May 13, 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

Get to know our Little Prince and Princess Candidates : Aleena Swanson

August 10, 2024

August 10, 2024

What is your favorite part of summer?Going swimming in a pool What do you want to be when you grow...

5 questions with Brian Brooks

December 15, 2024

December 15, 2024

1. What is your favorite childhood holiday memory?My favorite childhood holiday memories started each year at Thanksgiving. My mom had...

Vendor profile: Frosty Fresh Freeze Dried Foods

August 9, 2024

August 9, 2024

Tell me about your business. Frosty Fresh Freeze Dried Foods. I sell mostly Freeze Dried candy so far. This winter...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, April 8, 2025

April 8, 2025

April 8, 2025

Tonight the board is discussing the fiscal year 2025-26 budget. They are also considering an update to the code of...

School districts wait to support TIF

February 25, 2025

February 25, 2025

School Districts in St. Joseph are waiting to take a stance on the village’s proposed TIF district.The district, which the...

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. 25, 2025

February 25, 2025

February 25, 2025

Jim Page is here. He’s running for mayor. Peter Shaw is here. He is running for village board. They just...

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...

5 questions with Michelle Wagner

December 15, 2024

December 15, 2024

1. What is your favorite childhood holiday memory?My favorite childhood memory is Christmas Eve. Our family would go out to...

Living Word to hold event to help families navigate digital world

August 25, 2025

August 25, 2025

Living Word Family Church want to help families in this digital age.  Living Word Family Church will be hosting a...

Vendor profile: Janeration

August 10, 2024

August 10, 2024

Tell me about your business and what inspired you to go into business? What started as making hair bows for my...

Village to discuss asking for proposals to develop north part of sports complex

February 10, 2026

February 10, 2026

The Village of St. Joseph is discussing future plans for the Woodard Sports Complex tonight. The village board will decide...

Treasurer looks to return property to citizens

February 5, 2026

February 5, 2026

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ staff will be at the Saint Joseph Township-Swearingen Memorial Library on Tuesday, April 7, 2026...

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, 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...

Comments
Leave a Reply