PARIS—Dr. Darren Brucken is officially the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at Horizon Health. In addition to his new duties, Dr. Brucken will continue his current, full-time position as hospitalist …
PARIS—After an alleged attempt to poison and kill her two-year-old son and her husband, Karlla Tresner was sentenced to 180 days in the Edgar County Jail and 30 months of probation. She entered …
PARIS—The Link Art Gallery in Paris has announced the open reception for its highly anticipated exhibit, Eternal Seasons: A Life in Color, has been rescheduled for Friday, Jan. 24. The event, …
PARIS—From the small-town charm of Paris, Ill., to the grand stage of the Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Pageant in Springfield, Aubrey Lawson has embraced a journey defined by personal …
HUME— During the last village meeting in Hume, trustee John Land reported that trash bags were mysteriously disappearing from the community center. On Monday, Jan.13, during the first meeting …
PARIS—The final month of 2024 was busy for the Paris Police Department, according to Mayor Craig Smith. During the first city council meeting of the year on Jan. 13, Smith presented a report …
Marking the largest annual contribution in the club’s history, the Edgar County Shrine Club made a groundbreaking $250,000 donation to the Shriner’s Children Hospital on Dec. 13.
The …
PARIS—A crown jewel to the city of Paris and Edgar County is the state-of-the-art Paris Center of Fine Arts (PCOFA) complex at Paris Cooperative High School. On Jan. 11, a crowd of avid art …
Children around Edgar County rejoiced the morning of Jan. 7 when they discovered that winter breaks would be continued for an extra day thanks to the after-effects of Winter Storm Blair. The Arctic …
PARIS—A wave of viral respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and the flu, are sweeping across Edgar County. The recent spread of viral infections, a …
An Edgar County woman accused of attempting to poison her two-year-old son and husband has entered a negotiated plea deal with the Edgar County state’s attorney.
In exchange for a …
In the heart of Paris, Chrisman Police Chief Tom Dolan has found a unique way to bridge his commitment to public safety with his passion for empowering the community. Beyond his law enforcement …
CHRISMAN— The first city council meeting of the new year was held Jan. 6. With Mayor Dan Moore not in attendance, Commissioner Gerry Hoult served as Deputy Mayor for the meeting. Commissioner …
PARIS—Jay Carmichael, a seasoned rural health leader with more than a decade of experience, has been appointed president and chief executive officer of Horizon Health, effective Jan. 20.
…
PARIS—After much anticipation, a dream 15 years in the making is inching closer and closer to becoming reality.
In November 2024, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) approved …
In Edgar County, an estimated 23,250 people have unclaimed cash or property held by the treasurer’s office. The value exceeds $3 million.
To help local residents reconnect with their …
For the past three years, Diepholz Auto of Charleston and Paris has made December a season of generosity, transforming it into a “Month of Giving” to support local charities and …
The Edgar County Public Health Department (ECPHD) is preparing to introduce a new program called the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). The establishment of MRC Unit 2919 marks an exciting milestone in …
PARIS—Brit Cardarelli is a celebrated children’s book illustrator, the founder of Sticks and Stripes Studio as well as a textile and watercolor artist. She’s enjoyed an illustrious …
The Arctic outbreak, dubbed Winter Storm Blair by the Weather Channel, brought snow to Edgar County and surrounding areas on Jan. 5 and Jan. 6.
The storm forced severe winter weather warnings …
Last updated Monday, Jan. 6 at 10:53 a.m.
Below is a list of local businesses, schools and offices closed due to weather as of Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. If you would like to report your business or …
In a public statement on Facebook, the Edgar County Sheriff’s Department released details of an officer-involved shooting incident on Friday, at a rural Edgar County address.
According to the release, …
PARIS—Jay Carmichael, a seasoned rural health leader with more than a decade of experience, has been appointed president and chief executive officer of Horizon Health, effective Jan. 20.
