Local News | The Prairie Press

Public Health Department expands harm reduction efforts in Edgar County

Kim Ross, administrator of the Edgar County Public Health Department, recently introduced the community to an essential harm reduction program aimed at mitigating health risks associated with … more

By Victoria Leitch vleitch@prairiepress.net | 4/4/25

Inking for a cause

Juan and Belinda Hernandez, owners of Loco Estilo Ink in Paris, have decided to use their business to promote community involvement and compassion. On April 4, 5 and 6, Loco Estilo Ink will be … more

By Victoria Leitch vleitch@prairiepress.net | 4/2/25

Creating a "Bridge to Recovery"

Joe Trotter, Harm Reduction Program Coordinator at Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, traveled to Paris to be the keynote speaker during a recent Bridge to Recovery event at First Baptist … more

By Victoria Leitch | 4/2/25

Thirteen parks are spread throughout Paris, blessing the city with space for outdoor activities and amenities. Yet with plenty of options to choose from, the Paris Park Board can not cohesively agree on where a new attraction should be placed.

Park board discusses dog parks and disc golf projects

During the Wednesday, March 26 Paris Park Board meeting, members discussed multiple concerns and projects that have been recently brought to their attention, and the lack of available funding to make … more

By Bethany Wagoner bwagoner@prairiepress.net | 4/2/25

Paris offers city-wide beautification service

The city of Paris and Ingrum’s Waste Disposal are pleased to announce their joint participation in the effort to assist local residents with the disposal of excess and unwanted items that has … more

Special to The Prairie Press info@prairiepress.net | 4/2/25

Residents of Edgar County and members of the Paris City Council are once again singing the praises of the Paris Park Board and their efforts to clean up area parks

Former Edgar County teacher arrested on sexual assault charges

(Publisher’s Note: The following article contains references to sexual misconduct involving a minor and an authority figure. Reader discretion is advised.) On March 18, 2025, the Kansas … more

By Bethany Wagoner bwagoner@prairiepress.net | 4/1/25

Behavioral health provider joins Horizon Health in Terre Haute

Sycamore Pain and Wellness, a service of Horizon Health, welcomes Jenny Houzenga to its outpatient behavioral health team. Houzenga is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse … more

Special to The Prairie Press info@prairiepress.net | 3/27/25

From left to right: 911 Coordinator Taylor Ray, dispatcher Jennifer Bell, OSF Healthcare Dr. Kurt Bloomstrand and Edgar County Sheriff Jeff Wood pose together to highlight Bell’s recent efforts during a tragic 911 call.

The first first responder

On the morning of Feb. 21, Edgar County resident Rachel Brown made a call no one ever wants to make. In the midst of overwhelming grief and panic, she reached out to 911, hoping for a lifeline. The … more

By Victoria Leitch vleitch@prairiepress.net | 3/27/25

Paris plans renovation

Despite a postulation that the city of Paris had an 80 to 90 percent chance of receiving a $1.2 million OSLAD grant to fund bathroom park renovations, the funds were not awarded to the city. At … more

By Bethany Wagoner bwagoner@prairiepress.net | 3/27/25

The Paris Theatre re-opens under new management

The Paris Theatre, a fixture of N. Central Street street and downtown entertainment in the city of Paris, opened its doors under new management on Friday, March 21. Gage Smitley, the … more

By Bethany Wagoner bwagoner@prairiepress.net | 3/21/25

Stephanie Sanders enters guilty plea after four years

After four grueling years, a case revolving around the death of an Edgar County man and his infant child is coming to a close. On March 1, 2021, Michael Phipps and his two-month-old daughter … more

By Bethany Wagoner bwagoner@prairiepress.net | 3/21/25

Meet the candidate: Marisa Sunkel

Publisher’s note: Answers to the following questionnaire were submitted by Crestwood CUSD #4 Board of Education candidate Marisa Sunkel and are largely unedited, outside of minor stylistic … more

3/21/25

Local group receives Unit of Distinction

The Edgar County Retired Teachers Association (ECRTA) announced that they have received a “Unit of Distinction” award from the Illinois Retired Teachers Association (IRTA.) ERTCA … more

By Bethany Wagoner and Victoria Leitch info@prairiepress.net | 3/21/25

Chrisman City approves new police data system

At the March 17 Chrisman City Council meeting, city officials deliberated on various issues concerning compliance, budgeting and vehicle allocations within the local police department. One of … more

By Victoria Leitch vleitch@prairiepress.net | 3/21/25

American Way Storage offers free storage units in to support tornado-affected community

In response to the devastating tornado that recently impacted the Paris community, American Way Storage is stepping up to provide relief. The company will offer free 5x8, 5x10 or 10x10 storage units … more

Special to The Prairie Press info@prairiepress.net | 3/19/25

Paris gets shaken by EF1 tornado

The City of Paris and most of Edgar County experienced an unexpected bout of severe weather when an EF1 tornado touched down on March 15. The twister moved through parts of the city, downing trees, … more

By Bethany Wagoner bwagoner@prairiepress.net | 3/18/25

Candidates share perspectives on district concerns

During Monday’s Paris- Union 95 board of education meeting a board member utilized the public comment section to address claims he believes were “without merit.” “Some … more

By Bethany Wagoner bwagoner@prairiepress.net | 3/13/25

Chrisman City approves $300,000 USDA loan reimbursement

In their March 4 meeting, the Chrisman City Board deliberated on a critical financial decision regarding a USDA loan reimbursement. The discussion, which centered around how much of a $540,000 … more

By Victoria Leitch vleitch@prairiepress.net | 3/13/25

Meet the candidate: Tom Tuttle

Publisher’s note: Answers to the following questionnaire were submitted by Paris-Union School District 95 Board of Education candidate Tom Tuttle and are largely unedited, outside of minor … more

3/13/25

Finding strength in community

For many, fitness is more than just exercise—it’s about connection, confidence, and rediscovering a part of oneself that may have gotten lost in the shuffle of daily life. This belief … more

By Bethany Wagoner bwagoner@prairiepress.net | 3/13/25