The Gazette-Democrat

Trilobite fossils...found in Southern Illinois, just not anywhere near a rugged mountain terrain, since we don’t have very many mountains in our little corner of the world.

Fossils...about the hunt...and the memories...

Long ago, as in long, long, long, long ago, critters called trilobites wandered around on the bottom of the ocean in what is now Union County.

The “worm moon”...almost...this image of our neighbor in the cosmos was captured Friday night, shining brightly in a clear sky over Union County. That would have been a couple of days before the “worm moon” reached “peak illumination.”

'Worm moon' in night sky...and the Easter frog...

Happy April Fool’s Day. April’s Fool’s Day was yesterday. Or, maybe it’s tomorrow. Just foolin’. It’s today. Saw it online, so it has to be true.

Illinois Army and Air National Guard Maj. Gen. Richard R. Neely visited a Southern Seven Health Department mass vaccination clinic at Shawnee Community College near Ullin on Wednesday, March 24. Southern Seven Health Department photo.

Southern Seven Health Department welcomes National Guard general

Southern Seven Health Department welcomed Maj. Gen. Richard R. Neely, commander of the Illinois Army and Air National Guard, on a site tour of COVID-19 mass vaccination clinics in the southernmost area of the state on Wednesday, March 24.

Representatives from Arrowleaf and Camp Ondessonk met with Glenn and Jo Poshard of the Poshard Foundation at New Simpson Hill. The Poshard Foundation presented a donation of $10,180 to sponsor three dozen New Simpson Hill students for an after-school program at Camp Ondessonk in Southern Illinois. From left are Dan King, executive director, Camp Ondessonk; Nolan Hurst, camping services director, Camp Ondessonk; Glenn Poshard; Jo Poshard; Sherrie Crabb, executive director, Arrowleaf; Candace Armstrong, princ

Poshard Foundation partners with area organizations to provide after-school services

(Editor’s note: the accompanying photograph and story are courtesy of The Vienna Times newspaper.) Every school district has students who have faced traumatic experiences and New Simpson Hill School is no exception.

High water was seen under a railroad bridge over the Big Muddy River during a visit on Sunday afternoon, March 21. At the time, a flood warning was in effect for the river.

Flood warnings continue on rivers in region

River flood warnings continued during the past week in the region – and more heavy rain was in the forecast.

Maj. Gen. Richard R. Neely, adjutant general of the Illinois National Guard, met with Dr. Tim Taylor, president of Shawnee Community College. Neely visited the college campus last week. Shawnee Community College photo.

National Guard adjutant general visits Shawnee College campus

ULLIN – The Shawnee Community College helipad is used occasionally by medical personnel when significant medical intervention is needed quickly.

Midwestern state ag leaders join to encourage vaccination

As warmer weather returns and our nation’s agricultural communities gear up for summer events, the leaders of the agricultural departments in six Midwestern states have released a video message encouraging people to get vaccinated for COVID-19 when they are eligible. Echoing a similar message...

Illinois driver’s license expiration dates extended by secretary of state

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White has issued a reminder urging the public to visit his office’s website at www.cyberdriveillinois.com to conduct transactions online when possible instead of visiting a driver services facility. Over the last nine months, more than 3.8 million transactions...

New campaign supports April’s observance of National Donate Life Month

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White has unveiled a new ad campaign featuring Chicago White Sox All-Star relief pitcher and longtime radio voice of the team Ed “Farmio” Farmer, who died last year. The campaign marked the beginning of National Donate Life Month in April. In the public service...

A-J/Cobden soccer 2-1 in recent play

The Anna-Jonesboro/Cobden co-op high school boys’ soccer team was 2-1 in recent action. A-J/Cobden 6, Harrisburg 1: Beto Vaca Diez scored two goals and added an assist to lead visiting A-J/Cobden to the win Saturday, April 3. Nick McGrath added 2 goals. Ethan Carver and Kyle Hall added a goal...

Cooking wild game topic of upcoming Extension webinar

Illinois hunters support the health of ecosystems, conservation efforts and local economies. Successful hunts also provide lean, local protein for families and communities. University of Illinois Extension, in cooperation with Illinois Learn to Hunt, plans to share basic field dressing, post-hunt...

Village of Dongola among recipients for state public infrastructure grant funds

The Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, DCEO, on Monday, April 5, announced the recipients for the 2020 Community Development Block Grants, CDBG, for Public Infrastructure. A total of $18.2 million will be awarded to 34 communities across the state. The funds will enable...

Electronics recycling event planned in county

Southern Seven Health Department plans to have a free community electronics recycling event in Union County. The event is scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon on April 10 at Anna-Jonesboro Community High School. This manufacturer-supported e-waste program is administered by the Illinois Environmental...

Wildcats to host Sparta for homecoming game

The Sparta High School football team did not play last Friday. The team did not have enough players due to injuries and academic issues. But the Southern Illinois River-to-River Conference Mississippi Division Bulldogs expect to regroup and play at Anna-Jonesboro Friday night, April 9. Kickoff is...

A-J spring homecoming celebration underway

A spring 2021 homecoming celebration is underway this week at Anna-Jonesboro Community High School. Homecoming traditionally is a fall event at the Union County school. Like so many other activities, that tradition has been impacted by the ongoing coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic. A traditional fall...

Weather service looks at last dates for spring frost, freeze in region

Record low temperatures were posted late last week in some parts of the Southern Illinois, Southeast Missouri and Western Kentucky region. The National Weather Service office in Paducah posted information on its website about spring frost/freeze climatology for the region. The weather service noted...

Obituaries

Herbert Eugene Gene ‘Cowboy’ Smith

Herbert Eugene Gene “Cowboy” Smith, 64, of Kevil, Ky., died Thursday, April 1, 2021, at his home. He was born on Dec. 14, 1956, in Advance, Mo., the son of Herbert N. and Ruby Mae Dodd Smith. He married Jesse Smith and they had two children together. He later married Jolee Koehler. Mr. Smith is...

Randall Wayne Mohr

Randall Wayne Mohr, 64, of West City, died at 6:55 a.m. Saturday, April 3, 2021, at his home. A Celebration of Life Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, at Leffler Funeral Home in Benton, with the Rev. Gary West officiating. Burial will be in the Mulkeytown Cemetery. Visitation will be...

Robert R. (Bob) Dawson Jr.

Robert R. (Bob) Dawson Jr., 73, of rural Anna, died at 5:10 a.m. Sunday, March 28, 2021, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, surrounded by his family. He was born on April 2, 1947, in St. Louis, the son of Robert Richard and Wanda Winsel Dawson Sr. The Lord blessed our small family with Bob...

Lois Ruth Neher

Lois Ruth Neher, 92, died surrounded by family on March 28, 2021, in Wichita, Kan. She died from a ruptured brain aneurysm. She was born in McPherson, Kan., on Dec. 20, 1928. She attended McPherson College, graduating in 1951. She married Gerald Neher on Dec. 23, 1952. In 1954 Lois and Gerald went...

Martha A. Jerrell

Martha A. Jerrell, 99, of Lick Creek, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, April 3, 2021, at her home. She was born on May 4, 1921, in Pulaski, the daughter of Barney and Hester Armeedy McBride Lindsey. She married Roscoe Minor Jerrell on Jan. 23, 1931. He preceded her in death...