Tarter Brothers Mechanical owner Greg Tarter appeared before the Delavan City Council at its most recent meeting to seek clarification regarding the terms of a tax increment financing (TIF) agreement approved by the council earlier this month.

The agreement concerns planned exterior improvements to Tarter Brothers Mechanical’s property at 117 E. Fourth Street. While previous TIF recipients have received forgivable loans as part of their development agreements with the city, the council elected to structure Tarter’s incentive package as a repayable loan carrying a 3% interest rate.

Tarter told council members he was surprised by the change in terms and questioned why his project was being treated differently than previous recipients.

“I’m a little curious about the 3%,” Tarter said. “I was assuming that it was a grant.”

The issue stems from action taken by the council at its prior meeting, when aldermen rejected a recommendation from Hometown Consulting to provide a forgivable loan for the project. The council instead approved a loan that must be repaid over three years at 3% interest, with payments beginning 90 days after project completion.

During that discussion, Ward 1 Alderman Joshua Lusher argued against continuing the city’s practice of issuing forgivable loans through its TIF program.

“I think we should give a low-interest loan, not forgivable,” Lusher said at the earlier meeting. “I think this forgivable stuff’s part of the reason why we’re in financial trouble.”

Addressing the council, Tarter noted that he has contributed to the TIF district through property taxes and expressed frustration with being required to repay assistance funded through a district into which he has paid.

“I have two properties that I pay TIF on,” Tarter said. “Now you turn around and you’re going to charge me for it.”

TIF districts are designed to encourage development and property improvements by using increased tax revenue generated within a designated area to help finance eligible projects. In Delavan, several previous recipients have received forgivable loans, making the council’s decision on the Tarter Brothers project a notable departure from past practice.

 The Delavan Community Historical Society will invite residents and visitors to step back in time during a special celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.

The event will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, at the Colony House, located at 504 Linden St. The afternoon gathering will combine local history, guided tours and living-history experiences designed to highlight Delavan’s early years while commemorating the nation’s milestone anniversary.

Guests will have an opportunity to tour the Colony House, one of the original homes from the early Delavan settlement. The building stands as a reminder of the community’s beginnings and provides a glimpse into life during the village’s formative years.

In addition to exploring the historic home, visitors can take part in a tour of the community’s “Lincoln Mile,” a local historical attraction that highlights Delavan’s connection to Abraham Lincoln and the era in which he lived. Historical Society members will share information about the significance of the site and its place in Delavan’s rich heritage.

The event will also feature presentations and exhibits detailing how Delavan was settled and developed. Attendees will learn about the people who helped shape the community and the challenges and opportunities faced by its earliest residents. Organizers hope the program will offer both longtime residents and newcomers a deeper appreciation for the community’s past.

One of the afternoon’s most unique attractions will be the chance to meet “Mr. Delavan” himself. Through a living-history portrayal, visitors can interact with the community’s namesake and gain insight into the history behind the village’s founding. The character presentation is intended to bring local history to life in an engaging and memorable way for visitors of all ages.

Historical Society representatives say the celebration is part of a broader effort to recognize America’s semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding. While the event focuses on Delavan’s local history, organizers note that the story of the community is closely connected to the larger story of the country’s growth and development.

The Delavan Community Historical Society regularly works to preserve and share the area’s historical resources through educational programs, exhibits and special events. The July 19 gathering is expected to provide a family-friendly opportunity for community members to learn more about both national and local history.

Residents interested in exploring Delavan’s past, touring a historic home and celebrating America’s 250th anniversary are encouraged to attend the free event at the Colony House Sunday afternoon.

Residents across Delavan joined communities throughout the country on the Fourth of July to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary with a synchronized bell-ringing celebration.

At 1:50 p.m., bells rang from the Delavan Methodist and Presbyterian churches as community members participated in the nationwide observance. The event invited Americans to celebrate the nation’s history by ringing bells and reflecting on the founding of the United States.

Many local residents also took part from their homes. Participants who owned handbells rang them 13 times in honor of the 13 original colonies. Others joined the celebration by striking metal pans with wooden spoons 13 times, ensuring everyone could take part regardless of whether they had a bell available.

The sound of bells throughout the afternoon served as a reminder of the country’s history and the importance of coming together to celebrate shared traditions and pride.

Col. Bernard Edward “Bernie” Bree, 88, of San Jose, passed away at his home at 2:37 a.m., on Friday, June 19, 2026. He was born August 10, 1937, in San Jose, to Clarence and Vivian (Jumper) Bree. He married the love of his life, Nancy Nelson, in San Jose, on June 26, 1960. She preceded him in death on May 2, 2011.

Col. Bree is survived by two children: Scott Bree, and Ingrid (Brad) Martin, all of San Jose; three granddaughters: Nancy Martin, Bethany (Katie) Martin and Kimberly Martin; four great-grandchildren: Damian, Lennox, Sylvie, and Ivy Ann; as well as siblings: Bill Bree, of Lincoln, Illinois, and Donna Garczynski, of Rogers, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brother, Bob Bree, and one grandson, Matthew Bree.

During his time here on earth, Bernie held many titles – son, brother, husband, dad, father-in-law, uncle, grandpa, great grandpa, Army Veteran, carpenter, farmer, auctioneer, liquor store proprietor, and the (self-proclaimed) “grouchiest old man in Mason County” to name a few. He was “grandpa Bernie” to many more than just his four grandchildren and great-grandchildren – “once you’re a grandpa - you’re a grandpa to all” was one of his many well used phrases. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, collecting clocks, oil lamps and tractors. He liked to take things apart to figure out how they worked and putting them back together. He never missed a chance to learn and seemed to know at least a little something about most things - and knew how to ask “the blue box” when there was something he needed to know more about.

Prior to the love of his life, Nancy, passing they shared a love for auctions, traveling to Door County, Nebraska, the Ozarks and anywhere else Bernie didn’t have to turn left to go! They were members of the Pyrotechnics Guild International. When they began going to the annual convention, Bernie would build 8” shells, while Nancy learned how to make sparklers and sprinkles pop out of the center of a cake. Bernie and Nancy were both members of the San Jose United Methodist Church. The story he told was that he started taking his little sister to Sunday School once he saw Nancy helping with Sunday School one Sunday. They shared 50 wonderful years together and now will spend eternity together in Heaven.

Bernie was a carpenter and later became an auctioneer. He completed auctioneer school in 1976 and retired in 2024. During his time as an auctioneer, he owned Bree Haus Auction, worked as an auctioneer at Pfeiffer’s Auction House and sold with many other local auctioneers through community sales, charity auctions and other partnerships. One of the events he looked forward to every year was auctioning the United Bowhunters of Illinois auction.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday July 14, from 5-7 p.m. at San Jose United Methodist Church. Funeral services will be held Wednesday July 15, at 10 a.m., also at his church. Burial will follow the services at Green Hill Cemetery, near San Jose. Rev. Charlie McDonald will officiate.

Memorial contributions may be made to San Jose United Methodist Church or San Jose Fire Department. Online memorial messages may be left for the family at www.hurleyfh.com.

Hurley Funeral Home in Mason City is in charge of arrangements.