Volume 40 Number 45 Thursday, November 7, 2019 38 Pages | 75¢ Watson remembers end of World War II By Travis Lott a little over a year, but he in you,” Watson said. Jack Watson was 18 when wanted to serve. Watson’s group was moved he was drafted into the Watson served stateside from Manila to northern United States Army Air for his first year, spending Luzon, further north in the Corps. That was 74 years a short time in Kearns, Philippines. Watson said ago. Utah. he camped in Luzon for a Watson, 92, was born in After a leave of nearly couple weeks before being Sparta in 1927. He grew up two weeks, Watson was moved to his assignment in in Sparta, attending school sent to Camp Stoneman, Okinawa. there and working for the California. The war was over, but the Coca Cola plant when he That was the base you land was marred by the was 16. were sent before being sent conflict. Watson entered military overseas, Watson said. “When we got off the boat service at the end of World Watson and his group there, you’d see where trees Jack Watson is shown at the Manor at Craig Farm. War II, in 1945. landed in Manila in the used to be,” Watson said. He was drafted into the Philippines. It was in Okinawa that acting sergeant major.” Okinawa. Army Air Corps in 1945 and “It was a rough place,” Watson received his assign- “I had to learn how to go “You’d travel all over the was sent to Keesler Field, Watson recalls. ment in communications. in and salute and tell them island to get signatures for Mississippi. He was given The locals were less than At this point, he had been who was there to see them,” communications,” Watson the option to enlist or serve hospitable to the American promoted to corporal. Wat- Watson said. said. “It was all secret, even until he was no longer troops. Watson said that, son’s job was to take phone Watson worked in the though the war was over.” needed, and he decided to when he went to sleep, he calls and carry classified main office where commu- Though the war was over, enlist for two years with would be ordered to stay information to high rank- nications were received for the Americans would still the U.S. Air Force. in his quarters at night for ing officers throughout the the whole island. With the find Japanese troops here Watson said he probably safety. island. Eighth Air Force, Watson and there who hadn’t given could have been finished “If you jumped out of He would answer the worked among the high- with military service in there they’d stick a knife phone “Corporal Watson, est ranking officers in Continued on Page 5_____ Steeleville passes UTV, golf cart law Beginning January 1, ment before the permit is 2020 Steeleville residents issued; who choose to do so will l UTVs and golf carts can be able to drive their UTVs only be operated on village and golf carts on most streets that have a speed village streets as long as limit of 35 miles an hour the machines meet certain or less; criteria. l they cannot be driven on The Steeleville town sidewalks or places other board passed an ordinance than streets and parking regulating the operation areas; of those vehicles Monday l seat belts must be worn night with little discussion. by driver and passengers; A draft of the ordinance l they cannot be driven discussed at length at the on Route 150-4 (Broadway), board’s October meeting, except while crossing from and changes that were a village street; agreed to then were made l cannot be driven before this week’s final through the intersection vote. of Broadway and Sparta One of those changes was Street. to include the operation of In other action, the board golf carts. also passed an ordinance The ordinance contains that prohibits legal canna- a list of regulations that bis-related businesses, such must be met before a UTV as cannabis dispensaries, This photo shows concrete failures, previous patch deterioration and exposed or golf cart is legal for growing operations and internal reinforcing steel. Illinois Commerce Commission photo street use. Some of those processing plants, from are: locating within the village l drivers must be at least limits. 