Breeze-Courier

09/24/2024

Edinburg FFA member Maya Klotz attends ELITE Conference

NORMAL--On September 20th Edinburg FFA Member Maya Klotz attended the ELITE Conference hosted at Heartland Community College in Normal IL. The conference is geared towards students who are interested in teaching Agriculture Education. The conference allows students to network with college and university representatives who offer degrees in Agriculture Education. The event also helps students connect with other students of similar interests from across the state and provides workshops about Agriculture Education to give them a better idea of what the career has to offer.

09/24/2024

Pana School District hints at demolition talks
Rachel LeBeane, Breeze-Courier Writer

PANA — The Pana Board of Education held a Budget hearing followed by a Board of Education meeting at 6:15 p.m. at the Pana High School Library. All Board members and school building principals were present at the meeting.

Interim Superintendent Dr. David Lett hinted at some district plans for the now unused school buildings at the budget hearing. While going over the projected project plans and funds for the year, Dr. Lett shared that they had earmarked roughly $1.2 million for possible demolition of the old school buildings.

See the full story in today's paper or online: https://www.breezecourier.com/2024/09/24/pana-school-dist…demolition-talks/

09/24/2024

8th Annual Christian County Coal Mine Museum Golf Outing

TAYLORVILLE — The 8th annual Christian County Coal Mine Museum’s Golf Outing was held at Lakeshore Golf Course on Saturday, Sept. 14. First place with a low score of 59 went to the team of Greg Rothrock, Rod Maxwell, Adam Schrock and Colby Rothrock. The team of Joe Champley, Mike Champley, Rich Champley and John Daykin won the low net score trophies. Closest to the Pin winners were Adam Schrock and Mike Mayer. Longest Putt award went to Jace Ruddock. Mike Mayer won the Henry Golden Boy rifle raffle.

Pictured above are four participants during the Christian County Coal Mine Museum Golf Outing: Mike Rhykus, Ed Brooks, Frank Frisina and Gary Garrison.

Submitted photo

09/24/2024

Park Board Discusses Pool Project
Elizabeth Wood, Breeze-Courier reporter

TAYLORVILLE—The Taylorville Park District Board of Trustees met Monday night to discuss updates to the pool project and to give an update on testing the baseball diamonds.

Park Recreational Director Jessica Franks led the discussion in the current bill for Taylorville Park District’s bill for the pool project from Burbach Aquatics Inc., which is $472,000.

See the full story in today's paper or online: https://www.breezecourier.com/2024/09/24/park-board-discusses-pool-project/

09/24/2024

Blessings of the Teams

PANA—Student-athletes in Sacred Heart School in Pana gathered in front of the school for the Blessing of the Teams on Friday, Sept. 20. Fr. Joseph Havrilka, pastor of St. Patrick Church in Pana, offered a prayer for a good season for all the athletes and safe travels to and from games.

Elizabeth Wood, Breeze-Courier photo

09/24/2024

South Fork Homecoming Royalty

KINCAID — South Fork High School held its Homecoming dance this passed Saturday, Sept. 21. It was announced during the event that Jarred Tracey and Lilly Wake were this year’s Homecoming King and Queen.
All of the royalty stands before the backdrop during the 2024 Homecoming Dance. From left to right: Sophomore attendants: Dane Glover and Leah Emerson, Senior attendants: Hannah Fleming, Jara Shoulders and Anden Hout, King Jarred Tracey, Queen Lilly Wake, Junior attendants: Lillian Wright and Ian Dial, Freshman attendants: Jalyn Lush and Colton Puccetti.

Sara Wake Photo

09/23/2024

09/23/2024

Panthers roar back in second half to beat North Mac 51-24
Tom Latonis, Breeze-Courier Writer

PANA — It was a tale of two halves. In the first half of the Pana-North Mac football game at Brummett Field on Friday night, the Pana Panthers looked lethargic and out of sorts. The North Mac Panthers looked like world beaters and had a 24-15 lead at halftime.

But when the second half started, the Pana Panthers looked like someone built a fire under them, taking their first position 54 yards on seven plays and using just over two minutes for a touchdown.

Photo by Denise Jones Photo

See the full story in today's paper or online: https://www.breezecourier.com/2024/09/23/panthers-roar-ba…-north-mac-51-24/

09/23/2024

Kiwanis hears from IRAP Coordinator

TAYLORVILLE — The Taylorville Kiwanis Club heard from a state official with the Illinois Recreational Access Program at its Tuesday meeting at the Taylorville Moose Lodge.

