LEBANON – Representing the Lebanon Women’s Club, Pam Martin recently presented their annual donation to the Lebanon Emerald Mound Fire Department. Accepting the donation at the firehouse is Fire Chief Matt Berberich.
(Submitted Photo)
Author Archives: O'Fallon Weekly
Girl Scouts donate Blessings Bags for Bronze Award
O’FALLON – For their Bronze Award, the members of Girl Scout Troop 164 chose to help the less fortunate by making “Blessings Bags”.
Normally Blessings Bags are handed directly to people who could use a hand up, however, those situations may not be safe for fifth graders. Instead, the girls asked the American Red Cross on Scott AFB to help us distribute our blessing bags to people who can use them.
After writing letters to get permission from District 90 schools and the O’Fallon Public Library, the girls created donation boxes and flyers to ask their fellow students and community for items to fill the blessings bags. Following their collection, the troop met up to fill the bags. They successfully created 175 Blessings Bags that will be distributed throughout the local VA hospitals.
The troop would like to thank Mr. Courtney Hinton, who came their school to talk to the girls about the mission of the Red Cross. The girls filled up his Red Cross emergency vehicle with all of their Blessings Bags.
In the process, the troop learned a lot about volunteering and are looking forward to their Silver Award as Cadettes. (Submitted Photo)
HSHS Athletes Advantage Sports Medicine and HSHS Medical Group offering free school physicals for students entering 10th through 12th grade
Ensure your athletes are ready for the upcoming sports seasons by registering your son or daughter for free sports physicals offered by HSHS Athletes Advantage Sports Medicine and HSHS Medical Group. The sports physicals are offered for students entering 10th grade through 12th grade. Sports physicals will not address chronic issues, medications, or immunizations.
A variety of dates and locations are available throughout the HSHS Southern Illinois Division, in O’Fallon, Breese, Greenville and Highland. Each of these will be from 5 to 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 12 at HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital’s HealthPlex in Breese.
• Monday, June 24 at HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital’s Specialty Clinics in Highland.
• Monday, July 8 at HSHS Holy Family Hospital’s Specialty Clinics in Greenville.
• Tuesday, July 23 at HSHS Medical Group Primary & Specialty Care – O’Fallon at 670 Pierce Blvd.
• Tuesday, August 6 at HSHS Medical Group Primary & Specialty Care – O’Fallon at 670 Pierce Blvd.
Online registration is required and opens May 6. Spots are limited, so make your appointment early. To register, visit athletesadvantage.hshs.org/sports. For more information, contact Jamie Wagner, manager, at (618) 526-5628 or email jamie.wagner@hshs.org.
Local basketball coach to be inducted into Illinois Basketball Hall of Fame
O’FALLON – Rich Stein, a former athlete of New Baden High School and a starting guard for McKendree College who reached the “Final Four” in the N.A.I.A. State Championship Play-Offs with Western Illinois University, Wheaton College, and Southern Illinois University, was inducted in the Illinois Basketball Hall of Fame on May 4 at Illinois State University.
Rich spent 32 years as a teacher and coach at Pontiac Jr. High in Fairview Heights and one year at Belleville East High School. Rich spent three of his four years in the Air Force serving as a player and coach for Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico and had the privilege of coaching and playing along side Dick Bouska, an “All American” who just returned from winning a gold medal in the World Olympics.
“Most of my students went to Belleville East. One of the most memorable things was winning the ’73 – ’74 championship for the season,” Stein said. “I was really shocked about being nominated to be in the Hall of Fame. I was very honored to even be considered for such a thing.”
Rich was inducted into the McKendree College Hall of Fame in 1999. He and his wife Carol live in O’Fallon and have four children – Karen, Keith, Ken and Kay.
Renovations and New Entrance Unveiled at HSHS St. Elizabeth’s O’Fallon Medical Building
New patient-friendly spaces, new signage and even a new entrance were recently unveiled at the HSHS St. Elizabeth’s O’Fallon Medical Building at 1512. N. Green Mount Road.
