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Tuesday, March 31, 2015
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St. Margaret’s coming to Princeton By Zita Henneberry zhenneberry@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — St. Margaret’s is responding to the needs and requests of its patients. A St. Margaret’s family health-care facility is scheduled to open in Princeton in the near future. “There’s no ques-
tion that there is quite a demand from that area for our services in both maternal child, OB/GYN services, as well as primary care. So, we are responding to the needs of some of the requests of our patients to bring access of much needed services to women, in particular,” said Linda Burt, vice president of market-
ing at St. Margaret’s Hospital. St. Margaret’s is in midst of purchasing the old Sullivan’s Foods building on the west side of North Main Street as its new facility for the up and coming St. Margaret’s Center for Family Health. The negotiations have been made, and the sale is expected to be closed
within the next two to three weeks, said Burt. Having worked its way through the Princeton Planning Commission, the project is well on its way. Shortly after the transaction is finalized, then construction will begin, said Burt. According to Burt, St. Margaret’s will be investing an extensive amount
into the old Sullivan’s building. Although the exact amounts are not yet available, she said, the new facility will be a great new addition in the empty building. “It’s important for local people to know that St. Margaret’s always, whenever possible, uses local union labor,” said Burt. While much of the
staff is already on board, there will be some need for additional hires at the new St. Margaret’s facility. Burt said Dr. Sripen Lavavej will be bringing in her staff, but St. Margaret’s will hire new employees as needed. Lavavej has served as a fixture in the Princeton
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Schools and their finances ISBE releases financial information By Zita Henneberry and Goldie Currie news@bcrnews.com
Editor’s note: This is the first in a two-part series on the Illinois State Board of Education’s statewide review of financial data for school districts. School districts across the state continue to show financial strain due to decreased funding from federal, state and local resources. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has released an annual statewide review of financial
data, which shows a drop in the number of schools districts earning ISBE’s top financial rating. “Multiple years of financial hardship have left school districts struggling to trim already lean budgets without affecting regular classroom instruction,” said Dr. Michael Jacoby, executive director of the Illinois Association of School Business Officials. From 2013 to 2015, the number of districts reaching financial recognition, the highest category, has steadily declined. Districts projected to deficit spend this school year increased to 64.2 percent of all districts; or a total of 550 of the 857 Illinois school districts.
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A second helping First Lutheran hosts River Bend Foodbank’s mobile pantry By Goldie Currie gcurrie@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — The First Lutheran Church of Princeton hosted River Bend Foodbank’s mobile food pantry on Saturday, March 28, at the church. The opportunity served 90 households and 231 individuals who use the Bureau County Food Pantry. The mobile site gave those the opportunity to get a second serving of food this month. The idea to host a mobile food pantry came from church member Glenn Allen, who became familiar with the idea when livYear 169 No. 39 One Section - 24 Pages
© Bureau County Republican
ing in the Chicago area. A mobile food pantry comes into the community, and brings several thousand pounds of food to distribute to those receiving services from their local food pantry. An allotted amount of food is given out to those who attend the one-day opportunity. The First Lutheran Church is known for its hands-on social justice work and Allen said when he asked if the church would be interested in supporting a visit from the mobile food pantry, members were all for the idea.
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BCR photo/Amelia Bystry
A sweet lesson in cake decorating Sara Edlefson (left) helps her daughter, Natalie, during a beginner’s cake decorating workshop, held Saturday at the Bureau County Extension office in Princeton. The 4-H event was open to all youth ages 5 to 18. The end result? A decorated cake and excited participants, who will hopefully try their hand again at cake decorating.