On the record with Ed Collins

From the Sunday, August 17, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

On the record with ... Ed Collins

By day, Ed Collins spends his time preserving natural habitats as natural resources manager at the McHenry County Conservation District. His passion for the outdoors stems from his childhood. Although he grew up in Chicago’ Humboldt Park neighborhood, he frequently camped and spent as much time as possible outdoors.

His passion for nature extends beyond biology. Collins has had a longtime interest in alternative healing, specifically hypnotism and Reiki. He believes a direct connection exists between someone’s mental and spiritual well-being and their environment. Through his alternative healing work, Collins has helped hundreds learn to relax, quit smoking, or achieve other personal goals, he said.
Collins spoke with Northwest Herald reporter Diana Sroka about his work at the District and with alternative healing.

Sroka: Why did you get interested in working at the District?
Collins: I’ve always liked the outdoors, all my life, and I started in outdoor education. The district being a major open space agency, it was a good opportunity to match my skills with the open space that they had protected.

Sroka: You said you are also a hypnotist. Tell me a little about that.
Collins: I work in several forms of alternative healing. And one modality often leads to another, so I work in a modality called Reiki. It’s an oriental form of energy work used in alternative healing. My work in that led me directly to hypnotism. So I often use the two very much together.

Sroka: So, I’ve never seen any hypnotism or heard of Reiki. Can you detail it more for someone who is completely unfamiliar?
Collins: Reiki is a form of energy movement within the body. We as human beings possess physical and mental and spiritual centers that are all interrelated. If you’re not feeling good in your body, oftentimes that’s reflected in how you feel mentally, your outlook. If you’re not happy with what you’re doing in life, that may be reflected in how you feel spiritually. Reiki looks at the places in the body, called chakras, where those things all come together. Reiki works by moving energy in and out of those centers to help them get moving again. Hypnotism: People have an odd concept of hypnotism I think because they go and see stage shows. Hypnotism is actually a very focused form of concentration and you do it all the time. When you drive somewhere and you suddenly get to that place and you don’t remember driving the last couple of miles, that’s a light state of hypnotism. So you can get to deeper levels, and that’s what the hypnotist helps you with. All hypnotism is really self-hypnotism. Basically what the hypnotherapist does is help you get relaxed, help you focus and concentrate your thoughts, and then work on whatever might be bothering you.

Sroka: When somebody comes to you and says they’re very stressed, they need to relax, what do you tell them? How does it work?
Collins: We’ll sit down and I’ll explain Reiki and hypnotism, and then we’ll sit down and talk about what they’d like to accomplish. In both cases, there’s often a misconception if a person is working with someone in alternative healing, that somehow they’re doing it to the person. But it’s like anything else in life. The doctor may set the bone if it’s broken, but you’re body is doing the healing. It’s very much self-directed.

Sroka: What’s the biggest challenge you face as a hypnotist?
Collins: I think in both cases [Reiki and hypnotism] it’s that people are not familiar with the modality. You have to understand it. This is not supposed to be a replacement for going to the doctor – it’s an augmentation for what you’re already doing. I’m not a doctor.

Sroka: Do you see a relationship between what you do at the district and your work with alternative healing?
Collins: I do. Although it’s very hard to put into words. In the Natural Resource Management Department, our function is to improve the ecological health of natural land. I think there’s a direct correlation between having beautiful surroundings and accessible open space and how a person feels inside.

Collins lowdown
Who is he? The Natural Resources Manager at the McHenry County Conservation District.
Family: His wife of 30 years, Denise; daughter, Aimee; son, Ed Jr.
Favorite meal: My wife makes a really wonderful pepper steak.
Favorite Movie: “What the Bleep Do We Know?!” a movie about quantum physics.

LakemoorFest reels in children

From the Sunday, August 10, 2008, edition of the Northwest Herald:

LakemoorFest reels in children
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

LAKEMOOR – Two types of people were along the shore of Lily Lake on Saturday morning: children participating in the LakemoorFest fishing derby and residents claiming their spot to sit for the evening’s fireworks show.

By early morning, there were a handful of chairs and even some areas roped off where residents hoped to sit an watch the LakemoorFest fireworks Saturday night.

