All Posts

CARROLLTON — Two Greene County men were sentenced Friday to prison terms in separate felony cases, according to the Greene County State’s Attorney’s Office. Nicholas A. Williams, 33, was sentenced to a total of 14 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to three counts of child pornography, all Class 2 felonies. Court records show Williams received consecutive sentences of five years on two counts and four years on a third count, for a combined

BOWLING GREEN, MISSOURI — A long-vacant building on the Bowling Green Square is coming back to life this week as local owners Juan Leon and his father, Guillermo Leon, officially open Mi Margarita . The restaurant occupies a space that has sat empty for more than 30 years, formerly home to the Ben Franklin variety store — once a familiar fixture in downtown Bowling Green. Juan Leon, a Bowling Green native and graduate of Bowling Green High School, says opening a restaurant i

BOWLING GREEN, MO — The Spring Bestie Market Vendor Fair is set to bring a full day of shopping, food, and family fun to the Pike County MO Fairgrounds in Bowling Green on Saturday, March 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will feature a wide variety of vendors offering permanent jewelry, boutiques, clothing, crafts, metal work, handmade and crafted items, sweet treats, and unique one-of-a-kind finds. Organizers say shoppers can expect a diverse selection of goods, making i

Here are today’s obituaries from RiverNewsLive: Fern Christina Schlieper , 96, of Auburn, formerly of Nebo, passed away February 17. She is survived by her daughters Christina Albers and Carolyn Long, and other family members. A graveside service will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Hillcrest Cemetery in Calhoun County. Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield is handling arrangements. Bobette VanAlstine , 65, of Florence, passed away February 17 at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.

BARRY — Western Elementary School is rolling out two new family engagement initiatives this month designed to strengthen the partnership between parents and the classroom. School leaders say the goal is simple: when families are involved, students succeed. The first initiative, called Family Fridays , will take place on the last Friday of each month and invites parents into the school to participate directly in classroom activities with their children. Principal Ernest Motle

QUINCY — As teacher shortages continue to impact schools across Illinois and the Tri-State region, John Wood Community College is stepping in with new resources aimed at strengthening the future educator pipeline in West Central Illinois. The U.S. Department of Education has identified widespread teacher shortages in multiple subject areas, prompting efforts at both the state and local levels to recruit and support new educators. John Wood Community College recently received

PITTSFIELD — The City of Pittsfield is notifying residents that the dog park at King Park will temporarily close this week for maintenance. City officials say the fenced dog park area will close at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, February 20 , and will remain closed through the weekend while fertilizer is applied. The park is scheduled to reopen on Monday, February 23 . Officials are asking residents not to enter the fenced area during the closure period to ensure safety for both visit

PITTSFIELD — After two decades of organizing one of Pike County’s most recognizable summer traditions, the Pittsfield Lions Club has announced it will no longer host Pig Days. Club members say the decision comes after 20 years of leading the large-scale community festival. While they describe the run as rewarding and successful, declining membership and a shortage of volunteers have made the multi-day event too large for the club to continue managing. Pig Days began as a one

PITTSFIELD — Pittsfield High School is searching for a new head coach for its girls basketball program following the resignation of head coach Noah Mendenhall , who stepped down after two seasons leading the Lady Saukees. Mendenhall said his decision came after a meeting with high school administrators earlier this week, during which he was informed there had been complaints from parents and players regarding conditioning, preparation, and coaching. According to Mendenhall,

BOWLING GREEN — The Bowling Green Board of Aldermen has named a new chief of police, signaling the latest leadership change in local law enforcement following recent departures at the top of area departments. At its latest meeting, the board appointed Corporal Chris Beard as the new chief of police for the city’s police department. Beard said he is honored by the appointment and looks forward to serving the Bowling Green community in his new role. “I’m grateful for the conf

JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI — Missouri’s legal marijuana program generated more than $255 million in tax revenue last year , but a new state audit has found serious flaws in the licensing process that led to costly legal challenges and raised public safety concerns. State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick released the audit findings Wednesday, showing regulators may have cut corners while awarding marijuana business licenses after legalization. Those problems triggered widespread appe

GRIGGSVILLE — Agriculture students at Griggsville-Perry High School are getting their first full semester of hands-on experience inside a new, modern agriculture facility that replaces a decades-old building and significantly expands learning opportunities for students. The new ag building, which is now attached directly to the high school, was unveiled near the end of last semester after crews completed construction and demolished the former standalone structure that had be

SPRINGFIELD — Gov. JB Pritzker is preparing to push a sweeping statewide zoning proposal that critics say would significantly strip cities, villages, and counties of their long-held authority to decide what kind of housing can be built in their own communities, replacing local decision-making with one-size-fits-all mandates from Springfield. Under the proposal, the state would override local zoning rules to allow multi-unit housing on many residential lots and legalize access

PITTSFIELD — Illinois high school football programs, including those in Pike County, could soon see significant changes after the Illinois High School Association approved an expansion of the state football playoffs. Under the new format, nearly 130 additional schools statewide will qualify for postseason play, giving more teams an opportunity to compete beyond the regular season. Supporters of the move say the change levels the playing field for smaller, rural schools that

WINCHESTER — The Winchester School Board has not yet made a final decision on the future of the Winchester Grade School gym as district leaders continue gathering information and weighing costs tied to potential replacement or demolition. Superintendent Jeff Abell says the district has received a second evaluation report from the Illinois State Board of Education, which led the regional superintendent’s office to recommend condemnation of the gym. However, Abell emphasized t

PITTSFIELD — Residents across the Twin Pikes region are being urged to use caution Wednesday as elevated fire danger conditions are expected, especially north of Interstate 70, including parts of Pike County, Illinois and Pike County, Missouri. According to the National Weather Service, the combination of gusty southwest winds and low relative humidity could create conditions favorable for rapid fire spread between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday . Dry grasses, agricultural

PITTSFIELD — Christians across the Twin Pikes region and around the world are marking Ash Wednesday , a solemn day that begins the season of Lent , a 40-day period of reflection, repentance, and spiritual preparation leading up to Easter. On Ash Wednesday, worshippers attend special church services where ashes are placed on the forehead, often in the shape of a cross. The ashes serve as a reminder of human mortality and the call to turn away from sin and focus on spiritual g

TWIN PIKES — Residents across the Twin Pikes region should stay weather-aware heading into Thursday , as conditions may become favorable for strong to severe thunderstorms later in the day. Forecast guidance from the National Weather Service shows a cold front moving into the region Thursday afternoon and evening , bringing increasing chances for showers and thunderstorms across Pike County, Illinois and Pike County, Missouri , along with surrounding areas. As warmer, more

Roberta Lynn Ballinger , 75, of New Salem, passed away Sunday, February 15, 2026. She was born July 5, 1950, and was raised in New Salem. Roberta graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1968 and later married David Ballinger on September 2, 1977. Together, they raised five children. Roberta spent much of her working life serving the community, managing P. N. Hirsch and Dollar General before working for 25 years preparing taxes at H&R Block. Many of her clients became longtim

PITTSFIELD — The Pike County Historical Society is highlighting a point of pride for Pike County, Illinois : its documented connections to multiple U.S. presidents spanning more than a century of American history. According to the society, at least five sitting or future presidents had direct ties to Pike County, Illinois, through visits, travel, or military movements. Those connections include Abraham Lincoln , Barack Obama , Ulysses S. Grant , Benjamin Harrison , and Frank