Area News
Altamont School Board Discusses Pay for Sports Officials
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…
Read MoreBrownstown Sports Hall of Fame Honors New Inductees
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…
Read MorePhillips Named Miss Illinois County Fair Queen 2026
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…
Read MoreVandalia Explores Potential Data Center
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…
Read MoreCommunity “Holds Special Place” for New Chamber President
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…
Read MoreVandalia Native Traces Family Roots Through Poetry
Paul Stroble, a Vandalia native, has published his ninth poetry collection and his 25th book overall, continuing a body of work closely tied to local history and family memory. The collection, Holy Week, 1847, centers on Stroble’s third great grandmother, Comfort Williams, an Ohio widow who settled with her six children in the Four Mile…
Read MoreVandalia Honors Colin Ledbetter, First Responders in Blood Drive
Colin Ledbetter survived a life-threatening shooting thanks to the lifesaving power of donated blood, and on Tuesday, Jan. 6, the Vandalia community came together at the Moose Lodge to honor him and first responders. At the heart of the blood drive, Lisha Ledbetter, Colin’s mother, shared her admiration for her son, recounting the bravery that…
Read MoreAltamont Teen Joins in Hockey Fights Cancer with St Louis Blues
BY MARK HOSKINS In December of 2024, Karly Brummer, who was then a freshman at ACHS, received the horrible news of a positive cancer diagnosis. Karly was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Her positive attitude along with the support of family, friends, and the community helped Karly to battle her cancer, and ended up…
Read MoreState Fair Goes to Digital Ticketing
The Illinois State Fair is transitioning to digital ticketing for 2026. Illinois Department of Agriculture Jerry Costello II said, “Digital ticketing represents our commitment to modernizing the fairgoer experience through technology. Costello said the transition will streamline access and enhance security. What Fairgoers Need to Know • Download in advance: Fairgoers should download their tickets before…
Read MoreCUSD 10 Superintendent Casey Adam Announces Resignation
BY MARK HOSKINS After serving the Altamont school district for five years, CUSD 10 Superintendent Casey Adam has announced her resignation from the position. The resignation was accepted by the school board during their meeting on Monday, December 8 Adam will finish out the school year with her resignation being effective on June 30, 2026.…
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