January 2012

Frankie E. Elkins, 85, of Jonesboro, died at 6:45 a.m. Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, at his home in Jonesboro.

He was born on July 11, 1927, in Murphysboro, the son of Gusta and Maude Miller Elkins.

He married Mary E. King on Feb. 3, 1953, in Cobden.

Last fall, the last of the original vines planted almost 25 years ago were uprooted to make room for new ones at Alto Vineyards in Alto Pass.

This harvest season, Alto Vineyards will celebrate a little piece of Southern Illinois wine history.

The very first Vignoles vines will be smoked to flavor homemade grilled pizzas during this year’s ColorFest on Saturday, Oct. 13, from noon to 6 p.m.

A Union County woman is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of a minor child.

Union County State's Attorney Tyler R. Edmonds  said that Stacey R. Tiffin, 40, of 206 E. Lewis St. in Anna, has been charged with one count of first degree murder.

Edmonds said that Tiffin is charged with "placing her hand over the mouth and nose of the minor child on the evening of September 16, causing the death of the minor child."

Union County State’s Attorney Tyler R. Edmonds on Tuesday announced the sentencing of three Missouri residents on methamphetamine-related charges.

Shawn E. Barker, 37, of 105 Pecan Ln. in Oak Ridge, Mo., has been sentenced to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, IDOC, on one count of unlawful possession of methamphetamine precursors, a Class 2 felony.

Barker was charged following an investigation by the Illinois State Police in connection with pseudoephredrine purchases he made at an Anna retailer in March.