Greenville Illinois News WGEL Daily

7-29-2008

VANDALIA BANK TO ACQUIRE MULBERRY GROVE AND GREENVILLE BANKS

Ernie Chappel, President of The First National Bank of Vandalia and Preston Smith, President of The First National Bank of Mulberry Grove and Greenville announced today that they have reached an agreement for the Vandalia bank to acquire the two banks in Bond County. According to Preston Smith, the decision was made several years ago, to contact the Vandalia bank, should the two banks ever to be offered for sale. That conversation began a few months ago and is expected to be finalized sometime in October.

Ernie Chappel said the Vandalia bank is very appreciative for the great staff at both the Mulberry Grove and Greenville Banks and also for the market opportunities offered by the acquisition. He remarked that Greenville and Vandalia are similar communities in many ways and that Bond and Fayette Counties share many business and educational institutions. He foresees no problems in maintaining service for current bank customers at both locations.

Following the transaction, First National Bank of Vandalia will have more than $230 million in assets. The bank is one of the oldest independently owned financial institutions in Illinois, with an original charter dating back to the days of Abraham Lincoln.

THUNDERSTORMS / LIGHTNING CAUSE EQUIPMENT FAILURES AT POLICE STATIONS

Thunderstorms that moved through the area late Sunday night and early Monday morning caused some damage at the local police stations. Apparently, close lightning is to blame for equipment failure at both the Greenville Police Station and the Bond County Sheriff's Department. According to Greenville Police employees, about 11:30 Sunday night, the Greenville Police station lost their communications radio, several computers, the state computer for tracking license plates and phone service. Phones were out for only about 5 minutes, but city employees and the 911 coordinator worked throughout the night to restore the other equipment. Computers were up and running again by about 4:30 Monday morning at both stations.

Those thunderstorms brought rain to our area Sunday night and following are the rain totals as of 6 am Monday morning: 71 hundredths of an inch were recorded at the Sewer Plant, 6 tenths at 6^th Street, and .58 inches at Idler Lane and Rt. 140.

NEW COLGATE COUNTRY SHOWDOWN WINNER

A crowd of well over 150 gathered Friday night at the Greenville VFW Hall for the Colgate Country Showdown. 15 year old Mollie Lewis of Owasso, Oklahoma was named the winner of a very tough competition. From here, Mollie will go on to the state competition. Local favorite Jamie Nattier, of Patoka, sang two original songs and once again wowed the crowd. It was another successful night for the showdown and a big thank you goes to all the contestants, judges, everyone at the VFW Hall, Jeff Chapman with the music and the MC, Branson Jerry Jansen. You can see the 2008 Showdown on New Wave Channel 3, Tuesday night at 6PM.

BOND COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPT ROAD CLOSURES

The Madison County Highway Department has closed Baumann Road until Wednesday July 30^th, between Cox Monument Avenue and Meffert Road. Baumann Road will be closed through the overnight for structure replacements.

The Bond County Highway Department will be closing Cox Monument Avenue at the North Pokey Road starting today, Tuesday the 29^th, from 7:00 AM until 2:00 PM, due to culvert repair. It will be at the intersection and the Pokey Road will remain open. A detour route is not available at this time for either road closure. For more information, call the Highway Department at 664-1144.

ILLINOIS UNEMPLOYMENT RATES INCREASE

All twelve metropolitan areas in Illinois recorded over-the-year unemployment rate increases, according to datav released by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Local counties in the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area show increases as well. In Bond County, unemployment for June 2008 was 6.9% up from 5% in June 2007. Clinton County increased from 4.4% to 5.8%, Madison County 5.5% to 6.9% and Monroe County increased from 4.3% to 5.4% over the same time period.

ILLINOIS UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS EXTENDED

More than 30,000 persons have received their first payment from the Illinois Department of Employment Security for Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefits. Illinois has just made an agreement, allowing for an extension of federally-funded benefits, for up to 13 weeks, for those who have exhausted their rights to regular state unemployment benefits. For more information, visit your local IDES office or visit the web at www.ides.state.il.us.

OBITUARIES

None to Report

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