Meanwhile, 37 children cast their rods and bait at Lily Lake, hoping to catch the longest fish in the fifth annual fishing derby.

“Every year we get a few more families out here,” said Colin McIntyre, LakemoorFest chairman and village trustee.

The children fished for three hours, catching bluegills, bass and other fish.

At the end of the derby, each participant received a T-shirt.

The top three placers received trophies.

“They get so excited, jumping up and down,” said Carl Thideman, a volunteer for the derby. “They’re doing something that could become a lifetime hobby.”

Zach Maness won first place; Mayson McIntyre placed second; and Gabi Simon placed third.

Simon, 8, said she was hoping to be among the top fishermen when she arrived at the derby.

“[I came to] have fun and get a trophy,” said Simon, of Genoa City, Wis.

Saturday’s festivities included games of horseshoes, a bean bag toss, food, live music and other activities.

Sara Ollenburg of Lakemoor said her 22-month-old son Logan liked the music best.

“He always dances with it,” Ollenburg said.

Today is the final day of the festival, which includes arts and crafts, basketball, tug-o-war and other activities.

For a schedule of festival events, visit www.lakemoor.net/lakemoorfest.

Crystal Lake home burglarized, set aflame

From the Sunday, August 10, 2008, edition of the Northwest Herald:

Crystal Lake home burglarized, set aflame
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

CRYSTAL LAKE – A home burned to the point of “uninhabitable” early this morning also was burglarized, police said.

Around 2:30 a.m., firefighters arrived at 585 Woodland Drive, in Crystal Lake, to find heavy flames coming from the front garage area, authorities said. The flames also spread to the inside of the home, and caused an estimated $350,000 in damages.

The fire was extinguished within 30 minutes by firefighters from the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department and the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District.

After investigating the scene, authorities determined that a red 1992 Honda Civic station wagon had been stolen from the garage. Authorities also said the fire appeared to have been intentional.

No injuries were reported. Police said the home was unoccupied and the residents were on vacation.

No suspects are in custody. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to local authorities or Crime Stoppers.

‘It brings everyone together’

From the Sunday, August 10, 2008, edition of the Northwest Herald:

‘It brings everyone together’
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

JOHNSBURG – Five-year-old Natalie Wajs of Spring Grove barely could contain her excitement at St. John the Baptist Church’s Parishfest on Saturday.

Hours before the Hula Hoop contest – one of many “Olympic” events at the event – Natalie already was twirling a brightly colored hoop around her waist, gushing about her favorite parts of the festival.

“Playing games and getting bracelets,” Wajs said, as the Hula Hoop continued to whirl around her small body.

“She’s practicing,” said her grandmother, Theresa Wajs of Johnsburg.

Parishfest-goers enjoyed a number of other “track and field events” at the festival, including a softball game, bean bag toss and a children’s tricycle Big Wheel race. There also was a flea market, bingo, and plenty of food provided by the Knights of Columbus.

“They’ve got something for everyone,” said Sandy DeGroot of Johnsburg.

DeGroot enjoyed the festival with her mother, Sheila Bosshart, who said she most admired the feeling of community at the annual event.

“It’s community; it’s bringing everyone together,” Bosshart said.

The tricycle Big Wheel race was a big hit among children. Minutes after the race, Spring Grove resident Patty Slove’s five children came running to her, cheering. Slove also brought her neighbor, Donna Baxter, who attends a Lutheran Church in Richmond.

“It’s been a very nice experience,” Baxter said.

The festival continues until 5 p.m. today at Johnsburg Community Club, 2315 Church Ave., Johnsburg.

Today’s main attraction is a performance from 1 to 4 p.m. by New Odyssey, a musical trio that plays more than 30 instruments. After the performance, there will be tours of the church and cemetery.

Answering a call: More than 400 county residents enlisted in military between 2004-07

From the Saturday, August 9, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Answering a call: More than 400 county residents enlisted in military between 2004-07
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

Keven Haggerty didn’t need any coaxing when he joined the Navy 29 years ago. He was 17 when he signed up with dreams of being a Navy photographer and videographer. He said his reasons for joining didn’t differ much from other recruits.

