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January 28, 2010
Crowded Fields For Primary Election On Tuesday
It seems only appropriate Primary Election Day in Illinois this year comes on Groundhog’s Day, Tuesday, Feb. 2. Voters across the state would probably like to see their shadow and take the next six weeks to figure out all the races.
Contested races will be on both sides of the political spectrum across the state and locally. Parties will nominate candidates for U. S. Senator, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and the rest of the slate of statewide candidates. In Christian County, voters will decide who will be the Democrat candidate for sheriff as well as help pick a candidate for the 98th District Representative in the Illinois General Assembly.
In two of those local races, in what some people say is a first, two candidates with Morrisonville addresses are on the ballot. Current Morrisonville Police Chief Don Broaddus is one of five Democrat candidates for Christian County Sheriff.
Chief Christian County Deputy David Mahan and Patrol Deputies Mick Moliske, Gary J. Slovick and Thomas Strawn are the other candidates seeking the position.
The other Morrisonville entry, on the Republican ballot, has a little easier time of things. Wayne A. Rosenthal, currently a trustee on the Lincoln Land Community College Board, is the lone candidate for his party’s nomination as Representative from the 98th District in the Illinois House.
Meanwhile, Democrats have a trio of candidates running for the 98th District post. They are Chris Sherer, Hillsboro; Charles Landers, Benld; and Fred Snodgrass, Jr., Taylorville.
Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday. All Christian County polling places are handicapped accessible.
At the top of the ballot, a total of 11 candidates are seeking the Illinois Senate seat once held by President Barack Obama. Donald Lowery, Mark S. Kirk, Andy Martin, Kathleen Martin, John Arrington and Patrick J. Hughes are the Republican candidates with Robert Marshall, David Hoffman, Jacob J. Meister, Alexi Giannoulias and Cheryle Jackson are the choices on the Democrat side.
In the race for Illinois governor, it’s not quite so crowded, but there are nine candidates total. The Democrats have a choice between current Governor Pat Quinn and current Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes. Republicans have their choice between Kirk Dillard, Bill Brady. Robert Schillerstrom, Adam Andrzejewski, Dan Proft, Jim Ryan and Andy McKenna. During the past two weeks, Schillerstrom suspended his campaign.
There are a half-dozen candidates on each side for Lieutenant Governor. The Republican candidates are Don Tracy, Jason Plummer, Randy A. White, Sr., Brad Cole, Matt Murphy and Dennis W. Cook. For the Democrats, the candidates are Arthur L. Turner, Terry Link, Rickey R. Hendon, Scott Lee Cohen, Thomas M. Castillo and Mike Boland.
Illinois Attorney General and Secretary of State have just one candidate for each political, but in the Comptroller's race, three candidates appear on each ballot. For the Republicans, its former Illinois Treasurer Judy Barr Topinka, Jim Dodge and William J. Kelly. The Democrats have David E. Miller, S. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Clinton A. Krislov.
Republicans have a Sheriff candidate in Christian County. He is former Illinois State Police trooper Bruce Kettelkamp. He will face the winner of the Democrat Primary in November. Republican Kelly J. Bollinger and Democrat Theresa ‘Terry’ Trader are unopposed for their respective party’s nominations for Christian-Montgomery Counties Regional Superintendent of Schools. They will square off in November as well. Current Superintendent Greg Springer is retiring.
Three Democrats are vying for the nomination to run to fill the seat vacated by the retirement of Judge John Coady. They are Stephen Friedel, Stewart Freeman and Michelle Coady.
Pana Fire Department Responds To Fires Tuesday
THE PANA FIRE Department was kept busy Tuesday evening, Jan. 26, with two fires just an hour apart.
At 8:25 p.m. Tuesday, firemen were called to the Beth Smith residence at 401 S. Grant St. in Pana. Fire officials said the fire was minor in nature and was the result of some old, faulty electical wiring. Damage was confined to one room in the back of the house and is estimated at $1,500.
A little more than an hour later, after clearing the Grant St. fire, the department was called to a vehicle fire in Rosamond.
The report came in at 9:31 p.m. and the 1995 Jeep Cherokee was fully involved at the intrsection of Rosamond Ave. and Illinois Rt. 16. It was declared a total loss.
The vehicle, belonging to Bernadette Bieirmann of Pana, apparently had electrical problems. She related to fire officials she had been having trouble with lighting in the vehicle for the past few weeks.
There were no injuries and firemen were on the scene about 40 to 45 minutes.
(Gene Reed Photo)
PCH Rehab/Wellness Center Grand Opening Sunday, Feb. 14
The Pana Community Hospital Rehab/Wellness Center grand opening has been set for Sunday, Feb. 14. The public will be invited to view the new center from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., with a ribbon cutting at 2:00 p.m.
Rehabilitation and wellness center employees will be available to give tours of the facility and answer questions about becoming a member of the wellness center.
The Physical Therapy staff moved into their new area on Friday, Jan. 22. The Cardiopulmonary Rehab staff will move into the vacated east portion of the building on Feb. 4 and 5. Clinical services are being offered to patients during normal business hours Monday through Friday.
The Wellness Center will be open to the public who choose to become members in the early morning and evening hours for exercise and fitness activities. These members will be able to pursue individualized programs to enhance their health, fitness and wellness.
Members who join will be able to start using the center on Monday, Feb. 15. Anyone interested in learning more about membership may call Nancy Alexander, Wellness Coordinator at 562-6231.
January 25, 2010
Part of South Central Terminal Ground Released For Use
THE SHADED AREA of this map of the former South Central Terminal south of Pana has been released for specific development by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
The IEPA authorized the use of Brownfield Grant money to clean up the site over the past few years.
Pana Mayor Steve Sipes has been notified 14 acres of the South Central Terminal, located south of Pana on U. S. 51, has been issued a “No Further Remediation Letter” by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA).
A Remedial Objectives Report, Remedial Action Plan and Remedial Action Completion Report were prepared by Patrick Engineering, Inc. for the site and the documents were reviewed by the IEPA. The agency approved the remediation objectives at the site. The EPA stated the objectives were equal to or are above the existing levels of regulated substances.
The Remediation Site is located within the South Central Terminal complex. The plot is located north and west of the City of Pana Waste Water Treatment Plant.
The site is restricted to Agriculture, Industrial or Commercial use, with no residential use allowed.
The action is a result of part of a $120,000 Brownfield Grant to the City of Pana. Approximately 81 acres remain in the study for further remediation.
Pana Community Development Director Jim Deere credits Patrick Engineering for the quality of their work at the site, proper recording of monitoring and a professional precise plan submitted to the EPA for the NFR letter.
Deere said 450,000 plus gallons a day of industrial grade water from the Pana Waste Water Treatment Plant could provide a real plus for any industry wanting to locate at the site needing processing water.
The City will continue to search for funds to mediate the facility and the possible release of more acreage at the site, according to Deere.
Fire Destroys Oconee Machine Shed
An early morning machine shed fire on the Larry Beyers farm near Oconee destroyed the building and its contents, Sunday, Jan. 24.
Pana Fire Chief Rod Bland reported firemen arrived on the scene at 4:13 a.m. Sunday to find the building fully involved. Bland said the building contained two trucks, farm equipment and tools.
The Chief said Beyers told him shortly before he discovered the fire, he heard a loud bang, which may have been associated with a thunderstorm which was in progress. Beyers' wife, Sandy, looked out the window and told Larry something looked funny around the barn. When he went to investigate, he opened the door and smoke began to pour out.
Bland said between 25 and 30 firefighters from Pana, Oconee, Tower Hill, Nokomis, Ramsey and Herrick responded with manpower and water. He said fire-fighting efforts were hampered due to the wet ground and the one-lane road.
No one was injured. Firemen were on the scene until 7:30 a.m.
Bland said an investigation into the cause of the fire is continuing.
Snowman Decorations Create Warm Welcome at Land of Lincoln Credit Union
When you step into the Land of Lincoln Credit Union in Pana you’ll find yourself being welcomed by a collection of winter time snowmen decorations.
