Category: Local News

Effingham County Sheriff’s Department reported the following jail bookings. Anyone facing charges is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Brianna A. Larson, 21, of Effingham, was booked on a charge of pedestrian under...

Effingham County Sheriff’s Department reported the following jail bookings. Anyone facing charges is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Lucas M. Kulesza, 27, of Effingham, was booked on aggravated battery,...

Effingham County Sheriff’s Department reported the following jail bookings. Anyone facing charges is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Angela M. Olinger, 36, of Effingham, was booked on an Effingham County warrant...

Effingham County Sheriff’s Department reported the following jail bookings. Anyone facing charges is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Kristine Ann Hodge, 32, Effingham, was booked on violation of a protection...

Effingham County Sheriff’s Department reported the following jail bookings. Anyone facing charges is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Owen J. Byrne, 42, of Edgewood, was booked for possession of stolen motor...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff One million dollars. If everything goes as planned, a local fundraiser will have raised that much over its 25-year history and divided it equally between two local high schools. On Thursday,...

Effingham County Sheriff’s Department reported the following jail bookings. Anyone facing charges is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Miguel A. Escamilla, 25, Madera, California, was booked for possession of a...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Effingham Unit 40 School Board dove into a request Monday from a student who swims with the Heartland Hurricanes swim team. Effingham High student Austin Huebner is a long-distance competitive...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Despite what you might have heard, that tall strange-looking device attached to a stop sign at Raney Street and Jaycee Avenue is not Big Brother checking on your driving vices. Actually, it is...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Yes, it’s been a wet June. But how wet? The rainfall for the Effingham County weather observer totaled 8.26 inches through June 27, based on figures confirmed by National Weather Service...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Tammy Leslie was stirring the mix for scrambled eggs in a huge kettle for the big morning meal Saturday in Shumway. Enduring Freedom Ministries was ready to serve up its first hot meal prepared...

The City of Effingham would like to congratulate Michelle Wilkins on being awarded Employee of the Year, as a part of the City’s Employee Recognition Program. Three other employees were nominated for the award – Amy Beckman,...

Effingham County Sheriff’s Department reported the following jail bookings. Anyone facing charges is innocent until proven guilty through a court of law. Kimberly Dawn Clark, 19, of Effingham, was booked for illegal consumption...

Effingham Police Department Bureau of Patrol reported the following traffic crashes with injuries or tickets issued. Anyone ticketed is innocent until proven guilty through a court of law. At 12:43 p.m. on June 25, a vehicle,...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff Patrick Sherrod was very happy. He had just checked online and discovered he was going to receive an ROTC Scholarship that would pay for either tuition or room and board at the college of his...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Replacing a retired County Treasurer might not happen with the current officeholder planning to hold the position, even though he is working full-time at another job. On Monday, Effingham County...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Leaks in the Effingham Kluthe Pool could sink most of the summer season for the popular recreation facility. Effingham Park District Director Jeff Althoff said last week extensive repair work on...

A familiar face in Effingham city government will be named interim administrator with Jim Arndt leaving for a new job next month in Kentucky. City Clerk Kelsey Lock is expected to be appointed interim City Administrator during...

Effingham County Sheriff’s Department reported the following jail bookings. Anyone facing charges is innocent until proven guilty through a court of law. DaJuan A. Stansberry, 34, of St. Louis, was booked for theft on June 11....

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff Agnes Brummer can’t remember the names of all her great-grandchildren. But that’s understandable. She has 155 of them. Plus, she has 12 kids, 60 grandkids, and, oh yes, one...

The Illinois Press Association gave five awards to the Effingham & Teutopolis News Report during the 2018 IPA Convention last Friday in Springfield. News Report Owner/Publisher Steve Raymond earned a first-place award for...

Effingham County Sheriff’s Department reported the following jail bookings. Anyone facing charges is innocent until proven guilty through a court of law. Shana R. Spicer, 42, of Effingham, was booked on an Effingham County...

Effingham Police Department Bureau of Patrol reported the following traffic crashes with injuries or tickets issued. Anyone ticketed is innocent until proven guilty through a court of law. At 12:48 p.m. on May 24, a vehicle,...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Mayors across Effingham County will let their fingers do the talking during next week’s Effingham County Farm Bureau Goat Milking Contest. Elected officials from several communities will compete...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Effingham City County members on Tuesday approved appointments, an agreement for online firefighter training and reviewed upcoming Public Works projects. The council approved the reappointment of...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Abraham Lincoln’s assassination in 1865 provides only part of the tragedy of his life. The sixteenth president’s medical history, plagued by recurring bouts with malaria and depression, was not...

Effingham County Sheriff’s Department reported the following jail bookings. Anyone facing charges is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Aaron D. Shaw, 30, of Alton, was booked on a Madison County probation violation...

If you hear a lot of emergency sirens after 10 a.m. on Tuesday in Dieterich, there is no reason to push the panic button. All those sirens that morning will signal the start of a mock crash demonstration at the Dieterich schools...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Effingham Unit 40 School Board on Monday heard proposals for changing the student grading scale and the need for security changes at local schools. Effingham Schools Director of Curriculum and...

Teutopolis village government employees received pay increases for the next fiscal year starting May 1. On April 18, the Village Board approved a 3 percent increase to the pay for eight village employees. The village fiscal year...

Effingham County Sheriff’s Department reported the following jail bookings. Anyone facing charges is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Kristen Doedtman, 33, of Effingham, was booked for Driving Under the Influence...

Effingham Police Department Bureau of Patrol reported the following traffic crashes involving injures or tickets issued. Anyone ticketed is innocent until proven guilty through a court of law. At 2:57 p.m. on April 14, a...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Effingham County Board experienced a news media feeding frenzy last week over its passage of an ordinance supporting the Second Amendment and calling for “sanctuary county” status for legal gun...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff A Louisville-based communications company might offer a solution for some of the Internet problems plaguing many Teutopolis households. During last week’s Teutopolis Village Board meeting, Wabash...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Crunching the numbers will continue on the proposed Effingham Junior High School renovation project. The Effingham Unit 40 School Board on Monday voted 5-1 for continuing work on determining...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff It’s that time again to learn more about Abraham Lincoln and his times with the help of the Effingham County Cultural Center and History Association plus the Lake Land College Effingham Kluthe...

Effingham County Sheriff’s Department reported the following jail bookings. Anyone facing charges is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Abigail Montgomery, 36, of Beecher City, was booked for possession of...

