Prairie City
Prairie City, IL · Education
muddyrivernews.com
Douglass Community Services Foundation awards 2026 scholarships to three area graduates
HANNIBAL — The Douglass Community Services Foundation has announced the recipients of its 2026 Foundation Scholarships: Wesley Summers, Micah Daniels and Zackaria French. Each recipient exemplifies the scholarship’s mission of supporting graduating seniors pursuing non-traditional post- secondary pathways, including technical education, workforce development and career-focused training programs. The...
muddyrivernews.com
Making their mark — Local students represent Adams Electric and Adams Telephone in D.C.
CAMP POINT, Ill. — Students representing electric and telephone co-ops across the state recently returned home following Youth Tour, a tradition spanning decades that sends students to Washington, D.C., for an unforgettable week-long trip. This year, 49 students sponsored by 25 Illinois electric and telephone cooperatives took part in...
muddyriversports.com
Blue Devils’ Brown commits to New Mexico, becomes first QHS player to earn D-I scholarship in two decades
QUINCY — The relationship Jada Brown built with Amy Eagan didn’t end when the former Lindenwood women’s basketball coach headed for the American southwest. Eagan, who made Brown a priority while recruiting her to Lindenwood, kept the Quincy High School senior forward high on her wish list when she left the Ohio Valley Conference school to become the head coach at New Mexico, a Mountain West Conference program in Albuquerque, N.M.
muddyrivernews.com
Culver-Stockton College earns national recognition for online MBA finance program
CANTON, Mo. — Culver-Stockton College has been recognized by Online Master’s Colleges (OMC) as one of the nation’s top institutions for online MBA finance education, earning placement on both the 2026 Best Online MBA Finance Programs and Most Affordable Online MBA Finance Programs rankings. The recognition highlights...
muddyrivernews.com
QPS Board takes no action with former Denman School P.E. teachers whose licenses were suspended by the state
Denman school parent reveals never-before-heard details about what happened in gym class. QUINCY–The Quincy school board met for the first time Wednesday night since Friday’s announcement that former Denman Elementary School physical education teachers Jennifer Oitker and Kimberly Kirby agreed to a 60-day suspension of their licenses. The...
muddyrivernews.com
Quincy School Board honors spring IHSA state qualifiers
QUINCY–Wednesday’s QPS Board meeting got off to a rousing start with the introduction of the spring IHSA state qualifiers. The dedication to balance studies with athletics is an achievement in and of itself, but as school leaders noted, to qualify for the IHSA state competition is truly exceptional.
The State Journal-Register
Federal lawsuit with Springfield daycare owner moves forward in court
SPRINGFIELD, IL – A central Illinois daycare business with a Springfield location has had multiple violations from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services since the start of the year, prompting parents in Jacksonville and Pittsfield to raise concerns. Janene Purdon-Menke, who is facing a federal lawsuit , is a Springfield native operating the Lil’ Wagon daycare series, starting with Lil’ Red Wagon in 1994, according to original licensing details on the DCFS licensing page. The collective includes Lil’ Red Wagon in Jacksonville, Lil’ Blue Wagon in Rochester, Red Wagon preschool in Moline and Lil’ Yellow Wagon in Springfield. The yellow wagon was the latest to open in July of last year at 2160 S. Sixth St. The business has no violations from DCFS, but this cannot be said about the other three locations, with Jacksonville’s Lil' Red Wagon, which has had several previous citations. More: After fallout, Muni permanently bans actor who was investigated How do daycares receive violations? In the state of Illinois, DCFS investigates licensed daycares when there is evidence of non-compliance with state licensing standards to operate. Violations can come from child abuse or neglect reports to DCFS, criminal background checks, or routine monitoring. Child
nemonews.net
Palmyra Superintendent Highlights Budget, Progress and Priorities
Last week at the June board meeting, the Palmyra R-1 Board of Education met to approve the 2026-2027 budget. We were able to pass a balanced budget that includes a 3% raise for both certified and classified staff members. Our district has been blessed with solid leadership from our school board and administration over the years. We have been fortunate to have overwhelming support from the community, and all these factors put us in a great position financially. We went into the 2025-2026 school year with 49.83% in reserves, and we plan on being able to make our full transfers to capital.
