Serving Bureau County Since 1847
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
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General election issues heat up Absentee ballot applications available soon By Goldie Currie gcurrie@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — The races in the general election 2014 are heating up as candidate banners and signs begin to pop up around the county and absentee ballot applications will soon be available.
Voters will be looking at two statewide constitutional questions and three advisory questions, along with the local races. The first advisory questions will be on minimum wage. The first question will ask voters whether or not they support increasing the hourly minimum wage to $10 by Jan. 1. The second advisory question
will be on birth control in prescription drug coverage. The question will ask voters whether or nor prescription birth control should be covered in health insurance plans with prescription drug coverage. The third question deals with taxes. The measure asks voters whether they support increasing the tax on incomes greater
than one million dollars by three percent for the purpose of providing additional revenue to school districts based on the their number of students. At the local level, there will be three local referendums. In DePue, residents will be asked whether or not to provide bonds for the DePue Fire Department in the amount of $350,000 for a new fire truck.
In Spring Valley, voters will be asked a second time whether to not to increase the retailers tax by .05 percent for the purpose of street repairs for the city. In Buda, the fire protection district will be asking residents three questions: levy special tax of .05 percent for the cost of emergency and rescue crews equipment; whether to not to allow overall corporate rate for fire district from 30 cents to
40 cents; establish a rate for ambulance service special tax of 40 cents for purpose for ambulance service tax. As of now, there are two countywide races for county treasurer and sheriff. In the race for treasurer, Democrat Rick Wilkin will face Republican Courtney Yates-Mabry. In the race for sheriff, Democrat James Reed will face Republican Allan Beaber.
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Annual social deemed a success
Back to school
By Goldie Currie
PRINCETON — This week marks the first back to school day for many students around Bureau County. Teachers are putting together the last touches in their classrooms and parents are preparing to send their students back as they shop for the last bits of required school supplies. To ensure that transition back to school is a smooth one, there are some things to keep in mind. Ohio Superintendent Sharon Sweger said the basic things are to remember to get a good night sleep, eat a good, healthy breakfast, and pack the book bag the night before to make sure everything is ready to go in the morning. One of the biggest things she has noticed over the years is parents who talk positive about school, teachers and learning pass that attitude onto their students. Sweger encourages parents to take the time to talk with students about the importance of schooling and doing their best. Spring Valley Elementary School District Superintendent Jim Hermes is preparing to show off the new John F. Kennedy School addition to parents and students this school year. To ensure the transition back to school is a smooth one for students, Hermes reminds parents to check over the class schedules and bus routes so they are well known. He encourages all parents and students to attend the Meet the Teacher Night, as there are many new teachers in the district
By Goldie Currie gcurrie@bcrnews.com
gcurrie@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — The First Presbyterian Church’s eighth annual ice cream social held on Saturday has been deemed a success. Beth Schultz, who has played a significant role in the annual event, said it was well attended, there was good, competitive bidding on the live and silent auction items and Grandma Rosie’s ice cream was a hit. While final numbers have yet to be determined, Schultz estimated about $20,000 was raised from the event. The monies raised will benefit the Bureau County Health and Wellness Clinic, which is now seeing a higher demand of patients with the new Affordable Care Act. Currently, the clinic sees about 200 active patients, however Jean Babcock, executive director of the clinic, explained those numbers are increasing. The new healthcare system has expanded medicaid for patients, yet many primary physicians are not taking new patients, according to Babcock. “Just because (patients) have a Medicaid card doesn’t mean they can go to the doctor like they might need to. Part of our work here is based on giving them access to a primary physician without using the emergency room, which is a very expensive avenue to get medical care,” she explained. “Grant money has also pretty much dried up since
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BCR photo/Joann Bowman
Wizards flock to library for faire Lilith Gray (above) enjoys a treat from Honeydukes while attending the Princeton Public Library Wizards and Wonders Faire on Aug. 16. In addition to treats, those in attendance could make drafts, participate in activities and go through a fun-house. David Roden (right) leads a potions class. The faire was a celebration of the magical worlds of children’s literature. The event ended with a “Wizard of Oz” sing-off.
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