Area News

Without discussion and only one question, Vandalia’s Tax Increment Financing advisory committee has recommended a 50-percent grant for an attorney renovating one of Vandalia’s oldest downtown buildings. In an 8-1 vote taken during the meeting held by Zoom on Friday, the members of that committee agreed to send to the city council a $134,051.85 grant…

The Fayette County coroner said that the death of a passenger in a one-car crash in December is now being ruled a homicide. Jacob Henschen, 28, of Pana, sustained fatal injuries in a single-vehicle accident south of Herrick on Thursday, Dec. 10. Henschen was ejected from the vehicle as it crashed when the vehicle driven…

Evans Public Library in Vandalia is again open to the public. Librarian Jessica Blain announced last Wednesday afternoon that the library would reopen to the public this Tuesday. The library has been open for curbside pickup only since Nov. 20 due to Tier 3 mitigations and the rising number of COVID-19 cases in this area.…

In choosing its business class, this year’s Fayette County CEO students took into consideration the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic has everyone anxious for outdoor activities. The idea of hosting Old Capitol Skate started out “as a joke,” said Josie Strauch, a CEO class member who is a senior at St. Elmo High School. In…

Evans Public Library in Vandalia is again open to the public. Librarian Jessica Blain announced last Wednesday afternoon that the library would reopen to the public this Tuesday. The library has been open for curbside pickup only since Nov. 20 due to Tier 3 mitigations and the rising number of COVID-19 cases in this area.…

Tuesday, Jan. 19 • 11 new cases • 2,911 total cases • 49 total deaths • No new deaths • 489 vaccinated Monday, Jan. 18 • 17 new cases • 2,898 total cases • 49 total deaths • No new deaths Friday, Jan. 15 • 20 new cases • 2,864 total cases • 49 total…

A Vandalia City Council committee has decided that when the city receives $450,000 in grant funds, they should go toward replacing an aging sewer lift station and Vandalia Lake projects The city announced at the beginning of the month that state Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) was able to procure those grant funds, which are…