Often referred to as simply “the UrgiCare” building, it’s important to note that the full name of the building is HSHS St. Elizabeth’s O’Fallon Medical Building, and that there are many additional services housed in the facility located just across the street from the new St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.
Along with St. Elizabeth’s UrgiCare services, the building houses several physician offices and independent health care services and the HSHS outpatient services of Imaging, Laboratory and Physical Therapy.
As of May 4, patients who are familiar with the facility will notice that the previous entryway now leads solely into HSHS Medical Group Family Medicine O’Fallon. This space has also recently received a facelift for updated accommodations in the waiting area and expanded examination areas. Signage above this entrance was added to note the HSHS Medical Group.
For patients visiting the facility for UrgiCare, Imaging, Lab and Physical Therapy services, the new entrance is to the right, at the ‘L’ of the building. Currently, directional signage is posted to further assist patients to the correct entry.
The renovations included upgrades in furniture and a new layout for the waiting and registration areas. The overall goal of the renovations, according to the hospital, was to increase patient flow, help to reduce wait times and increase privacy for patients registering for services. It’s a continuation of many ongoing patient-friendly amenities St. Elizabeth’s has added.
UrgiCare is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to provide immediate care for patients with minor illnesses and injuries. Patients can see a nurse practitioner, get basic labs and imaging procedures, often in less time than an emergency room visit.
Another time saving amenity for non-emergent patients was introduce late last year. The new Save My Spot option allows patients planning to go to UrgiCare to decrease wait time through an online reservation/appointment scheduling tool.
“HSHS St. Elizabeth’s is privileged to offer this added service and upgraded accommodations to improve patient experience for our always-on-the-go patients and families,” said Sara Fishbein, BSN, RN, Assistant Manager of HSHS St. Elizabeth’s UrgiCare.
Patients can reserve their appointment time and view their position in the queue. Plus, real-time status updates about wait times are available.
How to know when to go to UrgiCare?
If you’re like most people, you sometimes find yourself needing minor medical care at the most inconvenient times, or when your doctor is booked and can’t see you for several days. Some illnesses or injuries shouldn’t wait, but they don’t seem to be serious enough to go to the ER but how do you know where to go for treatment.
Because urgent care facilities focus on minor illnesses and injuries, patients can be treated more quickly and frees up hospital ER rooms to focus on the more acute cases. Having both options available allows patients to get the high-quality care needed.
Patients experiencing symptoms of a stroke like symptoms, chest pain, or other time-critical, life-threatening medical emergencies should call 9-1-1 and go to their closest emergency room. The local EMS agencies provide excellent care and hospitals, like St. Elizabeth’s, continually work with these and other medical colleagues to streamline transportation, rapid diagnosis and immediate care to administer medical treatment sooner when every second counts.
When to go to
urgent care:
• Seasonal allergies
• Sinus infection
• Cold, flu, sore throat, earache
• Minor lacerations
• Minor back pain
• Mild skin infections
• Minor sprains
• Urinary tract infections
When to go to the ER:
• Life threatening
circumstances
• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Obvious fractures
• Severe bleeding
• Pregnancy complications
• Stroke
• Change in mental state
• Severe pain/laceration
• Head injuries
• Abdominal pain
Henry Jones named EK Principal for the Day
O’FALLON – Mr. Henry Jones was Principal for the Day at Estelle Kampmeyer School on Thursday, May 2. His family purchased this opportunity during the PTO silent auction. (Submitted Photo)
Estelle Kampmeyer names April Character Builder students
O’FALLON – Estelle Kampmeyer Elementary School recently announced its Character Builder winners for April. The word of the month was Fairness. The following students exhibited fairness in April.
