PCR-11-18-2015

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Single Copy Cost 50¢ Volume 148 No. 12

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Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Extending a healthy handshake It’s a deal; local health departments merge with Marshall County By Goldie Rapp

news@putnamcountyrecord.com

PRINCETON — Tuesday, Dec. 1, will mark the first day the Bureau/Putnam County Health Department will begin extending services to Marshall County. The health department office in Marshall County, which is located in Lacon, will be closed on that one day as employees will be installing new computers, wireless Internet and connections to resources needed in the office. Marshall County Health Department (MCHD) employees will also officially become Bureau County employees on that day. Bureau/Putnam County Health Department Director Diana Rawlings explained Marshall County Board of Health (MCHD) first approached Bureau County about the extension of services two years ago. The MCHD had been contracting services with Peoria City County Health Department since the 1980s, however decided to stop contracting with them this year due to financial reasons. “I’m honored the Marshall County Health Board sees the good that Bureau and Putnam County health departments

are working so hard to do and has decided to partner with us,” Rawlings said. “The adjustment will take some time, but together we have the potential to go beyond basic services and do some wonderful things with our communities.” The county health department merger is not a new idea, as Rawlings explained counties have been partnering to provide public health services in Illinois for a long time. Bureau and Putnam counties and also Henry and Stark counties have been partnering for more than 15 years. “For rural counties especially, working together to provide public health services make sense, as it allows us to share resources and provide more services overall,” she said. Rawlings said the new partnership will be beneficial for all three counties, as each one shares very similar community health needs unique to the rural setting. “It will allow us to share resources and staffing, and bring new programming to each county,” she said. Rawlings said a main goal for the merger will be to identify programs that are working well in Bureau and Putnam counties and take them to Marshall County ... and vice

versa. “Once we do that, we will begin looking at other available services that would meet the health needs of our communities,” she said. Another perk about the merger, is the health departments together will be able to apply for larger grants. The three counties now encompass a larger rural area with a population just over 50,000. Rawlings said this larger, yet still rural collaboration, may qualify the health departments for funding that individually the department would not qualify for. As the health department prepares for the partnership, Rawlings admitted there will be a few challenges to work through, such as getting new staff trained, bringing in technology changes and putting together schedules while maintaining current services, but she said working together from the very beginning should help them to begin thinking and working as a cohesive team. “We believe by partnering together we can provide quality, responsive public health services economically for all,” she said. There will be four full-time and one part-time employees assigned to the office in Marshall County.

Searching in the dark

Ambulance director seeks help in identifying homes By Dave Cook

news@putnamcountyrecord.com

HENNEPIN — During a medical emergency time is of the utmost importance. 911 calls are quickly routed to the appropriate people, and those who respond are on the road as fast as possible. But before arriving at your door, those responding to the call for help need to be able to tell which door is yours. Without a wellmarked and visible house number responders can be delayed by a time consuming search for the address needing assistance. At the Putnam County Board meeting on Monday, Nov. 9, ambulance Director Andy Jackson sought guidance in how the problem can be best addressed. “Some homes are marked, but not easily seen, and some aren’t marked at all. Some homes have their house numbers marked on the curb, which can work, but those can’t be easily seen during bad weather,” said Jackson. Jackson also stated he’d been contacted by the principal from the elementary

County Page 3 Vol. 148 No. 12 One Section - 16 Pages

PCR photo/Dave Cook

Michael O’Sullivan and an inquisitive member of his herd at Hidden Paradise Alpacas in Granville seemingly have a chat on an early fall afternoon. Alpacas are renowned for their soft, warm fleece, and the gift shop at Hidden Paradise contains many items made from this luxurious fiber.

From Chicago to paradise By Dave Cook

news@putnamcountyrecord.com

GRANVILLE — It’s only a few miles north of Granville, but Hidden Paradise Alpacas seems as though it’s a world of it’s own. It’s 10 acres, and those who live on them are calm, quiet and unfailingly friendly. Its residents convey the impression they’re quite aware of the fact they’re well loved, and no one is hesitant when it comes to making new friends. Mike and Anna O’Sullivan were born and

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raised in Chicago and worked their entire careers within the Windy City, where both worked for the Chicago Transit Authority. As they approached retirement, they decided they wanted a change. “I told the agent we were looking for a house with a little bit of land. She asked what we were going to do with it, and I said ‘Maybe we’ll raise alpacas.’ It just popped into my head. I didn’t even know what an alpaca was; I had just heard of it somewhere. I said it as kind of a joke because we didn’t know anything about raising

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livestock,” said Anna. Anna’s joking led them to an alpaca show where they purchased half a herd. “Tiskilwa Farms Alpacas were willing to split a herd because we didn’t want that many animals. We took five, and they took six. Then, because I didn’t get the sixth, I made a deal with him for two llamas. Our llamas are the guard dogs for our alpacas,” said Mike. “We’ve gotten our knowledge off the Internet

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