Local News | The Prairie Press

The new location gives great space for individuals to work, study or chill out for awhile. Customers have been quick to utilize the new amenities.

The best part of waking up is Stagecoach in your cup!

PARIS—A local coffee trailer in Paris has announced the long-awaited grand opening of its brick-and-mortar location. Stagecoach Coffee, located at 324 N. Main St., will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. … more

BY VICTORIA LEITCH vleitch@prairiepress.net | 10/28/24

County tax levy could rise

PARIS – Edgar County’s tentative tax levy for fiscal year 2025 proved to be the elephant in the room during the Edgar County Board’s study session on Monday, Oct. 21. Edgar … more

BY ROBBY TUCKER rtucker@prairiepress.net | 10/28/24

Representatives from the LINK Art Gallery Board of Directors and the Edgar County Animal Shelter met Tuesday, Oct. 22 for a check presentation. Local artist Trish Lewsader and the LINK Art Gallery Board of Directors elected to donate all the proceeds from a silent auction of Lewsader’s art to the Edgar County Animal Shelter. In total, the auction raised $3,605. Pictured from left to right, in front, are Millie Arp Hamilton, Mary Magee, Tiffany Gale and Andrea Bouslog Kispert. In the second row are Tom Hebermehl, Susan Stafford, Mike Morris, Diane Jordan-Wagner, Joy Turner and Jessica Mayhugh. Not pictured are Lewsader and LINK board members Aaron Damler and Sue Anne Casey.

Paws-itive paintings pay off

PARIS – A small group gathered at the LINK Art Gallery earlier this week. The group was not there to observe or create art, as one might expect, but to celebrate an act of charity. Andrea … more

BY ROBBY TUCKER rtucker@prairiepress.net | 10/28/24

Edgar County Clerk announces weekend hours for early voting

PARIS – In a memo sent to The Prairie Press, Edgar County Clerk and Recorder August Griffin announced the Edgar County Courthouse, located on the city square in Paris, will be open for early … more

BY ROBBY TUCKER rtucker@prairiepress.net | 10/26/24

Lanell Becker waves to one of the many volunteers that helped harvest the fields at the Hard Times Farm. Lanell spent much of her time in the field giving heaps of thanks to the countless volunteers, friends and neighbors who went out of their way to help her family in a moment of need.

Coming together for Hard Times

Many years ago, Hard Times Farm was created south of Paris, near Hill Road. The land has continuously been nurtured by the Becker family. On Oct. 22, a plethora of farmers, neighbors and kids came … more

BY VICTORIA LEITCH vleitch@prairiepress.net | 10/25/24

Edgar Co. Board hears update on rural broadband roadmap during study session

PARIS – Efforts to bridge the internet connectivity gap between urban and rural residents of Edgar County are now in the hands of the Illinois Broadband Office, according to news shared during … more

BY ROBBY TUCKER rtucker@prairiepress.net | 10/23/24

Hume cracks down on speedsters and ordinance violators

HUME — In addition to accepting the resignation of the village treasurer, the community of Hume spent the majority of its monthly meeting Oct. 14 discussing changes happening in and around the … more

BY BETHANY WAGONER bwagoner@prairiepress.net | 10/21/24

On Oct. 18, Dustin Pruett, a former Shrine patient ambassador, received a custom-built trailer to haul his custom motorized bike. The trailer was built and donated by Gray Prost.

Keeping kindness rolling

Firefighter, 911 operator, rescuer, adventurer and role model – Dustin Pruett has many roles within his community, even as a double amputee. “He goes out and does things to show kids … more

BY VICTORIA LEITCH vleitch@prairiepress.net | 10/21/24

Paris 95 reworking transportation

PARIS – Monday, Oct. 14 was a busy evening for the Paris 95 Board of Education – members discussed and voted on a long list of items over the course of the board’s hour-long … more

BY ROBBY TUCKER rtucker@prairiepress.net | 10/21/24

Spooky and sweet celebrations in Edgar County

Halloween events big and small are happening across Edgar County in the coming weeks. An appearance from Bluey, open trunks full of candy, bounce houses and live music are all on the agenda for kids … more

SPECIAL TO THE PRAIRIE PRESS info@prairiepress.net | 10/21/24

Standing left to right are Anika Currie, Korey Balch and Kaitlyn Balch, the first recipients of the city’s “Everyday Hero Award.” The trio of women were recognized for their self-less actions in a lake rescue by the city council members on Oct. 15.

