LOUISIANA, Mo. — Former Louisiana Police Chief William Jones has been found guilty on several drug-related charges, while a second-degree murder charge tied to an overdose death was struck from the case. Jones had been charged after Gabriel Thone, the brother of Jones’ girlfriend, died of an overdose in Jones’ home. During the second day of trial, testimony from a forensic medical examiner and a toxicologist indicated Thone died from a fentanyl overdose. According to courtroo

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The Pike County Sheriff’s Department has released its weekly arrest report for June 15 through June 21. Among the more serious offenses listed, Shannon M. Kirgan, 43, of Griggsville, was arrested June 19 by Pittsfield Police on charges of possession of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of cannabis by a driver, and resisting a peace officer. Dustin T. Howell, 33, of Roodhouse, was arrested June 20 by the Pike County Sheriff’s Department on charges of driv

CALHOUN COUNTY, Ill. — One of the region’s most recognized summer crops is starting to make its return. Calhoun County peaches are beginning to come in for the season, bringing customers back to orchards, farm markets, and roadside stands across the county. The locally grown peaches have long been famous throughout west-central Illinois and northeast Missouri, with many families making annual summer trips into Calhoun County once the crop is ready. The county’s peach reputati

PITTSFIELD — Drug Court is officially back in Pike County, Illinois after being absent for nearly a decade. Pike County authorities announced Wednesday that the program has been successfully reestablished. The county was once a pilot site for drug court in 2003, but the program was discontinued in 2017 after a local treatment provider shut down. Judge Zachary Boren is presiding over Pike County Drug Court. The state granted conditional certification in September 2025, and ful

MT. STERLING, Ill. — The Brown County Sheriff’s Office has released its latest activity report, covering incidents from June 1 through June 14. The report includes a traffic crash on June 1 involving Robert L. Laning of Mt. Sterling and Nathaniel P. Bowman. Authorities say Laning was traveling north on 1200 North when he pulled out in front of Bowman, who was traveling west on U.S. 24. Bowman was transported to Culbertson Memorial Hospital by Brown County EMS. The sheriff’s o

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Pike County, Illinois Clerk and Recorder Natalie Roseberry says she is withdrawing her candidacy for re-election in the November 2026 election. Roseberry announced the decision Tuesday in a statement to the citizens of Pike County. She said serving as County Clerk and Recorder has been one of the greatest honors of her life, but after careful consideration, she has decided not to continue her re-election campaign. Roseberry said she will continue serving ou

BOWLING GREEN, Mo. — Medical staff at Northeast Correctional Center in Bowling Green recently held a work walkout to call attention to concerns over pay and safety. The walkout involved NECC medical staff protesting outside the prison. The facility is located on Airport Road in Bowling Green and is a Missouri Department of Corrections institution serving medium and minimum security populations. The protest focused on compensation and safety concerns for medical workers inside

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Severe weather moved through parts of the WBBA listening area Wednesday, and forecasters are urging residents to stay weather-aware as another round of storms remains possible this evening. Earlier Wednesday, severe thunderstorm warnings were issued for portions of west-central Illinois, including areas in and around Adams, Brown, and Pike counties. One warning that included Brown and Pike counties was later canceled after the storm weakened below severe li

PITTSFIELD — Illinois State Police say a potentially dangerous situation on Interstate 72 in Pike County ended without injuries after a driver was found asleep in the left lane. Troopers were called around 5:10 Monday morning to mile marker 10 on I-72, where they found an eastbound pickup and trailer disabled in the left lane. State Police say the driver had stopped because of trouble with the trailer, then fell asleep before the vehicle was moved out of traffic. Troopers hel

WEST QUINCY — A fire destroyed the Haymakers store in West Quincy Monday after crews spent hours battling flames at the building. Firefighters were called around 12:08 p.m. and arrived to find smoke coming from the building. Officials say the fire developed quickly once crews arrived, and firefighters eventually had to pull back from the roof as conditions worsened. Investigators believe the fire started in the ceiling area near a roof tile, close to where an air conditioning

