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BOWLING GREEN —  A longtime voice of radio in the Twin Pikes region has passed away. Donald “Joe” Lewis, a veteran broadcaster who spent many years on the air and in sales at KPCR Radio in Bowling Green, has died. Lewis was widely known across Pike County, Missouri and the surrounding region for his work at KPCR Radio , where he served both as an announcer and advertising representative. In addition to his role behind the microphone and working with local businesses, Lewis al

BOWLING GREEN —  The North East Community Action Corporation (NECAC) is asking residents across its 12-county service region to help identify community needs and recommend improvements to programs that assist low-income and disadvantaged residents. The agency has launched a Community Needs Survey , which will remain open through the summer. NECAC officials say the survey is designed to gather information about gaps in services, barriers people face, and potential new programs

QUINCY —  Adams County officials are discussing whether to place a non-binding referendum on the ballot asking voters about separating parts of Illinois from the Chicago metropolitan area as part of an ongoing regional movement that has drawn both support and criticism. During the 2024 general election, several west-central Illinois counties — including Greene, Jersey, Calhoun, and Madison counties — approved referendum questions related to separating from the Chicago region

WINCHESTER —  The Winchester City Council is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. today at City Hall, where members will discuss a number of city issues ranging from infrastructure projects and utility billing changes to potential ordinances and development items. One agenda item includes a discussion with Greg Hillis of Benton & Associates regarding pending projects in the city. City officials will also hear from Public Works Superintendent John Simmons regarding several operational

PITTSFIELD —  Several county races in Pike County, Illinois will be decided in the Republican primary after no Democratic candidates filed for those offices, with a number of candidates emphasizing financial accountability, transparency, and modernization of county operations. In the race for Pike County Clerk , incumbent Natalie Roseberry  is running unopposed in the Republican primary. Roseberry, who has served as county clerk and recorder since 2018, says her priorities in

ROODHOUSE — Ongoing tension inside Roodhouse City Hall continues to delay the appointment of a replacement alderman, as disagreements between Mayor Jim Riley and members of the city council have twice blocked the mayor’s selections. During a recent council meeting, residents waiting outside a two-hour executive session reported hearing raised voices from behind closed doors. When the council reconvened, debate over the vacant seat quickly resurfaced. Mayor Riley initially app

ROODHOUSE — The Roodhouse Fire Protection District responded to a sharp increase in calls during February, handling 34 incidents compared to just 12 calls in January, according to the department’s monthly report. Of the February calls, 20 were EMS-related, making up the majority of responses. Fire crews also handled two structure fires, one motor vehicle crash, one burn injury or brush fire involving a person, six brush or field fires, one outside or ordinance-related fire, a

MOUNT STERLING — The Brown County Lady Hornets  are headed to the IHSA Class 1A State Finals after a commanding 51-39 victory over West Central in the super-sectionals, marking a historic milestone for the Lady Hornets basketball program. Brown County controlled the tempo throughout much of the contest, using disciplined defense and balanced scoring to keep West Central at bay. The Lady Hornets executed in key moments, forcing turnovers and converting in transition to maintai

PITTSFIELD — A series of rain systems moving through West Central Illinois over the next several days could bring meaningful relief to ongoing dry conditions across Pike County and surrounding areas. Forecasters are calling for multiple rounds of rain and thunderstorms through midweek, with periods of steady rainfall and locally heavier downpours possible. While severe weather potential will continue to be monitored, the bigger story for the region may be the cumulative rainf

PITTSFIELD — The Pike County Sheriff’s Department reported multiple warrant-related arrests and at least one aggravated battery charge among inmates booked into the Pike County Jail between February 23 and March 1. According to the weekly incarceration report, the majority of arrests during the reporting period involved failure to appear warrants issued by Pike County and other jurisdictions. Several individuals were also being held for neighboring counties, including Morgan,

QUINCY — Ethics concerns have resurfaced in the race for the at-large judge seat in the Eighth Judicial Circuit of Illinois as early voting continues ahead of the March 17 election. The issue was raised again following a February 12 debate hosted by the League of Women Voters and a February 26 statement released by the campaign of Assistant Adams County State’s Attorney Tim Bass regarding findings by the Illinois State Board of Elections involving the campaign committee Citiz

WINCHESTER — The Winchester School Board voted Friday afternoon during a special session to move forward with demolishing the Winchester Grade School gymnasium after structural concerns were discovered earlier this year. Superintendent Jeff Abell said the district has hired Graham Hyde Architects to obtain a demolition permit and begin design work on a new multipurpose building. Abell noted that plans for the multipurpose facility were already in development before it was dis

PITTSFIELD — Pikeland CUSD 10 has launched a comprehensive strategic planning process aimed at shaping the future of the district over the next three to five years. The initiative, which began in February 2026, is designed to create a clear roadmap that will guide schools through the 2026–27 school year and beyond. District leaders say the process will include input from students, staff, parents and guardians, and community members to ensure the final plan reflects a shared v

GREENFIELD — Mayor Brock Meyer on Thursday addressed ongoing community concerns about Meehan’s IGA, saying city officials and store ownership are working together on improvements and a potential relaunch of the grocery store. In a public letter, Meyer said he has held multiple phone calls and in-person meetings with Meehan’s IGA ownership and management to bring concerns raised by residents directly to them. He said store leadership has acknowledged several “points of concern

BOWLING GREEN, MISSOURI — Students in the Bowling Green R-I School District will begin classes later and finish about a week later during the 2026-27 school year after the Board of Education approved the new calendar at its February 17 meeting. The first day of school will be August 24, with the last scheduled day set for May 21. The current school year began August 18 and is scheduled to conclude May 15. Superintendent Nick Larson said the later start is required under Misso

SILEX, Mo. — New weight restriction signs have been installed on a bridge along Route H in Lincoln County Missouri, north of Route PP near Silex. The Missouri Department of Transportation has posted a 20-ton limit for single-unit vehicles and a 35-ton limit for combination vehicles, including tractor-trailers, on the bridge over Buck Creek. The updated load posting follows the department’s routine bridge inspection process and reflects revised calculations in accordance with

BOWLING GREEN, Mo. — Area high school students and their families are invited to attend the 2026 Transition Fair on Wednesday, March 19, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Bowling Green High School Auditorium. The event is designed to help students plan for life after graduation by connecting them with local agencies, vocational programs and community resources that support the transition into adulthood. Families, educators and support staff are also encouraged to attend. Or

TROY, Mo. — A semi-truck driver has been charged after traveling the wrong direction for miles on Highway 61 near Troy, Missouri, an incident that drew national attention after video of the dangerous maneuver spread widely online. According to Lincoln County Prosecuting Attorney Mike Wood, Abdiasis Ibrahim Ali of Minnesota has been charged with driving the wrong direction on a divided highway and operating a motor vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner. He was not taken i

PITTSFIELD — Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has appointed Gina Sheurman, Executive Director of the Pike County Illinois Chamber & Economic Development Corporation, to serve as a member of the Western Illinois Economic Development Authority. The appointment is pending confirmation by the Illinois Senate. Sheurman has led the Pike County Illinois Chamber and EDC for several years and has been involved in advancing business and economic initiatives across the region. In her curre