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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.

This week’s Mystery Banks Photo: This picture, taken in about 1954, shows six kids who grew up on West Main Street in Vandalia.

Perched on the hill above the NAPA store on Jefferson Street stands the oldest building in Vandalia.
Few who pass by the dwelling, built about 1824 for Robert Blackwell, have any idea of the history of the building or the importance it played in Illinois’ history.

15 Years Ago

1997 – A crew from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency came to St. Elmo for an anhydrous ammonia spill caused when tanks broke loose from a truck pulling them.
Parents of seniors at Ramsey High School were fighting to keep prayer at commencement exercises.
Outgoing Vandalia Mayor Rich Walker and other city officials hosted a reception for the incoming mayor, Sandra Leidner, and other newly elected officials.
Mr. and Mrs. Burt Powell of Brownstown were celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary.