The Sun-Times
Serving Williamsville and Sherman
Latest Headlines
Sherman Village Board discusses sewer
rates, high speed rail concerns
By Byron Painter
Editor
The Sherman Village Board on Tuesday approved a new community information system,
discussed concerns about the high speed rail project and also debated sewer rates. (more)
Glacial Energy not producing expected
savings for Williamsville
By Linda Hughes
In reply to concerns expressed by audience members, Williamsville Mayor Tom Yokley said
officials are talking with other small towns where the railroad goes through and are in the
same boat. (more)
Sherman Police launches Click It or Ticket
to help save lives
During 2007, more than 14,000 people in passenger vehicles died in crashes while
unbelted.  About half of these lives could have been saved if they had been wearing safety
belts at the time of the crash. (more)
WHS among schools chosen to participate in
IDOT Teen Safe Driving Program
Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig has announced the high schools selected to
participate in the 2009-2010 Operation Teen Safe Driving program. (more)
Eleven WJHS students were chosen to
perform in the 2009 Illinois Music Educators
Association All-District Music Festival Nov. 7
at Western Illinois University in Macomb.  
These students were chosen by audition,
where they were scored on tonal skills,
scale, and music preparation.  Band
students chosen were:  Jared Cordum,
Jacob Hardy, Marty Pesch and Mary Walden.  
Chorus students chosen were:  Megan
Smith, Ashley Wieland, Robbie Krebs,
Hannah Levin, Jonah Kadyk, Logan Caspar
and Jonathan Miller. In the photo, front:  
Hannah Levin, Megan Smith and Robbie
Krebs. Middle:  Logan Caspar, Jonah Kadyk,
Ashley Wieland and Mary Walden. Back:  
Marty Pesch, Jacob Hardy, Jared Cordum
and Jonathan Miller.
Sherman Library receives grants
The Sherman Public Library is the recipient of two recent grants.  The first, “We the People Picturing America Bookshelf” is the
literary complement of NEH’s Picturing America visual arts project.   This visual arts grant package consisting of 40 art prints was
received by the library last year.  It has been on display at various times and is available to groups for art study. The Picturing
America Bookshelf is a collection of 19 books of interest to readers of all ages.  These are on display at the library and available for
checkout. Sherman Library has also been awarded several board games in celebration of National Gaming Day Nov. 14.  On that day,
these will be available for use at the library.  They will be available for checkout at the end of the library day for your own “Family
Game Night.”  The library is open Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Williamsville village board honors Red Cross, Emergency
Response Coalition
By Linda Hughes
At the village board meeting Monday Mayor Tom Yokley presented framed proclamations to two main groups who helped clean up after
the Aug. 19 tornado. (more)
School board approves tentative levy
By Byron Painter
Editor
The Williamsville School Board approved a tentative levy Monday night at the regular monthly meeting. (more)
Sherman Village Board approves purchase of new dump truck
By Byron Painter
Editor
The Sherman Village Board Tuesday night at its 72-minute meeting approved the purchase of a used 2002 Freightliner Dump and
Snow Truck, which will allow a significant portion of infrastructure improvements to be done in house. (more)
Meyers named Williamsville High School Student of the Month
Williamsville High School is pleased to announce that senior Colton Meyers has been selected as the October Student of the
Month.  Colton was selected by the senior class sponsors on the basis of academic performance, extracurricular participation and
personal traits.  Colton will receive a $100 savings bond from the Williamsville State Bank and will also be eligible for Student of the
Year. Colton is 12th in his class with a weighted GPA of 4.5144.  He is a High Honor Roll student, a member of the WHS chapter of
the National Honor Society and the 2009 Homecoming King.  Colton was recently nominated by the faculty and staff of WHS and
selected by his peers as the 2009-2010 SAR award recipient.  This award is based on leadership, dependability, service, scholarship,
patriotism and citizenship. Colton also received an Honorable Mention for being co-creator of a video that showed the World War II
experience of veteran Cecil Kenneth Belton. Colton began lettering in varsity football in his sophomore year at WHS.  He was co-
captain his senior year and helped lead the 2009 varsity team to the second round of playoffs.  In an effort to build the program,
Colton has volunteered time for the WJFL program at football camp.  He has also shared his love of football by volunteering at the
football camp sponsored by Hope Church in Springfield.  To help raise money for the football team, Colton and the entire football
team also worked a taffy stand at the Illinois State Fair, which donated their salaries to the football program. Along with his
involvement in various football programs, Colton has also helped with the annual Williamsville Community Food and Teen Gift Drive
and the STAND tutoring program for WJHS students.  When the tornado hit Williamsville at the end of the summer, Colton helped
with the village cleanup. Colton has a strong work ethic and has worked jobs such as construction for Leka Construction, detasseling
for Monsanto and power washing for Richardson’s Power Washing. Colton plans to attend college at Missouri and major in Sports
Management.
