Carthage

Carthage's Smelly Water Has Cost City

James Lenz — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 17:38:47 +0000

Carthage has spent a second consecutive summer dealing with discolored and smelly tap water.

While the water is safe, it was unsavory. The city used extra chemical treatment in an effort to reduce the problems.

Mayor Jim Nightingale says the has spent 52% of the budgeted amount for chemical treatment just one-third of the way through the city's fiscal year.

Kibbe Museum to Add Space

James Lenz — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 16:43:00 +0000

The Kibbe Museum in Carthage has found a solution to its growing pains.

It will build a new 40' by 60' addition to the east of the existing complex.

Storage space has been in short supply since the museum accepted an extensive collection last year that filled two semi-trailers.

It came from the Museum of Funeral Customs in Springfield which closed its doors for good in 2009.

Items from the collection have been stored in a building belonging to a local manufacturer. Mayor Jim Nightingale says that donation is coming to an end.

Carthage Alderman Resigns

Jim Lenz — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 16:28:46 +0000

Carthage is looking for someone willing to serve on the city council.

Second-ward Alderman Jim Fink resigned his seat on the city council this week. He had served in that capacity for two years.

He was forced to step down after moving outside the city limits.

Mayor Jim Nightingale says Fink has suggested a possible successor.

Nightingale says, “He has a person in mind, which I haven't talked to yet. But, hopefully, I'll have somebody on board by the second meeting in September.”

The mayor did not identify the candidate.

Carthage Puts Hearse on Block

James Lenz — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 17:08:13 +0000

The hearse was part of a collection the city's Kibbe Museum acquired last year It was originally displayed at the Museum of Funeral Customs in Springfield. That museum closed for good in 2009.

The late 1960s Cadillac model was recently damaged when a volunteer backed it into a pole.

Mayor Jim Nightingale says the hearse was in storage. It was being moved to get access to a horse-drawn hearse when a volunteer backed it into a pole.

Carthage Drinking Water Has Odors

James Lenz — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 14:38:03 +0000

Carthage residents have been living with discolored and smelly water from their taps for two weeks.

City residents endured a similar occurrence last summer.

Second-Ward Alderman Gary Smith says the problem, and the culprit, are the same.

He says, “The really high temperatures and the low lake has caused the algae to be an issue in the lake. They're treating it but everything's working against us. It seems to be working itself out.”

The level of the city's lake is about eight feet below normal.

Carthage High-Speed Internet is on Hold

James Lenz — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 11:55:22 +0000

Carthage's effort to acquire high-speed Internet service is on hold.

Mayor Jim Nightingale still has confidence the i3 Group will follow through with the project. He says the snag legal and there are no technical barriers.

He says, “They were going to send us a contract and, I think, their legal department found there were some issues. And they wanted to get that corrected before they got a contract to us.”

Nightingale did not specify those concerns.

He expected to see the contract last week. He still expects to get a contract in the next 10 days.

Carthage to allow Video Gambling

James Lenz — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 17:33:31 +0000

The Carthage city council has changed its position on gambling.

Aldermen have overturned a century-old ban on gambling to allow video poker machines. The state now allows these machines.

Mayor Jim Nightingale says the owner of a bar, the Wood Inn, asked for the change.

He says, “We're really not promoting gambling. Right now there's video poker machines in most of the bards and clubs that are licensed by Illinois. But they're supposed to be for amusement only.”

The change will allow the city to receiive five percent of the revenue generated by the machines.

New Community Development Director for Carthage

James Lenz — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 13:26:58 +0000

Jim Lenz's guest is Amy Graham, Carthage's new community development director. They talk about her 30 years experience as an educator and prinipal and how she can draw upon it in her new position.

Graham caller herself a "people person." She says those skills learned in dealing with students and parents will serve her well in her new position. She says her role is as a facilitator to bring people together and to help them make connections whether to expand a business or for community betterment.

New Illini West High School Site Chosen

James Lenz — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 17:47:07 +0000

The Illini West School Board spent a year evaluating potential sites for a new high school. It chose a location next door. It is just east of the current high school's parking lot.

The 40-acre site is farmland that is currently covered by tall, green and brown corn plants.

Those who were hoping for a central location will be disappointed.

But Superintendent Kim Schilson says such a location would come with some expensive problems to solve.

Carthage Starts Water Conservation

James Lenz — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 20:28:07 +0000

Carthage is being pro-active by encouraging water conservation by a combination of mandatory and voluntary measures.

Businesses are required to stop watering their lawns.

Second-ward Alderman Gary Smith says the city is concerned since the level at the city's lake has fallen by five feet recently.

He expects businesses will honor the ban. Smith says, “We've had good luck in the past and I think we'll probably not have any problem this time.”Businesses that ignore the order could be subject to fines.