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Tuesday, October 7, 2014
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BV to discontinue programs Fate of the behavior disorder and alternative schools up in the air By Goldie Currie gcurrie@bcrnews.com
MANLIUS — This year will be the last that Bureau Valley administers the Bureau County Special Schools, which is currently housed in the old Manlius School building. After looking over
results of a roof audit completed this past spring on the building, BV Superintendent Steve Endress said it was determined the usable life of the roof was nearing its end. The estimated cost to make needed repairs totaled around $250,000. “Our board was not interested in the cost of
making repairs to the building,” Endress said. “We had a meeting with several superintendents in the programs and told them that was our position and asked whether either of the co-ops were interested in the cost of repairing the building, or whether it was time to start looking at a new location.” The superintendents chose to begin looking for a new location, according to Endress.
Bureau County Special Schools, which includes the Behavior Disorder Program (BEST) and Bureau County Co-op Alternative School (BCCAS), will finish out the school year before making the move. Egan Hicks, director of the special schools, said both programs have been housed at the Manlius location for about the past eight years. Before Manlius, they were working out
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What are the BEST and BCCAS programs? Behavior Disorder Program (BEST): Is a federally mandated special education program for students with specific needs, assistance, instruction or guidance that a school building typically does not provide. Bureau County Co-op Alternative School (BCCAS): Is an optional program for those who have not been able to be successful in the regular education program, whether that’s due to expulsions or continuous school suspension. This gives students an alternative setting for school.
Muriel Harmon dies at 83 ‘She was a quality lady. She was a professional in her field’ By Terri Simon and Donna Barker news@bcrnews.com
TISKILWA — Longtime Bureau County real estate agency owner/broker/agent and friend to many, Muriel Harmon, died Friday at the age of 83. Owner/broker of Harmon Real Estate in Princeton for many years, along with her husband Walter, Harmon perhaps is best known for her benevolence and her ability to share what she had with others. Harmon started her business career a high school business teacher at Bradford High School from 1966-76. While in Bradford, the Harmons owned a swimming pool, which they opened to the entire community. The couple then moved to their most current home in rural Tiskilwa, where they shared the lake on their property with countless Scout troops, school groups, nursing home residents and community organizations. The Harmons were also part owners of Lake-View Tree Farm, always helping to provide a great family experience at Christmas time. After closing Harmon Real Estate, Harmon became an agent at Landmark Reality in Princeton. Landmark agent Crystal Lilley said she has known Harmon for most of Lilley’s life, between Year 168 No. 120 One Section - 24 Pages
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Colorful dash benefits the arts
Muriel Harmon working together in the real estate business and then growing up in Tiskilwa. The Harmon family was a Tiskilwa staple, Lilley said. “Muriel was such a hard worker and so willing to share her knowledge with everyone. She was very approachable and was right there to answer your questions. She was like everyone’s Mom and Grandma here,” Lilley said. Lilley said she thinks Harmon would like to be remembered as a person who cared about people and who wanted to do the right thing, adding Harmon always had a calming effect about her. “I was very lucky to have known her,” Lilley said. Ron Malooley of Malooley Appraisal Service of Peru worked with Harmon for upwards of 35 years. “She was a quality lady.
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Saturday evening’s cool temperatures did not stop a group of hardy runners from participating in the second annual Color Splash Dash 5K run, hosted by the Princeton Arts Academy. The run began at the Princeton Arts Academy, located on Backbone Road, then looped through the northeast side of Princeton, before ending back at the Academy. Director Liana Hall said about 50 people took part in this year’s run as a fundraiser to support the continuing programs at the academy. Miss Illinois Marisa Buchheit also attended Saturday’s event in Princeton. BCR photos/Mike Vaughn
County bridge projects on schedule By Donna Barker dbarker@bcrnews.com
WYANET/PRINCETON — After several months of on-site work, two Bureau County railroad bridges are on schedule for final replacement in November. Crews continue to work on the Burlington North-
ern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad bridge located just east of Wyanet on 1525 East Street over West Bureau Creek. The other bridge is located about two miles west of Princeton off Backbone Road and visible to travelers on Interstate 80. BNSF spokesperson Andy Williams said the projects are still on the
original time line for bridge replacement in November. The complete span replacement for both bridges will be done during a 48-hour period, with train traffic rerouted during that time. Crews have been working since spring to prepare the approaches to either side of the bridges. Crews have prepared the base
to bring in drilling equipment to put in new pilings, which are concrete structures to hold the bridges. Getting the pilings built has taken several months. In explaining the bridge replacement project earlier this year to the Bureau County Republican, Williams said once the piling
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