May 30, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Cooper looks to make a difference in Ogden

Kelly Cooper wants to make a difference in Ogden. 

That is why she ran for village board in 2017 and why she is running for re-election on April 6. 

“I wanted to make a difference in our town,” she said. “I wanted to bring some life and excitement back.” 

Cooper was did bring excitement back into town as she spearheaded the Ogden festival, an event that included a car show, flea market, helicopter rides and softball tournaments. 

“The Ogden Street Fest would be one of things that I am most proud of. It was one of the promises that I made when I was running for election in 2017,” she said.  “We were able to have it successfully in 2018 and even more so in 2019. Then everything changed in 2020 due to COVID causing it to be cancelled. I honestly feel that we would have had and even bigger turn out in 2020 if it could have continued.”

Planning the festival was just one way Cooper was able to give back to the town she loves as a trustee. Her goal when she ran in 2017 was to look out for her fellow resident’s best interests and help them in anyway possible. 

That continues to be her goal. 

“The most rewarding part of being a trustee is knowing that you have the ability to help the towns people by looking out for their best interests,” she said. 

Cooper, who is married and works full time for the University of Illinois, has two large breeds dogs. Bandit is a three year old Bloodhound and Smokey is a two and a half year old English Mastiff. Her son, Devin, lives in Gifford and is an electrician. She enjoys gardening, baking, making her own soap and crafting. 

She also deeply loves her town. 

“I am a very friendly outgoing person who loves living in a small village such as Ogden” Cooper said.  “I am also a patriotic person who respects and believes in the freedom and values of our country. I hold true to the promises that I make and will always be truthful.”

Banner
Related Posts

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Feb. 27, 2024

February 27, 2024

February 27, 2024

Thanks to MX Electric for sponsoring our live blogs. I am 11 minutes behind but they are going over the...

Live at Ogden Village Board, May 2, 2024

May 2, 2024

May 2, 2024

Dollar General is here to talk about what their new store layout will look like on the Pink Pig land....

Talk of the Town with Mayor Ray Cunningham

August 25, 2019

August 25, 2019

Recently, Homer lost its grocery store and the Main Street Belly Deli. Mayor Ray Cunningham discusses how Homer is hoping...

Brush pick-up to resume in August

July 9, 2019

July 9, 2019

Brush pick up is expected to resume in August. The Village of St. Joseph held a Buildings and Grounds Committee...

Talk of the Town.. Ogden Mayor Gabe Clements

June 17, 2019

June 17, 2019

Every week we ask a village mayor, trustee, school administrator or school board member three questions. This week we talked...

White Christmas on tap for area

December 23, 2022

December 23, 2022

This Christmas could be special weather-wise. Steve Hilberg, the Retired, Director of the Midwestern Regional Climate Center, said this won’t...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Oct. 11, 2022

October 11, 2022

October 11, 2022

We are live at village board. The news everyone is waiting for. Halloween Trick or Treat hours are Oct. 31...

Village asking for feedback on liquor license

January 25, 2021

January 25, 2021

The Village of St. Joseph is asking residents for feedback regarding a proposed new liquor license. During a Jan. 18...

Fruhling-Voges lays out Phase 3 plans for St. Joseph

May 29, 2020

May 29, 2020

St. Joseph Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges wants St. Joseph residents to be patient with one another as the State of Illinois...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board

October 8, 2019

October 8, 2019

The past few meetings have been packed… not this one. Only two audience members. They approved the minutes, are going...

Get to know Steve Peters

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

Steve is running for the St. Joseph Village Board. What is the best thing about St. Joseph? I have been...

‘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...

Ogden mayor resigns effective Nov. 1

October 26, 2023

October 26, 2023

Gabe Clements has resigned as the mayor of Ogden effective Nov. 1. ,In his resignation letter to the Village Board,...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board April 12, 2022

April 12, 2022

April 12, 2022

I am here so you don’t have to be. It’s me, Debbie, Mike Sennert, Tiffany and the board. #fullhouse #notreally...

St. Joseph Village Board, June 27, 2023

June 27, 2023

June 27, 2023

Special event permit for Pickleball tournament during Community Festival. Proposal is to do a tournament at the festival. Either doing...

Comments
Leave a Reply