HARDIN, IL — A Hardin man has been sentenced to ten years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after a Calhoun County jury convicted him of burglary and theft in connection with tools stolen from a work truck. Donald G. Dawson, 57, was found guilty July 15 following a two-day jury trial before Judge John Frank McCartney. Calhoun County State’s Attorney Lucas Fanning prosecuted the case. The investigation dates back to July 10, 2025, when the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Offi

PITTSFIELD, IL — Pike County Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help locating Dustin L. Johns, who is wanted on a Pike County warrant. Johns is described as a white male, approximately six-foot-two and 185 pounds, with blonde hair and green eyes. Authorities say Johns is wanted for Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Peace Officer and Harassment Through Electronic Communication. Anyone with information on Johns’ whereabouts is asked to call Pike County Crime Stoppers at 2

PITTSFIELD, IL — Pike County Board candidate and local business owner Chris Lanhum is raising questions about how county property taxes are being discussed, pointing to a significant increase in the total county levy even as the tax rate has generally declined. Lanhum, who is currently going through the property-tax appeal process, says taxpayers should pay attention not only to the tax rate, but also to the total amount of money the county is levying. In a social media post

PITTSFIELD, IL — Two Rivers Regional Council of Public Officials will begin accepting applications this fall for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, with local application sites available in both Pittsfield and Mount Sterling. The program helps qualifying households with energy bills and certain reconnection costs. Beginning October 1, applications will open first for adults age 60 and older, Individuals with a disability, families with children age five and younge

BATCHTOWN, IL — A Batchtown man is facing an additional felony drug charge following a Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office investigation that began with a reported domestic disturbance involving a firearm. The Sheriff’s Office says deputies received the initial report June 11 concerning an incident alleged to have occurred the previous day at a residence in Batchtown. Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office Corporal Nicholas McCall interviewed victims and witnesses during the investigati

BOWLING GREEN, MO. — Plans are moving forward for the relocation of Cancer Memorial Park in Bowling Green after organizers confirmed the foundation now owns property at 16 South Court Street. The Cancer Memorial Park board says the City of Bowling Green notified them on July 14 that the quit claim deed had been signed and recorded, officially transferring the property and allowing the project to move into its next phase. Organizers are now focused on getting professional blue

CARROLLTON, Illinois — A White Hall man has been sentenced to two years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to felony Driving While License Suspended. Greene County State’s Attorney Craig Grummel announced that 40-year-old Michael D. Bass was sentenced August 24, 2026, following his guilty plea in Greene County Circuit Court. The case stemmed from a December 16, 2023 incident at the intersection of Main Street and Bridgeport Street in White Hall. A

PITTSFIELD — One of Pike County’s biggest end-of-summer traditions returns this week as the Pittsfield Fall Festival takes over downtown Pittsfield for Labor Day weekend. The 2026 festival is scheduled for Thursday, September 3 through Sunday, September 6 around the historic Pike County Courthouse square. Organizers and event listings say the celebration will feature vendors, pageants, carnival attractions, Lions Kiddie Rides, live entertainment and other family activities. S

PIKE COUNTY, Illinois — New financial records are adding another layer to the ongoing dispute over Pike County’s budget and bookkeeping, while helping separate current-year figures from numbers contained in older county audits. The latest questions were highlighted by Pike County Zombie Control, a local social media page featuring AI-generated videos posted by Pike County citizen and content creator Mike Burbridge. Burbridge’s recent video compared county financial reports, b

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — New documentation obtained by RiverNewsLive is adding another layer to the ongoing dispute inside Pike County government over the county’s financial condition, while also providing additional context to County Clerk Natalie Roseberry’s decision to stop attending county committee meetings. RiverNewsLive first reported August 20 that Roseberry had notified county officials that neither she nor members of her staff would attend committee meetings going forward