W’ville Village Board rejects bids for police
station renovation
By Linda Hughes
Residents of Williamsville should not see a village tax increase next year. (more)
Sherman board approves tax levy, burning days extended as well
By Byron Painter
Editor
The Sherman Village Board on Tuesday at an hour-long meeting approved the tax levy and extended leaf burning days, among other
issues. (more)
The above Williamsville High School
students have been named Illinois State
Scholars. Front row, from left: Amanda Doll
and Chelsea Nichols. Second row: Zach
Mierzejewski, Colton Meyers, Katelyn Lazar,
Samantha Turnbull, Hannah Durchholz and
Kelly Zoelzer. Back row: Jake McNamara,
Danielle Dow, Katherine Ripka, Katie Barrett
and Joe Staats. Chelsea Dreher and Mitchell
Spurlock are not pictured.
Williamsville village board discusses budget
By Linda Hughes
In a special meeting Monday, Williamsville village trustees fine-tuned the proposed
fiscal year 2010 budget. (more)
The Village of Sherman had its annual
Children’s Christmas Party Saturday, with
over 100 kids attending. Mackenzie Szoke
(left) is not happy being on Santa’s lap,
though sister Carly is enjoying herself.
Williamsville village board approves deficit
budget for 2010
By Linda Hughes
The Williamsville Village Board approved a 2010 deficit budget at its meeting Monday.
The budget anticipates revenues of $631,269 and expenditures of $829,577 in the
general fund. (more)
Sherman Village Board approves raises for employees
By Byron Painter
Editor
After over 40 minutes of discussion, the Sherman Village Board Tuesday night approved 3 percent retroactive raises to several
employees. (more)
School board officially approves tax levy
By Byron Painter
Editor
The Williamsville School Board on Monday night officially approved the tax levy that has been discussed at recent meetings. (more)
Williamsville village board ends relationship
with Glacial Energy
By Byron Painter
Editor
 After promised savings did not materialize, the Williamsville Village Board on Monday
night voted unanimously to end its relationship with Glacial Energy. (more)
Stake named Williamsville High School Student of the Month
Williamsville High School is pleased to announce that senior Austin Stake has been selected as the November Student of the
Month.  Austin was selected by the senior class sponsors on the basis of academic performance, extracurricular participation and
personal traits.  Austin will receive a $100 savings bond from the Williamsville State Bank and will also be eligible for Student of the
Year. Austin is 33rd in his class with a weighted GPA of 3.9671.  He is a member of the honor roll, the WHS chapter of the National
Honor Society and the PSAE Exceeds Team. Austin also received an Honorable Mention award for being co-creator of a video that
showed the World War II experience of veteran Cecil Kenneth Belton. While at WHS, Austin has lettered in both football and
baseball. Using these skills, Austin has helped coach at Williamsville Bullets football and baseball camps for area youth.  During his
senior year, he was selected by his teammates as co-captain.  He was also selected as a member of the Football Academic All State
Team and named to the Sangamo All Conference Team. For offense, he was named First Team Tackle.  On defense, he was named
Second Team Linebacker.  Besides sports, Austin has been an active participant in several theater productions at WHS.  Austin has
helped needy families during the holidays with the annual Williamsville Community Food and Teen Gift Drive.  Last year as a
member of the junior class, Austin sold concessions at basketball games to benefit Junior-Senior prom activities.  He has also
volunteered with Mission Outreach through Hospital Sisters. Austin plans to attend college and major in engineering.
Congratulations to Austin and his parents, Dave and Patty Stake of Sherman.
