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Articles by Billy Roudybush
Blu-Jay seniors chosen as homecoming queen, king
Anthony Sousley and Olive Skipper are crowned 2026 Pleasanton High School homecoming king and queen in a ceremony before the home football game against Southeast on Friday, Oct. 9. With them are crown-bearers Waylon, son of Tyler and Crystal Marsh, and Inez, daughter of Erika Easley and Jarrett May.
Lady Buffalos defend home court with sweep of Blu-Jays
Lady Buffalo hitter Grace Cullor returns a volley during the dual match with Pleasanton on Thursday, Sept. 24. (Photos by Billy Roudybush / Linn County Journal) By Billy Roudybush Journal contributor The Pleasanton Blu-Jay volleyball team (3-10-2) walked into the gym at Prairie View on Thursday, Sept. 24, with one goal in mind: upset the Buffalos (5-7-1). In the first set of the dual match, both teams seemed tentative, making minor errors with a lack of aggressive play.
Jayhawks shut down Uniontown Eagles in season opener
Jayhawk running back Gabe Ross smokes the Uniontown defense on a 50-yard touchdown run at Friday night's home opener. (Photos by Billy Roudybush / Journal contributor) By Billy Roudybush Journal contributor On Friday September 4, the Uniontown Eagles came into Mound City to meet the Jayhawk-Linn Jayhawks. The Eagles came in with the idea of a run game, which happened to be the Jayhawks bread and butter. Both teams started off slowly as penalties stopped drives.
Fair's demolition derby draws local drivers, large crowd
Two Linn County drivers mix it up in the Bone Stock class in the demolition derby at the Linn County Fair arena on Saturday, August 1. (Photos by Billy Roudybush / Linn County Journal) By Billy Roudybush Journal contributor MOUND CITY – On Saturday, August 1, the Linn County Fair started the opening entertainment with a crowning of the queen and a demolition derby. The demolition derby is the one night event that features the most local competitiors, and so it consistently draws a large audience.
Mound City's 'Colonial Day' a throwback to 1776
Visitors roam around the Mound City Historical Park on Friday, July 3, during the 'Colonial Days: Live Like it's 1776' event sponsored by the Mound City Historical Society and the Mound City Library. (Photos by Billy Roudybush / Linn County Journal) By Billy Roudybush Journal contributor On Friday July 3rd, the Mound City Library and the Mound City Historical Society worked together to bring a celebration to Mound City for the nation’s 250th birthday.
Mine Creek radio operators use field day to prepare for emergencies
Beau Jackson carefully turns the frequency dial on this ham radio setup and writes down places he contacts during the Mine Creek Radio Club field day on Saturday, He was manning the station with his father and grandfather.
Pleasanton's Stars and Stripes event kicks off 250th birthday
Wearing an "Est. 1776" t-shirt and a patriotic heart with angel wings in memory of her grandmother, Jaycee Henry is ready for Pleasanton's Stars and Stripes celebration. (Photos by Billy Roudybush / Linn County Journal) By Bill Roudybush Journal contributor Linn County residents began their celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States with the Stars and Stripes celebration in Pleasanton on Saturday June 27.
Blu-Jays to play for substate title on Friday
Pleasanton's Garret Conley goes up for 2 points against Fairfield on Saturday in the semifinal substate game. (Photos by Billy Roudybush / Journal contributor) By Billy Roudybush Journal contributor The Pleasanton Blu-Jays boys team will play for the Substate No. 1 championship on Friday, March 6, after beating a scrappy Fairfield team, 47-28, in the semifinal. The Class 1A Division I game will be played in Madison, which is about 10 miles west of Burlington. Game time has yet to be determined.
Lady 'Hawks cruise to a win in first substate contest
The Jayhawk defense boxes in a Baxter Spring player in the quarterfinal substate game on Thursday, Feb. 26. The Lady 'Hawks' defense has limited opponents' scoring to an average of less than 23 points per game. (Photos by Billy Roudybush / Journal contributor) By Billy Roudybush Journal contributor The Baxter Springs Lionesses came roaring into Mound City on Thursday, Feb. 26, with the hope of tripping up the No. 1 seed Jayhawks in the Class 3A substate.
Community mourns death of 13-year-old victim
A "Hot Wheels" theme pickup was one of dozens of vehicles in a motorcade honoring the memory of Airen Andula that rolls down Pleasanton's Main Street on Tuesday, Dec. 30, following a service at Schneider's Funeral Home. Family members have said that Airen liked collecting Hot Wheels vehicles. (Billy Roudybush / Linn County Journal) By Billy Roudybush Journal contributor As time for the funeral drew near on Tuesday, Dec.