“I couldn’t afford college, so the Navy was a way to get an education, training, experience and travel,” said Haggerty, 45, of McHenry.

Despite the controversial nature of military presence in Iraq and Afghanistan, the U.S. military largely has been successful in meeting recruitment goals.

“Recruiters ... are out there working hard in a difficult working environment,” said Douglas Smith, a national Army Recruiting spokesman.

Among the Chicago metropolitan and northern Illinois counties of Cook, Lake, Kane, McHenry, Boone and DeKalb, McHenry County’s rate of recruits per 10,000 people ranks third at 3.32 recruits per 10,000, behind DeKalb and Boone, at 5.42 and 3.9 per 10,000, respectively. The figures come from recruitment data compiled by the St. Louis Post Dispatch.

Of the six counties, Cook County had the lowest Army, Army Reserves and Army National Guard recruitment rate from 2004-07. Cook County averaged 2.03 recruits for every 10,000 residents. Rates increase moving east to west to more rural territory.

DeKalb County had the highest recruitment rate, with 5.42 recruits for every 10,000 residents, according to the database.

Locally, recruiters strive for visibility at area high schools and community events.

Army National Guard recruiters from Woodstock had a booth at the McHenry County Fair. Throughout the year, recruiters also set up tables in local high school cafeterias and speak to students in classrooms.

“It gives a name and a face to the military,” said Spc. Robert Cussen, a National Guard recruiter.

Cussen enlisted four years ago, when he graduated from Johnsburg High School.

Each of the three recruiters at the Woodstock recruiting center aims to enlist between 10 and 25 people a year, he said. But recruitment goals are based on area demographics and are fluid numbers, Cussen said.

“It’s not as much about numbers as finding qualified soldiers,” Cussen said.

From 2004-07, 408 McHenry County residents joined the active Army, Army Reserves or Army National Guard, according to the recruitment database.

Cussen said the reasons recruits gave for enlistment varied, from college affordability to being interested in serving the country.

However, Haggerty said that during the years, his initial reasons for enlisting had “evolved and changed.”

Haggerty initially served eight years in the Navy. But after several years in civilian life, he decided to enlist in the Navy Reserves – and spent 12 years waiting to be admitted.

“When I joined the Reserves, it was for other, new reasons,” Haggerty said. “I consider it part of my civic duty ... to help ensure future generations can enjoy the freedoms we have.”

When Haggerty sought to enlist in the Reserves in the 1990s, the military was in the process of reducing its recruitment targets. In 1990, the Army had a recruitment target of 87,000, according to Army statistics. By 1995 the Army reduced its recruitment target to 63,000.

Haggerty is on an 18-month deployment to Africa, doing humanitarian work. He was thrilled when he was admitted to the Reserves and said he urged others to consider military service.

“I tell people they should join,” Haggerty said. “Obviously there’s a risk, but there’s great opportunities.”

Recruiting rates in northern Illinois for Active Army, Army Reserves and Army National Guard from 2004 to 2007, by county:
Cook: 2.03 recruits for every 10,000 people
Lake: 2.19 recruits for every 10,000 people
Kane: 2.45 recruits for every 10,000 people
McHenry: 3.32 recruits for every 10,000 people
Boone: 3.9 recruits for every 10,000 people
DeKalb: 5.42 recruits for every 10,000 people
Source: Military recruitment data compiled by the St. Louis Post Dispatch

From the Saturday, August 9, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Church to host festival this weekend
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

JOHNSBURG – Minnow races, tug-o’-war, and a musical performance by a trio that plays 30 instruments all are part of this weekend’s Parishfest hosted by St. John the Baptist Church in Johnsburg.

The Catholic parish presents its annual summer festival, renamed Parishfest, today and Sunday.

Members of the community are invited for food, music and family activities.

“We just want people to come out and have fun,” said Tony Piecz, festival organizer.

Today’s attractions include a flea market and parish Olympics – complete with balloon tosses, three-legged races, softball and other family-friendly activities.

“The first day is more of a ... family-fun sports day,” Piecz said. “We really want to bring people out with their families.”

Sunday’s main attraction is a performance from 1 to 4 p.m. by New Odyssey, a musical trio that plays more than 30 instruments.