Front Row: Cecilia Fiudo, Graham Hamm, Davis Downs, Christian Torbet, Jace Chadduck, Hano Morris, Harper Blazier
Middle Row: Hailee Lawrence, Jax Beil, Atticus Ward, Joey Prunty, Sidney
Benedick, Chase Lamar
Back Row: Merrick Buckingham, Cale Downs, Ian Rapini, Joey Goersch
(Submitted Photo)
Fulton Jr. High names Students of the Month
Fulton Junior High School recently named its students of the month. Pictured from left: Michael Zimmerman, Anna Grace Robinson, and Gavin Parres (Submitted Photo)
Mia Laing earns the Girl Scout Gold Award
O’FALLON – Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois is pleased to announce that Mia Laing from O’Fallon has earned the Girl Scout Gold Award – the highest award a Girl Scout can receive. For her Girl Scout Gold Award project, she created 26 art canvases corresponding with Biblical scriptures representing each letter of the alphabet to help inspire others at her church.
“I strive to engage people of all ages to find meaning in scripture and to find motivation and a new perspective through the Word of God,” she said.
Laing mentored younger members of her church to design and paint the canvases, while also discussing their faith together. She then hung the canvases in a church community building, where they could be seen during Girl Scout meetings, as well as by preschool students and visitors at weddings and other community events. She even made a corresponding book for the preschool.
“Youth members have come up to me and said thank you for involving them,” she said. “I saw people engaged and wanting to improve their relationship with Christ.”
Laing noted that, along with helping strengthen her faith community, her Girl Scout Gold Award project helped her grow as a leader as well.
“I learned to always be determined and to keep my head held high,” she said. “Most importantly, I have gained more confidence in myself to be myself in every situation.”
Mia is the daughter of Mary Beth and Jim Laing. She graduated from O’Fallon Township High School in 2018 and is currently attending Truman State University where she studies Psychology.
The Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can earn, recognizes a Girl Scout’s commitment to excellence as she develops skills and values to meet present and future challenges in her life. To earn the Girl Scout Gold Award, a Girl Scout Senior or Girl Scout Ambassador must design and carry out a project that fulfills a need within a girl’s community, creates change, and is sustainable. The project must be completed with a suggested minimum of 80 hours of work. Only about 5 percent of eligible girls earn the prestigious Gold Award.
O’Fallon to hold annual Memorial Day program
O’FALLON –The City of O’Fallon will hold a Memorial Day Program on Monday, May 27, at the O’Fallon Veterans’ Monument, 737 East Wesley Drive, O’Fallon.
The guest speaker this year is Major General Samuel Mahaney, Chief of Staff, AMC. There will be participation from the OTHS AFJ ROTC, VFW Post 805, First Baptist Church Adult Choir, and Miss O’Fallon Adriana Scagliarini, among many others.
The names of 24 newly-inscribed veterans will be introduced at this time.
The program will be begin at 11:30 a.m.
Veterans are encouraged to wear their medals and decorations that day. Please bring your own lawn chairs.
In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the First Baptist Church on East Highway 50.
And your OTHS Prom Queen and King are…
The OTHS Prom Queen and King for the 2019 school year is Gabby Brunner and Jordan Ford.
Gabby Brunner is the daughter of Phil and Carrie Brunner. After high school, Gabby plans on attending Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee to major in Music business. In 10 years, Gabby sees herself as a successful producer or owning a business in Nashville or Los Angeles, happily married and with a dog or two. Gabby participates as a drum major for the Marching band and as a Hope officer. She is in National Honor Society and plays the French horn in the wind ensemble. She loves her friends, food and dancing.
Jordan Ford is the son of Jason Ford Senior and Jacqueline Tate. Jordan plans to attend Southwestern Illinois College in the fall. He plans to have a college degree and wants to specialize in carpentry or flipping houses. Jordan participates in FCA, Panther Beat, Ticket for Success and is the manager of the basketball and baseball teams.
