SHILOH MAN SENTENCED TO 35 IN PRISON FOR 2003 MURDER

BRIDGE LETTING BIDS COME IN LOWER THIS TIME AROUND

At Thursday's Bond County Board meeting, Highway Engineer Mike McCormick told the Board that the second round of bids came in for the Shoal Creek bridge and were within the guidelines of the engineer's estimate.  Depew and Owen Construction from Centralia was the lowest bidder.  The contract will be executed at the next board meeting and Depew and Owen will be able to start work on the Bridge on Elevator Road.

The Board appointed Shirley Sussenbach to the Reno Bethel Cemetery board and West and Company was granted an extension until November to complete the audit for the Bond County Circuit Clerk.  Taylorville RV and Marine of Greenville was granted a liquor license. Board member Dorine Price noted that the Insurance Committee had their first meeting and the next meeting will be July 20. 

In other business, the Board approved the Sheriff's report for May and also approved the Sheriff's semi-annual report.  The County Clerk's semi-annual report was also approved. 

You can see the entire board meeting Friday night at 6:00 p.m. on Greene County Cable Channel 3.

ROUTE 162 IN TROY RENAMED PAUL SIMON EXPRESSWAY

Illinois Route 162 in Troy has been officially named the Paul Simon Expressway in honor of the late U.S. Senator.  The designation covers Route 162 from U.S. Highway 40 west to Formosa Road.  A portion of the roadway has been marked with signs bearing Simon's name and his trademark bow tie. Simon served as a state representative, state senator, state lieutenant governor, U.S. representative and U.S. senator. Parts of Interstates 270, 70, and 55/70 near Troy were also named.  They are known as the Paul Simon Freeway. A ceremony, which Illinois Lt. Governor Pat Quinn attended, was held in Troy on June 30 to formally name the roadways.  Paul Simon passed away in December 2003.

FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY REPRESENTATIVE VISITS GREENVILLE

Yves Habumugisha is the assistant to the Director for Food for the Hungry in Africa.  Recently he was in Greenville and spoke with WGEL about this organization.

Food for the Hungry is a Christian organization that was founded in 1971 with a mission to “fight poverty in all it’s forms”, explained Yves, “Until it is ended worldwide”.  Food for the Hungry began operating in Rwanda in 1994 following the aftermath of the genocide there.  It’s primary response included humanitarian aid to refugees.  Since then, the organization has not only helped to fight hunger, but they have helped to ensure that children in Rwanda have a future.

In Rwanda nearly 65% of the population is under 20 years of age, therefore a lot of families are considered child headed of households.  Food for the Hungry’s goal is to bring hope and a future to all children in need.

OVER $58,OOO COLLECTED FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME

The quarterly report from the Bond County State's Attorney's Prosecutor Based Victim/Witness Program has been released.  The program provides services to victims and witnesses of crimes, provides for collection and distribution of restitution to the victims, and helps to create public awareness of the services that are available.

In the second quarter consisting of April, May and June 2006 approximately  $13,600 were collected and distributed to 117 victims.  For the fiscal year ending in June 2006, $58,644 were collected and distributed to a total of 384 victims.

In the statistics of victim contacts, the number one category was Property Crimes, followed by Elder Abuse, Child Sexual Assault, and then Fraud.

Cell Phones are also collected to assist the Phoenix Crisis Center. The phones are used to give  women a way to call  911 if they do not have a phone of their own. Phones can also be recycled to provide funding.  To date 650 cell phones have been collected.

The program is offered through the Bond County State's Attorney's Office and the Program Coordinator is Jim Stever. Jim can be contacted at 664-2262.