Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Serving Bureau County Since 1847
NEWSSTAND PRICE 75¢
Medical marijuana users skyrocket IDPH expected a couple of hundred applicants; to date, more than 2,000 have registered By Donna Barker dbarker@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — The Illinois Department of Pubic
Health is reporting a higher than expected number of people wanting applications for medical marijuana use. On Monday, Bureau/
Putnam County Health Department Administrator Diana Rawlings said the applications are only available online through the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Division of Medical Cannabis. For people who are not able to get the application online, the IDPH will mail an application to qualifying individuals. The local
health departments will not have applications in their offices, Rawlings said. In a statement issued Friday, IDPH Medical Cannabis Pilot Program project coordinator Bob Moran commented on the higher than expected response to the program, which began accepting applications on Sept. 2. “We anticipated a few
hundred patients and caregivers would begin registering for a medical cannabis identification card during the first couple of days, but by the end of Thursday, Sept. 4, more than 2,000 people had started the application process,” Morgan said. “This is a promising sign that the program is on track to fulfill its key
purpose — alleviating the pain and suffering for thousands of Illinoisans.” For now, qualifying patients whose last names begin with A-L may apply through Oct. 31. Qualifying patients whose last names begin with M-Z may submit an application from Nov. 1-Dec. 31.
Marijuana Page 4
What’s it take to put on the Homestead Festival? Everything is on track, ready to go By Goldie Currie gcurrie@bcrnews.com
BCR photo/Amelia Bystry
Artisan market draws crowd Hornbaker Gardens held its second annual artisan market Sept. 6. In addition to the 30 artists showcasing their wares, market-goers were able to indulge in a wine tasting with August Hill Winery. Other vendors included Flour House Bakery, Four and Twenty Cafe, Kramer’s Kitchen, Sisler’s Ice Cream and more.
Corn, soybeans: A good year for Bureau County What defines a bumper crop in 2014? By Donna Barker dbarker@bcrnews.com
Bureau County area farmers are gearing up for the 2014 harvest which should be a good one, but maybe not record breaking. The Illinois Crop Progress and Condition Report, Year 168 No. 108 Two Sections - 24 Pages
98213 00012 1 7 © Bureau County Republican
released Sept. 2, showed 82 percent of the corn condition is rated at good to excellent, with 78 percent of the soybean condition rated as good to excellent. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agriculture Statistics Service reports the United States is expected to produce a record 3.82 billion bushels of soybeans in 2014, which is up 16 percent from the amount produced last year. Corngrowers are expected to produce a record-high crop of 14.0 bushels of
corn, up 1 percent from the 2013 record corn production. On Monday, Tiskilwa farmer Sharon Covert said she thinks it will be a good soybean crop this year, but probably not a bumper crop in this part of the state. Covert, who serves as a director for the Illinois Soybean Association and also as a member of the U.S. Soybean Export Council, said she has talked with fellow soybeangrowers around the state, and the soybean harvest
does look good statewide as a whole. However, conditions do vary from area to area around the state, Covert said. Many farmers say they have had ample rain, and some even felt they have had too much rain and are worried about diseases. There were other farmers in particular areas who have had quite dry conditions for some time. But on the whole, the soybean crop looks good this year, Covert said.
Crops Page 4
PRINCETON — There are only three days left before the 43rd annual Homestead Festival. The weekend-long celebration will draw people from surrounding areas and beyond, as many come home to reconnect with old friends, classmates or family members and partake in the fun activities planned throughout the weekend. This year’s theme, “Back in the Day,” will have many reflecting back on the many great memories they made throughout the years. A big focus this year will be on Princeton’s popular actor Richard Widmark, who would have been turning 100 years old this year. Widmark grew up in Princeton and attended PHS, before becoming a well-known actor and starring in more than 60 films. The Apollo Theater will be showing Widmark’s 1959 movie, “The Trap” at 9 p.m. Friday. Also, the Prairie Arts Center will be displaying a Widmark exhibit. On Monday, Homestead Festival manager Tracy Makransky, who works side-by-side with fellow Festival manager Rick Clary, said plans for this year’s event are on track and ready to go. “At this point, we’re just hoping for good weather. We’re crossing our fingers
for no rain,” she said. In talking about the cost of Homestead, Makransky said it takes a little more than $30,000 to cover the expenses the weekend. This year’s money came from two fundraisers— the annual Homestead Lawn Event in June and the variety show in August. Also, there’s the 50/50 raffle and area businesses who have shown their support for the festival and have made big contributions that have helped keep the festival going strong. Makransky confirmed most of the Homestead budget is taken up by the grand parade, which totals about $10,000. It’s a big expense, but Makransky said it comes from having no parade entry fee and the cost to bring in the popular entertainment everyone enjoys such as the South Shore Drill, New Generation Drill Team and Funny Little People. Looking at the budget, Makransky said the goal is to always break even or to make a little more which can be used for next year’s event. This year, if everything goes as planned, Makransky said they are looking to make that goal. The best thing about the event is that it attracts people of all ages. Makransky said there something out there for everyone. “I’m looking forward to all the people visiting Princeton. I love to see the people lined up for the parade and seeing all the activity in town all weekend long,” she said. “It’s an energizing feeling and exciting and something I certainly look forward to every year.”
Homestead Page 4