A Royal Buddy Walk Celebration is around the corner - Community Link has goal to raise $200,000 and register 2,000 entrants for Buddy Walk for its 20th anniversary
Halfway to Community Link's Buddy Walk goal! Let’s keep the momentum going and continue donating and spreading the word in support of individuals with developmental disabilities like Community Link's Buddy Walk Royal Ambassadors, Sean (at left) and Mal (at right). Community Link has been preparing for their 20th Annual Buddy Walk, with the theme of A Royal Celebration, for Saturday, Sept. 19, at Northside Park in Breese.
Participants and staff of the organization are excited to gather with families, friends, teams, and supporters for a regal day of celebration, inclusion, and community, with the 1-mile walk beginning at 11 a.m.
The Buddy Walk, created by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) in 1995, is held nationwide to raise awareness and support for individuals with Down syndrome. Community Link’s local event also celebrates people with all developmental disabilities, promoting inclusion and acceptance throughout the region.
With incredible support, the 2025 Community Link Buddy Walk exceeded its goal of $150,000 by raising $180,000 to support the organization’s local programs while contributing 2.5% of proceeds to NDSS for national initiatives.
For this 20th anniversary year, Community Link has a goal to raise $200,000 and register 2,000 people. This can only be possible with the help of team captains, sponsors, and the generous community. Team captains generously give their time to fundraise and inspire friends and family to participate in the walk.
Leidel announces resignation as health department administrator
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- Written by: Matt Wilson - Breese Journal Reporter
Clinton County Health Department administrator Chris Leidel announced his resignation during the Clinton County Board meeting on Monday, Aug. 17. His last day will be Sept. 29.
Leidel was hired by the board of health in December 2020 to replace Sean Eifert, who had been serving in an interim capacity.
Leidel thanked the county board and the board of health for being very supportive of him.
"You took a chance on a very green administrator and I hope that I have left the department in a better place than what it was when I got here," Leidel said. "It was doing great, but I hope I made it get better."
Leidel said Clinton County is a special place and he will cherish his time as the administrator. All of the residents should feel like that they have a great local government that works hard to make their lives better.
Clinton County board chairman Brad Knolhoff said he hates to see Leidel go, but the board understands it is for the best of himself and his family.
"You saw us through an transitional period and we built a new health department building under your guidance," Knolhoff said. "You have done an outstanding job. On behalf of the board, we wish you all of the best.
The ribbon cutting for the new Clinton County Health Department building on Franklin Street in Carlyle was on April 5, 2024.
Leidel said he will still be around until the end of September and wants to make sure it is as smooth a transition as possible.
Qualifications for a public health administrator are a master's degree in public health from a college or university accredited by the North Central Association or other regional, nationally-recognized accrediting agency and two years of full-time administrative experience in public health.
Another qualification is a graduate degree in a related field from a college or university accredited by the North Central Association or other regional, nationally-recognized accrediting agency, which may include but shall not be limited to a master's degree in public administration, nursing, environmental health, community health, health education, and two years of full-time administrative experience in public health.
Another qualification is a bachelor's degree from a college or university accredited by the North Central Association or other regional, nationally-recognized accrediting agency, and four years of full-time administrative experience, of which at least two years must be in public health.
Car show nationals bring in 470 vehicles to Mariner's Village
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- Written by: Matt Wilson - Breese Journal Reporter
A 1973 Chevrolet heads across the Carlyle Lake Dam on the way to Mariner's Village for the Cruz-In The Dam car show nationals on Friday, Aug. 14. Photo by Matt Wilson Car enthusiasts battled through the heat to make the 34th annual Cruz-In The Dam car show nationals at Mariner's Village at Carlyle Lake another successful event.
Organizer Brad Jones said there were 470 vehicles on display during the event on Friday, Aug. 14. Temperatures were near triple digits throughout the day, and it remained the same during the nationals, which ran from 4 to 9 p.m.
"It was hot, but the show went as well as the other 33 shows," Jones said. "We had great support from the community and great attendance despite the heat."
Jones said they had been blessed with good weather for the previous three car show nationals, but Friday was probably one of the hottest car show nationals they have ever had. He hopes to get back on the trend of good weather next year.
Jones said they handed out 470 of the 500 available dash plaques.
Vehicles met at Carl's 4-Wheel Drive and Performance Center in Bartelso at 4:30 p.m. A police escort kept the vehicles together as they entered Carlyle. The vehicles cruised across the Carlyle Dam at around 5 p.m. before making their way into Mariner's Village.
The show ended with a second cruise across the dam at 9:30 p.m.
"This is just a very unique event and it has to be one of the biggest one-day cruise-ins in Illinois," Jones said. "We had a lot of different types of vehicles and we were able to sell a lot of shirts."
Some of the speciality vehicles they hoped to have on the grounds on Friday were unable to make it because of the heat.
Race cars, four-wheel drive trucks, and a lot of classic cars were among the vehicles at Mariner's Village.
Mudbone was supposed to give a live musical performance during the show, but he was unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict. Organizers instead brought in comedian and musician Stumpy Joe.
"He was a character and did a really good job," Jones said.
This year's show is dedicated to all responders and veterans.
They keep the event family oriented. There were bounce houses, balloons and face painting for the kids. A booth specializing in all of the new squishy toys for the kids was on site.
There were a record number of attendance prizes. A huge raffle and 50/50 drawing were held during the show. The winner of the 50/50 drawing gave the winnings back to the Clinton County Humane Society. The Clinton County Car Club presented the humane society with a $500 check.
Next year's Cruz-In the Dam car show nationals will be on Aug. 13. Jones said there will be a few minor changes for next year's show.
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