Ben Laufer, a senior at Christ Our Savior Lutheran High School, attended the FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) National Leadership Conference in Nashville, Tennessee the week of July 14th thru 17th.  Mr. Laufer, a resident of Renault, qualified to go to the national conference by placing second at the state level in the category of Cyber Security.

Christ Our Savior will be offering transportation for the 2010-2011 school year.  The school has recently contracted with Monroe-Randolph County Transit to provide door-to-door service for students and families.

During the 90th Annual Convention of the American Legion Auxiliary held in Springfield July 14-17, many youth were present to receive awards from Department President Julia Moore.  Among those attending were two students from Chester who were presented their awards for the Americanism Essay Contest sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary, the American Legion, and the Sons of the American Legion.

 In one week, shoppers will flock to Illinois stores in search of shirts, shoes, and school supplies.
Thanks to the state’s first-ever Sales Tax Holiday, this year’s back-to-school season is expected to draw shoppers in droves for 10 days, from Friday, August 6 through Sunday, August 15.  But the statewide holiday will do much more than save families a few bucks.  It will also benefit retailers, their employees, and the state economy.

Young people ages 8-11 now have more time to sign up for Camp Clover this summer in Coulterville and Chester. The registration deadline has been extended until July 30. Camp Clover is sponsored by the University of Illinois Extension Office in Randolph County and is an exciting hands-on learning, day camp for youth ages 8-11. 4-H membership is not required to attend. Youth will learn more about their community and world, conduct fun science activities, experience food and nutrition by eating healthy snacks they prepare and more!

St. Clement Community Foundation has announced plans to make grant awards to local non-profit agencies and organizations for the support of healthcare related and health education projects.
Examples of such projects include, but are not limited to, maternal and child care projects, elder care, and pastoral care activities.

The Eagle Scout project of a young Chester man has resulted in an impressive patriotic display for the City of Chester.  Jeffrey Beers, age 18, is a recent graduate of Chester High School and the son of Jim and Vicki Beers

For the 49th year in a row the Methodist Men’s organization at the First United Methodist Church in Chester have presented local students with scholarships to attend college.  This year three Chester Methodist students have been presented awards from the UMM.  The 2010-2011 recipients include graduating seniors Chad Koenegstein, Jeff Beers and John Paul Wunderlich. The scholarships were presented during the regular church service Sunday, May 30, 2010.

For the past two weeks workers have been diligently working to resurface the floor in Chester High School’s Colbert Gymnasium

Following a formal public meeting on an amended budget for 2010-2011 last week, the measure was passed by the Steeleville District 138 Board of Education.
The budget needed amending due to a shortfall of $110,000. The cash shortage can be attributed to the state being behind in various payments totaling more than a quarter of a million dollars.