50¢ FEBRUARY 26, 2020
PITTSFIELD, IL Thank you,
Verna Puterbaugh of Pleasant Hill, for subscribing to Pike Press!
NEWS Pittsfield council tentatively accepts pool repair bid. See page A2
Bridal special. See pages B2-3
SPORTS
Not in our house. See page B1
Pike Press
By DAVID CAMPHOUSE Pike Press At the Orr Corporation’s annual board meeting on Monday, Feb. 24, corporation president Matt Bradshaw reported to the group that plans were moving forward to construct a nearly 20,000 square foot exposition hall and educational facility at the JWCC Orr ag center, to be jointly operated by JWCC and the University of Illinois. Bradshaw updated the group on progress related to the project — including the signing last week of an intergovernmental agreement between the University of Illinois and JWCC. Bradshaw also relayed to the board members that over $800,000 of a total budget of $2 million has already been raised. The project will be funded solely by private donations. “We think that there is an extremely strong need for this,” Bradshaw said of updating the Perry ag center facilities. “The dynamics of crop production and animal production have changed dramatically over the last couple decades.” JWCC agriculture program chair Mike Tenhouse reported that the proposed building would serve three purposes — to add additional office and classroom space, to house a livestock exposition hall, and to house an animal care facility. “Currently we have two classrooms, and, when we have 60 plus students, we are pretty well taxed space-wise,” Tenhouse said. Bradshaw said he anticipates the remaining fundraising for the facility to be completed by the end of the 2020 calendar year, and that construction would commence directly.
“We would look forward to breaking ground most likely in the spring of 2021,” Bradshaw said. There was also much discussion among the members of the board regarding the possibility of housing University of Illinois Extension and Department of Natural Resources staff/ programming at the new facility in order to better serve the region. “It would be great for Western Illinois, an 11 county area, the JWCC district, and the University of Illinois,” Bradshaw said. “It’s been a while since we’ve had an actual construction project, so it’s pretty exciting.” Bradshaw also stated the importance of making the new facility readily available for FFA and 4-H groups. “Those groups are the life blood, not just of JWCC and U of I, but of our rural communities,” Bradshaw said. “That’s the whole spirit of what we’re trying to do here — to plant that seed, so those young people can come back and be contributing members of our rural communities.” In other business, the Orr Corporation board heard reports from University of Illinois faculty, staff, and researchers on research projects occurring at the Orr ag center. Extensive crop and animal science trials are ongoing at the ag center — with findings made available to University of Illinois faculty and local farmers. Board members also reviewed the corporation’s financial reports, which showed a net income over the last year of nearly $5,600 — primarily from memorials for Fred Bradshaw donated to the Orr Corporation by the Bradshaw family.
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INSIDE Classified . . . . . . . .B5 Community . . . . . A7 County News . . . . . A2-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A8, B6-7 Court . . . . . . . . . . .B5 Marketplace . . . . . .B4
WALKING
David Camphouse/Pike Press
THE DOG
Pike County assistant animal warden McKenzie Ballinger of New Salem exercises Shamis at the Pike County Animal Shelter in Pittsfield. The synthetic surface in the exercise area was paid for by the Richard L. Gray trust.
New animal control ordinance includes both dogs and cats
FRIDAY, FEB. 28
High
VOL. 178, NO. 9
Orr Corporation announces construction at ag center
WEEKEND WEATHER High
pikepress.com
GRILL
David Camphouse/Pike Press
MASTERS
Griggsville-Perry seniors and FFA members Zach Mountain, left, and Tyler DeJaynes, right, grill corn for an FFA luncheon Wednesday, Feb. 19. FFA students who sold the most items during G-P’s annual fundraiser were treated to a lunch of steak, corn, and mashed potatoes. More FFA pics appear on page A8.
