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Saturday, June 13, 2015
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Bureau County Board approves amendment Putting a small wind turbine up will now be easier for farmers By Goldie Currie gcurrie@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — The Bureau County Board has made it easier for farmers wanting to put a small wind turbine on their
property to help reduce utility costs on the farm. On Tuesday, June 9, the board approved a text amendment to the zoning ordinance that now states farmers, in an agriculture zoned district, wanting a small wind turbine would only have to
get a permitted use, rather than a conditional use that would require hearings. What’s the definition of a small wind turbine? Bureau County Zoning Officer Kris Donarski confirmed it includes a generator, tower and controls that allows conversion of wind energy to electricity. A small turbine has a rate capacity of 100 kilowatts or less and is intended to reduce consumption of utility
power for on-site farm use. Donarski said the tower height is based upon size of property— land that is one to three acres, the tower height has a maximum of 50 feet; land that is three or more acres, the tower height is limited to 70 feet. Before the board voted on the text amendment at its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 9, board member Marsha Lilley, who is chairman of the zoning
committee, said the Bureau County Plan Commission unanimously recommended the text amendment, however the board of appeals recommended denial of a portion of the purposed text amendment. “The board of appeals felt that it should have the neighbors around a farmer’s property be contacted to see what their
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County fair restrictions Keeping the bird flu out of Illinois By Zita Henneberry zhenneberry@bcrnews.com
SPRINGFIELD — Illinois is no longer permitting out-of-state birds at county fairs until further notice. The Illinois Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday, June 9, out-of-state birds will not be allowed to compete in Illinois exhibitions until further notice is given due to the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak affecting several states nearby. This restriction includes county fairs, FFA and 4-H fairs, Illinois State Fair and the DuQuoin State Fair. “The department is taking a proactive approach to the threat of avian influenza. This decision not only protects the poultry industry, but it also guarantees our state’s youth the opportunity to show livestock at our many county fairs and at both state fairs,” said Director Philip Nelson in an IDOA press release. To date, the avian influenza has not yet been detected in Illinois, and the IDOA aims to keep it that way. Sue Brooker, University of Illinois Extension 4-H program coordinator, said she does anticipate a decrease in the number of birds that will be shown at the Bureau County Fair. “And usually poultry is a huge area for us,” Brooker added. However, she said, 4-H is following the position of the Department of Agriculture. As long as the department is ready and willing to move forward with the fair, 4-H will follow. Brooker said a notice she received from the Bureau Chief of Animal Health indicated the increase in warmer temperatures should decrease the infection risk. Due to virus being unable to survive in warmer weather, risk of infection should
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BCR photo/Mike Vaughn
I pledge allegiance to the flag ... President Woodrow Wilson officially established June 14 as Flag Day by proclamation in 1916. However, it wasn’t until 1949 that National Flag Day was established by an act of Congress.
Building a new Sheffield Cornerstone The Cornerstone Community Wellness Center is now open By Zita Henneberry zhenneberry@bcrnews.com
SHEFFIELD — A wellness center opened Thursday, May 21, as a cornerstone in the Sheffield community. “We’re just excited that it’s finally here,” said Cornerstone Community Wellness Center Executive Director Elizabeth
Pratt. At the wellness center, Pratt, her family, staff and volunteers aim to provide members with various avenues toward reaching physical, mental and spiritual health. Cornerstone offers an affordable physical fitness center, health education classes, support groups, cooking classes, childcare services, Bible study and more.
“Not everybody knows that we’re open, so the goal of our open house is really to bring awareness to our services, recruit volunteers and fundraise a little bit,” said Pratt. Throughout the week of June 15-20, the wellness center will be hosting its week-long celebration and grand opening. Activities will include door prizes, silent auction baskets and tours for any new visitors. The grand opening will be during the center’s regular business hours: Monday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.,
Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday for special hours or special events. Though Pratt and her family have headed the effort, the community center has been both for and from the community as a group effort. Through the contributions of the many people throughout the community, the wellness center has evolved into what it is today, said Pratt. And it will continue to evolve, she said. “I think its already evolved
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