January 2012

A wide range of budget-saving actions were approved at last week's regular meeting of the Anna-Jonesboro Community High School District 81 Board of Education.

The meeting was Monday night, Feb. 27, in the media center at the Union County school.

District 81 superintendent Jim Woodward said the action taken by the board comes in light of the state's ongoing fiscal crisis and its impact on Illinois school budgets, as well as declining enrollment numbers at A-JCHS.

Violent, deadly weather swept through the Southern Illinois, Southeast Missouri and Western Kentucky region early Wednesday morning, Feb. 29.

The stormy weather was reported to have claimed 10 lives in the Harrisburg area. Widespread damage and power outages also were reported. Hundreds of utility customers were without electric service as of early Wednesday morning.

The website for WSIL television reported Wednesday morning that "the southeast portion of Harrisburg experienced major damage."

A member of the Union County Board of Commissioners is hoping to bring together community members who are interested in keeping two state institutions open.

County commissioner Don Denny has proposed establishing a committee which would work to secure the future of the Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in Anna and the Tamms Correctional Center in Tamms.

Gov. Pat Quinn has proposed closing the Tamms Correctional Center as a way to save money. The Choate Center continues to face an uncertain future.

Aiden McMahan was 3-for-4 with a double to lead Shawnee to a 4-1 win over host Chester in non-conference high school baseball Monday, March 26.

Gavyn Ellet was 2-for-4 with 3 RBIs for the Redskins. Andrew Livesay was 2-for-4, Gage Shelton was 2-for-3 and Adam Pennington and Austin Treece were each 1-for-4.

McMahan and Pennington pitched in the win. McMahan pitched 6 innings and allowed 7 hits to go with 7 strikeouts and 2 walks. Pennington pitched one inning, allowing no hits. He also had 2 strikeouts and 1 walk.