Thursday February 15, 2018 Vol. 5, No. 49 Hot news tip? Want to advertise? Call (309) 741-9790
The Weekly Post
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Solar project proposed for Knox Co. By BILL KNIGHT
YATES CITY – From 4-6 p.m. Monday (Feb. 19), Trajectory Energy Partners will have an informational Open House at the Community Center here to discuss a proposed community solar-energy installation, a $4 million project generating 2 megawatts of power that could benefit local consumers. It’s proposed for land owned by Ted and Janet Mottaz of Elmwood that’s southeast of town not far from an electrical substation. “We look at ground that’s near a substation or line, land that’s not as productive – marginal ground,” says Colleen Callahan, For The Weekly Post
the former farm broadcaster and Illinois director of the USDA Rural Development office who’s consulting for and with Trajectory. Knox County’s first such project, Trajectory’s installation could be the first of a dozen such sites in the near future, she says. “By 2019 we hope to have 12 projects in the first tranche,” Callahan says. In background material, Trajectory says, “Community Solar opens up access to homeowners, business and organizations that can’t install solar on their roof or property. They can participate in a nearby community solar project and be credited for the energy produced by their
share of the solar installation. “Subscribers to a community solar project can expect to save 5-10 percent on retail energy rates,” the company adds. Featuring about 7,000 solar panels set up to rotate with the movement of the Earth, remaining focused on the Sun, the project once approved would take up to four months Solar panels like these could be generating energy to finish, creating some short- in Knox County. term construction jobs and – Callahan says. once operating – generating tax revenues “They became aware of Trajectory and as it collects energy and feeds the power came to us saying ‘We think this is comto the grid. munity economic development. How can Knox County economic development we help?’ ” interests have helped guide the effort, Continued on Page 2
All business for Billtown board
A STRONG VOICE
Newspapers surviving despite challenges
Binder signs 4-year deal By JEFF LAMPE
By TARA McCLELLAN ANDREWS
Like so much in Illinois, the origins of its newspapers were tied to politics and patronage. This land was a wild, largely unpopulated, western territory when its first newspaper sprang up - the single-sheet Illinois Herald, published in 1814 in Kaskaskia. Its proprietor landed the job of printing territorial and national business through his friend, the territorial governor, according to the July 1918 Journal of
WILLIAMSFIELD – Principal Zack Binder will be back for four more years at Williamsfield and the School Board appears to be back to business. While last month’s meeting was disrupted by lively public comment, the presence of an eastcentral Illinois activist group and calls to the Knox County Sheriff’s Department, Monday’s meeting went much smoother. “It’s one of the best meetings we’ve had in awhile,” Superintendent Tim Farquer said. “I think we’ve cleared a hurdle and have shown a Binder commitment that we’re going to work together for the good of our kids.” The Board and Binder agreed to a four-year contract extension through June 30, 2022. Currently in his fourth year as principal at Williamsfield, Binder will be paid $90,041 in the first year of his new deal and $97,352 in the final year. As part of the contract, the board added perWeekly Post Staff Writer
For the Illinois Press Association
Linotype machines, like these in the Chicago Tribune’s 1960 production room, were one of newspaper's longest-lasting technologies. Linotypes were used from the late 19th century into the 1960s. Photo courtesy of the Illinois State Historical Library.
the Illinois State Historical Society. Some early newspapers were created to support or oppose a political candidate or issue, like the anti-slavery Edwardsville Advocate. Illinois newspapers remained political for
decades in the 1800s, according to the ISHS Journal. Publications faced many challenges: bad transportation, unreliable mail delivery and a lack of subContinued on Page 7
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