.....Advertisement.....
.....Advertisement.....

Today's News

  • Baker defense waits on psychiatric evaluation

    The attorney representing a youth charged with fatally shooting a Loogootee couple in their home last month is receiving reports that he believes are necessary for a complete psychiatric evaluation of his client.
    In a brief hearing last Wednesday afternoon in Fayette County Circuit Court, Monroe McWard, the attorney for Clifford Baker, said that he has passed on to Dr. Frederick Krug of Nashville, the doctor performing the evaluation Baker's school and medical records.

    Click here to read more...
  • County looks at furlough days

    Fayette County officials are hoping that they can have employees take furlough days as they address budget issues.
    Fayette County Board Chairman Steve Knebel said on Tuesday that he and other county officials are working on finalizing the county’s budget for the next fiscal year, “and it doesn’t look good.”
    Right now, he said, the budget has a $258,000 deficit.
    Knebel said that the board has asked the unions representing county employees to have each employee take 12 furlough days in the coming year.

    Click here to read more...
  • Brady visits Vandalia

    With some polls showing that his lead was shrinking, or that he and his opponent are now dead even, the Republican gubernatorial candidate said last week in Vandalia that he doesn’t concern himself with those numbers.
    “The poll that we are most worried about is on Nov. 2,” Bill Brady said during a stop at the Statehouse.

    Click here to read more...
  • Banks of the Okaw-Oct. 14, 2010

    This week’s Mystery Banks Photo: These young women were pictured during a physical education class at Brownstown High School more than 60 years ago. Two now live in Vandalia, one in Beecher City and one in Freeport.
    Do you know them? If so, call The Leader-Union, 283-3374.
    In last week’s Mystery Banks Photo was: Gary Stine.
    Identifying her was: Charlotte Bone.
    This week’s Scrambler:  cussesc lysluau mosec ot sehot ohw rea oto sybu ot eb glinkoo rof ti.

    Click here to read more...
  • The Way We Were-Oct. 14, 2010

    15 Years Ago

    1995 – The cost of extending sewer lines to Vandalia’s western Interstate 70 interchange was less than expected. Thus, Mayor Rich Walker was proposing additional infrastructure improvements, including new sewer lines and manholes along the river bottoms in the city.
    Judge Dennis Middendorff ruled that Stuart Heaton, a Bluff City man convicted of murder in 1992, could continue to use a Chicago law firm. Jenner & Block took on Heaton’s case on a pro bono (free) basis.

    Click here to read more...
  • Edward Beck – a quiet, earnest man

    We hear a lot about Paul Beck, who with his son, Guy, are credited with being the first white settlers in Fayette County, entering the dense virgin forest as early as 1805.
    There is another Beck – John Beck – who deserves a moment in the spotlight of history. He was Paul’s younger brother, and also came to Illinois before statehood, settling in neighboring Montgomery County.

    Click here to read more...
  • Attend forum next Tuesday

    With the political campaign season now in its final 20 days, candidates are crisscrossing the area with amazing regularity. It’s good to see them paying attention to our part of the state.
    Several high-profile Democratic candidates, including U.S. Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias, have made stops in Fayette County during the campaign season.
    Last Thursday, several statewide Republican candidates visited Vandalia. In attendance were gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady, lieutenant governor candidate Jason Plummer and state Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Greenville).

    Click here to read more...
  • Brownstown man fatally injured in wreck

    A Brownstown man died from injuries sustained in an accident on Friday morning.

    Fayette County Coroner Bruce Bowen said Matthew L. Sefton, 52, was southbound on U.S. Route 51 near County Road 800 North on a motorcycle when he struck the back of a vehicle. He was pronounced dead at Fayette County Hospital at 10:48 a.m.

    A Missouri man died from injuries sustained in a skydiving accident at Vandalia Airport on Saturday evening.

    Bowen said Jonathan Bullar of Maryland Heights made a jump from about 6,500 feet, and his parachute failed to deploy.

    Click here to read more...
  • Vandals nearly top Southwestern

    The Vandalia High School football team stromed back from a 24-7 deficit to take a 27-24 lead in the fourth quarter, but a late touchdown by Southwestern gave the Birds a 31-27 win.

    Bryan Hosick and Levi Ulmer each had two touchdowns for the Vandals.

    A full story will appear in Thursday's edition of The Leader-Union.

    Click here to read more...
  • Soccer team to play Friday

    Vandalia High School has scheduled a soccer game against Altamont to be played Friday at 3 p.m. at the VHS soccer field.

    The Vandals had to cancel their game with Lincolnwood on Tuesday after the referees failed to show up.

    Vandalia plays its regional match at Mt. Carmel next Tuesday.

    Click here to read more...