WINCHESTER — Voters in Scott County will see contested Republican primaries this year in the races for sheriff and county treasurer, while the county clerk and commissioner positions remain uncontested. Three Republicans are seeking to replace retiring Sheriff Tom Eddinger. The field includes Winchester Police Chief Steve Doolin, Illinois Department of Corrections Sgt. Caleb Handy, and longtime Scott County Chief Deputy Robert “Bob” Smith. Each candidate highlighted law enfor

TWIN PIKES — Local motorists in both Pike County, Missouri, and Pike County, Illinois are feeling the pinch at the pump as gas prices rise from recent seasonal lows, according to data from GasBuddy , the crowd-sourced platform that tracks fuel costs nationwide. GasBuddy’s live price listings show fluctuation around the region, with several stations in Missouri and Illinois reporting higher per-gallon rates than in previous weeks. Local averages have climbed from early winter

SPRINGFIELD — A coalition of more than 60 organizations across Illinois has unveiled new legislation aimed at reducing homelessness among people returning from prison, improving public safety and saving taxpayer dollars. The proposed “Home for Good” legislation would create a statewide strategy to improve housing access and support services for individuals reentering society after incarceration. Supporters say the plan is designed to address housing instability, which they ar

PIKE COUNTY ILLINOIS — Skywatchers across the region will have a rare opportunity to see six planets aligned in the evening sky on February 28, creating what astronomers call a “planetary parade.” The best viewing window begins about 30 minutes after sunset, around 6 to 6:30 p.m., when the sky darkens but before the planets drop below the horizon. Mercury, Venus, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus, and Jupiter will all appear in the western sky shortly after sunset. Four of the six plan

LOUISIANA — The Louisiana City Council approved a resolution raising pay rates for the city’s Streets and Grounds Department during its latest meeting, while also recognizing firefighters, emergency personnel, and various department employees for their continued service to the community. Mayor and council members formally thanked first responders for their dedication and efforts on behalf of Louisiana residents. Council members also passed Bill No. 7249, amending Section 235.

PITTSFIELD — The Pike County Board approved an ordinance Monday night banning the sale and possession of kratom and related synthetic opioid products, accepted the county’s 2022 financial audit, and engaged in extended discussion over payroll accounting and past budget issues during a nearly two-and-a-half-hour meeting. The meeting opened with an invocation by Reverend Bobby Johnston, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. One of the first major actions of the evening was appr

ROCKPORT — Twin Rivers Auction Company in Rockport is preparing for its upcoming Firearm, Ammo and Outdoor Gear Auction running March 1 through March 15 on HiBid.com , giving bidders the opportunity to participate online from anywhere with local pickup available. The auction will feature a wide selection of firearms, ammunition and outdoor gear, with organizers encouraging buyers to register early and watch for additional listings as items continue to be added. Twin Rivers Au

BOWLING GREEN — The 3rd Jackie Branstetter Memorial Basket Bingo benefiting Anne’s Anchor will be held Saturday, March 14 at the Pike County Fairgrounds in Bowling Green. The event falls on what would have been Jackie Branstetter’s 70th birthday. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. with Bingo beginning at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $25 per person for 10 games. A 50/50 drawing, raffle prizes and concessions will be available, and attendees are encouraged to bring their own daubers. Guests are

WASHINGTON — Congressman Sam Graves announced he has secured an additional $4.9 million in federal funding for the Highway 54 Shared 4 Lane Project serving Audrain County and Pike County Missouri. The funding was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026, signed into law February 3, and is intended to help advance long-planned improvements along the busy Highway 54 corridor. According to Graves, the project will add an alternating passing lane between Curryville

SPRINGFIELD — Lawmakers in Illinois are intensifying debate over how to regulate the rapid expansion of data centers as concerns grow about rising energy costs, environmental impacts and the state’s economic competitiveness. Data centers, which store and process massive amounts of digital information — including artificial intelligence workloads — require significant electricity to operate. A state report released in December projects potential energy shortfalls beginning in

