More Important News

The Carroll County Fair Association hosted their Annual Christmas Party Celebration Friday January 11th., at the Manny’s Pizza at 211 Main St., in Savanna. The Carroll County Fair will Celebrate 61 years in 2013! It takes each and every fair board member to keep it going for patrons to enjoy. This year, as a result to Mother Natures destruction, the new Antique Tractor Barn is complete and very appealing. Hope to see you at the fair!

Pete Harkness Auto Group Raises Over $50K for Area Boosters

(In photo) Pete Harkness (L) with Rock Falls High School Booster Rich Montgomery, invite you to enter a chance to win a 2013 Chevy Spark. You can help raise money for your schools’ booster club by purchasing Raffle Tickets, only $10 each, from any Pete Harkness Dealership, Community State Bank, or any of the following Boosters: Newman, Rock Falls, Prophetstown, Erie, Morrison, Milledgeville, Polo, and Fulton.

100% of all proceeds go to the school you select on the raffle ticket. Any ticket not legible or indicated will be donated to the Self Help Enterprises Endowment Fund. Grand Prize winners will be announced durning the Chili Cook Off at the Pete Harkness Buick location off Route 40 at Lynn Blvd. in Sterling.

The Chili Cook Off starts at 11:00 p.m. January 26th, 2013. Drawing at 1:00 p.m. (1) One winner will be chosen. School Boosters have 2nd chance prizes ready to give including, but not limited to, the following: Spirit Wear, Gas Cards, and up to $1000 cash prizes. (PA photo/Andrew Williamson)

Mt. Carroll and Savanna Rotary Clubs Donate iPads

The Mount Carroll and Savanna Rotary Clubs partnered to purchase 20 iPads for the West Carroll Middle School in Mount Carroll to support their reading programs. Each Rotary club received $1500 from a District Rotary Grant and the two clubs each provided $1500 in matching funds.

L to R front row are students Luke Jones, Brandon Kaufman, Josh Houston, Riley Sullivan, and MaKenzie Klein.

Back row are Bryan McCaskey, President Savanna Rotary Club, Julie Katzenberger, WCMS Principal and Lou Schau,President of Mt. Carroll Rotary. (Courtesy of WCMS)

Student Of The Month At Whiteside Area Career Center 
Logan Bookman from Eastland High School was recently named December Student of the Month for outstanding effort and performance at Whiteside Area Career Center in Sterling. Logan is studying Building Trades. His mother is Robin Bookman.

The staff shares your pride in seeing your young people succeed at the Career Center. Thank you for your support over the years.

Guenzler Recognized for 50 Years of Service

Charles Guenzler of Mount Carroll is celebrating 50 years of service on the Board of Directors for the Exchange State Bank of Lanark. He was presented an award by the Bank President, John Nelson, at the last Board Meeting.

Charles commented, “I am very grateful for being a part of the bank for so many years and for all the customers I have come to know during this time.”

Charles was elected to this position on January 16, 1963; along with E.E. Johnson, Walter Nehrkorn, Edward Beattie, Carl Engel, John Haugh, Clint Plock, Gerald Lower, Frank Klenz, and Fred Swanson. The total bank assets at that time were just under $3,000,000.00 and the total capital structure was just under $300,000.00.

Today, Exchange State Bank has assets of $84,000,000.00 and a total capital structure of over $8,600,000.00. Charles Guenzler was honored for his many years of service and guidance at the Banks’ annual Christmas party in December.

Section Dairy and Section Agronomy

The Dairy Foods Contest and Agronomy Contest for the Chadwick-Milledgeville FFA Chapter were on November 7th. The members that took part in the Dairy Foods Contest were Alan Osterhaus, Baily Queckboerner, Becca Alexander, Emily Kleckler, Shannon Graff, Reid Phillips, and Joe Gennaro. The team placed 3rd overall. Shannon Graff placed 5th individually, Alan Osterhaus placed 15th individually, and Baily Queckboerner placed 16th individually. The members that took part in the Agronomy Contest were Lauren Hackbarth, Alex Fink, Noah Hibbard, Alan Osterhaus, Garrett Morhardt, Baily Queckboerner, Becca Alexander, Ashlyn Shores, and Reid Phillips. The team placed 5th overall. Alex Fink placed 20th individually. The contest was a great experience for the members.

State Agronomy and Dairy Foods

The Chadwick-Milledgeville FFA Chapter attended State Agronomy and Dairy Foods Contests on December 8th at the University of Illinois. Baily Queckboerner, Alan Osterhaus, and Reid Phillips took part in the Dairy Foods Contest. The team placed 29th overall team and Alan placed 16th high individual. Ashlyn Shores and Becca Alexander participated in the Agronomy Contest. They placed 39th as a team. This was a great experience and day for all members of the teams.

Rock-a-Thon

The Chadwick-Milledgeville FFA Chapter held a Rock-a-thon on November 31. The members that attended the event raised money for The V Foundation which is dedicated to finding a cure for cancer. Our chapter raised $500 for this foundation. The members that attended took part in various activities. The Rock-a-thon was a great success and we thank everyone who donated to the cause.

