April 13, 2026 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

St. Joseph man peacefully protests against police brutality: ‘We need to listen’

June 4, 2020

June 4, 2020

Jon Arteaga isn’t looking for any praise by protesting at the corner of Main Street and Route 150 in St....

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...

Passion for fitness inspires Hixson’s JustBfit class

September 17, 2019

September 17, 2019

Brenda Hixson likes to help people be fit. Hixson created a fitness program that meets at St. Joseph Grade School...

She’s Back! Dukeman set to get another shot at softball this summer

June 30, 2020

June 30, 2020

Hannah Dukeman is getting a chance to play softball despite COVID-19 stealing her senior season at St. Joseph-Ogden High School....

Dairy Barn still for sale

July 6, 2022

July 6, 2022

The Sidney Dairy Barn is still for sale. Listed for sale in mid-June, the iconic ice cream stand has yet...

For Schmidt, hard work pays off

July 12, 2019

July 12, 2019

Sammi Schmidt isn’t afraid of hard work. The future Illinois State Redbird was awarded the Gary Butler award at St....

Grindley keeps positive attitude during pandemic

May 26, 2020

May 26, 2020

During the COVID-19 pandemic that we are all experiencing, it’s just not high school athletes that are being affected. Lucas...

SJO community mourns death of Glenn Fisher: ‘He had a heart of gold’

January 12, 2021

January 12, 2021

Glenn Fisher liked to tease people. Whether he was telling the newly hired football coach at St. Joseph-Ogden High School...

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...

St. Joseph PTC sponsoring school supply drive

July 9, 2019

July 9, 2019

Katie May doesn’t want any child in St. Joseph to start the school year without the supplies they need. The...

Senior Spotlight… Jillian Plotner

January 23, 2020

January 23, 2020

What are your plans after you leave SJO?I plan on studying forensic anthropology. I haven’t decided what school yet! If...

Deadline approaching for Pageant

May 27, 2019

May 27, 2019

The deadline to compete in the Champaign County Fair Queen and Little Miss Pageant is this week. The Champaign County...

How I get it done… Todd Jacob

September 30, 2022

September 30, 2022

We are asking business owners to tell us about their daily routine and how they accomplish goals for their businesses....

Senior spotlight… Lindsey Aden

January 2, 2020

January 2, 2020

What are your plans after high school? I hope to attend Stanford University to double major in political science and...

Foundation created to honor Oberheim

June 9, 2021

June 9, 2021

The family of Police Officer Chris Oberheim is working to develop a not-for-profit foundation. The foundation name was announced Tuesday...

Comments
Leave a Reply