Jill Boomer, Editor

2009 Miss Jersey County pins the sash on Emily Brunaugh after being named 2010 Miss Jersey County.Emily Brunaugh was crowned the 2010 Jersey County Fair Queen Wednesday night at the Jersey County Fair Grandstand. MacKenzie Ritter was crowned the 2010 Jr. Miss Jersey County and Josie Heitzig was crowned Little Miss Jersey County.

JERSEY COUNTY FAIR ROYALTY - MacKenzie Ritter, Emily Brunaugh and Josie Heitzig were crowned queens Wednesday night at the Jersey County Fair.

MacKenzie Ritter is congratulated by the 2009 Miss Jersey County Ashley Rowling.

Retiring Little Miss Lily Wilson places the crown on Josie Heitzig's head Wednesday night after being selected as the 2010 Little Miss Jersey County.

Head coach Gary Carter and Jersey Community High School will hold a team football camp July 26-30 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. daily at the Snyders Sports Complex at Illini Middle School. The camp is open to all students entering grades 9-12 who will be attending Jersey Community High School. Cost of the camp will be $50. Camp forms are available at the high school or on the football website www.pantherfb.org. Equipment will be issued Sunday, July 25 - times for equipment pick up will be listed on the camp form.

 Apparently the best way to make it through one of the worst economic downturns in our nations’ history is to get a job working for the Governor of Illinois.

Recent reports show that members of Governor Pat Quinn’s staff have received significant salary increases over the last 15 months. The news of the raises comes just days after the Governor’s announcement that he plans to cut $1.4 billion from the State budget.

Senator Deanna Demuzio (D-Carlinville) agrees that cost saving actions need to taken in state government to curtail Illinois’ increasing debt; however, she does not agree with the Governor cutting jobs and services while rewarding his own staff with higher salaries.

“If the Governor wants to advocate fiscal responsibility, then he needs lead by example,” said Senator Deanna Demuzio in response to the raises. “The State cannot afford this while the budgets for education, human services, and public safety receive drastic cuts and mounting bills remain unpaid.”

Demuzio’s large downstate senate district is made up of all or part of 11 counties, all of which have been impacted by the current economic downturn. Many schools, hospitals, and other service providers in her district are months behind on their payments from the State.

“The counties in my district had an average unemployment rate of nearly 10% over the last year, roughly the same period of time that the Governor authorized over forty pay increases for his employees, averaging over 11%,” added Senator Demuzio. “I find these actions to be irresponsible considering the hardships being faced by the unemployed workers, families and businesses in my area and across Illinois.”

“How do I explain to my constituents that while they are tightening their belts and making sacrifices, the employees of the Governor are getting regular boosts in pay?” she concluded.

Senator Demuzio also pointed out that she voted for 12 unpaid workdays for lawmakers to do her part during these difficult economic times.

Larry Pfeiffer, Regional Superintendent of Schools #40 (Calhoun, Greene, Jersey and Macoupin counties) is announcing changes due to the current funding shortfall from the State of Illinois.

The Regional Safe School Program will move to the former Carlinville CUSD #1 Early Childhood Center building at 506 High Street in Carlinville. the Safe School will operate next school year in Macoupin County if state funds are allocated for the program.  Students will be transferred to an from the program via the Macoupin County Public Transportation System.

The Adult Education program will move to the Lewis and Clark Community College, Macoupin County Educational Center, located at 18400 Shipman Blacktop in Carlinville. The Alternative Education program will continue to meet the needs of those individuals working towards a GED next school year if funding becomes available.

All state, federal and cooperative grant funded programs will move to the former Carlinville CUSD#1, Early Childhood Center Building located at 506 North High Street in Carlinville. Each grant will continue to serve the children, educators and schools in Macoupin County and the four county region if state/federal funds are allocated for FY2011.