A Review of Some of the Local Stories from the Past Year

January

County clerk Dana Smith and county treasurer Gloria Wills each announced they would not seek reelection in 2022.  Smith and Wills notified in letters county Republican chairman Dustin Peterson of their decisions.

The county reported five county inmates tested positive for COVID-19.  Some inmates began complaining of sore throats and other cold symptoms. Rapid COVID tests were later administered, and the inmates tested positive for the virus.  The sheriff’s office worked with Warner Hospital and the health department in regard to testing and treatment.  During the same period, schools superintendent Curt Nettles released new COVID guidelines from the CDC and IDPH for the isolation and quarantine of students testing positive.

Vespasian Warner Public Library was among 13 nonprofit organization to share more than $57,000 in grants from the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation.  The library received $1,500 for “Access for All: Enhancing Inclusive Collection.”  The program offered a collection of books, movies and digital content featuring diverse authors, characters and settings.

The school board authorized litigation against the Illinois State Board of Education and the state superintendent of education to prevent the “loss of recognition status of the school district.”  The board was affirming its plan to use the school district’s own return-to-school protocol in regard to COVID mitigation rather than the ISBE mandated plan.

February

Boaters who use the Clinton Lake marina visited the county board to express their dissatisfaction with a plan to increase the price of slip rentals.  Slip renters who attended the county board meeting said they felt the marina did not offer sufficient amenities to justify the rental increase.  The board approved the increase, but members were divided on how to plan the marina’s future.

A Clinton resident addressed the city council to question a commissioner’s use of city-owned gas pumps for his personal use.  He produced records provided by the city through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request he said showed the commissioner did not properly record his use of the pumps.

• See the complete News of 2022 edition in the Friday, Jan. 6 Clinton Journal print edition or now in the Journal E-Edition for subscribers.