Sherman Village Board discusses sign
ordinance
By Byron Painter
Editor
The Sherman Village Board at a quick 42-minute meeting Tuesday spent time discussing
altering the ordinance of signs and outdoor advertising sign structures, as well as the
board’s relationship with Glacial Energy among other issues. (more)
SAVE taco dinner Jan. 22
 The Williamsville High School Chapter of SAVE (Students Against Violence Everywhere) will be having a taco dinner Jan. 22 from
5-7:30 p.m. in the high school cafeteria. This is a rescheduled dinner after a Jan. 8 weather-related postponement. The menu will
include a walking taco for $2.50 and a soft taco for $1.50. Desserts are $.75 and drinks $.50. A walking taco meal combo (taco, dessert
and drink) will be $3.50, with a soft taco combo (two tacos, dessert and drink) running $4.
Registering contractors discussed at W’ville board meeting
By Linda Hughes
 Williamsville Mayor Tom Yokley told village board members Monday that the board should think about registering contractors and
subcontractors who plan to do work in the village, and about enhancing building inspection reports. (more)
FFA Alumni Dinner March 13
  The Williamsville FFA Alumni Prime Rib Dinner will be held at the Sherman United Methodist Church March 13 from 4-7 p.m.
Tickets are $15 per person (dine in or carryout), and there is a hot dog child plate available for $2.50. Tickets can be purchased from
FFA members or FFA Alumni members in advance, at the door or at Williamsville High School (566-3361). There will also be a silent
auction during the dinner. Proceeds from the event are used for FFA Alumni Scholarships and local FFA activities.
School board discusses potential personnel, facility needs
By Byron Painter
Editor
  Despite a precarious financial situation because of the uncertainty of state funding, the Williamsville School Board on Monday
night discussed potential personnel and facility needs for the 2010-11 school year. (more)
Sherman Village Board approves agreement with Prairieland
Development on Village Center Drive project
By Byron Painter
Editor
  The Sherman Village Board Tuesday night finalized an agreement with local developer Larry Quinn and his Prairieland Development
LLC on the Business 55/Village Center Drive project. (more)
Williamsville community event planned for Sept. 18 weekend
By Linda Hughes
   Williamsville will hold a community event this fall, but not the Autumn on the Boulevard held in the past. (more)
Dreher named Williamsville High School Student of the Month
   Williamsville High School is pleased to announce that senior Chelsea Dreher has been selected as the December Student of the
Month.  Chelsea was selected by the senior class sponsors on the basis of academic performance, extracurricular participation and
personal traits.  Chelsea will receive a $100 savings bond from the Williamsville State Bank and will also be eligible for Student of
the Year. Chelsea is consistently listed on the high honor roll, a member of the WHS chapter of the National Honor Society and an
Illinois State Scholar.  Chelsea was recently notified that she is a 2010 National Merit Scholarship semifinalist.  She has also been
recognized as a UIS Scholar of the Week, a Susan Cook House Student of the Month, a member of Who’s Who Among All American
Scholars and Who’s Who Among American High School Students. Chelsea is currently serving as Vice President of the WHS chapter
of the National Honor Society and as Treasurer for the Class of 2010.  She is a member of Youth and Government, Scholastic Bowl
and Madrigals.  She has also participated in the school musicals and plays.  Outside of WHS, Chelsea dances through Heather’s
Dance Centre on dance competition and performance teams.  She is also employed through the studio as a dance assistant. Chelsea
has volunteered at Vacation Bible School at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, the American Diabetic Association fundraiser, the
WHS Teen Gift & Community Food Drive and as a peer tutor for the STAND tutoring program. Chelsea plans to attend college and
major in anthropology, archaeology or international relations. Congratulations to Chelsea and her parents, Mr. Brian Dreher and Ms.
Stacey Simek-Dreher of Sherman!
Cleanup day set for May 8 in Sherman
By Byron Painter
Editor
    At a brisk and jovial 30-minute meeting Tuesday night, the Sherman Village Board set the date for the annual Villagewide Cleanup
Day for May 8. (more)
Williamsville resident Churchill earns scholarship from Memorial
Medical Center
     Amy Churchill of Williamsville was one of a dozen nursing students to earn a scholarship from Memorial Medical Center in
Springfield through the hospital’s newly established Memorial Scholar Program. The program provides scholarships to students
attending Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, MacMurray College in Jacksonville and Millikin University in Decatur.