West Carroll FFA Greenhand Parliamentary Teams

The West Carroll FFA Greenhand Parliamentary Teams were very successful Monday, January 14 at the Amboy Invitational. West Carroll Team #1 placed 1st and West Carroll Team #2 placed 2nd in the 7 team event. Individually for West Carroll, Brianna Kampmeier placed 1st as Chairman while KaCee French placed 3rd. West Carroll had the 2 best secretaries as Cassie Johnson placed 1st and Chelsea Wurster 2nd. West Carroll floor members Bailey Durward, Cassie Johnson, Quinn Rumler, and Cameron Ehlers placed in the top 10 at 2nd, 4th, 6th and 9th respectively.

West Carroll Green Hand Team 2 (left to right): Brianna Davis, Chelsea Wurster, Tristen Ritchie, KaCee French, MaKayla Huizenga and Kyle Behrens.

Over 100,000 Dollars of Coupons Sent to Troops

During the past year, residents of Big Meadows Nursing Home have been busy cutting and sorting coupons to send to troops overseas. A total of 21 packages of coupons valued at over 100,000 dollars were sent to troops during 2012. This year residents to hope to send even more. Unused coupons can be dropped off at the front desk of Big Meadows Nursing Home located at 1000 Longmoor Ave in Savanna. Coupons can be up to 3 months expired. Residents then cut and sort the coupons and send them to group that then sends the coupon packages overseas to our troops to help offset costs at the PX’s. Residents enjoy cutting coupons and many of them do so daily and feel it is a way for them to help “the boys” serving our county. For more information please call Jaime Zastrow at 815 273 2238.

River Ridge Hosts Section 1 Poultry CDE

On Wednesday, January 9, 2013 the Section 1 Poultry CDE was hosted at River Ridge High School with forty-nine students competing from nine schools. This Career Development Event (CDE) tests the FFA members’ skills and knowledge on the production, processing, and marketing of chickens, turkeys, processed poultry products, and eggs.

The classes involved in this contest were two classes of placing production hens, and one class of each of the following: exterior egg grading, exterior egg factors, carcass placing, processed foods, interior egg grading, and a written exam. The Section 1 FFA Officer team wants to congratulate all those who participated in this CDE and was pleased to see the large number of participants considering this was only the second year of hosting a Poultry CDE in Section 1.

At the end of the night, the scores were totaled up and the placing’s were announced. First place went to River Ridge (1108 pts.), second to Scales Mound (1072 pts.), third to Lena-Winslow (936 pts.), fourth to Eastland (926 pts.), fifth to Freeport (915 pts.), sixth went to Orangeville (891 pts.), seventh place went to Forreston (890 pts.), eighth to Pearl City (870 pts.), and ninth was Stockton (649 pts.).

Those students who excelled and placed in the top ten were the following(1st to 10th place): Nathan Koester (Scales Mound), Kelley Koester (River Ridge), Codie Geisz (River Ridge), Leah Holland (Scales Mound), Drew Groezinger (Stockton), Anthony Murphy (Eastland), Tayler Meneguin (River Ridge), Grace Heimerdinger (Pearl City), Steven Murphy (Eastland), and Sean Plath (Scales Mound).

A wine and spirits-tasting soirée was held Friday, Jan. 18 from 4 - 7 p.m at the Driftless Stillroom located on the first level at the Shops @ Glenview in the Glenview Hotel in Historic Downtown Mount Carroll. Open to the public, friends gathered and tasted a variety of whites, reds, and spirits while refreshing their taste buds with a plate of nibbles. (Photo) Jennifer and Joe LaRosa of Heritage Wine Cellars, an independent fine wine importer and distributor, educated patrons on the types of wines. Owners Penny and Bruce Lally with Laura and Larry DeSpain greeted customers, friends, and guests, appreciative of all the support. (PA photo/Andrew Williamson

Women in Agriculture Seminar

Are you a woman who is involved in agriculture? Are you actively farming, working in the industry or married to a farmer? If so, then we have the conference for you! Join us for a one day seminar for woman in agriculture. Our keynote speaker Erika Eckley will discuss two important tools in all family agricultural business and how to avoid problems in their implementation.

The Women in Agriculture Conference will begin with registration at 8:00 a.m. followed by Erika Eckley’s keynote address on “Common Mistakes in Agricultural Estate Planning & Leasing” at 9 a.m.

The keynote address will be followed by a wide variety of breakout sessions.

