Saturday, September 13, 2014
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Concerns grow on respiratory virus EV-D68 seen predominantly in children 2 to 15 years old By Donna Barker dbarker@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — Health officials continue to express their concern over
the growing clusters of EV-D68 respiratory virus throughout the United States. In a press release issued this week, Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Dr. LaMar
Hasbrouck said the IDPH is closely monitoring the increase in respiratory illnesses found in some hospitals. Testing of some cases by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified an enterovirus, EV-D68, which is a less common virus among the more than 100 types of enteroviruses, Hasbrouck said.
“While the IDPH is seeing some severe illnesses and take these very seriously, it’s important to know that the steps which people can take to avoid becoming ill, as well as the treatment for the EV-D68 virus, are similar to those of most illnesses,” Hasbrouck said. On Tuesday, Princeton High and Elementary dis-
tricts school nurse Sue Cater said she has not seen an influx of illnesses this year at either school district. She has had one parent ask her about this latest respiratory illness as reported in the news. Her recommendation for people to help protect themselves from getting sick is to do plenty of handwashing, to get plen-
ty of rest and eat nutritious meals. People are more susceptible to getting sick if they aren’t rested or eating right. Also, if people do get sick, they should stay home from school or work, Cater said. On Friday, Bureau/Putnam County Health Department administrator Diana
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BCR photo/Goldie Currie
A patriotic pose at Bureau Valley South In honor of Sept. 11 and to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the “Star-Spangled Banner,” the Bureau Valley South students dressed in red, white and blue and arranged themselves in a human flag during a short assembly Thursday afternoon. Before the junior high choir led students in singing the “Star-Spangled Banner,” Jacob Callahan, eighth-grade class president, read a short speech on the importance of remembering the heroes who have fought for America’s freedom and those who risked their lives saving others on Sept. 11. The students also participated in a hat day on Wednesday to raise money for their local heroes. The school was able to donate $300 to the Wyanet, Buda and Sheffield Rescue units.
No red ink ...
County health department operating in the black By Donna Barker dbarker@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — The Bureau/Putnam County Health Department is working with an annual budget of more than $1 million in revenue. At Tuesday’s meeting in the Bureau County Courthouse in Princeton, the Bureau County Board heard a health department report given by county board member Loretta Volker, who serves as the county Year 168 No. 110 One Section - 16 Pages
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board’s representative on the health department board. Total revenue for the health department for the current fiscal year was $1,432,655, with anticipated revenue for the coming fiscal year at $1,593,532, Volker said. The health department is anticipating ending its current fiscal year on the plus side by $9,722, with the health department anticipating ending the 2015 fiscal year on the plus side by $6,884. Some of that good news was accomplished by
having some contractual employees and a few salaried employees, with other employee positions dependent on grants, Volker said. Looking at revenue sources, Volker reviewed the various grants received by the health department as well as money received through contracting services with other agencies or entities. Volker also reviewed the different services offered by the health department, including providing vouchers for farmers’ markets for WIC program clients and various counseling, screenings and health programs. The dental clinic is also
doing well with a new dentist who is providing dental services two days a week and is available for emergencies. The dental clinic does take insurance as well as Medicaid clients, she said. In other business at Tuesday’s meeting, the board passed a motion, on a 17 to 5 vote, to give the Emergency Management Agency (EMA) coordinator a wage increase from $34,560, retroactive to Aug. 1, to $35,770, effective Dec. 1. The county board had hired Keenan Campbell in February for the part-time EMA position at a starting salary
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Z-Tour raises $22,000 for ZCEC By Goldie Currie gcurrie@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — The fourth annual Z-Tour event, held July 19, was the most successful yet in terms of generated revenue and participation. The Steering Committee recently presented the Zearing Child Enrichment Center (ZCEC) with a check for $22,000. Proceeds of the event have been earmarked to continue enhancing the safety and security for children who utilize ZCEC on a daily basis.
Throughout the past four years, the Z-Tour steering committee has been able to donate more than $53,500 to ZCEC. Brian Church, Z-Tour Bike Ride director, confirmed this year’s event attracted 585 participants. “Our local participation has increased each year, but most of the riders are from out of the area,” he said. “It has been wonderful to see the level of participation increase each year. We also see riders return each year, so we must be doing something
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