Effingham Police Department Bureau of Patrol reported the following traffic crashes with injuries or tickets. Anyone ticketed is innocent until proven guilty through a court of law. At 8:11 p.m. on March 28, a vehicle, driven by...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Effingham Unit 40 School Board meetings rarely draw more than 120 teachers, coaches, parents and students. But with teacher contract negotiations at a stalemate for months, the huge crowd in the...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Teutopolis Village Board members approved a plat plan on March 21 for the west side Commercial Subdivision and also a change for saving costs on village employee health coverage. The Commercial...

Effingham Police Department Bureau of Patrol reported the following traffic crashes with injuries or tickets. Anyone ticketed is innocent until proven guilty through a court of law. At 2:01 p.m. on March 19, a vehicle, driven by...

Effingham County Sheriff’s Department reported the following jail bookings. Anyone facing charges is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Charles M. Gochenour, 55, of Shelbyville, was booked on an Effingham County...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff Mary Zumwalt, of Altamont, has seen a lot of changes during her 40 years of teaching. When she first began, she remembers making copies on a Ditto machine. But now the school office has a machine...

By Nash Naam Guest Columnist What is happiness? This is a frequently asked question with no single, all agreed upon, answer. If you would ask 100 people to define happiness, you may get 100 different answers. For many, there is...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff Effingham Police Chief Jeff Fuesting talked about the importance of having a School Resource Officer in Unit 40 and found a receptive group of city council members at Tuesday night’s council...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Effingham County government has a new safety handbook to ensure uniform procedures for all county employees. The safety handbook covers training requirements and procedures, and establishes the...

Effingham County Sheriff’s Department reported the following jail bookings. Anyone facing charges is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Rachel N. Bell, 32, of Beecher City, was booked for Driving Under the Influence...

Effingham Police Department Bureau of Patrol reported the following traffic crashes with injuries or tickets issued. Anyone ticketed is innocent until proven guilty through a court of law. At 8:53 p.m. on March 17, a vehicle,...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff When students walked into Effingham High School’s CAD II class a couple weeks ago, they were expecting to design chess pieces. But they didn’t know Val Soltwedel had contacted their teacher, Ty...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff The Effingham County Treasurer’s race was a true nail biter Tuesday night. As the precinct votes were counted in the Effingham County Clerk’s office, Republican candidates Paula Miller and Sheila...

Bagpipes with attitude. Drums with a Scottish accent. A blazing rock band and show so hot, it carries its own health warning. It is The Red Hot Chilli Pipers – a 9-piece ensemble consisting of pipers, guitarists, keyboards and...

In recognition of February being National Canned Food Month, HSHS Home Care and Hospice Southern Illinois recently teamed up with HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital and other local organizations to “Cram the Car” with...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff When Paul Field runs into a fork in the road, he simply picks a direction and sees where it takes him. All the twists and turns over his 68 years of life have brought him right back to where he...

The hauntingly funny comedy – “Blithe Spirit” – will be performed six times by the FACE Players at the Ron Diehl Center in Effingham. Dates are March 15, 16, 17 and March 22, 23 and 24. Theater-only shows will be March 15, 16...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Effingham City Council invested again in lighting up the skies on the Fourth of July. City Commissioners voted unanimously to donate $15,000 to the Effingham Noon Rotary fireworks display fund....

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff A recycling study group believes a recent community survey shows many residents believe Effingham County could do better on reducing the waste stream. “The community as a whole says we need to do...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff They were the speakers everyone in the room wanted to hear during Sunday’s Effingham County Republican Lincoln Day Luncheon. But the two leading Republican candidates for governor in the March 20...

At 4:09 p.m. on Feb. 26, a vehicle driven by Adam S. Goldstein, 30, of Altamont, rear-ended a vehicle, driven by Tarah J. Tarin, 29, Effingham, at Fayette Avenue and Oak Street, based on a report from Effingham Police Department...

Effingham County Sheriff’s Department reported the following jail bookings. Anyone facing charges is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Richard L. Dutton, 56, of Altamont, was booked for driving while license...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff There has always been one wish on Stephanie Shaffer’s list. Find her birth parents! And this year, her Christmas and birthday wish came true when her husband surprised her with a DNA kit that led...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff It was a beautiful day for a plunge into Lake Sara, even if the weather wasn’t all that polar for penguins or Vikings. The annual Polar Plunge for Special Olympics on Saturday was blessed with an...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff Standing up in front of over 100 members of the Teutopolis community, Will Wortman admits he was a little nervous, and it took him some time to build up the courage to voice his opinion during the...

Effingham Police Department Bureau of Patrol reported two traffic crashes with either an injury or tickets issued. Anyone ticketed is innocent until proven guilty through a court of law. At 12:15 a.m. on Feb. 24, a vehicle,...

Effingham County Sheriff’s Department reported the following jail bookings. Anyone facing charges is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Richard L. Dutton, 56, of Altamont, was booked for driving while license...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Open burning in Teutopolis has been reduced to three days per week for helping some residents with breathing problems. Burning of yard waste, including leaves, will be restricted from 6 a.m. to 6...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Mattoon Police officers arrested a teenage girl last week in Effingham hours after she had posted a threat of gun violence on social media against Mattoon High School, Mattoon Police Chief Jason...

Moccasin Creek Festival Promoter Bill Poss has announced that the Moccasin Creek Festival will be a four-day event this year. “I realized that Thursday, June 21, is the Summer Solstice, so I thought, let’s have a party!” Poss...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff A change in the School Resource Officer program for Effingham schools is in the works. On Monday, Unit 40 School District Superintendent Mark Doan told school board members that the Sheriff’s...

By Vicki Macklin Marketing Specialist HSHS Southern Illinois Division “She’s my angel.” That’s what Cinda Hulskotter says of her friend and co-worker Lisa Paholke. While that may be a common expression when co-workers help each...

Actress Karen Knotts, the daughter of the legendary actor Don Knotts, will present Tied Up in Knotts on Saturday, March 10, at 7 p.m. at the Effingham Performance Center. Karen Knotts brings you a one-woman show about growing up...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff When it comes to an Effingham County CEO event, the high school students in the room do much more than pass out brochures or pour the coffee. The CEO students truly make it happen. That was the...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Effingham County Chamber of Commerce and the County Farm Bureau will offer voters a chance to hear Illinois General Assembly and county candidates in the March primary election answer questions...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff They serve up hot dogs, burgers, ribs, delicious desserts and much more from a variety of kitchens on wheels. But food trucks, trailers and other food businesses on wheels could face more...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Effingham County Board agreed Tuesday there is a public health concern with the unlawful distribution of prescription controlled substances in the county. But the wording of a resolution dropped...

