11-18-2008

CLINTON COUNTY MAN IN FATAL ACCIDENT

 

An accident claimed the life of a college football player this weekend.  21 year-old Daniel Rivera, formerly of Bethalto, was the driver of a 2000 Chevy Trailblazer traveling southbound in the 500 block of Illinois Route 4 near Pansy Road in St. Jacob on Sunday, November 16^th. It is unknown why Rivera's vehicle left the roadway on the west side and went up a small incline and struck a tree stump.  His Chevy then overturned ejecting Rivera onto the highway.  The accident happened shortly before 11:00 AM and Rivera was pronounced dead at the scene.  Rivera was attending McKendree College in Lebanon where he played football.  Funeral arrangements are pending with Matthews Mortuary in Brownsburg, Indiana.

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MULBERRY GROVE HIGH SCHOOL NAMED NASA STUDENT LAUNCH INITIATIVE TEAM

 

The Academic Affairs Office at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center announced recently that Mulberry Grove High School has been accepted as a 2009 Student Launch Initiative (SLI) Team.  The Mulberry Grove Team is one of only 11 schools in the nation to be accepted into the 2009 program.  To qualify for the program, the MGHS Rocket Team placed second in the nation last May in the Team America Rocketry Challenge in Virginia. 

 

The four members of the MGHS SLI Team are Tyler Koontz, Ryan Paine, Mitchell Lewis, and Justin Rensing, all seniors.  John Paine, math and physics teacher at MGHS is the administrative leader of the team.  Science teacher Denyse Blankenship will mentor the students with their scientific payload and Larry Terneus, technology educator at Hillsboro High School, will mentor students in vehicle design and construction. 

 

An eight-month commitment is required to successfully complete the SLI project, which involves much more than designing and building a rocket from a commercial kit.  Scheduling, purchasing, performing calculations, financing the project, coordinating logistics, arranging press coverage, and documenting impact made on education through reports and design reviews, are some of the diverse aspects of the project.  Teams are encouraged to involve the math, science, technology, English, journalism and art departments in their schools.  An educational outreach program is also a part of the project, which educates younger students in the fields of math, science and rocketry.

 

Reports must be done throughout the year with the final launch on April 19^th, 2009 in Huntsville, Alabama.  If you want more information or would like to volunteer to be a part of the project at MGHS, contact John Paine at the Mulberry Grove School website.

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MIDAMERICA WILL NO LONGER FLY PASSANGERS

 

Allegiant Air announced Friday it will end its scheduled service from MidAmerica St. Louis Airport to both Las Vegas, and Orlando.  The carrier's last day of scheduled service will be January 3^rd.  Customers with reservations will be contacted directly by Allegiant for

re-accommodation or a full refund. Allegiant Air president and CEO Maurice Gallagher said, services are ending due to competitive influences and weakened market demand. They apologize for any inconvenience. Gallagher also said they appreciate the outstanding efforts from the management team and the support of the community.  

 

ILLINOIS FACING PROBLEM PAYING BILLS, HYNES URGES IMMEDIATE ACTION

 

Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes is projecting an unprecedented bill backlog for the state as payment delays effect many facets of our lives.  Hynes said the uncertainty of the national economy is making it difficult for vendors, owed money by the state, to borrow funds to bridge the gap between the time when services are provided and payment is received.  He urges changes in Illinois law that would provide greater flexibility when the state borrows money.  Hynes goes on to say that the economic situation will affect many areas including school districts, food supplies to state prisons and mental institutions, and gasoline supplies for state police vehicles.  Nursing homes, day care centers and rehabilitation facilities may be unable to pay staff or their own bills due to late state aid funds.  Local governments, universities, and community colleges may be unable to meet payrolls and timely payments to pension systems will be jeopardized.  Medical services to Medicaid patients may be refused due to inadequate or delayed reimbursements. 

 

While he would welcome federal assistance, Hynes says the state's problems are too critical to await a rescue from Congress.  He will work with state leaders and their staffs to obtain approval for the changes he is proposing, during the fall veto session this month.   

 

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CLIENTS ASSISTED FROM WITNESS/VICTIM PROGRAM

 

The Bond County State's Attorney's Prosecutor Based Victim/Witness Program assisted 41 new clients in July, August and September. The total number of new and ongoing clients assisted during this time was 166.

 

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SCIGA TO DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF OUR REGION

 

The next meeting of the South Central Illinois Growth Alliance is scheduled for Wednesday, November 19^th, at the Student Center at Kaskaskia College.  Lisa Stephens, Assistant City Manager and Economic Development Director for Greenville, will present information about the future of economic development for our region and the nation.