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LOCAL NEWS

MACHESNEY PARK ANNOUNCES HOME IMPROVEMENT GRANTS FOR RESIDENTS

Nearly 3/4 million grant will fund needed home repairs

The grant funds the HomeForward program, which offers residents a forgivable loan to improve their homes. Individual homeowners can receive grants of up to $40,000 each. Details, including the number of individual grants to be awarded, homeowner eligibility, and more will be provided at the announcement.

Since 2000, Machesney Park has received $2.1 million from this program to improve its housing stock.

Rockford AirFest Recruits Local Military Pilots

Several of these military aircraft have been flown in by local residents and natives of the area. From last year’s show, area natives included Capt. Chris Jones, a Freeport native flew in one of the two F-16 fighters from Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, and Guilford High School graduates Lt. Col. Thom Pemberton and Lt. Col. Eric Thorell, who flew in a KC-135 Stratotanker from Grissom AFB in Indiana.

For AirFest 2010, which will be held July 31 – August 1, 2010, the Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) would like to expand the number of local military pilots and crew members participating in AirFest. As a result, AirFest staff is requesting from area residents the contact information of a spouse, family member, friend or neighbor that either flies in the military or is part of a flight crew so they can be invited to participate in AirFest 2010 in a special section of the static displays that will be known as “Home Town Heroes”.

“This is an opportunity to have a reunion with a local family member, friend or neighbor at AirFest and an opportunity for them to showcase the aircraft they operate. We want to honor as many military aviation pilots and crew members as possible and thank them for their service to our Country,” commented AirFest Static Display Coordinator Dave Lindberg.

Please send an e-mail to AirFest Static Display Coordinator Dave Lindberg at dlindberg@flyrfd.com. Please include the name of the individual, which branch of the military they are in, where they are stationed and their e-mail address and/or phone number. All submissions will be invited to participate in AirFest 2010.

AirFest Tickets

New Diversity Officer in Winnebago County Government

Earl’s leadership and dedication has made him an outstanding employee of Winnebago County.  Because of his high standards and professionalism, Earl will do an excellent job in this additional position.

Investigation Regarding Allegations of Mishandling of Funds at Animal Services

All steps are being taken, including a thorough investigation, in resolving this matter as quickly as possible. We appreciate the quick response and cooperation of Winnebago County Sheriff Richard Meyers, States Attorney Joe Bruscato, and Winnebago County Auditor William Crowley in resolving this issue.

CRIME REDUCTION FOR WINNEBAGO COUNTY RESIDENTS

CLICK HERE - Complete Report

Lonely Hearts Looking For Homes

"Pets in this program have simply been overlooked but will make great family companions,” says Donna Apgar, Adoption Coordinator at Winnebago County Animal Services. "We created the program to spotlight them for the community so that people looking to adopt a pet can be aware of the cats and dogs that have been with us the longest and are truly in need of loving homes.”

Lonely Hearts Club pets will also have their adoption fee reduced by $15. Normal adoption fees are $40 for adult cats, $85 for kittens and $110 for dogs. For both cats and dogs, the adoption fee includes a wellness exam, spay or neuter surgery, one year vaccination for distemper and rabies vaccinations, county pet license and microchip. In addition, included for dogs are a heartworm test, parvo booster and kennel cough vaccination.

Pets who are members of The Lonely Hearts Club pet adoption program will have their pictures and biographies posted in a special display case at Animal Services as well as posted on the website’s Lonely Hearts Club page. Red Lonely Hearts Club tags will be placed on their cages to help visitors locate them.

The Winnebago County Animal Services Volunteer Auxiliary is sponsoring the program and covering the difference in the adoption fee. The Volunteer Auxiliary fundraises throughout the year with events such as the Canine Classic Dog Fair, Pizza Ranch Tip Night, a perennial plant sale and other fundraising activities.

If you are considering adopting a Lonely Hearts Club pet or any other cat or dog, please visit Winnebago County Animal Services at 4517 N. Main Street or www.wcasrock.org. Adoption hours are Monday from 11am to 6:30pm; Tuesday through Friday 11am to 4:30pm; and Saturday from 10am to 3:30pm.

Flood Relief Help

Thursday, January 21, 2010 at 9:30 A.M. at the Village of Machesney Park, Village Hall, 300 Machesney Road, Machesney Park, IL

The portion of the federal disaster relief funds for Winnebago County, Illinois has been determined to be $1,563,684.94, and is to be distributed by the State of Illinois Department of Human Services pursuant to provisions of the Community Services Agreement. The State Of Illinois Department Of Human Services Community Services Agreement with Winnebago County will expire on September 30, 2010.

On July 9, 2009, Winnebago County created a Community Partnership between the County and the Salvation Army for the disbursement of grant money regarding the 2008 flood.

This press conference is being held to update the families that were affected by the flood and advise them of new Community Outreach Programs and the assistance offered through the Illinois Disaster Program which includes help with home repairs, mold removal, rent/mortgage payments, past due and current utility bills, transportation, food, clothing, household items, medication, mental health, and counseling.

