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Council oks CIPS contract
The city council handled a number of major items in its 1 1/2 hour meeting Monday, a
new CIPS contract, a plan to repair a broken storm sewer line in the Pineview area,
the purchase of a hand-held GPS unit, culminating in a retirement party for two long
time employees. (more)
The city council handled a number of major items in its 1 1/2 hour meeting Monday, a
new CIPS contract, a plan to repair a broken storm sewer line in the Pineview area,
the purchase of a hand-held GPS unit, culminating in a retirement party for two long
time employees. (more)
Pete LaBarre, left, and Gerry Boyd enjoy a
laugh with Mayor Joe Powell at a retirement
reception at the April 6 City Council meeting.
Both are retiring as of May 1. LaBarre has
served as the City's attorney for the past 32
years; Boyd is finishing up a 24-year career
as City Treasurer.
laugh with Mayor Joe Powell at a retirement
reception at the April 6 City Council meeting.
Both are retiring as of May 1. LaBarre has
served as the City's attorney for the past 32
years; Boyd is finishing up a 24-year career
as City Treasurer.
Landers, Beck win in township
election
Marc Landers defeated incumbent Jill Horn for Township Supervisor in Tuesday's
election while incumbent Dave Beck won a three-sided election for post of Road
Commissioner.
Landers, a Democrat, outvoted Horn, the Republican candidate, 876-520. He will
have to resign his position as a city alderman by law. The council will probably name
a successor for the unexpired two years remaining at its next meeting. All city, school
board and township officials take office by May 1.
In the Road Commissioner contest, Beck an independent, earned 620 votes to
defeat Democrat Jack Bailey (460 votes) and Republican Mike Heren (369).
Both Landers and Beck won each individual precinct of which there are five.
Three township officials were unopposed. Matt Brown, Democrat, earned 1150
votes, for tax assessor; Elsie Semanik, Republican, earned 1178 votes for township
clerk and collector Annette Pignon, Republican, had 1250 votes.
Also elected were four trustees. Six were in the race. Elected were Republicans Tim
Seifert (940 votes), Chris Allen (733), Beth Heren (676) along with Christine Codron
Bailey with 866. Heren and Bailey are incumbents.
There were no contests in Talkington Township. Those elected were: supervisor,
Donald Duewer 45 votes; clerk, Christine Pierce 45; collector, Linda Caruthers 45;
road commissioner, Stephen Ladage 40; trustees, Wilma Magelitz 36, Ronald Miller
34, Colleen Pierce 38, Brian Eyer 35.
election
Marc Landers defeated incumbent Jill Horn for Township Supervisor in Tuesday's
election while incumbent Dave Beck won a three-sided election for post of Road
Commissioner.
Landers, a Democrat, outvoted Horn, the Republican candidate, 876-520. He will
have to resign his position as a city alderman by law. The council will probably name
a successor for the unexpired two years remaining at its next meeting. All city, school
board and township officials take office by May 1.
In the Road Commissioner contest, Beck an independent, earned 620 votes to
defeat Democrat Jack Bailey (460 votes) and Republican Mike Heren (369).
Both Landers and Beck won each individual precinct of which there are five.
Three township officials were unopposed. Matt Brown, Democrat, earned 1150
votes, for tax assessor; Elsie Semanik, Republican, earned 1178 votes for township
clerk and collector Annette Pignon, Republican, had 1250 votes.
Also elected were four trustees. Six were in the race. Elected were Republicans Tim
Seifert (940 votes), Chris Allen (733), Beth Heren (676) along with Christine Codron
Bailey with 866. Heren and Bailey are incumbents.
There were no contests in Talkington Township. Those elected were: supervisor,
Donald Duewer 45 votes; clerk, Christine Pierce 45; collector, Linda Caruthers 45;
road commissioner, Stephen Ladage 40; trustees, Wilma Magelitz 36, Ronald Miller
34, Colleen Pierce 38, Brian Eyer 35.