…
PARIS—The Paris Police Department announced Thursday, Jan. 2, that an emergency warming center will be open to the public beginning Sunday, Jan. 5. Housed in what was once the Paris High School …
From The Prairie Press Staff
It’s easy to forget the stories I’ve written. Still, there are a few articles from 2024 that stick out in my mind. Most center on incredible individuals …
PARIS—A unique blend of creativity, community spirit and holiday cheer is making waves thanks to a local craftsman from Rosedale, Ind. Known for transforming vintage tailgates into handcrafted …
PARIS—Most people dread the idea of spending a Friday afternoon at a funeral home, but for many Paris residents, a blustery afternoon and early morning in Templeton Funeral Home’s garage …
The Paris Rotary Club routinely volunteers to ring the iconic Salvation Army bell every holiday season. This year, during their Saturday stint of bell ringing, members of the group had a unique …
According to a press release from Edgar County Coroner Scott Barrett, a man and his dog were found dead from carbon monoxide poisoning on Christmas Day. The statement was released to the public …
There are a lot of reasons for handling people with care, especially children, according to Kansas Police Officer Doug Cochran. As a father, grandfather and law enforcement officer with decades of …
PARIS—After spending 13 minutes discussing a proposed tax levy, the Crestwood Board of Education unanimously a dopted a levy based on a projected EAV of $165,000,000 with a total extension of …
PARIS—A Paris business with a 164-year history shuttered its doors last week. Safford Monument Co., located at 134 South Main Street in Paris, closed in early December. A notice on the door …
Editor’s Note: This article includes references to sexual exploitation carried out against minors. Reader discretion is advised.
CHARLESTON—At 9 a.m., on Dec. 16, a United States …
PARIS—Legal liability may be brewing in southern Clark County for a local ambulance service, as revealed during a Monday, Dec. 9 Edgar County Board study session.
According to Samantha …
HUME—The village of Hume's ordinance committee has been working hard over the past two months, compiling, presenting, writing and serving ordinance violations. The fruits of their labors and …
Not many children dream of walking down the aisle of a store chatting with a police officer or asking a firefighter which shoes will help them run faster. But for many children in Edgar County, …
PARIS—The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners for the City of Paris is creating an eligibility list for the Paris Police Department and Fire Department after approving motions to expand the …
PARIS—A new chapter in community engagement and literacy has arrived in Paris. On Dec. 2, a Little Free Library was installed at Schwartz Park. Led by Meagan Brinkerhoff, the project is a …
CHRISMAN—Students, teachers and staff were forced to evacuate Chrisman High School on Tuesday, Dec. 17 after a fire reportedly broke out in the building’s boiler room. According to …
Publisher’s note: This is an evolving story. The Prairie Press will provide additional updates as they become available. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a …
PARIS—A new chapter in community engagement and literacy has arrived in Paris. On Dec. 2, a Little Free Library was installed at Schwartz Park. Led by Meagan Brinkerhoff, the project is a …
PARIS—When it was first announced in November, the proposed 13.65 percent increase in Paris Union School District 95’s property tax levy sparked a fierce social media response, leading …
A new tattoo shop and recording studio has opened at 109 N. Central Avenue, Paris, Ill. Loco Estilo Ink and Flowhustler Studio have teamed together to bring a unique new amenity to the Paris …
PARIS – As of Wednesday, Nov. 27, Edgar County’s FY-25 budget and tax levy are set, and so are several local offices and the county board.
Incumbents Philip Dobelstein (R, …
CHRISMAN—In early June of this year, Chrisman Public Library Director Cheri Oates met with members of the Chrisman City Council and requested permission to install a story walk on the city …
PARIS – In America, the quaint warmth of small, rural communities is increasingly threatened by a silent killer. Addiction, whether to alcohol, drugs or another controlled substance, has grown …
PARIS—A brand-new holiday attraction has landed in Paris, and it has brought sparkle, merry and magic. A cozy corner of the town has been transformed into an Instagram-worthy pop-up bar that …
For many readers of The Prairie Press, Tom Emery is a familiar byline. What avid readers and history fans may not realize is that his work reaches far beyond the pages of a single Edgar County …
PARIS—On Dec. 3, an alert sent to parents and guardians of Memorial Elementary School students alerted the community that the school may temporarily shut down, due to heating issues.
