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CARDINALS EXTEND OLIVER MARMOL THROUGH 2028 AFTER MIXED FOUR-YEAR RUN
JUPITER, FL — The St. Louis Cardinals have signed manager Oliver Marmol to a two-year contract extension that will keep him under contract through at least the 2028 season, with a club option for 2029. Marmol, 39, has led the St. Louis Cardinals for four seasons and holds a 324–323 record during that span — a mark just one game over .500. The Cardinals reached the National League Wild Card round in his first season in 2022 but have not returned to the postseason in the three
Mike Batchelor
3 days ago2 min read


WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY ISSUED FOR PARTS OF WEST CENTRAL ILLINOIS AND NORTHEAST MISSOURI
PITTSFIELD — A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for portions of southwest and west central Illinois along with central, east central and northeast Missouri as wet snow is expected to move into the region this evening. The advisory is in effect from 6 p.m. this evening through 6 a.m. Monday. Forecasters say total snow accumulations up to one inch are expected across much of the area, with a localized band of 2 to 4 inches possible in some locations. Road conditions coul
Mike Batchelor
3 days ago1 min read


COUNTY BOARD APPROVES STRICT KRATOM BAN IMPACTING LOCAL BUSINESSES
PITTSFIELD — The Pike County Illinois Board has approved a sweeping ordinance banning the sale, possession and use of kratom, phenibut and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) products throughout Pike County Illinois. Ordinance 2026-01 was passed Monday, February 23. The measure declares the substances a significant health and safety issue, stating they are known to cause serious health problems and, in some cases, death. While the products remain legal and largely unregulated at the
Mike Batchelor
6 days ago3 min read


SNOW, MIX AND SHOWERS IN THE FORECAST FOR TWIN PIKES REGION
PITTSFIELD — A wide range of weather conditions are expected across the Twin Pikes region as a system moves through the Midwest, bringing the potential for snow, a wintry mix and rain showers across the WBBA listening area. Forecasters indicate the best chances for accumulating snow will remain north of the immediate Twin Pikes area, while portions of Pike County Illinois, Pike County Missouri and surrounding communities could see a mix of precipitation before changing over t
Mike Batchelor
6 days ago1 min read


BOWLING GREEN HIGH SCHOOL CELEBRATES CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION MONTH
BOWLING GREEN — Bowling Green High School is recognizing Career and Technical Education Month by highlighting the wide range of opportunities available to students through its CTE programs. School officials say Career and Technical Education provides hands-on learning experiences that prepare students for both college and the workforce. Programs at BGHS focus on developing practical skills while also strengthening communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities that ar
Mike Batchelor
6 days ago1 min read


CITY OF PITTSFIELD ANNOUNCES CITY WIDE CLEAN UP WEEK
PITTSFIELD — The City of Pittsfield is inviting residents to take part in its upcoming City Wide Clean Up event scheduled for April 25 through May 2. Items may be dropped off Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the City of Pittsfield Public Works building located at 735 North Monroe Street. City officials say the clean up is open to City of Pittsfield residents only, and proof of residency will be required at drop-off. Certain it
Mike Batchelor
6 days ago1 min read


PIKE COUNTY ILLINOIS UNDER COUNTY-WIDE BURN BAN AMID DRY CONDITIONS
Pike County, Illinois — Dry conditions across the region have prompted officials to place all of Pike County, Illinois under a county-wide burn ban as fire danger increases. County authorities confirm the burn ban is in effect through March 31 due to a combination of low humidity, dry vegetation and periodic winds that significantly increase the risk of grass and brush fires. The order prohibits open burning throughout Pike County, Illinois, including brush piles, leaves and
Mike Batchelor
6 days ago1 min read


21-Year-Old Billy Springman Brings Darren Bailey Campaign Tour to Carrollton
CARROLLTON, IL — Local campaign coordinator Billy Springman, 21, announced that Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey will make a stop in Carrollton next month as part of his statewide tour. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, March 10, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Walnut Hall Estates and is open to the public. Organizers say it will give residents an opportunity to meet Bailey and hear about his priorities for Illinois. Bailey, a former state senator and small bus
Mike Batchelor
7 days ago1 min read


CHAPEL REPORT OBITUARIES 2/26/26
Earl Hayden , 97, of Pittsfield passed away Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at Liberty Village in Pittsfield. He was born October 8, 1928, in Pittsfield to Lloyd Allen and Vera Fawn Landess Hayden. He married Helen Josephine Barton on August 31, 1957, and she preceded him in death in 2001. Earl was a United States Air Force veteran, serving from 1950 to 1954 alongside his twin brother, Gerald. He later worked as a letter carrier with the Pittsfield Post Office for 31 years before
Mike Batchelor
7 days ago1 min read


SCOTT COUNTY COURT FINDS NAPLES MAN UNFIT FOR TRIAL IN GROOMING CASE
SCOTT COUNTY — A 25-year-old Naples man charged with grooming young children online and failing to register as a sex offender has been found unfit for trial in Scott County. Brandon Everhart was previously charged by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office with two counts of grooming, both Class 4 felonies, and one count of failure to register as a sex offender, a Class 3 felony. According to court records, a Finding of Unfitness and Order for Treatment was officially filed Mo
Mike Batchelor
7 days ago1 min read


