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CALHOUN NEWS-HERALD

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INSIDE NEWS Calhoun Council for senior news. 6HH SDJH A3

SCHOOL

CHS competes in sectional academic challenge. 6HH SDJH A5

SPORTS

Calhoun Warriors finish out season in sectionals. 6HH SDJH A6

ONLINE calhounnewsherald.com

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HARDIN, ILLINOIS 62047

MARCH 11, 2020

VOLUME 147 - ISSUE 11

Calhoun commissioners discuss buyouts By CONNOR ASHLOCK Calhoun News-Herald The Calhoun Commissioners had a lot to discuss at their March 5 meeting at the Marvin Richter Building. Conversation of buyouts was a main point of concern at the meeting. There are seven unincorporated structures, both clubhouses and private residences, that the county would be responsible for buying out, since they are not in an incorporated village. All are private property. Of course, these properties’ values must be appraised, but there must be two separate appraisers: one for commercial properties and another for residential properties. Gene Breden reported that advertising for appraisers will be posted for the next

two weeks in the Calhoun News-Herald. Another concern regarding the buyouts is the need for a project manager to oversee the process. A motion was made and carried for Christina Behrens to serve as project manager. Following discussion of buyouts, Karen Hannekan and the board discussed her schedule regarding grant writing for the county. A motion was made to approve the contract of part-time employment for Hannekan for the purpose of writing grants for the county. Following discussion of buyouts and grant writing, the third topic of business revolved around the bridge on Cash Hollow Road. It was discussed that a sizable culvert would be needed to handle the 1,200 acres of water runoff that would flow through it.

The bridge is subject to an inspection program maintained by IDOT that is overseen by the federal government. The situation is complicated by limited access to the bridge in the event of an emergency. The board’s current decision was to keep the bridge closed because it has been deemed necessary for replacement, and funds are not available at this time. This is an ongoing issue. Concerning the matter of an unfunded parks and recreation district that was discussed at the previous commissioners meeting, the county board chose not to establish a parks and recreation district. The purpose of the parks and recreation district was to provide a space for which a community pool could be built with the aid of grant funds that are only

accessible for government entities. Though the board has chosen not to form a parks and recreation district, a municipality could establish a district if it they desired. Several resolutions were also passed at the meeting. The first resolution passed concerned the Illinois county jail act. The county is and historically has been required to reimburse hospitals and medical professionals for their aid to inmates. Now, however, the county can send expenses to the Department of Public Aid and be charged the public aid rate for medical assistance on account of adopting the resolution. The second resolution passed concerned the Illinois Mutual Retirement (See, BUYOUTS, A2)

Peter Pan to fly his way to Calhoun County By JARAD JARMON Calhoun News-Herald Characters will be flying up off the stage, both literally and figuratively, in the Calhoun Entertainment Company production of “Peter Pan� later this March, marking a first for the Calhoun-based musical company. Director Jerry Sievers said past productions have had a form of flying before, namely in the “Wizard of Oz� with the Glinda the Good Witch, but this year’s production will have some of their characters flying in a way that has not been done in the 30 productions before it. “It has taken a lot of years before we finally got up enough money so that we could afford — kind of afford — to have a company come in and do the flying for us,� Sievers said. On the Fly Productions based out of St. Louis will be coming in to bring a little pixie dust to the stage. “That is the exciting thing about it. It is something new,� Sievers said. Concessions had to be made, though, to accommodate this new element to the production. “Normally, we have an orchestra —

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(See, PETER PAN, A2)

Jarad Jarmon/Calhoun News-Herald

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It’s better to give than to receive

CALHOUN NEWSHERALD

Local sends supplies for Nashville tornado victims By CONNOR ASHLOCK Calhoun News-Herald

I

t was said that the Great Flood of 1993 was a once-every-500-year flood, but the Flood of 2019 taught us all that these estimates are not always true.

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Š2020

CALHOUN NEWS-HERALD All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Jarad Jarmon/Calhoun News-Herald

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Local invents device for hunter’s lifelong battle with ducks By JARAD JARMON Calhoun News-Herald Since long before Elmer Fudd, Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny brought the age old struggle between the hunter and his quarry to our TV screens, residents of Calhoun County have been trying to get a leg up on their pesky prey.

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Carl Mager Duxtrac founder, inventor Consistently, it is a fight to adapt to the changing landscape between the two parties. While the wascally wabbits of Calhoun County are off the hook this time, one former Calhoun hunter decided to go into his workshop and do something to tip the scales back in the hunter’s favor. Through trial and error, Carl

Mager, from Batchtown now living south of Otterville, has developed Duxtrac, an animated duck decoy that’s designed to stump the duck once and for all. Duck decoys, and even animated duck decoys, have been around for a long time. Decoys have been a popular method of attracting ducks to an area that’s more advantageous for the hunter. More recently, the method has evolved, with duck hunter brands releasing spinningwing duck decoys onto the market years ago. But, in 2012, Mager was frustrated with what the market had to offer. He comes from a long line of hunters, and started to see a need to adapt — especially on public lands, where the competition is fierce. “Everybody had spinning wing decoys, and I could start to see these ducks not react to the spinning wing decoys,â€? Mager said. â€œâ€ŚOver the years, everything evolves. Well, the ducks have gotten wise to these things.â€? As any consumer would, he initially sought out a device to fit his needs — one that simulated more realistic duck movements and one that was relatively portable. Mager

Regardless, during a major flood, the only thing you can do is pull yourself up by the waders and do what has to be done for your neighbors. “Last summer, Calhoun suffered from the second-worst flood in recorded history. It was devastating for everyone,� food pantry coordinator Linda Watt said. “During that time, we received a lot of donations and we opened up a food pantry that served the residents of the county for several months during the flood. We had to close down the pantry in mid-July, and we donated what was left to the Warrior Pantry. On that very day, we received a semi truck completely full of supplies,� Watt said. The gentleman responsible for the semi full of supplies was Mickey Gwillim. With the help of residents

from Macoupin, Greene, and Jersey counties, among others, items like water shovels, cleaning supplies, diapers, clothing and anything else you could think of that you’d need during a flood were given to the people of Calhoun, no strings attached. Now, Nashville and other portions of Tennessee have found themselves victims of a terrible tornado that has claimed the lives of at least two dozen individuals and injured countless more. “After we had heard about the incident in Nashville, several residents in Calhoun County decided that they wanted to pay it forward to the residents of Nashville and for the last couple of days we’ve been receiving donations at the Sheriff’s Office, which will be transported by Mr. Gwillim,� Watt said. “We have a volunteer who is going to take a truckload of supplies to the Dollar General in Carlinville, where Mr. Gwillim’s semi is parked. And just as he did for the residents of Calhoun County, he is doing for the people in the Nashville area.� “In Calhoun County, rather than just receive, we wanted to give back, and so we have,� Watt said. “It truly is better to give than to receive.� (See, GIVE, A2)

Submitted photo

(See, DUCKS, A4)

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