Bingo will be played from noon to 5 p.m. both days on the parish campus, and players will have the chance to win gift cards. All other activities will be at Johnsburg Community Club across the street.

Piecz encouraged members of the community to come to the festival even if they weren’t members of the parish.

“It’s important to get everybody together and to show unity,” Piecz said.

Guided tours of the parish and cemetery will be offered at 4 p.m. Sunday.

Throughout the weekend, parish members also will have a parish life booth for newcomers interested in learning more about the church.

“We wanted to ensure we kept the parish as an integral part of the festival,” Piecz said.

Festival-goers also will have the chance to meet the Rev. Gerald Watt, who became pastor at the parish about a year ago.

Most activities are free, and there is no admission fee. Members of the Knights of Columbus will sell food and beverages both days, and alcohol will be served Sunday only.

If you go:
What: St. John the Baptist Church Parishfest.
When: Noon to 6 p.m. today; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Johnsburg Community Club, 2315 Church Ave., Johnsburg.

Man mauled by tiger in stable condition

From the Friday, August 8, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Man mauled by tiger in stable condition
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

RICHMOND – A man who was mauled by a tiger at a Richmond circus training facility this week was in stable condition Thursday at Centegra Hospital – McHenry.

Larry Dean, an animal caretaker, was injured Tuesday morning at Hawthorn Corp., owner John Cuneo said.

Dean suffered significant scratches and bites to his upper body and neck, Richmond Township Fire Chief Rick Gallas said. The injuries were not life-threatening, he said.

Richmond Fire took Dean to the McHenry hospital, where he remained Thursday, hospital spokeswoman Kim Kubiak said.

Cuneo said Dean had worked with animals for 28 years but was not supposed to be so close to the tigers Tuesday.

“He wasn’t supposed to go in with any animals, just had to see that everybody got fed and cleaned,” Cuneo said.

Cuneo said he could not release any other details about the incident.

Hawthorn Corp. has operated on unincorporated land near Richmond for decades and is no stranger to controversy.

In 2003, the U.S. Department of Agriculture charged Hawthorn Corp. with 47 animal-welfare violations after 16 elephants were exposed to a human strain of tuberculosis. The company admitted to 14 of the charges and agreed to pay a $200,000 fine and remove the elephants from the property.

Last year, an Iowa man sued Hawthorn Corp. after he allegedly was mauled by a white tiger in July 2005, when he was posing for photos at the facility.

Music, fireworks highlight LakemoorFest

From the Friday, August 8, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Music, fireworks highlight LakemoorFest
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

LAKEMOOR – For those who haven’t yet gotten their fill of carnival rides or festival food, get excited: LakemoorFest is about to begin.

The festival starts at 4 p.m. today with food and carnival rides, which will be available all weekend.

Later today there will be games, Bingo, and music from the 8 Miles South Band, a southern rock band.

“We’re just here to give something back to our community,” said Terry Gaylord, festival organizer.

Saturday’s festivities start at 9 a.m. with a fishing derby and include martial arts performances, a bean bag toss and fireworks to end the night.

“People plan their family reunions around our fireworks,” Gaylord said.

She estimated that 8,000 people watched the fireworks show last year. It is a solid 30-minute show.

“Usually [people] set their chairs and blankets around the lake,” Gaylord said.

The final day of the festival, Sunday, includes arts and crafts, basketball, tug-o-war and other activities.

For a schedule of festival events, visit www.lakemoor. net/lakemoorfest or call 815-385-1117.

Residents who oppose sewer SSA criticize village trustees

From the Thursday, August 7, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Residents who oppose sewer SSA criticize village trustees
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

JOHNSBURG – Village Board members faced harsh critics at this week’s board meeting as residents took turns questioning the board’s actions in a pending lawsuit.

The public comment portion of the meeting lasted 45 minutes and included questions about a recent batch of subpoenas in a lawsuit over a special service area implemented to pay for sewer infrastructure. The board even heard inquiries about how its members might be recalled.

“There must be a situation in which we can ask for a re-election,” said Jim Meyers, a Florida resident who owns property in Johnsburg. “We have an organization that became an oligarchy rather than a representative government.”

