Area Breaking News
St. Elmo Library District Announces Logo Design Winner
BY CARISSA SITKI Cassie Newburn of St. Elmo was named the winner of the St. Elmo Public Library District logo design contest when her creation was selected through blind-judging by the Library Board at their April meeting. A winning logo was originally going to be selected at the District’s Board meeting on Jan. 14,…
Read MoreNo Decision was Made by the Altamont City Council Regarding a Proposed Structure on North Second
BY CARISSA SITKI During the Altamont City Council meeting on Monday, April 26, an item on the agenda to approve an ordinance (Ordinance VA-1628) for a variance for an accessory structure at 118 North Second Street (in the lot between the Whistle Stop and Luke’s Bar and Grill) did not receive approval, or disproval. City…
Read MoreFirst Animal Shelter in Fayette County
BY JOHN BROUX EDITOR, VANDALIA LEADER-UNION Fayette County now has its own animal control center, which was completed last week. The shelter, the first ran by the county, has already had its first residents as well, according to recent reports. Prior to the shelter being built, captured animals were held with Dr. Durbin’s office in…
Read MoreRemembering St. Elmo Photojournalist, Kent Janes
BY CARISSA SITKI A tragic house fire during the morning hours of Friday, April 16, claimed the life of beloved St. Elmo resident, Ralph “Kent” Janes, age 77, according to the Fayette County Coroner. For many years, Janes was a photographer and writer for the St. Elmo Devonian newspaper. Though the paper ceased publication, Janes…
Read MorePhase 1: Altamont’s Water Main Replacement Project Begins
Slingerland Reinforces Concerns with Carrying out Project in Phases BY CARISSA SITKI Altamont’s highly anticipated, phased, water main replacement project is now underway, with Kieffer Brothers Construction beginning Phase I work near the Route 40/Farina blacktop intersection on Monday, April 5. The project has been in the works for the past six years. City Commissioner…
Read MoreAltamont’s Third Grade Philanthropist is at it Again
Jonah Jansen Presents: No Better Option than Adoption BY CARISSA SITKI Jonah Jansen, organizer of Fostering Christmas One Toy at a Time, has returned to his front-yard lemonade stand; this time, to raise money for Effingham Animal Rescue Sanctuary (EARS). Last October, eight-year-old Jonah partnered with Caritas Family Solutions in Effingham to help ensure…
Read MoreDozens of Children Participate in St. Elmo Easter Festivities
BY CARISSA SITKI Warm and sunny weather on Saturday, April 3, made for a great Easter Eve as St. Elmo children gathered for several fun-filled holiday events throughout the City. The days events began with an Easter egg drive-thru at Aperion Care which took place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The Easter Bunny was…
Read MoreHoskins Acquires Two Additional Newspapers
By Pamela Rensing mascherald@heraldpubs.com Greg Hoskins, publisher of Better Newspapers, Inc., is proud to announce the acquisition of two Illinois newspapers: The Breeze Courier and The Shopping Spree, both located in Taylorville, IL. Based in Mascoutah, IL, Better Newspapers, Inc. is a family-owned company now operating 26 publications in Illinois and Missouri. The Breeze Courier…
Read MoreAltamont District Hires New Superintendent
Adam to Assume Role on July 1 of this Year BY CARISSA SITKI The Altamont Community Unit School District 10 held a special Board of Education meeting on Monday at 7 p.m. where the hiring of Casey Adam as the District’s new superintendent was approved by the Board. Directly after the meeting, a “meet-and-greet” was…
Read MoreKollmann Named 2021 IPPA District 5 President
BY CARISSA SITKI The Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA) held their annual meeting virtually on Feb. 9, during which, Alan Kollmann of Altamont was elected as the Association’s District 5 President for 2021. In honor of Kollmann’s election, the IPPA produced a video about Kolmann, including his work on the farm and his life. Kollmann…
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