1 Front
Serving Bureau County Since 1847
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Happy New Year! Want to keep that resolution? Counselor Nancy Carper gives you some hints
NEWSSTAND PRICE 75¢
Rate hike at the post office Mattingly: Stock up now on Forever stamps By Donna Barker dbarker@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — In less than a month, Bureau County residents will join the rest of the nation in paying more to send their first-class mail.
The cost to send firstclass mail will increase by 3 cents on Jan. 26, from the current 46 cents per stamp to 49 cents. The increase has been approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission on a temporary, two-year
time frame, which will be re-evaluated at the end of that time period. In detailing its decision in a 219-page ruling, the Postal Regulatory Commission stated the additional $2.8 billion realized through the
rate increase is meant to compensate only for the national recession, not to offset for losses caused by Americans’ growing use of electronic communications and commercial delivery services. One way to save on that coming postal rate increase is to stock up
By Goldie Currie
See Resolutions Page 2
See Rate hike Page 2
Looking back on 2013
gcurrie@bcrnews.com
WYANET — Coming off the whirlwind of the holidays, filled with plenty of social events complete with eating and drinking, a lot of people turn their New Year’s resolution into an excuse to lose a few extra pounds, get into better shape or eat a healthier diet. While the resolution opportunity comes with great intent, finding a way to avoid failure and sticking with it is what tends to be the issue a lot of people run into, when it comes to changing one’s lifestyle. Local counselor Nancy Carper, who has an office in downtown Wyanet, admits to seeing the pattern all year round of people want to set a resolution to make a lifestyle improvement. “I think what people get in trouble with mostly is they don’t set obtainable goals, or their goal plan is not in stair-step fashion where it’s one step to next when it comes to meeting that goal,” she said. “I tell clients if you walked up to a stairway and the first step was like 3-foot high, it’s a lot harder to get up that first step than if it’s 6 or 7 inches high.” When people set unobtainable goals, many meet failure rather quickly, turning the “I can do this” into “I can’t do this” way too soon. Carper refers to reading an article where a low percentage of people polled actually stick with their New Year’s resolutions. “The intent is there, but it means modifying behaviors and patterns that get in the way of most people,” Carper said. “People talk about it at the fitness centers in January; people are signing up, and
now on Forever stamps. On Monday, Princeton Post Master Shannon Mattingly said people can still buy Forever stamps at the 46 cent rate from the post office — but only until Jan. 26 when the new rate goes into
Story compiled Donna Barker
by
dbarker@bcrnews.com
Editor’s note: The following is another segment in a series looking back on the headlines covered in the Bureau County Republican in 2013.
BCR photo/Becky Kramer
Slip, slidin’ away ... Kaia Robbins of Princeton has a fun-filled day on her saucer sled during the weekend. On Saturday, with temperatures in the mid- to high-40s, area residents got a break from brutal temperatures, and heavy winter coats were the exception, rather than the norm. But in 24 hours, those temperatures took a nose-dive and greeted county residents early Sunday morning with a freezing mist followed by low temperatures with a below-zero wind chill factor. According to WQAD News 8, the county can expect more of the same below zero temps and more snow in the coming days.
May 7: Tiskilwa Public Library officials learn a state grant will allow the library to build an addition to its building. Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White says the Tiskilwa library is entitled to receive a Fiscal Year 2013 Illinois Public Construction Grant, with a maximum award of $504,241. The grant requires the library to match the grant with an additional $465,453. The library will meet the grant from a combination of savings, donations and a loan from a local bank. May 9: James Reed of Arlington announces his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for the office of Bureau County Sheriff in the March 2014 primary election. He pledges to “be a working sheriff for Bureau County” and has served in nearly every capacity in the sheriff’s office during his 22 years with the department, Reed says. The Hall High School Board meets with architects to discuss a new high school building. Architects tell the board only 17 of the 54 school referendums
See 2013 Page 2
For breaking news, sports and current weather conditions, go to bcrnews.com Year 167 No. 157 One Section - 16 Pages
98213 00012 1 7 © Bureau County Republican