Effingham County Sheriff’s Department reported the following jail bookings. Anyone facing charges is innocent until proven guilty through a court of law. Michael R. Clarkson, 22, Altamont, was booked for Driving Under the...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff It was March 2014. The St. Anthony Bulldogs had just lost to Dieterich in the finals of the sectionals. Cade Walsh was an eighth grader, but already confident in what he and his teammates could...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff As Niemerg’s Steakhouse approaches its 40th anniversary this year, many of its customers might not know how the popular restaurant first went to comic extremes for drawing in customers. For...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Effingham County Republicans will welcome Gov. Bruce Rauner and gubernatorial challenger State Rep. Jeanne Ives to the Lincoln Day luncheon, scheduled for Sunday, March 4, at Altamont’s Carriage...

The 6 String Summit returns to the Effingham Performance Center on Saturday at 7 p.m. The event features six of the area’s best guitar players, backed by a stellar band and includes a number of special guests, including John...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff The Durbin curse is what family members refer to it as. And they know it all too well! Effingham residents Dave and Clara Ann Durbin have lost several family members to massive heart attacks,...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff Some remember Ricky Horton when he pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals and helped them win National League pennants in 1985 and 1987. Some may remember when he pitched for the Los Angeles...

United Way of Effingham County raised $331,665 during its 2017 campaign. This was announced at the annual meeting for the United Way of Effingham on February 5 at the Effingham Events Center in Effingham. The campaign officially...

It is with great sadness the Effingham County Board announces the passing of Effingham County Coroner Duane Guffey. Duane was taken ill while at home on the afternoon of Thursday, Feb. 15. Emergency responders arrived at his...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff Oh so close. If only the fifth number had been a 48 instead of a 54. That one little number was the difference between a really good winning ticket and a life-changing ticket. Eleven employees...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff A group of Teutopolis Grade School students know a lot about the reason why their school will be closed this coming Monday. They know the federal holiday called Presidents’ Day is linked to the...

Pack your bags and come along because we’re going on a magic carpet ride! The Teutopolis Junior High eighth graders will perform “Abracadabra Aladdin” on Thursday and Saturday, Feb. 22 and Feb. 24. Both performances will be held...

What happens when you take some of the most brilliant minds from area high schools and put them under one roof? Nothing other than an academic face off, where teams are pitted against each other in eight subject areas in order...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff Andrew Bloemker had a plan. But his wife, Mandi, had a different plan. And God was on Mandi’s side. “We were saving money, thinking we wanted to buy land and build a house,” Mandi explained....

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff When he was in elementary school a decade ago, Zach Keitel dreamed of flying high in the United States Air Force. He drew pictures of airplanes in flight. And he sent them from Effingham to his...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff Kindergarten students tried to hold back their giggles, as presenter Bob Tarter told them his favorite part of his job was putting snakes on teachers. And while he was telling about his favorite...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff Teutopolis resident Jim Borrelli’s life took a left turn, as he says. As the father of five grown daughters and with his wife, Laurie, recently retired, the 59-year-old Borrelli had forged a path...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff The suspect in the Zales Jewelers crash-in burglary on Jan. 25 in Village Square Mall could be indicted by an Effingham County Grand Jury this month. Jordan J. A. Johnston, 23, of Shelbyville,...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Effingham City Council approved the purchase of new computer software Tuesday that will offer better tracking of finances, not only by city staff but for city taxpayers as well. City Clerk Kelsey...

Two recent Effingham Police Department promotions demonstrate how command structure changes have affected the city police force. Jason Caraway has been promoted from the rank of Police Sergeant to EPD Lieutenant. Caraway is a...

Effingham County Sheriff’s Department reported the following jail bookings. Anyone facing charges is innocent until proven guilty through a court of law. Andrew K. Funneman, 39, of Watson, was booked for driving while license...

Effingham Police Department Bureau of Patrol reported the following traffic crashes with injuries or tickets issued. Anyone ticketed is innocent until proved guilty through a court of law. At 10:45 a.m. on Jan. 28, a vehicle,...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff When Garrett Ziegler was in high school, he was mostly known as a standout athlete. He was a third team all-state basketball selection and an all-conference baseball player for the Altamont...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff When Keith Sutterfield, of Effingham, was enrolled in the CEO class at Effingham High School, he, like all CEO students, was asked to launch a business. The 2010 EHS graduate decided on a video...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff After losing their son, Andrew, to an undetected heart condition three years ago, Leon and Becky Gobzcynski wanted to do something to prevent other parents facing a similar tragedy. They and...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff When it comes to characters in golfing movies, one iconic critter always pops up. The gopher from Caddyshack has become synonymous with the popular golf movie and always gets a chuckle from...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff If you’re glad January has passed into history, you’re definitely not alone in Effingham County. From the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Day and through the first three weeks of January, the...

Effingham County Sheriff’s Department reported the following jail bookings. Anyone facing charges is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Derek A. Britz, 34, of Effingham, was booked for driving while license...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Four mornings every week, Dieterich resident Betty Hinterscher fires up her Chevrolet Sonic and drives to the Catholic Charities building on U.S. Route 40 between Effingham and Teutopolis. Being...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff Dr. Nash Naam is a renowned hand surgeon. He has written many articles, been published in medical journals and delivered keynote speeches all over the world. But when growing up in Cairo,...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff Tuesday, Jan. 9, was an odd day for Newlin Martin. It was both routine and totally different. He was up early like always and headed to work – a drive he has made thousands of times during the...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff Teutopolis High School teacher and coach, Troy Bierman, had never really thought much about the bone marrow donor registry. Although he is an organ donor, he admits that when it comes to things...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff Dan Hecht Chevrolet-Toyota will be celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2018. And they will be doing it in style — inside a newly-remodeled and expanded dealership. “There was a lot of...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff A new business is coming to Downtown Effingham — and it isn’t like any other business in town! In fact, you would have to travel an hour away to find anything similar to what Aric Cornell,...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff In just a matter of a few weeks, a dream that began about eight years ago will become reality. It was in 2010 that Koerner Distributor, Inc. began seriously considering building a new facility....

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff An Effingham man with strong ties to Altamont was killed when he was hit by an Amtrak passenger train early Sunday morning at the Jefferson Avenue rail crossing, based on a preliminary...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Effingham Unit 40 School District is coming down to a decision on whether it will commit to a major renovation of the junior high school building. A major factor in deciding that question is how...

