Scott County Times
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2020
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Times NEWS
Bluffs Market offers more than produce. See page A2
OPINION Everyday is one to celebrate, cherish. See page A2
Sulfur deficiency in corn. See page A4
WEEKEND WEATHER
WINCHESTER, IL 62694
Serving our readers for more than 151 years
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VOLUME NO. 153 NUMBER 26
Winchester gets flocked By CARMEN ENSINGER Scott County Times Winchester Civic Group is always looking for unique ways to raise money and they have outdone themselves this time. Social distrancing is still being observed so the less contact between individuals the better. The theme right now is being “flocked”. Bright pink flamingos are being posted in yards in Winchester and homeowners must make a donation to get them removed from the yards. “These flamingos will remain in the yard for five days unless one calls this number and arranges to have them moved earlier,” Winchester Civic Group member Jackie Kuchy said. “Call 217-4736672 and donate $10 to have them removed or donate $20 and have them placed in the yard of your choice.” Don’t worry, if one chooses not to make a donation, they will be removed. “We just wanted to come up with something different as a way to raise money for the Civic Group,” Kuchy said. “Not to mention adding a little color to the town in the process.”
Carmen Ensinger/Scott County Times
The home of John Paul Coonrod was one of the first homes in Winchester to get flocked by pink flamingos. To get rid of the flamingos takes a $10 donation and for an additional $10 donation, the homeowner gets to pick the next house where the flamingos will appear.
FRIDAY, JUNE 26
Burton is this week’s CrimeStopper
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By BETH ZUMWALT Scott County Times Stephon Burton, the man wanted in connection with a report of a shots fired incident in Winchester June 5, is this week’s Morgan-Scott-Cass CrimeStopper fugitive of the week. Scott County State’s Attorney Michael Hill issued a warrant for Burton’s address in the days following the incident. According to sources, several shots
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Scott County Times
Tax bills could be going to the printer next week
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Scott County Times Obituaries listed in this issue: none All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
were fired at a residence on High School Street but no injuries or damages were reported. Burton, 33, who last known address was the Illinois Department of Corrections at Lawrence, has been on parole since his Nov. 6, 2019 discharge. When arrested he will be charged with unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. A picture and description of Burton is included in this week’s CrimeStopper update on page A7.
Submitted photo
NEWEST ADDITION TO THE WINCHESTER LIBRARY
The Winchester Library received an unexpected gift from Russ and Vicki Brown for the children’s room this kid-sized table and chairs. Hopefully the little ones will be able to go back into the library to enjoy them soon.
By BETH ZUMWALT Scott County Times Real estate taxes could be heading to the printers as early as next week. County Clerk Sandra Hankins says her offices is in the final stages of checking the rates and making sure all levies are in compliance and once finished the bills will be ready for printing. “I have to gather up all the missing Equalized Assessed Values, (EAVs),” Hankins said. “Then I have to check to make sure no one’s levy goes over the five increase allowed. Then I can send them to the printer.” Hankins said she had no estimate on how long the bills would take to be printed. Scott County Treasurer Mark Ford said his office will get the bills out as soon as possible after they arrive in his
office. “Scott County is a little below where it should be in some accounts,” he said. “I don’t know about the schools and road districts and those taxing bodies.” Scott County collects and distributes taxes to 26 different taxing bodies, including the county itself, the road districts, the schools and others. Part of the problem of the low fund balances are the state is behind in some payments. “Nothing as drastic as a few years ago,” he said. “At one time they were six months behind, now it’s only two months.” Ford said last year the first installment of the tax bills were due July 26 and the second installment was due Sept. 26. “We are going to be a little later than that this year,” he said.
Retirees at Bluffs By BETH ZUMWALT Scott County Times Bluffs is losing nearly 100 years of cumulative teaching experience with the retirement of three teachers. Brian Bettis is retiring from his teaching job after 34 years with district. Bettis was the junior high science teacher and had held other positions in the district such as athletic director, baseball coach and physical education. Gina Glossop is retiring after 33 years with district. She taught special education. Lorena Sleeman is retiring after 30 years with district. She has taught junior high math and language arts in the district. The district has hired some teachers to fill the openings at the school, but several job openings still exist.
BRIAN BETTIS
GINA GLOSSOP
LORENA SLEEMAN