The Prairie Press

Walkers Lily North, left, and Julia North, right, smile as they walk laps at the Edgar County Relay for Life.

The 2019 Relay for Life was in full swing Aug. 3 at Twin Lakes Park. Whether participants were playing in the Splash park or the RC Demolition Derby fundraiser, everybody there had plenty of chances … more

By BRADEN CHITTICK bradenandrewc@gmail.com | 8/12/19

Miss Edgar County Fair Kierstyn Allen’s reign as fair queen is rapidly coming to a close. She will crown her successor tomorrow night at the conclusion of the Edgar County Fair Queen pageant in front of the grandstands.

Queen’s reign is ending

It ends where it began a year ago on the stage in front of the grandstands when Miss Edgar County Fair Kierstyn Allen crowns her replacement Sunday evening. The fair queen pageant starts at 7 p.m. … more

By GARY HENRY ghenry@prairiepress.net | 7/22/19

Circle K stores in Paris are partnering with Bee Well of Edgar County to raise awareness about making healthy choices when eating and drinking. Robert Sanders, left, the assistant manager of the Jasper Street store has just placed a Bee Well Partner sticker on the door with Bee Well coalition members Mary Liz Wright, center, and Brandi Eaton, right, present.

Paris Circle K’s, Bee Well partner

We all need the occasional reminder to think healthy and Bee Well of Edgar County has partnered with two local convenience stores in promoting healthier choices. Bee Well coalition members Mary … more

BY GARY HENRY ghenry@prairiepress.net | 7/8/19

Local Altrusa receives grant

The familiar Altrusa Reading Trailer that appears at numerous community events and gives free books to children is getting a makeover. Altrusa International Foundation provided a $2,300 grant to … more

SPECIAL TO THE PRAIRIE PRESS | 7/8/19

The jukebox musical “Mamma Mia” comes to the stage of the Paris Center of Fine Arts July 12-14, presented by the Paris Community Theater. The production features the music of ABBA. The former girl group Donna and the Dynamos perform a number for Donna’s daughter’s pre-wedding party. Members of the group are, from left Melanie Clark as Rosie, Erin Hutchison as Donna and Michelle Jacobs as Tanya.

Opening night approaches

Those attending the upcoming Paris Community Theater production of “Mamma Mia” should be prepared for fun, laughter and great music, according to the Stuart Metcalf, the director of … more

By NANCY ZEMAN nzeman@prairiepress.net | 7/8/19

Robin Wahl offers an eclectic inventory in the boutique she operates as the Mobile Bohemian from the back of a former delivery truck.

Fashion hits the road

Robin Wahl, owner of the Hairport in Brocton, has a new business venture. “I’ve been doing the Anela Boutique for three years,” said Wahl. “It’s a vintage-inspired clothing style store … more

By BRADEN CHITTICK bradenandrewc@gmail.com | 6/24/19

Don Knoll, left, Becky Litton, middle, and Phyllis Rutan, right, mull over their hands in another round of the monthly euchre tournament.

Friendly competition

The second Thursday of every month for the past three years, the Red Oak Inn bed and breakfast has hosted a euchre night, where anyone can come in to play cards and socialize for the evening. The … more

By Braden Chittick bradenandrewc@gmail.com | 6/17/19

Bob McNabb, left, and Matt McNabb, right, stand in front of a large pile of unusable animal feed from ADM in Decatur. The feed is the main ingredient in the large-scale composting operation they are starting in Edgar County. Other material going into the mix includes wood chips, old hay and grass clippings. The McNabb system is set up to convert 5,000 tons of material from ADM into compost as a soil amendment. ADM has suggested they triple the size as a way the company can usefully dispose of material rather than putting it into a landfill.

Old idea leaps to new level

Edgar County residents Matt McNabb and his father, Bob McNabb, are men of vision. They saw a problem and have devised what they believe is a viable solution that will not only benefit their … more

By GARY HENRY ghenry@prairiepress.net | 6/10/19

A massive slide is just one of the attractions offered at the new Marshall pool.

Marshall pool reopens

MARSHALL — After a year spent closed for renovations, the Marshall public pool reopened May 24 thanks to the support of the Marshall community “It was a huge community effort, even though the … more

By BRADEN CHITTICK bradenandrewc.gmail.com | 6/3/19

Fire training center gets leg up

Good ideas are hard to keep down, but they are sometimes stymied by a lack of funds. That was the situation facing Paris Fire Chief Brian Gates when it came to figuring out a way to develop the … more

By GARY HENRY ghenry@prairiepress.net | 5/28/19

Joy Turner leads nature walks in Blackhawk Park the first Saturday of each month, regardless of weather conditions. She has been doing this for eight years, and the walks are free.

