Local News

An area legislator told Vandalia officials on Monday night that he’s among the contingent of lawmakers pushing to keep the state’s historic sites and parks open.

The mayor told that legislator that he has formed a team that will lobby legislators for that action.

State Rep. Ron Stephens attended Monday’s city council meeting to present a $200,000 check for improvements.

After handing over the check, Stephens offered to take any comments or questions from city officials.

A riveting memorial for Illinois' fallen soldiers reached Vandalia on Monday. At the request of Sen. Frank Watson (R-Greenville), the Portrait of a Soldier memorial exhibition is at the Kaskaskia College Vandalia Campus on West Fillmore St., Vandalia.

The memorial exhibition, which has been viewed by thousands of people in more than 35 cities and towns throughout Illinois, is a series of hand-drawn portraits of more than 180 Illinois men and women who have died in service to our country since Sept.11, 2001.

Vandalia residents will likely see small increases in their water and sewer rates, starting next month.

A 6.08-percent increase in water rates and a .59-percent hike in sewer rates are what’s being recommended, and what will go into effect unless the city council decides otherwise at its meeting next Monday night.

The days in which Vandalia residents can park on unimproved boulevards are likely limited.

That's because a Vandalia City Council committee is recommended that in order for residents to park on boulevards in front of their homes, that area must covered with either concrete, asphalt or CA-6 rock.

That's the recommendation formulated by the council's streets and sewers committee at a meeting last Wednesday.

That committee recommended that enforcement of that ordinance amendment begin on Oct. 1.

For the full story, see this Thursday's issue of The Leader-Union.