New Lawrence County Fair Queen

  The Lawrence County Jr. Fair Board would like to announce that Casey Steffey is now reigning as the 2008 Lawrence County Jr. Fair Queen.
   She is the 20-yaar-old daughter of Doyle and Jeannie Steffey of Lawrenceville. Casey is a graduate of Lawrenceville High School and will be attending Indiana State University this fall.
  

County Board makes no decision On joining National Flood Program

  The Lawrence County board met last week announcing that no decision had been made whether the county will join the National Flood Program. Chairman Charles Gillespie said it is a complex problem. The board is trying to put something together that will be a compromise so everyone gets something.
   A base ordinance to join the flood program has been written. The ordinance was given to the Lawrence County Farm Bureau asking that farmers review the document and make revisions that they could live with. Once the revisions are made, hopefully by the next board meeting, a resolution will be submitted to FEMA.
   A public meeting will be held this Thursday (August 28th) at the Bank of Lawrence County. This meeting is scheduled to give flood victims and county residents the opportunity to ask questions about the flood program. IEMA officials will be present at the meeting to answer questions.
   Frank Ladner addressed the board and public at the meeting. He discussed the dire condition of Lawrence County’s economy. He said the county is in a deep recession with an unemployment rate close to eight percent. He said most people don’t have the 20 percent money needed to put down to purchase a home. The good news he imparted was the old Illinois Gas Company property has been purchased and will be torn down the first week in September. Construction of a new building will be started on the site that will employ 200 instead of 70, who were working in the old building.
   Ladner is also negotiating with a company to move to Mid-America Air Center. This new business will be painting, avionics and maintenance of corporate jets. This new business will provide additional income in the county.
   Ladner also urged people to attend the flood meeting next Thursday and asked people to use common sense when facing the information presented.
   Terry Patrick, a flood victim, asked when the $20,000 being held in the County Treasurer’s office for flood relief would be distributed. He said a lot of people are hurting and could use that money. The board chairman, Gillespie, said a local organization and not the county would distribute the money. At this time no decision has been made when to release the money.
   The board went into an executive session. Upon returning it was reported the county would pay $4,000 to a person who had sued the county who had overpaid property taxes and wanted restitution.
   The board appointed Jim Legg to a three –year term on the Eagle Branch Drainage District and Allie DeLoriea to a three-year term to the Greater Wabash Regional Planning Committee.
   The board approved claims on the county in the amount of $333,287.67.
  

Unit 10 board hires to Fill out Personnel roster

  The Red Hill Unit #10 school board met last week for the monthly meeting. They hired several personnel to fill out needed positions. Those hired were:
   Jodie Greenlee, RHHS Special Education teacher.
   Linda Forster, BGS part-time reading improvement teacher.
   Shellie Masterson, Technology Aide.
   Dina Dining, BGS Classroom Aide.
   Sondra Schafer, Petty Personal Aide.
   Katie Steber, BGS Special Education Aide.
   Russell Adams, Jr. High Girls Basketball Coach.
   Romell Hipsher, Special Education Van Aide.
   Scott Murray, BGS 5th & 6th Boys Basketball Coach.
   Eric Paulin, Jr. High $1 Softball Coach.
   Jacee Rhinehart, RHHS $1 Cheerleader Coach.
   Traci Gray, RHHS $1 Golf Coach.
   Jerome Thacker, Bill Gray and Derek Archer, RHHS $1 Football Coaches.
   Howard Creek, RHHS $1 Football Manager.
   The tentative budget for 2008-2009 was presented which imparted good news. The budget shows the district will end in the black at the end of the fiscal year, theoretically. Superintendent Dennis Kimmel told the expected revenue for the period would be $9,406,069, while expenditures are expected to be $8,887,120. That will leave a surplus of $232,400, which is earmarked for payment on bonds for the high school construction.
   Kimmel went on to tell the district’s largest increase in expenditure will be for fuel and energy. He said if the school buses travel the same amount of miles this year as last, the increase in cost would be approximately $55,000.
   A public hearing will be held on September 25th, at 7:30 p.m., in the study hall at the high school on the tentative budget. The budget is on display in the Unit Office at this time.
   The Lawrence County Health Department will provide vision and hearing screenings for school children, which was approved by the board.
  

LTHS Class of '45 Grand Reunion

   Trace Inn, Saturday, was the scene of the first of the season class reunions from Lawrenceville High School. Of the 103 graduates, 23 plus 17 guests were in attendance. Unlike many Lawrenceville High School class reunions, clear majority remain in the area. Betty Vandament and Thelma Masengale welcomed their classmates. Noble Brown offered grace. Plans were made for the next reunion, August 15, 2009, also to be held at Trace Inn.
   Those in attendance were: Garrel Burgoon & Nadine; Noble Brown, Harold Benson, Georgiana Corridan Pargin, Dorothy Jean Martin Viehman, Thelma Masengale, Jerry Wright, Marshall Pierson & son Marshall Pierson, Jr., Herb Ross & Lois, Betty Westall Suddeth; Charlie Hedde & Wanda; Paul Dickerson & Mary and Paul's sister, Barbara Heath; Barbara Sumner White; John Bale & Flo; Margaret A. Zipprodt Oliveira & sister Mary Jane Leach & Jim Leach; Vivian Sandal Mockett & Bob; George & Louise (Lynch) Wilber; Jim Worstell; Betty Ferren Vandament & guest Vicky Tracy; Patty Sturgeon Reed & guest Betty Allen; Huberta Childress Schultz & daughter Jill Massey; and Mary Lea Miles Jeffers & Al. Other proud LHS graduates in attendance included Dottie Hennessey, Emmalu Devonshire and Phyllis Parrott.
  