Cathy Ekstrand, Senior Market Advisor, Stewart- Peterson Group – “Marketing: The How and When to Sell” and “Using Hedging Tools”

Darlene Knipe, U of I Marketing and Business Development – “National Food MarketMaker Program… Connecting Farmers to New Markets Thru Technology”

Jim Fraley, Illinois Farm Bureau & David Miller, Iowa Farm Bureau- “Agriculture & Government Regulations”

Dr. Lia Nightingale, Palmer College of Chiropractic- “Healthy Eating”

Illinois Legislative Panel & Iowa Legislative Panel- “Discussion with various officials”

Miriam Mock, Western Farm Business Farm Management- “Farm Bookkeeping”

Iowa and Illinois Panel – “Cultivating Knowledge Through Agriculture in the Classroom”

The conference is March 22, 2013 at Jumer’s Casino and Hotel, 777 Jumer Drive, Rock Island, IL 61201. Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. The conference will begin with opening comments at 8:45 a.m. Our closing session and send off should conclude by 3:45 p.m.

The cost of the program will be $50 which will include a light breakfast and a plated luncheon. Registration materials must be received by February 28. Any registrations received after February 28 will be $60. Walk-ins the day of the conference will be charged $75. To register, contact the Rock Island County Farm Bureau office at 309-736-7432 or online at www.womeninagricultureconference.com.

If you need a hotel room, there has been a block of rooms reserved at Jumer’s Hotel. To make your reservation, call 309-756-4696 by March 5th and ask for the Women in Agriculture Conference on March 22nd.

If you are a woman involved in agriculture, you will not want to miss this seminar. This seminar is being brought to you by the Bureau, Carroll, Fulton, Henry, Hancock, Knox, Lee, Mercer, McDonough, Rock Island, Stark, Warren-Henderson, and Whiteside County Farm Bureaus in Illinois as well as the Scott County Farm Bureau in Iowa. River Valley Cooperative, John Deere and Company, River Gulf Grain Company, 1st Farm Credit Services, FS Growmark, COUNTRY Financial, Iowa State Extension, and University of Illinois Extension are also partners in this conference.

Brad Quinn (L) with Kaywn Beswick, Director of the Morrison Friends Food Pantry. Quinn’s Jewelers in Morrison, 104 W. Main St. Morrison, IL., raised over $200, over 60 canned goods, and other items for the Morrison Friends Food Pantry. Brad Quinn, Owner of Quinn’s Jewelers offered, and advertised for his customers allowing a convenient outlet accepting donations for the pantry, contributing $10, or food products. In return, he provided them with a 20% discount on store merchandise from November through the beginning of January, 2013. For more information on how you can contribute to your local food pantry, please contact your local Chamber of Commerce. (PA photo/Andrew Williamson)

Whiteside SWCD 68th Annual Dinner Meeting

The Whiteside County Soil and Water Conservation District will be holding their 68thAnnual Dinner meeting on Wednesday February 6, 2012 at 6:00 PM at the Morrison Methodist Church, Morrison, IL 61270. This year’s speaker will be Mr. Chauncey Niziol. Tickets are $12.00 which will include a catered meal from Cindy Jean’s Restaurant of Prophetstown, Illinois. You can get your tickets at the Whiteside County SWCD office for from any of the SWCD Directors.

Outdoor enthusiast Chauncey Niziol started his outdoor media career in 1989 by creating an outdoor information service dedicated to bringing the outdoor enthusiast the most current recreation information within the radio, television, telecommunications, internet and print media.

This service evolved into the creation of a top rated local TV outdoor show in Chicago on CLTV. As part of the nightly sports program, “Sports Page,” Chauncey hosted over 350 programs. The program was a LIVE call in show from the audience to assist them with their outdoor recreation needs.

Chauncey has also hosted and covered many outdoor events for ESPN ranging from the Bassmaster Classics to The Great Outdoor Games to regular contributions at ESPNOutdoors.com.

Chauncey Niziol can be heard hosting Chauncey’s Great Outdoors from 6:00 - 7:00 AM on Saturday mornings on ESPN Radio 1000. His live call-in show features interviews with outdoor experts and offers information on fishing, camping, hunting, cooking, boating, hiking and napping in a hammock.

This annual dinner meeting will include an election of directors, awards that will be handed out and, as in the past, we will be holding a live auction. There will also be items for a raffle, and once again we will have a pie auction after dinner. All of this is to benefit the Whiteside County Soil and Water Conservation District Education Foundation.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office at 815-772-2124 ext 3.

Here For You - Whiteside Co. Public Transportation

Do you have a need for groceries, to get a haircut, visit a friend and not want to drive? Or you know of someone who isn’t able to drive?

The Whiteside County Public Transportation is here for you! Call 888-622-9230 to schedule your pick up today. Any of the friendly Transportation Staff members can take your information and get your ride on the calendar.

Please call at least a business day in advance for in town rides. If your appointment is outside of the Whiteside County area, call as soon as you are aware of your need for a ride.

If you are over 60, rides within Whiteside County are free. It’s a good way to avoid driving in the ice and snow of winter. Riders must be at least 6 years old to travel without an adult.

For details, please call 888-622-9230.

AARP Tax Preparation Places and Times

Presently, there will be no tax preparers at the River Bend Senior Center & Public Transportation Facility. Tax payers can go or call the following locations for assistance:

Odell Public Library, Morrison, IL- No appointment required, first come, first served on Wednesdays, Feb 6 through April 10th.