khqa.com
QPS board may consider future of 2 suspended teachers Wednesday
QUINCY, Ill.— Two Quincy public school teachers who had their licenses temporarily suspended last week are likely to be a topic of discussion for the school board on Wednesday, though any personnel matters would likely be discussed only during a closed session.*. The Quincy Public School Board could go...
hoodline.com
Denman Debacle Lingers As State Benches Two Quincy Gym Teachers
The fallout from last year's Denman Elementary controversy is still rippling through Quincy, as the Illinois State Board of Education has sidelined two Quincy Public Schools employees for 60 calendar days each. The state board’s action, issued June 18, was accepted by both teachers, even as they continue to insist they did not do what they are accused of. Quincy Public Schools says it is reviewing the state’s materials before making any recommendations to the local board of education.
muddyriversports.com
Show Me some grit: Second-half rally leads to Missouri girls winning for first time in Showcase
QUINCY — The fifth time was the charm. The Missouri girls rallied from an eight-point deficit in the third quarter of Saturday’s Muddy River Showcase to win for the first time since the event’s inception in 2022 with a 63-60 victory at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center.
lewiscountyscoop.com
Canton R-V May 2026 School Board Meeting
CANTON, Mo. — *Key notes from the Canton R-V Board of Education meeting held on May 11, 2026. The Canton R-V Board of Education regular meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by President Susie Biggerstaff in the Media Center Conference Room. Board members present were Susie Biggerstaff, Lacy Spurgeon, Larry Arnold, Taylor Fahser, Chad DeWaard, and Stacey Guilfoyle. Jake Schaefer was absent.
muddyrivernews.com
Hannibal School Board eliminates 15 vacant positions
HANNIBAL — The Hannibal Public School District eliminated 15 vacant positions through attrition to help bridge the significant budgetary shortfall, while avoiding staff layoffs. $714,000 drop in state funding and an impending $910,000 lease payment. The reduction in funding comes following the fifth consecutive year of declining enrollment, with...
KBUR
Tensions ran high at Monday night’s Keokuk School Board meeting as community members presented a petition calling for the resignation or termination of Superintendent Dr. Kathy Dinger
Tensions ran high at Monday night’s Keokuk School Board meeting as community members presented a petition calling for the resignation or termination of Superintendent Dr. Kathy Dinger. The Daily Gate City reports former school board member Tyler McGhghy delivered the petition, which he said had gathered about 400 signatures. McGhghy cited concerns from parents, employees and community members regarding leadership, communication, employee morale, alleged favoritism, and a perceived lack of transparency within the district. He asked the board to conduct a formal review of the superintendent’s performance and consider her termination.
plumassun.org
Quincy student graduates Fort Hays on dean’s honor roll
Fort Hays State University announces that Joshua Saenz, of Quincy, is listed on the spring 2026 dean’s honor roll, one of 1,996 students to achieve the distinction. The dean’s honor roll includes undergraduate students only. To be eligible, students must have completed 12 or more credit hours and earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.60 for the semester. Full-time on-campus and online students are eligible.
muddyriversports.com
Top area baseball players receive all-state accolades from IHSBCA
QUINCY — Eight area baseball standouts and one Quincy University signee received all-state honors from the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association. In Class 1A, Brown County junior shortstop Collin Dieterle and Liberty junior third baseman Reed Sparrow were named to the first team. Jacksonville Routt left-hander Brady Turner, a Quincy University signee, also received first-team honors.
khqa.com
Former school board president formally asks for removal of Keokuk superintendent
The Keokuk School Board received an official complaint regarding the district superintendent Monday evening. The district has faced some challenges this year, including the announcement of a budget reduction plan, citing rising operational costs, declining local and state population numbers, and a special education budget deficit. Like many districts in...
muddyriversports.com
Classroom Champions: Mendon Unity’s Barry receives female student-athlete of the year scholarship
MT. STERLING, Ill. — Saylor Barry’s athletic and academic success throughout her high school career — she was a three-time state champion in the long jump, a three-sport standout and a 4.0 student — truly made her a classroom champion. Muddy River Sports and DOT Foods...