Subway looking to build in Williamsville
By Linda Hughes
Trustee Mike Barnett told Williamsville Village Board members Monday that the Water and Sewer Committee recommends a 28 percent water rate increase. The increase
would be effective with the January 2011 billing. (
more)
Madison named Williamsville Student of the Month
Williamsville High School is pleased to announce that senior Michaela Madison has been selected as the September Student of the Month. Kella was selected by the senior
class sponsors on the basis of academic performance, extracurricular participation and personal traits.  Kella will receive a $100 savings bond from the Williamsville State
Bank and will also be eligible for Student of the Year. Kella is second in her class with a GPA of 4.73.  She is consistently listed on the High Honor Roll and is a 2010 PSAE All
Exceeds Award Recipient. Kella is a member of the WHS National Honor Society, currently serving as Vice President of the chapter.  She has also participated in the S.A.V.E.
organization. Academics are very important to Kella and she has used her skills and leadership traits to help other students that need assistance.  She has served in the
S.T.A.N.D. peer tutoring program and has also worked as a private tutor to mentor a student hoping to improve his current academic standing.   During her junior year, Kella took
the AP US History class which allowed her the opportunity to interview a World War II veteran and produce a documentary which is now stored in the Library of Congress in
Washington, D.C.   She has volunteered with the annual WHS Community Food and Teen Gift Drive, at the Animal Protective League and at WHS by providing leadership at the
Freshman Orientation meeting at the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year. Kella plans to attend college and hopes to be accepted into a Medical Microbiology and
Immunology program.
A “major milestone” for Sherman
By Byron Painter
Editor
Village Center Drive in Sherman is officially open, after a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday.  (
more)
Road projects in Sherman nearing completion
By Byron Painter
Editor
A brisk, routine 40-minute Sherman Village Board meeting Tuesday covered several topics. (
more)
More mine property annexed, Williamsville changes engineering firms
By Linda Hughes
Three more properties leading to the Viper Mine property were brought into the village of Williamsville Monday, through action of the village board. (
more)
Williamsville board annexes one piece of mine property
By Linda Hughes
The Williamsville Village Board annexed one piece of property Tuesday leading to the Viper Mine, but postponed annexation of the mine property until next Monday’s meeting.
(
more)
School board approves agreement with Sherman on elementary fields
By Byron Painter
Editor
The Williamsville School Board Monday night approved an agreement with the Village of Sherman for field use at the elementary school. (
more)
Stout defense lifts Bullets past Pretzels
The Williamsville Bullets football team’s offense has gotten a lot of press the last couple of years, but the defense and special teams are not too shabby either. (more)
Bullets escape with win over Storm
Sangamon Valley football coach Michael Lee said there is little room for error in the Sangamo Conference, and his Storm squad made a few too many of those “little” mistakes
in a 20-6 home loss to Williamsville Friday night. (
more)
Bullets hold off Warriors
Josh Gentile had 219 total yards before leaving with an ankle injury, and Nick Roscetti totaled 128 rushing yards as the visiting Williamsville Bullets football team held off Athens
29-22 Saturday to ruin the Warriors’ Homecoming game. (
more)
Emerson in top 30 at girls state golf
Williamsville’s Lexie Emerson was 12th after the first day of the Class 1A state girls golf tournament at Red Tail Run in Decatur, but a late struggle on the second day led to a
27th place tie for the Lady Bullet junior. Emerson punctuated her first day with a 20-foot birdie on 18 and finished with an 84, seven shots behind. But she lost six shots on the
final two holes Saturday and finished with a 177 total score. She finished tied for 21st last year.
“She played a great practice round on Thursday which left her feeling pretty comfortable and confident going into Friday’s first round,” said coach Carissa Szoke. “She played an
excellent front 9 Friday and found a couple holes on the back 9 that tripped her up a little bit.”
Emerson was feeling pretty good heading into Saturday after the birdie on 18, but “she never really seemed to get into her groove on Saturday and couldn’t seem to catch a
break on the greens,” Szoke said.
“She still has a lot to be proud of.  Lexie Emerson is a great player and a great representative of WHS.  I have no doubt in my mind that Lexie will be working her heart out putting
forth every effort to get right back there next year,” Szoke concluded.
Lady Bullets edged in regional final
Fifth-seeded Auburn finished off a run of knocking off higher seeds with a 25-22, 25-23 win over second seed Williamsville Saturday night in the finals of the Class 2A Riverton
Regional. Auburn led for most of Game 1, then rallied to win in Game 2 to end the Lady Bullets’ season. Only one of the first seven WHS servers in Game 1 dented the
scoreboard (Emma Hanney, with just one point) as the Lady Trojans built a 14-9 lead. Brandi Donnelly scored once, then a short time later, Hanney scored three times (Amelia
Vignali having two kills, one kissing the line, to go along with an ace) as the Lady Bullets got within 16-14.
