7-06-2010

NEW LAW TO HELP PREVENT YOUTH SUICIDES

 

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed a new law recently which will hopefully help prevent suicides among school-aged youths. The law requires school social workers for grades seven through twelve to undergo suicide prevention training that will help school officials identify the warning signs of suicidal behavior in young adults. This law is in response to a recent national surge of suicides among young people. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of teen suicides has been increasing in recent years making suicide the third leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 10 and 24. Every year around 4,400 teens die from suicide in the U.S. and approximately 80% of teens show some signs of their intention to kill themselves. This new law will hopefully teach school officials to recognize those signs and help to prevent teen suicides.

DIRTY ROOTS REVOLUTION TO HOST “REVOLUTION THROUGH COMMUNITY” EVENT AT FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

 

The Dirty Roots Revolution will host a “Revolution Through Community” gathering Thursday, July 8 at 7:00 p.m., in the Family Life Center of the Greenville First Christian Church.  Dirty Roots Revolution Founder and Director Ryan Mifflin explained.  “The point of this effort is to encourage community between churches and groups that may not otherwise gather together very often.  We offer different activities at each gathering to encourage interaction and sharing.”  The group hosts community events once per quarter in different locations.  The focus of Thursday’s event is a mission trip the DRR is facilitating this week (July 5-9) for a youth group from Columbia City, Indiana.  There is no charge to attend and everyone is encouraged to bring a dessert to share.  Drinks are provided.  For more information on this event, call Ryan Mifflin at 618-267-5436.

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ISP USING PHOTO ENFORCEMENT VANS IN CONSTRUCTION ZONES

 

The Illinois State Police are now using an automated traffic enforcement system in construction zones. According to ISP Captain Jerry Culp, white vans are being placed in construction zones around the metro-east area, equipped with the latest photo radar technology designed to record the speed of vehicles and capture a clear image of the driver and license plate. If caught speeding, first time offenders face a $350.00 fine and second time offenders face a $1000 fine and the loss of their driver’s license for 90 days. The photo enforcement vans will be used in work zones where workers are present. When traveling through a work zone, motorists should slow down and pay attention to the road.