Whiteside County Senior Center, Sterling, IL- By Appointment ONLY, cal 815-626-7707, Mondays, Feb4 through April 1 and Saturdays Feb 16 and March 16.

YWCA, Sterling, IL- By Appointment ONLY, call 815-625-0333. Thursdays, Feb7 through April 11.

Rock River Center, Oregon, IL- By Appointment ONLY, call 815-732-3252, Tuesday, Jan 29 through April 9 and Wednesdays Jan 30 through April 10.

Dixon Senior Center, Dixon, IL- By Appointment ONLY, call 815-288-9236. Mondays, Feb 4 through April 15 and Thursdays, Jan 31 Through April 11.

Polo Senior Center, Polo, IL- By Appointment ONLY, call 815-946-3818. Fridays, March 1 and March 8.

You are responsible for the accuracy of your return. There are some types of returns we can not assist you with. Please have the following documents with you: a picture ID (ex state ID or driver’s license), social security cards, income related forms, expense related documents, brokerage statements or other documents showing cost basis and date of purchase for all securities, a check with your name on it for deposit/debit of any refund/balance due. Other helpful documents to bring: copy of last year’s tax return, if you receive a pension or annuity from a former employer, please bring the date that you began to receive payments.

For more information, please call Charlotte Combs-Shepherd at the River Bend Senior Center & Transit Facility, 912 4th Street in Fulton, Illinois at 815-589-3925.

Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant

Each Fiscal Year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service awards the Illinois Department of Natural Resources federal funds for the Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant Program. These funds will be distributed to fire fighting agencies as a 50-50 reimbursement type grant with a maximum award of $15,000 to a fire agency.

The fire agency must spend $30,000 in order to qualify for the maximum award of $15,000. This money is a part of a national allotment for rural fire protection under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978, as amended by the Forest Stewardship Act of 1990. This program is in accordance with the National Fire Plan. Payments pursuant to this grant are subject to the appropriation of adequate funds by the United States Congress.

The deadline for application submission is March 15, 2013, by 3:00 PM. For additional information, visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources web site at dnr.state.il.us/site_index.html - For a grant application, please click Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant Program Application.

‘Agriculture First’ Scholarship

Pearl City Elevator, Inc. is proud to sponsor an “Agriculture First” scholarship program. The company has been sponsoring the scholarship program, which has been created to improve and support the agricultural industry for over 10 years. Peal City Elevator, Inc. will award up to (3) three $500 scholarships to qualifying students furthering their education in an agricultural field. Any high school senior graduating in 2013, pursuing a two or four year degree in livestock production, crop production, or closely related agricultural field is eligible.

The creation of the Agriculture First scholarship signifies, in part, the focus of the company.

“We believe that the Agriculture First Scholarship signifies the emphasis of our company’s strong foundation I the agricultural community and the commitment to the youth in the area. We believe that the youth are an important key to the future of our agricultural community,“ said Todd Block, General Manager of the Pearl City Elevator, Inc. “Pearl City Elevator is customer focused performance oriented and innovative in our daily business relationships which can be seen through this scholarship program.”

Scholarship applications are available by calling the Pearl City office at 1-800-851-8584, or on the website a www.pce-coops.com. Applications must be postmarked by March 8, 2013.

2013 Environmental Education Grant

The Whiteside County Soil & Water Conservation District’s Education Program is sponsoring an education grant available to all schools in Whiteside County, grade levels Pre-K thru 12th.

Grant Criteria:

Grant requests are to promote and support natural resource or environmental education.

Grant funding requests may include, but are not limited to: tools, books, software, lab equipment, and field trips. Costs of development of natural resource areas will be considered, such as: a wildlife habitat garden, nature trail, or prairie site.

Grant request maximum - $1000.00

Previous recipients of SWCD grants do qualify for this educational funding.

Proposal Format should be typed, double-spaced, single sided on 8 ½ X 11” stationery. Content should include an Outline of Age-Level Activity or Purchase, Learning Objectives, Dates of Funding Use, Grade Level, Total # of Students, and Budget.

Grantees are required to submit a follow-up report to the Whiteside County SWCD’s Education Program Board within 3 months of receiving the grant money or notification if the money is not used within that time period.

The Whiteside County Soil & Water Conservation District reserves the right to reject applications.

Grant request due in the Whiteside County SWCD Office by April 26, 2013.

Agriculture the Focus of Whiteside Forum

The Whiteside Forum presents “Think Global, Act Local: Agriculture” on Thursday Jan. 24, 2013 in the program room of the Odell Public Library at 6:30 pm with guest speaker Don Beswick of Morrison, IL. Don is an officer at Community State Bank, Fulton branch, as Vice President of Ag and Commercial Lending, owns 2 businesses, and grew up on the farm.

Along with his wife Peggy, Don owns and operates “Bes-Wick Homebuilders Ltd.” building Ag, Commercial and Residential buildings, and also “Appraisal Options” Iowa and Illinois licensed appraisers of Residential, Ag, Commercial, Special and Condemnation properties.

