PCR-03-13-2013

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Record The Putnam County

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Putnam County’s Only Newspaper

Volume 145 No. 27

“PRSRT STD.” US Postage Paid No. 486 SHAW MEDIA POSTAL PATRON LOCAL R.R. BOXHOLDER CARRIER ROUTE PRESORT

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Did the flu bug bite you? Flu season slowly moving on By Goldie Currie Shaw Media Service

PRINCETON – With winter months slowly moving past, it seems so is the flu season. Deb Piper of the Bureau/Putnam County Health Department confirmed although the number of flu cases is slowing down, it’s still uncertain when the cases will be cleared. “The flu started early this year, mid-November. In general, it has

been a more severe year throughout the country but considered moderate in Illinois,” she said. Piper said that only flu cases concerning pediatric deaths and intensive care admission are reported, and thus far, the county has reported no pediatric deaths and only a few ICU admissions this year. The local health department reports about 1,400 flu immunizations given this year. Vaccines are still available at the

health department. “The vaccine this year had been considered well matched, but effectiveness is at about 50 percent,” Piper said. She said anti-viral flu medications have been effective but work best if given within 48 hours after symptoms first occur. “Please stay at home if sick and limit contact with other people. Wash your hands frequently and cover your cough,” she said. In January, the Illinois Department of Public

Health warned of high levels of flu throughout the state. “The flu strain that is predominately circulating this year is typically more severe, with more hospitalizations and deaths,” said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck stated in a January press release. He reported that from the beginning of October to the end of December, there had been almost 150 people admitted to hospital intensive care

units with influenza-like illness. The department of public health recently warned about the current Norovirus outbreaks. A press release stated the virus is usually not serious, and most people are better in a day or two, however it can be serious in young children, the elderly and people with other health conditions. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach cramping. Other, less common symptoms, include lowgrade fever, chills, head-

ache, muscle aches and fatigue. To avoid the Norovirus: • Frequently wash hands, especially after using the restroom and before eating or preparing food. • Thoroughly clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces immediately using a bleach-based cleaner. • Increase the frequency of cleaning high touch surfaces such as door knobs. • Do not work as a food handler while ill with diarrhea or vomiting.

Granville talks TIF Putnam County Rotary asks for input, members By Dixie Schroeder dschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com

GRANVILLE – The Granville Village Board heard from village lawyer Christina Judd-Mennie at its meeting March 5 about the village’s proposed tax increment financing district. Judd-Mennie explained that Ordinance 619 would set a public hearing date 6 p.m. May 7 for the TIF and redevelopment project for Granville. The meeting followed an earlier public hearing regarding the ordinance at which there were no comments from the audience. The board passed the ordinance. Board President Doug Gimbal said the village received notice from the North Central Illinois Council of Governments the grant for the water treatment project has been submitted. The grant for $348,283 has been set to be used for a new salt storage building in Granville. Gimbal said the current building has been damaged due to salt leaks from the brine tank. Members of the Putnam County Rotary attended the meeting. Rotary President Bobby Cofoid introduced Justina Boggio and Jordan Ellena, who are conducting a membership drive among Putnam County villages. Boggio presented information to the board concerning how the Rotary wants to become more connected and aware of what is happening in individual communities. “Now we can now have groups as members in Rotary,” Boggio said. “The reason we are coming to the villages is when we do grants, it’s hard to really know what the village may need.” Ellena said that while Rotary meets every week on Thursday nights at Ray’s Place in Hennepin, villages that become members would not have to attend every meeting. Cofoid added the Rotary wants to expand and get more input from the villages. The board members agreed this is something they would like to consider, and it will be put on the agenda for their next meeting. In other business, Tracie Haage was sworn in as the village treasurer. Haage will continue her work as the secretary of the village as well.

See TIF Page 2 Vol. 145 No. 27 One Section - 16 Pages

Putnam County Record photo/Dixie Schroeder

PCHS FFA advisor John Heiser helps the PCPS kindergarten students get ready for next event in the Ag in the Classroom seminar on March 7. PCHS FFA students conducted games and read books to the kindergarten students teaching themes on composting and recycling.

PCHS FFA hosts Ag in the Classroom Kindergarten pupils get lessons in ag By Dixie Schroeder dschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com

GRANVILLE – An Ag in the Classroom seminar was hosted by the Putnam County High School FFA group, sponsored by John Heiser, on March 7. The seminar was held at Putnam County Primary School in the kindergarten classrooms.

This second-year event, was assisted by Julie Read, Ag in the Classroom coordinator for Marshall Putnam County. Read had been contacted by Heiser last year to help develop an event of this nature. “He (Heiser) wanted his FFA to have the opportunity to read books to the kindergartners,” Read said.

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Rotary Club hosts Agri-Business Night See Page 8

“I came up with books for him and activities. We had a little training session ahead of time, and then the girls took it from there.” Heiser said this is the second year for the program. “We do the three books that the Farm Bureau donated last year, and this year Mrs. Read and the Farm Bureau donated the books,”

See Ag Page 4


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