May 8, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

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

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

My first pet was a cat and was named Morris because he looked just like the cat on TV with the same name 

My favorite sports-related memory was covering the 2005 postseason run for Illinois,  including being courtside in Chicago for the comeback against Arizona 


I could watch Seinfeld over and over.


The best advice I have been given was from my father.   He worked hard to get to where he was and told me not to shortcut anything in life.


I’ve written a lot of stories that have been great to do, but writing the state champion story for St. Joseph volleyball at middle school probably was my favorite one, given the importance of the feat.


“Think And Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill was a book that has stayed with me after reading it. The principles of the book apply to most everything in life.


I always have my phone with me.

I collect college media guides.  I’ve covered enough events over the years to amass quite a collection of them.


The best thing about covering sports is telling the stories of the athletes.  You never realize what lies beneath the uniform, and we have some very talented young men and women here that need their stories told.  

in People
Banner
Related Posts

Running for a good cause

March 3, 2021

March 3, 2021

John Lubinski has a sizable commute each day to get from his home in St. Joseph to his place of...

Wheelhouse steps up to help community

August 19, 2020

August 19, 2020

Abbie Layden-Rogiers and her husband Ryan Rogiers have always wanted to help the community. The owners of The Wheelhouse in...

St. Joseph resident Lewis to star in ‘Frozen Jr.’

September 21, 2019

September 21, 2019

Hayden Lewis loves to act. The St. Joseph Middle School student is participating in the The Champaign Urbana Theatre Company...

10 things about me….. Dana Rowland

April 3, 2019

April 3, 2019

You may know Dana Rowland as the co-chair of the SJO Post Prom Cash Bash but now you can get...

Get to know Senior SJO Marching Band member Bryce Collins

October 21, 2022

October 21, 2022

The community surrounding Marching Band is filled with some of the most talented, passionate, and downright amazing people I’ve ever...

Harper brings Wednesday Addams to life

April 2, 2022

April 2, 2022

The characters in the Addams Family are well known. But that didn’t stop the actors at St. Joseph-Ogden from putting...

St. Joseph Community Garage Sales Spring 2025

May 7, 2025

May 7, 2025

5 505 N 4th St.Friday 9am-5pm Saturday 8am-2pmClothing, toddler to adult (all sizes) household items, toys, craft items, lots of...

Kids say…

June 17, 2019

June 17, 2019

Every week we ask five St. Joseph area students a question about farming. Today, five students from PVO South tell...

Going the Distance: Smetzer excels at Western

October 17, 2019

October 17, 2019

Ross Smetzer has goals. The 2016 St. Joseph-Ogden High School graduate runs cross country and track for Western Illinois University...

Senior spotlight… Emily Bigger

July 26, 2019

July 26, 2019

Every week we ask a St. Joseph-Ogden senior five questions. This week we talked to Emily Bigger. This post is...

‘Her heart was golden’ — Short loses battle with cancer

June 10, 2019

June 10, 2019

Nine years ago, Sarah Logan Loomis raised her hand at a meeting of parents. The meeting was for her daughter,...

Senior spotlight.. Bailey Dowling

August 13, 2019

August 13, 2019

Every week we ask an SJO senior five questions. This week we spoke to Bailey Dowling. What do you want...

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....

Williams to be inducted into Hall of Fame

October 10, 2024

October 10, 2024

Larry Williams feels honored. Williams will be inducted into the SJO Hall of Fame on Friday during the Homecoming Football...

Success of students, FFA is what Duitsman will remember about her time at SJO

July 30, 2019

July 30, 2019

This August will be a little different for Katie Duitsman. The former St. Joseph-Ogden High School agriculture teacher will not...

Comments
Leave a Reply