Much Positive Recognition at Tuesday's Council Meeting

There was much positive recognition at Tuesday night's Effingham City Council meeting.

City Police Chief Jason McFarland thanked those who participated Monday night in the search for K9 Siren, who got out of her kennel either Sunday night or early Monday morning. McFarland said a large group of citizens aided officers in the search, which ended at the home of a citizen near Effingham Junior High School. Our stations and our social media sites were also thanked for our response.

The chief said the Sunday night storm and its share of strong thunder might have triggered a response by the dog similar to if it had heard a gunshot. The dog, which has been on the job about a month, was able to jump out of the six-foot-tall enclosure. The chief did indicate that kennels in the future will have roofs on them.

McFarland also shared about a grant that will provide a supply of Narcan to aid those dealing with drug overdoses. He noted an incident in recent days where a life was saved due to the availability of the substance. McFarland and Mayor Mike Schutzbach thanked HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital for their previous support in making Narcan available. The grant funds will provide even more of the substance so that all officers will have a supply available.

Effingham Fire Chief Bob Tutko recognized two local residents, Devin Wolfert and Jesse Barnes, for their efforts on June 23 when they helped their downstairs neighbors who suffered a kitchen fire. The men got the husband and wife and their child out of the apartment and then used an extinguisher to knock down the fire until firefighters reached the scene.

(JESSE BARNES AND DEVIN WOLFERT)

Tutko also welcomed David Budde as the City's new Emergency Management Agency director. Budde has been involved in various arenas of emergency services for many years, and currently serves on the Effingham County 911 Board.

(DAVID BUDDE)

Tutko also welcomed Paid On Call Firefighter Johnathan Paholke back to the local fire service. Paholke served with the Shumway Fire Protection District for several years but for the past four years has worked for the state MABAS agency. He's also a former police telecommunicator in Effingham.

(JOHNATHAN PAHOLKE)

Also recognized was the City's Employee for the 4th Quarter of the recently ended fiscal year, IT Coordinator Josh Perkins, who was a busy guy with the number of meetings conducted remotely earlier this year due to COVID-19. He had been named for the award by Deputy City Administrator Kelsey Lock.

(JOSH PERKINS)