Wrestlers take second at Princeton
Three Vandals won their weight championships as Vandalia finished second at the prestigious Lyle King Princeton Invitational over the weekend. The Vandals accumulated 250 points, finishing second to Coal City, which had 272 points. Dixon was third, Stanford Olympia was fourth and Gibson City rounded out the top five. Taking first place at the tournament…
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HS WRESTLING Boys Vandalia 59, Lawrenceville 18 106 pounds – Kaden Daugherty won by fall, 5:09 113 – Cooper Galloway lost by fall, 1:36 120 – Aiden Evans won by fall, 3:54 126 – Riley Hinton won by fall, 3:55 132 – V lost by forfeit 138 – Brody Matthews won by fall, 3:47 144…
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 MoreJohn “Mark” Duncan
John Mark Duncan, 66, of St. Elmo, Illinois passed away on Christmas Eve, 2025. The world lost a big hearted, Christ centered, teddy bear of a man. Mark was born January 10, 1959, in Pampa, TX to Bill and Katherine Duncan. He graduated from Amarillo High School, Amarillo, Texas in 1977, then went on to…
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 MoreBombers Claim Third Straight Title at Dieterich Holiday Tournament
Brownstown/St. Elmo picked up three wins to advance to the championship game of the Dieterich Holiday Tournament. The Lady Bombers were to face Cumberland in the title game as they sought to win the tournament for the third straight year. Brownstown/St. Elmo 60 Arcola 16 BSE – Mason 0 0-0 0; Williams 0 3-4 3;…
Read MoreWrestlers Place Third at Abe’s Rumble
Vandalia took third place at the prestigious Abe’s Rumble in Springfield over the weekend. The Vandals were 8-1 at the tournament, the only loss coming to Lena-Winslow in the championship semifinals. Defending state champ Coal City won the tournament, with Lena-Winslow taking second place. Vandalia’s team results from the tournament were: • Vandalia 56, Mt.…
Read MoreLeonard Charles Pinney, 92, Jacksonville
Leonard Charles Pinney went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, Jan. 3. Born on Dec. 4, 1933, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, he was the beloved son of Edwin Earl Pinney and Marian Sellers Pinney. Rev. Pinney’s formative years were spent in various states as his father’s work as…
Read MorePamela Grace Smith, 56, Springfield
Pamela Grace Smith, 56, of Springfield, was called to her eternal rest on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025. She was born on July 2, 1969, in Vandalia, the daughter of Merrill and Grace (Moore) Thull. Pamela married Kristopher D. Smith on Sept. 2, 2006. Pamela graduated from Vandalia High School in 1987, received her bachelor’s degree…
Read MoreRandal Gregory “Greg” Bigelow, 64, Escondido, CA,
Randal Gregory “Greg” Bigelow, 64, of Escondido, CA, passed away on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025 at his residence. Per the family’s wishes, cremation rites will be accorded. There will be no services held at this time. In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be made to a veteran’s organization of their choice. Online condolences…
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