Mulligan: $150,000 deficit 'not too big of a concern'
By Byron Painter
Editor
A school district never wants to run a deficit, but the Riverton school district is projecting a $150,000 deficit for this year. But Superintendent Tom Mulligan said that it is “not too big
of a concern. We have total fund balances of over $3,400,000,” he noted. “It is a very conservative budget in terms of revenue with comfortable projections with expenditures.”
Mulligan believes that the district will end the year with a rosier financial picture, and he will be vigilant to ensure that the deficit does not exceed $150,000. “We put a tremendous
amount of time into our budgeting process to ensure that we can add as many programs for students as we can without seeing a budget deficit too large,” said Mulligan. Riverton
had around the eighth lowest operating expenditure per pupil in the state, which does not include special education costs. Even with special education costs figured in, Mulligan
continued, Riverton is still in the bottom 35 statewide out of 800 districts. And despite constant rancor in the General Assembly, Mulligan is likely more optimistic than most about
getting more money for schools. “I am still very optimistic that we are going to see some sort of educational funding reform in the state of Illinois over the next couple of years,” he
said. (From August 28, 2008 edition)
Watson earns IHSA scholarship
The Illinois High School Association recently named 2008 Riverton High School graduate Kim Watson as the recipient of their Region 6 “Sportsperson of the Year.” This award is
given in conjunction with Walgreen’s and the IHSA in recognition of student athletes who display outstanding sportsmanship throughout their senior year. Kim was a multi-sport
athlete at RHS, playing both volleyball and basketball all four years. She finished the year as co-valedictorian and plans to enroll at Millikin University this fall. Kim is the daughter
of James and Anne Watson of Riverton.
Clear Lake tax assessment notices mailed Sept. 4
Clear Lake Township would like to notify the residents that tax changes in their assessment will be mailed/published Sept. 4. These notices affect the 2009 tax bills and are sent
out for re-evaluation, new construction and corrected assessments. Since this is not a General Assessment, all residents will not receive a notification. Reassessment notices
will cover the remainder of Spaulding homes and all of Riverton homes up to the area around Lincoln Street. The “Reason for Change” area of the notice will explain why you
received the notification.
Do not wait until you get a tax bill to find out how this will affect your taxes. Residents should be reminded that the assessed value is one third of your market value and is what
your taxes are based on. The market value is the total amount of what your property is worth, including all building structures and land. Homeowners may file a tax appeal until Oct.
6. Tax appeals can be processed through the Township or at the Sangamon County Supervisor of Assessments. To file an acceptable tax appeal, you may use a certified
appraisal, a comparable property analysis (forms available at both offices) or by recent construction costs. Assistance is available at the township office or at the county office. The
next tax assessment notice will be in spring 2009. This change will be due to any multipliers that are assessed to the township. Tax appeals will have to be filed in the spring with
the State of Illinois. If you need assistance in understanding the notice or filing a tax appeal, please call the township at 523-4210 between 8 a.m.-noon.


BRENNAN GARCIA
ASHLEY SIEBERT
Baseball Hawks outlast Bulldogs
A trio of two-run innings proved to be enough for the Riverton baseball team Tuesday at Virden in a 6-
3 victory. The Hawks had two-run frames in the second, third and seventh.
In the second, Brennan Garcia was hit by a pitch and was bunted to second by Jamie Mitro.
Matt Jagodzinski singled Garcia to third, then Garcia scored on Thomas Kocis’ grounder.
After Josh Trader singled, Sam Broom was safe on an error to score Jagodzinski. In the third, Adam
Stone was hit by a pitch and stole second, then Zac Klauser was plunked also.
After a strikeout, Mitro singled in Stone. Klauser later scored on a balk. Broom singled and Austin
Moore doubled in the fourth, but the Hawks left them stranded. The Bulldogs scored all their runs in
the fourth against Trader. In the seventh, Zach Thomas was hit by a pitch before being erased on a
Mitro fielder’s choice. Jagodzinski walked.After a groundout, Mitro and Jagodzinski scored on wild
pitches. Trader went the distance, yielding only four hits and fanning nine. Last Wednesday, the
Hawks led 2-0 at one point but lost to Raymond Lincolnwood 7-3.
In the Hawks’ third, Bret Thixton singled, and after a strikeout, Moore was safe on an error.
Another error plated Thixton, then Andrew Barlick’s fielder’s choice plated Moore.
The Lancers responded with three in the fourth and fifth. In the seventh, Moore singled with two out,
and after Stone was safe on a dropped third strike, Moore later scored on a passed ball.
Riverton's Roberts to represent state track team
Riverton junior Justin Roberts will be a member of the state of Illinois track team that will be traveling to Australia from June 30-July 11. In Australia, the team will be competing with
other teams from the U.S. and teams from Australia. Roberts will be competing in shot put and discus. Roberts needs to raise $4000 to go. For every $2 a person donates, they
will receive a raffle ticket for an all expense paid trip to Australia. This includes airfare, daily breakfast and dinner, hotel and some sightseeing. Anyone interested in donating can
send money order or check, made out to ISSI, to Justin Roberts, 3559 Brickler Road, Springfield, IL 62707 or contact him at 217-544-8621. Roberts has qualified for state in the
discus and also plays basketball and football. He is also on the honor roll.