Shane Sinclair is the Southern Illinois Coordinator for the Illinois Recreational Access Program, or IRAP, which is part of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The program was created out of the Federal Farm Bill of 2013, providing states with money to lease private property for semi-controlled public access for recreational opportunities such as hunting and fishing.

Submitted photo

See the full story in today's paper or online: https://www.breezecourier.com/2024/09/23/kiwanis-hears-fr…ap-coordinator-2/

09/23/2024

THE FALL ROAD TRIP SPECIAL SECTION WILL BE READY WEDNESDAY!

If you're ready to go on a Fall Road Trip check out this special guide with great little places along the way from Assumption, Taylorville, Boody, Hillsboro, Raymond, Carlinville, Oakford, Mechanicsburg, Springfield, Petersburg, Moweaqua, and Litchfield.

Get your copy Wednesday!

09/23/2024

TJHS Red Apple Recipients

TAYLORVILLE — Our Red Apple recipients for the month of August are Ms. Courtney Cummins “ELA teacher” and Mrs. Leslie Hott “paraprofessional.”

Submitted Photos

See the full story in today's paper or online: https://www.breezecourier.com/2024/09/23/tjhs-red-apple-recipients/

09/23/2024

Taylorville tipped by MTZ, 14-12 the final
Lucas Domonousky, Breeze-Courier Sports Editor

MT. ZION — Taylorville knew their first crack at an Apollo Conference opponent was going to be presented as their biggest test yet. Leading up to the Friday, Sept. 20 football contest it felt as though these two teams were as evenly matched as they have been in the last five meetings. The Braves were revved up and ready to go coming into their 2024 home opener, Junior Football League (JFL) Night and also their Conference opener as well. Throughout all four quarters, Taylorville could never seem to find that spark they needed to put themselves over the metaphorical hump. They fall just a 2-point conversion shy of victory, 14-12 the final.

See the full story in today's paper or online: https://www.breezecourier.com/2024/09/23/taylorville-tipp…-14-12-the-final/

09/21/2024

School finances holding steady, academics improving

KINCAID - The South Fork Board of Education held a regular meeting in the district Media Center on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.

Adam Mathias from LMHN was present at the meeting to give the Board the annual district audit report. He explained that the district’s finances were holding steady. While expenses were up, so was revenue. The roughly $406,000 increase in revenue was enough to put the districts incoming funds at approximately 4.4 million dollars. This offset the increased expenses of 4 million and left the district with a positive balance.

See the full story online: https://www.breezecourier.com/2024/09/19/school-finances-…demics-improving/

09/21/2024

More than 125 attend town hall on deer crop destruction

MOUNT VERNON — More than 125 concerned farmers, hunters and conservationists voiced concerns Thursday about deer damaging crops and farmland, particularly in south-central Illinois.

The event in Mount Vernon was hosted by Illinois Farm Bureau, state Sen. Terri Bryant, state Rep. Dave Severin and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Photo courtesy of the offices of state Sen. Terri Bryant and state Rep. Dave Severin

See the full story online: https://www.breezecourier.com/2024/09/19/more-than-125-at…crop-destruction/

09/21/2024

Local hobby farmer finds solace in safely sharing

TAYLORVILLE — Stan Tylman first journeyed into hobby farming when he inherited three acres of land from his father-in-law. Tylman also bought land in Taylorville for hobby farming and gardening. His primary focus has been organic and sustainable farming and gardening. The products he tends to focus on are h**p, flowers, and produce. Some of his favorite things to grow have been zinnias and hot peppers.

Tylman determines which crops to grow on a large scale versus a minor scale based on the needs of the community around him. He tends to grow produce on a smaller scale due to Christian County having an abundance of produce growers in the area.

See the full story online: https://www.breezecourier.com/2024/09/19/local-hobby-farm…n-safely-sharing/

09/21/2024

Kiwanis hears from IRAP Coordinator

TAYLORVILLE — The Taylorville Kiwanis Club heard from a state official with the Illinois Recreational Access Program at its Tuesday meeting at the Taylorville Moose Lodge.

Shane Sinclair is the Southern Illinois Coordinator for the Illinois Recreational Access Program, or IRAP, which is part of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The program was created out of the Federal Farm Bill of 2013, providing states with money to lease private property for semi-controlled public access for recreational opportunities such as hunting and fishing.

