December 7, 2025 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Oct. 12, 2021

Thanks to MX electric for sponsoring our live blogs.

Talking Splash PAD.

I was late because I was shooting Oakwood vs. STM Soccer for the News-Gazette.

Hearing a presentation from the village clerk from Catlin on their splash pad.

The annual ongoing cost to maintain this $1,800 to $3,600.

Cost to install was about $100,000.

They sold memorial benches for $2,500, the cost was $600 to fundraise.

Julie discussing how Catlin did a door hanger to collect money. 2500 would cost close to $500. Hackler family has been having people donate money towards it. Both Hackler girls have young grandchildren who would use the splash pad. The idea is that the splash pad would go by the retention pond in the sports complex.

Art has a question. Asking about lifeguards. There are no lifeguards at a splash pad.

Asking if there has been any vandalism problems. There has not been.

Said the biggest issues are doing the software updates because people wait until the last minute. Recommending doing it six weeks ahead of time. Said people call if it isn’t open exactly on time.

Catlin Village Board donated half of the cost to the fundraising.

Discussing where the splash pad would go and what type of water to use.


Okay, my internet dropped. Basically- The board wants the committee chaired by Julie Hendrickson to come up with a size and what exactly would be in it but is also giving us permission to fundraise so look for the door hangers coming soon.

There was lot of discussion regarding where it would go. Maybe it would go at Hackler, not Woodard.

Tami saying it would be good to fundraise to see if the town even wants one. #GOOD IDEA

Max, Dan and Jim are on board and want to fundraise to see where it is going. Terri is also supportive but also wants to remind the village that they would have to budget for the cost for water, etc.

The committee is looking at grants to fund the water usage. Catlin said it could be as much as $3600 a year.

Committee, chaired by Julie Hendrickson, thinks a splash pad would be good for the following reasons 1. It would benefit children who aren’t in to sports, which the village does spent a lot of money on. 2. It would be a draw for out of town residents if done correctly. 3. If we can fundraise enough the cost to the village is very, very small.

If the funds aren’t raised the money will be returned to the donors.

Look for more information forthcoming.

Discussing crossing guard situation. They want a wireless sign on Rt. 150 telling people to SLOW DOWN.

BIGGEST NEWS: Halloween Parade at 10 a.m. with the mayor to area towns. It is delightful. Sawyer and I go every year. #freecandy

Discussing intergovernmental agreements for other towns to use our equipment. Basically, they rent it from us instead of somewhere in town.

THIS IS THE WORST PART. I was told about this last week. Julie is retiring on Dec. 31. I cannot tell you how much Julie does for the village, for the residents and gets very little credit. She has held the position for 21 plus years. She is awesome and she will be missed. But also, it’s a happy time because if anyone deserves a happy retirement it is our friend Julie. #stillgotherforafewmonths













Banner
Related Posts

Live at St. Joseph Village Board March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

Discussing bills. Art would like them to use local vendors when possible. Art likes how the bills are organized now....

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, May 13, 2025

May 13, 2025

May 13, 2025

I am here so you don’t have to be. It’s Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges’ last meeting and Jim Page’s first meeting...

Barnes, Cramer help SJO girls’ basketball start off season perfect

November 22, 2019

November 22, 2019

So far, so good. The St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’ basketball team has opened the season with three straight wins...

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

August 27, 2024

August 27, 2024

I am making my triumphant return to the live blog. On tap tonight, approving the women’s club Christmas Parade, maybe...

Parents hold tailgate at St. Joseph IGA

November 15, 2025

November 15, 2025

Parents of the St. Joseph-Ogden Football team wanted to rally the community. So, Shawna Waller, Billie Hayes, Adrienne Umbarger and...

SJO falls to Tolono, will take on BCC at home

April 16, 2021

April 16, 2021

St. Joseph-Ogden dropped a 48-16 contest to their long-time rival Unity Rockets in an Illini Prairie Conference tilt at Hicks...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Nov. 11, 2025

November 11, 2025

November 11, 2025

Public comment Boy Scout Eagle Scout project. Asking the board if they have an interest in a bat box at...

Business owners thankful for community support after break-ins

January 25, 2022

January 25, 2022

Around 6 a.m. this morning the owner of Country Chics, Stacy Cast, got a notification. The notification told her that...

10 things you don’t know about me… Dan Davis

May 22, 2019

May 22, 2019

We asked the newest St. Joseph Village Trustee, Dan Davis, to tell us 10 things we didn’t know about him....

Library to hold book sale

April 7, 2025

April 7, 2025

The St. Joseph Township-Swearingen Memorial Library, 201 N. Third Street, St. Joseph, IL 61873 announces its Spring Used Book Sale....

Painter appointed new trustee

August 27, 2019

August 27, 2019

Max Painter has been selected to fill an open trustee position in St. Joseph. Republican caucus treasure and caucus committee...

Kern, Cafarelli, Carter and Atwood help SJO golf team have continued success

September 20, 2022

September 20, 2022

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School golf team has established a pretty common routine this season. Jacob Kern or Ashten Cafarelli...

Vendor profile: Frosty Fresh Freeze Dried Foods

August 9, 2024

August 9, 2024

Tell me about your business. Frosty Fresh Freeze Dried Foods. I sell mostly Freeze Dried candy so far. This winter...

Comments
Leave a Reply