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Saturday, February 15, 2014
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The saga of the snowmobile Tracking snowmobilers who ride illegally on private property By Goldie Currie gcurrie@bcrnews.com
MALDEN — A Malden resident recently reported a snowmobiler had driven through her yard late at night, about 5 feet from her front door.
The resident didn’t know the snowmobiler and had not given permission for the rider to pass through her property. The incident was not only alarming for the resident, but it caused concern as she
has a propane tank sitting in her yard and a power line that leads to a guide wire in her yard. Thinking about all the negatives consequences of what could have gone wrong if the rider had ridden into danger, the resident decided to file a report on the person responsible for the act.
Illinois Department of Natural Resources Officer Scott Wright confirmed it’s illegal for snowmobilers to ride on private property without permission of the landowner. If a snowmobiler is riding on private property and apprehended, the violator could face a Class C misdemeanor, which carriers a possible punishment of paying a $1,500 fine, or
in a worse case scenario, 30 days in jail. Wright said there have been times where he’s had calls similar to the one that came from Malden, however, most of the violations that he sees through his office are for not having proper registration or insurance. Snowmobiles have to be re-registered every three years, Wright said.
By Donna Barker dbarker@bcrnews.com
See Campbell Page 3
See Snowmobiles Page 4
The cost/ savings of being energy efficient
Campbell hired for county position PRINCETON — Bureau County has a new Emergency Management Agency (EMA) coordinator. At Tuesday’s meeting, the Bureau County Board hired Keenan Campbell for the part-time position at a starting salary of $25,000. Fees and Salaries Committee Chairman Marshann Entwhistle presented the recommendation to hire Campbell for the new position, which was formerly known as ESDA coordinator for Bureau County. Campbell, who comes from Putnam County, has all the required certifications for the position, and then some, Entwhistle said. In the part-time position, Campbell will work four days a week, 7.5 hours per day, and will also receive mileage reimbursement as well, Entwhistle said. In furthering detailing the recommendation from the Fees and Salaries Committee, Entwhistle said Campbell will work in a probationary period for 90 days. Also, the Fees and Salaries Committee and the ESDA Committee will do a review of Campbell in six months from his starting date.
While it seems like snowmobilers sometimes operate these vehicles where they wish, there are actually very limited places where it’s legal to ride. They may ride on public roads, but they must follow the correct direction of traffic and ride in the ditches.
By Goldie Currie gcurrie@bcrnews.com
BCR photos/Trudy Heinz
Climbing the falls at Starved Rock While there’s something about using the word “fall” when one thinks of climbing, this climber didn’t seem at all unnerved, as he made his way up the waterfall at Starved Rock Park, near Utica. The frozen waterfalls have been a source of interest for climbers and photographers.
DEPUE — The DePue Village Board on Monday discussed possible incentives for energy efficient projects covered through a grant program. However after discussion, it was questionable how much energy efficiency would benefit the village. Village engineer Don Bixby discussed options through the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC) Grant program, which comes through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. While the grant offers incentives if the village was to apply to have various projects completed, Bixby questioned whether it would be worth it for the village to go through with the grant process. ‘In my opinion, the only one worth looking at is the wastewater treatment blowers, and I’m not really sure if it’s worth the money.” he said. Other energy efficient possibilities discussed mostly pertained to the water treatment plant and the lightbulbs throughout the village.
See DePue Page 4
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