Airport Reports Improved December Traffic

Month over Month
December 2009 - 15,520
December 2008 - 13,818

Year over Year
January-December 2009 - 187,987
January-December 2008 - 193,797

2009 had several positive events during it in RFD's history:

March 25, 2009 - Returning on a Flight from Phoenix, Corrine Hendrickson of Janesville, WI becomes the 900,000th passenger to use the airport since air service returned in 2003.

June 2009 - Day Trips return for the second year. All flights sell out within 24 hours of being announced. Destinations include Niagara Falls, Mackinac Island, and Branson, MO

August 14, 2009 - Passenger Steve Hortega of Ottawa, IL becomes the One Millionth Passenger to use RFD since the return of Air Service in 2003. Several hundred airport supporters came out to welcome Mr. Hortega home.

August 22-23, 2009 - Rockford AirFest smashes all previous attendance records as the F-22 Raptor takes to the skies. Over 100,000 people witness the show.

November 7, 2009 - Branson Travel begins a seasonal program offering flights to Branson, Missouri.

"We had a lot of very positive things happen this year," said Zach Sundquist, Air Service Analyst for RFD. "In a year where many airports lost all air service and others lost significant traffic, we remained relatively flat all said and done. Add on to that, we broke the one million passenger mark in August and added service to Branson in November and it is clear there are signs of potential and growth for 2010."

RFD’s Administration and Finance Department Earns Second GFOA Award of 2009

“I am not aware of any other airport that has earned an award such as this in consecutive years, let alone having received it 11 consecutive times,” said Bob O’Brien, Executive Director of RFD. “I want to congratulate Amy Ott and her staff for a job well done.” “This is an entire airport staff award as all departments take part in creating the document as a guide for their respective departments,” said Deputy Director of Finance and Administration Amy Ott. “We look forward to continuing this informative and high level of reporting for many years to come.”

In order to receive such an award RFD’s budget had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines are structured to determine how well a governmental body’s budget serves as: a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a communications device. RFD’s budget rated “proficient” in each of these areas as well as the 14 mandatory sub-criteria within each area.

The Government Finance Officers Association is a nonprofit professional association serving over 17,600 government finance professionals throughout North America. The GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program is the only national awards program in governmental budgeting.

Past Editorials

EDITORIAL - Why The Parks Outlook?

EDITORIAL - Civil War In Machesney Park

EDITORIAL - Petition Politics

EDITORIAL - It Was Time For A Change

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

your upcoming event at your school, church or civic group...It's free!

Loves Park Lions Club

Loves Park Lions Club Web Site

Loves Park Rotary Club

www.lovesparkrotary.com

Salsa Business Network, Inc.

"Salsa" meets the first Friday of every month at 11:30 am for lunch.

Contact - Gloria Cardenas Cudia at gloriacudia@comcast.net.

“The King and I” to Headline Pec Playhouse Theatre’s 2009 Season

Pec Playhouse Theatre is pleased to announce its 2009 season which kicks off with a hilarious female version of the hit comedy, “The Odd Couple” followed by the annual high school show, “Happily Every Once Upon.” “The King and I,” headlines as the summer musical followed by another hilarious comedy, “Escanaba in Love” the prequel to last season’s sold out comedy “Escanaba in da Moonlight.” Pec Playhouse will wrap up the 2009 season with that perennial Christmas favorite, “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

Pec Playhouse is actively recruiting directors for the 2009 season. If you are interested please contact the playhouse at 815-239-1210. Escanaba In Love – September 18 – October 4, 2009

This prequel to the outrageously funny “Escanaba in da Moonlight” takes place forty years before the original. Visit the Soady deer camp in the midst of World War II. Meet the love of young Albert Soady Jr’s life, Big Betty Baloo – the woman destined to become the mother of Reuben and Remnar Soady – along with a whole new cast of wacky Yoopers. Escanaba In Love is recommended for mature audiences.

It’s A Wonderful Life – November 20 – December 6, 2009

Based on the popular movie, it’s the saga of George Bailey, the Everyman from the small town of Bedford Falls, whose dreams of escape and adventure have been quashed by family obligation and civic duty, whose guardian angel has to descend on Christmas Eve to save him from despair and to remind him – by showing him what the world would have been like had he never been born – that hi ahs been, after all, a wonderful life.

General Showtimes

Friday and Saturday Shows begin at 8 p.m. Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. – Some shows have special Saturday matinees added.

Tickets:

Call the Pec Playhouse Theatre Box Office at 815-239-1210.

Tickets are $10. $9 for groups of 20 or more.

Location:

Pec Playhouse Theatre is located at 314 Main St. Pecatonica, Il

Many Pec Playhouse Theater productions were sold out in 2007 and 2008. Consider becoming a season subscriber and guaranteeing your seats!

See more original comics at the Outlook Comics Page