Paris City Council honors heroes and survivors

PARIS — In addition to regular consent agendas, payment of bills and motions declaring surplus property, the Paris City Council took time to issue a trio of proclamations during Tuesday, Oct. … more

BY BETHANY WAGONER bwagoner@prairiepress.net | 10/21/24

Auraline Bell's submission to the state flag contest.

Paris native submits state flag design highlighting hope, unity and acceptance

PARIS – Paris resident Auraline Bell, 24, never thought her artwork would be in the running to win a contest, let alone to represent the entire State of Illinois. Bell enjoys expressing herself … more

BY ROBBY TUCKER rtucker@prairiepress.net | 10/21/24

Amanda Johnson and rescue dog Bessie Lou pose in front of a Paris mural. Johnson was part of a dog train she discovered through a community Facebook group and helped with a portion of Bessie Lou’s drive to her new home in New Jersey.

Bessie Lou’s night in Paris

PARIS—Social media has been recognized as a tool offering the population access to information and the power of connectivity to neighbors both near and far. According to Amanda Johnson, a … more

By Bethany Wagoner bwagoner@prairiepress.net | 10/15/24

From left to right, Colleene Smith, Mackenzie Seaton, Amber Cowger and Jason Cowger pose next to The Fizz. The family purchased the restaurant three weeks after it was announced the fan-favorite soda shop and eatery was closing up shop. Amber and Jason Cowger hope to implement previous experience from managing the New Goshen Pub into their new venture.

Local soda shop and eatery set to reopen this month

PARIS – On Saturday, August 17, The Fizz Soda Shop and Eatery, a fan-favorite restaurant that burst onto the Paris culinary scene in 2020, announced plans to close, effective August 30, via … more

By Robby Tucker rtucker@prairiepress.net | 10/15/24

Chrisman City Council approves bids for $10 million wastewater treatment plant project

CHRISMAN – Members of the Chrisman City Council found themselves jammed between a rock and a hard place Monday, Oct. 7. Council members previously refrained from approving bids for phase two of … more

By Robby Tucker rtucker@prairiepress.net | 10/15/24

Deputy leaves Edgar County Sheriff’s Department after reckless driving incident

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – A former Chrisman City police chief and Paris Police officer found himself charged with a pair of misdemeanors in August. His recent employment with the Edgar County … more

By Robby Tucker rtucker@prairiepress.net | 10/15/24

Angels among us

PARIS—On Saturday, Oct. 5, tragedy nearly struck Paris. An elderly woman accidentally drove her car into the West Lake at Twin Lakes Park and was on the verge of drowning. In an act that many … more

By Victoria Leitch vleitch@prairiepress.net | 10/15/24

Horizon Health, ECPHD offering health exams to Paris 95 students

Paris Union School District 95 is partnering with Horizon Health and the Edgar County Public Health Department to “ensure that all children are ready to learn and thrive.” In a … more

Special to The Prairie Press info@prairiepress.net | 10/8/24

Paris youth are bolting for a cause

PARIS—Legacy Student Ministries, the youth department at Paris First Baptist Church is preparing to host its first-ever 5K and one-mile fundraiser. Scheduled for Oct. 12, the race has been … more

By Bethany Wagoner bwagoner@prairiepress.net | 10/7/24

DD Homes hosts 1K color run

PARIS—The First Annual DD Homes 1K Color Run and Walk and Car Show is all about helping others and giving back, according to car show organizer Brad Totten. The combined event is on Saturday, … more

By Suzanne Williams swilliamsprairiepress@gmail.com | 10/7/24