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Today's News

  • Passerby, smoke detector allow couple to escape fire

    Thanks to a passing motorist and a smoke detector, a couple escaped from their burning residence Saturday morning.

    According to Vandalia Fire Chief Merle Adermann, Larry Peyton was driving past Washburn Trailer Court on Lakewood Drive at about 9 a.m. when he noticed smoke coming from one of the mobile homes.

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  • 400 block of Gallatin open

    A little more than a year after the first piece of Gallatin Street was ripped up, and two months ahead of schedule, Vandalia’s downtown enhancement project is within days of completion.

    After looking over the work done in the 300 and 400 block of Gallatin Street with Mayor Rick Gottman and representatives of Hank’s Excavating and Landscaping of Belleville, the general contractor on the project, Illinois Department of Transportation officials told  the city shortly after noon on Tuesday that it could open the 400 block to traffic.

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  • KC planning for growth at Vandalia Campus

    Just like everyone else, Kaskaskia College has been hurt by a sagging economy and the state’s failure to meet its financial obligations. But, KC’s president said on Tuesday, the college is through the tough times due to a savings-type fund established several years ago.

    In fact, Dr. James Underwood said at a community meeting held at the KC Vandalia Campus, the college is looking toward continued growth, both in facilities and programs.

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  • Slowed by an accident, Elliott turns to his love for poetry

    A framed photograph in Roy Elliott’s room shows his shirt tail being cut off, a traditional ritual when someone becomes a licensed airplane pilot.

    A member of Fayette County Civil Defense (now Emergency Management Agency)  for years, he was a jack-of-all-trades with many skills, until a fateful day three years ago when a tree he was trimming fell on him, fracturing his back in two places. Parkinson’s disease entered the picture, rendering him unable to perform routine daily activities.

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  • Thiele's hot bat helps Vandals pick up first wins

    The Vandalia baseball team picked up its first two wins of the season this past week, due in large part to Ryan Thiele's contributions at the plate. Thiele has hit three home runs in the past three games.

    "He's played a lot of varsity baseball. He's seen a lot of pitching, and it's paying off his senior year," Vandalia coach Luke Hohlt said. "He just needs to keep driving the ball."

    Vandalia hosted St. Elmo on Monday and came away with its second win of the season in a 16-6 thrashing.

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  • Vandals triumphant at Litchfield

    Prior to the season, Vandalia boys track and field coach Jane Bell wasn't sure how many meets the boys team would win this season. After Tuesday's meet at Litchfield, the number is now at least one. Placing first in six events and second or third in 11 more events, the Vandals took first with a team score of 149, edging host school Litchfield by 25 points.

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  • BREAKING NEWS--400 block of Gallatin Street open

     The 400 block of Gallatin Street in downtown Vandalia was opened to traffic shortly after 1 p.m. on Tuesday.

    Mayor Rick Gottman announced the opening at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, adding that the 300 block of Gallatin, the final block of the project, should be opened to traffic by early next week.

     

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  • More information surfaces on country schools

    Several weeks ago, I wrote a column about the one-room country schools dotting the countryside of Fayette County. A question from Vandalia resident Jane Cox prompted the column; and since it was published, interest has grown.

    Bill Stolte of Vandalia telephoned to tell me that he had a school record book from Maple Grove School in Seminary Township that he had saved from destruction. He asked if I would like to look at it.

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  • Take time to fill out census form

    Once every decade, the U.S. government asks us to stand up and be counted.

    It’s not some effort to make us feel important. Nor is it an exercise to solicit our opinion on some issue.

    No, it’s more basic than that. The government bean counters want a head count. Yes, it’s census time.

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  • Hoffman aids others through counseling

    At last Wednesday’s Lenten Luncheon at First United Methodist Church in Vandalia, Beth Hoffman spoke on the topic of “sacrifice.”

    Sharing in a sincere manner, Hoffman spoke of a time in her life that was a personal struggle, a time of sacrifice that she later came to see as a blessed time, and a time of growth spiritually.

    An accomplished vocalist, she also provided inspirational music for the program, performing a duet with her daughter, Megan.

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The Leader Union is your source for local news, sports, events and information in Vandalia, Il, and the surrounding area.