2017 Year-In-Review
2017 Year-In-Review
January
The Nashville FFA received a donation from the Kirchner family which was to help them to build their greenhouse.
Washington County Coroner Mark Styninger gave his report for 2016 which detailed, among other informational items, that there were 111 natural deaths, 12 accidental deaths, four suicides, one death of undetermined cause, and no homicides.
Darlene Ostendorf, a deputy county treasurer, was appointed as the county treasurer, replacing Kelly Cameron, who had resigned due to health issues.
Washington County Hospital announced the start of a new pulmonary rehabilitation program.
NCHS students from Paul Welte’s computers class and Alicia Heggemeier’s web design class worked together to build and program a digital display marquee which was installed near Assembly Hall.
The Nashville Hornets boys basketball team took home third place in the Mater Dei Christmas Tournament. The Hornets defeated Mater Dei to earn a spot in the championship game where they fell to Breese Central.
Okawville’s Noah Frederking set the All-Time Scoring Record for the Mater Dei Christmas Tournament. Frederking finished his tournament career with 412 points.
The Nashville Hornettes girls basketball team finished fifth in the Mascoutah Girls Basketball Tournament. The Hornettes defeated Centralia, O’Fallon, and Althoff in the tournament. The Hornettes only loss in the tournament came against Belleville East.
The NCHS Cheerleaders competed at the ICCA Championships. The cheerleaders finished 14th out of 28 teams.
The Nashville Middle School Jr. Hornettes advanced to the State Tournament with a 40-17 win over Fairfield.
Brandon Schnitker was honored at halftime of the Hornets victory over Greenville for being named All-State in Cross Country.
The Nashville Hornettes girls basketball team brought home the Consolation Championship in the Highland Girls Basketball Tournament. The Hornettes defeated Nokomis, Triad and Hillsboro in the tournament. The Hornettes fell to Central in the opening round.
Paige Kasten broke the school record for three pointers in a season.
The Hornets struggled at the NIT as they finished 1-3. The Hornets fell to Mascoutah, Central, and Teutopolis before defeating Mater Dei. Brogan Kemp was named to the All-Tournament team.
February
The Community Center of Nashville held a fundraiser before the Super Bowl, preparing, frying up and selling 2,400 chicken wings.
NCHS Athletic Trainer Jon Becker was hired by the Yankees organization to work for the Staten Island Yankees, an A-ball team.
The Village of Okawville promoted Evan Ford from a part-time to full-time police officer.
Sara Habbe was named the Volunteer of the Year by the Nashville Chamber of Commerce.
The NCHS Stingers team placed second at their state championship.
Charlie Szabelski, 10, diagnosed with ganglioglioma, went on a Star Wars experience, courtesy of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
After the NCHS Board received letters critical of the Faculty at the school, they issued a statement in support of the teachers.
The Nashville Middle School Junior Hornettes Basketball team finished second in the state.
The Oakdale Vikings defeated St. Ann to capture the Regional Championship. Oakdale advanced to the SIJHSAA Class S State tournament.
The Hornettes basketball team won the IHSA Class 2A Sparta Regional with a 42-40 win over Greenville
Paige Kasten broke the school record for career three pointers in the Hornets Regional Semi-Final win over Sparta.
The Nashville Hornettes’ season ended with a loss to Mater Dei in the Sectional Championship game.
March
Following an inspection of the city compost site by the Illinois Environmental Protection Association, the city of Nashville was forced to keep the site’s gate locked in order to comply with the agency’s requirements.
The Okawville Rockets Boys Basketball Team headed to a runner-up finish in Illinois’ 1A Championship. This was first time in 30 years that the Rockets had headed to state.
Cameron Smith, suffering from a medical emergency at his birth, had a first birthday party with the crew of the Washington County Ambulance Department who helped to keep him alive.
The offices of the Washington County treasurer, clerk, supervisor of assessments and zoning department made the announcement that they would be switching to a new property tax software, from Devnet.
A plan was hatched to rehabilitate the condition of the NCHS football field, following a school board meeting when the board heard competing proposals from both head coach Tim Kuhn and former head coach and Junior Hornets organizer Matt Gajewski.