Please join us as we explore the world economy, how agriculture fits into the big picture, and how we in the Morrison area are participants in that economy. All Forum events are free and open to the public.

If you are interested in discussing local and global issues, inviting and listening to experts for different points-of-view and want to share with your community, you are also encouraged to join our group. For more information or questions contact Marc Adami, 815-772-4949 or ardami@mchsi.com.

Northwest Illinois Grazing Conference

The Northwest Illinois Grazing Conference will be held on February 6, 2013, from 9:00 AM to- 3:30 PM, at Holy Cross Parish, located at 223 East Front Avenue in Stockton, IL. Presentation topics will include:

Rotational Grazing Basics; Establishing Pastures and Hay; Pasture Forage Quality; Portable Irrigation Systems; Grazing Cover Crops and Annuals; and Marketing Strategies.

Blackhawk Hills is sponsoring the event along with the Jo Daviess County Soil & Water Conservation District, University of Illinois Extension, and Natural Resources Conservation Service.

For registration information please contact Maggie Guenzler at 815-858-2273 or by email at guenzler@illinois.edu.

iFiber - Broadband Project Update

Broadband Illinois is currently in the process of developing several regional eTeams which will address ongoing development of broadband access and adoption throughout Illinois.

The Northwest eTeam, which covers the counties of Bureau, Carroll, Henry, Jo Daviess, LaSalle, Lee, Mercer, Putnam, Rock Island, and Whiteside, will be holding a meeting on Tuesday, February 5, 2013, from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM. The meeting will be held at the Bureau County University of Illinois Extension office located at 850 Thompson Street in Princeton, IL.

Blackhawk Hills and iFiber representatives are participating members of the Northwest eTeam. For additional information about the Northwest eTeam please visit Broadband Illinois.

In an effort to assist consumers and providers, Broadband Illinois has created a Broadband Request Map to allow consumers to request access to better broadband service. This information is then provided to private service providers for further evaluation. Both businesses and private citizens may send a request. In order to request better broadband service, please visit Broadband Illinois.

For more information about iFiber, please visit www.iFiber.org or contact Daniel Payette at 815-625-3854 or by email at daniel.payette@blackhawkhills.com.

Grant Awarded to CEO Program

The Blackhawk Hills Regional Council CEO Program has been awarded a grant from the Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship to cover material and training costs associated with the implementation of the program which is set to begin at the Whiteside Area Career Center in Fall 2013.

Additional investors are needed to help fund the program and participate in the class. Currently, 24 area businesses and/or individuals have agreed to invest in the program, including a local municipality. The program is seeking an additional 10-15 investors.

Even if you do not wish to invest in the program, you can still participate in the class in several ways including allowing the class to tour your business or by being a mentor to a student.

To learn more about the CEO Program, please contact:

Theresa Wittenauer at Blackhawk Hills Regional Council at 815-625-3854 or by email at theresa.wittenauer@blackhawkhills.com.

Kim Purvis at the Whiteside Area Career Center at 815-626-5810 or by email at kpurvis@wacc.org.

You can also visit the Effingham CEO website at www.effinghamceo.com.

Jim Vondra Memorial Scholarship Offered

Pearl City Elevator, Inc. is committed to the sponsorship of the Jim Vondra Memorial Scholarship. Jim was a highly personable and conscientious employee. His customer dedication was second only to his family. His customers invariably became his friends, and their concerns also became his.

To assist in the noble cause of higher education, and more so, to honor the life and preserve the memory of Mr. Jim Vondra, Pearl City Elevator, Inc. will award up to (3) three $500.00 scholarships per year.

These scholarships are designed for graduating high school seniors, or previous graduates pursuing higher education, and will be awarded based on academic achievement, service and leadership in the community, financial impact, and an essay by the applicant.

Applications available by calling the Pearl City office at 1-800-851-8584, or on the website www.pce-coops.com. All applications must be post marked by March 8, 2013.

Blackhawk Hills Welcomes New Board Members

The staff and fellow council members of Blackhawk Hills would like to thank several individuals who are transitioning off the board for their service to the organization:

Kevin Reibel, Carroll County Board, joined the council in January 2011.

Kim Monk, Jo Daviess County Board, joined the council in January 2009.

Isaac Mercer, Lee County Board, joined the council in January 1997.

Kenneth Roeder, Whiteside County Board, joined the council in January 2011.

Blackhawk Hills welcomes several new members to the board:

Darrell Stitzel is the new representative from the Carroll County Board.

Steve Rutz is the new representative from the Jo Daviess County Board.

Tim Demm is the new representative from the Lee County Board.

Daniel Bitler is the new representative from the Whiteside County Board.

Say Cheese: 2013 WCSWCD Photo Contest

Are you a budding young photographer? Do you like nature and wildlife? Then this contest is for you.