Celebrating the season

The first Saturday of every month, for the past eight years, Joy Turner has led nature walks through Blackhawk Park. Though some might think these walks through the same trails would grow stale, to … more

By Braden Chittick bradenandrewc@gmail.com | 5/13/19

Horizon Health and the Human Resources Center of Edgar and Clark Counties are joining forces to improve mental health treatment access, including emergency service. Ground was recently broken to build a Life Center on the Horizon Health campus for Horizon Health’s Senior Care program as well provide space for HRC therapists and a crisis center – sort of a mental health emergency room. Left to right, Dustin Melton, Nolan Longest, Ken Polky, Alison Williams, Oliver Smith, Ned Jenison, Martin Adams, Kym Pfrank, Brian Blair, Brittney Isom, Renee Craig and Floyd Young.

New era of healthcare

Healthcare, especially mental health service, will have a new look in about a year. Representatives of Horizon Health and the Human Resources Center of Edgar and Clark Counties gathered briefly … more

By GARY HENRY ghenry@prairiepress.net | 4/23/19

Meeting will decide bid

The Edgar County Board has scheduled a special meeting April 22 to decide if the five-year contract for the seven-township service area is awarded to the Edgar County Special Service Area Ambulance … more

By GARY HENRY ghenry@prairiepress.net | 4/15/19

Edgar County Clerk August Griffin used a new projection system to publicly show election results in nearly real time, replacing the slow and cumbersome system of handwriting the numbers on a chalkboard. Griffin was pleased with how the system worked and is ready to retire the big board. He added his office has joined the 21st Century.

Election ends an era

The few visitors to the Edgar County Courthouse to watch election results Tuesday night had a surprise. Missing from the rotunda was the giant chalkboard suspended from the back of the elevator … more

By GARY HENRY ghenry@prairiepress.net | 4/8/19

The newsboys of New York are determined to defy authority in their struggle for fair pay. “Newsies” is the Paris High School spring musical production.

“Newsies” hits the stage

Paris High School’s spring musical, “Newsies,” the Broadway musical inspired by the real-life newsboys strike of 1899, is in final rehearsals, with the show scheduled at 7 p.m. Friday and … more

By NANCY ZEMAN nzeman@prairiepress.net | 4/1/19

Congressman John Shimkus (R-15th District), center, is shown with members of the ECCEL Academy consisting of students from Paris, Marshall, Kansas, Chrisman, Martinsville and Casey-Westfield high schools. The academy teaches principles of leadership as well as introducing students to the wide variety of businesses and employment opportunities that exist in the area following high school.

ECCEL celebrates achievement

The ECCEL Academy held a special reception Tuesday, March 19, at Paris High School to thank supporters and outline progress so far this academic year. The acronym stands for Edgar Clark Career … more

By GARY HENRY ghenry@prairiepress.net | 3/25/19

These students are tasked with carrying a large part of the Chrisman High School performance of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” The narrator’s role is split between the three young women seated left to right, Lindsey Franz, Rylee Lorton and Addison Pickett. Standing are Colby Phipps, left, who plays Joseph, and Kaiden Moody, right, who is one of the brothers in the ensemble but rocks and rolls in the second act as the Egyptian Pharaoh.

“Dreamcoat” in Chrisman

CHRISMAN – The next musical by Chrisman High School students is perhaps the most ambitious project so far at the school. “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” by the groundbreaking … more

By GARY HENRY ghenry@prairiepress.net | 3/18/19

This object has all the telltale signs of being a meteorite: fusion crust caused by the outer layer melting as a result of friction with the atmosphere; regmaglypts, which are small depressions in the surface like thumbprints in wet clay; density, at more than seven pounds it is heavier than common rocks of the same dimensions; it is magnetic because of the iron-nickle composition. Meteorites are divided into three main categories with further subdivisions depending on a variety of factors. Charlie Glick plans to arrange for scientific testing to learn more about this visitor from outer space.

Mystery meteorite

Antique auto dealers across the U.S. know Charlie Glick. That’s his specialty – antique autos that date back to the 1920s and earlier. He’s also a collector of World War I and World War II … more

By ALLEN ENGLEBRIGHT The Prairie Press | 3/11/19

Paris resident and world-renowned honeybee expert Gene Killion is helping novice beekeeper Matt Sanchez, right, with an apiary Sanchez established at the Sawgrass Marriott resort in Florida. The apiary has evolved into a micro farm providing the resort kitchen with fresh vegetables and eggs in addition to locally sourced honey. Sanchez is a Marriott chef.

Gene Killion honored

Most people are likely unaware of the century local residents the late Carl Killion and his son, Eugene, devoted to the care of honeybees and honey production; but in the world of beekeeping, the two … more

By GARY HENRY ghenry@prairiepress.net | 3/4/19

The staff of the new EZ Care-Marshall sees patients on Friday, Saturday and Sundays at the clinic located at the intersection of State Route 1 and U.S. 40. Pictured, from left, are Carie Jansen, Carrie Cunningham, EZ Care manager; Lindsey Henson, unit secretary; and Mallory Cook.

EZ Care opens in Marshall

A new EZ Care walk-in clinic, a service of Horizon Health, is now open in Marshall at Illinois Highway 1 and U.S. 40. EZ Care–Marshall is located in the former Wellum chiropractic building at … more

Special to The Prairie Press | 2/19/19