Meyers was one of about 30 people who packed Village Hall on Tuesday night. Many other residents came to the meeting with prepared statements or questions for the board.

Board members tried to assure the residents that they were acting in their best interest.

“We’ve gotten some unbelievable support that even our representatives can’t believe,” trustee Mary Lou Hutchinson said.

However, not all residents agreed with her statement. Terry Matthiesen brought a newspaper article in which Claudett Peters, director of operations, said the village would recoup court costs from residents in the SSA if the village didn’t have the money.

“Who has the authority to put that on us?” Matthiesen asked.

Matthiesen’s question was directed to Village Attorney Michael Smoron, who told Matthiesen that a decision had not been made about how litigation costs would be paid. In May, those costs exceeded $60,000.

After one resident’s comments, trustee Hutchinson smirked – a behavior that angered many in the audience.

Another resident, Robert Duplex, accused the village of harassing him because he said he received a subpoena allowing Smoron to view personal financial information.

“All this means to me is harassment and your intimidation of a person,” Duplex said.

When residents questioned the infrastructure of the proposed sewer system, many were offered an opportunity to meet with Village Engineer Tim Hartnett.

Board President David Dominguez and Trustee Harry May were absent from the meeting.

McHenry man might sue Lakemoor over property blockade

From the Wednesday, August 6, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

McHenry man might sue Lakemoor over property blockade
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

LAKEMOOR – A McHenry man might sue the village of Lakemoor for placing a police blockade on his family's Lakemoor property, where he had hoped to host a cancer benefit.

Robert Mauch had already spent months organizing a cancer fundraiser when Lakemoor officials rescinded their approval for the event, scheduled for July 26-27. He said he canceled it in early July, but on the weekend of the event arrived on his property to find it blockaded by police.

“It was totally barricaded,” Mauch said. “They said, ‘You don’t need access to your property until Monday.’ ”

Village officials said they didn’t think he would actually cancel the event, and thought it was possible that thousands of event-goers would arrive that weekend.

“We made sure to protect all the children and residents in the area of Lakemoor, that has to be first,” said Virginia Povidas, village president.

Povidas also said proper channels weren’t followed and that a special-use permit was not granted.

Mauch said police were at the property 24 hours a day from July 24-27, and placed a lock on the gate. He also said they banned his family from even entering 28 acres of family-owned property.

Lakemoor Police Chief Wallace Frasier declined to comment on the matter. However, Mauch said, he thinks it was unnecessary and illegal seizure of property.

“I don’t know what they protected them from,” he said. “They burned up a lot of tax dollars.”

Mauch said the village granted him permission to host the event in May, but then rescinded the approval a month later.

Mauch said he decided to cancel the event in early July, after consulting with an attorney.

“I knew all my effort was probably not going to happen,” he said. Mauch estimated canceling the event cost him at least $10,000 he'd spent on booking entertainment and preparing his property for the event, which was supposed to benefit Randy Jacobson.

“I was doing this top notch, first class, so it was a nice deal for my friend,” Mauch said.

However, Mauch said, village officials gave him multiple reasons for why the event could not happen, including noise, availability of port-a-potties and his lack of residency.

He plans to file a lawsuit against the village for withdrawing the event authorization, unlawful restricted use of property or potentially a libel lawsuit, said his attorney, William J. Dennison II.

Mauch said it's an unfortunate series of events.

“This is about a guy whose family’s hurting, who is behind on his bills,” Mauch said. “[But] I’m not going to stand for my rights being stepped on.”

Community reaches out to ill man

From the Sunday, August 3, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Community reaches out to ill man
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

JOHNSBURG – Two months ago, Len Nusser, 49, was in “the best health of his life.”

He enjoyed fishing, playing and interacting with his eight children, daughter Anna Rose Nusser said. Then doctors discovered he had a double bacterial staph infection.

Nusser has been in and out of intensive care since early June and now is battling life-threatening organ failure at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood.

“We are all praying for a miracle,” said Anna Rose Nusser, 25.

To help cover medical costs, the Johnsburg Lions Club will donate proceeds from its Aug. 7 meat raffle to the Nusser family.