Vignali scored with a Donnelly kill, but Williamsville still trailed 19-17. Laura Kilbury served an ace to make it 21-19, then Auburn scored three points in a row to get to game
point. Anna Butterfield’s kill kept the Lady Bullets alive and put Kate Fowler on the line. She scored twice, with a nifty, gentle Donnelly tip ending the first point and then a
Donnelly rocket ending the second one, but a Bryanna Stevens kill closed out Game 1. Fowler (Butterfield kill) and Hanney (Vignali kill and ace) helped WHS take a 5-4 lead
early in Game 2. Abby Clark served four points (Vignali put away the first three with kills, including one that nicked the tape) as the Lady Bullets went up 10-6. Vignali netted three
points (including an ace and Donnelly kill), but a short time later, two Erika Kuenstler points put Auburn up 17-15. Six straight WHS servers did not score as Auburn extended the
lead to as much as four at 23-19. Kilbury scored twice with WHS facing match point (including a Donnelly kill), but Anna Dambacher finished the match with a kill. Donnelly and
Vignali both had seven kills, with Frances Buescher adding five and Butterfield four. Fowler finished with three blocks and Kilbury had 25 assists. Donnelly had 18 digs, Clark
15, Vignali 14 and Hanney 10.
Sherman, County Market reach agreement
By Byron Painter
Editor
The Sherman Village Board was only in session for one hour Tuesday night, but that hour was historic. (
more)
Williamsville board to vote on increasing gas tax
By Linda Hughes
In a brief special meeting Tuesday, the Williamsville Village Board gave Mayor Tom Yokley the authority to authorize a pre-annexation agreement with ICG Illinois, owner of Viper
Mine. The board was unable to authorize execution of an annexation agreement, as there is no petition on file. The agreement stipulates that the mine will pay the cost-share to
run a 10-inch main from the village to the mine. Also, that there will be no utility tax to operate the mine, and that the village will do everything possible to keep the mine in an
enterprise zone. ICG posted a $50,000 bond, village attorney Randy Segatto said. As the invoices on construction of the line come in, the village will give them to ICG for review,
and the village will get reimbursed. The village will pay for upgrading an 8-inch to a 10-inch water main and will pay part of the engineering costs. Total for running the main is
not to exceed $317,000, Yokley said. The project received seven bids, and Yokley said the hope is to award the contract by the first of next week. The bid will not be executed until
the village receives the signed agreement from the mine, Segatto said. Another public hearing is in the offing, once the final ordinance of agreement is drawn up. In another
matter, the board agreed to increase the municipal gas tax from one cent up to one and one-half cent. An ordinance will be presented at the next board meeting.
The increase would apply to all retail fuel. The schools are exempt. Also exempt are wholesale oil distributors, according to the way the present ordinance is written. Gas taxes
go into the general fund. Trustee Scott Butterfield said he does not think the increase would affect gas sales in the village. (From Dec. 2, 2010 edition)
Hollinshead named WHS October Student of the Month
Williamsville High School is pleased to announce that senior Lauren Hollinshead has been selected as the October Student of the Month.  Lauren was selected by the senior
class sponsors on the basis of academic performance, extracurricular participation and personal traits.  Lauren will receive a $100 savings bond from the Williamsville State
Bank and will also be eligible for Student of the Year. Lauren is first in her class with a GPA of 4.85.  She is consistently listed on the High Honor Roll, a 2010 PSAE All Exceeds
Award Recipient and a member of the WHS chapter of the National Honor Society.  Lauren has also served as Student Director for the school musical and participated in the
Youth and Government program.  She currently holds the position of Secretary of her class, with previous experience serving as Vice President and Student Council
representative.
