Need a Job???

Job Fair THIS COMING MONDAY - August 18th

at the Freeport Library from 9 AM to 5:30 PM

They are looking for laborers in the Freeport area.

Temporary job from August 24th thru Oct 31st

Be sure to bring 2 forms of ID when you come to apply. 

Summer's Finally Here-- Now What? 5 Ways to Stay Cool When The Temperature Rises

After this year's never-ending winter (thanks, Polar Vortex!), many of us are more than happy to see that summer is officially here! Instead of bundling up in our winter coats, it's time to bust out the shorts and flip-flops!

Here are some tips and tricks to keep you staying cool this summer!

1. Time your activities for the cooler parts of the day- try to accomplish your outside activities (lawncare, exercise, etc.) for the coolest parts of the day- early in the morning or early in the evening.  Stay inside when the sun is at its peak and the temperature is at its highest.

2. Avoid cooking with your stove or oven- instead, use your microwave to avoid spreading the heat throughout your house.  Also, eat more cold foods (salads, fruits, dairy products) and break up your meals throughout the day.  Your body doesn't have to work as hard (or generate as much heat) when it is digesting smaller amounts of food compared to large meals.

3. Wear loose-fitting clothing- bonus points if your clothes are light-colored to reflect the sun's heat!

4. Stay hydrated!!- Drink lots of water throughout the day.  Be aware of how much caffeine and alcohol you drink as both of these contribute to dehydration.

5. And finally, if you can't beat the heat, stay out of it! Check out these local establishments for ways to keep cool when the heat becomes too unbearable!

• Freeport Public Library- Pick up a good book (and enjoy the air-conditioning)! Check out the library's website for information on upcoming events- http://www.freeportpubliclibrary.org/
• Lindo Theatre- Take in a movie at the Lindo Theatre in downtown Freeport! Catch a movie on Tuesdays for a discounted price of $5.00. Check out movie times here-  http://www.classiccinemas.com/location.aspx?house=2257
• Union Dairy- Cool off with a sweet treat at Union Dairy, Freeport's local ice cream parlor! 
• Read Park Pool- Go for a swim at the Read Park Family Aquatic Center! Information about park admission and hours can be found here- http://freeportparkdistrict.org/parks/read-park-family-aquatic-center/

Stay cool, have fun, and enjoy your summer!

Super Recycling Event Reminder – April 6
Northwest Illinois residents and businesses are invited to participate in the upcoming Super Recycling Event collection set for Saturday, April 6, from 9:00 a.m. to noon.  The recycling collection will be conducted at the Carroll County Highway Department, just off Rt. 52/64, at 10735 Mill Road, Mt. Carroll, Illinois.   

Free recycling categories include electronics such as computers, monitors, televisions, printers, keyboards, copiers, cell phones, and more.  Small household electronic items are also accepted at no charge and include microwaves, vacuum cleaners, coffee and bread makers, toaster ovens, small saws, drills, holiday lights, hair dryers and more. 

Batteries are also accepted for free and include all types of alkaline, lithium, rechargeable, and large lead-acid vehicle and machinery batteries.

Bulky metal items are also accepted for free and include bicycles, swing sets, metal shelving, metal cabinets, lawn and garden tractors, lawn mowers, snow blowers, metal patio furniture, outdoor grills, metal bed frames, steel posts, metal fencing, and more. 

Additional recycling items will be accepted for small fee.  Large household appliances will be accepted for $10 per item and include refrigerators, dish washers, stoves, air conditioners, etc.   Compact and large fluorescent bulbs will also be accepted for a charge with bulbs four feet and under costing $1.00 each and bulbs over four feet costing $2.00 each.  Paper and document shredding including DVD disposal is also offered and will cost $2 per participating household or business.   

Unfortunately, no paint or chemicals can be accepted at the collection. 