The Auburn High School band had 21 of its
members selected to perform in the 2009
Tri-County Honors Band held recently at New
Berlin High School. Four of the six special
awards went to AHS students, including
Austin Wilson (outstanding brass), Colby
Mars (outstanding woodwind), Logan Butts
(outstanding percussion) and Matt Diemer
(outstanding percussion). Pictured are, front:
Colby Mars*; row 2 (L-R): Logan Butts*, Matt
Diemer, Patrick Moose*, Bryan Diemer*,
Aaron Lawler; row 3: Bekah Philbrick
(director), Megan Chrisler, Erika Bergmann,
Ane Jacobs, Hannah Rhoades*, Katie Fox*,
Caitlin Glandon, Ashley Curtis, Natalie
Ackerson; back row: Jonathan Jones, Austin
Wilson, Logan Kuhn, Curtis Penfold*,
Brandon Townsend*, Chase Brackemyer
and Chelsea Bateman. The Honors Band
included students from Auburn, Franklin,
Girard, Northwestern, New Berlin, Pawnee,
Riverton, Virden and Waverly. Students with
(*) also performed with the Honors Jazz Band.
members selected to perform in the 2009
Tri-County Honors Band held recently at New
Berlin High School. Four of the six special
awards went to AHS students, including
Austin Wilson (outstanding brass), Colby
Mars (outstanding woodwind), Logan Butts
(outstanding percussion) and Matt Diemer
(outstanding percussion). Pictured are, front:
Colby Mars*; row 2 (L-R): Logan Butts*, Matt
Diemer, Patrick Moose*, Bryan Diemer*,
Aaron Lawler; row 3: Bekah Philbrick
(director), Megan Chrisler, Erika Bergmann,
Ane Jacobs, Hannah Rhoades*, Katie Fox*,
Caitlin Glandon, Ashley Curtis, Natalie
Ackerson; back row: Jonathan Jones, Austin
Wilson, Logan Kuhn, Curtis Penfold*,
Brandon Townsend*, Chase Brackemyer
and Chelsea Bateman. The Honors Band
included students from Auburn, Franklin,
Girard, Northwestern, New Berlin, Pawnee,
Riverton, Virden and Waverly. Students with
(*) also performed with the Honors Jazz Band.
Security light at Route 4,
Divernon Rd. month away
A security light will be installed at the intersection of Route 4 and Divernon Road
probably in the next month or two and a three way effort to have Divernon Road
upgraded were major items discussed at Tuesday's annual Auburn Township
meeting. (more)
Divernon Rd. month away
A security light will be installed at the intersection of Route 4 and Divernon Road
probably in the next month or two and a three way effort to have Divernon Road
upgraded were major items discussed at Tuesday's annual Auburn Township
meeting. (more)
24 hour ambulance service by June 1
Auburn Area Ambulance Service has announced that it will offer 24 hour service,
hopefully starting June 1. (more)
Auburn Area Ambulance Service has announced that it will offer 24 hour service,
hopefully starting June 1. (more)
Water line still in dispute
The city council's first order of business Monday was to accept the resignation of
alderman Marc Landers before embarking on a many faceted two hour meeting.
(more)
The city council's first order of business Monday was to accept the resignation of
alderman Marc Landers before embarking on a many faceted two hour meeting.
(more)
The 2009 Auburn High School junior-senior
Prom will be held Saturday, April 25 at the
Route 66 Hotel and Conference Center in
Springfield. The coronation of the King and
Queen will be held at 8 p.m. Senior
members of the Prom Court are, front (L-R):
Caitlin Angel, Chelsea Davis, Jessica Dixon,
Lauren Lay; back: Jordan Downey, Danny
Carrigan, Josh Sergent, Mikel White and
Aaron Lawler; Teagan King was absent for
the picture.