Other students recognized for their personalities are:
Most fashionable: Kayla Miller and Quinn Harris
Biggest flirt: Adriana Scagliarini and Gio Venuti
Most musically talented: Zoyalyn Stoll and Bennett English
Most school spirited: Olivia Branz and Ryan Anderson
Most athletic: Ashley Schloer and Dorian Brown
Most likely to appear on SNL: Madison Brake and Ethan Weld
Biggest heart: Adler Maher and Mohammed Ashkar
Most artistic: Sydney Osborne and Quinn Harris
Most connected: Sophia Hoffman and Nolan Bradley
Most scholastic: Hannah Caraway and Nick Spihlman
Best smile: Laura Edwards and Mohammed Ashkar
Most well rounded: Adler Maher and Mohammed Ashkar
Cutest couple: Ashlyn Morris and Ethan Weld
O’Fallon Weekly Photos by Nick Miller
View of the Past: First trolley arrived in O’Fallon from Lebanon in 1903
This week’s view takes us back to Dec. 19, 1903 when the first trolley arrived in O’Fallon from Lebanon. The MetroLink of its day, the electric streetcar or trolley, known as the interurban, was operated by the East St. Louis and Suburban Railway Co. between Lebanon, O’Fallon, Edgemont and East St. Louis. Passing through O’Fallon along Second Street, the trolley stopped at Apple, Vine, Lincoln, Cherry and Oak Streets. It arrived just in time for the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair with round trip specials from O’Fallon to the fair being offered on Tuesdays and Fridays during that summer for 60 cents, 70 cents from Lebanon. The trolley was a fixture of O’Fallon life until Nov. 30, 1928 after which it was replaced by buses run by the Blue Goose Motor Bus Co. The last of the trolley tracks were pulled up in downtown on Feb. 18, 1929.
Contributed by Brian Keller, O’Fallon Historical Society
For more, stop by the O’Fallon Historical Museum, located at 101 West State Street. The Museum is open Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. and by appointment.
Panthers down Lancers in double header
After dealing with several schedule changes and rain outs last week, the OTHS baseball team was able to get in a double header on Friday at Blazier field.
The Panthers claimed two wins against conference opponent Belleville East.
Game one of the double header only lasted five innings with the Panthers taking a 11-1 victory over the Lancers. The offense got an early start with Logan Lowery leading off with a walk and Josh Gibson following up with triple, scoring Lowery. Gibson then scored on a ground ball by Kyle Becker.
The Panthers tallied five more runs in the second inning with Lowery, Gibson and Wes Collins all driving in runs.
Ben Koenig was strong on the mound throwing five innings, allowing one run on three hits and striking out six.
O’Fallon defeated East 4-3 in game two of the double header. East had the lead after the first inning, but the Panthers pulled ahead in the second on Drew Tebbe’s line drive single scoring two runs. TJ Morgan also scored in the inning on a passed ball after his walk and two stolen bases bringing the lead to 4-2.
Luke Gasser started and threw four innings, allowing three runs on four hits and striking out 11. Logan Lowery entered in relief and threw three innings, allowing no hits, no runs and striking out seven. The two Panther pitchers combined for a total of 18 strike outs.
The O’Fallon Panthers improve their record to 17-7 on the season.
New aldermen sworn into office
By Martha Stoffel
O’FALLON – O’Fallon’s new aldermen were sworn in at the beginning of Monday’s meeting by City Clerk Jerry Mouser.
Five of the newly-elected officials, Ward 1 Dennis Muyleart, Ward 2 Jessica Lotz, Ward 4 Todd Roach, Ward 6 Tom Vorce and Ward 7 Nathan Parchman, are serving their first term as aldermen. Both Ward 5 aldermen, Christopher Monroe and Gwendolyn Randolph, were appointed prior to the election due to the resignation of the prior aldermen during their terms, but were elected to continue their positions. Monroe was elected to fulfill the remainder of a two-year term, and Randolph was elected to a full, four-year term. Ward 3 alderman Kevin Hagarty is the veteran alderman returning to the dais after running unopposed in the April election.
