SUBLETTE — Orion Samuelson, long-time farm broadcaster on WGN Radio and Television stations in Chicago was recognized by the Sublette Village Board on Jan. 11. Samuelson, who retired at the end of December after 60 years in the business, has been a strong supporter of the Sublette Farm and Antique Tractor Show and other agriculture related events in the community.

The board approved a resolution thanking Samuelson for spotlighting the community over these many years and saluting him for his 60 years of dedication to agriculture and rural communities and wishes him a long and happy retirement.

Each year, during the toy show in Sublette, Locust Street is renamed Orion Samuelson Drive to honor his commitment to agriculture and rural towns.

Gaming refunds

The village board approved a motion to waive the video gaming license fees for four businesses in the village, citing that the video gaming machines have been shut off for about two months. Roadhouse and Sublette BP each pay a fee of $100 and Bonnell’s General Store and LaFiesta each pay a fee of $75.

Elections

In April, the residents of Sublette will vote for their representation on the village board. Those open positions include three village trustee positions, village clerk, and village president. The following candidates will appear on the ballot in April: for village president, incumbent John Stenzel; for village clerk, Katherine Leffleman; and for village trustee, incumbent Robert Bulfer, incumbent Julie Kessel, Mackenzie Belan, Doug Worrell and Larry Ellis. Current village trustee Brian Wilson is not seeking re-election.

In other board news:

• The board continued to ban any rentals of the Ellice Dinges Center due to COVID-19 restrictions. When the annual toy show was mentioned, Acting Village President John Stenzel said he didn’t see how the village could hold the toy show this year.

Village Trustee Scott Hansen said anything that happens before June 30 is probably off the table.

• The village replaced the furnace in the water plant for $4,400 and is looking into furnace replacement options at the Ellice Dinges Center.

The next Sublette Village Board meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 8 at the Ellice Dinges Center.