IDOT, State Police and Motorcyclists Launch 2008 Riding Season Safety Outreach

SPRINGFIELD In order to put a spotlight on motorcycle safety as the 2008 riding season gets underway, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich has proclaimed May Motorcycle Awareness Month in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Illinois State Police (ISP) and motorcycle safety advocates are urging the public to "Start Seeing Motorcycles" and to share the road with motorcycle riders. In addition, IDOT is increasing the number of slots available in its motorcycle safety training program by more than 1,000, and for the first time it will be offering an intermediate course for students who already know how to ride.

IDOT and ISP will also again highlight the "Don't Drink and Ride" campaign which is designed to encourage motorcyclists to not drink and ride. A "Don't Drink and Ride" media campaign will include 18,000 radio spots that will run between May 1st and September 1st.

"This is the time of year when motorcycle riders are getting back on the roads in large numbers," said IDOT Secretary Milton R. Sees. "We urge every motorist on the road to be on the lookout for motorcycle riders and to 'Share the Road' with them. IDOT also encourages intermediate and experienced motorcycle riders to take advantage of the safety courses that are offered throughout the state. These courses provide an excellent opportunity to brush up on cycle safety."

"We live to ride, but the bottom line is and always will be safety," said Toney Buzick, Assistant Director of the Illinois Gold Wing Road Rider's Association. "That's why we partner with IDOT's Division of Traffic Safety to get that safety message out, both in training for motorcyclists and education for the people we share the road with, urging them to keep their eyes out for motorcyclists during this summer season."

While the overall number of traffic fatalities in Illinois was down slightly from the previous year in 2007, motorcycle fatalities rose by more than 18 percent from 132 in 2006 to 157 in 2007.

"Overall, we're moving in the right direction with our traffic safety efforts; however, the increase in motorcycle fatalities is a concern," said Illinois State Police Director Larry G. Trent. "In an effort to turn this trend around, our highly-skilled motorcycle enforcement officers will begin an educational campaign to inform drivers and motorcyclists alike of the potential hazards associated with sharing the road and highlight fundamental safety tips."

Director Trent also noted that for the third year, Troopers from the ISP's Motorcycle Enforcement Bureau will be deployed on Interstates throughout the state with the mission of checking for proper license endorsements, speed limit enforcement, reducing fatalities and making other vehicle drivers more aware of motorcyclists. Officers will also be enforcing fatal five violations which include speeding, safety belts, improper lane usage, following too closely, and driving under the influence.

In 2008, IDOT's Division of Traffic Safety will be offering a total of 15,961 slots in the its Cycle Rider Safety Training Program (CRSTP), which is marking its 32nd year in operation. These courses are held at 60 locations throughout Illinois.

CRSTP is supported through motorcycle license and registration fees. Classes are free to any Illinois resident 16 years of age or older who holds a valid drivers license or permit. For additional information on course locations and schedules, go to www.dot.state.il.us/cycle2.html.

Wind Weekend Kite Flying Event

On the weekend of Saturday, May 10 and Sunday, May 11, Freeport will host a community kite flying event. The event is sponsored by a collaboration of Freeport Park District, EcoEnergy, and Highland Community College.

Wind Weekend will begin Saturday at Taylor Park in Freeport at 1 p.m. This 2 hour event is aimed at entertaining area children. There will be professional kite flyers present to execute a kite candy drop from 250 ft high. EcoEnergy has donated 1,000 kites to area schools, encouraging children to decorate them with drawings, paintings, and stickers. Children are invited to bring their kites to Taylor Park Saturday and Highland Community College Sunday.

Sunday will be the highlight of Wind Weekend as it is moved to the spacious fields of Highland Community College in Freeport. The day will officially begin at 11 a.m. and officially end at 4 p.m. There will be music, food and professional kite flyers operating stunt/dancing kites, oversized kites (such as a 90 ft octopus), kite candy drops, and a variety of other wind decorations.

Freeport Park District will provide a tent for children to build and decorate their own kites, create pinwheels for their mothers (on Mother's Day) and blow giant bubbles.

