Local News

Edgar County woman found dead – cause unknown

Special to The Prairie Press Edgar County Coroner, Scott Barrett, has released details on an Edgar County woman who was found dead early Wednesday morning at her home in Hume, Illinois. A …

County ends moratorium on commercial wind and solar application

The floodgates opened Monday, May 22, when a special meeting of the Edgar County Board ended the moratorium on accepting applications for siting commercial wind and solar energy arrays in Edgar …

Highway closed for Eiffel Tower Triathlon

Safety first. The Paris City Council approved closing state Route 1 between Twin Lakes Drive and 1200 North during the June 10 Eiffel Tower Triathlon. Divided into three competitions for …

Community lacking broadband

Members of a volunteer committee researching broadband internet options in Edgar County made a report to the Edgar County Board during the board’s May 22 study session. It was not …

Lifelong Paris resident retires from R&J

Every community has a storyteller, someone who can spin yarns about important events or people. For Paris, one of those storytellers is Fuzzy McDaniel. A lifelong resident of Paris who graduated …

Tovey promoted at First Mid Bank & Trust

First Mid Bank & Trust has promoted Melissa Mathias Tovey to Senior Vice President, Director of Bank Administration. “Melissa’s promotion is a testament to her remarkable …

Meet a Paris firefighter: Chad Crampton

Chad Crampton is living his dream. The Paris fire chief has moved up through the ranks since joining the department Aug. 1, 1999, and cannot see himself doing something different. “I …

Honoring those who served

On any given day in cemeteries throughout the United States, a longstanding military ritual occurs that is both moving and familiar. Men and women have been honored for their service at their …

Communities honor Memorial Day

Traditions are valuable because they mark special occasions reminding us what is important by reinforcing values and beliefs. One long standing national tradition is the celebration of Memorial Day …

Meals on Wheels receives largest donation

The Horizon Health Meals on Wheels program has received its largest single contribution to date. A recent $10,000 gift from First Farmers Bank & Trust through the Horizon Health Foundation is the …

Single-vehicle accident marks concerning trend on US-150

A lone vehicle veered off the road Friday, May 26, rolling over before coming to rest in a field next to US-150 and 2100 East. The vehicle contained one lone occupant, who walked away from the crash …

Two-vehicle crash reported on US-150

Police and EMTs responded to a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of US-150 and Vermilion Road east of Paris just before 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 23. Vehicle occupants were taken to the hospital …
Joe's Pizza has been a family-run establishment in Paris for 50 years as of Sunday

A Paris legacy is celebrated

Fifty years ago, Joe and Maria Pia Vitale and their young family moved into a small unassuming house on South Main Street. From those humble beginnings, a Paris tradition — Joe’s Pizza …

City declares Nancy Zeman week May 22-May 29

Still no commissioners at Chrisman

CHRISMAN — Dan Moore, as mayor of Chrisman, has a conundrum. He and city commissioner Bryan Haddix were the only candidates during the April 4 election, and both were vying for the …

Letters bring cheer to many lives

Weekly for the past 800 weeks, Susan Deffenbaugh Bell sits down in front of her computer and writes a letter. Every one Bell write starts the same way: Glenda #800. While she calls them …

Hume sponsors Brothers of the Brush

HUME — It is time for the male population around Hume to start growing facial hair for the upcoming sesquicentennial celebration. A Brothers of the Brush competition is part of the July 22 …

The courthouse roof begins to come off in preparation for new red slate tiles and more

Workers from Kreiling Roofing, Peoria, started removing the slate roof on the Edgar County Courthouse Thursday, May 18. The project involves putting on a new slate roof, a new metal roof section and …

Bee Well gardeners begin planting

First-time gardener Barb Cash plants marigolds in her raised bed at the Bee Well Community Garden. The garden, adjacent to Schwartz Park, gives space to people who may not have room at home to have a …

New faces on Brocton Village Board

BROCTON — Four new people were appointed to fill vacancies on the Brocton Village Board during May 10 meeting. The action was necessary because nobody ran for trustee positions during the …