PITTSFIELD, IL — The race for Pike County Clerk has become a point of disagreement within local Republican leadership after County Board Chairman Reta Hoskin publicly defended her support for Democratic candidate Brenda DeSpain rather than Republican nominee Ashley Greger. The controversy followed the October 7 special County Board meeting, where Griggsville resident Christine Hinthorn challenged Hoskin during public comments over her position at a Republican Central Committe

One person was airlifted following a Thursday night crash on Kochs Lane west of U.S. 67 near Meredosia. Illinois State Police are investigating.

PITTSFIELD, IL — Pikeland Community Unit School District 10 is weighing major facility improvements that could cost between $30 million and $60 million, depending on how much construction and renovation the district ultimately pursues. At a special board meeting Tuesday, October 6, district leaders and consultants reviewed three broad funding scenarios. No construction plan or financing package was approved. The discussion follows a September public town hall about building

Roodhouse police are seeking licensed rescue organizations and community donations for eight dogs surrendered following an animal cruelty investigation.

WHITE HALL, IL — Greene County residents will have an opportunity later this month to weigh in on the proposed permanent closure of the Greene County Work Camp near Roodhouse, a correctional facility that has been part of the community for more than three decades. The Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability has scheduled a public hearing for Thursday, October 22, at 1 p.m., at the North Greene Unit Office Board of Education, 250 East Sherman Street in

PITTSFIELD, IL — The Pike County Senior Center will host a public e-waste recycling event Saturday, October 10, sponsored by Tim Bradshaw LLC. The drive-through collection runs from 9 a.m. until noon at the Pike County Senior Citizens Center, 220 West Adams Street in Pittsfield. Workers will unload items while residents remain in their vehicles. Organizers say items with cords or batteries are welcome, including flat-screen televisions, computers, laptops, tablets, printers,

A Griggsville resident challenges Reta Hoskin over a Republican ballot decision. Dr. Chris Lanhum disputes her characterization as the board also faces insurance and budget issues.

JACKSONVILLE, IL — State Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer has introduced legislation aimed at giving Illinois counties and municipalities greater control over where data centers can be built and how the massive facilities affect surrounding communities. House Bill 5818 would allow counties to establish standards covering data-center zoning, water use, noise mitigation, building size and height, site design and the number of facilities allowed within a geographic area. The prop

FILE PHOTO: The Maschhoffs feed mill in Griggsville, photographed before Tuesday's reported fire. Photo courtesy of The Maschhoffs. GRIGGSVILLE, IL — Firefighters were reportedly dispatched Tuesday evening to a structure fire at The Maschhoffs feed mill along Illinois Route 107 near Griggsville. Initial emergency dispatch information indicated that Griggsville and North Pike fire personnel were responding to the scene, with the Pittsfield Fire Department called to assist with

JACKSONVILLE, IL — Dr. Brittney Yancy, a member of the New Philadelphia Association Board of Directors, has been recognized by the Jacksonville NAACP's Women in the NAACP (WIN) Committee as its Woman of the Third Quarter. The recognition honors Yancy's leadership, community involvement, and dedication to preserving African American history. Her work spans public history, education, and community engagement, with particular emphasis on connecting historical scholarship with th

PITTSFIELD, IL — Pike County recorded the highest per-capita domestic violence homicide rate in Illinois in 2025, according to the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence's annual homicide report. The county recorded three domestic violence-related deaths during the year, producing a rate of 26.1 deaths per 100,000 residents. That compares with a statewide rate of 0.8 per 100,000. Statewide, 72 separate domestic violence incidents resulted in 101 fatalities, while the ov

ROODHOUSE, IL — Area residents will have an opportunity Wednesday to find out whether the State of Illinois is holding unclaimed money or other property in their name during an I-Cash event at Roodhouse City Hall. Illinois State Treasurer Michael W. Frerichs is encouraging residents to attend the event, which will be held Wednesday, October 7, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Roodhouse City Hall, 137 W. Palm Street. The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office operates the I-Cash progra

PITTSFIELD, IL — The Pike County Sheriff’s Department has issued its weekly jail report covering arrests and incarcerations from September 28 through October 4, 2026. Among the more serious cases listed in the report, James J. Bernard, 52, of New Canton, was taken into custody by the Pike County Sheriff’s Department on September 28 on an aggravated battery charge. Bernard remained listed in custody with no release date shown on the weekly report. The remainder of the report l

LOOK Trailers manufacturing facility along U.S. Highway 54 near Louisiana, Missouri. File image via Google Maps. LOUISIANA, MO — Fire crews responded Monday afternoon to a fire at the LOOK Trailers manufacturing facility along U.S. Highway 54 just outside the Louisiana city limits. The fire prompted a response from area firefighters as crews worked at the industrial facility Monday afternoon. According to information posted following the fire, no injuries were reported. The e

File photo: Illinois Route 106 west of Pittsfield in Pike County. Public-domain photo via Wikimedia Commons. NEWBURG TOWNSHIP, IL — Authorities have identified 35-year-old Cory J. Dobson of Winchester as the man killed in a single-vehicle crash on Illinois Route 106 at 430th Lane in Pike County on Wednesday, September 30. The Pike County Sheriff’s Department and Illinois State Police were dispatched to the crash at about 5:46 a.m. A passerby who was a nurse and responding law

BARRY, IL — A Barry man was arrested Monday on charges related to the dissemination and possession of child sexual abuse material. The arrest was reported by the Pike County Sheriff’s Department following an investigation into alleged child sexual abuse material. Authorities say the case involves allegations of both dissemination and possession. The case remains pending in court. The charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilt

PITTSFIELD, IL — Pike County’s newly posted 2027 employee health insurance rates show total premiums reaching $42,600 a year for family coverage under the county’s Traditional Major Medical option, substantially above the latest national average for employer-sponsored family health coverage. The county’s official 2027 rate sheet lists the Traditional Major Medical plan at $3,550 per month for family coverage and $1,503 per month for employee-only coverage. Annualized, those f

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Applications are now open for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP, for some eligible Illinois households seeking help with heating and utility costs. Beginning October 1, households may apply if they include an adult age 60 or older, a person with a disability, a child age 5 or younger, or if the household is facing utility disconnection. All other income-eligible Illinois households may begin applying November 1. Applications are

PLEASANT HILL, IL — The Pike County Health Department and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency will hold a used tire collection Wednesday and Thursday, October 21 and 22, at the Pike County Fairgrounds in Pleasant Hill. The collection will operate from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. both days. According to the health department's announcement, all tire sizes will be accepted. Organizers say the collection is intended to reduce the nuisance of mosquitoes by removing discarded tires t

PITTSFIELD, IL — The Pike County Board's Labor Committee is scheduled to meet Monday afternoon as county government faces continuing questions over payroll reporting, employee compensation, financial oversight and the preparation of its 2027 budget. The meeting comes amid several previously reported disputes over county finances. Those matters provide important context, although RiverNewsLive has not confirmed that each will appear on the committee's Monday agenda. One signif