Today's News

This week’s Mystery Banks Photo: This young girl, pictured about 45 years ago, is the youngest of eight children. She now has two daughters and two granddaughters. She is a widow and has lived her entire life in Mulberry Grove.
Do you know her? If so, call The Leader-Union, 283-3374.
In last week’s Mystery Banks Photo were: Kenny Smith, Robert Smith and Karen Smith Little.
Identifying them was:   Doris Young.

Capt. Sam Houston was an honored member of Co. I, Fourth Infantry, of the Illinois National Guard, joining the unit in 1898 at the outbreak of the Spanish-American war.
Lest I confuse someone, I’m talking about a golden eagle who served as the mascot for Fayette County’s local National Guard company.
According to Major E.P. Clayton, one of the commanders of Co. I, “Captain Sam” was captured four miles south of Vandalia by Frank Williams in April 1898 and sold to Martin F. Houston.

The Fayette County Health Department will hold an open house at its new facility on Tuesday, March 8.
The health department recently completed its move into its new home, the former home of Leo Brown Lumber, at 416 W. Edwards St.
The open house will run from 3-6 p.m. and will include tours and refreshments. "Buzz Lightyear" will be present for photos with children.
The public is invited to attend the open house.
A special section produced by The Leader-Union about the move is included with this issue of the newspaper.

Working together, Vandalia’s mayor, aldermen and department heads have trimmed about $170,000 from this year’s budget.
The Vandalia City Council at last week’s meeting approved minutes from committee meetings in January, during which city officials worked with department heads in fine-tuning spending figures in the various city funds.
The committee meetings were held as part of the city’s effort to address a deficit of about $220,000 in this year’s budget.
The cutbacks in the various funds include: