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PITTSFIELD —  The Pike County Sheriff’s Department  is celebrating a major professional milestone for one of its own, while that same leader also prepares to seek the county’s top law enforcement post. Chief Deputy Zachary Orr  has graduated from the prestigious School of Police Staff and Command  at Northwestern University  in Evanston, completing the 22-week program between May 5 and September 29. The coursework provides advanced, college-level training in leadership, human

LOUISIANA —  The Louisiana R-2 School District is welcoming a new face into its schools this week as Officer Kaitlyn Alexandro officially begins her first day as the district’s School Resource Officer . District and city officials say the addition of a dedicated School Resource Officer has been in development for some time and represents a significant step forward in supporting the safety and well-being of students  across the Louisiana school system. School leaders emphasize

CHICAGO —  Molina Healthcare of Illinois has announced a new partnership with Mae, a digitally enabled maternal health platform, aimed at expanding pregnancy and postpartum support services for expectant mothers across the state. Through the collaboration, Molina Medicaid members  will gain access to real-time digital symptom monitoring , designed to help identify and address physical and social health risks early in pregnancy and after childbirth. The program also connects m

PITTSFIELD —  A West Central Illinois man with a history of missed court appearances and multiple felony cases has been sentenced to state prison following proceedings in Pike County Circuit Court. Forty-year-old Jonathan Well , formerly of Jacksonville, was sentenced Tuesday to two and a half years in the Illinois Department of Corrections  by Pike County Judge Frank McCartney. The sentence follows a series of felony convictions and repeated failures to appear in court. Well

Monday night featured limited but notable high school basketball action across the Twin Pikes region. In boys basketball , Paris with Faith Walk defeated Silex 64–55 , handing the Owls a home loss in a nonconference matchup. In girls basketball , Pittsfield edged Camp Point Central 41–39  in a close contest decided late. Bluffs earned a 54–42 win over Carrollton , while Brown County defeated Macomb 67–45 . Midwest Central also picked up a win, topping Spoon River Valley 49–35

SILEX — The Silex R-1 School District  is asking voters to consider a proposed tax levy aimed at maintaining student safety, protecting classroom quality, and keeping school facilities available for community use. The proposal, known as PROP OWLS , would establish a $0.49 tax levy  to help support local schools. District officials say the measure is focused on the belief that strong schools contribute directly to strong communities. According to the district, local funding pl

PITTSFIELD — The Pike County Jail  reported several serious arrests  during the week of January 26 through February 1 , with law enforcement focusing on offenses involving domestic violence, court-ordered protections, and impaired driving. Among the most significant cases, Brandy M. Stoye , 36, of Griggsville, was arrested by the Pike County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of aggravated domestic battery  and was held from January 29 to January 30. Raegan A. Simpson , 29, of Barr

PITTSFIELD — A new coed youth flag football league  is launching this spring in Pittsfield, giving Pikeland-area students a chance to learn the fundamentals of football while building skills, confidence, and community connections. The league is a partnership between the city and the football program at Pikeland High School , and is open to Pikeland students in kindergarten through eighth grade . Organizers say the goal is to introduce kids to the game in a fun, non-contact en

The New Philadelphia National Historic Site  in Pike County, Illinois, has recently gained wider national prominence as one of the newest units of the U.S. National Park Service  — a historic milestone for local residents, descendants, and scholars alike. Located just two miles east of Barry, Illinois , this site preserves the story of New Philadelphia , the first known town in the United States platted and legally registered by an African American , Free Frank McWorter , in

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Missouri officials say a major investment in broadband infrastructure is aimed at closing the digital divide between urban and rural communities across the state. The Missouri Office of Broadband says it is moving forward with plans to expand high-speed internet access to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses that are currently unserved or underserved, particularly in rural areas. BJ Tanksley, Director of the Office of Broadband for the Missouri Dep

ROODHOUSE — Bowling has returned to Roodhouse, thanks to a grandson determined to revive a family legacy and bring people back together. Roodhouse Roundhouse has reopened at 332 South State Street, restoring bowling to the community after the building sat closed for more than a decade. The revival is the work of Matthew Martin, whose grandparents opened the original bowling alley — then known as Martin Lanes — in 1961. Growing up, Martin spent countless hours at the alley, wa

Groundhog Day brought a familiar question to the Twin Pikes this year: is winter preparing to loosen its grip, or do several more weeks of cold still lie ahead? While the famous groundhog in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, draws national attention each February 2nd, weather watchers locally say conditions in the Twin Pikes would likely have led to a shadow sighting if a groundhog had been on duty here. Clear overnight skies, cold early-morning temperatures, and light winds create

Missouri House Speaker Pro Tem Chad Perkins, a Republican from Bowling Green, is sponsoring legislation that would significantly limit the use of so-called “red flag” gun laws in the state. House Bill 2176 would prohibit state and local authorities from enforcing any red flag gun orders, including court actions that temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed to pose a risk to themselves or others. The proposal would also block cooperation with any future federal red

Residents of Pike County  who are interested in emergency services or public safety have an opportunity to receive professional training at no cost. The Pike County Ambulance Service  is offering an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) course , with free tuition available to Pike County residents . The course is designed for individuals who want to learn how to respond during medical emergencies and provide initial care until advanced medical help arrives. The EMR course is sche

Residential trash service rates will increase in Louisiana  following action by the Louisiana City Council. City officials approved Resolution No. 02-2026 , authorizing a 5.6 percent cumulative rate increase  tied to inflation under the city’s existing contract with Daynes Solid Waste Service . The adjustment is based on changes in the Consumer Price Index  and reflects inflation for 2025 and 2026 , as allowed by the terms of the contract. The new trash rates take effect Febr

Woodrow Polston says collaboration, transparency, and economic growth would define his leadership if elected mayor of Louisiana. Polston, who moved to Louisiana in 2019 with his family, is president of Polston House Publishing and a published author and journalist. He currently serves as president of Louisiana Concerned Citizens, worship leader at Belong Church, and a member of the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission, where he has served for three years. He says those roles

Mark Haddock, a longtime Louisiana resident and community volunteer, is seeking the office of mayor with a focus on steady leadership, civic pride, and moving the city forward. Haddock moved to Louisiana as a sixth grader, graduated from Louisiana High School in 1970, and later served two years in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps. He earned an associate degree in cardiopulmonary studies and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri before building a career in sales and m

A longtime Pittsfield business suffered a devastating loss over the weekend after a massive fire destroyed Wright Place Auto Body at the corner of Adams and Memorial Street. Owner Peter Wright, who spent 35 years building the business and five years at its uptown location, said the building was lost in just a matter of hours as firefighters battled the blaze in subzero temperatures. Despite the destruction, Wright says he is determined to move forward and keep the business al