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Today's Opinions

  • New water source worth considering

    With the Kaskaskia River shrinking to a trickle and Vandalia Lake levels dropping due to this summer’s drought, it’s a prime time to think about alternative water sources. Add to those woes the ongoing problems the city has had keeping its river intake functioning, and the possibility of another source is particularly attractive.

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  • The Way We Were

    15 Years Ago

    1997 – The Vandalia City Council voted to allow para-sailing at Vandalia Lake. The city would have five licenses, with the cost of a license being $500.
    The Vandalia Main Street Program executive board held a public reception for its first program manager, Carole White.
    Alvin and Georgia Meyer of Vandalia were observing their 50th wedding anniversary.
    Lyda Ecke, a longtime resident of Vandalia, was celebrating her 100th birthday.

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  • Banks of the Okaw

    In last week’s Mystery Banks Photo were: The Hunt children of Ramsey. They are, front row, from left, Fred, Joe and Stan; and back row, from left, Bo and Ben.
    Identifying them were: Velma Ballard, Gene Etcheson, Elaine Michel, Diane Hortenstine, Betty Cothern, Donna Chrisman and Danny Donaldson.
    This week’s Scrambler:  reeht rae wot sgihnt ot mai ta ni flei; rifts, ot egt twah uyo twan, nad treaf ahtt ot jynoe ti. lyon eht swiets fo nem vaecehi teh nodces.

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  • P.G. Donaldson was county storyteller

    I enjoy reading first-hand accounts of what life was like for early Fayette County settlers.
    Presley Garner Donaldson, who was born in Hurricane Township in 1839, is one of my favorite Fayette County storytellers. P.G., as he was called, self-published his down-home stories in 1908 under the title, “Life and Adventures of P.G. Donaldson.” The book was printed at the Jewett Printery in Cowden.
    Following is one of his tales.

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  • Drought shows our connections

    It’s no secret that Fayette County will be severely impacted by this summer’s drought.
    Corn yields are estimated to be only one-third of the norm, and soybeans will generate about two-thirds of an average crop.
    Last week’s crop survey, conducted by the Fayette County Farm Bureau, predicted an average corn yield of 41.65 bushels per acre, significantly below last year’s county average of 149.69 bushels per acre. And soybeans are projected to yield 21.49 bushels per acre, down from last year’s harvest of 32.48 bushels per acre.

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  • Thanks to supporters of OUR PLACE

    Editor:
    Thank you to Panzi Blackwell for the wonderful article about OUR PLACE Youth Center in the July 26 issue of The Leader-Union.
    It's due to the generosity of the individuals, businesses, churches, organizations and foundations of Vandalia made it possible for the youth center to exist.
    Thanks to the many, big-hearted and charitable people who gave their money and also those who gave their personal time to OUR PLACE.
    Patricia A. Sprague
    Board President
    OUR PLACE Youth Center

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  • The Way We Were

    15 Years Ago

    1997 – Rachel Engel of Farina was crowned Miss Fayette County Fair. Jaida Etcheson won the Little Miss Fayette County competition.
    Brad Horner of Vandalia received a state proficiency award in sheep production.

    20 Years Ago

    1992 – The Vandalia City Council approved a plan to extend Sunset Drive south from Jefferson Street to Randolph Street. The project estimate was $183,000.

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  • Banks of the Okaw

    This week’s Mystery Banks Photo: This picture, taken 64 years ago in 1948, shows five brothers who grew up in Ramsey.

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