December 19, 2025 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Eagle Scout project by Smith set to help bikers on Kickapoo Rail Trail

Will Smith wants to help bike riders along the Kickapoo Rail Trail.

His Eagle Scout Project will do just that.

Smith, a member of Scout Troop No. 40, is currently fundraising for his Eagle Scout Project that he proposed to the St. Joseph Village Board in January.

The project is a bike repair stand along the Kickapoo Rail Trail at the stop in Kolb Park. The stand will include all sorts of tools and an air pump.

Durst Cycle is donating to the project, but Smith still needs to fundraise to cover the remaining cost.

Smith met Jared Durst, owner of Durst Cycle, during the board review for his Life Scout Rank. The members of the board asked Smith what his Eagle Scout Project would be and Smith explained the bike repair station.

“He gave me his information to contact thin about the project when I was ready,” Smith said.

The station will be placed on a concrete pad at Kolb Park, which will be donated by the village.

Smith needs to raise more than $1,000 for his project.

Donation canisters are at Casey’s and Jack Flash.

Donations can also be sent to a Paypal account set up by his mother, Jessica, at jessimarriott@gmail.com.

“We also have a Fourth of July mailbox on the porch at 104 W. Evergreen Drive,” Smith said. “Checks can be made to my mom, Jessica Marriott.”

The road to completing the project has been a long one.

Smith first had to find a project that met Eagle Scout qualifications, he then had to get estimates for the project and talk to the St. Joseph Village Board about placing the repair station on their property and now he is awaiting paperwork approval by the Boy Scouts and asking for donations. The next step will be installing the station and completing final paperwork on the entire project.

Smith said he was encouraged to become an Eagle Scout by his step-dad, Levi Marriott, who was an Eagle Scout. Marriott encouraged Smith to join Scouts.

“I also realized it will help me in the future,” he said.

Smith said he enjoys many things about scouting.

“I enjoy the people,” he said. “Everyone has their own set of skills and traits that make trips very enjoyable. I also enjoy the outdoors very much, which scouting revolves around.”

in People
Banner
Related Posts

Area students make Parkland Deans list

June 5, 2019

June 5, 2019

Area students make the Parkland Deans List FithianJazmine L. Rodriguez HomerGracyn A. AllenBrody D. ColeFiona N. ElyLena C. LeonbergerMarissa L....

Senior Spotlight…Jenna Albrecht

November 15, 2019

November 15, 2019

Every week we ask a St. Joseph-Ogden senior five questions. This week we spoke to Jenna Albrecht, who is a...

Longview Bank helps area schools

July 15, 2020

July 15, 2020

Longview Bank is helping local schools. The bank donated $2,500 to eight school districts. Shiloh, Villa Grove, Unity, Heritage, St....

‘We are here to stay’

September 19, 2019

September 19, 2019

AJ’s Station is here to stay. Owner Anthony Laubscher said he wanted to let the St. Joseph community know, that...

‘This role has been an amazing one to take on’

April 1, 2022

April 1, 2022

Wyatt Loghry has loved the Addams Family since he was little. And now, he is playing the patriarch, Gomez Addams....

Duitsman Loschen excited to return to SJO

September 27, 2019

September 27, 2019

Kelly Duitsman Loschen is returning to St. Joseph-Ogden High School today. Loschen will be the guest speaker at the Academic...

10 things you don’t know about me….. Gerald McClendon

September 6, 2019

September 6, 2019

St. Joseph resident and owner of Little Bear Hauling Gerald McClendon tells us 10 things about himself! My favorite childhood...

Krall joins Longview Bank

April 22, 2021

April 22, 2021

Brad Krall is coming home. Krall is now the Loan Officer and Mortgage Lender at Longview Bank in St. Joseph....

10 things you don’t know about me… Shawn Skinner

October 1, 2021

October 1, 2021

1. What is your favorite food? Italian food  2. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas 3. What is your favorite...

Plotner to be honored with scholarship

January 22, 2019

January 22, 2019

Mary Derenne decided to start the new year right. Even though she had been thinking about it for a few...

‘Once a spartan, always a spartan’ by Katelyn Berry

June 16, 2020

June 16, 2020

When I pictured giving a speech at my high school graduation, this isn’t exactly what came to mind. I imagined...

Always Looking to Give Back: Short honored for volunteerism

June 7, 2022

June 7, 2022

Tim Short wants to inspire the younger generations. Short, who was honored with the SJO Friend of Education Award this...

Get to know Scott Perkins

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Scott is running for the St. Joseph Grade School Board. What motivated you to run for school board? I’ve been...

‘Nadirah knew that growing up in St. Joe was just the beginning of her journey through the world’

December 9, 2020

December 9, 2020

Nadirah Edwards left an impression on everyone who met her. Whether it was her kind smile and brilliance at a...

Senior Spotlight… Danie Kelso

August 5, 2019

August 5, 2019

Every week we ask a St. Joseph-Ogden senior five questions. This week we spoke to Danie Kelso. What do you...

Comments
Leave a Reply