The council and public received a presentation from Director of Parks & Recreation, Mary Jeanne Hutchison, regarding the May 11th opening and on-going marketing of the Vine Street Market, to be located at O’Fallon Station downtown. The market will include thirty-five vendors each Saturday from May 11 – October 19 from 8:00 a.m. – noon. Hutchison indicated the vendors will change throughout the season. A sponsorship from Avenue Realty Associates will also bring live music to each market day, a performance schedule is located on the O’Fallon Station website.
Council approved a senior living facility, a new development for the property formerly Vetta Sports and final plat additions for the Illini Trails and Milburn Estates subdivisions. Keystone Place at Richland Creek is a proposed senior living facility to be located at 1050 Fountain Lakes Drive. The proposed development will have fifty-three independent living units, seventy-five assisted living units and twenty-four memory care units. Community Bible Church has filed an application to change the planned use at the old Vetta Sports building located at 590 Hartman Lane. The church will use the existing facility and parking lot for church services, offices and meetings. Their plans include interior changes to create a 7,000 square foot sanctuary, classrooms, and 7,000 square foot fellowship room. They are also planning to make alterations to the exterior, including the addition of a steeple.
Five resolutions for contracts related to upcoming road projects were also approved Monday night. A contract with Geotechnology for $25,000 and a contract with Rhutasel and Associates, Inc. for $28,000 were approved for engineering services related to the upcoming, summer project for Simmons Road between the Milburn School Road and Porter Road roundabouts. A contract with Lake Contracting, Inc. for $234,852 was approved for various curb and sidewalk replacements to be done throughout the city as part of the 2019 concrete replacement program. A contract with Christ Brothers Asphalt, Inc. for $1,119,941.80 was approved for the 2019 street resurfacing program. The final contract approved was with Sonnenberg Asphalt Co. for $145,740 for parking lot sealing and striping of sixteen different city properties.
There was some confusion during the April 15th meeting after an amendment was made and approved by council regarding the development known as Advanced Veterinary Center, LLC, to be located at 706 and 800 East Highway 50. It was determined an additional vote was needed at this week’s council meeting to finalize approval of the project. There was some discussion prior to the vote as a sign indicating one of the properties was for lease went up after the April 15th meeting. City Administrator Walter Denton clarified that the property still meets the proposed ordinance, as it will be leased for office space. Denton indicated the applicant was still planning on using the larger property on the east end of the lot as a veterinary clinic. Alderman Jerry Albrecht, Mark Morton, Todd Roach and Dan Witt voted no to approve the project but did not indicate why.
Shiloh residential burglary suspects arrested
SHILOH – On Friday, April 19th, 2019, the Shiloh Police took a report of a theft from an elderly female. The victim stated a female subject made contact with her at her home and asked for a glass of water. The victim began to retrieve the glass of water and while doing so, the female subject entered her home without permission. A male subject entered her home without permission as well and began walking around her home, entering multiple rooms of the home. The victim advised the subjects they needed to leave and they did so. The victim then noticed U.S. currency and jewelry missing. The victim provided physical descriptions of the suspects and their vehicle. An investigation was conducted and the suspects were taken into custody by the Collinsville Police Department. This case was submitted to the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office for review.
On Friday, May 3rd, 2019, Assistant State’s Attorney Elizabeth Nester issued warrant #19CF0067601 for Residential Burglary, a Class 1 Felony, and #19CM0001278 for Theft, a Class A Misdemeanor, charging Richard Ely of the 1000 block of Richland Street, Upland, California with the above crimes. Assistant State’s Attorney Elizabeth Nester also issued warrant #19CF0067501 for Residential Burglary a Class 1 Felony, and #19CM0001277 for Theft, a Class A Misdemeanor, charging Diana George of the 3000 block of Centralia Street, Lakewood, California with the above crimes.
The warrant was reviewed by St. Clair County Judge John O’Gara who set Ely and George’s bond at $100,000. Ely and George are currently in custody at the Madison County Jail for want of bond.
*All persons are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law.