October 17, 2025 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Oct. 12, 2021

Thanks to MX electric for sponsoring our live blogs.

Talking Splash PAD.

I was late because I was shooting Oakwood vs. STM Soccer for the News-Gazette.

Hearing a presentation from the village clerk from Catlin on their splash pad.

The annual ongoing cost to maintain this $1,800 to $3,600.

Cost to install was about $100,000.

They sold memorial benches for $2,500, the cost was $600 to fundraise.

Julie discussing how Catlin did a door hanger to collect money. 2500 would cost close to $500. Hackler family has been having people donate money towards it. Both Hackler girls have young grandchildren who would use the splash pad. The idea is that the splash pad would go by the retention pond in the sports complex.

Art has a question. Asking about lifeguards. There are no lifeguards at a splash pad.

Asking if there has been any vandalism problems. There has not been.

Said the biggest issues are doing the software updates because people wait until the last minute. Recommending doing it six weeks ahead of time. Said people call if it isn’t open exactly on time.

Catlin Village Board donated half of the cost to the fundraising.

Discussing where the splash pad would go and what type of water to use.


Okay, my internet dropped. Basically- The board wants the committee chaired by Julie Hendrickson to come up with a size and what exactly would be in it but is also giving us permission to fundraise so look for the door hangers coming soon.

There was lot of discussion regarding where it would go. Maybe it would go at Hackler, not Woodard.

Tami saying it would be good to fundraise to see if the town even wants one. #GOOD IDEA

Max, Dan and Jim are on board and want to fundraise to see where it is going. Terri is also supportive but also wants to remind the village that they would have to budget for the cost for water, etc.

The committee is looking at grants to fund the water usage. Catlin said it could be as much as $3600 a year.

Committee, chaired by Julie Hendrickson, thinks a splash pad would be good for the following reasons 1. It would benefit children who aren’t in to sports, which the village does spent a lot of money on. 2. It would be a draw for out of town residents if done correctly. 3. If we can fundraise enough the cost to the village is very, very small.

If the funds aren’t raised the money will be returned to the donors.

Look for more information forthcoming.

Discussing crossing guard situation. They want a wireless sign on Rt. 150 telling people to SLOW DOWN.

BIGGEST NEWS: Halloween Parade at 10 a.m. with the mayor to area towns. It is delightful. Sawyer and I go every year. #freecandy

Discussing intergovernmental agreements for other towns to use our equipment. Basically, they rent it from us instead of somewhere in town.

THIS IS THE WORST PART. I was told about this last week. Julie is retiring on Dec. 31. I cannot tell you how much Julie does for the village, for the residents and gets very little credit. She has held the position for 21 plus years. She is awesome and she will be missed. But also, it’s a happy time because if anyone deserves a happy retirement it is our friend Julie. #stillgotherforafewmonths













Banner
Related Posts

Library to hold book sale

April 7, 2025

April 7, 2025

The St. Joseph Township-Swearingen Memorial Library, 201 N. Third Street, St. Joseph, IL 61873 announces its Spring Used Book Sale....

SJO Alumni named Farm Credit CEO

September 25, 2024

September 25, 2024

Kelly Duitsman Hunt was designated as the next Farm Credit Illinois CEO by the cooperative’s board of directors. Hunt assumes...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Sept. 24, 2024

September 24, 2024

September 24, 2024

I am watching on Zoom so you don’t have to. (I was sick today or else I would be in...

Q and A with SJO Hall of Fame inductee Bobbi Busboom

October 3, 2025

October 3, 2025

1. How does it feel to be inducted into the hall of fame? To be honest, I thought it was...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, April 22 2025

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Consent agenda approved as presented.Approving the recommendation to go to bid for streets and sidewalk repairs. These are sidewalks and...

Village moves forward with TIF process

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

The Village of St. Joseph is moving forward with the process to form a TIF District. Tonight at 7 p.m.,...

SJO advances to Regional title game

June 5, 2021

June 5, 2021

After a most unusual year that saw no postseason contests in any spring sports, 2021 is much different in that...

Live at St. Joseph-Ogden School Board, April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

Mitch, Jim and Alicia just took the oath of office. Jim Rein was nominated for president again. (He won.)Vice president...

Senior spotlight Eric Poe

February 7, 2020

February 7, 2020

Every week we ask a St. Joseph-Ogden senior five questions. This week we talked to Eric Poe. Thank you to...

Live at SJO School Board, Feb. 24, 2025

February 24, 2025

February 24, 2025

Principal Gary Page saying some kids really like the online Spanish class. Some do not.  Page saying it obviously doesn’t...

Getting to know SJO Senior Marching Band Member Collin Livesay

October 21, 2022

October 21, 2022

My favorite thing about marching band is being given the opportunity to create new friendships with people who I share...

Get to know our Little Prince and Princess candidates: Ivy Jo Johnson

August 9, 2024

August 9, 2024

What is your favorite part of summer? Ivy’s favorite part of summer is going to the lake with her family....

Weekend Family Fun Guide

July 26, 2019

July 26, 2019

This post is sponsored by Island Travel Group and Events On Saturday, St. Joseph plays host to hundreds of runners...

Get to know our Little Prince and Princess Candidates : Alayna Kelly-Mathey

August 9, 2024

August 9, 2024

We asked our Little Prince and Princess candidates 5 questions. Here are their answers. What is your favorite part of...

Get to know our Little Prince and Princess Candidates :Conor Schott

August 10, 2024

August 10, 2024

What is your favorite part of summer?Doing fun things and going to the trampoline park with Mimi. What do you...

Comments
Leave a Reply