WGFA NEWS for Thursday, February 25, 2010 >
WX > Partly sunny today, high near 26 then dropping temps to near 19 later in the day. Wind chills near -3. NW wind at 15 mph.
- Watseka wins OT Regional thriller; CPCI, I-West also win -
> Ideas are welcome, suggestions will be considered; but as of now, March 5th is when five employees of the Iroquois County Sheriff’s Department will be laid-off. Still dealing with the failed public safety tax referendum, the County Board Finance committee, although divided, is saying it can’t spend money that isn’t there.
A special committee meeting last evening ended following a closed door session with sheriff-elect Derek Hagen discussing personnel. Four road deputies and a correctional officer are scheduled to lose their jobs March 5th.
The committee voted down a motion filed by John Dowling to borrow $273,000 from a Solid Waste Fund to use to maintain the current force of deputies. Dowling said the loss of five good people now will cost more to replace later. Dowling’s motion was supported by Susan Wyn-Bence and Harriett Mowrey. But voting No were committee members Russell Bills, Kevin Hansen, Charlie Ault, Jim Meyer and Rod Copas…. #6
Meyer expressed total dismay in the lack of support from the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the union representing the deputies. Local personnel suggested a willingness to make concessions to save jobs, but the state FOP wasn’t willing to give in….. {meeting} 1:57 #5
Talk of early retirements are thwarted by rules from the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IRMF).
> A discovery recount happens today in Iroquois County. Five employees of the sheriff’s department requested the recount, to have another look at the safety tax referendum results from February’s primary election. County Clerk Lisa Fancher said the process does not involve taxpayers money ….. :38
The referendum failed by 10 votes. The recount takes place in the county board room at the Administrative Center.
> Dismal unemployment numbers are likely to continue for at least a couple more years, according to a state economist. Richard Kaye is with the Illinois Department of Labor. He was talking economics at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais. Kaye goes so far, as to say, two million of the eight million jobs lost nationally in the past few years will be lost forever.
Kaye– according to the Daily-Journal — said the jobs are lost forever through innovation or changing job responsibilities. Kaye said there is a changing nature in the job market. In previous recessions, people could wait out a recession. But a large number of these jobs will never return. Kaye’s advise is to prepare for the future.
> Extension Ag Day is tomorrow at Buckley. WGFA RADIO provides “live” reports from the Ford-Iroquois Extension Service Ag Day, which features special presentations from speakers scheduled all day long. Registration begins at 8 am. Topics of discussion will include Farm Family Emergency Response, Conservation Incentives in Agriculture, White Mold in Soybeans, and the Conservation Stewardship Program. The 2010 Fertilizer Outlook will also be presented by the Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Assocation.
> Expo Ag is Saturday in Watseka. WGFA broadcasts again from the 2nd Annual Expo Ag at the Watseka Theatre. Over 20 vendors and businesses will exhibit and explain services. The Slow Boys Tractor Club will have antique tractors and equipment on display. The program runs from 8 am ’til 4 pm.
> New digital flood insurance rate maps are available for inspection in Iroquois County. The federal government is updating all flood maps. A Floodplain Mapping Open House is scheduled for Wednesday, March 24 6-8 pm at the Iroquois County Administrative Center.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) invites all county residents to attend and learn more about the project. Citizens can locate their property on the newly-produced digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and view the Flood Insurance Study Report (FIS).
> Sports—The Watseka Warriors won an OT thriller in 2A regional semi-final action last night. Watseka outlasted Momence 57-52 to advance to C-ship action vs PBL Friday. At Iroquois West, the host Raiders defeated Armstrong while CPCI was a 35-31 winner over Fisher. The T-wolves and Raiders meet in the title game Friday. Donovan meets G-S-W tonight in semi-final play at Wilmington while Dwight meets Illinois Lutheran. The winners play for the title Friday.
“Your Illiana News Source” — 94.1 FM, WGFA
