CNH 8.21.19

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CALHOUN NEWS-HERALD

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INSIDE NEWS

Welcoming first female county officer. 6HH SDJH A3

Modern Woodmen donates to cause. 6HH SDJH A6

HARDIN, ILLINOIS 62047

AUGUST 21, 2019

VOLUME 146 - ISSUE 34

County expected to receive federal disaster declaration By KYLE CUNNINGHAM Calhoun News-Herald County Engineer Kyle Godar addressed the Commissioner’s during their Aug. 19 meeting with news they were all hoping to hear: a real possibility of a federal disaster declaration. “When FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) came in, they said they had $90 million in damage turned in,� Godar said. “They then came around a second time and vetted those numbers.�

According to Godar, during their second stopover, FEMA visited each individual person and business to inspect and see what the actual damage was. If the person had insurance, then that property was thrown out of the mix. After vetting, FEMA knocked off roughly $30 million and more than likely will eliminate more. However, Godar stated that the federal government wants to see $25 million in damages before they will begin to assist, which the county still expects to be over that when the process is

through. Although the funding is expected, the arrival of said funds could take a substantial amount of time. “It will drag on for months,â€? Godar said in reference to the reimbursement process. “It will likely be years until we receive a final reimbursement payment‌ For now, we are just fixing what needs to be fixed.â€? Actions taken by the board included: Q The approval of a resolution for a Comprehensive Economic

Development Strategy Proposal through the University of Illinois, spending no more than $2,000 for their service. The resolution will allow the extension to research and write grants that the county may be eligible to receive. Q The appointment of Commissioner Doug Wilschetz to the Emergency Food and Shelter Board to replace Pat Droege. Q The approval of a spending budget appropriation for the 2019/2020 fiscal year.

North Calhoun Fire starts GoFundMe for firehouse replacement By KYLE CUNNINGHAM Calhoun News-Herald

Newly renovated Hot Spot Youth Center open. 6HH SDJH A6

ONLINE calhounnewsherald.com

WEEKEND WEATHER FRIDAY, AUG. 24

76 61 High

Low

SATURDAY, AUG. 25

78 63 High

Low

SUNDAY, AUG. 26

81 65 High

Low

CALHOUN NEWSHERALD

T

he aftermath of the historic 2019 flood is still rearing its head. Among those still feeling the impacts of the flooding are those at the North Calhoun Fire Protection District. North Calhoun Fire is feeling the effects of the flood more so than ever since their firehouse was compromised. The devastation left the building completely inoperable and will subsequently need to be demolished. “It’s a total loss and is now condemned� North Calhoun firefighter Debbie Hall and wife of Chief Firefighter Gary Hall said. According to Hall, the flood did more damage to the station than in ’93. This time around, waters reached the electrical system and bowing walls, and also managed to crack the concrete floors. “In ’93, it didn’t get this bad,� Hall said. The firehouse will need to be replaced, and because of the lack of available funds, the district opted to start a GoFundMe page, which was shepherded by North Calhoun Fire Captain Chase Petroski. Currently, the goal is to raise $85,000 for a new building, and the page is imperative to helping generate funds because of what little the district receives, which primarily goes to maintaining and fueling the vehicles in both North Calhoun and Hamburg, which it is also responsible for. According to county records, the district receives just $30,973 in county taxpayer dollars that is split between the two stations. This is the only source of income the district has, which has always been used to upkeep and maintain their fleet. Right now, the department is operating out of a (See, FIREHOUSE, A2)

Kyle Cunningham/Calhoun News-Herald

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Calhoun School Board member resigned By -$5$' -$5021 Calhoun News-Herald The Calhoun District No. 40 School Board accepted Tony Friedel’s resignation from the board at Monday’s meeting, according to the superintendent report. Friedel has been a board member for six-plus years. Kate Sievers, Calhoun superintendent, said Friedel felt it was time to move on. She commended the long-time board member for his service.

“He has been a great resource for the school district,� Sievers said. He will be one of many named on the “wall of fame� at Calhoun High School. Also at the meeting, the board OK’d the purchase of a three-door freezer at the high school to replace one that has broken. The cost of the freezer, a Beverage-Air ThreeDoor Freezer, totals $5,471 from Restaurant (See, RESIGNED, A2)

Hunting classes a consideration for Calhoun schools

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New legislation opens up possibility

Obituaries in this issue: Halemeyer

By -$5$' -$5021 Calhoun News-Herald Recent legislation opens up the possibility of hunting education classes in the school district, and local districts are looking into if the area would want and benefit from an introduction to these courses.

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

Kate Sievers Calhoun Superintendent

Kathy Brackett/Calhoun News-Herald

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A bipartisan-backed law passed last month gives Illinois public schools the option of offering hunter safety education for course credit, and districts like Calhoun District No. 40 are excited by the idea. Kate Sievers, Calhoun Superintendent, said they are looking into the ability to train a staff member to be able to teach the program. “It is something that would fit very well in (the Calhoun community),� she said. This is not to say that it is a sure thing in the district. Sievers said the program had to be done correctly, and the logistics to get it done are still being hammered out at the state level. Sievers said they will also be taking into account interest from students and the ability to teach these programs financially. “If it is something we can offer the community, we will figure that out,� Sievers said. Sievers indicated interest plays a big factor in offering the course at the high school. Hunting is a big interest in the county, and many of those (See, HUNTING, A2)


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