After hearing from a number of community members, at a meeting of the NCHS board attended by a large group of faculty members, the board voted to approve a reduction-in-force, laying off English teacher Bethany McQuiston.
The Nashville Hornets boys basketball team won the IHSA Class 2A Carlinville Regional with a 52-29 win over Piasa Southwestern.
Brandon Schnitker ended Pinckneyville’s season with a last second shot that clinched a spot in the Sectional Finals for the Hornets. The Hornets season would end with a loss to Alton-Marquette.
Okawville won their second sectional championship in the past three years with a 68-48 win over New Berlin.
Karly Stanowski and Paige Kasten were named IBCA Class 2A All-State Honorable Mention.
Trevor Meier finished fourth in State in the IHSA Class 2A Three Point Showdown.
Alli Liske throws a no-hitter as the Hornettes softball team opens the season with a win over Greenville
Trevor Meier raced home in the bottom of the 11th inning to give the Hornets a 4-3 win over Rockford Lutheran.
Two Hornet basketball players, Brogan Kemp and Ryan Brink, were named All-Conference.
April
Following the April 4 election, the city of Nashville saw Erik Rolf elected mayor, Terrie Kurwicki elected as clerk and Kelly Sheridan elected to the council. Council members Doug Hargan and Josh Fark were reelected.
Kim Morris and Randy Schwartzkopf were elected to the NCHS Board, while Shawn Cook and Sharon Ogrzewalla were reelected.
NCHS FFA members Cole Herrmann and Mason Niedbalski won Illinois State Proficiency Awards.
The Nashville Police Department told the city council that a secure email server was needed for the department.
Wayne Harre resigned as the NCHS Athletic Director.
Brad Weathers resigned as the NCHS Basketball Coach following 31 years as a coach.
The Nashville Fire Protection District purchased a new ladder truck. The vehicle cost about $825,000, and was expected to be in service 30 to 35 years.
The NCHS Boys and Girls track team came out on top at the Chester Relays.
Paige Kasten, Karly Stanowski, Madison Hackstadt, Madelyn Tepe, Noah Frederking, Shane Ganz, Brogan Kemp, and Ryan Brink were all named All-South.
The Nashville Hornets started conference play with a two straight wins over Sparta and Carterville.
Nashville celebrated 40 years of Hornettes Softball between games on April 1.
The Hornets continued their hot start with a wins over DuQuoin and Anna-Jonesboro. The Hornets also defeated Triad in a game that was played at Busch Stadium.
The Hornettes track team took home the title at the West Frankfort Redbird Invitational.
Sydney Schnitker broke the school record for triple jump at the Mascoutah Invitational with a jump of 35’1”.
Taylor Cook broke the school record in the 300M Hurdles with a time of 47.25 at the Tri County Invitational.
The Hornettes track team finished first in the Tri-County Invitational.
The Hornets baseball team won the conference outright with a win over DuQuoin on April 24.
May
NCHS announced that its seniors had earned nearly $1-million in college scholarships.
Following the swearing in of newly elected officials, former Nashville Mayor Raymond Kolweier took a look back at a long career in city government and Terrie Kurwicki resigned from her seat on the Washington County Board after being seated as Nashville’s new city clerk, in order to avoid possible conflicts of interest.
Alicia Heggemeier was named the new NCHS Athletic Director.
A number of members of the area’s legal, medical, education and law enforcement communities held showings of “The Heroin Project and talked about their own challenges in responding to the growing opioid abuse problem.
The Nashville Education Association issued a statement of “No Confidence” in NCHS Superintendent Ernie Fowler.
Stephen Kozuszek was named as the new coach of the Hornets football team.
The Nashville Ladies Golf League purchased a stone marker that was set at the course in honor of the course’s 50th anniversary.
Wayne Harre was named the new NCHS Boys Basketball Coach.
The Hornettes track team won their second straight NIT Championship.
Doug Althoff, Brad Weathers, Wayne Harre, and Tierney Moor all received awards at the 2017 IBCA Coach of the Year and Hall of Fame Banquet.
