Eureka Public Library patrons use the library’s newly installed elevator. To celebrate this accomplishment, the public is invited to an open house 10 a.m.-12 p.m. April 8 at the library, 202 S. Main St., Eureka.

COUNTY

Inmates use tablets to learn new skills

Woodford County Jail inmates are using wireless tablets for their educational use.

The dedicated and secure system powered by a Chicago-based company, Edovo, is aimed at reducing recidivism and unlocking the human potential behind bars by providing daily access to educational, vocational and cognitive-behavioral therapy to build a better citizen. Other facilities using the same system have reported a significant reduction in recidivism as well as decreased violence and behavior issues.

Inmates can work at their own pace and level while pursuing K-12 GED preparation courses, job training, college education, community resources, employment opportunities, self- improvement courses and many other topics. Entertainment credits, used as an educational incentive, are earned while learning and allow inmates to reward themselves with music, movies and books included within the system.

No county tax money is used to pay for the program. Instead, it is supported by the proceeds from inmate commissary purchases.

Health department marks National Public Health Week

The Woodford County Health Department joins tri-county health departments, communities and partner organizations to recognize National Public Health Week, April 3-9. National Public Health Week will focus on daily themes that address identified community health priorities and local public health issues.

• April 3 – Healthy eating/active living: As identified in the Community Health Improvement Plan for the Tri-County area, physical activity is a major player in public health. Forms of activity can include exercise, jogging, housework and walking. Walking can prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. The American Heart Association can provide tips on starting a walking club at heart.org
• April 4 – West Nile Virus and “Fight the Bite;” Warmer temperatures and standing water create the perfect conditions for breeding mosquitoes that carry the disease-causing West Nile virus. There is no known medication or vaccine to prevent people from becoming infected. About 1 in 5 people who are infected will develop a fever, but some will have a serious, sometimes fatal, neurological illness. While most of the mosquitoes in Illinois don’t carry the Zika virus, methods to reduce the risk of any mosquito-borne illness are promoted, such as avoiding mosquito bites by using bug repellents, taking extra care during peak mosquito biting hours and reducing mosquito breeding grounds and empty standing water.
• April 5 – Lung cancer: As a leading cause of death, lung cancer from radon exposure and tobacco use continues to be an issue within the tri-county area. Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, radioactive gas that seeps from the ground and enters houses. Inexpensive radon home test kits are available at the Woodford County Health Department. The EPA website, epa.gov, lists simple solutions to this health hazard. Smoking tobacco is the single most important cause of illness and death in the U.S. The Illinois Department of Public Health has a free Tobacco Quitline that provides support, guidance and methods to help kick the habit. Call (866) 784-8937) or visit quityes.org.
• April 6 – Opioid issues in the tri-county region: Overdose issues from opioid use have been increasing in the tri-county area. Research shows that more than 80 percent of new heroin abusers started with prescription opioids. In the U.S., the Drug Enforcement Administration reported 144 drug overdose deaths per day, with 63 percent of those deaths from pharmaceutical opioids or heroin. Get rid of any old prescriptions or medications at a safe drop off location, not into the sewer or public water system.
• Woodford County Sheriff’s Office, 115 N Main St., Eureka, has a safe drug dropbox.
• April 7 – Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Awareness Day: Did you know that you can help prevent your child from a future cancer diagnosis by getting them vaccinated for HPV? HPV can cause cancers of the cervix, vagina, penis and anus. Doctors urge both females and males ages 11-26 years of age to get this vaccine.

For more information on important public health issues, visit the Woodford County Health Department website at woodfordhealth.org

EUREKA

Library’s new elevator is focus of open house

The Eureka Public Library District is expressing its gratitude to library patrons and the public for their generous support of the library’s Elevate Reading campaign. The goal of $80,000 has been met, and the library’s new elevator is now connecting the lower and main levels of the building.

To celebrate the accomplishment, the public is invited to an open house 10 a.m.-12 p.m. April 8 at the library, 202 S. Main St., Eureka. Refreshments, family entertainment, balloons, face painting and other activities are being planned. For more information, call (309) 467-2922.

The elevator is being used by disabled patrons, families and staff to visit the children’s collection on the lower level. The redesign of the children’s space and the elevator have received compliments. The library is installing colorful, interactive wall elements to the children’s library space and a plaque honoring donors.

–Woodford County News Briefs–