Arieanna Walker and Kelly Brewer help pre-kindergarten students with a “cookie drawing” on Tuesday. It was the 100th day of School at Bridgeport Grade School. In addition to other activities, the students enjoyed counting and eating the numbered treats. (Photo by Amy Elliott)


New construction of Lawrenceville High School is moving upward. The steel structure pictured is the frame of the main hall foyer and four classroom areas. The gym will adjoin the centerpiece to the south, while administration offices will be built to the north. The foundation for those sections is being poured. While meeting in regular session on Monday, the Lawrenceville School District Unit 20 Board set the LHS graduation date for Sunday, May 20 at 2 p.m.
(Photo by Barbara E. Allender)


The Holden Center at the United Methodist Village has closed. Used for administrative offices and storage, the Center has not housed residents for several years.

UMV closes Holden Center

   The United Methodist Village Board of Directors and Administration have announced the closing of Holden Center, the third location of the ‘Methodist Village Old Folks Home’ after nearly 86 years. “It is with heavy hearts that we’ve made this decision. It has not been made lightly, nor without tears,” said Carol Brown, Administrator of the UMV Main Campus.
   She explained that the face of long term care has changed dramatically since The Village’s humble beginnings in 1908. As the government has become increasingly involved in the regulation of long term care, more and more changes have been forced upon the industry. After a small fire on the third fire of Holden Center in 2004, residents were moved off the third floor while the residents on the remaining floors stayed. In 2005, because of added government mandates, it was clear that the remaining residents would also no longer be able to stay. Holden Center was then assigned to be used for administrative offices and storage.
   Significant changes are occurring in the healthcare industry. For the Village, the cuts in reimbursement from Medicare and Medicaid continued and the costs of operating Holden Center increased. Administration again faced another decision on the future of The Village. The needs of the residents were placed above all else: which has always been the top priority of Village Administration. The decision to close Holden Center was made.
   “We want to dispel any rumors and we want to ensure everyone that Holden Center is not condemned nor are we, in fact, closing the entire United Methodist Village,” said Jamie Tussey, Marketing Director for the UMV. “The Village will continue to give excellent care to our residents as it has the last 103 years.”
   HISTORY
   Since its inception, the Village has been motivated by a guiding spirit of compassion and Christian concern for the whole person: mind, body & spirit. The Village encourages everyone to continue to pray for the UMV Board of Directors & Administration as they move forward in making decisions that will shape the future of The Village: a significant piece of Lawrence County’s history.
   The Village began its ministry as the “Old Folks Home” in Smithboro, Illinois in 1908. In 1915, the building burned and the residents moved to rented quarters at Greenville, then, later to Litchfield and Lebanon. In 1918, the residents were moved to a home in St. Francisville where it continued until 1926, at which time a three-story building was completed in Lawrenceville on a five-acre tract of land donated by the Lawrenceville Chamber of Commerce. Wings were added to the building in 1953, and the building, including the wings is now known as Holden Center. Because of the pressing need for nursing care, Wesley Center was built in 1967, and Dycus Center in 1974. A 28-bed Alzheimer Unit was completed in 1990. In 1991, the Village Playhouse was opened to assist employees and the community with daycare needs.
   In order to meet the demand for Independent Living, the Village has built or acquired a number of apartments, cottages and houses called Southern Meadows. The Village added McKiou Center (now called Southern Meadows Estates), an independent living apartment complex.
   More recently, the United Methodist Village purchased the Lawrenceville Manor, 2101 James Street, Lawrenceville, which is a 98-bed facility.
  

County to take action on ‘criminal trespassing’

  River levee damage puts residents, property at risk
   By Barbara E. Allender
   Residents who could be affected by the stability of the Wabash River levees in northeastern Lawrence County took their concerns to the Lawrence County Board on Wednesday night (Jan. 18).
   While meeting in regular session, the County Board heard complaints of destruction to the levee. Lawrence County State’s Attorney Lisa Wade was also on hand to advise the residents and the Board on options that could punish, as well as deter, continued “criminal trespassing” on the levee.
   Citizen comments included: … “for anyone to go out there and deface the levee…this is not going to be tolerated. It affects peoples’ lives, incomes. …If anyone sees anyone on the levee, make a phone call.”
   The levee commissioners will be hauling rock in help to stabilize the area. It could cost from $5 – 10,000 to repair damage caused just on top of the levee. “This is a lot of taxpayers’ money going to waste,” one commissioner commented. There is still difficulty in getting to the levee due to ruts caused by tire tracks from pickup trucks using the area for a four-wheel drive mud playground.
   Board member David White suggested that the Neighborhood Watch be put into full force. “I saw these guys (residents and levee commissioners) putting in all the time and effort (into fixing the levee following the flood). I think fines should fit the damage.”
   Residents are requesting that the Board approve an ordinance that would support their stance on the illegal activity. Although the possible danger from the damage warrants imposing charges against offenders, the state’s attorney suggested that an ordinance would only be a ticket, as opposed to a “criminal trespassing” misdemeanor charge which could be as much as $2,500, as well as jail time.
   In addition to enacting aggressive monitoring of the area, all agreed that education was pertinent in informing the public as to the seriousness of the situation.
   In other business, the Board:
   --- approved payment of annual dues ($5,436) to the Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission.
   --- reappointed Rita Palmer to the Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission.
   --- appointed Steve Cavender to the Board of Review.
   --- approved increases to G.I.S. and probation services fees.
   --- passed a resolution to perfect title on property in Sumner, purchased by Forest Harvey in sealed bid auction.
   The Lawrence County Courthouse will be closed Monday, Feb. 13 in observance of President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday.
   The next regular Board meeting is at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 15.
  

