SPRINGFIELD —  Cases of acute respiratory illnesses, including flu and COVID-19, have declined across Illinois according to state health data released in January, offering signs of improvement after one of the state’s toughest flu seasons in recent years. Illinois had been experiencing unusually high levels of influenza activity earlier this winter, with flu severity reaching the highest category, described as “very high,” in early January. More recent data now places flu act

BOWLING GREEN, MO —  A major investment in services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities is moving forward in Pike County, Missouri , after the Pike County Agency for Developmental Disabilities  project was officially funded. The funding will allow PCADD, in partnership with the City of Bowling Green , to construct a new Developmental Support Center and renovate the agency’s existing facility. Local leaders say the project will significantly expand

BOWLING GREEN —  Tom Thompson has officially filed to run for mayor of Bowling Green in the upcoming April municipal election and, as of the close of filing, is the only candidate seeking the office. Thompson, a longtime local business owner and part owner of A Taste of Philly, said his decision to enter the race is rooted in a deep commitment to the city and a desire to help guide its future growth. He has identified the Bowling Green Municipal Airport as a key economic asse

HARDIN —  The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office is inviting the public to attend an informational seminar addressing the dangerous and growing trend of sextortion. Pike County Chief Deputy Zack Orr, who also serves as a part-time deputy with the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, will lead the presentation. The seminar will be held at Calhoun High School on February 17, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.  The session is designed to educate attendees about how sextortion schemes work, warning sig

QUINCY —  Travelers heading into the Twin Pikes and West Central Illinois region could soon have another air travel option beyond Chicago, as officials at Quincy Regional Airport weigh whether adding service to Nashville might better serve visitors and residents alike. Currently, Contour Airlines operates 12 weekly flights between Quincy Regional Airport and Chicago O’Hare, making Chicago the region’s sole commercial air link. That could change under a proposal now under revi

LOUISIANA —  The Louisiana City Council will hold a special council meeting Monday, February 9, at 6:00 p.m.  in the 2nd Floor Council Chambers  at City Hall, with a Ward 1 councilmember appointment  listed as the central item of business, according to the official meeting notice released by the city. The special meeting, called by Mayor Tim Carter , was posted Friday afternoon and includes only a brief agenda, signaling a focused session. After roll call and establishment of

JEFFERSON CITY —  Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway says her office is working alongside federal agencies in a broad investigation into slot machine-like gambling devices operating in convenience stores, bars, and other retail locations across the state, focusing on how what she described as “billions of dollars” flow from Missourians to the companies that own the machines. Speaking Thursday before the Missouri House Budget Committee, Hanaway said the state joined t

MT. STERLING —  A Hunnewell, Missouri man has been sentenced in Brown County, Illinois, following his arrest in Mt. Sterling after a violent confrontation with law enforcement during the summer of 2024. According to Brown County Circuit Court records, Ryan M. Edlin, 42 , appeared in court Thursday and entered a guilty plea to Class A misdemeanor resisting a peace officer . As part of an open plea agreement, several more serious charges were dismissed, including Class 2 felony

PITTSFIELD —  Pike County is now accepting applications for tourism project funding made available through accommodations tax revenues, offering financial support for projects that promote tourism and enhance the quality of life across the county. The program is open to individuals, businesses, agencies, and non-profit organizations that have a physical presence in Pike County , or projects sponsored by a Pike County organization. Funds must be used for ventures that directly

BOWLING GREEN —  Pike County youth will have the opportunity to showcase their talents, interests, and project knowledge later this month during Pike County 4-H Achievement Day , an annual event designed to build confidence, presentation skills, and personal development in a supportive environment. The event will take place Saturday, February 22, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.  in the Bowling Green High School Auditorium , with participant check-in beginning at 2:45 p.m.  The program is

PITTSFIELD —  The City of Pittsfield is inviting business owners, residents, and community members to attend a public meeting tonight to learn more about the upcoming Downtown Revitalization Project and what to expect as construction moves forward. The public meeting will be held Thursday, February 5, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Pittsfield City Hall , located at 215 North Monroe Street . City officials will be joined by representatives from Rees Construction , the contractor ov

LOUISIANA —  A community Black history program titled “A Taste of Blackness”  will be held Saturday, February 7, 2026 , at the Keely Center in Louisiana, Missouri. The event is being presented by the Northeast Missouri Clergy Coalition  and is scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  at the Keely Center, located at 3523 Georgia Street . Organizers say the program is open to the public and designed to highlight Black history through voices and perspectives from within the loca

PIT1TSFIELD —  The Pittsfield Police Department has added a new narcotic detection canine to its team, expanding the department’s enforcement and public safety capabilities. Officer Mackenzie Moore  and K9 Maverick  recently graduated from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Canine Academy. Maverick is a three-year-old Labrador and Belgian Malinois mix  trained in narcotics detection and will be deployed alongside Officer Moore in law enforcement operations. City off

LOUISIANA —  A former Louisiana, Missouri police officer charged in a case involving the theft and sale of a department-issued firearm has been sentenced to five years of parole  following a plea agreement that resolved the more than year-old case. Court records show Daylon Green , a former Louisiana police detective, originally faced four felony charges and two misdemeanors  stemming from incidents that occurred in November 2024 . As part of a plea deal finalized earlier thi

LOUISIANA —  The City of Louisiana has announced a list of street upgrades and repair projects scheduled for Summer 2026 , continuing a multi-year effort to improve roadway conditions across several neighborhoods. City officials say the projects include a mix of streets approved for work in 2025  and 2026 , with repairs targeting areas identified through ongoing street evaluations and infrastructure planning. The work is divided into two categories, commonly referred to as “y