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Thursday, May 8, 2014
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Teenagers, sex and pregnancy What do two Princeton High School teens think? By Donna Barker dbarker@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — Though the numbers of teen girls having babies may be decreasing, it doesn’t mean fewer teens are having sex, according to two Princeton High School teens.
According to the 2014 County Health Rankings and Roadmaps data recently released, Bureau County had an average of 29 teen pregnancies per 1,000 females ages 15-19 during the 2012-14 years, compared to an average of 33 teen pregnancies per 1,000 females ages 15-19 in the 2010 year data infor-
mation. The data for this measure came from the National Center for Health Statistics. As part of President Barack Obama’s Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative (TPPI), the Center For Disease Control is partnering with the federal Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health to reduce teenage
pregnancy and address disparities in teen pregnancy and birth rates. The month of May has been designated National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month. In a recent interview at Princeton High School, two teens talked about the peer pressure teens face to have sex, how parents come into play in the sex discussion, and what they see as the possible reasons behind
the statistics showing fewer teenage girls giving birth. The peer pressure to have sex is higher than the pressure to drink or do drugs, one teen said. Some girls aren’t confident enough in themselves to make up their own minds about what they want for themselves. Some girls are looking for a father-figure, someone to love them, but they are looking in the
wrong places. Unfortunately some guys will say whatever they have to say to get what they want, or they will take advantage of others at parties. As far as their opinions as to why teen pregnancy rates are declining, the girls agreed better education has shown kids about their options.
Teens Page 4
Princeton updates City manager talks about ongoing projects By Donna Barker
Ben Rapp, a Bureau County farmer who resides in Princeton, refills the corn seed in his planter before heading back to the field. With warmer, dryer weather this week, many farmers have rushed the fields in a hurry to get their crops planted. Rapp also represents a younger generation farmer who has come back after school to help maintain the family farm operation.
dbarker@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — Princeton’s new water treatment plant, needed street repairs and planned infrastructure work in the Bailey Subdivision were among the projects reviewed by Princeton City Manager Jeff Clawson at Monday’s Princeton City Council meeting. Referring to a memo by Superintendent of Water Mike Eggers, Clawson said there are still some small software adjustments to be made at the new water treatment plant, located in the city’s technology park on the northeast edge of town. However, city residents have been drinking water from the new plant since late February, though the water is still being blended with water from the existing old water treatment plant, located at 3 N. Main St. The game plan is to have the old plant closed and the new plant permanently live by mid-June, Clawson said. A preliminary list of needed street repair projects is being completed by him and Street Superintendent Steve Wright, Clawson said. The projects will be paid through Motor Fuel Tax funds and will include work like patching, asphalt improvements and seal coating. The preliminary list will have to approved by the Illinois Department of Transportation before the city can move forward with the work.
Updates Page 2 Year 168 No. 55 Two Sections - 32 Pages
BCR photo/Goldie Currie
2012 Census of Agriculture released Data shows more young people choosing farming as full-time job By Goldie Currie gcurrie@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — The 2012 Census of Agriculture is revealing new trends in farming. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the final Census data and reported record sales moderated by rising expenses; agriculture becoming increasingly diverse; and farming and marketing practices changing. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack released a statement with the data, saying it illustrates the power of USDA efforts to grow the economy and strengthen infrastructure in rural America.
“The Census shows the potential for continued growth in the bioeconomy, organics and local and regional food systems. USDA will continue to focus on innovative, creative policies that give farmers, ranchers and entrepreneurs the tools they need to attract a bright and diverse body of talent to rural America.” An interesting highlight from the Census data shows that 22 percent of all farmers were beginning farmers in 2012, which means one out of every five farmers operated a farm for less than 10 years. Young, beginning principal operators who reported their primary occupation as farming increased from 36,396 to 40,499 between 2007 and 2012. That’s an 11.3 percent increase in the number of young people selecting agriculture as a full-time job.
Evan Hultine, a fourth-generation farmer from Princeton, talked about the reasons and opportunities that have attracted more youth to the agriculture field. Hultine represents just one of the many young farmers in the Bureau County area. He serves as District 2 Director of the Bureau County Farm Board and also represents District 4 on the Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader Committee. According to Hultine, one factor behind what’s attracting the younger generation is the growing trend of the local food movement. “Looking at the movement, a big driving force is people are now getting more comfortable in wanting to know where their food comes from and wanting to know the person
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