01-07-2009

LETTER FROM FIRE MARSHAL TO POCAHONTAS/OLD RIPLEY FIRE DEPARTMENT

 

Pocahontas - Old Ripley Fire Department and EMS received a letter in November from the Illinois State Fire Marshal regarding the department's fire safety inspection personnel. This was brought up by a complaint made to the State Fire Marshal about a local restaurant's fire safety.  This has been the first complaint in several years. 

 

The Fire Department responded, stating they do not have the personnel available to perform fire safety inspections.  For previous complaints, Bond County Building and Code Inspector, George Shaw, had been contacted. George was at the Bond County Board meeting to ask the Board for approval to receive the training necessary to make inspections.

 

The Board requested more information on the training before approving it.  Shaw agreed to do some research, and will present it at the next Board meeting.

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MAN FLED ON FOOT

 

According to records at the Bond County Courthouse, 30 year-old Clarence Latham, of Mulberry Grove, will spend time in Bond County Jail for resisting a peace officer.  Latham was arrested in December for fleeing on foot from a police officer.  Latham will serve 60 days in jail, 240 hours of community service and 24 months probation.

GOOD SAMARITAN INITIATIVE RESTORES HEAT DURING WINTER

 

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has negotiated with utility companies to offer a 2009 Good Samaritan Initiative to provide affordable reconnection terms for customers who have had their utility services disconnected.  The Initiative allows utility customers with high account balances to get their services restored by paying $250.00 or 20 percent of their remaining balance, whichever is less.  For more information, contact the Keep Warm Illinois hotline at 1-877-411-WARM.

CELEBRATE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY

 

Kaskaskia College will host it's annual celebration honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on January 20. In the morning, Kaskaskia College students will present entertainment. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Shelvy Haywood Keglar. Dr. Keglar is an alumnus of Kaskaskia College and is a member of the Kaskaskia College and Centralia Sports Hall of Fame. Dr. Keglar has also flourished in the academic community holding degrees in Sociology, Pyschology and Rehabilitation Counseling. The public is invited to the celebration that starts at 9:45 AM, Tuesday, January 20.