Today's News

15 Years Ago

1997 – A fire that apparently started in the kitchen area destroyed the home of the David Smith family in Vandalia.
The Leader-Union placed third in the annual advertising and marketing contest sponsored by the Illinois Press Association.
Sandra Leidner won six of nine precincts to become the first woman elected mayor of Vandalia.
Betty Anne and Duane Luallen of Vandalia were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary .

In spite of months of intense efforts by local officials and business representatives, Graham Packaging announced this week its plan to close its plant in Vandalia. The closure will be effective in July.
That decision leaves 126 hourly employees and 12 salaried employees – along with 77 hourly employees who are currently on layoff – without jobs. And it puts a giant dent in the Vandalia economy, as the buying power of those 215 families is diminished.

A spring storm on Saturday evening hit hardest in the southeast part of Fayette County.

Some of the most significant damage was at the home of Pete and Pam LeDuc in the Augsburg area (first photo). A large evergreen tree was felled, leaving a large hole in the roof and breaking out a large window in the front of their home. Also in that area, Wilberton Township employee Keith Cole was called out to plow roads covered with hail (second photo).

Vandalia’s mayor learned on Tuesday morning that Graham Packaging plans to close its local plant later this year, which will result in the loss of about 200 jobs.