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Serving Bureau County Since 1847
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Merry Christmas! Warm up! Warming centers offer an escape from harsh winter conditions By Goldie Currie gcurrie@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — With the bitter cold temperatures already biting this season, warming centers throughout the area are opening their doors to those in need of an escape from the wind chill and dangerous inclement weather. A well-known “warm spot” is the Bureau County Senior Center, who has been opening its doors to those in need for more than six years. Director Denise Ihrig has been there to witness the demand and said the doors are open to everyone and anyone, no matter which community they are from. “We open our doors to anyone because we know people are out there who need this,” she said. The senior center is located at 16 W. Marion St., in downtown Princeton. It’s also referred to as the Clark House. The center is located in the downstairs/ basement portion of the building. Warming centers offer an important service to people in desperate times of need. Their purpose helps prevent death and injuryrelated exposure to harsh elements, whether it be falling objects, such as trees in strong winds, frostbite, hypothermia and more. Warming centers are open to serve more than just the homeless. Folks who may be stranded due to vehicle issues, or if a home is suddenly without power — whatever the circumstances may be, the offer is there. “We want to assist folks in the community anyway we can. This is why we offer this opportunity,” said Ihrig. At the senior center, Ihrig said the coffee pot is always on; hot chocolate and tea is prepared; and visitors can sit and chat as they catch a break from the cold.
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New laws aimed at Illinois drivers Put away cell phones, maintain interstate speed limit By Donna Barker dbarker@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — Illinois drivers will need to think twice before pulling out of their driveways next week. Of the more than 200 new laws which will go into effect on Jan. 1 in Illinois, several have to do with motorists, including when they may or may not use their cell phones, just how fast they can travel on which interstates, and what they may do with their cigarette butts.
Beginning Jan. 1, motorists will no longer be allowed to talk on handheld cell phones while driving their vehicles. However, they can still use hands-free devices, like Bluetooth headsets, earpieces and voice activated command devices while driving. There are some exemptions to the new cell phone ban. Handheld cell phones may be used by law enforcement officers or first responders, by drivers reporting emergencies and by drivers while parked on the shoulder of a roadway. Drivers may also use
a handheld cell phone if the car is in neutral or in park, or if the car is stopped because normal traffic is obstructed. On Monday, Princeton Police Chief Tom Root said he expects his department will give a lot of warnings as people get used to the new law. Talking on their cell phones while driving is such a habit for so many people that it will take time for them to get adjusted. His department will focus on giving warnings as that transition time is made with the new law, Root said.
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BCR photo/Terri Simon
‘O holy night ...’ Members of the Sheffield United Methodist Church re-enact a live nativity scene on the church’s front lawn. Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, kings, shepherds, an angel and of course some animals participated in the annual event. Despite bitter December temperatures and falling snow, the live nativity is an annual activity at the church, coupled with a soup supper.
Looking back on 2013 Editor’s note: This is the first segment in a series that allows you the opportunity to look back and reflect on 2013. Jan. 1: The Bureau County United Way reaches 55 percent of its $120,000 goal for its 41st annual campaign. Executive Director Michelle Lymberopoulos says the local United Way chapter has operated with a
$120,000 campaign goal for the past several years with 88 percent of its goal raised last year. The 55 percent pledged so far this year is a bit behind last year’s campaign at this time of the year, Lymberopoulos says. Jan. 3: Though final numbers aren’t in for the year, Bureau County Sheriff John Thompson says crime was generally down in the county for 2012 in all areas except
for crime against property, which include thefts and burglaries. Another area that saw a large increase was in the area of fatal traffic crashes, though Thompson said those were not crime-related. Most of the fatal crashes were the result of not wearing seat belts or the use of alcohol.
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For breaking news, sports and current weather conditions, go to bcrnews.com Year 167 No. 154 One Section - 16 Pages
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