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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

JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI —  A wide-ranging property tax overhaul bill advancing in the Missouri House could unintentionally eliminate April municipal elections by shifting many local elections to August and November, according to election officials who say the bill’s language is broader than its sponsor intended. The proposal would require taxing districts to set separate property tax rates by property type and would move property tax elections to August or November ballots.

LOUISIANA, MISSOURI —  The Buffalo Township United Fund is inviting the community to a night of comedy and fundraising later this month with “Louisiana Laughs,”  a special comedy night set for Friday, February 28, 2026 , in Louisiana, Missouri. The event will feature veteran stand-up comedian Willie Farrell , a Midwest-based performer with more than three decades of experience  entertaining audiences across the country. Farrell is known for his fast-paced delivery, strong cro

PITTSFIELD, ILLINOIS —  The Pike County Sheriff’s Department reports a major drug-related arrest  during the week of February 9 through February 15 involving a Perry, Illinois man. Authorities say Ricky L. Allen, 51, of Perry, Illinois , was taken into custody on February 13  on multiple charges, including possession of methamphetamine  and possession of drug paraphernalia . Jail records indicate Allen was arrested by the Pike County Sheriff’s Department and later released th

PIKE COUNTY, ILLINOIS —  Illinois State Police have identified the man found deceased Monday afternoon near the Champ Clark Memorial Bridge as John A. Sobie, 55, of Rockport, Illinois . Sobie’s body was discovered near the bridge around 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16, after Illinois State Police troopers responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle parked near the bridge along U.S. Highway 54, according to the Pike County, Illinois Sheriff’s Office. Troopers located Sobie on the emb