Prom will be held Saturday, April 25 at the
Route 66 Hotel and Conference Center in
Springfield. The coronation of the King and
Queen will be held at 8 p.m. Senior
members of the Prom Court are, front (L-R):
Caitlin Angel, Chelsea Davis, Jessica Dixon,
Lauren Lay; back: Jordan Downey, Danny
Carrigan, Josh Sergent, Mikel White and
Aaron Lawler; Teagan King was absent for
the picture.
Auburn High School inducted 23 students
into the National Honor Society Monday
evening. New inductees are, seated (left to
right): Julie Strubinger, Brittany Ippensen,
Chelsea Davis, Katie Howard, Bryanna
Stevens, Olivia Bennett, Brooke Winningham,
Shannon Waggoner; middle: Konner Dudley,
Austin Wilson, Evan Kesinger, Rob Barrow,
Joe Seibt, Jonathan Jones, Wade Pearce,
Michael Bates, Patrick Tipton; back: Miranda
Huber, Jennifer Olson, Rachel Schmalshof,
Kaitlin Scherrer, Jordan Boster and Kati Dyer.
into the National Honor Society Monday
evening. New inductees are, seated (left to
right): Julie Strubinger, Brittany Ippensen,
Chelsea Davis, Katie Howard, Bryanna
Stevens, Olivia Bennett, Brooke Winningham,
Shannon Waggoner; middle: Konner Dudley,
Austin Wilson, Evan Kesinger, Rob Barrow,
Joe Seibt, Jonathan Jones, Wade Pearce,
Michael Bates, Patrick Tipton; back: Miranda
Huber, Jennifer Olson, Rachel Schmalshof,
Kaitlin Scherrer, Jordan Boster and Kati Dyer.
Cancer Awareness Week at junior
high May 18-22
As many of the public are aware, Ron Ervin, principal at Auburn Junior High at
Divernon was recently diagnosed with cancer. In Mr. Ervin's honor, the junior high
Student Council with the assistance of Mrs. Rudin and Miss Spencer, will sponsor a
Cancer Awareness Week. During the week of May 18-22, students will have the
chance to participate in several events. These include: purchase a lavender ribbon
with a sucker for 25 cents; a "Walk For Mr. Ervin," make donations for luminaries in
honor of loved ones diagnosed with cancer or in memory of a loved one; make
donations for Find the Cure window ribbons (displayed in office windows),
participate in a talent show; and purchase T-shirts the day of the walk. The T-shirt
vendor will be on site Friday, May 22.
Proceeds from the events will go to a family of a student in the district who is
currently battling cancer and the American Cancer Society, in honor of Mr. Ervin. More
information will be coming in regards to donations, pledge sheets for the walk,
T-shirt designs and prices and times for the various events. Watch for the Student
Council officers on NewsChannel 20 at 6:10 a.m. Wednesday, May 20 on "Spotlight
on 20." For more information, call Mrs. Rudin or Miss Spencer at the junior high,
628-3414.
high May 18-22
As many of the public are aware, Ron Ervin, principal at Auburn Junior High at
Divernon was recently diagnosed with cancer. In Mr. Ervin's honor, the junior high
Student Council with the assistance of Mrs. Rudin and Miss Spencer, will sponsor a
Cancer Awareness Week. During the week of May 18-22, students will have the
chance to participate in several events. These include: purchase a lavender ribbon
with a sucker for 25 cents; a "Walk For Mr. Ervin," make donations for luminaries in
honor of loved ones diagnosed with cancer or in memory of a loved one; make
donations for Find the Cure window ribbons (displayed in office windows),
participate in a talent show; and purchase T-shirts the day of the walk. The T-shirt
vendor will be on site Friday, May 22.
Proceeds from the events will go to a family of a student in the district who is
currently battling cancer and the American Cancer Society, in honor of Mr. Ervin. More
information will be coming in regards to donations, pledge sheets for the walk,
T-shirt designs and prices and times for the various events. Watch for the Student
Council officers on NewsChannel 20 at 6:10 a.m. Wednesday, May 20 on "Spotlight
on 20." For more information, call Mrs. Rudin or Miss Spencer at the junior high,
628-3414.
