The bodies of Sheri Coleman, 31, and her two sons, Garrett 11, and Gavin, 9, were discovered, murdered, by Columbia police officers around 7:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 5 at their residence located at 2854 Robert Drive within the subdivision Columbia Lakes Estates. Previous reports stated that the family was strangled but police are not releasing the cause of death at this time. Sheri’s husband and Garrett and Gavin’s father Chris Coleman, formerly of Chester, was at Gold’s Gym in South County when he tried to call his wife and she didn’t answer the phone. Coleman became concerned and decided to call in a wellness check on his wife and children. Neighbors said Coleman arrived at the residence shortly after the police and was seen flailing his arms and heard yelling. Investigators at the residence were seen searching trash cans in the immediate neighborhood.

 The Board of Education of Chester Community Unit School District No. 139 met in the Chester School District Unit Office on May 21, 2009.  Secretary Cushman called the Regular Meeting to order at 7 p.m.
Dwight Lochhead, Shirley Stegmann, and the Math & Science Classes made a presentation to the Board.

On May 5th, at 4:00 p.m., the hard work and determination of three women payed off. It was at this time that Jane Hicks, Martha Hunter and Alexandra Pokrzywinski opened the Firehouse Brew Co. for business. All three are part owners of the new restaurant that is located in the old firehouse building in Steeleville, Illinois.

At the June 1 Steeleville Village Board Meeting, the affect of sewage backup from the May storms, and if anything can be done about it was discussed, as well as the success of the Pig Party.

For Russell Nance the annual trip home to Chester is always one that he looks forward to. Nance was born and raised in Chester and attended Chester schools. Nance who left for the service before the end of his high school career has called Tacoma, Washington his home for over 50 years.