Local News | The Prairie Press

Edgar County Coroner Scott Barrett has ruled the manner of death for Melanie D. Berry as suicide. The 45-year-old was found deceased in her Hume residence shortly after 3 a.m. May 31. Toxicology … more

Special to The Prairie Press | 7/14/23

Diane Boyer represented Paris’ American Legion at a City Council meeting as Mayor Craig Smith proclaimed May 24 Poppy Day.

City of Paris recognizes veterans

The Paris city meeting on May 13 opened with a special proclamation from the city’s Mayor Craig Smith declaring May 24 as Poppy Day. The poppy became the official flower of The American … more

BY BETHANY WAGONER bwagoner@prairiepress.net | 5/18/24

Community garden energizes Bee Well

Success can begat success. “There are so many good things to talk about,” said Mary Liz Wright opening the Bee Well of Edgar County coalition meeting Thursday morning, July 6. … more

By GARY HENRY ghenry@prairiepress.net | 7/8/23

District 95 tackles corrective action plan in Larson's absence

The Paris 95 School Board met for the first time since federal agents searched the home of Jeremy Larson, the district’s Superintendent of Schools. Interim Superintendent Lorraine Bailey … more

BY ROBBY TUCKER rtucker@prairiepress.net | 7/14/23

A flock of sheep roam between a sea of solar panels at the Prairie Wolf Solar Farm just west of Kansas. The sheep are used for vegetation management and provide a plethora of benefits to the land.

Prairie Wolf and solar sheep form unique partnership

KANSAS – Prairie Wolf Solar Farm, a project of National Grid Renewables (NGR) established in 2022, has allied with an unlikely herd of helpers: sheep. While wolves and sheep tend … more

BY ROBBY TUCKER rtucker@prairiepress.net | 5/18/24

Heather Calcara, of the Illinois Attorney General's office, speaks at a Paris Area Chamber of Commerce Retreat regarding how people must be vigilant against phone scams.

Vigilance against fraud

Everyone needs to exercise care against scams, but this is particularly true for senior citizens. “They especially focus on the elderly, those who live alone and are widows or … more

By Linda Lane Lanefamily1992@gmail.con | 10/27/23

Paris 95 re-homing equipment

On Tuesday, March 14, 2023, Paris 95 celebrated the grand opening of the Tiger Health Center. Now the district is trying to dispose of the facility’s equipment. The Tiger Health Center, an … more

BY ROBBY TUCKER rtucker@prairiepress.net | 5/18/24

Money available to help businesses

The Downtown Business Meeting on March 23 discussed ways to revitalize the downtown area of Paris. Linda Lane, Executive Director of the Paris Area Chamber of Commerce, announced Illinois has … more

By Bryce Gladding gladdingbryce@gmail.com | 4/3/23

East Side Motor Club honors fallen car lover

The East Side Motor Club was established in 2018 by a group of car enthusiasts who had been friends for many years. The first year the club held a car show to benefit Hopes and Dreams, raising more … more

Daniel Briseno daniel@prairiepress.net | 4/3/23

Neighborhood Watch reviews successes

Edgar County Neighborhood Watch has had a successful 18 months. The group formed in response to citizen concern about break-ins and other property crimes, and Scott Foster updated the Paris City … more

By Gary Henry ghenry@prairiepress.net | 4/3/23

School board breaks silence

After nearly two weeks of silence, the Paris Union School District 95 Board of Education held its first meeting since three Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) reports revealed more than $3.24 … more

By ROBBY TUCKER rtucker@prairiepress.net | 7/2/23

Prospect Bank employees donated more than $250 to Hopes and Dreams in Paris with money raised through employees' casual Friday campaign. The annual campaign raises money for multiple local charities.

Casual Friday for a good cause

The Casual Friday Giving Campaign at Prospect Bank is based around a simple sentiment, that kids should have a wonderful childhood experience, surrounded by a charitable community. The ongoing … more

BY GRETCHEN STONE gstone@prairiepress.net | 4/13/24

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 … more

Special to The Prairie Press | 5/20/23

Tanner Laughlin, right, was recognized by the ClassE Entrepreneurship Program in Coles County as a 20 Under 40 recipient. Linda Lane, left, of the Paris Area Chamber of Commerce, nominated Laughlin because of his leadership and community involvement.

Laughlin receives 20 under 40 Award

The Class E Entrepreneurship Program in Coles County has awarded Tannner Laughlin, Paris, with a 20 under 40 Award. According to the award guidelines, recipients are those who do more than … more

By Bethany Wagoner bethawagoner@gmail.com | 5/10/23

District 95 names Bailey interim superintendent, secures extension for corrective plan

After nearly two weeks of silence, the Paris Union School District 95 Board of Education held its first meeting since three Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) reports revealed over $3.24 … more

By ROBBY TUCKER rtucker@prairiepress.net | 6/26/23

Dr. Marilyn Frey (left) hosted a luncheon on Jan. 17 to thank volunteers of Compassionate Food Ministries. Gladys Frost (left) serves alongside Frey as the office manager and director of the food pantry. In total, eight directors run the pantry.

Volunteers Honored for Compassionate Food Ministries

Dr. Marilyn Frey hosted a luncheon Wednesday, Jan. 17, to honor volunteers of Compassionate Food Ministries, the food pantry dedicated to serving Edgar County residents. Volunteers met for lunch … more

By Gretchen Stone gstone@prairiepress.net | 1/22/24

Meet a Paris firefighter

Like other firefighters, River Wilken believes his role is to serve and protect members of the community. “My responsibility is to provide support to the community by education, medication … more

By Bethany Wagoner bwagoner@prairiepress.net | 1/15/24

Meet a Paris firefighter

“Events from my childhood gave me perspective on what it’s like to be on the other side of an emergency call,” Zach Bell said. Bell joined the Paris Fire Department on July 10, … more

By Bethany Wagoner bwagoner@prairiepress.net | 1/22/24

Gracie Wilson, left, and Amy Hill, right, show off one of several park benches made from recycled plastics donated by the Paris Lions Club. Local Lions and Leos (Junior Lions) have collected and cleaned caps, lids and pop tabs annually for several years.

Reuse, recycle, relax

For Paris residents, finding a place to recycle plastics nearby can be a hassle, but one local organization is making recycling both accessible and charitable. Starting roughly five years ago, … more

By Robby Tucker rtucker@prairiepress.net | 4/13/24

"With dueling pianos, two performers on electric pianos take requests for tips, and go back and forth, playing songs requested by audience members."

Dueling Pianos Returns on Jan. 27

Cure the Winter Blues: Dueling Pianos celebrates three years running on Jan. 27, the major annual fundraiser for Hopes and Dreams. Doors open at 6 p.m. that Saturday, in the Ernie Eveland Gym, … more

BY GRETCHEN STONE gstone@prairiepress.net | 1/15/24