ROODHOUSE WOMAN SENTENCED TO PROBATION IN PUPPY DEATH CASE
ROODHOUSE — A 40-year-old Roodhouse woman will serve probation after pleading guilty in an animal cruelty case stemming from the death of a puppy last fall. Rebecca Newingham was originally charged November 6 with one count of felony aggravated cruelty to animals and one count of misdemeanor cruelty to animals. The felony charge carried a potential sentence of one to three years in prison and fines up to $25,000, while the misdemeanor charge was punishable by up to one year i
Mike Batchelor
7 days ago1 min read


LOUISIANA R-II RESPONDS TO STUDENT MEDICAL INCIDENT ON CAMPUS
LOUISIANA — The Louisiana R-II School District responded Tuesday morning to a medical situation involving a student on campus. According to a statement released by the district, school administration contacted emergency services out of an abundance of caution to ensure the student received prompt evaluation and care. After assessment by medical professionals, officials confirmed the situation did not involve an overdose. District leaders said the student’s safety and well-bei
Mike Batchelor
7 days ago1 min read


WARM WEEK AHEAD RAIN RETURNS WINTER WEATHER POSSIBLE
PITTSFIELD — After a stretch of winter chill, the Twin Pikes region is getting a taste of early spring as warmer temperatures settle in through the end of the week. Afternoon highs are expected to climb well above seasonal averages, with sunshine and mild conditions dominating through Friday and into the weekend. Many communities across Pike County Illinois and Pike County Missouri could see temperatures pushing into the upper 50s and even 60s, offering a welcome break from r
Mike Batchelor
7 days ago1 min read


Steel Magnolias Coming to Clarksville; Raintree Arts Council Hosts Cultural Events
CLARKSVILLE — The Raintree Arts Council and The Changelings Theatre are bringing the beloved stage production Steel Magnolias to The Apple Shed in Clarksville later this month. Performances are scheduled for March 21 and 28 at 7 p.m., and March 22 and 29 at 2 p.m., with tickets available at the door for $15 for adults and $13 for children and seniors. Written by Robert Harling, Steel Magnolias is a heartwarming and humorous Southern classic set in a small-town Louisiana bea
Mike Batchelor
Feb 251 min read


Brush Fire Reaches Historic Hebron Cemetery
ADAMS COUNTY — Firefighters from Camp Point and Golden responded Tuesday afternoon to a brush fire that spread into Hebron Cemetery, a nearly 200-year-old burial ground established in 1834. Fire officials say the blaze reignited from embers left behind after a controlled burn conducted Monday on neighboring farmland. With dry conditions and gusty winds, those embers flared back up, igniting surrounding grass and eventually reaching the east side of the cemetery. Golden Fire P
Mike Batchelor
Feb 251 min read


LOUISIANA MAYORAL CANDIDATES HIGHLIGHT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, FUTURE GROWTH
LOUISIANA — Activity in the Louisiana mayoral race continues as candidates outline priorities focused on economic development, civic engagement and the city’s role in broader Pike County Missouri decisions. Mayoral candidate Mark Haddock said he has been making visits throughout the community, including attending a recent Pike County Missouri Commission meeting where grant opportunities and future Highway 54 improvements were discussed. Haddock described the current period as
Mike Batchelor
Feb 252 min read


SCOTT COUNTY SHERIFF, TREASURER RACES SET FOR GOP PRIMARY
WINCHESTER — Voters in Scott County will see contested Republican primaries this year in the races for sheriff and county treasurer, while the county clerk and commissioner positions remain uncontested. Three Republicans are seeking to replace retiring Sheriff Tom Eddinger. The field includes Winchester Police Chief Steve Doolin, Illinois Department of Corrections Sgt. Caleb Handy, and longtime Scott County Chief Deputy Robert “Bob” Smith. Each candidate highlighted law enfor
Mike Batchelor
Feb 251 min read


RISING GAS PRICES STRAIN DRIVERS IN PIKE COUNTY, MO & IL
TWIN PIKES — Local motorists in both Pike County, Missouri, and Pike County, Illinois are feeling the pinch at the pump as gas prices rise from recent seasonal lows, according to data from GasBuddy , the crowd-sourced platform that tracks fuel costs nationwide. GasBuddy’s live price listings show fluctuation around the region, with several stations in Missouri and Illinois reporting higher per-gallon rates than in previous weeks. Local averages have climbed from early winter
Mike Batchelor
Feb 251 min read


HOME FOR GOOD LEGISLATION PROPOSED TO REDUCE HOMELESSNESS, RECIDIVISM IN ILLINOIS
SPRINGFIELD — A coalition of more than 60 organizations across Illinois has unveiled new legislation aimed at reducing homelessness among people returning from prison, improving public safety and saving taxpayer dollars. The proposed “Home for Good” legislation would create a statewide strategy to improve housing access and support services for individuals reentering society after incarceration. Supporters say the plan is designed to address housing instability, which they ar
Mike Batchelor
Feb 252 min read


Chapel Report Obituaries 2/25/26
Samuel B. Sherlock Jr., 84, of Eolia, Missouri, passed away February 21, 2026. A private graveside service will be held at Fairview Cemetery near Louisiana, Missouri, with Rev. Jeffrey Dock officiating. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Sherlock; children Jill Watson and husband Rick, Samuel B. Sherlock III, and Steven B. Sherlock; grandchildren Ellyanna and Amya; and other family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel B. Sherlock and Ruth Snead Sherlock, an
Mike Batchelor
Feb 252 min read
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