2-19-2008

LOCAL MAN TO SPEND LIFE IN PRISON ON COCAINE OFFENSES

 

A Mulberry Grove man was recently sentenced, in U.S. District Court, on drug related charges.  Walter C. Smith, III was sentenced to life in prison, this past Thursday.  Smith was convicted, following a one-week jury trial, in October, on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Crack Cocaine, two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Crack Cocaine and four counts of Distribution of Crack Cocaine.

 

The investigation was conducted by the South Central Illinois Drug task Force, the Bond County Sheriff's Department and the FBI.

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HEALTH DEPARTMENT RELEASES ANNUAL REPORT

 

At the most recent Bond County Board of Health meeting, Director Maxine Barth reported that the facility passed an inspection, by the State Fire Marshall, on January 6^th.  Environmental Health Director Tom Melvin provided information on the Food Protection Evaluation for 2007.  With 70 food service establishments in Bond County, each is inspected two to three times a year.  Melvin commented on the wonderful cooperation from all businesses in fixing any violations that arose last year.

 

In other business, the Bond County Health Department released the 2007 Annual Report.  Home Health made over 6,000 visits to patients and Hospice made almost 4,000 visits. The WIC program served over 1,000 individuals, with nearly 600 people included in the average monthly caseload.  There were 3,500 childhood immunizations and 1,700 flu vaccinations given and Mental Health and the Substance Abuse program provided over 7,000 hours of service.  The report also outlined the leading cause of mortality, in Bond County, as being Heart Disease.

 

The next Bond County Board of Health meeting will be March 10^th, at 6:30PM.

 

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RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE HELD IN GREENVILLE

 

The Bond County Homemakers’ Extension Association sponsored an American Red Cross blood drive, at the First Christian Church Family Life Center, in Greenville.  Forty-two units of blood were collected from 52 donors.  Helen Feltmeyer donated her fortieth unit and was awarded a five-gallon pin and first time donor Stephanie Schanot, received a blood drop pin.

 

ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TO HOMEOWNERS AT RISK OF FORECLOSURE

 

Illinois has just launched a new Homeowner's Assistance Initiative, the nation's most comprehensive statewide program, to prevent foreclosures. Illinois mortgage lenders agree to provide a $200 million pool to refinance sub-prime loans with fixed rate mortgages.  The package helps homeowners by:

 

Providing access to a money pool to assist with refinancing existing mortgages,

 

Establishing a statewide counseling network to help homeowners know their options,

 

Providing consumer protection by making it easier for homeowners to report fraudulent and deceptive practices,

 

And---

 

Urging all Illinois lenders to be part of the solution by contacting their borrowers, who are behind on payments, and working with them to negotiate new loans to keep them in their homes.

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DOES THE STATE HAVE MONEY BELONGING TO YOU

 

Nearly $10 million, in unclaimed property, is being held by the Illinois State Treasurer's Office and the newest publication, of unclaimed property owner names, includes a few from Bond County.  State Tresurer Alexi Giannoulas says that even though most claims are under $100, hundreds of residents will see checks of $10,000 or more.  The most common types of unclaimed property are paid-up life insurance policies, forgotten bank accounts, safe deposit contents and even entire estates.

 

To find out if your name is on the list of unclaimed property owners, visit www.treasurer.il.gov