KPD APPROVES PURCHASE OF TRUCK

The Kingsbury Park Board met briefly in special session Thursday evening and approved the purchase of a pickup truck.  KPD Director Jerry Sauerwein said the 2007 Ford F-250 would be bought through the State of Illinois joint purchase program at a cost not to exceed $23,500. 

Sauerwein also said it may be possible for Kingsbury to obtain additional state grant funding for the Clean Lakes project at Patriot’s Park.  Blankenship Construction recently began dredging at the lake and Sauerwein indicated that additional funds could go towards more dredging and dirt work.  He said that they should know by Tuesday if the funds are available.  It would be a 50-50 matching grant meaning that whatever amount is received from the state must be matched either monetarily or through in-kind services by the KPD.

LARVACIDE AVAILABLE TO COUNTY RESIDENTS

With the number of West Nile cases on the rise in Illinois, the Bond County Health Department is making larvicide briquettes available at no charge.  Tom Melvin with the Bond County Health Department told WGEL that one tablet can cover 100 square yards of water surface.  Standing water in roadside ditches and low-lying areas are prime breeding ground for mosquitoes.  Melvin explained that the larvicide can be broken into smaller pieces if necessary and will usually dissolve over the course of thirty days.  He advises that anyone using the larvicide wash their hands after handling it.  The larvicide can be picked up at the Health Department office on Prairie Street while supplies last.

---

NEWEST ISSUE OF TOURISM MAGAZINE OUT

The latest edition of “News from the Road” has been released.  The official publication of the Southwestern Illinois Tourism Bureau, the fall issue of the magazine features Waterloo and the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta.  Upcoming events highlighted include the Freshwater Shrimp Festival in Sandoval on September 23 and 24, the Little Pig and Apple Day in Greenville on October 7, the Greenville Airport’s AIRExtravaganza on October 7 and 8, and Highland’s Art in the Park on October 14 and 15.  “News from the Road” is available to travelers and tourists at a variety of locations throughout the region.

ATV INJURIES ON THE RISE AMONG YOUNGER RIDERS

The number of people who are injured while operating ATV's has been rising steadily to well over 100,000 annually.  A particular concern to safety experts is an increase in the percentage of younger riders who are hurt or killed.  Dr. Robert Kregenow, an emergency specialist at Washington University School of Medicine, has been following this trend.  He notes that 33 percent of riders involved in ATV accidents are under the age of 16, which is two percent higher than a couple years ago.  For parents who allow younger riders to operate ATV's he urges them to take precautions by making them aware that these are not toys, they are true vehicles that can go very fast and people can get hurt if not using them properly.

Dr. Kregenow says it's ultimately the parents' responsibility to recognize their child's own limitations and to encourage and model safe behaviors.  Since the children do what they see their parents doing, wearing helmets and practicing safe riding may demonstrate to the children what they should be doing.   Some safety recommendations for children operating an ATV is always wear a helmet, allow no passengers, provide parental supervision, allow no riding on public roads, and take a safety course.

---

MULBERRY GROVE SCHOOL BOARD MEETS TONIGHT

The Mulberry Grove Unit 1 School Board of Education meets tonight (Monday 9/25) for a budget hearing at 6:30PM during which the public may comment on the proposed budget.  The regular September school board meeting gets underway at 7:00PM.

STEPHENS AMONG THOSE URGING ACTION ON ELECTRIC RATES

State Representative Ron Stephens is among those calling for an immediate special session of the Illinois General Assembly to consider legislation that would implement a three-year rate freeze for consumers.  Stephens says no action was taken to address rising gas prices and no action has been taken to address skyrocketing electric prices.  Stephens, State Representative David Reis of Willow Hill, and John Cavaletto have sent letters to the Governor requesting the special session.  Cavaletto is a Republican candidate for the Illinois House.

---

TRANS CANADA ISSUES NEWSLETTER TO LANDOWNERS

Landowners and communities along the route of the proposed Keystone Oil Pipeline project have received the latest issue of a newsletter from TransCanada.  Since November 2005, TransCanada has conducted 47 open house meetings in the United States and Canada to explain the project that will include southern Bond County.  The $2.1 billion oil pipeline would transport 435,000 barrels per day over 1,800 miles from Alberta, Canada to Wood River and Patoka, Illinois.  Construction is projected to start in 2008. 

In their newsletter, TransCanada reports that they have submitted an application for a Presidential Permit through the U.S. Department of State.  Before issuing the permit, the Department of State must determine that the pipeline would serve the national interest.  Cultural resource and environmental survey crews have been busy in the last year to identify wetlands, prehistoric and historic archaeological sites, or plant and animal species that could be harmed by the project. 

---

BUSY NIGHT FOR GREENVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT

Saturday night and early Sunday morning was a busy time for Greenville firefighters.  The Greenville Fire Protection District was called at 6:16 Saturday evening to Lynch Loop on the Red Ball Trail to a mobile home fire.  Upon arriving, firemen found this to be a false alarm.

At 2:49 AM Sunday, firemen were called to the Friendly City Mobile Home Court on the South edge of Greenville to a report of a mobile home on Gold Street that was on fire.  Firemen were on the scene until about 4:15 Sunday morning.  Firefighters told WGEL that the small fire was located in a water heater closet.  Smoke damage inside the trailer was minimal.  The cause is under investigation.

Firemen were called again Sunday morning at 5:19 to a fire on Kingsbury Lane.  This call also proved to be false as firemen were on the scene for about 20 minutes but found no fire.