PP 10.16.19

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50¢ OCTOBER 16, 2019

PITTSFIELD, IL Thank you,

Tracy Butler of Pittsfield, for subscribing to Pike Press!

NEWS Borrowman wins honor of blowing up bridge. See page A2

Pike Pickin’ Days are this weekend. See page A3

SOCIETY

Pike Press

See page B3

SPORTS

Taking the Pink seriously. See page B1

WEEKEND WEATHER

By DAVID CAMPHOUSE Pike Press In response to the 2020 legalization of recreational cannabis in Illinois, Barry’s Ascend Wellness cannabis cultivation facility plans to double production at the site. With the anticipated increase in production will come a flurry of hiring and construction at the facility, according to director of operations Philip Petrini and human resources manager Jake Walch.

David Camphouse/Pike Press

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin responds to comments and questions from Barry’s David Forshey, right, regarding the opioid epidemic.

Jake Walch Ascend Wellness human resources manager “By the end of the year we should be up to 150 employees,” Walch said. According to Walch, Ascend Wellness currently has 64 employees at its Barry facility, with dozens more in the process of being hired — undergoing background screens or awaiting employee badges. “It’s kind of a process to get hired with FBI and state police background checks,” Walch said. “Applicants can’t have a felony, and they have to be at least 21 years old.” Walch and Petrini indicated that new full-time employees are being hired as trimming associates, cultivators, and in packaging positions. New hires generally start at $13 per hour. In addition to hiring new employees, Ascend Wellness is in the process of expanding the production capacity of the facility, as well. According to Walch and Petrini, when Ascend purchased the production facility in Jan. 2019,

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Cannabis firm aims to double production

“By the end of the year we should be up to 150 employees.” Pleasant Hill seniors celebrate birthdays.

pikepress.com

(See, CANNABIS, A2)

Durbin addresses concerns at gathering in Pittsfield By DAVID CAMPHOUSE Pike Press

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.S. Senator Dick Durbin made a rare stop in Pike County on Thursday, Oct. 10 at Kate’s Saloon on the Pittsfield square. Durbin addressed residents on a number of topics including trade, climate change and impeachment. “As whip, my job is to count votes, and, at this point, there’s no way we have the number of Republican votes in the senate

“President Trump isn’t someone you would want living next to you as your neighbor.”

U.S. Senator Richard Durbin for impeachment,” Durbin said. Instead, Durbin focused on several topics on which he took issue with President Trump, including trade, agriculture, and personal temperament . “President Trump isn’t someone you would want living next

to you as your neighbor,” Durbin said. Many community members were present for Durbin’s visit to listen to his address and to ask the senator questions on a wide range of topics. (See, DURBIN, A2)

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ONLINE pikepress.com

INSIDE Classified . . . . . . . .B5 Community . . . . . .B7 County News . . . . A2-3, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A7-8 Court . . . . . . . . . . .B5 Marketplace . . . . . .B6 Obituaries . . .A6, B2 Opinion . . . . . . . . A4 Op-Ed . . . . . . . . . A5 Our Town . . . . . . .B3 Sports . . . . . . . . . B1-2 Obituaries in this issue: Dean, Halpin, Lagemann, Murphy, Teaney, Wagner, Ward.

Pike Press © 2019 All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Availability of high dose flu vaccine delayed By DAVID CAMPHOUSE Pike Press The Center for Disease Control recommends that everyone older than six months of age be vaccinated against the flu every flu season, and children between six months and eight years of age may need two doses per season. According to RN Nancy Halpin of the Pike County Health Department, flu vaccinations are particularly important for certain atrisk populations, including adults 65 years and older. However, shipment of the high-dose vaccination recommended for older adults is currently delayed by the manufacturer. “Currently high dose flu vaccine for those 65 years and older is not available at the health department,” Halpin said. “We received a limited supply of high dose flu vaccine in September and have administered all

of it.” The unavailability of high-dose flu vaccine has resulted in the cancellation of the Pike County Health Department’s Wednesday, Oct. 16 adult flu clinic. “Due to the delay in the health department receiving

“We received a limited supply of high dose flu vaccine in September and have administered all of it.”

Nancy Halpin, RN Pike County Health Department Sanofi brand of high dose flu vaccine for seniors, we are cancelling our flu clinic

for Wednesday, Oct .16th,” Halpin said. Other high risk populations who should prioritize getting vaccinated against the flu are infants, young children, and members of families with infants at home. In addition, people with health conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cancer, diabetes, or otherwise weakened immune systems should receive flu vaccinations. According to Halpin, future adult flu vaccine clinics will be scheduled on a week-to-week basis, depending on arrival of vaccine shipments. In addition to getting your flu vaccine, the Illinois Department of Public Health recommends following the 3 C’s: clean, cover, and contain. Q Clean – clean your hands frequently by wash(See, VACCINE, A2)

Harvest underway in Pike County barely, after being flooded. By BETH ZUMWALT He said moisture levels when Pike Press he started harvest in September Harvest is underway in Pike were in the 20s but the corn County and, according to pro- harvested in the last week or ducers, it’s too so has been at 16 early to make a percent moisture. prediction. “I’m guessing “I think it’s Everyone has our average has been watching the better than been around 19 or harvest numbers the farmers 20,” he said. “It after a wet spring seems to be drydelayed planting thought, ing down pretty in many areas and but not as good.” flooded planted He said bean fields on more good as they harvest is a bit off, than one occasion. hoped.” adding harvest Jim Carpenter, for his beans will who farms in the not be happening Pleasant Hill area, Bret Lipcaman right away. says he will finish “They were Pike County farmer with his corn this planted a lot later week. than usual,” he “It’s been all over the said. place,” Carpenter said. “I had On the north side of the some that made 250 bushels to county, Bret Lipcaman said the the acre and others that made corn harvest is about 25 percent zero.” done. Carpenter said most of the “I think corn numbers are lesser producing corn was planted early and survived, (See, HARVEST, A2)

Beth Zumwalt/Pike Press

MURAL

IN THE MAKING

Lauren Perez estimates she has spent approximately 30 hours painting the mural on the side of J. Roberts Jewelry in Pittsfield. She has also had assistance from members of the Pike County Art Guild and community members. Perez designed the mural and is anxious for it to be finished by this weekend’s Fall Pickin’ Days, the upcoming Ladies Night Out and other downtown events.

Beth Zumwalt/Pike Press

The mural will represent all sorts of Pittsfield highlights as it has a theme for each letter. The project was designed by Lauren Perez, who has also done a lot of the painting.


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