Emmett Kilhoffer
(right) and
Rochester's Nick
Centola battle in the
110 hurdles at the
recent County meet.
Allgaier wins ARCA race in Canada
Riverton High School graduate Justin Allgaier, driving in his father Mike Allgaier’s No. 16 Zoller & Bergfield Farming-AG Tech Chevrolet, recovered from a mid-race spin, raced his
way back into the lead, survived two late-race restarts and then drove away from Frank Kimmel and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. to win the inaugural Cayuga ARCA RE/MAX 250 Sunday
afternoon at Cayuga Motor Speedway.
“This racetrack was really cool and it means a lot to me to win here,” said Allgaier in victory lane. “We got turned around and everything and tried to come back from that. We had to
check up a little bit there and he (Stenhouse) got into us; no hard feelings there.”
Allgaier was leading Stenhouse midway through the race when Stenhouse gave Allgaier a nudge that sent the eventual winner spinning off turn four. Allgaier made two
consecutive pit stops for new tires and adjustments before returning to rejoin the field at the tail end. From there, Allgaier raced his way forward and caught Stenhouse inside of 50
laps from the finish to contend for the win. Allgaier found the opening he was looking for down the backstretch and muscled inside of Stenhouse for the lead in turn three on lap
215 of the 257-lap event. Allgaier completed the pass off turn four, and was never seriously challenged from there.
“This track is tight and unfortunately this car doesn’t look as good as it should but we’re happy to have four wheels on it,” added Allgaier. “There are quite a few donuts along both
sides of the Zoller & Bergfield Farming-AG Tech Chevrolet. It’s tight racing and it’s a lot of fun.”
Allgaier, with 13 lead-lap machines lined up directly behind, also held off the pack during two green-white-checker finishes in order for the race to finish under green, as mandated
by ARCA officials. As a result, the race went seven laps beyond the scheduled 250-laps to accommodate the finish.
Lee to be named RHS football coach
By Byron Painter
Editor
Riverton High School did not have to go far to find its next football coach.
Josh Lee, the defensive coordinator on J.D. Lorton’s staff, will be recommended for hiring at the school board meeting next week.
Lee, a 1997 Illiopolis High School graduate who played football at McKendree College, says he will be doing a lot of the same
things that Lorton did.
“J.D. did such a good job motivating the kids and getting them excited about football,” said Lee, whom Lorton recommended for the
job. “I just want to keep things going in a positive direction.”
Lee, who worked at Decatur Memorial Hospital for three years after graduating from McKendree with a degree in athletic training,
teaches athletic physical education at the middle school. Lee got his teaching certificate from Millikin and coached with his brother
Michael at Sangamon Valley; he finished his certificate and was hired in Riverton. It is undecided at this time whether or not Lee will
be moved to the high school; RHS athletics director Rick Wagahoff said that the decision had not been made and will not be until a
replacement for Lorton’s teaching position is found. Lee described his style as “disciplined” and “intense,” and he says the Hawks
might run more power option in the fall.
“We are going to come straight at you,” he said.
Wagahoff noted that there were a couple of outside applicants, but Lee “was the man for the job.
“Coach Lee is familiar with the program, the kids and the district,” he continued.

Kate Standish fires a throw to first as Kasey
Faust looks on.
Lady Hawks fall to Porta in 9-inning heartbreaker
By Byron Painter
Editor
For the second time this season, the Riverton Lady Hawks and Porta Lady Jays played an extra-inning softball game. (more)
Lamkey breaks own record
Riverton’s Caitlyn Lamkey broke her own school record last Tuesday by clearing 5 feet, 3 inches in the high jump. (more)
Hawks send two individuals to IESA state meet
The Illinois Elementary School Association had one of its Class 2A Sectionals at Rochester Saturday, and the Williamsville Bee
Bees and Riverton Hawks will be represented at state this weekend in East Peoria. (more)
Lincoln/7th Street intersection to become four-way stop
The Riverton Village Board met Sept. 2 with all trustees present. The minutes from the August 18 meeting and bills were
approved unanimously, 6-0. Mr. Ralph Willoughby and Mr. Jim Mileham were approved 6-0 as new members of the Zoning
Committee. (more)
Expenses, dress code, food service discussed at school
board meeting
The Riverton School District held its regular meeting Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. in the Riverton Middle School cafeteria. Board members Brian
Cuffle and Scott McClure were absent. (more)
Riverton Elementary School’s fourth graders
celebrated National Anthem Day last Friday,
though it had to be inside because of the rainy
weather. Flag bearers were: Tyler Marsh,
Victoria Kolanowski, Blake Bertolo, Ashtyn
Mogged, Kat Luedtke and Madison Leet.
