News

Food Bag

Beardstown Food Pantry provides food support for 10,000 in its first year

The Beardstown Food Pantry will officially mark the end of its first year of operation Sunday, Jan 14, by establishing an unexpected bench mark. In its first year of operation, the local pantry provided needed food assistance to feed more than 10,000 people.

“When we opened our doors last January 15, we had no idea what to expect,” said Joe Engelbrecht, food pantry president.  “All we knew when we started, was that there was a need. We had no idea how big that need was.”

Adriana Estrada-Avalos

Credit union  highlights Estrada-Avalos

The Family Credit Union, is highlighting an employee within their Beardstown branch. Branch manager, Adriana Estrada-Avalos, recently surpassed $5 million in loans. No other lender at their credit union has achieved this milestone. She is bringing in more loans than many other in-town branches.

Veterans Mourn

A national crisis: Veteran suicide

In our country today there is a national security and health crisis that hardly anyone knows about. And that crisis is Veteran suicide. More than 65,000 Veterans have committed suicide since 2010. That is more deaths than the Vietnam War and the operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan combined. The highest rate being among veteran males between the age of 18 and 34.  69.4 percent of those suicides result from firearm injury. What are we to do about this? This is a complex issue with no one single cause or answer. But there is hope and there is help.

Calendar-Winter

Community Calendar

The Cass County Courthouse will be closed Monday, January 15 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

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 A-C Central Community Unit School District No.262 will hold its regular Board of Education meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 17, 2024 in the Board Conference Room, 501 W. Buchanan Street in Ashland.

Bread of Love

Bread of Love Menu – January 15-19

Monday - Holiday. Tuesday - Roast turkey with gravy, hashbrown casserole, California blend vegetables, mixed fruit, bread, milk. Wednesday - Egg salad on wheat bread, chicken noodle soup, coleslaw, apricots, saltine crackers, milk.

Virginia, IL Logo

Virginia Council holds brief meeting

Virginia City Council met Monday night and held a very brief meeting.

The 2nd reading of a proposal to impose a franchise fee for Casscomm unanimously failed.

Also, a 60-month lease agreement with Watts Copy was approved for a Sharp copier.

Chowder

Pl. Plains set annual Soup & Chili supper

Pleasant Plains Masonic Lodge #700 A.F. & A.M. is continuing its annual February tradition of holding a Soup and Chili Supper on Friday, Feb. 2nd. 

This fundraising event will be at the Pleasant Plains Community Building and serving from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The all-you-can-eat Soup and Chili Supper menu will be vegetable soup or chili, hot dogs, dessert, and coffee, tea or milk. Carry-outs will be available.

New Year, New Laws: SOS Initiated Laws Take Effect

Several new laws initiated by Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias take effect January 1. The initiatives were passed in 2023 by the Illinois General Assembly before being signed into law.

 “I wish all Illinoisans a safe, healthy and happy New Year. The laws going into effect today will make our roads safer, increase voter access and protect our libraries and librarians,” Giannoulias said. “But this is just the beginning. My office has big plans for 2024 as we continue to strive to deliver the best possible results for all Illinoisans.”