BOND COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS DISCUSS FISCAL BUDGET
The Bond County Health Department Board of Directors met Monday night at the new health department building on Fourth Street. The fiscal budget for 2010 was discussed. Because of the economy and the state of Illinois budget crunch, grant monies for next year are expected to be less. Payroll raises were discussed with suggestions of 2 or 3 percent. A final budget proposal will be presented at the next meeting Monday, October 19. A dental sliding fee was approved for Bond County residents. Since the dental clinic opened, from September 1 to September 11, 92 patients were treated. A West Nile Virus update was presented. Only three human cases in the state have been reported with one in St. Clair County. The H1N1 flu vaccines could be available by early October. The board suggested that to combat all flu virus’s, use common sense and wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and stay home if you are sick. Seasonal flu shots will be given at clinics across the county, with the first scheduled for Thursday, September 29 at Watson’s Drug Store. The cost is $30 for county residents and $35 for non-county residents.
TWO ST. LOUIS MEN SENTENCED IN MARIJUANA DISTRIBUTION CASE
Recardo Bonner, age 39, and Vernon J. Lowery, age 31, both of East St. Louis, were sentenced last week in U.S. District Court for conspiracy to distribute in excess of 2200 pounds of marijuana. Bonner was sentenced to 132 months imprisonment, an $875.00 fine and five years supervised release. Lowery was sentenced to 46 months imprisonment, a $500.00 fine and four years supervised release. The two men, who pled guilty in May 2009, are among 14 defendants who have been convicted in the marijuana distribution scheme that operated between 2001 and mid-2007, transporting large shipments of marijuana from Arizona to St. Louis, East St. Louis, Atlanta, Georgia and Lima, Ohio.
WOODLAND AND POND MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP
Outdoorsmen and landowners are invited to a Woodlands and Pond Management Workshop Saturday, September 26, on the Bingaman and Burnam farms, in Fayette County. The workshop begins with registration at 8:30 a.m. and should conclude by 3:00 p.m. A $15.00 registration fee, which includes lunch and handout materials, is payable at the door. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. To register or for more information, call 283-1095, ext. 3.
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