The 2013 Whiteside County Soil & Water Conservation District photo contest is open to all Whiteside County grade K-12 students. All photos must be taken by the student. No commercial entries accepted.

Entries will be accepted between August 1, 2012 and April 26, 2013 at the Whiteside County SWCD office (16255 Liberty St, Morrison, IL 61270) by mail, email or hand. All entries must be submitted by 4pm on April 26, 2013. Any entry submitted after this date and time will not be judged. Entries will not be returned.

Entry subjects are limited to natural landscapes, wild animals, wild birds, wild plants, insects, wild fish, or their habitats. No photos of domesticated animals or plants allowed. Photos of hunting/fishing activities and conservation practices will be accepted.

Three grade categories of entries are K-4, 5-8 and 9-12. (Grade level at Fall of 2012 school registration). Photos can be color or black and white, no larger than 8x10, and on paper, e-mails or digital images accepted.

All photos must be taken in Whiteside County. No more than two (2) entries per student. All photos or emails must be labeled with the Student’s name, grade level, date and location of photo, address, phone number, and e-mail if applicable. Missing information will be grounds for disqualification.

The photos will be judged by the Whiteside County Education Foundation Board. The Foundation Board reserves the right to reject any or all entries.

Each grade category winner will receive a $50 cash prize and a copy of Aldo Leopold’s book “A Sand County Almanac.” 2nd place photo in each grade category will be $25 plus the above book. There will be one overall winner that will be picked from the 3 winning photos. That winner will receive a digital camera package and will be entered into the AISWCD state photo contest that is held in July, 2013 in Springfield, Il.

The Foundation Board reserves the right to use the winning photos for news release purposes.

Whiteside County Soil & Water Conservation District Annual Poster Contest

The Whiteside County Soil & Water Conservation District is again sponsoring a poster contest. This year’s theme is:“Where Does Your Water Shed?”

Where does your water shed? The amount of fresh water on earth is all we have. It is important to understand where the fresh water goes after a rain, after you empty the bathtub or use it to water your plants. We have to take care of our fresh water as it gets used over and over again. Everyone lives in a watershed.

What is a watershed? A watershed is an area of land that drains to a particular body of water such as a river or a lake. Rain or any type of precipitation that falls anywhere in that watershed eventually flows to a body of water. The water may travel over land as surface water or flow underground as groundwater. Look around your community or as you travel to see water traveling within a watershed.

The poster contest is grouped by grade level: K-1, 2-3, 4-6, 7-9, & 10-12. One student poster will be chosen from each grade level to be sent to the Illinois State Soil & Water District Office in Springfield in July. State winning entries will advance to the national contest.

Contest Rules:

· Any media may be used to create a flat or two-dimensional effect (paint, crayon, colored pencil, charcoal, stickers, paper or other materials on regular posters (no computer only special category)

· Poster size must be between 8.5” x 11” and 22” x 28”.

· Posters should be packaged so they remain flat when sent for judging.

· All posters must be created by an individual student rather than a team of students.

· The 2013 Stewardship title “Where does your water shed? must be on your poster. This is the only title eligible for the national poster contest.

· Each entry must have signed entry form to be eligible for judging.

· Although younger students will most likely receive help in planning from parents or teachers, NACD encourages each student to do as much of the work as possible by him/herself. Entries completed by students in their handwriting and coloring will score better than those designed, drawn and colored by adult assistance.

The due date for the poster contest will be on April 26, 2013. For more information please feel free to contact Wendy Roman at the Whiteside County SWCD at 815-772-2124 ext 3,wendyromanswcd@hotmail.comor send a fax to 815-772-7973.

Pre-Season Morrison Farmers Market Meeting

Are you looking for ways for your garden plot to produce a supplemental income or even a full income for your family? Is your business new and you’re looking for a great way to get more exposure? Would you like to see if that hobby you have might make you some money? Is your organization in need of a fundraiser?

The Morrison Farmers’ Market is a great way to accomplish all of these with little start up costs. Come learn what you need to know to get started as a vendor at this year’s market. A pre-season meeting will be held on Thursday, January 31, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room at the Odell Library, 307 S. Madison Street, Morrison, IL.

Interested in selling canned salsa, specialty breads from Grandma’s favorite recipe, eggs, or other food products and want to learn how? There will be guest speakers on hand to provide this information. Gene Johnston, Director of Environmental Health, Whiteside County Health Department will discuss the Cottage Foods Act and food permits and Karen Real, Food Service Sanitation Certified Instructor, will discuss Illinois manager certification and classes.

Full-time vendors who have had spaces at the market in 2012 will be able to lock in the same locations and new vendors are encouraged to attend to reserve a location and to learn more about the market. We are also seeking additional committee members and weekly volunteers to help set-up and tear-down the market.

For more information, visit www.morrisonfarmersmarket.com or call 815-772-4874 or 815-772-3757.

Carroll County Tentative Multiplier Announced

Carroll County has been issued a tentative property assessment equalization factor of 1.0000, according to Brian Hamer, Director of the Illinois Department of Revenue.

