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- Written by: Kelly Jo Ross - Breese Journal News Editor
Community Link’s annual Buddy Walk will return to Northside Park in Breese this Saturday, Sept. 19, with organizers moving the event schedule one hour earlier due to predicted hot weather.
Activities will begin at 9 a.m., with the Buddy Walk stepping off at 10 a.m.
Due to the hot weather predicted on Saturday, and for the safety and comfort of attendees, organizers are moving the Buddy Walk schedule one-hour earlier.
Michelle Delfel with Community Link encouraged participants and visitors to arrive early to enjoy everything planned for the morning.
“We encourage attendees to arrive by 9 a.m. for our activities, including our karaoke performances and fashion show, which will now be before the walk,” Delfel said.
The walk will feature a shorter route this year and will begin at 10 a.m. Following the walk, attendees can continue enjoying food, drinks, bracelet decorating, yard games and other activities.
Raffles and the silent auction will close at 11 a.m.
“We appreciate your understanding and hope you will arrive early to celebrate all individuals with developmental disabilities,” Delfel said.
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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.