EcoEnergy, the renewable energy division of The Morse Group, will be giving away Frisbees for miniature Frisbee golf and informing the public about the importance of renewable energy and the impressive power that can come from wind. EcoEnergy and Highland Community College will also be informing people about the new Wind Turbine Technician course that will be offered at Highland in the upcoming fall semester. This curriculum is the first course of its kind to be offered in Illinois.

For more information, contact Freeport Park District at 815-235-6114 or visit www.EcoEnergyLLC.com/windweekend.

Jo-Carroll Energy Announces Scholarship Winners

Two area high school seniors have been awarded $500 academic scholarships from Jo-Carroll Energy in Elizabeth.

Carroll County recipients of the JCEScholarships are Josh McLuckie and Jennifer Brinkmeier, both seniors at West Carroll High School. McLuckie is the son of Jim and Kim McLuckie of Savanna.Brinkmeier is the daughter of Brian and Linda Brinkmeier of Mt. Carroll.

Michael Hastings, Jo-Carroll Energy president and CEO, announced the Carroll County winners at the West Carroll High School awards ceremony last week. Presenting the scholarship awards were Jo-Carroll Energy Board of Directors David Senn and Vernon Law. The JCE Scholarships are awarded to outstanding high school seniors, two eachfrom Carroll and Jo Daviess counties and one from Whiteside County. The winners have demonstrated superior scholastic performance, school and community involvement and knowledge of electric cooperatives.

"The purpose of the scholarship program is to assist electric cooperative member families in our service area," Hastings said. "We and other Illinois electric cooperatives want to make a difference in our communities, and we think lending our youth a hand is one of the best ways to do this."

Scholarship applicants were judged on the basis of grade point average, college entrance exam scores, work and volunteer experience, school and civic activities, a biographical statement, and a short essay demonstrating their knowledge of electric cooperatives. Scholarships may be used for educational costs at any two- or four-year accredited college or university, including vocational/technical schools and lineman's school.

Green Fair Offers Fun Activities For Kids

The upcoming Green Fair, Friday June 27 and Saturday, June 28 in Elizabeth, Illinois, is offering many youth activities that will also appeal to many adults. Meet some worms and find out how they make compost out of your kitchen scraps; ride the "energy" bicycle; explore an outdoor backyard wild habitat, make trashy arts and crafts or play at the eco-friendly carnival. Play Spin-the-Recyclable-Bottle or do face painting with environmental and nature designs.

Admission to the fair is free for kids under 8 years old, and a small fee for older kids and adults. Most of the children's activities are free and will be offered throughout the open fair times. Some will be offered at specific times and have a small charge.

So put the dates, June 27, 28 on your calendar. The Green Fair offers something interesting for every member of the family, presentations and exhibitors on alternative energy, environmentally friendly and energy saving building techniques, nature-friendly lawn care, sustainable living, and locally produced food.

The Green Fair will be held in Elizabeth at Highland Community College West, Friday, June 27, 3:00 p.m. ­ 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, June 28, 9:00 a.m. ­ 4:00 p.m. There are also many other activities in Elizabeth that weekend. Check out the website, www.mostelizabeths.com, to discover Apple River Fort and Gathering of Elizabeths events. For visitor information, call 877-444-5850, or see www.galena.org.

For more information or to participate in the Green Fair, contact Maggie Friedenbach, Recycling and Conservation Programs Coordinator, representing University of Illinois Extension and Jo-Carroll Solid Waste Agency, 815-244-9444.