Every season the Land of Lincoln Credit Union of Pana decorates their lobby with various decorations which are appreciated by both their members and employees.
”We like to create a welcoming and relaxed environment for our members, it’s our way of breaking the ice,” says Sharon Smith, branch manager.
Credit unions are a different form of financial institutions in the sense a credit union is owned by the members who belong to it.
With part of the display of snowmen are, from left, LLCU employees Melissa Meadows, Pam Litz, Connie Blaney and Sharon Smith, Pana branch manager.
(Derek Hrabak Photo)
January 21, 2010
Pana School Board - State Owes School District Nearly $500,000
Half way through the Pana School District's fiscal year, they have yet to receive over $459,000 in state aid. The information was revealed during the Pana School Board meeting held Monday, Jan. 18, in the Unit Office on East Main St.
The largest deficits to Pana come in the Transportation Fund where the state owes nearly $184,000 and Special Education with a deficit in payments of $112,000. The District is owed just over $95,000 for Special Education Transportation and almost $26,000 in a Reading Improvement Grant.
Pana's Early Education Program is also in jeopardy because the state has not reimbursed the Taylorville School District for their costs of the Preschool Readiness Education Program (PREP). Pana and Taylorville co-op in PREP. Pana has already contributed around $17,000 to Taylorville for this year. The total grant from the state is nearly $608,000.
Pana School Superintendent Dr. David Lett does not feel the District can afford PREP on its own, and the Taylorville School District will have to make a decision soon on whether they will continue it next year. There are 80 Pana students enrolled in two Washington Elementary School classrooms. There are half-day and full day sessions five days a week.
The board voted to approve the issuance of debt certificates as Quality Zone Academy Bonds (QZAB) totalling $765,000. The money can be used to finance projects in the district to upgrade facilities. No new construction is allowed under the program.
Peoples Bank and Trust of Pana bought $385,000 of the total and National Bank of Hillsboro bought the other $380,000.
The banks accepted the proposals with no interest to the district. Over a 15 year period, the district will make annual payments totalling $51,000 between the two institutions. McLiney the average interest rate is about 3 1/2 percent, so with no interest, the district is saving over $15,000 per year, or around $231,000 over the life of the bond issue.
While financial concerns topped the agenda, the board was able to hear reports on educational topics.
Amanda Bjorling, the district's library coordinator, reported on upgrades to the school's library system. This school year, Bjorling said additional materials to update the fiction and non-fiction section of the high school library have been added. At the junior high, the Accelerated Reading (AR) collection has been updated as well as updating of AR materials at Tower Hill Jefferson Middle School. Lincoln School has seen an increase in non-fiction materials specializing in science and at Washington School, the emphasis has been placed on current fiction and non-fiction from the Monarch Awards list.
The board approved hiring Erica LaMarche as an after school tutor for this semester.
The school board meeting adjourned at 8:48 p.m.
Linda Goriszewski Named St. John's Employee of the Year
Pana native Linda Goriszewski, R. N. has been named the 2009 Employee of the Year at St. John's Hospital, Springfield. She is the daughter of the late Marvin and Catherine Sims of Pana.
A 1979 graduate of Pana High School, Goriszewski was named the hospital's employee of the month in January, 2009. Out of the dozen employees of the month, the employee of the year was selected.
She has been employed by St. John's for 25 years. Linda is a Cardiac Nurse, working in the hospital's Prairie Heart Institute. In an ad congratulating her in the Springfield Illinois State Journal-Register, it stated: "Linda comes in every day with a caring, compassionate attitude. Her calm soothing behavior comforts patients, and she enthusiastically participates in any project."
She and her husband, Mike, are the parents of two children, Zach and Katie, and reside in Springfield.
January 18, 2010
Bricks Fall From Another Pana Building
THE FORMER ILLINOIS Consolidated Telephone Co. building on Second Street, just off Commercial Alley in downtown Pana, lost several courses of bricks during the evening on Thursday, Jan. 14. No one was injured by the falling debris.
For the evening, barricades were placed to keep traffic away from the debris field.
