BY MARK HOSKINS Among several items of business during the March 9 meeting, the Altamont Community Unit School District #10 Board of Education considered a pay increase for officials, working games at both the grade school and high school. The proposed increase in pay for officials would keep Altamont closer in pay to what other…

The newest class of athletes to be inducted into the Brownstown Sports Hall of Fame were celebrated on Thursday, January 15 during a girls home basketball game. Nine new members were inducted into the Hall of Fame: Lowell Benefiel (class of 1949), Clark Bayles (class of 1963), Phil Sefton (class of 1972), Jeff Fulk (class…

During the 115th Annual Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs convention in Springfield this past weekend, Miss Effingham County, Krista Phillips, was named the 2026 Miss Illinois County Fair Queen. Phillips was named the winner of the Effingham County Fair Queen Pageant this past summer and represented Effingham County well, taking the crown at the state…

By Frances Trujillo “Vandalia is exploring the possibility of a data center,” Mayor Doug Knebel said, emphasizing that much is still unknown and no decisions have been made. City officials are gathering information on potential benefits, such as high-tech jobs and private investment, as well as concerns about energy use and infrastructure needs. Knebel discussed…

By Frances Trujillo Chelsey Jolliff, a longtime insurance professional, said her path to leadership with the Greater Fayette County Chamber of Commerce grew out of a desire to be more connected to the community. Jolliff, who grew up in Vandalia, began her insurance career in 2017 and said she quickly realized she gained energy from…