Inez Vits, Executive Assistant and Anita Medlock, Executive Director of CASA-15th Judicial Circuit (serving Lee, Carroll and Ogle Counties) hold an oversized check in the amount of $4,000 presented to CASA by the Illinois Bar Foundation. The Illinois Bar Foundation continues to be a strong supporter of the CASA program and with its monetary assistance has been instrumental in underwriting the cost of current volunteer advocate training sessions in the three-county area served by the CASA-15th Judicial Circuit Program. CASA volunteers are court appointed special advocates acting on behalf of children who, due to abuse or neglect, have become wards of the court. For information on how to become a CASA volunteer and speak up for a child who desperately needs their voice to be heard, call 815/288-1901. (Photo courtesy of CASA)

The Chadwick School fourth grade students of Mrs. Yochem and Mrs. Crase celebrated Earth Day, Tuesday, April 22, in many ways, including planting a tree in front of the school. (Photo courtesy of RoyWebb, Superintendent)

The Savanna Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints donated a tree in honor of Arbor Day. The tree was planted in an area behind the 300 block of Main Street designated by the City of Savanna as a "green space". Several volunteers donated use of their equipment and/or time to make this possible and deserve recognition for their service: Branch President Konrad Radke, Colgan Excavating, Jana Stout, Mac McWorthy and Marty Bellich. Thanks to all for a job well done! (Photo courtesy of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints)

Knautz' observe 50 Years

Mr. & Mrs. Clyde Knautz of Chadwick will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on May 17, 2008.

Clyd Knautz and Gladys Fahlen were married May 3, 1958 at Saint Matthews Lutheran Church in Galena, IL. They are the parents of Linda Knautz (deceased), Kyle (Connie) Knautz of Fulton and Kurt (Fran) Knautz of Elgin, IL.

They have seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, 1 great,great-grandchild.

Clyde and Gladys will have an Open House at their home, 4330 Morrison Rd., Chadwick from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 17th. All friends and family are invited to join in the celebration. Omission of gifts has been requested.

Getz - Niedziela Engagement

Arnold and Phyllis Getz of Chadwick announce the engagement of the their daughter, Dr. Amy Getz to Dr. Jeffrey Niedziela, son of Dr. Richard and Nancy Niedziela of Pewaukee, Wisconsin.

Amy is a 1999 graduate of the Chadwick-Milledgeville High School and a 2007 graduate of Marquette University with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. She is completing her residency in pediatric dentistry at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

Jeffrey is a 1998 graduate of Arrowhead High School, a 2002 graduate of U.W. LaCrosse with a degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology and a 2006 graduate of Marquette University with a Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree. He is employed at Lake Park Dentistry.

The couple is planning a July 26, 2008 wedding at Queen of Apostles Catholic Church near Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Gray completes Masters in Business Administration

Robert Gray, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gray of Thomson, recently completed a Masters in Business Administration along with a certificate in Project Management from City University of Seattle.

Gray was named to the Universitys' Dean List for academic achievement in his last quarter of work. Gray is an Engineering Project Manager for the Boeing Company located in Seattle, Washington.

Gray is a 1977 graduate of Thomson High School.

Safe water in your wellhave it tested

Water is something that everyone uses everyday. Although water quality is something that greatly impacts our daily lives, we often take it for granted. We assume that the water we use is free of contaminants and safe for our use. This risky assumption is not always accurate.

Periodic well tests may be performed to alleviate the fear of contaminated water supplies. There are several factors that can contribute to poor water quality. You may have an increased likelihood of contamination if any of the following statements apply to you:

· Your well is older or shallow.

· Your well is dug or driven rather than drilled.

· Your soil is sandy.

· Your well is near possible sources of contamination, such as cropland, feedlots, landfills, or industrial sites (active or abandoned).

· Your water has an objectionable taste or smell.

· You have recurrent incidents of gastrointestinal illness that cannot be explained.

· Your well is within 50 feet of a septic tank or 75 feet of a septic tank's absorption field.

The Carroll County Soil & Water Conservation District is sponsoring a water-testing program this spring. Several tests are available including:

· Bacteria - coliform and e-coli

· Nitrates

· Volatile Organic Compounds - detects 60 compounds including fuels and solvents

· Pesticides - detects major herbicides such as atrazine, cyanazine, simazine, alachlor, metolachlor, and acetochlor.

· Heavy Metals - detects barium, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, lead, selenium, aluminum, copper, iron, manganese, zinc, nickel, sodium, calcium, strontium, cobalt, magnesium, potassium, silica and vanadium.

