top of page
All Posts


Mike Batchelor
Feb 240 min read


Chapel Report Obituaries 2/24/26
Goldie Joan Heavner , infant daughter of Jacob and Claire Heavner of Pittsfield, entered her heavenly home February 15. She is survived by her parents and sisters Mae Noelle Heavner and Sunny Ross Heavner. Private services will be held. Memorials are suggested to the Mae and Sunny Heavner Educational Fund. Linda Ruth Logan , 80, of Eolia, Missouri, passed away February 23 at her home with family by her side. Visitation will be held February 26 from 1:00 p.m. until time of ser
Mike Batchelor
Feb 242 min read


Miles of Smiles Dental Program Offered to Pikeland Students
PITTSFIELD — Pikeland CUSD #10 is informing parents that Miles of Smiles, Ltd. will be providing preventive dental services at school for eligible students in all grades. According to information shared by the district, services may include a dental exam or screening by a licensed dentist or certified public health dental hygienist, cleaning, fluoride varnish application, and sealant placement if needed. The program supports school sealant initiatives designed to reduce oral
Mike Batchelor
Feb 241 min read


Provider Palooza Seeks Community Partners in Pike County Illinois
PITTSFIELD — The Pike County Child Care Task Force is inviting additional community partners to participate in its upcoming Provider Palooza event scheduled for March 10, as organizers work to strengthen support systems for local child care providers. Organizers say about 10 organizations have already committed to hosting resource tables, and they are hoping to add one or two more partners whose work supports young children, families, and the early childhood workforce in Pike
Mike Batchelor
Feb 241 min read


Six-Planet Parade to Light Up Evening Sky February 28
PIKE COUNTY ILLINOIS — Skywatchers across the region will have a rare opportunity to see six planets aligned in the evening sky on February 28, creating what astronomers call a “planetary parade.” The best viewing window begins about 30 minutes after sunset, around 6 to 6:30 p.m., when the sky darkens but before the planets drop below the horizon. Mercury, Venus, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus, and Jupiter will all appear in the western sky shortly after sunset. Four of the six plan
Mike Batchelor
Feb 241 min read


LOUISIANA COUNCIL APPROVES PAY RAISES, RECOGNIZES FIRST RESPONDERS
LOUISIANA — The Louisiana City Council approved a resolution raising pay rates for the city’s Streets and Grounds Department during its latest meeting, while also recognizing firefighters, emergency personnel, and various department employees for their continued service to the community. Mayor and council members formally thanked first responders for their dedication and efforts on behalf of Louisiana residents. Council members also passed Bill No. 7249, amending Section 235.
Mike Batchelor
Feb 241 min read


Pike County Board Approves Kratom Ban, Accepts 2022 Audit at Lengthy Meeting
PITTSFIELD — The Pike County Board approved an ordinance Monday night banning the sale and possession of kratom and related synthetic opioid products, accepted the county’s 2022 financial audit, and engaged in extended discussion over payroll accounting and past budget issues during a nearly two-and-a-half-hour meeting. The meeting opened with an invocation by Reverend Bobby Johnston, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. One of the first major actions of the evening was appr
Mike Batchelor
Feb 232 min read


TWIN RIVERS AUCTION COMPANY HOSTS MARCH FIREARM AUCTION
ROCKPORT — Twin Rivers Auction Company in Rockport is preparing for its upcoming Firearm, Ammo and Outdoor Gear Auction running March 1 through March 15 on HiBid.com , giving bidders the opportunity to participate online from anywhere with local pickup available. The auction will feature a wide selection of firearms, ammunition and outdoor gear, with organizers encouraging buyers to register early and watch for additional listings as items continue to be added. Twin Rivers Au
Mike Batchelor
Feb 231 min read


MEMORIAL BINGO BENEFITS ANNE’S ANCHOR IN BOWLING GREEN
BOWLING GREEN — The 3rd Jackie Branstetter Memorial Basket Bingo benefiting Anne’s Anchor will be held Saturday, March 14 at the Pike County Fairgrounds in Bowling Green. The event falls on what would have been Jackie Branstetter’s 70th birthday. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. with Bingo beginning at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $25 per person for 10 games. A 50/50 drawing, raffle prizes and concessions will be available, and attendees are encouraged to bring their own daubers. Guests are
Mike Batchelor
Feb 232 min read


