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Today's News

  • Following Illinois' grain

    It’s not often that agriculture producers get to see the end-users of their labors. But that’s exactly what Fayette County elevator owner Ken Cripe saw recently when he traveled to Central and South America on an Illinois Farm Bureau study tour.

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  • Vandalia incumbents unseated

    In the two contested Vandalia City Council races, the incumbents were unseated.

    In St. Elmo, all three write-in candidates won aldermanic seats.

    In Vandalia, Neil F. Clark won the Ward I race with 24 votes. Incumbent Bret Brosman had 20 votes, and Jason Paslay and Ken Huber each had 19.

    In the other contested race, for a four-year term in Ward IV, B. John Clark defeated Larry K. Cable, 158-149.

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  • Sports cancellations -- April 4-5

    Sports cancellations for Monday and Tuesday.

    •Tuesday's South Central/Patoka baseball game will be played in Kinmundy instead of Patoka.

    •Tuesday's South Central softball home game has been canceled.

    •The Vandalia baseball game at Teutopolis has been canceled. The JV game versus T-Town is also canceled.

    •Both the South Central baseball and softball home games have been canceled.

    •The Ramsey baseball game against Mulberry Grove has been canceled.

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  • Banks of the Okaw-March 31, 2011

    This week’s Mystery Banks Photo: These two sisters grew up in the Mulberry Grove area. One now lives in Greenville and works at Southwestern Electric. The other lives in Mulberry Grove and works at a day care center.

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  • The Way We Were-March 31, 2011

    15 Years Ago

    1996 – A little more than 200 people took advantage of a hazardous home waste collection program offered at South Central FS in Vandalia.
    Clint Benhoff and Tim Worker of Ramsey were on the baseball squad at Lake Land College.
    Mr. and Mrs. Dale Nattier of Patoka were making plans to celebrate their 60th anniversary.

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  • Picture leads to more Fayette connections

    Last week, the subject of my column was Dr. Hiram S. Short, a Fillmore doctor with Fayette County connections.

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  • Vital issues in Tuesday vote

    Though next Tuesday’s election is what could be termed an “off-year election,” there are many reasons why voters must take it seriously.
    First and foremost, we all have a responsibility – a privilege, really – to vote whenever we have the opportunity. It’s part of being a good citizen.
    Beyond that, there are many issues in this election that merit our involvement.

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  • Marilyn Calvert ends 59-year career at First National Bank

    Marilyn Calvert is retiring from First National Bank of Vandalia this week after logging 59 years, more than any other employee of the bank.

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  • What the sales tax monies can & can't be used for

    A school district MAY use sales tax revenues for:
    • The abatement of bonds.
    • New facilities, additions and renovations.
    • Land acquisitions.
    • Ongoing maintenance.
    • Architectural planning.
    • Durable equipment (non-moveable items).
    • Fire prevention and Life Safety issues.
    • Disabled access.
    • Security.
    • Energy efficiency.
    • Parking lots.
    • Demolition.
    • Roof repairs.

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  • Sales Tax Exemptions

    The new sales tax would not apply to:
    •  Titled or licensed vehicles, including cars, trucks, ATV’s and motorcycles.
    •  Unprepared food (groceries), drugs (including over-the-counter drugs and vitamins) and medical supplies.
    •  Resale items.
    •  Boats and recreational vehicles.
    •  Mobile homes.
    •  Specifically exempted goods such as farm equipment, parts, inputs and service.

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