Gene A. Skinner, 62, DuQuoin
Gene A. Skinner, 62, of DuQuoin, Ill., passed away on Monday, Dec. 15, at SIH Memorial Hospital of Carbondale. A Funeral Service will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, Dec. 22, at Hohlt & File Funeral Home, Vandalia with Rev. PeeWee Denton officiating. Interment will follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Loogootee. Visitation will be held…
Read MoreLinda M. Ward, 77, Vandalia
Linda M. Ward, 77, of Vandalia, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 13, at Christian Northeast Hospital, St. Louis, MO surrounded by family. A Funeral Service will be held at 11a.m., Friday, Dec.19, at Hohlt & File Funeral Home, Vandalia with Pastor Rodney Caswell officiating. Interment will follow in Forbis Cemetery, Brownstown. Visitation will be held…
Read MoreJo-Ellen (Stine) Frailey, 84, Brownstown
Jo-Ellen (Stine) Frailey, 84, of Brownstown, died at 12:12 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 12, at her son’s home in Urbana, Ill., with Scott and Anna at her side. Funeral services will be at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, at Gieseking Funeral Home, Brownstown with visitation following until 7:30 p.m. Graveside services will be at 11:00…
Read MoreDorotha M. Rhodes, 88, Vandalia
Dorotha M. Rhodes, 88, of Vandalia, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at SBL Fayette County Hospital. A Graveside Service & Interment will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 16, at Spring Hill Cemetery, Beecher City with Rev. Dennis Warner officiating. In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be made to Northside…
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.…
Read MoreZain Parker Appointed to Fill Vacant Altamont City Council Seat
BY MARK HOSKINS Following the resignation of Jason Rippetoe from the Altamont City Council last month, an appointment needed to be made to fill the vacant seat. Altamont resident Zain Parker was appointed to fill this seat during the council’s December 8 meeting. Parker currently serves on the city’s zoning board and works as a…
Read MoreSports Roundup
HS GIRLS WRESTLING Princeton Tournament Marley Black – 0-2, Did not place Briley Sefton – 0-2, DNP Aydia White – 0-3, DNP Marlee Carroll – 0-2, DNP Violet Gray – 3-2, 4th place HS BOYS WRESTLING Vandalia opened the season with a 56-18 win at Freeburg. Varsity 106 pounds – Kaden Daughtery won by fall…
Read MoreHistorical Society Hosts Gala
The community’s treasured Statehouse, recognized as Illinois’ oldest capitol building and linked to Abraham Lincoln’s early legislative years, glowed warmly on Friday, Decem ber 5 as the Historical Society held its Annual Christmas Gala. Guests stepped into a setting rich with heritage as the well-lit rooms showcased a beautifully decorated Christma s tree that set…
Read MoreVandalia City Council Meeting
DEBORAH SIMCOX Correspondent At the Monday, Dec. 8, special meeting of the Vandalia City Council, in New Business Public Questions & Comments, these items were approved: – Ordinance # 2025-12-8-A, establishing the Annual Tax Levy for the Fiscal Year, beginning May 1, 2025 and ending April 30, 2026, – Ordinance # 2025-12-8-B (Amended), establishing and…
Read MoreRyder J. “RJ” Stock
Ryder Joseph “RJ” Stock, our greatest gift, was called home in his sleep to be with Jesus early Thursday morning, Nov. 6, 2025. Anyone that knew our sweet boy saw him for his contagious laugh, smile and dimples. Ryder was born on September 14, 2023, in Breese, Ill., the son of Faith and Ross Stock.…
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