Lauren is a four-year letter winner for both the Lady Bullets basketball team and the softball team.  Her skills in both sports have been widely recognized. Because of her
outstanding academic and athletic abilities, she received the State Journal-Register’s Senior Scholar Athlete of the Week award.  In basketball, Lauren has been elected to the
Prairie State Conference First Team, Sangamo All Conference Second Team, Sangamon County All Tournament Team, Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Special
Mention All-State, Team Captain and Team MVP.  In softball, she was recognized with the following awards: Prairie State Conference All Conference Honorable Mention,
Sangamo All Conference First and Second Team, SJ-R Softball Classic participant and the SJ-R All Area Team. She has volunteered with the annual WHS Community Food
and Teen Gift Drive, the Mini O’Beirne Crisis Nursery, Carl Sandburg Elementary School Summer Reading Program, WJHS basketball camp, Sherman Elementary Summer
School, the Illinois State Fair benefiting the American Diabetes Association and the Peer Tutoring Program at WHS. Lauren plans to continue playing softball and basketball at
University of Illinois at Springfield while majoring in Biology. Congratulations to Lauren and her parents, Tom and Rhonda of Sherman.
Children’s Christmas Party in Sherman Saturday
By Byron Painter
The children’s Christmas Party at the Sherman Athletic Club will be Dec. 11 from 9-11 a.m., Trustee Krista Sherrock reminded the Sherman Village Board Tuesday night. (
more)
WHS grad Gruening earns fourth football letter at Millikin
Millikin University’s football team has named its 2010 varsity letter and award winners. The Big Blue finished the season with a 4-6 record. The team also named its award
winners for the 2010 campaign. For the second straight season, Millikin’s Most Valuable Player was senior running back Dion Wilson (Country Club Hills, Rich Central H.S.).
Wilson was the CCIW’s top rusher and was named to the All-CCIW First Team. The Millikin Blue Helmet Award also went to Wilson.   Senior Chase Gruening, a Williamsville
High School graduate, earned his fourth letter.
School board approves tax levy
By Byron Painter
The Williamsville School Board at its December meeting Thursday night approved the property tax levy for the 2011-12 school year. (
more)
John Haggard named WHS November Student of the Month
Williamsville High School is pleased to announce that senior John Haggard has been selected as the November Student of the Month.  John was selected by the senior class
sponsors on the basis of academic performance, extracurricular participation and personal traits.  John will receive a $100 savings bond from the Williamsville State Bank and
will also be eligible for Student of the Year. John is 92nd in his class with a GPA of 2.01.  John is currently an employee of the Village of Williamsville. John has shown
significant leadership and kindness to a student enrolled in our CBE program who is challenged with Muscular Dystrophy.  He has been a mentor and a friend to this student
during this semester’s Manufacturing class.  John has the expertise to assist with tasks such as picking out, measuring and cutting the wood needed for the student’s shop
project.  He also helps take notes and spends the time needed to the make sure the student understands classroom material on a daily basis.  The recipient of this kindness
has expressed his admiration at John’s helpfulness and work ethic at school and on his family’s farm.   John is an active member of the FFA program at WHS.  He has served
in the following FFA offices:  Treasurer 2008-2009, President 2009-2010 and Vice President 2010-2011.  He also participated in the FFA National Days of Service – working for
Habitat for Humanity in Indianapolis during the National FFA Convention. John plans to attend LLCC to obtain a CDL driving classification. Congratulations to John and his
parents, John and Lori Haggard of Sherman.
Williamsville board votes to increase gas tax
By Linda Hughes
An increase in the retail gas sales in Williamsville will bring in approximately $60,000 a year more in revenues, Mayor Tom Yokley said Monday. (
more)
Viper Mine land annexed into Williamsville
By Linda Hughes
After months of negotiations and taking preliminary steps, the Williamsville Village Board annexed the Viper Mine – actually 76.8 acres owned by ICG Illinois – into the village
Monday. (
more)
Sherman board approves utility line ordinance
By Byron Painter
At last Tuesday’s almost hour-long regular meeting, the Sherman Village Board unanimously approved an ordinance requiring future utility lines to be installed underground.
(
more)
Six running for Williamsville village board
Three challengers will battle the three incumbents in the Williamsville Village Board race in April. Janice Beyers, Mark Esker and Valerie Patterson are all running for another
term, and those incumbents will be challenged by Matt Bunger, Dave Carter and Norval Melton. On the school board side, incumbent Dave Knox (from Williams Township) and
two from Fancy Creek (incumbent Sandy Walden and Matt Seman) are running. One open seat is currently occupied by Judy Lazar, who is not running again. The other, currently
held by the appointed Nick Constant, covers the outlying areas of the school district not in either Fancy Creek or Williams. Since he was appointed, Constant had only a two-year
term, and he is not among the filers. If nothing changes, the board would have to appoint someone from that area after the election, or the slot could remain vacant. Only three
board members can be from one township. Sherman, which had an earlier filing period, has five people running for three trustee positions: Incumbents Brian Long, Jeff Mitchell
and Jay Timm and challengers Bret Hahn and Scott Loftus.