The Hornets bass fishing team advanced to state with a second place finish at the Rend Lake Sectional.
Shaye Harre broke three records at SIUC. Harre became the career leader in RBIS, doubles, and broke the record for walks in a season.
The Hornettes track team captured the IHSA Class 1A Sectional title at the meet held in Chester. The Hornettes advanced to state in nine different events.
The Nashville Hornets won the Jared Morris Invitational for the first time since 2009.
The Hornettes won their seventh straight Regional Championship with a 2-0 win over Harrisburg.
The Hornets blasted their way into Sectionals with a 3-2 win over Waterloo-Gibault in the Regional Championship game.
The Hornets track team won the Sectional Championship for the first time since 2008. The Hornets advanced to state in seven different events.
The Nashville Hornets baseball team lost a heartbreaker to Teutopolis at Super-Sectionals.
The Hornettes softball team saw their season end in the Sectional Semi-Finals with a loss to Pinckneyville.
Brandon Schnitker set a new school record in the 800M run at the IHSA Class 1A State Track Meet. Schnitker finished second in Class 1A in the 800M Run.
June
Sebastien Jacques, of Quebec, walked through Washington County and Nashville on his way from Virginia to California.
Nashville Mayor Erik Rolf announced that the city would begin cracking down on unkempt yards and properties.
Numerous trees were blown over in Nashville following a line of storms blowing through.
Kids around Nashville got the chance to get on the court, and the diamond as the Hornets basketball program, Hornettes basketball program, Hornettes, volleyball program, and the Hornets baseball program all held camps for youngsters at NCHS.
July
The NCHS Drama Club held their first-ever kids drama camp. At its conclusion, the campers gave a performance of “The Ugly Duckling.”
Illinois Senator Dick Durbin visited Washington County Hospital, discussing Medicaid as well as other financial and payment issues.
Superintendent Ernie Fowler presented the fiscal year’s final amended budget to the board, projecting a deficit of $322,000.
Turnout was low for Relay For Life, held at a new venue, the Okawville Community Club.
The Nashville City Council approved the purchase of a new skid steer.
Nancy Eigenrauch was appointed to fill Terrie Kurwicki’s seat on the Washington County Board.
The Washington County Fair was an exciting time, with new events for 2017 including a Glow Run and a sand volleyball tournament.
The NCHS FFA Chapter brought home numerous awards from their state convention.
NCHS Principal Brian Pasero departed from the school to take a position in Chester as Superintendent.
Water Day for Nashville Cub Scouts saw a Nashville Fire Department pump truck at the park, where the scouts and leaders were allowed to operate the hose.
The Community Center of Nashville came before the city council to ask for aid in continuing their operations.
Washington County Girl Scouts took a trip to Nashville, Tennessee.
Four former Nashville Hornets football players competed in the Southern Illinois All-Star Game, which was held on June 9, 2017 in DuQuoin. Arturo Garcia, Andrew Kash, Cole Pedtke, and Ethan Reid all competed.
Antony Frierdich started as NCHS’ new Athletic Trainer. Frierdich previously worked at East St. Louis High School
Rachael Kell took home first place at the Nashville Jr. Golf Tournament in the Girls 16-18 division. Aven Kimmell of Flora won the boys 16-18 division with Jacob Maschhoff taking home second. Brynn Stiegman of Nashville took home first place in the 8-9 girls age group.
August
The Heroin Epidemic Relief Organization (HERO) trailer was at NCHS, showing parents possible warning signs and hiding places for teens who are abusing drugs.
Mark Begando was hired as the new NCHS Principal.
Southern Illinois had a moment in the national spotlight on August 21, when a total solar eclipse passed over the region. While areas further south were the focus, parts of Washington County were in the “Zone of Totality”, with Nashville receiving a 99-percent total eclipse.
A number of foreign exchange students came to NCHS for classes, including Maksym Kuzhdin of Ukraine, who wrote about his experiences starting out in Nashville.
Mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus were found at Memorial Park in Nashville.
John Wall of Nashville put out a book detailing the history of the Nashville Dragway.
