By Steve Capps
For the Star-Gazette

Chris Baer was approved as the new Beardstown Police Chief by a split vote Tuesday evening following almost no public discussion.  Four of the city’s eight aldermen voted in favor of Mayor Steve Patterson’s appointee. Aldermen Leslie Harris and Mitch Webster voted against. Bob Burget abstained, while J.D. Grafford was absent.

By Jody Woltman
Star-Gazette publisher

Bright and early Monday, June 17, Beardstown Mayor Steve “Pitter” Patterson congregated in his city hall office and announced he had offered the City of Beardstown Police Chief position to local police officer, Chris Baer. Baer accepted the position pending city council approval.

By Michael Kloppenburg
Star-Gazette reporter

A family of four resides  at the home that was used as a meth lab until police shut it down on May 5, said an officer with the Illinois State Police Meth Response Team. Officer Tim Hanson testified at a preliminary hearing Monday for George H. Surratt IV, 24, who is accused of running a meth lab in his 1010 W. 7th St. home where he lives with his wife and two young children. Hanson said the home had surveillance cameras on it. Both of these allegations raise the possibility that Surratt may be charged with class X felonies. His unlawful participation in methamphetamine production, a class 1 felony, could be upgraded to aggravated participation in meth production, a class X felony. A class X felony conviction normally carries a prison sentence of six to 30 years.

By Kim Watson
For the Star-Gazette
Oh the places a class will go to hold a prom! The public is  encouraged to come enjoy the Beardstown High School Junior Class Prom this Saturday, June 22. This year’s theme is “Seussville.”

By Leigh Morris
For the Star-Gazette
On Flag Day, June 14, the proud 67 men and women stood in the House chamber of the Old State Capitol, Springfield, that once resounded with the voices of Abraham Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas and Richard Yates.
With right hands raised, these 67 who hail from 34 different countries solemnly took the oath of citizenship given by U.S. District Judge Sue E. Myerscough. Their long and often difficult journeys to citizenship had come to an end. They stood ready to embark on a new journey – the journey shared by all Americans, the journey of the American Dream.