TON-01-27-2017

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Volume 143 No. 8

Friday, January 27, 2017

Single Copy Cost 50¢

Getting the lead out Lostant Grade Schools questions unfunded state mandate By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com

LOSTANT — To ensure the safety of children, Illinois schools are now required to test their drinking water for lead, but Lostant is left asking from where the money is to come. “We are going to be mandated to test the water for lead,” Superintendent Sandra Malahy said at the Lostant School Board meeting on Jan. 18, noting a lack of official communication on the subject. Everything she knows about the new requirements, she learned from the news. With a new requirement arriving, which has not been budgeted for, the question arises as to how this testing will be paid.

“This is an unfunded mandate,” Malahy said, specifying the state will not provide support. “They’re all shaking hands like they’ve really done something, but where’s the money coming from?” asked Lostant School Board member Doug Miller. Also at the meeting, the board discussed the fact Lostant Grade School has been kicking up the heat, as it regulates temperatures within the building. After the school’s previous attempts to manage heat within the building fell through, a solution has been found. New thermostats are working to keep temperatures where they should be, and the temperature can be adjusted according to an individual room’s needs. “The devices that we had ordered and originally put on

were white knobs that went around the traps themselves,” Malahy said of the thermostats which had been previously installed. The school quickly ran into problems with that product, namely, that they did nothing. “They just were not working at all,” Malahy said. “They weren’t doing their job.” The model in question is what had been recommended for the school to use, but a call to the manufacturer after the fact indicated the recommendation might have been misleading. “The manufacturer said, ‘Well, we’ve been having problems with those. They haven’t been working exactly right,’” Malahy said. “So my question is why they sent those to us.” Now that those devices have been replaced, everything is

Lostant Page 3

Putnam County’s report card By Dave Cook

news@tonicanews.com

Photo by Daniel Acker/Bloomberg News

President Donald J. Trump President-elect Donald Trump greets President Barack Obama before he takes the oath of office Jan. 20 at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Trump took the oath minutes later to become the 45th president of the United States of America.

GRANVILLE — The Illinois Report Card (IRC) recently released by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) allows schools and districts an easy way to monitor performance and averages from year to year, identifying opportunities to improve and to also collaborate with other districts. The information can be used to identify concerns and also begin conversations about how to improve public education in the state for the advantage of all students. Putnam County Schools Superintendent Carl Carlson said of this year’s findings, “First of all, our overall numbers are competitive with surrounding districts of similar size and demographics. I am concerned about our low graduation rate and fresh-

Report card Page 4

Shave and a haircut ... two barks Stylish dogs go to Tonica’s new groomer

By Dave Cook

news@tonicanews.com

TONICA — The morning of 2017’s first day of business included some handsome little dogs walking out of Tonica’s newest addition to LaSalle Street — Pretty Paws Boutique. Owner and Tonica resident Aaryn Brooker said she’s Tonica’s first groomer and was excited about not only starting her own business, but also for the chance

to begin a life working with the animals she’s always loved. A former employee of the Ottawa School District and owner of five dogs, two cats, a rabbit and some chickens, Brooker said, “I’ve always wanted to open my own business, and I love being a groomer and spending time with animals, It’s very rewarding.” A Bradley University graduate who

© The Tonica News

MUST MOVE

Remaining 2016 FORD SUPER DUTY Trucks in stock $1000 under invoice. SM-PR2651957-0127

Tonica News photo/Dave Cook

Pretty Paws Page 3

Vol. 143 No. 8 One Section - 8 Pages

Aaryn Brooker, owner of Pretty Paws Boutique, trims the beard of Buddy, one of her first clients. Pretty Paws Boutique is Tonica’s first dog grooming business. Brooker is also considering adding pet photography to the services offered to local pet owners.

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