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Serving Bureau County Since 1847
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
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Fire up those engines, boys! IDOT and county gear up for winter weather/driving By Goldie Currie gcurrie@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — Even though winter doesn’t officially begin until later on this month, the cold weather associated with the winter season has made its way into Bureau County. Last week, the area received its first 2 inches of snow,
which had plow trucks out for their first run of the season. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced they are fully prepared for the upcoming snow and ice season and reminded all motorists that when there is “ice and snow, take it slow.” Throughout the state, salt domes have been restocked following last year’s historic winter, and snow plows and emergency equipment are ready to be pressed into action during the coming months This winter, 1,768 trucks statewide will be available for deployment by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) crews to keep about 16,000 miles of
state routes — the equivalent of driving from Chicago to Miami almost 12 times — clear and passable. Last year, IDOT spent $131.4 million on snow removal and spread almost 800,000 tons of salt statewide. This winter, IDOT will have access to more than 1 million tons of salt, if needed. The Bureau County Highway Department is also stockpiled for the winter. County engineer John Gross confirmed 2,400 tons of road salt has been purchased at a price of $90 a ton, which comes to a grand total of $220,000.
Winter roads Page 4
Bureau County:
7.6 percent By Ken Schroeder Shaw Media Service
It’s going to be a much merrier Christmas this year for many Illinois residents than it was last year. October unemployment rates fell for the seventh consecutive month and are at six or seven year lows in most sections of the state, according to preliminary data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. “October’s data reflects a strengthening of local economies. In each area, more people describe themselves as working, and employers in most metros report larger payrolls than one year ago,” IDES Director Jay Rowell said. “IllinoisJobLink. com remains an important tool to find employment, especially for those who typically did not need a resume.” The unemployment rate clocked in at 6.6 percent for this October, well below the October 2013 rate of 9.1 percent. However, month-tomonth improvement has slowed with barely onetenth of a percentage point change since September; and with some areas losing jobs due to work slowdowns, it is possible the increase can be attributed to the holiday season and the hiring of seasonal help in retail outlets. Locally, as always, the situation is still not as rosy. While unemployment has continued its down-
Jobs Page 4
BCR photos/Zita Henneberry
There’s a new sheriff in town ... a treasurer too! New Bureau County Sheriff Jim Reed addresses the crowd Monday morning after he took the oath of office at the Bureau County Courthouse. At right, new Bureau County Treasurer Courtney Yates-Mabry also speaks to those in attendance after taking the oath of office from Bureau County Circuit Judge Marc Bernabei (pictured in background).
One-on-one with Nina Urbanowski Urbanowski says farewell to 41-year career at the Bureau County Treasurer’s Office Editor’s note: The Bureau County Republican asked retiring Bureau County Treasurer Nina Urbanowski about her retirement, her career and her plans for the future. BCR: How long have you worked at the Bureau County Treasurer’s Office and in what capacity? Urbanowski: I have worked in the Bureau County Treasurer’s Office for a total of 41 years. I started in May 1973, as part-time help. Later that year I was hired for a full-time position. In
1976, Madge Noble, county treasurer at that time, appointed me as her chief deputy. When Madge retired in 1994, I was elected county treasurer and was fortunate to have held that position for 20 years. BCR: What are the biggest changes you’ve seen in your career? Urbanowski: I have to chuckle at this question because as you can imagine, there have been many chang-
Urbanowski Page 4
BCR photo/Zita Henneberry
Nina Urbanowski
Year 168 No. 145 One Section - 16 Pages
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