Columnists | The Prairie Press

As the opioid epidemic continues to ravage communities across the United States, there is growing concern about the prevalence of fentanyl in other common street drugs like meth and cocaine. This … more

By Jonathan Burns | 7/5/23

Telling stories about history

We all like to tell stories about what has happened during our lifetimes, sometimes these stories grow to become legends that … more

By Roger Stanley | 7/5/23

Out of the Past

Here is a compilation of stories appearing in the late June and early July 1923 issues of the Paris Beacon-News. Spelling and punctuation have not been changed except where necessary for better … more

By Callie Baber | 7/5/23

We can trust in the Lord

A favorite Bible verse for many of us is “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths … more

By Gary Williamson | 7/5/23

Tragic legacy of the White Star Line's Titanic

On April 15, 1912, the British White Star line’s Titanic sank after hitting an iceberg. The great ship was just four days into its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City. It went … more

By Terry Sullivan | 7/5/23

Wooing a Stone Age bride

There once existed a period of time in the very early life of mankind called the Stone Age. Maybe it was the cave man age. No one is alive today who lived back then to describe it, nor … more

By Allen Englebright | 7/2/23

Thinking about fatherhood

What did my dad mean to me? First, I must reflect back in time and compare a little bit about being a dad, a granddad and a great-granddad. Times have really changed and being a new dad in the … more

By Roger Stanley | 6/26/23

Hello Edgar County!

My name is Erin Hutchison and I am the Executive Director of the Rec Center. The Rec will soon be showing up more in the Prairie Press. With that, we want to bring to light all the amazing … more

by Erin Hutchison | 6/26/23

Stand in your faith

If we grow in our wisdom, our ability to love and to be gracious then we will be able to stand confidently in our faith in God. The growth that we have talked about the last three weeks is … more

6/26/23

Bobalong Burl's drill sergeant encounter

Bobalong Burl’s drill sergeant encounter Have you ever watched a pigeon walk? Or a mourning dove? Their heads are constantly in motion as they move. Or so it appears anyway. It seems like … more

By Allen Englebright | 6/26/23

The late Roger Beals

It's no secret I started my journalism journey covering sports for the Paris Beacon-News when I was 16. My first assignments were freshman-sophomore football games, riding the bus with the team … more

By Nancy Zeman | 6/26/23

Pollinators make it a colorful world

National Pollinator Week culminated June 24 with the 9th annual Bee Blitz for Illinois, Indiana and Missouri. Nature lovers were asked to snap pictures of honey and bumble bees and upload them … more

By Terry Sullivan | 6/26/23

Out of the Past

Here is a compilation of stories appearing in the June 1923 issues of the Paris Beacon-News. Spelling and punctuation have not been changed except where necessary for better understanding. … more

By Callie Baber | 6/25/23

Don't roll the dice on gambling

Gambling machines are pervasive in our region, found in gas stations, convenience stores and local bars. While playing these machines is a harmless pastime for some, others can quickly spiral into a … more

By Jonathan Burns | 6/20/23

Let’s be safe

June is National Safety Month, and the Edgar County Public Health Department wants to educate the public about various topics regarding s ummer safety. There are many outdoor activities taking place … more

By Lexanna Kocher | 6/20/23

Edgar County’s early days

There was no Edgar County before January 1823 and no Paris before April 1823. Illinois became a state only five years before in 1818. Before Illinois was a state it was considered a part of the … more

By Roger Stanley | 6/20/23

Out of the Past

Here is a compilation of stories appearing in the June 1923 issues of the Paris Beacon-News. Spelling and punctuation have not been changed except where necessary for better understanding. … more

By Callie Baber | 6/20/23

Learn from grace

As we move through life, we need to always be learning. Growing in wisdom and in our ability to love like Jesus Christ will cause us to be more gracious. Grace is a free gift given that is not … more

6/20/23

A salty tale

(Editor’s Note: This is an encore printing of a prior Old Codger … more

By Allen Englebright | 6/20/23

Phlogiston is the secret ingredient for life

Air was viewed as one uniform thing for millennia until science began sorting the individual parts starting 250 years ago. As they sorted the atmosphere’s gasses, they named one component … more

By Terry Sullivan | 6/18/23