Firefighter’s Death Reminds Us Of Dangers

Area residents learned this past week just how dangerous the job of being a firefighter can be, after the unfortunate death of Captain Jacob “Jake” Ringering of the Godfrey Fire Department. Firefighters from this area and around the county paid their respects this week at his funeral. Ringering died as the  result of injuries suffered during a structure fire on March 5 in Bethalto. Fellow firefighter Luke Warner was injured and transported to St. Louis hospital by helicopter, and fortunately survived. Ringering was the son of former Madison County EMA Director Larry Ringering, and was praised for his service while on the department. A declaration by the Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker that all flags in the state be flown at half-staff until sunset on Tuesday was a fitting response.

In the world of politics, Congressman John Shimkus was in Nashville on March 9 to participate in a Legislative Update Breakfast with the Washington County Farm Bureau. They met at the Little Nashville Restaurant. Two candidate forums are scheduled this week, one in Collinsville and one in Glen Carbon. The Collinsville Candidate’s Forum will take place on Thursday, March 14, at the Gateway Convention Center, with Unit 10 School Board candidates, library candidates, and council and mayoral candidates participating. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with a meet and greet from 6-7 p.m. School Board Candidates will be among those present. Library candidates are scheduled from 7-7:30 p.m., and council and mayoral candidates from 7:30-9 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

For anyone who has been waiting patiently for the new Anderson ExpressCare facility to open, a ribbon cutting has been scheduled with the chamber for 8-9 a.m. on April 1, at the new building, located  at 108 West US Hwy 40.