GRIGGSVILLE — The Western Illinois Fair opens its 2026 run this week, bringing several days of fair activities, pageants, livestock shows, entertainment and family events to the fairgrounds in Griggsville. The fair is held at the Western Illinois Fairgrounds at 516 South Oak Street and remains one of Pike County’s long-running summer traditions. Each year, the fair brings together local families, exhibitors, volunteers, vendors and visitors from across Pike County and the sur

BOWLING GREEN — A Bowling Green woman was injured Sunday afternoon in a one-vehicle crash in Pike County, Missouri. The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the crash happened at 12:20 p.m. Sunday on Route NN, south of Pike County Road 277. According to the patrol report, 34-year-old Hallie Dodson of Bowling Green was driving a 2008 GMC Sierra northbound when the vehicle failed to negotiate a curve. Troopers say the right tires traveled off the right side of the roadway. Dodson

CLARKSVILLE, Mo. — Flood warnings remain in effect along the Mississippi River at Louisiana, Clarksville, Saverton and Winfield as the river continues rising through the Twin Pikes and surrounding area. The National Weather Service says minor flooding is either occurring or forecast at several river points. At Louisiana, the river is already above its 15-foot flood stage and is forecast to crest near 17 feet early Tuesday afternoon before falling below flood stage Thursday ev

PITTSFIELD — Pike County Chief Deputy Zachary L. Orr has completed a national leadership program focused on jail administration and correctional operations. Orr, who serves with the Pike County, Illinois Sheriff’s Department, graduated from Class 56 of the National Jail Leadership Command Academy in Huntsville, Texas. The academy is a nationally recognized leadership development program designed to prepare current and future jail leaders for the challenges of managing correc

MEREDOSIA, Ill. — Village leaders in Meredosia are moving ahead with legal action as part of an effort to address rundown properties in the community. Mayor Kenneth Scott III and Police Chief Derek Suttles are scheduled to go to court Monday in connection with a Marion Street property owner. Scott said too many run-down properties can affect the village’s flood plain insurance rates, adding another concern beyond the appearance and safety of blighted homes. Suttles told villa

PITTSFIELD — Methamphetamine possession, DUI, domestic battery, a parole warrant, and revoked-license charges were among the more notable items listed in the latest Pike County, Illinois and Pittsfield Police arrest reports. According to the Pike County, Illinois jail report, Christina M. Kutner, 56, of Arenzville, was booked June 2 on a charge of possession of methamphetamine. Kutner was also listed on a warrant accusing her of failing to appear in court. Jacob M. Frasier, 3

PITTSFIELD — The Pike County Senior Citizens Center will hold a fundraiser fish fry Thursday, June 11, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at 220 West Adams Street in Pittsfield. The meal is $12 and includes a choice of catfish fillet or buffalo, along with three set sides: potato salad, slaw and cinnamon apples. Dessert and tea are also included. The event is open to all ages, with both eat-in and carry-out options available. Gift certificates are also available for any amount. The Pike Cou

ELSBERRY, Mo. — A new state audit of the City of Elsberry found problems with police evidence tracking, utility billing documentation, city receipting procedures, missed revenue opportunities and government transparency, but did not find fraud or missing city funds. The audit, released by Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick, gave the city an overall rating of “Fair.” The review was requested through a citizen petition signed by 299 residents. One of the most notable find

NEW CANTON — The Town of New Canton says all customers on the town water system are under a boil order after an unexpected emergency issue occurred during water system repairs. The town says water service will be interrupted for portions of the community while repairs are completed. Water service is expected to remain affected today and tomorrow as crews work to restore normal operations. The boil order is effective immediately and is expected to continue until Thursday at no

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gregory M. Gilmore has been sworn in as U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois. Gilmore was nominated January 13 by President Donald Trump and confirmed May 18 by the U.S. Senate. Illinois Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth both supported the confirmation. Gilmore had already been serving as acting U.S. Attorney after Gregory Harris retired in January following a little more than three years in the position. Gilmore said it is an honor to