06-22-2012

 

FIRE DESTROYS DONALDSON AUTO SALVAGE IN VANDALIA

Vandalia Firefighters and Police responded Thursday, at 10:30 a.m., to Donaldson Auto Salvage, near Graham Packaging on Illini Avenue, in response to a report of a fire.  According to Vandalia Fire Chief Ed Taylor, employees were working in the shop and accidentally started a fire.  The fire grew, causing several explosions and extensive damage.  There were no injuries but the building is a total loss.  Ramsey and Brownstown Firefighters provided mutual aid.  Firefighters were on the scene approximately three hours.

AMATEUR RADIO FIELD DAY THIS WEEKEND AT PATRIOT’S PARK

This weekend, amateur radio operators from the Okaw Valley Amateur Radio Club will join thousands of other amateurs showing their emergency capabilities.  WGEL’s Michelle Edwards spoke with two of Bond County’s youngest operators, or “Hams”, Alexis James and Emily Unterbrink about how they got into this fun hobby. 11 year-old Emily was introduced to Amateur Radio when John King came to her school and talked to them. 10 year-old Alexis’ sister is an amateur radio operator and this sparked Alexis’ interest. 

Saturday, June 23, Field Day starts at noon and the girls will join other OVARC members to see how many contacts they can make.  Field Day is at Patriot’s Park and continues until 11:00 a.m. Sunday, June 24.  There’s a Get-on-the-Air station where members of the public are welcome to come and attempt to make contacts.  When an emergency occurs, the one consistent service that has never failed has been Radio.  To learn more about Amateur Radio, go to www.emergency-radio.org.

Alexis James and Emily Unterbrink holding up the poster for the 2012 Field Day at Patriot's Park.

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ILLINOIS CARES RX TO BE GONE JULY 1

Friday, June 15, Governor Quinn signed several new bills into law in an attempt to reform the state’s Medicaid program.  As a result, the Illinois Cares RX program will be cut as of July 1.  Anna Oestreich from the Bond County Senior Center recommends that those on prescription medication should go to their pharmacy and purchase a 90 day supply of their medications for any chronic conditions. This will allow time to speak with a counselor and decide what steps to take. She also suggested to call the senior center and make an appointment to come in and speak with one of their counselors who have been trained by the Department of Insurance.  They will address each case individually.  To schedule an appointment with one of the counselors at the Bond County Senior Center, call 664-1465.

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BEN KETTLEKAMP AND NEW HABITAT FOR HUMANITY BOARD PRESIDENT

Ben Kettlekamp dedicated many years of service to the Bond County Habitat for Humanity.  Ben’s term as the Habitat Board President recently ended and he decided not to serve again.  New Board President Larry Sayler told WGEL the first organizational meeting for the Bond County Habitat for Humanity was ten years ago this spring.  Ben Kettlekamp talked with other individuals about habitat and decided to call a meeting to see how many people might really be interested.  The first meeting was at the Bradford Bank Community room and more than 60 people attended.  Larry said they really appreciate Ben’s efforts. 

Ben has been President or Vice President of Bond County Habitat for nine of the past ten years.  During this time, he also served as President for Lewis and Clark Habitat for Humanity, a six-county umbrella organization to which Bond County.  Ben is no longer on the board but he plans to remain very active with the organization.  In the past ten years, Bond County Habitat for Humanity built six homes with an average cost of $50,000.00 per home.  If you have any questions, call Eric Waterson at 322-0080.