A buckthorny issue | NIU Today

 

New studies reveal invasive European buckthorn shrub is contributing to amphibian decline, altering distribution of mammals in the Midwest

 

Researchers at Lincoln Park Zoo and Northern Illinois University have discovered a new culprit contributing to amphibian decline and altered mammal distribution throughout the Midwest region – the invasive plant European buckthorn.

This non-native shrub, which has invaded two-thirds of the United States, has long been known to negatively impact plant community composition and forest structure.

Click on the following to read all of the story:  A buckthorny issue | NIU Today

Health department hopes to bring back Family Planning program | Belvidere Daily Republican

Written by Bob Balgemann

When in operation, the county Family Planning clinic had 1,439 visits in 2009 and 950 for a partial year in 2010. The clinic provided preventative health care, screenings, contraceptive distributions and other services.

Currently, 14 percent of the county’s population of about 56,000 is uninsured; the teen pregnancy rate is 33 per 1,000 residents; and 24 percent of the population is under 18.

The board could not formally vote on the issue but there was a consensus for staff to move ahead with an application for federal funding.

Health department hopes to bring back Family Planning program | Belvidere Daily Republican

County board member Mike Schultz moving, plans to resign | Belvidere Daily Republican

Written by Bob Balgemann

replacement process calls for the county board first to declare a vacancy. While the new board member must be a Republican, because that is Schultz’s party, notices of the vacancy are filed with both the Democratic and Republican Party chairs of Boone County.

Once all that is done, the county board chairman, Bob Walberg, has 60 days in which to recommend a replacement.

In a lottery drawing in December 2012, Schultz received a four-year term. Whoever is appointed to replace him will serve until the 2014 election. Petitions may be picked up starting this August and they have to be filed later in the fall. The primary election will be in March 2014, with the general election in November.

Click on the following for more details:  County board member Mike Schultz moving, plans to resign | Belvidere Daily Republican

Spring Township readies response to loss of tollway bridge | Belvidere Daily Republican

Written by Bob Balgemann

More than 30 people turned out April 30 for a follow-up meeting at the Spring Township office to come up with a response to the Illinois Tollway letter stating the Johnson Road bridge would be razed and not replaced.

Five county board members were in the audience, three of them from District 1, which includes Spring Township, and there were three township board members.

township resident Cheryl Sturges will bring the bridge problem to the road and capital improvements committee, one of seven standing committees of the county board, during its meeting at 6 p.m. tonight (May 7). Wait is the committee chairman.

Click on the following for more details:  Spring Township readies response to loss of tollway bridge | Belvidere Daily Republican

Possible bridge teardown threatens Boone County emergency response - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

This story was also a local feature on Channel 13 news.

Community members say officials should have better notified them about removal plans for the bridge. Even though the daily traffic count on the bridge is low, it is a critical access point for emergency responders trying to reach some Spring Township residents fast.

Outgoing Spring Township Supervisor Jaclyn Falkenstein said in the municipal’s annual $500,000 budget, there is $84,000 in the joint-bridge account.

“The township doesn’t have the resources to pay for this bridge,” she said.

Read the entire story by clicking on the following:  Possible bridge teardown threatens Boone County emergency response - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Emerald Ash Borer workshop May 29 in Belvidere - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

 

Extension educators will explain the history, life cycle and control options for emerald ash borer, and explain how to save your ash tree.

Cost: $5 per person; registration is required

Click on the following for more details:  Emerald Ash Borer workshop May 29 in Belvidere - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Election officials to recount Belvidere mayor votes - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

 

Mark Sanderson has asked for a recount after losing the Belvidere mayoral race to Mike Chamberlain by six votes.
Sanderson requested a discovery recount Thursday. He asked the Boone County clerk’s office to review precincts 9, 13, 14 and 15.

Boone County Clerk Mary Steurer said there is a slim chance that the recount will show a different outcome.

Click on the following for more details;  Election officials to recount Belvidere mayor votes - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star