6-19-2007

IEPA ISSUES AIR PERMIT FOR PLANT IN TAYLORVILLE

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has approved construction of the state's first clean burning coal plant. Slated to be built in Taylorville, it would create hundreds of new jobs and turn Illinois high sulfur coal into a synthetic gas that can be used to generate electricity. Some say that it will be one of, if not the cleanest power plants in the world because it will be considered carbon capture ready.Technology that the plant is using means they will be able to capture carbon and store itin the ground. This could be a benefit because those emissions contribute to global warming.

The project also hinges on lawmakers passing a bill letting the plant enter into long term power contracts with the state's utilities. It's estimated that the facility in Taylorville would create more than 1,500 construction jobs, hundreds of permanent mining and power plant jobs and an investment in the region exceeding $1.1 billion. Once operational, the plant would add $356 million annually to the area economy. The plant could be up an running by 2012.

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DAIRY DAY HELD ON GREENVILLE SQUARE SATURDAY

This past Saturday was the 15th Annual Dairy Day on the Bond County Courthouse lawn in Greenville. The event started at 7am with the Farmer’s Market...

It continued with the children's petting zoo, a variety of vendors and crafts, lots of great food, an antique tractor display, butter churning, homemade icecream, cow milking and pony rides.

Entertainment on Saturday included Brigette Ulmer's Dance Depo, the Boneyard Creek Cloggers and the Waterloo German Band.

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FIRE HYDRANTS IN GREENVILLE TO BE REPAINTED THIS SUMMER

During the rest of the summer, fire hydrants in Greenville will be getting a face-lift. According to Water Plant Superintendent, Jeff Leidner, all of the over 300 city hydrants will be re-painted in the next couple of months. The three different colors used are blue, green and yellow. This allows the fire department to determine the various pressures from each hydrant. They have been working in the early morning hours removing old paint by using a high-pressure washer.

The last time fire hydrants in Greenville were painted was around three years ago. Leidner said they will be using a better paint this time, in hopes that it will last longer.

BOND COUNTY JUNE FAIR BOARD MEETING

The June meeting of the Bond County Fair Board had a full agenda. The board approved the request of the Relay for Life to use the fairgrounds the weekend of September 14, Thursday through Saturday, including fireworks at about 10PM, detonated by professionals. A motion was approved to accept the liability insurance figure presented by Elmore Potthast Insurance Agency of $11,377. Also approved was a motion to rent chairs from the fairgrounds to South Central FS for $500.

Gerald Amman reported that the Vietnam Memorial committee would like to use the fairgrounds to show the Vietnam Wall for four days next year, and the fair board agreed to do anything possible to allow this to happen. The new bleachers have been delivered and need to be assembled and a motion to consider the purchase of a used water tank for $1,000, plus $1,500 to mount it on a frame was approved.

Signs will be posted around livestock barns at the fair urging sanitation to prevent E. Coli outbreaks. The board approved the payment of $650 to Celerity to install a laptop computer that would cover the whole fairgrounds and improve efficiency. In other business, there are seven Queen contestants and 23 Little Misses and the contract for tumbling classes needs to be reviewed.

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NORTH AND SOUTH POKEY ROAD TO BE OILED

The Bond County Highway Department will be oiling the South Pokey Road from IL-143 to the Village of Pocahontas today, Tuesday, June 19th, from 7-10am. The road will closed during that time, and no detour will be available.

Then beginning at 10am and continuing until 2PM, also today, the North Pokey Road will be oiled. The road will be closed 5 miles from the Village of Pocahontas to IL-140, with no detour available. Please take these closures into consideration if traveling in the area.

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THEFT OF CONSTRUCTION TOOLS

Gerald Timmerman, of Pocahontas, reported to the Bond County Sheriff's Department Saturday morning, that sometime during the early morning hours on Saturday, someone took a yellow Laser 100 and an orange Angle nail finish gun from his vehicle. It was parked next to his residence. Both items are used in construction and were valued at $1500.00. The Bond County Sheriff's Department is investigating.

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TUNE INTO WGEL FOR

GEORGE THOROGOOD TICKET GIVEAWAY

Tune in this Wednesday, June 20th, for your chance to win tickets to see George Thorogood and the Destroyers at the Family Arena in St. Charles. Be the correct caller and you could be a winner from your friends at WGEL and Petroski Door, Window and Carpet Warehouse.