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HARDIN, Ill. — A man arrested in Calhoun County, Illinois, following an investigation into the alleged online solicitation of a child has now been indicted on federal charges. Calhoun County Sheriff Zach Hardin announced that Orlin Guevara-Ulloa has been indicted in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois on charges of enticement of a minor and illegal reentry after deportation. Guevara-Ulloa remains in federal custody. The case began March 30,

WHITE HALL, Ill. — A White Hall man has been sentenced to four years in prison on a drug charge in Greene County, Illinois. Sixty-seven-year-old Clarence Smith appeared before Judge Zachary Schmidt and admitted to possession of a controlled substance. Authorities say the case involved a Class 4 felony, and the substance involved contained fentanyl. Smith was arrested in June of last year and has now been sentenced to serve four years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

BOWLING GREEN, Mo. — Demolition has begun at Second Baptist Church in Bowling Green, marking the start of a new chapter for the congregation. The existing church building is being removed to make way for a brand-new church that will be constructed on the same site. The project represents a major step forward for the church while keeping the congregation rooted at its Bowling Green location. Once demolition is complete, the focus will shift toward construction of the new facil

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The Pike County, Illinois Republican Party is looking for a candidate for county clerk after current Pike County Clerk and Recorder Natalie Roseberry announced she will not seek re-election. Pike County, Illinois Republican Chairman Andy Borrowman says the party does not currently have a candidate for the office, but is actively searching for someone willing to run. Borrowman said the difficulty in finding a candidate is not unexpected, adding that filling

WINCHESTER, Ill. — A longtime piece of Winchester school history came down Tuesday as the old Winchester gym was demolished. The gym had stood for generations as part of the local school campus and was remembered by many in the community as the site of school events, practices, games, assemblies, and everyday student life over the years. The demolition marks the end of an era for Winchester schools, while also clearing the way for the district’s next steps in addressing facil

WINCHESTER, Ill. — A Scott County law enforcement call is putting new attention on the danger officers can face when responding to mental health emergencies. In Winchester, a recent call that began as a mental health response turned violent and left Scott County Chief Deputy Bob Smith injured. Winchester Police Officer Amanda Smith and Chief Deputy Smith have since spoken publicly about the situation, saying even calls that sound routine can turn dangerous quickly. The case a

BLUFFS, Ill. — Village leaders in Bluffs are continuing a local effort to strengthen business and entertainment activity in the Scott County community. Officials have been discussing ways to put more attention on local businesses and encourage more community activity, including a monthly business spotlight effort designed to help residents learn more about what is already available in town. The effort asks business owners to share information such as hours, services, years in

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Pike County, Illinois authorities reported several major offenses in the latest sheriff’s department jail report covering June 29 through July 5. James L. Holder, 42, of Nebo, was booked July 5 on a domestic battery charge and a warrant accusing him of assault. Christina Ann Casteel, 48, of Chambersburg, was booked July 2 on charges listed as possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal trespassing, and criminal damage. Leo Ivan

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Bowling Green, Missouri Police Department K-9 team assisted in a drug trafficking investigation that led to a Wentzville man being held in the Marion County Jail on a $50,000 cash-only bond. Hannibal police say officers stopped a vehicle July 3 driven by 52-year-old Jason A. Boyd of Wentzville. Boyd was initially arrested on a Lincoln County warrant and for driving while suspended. Authorities say a later search of the vehicle, assisted by the Bowling Gree

WHITE HALL, Ill. — Boyd Memorial Hospital is continuing plans for a new clinic in White Hall, but the project’s opening is now likely being pushed back. The clinic is planned for Third Avenue and Olive Street in White Hall. Hospital officials say the project was originally expected to open in 2026, but that timeline may now move into 2027 as Boyd works to finalize financing before construction begins. The new White Hall clinic was announced in 2025 as a replacement for Boyd’s