See the full story online: https://www.breezecourier.com/2024/09/20/kiwanis-hears-fr…irap-coordinator/

09/21/2024

Peoples Bank Donates Meat from 4-H Auction to Food Pantry

TAYLORVILLE — Peoples Bank and Trust participated and purchased market hogs supporting the 4-H youth at the Christian County 4-H Auction. Two hogs were purchased from 4-H members Kate and Layla Waterman. Both Kate and Layla are members of the Mt. Auburn Rustlers 4-H Club. The Spot barrows were processed with over 320 pounds of the meat donated to the Taylorville Food Pantry. Peoples Bank & Trust is pleased to support not only local 4-H youth but the food pantry as well. Jim Adcock, left, with Peoples Bank and Trust and 4-H member Layla Waterman made the donation.

Submitted Photo

09/20/2024

Taylorville FFA Member carries on the Family Farming Tradition and is a National Finalist in Diversified Agriculture Production

TAYLORVILLE--Recently, Taylorville FFA received the exciting news that the chapter once again has a National FFA Proficiency Award Finalist. This is an extremely prestigious award and once again a student from Taylorville will be on the National FFA Convention Stage. Only 4 FFA members from across the nation are selected as a National Finalist.

See the full story in today's paper or online: https://www.breezecourier.com/2024/09/20/taylorville-ffa-…ure-production-2/

09/20/2024

Taylorville hosts 2nd annual Earl Walters XC Invitational
Lucas Domonousky, Breeze-Courier Sports Editor

TAYLORVILLE — “Just a great height for Taylorvile to host an invite here,” Head Coach Steve Walters states proudly following a cross country meet. “It’s always been a dream of the cross country runners to hold an event like this. It’s starting to get bigger. We had ten teams here this year. Great atmosphere here, good schools here.”

See the full story in today's paper or online: https://www.breezecourier.com/2024/09/20/taylorville-host…-xc-invitational/

09/20/2024

Registration open for TMH Auxiliary Glow Golf outing

TAYLORVILLE – Registration is now open for the Taylorville Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Glow Golf event, held on Saturday, Oct. 19, at Lakeshore Golf Course, located at 1460 E. 1000 N. Road in Taylorville. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with registration, followed by dinner at 6:00 p.m. and shotgun start for four-person teams at 7:00 p.m.

Deadline to register is Oct. 11. Event sponsorships are also available in amounts from $100 to $1,000. Call Morrow with questions or to register for the event at 217-707-5256.

For more information, see today's paper or our website: https://www.breezecourier.com/2024/09/20/registration-ope…glow-golf-outing/

09/20/2024

Co-County Youth Volleyball flies into focus
Lucas Domonousky, Breeze-Courier Sports Editor

STONINGTON — The recent volleyball success in the immediate and surrounding area is not coincidence. You have the Peabody’s, Kim and Matt, at the Taylorville Jr. High, High school, Head Coach Greg Cothern in Pana and Edinburg Head volleyball Coach Booke Hickey. When they can be provided ready-to-go athletes creates an almost factory-like process for local talent. Since Summer 2027 Co-County Youth Volleyball has aimed at setting youngsters up for success on the court. Building fundamentals around the net such as serving, setting, hitting and overall sportsmanship. There have been 1,218 total youth athletes from nearby towns come through the CCYVB program.

See the full story in today's paper or online: https://www.breezecourier.com/2024/09/20/co-county-youth-…flies-into-focus/

09/20/2024

Edinburg wrestles with requirements

EDINBURG — The Edinburg Board of Education held a regular meeting on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. in the district Media Center.

At the meeting, Assistant Principal Kevin Qualters raised a concern about high school class requirements. Currently, high school students in Edinburg are required to take a foreign language class. The only problem is, the high school currently does not have a foreign language teacher.

See the full story in today's paper or online: https://www.breezecourier.com/2024/09/19/edinburg-wrestle…ith-requirements/

09/20/2024

‘Sober house’ raid nets four arrests Thursday

TAYLORVILLE — Four men were arrested on Thursday, Sept. 19, after the Taylorville Police Department’s Emergency Response and Community Action Teams executed a search warrant at a house in the 900 block of East Oak St. in Taylorville. They were acting on tips they had received on suspected drug activities in the home.

