Carlyle City Council hears update on proposed solar project

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Written by: Matt Wilson - Breese Journal Reporter

   Cultivate Power Senior Development Manager Bernardo Urdaneta updated the Carlyle City Council on a proposed solar project during the city council meeting on Monday, Sept. 14.
    The solar energy facility would take up about 45 acres in a 162-acre parcel. The parcel is about 1.3 miles from Carlyle city limits.
    Carlyle and Beckemeyer are both within a half mile of the proposed solar project on Highline Road.
    Urdaneta met with Carlyle City Administrator Brad Myers about a year ago regarding the project. The project was denied by the county because of the lack of a pre-annexation agreement with the municipalities. Urdaneta said since then the county has amended its solar ordinance and a revised application has been submitted.
    A public hearing has been scheduled for 5 p.m. on Sept. 23. As part of the revised proposal, the project needs to meet or exceed the county's new recommended setbacks. The project is 1,020 feet from the nearest non-participating residence and the county's recommended setback is 750 feet.
    Safety is important with the project. Cultivate Power will be working closely with Beckemeyer Fire Department to make sure they have the training and equipment in case they need to respond to an emergency. They will work with Wade Township to address the project's use of local roads during construction and help make sure those roads are protected.
    Cultivate Power has made an effort to engage with the surrounding communities. They have reached out to nearby neighbors through letters and phone calls.
    There will be an open house from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17, at Beckemeyer American Legion. Anyone who wants to learn more about the project, review the site plan, or speak with the Cultivate Power team is welcome to attend.
    Carlyle Mayor Judy Smith said she gets phone calls from Mark Voss, whose ground sits adjacent from where the proposed solar facility is. Voss is against the solar farm facility. He is worried about the effect it will have on his livestock, the environment, and neighbors have done their research and know there is a low-pitched hum that is put off by the panels and they are concerned that will affect the livestock and wildlife in the area.
    They have asked the council to take a stance as to whether or not they would ever want to annex that property into the city limits. Smith has been asked to attend the county board meeting, where they will ask her how the city feels about the solar farm facility. Smith said before the council has said they have no desire to annex that property into city limits.
    City Attorney Joe Heiligenstein said Urdaneta mentioned a change in the county code for solar farms, but he was unaware of any change in the code. Without knowing what the changes are, Heiligenstein said it is difficult to develop an opinion on the issue. Heiligenstein said he wants to make sure everyone is aware of the law before making a decision.
    "I will find out what the changes are, so that everyone on the council is in the know, rather than in the dark," Heiligenstein said.

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Cougars move to 4-0 with 44-26 win at Waterloo; Warriors get win one

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Written by: Jeremy Chawgo - Breese Journal Sports Editor

Perfect start — Central receiver Cole Huegen and the Cougars have started the season at 4-0 after a double-digit win at Waterloo on Friday in Cahokia Conference play. Huegen had one catch for 45 yards. PHOTO BY JEREMY CHAWGO    The Central football Cougars continued their quest for perfection with a 44-26 win on the road against new Cahokia Conference, Mississippi Division foe Waterloo on Friday night.
    The Cougars trailed early on before leading 15-14 after 12 minutes of play and 22-14 at the half.  CHS outscored the host Bulldogs 22-12 over the final 24 minutes.
    Central had an early turnover in the contest when Mason West picked off an Owen Kehrer pass and took it to the house for a 7-0 lead just 90 seconds into the contest.
    Kehrer responded in fine fashion with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Koltin Schroeder with four minutes gone in the first quarter for an 8-7 lead after Kehrer ran in the two-point conversion.
    The Bulldogs regained the lead for the last time in the game when Kaleb Osterhage plunged in from one yard out for a 14-8 lead with 4:15 left in the opening quarter.
    Kehrer took back to the ground later in the first quarter when he ran in from two yards out for a 15-14 lead after 12 minutes of play.
    The Cougars got the only score in the second quarter when Kehrer hit Carson Markwell for a one-yard completion on the second-to-last play of the first half with CHS leading 22-14 at the break.
Leading the way — Central fullback Keylan Jackson leads the way for Manny Velazquez for the Cougars who won their fourth game of the season with a 44-26 win on Friday in Waterloo. Velazquez had 72 yards and a touchdown on five carries. PHOTO BY JEREMY CHAWGO    Kehrer went back to the air in their first drive of the second half when he found Cole Huegen for a 45-yard touchdown just 43 seconds into the third quarter for a 29-14 lead.
    Waterloo cashed in a score in the third quarter when Chase Zimmermann ran in from one-yard out with 5:49 left in the frame to get the Dogs within 29-20.
    Central left no doubt, scoring on two big plays to end the third quarter of scoring.
    Kehrer found Alex Athmer for a 55-yard touchdown pass with 4:35 left in the third before Manny Velazquez ran in from 30 yards out with Central leading Waterloo 44-20 entering the final dozen.
    Zimmermann got the final points of the game when he ran in from 13 yards out with 9:41 left in regulation as Waterloo fell at home 44-26.
    Kehrer was 10-of-16 passing for 252 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions.  He also ran the ball 14 times for 89 yards.  
    Login Smith had 13 carries for 96 yards while Velazquez ran it five times for 72 yards.  Athmer had six catches for 168 yards and a score.  Central had 540 yards of offense.
    Liam Koetting led the defense with two sacks and six tackles.  Nolan Radloff and Payne Lynch each had six tackles.  
    Zimmermann was 15-of-27 passing for 160 yards and an interception.  He also had 16 carries for 77 yards and two scores.  They had 260 yards of offense.
    The Cougars will entertain Jerseyville this Friday at Robert J. Astroth Field at 7 p.m.  The Panthers are 1-3 on the season with their only win coming at home against Wood River in Week 2.
    Wesclin 29, Dupo 6:  The Warriors got into the win column for the first time this season with a convincing road victory on Friday night.
    Jarett Wuebbels paced the Warriors with 8-of-16 passing for 120 yards via the air.  He also ran the ball 19 times for one touchdown and 111 yards on the ground.
    Brock Hoffman also past the century mark with 105 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries.  Caydon Farias was the best receiver with five catches for 89 yards.
    The Warriors dominated time of possession with 62 plays compared to 41 for the host Tigers.  WHS had 327 yards of offense compared to just 132 for Dupo.
    After a scoreless first half, the Tigers took  the opening kick 60 yards for a special teams touchdown and a 6-0 lead for the Tigers.
    Wuebbels answered with an 18-yard touchdown run to give the Warriors a 7-6 lead entering the fourth quarter.
    Wuebbels and Hoffman each had rushing scores in the fourth quarter while the Warriors’ defense cashed in with a fumble recovery for another touchdown and a two-point conversion to wrap up the scoring.
    Landyn Kerns and Ayden Cole each had five tackles for the Warriors who will break in their new digs on Friday when they host Chester on their new turf field on the campus of Wesclin High School.  The Yellow Jackets are 2-2 with victories over Anna-Jonesboro and Sparta.