Effingham Police Department Bureau of Patrol reported that at 11:44 a.m. on Jan. 16 a vehicle, driven by William E. Brant, 58, Effingham, failed to yield while exiting a private drive at 101 Hendelmeyer, and struck a vehicle,...

Effingham County Sheriff’s Department reported the following jail bookings. Anyone facing charges is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Chandler Wade Durbin, 20, of Clay City, was booked for disorderly conduct on...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Teutopolis School Board members and Village Board trustees sat down together last week to come to an understanding on the sharing of Tax Increment Financing money in the future. A TIF sets aside...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff Near the cross, a trembling soul, Love and Mercy found me; There the bright and morning star Shed its beams around me. Near the cross! O Lamb of God, Bring its scenes before me; Help me walk...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff Yet. It’s a small, three-letter word — but it carries a lot of meaning! I can’t tie my shoes, yet. I can’t run a 5k, yet. I haven’t learned that skill, yet. You don’t have it yet, but you...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff  “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff A Shelby County man has been arrested for the Zales Jewelry Store crash-in burglary at Village Square Mall and law officers expect to have another suspect in custody soon, Effingham Police Chief...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Effingham Police officers have recovered the vehicle connected to the Thursday morning burglary at Village Square Mall. Effingham Police Chief Jeff Fuesting said a charcoal gray Cadillac...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Effingham Police officers were scouring Village Square Mall for evidence on a burglary where a vehicle smashed through an entranceway, drove down the walkways and crashed into the Zales Jewelry...

Community Support Systems has received a significant contribution from the family of Shelia Jansen that will assist them in their current expansion effort. The Jansen family donated $100,000 to the Teutopolis-based human service...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff A century ago, the village of Dieterich was about to make history as the United States ramped up its role in World War I. Machine Gun Company G of the Fourth Illinois National Guard Regiment was...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff The Teutopolis Grade School Auditorium was packed full of volunteers and diners Sunday morning for the annual Right to Life Breakfast. For more than 40 years, the annual fundraiser has drawn...

The Crossroads Beekeepers will hold their sixth annual Bee School on Saturday, Feb. 3. The event is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will be held at the Stewardson Community Building, located at 105 South Pine in Stewardson....

Catholic Charities invites you to an “Arabian Night” at the Catholic Charities Annual Benefit to be held at the Teutopolis Banquet Hall on Saturday, Jan. 27. The evening will begin with a Cocktail Social at 5:30 p.m., followed...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Effingham County Board on Monday agreed to cut positions from the Economic Development Board with two members facing scheduling conflicts with the group’s meetings. County Board Vice Chairman...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Liquor license matters dominated much of Tuesday’s Effingham City Council meeting. The council agreed to issue a Class P-1 license to Quick Stop Package Liquor, located near the corner of U.S....

Effingham County Sheriff’s Department reported the following jail bookings. Anyone facing charges is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. David K. Gray Jr., 41, of Wheeler, was booked for possession of Methamphetamine...

Effingham Police Department Bureau of Patrol reported the following traffic crashes with injuries reported or tickets issued. Anyone ticketed is innocent until proven guilty through a court of law. At 6 p.m. on Jan. 8, a...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff The Effingham Park District oversees several parks, ball fields and facilities, so it is no surprise that each year the district’s board of directors has decisions to make on how to best maintain...

Teutopolis Village Board last week approved an ordinance amending the village government policy prohibiting sexual harassment in the workplace. Other municipalities across the state have adopted similar changes in accordance...

Effingham County Sheriff’s Department reported the following jail bookings. Anyone facing charges is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Oscar Escobar-Garcia, 23, of Bingham, was booked for Driving Under the...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff The past two years has brought many challenges and changes for the Robison family. But in 2018, they are finding their new normal. Josh and JaLana Robison, both teachers for the Effingham Unit 40...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Ray Flood received a birthday present recently that drew some tears. It was a 1972 International Harvester 766 tractor. It was the same tractor his father, Kenneth Flood, was driving when it...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Some might call it a Tale of Two Pigs. But there’s no wolf huffing and puffing them out of their home. Actually, some claim the villain in this story is a city ordinance banning pigs as pets in...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff For about two decades, Greg Kemper has been concerned with setbacks, berms, right of ways, zoning designations and complex graphs and maps. But he starts 2018 as the former chairman of the...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff It might have been bitterly cold outside during Tuesday’s Effingham City Council meeting, but some figures on Wonderland in Lights warmed some hearts in the council chambers. Tourism Director...

Friends of NRA have scheduled a regional fundraising event for Saturday, Jan. 27. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Thelma Keller Convention Center in Effingham. There will be fun, food, live auctions, games and raffles,...

Auditions for the FACE winter production “Blithe Spirit” have been scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 10-11. Auditions will begin at 7 p.m. both nights in the Fine Arts Room in the Ron Diehl Center at Hendelmeyer Park....

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff Throughout their 65 years of marriage, Gerald Wyckoff has surprised his wife, Doris, on several occasions. Whether it is a big surprise or a small surprise, Gerald has kept Doris on her feet and...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff Jim and Doris Rhodes have many memories of the Village Square Mall in Effingham, which shouldn’t be a surprise considering they have set up a holiday gift booth every year at the mall since it...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff The Rev. Charles Edwards might be the new priest for St. Anthony of Padua Parish, but he is very familiar with the community. Father Edwards, who prefers to be called “Father Chuck,” served as a...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Nikki Grace-Strader is living proof of that. But sometimes it takes awhile. “What doesn’t kill you can also make you angry, scared, frustrated, sad or...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff Santa Claus reminds us each year of the magic the Christmas season brings. Whether he goes by Santa, Kris Kringle or Father Christmas, no one knows for sure. But one thing is for sure. Santa Claus...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff The 40-year-old building has been a place where community members come together to celebrate, cheer on local teams, gather with family and friends and spend time with neighbors. The Teutopolis...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff From bans on elephant traveling shows to accommodating breastfeeding in high schools, the list of new state laws for 2018 offers some commonsense and a few head scratching moments. The Illinois...

The Effingham Art Guild is making plans for its 19th annual Children’s Art Show. The show will be held March 15-17 at the Suzette Brumleve Memorial Effingham Public Library. The Children’s Art Show is open to all students, not...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Teutopolis Village Board Trustees tried to clear the air last week on what open burning is allowed in the community. The subject of burning was prompted with a December 20 presentation by Stacey...

Effingham County Sheriff’s Department reported the following jail bookings. Anyone facing charges is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Jeremy S. McBride, 33, of Effingham, was booked for resisting a peace officer...

