Local News | The Prairie Press

Susan Stafford is retiring as Executive Director of The Link Art Gallery. Her June 1 departure ends an 18.5 year administrative career with the art gallery. She will miss working with the people she has met over the years but is looking forward to having more time for her family.

Susan Stafford is experiencing mixed emotions as she prepares to leave a job she loves. She is retiring June 1 from her duties as the Executive Director of the Link Art Gallery. “I … more

By LINDA LANE Lanefamily1992@gmail.com | 5/1/23

Shelter dog finds new home, new job with veteran

When Michael Joiner met his new service dog, Casey, something just clicked with the Lab/Pointer mix. On a visit to the Edgar County Animal Shelter, Joiner had looked at a few different dogs that … more

BY GRETCHEN STONE gstone@prairiepress.net | 3/4/24

Water – both drinking and draining from the street – once again took up a majority of the board’s meeting.

Kansas remains in hot water

KANSAS – The Kansas Village Board may be one step closer to adding a trustee to fill the board’s vacancy after its monthly meeting Wednesday, March 13, in the temporary village hall … more

By Nancy Zeman nzeman@prairiepress.net | 3/16/24

Maddie Neiswinger recently held the grand opening of Frosted by Maddie where she cut the ribbon welcoming customers to her new storefront at 327 N. Main St.

Frosted by Maddie opens

5/9/23

Edgar County Board has quick meeting

The Edgar County Board had a brief study session Monday, April 24, to discuss issues. Board member Lisa Ellis made a brief presentation about her work revamping the county’s solar and wind … more

By GARY HENRY ghenry@prairiepress.net | 5/1/23

Paris city candidates meet in forum

Candidates for the Paris City Council answered questions Wednesday, March 29, in a forum sponsored by The Prairie Press. Candidate Jacob Ducharme was out of town and did not attend. Paul … more

By GARY HENRY ghenry@prairiepress.com | 3/27/23

July 4 weekend planning underway

Plans are coming together for a two-day Independence Day celebration in Twin Lakes Park. Cliff Macke, Paris Park Board president, discussed what is confirmed for July 3 and July 4. He said food … more

By GARY HENRY ghenry@prairiepress.net | 5/1/23

Shiloh School encouraged to join the Flock

HUME — A push by the Neighborhood Watch in Edgar County to place Flock cameras throughout the county keeps expanding. The cameras track license plates of suspect vehicles and assist law … more

By Linda Lane lanefamily1992@gmail.com | 3/27/23

Still no commissioners at Chrisman

CHRISMAN — Dan Moore, as mayor of Chrisman, has a conundrum. He and city commissioner Bryan Haddix were the only candidates during the April 4 election, and both were vying for the … more

By Gary Henry ghenry@prairiepress.net | 5/22/23

Edgar County Sheriff Jeff Wood lifts a courthouse roof finial that fell during the June 29 storm. The deteriorated sheet metal finials are being replaced as part of the courthouse roof project, and the new finials will be made of copper.

Still no final plan for courthouse masonry work

The important numbers are not ready. Edgar County Board members are still waiting for cost estimates to repair the stone dormers and triangular pediments on the courthouse. This conversation has … more

By GARY HENRY ghenry@prairiepress.net | 7/22/23

Brocton Fire Chief Kraig Key, left, hands freshly breaded fish to P.J. Bezy, right, of Neptune Foods, for frying at the fire department’s annual Jonah Fish Fry as part of the Brocton Springfest. Firefighter Cody Bosh, yellow shirt, was helping with the breading detail.

Brocton Council wants parade participants, food vendors

The Brocton Council has big needs right now, with a spotlight on finding parade entrants and food vendors during beer tent time, for Springfest. Any and all are encouraged to participate. The … more

BY GRETCHEN STONE gstone@prairiepress.net | 4/17/24

Kansas school referendum discussed

KANSAS — Board members for the Kansas Community Unit School District #3 have a fine line to walk. There is a referendum question on the April 4 ballot for district residents asking if the … more

By GARY HENRY ghenry@prairiepress.net | 3/27/23

Paris High BOE OKs Hall of Fame account for tax deductions

The Paris High School Board of Education moved through its agenda with swift timing, in 14 minutes, when it met in its regular meeting Monday, April 8. All board members were in … more

BY GRETCHEN STONE gstone@prairiepress.net | 4/17/24

Festival brings familiar fun for the entire community

CHRISMAN — The Chrisman Days Celebration is following a familiar and comfortable format next weekend. “After last year, it’s nice to have a break,” said Chrisman Fire … more

By Gary Henry ghenry@prairiepress.net | 9/5/23

Kevin Tracy, pictured here analyzing a batch of honey, has been cultivating his craft for 28 years, most recently in the basement space of Lot 50, where he is producing a variety of different meads.

Charleston couple is “trading bricks for brix”

Kevin Tracy, a Mattoon native and Charleston resident, owns his own masonry business, Kross Masonry, but what was once a hobby is leading Tracy to “trade bricks for brix.” The … more

By Robby Tucker rtucker@prairiepress.net | 4/1/24

Couple retires after decades of work in Paris

For husband-and-wife duo and Paris natives Harry Hughes and Carol Hughes, this week marked the end of more than 100 years of combined work in their community. Wednesday, April 3 was the final … more

By Robby Tucker rtucker@prairiepress.net | 4/6/24

Paris Mayor Craig Smith (far right) reads a proclamation honoring the Lions Club for its work helping the visually and hearing-impaired population in both Edgar County and the state during a city council meeting Monday, April 8. The proclamation declared April 26 and 27 as “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.

April 26 and 27 declared “Tootsie Pop” days

After a highly anticipated April 8 solar eclipse climaxed over the city at 2:05 p.m., Mayor Craig Smith launched the regularly scheduled Monday city council meeting by proclaiming April … more

By Bethany Wagoner bwagoner@prairiepress.net | 4/17/24

Chrisman makes Progress

CHRISMAN — Some projects seem to be a few steps forward and a few back before things come together. The long-burdened Chrisman sewage treatment plant falls under that category. … more

By Gary Henry ghenry@prairiepress.net | 8/21/23

Based in Peoria, the company operates both Twin Lakes Rehab and Health Care and Newman Rehab and Health Care as part its 90-plus facilities across Illinois, Iowa and Missouri.

Two local nursing homes are facing bankruptcy

Petersen Health Care, which operates two local nursing homes and is one of the largest nursing home operators in the U.S., filed for bankruptcy March 20, following cyberattacks and defaults on … more

By NANCY ZEMAN nzeman@prairiepress.net | 4/6/24

The board approved a purchase agreement with Midwest Communications to purchase five acres of ground and an antenna southwest of Paris.

County board pens purchase agreement for radio tower

In its most recent meeting, April 10, the Edgar County Board heard several updates on ongoing projects and approved a purchase agreement that could be a boon to local emergency dispatchers. The … more

By Robby Tucker rtucker@prairiepress.net | 4/17/24