See the full story in today's paper or online: https://www.breezecourier.com/2024/09/20/sober-house-raid…arrests-thursday/

09/20/2024

Super Full Harvest Moon with lunar eclipse

CHRISTIAN COUNTY — Moon watchers got a special treat Tuesday night with the full “Harvest” supermoon combined with a partial lunar eclipse. You may have noticed it seemed slightly bigger and brighter than your average moon. It should appear full for about three days. The harvest moon is the full moon that occurs closest to the autumnal equinox which is slated for Sunday, Sept. 22 this year.

Photo Courtesy Alan Jones

09/20/2024

Rosamond man arrested impersonating a police officer

CHRISTIAN COUNTY — On Wednesday, Sept. 11, the Christian County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) received a report of a male impersonating a police officer. Sgt. Anthony Telford was able to identify the male as Michael J. Snow of Rosamond.

Snow was arrested on charges for armed violence, two counts of felon in possession of a weapon and impersonating a police officer.

See the full story online: https://www.breezecourier.com/2024/09/19/rosamond-man-arr…a-police-officer/

09/20/2024

Bus Versus Combine

EDINBURG — A school bus in the Edinburg School District was involved in an accident with a combine on Tuesday, September 17, 2024. The bus driver had just finished dropping off students on his route when a combine came by and side swiped the bus with a wheel. The driver was uninjured and the bus did not tip over, but did receive some damage.

Submitted Photo

09/19/2024

UPDATE:
The link for the full story is now available by clicking the link below:
https://www.breezecourier.com/2024/09/19/cease-and-desist-order-to-fur-love/

The link for the full audio of Tuesday night's meeting is also available by clicking the link below:
https://www.breezecourier.com/2024/09/18/9-17-24-christian-county-board-meeting-audio/

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CC Board files Cease and Desist letter to Fur Love

TAYLORVILLE — Members of the Christian County Board met in regular session Tuesday night, September 17, 2024. A quorum was achieved with just ten members of the Christian County Board present. The initial roll call indicated six absences that included Clayton Walter, Miranda Langen, Ken Franklin, Vicki McMahon, Thomas Snyder Jr. and Mike Specha. The meeting began at 6:30 p.m.

The meeting showcased the first open public presentation from “Fur Love” since the charitable organization opened in early 2023. Discussion also centered around a Macon County project violation and an extension to the Black Diamond Solar Special Use permit.

Steve Craggs, co-owner of Fur Love in Taylorville, presented an update to the board regarding their vision for an extension to Christian County Animal Control. Craggs presented blueprints for a proposed extension that displayed a cat wing, twelve additional dog kennels and an outdoor run.

See the full story in Thursdsay's edition of the Breeze-Courier, along with follow up comments from Steve Craggs, co-owner of Fur Love and a copy of the Cease & Desist letter drafted by County Board Chairman Bryan Sharp and Christian County States Attorney's office. Visit our website at www.breezecourier.com for the full audio of this County Board meeting.

09/18/2024

Optimists talk upcoming events and CEOs

TAYLORVILLE — CEO Program Advisor April Mateer stands with Optimist club president Adam Vocks,CEO students Gavin Vacker, Sophie Robinson, and Allie Smith, as well as fellow CEO Advisor Carl Niemann.

Upcoming events for the club include volunteering at the annual Kemmerer Village carnival. This event was originally scheduled for earlier this summer, but forecasts of intensive heat caused a postponement until this Monday, September 16th. Youth from agencies around the state will gather for dinner and fun and games at the carnival. In October, the Optimist and the 1st United Methodist Church of Taylorville will partner to host the first annual First Responder Recognition Dinner.

Submitted photo

See the full story in today's paper or online: https://www.breezecourier.com/2024/09/18/optimists-talk-u…-events-and-ceos/

09/18/2024

Aaron and Sue Schafer to be Honored During the 97th National FFA Convention and Expo

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Aaron and Sue Schafer of Owaneco, Ill. have been selected to receive the Honorary American FFA Degree at the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis, Oct. 23-26.

This award is given to those who advance agricultural education and FFA through outstanding personal commitment. Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Schafer were selected for this high honor due to their dedication and support of their daughter Lizzie Schafer throughout her incredibly successful FFA Career.

Submitted photo

See the full story in today's paper or online: https://www.breezecourier.com/2024/09/18/aaron-and-sue-sc…vention-and-expo/