WGFA NEWS NOTES for Monday, May 11, 2009 >
JOBS at Pontiac, Dwight Prisons…. Gibson City Bucks to be promoted by city officials…. 466 confirmed cases of H1N1 Swine Flu in Illinois….
Weather > mostly sunny, high near 65. NW wind at around 5 mph. Clear tonight, low near 44. Sunny Tuesday, high near 70.
– News, Weather, Sports, Ag on the links at WGFARADIO.COM–
* The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting 466 confirmed cases of H1N1 flu, also known as the swine flu, statewide, a jump of 45 cases in one day. According to Sunday’s tally, Chicago has 208 cases, up from 187 on Saturday. Suburban Cook County has 130 cases, up from 118 the day before. U.S. and global health officials say there are 4,370 confirmed swine flu cases in 29 countries, including at least 1,626 in Mexico, at least 2,254 in the United States and 280 in Canada. Fifty-three people have died, including three in the United States.
* An informational meeting about available prison jobs should help staff the Pontiac prison, saved from closure only a few weeks ago. The meeting is 6 to 8 p.m. today at Pontiac City Hall, 115 W. Howard St. A DOC spokesman said they’re hoping to see a lot of people there and to help get the word out. Derek Schnapp, spokesman for the Illinois Department of Corrections. “We are hoping to get a good pool of applicants.” The meeting is intended to provide information and distribute applications for correctional officer positions at prisons at Pontiac and Dwight, Schnapp said. He didn’t know how many jobs would be available. Applicants will be interviewed and screened for physical capabilities May 19 at Pontiac Community Recreation Center, 900 N. Elm St.
* In Ford County, the Gibson City Council tonight will introduce the “Gibson City Buy Local Rewards program,” a unique program designed to promote and assist Gibson City businesses. Mayor Dan Dickey says our businesses are important to us. This is a way to help businesses during these challenging economic times. The city will purchase $30,000 in “Gibson City Bucks” from the Gibson City Chamber of Commerce. The “Bucks” will be given to anyone who buys a new or used car in Gibson City— $300 for a new car and $100 awarded for a used car purchase. Gibson City Bucks can only be spent in Gibson City. Mayor Dickey says the program will result in an $82,000 -plus stimulus to the local economy.
* The Gibson City Council also plans to oppose Illinois Senate Bill 43, requiring private businesses to pay prevailing wages for construction projects in TIF Districts and Enterprise Zones located in Illinois. The Bill is expected to increase constrcution costs 20-30%. Mayor Dickey said SB 43 is anti-jobs bill and will only drive potential new businesses and the jobs they create to other states.
* Fire hydrants are being flushed this week in Gilman and Watseka.