The proposed budget for the new school year at NCHS projected more deficit spending, on the level of $238,608.
Washington County Sheriff Danny Bradac announced that he would not seek reelection.
NCHS Superintendent Ernie Fowler wrote a column titled “Volleyball” which was published by The Nashville News. This led to regional and even national attention due to the nature of the column’s content. Both Fowler and The Nashville News apologized for “Volleyball” the next week. The Nashville Education Association issued a statement calling for Fowler’s resignation.
New Washington County Sheriff’s Department dog Marley was outfitted with a bulletproof vest. Tragically, Marley died following an accident a short time later.
The Nashville Blue Racers Swim Team finished second in conference and finished with a 7-2 record overall this season.
The Nashville Jr. Golf Camp took place on July 3, 6, 11, and July 12.
The NCHS Marching Band performed some “Magic” as their field show for the 2017 season.
The NCHS Softball team, girls track and field team, and baseball team all earned IHSA Team Academic Achievement Awards from the spring 2017 season.
The NCHS Girls Golf team won their seventh straight NIT Tournament to begin their fall schedule.
The Hornettes cross country team began the season with a win at the New Athens Invitational.
September
Cyclist David Weber of Venedy was killed while riding on Route 15 after being struck by a pickup truck driven by a person using a cell phone.
Following Hurricanes Irma and Harvey, a collection was taken for needed relief supplies, and a crew and ambulance from the Washington County Ambulance Department headed to Florida to assist in efforts there. Kerri Huge hosted the family of her cousins in Nashville, after they had evacuated their homes in Florida.
After the dismissal of Nashville Police Lieutenant Greg Hopfinger and his wife, the Department’s Administrative Assistant, Melissa, a number of individuals came to Nashville City Council to ask them why the dismissal had occurred and to rescind the decision.
Washington County Hospital CEO and President Nancy Newby announced her intention to retire at the end of the year.
The Nashville Middle School Baseball and Softball Teams were both bound for their respective state championships.
NCHS Marching Band member Selina Reynolds continued to perform and compete even after a recent surgery left her legally blind.
The Hornettes golf team won the Lady Panther Invitational.
The Hornettes cross country team took home first place at the Murphysboro Invitational.
Boys and girls cross country swept the West Frankfort Invitational.
The Hornettes volleyball team finished second at the Rangerette Classic.
The Nashville Hornettes golf team took home the Conference Championship for the seventh time in the past eight seasons.
October
Ernie Fowler retired as the NCHS Superintendent, with the school board approving a retirement agreement that included some pay and pay for benefits. The board approved the hiring of interim superintendent Thomas Hawkins.
County Engineer Mitch Burdick warned the County Board that changes in how bonds were paid out on the state level would result in serious reductions to the money that the county received from Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds, resulting in about $120,000 less coming in per year for county and township roads.
Numerous Washington County Hospital employees spoke at a hospital board meeting, saying that the hospital was a hostile work environment and that lawyers had been present at WCH and were “interrogating” employees trying to do their jobs.
The Nashville Girls Golf Team took third place in the state.
A ceremony was held in Tamaroa for a section of U.S. 51 to be christened in honor of fallen soldier Tyler Iubelt.
The Washington County Board presented a tentative budget of $12,197,796 for the 2017-2018 Fiscal Year.
The Community Center of Nashville sought help and ideas from area citizens in order to keep their doors open. The CCN Board would later roll out the idea of a CCN membership to try to help fill the non-profit’s coffers.
The Nashville Hornets golf team won their ninth straight conference title with Carson Parker being named the Conference Champion.
The NCHS Cross Country teams brought home the team trophy at the Chester Invitational.
The Hornets golf team won the IHSA Class 1A Okawville Regional on October 3. The Hornets season would end at Sectionals.
The Hornettes golf team punched a return ticket to state, by finishing second in the IHSA Class 1A Alton Marquette Sectional. The girls golf team won the IHSA Class 1A Waterloo Gibault Regional.
The Hornets football team finished out the season with a win over West Frankfort. The Hornets did not qualify for the playoffs, and finished with a 4-5 record.