Blu-Jay scholars inducted into National Honor Society
By Billy Roudybush Journal contributor Tuesday, Nov. 11, may have been Veterans Day, but for a group of six students from Pleasanton High School, it was "Induction Day." The school's National Honor Society inducted its new members for the 2025-26 school year. After short speeches from NHS officers, the new members were inducted in a candlelight ceremony. NHS inductees are not chosen soley on academic merit.
Pleasanton-area veterans recount their experience in Veterans Day program
By Billy Roudybush Journal contributor Armistice Day, November 11, 1918, was the end of the Great War. Sadly, the armistice did not end war. So, Armistice Day transcended into our modern-day Veterans Day. Now we recognize the service and sacrifice our service members provided while they served in the military. Pleasanton High School seniors’ class, led by teacher Cristy Cutshaw, held a Veterans Day ceremony for their families and local veterans.
Pleasanton trunk-or-treat draws hundreds for a Main Street celebration
Photos and text by Billy Roudybush Journal contributor Halloween, the ghouls and goblins were out – as well as jesters, slashers, and other characters. It was Pleasanton’s trunk-or-treat to hand out food as well as candy to the people that visited on Friday evening, Oct. 31. The fire department, churches and other organizations were present trying to provide a fun and safe environment for the people to gather.
Blu-Jays roll over Erie on senior night, Staton honored for 5,000+ yards passing
By Billy Roudybush Journal contributor It was a chilly Thursday night on Oct. 23 when Pleasanton High School celebrated their seniors who were involved in fall activities. All seniors involved in football, volleyball, cheer, band, and trapshooting were recognized and celebrated the evening with their parents. After recognizing the seniors came a time to have a special celebration.
Blu-Jays overpower Lancers in a homecoming blowout
By Billy Roudybush Journal contributor As the Pleasanton Blu-Jays and the Southeast Cherokee Lancers ran onto the field at Pleasanton High School stadium on Friday, Oct. 10, it looked like the Blu-Jays would find themselves in a pitch battle for a full four quarters. Cherokee came in with some big boys on the line and looked to be a tough opponent. But it didn't take long for the Blu-Jays to assert their dominance on both sides of the ball.
Pleasanton runner breaks record; Jayhawk, Buffalo runners improve times
MOUND CITY – Pleasanton junior Myles Alvarez on Thursday, Oct. 9, continued to slash seconds off his time as the season is drawing to a close. Runners from both Jayhawk-Linn and Prairie View continue to show improvement as well.League meets are set for this Thursday, Oct. 16, with the regionals now less than two weeks away. Team from all three schools from Linn County gathered at the Sugar Valley golf course to participate in the Coach Chet Hunter Invitational Meet.
Prairie View, Jayhawk girls in top four at Fort Scott meet
Journal staff report With reporting and photos by Billy Roudybush FORT SCOTT – After placing back in the pack at last week’s cross country race at Anderson County, a Prairie View junior and a Jayhawk-Linn sophomore, placed in the top four in the women’s varsity race at Fort Scott on Thursday, Sept. 11. The Prairie View women’s team also took second place in the varsity race.
Lady Blu-Jays push their record to 4-2 in week No. 1 of season
The Pleasanton volleyball team started the first week of September by heading to Southern Coffey County for a tri-match. Pleasanton managed to take Southern Coffey County in two sets, 27-25 and 25-17. Then, they faced off with Uniontown. Pleasanton beat Uniontown in three sets; 25-16, 18-25 and 25-20. In those matches the top servers with six aces each were Willow Skipper and Natalie Bautista. At the net, Ashlan George managed 12 kills and 12 blocks. On Saturday, Sept.
Blu-Jay runner takes medal in first cross country meet of the season
By Billy Roudybush Journal contributor GARNETT– Pleasanton High School sent its cross-country team to the Anderson County cross country run on Thursday, Sept. 4. The running trail is on Garnett’s golf course, which is on the north end of town. It is a great course to start the year. Rolling hills with nice long slopes makes it seem they are going through a nice jog in the countryside.
4-H Spotlight: Harper Spencer's events include art, clothing, goats, sheep, dogs and poultry
By Billy Roudybush, Journal contributor I first met Harper Spencer at the 4-H Arts and Crafts judging at the fair. She is a bright and bubbly girl who has an eye for color, and she had created piece of art that caught my attention. She had created a field of pinecone flowers on a round background. The flowers were different colors and very appealing. I ran into her again a couple of days later as she was preparing to show one of her goats. I talked with her parents before interviewing her.
Career path of 'dark horse' scholar to combine art, English
Billy Roudybush, special to the Journal 12 minutes ago 3 min read By Billy Roudybush, special to the Journal If you ever had a desire to make a difference in your life, I have met an example of a real role model. She was one point away from earning top honors in her class when she was in eighth grade. This was the final catalyst to propel her forward to meet her goal. Madison Crismas considered herself a dark horse to make valedictorian her senior year of high school.
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