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Today's Opinions

  • Remember the lessons of 9/11

    Though it’s hard to believe that it’s been 10 years, the calendar insists that, indeed, a decade has passed since terrorists staged a series of attacks on American soil on Sept. 11, 2001.
    On that sunny September morning, hijacked planes slammed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center, as well as the Pentagon, killing thousands of innocent people. Another airliner, apparently headed for the White House, crashed in a Pennsylvania field after passengers overpowered the hijackers.

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  • Many activities for Labor Day

    As we prepare to celebrate the Labor Day weekend as the unofficial "end of summer" holiday and as a celebration of our nation's workers, there are many activities in the area that are worth noting.

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  • Fellwock memoirs trace path to Illinois

    When John Frederick Fellwock was in his 80s, he relived the days of his childhood in the village of Nahhausen, Germany, through his memoirs.  

    His story became the story of many Wilberton Township families who were part of the Lutheran migration from Dodge County, Wis., to the St. Paul area in 1864.

    John’s father, for whom he was named, was an important man in the village of Nahhausen (now Nowodna, Poland), serving as village trustee, tax collector and member of the school board.

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  • The Way We Were (Sept. 1)

    15 Years Ago

    1996 – The Vandalia City Council agreed that it was too late to move ahead with plan to put before city voters a referendum on a change in the form of local government.
    Travis Blain ran for 160 yards as the Vandalia Vandals defeated Nokomis, 21-0, in football action.
    The new work camp at Vandalia Correctional Center was ready to begin operations.

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  • Banks of the Okaw (Sept. 1)

    This week’s Mystery Banks Photo: This young man, pictured as a teenager about 55 years ago, grew up in Vandalia.

    He was an over-the-road truck driver, and moved to Texas about 15 years ago. He retired and recently moved back to Vandalia.

    Do you know him? If so, call The Leader-Union, 283-3374.

    In last week’s Mystery Banks Photo were: Tom and Ed McCarty.

    Identifying them were: The girls at McKellar, Robertson, McCarty and Click Insurance, Elaine Michel, Amy Meseke, Sharon Elmore and Marjorie Blythe,.

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  • Letter to the Editor

    Editor:

    I need a few minutes of your time. There are a couple of issues that have really upset me through my 22 years of being in the towing industry.

    I would really like you to read this with an open mind and understanding, as if it were happening to you or one of yours. It amazes me that the very minute a severe auto accident happens, people swarm in droves to see it.

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  • Letters to the Editor

    Editor:
    There is life after death…twice for the doctor in the story I will relate.
    This is a true story. I recently found an article among my papers. Dr. Richard Eby fell two stories to his death.
    I heard him speak years ago in Troy.
    He was cleaning out his mother’s house in Chicago in 1972, after her funeral. He stepped out onto a landing and leaned on he railing. It gave way, and he fell to the concrete two stories below, killing him.

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  • The Way We Were-Aug. 25, 2011

    15 Years Ago

    1996 – Two-year-old Karley Dannielle Flanagan of rural Vandalia died from smoke inhalation as her family’s home in Daisley’s Trailer Court was destroyed by fire.
    Harold H. Pennock, 47, of Centralia pleaded guilty to driving under the influence. He was arrested for DUI in Centralia after being involved in a traffic accident less than an hour after serving on the bench in Fayette County Circuit Court.
    The Vandalia Vandals pounded Litchfield, 49-0, in football action to raise their season mark to 2-0.

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