ashland

AFPD looks at body armor

The Ashland Fire Protection District continued its consideration of body armor for the firefighters at last week’s meeting. Matt Krembs, representing Armor Express based in North Carolina, attended and brought along several items to demonstrate to the board. These included the vests, called “plate carriers” because the vests are not themselves armored but carry pouches into which the armor plates are inserted. The armor itself comes in two categories: a softer, more flexible option that allows the wearer more flexibility and hard plates which has more resistance to incoming bullets. He also brought helmets to the meeting. In his presentation, Krembs urged the board not to purchase armor with vibrant colors.

A-C Central Students of the Month!

A-C Central Jr. High 8th Grade Student of the Month for January is Savannah Guillou. Savannah is the daughter of Jen Guillou and Tom Guillou. She is described by her teachers as a kind friend and a hard-working, capable leader. She is positive, polite and smiles at everyone; jumps to help out and tries to do good whenever she can, whether in the halls, the classroom, or extra-curricular activities. Her talent and knowledge are beyond her years. We are proud to call Savannah an A-C Central Knight!

Riverton Stops PORTA-AC

The PORTA-AC Central boys’ basketball team’s season ended last week with a semifinal loss to the Riverton Hawks in the Athens Regional. 

The Bluejays had snapped a lengthy season ending losing streak with a nice first round win over arch-rival Athens at their place to advance. The Jays could not get their offense on track in the loss to Riverton and fell by a final score of 46 to 30.  They found themselves within striking distance, down 34 to 24 after three quarters but the offensive struggles continued in the fourth ending their season. PORTA-AC finished with a 13-19 record.

Ashland, IL

Ashland board moves on utilities 

The Ashland village board moved to handle utilities issues at last week’s meeting of the village board. They passed motions to purchase a utility locator and mapping program and a pump for the sewer plant. The purchase of the locator/mapping program comes with a not-to-exceed cost of $8,500. The purchase will be paid with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.

Porta Bluejays

Cardinals stun Lady Bluejays

A season to remember came to a disappointing end for the PORTA-AC Central Lady Bluejays in the Regional Championship game last Thursday at Riverton. Just a week after getting pounded by the Bluejays 45 to 27, the Pleasant Plains Cardinals sprang the upset sending PORTA-AC to just their second loss of the year to end their season at 30-2.  

Porta Bluejays

Bad week for Bluejays

Two Sangamo Conference losses on the road ended the regular season for the PORTA-AC Central Bluejays dropping them to 1-8 in the conference and 12-18 overall in a rebuilding season. The Bluejays gave a very good Auburn team all they wanted for three quarters before falling 59 to 41 to start the week then dropped a disappointing decision to Standford Olympia 52 to 47.  

Porta Bluejays

Jays drop two Conference Games

A tough stretch for the PORTA-AC Central boys basketball team got even tougher as the Jays dropped two tight conference games to good teams last week to push their losing streak to five games. PORTA-AC has lost eight of their last nine to fall to 12-16 on the year and 1-6 in the Sangamo Conference.

Lady Bluejays

Lady Jays win Sangamo

Add undefeated Sangamo Conference Champions to the ever-growing list of accomplishments for the 2023-2024 PORTA-AC Central Lady Bluejays.  

A whipping of rival Pleasant Plains last week gave the Lady Jays a perfect 8-0 mark in the conference and the championship. Wins over Athens and Canton pushed their record to 29-1 overall entering postseason play.

Bluejays

Rough week for Porta/A-C Bluejays

The PORTA-AC Central Bluejays lost three times last week to fall below .500 on the year at 12-14. They fell at home to New Berlin and on the road at Riverton in Sangamo Conference games to fall to 1-4 in conference play. On Saturday the Bluejays had to match up with 3A Rantoul in a Sangamo-Illini Prairie inter-conference shootout and lost 51 to 40 to the Eagles.

Lady Bluejays

Lady Bluejays move to 26-1

The PORTA-AC Central Lady Bluejays moved to 26-1 on the season with two more dominating conference wins over Williamsville and Illini Central last week.  The Jays received a first round regional bye and will play the winner of Waverly and Williamsville at the Riverton Regional at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, February 12.