Area Breaking News
Altamont School District is Once Again Seeking a Superintendent
Numerous Complaints Led Dr. Martin to Rescind Acceptance of the Position BY CARISSA SITKI The search for a new Altamont Unit 10 School District superintendent resumes as the Altamont Board of Education received a letter from Dr. David Martin on Sunday, Feb. 14, requesting to be released from his employment contract due to community members…
Read MoreCommunity Addresses Altamont Board of Education
BY CARISSA SITKI An opportunity for public comment was observed in the Altamont High School gym during the Friday, Feb. 19, Altamont Board of Education work weekend meeting. The meeting began at 3 p.m. with the comment section occurring at 5:30 p.m. Several people addressed the Board regarding Dr. David Martin’s withdraw from his contract.…
Read MoreWaldorf Motel Becomes St. Elmo Apartments
BY CARISSA SITKI The Waldorf Motel has been in St. Elmo, Illinois since 1953, but now the building is in the process of becoming the St. Elmo Apartments. Around three months ago, Brian and Amanda Bannister, owners of Bannister Properties, purchased the motel from the Patels and have begun renovations to transform it into an…
Read MoreFontaine Appointed as Alderman Ward II
BY CARISSA SITKI During the St. Elmo City Board meeting held at the American Legion on Jan. 6, 2021 at 6 p.m. Danielle Fontaine was appointed to fill the vacancy for Alderman Ward II. The vacancy was left by Jordan Mahon, when she resigned last August due to her moving out of the district. Fontaine…
Read MoreNiehaus Receives Pfizer COVID Vaccine
Former News Banner Editor Stands Up to the Pandemic BY CARISSA SITKI With shipments of COVID-19 vaccines making their way across the United States, it would appear that the pandemic may be nearing its end. There have been two vaccines authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the United States, the…
Read MoreThe Skin Refinery Named Final Business of the Month for 2020
BY CARISSA SITKI The Altamont Chamber of Commerce selected The Skin Refinery to receive the Business Spotlight of the Month for December 2020. The business offers relaxing and empowering treatments to their clients, including; spa treatments, facials, advanced skin care treatments, nail services, and more. “BE BOLD. BE BEAUTIFUL. BE ICONIC.,” reads the headline of…
Read MoreLutheran Care Kids Sing Christmas Carols to Residents
A Shot in the Arm
Fayette Receives First Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine BY RICH BAUER VANDALIA LEADER UNION Fayette County received its first 100 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine last Wednesday, December 16, and all doses were gone, with no one reporting any side affects as of Monday, December 21. And that could be expected, according to Kendra Craig, an…
Read MoreHopkins House Named 2020’s First Yard of the Month by Garden Club
BY SHELBY NIEHAUS A wavy-bordered rock garden rings the pristine ranch home at 302 North Eighth. Antique plows, farming equipment, and statuettes sprout from the sun-washed stone between short, carefully-trimmed shrubs and low Japanese Maples. Shady spots abound at the rear of the home, while the front corner, sporting an American flag in its…
Read MoreWith Regret, Fayette County Fair Association Announces Fair’s Cancellation for 2020
BY SHELBY NIEHAUS Sadly, Fayette county fairgoers won’t have a place to be this July. The Fayette County Fair, for the first time in decades, has been cancelled. A statement to the media, submitted by Fair Association member Kim Frutiger, reads as follows: “The Fayette County Fair has been a long-standing tradition in our…
Read More