The Gazette-Democrat

What are these creatures? We’ve all seen them as they buzz around in little clouds. They look kind of like tiny grains of white rice as they move together through the air.

This week...no birds...no snakes...more words...

A fellow traveler on the Journey Through Life mentioned to me one day last week that recent columns didn’t seem to involve much writing.

Lincoln, Davie Schools raise $10,500 for JDRF Kids Walk

Lincoln and Davie Schools from Anna School District No. 37 recently teamed up to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, JDRF.

Members of Union County Boy Scout Troop 44 displayed the colors while an Illinois Society Sons of the American Revolution color guard marched behind them. The Boy Scouts who were participating in the ceremony included Bryan Williams, Ben Hauser, Dustin Palmer, Dylan Graham and Will Smiley.

Revolutionary War veterans honored at ceremony

Four patriots who served during the Revolutionary War were honored during a special ceremony which was held on a rainy Saturday afternoon at the St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery near Dongola.

Fatal Wreck on Interstate 57

Multiple emergency services agencies responded to the scene of a traffic accident on Interstate 57 in Union County which occurred at about 2:20 p.m. Thursday, June 14.

Sandra Boaz, standing at right, shared information about the history of the Camp Ground Church area last Sunday afternoon with participants in the 2018 Remember the Removal Bike Ride.

Remember the Removal riders visit Union County

Cyclists who are participating in the 2018 Remember the Removal Bike Ride were guests last Sunday at the landmark Camp Ground Church near Anna.

“...the flag of the United States shall be of thirteen stripes of alternate red and white, with a union of thirteen stars of white in a blue field, representing the new constellation.”

Flag Day observed June 14

“That the flag of the United States shall be of thirteen stripes of alternate red and white, with a union of thirteen stars of white in a blue field, representing the new constellation.”

Jonesboro School District pre-k program in jeopardy

Parents and teachers of the Jonesboro School District are dismayed at a ruling by the Illinois State Board of Education, ISBE, that puts the district’s pre-kindergarten program in jeopardy. For nearly 30 years, Jonesboro Elementary School has funded its pre-k classes with grant money from the...

Tamms author’s latest play to be staged in Carbondale

A performance of the musical stage play “Heaven ISSA Beautiful Place” is planned from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. July 7 at the Liberty Theatre in Murphysboro. The performance is being presented by 12 Shades of Blue Production. This is a play written and produced by author Jerri Locke of Tamms. She has...

Local author to have book signing at Cobden museum

The Union County Museum in downtown Cobden plans to host a book signing Saturday, June 23. Local author Mike Estel plans to sign copies of his latest book from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The museum is located at 117 S. Appleknocker. Estel, of Anna, will be signing copies of his 13th book, which is titled “...

Pork industry expects to experience losses

Large pork supplies, rising costs and potential trade retaliation from both Mexico and China continue to cast a shadow over the pork industry. Losses are expected for the rest of 2018 and 2019. According to Purdue University agricultural economist Chris Hurt, losses will be small this summer, but...

Egyptian School District names honor roll students

Egyptian Community Unit School District No. 5 announces fourth quarter honor roll students. Seniors, high honor roll: Jordan Bigham, Sarah Johnson, Kayla Kobel, Kelsey McCrite, Brandy Taylor, Asya Wade. Seniors, honor roll: Amanda Bennett, Lesley Grace, Jasi Sisson. Juniors, high honor roll: Chloe...

Meridian School District names honor roll students

Meridian School District No. 101 announces honor roll students for the fourth quarter. Seniors, high honor roll: Jalill Amerson, Alexis Crain, Tori Crecelius, Mia Davis, Destiny Lowe, Breanna Wyatt. Seniors, honor roll: Cymone Ballard, Larry Barnett, Alaysia Casper, RaKyah Jeter, Jazane Magraff,...

IDOT plans road projects in region

A six-year Illinois Department of Transportation, IDOT, plan calls for road and bridge improvements throughout the region. Plans for projects reported by State Sen. Paul Schimpf, R-Waterloo, and State Sen. Dale Fowler, R-Harrisburg. Schimpf represents the 58th District. Fowler represents the 59th...

Health care mission slated in Harrisburg

The U.S. Department of Defense, DoD, and the Delta Regional Authority, DRA, plan to hold a health care mission in Harrisburg. The mission is scheduled to be open daily at Harrisburg Middle School June 18-27. The middle school is located at 312 Bulldog Blvd . The mission in Harrisburg will deliver...

Jonesboro School announces 2018 8th grade graduates

Jonesboro School announces 2018 8th grade graduates: Jacob Michael Acklin, Vance Theodore Bass, Deeken James Beegle, Natalee Lou Brown. Jenny Jacqueline Carillo, Ethan Emmett Carver, Trevor Elliott Cochran, Kelsie Bethann Cole, Kaya Laine Coleman. Abigail Renea Dahmer, Harrison Wayne Ford, Freda...

Annual Cache River Days pageant seeks participants

Participants are being sought for the 24th annual Cache River Days Pageant in Ullin. The pageant is set for 6 p.m. Sept. 7 at the Leona Brust Civic Center. Participants also are welcomed for a baby contest. The deadline for the pageant and the baby contest is Aug. 10. The pageant has four...

Obituaries

Matella J. Tucker

Matella J. Tucker, 89, of Jonesboro, died at 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at Union County Long Term Healthcare. She was born on May 6, 1929, in Dongola, the daughter of Ernest Clyde and Ida (Lingle) McIntosh. She married Ralph Tucker on February 11, 1946 in Blytheville, AR. He preceded...

Ronald ‘Ron’ Dean Stanley Jr.

Ron Stanley Jr., 63, of Cobden, died Monday, June 18, 2018, at his home. He was born on May 30, 1955, in Carbondale, the son of Ronald Dean Sr. and Mildred Lois Hoyle Stanley. Mr. Stanley is survived by his son, Zachriah Charles (Kristine) Stanley, and a stepdaughter, Kelly Roberts, all of Salida...

Pamela G. Gonzalez

Pamela “Pam” G. Gonzales, 61, of Jonesboro, died Wednesday, June 13. Arrangements were pending at Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro. To view the obituary and to leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com. Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in...

Christine "Chrissy" Sanders

Christine “Chrissy” Sanders, 59, of Buncombe, died at 12:45 p.m. on June 14, 2018, at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale. She was born on Aug. 15, 1958, in Tacoma, Wash., the daughter of Bennie and Barbara Seamon Parsons. She married Teddy Lee Sanders on Sept. 19, 1976. She was a homemaker most of...

Alta Mae Morgan Hinkle

Alta Mae Morgan Hinkle, 89, of Paducah, and formerly of Ballard County, Ky., died on June 13, 2018. Mrs. Hinkle was born and raised in Dongola, the daughter of Ben and Clossie Coffman Morgan. She was a bookkeeper, and after marrying and moving to Kentucky, a talented and dedicated homemaker with...