In a heartwarming display of community support, 18-year-old Katherine Harris is leveraging her baking skills to help cover the medical expenses for her beloved dog, Boosie. Diagnosed with small cell tumor cancer, Boosie faces a treatment plan costing approximately $2,500. The young high school senior from Massac County has taken it upon herself to raise funds by selling homemade treats like cookies and pretzels. Despite recent hardships, including a family car accident and mounting hospital bills, Harris remains determined to give Boosie a fighting chance. Through her efforts, she has already raised over $300 and received overwhelming support from the local community.

Rising to the Challenge: A High School Senior's Dedication

Katherine Harris, a senior at Massac County High School, has embraced the challenge of raising funds for Boosie's treatment with remarkable determination. Instead of relying on online crowdfunding platforms, she chose to work hard and bake her way through the financial hurdle. This decision reflects her strong work ethic and commitment to helping her furry friend. Harris's initiative has not only garnered support from her immediate family but also from the broader community, who have been touched by her dedication.

Harris shared that her family initially suggested starting a GoFundMe page, but she preferred to earn the money through her own efforts. She explained, "I’ve always been a hard worker, and I like to work for what I get." Her baking venture began with making cookies and pretzels, which quickly gained popularity. Within the first week, she was overwhelmed by the response, staying up until two in the morning to fulfill orders for 180 cookies. This experience has not only helped her raise funds but also strengthened her resolve to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. Harris, who has been accepted into Murray State University, now feels a deeper empathy for pet owners facing similar challenges.

Community Support Fuels Hope for Boosie’s Recovery

The outpouring of support from the community has been a significant boost for Harris and her family. Social media played a crucial role in spreading awareness about her fundraising efforts. Friends, neighbors, and even strangers have reached out to purchase her baked goods, showing their solidarity. Harris expressed her gratitude for this unexpected support, noting that it has made all the difference during these challenging times. For her, Boosie is more than just a pet; he is an integral part of the family, and giving him a chance to recover means everything to everyone involved.

Harris's younger sisters, aged seven, are particularly upset about Boosie's condition, making the fundraising effort even more personal. The community's response has given them hope that Boosie might have a better outcome. To further assist, Harris offers various types of cookies, including red velvet, sugar cookies with royal icing, chocolate chip, and chocolate-covered pretzels. Prices range from $2 per cookie to $20 for a dozen. Customers can also order custom batches of two dozen or more. Harris typically meets buyers in Metropolis and accepts payments via Venmo and Cash App. Her baking initiative not only aims to cover Boosie's medical costs but also highlights the power of community support in times of need.

The Roswell Finance Committee has proposed a budget reduction strategy to address the city's financial challenges. The proposal, now Resolution No. 25-08, calls for departments funded by the general fund to cut their budgets by 2% for the current fiscal year. This move aims to set aside funds to handle significant losses from catastrophic flooding and pre-existing debt. Councilor Robert Corn, who chairs the committee, emphasized the need for liquidity to repair flood-damaged municipal property. Key departments like water, wastewater, solid waste, landfill operations, and the Roswell Air Center are exempt from this resolution. If passed, it could impact various city services including fire, police, streets, and parks. The committee voted 3-2 to forward the proposal to the city council for further deliberation.

City officials in Roswell are grappling with severe financial constraints due to recent catastrophic flooding and existing debt obligations. Councilor Robert Corn, leading the Finance Committee, introduced a proposal that would instruct departments receiving funds from the general fund to cut their budgets by 2%. This measure is intended to allocate approximately $1 million towards essential repairs and debt management. Corn highlighted that the city is currently in a precarious financial position, necessitating immediate action to ensure liquidity and stability.

During the discussion, Councilor Will Cavin, alongside Corn, initiated this item for consideration. Councilor Edward Heldenbrand advocated advancing the proposal to the full council, recognizing its importance. He noted that passing the resolution could affect numerous city services and departments, emphasizing the gravity of the decision. Despite support from some members, the resolution faced opposition from Councilors Darrell Johnson and Juliana Halvorson, who voted against forwarding it to the council.

Outside the city hall, a group of demonstrators representing the Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) Local Number 51 gathered to voice their concerns. Their hand-printed signs called for better working conditions and recognition of blue-collar workers' contributions. Former UWUA president Rene Otero left his leadership role last month due to dissatisfaction with pay and benefits. Otero expressed frustration over the lack of tangible gratitude from city officials following the October floods. Union members worked tirelessly during the crisis, but received minimal acknowledgment beyond verbal appreciation. Negotiations between the union and city officials are expected to resume early next week, aiming to improve compensation and working conditions for the estimated 70 local union members.

City Manager Chad Cole reiterated that all departments have been adhering to their budget goals since the start of the fiscal year on July 1, 2024. Spending remains under control, with departments spending less than half of their allocations by the fiscal year's midpoint. While the timing of the union demonstration may seem coincidental, it underscores the broader challenges facing the city. As the council prepares to discuss Resolution No. 25-08, the balance between fiscal responsibility and addressing worker concerns will be crucial.