August 19, 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

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...

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...

Hackler to be honored with street sign

January 25, 2022

January 25, 2022

Former Mayor B.J. Hackler used to spend a lot of time on Lincoln and Main Streets in St. Joseph. If...

Splash pad committee moving forward

April 4, 2022

April 4, 2022

The St. Joseph Community Survey found that the community wants a splash pad. 47 percent of respondents thought the splash...

Five question Friday with SJO senior soccer player Will Page

September 9, 2022

September 9, 2022

What is the best part about playing soccer for SJO? The community and fans are good, and my teammates are...

Positive attitude and strong academics focus for Taylor

March 13, 2019

March 13, 2019

Every month we feature a story on a student-athlete of the month. This post is sponsored by Christie Clinic. Maclayne...

Road Tripping

July 19, 2024

July 19, 2024

Every week we will feature a location within an hour and a half of St. Joseph that you can take...

Smith’s last-second field goal lifts SJO football to upset playoff win

November 6, 2025

November 6, 2025

Before the St. Joseph-Ogden football team traveled to Benton for a Class 3A first-round playoffgame this past Saturday, Spartans coach...

St. Joseph Village Board- Live

September 10, 2019

September 10, 2019

Tonight is the night where they vote on the dispensary. They are talking money. CDs and the like. And interest...

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...

Get to know our Little Prince and Princess Candidates :Emmett Binder

August 10, 2024

August 10, 2024

What is your favorite part of summer?Getting to go stay at Grampa’s Riverhouse What do you want to be when...

Barnes, Cramer help SJO girls’ basketball start off season perfect

November 22, 2019

November 22, 2019

So far, so good. The St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’ basketball team has opened the season with three straight wins...

Painter appointed new trustee

August 27, 2019

August 27, 2019

Max Painter has been selected to fill an open trustee position in St. Joseph. Republican caucus treasure and caucus committee...

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...

Comments
Leave a Reply