Six local veterans go on virtual honor flight at Standin’ Proud Museum
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- Written by: Matt Wilson - Breese Journal Reporter
Local veterans, FROM LEFT, Daniel Haas, Jack Gonzalez, Don Timmermann, Danny Haar, Jim Rudolph and Carl Aarns, went on a virtual honor flight on Monday, Jan. 19. Photo by Matt Wilson Six Clinton County veterans were recognized by going on a virtual honor flight on Monday, Jan. 19, at Standin’ Proud Museum in Bartelso.
Veterans on the virtual honor flight were Carl Aarns, Jack Gonzalez and Jim Rudolph from Beckemeyer, Danny Haar from Germantown, Daniel Haas from Albers, and Don Timmermann from Bartelso.
Aarns entered the United States Air Force at Briggs Air Force Base in El Paso, Texas, May 12, 1961. He was ground crew for the B52s and served the aircraft number 394. Aarns was top secret all the time he was in service. He was discharged May 11, 1965.
Gonzalez entered the United States Air Force in 1964 at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. He was a sharpshooter stationed at Walker Air Force Base in New Mexico and Amarillo Air Force Base in Texas. He was discharged in 1968 at KI Sawyer Air Force Base in Michigan.
Haar entered the United States Army at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Jan. 21, 1969. He was stationed in Vietnam from 1969-1970. He was discharged at Fort Riley, Kansas, Jan. 21, 1971. While serving in the Army, Haar was awarded the national defense service medal, two overseas bars, sharpshooter 14 expert M16, Vietnam service medal, Army commendation medal, expert hand grenade, Vietnam campaign medal with 60 BBC, combat infantry men’s badge and the expert machine gun M60.
Local veterans are thanked by those who attended a virtual honor flight on Monday, Jan. 19, at Standin' Proud Museum in Bartelso. Photo by Matt Wilson Haas entered the United States Air Force at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas on Aug. 16, 1957. He was stationed in France, Germany and England. He was supposed to be an auto pilot technician but played a few sports up there. He played a lot of baseball overseas. Haas was discharged from the Air Force Nov. 22, 1960.
Rudolph entered the United States Air Force at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas, on Aug. 11, 1964. He was discharged Jan. 6, 1970, at Scott Air Force Base.
Timmermann entered the United State Air Force Jan. 22, 1968, at Lackland Air Force Base. He worked in transportation in the mobile pool at Scott Air Force Base. Timmermann was discharged Dec. 14, 1971 at Scott Air Force Base.
“When you join the service you join a family,” Timmermann said. “And it will be one of the biggest families you will belong to.”
Fair Queen Amanda Brink recognized for Best Stage Presence at Miss Illinois County Fair Queen pageant
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- Written by: Kelly Jo Ross - Breese Journal Reporter
Miss Clinton County Fair Queen Amanda Brink's standout performance on stage earned her the Best Stage Presence award at the Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Pageant. Amanda Brink of Carlyle, the reigning Clinton County Fair queen, proudly represented her community at the prestigious Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Pageant this past weekend.
Competing alongside 74 other queens from across the state, Brink demonstrated poise, confidence, and strong communication skills across all areas of judging. Her standout performance on stage earned her the Best Stage Presence award, recognizing her commanding confidence, polish, and connection with the audience.
The pageant, held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield, brought together an impressive group of young women who each brought their unique stories and aspirations to the stage.
Krista Phillips of Effingham County was selected from a field of 75 contestants Sunday evening as the 68th Miss Illinois County Fair Queen and will reign over the 2026 Illinois State Fair and DuQuoin State Fair.
Phillips was chosen during the final day of the 115th Annual Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs convention at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
The Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Pageant celebrates leadership, communication skills, and a commitment to agriculture and community involvement.
Brink’s achievement reflects not only her personal excellence but also the strong support of her hometown and county.
“We are incredibly proud of Amanda,” said Lori Jansen, Clinton County Fair pageant Director and Fair board member. “She represented Carlyle and Clinton County with grace, professionalism, and heart. Being recognized for Best Stage Presence among such a talented field is a true testament to her dedication and preparation.”
It was a busy four days for Brink.
The state competition began on Thursday, Jan. 15, with check-in, rehearsals and an ice cream social.
Friday began with rehearsals, and then the contestants had their private interviews with the judges' panel.
Rueter earns 500th win in 52-18 rout over Salem
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- Written by: Jeremy Chawgo - Breese Journal Sports Editor
The Central Cougars girls basketball team kept up their winning ways with dominating defensive efforts over Salem and Carlyle last week.
The win over the Lady Indians was the opening round effort in the Highland Tournament which sent the Cougars to 18-2 overall.
They played late Tuesday night in Highland against O’Fallon in the quarterfinal. The Cougars are ranked #1 in both the Associated Press and maxpreps.com polls.
The win over Salem put Central head coach Nathan Rueter in Elite company with his 500th victory, all coming at Central High School. He will be inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association later this year.
“I’m not going to lie, you have to think about it a little bit,” said Rueter. “You know what means the most, is when you see the kids that we coached 15 or 16 years ago, still come back and call me coach and want to know how things are going.”
He has a career record of 500-141 after the win that includes 16 regional titles, six sectional titles and four Final Four appearances. They were State Champs in 2006-2007.
Leading scorer — Central senior Lily Butler dribbles past Salem defender Marah Johnson in the first quarter of the Cougars’ 52-18 win over the Wildcats on Thursday in Breese. Butler hit for a game-high 16 points for the Lady Cougars in their 17th win. PHOTO BY JEREMY CHAWGO For his career, the Lady Cougars have had six 30-win seasons, fifteen 20-win seasons and 18 Cahokia Conference titles.
“It’s all about the impact that you make and the relationships that your able to build with these kids is really what fuels the fire and makes me want to keep doing it.”
Central 66, Carlyle 24: The Lady Cougars never trailed in their opening round game of the Highland Tournament against the Lady Indians.
The senior core of the Cougars set the tone early on with Taylor Trame hitting a three-pointer and a drive while Lexy Santel dialed long range for an 8-0 lead three minutes into the contest.
Carlyle senior Addie Gansauer ended the run with a conventional three-point play to get the Tribe on the board.
Lilly Henrichs hit on a drive for the Cougars before senior Lily Butler hit her first of four three-pointers as the lead grew to 16-8.
Carlyle got the final two buckets of the opening frame from Alex Johnson as they trailed 16-12 after one quarter in which there were 10 combined turnovers.
Trame and Butler heated up in the second quarter with the senior duo hitting for 20 points in the quarter. Trame had two three’s and a trio of deuces while Butler hit a three, two two-pointers and a charity stripe.
Gansauer hit a three-pointer and a drive for the Lady Indians with Johnson getting two more buckets as they trailed 42-21 at the half.
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