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MOUNT STERLING —  A missing Mount Sterling woman has been found dead after her vehicle was discovered submerged in a drainage ditch in Brown County, Illinois. Authorities say 40-year-old Rachael E. Sampson was last seen around 6 p.m. Sunday south of Versailles, Illinois, as she was driving a 2003 Chevrolet Blazer to visit family members. When she failed to return home, the Brown County Sheriff’s Department was notified Tuesday afternoon and began searching while also speaking

PITTSFIELD — A controversial proposal moving through the Illinois legislature could soon limit how communities like Pike County, Illinois handle homelessness—raising concerns about local control, public safety, and the potential for visible encampments in small-town areas. The measure, now advancing in Springfield, would prohibit cities and counties from fining or arresting individuals for so-called “life-sustaining activities” on public property. That includes sleeping, rest

BROWN COUNTY, Ill. — Authorities are actively searching for a woman reported missing on Easter Sunday and believed to be in danger. The Brown County Sheriff’s Office says 40-year-old Rachael E. Sampson was last seen around 6 p.m. on April 5 south of Versailles. Deputies say her disappearance is concerning, and they are urging the public to help locate her as quickly as possible. Sampson is described as 5 feet 2 inches tall, weighing approximately 175 pounds, with brown hair a

LOUISIANA, Mo. — Voters in the Louisiana R-II School District overwhelmingly approved a school bond measure in Tuesday’s municipal election, giving the district the green light to move forward with major facility improvements. The measure passed with nearly 79 percent of the vote in favor, easily clearing the four-sevenths supermajority required for bond issues in Missouri. Just over 21 percent of voters opposed the proposal. With voter approval secured, the district is now a

LOUISIANA — Mark Haddock cruised to a decisive victory in the Louisiana mayoral race Tuesday night, overwhelming his opponents with a dominant share of the vote. Haddock received 606 votes, easily defeating Woodrow Polston, who finished with 62 votes, and David Czerwinski, who received 16. The lopsided result gives Haddock a clear mandate as he takes over leadership of the city. In Ward I, Emily Sitton secured the council seat with 134 votes, defeating Abricion Ivey, who rece

PIKE COUNTY, IL — Several individuals were taken into custody across Pike County over the past week, with domestic-related offenses among the most serious charges reported. According to the Pike County Sheriff’s Department, Justin Lee Thomas Burse, 45, of Pleasant Hill was arrested on a domestic violence charge. In a separate case, Nathanial R. Plue, 23, of Griggsville was taken into custody for domestic battery. Authorities also report that Ronald N. Smith, 68, of Hardin was

CALHOUN COUNTY — A man arrested in Calhoun County on child sex crime allegations is now in federal custody and could face deportation. Authorities have identified the defendant as Orlin Guevara-Ulloa, who was taken into custody last week on charges including indecent solicitation of a child, solicitation to meet a child, and grooming. Officials have released limited details about the case, but confirmed that the Calhoun County State’s Attorney’s Office is working alongside fe

WINCHESTER — What started as a heartfelt effort to help a friend battling cancer is now growing into something much bigger for families across the region. The Orange Ribbon Livestock Classic is set for May 30 and 31 at the Scott County Fairgrounds, bringing together exhibitors from across Illinois and beyond for a weekend that blends competition with compassion. The jackpot-style show will feature cattle, sheep, pigs, and goats, with part of the proceeds going toward supporti

ILLINOIS — A new Illinois law set to take effect June 1 is drawing strong reactions across the state, with growing debate over how future wind and solar projects will be approved. The law, known as the Wind and Solar Facility Law, establishes statewide standards for large-scale renewable energy projects, including commercial solar farms and wind facilities. Supporters say the goal is to create consistency across Illinois and make it easier to expand renewable energy productio

PIKE, SCOTT & CALHOUN COUNTIES — Rising water levels along the Illinois River are creating growing concerns this week across West Central Illinois, with multiple locations approaching or expected to reach flood stage following recent rainfall. ' According to river gauge data, the Illinois River at Valley City—impacting Pike County—has a designated flood stage of 14 feet , while the river at Hardin in Calhoun County reaches flood stage at 25 feet . As of early this week, water

PIKE COUNTY, MO — Voters across Pike County will head to the polls Tuesday for the April General Municipal Election, with a wide range of local offices and ballot issues to decide alongside the countywide use tax proposal. The election, scheduled for April 7, is part of Missouri’s annual municipal election cycle, which focuses primarily on local government positions and community-level issues rather than state or federal races. In addition to Proposition L, voters will be sel

PIKE COUNTY, MO — Voters in Pike County, Missouri will decide this April whether to implement a proposed use tax aimed at capturing revenue from out-of-state and online purchases. The measure, listed as Proposition L, would apply a tax at the same rate as the county’s current sales tax—3.0625 percent—to qualifying purchases made outside Missouri but used within the county. A use tax is designed to offset lost local revenue when goods such as vehicles, construction materials,

LOUISIANA, MO — A major milestone in local Scouting history is being celebrated as Julian Taylor Ham earns the rank of Eagle Scout, becoming the first female in the area to achieve Scouting’s highest honor. Only about 6 to 7 percent of Scouts ever reach the Eagle Scout rank, making the accomplishment especially significant. Julian completed the journey in just three years, showing exceptional dedication, leadership, and commitment to the values of Scouting. Because Louisiana

LOUISIANA, MO —  Concerns about drinking water quality in Louisiana, Missouri are drawing attention from residents — with some saying they won’t even let their pets drink from the tap — and new data suggests the issue may be more complex than many realize. According to the Environmental Working Group’s Tap Water Database, Louisiana’s public water system shows multiple contaminants measured far above modern health-based guidelines, even while remaining within federal legal lim

BARRY —  Western High School is preparing to launch a new program aimed at helping students build successful futures without the burden of debt, with a community event scheduled for next week. he Western CUSD 12 School District will officially unveil its Wildcats Pathway to Prosperity, or WP2P, program during a press conference set for April 8th at 10 a.m. at the Western High School Agriculture Building. School leaders say the program is designed to remove financial barriers

PITTSFIELD —  High school students interested in a future in healthcare have a new opportunity to gain hands-on experience through a local program being promoted by Illini Community Hospital and Blessing Health System. The Youth Corps program is open to students ages 14 and older and offers an 11-week experience designed to introduce participants to real-world healthcare environments while giving back to their community. Students will work one shift per week during the progra

LOUISIANA —  Vendors preparing for the upcoming Farmers Market season in Pike County, Missouri are invited to attend an informational meeting next week as the Louisiana Community Betterment Association gets ready to kick off its annual market. The LCBA Farmers Market vendor meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 8th at 5:30 p.m. and will be held at “It’s So Good” restaurant located at 123 South 3rd Street in Louisiana. Organizers say the meeting is open to all current and

MEREDOSIA —  The Meredosia-Chambersburg School District has seen its credit rating lowered, raising concerns about the district’s financial outlook as it prepares for upcoming facility improvements. S&P Global Ratings announced Monday it has downgraded the district’s rating from an “A” to an “A-,” applying the new rating to an anticipated $3.3 million general obligation bond issuance planned for 2026. In addition to the downgrade, S&P assigned a negative outlook to the distri