Prices will vary depending on the number of tests performed. If you would like to test your well, please contact the Carroll County Soil & Water Conservation District by May 23, 2008 for more information on available tests and prices. Stop by our office at 807C South Clay St. in Mt. Carroll or give us a call at (815) 244-8732 Ext. 3.

Local Youth Wins State FFA Proficiency Award

Darrin Rahn, Mt. Carroll, member of the Chadwick-Milledgeville FFA Chapter, won the State Forage Production Award at the State FFA Proficiency Awards Day held April 5, 2008 at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Darrin is the son of Annette and Elmer Rahn, Jr. of Mt. Carroll. His agriculture education instructor at Chadwick-Milledgeville High School is David Queckboerner.

The Forage Production Award is one of 50 State FFA Proficiency Awards. Five finalists from each award area had previously advanced through chapter, section and district competition. Darrin will receive the award during the Illinois FFA State Convention, June 10-12, 2008 at the Prairie Capital Convention Center, Springfield, Illinois.

Selection of the state award winners is based on a personal interview as well as the size and growth of the FFA members' Supervised Agricultural Experience Program and their knowledge of the subject. The 50 state award winners were selected from over 16,000 FFA members state wide.

The Illinois Foundation FFA sponsors the proficiency award program and provides medals, plaques and other awards for more than 4,000 Illinois FFA members each year.

Dorothy Footitt Scholarships Awarded

The awarding of these scholarships represents the fulfillment of a dream of a very tiny lady with an enormous heart and an even greater desire to help young people through her choice of career but also by dedicating a share of her wealth through a creation of the scholarship which bears her name.

HANNAH K. ADOLPH, Milledgeville High School is the daughter of Tim and Ellen Adolph, Chadwick. Hannah has chosen to study criminal justice at Western Illinois University.

LOGAN D. BAISDEN, West Carroll High School is the son of David Baisden of Savanna and may be attended his parents' alma mater, Luther College or the University of Wisconsing-Madison majoring in Music.

BRIANNA COOK, West Carroll High School and daughter of Mark and Robin Cook, Savanna, has chosen Augustana College to study sports medicine.

WILLIAM J. HAMMER, Eastland High School is the son of Jeffrey and Denise Hammer, Shannon, has chosen to pursue a career in corporate law at Norther Illinois University.

LACEY M. JANSSEN, Milledgeville High School is the daughter of Jerry and Jennie Janssen, Chadwick. Volunteering at CGH in Sterling in the OB Department, Lacey plans to pursue Nursing at St. Ambrose University.

MICHELLE R. KECKLER, Eastland High School is the daughter of Donald and ConniAnn Keckler of Lanark and will attend Highland Community College to study Human and Social Services in pursuit of her career as a youth pastor.

JOSHUA D. McLUCKIE, West Carroll High School is the son of Jim and Kim McLuckie, Savanna. Joshua has volunteered for local Fish & Wildlife agencies and will further his education in Environmental Engineering at the University of Wisconsin, Platteville.

ROMAN MINYAYLYUK, Milledgeville High School is the son of Jimmy and Anetta Eller, Milledegeville and will attend the University of Illinois at Chicago to pursue Pharmacology.

DARRIN M. RAHN, Milledgeville, son of Elmer and Annette Rahn, Mt. Carroll will be focusing on Agribusiness in his pursuit of becoming a successful businessman at Iowa State University.

ANDREA M. TODD, West Carroll High School and daughter of Deborah Todd, Mt. Carroll. Pursuing a career in teaching, Andrea will study music education at Western Illinois University.

As the nursery rhyme says, Doctor, lawyer, merchant chief, I am proud to present to you the wonderfully talented, gifted cream of Carroll County, the Class of 2008 Dorothy Footitt Scholarship Winners.

To the Class of 2008, all of the membership of Carroll County HCE wish you continued success in the pursuit of your dream.

Comment on these stories

Go back to Prairie Advocate Home Page