Sherman board annexes property
By Byron Painter
The Sherman Village Board Tuesday night annexed a piece of property along Andrew Road into the village. (
more)
Viper Mine water main expansion to start soon
By Linda Hughes
Final payment to Cloyd Builders of $30,304 for the new roof over the Williamsville Police Station was approved Monday by the village board. (
more)
Sherman village board conducts short meeting
By Byron Painter
At a brisk 25-minute meeting Tuesday night, the Sherman Village Board officially reappointed Kevin Kuhn as the village’s secondary engineer. (
more)
Kamrath named Williamsville High School December Student of the Month        
Williamsville High School is pleased to announce that senior Brock Kamrath has been selected as the December Student of the Month.  Brock was selected by the senior class
sponsors on the basis of academic performance, extracurricular participation and personal traits.  He will receive a $100 savings bond from the Williamsville State Bank and
will also be eligible for Student of the Year. Brock is ranked seventh in his class with a GPA of 4.45.  Brock is consistently listed on the high honor roll and is a member of the
WHS chapter of the National Honor Society and the PSAE Exceeds Team.   While at WHS, Brock has participated in four years of Bullet football and baseball while serving as
captain of both teams. Some of Brock’s volunteer experience includes donating his time to sell salt water taffy at the Illinois State Fair which ultimately benefited the WHS
football team, serving cheesecake at the fall choir concert to assist the fundraising efforts of the WHS choirs and selling concessions for the Williamsville Sports Boosters.
Brock plans to attend the University of Missouri and major in Engineering.  Congratulations to Brock and his parents, Stuart of Sherman and Angie of Riverton!
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission
along with Williamsville High School are
pleased to recognize the Williamsville High
School students who have been named
2011-12 State Scholars for their outstanding
academic achievement. Selection is based
on ACT and Prairie State Achievement Exam
scores, and class rank at the end of the
junior year. Front row, from left: Allison Rump,
Lauren Hollinshead, Megan Schutzbach,
Caitlin Laudeman, Amy Pesch and Abigail
Withrow. Back row: Steven Tuning, Jordan
Saner, Michaela Madison, Brock Kamrath
and Hunter Welch. Not pictured: Greg
Harpring.
School board hires new junior high principal
By Byron Painter
Current Athens Junior High Principal Clay Shoufler has been hired as the new Williamsville Junior High Principal. (
more)
Williamsville comprehensive plan open house Feb.
17        
As part of the effort to develop a comprehensive plan for the Village of Williamsville, the Springfield-Sangamon County
Regional Planning Commission (SSCRPC) and the Williamsville Citizens Advisory Committee will host an open house from 5-
7 p.m. Feb. 17. All Williamsville residents and parties interested in the future of Williamsville are invited to attend. The event
will be held in the Williamsville Community Center, 141 West Main Street. During the open house, the Williamsville Citizens
Advisory and SSCRPC will introduce the comprehensive plan to the public, explain the planning process, its findings and the
opportunities identified for the future planned growth of the village.  In addition, the public will once again have an opportunity to
express their views regarding this long-range plan.
Community resident and Williamsville Citizens Advisory Committee Chairman Greg Birky said that “the purpose of the open
house is to present the plan to the community and show citizens the vision and potential for Williamsville over the next two
decades.” Birky said he believes the plan represents the views of Williamsville’s residents collected through a survey of
residents conducted last year, and that residents, business and property owners, employees and visitors are encouraged to
attend the open house to share their opinions of the plan, which will be taken into account prior to the plan being considered
for adoption.
Village President Tom Yokley said, “The Wililamsville Citizens Advisory Committee and the team at the SSCRPC have
diligently worked side-by-side in drafting the comprehensive plan for Williamsville.” The Williamsville Comprehensive Plan will
be placed on the Internet after completion and the draft to be reviewed at the open house can be found on the SSCRPC
website: www.sscrpc.com
Miller named Williamsville High School January Student
of the Month       
Williamsville High School is pleased to announce that senior Jessica Miller has been selected as the January Student of the
Month. Jessica was selected by the senior class sponsors on the basis of academic performance, extracurricular participation
and personal traits.  Jessica will receive a $100 savings bond from the Williamsville State Bank and will also be eligible for
Student of the Year. Jessica is 16th in her class with a GPA of 4.20.  During her senior year, Jessica has also received the
following academic honors: 2010 PSAE All Exceeds Team, the Susan Cook House December Student of the Month and the DAR
Award Recipient.  She is consistently listed on the High Honor Roll and is a member of the WHS chapter of the National Honor
Society.
