City of Nauvoo Recognized as Bird City USA

June 8, 2026 NAUVOO, Illinois — The City of Nauvoo is proud to announce its official designation as a Bird City Illinois community, recognizing the city’s commitment to conservation, habitat protection,  education, and the promotion of bird-friendly practices.

 

Located along the Mississippi Flyway, one of North America’s most important migratory bird routes, Nauvoo provides critical habitat for a wide variety of bird species throughout the year. From bald eagles soaring above the river in winter to migratory songbirds stopping in local woodlands and wetlands each
spring and fall, birdwatching has become an increasingly important part of the area’s outdoor tourism experience.

 

The Bird City designation highlights the community’s ongoing efforts to preserve natural spaces, plant native trees and wildflowers, expand educational opportunities, and encourage stewardship of local
wildlife habitats. These efforts complement Nauvoo’s continued work as a Tree City USA community and support the city’s broader goals of enhancing outdoor recreation and nature tourism.

“Nauvoo’s natural beauty is one of our greatest assets,” said Rebecca Williamson, Tourism Director for the City of Nauvoo. “Becoming a Bird City recognizes the work our community has done to protect and celebrate the environment while also creating meaningful outdoor experiences for residents and visitors  alike.”

Popular birding locations in and around Nauvoo include the Mississippi River Riverwalk, the wetlands  south of town, scenic overlooks along the Great River Road, and areas throughout Nauvoo State Park. The city also plans to continue expanding educational signage and promoting birding opportunities as part of its tourism initiatives.

The Bird City Illinois program encourages communities to implement conservation actions that create  healthier environments for both birds and people. Nauvoo joins a growing number of Illinois communities recognized for their leadership in protecting natural habitats and promoting sustainable environmental practices.

For more information about visiting Nauvoo and exploring local outdoor attractions, visit
https://www.beautifulnauvoo.com 

For more information about the Bird City USA program visit https://birdcity.org/illinois

Shawn Stewart  talks with Zach Burling   June 6th

 

CARTHAGE CITY COUNCIL

AGENDA

REGULAR MEETING JUNE 9, 2026

MAYOR:
Pledge of Allegiance Approve Regular Minutes May 26, 2026
Roll Call Approve May Budgetary Report
Public Comments
CLERK:
TREASURER:
CITY ATTORNEY:
530 Wabash – Randy Reed Land on end of Wabash
201 S. Scofield - Hundley Property 160 Prairie – Charlie Mustread
724 Walnut – Xavier Hutchcroft 130 S. Marion – Sebastian Jemison
PUBLIC SAFETY:
Report on Fire Dept. Report on Police Wood Inn Permission Form
Traffic Signal Update
PUBLIC PROPERTY:
Tree City Report Landfill Report
Public Properties Update Land Bank – International Property Maintenance Code
Asbestos Abatement
FINANCE:
Bills
PUBLIC WORKS:
Building Permit report CFL Loan Program – Dearwester
New Deep Well Motor Fuel Tax
LEGISLATIVE:
Code Book Update
EXECUTIVE SESSION:

 June Carthage Library updates with Amy G Christina  Geissler

 

Nauvoo Tourism Director Rebecca Williamson  - Nauvoo has tons to do and a affordable vacation option 

 

What's up DOC?    with Dr. Tom Grant for Nauvoo Health and Chiropractic in Nauvoo 

 

 

Illini Truck & Trailer- Rick Wisehart talks with The Morning Brew - Illini Truck  & Trailer now have complete  Automotive  services and tires!

 

Wild Classrooms invites educators to take learning outdoors in hands-on professional development   series

Classrooms don’t have to have four walls to spark meaningful learning. Yet for many
educators, bringing science to life outdoors can feel out of reach without the right tools, ideas, or support.
University of Illinois Extension and Ag in the Classroom are changing that with Wild Classrooms, a four- day, hands-on professional development series designed to help K–6 educators turn outdoor spaces into powerful teaching environments.
Held June 15–18 from 10 a.m. to noon at the South Park Large Shelter in Quincy, Wild Classrooms offers practical, ready-to-use lessons that connect science, agriculture, and nature in engaging ways students will remember.
Each two-hour session focuses on a different topic—giving educators flexibility to attend one workshop or the full series while earning professional development credit.
“Teachers are always looking for ways to make learning more engaging and relevant,” said program organizers. “Wild Classrooms gives them simple, meaningful ways to step outside and help students explore the world around them—whether that’s a schoolyard tree, a local bird, or even the Mississippi River.”
Participants will experience the same hands-on activities they can bring back to their own classrooms and youth programs, including:
? Woolly Worms (June 15): Explore insect life cycles through interactive models and create a take-home teaching kit.
? Trees (June 16): Investigate growth rings, seasonal changes, and how to turn schoolyard trees into living science lessons.
? Birds (June 17): Dive into adaptations with bird beak and feet investigations and connect lessons to agriculture and local ecosystems.

