OPINION: Community togetherness defines Jersey County: Page A4 NEWS: Principia archeology students featured in lecture series: Page A9
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JERSEY COUNTY
JERSEYVILLE, IL 62052
NOVEMBER 4, 2015
JOURNAL VOL. 13, NO. 44 - 75¢
Southwestern sells dated computer parts
INSIDE NEWS JCHD releases inspection report. See page A3
n Board approves sale to Carlinville School District
Operation Christmas Child begins Nov. 16.. See page A2
FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS
Courtesy of Michelle Cordes Photography
Moores celebrate 50th anniversary. See page A8
SCHOOL
IMS announces Students of the Month. See page C3
WEEKEND WEATHER FRIDAY, NOV. 6
59 40 High
Low
SATURDAY, NOV. 7
58 33 High
Low
SUNDAY, NOV. 8
56 34 High
Low
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TOP STORIES ONLINE
Week of Oct. 28 - Nov. 3
1. The Gibson Girls release music video 2. Jerseyville examines water, sewer rates 3. Benefit seeks exposure increase for CASA 4. Southwestern sells surplus property 5. Auction raises fine arts revenue
INDEX Court. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B5 Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . A4 News . . . . A2,A3,A6,B4,C2 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . . . A5 Our Town . . . . . . . . . . . C4 Public Notice . . . . . B56 Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . B1 OBITUARIES: ADAIR, BAILEY, DRAKE, EADS, NEAHAUS, PARSELL, TEPEN, WAHLE.
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Destiny Beyers says a prayer for Jonny Wade and his family during a prayer vigil held for the family. The event brought thousands together across the world to say a prayer for the young Jerseyville boy battling cancer.
Community joins in prayer vigil for Jonny Wade By MARk PACE Jersey County Journal
T
he community’s outpouring of support for a local 7-year-old battling brain cancer showed as thousands participated in a prayer vigil for Jonny Wade last week. The prayer vigil took place at 7 p.m. Oct. 28 and an estimated 700 to 1,000 people met at Jersey Community High School before walking a block to the family’s house to pray for the family. Others unable to attend in person stopped what they were doing at 7 p.m. to join in prayer. Many posted to the Facebook page letting the family know they have wide-reaching support. The event was organized by Tara Mueller, 39 of Jerseyville, who got to know the family from their son’s ball team which Wade
Courtesy of Michelle Cordes Photography
Community members surround the Wade’s house about a block from Jersey Community High School. The location was the center of a larger prayer vigil held across the world for the 7-year-old Jerseyville boy.
was part of with his twin brother, Jacky. “People, even strangers, are being so drawn to this family,” Mueller said. “They are in desperate need of prayers, and the
Wrestling rouses Susnig Center Friday evening By BOB CROSSEN Jersey County Journal There will be screaming and shouting Friday night at the Susnig Center, but it will all be in good fun for the wrestling competitors taking to the ring. For the second year in a row, the Jerseyville Parks and Recreations Department is hosting a family-friendly wrestling event at the Susnig Center in Jerseyville. Ben Bishop, event organizer, said the first event last April was a major success for the department – close to 400 people attended – and he hopes Friday’s festivities can more excitement to the community gymnasium. “We were surprised at how big it turned out to be,” Bishop said. “So then it became something we thought could benefit the community.” Bishop said half of the earnings from Friday night’s spectacle will be given to JPRD
for children’s programs. If as many people show up for the second show as the first, Bishop said the amount could do a great deal in promoting the public programs. In the vein of WWE and other entertainment wrestling shows, Bishop said the event aims to entertain its audience, albeit with a family tone. “They don’t come down and do all the violent things that some guys do, and they don’t use language in the ring,” Bishop said. “So it’s really a good family entertainment deal.” Because JPRD is using it to bring money to children’s programs, he said making the event more adult-oriented did not seem appropriate. And by keeping it family-friendly, he hopes the wrestling ring will draw better and more entertained crowds. Attendees each have their own wrestler for which they root, he (See, wreStling, A2)
idea was presented to [Jonny’s mother] Kimberly to see what she thought.” Kimberly Wade posts often to the page asking for prayers for her (See, vigil, A2)
By BOB CROSSEN Jersey County Journal The Southwestern CUSD 9 School Board approved to sell a wireless controller and 50 desktop computer monitors to the Carlinville School District. Superintendent Brad Skertich said the district updated its computers, including monitors, and wireless controller. Rather than trash the old equipment, Skertich said the board sought to sell it to another dis- “We had some trict looking for desktops that those items. That sale was we replaced approved during a regular because they meeting Oct. were around 20. “We added seven or eight wireless access years old.” points throughout the high Brad Skertich school and when we did that our Superintendent old controller could not handle the amount we needed, so we purchased a new controller to be able to have all the necessary access points at the high school,” Skertich said. The flat screen monitors used throughout the district were still good, he said, but the dated desktop computer hardware posed issues for the district as it continues steps toward improved technology. “We had some desktops that we replaced because they were around seven or eight years old,” Skertich said, “but the flat screen monitors were in great shape. … We sold that there to get rid of some surplus property.” Following a closed session to discuss negotiations, Skertich said the board also approved a two-year contract agreement between Unit 9 and the Educators Support Personnel Association. It also approved the 2015-2016 non-union salaries. In other business, the district: n Approved the employment of Chelsea Kroeschel as a teacher’s aide, effective Sept. 24; Brooke Slatton, special education teacher, effective Oct. 26; Jason Darr as fourth grade flag football activity club sponsor; and Susan Ruyle as fifth and sixth grade art activity club sponsor. n Recognized Billie Jo Gilliam for her efforts in the 2015-2016 Illinois Art Education Association. She was one of 40 students to have her art piece selected for a show coming to the Southwestern School District in December. n Considered a drama club for the 20152016 school year. n Had its first reading of Press Plus Policy, which is conducted annually.
Benefit seeks exposure increase for CASA By BOB CROSSEN Campbell Publications Into its third year, the Taste of the Tri County at Jerseyville Carpet and Furniture aims to benefit Child Appointed Special Advocates, a program aimed at curbing abuse or
neglect of foster children. Jersey County CASA is one of 36 offices for the non-profit agency in Illinois. It covers 29 children in foster care, 24 of whom have special advocates. “That’s very unusual,” Bonnie Hindelang, Jersey County CASA director, said. “We’re
really lucky to have a CASA in as small of a community as we are.” Three years ago, Hindelang, part-time CASA executive director, said CASA was looking for a new way to raise money for its program. With (See, CASA, A2)
Michael Weaver/Jersey County Journal
LADY PIASA BIRDS
EARN FIRST REGIONAL TITLE
The Southwestern Lady Piasa Birds volleyball coach Julie kinser, middle, screams with elation following the school’s first volleyball regional win last Thursday. The Piasa Birds beat out the Carlinville Cavaliers in three close sets on their way to the school’s first 20-win volleyball season. A full story can be found on page B1.