21 years old and have a The action was in response County Line Road crossing on valid driver’s license; to cannabis becoming legal l owners must purchase in Illinois next year. a permit from the village TIF consultant Mike Arm- repair list, says Commission for $50; strong briefed the board on l UTVs and golf carts the situation with Mi Casa By Larry Willis ries of photographs of the must be inspected by the That rough Union Pacific crossing’s defects to Union Steeleville Police Depart- railroad crossing on the Doesn’t Pacific. Continued on Page 5 ______ Randolph-Perry County Vercruysse said the ICC Line Road at the Percy tee has been advised that the is on the list of local cross- meet County Line Road crossing ings to be repaired. “is in a tie project that is ex- A teachable moment After several inquiries pected prior to end of year. By Travis Lott That’s the last Steeleville from the County Journal, state Full panel replacement and The Steeleville Baptist churchgoers heard from an inspector from the Il- new concrete surface is Church recently had a the young man. That is, linois Commerce Commis- code anticipated, but currently brush with a potentially until they saw the news sion looked at the crossing, waiting on [an] approved serious situation, and Pas- that he’d been arrested in and several others in the work order to schedule tor Scott Foshie said this is Florida. local area, in September. ling surface and potholes firm date.” a moment from which the Burkett was arrested by It was determined that with voids exposing inter- The ICC was expecting a congregation and commu- the Polk County, Florida the County Line crossing nal steel reinforcing bars call from Union Pacific this nity should learn. Sheriff’s Department Oc- was found to not meet the to a point that tire and/or week with an update on the According to Foshie, a tober 23 after authorities minimum state safety re- vehicular damage is a risk. scheduling of the repairs. young man—Nathaniel learned of graphic and quirements. Patching is required as a The crossing carries Burkett, 17—had attended threatening comments he In a letter to Union Pa- temporary repair. heavy truck traffic and some of the Wednesday had posted in Discord, a cific, Brian Vercruysse, rail • A couple of the concrete has been in bad shape for night youth group meet- text-chat app popular with safety administrator for panels rock under load and years. It is not uncommon ings at the church over the video game enthusiasts. the ICC, noted that, under should be re-secured as a for traffic, including trac- summer. The sheriff’s department Illinois law, “every grade temporary fix. tor-trailers, to move into Foshie said the youth min- released a list of threats crossing shall be construct- • The approaches have the northbound lane when istry director was made Burkett made on the chat ed and maintained in such settled and previous patch headed south in order to aware of some disruptive service. manner that it will not in- jobs no longer provide a avoid the roughest spots. comments the young man l “I’M GOING TO KILL SO terfere with the reasonably smooth traveling surface, Meanwhile, the inspec- made during the services. MANY PEOPLE!!!!” safe use of the roadway which should be re-patched tor found that the Union The director of youth l “SO MAY (MANY) BAD when traveled in the usual prior to a permanent re- Pacific crossing on Route ministry for the church, GUYS WILL DIE!!” and ordinary manner.” pair. 150 just east of the Percy ____, spoke with Burkett’s l “I’M GOING TO ATAB Vercruysse also detailed • Other corrective actions tee was found to be in fair mother and advised her (STAB) SO MAY (MANY) problems with the cross- should be taken as neces- condition. It had a little that she should seek men- PEOPLE AND MAKE THEM ing. He wrote: sary to ensure the crossing bit of concrete broken out, tal health counseling for HURT!!” • The concrete crossing is in a smooth plane with possibly due to being hit the young man, and that l “I get pretty happy when panels have settled and regards to the top of rails. by a plow. The inspector it was not a good idea for I imagine myself being a deteriorated. Spalling con- • The crossing should be said the crossing should him to continue to attend villain going on a mass crete and the deterioration scheduled for surface re- be monitored, but it cur- services at the church. murdering spree like in a of previous patching has placement. rently has a surface that Burkett stopped attending created an uneven trave- Vercruysse also sent a se- meets code. services in early July. Continued on Page 5_____ Willis Publishing Inc. © Copyright 2019 MONEY $AVING COUPONS INSIDE! PAGE 2 COUNTY JOURNAL | NOVEMBER 7, 2019 POLICE Good Multiple thefts boy lead to arrest Multiple thefts in the By Travis Lott area has resulted in The furriest of Spar- the arrest of a Sparta ta’s police offi cers of- man. fi cially retired last Jesse Sellers, 41, has week.