The Gazette-Democrat

Spotted this critter, a rare Fuzzy Wuzzy Squirrel, during a brief visit to the park in Jonesboro last Friday morning.

Wandering around in the dark...and other adventures...

Wandering around in the dark, an encounter with an unexpected critter and a well-fed varmint highlighted your writer’s otherwise dull and relatively uneventful Journey Through Life during the past week...

From left are Western Governors University representative John Hardin and Anna Junior High School teacher Carolyn Gaddis. Photo provided.

Anna Junior High School teacher receives $1,000 grant from university

Carolyn Gaddis, a 6th grade English language arts teacher at Anna Junior High School in Anna Community School District No. 37, has received a $1,000 grant through Western Governors University’s, WGU, “Fund My Classroom” initiative.

From left are Boy Scouts Ben Hauser, Joshua Rochon and Mason Wren. Photo provided.

Scouts present program about nation’s flag

Daniel Chapman Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution had a monthly meeting June 14 at the Vienna Carnegie Public Library.

The forecast late last week posted by the National Weather Service office in Paducah showed that high temperatures on Monday and Tuesday in the region could climb back into the 100-degree range.

After weekend break, heat expected to return this week

A break was expected over the weekend in what the National Weather Service office in Paducah was describing as a “dangerous heat wave” which was impacting the region.

Saw these kitties last Saturday evening in the big city, not far from downtown Anna, where the Annabelle Festival was happening. Just for the sake of the moment, we’ll call the grayish kitty Annabelle. Kitty, as kitties do, tolerated a photo or two.

158 degrees on front porch Sunday night

Goodness, gracious, it sure has been H-O-T in our little corner of the world...

Are you looking at me? As a matter of fact, yes. Saw this white-tailed deer hanging around near the State Forest Road Sunday evening. The critter was kind enough to pose for a couple of photographs.

Sometimes...you've just got to get to the woods...

Surprise... Under “normal” circumstances, you would have found this column on the back page of the paper. However, due to other obligations, the “normal” back page is not the back page this week... back to “normal” next week, I think...

Cocaine trafficking ringleader sentenced to 360 months in prison

The ringleader of a Houston-based cocaine trafficking operation has been sentenced in the Southern District of Illinois to federal prison for conspiracy to distribute cocaine, bringing to a successful close an investigation and prosecution that spanned several states and more than five years. The...

Legislator honored by chamber

The Illinois Chamber of Commerce has named State Sen. Dale Fowler, R-Harrisburg, as a Champion of Free Enterprise for his contributions to the defense of free enterprise and the furtherance of economic opportunities for all Illinoisans. The Illinois Chamber rated all members of the 102nd General...

Kids fishing programs offered in Murphysboro

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, IDNR, announces plans for free kids fishing programs during July at Lake Murphysboro State Park. Programs are scheduled on the following Fridays: July 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. The program will be from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. each day. The programs will be...

New state troopers commissioned

The Illinois State Police recently commissioned 17 new troopers from Cadet Class 136 at a graduation ceremony at the Illinois State Police Academy in Springfield. The commissioning ceremony brought the total number of state police troopers which have been added since 2019 to 295. The new troopers...

Ullin man faces charges in connection with shooting

The Illinois State Police on June 24 announced the arrest of Robert E. Nelson, 56, of Ullin. Nelson was arrested in connection with a shooting which occurred in Ullin. He was arrested on charges approved by the Pulaski County state’s attorney’s office. The charges included aggravated battery with...

State fair poultry shows canceled

Both junior and open live poultry shows at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield will be canceled for 2022 as a result of the highly pathogenic avian influenza. The decision was announced by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Illinois State Fair junior poultry exhibitors will continue to have...

Independence Day celebrations planned in area

On Monday, July 4, the nation will celebrate the 246th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Special events are planned throughout the region to celebrate the nation’s birthday. Activities are scheduled to start this weekend. Anna A big Independence Day celebration is...

Former Anna resident convicted on seven counts

Union County State’s Attorney Tyler E. Tripp reported on June 23 that Bradley D. Mathus, 37, formerly of Anna, was convicted of two counts of aggravated domestic battery, both Class 2 felonies; and five counts of endangering the life or health of a child, all of which are Class A misdemeanors. ...

Illinois grant program addresses illegal firearms

The Illinois State Police have announced plans to issue $2 million in grants to local law enforcement agencies interested in a collaborative effort to reduce and prevent illegal possession and use of firearms, firearm related homicides, and other violent crimes. Funding for the grants is possible...

Anna City Council covers wide range of topics at regular meeting

Renaming of a street to honor a military hero’s service, recruitment of volunteer firefighters, cemetery preservation, a hiring policy and a revised burn ordinance were among the topics discussed at last week’s regular meeting of the Anna City Council. The meeting was Tuesday evening, June 21, at...

Obituaries

John Darren Rendleman

John Darren Rendleman, 53, of Jonesboro, died Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at Union County Hospital in Anna. He was born on Dec. 30, 1968, in Cape Girardeau, the son of Robert Lary and Marjorie Oxford Rendleman. Mr. Rendleman is survived by his mother, Marjorie Rendleman of Jonesboro; a daughter,...

Mike Hendrix

Mike Hendrix, 53, of Nashville, Tenn., and formerly of Terre Haute, Ind., died on Nov. 21, 2009, at his residence. He was born on Oct. 24, 1956, in Terre Haute, Ind., the son of Carl and Jane Williams Hendrix. He married Malinda Winning on June 6, 1982. Mr. Hendrix worked as a salesman for shoe...

Malinda Hendrix

Malinda Hendrix, 64, of Nashville, Tenn., and formerly of Terre Haute, Ind., died on April 10, 2022, at her residence. She was born on Nov. 7, 1957, in Decatur, the daughter of Jack and Laura Belle Johnson Winning. She married Mike Hendrix on June 6, 1982. He preceded her in death on Nov. 21, 2009...

Carolyn Hale

Carolyn Hale, 77, of Anna, died Sunday, June 26, 2022. She was born on Feb. 22, 1945, in Union County, the daughter of Gilman and Mary Edith Davis Parker. She married Lester “Wayne” Hale on Aug. 14, 1964, in Anna. He preceded her in death on Oct. 6, 2013. She is survived by her daughters, Diane (...

Oleta Slusher Brown

Oleta Slusher Brown, 96, of Ullin, died Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale. She was born on April 21, 1926, the daughter of Arthur and Flora Jessie Lawson Slusher. She was married to Norse (Dutch) Brown on Jan. 7, 1945. He preceded her in death on Sept. 14, 2001. Throughout...