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Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Serving Bureau County Since 1847
Bear necessities
Bureau County bear-free for now By Donna Barker dbarker@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — Though no bear sightings have been reported so far this year in Bureau County, it could happen.
Bureau County Sheriff John Thompson said the recent black bear sightings in northern parts of the state should be at least noted by area residents. In recent days, black bear sightings have been confirmed in the Rockford, Polo and the Syc-
amore areas. It would not be out of the realm of possibility for a bear to travel into the Bureau County area, as they have done in other years, Thompson said. Though black bears are typically not aggressive animals, they could become defensive and aggressive if they feel in danger or threat-
ened, or if they would have a cub with them, the sheriff said. “I don’t want to concern our residents, but I do want to tell them that if they would ever see a bear, they should avoid it. Don’t try to get closer to get a photo. Stay away from it,” Thompson said.
It’s not been that long ago that Bureau County had its own bear sightings, Thompson recalled. In May 2010, the Bureau County Sheriff’s Department responded to a bear and cub sighting between Tiskilwa and Princeton, with the deputy also sighting the bear and its cub.
EAB identified near Princeton By Goldie Currie gcurrie@bcrnews.com
EAB Page 4 Year 168 No. 72 One Section - 16 Pages
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That cub is now about 4 years old, Thompson said. In June 2008, a black bear was spotted about a mile west of Sheffield and then again near the Mautino State Fish and Wildlife Area, between Buda and Sheffield. Three
Bear Page 4
County hears mental health concerns
Emerald Ash Borer alert
PRINCETON — Local field arborist Dennis Taylor recently identified an adult Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in Princeton. While EAB has certainly been active in Princeton for a couple of years, it’s not been identified until now. Taylor, who works for Taylor’s Trees and Turf, explained he was visiting with a potential client on June 6 when he spotted the beetle. “The closest ID had been in eastern Bureau County, however this EAB was in Princeton’s back door, approximately a quarter mile east of Interstate 180 on U.S. Route 6,” he said. “It came from the very white ash the client and I were discussing. I knew the adults were active now from past history and growing degree days, but to see it directly in front of me was surprising.” According to Taylor, the EAB harbors in the upper canopy of trees, where it eats and lays eggs. The larvae are the devastating factor as they feed on the inner bark of ash trees, disrupting the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients. “The damage has been devastating in LaSalle and Eastern Bureau County for all untreated ash,” he said. “The eggs hatch, and the damaging larvae go to work destroying the upper canopy until they emerge again as an adult leaving the ‘D’ shaped exit hole and move on.”
NEWSSTAND PRICE 75¢
By Goldie Currie gcurrie@bcrnews.com
BCR photo/Amelia Bystry
Picture perfect at Neponset Picnic Day Jake Gravet (left) and Scott Bennett stroll through Neponset aboard a tractor to help celebrate the annual Neponset Picnic Day parade. The event included a variety of activities for young and old alike, including the parade, games, refreshments and other activities.
PRINCETON — Bureau County Board member Loretta Volker spoke briefly about her concerns on mental health care last week at the county board meeting. There have been ongoing local meetings, where various community members from different backgrounds have been invited, to discuss the lack of mental health services in the area and seek ways on how it can be improved. Volker pointed out how Bureau County is highly ranked when it comes to the number of children diagnosed with mental health issues like Bipolar, ADHD or other disruptive disorders, anxiety, depression, Schizophrenia and more. “The federal government doesn’t fund it. Sometimes private insurances don’t fund it; and people can’t afford it; and we don’t have enough people to provide (the help),” she said. “There’s where we are at.” Volker talked about local representatives visiting hospitals around the state and completing studies on the need for mental health services. “We have heard of many instances of people in situations where emergency care has been needed to protect the person with mental illness or their family members of their health and safety,” she said.
Concerns Page 4