Citizens, officer honored for life-saving actions at O’Fallon City Council meeting
A family’s medical emergency had a happy outcome thanks to quick-thinking local citizens and fast-acting public safety employees.
For help saving a life last summer, O’Fallon residents were honored at the Oct. 18 O’Fallon City Council meeting. Police Officer Joe Wagner was presented with a Life Saving Award and both Paul Galloway and Julian Holloway received Citizen Recognition.
On July 11 just after 6 a.m., Patrick Holloway suffered a life-threatening medical emergency. His wife and grandson began life-saving actions — called 911 and summoned help.
His grandson, Julian Holloway, ran to a neighbor’s house and asked Paul Galloway to help. Galloway immediately ran to the aid of an unconscious Patrick Holloway and began CPR, which he continued until the first police officer, Joe Wagner, arrived.
Wagner assisted with CPR and administered two separate shocks with an AED (automated external defibrillator), a portable electronic device used to help people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. Easy to use, it can analyze the heart’s rhythm and deliver an electric shock to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm.
When the ambulance arrived, an O’Fallon EMS crew administered a third shock from the AED and then were able to detect Patrick’s pulse and record his blood pressure. He was transported directly to the hospital, where he was treated further by the emergency room staff. He was released 10 days later and back home with his family.
“It is without question that if not for the actions of Julian Holloway, Paul Galloway, and Officer Joe Wagner, then Patrick Holloway would not be present with us today,” said Capt. Kirk Brueggeman. “We commend these three for saving Mr. Holloway’s life that day.”
Tourism Grant Support
The O’Fallon City Council approved supporting a Tourism and Attractions Grant for the Parks and Recreation Department to apply for, which would help fund lighting for soccer fields 9 and 10 at the Family Sports Park; a stone sign for the downtown area on Lincoln and First streets; and tables, umbrellas, a sound system, and an aluminum frame patio roof for the O’Fallon Station.
The total project would not exceed $500,000 and the grant would provide 50% funding with the city matching $250,000 — and that would be included in next year’s annual budget.
The application deadline is Dec. 31.
Amusement/Push Tax Approved
The council approved the Amusement Tax as another revenue stream, collecting a penny from each player on every video game play, or “push,” at local businesses.
This tax will go into effect May 1, 2022. It is a 1 cent tax on the individual playing the machine and is not a tax the establishments pay or collect, which is done by the terminal operator.
This could bring in around $300,000 annually, based on the impact in other cities in the state. It would not affect the current FY2022 budget, however.
Surplus Vehicles Action Advances
In other action, the council advanced two surplus vehicles to be sold or disposed of, to the Nov. 1 meeting for final approval.
A 2007 Ford Explorer and a 2016 Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicle will be listed on the internet at https://govdeals.com and sold to the highest bidder. If that doesn’t work, the city will dispose of the property.
Special Event Permits Granted
Three special event permits were approved — for the Vine Street Winter Market on Dec. 11; Kerber, Eck and Braeckel accounting firm’s 90th anniversary on Oct. 21; and Eagle Technology Group’s Octoberfest on Oct. 22.
The KEB 90th anniversary would take place Thursday, Oct. 21, from 4 to 8 p.m. on the parking lot of 852 Cambridge Blvd. Three food and beverage trucks — Global Brew, Blues Fired Pizza and Burgers STL would be there — and a tent would be set up. KEB planned to provide dessert to guests. Applicant Casey Jones anticipated 80 people would attend, and adjacent businesses were notified.
The Eagle Technology Group planned to host an Octoberfest for employees from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22, on the parking lot at 1728 Corporate Crossing. Food, drinks and beer would be provided to the staff at no charge, and two tents would be set up. Applicant David Swanson estimated 80 people would attend.
The Winter Market will take place from 3:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at the O’Fallon Station (212 E. First St. and portions of East First Street and South Vine for carriage rides).
A variety of vendors and one food truck, Clara B’s Kitchen Table, will participate — unless there is an extreme weather event.
Halloween Activities
In his report, Mayor Herb Roach announced the city’s trick-or-treat hours would be from 6-9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31, and encouraged children to only visit well-lit homes, those residences with porch and driveway lights on, be respectful of property and to watch out for vehicles.
The O’Fallon Fire Department would hand out candy from 6-9 p.m. Oct. 31 at the O’Fallon Fire Station #1 at 106 E. Washington.
O’Fallon’s three rotary clubs will sponsor the annual Parade and Costume Contest tradition Saturday, Oct. 30, downtown. The parade would start at State and Vine streets and end at E. First and Vine streets, with line-up beginning at noon and the parade at 12:30 p.m.
The costume contest will follow at 1:15 p.m. at the O’Fallon Station. Categories are: Decorated bicycles and wagons, superheroes and villains, children under age 3, scariest, floats, family and pets, and medals will be awarded for first, second and third place. In addition, there will be first, second and third prizes for overall costume.
After that, downtown merchants with pumpkins in their window will offer treats after the parade, providing games and prizes too.
The downtown merchants are sponsoring a Halloween Hunt Pub Crawl & Costume Contest on Oct. 30 from 5-8 p.m.
This story was originally published October 26, 2021 at 4:48 PM.