Following a comprehensive national search, the Clark State College Board of Trustees has named Evon Walters, Ed.D., as the next president of Clark State College. Walters will assume the role on July 1, succeeding Jo Alice Blondin, Ph.D., who will retire after 13 years as president and 33 years in higher education.

“Dr. Walters will be a tremendous addition to Clark State and to our community,” said Sharon Evans, chair of the Clark State Board of Trustees.

Champaign County’s cooperative swim training group, Team Champ, delivered another strong performance at the December 10th edition of the Wednesday Night Series hosted at Trotwood-Madison High School. Though the athletes train together at the Champaign Family YMCA, each swimmer competes under the banner of their respective school—Graham, London, Mechanicsburg, Triad, Urbana, or West Liberty-Salem.

Congrats to West Liberty-Salem’s December Senior of the Month, Brock Burgel!
 
Brock is a senior at West Liberty-Salem’s High School. We’re excited to share his achievements and future plans with you below.
 
A heartfelt thank-you to Solomon's Garage for proudly sponsoring this recognition!

Congrats to West Liberty-Salem’s December Senior of the Month, Kaylee Blair!
 
Kaylee is a senior at West Liberty-Salem’s High School. Learn more about her successes and future plans below.
 
Thank you to Solomon's Garage for supporting this recognition!

Downtown Urbana will welcome a warm new gathering place this Saturday, December 13, as Sunshine Book Nook opens its doors for the first time. The independent bookstore, created by husband and wife team Don and Christina Flowers, will mark its grand opening from 10 AM to 7 PM, beginning with a ribbon cutting at 10 AM at its new location at 111 N. Main Street. ​

Congrats to Graham’s December Senior of the Month, Wyatt Cauley!
 
Wyatt is a senior at Graham High School, and we’re excited to share more about his accomplishments and future goals below.
 
A special thank-you to our sponsor, First Central National Bank, for making this recognition possible!

The Champaign Economic Partnership (CEP) has been honored with the Business Outreach Champion Award, presented jointly by the Dayton Development Coalition (DDC) and JobsOhio during the DDC’s Q4 event on November 10th at the Honda Engine Plant in Anna, Ohio. 

This new award recognizes organizations that demonstrate exceptional commitment to business outreach, support, and community-wide engagement. CEP and the City of Urbana were selected together for significantly increasing coordinated Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E) visits, achieving an impressive 900% increase over last year through a shared effort to strengthen relationships with local employers. ​

Congrats to Mechanicsburg’s December Senior of the Month, Benjamin Belford!
 
Benjamin, a senior at Mechanicsburg High School, is being recognized for his accomplishments and aspirations. Learn more about his journey and future goals below.
 
We extend our sincere thanks to CRSI for sponsoring this recognition.

West Liberty-Salem High School proudly honored its newest members of the National Honor Society during the “Rise Above the Rest” Induction Ceremony held on Monday, December 8, 2025. The evening celebrated scholarship, leadership, service, and character, the four pillars upon which the National Honor Society stands.
​
The ceremony opened with a formal procession, followed by introductions from Master of Ceremonies Levi Miller. NHS Co-Presidents Geneva Estep and Emery Longaberger welcomed families, staff, and guests, sharing reflections on the value of the organization and the responsibility its members carry.