News

Johnson County entered a “warning level” for COVID-19 last week, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). Johnson County joins 25 other counties in that designation. Several other Southern Illinois counties on the list, Jackson, Jefferson, Massac, Pulaski, Saline and Union, are also part of Region 5 under …

On October 6, State Senator Dale Fowler was joined by Vienna Mayor Jon Simmons, Director of Tourism for the City of Vienna Phil Morris, and Brian Ziegler, Owner of Clarida & Ziegler Engineering Co., to break ground on the highly-anticipated amphitheater project in the Vienna Community Park. The building, which …

The long-in-development Vienna Community Park amphitheater will begin construction on October 6, at 10 a.m. State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) will be joined by Vienna Mayor Jon Simmons, Forman Depot Director Phil Morris, and engineer Brian Ziegler to break ground on the highly-anticipated project. Senator Fowler helped obtain two grants …

The Shawnee Community College Education and Talent Search Program announced today they would be hosting a drive-through school supply for local ETS members. The drive-thru distribution is scheduled for October 6th & 7th from 5:00 -6:30 p.m. on the college’s main campus. The school supply distribution is open to current …

Shawnee National Forest continues its series of special programs to commemorate their 80th Anniversary of being named a national forest. Attendees will learn about Shawnee National Forest history and the many efforts made by dedicated residents of southern Illinois that were instrumental in the creation of the only national forest …

New Simpson Hill School was awarded the 2020 National Blue Ribbon School Award for “exemplary achievement, closing the gap” school. The school was nominated by the Illinois State Board of Education and was notified through a nationwide video announcement from U.S. Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos on Thursday, September …

Confirmed Coronavirus cases have continued to rise in Johnson County and the surrounding region in the last two weeks. Many of the Johnson County cases are tied to outbreaks at a local correctional facility. In county, Shawnee Correctional Center had 50 confirmed active cases among incarcerated individuals and five staff …

Another free food distribution event will take place Thursday, September 17 at the Vienna City Park at 11:30 a.m. There are no income requirements or any other form of paperwork. One produce and one dairy box will be distributed per vehicle while supplies last.

A fourth grade classroom at Vienna Grade School was closed on Wednesday after a teacher tested positive for COVID-19. “All students who have been deemed a close contact received communication from Southern Seven Health Department today,” said Adam Hanks, VGS Principal in a letter sent home to all parents on …

The U.S. Postal Service will play a critical role this year in delivering election mail for millions of voters across the country. There has been a lot of discussion recently about whether the Postal Service is ready, willing and able to meet this challenge. I want to make a few …