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Serving Bureau County Since 1847
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
A ‘fair’ precaution Health department recommends hand washing at county fair By Donna Barker dbarker@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — With the Bureau County Fair less than three weeks away, the Bureau/Putnam County Health Department is working with the local fair board to help make sure everyone stays safe when visiting livestock barns at the event. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) confirmed a case of the H3N2v influenza virus has now been reported in Illinois, as well as in Indiana and Ohio. The confirmed Illinois case was a Boone County child with mild symptoms who had contact with swine while helping an exhibitor in late July at the DuPage County Fair. On Monday, Bureau/Putnam County Health Department Administrator Diana Rawlings said the health department is working with the local fair officials to post signs on the hog barns and handwashing signs in areas where people are interacting with animals. “As we have done in previous years, we will work with the fair officials and recommend common sense precautions, such as not going into the hog barns if you have trouble with your immune system; not eating, drinking, smoking or giving a baby a bottle or pacifier in the animal barns; and washing hands or using hand sanitizer after interacting with animals,” Rawlings said. The health department will also recommend the placement of hand sanitizers outside of any animal barn. Of course, it is also a good idea for individuals to carry their own hand sanitizers with them, Rawlings said. The local health department is definitely not suggesting anyone stay away from the Bureau County Fair, Rawlings said.
K-9 dies in the line of duty Peru Police dog killed in response to an armed robbery By Goldie Currie gcurrie@bcrnews.com
PERU – A Peru Police Department K-9 officer died on Saturday after being involved in an accident that occurred while the police dog and its handler were responding to an armed robbery.
Peru Police Chief Doug Bernabei confirmed at 6:46 p.m. Saturday, officers were responding to a 9-1-1 call regarding an armed robbery that had just occurred in the Verizon Wireless store, north of Peru. It was reported two black males had just exited the business and were headed toward a blueish-green Dodge mini-van,
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armed with handguns. “Five on duty officers were responding in separate vehicles,” said Bernabei. At 6:49 p.m., Peru K-9 Officer Art Smith and his K-9 partner, Kali, were traveling northbound on Route 251 with activated lights and sirens. “They were approaching 36th Street,
See Robbery Page 3
Anderson resigns and signs Director to leave ZCEC and begin new position with BCUW By Donna Barker dbarker@bcrnews.com
See Flu Page 4 Year 167 No. 94
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BCR photo/Becky Kramer
A smile, a crown, a new queen Ashley Simmon of Geneseo greets the public as she begins her reign as the 2013 Miss Bureau County Fair Queen following Sunday’s pageant in the Princeton High School auditorium. More photos and results from Sunday’s pageant are inside today’s Bureau County Republican.
PRINCETON — Longtime director of the Zearing Child Enrichment Center (ZCEC) Andrea Anderson has announced her resignation from that position and her decision to accept the position of executive director of the Bureau County United Way. Anderson, who has been with the Zearing Center since 2004, said the decision was not an easy one to make, and she has enjoyed her time with the ZCEC. “I truly love and am passionate about the work I do at ZCEC in support of children and families. I will miss them greatly along with the outstanding staff and ZCEC Board of Directors I’ve had the pleasure of working with over these many years,” Anderson said. “The biggest pleasure, of course, has always been to watch the children learn and grow.” Looking ahead, Anderson said her new position with the Bureau County United Way will allow for more flexible hours which are needed at this time in her life. The position will also allow her to continue to do the work she loves, which is service and working with people. Through the years, she has also had the privilege to work with retiring United Way Director Michelle Lymberopoulos, Anderson said. Filling Lymberopoulos’ shoes will not be easy, but she is looking forward to the challenge, she said. Concerning her new responsibilities, Anderson said much of the United Way’s work of fundraising and serving others in the community is what she has done for years in her current position and loves to do. “So in a way, I’m going from one realm of service to another, from serving little people to people of all ages,” Anderson said. Comment on this story at www. bcrnews.com.
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