Speakers were: Dennis Settles, Kayla
Zumwalt, Dakota Churchill, Kaylee Reynolds,
Raeann Shereda and Jake Grigsby. These
students were chosen because of their
responsible and respectful qualities.
All fourth graders were present. We began
with the Pledge of Allegiance. Chosen
speakers then related the story of our National
Anthem. We concluded with the singing of
“The Star-Spangled Banner.” In the photo: The
fourth graders sing the anthem.
Boring on Washington Street postponed
The Riverton Village Board met for its second meeting of the month on Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. All trustees were present. (more)
RAFPD receives federal grant
The Riverton Fire and EMS applied for a AFG (Assistance to Firefighters Grant) for Operations and Safety. Within the grant, the
Riverton Area Fire Protection District stated the need for new SCBAs (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) that meet the 2007 NFPA
standard. These air packs provide further safety to our firefighters and have enhanced technology over our present air packs.
Earlier this month, RAFPD was notified it received the grant. “This is a big deal,” said RAFPD treasurer Jim Good. The department
will be able to get 30 new state-of-the-art air packs with the grant; the air packs cost roughly $5300 per unit. Chief Louie Rogers and
Good noted that, while the current air packs are usable, they are 15-20 years old and do not meet all safety requirements. “It is hard
to keep everything up to code because the code changes,” said Good. All the RAFPD has to put up to get the grant is five percent,
not quite $8000. The grant came through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant program.
The Dawson Fire Protection District also was awarded a grant for almost $60,000 for new equipment.

The Riverton High School
homecoming queen and king
were Katie Willhoit and Wes
Jacoby.
Riverton School District to set new vision
As part of the Riverton School District’s strategic planning process this year, the data indicated that it was time for the district to
revise its current ‘vision’ for the school district. (more)
Roberts just misses medaling at State
EIU recruit Jordan Patterson finished in ninth place in the 3200 meters Saturday at the Class A state track meet at Charleston’s Eastern
Illinois University. Of the other Riverton or Williamsville competitors, only the Hawks’ Justin Roberts was able to advance out of the
preliminaries. Roberts qualified in both the shot put and discus, and he advanced to the finals in the discus, where he ultimately finished
in 10th place (missing out on a medal by one spot and 16 inches). Williamsville’s John Gerding was unable to advance to the finals in
the 100 or 200, while Jonathan Moos was .63 of a second away from qualifying in the 400. The Bullets’ Matt Rehan finished sixth in his
flight in the discus.)
TIFFANY LIEBE
Liebe to Illinois College
Riverton High School senior Tiffany Liebe has notified officials at Illinois College that she plans to enroll in fall semester classes at
the liberal arts college and compete in volleyball for the Lady Blues. Liebe averaged three kills per game last fall and registered a .
50 kill percentage. She also ranked third on her team in assists. The Riverton standout earned a pair of varsity letters for her play at
the outside hitter position in volleyball, and she was a key contributor during Riverton’s run to the 2007 Sangamon County
Championship. The incoming freshman was also a member of the Riverton Elementary School state championship volleyball team
in seventh grade and was voted her team’s Most Improved Player in eighth grade. Liebe is the daughter of Bruce and Christie Liebe
of Riverton and is planning on majoring in biology. Illinois College competes at the NCAA Division III level and is a member of the
Midwest Conference.
RES among field trip grant winners
Grants for field trips to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield have been awarded to many schools and groups around the state, including to Riverton
Elementary School.
“These grants were made available to Illinois schools and youth organizations with a high enrollment of low-income children,” said Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and
Museum (ALPLM) Executive Director Rick Beard. “We feel it is important that all children be given the opportunity to immerse themselves in Lincoln’s life and times at the
Presidential Museum.” Beardstown Middle School and two schools in Macon County were also on the list of recipients. Midwest Generation, an Edison International Company,
and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation offered a total of $20,000 in field trip grants to teachers of grades 4-12 in Illinois public and private schools that have a
low-income enrollment of greater than 30 percent. Not-for-profit youth organizations that serve economically disadvantaged children in Illinois were also eligible. The grants
provide funding to visit the Presidential Museum at no or reduced cost by deferring the cost of transportation, lunch or educational materials. School groups do not pay a museum
admission fee. The judges for this year’s grant applications were Cheryl Schnirring, ALPLM Education Advisory Board and retired teachers Jean Quigley and David Grimm. The
field trip grants are coordinated through the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum’s Department of Education, which provides educational opportunities for learners
of all ages to explore Illinois and U.S. History and the legacy of Abraham Lincoln, through the museum and library collections. Grants are awarded each fall. Applications are
available online at www.presidentlincoln.org. The deadline for applications for the 2009-10 school year is Sept. 1, 2009.
RMS softball girls open with win over Lincolnwood
By Byron Painter
Editor
The Riverton Middle School softball team opened its season Saturday with a 14-4 thrashing of visiting Raymond Lincolnwood. (more)