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Today's News

  • Brownstown-Sefton News

    In Answer to Inquiries…
    …Betsy, the Longhorn, and her “pen pals”  (the Bartels’ girl, Geneva; “Red,” the rebel, and the two youngsters, Minny and Mosia ) are doing fine, contentedly grazing, chewing their cud, napping and switching each other’s backs with their tails for fly control.
    Their pasture is on the east side of the lane. The cows on the west side of the lane belong to our neighbor.

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  • Frogtown News

    Weekend Guests
    Weekend guests of Dane and Belinda Harpster of St. Peter were Mahala Harpster of Gray Summit, Mo., and Nathan Jacquin of Washington, Mo.
    St. Peter Church
    Sunday morning worship attendance was 169.
    The organist was Jamie Lotz.
    Guest speaker was the Rev. Donald Antor.
    Acolyte was Kacie Crain.
    Elders were Charles Wachholz and Paul Reynolds.
    Remember in Your Prayers
    • Those with health concerns:
    -Tina Benning and unborn twins
    Birthdays
    • Curtis Jenne

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  • St. Elmo News

    ANNOUNCEMENTS
    Thursday, June 7
    • St. Elmo Business Association, noon, Mary Ann’s Restaurant.
    • The Wheatland Unit of Home and Community Education, 1:30 p.m., home of Sandra Lovett.
    Saturday, June 9
    • The Altamont Lions Club is hosting a fishing rodeo from 8 a.m.-noon for children through the age of 14 at the Glen Mathis Lake, which is two miles east of Altamont on U.S Route 40. See other info following the announcements.

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  • Farm Briefs

    Jamie Kruenegel receives award
    Jamie Kruenegel of Vandalia Community High School was recently presented the school's highest agricultural honor, the DEKALB Agricultural Accomplishment Award, sponsored by Monsanto.
    Kruenegel, the daughter of David and Stacy Kruenegel, received the award for excellence in academics, leadership and agricultural work.
    Her accomplishments include being the 2009 state runner-up in the GROWMARK essay contest, the 2009/2010 Star Chapter Greenhand, 2012 Star Chapter Agribusiness.

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  • Dry weather impacts corn roots

    In better-watered areas of Illinois where the corn crop is well established, the return of warm temperatures has caused very rapid growth.
    Corn planted in Central Illinois in mid March and not damaged by frost has accumulated about 900 growing degree days (GDD) by now, and thus has reached stage V9 or V10, the point at which stem elongation accelerates. Such fields will likely show tassels by mid-June. Corn planted in early April has accumulated about 650 GDD and is at V7. Corn planted in mid-April is at V5, having accumulated approximately 520 GDD.

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  • Rainfall and moderating temperatures help crops

    Last week, some much-needed rainfall provided relief from the hot and dry conditions of the previous weeks.
    Statewide, precipitation averaged 0.71 inches, still 0.19 inch below the norm, but more than double what the previous three weeks had averaged.
    Temperatures also moderated slightly, to 66.3 degrees, 1.4 degrees below average for the week.
    Producers were busy side dressing corn and spraying fields now that many have completed planting corn and soybeans.

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  • Chest High By The Fourth Of June

    Though conditions are turning dry in much of Fayette County, the early planting season has placed both corn and soybeans several weeks ahead of normal. This corn, located near Vandalia Airport, was chest high on June 4 – well ahead of the old "knee high by the Fourth of July" standard. The early corn – as well as the later-planted soybeans – now are in dire need of some moisture.

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  • The Way We Were

    15 Years Ago

    1997 – Shane Graumenz and Susan Koonce were crowned king and queen at the Vandalia Community High School prom.
    Acting on a request from the Fayette County Soil & Water Conservation District, the South Central School District was initiating participation in the Outdoor Classroom program. Members of the Science Club and Future Farmers of America were planting grasses and trees on land west of Interstate 57.

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  • Banks of the Okaw

    This week’s Mystery Banks Photo: These two sisters, pictured about 38 years ago, now work in businesses in Vandalia. One is a bookkeeper for a local business and one works for a local doctor. One is celebrating a birthday this week.

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  • Eight couples celebrate 50th anniversaries

    I was among those who eagerly awaited the publication of Brenda Protz’s "Images of America" pictorial history book of Vandalia several years ago. Many of the pictures in the book were just what Brenda had hoped for – one-of-a-kind, unpublished photographs.

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