The Gazette-Democrat

I’m pretty sure this vulture was giving the photographer the stink eye, especially since the critter was having something pretty stinky for Sunday dinner.

Just about the time it seemed like we might...just might...be getting ready to move on to the next, more upbeat chapter in the pandemic story...well...you know...

Representatives of Southern Illinois Elks Lodges were on hand last Saturday to install new TVs and DVDs at the Illinois Veterans Home in Anna. From left are Mike Hunter of Jonesboro, Ted Clendenin of Marion, Don Furman of Vienna, James Thorn of Makanda, Carter Lacy of Jonesboro and Bob Rongey of Marion. Craig Smith of Carbondale and Kevin Tucker of Jonesboro could not be present for the picture.

Elks donate TVs, DVD players to veterans home

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Anna-Jonesboro Elks Lodge No. 1641 veterans chairperson Marylyn Crawford shared that dorm rooms at the Illinois Veterans Home in Anna were equipped with 19-inch televisions.

The mention of a “molten sunset” in something I read recently came to mind when this image was captured while yours truly and his sweetheart went on a pandemic date last Saturday evening. The photograph was taken along the Clear Creek Levee Road.

17 or so deer...three crows...two hawks...

Let’s start this week with a bit of a combination of an observation and a question: The Other Half says she has seen more fireflies this year...like lots and lots more...a similar observation was shared with this writer by a fellow traveler on The

Tom Henderson, as a member of the 1960 Anna-Jonesboro Community High School football team. File photo from The Gazette-Democrat, September, 1960.

Remembering Tom Henderson

Friends and former teammates of early 1960s Anna-Jonesboro Community High School football standout Tom Henderson gathered last week to share special memories.

The moon was rising over a tree line in your writer’s hometown on the evening of June 22. As is often the case, a picture really does not do justice to the actual image which was unfolding.

A super moon...a faux pas or two...and other stuff

A couple of stops last week on the Journey Through Life involved some bad timing on your writer’s part.

Hometown Hero honored

Take me out to the ballgame took on a whole new meaning for Cindy Rice, the assistant site supervisor/parent coordinator for Southern Seven Head Start in Mounds, when she was nominated as a Southern Illinois Miners Hometown Hero.

Veterans legislation introduced

Three pieces of legislation have been introduced in Congress to improve health care and services at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA, for veterans and their caregivers. The measures were introduced by U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., and U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Mich. The proposed...

Basic tips to keep food healthy, safe during summer activities

Picnics and barbecues go hand-in-hand with summer, but so do food-borne illness. According to FoodSafety.gov, approximately one in six Americans is stricken with food poisoning each year. Southern Seven Health Department recommends that everyone follow a few basic tips to keep their food...

Clinics receive federal funding

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced $5,844,422 to support rural health clinics in Illinois with vaccination efforts, particularly as many communities face increased challenges caused by the Delta variant. The funds will go to 118 Rural Health Clinics, which will use the...

Union County Hospital earns ACR accreditation

Union County Hospital in Anna has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in mammography as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology, ACR. Mammography is a specific type of imaging test that uses a low-dose X-ray system to examine breasts. A mammography exam,...

Roadside safety checks planned in Union County

Illinois State Police District 22 is planning to conduct roadside safety checks in Union County during August. Plans for the roadside safety checks were announced by Capt. Michael Alvey, who is the commander of the district. The state police said the use of roadside safety checks combine a strong...

Commissioner’s social media postings discussed at county board meeting

Social media postings were addressed during sometimes heated discussion at last week’s regular meeting of the Union County Board of Commissioners. The meeting was Friday morning, July 23, at the Union County Courthouse in Jonesboro. Concerns voiced at the meeting addressed postings which have been...

Free swim day Saturday at Anna Pool

Anna Police Chief Bryan Watkins is planning to offer an afternoon of free swimming on Saturday, July 31, at the Anna City Pool. Free swimming will be offered from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Live music will be presented by Mystify Music (Michael Cunningham). Free COVID-19 Pfizer vaccines will be...

Seasonable jobs open at state fairs

The Illinois Department of Agriculture, IDOA, reports that it is seeking individuals for seasonal employment at the Illinois and Du Quoin state fairs. IDOA said that temporary employees are needed for the following areas: maintenance, customer service, cashier, ticket sales, grandstand ticket...

Dogwalk Road closed next week

The City of Anna had announced that starting next week, Dogwalk Road in Anna will be closed for part of the day for culvert replacement. The road closure will be from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day from Monday through Friday. The road is scheduled to be closed again for resurfacing starting on August...

TIF district, community safety concerns ColorFest event among topics on agenda

Continued progress on the establishment of a Tax Increment Financing district, community safety concerns and plans for a ColorFest event were among the topics discussed at last week’s regular meeting of the Anna City Council. The meeting, which lasted for about 90 minutes, was held Tuesday evening...

Obituaries

Donnie Kindle Jr.

Donnie Kindle Jr., 40, of Cypress, died at 10:35 a.m. Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Metropolis. He was born on March 29, 1981, in Carbondale. He was a 1999 graduate of Century High School in Ullin. Mr. Kindle was a self-employed carpenter. He is survived by his wife, Shandi Kindle; three daughters,...

Gwen (Ellet) Smothers

Gwen (Ellet) Smothers, 76, of Olive Branch, died Saturday, July 24, 2021, at 6 p.m. at her home. She was born on June 9, 1945, in Murphysboro, the daughter of Tunney and Doris Jean Trammel Ellet. On Nov. 21, 1967, she married Tom Smothers. She worked at various secretarial jobs in the area and...

John Williams Sr.

John Williams Sr., 89, of Pulaski, died Wednesday, July 21, 2021, at 3:32 p.m. in Herrin. Mr. Williams was born on May 8, 1932, in Chicago, the son of Willie and Ruby Slayton Williams. He married Janet Whan in 1967 and she survives in Pulaski. Mr. Williams spent his time volunteering at the...

Jamee Tellor

Jamee Tellor, 61, of Anna, died Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at her home. She was born on Sept. 15, 1959, in Anna, the daughter of Ann Lou Sichling. She married Timothy Tellor on Feb. 27, 1982, in Jonesboro. Mrs. Tellor is survived by her husband, Timothy Tellor of Anna; two daughters, Amanda Jade (...

Carolyn Barringer

Carolyn Barringer, 70, of Dongola, died Saturday, July 24, 2021, at 10:22 a.m. at Union County Hospital in Anna. She was born on March 1, 1951, in Ponder, Mo., the daughter of Don Bennett and Gladys Marie Woodring. She enjoyed spending time with her family and especially her grandchildren. She was...