Donation boosts Clinton County Fair's 618 Event Center
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- Written by: Kelly Jo Ross - Breese Journal News Editor
Picture are (from left) Ralph Beckmann, president of the Clinton County Fair Association; Jay Tucker, representative for the donor; Carissa Litteken, Clinton County Fair queen; LuAlice Kampwerth, Clinton County Fair Association board member; Kris Lowe, Clinton County Fair Association Vice President; and Mark Litteken, Clinton County Fair Association board member. The Clinton County Fair Association recently received a major financial boost with a $100,000 donation from the AMP Family Foundation.
The gift was made in memory of the late John Arlen Parker and his sister, the late Merle Parker Hall, according to Jay Tucker, farm manager, of Greenville.
Parker passed away in 2019, while Hall died in 2012.
Tucker said the $100,000 contribution was given on behalf of the AMP Family Foundation to support the Clinton County Fair Association and its continued improvements to the fairgrounds.
The Clinton County Fair Association said the donation will be used toward the new 618 Event Center, which was recently completed at the Clinton County Fairgrounds in Carlyle.
The Event Center provides the fair association with a new multi-purpose facility for activities during the annual Clinton County Fair as well as other events throughout the year.
The substantial contribution will help the fair association continue investing in the facility while honoring the Parker family's legacy and connection to the area. The Parker family was from the Greenville area.
Tucker said the donation also reflects an effort to keep charitable dollars close to home, supporting projects that directly benefit Clinton County residents.
He said that by investing in the 618 Event Center, the AMP Family Foundation is helping ensure the gift has a lasting impact in the local community while supporting a facility that can be enjoyed for years to come.
"On behalf of the Fair Association, we are very appreciative of this very generous donation," said Clinton County Fair Association board member LuAlice Kampwerth. "It was made possible with the teamwork of Lucas Hanke, Jay Tucker and Mark Litteken."
If anyone would like information on how to donate to the 618 Event Center, contact LuAlice Kampwerth at 618-971-5517 or
Residents cautioned to look out for electric scooters or bikes
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- Written by: Matt Wilson - Breese Journal Reporter
Breese Mayor Kevin Timmermann, LEFT, gives money to Breese Knights of Columbus Grand Knight Marty Diekemper for the upcoming Tootsie Roll Drive. The Tootsie Roll Drive will be held Sept. 18-20. Photo by Matt Wilson With school starting again, Breese Mayor Kevin Timmermann cautioned residents to be aware there will be extra traffic and to especially be aware of kids on electric scooters or bikes.
"I am just seeing these things flying through parking lots," Timmermann said. "And they are not going through slowly, they are flying through. It's an issue."
Breese Police Chief Mark Berndsen said some parents have asked for his advice before buying electric vehicles for their kids. He has told them they are only as safe as what their kids are going to be.
"You can't ride them on the wrong side of the road, you can't run stop signs," Berndsen said. "They are just like cars, you have to obey all of the rules of the road."
Berndsen said drivers have to be licensed with insurance and registration for the electric vehicles that go 28 miles per hour or higher.
Timmermann said the use of electric vehicles should be a concern and it is something the city is going to continue to look at.
Another issue for bikes or scooters is there is a lot of loose gravel on the streets because they recently oiled and chipped the streets. In the next couple of weeks, the city crews will be going through with a street sweeper and picking up the loose rock. The rock has to be on for three or four weeks after they oil and chip so that everything gets potted into the road.
During public comment, Grand Knight Marty Diekemper said the Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll Drive will be Sept. 18-20. All of the proceeds go to local organizations. They will be at some of the banks on Sept. 18, the four-way stop at U.S. 50 and St. Rose Road and other businesses on Sept. 19, and local churches on Sept. 20.
Kerry Porter with the Breese Chamber of Commerce talked about the upcoming Pumpkin Trail and Business After Hours.
Business After Hours on Sept. 24 from 5-7 p.m. will be hosted between Optimized Nutrition, VFit, Moonbird Yoga, Thrive Physical Therapy and Clinton County Chiropractic. The street will be shut down from VFit to the end of the block.
The Pumpkin Trail will be on Oct. 24. Main Street, starting at Turf Bar and Banquet and ending at Dutchmen's on Main Bar and Grill, will be shut down from noon to 6 p.m. Owners of businesses are responsible for cleanup of hay bale displays.
Starting next year, there will be a special event form that organizations will have to fill out before any events that will shut down streets.
There will be a public hearing for the city's comprehensive plan at 7 p.m. Sept. 14 at Breese City Hall.
The council approved a resolution for a volunteer golf course marshal policy.
The Breese City Pool will be open on Saturdays and Sundays until Aug. 30. There are parties booked through that time. There are not enough lifeguards to keep the pool open Monday through Friday, so parties can only be on Saturdays and Sundays.
There was a town hall meeting for the new Breese Nature Ampitheater on Aug. 25 at the Breese American Legion. It was the first of three town hall meetings the city is required to do for the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant. The application has to be sent in by Aug. 31.
The flooring in the back entry way at the Breese Public Library has been repaired. The library is having a book signing at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 27.
A city-wide cleanup is planned for Oct. 10. There will be more details to come on the event.
During his report, Timmermann said the 2027 consolidated election is April 6, 2027. Candidates began circulating petitions on Aug. 25. Packets are available on the county clerk's website and at Breese City Hall.
He said with the start of schools, there is a lot of activity in town and the restaurants are being utilized, which is a good thing.
"Good luck to all of our kids," Timmermann said. "It seems that everywhere we go, Breese is recognized for their sports. We have a lot to be proud of. The schools represent this area well."
The next city council meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 1.
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