Effingham Police Department reported the following traffic crashes with injuries or tickets. Anyone ticketed is innocent until proven guilty through a court of law. At 2:19 p.m. on Dec. 24, a vehicle, driven by Ryan J. Boldt,...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Effingham County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeremy Kyle asked for it and got it during the Poison Pin Dodgeball match. Three months ago, Kyle, the interim Sheriff’s Department school resource officer,...

Teutopolis High School Principal Greg Beck is pleased to announce that 10 students from the Teutopolis High School graduating class of 2018 have been recognized as Illinois State Scholars. The Illinois Student Assistance...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff If given a choice, few would choose to work on Christmas Day. And on the same note, few would choose to be sick and in the hospital on Christmas Day. But, the staff members at HSHS St. Anthony’s...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff When the Rev. Thinh Tran thinks of a Christmas meal, he remembers eating bowls of spicy pho soup. In Vietnam, Father Thinh recalls how his family ate the soup at Christmas. They savored the...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Beecher City History teacher Bill Hammer gets a chuckle out of some students when he asks them to identify Theodore Roosevelt. “They’ll say, ‘He’s that guy on the mountain.’ They’re referring to...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff The potential price tag for renovating Effingham Junior High School could range from $17.9 to $20.68 million, based on a facility student with contractors and architects. Effingham Unit 40 School...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff Several factors continue to be discussed by the Teutopolis School Board, as board members determine the best course of action in regard to the 1929 section of the high school building. That...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Many times, good police work doesn’t involve car chases or cuffing suspects. Making a child smile or helping a needy family can be rewarding for a law officer, too. That’s why Effingham Police...

Effingham County Sheriff’s Department reported the following jail bookings. Anyone facing charges is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Daniel W. Arther, 27, of Effingham, driving while license suspended, operation...

Effingham City Police Bureau of Patrol reported the following traffic crashes with injuries reported or tickets issued. Anyone ticketed is innocent until proven guilty through a court of law. At 4:17 p.m. on Dec. 13. A vehicle,...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff The audience for a showing of the movie “Wonder” received a surprise last Thursday night at the RMC movie theater in Village Square Mall. They were the first to enjoy the new luxury seating...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff Christmas decorations brighten up each room of the home of Bill and Becky Heiens, of Effingham. Trees featuring different themes are scattered throughout the home, a holiday village fills the back...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff They came in all sizes and colors. They were formed from glass, wood, metal, porcelain, plastic, cardboard, cloth and paper. And they all offered blessings to people coming to the Cross of the...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Indonesian Consul General Rosmalawati Chalid repeatedly expressed her appreciation for a chance to come to Effingham County last week. Hers was the second visit by an Asian country’s consul...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff Things didn’t go exactly like Kelly Keitel had hoped, but it didn’t dampen her spirit at all. Keitel finished 17th on the double mini in the 17-21 age group at the World Age Group competition,...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff She is back! She comes back every year. It all started when my son, Nicholas, was 5 years old, and my daughter, Nora, was 6 months old. I guess she came because Santa felt like two children were...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Some Effingham High School crooners had the chance Monday to participate in an event that happens only every other century. On Monday, Effingham County and City officials conducted flag-raising...

The 11th annual Veterans Day Golf Outing was held November 11 at the Cardinal Golf Course in Effingham. It was a nice fall day; perfect weather for this golf outing. There were 52 golfers that competed and $2,110 was raised for...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Effingham City Council on Tuesday approved a new business district for the south side of town and learned the construction schedule has been pushed back for a new north side grocery. The South...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Danny Sheffield fears the new South Banker Street Business District could shut down his home improvement business someday. Sheffield, owner of Bob’s Discount on South Banker Street, expressed...

The Board of Directors of the Arts Connection of Central Illinois, a not-for-profit corporation d/b/a the Effingham Performance Center, is pleased to announce plans to award a $1,000 Performing Arts Scholarship to a graduating...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Election filings through eight days produced only one race on the Effingham County Primary ballot for March 20. Paula G. Miller and Sheila Braun will compete for the Republican nomination for...

Effingham County Sheriff’s Department reported the following jail bookings. Anyone facing charges is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Daniel L. Saidon, 54, Momence, was booked for delivery or possession with...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Effingham High School seniors Madison Blacker and Emily Kelly were getting their elbows sticky Saturday morning during Breakfast With Santa. No, the two teenagers weren’t getting sloppy with the...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Sunday’s Pearl Harbor Memorial Breakfast in Teutopolis serves as a reminder the legacy of that horrific December morning in Hawaii will not be forgotten by veterans. Illinois American Legion...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff Community members and local businesses stepped up on Giving Tuesday to raise funds for a local project — an inclusive playground to accommodate children with a broad range of physical and...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff It’s Christmas magic — at least for parents, grandparents and caregivers who are looking for fun holiday-themed activities for children. The magic all starts with a festive cloth holiday...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff Santa’s elves are not the only ones who are busy in their workshop this holiday season. Teutopolis resident Wayne Funneman has been busy working in his shop to fill orders for a variety of items,...

The 2nd annual Teutopolis Witches Walk was held on October 20. The event attracted 511 witches. The committee’s main goal for the walk was to provide a fun night for the ladies of the community, and yet, $8,000 was raised for...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff Christmas spirit filled the air, as hundreds of residents celebrated the start of the holiday season at the annual Hometown Christmas Saturday evening. Long lines wound around the Historic...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff I’m a bit old school. Maybe a lot at times. But I’m OK with that. When I do interviews for the paper, I still use a pencil and write out my notes. I’ve never felt comfortable putting a tape...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Japanese Consul-General Naoki Ito was impressed Tuesday with his tour of Effingham, which included a walk through one of the most internationally-connected businesses in Effingham County. Waupaca...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff “Liam receives the gift of life. Praise the Lord.” Look on Jackie Walker’s calendar on September 1, 2016, and you will see those words written there. That was the day 9-month-old Liam Reed...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Teutopolis Grade School students were busy last Thursday hauling and stacking boxes of food items in the cafeteria. The fifth graders were not offering help on school chores. They were pitching...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff You might be a cat person … or you might be a dog person! Either way, the Effingham County Humane Society is in need of volunteers to care for cats and dogs at the no-kill animal shelter. Over the...

What is one of Whoopi Goldberg’s “favorite holiday things?” The Ultimate Carving Board, made by John Boos & Co., of course. On the November 13 airing of The View, on ABC, one of the segments was called “Whoopi’s Favorite...

