First Bank will close its branch and ATM in Albion this summer.  On Monday, the bank submitted documentation to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency notifying them of their intent to close the branch effective Friday, July 19, 2013 at 5 p.m. CST.

“A business decision like this is never easy to make,” said Al Fritschle, President and CEO of First Bank,  “However, after extensive review, we have determined that closing the Albion branch is a prudent economic decision for our organization.”

All accounts currently maintained at the Albion branch will be automatically transferred to the First Bank branch at 102 S. Court Street in Grayville. No action needs to be taken by First Bank clients unless they would like their account(s) transferred to a branch other than Grayville. 

Gallatin County High School is the high overall winner for this year’s high school business skills competition at Southeastern Illinois College.

The event, held Feb. 28, included six categories for individual students to compete with their peers from other SIC district high schools.  Those schools competing this year included Carmi-White County, Eldorado, Galatia, Gallatin County, Hardin County and Harrisburg.

Several of the events involve an objective exam while others have a hands-on component.  The top two scores from each event are recognized at the awards ceremony.  Each school’s individual competition scores are totaled to find out the school with the most points.

The ribbon has been cut at the new Shopko Hometown store in Mt. Carmel is open.

Store manager Patti Knox was joined by city officials and others as the Mt. Carmel High School drum line performed and other grand opening activities got underway.

The grand opening continues through Saturday at the former Pamida discount store.

Read more about it here.