Porta Bluejays

Three Bluejays sign with colleges

Three PORTA-AC Central Bluejay senior athletes signed their name on the dotted line to compete at the college level last Wednesday as part of National Signing Day.  

    Jayce Privia signed with McKendree University to play basketball.  The Bearcats are a Division II school located in Lebanon.  Trace Donnan inked with Augustana and will play golf.  The Vikings are a Division III school located in Rock Island.  Finally, Haven Gronewold signed to run cross country and track and field with Stetson University. The Hatters are Division I and are located in Deland, Florida.

National Adoption Month

Domestic vs International Adoption: Whether you what to adopt from within the United States or from another country, here are three issues to consider before continuing with the adoption process:

Fire

Fire destroys home at Evergreen Acres

A fire completely destroyed a home in Evergreen Acres Friday, November 10.

Beardstown Fire Chief Brandon Hager said the call came in at 7 a.m. and was on Shady Oak Lane.

The Beardstown Area Special Athletes bowling team is pictured at the Region F Sectional Bowling Tournament (L/R): Amber, Michael, Wanda, C.J., Dallas and Leah.

BASA competes in Sectional Bowling

Beardstown Area Special Athletes (BASA) ventured to Moline, Illinois last weekend to compete in the Region F Sectional Bowling Tournament.     Six BASA bowlers competed at the Quad City Family Entertainment Center on a

Veterans Day is this Saturday, November 11. We honor and thank all of our service members past and present. Pictured above is the war memorial at Beardstown High School.

Veterans Day Salute

Veterans Day is this Saturday, November 11. We honor and thank all of our service members past and present. Pictured above is the war memorial at Beardstown High School.

Arenzville

Arenzville to tackle sludge problem

Arenzville Village Board approved the purchase of a jon boat and trolling motor that will be used to sound a lagoon that needs to have a sludge removed. The sludge has been a problem for several years. The boat and motor will determine the areas that are in most need for dredging.

Ashland Fire Station

Ashland Fire Board sets tax levy hearing

The Ashland Fire Protection District Board set a tax levy hearing for Nov. 21 at last week’s meeting of the board. The board expects to vote on the 2023-2024 levy at the 7 p.m. regular meeting that will immediately follow the levy hearing.   Fire Chief Tyler Latham said the Illinois EPA is going to require lead paint testing prior to burning houses. This is on top of other testing and other checkoffs with state officials required by law. He also said the permits cost $150 and assured the board that he makes sure the district has the permit before doing the burn.

Red Birds

Virginia JH boys open hoops season

The Virginia Junior High School boys’ basketball teams opened their season last week with the 7th grade team winning both games and the 8th graders winning one out of two.  On the road at Kincaid, the seventh graders jumped out to an early lead and held on for the win over the South Fork Ponies. Virginia led 9-2 after a quarter and 17-6 at the half on their way to a 25-14 victory.  T. Cooper and P. Petefish were both in double figures with 12 and 11 respectively.  C. Lane had the final two points in the Redbirds win.

Trojans

Triopia JH boys kick off season

The Triopia Junior High boys’ basketball program picked up three wins out of four games last week to open their season the right way.      Things started in ultra-exciting fashion as the 7th grade squad pulled out a one-point victory on the road at South County, snake biting the Vipers 27 to 26.  Howe poured through 18 points to lead the Trojans to the win.  Werries added six points and Sager chipped in with three.

Carter Ross launches a shot from half court as the quarter ends.

Beardstown Junior High in Rushville Tourney

The Beardstown Junior High boys’ basketball teams got off to a busy start playing three games each last week in the annual season opening Rushville-Industry Tournament. It was a tough start for the Tigers as neither the seventh nor eighth grade teams were able to come away with a win.