Local News | The Prairie Press

A power pole containing a transformer broke off near the bottom after a tree in the West Lake fell unexpectedly.

The West Lake at Paris Twin Lakes lost power today after a tree fell on power lines causing two power poles, one with a transformer, to break. The West Lake is currently without power and Ameren … more

By Daniel Briseño daniel@prairiepress.net | 6/13/23

Storm cleanup tops $300,000

Local government units seeking financial assistance to recoup expenses associated with cleanup after the June 29 derecho have submitted documentation for more than $300,00 to the appropriate … more

GARY HENRY ghenry@prairiepress.net | 8/5/23

No-cash bond does not stop law enforcement

Paris Police Chief Terry Rogers has a blunt message for those who think the new Safe-T Act is a license for criminal behavior. “You can go to jail. You will go to jail,” said Rogers. … more

By Gary Henry ghenry@prairiepress.net | 9/25/23

"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 Department of Public Health (IDPH)."

Paris 95 audit report shows marked improvement with one caveat

Members of the Paris Union School District 95 (Paris 95) Board of Education breathed a collective sigh of relief on Monday, Jan. 8 after a briefing on the district’s most recent audit revealed … more

By Robby Tucker rtucker@prairiepress.net | 1/15/24

New in the Edgar Circuit Court

The following people were among those who had cases scheduled for the April 3 and the April 6 criminal and traffic calls in Edgar County Circuit Court: In custody Joshua T. Bewley, 36, … more

By Suzanne Williams swilliamsprairiepress@gmail.com | 4/18/23

Logan Showah stands beside an Air Tractor (AT) 802 airplane that his sponsor Chuck Travis uses to crop dust. Showah has his private pilot’s license and his goal is to fly as a crop duster.

Showah picks the prairie

Logan Showah, 23, has been around airplanes and crop-dusting pilots his whole life knowing one day it would be him taking to the sky. “My dad has a mechanic shop in the Indianola (Miss.) … more

By Daniel Briseño daniel@prairiepress.net | 8/5/23

Building upgrades coming in Kansas

KANSAS — Finishing a roof project at the Kansas Treatment and Learning Center (TLC) and some new windows dominated activity for the Kansas Community Unit School District 3 school board. … more

By Gary Henry ghenry@prairiepress.net | 9/25/23

Paris Mayor Craig Smith reads a proclamation honoring the Lions Club for its work helping the visually and hearing-impaired population in both Edgar County and the state. The proclamation declared April 28 and 29 as Lions Tootsie Pop Days in Paris. Lions Club members will be at the intersections of Jasper and Main and Jasper and Central those days, selling Tootsie Pops to passing motorists.

Paris gets physically bigger

The west side of Paris grew by several acres Monday, April 10, following action at the Paris City Council meeting. Four parcels along Springfield Avenue were annexed by the council following … more

By GARY HENRY ghenry@prairierpress.net | 4/18/23

Shiloh students see success

HUME — The staff at Shiloh Community Unit School District 1 beamed with pride for their students on Monday, Sept. 18, as the board held its monthly meeting. Bren Rhode brought … more

By Bethany Wagoner bwagoner@prairiepress.net | 9/25/23

“If someone moves out and someone moves in (they) have to be able to connect to fiber. So, it’s a larger scale than just individual homes, right. We want to try to make it as seamless and as close to these homes as possible,”

Hume prepares for fiber optic

HUME — The village of Hume is gearing up to have fiber network installed by Conxxus. According to representatives from the company, the projected date for the project to begin is the second … more

By Bethany Wagoner bwagoner@prairiepress.net | 3/18/24

Local man charged with Christmas burglary

In the early morning hours of Monday, Dec. 25, local police intercepted a suspect wanted for a Grinch-esque crime. At 3:22 a.m., Matthew L. Smith, 39, was arrested at 211 W. Washington and … more

By Robby Tucker rtucker@prairiepress.net | 12/27/23

Bethany Wagoner poses for a photo outside of The Prairie Press. Wagoner became a full-time member of The Press’ newsroom on Tuesday, August 1. She views the job as an opportunity to engage with her lifelong love of writing while also promoting the community she now calls home.

Finding a new home, old dreams

In Bethany Wagoner’s younger years, sitting still was never an option — constant travel kept the Mishawaka, Ind., native on the move. Fortunately for readers of The Prairie Press, Wagoner … more

By Robby Tucker rtucker@prairiepress.net | 8/5/23

Kansas purchases generators

KANSAS — Going days without electricity following the June 29 storm prompted the Kansas Village Board to act before another emergency. The trustees approved the purchase of two generators … more

By GARY HENRY ghenry@prairiepress.net | 8/5/23

The undefeated (9-0) 1963 Paris Tiger football team was enshrined in the Paris High School Athletic Hall of Fame Saturday, Feb. 10. Accepting the plaque was Coach Doglio (center front, holding plaque), who made the trip for the occasion with three of his four daughters.

Remembering the greats

Some of the best teams and athletes to ever wear the orange and black of Paris High School were welcomed into an elite group during the second annual Tiger Senior Apartments Community Room – … more

Special to The Prairie Press | 2/17/24

Paris 95 begins search

A month and a half into 2024, Paris Union School District 95 is turning the page on a new chapter. During a Monday, Feb. 12 Board of Education meeting, Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) … more

By Robby Tucker rtucker@prairiepress.net | 2/17/24

Paris on the Rise discusses Courthouse improvements

Edgar County Board member Andy Patrick discussed current improvements and future improvements to the courthouse with Paris on the Rise. “Right now, we need to get the roof done … more

By Daniel Briseño daniel@prairiepress.net | 5/12/23

“We are hoping with our teachers retiring that we will have a few of them helping out with subbing,” Young said. “The (handbook) covers all the district’s procedures.”

Crestwood earns exemplary rating from ISBE

Crestwood Elementary School students and staff can enter the Christmas season knowing they made the nice list, at least according to the Illinois State Board of Education. Recently released ISBE … more

By Robby Tucker rtucker@prairiepress.net | 11/28/23

Emergency medical service at work. Paramedic is pulling stretcher with senior man with serious heart attack to the ambulance car. Help on the road. Drivers assistance concept.

$375,000 tax levy in place as county awaits ambulance service bids

A $375,000 property tax levy was the center of attention during a truth in taxation hearing and subsequent Edgar County board meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 22. The levy, which is not to exceed $0.20 per … more

By Robby Tucker rtucker@prairiepress.net | 11/27/23

Construction cones marking part of road with a layer of fresh asphalt.

US-150, Vermilion Road intersection to be rebuilt

A road improvement east of Paris roughly 13 years in the making is approved and slated for 2024. After the north side of the intersection of Vermilion Road (2000 E) and US-150 received some updates … more

By Robby Tucker rtucker@prairiepress.net | 11/27/23

Bee Well gardeners begin planting

First-time gardener Barb Cash plants marigolds in her raised bed at the Bee Well Community Garden. The garden, adjacent to Schwartz Park, gives space to people who may not have room at home to have a … more

By Gary Henry ghenry@prairiepress.net | 5/18/23