FLU SEASON HERE WITH A VENGEANCE

Flu season is here, and the flu is striking hard in Illinois.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most of the country, including all of Illinois, is experiencing high levels of influenza-like illness.  Dr. Anne Borwick from Greenville Regional Hospital said Influenza is a respiratory infection.  Typical flu symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, cough, sore throat, and runny nose.  Some children have nausea and vomiting with Influenza.  If you only have vomiting and diarrhea, then you may have a "stomach flu" but not Influenza.  Most people will recover from Influenza without any complications.  Children under the age of two, adults over the age of 65, or anyone with chronic illnesses such as COPD or Asthma should see their doctor right away if they having any symptoms.  According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, since October, nearly 150 people have been admitted to hospital intensive care units with influenza like illness.  For more information about treatment and prevention, contact your local healthcare provider.

Graphic from the CDC website

MISSISSIPPI RIVER LEVELS LOW BUT STILL NAVIGABLE

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers believes the Mississippi River will sustain the required 9-foot deep channel required for navigating between St. Louis, MO and Cairo, IL.  Drought conditions reduced water levels throughout the Mississippi River Basin to historic lows.  In addition to recent rains and the potential for rain, the Corps is currently in the process of removing an estimated 890 cubic yards of limestone from the river bottom, which will deepen the channel an additional 2-feet.  Mississippi Valley Division Commander Major General John Peabody said, “We believe we will deepen the channel ahead of the worst-case river stage scenario, and I remain confident navigation will continue.” The rain and sleet over the weekend should also help the situation.  

RAIN IN AREA SATURDAY

Rain fell across the entire area much of Saturday afternoon and night. Rain totals in Greenville, as recorded at 6:00 o-clock Sunday morning, showed 1.79 inches at the Sewer Plant, 1.75 inches at the station on Sixth Street, and 1.59 inches at Idler Lane and Rt. 140. We also got some sleet Sunday morning. Readings at all three measuring stations showed .125 inches of sleet in Greenville.

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CRIMINAL JURY SETTING CANCELED

According to the Bond County Circuit Clerk’s office, the criminal jury setting, scheduled for Monday, January 14, is canceled.  Jurors do not need to report.  For more information, call 664-3208.

BOND COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH TO MEET

The Bond County Board of Health is scheduled to meet Monday, January 14, at 6:30 p.m.  The agenda includes a fiscal year 2013 budget revision, fiscal year 2012 financial reports, employee health insurance, reviews of policies and procedures for home health and hospice, and a flu update.

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BOND COUNTY BOARD SCHEDULES SPECIAL MEETING

The Bond County Board will meet in special session Monday, January 14, at 7:00 p.m., in the upstairs court room to consider the Good Energy proposal for electric aggregation. 

2013 DAIRY SUMMIT AT KASKASKIA COLLEGE

The Kaskaskia College Agriculture Program is hosting the 2012 Dairy Summit entitled “Optimizing Opportunities.”  The Illinois Milk Producers Association is sponsoring the event Thursday, January 24, in the Lifelong Learning Center.  Commercial dairy company booths will be open from 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. and all sessions begin at 10:00 a.m. and conclude at 3:00 p.m.  Registration is $12.00 if paid by January 20 and $15.00 after January 20.  For more information or to register, call 545-3381.