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The Putnam County
Volume 146 No. 16
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Wednesday, December 18, 2013
One last farewell By Ken Schroeder kschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
GRANVILLE — Putnam County High School gave students and faculty one last chance to say goodbye during a candlelight memorial service for English teacher Judy Gedraitis on Dec. 15. They were joined by friends and family of the departed teacher in a dimly lit R.M. Germano Gymnasium for the ceremony.
Putnam County Schools Superintendent Jay McCracken gave the opening, sharing his impressions of her knowledge and personality. He told the audience what one parent had said to him. “She said, ‘whenever I’m around Mrs. Gedraitis, I always felt like I should stand a little taller, because of Mrs. G’s ability to bring out the best in every one of us,’” McCracken said. “I’m proud to announce that Putnam
County Schools will establish a Judy Gedraitis Award, which will presented to students and faculty for generations to come.” A memorial display will hang in the hallway, depicting a heart containing thumbprints of students whose lives were touched by Gedraitis. Students Monica Monroe, Becky Arnold, Emily Whitney and Tara Doyle presented the family with a scrapbook of memories from the students and faculty.
Many students and faculty came forward to share their experiences and love for the late Gedraitis, many through barely choked-back tears. “I remember the last time we talked was on that Friday before Thanksgiving. She talked about Putnam County Record photo/ Ken Schroeder eating sea bass in England,” felJudy Gedraitis’ daughlow teacher Carmela Rodriguez ter, Ashley Gedraitis, said. “If I knew then what I do now, I would have kept her listens to the candlelight service held for her mother.
See Gedraitis Page 2A
PC Board fills vacancies By Ken Schroeder kschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
HENNEPIN – It was a day of appointments at the Putnam County Board meeting on Dec. 9. Positions were filled in three departments of county government to fill various vacancies. The intergovernmental agreement has been signed between Marshall and Putnam counties which makes the appointment of Pat Sloan as Putnam County highway superintendent official. The two counties have had an agreement to share the officer for some time. Putnam County Death Investigator Bob Cofoid will add a new title to his resume. Cofoid was named interim coordinator of the Putnam County Emergency Management Agency. The vacancy was created by the of former coordinator Jim Goldasich earlier this year. Putnam County Emergency Ambulance Services Chief Andrew Jackson will see his duties expand with his appointment to the Emergency Telephone System Board. In other action, the board: • Heard on report from Cofoid on the progress on the new PCEMA building. He also said there are remaining items from the former occupants in the building – which was the former steelworkers union building – which need to be removed. • Passed a resolution for an agreement between Putnam County and the North Central Illinois Council of Governments for a recycling program. • Learned of the progress on the Putnam County website. Sandra Woest is being trained to act as website coordinator for the county. • Scheduled the dates for the Putnam County Board meetings for 2014.
Putnam County Record photo/Ken Schroeder
Members of the Putnam County Emergency Medical Services assist a victim of the bus crash on Dec. 14.
Early morning bus accident injuries students By PCR Staff news@putnamcountyrecord.com
HENRY — A morning bus accident on Dec. 14 left at least five students injured. The school bus from District 227, Rich Township High School, was transporting students to a competition. It slid off the road in Wolf Hollow on Illinois Route 18 a mile and a half east of Henry. The bus was driven by the Illinois School Bus
Company. The Putnam County Emergency Medical Services were in charge of the scene. PCEMS Director Andy Jackson said there were 18 students and teachers aboard the bus. Nine were transported by area ambulances to St. Margaret’s Hospital. The remaining nine were transported by bus to the hospital as well. “The bus was headed west down the hill, returning from an outing. The bus started to
slide and went into the ditch. There were several injuries but none of them serious,” Jackson said. “They were transported to St. Margaret’s Hospital in Spring Valley.” St. Margaret Hospital nursing supervisor Anne Swank said there were nine people seen through the emergency room. “There were nine people from the accident that were treated and released,” Swank said. Ambulances from Mendota
EMS, Utica EMS, Princeton Fire Department EMS, Tonica EMS, Tiskilwa EMS, Peru EMS, Oglesby EMS, Wyanet EMS, LaSalle Fire Department EMS, Lostant EMS, Varna EMS and Wenona EMS assisted at the scene. Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, Magnolia Fire Department and a Marshall County Sheriff’s deputy also responded. The accident is under investigation by the Putnam County Sheriff’s department.
Vol. 146 No. 16
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