JCJ 10.8.14

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OPINION: Election season heating up: Page A4 news: Goblin Gallop Oct. 24: Page a3

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JERSEY COUNTY

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Inside News

Preparations for Election Day underway n Still time to register to vote

friends & Neighbors

The deadline for voter registration would have normally already passed; however, this year residents can register right up to, and on, Election Day. Jersey County Clerk Steve Pohlman said any registrations between now and the Nov. 4 election must be completed in his office at the county administration building. “It’s still considered grace period voting, and

“I’m hoping that we get a 75 percent turnout, that’s always my hope.”

Steve Pohlman County clerk

Bates ~ Lack engagement. See page a8

Vol. 12, No. 41 - 75¢

October 8, 2014

By Robert Lyons Jersey County Journal

DAR holds luncheon meeting. See page a6

JOURNAL

you would vote here,” Pohlman said, noting grace period voting began Wednesday. Voters who register between now and the election will receive a standard ballot, as long as they provide the proper credentials for registration. Otherwise, the voter is given a provisional ballot, which is not counted until the person’s

information has been verified after the election. The clerk’s office will be open extended hours heading into Election Day, even available on the Sunday before from noon to 3 p.m. to register or make changes to voter information. Early voting begins in the clerk’s office beginning Oct. 20, and lasts until Nov. 2. Pohlman said he recently examined the data from a few of the most recent elections, and early voting seems to be becoming more popular. He said he believes around 17 to 18 percent of the voting will be done early, which includes ballots cast through absentee voting. “It seems to inch up by one percent each time,” Pohlman said. “I think it will go up. I think people really like the idea of early voting, and by the time it gets to a week out before the election most people have made their mind up on who they’re going to vote for.” Overall, Pohlman said he is always hopeful for a strong turnout with each election. “I’m hoping that we get a 75 percent turnout, that’s always my hope,” he said. “We always order enough ballots to cover 75 to 80 percent of the people that are registered to vote. It would be nice to get that.” Between the hotly contested local races and questions on the ballot – PTELL and School Facilities Tax – and the state issues, such as minimum wage, Pohlman hopes voters flock to the polls. Whatever it takes to get people to vote, Pohlman said, ultimately betters the community. (See, election A2)

Robert Lyons/Jersey County Journal

Jersey County Clerk Steve Pohlman, left, and Denise Hunter, chief deputy of elections, run sample ballots through a vote tabulation machine Tuesday afternoon at the county administration building. Pohlman said he spends a few days leading up to Election Day ensuring each machine is operating correctly.

JCHS student to play for national audience

county

school

Blue Crew raises money for JDRF. See page a8

sports

Hagen serves nearly perfect season. See page c12

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TOP STORIES ONLINE Week of Oct. 1-7

1- County makes clerical error in pay resolution 2- Local applicants confident about medical marijuana permits 3- Panthers edge Mascoutah 34-28 in key MVC football win 4- Splash Dash raises $12k for special ed 5- Jersey soccer boys nip Waterloo in two overtimes 3-2 in big win

Index Court . . . . . . . . . . . . c10 News . . . . a2,a3,a5,a6,a7 Obituaries . . . . . . . . b1 Editorial . . . . . . . . a4,5 Our Town . . . . . . . . . c2 Public Notice . . . d1,3,4 Sports . . . . . . . . . c9-10 Obituaries:

Bohannon, Gates, Kessinger, Mathews, Strickland, Tucker, Von Achen.

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Bob Crossen/Jersey County Journal

Sina Ringhausen, left, and Hellen Devening, right, cook up fresh apple fritters at the Jersey County Historical Society Apple Festival Saturday. In addition to apple-themed treats, guests were treated to live music and artistic demonstrations while others took tours of the historical sites on the historical society's grounds which include a museum, Lone Star school house and the historic Cheney Mansion. For more photos, see C1.

Apple Festival rakes in the fall season By Bob Crossen Jersey County Journal Vendors and guests were pleased with the weather and historic activities at the Cheney Mansion in Jerseyville Saturday during the historical society’s annual Apple Festival. St. Louis County residents Sybil Prost and Celeste Litton – the two are sisters – traveled to Jerseyville for the festival after Prost was encouraged to visit by Ringhausen Orchards. Prost said she buys apples and peaches from Ringhausen Orchards at a farmers’ market near her home. Although they had just arrived at the festival, Prost said she enjoyed the small-town atmosphere

of Jerseyville. Litton said she was most excited to take a tour of the Cheney Mansion. “I love to see historical things,” Litton said. The historic sites are what keep people at the festival each year after they arrive, Patsy Halemeyer, Jersey County Historical Society board member, said. The apples entice visitors to the historical society’s grounds, but the museum and accompanying historic buildings give them reason to stay. “I think we’ve been having a nice crowd and everybody is dressed for the weather,” Halemeyer said, dressed as a teacher from the late 1800s and early 1900s. “I think everybody seems to

be having a good time. It’s just been a crowd the whole day.” She said there were many compliments on the society’s efforts to ensure the historic school and church had desks, chairs and pews that were specific to their period. The attention to detail, she said, is also helpful in educating the public on how things were during that time. “There’s so much to see. I don’t think a lot of people realize there’s so much to see, especially in the museum,” Halemeyer said. “And it changes all the time. We don’t leave it the same. It changes. We get things in and out.” Although rain leading up to the event (See, festival, A2)

