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The Putnam County
Volume 146 No. 21
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Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Flu cases are on the rise It’s not too late to get a flu shot By Donna Barker news@putnamcountyrecord.com
PRINCETON — Illinois has been bit hard by the flu bug, as has much of the rest of the country. The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting widespread flu activity in Illinois, with 122 confirmed influenza Intensive Care Unit admissions and six influenza-relat-
ed deaths so far in the state. Illinois is one of 35 states determined to have widespread flu activity, up from 25 states during the first week of January. Bureau/Putnam County Health Department Director of Nursing Laurie Geuther said it’s not too late to get a flu vaccine. The number of influenza cases is increasing, and some of those cases have been
serious and resulted in hospitalization. Also, the H1N1 strain of influenza has resurfaced this season and seems to affect the younger population, she said. “We strongly encourage you to get the annual flu vaccination if you haven’t done so already,” Geuther said. “We have not hit peak influenza season yet. Historically, February posts the highest confirmed cases of influenza. Overall, the
peak season is typically from December through March.” The local health department does have a good supply of vaccines at both of its offices in Princeton and Hennepin. While further flu clinics won’t be scheduled, people can call either office to schedule an appointment, she said. The Princeton office number is 815-9257326. The Hennepin office number is 815925-7326. The local
health department has given about 1,500 doses, combined through its two offices, so far this year, Geuther said. As in previous years, those people most at risk for the flu are children younger than 5 years of age, people ages 65 and older, pregnant women, and individuals with underlying medical conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes, Geuther said. “However, I think that you are at risk every year
if you do not receive the vaccination,” Geuther said. “The best defense against the flu is the annual vaccination.” Other important safeguards for preventing the flu are good hand-washing and eating a nutritious diet. Also, people should stay home when the are ill, and if someone is at high risk and they think they have the flu, they should see their doctor since there are anti-viral drugs which can be given, she said.
Hennepin questions Mediacom Board talks of poor service By Dixie Schroeder dschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
HENNEPIN — Representatives from Mediacom, who provide Internet services for the village of Hennepin, were called to answer questions at the Hennepin Village Board meeting on Jan. 15. “In the past there have been some questions about Mediacom,” Mayor Kevin Coleman said. “Our service is rather tacky at times.” With that statement, Coleman turned the questions over to trustee Matt Dean who asked not only questions on Mediacom service from his own experience, but also expressed complaints of several village residents who had contacted him. Problems experienced included tiling on television programs and slow Internet services. Customer service problems have often taken over a month to resolve, and many do not get feedback afterward to see if a problem is fixed. Don DeMay, area operations manager, and James Friske, senior manager of marketing with Mediacom, responded to questions Dean and other trustees presented. They
See Mediacom Page 2
Putnam County Record photo/Dixie Schroeder
A worker from Designs & Signs by Anderson puts up the new Hopkins and Associates CPA sign over the old Granville Drug store sign. Hopkins and Associates are now in their new location of 328 S. Main St., Granville.
Swapping spaces Hopkins moves next door By Ken Schroeder kschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
GRANVILLE — Hopkins and Associates had outgrown is office space, so when the chance came to make a big move, they did. They moved next door. Hopkins and Associates purchased the former Granville Drug building and had the interior redone to maximize usage as office space. The plan hit a snag
or two along the way. “We were getting cramped next door, and this building was vacant. So when the new drugstore was looking for a place to move, we approached them to buy our building,” Joel Hopkins said. “They found the building next to the bank was better suited for their needs, and the layout was better. “We still wanted to somehow get over to this building, but
we didn’t want to abandon our other building; so I reached out to Russell (Guinn) who owns Pagan O’Leary’s, and he bought that building from us,” Hopkins said. “We called up Marlon who owned this building and made the arrangement the same day. It all happened one Friday afternoon.” Hopkins has added some new employees throughout the last few years, and the move to the larger building allows them more room to work. Each associate’s
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area is enclosed which allows more privacy for clients. The storage area is also increased, although files are still boxed from the move. “It’s a newer building, it’s in fantastic condition,” Hopkins said. “I was lucky to have it sitting here really because I needed the space.” Pagan O’Leary’s will be using the old Hopkins building to build a dining area away from the bar to allow diners to enjoy their experience more.
HEALTHCARE AND REHABILITATION CENTRE
815-875-3347 • fax: 815-875-2012 Contact Lou Anne Kenwick at lkenwick@colonialhrc.com www.colonialcarecentre.com