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PITTSFIELD — Visible progress is continuing in downtown Pittsfield as improvements along West Adams Street move forward. Crews have begun installing new sidewalks, marking a key step in the ongoing revitalization effort aimed at enhancing both safety and appearance in the city’s central business district. The project also includes the addition of stamped concrete between the curb and sidewalk, designed to bring a more polished and inviting look to the streetscape. The decorat

LOUISIANA — The Louisiana Police Department is warning residents and local businesses after counterfeit bills were recently discovered circulating in the community. Officials say the fake currency has shown up in multiple instances, prompting a push to educate the public on what to watch for. Police say several of the counterfeit bills include obvious warning signs, such as the word “COPY” printed directly on the bill or markings that do not appear on legitimate U.S. currency

WINCHESTER — A Scott County native is being recognized statewide for a distinguished career in journalism. Retired Chicago Tribune investigative reporter Ray Long has been named the 2026 Illinoisan of the Year by the Illinois News Broadcasters Association. Long, a graduate of Winchester High School, spent 44 years working in print journalism across Illinois, including time with the Peoria Journal Star, the Chicago Tribune, and the Associated Press. Throughout his career, he b

PITTSFIELD - A Wellington, Kansas, man is in custody following an investigation involving alleged online contact with a child in Pike County, Illinois, according to the Pike County Illinois Sheriff’s Department. Authorities say the case began after the parents of a child under the age of 13 discovered their child had been communicating online with an adult male for several months. Investigators later determined the suspect also had multiple open cases in Kansas involving the

GRIGGSVILLE — Pike County residents will have an opportunity to safely dispose of hazardous household materials during an upcoming collection event in Griggsville. The event is scheduled for April 11 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Western Illinois Fairgrounds, located at 516 South Oak Street. Organizers say the collection is open to residential households and is designed to safely handle materials that could be harmful if improperly disposed. Accepted items include latex- and o

BOWLING GREEN — The Bowling Green R-1 School District will be searching for new leadership following the resignation of its superintendent. During a special Board of Education meeting, the board approved the resignation of Superintendent Nick Larson, which will take effect June 30, 2026. In a message to district families, Larson said the decision was not easy but was made in the best interest of his family as he prepares to transition out of public education. He also expresse

CARROLLTON — A Greene County man has been sentenced to prison following a conviction for a sexual abuse offense, according to the Greene County State’s Attorney’s Office. Lloyd L. Speaker was sentenced to six years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after being convicted of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, a Class 2 felony. The charge carried a possible sentence ranging from probation up to seven years in prison. Officials say the court considered the nature of the of

ROODHOUSE — A large brush fire covering approximately 100 acres was brought under control Tuesday afternoon following a multi-agency response in the Roodhouse area. Firefighters were dispatched around 1:15 p.m. and quickly called in additional support as crews worked to contain the rapidly spreading fire. Tankers and brush units from multiple departments responded, along with assistance from local farmers who used equipment to help control the flames. Responding agencies incl

QUINCY — A Quincy man has been sentenced to more than five decades in prison following convictions on multiple child pornography-related charges. Christopher R. Romo, 33, was sentenced to a total of 55 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, with 38 of those years ordered to be served consecutively. According to court records, the sentence includes 12 years each for two counts of child pornography, 8½ years each for two additional counts, and 14 years for child photo

BOWLING GREEN — The Bowling Green Police Department has announced the addition of a new full-time officer and the promotion of a current officer to a leadership role. Officer Danielle Pliler was officially sworn in and joins the department with seven years of law enforcement experience. Officials say her background includes service as a jailer, assistant jail administrator, patrol deputy, and school resource officer, most recently with the Pike County Sheriff’s Office. At the

LOUISIANA — The Louisiana City Council approved a series of measures during its March 23 meeting, including utility rate increases, equipment purchases, and updates to city operations. Among the most notable actions, the council passed a water rate increase that will take effect June 1. The new base rate will rise from $21.55 to $21.90, along with a usage rate of $0.0618412 per cubic foot. A separate wastewater rate increase was also approved, raising the base rate from $37.1

LOUISIANA — Tensions appear to be rising in the Louisiana mayoral race ahead of the April 7 election, as a candidate reports a misleading campaign postcard was distributed across the community. Mark Haddock says he became aware of the situation after a friend showed him a postcard that had arrived in the mail. Haddock says the piece was not created or authorized by his campaign and does not reflect his views or positions. “I’m not sure how many were actually sent out,” Haddoc

PITTSFIELD — Multiple burn bans have now been enacted across the WBBA listening area as dry conditions and strong winds continue to increase the risk of fast-moving fires. Fire officials across the region say a combination of low humidity, dry vegetation, and gusty winds has created dangerous conditions where even small outdoor fires can quickly spread out of control. In Adams County, the Camp Point and Payson Fall Creek Fire Protection Districts have issued burn bans, while

PITTSFIELD — A popular Pittsfield Easter tradition is returning with a new route and added excitement, as the Pittsfield Golf Cart Club prepares for its annual Easter Parade and Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt. The parade is set for Saturday, March 28 at 11:00 a.m., with a rain date scheduled for Sunday, March 29 at 1:00 p.m. Organizers say anyone with a golf cart, ATV, side-by-side, or Jeep is welcome to participate, including local businesses and community groups. Participants ar

WHITE HALL — Multiple lives were saved thanks to the quick actions of local residents, police officers, and firefighters during an apartment fire in White Hall last fall, and those involved were formally recognized for their bravery during a meeting held this evening. The fire broke out around 8 a.m. on October 6, 2025, at a four-unit apartment complex, sending heavy smoke from one of the units. Robert and Tonya Moffitt, who were arriving for work at the property, immediately

PITTSFIELD — A new scholarship opportunity is now available for students across Pike County Illinois, as the Pike County Community Arts Center has announced the creation of an annual arts scholarship established in honor of Synthia “Miss Syndy” Miller’s late parents. The scholarship will be awarded to a Pike County Illinois high school senior who plans to continue their education in the arts. Organizers say the program is designed to support a wide range of creative paths, in

MURRAYVILLE — Construction on the new Murrayville-Woodson Grade School is experiencing minor delays due to recent cold and wet weather, but district officials say the project remains on track overall. Assistant Superintendent Matthew Moore told the school board this week that weather conditions over the past couple of weeks have slowed progress slightly at the construction site located at Watertower Road and the Woodson Winchester Blacktop. However, Moore emphasized the delay

PITTSFIELD — Two challengers will join the Pike County, Illinois Board following the primary election, as voters selected a mix of new leadership and returning incumbents to fill five open seats. Challengers Chris Lanhum and current Pike County Sheriff David Greenwood secured positions on the board, joining incumbents Mark Mountain, Andy Borrowman, and Board Chair Rita Hoskin, who also retained their seats in the primary. Residents across Pike County, Illinois expressed optim

RUSHVILLE — Federal investigators say impairment from prescription medications and fatigue led to a deadly Schuyler-Industry school bus crash in west-central Illinois that killed five people in March 2024. According to a newly released report from the National Transportation Safety Board, the Schuyler-Industry school bus crossed the centerline on U.S. 24 near Rushville and collided head-on with a truck, triggering an immediate fire that engulfed both vehicles. The crash kille

HANNIBAL — While Illinois voters review the results of the March primary, attention is shifting across the river as Missouri voters prepare to decide a controversial highway proposal in the upcoming April election. A proposed Highway 61 Hannibal bypass project is now in the hands of voters in Marion County, Missouri and Ralls County, Missouri after years of discussion and debate. The proposal includes a half-cent sales tax that would fund construction of an expressway from Ne