District 18 receives seven cultivation applications, one for dispensary By Robert Lyons Jersey County Journal The Illinois departments of Financial Regulation and Agriculture released a report Thursday morning containing the number of medical cannabis cultivation center and dispensary applications received statewide. Each of the 22 Illinois State Police districts is eligible to receive one license for a cultivation center as part of the Illinois Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act. The state received a total of 159 applications – one more than the state’s original figure of 158 – seven of which came in District 18, which encompasses Jersey, Greene, Calhoun, Macoupin and Montgomery counties. Leading up to the application deadline, which was Sept. 22, there were several requests of area county boards for letters of support to establish cultivation centers. Greene County approved two such letters and Jersey approved one. Of those three between the counties, two confirmed they indeed submitted their application. In Jersey County, the board gave a recommendation let-

ter for Scientific Growers, Inc., which later partnered with larger firm Alternative Treatments, LLC. Sam Borek, lawyer for Alternative Treatments, said the company he represents applied for five permits, in addition to the one for Jersey County. Norb Goetten, who received an approval letter from the Greene County Board, confirmed he applied for a permit, as well, putting himself in competition with Alternative Treatments and five other applicants. The most applications (14) were received for District 5, which includes Grundy, Kendall and Will counties. District 1 (Carroll, Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties) and District 17 (Bureau, LaSalle and Putnam counties) each had 13 applicants. Department of Agriculture Communications Manager Melaney Arnold said in a message to Campbell Publications that Section 145 of the Illinois Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act prohibits the department from disclosing the names of applicants. Each application required a nonrefundable $25,000 fee, (See, applications, A2) M

K

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By Robert Lyons Jersey County Journal At the end of October, Jersey Community High School senior Krista Russell will take her flute and head to Kentucky. Russell has been selected as a member of the 2014 FFA National Band, becoming one of only 80 nationwide to receive the honor. “It’s something big to me because I’m a total music and FFA kid. They both mean a lot to me,” she said. “And not many kids get to go and be a part of the FFA National Band. It’s quite an amazing thing.” To be considered for the FFA National Band, Russell first had to earn a spot on the state roster. Then, a select group of State FFA Band members from across the United States and Puerto Rico are chosen to apply for the national band. The application process consisted of submitting an audition tape. She said she found out she had been selected in mid-August. The FFA National Band plays at the National FFA Convention and Expo in Louisville, Ky., which will be held Oct. 29-Nov. 1. Russell said she and the rest of the national band will arrive a few days early to begin rehearsing for the event. When the band plays during the opening session of the convention, Russell said, there will be between 25,000 and 30,000 people in attendance. The convention will also be broadcast live on RFD-TV. “I think the first couple of days will be really long days, filled with rehearsal,” she said. “Then toward

Submitted photo

Krista Russell has been selected to play in the FFA National Band, which will perform during the National FFA Convention and Expo, Oct. 29 - Nov. 1 in Louisville, Ky.

the end of the week it will just be performing and having fun.” Russell said she is excited for the opportunity to play with some of the best high school musicians from around the state, as well as make new friends. “We’re literally grouped with kids from across the entire country,” she said. “We’ll room in a hotel with them. You get to meet so many new people, it’s going to be the experience of a lifetime.” (See, russell, A2)

Technology Tuesdays give teachers tools for success By Robert Lyons Jersey County Journal Learning more about computer software and ways to implement it into their classroom strategies was the focus of a program for Jersey teachers. Every Tuesday during a monthand-a-half of the summer break, teachers gathered at the district office for hour-long training sessions to improve their efficiency with technology in the classrooms. The volunteer training sessions were dubbed Technology Tuesdays. “We surveyed the teachers and asked what kind of training and assistance they’d like to have in brief, hands-on sessions over the summer,” Keith Norman, Jersey Community Unit School technology director, said. The district’s digital conversion was fully established last year with the introduction of the one-to-one program, which put a laptop in the hands of all students in grades five through 12 as a primary learning tool. “The students are actually driving the use of it at that level, and

the teachers are supporting the students,” he said. Sessions were devoted to two areas of improvement: classroom instruction and use of technology. Technology training included working to fully realize the potential of the software and services the district has put in place, such as Edmodo and an array of Google Apps for Education. Classroom instruction was centered around supporting student learning with technology. Dr. Lori Hopkins, superintendent, said many teachers dedicated themselves to improving their aptitude over the summer in several ways, and Technology Tuesdays were a major part of that. “A lot of times you hear, ‘They only work nine months, and they make that salary.’ Well, that’s not true anymore,” she said. Digital coaches Shelly Robinson and Melanie Fessler, along with Norman, conducted many of the Technology Tuesday workshops, along with some other district employees. (See, technology, A2)


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