Opinions: Western welcomes back all students
Sports: Favoritism in the UFC
Sports: Soccer looks to take on Cougars
Monday, August 20, 2018 - Vol. 119 Issue 1
JIMMY PIERSON/PRODUCTION MANAGER
By Marc Ramirez news editor
Western Illinois University will be making $453,920 in cuts specifically to WIUM Tri States Public Radio, a university radio station at 91.3 FM. Personnel expenditures including payroll are provided by these state appropriated funds, but will no longer be provided as of March 1, 2019. Darcie Shinberger, assistant vice president for advancement and public services, sent out an email late Friday stating the plan for eliminating funding. Next year, TSPR will become a self-supported organization similar to that of WQPT,
a Quad Cities Public Broadcasting station in Moline, IL. Other than money provided by Western, the station is supported by grants, Western Foundation funds and local revenue sources like advertising. However, money currently being provided by the university is the largest source of income for TSPR. “When WQPT transferred to WIU from Black Hawk College in 2010, WQPT was required to identify and obtain operating funds for the station, including personnel expenditures,” Shinberger said. “Similar to the WQPT partnership with the University, the WIU Foundation will provide
nonprofit status for Tri States Public Radio. The radio station will become a self-funded department within the University structure and will be responsible for generating its revenue needs, including personnel expenditures, effective March 1, 2019.“ Tri State has taken cuts in the past but has been able to conform to minimal impact on listeners; however, TSPR General Manager Jonathan Ahl thinks this will. This portion of the radios revenue goes towards providing nine of the 12 full-time salaries for staff. Unlike that of faculty, TSPR staff does not have the same contrac-
tual obligation on the notice of unemployment. “The timeframe was not explained to us.” Ahl said when speaking with The McDonough County Voice. When asked by The Voice what would happen if the university had any contractual, funding, or other obligations with TSPR past their current March 1 deadline, Shinberger explained all obligation such as payroll would not be met through the end of the fiscal year. Ahl and his supervisor Dean Billy Clow have been creating a cost saving proposal over the course of a few weeks to present what would have al-
lowed TSPR to continue functioning while still taking cuts but were unable to present it to administration. “I was not invited to, or allowed to, attend any meeting concerning Tri States Public Radio other than individual meetings with Dean Clow. So I don’t know what happened," Ahl said. "We had that ready to go, and my understanding is that it was not considered, nor was it allowed to be presented.” TSPR has been in service for more than 50 years at Western. The station has expanded tremendously serving over 20 counties in western Illinois, southeast Iowa and northeast Missouri.
Mosquitos in McDonough County test positive for West Nile Virus By Steven Barnum assistant news editor
Between the dates of Aug. 6-14, an unspecified amount of mosquitoes tested positive for the West Nile Virus in McDonough County. Since May, the McDonough County Health Department and Western Illinois University’s Miller-Hunt virology lab have been examining mosquitoes throughout the county. The groups discovered the West Nile Virus in those in Macomb and its surrounding area. According to www.mosquitomagnet.com, prime mos-
quito season begins in April for the Macomb region, and they are typically active until the temperature consistently drops below 50 degrees. Avoiding contact with mosquitoes in the thick of the summer can be difficult, which is why the McDonough County Health Department reminds the public to practice the three “R’s”: reduce, repel and report. The first step, reduce, involves reducing your chances of being bitten by limiting your time spent outside between dusk and dawn, where mosquitoes are most active. The second step, repel, is best done by wearing socks,
shoes, pants and a longsleeve shirt while outdoors when mosquitoes are most active. It is recommended to use an insect repellent that contains DEET, an ingredient especially helpful in fighting off mosquitoes and ticks; however, certain repellents should not be used on infants. Additionally, doors and windows should have tight-fitting screens and should be closed at night. Standing water, often seen in birdbaths and flowerpots, are breeding grounds for mosquitoes and should be emptied regularly. The third step, report, encourages residents to report any dead birds found to your
local health department. The West Nile Virus can be found often in many deceased birds, like crows, robins, and blue jays, and mosquitoes can contract the virus by feeding off of said birds. It is also encouraged to contact your local government if you notice floods or stagnant water in yards or roadside ditches, which could also act as a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The West Nile Virus has been a problem in Illinois. According to the Illinois Department of Public Heath, the West Nile virus was first discovered in two dead crows in 2001. One year later,
the virus spread to 100 of the state’s 102 counties, infecting 884 people and killing 64. The virus can cause a fever or headache in mild cases and disorientation, tremors, paralysis and possibly death in severe cases. It could take up to 14 days for symptoms to occur and those over 60 years old are at the highest risk. For more information on the West Nile Virus or mosquitoes in general, visit The Illinois Department of Health website. You can also contact the Miller-Hunt Lab at 309-298-1294 or the Environmental Health Division at 309-837-9951.