•June 18, 2025•

Submitted

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will be performing Vessel Safety Checks at Lake Shelbyville Dam West over the 4th of July weekend. Vessel exams are currently scheduled from July 2nd through July 6th. An individual can also request specific times or days.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary checks all boats, personal watercraft (PWC), kayaks, canoes, and standing boards for federal, state, and local safety requirements. The examination is a voluntary examination, and boaters can refuse it at any time. In addition to the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary doing the free, voluntary examinations, the U.S. Power Squadron (Americas Boating Club), a 501C3 organization, is authorized to do them as well. Both organizations actively teach boating safety courses along with the State Boating Law Administrator, in Illinois, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Boats, personal watercraft (PWC), kayaks, canoes, and stand-up boards that pass the examination get a sticker reflecting that they have passed the examination.

•June 11, 2025•

by DM Williamee

On Monday, the Village of Lovington held its regular Board Meeting. Guests in attendance were Eric Shangraw of GFI, Linda Patrick, a resident, and Roger Nuxoll of Farnsworth Group. 

With respect to the visitor and public comments section, Linda Patrick was very vocal on numerous points. Her first concern was not being able to reach the Village during regular business hours, and there being no signs posted on the door as to whom to speak with if needed. She had a water leak and called the police, but had to leave a message. She finally called Don Jackson, who was able to stop the leak, and then she called a plumber to repair the issue. Mrs. Patrick is very concerned that the Village appears to have no contingency plan in cases such as this. The Board advised that the Village pays for Dennis and Chris’s cell phones, so they should be reachable as needed after hours and in case of emergency, but also stressed the importance of contacting the County Sheriff’s office.

Mrs. Patrick next spoke about there being a lack of police coverage in Lovington, and not feeling safe, mentioning how many single, older widows live in Lovington and feel unsafe as well. She has had people banging on the side of her house in the middle of the night and scaring her, and she, as well as other neighbors, have begun leaving lights on at night to feel safe. She posited the question: Is there no budget for police, or some other problem? She has never seen a patrol car drive by her residence. The Board responded that there is a budget, they have hired officers, but no one wants to work. In the interim, the Board advised that calling 911 is the appropriate procedure at this time.