EIU student crowned Miss County Fair 2012

  SPRINGFIELD -
   Brittani Schisler, Miss Lake County Fair Queen, of Fox Lake was crowned Sunday night by the retiring 2011 Queen Jackie Driscoll. She is a student at Eastern Illinois University in Communication Disorders and Sciences. Her parents are Thomas Schisler and Lorin Buchta. Schisler.
   There were 70 queens vying for the title this year which included Lawrence County’s Caitlyn Bowyer.
   Miss Montgomery County Fair Queen Lauren Murphy of Harvel was named first runner-up.
   The judges selected Miss Effingham County Fair Melissa Mellendorf of Montrose as second runner up.
   Miss Richland County Fair, Logan Ferguson was recognized as a finalist.
   Miss Jasper County Fair Shelby Huschle from Newton received the best non finalist award in Beauty and Physique.
   The Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Pageant was held over the weekend as part of the annual convention of the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield
   The 2012 Illinois State Fair runs August 9-19, 2012 in Springfield and the DuQuoin State Fair August 24- September 3, 2012.
   Visit the ISF website at http://www.illinoisstatefair.info/ or www.illinoiscountyfairs.org.
  

Price Slashed for Great Home in Sumner From $100,000 to $75,000    (Click on property for more information)       50l S. Christy, Sumner -- $75,000       Lawrence County is 240 miles straight south of Chicago's Navy Pier, l35 miles east of St. Louis' Arch. Moderate climate, rare zero degrees in winter, equally rare summer days above 95 degrees. Ringed by community colleges in historic Vincennes (l0 miles from Lawrenceville), Robinson, Olney and Mt. Carmel, each 20 miles. Stable employment--Automobile Technologies (seat supplier for Toyota largest American factory, Princeton, IN., 40 miles) and Lawrence Correctional Center, Sumner, l0 miles from Lawrenceville, 2500 inmate capacity. Excellent medical facilities, largest number of skilled care beds per population in state. Low real estate taxes. Minimal crime. Red Hill State Park. Prize winning modern schools. Recreational boating on Embarras & Wabash rivers.

A bottled letter is found 27 years later -Believe It or Not    When Mark Lancaster, the son of Roy and Donna Lancaster, Sumner, was in Boy Scouts he attended a Scout outing in Petersburg, Indiana on March 20, 1984. He wrote the following letter and put it in an old Pepsi bottle and threw it in the White River.    On December 30, 2011, Nelson Naylor Jr. was about two miles north of St. Francisville riding a four wheeler along the Wabash River when he spotted the bottle. Nelson actually lives in Vincennes, Ind.    He called to let them know he had found the bottle after 26-years, nine months and 10-days; it was finally found!       THE LETTER    To Whom It May Concern:    This bottle was thrown in White River at Petersburg, Ind. on March 20, 1984.    If anyone fines this bottle, I would like to have the information when and where it was found.    You may contact me by writing: Mark Lancaster, 223 East South, Sumner, Ill. 62466; Telephone 618-936-2122. Good luck and happy floating!

  

Red Hill Unit 10 School Board meets

  by Barbara E. Allender
   Security and energy are top priorities for the maintenance of buildings in the Red Hill Unit 10 School District. During the rescheduled meeting of the school board on Monday, Superintendent Matt Seaton gave updated reports on those items of interest.
   The Unit 10 buildings and grounds committee will be evaluating systems that would help to create a safe environment for students and staff. While Seaton is estimating costs at $1,600 per building, he said “cost is not significant.” What is significant is the installation of a system that would cover the architectural variances on the campuses.
   To make use of an Energy Efficiency Grant, the district is currently having roof air-conditioning units at Bridgeport Grade School and the Sumner Attendance Center installed. Windows for the buildings are also expected to be delivered within eight weeks.
   Seaton also gave an update on reimbursement payments from the State which are behind four months. About $490,000 is owned to the district.
   In other business, the Board:
   --- accepted bids on fuel products from Wabash Valley Service Company.
   --- approved a leave of absence (for maternity leave) from Elizabeth Cogdill.
   --- accepted the resignation of Jana Bayne as fifth/sixth grade cheerleading coach.
   --- employed Billy Gray as head Red Hill High School footballcoach, Scott Murray as RH Junior High boys track coach, Sara Klingler as RHJH assistant track coach, John Christy and Kristi Legg as RHHS girls trach dollar coaches, Bill Bandy as RHJH track dollar coach, and Brittney Reel and Roberta Kissen as RHHS cooks.
  
  
  

RHJH student dies of apparent suicide

  The Red Hill Unit 10 School District halted all after-school activities on Thursday evening after students and staff were made aware of the loss of an eighth grade students’ life.
   Brandon Scott Cooper, 15, was pronounced dead on Thursday morning, after which an autopsy was performed by Lawrence County Coroner Shannon Steffey.
   The Lawrence County Ambulance Service, Bridgeport City Police, Illinois State Police responded to a call into the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department from the Charles and Anita Cooper (his parents) residence.
   The manner and cause of death are being investigated.
   Counselors, social workers and ministers met with Red Hill students on Thursday.