50¢ FEBRUARY 5, 2020
PITTSFIELD, IL Thank you,
Herschel Carter of Pittsfield, for subscribing to Pike Press!
NEWS Barry council talks code enforcement, parking. See page A2
Heart disease prevention is a lifestyle. See page A5
SOCIETY
Celebrating 70 years. See page B2
SPORTS
Bob and weave. See page B1
WEEKEND WEATHER
Pike Press
pikepress.com
VOL. 178, NO. 6
Numbers can be deceiving; 2019 end of year stats
By BETH ZUMWALT Pike Press A look at end of the year numbers in Pike County show some categories are up, some are down, but most remain with in the range of last year’s. One notable difference was the increase in driving under the influence was driving under the influence charges were up from 41 last year to 64 this year. “For a few years we were understaffed,” Brian Anderson, Commander of the Illinois State Police in Pittsfield, said. “We now have some young, hard working troopers who are aggressive in keeping our highways safe.” Anderson also attributed the state of Illinois’s efforts at increasing awareness of DUIs and more educational tools. “Springfield does a great job of keeping our social media up-to-date – Facebook, Twitter, etc. We get the word out, especially about holidays,” Anderson said. “We had a lot about Super Bowl stuff and others.” Although legalized cannabis has only been in affect since the beginning of the year, Anderson predicts the number of driving under the influence of cannabis will be an issue in the coming year. “We haven’t seen it yet, but I suspect we will,” he said. Cannabis could also be the cause of the number of misdemeanors charged in Pike County calling from 157-152. Possession of cannabis was dropped from a misdemeanor to an ordinance violation in 2018
FOLLOW
Submitted photo
THROUGH WITH YOUR SWING
John Pennock, Pittsfield, watches his ball roll toward the hole Saturday on the Thomas Farms leg of the 7th Annual Poleshed Open, hosted by the Pittsfield FFA Foundation. The event attracted nine more teams than last year bringing the number of teams to 73. Nine holes were hosted by Matt Bradshaw, Logan Ag, Bowler’s Universe, Two Rivers FS, Old Orchard Country Club, Thomas Farms, R and S Farms, East Pike Fire Department and the Riverbank. Money from the event goes toward scholarships, trips and projects. The foundation says the event would not be possible without the support of those hosting holes and hole sponsors and others who contributed.
(See, STATS, A2)
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INSIDE Classified . . . . . . . .B5 Community . . . . . .B2 County News . . . . . A2-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B3 Court . . . . . . . . . B5-6 Marketplace . . . . . .B4 Obituaries . . . . . . A3 Opinion . . . . . . . . A4 Our Town . . . . . . .B3 Sports . . . . . . . . . . .B1 Obituaries in this issue: Beam, Christison, Conkright, Knight, Peters.
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ED GREENING
CHRISTY DAVENPORT
Greening appointed to Pikeland board By DAVID CAMPHOUSE Pike Press Pittsfield’s Ed Greening was seated on the Pikeland school district’s board of education during a special board meeting Tuesday, Jan. 28. Greening was one of seven community members who submitted letters of interest to be considered for the seat left open by board secretary Brian Daniel’s Dec. 31 resignation. “Legally, candidates for the open seat had to reside in Pittsfield Township,” Pikeland board president Mike Gerard said. “We were blessed with seven very good candidates who sent letters.”
According to Gerard, who is a 21 year veteran of the Pikeland school board, Greening’s prior experiences set him apart from other applicants. For the last 36 years, Greening has served as controller at United Contractors Midwest, where he oversees day to day accounting operations for the company. In addition, Greening has previously served on Triopia school district’s board of education. Greening, a 1983 graduate of Pittsfield High School and parent of two PHS graduates, said he was drawn to the school board by a sense (See, GREENING, A2)
Davenport named Pike County Chamber director The Pike County Chamber of Commerce Board announced Christy Davenport as the group’s new Executive Director. Davenport began her tenure as executive director of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce Monday, Feb. 3. “The Board of Directors has selected Christy Davenport to serve as the new executive director for the Chamber,” said Beth White, Pike County Chamber of Commerce board president. “Christy will be instrumental in carrying out the mission of the Chamber office. Her past experience with Main Street and her dedication to Pike County will benefit the Pike County Chamber immensely.” Davenport and her husband, Chris, realized the significance of rural community life and returned to Chris’s hometown of Pittsfield nine
years ago with their three children. Davenport previously held the position of executive director of Pittsfield Main Street, which was a volunteer-driven, preservationbased, downtown revitalization and economic development program that brought synergistic events and community collaboration to the Pittsfield Business district. Davenport is excited for the opportunity to help bring similar passion and programming to the larger, county-wide focus of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce. “I’m a relationship person, recognizing there is strength in numbers, and great health in unity. I look forward to building on the base of the great win-win relationships shared with the current members of the Chamber, and ready to get going (See, DAVENPORT, A2)
Submitted photo
Alice Cripe, left, and Debra Smith, right, learn how to use their smart devices to access North Pike Library District’s collection of e-books during a workshop held Thursday, Jan. 30 and the library in Griggsville.
Libraries increase access with e-books By DAVID CAMPHOUSE Pike Press Many library districts are turning to electronic books (e-books) as a way to increase readership and increase the number of books available to patrons. To help library patrons learn how to access the library’s e-book collection, North Pike librarian Kimber Martin facilitated an e-book workshop Thursday, Jan. 30. “The attendees found the e-book system easy and accessible,” Martin said.“They were very excited.” The North Pike District Library makes e-books and e-audiobooks available to patrons through the library’s “OverDrive” system. Patrons are able to access the e-books and e-audiobooks from their computer, smart phone, or tablet. According to Martin, some librarians are fearful that the remote access to library books afforded by e-book systems will decrease foot traffic into the brick and mortar library, but Martin sees value in the technology. “I hope that e-book use will increase,” Martin said. “Readers logging into the e-book system show that people are taking advantage of the resources we have, and it serves people that aren’t able to get here.” Martin also says that e-books are easier to use for older readers and readers with vision problems. “With e-books you can make the font bigger, and adjust the background color and brightness to make the page easier to read,” Martin said. “Many older readers find a lightweight tablet easier to hold onto than a book.”
Pittsfield’s public library also makes e-books accessible to its patrons. According to Pittsfield Public Library staff member Clari Dees the library’s e-book system appeals to many residents that may not otherwise utilize the library. “We have readers who use the e-books and audio books when they are traveling,” Dees said. “They use the system before a trip, and then sometimes we won’t see them again until their next trip.” Dees added that e-book systems can dramatically increase the number of book titles available at small, rural libraries. “The number of titles fluctuate because of licensing,” Dees said. “Currently we have 43,000 e-books available and 1,300 e-audiobooks.” For perspective on how much e-book access has increased the number of book titles at the library, Dees indicated that Pittsfield Public Library has between 25,000 and 30,000 physical books in its collection. Barry public library also offers its patrons access to e-books. For more information on e-books, contact your local library. Q Barry Public Library 880 Bainbridge Street Barry, Illinois 62312 217-335-2149 www.barrypubliclibrary.org Q North Pike District Library 119 South Corey Street Griggsville, Illinois 62340 217-833-2633 www.northpikedistrictlibrary.com Q Pittsfield Public Library 205 North Memorial Street Pittsfield, IL 62363 217-285-2200 www.pittsfieldpubliclibrary.com