Today's News

As Fayette County struggles through trying financial times, it appears that at least one group representing county employees is not willing to make concessions.
Last month, Fayette County Board Chairman Steve Knebel said that the board was looking at furlough days for employees as it works through financial shortfalls.
But Knebel said at Tuesday’s board meeting that at least one group representing county employees is not willing to take furlough days.

Ernest Thorp had two consuming passions when growing up on a farm outside Wapella – farming and flying. As a child of the Great Depression, he had plenty of opportunity to pursue both. Thorp was a college student at Illinois State University in 1941 when he earned his civilian pilot’s license. Two years later, he was training to fly B-17 Flying Fortresses.

History is ever unfolding.  
Driving east on U.S. Route 140 toward Bluff City this past Wednesday, I was surprised and thrilled to see logs piled up near the bridge construction site along that road.
The squared logs were reminiscent of the hewn logs that had formed the plank road across what was known as the Okaw Bottoms more than 150 years ago. The logs, harvested from the virgin forest and squared with a woodcutter’s ax, were laid crosswise over the road with planks over the top to fit the wagon wheels.

• Paul T. Stasiak, 53, 223 E. Third St., Ramsey, was arrested on Nov. 8 on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding and improper lane usage. Bond was $3,500.
• Teresa M. Witt, 42, 1826 W. Jefferson St., Vandalia, was arrested on Nov. 8 for failure to appear in court in a divorce case. Bond was $2,500.
• Timothy A. Dunahee, 21, 517 N. Riverview Drive, Vandalia, was arrested on Nov. 8 on a charge of domestic battery. Bond was $75,000.