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Articles from the November 13, 2024 edition


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  • Toughness Tested

    Dan Stevens|Nov 13, 2024

    All season long, Stockton volleyball coach, Maddie Pontius, had been preaching to her players the importance of being mentally tough – not letting any outside influence affect your game. But Tuesday night in Polo, that was seriously tested by a strong Newark squad, and incredibly weak line judge. "They've never played in front of this many people before," Pontius said before the match. "I've just been telling them to just go play, it's just another game." But it wasn't just another game, and t...

  • Redemption

    Dan Stevens|Nov 13, 2024

    The scene was something you would expect from a Hollywood movie script. All season long, Galena and Stockton battled it out for volleyball supremacy. The Pirates beat Stockton in an early season tournament, but in their first conference battle in Galena – the Blackhawks swept them in two. But the victory was short-lived as Galena knocked off Stockton on their home floor in the rematch – leaving them tied for the NUIC West crown. Area coaches ranked them 1 and 2 respectively – which sent them to...

  • More Feast Than Famine

    Dan Stevens|Nov 13, 2024

    Stockton knew coming into their second round 1A playoff game against Lena-Winslow that they could not allow the Panther running game to dominate the game, so ... they gambled. "We were sending inside pressure to take away their inside power game," said head coach Sean Downey. "They were putting so much pressure up front, It was really a feast or famine kind of thing," said Panther head coach Ric Arand. On the second play from scrimmage, the Panthers faked the ball up the middle and pitched it...

  • 1A Volleyball State Tourney

    Nov 13, 2024

    Super Sectionals Stockton 25, 25 Elgin Harvest Christian 16, 21 Hartsburg-Emden 25, 25 Illini Bluffs 17, 16 Hardin Calhoun 25, 19, 25 Norris City 21, 25, 22 Cissna Park 25, 27 Windsor 23, 25 State Championship – Red Bird Arena Friday, 9:00 am Hartsburg-Emden vs Stockton Friday 10:00 am Cissna Park vs Hardin Calhoun...

  • Your Voices

    Nov 13, 2024

    Thank You I would like to express a tremendous thank you to Lena and many surrounding communities for the outpouring of love and generosity each and every person provided for me and my family over the past few weeks. Over the years, we have had the opportunity to make many friends through celebrating the athletic achievements we have been blessed. But in times of tragedy and hardship is when you find out how truly blessed you are, having such great people in our lives. I'm sure Bobby is laughing and smiling at us all right now! Again, thank...

  • The Votes Are In

    Nov 13, 2024

    While the major networks were following the national elections, we had some local races of interest many people were interested in. Results from contested races in the Village Voices circulation area were: Stephenson County County Board District C R-Todd McKenna 912 D-Casey Jacobs Anthony 907 County Board District D R-Dale Diddens 1696 D-Jim Hart 1427 County Board District E D-Lynette E. Williams 1449 R-Curt Coplien 1338 County Board District F R-Larry Jogerst 2170 D-Robin Rosenstiel 737 Jo...

  • Queen Of Hearts Controversy

    Dan Stevens|Nov 13, 2024

    It would be hard to find anyone in the region who didn't know how big the Queen of Hearts raffle has gotten at the Little John's Tap in Pearl City. With jackpots over $200,000 it has often seen very large crowds just trying to get in to buy a ticket, let alone the massive size of the crowd when it comes time to do the drawing on Thursdays. But over the past week or so, the popular raffle has sparked a ton of anger and questions that led to a flood of phone calls for us to "look into" it, and at...

  • Pros And Cons Of Arand Field Upgrade

    Dan Stevens|Nov 13, 2024

    When I first heard about the proposal to put field turf on the Lena-Winslow football field, I thought it was a bit over-the-top. Then when I heard the 1.2 million dollar price tag – I was honestly getting ready to write all kinds of things blasting the idea. I mean, yes, Lena has the premier football program in all of 1A football, but does that merit a huge amount of tax dollars to put field turf on the field? I mean, should Lena-Winslow have a turf field when the Bears don't? But then I did m...

  • Preacher's Piece

    Kevin Cernak|Nov 13, 2024

    Do you believe the Bible to be real? Why is that? Well, there are several reasons. 1) There has never been an archaeology discovery that contradicts the Bible. 2) There has never been a truth of the Bible that if you apply it to your life, your life does not improve dramatically. 3) We have the most accurate and transparent, historically robust account that one can have of the most important figure ever to live in the history of the world. Jesus of Nazareth and the Resurrection is the pinpoint...

  • Point To Ponder

    Dan Stevens|Nov 13, 2024

    If you are at all like me, the fact that you will no longer have to see political ads on television is a little more than just refreshing. On the national scene, like I’ve said, I’m not a Trump fan, but in comparison … yeah, I voted for him. And, I’m sorry, but does anybody else find it totally amazing that a man who is so crass, has used the “c” word about women, openly cheated on his wife, and is on tape talking about grabbing women by the crotch, was just elected President of the United Stat...

