GREENE PRAIRIE PRESS
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6(37(0%(5 – Vol. 150, No. 39 – &DUUROOWRQ ,OOLQRLV
INSIDE NEWS Greenfield achieves financial recognition. See page A3
Federal government approves disaster relief in region Greene absent from list By JARAD JARMON Greene Prairie Press
LOCALS
T
he federal government approved disaster relief funds for counties along the Mississippi River, but Greene County was notably absent from the list to receive public assistance. Welcome, baby Benjamin. See page A6
Gov. JB Pritzker announced Thursday that the federal government approved his request for federal assistance so that local governments can access grants or loans to help with
flood-related losses or costs incurred from battling this year’s historic flooding, according to a news release. Pritzker made the request for public assistance for 32 counties at the end of August. He announced that 27 of them were approved Thursday. Public assistance will be available in the following counties: Adams, Alexander, Bureau, Calhoun, Carroll, Cass, Fulton, Greene, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Jackson, Jersey, Knox, Madison, Mercer, Monroe, Morgan, Pike, Randolph, Rock Island, Schuyler, Scott, St. Clair, Stephenson, Union and Whiteside. “My administration stands with every resident and business impacted
by this year’s flooding, and we will help our communities rebuild stronger and more resilient,� said Governor JB Pritzker. “I want to thank our Congressional delegation for their advocacy, as well as our state and federal partners, for their help securing the additional resources I requested.� It is the first time the state has received a federal disaster declaration since 2013. The declaration required a recommendation from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and approval from Republican President Donald Trump. “We will begin working immediately with FEMA and our county emergency managers to expedite this
process as local governments will have 30 days to submit the proper documentation for funding,� said Acting Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA). “While this declaration is specifically for local and state governments, we have been told that the governor’s request for Individual Assistance, which helps homeowners and business owners, remains under review.� Under the Public Assistance program, FEMA awards grants to assist state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations (See, FEDERAL, A2)
SPORTS
Turpin, Reid honored with street signs By CARMEN ENSINGER Greene Prairie Press Two of Greenfield’s most distinguished physicians were honored this past Saturday with the alleys next to the clinic they worked in for years.
Lady Tigers secure win over Cougars. See page B6
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“Residents in Greenfield and the surrounding communities are forever grateful they took that trip on the road to Greenfield and it became their home with us.�
Dean Bishop Master of Cermonies
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IN THIS ISSUE: KEIM, MCEVERS, SANCHUK
Š 2019
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The alleys adjacent to the Fillager Memorial Clinic in Greenfield were named in honor of Dr. Jim Reid and the late Dr. Gary Turpin in a special ceremony at the clinic with a very large crowd in attendance to honor the two men who devoted so much to the health and well-being of those in their community and the surrounding communities.
Dean Bishop was Master of Ceremonies and gave a brief history of the clinic, which was provided thanks to Boyd Hospital. The clinic was built in 1959 with funds donated by a local farmer, Joe Fillager. Originally, the building was supposed to be used as a hospital, but it never was. In fact, it sat empty for five years until 1964 when two newly graduated resident physicians answered a want ad. Those men were Reid and Turpin. They agreed to begin a medical practice and staff the clinic. Both men had attended the University of Illinois and completed their residency at Decatur Macon County Hospital. Turpin originated from Carrollton and Reid from Carlinville so Greenfield was in between the two towns and seemed to be a good fit for both men. An open house was held to welcome the physicians and their families with several hundred community members in attendance who came to see the clinic finally furnished for use. It was nothing fancy and contained just the basics of exam tables, file cabinets, x-ray equipment and a laboratory for basic testing. (See, SIGNS, A4)
Submitted photo
Master of Ceremony Dean Bishop addressed a large crowd at Fillager Clinic in Greenfield for the dedication of two street signs to be placed near the clinic to honor Gary Turpin and James Reid. Both doctors started the clinic back in 1964. More photos related to the sign recognition are on XXX
Finance expert knocks TIF Turpin announces candidacy for proposition in Carrollton By CARMEN ENSINGER Greene Prairie Press Carrollton cafeteria was full of concerned citizens Monday night during the regular school board meeting to hear guest speaker William Phillips, a former superintendent who now teaches school finance at the University of Illinois. The subject of Phillips’ talk was the effect the proposed TIF district will have on school finances. “I have talked about TIF in other communities, and I will admit my bias is that I am an educator – always have been and always will be,� Phillips said. “My rational for making decisions has never changed. Decision making should be based on what is best for kids. (See, FINANCE, A2)
Circuit Judge
Carmen Ensinger/Greene Prairie Press
William Phillips, a former superintendent and expert on school finances currently teaching school finance at the University of Illinois addresses a large audience at the Carrollton School Board at the Sept. 23 school board meeting regarding the impact of a TIF district on the school district.
Four horses impounded in county for suspected abuse By KRIS SCHEFFEL Greene Prairie Press Four horses were impounded last week in Greene County over animal welfare concerns. Randy’s Rescue Ranch accompanied by Greene Sheriff Rob McMillen went to the prop-
erty near Eldred to retrieve the horses. Cases such as this are not uncommon in the area. Jersey County Sheriff Mike Ringhausen said that most reported cases of animal abuse involve horses. “The ones that we have had recently have involved horses,�
he said. “There was a case a few months ago.� The horses, three adults and one foal, are under the care of Randy’s Rescue Ranch in O’Fallon. In addition to showing signs of starvation, one of the (See, HORSES, A3)
By CARMEN ENSINGER Greene Prairie Press Carrollton Attorney Elliott Turpin is the second Democratic candidate to announce his candidacy for Greene County Circuit Judge following the retirement of long-time Greene County Circuit Judge James Day in 2020. “I would be well suited for the office of Greene County Circuit Judge because of my wide range of experience in the many areas of the law with which a circuit judge has to deal,� Turpin said. “Criminal cases are part of the caseload in Greene County, but there are many other areas of the law with which a circuit judge must be familiar.� These other areas include family law, probate law civil litigate plus others. “These types of cases involve important decisions, which will impact people’s lives,� Turpin said. “I possess the familiarity with these areas of the law that will enable me to make those important decisions.� Turpin was born in Carrollton and raise in
ELLIOTT TURPIN Greenfield, the son of the late Dr. Gary Turpin and Dixie Turpin. He graduated from Greenfield High School in 1983 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Political Science summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Illinois College in 1987. He earned his juris doctorate degree cum laude from Southern Illinois University School of Law in 1990 and was also admitted to the Illinois bar in 1990. Turpin has been the sole proprietor of the Law Office of Elliott L. Turpin in Carrollton since 2005 where he practices family law, criminal defense, estate planning, juvenile law and administrative law. He was Greene County (See, TURPIN, A2)