News

The Beardstown Tiger Varsity Basketball team is pictured with their Second Place Trophy from the Triopia Tournament. The Junior Varsity Tigers also placed Second in the tournament.

Tiger JV and Varsity take second place

Both the Beardstown Junior Varsity and Varsity boys’ basketball teams took Second Place at last week’s Triopia Tournament.  The JV team played some of its best ball of the year in going 3-0 in pool play.  They won a nailbiter over the host Trojans 41 to 40 to open the tourney.  A 48 to 34 win over South Fulton and a 61 to 52 win over Carrollton would follow before the young Tigers would get blasted 71 to 24 by a very talented Hardin Calhoun team in Saturday’s championship game.

Pictured above emergency vehicles are ready to roll at a moments notice at the Chandlerville Firehouse. Photo by Michelle Carty

Chandlerville in need of a new firehouse

Sometime in early 1950’s, the old brick community building in Chandlerville became the water department office in the front and fire department in the back. Then once the new village hall was built, the fire department took over the whole building. And that has been home ever since. 

Ashland Fire Department

Ashland firefighters discuss body armor

The Ashland Fire Protection District Board and Fire Chief Shane Hall continued the discussion from last month on obtaining body armor for firefighters. The district had gotten three quotes for possible purchases and discussed the various options offered as far as protection versus mobility.

Beardstown Jr/Sr High School

Beardstown School District will not sell Grand Avenue building

Beardstown School Board held a discussion on what to do with the Grand Avenue building. One decision was clear, it will not be sold. 

Superintendent Brent O’Daniell gave a spreadsheet to all board members showing the cost of several options for the building. Right before the move to the new building, a couple of the heating/cooling systems had quit working. So, a new HVAC system will need to be installed. Asbestos removal will also need to be done.

Pictured left to right, Pedro Banda, Niemann employee and BASA athlete, Warden, President Baer, and Phillip Baer, BASA athlete.  Photo by Jaime Chapman

BASA receives donation

Brian Warden, Save A Lot Manager, presents a check to Beardstown Area Special Athletes (BASA) President Jeff Baer from Niemann Foods Foundation.

Niemann Foods Foundation is a happy and proud supporter of such a great organization.

Great River Honor Flight Logo 1

Great River Honor Flight – Celebrates 15 Years of Honoring Veterans

The year 2024 marks the 15th year of operation for Great River Honor Flight.  Since Veterans Day 2009, the local Honor Flight hub has been offering FREE trips to Washington, DC for local veterans.  “From the very first trip on April 13, 2010 to the latest one on October 19, 2023, our mission has remain constant - Celebrating America’s Veterans by inviting them to share a day of Honor at our Nation’s Memorials,” said Carlos Fernandez, Chairman of the Great River Honor Flight Board.  

Paula J. Hill

From the Village —  Paula’s Village 

From the ol’ saying “It takes a village,” it is safe to say that Paula helped raise that village. It truly is hard to come across someone who hasn’t had Paula cross their path in some way.  From playing the keys at her church every Sunday, to her children from her WAM group and her children from all those years at the Virginia Daycare along with their parents,  all those customers who waited in line at the Lemonade Shakeup stand at the Virginia BBQ,  people from the community who simply just grew to know Paula over the years, all the nurses who Paula was a dear favorite to,  and some who simply have heard of her story and were touched by it.   

Gracelyn Dame & Mackenzie McClure, A-C Central Students of the month for December 2023.

A-C Central Students of the Month

Our 8th grade Student of the month for December is Gracelyn Dame. Gracelyn (left) is the daughter of Brad and Kosha Dame. Gracelyn is described by her teachers as kind and considerate, organized, responsible, and a role model to others.

A-C joins rural school lobbying group

The A-C Central school board voted at last week’s meeting to join a lobbying group for rural schools. The Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools was formed in 1987 to represent the interests of rural and small schools in government. There is a membership fee. The decision to join was at the instigation of Trustee Dan Cuba who raised the possibility at last month’s meeting.

Virginia Redbirds

Virginia Jr/Sr High School – Second Quarter Honor Roll  

Sr. High School High Honor Roll - Not in picture order: Montasia Baptist, Evan Bell, Kristopher Bell, Savannah Bowman, Mia Brunk-Minor, Caleb Carpenter, Jack Cox, Ellie Dambacher, Emma Davis, Drea Edwards, Natalie Force, Isabella Garner, Cole Gourley, Kelsey Hamann, Norah Hays, Tessa Hays, Olivia Hughes, Emma Lyons, Raegan Masters, Brock Mayes, Kenleigh McHatton, Kaedon Merriman, Nokomis Moon, Sophya Ogden, Chloe Orr, Jack Parlier, Lindy Parlier, Maggie Parlier, Payten Petefish, Braden Reid, David Richards, Tierra Shade, Sidney Watkins, Barrett Whitehead.