BARRY — New details have been released after a car and train collision seriously injured 18-year-old Sam Oitker, a recent Western High School graduate. According to the Pike County Sheriff’s Office, Oitker was driving on State Highway 106 about two and a half miles west of Barry on Friday when his vehicle was struck by a westbound Norfolk Southern train at the railroad crossing near Smith Agri-Service. Oitker was reportedly on his way home from work at the time of the crash.

LOUISIANA — The Louisiana City Council reviewed the city’s finalized 2026-2027 operating budget during its regular monthly business meeting on May 26, with a final vote now scheduled for Friday. Mayor Mark Haddock called the meeting to order before council members heard several updates, including a presentation from Enterprise Director Clinton Keller. Keller explained how the city’s Badger water meter system works and also discussed the Enterprise budget with council members

BOWLING GREEN — After its first weekend open to the public, Bowling Green park officials say the new splash pad is off to a busy start — but they are asking families to help make sure the attraction stays safe, working, and available for everyone. Officials thanked parents who reported when the splash pad was working or not working during the first weekend. They said the system is still being adjusted and that the computerized controls may take more time to fully sort out. Pa

ROODHOUSE — Emergency medical coverage in northern Greene County is getting a major boost, with a Greene County ambulance set to begin operating out of Roodhouse within the next couple of weeks. Boyd Healthcare Services, which oversees Greene County Ambulance Service, says two emergency service personnel will staff an advanced life support ambulance from the Roodhouse Fire Protection District firehouse. The move is designed to cut down on long waits for emergency medical care

MEREDOSIA — Village officials are stepping up water-system flushing after residents reported cloudy and discolored water in parts of Meredosia. Mayor Kenneth Scott III said the village suspects high iron content is behind the problem. Complaints came in after Scott asked residents experiencing water issues to contact him, giving village officials a better sense of where problems were being reported. To address the issue, crews will now flush filters at the village water plant

ILLINOIS — Ameren Illinois customers are being warned to expect higher electric supply costs beginning June 1, as summer demand pushes electricity prices upward across the utility’s service territory. The increase affects the supply charge — the part of the bill tied to the cost of generating the electricity a customer uses. Ameren Illinois says that rate will move from 8.769 cents per kilowatt-hour to about 11 cents per kilowatt-hour. That does not include delivery charges o

BARRY, Ill. — The Barry and Western school communities are rallying around a recent Western High School graduate who was seriously injured in a Friday afternoon crash. Sam Oitker, a recent graduate of Western High School, was involved in the accident late Friday afternoon. Community members gathered Saturday to support Oitker and his family with prayer, donations, and encouragement during what has become an emotional weekend for the Barry area. The gathering came shortly afte

BARRY — Free summer meal programs will be available for children and teens in Barry and Louisiana as local groups work to help families while school is out. The United Methodist Church of Barry will offer its 2026 Summer Lunch Program from May 26 through August 18. Free sack lunches will be available Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Junior Room at Barry United Methodist Church, located at 720 Perry Street. The Barry program is open to all children an

LOUISIANA — The Louisiana Police Department is providing more information about its newly installed license plate reader cameras after questions and concerns from residents about privacy and how the system is used. Police Chief Josh Baker said the cameras are operated through Flock Safety and are designed to capture license plate information and vehicle characteristics. Baker said the system does not use facial recognition technology. Instead, it records license plate numbers

MISSOURI -- Missouri’s squirrel hunting season opens Saturday, May 23, giving hunters a long season for eastern gray and fox squirrels. The Missouri Department of Conservation says the 2026 season runs from May 23 through February 15, 2027. The daily limit is 10 squirrels, with a possession limit of 20. MDC says squirrel hunting can be a good way to introduce new hunters to the outdoors. Eastern gray and fox squirrels are among Missouri’s most common squirrel species and are

BARRY — One person was injured overnight in a vehicle-versus-train accident west of Barry. The crash happened at a railroad crossing west of Barry along Route 106 sometime between Friday night and Saturday morning. Initial information indicates the crash involved a vehicle and a train. One injury has been reported, and early reports indicate the injured person may have been a student who had just graduated from a Pike County high school. Barry Fire Department, Pike County Amb

TWIN PIKES -- Repeated rain across the Twin PIkes and West Central Illinois is starting to create real problems for local farmers still trying to finish spring planting. Fields that were nearly ready just days ago are now too wet for equipment, leaving some farmers waiting for several dry days before they can get back to work. The delay comes at a critical point in the planting season. Local farmers say the best planting window is closing quickly, with about a week left befor

LOUISIANA -- Karl’s Movies is asking for community respect and support after reporting multiple break-ins at its store. The business, located at 120 South 5th Street, posted a public message asking the person or people responsible to stop. Karl’s Movies said the repeated break-ins have caused financial loss, stress and heartache for the family behind the business. The post described the store as a family business built through years of hard work, sacrifice and dedication. The

CARROLLTON — The Greene County Agricultural Fair is set for Tuesday, May 26 through Saturday, May 30, at the fairgrounds located at 123 North Route 108 in Carrollton. The fair schedule opens Tuesday with the sheep show at 8:00 a.m., the art hall open from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., and the Miss Greene County Fair Queen Pageant at 7:00 p.m. Reserved seating is $17, with grandstand seating $6. Wednesday’s schedule includes steer weigh-in at 9:00 a.m. and harness racing at 5:00 p.m., wi

PITTSFIELD — The Pike County Sheriff’s Department has released its weekly arrest report for the period of May 11 through May 17, with several entries involving more serious alleged offenses. According to the report, John A. Sims, 64, of Pittsfield, was confined May 13 and released May 14 by the Pittsfield Police Department. Sims was listed on allegations of resisting a peace officer and aggravated domestic battery by strangulation. James J. Bernard, 51, of New Canton, was con

PITTSFIELD -- Pittsfield Public Library has a new StoryWalk available at King Park, giving families a chance to enjoy reading, fresh air, and a walk through the park all at the same time. The featured book is On the Last Day of School by Maggie C. Rudd, a children’s picture book that celebrates the friendships, laughter, growth, and memories that come with the end of a school year. Publisher information describes the book as a joyful story about the triumphs of the school yea

PITTSFIELD -- Pikeland CUSD 10 has released the student portion of its Strategic Planning Survey results, giving district leaders a broad look at how students view their school experience as the district works through its long-range planning process. According to the district, 473 students in grades four through twelve took part in the survey. The district says today’s focus is specifically on the Student Survey Report, with additional strategic planning details available thr

GREENFIELD, Ill. — A Greenfield police officer has been recognized for more than three decades of service in law enforcement. During the regularly scheduled Greenfield City Council meeting on May 14, Police Chief Alderfer presented an award to Officer Aaron Mehrhoff in recognition of his completion of 35 years of law-enforcement service. Mehrhoff’s career has included service with the Greenfield Police Department, as well as his tenure as Greenfield chief of police during the

BOWLING GREEN, Mo. — A major step forward is underway for the Cancer Memorial Park Foundation after the Bowling Green Board of Aldermen voted unanimously Monday night to donate a city lot for the park’s future use. The donated property is located at 16 South Court Street, next to the MASH store and near the downtown square. It is also close to the current Cancer Memorial Park location, sitting practically across the street from the back entrance to the existing park. The Canc

HARDIN — A false threat involving claims of an armed individual and explosive devices triggered a major law enforcement response and lockdown at Calhoun High School Wednesday afternoon, but authorities say students and staff were never in immediate danger. According to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to Calhoun High School at approximately 12:11 p.m. Wednesday after an unknown person contacted the school claiming he was on the way to campus armed