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Area Breaking News

Independent wins awards in SIEA Contest

Heather Rash and Jennifer Lane.   — Aida Barnard photo.   By Jennifer Lane Editor/Publisher In March 2023, I entered the Hardin County Independent in the Southern Illinois Editorial Association (SIEA) Better Newspaper Contest for a fourth year in a row. In September, I attended the Southern Illinois Editorial Association’s General Meeting and Awards Ceremony at…

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Dutton Chapel Road on Shawnee National Forest closed

Attention attendees of the 9-Day Trail Ride and other visitors to the One Horse Gap Lake area. Dutton Chapel Road just east of Lusk Road is still closed due to a damaged low water crossing structure through a stream. Do not take vehicles, let alone horse trailers, down this section of road. There is a…

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Rosiclare Fire Department turned 94 on March 15

Rosiclare Fire Department Assistant Chief Kevan Eddleman owns the first fire truck purchased by the Rosiclare Fire Department in 1929. It is a 1928 Boyer Fire Apparatus. Pictured is Kevan Eddleman driving the truck in the 2012 Fluorspar Festival parade. — Dana Cook photo By Jennifer Lane Editor Published March 9, 2023 in the Hardin…

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Julia Hurford Farley named 2022 SIEA Master Editor; Independent wins more awards

2022 – Hardin County Independent staff win SIEA awards, l-r: Jesse G. “Skipper” Farley, Heather Rash, 2022 Master Editor Julia Hurford Farley, Jennifer Lane, and Aida Barnard. 2022 – Julia Hurford Farley presented the 2022 Southern Illinois Editorial Association Master Editor award by SIEA President Travis Lott.   Hardin County Independent’s Lane and Rash won…

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Hardin County Independent wins two awards in 2021 SIEA Better Newspaper Contest

    2021 Christmas photo of sisters, Heather Rash and Jennifer Rash Lane, who run the Independent. Heather and Jennifer are daughters of former editor/publisher Julia Hurford Farley and granddaughters of former editor/publisher Noel E. Hurford and wife Betty. — Desi McBee photo. By Jennifer Lane Editor/Publisher In March 2021, I entered the Hardin County…

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New school safety initiative launched, Safe2Help Illinois

24/7 program encourages students to confidentially share school safety concerns As part of America’s Safe Schools Week, a week dedicated to raising awareness of school safety, Governor JB Pritzker is announcing the launch of a new statewide school safety initiative called Safe2Help Illinois. “I directed my administration to launch a statewide school violence prevention help…

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Hardin County Schools receive millions in funds from ESSER as part of Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act

Published in the Hardin County Independent August 19, 2021. Superintendent Edmondson shares how the money has been and will be spent In 2020 and 2021, as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Congress passed three stimulus bills that provided a total of nearly $190.5 billion to the Elementary and Secondary…

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