…
PARIS—The Edgar County Recovery Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC) Council is conducting a community-wide survey to gauge public awareness of available resources related to substance use disorder …
Several organizations and businesses in Edgar County are preparing for the holiday season, more specifically, the ‘giving season.’
Dollar General, located at 211 S. Central, and …
PARIS—In Edgar County, one of the longest-standing holiday customs is the annual Christmas Basket event organized by the Community Nurse and Welfare Association (CNWA), also known as the …
PARIS – Since 2019, Elks Lodge No. 812 has invited local charities and non-profits to the Annual Elks Night of Giving – an evening when the Lodge gives back to the groups that are making …
Two Paris residents were apprehended by the Coles County Sheriff’s Department earlier this week after a side-by-side UTV was reported missing.
Andrew Towell, 40, and Katelynn Bowman, 27, …
PARIS—A Marshall woman with five separate felony charges will have her day in court, facing evidence gathered by the state, after she learned her motion for dissemination was denied on Nov. 18.
…
The holiday season in Edgar County is truly something special. Thanks to the dedication of local organizers and volunteers events like Christmas in Paris have become an eagerly anticipated tradition, …
PARIS—Nov. 29, marks the start of a new era for The Prairie Press. A little more than 10 years after its first edition, the publication is making major changes to its print schedule and format.
…
PARIS – Several signs point to the arrival of the holiday season: carols playing in retailers, wreaths hanging on doors and the arrival of snow. In Paris, it’s hard to imagine the arrival …
CHRISMAN—The Chrisman City Council learned of further delays to its wastewater treatment plant project during its Monday, Nov. 18 meeting. The group also discussed a potential pivot for the …
CHRISMAN—During a recent Chrisman Board of Education meeting on Nov. 18, a large group of parents voiced concerns about the safety and well-being of their children in classrooms and schools, …
PARIS—“It is rock n’ roll time,” Executive Director of The Rec Center Erin Hutchison told a Prairie Press reporter on Nov. 20. In her hands, she held a permit from the …
Effective Dec. 1, 2024, the Edgar County Housing Authority will open its new Administration Office, located at 230 S High Street in Paris. They will also be extending their hours of operation by …
At the end of October, the Illinois State Board of Education released its 2024 report card for Illinois schools. The annual report cards summarize how each school is progressing on a wide range of …
The Paris Lady Tiger basketball season is off to a flying start, led by three returning seniors and underclassmen who gained valuable experience last season.
Coach Dave Tingley said there were …
PARIS—After a vehicle ran into a portion of the fence at Crestwood School on Sept. 19, obvious repairs to the barrier were needed. During the CUSD #4 Board of Education’s meeting on …
Publisher’s note: This is an evolving story. The Prairie Press will provide additional updates as they become available. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a …
Publisher’s note: This is an evolving story. The Prairie Press will provide additional updates as they become available. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a …
PARIS – A lot can change in a year.
In fiscal year 2023, Paris Union School District 95 earned a 2.65 out of four on its Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Financial Profile …
PARIS—After a nationwide search, the EnerStar Electric Cooperative board of directors has appointed Angela Griffin as the next Chief Executive Officer. She will succeed Dave Clinton, who is …
HUME—The village of Hume convened for their regular monthly meeting on Monday, Nov. 11. A broad range of issues affecting the community were discussed. Among the main topics were internet …
PARIS—Monday, Nov. 11 offered some Edgar County residents a rare, three-day weekend with autumnal weather and much-needed rays of sunshine. But, for others, the brisk November day served as an …
PARIS—The latest Bee Well meeting brought together local leaders, health professionals, educators and volunteers from various organizations to discuss ongoing projects, share updates and plan …
PARIS—During a regular, scheduled Paris city council agenda meeting on Nov. 6, Mayor Craig Smith reminded all attendees and board members that the regular city council meeting will be delayed …
PARIS—The Paris Park Board recently received donations in memory of two Paris residents. The funds and subsequent plans to utilize them in one of the 13 different city parks were discussed …
If you’ve ever tried to wrangle a toddler or young child in the kitchen, you know it’s no easy task. Imagine turning that culinary chaos into an entertaining, educational experience, …
PARIS – Efforts to reduce an incoming tax levy hike in Edgar County have proven successful, but local residents will likely still see an increase in their tax bill in 2025.
