Published on May 18, 2026 7:59 pm
Last Updated on May 18, 2026 7:59 pm
Effingham County Sheriff Paul Kuhns recognized three individuals, including two of his employees, at Monday’s Effingham County Board meeting for jobs well-done.
(MORGAN WALKER AND EFFINGHAM COUNTY SHERIFF PAUL KUHNS)
Kuhns presented Morgan Walker of Dieterich with a Distinguished Act Award. Walker is a member of the Dieterich School Mentor Program. In December, Walker identified a family of five including a single mother with four children. The Sheriff’s Office was awarded two bed sets from a local business and Walker then secured two additional beds, ensuring that each child had a new bed for Christmas. The Sheriff said Walker also coordinated the replacement of subflooring and carpeting in the bedrooms to make this possible.
(SGT. ROBIN BROWN AND JOHNATHAN SCHUETTE WITH SHERIFF KUHNS)
Also recognized were two sheriff’s deputies, Sgt. Johnathon Schuette and Sgt. Robin Brown, who each received Life Saving Awards. Each deputy used Narcan to bring back overdose victims. In Brown’s case, this was the fifth individual he has used Narcan to assist.
(PAM RIEMAN WITH EFFINGHAM COUNTY BOARD CHAIRMAN JOSH DOUTHIT)
The sheriff’s department also said farewell to one of their own Monday, as Pam Rieman was recognized on her retirement for 38 years with the department. The sheriff remarked that Pam is “one of the few people who’ve been at the sheriff’s office longer than I have.” Rieman started at the sheriff’s office in 1987.
Board members heard from Effingham County Democrat Central Committee Chairman Pat Lewis who thanked election judges during the past two years and to County Clerk and Election Official Michelle Kollmann and her staff for their work during the election cycle. Herb Meeker of St. Francis Township spoke on behalf of recycling and encouraged the Board to consider a more active role in expanding recycling in the county.
The Board approved intergovernmental agreements with Christian, Clay, Fayette, Montgomery, Moultrie and Shelby counties for public transportation in those counties with Effingham County as the overseer of the program. Just over $20,000 was disbursed for SEICO for access controls in the County Government Center.
The Board approved the disbursement of $3,000 in hotel/motel funding for the Lake Sara fireworks display, $1,000 in hotel/motel funding to Effingham Noon Rotary for the City of Effingham fireworks display, and agreed informally with Dieterich Mayor Brad Hardiek to allocate $2,000 at their next meeting for the Dieterich fireworks display. The four-year salary schedule was approved for the County Clerk, Circuit Clerk, County Treasurer and Supervisor of Assessments, and agreed to name the board room at Effingham County Regional Airport in honor and memory of late Airport Commission Chairman Tony Siemer with a recognition ceremony to come later.
The Board named Sasha Althoff to the Economic Development Advisory Board and named John Taylor and Jim Ping to the County Board of Review. Low bidders were awarded road maintenance material bids, approved use of the courtyard and pavilion for a Gentle Yoga event on May 25 and for Sunrise Rotary’s 250th celebration on July 3. Also approved was an extension of a CSS vehicle lease. A nuisance ordinance was approved, as were GIS intergovernmental agreements with the cities of Effingham and Altamont at no cost to those communities.
Board Vice-Chairman David Campbell encouraged anyone who wants to send a letter encouraging receipt of an additional grant for economic development to contact him as soon as possible. Board member Doug McCain said bids on road oil were favorable, so road oiling will be done this construction season. Sheriff Kuhns reminded those who are dealing with drug addiction but can’t afford treatment to contact him because he has funds available.
