1 Front
K “PRSRT STD.” US Postage Paid No. 486 SHAW MEDIA
Single Copy Cost 50¢ Volume 148 No. 31
POSTAL PATRON LOCAL R.R. BOXHOLDER CARRIER ROUTE PRESORT
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
No state budget for our schools? Superintendent considers possibility of no K-12 budget from state.
By Dave Cook
news@putnamcountyrecord.com
GRANVILLE — Superintendent Jay McCracken discussed the possibility of there being no K-12
educational budget from the state if the current, nine-month long budget standoff in Springfield continues. McCracken had attended a meeting with Tony Smith, Illinois State
Superintendent and the other superintendents of schools, using the alternate funding formula. The effects of the political battle in Springfield will be increasingly felt within the
walls of the state’s classrooms. “There is still a strong consideration that there will probably not be a K-12 funded budget in place for this coming year. We’re
hearing this over and over again, which is just mind boggling. The state will basically be holding our children hostage as far as I’m concerned because there will be many chil-
dren who will not be able to attend school next year or will have to look for alternate districts to attend. We’ve done projections,
K-12 budget Page 2
Feeling the effects of no state budget Putnam County Community Center feels the effect of no state budget By Dave Cook
news@putnamcountyrecord.com
An Easter for all ages
PCR photo/Dave Cook
It was a weekend full of Easter celebrations for the residents of Putnam County. On Thursday the Putnam County Community Center hosted an Easter luncheon followed by an afternoon of Bingo. Hennepin hosted a well-attended egg hunt, which included an official start by the Easter Bunny himself, at the park district building on Friday. Granville’s egg hunt was held on Saturday in Hopkins Park. See Page 2 for more photos.
STANDARD — The Putnam County Community Center (PCCC) is a small but important link in making sure residents are healthy and in good spirits. Without this community outreach program, there could be people needing assistance, or perhaps just a friendly visit, who wouldn’t receive it. As with many state-funded entities, there are considerable funds being withheld due to the state being unable to pass a budget. The small staff and others involved with the center continue their good work though and are determined to keep it going. PCCC Executive Director Michelle Slutz described the funding challenges the center faces. “We receive federal and state funding; but we have to match the federal money, and we have to raise that ourselves through a variety of fundraisers. The federal part of our budget is only a part though. The state owes us $20,000, and some of the core programs we provide like our Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) or our Congregate Meal Program are state-funded, and we’re not getting any money for those. Costs
for building maintenance and the monthly utilities are also a large amount,” said Slutz. Attendance at the many monthly activities and programs has remained steady, but Slutz spoke of the importance of outreach worker Tamara Beaber’s addition to the center last year. “We had Tamara come on board last March as our outreach worker, and she has done a fantastic job of identifying people who have needs and who we previously hadn’t reached in the community. It’s great she’s been finding these people, but it’s also alarming because without her, those people would go without the help they need. Her salary is state-funded. She canvases the community and has identified high-risk clients, keeps track of them and has helped more people benefit from our services than I can count, and she’s only been here a year. These are people who either didn’t know about our services or couldn’t get to us,” Slutz said. An important part of many of PCCC’s programs is the socialization they provide. There are different programs each month, but also many reoccurring favorites, such as Bingo, cards, music, meals, crafts, movies, adult col-
PCCC Page 3
A PJ party: A fun event on a worrisome journey Breast cancer survivors are invited to enjoy an evening of relaxation, fun
By Goldie Rapp
news@putnamcountyrecord.com
PRINCETON — The Pink Ribbon Club is gearing up Vol. 148 No. 31 Two Sections - 28 Pages
© The Putnam County Record
to host its second Pink PJ Party at the AmericInn in Princeton on Friday, April 15, and Saturday, April 16. The overnight event
brings together breast cancer survivors from all over the Illinois Valley and provides a fun, relaxing evening for them to
kick-back and take a break from the worries and stress endured on their journeys with cancer. The party includes an
evening of manicures, pedicures, massages, facials, Reiki therapy, pizza and other fun options for relaxation. There is also
a PJ pageant, where participates decorate, coordinate and “bling” their PJs
PJ party Page 5
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