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Hennepin Bank President Selected to ICBA Federal Delegate Board

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McKee to advocate for community banking The Independent Community Bankers of America announced community banker Kim McKee, president/CEO of North Central Bank, Hennepin, was elected to the ICBA Federal Delegate Board. ICBA is the nation’s voice for community banks. “I am honored to be elected to represent our industry and help ICBA communicate the positive story of community banking,” McKee said in a press release. “As relationship-based lenders, committed to ensuring the financial health of local consumers and entrepreneurs, community banks are central to creating communities of prosperity nationwide.” In addition to helping shape and advocate ICBA’s national policy positions and programs, McKee’s duties include engaging in grassroots activities in Illinois and serving as a liaison between independent community bankers and ICBA staff and leadership in Washington, D.C. She will also work to recruit new members to ICBA. ICBA is the only organization dedicated to promoting the interests
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Halloween in Hennepin

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Hennepin Trick or Treat hours are from 5:00-7:00 on Halloween! Food will be served at Walter Durley Boyle Park @ 4:30 PM (or the Fire Department, if it's raining).
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Marquis Will be First-Ever Carbon Neutral Industrial Park

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Development of blue hydrogen and blue ammonia facilities will begin immediately  Marquis Incorporated CEO Mark Marquis announced a plan for the Marquis Industrial Park to be the world’s first carbon neutral industrial park with onsite carbon injection. Last week, Marquis began drilling its first 5,000-foot test well to determine the total capacity available for carbon sequestration in the Mt. Simon Sandstone on its site. The Marquis family will begin immediate development of the first of two 600-ton-per-day blue hydrogen and blue ammonia facilities, as well as manufacturing for carbon neutral bio-based chemicals and plastics. The Marquis Industrial Park in Hennepin is a 2500-acre industrial site with multiple natural gas lines, access to the electrical transmission grid, year-round river barge loading, interstate highway and Class 1 railroad. In addition to the blue hydrogen and blue ammonia project, the plan includes a state-of-the-art soybean crushing facility to produce bio-based fe
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Putnam County Sheriff Puts ARC Money to Use

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American Recovery Act funds are ‘use it or lose it’ Improvements are in progress at Putnam County Sheriff’s Department and Courthouse.   Strict budget cuts in recent years have left the department little money for improvements, but federal funds have boosted the sheriff’s coffers, allowing for progress on his project list. The American Rescue Plan provides $350 billion in emergency funding for state and local governments to remedy this mismatch between rising costs and falling revenues. States receive $500 million each for use on economic recovery caused by the ongoing pandemic as well as funding for capital improvement projects. Sheriff Kevin Doyle last week updated the county board as to how he’s been putting to use ARC funds over the last few months. Putnam County has received $1.14 million in ARC funds, $221,937 of which has been spent to date, Doyle said. Doyle emphasized to the board that the remaining $892,795 must be spent, saying the money is “not a rainy day fund, it needs t
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Hennepin Mayor Joins Chief Senachwine DAR in Commemorating Constitution Week

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Hennepin Mayor Kevin Coleman recently joined Sharon Bittner, Regent of the Chief Senachwine Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, in ringing bells for Constitution Week, Sept. 17 to 23.   Mayor Coleman also signed a Constitution Week Proclamation, sponsored by the Chief Senachwine Chapter, urging members to commemorate the 234th anniversary of the Constitution and to reaffirm the ideals of this precedent-setting document. Source: Putnam County Record
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A Family Affair: Addy’s Acres is a Labor of Love for Hennepin Family

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When Brian and Janee Leatherman were given the opportunity to utilize a small plot of land owned by family, they researched various food crops, eventually deciding on something they both loved, garlic. The Leathermans both have full-time jobs in addition to farming corn and soybeans, but decided to throw their efforts into a small garlic farm when a family member offered them use of a two-acre parcel. “We decided on the name Addy’s Acres after our daughter and have plans to add different organic products in the future,” Janee said. In the fall of 2020 the Leathermans planted .6 of an acre and currently have five varieties to offer. Though they are not organic certified, they practice organic growing methods and hope to become certified in the years to come. “This is our first year and we planted five hardneck varieties, Chesnok Red, Persian Star, Georgian Fire, Tamarack and Great Northern White,” Janee said. “We planted that space with 200 pounds. Of those 200 pounds, there were about
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Village of Hennepin Honors Community Partner

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Family and friends gathered recently in Hennepin for the dedication of a tree, in memory of lifelong resident Kathleen “Kathy” Spratt. The maple tree was placed in front of the village hall in recognition of the many years that Kathy served the village residents, whether as a trustee or as a member of several committees over the years. Even after Kathy retired from official duties she remained a “go-to” person for people with questions and concerns about village matters. Kathy was a great friend to young and old alike and a “second mom” to many of those friends. The tree was donated by Kathy’s family and the Kevin and Jennifer Coleman family. Source: Putnam County Record
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Red Cross Seeks Blood Donors to Fill Critical Need

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As fall approaches, the American Red Cross urges eligible donors to help end the ongoing critical need for blood and kick off the season with a blood donation. The Red Cross needs donors of all blood types to give now and help ensure lifesaving transfusions are on the sidelines for those who rely on them. While summer winds down, the Red Cross is concerned that the rise in COVID-19 cases due to the Delta variant and a potentially active hurricane season may further challenge the ability to collect and meet hospital demand. In recent weeks, the Red Cross has seen blood donor turnout decline by nearly 10% while hospital demand continues to outpace donations. This decline is believed to be due to multiple reasons, including the continued effects of the pandemic on blood drive cancellations and donor availability as well as back-to-school preparations for many families. Make a game plan to donate – patients are relying on the kindness of blood and donors for their continued treatment. Sche
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