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Serving Bureau County Since 1847
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
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JFK addition coming along well Move in date pushed forward By Goldie Currie gcurrie@bcrnews.com
SPRING VALLEY — The John F. Kennedy School addition project was slowed by the harsh winter conditions, but has since progressed rather well and is closing in on completion.
Bill VanDusen of Allied Designs gave his monthly construction update to the Spring Valley Elementary School Board last week and said the district’s move in date has been pushed up four days — from Aug. 4 to July 30. The south building section is further ahead
and most of the painting work has now been completed. VanDusen reported the framing of the music room risers have been erected. Also, the flooring crew has started preparation work in the kitchen area of the cafeteria and is ongoing in the art room, computer lab and library area. Cabinetry is being installed in various rooms and the
computer lab desktops are being set-up. Lockers have also been installed in the locker rooms off of the gym. VanDusen said the suspended ceiling is being installed in the multipurpose room, which will serve as a cafeteria and auditorium, as the stage-area was built in the room. “It’s a cloud-like ceiling
and looks impressive and very nice in that room,” he said. The classroom marker boards have been delivered and will be installed shortly. The gym wood flooring is expected to be delivered this week. “They will bring it into the gym and get it acclimated and to room temperature before putting it down in place,” he said.
In the north portion of the addition, where the classrooms will be located, insulation is in the process of being installed between rooms. The roofing has been substantially completed and the building is drying out, according to VanDusen.
See JFK Page 3
Group meets for mental health discussion By Donna Barker dbarker@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — Area residents are meeting to “Continue the Conversation” on mental health. About 20 people attended the recent meeting hosted by the Bureau/Putnam County Health Department at the Princeton Public Library. The meeting was the second in the Continue the Conversation outreach on mental health, with a third meeting to be planned for May. Among those groups and entities represented at the meeting were Perry Memorial Hospital, Freedom House, North Central Behavioral Health Systems, Gateway Services, Princeton Elementary School District, Bureau County Coroner, Bureau County Board, Living Works Suicide Prevention, Bureau County Red Cross, representatives of the medical field and community members. In giving an introduction to the meeting, health department administrator Diana Rawlings said the health department, with assistance from community members and stakeholders, had compiled the recent IPLAN program which identified and prioritized health needs in the two-county area, especially as they relate to youth. One of those four health issues was mental health, she said.
See Meetings Page 4
BCR photos/Amelia Bystry
Springtime fun in Sheffield Above, Sheffield Playground Committee members Linda Bowman and Rick Cernovich put up caution tape Saturday at Veterans Park in Sheffield so the committee could install new playground equipment for area children. The existing playground equipment was refurbished and moved to another area. At right, Jase Blake enjoys the new swings and warmer temperature at the park. The committee has been leading the fundraising project for the past several months for the new equipment.
Health Dept. observes WIC program anniversary By Donna Barker dbarker@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON – The Bureau/Putnam County Health Department is joining with the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) in celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program.
According to IDHS secretary Michelle Saddler, the WIC program is the nation’s public health nutrition program, promoting healthy lifestyles and making a true difference every day in the lives of women, infants and children in Illinois. The program provides supplemental nutritious foods, nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding promotion and support, health screenings and referrals to eligible families, she said.
Nearly 40 percent of all babies born in Illinois are WIC participants, Saddler said. Research shows that WIC has been successful in the reduction of fetal deaths, infant mortality, low birth weight rates, iron deficiency anemia in children and increased immunization rates, she said.
See WIC Page 4
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