Columns

Prom and graduation season, the Fourth of July and summer vacation give pause to parents of teenagers everywhere. Why? Because celebration paired with newfound freedom can trigger tragedy on our roads and highways.
Indeed, young people themselves report that these times of the year are the most dangerous when it comes to driving. And alcohol and other drugs are primary reasons.

To commemorate the War of 1812, a group was formed with one of its goals being to identify all known veterans of this war who died in the state.

15 Years Ago

1998 – The Vandalia Chamber of Commerce, at its annual banquet, presented Abe Awards for community service to Jean Stombaugh, and Katie and Orville Schukar.
The city received ongoing complaints about youths littering and walking into traffic near Vandalia Community High School.
A school facility committee was touring Vandalia’s schools to form a recommendation to the Vandalia Board of Education on how to improve district facilities.

Several years ago, my friend, Roger Boye, a professor at Northwestern University in Evanston mailed me a $20 bill.
Although it looked like a Federal Reserve note, it wasn’t. Nor was it a Silver Certificate.  The words "National Currency" appeared at the top, with the much-recognized portrait of Andrew Jackson centered on the face of the bill.