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Serving Bureau County Since 1847
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Wind farm may change hands By David Giuliani
Jumping through the hoops Cherry, Dimmick still working out the details By Goldie Currie gcurrie@bcrnews.com
Shaw Media Service
Few expected Mainstream Renewable Power, which got permits for a wind farm in Lee and Whiteside counties, would actually build and run it. Even the Ireland-based company never ruled out selling the project. On Aug. 11, the Irish Times reported that Mainstream told investors it would “dispose of its remaining projects and will withdraw” from North America. Mainstream is facing pressure from Marubeni Corp. The Japanese company could receive more shares from its investment in Mainstream if the Irish firm doesn’t sell its North American business before March 31 for at least $44 million, according to the Irish Times. The newspaper received the information from a document sent to Mainstream shareholders. It says the current market circumstances make “the development of new wind and solar production facilities (in North America) unviable for Mainstream.” In an interview this week, Matt Boss, the company’s vice president of development in Chicago, said Mainstream is proceeding with the local project. “As far as Green River Wind Farm, that’s a fully permitted project,” he said. “We are very much looking forward to seeing that it has a strong future. We’re not going to walk away from it.” In May, the Lee County Board approved Mainstream’s proposal for 53 turbines in the far southwestern corner of the county after its zoning board rejected it. Last year, the Whiteside County Board voted to allow nine turbines near the village of Deer Grove. Bureau County’s zoning board, however, rejected a proposal for 19 turbines. The company then withdrew its plans there, saying it planned to resubmit them.
See Wind farm Page 4 Year 167 No. 102 One Section - 20 Pages
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CHERRY – The Cherry Grade School Board is calling upon its community for help to push legislature that would guarantee a consolidation between Cherry and Dimmick elementary schools.
Although it was initially intended in March that Cherry would merge with Dimmick, about 60 community members discovered on Wednesday at Cherry’s board meeting, the merge isn’t going as “fast and smooth” as everyone hoped. When Cherry selected Dimmick over Ladd Community Consolidated Grade
School, the school board met with State Rep. Frank Mautino, who was positive about the merge but brought the issue of considering which high school Bureau County students would attend. The Cherry community has hopes to continue sending their students to Hall High School, however, the Dimmick
See Consolidation Page 4
BCR photo/Mike Vaughn
Smiles and squeals at the county fair Nothing says Bureau County Fair more than excited children aboard one of the thrilling rides on the Midway. The 158th annual Bureau County Fair kicked off Wednesday and runs through Sunday. Event-goers can still find a host of fun activities for children of all ages at the fair, including livestock shows, carnival food, exhibits, shows, entertainment, rides and more. See more fair photos on Page 10.
Budget, building and bonds Hall moves forward By Becky Kramer news@bcrnews.com
SPRING VALLEY– At the Hall High School Board meeting Wednesday evening, Superintendent Mike Struna presented the tentative Fiscal Year 2014 budget which emphasizes the declining state revenues. General state aid is being decreased by $303,102 coupled with a decrease in local property tax revenues, amounts to a total revenue loss of $364,095 for the district.
The positive news is Struna was proactive in making expense reductions last spring which totaled $217,000. Therefore, the final tentative budget shows revenue of $5,009,105 and total expenses of $4,967,726. The budget will be posted for 30 days, and there is a budget hearing meeting scheduled for 5:45 p.m. Sept. 25. Plans for the new Hall High School continue to be changed to help lower costs. The design team has met several times recently and is trying to work quickly to lock in a building plan as soon as possible. Some changes to the floor plan were made, but all the proponents the
board wants are still included. An alternate to using geothermal heating is being discussed. There is a special meeting planned at 6 p.m. Sept. 4 to approve the final building plan. The board approved a resolution providing for the issue of general obligation school bonds for $32 million for the purpose of building the new high school. Kevin Willis of First Midstate Bank explained this allows First Midstate to move forward and lock in the rate without having to hold a special meeting.
See Hall Page 4
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