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CALHOUN COUNTY — Chris Barnes Appointed Chief Deputy
CALHOUN COUNTY — The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office has announced the appointment of Chris Barnes as its new Chief Deputy, bringing to the role a longtime public servant with decades of experience in law enforcement, fire service, and leadership. Barnes has worked in public safety since the late 1990s, serving in both law enforcement and fire protection roles across Southern Illinois. Over the course of his career, he spent 20 years in the fire service, including 15 years
Mike Batchelor
Feb 81 min read


Pritzker Announces Illinois Rejoins Global Health Network as COVID Levels Decline
SPRINGFIELD — Cases of acute respiratory illnesses, including flu and COVID-19, have declined across Illinois according to state health data released in January, offering signs of improvement after one of the state’s toughest flu seasons in recent years. Illinois had been experiencing unusually high levels of influenza activity earlier this winter, with flu severity reaching the highest category, described as “very high,” in early January. More recent data now places flu act
Mike Batchelor
Feb 82 min read


PCADD Developmental Support Center Funded
BOWLING GREEN, MO — A major investment in services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities is moving forward in Pike County, Missouri , after the Pike County Agency for Developmental Disabilities project was officially funded. The funding will allow PCADD, in partnership with the City of Bowling Green , to construct a new Developmental Support Center and renovate the agency’s existing facility. Local leaders say the project will significantly expand
Mike Batchelor
Feb 82 min read


Restaurant Owner Runs for BG Mayor
BOWLING GREEN — Tom Thompson has officially filed to run for mayor of Bowling Green in the upcoming April municipal election and, as of the close of filing, is the only candidate seeking the office. Thompson, a longtime local business owner and part owner of A Taste of Philly, said his decision to enter the race is rooted in a deep commitment to the city and a desire to help guide its future growth. He has identified the Bowling Green Municipal Airport as a key economic asse
Mike Batchelor
Feb 72 min read


Calhoun County to Host Sextortion Seminar
HARDIN — The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office is inviting the public to attend an informational seminar addressing the dangerous and growing trend of sextortion. Pike County Chief Deputy Zack Orr, who also serves as a part-time deputy with the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, will lead the presentation. The seminar will be held at Calhoun High School on February 17, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. The session is designed to educate attendees about how sextortion schemes work, warning sig
Mike Batchelor
Feb 71 min read


Quincy Airport Eyes New Routes
QUINCY — Travelers heading into the Twin Pikes and West Central Illinois region could soon have another air travel option beyond Chicago, as officials at Quincy Regional Airport weigh whether adding service to Nashville might better serve visitors and residents alike. Currently, Contour Airlines operates 12 weekly flights between Quincy Regional Airport and Chicago O’Hare, making Chicago the region’s sole commercial air link. That could change under a proposal now under revi
Mike Batchelor
Feb 72 min read


LA, MO to Appoint New Councilperson
LOUISIANA — The Louisiana City Council will hold a special council meeting Monday, February 9, at 6:00 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Council Chambers at City Hall, with a Ward 1 councilmember appointment listed as the central item of business, according to the official meeting notice released by the city. The special meeting, called by Mayor Tim Carter , was posted Friday afternoon and includes only a brief agenda, signaling a focused session. After roll call and establishment of
Mike Batchelor
Feb 62 min read


MO PROBES ILLEGAL GAS STATION SLOTS
JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway says her office is working alongside federal agencies in a broad investigation into slot machine-like gambling devices operating in convenience stores, bars, and other retail locations across the state, focusing on how what she described as “billions of dollars” flow from Missourians to the companies that own the machines. Speaking Thursday before the Missouri House Budget Committee, Hanaway said the state joined t
Mike Batchelor
Feb 63 min read


Hunnewell, MO Man Sentenced After Mt. Sterling Arrest
MT. STERLING — A Hunnewell, Missouri man has been sentenced in Brown County, Illinois, following his arrest in Mt. Sterling after a violent confrontation with law enforcement during the summer of 2024. According to Brown County Circuit Court records, Ryan M. Edlin, 42 , appeared in court Thursday and entered a guilty plea to Class A misdemeanor resisting a peace officer . As part of an open plea agreement, several more serious charges were dismissed, including Class 2 felony
Mike Batchelor
Feb 52 min read


Pike County Tourism Grant Applications Open
PITTSFIELD — Pike County is now accepting applications for tourism project funding made available through accommodations tax revenues, offering financial support for projects that promote tourism and enhance the quality of life across the county. The program is open to individuals, businesses, agencies, and non-profit organizations that have a physical presence in Pike County , or projects sponsored by a Pike County organization. Funds must be used for ventures that directly
Mike Batchelor
Feb 52 min read