The property assessment equalization factor, often called the “multiplier”, is the method used to achieve uniform property assessments among counties, as required by law. This equalization is particularly important because some of the state’s 6,600 local taxing districts overlap into two or more counties (e.g. school districts, junior college districts, fire protection districts). If there were no equalization among counties, substantial inequities among taxpayers with comparable properties would result.

State law requires property in Illinois to be assessed at one-third (1/3) of its market value. Farm property is assessed differently, with farm homesites and dwellings subject to regular assessing and equalization procedures, but with farmland and farm buildings assessed according to standards based on productivity.

The equalization factor is determined annually for each county by comparing the sales price of individual properties sold over the past three years to the assessed value placed on those properties by the county supervisor of assessments/county assessor.

If this three-year average level of assessment is one-third of market value, the equalization factor will be one (1). If the average level of assessment is greater than one-third of market value, the equalization factor will be less than one (1). And if the average level of assessment is less than one-third of market value, the equalization factor will be greater than one (1).

Assessments in Carroll County are at 33.43 percent of market value, based on sales of properties in 2009, 2010, and 2011.

The equalization factor currently being assigned is for 2012 taxes, payable in 2013.

Last year’s equalization factor for the county was 1.0000.

The tentative factor is subject to change (1) if the County Board of Review takes actions which significantly affect the county assessments or (2) if local officials or others can present data showing that the Department of Revenue’s estimates of the average level of assessments in the county should be adjusted. A public hearing on the tentative multiplier will be held between 20 and 30 days after the tentative factor is published in a newspaper of general circulation within the county.

A change in the equalization factor does not mean total property tax bills will increase or decrease. Tax bills are determined by local taxing bodies when they request money each year to provide services to local citizens. If the amount requested by local taxing districts is not greater than the amount received in the previous year, then total property taxes will not increase even if assessments may have increased.

The assessed value of an individual property determines what portion of the tax burden a specific taxpayer will assume. That individual’s portion of tax responsibility is not changed by the multiplier.

EHS Student Council Sponsors REACT Remembrance Week

The Eastland High School Student Council will be remembering REACT flight nurse, Jim Dillow, whose niece and nephew attend EHS, during several activities next week. All donations collected will be given to the memorial fund at the 1st State Bank of Shannon for his children.

The activities will start with a Taco Supper in the Eastland High School cafeteria from 5:00-7:00 on Wednesday, January 23rd, before the girls’ basketball game against Stockton.

Cost for the dinner, which includes 2 soft shell tacos or a taco salad, dessert, and drink, is $5 for adults, $3 for kids 11 and under. A “Pie in the Face” contest will also be taking place from Tuesday, January 22nd through Tuesday, January 29th.

Collection cans will be circulated around the school and at home basketball games during the week. The three volunteers with the most money in their cans will receive a pie in the face during a school assembly on Tuesday, January 29. Volunteers include all the senior girls and boys basketball players as well as several teachers. Please come out and support a very good cause. Contact Student Council Advisor, MaryBeth Landherr at 815-493-6341 with any questions.

Cancer Survivor Dinner

The Relay for Life of Carroll County Cancer Survivor celebration and dinner is scheduled for Saturday, April 13, 2013, at the Mt. Carroll Church of God. Registration and appetizers will begin at 4:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. The event will be held separatly from the Relay which is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, June 22-23, 2013.

Invitations to the dinner will soon be sent out by the American Cancer Society of Rockford. If you are a cancer survivor living in Carroll County and do not receive an invitation or if you know of a new survivor that should be added to the list contact Bev Lundquist at 1106 East Benton Street, Mt. Carroll, IL. 61053 or call 815-244-9684.

We want to honor each and every survivor so be sure and turn in your reservation when you get your invitation.

Facing the Giants - First Baptist Church Sunday Movie Night

The First Baptist Church in Mount Carroll is proud to present this week’s feature movie Facing the Giants. The movie will be shown at 5:00 pm Sunday evening, Jan. 27.

In six years of coaching, Grant Taylor has never led his Shiloh Eagles to a winning season. After learning that he and his wife Brooke face infertility, Grant discovers that a group of fathers are secretly organizing to have him dismissed as head coach. Devastated by his circumstances, he cries out to God in desperation.

When Grant receives a message from an unexpected visitor, he searches for a stronger purpose for his football team. He dares to challenge his players to believe God for the impossible on and off the field. When faced with unbelievable odds, the Eagles must step up to their greatest test of strength and courage.

Facing the Giants is the second of four Sherwood Baptist Church created Christian movies. They later created Fireproof and Courageous.

Please come enjoy a great Christian movie this Sunday. The First Baptist Church is located at 201 S Main St. in Mt. Carroll.

If you have any questions please contact John H McConnel Jr. at 815 244-4005.