On Friday, barricade fences were erected around the south side (front) on the sidewalk and west side in the alley.
Nothing else appears to have fallen since Thursday evening.
The building had been the home of Freeman Appliance most recently.
This is the fifth building in downtown Pana to either lose bricks from the facade or completely collapse in the past 10 years.
(Gene Reed Photo)
Sacred Heart 6th Grade Sends Aid to Haiti Earthquake Relief
SIXTH GRADE STUDENTS at Pana's Sacred Heart School have been watching the tragic events which occurred in Haiti with the devastating earthquake unfold. They have a pickle jar in their classroom which they contribute to for good causes. The jar contained $120.
When the disaster in Haiti happened, they decided to empty the pickle jar for the people of Haiti. The students made their contribution through Catholic Relief Services which is actively involved in the disaster relief in Haiti.
It was a unanimous vote by the students to send their money to Haiti. Along with the money, the students are also praying daily for the victims and their families.
Those sixth grade students are, in front from left, Jacob Trexler, Cassidy Smith, Reide Beyers, Ethan Harbert, Michael Blackwell, Logan Dameris and Sheila Kennedy.
Middle row, Sarah Schmitz, Torrey Wilbur, Mary Davis, Lauren Boyster, Myah Herbord, Laurel Funneman and Wade McMillen.
In back, Lexie Siegert, Abby Holthaus, Austin Gruber, Brandon Weitekamp, Renee Waddington and Gabe Weitekamp.
The class is taught by Mrs. Susan Weddle.
David 'Jeremy' McGavic Dies In Shelby County Accident
A Shelbyville man, formerly of Pana, is one of two people killed in a two-vehicle accident in Shelby County Sunday evening, Jan. 17.
Dead is David J. "Jeremy" McGavic, 28, Shelbyville. Also killed in the accident was 24-year-old Lynne M. Polette, 24, Festus, Mo. She was the driver of the car according to authorities. Both were pronounced dead at the scene by the Shelby County Coroner.
Driver of the other vehicle was identified as Timothy W. Quinlan, 47, Bethany, state police say.
The report indicates Quinlan was driving westbound on the Moweaqua Blacktop when his 2004 Ford pick-up crossed the center line entering the eastbound lane and struck the Polette 1996 Saturn station wagon head-on.
Authorities say McGavic was ejected from the vehicle during the collision. Polette had to be extricated from the vehicle.
Quinlan’s truck overturned and came to rest on its top in the road.
Quinlan was not ejected, however, he was injured. The extent of his injuries were not known. State Police did charge Quinlan with DUI and improper lane usage, according to authorities.
PB&T Gets Top Honor From USDA
Peoples Bank & Trust was recognized as one of the state’s top lenders in utilizing guaranteed home loans to make home purchases more affordable in rural Illinois. The US Department of Agriculture Rural Development annually honors lenders that excel in using the federal agency’s guaranteed loan program to increase home ownership.
“In this difficult housing market, Peoples Bank & Trust are committed to using Rural Development’s guaranteed home loan program to help as many homebuyers as possible,” said Kim Allen, a Rural Development Specialist in the agency’s Jacksonville office. Peoples Bank & Trust provided homebuyers with $1.9 million in Rural Development backed home loans this year.
“They helped borrowers buy their first homes or upgrade to better homes,” said Kim Allen, Rural Development Specialist. “We are extremely pleased with People Bank & Trust’s achievement. Homeownership is a key indicator of community stability, and their willingness to extend affordable credit that helps homebuyers purchase the home they want, also benefits the community.”
With the Rural Development guarantee, Peoples Bank & Trust can offer 100 percent loans with no required down payment, no private monthly mortgage insurance (PMI), no maximum purchase price, competitive fixed interest rates, and 30 year terms. The program includes flexible credit guidelines and generous income limits.
Information on eligibility for guaranteed home loan financing is available by contacting Peoples Bank & Trust at 1-888-728-1954. The Guaranteed Rural Housing program is administered through the Rural Development office located in Jacksonville. They can be reached at 217-243-1535 ext. 4. USDA is an equal opportunity lender, provider, and employer.
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