1 Front
Serving Bureau County Since 1847
Thursday, May 1, 2014
NEWSSTAND PRICE 75¢
BV Foundation awards over $20,000 Teachers and classes to benefit from grants By Goldie Currie gcurrie@bcrnews.com
MANLIUS — The Bureau Valley Foundation selected 22 teachers as recipients of the annual foundation grant monies.
Foundation board members Jason VanLanduit and Laura Rueter were present at Monday’s school board meeting to hand out certificates to the teachers and report that the Foundation was able to award $20,547,
which will be used on an array of items for classrooms. Each year, teachers are encouraged to apply for the grant monies to purchase needed items for their classroom. This year, VanLanduit said teachers asked for a wide selection of items including projectors, iPads, laptops, bulletin boards, shelves, trum-
pets, a piece of carpet, dumbbells, scanners and magazines. Teachers who received grant money included Dan DeVenney, Virginia Pratt, Jennifer Backer, Victoria Boyle, Brian Humphrey, Carol Larkin, Val Peterson, Ann Draper, Terry Drawyer, Bret Helms, Abbi Bosnich, Mae Jaggers, Sharon Peterson, Miranda Coom-
er, Gavin Wolever, Ashley Stabler, Amie Ellbery, Leslie Harshman, Donna Huebner, Jen DeBrock, Cindy Martin and Andrew Blackert. There were a total of 28 applications received this year, with all items totaling $33,304. Rueter reminded how important it is to recognize the efforts of com-
munity members and to watch how the money raised is used to improve education. “It’s important to see that money turn around and go right back into the classroom, because next year we’re going to be asking for that money again,” she said.
See Bureau Valley Page 4
Labounty does not appeal forfeiture decision By Donna Barker dbarker@bcrnews.com
ARLINGTON — The Arlington man whose animals were impounded earlier this year by the Bureau County Animal Control office has not appealed a judge’s decision to have the animals forfeited from his care. On Monday, First Assistant State’s Attorney Anthony Sciuto said the appeal period has expired and animal owner Dan Labounty did not file an appeal against the judge’s decision reached in early March. As reported earlier in the Bureau County Republican, 13 beagles were impounded from the Labounty property on Feb. 21 and placed in the control of the Bureau County Animal Control Officer Scott Robbins because of Labounty’s alleged lack of care of the dogs. Seven horses were also impounded but remained on the Labounty property under the care of the county, also due to Labounty’s alleged lack of care of the animals. Labounty did appeal the county’s February action to the Illinois Department of Agriculture, which resulted in a hearing in Springfield and the judge’s decision to leave
See Decision Page 2
BCR photo/Donna Barker
Picture perfect and ready to sell Bureau Valley High School students (from back to front) Colby Wittig, Seth Cambron, Nellie Benavidez, Annika Carter and Nicole Bannick work with just a few of the many flower and vegetable plants which will be available to buy on Saturday, from 8 a.m. to noon, at the school. The plants were grown by the BVHS botany and horticulture classes and all money raised from the sale will go to support agriculture and science programs at the school. The annual plant sale will also continue from 8 a.m. to noon May 10 and May 17. Sponsors for the annual plant sale are BVHS teachers Ann Ledergerber and Willard Mott.
Surprise, surprise: state current on payments to PES By Donna Barker dbarker@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — For the first time in several years, the state of Illinois doesn’t owe categorical payment money to the Princeton Elementary School District. At Monday’s meeting of the PES board of education, Superintendent Tim Smith said the state is current in its categorical payments, which is something that hasn’t happened for probably four or five years. Typically, Smith hands out “overdue payment’ information at each board meeting.
If PES receives its final categorical payment for the fiscal year, due in June, the district would end its year above projected revenue income for the year, which is good news, Smith said. At 75 percent of the way through the current fiscal year, the expense side of the budget looks pretty good as well, he said. In other financial business, Finance Committee Chairman Steve Bouslog said the committee met last week to review financial information presented at the board meeting. The committee also talked with Smith about future
budgets, specifically on what revenue alternatives might be available as a way to bring more money into the district. Those alternatives will be presented in coming months to the full board. The committee feels the district has done about as much cutting of expenses as it can, he said. In personnel matters, the board unanimously approved the motion to extend Smith’s superintendent contract through June 30, 2018.
See PES Page 4
For breaking news, sports and current weather conditions, go to bcrnews.com Year 168 No. 52 One Section - 28 Pages
Planning A Vacation? Let us Help! We have respite stays for the loved one you care for.
98213 00012 1 7 © Bureau County Republican
Vacation with peace of mind that your loved one will have three meals a day, assistance with showers, medication reminders and laundry services. Daily scheduled activities. 24-hour assistance for all their needs and peace of mind for you. Just give us a call!
Liberty Village www.simplythefinest.net Not-for-Profit Provider
140 N. 6th St., Princeton • 815-875-6600 3230 Becker Drive, Peru • 815-224-2200