Area News
Council approves dollars for improvements, road closures for city events, stop sign request
The Vandalia City Council passed many resolutions and ordinances allocating money for needed city repairs, and TIF grants to two businesses at its meeting Monday night, July 19. At the meeting, the council approved two Tax Increment Finance grants, one to Radliff Properties in the amount of $21,956, and Marvin Garden Properties, in the amount…
Read MoreVandalia hosts IML summer meeting
Chief Thomason steps down after 30 years on Brownstown Fire Department
Tony Thomason has called it quits after 30 years on the Brownstown Fire Department. “A lot of people told me, ‘You’ll know when it’s time,’ and it was time,” Thomason said. It all started in 1991, when Thomason’s father-in-law was on the department, as well as a couple of friends, at the time. “I thought…
Read MoreSchaeffer returns for a second chance
Zach Schaeffer is no stranger to Vandalia. He was a resident here since the age of 5, was a member of the 1000-point club at Vandalia Community High School, and now, is the full time pastor at First Church of God, just off of Route 185 north, on Thrill Hill Road. Zach had a normal…
Read MoreSt. Jude Runners come through Vandalia Friday
Vandalia to begin schools with optional mask policy: Area school districts sign joint letter to state officials
Many area lead educators have co-signed letters to Governor J. B. Pritzker and Illinois Superintendent of Schools Carmen Ayala, requesting that local schools district decide their own standards in Terms of COVID-19 safety measures. The letter requests that local jurisdictions be allowed to implements their own measures and protocols regarding the coronavirus when schools return.…
Read MoreWaste transfer site application withdrawn indefinitely by developer
The Fayette County Clerk’s office received notification late Tuesday afternoon, July 13, that the site application for the proposed waste transfer station on Route 185 east of Vandalia was pulled by developer Chris Sutter. “I don’t really have any information at this time. I know that there’s some information on my application that I want…
Read MoreMiley Worker is 2021 Miss Fayette County Fair
BY CARISSA SITKI The Fayette County Fair has a new queen for the first time in two years after Miley Worker was crowned the 2021 Queen on Monday evening, July 12. Worker succeeds the 2019 Queen, Marlee Nolen. Nolen was the longest reigning queen in the fair’s history due to the COVID-19 pandemic that prevented…
Read MoreStorms leave high waters, damage as they roll through the county
Sheriff Palmer delivers sobering news on budget requests at meeting
“What kind of sheriff’s department you want is going to depend on which budget you decide on passing,” Fayette County Sheriff Chris Palmer told the county board at its meeting held Tuesday night, July 6, at the Vandalia Moose Lodge. Palmer had given the county board three budget proposals for his department. The first budget,…
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