Local News
Partly Sunny & Mild Today---Nice Weekend Ahead
We should be in for a few dry and mild days ahead. For today we could see some light rain this morning, but we'll otherwise see partly sunny skies with a high of 55. Tonight we'll see mostly clear skies with a low of 34 and there could be some areas of frost early Saturday morning. Meanwhile, the weekend looks good. ...
7h ago
Fayette County Board handles business during brief monthly meeting
The Fayette County Board took care of several business issues during a brief monthly meeting on Thursday. The approved the funding of an additional fully equipped squad car at a cost of $59,768. And, the board also approved the creation of a Veterans Association Commission. On some other issues, the board approved the...
7h ago
County Board member and Mayor-Elect Knebel addresses Board at end of final meeting
Fayette County Board member and City of Vandalia Mayor-Elect Doug Knebel addressed the board at the end of his final meeting on Thursday. Knebel has served on the Fayette County Board for the past 4 years. And, Thursday was his last meeting as he will be sworn in as Mayor of Vandalia on May 5th. At the end of the mee...
7h ago
Calls continue to reform Illinois' Estate Tax some say shuts down family farms
Illinois is one of just 12 states that still has an estate tax, and some are calling for reforms. The estate tax is imposed on decedent's estate, like a family farm, before distribution to heirs. As a result, beneficiaries typically sell off parts of the farm or incur tremendous debt to pay the tax. During Ag Day ev...
7h ago
Gov Pritzker Still Deciding Whether To Appear Before Congress On Sanctuary Status
(Chicago, IL) -- Governor Pritzker is still deciding whether he will appear before Congress over the state's immigration policies. The Republican chair of the House Oversight Committee Chair requested that Pritzker, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and New York Governor Kathy Hochul testify before the committee on their san...
7h ago
Sheriff reports Deputies on the scene of several accidents this morning on I-57 in Fayette County
Fayette County Sheriff Ronnie Stevens reports that deputies are on the scene of several accidents this morning on Interstate 57 at the 139 and 140 mile markers in the south bound lanes. Sheriff Stevens says traffic is being diverted at the Edgewood exit. The Sheriff adds that the Illinois State Police and the Coroner...
7h ago
Showers and Storms today--Strong to Severe Storm possible this afternoon
We are looking at showers and thunderstorms today and tonight and a strong to severe storm is also possible. Our forecast for today says we'll see scattered showers and storms today with a high of 66. Then, showers and storms for tonight with a low of 41. Also, there is a threat of a strong to severe storm today. The...
Apr 10, 2025
Vandalia Mayor says budget will likely be tight for a while
As he prepares to hand over the reins to a new Mayor next month, Vandalia Mayor Rick Gottman says they are working to make sure the budget is balanced. At Monday's Vandalia City Council meeting, Mayor Gottman told the city council he attended the Illinois Municipal League's Lobby Day in Springfield recently and he says...
Apr 10, 2025
City of Vandalia works out new employee health insurance plan
The City of Vandalia has worked out a new employee health insurance plan. During Monday's Vandalia City Council meeting, Mayor Rick Gottman talked about the situation and that they had to work quickly to find new health insurance for employees. It was also mentioned there could be some cost savings with the new plan. ...
Apr 10, 2025
State Supreme Court Rejects GOP Challenge of State's Legislative Map
(Springfield, IL) -- The Illinois Supreme Court is rejecting a challenge by state Republicans over Illinois' legislative map. House GOP members filed a lawsuit in January asking the state's high court to declare the Democratic mapping effort an unconstitutional political gerrymandering. The suit claimed the boundaries ...
Apr 10, 2025
GOP--IL Supreme Court ruling against map challenge does Dems "dirty work"
The Illinois Supreme Court did the dirty work for Democrats and are disenfranchising millions of voters, according to statehouse Republicans who challenged the legislative maps. After the 2020 Census, new legislative maps were drawn by majority statehouse Democrats. Following guidance from the judiciary, Republicans w...
Apr 10, 2025
Flood Warning for Kaskaskia River in Vandalia-River expected to go below flood stage this morning
...FLOOD WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL THURSDAY AFTERNOON... * WHAT...Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Kaskaskia River at Vandalia. * WHEN...Until Thursday afternoon. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 8:30 PM CDT Tuesday the stage was 21.0 feet. - Recent Activity...The maximum river stage ...
Apr 09, 2025
Chance of Showers & Storms this afternoon and tonight
We have a chance of rain back in the forecast for today. We have a chance of shower this afternoon with a high of 58. Winds out of the south will gust better than 25 miles per hour for today. Tonight we have a chance of showers and storms with a low of 43. It will be windy again tonight with winds from the south gust...
Apr 09, 2025
Vandalia City Council discusses ordinance for meetings being available online
The Vandalia City Council had discussions at their meeting on Monday about adopting an ordinance in regards to meetings being available online. For the past few meetings, the City Council meeting has been available via Zoom. And, individuals who were watching via Zoom were given time to address the Council. During Mo...
Apr 09, 2025
Vandalia City Council has short update on personnel, Mayor addresses Econ Develop Dir situation
The Vandalia City Council got a short update during Monday's meeting on personnel. City Clerk Carla Huhn says that 25 applications have come in for the opening in her office. Alderman Bob Bowen, who is the head of the Personnel Committee, says they are continuing to take applications for the open Economic Development ...
Apr 09, 2025