Chapel Report Obituaries 2/23/26
Alvin Oren Young Jr. Alvin Oren Young Jr., 82, of Louisiana, passed away February 19 at his home surrounded by family. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, February 25 at First Baptist Church in Louisiana. Visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Tuesday at the church. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery near Louisiana. He is survived by his wife, Linda Bozarth Young; his daughter, Melissa Young Wittman; his son, Randall Young; and other fa
Mike Batchelor
Feb 231 min read


$4.9 Million Secured for Highway 54 Expansion in Pike County Missouri
WASHINGTON — Congressman Sam Graves announced he has secured an additional $4.9 million in federal funding for the Highway 54 Shared 4 Lane Project serving Audrain County and Pike County Missouri. The funding was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026, signed into law February 3, and is intended to help advance long-planned improvements along the busy Highway 54 corridor. According to Graves, the project will add an alternating passing lane between Curryville
Mike Batchelor
Feb 231 min read


Illinois Lawmakers Debate Data Center Regulation Amid Energy Concerns
SPRINGFIELD — Lawmakers in Illinois are intensifying debate over how to regulate the rapid expansion of data centers as concerns grow about rising energy costs, environmental impacts and the state’s economic competitiveness. Data centers, which store and process massive amounts of digital information — including artificial intelligence workloads — require significant electricity to operate. A state report released in December projects potential energy shortfalls beginning in
Mike Batchelor
Feb 232 min read


NATIONAL FFA WEEK CELEBRATED IN WEST CENTRAL ILLINOIS
SPRINGFIELD — Schools across Illinois, including chapters serving Pike County Illinois, Greene County Illinois, Scott County Illinois, Brown County Illinois and Calhoun County Illinois, are recognizing National FFA Week with student-led activities highlighting agriculture and leadership. National FFA Week honors the founding of the organization in 1928 and shines a spotlight on agricultural education programs offered in area high schools. Local chapters traditionally mark the
Mike Batchelor
Feb 231 min read


PIKE COUNTY ILLINOIS BOARD FINANCE ISSUES RESURFACE IN CAMPAIGN
PITTSFIELD — Financial oversight and payroll system challenges in Pike County Illinois are resurfacing in the current County Board election after a public post referenced past implementation problems tied to the PayCom payroll system. Reta Hoskin, a candidate for Pike County Illinois Board, addressed previously shared county bank statements that contained handwritten notes. Hoskin said the notes reflected employee frustration at the time due to inaccurate financial reporting
Mike Batchelor
Feb 231 min read


LOUISIANA COUNCIL PAY RAISE, CODE VOTE MONDAY
LOUISIANA, MISSOURI — The Louisiana City Council will meet Monday, February 23 at 6:00 p.m. inside the second-floor Council Chambers at City Hall, with a full agenda that includes ordinance changes, adoption of a new city code, infrastructure updates, and employee pay increases. According to the posted meeting notice, the meeting was called by Mayor Tim Carter and will include routine items such as roll call, approval of the agenda, approval of minutes from multiple January m
Mike Batchelor
Feb 212 min read


REMAINS IDENTIFIED AS MISSING HANNIBAL MAN WITH LA,MO TIES
HANNIBAL, MISSOURI — Human remains discovered in Hannibal on Feb. 15 have been positively identified as Brian Snyder , a man with ties to Louisiana, Missouri, who had been missing since May 2022, authorities confirmed. Snyder disappeared from a job site near Mark Twain Cave nearly four years ago, and his disappearance sparked searches and community concern across northeast Missouri. According to the Hannibal Police Department, an autopsy and forensic examination confirmed Sny
Mike Batchelor
Feb 211 min read


TWO GREENE COUNTY MEN SENTENCED IN SEPARATE FELONY CASES
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
Mike Batchelor
Feb 212 min read


LOCAL FATHER-SON TEAM OPENS MI MARGARITA ON BOWLING GREEN SQUARE
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
Mike Batchelor
Feb 202 min read


SPRING BESTIE MARKET BRINGS SHOPPING, FOOD AND FAMILY FUN TO BOWLING GREEN, MO
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
Mike Batchelor
Feb 201 min read


Today's Chapel Report Obituaries 2/20/26
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.
Mike Batchelor
Feb 201 min read
bottom of page