BOWLING GREEN, Mo. — The Pike County Fair in Bowling Green, Missouri is now less than a month away, with fair week scheduled for Tuesday, July 28 through Saturday, August 1 at the Pike County Fairgrounds. Fair organizers say planning continues for the 2026 event, with the daily schedule, music, livestock activities, motorsports, and fair events coming together for the annual summer tradition in Pike County, Missouri. The fair is held at the Pike County Fairgrounds at 15884 Hi

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Several major offenses appear in the latest Pike County Jail report covering arrests from June 22 through June 28. Among the more serious entries, Jessica Brooke Haile, 35, of Jerseyville, was held on a warrant for unlawful delivery of methamphetamine between 15 and 100 grams. Dylan M. Piper, 28, of Liberty, was held on a warrant for aggravated domestic battery, along with a charge of driving on a revoked license. David F. Rhode, 55, of Griggsville, was boo

CARROLLTON, Ill. — A Greene County man has been sentenced to four years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after pleading guilty in multiple methamphetamine cases. Daniel L. Kessinger was sentenced June 29 by Judge Zachary Schmidt. The sentence resolves three separate Greene County criminal cases involving felony methamphetamine possession. The prison terms will run at the same time. Greene County State’s Attorney Craig Grummel said the convictions included possession

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Dangerous heat and humidity are expected to stay locked in across the Twin Pikes through the end of the week, with heat index values climbing into the 100s and only limited relief expected before the Fourth of July weekend. The National Weather Service in St. Louis says heat headlines have been extended through Friday evening, with several days of heat index values above 100 degrees expected across the region. In parts of the greater St. Louis forecast area

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — A Pikeland parent is publicly raising concerns after Pikeland CUSD 10 confirmed that an individual involved in a district personnel matter is no longer employed by the district. In a public statement to the Pikeland community, Superintendent Dr. Russ Tepen said the district is aware of questions related to the status of a personnel matter. Tepen said confidentiality requirements limit what can be publicly shared, but confirmed the individual involved is no

BLUFFS, Ill. — The Scott-Morgan school board met this week in Bluffs with budget, staffing, and district operations on the agenda. The meeting followed a public hearing on the district’s amended budget. Board members were also expected to review a teacher recruitment incentive program, along with options involving the district office location. The teacher recruitment discussion comes as small rural school districts continue working to keep classrooms staffed and compete for q

PIKE COUNTY, Ill. — High water remains a concern in Pike County, Illinois, where river communities and farmland behind the Sny Island levee system continue dealing with the effects of repeated heavy rain. Water has spread into low-lying areas around communities such as Valley City and Florence, while saturated fields and rural roads remain a problem for residents and landowners. The Sny Island Levee Drainage District says pump stations have been working to move interior rainw

BARRY, Ill. — More than 300 Teamsters Local 916 members at Ascend Wellness in Barry went on strike Thursday in a labor dispute at the company’s cannabis growing operation. The Teamsters say workers walked off the job over what the union calls unfair labor practices, including allegations that the company has refused to bargain in good faith. Union officials say workers are seeking a first contract that addresses wage increases, health care benefits, overtime, and workplace pr

LOUISIANA, Mo. — Former Louisiana Police Chief William Jones has been found guilty on several drug-related charges, while a second-degree murder charge tied to an overdose death was struck from the case. Jones had been charged after Gabriel Thone, the brother of Jones’ girlfriend, died of an overdose in Jones’ home. During the second day of trial, testimony from a forensic medical examiner and a toxicologist indicated Thone died from a fentanyl overdose. According to courtroo

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The Pike County Sheriff’s Department has released its weekly arrest report for June 15 through June 21. Among the more serious offenses listed, Shannon M. Kirgan, 43, of Griggsville, was arrested June 19 by Pittsfield Police on charges of possession of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of cannabis by a driver, and resisting a peace officer. Dustin T. Howell, 33, of Roodhouse, was arrested June 20 by the Pike County Sheriff’s Department on charges of driv