1 Front
Record The Putnam County
Volume 145 No. 34
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, May 1, 2013
Still treading water in Putnam County By Ken Schroeder kschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
After several days of searching for routes that were not underwater, the worst of the spring flooding may finally be finished. With ditches and fields still acting as make-shift reservoirs, most streets and roads are now dry, and
basement sump pumps have had a chance to catch up after rains pounded the Illinois Valley area April 18 and 19. Currently the only routes in the area still listed as closed by the Illinois Department of Transportation are Illinois 351 south of LaSalle and Illinois 18 east of Henry. The National Weather
Service has reported a statewide average of slightly more than 6.5 inches of rain for the month and noted Putnam County received at least 7 inches or more, making this one of the wettest Aprils on record. The fact that at least 5 of those inches of rain fell during a two-day span explains why things
are slow in getting back to normal. Gov. Pat Quinn has declared Putnam and 47 other counties a disaster area and has made a request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency to receive federal aid. The Putnam County Emergency Management
Agency is accepting reports as part of that request. “We’ve been doing damage assessment. Now, that information will go to Springfield where the state will try to get a federal declaration of a disaster area,” said Jim Goldasich, Putnam County Emergency Management Agency director. “Then FEMA can set
up a recovery station down here and talk to people with losses from the flooding.” As of April 28, the water level of the Illinois River was 27 1/2 feet, still 7.5 feet over flood stage. Barring more rain, the river is still expected to be above flood stage for at least another week.
Quinn requests FEMA help with flood damage assessments MEREDOSIA – Gov. Pat Quinn has asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist with damage assessments in several Illinois counties devastated by flooding and severe storms. The assessments, which will begin on April 29, will provide the documentation necessary to support a request for federal assistance. “We have seen some of the worst flooding damage to neighborhoods and homes across our state in Illinois history,” Quinn said. “The state will continue to take every step to secure assistance from the federal government that will help our communities recover.” Since Thursday, Quinn has surveyed damage on the ground and from the air and met with local officials in some of the hardest hit communities, including Marseilles, Ottawa and North Utica. Personnel from FEMA, IEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and local emergency management agencies will begin assessing damage to homes and businesses in Cook, DuPage and Lake counties on April 29. The teams will move to other affected counties as floodwaters recede so they are able to accurately assess the damage.
See Damage Page 2
Putnam County Record photo/Amy Davenport
Read ‘em, cowboy! Once again the Putnam County PTO, with the help of a few gracious volunteers, put on the annual spring buy one/get one free book fair. This was a great chance for students to stock up on books for summer reading and for teachers to introduce their bookshelves to a few new adventures. Here, “cowboy” Hunter Barr takes a break from learning about the Wild Wild West in Dianne Alleman’s kindergarten class to find his next favorite book.
Putnam County Historical Society to celebrate 50 years By Dixie Schroeder dschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
HENNEPIN – The Putnam County Historical Society is celebrating its 50-year anniversary during 2013. The society held its annual dinner April 13 at the United Methodist Church in Hennepin. Entertainment was provided by folk singer Mark Dvorak.
The PC Historical Society shows a current membership of 400 individuals. Back in 1963, the group started with only 47 charter members. “We have managed to grow some,” current President Sidney Whittaker said. One of the main projects to honor the anniversary is the new book about history of Putnam County, which should be
printed this year. “That is the big project that has been going on the past year,” he said. The book will be a hardcover, selling for $54.95. The group will take presales on the book and order a small extra amount for those who would like to purchase them at a later date. The book will be organized into sections by families, organizations, churches
and schools. “There will be somewhere between 200 to 300 families,” Whittaker said. “The general section will be about one-third of the book; the family section will be a little bit more; and the things like schools, churches and organizations will take up the rest.” Another project Whittaker and the Historical Society are excited about
Inside
Vol. 145 No. 34 One Section - 16 Pages The Putnam County
Record Putnam County’s Only Newspaper
© The Putnam County Record
First Person
FFA grant
See Page 5
See Page 7
is the joint project they have going this summer with the Mount Palatine Cemetery Board. Mount Palatine Cemetery is currently under the protection of the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission. The cemetery board has contracted with John Heider of Monticello who specializes in restoring cemetery headstones.
See 50 years Page 2