Single Copy Cost 50¢ Volume 148 No. 16
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Wednesday, December 16, 2015
The cost of too many reindeer games December is National Impaired Driving Month By Dave Cook
news@putnamcountyrecord.com
With the holiday season in full swing and everyone celebrating, it’s fitting for December to be National Impaired Driving Month. Along with icy roads and deer, one of the most perilous things a driver faces this time of year is sharing the road with intoxicated drivers. Driving under the influence (DUI) is a Class A misdemeanor. A first offense DUI can result in up to a year in
expenses which drained his finances, and it only took one ill-fated drive to acquire them. Putnam County Sheriff Kevin Doyle said, “My deputies are always on the lookout for impaired drivers. Impaired drivers don’t seem to heed the warning ahead of time; so much is explained about the costs of getting a DUI, but not ‘til after they get one does it seem to sink in.” Even after receiving a DUI, people may continue to make risky decisions which helps turn bad into worse. “We see so many people who get them attempt to drive during their suspension and then get caught and that leads to never ending court appearances and fines.
jail and fines up to $2,500. There are also the additional costs of court fees and supervision, in-patient treatments, alcohol evaluation classes, ignition interlock devices and increased insurance costs. There is also the risk of an offender losing their job if their license is revoked and they can’t find transportation to work. All of these add up to several thousand dollars more in expenses, yet every weekend sees impaired drivers who make the decision to climb behind the wheel. An area male in his 30s, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said he received a DUI almost a decade ago, and even then his costs were between $6,000 and $7,000. He had to take 75 rehabilitation classes at a cost of $25 each and pay $75 a month for a year for the ignition interlock device. He said there were also several other
Cost Page 2
Digging the Earth
Skoog named to replace Mautino
IVCC geologist named Instructor of the Year By Dave Cook
news@putnamcountyrecord.com
Vol. 148 No. 16 One Section - 16 Pages
PCR photo/Dave Cook
IVCC geology instructor Mike Phillips was recently named as the recipient of the Illinois Community College Faculty Association’s 2015 Leo Welch Instructor of the Year Award. During the first week of his first semester, he realized that the ROTC wasn’t what he expected so he withdrew. Needing to fill the open spot in 329045
OGLESBY — We all walk the same planet, but rather than take it for granted, some people are willing to go a bit further. They want to know more and are willing to dig for the information. Others are not only willing to dig, but also want to share what they’ve learned and hopefully encourage the same enthusiasm in those they’re teaching. IVCC geology instructor Mike Phillips is one such person. On Oct. 30, Phillips was named as the recipient of the Illinois Community College Faculty Association’s 2015 Leo Welch Instructor of the Year Award during the association’s annual conference in Springfield. Upon receiving the honor Phillips said, “I am honored to be recognized by my colleagues. It is a privilege to be able to share the subject I love with students I care about and to serve the community in which I live.” Phillips has lived in rural Lostant for 16 years and has been at IVCC for 18 years. One of his favorite teachers while he was in high school was his earth science teacher. After graduation he went to Southern Illinois University at Carbondale with an intention of majoring in computer science and being in the Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.
“No huge hoses to deal with. The type of tools used was amazing. I absolutely loved it!” Michelle Frandin, Ottawa
his schedule, he chose earth science because he enjoyed it in high school. Within a year he had changed his major to geology.
“You find your niche; that’s what it’s all about. That’s what I tell a lot of students here at the college. You might come here thinking you’re
“The use of water was minimal and the smell is fresh. Pet odor is gone! Old carpet looks 100% improved.” Kathy Zurinski, McNabb
“The cleaning process was excellent and the carpet and the drying was so quick. I was very happy with the hardwood floor cleaning.” Deborah Molinero, Varna
going to do one thing, but you may discover your niche is actually something else,” said Phillips.
Instructor Page 3
Low Moisture Cleaning Technology
• No hoses • No rising • No open doors • Quick 90 Minutes or Less Drying Time
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and
© The Putnam County Record
Expect Different!
OTTAWA – Andy Skoog (D-LaSalle) will be sworn in as state representative of the 76th District at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16, at the Illinois Valley Community College Community Technology Center, located at 815 N. Orlando Smith in Oglesby. He will replace former state Rep. Frank Mautino, who was recently named Illinois Auditor General. “As a small-business owner for more than 15 years, I understand the decisions and sacrifices that go into balancing a budget, managing a payroll and creating local jobs. As LaSalle County Clerk, I’ve worked cooperatively with both sides of the aisle while making cuts and increasing efficiencies to save county taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars,” Skoog said. “By bringing this common-sense approach to state government and making the voices and the values of middle-class and struggling families heard, I hope to work in a bipartisan manner to move our state forward. I will review the state budget line by line, stand up for small businesses and middle-class families, and promote policies to create and retain local jobs with good wages. It will be an honor to represent a district I have lived in my entire life and raised my family in.” The 76th District includes portions of LaSalle, Bureau, Putnam and Livingston counties. For more information, contact Friends for Andy Skoog at 815-200-9027.
(815)882-2150 for more info, got to: www.oxygreenillinois.com