The event is sponsored by the Jo-Carroll Solid Waste Agency.  For questions, please contact Mark Maidak, agency coordinator, at 815-541-8183, or via e-mail at jocarrollswa@yahoo.com.

REO March 2013 newsletter

Freeport's Winter Parking Rules Go Into Effect!

CITY OF FREEPORT, ILLINOIS

WINTER PARKING REGULATIONS

• Winter Parking Regulations apply every day of month from December 1 to March 31 

• Even days of the month you must park on even-numbered side of street - generally West and North

• Odd days of the month you must park on odd-numbered side of street - generally East and South 

• Streets that have designated parking on one side only for an entire city block, shall be exempt

• 8:00 am is the beginning hour for all streets in City (except in the Business District - see below)

• Odd-Even parking does not apply in Business District. Parking in the Business District is not allowed between the hours of 2:00 am and 5:00 am throughout the entire year. Business District is area bounded by Jackson Street, the Pecatonica River, Douglas Street, and Cherry Avenue, excepting the 300 block of West Douglas Street.

• No person shall pile or cause to be piled any snow on avenues, streets, boulevards, alleys, sidewalks or any other City-owned property, except at the direction of the Public Works Director. Further, no person shall pile or cause to be piled any snow to obstruct the vision at any intersection of any street, avenue, boulevard or alley within the City.

For questions, please call City of Freeport City Hall at 815-235-8200;
Freeport Police Department (Non-emergency) at 815-235-8222; or
Street Department at 815-235-8210.

City of Freeport Flushing Hydrants Sept 17-27

When?

The City of Freeport Water and Sewer Department conducts annual fire hydrant flushing. They will be flushing fire hydrants and water lines from Sept 17-21 and Sept 24 - 27.  Flushing will occur during the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Why?

This annual maintenance is done to remove minerals and sediment that accumulate in the water lines over the course of a year.  This preventative maintenance also allows the City to check and record water pressure to ensure the water system is functioning properly.

What to expect:

During the hydrant flushing, you may observe a fire hydrant with water coming out of the side opening; and, on occasion, the water in your home may have an orange or rusty appearance. The water is safe to use and drink. The discoloration is caused by the iron sediment in the water main being disturbed by the hydrant flushing. If this occurs, please run your COLD water for several minutes to clear your lines. You should also run your water for 5 to 10 minutes prior to doing laundry during this time to avoid staining clothes and you should also flush your toilets once or twice. The water should run clear within a few minutes. If water discoloration persists for more than 24 hours after running water for 5 to 10 minutes, the Water Department will re-flush the water mains that serve your area.  If this occurs or if you have any questions or concerns regarding the hydrant flushing process, contact the Freeport Water and Sewer Construction Dispatch at 815-233-1686, leaving a message with your address and flushing request..

Electronics Recycling in Freeport

An Electronics Recycling Collection will be held on Saturday, September 22 from 9AM to 1PM at Highland Community College Parking Lot "B".  The Electronics Recycling Collection is sponsored by the University of Illinois Extension and the Stephenson County Health Department.  There is NO FEE for this collection and the collection is open to the public.  Items that will be accepted at the collection include:

•  televisions 
• CRT and LCD monitors
• computers
• laptops
• printers
• scanners
• fax machines
• copiers
• VCR's
• keyboards
• computer mice
• DVD players
• stereos
• speakers
• microwaves
• miscellaneous cables, computer parts and peripherals
• telephones
• cell phones
• PDA's
• game counsels 
• handheld electronics (iPods, cd players, Game boys)

Only items on this list will be accepted.  For more information about this event or other recycling opportunities, please call the University of Illinois Extension at 815-235-4125 or visit their website at web.extension.illinois.edu/jsw.

This is a GREAT opportunity - for example, if you were to hire a hauling company - they are charged $35 per TV they take to the transfer station, and would have to pass that cost to you along with the pick-up charge.  This is such a great deal - scour your house and drop your old/broken electronics stuff off at Highland on Sept 22nd!