The Hornettes cross country team brought home the Regional Championship plaque from the Carterville Regional. The Hornets cross country team finished second in the Carterville Regional. Both teams advanced to Sectionals
November
The NCHS Music Department presented six performances of “Shrek: The Musical” on stage at the school.
The City of Nashville was presented a Progressive City award by Ameren.
The Hornets Cross Country team headed to state, with the girls finishing in 19th place as a team, while Brandon Schnitker placed 19th place in the boys race.
Project Paint! was started at NCHS, with the goal of bringing art to the school’s hallways, and a paint night as their first fundraiser.
Washington County joined in a lawsuit against narcotics manufacturers and distributors.
Judges Dan Emge and Heinz Rudolf spoke to students at Nashville Middle School about the dangers of addiction, both to a person’s health and legal status.
Priests and teachers spoke with St. Ann School students for the school’s “Lunch With A Hero” event.
The NCHS Board approved a consulting agreement with Kevin Rench and Dennis Fancher to help in their search for a new, permanent Superintendent.
Santa arrived at the L&N Depot in Nashville the Saturday after Thanksgiving, where a new model train set built by David Rolf was also set up for kids to see.
The NCHS Hornettes cross country team won the first Sectional title in school history. The Hornettes advanced to the IHSA Class 1A State Cross Country meet as a team.
Brandon Schnitker was the only member of the boys cross country team to advance to the IHSA Class 1A State Cross Country meet.
The Nashville Hornettes volleyball team saw their season come to a close with a Regional Semi-Final loss to Wesclin. The Hornettes were the top overall seed in the Regional.
Jordi Harre earned a walk-on role with the girls basketball team at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Harre played volleyball, basketball, and softball while at NCHS. Harre previously played softball for Kaskaskia College.
Two Hornettes volleyball players, Paige kasten, and Mackenzie McFeron were named SIRR Mississippi Division All-Conference.
Future Hornets got to play at Assembly Hall in the 21st Annual Feeder School Shootout. Nashville Middle School, Ashley, St. Ann, and Oakdale all picked up wins. Hoyleton/Grand Prairie, TSJ/ILS, Carlyle, and Willow Grove also competed in the shootout.
Kelton Harre was named All-South for Boys golf this season. The NCHS Girls Golf team had four members named All-South. Jordan Stiegman, Hope Rueter, Brooke Bartling, and Rachael Kell were all named All-South. Mackenzie McFeron and Paige Kasten were named All-South for boys golf.
A battle between Washington Country rivals culminated in Okawville winning the Nashville Invitational Tournament for the first time in school history. The Hornettes finished second in a hard fought championship game.
December
A partnership between the Human Service Center and Washington County Hospital was announced which would bring counseling services to the hospital.
Illinois started a yearlong celebration of its bicentennial, with Nashville, Oakdale and Washington County all holding ceremonies for the raising of the official Bicentennial Flag.
The Amy Schulz Child Advocacy Center opened a satellite office in Nashville.
The Nashville FFA received a Three Star National Chapter Award.
An NCHS Recycling Club was started, with the initial focus being on the collection of plastic at the school’s cafeterias and at sporting events in Assembly Hall.
The Hornettes bounced back from a season opening loss to Waterloo to finish second in the Mascoutah Tip-Off Classic. The Hornettes defeated Mascoutah to finish the tournament with a record of 2-2.
End of the season awards were given out for the Boys and girls golf teams as well as the NCHS Cross Country teams.
The NMS Athletic Director received the SIJHSAA Rick Franklin Coaching Longevity Award.
The Hornets opened the home schedule with a dominating win over previously unbeaten Anna-Jonesboro.
The NCHS Stingers advanced to state with a first place finish in the Lyrical Division at the IDTA Belleville East Regional.
The NCHS Cheerleading Squad advanced to the ICCA State Championships with a fourth place finish in Edwardsville on December 17.
The first NCHS Hornette basketball team was honored at halftime of the Hornettes win over Pinckneyville on December 21. The Hornettes began play during the 1977-78 season, a season in which they finished 4-6.
The Hornets stayed perfect in conference play with a 44-29 win over Carterville.