Pike County 4-H Achievement Day Set for Feb. 22
BOWLING GREEN — Pike County youth will have the opportunity to showcase their talents, interests, and project knowledge later this month during Pike County 4-H Achievement Day , an annual event designed to build confidence, presentation skills, and personal development in a supportive environment. The event will take place Saturday, February 22, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. in the Bowling Green High School Auditorium , with participant check-in beginning at 2:45 p.m. The program is
Mike Batchelor
Feb 52 min read


Pittsfield Downtown Revitilization Meeting Tonight
PITTSFIELD — The City of Pittsfield is inviting business owners, residents, and community members to attend a public meeting tonight to learn more about the upcoming Downtown Revitalization Project and what to expect as construction moves forward. The public meeting will be held Thursday, February 5, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Pittsfield City Hall , located at 215 North Monroe Street . City officials will be joined by representatives from Rees Construction , the contractor ov
Mike Batchelor
Feb 51 min read


Community Black History Program Planned at Keely Center in Louisiana
LOUISIANA — A community Black history program titled “A Taste of Blackness” will be held Saturday, February 7, 2026 , at the Keely Center in Louisiana, Missouri. The event is being presented by the Northeast Missouri Clergy Coalition and is scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Keely Center, located at 3523 Georgia Street . Organizers say the program is open to the public and designed to highlight Black history through voices and perspectives from within the loca
Mike Batchelor
Feb 41 min read


K-9 Maverick Joins Pittsfield Police Department
PIT1TSFIELD — The Pittsfield Police Department has added a new narcotic detection canine to its team, expanding the department’s enforcement and public safety capabilities. Officer Mackenzie Moore and K9 Maverick recently graduated from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Canine Academy. Maverick is a three-year-old Labrador and Belgian Malinois mix trained in narcotics detection and will be deployed alongside Officer Moore in law enforcement operations. City off
Mike Batchelor
Feb 41 min read


Former Louisiana Officer Sentenced
LOUISIANA — A former Louisiana, Missouri police officer charged in a case involving the theft and sale of a department-issued firearm has been sentenced to five years of parole following a plea agreement that resolved the more than year-old case. Court records show Daylon Green , a former Louisiana police detective, originally faced four felony charges and two misdemeanors stemming from incidents that occurred in November 2024 . As part of a plea deal finalized earlier thi
Mike Batchelor
Feb 41 min read


Street Updates Coming to Louisiana
LOUISIANA — The City of Louisiana has announced a list of street upgrades and repair projects scheduled for Summer 2026 , continuing a multi-year effort to improve roadway conditions across several neighborhoods. City officials say the projects include a mix of streets approved for work in 2025 and 2026 , with repairs targeting areas identified through ongoing street evaluations and infrastructure planning. The work is divided into two categories, commonly referred to as “y
Mike Batchelor
Feb 41 min read


Pittsfield Updates Rental Propery List
PITTSFIELD — The City of Pittsfield is asking local landlords and property owners to help update the city’s rental property list, an effort aimed at improving access to housing information for residents, newcomers, and those considering a move to the community. City officials say the rental list is designed to provide accurate, up-to-date contact information for rental properties located within Pittsfield. Property owners are encouraged to participate even if their units are
Mike Batchelor
Feb 41 min read


Warm Up on The Way
PITTSFIELD — A noticeable weather pattern change is on the way for West Central Illinois, bringing a stretch of milder, spring-like temperatures after one more cold day settles across the region. Today is expected to remain chilly, with highs holding in the low 30s under mostly sunny skies as light northerly winds limit warming. Temperatures will drop sharply again tonight, falling into the teens with wind chills dipping into the single digits and low teens by early Thursday
Mike Batchelor
Feb 41 min read


Missouri Century Farm Applications Open for 2026
MISSOURI — Missouri farm families whose land has remained in the same family for at least a century are being encouraged to apply for recognition as a 2026 Missouri Century Farm , a designation honoring multi-generational agricultural heritage and long-term stewardship of the land. Applications for the 2026 Missouri Century Farm program opened February 1 and will be accepted through May 1 . To qualify, the same family must have owned the farm continuously since December 31,
Mike Batchelor
Feb 41 min read


Miller Leads in Fundraising
ILLINOIS — Republican U.S. Rep. Mary Miller is entering the 2026 election cycle in Illinois’ 15th Congressional District with a substantial financial advantage over her challengers, according to the latest federal campaign finance filings and candidate statements. Federal Election Commission reports covering the final quarter of 2025 show Miller reporting approximately $720,000 in cash on hand at the end of the year. Her campaign was supported by a combination of individual
Mike Batchelor
Feb 42 min read
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