09-22-2010

ILLINOIS SOLDIER KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN

A central Illinois soldier, serving his ninth tour of duty, was killed this weekend in Afghanistan.  The Department of Defense says Sergeant First Class Ronald Grider of Brighton, Illinois died Saturday after he was struck by machine gun fire.  The 30 year-old was assigned to the North Carolina based Army Special Operations Command.  Grider's body was brought back to the U.S. Monday.  He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

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STANDOFF ENDS QUIETLY

 

A man, holed-up in a Fairview Heights home, surrendered peacefully around 2:00 o'clock this morning. Members of the Secret Service, FBI agents, police officers, and a tactical team surrounded that Fairview Heights, Illinois home where a man held a woman hostage. Authorities say the 50 year-old man had a conflict with officers and claimed he had explosives. The incident started around 7:00 p.m. Tuesday when officers went to the home to interrogate him. 

 

BLUEJAYS BASEBALL TEAM HEADING TO SECTIONAL

 

The Greenville Junior High School boys baseball team is heading to the sectional and WGEL Radio will carry the game live this Saturday.  The Bluejays beat Edwardsville Liberty 5-3 in the regional championship game Monday.  The Bluejays also beat Piasa in the regional.  The Bluejays hosted the regional and will also host the sectional game this Saturday against Pleasant Plains at 11:00 a.m. You will be able to listen to the game live or to the new on-line stream by following the link on the WGEL Radio homepage.      

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MULBERRY GROVE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVES BUDGET AND DISTRICT AUDIT

 

The Mulberry Grove Board of Education met in special session Monday, at 6:45 p.m., for a presentation of the tentative 2010-2011 budget.  Superintendent Mike Gauch said this budget is the same as what was presented last month with one small adjustment. 

 

District auditor Larry Hoffek presented the annual district audit.  He said the district’s financial profile has improved from 3.0 last year to 3.8, with 4.0 being a perfect score.  The board approved the audit.

 

Following a closed session, the board voted to terminate direct school involvement with the Mulberry Grove Aces Trap Team, giving direction to a community committee.  The school will be involved in name only.

 

Superintendent Gauch reported the building improvements are progressing.  Roofing specifications were discussed with final decisions to be made later.   

 

The board approved the 2010-2011 budget which will now be sent to the Illinois State Board of Education. 

 

The OKAW Valley Vocational Center agreement was approved for 2011-2012. 

 

The board hired Natalie Goestenkors to be head junior high volleyball coach, Kathy Lappe assistant junior high volleyball coach and Nicole Lappe junior high cheerleading coach.  In other action, the board eliminated parents’ choices of teachers in elementary classes.

 

The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 18 at 7:00 p.m.