Canoe Olympic winners

  There were 10 teams entered in the Canoe Olympics held Sunday at the lake in Red Hills State Park.
   After all the splashing, dunking and fun, Paxton Bemont and Hunter Runyon, both of Robinson, were declared the winners of Call I and Overall Winners.
   Other teams entered were:
   Kerry and Erin Hill, Winners of Class VI, from Sumner, Route 2.
   Brandt and Ralph Bowersock, Rt. 1, Bridgeport.
   Bill and Jeffrey Siegle, Rt. 1, St. Francisville.
   Ron and Nathan Bruner, Rt. 3, Sumner.
   Maddie Hammel, Bridgeport and Gwen Hopkins, Lawrenceville.
   Donny Toliver and Miranda Brenton, both of Lawrenceville.
   Cody Perrott and Heather Hill, both of Sumner.
   Pat and Raelee Hahn, both of Olney.
   Ilana Shinkle, Lawrenceville and Mary Jo Winters, Wheaton, IL.
  

Tri-County Saddle Club Hog Roast

  The Tri-County Saddle Club will hold their Hog Roast benefit for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital on Saturday, Sept. 13th.
   The Hog Roast will be held at the Lawrence County 4-H Center, east of Sumner on US Hwy. 50, starting at 5:30 p.m. and lasting till 7:30 p.m. The meal will be for a free will donation. Members are to bring a covered dish, dessert or salad. Meat and drinks are furnished.
   A Tack Auction will be held at 8:00 p.m. Donations of tack or other items are needed for the auction.
   Monetary and supply donations are also needed to help with expenses.
   Saddle Up - Trail Ride will start at the Red Hill Arena on Sunday, September 14 at 1:30 p.m.
   If there are any questions, contact Bill or Pat Hill, Rt. 3 Box 324, Lawrenceville or call 618-943-3294.
   All proceeds go to St. Judes.
  

Press will pay real estate taxes for retirees for three years    It was announced that the Sumner Press will pay real estate taxes for three years for all who retire to Lawrence County and buy a residence there. It is believed that this audacious program is first in the nation. Your newspaper obviously intends to recruit worthwhile new residents to this County. There two small strings attached to this community building offer: retirees must qualify for Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption and the cash value of their residence must not exceed $100,000.       Lawrence County is 240 miles south of Tribune Tower, Chicago, is in a temperate climate area, minimal snow, rarely does temperature reach 95 degrees, no crime, excellent schools (surrounded by junior colleges with adult education programs), hospitals and roads.       Interested parties should contact the Sumner Press, Box 5ll, Lawrenceville, IL 62439

  

"Dear Press:    Thank you for your letter of August 14, 2008 regarding the construction of a second bridge across the Embarras river for US 50.    A feasibility study for increasing the US 50 facility to four lanes was recently completed. The study concluded upgrading the facility was feasible and should be pursued. However, until a design report is completed and approved, which includes finalizing the alignment, obtaining geometric approval and environmental clearances, and the completion of the public comment process, the department cannot construct this structure. Also, in these difficult economic times, it would not be in the public's best interest to construct a structure that could not immediately be utilized when there are other structures and roadways in need of repair.    Thank you for your interest in the Illinois transportation system. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Roger L. Driskell, Deputy Director of Highways, Region Four Engineer, located at 400 West Wabash Avenue, Effingham, Illinois 62401, or telephone him at (217) 342-8201.    Sincerely,    Milton R. Sees, P.E., Secretary    Illinois Department of Transportation

  

"We NEEDS Must Go Through Lawrenceville." -- by Tracy Hoke    Upon the rerouting of U.S. 50 traffic through our town, maybe we should be hanging our shingles out a little farther. The traffic has most certainly increased the flow through town. Repeated trips daily by truckers, people commuting to schools and businesses, and perhaps a stranger or two on their first trip through town. All of which are heading somewhere else, of course. Maybe they could stop here – stop and buy a flower at the greenhouse, a cantaloupe on the Square, or just some bottled water. We need more signs across State Street, letting people know what's up.    Taking this thought to the next level, congestion of traffic by the high scholars with the letting out of school is a good time to drive defensively. The kids dart across State Street, kids driving too fast and pulling out dangerously close to a good rear-ending. The body shop will be busy from numerous collisions from the increased traffic.    Anyone could be passing through. Keep an eye on the kids, unsuspecting kids might fall prey to a child abductor. So close to the interstate they could be gone a long way down the road in minutes. Stranger things have happened here.    Anyway, there is a lot of extra traffic with the detour. Especially when school lets out and at "quitting time."    Good strangers could be passing through also, thinking we needs must go through Lawrenceville. They could be carrying living water and new beginnings. So keep an eye out for passersby passing through unnoticed.