Jewett PD grateful for donations

By Cornelia Grace Harrison News-Herald Reporter JEWETT — Jewett

Village Council met on April 3 for the first of their bi-monthly meetings.

Once again, the Wildcat Center demolition was brought up. A resident in attendance asked for clarity on when he needed to remove his stored property from the school building. The village will officially shut off power and water to the building May 1. Several council members offered to help him move his items, all he needed to do was ask.

Mayor George Bailie read a letter sent in about the gym. The resident requested a second review of the demolition plans, citing that the gym is a newer addition that could be saved. She asked for an estimate on the cost of keeping the gymnasium. She recommended the council allocate a budget from tax money for upkeep costs. Attached with the letter was a petition with just over 700 signatures. Despite the number of signatures, only two community members showed up to the meeting in support of the petition.

“I do want to clarify something that was said,” Bailie said. “I guess someone made a statement to call the county commissioners about this gym going down. I want to make it clear that the commissioners have nothing to do with this gym. Nothing at all. These decisions were made by everyone sitting at this table.”

He explained that the only thing the commissioners did was help the county as a whole apply for the grants. The village council members are the ones who filled out the paperwork and made all the decisions.

The cost of hiring an engineer to survey the gym, future upkeep costs, building repairs, and running new water and power lines are too high for the village. Council has already looked into several options to save the gym. It is simply not realistic for the village to keep it.

Local sales on the rise for jewelry maker

By Kristi Tullis Harrison News-Herald Staff Writer

CADIZ — From hobby-making to entrepreneur, Free Spirit Designs by D has jewelry for anyone looking for unique, one-of-a-kind designs.

An array of colors and metals flood the table where Daneesa Stoltey makes jewelry, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. What started out as a fun way to make what she wanted, Stoltey now sells her creations to others.

by a local florist, Brittany Mattern. Mattern had opened her shop and wanted Stoltey to sell her jewelry there.

Bailie reported that even with poor weather and no power, the Easter egg hunt on April 1 was a success. The community came together and had a good time regardless of the circumstances.

Council will be revising the ordinance regarding tarps on unused vehicles. Instead of a regular blue tarp, the ordinance will require a fitted car tarp. With a village clean-up day approaching, this is an opportunity for residents to make their property look good for the summer. The police department has been cracking down on excess trash and junk in yards.

Bailie made it clear that the police department is following the ordinances of the village when writing citations for these issues.

Police Chief Ron Carter reported that the radios for the department had been completely paid for by donations from MPLX and Encino Energy. Carter expressed deep gratitude to both entities, “On behalf of the police department,

“It started in 2015. I couldn’t find jewelry that I liked. I wanted a bracelet, so I just decided to make my own,” Stoltey said. “It really just took off from there.”

Soon after, she opened an Etsy shop online. Sales were doing well. She was selling pieces and producing more often. Stoltey then found that most pieces were being bought by friends and family, so she shied away from keeping her storefront online.

“It’s not that I wasn’t happy that my pieces were selling, because I was,” Stoltey recalls. “I just wanted a larger audience base at the time, and that wasn’t working out for me.”

Recently she was invited to sell pieces locally. She was happy to do so when she was approached

I want to thank MPLX and Encino for providing us with equipment we couldn’t otherwise get on our own. They continue to support the department and show their devotion to keeping the community safe.

“I get to display pieces that people can see and touch. This means more people will be seeing my jewelry,” Stoltey shared. The ability to sell pieces on hand for others is exactly what Stoltey has had in mind since the beginning. This has opened a whole new possibility for customers for Stoltey. Being able to share her pieces is what she enjoys doing.

While she still markets her pieces on Facebook and Instagram, she admits most of her pieces are selling at B’s Boutiques & Gifts at the Inn on Lincoln. Stoltey also sells specially requested pieces. She finds that people really love the hand-stamped jewelry she offers, and they like to pick out words and phrases for personalized pieces, as well as colors.

Jewelry from Free Spirit Designs by D can be found on display at B’s Boutiques & Gifts at 425 Lincoln Ave. in Cadiz. Her Facebook page and Instagram account also have items listed for sale. Anyone with questions about personalized pieces can contact Daneesa Stoltey at 740-491-2409 by phone call or by text.

“We are truly thankful for these companies, for the radios, and for the K9 in Cadiz. Both generous donations provide two of the most valuable resources for keeping our officers and residents safe,” he said.