Kingery Printing Company, of Effingham, has signed a Letter of Intent to acquire United Graphics, LLC, of Mattoon. Under the agreement, United Graphics and its Mattoon facility will become part of the Kingery Printing Company...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff Acts of kindness are seen each and every day in our community. It can be as simple as holding open the door for someone, helping someone carry groceries to the car or reading a story to a...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff Destination: Entertainment. That sums up the Effingham Performance Center perfectly. For 10 years, this theater has attracted people from Effingham County, Central Illinois and surrounding...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff Last year, Corey Blair enjoyed a traditional Thanksgiving dinner – turkey, dressing and all the trimmings. In fact, he helped prepare some of it. But the meal was the only traditional part of...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff When the Effingham Tourism Department decided to purchase a large walk-thru ornament last year and place it on the lawn of the historic Effingham court house, Tourism Director Jodi Thoele had...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff Santa is coming to town this weekend on the Caledonia fire truck, as the Effingham community marks the beginning of the Christmas season. Each year, Santa arrives in Downtown Effingham and makes...

Kick-off the holiday season with “A Christmas Carol” at the Effingham Performance Center. The Three Chicks & A Stage players are pleased to bring Mr. Scrooge, Mr. Marley and all the spirits of Christmas to life in this...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff For the Effingham community, Clyde and Newlin Martin were known as more than just successful grocers. Over the years, they gave back to the community in many ways through donations, cookout...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff Central School teacher Kristyn Bowman is on a mission — to teach her students the power of kindness. Sure, the fifth-grade teacher makes certain her students are working hard on the core...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff Members of the Teutopolis School Board are in a tricky situation. While determining which direction to take regarding the future of the Teutopolis High School building, the board recognized the...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Effingham Unit 40 School Board on Monday night approved a tax levy totaling $15,712,129 from property taxes collected in 2018. The tax levy fund totals are $8,145,664 for Education; $2,213,495...

Effingham County Sheriff’s Department reported the following jail bookings. Anyone facing charges is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Megan R. Steele, 33, of Effingham, was booked for driving while license...

Effingham Police Bureau of Patrol reported the following traffic crashes with injuries or tickets issued. Anyone ticketed is innocent until proven guilty through a court of law. At 4:35 p.m. on Nov. 9, a vehicle, driven by Damon...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff Janice and Sara Dust were sitting in the deer stand when a buck approached. “Mom had never got a buck before, so I told her to go ahead and shoot it,” Sara recalled. But Janice insisted her...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Some local veterans faced questions last Thursday from an unlikely source: kindergartners. Effingham Early Learning Center students gathered in front of the veterans and listened to their answers...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Rich Niebrugge and Vernon Koester have been on a tour of duty as veterans for 25 years. The two members of Effingham American Legion Post 120 regularly fall in line with the honor guard squads at...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff When Jack Schultz sat down to interview his longtime friend Dr. Peter Kollinger about his 93 years of joy, accomplishment and survival, the project involved writing a newspaper or magazine...

Cornerstone Christian Church in Effingham will once again serve as the central drop-off location for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. There are a couple changes this year: Candy and toothpaste can no longer be included in a...

Sacred Heart School has announced that its Booster Club organization will host a Glo Bingo event on Saturday, Nov. 18. The event will begin at 7 p.m. at the Effingham Event Center (formerly the Effingham Knights of Columbus),...

Shoppers who love shopping small and buying vintage and handmade items can get a jump on their holiday lists at the Hobnob Holiday Market – a unique pop-up shopping event – on November 17-18 at the Thelma Keller Convention...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Effingham City Council on Tuesday approved a $50,000 contribution to the Effingham County Regional Growth Alliance with the council chambers full of Alliance supporters. But the vote was still...

Effingham County Sheriff’s Department reported the following jail bookings. Anyone facing charges is innocent until proven guilty through a court of law. John L. Britton, 24, of Rinard, driving while license suspended on Nov. 6....

Effingham Police Bureau of Patrol reported the following traffic crashes with injuries or tickets issued. Anyone ticketed is innocent until proven guilty through a court of law. At 8:04 a.m. on Nov. 3, a vehicle, driven by...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff There was a time that Rev. Joe Carlos traded in his Franciscan robe for a Navy uniform. The pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church was in the U.S. Navy for 15 years. But he didn’t join...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Many Effingham residents know Jackson “Jack” Keith Loy as a Navy hero from World War II. But Lorean Macklin remembers him as a younger brother who went off to war and lost his life much too soon....

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff It sits there at Dieterich’s Liberty Memorial Park arch like a silent sentry. Its jet-black cannon barrel aimed toward the northwest – some joke it’s on target for Teutopolis, but even in its...

Ask some Effingham County residents about the history of Ewington and you might get a blank stare. That’s what happens to towns that disappear. But Ewington was a town replaced by Effingham in the 1850s. Parts of the old...

Effingham Fire Department Assistant Chief Matt Kulesza, Captain Jim Charters, Lieutenant Jason Lee and firefighters Lucas Kroening and Danny Klepzig were recently named as Midwest Regional winners of the First Responder Caring...

The Effingham Police Bureau of Patrol reported the following traffic crashes with injuries or tickets issued. Anyone ticketed is innocent until proven guilty through a court of law. At 8:38 a.m. on Oct. 25, a vehicle, driven by...

Effingham County Sheriff’s Department reported the following jail bookings. Anyone facing charges is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. David E. Martin, 45, of Joplin, Missouri, was booked on an Effingham County...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff A desire to help others is not limited by age. It simply takes a big heart. And an 11-year-old girl in Effingham has proven that. After watching a news report about the devastation created when...

St. Anthony High School and SAMBA are asking you to be our guest and join us in the classic tale, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. The musical is directed by Mrs. Denise Deters, Mrs. Nikki Quandt and Mrs. Cathy Zaccari; and...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff Haley Wilhour is a planner. In fact, she admits to being an extreme planner. Whether its meals for the next week, getting her kids to their school events, attending activities at church,...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff Most people have a bucket list — a list of places and things they hope to do before they die or kick the bucket. But Jeff Barr doesn’t need one. When Barr decides to do something, he simply...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff Gabriella Maffei had never flown on a plane before. She had never seen snow, been hunting, eaten a chocolate Buckeye, put milk on cereal, walked from class to class or been hit in the face with...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff What do fishing poles, snap circuits, exercise equipment, an escape room kit and a ukelele all have in common? Give up yet? They are all items available for checkout at the Suzette Brumleve...

