Area News
St. Elmo man elected as co-op director
A St. Elmo man was one of three members of Southwestern Electric Cooperative elected to the co-op’s board of directors during Southwestern Electric’s 83rd Annual Meeting of Members, held Saturday, Sept. 11, at the Bond County Fairgrounds in Greenville. Jared Stine of St. Elmo was one of those elected. Each director will serve a three-year…
Read MoreLabor Day bike show is a success
West Nile Virus detected in Fayette County mosquitoes
According to Jodi Smith, Director of Environmental Health for Fayette County Health Department, “Routine mosquito testing has identified the first West Nile virus positive batch of mosquitoes in Fayette County in 2021. These results demonstrate the continued need for people to ensure they are protected from mosquito bites.” The mosquito sample was collected in rural…
Read MoreYMCA kicks fundraising into gear for Phase 2 construction
Since its construction in 2010, the Fayette County YMCA has outgrown its facility in its few short years of operation. That’s the reason, according to CEO Ben Frazier, that The Y’s fund raising campaign was begun. So far, more than a quarter of the needed funding has been raised. The Phase 2 campaign has set…
Read MoreSchools band together in letter read at today’s ISBE meeting
Several area schools, and many others from around the state, signed their names to a letter read to the Illinois State Board of Education today in Springfield, according to Melissa Ritter, superintendent of Ramseay School District. Those from Central Illinois signing the letter include Taylorville, Carlyle, Central A&M, Pana, Shelbyville, South Central, Nokomis, Cowden-Herrick, North…
Read MoreVandalia native wins pro bowling title
A Vandalia native recently won the US Women’s Open in the Professional Women’s Bowling Association held last week. Josie Barnes, now of Nashville, TN, and daughter of former Vandalia bowling alley owner Larry Earnest, also of the Nashville area, won the championship last week in California. It was her fourth PWBA title. The 33-year-old right-hander…
Read MoreCouncil amends water ordinance Tuesday
Changes in water billing and payments were made last night as the Vandalia City Council approved a resolution for an agreement with Payment Service Network, conditional to fees being waived, and adopted an ordinance amending water service with the city. The new ordinance increases the late charge on bills from $25 to $35, as well…
Read MoreCraig affirmed as health department admin
DCEO rep and mayor encourage business to apply for Back to Business grant
Mayor Ricky Gottman and Flo Simpson of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, spoke to the Greater Fayette Chamber of Commerce last week concerning a grant for businesses affected by COVID. “With the number of businesses in our city who have struggled through the pandemic and continue to struggle, the State of Illinois through…
Read MoreBrownstown schools put on temporary lockdown Tuesday
On Sept 7, 2021, at approximately 8:40 am the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office was called to the scene of a shooting that occurred in rural Brownstown. Out of an abundance of caution, the Brownstown School District went on a soft lockdown for a short period of time. At no time whatsoever were any students, staff,…
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