Night for Recognition at City Hall

Tuesday was a night for recognition at Effingham City Hall.

Effingham Police Chief Jason McFarland presented a Lifesaving Award. Officer Andrew Myers was the recipient for responding to an opioid overdose on July 16. Officer Myers used Narcan to bring the subject back to health. The ambulance crew who assisted on scene said Myers saved the subject's life.

(CITY POLICE OFFICER ANDREW MYERS AND POLICE CHIEF JASON McFARLAND WITH THE AWARDS PRESENTED TO OFFICER MYERS)

McFarland also recognized Derek DePoister on his promotion to Sergeant. DePoister's wife, Erica, pinned him with his sergeant's pin. Our apologies for the lack of photo quality due to the online picture

Also recognized was Catelyn Vail from the city engineering department as the City's Employee of the Year. The City selects an Employee of the Quarter and then those individuals are the candidates for the Employee of the Year honor. This year, though, there were three nominees. In addition to Vail, the nominees were Jenn Alwardt of the Effingham Fire Department and Josh Perkins of the City IT Department.

(EFFINGHAM MAYOR MIKE SCHUTZBACH PRESENTS THE EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR AWARD TO CATELYN VAIL)

The Council also hired Luke Thoele as the new City Engineer. Action was also taken to include the City Engineer's position back into the pay scale, and to amend the City Appointment Ordinance to reflect the post.

(NEW EFFINGHAM CITY ENGINEER LUKE THOELE)