1 Front
Record The Putnam County
Volume 145 No. 41
Single Copy Cost 50¢
Putnam County’s Only Newspaper
“PRSRT STD.” US Postage Paid No. 486 SHAW MEDIA POSTAL PATRON LOCAL R.R. BOXHOLDER CARRIER ROUTE PRESORT
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
County board deals with April flooding issues By Ken Schroeder kschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
HENNEPIN – County Emergency Management Agency Supervisor Jim Goldasich addressed the Putnam County Board during its meeting on June 10 concerning the damages from the flooding on April 19.
Goldasich said the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had gone over the damage reports collected from the residents of the county and determined there was not enough property damage reported to warrant individual assistance to those affected. Damage to public structures was
determined to be enough to allow FEMA to assist in repairs to municipal buildings and works. Goldasich said estimates for the repairs could be done within the week to allow the county to start letting bids. In other action, the board: • Gave Sheriff Kevin
Doyle the go-ahead to hire an architect to examine the courthouse’s tuckpoints for the possibility of repairs. The problem was discussed last fall but weather pushed the project into this year. Doyle has received an early quote of $10 a foot, but without the advice of an architect, he told the
board the job of estimating the cost was “beyond my league.” In reply to a query from board member Willie Holmes, Doyle told the board that historic grants might be available due to the historical value of the courthouse, which is a course the board will look into. • Heard a report from
County Highway Supervisor Edward Andrews concerning road and infrastructure repairs following the flood damage from April 19. Two representatives from FEMA and one from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) were in
See Flooding Page 2
Where’s the beef ... and how much does it cost? Area farmer talks about the reason behind the rise in beef prices By Goldie Currie Shaw Media Service
Trends in the cattleman business have taken a toll on the beef market. With things like drought, dwindling cattle ranches and the increase in export, the prices of beef have escalated. Area farmer Larry Magnuson, who owns a cattle farm with about 34 head of cattle, weighed in on a few of the factors behind the rising beef prices. To him, the first and foremost factor is the lingering drought. “Two and a half years of drought has really been a cause,” said Magnuson. Drought has dried up food sources including grass in pastures and hay crops. “They’ve (farmers) got nothing to feed them, so they are taking them to market, and the numbers are way down,” he said. The number of cattle being taken to slaughter houses is at its lowest since 1950, and Magnuson said states like Texas, the Dakotas and Washington have seen the worst numbers of all. Feeding the cattle hasn’t gotten any cheaper. Magnuson said last year a “little square hay bale” doubled from $5 to $9, while larger round hay bales went from $60 to $150. “It’s costing more to feed them, and hay isn’t cheap,” he said.
Besides the drought, Magnuson touched on another issue that is affecting the cattle business. Young farmers are steering away from cattle and knocking down fences around pasture fields to make room for soybeans and corn crops. Magnuson said farmers in the market have been getting onethird more for their crops than they did a couple years ago. He also said in the past two years, corn has risen to $7.50 and $8.50 a bushel. Plus, building a cow herd takes more time and patience, which nobody seems to have much of these days. Magnuson said why would young farmers want to hassle with building a fence; keeping cattle in; having to round them up if they get out; waiting a year to breed them; and then find out the calf dies? On top of all that work, the cattle regulators and Environmental Protection Agency are coming down on cattle farmers harder than ever these days. More money at less hassle? Of course, most anyone would elect to take the easier path. “It’s got to be in your heart and mind. It takes time,” Magnuson said. “It’s an added expense, and you just don’t see the younger guys doing it.”
See Beef Page 2
Putnam County Record photo/Ken Schroeder
Starting early Alex Ribas goes for a shot during the basketball camp for first- through third-grade students held at the Putnam County High School gym June 3-9.
Illinois lowers compulsory age to start school By Dixie Schroeder dschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
SPRINGFIELD – Sixyear-olds must attend school. That’s the result of a new bill passed by the Illinois General Assembly. According to Senate Bill 1307, education in Illinois must be mandatory for all children who are 6 years of age or older by Sept. 1 of that current school year. The kindergarten for these
students can be half-day or full day, as decided by the individual school districts. Gov. Pat Quinn was pleased with the bill, and said in a press release it is another important step in assisting children in Illinois to be competitive in the world as they grow older. “We took another step forward today in our mission to ensure that every child in Illinois is prepared to succeed,”
he said. “Getting students through the doors at age six is an investment in their future and in the proven benefits of early childhood education.” The Senate passed the bill 37-19 May 17, with Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) voting against the bill. The House passed the bill 64-52 May 27, with Rep. Frank Mautino (D-Spring Valley) also voting against it. Also opposing the bill
Inside
Vol. 145 No. 41 One Section - 16 Pages The Putnam County
Record Putnam County’s Only Newspaper
© The Putnam County Record
To Cleveland and back
Little League baseball
See Page 9
See Page 7
was the Illinois Christian Home Educators group. According to the ICHE website, many children are not ready to attend school at age 5 and this decision should remain with the child’s parents, not the state. However, Putnam County Superintendent Jay McCracken doesn’t anticipate that much of a change for the Putnam County School District.
See School Page 3