January 18, 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

Why is it important to keep your blood pressure under control?

April 9, 2021

April 9, 2021

By: Christie Clinic Department of Family Medicine What are some signs of high blood pressure and why is it important to...

10 things you don’t know about me….. Pam Leiter

January 30, 2019

January 30, 2019

Every week we ask a community member to tell us 10 interesting facts about themselves. This week it is Pam...

Wagle reaches out of her comfort zone

April 3, 2022

April 3, 2022

Alayna Wagle loves Halloween. So the Addams Family spooky motif is right up her alley. “I was pretty familiar with...

Senior Spotlight…. Brayden Grimsey

September 5, 2019

September 5, 2019

Every week we ask an SJO senior five questions. This week we spoke to Brayden Grimsey. This post is sponsored...

10 things you don’t know about me… Alex Neubauer

June 27, 2019

June 27, 2019

Every week we ask residents to tell us 10 interesting facts about themselves. This week we talked to Alex Neubauer...

Emmert expresses himself via artwork

May 1, 2019

May 1, 2019

St. Joseph-Ogden senior Nathan Emmert loves creating art work. “I have always enjoyed making different kinds of art,” he said....

10 things you don’t know about me… Jim Cotter

August 19, 2020

August 19, 2020

My favorite childhood memory is going to Kings Island with my family every summer on vacation My first pet was...

Kids Say

October 22, 2019

October 22, 2019

Every week we ask area students questions about being a farmer. This week we spoke to kids at PVO South....

10 things you don’t know about me… John Mills

July 10, 2019

July 10, 2019

Every week we ask an area resident to give us 10 interesting facts about themselves. This week it is John...

Senior spotlight… Luke Cohen

October 22, 2019

October 22, 2019

Every week we ask a senior five questions. This week we talked to Luke Cohen. What do you want to...

Kids say…

August 26, 2019

August 26, 2019

Every week we ask students at local schools three questions related to farming. This week we spoke to students at...

10 things you don’t know about me… Jeff Van Buskirk

October 7, 2020

October 7, 2020

What is your favorite childhood memory?I took guitar lessons when I was in 4th or 5th grade and did not...

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...

Get to know Lindsay Rubach

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

Lindsay is running for the St. Joseph Grade School Board. What motivated you to run for school board?As an Educator...

Former rivals give back with youth girls’ basketball program

January 22, 2019

January 22, 2019

Growing up, Andrea Flenniken was a Spartan. Flenniken graduated from St. Joseph-Ogden High School in 1996 and played girls’ basketball...

Comments
Leave a Reply