The Effingham County FISH organization will sponsor the 13th annual free Effingham County Thanksgiving Day Dinner on Thursday, Nov. 23, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Effingham. This free dinner is open to all Effingham County...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff If you want a home in Teutopolis, now’s your chance. Village Board Trustees voted last week to sell 30 residential lots in Prairie View Subdivision on the south side of Teutopolis. The price is...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Some of the youngest students in Effingham Unit 40 School District are hitting high notes in music classes this school year. South Side School music teacher Austin Stout presented several videos...

The discovery of a body in a local farm field has ended the mystery of an Effingham County man’s disappearance during the summer. At 1:17 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 17, a farmer discovered human remains and personal effects in a...

The Teutopolis Lions Club will host its 48th annual breakfast on Sunday, Nov. 5. Serving will be from 7 a.m. to noon at the Teutopolis Grade School Auditorium. The all-you-can-eat menu will include ham and cheese omelets,...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Scarlet D. McKinzie will serve two years in state prison for being under the influence of alcohol when her van struck a Teutopolis High School bus last February that sent students and adults to a...

Effingham County Sheriff’s Department reported the following jail bookings. Anyone facing charges is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Javier Herrera, 19, of Joliet, failure to report an accident, possession of...

Effingham Police Department Bureau of Patrol reported the following traffic crashes with injuries or tickets issued. Anyone ticketed is innocent until proven guilty through a court of law. At 2:45 p.m. on Oct. 22, a vehicle,...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Years from now, Kristy Ungrund might be asked how she got engaged. She might tell how it involved “black magic” from her boyfriend, Todd Thoele, during the 2017 Teutopolis Witches Walk. On Friday...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff In the next three days, Effingham and Teutopolis will host their annual Halloween Parades. The Effingham parade has a multitude of generations joining in the fun Sunday, while Teutopolis has...

Effingham Junior High will bring the ever-familiar Sound of Music to the stage Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 2-5. General admission tickets are $7 and available in the school office or at the door. Performances on the 2nd...

Come one come all to The Beeblebrox and Bixley Traveling Circus and Sideshow, performing soon at the Effingham High School stage. Show times are 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 26, 27 and 28. Bring the whole family...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff When Kelly Keitel is in the air doing all kinds of flips and twists and turns, she says it feels like she’s flying. As it turns out, this 20-year-old is quite accomplished at flipping, twisting...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Bill Totten’s love for sailing started thanks to his grandfather and a Sears & Roebuck Catalog. The Effingham attorney — and avid sailor — recalled how he used to go out on lakes...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff The history of the church is reflected upon and plans for its future taken to the forefront, as Sacred Heart Church in Effingham celebrates its 125th anniversary. Parishioners will be celebrating...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Father Chris Brey, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, submitted his resignation Monday from his priest duties as he prepares to be married next month, church officials confirmed...

The Tarble Arts Center is pleased to announce the opening of the 2017-18 Cultivating Creativity: Consolidated Communications Children’s Art Exhibition, premiering at Effingham Public Library. The exhibit can be viewed from...

Effingham County Sheriff’s Department reported the following jail bookings. Anyone facing charges is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Christopher R. Hughes, 38, of Charleston, was booked for possession of...

Effingham Police Department reported the following traffic crashes with injuries or tickets issued. Anyone ticketed to innocent until proven guilty through a court of law. At 12:50 p.m. on Oct. 12, a vehicle, driven by Joan J....

The Effingham County Community Foundation advisory board has named 100+ Women Who Care Effingham County as the recipient of the 2017 Richard C. Siemer Outstanding Philanthropy Award for its charitable contributions to several...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff It’s been standing for well over 100 years. It has been used to milk dairy cows, house livestock, store straw, hay and equipment, plus a myriad of other things that are typical of a barn on a...

The Effingham County Chamber of Commerce has recognized Merz Heating & Air Conditioning as the September Chamber Member of the Month. Cletus Merz founded Merz Sheet Metal in 1935. Clete’s son, Henry, joined the business in...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff The past three months have been pretty hectic for Jason Fox as the new assistant superintendent for Effingham Unit 40 School District. During the summer, the battle over the state budget between...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Effingham County Board last week approved the release of more than three years of closed session minutes from the Ambulance Oversight Committee and approved Blue Cross/Blue Shield health...

Effingham County Sheriff’s Department reported the following jail bookings. Anyone facing charges is innocent until found guilty in a court of law. Kevin M. Eisler, 35, of Bakersfield, California, was booked for driving while...

Effingham Police Department reported the following traffic crashes with injuries or tickets issued. Anyone ticketed is innocent until proven guilty through a court of law. A vehicle, driven by James R. Prather, 48, of Mason,...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff What started as a social game of online poker with players from across the world, turned into a whirlwind romance for a local man and his, now, wife. Both, Eric and Samantha Casselman, love to...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff Retired school teacher, Kathy Utz, wanted to lend a helping hand to the victims of Hurricane Harvey, which ripped through Texas a month ago leaving thousands without homes. Hurricane Harvey made...

The City of Effingham named J & R Collision Centers as a recipient of the City of Effingham’s Business Appreciation Award. “J&R Collision has been a welcome addition to the city’s south side,” stated Mayor Jeff Bloemker....

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Don’t worry if you see a large number of county officials, including some involved in emergency services, gathered Monday at the Effingham County Emergency Management building. They are not...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff When Sophia Ballard was in kindergarten, she brought home a flyer she received at school about Girl Scouts. Her mother, Deena, was on the fence about whether or not to sign Sophia up to be a Girl...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff Kids coming out of high schools with no marching band have no chance to be a part of a collegiate marching band. Right? Wrong. Just ask Jay Niebrugge. The 2016 graduate of St. Anthony High...

The 1872 Celebration & Civil War Era Grand Ball is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Effingham County Museum. Events are scheduled throughout the day. 10:30-11:30 a.m. – There will be a lecture by Phil Lewis – “Hiram...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff As Effingham High School junior Josh McWhorter approached the stop light, he looked down to text a quick response to a message he had received. A second later, he had caused a crash when he...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Some Effingham County residents experienced the panic from the Las Vegas mass shootings Sunday night. Bob Willenborg of J&J Ventures in Effingham recalled the “unnerving and unsettling”...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Effingham Police Department on Tuesday night recognized three of its own for going above and beyond in their duties over the past year and a mother and daughter for saving a loved one trapped...

Effingham County Sheriff’s Department reported the following jail bookings. Anyone facing charges is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Rebecca J. Leach, 43, of New Orleans, was booked for domestic battery on Oct....