  • Obituaries

    Nov 13, 2024

    Kent Donna L. Kempel, 87 Donna L. Kempel, age 87 passed away on Sunday, November 3, 2024 at the Manor Court in Freeport, IL. She was born on December 5, 1936 in Kent, IL to Paul Boyer and Orlena (Thompson) Boyer. She was a graduate of Pearl City High School in the class of 1955. She married Ronald Kempel on July 23, 1955, at Donna’s parent’s farm home, Kent, IL. She farmed with Ronald until 1977. In the mid 1980’s Donna started her own business “Weigh-to-Life” in Lena, IL. She was a member of the Lena United Methodist Church in Lena until joi... Full story

  • NUIC All Conference Football

    Nov 13, 2024

    Quarterbacks First Team *Cooper Hoffman, Sr – Du/Pec Dom Kramer, Sr – Fulton Second Team Roman Romer, Jr – Galena Adam Awender, Sr – EPC Running backs First Team *Alec Schlichting, Jr – Lena-Winslow *Myles Schumacher, Sr – Galena Aiden Wild, Jr – Lena-Winslow Mark Detwiler, Jr – Stockton Draven Zier, Jr – EPC Second Team Dermot Dolan, Jr – Du/Pec Evan Boettner, Sr – Forreston Honorable Mention Lukas Rossow, Jr – Du/Pec Jaxsyn Kempel, Sr – EPC Dane Setterstrom, Sr – Forreston Donny Reavy, Sr – Morrison Offensive Line First Team *Gannon Dunke...

  • More Stacy Stupidity

    Dan Stevens|Nov 13, 2024

    To the credit of Mayor Jodi Miller and the legal counsel for the City of Freeport, they tried to reign in the idiots. Attorney Roxanne Sosnowski opened the meeting by pointing out that according to their own ordinances, council members could only speak twice on a subject, and could only speak the second time after everyone who wanted to, had the opportunity to speak the first time. It was a rule that was already on the books, but had been overlooked … until now. And while the effort to reign i...

  • Looking For Love

    Nov 13, 2024

    Biggie: Age: Around 7 Years Old Breed: Mastiff & American Bully Mix Gender: Male (Neutered) About Me: Hi, I'm Biggie! I'm a sweet, friendly dog who loves being around people. I even had a blast walking in the Freeport Homecoming Parade! I'm comfortable at social events, and I'm always happy to meet new friends. I was surrendered recently, but I'm hopeful to find a loving home where I can settle in and share all the love I must give. If you're looking for a loyal, easygoing companion, I might...

  • Lighter Side

    Nov 13, 2024

    I set my DVR to record a two hour movie. But after it cut out. All of the political commercials, it was only about 20 minutes. I can still remember when cartoons were about humor, not product placement. UPS Tracking: “Your package is in Rockford, USA on a truck driven by Bob, and will be at your door at 2:37 pm.” FedEx: “Your package is somewhere. You’ll get it when we give it to you.” USPS: “What package?” Amazon: “We are inside your apartment.” I have discovered that if you turn off the sound, the commercials are actually interesting. I’m...

  • Football Playoff Results

    Nov 13, 2024

    1A LeRoy 54 Aurora Christian 21 Rockford Lutheran 42 Kewanee Wethersfield 21 Ottawa Marquette 44 Rushville-Industry. 6 Galena 43 Stark County 42 Lena-Winslow 70 Clifton Central 32 Stockton 60 Princeville 30 Gibson City 38 Catlin Salt Fork 7 Sterling Newman 50 Chicago Hope 22 Belleville Althoff 60 Dupo 0 Carrollton (6-3) 44 Winchester 8 Casey Westfield 39 Jacksonville Routt 21 Mt. Sterling Brown County 18 Greenfield 16 Hardin Calhoun 38 Moweaqua Central 7 Sesser Valier 30 Bridgeport 6 Camp Point Central 34 Nokomis 6 Toledo Cumberland 28 Tuscola...

  • Farm Bureau Beat

    Victoria Hansen|Nov 13, 2024

    I am notorious for ruining almost every surprise I plan. I often get too excited and want to tell the gift or plan for an event or a special activity. The past month or so we have been working diligently on planning and organizing trips for 2025. We are excited to share the trips we have planned so far. Additionally, multiday trips will be added closer to the new year. Fair Oaks Dairy Farm: Friday, June 20th Farm Progress Show: Tuesday, August 26th Warrens Cranberry Festival: Friday, September...

  • All Conference Volleyball

    Nov 13, 2024

    NUIC North MVP – Alyssa Daughenbaugh, Lena-Winslow First Team (*Unanimous Selection) *Alyssa Daughenbaugh, Sr – Lena-Winslow *Lola Robertson, So – Durand *Jaiden Schneiderman, Sr – Forreston *Elaina Rager, Sr – Pecatonica Rachael Setterstrom, Sr – Lena-Winslow Laney Cahoon, Sr – Orangeville Kianna Degner, Sr – Pecatonica Second Team Finley Banks, Jr – Dakota Emily Quine, Jr – Durand Eden Dietz, Sr – Lena-Winslow Kaylynn O’Haver, Sr – Orangeville Emma Frautschy, Sr – Orangeville Fallyn Endress, Sr – Pearl City Payton Thomas, Sr – Pecatonic...