? Ripple Effects (June 18): Take learning onto the water with a guided Mississippi River kayak experience, exploring watershed science and regional history.
Educators will leave with classroom-ready materials, new teaching strategies, and renewed confidence to use outdoor spaces as an extension of their classrooms.
In a unique twist, the program also makes it easier for educators with families to attend. Participants have the option to bring their children, who will engage in supervised outdoor games, hands-on activities, and park exploration during each session.
Each workshop provides two hours of professional development credit, with up to eight hours available for the full series. Cost is $10 per session or $35 for all four.
With limited spots available—especially for the kayak-based Ripple Effects session—early registration is encouraged.
Wild Classrooms reflects University of Illinois Extension’s commitment to expanding hands-on, locally relevant learning opportunities that connect youth and educators to science, agriculture, and the natural world.
Registration is now open. Educators can learn more and sign up by visiting
go.illinois.edu/WildClassrooms. 
About Extension: University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and
agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.

CONTACT: Amy Lefringhouse, Natural Resource, Environment, and Energy Educator,
heberlei@illinois.edu, (217) 223-8380

Shawn Stewart talks with Ethan Carlisle after the Regional Championship Game May 30th

 

CARTHAGE CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MAY 26th, 2026

The Regular Meeting of the Carthage City Council was held Tuesday, May 26 th , 2026, at
City Hall, 538 Wabash Avenue. Mayor Smith called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
Answering to roll call were Aldermen Smith, Roberts, Steinkamp, Long, Biondolino and
Walker. City Treasurer Pam Edris was absent.
Motion was made by Alderman Walker, seconded by Smith to approve the regular
meeting minutes of May 12 th . All six Aldermen answered “aye” in approval.
Motion was made by Alderman Walker, seconded by Smith to approve the Special
meeting minutes of May 18 th . All six Aldermen answered “aye” in approval.
Clerk Roberts reported to the Council that the Planning Commission met on May 21 st at
6:00 p.m. They discussed changing an area that is zoned as R-5: Mobile Home Zone into
an R-3: Single Family Dwelling District. The City no longer allows for Mobile homes in
the City limits and the surrounding zones to this area are R-3: Single Family Dwelling.
They also discussed adding an S-4: Historical District over the top of the B-2: Central
Business District that is around the square and one block off of the square. This would
area would be zoned as B-2 and S-4.
Motion was made by Alderman Smith, seconded by Walker to approve the changes as
discussed above that were approved by the Planning Commission. All six Aldermen
voted “yes”.
Motion was made by Alderman Roberts, seconded by Smith to approve paying the non-
Aldermen members of the Planning Commission for the meeting on May 21 st . All six
Aldermen voted “yes”.
Alderman Smith reported to the Council that Brown Electric started work on the new
camera system at the intersection of Buchanan and Madison today.
Alderman Biondolino reported to the Council that AEC, LLC has recently sampled and
had two of the wells abandoned. He also reported that the City will be asking for bids for
asbestos abatement at 14 S. Douglas.
Alderman Long reported to the Council that D&L has started work on a building to house
the electronics at the water treatment plant for the new deep well. He also reported that a
company will be here on May 28 th to jet the sewer system on North Washington. They
will also have a camera system and cutters to clean out the sewer system. They
previously had a camera system look at that sewer line and there were a lot of tree roots

and a few private sewer lines that extend to far into the City sewer system. Both of
which have caused several backups in this area.
Motion to adjourn by Alderman Walker, seconded by Roberts at 8:03 PM
Respectfully submitted,

Scott Roberts
City Clerk

 

Barb Drodz is in the WCAZ Studio to tell everyone where the River Bend Food Bank is May 30th and how you can  receive  items or how you can also be a volunteer  for this great  program of  Feeding America 

 

Hancock County Health Department Jessica Croy and Brandon Daniels on Temporary food events and Vector Survellance

 

Road Closure Sutter Intersection - For resurfacing  5/28/26 - 5/29/26

 

Sutter Intersection - For resurfacing.

 

East - West Coordinates - 800 East - 1000 East

North - South Coordinates - 450 North - 600 North

 

From 7:00 a.m. 5/28/26 - 5/29/26.

 

 

Sandburg joins regional consortium to support inland maritime careers

Sandburg has signed on to be a charter member of a new, multi-state consortium to support inland maritime workforce needs in the upper Midwest.

 

The Corn Belt Ports Rural Logistics & Maritime Training & Education Consortium is a regional workforce development initiative that brings together a network of higher education institutions from Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin located along the upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. Its focus is to further align with the industry demands for afloatand ashore careers and to solidify long-term regional collaboration.   

 

The consortium includes Sandburg, Western Illinois University, Black Hawk College, Culver-Stockton College, Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, Illinois Central College, John Wood Community College, Northeast Iowa Community College, the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse and Western Technical College.

