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Happy Mother’s Day

Learn the meanings behind popular Mother’s Day flowers: Mother’s Day is a time to express love and appreciation for mothers, sentiments that are often expressed with gifts. Flowers are a popular present to bestow on Mother’s Day, as they can brighten a room and bring a sweet aroma to any household.While any flowers may ultimately suffice on Mother’s Day, gift givers may want to select flowers for Mom that convey specific messages. The language of flowers has been recognized for centuries. Though perhaps not as heralded as it once was, flower symbolism persists to this day. Here’s a look at some of the meanings behind certain types of flowers to help guide Mother’s Day gifting.

Buckey makes lots of friends

Meet Buckey. Buckey is a remote-controlled (RC) bucket truck created by Sam Surratt, a Special Equipment Technician with over 27 years of experience at the local co-op. Sam’s job involves working on various electric service projects, but one of his most rewarding projects lately involved work outside his full-time job. This project taught kids the importance of safety around downed trees and power lines in a fun and memorable way.

Scam Alert

State police warn of phone scam

The Illinois State Police (ISP) is warning the public of a phone scam. ​ Over the past two days, ISP has received several phone calls from individuals reporting a person claiming to be an ISP investigator telling them their identity has been stolen. ​ This is a scam. ​ ISP special agents will not make cold calls requesting personal or financial information, or ask you to confirm personal or financial information. ​ ​ ​ ​

art kids

LLCC offers College for Kids with more summer programs – Registration now open

College for Kids at Lincoln Land Community College will offer more than 60 programs this summer from June 10-July 25 thanks to new and continuing partnerships. Most programs will be held at the Springfield campus, 5250 Shepherd Rd.

New this year are theater camps for grades 1-8. There are three camps — Introduction to Theater, Auditioning for Theater and Introduction to Production, which includes backstage elements like set and costume design.

Land of Lincoln Honor Flight

Land of Lincoln Honor Flight set for May 14

Mission #70 will serve 94 Veterans including 15 Korean Era veterans 79 Vietnam era veterans from 54 Central Illinois home towns of Altamont, Bethalto, Bloomington, Brighton, Casey, Champaign, Chandlerville, Chestnut, Clinton, Columbia, Cropsey, Danville, Dawson, Decatur, Dow, Effingham, Elizabeth, Farmer City, Fisher, Grafton, Greenville, Gurnee, Hettick, Jacksonville, Jerseyville, Lincoln, Litchfield, Longview, Loves Park, Mahomet, Marion, Mason City, Mattoon, Monmouth, Mt Zion, Neoga, Newton, Normal, Petersburg, Pleasant Plains, Rantoul, Rochester, Roxana, Rushville, Secor, Shelbyville, Sherman, Sorento, Southern View, Springfield, Teutopolis, Thomasboro, Topeka and Tuscola as well as Cotter AR and McKinze TN.  Our May 14th veterans represent all branches of the military as well as the Air National Guard and the Army National Guard.

Road Work Ahead Sign

Milling, resurfacing U.S. 67/IL 125 through Beardstown resumes April 29

The Illinois Department of Transportation announces that the resurfacing project on U.S. 67/Illinois 125 through Beardstown will resume Monday, April 29. This project began last fall. Most of the work that still needs to be completed is between Arenzville Road and the Illinois River bridge. 

Drone shots of a huge transformer being relocated, Monday, April 29, from the Burlington Northern Rail Yard to the new solar farm near Concord. Specialized hauling equipment was required to carry and transport. The wheels on the two trailers are independently steerable, which allowed it to make the corner at 15th and Wall. Pictured here is at the Intersection of Hwy 67 and 125. Traffic was delayed during the process. Jack Fearneyhough photos

Huge transformer being relocated

Drone shots of a huge transformer being relocated, Monday, April 29, from the Burlington Northern Rail Yard to the new solar farm near Concord. Specialized hauling equipment was required to carry and transport. The wheels on the two trailers are independently steerable, which allowed it to make the corner at 15th and Wall.  Pictured here is at the Intersection of Hwy 67 and 125.  Traffic was delayed during the process.

The recipients of the 2024 Rotary Club of Jacksonville Scholar-Athlete Awards are: Jayce Privia, A-C Central High School; Ashley Gil-Molinero, Beardstown High School; Kenley Coats, Bluffs High School; Marcy Frank, Brown County High School; Will Hurley, Calhoun High School; Braylon Rhoades, Carrollton High School; Trevor Colwell, Franklin High School; Naomi Lansaw, Greenfield High School; Michael Myers, Griggsville-Perry High School; Jaylynn Sarnes, Havana High School; Julian Ellis, Illinois School for the Visually Impaired; Mackenzie Gerard, Jacksonville High School; Ian Kessler, Meredosia-Chambersburg High School; Layla Hein, New Berlin High School; Jacob Hinsey, North Greene High School; Maddax Coffey, Northwestern High School; Brennan Tomhave, Pittsfield High School; McKinley Lowe, Pleasant Hill High School; Sydney McAfee, Pleasant Plains High School; Brady Kinney, PORTA High School; Conrad Charpentier, Routt Catholic High School; Wyatt Fowler, Rushville-Industry High School; Anna Miller, Triopia High School; Emma Lyons, Virginia High School; Ashlee Brown, Waverly High School; Ashlee Brown, Western High School; Clara Ford, Westfair Christian Academy; and Kaylee Hamilton, Winchester High School. Amy McCombs Photography

Cass students received Rotary Scholar-Athlete Award

Several Cass County and several other recipients from the surrounding area were among those who received a 2024 Rotary Scholar-Athlete Award.  

From Cass; Jayce Privia, A-C Central High School, Ashley Gil-Moleneero, Beardstown High School, Anna Miller, Triopia High School, and Emma Lyons, Virginia High School were all recognized by the Rotary Club of Jacksonville for their outstanding leadership, athletic achievement and academic excellence during high school career. 

Senior students from 28 schools in west central Illinois were recognized during the annual Scholar-Athlete Awards Dinner in Jacksonville, on April 25, 2024.

Cass County Retired Teachers

The Cass County Retired Teachers (CCRT) met April 23 at the Elks Club in Beardstown.

Twenty-two teachers and three guests enjoyed lunch and a program given by Tammee Peterson, Language Aquistion Administrator at Beardstown CUSD #15.

The next meeting will be held at noon on Tuesday, May 21 with Cass County Sheriff Devron Ohrn presenting the program. 

The CCRT meets four times a year. All Cass County retired teachers are welcome to attend.

Community Calendar

The Gifts from Maggie Memorial Ride will be held starting at noon on May 4th at Daugherty’s Pub in Chandlerville. Purpose of the ride is to raise funds for the Christmas program and to assist local families throughout the year. There will be a 50/50 drawing, food, music, games and much more. Contact Shannon DeWit at 217-491-5726 for more information.

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The Kirsta Anderson Benefit will be held from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, May 18th at the Round House Event Center in Beardstown. There is a small cover charge that includes a meal and kids’ activities.