DEADLY CRASH ON 1-255

One person died in a head-on crash Friday morning around 11:00 a.m. on Interstate 255 6/10 of mile north of milepost 6. According to Illinois State Police 41-year-old Donald H. Williams from East Carondelet, IL was traveling southbound on I-255 in the center lane. He then, for an unknown reason, veered off the interstate to the left, crossed the median, sideswiped a tree, and then started traveling southbound in the northbound lanes. Williams then struck 60-year-old Linda L. Dollins of Dupo, IL head-on. Dollins car spun sideways and overturned on the driver's side. The Monroe County Coroner pronounced Dollins dead at the scene. Williams was taken to St. Anthony's Hospital in St. Louis for treatment of his injuries. Illinois State Police have not yet issued any traffic citations to Williams.

GREENVILLE REGIONAL HOSPITAL TO PROVIDE STROKE AWARENESS AND RISK ASSESSMENT

May is National Stroke Awareness Month and to mark the occasion, Greenville Regional Hospital will host a community education event entitled "Stroke Awareness and Risk Management". The event will be Wednesday, May 10 in the hospital's Education Conference Room and Education Classroom. There will be two sessions held, one from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and the other from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This program is free of charge and pre-registration is required. At the program participants will fill out a risk assessment survey, after the survey is completed participants blood pressure will be checked as well as height and weight. An EKG will also be performed. People of all ages are invited to attend the Stroke Awareness and Risk Factor Screening. Pre-registration is required and a limited number of spaces are available. Refreshments will also be served. To sign up or for more information contact Melissa Siebert at 664-1230 ext. 3555.

32-year-old Aimee Rushton of Hartford was arrested by a Madison County Sheriff's Office Detective at the Village Store in Hartford after it was reported to the Madison County Sheriff's Office that money was missing from the store. The owner of the store discovered money was missing from the Lottery Ticket ledgers. After an internal check, it was indicated that Rushton was allegedly responsible for taking the money. Rushton is currently in the Madison County Jail awaiting formal charges. Bond has been set at $150,000. It is alleged that Ruston stole over $10,000.

The Bond County Board of Health will hold a meeting tonight at 6:30. On the agenda the Board will discuss bad debt write off for family planning, home health, and mental health. The Board will also discuss the Telehealth Private Pay Policy and Fee. In other business the Board will discuss three new grants that have been received. The Board will also be given the Building and Grounds Committee Report. That's the Bond County Board of Health meeting Monday evening at 6:30.

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin met with Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns to urge him to help Illinois farmers by supporting critical drought relief funding for the state. Durbin also addressed the impact of rising fuel costs on Illinois Farmers. A $4 billion in emergency aid would assist farmers in Illinois and across the nation by extending federal aid to states confronted with drought, hurricanes, and floods. Before going into effect, the bill must be passed by the Senate and approved by a Senate-House conference committee. Durbin said that Johanns' support would play a critical role in convincing conferees to approve this assistance. Durbin noted during his meeting, with Secretary Johanns, that drought conditions reduced crop yields, causing serious financial hardship for Illinois farm families in 2005. The Illinois Department of Agriculture estimates that Illinois farmers suffered $433 million in losses as a direct result of the drought. In addition to coping with crop losses, farmers have had to deal with significantly high operating costs, as a result of increased fuel prices. For Illinois farmers, increased fuel prices mean higher costs for operating farm machinery, as well as rising fertilizer and pesticide prices. Durbin noted that the average Illinois farmer, with a 1,00 acre farm, is paying $24,000 more than he or she did five years ago to operate a farm. This increase in costs is a direct result of higher gas prices which have led to higher fuel, fertilizer, and pesticide costs for farmers across the state.

In March 2006, total payroll jobs increased over the year in all 12 metro areas for the third consecutive month, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security. There was strong growth in Information, Financial Activities, and Wholesale Trade. Only Manufacturing and Professional and Business Services sectors showed declines over the year. Locally, the job growth in Bond County was up to 6.5% in March, in March 2005 it was 6.4%. Clinton County was at 5.9% in March up from 5.1% in March 2005. And Madison County was up 6.1% this March from 5.6% in March 2005.

TWO MILESTONE BIRTHDAYS CELEBRATED AT FAIR OAKS

Residents of Fair Oaks in Greenville have two milestone birthdays to celebrate in May. Resident Lois Brown of Greenville celebrated her 101st birthday May 1. The Fair Oaks Activity Department provided Brown with a cake and several residents and friends gave Brown cards. Brown is a member of the Greenville First United Methodist Church and said the secret to her longevity has been being good, raising a nice family, and giving and receiving a lot of love. Fair Oaks resident Elvira McCaslin from Vandalia will be turning 95 on May 9. McCaslin is the mother of Iona (Mrs. Elvin) Reitz of Greenville and the grandmother of Bond County Clerk and Recorder Randy Reitz. McCaslin is anticipating a visit in June from her newborn great-great grandson. This event will be attended by five generations of her family. A card shower is being planned for McCaslin. Cards may be sent in care of Fair Oaks at 200 Healthcare Drive in Greenville.

EMBRY AND CONINE NAMED GHS PROM ROYALTY

Brittany Embry and Kyle Conine are the 2006 Greenville High School prom queen and king. They were crowned late Saturday night during the school's annual prom festivities. Also honored were Chad Walker as Mr. Nice Guy and Jessica Willey as Ms. Congeniality. This year's theme was "Castle In The Sky" and again this year a large crowd gathered along the north entrance of the gym as prom goers were introduced upon arrival. The popular post prom activities followed Saturday night's dance.