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Today's Opinions

  • St. Paul Lutheran Church celebrates 150th

    In the mid-1850s, the Illinois Central Railroad had been granted 28 square miles in Fayette County for construction of its north-south line from Cairo to Chicago. Once construction was complete, they were to return any land to the state not needed to build the rail line. Instead, they put it up for sale.

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  • Citizen input is vital in decisions

    Two significant meetings, dealing with topics that are important to our community, are coming up. Each  should attract significant crowds, so citizens can participate in decisions that will have long-term impacts on the quality of life in Vandalia.
    The first is next Tuesday's monthly meeting of the Vandalia Board of Education. This meeting, typically, is the one at which program and position cuts are voted on. And it looks like more of each are likely.

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  • Banks of the Okaw

    This week’s Mystery Banks Photo: This picture shows a Vandalia couple as they were 60 years ago. They have two children.

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  • The Way We Were

    25 Years Ago

    1989 – A late-winter storm dumped freezing rain, sleet and eight inches of snow in Fayette County. Ninety vehicles transporting 274 members of the Missouri National Guard were forced to spend two nights in the Vandalia High School gym because of the road conditions.
    Beth Blankenship and John Cline were named DAR and SAR winners at Mulberry Grove High School.
    Jim Staff announced plans to retire after 38 years as regional superintendent.

    30 Years Ago

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  • Your vote can make difference

    With four candidates running for sheriff and three for county clerk and recorder, it’s been an unusually active primary election campaign in Fayette County.
    And that’s a good thing.
    It means that we have choices. It means that people are seeking elected office. And it means that the democratic system is working.

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  • The Way We Were

    25 Years Ago

    1989 – The Wooden Nickel in downtown Vandalia was gutted by fire.
    Patoka celebrated its first regional tournament championship in 15 years, beating Mulberry Grove 72-62 at St. Elmo.
    Fayette County Girl Scouts sold 15,396 boxes of cookies.
    After 50 years of service, Vandalia Laundry and Dry cleaning announced plans to close its doors.

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  • Banks of the Okaw

    This week’s Mystery Banks Photo: These three brothers, who grew up in rural Vandalia, are pictured 53 years ago. The older two work with wood, and the younger one works with kids.

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  • Help find those responsible for damage to the caboose

    Editor:
    Thanks for your recent comments about vandalism of the caboose.
    What’s equally as bad as the vandalism is apathy. You came forward and said something for all of us in Vandalia. There is a Crime Watchers program for our area.
    I’m willing to join forces with The Leader-Union, Crime Watchers and the Vandalia Police Department. I’ll offer a $100 donation to Crime Watchers in order to have a reward for catching those responsible for this vandalism.
    Richard Briley
    Vandalia
     

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