NASA PROGRAM BEGINS AT GES

The NASA Explorer program at Greenville Elementary School got underway last week with a visit from Marge Marcy from the Aerospace Service Program.  GES was one of only 26 schools nationwide selected this year for the program which allows students to interact with NASA employees either in person or by tele-conference. 

Marcy said the program shows teachers methods on using NASA material to enhance what they are already teaching.  On Thursday, assemblies were held for all of the students during which Marcy explained the background of the space program and shared models of spacecraft.  She also discussed the importance of the international space station and briefed the students on NASA's goal of returning to the moon. 

Students were shown replicas of a space suit and a sleeping bag used by astronauts.  Marcy also worked with school personnel to set-up the equipment that will enable GES to talk with ten different NASA centers.  Marge Marcy has worked with NASA since 1985 and the Explorer Program since 1996.  She explained that NASA hopes they will be developing the future scientists and engineers that are needed for tomorrow’s space program. 

NEW AREA CODE OVERLAY POSSIBILE FOR THE CURRENT 217 AREA CODE

A new area code could possibly be implemented in Central Illinois in the next three years. The Illinois Commerce Commission announced the approval of a 447 area code overlay in the 217 area code. The new area code will be needed because of demand for prefixes due to things like cell phones, pagers, and internet connections, and will begin circulation once all the numbers in the 217 area code are used up. The Illinois Commerce Commission says representatives from the telecommunications industry are getting together next month to begin planning the implementation of the new 447 area code.

HILLSBORO NATIVE WRITES CLOSED CAPTIONING FOR CARDINALS

Many local people have attended a Cardinal's baseball game this year at the new Busch Stadium and probably noticed something new on the scoreboard. A new requirement by the FCC has brought closed captioning to Cardinal's games.  Patti White, a Hillsboro Illinois native, is responsible for the words up on the scoreboard.  White said she knew that with the stadium going up in St. Louis that the Cardinals would be required to supply captions for all public service announcements.  She said she contacted them and they were interested in her services.

For over the last 20 years, White has worked as a court reporter for various area districts.  With a certification to type 250 words per minute on her steno machine from her home office, she says she dials in to the stadium on game day.  She gets a direct feed via telephone and then via modem on her computer, which results in a 2 -3 second delay when transmitting.  White says she captions every home Cardinal's game and has pre-forms for the different names.  White explained that when she types the keystroke J * E on her steno machine, that means Juan Encarnacion.  Every day that they play a different team, White is building her database for all the players.  She makes sure to go to their website and programs them correctly into her dictionary.

Since listening to Cardinals radio since childhood, White says she feels at home doing what she loves.  White is also a CART (communication access real-time translation) writer and uses her talents to help hearing impaired individuals at SIU-E by recording lectures.

VILLAGE BOARD HIRES NEW WORKER

The Keyesport Village Board held a special meeting on Wednesday night and following a closed session hired James Healy for their street and alley department. Healy’s employment is pending a 60 day probationary period. Keyesport continues to accept applications for the Village Clerk position. Long time clerk Rita Griffin recently announced her resignation because she is moving out of the city limits.

MORE FUNDING FOR FAYETTE WATER PROJECT

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development has awarded a $160,000 grant to the Fayette Water Company.  The announcement was made Friday by Congressman John Shimkus.  The funding will allow for the continuation of the Phase III expansion.  An additional 500 Fayette County customers can be served because of the grant. 

PANDEMIC FLU COMMITTEE CONTINUES PLANNING

Bond County’s Pandemic Flu Committee met again Wednesday to continue developing a plan that would be implemented in the event of an outbreak.  The Bond County Health Department is coordinating the effort which is required by the state.  Members of the committee recently attended a regional pandemic flu exercise in Fairview Heights.  The Illinois Department of Public Health for the past three years has been creating an isolation/quarantine policy with all 102 counties.  This would clearly outline who has the authority to quarantine portions of a county.  The local committee talked about the importance of public education and residents voluntarily isolating themselves during an epidemic.

The Bond County Health Department will spearhead the public education effort prior to and during any pandemic flu outbreak.  The department would also lead the surveillance for the spread of the flu and dispense vaccine.  However, vaccine would not be available for up to six months after a pandemic because of the time required to develop one. 

The committee agreed that Bond County 9-1-1 dispatchers will need to be trained on how to handle calls during a pandemic and when to dispatch ambulances.  Members felt that the county’s fire departments and first responders should be involved in the planning as they would also be affected by a pandemic.  While there have been no cases of the Avian Flu diagnosed in this country, the World Health Organization has said it could spread worldwide through migratory bird flocks or international travel. 

OBAMA STAFF TO HOLD BOND COUNTY OFFICE HOURS

Staff members from Senator Barack Obama's office will conduct office hours on Tuesday (Aug. 29) at the Bond County Courthouse.  Anyone seeking assistance from Senator Obama's office or who wish to express an opinion on federal government issues are encouraged to stop by the Bond County Boardroom on the first floor of the courthouse between 10:30am and 2PM on Tuesday.