SPRINGFIELD — Schools across Illinois, including chapters serving Pike County Illinois, Greene County Illinois, Scott County Illinois, Brown County Illinois and Calhoun County Illinois, are recognizing National FFA Week with student-led activities highlighting agriculture and leadership. National FFA Week honors the founding of the organization in 1928 and shines a spotlight on agricultural education programs offered in area high schools. Local chapters traditionally mark the

PITTSFIELD — Financial oversight and payroll system challenges in Pike County Illinois are resurfacing in the current County Board election after a public post referenced past implementation problems tied to the PayCom payroll system. Reta Hoskin, a candidate for Pike County Illinois Board, addressed previously shared county bank statements that contained handwritten notes. Hoskin said the notes reflected employee frustration at the time due to inaccurate financial reporting

LOUISIANA, MISSOURI — The Louisiana City Council will meet Monday, February 23 at 6:00 p.m. inside the second-floor Council Chambers at City Hall, with a full agenda that includes ordinance changes, adoption of a new city code, infrastructure updates, and employee pay increases. According to the posted meeting notice, the meeting was called by Mayor Tim Carter and will include routine items such as roll call, approval of the agenda, approval of minutes from multiple January m

HANNIBAL, MISSOURI — Human remains discovered in Hannibal on Feb. 15 have been positively identified as Brian Snyder , a man with ties to Louisiana, Missouri, who had been missing since May 2022, authorities confirmed. Snyder disappeared from a job site near Mark Twain Cave nearly four years ago, and his disappearance sparked searches and community concern across northeast Missouri. According to the Hannibal Police Department, an autopsy and forensic examination confirmed Sny

CARROLLTON — Two Greene County men were sentenced Friday to prison terms in separate felony cases, according to the Greene County State’s Attorney’s Office. Nicholas A. Williams, 33, was sentenced to a total of 14 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to three counts of child pornography, all Class 2 felonies. Court records show Williams received consecutive sentences of five years on two counts and four years on a third count, for a combined

BOWLING GREEN, MISSOURI — A long-vacant building on the Bowling Green Square is coming back to life this week as local owners Juan Leon and his father, Guillermo Leon, officially open Mi Margarita . The restaurant occupies a space that has sat empty for more than 30 years, formerly home to the Ben Franklin variety store — once a familiar fixture in downtown Bowling Green. Juan Leon, a Bowling Green native and graduate of Bowling Green High School, says opening a restaurant i

BOWLING GREEN, MO — The Spring Bestie Market Vendor Fair is set to bring a full day of shopping, food, and family fun to the Pike County MO Fairgrounds in Bowling Green on Saturday, March 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will feature a wide variety of vendors offering permanent jewelry, boutiques, clothing, crafts, metal work, handmade and crafted items, sweet treats, and unique one-of-a-kind finds. Organizers say shoppers can expect a diverse selection of goods, making i

BARRY — Western Elementary School is rolling out two new family engagement initiatives this month designed to strengthen the partnership between parents and the classroom. School leaders say the goal is simple: when families are involved, students succeed. The first initiative, called Family Fridays , will take place on the last Friday of each month and invites parents into the school to participate directly in classroom activities with their children. Principal Ernest Motle

QUINCY — As teacher shortages continue to impact schools across Illinois and the Tri-State region, John Wood Community College is stepping in with new resources aimed at strengthening the future educator pipeline in West Central Illinois. The U.S. Department of Education has identified widespread teacher shortages in multiple subject areas, prompting efforts at both the state and local levels to recruit and support new educators. John Wood Community College recently received

PITTSFIELD — After two decades of organizing one of Pike County’s most recognizable summer traditions, the Pittsfield Lions Club has announced it will no longer host Pig Days. Club members say the decision comes after 20 years of leading the large-scale community festival. While they describe the run as rewarding and successful, declining membership and a shortage of volunteers have made the multi-day event too large for the club to continue managing. Pig Days began as a one