Postal Service Adjusts Prices for 2013, Introduces New Global Forever Stamp

Starting January 27, it will only cost a penny more to mail a single-piece, 1-ounce First-Class letter to any location in the United States. This is only the second price change for First-Class Mail stamps since 2009. Forever stamps are always good for mailing a one-ounce letter anytime in the future regardless of changes. Highlights of the new single-piece First-Class Mail pricing include:

Letters (1 oz.) – 1-cent increase to 46 cents

Letters additional ounces – unchanged at 20 cents

Postcards – 1-cent increase to 33 cents

Letters to international destinations (1 oz.) – $1.10

New this year will be the First-Class Mail Global Forever stamp, a new international rate stamp. The Global Forever stamp offers a single price for any First-Class Mail International 1-ounce letter to any country in the world. “We’re excited to introduce the new First-Class Mail Global Stamp,” said Savanna Postmaster Pam Bardell. “The new stamp will allow customers to mail letters anywhere in the world for one set price of $1.10, and will ease the transition during price changes.”

Prices for Shipping Services increased by 2.6 percent, with Priority Mail prices increasing an average of 6.3 percent. Delivery confirmation will be free on Priority Mail and Standard Post (formerly named Parcel Post). New domestic retail pricing for Priority Mail Flat-Rate products includes:

Regular envelope — $5.60

Legal-size envelope — $5.75

Padded envelope — $5.95

Small box — $5.80

Medium box — $12.35

Large box — $16.85

Large APO/FPO/DPO box — $14.85

“The success of our Priority Mail Flat Rate envelopes and boxes has helped make the Postal Service one of the best values in the shipping business,” adds Bardell. More information on new pricing for Mailing and Shipping Services is available at HYPERLINK “http://www.usps.com” www.usps.com.

Express Mail prices increased on average by 5.8 percent. The Sunday/holiday premium remains at $12.50 for the fourth year in a row. No other charges apply. Express Mail Flat-Rate Boxes were introduced last year and remain unchanged at $39.95. Express Mail retail prices begin at $14.10. Express Mail Flat-Rate Envelope retail prices increase to $19.95.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

Odell Public Library - Where It Happens

Evenings with Shakespeare, the Art of Beading, Art History Discussions, are new events for the Morrison community. Odell Public Library is more than a “house for books.” It is also a place which promotes and facilitates learning.

Odell is “where it happens.” To begin this monthly series of “Odell Happenings” will be “Evenings with Shakespeare” on January 30 and 31 from 6:30 to 8:00. Anne Frame will be teaching Shakespeare’s great work “Hamlet” through film and a power point presentation.

February will feature local artist Marianne Biagi’s presentation on the “Art of Beading.” This discussion and demonstration will be February 20th from 6:30-8:00.

Ned J Nesti, Jr. will be Odell’s guest on March 20-21st to speak on “Giants of Art” from 6:30-8:00.

More events and happenings will be posted as they are finalized. Do Mark Your Calendars for these scintillating, entertaining and enjoyable evenings. Don’t miss a chance to broaden your horizons with “ODELL HAPPENINGS!”

Savanna Man Dies In House Fire

The Savanna Fire Department received a 911 call on Thursday, January 17th reporting a structure fire at 5:41 a.m. at 1040 Vine Street, just outside of the Savanna city limits. Firefighters spent the morning battling the blaze which fully engulfed the home and also spread to an adjacent shed.

The body of the homeowner, 79-year-old Martin Hansen, was located within the house. The State Fire Marshall’s Office, Illinois State Police Crime Scene and the Carroll County Coroner were notified.

A cause is still unknown and the fire remains under investigation. Thomson Fire, Mt. Carroll Fire, Savanna Ambulance, Sabula Fire and the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Savanna Fire Department.

Morrison Police Reports Weekly Activity

Morrison Police Chief Brian Melton reports the following citations issued since Tuesday, January 15, 2013. No Arrests are reported.

The following Citations were issued:

1-17-13: Nathanial R. Van Cleve, 24, Morrison - No Valid Registration & Operating Uninsured Motor Vehicle;

1-18-13: Bradley S. Blean, 42, Morrison - Improper Backing (Accident) & Expired Registration.

The public is reminded that these are merely charges and all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Join Us For A Women’s Retreat

Organized by the Chadwick Evangelical Free Church, the Women’s Retreat is a time of renewal with a focus on our relationships with Christ, with others and ourselves.

The event will be held at the Chadwick Community Building (Corner of Route 40 & 3rd Street) in Chadwick, IL, on Friday, February 15th from 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. (dinner served) and Saturday, February 16th from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. (breakfast & lunch served).

The featured guest speaker will be Linda Alden. You might remember Linda and her husband, Denny, who taught in the Chadwick school system before moving to Tyler, TX. Linda is a gifted encourager, leader, and Bible teacher. She’ll have us enjoying ourselves as we discover our love language and personality type. Other topics include spiritual gifts and serving, communication, and peace making.

Our time together promises opportunity for fun, fellowship, renewal, and growth.

Registration: $25.00 (Scholarships available). For more information or to register: Call Paula at 815-684-5283 or Betty at 815-244-3495.

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