and federal agencies. He has also worked at the Yuma (Ariz.) Whited County Airport which was a shared-use airport with the U.S. Marine Corps and was hired as the airport operation supervisor where he worked with local and federal agencies. He was also part of the Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Team where he was their supervisor. While there, he predominately handled all major problems, made the decisions to call in the director of operations or the airport director, made up all the work routines for the operation employees, interviewed for new hires and supervised all training.
Whited said his political ideology comes from three simple ideas: Smaller government, less taxes and personal responsibility. “Smaller government means to stay out of peoples’ lives, and less regulations, so small and large businesses can bring the products people choose through the ‘Free Market System’ (based on needs or wants),” he said. “Less taxes is difficult to bring about, however, the taxpayer should not be burdened by out-of-control spending by its government. Personal responsibility is an individual idea, and I think it starts with leadership, or a lack there of. “As Bureau County treasurer, I think I can help to maintain current tax levels, as well as, I would like to lower them through
efficiencies at the county level,” he added. “I think working with other local governments, I can reduce the cost of doing business at the county level with simple business strategies and thinking outside the box.” Whited said the county’s next treasurer will have a challenge managing the county’s money “because the banks are not giving the same returns on simple savings accounts that they once were. We need to look at other avenues for greater returns, and continue to save money for the taxpayer ... My time on the county board has taught me a lot. I expect to continue to learn more and continue to serve the people of Bureau County.” Whited can be reached at derek4treasurer@gmail. com.
PES From Page 1 had received previously from the state. The money owed PES by the state should be in the district’s coffers, not the state’s (coffers), Smith said. In other business, the board had first readings of several policy changes, including language which would ban the use of medical marijuana on school property and also ban concealed carry weapons from being brought onto
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PRINCETON — Derek Whited has thrown his hat into the ring for the Republican nomination for Bureau County Treasurer. Whited of Princeton is married and has one daughter. He is a former Bureau County business owner. He grew up in Princeton and graduated from Princeton High School. He has lived in Bureau County most of his life. He currently works for the Walmart Distribution Center in Spring Valley in the Asset Protection Department. Whited has an associate’s degree in business administration from Illinois Valley Community College and a bachelor’s degree in aviation administration from Lewis University in Romeoville. He did an internship in Grosse IIe,
allowed to carry the taser, Sangston said it won’t be a requirement for Spring Valley Police. “Although it does give the officer a better understanding of what the offender is going through and how best to deploy the weapon,” he said. The department is currently working to finalize policies for the use of the new weapons. “They are only going
to be used when they are dealing with violent armed individuals or violent individuals who are a threat to the officers and the community,” he said. “Hopefully we can use the tasers as opposed to the firearm.” While preparations for the tasers are in full swing, Sangston confirmed it will still be about two months before citizens will start seeing officers carrying them on the streets. Comment on this story at www.bcrnews.com. school grounds. Another policy change under consideration for health/sex education would remove the phrase “abstinence until marriage” and replace it with the one word “abstinence.” The board will review the policy changes with second readings in February and vote for adoption. The board recognized Logan Junior High Geography Bee Winners Alex Peck, first place; Ryan Frank, second place; and Nolan Frank, third place. Comment on this story at www.bcrnews.com.