During a …
If the title of Waffle Boss and a custom silver crown were not reward enough, next month Bev Christmas will be adding another achievement to her growing list of worldwide recognitions and trophies.
…
On Oct. 13, Eli Brinkerhoff, a senior at Paris Cooperative High School, embarked on an unforgettable journey to the Galapagos Islands. The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was made possible by Saint …
CHRISMAN – Monday, Nov. 4’s Chrisman City Council meeting was short and sweet compared to others, clocking in at 23 minutes long. The group discussed a variety of issues, but most had to …
CHRISMAN—The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that Pennsylvania Street (U.S. 150) in Chrisman will close Nov. 11.
The closure is necessary for the Decatur & Eastern …
PARIS—On Nov. 2nd, the Paris Elks Lodge #812 held a dinner to thank and honor local veterans. The homemade meal is becoming a tradition according to the lodge’s secretary Marci Irwin, who …
PARIS – According to Edgar County Clerk and Recorder August Griffin, Tuesday, Nov. 5 was an Election Day unlike any he’s seen previously in his 14 years of service. Voters arrived in …
PARIS – During nearly 21 years of active military duty, Paris native Rick Maples saw the world. After a year-long stint with his hometown National Guard unit, the 1544th Transportation Company, …
The Paris Economic Development Corporation (PEDCO) has recently shifted its focus to an issue that affects multiple aspects of a community, childcare.
To understand the childcare needs of Edgar …
PARIS—During its last bi-weekly city council meeting, the city of Paris expensed a total of $8, a drastic difference from the more than $300,000 the city approved during its most recent meeting …
Since 2011, This Able Veteran has been serving veterans who suffer from PTSD as a result of their time in the service. The 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, based in Carbondale, Ill., provides …
FRANKLIN, Ill.—The new FFA national president is from Illinois – and he has ties to an Edgar County farming family.
Thaddeus “Thad” Bergschneider was elected by unanimous …
Edgar County and the surrounding areas were brought to tears on the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2004, when the headline of the Paris Beacon News declared “Two 1544th soldiers killed in base …
PARIS – When voters across Edgar County head to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 5, they will expect their vote to be recorded accurately. Anna Riegelein’s job is to make sure those …
Edgar County celebrates Halloween with several festivities and fun
The Paris Center of Fine Arts (PCOFA) continues its mission to provide high-quality live entertainment, and the upcoming lineup is sure to thrill audiences of all ages. With three diverse and …
CHRISMAN—During their regular meeting on Oct. 21, the Chrisman Board of Education announced they were awarded a new grant totaling $50,000.
“We got a DECO grant, which is through the …
PARIS—Stacy Woodyard began working at the University of Illinois Extension office Oct. 27, 1997. From there, she would grow within the organization and become an impact-maker in her profession.
…
CHRISMAN – Veterans Day is fast approaching, and the Chrisman City Council is moving to ensure more local veterans are recognized on the city’s war memorial in time for local services and …
PARIS— Hour House implemented a Recovery Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC) council in Edgar County in July of 2022. Since then, individuals and organizations across the area have been meeting …
HUME—Fresh off the finish of a complete gymnasium renovation, the Shiloh CUSD #1 is preparing for its next project. This time the school board has its sights set on the building’s …
