The Central Private Rebels have moved into the MPSA state semi-finals and the South State Championship series with a 17-9 slugfest victory over the Simpson Academy Cougars on Thursday night.  After a three hour bus ride the Rebels came out swinging and cruised to the series sweep.  Taylor Ort pitched 4.3 innings for the victory and Thomas finished the ball game for the Rebels.
The Rebels wasted little time in jumping out to a 3 run lead as they pushed three runs across in the top of the first.  Gage Wilkinson and Jacob Fryoux opened the game with back to back singles and Thomas Bourgeois drew a walk before Brennan Courville singled Wilkinson for the first run.  Seth Stevens, who was 4 for4 on the evening with 3 runs scored and 4 RBI, was hit with an 0-2 pitch to score Fryoux. Bourgeois was sent home on a single by Logan Lewis. Wilkinson and Fryoux scored again in the second on a single by Stevens.
Simpson made a strong comeback in the bottom of the second on a grand slam by Marc McMillian, tying the game at 5.  A single by Chase Metz put the Rebels back on top in the third as Lewis raced home.  Another home run by the Cougars evened the score in the bottom of the inning.
The Rebels were able to get a little breathing room in the fourth as they tallied four runs in the inning.  Lewis and Stevens again provided the big blows.  A 5 run fifth inning added the clinching runs for the Rebels.  Bourgeois hit his state leading 12th home run and Lewis hit his first as the Rebels took a 15-6 lead.  They would add 4 more in the sixth on doubles by Bourgeois and Stevens and singles by Travis Rose and Courville.  Steven Capistran finished the ball game with a home run to make the final score 17-9.
The Rebels open the South State Championship at Rebel field on Tuesday night at 6:00 as they continue their march for their fifth straight state championship.

Central voters went to the polls Saturday to consider three taxes in support of the Central Community School System’s capital improvement needs. Propostion One, a half-cent sales tax to fund replacaing Central Middle School, passed with a 65% yes vote. Proposition Two, a $12 million property tax to make repairs to existing schools, passed with a 54% yes vote.

Proposition Three, a $20 million property tax to build a new elementary school went down to the wire, passing with just over 50% of the vote. Of 7,078 votes cast, the proposition passed by 142 votes.

The tax propositions, which were a greatly scaled down version of the taxes that were defeated last July, received a great deal of publicity due to the efforts of organized citizen’s groups.

Follow this link to the advocate’s coverage of the election results: ADVOCATE

The slide show below includes election day efforts to get out the vote, a gathering of supporters at Cooper Catering, and watching as the returns were tallied at the Central Fire Station.

Greenwell Springs Baptist Church

Join us for “Illusions of Inspiration” sharing the gospel . . . having fun!
May 9th at 6:00 pm in the church sanctuary.
Cost: Adults $6.00 and Youth $4.00
Children age 4 and under free!
All benefits benefit Greenwell Springs Baptist Church Youth Group for Summer Camp.

Call 261-2246 for more information.

The Central High School Varsity Cheerleaders are holding a cheerleading camp on May 9th from 8:30am to 2pm, for girls ages 4-12. This camp will be held in the CHS gym. You must be registered and paid by May 7th, its $35 per girl(you can register at Central High, cash only). Bring a sack lunch, tennis shoes, and lots of SPIRIT!!!
For more information please contact cheer sponsor Beth Pastorick at 955-2862 or email at mpastorick@centralcss.org

The citizens of Central went to the polls today and approved all three tax proposals in support of Central Schools. Central Middle School will finally be replaced with a new Middle School, much needed improvements will be made to Bellingrath, Tanglewood and Central High, and a new elementary school will be constructed to help alleviate the overcrowding Central has experienced due to greatly increased enrollment.

More details will follow in a full article here on CentralSpeaks.com tomorrow.

Election Day In Central – Get Out And VOTE!

Here are a few pictures of the “Get Out The Vote” effort sponsored by proponents of the school taxes.  Whatever your opinion on these proposals, VOTE!

Polls are open until 8PM today only.

The polls open this Saturday, May 2^nd, at 6 AM and close at 8 PM.  Make a point to exercise your right to vote.  Choosing NOT to vote is like casting a vote against what you believe.  That’s right, failing to vote is like voting for the other side, so get to the polls and be counted.  The only items on this ballot are three important school tax proposals to repair existing schools and to build new schools to accommodate our growth.

Whatever the results of this election, the people of Central should know that our School Board understands the value of tax dollars.  Earlier this year, as is the option when property assessments increase, the Central School Board voted to REDUCE the property tax millage dedicated to schools by 3.66 mills.  This gave taxpayers back more than $327,000.  Most neighboring school boards, given the same option, kept the millage at the higher rate.  Our School Board can be trusted with our tax dollars.

Exercise your right to vote!