New Breese police officer sworn in
Jared Tebbe, CENTER, was sworn in as a new full-time officer with the Breese Police Department. Pictured with Tebbe are Mayor Kevin Timmermann, LEFT, and Breese Police Chief Mark Berndsen.Jared Tebbe was sworn in as a full-time officer for the Breese Police Department during the Breese City Council meeting on Tuesday, July 7.
Tebbe started as a full-time officer on Monday, July 13. He graduated from the part-time academy on Saturday, July 11, and will start the transitional academy in September.
Breese Police Chief Mark Berndsen swore in Tebbe.
Also during the public safety portion of the meeting, the Breese Police officers were thanked for their dedication to the community while working the St. Dominic's Parish picnic. Berndsen alerted everyone to recent car burglary incidents and thanked residents and neighboring towns for their assistance in apprehending the juveniles.
During the finance portion of the meeting, the council approved a resolution declaring the official intent to reimburse expenditures for certain capital expenditures of the city with the issuance of not to exceed $17 million general obligation bonds.
During the utilities portion of the meeting, the council approved the purchase of a Bluestar generator in the amount of $187,711.57 from Oakley Services for the wastewater treatment plant. The council approved a construction engineering contract with HMG Engineers in the amount of $75,900 for the construction observation of the new 300,000-gallon elevated storage tank. A proposal from Vandevanter Engineering for the rehabilitation of the South 4th Street lift station in the amount of $78,460 was approved. The council approved to award a bid from Korte and Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. for the wastewater treatment plant improvements in the amount of $13,199,000. The Breese Electric Department was recognized for operating July 4 weekend during the high demand to keep costs down.
In the public works portion of the meeting, it was reported that the Street Department will rock and oil Ward 4 July 20-21.
The Breese Optimist Club will host a dive-in movie at 8 p.m. on July 29 at Breese City Pool. The movie featured is "The Super Mario Galaxy."
In the public buildings portion of the meeting, it was announced that librarian Jenna Astroth applied for a grant to enhance technology security. The Illinois Secretary of State awarded $42,723 to Breese Public Library.
In the zoning portion of the meeting, the council approved a variance relaxing the fence requirements for Janice Hemann at 98 North Main Street.
In his report, Mayor Kevin Timmermann acknowledged the growth of the city of Breese and the need for all the various projects taking place.
The next Breese City Council meeting is 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21, at Breese City Hall.
2025 Miss Clinton County Amanda Brink reflects on an unforgettable year as fair queen
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- Written by: Kelly Jo Ross - Breese Journal News Editor
2025 Clinton County Fair Queen Amanda Brink With the Clinton County Fair Queen Pageant just days away, 2025 Miss Clinton County Fair Queen Amanda Brink is making the most of her final week wearing the crown.
Brink has spent the past week taking part in many of the fair’s signature events, including Monday night’s Clinton County Fair Parade and the annual “Who’s the Fairest 5K Run/Walk,” while enjoying one last opportunity to represent the fair before crowning her successor.
“Fair season has always been my favorite time of the year, but celebrating this incredible milestone alongside America’s 250th semiquincentennial birthday makes this summer truly unforgettable,” Brink said.
Brink said the first time she knew she wanted to run for Clinton County Fair Queen was when she was 11-years-old and her cousin Kaylee Hempen was entering the pageant for the first time.
“The following year she won and I remember following her through her year and being so fascinated with everything,” Brink said. “Every year after, I kept up with the Queen, watching all of the posts and seeing her travel to different events and always hoped that I could do it too.”
Brink’s journey with the pageant began when she first competed in 2023. Now, as she prepares to pass the crown to the next queen, she said the experience has strengthened her connection to both the community and the fair.
“This past year has fulfilled me in ways I could have never imagined, and it is all thanks to the overwhelming support of Clinton County,” she said, adding that this past year has been a whirlwind, and has been more fulfilling than she ever could have imagined.
During her reign, Brink attended more than 30 events throughout the county, giving her the opportunity to meet residents and represent the fair across nearly every corner of Clinton County.
Among her favorite memories were representing Clinton County on County Fair Day at the Illinois State Fair, performing the ceremonial coin toss before the Tomahawk Rivalry football game between Carlyle and Wesclin, visiting with children during “Cookies with the Queen” at the library, earning the Stage Presence Award at the Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Pageant in January, and, of course, being in the Clinton County Fair parade one last time.
Brink expressed appreciation for the volunteers who make the Clinton County Fair possible each year.
“Our fair simply would not be what it is each year without the incredible people working behind the scenes,” she said. “Our dedicated fair board members and hardworking crew work tirelessly, pouring endless hours of effort and heart into making our county fair one of the absolute best in the state. They deserve so much gratitude from all of us for their constant contributions. I am deeply thankful to the entire ‘Fair Family’ for making this past year so special, and I am so excited to spend my final week celebrating alongside the 2026 contestants.”