Steak, chicken, pork chops and other grill-friendly meats with retail values between $80 and $125 will be raffled. Raffle tickets must be bought for each raffle and cost $1 or $5 for six tickets.

Since Nusser was hospitalized, family members – including wife, Cindy, and eight children between ages 10 and 25 – have experienced an outpouring of support.

Family and friends have brought food for the family, and the sign outside Johnsburg High School has a message encouraging Len Nusser to get well.

A Nusser Family Fund for donations also was established at Harris Bank by a family friend.

“His intention since he came off life support is to spend the remainder of his life [repaying] all the kindness that has been done for him and his family,” said family friend Terry Carrick of Johnsburg.

Carrick encouraged people who cannot attend the meat raffle to visit any Harris Bank branch and make a donation for the family or donate gift cards for school clothing or supplies for the Nusser children.

She and Anna Rose Nusser also encouraged the community to continue praying.

“Through our faith, we believe a miracle is possible for full, complete healing,” Anna Rose Nusser said.

Metal, might delight fans at tractor pull

From the Sunday, August 3, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Metal, might delight fans at tractor pull
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

WOODSTOCK – Tractor pulling runs in Daniel Koch’s blood.

His grandfather pulled. His father pulls. His brothers pull. And during his 10th visit to the McHenry County Fair this weekend, Koch, 28, also pulled.

“I think it’s addictive,” said Koch of Ladd.
His red-and-white International 1066 tractor – nicknamed “Sexy 66” – drove about 300 feet with 10,000 pounds of weight during the first set of trials at Saturday’s Truck and Tractor Pull. Fans in the grandstand cheered when tractors reached new distances or released large plumes of dark smoke.

“I like the super smoke,” said Larry Ray, 39, of Woodstock. “The turbos are the best.”

Ray is a tractor owner himself, but he said his tractors weren’t for pulling.

“Our tractors work on the farm, and that’s where they stay,” Ray said.

Each truck or tractor pulled a weight attached to the rear as far as possible, and the distance they could pull was marked. When the tractors reached their limit, their wheels would spin or their front wheels came off the ground.

For Dale Swanson of Genoa, the event evoked nostalgia for tractor pulling when he was younger.

“I grew up around here,” Swanson said as his 6-year-old son, Hunter, barely peeled his eyes from the tractors. “We try to come every year.”

Rae Sloma and her family came to the fair an the tractor pull for the first time Saturday and were hooked.

“It’s interesting to see what they can do out in their field,” said Sloma of Lake in the Hills. “This is something we don’t see every day.”

The McHenry County Fair ends today with a youth horse show, garden tractor pull, demolition derby and other events.

ATV donated to Richmond fire district

From the Friday, August 1, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

ATV donated to Richmond fire district
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

RICHMOND – The Richmond Township Fire Protection District recently added to its fleet an all-terrain vehicle with the ability to tread through rough surfaces and help fight field fires.

Richmond Fire Chief Rick Gallas said the ATV was a long-term purchase that Richmond Fire had been hoping to make.

“When you think about where you are today and where you’ll be 10 years from now, you don’t want to be caught without [what you need],” Gallas said.

The ATV was donated by McHenry-based Medcor, a health care company that provides employee screenings. The company gave the department a similar unit last year.

It’s designed to tackle tough terrain, such as mud, snow or marsh, where fire and ambulance trucks aren’t able to go. It has a special unit with the ability to release high-pressure water and foam at the rate of 3 gallons a minute. This unit also can be removed if medical rescue is needed.

“All this is really lightweight, which allows us to get into tougher areas,” Gallas said.

The ATV hasn’t been used to fight any fires yet, but it made its public debut at Country Thunder in Wisconsin last month.

Gallas said the ATV especially would be helpful on the hundreds of acres of the McHenry County Conservation District that fall within the fire protection district.

“There’s a lot of terrain that’s difficult for regular trucks to access,” said Ed Collins, natural resource manager. “The ATVs are designed to go on that rough ground.”

Collins said the conservation district and Richmond Fire had been working together for years, and that the ATV was a great addition to the fleet.

“It’s a nice piece of equipment,” Collins said.

Spring Grove Fire Protection District has a similar unit, a six-wheel drive Polaris ATV, that has been used to fight grass fires and make rescues.