June 16, 2026 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

Former St. Joseph resident shares “100 things Illinois fans should know”

April 14, 2025

April 14, 2025

Kent Brown always wanted to write a book. The Hammond native and former Sports Information Director at the University of...

St. Joseph grade encourages parents to keep kids home if sick

January 8, 2025

January 8, 2025

St. Joseph Grade School is reminding parents to keep their children at home if they are sick. “Unfortunately this time...

Kicking it off: SJO football starts another season with lofty expectations

August 29, 2025

August 29, 2025

The playoff streak is at six seasons. Nowhere near close to the record-setting 26 straight seasons with a postseason appearance...

Philo Exchange Bank President named 2024 Banker of the Year

July 5, 2024

July 5, 2024

AMELIA ISLAND, FL – During their Salute to Leadership Program at their annual conference, Illinois Bankers Association (IBA) awarded Kevin...

5 questions with Republican Caucus candidate Andrea Schultheis Childers

December 2, 2024

December 2, 2024

1. What made you want to run? We’ve lived in St. Joe for the past almost 19 years and it’s...

Residential Electronics Collection Event scheduling taking place now

April 7, 2025

April 7, 2025

The online registration for Champaign County’s Spring Residential Electronics Collection Event is now open! The collection event will take place...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, July 22, 2025

July 22, 2025

July 22, 2025

Ginger Mohr, lived in town for 25 years. Bought the property. Been approached for numerous things. Best idea we had was a...

Get to know Terri Cummings

March 12, 2025

March 12, 2025

Terri Cummings is running for St. Joseph Village Board, for a four year term, as a republican. What is the...

Challenging schedule testing SJO girls’ basketball early on

December 16, 2024

December 16, 2024

The first month of the season for the St. Joseph-Ogden girls’ basketball has featured a challenging schedule and some quality...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, July 11, 2023

July 11, 2023

July 11, 2023

Jim Wagner is not here. Jeff Van Buskirk’s seat isn’t filled yet. They approved the minutes, bills, treasuer’s report. An...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Feb. 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

I am making my triumphant return after missing two meetings due to illnesses. The flu is no joke this year...

Ogden to keep water system

March 6, 2026

March 6, 2026

Ogden will not be selling their water system. Thursday night, the a motion was not made to vote on approving...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Nov. 18, 2025

November 18, 2025

November 18, 2025

I am here. Only thing on the agenda is consideration of the ordinance approving the solicitation of qualifications and confidential...

Vendor profile: Katie Creates

August 10, 2024

August 10, 2024

Tell me about your business. I am an acrylic pour artist, meaning that I create art by pouring acrylic paint....

Live at SJO school board, October 28, 2024

October 28, 2024

October 28, 2024

It’s me and the Spanish teachers here tonight. They are doing a curriculum review. I am doing a blog. They...

Comments
Leave a Reply