 

"Sandburg is committed to finding ways to engage with industry partners to meet the workforce needs of employers in our region,” said Ellen Burns, dean of career technical education at Sandburg. “Joining this consortium is the latest example of our dedication to workforce development collaboration that benefits not only Sandburg’s district but to the entire upper Midwest."

 

Member schools will work with Corn Belt Ports, an organization of federally recognized ports within the Corn Belt’s lock-and-dam system, to keep the consortium’s work aligned with industry goals and academic strengths. They’ll also partner with We Work the Waterways, a national nonprofit education organization, to ensure regional efforts meet maritime workforce priorities. 

 

Brooke Blanton  is your newest member of Mealiff Insurance  in Carthage.    Brooke is happy to help you shop for new insurance needs or existing policies to make sure you have the best coverage for your best needs, stop in to Mealiff Insurance and introduce yourself! 

 

Richlyn Hoener with the Hancock County Farm Bureau on what to look forward to this summer

After the May 22nd game Shawn talks with Wesley Robinson 

 

After the May 22nd game Shawn talks with Wesley Robinson 

 

What's  up Doc with Dr Tom Grant

 

The 47th Strawberry Strut in Carthage is just a few days away, on Saturday, June  6.
The Strawberry Strut includes the classic 5-mile run along the Carthage Lake, a 5K run, a 5K walk and a one mile fun run/walk.
Participants  can still register on-line at the advance price until end of the day June 5. To sign up, go to runsignup.com/Race/IL/Carthage/StrawberryStrut.
Those who have pre-registered can pick up race packets on Friday, June 6, from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Hancock County Courthouse in Carthage, or after 7 a.m. the morning of the race. All race packets must be picked up by 7:45 a.m. Race day registration is available at 7 a.m. and will end at 7:45 a.m.
The fee for the 5-mile run, the 5K run and 5K walk is $30 in advance, increasing to $35 on race day. The advanced fee for the one-mile run/walk is $10, or $15 on race day.
Race starting times are staggered. Participants will start on the following schedule:
? 5-mile run – 8:15 a.m.
? 5K walk – 8:30 a.m.
? 5K run – 8:40 a.m.
? 1-mile fun run/ walk – 8:45 a.m.
Awards will be presented at around 10 a.m.
There are three water stops along the 5-mile course, sponsored by Carthage Kiwanis and Boy Scouts. State Farm Insurance, Kris Dornbush, will provide water at the finish line.
Sponsors who have given to the Strawberry Strut committee include:
Super Strut sponsors –    WCAZ, Fortress Bank, Marine Bank and Trust, Carthage Veterinary Service and Professional Swine Management, Ramsey Financial Services, Memorial Hospital, Western Illinois Mutual Insurance, MORE Medical, WCAZ, and Chem Gro, Inc.;
Strawberry Field sponsors – Stephen Evans Family, Brenda Young Real Estate, MTC Communications, Will Sullivan, and Country Financial 
Proceeds from the race have been pledged to benefit Hancock County Fights
Cancer, whose survivor event will be held this year on Sept. 26.
Watch Strawberry Strut on Facebook for updates or to find an easy-to-use link to sign up.

Miss Watson 4th grade class from Carthage Elementary stops by WCAZ

 

Nauvoo Tourist Director  Rebecca Williamson Invites you  spend Memorial Weekend in Nauvoo

 

CARTHAGE CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING MAY 18th, 2026

The Special Meeting of the Carthage City Council was held Monday, May 18 th , 2026, at
City Hall, 538 Wabash Avenue. Mayor Smith called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.
Answering to roll call were Aldermen Smith, Roberts, Steinkamp, Long, Biondolino and
Walker. City Treasurer Pam Edris was absent.
Alderman Walker reported to the Council that the Finance Committee along with Clerk
Roberts, Deputy Clerk Alice Dean and Mayor Smith interviewed 4 individuals that
applied for the Deputy Clerk position.
Mayor Smith noted that all four interviewees were good applicants and would have
served the City well in the role of Deputy Clerk.
After discussion a motion was made by Alderman Walker, seconded by Smith to approve
hiring Teena LeMaire as the new Deputy Clerk starting May 26 th . Her starting salary will
be $44,500.00. Aldermen Smith, Roberts, Steinkamp, Biondolino and Walker voted
“yes”. Alderman Long abstained. Motion passed by a vote of 5 to 0.
The Council discussed approving the changes that have already been suggested for the
Code Book before moving on to updating the rest of the Code Book. Clerk Roberts was
instructed to type up the changes that have been suggested up to this point and email
them to the Aldermen so that the changes can be approved at the next Council meeting.
Motion to adjourn by Alderman Smith, seconded by Biondolino at 6:42 PM
Respectfully submitted,

Scott Roberts
City Clerk

 

Miss Johnson 4th grade class from Carthage Elementary stop by WCAZ