Get ready for the annual Redneck Fishing Tournament, returning to the waters of the Illinois River on the first weekend of August. It’s a showdown between man and invasive species, all for the sake of fun and fundraising for veterans’ charities.
Solor Eclispe on Monday, April 8, in Ashland. Photo by Mike Kloppenburg
The City of Virginia saw over a half million dollar increase in its city budget for the Fiscal Year 2024-25.
The council approved the second reading at its regular meeting Monday night. The new budget is for $3,752,860.94, an increase of $599,000. The increase is due to several planned infrastructure projects for water, sewer and street using the $196,090 in ARPA funds (government funds to bring relief to communities).
The Virginia Jr. High Scholastic Bowl team went 5-0 on Saturday at the Schuyler-Industry Middle School Scholastic Bowl Invitational to be crowned the 2024 Champions. Two Virginia players made the five-person all tournament team for answering the most toss up questions: Jack Brockhouse placed first and Sophia Horton placed third.
Information as recorded at the Cass County Courthouse, Virginia, IL. Marriages: NONE Divorces: Jeffrey Miles, from Marilyn Sue Miles. Property Transfers: Neal and Dianna Hart,
Ashland Mayor Kitty Mau reported to the village board at last week’s meeting that she has been approached by residents about hosting a bed & breakfast and asked the board what they thought about having these operating in the village. The members of the board were receptive to the proposal.
Virginia Jr High & Petefish, Skiles & Co. are proud to present the student of the month for December to Cooper Lane. Cooper, pictured on the right, is in the 7th grade, and is a member of the Junior High Student Council. He also participates in baseball, football, and basketball. Cooper is a conscientious student who works hard in and out of the classroom. He is kind to his classmates and shows respect to everyone he comes in contact with throughout the school. Congratulations, Cooper!
The investigation continues in a mass shooting in Cass County last week that has shaken area residents.
Cass County Sheriff Devron Ohrn released Tuesday autopsy information regarding the shooting on December 14.
Autopsies performed Monday, December 18, resulted in the following; Christina Bell, 53, and Alaria Bell,16, both of Ashland, died Thursday, December 14 in Ashland. Preliminary autopsy findings suggest they died of gunshot wounds.
Ashland Police Chief Martin Fanning spoke on a recent stabbing that took place in Ashland during last Wednesday’s meeting of the village board.
Fanning said the alleged perpetrator had multiple recent arrests but could never be kept in jail. He said the perpetrator was released after each arrest because he did not meet the criteria for detainment under the SAFE-T Act. He said police are doing what they can, but policing is made much harder by the new detainment criteria.
At the November 20th meeting, the Virginia School Board heard from an adult representative of the senior class regarding the possibility of their senior trip being a cruise.
The adult representative stressed that once on the boat, the kids would only be allowed to purchase items by using a card that was given to them from the cruise line. It would strictly prohibit any alcohol buying due to their age. If any off-boat excursions were taken, chaperones would be responsible for watching the students and the cruise line would not leave anyone behind. The class has saved up approximately $10,000 and would pay any other out of pocket expenses. All the cruise line needs is a certified birth certificate and a driver’s license. The school would require parents to sign a release of liability since the trip is after graduation. The board did approve this request unanimously.