She said the encouragement she received from the community made her year especially meaningful.
“I am beyond blessed to be the 2025 Miss Clinton County Fair Queen, and there will never be enough words to express my gratitude to this community,” Brink said.
Although she said the year passed much faster than she expected, Brink said it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of her life.
She said she will always be grateful for the opportunities the program gave her to serve Clinton County.
“As much as I wish I could keep my crown and do it all over again, I am thrilled to see who our next queen will be and all of the amazing things she will accomplish,” Brink said.
Brink said after her reign, she hopes to stay on the pageant crew and continue to help with the girls and the program.
“I will go back to college in the fall at Lindenwood University,” she said. “I am a junior and I am pursuing a major in marketing, minor in management, and an emphasis in digital marketing.”
Queen Amanda’s advice to the new queen?
“My advice for the new queen is to do it all,” she said. “Take every picture, embrace every opportunity big or small, and just have so much fun. The year truly flies by faster than you could ever imagined.”
The 2026 Miss Clinton County Fair Queen will be crowned this Saturday, July 18, during the Clinton County Fair Queen Pageant at Kaskaskia College.
Eleven contestants will compete for the title — Drew Drummond of Keyesport, April Wil-ken of Germantown, Carissa Litteken of Aviston, Daisy Brammeier of Carlyle, Isabelle Gilomen of Damiansville, Makenna Reckling of Carlyle, Jacie Persing of Carlyle, Karleigh Twitchell of Carlyle, Samantha Heinzmann of Carlyle, Makenna Budde of Damiansville and Kylie Detmer of Aviston.
In addition, 21 Little Miss contestants will take part in the annual Little Miss Pageant.
The pageant begins at 1 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-11, and free for children under 6.
By the end of the afternoon, Brink’s memorable reign will come to a close as she places the crown on the next young woman selected to represent the Clinton County Fair and community for the coming year.
The Aviston Express ends regular season at 18-2-1 entering postseason play
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- Written by: Jeremy Chawgo - Breese Journal Sports Editor
Postseason time — Aviston shortstop Rowdy Sussenbach sends a throw to first base in the Express’ 4-3 win over the CCL All Stars on Tuesday. Sussenbach enters the postseason with a .418 batting average. The Aviston Express senior squad got just one game played with Mother Nature taking care of the rest of the regular-season schedule.
The Express took down the Clinton County League All Stars on Tuesday, to run their record to 18-2-1 on the season with their last loss on June 14.
That’s a winner — Aviston righty Ethan Wheelan sends in a pitch in the first inning of the Express’ 4-3 win over the CCL All Stars on Tuesday at The Hill. Wheelan tossed three innings of work with two earned runs.Post 1239 will open postseason play in the 5th Division Tournament on Thursday in Steeleville. Aviston will host the State Tournament starting on Wednesday, July 22.
Aviston 4, CCL All Stars 3 (9 innings): The Express picked up a quality win on Tuesday in Aviston.
Both teams had eight hits in a game where the Express never trailed after the top of the first inning, with Aviston having the game’s lone fielding error.
Five Aviston pitchers combined to keep the All Stars’ bats silent while Ethan Wheelan earned the victory with three innings of work where he allowed two earned runs on five hits, no walks and no strikeouts.
Brady Ceto pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn the save.
Gerry Haake was saddled with the loss, allowing three earned runs on two hits, four walks and five punch outs. Troy Schroeder and Austin Rakers pitched well in relief for the All Stars.
Bryce Wieter was strong all-around with two shutout innings of work, three singles, one walk and one RBI, while playing four positions on defense.
Max Albers had two singles while playing all three outfield positions. Benny Lehman walked twice, stole two bases, scored a run and threw a shutout inning of relief.
At the fence — Aviston first baseman Drake Curry makes a strong defensive play in foul territory in Tuesday’s 4-3 win over the CCL All Stars. PHOTOS BY JEREMY CHAWGOAustin Rakers, Gabe Schlimme and Brock Hill each had two hits for the All Stars with Schlimme hitting a homer in the top of the first inning. Rakers added two stolen bases.
Wheelan gave up a homer to Schlimme in the top of the first inning before his teammates took the lead for good in the bottom of the inning.
Haake walked Lehman and Miles Browne to start the first inning before Lehman stole home and Wieter singled in Browne for a 2-1 cushion.
The All Stars got an unearned run in the top of the second inning when Kade Kramer singled and scored on an error later in the frame for a 2-2 contest.
Aviston regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning when Drake Curry walked and later scored on a ground out from Craig Schroeder.
They got one more run in the fifth inning when Albers singled and Landon Toennies was hit by a pitch. Carter Spaeth singled in Albers for a 4-2 lead.
The All Stars got the lead cut in half in the seventh inning when Lucas Deimeke drew a two-out walk and later scored on a Hayden Melone single for a 4-3 deficit.
That was all the offense for the contest as the Express won game number 18.
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