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Today's Opinions

  • The Way We Were

    20 Years Ago

    1993 – Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar talked about positive upturns in the state's economy during a visit to Vandalia. Edgar was the guest speaker at a special meeting of the Vandalia Chamber of Commerce.
    While in Vandalia, Edgar pro-claimed the Vandalia Statehouse as the state's first Heritage Site.
    Five males – four adults and a juvenile – were arrested for breaking into and burglarized Vandalia Community High School. The five males were ar-rested in St. Louis after being stopped for a traffic violation.

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  • The history of the village St. James

    The stories of those who lived through various events and times are referred to as first-person accounts and are my favorite resource for local history.

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  • Event yet another benefit from 4-H

    Many of Fayette County’s youth learn many things through their participation on the county’s 4-H program. One of those was on display on Sunday.
    A dinner at the Brownstown Elementary School raised funds for the Fayette County Extension Office and 4-H. It took many volunteers to pull off the dinner, and a large number of those workers were youths who are members of 4-H clubs in the county.

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  • City showed kindness to travelers

    Editor:
    I would just like to reach out to the people of Vandalia.
    I  don’t know the names of the nice people and police officer who helped, but I would like to say thanks. Why? Well, we were traveling from San Francisco to Cleveland, to my new home there, with our dog, Dude, a big black poodle.

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  • Citizens must be prepared for an emergency

    Editor:
    Last week, bombers were sent to S. Korea and this week F-22 fighters were sent. North Korean officials aren't taking this all as a drill.
    I recommend that everyone who hasn't already made their emergency kit (as suggested by the American Red Cross) should make preparations now.
    I think this should include four weeks of cash and four weeks of emergency food rations. Water rations should be at least 1 gallon per person per day for 2-4 weeks.

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  • Resident supports Gottman

    Editor:
    I would like to write this letter about Mayor Ricky Gottman. I have known Ricky for several years.

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  • Band boosters moved by support

    Editor:
    Phenomenal! Last week's "Save the Vandal Band" benefit concert, a concert to raise money to help save our high school band director's job, was a fantastic, high-energy event.
    Well over 500 people attended the fundraising event that was co-sponsored by The Leader-Union and WPMB/WKRV radio. The fifth- through eighth-grade bands, under the direction of Sara Berg, and the high school band, under the direction of Tony Hicks, both gave flawless performances.

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  • Banks of the Okaw

    This week’s Mystery Banks Photo: This young fireman, pictured in 1986, knew at the age of 2 that he wanted to be a fireman. He works at a Vandalia business and is a member of the Vandalia Volunteer Fire Department.

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