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Today's Opinions

  • Breast cancer journey continues

    It has been 13 years now since I was told that I had breast cancer – a fast-growing type, they said. On a scale from two to nine, I was a seven. Not a good number to be.
    Being the first in my immediate family to be diagnosed with cancer, I searched my ancestor charts for other kin who may have died as a result of this particular affliction. I came up blank. In fact, throughout the lives of my family members, the most common cause of death was old age.

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  • School, teachers pact a good sign

    Earlier this month, as the Vandalia Board of Education and the union representing the district’s teachers reached a contract settlement, it was a win for both sides.
    Talks between the two groups had been going on since last spring, and had included one arbitration meeting in September when the two sides couldn’t come up with a compromise that they could live with. A second arbitration meeting had been scheduled, but never was held.
    The teachers had been working without a contract since the new fiscal year began July 1.

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  • Alderman shows initiative

    Vandalia officials learned on Monday night that their hopes for a quick, simple and inexpensive fix to the ongoing problem with the city’s raw water intake on the Kaskaskia River had been dashed.
    But the failure to find such a fix wasn’t due to a lack of effort.
    At some point, it may be worth it for the city to fix the problem, though the need to do so may be moot if the city can work out an agreement with the Kaskaskia Springs Water Co. that is cost-effective.

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  • Vandalia crucial to Illinois railroad history

    Editor Thomas Lakin of The Vandalia Union newspaper once wrote, “Vandalia is the cradle in which the infant Illinois was rocked.”

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  • The Way We Were

    15 Years Ago

    1997 – It was the one-year anniversary of the work camp at Vandalia Correctional Center. Inmate hours at the work camp were totaling as many as 30,000 per month.
    Brownstown officials were celebrating the startup of a sewer line replacement project. A $350,000 state grant was being used in conjunction with a $150,000 loan.
    Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Hoffmire were celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary.
    Sophia Martin was celebrating her 100th birthday at Fayette County Hospital & Long Term Care.

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  • Banks of the Okaw

    In last week’s Mystery Banks Photo was: Jean Carson Hall.
    Identifying her was: Kathleen Hall.
    This week’s Scrambler: eht ufro osroctnernes fo tarhcreac no chwih stih intano si lubti rae: vaitintiie, goimaintani, aidiliviytnud nda ecenidenpned.
    Can you unscramble it? If so, call The Leader-Union, 283-3374, by 5 p.m. next Monday.

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  • Banks of the Okaw

    In last week’s Mystery Banks Photo was: Jean Carson Hall.
    Identifying her was: Kathleen Hall.
    This week’s Scrambler: eht ufro osroctnernes fo tarhcreac no chwih stih intano si lubti rae: vaitintiie, goimaintani, aidiliviytnud nda ecenidenpned.
    Can you unscramble it? If so, call The Leader-Union, 283-3374, by 5 p.m. next Monday.

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  • Banks of the Okaw

    This week’s Mystery Banks Photo: This young woman was about 15 when this picture was taken nearly 70 years ago.

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