News Briefs

Vandalia Idol prelims, finals Saturday

Because of conflicts in the community, Soroptimist International of Vandalia has changed the schedule for the Vandalia Idol competition.
The audition and finale will now be held on one night, this Saturday. The program will begin at 6 p.m.
Twelve individuals have registered for this year’s competition. Four competitors will advance to the final round of competition.
The judges for this year’s Vandalia Idol are Catherine Burgess, Nancy Childress and Scott Gercken.

Emergency need for blood donors

The American Red Cross announced this week that there is an emergency need for blood and platelet donors of all types.
Blood drives scheduled in July include:
• Tuesday, July 24 – Vandalia Moose Lodge, noon-6 p.m. All who attempt to donate will receive a St. Louis Cardinals T-shirt (while supplies last).
• Thursday, July 26 – First Baptist Church in Ramsey, 2-6 p.m. All donors will receive a rock and roll T-shirt (while supplies last).

Unemployment up slightly in May 2012
Unemployment in Fayette County rose from 8.8 percent in May 2011 to 8.9 percent this May.
In Effingham County, unemployment rose from 5.9 percent in May 2012 to 6.1 percent this May.
Unemployment figures are provided by the Illinois Department of Employment Security, which reported that unemployment had declined from a year ago in 12 of 18 counties in South Central Illinois.