Columns

15 Years Ago

1997 – With power outages in the summer a possibility, Mayor Sandra Leidner was wanting the city of Vandalia to develop an emergency plan.
At the Vandalia City Council meeting, it was reported that the city's sewer odor problem appeared to be on the mend.
Victor and Betty Hill of Van-dalia, and Alva and Maxine Lovall of Vandalia were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversaries. Bill and Marie Durbin were celebrating their 40th anniversary.

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.

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 Many of the pictures in the book were just what Brenda had hoped for – one-of-a-kind, unpublished photographs.

15 Years Ago

1997 – Chicago native Ron Neibert, who had been economic development coordinator at Columbia for the past two years, was hired as the city of Vandalia's first city administrator.
Alta Rush, formerly of Brownstown, celebrated her 90th birthday.
Yolanda Richardson and Nick Krueger were crowned queen and king at the South Central High School prom.
The Illinois Drug Education Alliance honored the city of St. Elmo for its anti-drug campaign efforts and 9-year-old Heather Mills for her computer graphic poster.