Divernon Rd. upgrade paperwork filed
Necessary paper work to obtain a federal funding grant to upgrade Divernon Road
between Divernon and Route 4 on the west is on schedule. Recently, county board
members Sam Snell and Andy Goleman, representing the Auburn-Divernon area,
and other leaders from Divernon, Auburn, the school board and townships met to
discuss the possibility of obtaining funding for the project that could reach
$2,250,000. On May 4, county board president Andy VanMeter, in compliance with the
request from local Congressman John Shimkus, wrote seeking funding for the 5.2
mile long roadway project that includes the replacement of one bridge near Kennedy
Road.
The request from the county was for inclusion of the preliminary cost of engineering
in the total bill which is estimated at $280,000 of which 20 percent or $56,000 would
be provided by the county and other local funds to complete the engineering and land
acquisition. The upgrade is available because Divernon Road connects two major
highways and also because of added bus safety needs now that Divernon and
Auburn have merged their schools under a federal assistance provision.
The discussion on the possible grant started at an April 22 meeting local
representatives had with Rodney Davis, a Shim-kus representative. Divernon Road
got the designation of being a federally aided road as far back as the 1970's. At the
meeting, two cost estimates were thrown out, one for $2,257,000 for a 73,280 pound
upgrade, another for $3,948,150 for an 80,000 pound upgrade. The latter would
require the road to be widened. All entities involved, such as the school district, have
or will write letters or and pass resolutions to the proper state and federal
government representatives. Unless a capital bill is passed by the state, matching
money will not be available thus it is possible that other sources will be needed.
(From May 14, 2009 edition)
Necessary paper work to obtain a federal funding grant to upgrade Divernon Road
between Divernon and Route 4 on the west is on schedule. Recently, county board
members Sam Snell and Andy Goleman, representing the Auburn-Divernon area,
and other leaders from Divernon, Auburn, the school board and townships met to
discuss the possibility of obtaining funding for the project that could reach
$2,250,000. On May 4, county board president Andy VanMeter, in compliance with the
request from local Congressman John Shimkus, wrote seeking funding for the 5.2
mile long roadway project that includes the replacement of one bridge near Kennedy
Road.
The request from the county was for inclusion of the preliminary cost of engineering
in the total bill which is estimated at $280,000 of which 20 percent or $56,000 would
be provided by the county and other local funds to complete the engineering and land
acquisition. The upgrade is available because Divernon Road connects two major
highways and also because of added bus safety needs now that Divernon and
Auburn have merged their schools under a federal assistance provision.
The discussion on the possible grant started at an April 22 meeting local
representatives had with Rodney Davis, a Shim-kus representative. Divernon Road
got the designation of being a federally aided road as far back as the 1970's. At the
meeting, two cost estimates were thrown out, one for $2,257,000 for a 73,280 pound
upgrade, another for $3,948,150 for an 80,000 pound upgrade. The latter would
require the road to be widened. All entities involved, such as the school district, have
or will write letters or and pass resolutions to the proper state and federal
government representatives. Unless a capital bill is passed by the state, matching
money will not be available thus it is possible that other sources will be needed.
(From May 14, 2009 edition)
New school board seated, King elected
president
The new Auburn school board was officially seated Monday and new officers were elected. After the
"old" board finished its brief agenda, Superintendent Kathy Garrett presented plaques of appreciation
to the two outgoing board members, Tim Seifert and Mike Heren. Garrett commended the pair, noting
the many hours they had volunteered in service to the district. Seifert was a 12 year member of the
board while Heren served eight years. With Heren presiding as the president pro-tem, the results of
the April election were confirmed. Elected to four-year terms on the board were incumbents Fred
Jessup and Jeff Mortimer, along with newcomers John Cox and Scott Norris. Incumbent Laurie King
was re-elected to a two-year term. The new board then elected officers for the next two years. On a 4-3
vote, King was elected as the new board president. Other officers are Chuck DuBois, vice president;
Cox, secretary; and Mortimer, treasurer.