By MICHAEL BOREN Pike Press The Pike County Board at its regular monthly meeting Monday night approved an ordinance, previously approved by the Agricultural Committee, by a 7-1 vote, with John Birch opposed and Amy Gates absent. The ordinance states, “All dogs and companion cats in Pike County four months or more of age, whether confined, shall be vaccinated against rabies and shall be registered with the Pike County Clerk’s office.” Several board members made it very plain that this is only being passed due to a new requirement in state law. One member said, “We don’t want to be in the business of herding cats.” The ordinance also states, “It shall be the duty of the owner of any dog or companion cat in Pike County to report to the Pike County Animal Warden within 60 days, by reasonable manner, any change of ownership of the dog or companion cat or death of the dog or companion cat.” The fines associated with the ordinance range from $50 to $500.
The Building and Grounds Committee report stated that the security construction has now begun in the north corridor of the courthouse, which is now completely sealed off from the rotunda. Access to the courthouse is temporarily via the west door. The board unanimously tabled, for one month, a request from Gina Johns and David Caldwell for a liquor license for the motel and nearby former café building at Pike Station. It was indicated that video gambling would also be planned in both locations if the liquor license was granted. The county currently licenses three facilities in unincorporated areas: Copperhead Tavern, Maximillions, Inc. at East Hannibal (both of which have video gambling) and Hopewell Winery. The county received revenue of $37,679.03 in 2019 from the two gambling locations. The Building and Grounds Committee approved the use of the courthouse grounds by the Ministerial Association for an Easter Egg Hunt on April 11, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. And the committee is seeking bids for plaster repair (See, ORDINANCE, A2)
Obituaries . . . . .A5-6
Live like Cody
Opinion . . . . . . . . A4 Our Town . . . . . . A6 Sports . . . . . . . . . . .B1 Obituaries in this issue: Brown, Burbridge, Ducey, Graham, Roberts, Sharrow, Smith, Spradlin, Stelbrink, Tucker, Walston.
Pike Press © 2020 All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
By DAVID CAMPHOUSE Pike Press Pittsfield and surrounding communities are mourning the loss of 17year old PHS senior Cody Walston, who died unexpectedly last Monday, February 17. Walston was very well-known around the community and within Pittsfield High School. PHS principal Angie Greger praised Walston as a model member of the PHS community. “Cody was everything Pike County — he loved hunting, the outdoors, and football, and he was kind to everyone” Greger said. “Cody’s smile really lit up a room. When he was smiling it was sincere. He never half-smiled. He smiled all the way — you knew he really meant it.” Walston’s Saukee Youth Football coach Rick Miller remembers the young man fondly, echoing Greger’s depiction of Cody as a kind person. “The one thing I can say about Cody is that he was a wonderful, wonderful person — an outstandingly good person,” Miller said. “There aren’t too many kids you can say that about.” Miller, too, remarked on Walston’s smile. “His smile — he had a great smile,” Miller said Walston’s former coach said that not only was Cody kind, he was consistently kind. “It wasn’t an act, he was like that every minute,” Miller said. “The community lost a good one.” Pittsfield’s mayor and city council members also remembered Walston during the group’s Tuesday, Feb. 18 meeting. Walston is a great-nephew
of Bill Grimsley, alderman from ward three and had also worked for the city as a summer employee last year. “He was a good worker,” John Hayden, mayor, said. “He had said he would come back and work for us this summer.” Jeff Griggs, street and alley foreman, and Walston’s supervisor while working, echoed Hayden’s remarks. “We were hoping he would,” Griggs said. “He was a wonderful young man.” Grimsley said he appreciated the city giving Cody the opportunity to
work for them and the kind words. Last Tuesday, PHS classmates dressed in camouflage and plaid when the Pittsfield High School Saukees played host to Calhoun High School for senior night. Calhoun County students also participated in honor of Walston. “I was very proud of how our students came together and remembered their classmate,” Greger said. Funeral services were held Sunday at the Assembly of God Church in Pittsfield. A complete obituary appears on page A5.
CODY WALSTON
Doug Pool/Pike Press
PHS students dressed in either camo or plaid, two of Cody Walston’s favorite fabric choices for Tuesday night’s basketball game. All schools in the county did the same and others in the area honored the PHS senior in the same way after his unexpected death, Feb. 17. HIs death has been attributed to natural causes.