Local News | The Prairie Press

Honeybee Festival royalty lends a hand Friday morning in the Kiwanis Pancake Tent. Left Junior Miss Madi Grace Slaven serves hot pancakes from the griddle, and Honeybee Queen Abigail Sanders, right, has cooking duty.

The buzz on Honeybee is all about community

This year the Honeybee turns 25 years old and plans to make the celebration a memorable time for everyone in the community are underway. “The Honeybee is really a celebration of … more

By Bethany Wagoner bwagoner@prairiepress.net | 9/17/23

Harvest House unveils new blessing box, looks for community support

Harvest House, a local non-profit organization, recently found a new way to fight food insecurity in Paris and Edgar County: a blessing box. The box, an accessible container filled with food and … more

By Robby Tucker rtucker@prairiepress.net | 12/2/23

Quanex plant manager, Kenny Quinn (front, left) represented his employees and presented a check to Bob Morris (front, right) for the Edgar County Community Foundation’s Forever Fund. The Forever Fund supports community and county positive development.

Quanex Corporation supports Edgar County Community Foundation [Photo gallery]

3/6/24

Tree removal prompts replacement discussion

The removal of three large maple trees adjacent to the Edgar County Courthouse prompted some discussion among county board members about next steps. “What I have heard from people is now … more

By GARY HENRY ghenry@prairiepress.net | 8/28/23

Kiwanis honors the late Jim Mathis

Jim Mathis, a long-time member of the Kiwanis Club, who passed earlier this year, received recognition at a recent meeting. Dennis Thiel recalled how Mathis served as secretary for the Kiwanis … more

by Linda Lane lanefamily1992@gmail.com | 12/2/23

County board contemplates selling bonds

Edgar County Board members were tasked with deciding when the time is right to sell municipal bonds to fund a new jail. An ordinance for issuing up to $8 million in general obligation bonds was … more

By Gary Henry ghenry@prairiepress.net | 9/17/23

Paris City workers adorn lampposts around the courthouse square with lighted decorations every year in preparation for the first Saturday after Thanksgiving, the date of the annual Christmas in Paris event.

Christmas is coming

The Edgar County Courthouse Square is preparing to transform for an annual event that brings families and friends together to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year, Christmas in Paris (CIP). … more

By Bethany Wagoner bwagoner@prairiepress.net | 11/20/23

The Kansas School Board discussed several topics including an upcoming decision about leases on school buses.

Paris 95 anticipates additional paybacks following new IDPH audit

Nearly nine months after a routine audit discovered unallowable grant expenses and six months after news broke of an FBI search at the home of Paris Union School District 95’s superintendent of … more

By Robby Tucker rtucker@prairiepress.net | 12/4/23

$3.24 million misplaced, misused

Shock and confusion permeated Edgar County after FBI agents searched the home of Paris Union School District 95 Superintendent and Memorial Elementary principal Jeremy Larson on Tuesday, June 13. … more

By ROBBY TUCKER AND GARY HENRY rtucker@prairiepress.net | 6/17/23

Hunter and safety educator, Jack Hoffman, is passionate about teaching ethics, safety and responsibility with hunting weapons.

The thrill of the safe hunt

Whether with a rifle or a bow, in a tree stand or a blind, understanding the principles of hunter safety is crucial for any sportsman. Jack Hoffman, a long-time resident of Paris and a hunter safety … more

By Robby Tucker rtucker@prairiepress.net | 9/17/23

Yellow law enforcement tape isolating crime scene. Blurred view of city street, toned in red and blue police car lights

Edgar County man found dead

The body of missing rural Edgar County man Chad N. Brooks was found Feb. 8 by Cole County Sheriff’s Department investigators, near Westfield Road in rural Charleston. He was pronounced dead at … more

BY GRETCHEN STONE gstone@prairiepress.net | 2/9/24

Optical fiber cable with binary cods. 3d illustration .

Fiber internet woos Hume

HUME — Residents of Hume may have the option of choosing between two fiber optic internet providers. Representatives of Conxxus attended the village board meeting Monday, Sept. 11, to … more

By Gary Henry ghenry@prairiepress.net | 9/17/23

Redbird Leadership Squad prepares students for life of service

Finding a way to serve your community as a child can be hard, but the Redbird Leadership Squad at Mayo Middle School provides such opportunities. Jacob Garver and Kim Curl do more than just teach … more

By Daniel Briseno daniel@prairiepress.net | 9/12/22

Audra Gullquist is joining The Prairie Press’ staff as an intern this summer. She looks forward to exploring the field of journalism and the depths of her own creativity.

Everyone, meet Audra

From an early age, Audra Gullquist felt at home with a pen in her hand. Gullquist spent much of her time absorbing books written by John Green or trying to write her own short stories with her … more

By Robby Tucker rtucker@prairiepress.net | 6/18/23

Local law enforcement agents search an alley behind Wenz School in Paris following an early morning incident. Left to right are two Illinois State K9 Troopers, Detective Jacob Jenkins, Sheriff Jeff Wood and Assistant Edgar County States Attorney Phil Dobelstein. The Prairie Press will release updates as they become available.

Incident near Wenz School prompts lockdown

An incident at the property behind Wenz School in Paris has prompted the lockdown of the school as a safety measure. A law enforcement officer at the scene confirms nothing happened at or in the … more

By Gary Henry ghenry@prairiepress.net | 8/15/23

Barn in Brocton becomes point of contention

BROCTON — The status of a barn dominated discussion at the Brocton Village Board meeting Wednesday, Oct. 11. Village president Chad Dudley suggested it is time to charge a rental fee for … more

By Gary Henry ghenry@prairiepress.net | 10/16/23

Chrisman hustling to “get the lead out”

CHRISMAN – Chrisman city officials are racing against the clock as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to implement the Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act … more

By Robby Tucker rtucker@prairiepress.net | 1/3/24

Father -daughter team Paul Fred Keehner Jr. and Paula Keehner Padgett were partners for a Land of Lincoln Honor Flight that takes veterans to Washington, D.C. It was the first time Keehner, a Vietnam War veteran, visited Washington since his 1963 Paris High School senior trip.

Honor flight is special for area veteran

Vietnam War veteran Paul Fred Keehner Jr. has a message for other veterans — participate in an honor flight. “The honor flight was well worth going,” said Keehner. “Any … more

By Gary Henry ghenry@prairiepress.net | 10/16/23

Members of the Paris Senior Golfers present a $3,000 check to Hopes and Dreams co-founder Beth Hansel (center) at Eagle Ridge Golf Course. Funds for the donations come from the $5 buy-in fee that members of the group pay for each round of golf they play. Hansel is flanked by Ken Hamilton (left) and Monty Raley (right).

Teeing off for change

Forty-seven years ago, Jack Runyan had an epiphany while waiting to tee off at what is now Eagle Ridge Golf Course. “I’m waiting in line to tee off and I flipped around and seen so … more

By Robby Tucker rtucker@prairiepress.net | 10/16/23

County’s new tandem trucks arrive, but can’t be used

The Edgar County Highway Department has new equipment, but it will likely be another year before it is in service. Highway engineer Aaron Lawson advised county board members during the Tuesday, … more

By Gary Henry ghenry@prairiepress.net | 10/16/23