Local News | The Prairie Press

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

The funds that are dropped into the piggybank remain in the library and are rarely touched by the staff.

SHARE program saves money for library patrons

The SHARE program, in 2023, saved Paris library patrons more than $415,000. That program, which makes interlibrary loans an easy and convenient online service, provides extra popular titles to … more

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

Paris 95 faces third payback

During its Monday, April 8 meeting, the Paris Union School District 95 Board of Education received confirmation that an additional $487,115.76 in grant paybacks are due, this time to the Illinois … more

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

Pictured standing in front of the new Honeybee train, from left to right, Jim Humrichous, Ryan Turner, Will Moody, Zane Saunders, Jorden Root, Chase Murray, Maxn Johnson, Robert Wells, Kiarra Englum.

The Honeybee Train is back

For a long time, the Honeybee Train was run by the Honeybee Antique Association, but since the group disbanded the train has been missing from the celebration. The FFA and agriculture classes at … more

By Aubrey Wilson awilson@prairiepress.net | 9/25/23

“I feel blessed to be a small part of it all,” Pittenger said as a final comment. “Once a tiger...always a tiger.”

PHS received clean audit

The Paris Cooperative High School Board of Education met on Monday, Jan. 8, and presented its annual audit. Tami Knight from the Kemper CPS Group LLP reported it was a clean audit with no issues … more

by Linda Lane lanefamily1992@gmail.com | 1/15/24

A six-week process exists to become a bus driver, and that includes obtaining a CDL, passing a written test and working with an instructor and driving a set number of hours.

Kansas School Board begins to consider bus leases

The School Board for Kansas Community Unit School District No. 3 met Wednesday, Jan. 17, in its regular meeting, where they wrestled with bus lease options and agreed to approve the Tri-County … more

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

Two-vehicle collision on Jasper

A two-vehicle collision occurred in Paris on the morning of Tuesday, June 13. The vehicles collided between Taco Bell and R & J Stores on Jasper Street. No fatalities occurred. One driver … more

By Robby Tucker rtucker@prairiepress.net | 6/13/23

IDPH warns Illinoisans to protect themselves from dangerously high heat

SPRINGFIELD — With dangerously high levels of heat forecast across the state of Illinois in the coming days, including heat index forecasts in excess of 100 degrees, the Illinois Department of … more

Special to The Prairie Press | 8/22/23

Changes are coming to Shiloh school

HUME — January is School Board Appreciation Month, a time set aside to recognize the hard-working members of local communities who volunteer their time and energy to make decisions about the … more

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