Area News Highlights

STATE FFA CONVENTION. Members from Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond High School attended the 98th annual convention held June 9-12 in Springfield. Pictured are (front row) Kate Wiley and Solomon Binion along with (back row) ALAH FFA President Morgan Casteel, Colin Dixon, Blayne Louden, Anden Berry, Coby Drake, Mace Stirrett, Brady Ellis, Ella Oye and Layla…

Essay Contest Winners: Grades 6-8th: 1st-Adlee Berry-$25; 2nd.-Rebecca Warner-$15 (Absent when photo was taken); 3rd-Ivy Binion and Drake Hopkins-$10 each. By Doris Elmore Atwood Village President Bill Fleming and Board of Trustees, in conjunction with the 250th Celebration of the United States, conducted a contest with the Atwood-Hammond Grade School in three different categories: Poster…

2026 MACON COUNTY ROYALTY CROWNED. Twenty four girls competed for their respective crowns last Wednesday evening at the Macon County Fairgrounds in Decatur. Pictured is newly crowned Little Miss Macon County Bonnie Steinberg, Miss Macon County Fair Queen Aurora Cobren and Junior Miss Macon County Qwyn Wagahoff.

ALAH sophomore Bella Romine holds the Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond Girls’ Most Valuable Player Trophy as the 2026 Girls’ Track and Field Most Valuable Player. Her name will be engraved on the track and field plate on the trophy. Bella was highly successful on the track and in the field throughout this past season. She…

Curt Harshbarger, from Harris Companies, places the 250th banner across downtown Main Street as Atwood Village employees watch the proceedings. By Doris Elmore The Village of Atwood is all decked out to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America, thanks to the actions taken by Village President Bill Fleming and the Atwood…

Ken Caraway, Commander of James Reeder Post #770, Atwood American Legion, gave the Memorial Day address. By Doris Elmore Memorial Day has passed, but the words of Ken Caraway, Commander of the James Reeder Post #770, Atwood American Legion, are remembered as he explained the difference and importance of being aware of Memorial Day vs.…

Bement CUSD 5 New and Improved Weight Room. There are power racks, strength area, cardio equipment and fuctional training. There are many custom touches including the weights that are personalized with Bement Bulldogs name and mascot. The transformation of the Bement Bulldogs Weight Room is nearly complete! Over the past several days, our summer crew…