Featured Stories

We didn't start the fire

The AP chemistry class at Paris High school did something illuminative under the guidance of teacher Brett Block. An outdoors lab Tuesday evening, Sept. 12, was the appropriate setting for an …

Court finds probable cause for firearms charge

A fight over a woman was apparently the root cause of gunfire near Carolyn Wenz Elementary School on Aug. 15. Tyge A. Hissem, 30, Paris, one of the people charged in the incident appeared in …
Edgar County residents are buzzing with excitement for the 25th Honeybee Celebration

The buzz on Honeybee is all about community

This year the Honeybee turns 25 years old and plans to make the celebration a memorable time for everyone in the community are underway. “The Honeybee is really a celebration of …

Lawrenceville spoils homecoming

On Homecoming night at Paris High School, the Lawrenceville Indians played the spoiler as they defeated the Tigers 20-13. With the win, the Indians improve to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the Little …

Paris 95 issues new statement, receives hefty pay-back proposal from ISBE

During an open session on Sept. 11, 2023, Paris Union School District 95 board president Kevin Knoepfel issued a statement regarding the district’s corrective action plan and the current …
Car lovers support cause

Local car club raises funds for scholarships

The East Side Motor Club held its annual scholarship drive car show Saturday, Aug. 16, at the Twin Lakes Cruisers Pavilion in the West Lake. More than 40 cars were on display while music of the …
The REC enters new phase in capital campaign approving pool

Diving in for a better future

The Rec Center's new slogan for its capital and sustainment campaign, "Dive In For the Future," is fitting. After the campaign's efforts reached a new milestone last week, staff, patrons and all of …

Battle of the Big Cats

The Paris Tiger football team hit the road for the first time this season on Friday, Sept. 8. The short bus ride home was a happy one. Paris moved above the .500 mark with a convincing 26-0 …

Noble pleads guilty, sentenced to prison for fight behind Wenz School

One of the two men accused of the Aug. 15 altercation behind Carolyn Wenz School that included the discharge of a firearm is prison bound. Alex M. Noble and Tyge A. Hissem were arrested and …
Methodist church’s antique pipe organ finds a new home in a refurbished theatre

Organ removal keeps music alive

HUME - In 1923, an organ was purchased for the Hume Methodist Episcopal Church by Sarah Hughes Aikman in memory of her late husband, Ralph Aikman, with a check for $3,031.41. The large pipe …

Faith in Action celebrates 20 years of service

Faith in Action of Edgar County (FIAEC) is celebrating 20 years of existence and providing services to the community during that time.  Volunteers, staff and board of directors have been …

Classics continue to come to Paris

The Paris Carnegie Library has been working with the Paris Park Board and the Friends of the Library Organization for more than a decade to bring the classic works of Shakespeare to Paris. …

PHS Volleyball completes another perfect week

Paris Volleyball has a busy week ahead, with matches on Tuesday, Sept. 5, Wednesday, Sept. 6, Thursday, Sept. 7 and Saturday September 9. Wednesday and Thursday are home matches. Thursday’s …

Progress on courthouse roof

It’s the difference between night and day. Edgar County Board members Andy Patrick and Russ Lawton with Edgar County Clerk and Recorder August Griffin got a full inspection of what has …

Smiles are returning to Edgar County

The Edgar County Public Health Department (ECPHD) has been without a dentist for two long years, after searching high and low the position will be filed before the end of the year. “I have …

Steele pleads guilty and receives 30 years for the death of Anthony Rauch

DANVILLE – Dillon J. Steele, Paris, received a 30-year sentence Friday, Aug. 25, for the murder of Paris resident Anthony Rauch. Rauch had been living with his ex-wife Melinda Warfel when …

Gas leak reported near downtown Paris

Local emergency personnel responded to reports of a gas leak at 223 W. Wood Street, Paris, on Monday, Aug. 28. The leak, initially reported around 11:45 a.m., occurred after an excavator working …

Chrisman High/Junior High School receives numerous improvements

CHRISMAN – School is in session, and Chrisman High/Junior High School looks a little different on the inside. Community Unit School District #6 (CUSD6) worked diligently over summer break …

Beacon Brigade Starts Over for the New Season

The Paris Highschool Beacon Brigade lost a number of seniors and experience when the class of 2023 graduated. Leaving both the directors and members to rebuild this year's show. Beacon Brigade …

Drink like a civilized Viking

BROCTON — The popular image of mead is Viking warriors quaffing flagons of the honey-based spirit from drinking horns in raucous celebrations. Maybe, but mead also has a more refined side. …

Welcoming Wilson to the Press

Paris high school student Aubrey Wilson has joined the staff at The Prairie Press as a part of the school’s co-op program offering students the chance to intern at local businesses and receive …
Astronomy and astrophotography are Killion’s passions

Killion looks farther than most

Retirement often allows a person to develop a new passion or expand a lifelong interest that took a backseat while working. Such is the case for Mark Killion who retired in 2017 as a structural …

Paris brothers charged with possession of child porn

Two brothers from Paris have been detained and charged with multiple counts of possession of child pornography. Following a search of their home on Thursday, August 24, 47-year-old Robert E. …
Tigers snatch victory from the jaws of defeat

Tigers down Falcons

In high school football, all three facets of a team need to perform at a high level in order to win. That was never more evident than tonight as the Paris Tigers scored in the final minute …

Dana man killed on state Route 1

Edgar County Coroner Scott Barrett has confirmed the remains of a Dana, Ind., man missing since Saturday evening, Aug. 19, were found in Edgar County. Barrett said all evidence indicates …

IDPH warns Illinoisans to protect themselves from dangerously high heat

SPRINGFIELD — With dangerously high levels of heat forecast across the state of Illinois in the coming days, including heat index forecasts in excess of 100 degrees, the Illinois Department of …

Back to school breakfast feeds the hearts of local educators

For 73 years an organization of church women in the Paris area and the Paris Ministerial Fellowship have held a back to school breakfast to honor and encourage educators in their community. …
OAKLAND BAND ROCKED EAST CENTRAL ILLINOIS

Making rock music

In 1964, in Oakland, amidst the Vietnam War, Larry Taylor, Terry Hackett, Jim Cravens and Bill Hudson came together to form a rock ‘n’ roll band, The Demons. “Larry was the …

Bond set for Hissem and Noble for shooting near Wenz School

Tyge Hissem and Alex Noble, arrested following the discharge of a firearm near Wenz School, made their initial appearances Thursday, Aug. 17, in Edgar County Circuit Court. The altercation in …

Arrest made in shooting outside Wenz School

An all-day investigation has resulted in the arrest of Tyge A. Hissem, 30, following a shooting incident behind Wenz School in Paris. The incident did not occur on school property and no …