1 Front
Single Copy Cost 50¢ Volume 148 No. 45
“PRSRT STD.” US Postage Paid No. 486 SHAW MEDIA POSTAL PATRON LOCAL R.R. BOXHOLDER CARRIER ROUTE PRESORT
Wednesday, July 6, 2016
State budget – Local lawmakers react Local lawmakers hope bipartisanship continues By Terri Simon
tsimon@putnamcountyrecord.com
SPRINGFIELD — While the temporary stopgap legislation passed by both legislative chambers Thursday, June 30, provides much-needed financial relief for schools and social services agencies, the action is a Band-Aid on a financial wound
that continues to bleed red ink. The four-bill package funds education for a full year, but the rest of the budget will expire in January. Also, the legislation, which passed the House with a 105-4 vote and the Senate with a 54-0 vote, includes a $75 million increase for early childhood education. Most of the schools in the state will
receive more than they did last school year without bailing out the Chicago Public School District. The legislation also gives $250 million to educate children who live in poverty. For college students, the stopgap measure will ensure universities open on time, as well as funding for community colleges. MAP grants are also back on the
table for college students. The legislation offers six months worth of funds for human services and critical government services. A year of transportation projects will remain active, which is expected to save 25,000 workers from being laid off.
Budget Page 2
All fired up
Incinerator used to dispose of old prescriptions nearing operation By Eric Engel
news@putnamcountyrecord.com
Movin’ for Music 5K
PCR photo/Dave Cook
Runners in the Movin’ for Music 5K kicked off a full day of festivities during Hennepin’s Fourth of July celebrations. The cool and pleasant weather helped Colin Nelson, 16, of Princeton to be the first to cross the finish line in 19 minutes and 21 seconds.
A smart boater is a safe boater By Terri Simon
tsimon@putnamcountyrecord.com
Here in the Illinois Valley, the current tends to run in many residents’ blood. With many rivers, canals and bodies of water at our fingertips, it is a boater’s paradise for those who love the serenity and the excitement of launching a boat in one of the area’s many waterways. May 21 through May 28 is National Safe Boating Week — a time for boaters to rethink their excursions as the use the public rivers, lakes, canals and creeks that
Vol. 148 No. 45
© The Putnam County Record
SM-PR2651053-0706
One Section - 16 Pages
call their names at this time of the year. Weather Rule No. 1 is to always check the forecast before you launch your boat. Especially on the water, a storm can quickly turn a fun and enjoyable day into a nightmare. The National Weather Service (NWS) urges boaters to not rely on their cell phones for a forecast, rather check out the NWS website for updated and current weather conditions that could be hazardous or life threatening.
Boating Page 3
PRINCETON — The incinerator at the Princeton Police Station, which will be used to safely eliminate expired and unused prescription drugs, is almost ready for use. Dawn Conerton, director of Community Partners Against Substance Abuse (CPASA), said local union carpenters were kind enough to volunteer their time to put a cover roof on the incinerator, which is located on the south side of the Princeton Police station. All CPASA had to pay for was the materials for the roof. “We want everybody to know how excited we are the incinerator is almost ready for business, and we really appreciate the carpenter’s time and support,” Conerton said. The stack on top of the incinerator will extend through the roof, CPASA member and Bureau County Coroner Janice Wamhoff explained. The stack will almost be higher than the building itself so no smoke comes back into or near the building. All CPASA will have to do then is put a security fence around the incinerator. Conerton said everything takes time, and a few things will change once the incinerator is put to use. “We can no longer take needles, liquids or inhalers,” she said. “We can only take pills.” Residents can drop off their unused or expired prescription medications at the following locations: • Princeton Police Department • Spring Valley Police Department • Ladd Police Department • Walnut Police Department • Bureau County Sheriff’s Office • Putnam County Sheriff’s Office in Hennepin Conerton said she wanted people to know they have been working diligently throughout to get the incinerator working, as the funds were raised and the instrument has been ready to be fired up for months. An opening ceremony was planned during a recent take back event, but it was pouring down rain, so another ribbon cutting ceremony is being planned for the near future.
Incinerator Page 4