Staunton Star - Times - Published in the Interest of the Staunton Community for Over 143 Years

Thursday, January 26, 1990 -- Staunton Recyclers seek Answers to waste disposal -- Visiting a neighboring town, a Staunton recycler spotted a nice accumulation of glass. When asked if it was spoken for and offered to take it off the owner's hands, the recycler was asked what he would do with it. There followed a description of Staunton Area Recycling. Such a scenario will surely be repeated many times in the future.

Recycling is not the only answer to solid waste disposal. However, at the present time Staunton Area Recyclers believe it is the area where their energies can be put to the best use. There are four other alternative ways of handling solid waste, besides recycling, that have been recognized by the Illinois Department of Energy and Natural Resources. They are: reducing the amount of waste materials at the source, in other words, less packaging, and more conservative use of natural resources. Another choice, less desirable than recycling according to the E.N.R. is incineration for volume reduction – that means burning trash to generate electricity or steam power. The fourth alternative is incineration for volume reduction, or burning trash just to reduce the size of the waste. And the last resort is dumping it or using a landfill. So there are choices, some better than others.

Staunton area recyclers think they are on the right track. The City of Staunton is providing assistance in the recycling effort by providing a parcel of land. A committee is now working on plans for a permanent glass containment area at the site. Plans are to begin construction of the concrete and block structure in April.

Citizens in the Staunton area have responded very well with donations of glass. Audre Neuhaus and Sue Kellebrew are working on a system to collect glass from local businesses who are saving it; Holly Steinmeyer and the Chamber of Commerce Recycling Committee is looking into the "Model Community Program."

A logo contest is being held to give the organization its own symbol or logo. The Earth Day Committee is working on plans for activities around the permanent site on April 22,1990, to accent environmental preservation.

All in all, Staunton Area Recycling is moving forward with satisfactory results. lt is hoped those results can be enlarged upon and will serve as a model for other communities.

by Sherry Anschutz Rondi

Thursday, March 1, 1990 -- Fourth Case Of Meningitis Is Reported -- Pam Lutes, 8, a third grade student at A.R. Graiff school in Livingston was diagnosed as having bacterial meningitis over the weekend.

As of Monday evening, Pam was listed in serious condition at Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis. This is the fourth case of the potentially fatal disease in the past five months.

Symptoms include a sudden high fever and aches. The disease is contagious and can be transmitted through saliva, and other body fluids.

The first three cases were high school students. All have returned to school following hospitalization. Parents have been advised to see their family doctor and many have begun taking strong antibiotics to ward off the disease.

According to Dr. L. William Fever, Superintendent of the Livingston School District, state health officials were planning to set up a clinic in Livingston later this week to immunize residents. The community has about 900 residents and 270 students in the school system.

Expo '90 Signed Fredbird -- The Staunton Summer Expo '90 committee has announced they have signed a contract for "Fredbird" to appear at the Expo on Sunday, June 10, from 1 to 3 p.m.

Any business that has not signed up for a display space as yet, should call Dennis Stiegemeier at Illini Lumber (635-5500) as soon as possible.

Anyone wanting information on the Expo can contact Charlotte Maddox, Ross Beckman, or Sharon Bellovich.

The Expo '90 will also have Craft and Flea Markets along with the retail businesses displaying merchandise and awarding prizes at the Staunton High School gym during the two-day event to be held Saturday and Sunday, June 9 and 10.

Vegher recognized for 60 years of service -- At their February dinner meeting, Staunton Volunteer Firemen and representatives of the Staunton Fire District recognized Robert "Katz" Vegher of Staunton for his years of service to the community. Fire Chief Tom Kolkovich, President Rick Fey and Staunton Fire District President Bill Knop presented a certificate from the Congressional Fire Service Institute and a quartz watch engraved, "For 60 years of dedicated service to the Staunton Fire Department."

Vegher, who will be 89 in July, had already received pins for 25 and 50 years of servicc. He joined the Staunton Volunteer Fire Department in 1929 and is now a sustaining member. He attends regular monthly meetings and says, "I never miss a Fireman's picnic."

Born in Tyrol, Austria, Vegher and his parents first lived in Colorado after arriving in America, then Williamson and finally moved to Staunton in 1911. When he first arrived in this area, he traveled around with his father and "peddled" goods. In 1914 they opened a grocery store in Staunton and continued to operate it until 1971. He remembers that his store was the first in Staunton to use electric refrigeration, which replaced the old iceboxes. Many people came to look at the contraption and a few doubted whether it would ever work.

During Vegher's term as Staunton's mayor, Staunton celebrated its centennial. He was instrumental in helping the city get a new fire truck at that time. Also during that time Vegher initiated the draining of the ponds, "L" and Square, and the filling of old Consolidated coal mine shafts. This made way for the present day city park known as the Fireman's Park. Vegher also appointed a committee which was able to have the first public housing units built in Staunton on Kay Lane. That project required eliminating the old dump that was nearby.

Vegher enjoys fishing and golfing. He still does volunteer work at the 3-M bingo games in Bethalto which benefit the volunteer firemen's program, and says, "I'll keep going as long as I can."