president
The new Auburn school board was officially seated Monday and new officers were elected. After the
"old" board finished its brief agenda, Superintendent Kathy Garrett presented plaques of appreciation
to the two outgoing board members, Tim Seifert and Mike Heren. Garrett commended the pair, noting
the many hours they had volunteered in service to the district. Seifert was a 12 year member of the
board while Heren served eight years. With Heren presiding as the president pro-tem, the results of
the April election were confirmed. Elected to four-year terms on the board were incumbents Fred
Jessup and Jeff Mortimer, along with newcomers John Cox and Scott Norris. Incumbent Laurie King
was re-elected to a two-year term. The new board then elected officers for the next two years. On a 4-3
vote, King was elected as the new board president. Other officers are Chuck DuBois, vice president;
Cox, secretary; and Mortimer, treasurer.
Newly elected members to the city council
were sworn in Monday by city clerk Mary
Thornton. From the left, Tom Appelt, city
treasurer; Rod Johnson, Ward 4) alderman;
Chris Warwick, Ward 3 alderman; Matt
Gillock, Ward 1 alderman; Tom Berola, Ward
2 alderman and mayor Joe Powell.
were sworn in Monday by city clerk Mary
Thornton. From the left, Tom Appelt, city
treasurer; Rod Johnson, Ward 4) alderman;
Chris Warwick, Ward 3 alderman; Matt
Gillock, Ward 1 alderman; Tom Berola, Ward
2 alderman and mayor Joe Powell.
Council passes budget, grants employee
raises
The newly elected city council Monday passed the budget for the upcoming fiscal year which starts
May 1, granted raises to all hourly and salaried employees but water issues in one way or another
dominated the meeting. (more)
raises
The newly elected city council Monday passed the budget for the upcoming fiscal year which starts
May 1, granted raises to all hourly and salaried employees but water issues in one way or another
dominated the meeting. (more)
Jessica Dixon was Queen
and Jordan Downey was
King of the 2009 Auburn
High School Prom held
Saturday, April 25.
and Jordan Downey was
King of the 2009 Auburn
High School Prom held
Saturday, April 25.
Recipients of the three highest music awards
presented each year at Auburn High are, from
the left, Chase Brackemyer, John Phillip
Sousa Award; Colby Mars, Arion Foundation
Music Dept. Award and Logan Butts, National
Choral Award.
presented each year at Auburn High are, from
the left, Chase Brackemyer, John Phillip
Sousa Award; Colby Mars, Arion Foundation
Music Dept. Award and Logan Butts, National
Choral Award.
The Auburn High School Tri-M Chapter
inducted its newest members at a ceremony
prior to the May 7 spring concert. Tri-M is a
national music honor society dedicated to
promoting the role of music in the schools
and community. Students inducted are,
seated (L-R): Lacey Luke, Natalie Ackerson,
Brett Davis, Riley Marshall, Bryan Diemer,
Austin Wilson; back: Caitlin Glandon, Katie
Cartwright, Colton Brummett, Logan Kuhn and
Jonathon Jones.
inducted its newest members at a ceremony
prior to the May 7 spring concert. Tri-M is a
national music honor society dedicated to
promoting the role of music in the schools
and community. Students inducted are,
seated (L-R): Lacey Luke, Natalie Ackerson,
Brett Davis, Riley Marshall, Bryan Diemer,
Austin Wilson; back: Caitlin Glandon, Katie
Cartwright, Colton Brummett, Logan Kuhn and
Jonathon Jones.
Auburn Elementary gets A/C
The entire Auburn Elementary School, with the exception of the gym, will be
completely air-conditioned when the new school year opens in August. (more)
The entire Auburn Elementary School, with the exception of the gym, will be
completely air-conditioned when the new school year opens in August. (more)
