1 Front Volume 140 No. 29
Friday, September 13, 2013
The Tonica News
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Lostant looks for flood relief By Ken Schroeder kschroeder@tonicanews.com
LOSTANT — As has been the case throughout the Illinois Valley this summer, the main topic at the Lostant Village Board meeting on Sept. 9 was flooding. Four residents of Second Street were in attendance looking for answers to the flooding problems that have plagued the street for some time.
Run-off from the field to the east of the village has caused water to pool in the neighborhood, causing property damage during the last couple of years, and the heavy April rains this year only heightened the problem. Streets and alleys chairman Chris Dose said he’s trying to get some grant and planning assistance from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), but so far
has had little success. “I called IEMA last week, and they were in meetings all week,” Dose said. “This week, the lady (who handles this area) is on vacation.” “Obviously, we’d like to see something done before the end of the year,” said Dave Brady, one of the residents present at the board meeting. Resident Dave Beavers had some suggestions on how to alleviate the prob-
lem. “Normally it takes about 12 hours for that water to get through. Our idea is, if we could slow it down, maybe to take 24 hours to get it to the point where it’s not running up Caldwell Street,” Beavers said. John Gennert, the farmer who tends the field east of town, has been invited to a couple of meetings to try to find an answer, but has
not been present at one yet. Many of the more effective solutions would require his consent to enact. Village President Fred Hartenbower said he and fellow resident Jack Moore had looked into solving the problem without Gennert’s approval. “Jack and I have looked at a lot of different laws,” Hartenbower said. “It depends on what they call it. If it’s just sur-
face water, then we could put a dam here. It’s best to work with the other owner and get his blessing; and not get into a conflict.” Moore, who was also present at the meeting, encouraged acting without Gennert’s permission. “None of those farmers are going to agree with what you do over there,”
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College enrollments are down By Ken Schroeder kschroeder@tonicanews.com
OGLESBY – According to U.S. Census Bureau statistics, college enrollment in Fall 2012 plunged by half a million (467,000) from one year earlier. This decline, which includes both graduate and undergraduate enrollment, follows a period of substantial growth between 2006 and 2011. As the nation’s students begin a new school year, the Census Bureau released its annual set of tables on the characteristics of children and adults enrolled in school at all levels from nursery to graduate school. Among the characteristics examined were age, sex, race, Hispanic origin, nativity and foreignborn parentage. The decline in college enrollment was driven by older students, those 25 and older. Their enrollment fell by 419,000, while the enrollment of younger students declined by 48,000. In 2012, there were 19.9 million college students, including 5.8 million enrolled in two-year colleges, 10.3 million in four-year colleges and 3.8 million in graduate school. Locally, Illinois Valley Community College’s enrollment also slipped.
See College Page 2 Vol. 140 No. 29 One Section - 8 Pages
Tonica News photo/Dixie Schroeder
Reading, writing, ‘rithmetic ... and recess Megan McGuire climbs up the monkey bars during recess at Tonica Grade School.
Curling up with a good book September is National Literacy Month By Dixie Schroeder dschroeder@tonicanews.com
TONICA – Most people know just how important early reading is to a child’s development. A national survey noted 78 percent of preschool parents surveyed believed
reading was important to children being ready for kindergarten. There are many things a parent can do to help their child become ready for kindergarten or even preschool. Parents can first and foremost make an environment that is
filled with examples of positive literacy. In other words, parents can read with their children and assist their children to help grow their vocabulary and establish a lifelong love of reading. Several of the things a parent or guardian can
do to make a positive literacy environment in their homes include setting a time aside each day to read with their child or children. Twenty minutes a day is the recommended amount of time. Adults can have children select the books to read and start by simply reading the title and asking their child
Inside LGS hosts ‘Unpack Your Backpack’ See Page 6
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what they think the title might be about. Children should be allowed to see the book as it is read to them, focusing on illustrations, pictures and even letting them turn the page. While an adult reads a book with a child, stop often to ask questions
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