January 2013

Cobden softball fields young squad

Playing time should give a boost to a young Cobden High School softball team this spring.

“We’re super young,” Cobden softball coach Nathan Emrick said. “We might be playing three or four freshmen at a time.”

The Appleknockers have only six upperclassmen on their roster returning from last season’s 18-12 squad.

“We’ve got a good core coming back,” Emrick noted. “We have girls who have played a lot of varsity.”

Emrick will rely heavily on his senior hurler, Kristin Pender.

Wine trail, other area attractions highlighted

The Shawnee Hills Wine Trail and Southernmost Illinois were part of a Wine & Chocolate event Feb. 7 at Plaza Frontenac in St. Louis.

The Southernmost Illinois Tourism Bureau, SITB, had a display booth set up to meet visitors who attended the show and encouraged them to visit the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail and find other great adventures in the southern tip of Illinois.  

Samuel J. “Sam” Jiardina

<strong>      </strong> <strong>Mr. Samuel J. “Sam” Jiardina, age 59 of Anna, died at 6:15 p.m.  Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at the Union County Hospital in Anna. He was born June 16, 1953 in Springfield, Illinois, the son of Salvatore and Genevieve Harverstick, Jardina. He married Cheryl Earley on December 23, 2011 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.</strong>

One for the Cross campaign again planned on Palm Sunday

An upcoming One for the Cross event is planned on Palm Sunday to benefit the Cross of Peace on Bald Knob Mountain near Alto Pass. Palm Sunday is March 24.

One for the Cross started four years ago when the then current board of directors thought of a day of prayer for the Bald Knob Cross organization, as well as the physical structure and grounds all of which had seen better days.

Avon Merle Stark

<strong>Mr. Avon Merle Stark, age 93 of Festus, Missouri, formerly of Southern Illinois, departed this earthly life at 6:03 p.m. Sunday, March 17, 2013 in Festus, Missouri. He was born February 20, 1920 near Rantoul IL, the son of Roy and Nancy Hammer Stark.</strong>

<strong>         Avon is survived by his brother, Harold (Jean) Stark of West Peoria; sever nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Charles, Roy and infant brother.</strong>

Four in custody in connection with alleged Anna incident

Four persons have been arrested in connection with an alleged battery case which happened Saturday, March 9, in Anna.

The incident was reported to have left a 16-year-old Union County male subject with injuries that required hospitalization.

The Anna Police Department reported the arrests. The incident was reported to have happened at approximately 7 p.m. Saturday in a municipal parking lot in the 300 block of South Street in Anna.

Historical society offers Geneva Wiggs Scholarship

The Geneva Davie Wiggs Memorial Scholarship is offered by the  Union County Historical and Genealogy Society as a tribute to the longtime photographer and historic preservationist.

Mrs. Wiggs, of Wolf Lake, died in September 2004.

The scholarship is open to any Union County public high school senior who plans to major in history, the social studies with an emphasis on history, or in photography at either a two-year or four-year college or university in the fall of 2013.

Anna City Council drafts new budget

The Anna City Council continues to work on drafting a budget for the fiscal year which begins May 1 and runs through April 30, 2014.

The budget was on the agenda at a regular meeting of the city council which was held Tuesday evening, March 19. The meeting was at Anna City Hall.

Budget action is scheduled to continue on April 2. The council is scheduled to meet and give tentative approval to the new budget.

Brad Norman coaches Chester to championship

The Chester Yellowjackets high school boys’ basketball team captured its first regional title since 1975 on Friday, Feb. 22.

Chester defeated Trico 69-48 to win the championship game at the Class 2A Murphysboro regional.

There is a local connection to the Chester basketball team.

The head coach of the Yellowjackets is former Dongola High School player Brad Norman.

Chester, 21-8 this season, was scheduled to play 28-1 Harrisburg on Wednesday at the West Frankfort sectional.

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The Gazette-Democrat

112 Lafayette St.
Anna, Illinois 62906
Office Number: (618) 833-2158
Email: news@annanews.com

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