June 4, 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

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

March 11, 2025

March 11, 2025

We are live so you don’t have to be. Thanks to MX Electric for sponsoring our live blogs. No public...

10 things you don’t know about me… Angi Landis

June 27, 2022

June 27, 2022

1.  I’ve wanted to be a real estate agent since my girls were little.  They are 27 and 22 (will...

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...

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....

Get to know Judy Bowlby

March 11, 2026

March 11, 2026

Bowlby, a former Cerro Gordo resident, is running in the 15th Congressional District Primary What inspired you to enter the...

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...

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...

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...

Board approves concession stand project

August 25, 2025

August 25, 2025

St. Joseph-Ogden Softball  will be getting a concession stand, restrooms, and a concrete walkway that will connect to the north parking...

Live at Village Board, Nov. 23

November 23, 2021

November 23, 2021

We are live at village board. Where we will discuss the Splash Pad and failed lift stations that cause sewer...

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 : 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...

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 fourth quarter high honor roll

July 9, 2019

July 9, 2019

High Honor RollFreshmenAllen, Addison Altenbaumer, Tyler Anderson, Kailyn Armstrong, Ella Atwood, Madison Behrens, Abigail Beyers, Andrew Bowln, Brandie Burkhalter, Mara...

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...

Comments
Leave a Reply