While at WHS, Jessica has participated in Youth & Government, cross country, basketball, vocal music, drama and the
Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  In the Youth and Government program, she gained experience as a lobbyist, legislator and a
gubernatorial candidate.  She is also a leader in the FCA program.  In Madrigals, Jessica served as Vice President and took a
lead role as the Jester in this year’s performance.  In Choir, Jessica served as Treasurer and has participated in IHSA and IMEA
competitions.  She has received an IHSA Best of Day award for a solo performance and made IMEA District Concert Choir,
District Jazz Choir, and All State Concert Choir.  As a member of our Vocal Jazz ensemble, Jessica had the opportunity to sing the
“Star-Spangled Banner” for President Obama at the Lincoln Bicentennial celebration.  Her coaches have also recognized her
leadership and strength of character.  In cross country, she won both the Most Spirited award and the Coach’s Award.  In
basketball, she received the Bullet Pride award. Jessica has volunteered for the American Diabetes Association, the Mini O’
Beirne Crisis Nursery, several events within the deaf community, peer tutoring for the school district and at VBS for Grace
Presbyterian Church. Jessica plans to attend Illinois State University to pursue a career in Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education.
Congratulations to Jessica and her parents, John and Jodi of Sherman.
Larry Quinn of Prairieland Development,
Sherman Mayor Trevor Clatfelter and
Sherman Village Trustee Jay Timm cut
the ribbon at the official opening
ceremony for Village Center Drive last
month.
County Market reps hold town meeting
By Byron Painter
Representatives of Niemann Foods, Inc. of Quincy, the parent company of County Market, hosted a town meeting last Thursday for Sherman residents looking for their input as
they plan for the new County Market store. (
more)
Williamsville board amends Jake Brake ordinance
By Byron Painter
The Williamsville Village Board on Monday night made a few donations to local causes and passed an amended “Jake Brake” Ordinance, among other topics of interest. (
more)
Drainage, high speed rail lead concerns for Williamsville as comprehensive
plan nears completion
By Byron Painter
At an open house last Thursday night, a draft copy of the Williamsville Comprehensive Plan for 2010-2035 was unveiled at the Community Center. (
more)
Sherman population soars past 4000 mark           
The population of Sherman has zoomed past the 4000 mark, Mayor Trevor Clatfelter noted this week. (
more)
Williamsville library usage up
By Byron Painter
Williamsville Library Director Jean Forness told the village board Monday night that usage is up at the library in the last year, though the number of patrons served is only slightly
higher. (
more)
Lady Bullets rally past Riverton
The host Williamsville Lady Bullets girls basketball team rallied from a 15-point deficit in the first half and defeated Riverton 53-45 Thursday night in a Sangamo Conference
clash. Down 22-7 at one point, Williamsville still trailed 26-16 at the break and 37-30 with 2:18 left in the third before finishing the quarter on a 7-1 run (three points from Jordan
French and four from Anna Butterfield) to get within 38-37. Butterfield scored on a stickback with 6:22 remaining to put WHS up 39-38, then Kathryn Spenn scored to make it
41-38. Two Kate Blissett free throws and a layup from Emily Maulding (after a well-executed entry pass from Brooke Kulek) allowed Riverton to regain the advantage at 42-41
with 4:15 left. Williamsville scored the next six points (buckets from Spenn, Butterfield and Lauren Hollinshead) to go up for good. Blissett made two free throws at 2:58 to get
the Lady Hawks within 47-44, but Riverton only managed one Carlie Cuffle free throw the rest of the way. WHS did not score from the field in the last three minutes, but made
seven of 10 charity tosses after that. Maulding had 18 points for the Lady Hawks, 12 before halftime, while Shelby Cuffle added 12 and Blissett 10. Riverton shot 16-for-35 from
the field. For the Lady Bullets, Hollinshead pumped in 18 points and dished out four assists, while Spenn had another double-double (14 points, 10 boards). Butterfield
contributed 10 and French nine. WHS had only six turnovers after halftime after committing twice that many before intermission.
The Lady Bullets also won the J-V game 37-24, as Leah Levin scored nine, Emily Capranica eight and Butterfield and Clair Stoecker six each. Whitney Day had nine and Caitlyn
Lamkey six for Riverton.
                                                                                  ***
Monday the Lady Bullets, who will play in the State Farm Classic in Bloomington-Normal next week, were supposed to host Varna-Midland (in a rescheduled game from Dec.
13), but it was also postponed because of bad weather up north. Coach Jon Hampton said Monday that the game would try to be rescheduled later again.