Friday, October 13, 2017
Volume 143 No. 45
Single Copy Cost 50¢
LOSTANT
TONICA CEMETERY
Erosion causing a grave problem
Tonica Cemetery Association will hold an awareness day on Oct. 29
Fighting flooding in village Board works to alleviate longtime east-side issues BY ZACHARY J. PRATT news@tonicanews.com
drainage tiles. He also thinks the improvements to shore up a nearby bridge that was being damaged by erosion could possibly be aggravating the problem. During times of heavy rain, the creek rises several feet and its winding path carves out large chunks of earth. There are also trees in the area with piles of debris stuck high in the branches which help show how high the water can reach.
LOSTANT — In an effort to curtail flooding on the east side, Lostant Village Board has found a contractor to begin the ditching work along Second Street. Lostant is hiring Rupe Excavating to perform the work on the street, which is hoped will help combat the flooding which has plagued the area for years. “I think it’s going to be the beginning of the alleviation of the flooding on the east side,” Village President Jack Immel said at the village board meeting on Oct. 9. He described the problem as an elevated ditch, which causes the water to build up. “What we’re trying to do is get rid of that waist-deep water quicker, so that our current system can handle it better,” he said. For years, the problem has been an issue for Lostant. “This is a project that has been needed in the town for the last, I’m not sure how many years,” Immel said. “I’m tired of the flooding.” The project would be funded through the cell phone tax, money which is being set aside for projects such as this. “It would not affect taxes in the future,” Immel said. “It would not affect anything for our residents in the village.”
See PROBLEM, Page 2
See FLOODING, Page 3
Tonica News photo/Dave Cook
Tonica Cemetery Association member Jim Lock points to debris in a tree above Bailey Creek which shows how high the water has risen during times of heavy rain. During these periods, the creek has eroded large areas and the damage is now endangering graves in both Fairview and Brookside cemeteries. The association will be holding a Cemetery Awareness Day on Oct. 29 to help show villagers the extent of the damage and why it’s become necessary to take steps to prevent further erosion. BY DAVE COOK news@tonicanews.com TONICA — Though it’s occurring continuously, erosion is generally noticed over a period of many years, if not decades or even centuries. But in other cases, the effects of erosion can be noticed quickly, especially if several feet of land are lost at once. Approximately five years ago, members of the Tonica Cemetery Association (TCA) began noticing the waters of Bailey Creek
were washing away shocking amounts of the land bordering Brookside and Fairview cemeteries. “At some point someone is going to say, ‘Something should’ve been done sooner.’ Well, now is sooner. We have to do something now, before it’s too late and serious damage occurs,” said Bob Folty, president of the TCA. Folty said there’s far more water flowing through the creek than he remembers in the past and he believes part of the problem is the increase in the use of agricultural
LOSTANT
With current structure ‘bad,’ village works toward new water tower BY ZACHARY J. PRATT news@tonicanews.com LOSTANT — Lostant is on track for a new water tower, though nothing is set yet. “Things are coming along, Vol. 143 No. 45 One Section - 8 Pages
now, in the possibility of a new water tower,” Village President Jack Immel said at the Lostant Village Board meeting on Oct. 9. He said the village might be in line for a grant to help with the work, but that nothing is
guaranteed. “We’ve gotten some good reports about how bad the water tower is,” Immel said, adding that the poor shape of the current facility could help the town receive such a grant.
KETTMAN
© The Tonica News
SM-PR1463473
HEATING & PLUMBING, INC.
Look for the man in the Orange & White Van!
The village has approved $40,000 for the engineering. While the situation appears promising, the village now has to make sure there are no abandoned wells within 1,000 feet of its two wells. The concern is that
Call to get your furnace cleaned & checked now! 24 Hour 815-339-6124 Service
abandoned wells might often be used to dispose of items that could contaminate the water. “Fortunately, I haven’t found any yet,” Immel said.
See WATER TOWER, Page 2
LIC. #058-111758
107 East Harrison St. • Granville, IL • www.kettmanheating.com • 815-339-6124