Students must be in their sophomore year or higher and meet grade-point average requirements. Churchill is a student at Lincoln
Land. Scholarship recipients receive tuition and books and have the opportunity to do research with Memorial nursing leaders. After
graduation – and upon successful completion of the recruiting process and passage of their licensing exam – they are considered for a
job as a nurse at Memorial. For every $2,500 of assistance received for their education, a scholarship recipient must serve a year as a
Memorial nurse with a five-year maximum commitment. The Memorial Medical Center Foundation provided funding for the
scholarships.
Williamsville launches Buy Local campaign
   The Village of Williamsville is taking steps to strengthen the development of its local economy. (more)
Root: Pre-K will not be eliminated next year
By Byron Painter
Editor
      Building on discussions from last month, Williamsville Superintendent Dave Root on Monday night confirmed that the school
district will have a Pre-K program for next year, even if the state does not contribute to the funding. (more)
ATVs, contractor work discussed at W’ville board meeting
By Linda Hughes
       Consideration of an ATV ordinance and discussion of contractors doing business be required to register with the village and
present certificates of insurance drew the interest of audience members during Monday’s Williamsville Village Board meeting. (more)
Sherman village board approves sewer rate
ordinance
By Byron Painter
Editor
        The Sherman Village Board on Tuesday night approved a sewer rate ordinance that will
increase rates, though the board did not pass on the entire increase passed onto them by the
Springfield Metro Sanitary District. (more)
Summer program to be offered for current K-4
students at SES
        Research shows that children lose knowledge over the summer months. This summer
Sherman Elementary is excited to offer a Summer Bridges Program.  The focus of the program will
be to prepare students for the curriculum and expectations for the following school year in math
and reading. This will be a great way of helping students to retain knowledge they have learned
during this school year and give a jump start to their learning for next year. All students are
invited to attend. Information regarding the newly restructured summer program was sent home
with all kindergarten through fourth grade students recently. You may also download a flyer from
http://www.wcusd15.org/lindsey/Summer%20School%202010%20flyer.pdf. For more information
regarding the Summer Bridges Program, contact Mrs. Lindsey or your child’s teacher.
SES, WJH receive 2009 Excellence Award for Exemplary
Academic Performance
        Sherman Elementary School and Williamsville Junior High recently were awarded the Academic Excellence Award from the
Illinois State Board of Education. To earn an Academic Excellence Award, a school must meet the following criteria:
        --In Pre K-8 schools, 90 percent of the students must have met or exceeded state standards in both reading and mathematics
for at least three consecutive years;
        --In high schools, 80 percent of students must have met or exceeded state standards in both reading and mathematics for at
least three consecutive years; and
        --Schools must have made Adequate Yearly Progress in 2008 and 2009, which includes:
       --At least 70 percent meeting and exceeding standards in both reading and mathematics;
        --95 percent participation rate in state assessments for all students in each subgroup
        --Attendance rate of at least 90 percent for elementary and middle schools and a graduation rate of at least 78 percent for high
schools.
        In the academic excellence category, the schools were honored for showing a “continued pattern of high achievement.”
        The awards are based on the results on state standardized reading and math tests taken last spring.
        “WJHS students were very proud and excited about the ISBE recognition,” said Principal Rod McQuality.
       Students were thanked at lunch on Thursday with music and cupcakes that were served by the WJHS staff, and on Friday,
students were treated to a dance troupe performance by Jim Linehan from New York.  
        “An entertaining program was presented by Jim, which included an inspirational message that encouraged students to work
hard, set goals and continue the fine performance on the upcoming ISAT tests,” said McQuality.
        Superintendent Dave Root is very proud of the students’ efforts.
        “Our students are well deserving of this honor due to their hard work within the classroom.  In addition, we have tremendous
educators within our schools and an outstanding support system of parents.  We are extremely proud to continue to be one of the
leading educational instutions in the State.”
WHS Jazz Band once again grand champion at WIU Jazz Festival
        The Williamville High School Jazz Band was one of 19 guest high school groups to compete at this year’s 2010 Western Illinois
University Jazz Festival Feb. 20 on the WIU Macomb campus. (more)