Effingham Police Department reported the following traffic crashes with injuries or tickets. Anyone ticketed is innocent until proven guilty through a court of law. A vehicle, driven by Charles W. Fleming, 62, of Effingham,...

•Mike and Linda O’Neal, of Effingham, were nominated by Ryan and Nancy Ervin. The O’Neals are always there to lend a hand, including when Nancy was undergoing major surgery in Pittsburgh. During that time, the O’Neals took time...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff It started with a wave from across the street and a quick, “Hello, how are you?,” when Elaine Woodall first met her neighbor, Bob Roley. With their homes caddy corner from each other on Merchant...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff A show done in the dark. Dancers in electrified glow-in-the-dark suits. A combination of music, art, illusions, choreography and, yes, a love story. That’s what iLuminate (pronounced...

The Cross Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to announce that the organization is the recipient of a $50,000 donation from the COHIHO Foundation to commission a life-sized bronze statue of the Nativity. The statue will...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff One is 31 years old; the other 10. One is about 6’6”; the other 5’1”. One has never played baseball; the other wants to be a Major Leaguer. One is a mechanical engineer for BMW; the other a...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff When her daddy is called away for work, Miley likes to snuggle in next to her mom and read a book about linemen and think about her daddy. Five-year-old Miley Pontious also prays for her daddy,...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff The woman who crashed into a Teutopolis High School bus in February could face up to three years in state prison after pleading guilty to a charge of Aggravated Driving Under the Influence last...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff The Teutopolis Unit 50 School District launched a mobile application late last spring in an effort to communicate with students and parents regarding school-related issues and activities....

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Cody Lewis knows it takes more than a principal to help a school be successful. As the new Effingham Junior High School principal, he was reminded of that fact over the summer months. It involved...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff The dreams of two local women that competed for Miss Illinois — with the hope of making it to the Miss USA Pageant — did not come true this year. But there is always next year....

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff Brooke Daiber had just woken up from a nap when her telephone rang. The voice on the other end told her she was a finalist in the Wheels to Prosper program and that she needed to be in...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff St. Michael Parish in Sigel is celebrating its Sesquicentennial for three days in three weeks. The 150th celebration starts with a Mass in the church at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 29. Then the...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Last week’s Kickoff to Education Breakfast offered insight into ways Effingham County schools are emphasizing innovative learning. Lisa Teichmiller, of the CEO program, summed up the importance...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff When asked how it felt to turn 100 years old, Clara Wolf was quick to answer that it didn’t feel much different than being 99 years old. “I don’t feel any different,” said Clara with a smile. “I...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff A lot of hidden history can come out after 130 years. John Boos & Company might have gained its name because the founders wanted an American “ring” to the company for the future. “John was a...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff On the days leading up to Sept. 11, 2001, Niall and Kristie Campbell were on much different tracks through life. On Sept. 7, 2001, Kristie, who was a buy-side equity trader for Fidelity, was...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff A little bit of kindness can go along way And Teutopolis resident Robin Imburgia is proving just that as she and her boys start up a “kindness rock” movement in the Teutopolis community. Kindness...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff Meredith Kull isn’t like all high school seniors. The Effingham High School student can be found participating in activities like track, cross country, choir, the fall play and the spring musical...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Effingham Cruise Night kicks into third gear next weekend. The third installment of the event starts rolling at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 8, along Jefferson Avenue. Almost 1,000 vehicles, cars,...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff Brad and Amy Miller were perfectly content with having just one child. And why not? McKenzy is a cute, lovable 5-year-old girl. They even bought her a shirt that reads – “Only Child and Loving...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff Brad Caravello loves dogs, eventually wants to be a police officer and also had a desire to follow his brother into the military. Put all those factors together and it’s no surprise this...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff Whether they were inside watching through video or outside wearing protective eyewear, area students had the opportunity to experience the much anticipated solar eclipse. Area schools throughout...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff The 2017-18 season for Effingham Performance Center has a special meaning for EPC Executive Director Rich Jorn. In his time with the entertainment center, this season tops out on the amount of...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff When Maria Lueken heard her name called out as the 2017 Effingham County Fair Queen last week, she lowered her head and had a brief Wow-But-What’s-Next moment. “I thought, ‘This is amazing and I...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff Peter Bonutti was just a young boy when he got his first dog. As a four-year-old growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, he was expecting a German Shepherd. But his parents brought home a Doberman...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff Janee Angel was enjoying a beautiful morning. She was sitting on the beach in the Marshall Islands, admiring a rainbow that was arched over the Pacific Ocean. During that quiet time alone,...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff Effingham native Shawn Kinkelaar is one of the best in the nation, when it comes to training bird dogs. The nationally recognized bird dog handler has won over 120 championships, which is the...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Every year at Effingham County Fair, Cleo McManaway is reminded of when he was a 4-H kid. It comes during the family campouts on the fairgrounds. There are dozens of campers having fun together...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff Molly Genta was a typical 17-year-old high school senior. She was actively involved in a variety of school clubs and activities. She was a class officer and a member of the student council. She...

By Kim Jansen News Report Staff It’s been a little over three weeks since she quit breathing and her heart stopped. Almost 25 days since she lay lifeless, as her sister breathed for her and an EMT performed chest compressions to...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff Chad Barr is not a “bucket list” guy. “I live one day at a time. If I find something I want to do, I just go do it,” he said. But that generally doesn’t require hopping on a plane, flying 5,000...

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff When Alan Harris was a young boy, he always went to the same barber shop. Little did he know then just how many trips he would ultimately make to that shop at 127 E. Jefferson St. in Effingham....

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Ken and Connie Heise traveled from Salem Sunday to join in the fun as Effingham County Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 100th year. Watching the vintage baseball games at the Sacred Heart...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff If you’re going to enjoy a fine cup of lemonade, you might as well go to some experts. Auggie, Braxton and Bella Schultz recently offered a tutorial on mixing lemonade that helped them raise $200...

By Herb Meeker News Report Staff Arrive at the door of Dwight Klepzig’s home east of Shumway these days and you are greeted by a patrol of purring cats, mostly clear-eyed tigers or tabbies with their thin tails curling into...

Norbert Bruce, who is known for his outstanding customer service, has retired from John Boos & Co. Showroom & Outlet in Effingham. By Kim Jansen News Report Staff Chances are if you have been in John Boos & Co....

By Steve Raymond News Report Staff It all started in 1982 with a simple note in a church bulletin. Two ladies at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church – Cathy Polarek and Kay Adams – noticed they were married on the same day –...